chillin'.... literally!

On Monday, I joined Carol and her mom, Mary, for breakfast and cards.  Mary celebrated her 90th birthday on Tuesday.  She was my Relief Society President when I turned thirty.  I adore this woman!  She's an example of enduring to the end!  Mary played tennis on a league until just five years ago.  We play Hand and Foot with her about once a week.  Carol does almost every day.  I just love her!  She's raised seven children, buried three husbands and is just as sweet as ever.  I love to hear her stories of raising a family on an Idaho farm and serving throughout her life in the church. Her Happy Birthday Open House, honoring her on this big 90th birthday was just delightful.  She was beaming!  She's one of my favorite ladies ever!  Isn't she lovely!

It's been a relaxing week after three major events in two weeks...the ward Halloween Party, the Veterans Dinner and then YW in Excellence.  This week...hottubbing, lunches, daily Sonic runs with Carol, Denise and Ann,  time spent studying my YW lesson for this Sunday, YW meetings and some serious thinking about Thanksgiving and the holidays. They are here!  It's November and I usually post a daily gratitude.  This year, I'm so busy enjoying my blessings that I've not taken time to express them, but suffice it to say, I feel so blessed.

On Monday, while I was writing back and forth with Quayd, I called ZJ up for our weekly group selfie for him.  ZJ came upstairs looking like this, and said, "I have a headache."  This girl... she makes me laugh.

This sounds sort of morbid, but it was fascinating.  Zee and I drive past the Logan Cemetery often, as it's one of the main streets near our home.  Often, we will see caskets sitting alone above the graves, waiting to be buried.  This time, these men were just beginning to place the casket in a grave.  We didn't know who's grave it was, but we pulled over into the cemetery and watched them from a distance.  It was fascinating to see how this process has changed over the past 25 years, since I watched them place my Grannie's casket in her North Carolina grave before anyone had even left the cemetery.  Technology has even improved burials! Zee and I watched until they had placed the headstone back on the grave.  We were impressed by the reverence these men showed to the deceased.  Strange, I know, but it was a learning experience and gave ZJ and I a chance to visit about several things about death.

It finally snowed!  We had our first storm.  This was while taking the girls to school. We got about three inches in our neighborhood!  Now, it's sixteen degrees and COLD!  From 60s t0 16... brrrrrr!

Goodbye fall decor!  Christmas is happening at our home, this weekend, as soon as my YW lesson is ready to share!

Life is good!

Quayd's Letter 14

It's awesome to hear that he's so happy and loves this work!

This week has been one stellar week!!!!! It's incredible what happens in the work of salvation and the gathering the children of Israel.  We have had great success!  We made a lot of street contacts and have had a ton of lessons!  One day, we had five lessons!  Craziness!

Some investigators dropped us, which I had kind of hoped they haven't, but, they did.  It’s funny… some of our former investigators we checked on them to see how they were doing. The results for most of them were

bad.

Like Brandon, a couple weeks ago, he was all about being baptized, but, now, he wants nothing to do with the church.???  He's hanging with the wrong friends and has gotten in trouble with the cops. All this in just a couple

weeks.  It just shows how much Satan is real and what he can do to those who have had it good, have been extremely blessed and then how he (Satan) can change them and their lifestyle and make them miserable!   Kevin is doing drugs.  All this in just a couple weeks.  I hope and pray for those that we are teaching this week.

Anyway besides the opposition, these couple of weeks have been amazing. Elder Klingler is the coolest missionary ever!  He's still different, but I love him.  He's so positive and very obedient. I am blessed to have him as my companion.

This week has been very eventful. We met many people, including this one guy named Zeferino. He said that he would go to church and he actually did! I don't think he understands the whole going to church, learning about Christ and the gospel, but hey, he is going in the right direction.  It was funny one of my favorite families in the ward, Brother Santos asked him, “What did you learn today, Zeferino?”  This was his response, “ENGLISH!!!!!!” He did come to come to church to learn English, but, after learning about Christ and families and gospel principles, that was his response.  It's just funny what people do, but, the good think is Zeferino is coming back to church because he feels good.  So, he's definitely heading to the right direction.  I SMELL A BAPTISM COMING ON!

Michael:  haha He's funny.  He got out of jail 8 days ago and has a desire to know about Christ, which is awesome.  He wanted a video, called “The Passion of Christ.”  We gave him something else, called “Finding faith in Christ” and also “The Restoration”.  We went to his house, gave him the videos and he read “Finding faith in Christ” and said, “Yea, this is the one, but, he looked at The Restoration and asked, “What is this one?”

Nailed it! I taught him the restoration and explained the first vision. He watched both movies and told us to come back! Now the second time, my companion had a flat tire, so, we were about an hour late.  He had told us that he was having a party after coming out of jail.  Yeah, I could see a celebration happening. It was his sisters party.  So, we went on over to teach our message.  First thing I saw was people smoking, girls dressed immodestly and the stark reaction of the people's faces was priceless when they got a glimpse of Elder Klingler and I, hesitantly, entering the party! I was nervous.  The spirit felt like it was gone, but I felt the warning signs, so I still had the guidance. We actually became friends with most of the people, but, we booked it out of there and asked Michael if we could return some other time.   He said yes!

Oscar:  His family is awesome!  They have two boys, Jayden and Braken. These boys are 7 and are identical twins.  They are full of adventure and are very crazy!  Their hero is Flash, so, they are crazy running around the place super fast!  It just reminds me of when I was a kid, being Spider-Man. haha I'm so thankful for my parents patience because Oscar doesn't have that much! ;)  Anyway, we taught his family the Restoration!

Brian:  He was a Jehovah Witness, but left because he disagreed with a lot of . Things his life was turned into something dark.  We talked to him and shared a brief introduction of being missionaries and how we can bless

people's lives.  He started crying and saying he wants God in his life.  We are meeting him this Tuesday.

Heavenly Father will bless us if we are striving for opportunities and this is what has happened for my companion and I.

Elder Corbridge

a family that they are teaching

His weekly silly selfie so that his mom gets to see that smile at the end of our letter writing!  Silly, goofy, or genuine, his smile makes me happy!

 Elder C and Elder K.  They are an awesome team!

YW in Excellence Night!

For the past several weeks, preparing for our Ward Young Women in Excellence has been my every other thought. Our president, Kelli, calls me the Event Coordinator of YW and, for that, I am thankful!Assignments were made and I'd already started buying and making things for the decor and for the girls weeks ago, but the actual talk that I would give did not really fall into place until a personal experience really touched my hear recently. Instantly, I knew what needed to be said!

I love how the Spirit works that way!  We never know why we don't get the answers we are praying for when we are praying for them.  Then, when we do, we totally understand that "this had to happen for that to happen...."  I call that a tender mercy, a reminder that Heavenly Father was "lining things up" for me all along!  Thankfully, that happens a lot in my life!  I think that's part of my life lesson on patience that, hopefully, by the time I'm dead, I will have learned!  (Wink-wink!)

Anywaaaaaay.....

The evening went so well.  Our attendance was a little disappointing, as we had a few girls with legitimate excuses for not being there, but, I was hoping for them all to come and share in the experience!

Anyway, here are a few pix of the night.

I picked up the fun pinwheels in SLC on my last "playdate" with friend Marilyn.  I'm so happy that we found them!

Here's me, trying to take a picture and touching the wrong button.  I take so many ugly photos of myself while trying take photos of something cool!  ha!

Blogspot uploaded them backwards, but I'm just going to leave them in this order.  

Ann and I spent half the day on Saturday in the Bluebird Candy Factory, where she works.  We dipped chocolate for hours!  These were the Oreos.  Thins and Double-stuffed.  White chocolate dipped Oreos and Milk Chocolate dipped Vanilla Oreos.

White powdered donuts were an obvious choice!

The white balls in the brown paper cups were Oreo Truffles made by Meghan, our advisor/Personal Progress Advisor.

On the opposite side of the Relief Society Room, we set up three long banquet tables for the girls to display their items that represent their personal progress projects for the year.  Each girl took a moment to share a bit about themselves.  It turned out so nice!  We had one girl play "Taps" on her Melaphone, at the bishop's impromptu request.  Another played scales on her clarinet.  There was art, canning, sports equipment, scriptures... It was all awesome!  Each girl is so diverse and unique, which was the purpose of our evening!  It was really fun to "get to know" the girls a bit more by seeing them share things that excite them.

Our program was quite simple.  I gave a ten-minute talk to introduce the evening and the vision that we had for the night.  Each of the girls, then, shared their talents.  The Bishop spoke for about ten minutes and then we had a chocolate fest.  Short and sweet!

 (BTW, a special note to Marilyn... guess who's paintings on are on the wall!?)

All of the quotes had to do with how awesome life is and how unique it is to BE YOU!

 More quotes... all simple black and white!

Doug used to refer to the Relief Society monthly weekday Homemaking activity as "Homewrecking" because I would take apart half the house and haul it to the church for decorating.  Nowadays, it's for YW, but he hasn't come up with a clever name yet.  Give him time.  It will come. ;)

 Here's our awesome presidency and advisor.  Left to right, Val is our fun secretary. She's also the sister of my sister-in-law, Alene.  I've loved getting to know her better in YW! Ann, the other awesome counselor that has fast become my sweet friend and cohort!  She loves a Sonic Run as much as I do, so it's become a must before any weekday activity.  Kelli, our beautiful president, who has to have the sweetest spirit and kindest heart I've ever known!  Not to mention, she's a Barbie Doll in fashion and style.  LOVE her!  I'm the Second Counselor.  Meghan is our enthusiastic Personal Progress leader and advisor.  

Ann and I dipped pretzels as well as Oreos.  Aren't they beautiful!  Oh my word, they were delish!  I have decided that I now LOVE white chocolate even more than milk... well, at least on pretzels!

Water was the only option for beverage.  With all that chocolate, even I didn't want a diet coke!  ;)

The podium chalkboard sign was unique talents and interests.  The message on the large chalkboard was the message we wanted to send to each of the girls!

 Ann made these gorgeous cake balls in the three-tiered tray.  You'd think that she dips chocolate for a living! Wait, she does! They were so beautiful and soooooo good!  The long platter is a treat that I will be getting the recipe for from Kelli... it's sort of a cross between Rice Krispy Treats and Puppy Chow.  OH MY!!!!

Here's a close-up of both of my girls "Cameo" silhouettes that we made.  Meghan took p

This was probably my most favorite thing that we've done in the YW yet.  I miss being in Relief Society and working on big projects, but this is such a busy calling with all of the activities, events, meetings and lessons.  One thing that I did realize this past week, between the veterans dinner and then last night... our girls don't know a lot about entertaining and setting tables and such.  It sounds like a project to pursue! 

 I think that this YW calling is really helping me grow. I joke a lot about being too southern and too old for this calling, but it's really and truly helping me grow and learn. We are never too old for that! I love it!  I especially love working with these great women and getting to know the girls.  I met with our Kelli for a bit this afternoon to discuss some upcoming things.  As I drove away from her home, I was reminded that I am blessed to be in this position to serve these girls.  It feels great!  One thing is for certain in the LDS Church, we will have opportunities for service and growth!  I love that!

Life is good!  

veterans day eve

Last night, we had the most lovely evening with the youth of our ward.  In this ward, apparently, it's tradition to have a Veterans Dinner.  Being in the YW Presidency, and being the same week as our YW in Excellence, I've been swamped getting ready for that program and was not overly concerned about the dinner.  I'd said that I would decorate the tables and help with the meal, but my focus has been on YW in Excellence.

Last night was the event  Our youth had interviewed the vets in the ward and prepared to share a little about each one at a dinner.  We served soup, salad, bread and pumpkin bars for the meal.  I pulled out my July decorating bin and decorated the tables without purchasing a thing.  Again, my focus is on the next event!

But, once we were there and everything was set up, it became a most lovely evening.  We had planned on 40 plus the five young women that usually attend our activities.  We ended up serving 66 people!  We had ten girls attend!  We ended up running to the grocery store for more rolls and salad and then again for more dessert.  The guests never knew it, but it was an exciting problem!

Our program was simple. Each vet had been interviewed and the youth gave a little two minute synopsis of their interview.  A few times, the vets took the mike and shared an experience or two.  The program was during dinner, so the evening took about two hours in all.  The youth listened.  The vets felt appreciated.  It was a beautiful evening.  The most beautiful thing about the evening was that the kids absolutely gained a new appreciation for these great men who had served in every war since WWII.  The stories were fascinating!  A new respect and a connection between teens and men from age 40-93.  Awesome!

As we were cleaning up, the men lined up along the wall and a photo was taken of them all.  I turned from undecorating and cleaning off tables to see these men standing there together and my tears, literally, started to fall.  The experiences they've had.  Wow.  Doug and I discussed one of his uncles and how he would never talk about being at Normandy.  We have no idea what sacrifices were made for us to be here.  After this chaotic election week of passionately happy and passionately livid winners and losers, it was a great reminder of how wonderful this great nation truly is. 

what a week...

This week has been such an historical week that I would be remiss not to blog about it.  This week, our nation elected the first non-military, non-political man, a business man, a TV celebrity as President of the United States.  After the longest and most discouraging two years of campaigning, the election was won by a landslide, shocking the world with it's results.  Donald Trump beat former First Lady, Hilary Clinton,as our new President.  I voted.  It doesn't matter who for.  It's over.  It's President-elect Donald J. Trump.  And  I'm sooooo glad that it's over.



Doug, Carol and I went to the movies at 7:30 on election night.  We'd planned on this two weeks before.  Not because it was election night, but because it was $5 night at the theater and we wanted to see the new Jack Reacher movie.  When we left home at 7, having had the TV all afternoon and evening, all reports were "Projected Winner: Hilary Clinton".  When we got home just before 10,  the Projected Winner: Donald Trump was written across our TV screen.  The girls were sitting riveted to the TV and in shock, telling us what all had happened.  We were stunned. 

We had family prayer and again, prayed for our nation's future. Doug and the girls went to bed.  I stayed awake, all night long, in front of the TV, pretty much in disbelief.  Doug and I have spent months discussing this election, the future of our great country and worrying about what would happen if either of these two candidates were to win. We mailed our ballots in.  I literally had filled out every box on my ballot except the presidential section and had stared at it for days before finally filling in that last blank before sealing it up to mail it in.  Again, who I finally voted for, doesn't matter.  I will say this... I'm a registered Republican but this time around, and after this crazy past few months, I'm not sure what I am anymore!  Like most of our nation, based on all of the polls, we fully expected a that America would have its first woman president.  Mrs. Clinton had been the projected winner in most polls from the beginning.  Such a shock. 

I've never been one to discuss my political opinions on social media, but I will say this... This has been the ugliest election ever.  I've seen people, who I have long loved and respected for years, turn into raving and embarrassing "fools" (for lack of a better word) on Social Media.  What a sad, sad thing to see friends "defriending" each other because of how one felt about politics.  How embarrassing to see some of the awful things that, otherwise normally sane and sound, people have posted on social media.  How tragic to see people saying, "If you feel this way, we are no longer friends.  Don't speak to me again."  Being passionate about something is awesome, but this... It's been heart breaking.  I have literally hit the "Hide posts from this person" button, just to avoid some of the garbage posted, by people (that I know and love) about both candidates.  I have not or would not defriend people because we may differ in opinion, BUT.... not wanting to read the negative garbage or see this "uglier" side of people that I love, as they shared their strong opinions... Essentially, they are in "time out" for me and they don't even have to know about it.  And I'm talking about people who were for against BOTH parties!  I just didn't like seeing all of the negative in either direction!

And now, after the election, the bitterness being shown by those who's candidates lost and the gloating of those whose candidates have won continues to be rediculous!  I'm still friends with these people.  I still love them.  I've just given myself a break from them until they calm down and "come back" to their normal selves. I'm saddened to see friends, neighbors and ward members not speaking to each other.  I'm sad to see protestors and riots happening in our great nation. This is not who we are, as neighbors!  It's not who we are as a nation!  STOP!

I will say that I've had to chuckle at the Hollywood celebrities who said that they'd leave the US if Mr. Trump won.  So far, no one's left or even started packing, that I'm aware of.  I guess the good thing about all this "sore loser" behavior is that people are passionate about our nation and that's a good thing.  But, seriously, people!  Chillax.  Half of America wins and half of America loses every election and will are all still survive.  We may not like what's happening in our nation, but what a gift to live in a land where we can vote and elect and choose.

I'm watching Mr. Trump and praying that he will be a diplomatic and good president.  I'm praying for our nation and for our freedoms.  I'm praying that he selects a good staff, that our new cabinet makes good choices, that we as a people continue to be strong.  I'm praying for those brave people who are fighting and protecting our freedoms throughout the world.  I'm thankful for those who have fought in real combat and given their lives or their limbs in protecting our nation.  Bottom line, I'm proud to be an American, not matter who the president.

Letter #13

Quayd’s letter was short and sweet this week!  Quayd does enjoy the Lord's work!  And we are thrilled that he’s loving his new companion!  As always, thanks for your support and prayers!

This week has been one stellar week!  It's been amazing!  Elder Villegas is gone. I'll miss him. Elder Klingler is my new companion.  He is from Laramie, Wyoming, which is pretty cool.  He loves acting and singing which, I'm happy about he is a great companion.  He is different, but, we work really well together and I'll tell you why.

So a week ago, I told you how we were not having much success.  Well, this week, we have found much success and are continuing the work!  We have met three new investigators. All are interested! We have a investigator with a baptism in 2 weeks!!!! It's great.  Sorry I haven't written much, but, there's just so much to explain!   I'll do it maybe later this week.  It's been amazing, the success, the companionship, the service, the spirit and the gospel blessing lives!!!!!!!

Love,

Elder Corbridge

From our back and forth private emails…

RE: His new companion…  Honestly, He is great!  We work so well together!  We have found much success, return appointments, new investigators, street contacts, etc!  It's incredible, what has happened in the past four days!  We talk a lot and work together really well! !  I love the success!  We are having the return appointments and street contacts and the ward itself is changing. It’s great.  He is a good companion!

RE: service this week…I helped a pastor and her ward move someone out of a house into another. It was great.  She reminds me of Aunt Kristy a lot.  I like her.  She could pass as a sister.  It was awesome!  They spoke highly of us and said how what a blessing we were.  The lady we were helping offered us $50. It was crazy tempting, but, we can't accept money, but, it was great!

Letter #12

Transfers were yesterday.  Quayd has a new companion.  We will be anxious to hear about him next week!  First, thenot-so-near miss... I can not even speak of it.  I am so thankful that he's okay! And then to hear how hard the work has been.  That's hard.  But, he continues to hold his head high and carry on!  Thanks for your continued prayers!  Here's excerpts from this week's letter...

This week, I truly have learned that Angels are on your left and on your right. We were going to our next appointment and stopped at a light.  My companion was a little bit ahead and across by now.  As I started riding on to the street, a flash of black comes around the corner....yep I was hit.  I didn't fly over what I thought could have been my final destination, or end my mission and that silhouette of blackness with the loud scream of rubber tires could have crushed my body on the black pavement. Instead I got a bruise on my leg. That was really it and how grateful I am. Haha  What's surprising is my companion was clueless. He didn't even see the whole SHEBANG or look back to see if I was okay. haha HE TRULY IS LOST IN THE LORDS WORK. He still has no idea that this happened. I'm just grateful I'm alive and still able to serve the people of Redlands California, whom I've come to love, especially during this hard week.

So let me start off by saying It's hard!!!!! It really is hard. The  mission, the Doubts or fears of being a successful missionary, especially training to be an effective, hard-working missionary is difficult. Living all the rules and higher standards, listening to your companion, hoping that you can bring people into the gospel. It's hard. Especially getting yelled at by people you have never met before. People yelling at you when you are just trying to do the work of God.

It's hard, but you make a choice and stick it out!!! There's no turning back, at least for me. No matter how hard it gets I don't quit and I won't quit. I made a choice to serve and I'm going to give it my all. Even when it feels like you've tried everything and think you can't go on. Rely on Heavenly Father, have faith and keep pressing forward.

So why am I saying these things well this week has been really hard. I'm not going to lie. it's been really hard.
Sometimes, I don't understand.... why!?!? Why after so many lessons, after so many testimonies, after so many witnesses and prompting from the Spirit, why someone leaves. why someone just says "hey these things aren't true, or that my parents think it's best that we don't meet any more."  After weeks of no appointments and of lessons falling through, we finally found some investigators, who have recently set baptismal dates, who have been and have wanted to feast upon the words of the gospel. But even with the truth and with the joy of the gospel, there is an opposition... Everything changes and it falls apart.

Kevin: Will not talk to us anymore. he won't even allow us to come and teach him.

Brandon: We taught a lesson with him and his brother Andrew. These two are ready to be baptized!!! Every day we stop by and I see the light getting brighter and brighter in the eyes of these young men. They are golden and I know there ready to follow Christ and make commitment through baptism. We taught the word of wisdom... I shared my testimony of agency and having the Holy Ghost and the promises within this revelation. I was impressed to share something that my father had told me, which he had learned from one of the apostles:..
about the Holy Ghost… How it quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom.  It inspires, develops,
cultivates, and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature. It inspiresvirtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form, and features. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes,
music to the ears, and life to the whole being.”

I shared this and I could feel the spirit. I know they could too. I promised them the blessings of living the word of wisdom and how this wisdom comes from the Holy Ghost, our constant companion and how they can have this by baptism. After the lesson, Brandon told us that he wanted to talk to us privately. I thought it was just a question, I expecting something good. This was not the case. Brandon told me some hard words. He told us that his mom said we were not allowed to meet with him anymore, that the lessons, the invitations, the baptism and the chance to help these young brilliant men have salvation stops Sunday. THIS SUNDAY!?!?!??! I was shocked. My mind was spinning in all directions, trying to find a conclusion as to why. I was thinking what happened!?!? You can feel this. Your mom can feel this. She's even had a dream witnessing and testifying to her, that its TRUE. You can feel the gospel. You are reading! Why?!?! How?!?! I couldn't speak. I just shook my head in unbelief, in defeat. I definitely felt defeated!!! Did we just end up at the bottom again!?!?  No investigators. no lessons. No one to bring unto salvation, just back at square one!!! It's hard and it's hard to say goodbye...

Joe:   he is leaving for 180 days because of choices he made a couple years ago. We gave him a Book of Mormon, talked to him, answering questions and concerns and how this book can really help him find the answers. It was bitter sweet. We talked to Krista and Joseph. Joseph isn't happy about his dad leaving and us not being able to visit. It's going to be hard for me and also for them, but, I know if they have faith good
things will come to them. We said goodbye.

I didn't know or comprehend how much you could love people. It just shows how much Heavenly Father loves us, but when it's time to say goodbye you just think to yourself "I can't leave these people. They need me!!! They need the gospel and how will they find it if I leave? “I don't know how much Heavenly Father loves his children. I only know that he does and that he continually reaches out in love. I don't know how many times Christ reached out with love, looking outward and not inward and having people reject him and eventually crucify him. Even after atoning for our sins, did he show his love for us!!! I can't can't comprehend that, nor will I ever understand it. But I do know it was for a reason. It was because of the love that he had and a desire to love others, help others, and serve. 

As a missionary. I have grown to love and care for these people, to try and help them make righteous decisions. Even when they reject it and oppose its teachings, I love them. I truly love them and I hope and pray for them, that one day, if it is the will of our father, that they will come and accept the gospel and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. All I know is that we need to have faith and hope that Heavenly Father still loves us and that Christ still loves us. It's because of Heavenly Father’s love and our Savior, Jesus Christ. That makes it possible for people to change and want to be better and live the gospel.

I have learned more about the plan in our lives and the atonement of Jesus Christ and what it can do in your life, than I have ever before, in my 19 years of this grand adventure. I have also learned what it truly means to love people, to love our family, our friends, our neighbors and our enemies. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us. They care for us and our eternal happiness.  I hope to follow the Savior and love as he loves, care as he cares, serve as he serves and reach as he reaches and finally, lift as he lifted and continues to lift today.

We need to lift those, who think they can't progress, or can't change, or feel that they are nothing and not worth saving. For all of us, it's time to lift up our voices, proclaim the truth and help lift people up into eternal salvation. Because it matters and it matters to me even more, knowing that Christ still reaches people. He reaches them by heart and soul. He lifts those who think they can't endure through the trials of life. He inspires people to change.  It's through his atoning sacrifice that we can do this and he has done that in love.  It just takes a hand and one reaching out in love.

Thank You again for all those who are reading. I love you and I know that God loves you and I know that these things which I have spoken are true!

-Elder Corbridge

Halloween '16

Ours was a pretty quiet evening!  I bought a ton of candy and we barely gave half of it away. Stott and Wendy brought Miki over for a bit, just about the same time Quayd started writing his weekly letter.  He was in the middle of transfer goodbyes, so he wrote much later than normal.

Miki looked adorable, but Stott's costume was totally freaky!  TOTALLY freaky.  He had painted a "Day of the Dead" mask on his face and looked amazing.  His eyes creeped me out!  As I said, we didn't have a lot of trick or treaters, but the ones that we did have, mostly, came before it was even dark.  Once it was dark, we had very few.  

  ZJ's friend, Drake came over so that she could put his make-up on.  They were twin zombies.  Drake is a cutie.  Zeej was invited to his home for dinner before they all went out together with friends.  Grace went to Stott and Wendy's for the rest of the evening and came home with Zee at the end of the evening.  That meant that Doug and I were left alone at home for Halloween Night. We ended up watching a movie together, eating grilled tuna sandwiches, fresh pears, chips and snacking on a few Snickers Bars.  Before the night was over, but after 9PM, I'd taken down all of the Halloween decorations and collected them on the dining room table, so that I could just put things away the next morning and decorate for November...which will really be just the first half of the month, because I'm feeling Christmas pretty soon!  But, I digress. it was a pretty tame Corbridge Halloween, indeed! 

Here's a few pix:

Drake has to have the cutest smile ever!  He really is a nice boy!

 Which is why this picture was so creepy.  I prefer his smile!

 They did look kind of spooky!

 

And here's a few shots of my Halloween decor:

I really want to paint this cabinet white!!!  But, it's perfect for Halloween and will keep until after the holidays when I'm looking for a winter project.

 And this will have to be white, as well, since it's right there with the cabinet.

 My cute metal chalkboard is probably my newest favorite decoration for any season!

 When we first bought our home, I put this corner cabinet downstairs in the corner of the landing.  But, it neeeeeeeds to be unstairs in the den so that I can decorate it all year long! A dark photo but a light in my heart!  Love it!

 These cute little pumpkins from Hobby Lobby added just the perfect sparkle to my Halloween tablescape.  Doug quotes Carol's late husband, Robert, often when he discovers anything with glitter on it.  I won't share what he calls it, but the first word rhymes with glitter.  You can take it from there.

 This cute little "poison bottle" was the finishing touch on the tablescape this year.  LOVE it!  And that huge glittery spider was attached to the bow of last month's Bunco prizes from Mary Ann! Aylabelle loved that!

 This creepy branch with the rusted old Jack-o-latern Bells was found at Taipan.  They were pricey or I'd have about a dozen of them.  I usually go for classy or whimsical decor on Halloween and not creepy, but I did love this branch!

Thanksgiving decorating is done.  I'm not sure if it will make it to Thanksgiving, but it's up!

On Instagram and Facebook, I always like to share my gratitudes every day in November.  For the first day of November, I shared this:

On this first day of November, I want to express my gratitude for this good man who has been my best friend and eternal companion for over 40 years now!  His example, his patience, his love and kindness are impeccable and he makes me laugh A LOT!  I am blessed! #monthofgratitude

Life is good!  HAPPY NOVEMBER!