Welcome to A Little Bit of My Life on Earth

My "I didn't want to be imortalized in a Fat Dress" Diet

2010-03-21T21:58:00.000-06:00

Today is Sunday, one week and a day since I officially started a weight loss diet.

I did mention that Ammon and Marnee are getting married. Oh, yes I did actually. Which gives ME the excuse to buy a new dress. Wooo Hoooo!

Hmmmmm . . . looking, looking, looking . . . something sexy Maybe?

Ummmm . ..just kidding! Don't get all weirded out kids. This is a 'G' rated blog.

But I am the mother of the groom – maybe I should buy something more . . . matronly?

Hmmmmm . . . No, no, not this matronly. I don't want to look this . . .

Hmmmm . . . let me ask the mirror. What? I do already? GOSH! DO I?

“Mirror Mirror on the wall? Tell me that's not true at all!”

The mirror thinks I looked matronly all right. Smug stupid mirror anyway.

Reality is setting in . . . DABC (my now not so new job) is a 'foody' kind of place.

Mmmmm . . . food, and it's really tasty food too.

DABC also has a nice gym with weights and everything. Need I say

. . . I have taken much more advantage of the food than the gym.

Some people have tried to encourage me saying “well, you need to exercise more and eat less AND you are at that age when” . . . that was my doctor speaking actually.

I read an article about menopause and aging gracefully . . .

“be joyful and comfortable in your own skin.”

I asked the mirror about that.

He just laughed!

Spiteful, mean spirited mirror!

This is the real issue. I didn't want to buy a fat dress and have my picture taken in it. I know, I know. The day is NOT about me. But still, my picture will be taken. I can't afford cosmetic surgery can I? Dang, that's pretty self absorbed.

Diet and exercise? Are you kidding? I did a diet plan once before. I quit eating my daily giant cinnamon rolls. That was my only diet plan. Just quit eating giant cinnamon rolls.

I know I was blessed for a long time with a genetically thinnish type frame - for most of my life actually. I am being punished now! But I have not eaten a cinnamon roll for years . . . and pound and pound after pound . . . . O.K. I give in.

My first official day of my very first real diet began last Saturday. Oh my! the scale won't even weigh me? (Sorry, I'm just not going to admit what it really told me). Yes - those are my feet.

So, I have chosen the newest fad sort of diet, but I did check with my doctor first – the HCG diet plan because I am in a hurry. I already ordered my new dress in a smaller size. So this is how it started. Last Saturday and Sunday were “load days” - eat everything and anything all day long - plus the HCG of course. Sounds like fun doesn't it? . . . It wasn't. Ugh! I didn't want to see food for a week.

Got my wish. Now I am eating only 500 calories a day plus HCG. Lots of broccoli, spinach, tomatoes . . . You know, I love broccoli, spinach and tomatoes - this is not that bad. I also eat 4 ounces of meat for lunch and dinner; I never eat this much meat a day actually, and citrus fruit. I am just not the hungry. Jim is doing this diet with me. That makes it easier. So far so good. I have lost 7 pounds in one week.

I did join the DABC gym by the way! That is next!

My Baby is Engaged and other Random thoughts on the Subject

2010-02-28T19:19:00.001-07:00

Or . . . what to think about THE YEAR 2010!

This year is also a New Decade. Where does the time go? Oh MY! And it seems such a short time ago too. At the beginning of this decade I still fit into a size 4. I am not going to say what size I wear now, but it is larger than '4'. I'm not going to post photos of the before and after either.

We Moved to Eagle Mountain. It was the boondocks at the time. I like the boondocks. The dust devils made their way down the still unpaved road, taller than my new house. My new house did not have landscaping but it still smelled like new carpet. I like having trees now, but now I could use new carpet. Too many people now too. I'll have to find a new boondocks.

I even still had two kids in elementary school. One of them, Jamie, now has a child of her own.

And, my youngest, my baby boy, still liked me to sing to him . . . (though we were on the edge on that one). Speaking of on the Edge. What is this? My youngest child - my baby child . . . Ammon? Engaged?

May 22nd in the Timpanogos Temple in American Fork. Well, It is hard for me to believe. BUT - Marnee - We do Love you so much! He could not have chosen any better.

Our Christmas 2009

2010-01-04T22:30:00.008-07:00

Just some snapshots of our Christmas Celebration

Matix - He could 'smell' it was for him and didn't hesitate to take it out from under the Christmas Tree.

Do you remember this little guy from last Christmas

He weighs about 100 lbs now. But he does still love Jon!

Jamie trying to feed Marnee Cream Puffs.

Holly's babies

and Justice and Josh - Dark hair blue eyes and blond hair brown eyes!

and More

T.J. and Derrick with Kristine

And . . . Carter would not let me take his picture and the photographer did a bad job on Holly and Matt -

But we had a wonderful Christmas together.

xoxoxoxoxo

Below: Jim and I as Mary's Parents in the play "Savior of the World". Do we look like a nice Jewish couple? Well, no! But it is was such a great experience anyway. Another way to look at it . . . we were Jesus's Grandparents.

In any case, it was a spiritual feast.

Here is Jim waiting for the show to open.

Jon and Ammon were in it too, but refused to take part in the photo op even though I pleaded and I promised Ammon he would regret it some day - to no avail - Naughty (I sure do love them) boys! <3

My sister said "You also took the fall off; now update that blog"

2009-12-05T22:50:00.002-07:00

O.k. - o.k. o.k. So I have become slothful . . . I mean, I am still. BUT - Here are some photos of events of the fall:

Love those new grandbabies who arrived in the summer. Easton Matthew and Preston Wade. Both were "blessed" in the Fall, so that is good 'fall' news.

Easton

(He's first since he is a whole week older than Preston)

That cute blanket was made by Kristine - Jason's wife.

Above: Jamie holding Easton 'in the buff'

Below: look at that cute little cowlick in front. That is quite a swirl!

Easton dressed in his blessing outfit. He looks pretty handsome I think.

Just a side note: On Easton's blessing day, this guy got up and walked to the podium as if he were going to address the audience with his testimony. He did, in a way. He got up and dedicated a song to BOTH babies and then on the piano he 'played' his testimony . . . "I need thee every hour". It was so, so beautiful. I just thought, "Wow, this guy is really good!" I was thrilled. I thought to myself that I ought make sure I sought him out to tell him how wonderful the song was - thinking that maybe he didn't know how beautifully he played (like I do - it's always nice to hear that you did o.k.). However, I didn't see him again and never got to say how wonderful it was. It was not until we left the meeting and went to Jamie's house for dinner that I found out, uhhh! Duhhh! Yeah, he probably knows he has a bit of talent there - that was Michael McClean . . . do I feel dumb! I bet though, he still likes to know he did o.k.

I do believe Easton looks a LOT like his daddy.

Note in the photo below - Matt can never not claim this child.

Note Matt's cowlick!!!

Speaking of looking like his daddy . . .

Preston & Wade

I adore this photo!

We were there with the family in September (as I mentioned in my last posting)

but we missed Preston's blessing day by one day.

By the way, I think Preston looks more like me

than any of my children,

let alone my grandchildren.

O.k. maybe just his hair color.

Unfortunately I can't claim any gene pool contributions

to this sweetie beautiful child.

But I love them both just the same.

Thanks Wade and Cristy for arranging that for me!

Preston - you little doll!

* * * * *

Now the reason I missed the fall updating was because of this Play we were in . . . Savior of the World. I will be posting that soon. But in the meantime, here is Halloween at our house. Isabelle and Gabrielle visiting us.

So happy Halloween and Thanksgiving . . . 'till we meet again.

I took the summer off

2009-10-10T00:13:00.000-06:00

Hi friends and family. I love you. Did you miss me????

Well, maybe not . . . I may be talking to just myself right now - and yes, I miss me - posting on my blog . . . If anyone had stuck around to read it at this point they would be dusty and old. "Tis o.k. - but I do plan to post more things. Gosh, I guess I just needed the summer off!

Since my last post, we had a gaggle of birthdays, but especially noteworthy were the birth days of my two newest grandchildren, Easton and Preston. I don't think my daughter Jamie and her husband Matt coordinated their baby's name with my son Wade his wife Cristy's baby name on purpose. I'll be posting some photos.

I have been traveling quite a bit with my job. Mostly to the St. George area and southern Utah. I usually stay in this wonderful bed and breakfast there across the street from Brigham Young's Summer home. You should go there . . . really! It is called the Seven Wives Inn.

THEN

Jim and I went home to Cowley - love my home town.

Love my mom and Dad. Is this just so cute?

Dad mowing his acres of grass

with a push mower.

He's 80!!!

Oh! I took my turn, don't worry!

We also went out to the Denver area to see Wade and family. You know, we have not been anywhere for years, literally.

And we stopped here at this lovely restaurant to eat

while we were on our way there.

NOTHING is too good for us!

As you can see, we went ALL out!

Our sandwiches we packed were quite tasty.

We visited Rocky Mountain National Park during the 'elk rut' . . .

You just can't believe the elk.

The people there live with them as if they were tame cows.

Here's pappa watching over his harem.

If any other bull gets too close,

It's hell to pay for the poor hapless intruder . . .

unless he's bigger . . . Then there's real trouble.

The whole harem leaves their man for the new guy

without complaint. That's loyalty for you.

(you've got to enlarge this one)

My Granddaughter, Morgan - don't worry, she is perfectly safe here!

Postcard for Grandma and Grandpa Hardie

AND

We also visited the LDS Conference center this summer - they had an art exhibit from contributors from members from all over the world. It was wonderful, and these are my personal favorites:

This one is entitled "They Did Not Doubt"

I just wept!

I also loved this scultpure

It is called "Mary and Martha"

Mary looking up with her spiritual eyes, scriptures in hand. Martha looking down to earth, and holding a basket of produce to care for her families earthly needs. We need to have balance as these two are doing.

(I'm sorry I am not giving credit to the artists. I neglected to get the information)

Ohhhhh! And finally . . . Our family is in a stake play called "Savior of the World". My kids and my husband now hate me immensely cause they think I succored them into auditioning. Jon and Ammon still have yet to actually attend a practice. However, they have minor parts, so I think they will catch on. But they are supposed to be singing. That's going to be a trip - whew! Jim, on the other hand, has a speaking part AND he has to grow a beard. Now Jim has never in his life had a beard other than a few days 'sick leave' from shaving. Yes, they are all shooting blood from their eyes, but I just know it will be this great family experience . . . well, please pray for me, would you?

Oh, it is soooooo, soooo funny! . . . we discovered Jim has no chin hair in the front . . . pictures to come.

JOY

2009-10-09T21:02:00.000-06:00

Things to be Thankful for:

This is the joyful face of Granddaughter Macey.

Take a walk with me on Memorial day

2009-06-08T22:03:00.011-06:00

I love graveyards - I don't think they are scary places at all . . . except in scary movies. In real life, I think they are peaceful. The epitaphs on some of the old gravestones are often funny, insightful, or just really odd. I like to look at them all. I travel a bit with my work, and I often stop at graveyards just to take a look at the old ones.

Natural Spring in the Memorial Park in Parowan, Utah

One of the oddest graves I have ever seen is a grave in the Peoa cemetery where a very large boulder rolled down the mountain and landed atop an unmarked grave. The good people of Peoa then put a plaque on the boulder explaining the circumstances of the poor soul buried there. Apparently he was one of the Mobbers who murdered the prophet Joseph Smith in Carthage.

Why he would move to Utah is beyond me (considering the story is true). In any case, the man was not liked, apparently, and was not nice, apparently, and when he met his maker he was all alone in his demise as his house burned down around him. When he was finally found, they buried him in a far corner of the Peoa cemetery, far away from any other family graves. They really did not like this guy apparently.

The plaque on the boulder tells the story, and whomever placed the history there believed the boulder was fitting - never wanting him coming out of that grave, I guess. I don't have a picture yet, but I will take one to prove I didn't make this up.

Here are some photos of other graves I did take pictures of.

I stopped in Parawan, where some of my Grandfather Eyre's
side of the family settled, lived and died.

This grave stone represents
my Grandfather Eyre's Great Grandmother,
Elizabeth Collins Gillins, born 7 Sep 1799
in Newton, Lincolnshire, England.
The children buried with her are her grandchildren
who died in infancy or as little children.

This next grave marks the resting place of my great great grandmother,
Susan Fish Smith, born 13 Mar 1824 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.

This is a grave I have photographed before; (in fact, I think I have it posted on my blog somewhere). But here's an updated one.

Great great Grandma's grave looks the same. I look older. I guess I should just have posted the old photo, but life does march on. We are talking grave stones here, after all. I may have one foot in there, so my children think.

How about this guy?

Just outside of Milford, Utah I ran upon this handsome fellow.

Milford sports at least one individual's odd and funny sense of humor. As you drive by, the lights of this old vehicle light up. That's when you look over and notice the driver. He may be more Halloween-like than memorial-like, but it was the funnest part of the graveyard walks.

This is a ghost town grave yard up Spanish Fork Canyon

This graveyard hold no significance to me, personally,
except that it is very well tended
and an interesting place, so I stopped to take photos.

I found that there were far more lizards there than graves.
The place was abuzz with the creatures.

Speaking of Ghost towns. I also stopped at Silver City

It's a lonely Ghost town these days.
I snapped this photo, but it is colored in photoshop.
It just looks fitting as a memorial, don't you think?

My Mother - Leta Eyre Marchant

2009-05-09T22:39:00.016-06:00

Leta Eyre - 8th grade

Leta Eyre
High School Graduation photo

My very first memory in this world is of my mother. It is not a visual one but I remember it well. We had an old rocking chair; it creaked with every back and forth motion and I listened to it's repetitive complaint with my eyes closed. It wasn't an annoying sound. No, it was more of a quiet sound of old wood complaining only a little under the weight, but perfectly at home with my mother and I in it. I actually had no ability to reason about wood squeaking or rocking chairs. But that sound was a comfort to me and completes the rest of the memory - the tender and joyful feeling of my mother holding me close, the motion of her rocking, and the repetitive sound I heard in that chair.

Actually, I think she was nursing me. I remember just being exceptionally close, comforted and completely at peace with the world around me. It was a spiritual feast if not a nutritional one. You probably don't think I'm serious. Well, the memory, as I said, is not a visual one - only sound and touch . . . and as close to God (in this world) as one can get. Yes! I do remember it, and be assured that my memory would not make THAT one up. 'Tis real all right.

To this day I am always trying to repeat that same comfortable and spiritual feeling. I am motivated by peace. Very little ever comes close, but occasionally the Spirit of God gives me a glimpse of it in other spiritual moments.

My Favorite Place to Be

I was very close to my mother as a tot. Being shy, I always reached for her to save me. My mother used to wear 'everyday dresses' almost . . . . well, every day. They had full skirts and I found that if trouble was nearby, all I had to do was grab a hold of her skirt and twist. I was in a little cabbage roll of material. I could feel my mom's warm legs in contact comfort, and I believed there was nothing, once I was in there, that could harm me. No doubt she was quite uncomfortable and exasperated, but I don't ever remember her scolding me for doing that. It was a great place.

Then I have this humorous and indelible memory of my mother washing the dishes. It seemed like she was always washing dishes. Mom sort of twisted from side to side in perpetual motion as her arms scrubbed the canning bottles. This would set her bottom in motion too. I thought it quite interesting (though I am sure she would be mortified to think THAT is what I was watching) as she scrubbed away, jiggling to and fro. And as she jiggled, she always sang. ALWAYS! I just thought that every mother sang when they did the dishes; it was just what mothers are supposed to do. It wasn't until much later I realized MY mother was special that way - singing that is. Nearly All mothers jiggle, I discovered. At least the good ones.

I do, however, look behind be now when I wash dishes to see if I am jiggling as I'm singing. I inherited both traits.

I used to have bad dreams. Really bad dreams. (I won't go into my dream world, that's another blog entry). When I had those, I just HAD to find my mother to make it better. That was a difficult proposition however, as I was also terribly afraid of what was underneath my bed. I thought devils lived there, so I was forced to jump as far out and away from my bed as I could to get away from the unspeakble things there on the underside of the bed. I would run downstairs and there my momma always tucked me in beside her in bed. It wasn't often, really, However, when I was 16 years old, tears streaming down my face, she tucked me in once more. That was a BAD dream, and I needed it.

If I could remove from my memory (and hers) of my teen age years, I'd do it in a heart beat. I am sure I caused her tender heart pain and anguish, and I nearly can't stand to think of it without terrible sorrow. My mom is so precious; she did not deserve the heartbreak I gave her. I think my crimes seem far worse than they actually were, just because my guilt about hurting her is so keen. Growing up in those teen years was just the pits for me, (as it is for many teenagers) and I didn't do it very well. Ouch, it still hurts. Oh Mom, I'm so sorry.

Leta in 1987

Mom is now 80 years young.

There is so much more to say, but I only have this little bit of space to say it.
In short - I would still let her tuck me in when I have a bad dream if I could.
She is an angel among us.
I love you Mom!

April Snow and the Fence

2009-04-27T20:05:00.004-06:00

As he stood there alone, the April snow pelted him in the face. It's not supposed to snow in late April. Shivering, Ammon didn't dare move. The cement hadn't set up enough yet and the fence post had to be straight. Only five more to go. With no one to help him he perservered in the April Snow. He had but one more day to finish the fence for me, build three gates, get his car registered, kiss his girlfriend goodbye, pack and move to Chicago for a summer job.

Oh, my Ammon, you are a winner in my book. Of course you knew that already. But even through your gentle murmurings, (or maybe not so gentle in the snow storm) you never the less just kept on doing the fence until it was complete. Even a paid man with lesser fortitude than you would have called it quits. You did this out of . . . . hmmm - love? Loyalty? GUILT? (chuckle).

The fence is fantastic! You said, "it's crooked mom" - but I think it is the best kind of crooked, and in a snow storm!!!!

Oh, you know, Marnee and I helped a little on Friday, and Matthew (bless him) helped finish the last remaining gate as the dark settled in so Ammon could take his sweetheart out on the town.

Ammon playing with Daisy - April 2009

You are amazing! But you know, I hate Chicago (Ammons co-worker was mugged the first week they were there - they even took his notebook. Ammon says they are in a better neighborhood now). Please be careful and prayerful! I LOVE YOU!

This Was My Day - How was Yours?

2009-04-14T19:38:00.010-06:00

PART I

I heard the voices of the KSL announcers in the background of my dream somewhere. Amanda and Grant were talking about . . . I was slowly awakened as usual by my clock radio at 5:00 a.m. This same old routine begins my every work day morning. However, today I lightly snoozed an extra 20 minutes before I realized "Oh shoot, I had better get up . . . Oh shoot, I'm gonna' be late."

Actually, I do this same thought process every morning and I manage to get to work somehow. Although I think I ought to change my morning thought processes, when I am only half awake I don't have constructive thoughts or even processes - ugh! - I am just not a morning person.

However, I have to be at work at 7:00 a.m. My drive time, depending on traffic, can be up to an hour. On good days, 40 minutes - so hmmmm! . . . I should leave by 6:00 a.m. I guess I just always plan that the traffic that day will be good. Poor planning, I know!

Anyway, back to this morning - you see my routine was a little disturbed by the 'power outage' at 5:30ish - What perfect timing - I had just emerged from the shower and I was in total darkness. Not a light anywhere. "Uh Oh!" I realized as Daisy licked my bare leg, "she needs out . . . clothes, I need clothes, where are my clothes?"

I thought to myself "Self - where are your flashlights you have prepared for your emergency preparedness?" (note that for later).

I managed to feel my way to my dresser, count down the number of drawers 1, 2, 3, 4 to my underwear, and pick some out. (Putting them on took longer than I expected and I have no idea as of this writing if my underwear is actually inside out or not). As I helplessly rummaged for a bra I thought, "so this is what it is like to be blind and dress every day?" I then remembered to be grateful for eyesight and wondered how I actually was going to pick out an outfit for work?"

You know, if I were more organized like my sister, my clothes would all be neatly hung in a row by color, texture and genre. I'm not - Dang! (note that for later). Well, what to do? Oh! Yeah! I remembered that I had hung a pair of Khaki pants with a belt already attached to it on the edge of the pre-made closet organizer in my walk in closet. Clothes are not really supposed to be hung there, I just got lazy a week or so ago and didn't put them away properly. At the moment, I thought that must have been a brush of genius, "I can wear those, and the shirt I didn't put away - it was on top of the organizer."

"Now these clothes," I was thinking, "are not really the best office attire." Hmmmm, but at least I knew they wouldn't clash, like striped gray pants and a plaid maroon and brown jacket or something. I found the ill put clothes with relative ease and happily put them on.

By this time the dog was scratching me. Oh, Yeah! I had a lantern in the garage all set up for emergencies, I remembered. In fact, that lantern was supposed to come on automatically when the power goes out. I tripped (literally) down the stairs and out to the garage with my dog Daisy in tow to find it. Daisy really didn't much care about the dark problem. "How the heck does she see in the dark?" I wondered.

Problem! I reached the garage and I couldn't find the lantern which is SUPPOSED to already be lit. "IT'S NOT THERE! Shoot!" (Note that for later)

I pushed the garage door opener. Nothing - then I realized I could not open the garage door. Dang! I had to open it to put the dog out on her chain - but no power - Duh! I wondered where that red hand pull thingy was - what's it called? The 'red rope thingy with a handle on it to unlock the garage door so I can lift the door by hand thingy' . . .thing. "Shoot!" I couldn't find it . . . . could not find it . . . "shoot!" (and no, I was not swearing unless shoot is a swear word).

Daisy was restless. "Daisy, stop scratching me!" I begged - "O.K. Let's think. Well, if I open the car door, I'll have light! Good thinking! - but where are my car keys? . . . oh shoot, where?"
Oh Whew! In my unorganized fashion I realized that I had left the car unlocked. I opened the door and Wa La! the interior light beamed like a beacon on a light house. Well, not that bright but I could now at least see the pull rope AND the dog's chain. Dog out, another chore taken care of.

Back into the house I went. Now I searched and searched for my phone and keys. They are attached purposely to each other so I never leave my phone behind when I drive away, and the phone attached to the keys helps me remember not to misplace my keys . . . ingenious for someone with my problem. O.k., so it's not so ingenuous, but still, works for me. By the way, it's not my old age causing my senility; I have been like that forever! Ammon inherited it - sorry Ammon!

Anyway, as I was saying, I searched everywhere for my keys . . . everywhere that I would normally put my phone - but dang it was dark - Pitch Dark. "Where is that flashlight!" I realized at this point I had to wake up Ammon. "Ammon, call my phone, the power is out and I can't find it in the dark."

Ammon called as instructed, and by golly, there was my phone . . . on the stairs???? Why on earth did I leave my phone (and keys) on the stairs? I would never have found them in the dark. However, now I had a little light - my cell phone glowed in the dark. "Hmmmm, if it is fully charged I can see to find my shoes," I thought. I remembered, though, that my phone needed to be charged (note that for later) so I used the light sparingly.

Problem . . . my hair was wet. "I have to go to work with my hair wet and no makeup?" Ahhh! (swear word may have passed through my brain momentarily but I didn't say it nor entertain it . . . I was not going to resort to such baseness). I realized I would have no food for lunch either! NO! I DID NOT SWEAR but it was leaking out of my pours. I asked for forgiveness.

I found my shoes and socks using my cell phone light. Then I had to search for some kind of bag to pack up my makeup and blow dryer. "I'll just have to get ready for work AT work," I decided. By this time, according to my cell phone it was 6:20. I had been puttering around in the dark for almost an hour? I have to be to work at 7:00????

Then, just as I was leaving the house, the power came on! "Ohhhh! Thank heavens I don't have to show up at work looking like THIS," I thought. Then in complete disbelief, I looked down at what I was wearing. It was a completely different outfit than I thought I was wearing. In fact I had on blue jeans!

(Note - we do NOT wear blue jeans at work). I noted that My black and silver belt did not exactly look superior with my brown shoes, tan socks, red shirt AND I was in blue jeans. How did I find those blue jeans? Yes! I was late for work!

PART II

You thought this day was done? NOT finished. I had to do audits today on several of my licensees, including a strip club called Pinky's. I walked into the dark square box shaped building and fortunately saw nothing particularly noteworthy. There were only a few old men playing pool on a pink pool table. No dancers, just an empty stage with a pole in the center. The bartender informed me that the owner was not there - she told me that the owner's wife had her baby and he (the owner) would be gone until Monday. I guess a baby is a little more important that an audit. Do strip club owner's wives actually have babies???? Do strip club owners actually have wives???? Would you be married to a strip club owner???? I live a self imposed sheltered life I guess.

So, with nothing to be done but reschedule this audit, I decided to leave. Now that my eyes were sufficiently adjusted to the darkened room, I noted that the inside of the club was painted in pink and brown stripes and that the old guys (probably my age) were staring at me. I decided I'd rather not strike up a conversation.

I took my big black leather bag with my audit materials and opened the pink and brown striped door to leave . . . and . . . there I stared at a very dark small closet - errr! Well, no, there's a men's urinal??? Where was my car? Why was there a urinal in the closet?? I was momentarily highly confused. "Oh! Shoot - pull yourself together girl." I started laughing. I heard one of the guys chime in, "Both doors look alike," as I noticed the sign that said "MEN" sort of hidden in the stripes. By this time I fully realized I had picked the wrong door?

I looked over and saw the actual door I needed which would lead me out to freedom. It was right next to the one I had just pulled open. I turned around and faced the now smiling men and truthfully said, "I'm sure glad none of you were in there." I didn't wait to hear the guffaws and taunts that I'm sure followed me out the door.

But you can laugh at me if you want to!

Denim to Lace to a Mother's Grace

2009-04-06T20:36:00.009-06:00

This is Jamie's new profile . . .

Update - Jem won the naming contest so I rewrote the Title to fit.

My lovely youngest daughter

. . . She and her husband Matt are expecting
their baby boy in July.
Jamie laments that the baby is
overly large for his wee in utero age.
(She must have inherited my propensity
to have very large babies - poor child).
So, we have been taking photos along the way to
document the event.
This is one I took last Sunday.

However, when I downloaded this picture I was rather stunned. Notice the print on the wall behind Jamie; it is a painting that she posed for as a young girl. The artist is Greg Olsen and his painting is entitled "Denim to Lace."

What I noticed however, is the look on the face of my daughter in the painting and her face in the photo in which she is now posed. Take a close look . . . they are nearly mirrored. Gosh! still so, so, much alike. A little more grown up, but that not much, really (thanks Matt for robbing the cradle)! But I see the beautiful serenity in both faces - they look alike, and it is very touching.

Oh yeah! . . . she has one very prominent difference - (I'm so sorry, very bad humor).

But for Jamie (and for me) a NEW phase, "Denim to Lace to . . . . cotton?" (as in burp rags?) That doesn't sound very sweet. How about "Denim to Lace to arms filled with love?" O.K., How about a contest for the best caption on the photo since I'm not doing so well.

All jokes aside, this reminds me of a Harry Belefonte song my mom taught me (and I sang in a music program at church when I was a little girl).

Turn Around

by Harry Belafonte, Malvina Reynolds and Alan Greene

Where are you going, my little one, little one,
Where are you going, my baby, my own?
Turn around and you're two,
Turn around and you're four,
Turn around and you're a young girl going out of my door.
Turn around, turn around,
Turn around and you're a young girl going out of my door.

Where are you going, my little one, little one,
Little dirndls and petticoats, where have you gone?
Turn around and you're tiny,
Turn around and you're grown,
Turn around and you're a young wife with babes of your own.
Turn around, turn around,
Turn around and you're a young wife with babes of your own.

Whatever phase Jamie is in, she has always been beautiful
and the photo and the song made me cry.

It Rocks to be seven - Joshua's birthday party

2009-03-23T20:42:00.025-06:00

Joshua turned SEVEN and we celebrated in true kid style at Boondocks.

I have to digress here . . . Don't cha' just love those blonde curls?

Joshua counting his tickets for the games at Boondocks

Joshua lived with us (Grandma and Grandpa) for several years and Jim used to relentlessly tease him that he took 'curly hair pills' every day. Josh used to just go right along with the silliness and tell us that he did in fact, take 'curly hair pills'.

I am so jealous. How can I get my hands on some of those pills? Josh rightly get his blonde curls naturally - They're just like his Momma's . . .

Holly and Matt

. . . only Holly straightens out her curls. How come I want curls like Holly and Joshua, and yet Holly goes to great lengths to make her hair straight like mine? Issabelle (below)

Isabelle, Becca and Margaret

has curls too, (Holly's daughter sitting on Becca's shoulders - see her cute locks?) which reminds me, Becca's hair will curl too if she lets it. BUT she brushes HERS out straight too!

Don't we always want what we don't have? Or is it just me? In my 'old age' I finally decided to leave my hair straight and quit fighting it. Well, except for the gray - I'm fighting that still. Yeah! I'm fighting that big time!

Sooooo - back to the topic at hand. Joshua's party was held at BOONDOCKS - a kids haven - Whew!

Boondocks is like a giant pin ball parlor - only, I don't even know if they make pin ball games anymore? You can see some of their wares in back of us in this photo, and though you can't really tell here, the place is huge - very annoying, flashing lights, noisy, hyper and . . . did I mention annoying? However, the look on the kids faces ? look below . . . now that is precious.

I don't actually know this child, she just looked really awed
by the goings on and it made me laugh!

Isabelle was just happy to be there.

Joshua and his birthday friends - goofing off!

I don't know the two kids on the right but they are part of the party goers

Jason's boys - Justice, Carter, and T.J.

Oh, Jason's number 4 - Derrick was there too - sort of. He didn't much care for the hoopla going on around him as evidenced by the photo below:

Derrick

Jason Counting his tickets. He's just a big kid too!

And the next bunch of photos - all part of Josh's family.

Oh, notice that ball on the wall. It looks like it's gonna' take Jim's scalp off at the top

Isabelle being held by her two grandpas

Holly's Uncle Mark (right) and his two kids

Jeremy, Ammon and Marnee

Grandpa and Grandma Milligan, Holly and baby Gabrielle

Dianne holding Gabrielle and Jim holding Isabelle

So, we wish you the best year yet Josh -
your Eighth trip around the sun.

Love You so Much!

Our First Annual 'Old-Home Lynne' Party

2009-03-09T20:06:00.034-06:00

COWLEY, WYOMING

Looking up Airport Road or "Division Street"
long before I came along.

For those of you who don't know the story, (and frankly, most anyone reading this does) when I was a kid, elementary through High school in my hometown consisted of the same bunch of . . . well . . . 'extended family' really.

let me explain in a nutshell. The town was founded by LDS Church pioneers (including my great grandparents) who were called to settle the area after Buffalo Bill convinced the church it was a great place, and he'd give them the land and some water if they'd come and build the canal. I don't know if Bill mentioned that it is 50 below zero at some point every winter, and trees were hard to come by, but alkali plentiful.

Simplistic explanation, but that's the gist of it. Our grandparents came and begot, and the town blossomed - sort of. We were actually not that plentiful up there by the time I was born! The harsh conditions sent many packing after their initial mission was complete. Thus we had less that 70 students in the entire K-12 when I was there. The town itself had only 365 people in it. It has grown since I left.

Cowley's Population in 1990

Needless to say, we all knew each other really well. Some of us were literally babies in the same hospital wing (as were Lynne and I), or toddlers in the same church nursery together. We played on the same school grounds, ate at the same school lunch room, rode bikes, drove beet trucks, swam in the same canal, and just plain grew up together. We were well versed on each others laundry hanging out to dry, dogs, cows, idiosyncrasies, etc. Everybody knew your name (that's nice) and your business (generally not the greatest thing).

The greatest High School building in the world
(I still have dreams about this place)

This was life in my home town that I still love so much. As for my specific peer group, Lynne's house was often 'the' meeting place. Lynne was one of my best friends of my youth and my second cousin. Anyway, (I know this is getting long) we often used to gather at Ivy's corner on Main Street and Division Street to socialize. The streets didn't actually have any road signs to tell us their real names, we just knew main street and airport road, which was the north part of the Dividing street between the east side of Cowley and the West side of Cowley. TA DA! Division Street was born.

You could easily walk the whole town in an hour, and that was if you stopped to swim in the canal while on your way. Main street and Airport road were also the only two roads that were paved at the time.

So, back to our social networking - we did it in person. If it is was cold, however we most usually went to Lynne's house (next to Ivy's corner as I mentioned) as both were centrally located in the middle of town. Oh Yes! they were fun times (I have forgotten any bad memories as nostalgia waxes strong).

Speaking of cousins, (Yes I was a moment ago) many of us were related to each other, one way or another.

Ed and Lynne - both cousins of mine

First cousins, second cousins, second cousins once removed, or cousin's in law or second cousin's in law . . . one way or another, we might end up at the same family reunion. For instance, Ed (pictured above with Lynne) is my first cousin. Lynne, as I said, is my second cousin, and also she is Ed's second cousin.

Malcolm and Ed were close friends growing up

I don't think Ed is actually thumbing his nose at us!

To further illustrate the cousin thing, note that Malcolm's first cousin, Dave Welch (Second from the right) is also my second cousin, and Ed's, as well - but not Lynne's in this case.

Joe, Dave, Malcolm, Ed

Another, for instance: Frank Hinckley (not pictured) is my second cousin, and Ed's second cousin, and he is also Malcolm's second cousin, but from a different line. Dave and Frank are second cousins to each other, and they are related to . . . Lynne?

Oh, I don't know on that one, but you get the drift? Oh yeah! - I don't know if any of us play a banjo, but we still came out Smart'n all that! Perty too! Alas, we grew up, graduated from high school, and most of us had to move away from Cowley for higher education, marriage, and/or jobs.

My High School graduation class fits entirely into this photo.

Now 35 or so years later, a mere 500 miles from our home town (many of us actually living on the Wasatch Front in Utah) recently had a small version of "our gang's social" once again . . . AND . . . we met at LYNNE's House - just like old times because she is Centrally located!

Lynne And her husband Kevin

Malcolm and his wife Jude

Jude , Lynne, and yours truly

Our spouses, Jim, Kevin and Jude
seemed to survive our Cowley memories with good cheer.

(Note: Ed's wife missed the fun this time)

Jim said he had a really good time,
Can't tell it by this picture though!

Next time, this semi-annual gathering is going to be huge! Or maybe not, but it will still be a lot of fun. Thanks for the memories my dear friends and cousins.
HUGS EVERYONE!

I'm 'IT'

2009-03-06T18:19:00.007-07:00

This was my 6th photo in my 6th picture file:

1960 Cowley High
Junior Prom Royalty and crown bearers.

This is a tagged blog response to my sister Joan - I guess what 'tag' means is sort of like that old game - you know, when you got touched by the 'it' person, you became 'it' and you had to run and chase people until you caught them, and then they became 'it' again . . . Isn't that the way it worked? Anyway, this is a tag, as I said, from my sister who was tagged by . . . .

. . . As I was saying, you are supposed to go to your picture file on your computer - go to the 6th folder - to the 6th picture, blog it and then tell something about the picture.

My photo (left to right) is Ed Willis, Rue Liggett (he went by Rue Willis at the time) Dianne Stevens and yours truly on the end at the 1960 Junior Prom. Back in those days, children carried the crown on silk pillows for the - well I guess the coronation??? I don't know - kind of like the ring-bearers at weddings, I guess, only with crowns.

Amazingly, I remember this occasion. I loved that wonderful dress. The black top was velvet and the white skirt was layers of -hmmm - I don't know, but I thought it was beautiful. I wore a white full ruffly slip underneath it. I remember the silk pillow too. This was taken in about May of 1960 which means I was not even three years old at the time. Ed was three. Interestingly, Ed and Rue are both my first cousins, and Dianne is some distant relative (I don't know the connection) but she chose me to be her crown bearer. I don't think I really knew her at the time, or I don't remember knowing her. But then, I was two.

I also remember Ed being there with me at the prom. You see, I knew him already because his mom (my Aunt) used to babysit me every now and then, and she'd stick us in the bathtub together (probably easier to keep track of us, or maybe we were just inordinately messy children). It's easier to remember someone you bathed with, I guess. That was one HUGE old bathtub - or maybe it just seemed huge because I was really small, I don't know. I just remember sitting in the big tub with Ed.

I can't remember much else about this photo really. I don't remember the pomp or if the 'bearing' went well or not, or if I made any mistakes . . . if I did, no one mentioned it to me. So, there you have my sixth photo in my sixth album.

I suppose is would be not very useful to say "TAG - YOUR IT" to anyone reading my blog, cause almost everyone reading this has already been 'tagged' by my sister . . . (chuckle) . . . I just don't have that big of a following, don't 'cha know! However, this was fun. Soooooo, just in case you didn't get the tag from Joan, you are tagged.

As I said before, this is how you do it:

1. Go to your documents/pictures file

.2. Go to your 6th file folder.

3. Go to your 6th picture.

4. Post and blog about it.

5. Tag 6 people to do the same

Then please let me know so I don't have to be ' IT ' forever and ever!

The Wall! (or) Learning the Hard Way to Faux Paint

2009-03-01T19:38:00.016-07:00

You, know, I have had so many plans to get my grand children's photos on my blog, all my kids birthdays up to date with sweet loving sugar hugs to my loved ones, including my darling Mom's birthday and my parents 60th ANNIVERSARY - WOW! What Cool stuff is that? (Love you guys so much)!

Instead of doing those great things, I have been trying to make a faux plaster old world thing kind of wall in my living room which has taken all my spare time.

I read my sisters blog, a few weeks ago -
her walls were done in a day -
handy husband, painting perfectly,
walls perfect,
beautiful home in order
as all things should be in order.

Her new walls look wonderful (I went and saw them) and all put together. I actually started my project BEFORE she did and . . . (chuckle) . . . I'm just jealous! I actually didn't know before I saw my sister's blog that we were working on a wall at the same time. However, hers was done a long time ago).

But I digress . . . where was I? Oh . . .

I wanted my walls to look - well - like venetian plaster, or old world sort of thing. I have wanted that since I moved to Eagle Mountain, only that was 9 years ago! O.K. so I'm not exactly on schedule. However, I decided to try ONE wall, a very small wall in case it did not turn out well. Then, I supposed I could move on to bigger and better things - like my family room??? That's another story (my family room is currently a very large storage room. how SAD!!!)

Anyway, so here I go. I wanted texture on the wall. I needed to know how, so I went to the 'world wide web' first where I read about three million ways to do this type of project. I downloaded page after page of stuff.

I studied the painting department brochures at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. for hours on hours (ask my sister about my 'indecisive' problem when trying to buy something . . . or no - maybe don't ask her - I won't come out looking so wonderfully on that one).

I read painting books in the book stores. What did I discover? There must be three million ways to do textures of all kinds and painting techniques of all kinds. How can it be so different from one site to the next. TOO MUCH INFORMATION is not better for someone with indecision issues.

I finally decided on a method I thought seemed most comfortable for me - after all I used to antique my ceramic projects - I can do it that way - how different can it be? LoL - well . . .

This is my small wall - newly patched, ready to begin
(Actually, just my stair well wall - how hard can THAT be?)

I decided to use just plain old pre-mixed wall plaster. I decided on that only after I visited my friend Lynne's house. Her husband told me what he used. Whew! That took a difficult decision out of my hands - I'll just copy Kevin - sort of . . .

I put on one layer of plaster - it looked good

My first coat of 'Texture'

. . . and no - I am not expecting - I am wearing an ugly bulky apron underneath Ammon's shirt. I threw this shirt on just before Jim snapped the photo 'cause I was only wearing the ugly bulky apron for a shirt and this is a G-rated blog - besides I looked just a little scary.

Jim does not look amused as he watches -
Actually I think he was VERY amused -
but notice HE is not wearing painting clothes!!!

PROBLEM - I had it in the back of my head somewhere, the directions for "Venetian Plaster" which calls for a LOT of sanding between coats.

So I sanded . . .

but I didn't really get it for a while - I was not putting on Venetian Plaster . In fact I put on THREE dang layers of mud cause I sanded it down TWICE before I figured out I really didn't need to do that.

I finally quit sanding it down . . . duh!

This is no longer a day job. Nor a WEEK job - Oh my goodness, this became a WEEKS and WEEKS job (since I work all day doing other things besides paint a small, small wall) . . . My living room is a mess.

Next comes the paint. I'm not going to tell you how long it took me to pick out paint colors. Nor am I going to tell you I am satisfied with it, because part of the problem with being indecisivie is that the indecisive one also tends to have buyers remorse all the time (exception - my lamps from the Lamp Blog).

I used a primer (cause someone told me too) then a base coat. The base coat looked exactly the color of my makeup. I was very, very concerned. I absolutely did not want a wall the color of Caucasian flesh . . . I had to look at that wall for a week before I could get to the next phase.

Next phase, add the 'antiquing' Whew! The color is a little Better.

It is hard to see the texture from this photo.
It actually looks better that this - I promise!

HOWEVER, I have to wonder . . . now what? - It looks WAY out of place and I don't like the white trim anymore. I also realize just how badly the rest of my house needs a coat of paint.

Back to the store. I bought some matching paint for the rest of my house and started doing touch ups on the rest of my walls - kitchen, dining room, hallway . . . etc. Another week goes by . . . My house is still in chaos! This is one, dumb, tiny piece of my living room - Good Grief!

I decided to go buy paint to paint the trim - NOT white - dark brown I think . . . well maybe. Maybe not - Maybe - Maybe not -- JOAN !!! Help me!!!! What should I do????

I Paint it dark brown.

I like it with the wall a lot better I think . . .
but guess what?

It looks WORSE with the rest of my now very white walls in the rest of my white house . . .

. . . and what about that red railing?
Now I've got to buy some stain for the railing to match the wall . . .
and I can't leave the walls white with this brown trim sticking out like that.
I guess I need new carpet too, and furniture . . .

Ugh! I like the WALL - but boy is it out of place! I decide to sleep on it.

I'm so tired, I have no idea I'm sleeping
with every animal in the world . . .
. . . o.k. just Daisy and Skweek,
but thanks Jim for taking THIS photo!!!

"I know what I'll do", I think to myself . . . so I went to home depot and priced the faux rock stuff. I decided that I would make an arch into my dining room - this would make a smaller entry, and the rock would be a nice transition from THE WALL.

Another $200.00??? SOOOOoooo, that means I'll have to build another wall before I can go on - and I also need to learn to be a brick layer. Does this project resemble a squid when you chew it? It never goes away, it just grows bigger as you chew it? Yeah! My Squid Project - It is growing - bigger and bigger and BIGGER - I guess I could always paint the wall back the way it was and call it good!

For now, I am just going to leave it like this - for a week or two!

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John 1:4

2009-02-21T21:16:00.005-07:00

Mount Timpanogos Temple

Jason and Kristine

I had an evening

To reflect in the temple.
Though a cold January day
My Heart was filled and warmed
by the fire of joy.
With my son and his wife

making choices that bind them

Forever in light.
Yea! My joy was full.

On this occasion, Kristine was endowed with rich blessings and promises. And better yet, they are planning their sealing very soon.

"I am so grateful - so very happy and I love you so much"!

The Bottom Line of "HOW TO KEEP THE ROMANCE ALIVE"

2009-02-15T16:29:00.007-07:00

My Valentine

This is a picture of Jim and yours truly when we were first married in 1985. You can date the photo as the mid 80's by my very big hairstyle (the style will come back . . . just wait - you'll see. It will be your kids or your grandkids who will sport it, and I will just smile). Anyway, it has been 24 years since we met in a most unusual way, really.

But this post is not about my romance, but about romance in general. I found this story that I thought very funny. Kind of like when grandma told you to eat your chicken soup when you were sick. Then all the fancy shmancy medicines came 'round, and chicken soup went out of vogue. But lo and behold, years later they decided chicken soup was good when you were sick . . . after all that . . . Here's this story from which I took Excerpts:

Article by Seth Borenstein

From the Associated Press:

The Science of Romance:

Brains have a love circuit

. . . The unpoetic explanation is that love mostly can be understood through brain images, hormones and genetics. That seems to be the case for the newly in love, the long in love and the brokenhearted. . . .

. . . "It has a biological basis. We know some of the key players," said Larry Young of the Yerkes National Primate Research Center at Emory University in Atlanta. . .

. . . Scientists figure they now know better how to keep those love circuits lit and the chemicals flowing . . . romantic love theoretically can be simulated with chemicals, but. . .

"if you really want . . . to get the relationship spark back, then engage in the behavior that stimulates the release of these molecules and allow them to stimulate the emotions," he said.
That would be hugging, kissing, and intimate contact.

"My wife tells me that flowers work as well. I don't know for sure," Young said. "As a scientist it's hard to see how it stimulates the circuits, but I do know they seem to have an effect. And the absence of them seems to have an effect as well."

* * *

The emphasis was added by me - that's the chicken soup thing I was talking about. Maybe the "group hug" thing is not such a bad idea to fix the world's problems. Hope your valentines day was full of them.

LOVE Margaret

My Kind of stuff at Osmond Designs

2009-02-08T19:47:00.021-07:00

Margaret's words of wisdom:

Journals are not necessarily written
to purposely entertain others (though often they do).
I love reading old journal entries from my ancestors.
The most mundane things can end up being
the most interesting . . .
They never knew one hundred years ago what I would chuckle over.
With that in mind, I guess this blog of mine may be interesting
in the year 2109.

I am fond of antiques, antique replicas, and/or all kinds of things 'old world'. My house is filled with antiques, and (unfortunately) things just old.

So this is the deal. Back in December I visited the Osmond Designs Christmas booth at the mall in Orem. I didn't know about Osmond Designs then, but I found out that they are actually a furniture store on State Street in old Lehi. Anyway, I had actually stopped at their Christmas booth to admire these beautiful nativity pieces. I was not in the market for them at the time, but I loved them soooo much. However they no longer had a complete set available, as they had already sold most of them. The nice lady said they had more at their store in Lehi, and wouldn't I come and visit? She even gave me a discount card.

Well, I never had the opportunity to stop by at Christmastime, but I had that store in the back of my mind as a place I wanted to check out - though I lost the discount card.

One Friday, very recently, I talked Jim into going into that store, and amazingly (knowing how he hates to shop with me) he made the sacrifice. Oh WOW! I loved the whole store. The store encompasses the entire antique building. It's my kind of place. Jim had to drag me out by my coat tail, and I was not willing.

To make a long story short, I had just purchased two lamps at Costco that day, and I had them in my car when we stopped at Osmond's. However, I was already suffering from buyers remorse (which is my ever way of being) and then . . . well, I ended up taking them back to Costco after my visit to Osmond Designs.

I bought a pair of these lamps instead . . .

No buyers remorse this time - Wow!
I loved them even more after I set them up.

I especially love the . . .

Beaded Tassels.

And notice how it matches . . .

My Antique clock! (and antique iron)

I think it also matches my antique . . .

Croquet Mallets in a painted old milk can.

I think it also matches this . . .

My antique (some parts are replica) PHONE.

and . . .

My Great Great grandmother's chair
(which was brought across the plains in a covered wagon (I think)

and . . . .

The antique pot shard picture, the antique train lantern, the blue bonnet painting etc. etc. etc.
(I have a lot more)

I think it may even match this antique . . .

The antique barometer and 100 year old photograph

(What did you think I meant?)

ha ha ha! Serves Jim right for dragging me out of that store!
xoxox

Savannah Smiles and other random things

2009-02-01T17:44:00.006-07:00

This is the greatest little movie - very family friendly, and even the guys seem to like it. Or at least my guy liked it.

Besides which - I happen to be in it!

Can You Pick ME out? I'm selling Ice Cream to "Bootsy"

Filmed in 1982, Savannah Smiles was not available on DVD until recently, and I now have a copy (Thanks to Lane Ronnow for sending it to me). I watched it last night, and enjoyed it just as much as the first time I watched it.

Now, the thing about me being in it? Well, I worked about 12 hours that summer day back in 1982, and I felt like (at the time) I had made a nice big fat wage. I also felt like I also had a very nice "featured extra" part. However, when the movie came out, all that was left of me was a tiny snippet (I actually missed myself the first time I watched it - my own part -). No, this did not thrust me into stardom. If you watch closely you can hear me utter "Have a Nice day" to Bootsy.

When Jim and I watched it last night, I had to rewind it several times so he could see my very fine acting, and then we had to pause it . . . well . . . 'cause . . . well, he was obviously suffering from some age dementia or something cause he was not quick enough to notice me.

Oh Well, I had a good time playing that day, and I actually knew several of the actors in the movie. The part of the doctor, played in this movie by Oscar Rowland, was the same man who played Scrooge with me in the play "Christmas Carol" in 1980 or 1981 - I can't remember. Oh so long ago. I played the part of "Belle" back then in the Promised Valley Playhouse downtown in Salt Lake City (that wonderful old theater is gone now). It was a musical version, and I had some nice solos and a very fun cast to work with.

I Could Use Some Global Warming

2009-01-28T22:14:00.010-07:00

A very snowy winter at my house.

Usually the deep snow passes me by because I live in the West Desert part of this 'Utah' County. Thus, we miss any of the lake effect that those Easterner Utah Countites usually get.
The weather man gave some explanations . . . I don't remember what they were.
Hmmmmm - I just don't see what all the fuss is about on this ol' Global Warming thing. Whose to say a slightly warmer temperature wouldn't be the better temperature?
Dang though! - so far, I don't see a whole bunch of it coming my way.

THE NEXT DAY

Ammon is Digging us out.
Notice the last vestige of a yellow wild flower.
Gosh those are hardy little flowers.
You can actually still tell it is a flower
on top of 4 feet of snow
in January!
Some people call them weeds
but I say, more power to them. I planted them!
Maybe it's part of the whole Global warming thing.

SIBLINGS

Becca went out to help Ammon shovel snow.
I think though, they mostly just ended up playing in it.
I stayed inside where it was warm - well, except
for the few minutes I left my warm place to take these photos.

"Polar Express" Merry Christmas Family Party 2008

2009-01-19T15:34:00.048-07:00

I am finally getting around to posting the photos from our
"Polar Express" themed family Christmas party -
Christmas Eve 2008.

My grandson, Justice, showing off his Christmas bell.

My Sister is the party planner. I just do as I'm told, and I am quite happy with that arrangement. This year she planned a "Polar Express" themed party, so we were all supposed to wear pajamas. She also made everyone a little bell necklace, but I had to go rent the movie so I had any idea why we were wearing them. So you will notice in the photos from here on out, that nearly everyone is wearing one.

A good time was had by all (I think - at least a good time had by me taking photos) . . . minus the fact that Jon's new puppy bit Isabelle Yarro's leg . . . and also pooed on the floor. But the puppy is a baby dog, so he didn't know any better (the dog, not Jon - but that's another story).

Jon Holding his puppy, Mangus

That didn't help Isabelle feel the bite any less however. So Sorry my Sweet little Grand Niece.

"Isabelle"

Isabelle looks just like I remember her mother, Colett, at that age. Golly, it seems like just a few years ago. Oh, how and where do the years disappear? I am reminded of a funny story about Colett. This is not a Christmas story, but I'll tell it anyway. I was visiting my sister for the summer in Bountiful, Utah, (many years ago) and we had been out shopping for the day. Tired, and wanting to go home, my sister was just beginning to drive away from the K-Mart Parking lot. However, Colett had to to 'potty' right then, right there or else. Joan was a little put out, but didn't want her little daughter's training pants to . . . well, you know. Frustrated, my sister decided to hold Colett in a potty chair position just outside the car, hidden by the door, where Colett could 'wet' the pavement. Joan figured no one would see her and life would be dry.

However, Colett (being early in her potty training) didn't "wet" anything. Instead she did the 'number two' thing. Joan was absolutely mortified. The look on her face was distorted and blushed as she desperately looked around for some Fairy God Mother to rescue her. But none came, and I was lauging too hard. Joan did not want to pick up her daughters little baby logs, but didn't want to just leave them there either - the evidence so plainly in view. In desperation, Joan just decided to run over the little poo mess with her car. She figured if it was smashed flat and unrecognizable as belonging to her daughter, she could safely escape without notice. I laughed and laughed all the way home (just like am laughing right now remembering the whole thing) Oh my sides . . . lol. . . I hope whoever parked there next . . . lol . . . I guess you had to be there!

"My Sister's Daughter"
Colett

We also didn't do the nativity this year because we ended up not having enough time, and besides, our "Joseph and Mary" (supposed to be Holly and Matt Williams) didn't have costumes, nor could they have arrive on time because they had to go to his families family party first.

Matt Williams holding Gabrielle

The runner ups (Jason and Kristine and their new baby) didn't get notified to be runner ups either. But they were there with their new sweet baby. Since I am posting photos of fathers and babies, here is Jason with Derrick.

My Firstborn Son, holding my Sweet Son of my Son
(that's supposed to be poetic but I think it was just confusing)

So, Maybe next year we'll get to the important 'reason for the season' part of our celebration (like we do most years). But I guess this year was just Party time! Well, family time. We are not exactly partying it up here, unless you are talking about food.

Buffet Style pot luck Christmas Dinner.

And Basketball games . . . (I have no idea what they called this game)
but they are using a basketball - so, basketball games

Joan was annoyed with me for taking her pic while she was eating . . . she has a point, but I think the next picture of her is actually cute . . . Now seriously, if I had cut out the part where her fork is in the deviled egg, wouldn't it would look like she was just . . . well - singing! So pretend Joan is here singing an aria from Madam Butterfly or something and tell her she is beautiful when she sings.

Joan said "Don't you Dare"
(then a lecture about taking "eating" photos)

Group Photos:

Joan . . . Becca . . . Jim

Colett and Matt Yarro, Isobelle Yarrow and Ammon Hardie, Jeremy Hardie and his Friend, Justice Krein and Amelia (Milli) Yarrow . . .

Wayne Ostler and Matt Yarro,

and Kristine and Carter Krein

And More . . . .

Millie Dancing for me - check out the concentration ---------->

The only picture I got of Emerson (My grand nephew) where he was not running away. This time he was running toward. This boy is constant motion!

Emerson Holmes

Holly working on crafts and Becca Playing Ball - Typical of these two.

Just Amy

Nick Yarro taking a breather and Joan taking a picture of me

T.J. holding his brother

Jamie and Matt Jensen were too late coming from his parents & family party and Jamie didn't feel like she could stay awake any longer (she was soooo tired - 3 months expecting) so they went home and missed the fun. So did Valerie (my cousin) and her family. Well, next year! We love you all so much, and those who could not be here because they live out in the Nether Lands (or it is we who live in the Nether Lands) I love you! Happy New Year.

and "I" in my Pajamas
(but I came from work, so my work clothes are underneath)
So there!

Announcing Derrick Dieder Krein and a whole bunch of things past

2009-01-10T22:16:00.012-07:00

This is Derrick Deider Krein,
our 13th (among my whole crew) and
(I say a lucky numbered) grandchild.

Derrick is my 4th genetically infused grandchild, but don't hold that against him. He will inherit some wonderful traits from my forefathers, I'm quite sure, and he will be the most wonderful child. Derrick was born on December 17th, 2008, just after midnight and is my son 'Jason's' 4th son . . . not a rose numbered among his whole bunch. Jason apparently has no 'X' chromosomes to give what soever - which leaves poor Kristine surrounded by a gaggle of rowdy boys to keep in line. Jason had to upgrade to a Suburban just to keep his children in tow! Our sweet Derrick was a surprise baby - fortunately, that happens every now and again. Good thing too, or a lot of wonderful people would still be waiting to come to earth . . .

Speaking of coming to earth, we have a whole bunch of birthdays that I have missed listing here. Especially in October, November and December. I am going to post photos of my grandchildren later, since I missed including many of them in my blog before i.e. Isabelle, Cooper, Hunter, Justice, and Carter who all celebrated birthdays in the few months past. Well, I did eat cake and give hugs and kisses - at least to those close by. But I always miss all the East Coast kids celebrations. I just have to read about theirs on their mom's blog, and realize how much I am missing. But I digress . . .

We had a twosome party for Jeremy and Jamie's birthdays which are both in November. However, I just have to post two picture versions of this birthday celebration. This first one looks so light and happy birthdayish

. . . . then . . . .

Oh! SCARY -
This one which is supposed to give us 'ambiance' -
. . . but it looks rather like we are celebrating some type
of seance or something with old Scratch and his minions.
Well, we weren't. This IS a happy occasion.

Then . . .

We also celebrated Matthew and Holly (Hardie) William's birthdays as another "two for one".
Their birthdays are only a week apart. But guess who robbed the cradle?
Matt's quite a few years younger than our sweet Holly!

Did you notice we have been substituting a lot of Pies for cakes? Most of us prefer pie, or at least I prefer pie and since I am the one buying (or making) them . . .

Not Jon, however, He likes deep, dark devil's chocolate cake. Jon has the last birthday of the year in our family. Don't look so excited here . . . .

Hey Jon, Smile a little would ya!
He always feels like his birthday is short sheeted.
His presents are always wrapped in Christmas paper!

Whew! Christmas is over, but sadly, my tree and decorations are still up and it is January 10th. I don't know when they are coming down, but I have not posted ANY Christmas stuff yet. So be excited Family! Your photos and faces will be here soon.

P.S. For Christmas, Jamie gave me another surprise . . .

Baby number 14 is coming in July.
Jamie, you still look like my baby girl to me!
How is this possible?

Thanksgiving - Everybody but the East Coast Kids

2008-12-02T22:54:00.003-07:00

Well, this photo didn't turn out all that well . . . rather grainy (and Jon refused to look anything but silly, but that's my Jon). I never like photos of me, and I think I look like I need a good plastic surgeon (or at least my hair combed) but everyone else looks pretty wonderful.

Ammon Atine, (my Ammon's friend) was taking the photo, so I didn't really know how it was turning out. However, It was a Thankful day. I have never, in all these years ever had the privilege of having so many of my kids to celebrate Thanksgiving.

We missed you Rachel and Jessie and families! (Or there would be 8 more in the photo).

Celebrity Morph by MyHeritage

2008-11-30T20:05:00.005-07:00

Shon, my nephew, challenged us to look at this website. Actually, I already had registered for it some time ago, and it made me just laugh, even back then. Check it out. You can also match your children to yourself and see who they most closely resemble, you or your spouse. Ammon and I had a great time laughing at those results. It appears Ammon is almost right smack in the middle (see the bottom of my webpage) but I already knew that.

So, on the celebrity thing, I did that bit of fun, but I forgot to pick a "female" match. The first celebrity match I had was with some old African politician . . . . lol . . . Oh, it was a great match, I think - I should have morphed that one - but I was just so shocked!

Oh well! This "morph" was my best match - whoever she is, I have no idea - Good, fun site Shon! Thanks for reminding me.

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celeb

How to Take Two huge Calcium Tablets (to prevent a choking hazard)

2008-11-23T18:03:00.020-07:00

I inherited my mom's inability to take large pills. However, since my bone density had previously been diagnosed as "needy" I had to resort to certain measures to attempt to correct the dysfunction and get these minerals into my body via my mouth.

Here's my recipe for a great breakfast which includes my Calcium Citrate + Vitamins D and K, Magnesium and zinc - this pill is definitely one designed for larger mammals than myself. So get your blender out and here goes:

Gather the following Ingredients:

Two Calcium (obviously, you need the Giant ones) tablets.
Whole Flax seed - one scoop

(I have no idea how big this scoop is, just use your best judgment)

Rolled oats

1 Banana

Raw almonds

Raw pumpkin seeds

Dried cranberries (sweetened with fruit juice - NOT sugar)

I put the calcium and flax seed in the blender and run them at full speed until powdered. If you do not grind the flax seed it will be of little use to you - your body won't digest it (goes straight through - trust me). However, if you grind it, it becomes a great health benefit with (among other things) omega oils.

Put this ground mixture into a cereal bowl and cut up a banana into small pieces and add it to the the powdered mixture.

Stir this concoction well, making sure the banana is completely coated with it. This prevents the flax from balling into it's own bread ball - I don't like to eat a big wet flax ball - so coat the banana with it like I said!

Add the uncooked oatmeal. I used about 1/3 of a cup. Actually, I use exactly 1/3 of a cup, because my 1/3 cup is my oatmeal dipping scoop - it's handy. so, add how ever much you want.

Then add the pumpkin seeds, craisons, and almonds. If you like your almonds in smaller chunks, grind them in the blender too. They can be ground with powder mixture if you prefer. I like it that way, but sometimes I like the almonds whole.

I do not add sugar, as the banana makes this dish quite sweet. However, my son Ammon (who was helping me with this photo op) is a sugarholic, and thought this was terrible. SOOOO last (and least) I sometimes add Kroger's "Honey Crip Medley". It does give it crunch and a bit of the sweeter. It still isn't enough for my sugar hungry son.

I use Kroger's (found at Smith's) vs. Honey bunches of oats because it has less sugar - only 6 grams per serving. HOWEVER, since I don't use a whole serving - I'm getting less sugar.

Add the Skim milk (though I like whole milk better) and . . . Wa-La!

Note there is enough here for two servings, so share it with your son. HOWEVER, since my son won't ever eat it with me, I eat the WHOLE thing.

Note - I said nothing about calories! MMmmmmmm good!

Holly's newest Gift From God - Gabrielle Sully Williams

2008-11-15T11:39:00.016-07:00

Holly, one of my beautiful 'inherited' daughters (mine just the same) had her third child last Friday/Saturaday. November 8, 2008 at 1:08 a.m.

I got to babysit Isabelle and Joshua overnight the day Gabrielle was born - We had a great time watching SHARKBOY - Yeah! Thanks Joshua for letting me watch "Sharkboy" or I never would have seen it (chuckle). We did have a GREAT time though! Gabrielle was wonderfully born, weighed 7 pounds 3 ounces; 19 inches long.

(I used photo editing software to make the above photo look more "painting-like" - I just thought Holly looked soooo pretty in this photo).

Mother and baby and doing well . . .

. . . except the for the jaundice. Gabrielle has to be under the lights for awhile.

Click on any slide show photo (below). It will take you to a webshots link where you can download or see more photos. (Sorry there are two, for some reason I can't get the second slide show to go away) . . . technically challenged I guess!

Goodbye Indian Summer - See ya' next year!

2008-11-04T18:47:00.011-07:00

Tomorrow or the next day, all my flowers will be gone - frozen - wilted - It is supposed to snow. I know Utah is known for it's snow, but I like it best when it blossoms.

I had to put my sandals in the further-most part of my closet until next year and my shadow will seldom come out during the long, shadowy months of winter.

And the water fountain is snugly capped - no more cool drinks on a hot day. Actually, I forgot to uncap it this year, so there were no cool drinks on any hot day - at least not at this fountain.

This weathered old tree stump doesn't care about winter. This came from the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. My brother in Law, Wayne Ostler lugged it off the mountain for me. I'm sure he doesn't think it was worth it, but look how great it is. I think it was worth it. Of course, I wasn't lugging it - I mean I was attempting to help but . . . The egg looking rock in the background is from some other hike in Utah - I can't remember now. Cool huh!

The sunflowers are profuse at my house - everywhere they are not supposed to be. Jamie and I planted a sunflower garden the first year we moved into our house in Eagle Mountain. She was supposed to be getting some credit in her Young Womens - I've forgotten what it's called - you know, earned honors thingy. Anyway, she wasn't all that thrilled with it after the first month. So I ended up doing most of the labor. I don't think she should have gotten full credit on that one. Anyway, now we have an absolute steady supply of all kinds of sunflowers EVERYWHERE! Jim now HATES sunflowers. I still absolutely love them - thanks to the birds!

My back yard - still green (and the back fence is now painted). See, it's coming along! I xero-scaped this with a lot of sweat equity - salvaging boards, rocks, bricks and plants. Still, I think it is nice - no formality here, but comfortable for me.

The watermelons in my garden grew from stray seeds from ???? I didn't ever plant watermelons - but we had a bumper crop anyway. The last ones didn't get to ripen, but we had a WHOLE bunch that did! This one is growing amongst the potatoes.

And this is my hops! My sister bought this for me for my birthday two years ago. The vines are quite huge - so if you need any, let me know. I have no idea what to do with them, but they LOOK great! According to "THE SHORT HISTORY OF HOPS" by Coopsmaps.com which I found on the internet, they say: "

"Hop is a twining vine that grows rapidly in the summer months and enjoys direct sunlight. The young shoots are eaten as a vegetable and the leaves are blanched and used as a soup. But hops are cultivated mainly for the brewing industry. Hops contribute bitterness and aroma to beer, but they were not always part of the brewing process.

From the earliest days of beer in 4th cent BC Mesopotamia to Medieval times, beer was seasoned with different additives. Wild rosemary, coriander, ginger, anise seed, juniper berries, even wood bark was added to flavor the beer. Hops were known to early civilizations - they grew wild among the willows in Roman times. The Romans noted it grew like a "wolf among sheep" and referred to it as Lupus salictarius, which means the "good wolf." From this colorful origin, hops took its botanical name of humulus lupulus. The Jews provide the first written account of the use of hops in beer during captivity in Babylon. They record a sicera ex lupulis confectuam (strong drink made from hops). They also believed this drink alleviated leprosy."

There you go - no leprosy at our house this year!

NEXT:

This is the caster bean which grows on the giant caster bean plant (see below). According to W.P. Armstrong (http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plmar99.htm) this:

"The spiny seed pod or capsule is composed of three sections or carpels which split apart at maturity. Each section (carpel) contains a single seed, and as the carpel dries and splits open, the seed is often ejected with considerable force. Walking among large castor shrubs on a hot summer day can be quite an experience, with the sound of exploding carpels and seeds flying through the air and bouncing off road signs, sidewalks, and your head."

Well, I didn't notice anyone getting hit by my caster beans, but they do say they are quite poisonous. In fact the source said:

"They are unquestionably among the most deadly seeds on earth, and it is their irresistible appearance that makes them so dangerous."

Hmmmm. . . . I live in a neighborhood with a lot of children. I'm finding this out NOW! That said, we use (mankind) the caster bean plant for paint, nylon, motor oil, jojoba oil (wax), flavorings, elixirs, flavorings, medicine (I thought they were poisonous), and last but not least, the deadly poison, ricin. So, I hope you enjoyed the last 2008 trip around my yard. I have now cleaned out my garden and put the caster bean seeds safely (I hope) away in the landfill. The watermelons are eaten, all but one - and - Tomorrow it snows . . . .

I'll get ready for next spring. We'll see what plants I can come up with then.

PUMPCORN SQAUSH?

2008-10-27T21:47:00.005-06:00

Every year in my garden I plant squash (which includes pumpkins). I love them, tasty, nutritious and colorful. By definition, squash/pumpkins are actually a fruit - botanically speaking. I think they are more of a vegetable, but whatever they are, they are just such happy looking plants.

However, last year I planted several varieties (as I do every year) i.e. pumpkins, acorn squash, Hubbard's and banana squash. This year I only planted pumpkins and acorn squash. However, some stray seeds from last year grew in my garden from the compost pile - cross-pollinated seeds! I didn't realize it until harvest this year that I was not growing pumpkins in that one hill on the left. Oh, I do still have some pumpkins and I do still have some acorn squash (one pictured above) - BUT - then I had . . . . these . . . Pumpcorns?

Many cross pollinated plants are not tasty! However, I had to try one (I actually had six of the oddities) and they all looked like these three big ovals (as pictured above). The small one is an actual acorn squash from my garden from this year.

I cut one of them open, and I noted that it had a heart shape inside, much like an acorn squash - but big, big seeds and bright orange, rather stringy pulp was more like a pumpkin. I baked it with butter and a bit of brown sugar. Mmmm, it tasted, Mmmmm, very much like . . . just like the acorn squash. It was very, very good - beat the odds of the bad mix. The texture, however, almost resembled . . . hmmmm, a spaghetti squash? I didn't plant any of those . . . did one of my neighbors? Bad bees! I mean, good bees, bad pollinating. Well, good pollinating - I did say they were tasty, didn't I. They were tasty! I think they are Pumpcorns! Anyone want seeds for next year?

The Department Of Alcoholic Beverage Control

2008-10-22T19:17:00.018-06:00

The keyword here is "CONTROL" - mind you, and not "Alcoholic Beverage". I currently work as a "licensing and compliance Investigator" or so my business card says. It's nice to be on the civil end of things though. Just the word "civil" has significant meaning. Oh, I don't think I was ever a hard case BAD cop - I'm kind of a pansy, though I had to learn to pretend I was't. Anyway, DABC has been a great place to work, and I am loving my job. BUT . . . WOW! There is a LOT to do. My days whirl by because I never have enough time to quite finish. HOWEVER, the last couple of weeks I have had some traveling opportunities within the state, and it is icing on the cake for me. This is one of my co-workers, Stephne Pilling. She has been so patiently training me - showing me the twists and turns - and also . . . a good time. By the way, Stephne's unusual spelling of her name is a fun story. She says her parents were expecting a boy, and thus had decided to name him Stephen. However, when he turned out to be a girl, they just switched the last two letters of their chosen name and "Wa-La" Stephne! Anyway, I planned a trip to see some of my licensees in Carbon County and Sanpete Counties, and she went with me on an overnight trip. Busy as it was, we got to sight-see a bit. We went to the Natural History Museum in Price. Take a look at the dino's arm and that look on his face - He looks like he is enjoying a giving Stephne a good goose, and she appears to be reacting appropriately (chuckle). I'll just name him Romeo. She's not going to like this picture, but I think it is hilarious.

I took photos of these two fossil specimens for one reason only. I pick a bunch of them up in the ravines of the Pryor Mountains every year. I then dole them out to the neighbor kids. However, I never knew what they were called exactly, so here is what they are (though I still can't say the name). Oh, and don't worry. These are perfectly legal to pick up as they are not rare (so the museum description even stated).

And these little fellows are called the "Pilling" figurines. Stephne's Father in law (and his brothers) found them near price. So her last name is of interest too!

How about a night in the Museum with this fetching fellow?

Or this not-so-woolly Mammoth?This guy was found nearby too, so on our way to the next county, we stopped to take pictures where they found the complete mammoth.Interestingly, the finder, or at least the "exhumer" of the Mammoth, according to this billboard, was the State paleontologist, David Gillette, whom I happen to know! It's o.k. - I don't think that counts as "name dropping" really - I just thought it interesting.
This is the lake where the little guy was found . . . it was really pretty.

Stephne takes the camera . . . and just look the the fine photo she snaps of me! Maybe not my best side there Steph! Notice the soap I took from the motel peeking out of my pocket.

The Following week we flew to Saint George (Washington County) to conduct a Public Hearing for a licensee in Springdale (among other things). We had to go from one end of the County to the other and still make our flight back. However, we still had some photo ops. The photo I have of Stephne at the very beginning of the blog was taken in Dameron Valley. I had to go there to check on an applicant for a restaurant license.

The hearing in Springdale was a wash. Not one soul showed up for it. So Stephne and I stopped in Virgin to check out this tavern licensee . . .
and get to know the locals . . .

Stephne is stealing my new beau . . . so this is how it's going to be at work huh?

We had a long, long day that day - and had to rush back to the airport. However, I love the Saint George area. It think it is very beautiful. Too bad I couldn't go visit all my family (Hi Jem) down there. Maybe next time. Yeah! this job is a good gig!

Just Thankful I have a Job!

2008-10-16T19:24:00.014-06:00

In August, 2008, I retired from 24 years of being a Cop. I have been both a Utah State Trooper, and an Agent with the State Bureau of Investigation. One of my favorite assignments was singing in the Department of Public Safety Ensemble. Our ensemble group is pictured here with Governor Leavitt and the Lieutenant Governor at the state capital where we had been performing for some dignitaries. We sang at all kinds of venues like the Jazz game and other sports events. We sang at the new Citizen swearing in ceremonies, funerals etc. - but mostly we sang at dignitary events.

I also liked investigations - a lot - I worked as an undercover agent working liquor and vice crimes for many years. This young man was caught buying a keg for his senior party. We rather ruined it I'm afraid. Most of my work was actually in bars and seedy parts of town. However, it was really sort of a safe (or it seemed to me) excitement, being undercover - more like playing a part on stage than work. Since my major in college was theater (actually, musical theater), the undercover work was actually the best acting job I ever had - and I was paid steadily, unlike my actual work in the theater. Here are two of my co-workers, Rob Humphrey and Jeff Dunn and I on a very difficult undercover assignment - no really! It was tough climbing the red rocks to watch our enemies . . . Looks like we got caught - Sergeant Dale Neal taking the photo!

Here I am undercover . . . o.k. this is not real. I stole the guy from the internet and photo-shopped myself into it to depict my undercover stuff. I don't have any photos of actually being undercover . . . too bad, I had some really wild "bar clothes" . . . well, wild for me. Actually they were all really very tame in the bars! I don't drink at all, so I had a hundred (or so) ways to pretend to drink and fit into the crowd without really being part of the crowd. Like I said, best acting job I ever had!

Later, I transferred from the undercover stuff to solving Identity theft and financial crimes. I loved that too, a giant puzzle (I like puzzles) to solve, but the stakes are higher!

However, there comes a time when you know it is just time to go . . . and it just was my time.

Actually, I always feel like the Lord blesses me with jobs, 'cause he feels kindly, sorry for me, or he just knows that I need a little boost. Mosly when it appears that I can't do it for myself. He lets me work most things out, encouraging me when appropriate. But then there are those times that He just sort of hands things to me. He makes the stars align, the mountain move and the sea part, and it does not matter how unusual or who opposes it. He just moves the opposition out of the way, and sticks me in there. It happened when I was hired as a trooper with the highway patrol. It also happened with my new job which I will go into later. I want to publicly thank Him for his great love and kindness. I have always been able to support my family, be it humble . . . and I have been truly blessed. So, here is my story -My 24 years with the Department of Public Safety began this way:

In 1983, my short marriage to Lou was ending (That is another story I will tell on another day). But the fallout was simple. I had an infant in my arms, and no means to support myself. I was left alone in our big house (which I actually loved), still a student of the U, and no income. I had been praying so diligently about a direction, and for help, as I needed to provide for myself and my two sons. I was not yet finished with my education at the U, and the house was being sold. One night, however, or rather in the wee morning hours, I was up nursing my baby. I was so sad, but very prayerful. I just thought that maybe I should turn on the TV for comfort, and a sort of companionship. I was (and still am not) much of a television watcher, and so I rarely knew what shows were popular. However, that night I watched one whole re-run episode of “Cagney and Lacy” (which I had never seen before, nor since). I had the impression that maybe I could be a detective. However, I had no idea how to go about it.

The following day I looked through the Yellow Pages and found P.O.S.T. (police officer standards and training) and decided to call them. I naively asked the woman on the other end of the phone how I could be a "detective." She kindly snickered at me, and said I would have to go through the academy, and to do that I would have to be hired by an agency and be a street cop first. I thanked her and was about to hang up when added this tid bit. She told me that many police agencies hired from a statewide test that was given every six months for possible recruits. She said, however, that the deadline to sign up was “today”. I pulled myself together, packed up my boys and filed my application that very day.

It seems amazing I as look at it, and at the time, I thought it quite ludicrous. I was not in any physical condition to be taking that required P.T. test, (only six weeks after my son was born). When I arrived at the gym, unprepared for anything in my mind, I looked around and saw what I thought were about 500 giant men in gym clothes. I suddenly thought it quite funny, and decided that being with 500 men by myself could not be all that bad.

Most fortunately for me, the trainer also took a kindly liking to me. I did well on the written exams but failed nearly every physical test they had. When others were wet with perspiration, I was wet with breast milk! I tried to splash water on myself from the sprinkler to make it look like I was just really into hard physical training.

I was hired! That same wonderful trainer worked with me day after day, and after hours to get me physically through the academy. I think I was hired as one of their mascot women at the time. We (women) were not well liked back then and we were considered a threat to "real" cop’s safety . However, I knew this job was a direct blessing to my prayers. I found out later that a bunch of the Captains had made wagers on me, whether or not I would even make it through P.O.S.T. - most were betting against me. Fortunately, they lost their money - but then, it was not really my doing. You see, they could not have known the promises the Lord made with me. He makes a way and I know it was a direct answer to my humble pleadings. NEVER in a million years would I have thought to do something so outrageous and against my personality. But there is not one doubt in my mind his hand was in it from the beginning. It is not just the seeming coincidences. I could also feel it happening. That part I can't describe, but I knew it was out of my hands or the Captains, or anyone. I knew I would be hired.

My new job? I now work for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control as a licensing and compliance Investigator. I work the civilian side of what I did for years on the law enforcement side. However, I felt that same sense of just being moved along, all things falling into place. There were two hundred and something, something other applicants, and even some opposition from some of the employees about hiring a cop for that position. Never the less, the Lord has once again given me a slice of pie, just because he loves me.

There are adjusments, (like driving my own car), Thanks Dad for helping me . . . with the repair bill! but I am very happy doing what I am doing. Hopefully I will be an asset, and be able to continue supporting those who need me. Especially, my dear, dear God who loved me all along.

August and September Birthdays

2008-10-01T21:15:00.030-06:00

Our Family has a lot of birthdays in August and September - Actually, a lot in October, November and December too! For that matter, January, February, March, April, May and June . . . The only month that not much is going on, is July. I made up for that by getting married in July. We do have a large bunch after all - But I digress . . .

I am posting birthday photos of August and September 2008. Wade's birthday is in August too, August 7th to be exact. However he did not share any birthday photos with me from Denver, so I don't know what he did that day. Happy past birthday Wade, we love you!

So, Ammon's birthday was next on the list, and on the Sunday following August 22 (when Ammon turned 19 years old) we had our usual Sunday family party with all those family members who could attend.

This photo shows the party goers taking on an absolutely uproarious turn, don't you think?

Hmmmm . . . Looks like Matt Jensen was trying to liven things up a bit!

We did have cake for Ammon's birthday, but of course we forgot the candles. In fact, if we ever do have candles, it is highly unusual, so our family tradition has become to light the cake on fire with matches or sticks. Notice these past birthday cakes.

Here is Ammon's 2008 birthday cake:
We don't use 19 matches, we use 1 and 9 = 19 ....After dinner, we marched outside for family photos. These go about as well as expected:

Notice my left hand - That death grip is not a loving mother holding her birthday boy's hand in gentle joy . . .

it is a desperate woman attempting to prevent Ammon from sticking his finger in my nose or ear . . .

Oh! no - he's making progress . . . notice the tendons in my arm!

Ammon turns his attention to T.J. and Jason decides he's had enough of the probably ten tries at this photo shoot! AND - why in the heck is MY hair the only one blowing in the wind!

So, Ammon's successful day ends . . .

We now turn our attention to Becca's birthday on September 3rd (or rather on the following Sunday) . . .

Her cheesecake (she likes cheesecake which is great with me) actually had candles. In fact, Becca seems to be the only one who regularly has candles on her birthday cakes. I can't think why this anomaly takes place, but I believe Jamie brought the candles. There are also actually 25 of them instead of the makeshift 2+5 = 25 . . .

. . . but look at all that smoke! Boy Becca, you are half a half century old and it is showing by the look of the candle smoke!

(and by the way, Becca is the only daughter not married - which reminds me . . . Becca is going to SPAIN next year to live for a while. Maybe she'll find a handsome Spaniard and we can visit her in exotic places)!

Oh Yeah, I was writing about her birthday party . . . ahemmm

And so, we gather for the traditional family photo at the party (Jim's taking this picture) . . . Ammon was there, but he must have been in the bathroom or something . . . fortunately for me.

Jason turned 31 on September 27th. THIRTY ONE YEARS OLD! That make me . . . . . Thirty nine, of course! I was eight when I had him!Notice that we used Becca's left over candles - pink too! But we are back to the 3 + 1 = 31 scenario. And we did not gather for a family photo as my camera ran out of juice. By the time I got the battery charged? Jason said, Uhhhh! no. Not only that, he requested a PECAN pie for his birthday which we had already eaten before the newly charged camera could capture the moment. I had, however, purchased this cherry pie at the same time - so we substituted the Kodak moment with the cherry pie. (Nobody would be the wiser, except I just told you)! When I finally got this photo, I suggested that we sing happy birthday because I thought we had forgotten to sing. Everyone started laughing . . . they were actually singing while I was fiddling with the camera, and I didn't even notice! I say that I am not senile, I just have wonderful focus! (no pun intended).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALL MY LATE SUMMER BABIES!

Spookie Died Yesterday

2008-09-25T20:13:00.005-06:00

I just wanted to say goodbye to my sweet cat, Spookie. She was a stray who wandered into our Highland home in 1990 - already an adult cat, she was sick and starving then. I just could not resist keeping her, because when I would pick her up, she would put her arms (do cats have arms?) around my neck and hug me. Her hugs saved her life . . . and some days, mine!

By the vets estimations of her age when she arrived, and the years that have passed, spookie would have been going on nearly 20 years old. I guess she was happy with us! Now I complained in my last blog entry about how she stood in front of my computer and blocked my view until I petted her. Well, she was so sick the last few days she could not jump up even to my lap. Oh! Spookie, I loved you! I wish you were here in front of my screen, annoying me like usual. But you are now in a good place (read moses 3:5). Say "hi" to Poochie for me!

"Getting to know me better" tag

2008-09-05T12:41:00.008-06:00

Colett tagged (all who read her blog, and I had to try to figure out what being “tagged” meant”) so I assume it means you have to do what she did on her blog? I have yet to post pictures from around my house (another tag), but here are my answers to the 32 questions of “getting to know me better”:

1. Do you like Blue Cheese?

. . . Love, love, love it, but when I was younger, I couldn't stand it. Our tastes change, I guess – literally! You young folk out there, Marry with that in mind so you choose good things for the future (chuckle)!

2. Have you ever smoked?

. . . No, I could never figure that one out as something cool to do, even in my rebellious youth! I have never had an inclination to drink coffee either. I don't like heated drinks much!

3. Do you own a gun?

. . . For 24 years in a law enforcement career, a gun was necessarily glued to me - but not because I like them. But I do know how to use one!

4. What do you think of hot dogs?

. . . I like them wrapped up in cornmeal (yummy corn dogs) and dipped in mustard. However, they don't like me much, so I never eat them.

5. Favorite Christmas movie?

. . . “It's a Wonderful Life” - Hands down!

6. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?

. . . Kangen Water – I never drink anything else anymore. I'm totally addicted to it.

go to: http://www.mykangenwateringhole.com/

7. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?

. . . My watch – I paid far more for it than any other jewelry item than I have ever had (other than my wedding ring). It's probably not really classified as jewelry (though it looks more like a nice bracelet to me). I paid a lot for it so I could have a sealed “diving watch” that did not look like a diving watch back when I was an avid swimmer.

8. Favorite hobbies:

. . . Writing music, singing, gardening, family history research and hiking. I also like my computer.

9. Do you have A.D.D.?

. . . No, Not at all. Unless daydreaming during a boring class counts. I'd drift off and stay gone 'till class was over. I rarely get bored because I can entertain myself mentally so well. - Should I have admitted that?

10. What's one trait you hate about yourself?

. . . I would like it if I would never let myself get depressed or worry too much about things. I would like to have one of those personalities that is just so joyful and grateful all the time. For instance, two guys end up in a terrible wreck, and their cars roll six times. They are, however, not hurt. One guy says, “Wow! Look at that car. I am the luckiest person alive to get out of than without a scratch”, vs. the other guy who gets out and looks at his car and cries and moans, “Oh No! look at my car, it is ruined! What will I ever do? . . . How will I get to work? . . . what if my insurance doesn't cover this?" etc.

11. Middle Name?

. . . Kay

12. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment:

1) That they spelled my middle name wrong on my retirement plaque (Kaye),

2) I need to clean my house . . . and

3) I wonder if my check stub will arrive today, as I need to do my budget as soon as possible.

13. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?

. . . Kangen Water and occasionally milk, which I still love but drink far less of these days. There just isn't a third anymore. I swore off Dr. Pepper in 2002.

14. Current worry?

. . . Paying my debts, Jim's physical and mental heath, and Jon's life choices at the moment.

15. Current hate right now? Hate? that's pretty strong! However . . .

. . . Spookie, my cat, is getting really old (20) and her hair is matting and falling out. Her poor eyes have cataracts and she is skinny as a rail. Nothing but matted hair and skin on bones but she won't let me brush her as it seems to hurt. Then she stands in front of my computer screen and blocks it. I just look at her and feel so sad for her. (Still, why does she have to stand in front of my computer screen?) Poor Kitty!

16. Favorite place to be?

. . . I love being in the hills hiking; it always feels so good. I also love being at my Mom and Dad's house. I think I love hiking the Pryor Mountains more than any place! I also love being in my garden.

17. How did you bring in the New Year?

. . . Ummmm . . . Did I bring in the new year? I probably stayed home and went to bed since I can't remember it. I used to stay up and celebrate it with my kids with a fun bubbly (non alcoholic) beverage, but my kids were all off celebrating this year without me, since they have all grown up. I no longer have a tradition to celebrate, so I'll have to make a new one somehow!

18. Where would you like to go?

. . . on a Book of Mormon tour in the Latin America's. I'd also love to go to England on a Family History tour.

19. What shirt are you wearing right now?

. . . A black light knit shirt with white buttons on the front and one of Jamie's new “T-Letts” (that she now makes and sells) underneath it (for modesty). I quite like her T-letts . . . they are great! Try one!

20. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?

. . . Yes! But I don't like taking care of them, so I have the plain old cotton kind.

21. Can you whistle?

. . . Very, very poorly . . . No, Actually.

22. Favorite Color?

. . . Like my sister Joan and my Grandmother Eyre, red is my favorite color and any of it's variations.

23. Would you be a pirate?

. . . No! That's kind of like asking if I'd like to be a hooker! But I like the 'pretend' pirate fun it seems to be on Halloween.

24. What songs do you sing in the shower?

. . . What songs don't I sing! All the time, everything, anything – it's my OCD.

25. Favorite girl's name?

. . . I love the name “Onna” - and/or “Onya” - but favorites change, I suppose, with the wind! I named myself “Marky Onna” when I was doing undercover work for 9 years. That was fun! I love my Mom's name “Leta” as long as it is pronounced with the “T” and not a “D” and I love the name “Hope”.

26. When is the last time you laughed?

. . . Yesterday. I need a good laugh today, and fortunately for me, the day is not over . . . hoping, hoping, hoping! Sometimes you have to take things into your own hands and find something to laugh about!

27. Worst injury you've ever had?

. . . I have not ever had a really serious injury. I tore my earlobe piercing clean through one time. I had to have a plastic surgeon sew it back together.

28. Do you love where you live?

. . . Yes! I do love it out here in the west desert. I love it that I have a home at all, since there was a time I wondered if I would be driving my kids around in my car. My home is small, but wonderful. I love the hills and mountains right next to me where I hike, and the clear skies at night. The stars are magnificent. I love the lizards, mountain lions, birds of prey, coyotes and foxes. I love my sunflowers, the trees I've planted, and the wild flowers. I don't like the traffic issues at the moment, but they are fixing that, and one day that will be better.

29. What's your favorite book(s)?

. . . The Hiding Place, and the Harry Potter books. The scriptures too!

30. What is your favorite candy?

Deep, deep, deep, dark chocolate. I also like a good black licorice, but I'm picky. I'm not much of a candy fan, I'm afraid. Give me broccoli!

31. Favorite sports team?

I Don't follow team sports much, but I guess if I had to pick something, it would be the Jazz (because Jon loves them) or BYU (whatever they happen to be doing – gymnastics maybe?) because they represent (I hope) the church I love.

32. What song do you want played at your funeral?

I say, skip the funeral (have a very quick graveside service and bury me in a large but inexpensive ginger jar with a soft blanket). THEN - celebrate my passing with a wonderful formal ball complete with an orchestra (and everybody is required to dance). Play and dance to some of the music I've written (the only place I'll probably ever have a concert of that music), and also include in the mix, one of my favorites: “Black is the Color of my True Love's Hair.” End with gratitude to God, with a sincere prayer and the songs, “If you could Hie to Kolob” and “Come thou Fount” . . . especially the lines:

“Prone to wander Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.

Here's my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for thy courts above”

That's what I want! But, alas, I believe whatever works best for those laying my body to rest, (and that which my budget can afford) and makes them feel the most comfort – that's what would be the best!

Wyoming Vacation (part 2)

2008-08-31T21:43:00.028-06:00

Photos: of the Wyoming State flower - Indian Paint Brush and a purple "I don't know" at peace with a spent, common dandelion. I like that for some reason.

and

Ammon and his Dad looking out over the Top of the Big Horn Mountains)

Part of our trip to Wyoming always includes side trips to the Big Horn Mountains and to the Pryor Mountains.

We went to the Big Horn's first. The problem is, I still do not like the trip up the steep mountain side 'cause cliffs scare me to death. It used to be worse though. The switchbacks (long since done away with) used to scare me into apoplexy, and I believed each twist would send me flying to the bottom of the mountain. I would literally hide on the floorboards. Ugh! just thinking about it makes me want to close my eyes and hide. Yeah! It's better now, and I am slightly cured of my fear of cliffs - well, I did say slightly, right?

So what does Ammon to do me? You'll see. These next photos will tell the story of our adventure to Porcupine Falls. It is quite amazing really. If this were in Hawaii, swimming in the pool below the falls would be just wonderful, and I might have wandered in. But this water is ice cold even in the hottest part of summer. So what does my son Ammon do? Yes! Ammon got up the nerve to jump in the pool first - off a cliff. He had to coax Marnee, but she eventually also jumped into the icy waters. I didn't think much of their wisdom, but the cliff was not too drastic and I did take a video of it. Pretty funny.

All was going well until a group of kids from some kind of "Christian Camp" arrived. Their leader (who I believe now must be of the devil) led them up the side of the cliff where they all began to "cliff dive" and so Ammon could not resist joining them. He followed them right up the side of the mountain. (note the black arrow on the photo - that's the point of the dive). It is higher than it looks in this photo, trust me!

I was having my apoplexy fit watching the event unfold, and thus I missed photoing his actual dive.

I only got a picture of him swimming to shore (because by then I realized he had survived and I was much calmer). I didn't know whether to be mad or grateful. I guess I choose to be grateful he is such a winner of a kid, and talented, and adventurous. He did nearly freeze to death though, (serves him right) and I think he is still shivering.

Ammon teasing his Mom! "TOLD YA' NOT TO WORRY -

THE PRYOR Mountains (or actually the foothills to the Pryor Mountains) are actually my favorite place in all of Wyoming. If I could, I move there. Seriously! I build a home there. The foothills there are dryer, more desolate, less traveled, and my "at peace". It just feels like a special place to me - like I belong there. I love the tee-pee rings, and Native American carvings on the ravine walls, the mud canyon, the fossils, and the red dirt. I love the lizards and the other wildlife who eek and existence out there. The skies are usually sunny, and the juniper and cedar trees smell so good and often look so funny. The rock formations, I find particularly interesting. It's a good place.

This trip, Alex Ostler (my grandnephew) went with us. We didn't have any other takers but Alex is loads of fun and one of the kindenst young men I know. I was very happy he was going to go with us. We drove to a fun spot, and Ammon, Marnee, Alex and I climbed down into one of the many ravines to explore. The plan was, that Jim would drive the car back down to the end of the ravine and we were going to hike down to the bottom. Jim could then pick us up. However, we didn't think about Alex having been seriously ill over the past few months. Worse, we left all the water in our car - didn't take it with us on the hike! Duh!

First rule of the desert, always take the water.

It's just that I just didn't think the hike would be far, and we were hiking down hill, after all, (and I was well hydrated before I got out of the car so didn't think) but it was very hot and Alex, still being somewhat weak must have especially needed water. I actually began to be quite worried (without saying so), enough that I humbly hid myself behind a rock and prayed - hard - that we could find Jim quickly and get water for Alex.

Prayer done, action next - I thought that the best course of action was was to send Ammon and Marnee up and out of the ravine to see if they could see Jim - see where the car was - how far - and thus assess our best and closest source of water. I thought perhaps I'd have to send Ammon and Marnee for the water, and Alex and I would stay behind in some shade. Well, just as Ammon was scampering up to the top of the red cliffs, I heard the car horn blast! Amazing! (It is not really when prayer is involved, but it still seems amazing to me). Jim had suddenly decided to go on a different road and felt that he should honk the horn, letting us know his position. The noisy blare was the most wonderful noise I had heard all day - all week - and he was really very close by.

I told Alex that it would be tough, but our best way to water was to hike up (whew) and out! (he was smart too, finding our best way out when I was stuck). What a sport Alex! We then had our fill of the blessed clear water.

In this photo, you can see Alex, who had just recently been on a type of steroid, actually causes a rather round face for a short term. He had just finished his regimen of medicine which had definitely not been fun for him.

The trip home - we stopped at Red Canyon near Lander Wyoming. It is so gorgeous!

Ammon says this photo looks like it was taken with on of those fake backgrouds. It's not! It's the real thing!

Of course, Ice cream at Farson, and home again in Eagle Mountain.

For the love of Family - That's my politics!

2008-08-24T00:09:00.030-06:00

Ammon and I had planned to go to Wyoming since . . . well, way back when. You see, my youngest son had a car, which was more than I had (I only had my State police vehicle available to me because I worked for the State. However, I couldn't take it more than 50 miles from home . . . unless it was work related, of course). Anyway, Ammon wanted a trip to Wyoming, and he had a car, and I wanted a trip to Wyoming, and - did I mention that Ammon had a car?

O.K. So I did. Anyway, I called my mother way back then and asked her if our plan to stay there was going to be too much of a burden for her. Of course when she said “yes” I took it to mean we could come.

When we had originally made the plans to go, my Mom didn't know she would be having major surgery, and that my Dad would also be terribly ill, have to fly to Billings in a Medivac helicopter, and try to die on us before we could get there. Now we would totally be a burden if we went. But then after my parents struggles, I really, really wanted to go. I just had to see them. I promised mom that she would not have to take care of us, but you know she always does anyway.

As it turns out, Ammon's girlfriend, Marnee, and my husband Jim, also came along, which we had not initially planned, Ammon and I. However, I had to practically kidnap Jim and force him into submission and drag him to the car to go. Ammon and I packed his suitcase, so he may not have been totally happy with his choices of clothing he had once we were there. (Jim was later very grateful we were so abusive and made him come).

Ammon can't seem to part with Marnee these days (or else I think he dreaded being in a car alone with his parents for 10 hours) so he coaxed her into coming too. I don't think he had work too hard at convincing her, however. Much easier than Jim. However, it was, after all, a real party in the car. Just ask Ammon if his mom and dad are not just loads of entertainment. Hmmmm, maybe don't ask him about how fun the ride up to Cowley was, just take my word for it. LOADS of fun!

He's a good boy. A very good boy!

(I love you Ammon)!

We took some pictures on the way up when we stopped at Thermopolis. It was really beautiful there. (this photo just does not capture how pretty it really was). The kids took off with my camera and snapped some fun photos too . . .

Ammon and Marnee playing around in the mineral formations . . .

and with the dinosaur's nose?

Of Course the sign said not to touch the dinosaur . . . so I have to say Ammon's still a little bit disobedient.

After our party in the car, we did arrive in Cowley safe and sound. I greeted my mother with a giant hug - she just brings me such joy and peace. It was so good to hug my Mom. But my Dad was in bed already, and he looked so weak and frail. I have never seen him look like that. (Well, there was the time he was in the hospital with open heart surgery . . . but that was ages ago it seems). This time he had lost so much weight and his deep bass voice, which I love so much, was shaky - and it scared me. It scared me so much I had to hold back the tears and pretend I wasn't scared, but I was. I curled up next to him on the bed and just let him hug me tight. I was so happy for a moment in time. He said in that frail low voice, “this feels so good” and I agreed to the depths of my soul and thanked God that he was here for a little longer. I felt like a little girl again curled up next to him.

Moments like that remind me how there is nothing in this world more important than the love we have for each other and our family relationships. How eternally tied we are, and how much more that means than anything else in this world. It is in those moments that I feel the love of God around me; just a little bit of celestial glory in this often unholy world.

Dad began to rally a bit while we were there. My brothers all arrived too, for the big celebration we always called "Cowley's Day" though it is more appropriately called "Pioneer Day". Only my sister was missing on this trip. (I do get to see her now more than I ever have since she moved to Utah. I feel very fortunate in deed).

Now I told you I believe there is nothing more important than our eternal family ties. That does not mean every word you share with your siblings is all “Pollyanna” every day. It just means you love them in spite of differences. For example, my younger brothers got rather mad at me while I was there, I'm afraid. Our politics differ, but it was quite by accident that I brought "politics" up. You see, I made a pretend call to President Bush on my cell phone to entertain my darling little niece, Lucy.

I didn't really get the opportunity to express my political opinions, I just responded to my brother Ned's disgust by suggesting maybe President Bush wasn't THAT bad! (I just don't think in the long term, many years from now, President Bush will look that bad. Other war President's also had low ratings at the time of their wars too). But it still ended up with my youngest brother resorting to calling me a “neo-con” . . . Oh, I'm sure he meant it in the nicest possible way ;-) . . . Actually, I had to look up the moniker, as I had no idea what it meant. According to the web based dictionaries, it means “new conservative” or rather, a former liberal who has seen the light, I say. However, I was never a liberal. I am actually a very “Ye ole' - con. I suppose on the liberal blogs, the name is more unkind in nature, but I choose to believe Ned is just sensitive about that subject and took it out on me. (Next time I'll call pretend to call Cinderella)!

I am quite conservative in my thinking, no doubt about it, but we as humans have much more in common than politics. We are eternal families. I have no doubt Ned Loves me anyway. He just could not hold back his irritation, based on experiences he had in Iraq, I suppose. I know my brothers must have experienced the most awful of things as soldiers in the war. They think it is wrong to be there. I just know that sometimes we have to go to war to protect our families and our freedom, and sometimes the freedom of others. I won't pretend to know how bad it was over there for them. I just believe in looking at the eternal perspective.

They think the Iraq war is a war for oil. I suppose freedom from oppression would include allowing them to sell their oil to us, and help enrich them. That seems like not such a bad thing to me. I'm not going to pontificate on politics here. I just think, using the analogy of the whole problem as being like an elephant, my brothers may have been assigned to clean the elephant's waste. We do need people willing to do that.

I think my brothers' perspectives of what happened in Iraq is probably accurate, at least from their experience in the elephant dung pits. I won't question that, and I believe them. Their understanding of it is most certainly truthful. But I believe their vision might have limited their ability to see outside their terrible, but perhaps narrow experience, and not see the good in the service they did. I believe their service to our country is a good and noble thing and I am grateful for it. I hate it that so much of the media has made veterans of THIS war appear as not being worthy of heroism. It was somewhat like that in Viet Nam as I remember. So different than the unity of World War II, though I am no war expert. Perhaps it is the overall deteriorating morals in our society as a whole that is the problem. No politics there - just an expanding wickedness in our Nation; this occuring among every political side.

I have thought a lot about the “dung” they experienced. But I think, after all, that really is not the picture of the whole elephant. Greg told me that they had to shoot an elderly man just because he wouldn't stop at the entrance to a secured area (or something to that effect). Greg was quite angry and horrified at the inhumanity of men. I couldn't agree more. I can't imagine the things that war brings out. But we are always at war with Satan and He is so clever. For example, I have an acquaintance, the Chief of police in Lehi whose last name happens to be “Terry”. I sort of imagine we are probably related to any “Terry” in Utah based on my mom's genealogy. Anyway, he made a simple traffic stop. A youthful woman who appeared every bit harmless shot him in the head. It could have just as easily have been me during my law enforcement career.

My point is, we just don't know who the enemy is sometimes. Who knows if the man Greg referred to was an enemy. In my (former) line of work, you may not go home alive if you allow too much assumption. I don't mean to be trite. I ALWAYS erred on the side of believing in the good of people. I think the Lord had to watch over me because of that.

I do think though, that feeding the elephant, or clipping it's toe nails or better yet, riding atop the elephant, would be a totally different view than the limited view of cleaning up the back end. So, I suppose, if you described your perspective from another vantage point, you would also be correct - but still not see all.

But the Lord sees all, and He is the only one who does. I would rather put my trust in God because he does see all, and He knows all, and He is all. I know that and I love Him so very much. If we stay "in tune" with his will, we will see the bigger picture. I want to follow Him - Every day of my life. I want to listen, talk to, be hugged and be comforted by Him. I love my soldier brothers very, very much. I hope they will let God comfort them, and accept His hugs, because I know nothing else will ever really help their pain. That's my politics.

End of Cowley Trip - Part I (more to come).

2008-08-13T22:22:00.003-06:00

After 24 years of service

With the

Utah Highway Patrol

Margaret Hardie

Is retiring

Please join us in celebrating with her

By attending a luncheon and

Visiting with Margaret:

Friday August 14, 2008

12:00 – 14:00 pm

State Capitol Complex – Multi Purpose Room on the 1^st floor Near the North Entrance to the Plaza and Fountain (Call the Capitol Control Room / UHP office for directions if necessary - (801) 538-1111)

P.S.

Thank you for sending an RSVP to:

Sally Lundgreen - slundgreen@utah.gov

This will help for our planning of Margaret’s luncheon.

Parking is in the visitor parking area on the east side of the Capitol

Happy 23rd Anniversary Jim and Margaret

2008-07-30T22:58:00.023-06:00

We celebrated our 23rd Wedding Anniversary on July 19th at the Sub Zero Ice Cream shop. I took my camera in, and while we waited for our ice cream to be made, we just took silly photos of ourselves. People thought we were tourists or something.

Oh, I suppose ice cream is not romance and roses, but it was truly fun and and a bit silly for us. After all, we are known as the "dullards" by our children.

Now before you roll your eyes at our lack of romance, you should know we did go out to dinner at a very nice restaurant first, so we are not completely without balance.

But then we decided to go for ice cream - just for fun.

This ice cream shop makes the ice cream from scratch and then freezes it with dry ice while you wait.

There must be hundreds of choices which is really bad for me. I can NEVER decide!

Just a note, however, if you are going to spend this much on an ice cream cone, get the fat stuff. I got the yogurt, and Jim got the custard. I ended up eating his - it was much, much, much better. Just decide to be fat that day!

Obviously the decor in the ice cream shop is decidedly retro, and since 23 years is no recent event, it seemed appropriate for us to be there.

People thought we were tourists or something the way we were taking pictures. Here is my dear husband Jim at the old gas pump. I Wish gas prices were like the prices on this pump. I remember when gas was 25 cents a gallon and it does not seem that long ago . . . well, I guess was quite a while ago, but it just does not SEEM that long ago.

You know? I didn't even mind people looking at us with a scewed eye - we just kept on snapping photos.

In fact, a young man in the shop saw us and suggested we could take a picture in his car.

We ended up taking photos of two old classic cars.

This one is a shiny red old 1960 Ford Galaxy 500.

I don't remember what year or brand of Chevy this one was, but Jim liked it better than the Ford! I guess I could go ask him, but I suppose someone out there in blogger land can tell me! It looks a little like a "Bat Mobile" to me.

We ended our evening - both of us quite happy with the events of the day. We celebrate these 23 years of joy, tears, pleasure, pain, humor and 10 children between us, among us, and around us. I Thank God for all good things.

Old Shirt . . .

2008-07-10T16:28:00.011-06:00

Take a Look at this Shirt . . .
(and not my goofy face in this photo).

I was a student at the University of Utah many . . . I mean, just a few years . . . o.k. it was 30 years ago! Anyway, somehow I got this shirt, but I think it was actually a "hand-me-down" when I got it. Needless to say it is soooo old. I thought it would be fun to see if I could find photos of me it wearing it through the years and post them here. Sadly, I have found only one so far, but I thought that I had found three (which I posted so I'll leave them), but it makes this post not nearly as clever as I thought it would be, because there are actually two different shirts. However, there are stories to go with them, so here goes.

Here is the first:

I think this photo of me (standing up on the Pryor Mountains in Wyoming) was taken in 1985, so the "U" shirt is already at least 5 years old here! By the way, although I attended the U of U, I feel no particular loyalty to the "U" (sorry 'bout that my old school). But If I were to actually buy a college T-shirt it would probably be a BYU shirt, as I also attended that college.

FUNNY STORY:

One day Jim and I were shopping at a yard sale. We were looking at different things in different parts of the yard when we finally met up and began a conversation about what we might like to buy. The owner of the yard sale was a man about 10 years older than me, and I noticed he had rather a puzzled look on his face. I could tell he wanted to talk, so I said something mundane, I suppose. Anyway, he finally got up the nerve to ask his question. He asked Jim and I if we were there together. I began to wonder if he wanted to ask me out or something. It was odd. I responded, that of course we were. Then the guy in total amazement asked, "but you're not married are you?" Jim and I were both a little puzzled at why he would be so surprised that we were married. Then the guy pointed out why he was so puzzled. You see, I was wearing (as pictured on this blog) the "U" T-shirt, and Jim was wearing the insignia of the University of Utah's number one rival - a "BYU" hat!

Next photo - I actually thought this photo was the "U" shirt, but when I enlarged it I could see it was a different old shirt (I must have had this one at least as long). This photo was taken about 10 years ago. I was working at the Criminal Investigations Bureau at the time, and I was on a road trip. We had been traveling all over the state and we were tired. But as we (the other agent I was working with) got close to home, we stopped to take a look at the ruins at Simpson Springs, just West of where I now live in Eagle Mountain. Simpson Springs is significant because it was an old Pony Express stop over. Obviously, now it is a ghost cabin. There are old remnants of horse corrals in the back where they kept the spares (horses, that is). I didn't know I would soon be actually living close to Simpson Springs when this photo was taken. It's worth a trip out there as there is also a lush bird sanctuary right in the middle of the desert. It is so odd - Take a day trip out there and see it.

I also originally thought this photo was of the "U" shirt and discovered it was the same as the photo at Simpson Springs. However, This is a good story too, so I'll post it.

On one of my road trips (again working for the CIB) I talked the Agent I was working with into stopping at the Parawan, Utah Cemetery where Grandpa Elmer Eyre was born. I found a bunch of relatives buried there including Susan Fish Smith. Susan was Grandpa Eyre's Grandmother. So I stopped here to give her a hug!

So, If I actually find more "U" T-shirt photos, I'll post them. (chuckle)

Check out Jamie's new business web page!

2008-07-07T00:17:00.000-06:00

Home

Jamie's new business: "T-Lets"

2008-07-06T23:50:00.006-06:00

My daughter Jamie has decided to go into business with some of her friends - Her new website is up and running, (some of it still in the making but go check it out). Oh! and notice the model in a lot of the shots

(NOT THIS PHOTO - you have to actually go the website http://gettisaccessories.com/)

- this photo is just one I like.

So Did you go to the website? And isn't she gorgeous? I know I will be making a few purchases. More products will be added she says - some of the T-lets with lace for fancier dresses which I would like. Other products coming on line too!

You GO Girls, and Go Jamie!

"Daisy" dressed up as a "Poppy"

2008-06-12T23:33:00.013-06:00

This ridiculous head gear is not really just so Daisy blends in with Joan's Flowers. It is actually to protect her from licking and infecting her dog bite wound.

Last Friday we were at T.J.'s baseball game and Daisy, as usual, was very excited. So much so, that I had to take her for a walk to calm down her excess mania. Daisy is like that - A dog on caffeine - (extra, extra large please). Unfortunately, we walked too close to another dog and that dog did not take a liking to Daisy. He reached out and bit her on the upper flank, near her neck, as we walked by.

I didn't even know she had been really injured until later. The wounds didn't bleed immediately, and her hair hid the evidence. But soon enough they began to bleed and ooze through her white hair.

The wounds were not as wide as they were deep (as canine teeth will do) but one of the puncture wounds also tore a rather gaping hole into her, right down into the muscle. In this photo you can see the smaller wound and the larger one, though they are healing and look "scabby" here, which is a good thing.

But as Daisy was mending, she began to scratch at them with her back leg. The smaller wound was looking very well until she scratched it open again. So we had to add a padded sock to prevent her from scratching off her newly formed scabs.

Daisy says, "Hi" - "I love you all so very much, come out and play with me, and do it right away, I'm out here by myself and I want to come in and jump and run and jump some more and" . . . Whew! Daisy, settle down you crazy Dog! This is why that other dog did not like you!

But WE love you!!!!

Go to this website and enlarge to full Screen - WONDERFUL

2008-06-04T11:34:00.002-06:00

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

My first demo Album

2008-05-25T22:32:00.003-06:00

These sixteen songs (actually fifteen - one is repeated in a different format) are among my first ever written (not all). I have written or arranged hundreds since this time. These songs were arranged about 1994 on what was then the state of the art keyboard. It now sounds, in comparison to todays standards, like a tinker toy. I also only had one shot at recording because my funds were short. So if there were pitch problems etc. it was just too bad! There are a lot of things I would do differently, but this is what I have. There is a story behind each song. Many of these are kids songs, and sound a little cheesy. Many of them are love songs, and also sound a little cheesy. Some of them are based on my deepest love for God and my relationship to Him. They may not be the best vocals, music, or accompaniment, but they are all heart felt. I hope you can enjoy them for what they are in spite of the limitations musically. If anyone wants a CD (chuckle) - e-mail me!

Click here for more information about the songs
Click here to create your own MySpace Playlist

Mother's Day

2008-05-17T07:45:00.033-06:00

Holly hosted a mother's day celebration last Sunday. It was fun to have so many of us there.

We also got to see Christy and Macy a little later..

So, here are my Grandshildren: Macy (Who found my hair to be quite tasty),

Isobelle (who had a hard time staying awake for any of it),

Carter (quite a personality, see his determination),

Morgan (gorgeous as ever),

Justice (always a smile and loving disposition),

Joshua (look at that character, he cracks me up),

and TJ ( He was giving me a hard time, I had to take about 20 pictures of him cause he wouldn't let me take a "real" picture without his hiding behind his hat)

And my kids and spouses, Jason (he's always pulling a face too, so I had to keep taking his picture - yeah! that's where TJ got it. and Kristine . . .

Jamie and Matt (Fat, as Jamie always calls him)

Becca took Holly, Jamie and I out to dinner and a play on Friday. That was so fun. So we decided we needed a photo to celebrate just the Girls - mothers or future mothers - Hey -where was Kristine? How did she get out of this one? Sneaky little thing!

Ammon - (my baby)

My Jonathan, aka Jonny Jon, Jonny Run, Jonny Big, Jonny Snow, Jonny Bear, Jonny . . .

Becca and Holly

Jeremy

And - Congratulations are in order for two more wonderful moms - Happy mother's day to you Holly (being loved by her husband, Matt. They are expecting a baby in November) . . .

And Kristine, who is also expecting a baby (they just found out so sometime next year). This baby was quite unexpected, they tell me, but Jason says, "I guess the Lord blessed me with more money (he got an unexpected significant raise at work too) and baby to go along with my raise!" Doesn't she have a glow! I think so.

Mother's Day was wonderful - Thanks so much! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU ALL!

Marnee Dortch's Lehi Senior Prom - Ammon is escort!

2008-04-28T21:46:00.015-06:00

It would seem that the Dortch family can't get rid of the Hardie's . . .

We have known the Dortch's since Becca and Jon were in 1st grade in Highland - they were in the same class with Cameron Dortch. Then the Dortch's moved to Saratoga (before it was a city). Over the years, Jon and Cameron stayed in touch.

Then, before we moved to Eagle Mountain, Jamie began school at Lehi Jr. High and she would stay with Malaree Dortch after school.

Maloree and Jamie went to school together and were good friends.

Later, Jamie married Matt Jensen, and Matt is also good friends with the Dortch family.

. . . and then there is Marnee. Ammon and Marnee Dortch were in elementary school together and Jr. High. They have also become good friends!

. . . SO, to prom they went. They both said they had a wonderful time at Lagoon,

then dinner,

and then at the formal prom held at the Union Pacific Building, downtown SLC.

However, with all of their activity, they missed their appointment to get their photos taken, and at 12:30 AM they were at our house for photos.

They look so cute, but their photographer is worth about what they paid her . . . (chuckle) - Never the less, here they are looking all grown up!

Daisy got her Spring Hair Cut

2008-04-24T20:06:00.002-06:00

Only this morning, Daisy looked just like a huge big white snowball with eyes. She is still pretty round though. Jim keeps feeding her between meal snacks!

Ammon's new car!

2008-04-24T19:21:00.006-06:00

In January, Ammon was all enamored with a black Mazda Protege, which he had decided to buy from his friend. HOWEVER - after being picked up for the most silly violations and having the cops (and I'm a cop and thought they were silly) ask about drugs over and over again, (they wanted inside that car) Ammon began to think that Mazda was the most awful cop magnet on the planet.

I had told him he had to remove the Skull and cross bones sticker on it, as it was a dead give away for a drug car, but he couldn't ever get it off. Perhaps, fortunately, Ammon never could work out the final purchase, so he ended up taking a rather substantial financial loss and gave the car back to his friend. Then Ammon went to the church fleet sales and bought this beige Chevy Malibu. He says, "Oh Yeah! I can just drive by the cops and not one of them even gives me a second glance. I love a plain car"

Bye - see ya' later Mom!

Finally publishing Christmas 2007

2008-04-12T23:47:00.004-06:00

I hope you enjoy

Family Christmas Party 2007

The family at Uncle Ron's Funeral

2008-03-15T17:54:00.006-06:00

This is a photo of all my brothers and my sister and I. Left to right: Ned, Margaret (I hope I'm just standing funny, and my belly isn't really that big) Jon, Joan, Rick and Greg. I think we look great and I am so happy to have this photo. It is a shame we were all together just because we were attending a funeral. It was my Uncle Ron's funeral -we all loved Uncle Ron. I was surprised at how hard it hit me when I found out he had died suddenly. He and my dad seemed to be quite close and had a lot in common, so I think we all knew Ron better than most of dad's siblings. Ron was the youngest in the family; it was truly a surprise. My Dad in tears said, "He seemed so healthy, it is me who is living on borrowed time."

Uncle Kenneth, Uncle Richard (I knew him as uncle Dick as a child but he prefers to be called Richard), and my Dad

It would appear that the Marchant's have heart problems early in life, and I am probably no exception based on my cholesterol numbers. My dad, my brother Jon, my Aunt Eva Lou and my grandmother ! - actually it would appear to be her side - Eva Leone Lewis Marchant died so young that I never knew her, or don't remember as I was an infant when she died. I have been taking some supplements, eating oatmeal and ground flax seed, eating my vegetables and fruits (although that was never hard cause I love vegetables - but the oatmeal, that's another story). Now I just need to get back into my exercise routine, which lately has been totally absent. That would probably my best defense against it - UGH!

Aunt Roma - the eldest of dad's siblings. Her heart is good (apparently) both figuratively and literally!

Aunt Mary Alice - It was wonderful to see her. I hardly know her as she has lived so far away for all of my life.

My Uncle Lewis (Charles Lewis) was not there, nor was my Aunt Laurine. I understand they are ailing nor do they like funerals I understand. Aunt Eva Lou was not there either as she passed away a few years ago. Sadly, I was unable to attend her funeral, and I don't have a picture of her. I always thought she was so pretty.

My Mom - isn't she cute. I love her so much. SOoooooooooooooo much. Below are more family. There is joy in being together, isn't there: Shon and Kee Ostler, cousins Todd Willis, Valerie & Eva (Marchant), nieces Amy & Colett (Ostler) & Melissa (Marchant), Cousin Cindy (Marchant), Greg's Family - Lynn (sister in law) Jesse & Christine, Linda (sister in law - with Jon and Melissa) Aunt Gay and Uncle Kenneth Marchant, Cousin Scott Marchant, Debby Willis and the Bishop, who was a close friend of Uncle Ron.

GOOD BYE my dear Uncle - for now. I am so grateful that I have such a testimony of the goodness of God, and our home where he now dwells. It certainly brings comfort. But we all shed tears. I pray Aunt Laura Lee, cousins Scott, Valerie and Eva and their children will be comforted.

Twister

2008-03-10T16:16:00.010-06:00

Wade is holding our newest grandchild, Macy Ann.

The other kids are playing TWISTER.

Morgan is spinning the dial - she looks like she might be rigging the game . . .

and Justice, T.J. and Ammon are tangled up. Oh Wow! Look at that clutter around my computer desk. I should take pictures of my house more often and I would be shamed into fixing things up a bit.

Oh Carter! you can't play this game with food!!! - yummmm.

Ammon's Kitten

2008-03-10T15:17:00.005-06:00

Ammon snatched this kitten from a Feral cat den down by the lake. She's absolutely nuts - unbelieveable daring and very naughty. But she does take a good picture.

2008-02-19T20:41:00.004-07:00

This is our dog, Daisy, or "Crazy Dazy" as she is affectionately known. We rescued her from the animal shelter, but we thought (they told us) she would not grow much bigger. We wanted a rather smallish dog and one that didn't shed. But she grew bigger and bigger, and hairier and fluffier and she only sheds - well, when her hair is long (chuckle). Thats the way it is with mutts. But isn't she lovable?

Daisy? Daisy? . . . where are you? Oh, Foo! I found her - camouflaged and happily asleep on my llama blanket on my bed!

Jim

2008-02-16T09:11:00.002-07:00

This is a very personal post . . . I'm not sure I really want to post it. But I think I will anyway. I like this picture of my husband - dressed up and a good day! Not all of his days are good. He has struggled for years with bi-polar (manic depression) issues, and a host of physical illnesses and addiction associated with all of that. We all come to this earth with challenges. But his must be so hard - that so few of us can understand. I know I don't. Some days I feel so angry, but it is wasted negative emotion that only harms. I feel sorry for myself - quite selfish negative nowhere going emotions. But then . . . I have always felt a deep abiding belief that we knew and loved each other in the preexistence. I believe I promised him I'd stay and love him and help raise our families. I have tried to do this. Peace fills my soul when I ponder on it and I feel that this is true. That is one emotion that always brings me around. I have no doubt that Jim also loves me with all that he has. I have no idea how long he will live, but it always seems quite tenuous. I pray, hope and love him. That's all.

For Jamie and me

2008-02-16T08:35:00.006-07:00

Jamie is taking this picture - she is always taking funny closeups like (chuckle) this - but I do like this one!

February 11, 2008

2008-02-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

I have not really figured out how to post things quite in the order that I want them. Kind'of drives me nutty. But I will get better - well, maybe - well maybe not, but . . . Oh Well. Tomorrow is another day. xoxoxoxoxo

2008-02-11T12:03:00.001-07:00

I thought I'd throw in a few other events that have happend in our clan.

The William's Family (Holly) Halloweeing at our house.

And Jeremey graduated from his Cat 3 Post class in Salt Lake County.

Happy Brithday Morgan Hardie

2008-02-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

Today is Morgan Hardie's birthday - she is five and she loves her new sister Macey Ann Hardie.

Latest family photos

2008-02-11T11:31:00.001-07:00

We all met at our house last night, Jon and Becca were late for this photo for various reasons, and Joshua was not here either. But here we are, most of us (minus our East coast family). The photo of Jon, Jamie, Ammon and Joshua was taken in January.

More family photos

2007-11-24T15:11:00.001-07:00

Becca's birthday, Jason's Birthday and Ammon's birthday parties. There are two guests in the photos - Becca's friend and Jeremy's friend.

Top left to right: Matthew and Jamie, Jeremy hugging Becca, Jim in the back, Jon holding Justice, Girlfriend #1, TJ making a face, Girlfriend #2 in the back, Christine and Jason holding Carter, and goofy Ammon in the back. xo

2nd photo: Top left to right: Jeremy, Holly, Joshua, Jon, Ammon, Margaret, Jamie and Matthew

Some Family Photos

2007-11-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

We still try to get together every Sunday for dinner. Some of the kids still make it home.

Summer 2007 photo. Photo of my Grandson Joshua and my sons Jon and Ammon.
Joshua was still living with us in the picture below, as were Jon and Ammon. Joshua has since moved away with his Mom, Holly, and her new Husband. Jon and Ammon have both also moved to greener pastures, or at least to try to make greener pastures. We are now empty nesters, and it seems really odd. Especially when we have been parents for so many years for so many (ten +) children. Whew! I don't know if I like it or not. There are positives . . . but I miss them. Sometimes I weep (the good kind) - sometimes I dance like a silly girl - cause there is no one to notice ;-) xoxo

www.cprwater.com :: Your Body Is Water!

2007-10-26T13:16:00.000-06:00

www.cprwater.com :: Your Body Is Water!

This is a website everyone should go to. I love, love this water!

2007-10-18T22:03:00.000-06:00

Well, I have to have another MRI tomorrow. You see, I have a small tumor in my pituitary - not a big deal, as it is benign, but it causes havoc anyway. I also apparently have high cholesterol, low thyroid, and a host of other things. It seems to be genetic. Now they want me to take all these medications which have a host of side effects. I wonder if it wouldn't be better to live (or die) with my own health maladies rather than the ones they will make for me by taking a huge bunch of expensive medicines I don't have faith in. If just I eat right and exercise . . . I actually like to eat healthy things - o.k. except that butter and . . . hmmmm, well maybe I eat too much dark chocolate.

I like dark chocolate. I like it really dark. Funny, I always preferred "no sugar" chocolate way before it became the popular rage to eat it dark. I really doubt that it is good for you, even though they say it has some health benefits. It tastes too good! The chocolate distributors, no doubt, have paid someone off to promote their product. But as long as they have, I can eat my dark chocolate with less guilt - sort of!

Here is a picture of my son at his 23rd birthday with a dark, dark chocolate cake - I called it "The Devil's Cake" with matches for candles (he he he!) - Love you Jon!

Photo's from the Musicals

2007-10-18T16:29:00.001-06:00

From Nunsense . . . . I'm singing "Holier than Thou"

and "How do you solve a problem like Maria"

Well, this is all new to me - we'll see how it goes

2007-10-18T15:17:00.000-06:00

Hi to myself (if I am the only one who ever reads this) and to all my friends and loved ones (if someone else happens to read this) May God Bless always!

Oh! and no enemies may enter here please! I'm really not aware of any enemies that I may have, but if there are any, let's kiss and make up - or you go away now!

I have decided to try this new "blog" thing (though the term sounds so unattractive to me) though I am sure those who have been blogging for years would not consider this a "new thing"- but for me, it is.

I wanted a space to write my journal entries, one where I might be more apt to add color to my "hard copy" journal. However, since I am at work, this first entry will have to be short. I'll edit it later. (I did)

By the way, this is a photo of me taken a few month's ago (July 2007) by Twila Claire. Twila and I were in two community plays this year put on by the Lehi Community Arts Council. We both played the parts of "nuns" in each play. One play was "Nunsense" . . . very funny, and the other was the "Sound of Music". I hope, however, we are not typecast forever. In fact, four of my "Sisters" in Nunsense went on to play nuns in the Sound of Music with me. They were great fun, all of them, thanks to Kelly Johnson who talked me into it. Well, for now I will say adieu! I don't know why I say Adieu, as I neither speak nor write French! xoxo