Gabriel's 7th Birthday Party

WARNING:  PICTURE OVERLOAD . . .  but not for me . . and this is my blog . .  and is how I now document our family's happenings . .  so here it goes!!
I'll start with the cake.  Gabriel is very aware that Daddy and Papa are not working right now, at least not regular jobs.  He has been with me when I bought stuff for Garrett's cake and offered to draw and color everything to decorate his cake.  I was quite touched by it.  We ended up just looking all over the internet and printing everything.  Some did need to be colored and he graciously let his little brothers do that.  We had a sleep the night before-over to get it all done . .  and just made it in time.

I had all the ingredients to make the fondant icing from marshmallows, read the directions and discovered that it needed to be chilled over night . .  oops, so it was back to the reliable candy frosting that flows . . which Gabe was happy with.  He closely directed the whole "pour".

  Gabriel wanted a cliff again this year.  Higher than last year and with two layers.  He wanted a pond on top with a river running down the cliff and into a river and another pond.  Fish needed to be in the river, not the pond . .  it needed frogs.  He wanted some burning trees and some that were OK.  Gabriel colored the little skunk family in front of the deer, which was colored by Garrett. He also colored the bear that is on the far left, in a cave in the side of the cliff.




The smaller column of fire half way down the cliff is a burning tree with fire fighters.  He LOVED the big wall of fire in the background . .  OK, so did I.  But it was so bad, that we had to have a copter dropping water, which of course was scooped up from the lower pond.  The little piper plane is spreading/dropping slurry, which is totally cool too.






This is just to show the other burning trees on the back of the tree and where the water all ran.  we decided that whole cake couldn't be "on fire" since the animals needed a way out.  Would have been kind of gruesome if they were trapped and would end up getting fried . .  know what I mean?














Don't look now, but that little bear in the cave is about to get his little whiskers singed . . .  and a few fish are about to be boiled!

It's after 9:00 and I am tired so I'll do the rest of the party and all of last week tomorrow . .  during nap time I hope.  the boys have been too tired and that makes for a few extra challenges.. .  especially when the old folks are also tired!

Letter to Jon's Former . . via His Worthy Assistant . . .

Hi Dale, 


I am absolutely LOVING retirement!  I don't know how I did with out my lovely wife's company all these years.  I am so glad that I am here every day to do all of those little special things that make her feel loved and treasured . .  you know the things I have been neglecting for so long.

I have found my true calling in this life, digging.  My favorite part is when I break through the caliche and hit red clay.  Just makes my day.  

Home cooking's not too shabby either!

Jon

Corners . . . .

I am finding this new adventure of having so much time with Jon  . . . .  too wonderful to put in words.  In case I ever forgot, this is a wonderful reminder why I married him over thirty three years ago.  I wanted to spend as much time as I could with the nicest, sweetest, funniest, loveliest man (with just enough weird to make him more interesting)  I had ever met.  Oh how blessed I am to have turned this corner with him.

Don't know how long we will be able to keep this new routine we have slipped so comfortably into, I hope it is forever.  Busy, busy but lacking so much of the stress and pressure that life heaps on top of us.

P.S.  I will be so glad when all of the grape vines are in.  It kills me to see him out every day digging through that nightmare of a yard we have to get the holes deep enough for them and the gate posts.  I sure hope they will thrive and give us nice juicy grapes some day . . .  in the not too distance future, he has certainly earned it.

. . . And Life Goes On . . . .

We're in the second week as home bound oldsters.  Over all, I seem to be enjoying it more than Jon is.  Several people have asked him how he likes retirement.  The most positive thing out of his mouth so far, is, "It's not exactly what I expected".  Hmmmmm, "be still my heart", is what I think about that response.

Just because he is out there digging his little heart out trying to get through the caliche, that I couldn't get through, what's the problem here?

I am realizing that my habit of taking on more than I could possibly accomplishment has caused a lot of the chaos and discouragement we have dealt with, I am so grateful for his pitching in and completing this horrible task.  I have just about completely caved in.  Between the heat, humidity, my blood pressure being up and just being so dehydrated all the time that my mind gets fuzzy, I had to pull in my horns and take another direction in my activities.

My little mending helper.  He did a good job!
Fixed his two toys and then Lynneah's.

So I am trying to spend at least an hour each morning outside and do anything that can help keep up the garden up, prepare more beds (tires) for the fall weather and planting while spending more time indoors purging, putting things away, mending, sewing, creating more storage/organizing potential and just pulling everything together.  Progress is slowly moving forward and it feels good.

The Maskey kids will be here for three days, yes, I said three days this coming weekend, so my immediate goal is to not go crazy trying to keep a couple of snoopy little boys . . OK . .  three, from driving me crazy getting into everything.  the other problem will be where to have Lincoln sleep so he isn't up getting into everything before we are of his being awake.  Probably have to go to bed as soon as they are all asleep so that we will wake up before they get up!  Garrett is still a very early riser . . . EEEEEK!

So how do I make Jon's "retirement" better for him?  Such a puzzle, such a puzzle!  Shouldn't my company be enough??

Big Print For Those to Which These Are Applicable . . . . .

For Friends of a Certain Age -MIDDLE AGE TEXTING CODES:

ATD -at the doctor.

BFF -best friend fell.

BTW -bring the wheelchair.

BYOT -bring your own teeth.

FWIW -forgot where I was.

GGPBL -gotta go, pacemaker battery low.

GHA -got heartburn again.

IMHO -is my hearing aid on?

LMDO -laughing my dentures out.

OMMR -on my massage recliner.

ROFLACGU -rolling on floor laughing and can't get up.

TTYL -talk to you louder

The Page is Tu-u-u-u-u-urning . . .

Jon & I went to Wally world after working outside this morning. I get such an itch to buy new pencils, crayons, paper, cute erasers, pencil sharpeners, and any other cute little gadgets that are new to me. Don't need a thing.

I am really enjoying the adventure this new phase of our lives has brought. I love having Jon around each morning to putter around with. I REALLY appreciate all of his help getting the things done that I can't figure out or am not strong enough to do!  Which are many!

  

"Bless his thumpin' little gizzard", as he would say!

Dear Mom,

I have had quite a week.  Jon (I) left his job, everyone has been congratulating him (us) "on his retirement" . . . huh?  Is there something that I missed here?  We always said that one should retire to something, not just  from something . . . so what is the something he (we) is retiring to?  Yes, he (we) left the state forestry, but where is he (we) going to?

After talking it over, in depth, for a week end we decided that when the spirit is whispering in your ear, in an insistent manner, it shouldn't be ignored.  So off he (we) stepped into the big old black hole looming before us.

I wavered this whole week, as I loved having Jon at home.  He has been such a trooper finishing my projects in which I had plunged in over my head.  The wiring in the shed is finished, beautifully, I might add.  A veritable work of  art, of course.  Just like the tin roof on the "yurt".   I should have him sign it.  He has chased, hunted and tracked that wiley rabbit (thought I was going to say coyote did'ncha?) and we hope has finally got it blocked from our yard, without the zapper fence.

With all of this, I have still worried myself silly.  Remember when Jon used to tell me, "Call your mom, tell her all about it, and let her worry about it" . . . oh how I have wished I could do that right now.  It was such a relief to have you to talk to.  We usually went on to sharing the kids' latest escapades and having such good laughs. How I have missed that.  I know that you are aware of your great grand kids.  Aren't they so cute and fun?  They may run me into the ground yet, but what a way to go!

So Mom, I guess now I can get a little rest before Jon gets home and takes his little nap so that we can sit down and start making some plans. . .  getting on the same track, to travel, arm in arm (or hugging and clinging to each other . . that does sound more like us, doesn't it?) and moving forward.  I am so blessed, aren't I?  You were right about this one, and he was worth the wait, wasn't he?  Now to be the wife and companion that he needs/deserve.

Love you Mom and thanks for listening, again.

Just To Make Sure We're All On Schedule!

This email came day after I had lunch with my little ole' lady buddies, a monthly event.  it rang a little too true in some ways!

DINNER WITH THE GIRLS THROUGH THE AGES

A group of 15-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Dairy Queen next to the Ocean View restaurant because they had only $6 among them and Jimmy Johnson, the cute boy in Social Studies, lived on that street.

Ten years later, the group of 25-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.

Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the beer was cheap, the restaurant offered free snacks, the band was good, there was no cover and there were lots of cute guys.

Ten years later, the group of 35-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. 

Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the cosmos were good, it was right near the gym and, if they went late enough, there wouldn't be too many whiny little kids.

Ten years later, the group of 45-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.
Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the martinis were big and the waiters had tight pants and nice buns.

Ten years later, the group of 55-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.
Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the prices were reasonable, the wine list was good, the restaurant had windows that opened (in case of a hot flashes), and fish is good for cholesterol.

Ten years later, the group of 65-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.

Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the lighting was good and the restaurant had an early bird special.

Ten years later, the group of 75-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.

Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food was not too spicy and the restaurant was handicapped-accessible.

Ten years later, the group of 85-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. 

Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they had never been there before.

For the first time of my life, I am ahead of schedule . . and it has to be at this!

2 Years, 2 Months, 2 Week and No Days . . . . Later

Once a upon a time Stephen sat down and drew this up on his computer to give me some idea of what my ideas out front would look like.  After tweaking and lots of patience, this is what he came up with.  I loved it.  Then I got to work starting with the path going across the front.



I filled my little green jug, the one I still use regularly, bought my "bigger hammer", which I also still use regularly,  pounded lots of re-bar, strung lots of string and got to work.


Only thirty minutes and I had the first two pavers buried and ready to hold the gravel path in . . . . not too bad I decided.  Then . . .  I hit  . . . ROOTS!



Lots of ROOTS.  Big ROOTS!
Now it took Rob over 4 months to plant that pine tree.  The first Christmas tree in this house.  That was a lot of digging, picking, soaking and more digging and more picking. Can NOT harm that tree!  When they got bigger than my thumb, I just couldn't bring myself to cut them off.  Two years later, with Jon's approval, I did.  Jon is pretty sure that is what is raising some of the walk, so it was a necessity.




So while I had a power washer here, I used it to help with the trenching.  Got totally covered with mud, that was a light bulb moment.  Jon helped me one weekend getting most of them in and then we were back to the ROOTS.

Yesterday, after lunch with my cute little cronies, I ran and got a half ton of gravel.  It was a little browner and smaller than the gravel I bought a couple of years ago, so Jon was a good sport and helped me move, spread and level the old gravel over the whole area.  Then it was time to move the new stuff.  I figure we handled a full ton of gravel this morning.  But look what we finally have!


I have to laugh at the side tracks we (I) have gotten off on this past year.  When I pulled up the picture of  "the plan". I still don't have that pergola or fence to slow down the grand kids and dogs when they bolt out of the front door. I do have to wonder if that would be too much out there.

The shade cloth is back down because of wind, but will go back up tomorrow, hopefully.   Maybe I can stand back and see if that would be too much.  For now, the outside budget for the year is used up so I can keep myself out of the "bars" (short for trouble, expression my mom used . . .  never did the bar thing) barricading the side yard and getting the Lantana planted and hopefully the grapes planted too.  I am so ready for all of this year's planting to be done and the drips all up and running!  Bless Jon's heart, he is getting up every morning and helping me, as well as rewiring the shed, so that it will be a good place for both of us to work.

Jon is also going to help me figure out the best way to hang a gate so the fencing around the "barely farm" will be complete.  No clue here . .  the things I get that poor guy into!  He has left his job, so there is a lot of time to help me out . . . perhaps too much?  I do love having him here though.  Every year of him working up in Phoenix had become more and worse torture for me.  Guess that is what I get for marrying someone whose company I love.  But how awful if I didn't . . . . and vice versa.

Last Week, A Good Ending . . .

Last week was a very bumpy ride for our family.  But we made it through to the next step for all of us and we are putting one foot in front of each other.  Individually, as couples and as a family.  Thank goodness we have our faith, free agency, our church leaders to counsel, each other and new windows to look through and new experiences to search for.

But first to put a period at the end of the sentence of last week.  Jon made it home pretty late from Phoenix and the last day working for State Forestry.  It has been 7 years since he walked off in his retirement at DPS (Dept. of Public Safety).  For some time he had felt like it was time to leave, not sure why, but when the feeling became very so strong that he knew it was time to take a leap, now, he put in his notice.  We were a little frightened as there was no plan in place and we knew he had to keep working since the pension would not be enough to sustain us.  So leap we did, into a black hole looming before us . . . and the state forestry job fell into his lap.  As a seasonal person, called up starting with the severe fire season blew up for the first year, and then as a part time plug for all the holes in the in all the work that needed to be done in communications.  Now, here we are leaping off into a black hole, again, but this time there is nothing that has fallen in our laps to look forward to.  But when the spirit whispers, not so quietly, it so important to listen and follow.

I don't think our answers will come as quickly this time.  I have not felt like it at all the last few weeks, but I know that the promise I was given years ago is still a promise today.  We will have what we need.  There will be much that I might want, but it is important to determine the difference.   Both of us would LOVE to go back through New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, then to Northern California to see extended family, but as big as that want is, it won't happen.

So Jon came home about 11:30 p.m. , saw that dreaded rabbit in "farm" and dragged in to the house.  Garrett was here for his sleep over, so the poor guy went and found a different bed to sleep in . .  welcome home Jon . . .poor guy.  The next morning, he decided to give Garrett a treat and tail gate for breakfast . ..  as you can see, the little guy was thrilled .



"Garrett!"

"What?"

"How's breakfast coming along?"

"Huh?"

Oh well, Jon had fun and it was as cool as it was going to get that day.  Then all He_ _ broke loose for the rest of the week.  As Jon was driving down to taxi Rob and the girls back home after they dropped off their van to be worked on,  Sarah called.  There was a huge puddle of oil under her car so she drove to the first place she could an got more oil.  Before she could get in and start driving to the mechanic, there was a 6" puddle under it again.  She called as she drove so that I could call the mechanic to let them know she was headed there and was it OK.  It was and she ended up getting heavier oil (she thought of that on her own, so proud of her . . not a mechanical little lady we have there) and it took 6 quarts to get her there.  All this time I am calling the mechanic, Jon, to warn him he may need to go and tow the car over, and just wringing my hands in general . .  oh, I forgot, Rob's van threw the belt on the way and he was somewhere on the side of the freeway putting it back on.  Now Sarah is driving one of our cars until she can come up with the $$ to fix her car. . . always a little unsettling . . for some reason . . .

We had another big wind and rain and the neighbor got a big ole' boo-boo which reminds us why we took out pepper willow out and had it hauled off.  this is about half their tree so it won't be casting much of a show now.

I went to the home ward Sunday to hear Gabriel's talk. Came home and started cooking up a food storage storm.  Had "Italian Bake"  which was pretty much lasagna made from elbow macaroni since there were none of the big noodles in the house . . except, I found some after I had cooked the macaroni.  The home made ice cream is WAY too rich, we needed to cut it with milk, and I will now and refreeze it.  But it was fun having most of the family here and Sarah brought her new roomies along.  We always enjoy them.  Our littlest princess got to maul baby food all over something just help her get used to something in her mouth.  Then Sassy gave her a bottle with food in it and next thing we knew, she had nodded off.  We all had to get a picture of her little Buddha belly.  She is a pretty slim little girl and then there is this HUGE bubble hanging out there.  Just like her Aunt Sassy had when she was tiny. . . . . . I just did a double take, Sarah's arm looks like mine a "few" years ago.



Side Note:  My flower box is growing so well!  You can stand off and see the Vincas standing right up there, blooming away and the Portulaca is getting pretty fluffy looking . . . blooming up a storm.  It is almost long enough to start spilling over the edge of the boxes.  Way more exciting than it probably should be, but I do love it when a plan (dream) comes together!!   Shhhhhh, don't anyone tell Jon, I am just wondering if there should be a box under the real window.  That is where I had wanted to put one for years . . . just thinking, IF there is enough wood left over . . that is already stained . . . . . why not?  A little balance is always a good thing, right?

Garrett, the Sweet

I love the imaginations that all of my grand kids have.  With all the pack ratting Jon and I have been doing for so long, that they never want for the proper supplies.

Last week, Garrett gave a bunch of ants their first  . .  and last swimming lessons.  He knows that it is important for safety's sake.  He was so proud when they started putting their faces in the water, until he realized they were no longer swimming.

He came over and gently broke it to me in the sweetest voice that it was OK if they died because they would come alive again some day.  Then he asked me if ants could go to Heaven.

Yes Garrett, I believe they can go to Heaven.  Why would a loving God create a creature, any creature and not give them more than the brief existence on this earth?  The scriptures tell us that all things on this earth are created spiritually first, so what would become of that spirit?

My sweet little guy made sure that those ants had a life preserver when we went back inside that day.  He got a piece of kindling and left it floating so they could climb up on it.

He can be such an ornery little pill but that morning and the night before he was such a doll that even Chip hung around him instead of hiding out. I hope he remembers how making good choices paid off for him.

al·le·giance[uh-lee-juhns]

--noun

1.   the loyalty of a citizen to his or her government or of a subject to his or her sovereign.

2.   loyalty or devotion to some person, group cause or the like.

Origin: 
1350–1400; Middle English aliegiaunce,  equivalent to a-  probablya-⁵  + liege liege  + -aunce -ance;  compare Middle Frenchligeance

—Related forms

non·al·le·giance, noun

o·ver·al·le·giance, noun

—Synonyms 
See loyalty. 

—Antonyms 
1.  treason. 2.  treachery. 

I have noticed several of my FB friends have posted the Pledge of Allegiance.  I like that.  I like that they are thinking of the special celebration we are preparing to enjoy tomorrow as citizens of this choice land.  I like that they recognize those who have made so many sacrifices to preserve this freedom that we enjoy so much.  I like that I was raised to love, respect and appreciate this nation under God.  I am so grateful that I was taught that the fact that it was "under God" was so important.

I looked up the definition of allegiance to see what more it could mean.  It gave me something new to think about.

• I pledge my allegiance and loyalty to my country under God.
• I pledge my allegiance and loyalty to the leaders who put God first.
• I pledge my allegiance and loyalty to righteous leaders who seek His will and the good of my world, country, state, community and family first.  Not the desires of selfish hearts who would grab any and all power they might, for their own selfish gain.
• I pledge my allegiance and loyalty to a wonderful man who committed himself to me and our future family.  To lead us in righteousness in a steadfast and faithful manner.
•  I pledge my allegiance and loyalty to my family as they strive to lead their lives with righteous desires to lead the children and those around them to a better life and world.  As they put the good of the next generation first, keeping an eternal perspective as the first priority in the decisions they make. 
• I pledge my allegiance and loyalty to my family at all times.  I pledge to be here, no matter what.  Perhaps in my own way and how I think is best,  but I will be here.
• I pledge my allegiance loyalty to my God who has blessed me so fully.  Who has given me responsibilities that are blessings, challenging ones, but still blessings. 
• I pledge my allegiance and loyalty to the Savior who gave His life to atone for my sins, that I might repent and continue to do better.
• I pledge my allegiance and loyalty to not die for Him, but to live for Him, every day of my life, as well as I can. Try to keep His commandments to show how much I love Him and appreciate the sacrifices He made for me and all mankind.
• I pledge to try to do my part.  Do what God would have me do, try to fulfill what He needs me to do to accomplish for His purposes.