Christmas Day

It's 8:07 a.m. Christmas morning and I'm at the computer. Although I enjoy sleeping in on Christmas now days, I so miss the noise and excitement of little people in the house. I read a quote this morning from Erma Bombeck that I agree with 100%. "There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child." I love Christmas. I love the giving. I love how people are kinder during the holidays. I love the lights and decoration. What I miss is having little children around who still believe in the magic of Santa. I miss the surprising and the surprises.

On a more cheerful note, I was blessed to surprise some families yesterday. What a grand feeling! Because of my church calling, I was asked to take Christmas dinner to 3 families. One said thank you, but didn't really act surprised. The two others were very surprised and very grateful. I even got a hug from one of them. :) Later in the afternoon I received a call from a family doing a sub for Santa. I was asked if I could deliver so the family wouldn't discover their benefactor. They brought the gifts to me and I delivered them. The young mother of the family was so surprised and so excited and grateful. She too gave me a hug. :) Those 4 deliveries were the highlight of this Christmas season to date. As the young mother said, 'the perks of my church calling'. :) Yup!

Lizzie is home for Christmas. She arrived Tuesday evening. She has been making us laugh telling us stories of her Singles Ward. She is so delightful and we are so grateful she came home. It would be pretty darn boring with just the two of us rattling around the house. Thanks Liz, for spending the holiday with your parents!!!

Christmas Baking

I wasn't going to do any Christmas baking this year. However, Christmas isn't Christmas without baking. So, tonight I mixed up three different kinds of cookies. Peppermint Melt Aways, Cream Cheese-Filled Cookies, and Cranberry Orange Tea Cakes. The tea cakes came from a website Laura told me about called Eat Better America. The other two recipes I got from Taste of Home. I have a few other recipes I want to try too. Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies, Marbled Chocolate Peanut Cookies, Glazed Lemon-Coconut Bars, and Cranberry Lemon Sandwiches. I'm only making small batches so I can give them all away. Eugene doesn't eat many sweets so if they are around, you know who will eat them. ME! If you are interested in the recipes, let me know and I'll email them to you.

THANKSGIVING

We had a nice Thanksgiving. Sarah and her little family came. Lizzie and her friend, Julia, came. My parents were going to come, but my mom wasn't feeling well so they stayed at home. We got to love on those grandbabies for a day and a half. So fun! Katie and Shawn were in Cancun at a friend's wedding, Laura and family were in Washington with Kasey's family, and Charlie and Michelle were at home in Texas with her dad and brothers.

I read recently that gratitude is a commandment. When we show our gratitude for the blessings we receive, we receive even more blessings. Amazing how we are always in debt to God. We can never get ahead. I hope that I show my gratitude enough, but I fear that I do not. I am grateful for so many things, but on the top of the list is my dear family. My life would be oh so dull without them. I thank God for each of them every single day!

Relay For Life 2009

Yesterday I spent the day in Pocatello with 9 other women. We attended the Relay University. It is a training session for Relay for Life committee members. It was very informative. I learned many new things about Relay and also learned just how big the job is that I committed to be chairman of. I have my work cut out for me but I am committed to doing a great job. I am the Luminaria chair. I am responsible for the Luminaria ceremony at the Relay, making sure Luminaria bags are available for teams to sell, and planning and providing the necessary supplies for the luminaria lighting at the Relay. I am quite overwhelmed at the moment.

Relay for Life is an annual fundraiser sponsored by the American Cancer Society. People wishing to participate form teams and raise money for cancer research. For more information about Relay, click here http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/. When I learn what our Relay website address is I will post a link on this blog.

I am committed to Relay for Life because it helps raise needed money for research. I am a breast cancer survivor (2007). My mom is a breast cancer survivor (2006). My sister is a cancer survivor. Cancer claimed the lives of my maternal grandmother, paternal grandfather (and many of his siblings) and an uncle. I have four sisters, four daughters and four granddaughters who are at a higher risk for breast cancer simply because they are female and direct decendants of my mom and me. I DO NOT want them to have to fight cancer. I Relay to help the ACS find a cure.

We were told yesterday that the goal of the ACS is not just to find a cure for cancer, but to find a way to prevent cancer. If you read this post and are interested in helping, please leave a comment stating what your interest is and I will contact you. If you do not state your interest, I will not bother you.

A Tag

I saw this Tag on Laura's blog.

8 Favorite TV shows

1. Law and Order
2. Law and Order SUV
3. Reba
4. How It's Made
5. Dirty Jobs
6. The Deadliest Catch
7. Myth Busters
8. Baseball

8 Favorite Restaurants (in no specific order)

1. The Olive Garden
2. Texas Roadhouse
3. Wendy's
4. Mandarin House
5. Subway
6. El Toro Viejo
7. Golden Corral
8. Papa John's Pizza

8 Things that happened yesterday

1. Made Halloween Cookies
2. Visited Sarah's family
3. Visited with Lizzie
4. Went to Glenn and Debbie's
5. Ate at a Brazilian Grill
6. Walked for 40 minutes in the morning
7. Spent time with Eugene
8. Read more in the book Eclipse

8 Things I look forward to

1. Christmas
2. A new grandbaby
3. Playing with the grandkids
4. Katie's wedding
5. Eugene's days off
6. Charlie's phone calls (actually, all the kids' phone calls)
7. Walking in the mornings (the alarm going off at 5:30 a.m., NO!)
8. Retirement

8 Things I love about fall

1. Warm days, cool nights
2. Hot chocolate weather
3. Walking in the crunchy leaves.
4. Soup weather
5. Holiday Season
6. The changing of the leaves
7. The smell of the decaying leaves
8. Cooler weather

8 Things on my wishlist

1. Washer and dryer on the main floor
2. Finding time to dejunk and then actually doing it
3. Losing weight
4. Getting fit
5. Getting my cholesterol low enough to not need medication
6. Staying in remission
7. New expected granddaughter staying put til full term
8. Having enough money to retire someday

Not Good!!

Tonight while I was sewing away my sewing machine just quit. I turned it off and back on and tried again. It quit again. It has frozen up. Not Good! I have three quilts to bind, 3 quilt tops to make, 2 quilt blocks to make for the guild meeting in November, and jammies to make for the grandkids for Christmas. Guess My machine is going to the shop. We are going to SLC on Friday so I'll drop it off on our way through Logan and pick it up on the 6th when I go back to Logan for my first post-cancer check-up.

Amazing Video

I was reading a blog this morning and watched this video. It brought tears to my eyes to see the love this man has for his son. If you are up for a huge, humbling reminder of the love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us, I invite you to watch.

Finished projects

I finished and delivered two projects this week. Instead of posting the pictures I took, you can see them by clicking the 'Laura' link under 'people I know' below and to the right. Laura posted pictures of the little girls' quilts on their new bunk beds. See her post titled "Friday's Project".

Two down, 6+ to go! I'm making progress. Bad thing is, I keep adding projects to the project list! I didn't do much quilt making or quilting while I was working the past 4 years. I guess I'm making up for lost fun time!

Too Busy

I know. I haven't posted in awhile. Well, you see, I have been super busy making quilts. I have one done, a second nearly done, one tied, one on the frames, one ready to go on the frames when it's turn comes, two on the table waiting to be pieced and one I'm working on the applique for. Why do I do this to myself? Because I'm not very smart, I guess. Anyway, I will work on a real post soon complete with pictures.

Finally! A Vacation!

We went to Yellowstone for four days this week. Oh! What a wonderful time we had. We stayed two nights at a fabulous, fun B&B called Gardiner Guest House. The food was great, the company oh so fun. Laura and family met up with us on Tuesday. They ended up staying the night at the B&B too. We saw beautiful fall colors, elk, deer, bison, wolves (yes, plural), coyotes, and a griz. The wolves had killed an elk and were feeding on it. I saw one wolf. Eugene saw four or five because he was patient enough to stand and wait for them to come in. Not me. I went back to the truck to read and crochet. On our way out of the park yesterday we were driving along and Eugene said look at that! There was a bear running across the highway. When we got to where it was, it was still along side the road. We followed it for about 1/4 of a mile before it crossed in front of us and went up into the trees on the other side of the highway. It was a small, about 2 yrs old, bear with beautiful coloring--dark brown with blonde (grizzled) tips. Way cool!! We didn't get any pics, but still fun to say we saw a bear!
Thursday we went on a hike up to Lone Star Geyser. It is about 2.5 miles into the geyser. We walked in and just as we got there someone told us that we had missed the minor erruption and that it wouldn't go off for another 2-3 hours. Well, we had been there less than 5 miutes before it began a major 25 minute erruption. SO worth the hike in and out again. While there, a couple from Ohio came walking in from the opposite direction we walked in. They had already hiked 3-4 miles and got there just in time to see the last of the erruption. They walked out the way we went and caught up to us. Eugene had told them that he would give them a ride to their car if they wanted to make a loop of it. They took us up on the ride. It was only a mile or two down the road where we had parked, but they were most grateful for the ride in the back of our truck because they had already walked so far.
Now it's back to the real world grind. RS, quilts to finish piecing and tying, and various other things. Oh how I hate vacations coming to an end!

Things to Think About

I just re-read my quote of the day about life. Hmm! I guess I need to remember that. Probably need to post it somewhere so I can read it daily.

Yesterday I was reading the RS lesson. Sometimes when I read or hear things they seem to just hit me up the side of the head. This one did just that. If you do what you are told but still murmur about it the whole time you are doing it, you may as well not do it at all. EEE!!! I guess it is time to quit the murmuring and do what I'm told with a smile on my face. The grumbling about RS doesn't seem to be helping me much. Maybe smiling about it will make it easier. It's worth a try!

Labor Day Vacation

We had a wonderful Labor Day! Before the wonderfulness began, I did some laundry and housework and we covered up the green beans as it was snowing outside. :( Then we hopped in the car and went for a drive. We drove up over Montpelier Canyon, thru Afton, Wy, past Alpine, Wy, through Swan Lake, ID, and around to Idaho Falls. Yes, I know it was the long way to Idaho Falls from here. Eugene calls it the "scenic route". :) When we got to Idaho Falls we went to the Idaho Museum. They have an Egyptian exhibit that was truely facinating. After we spent the nice weather portion of the day inside, we drove up to Blackfoot and went to the state fair. We watched some very ominous looking clouds move eastward toward Blackfoot as we drove. Just about the time we got to the fairgrounds, the sky began to leak. Luckily there was an umbrella in the car. We walked, in the rain, around the food court trying to decide what to eat. We bought our food and then found a shelter where we could sit and eat and stay dry. After eating we found the quilting and photography buildings and walked through them. We then went back to the food court to get treats. It rained or sprinkled on us most of the time we were there, but it was still enjoyable. We drove home after our visit to the fair. Maybe now that I've had a relaxing day I can face the rest of this busy week!

Oh My!!!!

I am so going to need a break when I get past these next few weeks! This week has been CRAZY! Monday I had to get done whatever I could so that I would be ready for the rest of the week. Tuesday - Thursday I had Emery and Evan. Wednesday I left the boys with Grandpa for a bit so I could go VT with a sister in our ward. During the day I got a call from a sister needing her prescriptions picked up so the boys and I went and did that. About 8 p.m. the bishop called and needed me to go get some groceries for a sister that didn't have any food for her children. I took the boys to do that too. (Grandpa has been working nights since the 12th.) Thursday we had our 4th funeral since June 23rd. (I guess that's what happens when you are the RS Pres and live in a ward with lots of old people.) I took the boys to meet Sarah yesterday after the funeral. Today I thought I would have some free time to sew and work on my RS lesson. NOPE! The beets in the garden are calling my name so I guess I'll pickle beets today. I also have to go do my own VT this afternoon. Tomorrow is Eugene's first day off since the 11th. We are going to Logan (my third trip this week) to pick up his 4 wheeler and to go to Joann's. They are having a fabulous sale and I need to get some batting and fabric for the backs of 4 quilts. Sunday I have to go to Ward Council, teach the RS lesson, and get welfare food orders. Tuesday next week we have the nursing home RS in the morning, VT interviews in the afternoon and evening. Our new windows are getting put in that day. It's a good thing Eugene will be home because I won't be. Wednesday I'm going to Green River to tend the little girls while Laura has her ultra sound. Thursday is RS quilt group and presidency meeting. Saturday I'm going to Sarah's to help her clean her house before the baby blessing on Sunday. Whew!!!!! Then I think Eugene and I can run away for awhile. I'll let you know if it actually happens.

Questionaire

I got this from Lizzie's blog. Thought it was fun so I'm doing it too.

What are your initials? jrhw
What is your favorite thing to wear? clothes
Last thing you drank? water
I say "shotgun," you say? wedding
Last person you hugged? Evan and Emery
How many US states have you been to? 28, I think
How many of the US states have you lived in? 2
Does anyone you know wanna date you? I sure hope not!!
Name something you like physically about yourself? my eyes
Why are you still up? Because I'm not very smart!
Who/What made you angry today? nothing
Favorite Food? Currently watermelon and peaches. It's that time of year.
Favorite holiday(s)? Christmas
Do you download music? nope
Do you care if your socks are dirty? How dirty?
Name one of your bad habits. being too judgemental
What are you wearing? jeans and a t-shirt
Has anyone ever sang or played for you personally? can't remember
Do you love anyone? absolutely!
Have you ever bungee jumped? are you kidding?
Have you ever gone white-water rafting? no, because I'm afraid
How is the weather right now? dark and moony
What are you listening to right now? the hum of the computer
What was the last movie you watched? the incredibles with Evan
Do you wear contacts? not anymore
Where was the last place you went besides your house? Sarah's house
How many piercings have you had? one in each ear.
How many pets do you have? none, thank goodness!
What's one thing you've learned today? that I have little self control
What do you usually order from Starbucks? I've been there once and I ordered hot chocolate
Are you currently missing someone? yes.
Favorite TV shows? law and order, deadliest catch
Do you have an ipod? no
Who would you like to see right now? Eugene
Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't supposed to? probably
Have you ever ridden in a limo? no.
Do you like Michael Jackson? I like his music, but not him
What's your favorite smell? fresh baked bread
Favorite baseball team? boston red sox
Favorite cereal?oatmeal with fruit
Whats the longest you've gone without sleep? 24 hours
Last time you went bowling? about a year ago
Where is the weirdest place you have slept? on an airmattress in the back of the old brown van. Eugene and I were camping in Yellowstone without the kids.
Who was your last phone call? Sarah
What's the closest orange object next to you? sticky note
Kissed anyone in the past two weeks? yup!

Fair Week

Fair week has come and gone. It was a very crazy busy week that started on Monday. Eugene and I both entered items and everything we entered received first place ribbons. Eugene had a picture that won best color photo. My quilt won best hand quilted quilt. One of the pictures Eugene entered was the Parrotheads at the left. He is so good at photography but for some reason he doesn't think he is.

Temple Open House

On Thursday, Eugene, Lizzie and I drove to Twin Falls, Idaho to meet up with my family to go to the new temple open house . What a beautiful temple! The thing that impressed me was the design in the walls, the carpet, the windows. In all the windows the stained glass design had the Syringa blossom in them. For those of you who don't know, the Syringa is the Idaho state flower. In the celestial room you could see the flower design sculpted into the carpet and in the design on some of the walls. The wood was beautiful. The chandeliers also were designed so that the bottom of them formed the flower. Beautiful! Beautiful! I had such a feeling of peace there. I wonder if those who were protesting the open house have been inside. Surely if they had, they would not be protesting such a magnificent building with such peace felt inside.

Last Week's Visit

I failed to post pictures of Sarah's children. Their family came to visit last weekend. It was nice to have them here and fun to love on the grandchildren.

Emery, Evan, Marlee

Surprise Visit

This morning I got a phone call from Laura. She wanted to know if it was ok if she and the little girls came over for lunch. I told her absolutely. They arrived around 12:15 and I had lunch ready. We sat and ate. The girls ate several popscicles. They played, we visited, got hugs and took pictures of them waving and blowing kisses for grandpa because he was at work. They left to go home around 5:30. It was a nice day. Thanks for the visit. I was really needing a granddaughter fix. :)

Makayla blowing kisses and waving to grandpa.

Ellie, with a ketchup covered face, waving and blowing kisses to grandpa.

Need/Want another vacation

I thought I was going to get another vacation, but then it fell through. I'm itching to run away somewhere! I was thinking this morning that I could go to GR and visit the granddaughters, but then I remembered that we are going to Twin Falls on Thurs to the temple open house. So the funds aren't there for fuel to make two trips. :( On the bright side, Lizzie is coming on Wednesday so she can go to the open house with us. Then she's staying til Saturday to go to a reunion with my sisters and parents. YEAH!! Thanks Liz!

I want to go camping too, but it's not going to happen til at least the end of the month. Days off this week are pretty much filled up. Next week Eugene starts shutdown which means 12 hour shifts at work for at least 2 weeks with no days off! So, I guess I'll just have to try to finish up some projects and get my house ready to get new windows. It wouldn't hurt to dejunk too!

Memory Game

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

VACATION/REUNION Days 3, 4 and 5

Day 3 of the vacation/reunion was July 4th. We started the day by having a group breakfast of breakfast burritos. They usually go over well and are easy to do. After the clean up we parted to do our own thing for awhile. Eugene, Liz and I drove up to the highest point in the park. Kasey, Laura and girls followed along. Eugene and Liz wanted to hike to the top of the knoll. Makayla didn't want to be left behind, nor did Kasey and Laura. I stayed behind with Ellie and we wondered the gift shop and visitor's center. We went back to camp to start lunch/dinner, also known as linner. The kids had requested a dutch oven dinner. We cooked chicken and potatoes. It was a big hit. Here's a picture of Eugene cooking. :)

He really did do most of the cooking. He was resting while it cooked. :)

Here's a couple of pictures of Grandpa and Ellie. Ellie LOVES her grandpa!!!

The next pictures are of Grandpa and Ellie coming back from one of their many walks.

Here is a picture of Shawn playing football with Makayla while waiting for the food to cook.

After we ate our fabulous dutch oven meal, we went into Estes Park for some family fun. We went to this great fun park. We rode bumper boats, bumper cars, go carts, some of us played mini golf and others went to the batting cages. It was great fun. I didn't have my camera so I have no pictures. Makayla went on the bumper boats and the go carts twice with Katie. I think she had fun. She liked the mini golf too. After the fun park we found a grassy spot, spread out our blankets and settled in to watch the fireworks.

On Saturday we went on a tour of the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. It is a haunted hotel. The ghost hunters have been there and have determined it is haunted. The Stanley Hotel is the hotel from Steven King's The Shining. Following are some pictures of "ghosts". We didn't see them, but they showed up on our pictures. See the white orb on the ceiling? Weird! (click on the pictures to enlarge)
The hotel is beautiful and the history is facinating!

After the tour, Eugene, Liz and I went back to tour more of RMNP. There is an alluvial fan that we went to see. It was caused by a dam failure. Here is a picture of the creek that runs through it and a picture of Liz sitting on a huge rock that was deposited when the dam failed.

On Sunday we packed up and left for home. It was a very nice vacation and reunion. I figure the reunion was a success because there were no fights, no one blew up at anyone, and we all left friends. :) Our next reunion will be May of 2009 at Lake Tahoe for Katie and Shawn's wedding.

VACATION/REUNION Days 1 and 2

What a whirlwind the past two weeks have been. We left on July 1st for a family reunion for just our immediate family. We stopped in Logan for my check-up with the oncologist. Cancer markers are good. Don't have to return until November. We then drove to Ogden to visit Sarah's family. When we left Ogden we met up with Lizzie at the Rodizio Grill at Trolly Square in SLC. We had a fabulous dinner. It was great! We spent the night at Lizzie's. Wednesday morning Lizzie picked Katie up at the airport and we headed for Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park. On our way through Wyoming we stopped in Green River and met up with Laura's family. Katie and Lizzie drove on ahead. We arrived at Rocky Mountain National Park in mid afternoon. We pitched tents and cooked dinner. Charlie and Michelle arrived around 3:30 a.m. They drove up from Texas. Sarah's family weren't able to attend because of the arrival of their 2 week old baby girl.

This is Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). It is MUCH smaller than our Bear Lake. We were able to walk around it. Makayla and Michelle throwing rocks in the lake. Laura watched her throw and then said, "Oh dear! She throws like a girl." A passing tourist said, "Imagine that!" We all laughed! Sorry Michelle! I cut off your head! AAAHHH!!!Laura, Kasey, Makayla and Ellie at Bear Lake.

Charlie and Michelle at Bear Lake.

Eugene, Charlie, Makayla, and me.

Laura helping Ellie touch the water in the lake.

Katie and Lizzie are absent from these pics because they drove into Denver to pick-up Shawn, Katie's fiance, from the airport. He flew in from Michigan.

We later drove into Estes Park to pick up some food items we didn't have room for when we left home. The following is a picture of our impromptu picnic in the Safeway parking lot in Estes Park. Weren't they nice to provide grass and trees in the parking lot for our picnic?

Actually you only get to see a picture of Grandpa and Ellie. That's all I have of our picnic in the parking lot. Ellie wasn't a happy camper. While walking around the lake earlier in the day, I was carrying Ellie on my shoulders and holding onto her hands and wrists so she wouldn't fall off. She pulled back and partially dislocated her left elbow. She has what is called "Nurse Maid's Elbow". It comes out quite easily but a dr. has to put it back in. We ended up at the ER before the day was over because Ellie was very unhappy and in pain. Sorry Ella Belle! :( She was much happier after her elbow was put back into place.

Eugene, Charlie and Kasey left from here to go into Denver for a Rockies game. They met up with Katie, Shawn and Liz. It was very late when they got back to camp. Laura, Makayla, Ellie, Michelle and I stayed behind and shopped in Estes Park. It was fun. It was probably a good thing we did since we ended up taking Ellie to the ER. What's vacation without one visit to the ER or a clinic? A lot less adventurous!

Relay For Life!

Eugene and I participated in the Relay for Live last night. Relay is a celebration/fundraiser the American Cancer Society sponsors. The relay started at 6 p.m. with the first lap for survivors. There were over 50 of us. We all got dark purple t-shirts so everyone could tell who we were. I walked the lap with my mom and sister, Joy. The second lap was for caregivers. It was so great to have Eugene walk it with me! I didn't think he would come, but he did and he spent the entire night with us and even took his turn walking. He is so awesome!

One fundraiser is selling Luminarias. They are white lunch sacks with the ACS Relay logo printed on them. Those are sold and then displayed at the Relay to honor those who have had/have cancer and the caregivers. The sacks are decorated and then lined up around the track. We didn't have quite enough to completely circle the track, but it was close. At 10 p.m. all the Luminarias have a candle lit in them and the lights are turned out. We then walk a lap in memory of those who lost their lives to cancer. It was a very emotional night, but well worth the time and effort.

The awesome part is how much was raised for cancer research! The goal was $25,000. As of 5:30 a.m. the Oregon Trail Relay for Life had raised just under $53,000!!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!!! And there is still more money to be turned in. What an awesome experience it was to participate in this event.

Aunt Liz with Emery, Evan and Baby Marlee

Here's a picture of our new granddaughter with her brothers and with Aunt Lizzie. It was taken at the hospital on the day she was born. Emery is 4 and is in the solid green T. Evan is 2 1/2 and is in the striped green T.

New Granddaughter!

Marlee Ruth was born this morning at 11:52 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs 7 oz and was 20 in. long. She has a little bit of hair that Sarah said looks like it might be red. Mom and baby are doing great. Dad is still on cloud 9. He wanted a daughter. I'll post pictures when I get down to see Marlee.

A side note. My maternal grandmother's name was Ruth. :)

Last Day!!!!!!!

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I worked my last day at what has been my job for the past 4 3/4 years. Technically I'm still employed until the 27th, but I'm using accrued vacation for that last week. It was bitter sweet yesterday. I am so glad to be done. There is no way I could still work and be RS pres and do both justice. It just wouldn't happen without making me crazy. I know many other women have done both at the same time, but they are better women than me. The last three weeks of doing both have made me crazy! The bitter part was leaving my friends behind. I will miss the association with them. Most of them I probably won't see again. That's very sad! The sweet part is that I will be making new friends and be able to stay home and be with my honey more often. That will be very nice!

Tardy Baby!

Sarah is now 39 weeks and still has not had her baby. She has carried this baby 7 weeks longer than Emery and 3 weeks longer than Evan. She is so miserable. She went to the dr. today thinking she would be induced tomorrow. Nope! They can't get her in until Sunday. So, Sunday, June 22nd, Sarah will be induced to have her third and final baby. I pray all goes well for her and the little one!

Fun Day with My Sweetie

Eugene went to scout camp last night. The Young Men Pres was really organized this year and got enough men to sign up that they each only have to spend one night. That means about 10 men because of the two deep leadership requirement. Anyway, Eugene got home around 10:30 a.m. We finished up a few things and then went on a 3 1/4 hour 4 wheeler ride. I usually don't go with him because I really hate the dust and dirt. Because of the wet spring, we didn't think it would be very dusty. WRONG! It was very dirty. I still had fun. We left here on the wheeler, drove down 8th Street to the cut off that goes up Joes Gap. We rode up Joes Gap and over to Home Canyon. From Home Canyon we rode down to the Montpelier Reservoir, up past the reservoir and on up to the Y. We rode right at the Y and went up another hollow to the top of Geneva Summit. When we got to the highway, we rode up the highway until we reached the Wood Canyon Road. From there we rode up and over Bear Hollow, down past Bomstas', across the highway to Bench Road, along Bench Road to the highway again, North on the highway to Jefferson, up Jefferson to 8th and back home. What a ride! It was very nice! And we got to go for that fun ride bacause I finished cancer treatment last week and didn't have to go to Logan today. Woo Hoo!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMERY!

Well, I'm a bit late wishing Emery a happy fourth birthday. He turned 4 yesterday. The city where he lives had Washington Terrace Days yesterday. There was a parade and fireworks. His mom told him the fireworks were for his birthday. He probably didn't think that was very cool because the fireworks scare both him and his brother, Evan. Poor little guys! As soon as Sarah has her baby the boys will be coming here to stay with Grandma and Grandpa for a few days. That will be fun!

The Buzzing Tree (as promised)

Here is a picture of our flowering crab tree. It is so beautiful and hasn't completely bloomed yet. I love this tree! I wish the blossoms would stay all summer, but alas, they only stay for about a week and then the wind blows them off. When that happens, we have pink "snow". I call it the buzzing tree because with all the bees in it, it literally buzzes.

Another nice thing about this tree is that it feeds the birds during the fall and winter. We have birds all winter long that feed on the crab apples.

Checking Off the List

Yesterday after my mid-day walk, I stopped to weed the flower gardens. I didn't get them all done, but I worked on them. Today I decided it was time to begin a new quilt. I sent Sarah a text asking what Evan's favorite color is. She sent back that it is blue. Oh goody! I love making blue quilts because blue is my favorite color, too. I went through my quilt books and found a pattern. His quilt will be blue and yellow. When I get it done I will post a picture.

Baby Quilt

Sarah's baby quilt is finished except for the label. I can't make that until the baby comes. She doesn't know what she is having and I always like to put the name of the child on the label so that will have to wait. Here is a picture of the quilt. Sarah picked the fabric and the pattern.

Amazing!

I had a whole day to myself today. I didn't have to work. I didn't have to go anywhere. I just stayed home most of the day and tried to catch up. It's amazing what one can get done when there are no interruptions! I finished preparing my church lesson, I got the RS bulletin board up at the church, I checked the RS closet and straightened up about 1/4 of it, I finished quilting the baby quilt and got the binding on and 1/2 of it hand stitched down and I did the dishes for the first time in a week. Whew! It was so nice to get some things crossed off the list.

Ok, so I got some things crossed off, but I still have a ton of things to do. It is so frustrating to have so much to do and not be able to stay home and get it done. Soon I'll be able to! :) Here are a few things on my list.

Finish cleaning out the RS closet.
Read the RS handbooks. (All 3 of them!)
Wash my windows.
Weed the flowerbeds.
Sew some clothes.
Work on Katie's wedding quilt. (5/30/2009)
Make a quilt for Evan's 3rd b/d. (12-9-2008)
Make lap quilts for a friend and her children.

See why I need to be done with my job?

Cleaning Out The Office!!!

Last night I was trying to think of what I needed to take to Soda today to train. I had a glorious idea. Why not clean out the whole office and take it to Soda. Then everything would be there and I wouldn't have to do any work when I get home. So, this moring when I arrived in Soda, Jodi asked me why I was smiling. I told her I brought everything I had that belonged to the company and I was going to leave it with her. After we got some work done, we started to clean out my file boxes and move the files to her files. Oh Happy Day!!! I'm just that much closer to being done for good! YEAH!!!! I will be so glad to be done! I have so many things that I need to be doing, but they don't get done because the job keeps getting in the way.

Sarah's Text

I got a text from Sarah tonight. She said she took her last stop-the-contraction pills (Terbutaline) tonight. That means we should get a new grandchild soon. With Evan, her second child, the day she quit taking the pills her water broke and Evan was born the next morning. She will be 36 weeks on Wednesday and has been taking the pills since week 27. She will be so glad to get this baby here. Will post when the baby arrives, hopefully with pics.

Memorial Day Visit

We had a visit today from Laura, Kasey, Makayla and Ellie. It was lots of fun. They came to have a barbeque, but it was raining so we cooked inside. The girls wanted to watch a movie so we put Phantom of the Opera in the DVD player on the computer and they sat on Grandpa's lap and sang along.

Both girls got their clothes dirty. They didn't bring any extras so they wore Grandma's t-shirts while their clothes got washed. There dad said they looked like Star Wars characters. :)

We had a great day! Thanks for the visit!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAKAYLA!!!

Today is our oldest granddaughter's 4th birthday! Happy Birthday Makayla!! We wish we could come see you, but both Grandpa and Grandma have to work. We hope you have a wonderful day and that you had a great time at the zoo yesterday!! We love you!!!

New Church Clothes

So, I'm going to be needing some new church clothes. I have one dress that fits. Eugene and I went to Ogden after my treatment today to take a bed to Sarah. When we left their house we stopped at JoAnn's. I found fabric that was 50% off and some that wasn't on sale. However, I had two 40% off coupons that I used on the non-sale fabric. Woo Hoo!!! I feel like I got a Lizzie deal today! :)

Phone Call

I got a phone call today from the dr.'s office where I had the job interview. They decided to hire the person who had worked in the office before. The office manager called me to tell me and felt bad that she had to tell me I didn't get the job. I told her it was fine. I have other things I need to be doing right now. She asked if it would be ok if she kept my resume on the top of her pile. I told her that was fine. So, for now I will just finish training my replacement and then move on to other things.

Job Interview

Well, after several chain of events, I had a job interview yesterday morning. Not sure how it went, but I've decided that if I don't get the job, it's ok. At least it was a means for me to quit my current job. I have at least until the end of the month in my current job because I need to train my replacement. Then I can walk away and be relieved of the stress and frustration. :)
Be sure to return for further developments.

Red Box

So, I was shopping at Broulims last night to get Eugene some "nector" and a few other things. As I was walking out the door, there was a man and a boy standing in front of this red display. As I took a closer look I could see that it was a new Red Box kiosk. Woo Hoo!!!! Red Box has come to Montpelier! We may just watch more movies now that we don't have to pay nearly $4 each! I'm so excited! Now if I could just remember how I saw Katie use it. . .

The Wheelchair Game

I picked up Sarah's boys yesterday and brought them home with me for a few days so she can rest. This morning I was sitting in the office and Emery came running all excited to tell me they were playing the wheelchair game. I decided I best go see what the wheelchair game was. They had pulled my sewing chair out and Evan was sitting on it while Emery was spinning it. I thought that was pretty accurate. The Wheelchair Game. :)

You Can Only Type One Word

Got this from Laura's blog. One word descriptions only, please.

1. Where is your cell phone? kitchen
2. Your significant other? Eugene
3. Your hair? graying
4. Your mother? nonjudgemental
5. Your father? kind
6. Your favorite thing? grandchildren
7. Your dream last night? random
8. Your favorite drink? milk
9. Your dream/goal? skinny
10. The room you're in? office
11. Your exes? none
12. Your fear? spiders
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? retired
14. Where were you last night? home
15. What you're not? skinny
16. Muffins? blueberry
17. One of your wish list items? remodel
18. Where you grew up? Montpelier
19. The last thing you did? dishes
20. What are you wearing? sweats
21. Your TV? Sylvania
22. Your pets? none
23. Your computer? Compaq
24. Your life? happy
25. Your mood? happy
26. Missing someone? yes
27. Your car? Cruiser
28. Something you're not wearing? shoes
29. Favorite store? JoAnn's
30. Your summer? short
31. Like someone? yes
32. Your favorite color? blue
33. When is the last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? hmm
35. Who will/would re-post this? Liz

FABULOUS Last Four Days

We spent the last four days in Spokane visiting Katie. Oh! What a relaxing time we had. She was worried we would be bored with her at work all day. Not so. It was nice to just sit around and do nothing. We arrived Wednesday evening after stopping at Laura's in-laws for a visit. We visited with Katie during the evening. Eugene went to bed around 10 or 11 and Katie and I sat up and talked about her wedding plans til after midnight. Thursday Eugene didn't feel well so we just sat around. I did venture out to the grocery store. Katie had given me directions. Eugene was worried I would get lost but I told him I would call if I did. By the end of the day Eugene was feeling a bit better. After work Katie cut Eugene's hair. My sister Jeanne was in town working so we went to dinner with her. We did some shopping before we went back to Katie's. I got Makayla's birthday present. I think she will love it! I hope she will. Katie and I again sat up into the wee hours visiting about the wedding. Friday Eugene and I ventured out shopping. We went to Shopko and bought a 6' folding table. I have been looking for one since Thanksgiving. It was even on sale for about 50% off. Cool! We went to JoAnn's and then to the mall and wondered around for a couple of hours. When Katie got home she and I went to JoAnn's again. We looked through pattern books and found the pattern for flower girl dresses. Then we went to the fabric so she could show me what she wanted. She found this gorgeous embroidered organza type fabric. Her colors are pink, green, silver and black. The embroidery was pinks and greens. Perfect! Even better was that the patterns were 40% off and the fabric was 30% off. She bought those two items. She'll watch for sales and get her name on the mailing list so she can get coupons in the mail. These little dresses are going to be beautiful!!! Katie and I sat up and talked more about the wedding plans until after 2 A.M. Eugene went to bed early because he had to drive all day Saturday. Katie cut my hair that evening. It was such a pleasant visit. Thanks Katie for putting up with your parents for 4 days! Oh, and thanks for the hair cuts!

ABC Tag

A- Attached or single: Attached for 31 years!
B- Best Friend: Eugene
C- Cake or Pie: Ooo! Do I have to choose? If so, it would be German Chocolate Cake; No wait! Pecan Pie. Oh! I don't know!
D- Day of Choice: Friday because I normally don't work that day.
E- Essential Item: sewing machine
F- Favorite Color: blue
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Neither! I do NOT like gummi's
H- Hometown: Montpelier, ID
I -Indulgence(s): buying fabric when I have so much already.
J- January or July: January because it's the start of a new year. July because we can go camping
K-Kids: Katie, Shawn, Sarah, Eric, Emery, Evan, unborn baby, Lizzie, Laura, Kasey, Makayla, Ellie, Charlie, Michelle
L-Life is incomplete without: family, love and grandchildren
M- Marriage Date: February 17, 1977
N-Number of Siblings: 4 sisters
O- Oranges or Apples: I love oranges, but think apples are easier to eat.
P- Phobias or Fears: Spiders and bugs of any kind.
Q- Quote(s): "Faith is the principle power by which we do day to day things."
R- Reason To Smile: Grandbabies! :)
S- Season: Spring and Autumn
T- Tag Five: Not tagging because I think only four people read my blog anyway.
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I have not idea. It's even unknown to me. :)
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: I don't think I'm an oppressor of animals, but I'm definately not a vegan.
W- Worst Habit: Oh dear, there are so many. . .
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds? Ultrasounds--fewer harmful rays.
Y- Your Favorite Food: Mexican
Z-Zodiac: Aries--the ram!

From the Mouths of Babes part 2

Sarah called me on Tues to tell me what Emery said. Eric is painting the kitchen. He had painted a swatch on the wall to see the color. Emery walked in the kitchen and said, "Oh no! What did you do?" Sarah said it was like listening to herself. She told Emery that it was ok. Momma told daddy to paint the walls. Emery then said,"You better get that cleaned up."

Last week Sarah took the old Kenmore sewing machine to Wimmers in Logan to get it serviced before I take it up to Katie. When she got out to the car, Emery asked where the sewing machine was. Sarah said she left it there to get fixed. He asked if it was broken. Sarah told him not really but that it was going to get checked out before Grandma took it to Katie. She said he flipped out. He said, "NO! Grandma can't take it to Katie! We need it to make costumes!" Sarah told him she had another sewing machine that could make costumes. Emery said,"No! We need that one." He was quite upset.

I got an email from Katie today that she got from Laura. I'll just cut and paste because Laura is much better at telling the story than I.

Makayla has been missing you a lot since you called the other night. Tonight she said to me, "I think I need to go see Katie." Since we have 2 babysitters named Katie, I asked her, "Who's Katie?"
"You know, Katie. Your sister."
"Do you know my sister Katie?"
"Yes. My sister is Ellie and your sister is Katie." (She's really starting to understand the concept of family relations.)
"That's Right! But we can't see her today. It's too far away."
"It's not far away. It's just in Washing."
"Oh, Baby, Washington is far, far away."
"But I want to go to Washing to see my Katie!"
I didn't tell her that grandpa & grandma are going next week. Then she really would be begging to go! Hope you have fun when they are there.

Yesterday Makayla found a dime in her pocket. She said to her mom, "Look! I found a baby quarter in my pocket."

I know all grandparents think their grandchildren are the cutest, but I KNOW ours are the cutest of all. :)

Cancer

I am now down to single digits on my cancer treatments. Only 9 left! I can't tell you how excited I am. I will however, be sad to not see and visit with the friends I have made at the dr.'s office. Some, I am sure, I will never see again because they will lose their battle with cancer or they will win and not have to return for treatments. Which ever it is, I pray their journeys will have fewer bumps in the road.

My dear sister-in-law told me that no one ever wants to hear the "C" word mentioned in reference to self or loved ones. That is so true. Cancer is a very scary, life changing event that touches far too many lifes. Maybe someday there will be a cure. I pray it comes before any of our children are affected by it more personally than they were with their mother and grandmother having it.

My Cancer diagnosis changed my life. I'm more concerned about trying to live so that it doesn't touch my life again. I try to get more exercise. I try to eat healthier. I take my meds and my vitamins religiously. I have a long way to go, but I am trying. I have a stronger testimony of the Savior's atonement. I know that He sacrificed not only for our sins, but for our heartache, our aches and pains. He suffered them all so He would know how to succor us in our trials, sorrows, and sicknesses, as well as in our repentance process. I am more willing to serve because I was served by so many in so many ways. Am I glad I had cancer? NO! However, I am grateful for what I have learned and the ways it has changed my life. I am a cancer survivor and for that I am most grateful!

Quote # 8

"The best and most beautiful things in life cannot be seen,

not touched, but are felt in the heart."

Helen Keller

Lunch Guests

Just after 8 yesterday morning I got a call from Laura asking me if I would like to have lunch with them. I said yes and asked where she wanted to eat lunch. She said at your house. :) Even better. I sat down and got my work done for the day and then fixed some lunch. Well, really just reheated some lunch. We had leftover Easter dinner. It was only leftover for me though. I cut up some strawberries because I know the girls love them.
Laura stayed long enough so Grandpa could see the girls when he got home from work. He was pretty surprised.
Ellie discovered angel food cake. I let her have a little bit and then she kept going back to where the plate was and asking for more. One time I walked into the kitchen when Laura was holding Ellie. She wanted to come to me, so I took her. Then she signed "eat" and said "cake". It was pretty funny. She was asking me because Laura had just told her no. I called Grandpa into the kitchen and told him he could earn some huge points with Ellie if he fed her some cake. So, he sat down at the table with the cake and a fork. Ellie sat in the booster seat at the table next to him and ate cake. He fed her two pieces of cake! (equivalent to 1/6th of a cake) She gets this little buda belly after she eats. You should have seen her belly last night after eating cake! Grandpa earned his points. Ellie blew him a kiss (she only blows kisses and is very stingy with them) and offered a cheek for a hug when they left to go home. That is huge for Ellie Belle. It was adorable.

Makayla loves Phantom of the Opera. She found the piano book for Phantom songs in the piano bench and was so excited. She carried it around singing the songs. She also watched the movie twice. I had to add a tie to Ellie's Easter dress. Makayla wanted to help me. I was worried about her getting her fingers too close to the needle on the sewing machine. She was very good and kept them a safe distance, but she still thought she was helping Grandma fix Ellie's dress. When Laura left to run an errand, Makayla wanted some strawberries. I asked her if she wanted cream with them. She grinned and said yes. I got the spray whipped cream out of the fridge and put some on her plate. She ate that with her strawberries and asked for more. I told her she could have one more spray and that's all cause I didn't want to get in trouble with her mom. She said ok. I gave her another cloud of whipped cream on her plate and she ate up the rest of the strawberries. (Sorry, Laura, but she loves cream!)

From the Mouths of Babes

I watched Sarah's boys while she took Eric to the hospital for orthoscopic surgery. The boys are soooooo full of life! Makes a grandma tired in a big hurry! Emery is such a talker. Here are a few things he said while I was there.

I was working on a blessing dress for Sarah's new baby, if she happens to have a girl. Emery wanted to know what I was making. I showed him and in delight he said, "Oh! That's just like mine." Like the boy has a dress. :)

I was telling Emery that when his daddy got home he would need crutches to help him walk because he wouldn't be able to walk on his hurt foot. He looked at me a bit puzzled, jumped down off the chair and said, "No, he can walk. You just go like this. You put this foot here and this foot here. See?" He was showing me how to walk. I guess he didn't get the concept of crutches.

I talked to Emery about keeping his toys picked up so daddy wouldn't fall. I talked to him more about crutches and drew a picture of what they look like. I told him how his daddy would use them. He asked me to draw another one. So I did. When I drew the pad that goes under the arm, he said, "Look Grandma! You drew a banana." I looked at it and decided that I had drawn a banana. :)

Lizze was there and the two of us took the boys to the park. I was pushing Evan in the swing. I asked him if he could see his house. He looked down the street and said, "Ya. Hi house!" and then started to wave at the house. :)

I asked Emery if he could see his house. He said, "No, it's not time to go home." I guess I got told.

Spring Snow

I so long for Spring, especially after being at Sarah's the past two days. It was so nice there yesterday that they even had the front door open most of the afternoon. When I drove home last night I ran into a little bit of rain, but no snow. This morning I opened the kitchen curtains to see about 2-3" of new, wet, heavy snow. Two good things about Spring snow: 1. it is beautiful and 2. it melts FAST! :) (look at those clotheslines!)

Quote #7

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor."

Vince Lombardi

Grandbabies and Spring Fever

I went to Ogden yesterday and got to see all four of our grandbabies! :) Laura needed someone to watch Miss Ellie while Makayla was at the dentist. I drove to Ogden and met Laura and the girls at Chilies. We had a fun lunch. We went to Target and then to the dentist. After the dentist, Laura went to meet up with a friend and I went to Sarah's to deliver Easter fun to the little boys.
Oh how I long for spring! Green grass, or brown grass. Any grass would be fine. Flowers, birds chirping, leaves on the trees, warmer weather so I can walk outside. I'm so tired of the snow. It is melting, but not fast enough! I'm ready to open the windows and get some fresh air in my house.

Quote #6

This is a great one for me to remember!

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Eleanor Roosevelt

My Great Find and My Great Buy!

We were in Logan today for treatment. We went on a hunt for a cancer ribbon punch and paper. We went to Carolee Creations. Nothing. We went to the Book Table. Nothing. We went to Michaels and Eugene found the punch! Woo Hoo!!! I also bought a double heart punch. Now I can punch out a ton of different color cancer ribbons to decorate luminaria bags for the relay in June. I also need to decorate 5 change jars. I was supposed to look for them but I forgot so I guess we are going to use quart canning jars that have been covered in paper and decorated. The punch was my great find.

My great buy was fabric for Katie's wedding quilt. A couple of weeks ago I went to the fabric store in town and bought 7 yards of 90" wide fabric for $3.99 per yard. I got it for that because there is a flaw in the printing on the fabric. Not a big deal because the widest pieces I need are about 9". I think I can cut around the flaws. Then, today in Jo Ann's we found the colors of fabric requested and most of it was on sale at 30% off. I am so excited! I had to order in the back because they didn't have enough of the color we picked out. I got all the fabric for a king size quilt, 106 x 106, for around $130!! What a deal! I remember spending about $60 for a baby quilt which is way less than half the size of the king. I actually got a Lizzie deal today! :) Oh Happy Day!

Count Down!!

I have started the count down! Actually, if the truth be known, I started the count down quite some time ago. Only 13 more visits to the oncologist for weekly treatments. February 28th marked one year since I started with treatments. Wow! The time went by so fast!

Evanisms

Sarah sent me a text the other day to tell me Baby Evan has learned to climb out of his crib. He's 2. Sarah's life just got harder. How is she ever going to get him to nap now?

Sarah also said that Evan has begun calling the new baby Baby Roo. Today she called to tell us why he calls the baby Baby Roo. It all has to do with Winnie the Pooh. She has been telling Evan that the new baby eats and plays in Momma's tummy just like Baby Roo does on Winnie the Pooh. Amazing that at two years old Evan connected the two.

The other day Sarah was drinking hot chocolate. Evan wanted to see what was in her cup. She showed him and he said, "It's all dirty." :) I asked her if he still wanted a drink. She said, "Amazingly, yes." He is all boy, that one.

Crockpot Steak and Onions

Here is a recipe I kinda made up yesterday. I had a round steak that needed to be used. I didn't want Pepper Steak and Eugene doesn't care for tomato based dishes so Swiss Steak was out. I went on a search at Recipezaar and got the idea to use onion soup mix. Here's the recipe that turned out pretty darn good. Sorry, no pics. You'll just have to trust that it was yummy or try it yourself.

Crockpot Steak and Onions

1 round steak cut into serving size pieces
1 onion sliced
3 fresh mushrooms sliced
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 can cream chicken soup
½ can water

Place half of sliced onions in the bottom of the crockpot. Place pieces of steak on top of onions. Top with remaining onion slices and sliced mushrooms. Mix soups and water. Pour over top of steak and vegies. Cook until steak is tender. I’m thinking 4-5 hours on high or all day on low.

Visit with the Granddaughters

Monday, on a whim, we drove to Green River. It had been so long since we had seen Makayla and Ellie that I had to go visit. Eugene is so kind and just said, let's go. So we did. We got there before Laura and the girls got home from the library. We were waiting out front in the car. When they drove up, Laura showed Makayla that we were there and she darn near jumped out of the car while it was still moving. :) When Ellie saw us she did that cute little limp wrist wave of hers. It was great!! The girls, Laura included, were so glad to see us. It was fun to visit. Thanks Laura for letting us barge in on your day!

Quote # 5

I read an email the other day that had these simple guidelines for happiness. I thought they were worth posting.

Simple guidelines for happiness:

1. Free your heart from hate.

2. Free your mind form worry.

3. Live simple.

4. Give more.

5. Expect Less.

Aunt Kay's quilt top

Aunt Kay brought me 12 embroidered quilt blocks and asked me to make a quilt out of them. She said she wanted to bring out the blue. I went to our local fabric store and visited with a couple of my friends about how to go about designing the quilt. I took their suggestions and went home and built the quilt on my EQ5 software. I think it turned out beautiful. The pieced border wasn't so much fun, but I think it turned out great.

Quote #4

"The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time."

Abraham Lincoln

Amish Friendship Bread

I found a piece of paper on the floor in the bedroom today. I picked it up and opened it. I don't know where it came from, but I was excited. It was a recipe for Amish Friendship Bread. I haven't even thought about this fabulous bread for years. The bread is made from a sweet sourdough start that comes with a loaf of bread from a friend. :) The sad part is that the recipe did not tell how to make the start, just how to make the bread from the start that was furnished by the friend. So, I went on a search of Recipezaar.com. I found the recipe for the start as well as the recipe for the bread. I started a start today. It takes 27 days to get the start furmented enough that it can turn into this fabulous, sweet sourdough bread. On March 17th, I will be making Amish Friendship Bread and sharing it with friends. Here is the link http://www.recipezaar.com/153 to the recipe for the start and the bread. If you decide to make it, Enjoy!!!

Anniversary

Today we have been married 31 years. Sometimes I wonder how Eugene has been able to put up with me for all these years. I'm certainly glad he has.

31 years ago today we were married in SLC. That mid-February day in 1977 there was green grass and flowers on Temple Square. Amazing! You certainly wouldn't find that this year!

Last year we were planning a vacation to Belize to celebrate 30 years, then the cancer diagnosis got in the way and the trip was cancelled. I'm still sad about that. I was so looking forward to that trip. I keep asking when we are going on a cruise. The last time I asked I got told, "Don't you think we should wait until you are through with cancer treatments?" So, as of mid-June, we are going to start planning for a cruise.

It has been a wonderful adventure. A neighbor told me recently that a woman is truly blessed if her husband makes her laugh everyday. I am truly blessed because Eugene does make me laugh everyday and sometimes more than once. :)

Relay for Life

The company I work for, Linx Wireless, is sponsoring a team for Relay for Life. My co-worker and friend, Rae Ann, and I are the co- captains of the team. Relay for Life is a fund raiser sponsored by the American Cancer Association. Each team needs 12-15 team members who are willing to take turns walking from 7 p.m. to noon the next day. The relay will be held on June 27-28 at the Soda Springs High School Track and Football Field. At the relay the track will be lined with luminarias, sacks with lights in them. Each luminaria will represent a person who has survived cancer, died from cancer or is currently under going cancer treatment or a caregiver of a cancer patient. Each team member is required to raise $100. In addition, we will have a raffle. We will raffle a quilt, an afghan and several other smaller items. We will also have money jars in each of our 5 locations. The quilt is one that I worked on while I was doing chemo therapy. I will post a picture when I get one taken.

More about the luminaria. Each one costs $10. The sack can then be decorated by the person who purchased it or, if you choose, by the team member you purchased the sack from. If you are interested in purchasing a sack in someone's name, please contact me. I will be happy to decorate the sack for you. I need to sell 10 of these sacks.

Raffle: If you are interested in purchasing raffle tickets, they are $5 each or 5 for $20. Let me know if you would like to help with this worthwhile fundraiser. All monies will be given to the American Cancer Society to be used for cancer research.

Quote #3

The other day I received an email with a video clip from an Oprah show. It was about a man who is dying of cancer. Treatments don't work anymore. He has three small children. He is a professor at a university who, as his last lecture, told about his life, what made it so great and how he has chosen to be happy as long as he is still alive. From the lecture I gleaned these two quotes.

Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.

AND

There are 3 parts to an Apology:

1- Say "I'm sorry."

2- Say "It was my fault."

3- Ask "How can I make it right?"

I don't have the email anymore or I would post the link. I'm sure you could find it on Oprah.com if you wanted to watch it. It is about an 11 minute video but well worth watching.

Quote #2

Sarah has this awesome book she keeps in her bathroom. I read some really great quotes in the book, but since I didn't write them down, I don't remember them. I'll have to use one I have.

"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again

more intelligently."

Henry Ford

Fun Times

Laura and Kasey and the girls weren't able to make it to our house for a visit. We were sad about that, but so glad they made it home safely.

Eugene and I drove to Ogden Friday night. Emigration Canyon was pretty scary. Blowing and drifting snow had narrowed the road to about 1 1/2 lanes. So glad there wasn't much traffic. We spent the night at Sarah and Eric's. Eric and Eugene went to the Sportsman's Expo in SLC with Glenn, John, Warren and boys. They had a good time. Sarah, Emery, Evan and I went to JoAnn's and picked out fabric for their new baby's quilt. The boys were very good and thought it was cool we were buying stuff for the new baby. This evening we had dinner with Debbie and Glenn and had a nice visit.

Debbie had a new quilt book. The quilt on the front was beautiful!!! It was log cabin blocks with friendship star blocks. I can't wait to get it built on my EQ5 quilting software. It was made with red white and blue fabrics, my favorite!!!

Bear Laker

Holy Cow!! We haven't had a winter like this for years! Eugene made it home from work, but just barely. They closed the road from Soda to Montpelier shortly after they left to come home. He was 15 minutes late getting home. He went to gas up the work car in case they can get to work tomorrow. He said he learned at Maverik that all roads leaving Montpelier are closed. The wind is blowing hard. There were two avalanches in Montpelier Canyon today. Someplace in the valley a baby was born at home because the mother couldn't get to the hospital. An ambulance was called out to take baby and mom to the hospital, but the ambulance couldn't get to the home. I was supposed to be to a meeting in Soda tonight at 7. Needless to say, I stayed home. It will be interesting to see what happens in the morning. Eugene has been snowed in at work several times, but never snowed in at home when he needed to be to work.

Hobby

I love to make quilts. I used to love to hand quilt them, but it is so hard on my back that it takes forever to get them quilted. I have a friend who owns a quilting machine. She does absolutely fabulous work. This picture is of a quilt I made for Michelle, our daughter-in-law.

Fun Times

Laura, Kasey and the girls are coming tomorrow. Laura and Kasey are getting taxes done and I get to watch the girls. I am going to make valentine cookies with Makayla. Ellie too if she's interested.
Next week Sarah, Eric and the boys are coming to get their taxes done. How fun is that! All the grandbabies are coming for a visit in the next two weekends. Woo Hoo!!!!

Scarlet Macaws

Here is the picture of the Scarlet Macaws that Eugene took when we were in Texas in November.

We drove down to visit with Charlie and Michelle. They moved to Texas in August. Charlie had to go back to work before we were able to go to Houston so Michelle drove us down. We went to a place called Moody Garden in Galveston. There was a rain forest area that was beautiful. It was full of birds and other creatures and plants that live in a rain forest. There were several other kinds of macaw's, but the Scarlet Macaws are Eugene's favorite. (Click on image to see a larger version.)

Now that was a snowstorm

Last night Eugene was moving picture files off the desktop computer to his external hard drive. I was sitting in the family room when I heard "Mom, come and look at this." (yes, he calls me mom and I call him dad.) I went into the office and he was looking at pictures taken on Jan 9, 2005. Now that was a snowstorm. He was out on his old wheeler plowing, I was taking pictures to send to Lizzie, who was on a mission in Ecuador at the time. I think there must have been a foot of snow on top of the Cruiser. When Laura teaches me how, I'll post a picture.

When the kids were still all at home, we had a snowstorm that dumped 3 feet of snow in 24 hours. It was on Feb 14th. It must have been right around 1994 because the 4-wheeler was new. I had been complaining about the 4-wheeler payment. After that, I didn't complain any more. I was just glad that we didn't have to shovel all that snow by hand.

SNOW

Oh My!! We got three + inches of snow last night which doesn't really sound like a lot. It wouldn't be if we didn't have to shovel the bank left by the city snowplows. (Not complaining. Just glad they plow!) I didn't get up to walk this morning because my walking partner has the flu. Besides, I figured I'd get plenty of exercise shoveling snow today. Eugene got home from work just after 7 and started the job. I went out to help him shortly after he started. That was better exercise than I ever get walking. I will be soooooooooo glad when he gets his new 4-wheeler!!! I don't mind shoveling the walks, but I don't like shoveling the bank because the side banks are getting too high for me to toss the snow over. If I can figure it out, I'll post pictures. I know, Katie. You are probably thinking "Big deal. Three inches." Where she lives they got over a foot in 24 hours. That would bury our Cruiser! Ok. I'm rambling now. More later.

Quote #1

"Success is not the key to happiness.

Happiness is the key to success.

If you love what you are doing,

you will be successful."

Albert Schweitzer

Intro

I have been reading the blogs of a few of our children. They are so interesting and I have learned so much about them that I didn't know. I thought maybe this would be a good way to keep in touch with family and friends so I too have started a blog. It may take me some time to figure out how to do more than just post. Maybe when Laura comes next week she can give me a lesson or two.
Our children will understand the blog name. For those of you who are wondering about it, I will explain. Eugene, my sweetheart, is a dedicated Jimmy Buffet fan. Jimmy Buffet fans are referred to as "Parrotheads". He is such a huge fan that he even had a hat made with a macaw on it. Eugene is a very talented amateur photographer. He took a picture of a couple of scarlet macaws. They now grace the desktop of our computer with the title Parrotheads. I'm sure you can guess why the empty nesters.
I thought it would be fun to post quotes. My first thought was to post a quote each day. Then I decided that life gets crazy and I didn't want to set a goal that I couldn't keep up. So, I will begin by posting a quote at least once a week. That way the quotes I have will last longer too. :)