Rae's Place

2010-05-13T11:58:00.002-07:00

I haven't been on here for a long time, so just wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive. Nothing much exciting happening in my life so don't have anything to write about really.
The weather has been strange here just like everywhere, but today is a beautiful day in AZ. It's 81 degrees, the sun is shining and so far there is no wind! Yeah!!!

Pain

2009-08-22T15:03:00.002-07:00

My heart is in so much pain, I can hardly think stright. This has been the most horrible week (except fot the week when my Sweet Bill died). On the 17 my wonderful niece, Melonie, lost her Mother-in-law, which just broke her heart. She loved her so much and visited her everyday to see how she was doing. So I know how much Melonie is going to miss her.
Then I talked to my dear Sister-in-Law, June, and found out she has inoperable cancer and is terminal. That was on Tuesday the 18th. Then my sweet daughter-in-law, Tina called me and said her dear Mother had passed away on the night of the 19th. How much pain their whole family is going through. I know what it will be like for poor Jim, Tina's dad. I have shed many tears for them.
Then Thursday night our niece Patricia, died in a Hospice Hospital at 11:45 pm. She was crippled from Polio and afer her parents and only sibling died she came to live with us for several years. She then got an apartment in Teempe and we took care of all her errands and taking her to the doctor, for haircuts, and etc. So we are so sorrowful about her loss, even tho we do understand that she is better off. She had been in a nursing home for the last 2 years suffering from alzhimers.
Then yesterday evening my sister called to tell me that Carlyle DeWitt had passed away that afternoon. He worked for Bill for over 25 years, and becamr the General Manager of our Funtiture stores. He and Bill were such good friends and golfing buddies. Some of the stories I could tell about those two!!!. I feel like another piece of Bill died with Carlyle. But I do wish I could be ther to see their meeting on the other side! He was a good man.
I just feel like all I have done this week is cry!!! I sure do hope June stays around for a while it would just break my heart if she goes. Terrible Week!!!!!

Kimberly

2009-07-24T14:56:00.002-07:00

Happy Birthday to my sweet daughter Kimberly. I wish your Dad was here to wish you happy birthday too. I know how very proud of you he always was and is! From the time we first found out we were expecting you we were both thrilled but worried. Worried about being the oldest parents known to man and weather we'd be around to see you grow up. Your Dad worried because he was so old and I worried because I was so old and because of my poor old worn out heart. But you came into this world kicking and screaming even as tiny as you were, and you were tiny! But you had more love lavished on you than any kid I ever knew. And still do!
I hope you know that I am proud of you and the woman you have become, even if you do lie about your age, at least you can get away with it. I love you so much and pray for you always. May God bless you with all you are in need of now and forever. Love, Mom

Rain

2009-07-21T17:09:00.002-07:00

RAIN, we finally got some good rain. Yeah!! I was beginning to think we never would see rain again. I even had a pool in my backyard again this morning. And it's been cooler all day. The air is cooler, cleaner, and clearer so you can see the surrounding mountains again. The rain washed away all the smog at least for a while. Lovely.
We've had some awesome lighting and thunder shows for the last couple of days, but lots of times we get those with blowing dust and no rain. So all it does is make a mess of everything. It's just so wonderful when it rains, I always love the smell of it. Hope we get more, the weather people say we should but that doesn't mean we will so we always just enjoy what we get.

Weather

2009-07-01T14:55:00.002-07:00

Whats with this weather? I wish it would just up and rain and get it over with. These cloudy days are miserable, makes my whole body ache and pain. Besides that it make it seem hotter because the humidity is so high. They keep saying we are in the Monsoon but so far we've had no rain here at my house or in this neighborhood. Come on, we need it more than other places--share.

Busy day & Birthdays

2009-06-16T16:33:00.002-07:00

Happy Birthday to my darling daughter, Lonna. May you have many, many more. What a special person you are and always have been. You have been a great joy in my life and in the lives of your family. Your testimony is an example to all you come in contact with and you bring happiness and fun where ever you go. Know that I am proud of you and admire the beautiful woman you are. Love you always.
Also Happy Birthday to Victor, I don't think he does blogs so this is all I'll say about him.
Also Happy Birthday to Amy! I'm so happy that you are in our family, you are so special. Have a safe trip home.
This has been a worrisome day for my friends. Jordan had his heart Zapped again today. All went well and he only had to be zapped once and his heart went back into normal rythem. I'm so grateful that he has been blessed so, I would hate to have anything happen to him. He's one of the good guys!
My sweet neighbor and dear friend, Maureen had her knee scoped today, but all did not turn out as we hoped, she is going to have to have a knee replacement. It's bone on bone, not wonder she has had so much pain. She needs more prayers. So we'll just keep on and PUSH-pray until something happens!

Dancer

2009-06-13T14:13:00.002-07:00

I found out last night that I am a very talented dancer, I haven't decided if it's "Break" dancing, "Popping", or just what style it would be called but it was really something. I stubbed two of my toes on the legs of a chest and did a lovely "dance" while trying not to fall flat on my face. It's a wonder I didn't fall and break a hip, isn't that what most "elderly" people do? Any way, it wasn't too bad last night, although my toes hurt like fire, but as today has gone on I have found out that I have sore places where I didn't even know I had places! I managed to strain one hand and one knee and all of me is letting me know that that form of dancing is just beyond me now. So even tho I'm very talented at it, I do not think I will take it on as a new profession, so I'm sorry you won't get to see me preform, you'll just have to take my word for it that I do it very well!!!

Alone again!

2009-06-02T15:49:00.002-07:00

I sure do get tired of Christine and Pete leaving me! They come and visit and then just go off and leave me. Not nice!! Even my dear neighbors are leaving me this week. I must have bad breath or terrible body odor!
I finished the classes at the MRFHC last week, but I still don't know what I am doing. They are talking about having classes for the Ward members, and I'm supposed to help some one with their computers, HA! I think all I'll do is make them more confused, just like I am. It's very upsetting to not know what you are doing, I hate this!

Rain

2009-05-22T14:45:00.002-07:00

I just can't believe that it rained early this morning! And it's cool today only 80 instead of 107. Wow, what a treat. But I don't think what we had was what most people would call a good rain but at least the sidewalks got washed off. But I'm afraid I'll still have to water my trees, darn.
I got a letter from an old friend today, she has a benign tumor on her right ear nerve. I have never heard of this. She is having it removed in Las Angeles June 1st. It seems funny to me all the strange things that can happen to the human body thru no fault of our own. I am amazed that they even found it let alone that they think they can remove it and that all will be well with her. I certainly hope and pray that it will go as planned.
Today is Garrett's Birthday, so Happy Birthday Garrett! Love you bunches, Grandson.
Tonight is Jacob's High School Graduation, hope it a wonderful one! Love you and wish I was there. Good going Grandson!
On the 19th our Great-Granddaughter Kathryn Tekulve graduated from High School also. What a beautiful and talented young lady she is. Congratulations and lots of love.

Back in the saddle again.

2009-05-13T13:49:00.002-07:00

I must be back in the saddle again, all I have been doing for the last 2 weeks is genelogy, I even helped give a class. It a way it has been fun and yet rather hard too. It seems strange to be doing it without Bill and yet I think he must be helping me. I was looking through the notebooks we both carried back and forth to the MRFHC each day and in Bills I found an envelope with a marriage certificate in it, it was Bills great-great-grandfather and Grandmothers. We have looked for his grandfather for years and years thinking his name was John H. Beck but when I studied the marriage certificate it listed him as William John H. Beck. So I think Bill is pushing me along to find his Grandfathers records and thus the rest of the Beck clan. Interesting and strange that after all these years I would find this and notice the different name!

Grief

2009-05-04T10:49:00.002-07:00

I have found out that grief is a strange companion. Always with you, sometimes easy to handle, but other times just over whelming. It's the little things that get to you the most. Some days I feel I can handle just about everything other days I feel like I;m drowning. Some times it's a song, a smell, something someone says, a place, and all of a sudden the memories just come flooding in. I think the more you love someone the stronger the pain of losing them. I grieved a lot when my parents died and my baby brother, but that is nothing compared to losing my eternal companion. And yes, I do know wothout a doudt that I will be with him again on the other side of the veil and that does help, I don't know how I could stand it without the gospel. But the everyday missing him is just so hard to bear. And it's very scary to think that it will be this way until I finally join him. Some days I just feel so lost without my Sweet Bill. Everyone keeps telling me how well I'm handling my grief and how strong I am, but I don't feel that way at all. How I'd like to be in his arms just one more time. I just don't enjoy this new companion Grief, one little bit!

Trip

2009-05-02T15:42:00.002-07:00

I made a flying trip to Holbrook last week, went up Tuesday morning and returned home Thursday morning. I really have a hard time with the altitude so I'm always happy to get back down to the desert. It is really beautiful right now, the Paloverde and Ironwood trees are in full bloom, also a lot of daisys and everything was green and lush looking. Of course it won't stay that way, a few days of over 100 degrees and everything will look dry and brown. But for now it's very lovely and I enjoyed the drive.

Betts's Birthday

2009-04-26T15:14:00.002-07:00

Friday afternoon I went over to Betts and Jordan's to help celebrate Betts Birthday. She is such a sweet gentle soul and a very dear friend. We had a great time, sat and just talked for about 30 minutes and then played dominos. We treated Betts really mear, Jordan won the first game and I won the second, however Betts has been winning and winning for weeks, so I just can't feel too bad that she didn't win on her Birthday. We've set a presedent on losing on your Birthday, Jordan lost on his, I lost on mine, and now Betts lost on hers. I think it's only fitting!

Lonna

2009-04-19T16:29:00.002-07:00

See, I knew I forgot someone important! Lonna text messages me bright and early yesterday morning to wish me Happy Birthday. This is what happens when you get "Elderly"! Sorry Sweetheart, I didn't mean to forget your sweet message, I just have no mind!

Dave & my Birthday

2009-04-19T15:55:00.002-07:00

This sure has been a week of ups and downs! The services they had for Dave were well done, and the building was packed to the hilt, every seat was taken even all the folding chairs in the building. The Tempe fire department showed up with their big ladder truck (the youngest son is a tempe fireman), lots of Dave's old football playing friends were there, lots of old ward members were there too. It was well done but way too long (over 2 hours). I will surely miss Dave!!
Yesterday was my "Elderly" Birthday. It was really a fun day! I got lots of cards, messages on my facebook, calls, and flowers, and even a candy bar (my home teachers brought it). One of the sisters I go visiting teachint to and her husband came by and brought me a dozen peach roses. My Visiting Teachers gave me a book, the next door neighbors took me out to lunch and gave me a card with cash money in it too, and Jordan and Betts came over, brought me roses from their yard (beautiful), played dominos and then took me to dinner. So I had a great day. Pete called me early in the morning and later Christine called me and Kimberly tried to call me but didn't get me until this afternoon. I got messages from most of my Granddaughters which just touch my heart so. It is so wonderful to feel so loved by so many! I just don't know what I did to deserve it but I sure am thankful for it! I have truly been blessed!! Thank you to each one of you , you fill my life and heart with joy and happiness.

Jordan

2009-04-15T15:13:00.002-07:00

Last night I went to a Birthday party that Betts gave for Jordan, for his 75th birthday. It was fun and Betts did a great job of preparing for it. Great cake, cookies, punch, M&Ms and nuts. She also posted several pictures of Jordan and his kids and family. There were some of his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids there, as well as some friends. I think he really enjoyed it and I sure did. It was good to see his kids and grandkids, I've known them for years and watched the grandkids grow up. I just love Jordan's daughter Amy, she reminds me so much of her mother Wanda. Such a warm and friendly girl, so I'll forgive her for marrying a Flake from Snowflake.
Betts had gotten some balloons (one of course was an "Over the Hill") and one of the great-grandsons just could not leave them alone so he was pretty upset when one of the balloons got away and flew up to the top of the ceiling. He kept asking everyone to get it down, but being that they have vaulted ceilings it would be impossible to do and he sure did not want to be lifted up to reach it even if he could.
When I came home Betts and Jordan insisted I bring some of their lovely roses. So I am enjoying a vase full of beautiful roses of every color. Wonderful! What wonderful and caring friends they are I'm surely going to miss them something terrible when they move to St. George! I hope not soon!!!

Dave

2009-04-11T14:19:00.002-07:00

My dear friend Dave Carlson died this morning at 2 am. I feel so bad and have shed many tears already for him. He was a wonderful man, full of compassion and love for his fellow men. He said that Jesus Christ had atoned for everyone so he could not judge anyone, that was not for him to do, he was only to love everyone, and he did. He was so much fun to play cards with and he so looked forward to our games each week. Mellonie and I usually played partners against Dave and Larry and it usually turned out about 50/50. It didn't matter to him if he won or lost, he just had fun playing. He was always a very active man, played football with a full schoolership in collage, very hard working and loved his wife and family. He was a convert to the church, and once he joined there was no looking back. His testimony was one of the strongest I've ever heard. He was truly a Christian in every sense of the word. I shall miss him so much!!

Easter Pageant

2009-04-08T18:51:00.002-07:00

Last evening Lonna and I went to the Mesa LDS Easter Pageant. It was so wonderful, such a spiritual feast. The weather couldn't have been any nicer and we had pretty good seats. We took some "egg crate" cushions and a couple of blankets and lots of kleenex and we needed all of those things. What a beautiful setting for the pageant, moon shining on the palm trees and birds singing. Just heavenly! The pageant was really well staged and the costumes are marvellous. We enjoyed every second. It was especially great to spend the time with my sweet daughter, Lonna, and to cry together because of the strong spirit that was there. Besides the walk to and from the car didn't hurt us at all! This is one of those special events that are remembered all the days of our lives. Thank you darling daughter for such a lovely evening. Love you more than I can say.

More about stuff

2009-04-02T14:08:00.002-07:00

Well, whoever has been tearing up the street in front of my house is doing a darn good job of it! They ruined my TV reception yesterday so I spent 20 minutes on the phone last night getting the cable restored. So here they were again early this morning tearing up some more. Using a jack-hammer (needless to say I have a terrible headache) and all kinds of huge equiptment and miles of big hoses. I think it has to do with the sewer problem we've had in this area ever since they put in the 101 freeway. They have spent thousands and thousands of dollars trying to fix it. They have torn up Baseline Road in different places for years now and still they can't seem to figure out what is wrong. Government!! Enough said.

Stuff

2009-04-01T17:03:00.002-07:00

I've been trying something I read in Family Circle about dry skin. It said to use hair conditioner (Suave is best) rub it all over in the shower and rinse off, then dab dry. I have found out it doesn't work very well for me, I just need a lot more moistureizer. My skin is so dry it looks like sand paper if I don't do something about it (comes from living in dry Arizona). I have found that Bath and Body lotion creams work best for me, even the baby oil doesn't do it.
Why does it take so long to get your car serviced? I spent 3 and 1/4 hours in the service department today! Man, was my back hurting by the time I got out of there! But, I was so blessed that I took the car in today, the battery died when they tried to start it to take it back into the service dept., I knew it was about time for it to go, it's been 2 years and batteries just don't last longer than that in this heat of AZ. I'm sure glad it happened there and not out somewhere when I was all alone. I should have know what was happening because I've had strange messages on my note board and I should have know it was the battery dying.
Someone is out tearing up the street in front of my house today, I don't know who, either the city, SRP, or the sewer company. Anyway they have been making a mess and a lot of loud noise, of course I missed most of it because I was spending the day in the dealership! Lovely!

Paint

2009-03-28T14:12:00.002-07:00

I just have the most beautiful living room now! Christine has been staying with me for a while and Pete came down to get her and while he was here he painted my living room. They bought the paint for their living room and he decieded that it was way too dark and I just happen to love it, so rather than give it to one of their kids, he brought it down and pained my room for me. It's called "Summer Pecan" a beautiful Caramel color that just looks wonderful with my wallpaper, carpet, and tile. It's so wonderful to have new paint, so while we were about moving everything around, we changed the layout of the room and I got rid of alot of junk! Now I just have to think about painting the rest of the house!
I just can't thank both Christine and Pete enough, they just do so much for me, what would I do without them!?! And the strange thing is--Pete didn't get a drop of paint on himself. I would have gotten it from head to toe, I'm sure. And to top it all off, he painted the ceiling on my front porch which was all flaking off and looked awful, and then he washed the windshield of my car for me before they left ( I was going to Scottsdale to the Doctor at the same time). What a great brother-in-law! Thanks guys, love you both.

Friday

2009-03-06T14:50:00.002-07:00

Here it is Friday again already, how did that happen!?! Time sure has a way of slipping past when I'm not looking.
The Citrus trees are all in bloom along with lots of other things and I have been fighting the allergies just like so many others here in the Valley. Not fun!
My friends are really worring me. Dave is having an awful time and is not able to play cards, I am afraid that we have played our last game! His health is really failing fast. They are planning to go to Disneyland this next week but I just don't see how he can, he can't even walk down the stairs at his house. It is breaking my heart to see him struggling so bad, he is such a special man. His family is having a really hard time facing the fact that Dave is dying. Poor Karla!
My other friend Jordan has been in the heart hospital this week. He had to have his heart shocked back into a normal rhythem. They then started him on a new medication to regulate his heart and had to watch him for several days and make sure it was beating right. He and Betts think that they will release Jordan today. Betts sounded tireder than Jordan. Hospitals are just no fun, either to be a in them or just visiting there.
It would be nice if all my friends would just stay healthy! Wishful thinking.

Bishop

2009-02-21T13:52:00.002-07:00

As many of you know my next door neighbor is my Bishop and he and his sweet wife are dear friends to me. But he really pulled a sneaky one on Valentine's Day. They came over to visit and brought me a lovely bouquet of flowers that he had picked out, and while they were here he had the nerve to give me a new calling. I think that is just really mean, how could I turn him down when he brought flowers! His poor wife was flaber-gassed, she had no ides he was going to do such a mean trick, and to be honestI don't think he did either. Because Karla Carlson is busy taking time and care to spend with Dave (see previous blog) she is unable to fill her calling as a Ward Family History Consultant so the Bishop called me to take her place. It's been several years since I worked in Family History and I have no idea how to use the computer programs anymore, so I guess I'll have to do some more studying and get back in the grove. I do remember how to do research so that will be helpful. But I still think it was a sneaky trick for the Bishop to pull!

Card's with Dave

2009-02-20T14:09:00.002-07:00

Yesterday I played cards with a man from our Ward named Dave Carlson, and a couple, who are retired, named Larry and Mellonie Groman. We have been getting together and playing cards for several weeks, sometimes we play Spades, sometimes it's Phase 10, but most of the time we play Hearts. The thing that important about it is that Dave is dying. He has terminal cancer. It started in his bladder and has inch by inch spread into all parts of his abdoman and now has invaded his spine. He is going tthrough Radation right now to try to remove a tumor on the spine, he's had so far 3 rounds of Chemo and they went in and shored up his spine this week, it is disintregating. But with all this going on he is still so very upbeat and positive. He says he is ready for what ever happens. He's just a really great man!
My heart aches for his wife and children. His wife must continue working as shes the one who carries the insurance, and yes, their children are all grown, but that doesn't make it any easier for them.
So I go play cards with him and the Groman's every time we can, it's not much but I hope some how this helps him pass some of the hard times. May God bless him and his family!

My Swimming Pool

2009-02-08T16:58:00.002-07:00

I have a nice big pool in my back yard again today. It started raining last night just before midnight and rained off and on almost all night, so today I have a pool. And we expect more rain today and tomorrow, I just hope it doesn't flood my house. It seems funny that we go for months and months without rain and then Bam we get a whole bunch at once. At least now I won't have to go out and water my trees this week.
I really enjoyed a quick visit with Lonna and Steve yesterday and then I went to Jordan and Betts's house. Their son Mark was visiting with them and we all went out to dinner, (mexican) and the went back and played "Mexican Train". They were really great hosts and allowed me to win both games. Of course last time they were at my house I was a great host and allowed each of them to win a game. It was lots of fun and it was good to see Mark again. The only thing bad a bout it is driving home alone late at night, oh well, I guess I'll get used to that someday.

Sunday

2009-02-01T15:12:00.002-07:00

As I was going to church today, I was looking around at some of the yards in my neighborhood and noticing all the flowers in bloom, the trees budding out (they only lost their leaves last month), the sun shining, ducks on the lakes, dogs and people out everywhere, and I couldn't help but think that spring is just about to come to The Valley of The Sun. How different it is in other parts of the country, horrible ice storms, tons of snow, and people freezing to death in their own homes. How blessed I am to live in this warm valley. I just don't think I could stand living somewhere it was so cold all the time, I guess I'm spoiled!
The theme (if there is one) in sacrament meeting today was mostly about the priesthood. So many got up to bear their testimonies about the priesthood and how grateful they are to bear it. I got to thinking about how much I miss having the priesthood in my home now. I am so gratful to have sons and grandsons and home teachers who come and bring the priesthood back into my home. The strength and comfort I receive from having the worthy priesthood holders in my home are just so over whelming. I am so grateful that I know that Bill holds that priesthood and is watching over me. It is much harder to get a blessing when you have to call on someone to come to your home and I really miss the knowledge that the priesthood is always here in my home when I need reassurence and strength. The power of the priesthood is worth more than anyone can put a price on. Stay true and worthy to it always.

Fun!

2009-01-25T15:25:00.000-07:00

What a fun week I've had. Lonna and Steve have been here and took me to do all kinds of fun things, and took me to places I've never seen before. We loaded cattle and took them to a dairy to unload them, we went to Maricopa, and to two dairy farms, one in Maricopa and one in Gilbert. They even took me to a cattle auction. It was all just fun!! We drove down town Mesa last night to eat at Pete's Fish Shop and got to see lots of old cars, they were having an old car show on the streets of down town Mesa. Lots of great old cars. It was just wonderful to spend time with them, the only down side was that neither one of them were feeling very good. But I had a great time.
Both Lonna and Christine have been having stomach problems and neither one seems to be able to get well. I just wish I knew what would help them. Steve not only had his hip out of place and was walking crooked but he also had a bad sinus infection. He's still not doing very well. Hope it clears up soon. He did visit the chiropractor a couple of times so hope that hip will improve. It's all those goats and cattle he manhandles, I'm sure.
It's just too bad that neither of them enjoyed the time together as much as I have done!

Home alone

2009-01-20T15:42:00.000-07:00

Well, everyone went home or out on the truck, so I am home alone again. I really enjoyed the visits with Lonna and Christine, and then with Steve too. It's fun to have these late night talks with "the girls" even if they were both feeling bad. Thanks for visiting me!
Christine went to the Doctor today after going home yesterday, and I guess he's just guessing what he thinks is wrong and trying several different approches to cure her. I hope one of them works!
Lonna is still not doing very well and I sure do worry about her. Hope she'll see the Dr. when she goes home next! Steve came back with his hip out of place so we had to find a chiropractor for him, and I remembered that one of my friends from White Mountain Country Club had a son ,I knew, who was a chiropractor in Chandler, so Lonna called there and got Steve in to see him. Steve seemed to be some better and was walking strighter but I think he'll have to visit the Dr. again. I just hope he doesn't throw it out again by wrestling goats!
My weather bug says it's 81 here today. It sure isn't that warm in Washington DC today, I bet those people back there wished they had the parade here! I'm glad I'm not there, I'd freeze to death!

More stuff.

2009-01-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

There was an interesting article in yesterdays paper comparing Jack Bauer of 24 and Jack Shephard of Lost. It was interesting, but the best part was their "catchphrase's"; Jack B.'s is "It's a Bomb!" And Jack S.'s is "We have to go back!" Jack b. is filled with rage, Jack S. is filled with self-doubt. Their "beer-buddy" compatibility is: Jack B. Low, due to violent nature; Jack S. is lower, due to history of alcoholism in family. Handiness in emergencies; JB, can fly a plane, rig explosives, handle any wepon, speak several languages, take a beating and give one back, and does not have to mush of a conscince. JS is willing to fight, use a gun. consicence is present but can be gotten around, and he's a good surgeon. It's a tie in the willingness to bend the rules and their "goos Qualities" are that they are both loyal. The over all concesess is that if you are saving the nation or the world JB is your man, if you are saving passengers of a downed airplane or need surgery then JS is your man. In other words they are both just wonderful, except I can't stand either one of their shows. 24 is too intense and Lost is too convoluted! I just can't stand to watch either one!
Today is just not a great day, it's been 18 months since my Sweetheart died. I went to the Cemetery this morning to change the flowers on his grave, and of course had a big crying jag. I just don't think it will ever get any easier, somtimes it seems alot worse.
I feel so bad for Christine and Pete, the 3rd death in as many months in Pete's family. Sometimes it feels like we're surrounded bt death. I guess at our ages it will be that way. I'm quiting now, this is enough doom and gloom!

Stuff.

2009-01-05T15:55:00.000-07:00

This is a blog about stuff. First my lamp in this room quit working and also my little pocket adding machine(I'm sure it's Natalies fault). I am trying to type in the dark so if this makes no sense thats why.
Christine and Pete went back to Holbrook saturday and then went to Albuquerque on Sunday. Pete's Aunt, Lena, passed away and they went over to the funeral. It was his Mother's last sibling and her only sister and best friend. This after just losing a niece (her Granddaughter). It's been a rough time for them. But I hope they'll have a nice visit with Davorie and Steve.
I got Nolan and Bre's Christmas card back. I just have problems trying to keep track of all the Grandkids and Great-grandkids. That's one of the reasons that I am quiting sending Birthday and Anniversary cards to all. Besides I can't afford it! Boo!!
I finally took my Christmas tree down today. It has a section of lights burned out in it and I just can;t find out why so maybe next year I just won't bother with a tree. I can't find any loose bulbs and I have no idea where the fuses go. Too much work to figure it out. I think this is Natalies fault too!!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T15:23:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone is well and glad to see a new year. I surely am. I'm tired of the problems of 2008, so I'm wishing you all a very Happy New Year!
I am not making any resolutions, I just want to get though the year with my sanity intact. I don't believe in making New Year resolutions, I believe that if you feel there is something in your life you want/need to change about yourself, your should start that very moment, not wait until New Years to do it. I'm always trying to find ways to improve myself especially spiritually and it's an ongoing process.
The one thing I'd like to change about myself is I'd like to quit getting older and older, thats just a drag. But I don't think there is one darn thing I can do about it. I don't worry about weight, so I do not want to lose 10 pounds, I love my Pepsi and don't intend to quit drinking that, so I guess I'll just go on as I am! So Happy 2009!

Pants-again.

2008-12-30T16:09:00.000-07:00

I got to thinking about those pants I had on yesterday, old, baggy, warm, and comfy. (I know just like my body). It seems like the things we enjoy most are things that seem old, warm, and comfy, and that goes for friends too. I have, and I know you have , met people who you felt were old, warm, comfy friends at first meeting. I often wonder how we knew each other in the pre-life. Some people are just so familiar that you just start talking like old friends right away and feel a deep connection and understanding with them. You always feel that way with your close family but once in a while you feel that with a perfect stranger. I have several friends I feel that way about and know that I knew them in the life before this. You feel an instant kinship with them and just want to spend a lot of time with them because you feel so warm and comfy. Aren't friends wonderful?

Pants

2008-12-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

To day I'm wearing a pair of Buckskin colored jeans that are two sizes to large. They're kinda handy, I don't have to unbutton or unzip them to take them off and they are nice and soft and warm and comfy. I enjoy wearing them even if they are baggy. The only problem is I have to be cardful getting up after I've been sitting down, they have a tendancy to just slid down my hips and right on down to the floor. Needless to say, if I ever wear them out of the house I always put on a belt and cinch it up so my pants will stay right where they belong. I'd really hate to moon someone and with my luck it would probably be a police man and I'd get arrested! Oh well, maybe they's be good looking!

I lived thru it!

2008-12-28T14:44:00.000-07:00

Well, Bill's birthday and our Anniversary and Christmas have all come and gone and I lived thru it all. Yeah, for me. It's hard to get thru these family times without Bill, but there are still some great compensations. Time with family and friends, people bringing me food and goodies, and presents.
The 20th was the hardest but I made it thru. Christmas was great fun with Kimber, Anthony and kids. We all had a good time, the kids loved the few simple toys I managed to get for them and I loved the things I got from them and all the other kids. I even learned how to work some of the electronic gadgets I recieved. We had some good food, but most important were the great hugs I got from everyone.
Friday Paul and Tina and the kids all came over, what a crowd but what fun! Paul and Tina stayed 2 nights with me and the kids were in and out. They took me with them to a Pre-Birthday Party for Tina's parents (whom I have known for years) and it was so much fun to hear all the laughter and joking going on between them all. Tina's parents are both turning 80 this year and all their children were here for the party. I know they really enjoyed it, and of course, the food was great being that Paul grilled most of it! Later they all came to my house and had a running game of something or other going on at the game table but mostly they were laughing. It was so good to have family here during these tough times. I certainly have been blessed by a great family and I thank my Father in Heaven for them everyday.
I am grateful for this blessed Christmas season. I have had quite a bit of time by myself to ponder the blessings of the life of Jesus Christ and his sacrafice for us. I am so grateful for this blessing, it gives me so much hope to know that someday in the not too distant future I will be with my beloved husband again. What a great blessing!
I am looking forward to having Christine and Pete here for New Years. It is such a joy to spend time with them and I really don't know what I'd do without them. I was so sorry to see Paul and Tina leave for home this morning, however before they left Paul offered such a beautiful prayer. It is wonderful to have children who live such good lives and a great blessing to have sons and grandsons who hold and honor the priesthood. I am so blessed! And I do have Christine & Pete's visit to look forward to. Wonderful.

Bah, humbug

2008-12-12T15:25:00.000-07:00

I am just not in the decorating for Christmas mood at all. I finally went to the Cemetery today to put Christmas flowers on Bill's grave, what a bummer! I put out my wreath and a Christmas throw and kitchen towel--that's it. I haven't put up a tree or any lights or anything else. This time of year is just no fun any more. I haven't even made out a single card or made ant goodies. I am just in a Scrooge mood, I guess. I can't even decide what I want to do for Christmas. I gress I'll go eat worms!!
Christine and Pete are coming down tomorrow, they want to be here to hear me talk in church Sunday. Boy that ought to be a mess. I hope they won't be disapointed. It has taken me almost two weeks to write my talk, to much info out there to decide what I wanted to stress and what the Spirit tells me is what is needed. I think the Lord is getting tired of me praying so much and not just about this talk. I certainly am glad that I have such a strong testimony that is about all that is holding me together right now Sorry if I sound down but I am.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

What a great Thanksgiving we had. Kimberly and Anthony and the children came over and also Anthony's co-worker Richard Harris and his wife Claudia. It was nice to finaly meet them, as I'
ve heard alot about them. What nice people! Everyone seemed to have a really great time and we all ate too much, of course. The kids were so good and had so much fun playing both inside and outside, even though it was a little damp. We've had some lovely rain!
Anthony and Kimberly furnished the turkey, and Richard and Claudia brought a homemade Apple Cobbler and ice cream. I furnished a ham and the other fixings and of course the oven to cook the turkey (Kimber's oven is broken). We also had a wonderful Pumpkin Pie that one of my Ward members brought to me. Yum-Yum. The feast was great but being together with family and friends and the laughter is what makes it great! But I sure do miss Bill being there--He would have loved the deserts!
I am so grateful for all the blessings I have recieved this year. It's been a hard year without Bill, but I have been so blessed. I have always read in the scriptures about how much God and Jesus Christ care about the widows and now I know first hand that they do, and they really watch out for us in our times of need and sadness and I'm surely blessed and am so grateful for these blessings. I'm so greateful for loving family and friends who keep in touch with me and worry about me, what would I do without you all!?! Especially Christine and Kimberly who call me everyday. Thank you all so much, and know I love you.

Paul

2008-11-22T16:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Paul. Hope you have a good one. It was nice to talk to you again. What a great son you are, even if you don't call me very often. I'm proud of you and of what you have accomplished in life. I know that things are hard for you, being in Washington DC, so far from your family, and I'm proud of the way you are handling it. I know how lonely it gets! My prayers are always with you, Son.
You were such a cute little fiesty boy and I love thinking back about what a cuddle bug you always were. May God watch over you and keep you safe (especially when you are out spying). I love you.

Friends

2008-11-16T15:32:00.000-07:00

What a fun evening I had with my dear friends Jordan and Betts and Bob and Pat Gunter (from Idaho). They are some of the people we served missions with at the Family History Center years ago. Such fun to be with! I drove over to The Strebeck's and then the 3 of us met the Gunter's at Nando's Resturant in Gilbert. It's a great mexican food place. We ate and then went back to the Strebeck's home and played 2 games of Phase 10. Of course we laughed and talked alot so we were there a long time. (I didn't get home until about 11 pm). It's so great to spend time with such good friends especially when you have so much in common and really enjoy each others company. I didn't win either of the games but that didn't matter at all, because I won a wonderful evening and made some lovely memories that will last forever. As I was leaving Jordan made me wait so we could go put and cut some roses for me to bring home with me. They have had the most beautiful roses this year (no yellow ones though). I have them in a vase on my bar and can smell the lovely fragance of roses all over the house. Wonderful!
I will be so sad to see them all go. The Gunter's are going back to Idaho today, and the Strebeck's are planning to move to St. George as soon as they can. They already bought a house there. I hope they don't go real soon, but that's just me being selfish. I will miss them so much. We get together as often as possible usually at least once a week. I know they'll be happy there but I won't be-- Boo Hoo!! Don't I sound pitiful!?!

Strange week.

2008-11-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

Boy oh boy, this has been a strange week. I went to Holbrook last Wednesday to visit Christine and Pete and to get my hair cut. Pete was not feeling well when I got there and didn't seem to get much better all the time I was staying with them. He went to the Doctor but that didn't help much, the doctor thought it was something he ate. On Saturday morning he got up feeling much better and being that I was coming home, he encouraged Christine to come down with me, so we did. But that evening he called to say that he was having Vicki and Rick take him up to the Hospital in Show Low. This really upset Christine, naturally. But I just couldn't drive back up there that night, so we got up early Sunday morning, went and picked up Kimberly, and drove back to Holbrook. Christine wanted to get her car from Vicki and Rick and then go on to Show Low. Kimberly and I went to breakfast up to Denny's so we could see Melanie, and then came back home again. Thank goodness Pete is doing well now and Christine was able to take him back home last night, so all is well. They said it was a small blockage in his small intestine.
I was so tired when I got home that I didn't even get dressed all day yesterday! That high country is just to hard on my poor old body! I still have the nasty headache I always get up there and guess I will have it for another day or so. Not fun!! I am just glad all turned out okay!

Alone again!

2008-11-02T15:03:00.000-07:00

Well, all of my company has now deserted me, and I'm back alone again. I do not like this being a widow bit at all!!! It was fun to have my sweet sister here with her wonderful husband, we always have fun together even when we're not doing anything special. I'm always bummed when they go back to Holbrook and I know she is too, being that she's not to wild about living in the armpit of the world!
We had such a quiet Halloween. I never have any Trick or Treater's come to my house. No young children live in this neighborhood at all. And being that the school, our HOA, and my church all had parties for the kids, there weren't any out and about. We did go to Cracker's & Co. Cafe for early lunch to see all the staff dressed for Halloween and those were the only costumes we saw. It is always so hard to go back to Cracker's, there are way too many memories there. Bill loved to go there and especially loved their Corn Chowder. Some places are hard to visit, especailly being that I still think of myself as a couple. I wonder how long it will take to get over this! Christine, Pete, and I went over to Jordan and Bett's house to play games. I went in to help Bett's get some drinks for everyone and just automatically got out 6 glasses. It wasn't until Bett's pointed it out to me that I realized what I had done, it just seems natural to get a glass for Bill too. It's is such a weird feeling to realize that I'm no longer a couple! Not one bit fun!

Pete's visit

2008-10-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

Another great week. Paul left to go to Edgewood and then fly back to Phx and then fly on to Washington DC. It was wonderful to have him here. I managed to get the bed changed and washing done, and then Friday evening Pete flew in from Tennessee. I picked him up about 7 pm, we went and had dinner and went home and in a very short time Pete went to bed. He was really tired from Jet Lag and all the meetings he'd been to all week. He got up bright and early Sat. am and we had breakfast and bummed around some then went back home and Pete took a 3 hour nap. Poor thing didn't know weather he was coming or going he was so tired. Kathy did not drive in until Sunday morning, so Pete and I had a good visit and spent time just doing nothing improtant which was just what he needed. After Kathy got here we visited some, went out and ate lunch, and then they went to a concert by LangLang in Phoenix. They left from there to drive back to NM, as they both had to be back to work on Monday morning. It was fun but way too short a visit. Monday I did washing and changed the bed again. Keeps me busy but I love it, especially when it's such wonderful family visiting.
Yesterday Christine and Pete came down again, Yeah! They are going back on Saturday, darn it, it's way too soon! It's always so good to spend time with my sweet sister.

Paul's visit.

2008-10-21T16:07:00.000-07:00

This has been a very nice week. Paul came to visit Saturday and because he was here Kimberly came over to see him (her brother) too. Kirsten (Granddaughter) and Steve (her husband) picked Paul up at the airport and came to visit also, and then Michael (Grandson) and Monica ( his wife) came to see his Dad and had cute little Milan (Great-Granddaughter) with them. What a joy it is to have so many of them visiting. Paul came from Washington DC where he lives and works, so it's a special thing when he has time to just visit with family. And being that Kimber lives in Timbucktoo, I don't get to see her very often either. And the Grandkids are so busy it's hard for them to find time to visit me, so it was wonderful to have them here. It really does a mother's heart good to spend time with them all. I'm amazed at how big Milan has gotten, what a cutie!
Yesterday Paul did not have to work but the others all did, so Paul and I got to spend most of the day together, what a treat! I learned more about his work and how he is doing than I've known in all the time he's been in Washington DC. A very special day and one I'll always treasure. I think he enjoyed it too. We spent some time with his parents-in-law and had a good visit with them. They are both doing well. It's too bad Tina wasn't with us.
We then went over to the Visitor's Center at the Mesa Temple grounds and saw the Book of Mormon art exibit they are showing there. It was wonderful! Paul is very learned in the Book of Mormon and it was great to discuss it with him. I just can't wait to visit more with him and the grandkids, either tonight or tomorrow. Great fun!

2008-10-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

This is a "pay-it-forward" type of award, so there are rules to accepting it.

They are:* Display your award.*

Link back to the person who gave you the award.*

Nominate at least 7 other blogs.*

Put links to those blogs on yours.*

Leave a message on the blogs of the people you’ve nominated.*

Enjoy your award!

Kimber

I go this award from Kimber and Ber, Thanks!

Chris's Cupboard I nomanated you Christine because I don't know what I'm doing either!!!

Company

2008-10-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

It's funny how company comes and goes. Sometimes I sit here for days and don't see anyone and other times it seems like everyone comes at once. I had Visiting Teachers this morning and shortly following them my dear friends Jordan and Betts came by for a visit. Tomorrow Christine and Pete are coming and Saturday Paul is flying in from Washington DC, I am so thrilled to have him coming, I never get to see him since he moved. He will be here for several days, so we should be able to get in a good visit. And I'll probably get to see the Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren who live here as they will all be coming to see their father. Fun!!
After Paul flys home Pete is flying in for a couple of days, and Kathy is driving over to join him here. I'm so tickled to have them coming, sure wish they would move over here closer to Mom!
It's hard to be alone after all these years and the visits of family and friends are what keeps me sane (well kind of) and makes life worth living. How I do love them all!

Ditka

2008-10-10T16:28:00.000-07:00

I just got an email from my daughter, Tonie. They had to put Ditka down. She is broken hearted of course, Ditka has been with them since he was a puppy, and has been a good friend and companion to both Tonie and Jim. He was a really great dog. Even I am going to miss him and I didn't see him that often. I feel so bad for them, but poor Ditka has been bad for quite a long time, and now he was suffering with kidney failure. Poor dog, I'm thankful that he is now out of pain, but I know that doesn't make it any easier for them. After all a pet is a member of the family. So sad!
Today has just been a weird day all around. Some different things going on. I finally got someone to answer my messages at Kimberly's HOA office. I have left them several messages for several days and they finally got back to me. What a poorly run office that is!!!
I went to the grocery store and everything I wanted was moved and I couldn't find a thing without searching. Strange! I do think it must be getting close to Halloween!!

Visit- being a idiot

2008-10-07T15:54:00.000-07:00

I just had a flying visit from Pete and Kathy. What fun! It's always so good to see my kids. I was so glad to have them here that I forgot I had visiting teachers coming and went off gadding with Pete and Kathy. Well about 3 hours later I got a call from my next door neighbor, (who was in Utah for Conference) wanting to know if I was alright, and then 30 minutes later I got a call from my visiting teacher wondering if I was alright. Boy, it's sure nice to know that people care enough to check up on me! I get so wound up in my own world and I think nobody worries about me except my family, so it's nice to know that the Ward is looking out for me. Makes me feel safer.
Speaking of feeling safer, I did the dumbest thing today--locked myself out of the house. Went out to get my newspaper and shut the door, without knowing the doorknow lock was turned, and imagine my surprise when I couldn't get back in! And no one else has a key to my house, because of the new doors, I just haven't given a key to anyone. My neighbor (Bishop) managed to get one of my windows open, finally, and I got back in. Needless to say, I gave him a key to my house before he left so this couldn't happen again. Man oh man, I sure felt like a fool! I went out without my cell phone, so I couldn't even call a lock smith. IDIOT!!!

Plants

2008-10-02T14:50:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder what it is with plants!?! You give them just a little water and leave for a few days and you come back and the plants have taken over the sidewalk and the wall, and the arch! it took me an hour just to find the sidewalk and get the "June-ie Blues" cut down, then it was on to the Boganvilla which was taking over the walls and arch, and the darn things have thorns that bite back! Besides that they'r an ugly color!
I didn't even mention the weeds that sprang up! Grass and trailing plants that are just weeds but are impossible to kill, they just keep coming back again and again. Can't they tell when they are not wanted? I've certainly given them enough reason to surmise that they are not welcome here. You would think that pulling them up and spraying them with Round-up would tell them something. I think they just don't pay any attention to me!

Home

2008-09-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

My, it is so nice to be home and off that mountain!! When I first go up there I don't feel so bad, other than the awful headache, but as time goes by and we travel to other places which are higher up, I get to feeling worse and worse. About the time I come down off the hill to Ray I start breathing better and then in a day or two or three, I'll start feeling like a whole person again.
I enjoyed my visit with Christine and Pete and family. I am amazed at how big Halie is getting. It was nice to meet Victoria's fiancee, Rick, and to see her so happy. I do hope she and the kids will enjoy living in New York. Christine and Pete had a family dinner on Sunday, so I got to see most of the kids. Lotsa fun!
I was happy to find my home in one piece. While I was gone my friends Jordan and Betts, who had been in St. George, came home and found thar someone had broken into their home and ransacked it. It is a real mess. Lots of things stolen and ruined, but worst of all was the personal items missing. Information and computers with personal info in them. What a mess to try to clear up and replace all the info and cancel credit cards and etc. I just feel so bad for them. Hope the police catch whoever did this!

Almost back to normal.

2008-09-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

I'm almost back to normal, at least what I call normal. I have had more soup and soft food than I care to mention. Most soft food is just not very tasty!
Christine and I are back to just being two again. However we are going up to Holbrook on Tuesday. I'm going to get my hair cut and visit for a few days and then come home by myself again. It looks like Pete is going to have to have surgery on his other knee soon, so Christine is planning to stay in Happy Holbrook! (I use that term loosely). What a sad town. While we are there, Christine and I are going to Snowflake to go to the Temple with Ken and Lue for their 55 wedding anniversary on the 25th. That should be nice. Boy oh boy, is my brother getting old!?! 55 years, thats alot. I do not think very many people have anniversaries for that many years, too many divorces in the world today. I wonder if they'll make it to their 65th like our parents did? I hope so.
Today is the 9th anniversary of our baby brother, Leslie's, death. I can't believe he's been gone so long. I still miss him everyday. He had the driest sense of humor of anyone I ever met. He just come out with these funny little sayings in his quiet way and it would just crack us all up. He was the cutest little boy when he was little, I used to hurry home from school, when we lived in Flagstaff, so I could play with him. For quite a while he loved to play Easter Egg hunt, with rocks or anything else, even after Easter had been over for months. He was just so tickled when he'd find those "eggs". It just seems odd to think he's been gone for 9 years.

The Dentist

2008-09-17T14:21:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last 2 days at the Dentist and I'm sick and tired of them. I spent about 1 1/2 hours Monday and 3 1/2 hours yesterday, then I had to see another dentist yesterday afternoon. What a PAIN! It wouldn't be so bad but the antibiotic makes me sicker than a dog, and I have to have one every time. I am going to have to do this again in December. Just lovely!
All the time I was in his chair he kept asking me if I was alright, you can imagine what I wanted to say!!!
Thank goodness I can now get off the antibiotic, maybe by next week my stomach will be back to normal. I do not recommand that anyone becomes allergic to all antibiotics. It's just not a nice thing to have to go through.
Today is Pete's (my brother-in=law, not my son) Birthday, so we are going out to dinner to celebrate, even thought I can't eat very well. I guess I'll have more soup! It's nice when Pete comes down but he never stays long, I guess he worries about his mother too much and doesn't want to be away from home very long. I think he's going back at the end of the week, so it will be just us two little old ladies again! But we do have fun together so that is good. I'm sure grateful that I have this sweet sister and don't know what I'd do with out her.

The 11th.

2008-09-11T18:14:00.000-07:00

I fine this date extreamly hard to get through. My Darling, Bill, died on the 11 of July 2007, which makes the 11th of any month hard to get through, but I also had to go to the Doctor today (the 11th) and be desensetized so I can take an antibiotic, which is no fun at all. It takes about 5 hours to do this so it was not a fun day to start with.
Also, of course this is the anniversary of 9/11, which is one of the saddest days in american history. I have lived through alot of tough times, I well remember World War 11, the Korean conflict, Vietnom, and now the war in Iraq. But the only other time I remember anything like 9/11, was when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and I well remember that. I remember all the men I knew as a child who didn't come home from Europe or Asia, or Africa, or any number of small islands in the Pacific. The ones who did come home were in such awful shape that it was scary. I knew guys who were in the Batan Death March, men who had ships shot out from under them, (one had 5 ships shot out from under him), guys who went behind enemy lines and came back (if they came back) so messed up that they were never the same. Guys who came back so injured that they never got out of the VA hospitals, some in there for years.
I know guys who came home from Korea and Vietnom in such bad shape they had to be put in mental health hospitals. I've seen alot of misery that wars cause and I often wonder why the terroriests and others never learn that war does not get them anywhere! What a sad comentary on the human race that we never learn from the mistakes of others.
Needless to say, I hate the 11th no mater what context it comes in, and I will be glad to see tomorrow come and the 11th to be over again.

IKEA

2008-09-03T16:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I asked for it. Christine asked if I minded going with them over to IKEA to look at some dining room chairs. We went to IKEA last time they were here just to look around and I tthought I had walked my tush off before we could get out of there, and here I agreed to go back. I think I need my head examined! At least this time we weren't there all day. What a strange store it is. I've never been in such a weird set up, and I can't decei de if I like it or not, just too much to see and try to understand.
We left IKEA, went to lunch at Chandler Mall and then went to Peir 1, and then Michael's. Wow, so much to see, smell, and sample. Of course when I'm in Michael's I'm always looking at flowers for Bill's grave so Michael's isn't much fun any more, it just makes me kinda sad. Any way it was a fun day but it always surprizes me to see so much Christmas stuff out so soon, especially sine it's still 104 here, it's just not proper to look at autum and winter stuff when it's so hot!!

No Swimming

2008-08-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry, we are calling off the swimming party, now you are going to have to sail in on your yacht or maybe an air carrier. Being that we are scheduled to get dumped on again tonight, maybe it ought to be a submarine. We had winds in some areas of the Valley up to 100 miles per hour and over 2" of rain. The power has been off in some areas of the Valley all night and all day, lots of power poles blown down. Trees down everywhere and many roads closed. I have never seen or heard so much lighting and thunder, it just never stopped. The weather people said we got thousands of hits every minute. It sounded just like a jet plane was just sitting right on top of my house, reving his jets! The Valley really gets hit with violent monsom rain and storms some years and this just happens to be one of them.
I'm planning to go to a Tail-gating Birthday party tonight, hope I don't drown. I may have to take my floaties!!

Rain

2008-08-27T10:32:00.000-07:00

Anyone want to come swimming? The pool is back in my back yard. Of course you do have to watch out for the rocks but thats a small hitch. It has rained for the last 2 nights and looks like we are going to get more to day. Monday night I was over to Jordan and Bett's house, playing dominos and going out to eat, and I got home and in the house just as it started to rain. It came down in buckets for about 2 hours. I was glad I made it home before it rained because they had to close parts of the freeway and other roads again. What fun! I used to really like it when it rained, but now it just makes me blue and lonely. Oh well, this too will pass.

Footprints

2008-08-23T16:11:00.000-07:00

Last time I was in Holbrook Christine got a Serority magazine. I leafed through it and saw they had a Poetry contest winners poems listed. One of them named Footprints got me to thinking about my footprints. The part that really impressed me is:
"Have I touched anyone's life
In a way they'll recall,
Has my being here
Really mattered at all."
I started wondering how my children will react when I go, and I decieded that they would all sit around and laugh about what a goofball their mother was. How many weird manerisms I have, and they would have a really good giggle. Christine is of the opinion that her girls will all get to gather and dance around her grave and sing "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead". I don't think either one of us gets much respect from our children, maybe it's because they know us too well. I know this really is a morbid thing to think about but for some reason death has been with me for quite a while, wonder why???

No more wild parties

2008-08-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

Well, it looks like I'm going to have to renige on all those party invites I sent to you all. There will be no more wild parties at my place, they just made my next door neighbor our new Bishop. I am so tickled, he is really a fine man and I know he will do the Lord's work with a steadfast heart and a strong testimony. His wife is my Visiting Teaching partner as well as a really good friend. so now I'm sure we will be church buddies for at least the next 5 years.
I am sorry to see Bishop Mullenaux removed but he and his sweet wife are putting in their papers to go on a mission and I know they will do great work there. He sure helped me through some tough times when Bill died and even before then, when he was so sick. I could always count on Bp. Mullenaux to be there if we needed him. However when Bill died the first one there was Ron Reed, my next door neighbor. The Reeds have been really good to me, and always see to it that I am never left out of anything.
The second counselor is a young man from Holbrook area, Barry Turley. So it is kinda nice to have one of the old hometown guys in there too.
I'm sorry if this ruins all your plans about coming to any wild parties but it can't be helped. You'll just have to wait 5 years or so!

Service for Van

2008-08-13T17:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to the service for Van, my brother-in-law. It was so hard to be there, it was almost like having Bill's service all over again. A lot of the same people were there and they even sang one of the same hymns. Van was a really good gentle man and he and Bill were almost as close as Christine and I are. I know he had a really rough time of it after Bill died, Bill was his baby brother, and I know how that feels.
The services were held in the chapel at the mausoleum which was at 27th Ave. and Van Buren St., forever away from here. I had forgotten what a seedy part of town it is, I really got nervous driving through some of that area trying to get back to 19th Ave. to the freeway. The cemetery is surrounded by freeways now and hard to get to. It's an old cemetery and used to be in a nice part of town. Bill's parents, Brother Cliff, and his wife Thelma, and Carrie are all buried there. So I have been there several times but this was the first time I had driven ther by my self and it just seemed different.
One of Van's daughter-in-law's introduced me to some friends of theirs as Van's last remaining LIVING sisters-in-law. That was a startling thought. It really shook me up for a minute. I guess that means that June and I are the last of the old Beck family. Now how did that happen!?! It's funny how aging creeps up on a soul, you don't even realize it and suddenly there you are OLD. Strange!

Van died.

2008-08-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

My last remaining Brother in Law on Bill's side of the family died early this morning. Oh, how I am going to miss him. He was the last of the older generation of Becks. That means that Mike, Tonie, Victor, and Kimberly are now the older generation of Becks. The oldest living Beck is now Stanley and he's not that much older than I am. Scary! Van was a wonderful guy, a great husband and father, grandfather, uncle, brother, brother-in-law, and friend. He was 99 years old and would have turned 100 in Jan. so most of his friends and all of his brothers were already gone. But those of us who knew and love him will surely miss him. It's especially hard haveing him go so soon after Bill, which is a constant pain and emptiness. But I am so happy that they will be together again. Van's first wife died many years ago, so I know that he is glad to be with her again too. I just pray for his sweet wife, June, remaining here. May God bless and comfort her at this time and always, and may she know how much she is loved by those of us that know her. Dear Brother Van, I am going to miss you so.

Good to be Home.

2008-07-31T16:33:00.000-07:00

I've been to Holbrook to visit with Christine and Pete and to get my hair cut. It was a fun trip and was nice and cool up there. One day we went up to ShowLow and Lakeside to shop. We picked up Kenneth on the way thru Snowflake and had a nice ride. It was really green in the mountains and rained while we were having lunch. Lovely! We ate at a place named Darby's, great food. It was nice to visit with both my sister, Christine, and Pete, but also with Ken.
It is sad to see Holbrook, it is just going down and down all the time. Saw quite a few people I knew at church but none just out around town. I think I've been gone too long to remember very many.
Both the ride up and back were beautiful, everything is so green, thanks to the rain we have recieved all over the state. Christine came back with me and we boht enjoyed the green grass and sunflowers. However it is great to be back home. It'll be nice to sleep in my own bed. I miss this hot, and I do mean hot, valley when I am gone very long.

Tuesday

2008-07-22T16:42:00.000-07:00

Well, Kimberly, said my blogs sounded like an old person wrote them, she hasent noticed that I am old, I guess. So, I'll try to write about something besides the weather and traffic.
Saturday night my grandson Tyler came and stayed with me. We went to the Mall and ate at Garduno's. He ate quite a lot of food, I had forgotten how much a growing boy can eat. He went to church with me Sunday morning and of course the priesthood grabed him right away to help pass the sacrament. We don't have very many youth in our ward and some of the young men were in Philmont Scout Camp, so they were really short handed, so they were glad to see him. I think he was a little embarressed, but I was proud to have a grandson who is worthy to just step in that way. What a blessing! It was wonderful to spend time with just him

Later Sunday, Michael, Monica, and Heaven came over to get Tyler and spent quite a bit of time visiting with me, it sure made my day. It's great to have family!
Today Tonie came by for a few minutes too. It was great to see her, it's been several months. Jim is going in for surgery on the 5th of august, so evertone, pray for him and Tonie too. She said that Kristi and baby Daniel are both doing well. And it looks like Daniel may turn out to be a red head. His full name is Daniel Louis Terlip.
Christine sent me pictures of Marni's wedding, so it is official. She said it was really nice and everyone enjoyed it. I hope they will be very happy. They also bought a house. I'm not too sure that Christine was happy to go back to Holbrook. However she said it was quite cold in Silver City. Of course shes almost always cold even down here. Here I am talking about weather again, so I guess I'd better just quit!

Sauna

2008-07-18T15:36:00.000-07:00

Man, you talk about a sauna the weather outdide is really hot and sticky. It's only about 108 today but the humidity is high and the ground is still wet from the bad rainfall we had the other night. I almost had to run for the ark, thought for a little while I had missed it and was bound to drownd. We got all the rain and Kimberly didn't get any. Weird- they always get more rain than I do. Oh well, now I don't have to water the trees for at least a week. Yeah!

Traffic

2008-07-17T16:17:00.000-07:00

I am always amazed at the way some people drive. Weaving in and out of traffic as if they thought they would really get there faster. Most of the time you pull up to the red light and there they are, and after all that work to try to get one car length ahead. They must be in more of a hurry than I am to get so harried and upset just to get to the light first. Strange! Then of course on the other side of the coin is the driver that gets in the speed lane and just pokes along and makes everyone go out around them especially on the freeway. I have found that quite often it is faster and less stressful to take the access road especially when it is rush hour. I just keep wondering where everyone is going in such a big hurry, they must want to get to the doctor a lot sooner than I do! Thank goodness I do not have to drive in rush hour traffic everyday and I am sorry for anyone who does.