Touch the Sky!

Friday and Saturday, we made our annual trek to the mountains to "touch the sky". This tradition started when our children were small. We would take a picnic, and sometimes other family members (I remember Don and Ada's family and Grandpa and Grandma going with us) and drive to the mountains to see the beautiful fall colors. As we approached the mountain, we would say, "See that mountain? Look to the top. Is it touching the sky?" "If we climb to the top, will we be touching the sky?" Then we would do just that and reach up and touch the sky. Ken and I left Friday afternoon and drove up Cedar Mountain. We stayed in a rented, little cabin on a ranch very near our own mountain property. That cabin has a colorful history. The story is told that John Wayne loved that little cabin and would stay there when shooting westerns on location. So, we've slept where John Wayne slept! Yes, you can touch me. Also, in the show "My Friend, Flicka", Burl Ives dispensed wisdom in a wicker rocking chair at the stone fireplace in that little cabin(Where Ken is sitting) They've since added the heat stove. We enjoyed toasting hot dogs and smores outside for dinner, and then, (Kristen, Shonna, and Michelle- you need to be sitting down while you read this part) we played Rook 500 to 500! with a dummy hand. No, I'm not kidding. We played for nearly three hours. Ken is not a big game player, and he has never, ever played a full game of 3-hand Rook. "I'll play two hands" or "I'll play until 9:55" is what I've heard through the years. It was amazing. Then, after breakfast in the morning, he played again to 250. He won both games. I think his goal was that I would have the time of my life. We enjoyed sitting in the sunshine and reading and then later, a nice drive to our own property and over the mountain. We saw flocks of wild turkeys, deer, and beautiful color (the pictures don't do it justice) We picnicked on the way home, arriving in time for the general women's meeting. Ken doesn't want stuff much. He doesn't long for "things". But he does have a love for the mountains and would love a mountain cabin. Not exactly my dream. His dream: mountain cabin. My dream: a husband that will relax and not have to be productive every minute. Hmmmm. Maybe we can both be happy . . . . .

Our Beloved Neighbor Pat

For the past six weeks, our beloved friend and neighbor, Pat has been in Intensive Care at the hospital battling for her life. She finally lost the battle on Sunday morning. Pat and Pete moved across the street from us shortly after we moved in. We have been friends and have become like family since. We loved dear Pat and will miss her dearly. Though not members of our faith, they have been at every baptism, mission farewell and homecoming, wedding (dinner and reception) and ball game through the years. They have welcomed each of our girls' spouses and the grandbabies. (The picture is of Pat with Brielle) We feel like we've lost family and will miss this dear, gracious woman. We are grateful her struggle is over, but she leaves a huge hole in our hearts. Last night, in her honor, the neighborhood and friends had a party! Isn't that a great a idea! A party! It was a very fun outdoor barbecue. Many, many people came to pay their respects and mingle together in honor of Pat. I think she would have loved it! Goodbye, dear Pat, until we meet again!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah #1: I'm not crazy! In my explore, I just hadn't looked to the other side of my car. There I discovered the big fertilizer spreader had escaped, rolled and crashed into my car- hence the big noise. Mystery solved. Hallelujah #2: I went to therapy (hhhmmm hhhmmm: PHYSICAL therapy) this morning and was finally released to get in the pool. Hallelujah! Everything has to be completely healed before they let you in- no scabs. With my last knee, it was two months to the day that they released me. This one has healed faster. It may have something to do with my taking the washrag to it frequently- that gets rid of scabs! I get to start on Thursday. It's so much more fun to suffer through the painful exercises in the pool than in the gym. Hallelujah #3: I just did another milestone. I haven't shopped at all since the 2nd surgery except the grocery store and Costco where I ride the little motorized cart. I've run errands that I can drive through, but no other shopping. It's frustrating to need something, but not be able to go and get it. I've been working on LAST summer's Europe trip scrapbook. It's such a special time in our family: We're in Europe, Michelle is in Europe, too with the folkdancers and we occasionally see her (she's also engaged and missing her Brian), Shonna and Blake are engaged and nearing their wedding date, and Kristen and Jared are awaiting the arrival of baby Nathan any moment. We are firing emails back and forth. Those emails are so precious to me and just capture that pivotal time in our family's history. So, I've been determined to get those emails into the Europe trip scrapbook, which has taken many hours to get them edited, respaced, etc. Then I discovered that the book I had purchased wasn't large enough to hold all that. So, after therapy today, I went to Michael's and bought a larger book. I know, not a big deal to you, but a milestone to me. I am shaky and ready to be home, but I did it! Hallelujah!

Mystery NOT Solved

With courage strong, I've just explored the garage in the happy light of day. Nothing seems amiss! Everything, including the golf clubs are right where they were before. Now I think I must be going crazy!

If a Tree Falls In a Forest . . . .

I have a question for you . . .one of those, "If a tree falls in a forest" thought-provokers: If you're husband is out of town and you're folding clothes at midnight and you hear a LOUD crash in the garage . . . That's what happened to me about an hour ago. What I NEED to know is: Do things fall in the garage all the time, and I just don't hear them because I'm asleep or I just ignore it because my safe, secure husband is right there next to me? Or is this something I should be concerned about? Is someone in my garage right now? No, I'm not going to open the door and look . . .that just doesn't feel right. I've been staring at the doorknob for the last half hour with phone in hand to see if it turns. I decided to come in here and write about it- then there will be evidence when they confiscate my computer to solve the crime. This is how I used to be every time Ken was away overnight, when the kids were little. I would strew toys up the stairs and down the hall so the bad guy would trip and make noise and wake me up( my sister taught me that- but I won't tell you which one). I slept (sort of) with a kitchen knife under my pillow (as if I'd use it!) and practiced dialing 911 in the dark. I was prepared! But that's long-since worn off. I now kind of like having free-reign of the house- for a night or two. I'm a bit of a night owl and I can play the piano at midnight and no one cares. I've tried to reason this out: What could have fallen? It's not like we have a really messy garage. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, I had Ken help me load my trunk and back seat with stuff that accumulated for DI and I hauled it over there. So there's really no junk- Ken keeps it pretty spiffy. Oh wait . . .. just before he left, he took his golf clubs, shoes, hat, etc, out of his trunk to pack. I'll bet that was tenuously teetering and just finally gave up. Okay, I'm off to bed. . . . "but if I die before I wake . . . . "

Luli Turns 30!

We had a wonderful weekend! Kristen (better known as Luli), Jared, Brielle, and Nathan came to visit to celebrate Luli's birthday on Saturday. It was so fun to have them here! First, we went to lunch at Lu's favorite Texas Roadhouse Grill. We then headed to the office to watch BYU celebrate her birthday in GRAND style! What a game! We then had homemade chocolate ice cream, and played All- a fun card game Brian and Michelle taught Kristen and Jared. It was nice of the guys to let the girls win, since it was her birthday. We then had family prayer, and then Ken, who had high council early Sunday morning, headed off to bed. Brielle had his pillow, so ran in to give it to him. She told him goodnight, and then as she was closing his bedroom door, said,"Grampa, don't get out of your bed!" I guess that's what she hears every night. Those kids are so dang cute. Kristen and Jared have been trying to teach Nathan sign language. It helps so much at this age so he won't have to scream, "Uh, uh, uh!!", but can communicate his needs. She's tried to teach him "drink" and "more" and "all done", but he had never done it until Sunday. After consuming his corn and meat and potatoes (he's a good little eater) he waved his hands in the all done sign and said as clear as can be, "All done!" It was fun to get to witness it. He was so proud of himself. Church with those little ones is a whole different experience. Every time anyone says "Amen" (I didn't realize how often we say that in our meetings) Brielle hopefully says, "Let's go to nursery!" I watch my precious daughter now as a mother herself and marvel at her energy and patience and love. She is a magnificent mother(ask Brielle and Nathan), daughter(ask Ken and Me), sister (ask Shonna and Michelle), and wife (ask Jared). We feel it a privilege to be her parents! Happy birthday, Lu!!!

Therapy

When I tell people I'm in therapy, they get a funny look on their face. And rehab isn't much better. So I guess I should title this post "Physical Therapy". My usual therapist is a kind and gentle man. I found out just how kind and gentle this week when he was out of town. I was relegated to Jane. I've known Jane for several months as I've been in "therapy" with my other knee and am a frequent visitor there. She seemed so nice. But when let loose on my knee, she turned into an Amazon woman. She seriously seemed to be intent on breaking my leg in half. At one point, I whimpered and told her it was scaring me. She just said, "I know" and kept pushing. AAAAHHHH! But, I got her back . . . in the only way I know how. When she put me on the infamous "rack", I got out my ipod, plugged in my earpieces, cranked up Keynote Christmas music and sang for all I was worth. "A star dances, an angel sings." That oughta learn her!! I have Jane again on Monday and Tuesday. I'm thinking of downloading "A hundred bottles of beer on the wall" and really cutting loose. Te he he!