The Beauty of Lists

I like lists. No, to be more precise I need lists. In fact, I'm a compulsive list maker.  It is the trademark of my long-standing OCD and I wear it like a badge of honor.

I have three standard lists I use all the time. First, I make a list the first of each month of things to accomplish during the next 30/31 days.  Second, every week I compile a seven day list. This provides focus from Monday through Sunday. And finally, every morning I make a "to do list" for that day.

Part of the joy of list making comes when I cross an item off the list.  So....the first thing I write on the daily list is:  "Make a daily list"--then, as soon as I complete the list, I scratch right through the first item--how sick is that?

Yesterday's list is fairly typical (the numbers are the priority order given each item):

2 Devotional time
1 Exercise
8 Set up home teaching visits
3 Email the bishop re: proposed home teaching changes
6 Clean desk
4 Vacuum
5 Sweep kitchen
7 Buy azaleas
9 Practice guitar and/or banjo and/or piano

I have a separate list for Melba--it's called the "A" list and she's the only person on it and it trumps all other lists.

The week of our social debut

Health problems for both of us have kept us pretty much close to home this past year.  BUT...things are changing!  For example:

--Thursday evening we went with our dear friends, Dolly and Harry (our Mexico cruise buddies) to Dairy Queen
--Last night Melba and I had dinner at Sizzler--I had a ribeye steak with baked potato and she had macaroni and cheese, also with a baked potato
--This morning we ventured out to the early (10:20am) matinee showing of Iron Man2

We thoroughly enjoy these simple things and are grateful for them.

Next?  We're thinking road trip to Utah, Arizona and California the end of September or first of October.

Watch out...WE'RE BACK!!

Trying to be more involved

This last Saturday a buddy and I attended a day long political workshop billed as an "activist mini-camp" for conservatives.  It cost $30 which included continental breakfast and lunch.  Here are some observations and thoughts:

--Glad I went; griping + involvement is better than just griping
--Surprised at the age representation: a few under 40, many in their 50s, and several in my age bracket--a good cross-section
--Topics were interesting and informative and included overview of the current political landscape, opportunities to get involved, how to mobilize the community, a mock town hall meeting, and online activism.
--Surprisingly, no big rally cries, hooahs, or personal attacks against the liberal side of the political aisle
--Also surprisingly, no American flag in the room and also no pledge of allegiance to start the day; made mention of this in my critique

All in all, a good experience even though we left early because my friend, Joe, was having some health problems.

Life in the not-so-fast lane

Life in the senior Barry household is not nearly as fast-paced or as exciting as you who:

--Vacation in Hawaii
--Uber-scrapbook
--Take work boondoggles to Tokyo

--Home school
--Go camping and fishing with your kids

--Cyber-commute
--Write on national blogs

--Fight the drug cartels in the southwest

--Work hard at the gym

Nevertheless, we have our moments.  Here are a few:

Papa's got a brand new grill friend

My first attempt at annuals

Melba's electric knee bender...also known affectionately as "The Rack"

One step back, two steps forward (hopefully)

We visited with Melba's orthopedic surgeon today and he expressed concern that she has not progressed in her physical therapy as far as he had hoped.  He then suggested--and we agreed--that they perform a manipulation on her knee next Monday.  Basically they will apply a general anesthesia and then bend the knee back enough and down enough to break through the scar tissue that has formed and which keeps her leg from getting full range of motion.  The actual procedure takes less than 5 minutes but there will be some "coming out of the fog" time afterward.

We welcome all prayers that this procedure will prove beneficial to Melba/Mom.

An Older Parent's Joy

There are many things that bring joy to us older parents:
--Seeing our children succeed in their chosen profession
--Celebrating when our children overcome life's challenges
--Watching our children grow and mature into responsible adults

Last night was one such joyful moment.  Our grandson, Nolan, was baptized and confirmed by his father, Damon, our son.  There was so much about the service that brought us great joy:
--Our son able to perform this eternal ordinance for his son
--Our daughter-in-law, Amy, giving a wonderful talk on the Holy Ghost that spoke to all ages and preparing take-away-refreshments that went along with the message in a fun and tasty way
--The large number of people who came to support Nolan--probably around 75, more than half children
--Damon, Amy and all five of their children singing "Families Can Be Together Forever"...and radiating the faith and love that will ensure it will be true for them
--Being honored to give the baptism talk at Nolan's request
--Watching our granddaughters, Elli and Emma, lead the music and give the opening prayer, respectively
--Melba being able to attend and seeing the joy in her eyes and hearing her love for family choke her up as she gave the closing prayer
--Telling Damon and Amy's non-LDS friend, Lacy, how much I appreciated the support he and his wife give to our kids--and having him respond with "Oh, they have enriched my life in so many, many ways"
--Feeling the truth of the closing song "I Feel My Savior's Love"

Damon and Amy, you're doing a great job!

In praise of the extended family

One of the things we've lost in the last hundred years or so is extended families living close to the natal home.  In days gone by mom and pop parceled their 500 acres to their adult children who then built their homestead next to the folks.  This strengthened familial connections, provided a ready support system, and fostered multi-generational relationships.  Cousins grew up as best friends.  Aunts and Uncles were an important adult presence in the lives of their young nieces and nephews.  Grandchildren and great-grandchildren had ready access to their grandparents.  Today's mobile society disallows such living arrangements and we are the less for it.

All of this to say:  I absolutely enjoyed the brief time we spent with my nieces, Sylvia and Rebecca, who flew out from Georgia and Mississippi, respectively, to attend a "Time Out for Women" conference with my daughter-in-law, Amy.  Thank you so much for taking the time yesterday to visit with us in our home.  We love you for it.

I think it's time to organize a family reunion, don't you?