Sentimental Thursday?

This evening I was out at Taya's in Queen Creek helping her out with the kids until Kevin got home. She isn't supposed to lift anything heavy for a few days, so I was there mostly for Lauren and Emersyn. The other kids are pretty self-sufficient and are very good helpers. We had an excellent dinner - Cream Cheese Chicken, (posted on Nana's blog) and watched “Wild Hogs”. Lauren watched her Tinkerbell movie, Kaitlin was on the computer and Daron did his chores and read some this evening. Pretty quiet night, except for Emmy's evening wail (right on time) and Lauren's battle of the wills a couple of times. I love that her hair had a wild day today. I like the “I'm still cute no matter how crazy my hair is” look now and then.

So why is this sentimental to me?

Aside from the fact that I was able to help out a bit, the sentimental part happened on the way home. It's a fair drive home and one can never be certain which roads are the better routes as there is still lots of road construction going on everywhere. Tonight I chose to go west on Queen Creek Road. I crossed over Higley and about halfway to Greenfield (I think there is a Lowe's about there) there is a short bridge of sorts. Well whoever paved this bridge had consumed one too many. Road waves would be a good description. Several dips in a row that really get you bouncing. If you hit it going much over the speed limit, I'm sure you would be airborne. I have crossed it several times now and every time I just start laughing. I was a little puzzled by this reaction, now several times and paused to think about it tonight. My memories were suddenly flooded by the many, many times my Mom, Tracy, Bobby and I drove down the old Rittenhouse Road (I think) on our way out to my Dad's farm in Queen Creek. We would often go out and cook hamburgers for dinner in an old, square fying pan or sometimes fried chicken for lunch. We would play in the barn and mess with the electric hoist, throw rocks in the ditch and other endearing things to my Dad I'm sure. I always thought it was so cool that he had a refrigerator in his office in the barn. On that road we traveled there were many dips. When Mom, or Dad took them a little on the fast side, we got that funny tummy you get when you go too fast in the elevator. I always thought that was the most fun road and would watch to see the Boys Ranch go by. I knew when we passed that landmark (still there under a different name) that the dips were coming. Happy childhood times. Funny, fond memories that make me laugh still when I go over a few dips on a badly paved bridge.

Lauren's Birthday Bash

What else but a BBQ for Lauren's birthday? It's just what we do. The kids all had such a great time. I didn't take very many pictures, I guess I was too busy eating. I got a few. Of course if you know Summer at all, you know she has to have some Emmy time. She and Stacie are the baby lovers in the family.



I caught most of “the Grands” trying to eat in relative peace. The hamburgers and chicken were great, Gramma H. Made potato salad that was awesome, Jade made BBQ beans (yummmy), Summer made some really good Texas Potatoes that I wish she would post on Nana's Nook blog. They are so good. I made the favorite thing of course…the chocolate cake. It looked really good, but alas, I didn't get a bite! I did get to lick the frosting pan ahead of time though.


It was hard to catch Lauren. She was running through the bubbles like there was no tomorrow. She really loves bubbles. I would say she had an outstanding birthday weekend.


The Pumpkins. Another good intention gone by the wayside. We had every intention of letting the kids carve to their hearts content, but it was not to be. The night went too fast and the ugly school night monster reared it's head. Off to bed went the carvers, hopefully to carve another day. I really love pumpkins. They look good just sitting there in a big pile on the table.
Maybe we will get an earlier start next year.

Princess Pey Pey–Happy Birthday

Little Lauren is turning 3. Graduating from the terrible two's to the horrible three's. She is so very cute and is really quite funny. I think it was Jade that got the “Princess Pey Pey” thing started. Not that she's spoiled at all. Never. 

Some things we love about Lauren are:

• Her pretty red hair
  
• Her pretty blue eyes
  
• She says a lovely prayer 
  
• She throws an awesome tantrum
  
• Her ability to sing and say the movies she watches
  
• Her wonderful outfits
  
• She loves her little people she pretends with
  
• She loves her Roxie
  
• Her funny run
  
• Her crazy hairstyles when she wakes up
  

Happy Birthday Lauren. We love you.

The Who am I quiz done twice…

I went on the Twilighters site last night with Jade and she tested an Esme. I took it last night, very late and came up the same. I thought at the time how weird that was, but who really cares right? Esme is really awesome, she does some great things and is certainly okay to be like. I just never thought of myself with her particular qualities. I went back on the site tonight and really thought about my answers. I tried to pick the ones I really thought I would do, or whatever. I came up a Bella this time. Maybe I'll try it tomorrow and see if anything changes. It's a fun quiz - I loved the series and hope the movie does it justice.

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins

I love pumpkins. We need to have a pumpkin carving party. Leave your comments and we'll see if we can find a time to have some fun with the kids.



I'll even look for my little tools. I hear they are making pumpkin carving tools electric this year. Now that would be fun.

I'm not dreaming…

They are really here. Jade and Jeff are back among us and we are loving it. It's been quite a week so far. The days are very busy trying (trying being the operative word here) to get things down to a manageable level. I still have so much to go through in the basement, it is overwhelming. I haven't been very dedicated, so will have to get back to it. I can find excuses all day long, but will eventually face the music and go and get it done. What did they just say at October conference? The only thing that's constant is change. How true it is. 

I am so grateful for my family. I know how blessed we are to be living here with our sweet Pop. He is such a good man. I have a wonderful brother and sister that I love very much. Now that I'm getting sloppy, I just have to say I thank my heavenly father every day (well most days) for the patient man I'm married to. He is the bomb. The best. My mac daddy man forever. I'm sooooo thankful he puts up with all my drama. And even the lack of drama sometimes. 

In spite of all my good intentions, my Halloween decorations are limited to 4 mugs on the counter, the placemats on the table, some napkins in the holder and my favorite pumpkin cookie jar on the buffet. Man. This is bad. I did put some pumpkins in the atrium. whooo hooo.

I don't know what happened. It just got to be October 20th and I don't know how I missed getting the stuff out. The thought of going up and down the stairs about hundred times might have contributed to my procrastination. Maybe. I better start now for Christmas or things could be dismal. But before I sink into the things I didn't do list again, I guess there has been a lot of other stuff going on. Probably a lot more important than getting out the Halloween stuff. I will take comfort in that. 

Summer got out her Halloween box of costumes the other night when Richard and Stacie's kids were here, Jade and Jeff's kids were here and holy moly. They were having way too much fun with all that. Who knows what they will really end up with on Halloween, it will be fun to see. I've always said that I love happy noise. Well that was the happiest noise I've heard in a long time. Wow. The stuff of life.

Sentimental Sunday…

Today was a little crazy. We cleaned outside all day yesterday so there could be a youth fireside in the atrium on the west side of the house. We had a few lingering odds and ends in there from our move here (sadly that is not the only place), so it took awhile to dispense with the stuff, and then clean up. When I woke up today I remembered it was the annual Children's Sacrament Presentation at Tawna and Nathan's ward. I decided I've been a bad granny because I have missed several of those so I really wanted to go and see the kids. Jade and Jeff were going with their boys so there would be quite a group of us.  We were late because Grumpy didn't hear all the directions from Tawna and you know men - never ask enough questions. We were driving along the streets looking for the chapel and we did finally find it. He spotted it - I would have driven right by it, so I'm glad he has better eyes than me. 

When it was time for the presentation to begin one of their first songs was “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”. It is the second time in about a month I have heard that song from the primary children and I immediately teared up. I cannot hear that song and not think of Nana. I can still see her in my mind's eye singing that song. It is one of the few I remember her singing. I'm sure it is one of the oldest primary songs still in use and I love it so much. The expression on her face, her unique voice. I can see and hear her so clearly still. Sweet memories.

It has made me think about the little things we all do every day. You never know the random things that will leave their impression behind. I know I am going to try much harder to leave better moments. 

Went to choir practice today in the middle of all that was going on. We sang some beautiful hymns and special numbers for Thanksgiving. I wish we spent more time celebrating Thanksgiving. It is such a great holiday. I am so looking forward to whoever is coming for dinner, the weather being even cooler and the quiet holiday that it is before the crazy days of Christmas come. We ended choir practice with a first time run through of the Hallelujah Chorus by Handel. Most of us have performed it before, but have not seen it in at least a year. We did surprisingly well and it is always a joy to sing it. Practice or not. 

I love music. I love the emotion, passions and drama it evokes in all of us. The peace it can bring, the comfort it offers. Even the simplest of Primary songs can be a part of my heart forever.

Okay, I'll give this a shot!

I don't do tags very often any more. It generally requires more introspection than I am willing to do. I had fun with this one because it allowed me to contrast what I was doing ten years ago with today's to do list. I'm not sure the phrase “You've come a long way baby” would apply to me today. That being said, I hope ten years from now I'll have a different perspective on my life right now.
I can see the value of a journal (in my case a blog). I'm sure ten years ago my list would have been very different. We really do remember the big stuff, the little stuff gets swept away. Journaling (blogging) is a great way to keep the little stuff from disappearing completely. After all we are human. most of the time.

My Tag From Jacque

5 Things I was doing 10 yrs ago:
1. Just had a wedding for our oldest son.
2. Had just started remodeling our home off from Southern Ave. (this was an 8 year project)
3. Was working full time as a graphic artist.
4. Had just welcomed our second grandchild.
5. Had just purchased our second Sea Ray and were enjoying it immensely.

5 Things on my To-Do-List Today!
1. Get dressed. (I didn't)
2. Get rid of my horrible headache. (It is still with me)
3. Put away my 12 jars of Green Chile I canned yesterday. (Did that!)
4. Start making a stab at getting more stuff put away. (Okay, I made a stab at it)
5. Go to bed at a reasonable hour. (It's 1:30 a.m.)

5 Snacks I Love!
1. Most things chocolate. I can resist some chocolate. Really only the really cheap icky kind.
2. Crunchy Cheetos. I usually reserve them for road trips. Most of the time.
3. Chips and salsa - Gecko's chips are so good.
4. Potato chips, with or without dip. I love potato chips so I don't buy them often.
5. Oreos. I'm considering dry pack canning them so when times get tougher I will have some.

5 Things I Would Do if I Were a Millionaire!
1. Purchase all family members a home.
2. Hire a cleaning service.
3. Hire a lawn/landscape service.
4. Take the whole family on a Cruise with all the grandkids too. (Nannies would be part of the deal.)
5. Go to Culinary School, and then Cosmetology School. How fun would that be? I love school.

(the term millionaire would be more than 1 million, right?)

5 Places I've Lived!
1. Ramstien AFB, Germany
2. Provo and Orem Utah.
3. Denver, Colorado.
4. Riverside and Redlands, California
5. Okinawa, Japan

5 Jobs I've Had!
1. Lunchtime help at Pico's Mexican Food. Gone now, but not forgotten.
2. Cashier at Skaggs Drug Store chain. Gone now, probably forgotten.
3. Counter help at the Golden Scone in Utah. Also gone, unforgettable.
4. Folk Art Painting instructor. Classes in my home - so fun. I miss it sometimes.
5. Graphic artist at a printing company, and now from home.

5 People I Tag!
1. Tawna
2. Taya
3. Summer
4. Jade
5. Gramma Dorothy

It is fun to see how many of us would say the same things to the 7 catagories stated. I was pretty surprised I could come with 5 jobs outside of the being a mom thing. That was and is still the most demanding sometimes. Always room for improvement there, but I have a superb “staff”!

Things I didn't do today

I didn't “get ready” (again) so looked like I do in many of my pics. You'd think I'd learn, but no - I continue to just get up and get going. I need to repent and at least try to look like I care once in a while. I'm sure my husband would be grateful although he is a pretty good sport about it. 

I didn't go to Taya's to make yummy bread. She had lots to do today, like everyday, so we decided to procrastinate until Wed. to begin the bread tutoring saga. I am really looking forward to that. It means I will have bread in the house again, and I love good bread. 

I didn't make any progress in the basement menagerie and so it will continue to haunt my sleep (or lack of it). So much to do, so little motivation. Someday.

I didn't call my friend and wish her a happy (now belated) birthday. I guess the only way to make up for the many friends I haven't called in a long time is to get some kind of lunch date together so we can all catch up. But then again, they haven't called me either. Hummmmm.

I didn't do any laundry which means I will have to wear something too hot for the weather tomorrow, or too dressy, or just stay in my nightgown all day, because everything else is in the laundry. Now there's an idea. Thinking about that one…

Apparently I need an attitude adjustment and/or maybe a swift kick.  

As Scarlett O'Hara would say, “Tomorrow is another day!”

Little Artists!

I had a sweet surprise waiting on the back porch for me when I came home from a day of running around today. Stacie had come by and returned some of my Twilight Series books, and left me 8 works of art. The kids had drawn their version of our adventure to CiCi's pizza and thanked me for taking them there during my stay with them. They had also done a rendition of their Peter Piper Pizza excursion with Robert that I will post on his blog. I love the expression of their art and want to thank them for my surprise today. Great work kids. I love you.

Cemetery TLC

Papa and I went out to the cemetery today and put new arrangements out for Nana and Curt. Nana and I bought these cute pumpkins three years ago for Pop's 80th birthday party. They were very nice on the tables in the back yard and she really liked them, so thought it would be nice to put them in the flowers for Oct. Papa just had the flower vase and receptacle replaced on Curt's headstone so it's the first time we've been able to put any flowers on for him for awhile. I really appreciate the caretakers of the grounds out there. They do a wonderful job keeping everything so nice. Sorry the pics aren't very good quality. I forgot my camera and so the cell phone had to pinch hit. I really miss my brain.

Nine Years and Counting…

I remember nine years ago the craziness that was going on here in the backyard. There in no craziness like wedding craziness. The only peaceful, calm moments of the day were the ones spent in the Temple witnessing the sealing of our youngest daughter to our newest son-in-law. It was a sweet ceremony reminding us all in the room that marriage is a two way partnership. Give and take and lots of sacrifice for the other's happiness. I still treasure the moments of tranquility that accompanied those vows made for time and all eternity. Nine years into it, there are 3 beautiful, onery, smart, funny, and precocious boys. Jade and Jeff, I hope you will take time to remember the peace of those moments in the temple when you sealed your love for one another forever. It just gets better and better as you do all the things you promised you would that day. Your family is precious, your lives are progressing and you have so much to look forward to. Grumpy and I love you both so much and of course those handsome little dudes. Hope you have a wonderful anniversary.

Sentimental Tuesday

I was too crazy to post on Sunday, but instead went blog stalking and read the posts of others on Sunday. Something Jacque said got me thinking. She mentioned that most of her Sentimental Sunday posts seem to revolve around food. As do most of mine and some of our kids too. It reminded me of something Nana used to say. A friend of hers and long time visiting teacher was saying that she wanted to make stronger family traditions, but didn't enjoy cooking all that much and  “why does everything always revolve around food?”  I really loved Nana's response. She explained that it really isn't about the food. The food is just what gets people together and triggers the memories. Our family holidays do take place at mealtimes for the most part. Everyone has to eat, right? What better time to get together than a mealtime to share food and fun. Of course we love good food. That really isn't what the memories are all about though. We remember the good times and associate those with the sensory perceptions of food. Even smells will evoke memories of things, good and bad sometimes. 

Nana knew that food is what gets people together. We make the memories from there. I again so appreciate her wisdom and willingness to serve us all. This fall season has for some reason been very difficult emotionally for me this year. It is my first of all the occasions to be in her and Papa's home and the memories are wonderful, but hard. As Taya said in her blog, the open doors in the mornings are soon to start, but I don't think I can handle the music of Don Ho this year. I would just cry all day. And not only because it would be Don Ho. (not my fav). Music is right up there with memory association and it is just a little beyond us all here at the house for now. I am enjoying the season and hope to get through them all without a total meltdown. I still miss Nana so much. I am looking forward to making the house a fun place through the holidays and hope she will smile on us all and our efforts. I know she must be getting a kick out of our crazy canning mode. Gotta love it.

Grumpy's Latest Adventures

Got a little time away from work and honey-do's this month for a little fun! Robert wanted to go four-wheeling so I went with him and his friend Will one Saturday morning out southeast of Superior, where we had a great long climb up toward Crater Lakes. The jeep did great, until we started for home. On the way out, Robert was driving and I spotted a little road we hadn't tried before, so I had him take it. It was quite the four-wheel adventure. We eventually reached a point where we had to turn around but I realized I should have stopped him before we got that far, because we couldn't crawl back up. We had to "give it the gas" and ended up bouncing onto a big boulder that bent the tie-rod and prevented us from getting back up the mountain. So we had to leave the jeep in the canyon and walk out. Luckily for us, we came upon friends after a few miles, who gave us a ride back to the truck so we could get home.

I bought a new tie-rod and Robert and Will returned the next Wednesday and repaired and brought home the jeep. It was fun, but we should have avoided that little road!!!

Pop and I went to the Cardinal Flyers Organization's Convention in Wichita, Kansas the week of September 23rd. First though, we flew to St. Louis and spent a day and night with Daniel and Chelsey, before going on to Wichita, where we stayed with Charles and Crystyal at their nice home and ate way too much of Crystyal's great cooking...I actually gained 8 pounds in 6 days!!! It was the 40th Birthday of the Cessna 177 "Cardinal" and Cessna put on quite a show for us. We were given tours of Cessna's three factories, opportunities to talk with Lycoming engine, Garmin GPS and other technical reps, and had two or three banquets. The last banquet featured people who had worked on the Cardinal, including the Project Manager and the Test Pilot (He was 100 years old but you would never know he was a day over 80!), who told some great stories about my favorite small airplane. Over 90 Cardinal planes flew in for the convention and there was quite a variety of paint jobs and modifications among the group. I think Pop had a good time at the convention, but he really enjoyed being able to spend some time back in the old neighborhood. Don't ever let him tell you he had to walk miles to school as a youngster- I saw where he lived, and the school was just across the street! :-) We had a great time.

October, one of my favorite months

I do love October. I love decorating for Halloween. I love that the temp outside finally starts to drop to humane levels. October is the quiet before the holiday whirl that is coming so fast. Fall colors are everywhere, except of course on our trees here. We have to look at pictures to enjoy that part of fall. Nonetheless, I love the autumn shades mixed with the Halloween hues. The kids are talking about what they want to be for Halloween and we will be planning trips to the dunes very soon. Apples are coming, and while they are just as messy to can, will be a welcome change from peaches and pears. Tomatoes are still coming, but are winding down for us. 

Jade and Jeff will be celebrating 9 years together. I can't believe how fast time goes. Our little princess Pey Pey (Lauren Pearl) will be 3 and she's making the terrible 2's look good. 3's are always so much worse. I personally think it's because at 2 they really don't know and are learning what is okay and what is not. At 3 they mostly know and do it anyway. Little stinkers. 

Just got back from Safford with Summer and Rylee. Had fun being with Jade all day even though she was working. Summer got hair done, I got human toes and my eyebrows are once again separated. All in all a good day. Jaxon got his cast on (blue), and Rylee got a manicure complete with polka dots on her nail polish. Jade is always so good to us. We had dinner out and set off for home. Thanks for a fun day Miss Jade. 

I always enjoy these little road trips because whoever goes with me is a captive audience for a couple of hours. We get to talk and really visit and I love that time. Thanks for a great visit Summer and Rylee. Glad we found the DS. Right where we left it, right Rylee?