Chrstmas With the Grandkids--cont'd

Hey! What's the deal? I didn't know that you got cut off from blogging at a certain point. I wasn't finished!! Anywayyy--to continue--Lilybeth is so sweet & wanted to share with her sister, but it is difficult to share with someone who jerks everything you pick up out of your hands! She got a little frustrated as the day went on. Lucy & Lilybeth were still opening presents at 2:30 pm! Lilybeth stopped for a nap & Lucy stopped to play with each gift she got! Jill & Stephen (& I) had a very nice Christmas dinner prepared which the girls allowed us to enjoy while they napped. It was just a wonderful Christmas for us! We do have the most beautiful granddaughters on earth! Our grandchildren are the delight of our lives--I can't even imagine our lives without them. We are soooo blessed! We had a "hairy" trip home from Logan in a nasty blizzard, but arrived safely, thanks to Greg's "expert" driving skills. Greg & I opened our Christmas presents on Dec.26 since he said that if he had to put anything else in the truck to go to Jill & Stephen's, he would have to rent a U-Haul! I didn't even dare ask!! Anywayyy, it was a wonderful & so enjoyable Christmas time for us! Thanks to you all for making it so magical!! P.S.--Did I mention that I have the most beautiful grandchildren on earth?

Chrstmas With the Grandkids

Wow! We have had such a fun Christmas this year! It first started last weekend at Jeff & Jamie's house. We arrived on Friday evening (late) & spent a little time with Cade & Seth before bedtime. The next day we had fun opening presents with the boys & Jeff & Jamie. It was so much fun to watch their little faces as they opened each gift--that in itself was a gift for us! Cade & Daddy seemed to really like the "Tower of Doom" & the action figures & on Sunday had a major battle going on! Seth is starting to get the hang of crawling & was starting to slowly move around on his own power. He is such a little charmer with those beautiful blue eyes & that huge grin! I think that he will have fun with his new Fisher Price jungle. We definitely have the most beautiful grandsons on earth!! Next stop was on Christmas Eve to Jill & Stephen's house. I am so glad that we decided to go down that night. We got to watch "The Polar Express" with the girls (Lucy's new favorite movie!). And spent a delightful Christmas Eve just watching their mischievous antics. Christmas morning started slowly with Lucy just happy to have Nana & Grandpa at her house. We kinda wanted her to eat breakfast before the Christmas thing started--I think she ate 2 bites of scrambled eggs & maybe 2 bites of sausage before the fun & games began. Lucy loved the wagon that Santa left for the girls & opened several of her presents while sitting in it before she started to get the "hang" of the whole Christmas thing (look out for next year!). I think Lucy's favorite gifts were the "Choo-Choo" alphabet puzzle & the apron that her Great-Grandma Jean made for her--plus all of Lilybeth's Christmas presents!

Christmas time

This time of the year makes me look at my life & all that I have to be thankful for. I have had such an amazing & blessed journey! Greg & I have created 3 very interesting & special people--our children--who are a very intricate part of our lives. They have added 4 grandchildren into that mix. Oh, man!! That really shakes things up!! I hate to admit this, but I do believe I have at least 10 to 1 pictures of grandkids to kids displayed in my house--sorry, kids!!! (you have to admit that they really are cuter than you!!). Anywayyy, I am so grateful to whomever is in charge of my destiny--it's been a great ride & I wouldn't give any of it up! I'm just hoping there is more to the show!!;)

Chico

I was just sitting here in the kitchen watching IDTV & SoapNet, & crocheting a swaddling blanket for Katie's baby girl-soon to be ( yes, I am a multitasker!), when Chico limped over and sat at my side very patiently waiting for a pat on the head. I reached down & absent-mindedly gave him a little pat then went back to my crocheting. Chico got up & limped to the bottom of the stairs going up. He laid down & looked up like that was the tallest mountain he had ever been asked to climb. He slowly got up & made his way to the top. I stopped to watch him & realized that he is getting very old. Then I realized that it won't be long before all of my "muttly crew" will be very old!! (Actually, 3 of them already are!!) These companions of mine have given me so much! They have made me laugh, they've made me cry, they've made me so mad that it is amazing that I haven't had a stroke yet!: but, most of all, they have always been there each morning to greet me with their happy faces that say how glad they are to see me. Now; I ask you, "Who in the world, would be glad to see this aging face in the morning?"! Believe me, that list only includes pets & grandchildren! And, the only reason that my grandkids like to see me in the morning is because they get to jump on Grandpa & Nana's "tree bed"! They certainly are not looking at Nana or they would run screaming in fright from the room! Anywayyy--I got off of the subject of my faithful pets. I really love them all--I guess that's why I keep cleaning up the 3Ps each & every day. Chico has come back downstairs since I have been typing this to be by my side. WoW! Makes you wonder if people could be so devoted that they just want to be in the same room no matter what you are doing--even if they don't understand what the heck you are doing! Sigh, I think only dogs have that ability. I know my dogs are out of control; but, they are not mean, just noisy--I hate that!!--but, at the same time, they are my pack!

Today, I went to Georgetown to spend the afternoon with my sweet sister Teresa & her beautiful girls & grandchildren-all from the Ogden area--along with Dad & Jean & Mark & Chantal. Jean had the house decorated so cute with Christmas knick-knacks all over the place! She is such a fun person!!! Dad is so lucky to be spending his last years with her--she just has a way of making every day be an adventure. Anyway, the kids are growing up so fast!! I was thinking that I didn't remember when the last time was that I saw them all together. Then, I remembered that it was probably Lucy's first birthday party at Bullwinkle--someone, please correct me if I'm wrong. Could it really have been over a year ago?!? What is wrong with us? We live close enough that we should get all of the little cousins together at least once a month! At least in the summer--winter roads can be iffy. Anywayyyy, it was wonderful to see them all. They are such beautiful children!! We are so lucky to have healthy, beautiful grandchildren! God has been extremely kind to us! When I left Dad & Jean's house, I went to the cemetery to leave a pine swag at Mom's grave. It was so peaceful & quiet at the cemetery. There was hardly a breeze. I didn't even put my boots on as Chantal had suggested!! She is such a wuss!! What was on the road at the cemetery couldn't even be called mud compared to what I'm used to at Bullwinkle!! I became quite melancholy as I was putting the wire on the swag to make sure it didn't fly off of the post during the next blizzard. I just really miss my Mom!! She's been gone for 6 years now--will I ever stop missing her? She left us way too soon--there was so much more I wanted to share with her! Where-ever you are Mom, I hope you are at peace, happy, & having one hellofa good time! ;).

Barbara Walters had her list of the 1o most interesting people of 2008 on TV tonight. I, too, have my list of the ten most important & interesting people in my life!! First four are my absolutely beautiful grandchildren!--Cade is my very precious first grandchild, he will always hold a special place in my heart. He has such a love of playing & enjoying every minute to its fullest! He is so full of wondering with all of his "why?"s. Next comes Miss Lucy. Wow! What a smart child she is! She amazes me at how smart she already is--I do believe she is smarter than her Mommy! (Who, at one time had top honors for smartest person that I know!). She blows my mind about all that she knows at the age of 2! Next, comes our sweet, sweet Lilybeth Grace. Her name fits her so perfectly. She has got to be the sweetest baby I have ever been around! She is so mild-mannered & easy-going (kind of like I used to be before I had a husband & children & grandchildren!). Last, but certainly not least is Seth. Man!!! Those blue eyes surrounded by those long lashes & that huge grin absolutely melts my heart! His smile is contagious & makes me feel joy & happiness! On to the 5th most important & interesting person in my life--well, I hate to put Greg in the middle, but that seems to be where he has been put all of his life, & he seems to fit there very well! What a wonderful husband, father, & grandfather this man is! He has given me everything in life that is important to me & continues to put up with my idiocyncrises (sp?) every day--now, who in the heck would take on that job?!? What a guy! The next 3 people on my list are my three children. The people that Greg & I created--sorry that you got bumped out of first positions by the grandkids, but that's what happens when you have such beautiful children!! Johann, my troubled, but, oh so talented first son. He has no idea how much he has to give--if only he could find the combination to the lock. Jeff, he needs no help on his way to success! So handsome, strong, & smart. His illness is only making him a stronger person inside. And, Jill, my beautiful, blonde-haired, blue-eyed daughter! She has chosen to give up having a career to be a stay-at-home Mommy with my two beautiful granddaughters. I couldn't be more proud!! There is nothing more fulfilling than being a mother & being there for your children whenever they need you & knowing that you were always there when they did need you (was that redundant?). I tried to do my best, & I know that she will always do her best, too. Lastly, but not leastly, I would like to acknowledge my parents as being the 2 most important people on my list. There are not many people who can measure up to my Mom. She after all, was the main catalyst in making me the person I am. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think "what would Mom do or think about this?". I miss my Mom & wish she could be here to be a great-grandma to my grandkids--she would have been so awesome with them! And, her sense of humor would have kept them all giggling! Her love knew no bounds. Then there is my Dad. I'm sorry, but, there will never be a man on this earth that will ever measure up to him. He is the kindest, most caring person that I have ever known. He has endured so much in his lengthy life--a lot of it not so good, but it hasn't changed who he is inside. He remains the very best person I know on this earth. I also have 3 more people that I would like to acknowledge as very important people in my life--my stepmom, Jean. She has been a Godsend to our family & to my Dad! What would we do without her?!? I love her so much for how she has given Dad a reason to live longer! But, I also love her for the friend she has become to me. ---Jamie, she is my second daughter. In all of the world, I could never have found someone that could put up with a London personality (or 2 or 3) better than she has done. Man!! that is a job!! Gold Star achieved! Stephen--you deserve a Gold Star for putting up with my daughter! You actually deserve 2 more since you are dealling with Lucy & Lilybeth, too! ;)You, too, are one helluva a guy!!

Thanksgiving Past

I am finally catching up after Thanksgiving. Whew!!! What a day or two or three! We had everyone here for Thanksgiving--well, not EVERYONE, but all of my immediate family, my Dad & Jean, & Chantal, Mark, & Colt. It was great!! Except for the fact that Lilybeth wasn't feeling well. We had fun (anyway, I did!) & enjoyed our day together as a family. This was the first year that I have ever stooped to using paper plates & plastic glasses, & it won't be the last!!! It was sooo much less work than in years past. Cade & Lucy were so cute together. Lucy loved following Cade around & watching him play. They watched TV together in Grandpa's LazyBoy chair & played on the pool table together. They basically did everything together but take naps! Cade hates naps & Lucy loves them! The babies were so adorable. Lilybeth started feeling better on Friday & was acting more like her sweet self & was 'bopping' along to Uncle Jeff's guitar playing; and, Seth, well, he knows how to light up a room with that grin of his & his beautiful twinkling blue eyes! Now, on to the next holiday!!!

THANSGIVING??!!

Okay, ready, set GO!!!! Time to start preparing for Turkey Day! Actually, I have been preparing for a couple of weeks now--actually, it's called 'gearing up'. I think this is my favorite holiday of the entire year. Yes, I am TOTALLY!! exhausted by the end of the day, but I LOVE it--especially if nothing happens quite like it is planned to happen!! Hum, that seems to be the case every year--do you suppose I mean it to happen that way?--Sometimes, I wonder!( Because Thanksgiving always seems to be an adventure in itself.) Greg says my middle name is Chaos. It isn't, but it maybe should have been since I don't have a middle name. Anywayyy, my to do lists are made, my house is clean (thanks to my new housekeeper, Teal!), I'm on the way to the grocery store for last minute OOPS!! I FORGOT!! items tomorrow. And, I am so totally looking forward to having all of my family together for Thanksgiving---God Help Us All!! I will start cooking as soon as I get home from the grocery store tomorrow & will not stop until Saturday afternoon when all of my family deserts me to go their separate ways. Then I will COLLAPSE!! I LOVE THANKSGIVING!!!

couples

Our lives as couples are never easy. Our lives as grandparents aren't much easier--believe if or not! Moms & Dads very seldom ever agree on how to handle what to do with what is going on with our children. Moms want to protect & Dads want to make their children strong & brave. ( Hum, Greg & I are still working through that one!) Geez! We've been married for 37 years! Chances are that we'll make it for another 10 to 20 years until we die--God, help us both & anyone in our pathway! I really do love that man--exasperating as he may be at times. I still expect some 'hiccups' along the rest of the way. Obviously, we are not finished yet!

WhyNotTagged?

Well, I didn't get tagged for this one from Jill, but couldn't resist replying since the book that I am reading is "interesting". It was written by Amanda Quick (probably a psuedoname), in 2004. The title of the book is "The Paid Companion". Page 56, line 5: The leather-bound volumes were old and dusty. A narrow, circular staircase studded with wrought iron balusters twisted up to a balcony that was lined with more bookshelves.

the 2008 election

Okay, we have a new president elect-I'm thinking I feel sorry for him--he's probably going to go quite 'grey-haired' during the next four years, will probably have to go on antidepressants, might come close to divorce, will certainly run into emotional problems with his 2 daughters--girls are prone to that!!!!!!! Good luck, Obama! The next four years for you are going to be the challenge of your lifetime!! I certainly hope this man is up to the challenge. He thinks he is. Time will certainly be the judge of the outcome of the election.
Now, on to more important things. My sweet granddaughters!! WoW!! I absolutely loved taking care of them while Mommy had to go to Moscow to do some work stuff. Lucy & LiL are soooo much fun to spend time with. Today, I found out that sometimes just hanging out & being still brings around the most interesting situations. LiL was taking her morning nap & Lucy & I were hanging out in the bathroom while I put my makeup on & did my hair. As soon as I was finished, we went downstairs where I tried to convince Lucy that it was time to get dressed for the day. I got her cute white jeans on, but she absolutely refused to take her nightgown off!! Man!!! Where did she get to be head-strong from?--I think it could come from Grandma Jean. So, I decided to just chill & sit on the floor. As soon as I relaxed, Lucy turned to me & put both of her hands on each side of my face. She then just studied my face & my eyes--then she took her little hand & shoved my 'bangs' up over the top of my head & just stared at me! I don't think I look very good from the eyebrows up--scarey even ! Didn't seem to bother her though!
Missing my girls tonight!!! sigh

Halloween,2008

Well---I don't know where to begin. This Halloween started pretty good. I decided to go home to Grace (Greg didn't expect me home until Saturday afternoon since the dogs hate Halloween Trick-or-Treaters) & surprise Greg with pizza & salads from the Royal Hotel in Lava (if you have never been there before, you must try their individual salads with the house dressing--they are to die for--it is Halloween--give me a break!) & have my SMOKING! Halloween costume on when he arrives home from a long day's work at the drug store. Well, I get the truck packed & ready to go home, washed the sheets on the bed & remake the bed, wash the dishes in the dishwasher & get them put away, vacuum the bugs out of the windows one more time, order pizza & salads, shut every thing down at Bullwinkle, & get ready to put the dogs--all 4 of them in the truck to go home to Grace. I'm absolutely certain that the next word I would like to use cannot be used on the internet! The right rear tire on my truck is going flat!!!!!!!!!!!What to do?? Well, it's not completely flat--can I make it to Lava without damaging the rim? I really don't care if the rim is ruined--I am out of here! (Pizza & Halloween are waiting for me!) Okay, I get down to the gate--still worried about the tire. I close the gate & put the lock on it. Guess where I am? On the wrong side of the flippping gate!! I have to crawl under the flippping gate!! Okay, back in the truck & finally headed to Lava with an almost flat tire. Halfway down the mountain, I realize I have left my purse at Bullwinkle--well, that won't work! I can't buy pizza or pay for anyone to fix the almost flat tire on my truck!! JEEEZ!! My life is starting to get on my nerves BIG TIME! I turn around & go back to Bullwinkle. I go back into the house & can't find my purse anywhere! Did I leave it on the back of the truck & it fell off in the driveway? No. It is sitting on the table on the deck exactly where I left it! UGGGGGGGGGGHHHH! By now, I am a basket case! I call (by the way--couldn't call them earlier because my cell phone was in my missing purse!) the Royal & inform them of my dilemma & head back down the mountain in my truck with the almost flat tire. Of course, by now, the dogs are totally confused & my blood pressure is rising--I can feel it! Okay, we pick up the pizza & salads & head for the Sinclair to pump up that almost flat tire for the rest of the ride home. I have absolutely no idea how much air to put in a tire! And, I didn't know that you now have to pay for air--who knew?! Be sure to have 2 quarters available just in case you ever need five minutes of air to put in your tire---mine took all five minutes of it & probably could have used a couple of minutes more, but, I like to live on the edge--obviously! Okay, finally heading home--I'm a wreck!! I am terrified about going 65 with a tire that has recently been really close to flat, but I don't want to embarass myself by going too slow--stupid EGO!! (Blood pressure is still rising!) I stopped a couple of times on the way home from Lava just to check my tire. Well, I get home at about 5 minutes to 6 pm. Not enough time to empty the truck & put on my"smoking HOT!" Halloween costume. I opt for getting all of the stuff out of the truck since I don't want Greg to have to do it, after all, it is my stuff. Greg gets home from work & is surprised to see us at home; but glad, since he is not feeling well & was not looking forward to an evening of trick-or-treats. So much for my Smokin' Hot Halloween. sigh. I spent my evening treating little ghosts & goblins--I looked generic--I could have looked "smoking HOT" had it not been for a stupid flat tire!! sigh

DITTO!

It was another "WOW!" day at Bullwinkle! I actually finished two projects that I never seem to have time for in Grace, vacuumed, cleaned bathrooms & still had time to enjoy this beautiful day outside! (If you can call cleaning up dog poop enjoyable) Just spending time outside in this glorious weather doing anything is time well spent! The squirrels & chipmunks are really storing up the sunflower seeds for winter. Sarge keeps trying to chase them away, but they pretty well have him figured out & know just where to go to keep out of his reach. The winter Chickadee's have arrived & are also chowing down on the sunflower seeds & the suet cakes. I really enjoy watching these little birds--they are so feisty! Good -bye to another beautiful day & sunset! Looking forward to what tomorrow will bring!

WOW!!!

Wow! is the only way I can describe this gorgeous fall day! Fall is not my favorite season since it precedes a long, cold winter. But today was one of those days that makes you feel glad to be alive & to experience the season. I am at Bullwinkle spending the last few days of October at the place I love the best on this earth. I wish I knew how to post a picture of the beautiful sunset that I witnessed this evening (alas!! computer illiterate!). Even my 'pack' seems to be feeling the wonder of the fall. They are happy & playful--so fun to watch! They don't often play together, but have had me laughing at their antics all day. Every day is such a gift! I feel so lucky to be who I am & to have what I have. I think we must remind ourselves to enjoy living each & every day that we wake up. There are so many new things to experience each day. Today was the perfect day!!

Quiet

It is quiet at Nana's house tonight--way too quiet. All four of my grandbabies were here this weekend; and, it was pure bliss!!! I really wish I could just create a "compound" on our block in Grace & move them all here & have them all close to me every day! I think Sarge would like that, too!! Jingle Bells would also like it because he would have four homes to go to instead of just two! sigh. I am such a daydreamer! Anyway, we had soooo much fun! Cade & Lucy are so cute together--he says that Lucy & Grendel(a friend from Bellevue) are his best friends. That is sooo sweet!! However, he doesn't hesitate to take things away from Lucy! But, this morning, I think she very innocently got even with him when Cade's Daddy put some ketchup on their shared plate of sausages & she immediately started dipping in it. The look on his face was priceless! I guess it's hard to share ketchup! Lil & Seth are soooo adorable! Soooo sweet! Beautiful babies! I am truly blessed. When it came time for Jeff, Jamie, & the boys to leave this afternoon, Cade started to cry. I asked him what was wrong as I held him in my arms trying unsuccessfully to console him, & he said, "I don't want to go home!" Okay, I've never had that happen before (I don't think any of us that were here had heard that before). I could see that Daddy was a little surprised. Mommy was busy finishing up the little details of packing up so she was a bit distracted, Grandpa was sympathetic, but clearly didn't know what to say or do so he just took charge of Seth (sometimes he's such a chicken!). So, I'm left with a distraught & crying 3 year old leaving all kinds of bodily fluids all over my shoulder. Hummm? What to do? First of all, I try to talk him through it--such as going to school tomorrow--yada yada yada--not working. So fun to play with all of your toys at home--yada yada yada--not working. Watch the movie Spiderman on the way home-yada yada yada--not working. Now, I start to cry--still not working!!! I carry him outside to the car--both of us crying--this is definitely not working!! The sight of Daddy's face stops my crying, but not Cade's--he's used to that look--I'm used to giving that look. Well, Daddy talked to Cade for a few minutes after he put him in his car seat & Cade decided that watching "Spiderman" wasn't such a bad idea afterall. He was definitely exhausted from his crying spell & starting to forget about why he didn't want to go home. I wish I could have recovered as quickly as he did! I was still sobbing an hour later! This Grandma thing is harder than I thought!

Sarge & Nana's Girls

Hummm? I do believe Sarge is missing Lucy & Lilybeth tonight. He is lethargic & keeps looking up at me with these sad, brown eyes. I even think he would like to have Lucy back at Nana's house so that she could put the leash back on him & drag him down the stairs once again. I'm also sure that he missed cleaning up the floor underneath Lilybeth's chair--probably missing a lot of nutrition there, too! Sigh. Nana is also missing my girls. I love those sloppy baby kisses & those "Hi, How Are Yous?".Oh, Man!!! I am soooo lucky to have my girls living so close---I wish my boys were just as close--sigh. I know I can't have everything my way---but, I can still wish it were so. Jeff could actually save Marketron a LOT OF MONEY!!! by relocating their office to Grace--there is no reason that I am aware of that they have to be in Hailey. Jamie can still teach--yeah, I know that she will not make a lot of money;but,they will not have to pay for day care since ---Nana will be here to care for Seth! Gosh!! I am certainly day-dreaming in the direction I wish things would go. Sigh

Twilight

I, too, am an Esme. I'm not surprised--I always like to stay in the background, but will be there to support my family whenever I am needed. I also took the "guy" test. I am a Jacob--not surprising since he was my favorite "monster"!--strong, yet sensitive--also ready to defend the people that he loves fiercely & giving no thought to what that may cause him to sacrifice in his own life. Sigh, MY HERO!!!

marsha porter

Greg called me tonight with horrible news. A lady from our community died today. Her name was Marsha Porter. She & I had our nails done on the same day once every 6 weeks. We laughed & talked about our lifes. She worked at the hospital on the night shift in the rest home. She loved working with the "old people". She worked whenever she was needed--which was probably what killed her. Greg said that the police said she probably fell asleep at the wheel & ran off the road. My heart goes out to her & her family--she was a very special & caring person.

Bullwinkle With My Girls

I've had the most fun days in my life over the last few days! Lucy, Lilybeth, & Mommy spent the last 4 days at Bullwinkle with me! Oh, yeah, Greg & Stephen showed up for a couple of those days. And great-grandpapa-Ray & great-grandma-Jean came to visit for a day, too! It was soooo busy & soooo much fun!! Lucy made me laugh so hard this morning that my stomach still hurts. Mommy was feeding Lilybeth some cereal & she asked Lucy if she wanted some. Of, course, she opened her mouth. Mommy gave her a spoonful of Lilybeth's baby cereal. Well, Lucy started gagging--& I do mean gagging! We thought for sure she was going to throw-up--you know how that vomit-reflex hits you sometimes? Well, she was definitely vomit-reflexing! Jill & I both thought for sure that the peanut butter sandwich that she was eating before the spoonful of cereal was going to be in our view shortly. Didn't happen, tho! After she recovered, she thoughtfully watched as Lilybeth finished eating that nasty bowl of cereal. I could only begin to imagine the thoughts that were running through her mind. Hopefully she has gained a new respect for her baby sister.

37th Anniversary

Good Grief!! I'm ashamed to say that I haven't acknowledged our 37th anniversary. This is quite an accomplisment--neither one of us is dead yet; although there have been times that it would have been easy for either one of us to kill the other! Greg is one of the two most awesome men that are in my life--my Dad & he are tied for the title. Greg is ----hard to describe. He can do almost anything (I had to put the word "almost" in there just in case!). He never hesitates to face a problem head-on (hard-headed man!). Greg adores his grandchildren with a capital A.
He is the best thing that ever happened to me in Utah,. He is now an Idahoan--at least on his driver's license! Anyway, Happy Anniversary to the LUV of MY LIFE!!!

Kurtis Frank Hartley

I wish I had paid more attention to my little obnxious cousin. I do beleive we had a lot in common---lots of naughtiness, lots of daring, lots of "what the heck was I thinking??!!".We will all miss you--you have no idea how much of an impression you have left on all of our lives--I miss you so much because I didn't really know you for the special person that you became. Hopefully, you will be at peace--or having one helluva good time hunting for the devil!!--either one works for me! Keep an eye out for me--I'll be ready to hunt for the guy in the red cape with the pitchfork!

Kurt

Why is it that such good people die so young? I'm struggling tonight trying to accept the death of my cousin. Long story--short ending. His children, siblings, parents are struggling along with me. Again, my heart hurts. I guess this is what life is all about--life & death.

JEEZ!

Well,Sarge is still alive-only because of my super-human self-control. He still stinks!! The other
dogs have been very subdued & quiet today. They must be afraid that they will be the next one being thrown in the bathtub & coming close to being drowned! i often wonder how this happened to me. Having 4 dogs live with us is a real challenge, especially since 3 of them are boys that like to mark their territory--aka--MY TERRITORY!! I yell at them a lot. Doesn't seem to matter to them though. I think I like cats better than dogs. They at least go potty in litter boxes that don't leave spots on the floor & furniture!

Sarge & the Skunk

Well, tonight it's a miracle that I am at least not missing at least one dog. Sarge (GRRR!!) after spending over 2 hours barking at gosh only knows what decided to find himself a skunk to go after. At this moment, I am still wondering why I let him live. He has been sprayed with "Skunk Out" (twice!) & bathed three times. He still stinks!!! He just got up to have a drink of water (I'm sure his whole system is still digesting skunk spray) & I could smell his breath still reeking of skunk!! I'm sure my mother is looking down on this latest fiasco & is just chuckling if not howling with laughter. I'm not feeling very kindly towards her at this moment since she is the reason I have this little monster living with me. Long story. Greg hopes I am learning a lesson & will not want to own another dog for as long as he lives. I do love them (even Stinky--I mean Sarge). They are my little & not-so-little buddies. I usually enjoy their company--tonight was not quite as enjoyable. I'm still looking at my gun & wondering why I didn't shoot first & ask questions later. The evidence could have been buried, but the fumes would have probably started a forest fire!UGH!!

weekend with the Christoffersen's

WoW! I am mentally so tired. There are so many different feelings & thoughts that are going through my head. I'm not sure how Cindy has been able to keep herself from killing Clint. I've felt that I should have done that with one of my children---oh, well--too late. The only thing that keeps me going are my 4 beautiful grandchildren! Also the awesome man I live with.

It's a wonderful life!

I am probably the luckiest woman in the world! I am a stay-at-home-Grandma!!Well, I guess "stay-at-home" isn't quite right since I seem to be mostly at home when I am where ever my grandkids need me to be. I have an amazing husband who allows me to go where I need to go to help take care of our grandbabies. My 4 dogs seem to be able to forgive me for sharing so much of my time with my grandkids--infact, I think, they are starting to like them, too!

tagged

Thanks, Jill?! My three joys--1. My 4 beautiful grandchildren! 2. Bullwinkle! 3. The most wonderful man in the world who gave me the very best gifts of my life--my 3 children & Bullwinkle! My three fears--1.Disappointing the most important people in my life. 2.Watching any one of my children suffer or be unhappy. 3.Not being able to help someone (person or animal) in need. My three goals--okay, this is going to get silly now! 1.Climb Mount Everest. 2.Go to Africa on a Safari. 3.Be the best Grandma in the world!!! My current obsessions?/collections--1. SUNFLOWERS!2.MOOSES(yes, I do know that is incorrect!),pictures of my BEAUTIFUL grandchildren. 3 Random Surprising Facts about Me--1.I wanted to become a medical doctor. 2. I wanted to be able to sing in front of people & not be afraid. 3. I wanted to be a veterinarian.

my mom

my heart hurts tonight as I remember my Mom. i miss her. i remember her passing. but most of all i remember the beautiful, fun person she was & will always be in my memories.

missing my mom

Thursday marks the 6th anniversary of my mother's death. I become quite melancholy at this time every year & want to hide myself away & be alone with my memories. I will be at Bullwinkle--it soothes my soul. I miss my Mom. She always knew how to handle every situation. Although the situations I handed her sometimes had to be really challenging!! She had so many challenges of her own. I can only hope that I will handle my challenges as "gallantly" and with as much dignity as she did.

a new world

hello? all of the sudden , i feel quite shy. i have created a blog & have not a clue what to do with it.