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.

NICCI TURNS 30......

                    My second darling grandchild turns 30.........she was the cutest baby ever.  She always loved to dress up and wear funny hats and big bows in her hair.  She is very smart and is constantly doing new things......I think she is at someone's wedding this weekend.  Go Nicci, I am very proud of you.   My angry knee.....is giving me a bad time today and I have a dentist appointment.......and life goes on.

AT HOME.......

 

I keep getting this........ send in all your information to the ancestry site so they can trace your family tree?????  I sent in my information to the geneology site and they sent me back a package of seeds and suggested I plant another family tree.......and you   know .......I agree with them!  I am divorced and four of my families five children are divorced.....we have half brother's and sisters, ex wives and ex husbands........ unwed and not married nieces and nephews......how can GOD sort all that out and put them on the right branches.......maybe we do need to start over and try harder!!!!!

My life really is a mess.......I have been in a new home with new friends and new neighbors, never see any of my kids and am trying to make this new place into my home......'Home wasn't built in a day"......and anyone who's moved recently will agree.  establishing a home of your own takes time.....like 20 years.....Whether you live alone with friends, with children, family, dogs or cats....in a hotel, dormitory, or corporate housing.....home is your own special place for relaxing, for letting in friends and letting down guards.  Having someone  to wonder where you are when you don't come home at night.....no one in the world would know if I was home each night .....or not!....or care!

I GUESS IN THE END....".IT IS NOT WHAT YOU DO FOR YOUR CHILDREN BUT WHAT YOU HAVE TAUGHT THEM TO DO FOR THEMSELVES".....Ann Landers