New Discovery

Tarnished silver:

Polished butter dish

Have you any tarnished silverware around the house that you don't use because it is too much trouble to polish? I made a discovery that everyday toothpaste can be a silver polish for darkened silver! I was watching a show that had antiques and heard a woman on there tell how she polished a silver cup prize with ordinary toothpaste.

I tried it and was so excited I forgot to take a before picture of the butter dish I have had around in a drawer. It polished up quite nicely. Then I polished a spoon and knife too and took a picture of it before polishing it. They turned out fine and I just hand washed them. You never put silver in the dishwasher. They will turn dark again otherwise.

Redeeming a Gift Card for Christmas

What a pleasant surprise we received a VISA gift card for Christmas that some of the kids went into together to give us. We had some time to ponder what to get for ourselves since we have about everything we need.

However, one day we had one of the Elders to transport to Hermiston,Oregon which is about a little over an hour away. He had a Garmin GPS with him, so he punched in the address of where he needed to go. It was quick and easy. The more we talked about how handy it was, Ron came up with the idea that we ought to get one for us.

So we now own one, and bought it a few days ago. He followed the directions and downloaded all the maps for it and we are ready to roll with it. It is so much easier than to try to read a map while on the road. My glasses have not been the easiest to read either so the GPS is a real blessing. Thank you, family!IT is appreciated very much.

Bonus Blessings

What a treat to be on the way to Cincinnati with a layover in Salt Lake City! It was a last minute option. I didn't realize I would have a long layover (2 hours) on the way. I thought it was on the way back.

Aaron, Candice and all their children met me near the exit by Security. We visited for about an hour. It was so neat to see them and the cute baby, Gentry. I felt like it was a dream and would wake up any second.

But, it was for real and enjoyed every moment making that memory. It felt like such a gift to be there, and it was.

I was able to get my flight on time and off to Cincinnati. I spent the week there helping Joanna after ankle surgery. She appreciated me being there and I got to share my week with the McIntire's and Saatkamp's (for Sunday dinner).

Joanna and I baked fresh homemade bread, Pepperoni pizza from scratch via a Pinterest recipe on her iPad.

recipe. I learned how to make a crochet hat that Joanna taught me how to do. I think the chair I was sitting in swallowed it as I didn't get home with it. Sorry I must have left it unaware it wasn't in my suitcase.

The boys were so active and kept me busy, with cooking for them, bathing, and telling them "Grandma" stories at bedtime. I was able to iron a week's worth of shirts for Michael, which he appreciated very much.

Lots of activity going on as Joanna kept things together. It was great to be there and visit with them, even though I missed my husband, he kept busy with missionary work while I was away.