An Oregon Summerlet

 While most of the country is sweltering, we here in Oregon are enjoying 60 degree temperatures!  Occasionally we get a sunny day and a couple of times we have had 2 in a row but for the most part still cloudy, still chilly, still rainy.

I really truly believed that after last year's disappointing summer we were in line to get a nice one this year.  This just goes to show that no one asks me when planning the weather.

We have had a busy month none the less.

On the 4th we went to the ward pancake breakfast, the Oak Hills Parade and the Oak Hills fireworks display.  Springville ward had it's own mini fireworks show while we waited.

On the 9th we traveled to Salem to visit our dear friends (who moved in May) for a birthday celebration.

I promise, she really has 2 perfect eyes.

 On the 14th my niece Aurora was born, she didn't want to nurse so there were 5 anxious days but now she has the knack.  We were to visit the weekend after she arrived but Moose is busy doing the work of 3+ men at work and so we postponed our Montana vacation and baby snuggling.

On the 16th we went to the Portland Highland Games and it was awesome. I love kilts!!  All of the mooselings participated but Boba Fett was particularly excited about tossing the caber.

On the 17th our ward was split and a new ward formed in our stake.  We were sad to lose some very dear ones including our entire Relief Society presidency to the "Tomahawk Ward."

Monday the 18th is the day I became mentally ill and began taking yoga classes and seriously considered joining a gym.  The gym illness has passed but I will be continuing with the yoga classes.

 

Last weekend we celebrated Pioneer Day at Fallbrooks Farm, and on Sunday La Keira was called as Relief Society President.

I'll just let that sink in for a few moments.....

Being the "besty" of the Relief Society President is weird, really weird.  We are still trying to figure out how it is going to work.  I can't imagine how she managed to keep it a secret for a week!  It is just surreal and it will take time to sink in.

And all month long I have been preparing for the 5 night, 50 mile hike that Commander C, La Keira, Jonah, myself and assorted members of the Hanna family are taking next week.  I have been planning meals, shopping for gear, borrowing gear, breaking in boots, and training.

I just have one thing to say: I am going to DIE.

Someone Should Take Away My Pie Pans

It is no secret that I am pie crust challenged.  I make tasty fillings but the presentation is bad, bad, bad. No matter what I do my pies are UG-LY!

Lately I have tried buying pre-made crusts already in the pan. No improvement.
Today I even  bought the Marie Callender's crusts for my marion berry pie.

 Fail.  Please, someone put me out of my misery.  Why do I have to like pie so much?

Spurious

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”Genesis 3:15

This passage has been running through my head frequently of late.  For the last several months my right heel has felt like it has been bruised and over the last few weeks I started to think "Maybe this is an actual 'thing'" and today I googled it.

Ignorance is bliss.  It is probably (based on my googling 3 or 4 phrases and my non-existant podiatry degree) those ugly words you sometimes hear on foot ailment commercials  but never know what they mean and are too grossed out to find out.

Doesn't this look awful?

"Heel spur" and/or "plantar fasciitis"

Great, because I didn't already think that being in your 30's is lame. Now it is literally.

Now Genesis 3:15 has meaning to me, I know that a bruised heel hurts and is really annoying but you can get on with life.


My mom claims to have some essential oils for it and that is good because I am supposed to go on a 50 mile hike in 2 1/2 weeks.

 

These are to only kind of spurs I want on my feet.

Splitsville Ward

They are splitting up our ward. 

This only can end in tears. I have been in our ward for 9 wonderful years and the thought of losing anyone from or being put into a new ward is just too sad. I look at the map of the ward and I love every single family.

The worst part is that there isn't a readily apparent split, and 3 wards will be affected as they form a new ward, and we have to WAIT AN ENTIRE WEEK to find out the changes.  A week?  A week of thinking about all the wonderful people our ward family and wondering if they will still be in my ward next week and how much I will miss seeing them several times a week.

Also, La Keira is on the opposite side of the ward from Starlings no matter how you carve it up.  This doesn't look hopeful.

I know it will all be for the best and any new ward will be fantastic but it just isn't the same when you don't see someone regularly.

Last time we only lost a handful of families and gained a whole bunch of really awesome people, maybe we will be so lucky again?