ALWAYS BAD WITH THE GOOD........

That's what grandmother's shoulders are for.....snuggling down on.....I love this picture of pam and aaron.......when he had a sleep over this weekend.....can't tell how Pam's game of Candy Crush is doing?

Along with the good......Sherrie came in Saturday night and stayed with Ken and I.....so nice seeing her more with Ken here.  This morning Darren, Bray and Alex flew in to go to church with Ken and I and they were off to meet the Stake President.....President Allred who Ken will report into every month.  He has come a long ways this past two weeks......and so has his missionary companion......ME!  The family got Darren's mother and took her up to the cabin for dinner and just left to fly back to Vernal......I think Ken is a little sad.........

I had bridge on Wednesday and then the Domino Girls at my house Thursday......went to get my car keys to meet Darren for dinner Thursday and cannot find my keys anywhere.......I know they are in the house because I got the car home with them......do have extra house and car key....but my mailbox key was on it and I only have one......now it is 40 dollars to put a new lock on the mail box and get a key......that is the BAD that has crept into my good weekend.

Patty and Ruth brought their lunch over to my  house Saturday after Ken and I went shopping and washed my car .......I was too tired to meet them at Neaders so they came here.  I like that kind of company and then you don't have to worry about your house being cleaned.

So will take the bad and the good and be glad I am alive......

STRONGER THAN YOU THOUGHT........

Well finally a minute to catch up with my life......Ken has had one week in his mission assignment and we are so proud of him......He likes the Postal Assignment and has caught on to getting down to Temple Square and home on the tracks alone .......and driving home to Grams.  He is a great helper with the dishes and garbage, washing my car etc......and so nice to have the company.....I am trying to be a good missionary companion for him.....We listen to the scriptures in the morning while we eat breakfast.....then study them in a work book he has in the evening....plus our morning and evening prayers.....we take turns!!!....and I didn't even have to spend two months in the MTC to get the assignment!

Pam came over with Aaron this morning to help me look for my lost set of keys.....I know I got home with them because my car is in the garage......I have another set for the car and house but only one for the mail box???? Very frustrating but it could be worse.....it could be my purse with all my credit cards in it.....got to be thankful for something.

Fun friend Patty came by for a couple of hours......always makes my day.  Sherrie was here to help Ken get started the first three days of the week.....then I had bridge Wednesday and the friends here for Mexican Train yesterday plus my Relief Society teachers .......been a full week for me.

I told my doctor the other day I am always exhausted and she just kinda looked at me with......well you are old.....look.

MOVING ALONG.......

My new roommate and I are settling in.......This week is going better and he seems to be enjoying the postal assignment rather than the original publishing assignment we thought he would have......"things happen for a reason.....just believe"......He helps sort all the church mail each day and is working with a lot of nice people.   Sherrie is still here for another day to be sure things are working out.....but Darren had to get back to Vernal to put out the fires there.......Oh for the life of young kids.  I just keep praying I am up to guide and direct Ken and be a good influence to help him handle what is ahead in his life.......so much evil in this world........

Patty came by and we spent a couple of hours trying to solve the problems of the world over coffee....don't know what I would do without her.  Talked to my sweet sister and cousin and seems family help you stay on track.   I have bridge tomorrow and the next day Mexican Train here ......so a busy week in all..  Things are cooling down and you can almost feel Fall around the corner........

LORD HELP ME.......

          Well Lord I guess between us we can help Kennedy have a great service mission on Temple Square.......I will take it one day at a time and learn with him as we go along.  I know he is nervous.....but so am I!.....But I also know I have done many things in the past I wasn't sure I could and they turned out OK.  Tomorrow he begins a whole new experience and I am not sure how much of it he really understands.....but he seems determined to do it like all his friends and brothers.
     Today went to my Sacrament meeting with the Christensons and then we dashed off to Bountiful to Riley Bain's farewell......they are just like family to all of us.  He is off to Ireland the 6th of Sept.....after Sacrament meeting we went to Amy's parents beautiful back yard for a Taco Bar.  The kids invited me to go to the cabin for dinner with their friends.....but I was done in!!!
Back home for a nap with Pam's dog Bree.
     Don't know where the pasts two weeks have gone but looking forward to the closing of the Summer Olympics in Brazil tonight......Seems like yesterday I watched the opening ceremonies.......America did very well in medals at it.
      Have a busy week coming up........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FIRST CHILD......PAM

Every time your oldest child has a birthday......you realize that just makes you a year older.....I was 25 when I had Pam.....my first child and the first grandchild on my side.....there were a lot of happy people that day.  In those days there was no ultrasounds so you didn't know if you were getting a boy or a girl.....until you got it!  I wanted a girl so bad so this was a very happy day.  She turns 59 today?????  She was so precious and still is to me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAMELA MARIE PANNIER.....and many more!

(Yep....I'm lookin' old)

NOSTALGIA.........

 

I love this picture of me at one year old......I had a big smile and a sparkle in my eyes.....that turn down like my Dad's.  I feel from day one I was meant to always be happy and adventurous......and pretty much have been but as I get older I find myself very often returning to my days of youth and my wonderful family and good life I lived.  My folks and two of my sisters are gone and I miss them much.....This is where the word "Nostalgia" enters the picture....."It is a noun;  A wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to ones home or homeland, or to ones family and friends:  A sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time."  I bet everyone can admit to this wish now and then!!!!  I like that word .......I guess that is what I feel when I look at my baby picture and remember what a good life I had.......I do it with much Nostalgia!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM.......

  Happy birthday Mom.....you would be 104 today!  Mom has been gone 46 long years and I have missed her so much.....but always felt her near in ways.....I am me because of her wonderful teachings and example......but fear I have failed when it comes to loving everyone in the "unconditionally", helping others and her many wonderful talents.  She was a wonderful example to her four daughters and one son.  We love and miss you MOM......Happy Birthday!
       "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"........

BIG BIRTHDAY.......

      My sweet grandson turns 21 today......wow, he grew up fast. Home from a mission in Spokane and now ready to start his education out in the big world of life.....He was born on my mother's birthday.....which has always made it special for me.  I remember when I turned 21......a while back.....I was so excited because then I could apply to be a stewardess which is all that I was waiting for.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG 21!

WHY????

Don't know why lately I only get to my blog once a week.....I love to write and there should be no reason for not keeping up.   I have had some balance issues and went to the doctor.......no help.  Had Lindsay and Alex here Thursday and Friday nights.....Lindsay had four wisdom teeth pulled and needed to recoup before heading back to Vernal......Then the four Christensons came to spend time with Ken and get him settled.....We all went to my ward Sunday so he could meet my bishop and get orinated at my church......hung out here all day.....THEN today was to be the first day of his mission which did not go so well......Oh well, moving on.
         

BIG DAY..........

Today we launched Kennedy on his mission at Temple Square for the Church's Publishing Department.......but it seems it didn't go so well ........but tomorrow is another day and they hope to get everything straightened out!!!!!  Somewhere between Vernal's Bishopric and Temple Square no one seemed to know what was going on!.....so kinda a lost day......with a mad and crying mother!!!!!  "It is.....what it is?"

Also it is my granddaughter Andrea's 21st birthday.........AND

I went to the padiatrist and found I have hammer toes on each foot they are part of my unbalance and no arthritis thankgoodness because that is what my father had in his feet......Pam took me in and has an appointment with the same doctor in two weeks.....but feels she found out what was wrong with her without going back.....her feet are like mine!

Ken has moved in and I guess I am now his missionary companion?????

Hope tomorrow is a better day.........

A LITTLE WOBBLY.......

 

Don't understand why the background is black.....it seems to come and go.  I love this picture taken in April for my 84th birthday in Mesquite, NV with some of my favorite people.   Well yesterday Korina and Tamie surprised me with a very welcome visit.  They were up to see Mike at Sundance......he was busy so they came to visit with me.....I wasn't feeling too good so it was a welcome visit and cheered me up.

Don't know what is going on but have a doctor appointment Wed......it's mostly my balance....I am feeling better than yesterday but just laying around watching the Summer Olympics.

August is our month of birthdays......a couple of people have vanished from my life so that part is changed.......always think of my Mother who was born in August.

"Sometimes when things are falling apart......they may actually be falling into place"........

KNOW YOURSELF.......

I am the mother of 3 daughters......but I have found all daughters are not the same!!!!

I never thought I'd be the kind of person who would get up early in the morning to exercise.....I was right!  I am finding out more and more about myself the longer I live..........

I am trying to learn to make the NOW the primary focus of my life......

I have to realize that the present moment is all I will ever have....you will always be paying brief visits to your past and future, but I need to say "yes" more often to the present moment.....I cannot oppose life itself and it is happening all around me and will go on with or without me......If I can surrender to "what is" I will see how life suddenly starts working for me and not against me.  Think about this......Are you always trying to get somewhere other than where you are?.....Is most of your doing just a means to an end?.....Is fulfillment always just around the corner or confined to short-lived pleasures such as sex, food, drink, drugs or thrills and excitement?.....Are you always focused on becoming, achieving, and attaining, or alternatively chasing some new thrill, idea or pleasure?.....Do you believe that if you acquire more things you will become more fulfilled, good enough, or psychologically complete?......Are you waiting for someone else to give your life meaning?......These are serious things to consider in making your life all it can be.  I am afraid I am guilty of much of this and need to just get up every morning and count my blessings......

        

NOW..........

      THIS IS SO ME EVERY MORNING.....AND IT LASTS TILL ABOUT NOON......HERE IT IS SATURDAY......ONE OF MY FAVORITE DAYS IN THE SUMMER.....WHEN I BOUNCE OUT OF BED EARLY AND HEAD OUT TO SEE WHAT WONDERFUL TREASURES I CAN FIND AT THE GARAGE SALES.......I THINK I HAVE MADE IT OUT LOOKIN' TWO SATURDAYS ALL SUMMER!!!!  I HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH VERTIGO THIS SUMMER AND IT ALWAYS HITS ON THE WEEKEND?  MAYBE MY BODY IS TELLING ME SOMETHING.
     YESTERDAY PATTY AND RUTH CAME FOR LUNCH......WELL THEY ARRIVED AT 11:00 AND LEFT AT 5:30.......MAYBE IT WAS A LITTLE LONGER THAN MOST LUNCH HOURS.....WE HAD A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO AND PROBLEMS TO SOLVE.
      THE SUMMER OLYMPICS STARTED LAST NIGHT IN RIO AND IT WAS FUN TO WATCH......THE NEXT TWO WEEKS WILL BE A BREAK FROM HILARY AND DONALD!!!!! 
      IT IS POURING....AND WE NEED IT.

THERE IS SO MUCH TO SAVOR.....

       I am so thankful for choices.......When I get up each morning I can choose to have a good day.....or NOT!
      Today my sweet daughter, Sherrie and Ken popped in for a few minutes and made my day complete.....They had been to Mr Mac's and bought a couple of suits for Ken and she had given him a shopping lessons for missionaries about budgets......they dropped off the soap for laundry, his favorite cereal and etc...... were on their way to the tracks for another practice run down town.......I colored my hair and caught up on chores.
      There is so much to savor!  Life is a buffet of experiences-----abundant and varied......So although you may be drawn to familiar favorites, we should go ahead and try something new....Fill your plate with a little of this and that even if it doesn't look or smell like you think it should.....read a book or see a movie that your not sure you will like and make a new friend....try a new hobby or sport.....You only go round once.....so why not make it count.
      Today was our 9th day of 100 degrees weather.....summer is definitely here.
       IN A WORLD WHERE YOU CAN BE ANYTHING......BE KIND!

AUGUST.....HERE WE COME!

I welcome each month with what it has for me.....I love the hot weather......the many birthdays we have in August and the beauty all around.

A beggar had been sitting by the side of a road for over 30 years.....one day a stranger walked by when asked by the beggar for some change the stranger told him he had none.....and asked "what are you sitting on?" Oh just an old box was the beggars reply.....Ever look inside asked the stranger...."No was the beggars reply"......So the stranger pryed open the old box and found it was full of gold!

I am that stranger who has nothing to give you and who is telling you to look inside.....Not inside a box but somewhere closer to you......inside yourself....Those who have not found their true wealth, which is the radiant joy of being and the deep unshakable peace that comes from it.....are beggars, even if they have great material wealth....look at the very wealthy......is their money really buying them happiness.  Just something to think about????  Besides which of the liers.....Trumph or Clinton to vote for.......

SO MANY BLESSINGS........

 I just have to stop today and count some of my many blessings.......this little guy .....aaron....is on the top of my list.....I have lived long enough to see a great-grandson who is adorable......I add him to my list of 6 grandsons whom I adore.  For some unknown reason I have been chosen by God to help my sweet Kennedy along the road of his life.....I hope I can be understanding, helpful and loving in helping him with his mission and to be all he can be in this life he was given......I am excited to try to be there for him always.  I know he has the potential, but needs the guideness and confidence.  God will see us through.

My fire alarm has decided it needed a new battery so as usual....."I HEAD FOR THE HILLS"......well the Hills are my dearest neighbors who are always there for me.....I gave them a call and soon Ivan was here with his tall ladder.....went out and bought a new battery and I can sleep again.....It was in my bedroom. The Hills are my new blessings.

I had the opportunity to spend the weekend with my sweet Christenson family......I love their friends and neighbors and my 3 grandsons and Alex's wife, Lindsay.  I had a nice talk and ride home with Darren's father whom I am fond of and my X rode in the back seat with GIGI my dog.....and we have become good friends again after 30 years of divorce.  I have decided you cannot live in the past.......you just have to jump into today with both feet and go for it.  I have so many more blessings and know how lucky I am to have come from such a good family, and have my own family that most of them love me and are always there to take care of me...... Pam came by and we had a good visit.....I always look forward to her dropping in,  It was a 100 degrees again today.....WQW!