SURPRISE!!

It has been SO LONG since I have posted to my blog, I know! Mostly because I am lazy, but also because I get really frustrated when I spend alot of time in front of my computer. Most of you know it bugs me to sit still very long and when I lose whatever I was posting I get a bit apathetic about whether anyone even cares what I am doing in my life. Plus...I don't think my life is as exciting as some of the other blogs I follow...BUT...
Here I am again! I have had the Influenza A virus the past 11 days...sometimes I wish I would just die and get it over with!! Well, not really, but it is not a pleasant experience!! Those creepy-crawlies you get when you have a fever and chills drive me NUTS!! I am on a double strength Z-Pac (Zithromyacin) and 800 mgs of Ibuprofen...this will just take a bit longer to get over. I am so not used to being sick!
However...I did just get back from a WONDERFUL trip to Texas and a short stop in St. George to see grandkids (and some parental types, too). I am so proud of Bridget and her skills she used in her play! Singing, even! One of MY granddaughters...who'd have thought! But I must admit here, I went by myself one day and sat there and cried. How blessed we are to have her in our family! When she was born at less than 4 lbs I remember holding her and wondering if she would be able to catch up to her potential. SHE HAS...AND THEN SOME!! A very special, proud "Grandma Moment" when her eyes met mine while she was onstage and I was in the front row!!
Plus, I got to have lunch with Bridget at school. I love to do that.Queen and King of the Jolliginki! They were just PERFECT for their parts!!Another bonus of being in Texas!! I got to spend some time with Brent's Mom!! Jan and I have been friends, but we also had some time to just talk and laugh about our Grandkids! Her husband, Jay, had passed away a few days before I got to Texas and we talked and shed some tears about that as well. Some day I hope to be as strong as she is!! For those of you that know me very well...I even gave her a JAFRA Facial!! Talk about a "blast from the past"!! A friend had given her a set and she needed to figure it out! That WAS fun!!
I also had fun seeing Tess...but she was so sick she didn't want much to do with me...and I understood. So glad she is back to her old self again!Reg and I even got to work on a couple of projects together...bonding with my 31 yo daughter! Love it! And meeting her friends...whoa! Now I know who it is that is commenting on HER facebook page and I can say hi!
When I got back from Texas, Bruce was waiting for me at the airport and we drove to So. Utah. Through SNOW! I neglected to mention that the day I went to the play alone, it had decided to start snowing as I left. In Texas...crazy! So, I was NOT thrilled to see it again. I like the sun and all that is hot. That is why I like visiting my 2 girls in warm places. Not this trip. Anyway, Sarah's little family was sick, too. I got to go along to the doctor with Toryn, Jadyn and Sarah the first morning I was there. MaKai had already been in for Croup earlier in the week! Grampy was worried about catching something (with his RA, we are careful about that kind of thing!) and didn't get to see anyone. But I got lots of loves and some girl time with Sarah in front of the TV.
It happened to be Valentines Day and my Valentine got me a HUGE basket of fun stuff! Mostly picnic items and some sparkling cider and chocolates. Also, a heart blanket and pillow and some itunes downloads! My GS Cookies and chocolate hearts paled in comparison...but I made it up to him in kisses,etc!
I did fail to mention that I have a new puppy! Her name is Zoe and she is a full blood Boxer pup. I love her so much already! Jeremy, Adri, the girls and I are sharing her for now! Potty training is not so fun, but I believe she is getting better!
So, I am home and trying to recover! I am worried about our sweet Tais...it is so hard for me to stay away from her! They are in St. George this weekend. We are hoping Spence will have a job soon (he was laid off a few weeks ago) and this may be the last Saturday he has off...we hope, anyway!
I hope I can keep this up! It is nice to look back and see all we have accomplished and how much the grandkids have grown!!

August...Part 2!!

AUGUST and TEXAS just go together for us!! Our 3 Texan girls all celebrate their birthdays the last part of the month and this was a very special year!! Bridget Elizabeth was baptised this year. And her BFF, Emma, shared the baptism day!! Their birthdays are sorta close and it was perfect for them to both be baptised by their Daddys on the same day! What a wonderful day! I am sure they will always remember how special it was for them and for their families!And, of course, Grampy always has fun electronic "toys" to play with!! We did get to eat at a FEW BBQ places for Grampy...like every day, I think! And on Sunday we ate LEFTOVER BBQ!! It did not last long enough for us, though!! We didn't get to celebrate Regan or Tessie's birthdays properly...not enough time!! But, we sure love the time we get to spend with our Texans. I just have to add this video of Tess. It is kinda long, so I - 1) hope it will load and 2) hope you have time to watch it all. She is quite the ham!
OK...so, the video didn't load!! Trust me, Tessie was adorable! She was making a PBJ sandwich all by herself while dancing and posing for my camera! Adorable!!!

ON TO VIRGINIA!!

The reason we had to cut our trip to Texas short is that Bruce's boss asked him to attend a Charity Gala in Virginia Beach, Va. So, we hopped on a plane to Norfolk. We arrived late and early the next morning Bruce had phone calls asking him to come into the office for a meeting. So much for rest and relaxation for Bruce. I had a hair appt for 1 pm scheduled because the Gala was that night! Just a couple hours after my hair appt we were dressed and ready! Bruce was at the office almost until time for the Gala.

We saw some wonderful items being auctioned off and I am sure they made ALOT of money that night. One of the highlights of the week was that the next day was a Golf Tournament for the same charity (We Promise Foundation...kind of like Make A Wish) and Bruce got to meet and talk with Teri Polo...the wife of Ben Stiller in "Meet The Fockers" and the other Focker movies!! She seemed so genuine. It was alot of fun and Bruce loved the golfing - even had a pretty good game! He didn't get home till 8:15 that night, but I enjoyed some "ME" time and walked on the beach and watched Hurricane Earl coming into the area!

The next day, we actually had some time to ourselves! We went to Colonial Williamsburg and part of the next day we spent in Jamestown. Lots of great historical locations. We loved it! There is so much beauty around us and I am so grateful to be able to see so much of this country!!

So now it is September...this Friday we will be celebrating Bruce and Gene's birthdays in Provo at Bruce's nephews' wedding!! Congrats to Tim and Carlee...looking forward to being with family this weekend!!

August...whew! What a month!!

August always starts off with our Grandson's birthday! MaKai Thomas decided to make his appearance on August 6th, 2004. So far, our only grandson! Kai is special in so many ways it is hard to name them all. He will always be our "Super G" (for grandson) and we were lucky to drive to St. George for his birthday and share his birthday swimming party! His Mom took lots of pics...check out her blog!! I didn't have my camera...



My neighbors are big on camping and I was giving her a hard time one day...and she said, "Well, why don't you come with me next week?". I couldn't resist! You all know I love to camp and it was a chance to head up to the mountains...so beautiful!! Here are some pics of our hike around the reservoir---
Sadie was helping us find our way around the reservoir...I am sure that is why we ended up on a DEER trail!! certainly NOT because I was leading the hike...
Battle scars...guess I deserved them for leading us WAY up the hillside instead of down to the damn!Mary Ann trying to read...I talk WAY too much for her to read!! It was such a FUN few days. I hope I get the chance to go again!!

It's Been 3 Months?? Seriously??

Wow...I can't believe how time flies!! And I can't honestly say it has ALL been fun...but it HAS been busy!!
Work at Sur La table is going relatively well. Don't most jobs have their frustrations?? I think so...I have never had a PERFECT job and if there is one out there, I want to know about it!! But, I am adjusting to things well on that front. I do love helping people with their culinary needs! I am beginning to think all of the men in Salt Lake are gay, however! Someone pointed out to me that straight guys don't necessarily like to work in a cooking store (or shop in one, either)...but I keep thinking maybe I will run into one someday! Don't get me wrong...I LOVE the guys I work with...it just never ceases to shock me when I find out they are gay... they tell me my "gay-dar" needs a tune-up!Whatever!
In July I was able to attend a reunion of the kids (yep...I said KIDS) that I would have graduated with from HS if I had stayed in California. My Dad moved us the day after I graduated from Jr High and I had lost contact with all of them. Last November I decided to look some up on Facebook...and I found a bunch!! The trip was so great! I even made contact with my BFF from 9th Grade who isn't on Facebook! She picked me up at the OC Airport and we went straight to the reunion at a park! I could see Disneyland right down the street!! It was an "off" year so not many were there, but still...it was great to see some of them! (even the girl who beat me up in 8th grade...she apologized and we just hugged!! She was a tough "Chicano" back then!) I was invited to the BIG reunion next time, too. Then, 4 of us went to a friends' house at Laguna Beach and stayed the weekend. SO BEAUTIFUL!! Arlene (I called her Boo in Jr High) and I spent alot of time just walking the beach and talking. She teaches at a Hula School and owns a Hawaiian Store in Anaheim. We also went to the Sawdust Festival and had so much fun! When it came time to fly home it was so sad. It is funny to think it had been 39 YEARS since I have seen these people and yet, it seemed like yesterday! I am still in contact with a few and hope to never lose them again!


These are the 4 of us that stayed with our friend, Wendy, in Laguna. This is one of my favorite pics! Boo is right below me, with Andi and Susan (from Florida) on the bottom step.

On the beach! Me, Boo, Wendy, Mary... her friend who lives there also, Andi and Susan! A bunch of crazy ladies...what a blast!!
July 21st we celebrated one of our granddaughters' birthdays' that lives close by us! Lauryn decided to make her appearance on her parents' anniversary in 2004. Quite a special day for all of them!! Lauryn loves to have parties with ALL her Grandmas and Grandpas...which is a GREAT way to do it!!




Now...onto August!! That deserves it's own post!!

I am still alive...!

It has been crazy here, so I have been really bad abt blogging. Sorry.
I got 2 jobs once I returned home and since then have actually quit one of them. Crazy me! The job I quit was at Latter-day Book...a store here in Tooele. The other job is Sur La Table. It is a chef's paradise!! All kinds of cooking utensils and ideas. WHY do I work at such a place, you ask? I ask the same thing. It is a really cool store....and I am hoping I learn a bit from working there that I can use in my home life. I know I am not a chef. But, I would be happy with some motivation to make dinner more often. I am a "floor lead" which is kind of like a supervisor...there is an asst mgr and a store mgr over me, but they gave me better money and the keys to the store!! So far, I love it. Sometimes the computer stuff confuses me, but for the most part I think I am doing ok. Check out our online store at surlatable.com. It is pronounced "sirlataub"...french pronunciation, I guess.
Other than work...I injured myself somehow. Or, maybe just made an old hurt worse. Anyway, the SI joint on the right (I have always just called it my hip, but my physical therapist says it is the SI joint) has a lot of scar tissue built up from when I was in the car accident when I was pregnant with Spencer. It has been really hurting me lately and I finally went in a week ago. I had my first PT appt 3 days ago. So, dealing with the pain from that currently. I joined the Gold's Gym here in Tooele so I could strenghthen the muscles and use the pool and whirlpool . Not to mention the Zumba Class they offer and the free tanning! Anyway, hopefully I can get these hips moving better soon!
No pictures on the blog this time. We have had some fun things we've done lately...Noah's baptism, Sar & Jake's visit, bbq'ing with Jeremy & Jamie...the pics just didn't get put on the computer yet. Maybe next time I can get that done ahead of time!

On the road again...

I followed Linda & Harvey back over to Seattle and got to visit with more relatives and had such a great time! Monday night we ate dinner and then just hung out in our hotel rooms. Tuesday morning found us at Pike's Place market and by afternoon, we made it (no thanks to Linda's GPS) to Joanne & Dan's house in the "Enchanted Forest" of Port Orchard. We had special invites to Jared Gregory's 18th birthday dinner (Famous Dave's) and loved getting to see his Mom & Dad (Jodi & Kirk), girlfriend Jasmine and Uncle Pat (who turned out to be my "date"). A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...I lived with this family and have loved them forever. Pat & I reminisced abt KC & the Sunshine Band, picking strawberries in Puyallup and other fun activities we shared.
First pic is Pike's Place (it is HUGE...don't let this picture fool you...)

Second pic is Joanne & Dan's little cottage in the woods...literally IN THE WOODS!!
This is Joanne & Dan...did I mention they live in the woods??
Jared "Birthday Boy" Gregory is at the head of the table & talking to his girlfriend, Jasmine...who is a real sweetie!
Parents of Jared (and Ashley, who is at college) Jodi & Kirk...
My "date" Patrick...he's just 5 yrs younger than me and my parents' oldest grandchild!On Wednesday, Linda & Harvey flew back to Hawaii and I got to have lunch with my ex-sis in law, Wray. I can't believe I forgot to take pics...but she looked GREAT! And, what a loving person she has always been to me. It was a lovely lunch and I truly hated to have it end! BUT...my hubby was flying in in just 3 hours!!
I rushed back to the hotel and discovered a run to a store was in order and I found a ...FRED MEYER!! And, my discount was still in effect!! Problem was...I got lost on my way back...I drove clear back to Tacoma before I realized I was headed the wrong way...abt 35 miles!! I barely made it back in time and then the shuttle had left without me!! Luckily, by the time I made it to the airport, Bruce was just coming thru the gate!! A sweet reunion...it was time.
We drove a few hours the next day to Cannon Beach, Oregon. Look at these pics...such a beautiful place! We thoroughly enjoyed being together in such a wondrous place!

Just one section of the beach looking from our hotel room...I love the beach! Bruce bought me a plaque that reads "May you always have sand in your shoes and a shell in your pocket"...it suits me, I think!
Part of our room...the part you don't see is the fireplace (which was ALWAYS on when we were there) and flat screen plasma tv mounted on the wall above it. Also the sliding doors that covered the entire width of the room!! SO beautiful...Behind us is "Haystack Rock" which was magnificent. We were just happy to be together...


Now we are home...errrrr...I am home. He was home abt 12 hrs and is now in Virginia on business! I miss him, but he'll be back on Friday at noon! MAYBE, just maybe I will be unpacked by then...but maybe not!!

My Friends in Spokane...

And this one for my kids...

These are my cousins, Don and Scott Harris! I forgot to add it to my last post, but wanted my family to see it! I was so shocked to see them like this! They are hilarious!

This is my best friend (that's a girl) from high school, Monica krogseth Sperling. It has been such a great experience to get back in touch with each other and I did have to remind her last night that we now have cell phones and can talk anytime!! It is amazing how the years just melt away when you see one another again! She finally let me take some pictures!!

I told her this picture looks like she did in HS. Her daughter had a preemie baby 2 weeks ago and they are talking about him...hence the BIG smile and moist eyes!


I did want to include this one of Mando and Maryann. He trained me and she ran the children's dept and is LDS. We saw each other at my ward 4 weeks ago and she had no idea I was LDS...I knew she was.We didn't work together very often, but the last few weeks, she always made sure she came by and said hi.This is the front of Pam & Carl's house in CDA. You can't see them, but there are plastic pink flamingos in that planter! That is the best way to identify their house...who puts pink flamingos in their front yard?? Pam & Carl!!

Carl Knight...after church! Pam & I were fixing dinner and this is what I found while setting the table - couldn't resist!!
This is Cammie and Pam Knight. Cammie has her work clothes on...she works at a greek restaurant at Coeur d'Alene. She always has a hug for me...
This is Caleb Knight...he is 16 and a real cutie! Wish some of my YW at home could meet him...


This is Corey and her daughter. I met Corey online in a group and we decided to meet in person. Her husband took the picture...he wasn't going to let her meet me without his being there! Pretty smart, I think...
This is just a fun picture of 4 of my siblings, taken at Mike's house - where I have been staying.Left to right, top to bottom...Me, Pam, Linda and then Dennis and Mike. Ken was in Arizona being a snowbird!