Mental Blocks

Are mental blocks something that time has taken away from you?  Are they something that you build on? Are they a bother?  Sometimes yes to all and sometimes no. 

Life

Life = some days are smoother than others!

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.

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. 

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.

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

O Happy Days

I love :
the smell of fresh cut grass
newly edged lawns
raw cookie dough
dogs with shorter hair cuts for the summer
new things on the menu
calls from siblings
new websites to browse
FarmTown
all my family and friends
brealfast, lunch, dinner and dessert
sunshine - breezes - new flowers and birds flying around

Erin & Colleen fly North

Auntie Erin has arrived in Oregon (the 2nd leg of her summer living). She is doing so much better now. Yeah. Now it's Colleen's turn to fly north. She is going to visit family in Seattle for 3 wks. She'll be helping the folks out organizing their paper work, visiting the sibs, visiting friends and just plain going on a get a way. I'm looking forward to her reports. I had to tell MY people that I couldn't go out of town for the month of May so she could go. I have to stay home and babysit the animals and the MR. hehehe

Auntie Erin visits SLC

My Dad's sister Erin has been spending some time with us as she heads north for the summer. She's been here (SLC) for over 2 1/2 weeks. We have enjoyed her visit and learned lots of things abt our Dad from her perspective. She the bossy older sister now and we love her for it. She's been recouping from a broken rib and her recovery has been speedy. She still suffers from the effects of it, but can easily get up and down out of a chair now. One thing she became aware of on this visit is airplants - Tillandsia by name. She has been photographing them, rearranging them and nurturing them for over a week. I am glad someone else likes them like I do. She leaves for the next leg of her adventure - Springfield, OR to see if Jerome can handle being around her for a length of time. Then it's off to Seattle for the summer. Thanks for the memories.

Coming out of Time Out

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've posted anything on here. Today was just a horrible day. Tempers were flaring, attitudes were crappy and people were putting themselves in timeout just to be out of the way of unkind, unneccessary ugly words that weren't really meant to be said. Have you ever had a day like that? It all started when it was in the 60's overnight and I didn't get a good night sleep. Then, I got to work toooooo early. When I got there no one knew I should be there. Then the job I was supposed to do didn't go smoothly and took much longer than it should have. The atmosphere is changing and that is part of my problem. Things startled Walt and now he's in time out. I knew something abt how to do something on the computer and didn't think it necessary at the time to tell C and she got pissy abt that and ran off the deal with that. Louie is having troubles with his legs and it's hard for him to get around. And to top it off, Jay Leno isn't going to be on tonight - it's going to be a rerun. I guess he couldn't help it that he got food poisoning and doesn't feel well. It is amazing how things and attitudes can change in an instant. So, to all my friends and family... I love you and I am thankful we are all made the same - with emotions and thought - good and not so good.
Thanks for being there for me when I need you.

1st time in 2 years

How do you comfort yourself when you have a sore throat:
eat chocolate
eat steamed rice
eat sweet/salty things
drink lots of water (I even like plain hotish water)
take a nap
thank your job for giving you the day off
visualize your Mom hugging you (if you are not near enough for a physical one)
Cold Eze or other great cough drop

it's been 2 years since I had a cold or other illness. Darn, I thought I was immune:(

Words to LIVE by

This is a great attitude to have abt anything and everything.

Another group of words I want to try to live by:

LETS

DO

IT!

I Got this from Alicia E's blog...just copy and paste....then select the ones you have done by making them bold....

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (it's a mental health day)

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping (in the neighbors pool when they were off camping)

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (many times!)

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (mine was in Germany)

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (money what's that?)

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke(thats where my solo comes in..lol)

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain (duh, I lived in Seattle for a number of years)

53. Played in the mud (see the previous note)

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Camp Fire Mints

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp (see where in q. #34)

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt (for my sisters)

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person

101. Learned to play an instrument

Chain up?

This afternoon we laid out the 2 sets of chains we have to make sure they were in working order and we remembered how to use them. Not that we want to, but just in case, we are ready for anything. Oh sure, now that I am writing this I think " oh we could have had a V8". No really, I should of gotten the camera out so have picture of the scene. Oh well. Hopefully, we won't even have to put them on.
Less than 36 hours to go. EEEEE gads. It's creaping up on me faster and faster. I AM READY though and still breathing just fine.

I dream of a White Christmas

Yeah, so many storms. Ugh - in rush hour traffic isn't the best time for them though. 3 days till take off.

I need a brown paper bag

I can hardly breath right thinking abt my up coming trip. Just 4 more lays before we head out. We are staying at the Poole's Palace for the first couple of days - thanks veryone for the chance to stay there. I am even more excited that my niece and her husband (the newly weds) are coming from LA to Sea to be a part of the occasion. Yeah.

Time for sharing

Tis the season to share:

Our Christmas tree with you... complete with flocking, lights and bows.

our food with the locals.... the road way with our neighbors and the gate to our hearts.

We are so thankful for the moisture our latest snowstorm brings. With the snow comes COLD temps, but our hearts are warm and that is what counts. Happy Holidays to all.

Thanks

Things to be thankful for:
SNOW on the ground (but not on the streets)
Cookies baking
Fingers to lick
Lower gas prices for our long distant travels
Family who are looking forward to our visit
Freedom to worship if you choose
Light displays to OOOh and Awwww over
Beautiful voices to celebrate the season thru song
And a job. Happy Holidays to every one.