CHRISTMAS CARDS AND LETTERS

It is the most wonderful time of the year! I have always loved Christmas. For years as a child I was a devoted believer of SC. I think primarily due to the fact that I was aware that we were not "well to do" but somehow Christmas morning always brought wonderful surprises. One of my favorite Christmas tunes sings of "presents on the tree" One year I actually had a present on the tree. Everything had been opened and a little clean up had begun, when my Dad said, "wait, here is a small box in the branches of the tree." "Santa must have left it especially for you" It was my first "real" watch. Wish I still had it - not for its value, but because my Dad gave it to me.

Now to the subject of Christmas Cards and Letters. We began the tradition of sending out Christmas letters while our family was very young. There were so many to stay in touch with, aunts, uncles, friends around the country, and all that writing was wearing on the hands and time schedule. Now we have a binder filled with a journal of sorts of our life over the last 45 years at least. So, yes, we send out a Christmas letter each year. We send them to almost all folks on our "list". Sometimes, I just put them in a envelope and sometimes I actually also send a card. But that adds considerably to the expense and someone else's clutter after Christmas.

But in all this we have a pet peeve. People who send cards with only their name imprinted and no note at all. Even those who sign their name only merit a casual look. Why go to the time, expense and effort and not share something of their life with us? I would much rather read a long - over glowing letter - surely not all that can be true? than receive a card with only a signature.

This year we tried something new. We sent out most of our letters electronically. So far we have only gotten one negative response. And only one who could not open the attachment. Several have shared how they enjoyed reading, seeing the photo and listening to the music. Yes, I figured out how to attach music to the letter. I feel so accomplished!

So if you have not yet received a electronic card from the Stirlings, and would like one, please let me know. I will click my mouse and get one on the way.

Thanksgiving Week

Here we are - the most wonderful time of the year! Thanksgiving, is a wonderful time. Very little is expected except for lots of good food. That is not easy but doable - especially after this many years. I recall years of feeling so stressed over this meal. This year I have lots of help and am looking forward to sharing the meal with those of our family who are nearby.

Our menu this year is a group effort. Turkey is a given, dressing, gravy. All standards. We have to have rice, Felt says rice belongs with Thanksgiving. I figured on mashed potatoes, but the family voted for au-gratin potatoes - Julie makes really wonderful au-gratin potatoes. I was thinking green bean casserole - that was voted down - we are having peas. Not my favorite but I can make green bean casserole next week if I really want it. Jello salad and plan Jello, we have had some sort of jello salad since I was a small girl. It varies year to year, but is definitely part of the meal. Our grand daughter Kate makes wonderful rolls and her supreme roll is a wonderful orange dinner roll. Yes, that is what we are having. We hit dessert and had so many opinions. Felt says Pecan pie, but only he and Dave really like pecan pie. Katie wanted brownies and ice cream, Rachel and Lindsey wanted chocolate cream pie. What happened to pumpkin pie? Another food item I can have next week. This year we are having a appetizer tray of vegies and cheese. After everyone arrives it is hard to wait for the meal to actually be ready to eat. Last year we did a little something before hand and recognised the need this year.

Our family group this year consists of Julie and Dave and their family; their three oldest and their mates, Kate and Nate; Justin and Lindsey; Rachel and Jeff; and their youngest, Sarah. Tyler will be in our thoughts while he is serving his mission in Uruguay. This year we are also expecting our son Scott and his soon to be wife, Jenni. Both of them have former spouses who have their children for the holiday so they will be sharing the day and meal with us. It will be the first time Jenni has met one of Scott's "other mothers", his closest in age sister, Julie. I think everyone will enjoy becoming acquainted and sharing this time together.

Gratitude is such a big subject and yet so very important to our well being. Folks with out gratitude as part of their life, tend to be pretty unhappy people. We have so very many things to be grateful for. Today in church one of the speakers talked of being grateful for the things around us, the things inside of us and the things above us. Yet when I think of things I am grateful for I always think first of our family and Feltus. He/they have allowed me to become the person I am today and encouraged and loved me, in spite of myself. I would not be me without them. Then of course next would be our health - at our age we cannot take that for granted - and the wonderful blessing of having a safe home in this great country, with never worrying about where we will sleep or what we will eat or if we can keep warm.

But those things within and above; our faith in our savior, Jesus Christ, our testimony of the Gospel, the knowledge that we have gained all of these things make us who we are eternally. The knowledge we are blessed with of knowing our Heavenly Father not only loves us but knows who we are and cares about us as individuals. What strength that give us.

Gratitude - Thanksgiving - Blessings It has been a wonderful year and a wonderful life.

Home from New Hampshire

What a wonderful journey we have experienced! We left home four weeks ago and traveled by car across the country to visit our former home in Glen New Hampshire. I wondered how it would feel to "go back" -- knowing that you cannot go home again. At first it was strange -- it really felt so normal and the main thing that was different was staying across the road from our home. But after a few days of seeing friends, note I did not say "old" friends and having some good visits, we relaxed and just enjoyed being there.


The trees were very cooperative. We got to see the early red leaves and progressed through the hot pink, orange, yellow in every shade possible. It rained a couple of days but that did not bother us much. So many friends had us to eat and we soon discovered that sticking to our "diet" was an impossible task.


Mid way we met some boyhood friends of Felt's and spent part of the week with them, going to the fair, shopping and then traveling to Boothbay Harbor to spend a couple of nights on a yacht and crusing the bay area. The yacht belongs to Sam and Cathy Haynes, and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience of luxury living.

This picture is is Jack Green, Sam Haynes and Felt Stirling

The Yacht
On our way back home we stopped to visit with friends serving a mission in New York at Palmyra and spent the night in the Martin Harris home. Now that is something not many folks have done.

But now we are home and loving being here. Everyone has been so welcoming and glad to see us. Rather like we were treated in New Hampshire. So far the weather is good. Not as cool as NH-- we know it is coming but right now we are loving the fall weather.

Success -- another challenge

The heart procedure, ablation, they performed was wonderfully successful! It took about 3 1/2 hours -- time I have lost but am grateful not to remember. Spent one night in the hospital and went home to take it easy. By Saturday morning I was feeling really well. We took a short walk and then I rested the remainder of the day. Until .... A terrible pain in my leg that did not get any better took us to the ER where after several hours they performed an ultra sound to report that there was no blood clot - so grateful for that news, no aneurysm - more gratitude - but I did have a great deal of bleeding into my thigh muscle. Felt had been giving me injections of blood thinner - they sent us home from the hospital with that - real love and trust here. I was to discontinue that and take pain meds - yes it was that bad - and report to our Doc on Monday.

Now it gets interesting. Monday we went to see our doc and have a pro time test to find out my blood was near the middle of acceptable. The Internist took me off all blood thinners and sent me home to call the cardiologist - who immediately counter maned the first instruction and put me back on cumadin beginning tonight.

We feel somewhat like a pin ball in a pinball machine. And the bruise on my thigh is enormous and really deep purple. But today it no longer hurts as much and I feel pretty good. Sore but good.

So we will be obedient and begin taking the medication again tonight and see what happens. We trust both doctors but feel the need to go with the education of the one who spent 3 + hours inside my heart.

A new adventure

Well, here I am two days away from having my heart procedure. Friends keep asking me how I feel about it - I feel a little cautious - but not upset at all. I have been sleeping well - no dreams to speak of. And feel very confident that it is not only in the Lord's hands, but that I have the very best surgeon possible. He is a pioneer in the type of surgery being done and perfected it while working at the Mayo Clinic before moving to Utah - Salt Lake area - soon after we arrived here ourselves. So tomorrow evening I am having a Priesthood blessing from Feltus and our home teacher. Remember we are Stirling's - we do things by the book.

The procedure I am having done is called a heart ablation. Basically they enter my heart through my femoral artery in my leg and also through the artery in my neck. Then they proceed to cauterise the errant misfires occurring in both atria of my heart. Dr. Bunch told me it would not seem long to me - since I will not only be out but immobilized. But that it would be a long 3 hours + to Feltus and Julie.
They will keep me over night and send me home on Thursday. Then I take it easy for a short time and - hopefully within 3 months my heart will settle down into a normal sinus rhythm once again. I so much want to be able to take hikes, walks, ride my bike, ski, without having to stop every small distance and let my heart settle down and catch my breath. And I am definitely ready to not take these medications any longer than I have to.

The hospital I will be going to is a pretty new one in Draper - I believe it is called IMC. When I tell folks that, they seem to know what and where I am talking about.

I will post more after the adventure.

50 YEARS -- WHAT A JOURNEY

We made it! 50 years of marriage to our best friends, each other. We have had plenty of down times, as many of you know; but the good times have been wonderful and even the dull boring days of sameness, have been comfortable. We are so grateful to have found each other and to still have our health and finding joy in most days. Some of our friends are beginning to have health difficultites - we know that will be ours one day, but for right now - the sky is the limit.

Here is a picture of the two of us taken for our anniversary. Thought we would share.

Family Reunion Ahhh Such Joy!

Last month we celebrated with our family at a Family reunion/50th Anniversary occasion. Our anniversary is not until August 14 but we loved the whole thing! the family planned it and we didn't have to do anything but provide lunch for all of us on the first day. We went with Pizza - everyone loves pizza and it was a big hit.

Friday we had family pictures taken. All sorts of groups - from the entire family, to grand kids, individual family groups, and couples. I am having trouble figuring out which ones to order. I want a large on of the entire family so that will be first.



Friday evening, after the activities of the day, horseback riding, swimming, and shooting, we all drove down to Ogden for dinner at one of our favorite places, the Timbermine. Julie had arranged for a private room and we just had a grand time eating and visiting and for Felt and I, just looking at all of them together. The sight and feeling of love that was in the room almost made you want to cry -- with joy.

Saturday morning we rose early and drove over to the Flaming Gorge, a portion of the Green River that runs through Wyoming, Utah and on. Dave had arranged for 3 rafts for the 24 of us. We separated into three groups and with life jackets on started the 7 mile trip down river. We had been gone 5 minutes before our youngest, Avery, told us she was having a great time! She had been the reluctant participant. And we did have a grand time. Water fights, and scenery that was breathtaking. I had been concerned about the rapids but loved the whole experience.


Now it has been a couple of weeks since all the activity. But we still think about it everyday. Families are a grand experience.

JULY - SUMMER - FAMILY AND REUNION TIME

We are so enjoying being warm and having summer now that July is here. I know friends in the northeast have had enough HOT weather, but we are enjoying summer.
We had a nice celebration for the 4th of July on July 5th with Julie and her family. Hamburgers, corn on the cob, watermelon, etc. and a cake that was frosted to look like a watermelon. We ate too much but it was a Holiday!

Next weekend is our family reunion celebration planned by our children and we are so excited! All of our kids will be here with us for 5 days. Ali flies in on Monday with Bryson, Hunter is already in Utah. Mary Lou is coming from Texas on Wednesday and bringing two of her children with her, Betsy and Tony Jr. Scott and two of his children, Zane and Avery are coming on Thursday. Scott and Ali are staying up here in Cache valley with us and Mary Lou is going to stay down in Fruit Heights with Julie and her family. But location does not matter. We will be together!

Next Friday we are having family portraits taken by a professinal photographer in groups and in families and of course with all of us. they will be outdoors up at the University where there are many places - trees - stairs etc. to use for interest and background.

Friday will include activities for everyone, the main ones are horse back riding and target shooting, with swimming thrown in for good measure. Friday night is a family dinner at a favorite steak house. Saturday we all take off early in the morning to travel to Flaming Gorge to go rafting on the Green River. Wow memories are made or these kinds of experiences.

I will post more after our adventure.

Ahh June at last!

We arrived home from our trip south and have been pleased to find it a little more spring like. Yesterday I went to the local garden spot and planted two large pots while there. They have employees to help you select plants that will do well in the area you want to place them. So before I left - I bought plants for 5 or 6 pots that were at home. Got them planted yesterday and watered in and today they look very happy. I do think I will plant two more to go out by the driveway. But I am not going to overdo it this year.

Our trip to the south took us to our daughter's home in Houston to visit with her family. We had a good time and took one day just to play with her, or rather she took a day off to play with us. We ended up at the Zoo - one of her favorite places. I guess we did that to her. It was a good place to take her and her siblings when they were young. Entertaining and you did not have to pay to get in then - Oh for the 1960's again! Below is a picture of Mary Lou and her Dad at the entrance to the Houston Zoo


The trip to Baton Rouge included seeing and visiting many cousins- you never know if they will still be around when you return. We stayed with some good friends, Jack and Linda Green. jack and Felt went to school together -- all those years ago. the week ended with a 1956 class party with lots of Louisiana food and opportunity to reconnect with folks from high school. Felt was grateful for name tags - most of them looked to be older than he expected. I imagine they felt that way also. I was glad they had other options!
Photo shows a tray of shrimp and crawfish - Felt really like the food. I was glad they h



Our month of June calendar looks like an highly scheduled item. We have something to do most days and many evenings. But isnt' that grand? Beats sitting around getting older!

MIDDLE OF MAY - FINALLY SOME SUNSHINE

Well what do you know, the middle of May and it finally warmed up a little bit! May has been a difficult month for us. Too cold – too damp – too much snow!!! Ok complaining over – at least for now.

I decided not to plant my flowers until we return from our journey south. I know some of the things I would like to plant might not be available – but to rush it and not be able to make sure they are well established seemed unwise. There is a place in Logan that will work with you to put the right types of plants that can withstand the location and sun/shade and I plan to use their services when we return. Actually, several friends have told us that they never plant until after May 31, so we ought to be just right.

We are both doing well. I have been working to lose some weight and have been successful – slow and sure seems to be my motto. We both feel well and are entirely too busy for retired folks.

We are looking forward to seeing the southern grandchildren and getting to spend time with our daughter, Mary Lou, in Houston. Felt has a class reunion kind of thing in Baton Rouge, so we will spend some time there also. And before we do either one we are going to Branson, Missouri to see a few shows and enjoy seeing and doing something different!

We will post pictures as we go along. Hope your spring is sunny and bright!

April -- Spring is finally here!

What a wonderful month we have had. It began with snowy days but now has turned into sunny warmer days and we are enjoying it so very much.

Our grandson, Tyler Stirling Calder, received his mission call this week. His mom, Julie, told us that his bishop had called and the call was on the way. It arrived on Wednesday and he elected to wait until Thursday at 5 pm to open it so that his siblings and grandparents could be present when he opened it. We talked about how the plan for the next two years had been set out by Heavenly Father, and he did not yet know where the plan would take him. It is the same with us, Heavenly Father has a plan, we don't know where it will take us but we do know that if we do our best to follow him we will be in the right place at the right time.

Tyler opened his call with all of us holding our breath. Video was taken and you can see and hear our surprise when he read "Montevideo Uruguay Mission" And he reports to the MTC in Argentina August 5. So many new things to take in - but we are proud of his decision to serve and know that he will be a wonderful missionary and be a blessing in the lives of the people of Uruguay.


I have increased my exercise and walking. I am walking outside now and enjoy that so much more than the treadmill. I am not as tired as I was in the early days of returning to walking following my mishap and appreciate the marvel of our bodies to heal themselves.

With spring the pace of our lives increase. We are planning a trip south to see our daughter, Mary Lou and her family, then to attend a special event with Felt's graduating class in Baton Rouge and visit some good friends. We decided to take a side trip to Branson MO before we go to Houston and have reservations for a couple of nights and tickets for three shows. We are looking forward to the experience. And to spending time with family and friends.

Summer will bring visits from family and the celebration of our 50th anniversary. So we have plenty to look forward to.

APRIL SHOWERS SHOULD BE RAIN!

Happy April to all who read this. We have been tricked twice now in a matter of three days with April snow and snow showers. Oh, well. At least it doesn't hang around and it will warm up before too long.

We have plans to go down to Julie and Dave's tomorrow for Easter dinner immediately following conference. Julie has to go to work that evening after working 2 day shifts and then a night shift. Glad she is young - I could not do it.

We had a wonderful visit last week with Rachel and Jeff. They came during their spring break and we enjoyed their company. We played games and visited. Felt took them out to dinner while I went to a Relief Society dinner. Before that happened - Felt took them to shoot. Niether one of them had ever fired a pistol before and seemed to enjoy it. Plus Rachel is a really good shot. Jeff did very well - but do not get in Rachel's way if she has to defend herself.

Last Saturday, Felt and I drove up to Idaho to visit with Scott and his kids. We got to see his new apartment - he has been so blessed by friends who have given him furniture and such wonderful support. The kids, Kade 15, Zane almost 12, and Avery 9 seem to be holding up OK.

Today was the first day of General Conference. What a wonderful spiritual experience and high that was.

I will post a picture of our April 1 snow so you can feel sorry for us.

Home again, home again - there's no place like home!

We arrived home from Arizona on Wednesday. The house looked so large and spacious! Guess living in your RV again for over a month give you a new perspective. At first I was a little fearful of walking so much, but now make it around really well without my cane unless I have just gotten up or I am leaving the house. I can even go up and down the stairs with no problem. Stair rails are wonderous things!

We are back into the swing of things. Felt is busy with his calling and with his homeowners association office. We have both returned to exercise at the clubhouse and are enjoying having that so accessible. I am constantly preparing for Sunday School class and have never enjoyed studying the Old Testament so much.

It has not been as cold as we had anticipated - but it definitely is not warm and sunny. But as my dad always said, "this too shall pass", and spring will come to Cache Valley Utah and be appreciated by all. I found a picture of my flower beds at the Glen NH house with daffodils in bloom - I made it my desktop picture. It makes me feel hopeful!

Almost time to say Good Bye to Arizona

Oh my goodness - where has the time gone??? We have been in Arizona for 3 weeks and leave for home on Monday, March 1.

We have had a wonderful time - spelled warmer! We have shopped, eaten, day tripped, played golf, eaten, and spent time in the library to use the internet. the group we are with consists of 7-8 couples most of them younger than we are, but retired. In fact Felt is the senior member - this means that when we play hand and foot - a card game - he gets to go first. We usually do something together everyday. Either eat or sightsee or play, go to the movies, or swap meets or Mexico. It has been a good experience. All of the group are members of the church and that makes it easier for everyone.

We are staying in an RV resort on the Colorado River right next to California and Mexico. I have no idea how many RV and more permanent homes are there - but lots - with a golf course running through the whole place. We plan to come back next year and look forward to that - I plan to take long walks, ride my bike and play some golf in 2011.

Just checked the weather to see that a winter storm is moving into Utah today. Sorry - today is sunny and mild. Just lovely.

LEAVING FOR ARIZONA ON MONDAY

Yes you read that right - we plan to leave for Arizona, on January 25

Felt has had enough of the snow and inversion that they say will come back this week or next. Actually the snows here are pretty wimpy. I think he is just tired of being stuck inside with a wife who cannot walk around much out in the world.

Speaking of that - I am doing much, much better and improve some each day. The doctor has said I am healing well - now if I can just endure the ride in the truck. We have returned the wheelchair and returned the walker yesterday. So now I get around with a crutch and a cane. Yesterday I tried waking with no help. Taking baby steps - but that is scarey so I will take that slowly.

I am going to try all of church tomorrow to test my endurance for the trip. I am also teaching Sunday School tomorrow. So I have been busy studying and trying to put my thoughts together.

When we arrvie in Arizona we will post some pictures of the green grass and sunshine.

2010 HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! We surely hope and pray that the new year brings great joys - we know there will be challenges - but those make us grow.

We ended 2009 with challenges of our own. Taking Christmas goodies around to neighbors, I fell and broke my pelvis. Talk about pain! After about 10 days of not being able to do much for myself at all - things are improving. The doctor assures me that in a few weeks I will be able to get around with a cane.

We have had to delay our winter trip to Yuma for a couple of weeks. We are hopeful that things will improve enough for Ruth Ann for us to go at the end of January and enjoy a couple of weeks in the warmth and sun.

We have had our challenges this Christmas season. We wish each of you a very Happy New Year and hope that your challenges be turned into opportunities.