Twas a week after Christmas, and everywhere in my house,

No children were playing and making a mess.

The cushions on the couch were placed there with care

And the rest of the house was without toys and bare.

 Grandpa was reading & grandma was making up the bed

But with visions of children dancing through their heads.
No cookies were baking, no games being played
Just quiet & sadness, everyone’s gone, no one stayed.

 When into my thoughts came a very big question,

Will they come back again & make my home  fun?
Away to the computer I flew very fast,
Typed a few words that I hope will last.

 The best part of “family time” is being together,

No matter the muss or the fuss or too much clutter.
Come back anytime, we want you to stay
For that is what matters to us to this day.

 Our house is too quiet, too lonely,  too clean.

Come play with us, stay and we’ll all be a team.
We’ll play games, eat cookies, be rowdy too.
We love one another, for that is the rule!

 

Merry Christmas

The Season Is Upon Us!  I have decorated my little family room space.  It is so cozy.  We are loving this house.  I have been Christmas shopping and it is almost done.  YEA!  I am now just trying to enjoy the season every day and all that comes with it.  Listening to Christmas music, watching Christmas shows and movies.  I am leaving all the candy and cookies and goodies to someone else to make.  I do not want to be tempeted by them every day.  And enjoying family whenever I get to see them.

Finally, I am trying to concentrate more on the Savior and his birth and mission.  My heart is warmed when I do this.  For HE IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!  And WISEMEN (WOMEN) STILL SEEK HIM.  When I remember this I go out into the world a better person.

Merry Christmas to  you all.  May the Savior be part of your celebration too.

Thanksgiving is Coming & I am Thankful!

Our  weather is like a roller coaster - up and down and smooth and bumpy and up and ...  You get the idea.  Today rolled in cloudy and then it rained &the wind blew and now the sun is out brightly.  No complaining though because we need the moisture.  I only hope it is a good day for Thanksgiving, since most of the grandkids will be here.  It is a day to look forward  to.  Family gathering, cooking, baking, eating, talking, playing with the grandkids.  Oh what fun!

I am thankful for:
  * Family most of all.  I love to have them gather here at our house. It is crazy when they come, but oh so fun. 
  * Brent.  Since it is just the two of us, we have to think of new things to do together so we won't be boring.  We seem to do a good job of it.
  * The Church especially.  Where in the world would I be without the church?  Every day I am thankful for the gospel which helps me to continue to grow and stretch, which is sometimes hard at my old age.
  * My new home.  It is smaller, but a serene place and has everything we need.  It has been fun decorating it.
  * The area I live in - Sleepy Ridge.  It is so beautiful here.  We have a gorgeous view of Utah Lake in our back yard.  We can also see all the mountains surrounding the valley.  The views continually inspire me.
 * Friends, old & new.  It is comforting to know my old friends are still around with their friendship but fun to make new friends in this neighborhood.
  * Health is wonderful.  Despite my feet problems, I am really rather healthy and I feel good most of the time.  Just a little slower.
  * Wealth, well, at least enough to live on.  We have been blessed to have enough and to spare.  What more could one ask for.
  * My Savior, Jesus Christ.  Just knowing how much he loves me and helps me makes me able to accomplish anything I want to.
 
Be grateful for all you have in life.  I AM>

Griffin Family Reunion!

     Well, the time finally came for all of us to head to California & Disneyland, the site of our Griffin
Family Reunion.  We stayed about a 10 min. drive from the entrance in the Anaheim Sheraton Hotel.  Very nice.  Some arrived on Tuesday (Oct. 2) but most of us arrived on Wednesday (Oct. 3).  Thursday morning most of us met at 8:30 am and headed to Disneyland.  Some did come later too.  We tried to stay together for rides, but too many ages and too many "want to go on that", so we did the best we could.  Grandpa & I went with the older ones and then the younger ones, trying to spend time with everyone.  The weather was perfect and Disneyland was decorated up for Halloween, such fun!  Loved seeing the little kids' faces as we did many different things.  They were always so excited.  I remember going on TOY STORY with April, Luke & her kids and  I had Jude with me.  The ride was so fun.  We had guns we got to shoot at targets along the way.  Jude kept saying:  "this is awesome", "this is awesome".  It was so fun.  Riding Tow Mater was just plain fun.  Loved California Soarin'.  But I think all the older kids loved California Screamin the best with Tower of Terror in 2nd place.  Neither of which I rode- too old.

     After 2 days at Disneyland & California Adventure, we spent Saturday at Huntington Beach.  It was a beautiful day and the kids had so much fun just playing in the surf and sand.  The adults - girls anyway - just sat & enjoyed watching and talking.  That night grandpa took us all out to dinner.  What an experience with 30 people!!!

    It was a sad day on Sunday when we all had to leave.  I love the times we can all gather together and remember how much we all care about each other.  I say this was a great gathering and hope to have many more in the future.

Wasn't That Fun???

     Friday it began.  I started culling my house and taking those items out to the garage for what else?  A Garage Sale!  The garage was totally full of the "stuff" I wanted to get rid of or that would not go in our new house. 
     Saturday morning I got up at 5:00 am to begin the process of moving everything out to the front yard, eat breakfast, put on my makeup and comb my hair.  Wanted to look presentable, didn't I???  It took about an hour to get everything outside and situated for the sale.  Then we had to go around and put up the signs.  About 1/2 hour before it was even supposed to start, people started comming.  So, I obliged them.  It was a steady stream of people for about 2 hours and then it started to taper off a bit.  But for the next 2 hours there were always people there.  At the end of the 4-hour sale there was not much left.  Brent was totally impressed that we had sold so much.
     It took 2 truckloads to take the remaining items to Deseret Industries and then our house was half empty.  YEA!!  I was completely spent.  No more energy in my body at all.  I just wanted to sit and do nothing.  It had gotten real hot too.  I spent a while totaling all the CASH - mostly 1 dollar bills.  There must have been some others in there too because I made $1,410.75.  Not a bad morning sale.
     I am so glad it is all over.  Monday morning I will take the stash of money to the bank.  I am sure it will be put to good use too.  But Monday morning signals the beginning of the packing phase of this move.  I hope I am up to it.  I get tired just thinking about it.  Next week I hope it is all over and all I have to do is unpack in my new home.

Am I blue??? Missing You????

Man it is quiet around here!

The house is all clean and quiet and nothing much is going on it it.  Dad & I are back in our quiet routines again.  Read a book, do some yard work, clean the house, make a quilt.  OHHHHHHH we miss the action so much of our recent family occupying the basement room.  The sleepovers, the swimming parties, the noise.  Our grandkids are our favorite people and we love to be with them.  Wish we still had the energy to keep up with all their activities.  The hike to the "Y" and breakfast at Kneaders.  Nickel City adventures.  The many hours spent playing with cousins while moms & sisters visited with each other.  These are the things that make my life exciting.  I will remember with fond memories these past times together and look forward to the future times we get to spend together.

Where are we going?

We left Provo, UT, on Friday, June 8, around 1:00 pm driving our little, red,  Nissan rental car.  We were going wherever the road takes us.  Our first night found us in Grand Junction, CO.  That night we plan our destination together, wondering what "wonders" we will see along the way that will capture our attention.  The next day, on our way to ???, we come across BISHOPS CASTLE.  Mr. Bishop has been building this edifice for approx. 30 years.  We, along with all the other people who stopped at the side of the road, venture into this primitive structure to see what has been accomplished in 30 years.  Actually, quite a bit.  As you can see from this sideways picture (sorry, don't know how to change it) it is quite the place.  We all got to wander through the structure.  About 4 stories high too.  Then we were off to our next stopping place which happened to be in La Veta, CO.  A quaint tiny town.  We stayed in a B&B which is always fun.  This one was built in 1889.  The next morning being Sunday, we went off to another little town to find the LDS church.  We found a small branch in Walsenberg, CO, and went to church there with 32 other people.  A good morning.  We then drove to Pikes Peak and boarded the cog train to the top peak at 14,110 ft.  Tallest peak  I have ever been on.  Quite an adventure.

We stayed that night in the town at the bottom of the cliff.  Next morning we headed out to Pagosa Springs.  A beautiful town up in the mountains at 8,800 ft. with a natural healing spring - 23 pools you could go to.

We stayed in a cute little cabin that night and the next day we drove up through Shiprock, NM, on our way to Bluff, UT where we stayed and then returned home the next day.

Great adventure we had.  We will do another one someday and go to some new place we have never been before.

Mother's Day!  It is a day of many thoughts.  Thoughts about my own mom and thoughts about me as a mom.  When I was a younger mother, I did not like MD.  It made me feel guilty and bad about all the things I didn't do.  But now, I embrace being a mother.  What a wonderful calling in life.  Whenever I look at a newborn baby I see such a miracle waiting to become.  I loved all of my "babies" fiercly and wanted so much to be the best for them.  I hope I was.  Anyway, I tried.  Now I look at my mom & she doesn't even know she is my mother anymore and it makes me very sad.  We did not always see eye to eye about things, but she was a good mom and loved me a lot.  She sewed me new dresses all the time.  I was almost the best dressed girl at school.  I was always stylish.  I didn't buy my mom a present this year because she doesn't even know what a gift is or what to do with anything but food.  She still knows how to eat - thank heavens!  Someday she may even lose that.  But I try to maike her feel loved and cared for when I go visit.

  Then there are my 6 daughters who are such wonderful mothers.  They are so much better than me.  Their children are loved and cared for so much by them.  I hope I can always remember who they are and how much I love them.  That is probably the saddest thing about my mom.  She does not know me and does not know how much I love her.  But tomorrow when I visit I will tell her again!

The Day My Mother Died, but Didn't

What a day.  I am getting ready to return to Utah from San Diego when I get this telephone call and the lady says she is from Home Health and that my mother just died peacefully.  Naturally I am shocked!  Certainly not expecting this, but then it could be.  I cry, Trisha cries.  I call Brent, I text all my children, I call my sister Debra and she calls our brother & sister.  I am in shock driving to the airport, but really OK.  I am glad mother has gone peacefully and left this world where she hardly exists. 

I am now at the airport.  I get a call from the Assisted Living Home where mother is, telling me Debra just called her about mom's death and really, Mom has not died.  She is there at the home and is OK.  What????????  How can this be?  Then Debra calls me and tells me it is true, mom is alive & well.  I then call the lady that called me and leave her a message that is bordering on severe anger.  How could someone do that to you.

I am now home.  It seems like a dream I woke up from.  Still can't believe it.  I get 3 messages from the nurse that called me appologizing and appologizing and hoping I can forgive her this mistake.  I am still a bit angry to call her back, but eventually I leave her a message that I do forgive her, but that she caused quite a bit of trauma in our lives. I never want to repeat this day again.  NEVER!

I am the LUCKY ONE!  I have a family that I see often and they are so special to me.  Here is a list of those I love:  Camille, Sarah, Trisha, Katie, Meg, April, Randy, Sean, Matt, Jared, Kaleb, Luke, Troy, Ryan, Kayla, Riley, Lexi, Kylie, Lauren, Ethan, Raegan, Jude, Knox, Celine, Tage, Aliah, Jaren & Avery.  So many people in my life.  No wonder I am a happy person.  If I get feeling down, I just think of my family and remember some of the fun things we have done together and I am happy again.  Each one is a leaf of my 4-leaf clover.  I have enough to make a whole pot full. 

I am the LUCKY ONE!  I have a wonderful husband who is so good to me.  We have been married 41 years and still counting. It is hard to remember back to the beginning, but when I do it is a fun experience.  Rememering all the fun and special things that brought us together.  Now there is just the 2 of us and we are always trying to find something fun to do  together.  We go to movies, out to eat, on little and big vacations.  St. George is a fun destination for us.  In the summer time we take our trailer and go on adventures.  Sometimes alone, sometimes with grandkids.

I am the LUCKY ONE!  I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I am a Mormon!  That has made all the difference in my life.  I am continually learning things that make me a better person, a better Christian.  Only if you are better, nicer, kinder, more patient, not accusing & gracious are you  true follower of Christ.  That is my goal!

I am the LUCKY ONE!  I live in the United States of America, land of the free.  I love this country and hate to see the direction we are heading in - socialism.  I pray every day that this land will continue to be blessed and set apart from all the other countries in the world.  I am for Mitt Romney and taking back America.  I feel it has been hijacked by our current president and those that approve of him.  They do not really understand what makes America great.  The Great American Dream will turn into a nightmare if we are not careful of its greatness.

I am the LUCKY ONE!  I have a home, enough to eat, clothes to wear, and some $$ for entertainment.  I try to be generous to causes that help the poor so they too can have enough.

May you count yourself the LUCKY ONE this month as you consider all that is in your wonderful life.

Valentine's Day has passed by with chocolate strawberries from my sweetheart.  After 41 years of marriage, we have done it all - almost!  But a sweet gesture is always appreciated.  We get to spend a lot of time together since we are the only ones at our place, so I never feel neglected.

Some of our activities is the past month are:  A few day trip to St. George where the weather was just sunny and great.  Brent got to golf and I got to shop.  So that makes it fun for both of us.  Then a few days later we flew to Phoenix, AZ, for some medical meetings.  We stayed in Scotsdale which is the upscale part of town.  Our villa was very nice, just like a very small apartment.  The Robinson's and Lorscheiders were in town also, so the guys took an afternoon to golf in the 75 degree weather and the girls went out to lunch and then shopping in a very fun mall about 1 block from where we were staying.  The weather was absolutely wonderful.  The last day before we left, we drove out to see Janis & Greg.  Haven't been to their place for years.  Greg took Brent mule riding and Janis, Noel & I went and did a little shopping, then out to dinner that night.  It was a lot of fun to see them.  Brent hated to return home to the cold weather and said we should go there more often.

Brent works every day and I quilt every day.  That is our life.  At night we have been watching "Downton Abby" series.  It is so good.  We have really  enjoyed this together.  I teach a quilt class every other Monday at the church and go to a Book of Mormon class every Tuesday.  I usually get to the temple once a week too.  That is pretty much my week.  Last week we went to see the Oakridge Boys with Reed & Cathy and Mike & Carolann.  They are old, but it was a lot of fun for a night.  Friday night we had some of our grandkids (Celine, Tage, Aliah, Jude & Knox, Jaren too) for an overnighter.  We watched "Mary Poppins" and ate goodies.  It was a lot of fun.  Sunday was dinner at Meg's, so got to catch up with most of my family. 

What the rest of the month hold?  I have no idea, but I am sure it will be enjoyed by me.

Christmas has come & gone.  The decorations are put away and the house is back to normal -  almost!  It is just too quiet however, after having a housefull of people for the holidays.  It was a lot of fun being together.  Our family Christmas party was a lot of fun this year.  We have started a new tradition of having Santa (who is he? someone we know?) visit us.  The grandkids thought it was a lot of fun and also funny!  "Grandma, I can see the elastic on his beard!"

Now we are on to new adventures that await us in 2012.  Wonder what they will be???? Just hope I am capable of enjoying all that this new year has to offer.