Extending My Thanksgiving Holiday!

Busy two weeks.......Leslie here for a couple of days before Thanksgiving, then the storm of all storms hit Salt Lake. On Wednesday before Thanksgiving Kay came by and we headed for Park City and the Christensons for Thanksgiving. Dareen's brother and family joined us, so we had a merry group. Ate and ate then headed down the hill in the snow cat, gate frozen but finally got out to the cars and home about seven. Friday I spent making out bills, watering plants and packing for a week in Vernal. The Christenson's came by about three and we headed for Vernal. Pretty good trip till we hit Heber and found that BYU lost to the U by one measly point! Sunday was fun as Sherrie and Brayden both talked in church about their Africa trip. Had a nice dinner and watched a movie. Tonight we are off to the Festival of Trees to see what Sherrie's Tree goes for then they will drive in and stay at my house and fly to LA tomorrow for a few days of shopping. I get to baby sit my three sweet grandsons. Panniers will drive out this weekend and take me home. I hear I am missing another bad storm in Salt Lake, great weather here..............

Thanksgiving 2010

I am a day late with my Thanksgiving Wishes, just busy and full of turkey and dressing. Once upon a time........I love stories that start that way it always reminds me of the many stories read to me when I was young. After those words you wait with bated breath for the next word, this time the story is a sad story about poor Tom Turkey! His story has a sad ending for him, but for us a celebration of families and food. I was doing so good on my diet, but I am back sliding with carbohydrates...which is the food version of ex-sex. I have very good intentions to just nibble, but that table of turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, hot rolls and dressing, topped off with a piece of pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream.....wow, that's good!Thanksgiving is not really a favorite day of mine. After I got married my husband was never home with us on many holidays. Pam, an only child for 11 years and I ate alone, or if we could find a restaurant open or once in awhile some one would take pity on us and invite us to dinner. Being from Colorado I had no extended family in Utah to go to. My real feeling is.......I have so much to be thankful for why not let every day be a thanksgiving day. Tomorrow I am off to Vernal with the Christensons to baby sit. I will be there till next Saturday. Gigi gets to go to the farm with me to visit her cousins. Didn't get up early to take advantage of "Black Friday's Shopping". I already have all of mine done..............YES!

Blizzard of 2010

Well, we didn't just get a winter storm, we had a blizzard. I never remember a blizzard warning before, but they were right on! My sweet sister was in Utah for Thanksgiving and we spent the day in the worst freezing weather ever trying to find her a scarf, gloves and some snow boots......(she is from Arizona). She had stopped in Flagstaff and bought a parka, good planning. I had gotten tickets for the Hale Theater to see the "The Drowsy Chaperon". Well, as the evening progressed my kids got more concerned and the news on TV was scary, we canceled and stayed home. We only got a couple of inches of snow at my house, but I guess the roads were a sheet of ice because the temperature dropped. Today I am off to the cabin to spend tomorrow with the Christensons.........you know over the hills and through the woods to Christensons I go. Darren called and warned me they have -7 degrees because of the wind chill at Park City. He does have a snow cat that will make the trip "through the woods and over the hills"...... warm when we get out of the car. The roads are good today and I took Gigi to Panniers for the night, she doesn't have a parka and boots??? It will be a fun Thanksgiving with the kids in their great cabin and lots of good turkey and dressing.

AGELESSNESS

I looked up ageless......the dictionary defines ageless as "seeming not aging, eternal".......You know like Betty White......It is an eternal quality, not about physical attributes, it's about our mental emotions and spiritual ingredients. It's about acceptance of what is going on at any moment in your life-----cherishing each day. Things like consciousness, compassion, caring and loving have always been a part of my life. They haven't changed over the years that's my agelessness. I am also more aware of my gratitude's, peace of mind and trust and not be so judgemental. I try to be flexible. Go with the flow. I was to spend the weekend in Park City at the Christenson's cabin. Now I am spending Thanksgiving Day and going to Vernal Saturday to baby sit the kids next week.....be flexible which isn't all that easy when your old. Tomorrow my youngest sister is coming up from Arizona to spend a couple of days with me......I am so excited. She wants to shop for snow boots yet????? I guess that's how it is if your from Arizona. Today I had two dentist appointments. One for a filling and a form made to fix my bridge that broke and go back and get the bridge later........I got lunch for a sweet couple who are not doing so well in my condo unit. I dread that day that that is me.......they are about my age!

I guess the way to be happy and at peace as we age is to acknowledge reality and to accept that inevitability of aging. It's either age or die, take your choice. Each day honor your body as it is now, accept your slowing down, it's not good or bad.....it just is. Feeling good about yourself helps you feel ageless. Your attitude means everything as you age. Being positive is necessary for longevity. Connect and seek out family, friends, pets, hobbies and talents. Be an example to your family and friends.

THE WEATHER MAN

Why do we plan our lives around the "weather man?"

He forecast cold and sickness so I rushed in and got my flu shot........so now I am set for bad weather. He is now forecasting our first worst storm this weekend so my sweet grandson Richie came over this morning early, (he had been up late attending the Harry Potter movie and his mother drug him out of bed to go rake gramme's leaves.) He is so precious and I so appreciated it before that big snow storm the weather man promises for the weekend buried all those red leaves in the back yard. This was a good day and I got many chores done before being buried by snow drifts. Leaves raked, my nails done, I filled my three months supply of prescriptions my doctor gave me yesterday at my annual checkup and stopped by and got my car inspected for another year.......Yes! I will show that weather man........somebody listens to him. I do have a dentist appointment at 8:00 Monday morning and kinda hope his forecast is wrong so I can get there, weather men are wrong sometimes! Would I have done all those chores today without that weatherman's warning........probably not.

OLDER THAN DIRT.........

I know my grand kids think I am old......they think all grandmothers are old, but they just don't realize how old is old. I love them all and love their fun questions about my life. Some thing like....."What was your favorite fast food when you were growing up?" My answer, "We didn't have fast food when I grew up, all food was slow." Asked where did you eat? I told them I ate at home. My mother cooked every day when my father came home from work and we all sat down in the kitchen around a big table together. If we didn't like what she cooked, we didn't have to eat it, but that was all there was that night.........When they realized I was serious about this I also told them: Many people never owned a home (we were lucky because we did.) Some people never wore Levis, never set foot on a golf course, never traveled out of our country or even had a credit card. My family did not own a TV until I went away to college and it was black and white. We had one telephone and it hung on the wall in the kitchen. My parents never drove anyone to soccer practice, mostly because we never heard of soccer. I never ate pizza until I was in college. We owned one car with a stick shift. When you wanted to turn right you rolled down the window and stuck your arm out straight and to turn left you bent it up!!!!! For fun we roller skated, rode our bikes, played games on the vacant lot across the street. For exercise we walked to town to get the mail from the only post office and maybe if we had an extra nickel we would go to the drug store and my favorite was a cherry, lemon, chocolate, marshmallow, lime root beer............Your grandmother loved her life. It was simple, happy and safe. I guess I never missed fast food, because I didn't know about it!

ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE............

In my prayers at night I ask to be guided to those I can be of some help to. A good person to be there for my family and friends or even a stranger. Ever since the children were in school all day and I had spare time I have loved to be a volunteer. I started with room mothers and chaperons for school. I volunteered with the Rape Crisis Center for a long time on the Speakers Bureau, Crisis Line and Board of Directors. I volunteered for two years on the Olympus Senior Center as a party programmer. I was a volunteer at the Salt Lake Salt Palace as an Information Specialist, helping tourist enjoy our city. I volunteered with ESP to teach English to people trying to learn our language. I was on a board to interview families of foster children until the program was cut because of funding. I now belong to a Pray Shawl Ministry and knit shawls with the group. But, as I look around at all the people in need I feel a need to help more. This last weekend I did sew two quilts together for a friend who doesn't sew. I tended my youngest grandson all night so my daughter could go to a family dinner. I baby sat my neighbors grandchildren while she had bridge and her son had a meeting. I told my oldest daughter I would let her dogs out Sat. and Sun. while they were at a friends cabin and put a roast in their crock-pot for them to have Sunday dinner when they got home Sunday.........of which I would be invited to help eat. I find being needed and able to help others makes life worth living. I guess I am still kinda volunteering............So I would say to everyone, find just one person to help out and see how good it makes you feel!

WEATHER

SPRING HAS SPRUNG.......FALL HAS FELL........WINTER HAS COME AND IT'S COLDER THAN H........USUAL!

This is the time of year I start thinking about all the warm and beautiful places that I would like to be. I see President Obama is in Jakarta, oh yes, a warm and beautiful place. I loved my visit there. It is true, you don't really see the world if you only look at it through your own window.

I know traveling is not what it use to be with it's "miles long lines, over booked flights, departures delayed again and again, and peanuts for lunch. Then you realize at the journey's end, you are back home to the best scenery of all. As you unpack you marvel at the wonders of the world and the hard trip to see them melts in your mind. As I relive a trip and think of the exotic parks and mosquitoes I left behind, the busy markets with their bright colored barrels of spices with interesting smells, the bag full of gifts and souvenirs I have to cram into my suitcase and a couple of treasures I bought for myself. These pictures are only words........unless you have "been there, done that." I am thankful for all my wonderful trips around the world and as I sit here watching it snow I can dream of other trips to come. There will be other times, other places and for an "Instant Getaway" I step into that favorite travel brochure and dream a little......I close my eyes and see my tanned arms and face aglow on some some tropical isle stretched out on a lounge enjoying the sounds and smell of the sea, with a cold drink in my hand........

And then the phone rings!

A big Culture Day

Today was a fun day, something different! Other than the Nut Cracker I don't think I had ever been to a ballet before. I have taken in a few operas though. Today mostly they wore those sexy underwear outfits, but they finally put on a few clothes. The dancers were elegant. The ballet was "Carmina Burana"........ the story seemed to be something dealing with the wheel of fortune. It was inspired by thirteen-century secular poems and songs written by monks and minstrels of the time that was discovered in an ancient Bavarian Monastery. They had a large chorus and several very good vocalists..........
Just watching those guys throwing those girls around wore me out! Went with Karrie and Andrea and enjoyed a quick lunch at the Olive Garden before.

Tonight is our "fall back" day in Utah......Get an extra hour sleep tomorrow. Arizona is smart, they just set their clocks and leave them all year. Doesn't that make more sense? Cleaned off the porch and painted the steps today. We are expecting a winter storm tomorrow. Pam asked me to knit the newest member of our family a Christmas Stocking.......I don't know if it is a surprise so no one tell him! I can count 21 of these Christmas Stockings in the family so far....
can you believe that?

THIRD ACT........

Had a great day. Had a nice lunch and played bridge with some of my favorite people. It's so nice when your having fun with people your age, you compare notes on what the kids are doing, you can relate all your latest ailments and most have been there, done that. As I think back over my life I realize there are three acts in a persons life and I am in the last act of mine.

Act one is the learning act. The time in your life when you are learning how to relate and get along with others. You are getting an education. You are looking for a job, a partner to share your life with. This is a time to investigate what you want out of life, be curious and make some mistakes.

Act two is taking all the lessons you have learned in your younger years and put them into play.

You work hard, have several children....on not.....and spend your time being a football coach, a den mother, and a chauffeur, and a teacher of life and God. You are trying to put your life, health and wealth into place to enjoy the last act which comes all to fast.

Act three is taking all you have learned, the experiences you have had and enjoying old age and grandchildren. Now you can travel and hopefully you have taken care of yourself and can enjoy good health. You have put away a little nest egg and have a ton of good memories and few regrets.

And, suddenly you realize you better be good to your children.......they do pick out your nursing home. All I ask of my girls is to promise not to put me and my X in the same one! Which Act are you enjoying?

Liven' In the Land of Peace of Mind.......

I am in that wonderful place in my life of the "Land of Peace of Mind". What gives you peace of mind at any age? There are many reasons. I saw a list of things the other day that really made me stop and think. Think about the following:

Life isn't fair, but it's still good......When in doubt just take the next small step......Life is to short to waste time hating anyone......You don't have to win every argument.....Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone......It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it......Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present......Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about......If a relationship has to be a secret, you should not be in it......Everything could be changed in a blink of an eye, but don't worry God does not blink.......Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful......What ever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger......It's never to late to have a happy childhood. But, the second one is up to you and no one else.....When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer......Burn your candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special......No one is in charge of your happiness but you.....Frame every so-called disaster with these words. "In five years, will this matter?......What other people think of you is none of your business......However good or bad a situation is, it will change......Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does......Believe in Miracles......God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do......Growing older beats the alternative , dying young......If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone Else's, we'd grab our own back.....Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need......The best is yet to come.......Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.......So, just jump in and enjoy the days you have left on this earth.........

HAPPY HALLOWEEN----NICE WEEKEND

A very good weekend. Happy Halloween and Feliz dia de los Muertos! I went to the great pumpkin patch to see if peanuts and Linus were there waiting for the Great Pumpkin to arise! Alex stayed all night with me Friday night then drove me to Vernal for Halloween. The Christenson's ward had a trunk or treat party which I had never been to one, in a big vacant lot. Lots of people and a fun dinner of soup and desert was served. They know how to celebrate a holiday. My neighbor said she didn't get one person for treats in our condo area. Then on Sunday, the real Halloween, we were off to church where Darren was made first counselor to the new Bishop.......This is huge in our family. He was excited and nervous and this is a picture of his cute family. During sacrament Alex blessed it and Brayden and Kennedy served it. I was a pretty proud grandma. Had a nice dinner and then I rode home to Salt Lake with Dareen's mother Kay. Gigi enjoyed the farm. The country is all excited about the mid-term election tomorrow. I voted last Friday........Next thing on my list is Thanksgiving!