Christmas Part 5, Rancho Santa Fe, Christmas Eve Dinner 2009

Christmas Eve was at the home of James and Camber.  The Valkos, Camber's family and neighbors were all there.  The food was wonderful and so was the company.

Christmas Part 4, Rancho Santa Fe. 2009

After a delicious Christmas Eve dinner we settle down for the Christmas program at James and Cambers home in Rancho Santa Fe.

In the tradition of the years when my children were little and we acted out the Nativity Story with me narrating and Richard being the donkey carrying Mary to Bethlehem, James is the narrator and Chase is the donkey, Jimmy is the angel,  little Kelsi is Mary, Maria, Matt, and big Kelsi are shepherds and Melissa, her friend and Lea are the Wise Men.

The angel visits Mary to tell her she is going to bear a son and his name will be Jesus.

Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem to pay their taxes and can find no room in an inn.  Baby Jesus is born that night and laid in a manger.  The shepherds follow the star to find the Babe.  The Wise Men, too, have been traveling to seek the Baby Jesus.

The Shepherds and Wise Men visit Baby Jesus and Joseph and Mary for the final scene of the Nativity Story.

Joseph accepts gifts from the Wise Men for Baby Jesus

Jacob and Camber finish off the Christmas Eve with a beautiful Christmas duet.

Christmas Part 3, Salt Lake City, 2009

It was so beautiful at Temple Square with snow falling.  Meagan took some beautiful pictures.

As you can see it is snowing!!!

Meagan and I pose before the Christmas Tree in the Joseph Smith Building.

One of our favorite things to do at our Park City trip is to visit Temple Square.  Linda's family went on Sunday when they picked up Gary at the airport.  

Meagan and I went on Tuesday and also saw the new movie at the Joseph Smith Building entitled "Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration."  I enjoyed it very much but if you didn't know Church History it would be a lot to absorb.  A young man in front of us kept commenting to us that the mistreatment of the Mormons was just like the mistreatment of his Native Americans. 

Afterward I urged him to read the Book of Mormon so he could read about his Native Americans.  He said he had and understood all about the Lamanites.  He seemed happy to have us talk to him.  We thought maybe he was a "disturber" but he ended up just being excited about what he saw.

Christmas Part 2, Park City, 2009

Meagan caught me just as I entered the Pulsipher timeshare for our party!

My  husband's brother Martin and wife Kathy arrived on Sunday, looking very young.  All of their family of five with spouses and children will be at Park City this year.  Very Nice!

The Pulsiphers from El Cajon arrived on Saturday and on Monday we had our annual White Elephant Christmas party--Linda provided the main parts of the ham dinner and Kathy provided rolls and Meagan corn bread and whipped honey butter and I some of the green salad and the rest of the Pulsiphers the dessert.  It was delicious, of course.  Pulsiphers had traded timeshares with the Martin Hardys and were staying in a place to sleep 10 so Matt (Valko) ended up staying with them.  Kelly is hiding in this pix so only one we cannot see.  In the white elephant game I took her cheetah boots away from her to go with my cheetah robe and pajamas!

Matt Valko, the only one of Maria's family to come this year.  We were all here last year.  He will be my companion and driver down to San Diego.  He lives in Tahoe City and works in Squaw Valley.

My daughter Linda and her daughter Sarah look happy for Christmas and how much they look alike!!

Tanner Pulsipher, who is a junior at Grossmont High in El Cajon.

Gary Pulsipher and daughter Amy, who attends BYU with brother Craig.

The last time I had a picture of Meagan (Shang Hai) and Craig (BYU) together is before Craig went on his mission to Brazil.  Craig attended church with me on Sunday.  It was a special service for visitors and featured a family who wrote their own music, played the piano, sang, played violin and cello.  Very inspiring!

Christmas, Part 1, From Lake Almanor to Park City, 2009 and Christmas Card

Here is my granddaughter Meagan settled in to her timeshare at Sweetwater in Park City.   There are windows all around so very light and cheerful.  As it turned out, none of the timeshares around us were being used (three of them) so it was a very private stay.

I had left my home on Wednesday December 16 and tramped over the newest snow with my loaded car.  I am leaving the snow for awhile and heading south to where hopefully my children can take me in.  I have decided after my slip last winter and my loosing control of the snowblower at one time that spring, summer, and fall will be my time spent in Lake Almanor and like the birds I will go south for winter.

My granddaughter Kristi took me in the first night in Reno and Kate and I had a delightful walk looking at all the beautifully lighted homes in their area.  It was a little tricky walking on the hardened snow as everyone does not clean their walks and driveway--just drive over it.  Now why didn't I think of that in Lake Almanor?

It was a beautiful sunny drive across Nevada and I met my nephew Steven just as he was leaving work in SLC and Bandido settled into his old carrying case and Steven deposited him at his second home the last few years--my sister Jeanne's home in Orem.

I met Meagan at the airport in SLC and we unpacked at the Plaza (near the Temple) ate and viewed the lights and the next day did some serious shopping at Gateway and Costco and arrived at Sweetwater in late afternoon.    The unit had been completely renovated with new furniture, updated bathrooms and new paint, carpet, etc.  Very nice!!  As it turned out, Meagan and I had the place to ourselves so did some comfy bonding. 

I so appreciated Meagan inviting me to stay with her.  Matt had come over with her from Shang Hai but had to return for work--after all it is not Christmas in China.  Meagan had already been to Boston, Minnesota and Poway, Ca before heading north to Park City.

The next morning we both acclimated our computers to the Sweetwater link and she caught up on work and I caught up on email--there is a new management company at Sweetwater but they were very

 helpful.  Some old codgers on a ski trip from Canada reported there had been 14 inches of powder last week so it should be a good week for boarding and skiing.

A Feast for the Deer

Momma and two babies were enjoying the cedar branch that fell so I stepped out to take their picture and the
babies scattered but Momma just atared at me.   Once she decided I was not going to harm them but just take their picture, they all went back to their eating!

I will miss my little deer friends while I am in San Diego.

Name Dropping and a New Dentist

Last Tuesday I pulled out a filling from the back of my front tooth by sucking on a carmel, something I forget that I cannot do.  I called my regular dentist and after a lot of checking they could not get me in until Thursday.  Marjorie told me to try her dentist who is actually just a  few miles down the road.  Using a little namedropping of Marjorie's name (everybody loves her and besides she gave them some good business) they had me come in within 40 minutes.  I was so impressed with this doctor's laser machine and what he was able to accomplish in just 10 minutes, I was happy to pay the charge and made an appointment to have my teeth cleaned as well.  The teeth cleaning was actually quoted at a lower rate than my regular dentist, too---so I think I have a new dentist!!!  Service is everything, right?  My tooth looks great, too, polished and  also more stable with the laser filling so I was told.  Modern equipment is a close second to service, right?  And the fact he is a young handsome guy who appears to be very skilled sure doesn't hurt, oh, yes, and that three miles compared to 30, wow, I think I have a new dentist.

Snow Day!

No need to go to the gym today. Even though I have a snow blower I decided I needed the exercise so I have cleared the driveway three times today with just a shovel. We will see how many more times I can do it. Since the Doctor called me this morning and told me I am in perfect health, I am feeling invincible. While I was outside I took a picture of the little spruce I planted a few years ago. It has already doubled in size. It is a mini though and will never tower over my other trees. I am wondering what I could put on it that the birds would eat. Seems the last time I scattered crumbs they just sat there...hmmm.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

I saw the lowest temperature on my deck and in my car that I have ever seen--5 degrees in car, 0 on deck.  Since I was driving in the daytime when it was warmer and looking on my deck in the morning, you can imagine how cold it was in the night!  Shades of Montana.  I grew up with cold weather but it is different when you are older.  What happened to those 40 degree winters I am used to up here????

For whatever reason, maybe the cold, maybe the need for company, maybe not wanting to carry any wood for awhile, or clear the snow, I have decided to head for San Diego from Park City and take a three month hiatus in sunny Southern California.  I will be staying at James and Camber's home in Rancho Santa Fe first and looking forward to spending quality time with Jacob, Lea, Jimmy and Kelsi.  I do not see my grandchildren enough!!!   The biggest problem is always what to take---I like to travel light but...that is so hard to predict what stuff you will want to have with you.

Second problem is what to do about the house--I may winterize this year, since I will be gone a little longer than usual (unless my family send me home early).  I will try and be on my best behavior but I don't know how I can get along without my recorder!  Maybe I will exercise more, hope so...hmmm

Happiness--What Is It?

I do my best thinking when I am driving--so two opportunities this week to think.  First, I drove to Susanville to take a test for Census work.  Unfortunately I had forgotten my glasses and they do make a difference.  I was so slow.  I only have to score a 70 so if I don't make it I will go back and take the test again.  While I was driving down I was thinking about what makes us happy and unhappy.

I decided that children and old people are generally happy because they have no expectations--if you have no  expectations, you can't be disappointed.  I was remembering years ago while working at the Church welfare tuna cannery I was standing next to an older lady.  I was a newlywed so she was imparting some of her wisdom on me.  She said I should not have expectations about what my husband will say or will do in any given situation because they will always do it and say it differently than you had expected and thus you will be disappointed.  I found later she knew exactly what she was talking about, it was so true.  She told me she could just hear the words her husband was going to say and of course, he never did say those words.

Charles Shulz said it well, "My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I'm happy, I can't figure it out.  What am I doing right?"  I'll tell you what he was doing right---absolutely no expectations!!

Edward De Bono said, "Unhappiness is best defined as the difference between our talents and our expectations."  That makes a lot of sense.  I always wanted to be able to sing.  A few months ago I spent a lot of time singing on SnipSnap--a karoke on the internet.  I was very unhappy with what I heard.  It was so much worse than I expected.  Since I stopped singing and ever expecting to be able to carry a tune I can truly appreciate the talents of others and be happy--no expectations for myself.  Today Marjorie and I attended the Chester Community Chorus.  I so enjoyed watching a lady named Patty.  She sang with such feeling and enjoyment on her face, she was a joy to watch.  It was particularly great this year--wonderful to listen to, lots of variety, very mellow and flowing.  I love the way this director Elsie creates this marvelous production. 

George Sand said, "There is only one happiness in life to love and be loved."  The problem with that is--if you don't feel loved, you are unhappy.  I learned long ago I would much rather really love someone else than worry about whether they loved me.  It is a real joy to love your baby, your child, your man, your sister, and not have expectations of what you must have in return for that love.

H. H. The Dalai Lama say, "The basic thing is that everyone wants happiness, no one wants suffering,  And happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors.  If your own mental attitude is correct, even if you remain in a hostile atmosphere, you feel happy."  So true.  I always liked Richard's answer when asked "Hi, how are you?"  He would say, "Happy."  I am sure he wasn't always happy but it was a self-fulfillment.

Henry David Thoreau said, "That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest."  Oh, yes, that is so, so true.

James Oppenheim said, "The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet."  I remember so well after Richard had his first heart attack and was zapped back to life.  I can still see him as he looked in the wheel chair as they brought him to see the children.  He looked so beautiful and full of life.  I vowed never to say, "I'll be so happy when..."  or "If only thus and so, then things would be perfect..." etc.

 When I was a new school teacher in San Diego and worked with the three year olds in the Church nursery.  There was one lady who had the most darling children but I didn't think she realized it.  She was always cross with them.  I look now at pictures of my darling children and wonder, did I really appreciate them as much as I should or was I always stressed over what they were and were not doing???  Something to think about, time goes so fast and the opportunity to enjoy that age or that experience is soon gone.

 John Hilton said "The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make heaven of Hell, and a hell of Heaven."
Oh, why can't we learn that one, we cause ourself more stress and pain than anything else does.

And this is a good one for me from Albert Schweitzer, "Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory."  Yes, I have been blessed with a bad memory and I tend to forget the sadness of my life.  That is a good thing.

I like this one, too.  Kin Hubbard said, "It's pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness.  Poverty an' wealth have both failed."  I know one thing that makes you happy is when something unexpectedly nice happens to you.  Yesterday when I went to start a fire I saw that someone had completely filled my wood bin--yea, no trip in the snow to bring in the wood.  That made me happy, such a nice surprise.  Ron had come over to fix my garage and did the wood bin thing-- Which reminds me of what Albert Schweitzer said, "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."  Ron is a home teacher who serves so well, I am sure he is happy.

And finally in conclusion in my thoughts on happiness is "It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day to day basis." as spoken by Margaret Bonnano.  Every day is a new day to be happy...

Oh, yes, the second time I had could reflect on my thoughts this week is when I drove to Susanville to see "New Moon".  No one else wanted to see it.  So there I was with the rest of the old ladies and teen age girls.  I enjoyed it very much, especially the wolf scenes and Vulcari (sp) scenes.  They need to work a little on the chemistry between the stars, though.  It was much better in the books.

So, what makes you happy???

Beautiful Yellow Lily

Another beautiful lilly burst forth.  This one was just a tiny bud when I clipped it down and the bud grew and grew, then changed color and eventually this came forth.  Miracle of life, I love it.

Mr. Buck Comes to Visit

Usually I just have the Mom and baby does wander through my property but today there was a big buck. I walked outside to take his picture (keeping Bandido from barking at him) and I thought he would immediately walk away.  But instead he plunked himself down behind a tree. I still didn't get too close, though, but he just stared at me with glassy eyes. Of course, he sat right in a shadow so you can barely see him.

Maria Does a Photo Shoot of Her Mom!

Great Job, Maria, thanks!

I t Has Been 13 Years Alone...

It was 13 years on November 27 since Richard took his journey to heaven and Bandido and I have been alone.  The years have gone quickly I must say, but being alone is not the best way to spend your life.  However, if I had to spend it anywhere, I am glad it is here in this beautiful, tranquil place.  I was reading again the poem we had on Richard's program at his Memorial.  It so depicts his life--let me share it again.

I asked God for strength that I might achieve... I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for help that I might do greater things... I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy... I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life... I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for, but everything that I hoped for.

Depite myself... my prayers were answered.  I am, among all men most richly blessed.

Thanksgiving 2009

Sleeping at Grandma's house.  All us ladies had a  bedroom but the boys slept on the couchs.

Maria drove from San Diego with Melissa and picked up Mitch in Sacramento.  Mike stayed in Sacramento to do his school project.  I picked up Matt from Tahoe City.  It is a lot of traveling but I am so happy they made the effort to join me.  The food was delicious and the company fun.

We had a puzzle to put together and played Scrabble and Clue--

Friday night we went to the Merchant's Christmas party downtown in Chester.  Lots of goodies to eat and beautiful things to buy--but none of us were shopping.

Consider the Lillies

This is so reaffirming of life and the perfection of God's creations. Some lillies that were planted late this year never had a chance to bloom so when everything had frozen for several nights I cut them down for the winter and gave the stems to the deer. All except for two stems that had buds on them. Not really believing (but hoping) they could go from tight buds to beautiful blooms I set them in a vase of water and put them on the sill of the sunniest window. This is the result. Beautiful, right? The other one hasn't bloomed yet. It was so tiny but it, too, is growing and changing color.

Birthday Girl

The trouble with being up here and all my children down there is that I miss all the birthday parties! I can still remember like yesterday though the original birthday of Maria. I went in for a routine check. They were monitoring me closely because Johnny had been born ceasarean, Linda was natural, and they were thinking maybe Maria could be born naturally also. However, when Dr. Rust checked that day, he said Maria had turned breech, labor had started and the policy was for two surgeons to make the determination so while they consulted I sat and fretted. I could not feel labor, my muscles were worthless in my stomach after that first birth.

They decided the risks were too great for a natural birth and I should go to the hospital immediately and they would prepare for ceasarean. What they said is if the inner sutures tear it was a risk to both me and the baby.

The nice thing about ceasareans is the babies have these beautifully shaped heads and Maria was definitely a beauty, even then. The strange thing was I had some malady and could not stop crying. I was in a room with three other women and people would come in and think I had lost my baby because I would be crying!! And then they would wheel in this beautiful baby. It was very puzzling to everyone, especially me.

I already had a name picked out, can't remember what it was, but another gal in our ward had already used it so we were scrambling to come up with something new. Of course, Maria, was now a popular name after Westside Story so Maria it was. I was a little afraid it would seem like a Spanish name but then later I found all these Marias' in our Swedish genealogy. Evidently it is a popular name in most nationalities. It suited her to a T.

My parents were at our home and we were enjoying baby Maria and baby Linda Poo (my Dad's name for her) was getting lots of attention and Dad was playing with Johnny (he was called that for several years) when President Kennedy was shot and we then spent most of our time glued to the TV.

After my parents left, the thing I remember most, was that supper time was very hectic and I kept the buggy in the kitchen so Maria could be bottle fed if necesarry while I tended to Linda and Johnny. Linda was only 17 months old, so a baby herself. She grew up fast though and soon became the one in charge of all needs of both Maria and Johnny.

"You must have been a beautiful baby, you must have been wonderful child.... cuz baby look at you now" (popular song from the 40's.  Happy Birthday, Maria!