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!

Recovery!

It's been awhile since I posted here. I'm doing well- on the road to recovery. This week I graduated from home physical therapy to outpatient therapy. I've traded my tennis ball adorned walker for "the rack" at the therapy unit(a grueling piece of equipment that forces bend and flex). Somewhere in there, I used a cane, but came to understand why President Hinckley preferred waving it around and "knighting" people with it to leaning on it - it's mostly just in the way! I feel so very blessed to have not had any of the complications that can come with this surgery (everyone find wood and start knocking!) and to be blessed with such a wonderful husband and good friends and family! Thanks to all for your prayers and good wishes!

Ready or Not!

On Friday, I will undergo surgery to replace my right knee. I've been busy trying to get as ready as I can for the event. I've done a lot for my church callings, Keynotes, and voice lessons, which will all start back up in September. I've filled the freezer with food, as I didn't feel like cooking for a good four months after the last surgery. I've made minnestroni, nectar of the gods, chili, chicken casserole, chicken pockets, taco dinner, summer tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, chicken divan, plus I bought several of Costco's prepared foods. We just got our frozen fish today from Ken's Alaska outing. So, we've got a freezer full of food.
I have to admit, I'm a little nervous for this surgery, now that I know what I'm really in for. It's like having a baby, but I haven't waited long enough since the last one- I still remember the pain too well. But, it gives me hope for a better life, and that's worth it. I humbly solicit your prayers.

Home From Alaska!

We climbed into bed at 3am on Sunday morning after a wonderful trip to Alaska! We went with Ken's office manager, Van and his wife a day early to go to Denali National Park! What an adventure. We saw 2 moose, a black bear, 8 or 9 grizzlies, several caribou, Dall Sheep, ptarmigan, eagles, snowshoe hares, and lots of beautiful scenery, including Mount McKinley(it's usually cloud-shrouded, so you're lucky to see it). It was amazing! We then joined the rest of the partners and wives back in Anchorage and traveled by train to our ship port in Seward. In just a little over 24 hours, we traveled by car, plane, bus, train and ship! The train ride was a beautiful four hour trip through Alaskan wilderness. We then got on a cruise ship and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery as we traveled south. My favorite part was seeing Hubbbard Glacier up close and personal. Our cruise ship navigated within 1/4 mile of the glacier. (I guess the captain didn't see the movie!) It was spectacular!!!! We watched and listened to it "calf". In fact, Ken captured a break off in one of the pictures. You see it, and then hear it- sounding much like thunder! Amazing, amazing! I just couldn't get enough of it. Ken enjoyed the deep sea fishing, but the salmon were late this year, so it wasn't as successful as he would have liked. We enjoyed being with his partners and wives and of course, loved the food! The entertainment was also wonderful- our favorite being a comedian, Fred Klett who was SO funny AND 100% clean. We got off the ship in Vancouver, British Columbia, and extended a day to travel by ferry to Victoria Island and go to Butchart Gardens. Oh my, you can't believe what you see in that Garden of Eden. Wow! What a wonderful and beautiful vacation!!!

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Off To Alaska!

Ken and I leave in the morning for an Alaskan cruise. We travel tomorrow to Denali, will tour there on Thursday morning, then travel back to Anchorage, then down to Seward where we'll get on the ship on Friday. Here's our itinerary: No. of Nights: 7 Nights Destination: Alaska Ship: Celebrity Millennium Departs: Seward, Alaska Day 1 Seward, Alaska Depart 9:00 PM Day 2 Hubbard Glacier (Cruising) Cruising Arrive 2:00 PM Depart 6:00 PM Day 3 Juneau, Alaska Docked Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 9:00 PM Day 4 Skagway, Alaska Docked Arrive 7:00 AM Depart 8:30 PM Day 5 Icy Strait Point, Alaska Tendered Arrive 7:00 AM Depart 4:00 PM Day 6 Ketchikan, Alaska Docked Arrive 9:00 AM Depart 6:00 PM Day 7 Inside Passage (Cruising) Cruising Day 8 Vancouver, British Columbia Arrive 7:00 AM On Friday, we'll travel to Vancouver Island and go to Buchart gardens, then fly home on Saturday evening. Bon Voyage!!!!

Surprise at the Welfare Orchard!

Oh how I wish I had a picture to accompany this post! I'll try to recreate for you the picture in my mind. Here's the story: Monday morning, we had a welfare orchard assignment to pick apricots. I haven't been able to help with welfare assignments for a very long time because of my silly knees. I long to help and give in that way. I know I'm about to get worse before I get better, so I decided to go and participate and work for as long as I could. We arrived in the Hurricane orchard at about 6:00am. We had been working for about 45 minutes when several large vans pulled up- and out of the doors poured bunches of polygamists! There were tiny children, older children, teenagers, young adults, and adult women and men. Picture all of these little girls and teenagers with long dresses with pants underneath with braided hair. Many of the young men had stilts. They grabbed harnesses with buckets and went to work. I have to admit that I was sure they were there to pick up fallen fruit for themselves, but soon realized they were there to help! Even the little children- too small for the harnessed buckets, had little buckets that they picked into. Those young men on stilts were amazing- literally running from tree to tree. Ken talked to one of the farm managers and he told them that our church had allowed them to pick apricots for themselves from trees that the fruit was deemed too small for the cannery. In payment, they offered to help with the picking. This was the second day they had come to help. It was a sight to behold! My favorite memory is of this beautiful, little girl with golden blond hair. Her hair had escaped the mandatory braid and was streaming behind her. It looked so beautiful in the morning light. With all the recent negative press, I wanted to share a positive experience we had with these people as we joined forces to help those less fortunate!

Joke on Ken

Recently, Ken's business partner of many years, Dean, acquired pictures of Ken from his junior high and high school yearbooks. He digitalized them and sent them to everyone at the office as a joke. I thought you might be interested in seeing them, too. We decided that Dean has WAY too much spare time on his hands. Anyone have a tax return or something he could do?



Ken- 8th grade class president

Woo hoo! Who wears short shorts?

He's still my most preferred man!!!

Additions to Traditions

I think the traditions list will be ongoing as we keep thinking of things. A few more I thought of, or was reminded of: 1)Good sport dinners. Mom makes a new recipe once a week for dinner. Everyone votes thumbs up or thumbs down on it. No one was ever brave enough to actually vote thumbs down. If they didn't like it got a sideways thumb. 2) The Grandma Peterson wave as people leave. This developed over time to include the Don Hinton family salute, the hand over the heart, and the ever-favorite blowing of kisses. All of them make for a great send off. Oh, and before you leave, Mom puts the chair in front of the door and locks the doors. 3) American Idol- Watch it, discuss it. Everyone needs to join in next year! It's a great tradition!

Hinton Family Traditions

As part of the Hinton reunion, families reminisced and recorded their family traditions. Since none of our children were able to attend, we've collected their remembrances of our traditions over the phone. Here's our list: Hinton Family Traditions Holidays New Years: Everyone writes a new year’s resolution on a piece of paper and folds it up and puts it in a ornament which we hang in our entry all year to remind us of our resolution. We open them the next year to see how we’ve done. Aebelskivers on New Years morning Birthdays: Each person chooses their favorite meal for their birthday Valentines: Small gift on Valentines, Make heart shaped sugar cookies Easter: Color and hide eggs, Scotcharoos, Easter picnic on Saturday, ham and ham sauce for Easter dinner Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day: Make homemade vanilla ice cream Sometime in the summer go to Idaho to visit Grandma and Grandpa Gabe. Hinton Reunion Fall: One Saturday each autumn (usually the last Sat. in Sept) we go to Kolob and “touch the sky” and picnic. Halloween: Make pumpkin sugar cookies, eat Halloween soup and pumpkin bread for dinner. Thanksgiving: Traditional Thanksgiving dinner including rot col and Grandpa’s yams. Christmas: Go to the mountains to get our tree with the Hinton family. Advent Calendar, Book Basket: Open a Christmas book or story each night of December and read it. Caroling as we gave neighbor gifts, Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Gabe’s- read the story from Luke 2, Open gifts one at a time, PJs on Christmas eve, Make caramels Family Home Evening: Favorite activities (why doesn’t anybody remember the lessons???): Softball in the park, Kick the can, Annie-I-over, hide and go seek in the dark Family scripture study, family prayer (put hands in circle and yell “Yoshi! at the end of the prayer), singing around the piano, singing while we travel, singing answering machine messages, Father’s blessings at the start of the school year Attend church meetings, Fasting, Preparing for the temple, pay tithing and offerings, attend extended family’s baptisms, mission farewells and homecomings, weddings when possible. Attend each other’s functions: Kristen’s sporting events, Shonna’s music programs, Michelle’s dance performances and plays. Everyone attends everyone’s. Eat dinner together, Mom reading to kids when they’re little, then reading whatever they’re reading all through school and discuss it together. “HI YA!!! You can’t have her, she’s mine.”Mom would hold daughter close and pretend someone was trying to take away child. She would karate chop them. “Pinchy, Fisty, Flatty, Cutty, Cow”- a game taught us by Rick Hintons Michelle reading Sunday comics every week with Dad. Shonna and Mom playing duets on the piano (What would Christmas be without “Sleigh Ride”?) Daddy goes to girls camp every year to be the priesthood representative. Playing games with Mom at night (you have to keep playing until Mom wins!): Labyrinth, Rook, Careers for Girls, Bazaar, etc. Daddy brushes out daughters’ hair (by the wood stove when little, with blow dryer when older) Sunday night phone calls to those living away from home, Rub mom’s feet, tickle Dad’s head Travel: Everyone gets to choose one treat at the gas station, singing together in car- everyone takes turns choosing song. We start with Dad who ALWAYS chooses “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad. His 2d turn is ALWAYS “Give Said the Little Stream”! Travel games: guess the starburst flavor, word of song game, ABCs Chores: Clean house on Saturdays, Mom has chore lists (everyone wants the one with “check the fire alarms and dust the wainscoting) We do certain chores on certain days, i.e. Laundry on Mondays Grow a garden, everyone helps with canning and freezing. Homemade apple pies When something is broken, put it on Daddy’s dresser for him to fix it.

Home Away From Home

Nearly every day, I spend an hour in this beautiful pool. I went six times this week. I LOVE to swim, and though my knee still feels tight, I think it's helping to strenghten it and the other knee - preparing for it's surgery. As you can see, midday I have the pool pretty much to myself- just me and the lifeguard! As Blake would say, I'm a swimming fool!

4th of July!

We enjoyed a quiet, just the two of us celebration of our country's birth. We had a barbecue(unbelievably good orange roughy!), bruschetta, and the traditonal homemade vanilla ice cream. We walked out to "the bench" overlooking the valley to enjoy the fireworks. If you look closely at the picture, you can make out the temple to the left of the sparkly burst!

Memory Lane

At the Hinton reunion, we received a disk with wonderful photos from Ken's parents' collection(thank you, Clark!). These pictures were taken at my first Hinton reunion, 1977- 31 years ago! Aren't they fun?

This Old Car!

My Dodge Stratus hit a big milestone last week: 100,000 miles! To celebrate, I've had it in for repairs twice in the last few days. One morning, I awoke to a completely flat tire in the back. Then, we had $400 worth of repairs to the passenger-side windows; neither would work. I'm thinking it's time to sell and move on . . .though it does get good gas mileage!