Nothing To Do With Mister Peanut

You know, the Planter's Peanut mascot?

Exciting news! Thursday night just before bed, my foot started to feel like my heel was bruised. I quizzed Kris on the symptoms of her ailment a couple of years ago, did some Internet research, and self diagnosed plantar fasciitis.

The plantar fascia is a ligament band running from your heel to the ball of your foot. This band pulls on the heel bone, raising the arch of your foot as it pushes off the ground. But if your foot moves incorrectly, the plantar fascia may become strained. The fascia may swell and its tiny fibers may begin to fray, causing plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is often caused by poor foot mechanics. If your foot flattens too much, the fascia may overstretch and swell. If your foot flattens too little, the fascia may ache from being pulled too tight. So throw away those walking shoes that have seen thousands of miles back and forth to campus and all over London. You flip-flop wearers, also beware.

A can or tennis-size ball works well to stretch out the heel and arch

Not just for picnic coolers

The good news is that plantar fasciitis responds well to treatment: stretching, ice packs, and ibuprofen. I caught it early so I am having a quick and good recovery.

OXO

D.

Joy to Everyone

A link to this video appeared on the BYU homepage today. I thought the music -- by Stephen Jones, Dean of Fine Arts -- was nice, but I'm not a music wonk, so I don't know how well you will like it. The lyrics (also by Jones) and message are very appropriate to the season. What really captivated me, however, were the images taken by Mark Philbrick. I hope you enjoy them, too.



OXO

D.

Christmas at Heritage Park

Monday afternoon we drove to the WVC to deliver Christmas packages to the Hastings before they depart for Hawaii. We had supper at Paradise Bakery where we met Rob and then continued up to This is the Place Heritage Park to enjoy the "Candlelight Christmas." It snowed Monday and the park is high enough that there was lots of fresh snow. The place is always fun, but is particularly delightful on a winter evening at Christmas. We saw a puppet show, danced a reel, made sachets, visited the nativity in the barn, and all kinds of fun stuff. We took the train down to the Brigham Young house where the kids got to visit with Father Christmas. The driver of the train turned out to be Ranleigh Johnson, a missionary friend from years ago. It was a very fun evening.

Clara was dressed and ready and wanted to go outside

Paradise Bakery

Dickie and Krisy comparing matching scarves

The gang in front of Eagle Gate

Warming by the fire - thanks for the photo Anna

Pine Valley Meeting House

At the puppet show in the Meeting House

Andrus Halfway House

Making sachets of lavender, etc.

Clara can't put her arms down

Smoot Hall (the first BY Academy in Provo)

Grammy, Pop Pop, and Lucy on the train - thanks Anna

The rest of the train riders

That's it for now.

OXO

D.

Decorating Party

Well, I have to say that our decorating party Monday evening went better than Anna's. This party has been a long-standing family tradition that has been replicated by each of our kids as they launch their own families. It consists of dinner and decoration of the Christmas tree. The dinner has an established menu of French baguette, various cheeses including Boursin and Babybel (gouda), meat stick, sliced tomatoes and avacados, oxtail soup (we skipped the soup this year), and something sparkling to drink. One of the prime reasons for choosing Babybel is its red wax skin that happily becomes waxy red lips. The meal had it origin in England while we were there in 1984 and has continued until today.

"To Twismas"

The spread

Silly lips from Babybel wax

Getting the huge collection of toys/ornaments
from a lifetime of travels sorted out

Everything in it's place: the ultimate compulsion

The decoration was successful except that the star on top leaned forward, pushed by a tiny branch. So Tuesday morning I mounted the stepping stool to clip the little blighter. Well as you might suppose, I clipped the wire and the lights all died. I had to replace the top and bottom strands and we are now back in business. One has to laugh -- it's healthier than fuming and cursing.

Cut ends, but the star is straight

P.S. Congratulations to Rob and Anna on their new MacBook! (Or is it just Rob's?)

Rob and Katy using their MacBooks
simultaneously: the wonders of Wi-Fi!

That's all for now.

OXO

D.

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving is now just a memory and the turkey soup is almost done. We were joined by several members of Meagan's family. Lenore (Meagan's mom) was on the mainland because most of her kids are in Utah. Emily and family had dinner with Jayson's sister's family, but joined us later in the afternoon along with the cousins for dessert. The food was delicious and the company was fun.

Pilgrim stump dolls from York in England, purchased
way back in 1984

All the usual suspects joined by the Wais

Some people just know how to have fun

Tutu and Grammy

The Soelbergs and Auntie Ann

Tonight (Friday) we went for supper with Stephen and Ann to Marley's at Timpanogos Harley Davidson in Lindon. It was fun and the burgers are good. The building is just so cool.

Marley's

Clearly, these diners are pleased

Kris, Ann, and Stephen

The weekend isn't over yet, so well keep you posted.

OXO

D.

The Rest of the Weekend

On Saturday, 22 November, there was a mini London reunion at the Barton's. Amy and Jennifer made soup and Kris made her killer French bread. It was fun to see some of the folks again.

Katy, Matt, Christian, Amy, Eliza, Kelly, Preston, and Mairin

Sunday (23 November) afternoon we went to the WVC to celebrate Lucy's 9th birthday. Anna made dinner and dessert and we had a great time.

Little Goat Cheese had me roll up the sleeves on Lizzie's coat in
hopes of escaping outside without shoes --FYI: didn't happen

The cousins enjoying supper, especially Ollie -- Anders, not so much

Clara on her daddy's shoulders

Cheeser!

Grammy strikes again!

Each candle is worth 3 years -- clever

Delicious carrot cake and Anna's famous BTS cake

Good times.

OXO

D.

3rd Folder Tag

Anna tagged me. The task is to show the third picture from the third folder in your photo file. I lost a bunch of photos years ago with a nasty accidental delete. So these are the best I can do. The third picture in the third file was blurry, which wouldn't be any fun, so this is #4 and a bonus. They are from the Taylor family reunion at Lake Tahoe a few years ago. Enjoy.

These little folks have all grown

Sucker for sunsets

Anna already tagged almost everyone on my links list except for Katy Kathryn, Ellen, Anne Marie, and the Texas Browns, so I tag them (if they want - no pressure here).

OXO

D.