LULU

 

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JOLLY CHRISTMAS 2009

LULU'S PUPPIES - BORN DEC. 21

MERRY CHRISTMAS

OKAY CHILDREN

TONIGHTS THE NIGHT TO SLEEP TIGHT AND HAVE SWEET DREAMS. MOM AND I ARE GOING TO BED AND HOPE SUGAR PLUMBS DANCE IN OUR HEADS.SO THEREFORE YOU WILL HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.IT ONLY HAPPENS ONCE A YEAR AND I HOPE THE GOOD LORD TAKES A LIKEING TO YOU.

LOVE YOU ALL

DAD

The Birthday Lowdown

So I know you're all just dying to hear how my Birthday was, so I'll go ahead and tell you. The day started off by Phillip taking me to a yummy breakfast at Mimi's Cafe.  Then we went over to Spencer's Appliances to pick me out a brand spankin' new dishwasher.  I know it's probably not the most wished for birthday gift,  but after a couple of months of my dishwasher not working, I'm ecstatic to get one for my bday.  Stainless steel.  Hope I won't regret that decision, but I believe it's just the beginning of an entire kitchen makeover in the works.  The other appliances will need to be replaced one by one, with stainless steel, and then the cabinets and counter tops will have to be next to keep up with the appliances.  It's and elaborate plan.  Evil, really.

Then home to open presents with whatever kids were home.   Later Phillip went to get some takeout food, rent a couple movies and even came home with a Dairy Queen ice cream cake.  Yum.  He also bought candles and made sure there were 41.  I saw him concentrating while he was counting.  And would you just look at the massive fireball that 41 candles makes!  But not as massive as the fireballs on all of your cakes. HA!  And I blew them all out with one breath, I might ad.  So that was my day.  A good one, for sure.  Thanks Mom and Dad and Bev for the gifts and Darv for the card. It's nice to be thought of.  Especially when your birthday can get mushed into Christmas!

NOTHING

OKAY CHILDREN,

IT'S TIME TO SET YOUR SELF DOWN AND SEND ME A BLOG. SOMEONE HAS SOME INTERESTING NEWS OR A STORY OR SOMETHING. LIE TO ME, I DON'T CARE, BUT PLEASE, I NEED TO KNOW IF ANY OF YOU ARE STILL ALIVE.

DARVIL AND I LOADED UP OUR TRUSTY FOUR WHEELERS AND JOURNIED OFF INTO THE WILDERNESS. OUR MISSION WAS TO RETREIVE HIS TRAIL CAMERA THAT HE HAD PUT ON A REMOTE CATTLE TROUGH TO GET SOME PICTURES OF ELUSIVE ANIMALS.

WE UNLOADED OUR TRUSTY STEEDS AND PROCEEDED TO JOURNEY INTO THE ENORMAS CANYON OF DEATH. WE RODE ALONG TRYING TO SPOT SOME QUAIL, RABBITS,DEER,WILD SHEEP, OR ANYTHING THAT MOVES. NOTHING. UPON ARRIVING AT THE SECRET PLACE THE CAMERA WAS HIDDENAND ANTICAPTING A LOT OF PICTURES OF RARE AND UNIQUE ANIMALS, NOTHING. THERE WAS A PICTURE OF THREE GUYS LOOKING AT THE CAMERA AND ALSO OF THEIR DOG. AFTER THAT,NOTHING.

WE THEN JOURNIED TO ANOTHER PLACE TO SET THE CAMERA AND WAS ALMOST THERE WHEN WE ENCOUNTERED A LOCKED GATE. BUMMER. WHILE TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO, DARVIL SPOTTED ANOTHER GATE IN THE FENCE LINE A SHORT DISTANCE FROM US. HOWEVER IT WAS IN THE BOTTOM OF A SMALL WASH AND THERE WAS NUMEROUS CACTUS AND MESQUITE TREES BLOCKING OUR WAY. THROUGH CUNNING, STEALTH,AND STUPIDITY WE WAS ABLE TO FORCE OUR WAY THROUGH THE GATE. WE PROCEEDED TO OUR OTHER SECRET PLACE AND SET UP THE CAMERA. WE THEN HAD TO ENDURE THE PROCESS OF THE HIDDEN GATE AGAIN. HOWEVER IT MAY BE WORTH IT BECAUSE ON A PREVIOUS CAMERA SET AT THIS LOCATION IT PROVED VERY REWARDING. SO TIME WILL TELL.

OKAY CHILDREN IT'S TIME FOR ONE AND ALL TO HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

DAD


DAD

Important news

Okay Children

Its finally official, yippi yio kia

Mark these dates in bold letters on your calendar.
April 23 the open house for the Temple will start. ON May 15th it will end.
May 23rd, sunday,the dedication will take place. No meetings for all wards in the temple district. There will be three sessions that day.
Monday, May 24th the temple will be open for sessions. May the good Lord bless and keep us.

Dad

These are a few of my favorite things

Don't have a heart attack, but I am actually posting pictures. Here are a few favorite Christmas decorations:

I still like Pottery Barn's idea for putting ornaments in glass containers.

My entry way table is silver and gold. Not sure if it's too much...

My mantle turned out better than expected. These are pieces of wood I had that I painted, distressed, then mod-podged letters I just printed from the computer and cut out. Easy as pie. (Where did that saying come from cuz pie is not very easy to make, especially if you make your own crust!)

Christmas is a happy time, I'm trying not to act stressed this year and just do what I can do and enjoy it. I say that every year, but this year I am doing it if it kills me!

These are a few of my favorite things, part 2

I repainted my forest green front door black and I really like it.

This is my very favorite image of Santa. I tore it off the cover of a magazine years ago and framed it.

I like the red and white in my dining room.

This chest looks much better here in the dining room than the family room. Becky's candy cane idea.

HAPPENINGS

I haven't written anything for the blog for quite awhile, and I think its time. A lot has happened since I last blogged. First of all, we spent Thanksgiving in Henderson with Beverly and Rob and some of Rob's family, and also saw our youngest grandson, our last grandchild, baptized. Eli is such a bright, cute boy with big brown eyes that just sparkle because he's so full of energy and life. He's a lot of fun. I can't believe this is our last one. Now I guess its on to missions and weddings, and maybe some babies. We were in Henderson for a week, with our trailer, and then home again.

Then I started in decorating for Christmas - my very favorite thing to do. I can do whatever I want and not worry about it, because it will be up for just a few weeks and then back to the usual stuff for another year. But its glorious having trees, bobbles and shimmer around. I love getting out the old things with their memories. And this year I made several trips to Goodwill with my girls, and its fun to see how I can reuse someone else's stuff.

On December 1, my brother Ray left us. Its strange how in some ways I still feel like that little girl who had a very handsome big brother who was always kind of mysterious. Ray loved life. He loved to dance and loved music. I remember going out to Ray and Billie's as a young teenager and he would get out his old records and play them and we would all laugh and have fun. Ray went on 22 cruises, and I'm sure he love them all. He went everywhere in the world he wanted to go. And he loved beautiful things, as his little apartment showed. Even tho he hasn't been in my life for quite awhile now, I still feel a void and a saddness, Knowing my Big Brother is gone.

His memorial was nice, and it was good to see so many of my nieces and nephews. I have some great ones who have turned into such wonderful adults.

And then there is Lulu. What a surprise to discover she is about to become a Mother. She is so big and fat and acts so miserable at times. She is sick some days, eats like a pig at times, and sometimes has no appetite at all. True pregnancy! It is exciting and scary to think she should have puppies in about 2 weeks. What a Christmas present!

I forgot to mention what a beautiful Thanksgiving hostess Beverly is. She set a BEAUTIFUL table, and had lovely decorations, her house looked so festive. The only downside......she set 2 fires that day. One in her beautiful new convection oven, and one on her beautiful table while we were eating. The cloth covering the rolls caught on fire. Very exciting day, and one everyone will remember.

Lovely Bev

OK. I JUST NOW realized there is no picture of Bev in the heading collage because she was the one taking all of the pictures! That will be remedied soon, but in the meantime, enjoy these pictures of lovely Bev.  By the way, what's our plan for the Christmas party? Do we even have a plan?  When is it?  What are we eating? What's the entertainment? Someone has to decide these things.  Please don't make it be me. I think it should be you, Mom.  So let us all know what the plan is, K?

Brady

Brady is definitely growing up. He is well on his way to finishing his Eagle project, and has enrolled for an EMT class that will begin in January, to prepare for being a firefighter. And Sunday afternoon he got his patriarchal blessing. It was amazing to hear all the things he is blessed with. I cried the whole way through. It was one of those "payback moments" where you feel like maybe all your hard work, sweat, tears, struggles, etc. have been worth it and maybe it will all work out anyway. We only have a year and he will hopefully begin the paperwork for his mission. As the patriarch told him, (in counsel, not the actual blessing), he is the mark setter for his younger siblings. If he sets a high mark, they will follow. He also told him not to let ANYTHING come between he and his mission, since Satan will be working double time to stop him from going. No doubt he will have a lot to overcome in the year and a half before he's 19, but so far things are looking pretty good. We're proud of him.

Trail Camera --Other Pictures

Here are a few other pictures from my trail camera. Now that I know how to put pictures on the Blog.

Darvil

ELUSIVE

Elusive.......Invisible......Disappearing........Vanished........Moved out..........Smart.........Unfindable.....

Lost.........Deer............What Deer...........No Deer here................Hunting.........More like hiking with a gun..........Eye strain.........Binoculars bring things in close...........Bushes look like Deer......Rocks that you are sure are a deer.........Walking and more walking............Ground that is so noisy they can hear you coming for miles..........Muscles that hurt........I brought too many shells........Luck.......Skill.......I thought I was a good hunter........Cheaper to go hunting at Safeway or Bashas.........My freezer is already full.........THIS IS HUNTING....

THIS IS FUN.......Maybe he is over the next ridge........Maybe he is in the bottom of that small draw........The thrill, adreneline rush, excitement of it all, THIS IS.....HUNTING AT ITS BEST....

It wasn't meant to be this year. Dad and I tried to find some mule deer. Dad hunted 3 and I hunted 4 days. About 2 months ago I had bought a trail camera. It takes pictures on movement and can take pictures out to about 40 feet either day or night. We had put it on water troughs trying to find where deer were getting a drink and if the area would be good to try hunting in. It was fun just doing this with the camera. Had a big horn sheep come in. Had a black bear take a bath in the trough. Several deer, even some big deer. We usually kept the camera in one location for a week at a time. We thought we had found "THE SPOT". There were about 7 different bucks coming in to this trough. We were both excited. The smallest one was a 2 point. 4 or 5 of them were 4 X 4s...... Oh well maybe next year.

DARVIL

ITS ME AGAIN

I haven't posted for such a long time. I keep thinking I will work on starting a blog of my own, but who am I kidding. When I sit down at the computer, I just skip from one beautiful blog to another, and hours later I get my tired, achy back and shoulders up and hobble away, wondering why I haven't gotten anything done. I love the inspiration I receive, but I can't think of much to contribute myself. I do stay busy, tho. I love the time I spend creating. I finished Grandma's wedding dress and am so happy to finally have it out of the old chest, where it has been living for 60 years or more. It really is pretty. And Jerry put an old bulletin board up for me in the same closet as the dress. It has been out there since Jerry worked for the Church. Now it has been painted to cover the stains, and I mod podged old dictionary pages (my favorite thing) over it. I am putting old pictures and things - all vintage - on it. I add one or two things every day, since it is a huge board.

I decided to clean out some of the things on my shelves, I have lots of shelves, and get them ready to decorate for Christmas. I am excited to start doing that. It takes me a long time, but I enjoy it. Dad and Darvil went deer hunting Friday and Saturday, all day. Their area was close, so they didn't spend the nights out there. It was pretty disappointing, as they didn't see anything. I don't know where the deer go, but I think they have a hiding spot. I kept busy Friday, doing my thing, and intended to do the same yesterday, but it was kind of cold, and snuggling on the couch with Lulu seemed so nice, and there were LOTS of good movies on TV that I hadn't seen before, so I was quite lazy all day. It felt good to do that. We said the prayers in Church today. So many people said our prayers were good, I guess because they were short. Who doesn't enjoy a short prayer once in a while. Some people give a mini speech.

Thats about all I can think of to say. I can't believe its almost Thanksgiving. When I count my blessings, I am so grateful for my family. My love goes out to all of you.

Ghost town blog

Where is everybody?  Has everyone decided to abandon the blog just like the gift exchange? (ahem Darvil).  We've got to keep it going people! What's new?  What has everyone been doing?  The girls and I went to downtown Glendale on Wednesday.  It seriously takes seven minutes from my house.  We invited Cindy along and we ate lunch and then walked the shops.  Mom, the little old houses that have been turned into boutiques are sooooo cute!  We have to go there next time you come.  I'm sure you saw plenty of cute at blissfest.  But it just wasn't right looking at decorated Christmas trees when it was eighty something degrees outside or maybe warmer.  I'm ready for Christmas and cool weather to begin.
  Amanda still has a job because Fry's didn't strike.  So she went clothes shopping today with the money she's been socking away.  Her Dad would be so disappointed if he knew.  But a girls got to have clothes.
Emily's boy crazy and fashion crazy and just plain crazy.  Isabelle has finally gotten excited about piano.  She's been practicing on her own lately without me having to make her and sit down next to her.
Logan's letter finally arrived in the mail.  December 4th is the date.  An Advisory hearing.  We'll see.
That's the update here.

Happy Anniversary

To a Cool Couple who make us all laugh when we're together, puts us up when we go to Vegas, fixes our teeth when there's a problem and many, many other fabulous things that make you both the best!

HAPPY 20th ANNIVERSARY!!!

Paint

Hey Children

Here I am again. I just keep looking for something on the blog but I am tired of reading something that is days old, so,

We are having our house painted. It's been way too long since we had it painted before. Beverly's old buddy, Darren Hawkins, is doing the dastardly deed. We are going all white, even the trim. Yellow shutters and a black front door. However we might paint the door white.

Just installed a new toilet in Mom's bathroom. I took the old one out and put it on the walk way in front of the front door. I left it there for a few days just for conversation then just today I moved it to the back yard, next to my shop where Mom plans to make a planter out of it.

Also we are having the fences painted, the railing on the front porch, and the metal post on the carport door. Installed two outside lights, one for the front and one for the carport.

Now the hard part. Someone has to clean up this yard and I don't want to do it. If only my children lived closer. However if I must, I must. Maybe when I get it done our old place might look good for a while.

I know this information is very interesting but it's all I have.

Grandpa

My Turn

Ok so I know it's my turn to update you on the latest in the Dow World. We had a GREAT trip to Hawaii (maybe some day I'll post pictures - that requires organization). I feel like I've been running non-stop since we got home, though. First just playing catch-up from being gone for 10 days, then with Super Saturday project sign-ups and ordering/purchasing of supplies, which took several days (and late nights when I could concentrate and count). We have several hundred dollars worth of orders - it should be fun. Then this week I have been covering for Rob's receptionist who is on vacation. I'm glad I'm not a working mom - Getting home at 6 to a messy house just to try and fix dinner, help with homework and get everyone to bed in time to wake up at 5:30 and begin again.
But last night we had a little extra excitement thrown into the schedule. At wrestling practice Colby BROKE HIS NOSE! Yes, you read that right, broke his nose. I told you he is our injury child! About a month ago he knocked his front tooth out, too. We were out to dinner. Luckily he had the sense to put it back in place which Rob said was the best thing to do because it seems to have reconnected itself OK.
But anyway, back to the nose. Whenever we have an injury, we always have to go through the same dilemma: Emergency Room or no Emergency Room. Is is necessary? How long will it take? Will they help us or just say go see the doctor tomorrow? Would it be better to just give it time? All these questions we go through. So we called a doctor friend and got his advice, then decided not to go to the ER. I took him today and got an x-ray, then to an Ear, Nose, and Throat dr. He said he definitely broke the bone, not just the cartilidge. He will put him under anethesia next Thursday to put it back in place. With noses, as long as you can breath ok, it's better to let the swelling go down. His nose is bent to one side. I told him it's been profitable for Owen Wilson, maybe he should just leave it.
But anyway, remember the burst eardrum from a few months ago? He looked at that for us and there is still a hole in there. He doesn't recommend leaving it that way since he could never go in deep water and would always be prone to infections when he swims. So he's going to do surgery to repair that! He has to cut behind the ear, then peel the ear forward and go into the ear that way. His ear will be numb for 4 months after that. He said the hole is in a very unusual and tight spot, but that it's not a problem, just a "challenge". He is one of only 2 doctors in the area that will do this type of surgery. What a blessing that we even went to see him instead of the many ENT doctors we could have seen. Our neighbor and former bishop recommended him, so I trust his judgement. His wife Gloria is deaf in one ear and has been seeing this same doctor for a possible treatment for her.
Miranda gave an awesome talk in Stake Conference on Sunday. She was asked to be the Primary child speaker for STAKE CONFERENCE!! I was nervous for her but she did great. She had the audience in the palm of her hand, and has had several compliments.
Other than that, I don't have much to report. The kids have a 4-day weekend from school this weekend so we are going to CA and staying with Rob's sister Amy and going to Sea World and a few things. Should be fun but I'm tired so getting ready to go doesn't sound appealing right now.
So that's the update - long, wasn't it?

Here's my story

It's hard to see but the caption on this picture says: Good Luck. When you go into court you are putting yourself into the hands of 12 people that weren't smart enough to get out of Jury Duty.

Ok Ol' Dad, I'm getting on the blog. For some reason new posts aren't showing up on the blog list. It still says "We're Outta Here" as the most recent post on Boren Sisters. So I didn't know there was anything new. It's doing the same thing on Cook Blog, so I'm trying to figure it out.
Anyway, I have a not so exciting story. But it's a long one! I was summoned to Jury Duty on Monday. In the past I've been able to get excused by writing a letter or sending in the form and telling them I had small children. But this time I stuck the letter on the board and forgot to look at it again until it was too late.
 I had to appear. I made arrangements for Isabelle, because I had to leave at 6:45 am to drive down town and find the parking garage. It wasn't too difficult. I parked in the free parking garage for jurors and waited along the curb with everyone else for the ginormous bus to take us to the Superior Court. Then I waited in line again to get through security and go inside. Then I made my way down to the jurors holding area and filled out a form and sat down in the enormous wating room with the other hundreds of prospective jurors. I was early, they didn't get started until at least forty five minutes later. After giving us a schedule of court dates for the next three months of a specific trial, they began calling off names to see who could serve on this three month trial. Once they got enough names they stopped. My name wasn't called.
Then the baliffs started coming in and they began calling off names again. I made it through the first two rounds without being called, but then they got me on the third round. From that point on I was known as Juror #41. We followed the baliff up to the 8th floor and got into lines of ten. And then we waited. And waited. And waited. Finally our court room was ready and we filed inside. The next hour or so was taken up by the very nice and funny Judge filling us in on the rules of the courtroom and the lawyers explaining the case to us. Then the Judge got to the part where he was going to ask if serving on this trial would be a hardship for anyone..... just what I'd been wating for. But it was time to break for lunch. Be back in an hour and a half. I went down to the food court and spent almost $10 on my lunch and I only get paid $12 for being there. Long lunch, back upstairs, more waiting, waiting, waiting. Finally inside and I get my chance to speak. I told the truth. I have a third grader that I need to be there to get her on the bus in the morning and be there when she gets home. I also drive a High School carpool in the mornings. No your Honor, I don't have any family that could help, my older kids aren't home then. Then all fifty of us took our turn telling our occupation and our spouses occupation and if married or not and our children's ages. Myself and another woman were the only stay at home Moms there. Hmmm. Then the lawyers asked certain people questions depending on their previous answers and time to break again. Filed back in again and the Judge began reading the #'s of jurors he was excusing because of hardships. C'mon #41. YES! #41 is excused!

For another eighteen months.

And then I'll do it all over again.

I'm waiting

OK CHILDREN.

I'M WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO ENLIGHTEN ME ON SOMETHING INTERESTING IN THEIR LIFE. HASEN'T SOMETHING EXCITING HAPPENED TO WANT YOU TO WRITE ME AND TELL ALL ABOUT IT?
I, IF YOU REMEMBER, WROTE A BOOK ON THE ELK HUNT, SO WHAT'T THE MATTER?, IS YOUR LIFE SO DULL THAT YOU DO NOT WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW.COME ON CHILDREN, WRITE TO ME, EVEN IS YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT UP, [ WHICH AS I SEE IT, IT MIGHT BE FUN TO SEE WHO HAS THE BEST INAGINATION].

WHEN WE WERE ELK HUNTING WE HAD TO JUMP A STREAM OF WATER OR GET WET. IT MUST HAVE BEEN 20 FEET WIDE. [MORE LIKE 5 FEET], I DIDN'T MAKE IT. SO MUCH FOR A OLD GUY.

OLE DAD.

Monster Mash

Got this idea from the Hancock blog. Shhh, my family doesn't know I have exploited them. They shouldn't make such funny faces for the camera and not expect me to use it to my advantage. I laugh every time I watch it. Enjoy!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Great White Hunters

THE GREAT HUNTERS ARE HOME FROM THE HILLS.
DARVIL, HIS SON JASON, AND THEIR SPECIAL GUIDE, GRANDPA, TRAVELED TO ALPINE,ARIZONA TO TRY AND SLAY A DRAGON OF AN ELK.
WE LEFT ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND ARRIVED IN ALPINE THREE HOURS LATER.A GOOD FRIEND, DENNIS LUNT, LET US STAY AT HIS CABIN, [ JUST LIKE BEING AT HOME ]. FRIDAY MORNING THE ALARM WENT OFF AT 5:00 AM AND WE LITERALLY JUMPED OUT OF BED,[ YEAH RIGHT ]. WITH THE FOUR WHEELER IN THE BACK OF DARVILS PICKUP WE DROVE TO OUR FAVORITE SPOT, WALKED UP A HILL, AND WAITED............. WE THEN DECIDED TO TRY WALKING ALONG A RIDGE UNTIL WE SPOTTED THEM. NO LUCK. DARVIL AND JASON TRIED ANOTHER RIDGE AND GRANDPA DROVE THE TRUCK AROUND TO PICK THEM UP.NO LUCK. AFTER NOON WE JUST DROVE IN THE TRUCK, DRIVING SMALL ROADS SLOWLY AND LOOKING. NO LUCK. WHILE HEADING BACK IN THE DIRECTION OF HOME WE TOOK A ROAD THAT CIRCLED A BIG MEADOW. ABOUT HALF THE WAY AROUND WE SPOTTED TWO ELK STANDING IN A CLEARING. JASON STEPPED OUT AND FLUNG A BULLIT IN THEIR DIRECTION. THE ELK ACTED LIKE IT WAS HIT BUT IT RAN OFF INTO THE TREES AND DISAPEARED. IT GOT DARK SO WE COULD NOT FOLLOW IT. GETS DARK FAST IN THE MOUNTAINS YOU KNOW. NO LUCK, WENT TO ALPINE.
SATURDAY MORNING MORE OF THE SAME EXCEPT DARVIL AND JASON HAD GRITS FOR BREAKFAST. GRANDPA JUST HAD CERIAL. WE DROVE TO ANOTHER AREA AND WALKED AND DROVE UNTIL NOON BUT, NO LUCK. AFTER NOON WE DROVE QUITE A DISTANCE TO ANOTHER AREA, TOOK A LONG WALK, SAW A LOT OF SIGN BUT NO ELK, [ SIGN IS TRACKS AND POOP.] WE DID SOME MORE DRIVING ON SMALL ROADS UNTIL WE ENCOUNTERED A DEAD END. DO YOU KNOW HOW FRUSTRATING THAT CAN BE. WE TURNED AROUND AND SLOWLY DROVE BACK THE WAY WE CAME. OCCASIONALY WE WOULD STOP AND TURN OFF THE TRUCK AND LISTEN FOR A BULL ELKS BUGLE. FINALLY WE HEARD ONE SO WE DROVE AGAIN TO TRY AND GET CLOSER, STOPPING OCCASIONALY TO LISTEN. WE WERE GETTING CLOSER. WE DROVE AGAIN FOR A SHORT DISTANCE AND STOPPED AGAIN TO LISTEN. WE HEARD THE BUGLE AGAIN BUT THE ONLY WAY WAS TO WALK. WE STARTED WALKING WITH JASON IN THE LEAD, DARVIL BEHIND HIM, AND THEN CAME THE GUIDE. WE HAD NOT WALKED VERY FAR WHEN JASON SPOTTED AN ELK. DARVIL HAD HIM USE A TREE TO STEADY HIS AIM BUT THEY COULD NOT SEE THE ELKS HEAD. COULD NOT TELL IF IT WAS A BULL OR A COW. [ OH DID I MENTION HE HAD A COW TAG, HAD TO MAKE SURE IT WAS A COW.] DARVIL HAD JASON MOVE TO ANOTHER TREE AND FROM THERE THEY COULD SEE ANOTHER ELK AND THIS TIME IT WAS A COW FOR SURE. CAREFUL AIM, SQUEEZE THE TRIGER, KAPOW, AND THE ELK TURNED AND RAN. BUT IT ONLY RAN FOR ABOUT 100 FEET AND FELL OVER. LUCK,LUCK,LUCK, YIPPEE. THE SUN HAD SET SO WE QUICKLY CLEANED HER OUT, LOADED HER AND THE FOUR WHEELER INTO THE PICKUP AND DROVE TO ALPINE WITH SMILES ON OUR FACES. [OH DID I MENTION THAT WE DROVE THE PICKUP RIGHT TO WHERE SHE LAY. LUCK.] SKINNED HER OUT CLEANED HER OFF, WRAPPED HER UP AND HAD SUPPER. STILL COULD NOT KEEP FROM SMILING.
WE DROVE HOME SUNDAY AND AFTER WE GOT HOME WE QUARTERED HER UP AND PUT HER INTO A OLD SODA MACHING THAT I HAD PURCHASED YEARS AGO JUST FOR THIS PURPOSE. AFTER THE INTERNAL COMPONETS OF A SODA MACHING ARE REMOVED THERE IS A LOT OF ROOM INSIDE. IT KEEPS THINGS VERY COOL. CUTTING AND WRAPING IS TO COME BUT WHAT THE HECK, THE SMILES ARE STILL THERE.
MMM,MMM,GOOD.
GRANDPA THE HUNTERS GUIDE.

Great White Hunters

We're Outta Here!

We leave Friday for our 10-day Hawaii trip. Celebrating 20 years of marriage on beautiful Maui with my very favorite person to be with in the world. It will be so nice. We are looking forward to a much-needed break, especially Rob, he's been really stressed lately. I'm so grateful to Mom and Dad and Rob's mom and aunt for tag-teaming watching our kids. We couldn't go without them.

I didn't lose the weight I've been telling myself since January I would lose, but it's too late now. The Hawaiians will get the chubby version of Bev rather than the sleek slim version. What can I say. But we have been going to the tanning salon just to try to get a little color so that our bleach-white bodies won't burn to a crisp on those white sandy beaches.

My suitcase is half packed, I told myself I can't go to bed tonight until it's 100% packed. I'm trying not to let it go to the last minute. We leave bright and early Friday morning, it's coming all too fast now.

So I won't be adding to the blog for a while, unless there's a computer at the hotel and I can get on the blog that way. I could update you on our snorkeling, beach laying, luau-ing, eating, shopping and touring that we plan on doing. Otherwise, we'll catch you all on the back side!

ALOHA!!!

He reminds me of Darvil

Hey Darv, don't know if you'll check in on the blog to even see this but thought you'd like to know. Isabelle has been seeing you alot. The past few days whenever we're watching something on TV or in a movie she'll say "that guy looks like Darvil." or "you know who that man reminds me of? Darvil." I had to correct her once and say "well maybe a much older Darvil". So apparently really old guys remind her of you.
That's funny.

TODAY, I SAW AN ANGEL

I saw an angel in all his glory. Jerry had a Dr. appt. in Safford, and he called me on his way and told me to drive to Central, immediately. So I grabbed some water, Lulu, and took off. When I got there, I saw LOTS of cars parked on both sides of the highway, along side roads and everywhere there was a bare spot. Then I saw 2 cranes at the temple site. One held a cage with 3 men in it, and the other held the Angel Moroni. I drove along a side road and parked, rolled down my windows, and watched as the miracle took place. The men were lifted to the height of the top of the steeple, and the angel, in the other crane was also lifted. The angel reached the height of the steeple, and then it was raised higher, until it was up above. It stayed there for awhile -- then they lowered it down. What a sight! Cars going past would pull over and stop. Some stayed in cars, others got out and walked, holding their childrens' hands. Then, finally, the angel was lowered down to the steeple, then rotated a little until it faced perfectly East. And then, after awhile, the angel was unattatched from the crane, and the men were lowered down to the ground, and there stood the Angel Moroni in all his golden glory.

I sat there awhile and just looked at the temple. I thought about my grandparents and great-grandparents and wondered if they ever thought there would someday be a temple in this valley. All the trials and tribulations they went through to settle in this valley, some being called to settle here by Brigham Young. Then I thought about my grandkids and the trials and tribulations they are faced with today. It is a very tough world, and we face trials and heartache, just as our ancestors did in the past. Driving past the temple, and we are so lucky to be able to do that - to have it just a few minutes from our home, gives me such a feeling of peace. Trees are being planted, landscaping is starting, and it is beautiful. Stained glass will be installed soon.
Looking at the temple gives me hope and knowledge that God and Jesus Christ loves us and we have temples to attend where we can feel of that peace.

Constantly Amazed

Amazing is........ as Amazing does. No I am still here. Haven't dropped off the planet. Another Monday morning, getting ready for work. It seems like there is always something going on. Jason is involved in soccer and has a game nearly every saturday and 2-3 practices a week after school. He is also involved in high school cross country and made the varsity team of 5 runners. He has a running meet every week for the next month and a half. He has 20 more hours or so to complete his Eagle project. Jared made the EAC coraleers choir group and is the main character "Huck" in there Huckelberry Finn show. He is taking alot of college credits and is one of the Central ward missionaries and is going to mission prep and maybe thinking more about a mission. He hangs with alot of college kids (girls mostly). Breanna is going to EAC. She is still living with the girls in Thatcher and loving her freedom. She is working at Dairy queen and as a teacher aide at thatcher and dating lots of boys even tho I haven't met any of them. Shaleice is working full time and taking a few evening classes. She made a singing group and is loving it. She is trying to find a house to buy and has been going on regular dates with her realator. Time to go more later. Darvil

Ears and knees are important

Colby burst his ear drum last week. I forgot to mention it to y'all. He was swimming and jumped into the pool, landing sideways with his ear sort of slapping the water as he went in. Apparently it was enough force to pop a hole right in the eardrum. He can't hear out of that ear now, but the doctor says that's normal and as it heals the hearing will come back. It'll take a few weeks or so. Colby's our injury child it seems. He had multiple ear infections when he was little and had ear tubes put in - twice -for that problem. Of course his surgery when he was 3 days old, and now all the knee issues and surgeries. I took him to the knee doctor a few weeks ago to see if he thinks Colby can wrestle this season or not. He wasn't very pleased with where the knee cap is sitting. He pretty much guaranteed us it will dislocate again, and if it becomes too severe, he'll have to go in and cut out a little bone and use screws and whatnot. But after saying all that, he said: "These are some of the best years of his life. If he wants to wrestle, he should wrestle. He can't just sit around hoping nothing happens. He's got bad knees, and he'll have to deal with it, but he shouldn't let it hold him back from what he wants to do." I guess that's some pretty good advice. And since Colby's willing to risk it, it looks like he'll be wrestling. I'll support him, but I won't have any fingernails left after watching his matches, I'm sure. And I'll put the emergency room and the doctor's office on speed dial.

Is it Pottery Barn? Or is it Martha Stewart?

These flowers were in the Pottery Barn kids catalog, not for sale, but just decorating one of the rooms. I told Isabelle how cute they were and we should make some for her bedroom. Just a few days later Mom and I were in Big Lots and there they were! Martha Stewart has a kit with five tissue paper flowers already precut with the wires and everything. $2.00!!!! So I bought one and wallah! Here they are hanging from Isabelle's ceiling. Darling.

P.S. Emily made the Fall Play at her High School. There are only three girls parts and she's one of them. She's the only Sophomore. The Teacher had three callbacks, really put them through the ringer, but she made it and is soooooooo excited.

REFUGE

Psalm 91
1: He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
4: He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shalt be thy shield and buckler.
11: For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

First Week of School

The first week of school is over. I am happy to see it go. I had forgotten how hectic the first week is. Each child brings home a supply list from each teacher. Keep in mind I have 4 kids in the upper grades who have 6 classes each, so you can imagine the magnitude. Not every list comes home on the first day, they sort of trickled in all week long. Some teachers ask for a separate binder for that class to keep in the classroom. Some ask for colored pencils, some markers. Some want notebooks, some want loose-leaf paper. Some want folders, some subject dividers. Of course the Spanish teacher wants a Spanish dictionary. They all want pencils, but some want pens in specific colors. Some want those large pink erasers. So off we go to find the various supplies. WalMart was out of pink erasers and markers. K-Mart was out of subject dividers and #2 pencils. Every store's school supply section looked like many small bombs had gone off. The aisles are full of parents that look like they just want to grab and get out quick. The employees all have glazed looks in their eyes from having had to deal with rushed parents and a school supply section that has been getting less and less functional since it started back in May.
The kids also bring a rules sheet and parent contact info. sheet from each class that the student and parent each have to read, sign and return. And then there's the packet with the health form and the field trip permission slip and the media permission form and the privacy protection form.....Are you starting to get the picture?
But, we survived the first week, and everyone's home for the weekend now. As I listen to the fighting and screaming going on as I type this, I am wondering if I always think "the grass looks greener" or am I really missing that hectic first week of school already? Monday will be here soon....Monday will be here soon....

BURDENS

I have been thinking about the burdens we all carry. We knew we were going to have trials and be tested when we came to this earth. Each person's burden is different, and some are heavier than others, and for a time, we may even feel our burden is light. One of my favorite scriptures, and even have it in a nice frame sitting by the phone and computer ~ Be ye not troubled for THIS TOO SHALL PASS. I have looked at it many times. There is a picture of Christ holding a little lamb. This scripture always seems to comfort me. I have gone through a few trials, and the saving grace I had was the knowledge that I was loved by God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. Sometimes prayer is the only thing we can do, and pray sincerely. I know our prayers are heard and answered. Sometimes the answer isn't quite what we want to hear. Sometimes our burdens aren't taken away, but our faith allows us to be able to endure them. Things don't always turn out like we want, but we will be judged not by our trials, but how we endure them. Whether its sickness, death, family problems, sometimes our burden becomes so heavy that all we can do is pray and turn our burden to God and Jesus Christ. The main thing is not to lose HOPE. We need to keep our spirits healthy and not let that happen. For everyone in the family who is burdened and downcast, please know that I love you and pray for you. I love you all.

first day of school

I'm Back

After several weeks of various internet problems (I was about to go through withdrawals!), our internet is back up and running so now I can post again. You probably thought I had joined Darvil's dark side, but I didn't. Yesterday was also the first day of school, so I can't help but feel a small sense of freedom right now. What's that sound I hear upstairs and in the distant rooms of my house? SILENCE!?! I haven't heard that in a while. The kids all had a good first day yesterday, Colby's first day of high school and seminary, Miranda's first day of middle school. Brady is a big man on campus, being a senior, and Kason said he enjoyed not being the youngest grade anymore at middle school. Eli is the only one at elementary this year, he likes 2nd grade and his teachers, and was pleased to find 2 of his best friends are also in his class. This should be a great school year.



But my to-do list is so long I don't know how I'll get to it all. Super Saturday is looming in the distance... any great ideas, anyone? I've got a few but need a few more.



The chickens are laying eggs like crazy. 5 or 6 per day. We're going to start selling them (we hope) and get back some of the money we spend on food. We let them roam during the day, (they're free-range chickens!--I love that term), so if you walk out the back door expect 6 large chickens to come running up to you hoping you have a treat. (we often take out our old bread or shriveling fruit and veggies and they gobble it up). They will follow you until you either give them some food or you run back into the house. If you have brightly painted toenails, expect them to peck at your feet, (they drew blood on Miranda's toes!), but not usually. Kason has given them all boy names, even though I have assured him that only women chickens can lay eggs, but he thinks the boy names are funnier. The meanest one is Evil Rick, then there's Horace and Frank and I don't remember who all.



As for me I'm just trying to keep this place running, it's a full-time job. Life's pretty good over all, we can be grateful we still have a house to live in, a good job, good neighbors and friends, great family, the gospel, and (for now at least) a wonderful, free country that even with Obama as president is still a lot better off than anywhere else.



Here's a couple of quotes to end on:



"Look on the bright side. Things will work out, they always do."

-Gordon B. Hinckley



"The future is as bright as your faith."

-Thomas S. Monson

End of an Era

Yesterday morning we went to the funeral of Linda Norton. A lot of memories came back to me while I was sitting there. Not only of Linda, but about the years I spent working at Ruth Barnes, Jusice of the Peace's office. Linda wasn't there when I first started. It was Judge Barnes, me, & her secretary Vita. The office was down in the basement under the Sherriff's office & jail. Then, after I had been there awhile, Ruth fired Vita for some reason, I never quite understood why, something about Long Distance calls. So then I had to work longer hours, and this was right at Christmas time. It was scary down in the basement when I was alone. No telling who would walk down those stairs and come in. Then Ruth hired Linda. She was very efficient and learned the ropes fast. Then our office was moved upstairs, so we walked up a flight of stairs to get to the office. The Assesors office was up there, so I became acquainted with some new ladies, especially Donna. Barbara Brazil and Carolyn Donham came to visit often. Then another part-time person was hired: Lenore Barney. I got to know all of these women, and that office is where I spent many hours. Linda & I had many conversations. She did well for herself, being a widow for so long, and then had a couple of bad marriages. I got to know her 3 kids a little.
When Ruth retired, Linda was appointed to her position, and she held that for about 9 years.
But that is a chapter of my life that is closed now. I talked to all of the women yesterday, except Carolyn. Linda was 2 years younger than me, and now her and Ruth are gone now. Linda went through the temple and had her first husband's work done also. At the funeral, her only brother gave the Life Story and told lots of stories about Linda and her friends. I am glad she did her temple work. I didn't think she ever would because of the life style she had when I knew her.
We never know when our time will be up.

Neutering: who knew

Mom and Dad, I was so surprised to read about Linda Norton's death in the Courier on line. Had she been sick for awhile or was this sudden? She was only 65. That's too bad. Are you going to the funeral?
Also, I wanted to tell you about the changes in Zero since he got snipped. The good news: he doesn't seem to need to mark things in my house anymore. The bad news: he growls and barks alot now. He didn't used to bark at the doorbell or knocks on the door. But now he sure does and it about knocks you our of your chair it's so loud and startling. If he hears the slightest noise outside, he'll growl this low growl or bark and he can't be consoled. It's weird. Who knew neutering would do that? I loved him so much more before he found his voice.

That's all.