Melissa Graduates!

Melissa Valko graduated from California State University, Chico on May 17, 2014.  She was a Business Major in Accounting.   She had worked for two years for the Budget Analyst at Chico State and is well-prepared for employment in accounting.  She is leaving June 1 for Asheville, NC where she is seeking employment and will be living with a former girlfriend from Susanville.

CSU, Chico is the second oldest campus of the 23 CSU's and has 16,000 plus students.

All of Melissa's family was at her graduation, except for Mike (Annapolis).  It was a beautiful day and though too long for sitting, the talks were good, and individual recognition was given to each graduate.  It was a dignified, family-oriented graduation ceremony.

After the ceremony we walked to Melissa's rental and had a great lunch of salads, croissant sandwiches, wraps and drinks.  Sharing the brunch was Melissa's Mom and Johnny, who came from Oceanside, Melissa's Dad, who came from Tehachapi, Mitch, who came from Tahoe and rode with his Dad, and who is on his way to work in the Sierras for six months with the U S Forestry, Matt, who came from Tahoe where he works, Grandma, Me--Matt and I drove from Lake Almanor together.  Melissa's roommate and Melissa's Boss came by to wish her well and tell us all how much she is going to be missed!!  She wrote a great recommendation letter for Melissa.  She said since they can't keep her, (they--letter recipient) ought to hire her because she is so good--or something like that, among other things.

Mom and her boys--not boys anymore, they are hardworking men!!  Before Matt left my house to go back to his job in Tahoe he unclogged my sink( that was a hard one), and fixed both the front and back hoses.  Don't know how I could make it without these grandsons helping me out!

59 years from my graduation to Mel's.

Fires Rage in San Diego County

San Diego has had tragic repercussions from deliberately set fires.  Linda's ward family was very much affected by the Poinsettia Fire, Maria's Cal State still has the San Marcos Fire dangerously close, and James and Camber had to evacuate for a time as well.  It has been going on since Wednesday morning and still going.  Many houses, apartment houses and some businesses have been burned.  So far only one death has been reported. 

PS  47 homes were burned before the fires were out and over 20 million dollars in damage.  And they believe it was all arson!

Kelsi at 8

Kelsi, a girl after my own heart, who loves her American Girl doll and wanted a matching outfit with her!!  So darling.

Styling!  I love it.

Keira and Eden Update!

 Keira gets into the camping experience with a tent in the yard and telling ghost stories.  Eden gets to join them for awhile!

Eden celebrates her two month birthday with smiles and laughs, like she really knows how lucky she is.

 What a doll!!

 So much to see and laugh at--what a blast!

 What's Up, guys?

Hey world, here I come!

Mother's Day 2014

Messages from Children and Grandchildren on Mother's Day 2014 (Camber had suggested it would be nice if everyone sent me a message of a happy memory with me)

Happy Mother's Day to a lovely Mother-in-law! You have been a fabulous role model and lovely grandmother to all of your sweet grandchildren!! Thank you for being such a kind and creative mother to my husband!  You taught him work ethic, service to his fellow man, integrity and commitment to family.  Your sacrifice and dedication will continue to bless the lives of others through your sweet children and grandchildren.  We all love you, Camber.

From: Meagan Hardy

 

I have So many memories of grandma so it's hard to choose. One of my favorite things that Grandma used to do when I was little is make Swedish pancakes for breakfast. I remember waking up in the upstairs bedroom of her La Jolla house and hearing all the pots and pans clanging and the kitchen noises, knowing that she was making breakfast and feeling really happy. Swedish pancakes are still my favorite! 

Another memory from the La Jolla house is the big Gardenia bush that was next to the front door. I loved the smell of it and still to this day when I smell or see gardenias I think of Grandma. Now it's one of my favorite flowers! 

Another good memory is when Grandma visited me in Hong Kong and we did a yoga class together. Grandma is so adventurous!

Love, 

Meagan

From: Tanner Pulsipher 

Grandma Hardy,

Well, I am sitting here in a super hot, super ghetto computer shop in a place called La Carlota in the Philippines. And thinking about you Grandma almost brings back so many awesome memories. From the cabin in Yellowstone, to Lake Almanor, to you living with us for a couple weeks. There are so many and it's making me a little homesick thinking about all of them but there are two that stand out to me. They were so long ago and such little things but they will always be dear to me. The first one was when I was 11 or 12 and you took me out for a night on the town just the two of us. We went to Jack in the Box and then you took me to see a movie (Treasure Planet) haha. I don't remember all the stuff we talked about but I remember how much it meant to me that you were willing to spend time with me and take me to see a movie that you probably had absolutely no desire to watch. ha 

The second was in middle school when you were living with us and you took over for my Mom in home schooling me... ha I remember how much fun it was and when we would get to a problem that neither of us could figure out how to do we would just give up and wait for someone else to get home. haha And how could I ever forget about all our memories in Park City and Lake Almanor. Anyways Grandma, my point is that you have been such a huge influence in my life. You are an amazing mother and an even better grandmother. I will never forget all of the life lessons that I have learned from you and I can't wait until my home coming to see you and the rest of the family. I love you Grandma! Palangga ta ka kag ayaw mo ako malipatan! kita ay ta in 6 months! Happy mothers day...

Love,

Elder Pulsipher

 From: Mike Valko 

I enjoyed getting to know Grandma and my Grandog, Bandido, during my stay with them.  I always try to emulate the great recipes she made while I was there, but its never quite the same (especially the chili!).  Even Bandido would demand a cut of the tasty meal every day, and was spoiled by it, but Grandmothers are made to spoil others, and she does it well.  Her place in Almanor has many fond memories for me to reflect upon, and I miss the quiet atmosphere of the solemn woods.  The east coast lacks that certain reverence.  Happy Mother's Day, Janet!  Enjoy a relaxing day in that lakeside forest for me!

Mike

From: Kristi Stewart 

One of my best memories of Grandma was when Meagan and I went with her and Grandpa to Yellowstone. It was so cool to be with them away from their stresses of life. They went country dancing together. We went hiking. Even bought a new car because the old one broke down on the way.  It was so fun to have them all to ourselves.

I loved playing dress up in her room with all her dresses and nightgowns. And putting on her makeup. She came to Reno with my mom to help me move and care for Kate while we were packing. I appreciated her being willing to help. And It was good for Kate to spend 5 days with her Great Grandma's undivided attention. 

My kids always look forward to her E cards she sends for holidays and birthdays. I feel like even though I don't get to see Grandma much she is always thinking about my family.

Grandma has always been interested in our personal lives and been genuinely interested in what we were doing and feeling. This is a quality I need to work on so I appreciate her example. Love you Grandma, thank you for being so wonderful.

Kristi

From:  Linda Pulsipher

My greatest memories of mom (Janet) were from our childhood. We had a very happy childhood with lots of love and good memories. I have good memories of her serving in the church. She had a desk set up in the garage while she was Relief Society president and I remember seeing her there organizing and taking care of people on the phone. When she served in the stake primary presidency, they held their meeting at the bay while all of us children happily played in the sand.

She sewed costumes, planned parties, taught wonderful lessons and cared for others. My mother was always willing to open her home to extended family members. (Something that I admire much more now, than I did then.)  I have memories of family home evening with her beautifully dressed in a long skirt with her hair done while presenting a flannel board story. Why I remember that, I don't know, but it did make an impression on me.

 My mother has always been a wonderful example to me, I will always be grateful for her life of service and sacrifice for others.  Love you mom!

Linda

From: Kelly Pulsipher

I loved when grandma would tell me all about her dating life and how hot all the guys were while we try out new gluten free recipes and cookies while she stayed in Carlsbad with us... We are both divas and I love that.

Kelly

From: Amy Pulsipher

I love grandma because she is always so classy, real and genuine. I remember when we would all dress up in her silky pajamas and put on all of her different lipsticks. We didn't look as good as grandma always does but we always tried.... I also remember when she was so candid about her experiences growing up. She would give Kelly and I dating advice and she wouldn't hold anything back. She is always concerned about what is going on in our lives and always offers advice through personal experiences of her own. I love to hear her stories and talk about things she went through when she was our age. I love my Grandma Janet!!!!! Happy Mother's Day!!!

Amy

From: Sarah Pulsipher 

My favorite memories with grandma Janet were in Lake Almonor. From the snow cones and lip syncs to the log cabins and homemade Hershey's ice cream. Her warm and comfy little house makes me feel right at home. I appreciate everything my grandma has done for me and I love her so much! Happy Mother's Day Grandma Janet!

Sarah

From: Melissa Valko 

I have many fond memories of Grandma, over many years of visiting her in San Diego, traveling with her, and going to her house in Lake Almanor. Some of my younger memories include playing with her paper dolls, and putting on her makeup. But my favorite memories are my most recent ones, I love talking to her on our long drives to and from San Diego. She is probably one of my favorite people to talk to. I love hearing about her many life experiences, and learning more about Grandpa and John, who I really only got to know through her stories and blogs of them.  I really wish I could visit her in Lake Almanor more often.

Melissa 

. 

From: Craig Pulsipher

I've always admired Grandma Janet for her intelligence and thoughtfulness. I love spending time with her because she shares my curiosity for the world and she's always learning something new. She also cares deeply about her family and celebrates each person's unique qualities. I've always felt like I could be open and honest with her and she would respect and love me just the same. I love you Grandma!

Craig

From: Mitch and Matt Valko

My fondest memory of Grandma was a time when Mike, Matt and I were  visiting her all together. Usually with three boys with the behavior  that we have would be overwhelming but grandma had seemed to embrace  it and do well with it. 

Not taking any free time she was able to have  us all stay busy helping her out, Mike washing her car/working in the  garage to clean it up for her while me and Matt were doing some spring  cleaning in her yard. 

With the work ethic we all have we were able to  do a job that could take weeks for her in a matter of days.

Once the  job was done and we were all tired, grandma insisted on pampering us  all with a tasty dinner. She is an awesome cook and knows how to feed  some hardworking men! 

Everyday I see her now I want to help in anyway  I can and make sure she can get done what needs to get done, I know  she appreciates us and I appreciate her so much, too, she's done a lot  for us and I thank her for that.

 From: Maria Rasimas

Dear Mom,

Mothers Day always gives me an opportunity to reflect on what a great mother you have been to me for 50 years.  Yes, we have had some head bashing at times because of differing opinions and perspectives but that is just reflective of the strong woman you are and the strong children you have raised.  We see that same quality in the next generation as we witness our children, your grandchildren, spreading their wings into adulthood and flying all over the world experiencing new and exciting adventures.  

I have many memories of you singing around the house, throwing parties with hilarious games, sewing us fun pajamas for Christmas, and baking a bounty of the most delightful of goodies.  Our home was a fun and a safe place to grow up.  You have been an example of a woman with both grace and style as well as one who takes care of business and does what needs to be done to survive.  Qualities that are much admired by many.  I have especially enjoyed our more recent travels to London, Denmark, Sweden and Canada.  I'm so grateful we got to spend that time together as mother and daughters, memories I will always cherish with both you and Linda.

This year especially, I am deeply grateful for the relationship you have with my children.  You have had the stable home for them to visit and crash when needed, that I don't.  You welcome them, dote on them, support and accept them despite their differing views on life, difficulties in finding a path for their futures, and such limited funds to figure any of it out with.  You have been a safe haven for them many times and in many ways.  I never had a close relationship with my grandparents so I've really appreciated the relationship you have enjoyed with my own children.  They are so lucky to have had so much of your time and attention all these years.  From the bottom of my heart I thank you for that.

This Mother's Day my hope for you is that you won't waste one moment feeling badly for what you may perceive as missing the mark in mothering, we certainly all have our flaws and regrets in areas we wish we had done better with our own children. But I hope instead you can reflect on the profound and positive impact you have had on molding not only all of your own children to become who they are, but also a whole lot of grandchildren that each feel deeply touched by the presence you have been in their lives!  

No matter how poorly or the flawed way we may show it at times, please remember that you are deeply loved and appreciated as both a mother and a grandmother.

Happy Mothers Day, I love you.

Maria

What wonderful tributes from my children and grandchildren, how much I appreciate them!

Yea! Fish Tacos in Chester!

I finally tried the fish tacos at the "Locker Room" and I love them.  I can see that will be where I get my weekly fish.  They are only $2 on Tuesday.  I did not understand that today so I got the Sr Special which they have every day which was Taco and fries.  I ate most all the fries, too, they were some of the best I ever eaten.

I talked to the owner and she said they moved here four years ago from San Diego and so when they bought the Pink Cadillac and turned it into the Locker Room 14 months ago they brought their favorite dishes from San Diego.  She said they were surprised that the Fish Tacos really took off up here and they post the sales every week.  So far a day in September is the record with 399 being sold that day.  For a little town like Chester that is a lot of fish tacos! (Note made in Dec: I had a gluten reaction to the tacos because of the coating on the fish.  They made one for me with another kind of fish but it was just not as good so I have not been eating fish tacos every week).

The last time I ate at that restaurant I had the worst hamburger I had ever had!  Marjorie and I had tried it before that and were very disappointed so needless to say I had not eaten there in several years.  So happy to find it is new ownership and the cooking is good!

I also mailed back the HDMI adapter which would not work with my tablet.  Now what to do--I checked again at Samsung and it is supposed to work with my model.  It is supposed to make the videos on my Tablet play on the HDTV at church when giving lessons and it did not.  Now what--decide it was defective and try again or???? Frustration.  The lady at the post office was very kind to me.  The box I used to mail it in had a Priority Mail banner on it from a previous mailing to Michael. She said she would have to charge me $3.60 more because of it.  I said I wished I had my tape with me and I would tape white paper over it---then she proceeded to do just that.  She kept the line waiting while she saved me $3.60.  I was very appreciative and told her over and over.  Very kind to an old lady.  (Note made in Dec:  I later found out it was my charger which was defective and why the HDMI did not work).

Today I was reading a blurb about how Chester came to be.  When Westwood was a logging company town which disallowed liquor and other vices, Chester, in the 1920's and 30's, became the escape valve, providing visitors with liquor, gambling and the services of a local bordello.  It gained a reputation as a "Little Reno".  It was populated during the summer months mostly until Collins Pine Company built the lumber mill in the 1940's and a real population boom began.  (A little over 2100 at the last census) Of course, there are also a lot of little towns and places around it now--like Lake Almanor Country Club which is 8 miles south and has 1200 lots--not all built on yet.

Kelsi

Kelsi Hardy is baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Del Mar, California May 3, 2014.  She is baptized by her Dad, James.  Wish I could have been there but so happy for them.

Earlier in the beautiful California day Kelsi had a photoshoot with her friend Ava.

Gone Girl

I can't believe I did not write a post about this book "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn but I can't find one. It was one of the most suspenseful books I have ever read and I noted her down as a new author I want to follow.

Today I heard on the news what a best seller it has been and they are now making a movie of it!!! Gillian Flynn had lost her job in 2008 and decided to write--four years later, boom, what a success!!! I can't remember the details of the book but I don't think I will read it again before the movie--evidently the ending will be a little different.

She was asked how she could write such a dark movie about marriage when she appears to have a very happy one and has a little boy also.  She said she had to be careful to never write just after they had had a fight...but it is all her imagination what she writes in the book.

Easter break with the Stewarts

Easter fun and school holiday!

Darling little Molly--wish I could snuggle her!

 Future heartbreaker at the swimming pool, Ryan hits the water.

Brynn and Kate share a tube.  Thanks, big sister.

Brynn does a little sunbathing.

Look what is in the Easter Basket!  Sweet Molly!

A Good Week

From a LACC Memo:   Lake Almanor has water. While many of California's lakes and reservoirs are experiencing extremely low water levels, Lake Almanor is holding steady for the time being.  

That is good news!!!

Thought for today--

“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.”

― Epictetus

I remember my college friend Marta telling me that same thing when she came to visit.  I was stewing over something and she said, "Is there anything you can do about it?"  NO--"Then stop worrying about it."  Good advice.

This has been a great week, I accomplished a lot though it takes me forever to do things and I have to keep resting.  I get too tired too fast. 

Every time I drive to Susanville or to Chester I think what a beautiful place I live in,  I don't mind the drive at all.  There is very little traffic and just scenic views on both sides.  The snow is still atop Mt Lassen and the Sierras and Cascades but the temperature is up in the 70's,

I also enjoy going to the branch each Sunday and meeting with people who know my name and who are friendly and enjoyable to listen to and be with.  This is a good place for me to be, it is still lonely, of course, but thank heaven I have Sadie.  

She sometimes sits at the end of her "run" and cries because she wants to go play with the big dog in back of my lot.  Yesterday the big dog and the two golden labs from the next house came and played with her at the same time.  It was three big dogs all taking turns tussling with her and the owners stand and watch to make sure they don/t hurt her but she just loves it.

The branch has a new tabletop flat screen tv that we can play our teaching videos on.  Maryanne used it today and then showed me how.  She even looked online to show me what connector I needed to use with my Samsung.  Yes, very nice thoughtful people here.  And I am glad I willl not have to drag my computer and speakers to church anymore when I teach!

Hula Plus is A Plus and Matt and Mitch are My Heroes

The other day I asked Mitch why I needed Hulu Plus as one of my Roku Channels.  He said he had just read that they had added a lot of the old black and white Classic movies.  He knew I had been looking for some on Netflix and could not find them.

Sunday I had been talking to my sister Marilyn who had her 83rd birthday that day.  We were giving each other advice on how to live our remaining years and she left me with the admonition to just "do what you want to" so Monday after cleaning my little house I sat down for an afternoon of the "Classics"  on Hula Plus.

I have a list from somewhere of Classics to see before you die so that is the list I am using.  But first I was fascinated by an Ingrid Bergman film called "Stromboli".  Loving anything that Ingrid Bergman was in and not remembering ever seeing it (I hadn't, it was a foreign film) it was my first to watch. She was a left over prisoner in a refugee camp after WWII and was proposed to by a Greek prisoner who had a home to go back to.  He described the island in the Mediterranean as a desirable place and since he was a handsome young man and she did not have family left to go back to, she was married and left with him.

Feeling somewhat sad and lonely myself after Mitch and Matt left and I was alone for the first time in a few months it was a great film to cry to.  The town on the island was called Stromboli and it was town which was destroyed by a huge volcano at the top of the island every once and while and there was hard lava all over with little green vegetation and the homes were cracked and barren.  There was little furniture in his home. Anyway with her emoting and feeling rejected as a foreigner and he being a young jealous husband who believed in beating a wife who smiled at anyone else, etc, etc, etc it was a movie of tears...but I enjoyed feeling her emotions.

Then I found "Tokyo Story" on my list.  This was the story of an older couple who goes back to rebuilt Tokyo to visit their married children.  Since I had just been to San Diego to visit my married children this was a great movie to relate to.  As you can imagine their married children are all very busy with their jobs and family and having the parents is more a burden than a joy.  It really tells the story of just how it is--they love their parents but they do not have the time for them and the parents feel slighted and go home early. However, it is nothing that they talk about.  In fact they do not have so much in common to even converse anymore.

There were many excellent views voiced "your children grow away from you gradually"  "a married daughter is like a stranger"  "it is hard to lose a child, but it is not easy to get along with the living either".  The timing of watching the movie could not have been better for me.  I had just moved on to another film when Maria called and we had an excellent discussion about it all.  As she said you can't take these things personally it is just the way it is...we all adore you but everyone has so much that they are involved in, it is hard to do it all--or something like that.  Anyway excellent movie and I enjoyed the conversation with Maria very much.  I needed that.

The last movie I watched was not a Classic but a new one that had been added and it was excellent as well.  "33 Postcards" is about a Chinese orphan who is sponsored by a young man from Australia for 10 years from age 6 to 16.  They have corresponded faithfully and she has grown to love the life he depicted in Australia.  When she goes to Australia to perform in a children's choir she looks for him and finds he has been in prison for 10 years and was not living the life he depicted at all.  It is a very beautiful film about innocence and love and crime and prison life and the unfairness of life and how far love can go in helping each other survive and thrive.

Hula Plus I will keep while I watch more of the classics...and others.  Isn't it great that I have so much time to just do what I want every day.  Today I get my hair cut and will take Sadie for a long walk.  It will be in the high sixties and seventies all week!!!  Spring is here...for now and thanks to Mitch and Matt my yard is beautiful and ready to enjoy.

When Matt came to pick up Mitch and saw the ninety plus bags of yard waste he said we needed to get rid of it and was the waste dump open?  It was till noon!!!  Matt is very decisive and they immediately cleaned out Matt's nice big Suburban and I drove to town for some cash.  The waste dump is just three plus miles down the road but it took four loads and lots of effort and mess and their precious time.  I am so appreciative of Matt and Mitch to do this for me.  I would have had to put the bags out for the garbage dump at $2 a bag and it would have taken almost a year!!!  If only I had a truck!!  Anyway I cannot give enough praise to Matt and Mitch for all their effort and Mitch had cleaned up the yard so beautifully while he was here.  Matt reminded me just  before he left that he is only two hours away and if I needed anything to call!!!  Nice to know when I am all alone up here, thanks Matt.

Relief Society Building

From the Relief Society site in the church website:

“In October 1945, plans were announced to erect a Relief Society building. In October 1947, the First Presidency approved a plan proposed by Sister Belle S. Spafford: each member of the Relief Society, which then numbered 100,000, was asked to donate five dollars to the project. Sisters from all over the world sent donations. Some sent artifacts from their homelands to beautify the interior of the building. In one year, sisters raised $554,016." 

This week it was possible to look on the church site to see your ancestor's names who may have contributed to this building.  I did not look up all my ancestors but I did find my mother and aunt's name who had contributed in the name of their mother.  Mother had done it through her home ward in Weber Stake in Utah.  Glendive was still a very small group at that time.  I was in high school and we were meeting in the IOOF hall.

I also found the names of Richard's mother and aunts plus his Grandmother Hardy.  I am sure there were many more I knew if I had kept looking.

I was in the building on business in the 70's but did not realize it was built through the efforts of the sisters in the 40's and 50's.  Very interesting, I thought.

Who Doesn't Love Spring Snow?

Spring surprise this morning.  It will probably melt later today but so pretty right now.  Unfortunately my car looks the same way.  Since the garage door is broken the car is in the driveway.  Always something.

 Sadie's new favorite spot is laying by the burning woodstove.  She is actually fascinated with the whole wood fire process and stands anxiously watching while the cold stove becomes a roaring fire.  I think we will run out of wood before we run out of winter we are burning so much.

Sadie just had a fun romp in the snow.  She quite loves it and with her red coat she is cozy warm.

A Little Emerson Philosophy

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

That was the Thought for the Day in Yahoo and I love Emerson.  His is one of the few college books I still have and I am so glad I marked it to show what was impressive to me in the 50's.  I especially have a lot of marks and notations in his essay on "Compensation".  

For instance he says, "For every thing you have missed, you have gained something else; and for every thing you gain, you lose something.--There is always some leveling circumstances that puts down the overbearing, the strong, the rich, the fortunate, substantially on the same ground with all others."

He quotes St. Bernard, "Nothing can work me damage except myself; the harm that I sustain I carry about with me, and never am a real sufferer but by my own fault."  And isn't that the truth.  I remember taking a correspondence course on how we "make our own depression".  It is so easy to feel sorry for yourself and make a good case for your misery.

 I have been thinking a lot about the last chapter from "The Husband's Secret" of how different directions, destinations, consequences, etc. are determined by our choices.  And yet some choices are made with a lot of thought and others we just drift into because we don't choose something else.

I remember so well the first week of my Disaster Duty when we were to choose whether we wanted to go out into the field or stay in and do the processing.  Not having experience in either one you did not know how to choose.  One of the leaders came over and tried to direct my choice by making the one sound more enticing that the other.  Of course, it was the one he was a leader over.  I later found out the experienced reserves much preferred the field and not what he suggested at all.  However, as Emerson inferred there was definitely leveling circumstances in both situations I found out when I experienced them both later on.

But back to the thought for the day.  How do you know what "yourself" is?  I have had to reinvent myself several times in order to do what had to be done to survive.  I was over and over again "out of my comfort zone" and different from what I considered "myself".

Changing of the Sheets

Friday I washed and put away the flannel sheets and put on my silky summer sheets.  The changing of the sheets from season to season is always a big deal for me and the first night always feels so good.  I also changed from my flannel pjs to my silky ones.

Alas this morning I woke to the sound of rain but the look of snow--big wet blogs of snow!!  Oh, no, winter is still here...too bad, the flannel sheets are put away till fall, even if it does snow for all of April!