Who Knew?

This month I discovered something wonderful. Impatiens, my favorite flower in La Jolla, grows in my garden in the mountains-- with the bad soil and dry conditions! True, they do not get as big or lush as in La Jolla but they are color and the best part? Neither the deer or the squirrels eat them!! And don't let anyone tell you that squirrels don't eat the plants. I have watched them, nibble them, just like a rabbit and so I am sure sometimes I have maligned the deer when it has been the squirrels. Anyway next year impations will be a big part of my gardening. Yea...

The Jack Knife

My Dad always carried a jack knife in his pocket. All men did that I knew. It was ready for any occasion--how many times I saw him wisk his jackknife out to cut a string, a box or whatever. I am sure he used it hunting and fishing as well. When I finished my doll house this winter I decided I needed a jack knife so I could carve the head boards of my Seven Dwarf beds. I have done ONE. Oh well, it is a good project for when it snows. But today I found I can slit the soil conditioner bag open in one stroke. How I have struggled with those plastic bags over the years. Why didn't anyone tell me? From now on I will carry a jacknife in my pocket ready for any occasion...

Grandchildren are a Great Gift!

Jacob and I went to the Reuben J. Fleet Center Saturday afternoon before I left for Manhattan Beach. We had a delightful day except for losing my cell phone . (Thank heaven, Jacob could give a better description of it than I could!) Besides doing all the discovery items we had time for we saw the IMAX "Coral Reefs". It was not only interesting but very educational. Jacob is a delight to take places, so polite and pleasant, always says thank you and is an enjoyable conversationalist.

The week before, I attended the La Mesa Rotary Luncheon where Amy was honored. She was given a $500 check for her education--she left for BYU on the 28th. Besides being a great student with a 3.9 average and ASB president, the thing that always amazes me about Amy is her poise and confidence. She speaks so well with clarity and maturity. She also went skydiving last week!! Amy will do well wherever she goes, great determination and a positive attitude.

On the way back up north I stopped in Sacramento and saw the nice apartment that Michael is living in. I would say it was a step up from the first apartment that Richard and I lived in at the beginning of our married life. (Probably costs more than 10 times as much as well.) I always enjoy listening to Michael and his dream of going to New Zealand and see his latest hair style. It looked very good and he was sporting a little more beard than he has here (I forgot to take a picture). Michael is looking for that perfect job that will take him out of here and to New Zealand. I think he will find it! From the time I first walked Michael with his curly locks around Big Bear when he was a tot I have always enjoyed his soft side, contemplative thought, and quiet voice.

Yes, grandchildren are a great gift and each comes in a different wrapping with great surprises inside.

Laurie's Family

My niece Sherry sent some pictures from Laurie's Funeral. Left to right is Trevor's wife Joanna and baby, my sister Jeanne, her daughter Carole, Marilyn's son Bobby and wife Dana, Jeanne's daughter-in-law Norma, Marilyn's son Randy, Marilyn's daughter Debbie, my brother Dick's daughter Cherie, Marilyn's daughter Sherry, Jeanne's son Steven and his wife Sheila. Laurie's daughter Hope is on the left with her boyfriend Ben and Debbie's daughter Megan and son Matt are on the right. Sherry with her daughter's Carole and Caitlin ... and all four of Sherry's children Steven, Zach, Caitlin and Carole. Zach and Sherry lived with us for awhile in the 80's and Zach used to love his baseball bat and Sherry would patiently throw the ball to him over and over. They loved to go to the Padres games with my assistant Connie. Zach is now going to college and working.

It's a Beautiful Thing! Service...

Yes, it is a beautiful thing to have a full wood shed so beautifully stacked. While I was gone, my home teacher Ron had split wood from his own lot and brought it over to my house--wheelbarreled it up a slight incline and stacked my wood! Thank heaven Don, from the ward, also helped him!!! I appreciate these gentlemen so much who take care of us widows in the ward. It is truly the gospel of Jesus Christ in action. Winter, come on, I am ready!! To go above and beyond they even watered my trees (I have a great watering system for everything but my little trees and bushes) And those impatiens and petunias I set in my front to catch the water--not a one was eaten because they sprayed with Liquid Fence!! Thank you, thank you, so much. In fact the only thing the deer destroyed this time was one small bush that the cage had not been anchored down on and two new lilac bushes that were not caged. At least I have my answer, they do like lilacs and I do have to cage them! Oh, well, next spring... I was delighted to come home to more light! Mark had brought up the tile he is going to do my bathrooms with and in the meantime replaced my burned out lights. Thank you, Mark. I also felt safer driving back to Lake Almanor by myself. Gary replaced the battery in my car while I was in El Cajon. Thank you, Gary. It seems it takes a lot of people to keep me up and running and I appreciate them all.

Some Friends in My Life, 2007

Friends are such an important part of our lives.  This trip I saw my friend Nadine, who has been cutting my hair since the 60's. After my husband died we spent many an early morning biking around Mission Bay.   We each bought a beach bike and I loved that until I moved to the mountains.  And I always look forward to getting a good "Nadine-doo" haircut whenever I return to San Diego.

Connie--who was my Assistant at Choice Mortgage for 12 years! She was a High School Secretary and would come in late afternoon and work till late.  She was so good,  I could not have made it without her. She was also very wise and a good confidant during those turbulent years. We would often makeup scenarios about our loan clients to giggle over.  You can tell alot about people by the way they spend their money and their assets--it would keep us from getting bored or too tired from the work.

This is the wall of my friend Sharon's home. She is very creative and clever and has such an interesting home. These are doilies her grandmother made and she has made them a treasure forever. I also met Sharon in the 60's. Even though I was older, we had children about the same ages and we did the beach, the bay, Disneyland, museums, Pioneer Day, etc.--all kinds of things together. One Pioneer Day we left my Maria with her Donna at Cabrillo Park and didn't notice until we were almost in Pacific Beach! She had extra children that day so we had a van full. This was in the days before seat belts...Motherhood is so much easier and more fun with a good friend. This trip she showed me how to finish off a sweater I had started for my son James 34 years ago. I am going to give it to his Jimmy, age 6--even though the yarn is a little faded. Good beach sweater... 

Another friend I see often now is Myrna. She lets me stay in Manhattan Beach on my way coming and going from Lake Almanor. We have been friends since 2nd grade, so we have all our Montana friends to talk about.  She is an interesting talker and remembers so much I have forgotten... Girl friends keep us sane...In the picture below from Camp with the Methodist Church Group in Junior High she is in the middle.  Lorraine is on the left and Eddie, a school mate is on my left.  myrna and I lost track of each other over the years but since we are both widows now and she lives where I can stop by and see her on my trips back and forth from San Diego we have renewed a great friendship.  When I get lonely at night, she is a great one to call and chat with.   I must find an updated picture!

The Walk

All the grandchildren want to walk Bandido and you would think he would love an opportunity to go for a walk. Not so. Kelsi thinks if Jimmy will just let Bandido go, she will be on her way...

"How do you make this dog go?" "What am I going to do?"

"Hey, now I have it, piece of cake." "I am really good at this. Bandido will follow me anywhere." The secret? Grandma Janet just has to walk in front and Bandido will come...

I am going to miss Kelsi's knock on my door each morning and her big hugs. She is a sweetheart who likes listening and dancing to music almost as much as I do.

The Big House

At my son James' home the children talk about the "Big House"--this is a little of the Big House-- This is the Master Closet just for James!!! I wonder if he has his own closet if it means he will have to keep it picked up himself? I hope so... This is marvelous. Each of the children have their own computer/homework station with lockers for their backpacks. And it is right off the kitchen so Mom can keep an eye. What a great idea.

All around the interior patio is this breezeway with beautiful walnut stained ceilings...

This is the interior patio...Meagan may have her wedding here December 30! Which means there is a lot of work to do in the next four months...

Windows from dining room looking into living room--

Living Room fireplace is started and look at those huge doors-- Here are the beams in the living room--not stained yet and part of the side ceiling also not stained yet...

This is part of the huge kitchen And this is the fireplace in the kitchen/family room.

And this is the big pool and jacuzzi--since there is a huge Club pool, I am not exactly sure why this is needed but... it is all going to be very lovely...

Marjorie and I Go to Lake Tahoe

 

Jimmy at the Zoo

Jimmy's Day at the Zoo with Grandma Janet started out with a Bus ride--which are not as good as the old days when the bears would perform and there wasn't so much greenery hiding the animals...

Always fun to climb on the metal animals located everywhere.

And investigating what the goats are doing in the Children's Zoo. And the gorillas were up close and personal today--good for Jimmy.

Lunch time is always a fun time. Besides seeing three shows and the hippos swimming close, and the polar bear performing with his toy for a long time, and riding the skyfari, we also managed to munch a bunch and saved the funnest part for last...Riding on the Merry Go Round. Next time we will try for the brass ring. The time from 9 to 5 went fast...what a day!

Thanks, Jimmy, for a fun day, you are a delight.

Meagan's Shower at Crosby Club

Meagan, her mom Jennifer, and sister Makayla.

Camber and Kristi tending the babies Kelsi and Kate while friends chat...

Meagan's sisters Marissa, Mahlini, and Maya

Meagan and Aunt Suzanne and Aunt Nancy

Three of Meagan's friends plus Aunt Linda, Maria, Camber, and cousin Lea and cousin Kelly.

Mom, sisters and Aunt Linda and Aunt Maria...

It was a lovely day in Rancho Santa Fe...thanks to James and Camber for providing the lunch and place and Linda the cake and game gifts...it was all lovely.

Meagan and her friend Ann...