Sleights in South Jordan

Thankful for pink blankets....

2011-11-28T20:37:00.000-08:00

I have been pretty darn bad at this Thankful thing. Well, at least bad when I forget to blog about it. Am I more aware of being thankful? Yes, and I have decided that today I am dedicating the whole week of being Thankful to my daughters. Oh, how they have enriched my life.

I can't believe how incredibly blessed I am to have 4 daughters.

There is my oldest Alicia, now a mommy herself, with all the sweetness, humor and beauty allowed. Rachel, my redhead. Smart in things Hebrew and who loves a good recipe and things beautiful. Stacey, the one talented, lover of animals with a heart as big as any. My baby, Emma, who's goodness and kind heart keeps me young and happy.

But today I am going to blog about my oldest daughter, my first little girl friend, my shadow.

She came to us on a cold spring night in the wild west town of Rock Springs. I was so excited that night that I didn't sleep at all. A girl! I had a baby girl. Little did I know what a wonderful life she would bring into mine.

We have been pals for a very long time now. We even dressed alike one Easter...
Even during the "teenage years", this girl was a great daughter.

I won't talk about how it felt when she left home for college. Ever have your arm cut off? Yeah, that is what I imagine it would feel like. Lots of crying and wailing and being very sad.

She let me visit her at the Y and we talked everyday on the phone.

And then she found her prince charming and I let her go again. She really was happy about it...really.

And well let's just say that the laughter has never waned. I am proud of all that she has done. (OKAY ALMOST EVERYTHING...)

But my proudest thing? That she now has a sweet daughter, shadow, necklace loving daughter of her own. And the best thing she can do for me? Love that daughter just like she has loved her mom. Like a Best Friend...

Being Thankful....

2011-11-21T20:31:00.001-08:00

I finally got outside this morning. After a big girl weekend, it felt really great to strike out on a walk. And then when I began to look around me, I was a bit sad that fall is nearly done. There is just no time like November for all the amazing color.

I looked down at my feet as I shuffled along and my grumpy bones and muscles complained that it had been too long. But the colors and shapes of leaves was just stunning.

Today I am thankful for the beautiful leaves that Heavenly Father created for me to walk through this morning.

being thankful for....

2011-11-19T20:31:00.000-08:00

Sisters. I am grateful for wonderful sister-friends. Who call me on the phone and come and craft and sit in TOFW seminars and take me to Birthday lunch and laugh with me.

Life is good.

thankful...day 14

2011-11-15T08:37:00.001-08:00

With having a birthday, I couldn't help but reflect on how much this pair means to me. I was born on a really cold winter night and was a puny, bald little thing. I was also the third daughter born to a farmer that really could have used a boy by now....but never made me feel like I was a disappointment in any way.

My parents are my heroes. They lived and raised us 6 kids in a wonderful, hard working lifestyle. I felt like I was the luckiest kid alive to be raised on a farm and work along side of my dad. I got to do things that challenged me and were fun all wrapped into one. My mom taught me how to be a lady and love beautiful things. Come to think of it, I am STILL the luckiest girl alive, to still have their great influence in my life.

thanks day 13

2011-11-13T10:30:00.001-08:00

I have been pondering this being thankful thing. it is GOOD to be thankful every day. And when you are publicly posting it...even better to say these things out loud.
So, today I was thinking how thankful I am for my hands. Lately I have been plagued once again with cracks on my fingers. Not sure if it is a dry skin thing, but it is painful. But as I sat and felt sorry for myself, I couldn't help but remember how many things they do for me. And I am not counting the regular all day every day routine of things. I am counting that when I get an idea to create they are ready to go. They twist and peel, and spray and glue and paint, and sew and flip back and forth when hot glue gets on them! My list is endless and for these two middle aged hands, I am grateful.

Thanks.....day 11

2011-11-11T20:53:00.001-08:00

I am thankful today for goodly parents that raised this boy. He is a real gem.

Oh, and I am also very thankful that he is so understanding when I call him by mistake. He answered so chipper and nice. What a great guy!

Thanks....day 9

2011-11-10T07:55:00.000-08:00

If my truck goes anywhere,( and I am not sure why everything is underlined....)this girl goes with.....she loves to "fly" in her backseat spot. No matter, rain, sleet, snow or dark of night. This dog LOVES to stick her head out the window.
I am thankful for her sweet nature. I am thankful for her loyalty.
I don't care that she sheds a bunch. She is my sweet canine friend.

What day is this?

2011-11-08T18:13:00.000-08:00

Drugs. Presciption drugs. That's it. When you get a tooth implant...you need drugs. Today and yesterday, I am thankful for drugs.

Thankful....day 6.

2011-11-06T19:39:00.000-08:00

GOOOOOOD GRIEEEEEEF! The dentist asked me if I needed a card to remember Emma's next appointment...or did I want to just load it on my phone..RIGHT! I was goofing around with it at the time. I laughed and said, "uh, better give me the card...I am not too great at this phone yet!"And when I wanted to download some pics the other night, Emma spoke up that she knew how to do that! COOOOOOOL. SO, I am grateful for my 11 year old that knows how to do stuff.

Like.....dress up the dog like a granny.
Pull lots of cute faces on my laptop.....

and pull off the cutest Aphrodite costume ever. No drama here! HA!

love this little girl at my house.....

Thankful....day 5

2011-11-05T20:05:00.001-07:00

Uh, yes they are here!!! Love them oh, yes I do. And the boy that found them at Smiths for me? MY FAVORITE CHILD today...I'm just sayin....

Giving Thanks....day 4.

2011-11-04T19:06:00.001-07:00

Today was easy. I looked up and saw this. (the real ones not the painting...) We are supposed to get snow tonight and they will be even more beautiful. They fill me up everyday.

Thankful...day 3

2011-11-03T21:22:00.001-07:00

It seems way too easy to just let life sweep you along and then you forget that there are miracles that surround you....
Little Claire Elizabeth Mathias is one.

The other is Thomas Lee Sleight. These two babies are such wonderful blessings in my life. Yup, day three is a big one.

Thankful....day 2.

2011-11-02T19:39:00.001-07:00

Day two can only be my gratefulness for these sweet peeps. And the thrill of this picture is that it is incomplete...day 3 is coming....

Thankful....day 1

2011-11-02T19:25:00.000-07:00

My sweet daughter had gotten this idea from a friend...and I thought. OKAY. I can do this.
SOOO,
I am first thankful for my sweetie. Who is never home enough. Who works very hard away from home lots of times and hates it.
Who I met during a fall semester at BYU and thought was very funny and oh, yes very handsome.

SOOO , I am GRATEFUL that we are married and best friends.

Can't wait....

2011-09-21T11:52:00.001-07:00

I know I am REALLY behind on this blog....don't have any excuses for such poor behavior....but when a major family event happens all the other little things fall short.

I am so happy to announce the newest Sleight....Thomas Lee Sleight. Born on Aug. 30 to Meredith and Steven. Well, and big sister Ella. And to an anxious Mamie cleaning my kitchen like mad when I knew they were in the operating room. And when Steven called and I could hear him crying in the back ground, I sat and cried. What a great day!!

I got to go and help out for a few days. Ella was there at the airport to run and hug me!

And then I got to see the new baby....he's a doll! And you can tell that he is very loved by him new family.
But when I am looking through the camera lens, I see another baby boy swinging there, wait no, that is him being the daddy.

Big sister likes him pretty much....but when Mamie is holding him and Ella wants to play Legos upstairs with Mamie, there is a bit of face pulling and sad faces. I tried to make sure we worked both legos and major baby holding in.

Ella and I decorated cookies and read stories and colored....

Here is shot of Thomas in his newest disney outfit...pretty cute.

And here is a sweet shot at oh let's say at 4ish am. He was sweet to cuddle with on the couch and let me use the dish tv remote. He seemed to be okay with Nanny reruns in the middle of the night.

Then it was picture day at kindergarten. And this girl was ready. What a cutie-pie.

Then it was time to go home. Bah for leaving a sweet baby and little girl and recuperating momma and wonderful son behind.
But we are excited to go back for blessing day....come soon okay and little guy?

Don't grow up so fast......

Sugar and spice and everything nice.....

2011-03-27T20:59:00.001-07:00

Yes, it happened again. Another birthday. My baby is turning 11. How did THAT happen?

The best gift EVER!

2011-01-30T16:12:00.000-08:00

Okay, let me first say how much I hate BLOGGER...this loading pictures and all is just such a pain, and because it is mid-February and I am still posting Christmas...bah on that.

So, here are the pics and the story is way below. SO I may be headed for Blogger jail....whatever.

Barbara Streisand sang a song called "The Best Gift". I heard it way before I got mine one Christmas (1986). It goes a bit like this....the best gift I ever got, didn't really weight a lot. It was sometimes green and sometimes red as it lay so sweetly in it's bed. The best gift of the year for me

wasn't under the Christmas tree...this gift nearly drove me wild,

it was a tiny newborn child.

Alicia's baby wasn't due until AFTER Christmas, but I just had this feeling she would not go that long. I really had my shopping pretty much done and the baking underway...then that call came. She and Brian were headed for the hospital. Then began the long night - I slept on the couch and watched the clock...and waited for Brian's texts. I began to REALLY worry by morning when baby hadn't come yet and she hadn't progessed beyond 3 cm. I cried when I heard my baby was going to have to have a c-section. DARNIT. DARNIT. So then began the hand twisting...and praying and pleading ...and then we got the call! She was here! We all danced around and waited for the picture to come...and it did. WE WERE THIRLLED. Then came her name...Claire Elizabeth Mathias. WOW. I laughed , I cried, and I got busy packing....

One of the great blessings of Don travlelling so much is frequent fliers miles that we can use for such a trip as this. I was on my way to the airport within a couple of hours....and once on the ground there, I rented a car and found my way through the dark Kansas night to the hospital. I was late beyond visiting hours but a kindly guard decided that i needed to see my new grandbaby....

And there she was! Alicia my new little mommy...looking like h- e- double toothpicks... I wanted to sob when I saw how rough she looked...but then I spied the bitty baby there in the blankets.

There really is nothing that prepares you for the instant love and depth of feeling for these grandbabies. She was so beautiful...and seeing her here safe and sound, just made me feel so very grateful.

I noticed the hydraulic pumps on Alicia's ankles and whispered a thankful prayer that the swelling was being tended to.

Now some might wonder what I came so soon for with her being in the hospital for 2 days more, but who was gunna hold that baby? Me, me oh pick me...

I was so impressed what hands on Brian was and not afraid to hold her and attend to her every need. We all rejoiced when Alicia was able to have her first real sandwich....wahoo!!

But soon it was time for me to go home and help save the "sinking ship". And yes there were lots of tears when I left. Claire was napping...

But at the Airport was my little sweet grand daughter to jump into my arms and Emma to hug me tight and yes, my handsome spouse glad to see me...and in the truck? My dog, Belle. What a greeting!

And we hit the ground running. It was Christmas eve and there was much to be done before we could sleep. Cookies to be made and frosted and presents to be wrapped and oh...so much to do.

We had a great time with Steven, Meredith and Ella. Ella really warmed up to "bad guy"- the calico cat. We found a ribbon she could pull along and she giggled and played for hours with that cat. But before we knew it...it was time for them to leave. Where did Christmas go??

Thank heavens I will get another crack at it next year....

Missing

2010-11-23T13:23:00.000-08:00

Forecasters were almost giddy. Skiers were excited and standing by. Costco put their shovels and blue de-icer crystals at the entrance to the store.

I, however mowed the lawn...it was getting scraggly. Then I pruned my roses, dug up my dailias and pulled out some ailing petunias. But anyone that knows me, knows I left those huge geraniums right were they have been all summer. They have done so great this fall. And I don't pull out a bloom when it's thriving..no way. I also hung some of my blouses to dry on the railing of the porch...a fall air would dry them quick. RIGHT....

Well, silly me, those forecasters were right on the money. This is the scene we woke up to on Sunday morning.

This is really no problem except when I remember that my blouses WERE hanging on the railing...ah...rats. I rushed outside and see an empty railing where my clothes WERE supposed to be. And looking over expecting to see them laying on the ground, I was aghast to see this.

In the very spot below the railing is this area where the big snow falls off the roof....argh.

Four of my favorite-too nice to dry in the dryer...blouses were under there. I did manage to tug one out and it looked pretty sad...

But I have decided to look at it this way. I NEED TO GO SHOPPING!! And I should have a couple of cute rags come spring to -well, wash the car....

Ocotver....

2010-11-03T08:38:00.001-07:00

I have decided that I reallly do love October...I love the colors of the leaves turning, and the colors of the fall season. And if you think about it, it is the only month we REALLY get to celebrate fall all by itself. ( By the time November rolls around, there is a lot of sparkly, Christmasey stuff out there and no matter how much you try to ignore it, it is there.) I have fallen for the fun way everyone loves Halloween. Yes, there is lots of creepy going on, but I have decided to fall for the vintage creepy and have crows and bats hanging around and all that.

I finished my creepy pumpkin guy this year and that was a major thrill. I covered white pumpkins with black lace and bought fake little tombstones. I searched everywhere for black spooky crows

and refused to pay 7 bucks for em. SO, I went to my workroom and pulled out my stash of stuff and made my own...ha. And of course, my velvet pumpkins were a smash on my Etsy site and I mailed them to Canada, and Vermont and Illinois and California to name a few. And they are still fun to make. (even after making uh...about 75 this season). And then it was time to fashion a Cleopatra costume for Em and when it came time to embellish and such, I didn't have to buy any trim....how is that for a stash?

( I need to go and replenish!) And Emmas school has a Halloween parade for the kids...it is way cool! They come to school dressed in their costumes and then line up and march through the gym in front of family and cameras...with "Monster MASH" playing in the background and the principal leading the way! ( He is the DOG here!) It is a great way to be inside and warm and show off their ghoulishnes...sans the masks.

And I helped turn my senior daughter into a fairy princess for her first date and first prom....best work I did all month. So November is here and I may need an extra nap to get through it....

There is no place like home....

2010-10-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

Emma has had a few weeks off track from school and Don was off farm hopping in jolly ole England. So we filled the big gas tank of "BIG ABE" and went off to see Mom and Dad for a couple of days. It was a beautiful fall day and with my book on cd and Emma's library book stash we were good to go....

It is always amazing to me to finally drive past OGDEN( after 400 hours) and then leave the city behind. The scenery on the top of Malad pass was breathtaking with the lake there and the trees all in their fall glory. ( I woulda taken a pic but driving with 2 hands is really recommened!)

When we reached the edge of the Lost River Valley, I can't help but feel nostalgic about the place where I grew up. The trees are all very tall now and that empty mainstreet is shorter and much quieter than I remember. But the numbers on the hill are still there with many more than were there when I left and that is somehow reasurring.

It is always a treat to see my parents- albeit a bit weird pulling in the driveway with no other siblings cars there. And oh so very quiet....lovely.

Dad still goes to the temple on Thursdays so mom and I and Em had a great day of shopping the great Arco and getting real mexican food from the street vendor and then visiting with friends. Emma went to the basement and found the doll house and played house for a bit while we watched the last of the miners being pulled from the mine.

Emma had a WONDERFUL time with their sweet kittens....one which is not shy and the other two pretty skittish. But it didn't mean she quit trying....

It was such a beautiful day on Friday so we walked around the yard and admired the trees and all.....

Dad had a amazing crop of tomatoes and all in his garden...and his "livestock" follow him all over the place...

Emma and Grandma came out for a bit of sunshine and of course to see what the "livestock" were up to.

but soon it was time to load back into ABE and head back to the city.

But I should like to record here how great I think my parents are...not just because they raised us kids to be quite responsible adults but because I think they are great people.

My mom is just the best. Her example of thrift and great housekeeping put her in a league of her own...(t00 bad those two genes never made it my way...) She was and still is such a great friend to me and we talk and laugh about everything we love and hate...it is wonderful.

She is a kind, sweet and generous grandma. She chats with Emma like she really matters. All about kitties and school stuff. I hope to learn that trait...I want to grow up to be my mom.

Mom is personable and nice to all she meets...the guys who made our mexican dinner and our neighbors that need someone to come by and chat. She always has something going with her hands-creativity with dishtowels and baby afghans. And we learned recently that she has nearly 2000 hours logged into the hospital auxillary. That is all volunteer stuff! what an amazing example she is to me!

Dad has always been and will be my greatest hero. He is now bent and sore from all those cowboy and farmer days. I am so proud to have been there for a few of them and shared some of the most beautiful scenery from the saddle of a great horse. He is funny and smart. He is compassionate and spiritual. He has been serving as a sealer in the temple for going on 18 years and loves the people whom he serves. He is so reliable and constant and they at the temple love him for that. I feel so blessed to have had him marry my two oldest children...what a gift. He is also self less in the commuity and has been fighting for the local hospital for years.

He is a Lion of the Lord...he is a treasure to me. He is brave enough to try his hand at facebook!

My parents are my anchor. It was sobering to come home dad's youngest sister's funeral not long ago..

.I feel so blessed to finally be closer to them and able to see more of them. They are some of my favorite people!

I hope I can escape the burbs another day...and head home.

Short but very SWEET!

2010-09-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

Steven, Meredith and my sweet Ella were able to come west for a few days. It was a short trip, but we enjoyed every minute together.

Okay, Ella REALLLLLY likes her auntie Emma and followed her around plenty.,,.,
but she and I got in some good cooking time...

We ate, we played games .

but the true highlight of the trip was seeing that inside of my Grownup boy is still a little boy that loves the trampop-o-line...and he is the only one that I allow to do flips. Good to see that somethings stay the same.

That little boy is still in there and that made this mom pretty happy.....

Summer slippage

2010-09-12T16:11:00.000-07:00

It's happened again. And right underneath my nose. I should have known it was gunna happen. JUST LIKE LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME....summer slippage.

Here are just a few of the highlights and lowlights...

Now I leave it to you to choose which lights were low and high....to me they were uh, mostly high.

So onto Fall.

Sweet sweet summer...

2010-07-04T19:05:00.000-07:00

I drove by the garden nursery the other day and on the sign post it said..."June is the NEW May!" and I really chuckled. We have had more than our share of cold, rainy, nasty, hate-this-cold, drippy spring...and then summer came upon us in a hot, swift wind. BLEH...

But things that were growing sat up and either withered and died or began blooming with haste.

And there are fewer things I love more in my garden than Sweet Peas. They remind me of my mom massive fence of blooms, my scraggly garden in Florida, my blooming garden wall in Washington and now as my little beginnings here in my new garden signify that I am really home.

I found some of my favorite pictures and now just sit back and enjoy them. Too bad you can't smell them....they are REALLY ummm SWEET!

Ruffle, ruffle

2010-06-25T21:55:00.000-07:00

Okay, so what happens when hubby is out of town on a Friday night? Oh, fiddling around in my studio...not in the mood to clean up any other project and then remembering an idea to add to my oh-so-black and boring summer sandals.

I had seen some cute ones with ruffles but of course, they were out in MY SIZE....

so I came upon this plan.

MAKE MY OWN....and standing in the big W the other day on a completely different project saw the vinyl tablecloth on the roll that is REALLY CHEAP.

Bought a bit of black and yellow. Started cutting it up and sewing it back together.

Here is the right one all finished.and the boring left one "before".

I cut a double length of the black fv( faux vinyl) and double the width I wanted.

I then sewed a seam down the side 1/4" from edge. Repeat on other side and across both ends. Be sure and leave the middle free so you can hand sew a running stitch to gather. (see red marks).

Trim excess of the end as close to the stitching as possible.....Apply a bit of tacky glue along edge next to red dashed lines...this is so the edges will stay down when you gather.Using button hole thread and a large eye needle, sew a gathering stitch down the center through only thickness (see red dashes above).

Using heavy duty hook and loop tape apply to ruffle and matching on the shoe. (my shoes are leather and it stays put but can still be pulled off...)

Now apply to both shoes and voile'...ruffled sandals....so much MORE FUN...

You gotta have skills.....

2010-06-20T18:13:00.000-07:00

Dad and Mom,

Art is a funny creature. I have been thankful so many times that I had the chance to go to college and study with the grownups. I have used my education in lots of different avenues over the years. BUT until this year, I didn't get the chance to be quite this diverse.....

I am now an artist of FOAM....yesssssssssss, it is a state thing here in the UTAH...a big deal for some reason.

I knew you would be SO PROUD...

I have attended "foam cutting and glueing" classes. I learned there are many different densities of foam and suited to multiple projects. AND there are magical tools that melt and seal the dimemsional creations.

I went to a "how to make flowers and glitter for high impact". I learned there are many sizes of glitter and a special way to get it on the foam. I learned that white glue would be purchased in gallons and which brand was best. (good ole ELMERS is still the king)

And GORILLA GLUE is a staple of life for us "foam artists"!

And that my time of late would be wound around cutting, glueing, painting, shopping for fabric coverings, hauling and delivering and even performing surgery, albeit "foam" surgery.

I would get the befores and and work them into the afters....

The "engineer" guy did the initial carving on these rabbits and I did the finish work....

(Don't these two look they sniffed a bit too much glue in the workroom....)

The guy behind the initial design was the one with the fancy heat carving tool and I was left to "sculpt" with my trusty

kitchen electric knife. And then I used good ole sandpaper to even it all up.

I was a little worried at this lamb stage...must get the spots on....

And let us have a moment of silence for my ever reliable glue gun....

But then I spotted a real problem......poor FLO had a major defect...too many handles in the "UDDER" area. This farm girl could not let THAT go.....no sir. Out came the knife and off came the two extras...WE BOTH FELT BETTER.

There is this code on the side...think "oh, when the Saints came marching in"....

Once she was done, Emma donned her pioneer garb and posed for a shot...

Then they came and strapped her on the wagon and off she went. And I looked around and there was MORE FOAM. And more instructions. AHHHH. And still supper to make...

These were to become two heads "oversized and cartoonish". A woman in the garden who is surprised when "FLO" comes through the roof of her dug out. And her spouse farmer in the garden. Back to the foam mess.

We had a deadline....our Stake Float needed to be done for the South Jordan Days parade on June 19th. Our maiden voyage to see what it looked like and if anything fell off.

It was a little unnerving to see it bounce around on the rutted road headed to the parade staging.

But kinda cool to see the two steeples in my lense.

I made my family get a good spot for viewing and it was tough being patient through all the other entries....those Shriners really know how to entertain. And Emma has her years supply of Sweets taffy. BUT FINALLY....we could hear the cow bell and see ole FLO shaking her head....

Everything worked...the rabbits pulled the carrots out. Flo fell on one knee into the dugout and shook her head and Polly Pioneer swung around and stared at her with her hand swinging up to her mouth! Nothing fell off...but Pioneer man didn't get finished yet so he is sulking somewhere in the dark garage...and we could see we need more sparkly flowers...Ah, man. MORE FOAM....

Easter eggs and Birthdays..

2010-05-02T21:03:00.000-07:00

I know...it's been a long stretch in between posts....seems like my marrieds do such a great job that I don't think I have much to tell...so I will get with it.

Easter was a great treat with getting a full weekend of laughing and dyeing and music.

I had my cute little helper making rolls with me on Sunday morning...they were the best I ever made!

Aunt Emma is really popular with the younger set....Ella follows her everywhere....Grandpa wants a dance....he tried very hard to get a partner....
Too soon and it was time for them to leave.....bah for leaving...

Hearts and Soup

2010-02-07T18:22:00.000-08:00

Decided it's time to make a big ole batch of soup and invite some girls over for some
"Girlfriend Soup". There are no actual girls in the soup....just my Minestrone recipe. I am hoping to get to know some of the ladies in our ward better....
So, I have been decorating and glueing and cutting and all that-

In Utah you have to "KEEP UP",.

And look at this cute garland my very clever, cute and fun daughter in Kansas made for me!

Decorating done, favors made....groceries bought, chairs borrowed....check! But as I am vacuuming right on schedule up stairs comes Belle and she greets me as usual-wagging her long sweeping tail and what is this?! Blood dribbling from her back foot....oh, boo. Sure enough she has cut herself on a piece of broken glass in the basement. ( And there is a sketchy story from the smallest playmates that came over!) So, we start mopping up and bandaging her leg and I can see that it needs major stitches. Off we go to the vet and hope to make it before the "ER" hours kick in...oh bother! Belle is just excited to get yet another truck ride and actually get out of the truck. We go inside and I got a pit in my stomach looking at the REALLY nice office-that usually means that it is a few notches up from the farmers vet that smells like cow manure when you step in...this place even had "Modern Cat" magazines to read. Long story short---8 stitches, antibiotic shot, pain killers, wrapped wound and 378 bucks later- we got home.

It was a rude interruption to my well calculated order of preparation...but on to soup day!

After a 8 minute emergency trip to Smiths for butter (you HAVE to have butter for new bread!).I got my mojo back and in sync. Here are the party pictures:

So that's it....I am toast. But I do think I will go and get another cookie.

The Twelve "Pounds" of Christmas

2010-01-04T16:47:00.001-08:00

We had a wonderful holiday...
Such fun was had by all. We had our KS
kids and BYU coed and stuffed as much fun as we could in the days of Christmas.
Speaking of stuffed....
Anyone who knows me, knows that I get a thrill when it is time to cook...and cook we did...

Cookies decorated before Christmas just HAVE TO HAPPEN.

and it always includes a bit of silly....ok, a LOT of silly.

We then decided it was time for a few new traditions...how about temple square lights on Christmas eve? COOL...or should I say C O L D?

I just wanted to kiss this beautiful thing....but I had to resort to just scratching his chin and telling him how impressed I was with his great attitude on such a cold night...

Twas the night before Christmas and we had warmed up....

Christmas is really all about nine year olds and their older sisters.....
We did take some time from EATING to open presents....here our music man starts his family's traditional "spanish tortilla"....OLE'

We ate ourselves to near "FOOD COMA" so we decided it was time to do a winter state thing...

SLEDDING.......

We came home and warmed up and yes...ate some more and then headed over to Ted's for a little Christmas night concert and yes, MORE FOOD.

THe next day it was fun to load our Christmas ham plus fixins into Dora (the Explorer) and head up to Grandmas for MORE FOOD and another concert.

Here is Mr. DI who worked Christmas eve and still poses with a smile for the camera. IT was SO COLD in his work area!!

So, we are done for another year. All the food got eaten and now I am carrying some around on my thighs to remind me....now onto 2010.

video of song.....

2009-12-21T11:59:00.000-08:00

Thankful

2009-11-29T11:38:00.000-08:00

Somehow, moving brings so many new things. New house, new friends, new life. Can't say that I LOVE all these "new" things. But when you are forced to do things in your "new" life like having a holiday in the "new" place, you find out that you could really learn to LOVE

For instance, being close enough to your family that they will come and eat at your Thanksgiving table....pretty cool.

And for once we were the family that could take in a couple of sweet college nieces and a daughter that needed a table to put their feet under.Here we are doing pie dough...turned out pretty darn good...

oh, and when mom saw the roll dough rising on the counter said she sure was hungry for a cinnamon roll.....so we rolled em out and stacked em in...they were great appetizers.

We had unusual guests for dinner....haven't seen this pair for oh....about 20 years or so. I mean at Thanksgiving. Mom and Dad came to our house!! I convinced Dad to carve the meat....tradition!

it was great to eat together and talk about the silly and the strange and what we were thankful for....(I was pretty thankful to get to sit...)

We then served pies...ah yes, the pies...

I made just a few...cocoanut cream, raisen cream, black and blue berry, french silk, and Neil made two oreo cream and we bought a pumpkin. They were gone pretty quick but I am remembering them every morning when I put on my jeans.

THe high light of the day HOWEVER, had to be my great shopping find. I had been looking for some new nuetral color napkins and found a real deal in Ross. I was so proud of myself. I mean I found them on clearance and the price was just so phenomonal! 99 cents for four. I smiled all the way home. Of course, I bragged it up with everyone Thursday as we set the table...that is until I opened the package and saw the "real deal". Seems like there is never really a "deal" unless you are CATHOLIC....

NO WORRIES FOLKS....no one turned on their religion today. We just wiped up with em and tossed them in the laundry for a good soaking. ( a little sudsy baptism won't hurt em)

We decided on a new tradtion for this UTAH life....head on downtown to see a few of the lights they've been putting up since...SEPTEMBER.

We were not disappointed...just in my camera skills.

maybe if you squint, or turn off the lights, or shut your eyes.....

It was cold but beautiful. A nice tradtion to start.

"Octo-ver" move over...

2009-11-15T17:24:00.000-08:00

One of my little kids used to call it that....I like it. SO, we have survived our first Octover in Utah. Generally it was ok. Halloween was cold and nasty for our one trick or treater from this house...she went as a "ghoulish fashionista".

Stacey went as a artsy..."cat fish" to her art club party. She came pretty close to winning that one.

Oh and speaking of cold....why does SL arrange for one of the most popular bloggers to come to a book signing at a "lettle" tiny bookstore??? REALLY?? For any of you out there that haven't clicked onto http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/, are really missing out. She is a world famous blogger and now has a great cookbook, that I ahem, took to get signed. Silly me. Thinking I would be one of a few..make that a few hundred women...yikes.

The line stretched down and around the block and then we found out that you needed a ticket with a letter on it. WE didn't have one. The waiting time was estimated to be about 4 hours. HA...my life is too short. I even offered to the new friends I had made in line, that I would sign their books and they could sign mine. Everybody laughed but nobody handed theirs over. Emma and I stood and chatted about and hour with all of our new friends and then called it quits. The "Pioneer woman" walked by me and I coulda tripped her, I was that close...it was enough.

Emma and I went and enjoyed an ice cream and called it a day. Here's proof that we were there.

Happy blogging.....

Maple-flavored day

2009-11-10T15:30:00.000-08:00

Just a random day, I set out with my camera and my mp3 player set on Michael Buble's newest stuff, grabbed my golden-golden and I was off!

Enjoy the view....

ok, I just HAD to throw this last one in....made me laugh out loud. Then I came home and worked on this....

Still needs some work, but the juices are starting to flow again. The view from my deck at night is amazing....hmmmm.

Sick of boxes-sick of organizing-time for.... C R E A T I N G!!

2009-10-18T18:51:00.000-07:00

Yeah,I am sick of boxes, sick of taking things out of boxes and looking for a place for it. And because living with part of it in storage for a bit, made it not so important.... like the one glass candlestick, the 2 red ceramic apples, 3 plate hangers and a partridge in a pear tree....HA.

I have decided that the place for some of it will be in a dark box somewhere in the basement.

Anyway, I am sick of looking for stuff that still needs a home and happy that so far I haven't missed it...

SO- with the change in the weather any of you that know me...know how much I love FALL.

LOVE THE COLORS-

of changing leaves,

of everyone else's mums in their yards (MAYBE NEXT YEAR FOR ME),

of the sky muted blue,

of pumpkin fields covered in orange polka dots,

the purples, and oranges, and rusts, and golds and glitters of the SEASON.

SO, I made some velvet pumpkins..

And Alicia and I have been on the quest to find the "perfect" chocolate chip cookie recipe....
this one is a pretty darn good contender. (According to Jacque', you must let the dough cure in the fridge for 24-36 hours to let the vanilla do it's magic.) They were pretty magic, but I haven't met a warm chocolate chip cookie that wasn't....

And I also found an amazing recipe for pumpkin muffins and I figured that they could be EVEN better with a coating of brown sugar frosting....mmm. THEY WERE.

But alas, Monday comes again and the boxes are calling...(stupid partridge wants a home on a shelf outta the box-) and I need to sort some more. But the holidays are coming and I saw a recipe for chocolate truffles that I need to try.....

Come on over-

2009-10-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

It's been a rare event in our lives. This having family close by...

We've lived two different lifetimes- one where in FLorida we had babies and baby blessings, baptisms and birthdays (all "B" things....weird), anyway, with no family in the audience.

Even when we lived in WA it was an unusual thing to have family come.

And we are NOT blaming anyone....except maybe the airlines but that is another blog.

Now we have moved to a place with family in our neck of the woods and we "LOVE IT".

And when they fly in from the MIDDLE EAST -even better!!!

I've always wanted lots of people on my couch on a Sunday evening. Cousins and nephews and daddies all mixed up together....

And there were new cousins that had never met, but look like us...
And cute babies with aunties..

and a couple of real cute coeds on load from BYU....

AND THEY BROUGHT KEY LIME PIE....(I crave this all of the time....)

We had great treats to share and see the "little" brother acting so culinary and all...

oooo and here are the "middle children" holding the table down...

We laughed and told a few stories and watched a little football and an inning or two.

BUt it was over soon and everyone left and the couch was really empty again...

So we made promises to see each other a lot more of each other and who could say no to that?

On the banks of the mighty Mississippi....

2009-09-13T17:12:00.000-07:00

We took our flyer miles and hopped a jet for Kansas to see Alicia and Brian who are starting a new life of graduate school in the land of Oz.We were first treated to a few numbers on the Kansas State University Organ by our favorite and most handsome son in law, Brian. Ate a few cookies by his sweet, clever wife and looked around Lawrence. We were impressed with the campus and this impressive bld.

It is a beautiful building constructed specifically for the organ... no pianos allowed.

As we drove along the green roadways of Kansas, and then Missouri, I was astounded once more with the beauty of this country. Yes, there are wide wheat fields but there are long pastures and fields and fields of green. And having lived in the desert for the past 11 years, I admit, I have missed the GREEN.

We stopped on a quiet hill and walked a little trail to the site of ADAM-Ondi-ahman....it was peaceful and serene.

It was a beautiful place and the "residents" were quite calm and friendly....
Then it was back in the car for more miles, and more miles. We got in around 11ish and found the missionaries still badged and waiting like they had just got home. IT WAS SO GREAT TO SEE MY MOM AND DAD!!!
We got up early the next day and met some of the locals....It was wonderful to meet and smell em....( only a farm girl would say that!)

We took a carriage ride and loved it.

ELDER TIBBITTS talked "shop" with the handler.

We were able to go to the new temple and do a session with our 3 generations.... now that was WAY COOL. (and that climbing to the top of the spiral staircase was pretty breathtaking-the view and the huffing and puffing.)

We went to the visitors center and I couldn't help but contrast the time I had been there before when Alicia was just 2 and Steven was turning 5. We were on our way to Florida.

This is now-looks like someone has been gardening.....

There was this really nice looking ,friendly missionary couple sitting there in the shade....
We then followed Parley Street to the end and took a long look at the mighty river.....Mom says she is really going to miss it. I suspect she will leave a part of her heart there....

We got up the next morning and attended Sacrament meeting with them....everyone was warm and friendly...they get trained to do that...

Here's that daughter of mine....trying for the favorite grandchild spot....
Then we were off in the car again-headed towards Carthage. It is always sobering and yet peaceful. The grounds just felt sacred.

Then we were "on the road again" and we stopped for a FINE Sunday dinner at a royal resturant....and it was time to get the queen home. We had eaten all the Twizzlers and cookies we brought. There is no place like home....

Pink and Purple Pony-ness

2009-08-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest blessings of this move was being able to see my kids more often. And yes, with only a few days under our belt here, we were thrilled to see some Coloradoans on our doorstep! MY FAVORITE ONES...

We just moved some boxes over and let everyone in.....we had a special occasion to celebrate!

ELLA TURNED THREE!!
and we had some party making to do.

Alicia and Brian came up from Provo (he is our new " BYU Masters Degree" guy) and they brought our newest BYU coed...Rachel. They can make a mean Pica De Guyo (SP!!!) Some party decorations came in the form of "Let's help Dad with the new flat screen television." Thanks to Steven for loaning his brain and brawn for that one!

We asked our best photographers to come and snap the event...the tension was building and it was about more than the three year old to be could handle...and well everyone else wanted cake.

She opened lots of pink packages and got lots of ponies...

We sang, we ate cake, we laughed a bunch and Ella rode away into a pink and purple sunset.

(Well only to the deck and back...) What a perfect day! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA!!

A big ole slice of LIFE....

2009-07-26T20:59:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know it's been quite a while since I've posted...we moved out of our Washington house and into a hotel, and then across 3 states to the Idaho beautiful but boonies, and then into Don's Salt Lake City downtown apartment and then finally into our new digs in South Jordan. But somehow it wasn't that simple...let's just say that a picture is worth a bunch of words....

Reality smacks you in the face when the big orange truck pulls up to the curb....

leaving Washington in the rear view mirror was NOT easy....Stacey and I boo hooed for quite awhile....then Idaho came into view-We made some new friends....they loved the carrots we brought. All the rain in the Lost River Valley made it beautiful and green. It was wonderful to see water in the river.... We made a day trip to see the "National Craters of the Moon"....some things never change. Then it was back in the truck for more moving....to Don's apartment in the city. Goodbye, Idaho and visiting the City Library for our internet fix....Here is home...at last. (Check out that NICE lawn...)
I also had to make a street sign so everyone could find us....including the ambulance-See those "pods"? There were 4 truckloads with 4 of them on each. YIKES..man, Don has lots of stuff. And then there was the "sink" incident.....way to welcome us in. Grass day was a real upper....
We are now in....and trying this new life. It is a challenge...stay posted.

We don't have to LIKE it....

2009-05-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

It's been tough week around here. Way TOO quiet, no giggling, no goof troop.

If you want to know what we were feeling , check out the sad sister in the green shirt. She really is losing her best friend.
That pretty much sums it up.We had Rachel 's wisdom teeth taken out. Did all kinds of kitchen shopping and then it was time-

Rachel and my money and my Mustang went off to BYU.

Growing up and out is not for sissies. And I know it is a great thing...

but I don't have to like it.

The spirit remembers much better than the body.

2009-02-22T16:54:00.000-08:00

Wahoo! Let's hear it for volleyball! Let's hear it for Thursday evenings from 9 pm until late (try 11 pm and after!) Let's hear it for getting a real kick out of playing again after (ahem) 34 years.

Our stake has organized womens volleyball and boy, has it taken off. The first time I went there were barely enough for 4 teams. Last week we had double the number and we were getting ticked off because we came to play, not to sit on the sidelines.... (we are not getting any younger!)

But we have a GREAT time! There are all sorts of women there, young and tall, short and fat, and everything in between. We cheer for everything. And we laugh a lot. And we are pretty darn good too. Especially when we don't keep score...

Oh, yeah, we come home with a few bumps and bruises. And I stock up on Aleve before and after I go....and wish I could do that overhand serve that about takes someone's head off...so cool. I just keep doing it the old 1970's version and it still works pretty good. And I can hardly wait until Thursday.

Now you see it, now you don't-

2009-02-08T17:02:00.000-08:00

I have been asking our realtors from day one if I needed to paint my kitchen a different color than red. No they would say. It's fine. RIGHT. 52 visits and six months later, I asked our newest realtor what she thought and she stammered and said that maybe it would be a good idea to get it to a more neutral color. DONE.....

And many might agree that it is calmer and more neutral and all that. But to me it is very sad. It is so not me. Hopefully someone out there will think it looks more like them. WE are praying that SOMEONE will!

Up, Up and Away

2009-02-01T18:41:00.000-08:00

Every mom needs some down time. This mom did. So far the cleaning my house for 50 or so realtor visits thing has got me nowhere.....so southern CA seemed like a great plan.

How about Anaheim and the CHA (for all you scrapbookers, that is the symbol for paper and doo-dad heaven). But I mostly went to be with my favorite married daughter.....and best friend.

SHE is one hard working girl!! She must have tracked 500 miles back and forth looking at all the stuff and deciding what their company would want to buy. (She is a VERY important person there at ROBERT's)!

I followed her around for a day and my toesies finally starting barking at me so I sat down and read a novel and did some major people watching....

And then I spied these fancy shoes....little gems attached all over them! HMMMM!

These babies made my feet hurt just looking at them. But they were fancy! Too soon it was time to leave the sun (what I saw of it) and the birds of paradise... And jam all of our free samples and goodies into our suitcases and head to the airport....my SUPER daughter was able to get them all in the trunk! Woman, hear us roar!

Hey, leesh, thanks for letting me be a "ROBERT's buyer" and hanging with the gang. It was a real treat. It was a bit of mothers day for me. And I didn't have to clean a thing......

2009-01-25T17:53:00.001-08:00

Drip, drip.

2008-12-31T23:01:00.000-08:00

Man, what a difference a day or two can make.

Here is Christmas eve....

then came the chinook winds from the south....

And then it was drip, drip....all gone. This is Sunday morning...yeah, only 3 days later! It feels like March and I am wondering if I need to go out and tell my tulips to go back to sleep....

Christmas comes but once a year!

2008-12-28T18:10:00.000-08:00

Oh, the weather outside was "frightful". And who ever was singing that song, kept repeating the chorus over and over and over and over..."let it snow, let it snow" and it snowed!!!
It was a "White Christmas" for sure. To kill a little time on Christmas eve, we took the kids and livestock to the famous "Carmichael sledding hill". We had a blast.

Then we came home and decorated cookies. TRADITION!!
(Gotta keep momma outta the frosting!) Here's Emma writing to Santa with a few minor corrections and additions.
We read the traditional "Twas the night before..." and even had a phone to phone connection to a homesick daughter in Minneapolis...
Thank heavens for cell phones....

In the still of the night, there was a reflection of the moon over the snow....gee I need to get to bed before Santa arrives...

We were brave. We complained a lot. But we did it and we had a great morning.

Yes, Christmas came to the Sleight house with no older siblings dropping in.

It was a great day.

"Playing Hooky"

2008-12-14T20:56:00.000-08:00

Not often do you take a mini-vacation during the busiest time of the year....yeah, I did that and felt pretty darn guilty about the whole thing. Well, most of the time. The rest of the time, I had a blast!

Don and I had to go to Salt Lake for the company Christmas dinner. And Don was asked to "ask his son-in-law" to come and entertain the group. So he went all out and invited Kim Robison to come and sing also. THe company agreed to fly her to SL to sing for us. Wonderful.

We spent a long day looking at yet MORE HOUSES I CAN'T HAVE. (ok, yet). I find it to be sobering, tiring and darn right frustrating. Don finds more fun in the "HUNT" than I do. Could it be that cave man mentality? Ug-let's look at all the for sale houses. ARGHHH.

So after we got that chore done, we spent a wonderful evening taking in the lights on Temple square.

Ok, so I didn't mention and you can't tell by looking at these pictures how COLD IT WAS!!

So, we headed inside for a look at this goregous tree. Don wonders how they got that big ornament to stay ontop!! Such a kidder. We headed back to the Marriot and stopped for a second to enjoy the bagpipe music by this dedicated crazy guy in his kilt! BRRRRRR.

I spent lots of time shopping and enjoyed spending a bit of time with Alicia. I was hoping for a great big hint on what she would like for Christmas. We did find her a cute little black dress and some sassy red shoes to go with. Here she and Brian arrive for the evening festivities.

Kim looked fabulous in her sparkly outfit and sang like an angel.....That "O Holy Night" was just amazing. And of course, that cute couple at the piano are my favorite Utahns.

Then we ran over to the conference center for the dress rehearsal of the Tabernacle Choirs Christmas concert. Did I mention that we ran?? Yes, the man in charge really did charge over there...we had great seats to enjoy an amazing evening.

One thing about the church...they really do know how to do it up right. There were dancers, and bell ringers and singers and all. We clapped in great delight.

So how does one spend the last morning of "hooky"? I was shopped out. I was sick of being glared at and "waved" to when I was driving on the crazy freeways... only one thing left I needed to do. It took courage, and probably a little craziness thrown in for good measure. I went ICE SKATING!! It's only been oh, about 20 years since, but I was determined in my 15 year old mind to try it again. At the hotel there is a skating rink just outside the courtyard and i kept looking at the skaters with real envy. So I bucked up and strapped on the renters with a pit in my tummy. Would I fall on my face and crack out some really expensive teeth? Or would the joy of my youth winters return?

I am so thrilled to say that it all came back! It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, and the air crisp and not too cold. Only a few others to share the ice with. PERFECT. And I only biffed it once...and I scrambled right back up. (My neck is still complaining!) But it was like being a kid again...and the skates were phenomenal. No ankle fatigue whatsoever! Amazing! I skated for nearly an hour and only quit because it was time to pack the car for the airport. SWEET.

I really did enjoy the mini-vacation.

If only my Christmas stuff could have gotten done while I was away....now THAT would be my Christmas miracle....

"HotDog" Deja vu

2008-11-24T19:58:00.000-08:00

"Oh I wish I were an Oscar Meyer weiner,

that is what I truly want to be....

cause if I were an Oscar Meyer weiner,

everyone would be in love with me!"

We heard it was coming.

We couldn't resist.

It is a tradition.

Picture takers welcome. Come sit a spell under the shadow of the biggest buns you've ever seen. Emma seemed as excited as my oldest kids were the day they saw it-oh, yeah about 20 years ago....

This is Steven, Alicia, and little boy Neil posing in front of the large meat tube in Salt Lake City.

We happened to be in town when it was there.

So fast forward about 20 years and there it appears again. More kids, more memories.

I am thinking I will be singing that tune for a few days to come......oh, I wish.....

Wonder "FALL"

2008-10-20T19:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I admit it. I LOVE FALL! I love the crisp feeling in the air, and the chance to wear a sweater. (OK, and coat season is just around the corner and I LOVE COATS...)

But mostly I love the glorious colors that happen all around. Here are a few pics that I took on my walk the other day. ENJOY.....

Life in the "Limbo Lane"

2008-10-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

So just so you know...NO, the house HASN'T SOLD YET, and YES, I am really TIRED of being patient. AND No, we don't have any bites yet (unless you count mosquitoes). And YES, I am really sick of cleaning up the house for strangers I never see and hauling the dog with me everytime a realtor wants to "show this place".

But life trudges on...and someone in my family hinted that I hadn't BLOGGED for a long time. So here you have it-

My life these days...

Is this the way my house appears to all those potential buyers?

If so I think I need a different realtor...

Meet FRANK JR. - maybe he can find me a buyer.

Back to "Limbo Lane"...

I'm trying new things to do with my time beings my life is being stored away in the Storage Unit. I hope Emma won't mind....

I've been storing some of my stuff out there too but everytime I go out to find it...Don has hauled it off to that darn Storage Unit!

It's really hard to be crafty and all when you can't make a mess. (cause the realtors might call and then you have to run really fast to get it all cleaned up.)

It really gets me down.....

(I also need to work on my roots!) BOOOO.

Waiting for your house to sell is a real test....and I am trying to be upbeat. Trying to think of inovative ideas to help. What do you think?

It's NEVER enough....

2008-09-07T21:03:00.000-07:00

Got to have Alicia and Brian for a few wonderful days. Screaming monkey and all....

We had a wonderful time together. This is what a mother loves....when her married kids come home....it just feels right. Whether it is the sound of Brian and Emma laughing and tossing the "screaming monkey". Or girls giggling (a constant around here) about who's got the cutest SHOES....

Or staring at my magnificent golf shot.....

And we ate some good stuff! Pica de something....really good. And that Brian knows PIZZA...just ask his fans.
This boy LOVES PIZZA!!! We all love the pizza that Brian makes. And the music.....

We went to the river and tossed the toy for Belle to bring back-oh 75% of the time.

We shopped, and ate and shopped and then ate somemore...

And we went to their temple and did sealings...it was wonderful too. But before they left we wanted to take a few nice family photos.....

ok, ok- so we clean up pretty well... All I have to say is I really hate

This part..... So, daddy "money bags" get out the cash and buy me a house in Utah!

"On my way outta here"

2008-08-24T18:28:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I said I had figured out the game...Ha! If you want to win a ribbon in the county fair in the "watercolor category" you must paint a painting with WATER in it. Flowers just won't win no matter how many "People's Choice" awards you haul home....

So figuring this was my last year to compete in the Annual Benton-Franklin County Fair, I snuck upstairs and while I was supposed to be scrubbing something for our house showing, I was painting. Uh, water.

Yeah, it won the first place watercolor division, professional. Best of show, and the Gallery award/gift certificate. Sweet. Now I have to go and scrub something....

"A single little pine needle"

2008-08-24T15:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was busy sweeping up, (Rosie was worn out and charging) and I looked in the pile of dirt and there it was. "A single little pine needle". I knew exactly where it had come from....it had snuck into my truck and made the trip all the way from the high woods of Idaho. It was no ordinary pine needle...it was a REDFISH LAKE pine needle. I stopped and remembered that I hadn't BLOGGED yet... shame, shame.

Here goes....

Part of the goof troop loaded up camp stuff and headed off towards Idaho. One very hairy occupant really enjoyed the ride....

("she" was the best behaved and quietest passenger on the whole 9 hour drive! But she did eat more than her share of "red vines"!) At last we arrive!

What would Redfish be without a little rain, or cold or ........ but then

the sun always comes out and the water is still really cold and there is a beautiful mountain that just never changes.

And the best part is family everywhere -

Then when I looked at these pictures, the thought came to me that they were somehow familiar.....I did some digging and found some old photos....

cute girls cooking....Joy.

Half-man Blaine on the beach.Wes, taking a picture of me, taking a picture...

Little boy Blaine with his "wank" Is his mouth full of "boardee"?

And then I couldn't help myself.....

Wow -(I really didn't care about being in the will...really)Mom and Dad sunbathers with mom's hair in curlers...Debra and Joy also soaking up rays.

Debra and mom...she is probably cutting me out the will right then.....ok- I know Dad really DOES have his suit on....

Hey, "PEACE MAN" from low key Stephanie...where is that John the Baptist picture?And when I heard the roar of the boat as Wes circled to drop off a skier, I could have sworn it was this guy in the cowboy hat.

Thanks for all the great times. And here is to next year....

My new "BFF"

2008-08-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

WARNING...you are gonna want one of these.....

INTRODUCING THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR HOUSEHOLD- "Rosie" the iRobot.

She sweeps, she gathers, she vacuums, she spins around all the chair legs, she picks up DOG HAIR, she spits out extension cords, she detects a real dirty spot and spins around on it, she tells me when to clean her filter and empty her canister. She stops at the stairs and turns around and goes over each floor ( she can memorize up to four rooms) 3 to 4 times. She goes over all floors with the greatest of ease, she tells me when she needs her "left wheel needs cleaning" in a real sweet tone and when she is tired she goes back to her "port " and charges up for later!! She is indeed my NEW BEST FRIEND!!

and I need one....

Yeah,"Belle" wanted to chase a squirrel and unfortunately my hand was wrapped around her leash....
And I am so "right handed" that I am humbled once again because I can't do my regular things with an oweeee. ( And it ruined a perfectly good manicure!)

"MOVE"....a four letter word

2008-07-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

There is a point in a "move" that you begin taking the home out of your house. We are there.

As we have dug in and started this leaving, there are too many layers....literally. DUST being the most prevalent ( my less than stellar housekeeping skills are discovered once again!)

As the fresh paint covers up the growth chart on my pantry door and then the pencil drawings on the girls bedroom wall, I am struck once again how hard it is to pull up the family roots. AND MESSY...yeah, REALLY MESSY!

I have patched and sanded and painted and scraped. Don has lugged and stacked and hauled away pickup's full. Life takes a lot of stuff. And we are peering down the tunnel for a point of light....it's waaayyyy down there.

Stay tuned. There is more MESS to come before it's over. It can only get worse.

Over too Soon! Denver Days...

2008-07-01T18:18:00.000-07:00

After considering all the exotic places to celebrate our anniversary, we chose.....DENVER.

That's right- cause that is where the cutest grandchild is growing up and we needed a fix.

I bought a new little purse and some fresh m&m's and we were off!

Here we are checking out blocks and she is pointing and I am telling her each letter and then she runs and gets another. FUN GAME!

Then out came the stickers and she pasted them on the couch while grandpa watches!

Also, when Mamie left her shoes off, Ella tried them on for a stroll! I was so proud!

Too soon, it was time to go.....I hate this part.

Ella is a wonderful "hugger"....

Bye, bye.

"Thirteen days and still counting"

2008-06-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

Yep, that's how many days it took for us to figure out we were meant for each other. Or to trick me as Don would say.... but it worked and on Sunday the 29th of June it will be 30 years. YIKES!

but really girls, who wouldn't have fallen for this.....

It was quite easy you see and the "trick" has been a real fun ride....

Not all the years have been "pure bliss" but it has never been boring or quiet....and I feel pretty darn lucky to have been "tricked" into 30 years. Here's to the next 30.....

"Duh, nuh-nuh-nuh, nuuuuuuuh, nuh......."

2008-06-11T22:06:00.000-07:00

If you didn't recognize that song....it is the dreaded "graduation march". Only dreaded by me, I suspect. The "graduate" seemed quite pleased with herself.

And red heads looks great in gold and touches of green.

Off she went in the little red car...deja vu.

All kinds of fans came out for the festivities.....

The gold and green went way up high.
There was a virtual stream of swishing gowns and tasseled tassels.

And then it was over in a flash. The whole school thing paraded out right before our very eyes. And all I could think of through my tears was....

Where, oh where, has my little girl gone.....

Wow, 2 girls done, 2 more to go....ah. Darn.

Call me "Crazy Quilt"

2008-03-30T14:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know it's true. I am a little crazy. That is not new. But I don't think I realized how far gone I was until I signed up my "not anywhere near done" quilt for the quilt show. I always think of it as good incentive. RIGHT.

This was no small undertaking. I saw a picture of "The Orion Nebula, as seen from Hubble spacecraft" and I knew I wanted to make a quilt. I began collecting fabric. I love that part!!

I began by snipping little pieces of fabric and pasting them on with basting glue. Lots of little pieces. The more I snipped, the bigger it got.

I also didn't have room left on the table for the fabric....so I just threw it over my shoulder onto the floor. (My mom would NOT approve....) Everything was going smoothly until I left myself just enough time to machine quilt it together.

I sewed about 10 hours on Thursday. I decided to quit when my machine said "OVERLOAD"....

Little did I know that meant...MACHINE DOWN....DEAD....DEAD, DEAD.

I took it into the repair guy and got the "when was the last time you had a check-up?" routine. Ah, just fix it ok? He called me later to tell me it was chock full of lint and needed to soak over the weekend...

WHAT???? How was I going to get this quilt done.??? I sat in the parking lot and boo-hooed a little. Then I was over it. Silly me thinking that Don would let me quit. He is my main cheer-leader. So off to Sears we went and looked for another machine. Don found this review a lady wrote on this machine...

"I bought a machine in 1987 that was an electronic Kenmore almost like this one. Carrying it to a different room, I tripped and droppped the machine on the floor. It was 18 years old. I carried it to the bedroom and laid it on the bed like a dead child. I cried. I never had any trouble with the machine in my 18 years of sewing. I sewed drapes for 4 houses, clothes for my children and more quilts than I care to think about. I just couldn't believe I killed my best friend. That same day I went to Sears and looked for another machine and was shocked when I saw the same machine with a few added features for the same price as I paid for the one in 1987. I purchased the machine. I love it as much as I did the first one. I have convinced 2 relatives and 3 friends to buy the same machine. They love it as much as I do. The features I love the most is that it makes the most beautiful button holes. You won't be sorry if you buy this machine!! I guarantee it."

I had a good laugh with him and then we picked one out. They had one on display but not in stock the Tri-cities...yikes. Off to Walla-Walla we went.

So the next morning I was back at the shop to retrieve my "free-motion foot" from my soaking machine so I could get back at it. It didn't fit. Back to the shop to see how to adjust it to fit. Back home again and I sewed an hour or so. Then the foot broke (from me adjusting it previously...) so back to the shop for another foot. Then I spend the rest of the day sewing along....

Sunday I took a break and fed the missionaries and made Easter happen. Back up on Monday morning and worked all day until finish at about 8:30 pm.

But we got it entered. And it looked pretty darn good hung up with the others. And I won a blue ribbon on it..."First Place Wall Hanging". Felt kinda nice.

Except when I went to pick up my FIXED machine....cost me $88.16 for the repairs and he made it good as new. "Cheaper than buying a new one" he says. I smile and say..."right."

"A Call from the Principal"

2008-02-24T19:28:00.000-08:00

I answered the phone Friday morning and the principal from the Emma's elementary school was calling. My stomach dropped. A call from the principal...can that ever be good??

She said that she had Emma there in her office and that she had something she wanted to tell me...(YIKES, I am thinking...can't be good...)

Then there is this little voice saying, "mom, I won the t-shirt contest!" Whew!!! I thought. Then I was so very proud of her. (and my mind is flashing back to the rules, recalling if I had been too much HELP....and I wasn't-another whew!)

She was so tickled. And I got off the phone very tickled for her. My quiet, bespeckled, sometimes struggles in school- Emma. Let't have a cheer for Emma.

The principal went on to tell me that her design will be made into t-shirts and then put on book bags and back packs. How cool is that???

She also won a gift certificate from a local clay studio and a big bunch of balloons.

So let's have a big cheer for Emma!! WAY TO GO EMMA!!

"Making Memories in January"

2008-02-24T18:56:00.000-08:00

Lucky, lucky, us. We were able to have Steven, Meredith and Ella come for a few days.

It was a great excuse to leave up the Christmas decorations and put presents for Ella under

the tree! Even more fun to see her opening them.It was time for laughing, and eating and getting caught up. ( I figured if I "caught her from behind...she might not notice!

She's pretty smart...she figured me out. Grandpa tried too.

Then the snow began....and it snowed, and snowed, and snowed. We found ourselves snowed in on Sunday and "Bishop" cancelled church. (loved that!)

We played apples to apples and laughed "a lot" and Ella helped Mamie with her cards.

I didn't mention that Ella's favorite in this place was Belle! She got lots of hugs and cookies and even a taste of her bottle.

Before Ella left, I made sure she got in some marker and crayon time at Mamie's house. I can see she will be brilliant!

So after they left, we took down the tree and cleaned up the cookie crumbs. Boy, it's quiet on the 2 ft. level. And Belle keeps looking out the window for that cute little cookie kid.

Come back soon.

What a new shirt says "I've been Tagged"

2008-01-29T21:00:00.000-08:00

Tag, you're it...
I've been Tagged!!!A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.B: Each player answers the questions about themselves.C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

Ok....here are mine. Probably really boring....

5 things on my to-do list today.

l. Email ALicia

2. Put in a load of laundry (ok that is EVERYDAY)

3. Go read with the 2nd graders

4. Calculate my Taxes (boo)

5. Work on my quilt

5 snacks I like

l. Lays potato chips ( I could eat the WHOLE bag)

2. Almonds

3. M&M's (aren't they a food group yet?)

4." All bran crackers" ( that sounds like an old person!)

5. Jiffy pop white natural popcorn

Be right back gotta pop some popcorn.....

ok. If I was suddenly a billionaire I would pay off the mortgage and then

get ALL new pearly white teeth. And I can't think of anything else, cause it

causes me stress....

5 jobs I have had.

l. waitress

2. artist for the center for environmental studies

3. artist for thesis on fleas

4. nanny

5. rock picker

5 things you probably don't know about me....hmmmm

1. When I was 15 I wanted to buy a motorcycle when I turned 18 and ride it across the country.

2. I really love the taste of water.

3. All my life I felt like I was an older spirit in my body until I turned 45, and then I caught up

to myself.

4. That paintings, designs for sewing, craft projects, ETC., run through my head constantly.

5.I am a supertaster, smeller, yeah, that's me. Even mild salsa burns my tongue, as does minty toothpaste.

ok so that's it for me. I tag....Meredith, Breya and Brittnie

God Bless us Everyone

2007-12-30T17:16:00.000-08:00

The candy dish has just about been picked clean. The cookies are looking well, rather crumbly. Hmmmm, Christmas is almost gone for another year. I am always sad and happy to let it go. Some of the high points were...... (Hum with me to the tune of "My favorite things....") Girls in gold dresses with gold satin sashes,

Girls making cookies with grocery store dashes. Daughter that comes home with her husband who can play

These are some things that just make Momma's day....

Crafting with D'licia making sure we're real quiet-
Giving the gift-he seems to quite like it!

Opening packages, there was a real bunch,

Rachel likes her new laptop, we've got a hunch.

Brittnie and Reed come see us for dinner.

Brian makes Pizza, it's always a winner.
We toast with cranberry and stuff with a ham
Better stop eating or we'll break the cam!

When the dog sheds, when the cat yowls,

when I'm feeling sad...I'll simply remember this holiday blog...

and then I won't feel SOOOOOOOO BAD.....

(Until I step on the scale on Monday....)

Glitter, glitter everywhere....

2007-12-02T19:42:00.000-08:00

Ok, it's December 2 and I am already sick, sick, sick of glitter. And fleece and glue sticks and little red and green ribbons and more fleece and glue sticks. I am CRAFTED OUT!!

I have been getting ready for the local craft show for a couple of months. The problem is that I can think of too many ideas and I really hate making something 49 times.

But I managed to crank out a few things and make a real BIG MESS in my studio. I was also waking up at 4:45 am and flopping out of bed with my glue gun under my arm....scary huh?
Thank heavens the big day came and the best part was just sitting there with my buddy Melanie and having a great yak. People even interrupted us and bought a few things.
Melanie and I go way back as friends and crafters. She was just a new mother when they came to Florida and she taught me to paint on wood (well she tried) and I encouraged her to sew pink stuff for her little girls. So, now we are so lucky to be in the same area together and her little girls are now growing up and she makes beautiful prom dresses.

Emma was there the whole time with us and entertained herself playing with the for sale fairies and conning her mom into buying a "magic wand"

The part I hate the most is sitting there watching the people go by and decide if your

hard work is worth the money. BOOO on that part. I admit I get a larger thrill out of giving away a print to my friends who come to see me.

But enough whining from the glitter gal around here.

And we are already talking about NEXT YEAR and planning our crafty strategies!

Just don't be surprised any of you that I might "gift" in the next year, if I send you something I just happened to already have....it might be covered in glitter.

p.s.

Here are a few pics of what I sold-or tried to....

Where the Buffalo roam.....

2007-11-21T18:11:00.000-08:00

So, second graders need to learn all about Native American Indians. That is what I have been told. By my second grader. For weeks we heard lots about corn and berries and deer skins and jerky. They made vests and decorated them with symbols that told a story. They got very excited about wigwams and longhouses and totempoles.

I even helped build a teepee for the bulletin board and made my own version of a northwestern totem pole.

Soon the exciting day was upon us. My little blonde "native american" was pumped. It was fun to go and be there with her and her class for the "POW-WOW".

They had a Wigwam set up outside and the kids were able to sit inside and hear about the ways of the tribe.

I was impressed with the authentic dance that the chief guy did and decided that I could work off some major calories if I learned those steps. (Hey and I liked the bells too.)

But the song and dance Emma and her classmates did was my favorite. Hi-ya-na, hi-ya-na, oh, hiyalai-na. I can hear it now(.....someone is singing it in my ear.)

It was a great day and I am looking forward to Pilgrim day next year!

2007-11-21T18:05:00.000-08:00

The summer of "ROCK N ROLL..." (or the Bishop really likes to rock)

2007-10-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

(Kenny Loggins)

If anyone has been paying attention, we are starting to look like concert groupies. Except for the fact that the acts have been so diverse that it was a virtual potpourri of talent!

This late summer and fall we have been to see-

Brad Paisley

Martina McBride

The Charley Daniels Band

Randy Travis (ok, he looked REALLY OLD)

Cheap Trick (Dad let me off the hook for one night)

Chicago (mom's personal fav)

Kenny Loggins (it was about 40' with the wind blowing)

and not to be left out, WEIRD AL (thankfully Don took Neil)

Most of these acts were associated with county and state fairs so they were relatively cheap tickets and we had excellent seats thanks to Don. (no further back than the 6th row.)

And I think my hearing is still intact..HUH? DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?

Suffice it to say that even though we are getting gray....rock and roll still sounds pretty good to us...even if I can't seem to get the knack of taking our pic together.

"Feeling and wearing Bluish-greenish, and glazed over"

2007-09-30T20:47:00.000-07:00

So, I guess Dad SHOULD be a little afraid when he goes out of town. For some reason, I get the urge to go to the paint dept. at Lowes and haul some home. This week it was for the tv room that used to be the living room. And I wanted to do it "artsy". So when I went to Lowes and the paint guy said..."oh, that's too hard and really expensive", I just looked at him. RIGHT.

Just hand over the paint and BACK UP.

SO, I painted for 3 days straight and didn't cook or clean and made a really big mess. It felt REALLY ARTSY...

I got the first coat on and then headed back to the PAINT DEPT. for the second more artistic coating...different paint guy that was much more enthusiastic and helpful.

This entailed

"rub on, rub off and then roll over"

(have I mentioned that my right biceps are really buff now?). But it also took about a hundred trips up and down the ladder to tip my head too and fro seeing if I liked it. And a late night phone call to my friend to come and tell me if I should forget the 3 coat thingy. But I toiled and went up and down that ladder many times.

I hated it. AND then I finished it and I LOVED IT. That is until I noticed on the upper end of the tall wall there was a little edge I missed. Kinda ruined the whole thing for me....so, I went back up the ladder for one more swipe.

So, it was my goal get it all done and put back together before Don got home and see if he noticed. He did. I think he likes it. And I asked him when he is going out of town again. Cause I have been looking at the bathroom and it needs a new coat or two.

Summer's fleeting ways....

2007-09-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

I know it was around here somewhere....what did I do with it? That is how I feel about how fast summer goes by. One day you know it is here, and then it is missing. Everyone is back into school and it is like a dream I had during my Sunday nap. Boo. Back to work.

So here are some real high lights of the few days of summer.

Taking the goof troop to SL for Brians recital. Yea, it was GREAT!!

Ok, so there is the cute wife of the guest organist....ahem, our daughter. Picture taker extradordinaire! It was a wonderful time.

Then there was Rachers sixteenth birthday! And she got her drivers license the same week

The the highlight of the summer came when we all met up at Park city for some real to-gether ness...ah, the joys of family.

What cute girls we have in our family.

Now lets go have some fun! Bowling in the ole Wilk.

Then it was back to SL for the tabernacle broadcast. It was warm but fun to be together..

ok, some of us had more fun than others! She just wanted to go for a dip.

We ended up seeing both hometowns and lots of family. Whew, good thing we like each other so much. We will have to do this again next year.

"the TREK of death"

2007-08-18T22:08:00.000-07:00

The "Trek" talk started right after Christmas. Plenty of time to get all excited over making pioneer dresses and being outdoorsy and all. So the last week before launch time, found me sewing my brains out and worrying about which skirt matched which bandana. Ok, sue me, I have a "outfit" disease. I REALLY need to coordinate and accessorize. It is in my blood.

So by the time the actual trail time came, I had sewed 16 pieces. Three dresses, four skirts, three sets of bloomers, a slip, 3 aprons, and on and on. We were going in STYLE.

And we were honoring our great great grandma that went across the plains in handcart company number 5 after travelling from Wales. She was only 9 years old and the history said that she and her sisters cried at night from hunger.

Now I felt like crying at night, but it was not from HUNGER....

This was a hard trek. Rachel and Stacey and I worked hard. We pushed and pulled and ate buffalo stew (ok, it was BEEF.) And Stacey caught a fish with her bare hands. I killed it with a rock and then cleaned 25 other fish for squeamish city kids.

I went along as the "illustrator" and sketched a little and walked a lot.
I was proud of my girls and their effort.

I think their grandma would have been too.

New Wheels for Mama

2007-07-29T21:55:00.000-07:00

WAHOO!!! New "used" wheels for me! We shopped online, bargained online and moved money around online and then went and picked it up. FUN STUFF. I am over the moon having a new set of wheels with all the glitz of a LIMITED...ok- I have no clue what that is, but it means I get neat stuff like a backing up beeping sound and 6 cd changer and sunroof. And it matches my hair real nice.

Elder Sleight

2007-07-29T21:43:00.000-07:00

It's big news around here....and I've been pretty slow to report it. But we have a new elder in our midst. Neil was called to be a service missionary at the local storehouse. It is a wonderful opportunity for him and our family. He goes two or three times a week and restocks shelves and remembers math things. He also has endeared himself to them over there and they love him already. They even take him to DQ and Granny's Buffet! That's love.

Of course, he is the head of the goof troop still around here and frankly, we are glad he can serve and still be home with us. WE THINK.....

A few changes around here.

2007-04-15T20:44:00.000-07:00

We did it. We are still married. I think. Dad did leave for Brazil the day after it was done. It really does change our life around here. And my garage is full of furniture. But we think we like it. We will let you know for sure.

There were lots of princesses here last Saturday. Emma commented one night at supper that she wanted a birthday party with her friends and family. I suggested that she had lots of family around...(maybe that would be party enough?!) HAAA, ha, funny mother. She tipped her head and said.."ok then I want to have my friends!" So the planning began. Lots of pink stuff, and lots of glitter. ANd lots of giggling. It was great fun.

She turned seven. Unbelieveable.

Easter candy is now extinct around here except for a few lousy jelly beans. This bunch has no problem scarfing down anything chocolate or chocolate. Hmm, wonder whose gene pool that

comes from.

Happy Easter from the Goof troop.

Did I mention my favorite color is RED?

2007-02-25T21:32:00.000-08:00

This has been a long month. The sky has been gray forever. Now that Don is back in the good old USA we are scheming how to better use our floor space. It will mean some major furniture relocation and painting. YEAH. But the good news is that Mama gets a new chair. I think my last one was a rocker about 25 years ago....so it's time!

And we got a DEAL!! It's Don's favorite word. Whatever.

So until I get the laundry folded..., wait that might be NEVER.

It's stuck in the living room.

But I look great in red, right?

Being "Knifty"

2007-02-18T21:06:00.000-08:00

Yea, that's right. I am Knifty. If that can mean that you can wind yarn around a plastic thingy and make a hat...then that's me. As you can see from this picture, I think it is already quite fashionable to wear even when it isn't finished. A little painful, but we pretty girls have to suffer a bit for beauty all the time.

Wild and windy in Washington

2007-01-14T20:58:00.000-08:00

With the weather being pretty cold outside seems like we are a bit trapped in this house. That would be the 6 humans and the assorted creatures that live here too. (That doesn't include the stupid little fruit flies everywhere!).

It starts with Kitka who is really the neighbors cat but lives here 24-7 because of an incident with a pesky magpie a few years back. Occasionally the neighbors call out her name and I just grin to myself cause she's upstairs on my bed having a little nap.

Then there is the "Golden Retriever" Belle who is a teenager in dog years but has the body of moose when we are all together in the kitchen. She follows me everywhere and I mean everywhere, and sticks her nose along side the cuboard in case some morsel might drop her way.

She mostly chews everything and loves to go through the trash many times daily. It is her lifes work. Belle would also like to be pals with Kitka but the old lady cat has very little tolerance for the pushy blonde and waits until she has had enough and lands her one on the kisser.

Then our lastest arrival was at Christmas. I had Stacey's name and decided it was time she had her own kitty. Rachel and I went on the hunt and found this little calico 2 days before Christmas. Rachel kept her in her room and we succeeded in telling enough fibs to Stacey to keep it secret. It was a great surprise for her.

She got "fixed" last week and now is back to her bouncy, playful self. Better watch out...she is wild kitty- launching out when you aren't aware.

It's going to be a long winter.

The reception catered by riff raff....

2007-01-08T19:31:00.000-08:00

Thankfully the weather held and we were able to travel to Boise to Andy and Saramarie's wedding reception. I was so grateful to be able to see mom and dad for myself. Dad looks pretty rough.

But it was a party mood so we strung the lights, stirred the punch, and set out the pretty red cakes. The bride was beautiful and the groom as handsome as ever. Wes and his family came and it was great to be there together for a little while.

It was very very Merry...

2007-01-08T06:39:00.000-08:00

Hooray! I have jumped back into the cyberspace! With Alicias help, I am back in to blog our "cheekies" life. This of course doesn't mean I will be faithful but I have taken note that I really love to read my children's blogs so I need to be much better at this.
We had a wonderful Christmas holiday. Dad and I got gussied up for the annual Farm Christmas party- as usual, I was over dressed.
It was a great evening until I heard of mom and dad's car wreck and spent the rest of the evening trying to get some news.
Thanks heavens they were still in one piece-although dad was in more than his share.
Meredith, Steven and Ella were challenged by snow and storm to get here but we were blessed with their persistence and travelled to Portland to get them on Christmas eve. But before we headed to the airport, we called Alicia and Brian and dad read Twas the night before...to a homesick daughter.

But Santa waited until we got home and then all were up with a whoop! A grand time was had by all.

But perhaps the best present of all is something that is pink and dimpled and is not much impressed with all the hoopla! Ella was a joy to have in our home.
She grinned and we grinned and everyone took turns holding her.

She even took a trip to Idaho(she and her mom's first time in the SPUD STATE), with us to Andy's reception. She was the cutest baby there. More to follow.

pic

2006-11-26T10:05:00.000-08:00

Summer slippage

2006-08-07T19:59:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

This is the "mother Bear" of this establishment speaking. It will be brief tonight cause I got a paper cut on my finger and it's a real pain.

We are glad to be home once again after a very busy month for all. It was wonderful to get to go to Steven's and Meredith's home and help out with our newest member of the family. Gabriella is a sweet little thing and her new grandma and grandpa are head over heels for her.

It was fun to cook old favorites for Steven and sit and visit with my favorite daughter-in-law! I was so proud of Meredith as she learns all about and loves her new baby. She turned to me more than once and just grinned- "she is addictive" she would say and I told her to hold her all she wanted. We are so happy that she is gaining and doing so well even though she has her days and nights mixed up still. It was a real joy for me to see my child holding his.

So, I jumped from Denver, to making cookies for Redfish. My box of cookies were beckoned almost as soon as I was! But I was too tired Sunday night but by Mon. Morning decided I needed to go. So we started baking and packed the car so tight with stuff and kids that I told them all not to sneeze lest the trunk and doors would pop open. It was great to see everyone and lay by the lake. (As opposed to laying all night in the tent on a flat air mattress Yeowich!!)
But Rach got lots of great pictures and Stacey won the nerd award for skimming for guppies in her dog hat.! Emma puttered around and loved bossing Boone around. Neil worked on a super sunburn and sudoku and then rode the mighty innertube under the watchful eye of Wes the driver and Roger ever the sentinel. Hey wasn't he there when I used to ski off the tube? Stacey got a long ride also with Uncle Wes and came back grinning. What a great birthday party that Breya and Dax put on for Alivia and we were so lucky to get invited! It was even more fun when MOM and DAD got there and then Stephanie and Rick and fam. Some highlights for me....
Star gazing with Debra and Phillip Thurs evening. Standing on the beach the first night and yaking it up with Debra. Having Diane take out my splinter on my foot...Doing crafts with the kids all being silly and creative. Watching Dad on his bike...always young. Walking with Mom up to camp together. Seeing Wes on his boys motorbike...always young. Cooking with Debra-rolling lots of spring rolls and being amazed at all the food and preparation she goes through. Walking with Blaine and Nick down to the lake and seeing what great pals they are. Smelling Jenny's clean hair and remembering caring enough to wash mine when I was young. Standing on the side of the lake at dusk with Stephanie and remembering swimming in that cold water and loving it. Looking at the flat lake and remembering younger bodies with stronger legs and arms and seeing the ghosts of "redfish" past waterskiing across the wake, back and forth. Remember that Dad?

I so enjoyed looking at the new DVD's Wes and Debra made for us and feeling very grateful to be part of this bunch. It was great standing with Wes and Debra and Stephanie and Blaine and mom and dad and laughing so hard at ourselves and well, anyone else that wasn't there....Thanks for all your hard work so we could have these wonderful memories.
And then Sunday morning seeing all the churchy ones that made me proud too.
Hey and as a side note...thanks to all of you that made us feel welcome to come. Sometimes, I feel a bit like the island of mis-fit toys. Thanks for always making me feel so loved in spite of our warts.

So, we came home on Sunday and headed to SL for meetings. I think everyone that has been in the woods for a bit ought to go to a nice hotel and let them cook and clean for you! Wow, what a contrast. This was a bitter sweet time. The Inn at Temple Square where we have been staying for the past 22 years will close this fall. Ah, progress.

We ate at the Roof on Tues. and I dined in the Lion house. Came home a size larger and ready for some down time. So I guess that means with my head down in the washer....cause that is where I will be for some time to come. That sounds a bit like a country song....la, la.
So then to add to the drama-I had a call on my cell Thurs from Alicia that Brian had been driving her to work and had just dropped her off and then was hit in the intersection there.
He is fine but the Neon will never be the same. We are deciding if that is bad or good. Say a prayer for the words TOTALLED! We are so grateful that Brian is ok. In that instant as Alicia was telling me, I realized how much we love that boy and not just because he loves our daughter, but because of all he is. There is a much more entertaining report on Alicia's blog Mathias-life.blogspot.com. Check it out.

The Bishop and I remarked today at what a crazy summer this has been. I also heard myself remark that maybe things will settle down when school starts! Ha, who am I kidding.
Well, my poor finger has had it for tonight.

Love Mom, Alane Sis and aunty and grammar

Idaho Trip!

2006-07-10T15:52:00.000-07:00

Don't get too excited. I am attempting to start writing a family newsletter-or maybe you "younsters" would call it a blog. WHATEVER!!
We are happy to be back at home. Although when I had my head in the washing machine all week, the time we spent away was rather like a dream. It was great to get into the mountains and feel some cooler weather. Oh, and spend some time with the family.
There is no place like Idaho in the summer. It is beautiful and green this time of year and the water is flowing everywhere. It made me smile and feel grateful every time we crossed the Lost River. The mountains and foothills are green like I remember as a kid. I got a real kick out of biking with Dad while I was there, (Note to dad, get mom a "bigger" seat for her bike!) although we both would have preferred horseback. We almost climbed up to the natural arch...and dad rolled part of the way back. Rachel got some awesome pictures along the way. Mom made me some rhubarb pie that was the best I've ever eaten and I savored every bite. She has also been sewing and crocheting up a storm and I and still in awe of her abilities. Her creative juices are still flowing strong!
It was fun to have Alicia and Brian come up and join us there. They look great although Brian had a really bad sty and ended up in the Dr.'S office and looking like he had lost in a fist fight. No, you should have seen the other guy! Alicia got out all of her neat Provo Craft stuff and we had fun putting together a couple of cards and such. Grandma played tea party with Emma and Emma ate all her chocolate bear cookies. She had great fun with her.
I appreciated that it doesn't hurt so much to say goodbye now that we are closer. I am grateful for that.
We got to Georgetown on Sat. Evening and there was Ted and his family. His boys are really growing. And I could tell the contrast of raising boys and my girlie house. There was lots of energy in those boys!
Being 81 hasn't slowed Grandma Sleight down much. She can still put on a great meal with little help from the rest of us. Emma commented that she was sure glad that Grandma made some rolls. And good cookies. Lots of cookies.
We all went to church on Sunday and filled two rows! It was nice to be together and hear Don and Ted bear their testimonies. Brian played the organ for our enjoyment and we watched Emma dance on her tipy toes in the chapel. They left for home and I felt bad to see them go back to Provo, but happy to see them so content together.
Ted and Maralee rented a boat and took off Monday morning. We ran over later that afternoon but were unable to hook up with them that day. There are lots of people on that end of the lake!
We attended the pancake breakfast by the Lion's club . Howard and Stevia and Chelsea came over Tues. And it was great to see them.
We went downtown to watch the fireworks and were impressed that a small town could pull off such a good show,
We were relieved to see the house in good standing. Our poor watchful neighbor was beside herself with worry. We were confident that nothing had been disturbed.
We came back to hot weather and really long grass-and Don ended up going up to the boys encampment 3 times in 3 days. (4 hours round trip!). We also had ward conf. Today and he gave a wonderful talk. His boss from SL is coming tomorrow so he is gearing up for that.
Emma starts swimming classes tomorrow. I told her she needs to put her face in the water this year and she said she doesn't think she will. Right.
Well, I have read this thingy and it is really boring. I will have to try harder next week.
We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our newest family member. She is going to be a beauty-we just know it. And with dimples right?! We are praying for you Meredith.
Love Mom, Alane

2006-02-04T22:40:00.000-08:00

Hi, me again,
tired on a Saturday night. Yeah, big day, cleaning and cleaning and buying milk. Seems like there is never enough Saturday to go around.
I am just very glad that it is FEBRUARY and one more January is behind me in my life of days. Have I ever mentioned that I hate January? Well, I do. And those stupid christmas cookies are still hanging off my hips.
Oh and that reminds me...it is windy here...WHAT A SURPRISE!! ANd dad and I went out to supper and after went to Target and on the way to the car, I was complaining about how "stinkin" cold the wind was. I also said that I was glad that I had eaten a really big supper so I wouldn't blow away. So what does Dad say? Oh, that I should be glad that I had "big biscuits" so I didn't need to worry. I chuckled before he even finished that sentence...he should know better! But no, out it came. Silly boy. I told him he could have gone all day without saying that!! Poor dad, will he ever learn?
just for the record have I mentioned how very excited I am about being a grandma? YES, this is the gramee to be dancing on the keyboard! So very excited.
Well and tired. Time for some beddy bye. Don't be so shocked that I bloggeed here.
MOM

2006-01-01T21:52:00.000-08:00

well, hello out there in cyberworld. This is mom speaking. She who thought the internet was evil and going to poison her kids...still wondering. But, in the mean time, I will attempt my contribution to the blogging of life.
We are all going through the after Christmas blues, including the looking at the last crumbly cookie and wondering why we thought they were so yummy to begin with. Ah, now I am wearing them right there on my thigh. It actually looks a little like the snowman cookie shape. Oh, yeah, it's probably cellulite.
Emma is still singing carols and driving us a little nuts. She wants to know when the next Christmas eve is so she can ask for more presents. Yikes, she is so low on toys around here.
Stacey is semi-anxious to go back to school. I am really ok with everyone out of here.
It will be nice to get back to some quiet. I think. Rachel is not happy with it. And I think Neil is ready to get out of this place. Don't blame him.
Well, I am off for now. Somehow I can't think of much to say when I sit here. Maybe I will have to create a more exciting life so I can blog about it.

Getting started...

2006-01-01T20:04:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody! Mom asked me to get this started for her, because she was getting so jealous of the great blogs we were all doing :) I'm really excited for her to log in the latest happenings at the "Cheekie" house. I thought of naming the blog "A bunch of cheekies, a cat, a dog, a fish, and a chomping hampster (I'm not sure I'll ever recover from that stupid thing biting me...Cheesecake, I love you, and I'm sorry for hucking you across the closet!) but the title was limited to about 100 letters LESS than that :)

Hope you all enjoy this. I know I'm excited for yet another way to keep up-to-date on what's going on at home.

Love you all,
Alicia