December 16, 2016

Bob: Back to the swimming pool this morning. It took an hour but I was able to swim a mile. Not having been swimming in 9 days made a difference. And there was something wrong with the water heater as the pool was a few degrees cooler than normal. Maintenance was working on it. Hope it is repaired by Monday.
We left at 11:00 to attend the Christmas dinner at Cushman's nursing home. It was quite nice. Things got started with a bang though. One of the residents was attempting to slide his chair sideways and tipped over. No one hurt, thank goodness.
We stopped to visit 2 other potential investigators afterwards. We will be going back to see one of them, but it looks as if the other man might be too busy to see us for a while.
Then we went to the Jakob's to drop off their Christmas gift. We were so full from the earlier meal they we begged off eating.
When we got home Bonnie began preparing things for tomorrow's meal. I had the duty of breaking bread for dressing, slicing onions and celery. Finally got done and had time to watch another Murdoch Mystery.
It's 11:30 so I had better get to bed. Hope tonight's rest is better than last night. Went to bed early enough last night, but awoke 3 times during the night with leg cramps. Probably didn't drink enough water while officiating the basketball games.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Love to all and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob

Bonnie:  It's been a good day, but it is late and I need to be up early to put the turkey in the oven. May everyone enjoy a great day tomorrow. My love to all!
Mom/Bonnie

December 15, 2016

Bonnie:  We left by about 9:45 this morning for Kirkland Lake. We visited our Polish friend Krystyna and then made several short stops other places. We wanted to leave something for Christmas with everyone so we gave them clementines in a decorative bag. The bags were leftover from last year when we provided some things for Christmas for needy missionaries. It was well received. We were home by about 4:00 and glad to get here. The weather showed -6 degrees Fahrenheit when we left this morning and it climbed to a wonderful 0 degrees by the time we got back.
Tonight while Bob is refereeing three basketball games I have been baking cookies. We want to give something to members and non-members alike. Some of the non-members we know we will give the church video "Joy to the World". Oh, and Bob bought 50 pounds of potatoes today! We plan on giving those out as well to members in need. We need to get these things out next week.
I'm so tired right now and Bob just walked in so I will sign off.
Have a wonderful day tomorrow.
Love, Mom/Bonnie

Bob: According to the car the temperate is a -8 degrees right now. I have the oil pan heater plugged in just in case. Had to replace a windshield wiper blade today: 39.95 plus tax!! I am just glad they had it. I don't know why I bought 50 pounds of potatoes today. I meant to buy 10 pounds. Just another senior moment I guess. We want to make some potato soup, but not 10 batches.
Basketball games went okay. I can't get up and down the court as quickly as I would like, but I'm probably faster now then I will be next year at this time! Not sure if that is a positive outlook or not.
It was cold today just walking from the car to people's front door to give them the clementines. Bought a pair of snow pants at Walmart yesterday. I wore them over my basketball pants tonight. I'll be wearing them on the cold days over my dress pants from now on. Need another belt though as they don't have a drawstring.
Better get to bed. Got to get up early and get to the pool. Haven't been there since a week ago Wednesday.
Hope you are having a good day. The temperature in Lindon was about 60 degrees warmer than here today. I hope all of our Lindon friends are enjoying it! Love to all and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob

December 14, 2016

Bonnie:  It's good to get home, especially after last night's late arrival. We had lots of catching up to do so the day went quickly. I was able to do some visiting teaching to one of our YSAs in the Branch. Other than that we did normal things like wash and the shopping. We are having a big Christmas dinner on Saturday, and hope to have one of our less-active couples attend, as well as the missionaries. We bought a Butterball turkey in Brampton for it. I don't like most of the turkeys here--lots of them come without the giblets and neck, and don't seem to brown up very well. I won't have much time to prepare for it because we are busy going to Kirkland Lake tomorrow and Englehart/Elk Lake on Friday. I may have a few late nights ahead!
May you all have had a busy, productive day today!
Love, Mom/Bonnie

Bob: Not much to add. It feels quite cold now. The temperature is hovering around zero. If it goes to -30 we may be confined to our apartment!!
Well it's time for bed. Love to all and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob

December 13, 2016

Bob and Bonnie: Just got home from Brampton a few minutes ago. It is 12:04 as I write this. We went to the office this morning and then to lunch at the mall with Elder and Sister Budgett. Then, Elder and Sister Allred, who work in the temple, came walking by and ate with us! It was nice to see everyone again.
We stayed at the Mission Home last night. Didn't get there until 8:30 PM. We had an hour's detour in Pennsylvania because I entered the incorrect town on the GPS. Got to check those auto fills!!
Went to the temple at 3:00 this afternoon with the missionaries returning home. It was very nice. Bonnie and I were the witness couple.
Left for home at 5:40. We hit traffic in Brampton trying to get on the interstate and then when we hit Rt. 400 going north. By the time we got to Barrie we were 15 minutes behind schedule. When we hit Gravenhurst "Ole Man Winter" let loose with the snow. We had snow-covered roads until about 50 km from North Bay. When I stopped for gas I thought we might get hung up between the main road and the island where the gas pumps were. Once we got going again we were running 50 to 60 km/hr but ran into 2 trucks plowing snow. They had the road blocked and were going about 35 km/hr. Followed them for about 10 - 15 minutes. Once we left North Bay things were fine until about 50 km from home when the snow hit again. We finally made it home at 11:20. So it took us about 5 hours and 40 minutes. Not too bad considering the weather problems.
Time for bed now. Love to all and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob
Mom/Bonnie

Dec;ember 11, 2016

Bob: Been a long day. Up before 7 to start the bathroom, shower parade. Church started at 9:00 and we barely made it.Two sisters were singing a prelude number when we walked in. There were five speakers in Sacrament Meeting, and it ran over. The last sister made the point that you don't find time for service, you make time for service. Very interesting point.
Anyway church was over at 1 and we headed back to Chris and Suzy's for lunch. Packed up and left about 2:45 for Dan and Misty's. Bonnie wanted to be there to help with dinner preparations for 15 people. After dinner we packed up and went to the Stake Center for Michael's 7:00 baptism. It was very sweet, and there were about 50 people there. It was late getting started as the Elders had started filling the font a little past 5, but forgot to put the plug in the drain! Needless to say we were a little late getting started. And Michael probably had one of the coldest baptisms ever! But he never said a word about it. Dan had prepared him well by telling him what had happened and not to be surprised if the water was a little cold. Michael was a real trooper and never said anything.
We arrived back at the house about 9 and then began the clean up from the dinner. Bonnie, Ammon and I got the dishes done relatively quickly.
Time for bed. It is an 8 hour trip tomorrow and we have a stop or two to make besides gas and lunch. Hope you had a great weekend. Love to everyone and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob

Bonnie:  It's really been a wonderful day. There was such a sweet spirit at Michael's baptism. Both of his grandmother's spoke, Claire on baptism and me on the Holy Ghost. There was enough dessert for everyone, which surprised me because there were lots of children. Michael invited two of his best friends from school who are not members of the Church. They came with their mothers. All four of them seemed to enjoy it. Misty and Dan have been called as Branch Missionaries and they are doing a great job.
The best part of the week-end has been spending time with children and grandchildren. I can't express what a joy it has been to be here. I hope everyone has had a wonderful week-end as well.
Love, Mom/Bonnie

December 10, 2016

 Bob: Been a very busy 2 days. We had to do some shopping yesterday that took most of the day. Then we spent some time playing games with Misty's kids. About 8:30 PM  we headed to Chris and Suzy's place in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. That is about an hour and 30 minutes away from Misty's. Got there well after 10. Stayed up talking till too late. Arose late today and went Christmas tree shopping. Found a nice tree about 8 feet tall. Chris took it home while Bonnie, Evie and I finished getting the things we were after. All of us pitched in and we had the tree decorated in about an hour.
This afternoon we went to Suzy's voice recital. She sang 3 songs from 3 different operas. She is quite talented and very good. There were several other individuals on the program and they were from all age groups. All of them did well.
Tonight we attended the Ward Christmas party. It was a nice affair. The menu was Mediterranean style. Not your usual turkey and dressing, but quite good.
It is time to retire as we need to get up at 7 to get ready for Church. Love to all and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob

Bonnie:  Bob has done a good job of updating the blog. The Christmas party was really great. We met some wonderful people. There was music from the Primary, the YW and the Activity Day girls. There was a beautiful live nativity. There was an award for the family in the best-dressed Jewish costumes from the time of Christ, as well as the best cookies for dessert. Just after the closing prayer Santa Claus showed up. There must have been at least 100 people there and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. A note about the food: it was flavorful chicken in pita bread, couscous, and a red onion, tomato, cucumber salad, plus crackers and hummus. It was followed with a wide variety of cookies for dessert. Everything was delicious. Suzy did a fabulous job as the person in charge of the party!
Have a wonderful Sabbath everyone. Tomorrow is Michael's baptism!
Love, Mom/Bonnie

December 8, 2016

Bob: Didn't get away from the motel till about 9:20. Crossing the border was not a problem. When we pulled up to wait our turn the car in front was waved through and we went right up to the guard station. She asked a couple questions and off we went. Found a local credit union in Buffalo so we could deposit some money and then headed for Misty's.
The roads began to have some snow accumulation, but after about an hour we were out of that and the rest of the drive was snow free. Stopped in Williamsport, PA for lunch. That is about 3 hours from Misty's place. We would have made it in 3 hours except we hit traffic near Baltimore and that slowed us down for about 30 - 40 minutes. There was also an accident that held things up.
Well I had better sign off. Got to get to bed. Bonnie sends her love and wishes everyone well. Love to all and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob