So, just when I was thinking, okay have to get the dogs a bath and finish wrapping packages to head to Colorado and in four days the hectic activity of the holidays will be over, we get a phone call from John's brother that his mother had fallen and was in the hospital. By Thursday evening, things had gotten somewhat worse and John and I individually decided, he should fly to Arizona to be with the family and I should come to Colorado to spend Christmas with the kids and then we'd go from there. It is funny how after 36 years of marriage we can arrive at a decision of what needs to be done without evening talking to each other about the options.
So yesterday morning at 8:30, me and the dogs started the long drive to Johnstown getting here about 5:00/
After a trying day at the airport, John finally got to Tucson about 9:30 (3 1/2 hours later than expected). His mom broke something in her back so they have her in a hospice now totally on medication to ease her pain. Fortunately they have listened somewhat to the family and are not doing any heroic efforts to keep her going - no feeding tube. I would like to be with John to support him but sometimes, he is stronger around his family when I am not there so in my heart I know that we are each where we need to be at this time.
We are all praying that she will go swiftly now from this life. Meanwhile, I am in Colorado with the two 4-legged critters. First time I have spent Chrismas without John since the year Blaine was born. But we'll get through the day and God's greatest gift to the world - the birth of his son Jesus Christ our Savior will have more meaning to us this year than ever.
As we ponder the life of this wonderful woman who raised John as her own son. Who was a grandmother to my children and a terrific example to both of them and throughout their lives and to me for the past 36 years. Who even at Thanksgiving was thinking more about others than the pain she was suffering. She truly showed a Christ like love to everyone she came in contact with.
So, we'll live one moment at a time and decide what to do when the time comes to make a decision about whether I head back to Montana on Monday or stay here a while. Fortunately, I can go to the office and work here for a few days if needed. Or, I can take a couple of emergency vacation days and spend here - we'll just see how things progress.
Meanwhile, I'm so grateful for the sacrifice my Lord and Savior made on my behalf and on the behalf of all mankind. That we can all live again after we leave this frail existence and at that level, all pain and suffereing will end. Thank you Christ and happy happy birthday.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Thursday, December 22, 2005
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
Well, it's the day before the day before Christmas Eve. Ready or not, we are heading full steam ahead to that magical day of the year when everything seems possible and everything feels so peaceful. I have an old Barbara Mandrell Christmas CD and my favorite song on that has these lyrics:
Once again the windows shine with pretty lights.
Once again our loved ones gather at our side.
Busy crowds of strangers greet each other with a smile.
There’s Christmas in the eyes of every child.
Once again the presents resting by the tree.
Once again we worship one who came for you and me.
I hear choirs of voices as they’re singing out his name.
Again we tell the story of how the Christ child came.
Once again around the world heads are bowed in prayer
Once again the promise of peace is in the air
But soon will come the morning and the feeling will be past
I can’t help but wonder why the feeling only lasts.
Chorus:
One night a year we believe in peace on earth
One night a year we praise our Savior’s birth
I wish every night the whole year through could be like Christmas Eve
When love’s pure light is shining everywhere – one night a year.
It is so nice this time of year when the majority of people you see are so friendly and although everyone is in a hurry, most seem more patient. I was in Michael's yesterday doing a little last minute shopping and when I was checking out, the clerk who was ringing up my purchase made a comment to the other clerk "oh, you are so politically correct". Then she took my money and said "MERRY CHRISTMAS". I wished her a merry christmas also and thanked her for saying Merry Christmas. She said, "well, it is Christmas darn it so Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas". It was great to hear rather than the sad little Happy Holiday that most clerk's have to say.
Now granted the word Holiday comes from Holy Day but it's not the same. So I wish to each and every one of you MERRY CHRISTMAS AND PEACE & GOODWILL TO ALL MEN UPON THE EARTH. And to my family, I say THANK YOU for being you and standing up for what you believe in and for putting up with this old aunt/mom/sister no matter what.
Once again the windows shine with pretty lights.
Once again our loved ones gather at our side.
Busy crowds of strangers greet each other with a smile.
There’s Christmas in the eyes of every child.
Once again the presents resting by the tree.
Once again we worship one who came for you and me.
I hear choirs of voices as they’re singing out his name.
Again we tell the story of how the Christ child came.
Once again around the world heads are bowed in prayer
Once again the promise of peace is in the air
But soon will come the morning and the feeling will be past
I can’t help but wonder why the feeling only lasts.
Chorus:
One night a year we believe in peace on earth
One night a year we praise our Savior’s birth
I wish every night the whole year through could be like Christmas Eve
When love’s pure light is shining everywhere – one night a year.
It is so nice this time of year when the majority of people you see are so friendly and although everyone is in a hurry, most seem more patient. I was in Michael's yesterday doing a little last minute shopping and when I was checking out, the clerk who was ringing up my purchase made a comment to the other clerk "oh, you are so politically correct". Then she took my money and said "MERRY CHRISTMAS". I wished her a merry christmas also and thanked her for saying Merry Christmas. She said, "well, it is Christmas darn it so Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas". It was great to hear rather than the sad little Happy Holiday that most clerk's have to say.
Now granted the word Holiday comes from Holy Day but it's not the same. So I wish to each and every one of you MERRY CHRISTMAS AND PEACE & GOODWILL TO ALL MEN UPON THE EARTH. And to my family, I say THANK YOU for being you and standing up for what you believe in and for putting up with this old aunt/mom/sister no matter what.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Christmas Memories
Saturday, we had a brunch at the church and a Christmas program. They called me several weeks ago and asked me to talk a little on Christmas traditions or memories or whatever.
When I start thinking of Christmas traditions, I always go back to memories of my childhood instead of what we are doing now. My first thought of Christmas is always of the wonderful Christmas Eve programs at the church – I miss those so much. It was so fun to go and watch the little children perform the story of Christmas and then to visit with Santa afterwards and get that infamous bag of peanuts, a couple of pieces of candy and an orange. It seems as a kid, we didn’t eat a lot of fruit – usually had tangerines around at Thanksgiving and an orange in our stocking (quite frequently, I’m sure that was the one that we had received the night before in our bag of candy from Santa).
We always went to the tree lot over near the Gann’s house to get our tree. That was always fun. I remember the old tree stand we had – it didn’t have anywhere to put water in, was more like a little wheel thing with spokes and dad would have to whittle down the trunk to fit into that little hole.
I think of the pillow cases that Mom made us. The pictures on it of a little boy and a little girl standing by a fireplace where the stockings hung. The words Twas the night before Christmas across the bottom. I remember how the first of December every year, she would put those on our pillows and we would get to sleep on them for the whole month. I was so glad when she had the lady make dolls out of pillowcases so I could get mine made into a doll to set out at Christmas. Since I’m probably a little old for a Christmas pillow case now but it is one thing I decided to make for my grand-daughters this year to pass that tradition along – not sure why I never made them for my own children.
I think of the brach's chocolate drops that dad would always buy - not sure if these are still around or not. The cherry and raspberry ones were the best. Course orange was good and lemon was okay. I remember us kids, scaping a piece of chocolate off the bottom to see what color was inside or sometimes taking a tiny bit out of the corner. When we got to the bottom of the bowl and almost out, the white ones seemed to improve in flavor. And Dad always had that can of hard candies around - some of them were so pretty with little flowers in the center that it seemed sad to eat them.
I remember Aunt Ora would always send Grandpa Carter (my grandpa that is) a box of See's chocolates at Christmas (that was back when you could only get them in California or big cities). We would go to his house and he would always let us choose just one piece - they were so delicious.
I remember when Grandpa Carter called us all excited because he had bought one of those new fangled artificial trees. We had to go up and see it. Oh my goodness – if any of you have never seen one of the first artificial trees, you really missed out. It looked like some kind of futuristic space tree – made of aluminum that looked like fringed tin foil. You didn’t put lights on this tree – no way, instead there was this light that sat on the floor and had a colored disk that turned in front of it. The disk was see through and was divided into 3 colors – kind of like cellophane so as this rotated, the tree would turn from red to green to yellow. Grandpa was pretty proud of that tree.
I think of Christmas dinners – turkey and ham. Mom always decorated the ham so pretty with pineapple slices and a cherry in the middle or sometimes she would cut criss crosses across the top of the ham and put a whole clove in the middle of each of them. Always her delicious raisin sauce – always Dad trying to sneak a piece of ham before it was time to eat. Always we had to eat right at 12:00.
We always got to open one present on Christmas eve which was a pair of pajamas or a new nightgown. That way, we looked presentable for those awful Christmas morning pictures – well, at least our clothes were decent.
So as I reminisce about Christmases long past and Christmases more recent I find that somethings have changed - like tamales for dinner instead of turkey means I don’t spend all Christmas day in the kitchen, artificial trees that look almost real can be put up extra early and left up to brighten new year’s eve, the family has grown and spread across 5 states so we can’t all gather at the farm as a family to celebrate the holidays. But one thing always stays the same for me - it’s a time to think of family and how blessed I have been in this life. And also to remember that first Christmas so long ago when our Savior humbled himself and came down to this earth to live and die for us that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father once again and be reunited with our dear Dad and others who have passed on before.
May you all have a wonderful Christmas and remember to include Christ in your celebration of his Birthday.
When I start thinking of Christmas traditions, I always go back to memories of my childhood instead of what we are doing now. My first thought of Christmas is always of the wonderful Christmas Eve programs at the church – I miss those so much. It was so fun to go and watch the little children perform the story of Christmas and then to visit with Santa afterwards and get that infamous bag of peanuts, a couple of pieces of candy and an orange. It seems as a kid, we didn’t eat a lot of fruit – usually had tangerines around at Thanksgiving and an orange in our stocking (quite frequently, I’m sure that was the one that we had received the night before in our bag of candy from Santa).
We always went to the tree lot over near the Gann’s house to get our tree. That was always fun. I remember the old tree stand we had – it didn’t have anywhere to put water in, was more like a little wheel thing with spokes and dad would have to whittle down the trunk to fit into that little hole.
I think of the pillow cases that Mom made us. The pictures on it of a little boy and a little girl standing by a fireplace where the stockings hung. The words Twas the night before Christmas across the bottom. I remember how the first of December every year, she would put those on our pillows and we would get to sleep on them for the whole month. I was so glad when she had the lady make dolls out of pillowcases so I could get mine made into a doll to set out at Christmas. Since I’m probably a little old for a Christmas pillow case now but it is one thing I decided to make for my grand-daughters this year to pass that tradition along – not sure why I never made them for my own children.
I think of the brach's chocolate drops that dad would always buy - not sure if these are still around or not. The cherry and raspberry ones were the best. Course orange was good and lemon was okay. I remember us kids, scaping a piece of chocolate off the bottom to see what color was inside or sometimes taking a tiny bit out of the corner. When we got to the bottom of the bowl and almost out, the white ones seemed to improve in flavor. And Dad always had that can of hard candies around - some of them were so pretty with little flowers in the center that it seemed sad to eat them.
I remember Aunt Ora would always send Grandpa Carter (my grandpa that is) a box of See's chocolates at Christmas (that was back when you could only get them in California or big cities). We would go to his house and he would always let us choose just one piece - they were so delicious.
I remember when Grandpa Carter called us all excited because he had bought one of those new fangled artificial trees. We had to go up and see it. Oh my goodness – if any of you have never seen one of the first artificial trees, you really missed out. It looked like some kind of futuristic space tree – made of aluminum that looked like fringed tin foil. You didn’t put lights on this tree – no way, instead there was this light that sat on the floor and had a colored disk that turned in front of it. The disk was see through and was divided into 3 colors – kind of like cellophane so as this rotated, the tree would turn from red to green to yellow. Grandpa was pretty proud of that tree.
I think of Christmas dinners – turkey and ham. Mom always decorated the ham so pretty with pineapple slices and a cherry in the middle or sometimes she would cut criss crosses across the top of the ham and put a whole clove in the middle of each of them. Always her delicious raisin sauce – always Dad trying to sneak a piece of ham before it was time to eat. Always we had to eat right at 12:00.
We always got to open one present on Christmas eve which was a pair of pajamas or a new nightgown. That way, we looked presentable for those awful Christmas morning pictures – well, at least our clothes were decent.
So as I reminisce about Christmases long past and Christmases more recent I find that somethings have changed - like tamales for dinner instead of turkey means I don’t spend all Christmas day in the kitchen, artificial trees that look almost real can be put up extra early and left up to brighten new year’s eve, the family has grown and spread across 5 states so we can’t all gather at the farm as a family to celebrate the holidays. But one thing always stays the same for me - it’s a time to think of family and how blessed I have been in this life. And also to remember that first Christmas so long ago when our Savior humbled himself and came down to this earth to live and die for us that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father once again and be reunited with our dear Dad and others who have passed on before.
May you all have a wonderful Christmas and remember to include Christ in your celebration of his Birthday.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Almost Christmas
It's been a while - time is passing so quickly and there's no way I'm going to ever get the things done I need to get done in the next 8 days. Finally I got my packages and cards (at least most of them) mailed on Monday. Have to get the rest of them in the mail - i know they will be a few days late. Hope to get tamales made Saturday and have to finish a christmas stocking for the new baby.
John left today to go to Casper on business. He'll be back tomorrow evening and then Sunday he is flying to Canada for 4 days on more business. Hopefully the weather won't be so bad that he gets stuck up there. On the 23rd, we are heading to Colorado to spend Christmas with the granddaughters (and their parents of course). Quick trip as we have to be back by Tuesday morning to go to work. Hopefully the weather will cooperate to allow us to make the trip down there.
I love Christmas - even though we aren't going to be home, I had to put up both trees, lights everywhere and am listening to the christmas country channel on xm radio. It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle though and overlook the reason for the holiday. Time to pull out the Christmas books and spend some time reading all the good stories that I enjoy every year at this time to renew my Christmas spirit.
I am enjoying the peacefulness of winter. Every morning in this cold, I get to bundle up and go out to feed the horses. Like clockwork at 7:20 they are either waiting for me at the barn or just ambling down off the hill. On Tuesday, I had arranged for the ferrier to come and remove their shoes for the winter - he was going to be here at 8:30 - perfect timing. I would feed the horses, they could eat until 8:00 and then I would catch them up and tie them to the post so they would be waiting for him.
Well, of course, the horses decided to change their routine and by 8:15 they hadn't showed up at the barn yet. So, I went on a horse hunt - they like to sleep about as far away from the house as they can get so that is at the far northwest end of the property. The wind was blowing like crazy as I headed out to find them. Climbed up the ditch bank, crossed the bridge and headed over the hill, finally, they saw me and Dudley decided to come toward me. Badger was following, so I turned around and headed back toward the house with them practically on my heels.
Right before I got to the bridge, they stopped and decided to head back up the hill. I called to them, crossed the bridge and started on down. They headed east which wasn't the same way I was going but I figured they were just going to their normal place to cross the ditch. I got back to the barn and they were still up on the hill watching me. I grabbed the grain bucket and waved it at them and they started walking further east and down the hill.
I expected them to come around at any moment and after 5 minutes when they hadn't, I decided I was going to have to go back up the hill and entice them in with a few mouthsful of grain. Wasn't looking forward to that too much as I really do not like walking down an icy hill with two big animals at my heels wanting food. I headed up the least steep hill and expected to find them when I got to the top but instead, I saw nothing.
I turned back around to head a different direction and then saw that they had gone clear back around and were both at the barn eating nicely. I stopped at the house and picked up the halters and lead ropes and went out to catch them and tie them up. Just in time as 2 minutes later the ferrier showed up to do his job. So all turned out well, except for the fact that Molly and Remington took off for another one of their 9 hour runs.
John left today to go to Casper on business. He'll be back tomorrow evening and then Sunday he is flying to Canada for 4 days on more business. Hopefully the weather won't be so bad that he gets stuck up there. On the 23rd, we are heading to Colorado to spend Christmas with the granddaughters (and their parents of course). Quick trip as we have to be back by Tuesday morning to go to work. Hopefully the weather will cooperate to allow us to make the trip down there.
I love Christmas - even though we aren't going to be home, I had to put up both trees, lights everywhere and am listening to the christmas country channel on xm radio. It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle though and overlook the reason for the holiday. Time to pull out the Christmas books and spend some time reading all the good stories that I enjoy every year at this time to renew my Christmas spirit.
I am enjoying the peacefulness of winter. Every morning in this cold, I get to bundle up and go out to feed the horses. Like clockwork at 7:20 they are either waiting for me at the barn or just ambling down off the hill. On Tuesday, I had arranged for the ferrier to come and remove their shoes for the winter - he was going to be here at 8:30 - perfect timing. I would feed the horses, they could eat until 8:00 and then I would catch them up and tie them to the post so they would be waiting for him.
Well, of course, the horses decided to change their routine and by 8:15 they hadn't showed up at the barn yet. So, I went on a horse hunt - they like to sleep about as far away from the house as they can get so that is at the far northwest end of the property. The wind was blowing like crazy as I headed out to find them. Climbed up the ditch bank, crossed the bridge and headed over the hill, finally, they saw me and Dudley decided to come toward me. Badger was following, so I turned around and headed back toward the house with them practically on my heels.
Right before I got to the bridge, they stopped and decided to head back up the hill. I called to them, crossed the bridge and started on down. They headed east which wasn't the same way I was going but I figured they were just going to their normal place to cross the ditch. I got back to the barn and they were still up on the hill watching me. I grabbed the grain bucket and waved it at them and they started walking further east and down the hill.
I expected them to come around at any moment and after 5 minutes when they hadn't, I decided I was going to have to go back up the hill and entice them in with a few mouthsful of grain. Wasn't looking forward to that too much as I really do not like walking down an icy hill with two big animals at my heels wanting food. I headed up the least steep hill and expected to find them when I got to the top but instead, I saw nothing.
I turned back around to head a different direction and then saw that they had gone clear back around and were both at the barn eating nicely. I stopped at the house and picked up the halters and lead ropes and went out to catch them and tie them up. Just in time as 2 minutes later the ferrier showed up to do his job. So all turned out well, except for the fact that Molly and Remington took off for another one of their 9 hour runs.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Recipe by request
Here's one for Elise:
Green Chile Dip
2 cans cream of celery soup (I use 2 cans cream of mushroom with roasted garlic instead)
1/2 carton frozen Baca's green chile
1 round steak cubed
garlic to taste
season with salt, pepper
Brown meat. Add soup, chili and seasoning. Simmer on low for 30 minutes. Add cheese if desired (I always put in lots of cheese cause it's one of the 3 CH'S - cheese, chips and most importantly chocolate).
Serve with chips (or if you want, you can roll this in a tortilla).
Green Chile Dip
2 cans cream of celery soup (I use 2 cans cream of mushroom with roasted garlic instead)
1/2 carton frozen Baca's green chile
1 round steak cubed
garlic to taste
season with salt, pepper
Brown meat. Add soup, chili and seasoning. Simmer on low for 30 minutes. Add cheese if desired (I always put in lots of cheese cause it's one of the 3 CH'S - cheese, chips and most importantly chocolate).
Serve with chips (or if you want, you can roll this in a tortilla).
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
It's Snowing!!
Okay so maybe winter is here or hopefully we'll be blessed with an indian summer in a few days. Summer was so hectic that I kept wishing it would be over so life would settle down. So okay summer is over but I don't think I'm ready for winter either. I'm thinking maybe it's the stress knowing the barn isn't built (won't even be started until after Oct 10th) and we don't have hay put up for the horses.
And this weekend antelope season starts so we get to go camping for a few days to get some meat for the freezer - yeah fun. Mind you, there are antelope 1/4 mile behind the house, I see them all the time when I go walking but we can't shoot those, we are going to drive 4 hours northeast of Broadus and find some foreign animal to bring home. Normally, camping out for antelope season consists of staying in a local motel and dining out - the motels are pretty bad in Broadus but better than nothing. However, some fool this year decided to book all 3 motels and have a wedding the opening weekend of antelope hunting. Maybe we should go hunting for him.
Anyway, since the weather is cooling off, it's time to start cooking warmer meals - something that will stick to your ribs besides oatmeal. So, I decided to cook John's favorite last night and felt I should share the recipe. Many years ago (actually back in 1977) we were in California and found this little hole in the wall mexican restaurant - we both ordered steak picado and it was so good. As we ate, we took notes on what we thought was in it and went home and created our own. With 4 peppers, it's a bit spicy but you know how that is, sometimes 4 peppers can make something hot and the next time, there's no heat at all in the meal.
So here you go, I hope you enjoy it:
2 pounds round steak – cut in ¾” cubes. (I use venison or antelope)
Brown in pan with a little oil until done.
Remove meat and any juices from the pan.
1 whole onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic
4 cerrano peppers – sliced thin
Fry onions, peppers and garlic until the onions are translucent
Throw the meat and juices back in the pan.
Add 3 chopped tomatoes and 1 bunch of chopped cilantro.
If it seems dry, add 1/3 cup of water
Simmer 20-30 minutes and serve with tortillas and beans.
And this weekend antelope season starts so we get to go camping for a few days to get some meat for the freezer - yeah fun. Mind you, there are antelope 1/4 mile behind the house, I see them all the time when I go walking but we can't shoot those, we are going to drive 4 hours northeast of Broadus and find some foreign animal to bring home. Normally, camping out for antelope season consists of staying in a local motel and dining out - the motels are pretty bad in Broadus but better than nothing. However, some fool this year decided to book all 3 motels and have a wedding the opening weekend of antelope hunting. Maybe we should go hunting for him.
Anyway, since the weather is cooling off, it's time to start cooking warmer meals - something that will stick to your ribs besides oatmeal. So, I decided to cook John's favorite last night and felt I should share the recipe. Many years ago (actually back in 1977) we were in California and found this little hole in the wall mexican restaurant - we both ordered steak picado and it was so good. As we ate, we took notes on what we thought was in it and went home and created our own. With 4 peppers, it's a bit spicy but you know how that is, sometimes 4 peppers can make something hot and the next time, there's no heat at all in the meal.
So here you go, I hope you enjoy it:
2 pounds round steak – cut in ¾” cubes. (I use venison or antelope)
Brown in pan with a little oil until done.
Remove meat and any juices from the pan.
1 whole onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic
4 cerrano peppers – sliced thin
Fry onions, peppers and garlic until the onions are translucent
Throw the meat and juices back in the pan.
Add 3 chopped tomatoes and 1 bunch of chopped cilantro.
If it seems dry, add 1/3 cup of water
Simmer 20-30 minutes and serve with tortillas and beans.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
One great big family!!
Okay – so now that my niece’s have me blogging, I find myself thinking all the time about what words of wisdom I can pass on to my family. It’s great being part of a huge family and I love each member of that family so very much. Are we perfect – heck no. Are any two of us really alike – I think not. But it is the uniqueness of each individual that makes a family. From the squigglies to the circles and pyramids (leaner and hairball will know what I’m talking about there) each individual does things a little differently and that’s great. Wouldn’t life be boring if everyone were exactly the same like a bunch of robots.
I have special memories of each person in this big family – leaner sleeping in a drawer at my house when she was a baby (hey this was before pack ‘n plays were available – at least for us lower income people), tif going with me to Phoenix airport to pick up Aunt De for Grandma Carter’s 70th birthday surprise. Clint spending lots of time with us when we lived in Blythe and the night he was sick with what turned out to be appendicitis – I had read that you would know if it was appendicitis if it hurt when a person stood on one leg so I kept making him get out of bed and stand on one leg – poor kid. Elise and her mom taking Grandma and I to the airport for the big trip to Switzerland – I had on a leather strap necklace with 3 little silver buffalo beads dangling on it, Elise had a 3 or 4” bead chain that she put on my necklace so I’d remember her – I still have that necklace although the leather is pretty worn and has broken several times but the bead chain is still there.
Penny the one who made me an aunt – I worked with her Aunt Kathy in the cafeteria at high school during our lunch hour. We spent most of our time arguing about who’s niece she really was. Then when Shari was born, Kathy decided that she got Penny since I had a new niece. Carter and his comment the day after my big wreck – “Why didn’t you turn the key off and get out of the car before it wrecked?” So logical.
Stopping in cool-town and picking up Bri to ride with me to Grandma’s house. One day when I picked her up, she was sleeping and she seemed a little worried when I put her in the car. I kept telling her we were going to Grandma’s house but she didn’t seem to cheer up (she had the cutest little pouty face). All of a sudden, she broke into a big grin – “We are going to Grandma’s house. There are the bumpy bumpy mountains.”
How proud I was when my new little sister Polly was born and how I bragged to all my friends – and yes grandma’s right – we helped spoil her – what were we thinking? Sharing a bedroom with Suzy and how hard it was to get her to help clean up – in the red brick house our room was always a horrid mess. Then she turned into the perfect housekeeper when she got married and had a place of her own. Weekend camping trips with Suzy and Morris to the ranch before Max & Mary moved down there.
Riding horses with Jack – he would take off in the desert and I was supposed to follow his trail to find him. It always looked so easy on tv. Doing dishes with Tom and him refusing to wash them until I picked off every single bologna skin – that’s something you don’t see anymore either. Little brother Danny – I used to help him with his homework – he struggled so much with reading. I remember Grandma taking him to Tucson two or more days a week one summer so he could learn to read better. But my mouth runneth over so I’ll post this and get on with my day.
I have special memories of each person in this big family – leaner sleeping in a drawer at my house when she was a baby (hey this was before pack ‘n plays were available – at least for us lower income people), tif going with me to Phoenix airport to pick up Aunt De for Grandma Carter’s 70th birthday surprise. Clint spending lots of time with us when we lived in Blythe and the night he was sick with what turned out to be appendicitis – I had read that you would know if it was appendicitis if it hurt when a person stood on one leg so I kept making him get out of bed and stand on one leg – poor kid. Elise and her mom taking Grandma and I to the airport for the big trip to Switzerland – I had on a leather strap necklace with 3 little silver buffalo beads dangling on it, Elise had a 3 or 4” bead chain that she put on my necklace so I’d remember her – I still have that necklace although the leather is pretty worn and has broken several times but the bead chain is still there.
Penny the one who made me an aunt – I worked with her Aunt Kathy in the cafeteria at high school during our lunch hour. We spent most of our time arguing about who’s niece she really was. Then when Shari was born, Kathy decided that she got Penny since I had a new niece. Carter and his comment the day after my big wreck – “Why didn’t you turn the key off and get out of the car before it wrecked?” So logical.
Stopping in cool-town and picking up Bri to ride with me to Grandma’s house. One day when I picked her up, she was sleeping and she seemed a little worried when I put her in the car. I kept telling her we were going to Grandma’s house but she didn’t seem to cheer up (she had the cutest little pouty face). All of a sudden, she broke into a big grin – “We are going to Grandma’s house. There are the bumpy bumpy mountains.”
How proud I was when my new little sister Polly was born and how I bragged to all my friends – and yes grandma’s right – we helped spoil her – what were we thinking? Sharing a bedroom with Suzy and how hard it was to get her to help clean up – in the red brick house our room was always a horrid mess. Then she turned into the perfect housekeeper when she got married and had a place of her own. Weekend camping trips with Suzy and Morris to the ranch before Max & Mary moved down there.
Riding horses with Jack – he would take off in the desert and I was supposed to follow his trail to find him. It always looked so easy on tv. Doing dishes with Tom and him refusing to wash them until I picked off every single bologna skin – that’s something you don’t see anymore either. Little brother Danny – I used to help him with his homework – he struggled so much with reading. I remember Grandma taking him to Tucson two or more days a week one summer so he could learn to read better. But my mouth runneth over so I’ll post this and get on with my day.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Multi-tasking
Had to mop the upstairs yesterday – I love my pergo flooring except for the 3+ hours it seems to take me to mop it. John can get it done a lot quicker, course he doesn’t move the furniture so doesn’t have to wait for it to dry before he puts the furniture back. Also, he is better at staying focused on a single task until it’s completed, I am all into multi-tasking. That’s great for my paying job but can wreak havoc upon my personal life.
It’s terrible when you go into the laundry room to move the clothes from the washer, but before you do that, you have to take the clothes out of the dryer and put them somewhere. Hmmm – the bed is a good spot, then you put them on the bed to fold and after folding the kitchen towels, decide to take them to the kitchen to put away. Once in the kitchen, start thinking about what to have for dinner so need to go downstairs to pull something out of the freezer.
Oh my, look at how bare the shelves are getting. Where is my list for restocking – need to add a few things to that list. Where did the pen go, have to go to my desk to get a new pen. Seeing the computer reminds me that I need to download some pictures so I go into the downstairs bedroom to that computer to plug in the phone line and start it up, sign in select pictures to download. Hmm, I really need to print out a picture of Madison and get it on the fridge. Run upstairs to get the frame so I’ll know what size.
Back downstairs, print out the picture, cut it out and take it back up to the fridge. Oops - got to get those clothes in the dryer so I can start another load. Then back downstairs to make sure the pictures are downloading. Grab something out of the freezer to toss in the microwave for thawing. Yes Remington – he’s home, quit whining – you can go outside in a minute.
8 o’clock time for bed now – uh, oh guess John can help me fold the clothes…..
It’s terrible when you go into the laundry room to move the clothes from the washer, but before you do that, you have to take the clothes out of the dryer and put them somewhere. Hmmm – the bed is a good spot, then you put them on the bed to fold and after folding the kitchen towels, decide to take them to the kitchen to put away. Once in the kitchen, start thinking about what to have for dinner so need to go downstairs to pull something out of the freezer.
Oh my, look at how bare the shelves are getting. Where is my list for restocking – need to add a few things to that list. Where did the pen go, have to go to my desk to get a new pen. Seeing the computer reminds me that I need to download some pictures so I go into the downstairs bedroom to that computer to plug in the phone line and start it up, sign in select pictures to download. Hmm, I really need to print out a picture of Madison and get it on the fridge. Run upstairs to get the frame so I’ll know what size.
Back downstairs, print out the picture, cut it out and take it back up to the fridge. Oops - got to get those clothes in the dryer so I can start another load. Then back downstairs to make sure the pictures are downloading. Grab something out of the freezer to toss in the microwave for thawing. Yes Remington – he’s home, quit whining – you can go outside in a minute.
8 o’clock time for bed now – uh, oh guess John can help me fold the clothes…..
Monday, September 05, 2005
Thoughts of Auntie Florence
Mom called Saturday night and said that Auntie Florence was going down hill fast and the next call I receive from her will probably be to tell me she's gone.
I have mixed thoughts about that of course but mainly, I think about the wonderful reunion there will be in heaven. My grandma died in1957 so Auntie Florence hasn't seen her mom in 48 years. Uncle Dickie died in July 1971. She's been a widow for 34 years - I know she's had his temple work done and hopefully he accepted the gospel and they can be reunited as man and wife.
Uncle Dickie was a character - he was probably one of my all time favorite people. He always rolled his own cigarettes so I thought he was a real cowboy. Auntie Florence once told me that right before her son Ted was born (so about 65 or so years ago), a man approached Uncle Dickie and wanted Dickie to take him up into the Superstitions to look for the Dutchman's Lost Gold Mine. Uncle Dickie agreed. The man from back east was going to buy all the provisions for the trip - they were going to be gone for 60 days. That would be fine Dickie told him.
A couple days after Ted was born, the man met Dickie with all the food. Since they were going to be gone for 60 days, he bought 60 loaves of bread. Can you imagine trying to tie 60 loaves of bread onto a pack mule - never mind how fresh they would be after the first week. Needless to say, their first stop was at the grocery store to buy the needed flour and other ingredients to cook bread as they needed.
My dad's been dead for 21 years now - he and Auntie Florence had such a special bond so I know there are going to be so glad to see each other. Yes, I'll miss Auntie Florence and I regret I didn't spend more time when I was down in Arizona last but I know she's lived her life on this earth and since her body is pretty worn out, it's time to move on to greater spheres where she can once more find enjoyment and learning of new things.
I have mixed thoughts about that of course but mainly, I think about the wonderful reunion there will be in heaven. My grandma died in1957 so Auntie Florence hasn't seen her mom in 48 years. Uncle Dickie died in July 1971. She's been a widow for 34 years - I know she's had his temple work done and hopefully he accepted the gospel and they can be reunited as man and wife.
Uncle Dickie was a character - he was probably one of my all time favorite people. He always rolled his own cigarettes so I thought he was a real cowboy. Auntie Florence once told me that right before her son Ted was born (so about 65 or so years ago), a man approached Uncle Dickie and wanted Dickie to take him up into the Superstitions to look for the Dutchman's Lost Gold Mine. Uncle Dickie agreed. The man from back east was going to buy all the provisions for the trip - they were going to be gone for 60 days. That would be fine Dickie told him.
A couple days after Ted was born, the man met Dickie with all the food. Since they were going to be gone for 60 days, he bought 60 loaves of bread. Can you imagine trying to tie 60 loaves of bread onto a pack mule - never mind how fresh they would be after the first week. Needless to say, their first stop was at the grocery store to buy the needed flour and other ingredients to cook bread as they needed.
My dad's been dead for 21 years now - he and Auntie Florence had such a special bond so I know there are going to be so glad to see each other. Yes, I'll miss Auntie Florence and I regret I didn't spend more time when I was down in Arizona last but I know she's lived her life on this earth and since her body is pretty worn out, it's time to move on to greater spheres where she can once more find enjoyment and learning of new things.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Oh summer where hast thou gone?
Wow - this summer has gone so quickly - what with spending almost 3 weeks in Colorado, a weekend in Arizona and another weekend in South Dakota it has just flown by. All the fishing and trips to the mountain that we were hoping to do this year have been put off until next. But seeing the look on Jules face when I told her she had a baby sister was priceless.
The closure of Beartooth Pass has even prevented me from taking drives up the pass this summer to see all the beautiful flowers. So much rain in May and June that the place greened up so. Grass was up past the chests on the horses when we turned them out into the pasture in late May - now it's been eaten down a bit and we are just hoping there will be enough to get them through October.
Hunting season is upon us - John and Blaine spent a week looking for horns - John will be home today empty handed but full of memories of spending a great week doing what he loves best with his son.
I stayed home and did the WYWO thing - can't wait to see his response when he sees the new tv stand. uh - well - maybe I can - getting nervous now.
The closure of Beartooth Pass has even prevented me from taking drives up the pass this summer to see all the beautiful flowers. So much rain in May and June that the place greened up so. Grass was up past the chests on the horses when we turned them out into the pasture in late May - now it's been eaten down a bit and we are just hoping there will be enough to get them through October.
Hunting season is upon us - John and Blaine spent a week looking for horns - John will be home today empty handed but full of memories of spending a great week doing what he loves best with his son.
I stayed home and did the WYWO thing - can't wait to see his response when he sees the new tv stand. uh - well - maybe I can - getting nervous now.
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