This one is for #1

Okay #1, I decided to get on here tonight to give you something to look at while you recover.

If I were to pick out a couple of things in my life that make getting out of bed worth while it would not be possible. Every day that I am given is reason to get up. I love life even with it's ups and downs.

One big up recently was the celebration of Connies birthday. I had planned to go but because we had an quick trip to the coast thrown into our laps decided to skip the surprise trip in January. I even went so far as to tell Connie I had planned to surprise her but changed my mind or had my mind changed for me. Less than 2 weeks before the 11th of Jan. Judy #6 sent me a message that she had talked to Lucy and if I still wanted to come her and Sam would pick me up at the airport in Portland. I still wasn't sure I could swing it when my share of what was left from Dads estate showed up. It was $241 more than I anticipated so I talked with Richard and he was ok with me going.

The plan was on. I told Judy I would come, finally got a ticket so we could actually proceed with getting there. I told Judy I would talk with Lucy and figure out a way to spring the surprise. I knew we needed help so I sent Holly a message. She was so into it she called me and the plan was on. We started just sending messages on Face Book then Lucy got us all linked together. It was Holly, Jodie, Lindsay, Kaylee, Bethany, Judy, Lucy and Me. The only one not there of course was Connie. It all was to funny to really. In the end we showed Connie the thread of messages. All she could say was "Oh my gosh".

Okay back to the story! As the plans developed I called Mom and asked her if she also wanted to help us surprise Connie and give back her birthday. My flight was due in on Friday afternoon. Where Judy and Sam would pick me up. We met Mom and Bill on the highway by I-5. We were off. Lucy had invited Connie and Jim to dinner, in the mean time we kept posting on Face Book so everyone would know where we were. They were joined by the Bales family minus Ryan. Lucy was pretending to cook more that what she had intended because the dinner was potluck and the Holt family was bringing this that and the other thing. She did not have to wait long as the whole family walked in the back door all at the same time. Connie was already excited at this time. They ate dinner, opened presents and talked the time away. We finally arrived at Lucy's. Mom and Bill walked in, Judy and Sam came in behind them and I slipped in behind them and into the bathroom. Connie was surprised by Mom and Bill and even more surprised when she heard Judy say "I could sure use a cup of coffee"! I could hear Connie laugh and say oh my gosh over and over. I was standing in the bathroom shaking with anticipation. I kept saying to myself please hurry I am going to faint if you don't. Please don't make me wait.

Okay so I finally heard Judy say I need to go pee. Lucy jumped at that hint and told Connie to show her where the bathroom is. As the approached the door I heard Connie, "Some one is in there," Lucy "no I don't think so, some one probably just left the light on and closed the door." Connie reached out and knock on the door, I jerked the door open and said "Well it's about damn time", Connie squealed oh my gosh, hugged and hugged me and kept saying oh my gosh. The really funny part was that she did not even notice the whole crowd of people follow her to the bathroom. There were so many camera flashes that went off, it was just so way cool. We celebrated for 6 days. Connie got her birthday back. We talked about Dad on the 11th but it was all happy talk. Remember when talk and just being together having fun talk.

I helped Lucy clean house, we met Connie at Subway for lunch for 2 days. Went to dinner in Newport on her birthday with her and Jim. Spent the first couple of nights with Connie then a couple with Lucy. It was not even my birthday and it was the best one I have ever particpated in.

Our last day, Wednesday, we drove to Portland in the rain. Had a very relaxing lunch at a Mongolian Grill, then found the greatest fabric store I have ever seen. So much Moda, Kaufman, Hoffman, RJR, and so much more. I bit overwhelming. I did not buy much cause I did not have a ton of room in my suitcase. Next time I will go in a car and not worry about how much I buy.

Spending time with my sisters was the best. An amazing thing happened why I was there. I had been praying for the words to say to Erin and had not yet come up with them. As I sat in church next to Connie holding little Ellie as she slept, and sang with everyone else, I was almost thunder struck by the words leave out the buts. What was that leave out the buts. Ya that is what I heard. My words to Erin had to not contain the word but. John also looked down at me in the pew as he was leading worship, kind of stalled a second then carried on. Later that morning he told me that God gave him a scripture. Isaiah 58: 8-12. Look it up it is awesome. It means alot to me and I wrote it in my journal and look at it every couple of days. Lucy told me that I needed to find myself a church family. After I got home I started looking on line for a small church in down town that I had heard of. A day or so later I get a phone call from Evenlyn Aggenbroad inviting us to join them at the Capitol City Christian Church on the coming Sunday. We of course said yes and we did. We have been there twice and have now decided to place our membership there. Richard says it is like going home. We feel loved and cared for. It is an awesome feeling and so long past due. Thank you God for sending us Stan Evelyn. God knows when to step in and answer my prayers.

Okay Carol hope you enjoy reading this post. I wrote for you. No pictures as I don't have many on this computer. None that would fit here.

To you who read this, just know you are an important part of my life and I appreciate it.
Love to all.

Being a Sister!

About darn time.

Whoa have I been away a long time! Needless to say I was indeed surprised when I logged on here and noticed that it was August when I last posted. I am not sure of the reason but suffice it to say I will try to do better and get out there once again. Carol has been pestering me to write so here I am at last.

Richard and I recently made a cross country trek to Minnesota via the highway. What a marvelous time we had in just the journey. God saw fit to bless with beautiful weather and clear roads. Going across country in a car in late October and early November is always an iffy proposition. No problems getting there or coming home.

In the getting there I guess I could describe some of the trip. We left Boise on a Friday night at around 6:30 p.m. You are probably thinking we had lost our minds leaving that late in the day but I will tell you what we did before we left was even crazier.

We painted our house, yes you read that right we painted our house. Our original plan was to leave on Wednesday but we were not ready to go. Wait a second let me put that another way. Richard was not ready to go, he was determined to get our house painted. We had put it off for 2 years and then spring was so wet and cold that we could not do it then so it had to get done. He borrowed an airless sprayer from our friend Stan and after weeks of scrapping and priming we were ready. Richard did the body of the house and I tackled the trim, just on the front and back however because we needed to put the rain gutter back up before we left. Okay so the painting is done we are cleaned up and finally packed and out the door on Friday night. I know I already said that but it was worth repeating. Oh well I thought it was funny.

So we got us a hotel room in Pocatello then went and got something to eat. I was so tired and worn out and excited we should have kept driving because I could not sleep. It was almost midnight and driving on unfamiliar roads is not something that makes for much fun. Besides we would have missed some really beautiful country. Up early Saturday morn and on the road again. The country around Jackson Hole Wyoming is so beautiful. It is so amazing that on one side of the state can be so dry looking and the other full of rugged mountains and lots of trees. The town of Jackson is centered by a small park that sits on a diamond shape in the middle of town. At each point there is an arch of antlers. The day we went through they were giving away pumpkins in that park. We were going to get a bite to eat in Jackson but there were so many people it was impossible to find any place that was not full. We journeyed on to a small settlement of Dubois, Wyoming. We found a very quint restaurant where we had an awesome meal. I am glad we had to move on or we would have missed it. I suppose things happen for a reason. We were headed north through the Teton Mountains. I could not tell at that time how beautiful they were as they were covered with clouds. I did take some pictures that I will attempt to post on here so you can see them. We were at this one location and saw all kinds of people stopped on the highway and some even walking out through tall brush and trees. There was a moose not very far off the road and these people were trying to get closer. Take it from someone who had a close encounter with a buffalo while driving thru Yellowstone Park. That is another story but it is safe to say it was not a smart move on their part. They are so darn big, moose that is, I would not chance it.

We moved on, the drive was uneventful and full of lots of talk and reflection on my part. I did a good deal of driving but allowed Richard to have a turn or two. We made it to Rapid City, South Dakota on Saturday night. We found a hotel, walked to a burger joint went back to the hotel, eat, bathed and crashed. Finally slept that night. Off again the next morning after breakfast and decided we were to anxious to enjoy Mt. Rushmore so went straight through to Minnesota. About the time we got to Souix City, South Dakota I got a phone call from Christian. He wanted to know where we were. I told him, and also that I would let him know where we were along the way. Just after Souix City you cross the Missouri River and were in Minn. I took a picture of a road sign and texted it to him. As the miles rolled by which is only about 230 I kept taking pictures of town signs so they could follow us across the state. When we got to a town called Albert Lea Christian was going to go outside to wait for us. We were still more than 50 miles away. I convinced him to wait till we got closer. The next town Rochester again he wanted to go outside and wait. Still we are 20 miles away. So I told him when we got to St. Charles I would send him another text and then he could go out and wait. On the Main street leading to St. Charles there is a water tower painted with the towns name. I had Richard pull over, I took my picture then sent it in a text to Christian. I thought he was going to jump through the phone. He started hollering and yelling yippee. Okay now he can go wait. St. Charles is like driving into any small town USA no stop lights to speak of and very small so easy to get through. When we rounded the corner to the street that leads to their house we could see both Samuel and Christian waiting out front. Richard being the onery person that he is drove right past them. Now you have to understand they live on a culdesac and Sam was convinced that Grandpa had forgotten. No he went to the end turned around and parked in the drive way. The boys were so full of hugs and so much help it was nice to missed so. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed every minute we were there. For right now my wrist and hand are beginning to hurt from typing so I will finish my tale later. Just remember to come back so you can read about our adventure to a small town called Lansboro. It really is not to be missed. In the mean time enjoy the couple of pictures I put on here from our trip. I also have some of when Connie and Lucy came over to celebrate Lucy's birthday. Your not going to want to miss them.

Small changes!

I have decided that the small changes in my life are the best changes. Today Richard and I drove to our favorite fruit and vegtable stand in New Plymoth and on our way home were visiting about typical things in life. Nothing that was of any great consequence but it opened my eyes to a change in my way of thinking. When we are young we save and plan for our futures, we have a certain goal or wants that we strive to achieve while working and making a living. It suddenly dawned on me that Richard and I are living our future. Wow! this is our future, I love it. I think Richard is a bit unsteady with it but he is trying to get used to it. His biggest change is that he does not have to have breakfast early anymore. I am not sure that is a good thing as we are always suppose to eat breakfast. His falls somewhere between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. You just never know with him. He has a favorite saying about retirement that he has 6 Saturdays, 1 Sunday and an occassional holiday. I think it is as simple as me having a whole lot more husband and a whole lot less time for me. I miss the time I had on my own so am at the point where I cherish it even more.

If you think back over time at the changes we have experienced and the torment we put ourselves through during those changes it really seems silly. From boyfriends, girlfriends, having to move, job changes and so many more changes we always have let those changes dictate the movements of our lives. At this point in my life no change is devastating that it knocks me down. The loss of my Dad was very sad, I felt cheated, and I feel a very strong desire to spend every waking moment with my sisters. I allowed a misunderstanding to get blown out of proportion some years ago that drove a wedge between us. When Dad got sick that wedge melted away like it was made of ice. The love and intense emotion rushed back over me like a tidal wave. Going to Nebraska together was so much fun but scarey at the same time. We all knew that it was going to be the last time we saw Dad alive. Change took place and it was the best change we could have asked for.

In 5 weeks and 3 days Connie and Lucy will come to Idaho! We will celebrate our birthdays together for the first time in more than 40 years. To be totally honest I really do not remember ever spending a birthday with my sisters. I remember when Julia Chapman made Carol a Barbie Doll cake one year. It was so awsome that I wanted one to but did not dare ask for it. Well back to the present birthday, we are going shopping for birthday dresses. I have a couple of plans for Lucy and I can not wait. It will be so very much fun. I am so looking forward to going to quilt stores, making dinner, talking, walking, and on and on.

I do have a funny Richard conversation to write about. One evening we were laying in bed on the boat and Richard was giggling about the fact that he had been farting like a duck for on hour or so. I was giving him such a hard time about his methane gas production he decided he needed to design a "fart "car. A fart car I laughed, how many miles would it get to the toot? Of course that depends stictly on the type of food eaten to produce the methane. He decided the best for him would be salad as that not only produces an abundance of gas but it is very odiferous to boot. Then he decided it could be shaped like a brown turd. Well, Challis informed him the next day when we were laughing about this yet again that he had just reduced his shopper pool by more than half. Not only would few like the shape and color but a good rain storm would wash it away. We got the best laugh out of this conversation of pure nonsense. I love that about my husband. He comes up with some of the funniest things. I am so very glad I have him in my life. God was truly watching out for me when Richard came alone for me to love. I am truly blessed and very happy in my life.

Well It is time to get off here and go to bed. Good night all. Write a comment so I know you were here. Thanks.

A title ahhhhh nothing comes to mind!

Okay we will skip the title for now and see if something pops into my head as I write. For as much as I wrote in the past I have been very lax about writing with any kind of consistency. I can not say for sure if I will now but right this minute I will put this down on paper so to speak. I am not sure if I what I write is read by anyone but me!
Richard is sitting here in his chair asleep! I don't really mind as it gives me a chance to spend a small bit of time alone. Not physically alone but alone enough to be able to just think about what I want and not have to carry on a conversation or pay close attention to what is being said. Besides it is 12:30 in the morning and I really should go to bed but I have to much stuff in my head to try to sleep until I get some of it down! I am a lucky woman to have a man like him. He takes good care of me, he makes me laugh, he loves me beyond measure, and I love him more than life itself. I was talking with a dear friend of mine today and she was telling me that her and her boyfriend I recently been attending a small church in the town the live in Ohio. When he first started after such a long absence every prayer, every hymn, every kind word brought a flood of tears to the mans eyes. Richard did the same thing. Sitting in church with him was always hard to me as he always had tears in his eyes. He has a gentle soul and has always been a believer. I consider my self one of the luckiest women in the world.
In October Connie and Lucy will come to visit. I am so very excited that they will be here for Lucy's 49th birthday. We plan to go shopping for dresses. I have not bought a dress in more than 10 years. Wow this should be fun. What type of dress do you think I should get? I will trust the judgement of my two little sisters. They will not lead me astray!
I have this most wonderful renewed relationship with Carol, Connie and Lucy. When God closes a door he always opens a window somewhere. Well our window is a long dormant relationship and it is so lovely to have the window flung open wide to let the breeze of love and healing blow through. I wish we lived closer together but will satisfy myself with our once a year sister get together and with as many trips as we can manage otherwise. for Carol it will be hard but she is determined as we are to make the annual trek to be together. We already have a location for 2011, Sisters, Oregon. Teri says she is saving money to get there. Well time will tell if that is fact. I will do some checking to see what we can do in the area. There is shopping in Bend and Sisters as well as different places to sight see. Another thing to be excited about in my life. We should have fun cooking together, playing games, visiting and just hanging out.
Recently Erin, Isabelle and Lainey moved in with us. With her came Teia, Gracie and Daisy, 2 dogs and a cat. So far so good the cat has a bad attitude about my cat and Gracie is always chasing my cat. Poor TC, my cat, hardly ever leaves my bedroom. She is such a scaredy cat. It has been easy so far, Erin does not spend a lot of time here. Only when she has to work early in the mornings. Tommy has taken advantage only once, I sure hope it does not happen again. I do not like being mad at him for a stupid move. I really do not think Erin will be content to stay in the camper for very long. I think when she has to walk across the snow covered lawn it will get to be to much and she will move in with Challis once and for all. I suppose the only way to know for sure is to wait and see.
Well the night grows long and I am finally tired. I guess I should wake Richard up and go to bed. Live is good, God is great, and I am a lucky wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, aunt, great aunt, sister and friend. I love my life and everything about it.

It is about time!

Well, it has been a very long, long, long time since I have felt like a could write anything down on here. I don't even know that I could begin to explain it to anyone or to myself why but I will get back to writing and hopefully getting my emotions back on an even keel.
It has been a long stressful year in more ways than I even like to admit to myself. From last July when Dad first got sick and we all went to the hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. Then the hearing of my intended move of my very, very dear friend, Chris. Then I had a scary ambulance ride to the hospital thinking I was having a heart attack. Turned out to be a problem with my stomach, gastro parisis, took me a bunch of tests and bucks later to find out what it was. I have been feeling somewhat better there if I do not go over board on things that I eat. Chris went and moved away on me. All the way to Ohio, at least she could have chosen a place closer to home. To be truthful about it I am missing her terribly but I am very happy for her and Gene. She is happy and that is all that counts.
Winter was long and cold. We spent about 2 and half weeks in Minnesota with the kids and had a real nice time. Went and cut a tree, watched Sam put on the lights, many many lights. It was an awesome tree. Christy and I made cookies, candy and food lots of food. We had a ton of fun and miss them terribly.
Let me see what else went bad. Erin and I relastionship went south for a long while. We have not yet gotten it back on track. I have resigned myself to something different. I will take what I can get and not be spiteful of what I can not have. I will not ask anything of her. I am very careful to take what she is willing to give me and be happy with it. I think it makes Erin happy but it is difficult for me. Enough said about that.
I did get to go to a school in Joliet, Ill. Jason and Sam came and picked me up there and I got to spend 2 nights with them. Jason and I drove down to Dads place in Palmer, Nebraska then spent 4 days cleaning out most of the stuff we wanted from there. What a hard thing that was to do. Going through someones life piece by piece. Trying to decided what was good and what was not worth keeping. I still do not know if we kept what we should have and got rid of what we should have. Putting some ones life into a bunch of boxes. I have promised myself I would not put my kids through that very thing.
Jason spent a couple of weeks here with us. He worked on our transmission, and got our truck running like a dream. He is a very good mechanic and takes a lot of pride in what he has accomplished. I miss him so much, he thought it would be easy leaving Idaho and moving so far away. He did not think he needed his parents in close contact with his life. I miss my boys too. I get scared that the older they get the less time they will want to spend with us. Sam is pretty close to his Grandpa and that is good. He calls here at least once a week. He cracks me up with some of the things he says and what he makes reference to. He has a great sense of humor and is a funny guy.
In April we four of us were able to meet and go to our home town, Twin Falls, Idaho. Carol, Teri, Connie and myself spent a week walking through the past. It was so much fun to go to the places we remembered as kids. From the South Hills, to the past home of Claude and Ella Bryant. They are cousins of Moms and were a big part of our childhood lives. We drove out to where Loren and Louise Partin lived in the couple of different locations, drove right up to the Ward place where we lived and where Connie was a baby. We hunted aspergras and made it for dinner the same night. It was fantastic, it tasted so very good and it was so much fine walking along the ditch banks finding the tender shoots that made dinner an absolute delight. We went to quilt shops, had Doris our cousin from Elko meet us for lunch then went to Teri's to visit for awhile. Doris is in such pain over the death of her mother. Especially sence it was at the hands of her sister, Teresa. Lucy was unfortunately unable to join us and I for one sure did miss her being there. It was not quite the same and I hope it is the last time that will happen. We are already planning our next trip. I hope we will all be able to be together in Sister, Oregon next year. Then maybe the next year we can all go to Minnesota. I am not sure Teri will be able to go as she is always so short of funds. But that is not my problem and I will not make it mine as I have done so in the past.
Well I have rambled on and on for long enough for now and need to get this posted. I am feeling better about all this. I pray every day for all Lord Jesus has given me. From my life with Richard, my parents, my sisters and extended family. My home and all that goes with my life I would not have any part of it any other way. Every morning and every night I thank God for what I have.