Marchant Patriarch

The Home Improvement Summer of 2011

2011-09-19T16:58:00.000-07:00

My beautiful accent wall in my living room, dining room, thanks to Brent and Azzlinn and the missionaries and my visiting teacher and her son!
Ever seen a round zucchini that looks like a pumpkin? I hadn't either. Someone gave this to me out of their garden.
Brent removed all the deck railings to be replaced. However, with the major painting project inside, he wasn't able to replace them. Tomorrow the missionaries will be doing that as their service project for the week!
The bare naked railing supports waiting to be covered!
Bare naked fence waiting for some stain!
New stain does wonders for the look of a fence and protects for years to come. We had not stained it in the 17 years we have been here. I did not realize how expensive stain was. The Elder that sprayed it did a great job. His long sleeved white shirt is now polka dotted with stain. It will be his permanent work shirt, I'm sure!This is a picture of the fencing before the Elders stained it.
We paid our Home Teacher to replace this gate post that had rotted out and we are thrilled with the job. We just have to cover it with some soil and re-plant the grass there.
Some of the decking flooring needs to be replaced. So, while the Missionaries are replacing the deck railings, they will replace the flooring as well. I'm confident in these Elders' ability because they just helped tear down and replace at deck for a member of the ward. They have borrowed his nail gun and saw. They know how to do this project!

We bought a box of beef steak tomatoes from Wenatchee. Frank loves the beef steak and we can't grow them here. The weather is never warm enough for long enough. We had to make our trip to Wenatchee worth it. I also bought some raspberries, but they are already tucked away in the freezer for freezer jam.
We bought some apples in Wenatchee and some people in the ward gave us apples. I will make freezer cinnamon applesauce.
Rex Helton's wife gave me a box of huge, roma tomatoes. They grow them big in Wenatchee. I asked her where I could get a box of tomatoes and she said, "right here in my garden. I just picked them yesterday! We were thrillled! After giving a lot away, I am ready to make Pico de gallo. I have a great recipe that is super delicious.
This is what is left of 2 twenty-five pound boxes of peaches. The rest were frozen for peach smoothies and cobblers when the weather is rainy and cold. Comfort food at its best!
My geranium plants have done the best this year! Fred Meyer was giving away free Gold Bond potting soil if you brought your own containers. It had the compost and fertilizer already in it.
They just continue to bloom and bloom and bloom! I think I will try to over-winter them in the garage. Another lady in our ward does that every year. And each spring she has geraniums before any one else.

Frank took this picture with my I-Pod and accidentally put it on video, so you'll hear his voice. This is Uncle Rex, and Aunt Ella. She is 82 and he is 85. This is John Frank Helton, Mom's father's son from his second family.

Church

2011-08-06T16:05:00.001-07:00

This is June, a service dog belonging to my friend Susan. In Sunday School Class.

Layton, Utah the last Week of May

2011-08-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

David's family - Rhees, Rachel, Parker, David.

Brent and Azzlinn came down from Rexburg to spend Memorial Day weekened with all of us.

Parker loves the movie "Cars" and so I bought him a sippy cup with the cars logo.

In Daddy's shoes! Those are big shoes to fill, size 13!

David and his Dad.

Random Family Pics

2011-08-06T13:29:00.001-07:00

Camron and his Dad at Church Creek Park watching the younger kids have fun.

Frank and his oldest son.

Kelli and Ady swinging, having fun.

Owen on the slide.

Jennifer, Terrin, Kali and Ethan playing keep away.

Jennifer at her house on the trampoline.

Ethan and Jennifer were playing soccer trampoline.

Whenever the grandkids come over, I have a collection of dress-up clothes they love to wear. This was Colin's favorite. For his birthday I just gave him that and some of the other dress-ups. He wore this outfit everyday for the rest of the month. When we took him the end of June to Hoopfest in Spokane, that is the outfit he wore in the car!

I gave Owen, for his birthday, two sets of warrior outfits, complete with armour and swords so he and Colin could battle each other. Who puts it on? Ady! They did enjoy the gift and the boys had fun fighting. We just had to tell them that the swords were plastic so they had to be careful not to break them.

Xena, Ady, warrior princess!

Random Summer Pictures

2011-08-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

At Benjamin's house, Ady and Benjamin with his mini swimming pool in the background.

Ady asked me to take this picture, showing how strong she is to hold up the huge exercise ball at Benjamin's house.

Frank doing his annual weeding of the landscape.

One day Ady came to visit for the day and we went to work in the backyard raking up the grass.

She decided she wanted to put on Ethan's old Mickey Mouse hat while she was working. You can plainly see Ethan's name on the front.

Summer Flowers

2011-08-06T11:43:00.001-07:00

The ever bloomin' petunias. Gotta love em'.

This is the front door view of my home. "FLOWERS FEED THE SOUL!"

I love summer time for that very reason. And now in August that we have temperatures at 70 or above the flowers are responding so well.

I have never had such great luck with geraniums. They are blooming and more buds coming on all the time.

Dianthus and carnations with geraniums.

I don't remember what kind of rose, but this is my only rose in my garden. Living in the NW I have a lot of rose rust that attacks the rose leaves. So I usually just finally dig up my roses. This one has lasted three years.

A lighter color orange crocasima, planted as a bulb.

The humming birds love this one with its brightly colored orange flowers. This "Crocosima, " is planted as a bulb.

The favorite hanging fuschia basket I try to hang every year always feeds my soul as I always walk past it every time I leave the house and return.

I don't know what this is. but it came with the tulips I planted last year.

Beautiful fragrant Phlox, a perenia,l that comes in bloom every summer.

Bee balm is another perenial that the bees do literally love. I counted 3 bees at one time getting nectar from the flowers.

Mother's Day Gift

2011-05-08T20:19:00.001-07:00

Tulip Fields 2011

2011-04-28T14:47:00.001-07:00

Tulip Fields Fill the Soul

2011-04-25T20:50:00.000-07:00

I didn't get a full picture of the windmill, but these tulips were so beautiful, I had to get this close-up.

Beverly Anderson with the Roozengarde sign. That family came over from Holland and started the tulip business, selling the bulbs worldwide.
This is spectacular tulip, in that it has a three pronged bloom.
Cindy Miller and I.
Tresa, Julie and Cindy
A beautiful tulip field from the highway.

These are the white Emperor tulips. Their distinctive characteristic is a huge body.

These are parrot tulips which have a feather like texture on the outer leaves. Another traditional year at the tulip fields has come and gone!

Easter Baskets and New Bedroom Suite

2011-04-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

We have had this king size bed for awhile, but I had never taken a picture, so here it here it is. I love the intricate carvings. It blows your mind.
Corner molding.
Owen and Ady last Sunday. We had our Easter Egg hunt last Sunday. Owen was proud of being the one who found the most Easter eggs.

Pansy's that have overwintered are in bloom now!

My herb, Thyme got so large that I had to sub-divide it into two large pots. It makes a beautiful ornamental!

Re-Planting the Poppies

2011-04-11T23:04:00.001-07:00

One of my "Hens and Chicks" plants
I have two containers of Thyme that I divided out of my raised bed, so I dry a lot of it and use it in soups. As you notice, it's also very decorativePansies that have over-wintered in a one of my tubs.
The two pots of Poppies seem a little bedraggled from all the fuss, but they are as hardy as a weed. That's exactly why I keep them in pots, so they don't overgrow everything. In a pot they are very contained.

Four Elders came on P-Day to transplant my poppy plant. It was in a half barrel where the wood was beginning to rot away. The plan was to transplant into two different black plastic tubs. They did a wonderful job. After they had done that I asked them to empty my black tubs with soil into the landscape where the soil had become very scant.

In May, a store in town is having its' annual fill all your containers with dirt for free, if you buy plants for them. So, thus, out with the old and in with the new. Now I have some big containers in my garage waiting to be filled next month.

Elder Peterson's Transfer

2011-04-11T22:56:00.000-07:00

Elder Peterson is from St. George, Utah, but left on his mission from Florida where he spent most of his growing up years. His parents have three Thai restaurants in the St. George area. His Mom is from Thailand and his Dad is Causasian. He has helped in the restauants they own and loves to concoct his own soups with lots of different ingredients. His parents are pretty well off and will send him to Thailand when he gets home. He wants to live like a poor person to see what it would be like.
Elder Peterson and Elder Wright were present the night the piglets were born. Peterson actually delivered one of them. He said, "it was the highlight of my mission!" He and another companion whacked away at the weeds in my back yard. Wright and Peterson helped steady my water barrels by inching wood underneath so they would be level. My metal pole for raspberries was knocked down by the fence in a wind storm. I mentioned that I needed a post hole digger; they found one and had the pole securely put back in the ground!

Elder Wright is staying another transfer. Elder Wright is a vegetarian. He is not vegan. He just doesn't eat meat.
Frank asked Elder Peterson to make a dragon for Niguel, Ethan and Terrin. They loved them and still have them.
This is the big dragon Elder Peterson promised Frank when he left. It was the biggest and brightly painted one that he had ever done. This is a close up of the guitar he is playing.
Lately Elder Peterson had started creating flowers with oragami because not everybody likes dragons.
He fashioned a beautiful oragami flower bouquet for me as a good bye gift. I was impressed.

Comings and Goings

2011-04-09T23:03:00.001-07:00

In between the rainstorms I ran outside before the tulips went away to snap a photo. I have clustered these three tubs together to make a more impressive display.
Fred Meyer has an annual bring your pots to fill with free dirt, buy some fuschias and other plant starts and they will plant them there at the store. This is the fuschia hanging planter that I hope will give some great color by July.
These geranims were planted in these buckets. I might replant them in pots, but I didn't have the pots with me to fill.
Friday was such a beautiful, sunny day that Eric's family and Chelle and Benjamin decided, along with the whole rest of Seattle, to get out of our houses and enjoy the weather. The masses of people at the zoo reminded me of scurrying ants after a rain. People were everywhere. Strollers were everywhere. By the end of the day, and after all that walking, I had very sore muscles. Bed was a welcome friend that night!

I took this with my I-pod camera of Owen clowning around.
Benjamin getting in his car seat. He wants to see the animals at the Zoo. He has books that he loves to read about the animals. He really enjoyed the penguins, the bears and the red panda (looks like a raccon with panda eyes).
Did someone say the sun is shining!!!!!

Rain, Rain, Rain and More Rain?

2011-04-04T19:00:00.001-07:00

Last Thursday I had a sister put in rain barrels for me. I had complained that our Stanwood Water Bill had gone up because of a change in rates. I talked of not having a garden this year. She came over drilled the holes in the 55 gallon barrels and hooked up the green thing which attaches to the downspout to divert into the barrels.
They are on tires and wood to balance them out.
IN FOUR DAYS IT RAINED 125 GALLONS OF WATER.

WE CAME BACK FROM OUR TRIP TO TRI-CITIES AND THEY WERE OVERFLOWING. I ATTACHED A HOSE TO THE TOP OVERFLOW SPIGOT AND DIVERTED THE WATER TO THE STREET.

THE MISSIONARIES HELPED ME DISCONNECT THE HOSES WITH A PLIER AND INSERT THE WOOD. I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN A PICTURE OF THE ONE 55 GALLON DRUM LEANING TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS SO HEAVY IT CAUSED THE TIRE TO ALMOST COLLAPSE.

WHERE OH WHERE IS SPRING? HAS SHE GOTTEN LOST ON HER WAY HERE?

NW Flower and Garden Show

2011-03-03T12:44:00.000-08:00

Beautiful box of forced tulips.
Desert garden pot.
This would be a beautiful addition to a backyard garden

This exhibit was "The Three Pigs". This is the house of bricks. They also had a house of straw and of twigs. The house was brought in, probably on a crane.
A unique way to decorate using an old-fashioned bicycle.
There was a skybridge connecting the convention center and I snapped this picture looking down the streets of Seattle toward the waterfront on Elliot bay

This won a blue ribbon. The theme was nursery rhymes. This was the mother that lived in a shoe, but it is a high heeled shoe!
I didn't realize it was even a shoe until I came around the side and snapped this picture.
This a wisteria plant that was force to bloom in a greenhouse. Many, many plants were like that.
One of my favorites was a garden on a wall!
This was a huge convention center so sponsors brought in materials to build a house structure right at the facility. It was amazing. There was a 25 foot full grown tree. It must have had a huge root ball.
A clear day in Seattle deserves a picture of the Space Needle, a signature attraction.
It was a pretty winter day as the NW was still in the throughs of cold and snow as we drove to Seattle.

Misc.

2011-01-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

My new king size bed in the background. I gave Ady an angel necklace which she loves.
Gotta have a flower in my hair grandma!
Ady, Owen and Colin came to church with us and they were all three very reverent and quiet!
Sweet angel necklace.

I saw this mini windmill at a sisters' house in the ward. It is six feet high. It reminded me of when I was four, climbed up the much taller windmill and then fell on a pipe. It took six stitches to repair.

I tried to get a video of the wind moving the windmill, but it didn't last long.

Holiday Time

2011-01-06T00:05:00.000-08:00

Ady with her Christmas Cinderella fleece throw from Grandma Nielsen.
Azzlinn and Jennifer playing chimes.
Niguel and Gabe playing chimes.
Christmas Eve at Chelles.
Jennifer and her Mom, Kali having fun with chimes.

Christmas Eve

2010-12-27T07:20:00.001-08:00

Colin got new Nike athletic shoes from Brent and Azzlinn
Ben liked the board books we gave him.

Ady got a personalized princess magnet board, Owen a personalized laundry basket hoop with his name on the backboard. These were all from Brent and Azzlinn.
Kali and Gabe came over early Christmas Eve and visited. They didn't have any children since their kids spent Christmas with the other parent. The cloth bag on the table is a music carrier that is reversible. My adult student had one made by her daughter. She commissioned her daughter to make one for me! I was thrilled.
After the story of the nativity with unbreakable figures, Ady continued to play with the figures.
Our traditional sing a long of carols went well and everyone participated. We had special performances by Terrin, singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas." I still remember when Bev, I think drew on brown butcher paper alll the pictures of twelve days of Christmas. I thought it was so cool. Camron surprised us all, volunteering to do a solo of "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas." We all thought he was a monotone, but he proved us wrong by staying on key.

Christmas Week

2010-12-25T14:35:00.001-08:00

Christmas Week making cookies with the grandkids!

Thanksgiving Weekend

2010-11-28T22:07:00.001-08:00

We went to dinner at Dave and Michelle Goodwins. After dinner Dave pulled out his guitar and played for Ben and we enjoyed it too.
Goodnight Moon is Ben's favorite book of all time. I had a chance to read it to him while we were there.

Eric and family came up on Saturday and we took care of the younger 4 kids while Camron helped his Dad with moving a single mother and her two kids out of their house. After Camron got home he was trying on Grandpa's glasses which were way too big.

There was snow in the NW on Thanksgiving Day so Kali and Eric's kids went sledding. They had a lot of fun and worked up quite an appetite for the big dinner.
Our car is in the shop because of an accident Frank had on Monday. He left work early and got to Stanwood and hit black ice, slammed into a curb, causing other damage to the tune of $1000 dollars. He was only going 10 mph. No other car was involved and Frank was not hurt.

The car in the background is the rental car the insurance company rented for us. He will drive that to work on Monday.
Kali and her kids stayed the night on Wed so they could help with Thanksgiving Day preparations. That night we watched the "Home Alone" movie. This movie was hilarious but I don't think this was the hilarious part.

We had 20 people for Thanksgiving dinner. David and Rachel's family and Brent and Azzlinn were not here. We invited a single sister and her two kids because she had no where to go.

We had sooo much food. Yam with marshmallow caserole, green bean caserole, stuffing caserole, two tossed salads, turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, and rice pilaf. (Gabe's daughter is vegetarian)

Dessert was Krispy Kreme donuts from Gabe, two banana cream pies, pumpkin, chocolate, razzleberry. People took home pies since the kids loved the donuts and didn't eat much pie.

I had Jennifer and Ethan color a turkey I printed out and cut out feather shapes of card stock. However, when it came to time to retrieve the picture of the turkey, and attach the feathers, it was nowhere to be found. So we just all read the feathers around the table. In advance everyone filled out, on the feather, what they were thankful for. Owen said,"Grandma and everyone else." Ben had his written by Michelle. His was, " diapers and butt paste." I said, "for still being alive to enjoy another Thanksgiving and to be able to kiss my husband good morning and good night."

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and those in China we missed you. Gabes' was the funniest. He wrote how much feathers meant to him which filled the whole huge feather.

We were extremely glad to gather family around and express our blessings to one another.

Hope you all had a great weekend and a happy Thanksgiving.

My Life Story-First Sixty Years

2010-11-05T23:00:00.000-07:00

I have been trying make the blog of my life story into a hard bound book. I started it as a blog, taking it from a hard copy with pictures to the blog in January of 2009. I have it almost finished but have some format questions that I have wait until Monday to ask. Customer service is only open Monday through Friday. It has been quite an exciting adventure to say the least.

I'm hoping to have it done by Monday and order it so it will arrive by mail before the 13th. My big party is that night. There will be a voice student of mine and a piano student performing. My friend Bev Anderson will do a belly dance candle dance with her husband on the drum. My friend Cindy Miller will read a poem about friendship. I'm sure there will be other surprises that I don't know about.

My friends Bev and Cindy and I have been putting together a scrapbook of the many pictures we have taken through the years. We had an annual friend's pilgrimage we would take each year. We visited the tulip fields every April during the Tulip Festival. Some years we missed, but most years we went. We will make copies of the scrapbook so all of us will keep that memory through pictures.

All I can say is that I've never had a big, big birthday party like this ever in my life. When I was growing up we didn't have big birthday parties with friends. So this will be a night that I will treasure for a long time.

Trunk or Treat with Grandkids!

2010-10-27T20:17:00.001-07:00

They all went on the cupcake walk and received a cupcake which they scarfed down and then it was down the hall for a drink.
Colin was Robin Hood, Ady, Maid Marion, and Owen Spider Man complete with leather gloves. We did take his leather gloves off to eat, of course!

For putting the bean bag through the mouth of the ghost Ady received a necklace which we gracefully added to her beautiful dress. By the end of the night she had two necklace adorning her outfit.
Owen and Colin waiting in line for the bean bag toss with grandpa. There was also eating a donut on a string and a fishing pond and cake walk. Grandma was on her scooter taking pictures! After the carnival in the gym, all of us went outside to "Trunk or Treat." The kids saw a scary witch, Abe Lincoln, a crazy crayon lad. cheerleaders, flapper ladies, punk rockers and some draculas and other odd assortments of costumed people having lots of fun. For some unexplained reason a whole cow costume family showed up. Grandma dressed in a orange polo shirt and went as a handicapped person! Ha, ha. We all had a lot of fun and "tired out" was the game we played as we headed home!

My New Scooter

2010-10-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

My scooter frees my hands so I can do more things and gets me places faster. The chair next to me with the pillows was where I spent my day cropping pictures for scrap booking.
Ben loved my scooter and pushed it around the condo. He liked to tip it over so he could play with the wheels. He also has another strange habit of carrying around one shoe by the shoelace.

As you can see the cast is almost up to my knee. I've pretty much gotten used to sleeping with it. The first few days my foot had panic attacks because it couldn't get out of the cast. The hard part is no baths or showers except sponge baths. I only have two more weeks to go until this comes off. I'm gaining a lot of upper body strength from lifting myself up both sets of stairs. I only use the crutches upstairs now. When we go anywhere I use the scooter.

Last Friday we went to the music store in Burlington, WalMart, and the dollar store for cards. By the time I arrived home I was spent! I didn't realize what a big store WalMart was until I had to do to on a scooter! Relief Society sisters are just bringing in one meal a week now. It has been nice. I did manage to fix a chicken, stuffing caserole. I just can't get it out of the fridge by myself so I go to the fridge with my dish and ladle out what I need right at the fridge without having to remove the caserole.

NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION!!!

Yahoo and Whoops

2010-09-25T17:16:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was a banner day. I went to visit the oncologist and he decided my counts were low enough to take me off chemo. Frank came with me to the appointment but had to leave to Tacoma for a Support Enforcement Convention. It's a once a year thing. He was gone Tues, Wed and back Thurs night.

Since Sunday I had been having pain in my right foot. I stepped into a Suburban for a ride to church and turned my foot towards the little toes and felt extreme pain. I thought it would go away by the time I got to church, but had to limp around for the next 4 hours. (Choir practice was before church and choir was singing)

Sunday night Eric brought Adyson. She stayed the night and I spent the day on the couch with my right foot elevated and watched Disney movies. Her favorite is Alice in Wonderland. When the pain hadn't abated by Tuesday morning, I made an appointment to see my regular doctor at 4 pm, after I saw the Oncologist.

They took ex-rays and determined that my 5th metatarsal bone in my foot was broken, not a hairline fracture, but broke clear through. They fitted me with a boot and went to get crutches to fit, but had none. (Efficiency in that clinic, not) I promised I would have someone take me the next morning to pick some up. Driving home with my left foot was an adventure. I think people thought I was a beginning driver because I punched the brake way too hard at first. Then I'm thinking as I drive home,"how am I going to get into my house without crutches?" So I drove by 3 different friends, all of which were not home. One house I could see movement inside so I honked the horn a few times, waited, still no one came out so I left. Could you see me crawling to the front door. That would been a comedic sketch. On the way home a brother in our ward was OUTSIDE and I stopped the car and explained my situation. He followed me over and helped me hop inside through our garage.

So, now I'm home and no husband coming home for two days. I called some friends who brought me dinner, did some vacuuming and filled my water bottles. For those who know my house I have a split level entry with living room on that level, stairs going up to the kitchen or down to the family room. I was fine for that night.

Wednesday morning my friend came back and washed some dishes, made me a sandwich for lunch, and put her homemade chicken soup in a bowl in the microwave. Crawling up the stairs at lunch, eating the sandwich on the counter (I couldn't carry it anywhere), then at dinner heating up the soup, sitting in a chair and eating it at the oven. (Couldn't carry that anywhere either)

Another friend dropped off perfectly fitting crutches and I proceeded to look on you tube on how to use crutches properly. I have to be on crutches for 3 weeks and in the boot for 3-4 more weeks. My birthday is November 3 so I think I'll still be stylin' wearing my boot on my b-day! Yippee! (Not)

My good friend had bunion surgery a few years ago and told me I needed to get a stool for the kitchen (to do minimal cooking) and for showering. She also has the same kind of floor plan as I do. After 3 - 4 days of crawling up and down stairs she bought knee pads.

My friend Yolanda brought me knee pads which help a lot. She also brought me a much needed remedy, Dove chocolate!

I'm trying to look at this as another BIG bump in the road and staying positive about being off chemo. I'm beginning to think my life is one big adventure after another! I've had enough adventures thank you very much!

Ladies Night Out

2010-09-18T00:04:00.000-07:00

We had Relief Society meeting which I think should be called "Ladies Night Out." It was potluck most people brought main dishes or desserts. There was one salad and not very good. We had an interesting quinoa, black beans and corn that was great. Teriyaki meatballs were a hit. I did take tuna caserole, but, at the last minute added fresh mushrooms. One of the sisters there said her favorite meal is tuna caserole but her family doesn't like it. I must have been inspired. Adyson and I had leftovers for lunch and I took the rest to feed Benjamin and I for dinner. It's all gone now.

We had a clothing exchange and I took a lot of clothes. Someone had given me a two expensive women's suits which were both too short for my tastes. Both of those went to the same woman which made me happy. I found some girl clothes for Adyson, my grandaughter and for myself.

We played a game called Apples and Apples that was pretty fun. There were only 12 of us there at first and then three more people arrived bringing more desserts so, of course we had to go try their additions.

I'm kinda bummed cause my walking partner tweeked her knee somehow. So I haven't walked since last Thursday. Shame on me.

Good news though; Frank is now walking a couple of times around the development. He comes home at night and before he even comes in the house so I know he's home he's out walking. I'm so proud of him. He is getting ready and fit for when we hopefully go to China.

Bountiful Beautiful Foods

2010-09-15T21:59:00.000-07:00

Color in nature is so dramatic. These pears look like giant lemons they are so yellow.
This was a pork chow mein that I enhanced by adding Kale, Swiss Chard, and Parsley. I steamed the three greens for 7 minutes and added to the leftover chow mein. It has given me two meals and I still have more left!
Kale is a super vegetable with many more nutrients than even spinach. For breakfast I also stir fry these three greens and onion, then add scrambled eggs and a sprinkling of grated cheese. Yesterday I wrapped the scrambled egg mixture and had a breakfast burrito. It was yummy.

When we went to Wenatchee, my Uncle Rex gave us a whole box of free pears. They are ripening fast so every day I have to eat at least one. I have given 3/4 of the box away since I am not doing any canning this year.
Melt in your mouth goodness and so little calories! If only I could eat natural sugar ALL the time!

Tomorrow is our Relief Society meeting. We are having a pot-luck dinner and game night. I plan on going - what to make though. I'm leaning toward a tuna noodle caserole; simple and quick. I bought some whole wheat pasta noodles at QFC tonight so I think I'll try them.

Benjamin's B-Day Celebration

2010-09-12T22:32:00.000-07:00

Benjamin had 13 other family members at his party. It was a bit overwhelming for him to say the least.

Everyone sang Happy Birthday to him and he started crying. We all felt so bad. Everyone was shsshing and telling everyone to be quiet. It was totally quiet; he stopped crying and looked around wondering where all the sound went. We all couldn't help but laugh at the futility of it all!

My two darling grandaughters, Jennifer and Adyson.

Camron interestingly enough was curious about his littlest cousin Ben and sat and watched him play with his new basketball hoop toy.
Eric, Ethan and Terrin getting ready to leave
Colin, 7 years old.

Trip to Wenatchee with Adyson

2010-09-10T22:14:00.000-07:00

Adyson and I both wore pink on purpose so we could match! So of course we had to take a picture. Dear sweet Ady. We love her so much.
Adyson is with us for daycare on Mondays and Fridays starting with the Friday because her brothers all are in school. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday she is in a daycare/preschool for the social benefit of being with other children.

It was cloudy when we left Stanwood and rained a little bit on Stevens Pass.
I now know why I love the NW so much. The beauty of the mountains and the evergreens is phenomenal.
Pine trees growing right up the side of the mountain. They don't care as long as Mother Nature gives them plenty of water.

I wanted to get these line of trees on the very top of the mountain, but what I got was an awesome view of the change from overcast to sunny. It was very sudden. All at once the sun was upon us.
My uncle Rex is my real Mom's half brother. He and his wife Ella (as in Enchanted?) welcomed us and we had a nice visit. They even had great grandkids for Ady to play with so she disappeared for nice little while to have some kid's fun.
Their grandson, Lance Larson went to Taiwan, China on his mission and then went back to teach in a private high school while at BYU. So we had plenty of questions for him.

Ella is 81 and Rex is turning 84 in Dec. She had a reoccurence of breast cancer from 25 years ago and just had a mastecomy in May. Rex has congestive heart disease. He recently spent a few days in the hospital in Wenatchee so they could drain the excess fluid from his body that had accumlated. He was on water pills, but even then his legs were very, very swollen. He is also on oxygen. When we came in there were 25 foot long tubes for his oxygen canister so he could travel around his big rambler at will even with the oxygen hooked up. He now is on two water pills a day. Ella says they are both slowing down a lot. Still they manage to do the peach orchard (a small one). They are amazing people and I am proud to be related. He is also the Patriarch in their stake.
Leavenworth is a resort town where most of the buildings are built like an old German town. This is one example.
We had to make the token stop at McDonalds so Adyson could have a Happy Meal. The Heltons kept telling me she looks so much like me.

Anyway, the long and short of it is we got 4 boxes of peaches, two of which are going to my friend Cindy. I've decided to take it easier this year and not can. So we will eat them. They pick them ripe off the tree and they are huge. Guess what we will be eating and sharing with our friends for the next two weeks. I may freeze some to have in cobblers.

Laboring on Labor Day.

2010-09-06T15:12:00.001-07:00

We have traveled away from home this summer quite often for extended periods of time. As a result our yard needed a make-over big time.

So today we labored in our front yard pulling those noxious looking weeds. Frank took one part and I took another area. The first hour was un-eventful and very enjoyable. We were able to begin to see the results of our hard work. The next two hours were not so enjoyable. The rain came, first a little smattering of tiny raindrops, then a little drizzle. Then the real duluge started. We felt the constant stream of wet, wet, wet and more wet raindrops on our sweatshirts. I finally went in the house and grabbed a baseball hat to protect my head. Soon we were both so soaked that we had to come in.

Then, in the pouring deluge of rain I hastily ran to the garage and grabbed my Costco sized container of “Preen.” It is supposed to control the weeds for up to 3 months. However, the last time I used it I neglected to notice that the weeds will come back if you don’t re-apply it every three months. I was un-detered from the rain. I don’t want to do this weeding again in 3 months!

My husband was kind of mad at me that I was out in the rain so long since I am a cancer patient in chemo. I just calmly told him I would take a super hot shower when I came in, which I did. Boy, did it feel great. I did not realize how cold my body was from being outside so long. I had to stand under the shower for an extended period of time to warm up.

The only one seeming to enjoy the raindrops is our white swan. You can see the raindrops falling from the roof of the house and forming a pool for our dear little swan.
Little tiny grains of "Preen."
This is the area that Frank weeded, and it got a good shot of Preen too.
This is tall wastebasket which I had filled with weeds twice. This is the last of the muddy weeds that accumulated in the bottom.

Muddy hatchet and muddy, muddy, gucky gloves. So much for summer. It's bye, bye I'm afraid.
I love this hatchet tool It has a hatchet on one end and a three pronged hoe on the other. It is a very handy tool for yard work.

Temple Square

2010-09-04T02:31:00.001-07:00

Beautiful historic Joseph Smith Building.

We are all tired from walking Temple Sqaure. David and Rach just ran a half marathon that morning of 13.1 miles. Sunday they were poppin' ibuprofen 'cause of sore, sore muscles.

Terrin is playing the bad guy here on purpose. He's 11. Thats what eleven year olds do right?

Frank waiting for the rest of us at the water pool next to the temple.
Beautiful tapestry quilt depicting the the first four temples on this dispensation. The Kirtland, the Nauvoo, the St. George and the Salt Lake temple.
Spectacular daisies on temple square.
View from the Conference Center overlooking the SLC temple.
The State Capitol of Utah behind Terrin.
Church office building housing all the general authorities and auxiliary heads and their offices.
The Christus statue for Terrin to remember how big it was.

Tabernacle ceiling light.
Rachel explaining to Terrin how you can drop a pin at one end of the hall and hear it at the back of the Tabernacle.
How bout those pipes; enourmously large! What an awesome pipe organ. It is one of the biggest in the world.
Grandpa took this picture in the Tabernacle.

We are just heading for the Conference Center to show Terrin the huge hall and the garden on the roof.
Christus and Frank and I.
I love, love this temple!

Our Visit in Layton

2010-09-04T01:58:00.000-07:00

All the boy cousins with Uncle David and Uncle Brent with the exception of Parker who was taking a nap.
Camron, Eric's son hanging out with his two uncles.
Parker lazing away the beautiful summer weather.
The pool is a great place when the weather gets hot!
What smile. I learned to know this little Parker with babysitting mornings while Rachel worked. He is holding his favorite stuffed animal, a huge monkey as big as him. He sleeps with it at night.
Ady had her hair done so beautifully.
It stayed perfect for over a week like this.

Rhees wanted to try on halloween costumes with Ady. They are a month apart. She is in a shark costume and Rhees in a dinasaur one that is two sizes too small.
This picture they are trying to scare me. They look so ferocious don't they?
David's two precious boys, Rhees, 4yrs and Parker almost a year and a half.
After eating ice cream at Gateway Mall and going in the pop-up sprinklers Parker's face was a decorated chocolate mess.
Frank and David and Parker.

Oregon

2010-08-21T14:23:00.001-07:00

I found some awesome walking shoes at Bi-Mart in Oregon. They were size 6 1/2 D width (I have a wide foot and have in the past bought men's shoes) So I was grateful to find women's color such as pink!

We took a quick 2 1/2 day trip to Oregon to see my brother Ron and his wife Betty. They had ripe blueberries to pick. I had just had Chemo Friday morning and we left right after. I didn't feel all that great with back pain whenever I did much of anything. Ron has chicken so had tons of eggs all in the fridge in containers not washed. Well, that night I could not find my benedryl to make me sleepy so I couldn't go to sleep until 1 in the morning. So I got the great idea to wash all those eggs that were in the fridge. It took till 1 am. Then I was tired, my arms were tired, my eyes were tired

I picked blueberries early Saturday morning before it got up to 96 degrees, then at 8 pm when the sun was down Betty and I picked. The bonus was taking home 3 quart bags of blueberries!

Gentle Thoughts for Today

2010-08-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

Birds of a feather flock together and poop on your car.
A penny saved is a government oversight.

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.
The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement .

He who hesitates is probably right.

Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are " XL."

If you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody.
If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.
There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt.

Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words "The" and "IRS" together it spells "Theirs."

Aging: Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way.! I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young.
Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
First you forget names, then you forget faces. Then you forget to pull up your zipper. It's worse when you forget to pull it down.
Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today, it's called golf.

Whidbey Island Ferry

2010-08-01T18:50:00.000-07:00

View from Ferry crossing to Mukilteo.
Gabe, Kali's husband took these pictures.

Kali took this sneaky shot when I was unaware. I look tired after helping her sort through things in her storage unit. They are trying to get rid of stuff and then have a garage sale so they can get rid of the storage unit.

Benjamin Goodwin

2010-08-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

Friday night, when we're in town, Frank and I usually go over and babysit Ben for Michelle and Dave. Friday night they had a sealing to attend at the temple and went to dinner. As usual I came armed with my camera to steal a shot or two of Ben.

I had in my possession for a day the big stuffed dog Eric won for his kids at Lagoon. They didn't have any room for it in their car so we took it in ours. Since I had it with me at Bens, I decided to bring it in for him to enjoy.
This is to have you take in by scale how big the dog actually is.
Walking a month before he turns a year old.

It's Friday

2010-07-31T00:42:00.000-07:00

Today is always Frank's day off. It is always a weird day because I always think in the back of my mind it's Saturday. I always seem to get up before he does because I walk at 7 am. So, because I had Chemo at 8:30 I woke up at 6 am, did a load of wash and put it in the dryer. Breakfast was old-fashioned oatmeal with raisins, blueberries and half a banana. I knew if I didn't eat early I wouldn't get breakfast and I'm a person who is big on breakfast.Then I put this creme that deadens the port so they can access it 2 hrs. later.

Walked my 2 1/2 miles with my walking partner, gathered up reading books and packed some cut up watermelon, and left at 8:05 for my 3:30 appt. They have to test the blood to see how high my creatine (kidney) counts are. If they are too high they can't give me the bone strengthening drug called Zometa. Well, today it was the highest it has been since I started Chemo, 1.8. They cannot administer the Zometa as it is hard on the kidneys. So I tried to find something positive after the disappointment. ( I really did drink a lot of water before 8:30 am, but I don't understand why it is so high) I had a pity party for about 10 minutes and then did the self-talk. "At least I get to go home early today. I was out of there in 45 minutes!

Then it was off to the Marysville Travel Agency to pick up some brochures for a friend who decorates a window in the Senior Center where she lives. They asked me if I was planning a cruise for this year or next. I said next because I really didn't know what to say. I thought I could sneakily go in and take some and leave. No, that wasn't the case. She proceeded to take me to a overly large map on the wall and show me all the different routes. She also reminded me that hurricane season in July through September.

So 20 minutes later I am at Winco to pick up some things for lunch Our bishop and the elders are meeting over lunch to discuss a new plan for missionary work in the ward. My husband is the WMLeader and I am a ward missionary. I forgot that I promised a student I would stop by and pick up a check on the way home.

I got home around 11:30 and decided to fix Thai stir-fry with fresh ginger and oyster sauce and Thai rice noodles. I got out my Wok and for some strange reason could not find my plug-in for it so I cooked the stir-fry in my regular big fry pan. I added some frozen broccoli from last summer and lots of fresh grated ginger and garlic. I cut up a mini watermelon from Costco and added Costco green grapes to the bunch. Dessert I whipped up quickly and put in the fridge to cool; instant chocolate pudding with no fat cool whip. There was plenty of stir-fry left over because I always make so much, but none of the green grapes. The chocolate pudding was scarfed down quickly.

I took copious notes on what the men said so Frank and I could review it at a later time. Luckily my loving Husb. did all the dishes while I ran downstairs to rest and read my book. I have fallen in love with a new author, Diane Mott Davidson. She writes clean novels with a baking flair about a caterer. The one I just finished is called Fatally Flakey. All her novels have something in the title to do with baking which I love. some of the other books she has authored are "Sweet Revenge, Dark Tort, and Double Shot." She is quite a prolific author and most of her books I can check out from the library. Yeah!

Frank took a short nap while I finished my book and we took off with leftovers from lunch to eat while we were babysitting little Ben, Michele's son. Dave and Chelle had a temple wedding to attend and reception and went out to dinner.

We watched "The Lightning Thief, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." Both movies were very entertaining. Both of my 10 year old nephews recently read "The Lightning Thief, " so it was fun to see what they loved about it.

10:00 pm Dave and Chelle arrived home and we called my piano student's parents who allowed us to drop by at 10:25 pm and pick up the check.

Now it almost 1:15 and I'm whiling away the time 'cause I can't sleep. I think I sort of feel a teensy weensy bit tired, cause I've got to walk at 7 am. I usually can get up after not much sleep because I'm still wired with energy from the steroids in the chemo.

How's that for a busy day. Whew, it makes me tired just reading it!

Weekend at Lagoon Amusement Park, Utah

2010-07-30T23:46:00.000-07:00

This picture is of all the kids sitting and waiting to leave after a long and tiring day. I think they are waiting for cotton candy to give them some much needed energy.

I didn't realize when I took the picture but it has a sign saying "Lagoon" in the background.

Wednesday of last week Eric asked us if we wanted to go to Lagoon in Utah to help with the kids. Two days later we caravaned with Eric, leaving after my chemo. It was a 13 hr. trip on Friday and a 14 hr. trip on Monday. Heck of a lot of driving, but the kids all had a lot of fun and will be talking about their vacation trip clear into the school year!

We stayed at David and Rachel's home which they let us use even though they were on a trip to Montana. They left Friday afternoon and we arrived that night at 10:30 pm.

Camron off to adventures with his tube at the waterpark. It was so hot that day that they announced the waterpark was at capacity.
Colin, 7 yrs. said he went really fast by walking under the water. The water was very shallow.
One of the last rides Eric took the kids on before they headed to the coolness of the waterpark.
Ady trying out her tube without water first! It was 96 degrees that day and we felt it. Thank heavens we had seats in the shade most of the day.
Colin waiting for his Dad to come so they could ride in the water.
A quick snapshot of Eric with the kids. Only Ady is visible. Owen is out of the picture to the left.
All three, Ady, Colin and Owen are holding foot long corn dogs. Ady's, unfortunately didn't get in the picture.
Frank's tired already and Terrin is raring to go.
Sweet pensive Adyson.
Waiting to get on one last ride. Camron 14 yrs , Ady 4, Owen 5 in the protective arms of their Dad.
Terrin in the back seat of our car.

My Tomato

2010-07-29T13:39:00.000-07:00

I left that beautiful tomato on the vine to ripen while I was gone for 4 days to Utah. When I came back the side had been munched on by probably a slug! I was livid. But we live in slug country. I guess I should have put slug bait around it. They usually leave the tomatoes untouched. Maybe it was even the starlings that eat my cheeries. So I cut off the side and ate the rest.

Now, I noticed there are aphids eating away at my Flemenco Cha Cha plant in a container on my front step.

I looked on-line for a natural spray. Here it is:

Natural Spray to Get Rid of Aphids.

1 and 1/2 c. water

1 c. vegetable oil

2 tsp. dish soap

Spray every couple of days until they are not visible.

Harvesting Veggies in July

2010-07-22T21:38:00.003-07:00

The biggest tomato so far, but not the first to ripen. I've picked two before this one.

Stupice tomato.
Sweet 100's
Bush peas.
My front porch chair I inherited from the Leonards' move. I plan to refinish it and install an updated seat.

Summer Flowers

2010-07-21T22:52:00.001-07:00

No explanation needed, just fuschia teardrop beautiful.
Beautiful Phlox. The bees are loving my front porch.
Flamenco Cha Cha on a chair on my front porch.
Bee Balm.
I had two hummingbirds yesterday eager to feast on these flowers. They were so fun to watch.
Crocosima; beautiful red blossoms coming out on top of long stemmed leafry.

Petunias
Daisies and Crocosima. You can see the long stalks. It almost looks like gladiola stems.

Ice Cream Making at Cindy's Lake house.

2010-07-20T23:22:00.000-07:00

Rolling the can to make ice cream. Adyson is on my right and to her right is Owen.
Pouring on the rock salt.
I'm pretending to do a commercial explaining,"the can is now officially sealed with DUCT TAPE!
Stirring the milk, sugar and Instant chocolate pudding mixture. Owen is watching Brandon mix.

My Baby Boy has Flown the Coup

2010-07-17T23:32:00.000-07:00

My baby boy has been married for six and a half months now. I miss him. My, how the time has gone by so fast raising our children. Frank and I find ourselves as official empty-nesters. We love the freedom we have to go and do when we want.

We actually have seen Brent and Azz about three or four times since January. We love Azzlinn and she fits very well into our family.We will see them again when we travel to visit David and Rachel the 21st of August. Eric and his 5 children will also be going for vacation to Lagoon. Hopefully we'll get to see Jay and Dana then as well. Brent and Azzlinn will be coming to SLC to fly out to Florida for their delayed honeymoon cruise.

Cub Scout Camp Week

2010-07-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

This was my free week with no chemo. It couldn't have come at a more opportune time with Cub Scout Day camp happening.

I'm really sad because I couldn't locate my camera for day camp this week. It turned out to be a happy, fun, tiring, adventuresome, exhausting week. I started saying to myself, "I'm too old for this kind of stuff. I can't keep up with all the boys and their energy levels." However, I did keep up and went home pooped every night and was crazy enough to get up the next morning and do it all over again. But, as I talked to the other den mothers and workers, I found out they went home exhausted every night and didn't do anything else, but go to bed early! And all of them were younger than ME! By the way, I've checked "Cooking at Day Camp" off my BUCKET list!

We successfully made Chocolate Ice Cream in a Can. We found a #10 food storage empty can, a 1 lb. smaller tin with a lid, rock salt, and ice.

The recipe is: 1 qt. of half and half

2/3 c. white sugar

1 small pkg. instant chocolate pudding

Mix ingredients all together with a whisk. Duct tape the lid of the smaller can to seal it shut.

Put small tin inside the larger one. Put ice all around the edges and top it off with rock salt.

Seal the larger can with duct tape and play kick the can around for 10 minutes.

The ice cream will harden first around the edges and top. After 10 minutes you can check it (which I thought was a big pain in the neck) to see if it is hard. When you take the top off you need a big rubber spatula to scrape the hardened ice cream off the sides. So we just opened it, scraped the outside, lid, and bottom of the can and stirred it together. It was kind of like a soft Wendy's frosty. But oh, soo yummy. We scooped it out with a small measuring cup, or you can pour it out into little dixie cups,

This is really fun to do with a big group and you can let the children stir it, put in the ice, then the rock salt so they feel like THEY are making the ice cream.

We fed this to 14 cub dens in two days so I feel like I am somewhat of a professional.

Friday I had my two grandchildren, Owen and Adyson. We took them to my friends lake house for the day. She had a trampoline, big rectangular pool, and a paddle boat and rubber kayaks. The paddle boat was hands down the kids favorite! We also made homemade ice cream in a can. I wonder why we did that. I guess I'm a professional at it, right? They loved it. The only difference I saw was the age difference. Cindy had her two grandsons, 9 and 7. Beverly had her two grandaughters, 7 and 3 and I had mine 5 and 4. The only ones that had the staying power were the 9 year old and the 7 year olds. So between them, and us three ladies we managed to eek out that long 10 minutes shaking this impossibly cold, frigid container. We rolled the can on the deck for the first couple of minutes, but the slow rolling done by our younger group told me we wouldn't have ice cream very soon. We played hot potato, (or should I say cold potato!) All said and done everyone had a fun and messy time. TIP: It is best to do this outside!

Friday night we visited and had dinner with Michele and Dave and Ben who is now 11 months old. They fed us Papa Murphy's pizza which is my husbands absolute favorite! A spinach side salad with red onion and strawberries in a wonderful dressing made the meal complete. After dinner they took us to see a house would like to buy if they can only sell their condo!

Saturday Eric had a 3 on 3 basketball tournament in Snoqualmie. I knew I had extended my energy beyond the beyond. I asked Frank if he would mind if I just stayed home this time. He agreed and was nice enough not to wake me when he left at 6:30 am. I slept in until 9 am. It was heavenly not to have to set an alarm!

I made bread because I didn't have any in the house. I did a load of laundry and then collapsed for the rest of the day. I did lay on the couch, sleep a bit, watch a movie, check my e-mails, facebook and enjoyed a long talk on the phone with my sister in Arizona. So today was my checking out of normal stuff and lounging around a lot. It was great. I highly recommend it to everyone!

The Night Song

2010-07-10T00:21:00.001-07:00

Getting back to my walking, I did try to jog all the way to my friends house and I DID IT! I was so proud of myself for achieving a small little goal like that.

I'm now reading a John Grisham book, "The Street Lawyer." Frank saw it, picked it up today and finished it while I was at Chemo and grocery shopping. He reads a book like that. He can't put a book down until he's finished. Sometimes he will read into the wee hours just to get it done.

Today I bought all of the food for cub scout day camp on Monday. Frank is taking that day off to come and help. We are making ice cream in a can, and hot dogs in a blanket over the campfire. We don't have any grandsons in the camp. We just wanted to help. Interestingly enough it was Frank who first asked to volunteer and I followed suit. It should be a fun, exhausting week. The Lord is blessing me. This next week is my bye with chemo.

I had chemo today early in the day. They gave me the bone strengthening drug "Zometa," as well as the normal chemo. I was supposed to have it last week but my kidney counts were too high and Zometa affects the kidneys adversely. Yeah, I know; they found something to help make my bones stronger, but there is always a side effect.

So tonight I took my bendryl, but I think I took it too late. I went to bed at 10:30 and and hour later I'm still tossing and turning in bed. It feels like having restless leg syndrome. I got up, and made myself some hot chocolate, (I really didn't crave anything hot ''cause today was one of the hottest days so far.)

I pulled out my hymnbook and started to read the hymns. I seem to be drawn to the hymns that give me comfort. The one I found tonight is strangely enough "The Time is Far Spent." (Quite an appropriate title for one having insomnia.) Here goes: Second verse:

Shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant, but follow the Savior, your pattern and friend.

Our little afflictions, tho painful at present, ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end. Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you; the weight of your calling he perfectly knows. Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you; His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.

Another hymn is "Lead Kindly Light"

Lead kindly light amid the encircling gloom. Lead thou me on. The night is dark and I am far from home; Lead thou me on. Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene - one step enough for me. I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou shouldst lead me on. I loved to choose and see my path; but now, Lead thou me on. I love the garish day, and, in-spite of fears, pride ruled my will. Remember not past years. So long thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on. O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till the night is gone. And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

It's 1 in the morning. I think I'm finally getting sleepy. I remember back 11 years ago I used to have insomnia until 5 in the morning. I remember I read the whole series of "The Work and the Glory." I guess I should be grateful for an early to bed by 1 am. I am.

Day in the Life

2010-07-07T23:01:00.000-07:00

This has been a whirlwind week with lots of things going on.

Helen Pearson and I continue our walking 45 min. to 1 hr. Monday through Saturday. We have measured ourselves and hope to report good things. Helen has worked up to 4 times around the development. I always go one more than her because I walk over to her house exactly west of me. If she gets three laps then I do four. The past few days I have been in a hurry because I was late so I wanted to see how far I could run without stopping. At first it was a measly short distance and I was winded. Each day I can make it farther and farther. Today I made it 3/4 of the way to her house without stopping. Tomorrow I will try to jog the entire distance. It was hot even at 7:30 this morning. We will walk at 7 am tomorrow with this heat.

Wednesdays are my piano and voice lesson days. I start at 8:30 am. They are mostly in the morning, but I have about three that are afternoon and an evening lesson. I have one voice student that just started last month. I wish I had more than one voice student, but I also love the challenge of picking music for the beginning and advanced piano students.

I also got some housecleaning energy and actually vacuumed most of the house. It doesn't get as dirty with just two of us. So vacumming isn't as often.

I am reading a wonderful novel by Nicholas Sparks, "A Message in a Bottle." I get a lot of reading in when I am at Chemo Tuesdays and Fridays. I met a wonderful woman Tuesday at chemo. She has breast cancer, but not the kind that you can feel a lump. She just had pain and asked them to do a mammogram. They operated in April. She lost her hair and it is just coming back in. She was getting this terrible looking red drug. It the nurse spills it they do a lock down. I wonder what it does to her insides? She still has 37 days of radiation ahead of her. When I told her the story behind my sickness she said. "Man, I don't have it so bad, and you're still here!

She gave me the name of a on-line faith healer. I thanked her nicely, but will most likely not pursue that end!

My goal this year is to be cancer free so Frank and I can apply to teach English in China. Last time I had chemo it took care of the little friends in four months. My four months of Chemo will be over by August and we have to send the application in by September. Whew, that is going to be close. Pray that I can be rid of these suckers by next month!

I'm trying to be good, really I am! It just so hard to be good. (Ice cream with fresh raspberries at 10 pm)

4th of July Saturday

2010-07-03T17:27:00.000-07:00

Little Ben with his Dad really enjoying himself.

We were up in the mountains in Darrington to listen to a band from Stanwood. There were not a lot of people, but just family members of the band. It was potluck and we had a guy that was barbecuing ribs. There was a lot of food.

Watermelon, cantelope, peaches, cherries, 5 spice island chicken, potato salad, tossed salads, pop, potato chips, hot dogs, cucumber, tomato salad flavored with dill. Michelle brought some scrumptous chocolate brownies; all that we needed to stuff ourselves full.

Jennifer giving her Mom, Kali a knuckle punch and her Mom doing the same. POW.
My camera was mal-functioning and Dave managed to fix it, so he took a picture to see if it worked.
Ben, our littlest grandchild loves to be outside and loves to have his picture taken.
Eric sitting and enjoying his kids, Terrin with the water gun and Colin and Owen with his back to us.
Michelle got the June birthday kids water guns which they used to squirt each other and get famously wet! The weather was a balmy 70 degrees so it was OK.

Owen, 5yrs and Aunt Kali.
I caught Camron taking a drink when I shot Eric and Colin wrestling.
Adyson with her squirt gun. I saved the cutest squirt for last.

Welcome Back for Jay and Dana June 2010

2010-06-29T20:09:00.001-07:00

Jay and Dana returned from China and wanted to meet in Portland. Ron and Betty and Frank and I could not attend because of conflicts. I heard through Darcie that they had a great time being with cousins and aunt and uncles. I copied these from Darcie's facebook. There were no pictures of children so please if you have any send them my way.

I am glad that some of Ron's kids showed up when Ron and Betty were out of town.

Welcome back Jay and Dana! We missed you!

Avocado Ice Cream

2010-06-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

Avocado Ice Crem

2 cups avocado pulp (about 4 medium avocados, seeded and peeled) pushed through a sieve or food mill to remove any fibers.

1/4 teaspoon of salt

2 1/2 cups of sugar

1 cup pineapple juice

2 oranges, juiced

2 limes, juiced

1 pint milk or coconut milk

Combine all ingredients, except the milk, and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Gradually stir in the milk until you have a smooth mixture.

Pour into your ice cream freezer and crank away for a delicious dessert, of which all parts are edible.

Dear Friends, The Campbells

2010-06-17T12:25:00.001-07:00

Carol is in blue sitting next to her mother-in-law.

When we lived in Marysville the Campbell family lived right back of us. Our fences joined. Mike and Eric used to ride to Seminary together and Kathy took piano lessons from me. Kali and David used to play soccer in our backyard. Maybe that's why Kali is a soccer coach currently! The youngest of eight, Chelsea was born while they lived in Marysville. Their Dad's name was Ron Campbell. He was supporting his family doing construction. Campbells became very good friends as well as neighbors. They happened to be out of town when our Jenny passed away. Less than a year later Carol and Ron were in our front yard telling us he had been diagnosed with Lou Gerig's disease. He said, "I guess I'lll see Jenny before you guys. (He died 3 1/2 years later)

We are staying at Carol's house next weekend while she is in Indiana. She said,

"Sure you can stay. Here's my keys."

How's that for a true, blue forever friend.
Left to right, first row; Perri, Scott, Grandma Campbell, David, Chelsea

Back row; Kathy, Kim and Shauna. The only one that is missing is Mike who lives in Missouri.

The pictures are mainly for my kids who did know them when they were younger.

My Favorite Grandson

2010-06-12T00:26:00.000-07:00

Ben and Chelle came up today since we were going to Stanwood's High School graduation. Fridays we sometimes go to Chelle and Dave's and babysit. We went to lunch at "The Chatter Box" restaurant in town. It has won best Stanwood restaurant for the last two years.

Ben had been a little clingy today so Chelle said we might have to leave early. We sat down ordered out of the menu while he obediently drank his bottle. After we ordered he was finished and wanted no more of his high chair. Michelle tried to hold him, but he is very active and just wanted to get down. I went to the waiter and asked if we could get it to go. Five minutes later it was done and packaged.

We went home and ate our lovely lunch. Both of us like Thai and Michelle got her favorite, Chicken Basil and I got Pad Thai Mee or something like that. It had wide noodles instead of the thin.

Ben was thoroughly content to play with the toys in the family room while we leisurely ate. It was so much better than if we had stayed at the restaurant! He thought the Jack-in-the box was funny and was not scared of it one bit.
I love the big, big brown eyes! They get me everytime! I'm falling for you sweet Benjamin!

Funny thing about grandchildren. The one you're with is always your favorite. Isn't there a song called "Love the one you're with?" Well, that's me I guess.

Monday Preschool

2010-06-10T13:14:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday night Owen and Ady, Eric's two youngest stay overnight. Then on Monday I have them all day until 6PM. Since my background in college was in Elementary Ed I decided to run the day with a lot of structure (like a preschool). During coloring time I asked Ady to let me take a picture of this coloring she did. She took a marker and outlined the whole turtle. Notice she colors left-handed. She is only three but she loves coloring as evidenced by her writing on the wall at home. She colors in the lines better than Owen. When I pointed out that he needed to stay in the lines when coloring, he improved his coloring.

My First Leap Pad with the book "There's a Wocket in my pocket." by Dr. Seuss

This page says, "But that BOFA on the SOFA... Well, I wish he wasn't there. Then where the pen is pointing it is interactive for Owen. I found this at Goodwill for $3.95 - great bargain. It is one of his favorites. He loves video games, but I don't allow him to play any on Mondays. I think he's discovering that there is another whole world out there without video games!
He has just touched one of the buttons and he's pleased that it is telling him that he pushed the right button and what to do next.

I made clay dough, the kind you heat up and I love it and the kids love it too. I try to give them healthy snacks during the day, such as oranges, apples, pears, cheese, pudding and they love, love, love yogurt.

I checked out instructional videos from the library and also children's books. They love to hear different stories. They loved the story of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." I don't think they have ever heard it.

We have gardening time so they can dig in the dirt and I can weed. They absolutely love to be outside. Our outside activities are no less than 1-2 hrs. if the weather cooperates.

They love the musical CD's that I checked out from the library. Their two favorites are "Where oh where is my underwear." I know it sounds freaky weird, but it's a cute upbeat song. The other favorite is "Two little blackbirds named Jack and Jill." They ask me to re-play and re-play them both over and over. I know kids learn by repetition.

We practice our skills of washing hands after eating and after going potty, and not picking our noses. The other day Ady out of the blue said. We don't pick out noses! It was hilarious. So when Owen picks his nose I just grab a tissue and say, "looks like you need a kleenex." They are reminded to say thank you and please when they receive or want something. They go to a daycare/preschool the other 4 days of the week so this is just re-enforcing what they are already learning.

I have a little small bear that is not furry, but just material that Owen calls "his beary beary." Ady found a furry bear I had and she calls it her "beary beary. They like to sleep with the bears when they go to bed. Owen is obsessive about keeping his with him all day, like an imaginary friend. We had a picnic lunch on the deck with table cloth. When Owen inquired if I had seen his beary beary we looked all over and couldn't find him anywhere. The last time I remember him being with Owen was during our lunch. So I looked under the crumpled tablecloth and there he was hiding very slyly or shyly, I don't know which.

We also have dancing and marching time with percussion instruments. Children are so responsive when you give them your full attention. I have decided that Monday is the day I dedicate to them totally and they are loving it.

I have flash cards I bought at the dollar store, learning shapes, alphabet letters and bigger and smaller relationships. Owen already knows all his shapes, and can identify and spell the letters in each small word card. He will do well in kindergarten.

I love being a kid! It's fun!

Old Friends

2010-06-10T06:57:00.001-07:00

Gomez's son Adrian got married a 1 1/2 yrs. ago and his wife is 9 months pregnant now. When she is born Gomez's will have 5 grandchildren.

You know how you have relationships with friends that goes for years and years. We had a short visit from a couple of dear friends, the Gomez's. Mike and Barbara have been in and out of our lives for 30 years. We, at one time lived on the same street. They are members of the church who now live in Hawaii. They are the kind of friends that when you see them you pick up just where you left off last time you saw them.

This a before picture of Barbara before she had a Gastric by-pass.
She is now a size 12, but must have the excess skin on the arms surgically removed.
Their two girls, Aletha and Andrea. Gomez's live in Hawaii where Aletha is. Aletha has a PHD and runs an Autistic program there. Andrea is from California visiting her sis. Aletha is currently pregnant, due in November and having a girl.
Andrea and her boyfriend Eddy.
Andrew and Andrea
Adam and his wife Sarah with their new baby, Samuel.

Bread Making Day

2010-06-09T10:23:00.000-07:00

This morning I got up, said my prayers and read my scriptures, then went walking with Helen.

Then I started the bread where you make a sponge that sits for 15 minutes with the yeast, water and 2 c. of flour. Fifteen minutes later when the timer went off, I picked up the bowl to put it in the kitchen-aide and noticed that it had not risen. I exclaimed,

"Oh no, what happened?"

I knew the yeast wasn't bad, but then I came to the obvious reason ( I had not heated the water; I had just put cold water in!) To a baker this is bad news. No yeast will EVER rise without the help of warmed water. I estimate that I have been making bread for years and NEVER ever did this. Did my walk leave me brain dead? I have no idea. Anyway I dumped the first bunch out and started over. I will regale you with my pictures of the newly baked bread and hopefully fully salivate you to want some.

I sell one loaf a week to my adult piano student, Faith. She and her older children enjoy it a lot. So my daughter Michelle says I should give up piano students and become a baker. Well, I actually am already a baker, but it is food for thought. I have someone else that said they would buy it for a dollar a loaf more. So I'm thinking it might be a little fun money here and there.

I did make cinnamon rolls once in Spokane. We had 30 gallon pails that we used for salt, sugar, corn syrup and flour. You should have seen the look on Eric's face when he tasted a hot, mouth-watering cinnamon roll. I had used salt instead of sugar!

I remember when we lived in Marysville we used to store the 30 pails including corn syrup outside in the garage. Without me knowing, the kids used to sneak out there and dip fingers in the corn syrup to get a sweet snack. I found that out years later!

I had a hot piece with bread and butter. Does it make your mouth water, yup. Maybe come visit me and I'll fix you a piece!

Rhodies are Finally in Full Bloom

2010-05-30T18:43:00.001-07:00

This is what I see when I look out my front window. The rhodie is right next to the window and it explodes the inside of the house with vibrant color.
This is a view from the front yard. This is the first time I have had so many blossoms. This bush is 15 years old. One year I cut it down, chopped it to pieces and I think that is why it doesn't look so tree-like and spindly.

The bees are in a pollen feeding frenzy. I think they have passed the "pollen" word to the bee colony. They love the huge blossoms from which they can obtain an un-ending supply of pollen!

Memorial Day Weekend on Whidbey Island

2010-05-29T18:37:00.001-07:00

Kali's kids had a soccer fest on whidbey island. It was interesting because it was just 3 on 3 games which were very short - only a half hour. Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of Jennifer and Ethan. We had the opportunity to have four of Eric's five kids overnight. Colin stayed with his cousin on the other side of the family. Camron stayed all day at our house by himself 'cause he did not want to go to the Island. He loves computers so he had a fun day too! So no Camron in these pictures either.

Kali holding Adyson, Dave Goodwin holding Ben, Terrin looking over Owen's shoulder and Michelle, eating at Wendys after the soccer fest on Whidbey Island.
Aunt Kali with her nephews and niece.
Adorable picture of Ady feeding little Ben his first frosty.
We saw these two ground maintenance ladies picking up trash around the soccer fields. One was a black lady. Owen said, "look at that beautiful lady." I don't know if he meant her dangling earrings or that she was a pretty black lady! The funny things kids say!
Ady is excited to finally get to Whidbey Island after a long, 1 1/2 hr. ride by car.

Camron Action Shots at Arcade B-Ball

2010-05-27T00:47:00.001-07:00

Colin's Pizza Party

2010-05-27T00:01:00.001-07:00

After 4 or 5 pictures with their eyes closed, Ady seems very discouraged that she has to wait to eat her cupcake.
Yeah grandma take our picture!!!

Colin was proud to show off his new Trophy and his special baseball themed cupcake. One of the mothers took extra time to make his day special.
Camron came because he heard that there would be food! Cupcake munchin' galore!
Video games at a a Pizza Palace - not out of place at all!

Frank wanted to see the trophy so Eric is showing it to him! Lots and lots of pizza! Ugh. I don't like the grease!

Living Life to the Fullest

2010-05-21T16:57:00.000-07:00

Went for chemo this morning at 8:30 am. Pretty sure I won't have insomnia tonight because I'm having it early in the day.

Came home and prepared lunch for the Elders. Made a great Asian Stir-Fry that they seemed to love. I buy the lo-mein and chow-mein frozen dinners and add other stuff to it.

I had some Thai noodles, ginger root, costco garlic, added some cut up broccoli, little brown sugar and soy sauce topped it off perfectly.

Then we had brownie sundaes with ice cream topping and chocolate syrup on top. Yummy!

Tonight I have a practice for a quartet that is performing on Sunday. We have invitation Sunday where the ward members invite their friends and neighbors.

Then we will possibly go over to our friends house and watch a movie.

Flower Power

2010-05-21T16:39:00.000-07:00

My poppies have gone wild this year. I keep them in a pot to keep them from spreading throughout the yard.
This year there was a spectacular surprise; an albino poppy! Never have seen that in the 6-8 years I have grown them.
This is an awesome picture of the poppy once it has bloomed. This contains all the poppy seeds to propogate new poppy plants.
Rachel, this is the clematis plant you bought me one year. It has gone crazy beautiful with lots of blooms.

Rhodedendrum buds are enormously huge, but very intensely beautiful in their own way.

Insomnia (lack of ability to sleep no matter how tired)

2010-05-19T00:58:00.000-07:00

Chemo 4-5:30 forgot I was supposed to check in 45 min early to do blood work and wait for results. So getting off at 5:30 made me late to pick up Frank. Only about 15 min.

They take blood pressure, oxygen levels, pulse rate and temperature.

First is an infusion of Steroid, then anti-nausea and then chemo is a 3-5 second push with the syringe through my port. I brought a friend with me who asked if she could come the first time. She was all about asking questions which the nurse so graciously answered. The time flew by having someone with which to talk.

The oncology nurse asked if I had anti-nausea prescription bottles at home. She instructed me to have a prescription called in tomorrow. She said the anti-nausea was given in the chemo so I should be alright. Nausea presents itself in 25 % of the patients.

Had dinner, watched a movie, went to bed and said prayers with Frank.

Things that transpired after Frank went to "lullaby land:"

Put tomato plants in the house that are spending daytime in the sun and night time in garage.
While in garage clean up junk in garage for pickup tomorrow
Find broken glass from a picture frame, deposit in trash can
Find empty boxes and place in recycle bin
Locate my family scrapbook and look through all the pictures. I'm so glad I did that scrapbook. It brought back so many terrific memories of events as the kids were growing up.
Tally up food storage and note what items are most needed. I'm ordering powdered butter in a #10 can. It is equivilant to 6 lbs. of butter. You just reconstitute with water and a little vegetable oil. Robbin Foules is our canning specialist and she is always finding us bargains on-line.
Realize that it is 12:15 am AND that I'm not the least bit tired!
Realize that the steroids they gave me at 5 are sure working. Now I remember why I always requested chemo early in the day.
Take 2 benedryl capsules, eat two cheese sticks, make hot chocolate, piece of whole wheat toast with honey; eat and drink it all!
Get on computer. Change my background to purple irises. Change and inhance colors on different pictures in Photo Shop Elements.

NOT THE LEAST BIT TIRED! THIS IS GETTING ANNOYING. I'm going to have to borrow those Chad Daybell books from Gloria. Can't remember the name.

I remember in 1999 I read all the Work & the Glory books because I had insomnia.

We bought a bed on craigs list. I'm so excited that we will have an official guest bedroom again. We can pick it up this weekend. So maybe when I can't sleep I'll paint a random room and decorate my guest bedroom and dance in the shadows of the night til' night turns to light.

Publishing Post, proofreading finding mistakes, going back in and correcting and then doing it all over again three times.
I like being a night owl; I just don't like the morning time when I want to sleep.

D&C 19:20 I wonder if I have enough.

D&C 19:21 I wonder if there are any left for me.

D&C 19: 30 I wonder if asking is asking too much of Him.

D&C 19:32 I wonder; is Cancer a blessing? Do I thank him for that blessing in my life?

My prayers are being answered (or the benedryl is finally kicking in)

Time: 2 AM

Night awl.

Missionary Work gone MIA

2010-05-19T00:40:00.000-07:00

We invited an investigator family for dinner tonight. They were supposed to come to church but didn't show. So Frank and I decided to drop by Sunday afternoon after church. They had been working in their yard all day so it was obvious why they weren't there. I took Frank over to meet them since I had already met them.

Today I felt strongly that they would not come so I paid two visits, one to knock and ring the doorbell and the other with a taped message that said, "Are we still on for dinner at 6 o'clock, call me. Well, basically a really short story is they didn't call and didn't come so we fed the missionaries a simple turkey, brocolli, dressing caserole. We were all somewhat discouraged, but the missionaries got a double bonus by taking home the extra food and a gallon of milk.

Frank and I settled down to watch "Pappillion," with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. It is a very old movie which both of us couldn't remember it had been so many years. Great movie. I would recommend checking it out from the local library. Superb acting and great script, not so much like you see in todays mindless drivel. As were were about 1/2 hr. into it a fellow called to ask if Frank could help administer to his wife before her surgery on Thurs. So we spent almost an hour there. Frank gave a beautiful blessing promising that she would be calm and she would heal quickly. We came back and watched the rest of "Pappillion" until 11 pm. (Our usual bedtime is 9:30 pm.)

It rained this morning but cleared up this afternoon to just overcast.

Tah tah for now.

My Dilema

2010-05-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

We're back from vacation and the yard is begging me to help cure it of weeds and I have been out two days now and have to drag myself back in because I don't want to over do it physically. So with tired shoulders and sore buttox muscles I'm reluctantly writing this blog but would rather be outside in the wonderful sun shiny day.

Tuesday I went to the Oncologist and he informed me that I would need to start chemo again since my counts have been steadily going up and lately going up a lot. (This was no surprise. He let me go on vacation and told me we would start things again when I got back.)

I't's just strange what your mind does. I knew I would have to resume chemo again, but now I'm all in a funk because it's actually happening. Logically I know that this medicine works. It gets rid of the cancer cells, but I am grieving for a life I wish I had, free of cancer. Every time I have to start this process again I get depressed, then annoyed, then angry, then sad, then mad. There I went through all those emotions. Now hopefully I can get on with life as I know it.

Life as I know it ................. Infusions Tuesdays and Fridays every week until the doctor says the those little buggers are gone!

Time Frame........................ I don't know. The last time it took four months.

I love the Beauty of Spring

2010-05-13T12:50:00.001-07:00

I love my yard in spring because there is so much color. The poppies are exploding and had been while we were on vacation. The lilacs are in bloom and the azaleas are so colorful. But that ain't all. The rhodedenrons haven't even started blooming yet so there is more color in store for me. I can't wait.

Belated Mother's Day Lunch with my Daughters

2010-05-12T22:03:00.000-07:00

We should have had the waitress take our picture but we forgot so we improvised by taking our own at the car.
Precious picture of Kali giving Ben a smooch.
If you come to Stanwood we'll take you to the Granary which houses a super gift shop, Veracruz Mexican Restuarant and Jasmin Thai Restaurant. We had Thai which we all love. Michelle took me here awhile ago and I've been hooked on Thai food ever since.

Rexburg Visit with Brent and Azzlinn

2010-05-12T21:46:00.001-07:00

Saturday night there was a comedy improv starring Corbin Allred and Kirby Heyborne. They have a improv group in LA that performs and were at BYU Idaho. Brent just happened to spot them in the cafeteria when we were eating lunch. We asked them if they would mind having a photo shoot with us.

Kirby and Corbin were in Saints and Soldiers. Kirby was in RM and Singles Ward 1 and 2. They were super nice and the perfomance was outstandingly funnny!!!
This is Corbin on the left and the guy on the right played the looser guy in Singles Ward 2.

I was really aiming for the red wall with all the pictures so artisically placed. Azzlinn is an artist. I should have got a picture of the wall in her bathroom. I was utterly blown away by her perfect hand-painted free hand art of the shower curtain pattern on her wall complete with exact color match!
we are always teasing Frank that he never smiles in pictures, sooo here you go like it or not!
Even though this was in Washington when Brent and Azzlinn came for spring break I thought I would include them since this is a Brent blog.
Little Ben, Chelle's son, nine months old. He looks like a mini me of Dave Goodwin.

Rhees Marchant's B-Day

2010-05-12T21:14:00.000-07:00

Huge B&R cake with a hummer! It was out of the freezer for 45 minutes and still hard as a rock when we went to cut it. I should have got the picture of David stabbing it with a knife and picking up the whole cake. It was like a rock! We finally got some decent pieces after 1 1/2 hrs!
Rhees sneaking a piece of the icing!
New Gap hoodie from Aunt Chelle and Uncle Dave.
This a plastic thin plastic fast food cover that Parker was trying to press up against Rachel's face. I think he thought she looked very odd. You had to have been there! Aye.
Rhees has a dinosaur themed room. Frank and I slept with the dinosaurs. We never got eaten. I guess they are vegetarians!

Time with David and Rachel

2010-05-12T20:51:00.000-07:00

Rhees and Parker with Rach and David. Parker fell in love with my stainless steel water bottle.
We had a great visit David and Rach. Thanks for the happy memories.
Dad and his middle son David, the last day we were in Layton.
Parker was in this chair and Rhees decided to join but Parker wasn't very happy about sharing.

He seemed quite happy even though it was quite a shock.
Rhees was in the chair and a minute later it collapsed.

Annual Tulip Run 2010

2010-04-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

I participated in the Annual Tulip Run in Mt. Vernon with Michelle. She took the stroller and ran as she pushed Benjamin. Her time was 25 minutes; my time 39:50. It's ok; she ran, I walked.
Afterwards I took her to lunch at a place called Calico Cupboard. It's a bakery/restaurant specializing in breakfasts. We took home a piece of chocolate pie to eat later. Yummm!
Benjamin cried a little at the beginning and then slept the rest of the run. Luckily for the NW it was a sunny, yet cool day, so we all bundled up including Ben.

Tulip Fields Fill the Soul

2010-04-09T13:31:00.001-07:00

My girlfriends and I visit the tulip fields every year in April during the tulip festival. We all have stayed friends for over 20 years and we get nostalgic each year we go, saying "remember when it was free to get in and they didn't plant outside the fence?" You'd have to be there to get it but it

These flowers were planted to simulate a river of color and they did a great job!

Easter

2010-04-09T13:20:00.000-07:00

Ady. Can't resist taking pictures of my grand daughter since I only have two out of 12 that are girls.
Grandma and Adyson.
Owen
Terrin 10 yrs with glasses. His Dad just bought him contacts because of his glasses fogging up when Terrin played baseball in the rain.
Owen and grandma.
Terrin wanted a picture without his glasses on. You can see that he is holding them in his hand.
Colin is 6 and enjoying first grade and also plays baseball.

2010-04-09T13:05:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we traveled to Portland to visit with our extended families. Bryce and Isabel have a 5 year old pictured above, Kaden.
Darcie's oldest boy, Shade 16 yrs. with his cousin Kya, 16 Bryce's oldest daughter.
Shade does not like his picture taken so we had to take a few.
An candid picture of Troy Thelin, Ron's youngest boy, Quinn, Darcie's other boy, and Troy's oldest son.
Left to right, Clay and his mother Laurie, Isabel, Claudia and Aubrey, Cory's daughter.
Mom and son, what a precious picture. You can see the resemblance Clay has to his Dad, Cory.

Adyson Marchant

2010-03-29T22:05:00.000-07:00

This was Christmas 2009. Ady is 3 1/2 and Owen is 4 1/2 yrs. old. They love each other dearly. They will be best friends always. Good luck any boys trying to date her when she is older. With Eric marrying Kristy May 1st Ady will have 6 brothers, one of them her age. Trae just turned 5 the end of Dec. and Ryker just turned 4 the end of March.

Ady Ady charming Ady!

She my youngest grand daughter and she loves to play dress up! And she has no sisters with which to play dress up. I think her brothers will oblige her though! I remember we had Eric in a dress and pig tails when he was 3 'cause he had such long hair.

March of Dimes Walk for Babies

2010-03-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to Oak Harbor to participate in the "Walk for Babies" with Kali and Gabe. They had the biggest group with colorful yellow T-shirts. There must have been 30 of us. There were other groups but ours was the biggest. Kali works for a OBGYN (baby doctor) and Gabe is a peditrician.

We only walked 1 .5 miles which only took a half hour. The walk was beautiful though; along the beach in Oak Harbor. Kali had written "this way to walk for babies", and Gabe wrote one saying, "walkin' with my baby." I thought that was cute!

After the walk we all met back at the park to have hot dogs and potato chips, pop and visit. They did take a group picture but I don't have that to share. It was a lot of fun and the day was beautiful, just a little chilly on the water.

I did get a letter in the mail the other day saying that the whole group had raised $8,000 dollars. Kali's group raised $2,500 of that; quite an accomplishment!

The next major thing I am involved in is Cancer Relay for Life in Stanwood. A group from our ward is being organized. You walk all day and all night and people agree to sponsor you for how many miles you walk or give a set amount of money! I can walk to raise money or just walk in the survivor walk. I haven't decided yet what I'll do. So onwards and upwards.

Kali and the kids Visit

2010-03-28T19:57:00.001-07:00

Anniversary gift from Kali and Gabe; two huge rooster mugs, kitchen towels, big dish soap rooster dispenser, and two rooster plates! Wow!
Frank and I showing off the giant rooster mugs!

Kali, Ethan 10 1/2 and Jen, almost 12 1/2. Thank you guys!

Little Ben Goodwin

2010-03-28T19:27:00.001-07:00

We were able to spend 3 1/2 hrs. with little Ben on Friday. His Mom had a conference on her day off. It was neat being able to see him when he first woke up and was happy.

This is Michelle's little boy who is turning 8 months in April. Where in the heck does the time go anyway!
Having a Dad that plays baseball, football, and basketball it's a small wonder that he has a bib that says #1 Sports Fan.

Proud Grandma Marchant!
Proud Grandpa Marchant
It is incredible to see a seven month old baby crawling all over.
Michelle will have no time to herself now! She'll have to watch that little tyke every single minute.

Me and my friends hangin' out.

2010-03-28T19:22:00.000-07:00

Me, my ex-voice student Amber and her mother Renee.

I Love the Northwest!

2010-02-20T15:56:00.000-08:00

On the ferry to Whidbey Island to see a grandson's basketball game in Coupeville, south of Oak Harbor.

Huge bridge over the Skagit River that connects Whidbey Island to the mainland.
I met an interesting one-legged character. He wasn't very talkative though!
Beautiful peek-a-boo view from Deception Pass Bridge.
Light house that is now a museum.
A wooden figure of a sea-faring captain.
Beautiful view of the Cascade Mountain range.
Mount Baker, near Bellingham, WA

The Wedding and David's boys.

2010-01-04T16:37:00.000-08:00

Pictures at the temple of Brent and Azzlinn, January 2nd, 2010.
They will live in Rexburg and go to school there. Happy, beautiful couple! Will publish more when the professional photos arrive.
Rhees, David's boy congratulates Uncle Brent. Below is Parker his younger brother, nine months.

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year

2010-01-04T16:34:00.000-08:00

At a wedding Open House for Joe, Brent's best friend in Stanwood.
Where's the mistletoe? Oh well, what the heck!

The Lites of Christmas

2009-12-13T15:38:00.001-08:00

Kali and Ethan and Jennifer came over from Whidbey Island and wanted to go to the "Lites of Christmas. Ethan had Wacky Friday at school so he spray-painted his hair, wore different colored socks and a different shoe on each feet.
The Lites of Christmas in Stanwood was started by Warm Beach Christian Camps years ago. Originally, the lights were a fund raiser to fund their youth summer camps. It is nowvery famous through out the Puget Sound. People come from all around to enjoy over a billion lights. It was only 20 degrees outside so we had to bundle up to keep warm. Even at that it was really cold so we had a lot of hot chocolate to keep warm.

A Different Merry Christmas Poem

2009-11-17T20:47:00.000-08:00

*T'was the month before Christmas*
When all through our land,**
Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.* *
See the PC Police had taken away,* *
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
*December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.* *
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Obama.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down* *
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears* *
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty* *
Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Pelsoi, Reid, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen* *
On Boxer, on Biden, on Kerry, on Clinton !*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter!* *
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith* *
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me. * *
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !*

Visit with David and Rachel

2009-10-01T13:22:00.001-07:00

My happy grandson, Parker David!

Rhees is finding that his dinosaur quilt is heavier than he thought!

Rhees is so proud of the quilt I finished the binding on. It had been sitting at their house unfinished for months. He was thrilled to finally put it on his bed!

Rhees has decided he is a wannabe fireman!

We went to the Children's Museum and these painted horses are all over downtown Ogden. Rhees wanted a picture with his Mom with the (of course,s dinosaur one).

David bought a slide and Rhees and I pulled over the pool and we created a water slide! He played on that for 4 hours straight and I sat and soaked up the 90 degree weather!

Parker had a minor operation and this is the only time I didn't see him smiling. David and Rachel are lucky to have an easy going baby that is happy all the time.

Parker David at one month old. He was born in March, 2009.

Rhees has colored a egg with a dinosaur etched in it. When I was there I finished the binding on a dinosaur quilt his aunt Loni had sewn. I will try and find the pictures of us putting it on his bed. He was so excited.

Little Ben

2009-08-19T21:04:00.001-07:00

I'm here at Chelle's all week and we took some pictures. I wanted to show how proud I am of my newest grandson, Benjamin.

Because it was supposed to be so hot today, Michelle and I hung out at her in-laws in Edmonds. Ben slept most of the afternoon and Michelle tried to take a little nap as well.

She is very sleep deprived and so is Dave, but isn't every new Mom and Dad at first?

All in all they are all doing so well.

I'm here to drive her to doctor's appointments since she is on pain killers for the first little while.

It' just fun to play with little Ben. He was only six pounds at birth, 19 3/4 in. tall. The baby doctor says he will be a much bigger boy based on the size of his feet and fingers.

More pictures to come later. Tired; got to go to bed. Morning comes early here in the new baby house!

If I Had My Life to Live Over

2009-08-09T19:06:00.000-07:00

by Erma Bombeck

I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have never insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about the grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would have never said, "Later, now get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you's......more I"m sorry's.........but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.....at it and really see it....live it....and never give it back.

Stop sweating the small stuff. Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who Do love us. Let's think about what God Has blessed us with.

And what are we doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as spritually. Life is too short to let it pass you by. We only have one shot at this and then it's gone.

She later died of terminal cancer.
Wise words for us all to take to heart!

I can't believe it's July

2009-07-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

Well, no more pictures or videos for a while. My digital camera is toast.

We did have a great July 4th over in Coupeville WA on Whidbey Island where Kali and Gabe live. It was there that I discovered my precious camera was not working.

Kali had a great time planned for all the kids. There was water balloon toss with prizes, soccer goals set up for soccer play, badminton and volleyball, a tent which Ady called a house. We also had a pie eating contest (just cool whip with gummy bears mixed in). The person who found a correctly colored gummy bear was the winner. No hands were allowed. Justifiably the adults got smattered with a few pie tins of cool whip.
We held the picnic at Kali's friends house who lives on Puget Sound. We weren't right on the beach but the view was spectacular. We kept seeing the ferry to Port Townsend, and the breath-taking part was the huge cruise ship sailing from the port of Seattle.
Dave and Michelle were there, and Eric and his kids also. Brent did his annual thing at Gasworks park fireworks display with the Young Adults.
So exciting to read about all the other activites on the 4th.
The evening was, of course, capped off with much fireworks which all enjoyed.

Birthday Videos

2009-06-25T20:46:00.000-07:00

I can't resist taking pictures of Adyson. She is so cute!

I Love Summer in the Northwest

2009-06-25T20:39:00.000-07:00

This a Dianthus is full bloom in our front yard. We love the mild summers here and in return we have a lot of green and color.
I could not resist taking a picture of our first raspberries to ripen. This was a couple of days ago. Today I went out and picked over 20 ripe, red berries. The next berry to come on will be my blueberries.
I love eating peas right out in the garden fresh off the vine. I planted so many peas this year that I was even able to freeze some. Shelling all those peas reminded me of the farm and helping shell peas every year.