Singing in the conference center

Back in September I got the opportunity to sing in the choir for the General Women's Conference. It was a really neat experience. We practiced every Sunday for about 6 weeks at a stake center close by. The Saturday before we had a dress rehearsal in the conference center. I'm so glad I ended up getting to do it and have that opportunity. Don't know that I'll ever get to do that again.


Guess where I was, guess? Back row? Yep you got it. I am on the back row 3rd one in on the right section.


Hee hee. Look at me. I'm singing. I'm pretty intense.


Just hanging on the back row.

It was pretty cool to see everything from that point of view. The session of conference felt like half an hour instead of hour and a half. I guess when you are worried about standing up just right and singing the right words and notes the time flies by.

My Grandpa's Funeral

My wonderful Grandpa Riding passed away on September 19th. It was not completely unexpected. He has had Alzheimer's for years and for the past couple of years we have kind of just been waiting for the call. We would have liked for the whole family to go down, but timing was not on our side this week. Quinn had parent teacher conferences on Wednesday and Thursday that he could not miss. We had tickets to the circus on Friday and I was so looking forward to that. But, the biggest part of my week occurred on Saturday when I was part of the choir for the General Women's Conference in the conference center.

I was all sorts of worried on Monday. Of all the things that were going on, I did not want to miss the choir. By Monday evening we found out the funeral would be held on Friday which relieved a lot of my stress. Because of the rest of the schedule for the week, there would not be time to drive down and back. I decided I would fly down by myself. After talking to my brother Seth we got tickets for the same flight. Same situation with his family.

Seth and I flew down Friday morning at 7:00 and flew back that night at 7:00. It was a quick trip. When we got there we picked up a rental car and headed to the church. It was good to see all of my cousins and aunts and uncles that I love so much. All the grand kids except Cassandra and Melanie were able to make it. It helped that most of them were already in Arizona. But there were still a few who had to travel quit a bit.

The service was very nice. Uncle Jed conducted and my dad gave his life history. One of the things that I will always think of when I think of my grandpa was what a hard worker he was. He would always be up so early and when we would stay at their house in Cornville and get up around 7 or 8 we were always greeted with, "well, good afternoon". I joked that in honor of Grandpa I got up at 4:30 the day of his funeral.


The cemetery was a National Memorial cemetery where those who have served in the military can be buried. As we turned into the cemetery I told Seth to remind me never to be buried in Arizona. It is too hot - even if I'm dead. It was around 100 degrees that day. A little to hot for me.


At the cemetery you didn't go to the grave site itself. They had several areas where you would gather for the ceremonial part and then they would take the casket from there. This was members of the National Guard coming up. They did a twenty one gun salute.


Getting ready to fold the flag.


The folded flag ready to be presented to my Granny.


I was sitting right behind my Granny and I don't think she was expecting them to come kneel down and present it to her. She gave a little, Oh! as they came over. It was sweet.

I am very grateful for the family I have. I am grateful for grandparents who instilled the importance of extended family in my life. I have wonderful relationships with many of my cousins and aunts and uncles because of the time I spent with them growing up. I hope my kids have the same kinds of memories someday.

The Mole

I have had this mole on my chin forever. Most of the time I hardly notice it. Every once in a while it bothers me or I might feel self conscious, but it really isn't that big of a deal. This was the only picture I could find that you could even see it.

About 6 months ago I was at lunch with a good friend whom I have known for YEARS! While we were eating she so kindly let me know I had some food on my face. I wiped my face and she said it was still there. I realized where it was and kindly informed her that it wasn't coming off. It is a mole.

Since then I have been talking about getting it removed. It is time. I mentioned it to Quinn and my parents. Kept thinking about it but didn't do anything. I knew I needed to call a dermatologist, but when. How involved is this? Do I make an initial appointment and then come back? How much is it going to cost? Because of all these questions I just kept putting it off.

Well, about a month ago our ward had an activity and we had corn on the cob. I was over talking to our wonderful Relief Society president when her kind and helpful husband noticed I had some corn on my chin so he proceeded to wipe my chin. Oh, didn't get it. Try a second time. Still there. Third... Fourth. Four times! I finally realize what is happening and told him it was a mole. It isn't coming off. He was extremely embarrassed, I was a little embarrassed and I think his wife was going to kill him.

The following Monday I called the dermatologist. I went in on Tuesday and it was gone. Because it would get irritated at times insurance even paid for it.

I know that poor man was embarrassed but I am very grateful. I had been meaning to do that for quite some time. I realized I needed to do this so that I won't put others in the same situation. It has also helped me do a few other things I have put off because of the mounting questions. So thank you corn on my chin.

Pinewood Derby

My first boy in Scouts had his first Pinewood Derby. I have to say it was kind of fun. Miles had a good time designing his car. He ended up naming it the Burning Banana. Quinn kept calling it the Flaming Banana. I think Burning Banana is a better overall choice. The design was quite simple (which was nice). Quinn helped him with it, I didn't do anything.



The Cub Master had put so much work into the event. It wasn't just a track. They had decorated the gym with all sorts of fun stuff. They had a concession stand with popcorn and soda. A place to take pictures. Lights all over. A lot of thought and effort went into it. They even contacted places and were able to get gift certificates for ice cream at Sonic and Maverik. They contacted Rocky Mountain Raceway who gave them posters and a pair of tickets. It was a success and even though Miles car didn't win, he loved it.

Hello Treadmill

I decided it was time to reacquaint myself with our beloved treadmill. It is starting to cool off and I have been yearning for some exercise. I am not and never will be a super athlete, but I do like to feel like I can still move my body. Plus, over the past little while I have let some pounds sneak up on me. I am teetering right around the weight that I swore to myself I would never get to again. Yet, here I am. Time to get serious.

It has been a while since I have done any sort of physical activity and my body is feeling it. During the summer I can barely move as it is so exercise is pretty darn difficult. I would say impossible but it isn't impossible. It's just that during the summer I have a small allotment of energy and once it is gone, it is GONE. I could exercise and then do absolutely nothing else all day. That is not an exaggeration. So I choose to do other things like shower and put make up on.

So yesterday I was determined that I was going to spend 30 minutes on the treadmill. I get changed and go to put my shoes and socks on and can't find my shoes. Has it been that long since I have worn my tennis shoes at all? I finally found them on Quinn's side of the closet buried under other shoes. Yep. It has been that long.

I headed down to the treadmill and off I went. I did a combination of running and walking and I went at a pace that was comfortable for me. Don't want to discourage myself right off the bat. I ended up only going for 20 minutes because I had procrastinated and I had to be somewhere else shortly. However, it was 20 minutes of exercise. Yea me!

It is amazing what exercise does for me mentally. I went and changed and my pants were still a little tight. I exercise once and mentally I automatically feel thinner (thus I was surprised that my pants were still a little tight). I feel more toned. I feel better about myself.

Today I can feel muscles in my back and legs that are a little sore. Not too sore, but I know they got a little work out. I think I am going to set a goal to run a 5k around Thanksgiving. Not on Thanksgiving. I did that last year. Too much to do in one day. I think if I set a goal for myself it will help me push forward. More than anything. I want to be healthy. I am not the healthiest eater. I love too much that is not good for me, but I try to be moderate. Losing weight is not about looking skinny (although that doesn't hurt) but it is about taking care of my body the best that I can. Some do much better at it but at least I will keep on trying.