January 23, 2011

This week I feel was a pretty productive week, On Monday did the regular teaching and exercising. On Tuesday I was excited to receive an email from Birgot Bishop Swin. I had asked her to look at the photo of Amanda Melvina that was in different family histories but some difference of opinion it if was the mother Amanda Melvina Reed or the daughter Amanda Melvina McClellan .

A couple of weeks ago I had sent her an email I got a definitive answer. She wrote:

Thanks for allowing me to utilize my college degree. I love to analyze clothing and this gives me a chance to stretch out my skills again. The first outfit marked Amanda Reed Young I'd categorize it between 1849-1854 based off the fullness of the sleeve, the design of the crinoline, and the waist band being raised slightly above the natural waist line. I'd lean towards it being the mother. After comparing the daughters 1890 photo (which I'd say is accurate date based off the high collar dress style) as well the eyes don't seem to match the youthful 1849 photo. See how the eyebrow line furrows down, just like the one of the very older lady? Which was hard to date b/c of the shawl she was wearing. I'd put it at the 1862-1865 ranged from the hairstyle and hat. The buttons also go down past the natural waistline which indicates a popular style of the 1860's. The collar is also a high neckline, but not as stiff of as the 1880's and 90's.

I hope that helps. Birgit Swain

So now we know that the lady in the full gown in the mother Amanda Reed and a little bit more about 1800"s fashion.

We got greentime that day and so I left about 9 'oclock. Since I was home, I gave Jerry a call and had a great visit with him. I was excited to find out that he had tapes that he had put on a CD of an interview he did with Grandma Holsinger. Also, he had also put on his interview with Dad when he told him his story. So I am excited to get hear those who I love again.

That night I went over to Rosemary Hill's home for a Relief Society Meeting on eating healthy. Got a lot of good tips from a licensed dietitian. She had a great granola recipe and I made it on Wednesday but only used half the oil and it was still good. Also, I picked up some Agave Nectrar, which is a natural sweetener and doesn't raise the insulin levels in the body like sugar does. ( I really like it) . Also I found that I really like humas with vegetables, which is a great way for me to get protein without meat. So the evening was very educational.

Thursday, I went visiting teaching and worked on Family History stories. I changed Jacob Holsinger's story into a word document and added more to Michael Kerns story. I was excited to find some more information on him and also a plaque were his fort had been and also some pictures of the inside.

On Friday they had a big meeting at work, telling us that they are going to be moving people around because we have to many in CRG, ( that is me that handle disconnect calls) and not enough in ACE (they handle equipment orders and other issues). So I don't know what I am going to do. A lot of things to consider. Friday Willard and I watched some movies together. We really do enjoy our new TV together.

Saturday, I went to the temple and worked on Taylor's afghan, exercised, and got 10 pages done on my Dad's history.

All in all it was a good week. Even on Wednesday I was 4th in the call center on my Balanced score but I quickly went down to 19th day because of my save rate. It hasn't been easy but I am glad the Lord has given me so much at home. I even lost 2 lbs!