New Year's Eve

Another year is about to bite the dust. Most people, at the beginning of a new year, find New Year's resolutions to challenge them for the next 365 days. I used to do that; now I do not. I think it is a good idea. I just don't do it.

One thing I have been doing as this year draws to a close is looking at Top Ten Lists. Time Magazine had a bunch of lists for the year, such as the ten most influential people of the year, the top ten scandals, the top ten movies, etc. I was thinking today about my own top ten list: my ten favorite things to do.

Number one on my list is reading. I absolutely love to read!! From the time I was in junior high school, I read as often as possible--not only boring textbooks from classes, but interesting fiction or biographies. During my 8th and 9th grade years, instead of taking P.E. classes, I had the privilege of being the librarian for the school for one period of each day. Kids came into the library and frequently asked me for books I thought were good. Back then, I think I recommended Nancy Drew, Sue Barton--Student Nurse, and other cheesy titles! During the breaks I had in the library, I would, of course, read.

Now I hopefully have a little bit more discernment in my choice of books. I belong to two bookclubs, both keeping me busy reading a novel and a short story every month. In these bookclubs, I find like-minded women who also have an obsession for reading.

I am not sure why I like to read so much. Part of it, I think, has to do with going into other people's worlds and watching their reactions to problems and the challenges they face. Reading has opened a whole world of thinking to me. In my mind, I move out of my Draper neighborhood, the state of Utah, and often our country of the United States. I get to see others cultures, religions, etc.

A down side to my reading obsession is my lack of focus on any other part of my life when I am reading. As a young mother, I remember locking myself in the bathroom to get away from busy toddlers to read for awhile. It didn't take long before the tolddlers found me and were banging on the door for Mommy. After my sweet toddlers were finally asleep at night, I would pick up my book again for a few hours of peace and quiet.

If I do not have a current novel that I am reading, I feel lost. If an especially engaging novel is coming to the end, I am sad that I no longer will be a part of the lives of the characters any more.

After lasagna and salad with friends tonight and the horn blowing of toasting a new year at midnight, when everyone is gone and the house shuts down, I will get out my book again and feel the immense satisfaction of my favorite hobby.

Christmas Day

Do you recognize this Arctic Mystery Man? When it is as cold and windy as it was today and the snow is very deep, Paul dresses for the occasion with care! Even though we live in a "carefree" community where snow is shoveled for us, the deck is still there for Paul to clear. He also usually ends up doing a lot of the driveway and walkway while waiting for the workers to get here.

This photo pretty much sums up what we did on Christmas Day. We were literally socked in by the weather. Mother Nature dumped about eight or nine inches of snow. We had planned to visit my dad in Spanish Fork and Paul's son in Bountiful. Instead, we stayed home and made phone calls.

I'm sure there are braver souls than we out there on the roads. We're not among them, however. Instead, we are home enjoying the warm fireplace and a video.

Christmas ornament from India

This Christmas ornament was given to me by one of my piano students. His name is Sachin Sundar. He and his parents and sister spent last summer in India. His parents grew up in India, and all of their families still live there.

Sachin (who is five years old) was so excited to give me the ornament. After his piano lesson one day, I took Sachin and his sister downstairs to see our Christmas tree. They were proud to see their ornament on our tree.

These little kids are adorable. I told Sachin's mom Sue that if they ever had "Grandparents Day" at Sachin or Divya's school, I would love to be the substitute grandma.

Moore Family Christmas Party - 2008

The weather cooperated for our Christmas party, and everyone drove to our home in safety. All of the family were present with the exception of Chad and his fiancee Andrea. Of course Paul's youngest son Mike, his wife Patti, and their two sons are still in Oregon (with as much snow as we have here in Utah and an ice storm thrown in as well).

The tiny grandchildren whom I first met ten years ago when Paul and I were married are now entering (or will soon be) their teenage years. Some grandchildren are even moving into adulthood as college students. One grandson, Bryce, has grown six inches in one year! At age 14, he is towering over most of us.

We also had relatives from California at our party. Paul's first wife (Nancy) has a brother named Pat who flew in with his wife Toddy and their son Travis to spend the Christmas holdiays with family. I think they will spend some of their time here on the ski slopes.

It was a great party. Sharing with family during the holidays makes Christmas time special.

Marilyn's Family Christmas Party

Good food, good friends and family, and really neat gifts! Once a year I dust off my special Christmas plates for a family dinner. It is predictably the same--turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, salads, green bean casserole, and dessert (Melanie brought cupcakes and I made peach cobbler).

We always have a good time. This year I noticed how grown-up Natalie and Alan's kids look. Time flies by so quickly, and before you know it, you have a teenager (Jake) at Grandma and Grandpa's house for Christmas dinner.

Doesn't my dad look incredible for a 90 year old? We miss my mom at dinners like this. She used to make Christmas dinners from scratch--wonderful rolls, various homemade pies, delicious stuffing, etc. I make something similar, but not nearly as good, mostly from boxes or packages!

My cousin Sharalyn came to the party and gave each person a gift from a different country where she had vacationed on our Mediterranean cruise. Her gifts were thoughtful and beautifully unique.

This next Tuesday will be Paul's family Christmas party at our house. We are expecting 20 people. We'll cross our fingers for the weather to cooperate for the celebration.

My Handsome Husband

Paul and I went to a Christmas concert on Sunday. He wore his new navy blazer and grey pants with a pin-striped shirt and blue tie. He looked very sharp!

Draper Temple

A storm is moving in. These photos are taken from the deck in our backyard.



You can see in the foreground the homes in our area.


This is a close-up of the newly finished Draper Temple. Tours will start on January 15th and last through March 15th. The next time the night lights are on, I'll try to take another picture. The lighting has been tested on several nights, and it is beautiful. Today is a cold, snowy day.