Sleep in morning for everyone. Gotta love late schedule this year for church!
Meetings were good. We had both counselors and executive secretary changed in the bishopric today. We will miss seeing them on the stand and all their diligent work. The new ones called will be great. And that's what it's all about. Standing up and moving a few chairs to the left or right and serving wherever we are called. Learning and growing. Everyone is called to whatever we are because we can give what we already have and we can learn what we don't. We all do some things pretty well, and we all make plenty of mistakes. And on we go in this journey!
Duff and I were signed up to go to the new Family History class. Wow. I was impressed. So now we are all on line with the new program finally. My sister's ward has been up and online for over a year now. Our building has one whole room dedicated to this. There are 5 brand new computers, desks, office chairs, furniture, printers, bookcases, etc. in this room. The interesting thing we found was that the information is very incomplete for all four sides of our families. I have always been under the impression that a lot of work has already been submitted, done, and recorded, but that is not what I saw yesterday.
I was able to enter all of our children-in-law, so now they are all on there--whew, we've GOTTA have those kiddos! My parents didn't even have their birthdays listed. What's up with that? And a relative in Germany is saying that my grandfather's ordinances have never been done, and I know they have. So I have to get that resolved. And that's not even going back any farther than the 3rd generation. Gee--lots to be done, I guess. Duff's siblings were not even listed. None of them. So he added them yesterday. It showed on the church records that he didn't even have any brothers and sisters! Crazy. So, the good news is, we have started, and with Brother and Sister Gardner's help we can get it all sorted out and correct.
Stuffed flank steak for dinner. Always a good Sunday family meal.
Quiet evening. Christine went to the fireside and said it was really good. The bishop talked to them all about technology and the appropriate and inappropriate uses of it. Natalie and I found ourselves in the living room alone with our thoughts and handwork. The Koellikers and Claytons dropped in for a visit. We all hung out everywhere there was space in the living room and visited and laughed. Brett was beside himself when Duff told the story of how he crashed into the bathroom in the dark the other night. I'll have to post that another time...
More May Gray, but tomorrow it will be officially June Gloom.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Saturday Stuff
Up early, and off to Chrissy's lacrosse game. We have had May Gray for the past 4 days and it has been wonderful. I like it. May Gray is when the marine layer from the ocean comes in and stays all day and doesn't burn off. It is coldish, misty just enough to be almost annoying, and the green and spring colors just pop.
This morning was thick May Gray.
The game was great. She is doing so well at goalie. She was blocking those shots left and right, up and down! The sidelines were actually cheering her. Her coach talked to the high school coach about her and they want her to come to some of their practices. She will for sure be on the JV team as a freshman we've been told. We'll see, but that would be nice for her! Yikes, am I ready for this? Maddie's mom and I walked around the track pre-game and halftime and got a mile and 1/2 in.
While we were gone, Natalie went to BBB and got the bridal shower gift for Heather's shower this afternoon. We went at 3:30. It was really nice. The old-fashioned, real kind of bridal shower. Games where everyone participates. All the attention is on the bride-to-be and not everyone having their own conversations with others. Appetizers--like crackers and cheese and grapes, etc. Then a sit down salad buffet (contradiction huh?). We buffeted first, then sat down to a catered, tableclothed, china place-setting with place cards table to eat. Champagne for the toasts (we just turned out stemware over and used our water glasses). We all held hands for the blessing by one of her best friends. One gift at a time to be opened with everyone spell bound with attention on every detail of each gift and the giver. Small--only 25 honored guests of which we were 3.
So imagine my akwardness when we had to leave early. Yeah. We had arranged to do sealings at the temple with the family together. So we excused ourselves.....and felt bad when we got in the car at the akwardness of it.
But the flip side to that akwardness was the simple time at the temple together. Testimonies strengthened of eternal families and God's love. A reminder too that each of us has a very unique responsibility to do our part to fulfill this.
After, we went to dinner at a family favorite: SuperMex. Christine got really sick, so Meredith finished eating first and drove her home, while the rest of us finished up. I don't know if she got car sick on the way over, or if she's coming down with something. It was nice of Mere to take her. There are not many things worse than feeling sick in a restaurant!
So, I'm tired and going to bed and taking Tums for the mexican heartburn. Haha!
This morning was thick May Gray.
The game was great. She is doing so well at goalie. She was blocking those shots left and right, up and down! The sidelines were actually cheering her. Her coach talked to the high school coach about her and they want her to come to some of their practices. She will for sure be on the JV team as a freshman we've been told. We'll see, but that would be nice for her! Yikes, am I ready for this? Maddie's mom and I walked around the track pre-game and halftime and got a mile and 1/2 in.
While we were gone, Natalie went to BBB and got the bridal shower gift for Heather's shower this afternoon. We went at 3:30. It was really nice. The old-fashioned, real kind of bridal shower. Games where everyone participates. All the attention is on the bride-to-be and not everyone having their own conversations with others. Appetizers--like crackers and cheese and grapes, etc. Then a sit down salad buffet (contradiction huh?). We buffeted first, then sat down to a catered, tableclothed, china place-setting with place cards table to eat. Champagne for the toasts (we just turned out stemware over and used our water glasses). We all held hands for the blessing by one of her best friends. One gift at a time to be opened with everyone spell bound with attention on every detail of each gift and the giver. Small--only 25 honored guests of which we were 3.
So imagine my akwardness when we had to leave early. Yeah. We had arranged to do sealings at the temple with the family together. So we excused ourselves.....and felt bad when we got in the car at the akwardness of it.
But the flip side to that akwardness was the simple time at the temple together. Testimonies strengthened of eternal families and God's love. A reminder too that each of us has a very unique responsibility to do our part to fulfill this.
After, we went to dinner at a family favorite: SuperMex. Christine got really sick, so Meredith finished eating first and drove her home, while the rest of us finished up. I don't know if she got car sick on the way over, or if she's coming down with something. It was nice of Mere to take her. There are not many things worse than feeling sick in a restaurant!
So, I'm tired and going to bed and taking Tums for the mexican heartburn. Haha!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Happy Birthday Berta--
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ROBERTA,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUU!!!!
We hope you have the bestest of days.
Thanks for being 'you'!
Love Ya!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Faucet Blew Up
Well, over the weekend our kitchen faucet 'blew up'. From time to time, it does this weird thing where water spurts out of the handle part. Then all of a sudden it stops. We've just dealt with it over the years not wanting to put money out for a new one. But this last weekend it never stopped spurting. I've had a dishcloth tied around it which only diverts the water down instead of spraying all over the window and sides of the counter.
We finally decided we needed to get a new one. I was shocked at the prices. We found one that I think I can live with. I like other ones better, but they didn't have any in stock at Lowe's and Duff wasn't willing to drive to any other places. He doesn't do good with handyman issues, but let him crunch numbers and he thrives.
Now I have to get a plumber to come and put it in. I've learned I should be happy about how long we've had our current faucet. Just about everyone I talk to on the street has already had to replace theirs years ago.
Duff took me to lunch at Wahoo's first. It was such a fun treat. They have my favorite fish tacos EVER. Not breaded and fresh from the ocean that morning. Oh! I salivate just thinking about them. I decided to have a cheese enchilada with my taco. It was equally delish, but no sooner did I get in the car to go to the hardware store and my tummy wasn't taking it. It passed and I though all was well. Until we got to Lowes. Nope. Gall bladder tummy hit in earnest.
I barely got to a restroom in time. It is a funny thing, this not having a gall bladder. I can go a long time eating certain trigger foods and be fine. Then all of a sudden I can eat something and it isn't fine. And I just 'know'. It is a different kind of tummy ache and what ever the food source is just goes right through you--fast! Cheese was it today. Sometimes it is sour cream. Or butter. Or a slice of bacon. When the tummy ache hits, I quickly go through a mental checklist of what I've eaten and can always identify it. The funny thing is, the offending food doesn't even have to be in any kind of excess. Even a tidbit will do it. The liver lets go too much bile and there is no gall bladder there to 'pasturize' or 'homogenize' it before it goes into the digestive tract, resulting in a pretty intense stomach ache and resulting run to the restrooom.
Duff cruised the aisles and once all was fine with me we resumed the faucet search. I'm funny. I get attached to things like this faucet that has served us so well for the last 15 years. I know once the new one is installed I will move on, but it just looks so sad all old and broken. Thanks to you dear kitchen faucet for being part of the family and doing your part!
We finally decided we needed to get a new one. I was shocked at the prices. We found one that I think I can live with. I like other ones better, but they didn't have any in stock at Lowe's and Duff wasn't willing to drive to any other places. He doesn't do good with handyman issues, but let him crunch numbers and he thrives.
Now I have to get a plumber to come and put it in. I've learned I should be happy about how long we've had our current faucet. Just about everyone I talk to on the street has already had to replace theirs years ago.
Duff took me to lunch at Wahoo's first. It was such a fun treat. They have my favorite fish tacos EVER. Not breaded and fresh from the ocean that morning. Oh! I salivate just thinking about them. I decided to have a cheese enchilada with my taco. It was equally delish, but no sooner did I get in the car to go to the hardware store and my tummy wasn't taking it. It passed and I though all was well. Until we got to Lowes. Nope. Gall bladder tummy hit in earnest.
I barely got to a restroom in time. It is a funny thing, this not having a gall bladder. I can go a long time eating certain trigger foods and be fine. Then all of a sudden I can eat something and it isn't fine. And I just 'know'. It is a different kind of tummy ache and what ever the food source is just goes right through you--fast! Cheese was it today. Sometimes it is sour cream. Or butter. Or a slice of bacon. When the tummy ache hits, I quickly go through a mental checklist of what I've eaten and can always identify it. The funny thing is, the offending food doesn't even have to be in any kind of excess. Even a tidbit will do it. The liver lets go too much bile and there is no gall bladder there to 'pasturize' or 'homogenize' it before it goes into the digestive tract, resulting in a pretty intense stomach ache and resulting run to the restrooom.
Duff cruised the aisles and once all was fine with me we resumed the faucet search. I'm funny. I get attached to things like this faucet that has served us so well for the last 15 years. I know once the new one is installed I will move on, but it just looks so sad all old and broken. Thanks to you dear kitchen faucet for being part of the family and doing your part!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday Wonders--Why Do I Do This To Myself? and Covenants
Today was one of those days that I got my own self into a bind.
It was one of those situations where I noticed some things with fresh eyes and dove in to fix them and it was not the right day to do that, but once I was into it there was no turning back.
I was cleaning up breakfast. I glanced up at the pot rack above the island. My stove is in the island. The pot rack was disgusting. I was sooooo embarassed. How long had it been like that? And how/why did I let it go so long? All the copper trays and pots and baskets were tarnished and terrible with dust and grime too. Arrggh.
So down it all came. It thought it would just take a quick wipe down. Not. It would take elbow grease. The problem was that too many other things were going on today: We had to have all our landscape sprinkler valves replaced; they have been leaking and are right against the house. So the water had to be off for a while along with all the crew here to do the work. And Miguel kept needing me out there to answer questions about different things about it. Then he shows up with new bouganvilla vines to plant on the fence that we had talked about since the other ones had died from too much water. But they were old anyway... So I had to stand out there and direct where to put them, etc. I thought we'd decided on doing this at the end of the summer...
The garden was begging for a good watering and picking. Yes, beans and peas already!!! Yay!
It was late start day and Christine's jaw was locking. TMJ runs in the fam. She was scared and emotional so we let her skip the bus and stay home the extra hour for some tlc and reassurance before heading off to school for the day.
The awning company chose today to put the new fabric on the awnings and I said okay, otherwise it would be another 3 weeks. Yes, about every 10-15 years the fabric needs replacing. Stitching disintegrates, seams come apart, and ours are right in the 14-15 year mark and were pretty pathetic. Good news is that in the last 15 years they have developed a new thread that has a 20 year guarantee. Installation takes a complete 1/2 day AND they arrived an hour earlier than they told me they were coming and I wasn't prepared for them yet. (But on a good note, who do you know in the service industry that is actually early these days....Kudos!)
Maria made Caldo de Pollo for us for dinner and Miguel brought that over at 3:30 and I had to keep the household from picking in it so it wouldn't be all gone before dinnertime! It is a most delicious mexican chicken soup and she sends it with homemade tortillas and salsa and rice that you put in the bowl before you ladle in the soup. Yum! Randomly they will call and tell us they are bringing Caldo. Thank goodness it was tonight.
Then I looked at the front door and decided it was also disgusting and needed to be cleaned, especially before everyone came over for the marriage/parenting class tonight. I absolutely love our front doors, but it is no small task to clean every pane of those little leaded and beveled diamond pieces of glass.
Then back to the pot rack, et al. Josh and Meredith and JT arrived for Caldo dinner (Josh ate a lot of this on his mission and he never misses an opportunity to have it. He loves it.) All of a sudden it was 6pm, the class started at 7, and I still hadn't had a shower. No time now. I put a pan of Ghiradelli brownies in the oven, everyone else on house pickup and kitchen patrol and headed upstairs. I hopped in the tub, brushed my teeth, put on enough makeup to be presentable and coifed my dirty hair and then sprayed on some body splash. It turned out okay--I remembered hearing somewhere that dirty hair actually styles better sometimes, and thankfully it worked for me tonight! Hahaha!
The class went GREAT. It is a nice group. People are open and candid. One of the first things Duff addressed was confidentiality. What is said in this setting stays in this setting. The course material is amazing. There are assignments, follow through, reporting the next week, practices, role playing. One of the lesson points tonight was about covenants. This is just a brief over view, but hopefully it makes the point: If all we did was truly keep and honor our baptismal covenants we would have happy, successful marriages. And yet, most of us have entered into additional covenants beyond just baptism. Think about the baptismal covenants: Bear one anothers burdens that they may be light, mourn with those that mourn, comfort, stand as a witness, serve; and what is the promise? That His spirit will be poured out more abundantly upon us. Who doesn't want that in their marriage?! And with the keeping of the priesthood and temple covenants imagine how much more that adds! So--good things, good things.
I'm TIRED. I've promised myself I will keep up on those cleaning items better, even though I'll bet no one but me noticed the pot rack and the front door!
It was one of those situations where I noticed some things with fresh eyes and dove in to fix them and it was not the right day to do that, but once I was into it there was no turning back.
I was cleaning up breakfast. I glanced up at the pot rack above the island. My stove is in the island. The pot rack was disgusting. I was sooooo embarassed. How long had it been like that? And how/why did I let it go so long? All the copper trays and pots and baskets were tarnished and terrible with dust and grime too. Arrggh.
So down it all came. It thought it would just take a quick wipe down. Not. It would take elbow grease. The problem was that too many other things were going on today: We had to have all our landscape sprinkler valves replaced; they have been leaking and are right against the house. So the water had to be off for a while along with all the crew here to do the work. And Miguel kept needing me out there to answer questions about different things about it. Then he shows up with new bouganvilla vines to plant on the fence that we had talked about since the other ones had died from too much water. But they were old anyway... So I had to stand out there and direct where to put them, etc. I thought we'd decided on doing this at the end of the summer...
The garden was begging for a good watering and picking. Yes, beans and peas already!!! Yay!
It was late start day and Christine's jaw was locking. TMJ runs in the fam. She was scared and emotional so we let her skip the bus and stay home the extra hour for some tlc and reassurance before heading off to school for the day.
The awning company chose today to put the new fabric on the awnings and I said okay, otherwise it would be another 3 weeks. Yes, about every 10-15 years the fabric needs replacing. Stitching disintegrates, seams come apart, and ours are right in the 14-15 year mark and were pretty pathetic. Good news is that in the last 15 years they have developed a new thread that has a 20 year guarantee. Installation takes a complete 1/2 day AND they arrived an hour earlier than they told me they were coming and I wasn't prepared for them yet. (But on a good note, who do you know in the service industry that is actually early these days....Kudos!)
Maria made Caldo de Pollo for us for dinner and Miguel brought that over at 3:30 and I had to keep the household from picking in it so it wouldn't be all gone before dinnertime! It is a most delicious mexican chicken soup and she sends it with homemade tortillas and salsa and rice that you put in the bowl before you ladle in the soup. Yum! Randomly they will call and tell us they are bringing Caldo. Thank goodness it was tonight.
Then I looked at the front door and decided it was also disgusting and needed to be cleaned, especially before everyone came over for the marriage/parenting class tonight. I absolutely love our front doors, but it is no small task to clean every pane of those little leaded and beveled diamond pieces of glass.
Then back to the pot rack, et al. Josh and Meredith and JT arrived for Caldo dinner (Josh ate a lot of this on his mission and he never misses an opportunity to have it. He loves it.) All of a sudden it was 6pm, the class started at 7, and I still hadn't had a shower. No time now. I put a pan of Ghiradelli brownies in the oven, everyone else on house pickup and kitchen patrol and headed upstairs. I hopped in the tub, brushed my teeth, put on enough makeup to be presentable and coifed my dirty hair and then sprayed on some body splash. It turned out okay--I remembered hearing somewhere that dirty hair actually styles better sometimes, and thankfully it worked for me tonight! Hahaha!
The class went GREAT. It is a nice group. People are open and candid. One of the first things Duff addressed was confidentiality. What is said in this setting stays in this setting. The course material is amazing. There are assignments, follow through, reporting the next week, practices, role playing. One of the lesson points tonight was about covenants. This is just a brief over view, but hopefully it makes the point: If all we did was truly keep and honor our baptismal covenants we would have happy, successful marriages. And yet, most of us have entered into additional covenants beyond just baptism. Think about the baptismal covenants: Bear one anothers burdens that they may be light, mourn with those that mourn, comfort, stand as a witness, serve; and what is the promise? That His spirit will be poured out more abundantly upon us. Who doesn't want that in their marriage?! And with the keeping of the priesthood and temple covenants imagine how much more that adds! So--good things, good things.
I'm TIRED. I've promised myself I will keep up on those cleaning items better, even though I'll bet no one but me noticed the pot rack and the front door!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
"They" Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty, (and they ARE!)
Tonight the Mia Maids had their class activity. It was a glamour shots night. Christine had to work it out just to the tee because she had lacrosse practice until 5:30, and with YW starting at 7, that doesn't leave much time to get home, shower, and get ready. She and Sarah had made some preliminary plans to have Sarah come over and they would help each other get ready together.
Duff picked up Chris from the field and they stopped at Sarah's to get her on the way home. I briefly sat down to look at my email and what I saw made my heart stop! There was an email from Julia earlier in the day asking if we could help get Addy ready for tonight as she was at work all day and had a meeting that night and wouldn't be able to get home inbetween! YIKES! It was 6:10pm. I called Addy immediately and told her I would be right over. 'Providence' was on our side, and every traffic light cooperated and I made it from here to her house and back in 9 minutes! She was waiting for me out on the sidewalk and hopped in as I made a quick stop. Perhaps I learned a thing or two from Helio in the Indy 500 about fast pit stops! HaHaHa!
The make-up bags on the bed. Essential.
Curling iron and eye-shadow. More essentials...
Bobby pins, clips, toothpaste, and hair spray. Even more essentials...
Sarah brushing her teeth. Clean pearly whites and sweet smelling breath are part of the package.
Natalie helping Addy get just the right look. Next up: flat ironing the hair and clipping it to the side.
Accessories are a must, don'tcha know? Christine finally decided on the gold necklace.
And here is the final product! Aren't they gorgeous!!!
These three were all born within a month of each other. They are great girls. They were darling babies, cute toddlers and now they are blossoming into beautiful young women.
The next generation. Sigh.
It Stuck.
Just heard on the news that the California supreme court upheld the vote from last November on propositon 8.
It has been a heated battle. I hope there is some peace now.
It has been a heated battle. I hope there is some peace now.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day 09
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!
This is Arlington National Cemetary.
This is Arlington National Cemetary.Thank you to all the veterans and those currently in the military who provide for our freedom. Most of the time we just go about our day not giving a thought to what they have and are now doing. I so appreciate your committment and service.
We had a good day. Mike and Adrianne came over around noon. Josh and Mere are in Palm Springs with her family for their traditional trip.
We bbq'd some ribs and steak, had seafood (shrimp and crab)pasta salad, corn on the cobb, watermelon, and flag cake with homemade ice cream.
Lakers lost.
Watered, read, did handwork, visited with the kids. It was a rather mild day. Heavy marine layer in the morning that didn't burn off until mid-day. The temperature was just about perfect. Things are green and flowers are out.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sunday Musings
Not much to report. We were woken up at 8:45 by Josh who was on his way to church to find out if we knew what time the game was on later today. Hey, what was up with that? We don't have church until 1. Yes, we sleep in this year on Sundays, and it feels oh so wonderful!
Duff put himself on dinner duty with Christine for my birthday dinner. I don't know when this exactly started or why, but we get 2 birthday dinners. One on the day--a casual one--and one on Sunday--a special Sunday one, and each person gets to choose their favorite. Ever since I was a little girl my favorite dinner is a good old fashioned roast beef dinner with all the trimmings. So, that is what they made. It was scrumptious. Duff has always been a good cook. He had to learn early in his life. His mom was sick when he was younger and as the oldest he had the responsibility to get meals on the table when times were bad. Cleaning too. His friends would not so patiently wait on the front porch while he finished up mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms and vacuuming. He endured quite a bit of teasing from them that later over the years turned into respect as they came to understand and appreciate the situation and his part in keeping the family going during those times when her illness would flare up.
Our meetings were good. Good lessons. Learned a lot. Filled in at the last minute for the music in RS. Talked to Leslie. We are having a get-together on Friday night with almost all of us who served together on the stake YW board way back when. Those 5 years were such a unique time. We developed a deep love for each other that still is in tact. I remember when the stake presidency released us. They wept as they told us they had never seen a group of sisters work together so well and love each other so much. And we did. We had babies, infertility, adoption, marriages, infidelty, reconciliations, divorces, sickness, cancer, missions, happy times and sad times and we were there for each other through it all. We can see each other in Target or a church hallway and all we need is a smile or wink and a hug and it conveys it all. I'm looking forward to Friday night! And I'm glad those who have moved away are/can come back for it. I'll be sure and post about it.
A quiet evening just being together. We watched some tv and I worked on some handwork. We are excited for the holiday tomorrow.
ps: today is Mamo Minnie's birthday. What a great grandma she was.
Duff put himself on dinner duty with Christine for my birthday dinner. I don't know when this exactly started or why, but we get 2 birthday dinners. One on the day--a casual one--and one on Sunday--a special Sunday one, and each person gets to choose their favorite. Ever since I was a little girl my favorite dinner is a good old fashioned roast beef dinner with all the trimmings. So, that is what they made. It was scrumptious. Duff has always been a good cook. He had to learn early in his life. His mom was sick when he was younger and as the oldest he had the responsibility to get meals on the table when times were bad. Cleaning too. His friends would not so patiently wait on the front porch while he finished up mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms and vacuuming. He endured quite a bit of teasing from them that later over the years turned into respect as they came to understand and appreciate the situation and his part in keeping the family going during those times when her illness would flare up.
Our meetings were good. Good lessons. Learned a lot. Filled in at the last minute for the music in RS. Talked to Leslie. We are having a get-together on Friday night with almost all of us who served together on the stake YW board way back when. Those 5 years were such a unique time. We developed a deep love for each other that still is in tact. I remember when the stake presidency released us. They wept as they told us they had never seen a group of sisters work together so well and love each other so much. And we did. We had babies, infertility, adoption, marriages, infidelty, reconciliations, divorces, sickness, cancer, missions, happy times and sad times and we were there for each other through it all. We can see each other in Target or a church hallway and all we need is a smile or wink and a hug and it conveys it all. I'm looking forward to Friday night! And I'm glad those who have moved away are/can come back for it. I'll be sure and post about it.
A quiet evening just being together. We watched some tv and I worked on some handwork. We are excited for the holiday tomorrow.
ps: today is Mamo Minnie's birthday. What a great grandma she was.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Two Extremes!
I love Saturdays.
You never know just what can come up and how the day will take shape sometimes.
We went to the temple this morning. Bernadette went for her first time. "B", as she is affectionately known, is Adrianne's sister-in-law. Everything about the morning was wonderful. Relaxing, great spirit, happiness, family, being with my hubby and one son and his sweet wife. LOVE, love times like these.
We went to the temple this morning. Bernadette went for her first time. "B", as she is affectionately known, is Adrianne's sister-in-law. Everything about the morning was wonderful. Relaxing, great spirit, happiness, family, being with my hubby and one son and his sweet wife. LOVE, love times like these. We went back to Aaron and B's for some lunch and visiting. Great turkey wraps, fresh fruit, chips and salsa. Then home for some zone-out time to regroup and then the weekly grocery shopping.
Now we are making a game-day dinner and watching the LA/Denver basketball game. Since we can no longer cheer on our beloved Celtics (they are eliminated), I am rooting for the Lakers. Mike will be happy, everyone else will think I'm a turn-coat. Oh,well. This is socal after all! Shanu has his buddy Eric over for the game. Eric is for the Lakers and Shaun is for the Nuggets. It's making for interesting color commentary and cheering!
It has been gorgeous, perfect weather. The patio wind chimes are singing and my transplanted ferns are thanking me with new fronds and a deep green color.
Now we are making a game-day dinner and watching the LA/Denver basketball game. Since we can no longer cheer on our beloved Celtics (they are eliminated), I am rooting for the Lakers. Mike will be happy, everyone else will think I'm a turn-coat. Oh,well. This is socal after all! Shanu has his buddy Eric over for the game. Eric is for the Lakers and Shaun is for the Nuggets. It's making for interesting color commentary and cheering!It has been gorgeous, perfect weather. The patio wind chimes are singing and my transplanted ferns are thanking me with new fronds and a deep green color.
Friday, May 22, 2009
You Know What T.H.I.S. Means!
Look what's growing in the garden!
Beans EVERYWHERE!
Zuchinni and Yellow Crook Neck blossoms abound!
We haven't been able to gather enough peas for a meal yet. Dang it all. We just keep eating them right as soon as we pick them. Delish-i-o-so!. We've got green tomatoes going on now too. I get so excited. Every morning one of the first things I do is go out and check on the garden. My kids named me last night the Garden Whisperer. Robert thinks I should contact the cable company and get a show. (He was sassing, and everyone had a good laugh at my expense--wait--I was laughing too!) They think I'm funny because I talk to my trees and plants. But that is a whole other post for some other day!
In the meantime--Grow Garden, Grow!
Beans EVERYWHERE!
Zuchinni and Yellow Crook Neck blossoms abound!We haven't been able to gather enough peas for a meal yet. Dang it all. We just keep eating them right as soon as we pick them. Delish-i-o-so!. We've got green tomatoes going on now too. I get so excited. Every morning one of the first things I do is go out and check on the garden. My kids named me last night the Garden Whisperer. Robert thinks I should contact the cable company and get a show. (He was sassing, and everyone had a good laugh at my expense--wait--I was laughing too!) They think I'm funny because I talk to my trees and plants. But that is a whole other post for some other day!
In the meantime--Grow Garden, Grow!
Pretty Pink Presents
I have several favorite colors. It seems I can't pick just one sometimes. I love reds, greens, blues, yellows--see what I mean. But if I have to pick just one I guess it would have to be pink. Pink works. It was the color of my wedding. And right now I'm into all things D A I S Y. I don't know why, but I am. They make me smile and feel happy.
So it was so fun to see that the sweet gifts I got yesterday were PINK!
Josh and Mere gave me a basket filled with pink gerbera daisies that I can plant in the yard. I haven't said anything to anyone about my pink obsessions lately or about the daisy thing. How did they know???
Some pink tissue with some pink cherry blossom lotion from Patti and Richard, the pink daisies and pink grapefruit bubble bath from Josh and Mere, a Pocket Edward paper doll and a pink embroidered heart with doves floursack dishtowel from Mike and Adrianne (she is putting the finishing touches on it, but it is adorable!and my favorite kind), and pink Shirley Temple movies from Duff, Christine, and Shaun. (I am a Shirley Temple nut. I have a little collection going. Right now at Costco they have all her movies. 3 for $12.99. There are 18. I have 1-9 so far.)
Thank You. I love you all so much!
So it was so fun to see that the sweet gifts I got yesterday were PINK!
Josh and Mere gave me a basket filled with pink gerbera daisies that I can plant in the yard. I haven't said anything to anyone about my pink obsessions lately or about the daisy thing. How did they know???
Some pink tissue with some pink cherry blossom lotion from Patti and Richard, the pink daisies and pink grapefruit bubble bath from Josh and Mere, a Pocket Edward paper doll and a pink embroidered heart with doves floursack dishtowel from Mike and Adrianne (she is putting the finishing touches on it, but it is adorable!and my favorite kind), and pink Shirley Temple movies from Duff, Christine, and Shaun. (I am a Shirley Temple nut. I have a little collection going. Right now at Costco they have all her movies. 3 for $12.99. There are 18. I have 1-9 so far.)Thank You. I love you all so much!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
It's Been A Great Day
Today is my birthday. I'm 53. Once in a while I feel 53, but most of the time I don't. Especially in my mind. I still feel young. I wondered about how my parents feel in their 70's. Do they still feel young too? What is young anyway?
I got a lot done today. All of which made me happy. I started the day with a good prayer. Thanking Heavenly Father for my life, my body, my opportunity to come to earth. I hope I'm doing a good enough job on my journey here.
I changed sheets on beds. I washed them, and blankets too.
I worked in the garden and repotted some ferns that had desperately outgrown their little pots. I added new soil to some of my geranium pots. I watered. Snail baited.
Cleaned out the laundry room WELL. Got all the stray things put where they 'go'. That seems to be my place where everything gets stowed quickly until I have the time to put it away. Cleaned up the dining room from Mother's Day. Gosh it feels good to be on top of that.
Worked on visiting teaching. It's a never ending entity. Living, breathing, ever-changing.
Duff came in and told me to sit down, relax, go and take a nap. It was my birthday! But all the things I was doing made me smile. I took phone calls from well-wishers in between chores.
We had dinner and I didn't cook. Nice. And then we all went over to Mike and Adrianne's for cake and icecream. She made my favorite cake for my birthday: German Chocolate. I always thought it was from Germany. Not so. I found out that a Mr. German developed the recipe for it and it is named after him! I didn't know that. Oh it is sooo good. She also made an angel food for those who don't like the coconut and nuts in the frosting. The guys were watching the Lakers game. Close finish, but they lost. Mike was not a happy fan. We gals visited and caught up. It's only been a few days since the graduation/moving but still catching up to do!
Christine got hit really bad at lacrosse practice today. In the right thigh while in the goalie box. High school boys were coaching her and a couple forgot their strength. She can hardly walk and it is already bruised. You can see the imprint of the ball marks. We got ice on it right away, but it's gonna hurt for several days.
Here is a sweet email I got from my parents this afternoon:
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
DEAR CINDY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO YOU
What a special day that was for me and daddy. When I was in labor I really didn't know it . I thought it was the banana I ate. But at that time I was in labor and you were telling me that you were ready to come into this world and into the world you came. A sweet pink little 5 lb 10 oz girl. We brought you home the next day and put a heating pad in your bassinet to keep you warm as you lost some weight and could not stay warm. We had to put a pink ribbon across the doorway when people came to see you, as Dr. Krems did not want people to come close to you and contaminate you in any way as you were so little. He was the best doctor ever.
Now you are a mother yourself 53 years later. And what a great mother you are. You have been a wonderful and loving daughter. May you be blessed with good health and a long life here on the earth. May Heavenly Father always be with you Sweetheart.
We love you very much.
All our love,
Mom and Dad"
I got a lot done today. All of which made me happy. I started the day with a good prayer. Thanking Heavenly Father for my life, my body, my opportunity to come to earth. I hope I'm doing a good enough job on my journey here.
I changed sheets on beds. I washed them, and blankets too.
I worked in the garden and repotted some ferns that had desperately outgrown their little pots. I added new soil to some of my geranium pots. I watered. Snail baited.
Cleaned out the laundry room WELL. Got all the stray things put where they 'go'. That seems to be my place where everything gets stowed quickly until I have the time to put it away. Cleaned up the dining room from Mother's Day. Gosh it feels good to be on top of that.
Worked on visiting teaching. It's a never ending entity. Living, breathing, ever-changing.
Duff came in and told me to sit down, relax, go and take a nap. It was my birthday! But all the things I was doing made me smile. I took phone calls from well-wishers in between chores.
We had dinner and I didn't cook. Nice. And then we all went over to Mike and Adrianne's for cake and icecream. She made my favorite cake for my birthday: German Chocolate. I always thought it was from Germany. Not so. I found out that a Mr. German developed the recipe for it and it is named after him! I didn't know that. Oh it is sooo good. She also made an angel food for those who don't like the coconut and nuts in the frosting. The guys were watching the Lakers game. Close finish, but they lost. Mike was not a happy fan. We gals visited and caught up. It's only been a few days since the graduation/moving but still catching up to do!
Christine got hit really bad at lacrosse practice today. In the right thigh while in the goalie box. High school boys were coaching her and a couple forgot their strength. She can hardly walk and it is already bruised. You can see the imprint of the ball marks. We got ice on it right away, but it's gonna hurt for several days.
Here is a sweet email I got from my parents this afternoon:
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
DEAR CINDY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO YOU
What a special day that was for me and daddy. When I was in labor I really didn't know it . I thought it was the banana I ate. But at that time I was in labor and you were telling me that you were ready to come into this world and into the world you came. A sweet pink little 5 lb 10 oz girl. We brought you home the next day and put a heating pad in your bassinet to keep you warm as you lost some weight and could not stay warm. We had to put a pink ribbon across the doorway when people came to see you, as Dr. Krems did not want people to come close to you and contaminate you in any way as you were so little. He was the best doctor ever.
Now you are a mother yourself 53 years later. And what a great mother you are. You have been a wonderful and loving daughter. May you be blessed with good health and a long life here on the earth. May Heavenly Father always be with you Sweetheart.
We love you very much.
All our love,
Mom and Dad"
All in all, it was a nice birthday. Thanks and love to everyone who made my day so wonderful.
I Think This Says It All
Christine made a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. It kept disappearing. She figured out who the 'pickers' were. Not hard. So she left a note. (read l-r, top to bottom)Any pickers in your families?
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
My Bag
This is my handwork bag. I first saw it at a temple dedication quite a few years ago. I think it was Nauvoo or Winter Quarters. One of those. I know--it surprised me too. But an older friend of mine had brought it with some handwork in it to quietly do while she waited to get into the stake center chapel before the dedication. I thought that was a smart idea. She also had her scriptures and hankie, etc. in it as well.
Then, the next time I went to Utah, I saw that my mother-in-law had one too. She used it for her purse. It was so dang cute. I asked where she got it and boy was I surprised when she told me 'Avon'. That was a name from my past. My mom used to sell Avon! At the time, bags like this were really popular by a company (I can't remember the name right now) that was very expensive in many designer stores. The Avon price was really reasonable so I ordered one.
Then, the next time I went to Utah, I saw that my mother-in-law had one too. She used it for her purse. It was so dang cute. I asked where she got it and boy was I surprised when she told me 'Avon'. That was a name from my past. My mom used to sell Avon! At the time, bags like this were really popular by a company (I can't remember the name right now) that was very expensive in many designer stores. The Avon price was really reasonable so I ordered one.
And I use it for my handwork. I keep embroidery in it and fine crochet projects. Fine crochet is with the very thin cotton crochet thread. Think doilies and tropical bandages. Most of these projects are things I give away. All my sisters and sisters-in-law got a doily one year for their birthdays. Tropical bandages go to the Humanitarian Center. Embroidery pillows for gifts. It is easy to take in the car with me when I run Christine around to various things and have those little snippets of time to wait. You'd be surprised how much you can get done in those small bits of time after a while! I keep my scissors and threads and needles in a cute tin. It makes me happy everytime I get into it.
I love this bag. It's a part of who I am.
Happy Birthday Brandon
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday Dear Brandon--
Happy Birthday toooooo yooooouuu!
And many more!
We send all our love. You're the best!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Peeps, The Girls, and The Ladies
Our Arizona trip is never complete without a visit to see Gramma and Grandpa's chickens over at James and Marybeth's. I went over with them to gather the eggs and feed them on Saturday evening.
Grandpa with Chatterbox. I named this one. She just clucks and clucks. Like she's having a real conversation with you. She looks you in the face while she talks. I know I shouldn't have, in about 5 years they will kill her and eat her and replace her and the others with a new group to lay eggs. They are so tame and love to be held and petted. Even these animals respond to kindness and love.
Here are the new chicks. They are affectionately known as the Peeps. Most are about 3 weeks old. And there is now a rooster among them! So now they can breed their own chicks. They are the cutest dang things. Still with their downey fuzz. I won't give names to these. I will resist! But I did hold them--couldn't resist that. They are still so young that they fall asleep in your hands. How precious is that?
Next coop. Here are the Girls. They are 6 months old now and laying like crazy. One egg per hen per day, so 14. How about that? A dozen a day! Mom saves all the potato peelings, egg shells, greens in a container in the fridge and takes to them. They LOVE these treats, and it helps them be healthy and produce well.
It is the cutest thing. When my mom and dad come in the gate, my mom calls out, " Girls, Girls! I'm here. How are you today, Girls?" and those chickens just RUN to the end of the pen and cluck away in chorus talking to her as if to say, "Here we are! It's You!" They know her and love her. My dad calls to them and they love him and know him too, but it is amazing how they respond to my mom's voice and know who she is.
The Girls waiting for Gramma to come in and empty their treats into the pan. Dad changed the water, fixed the stuff that keeps their craws clear, and they filled the mud holes with water for them to play in and cool off. I didn't know chickens liked that. I learned something new.
The Ladies. These gals are about 5 years old now. They are on Craig's List to be sold as stewing chickens. They are only laying about 3 eggs now between the 5 of them. The circle of life goes on.
Mom showing the laying boxes for the Girls that my dad made at the end of their coop. The lids stay up, the gals lay, and then they go and gather the eggs through opening this end. Pretty cool, huh?
And last , but not least, the roost that Grandpa built fot the Girls to sleep on at night. All 14 of them make their way to the 4 rungs for the night.
Grandpa with Chatterbox. I named this one. She just clucks and clucks. Like she's having a real conversation with you. She looks you in the face while she talks. I know I shouldn't have, in about 5 years they will kill her and eat her and replace her and the others with a new group to lay eggs. They are so tame and love to be held and petted. Even these animals respond to kindness and love.
Here are the new chicks. They are affectionately known as the Peeps. Most are about 3 weeks old. And there is now a rooster among them! So now they can breed their own chicks. They are the cutest dang things. Still with their downey fuzz. I won't give names to these. I will resist! But I did hold them--couldn't resist that. They are still so young that they fall asleep in your hands. How precious is that?
Next coop. Here are the Girls. They are 6 months old now and laying like crazy. One egg per hen per day, so 14. How about that? A dozen a day! Mom saves all the potato peelings, egg shells, greens in a container in the fridge and takes to them. They LOVE these treats, and it helps them be healthy and produce well.It is the cutest thing. When my mom and dad come in the gate, my mom calls out, " Girls, Girls! I'm here. How are you today, Girls?" and those chickens just RUN to the end of the pen and cluck away in chorus talking to her as if to say, "Here we are! It's You!" They know her and love her. My dad calls to them and they love him and know him too, but it is amazing how they respond to my mom's voice and know who she is.
The Girls waiting for Gramma to come in and empty their treats into the pan. Dad changed the water, fixed the stuff that keeps their craws clear, and they filled the mud holes with water for them to play in and cool off. I didn't know chickens liked that. I learned something new.
The Ladies. These gals are about 5 years old now. They are on Craig's List to be sold as stewing chickens. They are only laying about 3 eggs now between the 5 of them. The circle of life goes on.
Mom showing the laying boxes for the Girls that my dad made at the end of their coop. The lids stay up, the gals lay, and then they go and gather the eggs through opening this end. Pretty cool, huh?
And last , but not least, the roost that Grandpa built fot the Girls to sleep on at night. All 14 of them make their way to the 4 rungs for the night.I would love to have some chickens! Too bad I'm not zoned for them! But we do have some friends who have them and boy do we appreciate their generosity with sharing the oh-so-fresh eggs. I did bring home 7 dozen from my parents though in a cooler.
Monday, May 18, 2009
The MOVE Continues
We met Josh and Meredith at their storage unit to help them unload everything. We called it FHE. We were definitely all together!
By the time we got there, Mike and Adrianne and Josh and Mere had quite a bit unloaded.
Adrianne is such a cutie! Here she is in her work-out clothes. Mike's old Lakers shirt!
Josh and Robert getting to the end of the truck.
JT handing me a box of plates making sure I remembered to be very careful with them because they could break. (so, so cute)
The Koelliker/Clayton group with their muscles and Quincy for support! Best home teachers ever.
Erik, Chad C. and JT
By the time we got there, Mike and Adrianne and Josh and Mere had quite a bit unloaded.
Adrianne is such a cutie! Here she is in her work-out clothes. Mike's old Lakers shirt!
Josh and Robert getting to the end of the truck.
JT handing me a box of plates making sure I remembered to be very careful with them because they could break. (so, so cute)
The Koelliker/Clayton group with their muscles and Quincy for support! Best home teachers ever.
Erik, Chad C. and JTErik and Chad worked their little patooties off. Oh youth is a marvelous thing!
Putting on the final touches. All done and all in. Meredith had Mike help her arrange it all so it could fit. He is good at that.
Putting on the final touches. All done and all in. Meredith had Mike help her arrange it all so it could fit. He is good at that. They got everyone a treat at Cold Stone for helping. M & A grabbed some dinner with J & M and brought back the ice cream. I put a peach cobbler in the oven and we watched DWTStars and 24.
I was so tired today I could barely function. We were all kind of that way. I had to fight through being ornery with every little thing. I finally told myself to take the day off and regroup. It helped. When Christine got home from school, she was so tired and ornery and asked me what was wrong with her! She was just going through what we all were. She had a snack and layed down on the couch. After a while she started her homework, s l o w l y.
Tomorrow is another day.
ANNIVERSARY #2
HAPPY 2ND ANNIVERSARY JOSH AND MEREDITH!You are a great couple. You've conquered a lot already in your 2 years of married life and done it well. We wish you many, many more.
Love you guys!
Dangerous Recipe
[ fyi...we girls decided to try this out when Christine got home from school and it lives up to it's name. It is dangerously good. A generous portion. We drizzled a little caramel over it too and --wow. You can eat it hot right out of the microwave or let it cool. And it really only took 5 minutes total!]
I got this in my email from my good friend/now relative ('cause her brother married my cousin...). I'm definitely going to try this one. It looks and sounds amazing! Thanks, Lisa K.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 1
Step 2
Step 35 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)
Step 1-- Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Step 2--Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT !
Step 3-- This can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous.
And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AARON!
Today is your Birthday, Dear Aaron
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to YOU!
We'll sing you a song for your birthday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO YOU!!
We're sending all our love through the miles.
Have a FANTASTIC day. Love you lots!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Earthquake
We had an earthquake just a bit ago. I DO NOT DO WELL WITH EARTHQUAKES. I think I'd probably do better in hurricane areas. At least you have some warning.
Duff and I were watching a movie in the family room. I was laying on one of the couches. Christine had been doing her best to talk me into making a peach cobbler, but I'm exhausted. Tomorrow for FHE dessert I kept telling her. Then she moved on to chocolate chip cookies. Could Natalie make them while she (Chris) was in the shower so they would be hot when she got out. Okay. But please take a good look at the very clean kitchen. If you and Nats do that, then it needs to be cleaned up just like that by the time you are done. No takers. How does that work? No one wants to clean it up? Well, I don't either!
All of a sudden the couch was really shaking. I thought it was Christine trying to get my attention. Then I realized she was upstairs. That only meant one thing: earthquake! Dang it. I just get that adrenaline rush in your chest-- you know what I mean. Like when you've just avoided a car accident or something. It stopped. The house was silent- but for only a moment. Then Robert runs downstairs, Natalie yells 'earthquake' from the bedroom, Shaun was whooping about it, and Chris runs downstairs in a towel. I sat up and said " Oh, Crap". We put Robert on internet info detail. 5.0 centered a little north of Hawthorne. It must have rumbled pretty good in Torrance, where I grew up.
We didn't feel any aftershocks. C'mon Darla! Weren't you supposed to warn us. I thought dogs had some additional 'sense' about stuff like that. Nope. She slept through it all on the couch next to Duff. She was just too happy to be home.
Duff and I were watching a movie in the family room. I was laying on one of the couches. Christine had been doing her best to talk me into making a peach cobbler, but I'm exhausted. Tomorrow for FHE dessert I kept telling her. Then she moved on to chocolate chip cookies. Could Natalie make them while she (Chris) was in the shower so they would be hot when she got out. Okay. But please take a good look at the very clean kitchen. If you and Nats do that, then it needs to be cleaned up just like that by the time you are done. No takers. How does that work? No one wants to clean it up? Well, I don't either!
All of a sudden the couch was really shaking. I thought it was Christine trying to get my attention. Then I realized she was upstairs. That only meant one thing: earthquake! Dang it. I just get that adrenaline rush in your chest-- you know what I mean. Like when you've just avoided a car accident or something. It stopped. The house was silent- but for only a moment. Then Robert runs downstairs, Natalie yells 'earthquake' from the bedroom, Shaun was whooping about it, and Chris runs downstairs in a towel. I sat up and said " Oh, Crap". We put Robert on internet info detail. 5.0 centered a little north of Hawthorne. It must have rumbled pretty good in Torrance, where I grew up.
We didn't feel any aftershocks. C'mon Darla! Weren't you supposed to warn us. I thought dogs had some additional 'sense' about stuff like that. Nope. She slept through it all on the couch next to Duff. She was just too happy to be home.
The DRIVE
Sunday morning. The 'ox was in the mire' so to speak with the timing of graduation and moving. The kids had been counting on having at least a week or two to pack and move after graduation, but the only bar review course Josh could get started at 9am Monday morning. So with graduation on Friday, packing and loading on Saturday, and school first thing Monday, the drive had to be Sunday. Robert and Shaun left first around 6am. Mike and Adrianne left at 7am, and Josh and Meredith and Duff and Christine left at 7:30am. Josh drove and Duff went with him in the moving truck, and Christine went with Meredith and they followed in their car. Natalie and I left at 11 after we got all the beds stripped down for my mom and did some clean up and gathered all the straggling things left at Lisa's and my parents.
Tearful good-byes. Grandpa and Gramma and Auntie and Uncle Craig will really miss having the kids so close. They've had a sweet time these last three years together. Auntie couldn't even come to Gramma's house when they left with the truck. It was too hard for her.
Gramma and Grandpa pretty sad and crying. Grandpa just kept repeating: What are we going to do now, what are we going to do now? They miss all of their family sooo much! Lots of LOVE going on here! It was hard to go with them like this.
Josh and Duff walking to the truck.
Turning the corner with Mere and Christine following.
Tearful good-byes. Grandpa and Gramma and Auntie and Uncle Craig will really miss having the kids so close. They've had a sweet time these last three years together. Auntie couldn't even come to Gramma's house when they left with the truck. It was too hard for her.
Gramma and Grandpa pretty sad and crying. Grandpa just kept repeating: What are we going to do now, what are we going to do now? They miss all of their family sooo much! Lots of LOVE going on here! It was hard to go with them like this.
Josh and Duff walking to the truck.
Turning the corner with Mere and Christine following.Good-bye Arizona! :( :( :(
The trip for everyone leaving at staggered times was pretty smooth and uneventful. Natalie and I ended up only being 30 minutes behind the moving bunch with them only able to go 70mph. 
I'm happy to say that I did it!!! I made it across without too much problem. There was only one spot that I got a little funny in the tummy with, but besides that, I was calm and didn't even grab the wheel too tightly. I'm really proud of myself. Natalie was high fiving me when we got on solid ground, and she had to call Duff to let him know I'd made it. Does my family know me or what?!
The trip for everyone leaving at staggered times was pretty smooth and uneventful. Natalie and I ended up only being 30 minutes behind the moving bunch with them only able to go 70mph. I had a big decision to make. As I've gotten older, I've lost some of my 'nerve'. High overpasses freak me out. There are 2 in particular both involving the 91 fwy. One at the 10 interchange, and the other at the 15 interchange going from the 15 north to the 91 west. I've been on that when there is nothing but stop and go traffic and I don't do well being suspended up in the air like that on some concrete pylons!
The new interchange from the 60 west/north to the 91west/beach cities is now open. It is above and is that new almost white strip from the aerial photo I got off the internet. It is about a 5 mile long very high up on concrete pylons interchange. The picture doesn't show the whole thing. And it's higher than it looks in this picture too. I've watched it being built for several years now and have known that at some point I was going to have to address whether or not I would ever travel on it or take the long way around on the 10. As we got closer to the transition, I finally figured out that either way I was going to have to use a high bridge transition! Holy Cow! No way out! So I had two options: the one from the 10 or the one from the 60. I bit the bullet and turned onto the 60. Once on it, there was no turning back. I had to face IT. I had about 20 minutes to talk myself through it before I got there. It was enough time to play it all out in my mind.
I'm happy to say that I did it!!! I made it across without too much problem. There was only one spot that I got a little funny in the tummy with, but besides that, I was calm and didn't even grab the wheel too tightly. I'm really proud of myself. Natalie was high fiving me when we got on solid ground, and she had to call Duff to let him know I'd made it. Does my family know me or what?!Saturday, May 16, 2009
The MOVE
Today was moving day. Duff and Craig got there first and went with Josh to pick up the truck. Craig has a bunch of different kinds of dollies that he uses in his tile business and they sure came in handy. Clint brought over another dolly earlier in the week and between them all it got the job done.
The choices were 16' or 24 '. They went with 24' because it was easier to pack and gave them more room. It was only $60 more. Not bad. Did you know that moving companies don't have blankets you can use anymore? Because of disease, bed bugs, and lice, if you want moving blankets you have to buy them at $14.99 a pop. They are brand new and very nice. So now the kids have moving blankets to add to their possessions!
Mere and the girls wrapping the headboard. This wrapping plastice comes on a roll with a handle. It's really cool!
Natalie, Grandpa, and Christine getting their next assignment from Meredith, the 'director' of packing and shipping! Hahaha! She did a good job.
Moving the bed. Go guys, GO!
Meredith workin' and directin'.
The loved and saved for dresser/chest of drawers is first in. It was the heaviest piece and needed to go first.
As each room emptied, Natalie vacuumed. Cute little baby bump. Mere sprayed down the oven in the morning, and I got it all cleaned while Gramma cleaned out the fridge. The last two major things that needed to wait until the very last.
Grandpa and Christine with a dolly load into the truck.
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Gwen carrying stuff to the moving van. The kids apartment was on the first floor down that breeze-way to the left in front of the pool. They loved it because it sure stayed cool and never got direct sun during those hot Arizona summers, and I think we all agreed that it really made moving in 2 years ago and moving out today a lot easier than it could have been!
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Shaun and Robert loading.
Grandpa and Robert. We kept telling Grandpa to slow down but he would have no part of taking it easy. He was determined to help the kids and be a part of it.
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The next door neighbors patio. They won't be missing this!
Craig worked tirelessly. He caulked every single nail/screw hole in every room and smoothed them out with his sponges. That place was spic 'n span and immaculate thanks in large part to his handyman skills. Here he is out on their patio stripping and scraping the paint splatters and drips from when Meredith refinished their furniture.
All done. All empty. All cleaned. One last picture right after they closed and locked the door of their very first home together. On to a new chapter!
The choices were 16' or 24 '. They went with 24' because it was easier to pack and gave them more room. It was only $60 more. Not bad. Did you know that moving companies don't have blankets you can use anymore? Because of disease, bed bugs, and lice, if you want moving blankets you have to buy them at $14.99 a pop. They are brand new and very nice. So now the kids have moving blankets to add to their possessions!
Mere and the girls wrapping the headboard. This wrapping plastice comes on a roll with a handle. It's really cool!
Natalie, Grandpa, and Christine getting their next assignment from Meredith, the 'director' of packing and shipping! Hahaha! She did a good job.
Moving the bed. Go guys, GO!
Meredith workin' and directin'. 
The loved and saved for dresser/chest of drawers is first in. It was the heaviest piece and needed to go first.
As each room emptied, Natalie vacuumed. Cute little baby bump. Mere sprayed down the oven in the morning, and I got it all cleaned while Gramma cleaned out the fridge. The last two major things that needed to wait until the very last.
Grandpa and Christine with a dolly load into the truck..jpg)
Gwen carrying stuff to the moving van. The kids apartment was on the first floor down that breeze-way to the left in front of the pool. They loved it because it sure stayed cool and never got direct sun during those hot Arizona summers, and I think we all agreed that it really made moving in 2 years ago and moving out today a lot easier than it could have been!.jpg)
Shaun and Robert loading.
Grandpa and Robert. We kept telling Grandpa to slow down but he would have no part of taking it easy. He was determined to help the kids and be a part of it..jpg)
The next door neighbors patio. They won't be missing this!
Craig worked tirelessly. He caulked every single nail/screw hole in every room and smoothed them out with his sponges. That place was spic 'n span and immaculate thanks in large part to his handyman skills. Here he is out on their patio stripping and scraping the paint splatters and drips from when Meredith refinished their furniture.
All done. All empty. All cleaned. One last picture right after they closed and locked the door of their very first home together. On to a new chapter!We all met up back at Auntie's for pizza and leftovers for dinner and more swimming and relaxing in the pool. Mere, Adrianne, and Christine went and got a massage at the massage school. They had coupons for buy one get one free. We were all pooped. I fell asleep sitting up on the couch next to Lisa at one point. Between their friends and the fam, the apartment was emptied and loaded into the truck and all cleaned in just over 2 hours. Thanks to Mere's previous work, and the cleaning we did earlier in the week it went pretty fast and we all needed the afternoon and evening to regroup.
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