A Must Read!

Since I have moved to Colorado, I have been involved with a book group that meets once a month. I love to read and love book group. There are 16 of us and we get together once a month and talk about an assigned book and then have a luncheon that goes along with the theme.Well this month we read, SNOWFLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN, by Lisa See. It was so illuminating (notice the big words) and humbling at the same time. It made me realize that I was not only blessed by being able to live in this dispensation, but in America. I really have no idea of the hardships that 99% of the people in the world face, and have faced, and for that I am grateful..

This was a fascinating book about Chinese women and the tradition of foot binding. It also discussed "Laotong," and "sworn sisters." Women were virtually less worth than a dog. They were raised essentially to pass along to a man and then serve him and his family the rest of their lives. So many were beaten and mistreated, and their only comfort came from women who had been chosen in their youth to be their best friend forever, "Laotong." They also had a secret language that they wrote on fans and handkerchiefs to pass along to one another. No man knew "NU SHU." Thus they were able to comfort one another. I thought about the nurturing role that women have always had in the world and continue to have, and how we rely on each other to meet many of our emotional needs. I myself have "Laotong," in my mother, grandmother, and daughters. How blessed I am. I also have a wonderful husband who genuinely loves me and considers that I have worth. I am grateful that my daughters are treated well, and that my son is a kind man. So even in something like a book group, I am able to see the blessings of the Lord in my life.
It was a compelling book and I think it is definately worth your time. So to my "Loatong," and sworn sisters........Thank you.

Bonus: We got to eat Chinese food which I never get to eat because Richard is from Idaho! And next month we read, "THESE IS MY WORDS," which is probably more my level. :)

Speaking of women, I am very grateful to have Jaimie as my new daughter. Yesterday I went to church to listen to her speak on putting Christ back into Christmas. She did such a good job. Besides looking beautiful up there, she gave a very touching talk and I went away a better person. If that wasn't enough, she invited us over for dinner. She is turning out to be a great little cook, and wonderful homemaker. I feel very blessed again. Another "Laotong," in the making!

Who Said That We Are Empty Nesters?

As everyone knows, I love dogs! Maybe because when I was a little girl, one never lived past puberty. One of my dogs got run over by the mailman, Pixie. One died outside by the water spout, and then I think we quit trying. My Uncle Gary had a dog that they had brought back from California and they named him Elvis! How appropriate. Little did we know that Uncle Gary and Mike would grow up and sing just like Elvis! I'm not kidding. They amount of times we have spent singing around the piano and with the Karaoke machine are recorded for history. I used to have Mike come over to my house and sing for the women in my ward, at ward functions. Women still talk about him. He is truly as good as Elvis. I love to hear him and never will get tired of him singing. By the way, Aunt Debbie can sing just like Barbra Streisand and so they make quite a pair.

Anyway, I was talking about Elvis. The Dog! He was a chow mix and I loved him. He was so loyal to Mike and I and we spent our young lives with him. He used to follow us to school and then meet us as we were coming home to Grandma's house. All of the nieghborhood kids knew and understood his quirks. He was very docile until it was time for my Granddaddy to come home from work. He would see his car start to pull up and then Elvis would start barking and chase all of the kids that he had played with all day. When ever the kids would see Granddaddy's car come down the road they would all say "AH OH" and start running. When we were young kids we would walk downtown to the show on Saturday mornings. Elvis would always walk with us. He would actually wait for the cars to go by before he would cross the road. I thought he was magical. Sometimes I would worry because if he followed us to school the dogcatcher would try to get him. He always let me touch him when he would eat and no one else could do that.

One time he got hit by a car and Granddaddy picked him up and put him on the backstep and said ,"We'll just have to wait and see." I don't know how he recovered but there were no insurance plans for dogs back then. He always got fed Grandma's scra[s from supper and let me tell you I would eat those scraps today. Biscuits and gravy, ham, friend chicken etc. He was one lucky dog.

So my reason for remembering my dogs, I love them still today. Thus, we have three dogs living here at any one time.! Much to RIchard's chagrin...............My wonderful children bought me a dog, Gracie, a Chinese Pug, in case something happened to Joie, a Chinese Pug, who I had for 13 years. I talked to her more than I have anyone else in my life I guess. She passed away in March of last year. So Gracie was a good idea. Thank you Jonathan. Then we babysit Jonathan and Jaimie's dog quite a bit, which I love. His name is CHIEF, and I love him too. Then Jacqui is not able to take as good of care of her dog as she would like so she brought her home at Thanksgiving. Thus we generally have three dogs here and Richard is learning to go along with the plan. They actually love him alot. So today I am grateful for my friends. My animal companions. They are God's creations too. Thus, we are not really empty nesters but now a boarding kennel for man's best friend! I am lucky.

ALL DECKED OUT AND READY TO GO!

I have finally finished decorating the house for Christmas. You know that I wanted it to look good and feel like home because all of my children and grandchildren and parents will be here for the holidays. I am so excited. As a point of reference, all of the kids that marry into the family do so on a schedule. One year is our Christmas all together and the next year it is Thanksgiving. So I have been looking forward to this all year. I have finished getting everyone's gifts and my office is full of presents to wrap. I am anxious for the fun, memory making, laughing, cooking, snuggling, games, and togetherness to begin. Here are a few shots of the house. Now if I could just get the outside decorated. Richard's disability, (broken wrist) is causing all sorts of problems :( He really is useful and handy. You don't realize what you've got until it's gone!

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE!

I can't believe that it has been so long since I have blogged. I look at Jerianne's and know that I need to do better. But in my defense it has been hard to share this computer since Richard works on it all day and sometimes in the night!

I have finally finished my projects for Christmas. It has taken me almost an entire month and I seriously am not kidding. I had no idea when I started that it would take so long but I am very pleased with the finished product and hope that my children and grandchildren will be also. I know at the very onset it won't be the favorite gift, but maybe it is the one that will keep on giving :)

By the way, this batch was one of three trips that I made to the laminators! I made someone's Christmas bonus a little easier to give:)

Thanksgiving this year was ................................I can't find the right word. Richard and I did enjoy one another's company, but we do that MOST days. Since no one was with us for the first time in 33 years, oh my, we spent it alone! So, I roasted a "TURKEY" hot dog over my gas oven to celebrate! No one can outdo that. It was sad, but on a happier note Jacqui was coming in that evening to stay for a few days and that is what we looked forward to. We celebrated the next day with all of the trimmings and that made up for what was not my idea of turkey day. I called home and all of the Upchurch's were having a great time and I could hardly control my tears. Thank heavens for a heart full of memories of wonderful times spent together.

SEND DONATIONS......I LOOK LIKE A HOMELESS PERSON!

Seeing the Hand of the Lord In My LIfe

After listening to President Eyring's talk during conference, I know that his remarks were for me. I know how important it is to see the Lord's blessings each day in my life and hopefully this blog will help me do just that. I have been thinking alot about the miracles in my life and I have so many that I need to acknowledge them. Jerianne just celebrated her birthday last month and whenever I look at her I KNOW she is a miracle. Not just because she is beautiful, talented, accomplished, smart as the very dickens, and so thoughtful, but because she truly was a miracle for me. I got pregnant one month after I got married and was finishing my degree at BYU. Richard graduated and we went to Idaho for a visit when I was about 5 months pregnant. I was standing by the tv in his folks house and I just instantaneously started bleeding profusely. I was terrified. They put me on bed rest and I saw two different doctors in Idaho Falls. (Keep in mind we had no insurance and really no home at the time.) Richard's dad would give me cayenne pepper capsules every day..........IN hopes of it stopping the bleeding..............:) (He is another one of my heroes.) They gave me B-12 shots and when I had stopped bleeding for a few days they told me to get on the plane and go home to KC. Well I did that and as we started flying over Pocatello I just started bleeding again. I was all alone, no one to help me, terrified and so afraid for my baby. I had to get off the plane in SLC and it just so happens that my brohter (another heroe) had called his girlfriend Debbie ( another heroe) to go to the airport "just in case." I was trying to get to the first aid station when I saw Debbie and Diane (my dearest cousin) and they could see I was in trouble. They pulled up their car and set me in the front seat meanwhile, someone had gone to a group of missionaries in the airport ready to depart for their missions. They pulled two out to the car and they gave me a blessing. I know it had to have been the first one for one of the elders because his hands were shaking so badly he could hardly keep them on my head. They then took me to a hospital in SLC and I was seen by two different doctors there. No one knew at that time what was wrong. I had lost so much blood that I was severly anemic. I looked like paste but felt oh so much worse. They then took me to Grandma Pete's house (another heroe, how many times have I said that in the last two blogs?) and there I stayed until my angel of a mother flew out from KC to be with me. Richard's parents also drove down from Idaho Falls to help. I was in so much trouble by that time and Grandma Pete had her two home teachers who had to be in their 80's at the time, come and give me a blessing and then "carry" me out to the car and drove me to LDS hopsital in SLC. There I was examined by two more doctors and one happened to be named Upchurch, which you never hear. They did an Isotope X-Ray, ( which is what is supposed to have damaged Jerianne's teeth as they were budding,) and couldn't find the root of my problem. They told me to get on the plane and fly to KC to the doctors there. We tried to get them to let me lay down on the plane but they wouldn't do that unless they had an ambulance waiting at each airport we flew over and so we just went with faith and nothing else. My brother ( you are right, heroe) was waiting for me as we got off the plane, wheelchair and all, and went straight to the hospital in KC. (Richard was driving out to KC while all of this was happening!) They did an ultrasound and finally realized that I had had an abruptive placenta previa. ( The placenta had torn and was covering the cervix, bleeding continuously.) They put me on complete bedrest and so the rest of the pregnancy went. Bleeding, rest, bleeding , rest etc. It was actually so very frightening not knowing what was really happening and worrying about the baby. So they sent me to St. Luke's for an amnniocentesis (sp) which was only done at that point, one place in the city. I was so sore from bleeding that I could hardly stand up straight. I laid on the table and the jerky dr. brought out the equipment to do the test and the needle was almost 6 inches long. I was terrified and they were pushing on my stomach and I was crying. He told me that if I didn't stop crying he would walk out of the room and leave me on the table! What a jerk! When it was over I had literally given up. I remember telling my mom that I would honestly rather die than go through any thing else. That night they called and said that they had found the babies fluid in the test and that I was to come to the hospital immediately. So my dear father (my heroe) carried me out to the car and away we went. They hooked me up to a fetal monitor and found no heartbeat.............(The machine turned out to be broken...... after another meltdown.) So during the night they discovered that the test had broken my water and surgery was the next morning. I woke up from that with the doctor literally on top of me pushing and pushing my stomach which had just been cut open.......They had brought a pediatrician into surgery because they were so afraid for Jerianne. There were blood clots the size of fists all around her and they were in awe that she was okay! (Miracles do happen) My dad was the first one to see her and he rode down in the elevator with her to the nursery. So you can see why Jerianne is such a miracle to me. One of many to come but one that is imprinted in my heart and mind. And look how amazing she is! I had another previa with Jacqui and that is a story for another time.....I will try to write about the hand on the Lord in my life now with more frequency. He has been there for me so much, I am humbly grateful!

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE

Some of the things that I wanted to put down in my journal are important to me and for my family some day, I hope. I was back in KC a few months back and my dad pulled out a journal that my Grandmother Malone, who I adored, had kept for a year. As I read through it she just came to life for me, I could picture her and hear her, and it just filled my heart with love for her all over again. She was such a positive person, and nothing and I mean nothing, ever got her down. She had such a hard life, her mother died when she was 4, and she was basically raised by an older sister who was nothing like her. She was pregnant 10 times and out of those pregnancies she had three children who lived. One still birth, some miscarriages, and three children that died because of Hemophilia. I never remember her without a smile on her face and so happy, always happy. I don't know how she did it. She had no worldly goods at all and joined the church when she was in her 70's and lost all of her friends because of it. She worked as a nurse at the hospital which she loved, she was always "on call." She loved flowers, community work. She was in charge of the Cancer Drive in Liberal and I would go and sit with her some days in her office. The rest of the time I was going door to door with my Grandmother Upchurch (who is another heroe, role model and friend) and she would let me collect the money and write out receipts with her. I must have been 6,7,8, and so on.

Whenever she mentioned my name in her journal it just brought tears to my eyes and was so important to me. So that is the reason I haved decided to blog. I want my grandchildren to "know" me and hopefully they will think of me with just a little of the admiration, love, and respect I have for my grandmothers.

THANK HEAVENS FOR MY TEACHING DEGREE!

I know that it has been a while since I last put down any thoughts on my page. Plenty of reasons, about 20 of them to start with. I have been coloring for the last two weeks and I really mean almost continually. I am making folders for my grandchildren for Christmas to take to church and to use for Family Home Evenings. I majored in "EARLY" Childhood Education for a reason. I could do the math and I can really color! So I just need to get them all laminated and then I will have one more cutting to do and then the bags to make and two presents down. So most of all I hope that one day my grandchildren know that I loved them enough to spend my time, and not necessarily talent,doing this,because I love them.............................................................

It seems as though in this stage of life that I should have a bazillion hours of free time, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The last four days have just worn me out! On Thursday it was our stake temple day and we were there from 7:45 in the AM until 5 in the evening. We worked in the cafeteria for first half of the day and I didn't even stop to get a drink! Boy that was an eye opener and made cooking for my family seem like a piece of cake.

All day Friday I cleaned house for a party that I was having for some friends on Saturday night. It has been really hard trying to make Denver feel like home. The ONLY people I know are from church and so I would like to feel more at home, hence the dinner party for 26 people:(
Friday night I set the tables and made everything look as pretty as possible. ( Which so reminds me of my Grandmother Malone. She loved to set the table although, she had absolutely no worldly goods. It really makes me happy when I can see where I have taken after some of my heroes like her.) Saturday I spent the day making homemade rolls ( like my mother, another of my heroes) and trying to take care of last minute details. Every single person came and it was wonderful. We laughed and talked and just got to know each other better. There were four couples there from Kansas. The Harris', Spears, Calls, and us. It was great having so much in common. I may wait awhile to do that again however! ")

Sunday I taught Primary, I have the 5 year olds and I really love them, although it is hard to miss out on Sunday School, we have such a great teacher. We had our Primary Program and it was so good. Then home to make supper for the family, a visiting teaching interview at the church at 6, and then home for two rousing games of Settler of Catan, which Jaimie and I are addicted to. So you see life seems to be full. For that I am grateful.

TRICK OR TREAT........YOU DECIDE!

Well, what a surprise as I had just recovered from the last Sabbath Day, to wake up and see this! I am in charge of sharing time and have to be to church so you should see me driving in the "thicker than pea soup," weather. It is the 21st of October and what in the world has happened? So much for the fall leaves, but really, isn't it beautiful? We were out trying to shake the snow off of the leaves of our big (ha,ha) trees. I am sure it will melt and be back in the 60's again. We can only hope that there is snow for Christmas or else Janae will be very angry.........................................

I have not written all week because I have been making curtains! Yes, I borrowed Jaimie's sewing machine and set to out to make my den look a little more complete. Of course, as soon as the sewing machine saw me the tension jumped and away we went. I will take pictures and let you know how everything turns out. Martha Stewart I am not but maybe "Mattie" Stewart will be good enough.............................

"Oh What A Beautiful Morning!"

Alright so just let me start by saying AHHHHHHHHH! I had prepared my lesson for this Sabbath Day and everything was on the counter for me to be unhurriedly on my way to church. I woke up this morning to about 40* and turned the heater on. Oh back up, I was up at 4 AM with Chief while he went to "trigger" ( I'm babysitting ) and it was raining and 40*.............................I had put everything in the crock pot to make chicken soup and was cleaning up just humming to my self and had about 15 minutes left to do my newly shampooed hair. Now those of you who know me to be technologically challenged, that includes blow drying my hair. I am a curling iron, poofy headed, 60's, in a rut type of girl. I plug in my fairly new curling iron and it does nothing. Nothing, no heat, no smoke, no nothing! I look at my flat, no body, wet hair and start a little panic mode. I am actually talking to myself in the mirror like the both of us can figure this thing out...................... I am looking all over the house for any instrument that might help me out, remember 15 minutes left, and I teach Primary first thing................So I get Jacqui's old hair straightener and try that. My hair was standing up five inches high in a point, I am starting to sweat. I try curling the hair around the straightener, and it comes out at a 90* angle! My only other alternative was a curling iron left over from the 80's that was about as big around as a pencil. It's all I have and I gave it my best shot. Needless to say, I wouldn't make the cover of any magazine except for maybe MAD! Get out of the car to go into church and it is still raining, oh what the heck.....................................Get into Primary, of course I am one of the first ones there, albeit sweaty, soaked, and frazzled, (Richard is more psycho than I am when it comes to being on time), and they put some other class with mine. All of my ever so carefully counted handouts, snacks etc. are no longer as well planned as I had hoped. So by the time I get home, I wasn't singing, I wasn't humming, but I was laughing and that is better than the alternative today! "Oh, What A Beautiful Morning!"

You Are Not Too Old To Learn!

It seems like forever since I have been home to write, with so many thoughts running through this deteriorating brain of mine, I need to write them down while I can. This is like a journal for me and so feel free to ignore when boring! :)

First of all, I am a little nervous about having a ghost writer, I hope he is always in a positive mood when he edits MY BLOG! Yes, I just got back from Disney World for like the 8th time and I could go again tomorrow. It is one of the happiest places on earth especially when you go with family. I love having my mom and dad along and for them to spend quality time with their grandchildren, and great grandchildren. That is priceless. I can still see Shea in my mind, in bed with Mamaw discussing quite a bit. Mamaw really got to bond with Brogan as she stayed home several days to babysit and we got to run and play. Thanks so much mother.......

Some of my favorite memories of the trip are the kids getting to feed and touch a real dolphin. My dad going around to all of the exhibits with the kids and coloring right along with them. My mom being so excited in Animal Kingdom even though it was 90* with 100% humidity. She loves palm trees and should have been from another land............Mother not quite getting the scooter to go faster than 1 mile per hour. Kelly being a good big brother and taking Jacqui aside for a little talk! Swimming, swimming, swimming, and trying to watch the kids every second, they are like dolphins themselves. Daddy falling after the lazy river pool and me nearly having a heart attack worrying about both of my folks! Running into Jann Bassett Powell at the PUB-Lix ( inside joke) and being floored that we had to go to Florida to see each other. Biggest and best of all was having the opportunity to celebrate Jacqui's 25th birthday with her. I can't believe my "Baby" is 25................woooooo!
Over all just having the best time and making memories that will keep me warm when I am older......

So lesson learned, family makes anything and everything special. I am so blessed to have always been able to share so much with my parents and now trying to do so with my children and my grandchildren. I have always talked about closing your eyes, taking a mental picture, and keeping a memory.

I have always held hands with my children and squeezed their hand three times to tell them that I love them. I was so touched when Taryn kept doing it to me and we have this special bond, passed on from generation to generation. I love my grandchildren!

One more thing to write down for myself. In Institute this week we learned about perspective influencing perception. The lesson was on Joseph who was sold into Egypt and later became the second in command. The Lord sees the end from the beginning and sometimes we are only seeing a very small part. Jospeh would never have thought it was a good thing to be betrayed by his brothers, but in all actuality it was the process by which his whole family was later saved. I need to be more patient in my trials, more trusting in the fact that my Father in Heaven knows best, and be more valiant in my efforts to live my life so that I might reach what He has in mind for me.

Last lesson learned for this blog. I had to get new cell phone. What in the world did we do before we had them? I was totally lost for two days while mine was broken. Of course, now I have a wonderful new phone with so many buttons and arrows I am in technological cyberspace! Richard, help me! Jerianne help me! I am trying to learn but you should see me. I have probably run up a bill just by pushing buttons. Oh well, I get to talk to the family. Priceless.........

Ghost Writer

Since Verlinda is unable to stay in town long enough to blog, a ghost writer has mysteriously appeared in her place. Just having returned to town from yet another trip to Idaho for a funeral of her Uncle, she has now run off again. This time she is headed off to Disney World. While it has been rumored that there is some kind of a relationship with the fellow with big ears, I can confirm that that is not the case. While it may not be the "big ears", she has been seen with a couple of others who frequent that playground for kids. While the investigation is ongoing, odds today favor the guy in blue. For those who read this blog, (it is thought to be all of three people) please stay tuned as it is possible that she will return and once again take her place as the editor of this blog of blogs.

So Long

There Is Beauty All Around

Richard and I got to go up into the mountains the other afternoon and it was beautiful. Every once in awhile, we spin off and do something spontaneous. I know it is hard to believe of the two of us but..................The Aspens are beginning to turn and it was breath taking. It probably won't be quite the same in a photo, but it was a great adventure. We have decided that we are going to return and take the train ride and go into the silvermine next year. The air was wonderful, my favorite time of year.

I have finished reading TWILIGHT, by Stephanie Meyers, and it was spellbinding! I read almost 700 pages in 8 hours. I am on to the sequels as we leave tomorrow to go back to Idaho Falls. Uncle Joe has passed away and the only reason I am relieved is because he was suffering so. I have a real testimony about the absolute difference in the spirit and the body. I am so grateful that I know that there is life after death and the only sad ones are those left behind. What a great blessing!

THIS IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR!

Well, I am finally back from the "cool" Arizona heat and into the full swing of Autumn which is my favorite time of year. We are sleeping with our windows open and the air conditioner is a thing of the past. I love the smell of the air and the cool breezes on your face and the incredible beauty that is starting to unfold all over. Each leaf that turns a new color is like a reborn flower and I love it. I have put up my Fall and Halloween decorations and have decided that I will have a Halloween Party this year! I want to live! (I think that is from some movie but who knows.)

"I Have My Things About Me!"

I feel just like Maureen O'Hare in the Quiet Man, one of my favorite movies, who tells her husband she just has to have her "things" about her. I was so happy to get home and be around my things that it was goofy. What a ride I have had this last month. I was so grateful to be able to see everyone. I think I about covered the whole family except for going to Houston and that will have to wait. Sorry Sadie! All in all, it was wonderful to see everyone and we worked like turks in Phoenix to help Janae and Jacqui get their new houses up and running. I really am grateful that Richard is such a handy man and I'm no slacker! I guess you can see some pictures on Jacqui's blog and then I am putting more pictures on my blog tomorrow, after I talk to Jerianne on the phone for an hour as she takes me step by step through this process until I get it in my technically challenged brain. I gave most of my smarts to Jerianne, so be thankful and just realize you are my right hand!

I guess one funny story that I haven't shared is on my plane ride to KC. (Jacqui told me that my last blog wasn't happy, but hey Jacqui, sometimes life is hard!) There were a couple of rowdy men in the airport waiting to get on my flight. Of course, I thought to myself these would be my seat companions because that is just my luck. You could tell that they were not feeling any pain if you know what I mean, and so I waited. SURE ENOUGH, I walk right to their seats and find myself surrounded by these fine gentlemen. They were coming from their first visit to SLC and were very vocal about how much they hated it and those Mormons were the worst. No alcohol without buying dinner etc. and they said that I was the first one that had smiled at them since they had gone to SLC. Well we talked about their visit and their reason for being there, boxing match of one of their friends who got knocked out but won $10,000 just for fighting, and how bad the Mormons were. Okay so here was my dilemma, they were kind of funny, and you know that I need a laugh where I can get one. They would say something and then literally poke me in the side to see if I was following. They seemed to take a quick liking to me and wanted me to laugh right along with them. Sometimes I had to cover my mouth while the whole rest of the plane was clearly annoyed. They wanted to buy me a drink so I said yes, and ordered a diet Sprite. (I've always been a cheap date!) Guilty by association, I always tried to tell my children! They were good old farm guys from Topeka and I didn't have a pass along card! I debated and debated in my head whether to tell them that they had just spent an entire and somewhat enjoyable time sitting next to a Mormon, but decided against it for two reason. First, I felt that I needed to go home and repent for laughing at some of their comments and secondly, I doubt they remember anything from the flight. So, I am putting pass alongs in my purse and working on my sense of humor! :) (After repenting!) Until tomorrow, I kind of like this blogging.

Where Is My Home?

Well I have not been home since the 21st of August and am sure that they have fired me from my calling in the church! I think I have been working on that my whole church life, just kidding. I am trying to be funny and witty like Jerianne.

I went to Kansas City to see my grandmother, who is not doing well, to staying with my parents and seeing old friends. I also happened to have been in KC for the 50th anniversary of the church in the area. Saw a lot of people from my past and talk about deja vu! Then it was a flight into Denver and a flight out of Denver to SLC where we stayed with Jerianne and her family for about a week. Then we went on to Idaho, Richard's mother had fallen and we ended up with her in the hospital overnight. We celebrated Chrissy's birthday, it was a surprise, and visited with Uncle Joe and Aunt Kathleen. (I am sure Uncle Joe is not going to be here much longer...) We are back in SLC with Jerianne and will leave in the morning to go to Phoenix. Janae is moving and wanting our help and we get to paint Jacqui's living, kitchen, and bathroom while we are there. Besides, Janae put the guilt trip on us allowing as how we had four kids and not two, and I reminded her that she moved to Arizona and so it goes. So you can see why I am a little confused about where to call home.

I guess that the biggest lesson that I have learned to this point is be grateful for each day of your life and treasure your youth, whether you are 6 or 60! I have seen and been around so much sadness with family who are aging and it is heartbreaking. Those that I have looked up to and been influenced by my whole life now are looking to me for comfort, and solace and I feel out of place and homeless again as my heart breaks but I continue to need to be strong. Because in all reality, they are still teaching me. I hope to be able to do the same.

I am actually grateful that Richard is "SELF-EMPLOYED," right now. We are officially over the road drivers and up to 127,000 miles on our Honda. If he was tied down we wouldn't be able to do all of this traveling. Here are some pictures of our drive through the mountains that are right behind Jerianne's house. Honestly, right behind.

I'm a Blogger?!

Okay, I'm taking the dive and entering a world unknown to me. I am going to become a "blogger." This means that you will all be blessed with my insights on the world and you will get the opportunity to hear all about the exciting life of a young, technically-challenged emptynester - ha-ha :-)

Stay tuned. The excitement awaits!