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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!