Another Year!!!!!

Birthday today!!!!  100 is getting closer all the time!  Thankfully, this coming year is going to be awesome!  I had several things on the schedule for today- teaching our Sideways boys but our partners said they would cover.  Then Hallee Babe has a basketball home game and I haven't seen her play and was looking forward to it but she's been sicker than a puppy all week so she's not playing.   David is so awesome being my manservant for the day and driving me on my errands and then we are going to have lunch at Cheesecake Factory and get chair massages!!!!  Heaven!  I got a big star on my forehead yesterday at therapy.  My range of motion is doing great- unfortunately I still have pain, pain, pain- probably from nerves that got caught in the surgery and go down my arm and wrist and fingers.  I'm thinking a good massage will be just what the Dr. ordered!!!!

2.  a day date with Brandi tomorrow!  I love being with my girl!

3.  Kelly Clarkson concert with David and besties- Cathy and Kirk tomorrow night.  Tickets compliments of son, Ryan-  wonderful semi-suite tickets! 

4.  Thursday morning flying off to Palm Desert with girlie friends- Cathy, Brendalyn and Karlan.  We are meeting Funny Kathy and Claudia there.  4 days of  sunshine (hopefully!), pickleball for some (not me- ha!), pool time, good food and girl talk.  It will be wonderful!

5.  Then Tuesday I host Bucket!  I love to have a party swirling in my brain and a menu to create.  I already have favors I'll share later.  Almost have the menu perfected. 

 

Feeling very loved!  Thanks for the million well wishes!  I'm one lucky girl.  Okay, ancient girl.  I mean REALLY old girl.  Woman.  Neanderthal.

 

 

What's Going On

I already got to start celebrating my birthday last week- my wonderful birthday outing with Valene and Funny Kathy was Wed.   They let me choose wherever I wanted to go- and that was Sun River Nursery in Orem plus lunch at Magleby's Fresh.  Valene and Kathy are both avid gardeners and they loved Sun River as much as me. (Brandi introduced me to it a few weeks ago.  Heaven!)  We had the best day chattering and catching up and eating!  Happy day!

Also last week was our monthly VTing luncheon.  We had a good time, as always.  One of my friends kept us entertained by sharing what is going on in their family.  Ancestry.com can bring surprises....to say the least.  One of G.'s daughters decided that she had always heard that they had some Indian blood so she was anxious to have her DNA done.  When it came back, no Indian DNA.  She made her father do it (G.'s husband.)  No Indian blood.  But they had relatives that they didn't know who in the heck they were.  After much sleuthing and corresponding and phone calls late during the night- they came to an aha.  G.'s MIL was married several times, starting off very young.  When G.'s husband wanted to find his birth father many years ago, he got the run around from his mom but he was finally able to track him down (actually he had died.)  But come to find out- that wasn't his dad at all!!!!!  Just his dad on the birth certificate (and not really a present dad- they divorced shortly after.)  Wow!!!!  G.'s real FIL has passed away but when they sent a letter and picture to the new relatives, they said, "Wow!  Uncle -blank-has returned from the dead!"  A spitting image.  For G.'s husband, it has solved a lot of unanswered questions.  It's actually given him some peace.  His mom is still not telling the complete story but Ancestry gave him the answers she wouldn't divulge.  Anyway, what could have been a devastating story, wasn't.  It was actually a gift.  And G. and her family have a whole new set of relatives!

Things with the Sideways Boys are doing great.  I'm totally into my service now and happy, even on Sundays.  We had another two graduate from the program Friday and it still breaks my heart.  Two others that I care about are leaving this week.  It makes me a little happy for them but terrified that they won't be able to make it in the outside world.  Gives me new appreciation for mental health and happy families....

Sunday I had the assignment for refreshments for the linger longer after church.  I ordered a box of frozen churros from the Costco Deli and since I had time on Saturday, I decided to bake them all up (you bake them and then roll them in cinnamon and sugar.)  I did 120 churros.  After they were all cooled and sugared, I thought I would really be on top of the game and put them all in Rubbermaid containers for transportation.  Thankfully I checked on them that night.  They all turned a soggy mess!!!!!  Yikes!  Thankfully I had time for a Plan B.  I ran to the store and bought orange slices and Twinkies and Ding Dongs.  Sunday morning I tried to resurrect the churros to no avail.  I was frustrated because I was trying so organized.  Oh well.  Not the end of the world.  The kids could care less- churros or Twinkies.  So note to self- churros need to be dry.  Always.  No more trying to be on top of the game....

Saturday afternoon Travis came by for a ride on one of his horses.  He had Jeter with him and you know how I love that little stuffed animal of a dog.

Well, watching a puppy is WAY more work than watching a grand!  Jeter was into everything!  Found a roll of wrapping paper and drug it around and chewed it to pieces.  Found a marble under something and about swallowed it.   Finally, he got into our bedroom and bathroom and the automatic door closed behind him.  I had no clue.  When I found him, he had gone through our garbage, our dirty clothes, my hair products, you name it. 

 His favorite thing was demolishing a roll of toilet tissue.  But as I was cleaning up, I found this.  He left me a valentine in the chewed up roll of tissue...

 

  How could any Grandma be mad about that!

Miss Addi-tude's Birthday

 Miss Addi-tude turned 13!!!  Oh how we love this girl!!!!!

Addi had her sledding party at our house on Saturday.  David and Doug pulled the girls all around the arena and pasture on sleds by a horse or the Polaris.  The girls LOVED it!  And they sledded for hours!

Meanwhile, inside. Brandi created a darling hot chocolate bar with all the goodies.  I picked up pizza and everything was delish.

 

Oh, how I hope all of  Addi's wishes come true.  She is so wonderful- faithful and true.  Just a joy!

Catching Up

If it comes to food, I always have my camera ready.  That's a telling trait....

Other times- really important times, I totally forget to take a picture.

I missed getting the picture of Cathy's car- after she picked me up to run a couple of errands and a wonderful lunch at Cheesecake Factory.  Unfortunately, she got stuck at the top of our south driveway which is icy and slightly lipped.  We got stuck really, really well.  No matter- we walked back to my house and got my car and went to lunch.  Her hubby was out of town so I said David would happily get her car out of the driveway.  When we got back, David still wasn't home, so I sent her off in my car since she had appointments.  When David got home, he said for me to drive out with him in his truck to pull out her car.  I did but mentioned I was very uncomfortable helping in that situation because I'm somewhat of a ditz...and insisted he call our down the street neighbor, Nick, to help.  Nick is one of those always willing to show up and help.  His wife Cari got a new Infiniti last week...and the day before was driving down our terrible switchback hill....and slid into a stalled car and several other cars then proceeded into hers.  That should have been a sign.  I directed traffic out on the road while David gunned the truck with the tow strap to the car...and Nick attempted to steer...but when David gunned, the car slid right across our road and into a fence post!  Totally creamed her passenger door.  Talk about a knot in our stomachs.....  But no picture.

Then, friend Sophia is in town with her MIL- up at LDS hospital getting some pretty dire results concerning her health.  Because the testing went on so late, and her MIL's condition, Sophia sent me an SOS seeing if I minded having her and her sister in law as drop in guests for the night.  I'm so sorry the situation but we always love being together and I loved meeting Aleece.  We got to talk for just awhile and they headed back to the hospital this morning.  Again, no picture!

I guess it's not necessary to take pictures of sad situations.  On a happier note,



David and I surprised Annee Bug with a brand new saddle (with breast strap and matching halter.)  It was a little stretch for Cowboy David but I insisted on a girlie saddle for our girl!  She was thrilled!

 

When baby gift shopping for Megan and Casey, I saw this unique potty training potty.  Really?  I had a good snort laugh.  Brandi reminded me that when she was potty training Parker, she put Michael Jordan undies on him and said that Michael Jordan didn't like getting peed on.  That did the trick.

 
Had two of the families over for Sunday dinner.  Sumer and I played beauty parlor...and then quietly Summer did her own make-up!  I think she has a bright future ahead of her!

 While they were here, I was able to have Sadie and Annee make their Valentine's cloches.  They turned out darling.  This has been a fun grandma craft.

 

 

  David and I have a little "Monk" session once a day (we watch one re-run episode of Monk a day.  It's our "together time" on a show that we can both tolerate.)  That episode included a double rainbow that everyone, except Monk, was going gaga over.  Monk didn't even want to bother to look.  Who cares?  Later, Natalie (his assistant) looked out his kitchen window and freaked because a mother bird was feeding her baby right outside the window.  Again, Monk wasn't interested in looking.  Finally, when Natalie wasn't looking, he wandered into the kitchen and finally looked.  After gazing for a minute, he shook his head and muttered, "I really can't see what the big deal is!"

Fast forward to about an hour later.  I saw on Facebook everyone getting excited about the blood moon.  Okay, I didn't really read through the articles because you know me, I don't read instruction manuals.  But I did meander outside and saw this.  "Hymph," I thought.  I don't get the big deal!

Because I didn't pay attention, I missed THIS! 

In my Come Follow Me study, John 1 is talking about light.  Christ is the light in the darkness.  I have loved this new program and especially the challenge to really ponder the scriptures, not to just read. 

 This is where I ponder.

 This is where I study.

 There is so much additional materials out there but I do want to share my delight that one of the helps listed in Meridian magazine is an article by my friend Diana Webb.  Diana is in my Bucket group and is currently serving a mission in Long Beach.  She returns next month maybe in time for Bucket (I'm hosting!)

So, I totally missed the Blood Moon- not realizing the awesome experience it momentarily would have been.  But I will NOT miss out on a wonderful year pondering the life of Christ in the New Testament that forever will be life altering!

Snow Day

January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow.     

Sara Coleridge

Some people are like-

 

Not us!  We love every single flake!  We woke up yesterday with the most magnificent snowstorm-  We had at least 15 inches when we woke and it continued to snow all day!  Since I get to curl up in my fuzzy robe all day if I want to- I did and it was lovely!  I feel like I am living in a snow globe.

 

 

 

 

The new year beings in a snowstorm of white vows.  George William Curtis

 

Later in the day, I got these shots on our back patio (yes, we leave our lawn chairs out all winter......bums that we are!)

 

 I don't think we'll be getting in those greenhouse doors anytime soon!  We get pretty good avalanches from the top of the greenhouse.

 One of my Charm Girl friends lives in North Carolina.  When they get a couple of inches of snow- everything shuts down.  We get a foot plus and life goes on.  Slippery but it goes on!

 

 

It's January for sure!  I love, love, love the snow.  For those of us who live in a desert, we depend on this moisture to get through the summer months.  It's a blessing.

 

I think this snow is for Addi.  Her birthday is Friday and she was hoping for a sledding party.  This totally looks like a party waiting to happen!

 

Silently, like thoughts that come and go, the snowflakes fall, each one a gem.     

William Hamilton Gibson

My Word- 2019

The last year seemed to fly by....and every 4th day is Sunday at our house.  Wow!  Time is zooming.

A few weeks ago, my dear friend, J. sent me a text and asked what my word of the year was.

I was still pondering.

Last year my word was Resolve.  Imagine my surprise when I saw this darling handout by Marcia Coombs for visiting teaching:

I think we got our same word from the same talk-

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - October 2012 general conference talk “Of Regrets and Resolutions.” He taught:“To avoid some of the deepest regrets of life, it would be wise to make some resolutions today. Therefore, let us:          Resolve to spend more time with those we love.

1.    Resolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be.
2.   Resolve to find happiness, regardless of our circumstances.

“It is my testimony that many of the deepest regrets of tomorrow can be prevented by following the Savior today.”  Pres. Uchtdorf

 

 

To be truthful, unless I frequently refer back to my word, I oftentimes forget it by the middle of the year and have to re-remind myself several times during the year.  Thankfully the principles are those that I strive  in my life anyway.  They aren't like "felicity"- that I had to have for 3 years and finally gave up on it (appropriateness in all situations....)

 

But the word that keeps coming to my mind is the word Regardless.  Regardless.  I want to do what is right Regardless.  I want to be happy Regardless.  I want to be positive Regardless.

 

I'm so excited to read and study the New Testament this year.  One of my favorite, because it is so meaningful, scriptures in the New Testament is found in Philippines 4:11- where Paul says that "he has learned to be content in whatsoever state he was.  That became more meaningful to me when I realize he was writing that epistle from prison.

 

When I went back to see my word for 2018- I smiled when I saw the word  "regardless" in one of the lines.- resolve to find happiness REGARDLESS of our circumstances.

 

That double cinched it for me.

 

Speaking of double cinched it- I do have to brag.  Saturday was Cousin Casey (not my cousin) and Megan's baby shower in Orem.  David was skiing for the day which means I had to get DRESSED by myself!  First time the bra went on in 2 1/2 months.  Soooo painful because the straps go right over my incisions!  It was exhausting.  Then I had to squeeze into my favorite gold jeans.  I say squeezed because I have gained several pounds while just sitting here for 2 1/2 months and grazing.  THEN I to pull up the zipper.  Have I mentioned my right hand and arm don't really stretch and pull?  And then the button at the top.  Yikes!!!!  Painful, yes!  And then there is the belt.  I'm used to David here to cinch it up. (and he likes to give me a wedgie while he's doing it.)  You've never seen so much huffing and puffing.  Really quite the scene!  FINALLY I am ready to get my jacket and leave. 

 

I get out to the car.

 

I realize I HAVE to go to the bathroom.  Again. Urgently.

 

Repeat the cinching paragraph, play by play AGAIN.  REGARDLESS, I DID IT!

 

The shower was wonderful.  Brooke and I went together and had a great time.  Love Megan and Casey so much and they were literally showered with fabulous gifts!

re gard  less
adverb- without paying attention to the present situation; despite the prevailing circumstances.

synonyms- anyway, anyhow, in any case, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, despite everything, for all that, after everything, no matter what, even so, just the same, all the same, be that as it may, in any event, come what may, come rain or shine, whatever the cost.


Regardless.  It sounds like a magnificent word.

Families

Sunday we had family Sunday dinner and then our kick off for the Come Follow Me program- in just a simple way to help supplement our families who are doing it.  One of the purposes of the new Come Follow Me manual home study coordinated with reading the New Testament this year is to focus on traits of the Savior that we can implement in our own lives.  As I read through the first month's reading in the New Testament- the thing that stood out to me was the importance of Christ coming to a family.  I told them they were everything I always wanted- a big, loving family.  I'm lucky to have been raised in a family full of love- but honestly I was lonely.  My mom worked full time (when few women did), we lived in the country without friends around.  My brother Gary was happy as a clam hunting and fishing every day with his best friend who lived out by us as well.  To now have my big family all around me is all I had dreamed of.  I mentioned I was so grateful in my own growing up that I learned to laugh.  We loved to laugh as a family.  My parents were dang funny. (Especially as they got older.)   Sunday we then went around the room and shared things that mattered about family to us.  It was beyond tender.  The kids all mentioned that having family is knowing your siblings were always there for you.  That's a pretty big deal when your world caves apart.  B. shared how when they were little, she and Ryan's bedrooms were in the basement.  After sufficient time thinking David and I were settled (and we were actually two stories above)- she and Ryan had their own little Morris Code they would knock on the wall between them.  They had a whole code of knocks.  Knock Knock Knock meant "do you want me to come over?"  B. then shared at the worst time of her life, when her whole world fell apart unexpectantly,  she remembers in the middle of one terrible night, getting a text.  Knock. Knock. Knock.  Do you want me to come over?  45 minutes away and she knew he would come.

That's what families do.  A few tears were shed.  T and T and family and T and B and family weren't here so we missed them but again, I went to bed that night with my heart over-brimming with love and gratitude for this wonderful family of mine.  It's a rollercoaster sometimes, with heartbreak and heartache, but oh!  The privilege to love and be one! 


I'm anxious to have others share insights on the Come Follow Me.  Let me know how it is going with your family.  Any sweet experiences already?

Thoughts While Baking Cookies Preparing for Sunday

Friday we had the graduation of my favorite boy at the Academy.  David F. was a ray of sunshine and beloved by everyone.  He will be sorely missed.  I have been working on him for two weeks to do something that he would get into trouble for and have to stay.  It didn't work!  I cried my eyes out!  And wish him a wonderful life ahead!!!!

That's what we do.  Fall in love with these sideways boys and then they leave.  It might be a hard gig....


We usually have a linger longer after church and tomorrows' somehow fell through on planning so I am making sheet oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and taking bags of Cutie oranges.  Others are jumping in as well. 

Friend Ann posted this on Facebook and it struck my heart.  It's from our dear prophet, Russell M. Nelson-

Prayer is a key. Pray to know what to stop doing and what to start doing. Pray to know what to add to your environment and what to remove so the Spirit can be with you in abundance.

Plead with the Lord for the gift of discernment. Then live and work to be worthy to receive that gift so that when confusing events arise in the world, you will know exactly what is true and what is not.

Serve with love. Loving service to those who have lost their way or who are wounded in spirit opens your heart to personal revelation.
 
Spend more time—much more time—in places where the Spirit is present. That means more time with friends who are seeking to have the Spirit with them. Spend more time on your knees in prayer, more time in the scriptures, more time in family history work, more time in the temple. I promise you that as you consistently give the Lord a generous portion of your time, He will multiply the remainder.

Kiddo time

I love Grandma time.  Last night Parker drove from Cedar City to go to the Lakers/Jazz game with David and Brandi and Doug.  Addi chose me over a "friend over"- and I told her she needed to spend the night and I had a super craft to do.  I've been wanting to do these with all my grand daughters.  I'm obsessed with cloches right now.  We did a cute Valentine's one but she'll be able to change it with the seasons.  I think they are so precious!  We started two movies that then we had to veto- and got some good game time in- then I took her and Parker to Kneaders for breakfast.  It was a perfect little grand time.  (cloche rhymes with gosh only with a cl)

 

 

 

 

Just Catching Up

Whew!  A week has flown by when I wasn't paying attention!  Wonderful things going on and the same oh-same oh. And really hard stuff. That's life.

I'm still pretty whiney about my arm.  At my last physical therapy appt., they said my range of motion was good but that because I was still having so much pain (and when I'm talking pain, I'm talking like a 2 on the pain scale, not a 10)- my arm just hangs and aches all the time- even down my forearm-  and my wrist and fingers just hurt!  This week I started taking a good anti-inflammatory and it seems to be helping some.  I will continue on....

It kind of interferes with my social life.  This past week we went out one night with Laurie and Lynn and another night with Cathy and Kirk and I had to beg no game time afterwards.  I yearn for 9:30 and to be able to go to bed and hope tomorrow feels better...but then sleeping is a nightmare.  Enough whine....

I got a random phone call from my friend Cali that moved to Cedar City years ago- she and I were suppose to be best friends but life got in the way.  She was my first "oil painting" teacher.  Oh, how I miss her.  But she called and we just pick up where we left off- no matter how long it's been.  Don't you love friends like that?!

Travis sent us a text that because of the age advancement change with the youth in the Church, Nash (almost 12) and Boston (almost 14) would be ordained on Sunday and could we come.  It was so cool- and then Nash was so dang excited to go to the temple and do baptisms, that David and I picked them up after school and headed to the temple today!  It was so awesome to be there together with our two sweet boys and we took them for dinner afterwards.  Ryan called last night and said that Noah and Elijah were in the same situation and asked if they could do their ordinations here at the house when they come for Sunday dinner.  I said, "If that's okay with your Bishop!"  (Ryan's their Bishop so I guess he has the final word- lol).

Daughter Brandi has just been diagnosed with celiac disease.  It's such a nasty thing and kind of frightening.  We will all be on a new learning curve.  We have a few who are gluten intolerant so we know what direction we are going,  My heart is sooo heavy because it just doesn't stop with their family.  Trial after trial after trial.  But with heads held up, they carry on!  If anyone has some good gluten free recipes, please share!!!

A couple of days ago, Funny Kathy sent a text out to see who of the friendies wanted to go spend a few days in Palm Desert.  We're all in!!!!  I spent HOURS yesterday on the computer trying to making plane reservations for 4 of us- with one problem after another and finally we are BOOKED!  It will be a fun in the sun relaxing trip.  The girls went together to St. George a few days a week after my surgery to go electric biking but I opted out.  I'm glad for this trip and if they all want to be active and play pickleball (they will)- I can easily self entertain.  I'm just ready for some sunshine!!!!

Lots of hard things going on, emotional things but also so much good.  Life is a challenge and very much like a roller coaster. 
 

"Don't bother walking a mile in my shoes, that would be boring.  Spend 30 minutes in my head, that'll freak you right out!!!"

Oh- Oh!  The best news- I texted my cleaning friend, Myrna, and said if she was just sitting around bored, my Christmas closet really needed her!  Yay!  She came yesterday and we went through all my million of boxes of Christmas and got rid of half of it!  And I didn't cry or throw a tizzy fit!   Purging!  My Christmas closet is so big, and L-shaped, that by getting rid of half, we were able (not me but David and Travis) to get my Syran-wrapped Christmas tree and my porch metal Christmas tree both into the closet!  Woot!  Woot!  I've been sending Myrna love notes all day!  It makes me so happy!

Did I tell you about snow sledding on New Year's Day?  David spent hours pulling kids around the arena on sleds with the Polaris.  I love snow on New Year's Day!!!!!

 Friends and neighbors- Nancy and Scott gave us paper whites for Christmas.  I love watching their spears quiver until flowers pop open.  It gives me hope that the struggle is all worth it!!!!

State by State

I was browsing on the Internet and saw a slideshow saying "top potluck dishes State by State."  I always sucker into those "State by State" articles and couldn't wait to see what our top potluck dish was.  Apparently it is Sweet Macaroni Salad.

Really?  I had never heard of it much less taken it to a potluck.

Then I realized the article was put together by Taste of Home magazine.  The editors have probably never been to a potluck in our State.

Regardless, I was intrigued and made the salad today.  Cooking is my "slug" thing to do.

I like it.  It's good.  It's worth a try.

 

recipe on the cooking blog!