Conference and Easter

Our annual conference sweet rolls happened. For New Years I decided to make them and share them with people so we don't eat them all ourselves. 

Turns out we just like to eat them all ourselves. I suppose it's only 3 times a year. And it's probably best to celebrate conference by overeating sweet rolls.

Easter also happened. It was Rebekah's first in Young Women's. She and another girl wanted to build a claw machine. It turned out rather well. Very proud of her. 

At home I told Rebekah now that she's older the Easter bunny is outsourcing the hiding of the eggs to dad.  He did a great job, but she eventually found them all. 

Inside I hid Harry Potter stampers since she's into Harry Potter right now. 

Wiseman Reunion

My mother in law decided it was time for a Wiseman family reunion. As many as could come gathered at the local park for food and socialization. 

These are the grandchildren of Paul and Alma Wiseman. 

 

The great grandchildren with some great great grandchildren.

Three of the original Paul & Alma Wiseman family; mom on the left. 

While there, Don's cousin Bob wanted to draw up a family tree of sorts. This is the result.

I was there with Rebekah. 

As was Don. Rebekah seems much happier about taking pictures with Don than with me.... 

So I thought perhaps if Don was in the picture I could jump in and try again. 

Mom asked Rebekah to sing "Back Home Again in Indiana" for the reunion. I didn't get it recorded there, so I attempted at home. 

Then I attempted again. 

March

Pictures from my mission Facebook page. Guess where Sister Stirland is? 

This one is a little easier. 

I love my library. Their bags make me like a rebel with a cause. 

Went to get Rebekah's hair cut and ran into my good friend Sarah! 

Rebekah pre-hair cut:

Rebekah post-hair cut:

The last day of spring break we drove down to Columbus to see friends. It's so good to see Rebekah so happy. I always take multiple pictures in the hopes that one will turn out. They all were pretty cute so....

The last Saturday of spring break we went to Cammack station to get some food. 

 

And enjoy the ambiance of the place: 

Then we went to the planetarium. This is a close up of the sun. And a close up of a daughter... 

Rebekah in front of some nebulas. 

The show was pretty amazing. Totally fascinated with learning! 

March Books

Don asked me to read this one. I admit, I voted for Trump somewhat hoping that maybe the 25th amendment might be needed. I thought I could support Pence. So I gladly read this book. However I came away not as much of a Pence fan as I was when I voted for the Trump / Pence ticket. In his defense, there's not many autobiographies of presidents or positions in general of which I actually approve. Even Obama's book before he was president was much better than his after presidency. But Pence's book goes through his early life ends many months after January 6. Don thinks this book might be his way of entering the presidential run. If it is, I don't think it helped. 

Basically fluff, but interesting fluff. The author does the two timeline plot, and while it's somewhat fantastical - not fully believable, it's still fun. 

I admit I was looking for more. I'll also admit to seriously considering not finishing it after the 2nd chapter; there were so many things that the author questioned that I knew to be true, or he stated that I knew to be false. I figured once I got out of the early biblical era I would be better off. Sure enough I learned a few things but I do question what I learned. The author is known as an author of fiction, not history. 

I've been looking for a historical book on Africa for a while when this showed up on the library's new release shelf. It was pretty much exactly what I wanted. Fascinating and somewhat horrific what the imperialistic mindset can do. 

I want to understand things like this, but in general I do not. So I listen to these in the hopes that the next time I'll understand more. However, I was not impressed with the lecturer. 

I read in the hopes that this would be helpful for Rebekah as she goes through the crazy social years. It's actually pretty good so I've kept it at home and put it in front of her in the hopes that she'll want to look at it. No success yet. 

Historical fiction following WWI and WWII. This is one of the better books I've read. Highly recommendable. 

Historical fiction involving a supposed murder case tried by Abraham Lincoln. The story itself was pretty interesting, however the part Abraham Lincoln played could have been anyone else. It didn't really feel like Lincoln per se, but I suppose it kept you interested knowing it was "him?" Still enjoyable.  

Pretty good history of the Vikings. The author starts out with the mythology / legends, and ends up with how most of Europe has Viking in them. Also, they're history isn't PG rated. 

I almost didn't read this one either but I ended up being happy with it. Basically it's set in the 50's. And also humans can be horrible to one another. So if you go in knowing what you are going to expect, you'll be prepared. 

I love geography so this one being next to the book on Africa I picked it up too. It turned out to be less about geography and boarders and more about climate change and the issues of modernization of the world but still a good read. 

Another book I got in the hopes of finding something for Rebekah. However this is a lot "A Little Princess" and some "Harry Potter" mixed in for good measure. And then there's a lot of "class" issues brought forward as well. If Rebekah asks to read it sure. But I'm not going to suggest it.  

and

and

Rebekah had me reading Harry Potter so I thought about these. I was sick recently and watched the movies so I though about these again. Turns out they're quick reads; I'm almost done with the 3rd now. They're all pretty good. I'm not attached to them like I am The Lord of the Rings series, but they're probably up there with the Potter series. 

Apparently there was this castle in Nazi territory that they kept all the officers that were taken prisoner. It's an interesting account of escapes that worked, escapes that didn't, and the basic drudgery of life as a prisoner of war for these officers. 

Finally Rebekah is set to finish the series so I finished the book. There were several things about this book that I had to prepare Rebekah for, including torcher, cursing / harsh language, deaths, etc. So not so much a fan for young kids. I always thought the author intended her readers to grow with Harry and therefore be much older when they read this one, however it doesn't really work when they are all out. And also, I've said it before but THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO EXPRESS ANGER THAN ALL CAPS. Just sayin. 

I'm a Lucy Worsley fan so I read this one. Kind of the same philosophy of find the best teacher and that will be the best class. It was a good book but turns out I'm just not that interested in Agatha Christie. But I know a lot more about her now. 

Really good junior fiction. The main character has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bone disease) which while it's part of the plot, it's not really THE plot. She wants to go to public school and meet friends. It's really about that process. Highly recommendable.  

March Home Improvements

In my attempt to beautify my surrounds I have done the following:

Appliqué flower with birds over the tub. The plan eventually is to tile the shower. In the mean time I wanted to do something make the space less bleak. I first put the items on the shelf to the side of the tub and then added the appliqué. I assume when we tile the shower we will put a small tile frame around the tub. I've also spoken to Don about somehow turning the space to the side of the tub into some type of shelves so I can have the tub clean. (I have issues with clutter.)

Next we had a free weekend so we decided on a ceiling fan in the living room. Look at the intensity on Don's face. 

We were free because Rebekah had a young women's activity, so while we were doing the above, Rebekah was doing the below. 

Don using his phone as a flashlight. Turns out the house wiring was faulty and he had to cut a section of the wire out. But he's totally a handy man and up to the challenge. 

So He got to a certain point and then put it away for the night, then the next day he finished. 

I like it! 

Under the island was another issue for me. In general I think the paint color is a little bland, but under the island it kept getting dirty and the paint doesn't clean well. We talked about putting bead board, planks, or even tile. Eventually I ended up with wall paper. 

I got the first section on and then realized I didn't take a before picture. 

The middle of the process.

The final product. 

I think it lightens the area up. I also like how the brownish grey in the wall paper matches the brownish grey in the floor. 

I'm happy with the final product. I'm trying to talk Don into letting me pain the kitchen white, but I'm not holding my breath.