HAPPY 22 BIRTHDAY RICHIE B.

RICHARD BENJAMIN COOK......my third grandson turned 22 yesterday......same day my first great-grandson turned 1.  I am lucky and have been able to enjoy and watch this darling boy grow into a man. Soccor games, foot ball games, etc through the years.  Graduation and then off to a mission in Mexico......I cried when he left.....and missed him so.  Home and in college and working for his father now......what will be his future.\?  He is handsome, smart, fun and the sky is the limit for him......so proud of him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHIE

AARON TURNS 1

YEA........We made it to a big one year old......getting teeth, hair and taking a few steps.  It has been such a wonderful year watching my great=grandson Aaron grow up......you forget so many wonderful things a baby does when your youngest is 47.

Last night was a big birthday party for him at Grandma and Grandpa Pannier's house.......a jungle theme.  There was a house full with his grandparents Hortons, aunts and uncles and four little boy cousins from the Horton's side of the family. Don and I were there as well as a great-grandpa from the other side......well loved and spoiled baby.. You never know how much you will love a great-grandchild until you get one.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AARON........

GOT TO DO BETTER.......

I know that changing the way you look at things can make your life better.......so for the New Year I am going to work on putting a Positive Frame around all my negative thoughts and see what happens.........I have so very much to be thankful for in my life......good health, nice family......those that don't like me are still nice......great friends......a nice home with good neighbors and my church.

REJECTION doesn't hurt.......EXPECTATION does.

LYING doesn't destroy........DENIAL does.

FORGETFULNESS doesn't heal........FORGIVENESS does.

Being a parent can sometimes be thankless.

Snow, snow, snow......will it ever end?  I know it is December and winter and I live in Utah.......so where is that positive frame?  Tomorrow is the last day of 2015!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS......2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2015........a long time ago on Christmas Eve this picture was taken.......with 8 of my 9 grandchildren.....number 9....shown in the cut-out was on a mission in Brazil.....it wasn't so long ago but they have all grown up.....gotten married.....and moved on with their lives......I am so happy how they have turned out.....but lonesome because I never see them much anymore.  Here I sit alone on Christmas Day.....Pam and Sherrie called and I talked to my sister.......But I have many blessing to be thankful for this Christmas.......My health is good, I have a nice home and enough to eat and wonderful neighbors who came with their snow blower and cleaned my sidewalks and driveway.......I am beginning to think as you grow older you are more fortunate to have good friends and neighbors than family????  I did get to talk to my missionary in Washington for a few minutes.....he will be home next Christmas.......that can make a grams day.  Snowed most the day so are having a real "White Christmas!"

ALMOST HERE......

OH HOW WELL I REMEMBER THESE DAYS!!!!!!!   This is great-grandson Aaron......meeting Santa for the first time and his mother said this was as close as Santa could get to him!  I remember my first one when Charlotte and I took Pam and Woody to see Santa and bribed them with everything we had to get a picture with Santa.......which  didn't work........ and the twins weren't much better......I guess it's part of the game.
         Have enjoyed this Christmas season a lot, in my new house and have it decorated cute.....had a nice family Christmas party last Saturday and got lots of fun gifts, we have gobs of snow, my darling neighbors and friends have all been great.  Tomorrow night I will have Christmas Eve with Pam's family......I intend enjoying every day as if it were my last because you never know......when it will be your last.
        LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIDER.......An old European Christmas legend tells of a poor woman unable to provide the traditional decorations for the special holiday.  A spider made his home in her tree and began to spin beautiful webs.  On Christmas morning, the first light off sun struck the cobwebs, turning them to silver.....When the woman awoke, she found the tree was covered with silver treasure.........The Spider had brought good fortune!  Isn't it fun to end the day with good thoughts?

DRAGING.......

 

Here is sweet grandpa Rob with grandchild Aaron at the end of our family Christmas party Saturday......I  guess it was just to much party for a one year old and his great-gram still feels like that three days later......maybe it is the let down that Christmas is over for me and the combination of snow, snow, snow!!!!!Two more days and there will be a few more tired people when the big day is over.

I saw this on face book today and it gives you something to think about besides TRUMP......which is all there is on TV.

"Even though there are days I wish I could change some things that happened in the past,........ there's a reason the rear view mirror is so small and the windshield is so big,............. where you're headed is much more important than what you have left behind."

I BELIEVE THE HARDEST PART OF HEALING AFTER YOU HAVE LOST SOMEONE YOU LOVE (divorce, death or when someone just walks out of your life).......IS TO RCOVER THE "YOU" THAT WENT AWAY WITH THEM........

WOW....HECTIC WEEK!

     Well......try to catch up with the week.  Busy getting ready for the family Christmas Party last night.......Presents, decorations, food, house cleaned, tables set etc.  Today I am pooped.......trying to get a few things done, but mostly sleeping.  I had 20 people......and everyone got along with one another......I added three new branches to my family tree in 2015.....Lindsay,  Aaron, Matt.  Nicci and Brayden were not able to be with us but the rest of the family showed up.  Lots of good food, many fun gifts,  Robby was Santa Squirrel in his Halloween costume and gave out the gifts.....The girls had done my DNA Test to find out my heritage and theirs..... In Europe.....99%.......89% British, 6% Iceland, 3%  Scandinavia, 2% Finland/Northwest Russia, 2% Iberian Peninsula, 1% Europe East .....In West Asia....Caucasus 1%.........very interesting.  I can definitely see my age is taking a toll on entertaining, very tired today. I even squeezed in the new movie STAR WARS with the Christensons and Grandpa Bud yesterday.......Kinda a let down today as far as I am concerned Christmas for me is over.   I probably will go to Panniers for dinner on Christmas Eve and then to a movie and McDonalds for Christmas dinner........But it's all good!

FAITH........

 

This is Aaron.....my first great-grandchild......who will be one the 29th of December.......His first Christmas is just around the corner and there will be a big birthday party at Grandma and Grandpa Panniers!  We adore him.  At his house there is no fireplace and chimney for Santa so he will have to believe in the little story of the Magic Santa Key........Dear Santa, we have no chimney as you can plainly see, and I was terribly worried that you'd pass over me.  We hung this very special key outside right by the door.  Then Mom told me to jump in bed  and not worry any more.  Your magic will make this key fit, to open up our door.....So you can come inside tonight and tip-toe across the floor.

It is so great when children can believe in Santa and there really is a way to get around everything. Hired Lisa to come carry up chairs, put leafs in the table and help me get ready for our Saturday night Christmas Party here.  Take the dog to the groomer tomorrow and shop for the food......things are shaping up good.  Sherrie informed me they had a movie ticket for me to go see Star Wars with Darren's family before our party.......how can I leave for the afternoon when I am having 20 people to feed for dinner?  Oh, and Sherrie said her father called to see where he could leave her Christmas presents and said he was ordered to go to California for Christmas.......BUT he didn't want to because they were having marital problems and he didn't feel very good!!!!(chuckle-chuckle).......Suppose to snow again tonight!

SYMBOLS.......

 

 

Interestingly enough our church lesson was about symbols.......In Revelations 1-2-3 they talk about 7 stars, 7 candles  and keys.....and how that all fits into our lives.  As Christmas approaches we have so many symbols and traditions that are so interesting;......Take the Candy Cane for instance......The Candy Cane begins with a stick of white candy.  The white symbolizes the purity of the Christmas season.  Red  stripes are for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we may have eternal life.  The candy is formed into a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus. It can also represent the staff of the Good shepherd.  Its hard consistency represents the Solid Rock, the foundation of the church, and the firmness of the promises of God........each day I google another one and it is so interesting.

Just got a storm warning on my cell phone......how did it know?

TIS THE SEASON.......

                    
                             Did you ever wonder how you could screw-up so bad once in awhile......Well, I just realized it was because of the "SCREW-UP-FAIRY"......Great.....finally somebody to blame it on!
                            Two weeks till Christmas and every window is beginning to display a Christmas Tree......The tradition of the Christmas Tree is.......it stays green all through the year, the evergreen tree is symbolic of the eternal life offered to Christians through faith in Christ.....The treetop point heavenward.  A star signifies the special star which guided the wise men to Bethlehem.  Lights represent Christ, the "Light of the World".  Gifts beneath the tree are representative of God's gift of His only begotten Son who brings Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.
                            Sherrie and Ken came by for awhile today.....Ken helped with chores.  Sherrie gave two of my neighbors Christmas treats for being so good to me.......I think I raised her right!  Mike called and wanted my new address and we had a good visit.......No snow down here, but cold.

WOW!

s

I am a note maker......and this would be a good one to keep posted in bold print where I can't miss it.    It is almost eleven o'clock and I am still trying to get a few lines recorded in my blog.  Just as I was starting my blog.....which I couldn't get into without arguing with GOOGLE.......about my password.....Shirley called me and said she would come over and see what was wrong with my computer......then Toby called to tell me Mickey died.....she was a very good friend .....known her for almost 50 years and took her place in one of my favorite bridge clubs when she moved to Denver.   She had a melatonin in her mouth......lost some teeth etc......haven't seen her for quite awhile.  Quite a shock.   Toby said call Pat and Jane......in the mean time Sherrie called, they were at the cabin and would be down tomorrow.........After two long conversations with Pat and Jane I finally got back to the computer........Things are so hectic now days.  I did get a lot of chores done today.  Dollar store, made a copy of a photo I needed, stopped at Petco and made an appointment for GIGI to be groomed Tuesday, picked up some hair color and Salt for the drive way when it snows.....ran down to the DI and dropped off  some stuff, came home and colored my hair and filled 20 sacks full of candy for our Christmas party Saturday.

Wednesday had Shirley, Bonnie and Nancy here for our annual MEXICAN TRAIN Christmas Party, served lunch and exchanged gifts.....fun time.  Then yesterday Patty and Ruth came for lunch and we exchanged gifts and  had our usual therapy session........which lasted till after five.........they didn't seem to want to go home !!!!  Ruth's gift to us was a coloring book and crayons and colored pencils and pens.......our next get-to-gather........we will color!  Now you know what old people do when they get to gather!!!

Well it is way past my bed time so will try and do better with my blog in the coming weeks........

 

WINTER......

 

This happy bunch......The Christenson family are seen here vacationing in the GRAND CAYMAN Islands.....not aware we are freezing back home in Utah.    They are missing the middle son.....Brayden....who is no doubt freezing also in Canada this week,......where he is on a mission.

I HAVE DECIDED MY FAVORITE OUT DOOR ACTIVITY IN THE WINTER IS GOING INSIDE WHERE IT IS WARM!

Everyone asks what your favorite winter sport is.....skiing, ice skating, sledding, snowmobiling, etc. when you tell them you are from Utah......but as I get older I didn't have to think to hard to come up with what I enjoy most about cold weather.

Had a busy day......washed the car, stopped at the Dollar Store, WalMart and got wine for my party Wednesday.  Also mailed my sisters and Missionary's Christmas present.  My list tomorrow is just as long.  I also found my Christmas books.....buried from the move and that added to the happiness of the day.

GOOD FRIENDS........

 

Friends......what would we do without our friends?  Have you noticed how a friend gathers all the pieces and gives them back to you in the right order?  Every person knows the value of a trusted friend who will lend an ear and give a hand.  Such friends are able to talk things through and turn troubles into things that don't seem so bad.......As Helen Keller notes;, "As long as we sweeten another's pain, our lives are not in vain."

When one has lived many years, the past becomes an attic;  One goes there hunting some particular thing and finds everything except what one went to find!!!!!BUT....I still can't find my Christmas books....will give it another go tomorrow.....LIFE SEEMS LIKE ONE BIG TREASURE HUNT WHEN YOU MOVE......YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE PUT ALL YOUR TREASURES!

Church and a very quiet weekend.

WILLIAM IS 25 ..........

 

A grandmother is so lucky when she gets a grandson......This is William Robert with me and his big sister Nicci.......I can't believe he is all grown up and 25 years old today. .......time flies.......I loved tending him.....and he always wanted to sleep with me when he was little......SIDEWAYS in the bed.  We had good talks and I was called in....... in high school when he needed to be first in line to get his football gear......because the coach was Sherrie's old boy friend and really loved me.....soooo we marched in to see the coach!......we pulled that for 2 years in a row....so many fun memories.   I was happy when he got his first job, when he graduated from High School, then from the U of U and when he called me the other day to tell me he had bought a house!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL........

SOMEDAY.......

 

Here are two of my favorite people......who I will love to the end of my days.  I can only hope that "someday" they will realize they need us as much as we need them.

Think about this........Monday.....Tuesday......Wednesday......Thursday......Friday.....Saturday......Sunday.....But there is no SOMEDAY.  Where did the word Someday come from?  Everyday has a name.   You say "someday"  I will be rich, famous, old, etc........Someday never comes.......it is always  "out there" and we go on with our todays.......naming each one as it comes along but always talking about someday and reaching for it or waiting for it.  Someday is an interesting word with a lot of "HOPE" attached to it..........Someday when I grow up........anticipating, expecting, surmising you will grow up someday.......that you will be rich, famous and live to be old.......is an interesting thought.......but I guess it doesn't hurt to hope.

 

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LOVE

is patient and kind; love is not jealous, or conceited, or proud, or provoked;  Love does not keep a record of wrongs;  Love is not happy with evil, but is pleased with the truth.  Love never gives up; its faith, hope and patience, never fail.

 

FRUSTRATED......

 

I think this is a good idea.......because when I go to some one's house and it is "just lived in"......and then come home to my "cleaner" house......I realize.....no one is perfect.  There is always tomorrow......well not always.....but then if there isn't a tomorrow for you.....who cares about your house keeping.......?   All decorated for Christmas, presents all wrapped and ready to do some entertaining......It is very cold, but no snow on the ground......thank goodness.  Do y6u realize....Life is a party.....you join after it's started......and you leave before it's finished.

DR PEPPER DOG......

WHAT BECOMES OF  LOST OPPORTUNITIES?  PERHAPS OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL GATHERS THEM UP AND WILL GIVE THEM BACK WHEN WE'VE GROWN WISER------AND WILL USE THEM RIGHTLY......Helen Keller
     I hate commercials that make me cry!  But Pepper the Dr. Pepper Dog did it......This poor abandoned dog wandered day after day alone.....he was different.   Nobody wanted this stray dog but what the bus driver did will tear you up....yep!
The bus driver picked him up one day and they had a blast traveling together while delivering sodas along the way.  The last stop was to be the "shelter".......As they arrive at the shelter the bus driver thinks how awesome their last few hours together have been.  At the shelter the bus driver drives away from the shelter without the dog next to him.....as it turns out the dog is ducking down and reemerged from the passengers seats.  It ended with the bus driver decided against leaving him at the shelter where his chances of being adopted were slim.....Of course I was crying by now!  It's OK to be one of a kind and different!
      Nice day at church......snowy and cold.  My neighbor Hanh brought over hot stew, bread pudding and rolls.....nice Sunday dinner.   Later another neighbor called to see if I wanted to come eat left-over turkey and dressing with them.  I know they realize I see very little of any of my family.......and that bothers them.  Thank goodness for wonderful neighbors and good friends.......No one knows how tuff it is to be alone......until it happens to them!

BLACK FRIDAY......

 

 

Made it through Thanksgiving and Black Friday with no crisis........Just two more days on the calendar I can cross off.  I can't figure out why everyone gets so excited about them other than those who work......get some days off...... Sherrie called from Las Vegas today, they had a lay-over on their way home from the Cayman Islands and had had a very nice week, whenever they visit the islands on Thanksgiving they always look up the LDS Missionaries and invite them to have Thanksgiving dinner with them.  I guess the Panniers and the Hortins will be home from St. George tomorrow sometime.  I saw pictures of the Cooks on Instagram where it looked like they had dinner at Little America......it is one of their favorite things to do.  Like to see my kids happy.

Woke up this morning to snow......our first white stuff down here......not much and roads were good by noon.  One more day and December is upon us.......

HAPPY THANKSGIVING......

 

Big day for gratitude........The movie was good and the Happy Meal with extra fry sauce tasted just like turkey!!!!

Yesterday was such a sad day for our family.....the funeral of Becky Smith, only 52  and the day before Thanksgiving.  Did get to see Lucille's big family and my cousin David Goff.....a very nice service, Mike sat with me but could not stay and eat as he had to go back to work.   This poem seems to fit my thoughts for today......some people are without all their family because of death.....others because they choose not to be.

                          THE EMPTY CHAIR

The pies are in the freezer, the turkeys on the list.

But this Thanksgiving, oh how a loved one (or two) will be missed!

Lord Jesus please hear our Thanksgiving prayers

For those gathered around a table that has some empty chairs

Oh Lord , comfort their hearts we know that you are able

And let them know that this year, there's another chair at Heaven's Table.

....................Becky and Derik will be missed...........

FOR A REASON......

   Why did I end up at "THE COTTAGES"?.........I guess there was a reason I ended up moving from 6298 Madrid St. after 27 years........ to Midvale and The Cottages.  Here it is, Thanksgiving week and two of the girls are going out of town and the third one doesn't know I am alive.......so what do you do all alone for Thanksgiving?   Well, because you have good friends and a sweet cousin and sister......and some great neighbors......you get lots of invitations to Thanksgiving dinner this Sunday night.  When asked what I planned to do on Thanksgiving.....I told them go to a movie and then stop at McDonalds for a Happy Meal with extra fry sauce??????  Well, you ought to see the look on their faces as they all said.....No, no come eat with us!  I had invites from four neighbors, a good friend and my cousin and sister.   Hey, it's just another day to me and I am happy to go to a movie and get a Marie Calendar's frozen dinner and find a good movie and have my VERY OWN Happy Day!  Really Life is what you make it!

DEATH........

Yes, Becky died.....but not gone.....and hopefully the family can go on.....I don't know how when you lose a child.....but there are five more families that need a mother and a father......I took 3 huge pizza's over to Lucille this morning, thinking they might help out through the next few days with her house full of company that has come to town......she called this afternoon to thank me and say there were two pieces left!!!!!   I guess I did something good for her......better than flowers is food.  I have been down all day, partly because I missed Derrik's graveside service and felt guilty and partly because I have a daughter that has walked away from her family......and I feel as if she is dead to me......Pam said give her time.....how much time do I have?  I just watched a short that informs us Obama is the 44th and last president there will be.....Putin will explode a rocket over the US that knocks out all our power, heat, phones, email etc. and the world will end as we know it.......I am beginning to believe it with all the Isis stuff happening!  I look forward to church tomorrow.

 

MIXED EMOTIONS.......

 

EMOTIONS........The first time I have seen Pam in three weeks........we went to lunch and shopped around GARDNER VILLAGE..........buying some fun things for Christmas......then decided to run over to TAI PAN......and more shopping!  More fun things for Christmas.  I had turned down an overnight trip to Mesquite......with Mike to attend a grave-side service for my nephew Darrik in Enterprise Utah......he was Jo's son and raised in Enterprise, he died so young with stage 4 lung cancer......I arrived home only find on my answering service a message from my cousin her daughter, Becky, had died today......she was only in her 50's.      I feel very lucky I have not had to go through any thing like this with my three girls......even though one of them has not been speaking to any of the family all year........Her Loss.

Sherrie and her family left for their Caribbean vacation for THANKSGIVING this morning......I hope they have a safe trip with all the plane problems etc. that ISIS is causing.

Here's hoping tomorrow won't be so sad.

COUSINS.........

 

In a dilemma tonight.........should I ride 16 hours Friday and Saturday to a cremation grave side service for my nephew or not......I feel it would make my sister (who is deceased).......happy but as the years go by these trips get harder and harder.........  I think I will leave it to the younger generation, his cousins of Korina, Kristy, Jamie, Mike etc......It is cold and the weather unpredictable.....I hate to travel in bad weather.........

CAN YOU BELIEVE.....IT IS A QUARTER TILL EIGHT AND TWO GUYS SHOW UP AT MY FRONT DOOR AND WANT TO DEMONSTRATE A KERBY VAC......My first mistake was even answering the door!!!!!

  Well anyway I called my favorite cousin Lucille, and said "am I really a bad person if I don't go?"  She reassured me at 83, cold weather, bad roads and such a fast trip it was OK.......Lucille's daughter Becky who is still so young  has weeks......perhaps days to live with stage 4 cancer......it is so sad to bury your children....thank goodness she lives across town......and I will be there for her.  Yes those of us with Cousins, aunts and uncles and especially brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents are the lucky ones in the world......enjoy every minute you can with them!.

SAFE PLACE.......

 

I have lived in my new house......7 months.......and am still trying to find everything.  Today my sweet daughter Sherrie and Grandson Ken offered to go through my Christmas decorations and carry them in and put them up for me......the best Christmas present a mother could have!.......Got the trees up.....mantel decorated.....hall decorated and a few odds and  ends done......then I mentioned I still could not find some of my favorite jewelry.......it wasn't with the rest I had brought with me......well, my 6 foot 4 inch Ken took down a metal suitcase from the office closet that I had not been able to reach and guess what......they found my jewelry!  Yes, I had put it in a safe place......but forgot where the safe place was.   I kept telling myself.....it is only stuff.....but some of my favorite stuff!  MY next big job is to wrap my gifts, then plan the menu and OUR Christmas party will be on it's way...... a month and 3 days from now......

While Sherrie was here she heard from Braydon......Next week is transfer week and he will be heading to a little place close to the Canadian border.....he was very excited to be so close to Canada and in a po-dunk area where he will get a car.....which will help his sore foot a lot and be made a Zone Leader.

Tomorrow off to a movie with Patty and meeting Shirley.......and time marches on!

MAKE FRIENDS WITH FAILURE.......

 

I wonder if every mother.....or father......goes through this......wondering where you failed as a parent?  Trouble is.....there are no "d0 overs" and just when you think you have it all.....you don't!  Scottie's foot ball team lost the championship by 1 point.....I guess.  I would have loved to have been there.......but this family has walked away from the rest of us.....oh the kids are trying , but you know they feel guilty if the parents don't agree........and I don't want that.....I have learned from past experience.....IF SOMEONE WALKS OUT OF YOUR LIFE.....LET THEM......THEN CLOSE THE DOOR.  I am about ready to do it again .  These are six wonderful people.......and I can only warn them.....what goes round....comes round......they will experience this hurt sometime in their life!

Sunday nights are beginning to take shape.......three hours of church.......lunch.......a little nap......a note to my favorite Missionary........maybe a note on the blog and to bed!

AND TOMORROW IS MONDAY AGAIN!!!!!!   I"M OK.

THINKING OF JO.......

For the generations to come......you should know who these two people are and how important they are to us.  This is Tammie and Derek Norton.  My sister Joan and her husband Phil adopted them when they were babies.  They lived in Lodi California when they got Derek......and not long after they got Tam who was the cutest baby with tons of black hair.  Their father Phil had been adopted with a little brother and had such a wonderful mother.......Jo and Phil ended up raising the kids in Enterprise, Utah.  Tam loved horses......she married an older guy and had three wonderful sons.  Derek got married and had a daughter , but divorced.  I met his little girl once at Jo's.  He loved her dearly and was there for her so in his last days she took him into her home to die...... she now a lawyer in Tennessee.........which was a couple of days ago.....with lung cancer.  Many years later Jo and Phil had a baby of their own......Ryan......and that is another story.   Derek is with Jo and Phil now with no more pain........ and we still have cute Tammie in the family.  She and Leeland are no longer married and she seems very happy with her three sons and grandkids.

TIME.......

 

What do you do when writing your daily blog becomes an effort?  I use to have so much to say I didn't know where to begin.....now several days go by and I realize I haven't been near my computer.  Let's see......Wednesday went down to CITY CENTER to a fun wedding reception for my next door neighbors.......at the Cheese Cake Factory with Ivan and Gay.  It was Mark's third marriage.....Hanh's second.  Hanh is from Viet Nam and is going to be a wonderful addition to Mark.  She is constantly bringing me food and taking care of the "elderly"......Met Mark's twin brother Mike from California.....since we both moved in our twin homes at the same time we have become very good friends.  I am glad he found someone nice again!

Thursday was my day to have the Mexican Train girls over for lunch and games.....we ended up playing SNIVAL and they enjoyed learning it......It is our few hours to catch up and have a little therapy at it.

Friday I got the car inspected and a new tag for it and did chores.......Patty came by for coffee that afternoon.

Saturday.....today.....I went to a movie and did three batches of laundry and tomorrow it will be off to church.  Haven't seen the Panniers for two weeks......Pam calls about once a week to see if I am still alive.  Talk to Sherrie almost every day.  The Cooks........I saw a thing that said if someone walks out of your life......let them......then close the door.  I did that once before with her Dad.....don't want to, but it can be done.

Having beautiful Fall weather, but a big storm is forecast for next week!

IN THE END.....

 

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

Well I knew it was inevitable......winter and snow.......it snowed all day, but thank goodness it has been so warm the roads melted off......it has stuck to the grass and roofs though......so you know it is out there.   I spent a great day just hanging out and catching up around the house......but the next two days are pretty busy.  Tomorrow night a wedding reception of my next door neighbors and Thursday entertain the Mexican Train bunch!......and then it's the weekend again!

I have most my Christmas shopping done......now to wrap and label them and find a place to store them for the next six weeks or so.......still working on a set of dish towels and need to finish a baby blanket for my great-grandson.......then work on presents for the neighbors......such great neighbors!  I have truly been blessed with this move to have good people that care and check on me.......due to the fact......my children hardly know I exist.  Sherrie is good and calls almost every day and I love hearing what her family is up to  but she is 3 hours away......Pam gets around to it once a week or so......and Karrie.....Well?  I have Great friends and they have enlisted their kids to help me with my chores.....Friends......... you can never have to many friends.

A NAP........

 

WOW......this is getting to be a habit.   Three hours of church.......lunch......and a nap!...You know, keep the Sabbath Day Holy!   But then this gets you ready for the busy week ahead...........Very quiet weekend as usual.....all my family and friends have their own families around on the weekend when no one works.......mine live out of town or go out of town or just ignore me and my friends are in the same boat......so weekends are pretty quiet.....My sweet nephew and his wife and son did surprise me and come for dinner Saturday night and we played Snivel.......a favorite game from a trip to EUROPE with him once......it was great to have my family around........Mike had been up to rehearse for "SAVIOR OF THE WORLD"......the 13th year he has been in it............down at the Church's big center!. 

Did talk to my sweet sister and favorite cousin .......Lucille's Becky is not doing well with her cancer bout, but little sister had had a good weekend......and so IT IS.....WHAT IT IS!

 

TRANSITION......

"THE WORLD BREAKS EVERYONE AND AFTERWARDS MANY ARE STRONG AT THE BROKEN PLACES"

 

The course of change never did run smooth.......but you may be glad to know that Change is predictable.  Virginia Satir established a model of how we experience transition:

STAGE 1......Late Status Quo......Here you are in the eventual present and the skies are clear, but this stage is called late status quo because.....though you don't yet know it.....something is about to come along ........and Bam!  (Yes, he said he was going to coffee with his son-in-law and instead he went to the lawyer and filed for divorce)!......An unexpected event occurs.  Whatever it is, the foreign element tells you, instantly that everything has changed........STAGE 2.......FOREIGN ELEMENT.......Your life has been turned up side down. What you'd hoped for, planned for, or predicted may no longer be possible or even relevant.....Little about this process is pleasant......but it does get you somewhere important.......STAGE 3.....CHAOS.....Then STAGE 4.....TRASFORMING IDEA......You have an epiphany,......a stroke of inspiration brought about by all that disorder........Something clicks into place, and clarifies....you perceive a way forward...or at lest the possibility one.....with the help of family and friends. STAGE 5.....INTEGRATION AND PRACTICE...... This is the period when you test-drive that transformative concept, investigating its merits and pitfalls, determining whether it can sustain you in the long term.  But don't be discouraged, Trial and error are exactly what the integration and practice phase is for.....STAGE 6.....FINISH.....As you acclimate to a new approach or outlook, you ease back into relative  peace.You

're relieved to be here...but also proud to still be standing.....Pat yourself on the back; You have made it to the other side......

This seems to be what everyone has or is going through in one form or another......and it gives you hope there is life after crisis for all of us......

Very quiet Friday......didn't leave the house!

 

WHY NOT????.

 

Each time I sit down to write in my blog.....I either have a million ideas what I want to say......or none......so they begin "ONCE UPON A TIME"...... Yes, once upon a time it was very important for me to get up...... do dishes, make beds, vacuum the dog hair etc......NOW.....not so much!.....If it doesn't bother the dog.....why should it bother me?.......and by now my good neighbors and best friends come to see me......not my house!  I am finding old age is a completely different animal and I just have to live with it!  Pam and Rob are off to Island Park tomorrow for the weekend and the Christenson's are off to Escalante with the Labrums for the weekend so I can plan on no kids around this weekend......of course I know the Cooks are in their own world without our family any longer......wonder how the Christmas Party will turn out????

I have decided I need to be a person of few words so when I talk, they will listen, and I give them words that they remember......I need to be personable and passionate......Show them I care and make someone's day a little bit brighter.  Make time for love and room for growth.....Take a  walk more often and stay adventurous.....Keep my Bible open and my coffee cup full......Life gives you one try so you better go out and simply live it up!.

 

"REMEMBER WHEN YOU FORGIVE......YOU HEAL.  AND WHEN YOU LET GO....YOU GROW"

NOVEMBER'S HERE......

 

 

I guess that is what Mothers are for.......raise good people and hope they pass it on to the next generation.......October just flew by and Halloween was a big success in my neighborhood.   I had between 50 and 60 cute, well mannered kids come trick-or-treating.   The weather was good .......and now the weather has turned cold and here we are in November, with Thanksgiving just around the corner.  Church and the Spaghetti Factory with the Panniers Sunday......yesterday made out and paid bills and did chores......today I'm off to the Golden Corral for lunch with Shirley.

Worried about my sweet missionary Brayden....his foot still hurts and he is depressed.......still has 8 1/2 months of his mission to go.  I will be glad to get all my missionaries home safe and have it behind them.

Grey cloudy days are not the best for getting things done......you just want to curl up and veg......but all Life is an opportunity......and we should benefit from it......Life is beauty, admire it.....Life is a dream, realize it.......Life is a challenge, meet it......Life is a duty, complete it.....Life is a game, play it.....Life is a promise, fulfill it......Life is a sorrow, overcome it.....Life is a song, sing it.......Life is a struggle, accept it......Life is a tragedy, comfort it......Life is an adventure, dare it.....Life is luck, make it.......,Life is life, fight for it.  I try to be greatful every day for my many blessings in life.

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN......

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN.......the weather is pretty and I just had a fun dinner with the Hill's family.  It was fun meeting everyone......they are the kind of neighbors everyone needs.  Went to Panniers this morning to see Aaron they had kept him over night and he has changed so much in the two months since the wedding......when I saw him last.  Pam gave me our favorite "apple crutchin".....they were off to tail-gating and the foot ball game tonight.  Don 't know how many trick-or-treaters will around tonight.

I was reading where Halloween is an ancient Druidi Holladay......one the Celtic people have celebrated for millenniums......It is the crack between the last golden rays of summer......and the dark of winter, the delicately tweak, of the year before it is given over entirely......to the dark , a time for the souls of the departed to squint, to peek and perhaps to travel through the gap........what could be more thrilling and worthy of celebration than that?  It is time to celebrate sweet bounty, as the harvest is brought in.....It is a time of excitement and pleasure for children before the dark sets in.  In Mexico it is called the Day of the Dead and everyone goes to the cemetery to visit and eat and enjoy their dead!!!!  I guess in America we just think of our dead on Memorial Day......

TONIGHT WE SET OUR CLOCKS BACK AN HOUR.......which takes a week or two to get use to the new time schedule.

DEAR YOU........

 

NO.....I didn't want to get up this morning early so I could shower and get ready to go  clear across town to the dentist!!!!!  BUT I DID!  I have been going to the ROSEMONT DENTIST ACADEMY to get my teeth done because my friends have......they are a darling bunch of people and they only charge 25.00 to clean your teeth and a filling is 35.00.  Pick a senior who is about to graduate and ........no problem...I go to Jason, and so do my friends and when he graduates in May we will go to his assistant KIMBEL.....who is  Spencer L. Kimbel's grandson....and a darling young man.  Anyway one more cavity and I am done!

I just watched something on Facebook about Obama being the last president we will ever have because Putin will put an end to our country by the time the new president is put into office.......they kept quoting all kinds of bible verses that back up their predictions and almost have me convinced...   Ted Coppel   just wrote a book  .........which would undo all our country,......so easy.  In a push of a button CHINA or RUSSIA  could knock our  phones, Internet, electricity  YES ......I have my 72 hour kit but then what?  It was interesting he had three chapters about the MORMONS who are advised to get two years of food stocked up to take care of this emergency......KINDA INTERESTING.

My cute neighbor HON......a darling Viet Namise girl......sent  over dinner and the second countseler and his cute 2 year old......... just brought by some pumpkin cookies and see how I was.....of course, this always causes me to have a melt down because I am so unworthy!!!!  I have got to learn to cook if I am to keep up with this neighborhood and ward!

GETTING READY FOR HALLOWEEN.....

 

Never been much of an animal lover......but that is a pretty cute squirrel.......with the hot red head!  My Pam and Rob enjoying a Halloween party at Trout Lodge in Island Park........A couple more days and the big day will arrive.  At the Condo in Monte Cristo we very seldom had anyone come by trick-or-treating......But I feel this is going to be different here at the Cottages.  It has never been one of my favorite Holidays so will get busy and move on to Thanksgiving.

Bridge again today.......it's ok once in awhile.......but ready to take a break.  Monday a movie and lunch with Shirley......Tuesday a movie and dinner with Robby......Today bridge......tomorrow the dentist.......and Friday lunch at Wally's with Ruth and Patty.......Gosh the weeks fly by.  Gotta slow down and give my poor knee a rest.

Sherrie got on the ball and got our Christmas Party organized for December 19th........hope everyone is speaking to each other by then......OH WELL.

BAD DAY........

 

DON'T KNOW WHY......BUT TODAY HAS NOT BEEN A GOOD DAY FOR ME.......IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO GET OUT OF BED AND SHOWER AND WASH MY HAIR FOR CHURCH TOMORROW......I HURT SO BAD......EVERYWHERE!  HOPE IT IS THE ROOSTR SHOT KICKING IN.   FINALLY MADE IT TO "TUESDAY MORNING" AND FOUND THE CHIRSTMAS TREE SKIRT I WAS LOOKING FOR AND JUST CAME HOME.  MARK.....FROM NEXT DOOR......CAME OVER TO BORROW MY CROCK-POT SO HAN COULD MAKE SOUP FOR THE CHURCH HALLOWEEN PARTY TONIGHT....HE LATER BROUGH ME TWO KINDS OF SOUP FOR DINNER......SO WHY AM I COMPLAINING?????  I DON'T KNOW.....IT'S JUST SOME DAYS ARE "WORLD AGAINST BETTY DAY"......AND I AM HAVING ONE OF THOSE.

NEVER GIVE UP.......

 

 

As I struggle with my knee problems.......I firmly believe the above little note is very important to remember.....Sure it would be easier to stay in bed most the day......in your PJ'S and just take each day as it comes......but that is no life to live.   If you make the effort to get up and get showered and dressed and do something.......you are not giving up.   Had the Rooster Shot yesterday in my knee ( Dr. said it costs $800.00) so hoping Medicare takes care of it.......and it will be a week or two until we know if it works or not..... better than a knee replacement.....BUT after all your parts do not come with a warranty and my knees have been very good to me for 83 years.......I can't count the many miles they danced growing up, cheer leading and the miles around the globe they have walked......and chased three children....(twins no less)........and nine grand-babies..........they have earned the title of just wearing out!!!!

 

Was your house like mine growing up where Kitchens  were made for long talks and close friends?......loving families and lots of laughter.  Kitchens are made for daydreams and growing things and creative moments, for sharing and preparing the blessings of life......where you learned the older people were young once and had just as much fun or heart aches are you did.......where everyone came to your back door and stopped at the kitchen table to complain , share or hear the latest news of your family.......I hate to cook and always said I would not even have a kitchen.......... only it came with the house, but with memories like I have of my families  wonderful kitchen......I am glad mine came with the house!!!!  I don't have to cook in it.....only gather round the table and share love with one another.

 

THINGS MONEY CAN'T BUY.......

 

I  KEEP TRYING..........

IT IS THE STRANGEST THING BUT PEOPLE I HAVE NEVER MET BEFORE KEEP COMING TO MY DOOR AND ASKING IF THEY CAN SEE HOW I DID MY HOUSE......SUSAN OGDAN IS BUYING ONE AT THE SOUTH ENTRANCE AND THE COUPLE THAT CAME TONIGHT.....TOM AND CAROL ARE BUYING THIS SAME MODEL IN ANOTHER OF BRIAN REYNOLDS COTTAGES.......THEY WERE A DARLING LITTLE OLD COUPLE AND STAYED WAY OVER AN HOUR AND WE HAD SUCH A NICE VISIT AND SHE WANTED TO HUG ME WHEN THEY LEFT......(CAN'T HAVE TOO MANY FRIENDS)......I WENT IN AND HAD A "ROOSTER SHOT" IN MY KNEE TODAY SO I HADN'T DONE MUCH HOUSE WORK.......THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO MIND AND I WAS GLAD TO SHOW THEM AROUND........

SOMETIMES YOU THINK IF I WAS JUST RICH......YET THINK OF ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS IN OUR LIFE THAT ARE FREE AND ARE REALLY THE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT MAKE US WHO WE ARE.......MONEY CAN'T BUY GOOD MANNERS OR GOOD MORALS OR RESPECT OR CHARCTER......THEN THERE IS GOOD COMMON SENSE, TRUST, PATIENCE AND CLASS.   I LOVE CLASSY PEOPLE AND SOME ARE NOT RICH AT ALL......INTEGRITY, LOVE OR ONE OF MY FAVORITES......MEMORIES.  THANK GOODNESS I HAVE SO MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF GROWING UP IN A WONDERFUL FAMILY, WITH FOUR GREAT SIBLINGS, HAVING AND RAISING THREE BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS AND TRAVELING AROUND THE WORLD......I GUESS IT'S WHAT KEEPS ME GOING.........AND DOESN'T COST A CENT!

SCOTTIE IS 14..........HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 

Yep.......they do grow up......and up.......and up.  My youngest grandchild, Scott Calvin Cook is 14 and just as cute as he was at one.  He is happy, well mannered and a good athlete......oh yes and very handsome!  We have had many good times these last 14 years........especially with his "sleep-overs" at my house.  I miss seeing and hearing about all the fun things he is doing at this age.......but things change.  Soon he will be an Eagle Scout.....driving and off on a mission before I know it......and I hope I live long enough to see his success in life.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTTIE!

 

No matter how big your house is....how new your car is.....or how big your bank account is....Our graves will always be the same size!  Stay Humble.

A ROAD........

 

How well I remember getting out of high school and realizing it was time to pick a new road to go down.   I feel I did pretty well for the first few years.......but a not so good marriage derailed me for a time.....then I found my way back to "MY ROAD" and I think I am doing pretty good today.......Saw a good movie with Tom Hanks about spies and enjoyed a fun lunch with Shirley.

I remember hearing this song about sleeping single in a double bed and always thought it was so sad.......but guess what?.....I just realized for the past 29 years I have been sleeping single in a double bed!!.......and it's great. After my husband walked out and one by one my girls got married and moved out it took a while to realize I could say good-by to porch lights that burned all night......empty milk cartons......and someone else's schedule.......on down the road you realize your too old and tired for your old profession-----mothering. You have to be in good condition to keep up with a busy family.......I finally face the fact my body is gone, my legs that were on call 24/7 can hardly get up out of a chair,  The ring around the collar, the toilet ,and the tub can always wait until tomorrow......no more 3 meals a day......now I pass through the kitchen to get a drink of water now and then.  And we do not have to listen to our children anymore......we dress to young.....think to old......eat too fast......we drive to slow.....our car is too big and our closets too small......can't win when you get old....so enjoy just being you.  And now it is de ja vue..... they are checking on me as to where I am going, who I am with, when will I be home???  Where were you?   I have tried all day to get you.!......they always pick the one day I wasn't home and was probably safely at someone's house playing bridge!  But I am glad I am on the road I am on and hope it take me right on up to the Pearly Gates.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARREN......49?

 

Happy birthday Darren.......having fun with Sherrie in Peru..........We have had so many fun times together and I so love your three boys.  I just wish I could get by with no sleep like you do and still go full steam ahead each day.  Thanks for all the nice things you have done for me and are still doing........Your the greatest!

Moving on........It's a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until your ready!!!!.......I have the feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything..... There is almost no such thing as ready.........There is only now.....and you may as well do it now......Generally speaking now is as good a time as any to do everything.

Lunch and a wild game of Mexican Train today......last night a movie and dinner with the Panniers.

UNTIL YOUR READY........

No one can tell you this......you just have to realize it.......Just talked to Sherrie and Richie B had driven home with Alex today from Salt Lake to go fishing with Alex......his cousin who is 10 months older and they grew up together......Rich is suppose to be tending Karrie's dogs while she is in France and I thought he was in school.....but I also see a darling picture of him "sky diving".......which his mother would never approve....BUT WHILE THE CATS AWAY THE MICE WILL PLAY.......I adore this kid and I say go for it while your young.......someday he will be a church authority.....I promise.

"It's a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until your READY......I have the feeling now that actually no one is ever ready......to do anything.  There is almost no such thing as  READY...... There  is only now.....and you may as well do it now.....Generally speaking, now is as good a time as any......"  You are never ready to buy that first house, or have that first child....or second one....you are never ready for that first cruise or trip to Europe......but you only have one life and there is no "do overs".....so don't wait until you are sorry you thought you had to wait until you were READY......that will never happen!

BE KIND......ALWAYS!

I know.....I know.....I am a prejudiced grandma.......but I think Richard Benjamin Cook is the greatest and cutest guy around.  Saw this on Instagram this morning....growing face hair yet and sky diving......I thoroughly expect him to climb Mt. Everest someday or be one of the churches 12 apostles!  Home from a mission, speaking Spanish and going to school and I hope the girl he falls in love with can keep up with him.   I also have five other grandsons all great in their own ways.......just had to brag on Rich cause I saw this today.
                  "Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.....BE KIND....ALWAYS"

ACT YOUR AGE?????

 

IT'S REALLY HARD WHEN THE KIDS TELL YOU TO ACT YOUR AGE CAUSE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS AGE BEFORE........

 

FOUND THIS FUN PICTURE OF KARRIE AND RICHARD ON INSTAGRAM......THEY ARE IN FRANCE AT MONA'S FAMOUS GARDEN SPOT.......I HAVE NOT SEEEN RICHARD SINCE MAY AND CAN'T BELIEVE HE IS GROWING A BEARD.....IT IS WHITE NO LESS.....PUTS A FEW YEARS ON HIM!

I HAD AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL WEEKEND IN MESQUITE, NEVADA WITH LESLIE AND HER FAMILY......WISH  I KNEW WHAT MY LAST YEAR WAS GOING TO BE LIKE AND I WOULD HAVE BAGGED IT......WHEN THE KIDS SAID I HAD TO MOVE AND JUST MOVED DOWN THERE.  THE WEATHER WAS WONDERFUL......THE SUNSETS ON THE DESERT ARE GREAT, THERE IS SO MUCH  GOING ON AND TO DO......CLOSE TO ST GEORGE AND TO LAS VEGAS IF YOU DON'T WANT JUST "THE LITTLE TOWN FEEL"........WHICH I LOVE.  WE RAN UP TO ST GEORGE IN THE MORNING AND WATCHED HER GRANDDAUGHTER PLAY SOCCOR, THEN OFF TO LAS VEGAS TO WANDER DOWN THE OLD MAIN STREET NOW COVERED AND VERY INTERTAINING AND LATER A NICE DINNER AND THE "DONNIE AND MARIE" SHOW.  GOT HOME TODAY ABOUT THREE AND COMPLETELY DONE IT.......BUT SO MUCH FUN.  GIG STAYED WITH PAM

OUR WEATHER IS STILL NICE BUT WE KNOW WHAT IS JUST A ROUND THE CORNER FOR US!!!!!!

WHAT COUNTS.......

THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE.....AREN'T THINGS!

 

Off socializing again today.......a fun lunch and fashion show at he Town Club......The clothes and jewelry were all lovely........and so were the prices.  The cream de cream of the socialites belong to the club and so there is a lot of money floating around......but the model that ate at our table was wearing a necklace for $2,600.00 and I can't remember how much she said the diamond earrings were.....but after all these years I decided the valuable things in my life.....aren't things but people and memories.  Placed bridge yesterday and tomorrow it's off to see my sweet sister in Mesquite with  my nephew and his wife for the weekend.   We are going to Vegas Saturday to see "The Donnie and Marie" show...... home Sunday which makes a fun weekend.  These are three of my favorite pe0ple.....Sherrie, Karrie and best friend Heidi.......

 

 

WORDS OF WISDOM.......

o

 

TWO POTS.......An elder Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.  One pot had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.  At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home one and a half pots of water......Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.....Bur the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do......After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream........."I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."......The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?".......That is because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them......For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.....Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.".....Each of us has our own unique flaw, But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding......You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.......SO to all my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers, on your side of the path!

Tomorrow is bridge day and I will enjoy our little group of very different people and love each one for what they contribute to my life......My sweet neighbor HON,  brought me wanton soup and egg rolls for dinner.......

PERSEVERANCE........

 

I will keep trying to be the best of the best......but some days it doesn't work.  My knee is bothering me again, may be the change in the weather so it has been a quiet weekend.  I did watch Conference for awhile and I am glad we got three new men to replace the three that have died since last conference.  The talk I liked best was about being a mother once you are, you will always be and there is nothing you can do about it but love the ones that you born......I am having a struggle hanging in there with the one that doesn't seem to want me to be in her life.   I can't remember who the speaker was but I felt he was talking to me........

"You may be tested to the limits, but never allow the lines of communication to be cut between you and your child.  Isolation sabotages any relationship, and you can't let that happen with your child.  If she stops talking, be patient an keep talking.....Keep the doors open and don't give up when you feel as though you're talking to a brick wall.  Holding back your love when you are frustrated will not solve anything.   Loving strength and support will make an impact, even when you think it won't.....How you respond to difficult times will influence whether the test runs into a pattern in your child's life".........A little something I ran into today that seem to fit the occasion.