GETTING EXCITTED........

COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS TILL OFF TO CANCUN........

DREAD BEING SEEN IN A BATHING SUIT.........

GAINED WEIGHT.....BUT MY FLIP FLRROOPS STILL FIT.......

HOPE NO ONE I KNOW IS THE BEACH WITH ME.....

TALKED TO LES AND SHE WILL BE UP WEDNESDAY SO HAVE ONE MORE DAY TO DO LAUNDRY.....CLEAN THE FISH BOWL.....VACUME THE BEDROOM.....PICK UP A COUPLE OF THINGS AT THE STORE.....GET THE DOG READY TO LEAVE WITH ROB AND FIND A RIDE TO THE AIRPORT.....

SO EXCITED .....DANCING WITH STARS STARTS TONIGHT!!!!!

GOT MY BILLS MADE OUT BEECAUSE TOMORROW IS FIRST OF MAY........OR "MAY DAY"......AND I WLL BE IN MEXICO FOR ....."CINO DE MAYO".......FUN, FUN, FUN!

WHY WRITING HELPS.......

I AM SO READY TO START HAVING FUN!!!!!!

LIKE THE FUN I HAD THROUGH THE EARLY YEARS OF MY LIFE.....YOU KNOW BEFORE HUSBAND AND BABIES?

I HAVE FUN FRIENDS AND FUN FAMILY.....SO LET'S GET ON WITH IT.  WRITING IS SUCH AN OPEN DOOR FOR ME TO TRY AND PUT INTO WORDS.....WHAT I SEE, DO, THINK AND FEEL.

"THE VERY ACT OF PUTTNG PENCIL TO PAPER IS AN ACT OF GIVING SHAPE TO AMORPHOUS FEELINHGS.....THE ACT OF WRITING HELPS NAME THE UNNAMEABLE; THE CHAOTIC FEELINGS WE RESIST, FEAR, OR REMAIN UNAWARE OF........PARADOICALLY, BY LETTING GO, BY EXTERNALIZING FEELINGS IN WORDS, WE GAIN A GREATER ABILITY TO TAKE CHARGE OF OUR OWN LIVES, AND BEGIN TO SEE THE PATTERNS WITHIN THE SEEMING CHAOS"....

WRITING IS ONE OF THE MOST SATISFYING OUTLET; IT LEAVES FOOTPRINTS MARKING OUR TRAIL.......WHERE WE HAVE BEEN, ARE NOW AND WHERE WE ARE GOING. WRITING HELPS US DISCOVER OUR DEEPEST FEELINGS, WHICH OFTEN REVEAL A CONFLICT WITH WHAT WE THOUGT WE BELIEVED OR WANTED TO BELIEVE.......

WRITING CAN BE A ROAD MAP INTO INVISIBLE GEOGRAPHY OF YOUR FEELINGS, ENABALING YOU TO CHART THEIR TURNS OR SEE UNEXPECTED SIDEROADS.....

SNOWED TODAY.......BUT SUN SHINNING NOW.   COFFEE WITH PATTY.

DON'T BE SAD IT'S OVER.......

DON'T BE SAD IT IS OVER........JUST BE GLAD IT HAPPENED!!!!

THIS IS HOW I LOOKED 62 YEARS AGO YESTERDAY (APRIL 28)..................

I WAS 24......5' 4"..........WEIGHT 110......AND THOUGHT I WAS IN LOVE.....

DON WAS ALMOST 27.....6 FEET.....JUST OUT OF THE AIR FORCE, GRADUATED FROM THE U OF U, A MEMBER OF MY CHURCH AND A NEW AIR LINE PILOT.....LIFE SEEMED GOOD.  I MET HIM ON THE AIRLINE AS I WAS A STEWARDESS.

TODAY.......I AM GLAD IT HAPPENED.......AND GLAD IT ENDED 32 YEARS AGO.

WE TRAVELED A LOT, HAD NICE FRIENDS, THREE GREAT DAUGHTERS AND NOW HAVE NINE GRANDCHILDREN AND TWO GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN......

YES, THERE WERE MANY HILLS AND VALLEYS IN THOSE 30 YEARS OF MARRIAGE.......

BUT I AM THANKFUL HE WALKED OUT!

MORE TIME LINE MEMORIES....

A NICE COOL NIGHT.....A CUTE BOY FRIEND......AND A DRIVE IN MOVIE?????

WHEN YOU ARE 16......WHAT COULD MAKE A BETTER DATE NIGHT!  A FUN MOVIE, UNDER THE STARS, SNUGGLED UNDER A BLANKET IN THE FRONT SEAT OF A CONVERTABLE.......OR BACK THE PICK UP.....UP...... AND PUT CHAIRS IN IT.....OH WHAT THESE GENERATIONS ARE MISSING?????  THANK GOODNESS MY PARENTS VERY SELDOM ASKED WHAT THE MOVIE WAS ABOUT......BECAUSE BETWEEN WHAT WAS GOING ON IN OUR CAR AND CHECKING OUT ALL THE NEIGHORS CARS.....WHO WATCHED THE MOVIE????

NOW DAYS......ITS NETFLICKS ON THE COUCH......NOT THE SAME!

BUSY APRIL GOES ON......

TODAY BABY BROTHER JIM HAS GROWN UP......SUCH A BIG GUY NOW......MAKES HIS BABY SISTER LOOK VERY SMALL....

LAST NIGHT THE CHRISTENSON'S SPENT THE NIGHT.......MASS CONFUSION AS USUAL.....WE WERE UP A 6:00 TO GET THEM OFF TO THE AIRPORT FOR A WEEK IN CANCUN, MEXICO!!!!

TIED A RECORD IN TEMPERATURE TODAY....85 DEGREES......LOVE IT!!!!

TODAY IS COUSIN LUCILLE'S 86TH BIRTHDAY.....I AM 9 DAYS OLDER THAN SHE IS.

UNDERSTAND KORINA AND TAM UP TO VISIT COUSIN JAMIE AND MIKE.....LOVE THE KIDS STAY CONNECTED AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER........

NOTHING FROM PAM ALL WEEK....BUT NOTHING UNUSUAL.......WHAT WILL I EAT ALL WEEK WITHOUT KEN HERE?????  LOOKING FORWARD TO LES NEXT WEDNESDAY AND THEN WE ARE OFF ON VACATION!!!!!BEEN PACKED FOR A WEEK.......

MY BIRTHDAY AND MOTHER'S DAY PRESENT FROM SWEET SHAR..........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...#72....LITTLE BROTHER......

LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY IN A SMALL TOWN IN COLORADO..... CORTEZ......JIMMY DICK YEOMANS WAS WELCOMED INTO OUR FAMILY.......AFTER FOUR DAUGHTERS MY FAMILY WAS ELEATED!!!!!  HIS FOUR BIG SISTERS.....BETTY REE, JOAN, DIXIE LEE AND LESLIE RUTH.......WERE ALL BORN IN GRANDMA GOFF'S BED ROOM.....AT HOME! .....BUT JIM WAS BORN IN THE HOSPITAL........HE GREW UP VERY SPOILED.....WENT TO WAR IN VIET NAM AND HAD A GOOD BUDDY.....COUSIN BOB TO HANG OUT WITH!

HE WAS WITH MOM WHEN SHE DIED WHICH WAS  A GREAT HELP TO DAD.....JIM MARRIED TAMI AND HAD JAMIE AND JIM BOB......BUT IS WITH ACE NOW AND FOR THE LAST MANY YEARS.....BLOOD RUNS DEEP AND LESLIE AND I LOVE THIS GUY SO MUCH!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIM......

TIME LINE MEMORIES......

WOW......DO THESE TWO THINGS BRING BACK MEMORIES?????

PAM WOULD REMEMBER THESE THINGS BUT THE TWINS AND MY 9 GRANDCHILDREN WILL NOT.......REALLY GRANDMA?????

EVERYONE IN TOWN HAD A SET OF PLASTIC GRAPES......MY NEIGHBOR KATIE RESCIE.....GAVE ME MY SET FOR TENDING HER BABY RANDY.  WHEN I WAS A CONCEIRGE AT THE DOUBLE TREE HOTEL.....A MAN ASK ME IF THE GRAPES HAD AN IMPORTANCE IN THE MORMON RELIGION......BECAUSE EVERY MORMON FAMILY HE HAD VISITED HAD SOME.......NOPE....... JUST A RELIEF SOCIETY PROJECT I THINK!!!!

AND THE PHONEOGRAPH/RADIO WAS DON AND MY PRIDE AND JOY......I GOT RID OF IT THREE YEARS AGO WHEN I MOVED TO FARM WOOD LN.  I SPENT MANY HOURS PLAYING RECORDS AND LISTENING TO THE RADIO......ONE OF THE NICEST PIECE OF FURNITURE WE EVER OWNED!!!!!!

YEP, KIDS......I WILL KEEP BRINGING IN MY "OLD MEMORIES".....SO YOU WILL KNOW I HAVE BEEN THERE ......DONE THAT"!

MY KEN IS 20........

NO LONGER A TEENAGER!!!!  KEN TURNED 20.

YOU SEE LEGOS.....YOU SEE KEN!  HIS FAVORITE BIRTHDAY PRESENT FROM HIS FAMILY.......SOME DAY I HOPE HE CAN HAVE A LEGO STORE....HE CAN PUT ANYTHING TOGETHER.......AND FOLLOWS THE DIRECTIONS TO A T......ALSO HE HAS MANY OBJECTS HE HAS DESIGNED HIMSELF.....

HE IS COUNTING DOWN THE TIME TILL HIS SERVICE MISSION ON TEMPLE SQUARE IS DONE......WHICH IS ABOUT FOUR MONTHS......MIDDLE OF AUGUST.   IT IS FUN HAVING A GRANDCHILD SO CLOSE TO MY BIRTHDAY......SO WE CELEBRATE TOGETHER.......NOT SURE WHAT HE WILL DO AFTER HIS MISSION......BUT GOD WILL LEAD HIM TO WHERE HE BELONGS........

DON'T BE SAD ITS OVER......BE GLAD IT HAPPENED!

WELL, CROSSED ANOTHER BIRTHDAY OFF MY CALENDER.......BUT NOT COMPLAINING.....I'LL TAKE ALL THE ONES GOD HAS FOR ME.......AND HOPEFULLY BE REMEMBERED......BY THE LIFE I LEAD........ AS BEING ONE OF GOODNESS, KINDNESS AND LOVE.

HAD A MISERABLE NIGHT COUGHING AND STUFFED UP.....THINK I FINALLY WENT TO SLEEP ABOUT THREE.....OF COURSE MISSED CHURCH.......NOT FEELING TOO SPRY TODAY.  IT IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY.....SUPPOSE TO GET TO 77 DEGREES.   SHERRIE IS DRIVING KEN IN THIS AFTER NOON AFTER CHURCH......I HATE FOR HER TO TURN AROUND AND DRIVE 3 HOURS BACK TO VERNAL....BUT I GUESS YOU DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO FOR YOUR KIDS.

HAD A FUN  LUNCH YESTERDAY WITH PATTY......AND THEN OFF TO THE RACK TO SPEND MY BIRTHDAY MONEY.......MAYBE I HAVE HAD TOO MUCH BIRTHDAY AT THIS AGE.....BUT IT WAS FUN.......JUST PRAY FOR GOOD HEALTH AND TAKING LIFE ONE DAY AT A TIME.

THINKIN' ABOUT HOME.......

PICTURES LIKE THESE TAKE ME BACK TO THE PLACES I HOLD DEAR......THE" FOUR CORNERS"...... WHERE I WAS BORN AND RAISED........AND MESA VERDE WHERE I HAD MY FIRST JOB AFTER GRADUATION AS A WAITRESS IN SPRUCE TREE LODGE......SO MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES BACK THEN.....AND SOME FUN PARTIES IN THOSE KEVIS WHEN THE FOREST RANCHERS WERE NOT AROUND...............THESE PLACES HELPED MAKE ME ....ME!  

SO MUCH HISTORY AND I LIVED ON THE RANCH OF THE WEATHERALS THAT DISCOVERED MESA VERDE AND ENJOYED THE BEAUTIFUL AREAS OF SHIP ROCK AND ALL ON THE NAVAJO INDIAN RESERVATION.....THANK YOU GOD FOR MAKING ME A PART OF SUCH A WONDERFUL PLACE TO GROW UP IN.........

I DID IT!!!!!

I DID IT......I MADE IT THROUGH ANOTHER YEAR.....I REALLY DON'T MIND GETTING OLDER BUT MY BODY IS TAKING IT BADLY????

LUNCH WITH PAM AND ROB AT THE OLIVE GARDEN......FREE DESERT FOR BIRTHDAY.......SO WE SHARED. THEY GAVE ME A PRETTY PURSE.

SHERRIE DROVE IN TO HELP CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY AND TOOK KEN AND I TO DINNER.......THEN FLOWERS AND A BIRTHDAY CAKE AND A CUTE PANTS AND TOP OUTFIT......

THEN.........

WE HAD JUST GOT HOME FROM DINNER AND HERE CAME RICHARD WITH SOME FLOWERS TO PLANT AND A VERY GENEROUS GIFT CARD TO NORDSTROMS......WELL THAT MADE MY DAY......HE SEEMS TO BE TRYING TO MEND THE FAMILIES PROBLEM WITH KARRIE...

I WAS SURPRISED .......AND THRILLED......AT ALL THE PEOPLE WHO CALLED, TEXTED OR FACE BOOKED CONGRATULATIONS.  ALEX, BRAYDEN, NICCI AND TIFF CALLED ME......RICHIE, SCOTTIE AND WILLIAM AND KARRIE TEXTED ME....MY SISTER AND BROTHER BOTH CALLED.......MY KEN WAS FIRST ONE.....CAUSE HE LIVES HERE.  THE ONLY GRANDCHILD I DIDN'T HEAR FROM WAS ANDREA......BUT????  8 OUT OF 9 PRETTY GOOD AND MEANT A LOT.

IT WAS A GREAT DAY .....THANKS TO MY FAMILY

BUZZIN' COUSINS......

TWO NEAT GIRLS......AND THEY ARE PART MINE.

ON THE LEFT.....KRISTI , LESLIE'S DAUGHTER

ON THE RIGHT......KORINA, DIXIE'S DAUAGHTER.

THEY ARE HAVING FUN ON A CRUISE CELEBRATING LESLIE'S 75th.

I don't get to see them often.....however Kristi and Phillip were here for one night this weekend.  She lives in Mesquite,NV

Korina and her husband Bill live in Winslow, AZ.......Korina will soon join the "grandma" club.  Her daughter is expecting.

IMPORTNT THAINGS IN LIFE.....

HERE IS LESLIE AND JIM.....MY TWO YOUNGEST SIBLINGS.......FOUR OF OUR WONDERFUL FAMILY ARE TOGETHER IN HEAVEN......

WHEN THEY SAY BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER.......IT IS BECAUSE THE SAME BLOOD RUNS THROUGH OUR VEINS......WHICH JUST CONNECTS US AND MAKES US FAMILY.....I WAS SO LUCKY TO HAVE THREE SISTERS AND FINLLY A BROTHER......BEING AN ONLY CHILD WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FUN.....ASK PAM FOR THOSE ELEVEN YEARS SHE WAS.  I WAS 14 WHEN JIM WAS BORN AND 11 WHEN LESLIE WAS BORN.....NOT AROUND MUCH IN THEIR GROWING UP DAYS......BUT SO HAPPY FOR THE FUN MEMORIES WE HAVE.

THINGS MY GRANDMA TAUGHT ME......

I look back to the days I sat by Grandma Goff as she tirelessly stitched small squares of fabric into beautiful patterns......and she explained about colors, textures and importance of the stitches. SO

TO MY FAMILY, FRIENDS AND ACQUANTANCES ALL OVER THE WORLD WHO HAVE BECOME A PART OF THE FABRIC OF MY LIFE WHO HAVE ADDED MUCH COLOR AND TEXTURE TO MY BEING.........YOU HAVE BECOME MY SONG....AND I WILL SING IT FOREVER..

WE EACH PERSONALIZE OUR QUILT BLOCKS OF LIFE....EVEN THE TRADITIONAL MOST COPIED BLOCKS WERE ORIGINALS ONCE....FROM  YOUR QUILT BLOCKS WHICH MOST USUALLY ARE CREATED WITH BALANCE OF SHAPES AND COLORS AND CREATED IN ORDERLY ORDER.....GIVE YOU A HINT OF YOURSELF.....WE DO NOT NEED PATTERNS AND BOOKS FULL OF DESIGNS AS WE CREATE OUR QUILT BLOCKS OF LIFE.....OUR PRIMARY RESOURCES ARE INGENUITY, LOVE AND HONESTY.  ALL ARE ORIGINAL.....AS EACH LIFE IS DIFFERENT.

AS WE YEAR BY YEAR PIECE OUR QUILT....WE FIND IT IS BACKED BY CULTURE, RELIGION AND POLITICS OF OUR EVERY DAY EXISTANCE.  THEN THERE IS THE BATTING IN THE MIDDLE OF A GOOD QUILT.......IT GIVES YOUR QUILT WARMTH.....AND DESIREABLE.......FIND WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOUR QUILT......GRAM ALSO STRESSED HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO TAKE SMALL EVEN STICHES.....THIS KEEPS YOUR LIFE IN BALANCE AND CONTROL......AND LOOKS SO NICE.

WHEN YOU DIE....YOUR QUILT OF LIFE WILL BE JUDGED BY THE STICHES YOU HAVE TAKEN TO PUT IT TOGETHER......LONG, LOOSE, SLOPPY,TIGHT, UNHAPPY, CROOCKED OR STRAIGHT AND SMALL.....

THNAK YOU GRANDMA..........

FRIDAY THE 13th......

AMEN!

JUST GOT MY TAX FORMS BACK FROM THE TAX MAN......AND IT IS IN THE MAIL FOR ANOTHER YEAR!!!!!

EVERY YEAR I PROMISE MYSELF TO START GATHERING THINGS UP EARLIER......BUT SOMEHOW IT'S THE SAME OLD, SAME OLD.......MAYBE ONE OF THESE YEARS.....IF I LIVE THAT LONG?

THIS FRIDAY 13th WAS GOOD FOR ME.....TAXES MAILED AND SHERRIE CAME TO PICK UP KEN FOR THE WEEKEND AND I GOT TO TAKE HER TO LUNCH FOR HER YESTERDAY BIRTHDAY......PROBLEM IS.....I DON'T SEE HER LONG ENOUGH.  YOU RAISE YOUR KIDS, THEY MOVE ON IN THEIR LIVES......which is good.....BUT IT GETS LONESOME

WOKE UP TO SNOW ON THE GROUND.......SPRING AND WINTER SEEM TO BE FIGHTING IT OUT.

THE COOKIES.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARRIE.....

FOR KARRIE'S 50TH BIRTHDAY SHE TOOK ALL THE FAMILY TO HAWAII FOR A WEEK.

RICHIE 24, SCOTTIE 16, KARRIE, RICHARD, ANDREA 22 AND MATT HOLDING BABY LILLY.......2 MONTHS.

ALL REPORTS SEEM TO BE THEY HAD A WONDERFUL TIME......AND ENJOYED HER BIRTHDAY!

50 YEARS AGO TODAY!!!!

50 YEARS AGO TODAY OUR LIFE CHANGED......

TWO NEW BABIES AFTER 10 YEARS OF ONE.

ALL PAM WANTED WAS A LITTLE SISTER SHE NAMED KARRIE!!!! BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR?  SHE GOT TWO LITTLE SISTERS AND WE NAMED THE OTHER ONE SHERRIE......THAT WAS 50 YEARS AGO TODAY!  THEY WERE A MONTH EARLY AND SHER WEIGHTED 3LBS 13 OZ AND KARRIE WEIGHTED 4 LBS 5 OZ.....THEY HAVE BEEN SO MUCH FUN THROUGH THE YEARS AND GIVEN ME 6 GRANDKIDS......HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY TO MY TWINS....

I MISSED SIBLINGS DAY????

I DON'T THINK I AM THE BEST SISTER IN THE WORLD.......BUT WHAT IS MY OPINION AGAINST THOUSANDS OF OTHERS?????

JUST KIDDING......I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THE SISTER I HAVE ......I HAVE SO MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES MADE WITH HER OVER THE YEARS......WE HAVE TRAVELED MANY MILES AROUND THE WORLD TOGETHER....AIR, LAND AND ON THE WATER......AND OH YES SOME GREAT CAR TRIPS......AND LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER ONE SOON.   LOVE YOU LES.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN.....

WELL.....HERE I AM SOMEWHERE BETWEEN UTAH AND NEVADA, ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, KANSAS, COLORADO, AND WYOMING......A YEAR AGO AT THIS TIME.....OR CLOSE TO IT.  LES AND I WERE ON A ROAD TRIP FOR MY 85TH BIRTHDAY......WHICH I SPENT IN COLORADO HAVING LUNCH WITH THE KELLER COUSINS.  I LOVE THE BAG I GOT AT A "TRUCK STOP".....CAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY PLACE I DID MOST OF MY SHOPPING AT.....THEY HAVE GAS, NICE BATHROOMS AND GOOD FOOD!!!!....AND OH YES, SHOPPING AIN'T BAD!

EVERY TIME I THINK I AM "DUNNROVEN"......ANOTHER TRIP COMES UP AND I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT ANOTHER SUIT CASE TO GO TO CANCUN WITH LES, SHER AND TAMI.......SOON.  THIS TIME TO CELEBRATE MY 86TH BIRTHDAY......LOVE ALL THE SWEET PEOPLE THAT KEEP ME MOVIN'......

LISTEN TO GOD.....

DON'T EVER GIVE UP!!!

"SHIT HAPPENS......STEP OVER IT........AND KEEP GOING."

MY CUTE NEIGHBOR HILDA JUST CAME BY......HER HUSBAND IS IN A HOME FOR DEMENTIA.......SHE WORKS AS A TRANSLATE FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND STOPPED TO SEE WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT HER QUITTING.......SHE IS VERY FRUSTRATED AND A LITTLE LOST AND ALL I CAN DO IS ENCOURAGE HER TO JUST KEEP GOING.....IT WILL GET BETTER.....SHE HAS STOPPED GOING TO CHURCH.....SHE IS FROM MADRID AND DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY SELF-ESTEEM.  IF YOU CANNOT FIND IT WITHIN YOURSELF......WHERE WILL YOU GO FOR IT?  WE NEED TO REALIZE......ALL WE NEED, WE ALREADY HAVE!  I AM GLAD I CAN BE HERE FOR HER.......AND PATTY!!!

NICE TO HAVE KEN BACK......AND WE ARE GETTING INTO OUR OLD ROUTINE.....WHICH WE BOTH LIKE.  PATTY CAME BY FOR COFFEE......YESTERDAY WENT TO DINNER WITH THE PANNIERS.....ROB IS HAVING ONE CATARACT OFF WED.  

ABUNDANCE.....

EVERY DAY I REALIZE HOW LUCKY I AM ......I HAVE HAD A WONDERFUL MOM AND DAD.....3 SISTERS AND 1 BROTHER......GRANDPARENTS THAT LOVED ME.....THEN A FAMILY OF MY OWN .....THREE GIRLS, THEIR HUSBANDS AND KIDS.....AND THEIR KIDS......SO MANY PEOPLE ARE NEVER THIS LUCKY......I HAVE LIVED IN ABUNDANCE.

ALSO A CUTE METAPHOR OF ABUNDANCE.......

TAKE A PERFECT TOMATO SEED....OR ANY SEED FOR THAT MATTER.....PLANT THAT SEED IN A ROCKY, HARD, CLAY SOIL; BEAT IT WITH TOO MUCH WIND AND SUN, DEPRIVE IT OF ENOUGH MOISTURE....SOMETHING WILL GROW, BUT NOT ALL THAT IS POSSIBLE.....  PLANT THAT SEED IN RICH, FERTILE, CULTIVATED SOIL; NURTURE IT WITH BALANCED SUNLIGHT AND MOISTURE, GENTLY WEED SO IT HAS THE FREEDOM TO EVOLVE.....AND INCREDIBLY DIFFERENT RESULTS FROM THE SAME SEED.  THE ABUNDANCE IS HERE.  I FEEL THAT HAPPENS TO SO MANY PEOPLE NOW DAYS......THEY GROW UP IN SETTINGS THAT DON'T PROVIDE THEM WITH THE POTENTIAL TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE.

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?????

NORMAN VINCENT PEALE......HAS BEEN VERY MUCH IN MY LIFE.....AS I LOVE HIS WORKS.

"HOW YOU THINK CAN BE A DANGEROUS THING.  IT CAN BE PROFOUNDLY DESTRUCTIVE.  OR IT CAN BE PROFOUNDLY CONSTRUCTIVE.  IT ALL DEPENDS UPON THE CONDITION AND THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN YOUR MIND.  THERE IS A LAW OF HUMAN NATURE THAT WE ARE LIKELY TO GET THAT WHICH WE DEEPLY EXPECT.  YOUR GREAT, DEEP, PROFOUND EXPECTATIONS ARE LIKELY TO REPRODUCE THEMSELVES IN KIND.  ARE THEY FOR THE GOOD, OR FOR THE BAD"

WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SUB-CONSCIOUS MIND.....WE TELL IT SOMETHING....OR KEEP THINKING SOMETHING.....AND IT FINDS A WAY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR US.....GOOD OR BAD.  WE NEED TO SAY "I CAN"....NOT "I CAN'T"......BECAUSE YOU GET A LOT FURTHER WITH I CANS.  POSITIVE THOUGHTS ARE:

THERE IS NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT.........

A PESSIMIST IS ONE WHO MAKES DIFFICULTIES OF HIS OPPORTUNITIES....AN OPTIMIST MAKES OPPORTUNITIES OF HIS DIFFICULTIES.

YOU'RE NEVER A LOSER UNTIL YOU QUIT TRYING......

THERE WILL COME A TIME WHEN YOU BELIEVE EVERYTHING IS FINISHED.....THAT WILL BE THE BEGINNING.

THE BRIDGES YOU CROSS BEFORE YOU COME TO THEM ARE OVER RIVERS THAT AREN'T THERE.......WHEN YOU HANDLE YOURSELF, USE YOUR HEAD:  WHEN YOU HANDLE OTHERS, USE YOUR HEART!

ARE WE EVER IN OUR SAFE PLACE OF THOUGHTS????

GRANDMA PAM.......

LAST NIGHT PAM AND ROB HAD AARON FOR THE NIGHT.....SHE SAID HE HAD PIZZA, PICKLES, CHEESES AND APPLE SAUCE FOR DINNER???  THAT IS WHAT GRANDPARENTS ARE FOR I GUESS......SPOIL THE KIDS!!!

AARON WAS THREE IN DECEMBER.....SO IS GROWING UP VERY FAST.  I AM GRANDMA GIGI (great-grandma).....TO HIM.....IT IS SO FUN TO HAVE SOME LITTLE ONES IN THE FAMILY AGAIN......ESPECIALLY DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

NEIGHBORS JUST CALLED AND WANTED ME TO GO TO CAFE RIO WITH THEM FOR DINNER......(Gay said...."you wouldn't have to cook dinner???}.....GUESS SHE DOESN'T KNOW ME YET.....I WILL PULL OUT A FROZEN DINNER OR OPEN A CAN OF SOUP!!!  SHERRIE CALLED AND THEY WERE JUST CROSSING THE BORDER AT YUMA,AZ AND KEN WOULD BE HOME TOMORROW.......SO BACK TO COOKING DINNER.......THE LAST TWO WEEKS I HAVEN'T DONE....ANY....COOKING,

LOVE THE LITTLE BICYCLE ON HER COUNTER IN THE BACK GROUND WITH FRESH PLANTS IN IT.....WE BOUGHT IT AT "HOME GOODS"......YESTERDAY AFTER LUNCH AT FREDDY.S.........

NEW GRANDMA.....

THIS IS TWO MONTH OLD LILLY FRITZCHE IN HAWAII WITH THE FAMILY FOR KARRIE'S 50TH BIRTHDAY TREAT.......THIS WAS SENT TO PAM......AND UNDER IT SAID, "THE JOYS OF BEING A GRANDMA!!!!"
THINK HOW MANY PEOPLE GO A LIFE TIME WITHOUT GETTING TO HAWAII AND HERE LILLY IS SLEEPING HER WEEK AWAY......AT TWO MONTHS?
KARRIE GOT TO GO TO HAWAII MANY TIMES AS SHE GREW UP BECAUSE OF HER AIRLINE PILOT FATHER AND OUR PASSES......SO SHE LOVES THE OCEAN AND THE BEACH.  THANKS KIDS FOR SHARING YOUR PICTURES WITH ME.......

MY STAY-CATION ENDS......

A STAY-CATION......IS A TIME AT HOME WHEN YOU SLEEP IN EVERY MORNING.....EAT OR DON'T EAT.....ONLY WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE IT AND WHAT YOU FEEL LIKE!!!  MAYBE YOU SHOWER.....OR NOT!  MAYBE YOU GET DRESSED.....OR  NOT!  MAYBE EACH DAY YOU DO THE DISHES AND PUT OUT THE GARBAGE OR BOTHER TO GET THE MAIL..... OR NOT!    .YOU REALLY NEED ONE OF THESE NOW AND THEN IN THIS HECTIC WORLD OF OURS!......A BEACH WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE.....

KEN HAS BEEN GONE TWO WEEKS......THE NEIGHBORS ALL OUT OF TOWN, AS PAM HAS BEEN ALSO......I DID GET A COUPLE OF THINGS DONE THAT I HAVE BEEN PUTTING OFF......AND FOUND A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I HAVE TORN THE HOUSE APART LOOKING FOR.......!!!!

APRIL IS A BUSY BIRTHDAY MONTH FOR THE TWINS, KEN, LUCILLE, JIM AND I.....AND MY 62 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY......HEY, EVERYONE IS ALLOWED ONE MISTAKE?

A MYSTERY TO ME......

WHY DO PEOPLE TRY AND HANG ON.....WHEN THEY ARE TOLD THEY ARE NOT WANTED OR VALUED ANY LONGER??

I AM AFRAID I WAS GUILTY OF IT TOO......I TOLD THE LAWYER I DIDN'T WANT A DIVORCE......JUST A SEPARATION!  HE INFORMED ME WHEN A PERSON WANTS OUT YOU CAN'T STOP THEM.....AND.....THIS IS WHERE YOU PUT YOUR PERIOD.....AND MOVE ON.  YOU CAN'T SEEM TO TELL THIS TO OTHERS......THEY HAVE TO FIND OUT FOR THEMSELVES!!  I AM WORKING HARD TO SEE WHAT MIKE SEES IN HIS X ANYWAY......SHE REALLY IS DAMAGED GOODS.

WEEK END AGAIN.......

OH, TO BE ON THE ROAD AGAIN......ONE LIKE THIS ONE.  MY NEIGHBOR JUST GOT HOME FROM TWO WEEKS IN ROME.....HER SISTER IS ON A MISSION THERE.....I RECALLED ALL THE FUN PLACES SHE TALKED ABOUT....AHHH MEMORIES!  LAST WEEKEND ALL THE NEIGHBORS AND PAM WERE OUT OF TOWN.....NICE TO SEE THE LIGHTS IN THE HOMES AGAIN.

RAINY SPRING DAY......PAM AND I OFF TO "FREDDY'S" FOR LUNCH THEN STOPPED AT HOME GOODS.......ALWAYS A DANGEROUS PLACE TO TURN TWO LADIES LOOSE IN.  I GUESS KEN WILL BE HOME IN A COUPLE OF DAYS......BEEN PRETTY QUIET HERE FOR TWO WEEKS WHILE HE WAS OFF TO MEXICO WITH THE FAMILY......GUESS WEEKENDS ARE FOR GROCERY SHOPPING AND CHURCH.......

THERE ARE NO ..."NOS" IN MY LIFE.....

THIS IS NOT THE PICTURE I WAS  TRYING TO PULL UP.....BUT THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON.......JUST BELIEVE!!!!   RIGHT NOW....... I SEEM TO BE INVOLVED IN MY SWEET NEPHEW'S LIFE....MY VERY BEST FRIENDS LIFE....PROBABLY MY KID'S LIFE AND WHO KNOWS WHO'S ELSE?......HEY....I HAVE A LIFE!!!!!.   THE TROUBLE IS.....I AM DOING JUST OK!!!!  I AM EXCITED ABOUT MY TRIP TO CANCUN WITH SHERRIE, LES, AND TAMI AND WISH THE COXES WERE GOING WITH US.....THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN  THERE FOR ME....HEY..... THERE BISHOP COX....I NEED TO CONNECT WITH YOU TWO!!!!  MY DAYS ARE NUMBERED!!!!!!

KARMA.........

YES......This is GOD's way of getting even!!!  I have seen this over and over in my almost 86 years......You try.....but God takes care of the outcome. HE had this worked out many years ago.....After 30 years....GOD decided I deserved a break....I saw the world ......was involved in helping to raise 9 grand-children and have a good life.....I saw my  sister grow......I am praying my nephew sees that his wife who wants out of the marriage is doing him such a favor......she is strange and does not accept our "poor relation" place in life or his love of music.......and never will after 8 years.....He told me you try harder on the second marriage......WHY???? She hates his kids.....that will not change......how can I help him through this.......A SAD HEART!

RAIN FALLS BECAUSE THE CLOUDS CAN NO LONGER HANDLE THE 

WEIGHT......

TEARS FALL BECAUSE THE HEART CAN NO LONGER HANDLE THE PAIN.....

MIKE I LOVE YOU.....IT IS TIME TO PUT A PERIOD AT THE END OF THIS RELATIONSHIP!

I UNDERSTAND.......

THEN THE TIME COMES.........WHEN YOU HAVE DONE ALL YOU CAN.....AND IT STILL ISN'T ENOUGH!

THERE ARE SOME IN MY FAMILY ......I WANT TO SHAKE AND SAY..."CANT YOU SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO YOU?????? MIKE AND ALEX FOR INSTANCE?????HAVE YOU NO DESIRE TO PROGRESS IN LIFE.....WHAT YOU HAVE AROUND YOUR NECK WILL NEVER LET IT HAPPEN????

WAKE UP......DON 'T BE IN A HURRY AND WAIT FOR GOD TO PRESENT YOU WITH THAT PERSON......I GUESS THERE  NEVER WAS THAT PERSON FOR ME,,,,,BUT THAT IS OK....BECAUSE I DID SO MUCH MORE TO FULFILL MY LIFE,,,,,,AND I HAVE NO REGREATS ABOUT MY DECISIONS.....TO REMAIN SINGLE AND KNOW I AM ENOUGH......I NEED NO MAN TO VALIDATE ME!!!!!I WOULD NEVER HAD THE  OPPORTUNITY SEE 6 OF THE 7 CONTINENTS........ALL 50 STATES AND ABOUT 120 COUNTRIES.......WHAT AN EDUCATION ........

BRAIN STUDY????

This message serves to prove how our minds can do amazing things.....Impressive things....In the beginning 17 was hard but now, on this line your is reading 17 automatically with out even thinking about 17....... Be proud only certain people can read this.....Please share if you can read this!!!!!YEA  I DID IT!

I have a dear friend.....which I traveled around the world with many times  .........that is really struggling with her memory......I have never dealt with this before and I don't know how to help Bonnie????  She is very much aware of it......because her mother had it.....and she seems to be in denial......I try to imagine what this would be like to have to write everything down and still not be sure what day it is.......I am so thankful I still know what day it is......and what each day expects of me......

A very typical Monday.....had a bad night......got up..... made toast and played games on the I PAD......at 2:30......finally back  to bed and slept till 8:30......then ran up and mailed this month's bills......Finally off to do some chores.....NEED A LADDER.....Rob is adament I don't have one.....but I don't operate on ROB.S rules so checked them out at Walmart and Lowes.....next week when Ken gets home with the pickup......I will have a 6 foot ladder!!!!!l

I truly ask GOD to let me have my good mind as long as my body lasts....how sad for those in la-la land!!!!!

11 STEPS TO SELF CARE?

I GUESS THIS IS A STRUGGLE WE ALL HAVE.......

I SAW 11 STEPS THAT MIGHT HELP....

1.  IF IT FEELS WRONG......DON'T DO IT!

2.  SAY, EXACTLY WHAT YOU MEAN.....

3.  DON'T BE A PEOPLE PLEASER..........

4.  TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS....................

5.  NEVER SPEAK BAD ABOUT YOURSELF.

6.  NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS..     

7.  DON'T BE AFRAID TO SAY "NO".....OR YES.

8.  BE KIND TO YOURSELF.............................

9.  LET GO OF WHAT YOU CANNOT CONTROL.

10.  STAY AWAY FROM DRAMA AND NEGATIVITY.

11.  LOVE

I WAS EXPECTING SOMETHING ABOUT EXERCISE IN THERE......I DID GO TO THE GYM THE OTHER DAY.....I DROVE AROUND IT THREE TIMES.....MAYBE NEXT WEEK I WILL GO IN.....OR NOT?

WHAT AM I THINKING????

I am so thankful that I still have one of my little sisters to fall back on.....kids are good......but not the same as family!  As I spend my Easter Sunday alone.....which was my choice as I had two invites to go to Southern Utah,,,,,,,I look at Les and her family......who were all together yesterday to paint her trailer....And it would have been such a nice  Easter for Les to have all four  of the kids together for Easter.......But.Mike.....zips off early Easter Sunday to hurry back to SLC..... To the ex-wife who wants a divorce ......to have Easter dinner with her and her kids??????  Andrea does not like our family and hates Mike's four kids......and "past behavior dictates future behavior".... ..as Dr. PHI say, and she will never change.....the past 8 years has played that out!  Mike has always been like the son I never had.....I have so many fun memories with him in the past......how can I make him see.....he is better than to kiss her ass..........only when she wants him around......and honestly.....we have all tried to accept her and her kids....BUT????........I won't go into her past here......but we are red-necks and below her and it is obvious when we are with her......

MIKE.....CAN'T YOU SEE THIS IS THE END OF THE SENTENCE.....PUT A PERIOD HERE AND MOVE ON.

HAPPY EASTER........

HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE......AND  HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!

AND

I JUST FINISHED WATCHING THE LDS ANNUAL CONFERENCE!  My family are all out of town from Hawaii to Mexico......so I am eating left overs and hanging out......My sweet Brayden called and wished me Happy Easter....but so far.....it has been very quiet ......and I am content with just me and the feeling in my heart.......It was a great conference and made me think!!!!

YES, I AM A MORMON!

No, I don't worship Joseph Smith.....YES, I am a Christian......NO, I don't hate gays.....NO, I don't shove the Bible or the Book of Mormon down your throat.....(yes, we use both).....NO, I DON'T tell Non=Mormons they are going to Hell.....And NO, I don't  think I am better than anyone else....I was put on earth to prove to my Heavenly Father that I am worthy to return to live with him, to be an example of the love He and His only begotten Son Jesus Christ has for everyone......and to spread His GOSPEL to all those who are ready to receive it......PERIOD!"

I wish I could accept ALL the things about our church.....but will keep trying!