Grateful to be finished remodeling.

I started this project 7 weeks ago. I am sooooo grateful to be finished

Previous owners junk in the "craft room"

Previous owners "Noah's Ark" room

Starting the demolition of the craft room

Ready for guests-- walls really aren't this yellow and carpet is NOT pink

Ready for guests

Door to new storage area-- former craft room

New storage room

Grateful for paint rollers.

Noah's Ark room -- previous owners

Clutter of Previous Owner

When I moved in to my house there was this room in the basement that was pretty non-functional. On the left of a weight bearing wall was what I call the "craft" room. Countertops good for only collecting junk. On the right is what I called the "Noah's Ark" room. The colors were awful, the photos don't do it justice.

This shows the true colors better

 
 The carpet smelled like urine, so I pulled it all out. The room (sans carpet) has been the home of my treadmill for nearly 12 years.

I finally decided it was time to make this a liveable room. 

I thought it would take a couple of weekends.

Boy was I wrong.

I started by tearing out the countertops. It was good therapy for any frustrations I had-- taking a hammer and pounding hard.

My brother came down and closed off the "Craft room," installed a door and moved a light.

Then I trimmed out the ceiling, baseboards and corners with primer.

And then I put on a coat of primer on the walls.

And then another coat of primer on the walls.

And then finally the wall paint and baseboards painted.

And another coat of wall paint.

And more paint on the baseboards.

And a coat of ceiling paint.

And I still need to put another coat of paint on the ceiling.
And I need to put another coat of paint on the new door.

I am very grateful for paint rollers.

I am not grateful for dark paint I'm trying to cover. I even bought high end paint at Kwals.

Carpet comes this week.

Hope it all turns out.

Like most remodel jobs  it is taking more time and money than I first anticipated.

Life is good.

After I tore out the countertops.

Putting on the first coat of primer

Almost finished-- door to former "craft room" needs another coat of paint

Grateful for Family History

Last Sunday my dad called and asked if I would like to come teach his Sunday School class about family history and temple work.

Of course!! I love doing family history research and I love attending the temple.

My Friend Annie L.

Five years ago this week I started helping a friend with his family history. It was a gift, instead of flowers, when his father passed away. What I thought would be a few hours has turned in to 5 years and a lifetime passion. If I could quit my day-job I would be a full-time family history researcher. 

Maybe when I retire.

I have experienced miracles as I have searched to find these people. I've felt promptings from the other side of the veil. These people are real and they want to be connected together. I look forward to meeting them one day.

And of course it was great to spend Sunday dinner with my parents. My mom remarked that they had not seen me much lately.

I agreed. I told her that I thought life would slow down, but it hasn't.

She replied, "That's okay. When it slows down it isn't very fun."

I agree. But a little slower would be nice. Though most of my busyness lately has been of my own making. Trying to get some home remodeling projects before company comes for Thanksgiving. I'm on the countdown.... Hope I make it.

Life is good.

Grateful for Students

I received this email today from a former student. These are the rewarding days of teaching. Students at BYU are the best.

"Hello, you probably do not remember me for is it has been almost two years since we have last seen each other, so this will probably seem very out of the blue for you....I was in one of your classes my last semester at BYU. One of the days before finals I was in the Richards Building having a come apart about getting everything done in time to move across the country and complete my internship for graduation. I was having such and awful day and you came to me and asked if everything was alright and gave me words of encouragement and guidance. These last couple weeks I have been looking into going back to school and continuing my education so I have been pondering about a lot of things and that moment keeps entering my mind and I don't think I ever really thanked you for that, so thank you for being there as a faculty member and as a spiritual adviser which is such a wonderful benefit of attending at BYU. I hope things are wonderful with you as we begin this Holiday season."

Life is Good.

Grateful for Sunshine

"There is Sunshine in My Soul Today"

Sunshine is good for Dr. T's soul.

It is November 12 and the temperatures are in the 60s. I am walking during lunch, outside, in my shirtsleeves. Maybe two more days of "hooky weather" before the winter temperatures settle in.

Life is Good. So good!

Grateful For Moms

Today I am grateful for the "moms" in my life.

I am grateful for my grandmothers. I didn't know them well since we lived far away while growing up. But I still feel their influence through my parents lives.

My maternal grandmother once told my mother-- "you will never know how much I love you until you have a girl of your own." My mother is the best!

I am grateful for my sister and sisters-in-law. They are all amazing women. I am particularly grateful today for Ms. G. She had major surgery today to remove breast cancer. I've been praying for her constantly since July when she was diagnosed. She is a fabulous mother to two wonderful nieces.

Life Is Good.

Grateful A- Z

Today in Primary the kids received a piece of paper where they were to write their temporal blessings-- one for each letter of the alphabet. I thought I'd see if I could identify 26 unique things for which I am grateful. Here goes--

A to Z

A- Art. It makes the world just a little more beautiful. Looking forward to seeing the new exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art this month-- all religious art.
B- Bathrooms.
C- Car.
D- Dishes. Though I am avoiding washing them right now while I write this.
E- Electricity. It only takes a few hours without it to realize how much you depend upon it.
F- Furnace--to heat my home in the winter.
G- Garage-- to store my car (and some other stuff).
H- Hot Water!
I- An iron to iron my clothes, though it is my least favorite domestic task.
J- Jumper cables-- for when my car battery dies.
K- Kleenex tissues. I use a lot with this allergy thing I have going.
L- Lights. It is really dark so early now--by the time I get home from work; grateful for lights to see
M- Mattresses to sleep on; no camping for me
N- Neighbors. I live in a great neighborhood.
O- Ovens. I love to bake.
P- Pearls. I feel fancy when I wear them.
Q- Quilts to keep me warm at night.
R- Refrigerators to keep food cold
S- Shoes. I love to walk so comfortable shoes are a must.
T- Toothbrushes. No explanation necessary.
U- Umbrellas--  to stay dry; I always carry one.
V- Views of the mountains from my backyard.
W- Windows to let the sunshine in; sure do wish I had some at my office-- hopefully soon.
X- Xerox (photocopy) machines. It's one of those things we take for granted, yet use it almost every day.
Y- BYU, nicknamed, The "Y" I am grateful for my job there.
Z- Zesters-- a great kitchen tool for oranges, lemons, nutmeg, and so forth.