Mini Field Trip

 I went on a little field trip today as a result of something that happened yesterday!                                   I got a notice from Family Search that they had a tip

Grandpa and Grandma Hickey

 about my Grandma Hickey.    It was the birth certificate for my Uncle Mickey (my favorite).  In looking at it I saw an address of where they lived when he was born and decided that on Monday I was going to go and see if the house was still there.  And so I did!  The good news is that I found the address--the bad news is that it is no longer a house but part of the old Good Samaritan Hospital where your dads and mom were born and actually where your Grandpa was born.  And Good Samaritan hospital is now Banner Samaritan Medical Center and doesn't look anything like the original beautiful hospital.  I was also reminded when I got to the area that just a few miles east of where they lived on Brill  was the church that Grandpa Duncan and his family attended most of his life.  Something else I hadn't thought about but realized yesterday was that Grandma Hickey had her fourth of five children when she was 21 years old and that Grandma Lambert and Uncle Mickey were 15 months apart.  I got married when I was 21 years old and had Uncle Bill a year later.  I have to admit that I am pretty impressed with my courageous Grandma!

This is where the house would have stood back in 1926.

I took a picture of this house that would have been 
about 6 houses east of where their house would
have been.  It was probably pretty similar to what
was the designs back in 1920.

Back to Church

 I went to my first Sacrament meeting this morning.  One of the things I love about being a member of the Church is that every building is very similar and you always feel at home the minute you sit down in the chapel.  Today I felt that way.  I have to be honest.  I did cry throughout the whole meeting but fortunately it was only about 40 minutes and thankfully I had a mask that I could use for a "hankie"!  I thought today as I sat in a pew by myself (social distancing!)  how much I always took for granted.  If dad wasn't beside me he was on the stand where I could see him.  Today I think it hit me how hard it is to be a widow.  I did learn an important beauty tip though--don't wear mascara until you get through the crying phase!  It was actually a beautiful meeting with one of the Sister missionaries speaking and I loved seeing all of the sweet families around me.  Each week will get easier as I meet and make new friends.  I'm just so thankful to be back where I belong.  The truth continues--everything good in my life has come because I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! 

True Blue Again!

 I invited the Whitney's over for a pregame tailgate party last night.  I love being able to have company and it is always fun to come up with ideas for food.  Last night I did a hot dog dinner!  We had brats, corndogs, and regular hot dogs to choose from.  It was fun and I think everyone got plenty to eat.  In fact clean up was a cinch!  BYU again did an amazing job of showing they know how to play football this year.  After the Navy game I wondered if they would be able to keep the momentum going and the definitely didn't disappoint after beating Troy University 48 to 7.  It was a fun game to watch!

Update

 Yesterday when I put my post about achieving my goal in reviewing indexed records I mentioned that during that time I have never seen a family name.  This morning as I did my daily time in Family Search I was delighted when I came to a record of a couple who married in the 1890's in Wisconsin.  Her maiden name was Phelps!  I loved that feeling when something that I have thought about happens to me.  Was she a relation of mine?  I don't know, for more research would need to be done to find a connection,  but I loved that just yesterday I had wished that I could actually come upon a name that was in our family line and today that happened.  Don't you love it!

I Made It!

 A long time ago I set a goal for myself to review 10,000 documents for Family Search.  I thought I would be done long before now but I am so grateful that this morning I finally reached my goal.  During this last year much of what I was doing was looking at other peoples work in indexing the information on marriages births, and divorces in Arizona, Texas, Wisconsin. and Michigan.  I was to look at the information that had always been documented and make any corrections.  I always hoped I might come across a name in our family history.  That didn't happen but it was very interesting work.  

The Grave Stone

 On the way back from Yuma I got a call from the Cemetery telling me that the headstone had finally arrived and they had installed it.  On my way home I stopped by and got to see it.  I love how it turned out and appreciated the beautiful image of the Savior that they put on it.

Yuma!

 Let me just remind all of you what I had forgotten.  Just because it is on the internet doesn't mean it is true or correct information!  That being said, Barb and I set off on our next adventure to see the first territorial prison in Yuma, Arizona.  In case you hadn't heard my reason I will share it.  Several years ago I was watching the PBS channel and I saw a story about this preserved prison in Yuma.  It sounded so interesting and I thought to myself then that some day I was going to go and see it.  Thanks to a willing friend the day finally came.  Now mind you I am aware that not everything is opened so I had gone onto the website about this national park museum and it said that it was open to visitors again and so I was confident that we would be able to actually take the tour.  After a long trip to Yuma I was so excited until we drove into the parking area of this historic national park and realized that no one was there and all the gates were padlocked!  So standing outside the gates I looked longingly at the prison I wished I could go to!  Kind of ironic isn't it!  Be not dismayed for us because we found a Hobby Lobby in Yuma and toured it instead!  Barb asked some of the ladies who worked there where would be a good place to eat and they told us to go to the Casino.  Barb said that we really didn't want to eat at a casino but they assured us it was just a restaurant so we headed over.  It was old, it was a little stinky, and it had numerous paintings of naked women on display (definitely not a family friendly place!)  AND they made the best grilled cheese sandwich I have ever eaten!  Sometimes you just have to go with the flow!

Don't worry that I didn't get to take the tour.  Barb said she would go with me again!  Next trip on our Thelma and Louise adventure is California.  We were going to go to Los Angeles and take a train to San Diego but because of the craziness there we are instead going to do Catalina Island and then spend some time in San Diego and Coronado Island.

Before & After

 I finished fixing up my new home and I love how it turned out.  I also love living here!  I already have my first assignment as a ministering sister who I have already contacted and am excited to meet her in person.  I feel safe here and it is very comfortable and cozy.  I am so glad that I made the decision to rent and each day I feel more confident that this was where I was suppose to be.  This cute place has gone from empty to full and even better it is full of many things that I love.  This weekend we are having a garage sale at the Whitney's and then Amy will be able to have her garage back.  I can't wait for all of you to come at Thanksgiving when we will celebrate Grandpa.  I actually celebrate him every day and have been blessed with so many memories that have erased the pain of watching him slowly slip away for so many years.  

Happy Birthday Lincoln!

 19 Years Old

                                       

Happy Birthday Perry!

23 Years Old

                 

CA Duncan's Labor Day

For Labor Day Caleb and Ava and their parents made a trip to Sequoia National Forest.  They had a great time hiking, swimming, exploring, and enjoying time with their cousins.  Uncle Andy sent me pictures and you will be able to see some of the smoke from the fires that seem to be raging in California.  Caleb told me that they had a great time!

 

Football!

It was fun to have everyone over for our first football feast, and this time it wasn't just the food that was good.  BYU played better than I have seen in many years and beat Navy 55 to 3.   I took a picture of the table and meant to put the food on and take another picture but of course I forgot!  We had lots of appetizers and they were a big hit!

Love This Picture!

 

I loved this picture that was taken for Owen's senior recital.  As we all know things didn't work out for many of our plans last school year!  Every time I hear Owen play I am truly in awe of his talent on the trombone.  I smiled when I saw this because my first thought was--Owen could probably play each one of them and not miss a beat!  Owen is now into his new school year at the Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.  Keep making music Owen and have a great time of learning everything you can to serve as a minister in the coming years!

FREE!

 

Aunt Becky sent me this picture of Miriam now that she is out of quarantine.  When Uncle Ben took her to college she was to isolate for two weeks.  During that time she had to stay in a room and food was delivered to her three times a day.  Kind of sounds like prison to me--but that seems to be the new normal sadly!  Anyway, she is free at last!   She is now moved into her dorm room and she told her mom that she is enjoying her freedom, classes and more choices at the cafeteria!