A tribute to a friend - RIP Jay!

It's sad you don't get to say goodbye to a loved one when they die suddenly.  I know God has a hand securely wrapped around us both loving us telling us it is going to be ok. They are at peace now and we will be soon.  Some grieve openly, some grieve silently, some don't grieve at all. Others just love.  I will miss the laughter Jay always had, the twinkle in his eye (as Donna pointed out), his positive attitude abt everything and his friendship.  He would help us get thru some tough times by just being there for us.  He would talk to the drunk when it was needed. He would talk to the deaf when that was necessary too.  We helped him get through some tough times he had to endure.  But most of all - we were friends and we loved each other. 

I remember the time we took him camping/fishing with us to the Grays River area in Wyoming.  One thing about Walt that some know and some don't .  He searches for the unknown when he is out in the fresh air.  Jay drove his own truck that trip and what we failed to plan on was that Jay's little pick up didn't get as many miles to the gallon as our rig did.  We drove over hill and over dale without thinking abt filling up with gas. Why would we, we had enough.  Jay got a little nervous cause he wasn't closing in on EMPTY.  Then we got seperated.  We just thought his little truck couldn't keep up going up the mountain side.  At the top we waited and waited but NO Jay.  Hmmm where did he go.  This was the days before cell phones and he didn't have a CB either.  No way to communicate with him. Ugh.  So we turned around and went back down the mountain looking over the edges to see if he went over the side down down down to the bottom. Whew, were we ever relieve to see him parked on the side of the road heading back down to the main road.  See, he didn't have enough gas to go trapsing all over the hillside looking for us.   Instead of getting mad, Jay just laughed and laughe abt some a...s..o...l...e dragging hither and yon looking for the best fishing hole in the west.  Never did find it that day, but we did find a great friend.  One who will go anywhere, do anything with/for you.  I know you won't have to FEEL - WORRY - STRUGGLE abt anything anymore.    Go ahead and laugh all you want now. It will feel great.  By the way, Happy Birthday today.  RIP friend, We'll miss you, Nana and Pinky.

A new favorite

Our latest favorite cookie mix is one from a company we came familiar with not too long ago -   The Prepared Pantry.  It's a small company located in Rigby, Idaho.  They mostly are a shipper of prepackaged baking mixes and cooking gadgets thru their online store.

 But they have a local retail store that anyone can shop at.  I have gotten good use of my most treasured gifts ever - the Kitchen Aid - making up the most wonderful items (cookies and bread so far.)

Happy New Year

Happy New Year family & friends...
The past year brought a lot of loss and sadness in our lives.  I pray 2010 will be peacefull and happy for all. 

     Our Thanksgiving was interesting and quiet. I mixed up cookie batches - biscotti, eggless chocolate chip and Grammie's German Chcolate for the better part of the morning. Walt was sleeping off a cold. Abt 1ish our friends Dave & Donna called and said "How about dinner at 3:30 up at Silver Fork"? Score! to think I was thinking of Golden Corral! I managed to get one batch of cookies made before we had to head out. The weather was very cooperative. SUNNY - and 44F.

    The Silver Fork Lodge's special was all you can eat Turkey dinner.   We considered it a treat to ourselves. Their daughter Julia was home from school in Boulder, CO and came along. It was a very relaxing elegant place in a rustic lodge up near one of the ski resorts in the mountains with a fireplace burning real wood. Good food and good company made it for a great evening. Only problem, Walt had DayQuiled up to keep his cold symptoms at bay and then enjoyed a Rum & Coke and a glass of wine before eating. Hmmmm that ended up in the bathroom. Needless to say... we brought his dinner home with us. He was feeling better by the time we got home 4 hrs later. So, with some of the ham we brought home, we made him a sandwich which stayed down. Leftovers are always a good thing to have..      Today, Happy Friday (I am happy I could stay home) I mixed up and baked somemore cookies... Oatmeal raisin, more Grammie's German Chocolate and some shortbread. I had a pot of water with some spices in it simmering on the stove which made for some really homey smells. Walt watched some old movies and the dogs just hung out -Louie inside and KC outside. Louie is struggling with arthritis and OLD age related issues but still hanging in there.

     Our area hasn't had but a couple of feet of snow in the mtns which makes for tough going for ski resorts, but good going for those of us who drive around alot for our job and for contractors who are trying to get as much outdoor work as they can done. But it puts the water district on edge for next year. Our luck, all of a sudden it'll start snowing and won't quit. Hmmm Dammed if you do and dammed if you don't.

     Here's wishing you a very happy moment and a smile for your face :)

Seems it is the time to update the blogs. I used to be so much better at this. My Auntie is visiting us again for a short visit. I just love her. The leaves are cluttering the yard. The grass isn't growing as fast and I am sad that there isn't as much light in the day.
I haven't been going out of town as much lately and that bothers me too. I love traveling.
My blogs aren't as exciting when there isn't much happening. And lately there just hasn't been much going on.
Sad thing though..... My brother in law passed away in Sept after a long 10 year battle with prostate cancer. RIP Gene O! You will definately be missed. Your laughter still rings in my head when I look at a picture of a time when you were laughing. Walt is doing ok, but going to St. George won't be the same for us. Blessings on his family as they miss him too.
Sometimes someone close to you develops an attitude that descends on everyone around them. Please send good wishes Walt's way as he's wishing he could be someplace warmer than here. I love it here - and he hates it. Too bad we can't find someplace in the middle.
Till the next time - when I hope the post is a happier one. ..:)

Changing Web sites

I can't believe how fast it is to change websites now with my NEW laptop. Thank you friends and family for all the gift cards that made it all possible. I can actually have more than one website open at a time and still look at pictures. LOVE it.

Best Buys

I usually don't ask for things for my birthday, but this year I am asking for BestBuy gift cards. I am shooting for a new laptop and have been collecting GC's toward the purchase. Help!

Celebration of Life

This past week end we enjoyed the company of Walt's brother, our niece, nephews and their children. We celebrated Gene's 77th birthday at Pete & Kim's. What a great day it was too. There was great food, lots of laughter, everyone getting along and children playing everywhere. It was a goal of Gene's to live to this day and it was fulfilled. See, Gene has been battling prostate cancer since 1998 and is, unfortunatly on the loosing end of the battle. Even though his end will be sooner than others, he still plans on living till Jul 10 in time for Kate's family reunion. it's good to have goals.

Life Lessons

Here is a list of 26 life lessons I have learned thus far ....

I pass this list on to you with the simple hope that it makes you think. Sometimes thinking about your life and sorting out what you have learned is just as important as tackling a new venture.
1. Being an adult can be fun when you are acting like a child.
2. Love has nothing to do with looks, but everything to do with time, trust, and interest.
3. Laughing, crying, joy and anger… All are a vital. All make us human.
4. The greatest truths in life are uncovered with simple, steady awareness.
5. Greed will bury even the lucky eventually.
6. Bad things do happen to good people.
7. Paving your own road is intelligent only if nobody has gone exactly where you are going.
8. Uncertainty is caused by a lack of knowledge. Hesitation is the product of fear.
9.Time heals all wounds… regardless of how you feel right now.
10. Most of the time what you are looking for is right in front of you.
11. Your health is your life.
12. Chance is a gift, so act on chance when given the opportunity.
13. Kindness and hard work will take you further than intelligence.
14. People deserve a second chance, but not a third.
15. Marry your best friend.
16. Take lots of pictures. Someday you’ll be really glad you did.
17. Money makes life easier only when the money is yours free and clear.
18. Carelessness is the root of failure
19. Your actions now create memories you will reminisce and talk about in your elder years.
20. Stepping outside of your comfort zone will put things into perspective from an angle you can’t grasp now.
21. Motivation comes in short bursts. Act while it’s hot.
22. Purposely ignoring the obvious is like walking backwards toward the enemy.
23. Taking ownership of failure builds the foundation for success.
24. First impressions are completely worthless 50% of the time.
25. Personal glory lasts forever.
26. If you never act, you will never know for sure.

Pondering

Things to ponder over today:
why does grass grow more when you cut it?
why aren't there crickets chirping during the day
why are there allergies