Sunday, January 29, 2017

CELEBRATING MCKAY, RYKER, AND MCKENZIE


We celebrated the rest of the January birthdays
on January 29.
(Haley, January 2nd, celebrates with Preston, December 28th.)

Kenzie turned 1 on January 17th.
McKay turned 31 on January 19th.
Ryker turned 2 on January 23rd.

"We Are Ready To Party!"











Minnie Mouse from Auntie Ann . . . naturally!

Only picture with "Birthday Boy, McKay" in the background.

Why would you be worried???

Kenzie only likes her parents, Shay, and Grandma Laurel.

Only birthday picture with Ryker.  Blurry.

Tigger . . . from Auntie Ann



Who ate something blue???

Friday, January 27, 2017

NEW BEGINNINGS



IN THE LDS CHURCH, THERE ARE
TWO SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONS FOR GIRLS BEFORE
THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

(NURSERY . . . AGES 18 MONTHS - 3, BUT
IT IS PART OF THE PRIMARY)
PRIMARY . . . AGES 3 - 12
YOUNG WOMEN . . . AGES 12-18

AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH YEAR,
THE YOUNG WOMEN HOLD A
"NEW BEGINNINGS."

IT IS AN EVENING THAT INTRODUCES A
GIRL AND HER PARENTS TO THE
 YOUNG WOMEN PROGRAM
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR
THAT SHE TURNS 12.
EACH NEW GIRL RECEIVED A DARLING PILLOW.

JAYCIE WILL BE A "BEEHIVE". . . AGES 12-13
COURTNEY WILL BE A "LAUREL" . . . AGES 16-18
(THE 14-15 YEAR OLDS ARE CALLED "MIA MAIDS."
MIA STANDS FOR MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.)
SHE WILL ENTER THE PROGRAM
WHEN SHE TURNS 12 IN APRIL.

I'M GLAD IT WASN'T THAT WAY WHEN I WAS IN MUTUAL!
THE GIRLS ALL ADVANCED TOGETHER AT
THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
THEY'VE SINCE CHANGED IT SO THE GIRLS ADVANCE AT AGE 12.
I WAS THE YOUNGEST IN MY CLASS,
BACK IN MY DAY, THE SCHOOL DEADLINE WAS
OCTOBER 31.
DURING THE EARLY PART OF MY
TEACHING CAREER, THE DEADLINE
CHANGED TO AUGUST 31.

I'LL NEVER FORGET BEING THE PRIMARY
PIANIST ONCE IN THE 10TH WARD.
WE WERE IN THE CHAPEL, AND I LOOKED
DOWN AT THE KIDS.
THERE SAT MELINDA HANSEN, ALL ALONE.
SHE WAS IN 7TH GRADE...AND STILL IN PRIMARY!
(OCTOBER 31 BIRTHDAY)
THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ME!
MY TWO BEST FRIENDS WERE RENAE & CAROL.
RENAE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN YOUNG WOMEN'S
9 MONTHS BEFORE ME.
CAROL, 11 MONTHS!!!

I WOULD STILL HAVE BEEN IN
YOUNG WOMEN'S IN MY SECOND
MONTH OF COLLEGE!!!

(I SURE DO RAMBLE!!!  BUT, WRITING ALL
THIS DOWN BRINGS BACK A
FLOOD OF MEMORIES!!!)


Wednesday, January 25, 2017

THE DONALD . . . THE PRESIDENT


#MAKEAMERICAGREATAGAIN

This was Donald Trump's campaign slogan.
"The Donald," as he was known,
is quite the character.  He has been
around for 40 years or so.
Tycoon.
Real estate mogul.
Casino owner.
Owner of Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.
Made appearances on tv shows and movies.
(My favorite...the rich kid's father on "Little Rascals.")
"The Apprentice" & "Celebrity Apprentice" host.
("Your Fired!")
US Presidential candidate.
US President.
Age 70.

Donald Trump had run for president before.
Part way through, he dropped out.
In 2015,
always a flair for the drama, 
he announced that he would run for president
in this manner:
Coming down the escalator of his hotel,
"Trump Tower,"
in New York City.

First, there was the campaign.  




Opponent:  Hillary Rodham Clinton
Former:
Secretary of State
US Senator from New York
First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS)
First Lady of Arkansas
Lawyer
Age 69.
(Low and behold, her birthday is October 26!
Same day as Pat Sajak, who spins the wheel on
Wheel of Fortune, and ME!!!)





It went on and on and on!
(When I was growing up, until maybe the mid-90's,
the candidates announced their candidacy in the
SAME year as the election...not 2 years ahead!)


Then, the debates.

The Democrats
Hillary vs. Bernie.

The Republicans
Donald, Jeb, Chris, Carly, Dr. Ben, Rick, Paul, etc.

So many, they filled the entire stage!

And the ugliest debates of all . . . Donald vs. Hillary!
(It looks like Hillary is thrilled that Donald is serenading her!)

Finally, Election Day . . . and voting.

("Is Melania voting for me?")

 The Concession Speech
and
the wearing of the purple.




INAUGURATION EVE
THE FAMILY ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON D.C.
ON A NON TRUMP PLANE

LAYING A WREATH AT THE 
TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

INAUGURATION EVE
CONCERT




FIFES

PIANO GUYS

LEE GREENWOOD
SINGS "GOD BLESS THE USA"

SINGING WITH LEE




A LITTLE LOL BEFORE LEAVING OFFICE

THE BIG DAY

AFTER PRAYER SERVICES AT CHURCH,
MEETING THE OBAMAS AT THE WHITE HOUSE FOR COFFEE 

THE INAUGURATION TAKES PLACE AT THE US CAPITOL.

ALL FORMER PRESIDENT'S ARE INVITED.
JIMMY & ROSYLN CARTER  1977-1981 . . . AGE 92

GEORGE H.W. & BARBARA BUSH WERE BOTH IN
THE HOSPITAL, BATTLING PNEUMONIA AND BRONCHITIS.
1989-1993 . . . AGE 92


THIS HAD TO BE SOOOO HARD
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE
FORMER SENATOR
FORMER FIRST LADY . . . HILLARY CLINTON
FORMER PRESIDENT . . . BILL CLINTON, AGE 70.
(FINALLY!  ROCKING A GREAT PANTSUIT!
MADE BY SAME DESIGNER THAT DESIGNED
MELANIA TRUMP'S INAUGURATION DAY OUTFITS!)

GEORGE W. & LAURA BUSH
2001-2009 . . . AGE 70.

CURRENT FIRST LADY, MICHELLE OBAMA
CURRENT SECOND LADY, DR. JILL BIDEN
(WHY IS HILLARY BITING HER LIP?
WHO IS BILL LOOKING AT?)

PRESIDENT ELECT DONALD TRUMP . . . AGE 70.
PRESIDENT BARRACK OBAMA . . . AGE 55.
(FIRST US PRESIDENT YOUNGER THAN ME)

A GREAT VIEW OF THE FORMER PRESIDENTS
AND FIRST LADIES.

THE FIRST LADY IS MOTHER FIRST.
STRAIGHTENING BARON'S TIE.

PRESIDENT ELECT TRUMP WALKS OUT FOR THE CEREMONY

THE VICE PRESIDENT TAKES HIS 
OATH OF OFFICE FIRST

AMERICA'S CHOIR!
THE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR SANG
"AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL" BETWEEN THE
VICE PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT'S OATHS.
THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION THAT
THE CHOIR PERFORMED AT WAS FOR
PRESIDENT ULYSSES S. GRANT!



AND THE RAIN . . .


DONALD TRUMP TAKES THE OATH OF OFFICE.
THE WIFE ALWAYS HOLDS THE BIBLE.
THE TOP ONE IS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BIBLE
HE RECEIVED AS A BOY.
THE SECOND ONE IS ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S BIBLE.









THE PRESIDENT THEN GIVES AN INAUGURAL SPEECH.


WAIT.  WHAT???
I'M  NOT PRESIDENT???

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CEREMONY WASN'T
ADMINISTERING THE OATH OF OFFICE, THE MUSIC,
THE POLITICAL GUESTS, OR EVEN THE SPEECH.
IT WAS THIS:

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH TRYING TO
PUT ON THE RAIN PONCHO!
(CHECK OUT HIS V.P., DICK CHENEY, SMIRKING
BEHIND HIM!)



THE OBAMAS LEAVE WASHINGTON

PRIVATE CITIZEN BARRACK OBAMA



FIRST BILL SIGNING

BARON ENTERTAINS HIS NEPHEW.
HE IS 10 YEARS OLD, AND A 5TH GRADER.
HE IS THE FIRST BOY IN THE WHITE HOUSE SINCE
JOHN-JOHN . . . JOHN F. KENNEDY, JR.

LUNCHEON










INAUGURAL BALLS








CUTTING THE CAKE AT THE MILITARY BALL
WITH A SWORD

AND . . . WE ALWAYS NEED A LITTLE LOL:

(I LOVE HOW THE O'S IN THE RED LOOK
LIKE DONALD TRUMP'S HAIR!)


WHY, YES, THAT'S ME WITH THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
AND THE FIRST LADY!
TRUMP TOWER
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
APRIL, 2006