You Know You're 'Vintage" When...

You open the weekly local newspaper and see this picture of a few old duffers and realize..

One of them having the neighborly chat is, in fact, your old neighbor. When you lived next door to the guy on the right he was about 10 years old and played with your two younger brothers. Paul was a cute little blond-headed boy at the time. Whaaaaa? You think he looks old enough to be somebody's Grampa...yours!

You decided to apply for Social Security at the earliest possible age and your first check will be auto-deposited next week. You think you might have heard a tiny little curse word slip through your lips without warning.

You get interrupted while applying your make-up and don't realize for two hours that you had forgotten to do one eye! You wonder why the friend who comes to do yard maintenance is looking at you in a very strange way...

You get wrinkles in places that do not smile, or frown, or laugh or do anything but sit there...like your arms??

You could go on and on if you could remember what you wanted to say about being vintage and see your keyboard without squinting..

You ask yourself about 50 times a day, "What is this world possibly coming to?"

You really have no problem with vintage as long as it is not REALLY about you! But then your mind wanders and ...

You wonder if Obama has cash for clunkers other than cars? And then you remember he does...and you'll see it in your bank account next Wednesday!

Then for a second you think...well, maybe it's not that bad to be a clunker vintage. You glance down at your wrinkled parts and know the relief you had just felt was oh, so temporary.

And the Winner is..........

It is always fun to do a give away and I seriously wish each and every one of you could have been the recipient was something fun coming in the mail. After Jim came home last night I had him select the winner and she is........drum roll.........Shelli! Congratulations, Shell!

This is Shelli and her baby, Chiara!

And because I know you want to see what Chiara looks like
here is a photo of Shelli, her husband Eldon, and Chiara!

And because I bet you'd like to see one more photo
of this adorable little girl and and her big beautiful smile....

Heeerrre's Chiara!

And because her Grandma, Connie, is
one of my dearest friends in all the world...
here is what she looks like at one of
her happiest moments....
Chiara's first trip to visit!

Shelli is the author of the blog I just featured the other day about the Spilled Milk and Frozen Chicken. If you didn't get chance to read it, now that you know her better, how can you resist? You will then know why I am especially glad to go shopping for her today. After I get the prize and she has received it, I will show you what it was!

Thanks to all who participated, it was nice to hear from you all in the comments section! Make it a great day!

Happy Birthday Lowell!

Happy Birthday, To Our Lowell!

I have never been one to like the "in-law" designation. It just implies some kind of obligation to care about someone and a distance that I do not think belongs in families. It is like always designating an adopted child as "adopted"...that setting apart is so unnecessary. When our son, Chris was growing up he was sad that he didn't have any brothers. What his parents couldn't give him, his sisters have! We love Lowell and Robert and Melissa with all of our hearts.

Lowell being a Harry Potter fan...
Just know we are thrilled you
have been sorted into our House!
Cake found on cakewrecks.com

Lowell has been our son for almost 12 years now! He has brought so much joy and fun and love into our lives, and such peace in knowing he is a good husband to Jen, and a wonderful father to our granddaughters.

Birthday portrait drawn by Piper for her Daddy.

Julia's self portrait with her Daddy

Lowell is a very talented musician and has a really wonderful singing voice. He loves choral music, as well a lot of other types of music, but I bet he hasn't heard this piece before. (Oh, knowing him he probably has but it reminded me of his days in Extempo.) So enjoy, Lowell! Turn your volume up a little! Close your eyes and listen to the rain!

Have a wonderful Birthday, Lowell, and a healthy, bright and prosperous new year! We love you!

For Shelli~ As She Keeps On Keeping On!

I read this post Spilled Milk and Frozen Chicken, from my sweet, young friend, Shelli, this morning and wanted to re-post one I did awhile back as my reply to her. Shelli is working nights and tending her tiny baby during the day. You are amazing ♥ you very much!

Punch Toys From Days Gone By

When I was a child there were these toys called punch or bop toys. Usually they were 24 to 36 inches tall and they were made of heavy vinyl. Often they had a picture of a clown on them but not always. The toy was filled with air and then they put some sand in the bottom to make it heavier than the other end. Then you could punch the daylights out of it and it would continually pop back up to the upright position. Now flash forward a few decades.

Recently I have read posts on favorite blogs written by mothers and the horrendous days they have had with their kids. My friend Laura writes about Finger Painting with Ranch. Just the other day I read this one from Vanessa called I Knew Going In. All three of the links to these young mothers' post are worth reading if you get a chance!) We have all had these experiences~different scenarios but the same feelings of exhaustion, desperation, and discouragement.

Although these things seem funny to the rest of us looking in and also maybe even to these young moms after a good night's sleep or two, I think these experiences speak volumes about the amazing character of these great mothers and women. Now I know the same is true of men. But for today I am just talking about women, motherhood, commitment and love.

Women have an uncanny ability to just keep coming back for more and that is what I was thinking about with regards to the punch toys. For me that visual image of getting knocked over and popping right back up is pretty analogous to what moms do every single day. I believe these types of experiences in addition to all the joyous ones, drive the level of love and commitment deeper and deeper into our character every time we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and keep on going. It takes an incredibly healthy, strong, and loving person to do it and that is one of the reasons I love young moms so much. When I watch our daughters, Jen, Laura, and now Missy, go about their regular days I am totally in awe. They do so much, tirelessly serving their families and working to raise these outstanding little people. I honestly don't know how they do it and I cannot even imagine that I once did it too. That is the beauty of the trials and tribulations of the daily routine...they seem to fade like the memories of labor and delivery. And one day all you remember is the love you feel for your kids and how you don't know where you end and they begin. So take heart, my little sisters~its all good in the long run. One day at a time~you are all amazing!

A Simple Woman's Day Book~August 3, 2009

To join in focusing on the simple things and pleasures of your daily life or to read other people's entries, you can click here.

So, For Today...Monday, July August 3, 2009

Outside my window...The day dawn has broken and it has revealed an overcast, breezy morning. We are having a very mild summer. It makes me curious but happy. I have never been a fan of being hot so it has been great for me. I think we have had very few days in the high 90s or 100s.

I am thinking...that I am so happy our group of friends that meets weekly is getting back on track today after the month of July and everyone being so crazy busy. These good friends are so inspiring and encouraging on so many levels...I have missed them a lot. I feel very fortunate to have them in my life~friends are a tremendous and continual blessing.

From the learning room...when necessary I do not mind being alone but it very weird on a Sunday. On Sundays I just like being with others more. I never realized that until yesterday.

From the kitchen...Jim has been gone for the weekend so it has been very quiet in the kitchen but tonight he'll be home so that means today I am grocery shopping and restocking the essentials.

I am wondering...if Steve and Jim are unloading Erin's things from the van and trailer at this very minute. They arrived at Jen and Lowell's at almost midnight last night having left LA at 8:30 am. They had a very long, hot day but made it safe and sound. Today they want to unload in a hurry and get on the road for another 12 hour drive to get home tonight. Ugh!

I am wearing...PJs

I am reading...The Continuous Atonement by Brad Wilcox and a few other books.

I am creating...travel plans for the rest of the year, conference and trip to Lake Tahoe with girlfriends in September, Thanksgiving in Utah, Christmas and New Year's Day Italy. I have played phone tag with the agent booking our flights to Italy all week. I have to get that done this week. Top priority!

I am praying for...better adherence to my weight loss plan and lots of other things and people too.

I am hearing....Michael Ball singing You'll Never Know How Much I Love You.

My spiritual thoughts include...how much I love prayer and how much it is a comfort and a blessing in our lives. How the first thought I have each morning is to pray and each night before I sleep. How keeping a prayer in your heart all day makes things manageable and often very delightful.

Around the house...everything that I plan on doing today involving the house and garden is done except for making the bed. It is pretty easy in that department when you are alone for a few days.

Today I miss..my whole family!

I am hoping...The men and the van make it home safely and without incident and that Erin just loves living in her new home in Salt Lake City and her adventure at the U of U. I hope she meets lots of wonderful friends.

I have been procrastinating...writing some letters by hand...ugh, so slow and tedious when you are use to typing everything.

One of my favorite things...a place for everything and everything in its place.

A few plans for the rest of the week..a birthday luncheon today, restocking the pantry, getting birthday cards and gifts and wedding gifts for this month, beginning my search for a new tub and shower enclosure ideas for our new bathroom, a movie in an old vintage theater in Oakland with some favorite friends on Friday night, and a church conference all weekend where we will be helping make it a great weekend for hundreds of Young Single Adults. We will be back with the old gang of adult leaders we use to serve with in that ward so that will be fun! It is a State wide conference for singles 18 to 30. Can you even imagine the energy that will be found in that spot and the many others hosting similar groups throughout the state? It is like getting a shot of adrenaline!

Here is a picture and a thought I am sharing with you...

I ♥ this painting by Michael Creighton.
He has captured my memories of Italy on his canvas as
though he is was painting it from a snapshot inside of my heart and brain.
I cannot wait to go back in a few months. I love traveling
because it just expands my life from the little triangle
of places where I spend most of my days so much!
There is life and adventure and beauty outside
of our own comfortable little town! Imagine it!
And mixed in with all of that is the anticipated joy
of spending time with our kids and grand boys
whom we have not seen since March 08.
It will be a very Merry Christmas indeed!

Door To Door~Snagged From Laura's Blog

She writes...

Alright I have another Funny Friday post courtesy of Ross. Mama Mia, the kid is a crack up, what can I say?

So- I was upstairs on my bed reading when Ross came in and asked,"Hey, Mom, can I go over to Jacob's house to ask him a question?" Without glancing up from my book I replied, "Sure".

About five minutes later Ross comes back upstairs and says, "Mom, can I go over to Ian's house to ask him a question?" I had vague memories that he had recently asked a question a long those lines, but I was at a critical point in my book so once again without giving it too much thought I answered that he could.

Five more minutes go by and Ross is back in my room- this time asking if he could go to Jonah's house to ask him a question. At this point I realized it was time to investigate. So I put my book down and asked, "Ross, what exactly have you been asking all these people?" "Well", he said hesitantly, "I don't really want to tell you." "Well, if it is not something you want to tell me about it is probably not something you should be doing." I explained.

"Okay... I am just asking if they have any spare money they can give me." "ROSS!!" I exclaim in exasperation. "What?" he asks sheepishly. "Honey, you can't go around asking people for money. If you want money you have to earn it. We have to work for it. It is just not appropriate to go door to door asking for money. Does that make sense?" "Yeah Mom that makes perfect sense." "You're a good boy." Hum, I thought to myself, that was easier than I thought it was going to be.

I dove back into my book but didn't get very far before Ross was back at my side. "Mom, can I go outside for a while." I glanced up from my book beginning to feel a little irritated. "Sure babe- have fun." I finished the chapter I was working on and went down stairs to prepare a few things for dinner. As I was working I looked out the kitchen window but didn't see Ross in the back. Oh no... what is that kid up to now I wondered. I went outside to look for him. I found him in the A section knocking on doors again.

I was shocked. "Ross, what are you doing? You can't go door to door begging for money, remember?" "Oh, I am not asking for money this time Mom." He explained, clearly happy with himself. "I am just saying, Hi I'm Ross, can I help you- for money!"

Seriously! What a stinker. I do have vague memories of my brother, Chris doing something similar in high school. So I figure it is okay, right? I mean if Ross turns out half as good as Chris I'll be a happy mom. Sheezzz- I guess it runs in the family!"

What Laura is referring to about her brother is that he had a great guitar in high school and was about ready to perform at a Pop's Concert. While waiting for their time to go on stage, he let someone look at his guitar for a minute. The kid accidentally dropped and broke the guitar. He had to quickly borrow someone else's for his performance. Chris was heartbroken and knew we could not just run out and buy a new one.

So his brilliant idea.... Get an empty pickle jar. Make a sign for it that says, "Save my Guitar Jar" on it. Look forlorn and take it to each class and leave it on your desk for contributions. In a couple of days he had raised the money (over $100.00) to fix the guitar unbeknownst to us.

Quite truthfully, I cannot remember how we fixed the situation but the money was not used to fix the guitar. I think we donated it to the school or something. But I do remember thinking there are a million things you need to teach your kids before they leave home, but I never, in my wildest imagination thought that "Do Not Panhandle" was one of them! Holy Cow...some kids!

We still have the jar, by the way, and you will be happy to know that in spite of this incident which he mistakenly and momentarily felt was quite clever...~Chris is now honorably earning a living. In his whole life, I think that is the only "naughty thing" he ever did!

Clifford The Big Red Dog

A Facsimile

Meet Clifford the Big Red Dog. He is our big red van and we have had him for several years. Actually this is not our actual big red dog but, one I found on flickr to show you what he looks like. Clifford is very pretty on the outside but he is old, and has traveled many miles in his day. He is on his very last long distance run right now. He is loaded to the gills and pulling a trailer full of our niece's household effects through the hot desert at this very moment.

One time when Clifford was a Pup we took him on a 9000 mile tour of the USA and it was an amazing vehicle to travel in. My theory is that because you are basically sitting in the seat like you would in a comfy chair it is more comfortable than if you have your legs stretched out in front of you like most cars. There is just something about this car...I am not a car person but this car I have genuinely loved. When we bought our newer Toyota van both Jim and I could not tranfer the love. We still haven't. When a car of ours doesn't get a name, well...it is just not good. Clifford is just very roomy and all the grandkids that are old enough to remember riding in Clifford have loved it.

Clifford the Big Red Dog~for reals

Clifford has been a real people mover in his day. Carting loads of young people on great adventures, family and friends all around, and the like. The last one was a biking trip across CA with the young men in our church about a month ago. Clifford has been great but here's the thing. When he came back from the bike trip we learned the A/C had not been working. So off to the shop he went...600 and something dollars later and still no A/C with a list as long as he is of things that need to be done...Clifford has become a money pit.

So today the guys are driving across the desert with no air and a very heavy load and all prayers are focused on safety and endurance until they make it home on Monday night. Jim said the weather is a scorcher...not that they were expecting otherwise, but they were hoping it would not be 103 and rising. They are taking turns riding with Erin in her nice air-conditioned car. They have another 6 hours of driving to get to Jen and Lowell's for the night.

So while they are doing this I have been having some fun. Last night I went to a bridal shower for a lovely young woman that I love dearly. This is Mike and Gabrielle's cute Wedding announcement photo. They met in our Single's Ward! August 27th is their big day!

After that I came home and watched a fantastic movie. It is the White Countess with Ralph Fiennes and Natasha Richardson (Vanessa Redgrave's daughter that died in the skiing accident) and Vanessa and Lynn Redgraves. It was amazing. I highly recommend it if you have Netflix.


Today I went to church and then over to my friend's house to help her with her new Mac. I learned something...I don't know much! Talk about the blind leading the blind...it was comedic. But we muddled through with Jen & Lowell's long-distance tech support. I also learned I cannot work a computer without a mouse. Ugh! That little mouse pad thingy and rolling your finger around on it is for the birds. I know you get use to it eventually but I am not that patient. I don't want to get use to it! If I had to use one of those I would be free of my computer addiction in no time flat. Same with an iPhone...it takes me forever to type on that...no I'll stick to the big desktop iMac.

A Must Have!!

So it is very quiet and boring here at my house right now. But I am going to make a tomato sandwich with a large, beautiful tomato my mother-in-law grew in her garden, put on my jammies before the sun goes down and hang out with myself. And I am not going to be jealous that in a few hours Grampa gets to see our sweet little grandkids and I don't.

As much as I ♥ them I would not have wanted to cross the desert in August with no air, stay for a few hours and then come back. And as much as I have enjoyed having Clifford the Big Red Dog, he's is dying now and I want to remember him the way he was in his prime. Fingers crossed he can make this one last leg of the journey with no problems! And then he will be our new garage for storing things until he goes to the big car heaven in the sky or whatever they have for old, old dogs. I wish dogs had nine lives like cats!

He has been a good doggy so I am thinking the
funeral plan one or two steps up from this would be nice.
We will miss you, Cliffy!
Please bring Grampa and Uncle Steve home safely and
then you can rest from all your labors!