Steve, The Elk's new home…

I don't know what happened to July, but it is gone. I have unpacked all the boxes I could find that were brought from Summer's, and the hanger. That was quite a job. I still have boxes and bins to bring over from Pop's, but we are down to just that now. I have gone through stuff, put away stuff, consolidated stuff and thrown away stuff. It's a lot of stuff. I have given all the boxes away to Robert's friends who are moving, mostly because I don't ever want to pack up this stuff again. I hope we can grow old here and not move again. (Except for our time in Texas of course!). Robert has been a huge help with all the hauling and moving of said stuff. All the boys have done so much moving for us over the years, and they have all done some with this move too. I am thankful they have been so good to help us and appreciate their willingness and their muscles. Robert's friend Nick has been like one of my boys often in the moving scenario. Thanks to all of you, so very much. I have relied on Robert pretty heavy this time since Grumpy has been in Texas. He has come through and done it with no complaint. I can't say thanks often enough. Above is Steve the Elk finally hung in his new home. I'm sure Summer and Jamie are not missing him much! They were nice to let us hang him there for a while though. Below are some pics of our new digs. We are not completely settled in yet, but enough for now.





July was so busy. I became well acquainted with craigslist in my search for inexpensive pieces to furnish our apartment in Texas. I have been rewarded (in my 77 visits to craigslist) with furniture to make our life comfortable in our 1200 square foot apartment. I got a floorplan off a website for the complex and brought it up to scale (sort of) so I could see what would fit. It has been fun to search for just the right thing to fit here and there and find pieces that can store things as well. I have picked it all up, again with Robert's untiring help and stockpiled it in our dining room. I have visited IKEA also, as I like some of their storage solutions. I think I am finally ready for the moving guys to come and pack us up. That will be happening in a few days. If we are ever fortunate enough to have a cabin someday, I now have furniture for it. Craigslist was a huge help in keeping things affordable. Crazy, but affordable. All over the valley, but affordable. So glad I'm done with that.

Seeing Grumpy Off…

Dinner at The Claim Jumper is always a special occasion, but this time we were wishing Grumpy well on his new assignment in Texas. Yes, I will be going too, contrary to popular opinion. Grumpy has actually been there since the end of May and so far really seems to enjoy the new responsibilities he has. We couldn't get everyone in one place to say goodbye, so those that could come did.





Jamie was speaking in Stake Conference that same night, so after our dinner we joined he and Summer for his first talk in conference. He did a great job and I enjoyed his remarks immensely. He has had quite the life experiences and I am grateful his Father in Heaven was watching out for him. He is a good man.

Jade and Jeff were dealing with the craziness of moving and Jade going to full time status, so we missed them at dinner, but saw them later. We always miss Taya and Kevin at these things because they live in California. Just because they aren't here doesn't mean we aren't thinking of them though.

Dinner was awesome, and Grumpy told them all to order whatever they wanted because he was paying the tab. Whee-Hawww!
That was one large tab! Worth every penny to be there with our kids and enjoy an evening together.

I went with Grumpy to Texas to see what I could see. We started out in an extended stay hotel that was pretty grim. We stayed there for a few nights while trying to find something that was a little more acceptable and in a better part of town. That proved to be a difficult task. As the area is booming a bit because of an upswing in oil production, hotels are hard to come by. Grumpy happened to be out driving around and checking the various options and came upon one that someone was checking out of as he was inquiring. He got that room and we moved his stuff over immediately. Not what you'd call home, but way better than the first place.




The bed was just a double bed and really a hard mattress. I haven't slept on a bed that small since I was 9 or 10. Wow. Much less with someone. We were both truly miserable. I was headed home in a few days, so the misery was short-lived. We went to Wal-Mart and got a few essentials for the mini kitchen so Grumpy could make some meals. We got his clothes hung on the rack (about a 3 foot rack) and put things away as good as we could. This would be his home for a while as we (he) looked for something more permanent. Pretty spartan.

It wasn't terribly long before I got a call that Grumpy had found us a nice apartment. It is in a brand new complex and we are this apartment's first tenets. It is in a gated complex and has some nice facilities, including a fitness room which Grumpy has been using nearly everyday. He moved in his mini kitchen supplies, clothes and went and bought us a new bed (king size). He won't tell me what kind of bed he bought. He says it's a surprise. Okay. He then went and bought an office chair at Wal-Mart and a T.V. Still pretty spartan, but a bit more comfortable. I'm sure the bed is lot more comfortable. Meanwhile I have been collecting stuff here to furnish our apartment off craigslist. I have found some good buys, and it will be fun to get it all moved and organized there. I will post pics later of our first dwelling together in Texas.

This will be an adventure for us. We are not excited about being away from our families and friends, but life is not always exactly what we want it to be. I have heard our kids are taking bets on whether or not I will actually move to Texas. It will happen, as much as I wish I could make it not. I console myself that it won't be forever, that Grumpy is actually enjoying his job (for the first time in years) and that we will have some time together without so much traveling for him. Of course I will be traveling a bit as I visit back and forth because we all know I have to see my kids and our extended family, parents etc. often. I am grateful that in this hard economy we have been blessed with work. I see our kids doing well in their endeavors and I am thankful we are blessed with prosperity. These are hard times for everyone. So Texas, here I come. For awhile.

A Post for June

I guess I better get a post on here for the month of June. May went way too fast and I have barely noticed that it is June. We are finally in our new home and getting settled. I am unpacking box after box of all our “stuff”. Must be important stuff as we have carted, stored and kept most of it for many years. I am now going through said stuff and purging. We have waaaayy too much stuff. I will be a very happy woman once the boxes of stuff are unpacked, gone through and put away. I think that might be sometime in July. (the boxes are endless). I love our new home. It is a 3 bedroom 2 and 1/2 bath with no stairs. It is a home I hope to live in during my golden years. Grumpy loves the location, and I know will enjoy the views. Mountains on two sides (superstition to the east and a couple of small mountains to the north). There is a Junior High across the street and south of us and their baseball diamond is across the street from us. It's mostly green and no one will be building houses there. It is nice to finally get all our stuff in one place and hopefully organized. Hence the prediction for a July finish date. I am determined to get things into the proper storage modes and places so I know what I have and where it is.

No T.V. yet and frankly, I haven't missed it much. Getting stocked up on the basics so life goes on. Have yet to prepare my first meal here (a real sit down and eat meal), but hoping that can happen this weekend. I will post pics as soon as things make sense.

Feeling very blessed about now.

Moms…Our Own Special Day!

And then it was Mother's Day. The year is really moving fast and I'm not keeping up very well. R.B. celebrated another birthday, the boys went on a Father & Sons (some of the boys anyway) and May is only 9 days old.

I had such a nice Mother's Day this year. I am putting in pics of the flowers I got from Robert (above), Jamie and Summer (below) and cookie flowers from R.B. & Stacie. (Also below) Grumpy said to pamper myself a little, so I did. I got a new top to wear with skirt or pants, got a manipedi and what could be better than that?




Received some nice cards from Grumpy and and the Armstrongs and of course some chocolate. It's just not a proper Mother's Day without chocolate. Jade & Jeff got me a cute T-shirt and a camisole and I got to go to lunch with Jade and Tawna on Monday. We went to cheesecake factory and of course got some fried zucchini. Oh, and some key lime cheesecake and there were noodles involved in the middle of lunch somewhere. I got calls from all my kids and I love any day that happens.



After church we rounded up the kitchen and went to cook dinner for Gramma Dorothy. She requested Richard's Beef and Bell Peppers. We added another veggie side of Broccoli, carrots and pea pods as well as homemade spring rolls. I hadn't made any spring rolls for many a year and thought it would be nice to do some. Below is Grumpy slicing and getting the meat, onions and peppers ready to cookl.




My turn to cut and chop carrots, zucchini, garlic, green onions and cabbage for the spring roll filling. Into the pan to cook with a little soy sauce and then Robert helped me roll them up.





Robert and Grumpy finished deep frying the spring rolls while I got the sweet & sour sauce on to cook. It wasn't my usual recipe, but one I got off the internet. Mine is packed away somewhere and I think I like it better. But the sauce was fine for dipping. Next time I will make my own hot mustard too, the stuff I bought was not up to par.





Meanwhile, back at the stove Grumpy had finished the veggie side dish and we were ready to dish up and enjoy.



We had some sparkling grape and cranberry juice to honor the special day ( I love the stuff) and dinner was served.




Gramma and I managed a little fruit for dessert, because we all know there is always room for dessert, right? Fresh strawberries dipped in sour cream and then in a little brown sugar. One of my all time (non-chocolate) favorites.



We convinced Gramma to take it easy and put her feet up while we prepped and cooked. We both enjoyed cooking for her in her home and letting her know how much we appreciate her. All our mothers are just so wonderful. Each one has her own set of talents and abilities that make her the best mom for her family.

Funny how that works out.

Where did April Go So Fast?

I can't believe we are starting May. April was just not long enough. I look at my little calendar I keep at my computer and I see that it was a busy month, it just went by so fast. I went to Taya's to stay with the kids while she and Kevin took a much needed trip together. It was nice to be able to do that and the kids were very good. Emmy and I had a small difference of opinion one day, but she's 2 1/2 and I'm not. She is pretty stubborn, but I've had longer to practice the art of stubborn. Madison was visiting her Dad in Az, and Kaitlyn and Daron were a lot of help with the two little girls. I know Taya and Kevin had fun…they came home exhausted and sore from the snow mobiles. I had to miss Devlin's bridal shower, but Sydney assured me it was wonderful. She got the group gift she wanted and I am very glad for her. She wanted a KitchenAid mixer. She will love it for the rest of her life. Taya and Kevin brought all the kids to Az the next weekend for a baby blessing. Grumpy took Kaitlyn and Daron to the airport as they went to spend a week with their mom for spring break. He had a nice visit with them while they waited for their plane to leave. Then it was Devlyn's wedding. Not that I did anything to help there, but it was a wonderful day for the family. Easter was that same weekend and we didn't do a traditional Easter at all. Still, it was nice to have BBQ hamburgers with those that could come to Tawna's and spend some time together. A couple of down days and off to Tawna's to stay so she could go to Women's Conference. I loved going to women's conference the years when I attended, so was really glad to help out so she could take the time to go. Tracy, Papa and I went to a Luncheon sponsored by the Chandler Historical Society yesterday. Mark Schnepf gave us the heads up a month ago. It was really nice. They honored several families and individuals that had been part of the area and contributed to the communities of Chandler and the area for at least fifty years. The Schnepf family was one of the families honored. It was really great to see lots of our aunts, uncles and cousins together. We really have a great family. It was considerate of Mark to let us know so we could participate in that.

Not such a hectic schedule at all. I guess what made it fly was the fact that we are looking for a house. Lots of time on the computer and then looking. Driving all over creation and trying to find a good fit for us. A house is such a big decision and I want to get it right this time. Location is the hardest thing for me. There are lots of houses to see, and lots of areas to consider, so maybe we'll be lucky and find the perfect fit. It's time.

Home from Church today…again. I really need to get that figured out. I hope my Heavenly Father really does understand my heart because I am having a hard time with it. Not with my beliefs, but coping with so many feelings inside that keep me from wanting to be around lots of people. Not something I have ever really had to deal with before in my life. I'm sure that with the love of my family and knowledge of the gospel I will be able to work through this. It's just really hard right now. This too will pass as I know I will eventually figure it out. I just hope everyone will be patient with me while I am getting my head screwed on straight again.

Or maybe it never was on straight. Food for thought.

Devlyn and Randy Get Married!

I Do, once again in April. Now we can add another anniversary to the month of April. Perfect month to get married and have a beautiful outdoor reception, except for the wind…right? Bob and Syd were very prepared, and getting things done early. They and their helpers got Tracy and Kevin's back yard all ready for the wedding a couple of days ahead. Still have finishing touches to do , but the big stuff was up. Then we had a very breezy day the day before and it was all for naught. Back over with mega helpers the night before to get it all done again and had better luck this time. Yay for them. It was a beautiful day and started out with the ceremony at the Mesa, Arizona Temple. I love the flowers in the gardens there this time of year. The grounds are beyond gorgeous with spring blossoms.






I got a pic of Papa coming out to wait for Devlyn and Randy to come out for pictures. I managed to head him off at the pass so he didn't get away and we would miss him for the family pics on the Temple steps. I took this shot of Bob and his two boys when they weren't looking. Dallin will be doing a day like this next month when he marries his sweet Kaylynn. I managed to get a pic of the parents with Dev and Randy before everyone started to leave. Papa and I went for a hot dog after the photographer was done with our part. Freddy's has a pretty good dog.

Later, over at Tracy's I got some shots before people started arriving. Bob built some very nice white boxes that housed everything from electric chaffing dishes/crock pots to trash containers. What a nice way to make everything look finished and uniform. I loved it. The Buffet was so excellent. They had two kinds of salads, a choice of pastas and sauces, and garlic bread. So yummy and so well presented. Then, the line moved on to the cute cake hutch where there was a choice of 3 different kinds of delicious sheet cakes. On to the Italian Cream Soda booth where you could choose your flavors. Last and so fun was a Photo booth where guests could have their picture taken for an album that Devlyn and Randy will cherish in years to come of all their wedding guests.








Bob made a sweet little pink cake just for Dev and Randy to cut. It was perfect and I know they loved it. I had to get a shot of the tree that lost it's leaves to the winter frost. Even in it's cut-off state it still looked pretty for the day.




I wish I knew the trick to getting great night pics, but alas, I do not. I did include the one below that does not do justice to the ambiance set once the sun was down. After receiving guests for about an hour, Devlyn and Randy made for the dance floor where they entertained us with a Father/Daughter, Mother/Son dance, their first dance as a married couple and finally a cute gitterbug that was so fun to see. Randy is quite the dancer and taught Dev to kick up her heels and boogie. They will have lots of fun dancing at the various celebrations that will come up now and then. I know Nana was smiling from above. She did love to dance. She would have been proud of the job Bob and Syd did on this reception for Devlyn. She taught us all well.




A sweet kiss for Pop and then she was off to greet her guests. I think these kids are going to have a great life together. They just glowed all day. Congrats to you both.

Now for Dallin's big day…

The Ten Virgins

Summer and I attended the Relief Society Birthday celebration in our ward in March. Tawna had missed the presentation in her ward, so she came with us. It was a program about the Ten Virgins. Lots of songs and narration. The ladies performing did a great job and I of course was a big marshmallow and teared up way too often. I saw myself in so many of the virgins. Some were too busy every day to go to the lamp master to replenish their oil. Some were unwilling to use their lamps, so had no need to visit the lamp master for more oil. Some used their lamps as decorations only, so didn't burn them often. Some visited the lamp master often so they would be sure and have enough oil, and asked him for extra oil vessels that they might keep a surplus. It was a very touching program, and it really made me stop and think about my life and what I think is important. I have a lot to do to get where I know I need to be. Mostly I need to work on keeping my "oil" up and work toward having extra for when I need it.

I loved being there with my girls. Taya was too far away to come, Stacie was sick and Jade was out of town. Having them there would have been the only way to improve on the evening. I hope if they get the opportunity to see it in their ward or stake they will go. It is well worth the effort to be there.

Lovin' the Booties

Everyone probably thinks I've gone crochet crazy, and they might be right. The booties and hats for the preemies have been a big part of my life lately. I have been giving them to the Neo-Natal Unit at Banner Desert through a friend of Robert's who works there. She has given me some good feedback and I know they are getting put to good use. With Easter coming soon, I wanted to do something a little special for those little babes, so I modified the colors a little on the pattern and came up with some lookalike Mary Janes and a pair of Tenny Runners. They were fun to figure out, and then finish. I will make some more if Edyta (Robert's friend) thinks they are okay.




I am glad to be able to do this right now. I remember my preemies, and there was just nothing that fit them except cabbage patch kids doll clothes. (kind of). If anyone is interested in learning how to do some booties and hats, just let me know. It is really a good way to contribute.

Earthquakes and Tsunami's

I have been reading the various accounts of the terrible earthquake and tsunamis in Japan on news sites and on the LDS Living Daily newsletter. As my heart goes out to the people of Japan I remember so clearly my years on Okinawa. Grumpy was stationed at Kadena Air Force Base and we went over when I was expecting R.B. About halfway through our tour of duty there, we finally got assigned to a house on base. We were at Camp Kuwai, which was the Naval Base and hospital where Jade was eventually born. I was so grateful to have a house with central air. I had been anxiously awaiting our turn to live on base. I distinctly remember standing on the front porch of our little two-story duplex and looking to my right. There was the main highway that ran the length of the island and then nothing but ocean. All I could think about was what would happen if a tsunami hit the island. I knew there would be precious little time to do anything, and I knew I couldn't get all the kids to safety. It was a terrible feeling and one that was never really far from my thoughts day to day. I prayed constantly that we would be spared the devastation of tsunamis. We had our share of typhoons, tropical storms, the humidity of hot summer days and the normal things specific to tropical island life, but we never had to go through an earthquake or a tsunami. We were very blessed.

I pray now for the people suffering the loss of family members, friends, homes and businesses. I feel so sorry for the things they have to go through now. I am so grateful our church is there helping with our humanitarian efforts and all those who are able to help those in need. Grateful all our missionaries serving there are safe and accounted for. I hope the people of Japan can feel the love of our members they strive to serve them now. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Steve, The Elk

Meet Steve, the Elk. He is a big, 6 point young bull that now graces the living room wall. I suppose he is handsome, as bull elk's go. He is Grumpy's first elk kill, and Grumpy is walking around with a big smile on his face to see his prize every day. I have nothing against the occasional trophy hanging on the wall, and it's on a very big wall that needed something to take up some space. In fact, after hanging it up Grumpy decided it looked "puny" on the wall because it is such a big wall. There is nothing puny about it. I imagine when we do look for a house, it will have to have at least one big wall in it to accommodate Steve. We decided to name the Elk so Rylee came up with Steve. She said it was a good name for an elk. I guess elk season is coming up again soon. I told Grumpy we only have room for Steve, so if he gets another one, it will have to go un-trophied. We both grew up in homes where there are trophies, so it isn't a big stretch to get used to Steve.

I, however have transferred some bad luck incidents in life to be Steve's fault, even though I know better, so it may take a while for me to really like him. I don't think my attitude will hurt his feelings much.

He is just hanging out with the fam.

The Art of Crochet

So long ago my patient Gramma Schnepf and my patient Mother taught me to crochet. My first lessons were in the cabin at Greer where there were no phones and very limited TV. I was maybe 9 or 10. I did chains and learned single and double crochet. I was "hooked" no pun intended. When I was about 11 Nana took me to the Showlow T,G&Y (a five and dime store of the past) and bought me yarn of my choice for my first afghan. It was lavender, pink and white. Wow. I crocheted on it for a long time, and I really can't remember if I ever completely finished it. I wish I had taken a picture of it, for it is long gone by now. The next time I began an afghan I was in college. I crocheted one in fall colors for Grumpy's Mom & Dad for Christmas while Grumpy was serving his mission. I did my first (and last) knitted afghan that same year for Nana and Papa. It was burnt orange, brown and mellow yellow. Again no pictures of either of those.

I made one that matched our apartment when Grumpy and I were first married. I do have a pic of that one, only because it has been lurking in a box or trunk for these many years. It was made from yarn bought at the supermarket as were my other previous projects.



In the next few years I was introduced to a better quality yarn at an actual yarn store. It is a bit more expensive, but wears so much better and retains a softness that the cheaper yarn does not through the years. My Mom was trying to guide my Gramma Schnepf into better color choices and better yarn for the many, many afghans she crocheted. She and my Gramma went to a yarn store and bought the better quality stuff. I could see the difference right away. She made some truly beautiful bedspreads and blankets for her kids and grandkids. I still have the ones she did for me and when I can unearth them from the boxes of storage I will get pictures of them.

When my kids started getting married, I decided to do afghans for them. I made Tawna and Nathan one in the zig zag pattern that I love to do so much. It's easy and fast and there is no set way. They have been enjoying it's warmth for about 14 years now. It's time for a new one for them.



I did one for Taya and her first husband Ryan about that same time in a different pattern. I later regifted it to Grandma and Papa H. as it matched their living room furniture perfectly. It was blue and rose and I hope I can get a pic of it one of these days. Summer was next and I did something different for her. I like making granny squares as they are small and travel well. I was going with Grumpy once in a while on his business trips, so I would take my yarn and hook along and do granny squares. I love the way they look when they are all put together. Stacie's afghan is made with granny squares also.




I started one for me and kept it going for several years. It's the one that went to hospitals, vacations, business trips and even some quiet nights at home. I treasure it for the many memories in it for me. I was determined to finish it before I started another one, as I had taken so long to get it done. Some of the yarn was even out of stock and I had to find alternate colors that would match well enough. I did get it done and immediately started one for Jade.



Jade's went pretty fast as I had two trips to Utah where I had many hours to work on it in the car. It was almost done and stayed that way for over a year. I finally got it out one night and just stayed up and finished it. She and her family get cozy under it for movies.



While we were staying with Taya's family, I needed a project to keep my hands busy. I went to the yarn store and got yarn for a new afghan for her. I finished it just after Christmas this year and was able to send it home with her when she travelled here in February. I know it is colder in California, and I know her family loves blankets. I hope it serves them well through the years.



I am doing a new one for Tawna now. I found a pattern that is called a YoYo afghan. It is very colorful and is made from scrap yarn. I have plenty of scrap yarn, but will add a few new colors as I know she has a bright color scheme in her home. I have to make over 1,000 yarn "yoyo's" and they go pretty fast. It will be a fun project. I am working on that and my baby booties/hat project, so am keeping my hands busy when it is quiet, or when traveling. I think a lot when I'm crocheting, and my thoughts often turn to the many beautiful handicrafts that Gramma Schnepf and Nana both made. I love the memories of those quiet hours spent learning the art of crochet from these talented women.