Some things in May

The week we returned to Midland, Grumpy had purchased tickets for the very fabulous and entertaining BYU International Folkdancers. We have a very nice and brand new theater here in Midland so the venue was very upbeat. I guess technically it is in Odessa, but it seems to be kind of in the middle between the two cities.

Such talented performers. The dances were amazing and the Mountain Strings performing with them provided excellent music and song. It was an evening well spent and I would highly recommend their performance. I only wish I could have ever moved that way. So fun to watch.

I then had a luncheon planned with my Visiting Teaching partner, Holly for our ladies. We wanted to do something a little special for them for Mother's Day, so decided to have them over to Holly's for a nice lunch. I gave Holly the recipe off Nana's blog for the wonderful Strawberry/Citrus salad and she was excited to make it. Everyone loves that salad. I decided to do a couple of quiche recipes I have been wanting to try. It seems like I have to have an occasion to try recipes. I don't know why. I guess that way my quests are my test group and I can get some impartial feedback? I don't know, but it seems I am trying out new recipes for get togethers often. I posted my refined efforts on Nana's blog, but will put some of the pics of our fare that day.

Above are the two quiches cooling after cooking. The top one was the Broccoli/Cheddar, the bottom one is the Spinach/Mushroom. It was raining hard that day, so I cooked them at my apartment rather than hauling all the ingredients over to Holly's. Since quiche needs to cool about 15 minutes before serving anyway, I took them down to the car and was at Holly's ready to serve them when they were ready.

Our delicious salad Holly made and our quiche plated. It was a yummy lunch, which was only attended by one of our ladies. Sadly the other 3 could not come. Holly put some quiche and salad into zip-lock containers and we went delivering after lunch. It was a good day.

Then it was Mother's Day. Grumpy took me out to dinner Saturday night at our favorite, the Shogun restaurant (for Robert). Robert took Gramma and Papa H. to dinner for us, so Grumpy took me for Robert.  It was an excellent dinner and I called to thank Robert that night. I got other nice things done for me while I was home in Mesa in April (for Mother's Day in advance). I was taken by surprise when I woke up Sunday morning to the realization I had no children around me for the first time in 37 years. It hit me pretty hard and I did not do well with this change in my life. I couldn't stop crying. I felt terrible that Grumpy was having to deal with a despondent wife through no fault of his own, but couldn't help myself. Everyone was good to call and text, I knew I wasn't forgotten, but it was very different to be far from everyone for this holiday. It made me feel doubly bad that Grumpy had been here totally by himself last year for Father's Day. Horrible. That won't be happening ever again. I re-grouped and went to church. I lasted for Sacrament meeting. I went to give Jenny a poster for our cookbooks we're putting together and when she asked if I was okay I lost it. Poor Jenny. She and Holly gave me hugs and sent me home. While I was home waiting to go back and get Grumpy I heard a knock on the door. It was a nice young man delivering a bouquet of fruit to me by Edible Arrangements from Jamie, Summer and the kids. I was so surprised and glad I was home to take delivery. My favorite of course were the chocolate covered strawberries. Thanks Armstrongs for the bouquet of sunshine that day. I got nice calls from all the kids and wore one of the necklaces Taya and Kevin got me for Mother's Day while I was in Cali.  I hope Grumpy didn't feel too bad. It wasn't my best day. I made him change his reservations the next day so he and I will be home in Mesa for Father's Day. Thanks for all the calls and texts. I got a card from Stacie, RB and the kids the following Tuesday. I love my kids and grandkids so much it was just so weird to not be with any of them that day. I guess this is another hurdle in my changing (older) life that I need to get over.

Just life, right?