What Happened To July?

I know I was away from my computer in July, but it seriously went by like a flash. I'm glad I took a few pics of things I did, or I would have missed it completely.

I made some pioneer clothes for Jordyn to wear on her Trek this year. She and Taylor were experiencing their first pioneer trek in July. I made pantaloons, skirts, aprons, sunbonnets, and kerchiefs. Taylor wore an old pair of Papa K's suspenders and his outfit in large part came from Goodwill. Summer promised to send me pics, so I will update this post later with a more complete set of photos. All I had in my camera was one set of pantaloons. I wasn't very smart with my camera this summer.

Jordyn was asked to speak in Church the Sunday after their Trek. Grumpy and I were in Mesa, so went to hear her. I could tell she developed a soft spot in her heart for the pioneers that sacrificed so much so we could have all that we do now. I have never been on a trek, but felt that same reverence for all those who gave up so much when we visited some of the church history sites in Nauvoo, Kirtland and so on. We have no idea how brutal their experiences were. We can only imagine. I enjoyed Jordyn's sweet testimony of the things she felt.

It was a pleasure to sew for her knowing she would be touched by the spirit. I know Taylor was too, he just isn't very articulate about it. They are both great kids.

I am looking forward to hearing about her next Trek in a couple more years. This time Rylee will get to go.

My only experience with the pioneer spirit was the celebrations our wards did when I was little. I do remember my Mom's pioneer dress. She made it out of a black small print calico. It had yellow bias binding and white lace on the bodice. She had a matching bonnet too. I can't remember what I wore, or Tracy, but I know Curt had a cowboy hat, levi's and chaps. There was always a parade of various home-made covered wagons. Mostly a red wagon with some kind of domed white sheet. There was taffy and home-made ice cream. I so wish I had pics of some of that. Though all of that was fun, I am very glad to see the Treks happen for our youth. I know they take lots of time and money to organize, but I think it is a great way for our kids to be touched in small part by those amazing Saints. Most of us will thankfully never experience the events that put our ancestors on the trail for Salt Lake, but I am grateful they were up to it and endured.

Sacred, Honored Pioneer.

Cousins, long ago

Thanks to Nandina (top row third from left), or Russ (left of Doug in the flight suit)? whoever posted this photo on Facebook. Wow, what a bunch of kids we were. So funny to see how young we all were in this. And we all still like each other! That's pretty awesome considering we don't see each other very often anymore. I am standing next to Marlane on the top row. (in the blue/green shirt)  I love your flight suit Doug! Tracy has her Barbie box. I think it was taken at Grandma and Grandpa Schnepf's house. We lived across the street from them, and next door to Uncle Max and Aunt Carolyn. Must have been Christmas. So fun. I have such a great family.

Bicycles, Skates and Hula Hoops

For some reason unknown to me I have been thinking of the childhood pastimes of my youth. Maybe it's because Taya's family got bikes this year.  There is so much video game technology in the homes and apparently my subconscious is in high gear. For whatever reason in the early morning (I don't want to wake up) hours, I find my dreams/memories going to the days of childhood play. Sadly, I have no pictures of my roller skates, hula hoop or bike, but found some similar pics on the web to use.

Some of the things I remember:

Riding my bike everywhere. It was what they now call a beach cruiser. A Huffy, green and white. I rode to friend's houses, to the grocery store, to the ever popular A&W Rootbeer Stand that was a couple of miles or so from my house in Chandler. Most of the time with friends. There were no helmets or knee pads. Kidnapping wasn't as prevalent, I didn't even wear shoes most of the time. I rode to my friend Nancy's house and all over Chandler. Of course it was a much smaller city then than now. I remember after moving to Mesa, riding to the (now gone) Dog & Suds for a hot dog and a rootbeer. , to my friend Marilyn's house and there were various and many other friends houses as well. I loved riding my bike because it got me where I wanted to go faster than I could walk. I loved riding my bike because I could go really fast and feel the wind rushing by my face. Look Ma, no hands. Yep, did that too. Bikes are great. Kids should spend more time on them.

I had a brief but passionate affair with the hula hoop. As much as I loved hula hooping, I just wasn't very good at it. I can still remember entering a City of Chandler Hula Hoop Contest (I must have been about 8). I thought I was going to win the day. I thought I could keep that hoop going forever. Wrong. I was one of the first ones to disqualify by my hoop falling down to the ground. So disappointing. I reserved my hula hooping to the back yard.

Speaking of the back yard. When we lived in Chandler, we lived next door to my Uncle Max and Aunt Carolyn. Since our parents were related, and built the houses about the same time, there was no fence between our back yards. Just one, big, two house size back yard. I loved that. I could run over to my cousins house right out the back door anytime I wanted. That house is still there. It remains in the fond memories of both Nana and Papa as an all time favorite. Nana would talk about it often and kept a set of builder's plans for it. Papa still talks about it, and we drive by now and then to see it. 800 W. Tyson St. in Chandler. Good memories.

Now about the skates. Roller skates. No in-line wheels or boots to put on. Just adjustable skates with yes, a key to tighten them onto our shoes. Where were the helmets and knee pads back then? I could have used them. I remember being so determined to learn how to balance and skate on wheels. I would go out every day after school to practice and learn. I did master the forward motion, not falling down and I could do a great u-turn, but beyond that was not in the cards. I never learned to backwards skate or do any tricks. Oh well. I still had a lot of fun skating around the hood.

Some of my other pastimes were the still popular Barbie Dolls, I had a larger doll I called Revlon and I loved (but never had) the then popular Betsy McCall doll. Those are all a topic of their own.

Hopscotch was a fun game and I did love jacks. I would play both of those with and without friends around for hours. I was pretty good at jacks, but never competed in any contests. (memories of the hula hoop no doubt.) I still have a set of jacks somewhere. I have been known to buy them once in a while for no good reason. It would be a cold day in H@&& before I would/could sit on the floor with knees folded to play jacks. I buy them just the same. I loved the "superballs" when they first came out. They were yellow and had such a great bounce.

All great memories and I'm glad I played outdoors. Outdoors is a good place to play in.

Wow, look at my face!

My cousin Vicki sent me this pic a couple of weeks ago. She had emailed me to let me know her ex-husband had passed away. Although not the best circumstances, it was nice to hear from her. She later sent this photo of her and I and I just had to laugh at our faces. We are pretty serious/upset/stressed about something. I wish I could remember what. Too funny. I love my little dress and her cute shirt and shorts. Somebody sure needed to mow and edge their lawn. That is some serious overgrown grass. I love pictures like this and I'm grateful to have it in my files now. Thanks Vicki.

I Should Explain…

Why do I have cotton on my blog? Long ago and far away my dad was farming. He had some acreage east of Queen Creek. I think they are building a High School on part of it now. When I was about 10 or 12 (maybe, I can't remember how old I was) I got the bright idea that I could work pulling weeds in the cotton fields to earn some of my own money. The term I believe was “chopping cotton”. I'm sure my dad knew this was not going to work out, but happily took me to a field, showed me what to do and left me there. It was August. The sun was hot (hotter than hades) and the rows were long. Really long. I stuck to it for awhile, but figured out that I didn't like this kind of labor. Not only didn't like it, but that I wasn't very good at it. Some of those weeds were strong and stubborn. Much more stubborn than I was. (About weeds anyway). An early foretelling of my lack of green thumb. My dad grew and cared for lots of crops, my mom was really good at growing things, all my moms people were farmers, so what happened to me? I'm sure the burning desire to succeed was just not there for me. In any event, dad showed up after awhile and with a smile on his face paid me dollar and took me back to the shady barn where there was a fan and some cold water. My farming days were over. I do have a deep and abiding appreciation for those who work in the fields of the farmland. They work hard and long. I don't think we appreciate our farming industry nearly enough. I still try and buy the products made from American Cotton Farmers rather than the overseas sources when I can. Just a little thing, but to me it's my way of supporting our farmers here.

August has always felt like my blog art this month. Cotton and other crops getting ready to be harvested, the bright unrelenting sun that just burns the days away. For me as a youth it was the last month of summer as we didn't start school until after Labor Day. I remember riding my bike to my friend Marilyn's house, or running there most of the time in bare feet. I would run along the grass at the edge of the sidewalk for the most part, then through a vacant lot or two. I knew where all the broken glass was, and all the sticker patches. Trial and error of course. I remember that every August without fail our air conditioner would break down in the house we were renting. While it was being repaired we would sleep outside at night on the trampoline. I also spent some time at my grandparents cabin in Greer. We would in some years go for much of the month of August and I would sew like crazy making my school dresses, etc. My grandmother would buy fabric at the T.G.&Y in Showlow and I would make dresses for my cousin that was just older than me. I didn't really know her, she was not a first cousin and their family lived in Tempe I think. Grandma was always trying to help out with clothes and food for them, so I made a few dresses for her. I would also sew for my younger girl cousins and with the money I earned from that would buy, you guessed it, more fabric for me. Much easier to me than chopping cotton. I learned to crochet in that cabin too. I remember the first afgan I made. It was lavender, white and pink. Wow. I was making it to match my room. I eventually finished it, long after it would ever match my room. August has lots of memories for me. Walks down to the creek (where all the stinging nettle was) and up the mountain to the spring house behind the cabin. Trips to the “tootsie roll store” that was really a little country store right outside Springerville with Grandpa. Fishing trips to the surrounding lakes to catch rainbow trout. Over to the Butler's store in Greer, and of course visiting the cabins of neighbors on the mountain. Mac, Mr. and Mrs. Green, and Shreve Peterson are the ones that stick out in my memory.

After my Junior year in high school, we didn't go to the cabin anymore. I haven't been there since, except to drive by it a couple of times in our travels. I didn't have a real close relationship to my maternal grandparents, but of all the memories I do have the happiest are at the cabin. I appreciate the time we were able to spend there and the great memories and skills I took with me from those days. It was like a time bubble there and life was slower and more simple. It is my dream to try and leave a legacy like that to my family someday. Who knows, it could happen. With luck and lots of prayer.

August is only half here now. I can't say I'm ever sorry to see it go. We still have a few birthdays to celebrate and commemorate. Even an anniversary at the end of the month. Only crazy people get married in August in Arizona. But then, we are all a little crazy. Pre-requisite in this family. September, although still hot brings the promise of cooler days and speaks loud and clear that the best months are just around the corner.

The Official Dessert for the Summer

I thought I would post a little bit about Nana's ice cream. She was so good at whipping up a batch or two, and Papa would do the honors of freezing it. She would make Vanilla (with just a touch of lemon flavoring in it) and bake a big chocolate cake often in the summertime. Works in perfectly with my idea of what the summer food groups ought to be. Who needs dinner when you can have cake and ice cream? I can remember many phone conversations that either started or ended with, “I have ice cream in the freezer for anyone who wants to come eat some with me!” After a while she got a recipe for the toffee ice cream and refined and honed it to perfection. I know Bob and Syd and Tracy and Kevin know how to do her recipe to it's finest. I posted a picture of the recipe above and I think if you click on it, it will appear much bigger. I guess you can print it out from that, or you could leave a comment with your email address and I will send you a pdf file that I know will print out great. I am looking at the ice cream freezers now available at Sam's Club for around $60.00 in the half gallon size. They have both the hand crank feature and the electric motor attachment which would be nice. I may have to go back and get one to try out.

I just can't think of summer without the sound of the ice cream freezer going (especially on the holidays) and enjoying some ice cream with Nan and Pop. Those are precious memories and I treasure them. I'm glad I had a Mom that “went to all that trouble” for her family. I don't really know how anything could be that much trouble when you are doing such wonderful things for your family. After all, if you don't do special things for your family, who would you do them for? Thanks Nana and Papa for the many, many things you did for all of us. We have such a lot to remember.

I am posting the recipes on Nana's Cooks In Nana's Nook blog. I hope you will make some ice cream from her wonderful recipes and throw caution to the wind for some ice cream and cake for dinner sometime this summer. I, meantime, am going to explore more flavors and techniques to learn some new stuff. Freezer Time! I also will be going online to find a recipe for the Brandied Fruit that Nana used to keep going. It is a culture that must be tended and added to, much like the popular Friendship Bread that makes it's rounds from time to time. We would put it on vanilla ice cream and it was heaven. If I find it, I will post it.

Solitaire and Such

Pirates of the Caribbean playing cards. My souvenir from Disneyland. I love to collect playing cards from the places we visit. I have tiny cards from Hawaii and Alaska, regular size cards from the Royal Caribbean Cruise line, Disneyland and Las Vegas. I love to play spider solitaire, so it takes two decks for me to play. Yes, I play with real cards - not on the computer. I don't have a laptop, and I play cards in the kitchen a lot to pass the time while I'm canning, etc. I remember playing the regular 7-Card solitaire when I was little up at Gramma and Grampa's cabin. I loved to go to that cabin with my Mom and I learned lots of things there. Gramma and Mom taught me to crochet, and I still crochet all the time. It's great therapy for the stressed out brain. I've made afagans for almost all my kids, I am now working on one for Robert. Then, I guess I'll start over as Tawna's is looking a little worn now. Still pretty, but they could use a new one sometime. Gramma taught me to play solitaire and I spent many an afternoon in the cabin or on the front porch doing just that. Those days of afternoon rain showers when I would read (with M&M's of course), play cards or crochet are pretty ingrained. Every time it rains I start looking for a good book and a bag of M&M's, the most recent afagan in progress or a deck of cards. Funny the things that stay with us for a lifetime. I loved those days of quiet, peaceful times. We had lots of fun too, but the things I learned have really stuck with me. I remember Gramma canning all kinds of stuff. She was an avid fisherman and would bottle rainbow trout. She put Catalina salad dressing in with it and I only wish I knew what else. After being pressured it tasted like salmon. So good. One of the other things I did a lot at the cabin was sew. I would bring fabric with me and make all my clothes for school while I was there. I sometimes would sew for various cousins too. If I ran out of fabric, we would go to Showlow to the T,G&Y (dime store) and buy some more. I guess this is on my mind lately as I'm finishing up a couple of weeks of sewing baptism outfits and doing dresses too for Faith and Madison. I will finish Madison's (after the font) dress tonight and I am happy I could make these things for the girls. The outfit to be dunked in was so very cute on both of them. I made the same pattern for them both, and I love the way they looked in it. So very sweet all in white. I am thankful I had a patient Mom and Gramma and that they didn't give up on me when I was frustrated in the learning process. I take great joy and comfort in being able to make things for my family.

I'd probably get a lot more done if I lived in a really rainy place! (not).

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.

Sentimental Sunday…

For some unknown reason I happen to be thinking about my Sundays of olden days (my childhood and youth). You know, back when we barely had TV. No playstations, no game boys, no cell phones, ipods, or any of that. Yes, I'm old enough that we didn't even have the sunday meeting block! We actually went to sunday school in the morning, went home for a few hours and came back for sacrament meeting. Primary, MIA (aka young men/young women) and Relief Society was held during the week on various days. Homemaking meetings were once a month and were really about the homemaking skills that are somewhat out of vogue now. Quilting, (for everyday use), canning, cooking, sewing, managing a home on your budget and so on. I know some of those things are still with us these days, but on a different level. We would have a nice sunday dinner, sometimes get in the car for a sunday drive and were known to just drop in and visit the home a family friend for a few minutes. Pretty laid back. 

Best of all were the evening hours. We all looked forward to the Sunday evening TV programming. I am really old. Not all the programming was even in color! One of my favorites to watch was the Wonderful World of Disney program. It was only for an hour but I loved to watch the various series they would play. Johnny Tremaine, Davy Crockett, various animal behavior shows done only the way Disney could, Johnny Appleseed, and many others. We viewed these shows as a family and also looked forward to other shows like Bonanza, The Man from Uncle and so on. The highlight was always Disney for me. Walt Disney usually had a little spiel he gave at the first of the show and then the Disney castle would appear and the song “When you wish upon a star…”. I was a faithful viewer long into Jr. High. and even sometimes in High School. I love those old stories.

I couldn't find an image of just the Disney Castle that used to be their logo, so had to settle for the castle in the Disneyland logo. I'm glad to see that Disney still plays such a big part of my grandkids lives. Not just on Sunday, but they provide good entertainment of a reasonably wholesome nature everyday on the Disney channel. Imagine that, a whole channel of just Disney. But that's what they do … imagine.

Sentimental Sunday…

I am reminded today about the truly good cooks I have learned from. We had Robert over for dinner and he chose chicken fried steak for his birthday dinner. I learned from the best - Gramma Dorothy - she takes the prize for chicken fried steak. I remember when I was dating Grumpy, long long ago, feeling a bit worried that I wouldn't be up to par with her cooking. Some of the many things we call our favorites still from the kitchen of Gramma Dorothy are of course, chicken fried steak, swiss steak, homemade macaroni and cheese, pineapple and cheese jello salad, BBQ pork, stacked enchiladas, and many more. Nana is also a hard act to follow in the kitchen. She just seemed to know what would work together. A huge tradition from my Dad's side of the family is chocolate cake served in a glass with milk poured over the top and eaten with a spoon. It took Nana a while to get used to that when she married pop, but that's how we all grew up eating chocolate cake. It is definitely a family fav. Again - that was on Robert's dinner list tonight. I remember eating cake for breakfast many times growing up. She always figured it was there to eat, but we all tried to save the last piece for Papa. Nana made green chile to die for along with sunday pot roast, any kind of pie, fried chicken, turkey dinner - it's all about the dressing - and so many other wonderful foods that are family traditions. I have been guilty of thinking there was something wrong with us that everything we do seems to include food. I remember her telling me that family traditions do have a lot of food involved; probably because we plan our get togethers around dinner time because everyone has to eat, so they might as well come do it together. I am thankful for the food, the memories of the food, the food prep and all the memories associated with that and the happy wonderful family traditions that have resulted because of the family getting together to simply eat and converse. Yes, we do many things together as a family, and most of them include some kind of food. It seems to work for us, and I am glad we are a family of great cooks and have fun learning from each other as well. I define a great cook as anyone not afraid to try new stuff, keep the good learned from it and remember what didn't work so as not to do it again. Of course it goes without saying that the food involved is savory, healthy (most of the time) and shared. 

Chicken Fried Steak, mashed potatoes (which I forgot until the last minute), chicken gravy, candied carrots, french cut green beans, taffy apple cookie pizza and Chocolate cake and milk. (I forgot the salad completely) It's hell getting old, I can't remember anything. 

Good times.   

A Box of Chocolates weekend…

That simile is probably the best way to sum up not only the weekend, but life in general for me. Jade came to town Thursday late to be here at the start of Friday to cut, color and beautify her family. I'm sure as always it was a long day for her, but she left beautiful people in her wake. The pics on Taya's blog are priceless. It was fun to watch. Jeff got here late Friday with the rest of the Jarvis clan just in time to say hey and get the boys down to bed. Saturday Grumpy went to a fly-in pancake breakfast hosted by the airpark in Heber. He went to see what was what and had a great time. I was hoping he would make it back in time to go to a morning movie with some of the kids, but it was not to be. I ended up at Get Smart with Tawna, Nathan, Jade and Jeff.  It was funny and I laughed a lot. After the movie and all the regular movie food of popcorn, red vines and smuggled in cashews - we headed to Olive Garden for some lunch. That of course is always good and we all protect our doggie bags at home lest someone eat our leftovers! I went to buy some new clothes as all of mine now have paint on them (largely due to the fact that I don't change into already painted clothes when I go to paint something) so I could go to my cousin Pam's new house for a family BBQ.  I found a few things I didn't hate, so started out for home.  Oh yeah - I remember now, I gotta make a coleslaw for the dinner, so off to Fry's for the makings. Finally home, make the salad and take the shortest route to getting ready.  I was beyond happy to finally find my razor. Still no shoes, but at least I can get rid of the european look, so I did. Got every thing done and to the BBQ - Pam and Gail's house is just beyond description.  Kevin and Howard did an outstanding job on it. I'm sure the Barney family will have many wonderful years in their beautiful new home. I can't believe I forgot my camera, but I did so have no pictures of the tour of their home. The home design, amenities and accoutrements were very well done. Nana and Pam pored over plans, re-drew and pored some more (thanks for being patient Robin). I helped a little, but Nana really had a lot fun helping Pam get down what she wanted on paper. Enjoyed ourselves immensely there and went on to a Golden Wedding Anniversary (that deserves capital letters) for my Uncle Darrel and Aunt Marg. It was so nice to see everyone there. I am just barely old enough to remember their wedding.  I was 5 when they were married. I still remember the dress I wore and how everything looked to me that night. I was so jealous that my cousin Marlane got to be their flower girl. My aunt Marg was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in her big wedding dress. It's funny how a memory will freeze in time for us. Their children did them proud with such a nice party in tribute. We completely wore Papa out Saturday with all the events I think. He is a good sport and really enjoys going and doing. Bobby got back from scout camp with stories to tell, and Sunday brought church, some much needed down time and a lovely dinner at Gramma and Papa Harmon's with Dawson and Jacque too. Chicken fried steak made only the way Gramma can make it.  Delicious. We got in a quick visit to Richard and Stacie on the way home and got to see the progress in the house there. Moving just takes so long - maybe it's the settling in that takes so long. I love weekends that go too fast because there is so much to enjoy. I never really know what to expect, but love the surprise of the things that evolve. I so love spending time with my family and friends. Now if I can just find that box of shoes…

Heaven is in the air

You can smell it all around you.  Just walk outside and catch the sweet heady smell of orange blossoms.  I want to sleep outside.  It's amazing how the smell of something can bring up memories long put away.  I remember dates I went on with Richard in high school and how sweet the air smelled.  Going to the easter pageant and enjoying the soft spring night.  I can still remember closing on our house in Redlands in March.  One night as we were moving in there I wanted to kneel down and kiss the driveway because it smelled like my home in Mesa.  Redlands is orange grove country too and I enjoyed living there because it was more like Mesa.  My Grandpa Schnepf planted oranges trees in Mesa, long, long ago.  It was somewhere around Alma School Road and maybe Main or University I think. My mom lived “in the groves” when she was a child and remembered the wash house he built my gramma so she had a place for her wringer washer and clotheslines. People thought he was crazy, but the trees grew and along with other crazy men made Mesa home to many orange groves.  Not so many now, but there are still enough to perfume the air and provide citrus at Christmas and through Feb. and Mar.  I love this time of year.

This year is going too fast!

March is here!  This year is slipping by entirely too fast.  I just have one question…what's with Easter in March?  I know there's an equinox or something and passover is in the equation somewhere, but April really needs Easter.  March already has St. Patrick's Day, Spring Break and of course there are always birthdays, but April is barren without Easter.  I know April Fool's Day is in there, but that's so minor.  Our two weeks of Spring is supposed to be around Easter, and when that is March it makes the summer arrive so quickly.  Easter in March is just wrong.

Meanwhile, birthdays coming up are Tawna and Taya on the 22nd and cousin Ali Stewart on the 23rd.  I can still remember how odd it was that Jacque and I had babies just a few hours apart.  Gramma and Papa Harmon had 3 grandkids in 12 hours.  Crazy days.

More classes coming up - can't wait to learn how to embroider on the computer/sewing machine, learn how to make awesome rolls for Easter dinner (in March), and finish Jade and Jeff's afagan.  It's all done except the fringe.  Pretty exciting for me, but now I need to start another one, so I'll have something to take with me when I go places and have to wait.  I've made several afagans just by hauling them with me to hospital waiting rooms, Dr. office waiting rooms, road trips and even D-Back games.  There's lots of history crocheted into them by the time they are done.  I think it's Taya's turn next, but I may do two at once and get started on Robert's too.  It seems like I wait around a lot these days.  

Today is my brother Curt's birthday.  He would be 49.  He passed away on my 12th birthday, it seems like another lifetime ago.  He was such a special kid, sort of wise beyond his years.  Gentle and so slow to anger.  It was a privilege to be his sister and know him for the five short years he was here.  He taught us to be forgiving and kind, because he was.  I still remember the matchbook car collection he kept in a small suitcase.  He loved to play with those cars and would spend hours pretending the things little boys pretend with their cars.  He had one little friend that was not nice to his cars and it bothered him to have to share with him when he came to play because he always broke the cars he played with.  One day he asked Mom if he shared all his others toys with this friend, could he please just but his cars away somewhere while he was there to play.  When Mom asked him why he didn't want to share his cars with him, he told her it hurt him to see his friend break his special toys.  She agreed that he could put his toys in her room while this friend was there so they wouldn't be there to play with.  He never fought with his friend or was mean about it.  He was only 4.  We could learn a lot from that.  I still miss him and am grateful for the knowledge that I will see him again someday.  Even though I miss my Mom terribly I take such comfort in knowing she is able to be with him after so many years apart.    For me the loss of these loved ones isn't worry over their well being, or confusion about where they went, it's trying to make the hole they leave not hurt so much.  The hole never goes away, but with time it at least becomes manageable.  I love you Curt and think about you and Mom and the time you get to spend together now.