Okay, if you know me you know I am not a great fan of Obama's and not very quiet about it even though he is my husband's Commander and Chief!
Today I was at the doctors. Specifically, Malcolm Grow on Andrews Air Force Base. Another lovely UTI. One of many UTI's. If you've had one, you know how lovely they are, NOT!
Anyhow, I was listening to the TV in the background and realized that Obama was giving a speech not even a mile from where I was sitting. I was amazed the base wasn't closed down, although I did notice that SOMETHING was going on on. It was extra crowded and it was a good thing I could find my way around, because streets were blocked off. Anyhow, he announced an off-shore drilling site today. DRILL-BABY-DRILL! I suppose this is an attempt to appease his counterparts . . . . if you ask me he could do more of it, even so, I'll take it.
Just thought it was kinda cool . . . . . . (not the UTI, not the drilling, but the being on the base at the same time thing~~~) :)
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Highlights of our Trip
This is one mega-long post! Here are me and my boys. They all ski-tan lines except me! It was nice to see them again and know they are doing well.
My brother-in-law Marshall built a room outside of his house, kind of a shed, but much more than a shed. Inside is a combination pool/ping pong table. We had a blast playing in this room. He has an automatic ping pong ball server that he practices with. We had a lot of fun playing with that also. Marshall and Donna offered to host a family get together of his kids and our kids. We played board games, cards, and round-robin ping pong. Here is a clip of that . . . . .
My brother-in-law Marshall built a room outside of his house, kind of a shed, but much more than a shed. Inside is a combination pool/ping pong table. We had a blast playing in this room. He has an automatic ping pong ball server that he practices with. We had a lot of fun playing with that also. Marshall and Donna offered to host a family get together of his kids and our kids. We played board games, cards, and round-robin ping pong. Here is a clip of that . . . . .Halley and Ryan cooked dinner. Some YUMMY tacos!
One of the main reasons we went to Utah was to see Halley's senior vocal recital. Here are a couple of clips of the recital. I know this is a genre that is very little appreciated. I have come to appreciate it more as I listen to more and more of it. She sang 14 songs in all, some in Italian, some in French, some in German and 3 in English. Surprisingly, I like the ones that are foreign the best! Possibly, some year I'll get them posted on youtube. Possibly not. . . . . It takes forever to upload them! Below the video I have the translation, just in case you want to know what she is singing about!Les oiseaux dans la charmille (The Doll Song)
The birds in the arbor,
The sky's daytime star,
Everything speaks to a young girl of love!
Ah, This is the gentile song,
The song of Olympia! Ah!
Everything that sings and resonates
And sighs, in turn,
Moves his heart, which shudders of love!
Ah! This is the lovely song,
The song of Olympia! Ah!
Dubist die Ruh (You are the Peace)
You are the calm,
The restful peace:
You are my longing and
what makes it cease.
With passion and pain
To you I give
My eye and heart
Are yours to live.
Enter here and close
Quietly behind you
the gates of your
Gentle embrace.
All other grief
you dispel from my breast:
My heart swells
With the love of you.
Your brightness alone
Lights the canopy of my eyes
Oh, fill it fully!
We met up with some old friends and had a blast . . . . Russ and Faith Stevens. He's a bishop now!!
We went to dinner at Lincoln's sister's house. It was her Birthday. What was meant to be a "small" dinner turned out to be a full-family occasion. It is always great to get together with them. Below, starting on the right is Halley, and some our grand nieces.
Andy, our nephew and his wife who are VERY soon having their 1st child!
The matriarch of the family, Lincoln's mom surrounded by her family.
More nieces . . . Chrissy, BreAnna, Marli, and Nephew Travis and his girlfriend.
Lincoln's siblings, standing. Celesta, Norman, and Marshall. Celesta's Husband Jeff and Marshall's wife Donna are sitting.
My grandmother passed away and we needed to extend our trip be a week. This is at the graveside of my grandma after the funeral. It WOULD snow that day!! These are my brothers, Sid and George.
My sister Trudy and mom.
My Halley Galley!
Halley and her husband Ryan, who thankfully brought us all umbrellas!
My men, Lincoln, Chancy and Justin.
This is the spray on top of the casket. A couple of male cousins put it together. They do a good job!
We are a pretty happy bunch considering this is a funeral day. I am sure it was a happy day for grandma also.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Home again, Home again, Jiggety Jig
It has been two weeks since we've been home. These are what greeted our eyes on our arrival - - what a change two weeks has brought the area: (note . . . none of these pics are mine, too lazy to go out and get them myself!)
Below is the ornamental pear tree. I'm so glad I didn't miss these! They are all over the place - - in people's yards, out in the forest . . . . you wonder how they get there. (The birds probably planted them, if you know what I mean!!!)
Cherry Blossoms! This is what DC is known for! It looks like the blossoms will be right on schedule for the festival this year! 
My Japanese maple in the front yard is emerging. It isn't this far along yet, but it is budding out! As you look out over the canopy of trees you can see that they are all starting to bud out!
The grass is green!!! Woo hoo! After being in Utah, it was a sight for sore eyes!
The forsythia bushes are all in their glory. Makes me want to plant some in my yard!
I started all of my seedlings yesterday. These aren't mine, but I think I'll do this next year. . . . isn't this clever? TP tubes cut in half for seedling starter cups? It wouldn't take long to come across enough of these! I still want to start some herbs, so I'll have to give this a try!!
Below is the ornamental pear tree. I'm so glad I didn't miss these! They are all over the place - - in people's yards, out in the forest . . . . you wonder how they get there. (The birds probably planted them, if you know what I mean!!!)
Cherry Blossoms! This is what DC is known for! It looks like the blossoms will be right on schedule for the festival this year! My Japanese maple in the front yard is emerging. It isn't this far along yet, but it is budding out! As you look out over the canopy of trees you can see that they are all starting to bud out!The grass is green!!! Woo hoo! After being in Utah, it was a sight for sore eyes!The forsythia bushes are all in their glory. Makes me want to plant some in my yard!I started all of my seedlings yesterday. These aren't mine, but I think I'll do this next year. . . . isn't this clever? TP tubes cut in half for seedling starter cups? It wouldn't take long to come across enough of these! I still want to start some herbs, so I'll have to give this a try!!Spring is Sprunging!!!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
A Painful First
I have never even stuck a toe-nail into a gym before. I mean a go-to-workout-pay-for-kind-of-gym. I can't say that anymore. My sister-in-law Donna talked me into going to a class with her yesterday. A lift class. LIFT class people! They didn't do much lifting if you ask me.
Today I hurt. I feel injured! No wonder people love gyms to work out in. In the name of trying not to be a whimp you do much more than you would by yourself. Now that I'm in the know maybe I'll vamp up my workout at home. MAYBE.
These women are tigresses. Multiple sets of 35 reps each of push ups? Squatting against a wall for minutes at a time? The plank for 3 minutes, multiple times? and other body punishing tortures . . . . . Where were the weights? Where were the dumbbells? Oh, they threw them in for a minute in order to call it a LIFT class. 55 minutes of pure agony. It felt so good afterwards, it felt so awful afterwards!
After I decided that there was no way, no how, I was going to do every rep, I started looking around at these tigresses. WHAT? A good portion of them were cheating! (aka, modifying) I was doing full-out push ups, all the way up, all the way down. Granted, I could only do about 10 at a time. Some of these women were barely moving their elbows! I could do 35 of THOSE! But not today. Today I am in pain!
Hey, I just noticed that this is my 501st post! WOW!
Today I hurt. I feel injured! No wonder people love gyms to work out in. In the name of trying not to be a whimp you do much more than you would by yourself. Now that I'm in the know maybe I'll vamp up my workout at home. MAYBE.
These women are tigresses. Multiple sets of 35 reps each of push ups? Squatting against a wall for minutes at a time? The plank for 3 minutes, multiple times? and other body punishing tortures . . . . . Where were the weights? Where were the dumbbells? Oh, they threw them in for a minute in order to call it a LIFT class. 55 minutes of pure agony. It felt so good afterwards, it felt so awful afterwards!
After I decided that there was no way, no how, I was going to do every rep, I started looking around at these tigresses. WHAT? A good portion of them were cheating! (aka, modifying) I was doing full-out push ups, all the way up, all the way down. Granted, I could only do about 10 at a time. Some of these women were barely moving their elbows! I could do 35 of THOSE! But not today. Today I am in pain!
Hey, I just noticed that this is my 501st post! WOW!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Back to my roots
Lincoln has been asking me . . . . . what do you want to do? What do you want to do? Finally I got up enough nerve to tell him I wanted to drive to my hometown and get in touch with my roots. It is a 3 hour drive there and 3 hour drive back (of course) and so it isn't a small thing to just take off for the desert! So off we went. I was so happy for McKay to see my old stomping grounds.
This is a picture of part of the drive to the Delta area. Can you see any green? Ha!!! It looks so brown after living in green Maryland. No wonder my grandma painted her house pink and green! I think I would too!
A stop in Eureka. Porter Rockwell's cabin . . . . why haven't I ever seen this before? . . . . maybe I have, just can't remember!
Big Sahara, or what we called "sand mountain" No wonder I love the ocean and the sand, our family spent many a weekend and many hours traversing this mountain. My dad had a dune buggy and he put it to good use.
Now this may not seem exciting to you, but we visited the Delta, Deseret, and Hinckley graveyards. I found more familiar faces in the graveyard than our whole trip to Delta! This is my Grandma Emily and Grandpa Alva's grave sight.
This one's for you Halley . . . . . Your name sake. I never met her except in her journal, and I can't wait to meet her. Okay . . . maybe I can wait!
Of course, we took McKay by the spot where the old elementary school used to stand . . . . the middle school . . . . the high school . . . . the Palomar (where we used to have dances, and plays, and etc). . . . . even stopped and ate lunch at the "Delta Freeze" I had a hard time deciding whether to have a "freeze" or another Lime Rickey. The Lime Rickey won out . . . . My 3rd for the trip!!!
All in all, it was an awesome trip and will keep me grounded for a while. It's always good to remember where you came from . . . . . .
This is a picture of part of the drive to the Delta area. Can you see any green? Ha!!! It looks so brown after living in green Maryland. No wonder my grandma painted her house pink and green! I think I would too!
A stop in Eureka. Porter Rockwell's cabin . . . . why haven't I ever seen this before? . . . . maybe I have, just can't remember!
Big Sahara, or what we called "sand mountain" No wonder I love the ocean and the sand, our family spent many a weekend and many hours traversing this mountain. My dad had a dune buggy and he put it to good use.
Now this may not seem exciting to you, but we visited the Delta, Deseret, and Hinckley graveyards. I found more familiar faces in the graveyard than our whole trip to Delta! This is my Grandma Emily and Grandpa Alva's grave sight.
This one's for you Halley . . . . . Your name sake. I never met her except in her journal, and I can't wait to meet her. Okay . . . maybe I can wait!
Of course, we took McKay by the spot where the old elementary school used to stand . . . . the middle school . . . . the high school . . . . the Palomar (where we used to have dances, and plays, and etc). . . . . even stopped and ate lunch at the "Delta Freeze" I had a hard time deciding whether to have a "freeze" or another Lime Rickey. The Lime Rickey won out . . . . My 3rd for the trip!!!
Below is the home that my father built (actually assembled, it was a kit) and I lived in from the time I was 6 (I think!) until I was 18.
This is my Grandma Emily and Grandpa Alva's place . . . the new owners have ruined it if you ask me. It used to be pink on the bottom half and green with green scallops on the top part. It doesn't look at all like it used to, they've changed the entrance and built more on to the top of it . . . . :( time does move on!
Right next door to the house above is the house below. . . . the house I lived in from age birth until 6. Because we lived so close, my grandma was like a 2nd mother to me. This house seems to be falling apart . . . . .
And further on down the road not far is a house my mom and dad lived in. Lincoln and I and Justin lived here for about a year. It was the biggest house in the area until someone converted the old church into a house . . . the story goes that this house was built for Wilford Woodruff. He never lived there. There was a family that lived there by the name of Taylor . . . hence it's name, the Taylor House. Most homes are named after prior owners.
On the same property as the Taylor House is an old Bishop's tithing granary.
We stopped and visited with my Aunt Sis and Uncle Paul. The luck-o-the-Irish was with us, because they would have normally been at work. We had a great visit.
On our trip back to the big, bad, city, we stopped at these (there are two) pioneer fire pits. We would have taken more pictures, but the weirdest thing happened. Someone coming down the highway noticed we were taking pictures across the highway, and they stopped! What? Did they not want to ruin our picture or something? What manners? What they DID do was make us rush. No waving them on, would make them move. Then they took off like a house-a-fire making us think we had inconvenienced them!! What craziness!
This picture is out of order . . . . but it is to hard to move it. We decided to take McKay out for a history lesson while we were in Abraham. (the same town as my grandma's house, and the Taylor house) This internment camp is less than 5 miles from their homes. It is a travesty of World War II and such an important lesson to our country. The Japanese people willingly let themselves be gathered up and housed during the war. I think it is kind of funny in an ironic way, that the United States picked one of the most barren out-of-the way places to put this camp, and that is where I am from . . . . . Not a single Japanese person fell in love with the area and stayed. Am I surprised? NOT!
Right next door to the house above is the house below. . . . the house I lived in from age birth until 6. Because we lived so close, my grandma was like a 2nd mother to me. This house seems to be falling apart . . . . .
And further on down the road not far is a house my mom and dad lived in. Lincoln and I and Justin lived here for about a year. It was the biggest house in the area until someone converted the old church into a house . . . the story goes that this house was built for Wilford Woodruff. He never lived there. There was a family that lived there by the name of Taylor . . . hence it's name, the Taylor House. Most homes are named after prior owners.
On the same property as the Taylor House is an old Bishop's tithing granary.
We stopped and visited with my Aunt Sis and Uncle Paul. The luck-o-the-Irish was with us, because they would have normally been at work. We had a great visit.
On our trip back to the big, bad, city, we stopped at these (there are two) pioneer fire pits. We would have taken more pictures, but the weirdest thing happened. Someone coming down the highway noticed we were taking pictures across the highway, and they stopped! What? Did they not want to ruin our picture or something? What manners? What they DID do was make us rush. No waving them on, would make them move. Then they took off like a house-a-fire making us think we had inconvenienced them!! What craziness!
This picture is out of order . . . . but it is to hard to move it. We decided to take McKay out for a history lesson while we were in Abraham. (the same town as my grandma's house, and the Taylor house) This internment camp is less than 5 miles from their homes. It is a travesty of World War II and such an important lesson to our country. The Japanese people willingly let themselves be gathered up and housed during the war. I think it is kind of funny in an ironic way, that the United States picked one of the most barren out-of-the way places to put this camp, and that is where I am from . . . . . Not a single Japanese person fell in love with the area and stayed. Am I surprised? NOT!
All in all, it was an awesome trip and will keep me grounded for a while. It's always good to remember where you came from . . . . . .
More Mommy Bragging
Tonight my family and I went to see Halley perform her senior vocal recital. Every music major (at least I think this is true) has to perform a recital of their own in order to graduate in their chosen major. Halley chose to memorize and perform 14 songs, 3 of which were in English. The other's were in either Italian, French or German. Her recital lasted about an hour. She has such a gift, that I am in awe.
We recorded the recital in three different ways . . . 2 video cameras, and a professional audio recording. I hope the audio will do it justice. That girl has some pipes!!! She doesn't need a microphone, no way, no how! and the genre doesn't really lend itself to microphones anyway! Her vocal teacher, who is a professional opera performer spoke to me several times and told me not to let Halley shelve her gift and not share it with others. There are not many people who have heard Halley sing at "full-voice." Church just plain is NOT the venue for that kind of stuff. (her pianist was amazing!!!! I loved hearing her play on the fantastic piano in the recital hall)
It was a great evening. We took the family and a couple of Halley's friends out to eat after the recital . . . . 35 in all. What a fun time! Family is the best . . . . . thanks to all of you for going the extra mile to support Halley.
Way to go Halley . . . . . we love you and Ryan bunches!
We recorded the recital in three different ways . . . 2 video cameras, and a professional audio recording. I hope the audio will do it justice. That girl has some pipes!!! She doesn't need a microphone, no way, no how! and the genre doesn't really lend itself to microphones anyway! Her vocal teacher, who is a professional opera performer spoke to me several times and told me not to let Halley shelve her gift and not share it with others. There are not many people who have heard Halley sing at "full-voice." Church just plain is NOT the venue for that kind of stuff. (her pianist was amazing!!!! I loved hearing her play on the fantastic piano in the recital hall)
It was a great evening. We took the family and a couple of Halley's friends out to eat after the recital . . . . 35 in all. What a fun time! Family is the best . . . . . thanks to all of you for going the extra mile to support Halley.
Way to go Halley . . . . . we love you and Ryan bunches!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
On Utah
When we come to Utah there are certain things on our list we must do, or eat. Sights, sounds tastes and smells bring back the best memories.
We have to eat something that requires a dip into some fry sauce. A pastrami burger from Apollo Burger, or Crown Burger is a must. What about a shake from Iceburg drive in? They stand up above the cup about an inch when you get them. One of the things that top my list is a Lime Rickey (original) at Arctic Circle. Mmmmm, good! I ate a corn dog off of the menu, and couldn't remember the last time I had seen one on any menu. (It was thing I dipped into fry sauce! had to add mustard though!) When you eat at Wendy's and order a kids meal, a frosty is included in the meal, you don't even have to ask for it. Being able to order a "pop" instead of a soda is a novelty.
It is hard to get used to the altitude and the smog in this valley. I've been struggling with sore throats and headaches, and wanting to take naps and sleep to long. Dry nostrils are fun! Showering in hard water with hardly any soap suds is an experience. One thing I do like is that my hair stays straight when I straighten it! Utah is a great place for hair-dos, in Maryland the "pull-back-into-a-ponytail" is the most popular hair style.
It'd take some getting used to if we decided to move back . . . . . but it is nice to not need a map to get around. Knowing where North, South, East and West is a necessity. I've been explaining the grid system to McKay and he keeps asking which way is which. In Maryland I still need a map and/or GPS to get around, even after 10 years of living there.
It snowed here, and life continued! Yes, it would be hard to get used to again!
We have to eat something that requires a dip into some fry sauce. A pastrami burger from Apollo Burger, or Crown Burger is a must. What about a shake from Iceburg drive in? They stand up above the cup about an inch when you get them. One of the things that top my list is a Lime Rickey (original) at Arctic Circle. Mmmmm, good! I ate a corn dog off of the menu, and couldn't remember the last time I had seen one on any menu. (It was thing I dipped into fry sauce! had to add mustard though!) When you eat at Wendy's and order a kids meal, a frosty is included in the meal, you don't even have to ask for it. Being able to order a "pop" instead of a soda is a novelty.
It is hard to get used to the altitude and the smog in this valley. I've been struggling with sore throats and headaches, and wanting to take naps and sleep to long. Dry nostrils are fun! Showering in hard water with hardly any soap suds is an experience. One thing I do like is that my hair stays straight when I straighten it! Utah is a great place for hair-dos, in Maryland the "pull-back-into-a-ponytail" is the most popular hair style.
It'd take some getting used to if we decided to move back . . . . . but it is nice to not need a map to get around. Knowing where North, South, East and West is a necessity. I've been explaining the grid system to McKay and he keeps asking which way is which. In Maryland I still need a map and/or GPS to get around, even after 10 years of living there.
It snowed here, and life continued! Yes, it would be hard to get used to again!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Chiming in
We are staying at Lincoln's brother's house. It has been great to talk with people who share a history with you. I guess that is one of the great things in life is as the year's pass by, you have more experience and more to draw on for conversation. . . .
My first night here I settled in to sleep on the sofa couch. Now, I pride myself in being able to sleep with noise in the background. Being able to sleep through my husband's snoring is quite a feat. He could saw down a tree with his snoring.
As I laid there trying to sleep somewhere in the house, somewhere close to the room I'm in, a clock chimed in the hour. Not just a small chime but a grandfather clock-like chime . . . . . . Sometime later, it chimed in the (what I thought) was the half hour. This continued on, and on, and on through the night. I know I didn't sleep well at all with all of that chiming.
The next night, I politely asked if there was an on/off switch on the clock because I had had a hard time sleeping. They laughed and said that they hardly even noticed the clock and that it actually helps their daughter sleep! I asked how often it chimed, and found out it chimes EVERY 15 MINUTES! WOW! I thought . . . . I know I didn't hear it that many times so I must have gotten some sleep after all!!!
The clock does not have an on/off switch and is now banished to the laundry room on the other side of the house until we leave! I always thought I'd like a grandfather clock . . . . now I think I'll pass on all the chiming!
My first night here I settled in to sleep on the sofa couch. Now, I pride myself in being able to sleep with noise in the background. Being able to sleep through my husband's snoring is quite a feat. He could saw down a tree with his snoring.
As I laid there trying to sleep somewhere in the house, somewhere close to the room I'm in, a clock chimed in the hour. Not just a small chime but a grandfather clock-like chime . . . . . . Sometime later, it chimed in the (what I thought) was the half hour. This continued on, and on, and on through the night. I know I didn't sleep well at all with all of that chiming.
The next night, I politely asked if there was an on/off switch on the clock because I had had a hard time sleeping. They laughed and said that they hardly even noticed the clock and that it actually helps their daughter sleep! I asked how often it chimed, and found out it chimes EVERY 15 MINUTES! WOW! I thought . . . . I know I didn't hear it that many times so I must have gotten some sleep after all!!!
The clock does not have an on/off switch and is now banished to the laundry room on the other side of the house until we leave! I always thought I'd like a grandfather clock . . . . now I think I'll pass on all the chiming!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Simple Joys
Today is the funeral. I have so many things I could blog about. One thing above all else is in my heart. Today is the first time since 1999 that all of my siblings and myself will be in one room together. I'm so excited! It is too bad that it takes a funeral to bring us all together, but I'm glad it is happening.
Last night was the viewing. There were few tears. We all know grandma is better off where she is now. I saw relatives I haven't seen for eons. It will probably be the last time to see them. Grandma is the last of her generation to go. There will be no other reason for us all to get together again . . . . . even so, everyone was happy and jovial, renewing acquaintances and feeling the love.
It is so fun and interesting to see the dynamics between my mom and her sisters. They are all so different. They are all so alike. I look at them and wonder if I am headed in their direction. . . . . really it is inevitable, I'm only 20 years behind them!
One of my cousins and I stood and compared our hands to our grandma's hands. Right now, we have our mother's hands, but our hands someday will be our grandma's hands. It will be a privilege to have them!
TTFN
Last night was the viewing. There were few tears. We all know grandma is better off where she is now. I saw relatives I haven't seen for eons. It will probably be the last time to see them. Grandma is the last of her generation to go. There will be no other reason for us all to get together again . . . . . even so, everyone was happy and jovial, renewing acquaintances and feeling the love.
It is so fun and interesting to see the dynamics between my mom and her sisters. They are all so different. They are all so alike. I look at them and wonder if I am headed in their direction. . . . . really it is inevitable, I'm only 20 years behind them!
One of my cousins and I stood and compared our hands to our grandma's hands. Right now, we have our mother's hands, but our hands someday will be our grandma's hands. It will be a privilege to have them!
TTFN
Friday, March 12, 2010
A change of focus
Our much anticipated trip to Utah has changed it's face completely. What was to be a trip to see my daughter Halley's recital has become much more.
My grandmother passed away yesterday and I am already in Utah. Since we already had tickets here for next week, we just changed them to a week earlier and the cheapest day to fly was yesterday. It was 9:30 a.m. when I found out I'd be flying out that evening and and had only a few hours to call my children to inform them of the death, cancel piano lessons, cancel a talk in church, cancel the missionaries for dinner, find a place to stay, reserve a rental car, put a hold on the mail (in which I hope I don't have trouble getting!) getting a substitute sunday school teacher, packing, getting a ride to the airport, running to the bank, running random errands, and hope I got everything done! I ran until 2:30 and time was up! We were on our way . . . . .
I've been the recipient of so many blessings today and yesterday. The airline (Southwest) waived most of the fees they usually charge for last minute ticket purchases and even gave me the cheapest rate that they had EVER offered on that date. They say they don't give bereavement rates, but they did their best to do what they could for us. We paid a little for the change, but nothing like it could have been. I was so thankful.
More blessings: Spending time with my sister and mother, daughter and her husband, sons, in-laws, aunts, cousins, and tomorrow, my husband and my brothers. We've laughed so hard reminiscing that we've cried. It is the best of times woven into what could be a sad occasion. I can't make myself be sad. I know my grandmother must be happy, and I am happy for her. Her quality of life just wasn't there. I am thankful that I didn't have to see her in her suffering. I said goodbye to her the last time I visited here.
Another Blessing: My sister, mother, McKay and I got a preview of Halley's recital. OH MY GOSH has her voice improved over the last few years. I looked at her and thought, THAT is my daughter? Totally amazing if I say so myself. I listened and couldn't help being moved to tears.
I'm looking forward to more . . . . . tomorrow I get to help dress grandma's body. Sounds weird, but I'm looking forward to it. Wonder what that blog post will be like???? The viewing will be tomorrow night and funeral on Saturday.
My grandmother passed away yesterday and I am already in Utah. Since we already had tickets here for next week, we just changed them to a week earlier and the cheapest day to fly was yesterday. It was 9:30 a.m. when I found out I'd be flying out that evening and and had only a few hours to call my children to inform them of the death, cancel piano lessons, cancel a talk in church, cancel the missionaries for dinner, find a place to stay, reserve a rental car, put a hold on the mail (in which I hope I don't have trouble getting!) getting a substitute sunday school teacher, packing, getting a ride to the airport, running to the bank, running random errands, and hope I got everything done! I ran until 2:30 and time was up! We were on our way . . . . .
I've been the recipient of so many blessings today and yesterday. The airline (Southwest) waived most of the fees they usually charge for last minute ticket purchases and even gave me the cheapest rate that they had EVER offered on that date. They say they don't give bereavement rates, but they did their best to do what they could for us. We paid a little for the change, but nothing like it could have been. I was so thankful.
More blessings: Spending time with my sister and mother, daughter and her husband, sons, in-laws, aunts, cousins, and tomorrow, my husband and my brothers. We've laughed so hard reminiscing that we've cried. It is the best of times woven into what could be a sad occasion. I can't make myself be sad. I know my grandmother must be happy, and I am happy for her. Her quality of life just wasn't there. I am thankful that I didn't have to see her in her suffering. I said goodbye to her the last time I visited here.
Another Blessing: My sister, mother, McKay and I got a preview of Halley's recital. OH MY GOSH has her voice improved over the last few years. I looked at her and thought, THAT is my daughter? Totally amazing if I say so myself. I listened and couldn't help being moved to tears.
I'm looking forward to more . . . . . tomorrow I get to help dress grandma's body. Sounds weird, but I'm looking forward to it. Wonder what that blog post will be like???? The viewing will be tomorrow night and funeral on Saturday.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Let's play a game . . . . .
I've been blog stalking tonight and came across this funny game . . . . . Let's play!!! And I mean EVERYONE!!! What you do is leave a comment on my blog, and your post has to be a definition for the "Word Verification" word that you have to type before you leave the comment . . . . . . . for example:
"depantri" - Mama, where's the crackas . . . In Depantri!
"dartic" I bet Cook saw lots of penguins when he was s'plorin dartic.
"spauer" Last night when we went bowling, I got a spauer.
"blyse" The lies we tell when we blog, because we realize the truth isn't as funny as the stuff is in our head.
Get It?
Ready . . . . Set. . . . Go!
"depantri" - Mama, where's the crackas . . . In Depantri!
"dartic" I bet Cook saw lots of penguins when he was s'plorin dartic.
"spauer" Last night when we went bowling, I got a spauer.
"blyse" The lies we tell when we blog, because we realize the truth isn't as funny as the stuff is in our head.
Get It?
Ready . . . . Set. . . . Go!
Monday, March 08, 2010
Looking back . . . but not far . . . .
This morning I said goodbye to my hubby. He's not going out-of-town this week, but after having a nice weekend with him it is hard to think of the coming week of him away working his 12-plus hour days. Another day . . . . another dollar. I'm thankful for those dollars!!!
This weekend we decided to catch up on some of the movies that we haven't been able to see. On Saturday we headed over to Alexandria and their beautiful stadium seating theatre, The Hoffman. I am such a stubborn soul. Lincoln and I have struggled with the extra travel time "just" to go to the movie, but the Hoffman is worth the drive. Waldorf's sticky floor, old-time seating, scrawny screen and audio that frequently drops off, leaves something to be desired.
I thought we were the last people on earth that hadn't seen Avatar. The first showing after we arrived there was SOLD OUT! We opted to buy tickets for Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief and go to Avatar later in the evening. With both sets of tickets purchased, we headed across the street for lunch. Cold Stone!!!! McKay and I decided we were having ice cream for lunch and took Lincoln kicking and screaming (figuratively) along with us! Lincoln was good and had a smoothie, but McKay and I were decadent and had the really good stuff, myself, a peanut butter chocolate shake and he some-kind-a bubblegum, mint chocolate creation!
Both movies were awesome (we had dinner in between them). Avatar was a treat for the eyes with smooth 3D, and Percy Jackson was better than I thought it would be. I can't imagine taking small kids to it though. Medusa is enough to give a poor kid nightmares for life. Thankfully McKay is so desensitized it wouldn't bother him (a sad thing really!) Medusa did give me a great parallel for my sunday school lesson though, which had to do with avoiding wickedness in life. Just as with Medusa, (and Lot's wife from the bible) you could turn yourself to stone looking evil in the eye!!!!
Hope you all had great weekends!!!
This weekend we decided to catch up on some of the movies that we haven't been able to see. On Saturday we headed over to Alexandria and their beautiful stadium seating theatre, The Hoffman. I am such a stubborn soul. Lincoln and I have struggled with the extra travel time "just" to go to the movie, but the Hoffman is worth the drive. Waldorf's sticky floor, old-time seating, scrawny screen and audio that frequently drops off, leaves something to be desired.
I thought we were the last people on earth that hadn't seen Avatar. The first showing after we arrived there was SOLD OUT! We opted to buy tickets for Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief and go to Avatar later in the evening. With both sets of tickets purchased, we headed across the street for lunch. Cold Stone!!!! McKay and I decided we were having ice cream for lunch and took Lincoln kicking and screaming (figuratively) along with us! Lincoln was good and had a smoothie, but McKay and I were decadent and had the really good stuff, myself, a peanut butter chocolate shake and he some-kind-a bubblegum, mint chocolate creation!
Both movies were awesome (we had dinner in between them). Avatar was a treat for the eyes with smooth 3D, and Percy Jackson was better than I thought it would be. I can't imagine taking small kids to it though. Medusa is enough to give a poor kid nightmares for life. Thankfully McKay is so desensitized it wouldn't bother him (a sad thing really!) Medusa did give me a great parallel for my sunday school lesson though, which had to do with avoiding wickedness in life. Just as with Medusa, (and Lot's wife from the bible) you could turn yourself to stone looking evil in the eye!!!!
Hope you all had great weekends!!!
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