Halloween Candy

True to my nature, it's 2:00 on the afternoon of Halloween, and I still haven't bought any candy yet. Every year I keep hoping that if I ignore Halloween long enough, it will go away. Doesn't look like this will be the year. I better go buy some candy.

I signed up to have the missionaries in for supper tonight seeing as how that was the only day on the calendar that they didn't have a supper invitation. I guess everyone else actually likes to celebrate on this day and had plans. (They're obviously not poor sports like me!)

The missionaries told me that they had to be back to their apartment for the night by 6:00. Apparently the mission president doesn't want them to be out on the streets on Halloween night. Aside from the obvious fact that it would be a tough night to go tracting, I suspect that rule was created so that the missionaries don't get blamed for any bad pranks. Or are the recipients of any.

I kind of feel sorry for them. I wished I had've gotten on the ball sooner to plan a spooky Halloween supper for them, complete with eyeballs, brains, and the like. I think when I go buy my candy, I'll get something extra special just for them. Maybe that will help to get them in the Halloween spirit.

Maybe it will help me, too.

Dixie

Mixed Up

I've decided there was a mix-up in Heaven. I really think I was supposed to have been born 20 years earlier. I would have loved being a teenager in the late 50's. Here's proof:

• I love wearing full, below-the-knee skirts.
• Oldies are so fun to sing along to.
• Jiving is my favorite kind of dancing.
• I would love to own my very own juke box.
• I've always been pretty good with a hula hoop.
• Some of the best toys were invented in the 50's. (Think slinky, silly putty, pez.)
• I've always wanted to wear my hair in a pony tail.
• I love chewing gum.
• I've always enjoyed doing the hokey pokey (after all, that's what it's all about).

With the exception of that last line, I'm quite serious about this. I really do wonder why I was held back for those 20 years? Any thoughts?

Dixie

Fourth Sunday

Today was our fourth Sunday family dinner. Everyone from The Mr.'s side of the family who lives in the area comes for a potluck dinner followed by games and visiting. I really enjoy these evenings -- especially the people we share them with:

• The 14-year-old who heads straight for the piano the minute he walks in the door, providing the background music for our evening.
• The sister and brother-in-law who always modify their recipes to provide a healthier alternative.
• The newlyweds who can't keep their hands off each other.
• The 20-something nephews who still give hugs goodbye.
• The various girlfriends of the 20-something nephews who have been good sports and joined right in with the games.
• The 15-year-old who sneaks away from the games to play on the computer and eat the left-over desert.
• The one-year-old who keeps us entertained with her funny antics.
• The niece (and mother of said one-year-old) who is so patient when it's definitely gotten past her baby's bedtime.
• The "occasional attenders" who we'd like to see a little more often. (You know who you are!)

I love these guys -- I feel so lucky to have married into such an awesome family!

Dixie

And It's Not Even Halloween Yet

Today I was scared half to death. Twice.

A month ago I received my driver's license renewal form in the mail telling me I had until my birthday to renew. Being the procrastinator that I am, I waited until the last possible moment to go to the Registry Office. After collecting my proof of identification, the clerk typed up my new paper license, and told me to look it over to make sure everything was correct. To my complete horror -- written in bold print under the word "age" -- it read "50". Whoa! That was the first time I saw it written. It was SCARY!

I was then directed to the room at the back where they told me I needed to have a new picture taken. (Apparently they frown upon pictures that are 10 years old.) After taking my picture, the clerk told me to come to the computer to take a look at it. EEK!! Seeing the two pictures side by side was more than frightening -- it was horrific! It was overly evident that my chin was saggier, my eyes looked baggier, and my hair was definitely more grey. SCARY!

The clerk tried to reassure me by saying that it wouldn't look "that bad" when it's printed in black and white. Hmph. She's probably only in her 30's. Probably 33.

Dixie

Salt Lake City

Last Thursday The Mr. and I got picked up at 5:30 in the morning to head to the airport. Our destination was Salt Lake City. Our travelling companions were these 2 cool couples:

All of our husbands serve in the church together, so they know each other well, but in truth, we women really didn't know each other very well. So that, coupled with the fact that The Mr. and I have never travelled with anyone but our family before, made me more than a little curious as to how the weekend would turn out. I didn't need to worry -- it was tons of fun!

The reason for our trip was to attend General Conference, but we were able to do a bunch of other fun things as well. Things I've always wanted to do before I die. Such as.....

1) Attending a session at the SLC temple.

2) Volunteering at the Humanitarian Center.

We packed 720 school kits in all -- or one full pallet.

3) Taking a carriage ride around downtown SLC.

and...

4) Eating atop the Joseph Smith Memorial Building

in the Garden Restaurant (sorry, no picture)

Some other things we did (although not necessarily on my bucket list) were:

Touring Welfare Square

Shaking hands with M. Russell Ballard

Running into missionaries from home at the Conference Center

Eating at some great restaurants

Watching the film at the Legacy Theatre

Shopping

Enjoying amazing breakfasts at our hotel

Riding the Trax

Seeing John Bytheway in person

Making new friends

On Saturday night the girls attended "Ladies Night" at Deseret Book across from Temple Square. Wow -- it was crazy! Wall to wall women hoping to get a good deal, a coveted door prize, an autograph from their favorite author, or -- in my case -- a free cookie.

This picture is taken outside the window of Deseret Book.

That's Hillary Weeks in the forefront signing CDs.

And as if this wasn't enough fun already, Daughter #3 caught a ride down to SLC and joined us for a day and a half. So good to see her again!

Our flight home on Monday was supposed to be the end of our fun, but we were able to stretch that out to one more day when our connecting flight took off before we got there. We enjoyed one extra night and supper in Denver at the airline's expense. We were even able to share that fun with a young fellow Canadian who lost her passport and was stranded in Denver overnight.

This was definitely one of my favorite trips to SLC -- we may have to do it again sometime!

Dixie

Shopping Made Easy

So, I don't want to make anyone jealous, but I've pretty much got my Christmas shopping all taken care. Okay, I don't exactly have the gifts purchased yet, but I've just discovered a little gem for one-stop shopping.

Since I forgot to bring along a book to read on the plane the other day, boredom forced me to read those magazines that were located in the seat pocket in front of me. And there it was -- the answer to my gift-giving woes. SkyMall.com. If you haven't had the chance to browse the magazine, please take advantage of the website. You'll be sure to find a gift for everyone on your Christmas gift list.

For example who couldn't use a stainless steel wallet?

Or a pair of Monet cowboy boots?

Everyone has to use toilet paper. How about making the whole experience a little more fun?

Do you have a budding hostess on your list? Why not give her this lovely "Bob" ice cube tray.

And here's a great idea for the pet lovers in your life.

Do you have a lazy person on your list? Here's the perfect holiday gift. This "pop-up" tree will have their house transformed in less than five minutes.

And finally, my personal favorite, this sun visor with built-in wig is sure to be a hit with the bald-headed man on your list.

So there you have it. Your shopping could be done in no time at all.

Oh, and if you happen to be on my Christmas list, just pretend you didn't see this and try to act surprised.

Dixie