If I Could Be A Flower

I would choose to be a daffodil--they are so "hardy"--pardon the pun. But these daffodils started to bloom over a week ago and then they went through a week of freezing nights and totally bent to the will of the wind and snow and look at them now...

A New Project

It's just a beginning and a continual mess to clean up but look what I am up to now.

For over 10 years I have had a doll house kit taking up space in my garage. Voila!! I am getting busy on it. I am no artist and my eyesight will miss a lot but it is fun... I am thinking it should be a house for my favorite Seven Dwarfs--if I can find some miniature dolls with Snow White, of course.

Matt's Birthday!

Alison and Mitch-- Melissa, Maria, Mark and Michael-- My daughter invited me to the Happy Garden in Susanville to celebrate Matt's 20th birthday. As a birthday present they are fixing his car which he brought home from North Star.

Looking good, Matt!

TIME OUT for Women

Saturday we spent at the Convention Center in Reno at Time Out for Women. Michael McLean and Cherie Call were the singers with their stories to tell and I have several CDs of Michael McClean but Cherie was new to me. I felt extravagant as I bought her CDs to add to my 225 (e) collection but this morning as I listened to her I thought what a great way to start the day. She writes meaningful stories with terrific lyrics. What insight for such a young woman. Maria with the pretty curly hair brought her friend Connie with the pretty straight hair and Marjorie came with me. It was a lovely day with good speakers, good food, and good talk.

We stayed at a new Hampton Inn and used some of my Hilton points mostly earned when I stayed at a Hampton in Beaumont, Texas during Hurricane Rita.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

My neighbors back yard shows the beautiful heavy laden trees and see the icicles out my front door. The snow is very heavy on the roof -- we had about 54 inches in February and we had a lot of power outs. Next time I will have better plans of what to do for several hours of darkness in the candlelight! I was able to watch one movie on the laptop before the charger went out and then I did lots of dancing to my singing...

Farewell to Mona!

Saturday night the ward gathered to say farewell to Mona Lyddon. She is moving to Phoenix to be near her children and we will miss her so. She has such a big heart and loving spirit. She was the backbone of Seneca Hospice for many years and also a nurse at the hospital. Marjorie and I had a dinner date with her so just brought her over to the church and she was surprised!!

Lots of good food to share--In fact there was so much it was decided to eat again after Church the next day--unfortunately some of us were snowed in and didn't make it...

Valentine's Day

I had just come back from a walk with Marjorie where I had remarked we had no one to give us a Valentine and I came home to find my grandson Mitch and his girlfriend Allie with a Valentine bouquet and a box of chocolates for me!! Thank heaven for grandchildren (and their girlfriends). I wish I had taken their picture to show--they are so cute.

Maui!

I spent the last week with James, Camber, Jimmy, Kelsi, Jacob and Lea in Maui. I was mostly babysitting but loved the air as I did in Guam. Wish I could bottle it and take it to the mountains. It was an "Escape to Paradise" award trip for some of the WFG people. Some of the activities for the families were snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, etc. while I mostly walked and window shopped.

The man in the middle caught this marlin but looks impressive, right? Pretty Camber and Baby Kelsi enjoying a walk on the beach. James and kids in the kiddy pool. James and Lea snorkeling. Everywhere I go, I take a sunset picture and this is it from Maui--not quite as spectacular as the Phillipine Sea from Guam, but beautiful. This was the sand culture made exclusively for the pleasure of the WFG attendees. The creator has been doing this for 18 years--really magnificent.

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency--great food, beautiful grounds, lovely rooms--a great trip.

My Birthday again!

Time flies when you are having fun and here it is my birthday time again. Here is Kelsi wearing my birthday hat that Jacob made for me--she looks cuter in it. I tended Kelsi (9 mos) for 10 days and was too exhausted to take a picture while at their home!!! Jacob, Lea, and Jimmy were also there and extended help from Mel with rides and food and bedtime and I was still tired but nevertheless I did enjoy it and love all my darling grandchildren. Happy Birthday, Grandma, almost 3/4 of a century!

More January Happenings

On Saturday we went to the Anniversary Celebration of the Mormon Battalion arriving in San Diego on January 27, 1846. Two of Richard's ancestors were in that march. They had many activities for the children representing what it was like on that march. Here Sarah and Linda are cooking "woofums" which are biscuits wrapped around a marshmallow size block of wood and toasting them and then filling the middle with butter and jam or honey. They passed out 1200 to bake on Saturday!! Amy and Kelly Pulsipher who I have enjoyed spending time with in El Cajon. They chose to have me stand on the curb so I look taller--aren't they beautiful granddaughters? Andrew Little (far left) had his missionary farewell January 28 and most of his relatives from the El Cajon/Alpine area and his grandparents from Logan, Utah were there. He is the nephew of Gary and Linda Pulsipher (top middle right with me behind them). Andrew gave a great talk on faith and is headed for Lima Peru North Mission where he will be speaking Spanish.

New Year 2007

I traveled out of the snow down to El Cajon, Ca so I could see the new great grandchild before she traveled home to Las Vegas--isn't she precious... Here is Dad Mike, Mom Kristi and Baby Kate--beautiful family!Here is the four generation picture, Kristi, Linda, Janet and Baby Kate. It doesn't seem that long ago that we took a four generation picture with my Mom and Kristi as the child... Almost three quarters of a century difference in age--think of the difference in environment, experiences, life in general--the circle of life.

Christmas 2006

Christmas Card

Earlier than Christmas

Great Grandbaby!!

Meagan and Matt

Christmas Day 2006

Here is the Christmas smile I was looking for--finally got one! Brookie Martin,  Christmas Day.  I was lazy in the morning listening to music, reading, sudoko and then I went to dinner at Ron and Jean Martin's home in Prattville (west shore of the lake). 

Their son Scott, his wife Lorie and children Trevor, Calley and Brookie were there from Yuba City as well. It was a lovely day, good food and nice company to spend Christmas with. I had fun trying to get the children to smile for my pictues.

 

Ron gets to sit in his favorite rocking chair.

Scott, Lorie and Jean relax after dinner and before dessert. 

Trever, Calley and Brookie eat the gingerbread house, one piece at a time.

 

      Brookie liked looking at her picture in the camera.