WEEK 20 - KICKED UP

Total Exposures Filmed  68,081 to date, BUT WHO IS COUNTING
We are going to post a running total of the number of exposures that we have taken. It will help us and you understand the progress that we are making.

HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
TO
BRODIE

Thanks to the Myers
children for their thought-
fulness.  Happy Valentines
to you also.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ALL THOSE THAT WE LOVE

 

THE LAST WEEK IN SUMMARY
We picked up the pace of our filming this week.  We have been averaging about 1,000 to 1,200 exposures every day.  This week we learned that if Grandpa concentrates harder that we can significantly increase our speed.  We have now learned the system well enough that we can produce quality microfilm records that meet Church standards.  Our confidence in filming has greatly increased.  Now we are trying to work on our speed.  On Thursday we filmed 2,177 exposures in about 7 hours.  Grandpa worked most of Saturday developing a new system for labeling documents that will help us get even faster and increase the quality of the filmed documents.  Our goal is to film as many records as we possibly can, while we are here.  

Last Sunday Grandpa asked for a list of members in the Chandler area that no one knows anything about.  We recieved a list of 11 member or part-member families who lived here at one time.  When the Elders were over to our apartment for dinner on Friday night, we reviewed all of the names together.  Our job now is to locate where they live and get contact information for them.  We are using the resources of the internet to find these folks so that we can pay them a visit.  The Elders are coming over again this Friday.  We will visit Mrs. Furgeson from last week and then make contact with 4 other families that Grandma and Grandpa have been able to locate from the list. 

On Tuesday night we traveled to the Temple to help the Ward and the Youth do
baptisms.  There is a family of members here in Chandler by the name of Blood.  They have seven children, five that are of the age to do baptisms.  We helped them out by driving.  Their oldest son Greg has some form of autism.  He is the one who laid down in the youth classes that we taught earlier.  Grandpa has learned to like this kid. Greg rode with us to the Temple which took about an hour.  He slept most of the way and was all over the back seat. Grandpa had the radio on one of our easy listening SiriusXM stations (appropriate for going to the Temple).  Greg said very little on the way there, except to answer a few basic question as we attempted to get to know him better.  We arrived at the Temple and had a great experience watching the baptisms.  Grandma was able to be proxy for 24 confirmations.  I guess it is a tradition in this ward to take the youth to the Golden Corral after the Temple.  This Golden Corral is huge.  I would guess at least twice the size of the one in North Logan. It is the favorite place to eat for most in our Ward.  Anyway as we were traveling from the Temple to the eating place, Greg Blood made his only unsolicited remark of the whole trip.  He said, " I did not know that elevator music was still played on the radio".  Now, I love this kid.  

We filmed this document last week.  Thought it to be rather unique. We were particularly attracked to the name of this Company.  This is obviiously a group of friends of the deceased John Fick who are not happy that a man holds this $2,000 notes against Mr. Fick.  it says, " I the undersigned hearby make a bid of ten ($10.00) dollars for a note that you hold against John Fick and Jeana Fick which was __?____ and unkind.  The amount being two thousand ($2,000)dollars. 

Yours Resp.  R.W. Pool 

As we meet new people and are become more familiar with the social circles here Grandpa is finding opportunities to make sourdough rolls (bisquits as Grandpa Palmer called them).  Since I did not bring a sourdough start with me, I made a new start and I just cannot seem to get it to work as good as Grandpas old starter.  I bought a new dutch oven, although I certainly do not need another dutch oven.  But who would have thought that some sheepherder bread would be useful on a mission in Oklahoma.  Grandpa wants to take a batch of bisquists, in the dutch oven, for our friends at the County one of these mornings.   We also have a ward Young Women's camp fundraiser coming up.  It is a traditional chili feed.  Grandpa wants to bring in one of those hot dutch ovens brimming with steaming, golden brown sourdough bisquits smothered in butter and rasberry jam.  Now that will make Oklahoma chili taste really good. 

Our good friends and neighbors, the Readings, are moving away.  They are moving back to San Antonio, Tx.  We will miss them.  It has been very nice to have them living next to us.  The other day when we were trying to speed up our filming Grandma said, "I am not sure that I want to speed up the time when we will have to move again.  I like it here."  After we recieved news of the Readings moving she said, " lets hurry and get these records done so that we can move to a new place."

Next Week is Stake Conference in Stillwater Oklahoma Stake.  We are going to a baptism on Saturday in our Cushing Ward.  All six of the missionaries from our Ward, including us, are having breakfast together before the baptism.  Then we are traveling together to Stillwater for meetings the remainder of the day.  Then we will travel again to Stillwater (65 mi.) for the 10 am Sunday session.  The following Sunday we are speaking in Sacrament Meeting, and Grandpa is teaching the Gospel Doctrine Class that day.  So, we are not sure how much time we will spend blogging in the next two weeks.  We will do what we can. 

Splatter with a Platter or the Drop at McDonald's
Picture this in your mind.  We stopped at McDonald's to grab a sandwich for our Valetines Dinner on Saturday Night.  As usual, Grandma only ate half of her chicken sandwich.  Grandma has became very insistent about taking home leftovers that she can eat later.  This worries Grandpa when we are a long time in returning home to refrigerate the remains.  In fact, there have been some very vigorous discussions between us about food safety.  Some Grandpa has won and most he has lost.  I remember back a few months ago when it was very hot and Grandma had insisted that she keep her boxed food in the car.  It would be a very long time before we would get home.  Once again Grandpa lost the food argument.  In his frustration he stopped at a grocery store and bought an insulated bag and some ice to preserve the food and protect his companion from the misery  and danger of food poisoning.  By the way, the purchase of the bag and ice far exceeded the value of the leftover food.  Anyway back to McDonald's.  As we left, Grandma bundled up in her heavy coat, picked up her boxed chicken sandwich and walked to the pop machine to get her covetted refill.  Grandpa waited at the door for her to approach with both hands filled with take-home food.  Grandpa held the door as we stepped onto the sidewalk outside.  We walked side-by-side a few paces to the curb that stepped down to the parking lot pavement. Grandma did not see the drop. Grandpa saw a paper cup spilling drink fly in front of him then he heard multiple thuds as things hit the hard pavement.  He looked down to his right side to see Grandma sprawled out, flat, with her face down on the concrete.  Grandma did not move for a brief time.  Grandpa dropped his glasses and his car key and knelt to help Grandma.  Since Grandma was not moving, I thought that she was unconscious.  When Grandpa got down to Grandma's face, she still had not moved.  Grandpa said, "Judy are you okay?", She said, "yes, just give me a minute".   We slowly rose together. As Grandma regained her composure, Grandpa started to pick up around her.  Then Grandpa saw the chicken sandwich scattered across the pavement.  Every part of the sandwich was touching the pavement, just like Grandma was. I gathered up the unsorted remains of the sandwich and walked to the trash can knowing that I would have to answer for it's disposal.  When I got back to Grandma she was pickup up my keys and assessing her damage.   We determined that the thuds hitting the pavement were both knees, left wrist, both elbows, upper lip, one diet coke, and one half chicken sandwich.  The only surface damage was a large bruise on her left knee, and an abraision about the size of a quarter on her left wrist.  As we drove away, thankful that the damage was not more serious, Grandma said, "where is my sandwich".  Oh no!



THIS WEEKS HISTORY LESSON - EDNA MERLE PUGSLEY PALMER (your Great Grandma)

BATTLE OF THE GKIDS
Ground Rules: Just for your reference, the same as before
Some emphasis is important:  All of these solutions can be found on the internet.  Work together to find the answers.  Do not go to the Web.  This little bit of family fun will deteriorate quickly if you do.   You are on your own honor. 

The Grandchildren will compete within two age groups; those that are now younger than eight (the BRANIACs) and those that are now eight and older (the MINDBENDERs). Grandchildren will remain in their respective groups throughout our mission. The winner within each group will be the first grandchild to send the correct answer by text to Grandma's iphone (435-757-8561). Do not text Grandpa because the winner will be determined by the time the text is sent to Grandma. There will be separate contests for both age groups based on what we judge to be appropriately difficult for the age. The prize for the week, for the winner of each age group, will be $10.00 deposited into the grandchild's savings account that Grandma opened for you when you were born. At the end of Grandma and Grandpa's mission the winner of the most blog contests, in each group, will receive a Grand Prize when we return home. We will give reports on your progress as a winner. The ground rules will be that you cannot use the internet to find your answers. Parents should use your own judgement about the age of the child, the level of help that you provide, and family fairness. If grandchildren want to work together, their winnings will be split based on the number of participants on the team.

______________________________________________________
BRAINIACS

Previous winners:
Answer: "Too, Funny For Words"
Won By Brainiacs: Ali and Mylee Myers

BRAINIACs
What phrase does this sign make?

_____________________________________________
The Next Brainiac Challenge:

What does this say?

______________________________________
MINDBENDERS

We are not sure that anyone knows this,
but we decided to attend this Methodist
Church for the last couple of years
we were in Maryland, just for a change.
Unscramble the following 34 LETTERS
for an 8 WORD explanation:

Previous Winners:Answer: "We rented the church for our LDS meetings"
Won By Mindbenders: Kaden and CJ Myers

These are the letters you must use:
IDCFCTENRWNMEESOLET
EEDHHRORHUURTGS







_________________________________________________
The Next Mindbender Challenge:

If you have me, you want to share me.
If you share me, you haven't got me.
What am I?


________________________________________


ONLY IN OKLAHOMA
We found out this week that Oklahoma has different words for meals during the day. It seems that most people do okay with the meal in the morning. It is breakfast. However the meal at mid-day in Oklahoma is not called lunch. It is dinner. The meal in the evening is called supper, never dinner. Grandpa asked how Oklahomans explain the fact that the vast majority of restuarant menus, throught the country, show a lunch (mid-day) and dinner(evening) menu. My answer was that, "the rest of the country just can't seem to get it right". Thing that really troubles Grandpa about this is a haunting memory as a small boy our family called meals by the same names as Oklahomans.

You know you are from Utah when you are not surprised to hear words like "Darn, Fetch, Flip", " Oh, My Heck" and "Shoot".

You know you are from Oklahoma when You say ya'll ... many times a day and you call lunch, dinner.

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.

GRANDMA AND GRANDPA

WEEK 19 - ANOTHER GOOD ONE

Total Exposures Filmed  60,130 to date, BUT WHO IS COUNTING?

We are going to post a running total of the number of exposures that we have taken. It will help us and you understand the progress that we are making.

THE LAST WEEK IN SUMMARY
The weather here has been nothing short of spectacular ( at least Grandpa thinks so).  Many days since, we returned from Christmas at home, temperatures have been in the 60s.  Last week most days were in the low 70s.  What a wonderful winter. No snow and none to throw.  Grandpa has only worn his winter coat twice this winter.  Grandma has been another story.  We could still pay dearly for our enjoyment.  But, for now, it is delightful.

The Elders drove to Chandler to see some less-active members on Wednesday.  We had asked them to stop in to see us so that we could show them our filming operation.  We took them to Doomerang for lunch.  We enjoy the time we spend with them, and we think the feeling is mutual.  We will be disappointed to see these Elders move on, but we know it is best.  We look forward to working with multiple Elders while we are here.  We went today to visit a woman who sent in a referral to Church Headquarters for more information about the Church.  She lives here in Chandler.  We knocked on her door at about 1:30 Sunday afternoon.  We were greeted by her three cats on the front porch.  After a couple of knocks she came to the door sleepy and groggy looking.  We introduced ourselves and told her that we were  bringing the bible that she requested, of course we had a Book of Mormon also.  She drew a blank look and said she did not ask for them.  Grandma asked if there was anyone else in the house that could have requested a Bible.  She said, "no".    She did not appear that she was in any mood to talk to us.   We said goodby and left. Then as we were driving away we kicked ourselves for not talking to her more.  If the young Elders were with us they would have pressed her to come back or asked more questions.  We learned a good lesson today.  We will go back or have the young Elders go back.  Today we asked for a list of the less-active members in the Chandler area.  We will help the young Elders find and invite them back. 

We went to the Temple on Thursday night.   We attended the last session then stayed around to help clean.  One of the brothers from our Ward, Bro. Copeland drove 90 minutes to get there.  He said that the distance has never been a problem for him.  Before this Temple was built it took 5 hours, one way, to get to the Dallas Temple.  Go to the temple. It is only minutes away from where you live. 




THIS WEEKS HISTORY LESSON - Marcel, Grandpa's Brother, who you have not met, yet.

This photo was probably taken in Marcel's mid-
twenties. 

Marcel was the oldest child of Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Nielson.  He was born on January 28, 1926.  He died of Polycystic Kidney Desease that he was troubled with for the last half of his short 35 year life.  He must have somehow known that he would not be here long, because he packed enough goodness into his 35 years to fill a full and long life.  Marcel loved everything that was beautiful about this world and he tried to experience it all.  He traveled extensively and photographed all that he saw.  Grandpa has all of his slide collection of about 7,000 color slide.  I have scanned some and will scan more.  He seemed to have done everything. 

Grandpa loved his brother Marcel.  He was so good to me.  After Great Grandpa Nielson died when Grandpa was only 11, Marcel tried to fill the shoes of my father. He came home from Salt Lake on weekend to be with us.  In the summers, Grandpa would go to Salt Lake to stay with Marcel.  He would take me to his work in Salt Lake for the Salt Lake County Planning Department.  There he taught me how to draw, read aerial photography, and how to read maps, which is what I did the remainder of my own career.  The saddle, that Grandpa still has, was given to me by Marcel for Christmas when I was 12 years old.   

Marcel never married.  He was dating a woman, named Shirley, before he died.

Marcel with a pet parrot while serving his mission
in Brazil.  Grandpa remembers picking him up
at the train station, in Ogden, when he arrived
home.

Grandpa has listed a few of the worldly accomplishments of Marcel. 

• Made model airplanes that he hung from his bedroom ceiling ( in those days model airplanes were made with wood paper, glue and a set of plans, not a bunch of plastic parts that you glue together)
• Raised Pigeons
• Helped his father raise mink, milked cows, and raised chickens
• Played multiple band instruments
• Respected  and in demand Piano Soloist
• Played the Organ with the Tablernacle Choir
• Sang in the Tablernacle Choir
• Served a 3 year mission in Brazil
• Graduated from Army Flight School
• Served as a Boomer Engineer in World War II
• Traveled Europe, Asia, and the United States
• Drove cool cars
• Served in a Bishopric and filled numerous other chuch callings
• Attended USU and BYU
• Professional City Planner
• Dedicated Photograher
• Painted Landscapes

Marcel (top-back) and some friends on a hiking trip.



While serving in the Army
Air Corp his plane was shot down
over China (ask Grandpa someday
for more details)

This is taken from one of Marcel's many diaries.  Grandpa has included one page for you to look at.  Marcel was 14 years old in 1940 when he wrote this.  Grandma typed this from his original handwriting. 

BATTLE OF THE GKIDS
No one has ventured even a guess at the word scamble of a few weeks ago.  It is apparent that since there was no reward, there was no interest.  What happened to your spirit of adventure, motherhood and apple pie, the best things in life are free?  It is difficult, but we are having to face the bare facts of life; we are all mercenaries motivated by $.  Back when Grandma and Grandpa had to walk five miles to school in drifting snow at 40 below, we could be motivated by pennies.  Now dollar bills cause kids to rolls their eyes with boredum.  Well, Grandma and Grandpa are back in the world of reality; money talks.  We are "over it."

We are going to start an ongoing grandchildren contest.  You could call it the "Battle of the Gkids".  This is how it will work.  The Grandchildren will compete within two age groups; those that are now younger than eight (the BRANIACs) and those that are now eight and older (the MINDBENDERs).  Grandchildren will remain in their respective groups throughout our mission.  The winner within each group will be the first grandchild to send the correct answer by text to Grandma's iphone (435-757-8561).  Do not text Grandpa because the winner will be determined by the time the text is sent to Grandma.  There will be separate contests for both age groups based on what we judge to be appropriately difficult for the age.   The prize for the week, for the winner of each age group, will be $10.00 deposited into the grandchild's savings account that Grandma opened for you when you were born.  At the end of Grandma and Grandpa's mission the winner of the most blog contests, in each group, will receive a Grand Prize when we return home.  We will give reports on your progress as a winner.  The ground rules will be that you cannot use the internet to find your answers.   Parents should use your own judgement about the age of the child, the level of help that you provide, and family fairness. If grandchildren want to work together, their winnings will be split based on the number of participants on the team.

Grandma and Grandpa will reserve the right to terminate this activity if it gets ugly, if whinning about the winners becomes more time consuming than working on the answers, if homework becomes a thing of the past, if harassing phone calls abound, or if death threats occur.  Our family is "just a little bit competitive", so this could be a lot of fun.  Let's make it that way. 




BRANIACS

BRAINIACs
What phrase does this sign make?

So, this week the BRAINIACs have this puzzle to solve. Text Grandma with your answer. 












MINDBENDERS

We are not sure that anyone knows this, but we decided to
 attendthis Methodist Church for the last couple of years we
were inMaryland, just for a change. Unscramble the
 following 34 LETTERS for an 8 WORD explanation:

This week you need to solve the word scrabble from that we sent to you earlier.  Here are your hints:  1) 

• 8 words total
• one word of 2 letters, 
• four words of 3 letters
• The remaining 3 words, one word is the past tense of something you do when you do not want to buy.  Another word should be obvious, it is in front of you.  The remaining word is something we like to see end.

Get after it! 


These are the letters you must use:

IDCFCTENRWNMEESOLETEEDHHRORHUURTGS














ONLY IN OKLAHOMA

The 'Rock Cafe', Stroud, Oklahoma

We visited the old 'Rock Cafe'.  This place was on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.  They have a photo with the owner and Guy Fieri of 'Triple D' in the window sill inside.  We came here when we first arrived but it had been gutted by fire.  They have now reopened.  The food is good.  We will be back.

You know you're from Utah if you drink Coke from a brown paper bag. 

You know you're from Oklahoma when asked if, "You wanna Coke?" You say, "Yeah."  They say, "What kind?"   You say, "Dr. Pepper."

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.

GRANDMA AND GRANDPA