End of busy weekend

Well, the election is over and although, most of the candidates and issues I voted for didn't win, I'm thankful for democracy and our right to vote and have our voices heard. Unlike some, I will do my best to support our new president and pray he is the kind of leader our country needs and will make the right decisions for our country. I think we need to continue to speak out for what we feel is right and against what we feel is wrong but hate and anger will get us nowhere. My biggest concern is that we stand fast and firm in defending our Constitution - the rights of free speech and to bear arms. I believe we need to continue to promote capitalism and not let our country slowly drift into a more socialistic form of government. These are vital to our nation's survival, so as I said, I'll pray fervently for our new president and other government leaders that they might be guided and directed by God.

Yesterday Don and I planned to meet Lily's mom and dad at Oregon Electric Station for lunch to discuss the upcoming wedding. Lily's dad wasn't able to make it so Lily's mom, Marilyn brought her friend instead. Turned out that Oregon Electric Station isn't open for lunch so we stood in the pouring rain trying to decide where to go. We decided to try Ambrosia (Italian restaurant). After we both drove there and paid for parking we discovered Ambrosia wasn't open for lunch either. Finally Don suggested Steelhouse Brewery (a sports bar and grill) so we went there. The food and atmosphere are great but a Ducks game was on so it was crowded and noisy - not that conducive to wedding planning. Don enjoyed it because he could completely ignore our conversation and just watch the game. Marilyn is very creative and talented and under Lily's direction has everything outlined for the wedding, reception and an evening party. I'll be a "worker bee" and help where I can but I don't think I have much to contribute creatively. Marilyn collects antiques and has an extensive collection of antique dishes and snack sets as well as silverware. We'll be using that for the wedding and I know she'll make it very elegant. I'm going to try to borrow tables and chairs from church (don't know if they'll let me, but I'm going to try) and I'm lending myself (from Relief Society) our nice white tablecloths that I would ordinarily not lend to anyone - I'm making an exception for me.

After a two hour lunch, we came home for a few hours then picked up a friend and met two more friends at The Shedd for dinner and a concert. We saw Ian Tyson (cowboy singer). He's a former folk singer and his songs still have a folk sound but cowboy lyrics. It was pleasant except he swore a little and had a couple of political opinions (which I didn't appreciate). His music was very enjoyable, though and it's always fun to be with friends.

Next week is crazy busy with RS Book Club here, physical therapy starting, a Missionary Zone Conference luncheon we're in charge of and we're having the missionaries to dinner the same night. Plus I have to start thinking about putting together our RS history for the year, finding out what I need to order from DI for Bishop's night and getting new conducting/teaching schedules planned for next year as well as finish preparing my RS lesson for December and getting gifts for the sisters. I'm getting them some kind of angel ornament (probably cookie cutters) because my lesson is entitled "The Errand of Angels." Lily's mom makes beeswax angel ornaments which sound like they're beautiful but they're $5 ea. and $200 for 40 just isn't in my RS budget - I wish it was.

I've been going through all my Christmas ornaments and sorting out all of Joshua's to give to him and Lily. I'm not sad to get rid of 11 or 12 basketball player ornaments and several football ones. They're welcome to them.

I bought a cute dress Friday - it was on sale and is the only wintery dress I have so far. I feel foolish wearing summery dresses to church in the cold winter rain but it's tough trying to get a new wardrobe for each season.