My Little Cowboys Give Us A Canyon

"Nanny, Can I go outside?"

"Sure, you've been inside long enough for today, haven't you?"

"Yes . . . . Can I water the trees?" ( a little smile)

"Don't get yourself wet or muddy",

"OK Nanny". (another little smile)

So Garrett wakes up from his nap.

"Want to go out in the back yard with Gabriel?"

"Yeah!"

"OK, go potty and you can go outside."

"Awright!"

So Lincoln & I decided to go see what they were up to . . . since they aren't near any trees . . .

The "cliffs" seem to be a bit of a canyon . . . but then what better to do with a big old pile of sand. Bet Papa will love it!

They were pretty good sports when I turned the water off. But not so good about the idea of coming inside . . . guess there was more mischief to get into!

I do love to hear the stories they all come up with when they are deep in some fun like this. Gabriel, Arianna, Garrett, and Tati should all become writers some day!!

Yippee . . . No Pink Slip!

Yesterday was spent with my sweetie who is a great sport a great sport about the pink slip "hobby" (as one friend commented harumph). As I reread that post this morning I realized that the main pint was missed, again, by a scattered grandma.

My main point that day was going to be:

• Went to my great little PCP, got antibiotics and walked out with referral slips and contact info for several other doctors for different procedures that she said it was past time to experience, like you should have done this years ago when I told you to.

• Went to see a certain cute little bald podiatrist, many of you know who I mean. He told me to give up on the fallen arches and go back to PCP and get something for the blood sugar, you have peripheral neuropathy and she is the one that will want to keep tabs on it. How do you catch something by spending 30 lousy minutes in a podiatrist's office? At least it wasn't foot fungus!! Actually, he did have some good ideas. Go ahead and get my shoes in the men's dept., I don't have "typical women's" feet like most women and men shoes will give me the room I need for my fat little stubby toes. Find the arches that are the most comfortable for my fat little flat feet (can not believe I just typed that. I used to have such extremely high ones that I never felt the arches in shoes!) Birkenstocks were great, so I bought those new little black "dress" ones that will be so nice this summer . . . . doctors orders ;-D Just stick with the combo that works good for me . . . and start riding a bike . . . NOT!

• So yesterday I saw the ophthalmologist who specializes in the back of the eye AKA the retina. I have a new "interrogator" for Gitmo. The younger dr. there comes and does a lot of the tests, etc. I don't know what he was doing exactly, but water boarding would have nothing on this guy. He smiled and said that he hears that every couple of days.

At least now I know my eye can be repaired and what could have become a hole or tear is tissue that can be removed fairly safely. It will also remove that big old floaty that covers most of my field of vision most of the time. That will be such a relief. It has taken me as long as 20 minutes to thread a needle, makes sewing so NOT fun. Straight lines will no longer be wavy as well. Good thing I don't drink, I would never pass a sobriety test walking a straight line!

• The pink slip I got the day I had that check up is blessing. What looks like a cyst will be checked again in 6 months. It is only 2 cm X 4cm. If it does change, at least I am on top of it and it will be addressed in a timely manner.

So, sorry if I have seemed like I was whining, cause I guess I was. Now I am taking the attitude that all the money that we pour into health insurance is going to pay off. Back to walking, back to doing more that I love to do. Maybe, just maybe I will dare to get back to work in my wood working non-shop. After a couple of close shaves, literally, I have been avoiding my tools. I was getting a little worried after Stephen told Mariah that they may have to take my tools away from me instead of my car keys . . . little whipper snapper . . . just try!

If it is faster to change threads on my sewing machine, I just might get all of my and everyone else's mending and altering done. That will be a relief!

"Javelina Tamales" Anyone?

OK, Jon has been telling me for years how good javelina tamales are. No he hasn't tasted them, but many have assured him that they are. Well, I think I'm just about ready to try them!

That horrid beast paid us another visit on Saturday night, an of course, not a peep out of our worthless little doglettes.

I covered all the lettuce, that was ready to be picked of course, on Sunday night. That seems to be what it likes the best.

I am thinking seriously of taking the Grinch back out of storage and dressing it up as a scarecrow. If I had more time for goofing off, I would make it a holiday outfit for each season, wouldn't that be funny?

The "Document"

We've all been pretty excited to go and see a copy of the Declaration of Independence at the State Museum. Jon told me that it had been found behind a picture that some one was taking out an antique frame. Can you imagine finding something like that? Wow.

Even though it wasn't the one with the big old John Hancock flourished across the bottom, it has quite a history and did travel to take the news to many so they would know that this great country was born.

Rob & Brianna and my dollies got there before we

did so we met up and went through the mine exhibit

together.

The kids all liked this big old rock, well, most them did. Lincoln is cutting four teeth all at once and isn't too impressed with much other than mom and bottles right now. Little stinker is losing weight again. I have the most luck getting him to eat, when mom isn't around, so we have a new plan starting today to get the weight back on him.

Not sure what Tati is doing, but that is a pretty funny look on her face. This little tot is all "Tude" on a regular basis!

Finally got Rob into a picture too. then they had to take off.

We went and saw the upstairs where the kids are welcome to touch things. Now that Gabriel can pay attention for a longer time, he gets to hold Lincoln , under adult supervision. This was a little scary since there was nothing soft underneath. There was an anxious mom and Aunt Sassy just out of the camera lens ready to jump if Linc seemed too wiggly.

The boys checking out an old time outhouse. It was kind of funny explaining that you didn't flush it, and what you would see if there hadn't been something covering the hole and it has been used.

Gabriel wanted to play checkers. He was figuring it out before we got through the game. Guess it's time to get ours out here and let him learn. "Candyland" and "Chutes and Ladders" won't interest him for much longer!

The "Minute Men" loved playing the part! This one was very happy to show everything he could and teach the kids. Definitely makes the history come to life for the kids, of all ages!

Gabriel looked at the document and did a pretty good job not touching, even the table. He seemed to get this was very important and some day he would learn all about it in school and he would love this picture with it. Bet he learns all about it long before they talk about it at school . . . . he is a part of a history loving family after all!

Garrett on the other hand, just wanted to go see more of the hands on stuff. He had a hard time not touching the table because he was pretty short and wanted to pull up to see it better. He sure has a lot of energy. Sure glad that he burns most of it just being a normal little enthusiastic boy.

Mariah and I went back through the line to get this lovely little photo. Talk about torturing a baby. Some day we can tell him how people looked at these two crazy ladies taking this picture when he obviously didn't care. You know how we can be, hopefully he appreciates that we were anxious for him to have this for when he learned about this great country

After the Lincoln picture, we left the room and couldn't find Jon. Drat, forgot to hang the cow bell on him. . . . . just kidding, but it is a temptation. He can b be harder to keep track of than most kids. Mariah just said don't worry, ask where the guns are . . . . . sure enough, there he and Sassy were!

I had planned to come home , pop a whole big ole bunch of corn and enjoy "National Treasure" . . . instead, I napped until the figure skating came on and watched that. Actually, I did watch some of the skiing first. Those skiers must have a death wish . . that is all I have to say about that!!! Sheee!

Aint THIS the Truth

WHY I LOVE MOMS!

Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, "I'm tired, and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed".

She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day's lunches.

Rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for supper the following evening, checked the cereal box levels, filled the sugar container, put spoons and bowls on the table and started the coffee pot for brewing the next morning.

She then put some e wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of clothes in to the washer, ironed a shirt and secured a loose button.

She picked up the game pieces left on the table, put the phone back on the charger and put the telephone book into the drawer.

She watered the plants, emptied a wastebasket and
hung up a towel to dry.

She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom.

She stopped by the desk, wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some cash for the field trip, and pulled a text book out from hiding under the chair.

She signed a birthday card for a friend, addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery store... She put both near her purse.

Mom then washed her face with 3 in 1 cleanser, put on her Night solution & age fighting moisturizer, brushed and flossed her teeth and filed her nails..

Dad called out, "I thought you were going to bed." "I'm on my way," she said.

She put some water into the dog's dish then made sure the doors were locked and the patio light was on.

She looked in on each of the kids and turned out their bedside lamps and TV's, hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks into the hamper, and had a brief conversation with the one up still doing homework.

In her own room, she set the alarm; laid out clothing for the next day, straightened up the shoe rack..

She added three things to her 6 most important things to do list. She said her prayers, and visualized the accomplishment of her goals.

About that time, Dad turned off the TV and announced to no one in particular. "I'm going to bed"
And he did..without another thought!

Anything extraordinary here? Wonder why women live longer...? Cause we are made for the long haul......(and we can't die sooner, we still have things to do!!!!)

Send this to five phenomenal women today...they'll love you for it! I just did. Then go to bed.

OK, so didn't email it, I just share the best one's on my blog : + D

WARNING: Pink Paper is Hazardous to Your Health . . . . OR . . . . . Pink Slips Stink!

No one wants to get pink slips. It usually carries the bad news of unemployment . . . well there is another kind that will kill you if you don't watch it!

You think I'm kidding, don't you? I have proof. These were collected in under two weeks.

Check these out. I was just cruising through life, finally broke down and went to the doctor because I decided that coughing for 14 months was long enough, OK it had gotten so much worse when I got the flu and there was burning in my chest. She prescribed some very innocent looking little capsules, almost made me almost sicker than the flu did.

About the time I got over that, I went to urgent care on a Sunday morning (UTI), because I wasn't going to make it until Monday morning. Got a pink slip.

Next, was a visit to the women's center for that check up, the one that led to an explanation of certain art work by Gabriel. Got a pink slip.

Next I went to my favorite podiatrist, got told I just wouldn't be able to walk, try riding a bike, twice as far as I was walking since it expends less energy. (Can you tell that he doesn't have a very wide derriere' with no padding where it counts?) It was pretty fun watching the faces on the receptionist desk when I told them, "it's official, I'm a hypochondriac!". Got a, you guessed it, pink slip.

Next I went to see an ophthalmologist in Phoenix, I know, slow learner. Got a referral for a different ophthalmologist . . . . and of course, I got a pink slip.

All this has led to a broken down, tired , half blind ole lady who "can't " walk for exercise (watch me, not done with that one!) who needs to keep one eye (good thing since one isn't working so well) on one of the girls and go back in six months to see if anything has changed. Hello . . . it's changed!

So next week I am off to Phoenix again, to get my next pink slip and make a couple of appointments to get some more. Will I survive all these pink slips? Sure, I am from some crazy genes that just keep on going, and going, and going . . . . kind of like that obnoxious little pink bunny.

Love is an "Action" Word

First things first. I was sitting in church in my brand new "dainty Birkenstocks" and wearing nylons, yes, nylons. Garrett sat down on the floor, looked at my legs, reached out and touched my calves carefully, and then started stroking up and down my legs. I didn't think much of it because I figured there might be some stubbiness until he looked up and whispered, "Your wegs are so soft Nanny!" Such a funny kid. He still wasn't to sure what to think of it all until her looked at my toes and told me that my socks were so-o-o-o-o soft. Loved it. Later when he was getting restless, he sat back down there and started stroking again while giving me this funny little dreamy little smile.

For dinner, Jon & I served the manicotti and large bowl of salad greens to all the other grown ups. Because Love is an action word and we wanted to show them by our actions (service) that we loved them. The kids felt so grown up and were so careful with the breakable dishes.

Next the grown ups served the children desert, to show them by their service that they were also loved, and to allow the moms and dads to control the sugar intake just before they took the little darlings home ;-} .

Really, the kids were so good. I asked the parents to dress them in Sunday dress that was washable to set the mood a little that it was going to be a "nice" dinner. After eating, they played a lot more calmly than usual.

Even Lincoln got to be dressed up this time. Doesn't he look older in this shot? Must be the brand new tooth he's sporting. That is the sharpest little thing! I wonder if this is a glimpse into what he will look like when he gets older.

BTW Lincoln has gained another 9 oz. Yeah Linc!!

I have learned, OK relearned, an important life lesson lately. What we eat to fuel our bodies can make such a difference in how we feel, how we function, our outlook on life, how we can progress, learn, focus and just influence all that we are.

This is such a time to be alive. Never has there been so much wickedness and yet so many blessings available to we mortals. We have access to so much wonderful knowledge. So many of the finer works geof art* through the/ a (Lincoln does --9+

-/loves to help me type-) ages can be enjoyed through all the technology we have. The affluence that we are surrounded by (like the way I put that? We really don't have to posses much of that affluence to enjoy it at times ;+} ) .

axzqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq 1111111111115555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555drx Lincoln completely agrees with all that I have said. His new game is to catch Nanny typing with the computer on her lap. Quietly crawl up under lap where she can't see you and reach up over the top and pat like crazy. Works every time if you don't giggle before you strike!

Anyway, I finding that if I eat decently, I feel so much better and when I slip off the wagon very much at all, I really pay for it. When Lincoln was failing to thrive" it broke my heart and now it is go gratifying to watch him take off as he feels better . . . . and has SO MUCH stinking energy!!! Got to run . . . literally!

Primary is a Bit of Heaven On Earth!

OK, I will admit that I love having a cell phone that will take pictures. It has no flash or any of the fancy stuff and it just happens to be included with a model that has a keyboard. I needed that to text the kids, who are so much faster than I am at it.

Any way I looked down at the chair next to me in Sacrament meeting and saw Gabriel coloring away. It may not be impressive to most, but it sure is to this pleased grandma! He colored all of the little curving trim on Santa's sleigh and hardly went out of the lines the whole time! Even a couple of months ago he wouldn't have made it more than a couple of inches. Just didn't have the patience or attention span. He works hard at school and the staff there is working hard to help him and the others who are trying to catch up and stay up. Love and appreciate those people!

As church was ending, Mariah whispered down the he would be giving a talk. The glove on the first picture was for his talk.

Now, I am of the opinion that Primary is where the essence of the Gospel on its purest form is found. A "Little Bit of Heaven on Earth" if you will.

So my question is: If this little Ant Hill is a little bit of Heaven, does that mean that Heaven is an Ant Hill? Just wondering!

Happy Accidents

This evening I have been making stuffed manicotti for tomorrow's dinner. What a trip!

While Jon & I were driving around Phoenix yesterday, I made my list, kept adding to it, tried to remember what was in my freezers that needed to be used up . . . . on & on.

Tonight, I put the water on to boil and realized that I had forgotten the ingredients for the filling. Off to the store I went, again. Came home and mixed it all up and started stuffing, stuffing and stuffing some more.

Oops, not enough! So I started digging and came up with some eggs, farmer's cheese, seasonings and some home made yogurt to make it creamy and yummy.

Drat, ran out again . . . .. .hummmmm.

Dug some more . . . . ah ha! I found some BBQ pork that we have been working on for a couple of days. I found it in the freezer, marked Oct, 2007. I filled the rest of the shells, poured some BBQ sauce over the top, warmed it in the microwave and . . . . wah-la!

I know this is a silly little thing, but sometimes those little thing can be so enjoyable. After the last couple of weeks, I appreciate have one of those "little things" happening!

LOVE IS AN ACTION WORD

I was just checking out my email and ran across this great story. I loved because I was home on Sunday trying to tough it out with a little health problem . . . . don't worry, tired of being sick, so I caved in and went on over to Urgent Care and definitely doing better now. But the point is that I was home, reading, not watching TV, but would have loved to see this broadcast!

****Just look at the smile on the Savior's face. I'm sure that little guy on His lap just told Him something that would so embarrass his parents . . . . just an educated guess, judging from what comes out of the mouths of all of my grandkids!****

While watching a little TV on Sunday instead of going to church, I watched a church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I wondered why the church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age.

After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quieted down, he rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gait to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak.....

"When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50-odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heartbreak and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me... the only thing that would comfort was this verse........ ....

"Jesus loves me this I know.

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong,

we are weak but He is strong.....

CHORUS

YES, JESUS LOVES ME..

YES, JESUS LOVES ME..

YES, JESUS LOVES ME, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

When he finished, the church was quiet.. You actually could hear his foot steps as he shuffled back to his chair. I don't believe I will ever forget it.

A pastor once stated, "I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best.." "Senior version of Jesus Loves Me"

Here is a new version just for us who have white hair or no hair at all. For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all you others,

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me, this I know,

Though my hair is white as snow

Though my sight is growing dim,

Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS)

Though my steps are oh, so slow,

With my hand in His I'll go

On through life, let come what may,

He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,

In my heart He puts a song....

Telling me in words so clear,

"Have no fear, for I am near."

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,

And life's victories have been won.

He will take me home above,

Then I'll understand His love.

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?

Have I ever told Him so?

Jesus loves to hear me say,

That I love Him every day.

(CHORUS)

Jon & I are in charge of FHE for the University 1st Ward next Monday night. The theme for that night is going to be "Love is an Action Word". Is this song the perfect one or what? Someone was inspired to send it to me!! Thanks Marva Dean!

I asked Mariah if she knew this song, she told me no, it's just new this year for the primary program. LOL I learned it in Baptist Bible School and I think in school once in awhile . . . boy have the times changed or what and shame on me not teaching it to my kids when they were young!

Mystery Solved!

WARNING . . . weird picture at the end that some may not appreciate!

For those of you who may not check out Mariah's blog, she posted this lovely portrait of Gabriel's teacher. She made sure that it was clear it had been drawn while he was at Nanny's house.

He was at the table drawing his little heart out while I was fixing dinner. showed it to me several times, to see what I thought of it. Looked good to me . . . .so much detail. Let me make it clear that he added some details after he last showed me. When dinner was ready, he ran, put it into his school folder and washed up for dinner, so excited about his picture that I assured him Mrs._____ would love it.

Fast forward, I check out Mariah's latest post. AAUUUGGGGHH! I have wondered what ever possessed him to draw those little details on the chest.

Today when I went for my lovely appointment, you know the one that we all love, not!

I walked in, said hello, told them who I was, placed the referral on the counter and . . . . "Oh my goodness . . is that where he got that idea. At least he didn't put on the extra side ones!

Lesson learned: Don't leave your mammogram referral on the table where your grandkids can see it?!?!?