Well, apparently November is turning into another October. MIA! Sorry everyone. Tonight I'm checking email and updating my website, amid a stuffy and runny nose (isn't that an oxymoron!?), puffy face, and plugged ears. Yep, you've got it, winter cold season has hit our house. I think we all have it because the tissue boxes are quickly getting depleted. This time of year I'm so thankful for my husband's work giving out free product (nose tissue, bath tissue, paper towels) as safety rewards. Hopefully we will all feel well enough to go on our planned day trip to the Tri-Cities next week.

Next week is Thanksgiving. This year we're doing something a little different since Grandma Stoker is now living in Life Care Center in Richland. We're gathering at Ken's ward building for lunch, so Grandma can come in her wheelchair, and then we'll got to Ken's for games, more food, and fun. I'm making pumpkin pies (from scratch, with the pumpkin glop I made out of our Halloween pumpkins...no, they weren't carved and burnt.)  I got 9 cups of glop out of 2 pumpkins!  The first pumpkin I tried, as an experiment, turned out really yummy. I hope everyone likes them.

I got a call the other day from our Ward Clerk, whom I've been working with to get (and give) reports on addresses and Relief Society attendance. Well, he said that he heard I'm good with computers. Yes. He asked if I know how to use Excel. Yes. Then he asked if I'd like to help configure a mailing list for his company...with pay! Sure!!  So tonight we got together and talked a little about his company, the purpose of this project, and a timeline for completion. The good news is it's easy work that I can do from home in my free time; the bad news is it's literally copying entries from the yellow pages into an Excel spreadsheet (data entry). The bonus...I'm starting to make business contacts and create references for any future employment search!  Glory to God, for the blessings he brings into our lives!!

No, my kids have not adopted a real mouse! I'm referring to my computer mouse. The cord must be broken because it keeps shutting off when I move it just right (or wrong). Maybe I'll get a new one for Christmas. Or thanksgiving...can we get gifts on Thanksgiving!?

I received the sad news today that my Uncle Larry passed away last night. We've been told that he had a heart attack in the night. He was 63 years old.  I didn't know him well, but I am getting to know him better as I go through my grandmother's pictures. He was a beautiful baby and a handsome young man. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, 1 granddaughter, 3 brothers and 1 sister (my mom).

It has been only 11 months since my Uncle Ron - Larry's brother - passed away. It is too soon for another Opoka to be gone.

It's been one year since my dear Aunt Shelly passed away. I have thought of her so often in the past 12 months. She would be proud of her sons and the way they have grown and lived their lives. I hope she would be proud of me too.

My sincere apologies for being MIA during the month of October.  I've been busy with my church, took a trip to Portland to visit my family, started  another photo project to document my genealogy, and survived Halloween.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to my cousin Kaye, who turned 13, Aunt Valerie & Uncle Doug, and my sister-in-law JaiLynn - all of whom had birthdays in October.