House Tour

 Since my picture down loader wasn't working for awhile, I'm playing catch up with pictures I want to post.  These are all from my niece and nephew's house- Melinda and Jason in Vancouver.  

My motto.  I may rise but I won't Shine!

Furniture to swoon over...

 Love the pantry door.

You can never have too much Happy!

Don't take life too seriously.  Nobody gets out alive anyway.

 Love their outside fireplace and covered patio.

 Loved their fenced in grow boxes.

 Love the family portraits the kiddos made when they were younger.  

This is such a great idea.  This is Paige's bathroom and she's a little gal....so they have a step that pulls out from under the sink.  When she gets older, they'll turn it into a drawer.

 This is my Justin Beiber look-alike- nephew once removed.  (Did I make that up?)

 Love their chickens although one turned out to be a rooster...and they didn't know it.  No WONDER it was acting weird!

They Say It's Your Birthday-Gonna Have a Good Time (the Beatles)

Yesterday was THE day I turned closer to 100 than the day before. But look how smart I am!!!!  I figured out how to fix my computer (accidentally but who cares) and I can once again upload pictures!!!!!

This year is going to be WONDERFUL!!!!!!

This is a Christmas gift from Brooke and Tanner.  I  LOVE it....  It's a birthday celebration.

I have spent the week individually with friends and food and happy.....  looking forward to more.

Tuesday morning David and I attended the funeral of Sister Stones.  It was a lovely celebration of a beloved mother and grandmother.

Then friend J. and I took in some Vietnamese food and shared our hearts away.  I love every minute I share with her, although her heart is breaking.  As she said, "Each day is filled with 10,000 joys and 100 sorrows."

The sorrows are still devastating.  J. suggested I write down 10 "have-to's" for my happy birthday.

I couldn't come up with ten but it wasn't actually necessary because i just am.  Happy.  It feels good after a drought!  Some of the "happys" were things that weren't planned.  A great birthday serenade by the checker at 7-11 while Cathy and I were getting drinks, personal notes on Facebook about things I had forgotten, my husband surprising me with a dang funny card first thing in the morning and then downloading a fun Canadian series on tv that he knew I liked and we watched together.

Spent the day yesterday with BFF Cathy.  We meandered, doing things on our list, until we picked Brendalyn up from work and the 3 of us had lunch at the Copper Onion.  Then I treated them to Kouing Aman  (my favorite french dessert)- they had never had one before so it was part of my birthday delight to share with them.  They both told me later they couldn't stop thinking about them.  They are that good!

All the kids kept calling and wondering what I had planned for my bd and if we were going to get together but I just wanted a chill day.  David and I just had a wonderful evening together.  I could say it was a perfect day.

Thank you for all your sweet birthday wishes.  I started the day yesterday with a conference call from the Charm Girls- who are scattered all over the United States, singing me happy birthday.  I had to wear my charm necklace all day in remembrance of them. I was trying to explain to J. why I love these girls so much.  I realized that since I'm not from Utah- didn't have roots here- those girls are my foundation.  They are my youth.  They are my best times and wild times and can I say, they make me laugh.  They are a gift in my life.

Pegalita (Oregon) called, my BFF from college and maid of honor.  Pretty Patty Petty (Boise)  texted.  I felt loved from all corners.

Fun Valentines

Here's a few ideas for Valentines.  I've done 1 and 4 already.  Bring it on!!!

1. Tic Tac Toe Valentines via Dixie Delights
2. Candy Heart Box Labels via Aesthetic Nest 
3. Valentine’s Day Tags via Embellish Goods
4. Valentine Heart Garland via Landeelu

Today

~I just learned that today is National Holocaust Remembrance day.  I guess it was befitting that I just finished reading "The Book Thief" yesterday.  I'm still living it in my mind.  What a fabulous, fabulous book.  I loved the narrator's voice.  I think I'm friends with him now.  Cannot wait to see the movie.


~  this is birthday week so I'm celebrating every single day.  I started today with an art class.  Friend Kelly Alter and I drove way, way far away to Arlo's studio.  Neither one of us have painted for a couple of years.  I sat down (working on a babushka picture I'm painting for a friend)...and panicked for a moment.  I couldn't even think of how to mix my paints or what brushes to use.  Okay, for a couple of seconds!  Then, heaven.  My brain kneaded to the right.......it was soooo fun.  When our 2 hours sped by, Kelly and I got in the car....and squealed.  It felt THAT good.


~my son-in-law, Doug spent time in the emergency area last night.  The dog leash flipped into his eye which caused his hard contact to break.....and pieces got lodged.  I can't IMAGINE  that would have felt like.  Still pretty swollen and it will take some healing time.


~Saturday was Addi's birthday party.  Her 80's party.  So much fun.  Wild outfits (lots of scrunchies and wild colors and big bangs and leg warmers)...they played "Pin the white glove on Michael Jackson", made friendship pins, had a fashion show.  Addi's cake was Pac Man....another 80's invention.  So fun.  And dang....my pictures still won't load to this site.....


~Thursday night was GNO.  It was a no-host so we met at a fairly new Mongolian grill.  Delicious and we had a great night.  Good thing the HuHot was good since Saturday, after David and Scott T. did a gully ride, Scott and Nancy invited us to join them for dinner...at HuHot.  Twice there in a week....good enough I would go again tomorrow!


~after art, I hurried home and went out for an early dinner with friend, Penny.  We had planned on going to see a movie but I had my art class time wrong so that didn't work.  So we got a bite to eat and talked and talked...like we always do.  She's leaving on a trip tomorrow so we needed friend time.


~David and I went to the viewing tonight of the lady I took dinner to the family of the other night.  Making "delicious" potatoes (funeral potatoes) for the luncheon tomorrow after the funeral.  While I was in the frozen food section, getting hash browns, I ran into Nancy who was there getting her hash browns too.  I love how when there is a sadness for a family in our Ward and neighborhood, everyone is anxious to help.  I do love the Stone family.....  Hortencia and I have bonded over many things but especially the "caregiving" for our mothers-in-law.  She's been a source of strength for me.


~can I just say how fun it was to paint again today.  Oh my gosh, my soul is still singing.


~what does a clock do when it gets hungry?  It goes back 4 seconds......


~ tomorrow's birthday celebration two.  Love this week.

Life

Still unable to share pictures but here goes:




Had a WONDERFUL time with my folks and extended family.  I count each trip with them a blessing considering their roller-coaster health conditions.  Brandi and Doug went as well so that was really fun.  My brother, Gary and his wife Cher and their daughter-in-law Melinda and her son Jacob (a little Justin Beiber look alike but DARLING)  joined us for lunch the first day.  Melinda was so awesome, she volunteered her husband's sports car for Brandi and Doug to use in Portland. (Jason is on a buffalo hunt in Nebraska.  Crazy!)  The car was Doug's favorite part of the trip! (touring Melinda and Jason's home was a highlight for them as well.)   They spent two days alone in Portland...going to my favorite haunts and everyone else's two cent suggestions. They stayed at the Paramount Hotel.....and hit Papa Hayden's (my favorite) and Voodoo donuts (amazing!!!!) and Salt and Straws ice cream (!!!!!!!!!!!!)  They attended the Portland temple and a museum and the Pearl District and  fun shops on 23rd Street....and, and, and.  Mostly they enjoyed peace and quiet (since their home isn't with 6 kids!)  They had a great time.  A perfect celebration of their first anniversary.


I know I posted this poem before but I wrote it about NW23rd street in Portland- my first time there with friend Cynthia.  (you have to read it really fast since it is called "Breathless")




GIRLFRIENDS, BREATHLESS

That afternoon, squeezing out
one last adventure,
you raced through NW 23rd Street
saying, "See there. See there" and lucky!
We found a parking spot
and everything came at once.
The restaurant, painted like a Tai flag,
that featured Asian Blends,
the Dish n’ Dat--
a large layered wedding cake
with a 50's cardboard couple on the top
in the display window
and little wooden pushtoys
with a wiggling bride and groom.
And we bought
funky handmade bracelets
and laughed, because we knew
we had such good taste
but then you say, we need
to leave to catch my plane. But I begged to run
into one more store
and find hand-pressed paper
to make a collage in the colors of your room
and you run
into the corner delicatessen
because you know they have fabulous desserts.
And there isn’t time
to go into Three Monkeys,
Body Piercing and Jewelry, The Kite-eri
but it is enough to see
the psychic’s turquoise and yellow
painted door with moons and stars
and the droopy old man sitting
at the sidewalk table,
eating a wrap,
feeding pieces to a spotted dog,
the smell of curry blending
with the scent of patchouli coming
from that thin girl
with shiny black and purple hair,
and to see the sun bouncing off the shaved head
of the other one

and we laugh as we run
to the car, us at our age,
and you say "You need to come back soon" and
pull the car out in traffic, and we eat the dessert
from the white boxes with our fingers
(because you forgot the forks),
praying for a traffic jam or a missed plane.
Pleased with ourselves
that not everyone would do as we do,
eating one more bite,
laughing as we lick the last hurrah.



Marilyn Darley Williams








On Saturday night, Gary picked Mom and I up and we met Cher and again Melinda and Jacob for a fundraiser for "Meals on Wheels."  It was an all you can eat fresh crab and steak dinner.  Fabulous.  Cher does fundraising for MoW and also drives a route for them once a week.  She's amazing (in addition to the watch care she and Gary do for our parents.  They are good, funny and  generous people.)


Love my parents and family.  Love being with them but love coming home.




Yesterday was playing catch-up. Actually, Brandi called me first thing.  The girls are finally back on track (they've been out of school since the week before Christmas!!!).  Brandi was doing the carpool and Addi, without warning....just projectiled. (to be polite)   Crazy!  Totally grossed out the carpool.  So Brandi got her re-showered and changed and brought her to me and we spent the day together. I think she just had too many Voodoo donuts (they  brought a box home.)    


Last night David and I went to the Jazz game with Cathy and Kirk.  Dinner before at Z'Tejas (fabulous).  The Jazz is doing terrible but I guess that means a first round draft pick for next year. 




A sweet mother-in-law of a friend I visiting teach (I actually visiting teach the MIL as well)  is dying.  I put a roast in the crock pot all night and am ready to finish the dinner and run it up.  Such a hard time, draining time and spiritual time.  I love all these people.


Next week is birthday week so that means another 5 pounds.  Niece Mallory is coming sometime so that means lots of hand and foot and popcorn at the movies.  David and I are figuring out tickets to go to Guatemala toward the end of Feb.  Friend Gail has Bucket in Feb. and the plan was to go for a weekend at her cabin (lodge)...but yesterday she emailed me that it might not work in Feb. so maybe I will switch months with her...which means I get to plan a Valentine's Bucket!!!  Soon!  I can do it!




Addi turns eight next week and her birthday party is Saturday.  She's insisted on an 80's party since she's turning 8 even though she doesn't have a clue what that means!  I see disco balls in my future.  She will also be baptized in Feb. so that makes my heart sing.  My baby girl is growing up!




I decided it was time to take charge of my life again.  I'm actually going to start two art classes....one a "start at the beginning" and see if I can undo some bad habits.  I'm happy to start living in my right brain again.  Painting.  Birthdays.  Family and friends. Temple worship.  Some things on the calendar to look forward to.  Service.   A fun bedroom project.  Guatemala.  (The other night Ryan said they watched a large turtle come up on their beach and it laid 9 DOZEN eggs!!!!!  Now THAT  is childbirth!)  (okay, turtlebirth...)




"Looking for peace is like looking for a turtle with a mustache:  You won't be able to find it.  But when your heart is ready, peace will come looking for you."  Ajahn Chah

Picture This

Something is messed on my computer so I can't download pictures to post and I have so many things that have been going on that I wanted to show pictures with.  Oh well....


- last Friday night we were invited by friend Gail and hubby to the Jazz game (Cook's too!)  Dinner at the private dining at the Energy Solutions arena, then front row seats.  So close you could see sweat dripping off players and hear all their noise.  Imagine shiny tattooed basketball players coming at you fast!  I thought I was doing to get the ball a few times.


- last week when I took the girls to Frozen, I took all of these pictures of them posing with the various stand up posters. Fun pictures.  Except, wait a minute?  Gracie wasn't in any of them.  Gracie is twelve now and doesn't "get into being silly" anymore.  Picture Gracie rolling her eyes at me.....


-finally Cathy and Kirk were both back in town and we had date night on Saturday.  Dinner and then hand and foot at their home.  Just laughing and talking and getting caught up.  Picture a REALLY good time.


-Sunday was our first time with our new Primary class.  6 little spunky kiddos but we are going to love them.  It was announced that our Bishop will be released next Sunday.  (Dan England)  He has been a great bishop.  At Christmastime, he gave David and I (and I'm sure everyone) a hand written personal note thanking us for specific things and expressing love.  I'll keep mine forever.  (okay, you can picture an England truck (England Trucking is their company)- a tender note and a little frowny but grateful face on me.)


-our little Ryker has RSV but he's doing better.  Sunday after church we ran dinner out to them.  Miss my little boys!  Brooke has been sick as well.  You can't picture anything here since it would have to be sanitized.....


-my dinger on the stove is ringing telling me I need to run.  I've had the girls yesterday and today. They are starting piano lessons this morning.   Leaving tomorrow for Portland.  Brandi and Doug are going too which will be so fun.  Can't wait to see my parents and for Doug to finally meet them.


-Dang dinger!  Gotta go!

Frozen

Frozen-  I finally got to see it!  Yay! (Yay rhymes with hay- not ya like rhymes with blah. Or should I be saying Yeah?  Eh?)  Brandi's girls are off track so we went out to lunch (Noodles)- then the movie...then to Dunkin' Donuts (mainly because we wanted hot chocolate!)


BRRRRRRRR!


Olaf:[singing] Winter's a good time to sit close and cuddle / But put me in summer and I'll be a...
[pauses in front of a puddle]
Olaf: ... happy snowman!






Frozen-  Yesterday was Frank's (neighbor and friend) funeral.  His kids all spoke and they did a fabulous job.    The weather was blustery and snowy and cold, cold, cold.  But you know what?  It was totally okay because this was a tribute to an outdoors man- a fabulous skier and hiker and biker.  (My favorite floral arrangement included skies sticking out of it, with poles and a neck scarf.)  It was the kind of day he would have loved.  RIP.




Frozen-  Scott actually got home yesterday and took over feeding and watering.  But I had already been down and found one water-er frozen which meant several trips up to the house for hot water....and...and...and.  And did I tell you about hammering out ice in the backup water trough.  I'm a whiner.


Frozen- I have two words that start with "w" and  totally give me hives.  Walnuts (immediate canker on the tongue)...and the other is.....well, I can't  say it.  Let's just say that when some of my kiddos were younger, they started getting them (a virus- who knew) and of course I caught it and grew some.  Gruesome!  The kiddos' went away on their own...but no, not mine. I've been waiting 4 years.   Today I had them frozen the second time.  Let's hope the second time is the charm.  And yes, I AM thankful they weren't on my nose...




Frozen- what David is going to be in a few hours when he steps off the plane!  I'm picking him up at the airport, maybe in the middle of a snow storm...from his balmy week in Mexico.  I can't wait to hear about all his adventures.  If I were him, I might have considered staying there.  So, so glad he's coming home!


“Cold! If the thermometer had been an inch longer we'd have frozen to death."  Mark Twain

Potato Chip Chicken

 A quick and easy recipe that is yummy!  Recipe on the cooking blog;   www.constantgrowingamazement.blogspot.com 

Perspective

 Since David has been gallivanting in Mexico, I have spent a lot of time alone contemplating and trying to find a new center of gravity for 2014.   Unfortunately too much of my center is found sitting on the living room sofa, watching the trees and clouds and sky through my favorite window. Thinking. It is my safe place, my happy place.  When I did natural childbirth (ha- after all that preparation...I had a 25 minute delivery!  Anyone can be brave for 25 minutes. )  - my happy place that I imagined was floating on an air mattress at Lake Powell.  Just bobbin.'  Bobbin'.  The waves gently lapping, the hum of boats in the distance, the sun warming my soul.  But these past few years have brought changes (i.e. the trauma of putting on a bathing suit.)  Also, I didn't have "the window" when I was delivering babies.  

 Several major trees have died, some of which made up the  beautiful tapestry outside my window.  I have mourned my trees and the view among other things.  This is also the window my crazy bird loves to fly to, for hours each day....still pecking and jumping like he's on a trampoline.  I tried to download a video of him...but I don't really know how to do that and the video keeps jumping as well.  The whole thing isn't very soothing (although I've come to love my bird who has entertained/exasperated/exhausted me since last April.  WHY?  I keep asking myself?  WHY?)

Today after church, sitting alone on the sofa (red checked so you can picture it)- I again mourned the loss of view out my window.  I contemplated a nap but really wasn't tired - just reflective (and a titch lonely) and I turned sideways and looked out the other window.  Not that I don't look out the other window....there is where I watch my deer and much of life.

But today it was particularly dazzling.  It took my breath away (and it's not like I don't see my mountain every single day.)  I realized that my mourning the loss of one view totally diminished the joy I could seek out of another window.  I need to change my center of gravity and perspective or as my dad would say, "get an attitude adjuster."

 

Does this make any sense at all?  

The question is not what you look at, but what you see.
- Henry David Thoreau

Okay, this post is totally off the wall (window.)  You can tell I've been alone too much.  It always gets the best of me.  4 more days till hubby comes home.

But 2014 1st resolution- Quit singing the same old song. (or get some therapy and take the bird with you! :)

Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don't fight them. Just find a different way to stand.  Oprah

New Year's Eve

We hosted our annual New Year's Eve party.  All our Lake Powell group was there except for BFF Cathy and Kirk who were in California (in the sunshine!) with all their family (not jealous or anything.)  We had Brendalyn and Joe, Penny and Tom, Funny Kathy and Greg, Valene and George and Elaine and Roger.  We go waaaaaay back.  Most of us have celebrated 30 plus years together.  The horns and hats are getting worn. (Actually- Elaine brought new ones this year!)  We always have dinner- I made chicken cordon bleu and also this wonderful baked shrimp, baked potatoes and the dessert (Russian cream).  Everyone else  brought salad, appetizers, breads and drinks.

 

We laughed forever...and I made everyone play (like pulling teeth) LCR.  Only instead of winning the "pot"- I had gift bags with either gift certificates or white elephants.  Someone asked where to buy the game and how much it was.  David exclaimed, "The most expensive game on the market!"  That's because I play with the kids with quarters.  :)  So everyone had another good laugh every time a "gift certificate" was drawn.  Another one on David!

 

recipes on cooking blog

 

There is so much going on but I can't seem to get myself to sit down and write.  My dad has been in the hospital all week.  When we got the call Monday night, I literally cried myself to sleep because I thought "This time is it...."  But it wasn't.  He actually got to come home yesterday.  It is an up and down time of life.

One of my neighbors died this morning.  I love his family so much and ache for their loss.  I'll talk more about it later.  Not today.....

We've had some hard days with my mother-in-law as well. Her dementia is really increasing.   She fell the other day coming up the stairs and I could hardly get her up.  She is just so dear...just laughs about her clumsiness and NEVER complains.  Who knows what this year will bring. 

Didn't want this to be a sad post (which is why I haven't written.)  I'll write some silly things.

My husband left the other day for Mexico to meet a friend there.  We are all shaking our heads because he flew to Phoenix and then took a bus to Mexico (10 hour bus ride)  !!!!!  I said, "David, I don't think you would take a 10 hour bus ride to meet me anywhere."  He replied, "I think it is really only 8......"

Okay then!  But I'm glad he's there with his college friend, Sid.  He was our best man at our wedding and they are going to do some serious goofing off. Hunting and fishing. There are no friends like old friends.  (Just so you know, I was invited but didn't want to be the spare wheel.) 

So, David's two friends that help with horses (Kirk and Scott) are both out of town...and someone that keeps a horse here (long story) was having open heart surgery yesterday....so I volunteered to take care of the animals.  Although I volunteered, I always make a lot of "noise" about it.  Really, it is freezing and between the snow and ice is tons of stinky manure and mud and I'm slip sliding all around and trying to break the ice and throw hay....and even the horses know I'm out of my element.  They just kind of watch and snicker.  I'm really rather a ninny.  But they are still alive so !!!

It's a new year...and we'll see what that brings.   This past year, for the most part, has been wonderful.  It was a year ago this month that Brandi and Doug married.  What an incredible blessing.  Baby Ryker was born.  Boston and Elijah baptized. Love all my kids and kiddos (and hubby). Every one's doing well.  Life is never without worries whatever they may be but I feel blessed that both my parents and David's mom made it through this year of health scares.  Love the Lord and have learned (and am still learning) new things, hard things, important things.  I haven't been all that I've wanted to become....but it's a new day.  Feeling blessed.