This will be the last word for 2009. All the kids have gone home except for Scott and Mandy and Raeley and Mia. It turned winter again the other day, cold and snowy once more. I've spent the last few days on and off trying to put names on all the Wilde family pictures that are on the SD card for Bob and LaDeen's picture frame that we gave them for Christmas. Bob had no idea who most of the people were in the pictures. I don't know a lot of the names of the Great Grandchildren either, but between Bev and I we've got most of them. No idea though on a lot of Sue and Barry's grand children. Good thing theres a Wilde family thing tomorrow, i'll take my laptop and get Sue to help label a few of the slides. I have been working on it in Keynote on my Macbook, then I'll publish it to Powerpoint, from where I can change them into pictures to put them on the SD card. Which I have to do in two steps. I put them onto a memory stick first, and then transfer them to the SD card using the PC down stairs. But I will try and see if I can put the powerpoint on my blog, so you can see all the pictures. I hadn't thought of that before. Or maybe I'll have to e-mail it to you.

The above photo is of our new picture we bought for the living room. it's almost as long as the pink loveseat, and about 24 inches wide or so. The light from the flash didn't do it justice, but we really love it and it will go great with our new furniture.

Well have a great New Years Eve and Day. Mom and I are going to a movie (the new Sherlock Holmes) and then Chinese with John and Jan and Dave. Talk to you later. Some of you tomorrow. I'm off to Cardston to see Grandma Scott now.

Well, Christmas Morning and Eve photos and some pictures of Raeley's dance recital.

Wow!!! It's been a few days since my last blog. We're pretty much ready for the big day. Treats all prepared and bought. We even got an electric fireplace for the living room. It's really nice. People have been bringing lots of gifts too. We had decided not to gift this year just around town, but now we've changed our minds and will make deliveries tonight. We're having Grandma Scott over to our place tomorrow Christmas eve, and she will spend the night. Mal's room everyone!!! so fight over the other beds for at least one night. John will take her back to the home after she spends some time with them Christmas day. We're looking forward to seeing who ever can make it home. Mallory has to work starting tonight till Monday morning. Have fun Mal!! The Coopers are crab fishing and sun bathing in sunny Port Moody, but we'll keep in touch via the phone I'm sure. The Wallburgers and the Listers will be here Christmas eve sometime. We'll have some festivities and eats. The Patricks arrive Boxing day. We should still have some eats lying around then. Mal will show up Monday after earning megga bucks on call for the holidays. I expect we'll all have lots of fun where ever we are RIGHT!!! Every one stay healthy and happy throughout the season.

ATTENTION!!

ATTENTION!!! Mother is concerned that maybe the set doesn't match the rest of the kitchen too well. I think it looks fine. Do you think we need to paint the other kitchen walls something other than pinkish to get a better effect? What color? Any thoughts or ideas? Or do you think it looks OK??

Dining Room Furniture.

Well, the new table and chairs arrived tonight about 7:00 PM. We had been expecting the impending delivery since 5:00 PM when I got home from work, and met Steve leaving the house with a quick message of "the delivery guys are supposed to be here with the table and chairs at...well, er, about now. I've got practice see ya!!!"

It was still freezing cold all day today, with a high of about -28, and Steve's car wouldn't start all day, so he was waiting for the van. Actually he worked today for the first time in over a week. So what do you think? Does the dining set look good or what? It has two huge leaves and opens up to sit 14 adults. Enough for Bev and I and

everyone of you kids and your spouses (when you are all married). We'll put the old table downstairs for the grand children when they are older. Card tables etc till then. Actually the pictures don't do the set justice as I think it's actually a little darker than it looks in the picture. We think it's marvelous!! Mom says it now needs a really fine looking centerpiece in gold tones.

Thankfully it's supposed to start warming up sometime tomorrow, and actually get above zero for a few days , at least until Saturday.

We have a busy week. Tonight we had FHE over at Craig and Norma's with our old couples FHE group that we started a month ago. (We are going to get together once a month). Are we getting old or what? It's an "Empty Nester" thing. Tomorrow is Mom's Clinic Christmas get together and party thing. Usually good eats and visiting. Thursday is Ward Temple night. Friday is the Steed wedding in Taber and I guess on Wednesday, I'll be heading to Cardston to see Grandma Scott. Sunday we're off to Medicine Hat after Sacrament meeting to see Raley in her ballet recital. A full schedule this week, but it should all be lots of fun.

Grandma Wide hasn't been feeling to good the last few days. We were just there at 10:00 tonight, and she was a little shaky. She goes for more tests at the Regional on Wednesday.

Jen and Dan, you're old neighbor Drena Harker passed away. We don't know what from, but her obit was in the Westwind news Friday. And there's a For Rent sign out front of your place already.

Grandma Scott's new Digs

Grandma's new digs at the Grandview Nursing Home are a little small. About an eighth the size of her room at the Good Sams in Magrath. Mainly because as you see she shares a room about a quarter the size of the last one with a roommate. Reminded me of some of the places I lived in on my mission. Barely enough room to turn around.

Do you recognize her roommate? Yes she's Vera Roberts. Mom was happy that if she had to have a roommate, it was someone she knew. We had no idea she was in a shared room for sure till we got there.

One thing I can say for sure though is that there were lots of people on staff, and everyone seemed really nice. I hope Mom enjoys it there and that we don't go through the same extended period of depression and not eating as at the two last places. Especially this close to Christmas.

I'll see her again tomorrow after my Board meetings in Cardston.

To change the subject, the wind is starting to howl again outside, and our driveway is starting to drift in again. Bev just got home from the ward Relief Society Christmas dinner and social (yea, women only again), and she said she had to plow into the yard. The wind is forecast to blow for a couple of days, as the temperature increases to about -7 by Friday, but then the wind stops sometime Friday night and Saturdays high is forecast for -20 again. Are these blogs too homey?

Musings and updates

Well, I got a phone call from the health nurse in Magrath yesterday, and it turns out that they forgot to inform us last week that the Health System has decided that Grandma Scott has been in the Swing Bed at the Good Sams for too long. The maximum stay time is supposed to be 60 days, after which they can apparently send the patient to an available bed anywhere in the system, until a bed becomes available in the preferred facility. In order to stay on the list and in the same order, a patient and the family are supposed to comply. So tomorrow I have to have Mom at the Grandview Nursing Home in Cardston at 2:30 PM. That will be her new home for the forseeable future until a bed becomes available in Magrath. Life is one fun thing after another!! We will have to try and get her things out of the Good Sams sometime later this week, and take to Cardston the things she might need. We want to take as little as necessary, on the hope she won't be there too long. I guess one change for Mom will be that neither John nor I will be able to see her every day. We'll have to see how often we can visit her in Cardston. LaRee works at the Grandview, so mom will get to see her on a regular basis which will help ease the lack of visits from us. I guess we'll always be "on the road again" to coin a worn out phrase.

R & R at the Homestead.

Christmas must be coming as Winter hit with a vengeance this weekend. While Jen's and Dan's kids were playing in the park in Port Moody, we were spending the weekend snowed in at the homestead. The first storm of winter started Friday afternoon and continued unabated till sometime early Sunday morning. Snow, strong winds and drifting snow and very cold temperatures. We weren't able to make it to the Temple on Saturday to wash dishes, but no harm done as they closed the cafeteria because of the weather. So far it's been a first Saturday of every other month assignment. Then late Saturday afternoon we received a phone call to tell us that because of the storm and terrible drifting and cold, church services in the Magrath and Raymond Stakes were canceled for this Sunday (today). Apparently they were canceled in the Cardston Stakes too. So we spent a very relaxing and restful weekend at home.

Do you think the Coopers really miss this kind of weather? Parks and Sun in December...Sounds like Camelot. Enjoy it kids it sounds Maarvelous!!!

Poor Mallory got snowed in in Calgary after a week in the sun in California...We all felt sorry for her right!!! Hear she got home safely though and we're glad for that. Back to the old Drudge this week eh Mal!

Genealogy stories.

THE CONVERSION STORY OF RAYMOND AND IRENE SCOTT.

In 1956 four years after Ray and Irene were married (Peter was three years old and David was two), they were living in the same neighborhood as Ray’s parents Ralph and Rhoda, Rays brother Roland and his wife Audrey, and Ray’s sister Joyce and her husband Earnest. They lived just blocks from each other, and spent lots of time socializing and getting together.

One day Joyce answered a knock at her door and listened to a message delivered by two young men in suits. These missionaries had apparently had no success tracking in that particular area of town and as they were leaving the area at the end of the day, to move to a new area, they felt impressed to knock on this one last door again. Joyce was preparing supper and her children were ready to eat, but being interested in what they had to say, she asked the missionaries to come back later in the evening when her husband would be home.

After supper she was so impressed and excited about the missionaries and what they might have to say, that she went and invited Ralph and Rhoda, Roland and Audrey, and Ray and Irene to come and listen to the two young men as well. When the missionaries arrived they were naturally surprised to find eight people waiting for them instead of just Joyce and Earnie.

It must have been a wonderful evening message as the missionaries were invited back to begin teaching all eight of them. When they got to the Word of Wisdom lessons the missionaries challenged everyone to stop smoking and drinking and everyone did. Ray always said that if you’re going to quit doing something you might as well quit cold turkey.

The missionaries taught all the discussions to all eight of the family plus Joyce and Earnie’s son Kenneth who was eight years old or older. They challenged all nine to be baptized, and eight of them accepted the invitation. Roland’s wife Audrey didn’t think she was quite ready to take that next step. She wanted to wait and think about it, so Roland decided that if his wife wasn’t ready then perhaps he should wait a while too. (They never did join the church).

Ralph and Rhoda, Joyce and Earnie, Ray and Irene and Kenneth were all baptized on 28 July 1956.

GREATGRANDMA IRENE SCOTT’S ACCOUNT OF HER PERFORMING TOUR WITH THE RELIEF SOCIETY SINGING MOTHERS CHOIR (CONSISTING OF SISTERS FROM AROUND THE BRITISH ISLES AND 50 SINGING MOTHERS FROM AMERICA – 250 SISTERS IN ALL). Taken from a letter she wrote to a friend. This tour took place sometime in the early 1960’s. Great-grandmother Scott had had several miscarriages since having her first two children Peter and David, and when set apart to go on this tour was blessed that she would have more children who would survive. John and Michael were born before the family left for Canada in 1966.

“…the time we were on the tour we were kept pretty busy with rehearsals as we sang in the evenings and travelled during the day. We were very thankful for Sis. Prudames who not only played the piano at church but opened her home to us and helped us with the many songs we had to learn. (off by heart). So we got pretty close…When we arrived in London for the tour…I were among the Sisters chosen to go to welcome the Prophet & other General Authorities, also the 50 singing mothers from America & some of their husbands when they arrived on the Queen Mary. It was a great honor & an emotional time as we sang Thank Thee O God for a Prophet, also Come , Come Ye Saints. It reminded me of the Early Saints as they left their homeland, and could realize their feelings as they waved farewell to their family and friends. I know it was a little different as one was waving farewell and the other waving welcome but the tears and emotions were similar. Then we travelled by train from the docks back to our hotels and used the time meeting each other & signing our names and addresses not only the U>S> Sisters but those who had met from London, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and parts of England it was great. We were at a rehearsal for the dedication of the Organ for the first Chapel in London. We all wondered about the 250 voices but all well. The next place we were to Sing at was, The Royal Albert Hall that was a huge place & a little scary, it was filled with members friends and fam of those that were singing also Elders & investigators and civil dignitares. Also a representative of the Queen etc. The Prophet and others in the Royal boxes. At the beginning we were waiting for the arrival of the Prophet and every Member & some of the others got to their feet as we sang Thank Thee O God for a Prophet, and all others stood up during the rendition. It was a special time for us all and before we left London we were invited to Meet the Prophet and others at R.S. headquarters we were each welcomed and shook hands it was really special to see & speak with Pres. David OMckay and other Apostles and their wives. We then travelled by tour buses to our next destination the Prophet stayed with us until we got to Wales then he & a few others stayed as they were dedicating a chapel or breaking ground for it. I think it was the first for Wales. We continued on stopping at a number of places until we reached Scotland & performed I believe in Glasco. Had a break a day to visit Loch Lomond &visited the placers where they made the plaids for kilts, the sisters from the U.S.A. spent quite a lot getting different things. It was ideal weather and everyone was thrilled with the beautiful scenery all the way and the heather was in full bloom. After we performed in Glasco we boarded a ship for Ireland this was also a great experience for all. It do was beautiful the people friendly the land so many different shades of green. After this went back to Glascow. &travelled by train where we each got off at our own places, and were ready to see our families.”

These are stories I'm giving to Elder Steve to take on his mission with him. He's supposed to take accounts of his ancestors. We''ll give him others from the Wilde side too.

A few pictures to amuse and to satisfy.

Freezing to death waiting for the train in the un- heated train station in Cutbank, Montana. We thought we would never warm up again until we got on the train and found it to be very toasty warm.

The BOLDEST statement we have ever made in our dining area. It'll look great with the new table and chairs. We're also considering wooden blinds. What do you think?

This years tree with the new bookcase cabinet in the corner of the room. It'll look great with the new furniture. We're excited to be redecorating the living room. No more old pink couches. Will anyone recognize "Home Sweet Home".

Hope the new couch will be comfortable to sleep on eh Dan.

Note the new height adjustable piano bench. Mallory told us it was about time. I think she likes it.

And, a picture of the autumn leaves wall decorations that Mom got a while ago.

I had my first Christmas dinner today; turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy and veggies and all the trimmings, and it's only December 01. Yes it was School Board meeting day, and since we only meet this once in December, we had our Christmas feast at the Cardston High School cafeteria. (Private dining room of course - we eat there every board meeting). Cardston High School has an accredited Chef who teaches cooking classes in their commercial kitchen, and it is the cooking students who cook all our meals. We eat very well, as they try out all kinds of great dishes on the Board.

My next Christmas feast is this coming Thursday December 03 at the Welling Ward Christmas party. We're having Turkey dinner followed by a program and Santa's visit. Mom has to take a pan of her fabulous home made stuffing, (weep all ye who will not be there). All I can say is I'd better get some of Moms stuffing and not someone elses.

We got our tree up and decorated last night, and decorations now deck the halls. We are officially Christmassed. We went and put up Grandma Scotts tree and a few decorations last night also. It was actually almost blizzarding on the way home from Magrath. Quite Christmassy in fact.

Cold tonight though, and Mom has gone to song practice again. Steve and Benson went to the Temple again tonight. It's wonderful to see their excitement as they prepare for their missions.

Mallory called from California and she's having a great time on her vacation with the Peacocks. She said it's very nice weather down there.

Also, Cody proposed to Mallory today and she said YES. Life definitely gets more exciting every day. Wedding sometime next summer I think she said. (Maybe the Spring). Everybody wish them well, and we'll get more info when they get home. (Such as HOW, WHERE and all the other proposal details). Did Cody get down on one knee?