Mormor the Merrier

Mary Anne, Our Finale

2012-01-14T18:48:00.006-07:00

In 1986 our family was living on 644 Fillmore Street in Fillmore, California. We had a wonderful little home in an older neighborhood in a small rural town. Heber was doing better with his teaching at the junior high school and we were enjoying life as best we could. We were ever poor and struggling to make ends meet, but we managed to do so. Heber was paid only during the months he taught, so every summer we faced the task of paying our bills till the October paycheck.

That summer Heber went up to the Heber City area to work in his brother Paul’s rock quarry to earn money and I found out that I was expecting baby number four. Unfortunately, Heber took a fall down the rocky hillside and banged up his leg pretty bad. He somehow drove home with his nasty wound and was laid up for weeks. I had to help dress his wound and soak his leg in Epsom salts for many days while feeling nauseated from the early pregnancy. It wasn’t a fun time.. Heber needed a skin graft to cover the wound and it finally healed up.

I found Dr. William Lehman in Santa Paula to help me through this pregnancy which Heber and I both knew in our hearts would be the last for us. Four children were all we could handle and we were barely affording three. We felt good about this decision and it made this pregnancy all the more special. One evening while Heber and I were getting ready for bed we both felt a distinct strong feeling that we would be having a girl. We hugged and cried and said a prayer together; it was such a wonderful experience. A few of the boy names we liked were Sam and Caleb, though in our hearts we knew it wasn’t going to be a boy. I really wanted to name our baby girl after my sister, Mary Anne. My sister was my best friend and I thought it would be a nice tribute to her.

As the pregnancy went along I remember that there were certain things I could not stand eating or even smelling, namely chicken! I also never wanted tossed salad for some reason and these were foods I loved. Mary Anne was due March 3, 1987, right on my sister’s birthday, but since my other three had come early I assumed this one would, too. Towards the last month of the pregnancy I became ill, very fatigued and sustained constant low fever. The doctor put me on antibiotics and I took Tylenol for the fever but it persisted. I stayed a few days at a friend’s home (Hope and Jerry Asay) to have quiet time to rest and recuperate and even went to stay at Mom and Dad’s for a couple of days. I just had a hard time getting over whatever it was! I finally felt better and was happy to be home again.

On Thursday, February 19^th I started contractions which were pretty strong and regular. We drove over to Santa Paula to have Dr. Lehman check me. He didn’t feel I was ready to be admitted and sent me home. I was so discouraged! We even stopped at a diner on the way home to have some dinner just to try to cheer me up a little. Only a woman 9 months pregnant can understand how blue I was!

The contractions continued all that evening, night and the next day. They wouldn’t get strong enough or regular enough to run back to the hospital, but they never went away, either. Finally that night after 11:00 PM I threw up and started feeling very strong contractions. We watched some David Letterman for a while but I soon knew it was time.

We took the kids over to our good friends, Julie and David Woodfield (bless them!), and drove the highway over to Santa Paula Hospital. It was a nice little hospital with kind nurses to take care of us. Once again I declined an epidural but during the worst part of labor I begged to have something to help me through. I was given some Demoral which was wonderful! It felt like the pains were in the room next door. So this is what it’s like to have pain meds! I was finally ready to go to the delivery room. Only a few pushes and the baby made her entrance at 5:01 AM on Saturday, February 21, 1987. Dr. Lehman was out of town so a Dr. Patrick Diesfeld delivered her with no problem. A girl! I was so excited to have my little Mary Anne! She was my smallest baby weighing in at 7 lbs 11 oz. I still remember when the nurses put pre-warmed blankets on me right after the delivery and how luscious and comfortable they felt! Ahhhh! Heaven!!

The room at the hospital was made up like a cozy bedroom and some friends and family came to visit that day. I was trying to find something on TV but since it was Saturday it was slim pickens. I finally found a movie to watch but soon realized it was “Rosemary’s Baby!” Ack! Not the movie to watch right after giving birth. So much for TV. Heber brought the kids to the room window so they could wave hello and get a peek at their new sister. That night Heber and I were served a nice steak dinner right in my room. I felt great and was so happy.

Knowing this was my last baby made life with Mary Anne very sweet. I enjoyed every minute and held on to every moment of her babyhood. Remember the first child? Being so stressed over whether or not she would meet every milestone on time and constantly comparing her to other babies to see if she was doing okay? Worrying about whether she would stop breathing in the middle of the night? It was stressful and worrisome. Not with the last baby!

Mary Anne was a girl on the go with so much energy and love. She was interested in everything her older siblings did and wanted to join in. She was social and had many little friends who would come to play. She loved going for walks, spending the night at Grandma and Papa’s, collecting little toys and especially loved animals…stuffed or real. She brought humor and love to all she did. Our family was complete when Mary Anne came to stay.

My mom holding her youngest grandchild...that's the beautiful blanket crocheted by Heber's sister Hilary.

2012-01-12T20:21:00.002-07:00

Sweet Baby James

Written January 12, 2012

In 1984 Heber and I were residing at 917 Orange Grove Avenue in South Pasadena, California with our two children, Lisa and Philip. The Orange Grove house was our first venture into buying part of a home; we bought 25% of it and my parents owned the remainder. We purchased it from Bill and Sallie Porter, my parents’ closest friends and Heber and I lived in it for about a year. It was very small, about 800 square feet, and cheaply made, but to this day it was my favorite house and I miss it dearly. It had a heavy wooden front door with an iron hinged opening to peer out of. My favorite part of the deal was the huge old oak tree in the front yard…huge, shade-giving and kind. This home had a shaggy, grassy backyard for the kids to play in, too. It was a wonderful sweet home for us.

Once again I was expecting another child. Dr. Brown, who delivered Philip, retired so I found an actual OB/GYN, Dr. Frederick Austin to see me through my pregnancy. He was okay, but he was no Dr. Brown! I felt great most of the time and did tons of walking as we were a one-vehicle family. I pushed the stroller all over South Pas and loved taking Lisa and Philip to the old South Pasadena Library for story time or walking to Taco Treat with a silver coin given to me from Mom. Taco Treat would sell one burrito for one silver dime or three burritos for a silver quarter.

The new baby was due August 18^th, and with this new arrival were a few major changes to our family. Heber was finishing his schooling at Cal State LA for his teaching certificate and started looking for an actual public school teaching position. I managed to paint commissions here and there and tried to contribute a few dollars to our struggling family.

Heber applied to several school districts and was offered a position at Fillmore Junior High School in Fillmore, California, nestled amongst orange, lemon and avocado groves in Ventura County. At the same time, an architectural firm bought a nearby building and wanted our lot and a few neighboring lots for their parking lot. They made my parents a good offer and we made some money on the deal. Since they had no interest in the house itself we sold it for $5000.00 and it was eventually towed away to Highland Park! It remains there on Elgin Street.

As we got ready to move away from our snug happy home I grew large with child! Fillmore School District sent Heber to a reading conference in Oregon for a week in August, but it was before I was due. He traveled there by train and of course we had no cell phones to keep in constant touch with. I remember he called me from Oregon to see how I was getting along and he said he’d gone to go see Ghostbusters in the theatre and I was so envious! Heber would soon be coming home and I was excited to see him.

On August 10^th my mom took the kids and I to McDonalds in Alhambra for a fun evening out. I remember I had a Big Mac. My mom was so generous and kind…just little things like this were so helpful to this temporarily single mom.

That night I woke up around 3 AM to a gush of water…a very rude awakening! I had never had my water break on its own, so this was a new sensation. I got up and thought, “Oh Heber, why can’t you be here!” He was due home tomorrow, and it looked like the baby wasn’t waiting for dad. I got up and showered. I had contractions but nothing steady or hard. The doctor had told me to head to the hospital if my water broke so I felt like I better do it. I reluctantly called my parents to tell them and they were there for me. My dad watched the kids and my mom drove me to the same little hospital in San Gabriel where Philip was born. Bless my mom’s heart! She stayed with me all that day waiting for labor to happen. We watched the Los Angeles Olympics and cheered for Greg Louganis. The day was so long and tedious. My labor wouldn’t shift into gear and I was getting worn out. Heber was on a train coming home. Who would get here first, Heber or the baby?

That afternoon Dr. Austin decided to help get the labor going and it did indeed get going fast! My mom stayed right with me and Dad went down to the train station to pick up Heber and tell him I was giving birth! It was a tight race. I was transferred to the delivery room and no Heber yet. My mom held my hand through the contractions and pushing and watched her grandson James Keith Trunnell enter the world. Though I missed my husband being there it was a special experience to have my mother with me. My dad met Heber at the train station right about the time I gave birth. They made it back to the hospital thirty minutes after the fact. Craig and Ginny were already there and had seen James before Heber did!

James was a wonderful sweet baby who only resided at the Orange Grove house for about a week before we packed up and moved to Fillmore. What a summer!

The saddest part of moving was when the oak tree was chopped down to make way for the parking lot. I cried. It made me think of Joni Mitchell’s song, “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.” But life for our family took a fresh start in Fillmore where Heber honed his teaching skills through the furnace of the junior high classroom and I took care of three small children in a new place!

James was an interesting little guy. As a toddler he took off running at any opportunity. We often had to chase him down the sidewalk and grab him before he made it to the corner. He loved to go next door to our neighbors, the Parkers, to see their cuckoo clock. He was so enchanted with that thing! One time in sacrament meeting he stood up on the bench, pointed to the clock on the wall and exclaimed very loudly, “COO COO CWOCK!!! COO COO CWOCK!!”

James was accident prone, he fell a lot and had many bumps, scars and bruises. He had curly blonde hair and a sweet smile. He loved police cars, called them “Oooo cars” (because of the sirens). Soon a policeman was called an “Oooo man” and then anyone in any uniform was an “Oooo man.” He loved this little book about helicopters that we checked out of the library about a hundred times. He loved the Parker’s English Springer Spaniel George and used to sit on him. James was a fun addition to our family.

Second Born, First Son

2012-01-09T18:30:00.001-07:00

Welcoming a second child into our family was not the same as welcoming the first. We knew the ropes, we’d been there done that, so the scary unknown was not a factor. The pregnancy was very similar to the first except that I didn’t throw up at all. I felt great most of the time and was so excited to have child number 2.

I didn’t go see a doctor right away; we had gone to Kokomo, Indiana to sell books for the summer. It was a mostly horrible summer living in a moldy (mold on the walls, really!), bee-infested old apartment with Heber’s sister Carmen and her husband Patrick. Spending the days with Carmen while Heber tried to sell books to people who had no money was the only highlight of my time there. We cooked, went for walks and even sewed.

Towards the end of the summer I flew home to my parents since Heber and I did not have any place to live at that time. He was done with school at BYU, so we decided to live in Southern California to be near my family. Heber would be there in a few weeks; I took the opportunity to look at some apartments and found one on Garfield Avenue in South Pasadena. A few other LDS families with small children lived there, so it seemed inviting and fun.

I also made an appointment to see a doctor in Pasadena; it was getting towards September and I had no prenatal care yet. Shame on me! I heard about a doctor practicing in San Gabriel, Dr. Brown, who was LDS and charged a nominal fee ($350) for poor couples like us! I switched over to Dr. Brown and loved him! He took good care of us in his grandfatherly way. My due date was set for December 31^st.

Heber found work with L.D. Harvey doing construction making a low wage but the boss was hard to work for. We knew Heber had to get his teaching certification going so he signed up for classes and looked for a new job. He considered jobs as diverse as bug exterminator, air traffic controller (good heavens!) and auto parts sales. In the meantime I worked on making our new little apartment a home and preparing for the new baby. Lisa was still a baby herself. We loved taking her to Garfield Park and also Lacy Park in San Marino. There was a group of moms who would get together for outings to the parks or Arboretum.

At one visit I asked Dr. Brown, “Do you think it’s a boy or a girl?” He said, “Yep!”

On Christmas Eve we went to my parents’ annual Christmas Eve dinner and program. I was nearing the end of my pregnancy and was huge. We had a fun evening with family and went home to get some sleep. Tomorrow was Christmas and we had a few presents for little Lisa to open.

At 5:00 AM I woke up with contractions…really??? On Christmas Day??? I got up and watched TV; the only thing on was a Shirley Temple movie. I wanted to see if this labor was for real. It was. I woke Heber up and got sleepy Lisa up, grabbed her gifts and headed for my parents’ home. We dropped her off and told them to let her open her presents when she woke up. I remember her big gift from us was a Fisher-Price record player. Heber then drove me to the hospital, the wrong hospital! We knew it was in San Gabriel on this certain avenue but we had never been there. When we went in and they told us they didn’t have a maternity ward I almost cried. Then they told us the place we wanted was Valley Vista Hospital just a few blocks down the street. So back we went in the car and found the right place.

When I was in the labor room there was one other mother in labor in an adjoining room. She was Hispanic, I assumed, and every time a contraction would hit she would yell, “I YI YI YI YI!” This went on for hours. My contractions progressed along and I was soon in the delivery room and in came Dr. Brown. I apologized for making him come in on Christmas morning but he was more than fine about it and said he’d already opened his gifts. While getting prepped for delivery (no enema today! yay!) Heber came very close to fainting, but he made it through.

Philip Grable Trunnell came into this world without a hitch. He was a handsome little baby boy and cried like a little seagull. We were so ecstatic with our second cute healthy child! Heber’s parents had over forty grandkids but Philip was the first to carry the Trunnell name. (Heber was the first son after seven daughters). Again we received many wonderful gifts from friends and relatives which were greatly appreciated. He received cards from both his great grandmothers Linnea Spjut and Carlie Shurtliff.

Philip was named after Heber’s great-grandfather Philip Grable Trunnell who was also born on Christmas Day! Heber and I both have Uncle Phil’s whom we love and admire. I so enjoyed my new baby boy and Lisa. I loved being a mom and staying home with my children. I never wanted a career and hoped to be able to stay home to raise my kids. Heber has always worked very hard so that I could do so.

Our Firstborn

2012-01-06T17:03:00.002-07:00

I guess whenever a couple has a baby it truly is a miracle, but especially when the first baby arrives it seems that no one else on earth has ever had a baby before. Let’s face it: despite reading all the books you can on childbirth, parenting and raising kids, there just is no way to know what it’s like until it happens.

In 1979 Heber and I lived In Provo, Utah in a top portion of an old house at 284 E 100 N #3. Our rent was $125.00 a month. I remember my Uncle Harlan stopped by once and immediately proclaimed it a firetrap, which it surely was, but we were in love and all was well. Soon after marriage I found out I was pregnant and was so excited! I borrowed books from friends and read all about pregnancy and childbirth. My doctor was Dr. Lewis. Heber’s family soon started calling me Preg-Annette and when I was far along I loved singing “I am the beautiful reflection, of my love’s affection, a walking illustration of his adoration,” from the movie “Funny Girl.”

Picking out names proved rather tough…Heber and I didn’t agree on a lot of them. I remember that he really loved the name Truman because it sounded like True Man, but it just didn’t go well with Trunnell…Truman Trunnell. He also liked Gabriel for a boy, but I wasn’t too keen on it. For a girl’s name Heber loved Genevra which was supposedly from some poem, but I found it absolutely hideous (apologies to all you Genevra’s out there). I had always loved the name Lisa…I had two good friends named Lisa and I have a cousin Lisa who is wonderful. It just seemed like a beautiful no-nonsense name, and-- bonus-- Heber liked it, too! Since I didn’t have a middle name I decided that our baby (if a girl) would have no middle name either.

One thing Heber and I were in complete agreement on; no son of ours would ever be named Heber. Heber was named after his father and it has been a source of confusion and trouble for many years. That in itself is another story to write.

As the pregnancy progressed I continued to walk all over town every day (no car) and though somewhat nauseous, only threw up once. Heber’s brother Paul and his wife Bobbi were expecting, also, so we attended childbirth classes at the hospital. During the birth film Paul fainted. Heber came close. When Heber and Paul had a masonry job in Kanab, Utah we all stayed there in a trailer and had a lot of fun.

That Christmas I sold a painting and bought plane tickets to fly to California to be with my family. It was such a fun trip and I received money to purchase a sewing machine. I used it to make some clothes for the baby. We also went to Los Angeles with my parents to see the Broadway musical, Annie. What a fun time we had. It was our first Christmas together and our only one without kids.

A month before I was due we moved to a basement apartment a few blocks away…it had two bedrooms and a washer and dryer, a bigger kitchen, plus we were able to set up our new waterbed. I loved that basement apartment; it stayed snug warm in the winter and was right next to a nice quiet park. I don’t recommend moving when 8 months along, but it was a good move. By the way, when did we quit talking about pregnancies in months and start referring to how many weeks along instead?

My due date was May 12 which I believe was Mother’s Day. The big item in the news was Mt St. Helen’s imminent explosion which was interesting because I felt like exploding, too. On Tuesday, May 6, I attended a softball game that Heber was playing in. I sat on the sidelines and felt huge. That night at about 11:30 PM I woke up feeling hard contractions. I woke Heber up (or so I thought) and told him I thought I was in labor. He mumbled something about “it’s okay, you’re fine” and rolled over and fell back asleep. Okay….I guess we’ll wait. I could only stand it for a few hours and tried waking him again. This time he sat straight up and the fog in his head immediately cleared. We started timing contractions and when they were close enough we headed over to Utah Valley Hospital at around 3:00 AM. I was admitted and given an enema. My nurse was extremely crabby…the only nurse I’ve ever had in my life who wasn’t wonderful and of course it had to be my first experience with one! When the enema took effect I found myself in a terrible dilemma. I had to use the bathroom badly, I was also throwing up, I had Charlie horses in my feet and oh yes, by the way, I was in labor! I don’t think I’ve ever been so miserable in my life.

Let’s cut from that happy scene to the labor room where I was set up with a monitor and Heber by my side. I never wanted an epidural (cost too much and they weren’t as refined as they are now) so I tried my Hee Hee Hoo breathing exercises I had practiced so carefully for weeks. When a contraction hits full force no amount of Hee Hee Hooing will make it feel any better. Heber leaned over me gently encouraging me to Hee Hee Hoo and I just wanted to grab him and punch him.

Being my first I needed the salad spoons to help the little one through. Lisa was born at 8:58 AM on Wednesday, May 7, 1980. Her head was pointed for a day, but she was beautiful! Heber was a wonderful coach once we agreed on dropping the breathing exercises. Some of his family came to visit (of course overly concerned about Lisa’s pointed head and also wondering why the baby’s name was Lewis Trunnell and not Lisa Trunnell? The card on her isolette had the doctor’s last name and our last name).

After getting home from the hospital my Mom came up from California to stay and help for a week. She made me shrimp sandwiches and helped clean up the apartment. It was so much fun and I was sad to see her go. On my own I felt pretty blue and lost for a few weeks, but I so enjoyed my new daughter! She was such a nice sweet little baby! Heber’s sister Miriam gave us a bag of hand-me-down clothes and we were given so many gifts from friends and family. What a special time in our lives. Never again will we feel that incredible feeling of becoming a new family with our little one.

**Sidenote: I've been taking a writing class taught by my dear neighbor Marjean Beaman. This is the source for some of my recent blog entries. It's a fun once-a-month get together with friends and it 'forces' us to write down some personal stories and compile them in a notebook.

Christmas is Almost Here!

2011-12-23T18:27:00.002-07:00

Just thought I'd put up a few images of our Christmas "treasures"...I've seen homes that look professionally decorated for the holidays, but this surely is not one . Ours is a conglomoration of various items that I just happen to like. Above: On the in-side of our front door are two Swedish posters I acquired about 30 years ago. They a bit tattered but just seem so folksy and fun. I seem to remember my grandmother had a poster of similar ilk above the basement steps.

My sister sent 3 stockings made sometime in the 50's or 60's. I put them up each year; one has angels, one has Santa and of course this one with elves. I love retro items! Just takes me back to the 5-and Dime we used to shop at in South Pasadena.

Every year we have something for neighbors and friends who stop by. This year it's homemade salsa and crocheted hotpads. I love Christmas reminding me that we have such a great neighborhood! I also took homemade salsa to work. It's just fun to give out little gifts!

Here's the nativity set that my mom bought so many years ago (late 60's?) Every year we would set it up in the front room fireplace. I love it so much! The star is a very old beaded ornament that my parents had from probably early in their marriage. I know there are probably nicer or cooler or fancier nativities out there, but....I'll keep this one.

The tree with the same ornaments we've collected over the years. I see other people's trees with their "themes" and decorator colors, matching ornaments etc...my family insists we keep our tree the way it is and guess what...I'm glad!!

New this year: I mailed a package at Santa Clara Post Office today and on the way home saw "Uncle and Auntie's Gift Shop" run by two older sisters in an old renovated home. I just had to stop and go inside. I was the only customer in that quaint little place (what a glorious difference from Target or WalMart!)...I saw these two little carolers and the evergreen tree. The children looked Swedish to me...I fell in love and had to buy them. The owner of the shop and I had such a nice chat, it was a most pleasant experience!

I hope everyone out there has a wonderful Christmas! God Jul!

Wedding Breakfast, Trunnell Style

2011-12-11T21:54:00.003-07:00

Heber J. Trunnell and I were married on July 19, 1979 in the Manti Utah Temple on a warm sunny early morning. The night before our marriage Heber’s dad told his son that he wouldn’t be able to go in the temple to see us get married, so that was a surprise and disappointment to Heber. But he did come and wait outside the temple while we were sealed.

Our wedding plans were always pretty simple; neither of us were into too much fancy stuff, but we did plan for two receptions. Both our families helped us with the reception in Provo and my mom and I planned for a reception to be held in my hometown: South Pasadena, California. I knew that the groom’s family was supposed to be in charge of some sort of brunch or lunch after the wedding, but didn’t really bother to find out what their plans were. Heber, of course, came from a very large family (seventeen kids) and they were not well off.

So…the ceremony went wonderfully with many friends and relatives representing both families. The Manti temple is beautiful and serene. After the wedding I asked Heber what his family was doing for lunch or breakfast; what was going on? He seemed to have no idea. His dad overheard us talking and announced that while we were getting married he had noticed that there was a Scout Breakfast over at the Veteran’s Hall…let’s all go there. And we did! I wish someone had taken some pictures because my memory is a blur. I remember a crumbly old building with a bunch of scouts and people inside and in we came: an entire noisy and laughing wedding party. Those scouts were thrilled to sell so many paper plates full of pancakes and sausage. I do recall that they made me an extra large pancake because I was the bride!

The planned receptions are not what people remember or talk about. It’s the pancake breakfast at the Veteran’s Hall in Manti, Utah. It is still talked about at almost every Trunnell Reunion to this day. I just wish I had a picture!

Influential Teachers In My Life

2011-12-05T19:26:00.003-07:00

It’s safe to say that my parents and siblings were probably the most influential people in my life, and still are. Other than family there have been so many people in my life that have influenced me in so many ways.

Teachers are there for us in times of our lives where we either hate or love school…sometimes loving and hating school at the same time. We are thrown in classroom situations without much choice of who our classmates or teacher will be in our undergraduate years.

First grade introduced me to Miss Betty Dyke. I was very homesick in first grade…I remember seeing my tears plop on my lined newsprint paper. Miss Dyke gently helped me through some rough days. I ended up loving school so much due to her kindness. Later, as a high school senior, I had the opportunity to help Miss Dyke as a classroom aide each morning for a few hours. It was wonderful to connect with this sweet lady again.

In 8^th grade I found myself in Mrs. Murguia’s English class. She was head of the English Department and had high expectations of her students. She introduced us to literature and a love for it, books such at Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, The Diary of Anne Frank and Jane Eyre. Jane Eyre became my favorite book; we read it together as a class and she would show snippets from the movie starring Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine. Many of us girls fell in love with Mr. Rochester, we were there with Jane through thick and thin. Never has a book come alive so much for me. I’ve reread it several times; I feel like Jane is a good friend. Mrs. Murguia had a shelf full of paperbacks we could borrow to do free reading and that’s when I read To Kill A Mockingbird for the first time. Thank you, Mrs. Murguia!

When I went to BYU in 1976 I took a painting and drawing classes. Some were very good, some were okay. I took a drawing class from Trevor Southey where I felt my talents bloom nurtured under his direction. I then took a Head Painting class from William Whitaker; he was very opinionated and strict…more an artist than teacher. He made it fairly clear that girls should be homemakers, not artists, but I always wondered if he was just trying to be contrary and make us try harder.

It was a very intense class and I tried my hardest. While painting after class hours one day a fellow student told me that Brother Whitaker was going to have a program where he handpicked 2 or 3 students to paint and study with him all day long five days a week. He had never had a female student study with him so I thought, game on! I was going to try to a spot. He asked students to bring a portfolio of drawings to show him, so I did. He looked through the portfolio, handed it back to me and said, “Come back next week with fifty more drawings.”

I went back to my apartment and drew and drew and drew. I went back (to his surprise I’m sure) the following week and we sat down as he looked through the portfolio. He slowly looked at the drawings without saying much of anything. When he was done he looked at me and said, “Stop apologizing.” I looked at him and said, “Huh?” I didn’t know what he meant. Again, he said, “Stop apologizing.” I didn’t realize that the whole time we looked through at my drawings I was telling him, sorry it’s not that good, or sorry it isn’t quite right, etc etc. I don’t remember saying all this but apparently he heard it all and taught me a great lesson, “Don’t apologize for yourself or your efforts. Be proud of your accomplishments!”

I was in the program! We painted from 7:00 AM till 5:00 PM in the third floor of the old Brimhall Building that overlooked the home where the President of BYU lived (Dallin Oaks!) I learned a lot and did some wonderful drawings that I still have tucked away. I stayed on for another semester with Brother Whitaker. It was a wonderful experience and I honed my art skills which I have used so many times throughout the years. Brother Whitaker was such a character and interesting person. He once had the police in his studio where he did a composite sketch for them. At one time he was working on a painting of Joseph Smith and had his death mask sitting on the bench in his studio. It really had an impact on me to be able to hold that! If you go to the Conference Center and see a wall of portraits of important people in the Church you will see that some of them have been painted by William Whitaker. Some things I learned from Bill:

· Paint what you love

· Listen closely to your feelings

· Care for your art supplies the way you'd care for yourself

· How to see detail and color

· To step back every so often from your canvas and just calmly let your eyes look over your work

· Rejoice in being able to see mistakes in your work- it's part of your talent that you can see them!

· Always make your work space tidy, and to keep a good feeling in it.

· What I am doing right in my work and what I should pay attention to

One interesting side note: Brother Whitaker gave me a couple of canvases to paint on, they were starts of paintings that he ended up not liking for whatever reason. I painted over one, but the other one I just couldn’t bear to paint over. It is a painting of a pregnant Indian maid with a cradleboard hung up behind her. Even though it is just in the beginning stages I loved this painting and finally had it framed and it now hangs in our computer room. I went to Brother Whitaker’s website and noticed that his paintings start at $12,000!

I’m indebted to the time they took to nurture my gifts, to teach me to love learning, reading, drawing, to teach me to be curious about the world.

Clayton's Shapes Party

2011-11-01T21:38:00.004-06:00

Once again I was able to be here for Clayton's birthday...he is five years old now and loves "shapes" like circle, square, rectangle, etc. Lisa had the house all decorated and fun activities for all the kids.

Clayton opening presents. I got him some art supplies because he loves to draw, color and write with all the colors!
Clayton's cake had a shape clown that he loves. What a handsome young man he is!!

Getting ready to blow out the candles...Clayton, what are you wishing for??

I love this picture of Clayton looking at the cake...while Mom lights the crayon candles.

Eating pizza, drinking juice, joking around and enjoying friends! That's the recipe for a fun party!
I know, it looks like Dory cut her nose off....she is just enjoying her cake and all the great frosting! What a nut.

Above: Lillian and Clayton are in the same Primary class...they both LOVE to color an color and color. Those are the pencils I got for Clayton.

After the party and everyone went home Brian made this card for Clayton. I love it!! It's great to be here with Lisa and her family...I'm having a wonderful time.

Halloween with Monsters Inc!

2011-11-01T10:33:00.003-06:00

What a fun Halloween here with the grandkids again! This year they are dressed as Montsters Inc. Dory is Boo with her monster disguise.

Clayton, who just turned five, was dressed as Mike Wazowski! His birthday party will be tonight...a Shapes Party!

We can't leave out Sully, the big huggable monster Brian!! They had so much fun trick-or-treating and handing out candy at the door.

Monsters on Morninglight Drive...they're on the loose!! Bwa-ha-ha-ha!!

You better watch out for renegade beasties!! They are taking over the Monks' house!

Here's hoping you all had a wonderful fun Halloween!! The weather was a balmy 75 degrees, but as soon as we were through with our Halloween the wind whipped up bringing in very cold November clouds! BRRRR!!
BOO!!

Halloween Survey

2011-10-02T21:28:00.005-06:00

Do you like to dress up for Halloween? No, not really! I'm scary looking enough.

What were you last year for Halloween? Just me! Not too exciting.

Favorite Costume you have ever worn? I was Cousin It one year and I looked great! We used two hula skirts, a derby and some glasses. We almost always made costumes and someone was always a hobo every year.

How do you spend your Halloween? Usually handing out candy and visiting with all the neighbors, but last year and this year I'll be in Rapid City with the grandkids! It's so fun to see their cute costumes and take them trick or treating to a few houses. Clayton's birthday is October 30, so I'll get to attend his party, too! What a fun time of year.

Have you ever been to a graveyard on Halloween? No! I did, however, find a cute picture of a cake that looks like a graveyard. You use Milano cookies for the headstones, etc. Maybe I'll make one with the grandkids!

Do you decorate your home on Halloween? Yes! Some years more than others. We like to get the porch looking spooky and fun for the trick or treaters. I love carving pumpkins!!! I just love jack-o-lanterns!

What's a fun memory you have of Halloween? I remember dumping out our candy on the family room floor and trading with my siblings and organizing all the candy. I had a little safe that I would keep it in!

Okay, so I want to know how you would answer these questions! Happy Halloween!!

The Power of a Picture

2011-09-20T20:38:00.001-06:00

I work at Intermountain Women’s Health Specialists for two OBGYNs: Dr. Rob Chalmers and Dr. Richard Ott. I’ve worked there since July 31, 2006 after tending my grandson Brian for a year while Lisa taught Math at Pineview High School. Before that I worked at Animal Medical Hospital for over six years.

My job at WHS is Patient Service Representative which means front desk. I also enter charges for office visits and the doctors’ surgeries at the hospital. Just recently I started entering charges for Neonatology…the infants, usually preemies struggling for life over at the NICU.

When I started working for WHS there was literally nothing in the office. They had hired a doctor but I had not met him. There were no exam tables, no chairs in the waiting room, no phone, no countertops…not even carpet. We were starting from scratch. My manager scrounged up some furniture and framed prints in a supply room over at the hospital. I had a painting I did a few years before of my brother holding me when I was a baby. He was feeding me a bottle and looks like he doesn’t quite know what to do with a baby on his lap. My manager had it hung on the wall behind the front desk for all to see. It’s nice, but really, over the past 5 years I’ve only had a couple of people comment on it which is fine with me.

Last December we had a client come in to our office with her husband. After her appointment with the doctor she came up to me and told me that a few months ago she had decided to have her tubes tied and had come in to talk to the doctor about scheduling the procedure. As she stood at the front desk that day to check in she stared at the painting. She thought the boy in the painting looked like her brother.! She felt impressed that she wanted her own young son to experience having a sibling also. She decided then and there not to have her tubes tied because of my painting !

She was soon expecting her next baby and came in for her prenatal visits. She was so happy and excited about this new baby! After the baby was born she took pictures of her son holding the new baby posing like the painting. She tried to email the pictures to me but I never received them, darn it! Anyway, it was a great feeling to know that something I did influenced someone to have a baby!

What's New? What's Old?

2011-09-05T16:11:00.004-06:00

Here is the red table and chairs that Lisa bought me for Mother's Day in a thrift store in Rapid City for half off. It was a steal! I have always loved the chrome and vinyl table sets of the 50's and 60's. I put it in the "tiny bedroom" which will be turned into a crochet/drawing room of sorts.

A few months ago I bought some prints from a talented artist who lives in Canada. I had them framed and will probably put them in my "crochet" room. I just love Ghostbusters! There are four prints in all and the artist sent me an original sketch just out of pure kindness, so I had that framed, too! Maybe it's my "Gallery Room/Crochet/ Drawing" Room....

He also does fantastic drawings from "A Christmas Story" which would be so fun to have!

Lisa and her bargains...she found this funky old iron with the original box (from the 1930's). It's a terrible photo, but it's an early steam iron which has a hand pump included.

I have this high shelf in my house which used to have a cute wooden wheelbarrow with the word "apples" on the side. I gave it to Lisa since she has an "apple" kitchen. She, in turn, found these old lanterns to spruce up the shelf. They look great!

I need to take pictures of my guest bathroom...Lisa also found these totally kitschy seahorses made from resin and seashells. I'm sure you've seen them in junk shops. Well, I collect them! Lisa has found lots in her yard sale pursuits. I'll save that for another post.

Yes, my house would flunk the Ethan Allen test of class. And I say, Hooray! I love the funky old charm.

My Olive Green Dress

2011-07-10T21:01:00.003-06:00

I actually have a couple of dresses from my childhood which have somehow survived. I did a little repair work then had them dry cleaned after Lisa expressed interest in having them for Dory. Clothes kinda disintegrate and stain over the years...not much survives the decades, but luckily this one was one of the better ones.

How fun to see Dory wearing my old dress...doesn't look too bad! She is so cute in it! Who knows...maybe someday Dory will have a little girl...

Trunnell Reunion

2011-07-03T15:46:00.003-06:00

The Trunnells include their dogs in the reunion...this is Greta.
Here's Gran and Carolyn sitting outside at Carmen's in Eagle Mountain for the annual Trunnell Reunion. Eleven of the seventeen siblings were there with various family members.

Miriam chatting with her niece Camille and Camille's husband Kimball.

Heber helped cook hamburgers and hot dogs.

Merredy and Tom Wikes enjoying the shade.

Hilary with granddaughter Julia working on a coloring book. Hilary is a crocheter and knitter extraordinaire. She showed me a few new stitches that I can't wait to try out!

Carolyn, Shelley, Hilary, Carmen, Brad, a cousin, Heber, Golden, Miriam, Nephi, cousin Jean.

Merrady, Ann, April, a couple of cousins.

Camille's daughter Macie painting Nikki's face.

Just Remembering...

2011-06-23T18:50:00.003-06:00

Here is a lovely remembrance of my mother written by her wonderful visiting teacher. I just love this story so much and am ever grateful Lynne took the time to write it down and share it with our family. I'm a firm believer in visiting teaching.

My Visiting Teaching Testimony

by Lynne Kertamus Porter

In 2003, as the Visiting Teaching Coordinator in my ward, I was working with the Relief Society President to assign visiting teachers to several new sisters who moved into the ward. We worked for quite some time to reorganize districts, split companionships, and prayerfully consider new assignments. However, no matter what we tried, we could not seem find visiting teachers to assign to Doris Shurtliff.

While we discussed various alternatives, I had a ‘nagging’ feeling that we should assign Doris to me. However, with my busy schedule and overwhelming responsibilities I could not rationalize these feelings. Finally I blurted out, “I’ll add Doris to my list.” Knowing my situation, the Relief Society President counseled me about taking on additional responsibilities. Nevertheless, I insisted that I could do it.

However, driving home that day, I thought to myself, “Are you nuts?!” You see, I was a brand new mom; a first-time ‘older’ mom who was suffering from painful post-partum depression. At the same time, I was enrolled in college to obtain a second degree and my course work was demanding. Instead of sleeping while my newborn napped, I studied, which rendered me physically and mentally exhausted.

Since we didn’t have a telephone number for Doris, I decided that all I had to do was send her a card each month. I introduced myself as her new visiting teacher and gave her my phone number. For the next five months I sent cards with a note and told her to call if she would like me to visit. One day I received a card from Doris with a note for me to call and make an appointment to visit. My original thought was ‘oh no, not one more thing I have to do!’

But, out of a sense of duty to fulfill my calling as a visiting teacher, I telephoned Doris. I told her I had a baby and asked if she wouldn’t mind if I brought him. She assured me he was welcome, too! I had always felt a bit awkward on the first visit to a new sister, especially a sister who I don’t know. I was nervous and anxious and worried that my son would have a crying spell, or worse yet, have a dirty diaper that needed to be changed.

However, all my fears vanished when Doris invited me to sit down. She immediately asked about me and my baby. She shared with me a little about herself and we talked about people we both knew from Glendora. Over an hour later, when I drove home, I remember thinking, “Doris is an incredible person and I’m excited to be her visiting teacher!”

For the next six years, we visited and visited and visited and laughed and laughed and laughed. Time flew by while we sat and visited. When my son or I was sick, we visited on the phone and she sent me get-well cards. I hated to miss a visit. One time I was experiencing car problems and instead of missing my visit, I drove my car to the mechanic and had their courtesy van drop me off at Doris’ house. I pushed my son home in the stroller after our visit.

For six years we talked about family, politics, and sometimes family politics. We shared recipes, secrets, and funny stories. We commiserated about the not-so-fun stuff of motherhood and the aches and pains of getting older. I got to know her siblings as her sister from Canada would call almost every time I was there! She shared stories about her grandsons serving missions, the births of her great-grandchildren, and the pain she felt for her daughters during their time of suffering; she always wanted and wished she could do more to help.

Some days she was my surrogate mother, counselor, teacher, comisserater, comedian, surrogate grandmother to my son…but, always my friend.

I know that the Lord knows each of us individually. He has a divinely inspired visiting teaching program. He knew that at that time in my life I needed a woman who was wise and compassionate, witty and caring.

But most importantly, he knew Doris. And, He knew that she was a woman who was wise and compassionate, witty and caring.

At her recent funeral, her grandchildren shared their memories of Doris giving them gift cards to McDonalds on their birthdays. It was then that I knew I was more than just a visiting teacher to Doris….she treated me like ‘one of the family’…you see, she gave my son gift cards to McDonalds on his birthdays and I still had one tucked away in my wallet to use on a special occasion for him.

Doris always made me feel better about myself as a result of my associations with her. And, for that, I will be forever grateful to have been called to be her visiting teacher.

Visit to Saulte Ste. Marie, Ontario

2011-06-10T19:07:00.002-06:00

Here is one of the locks between lakes at Saulte Ste. Marie. I spent a wonderful week in Canada visiting my Aunt Nancy and my cousin Diane and her family. They couldn't have been nicer and it was such a nice vacation. The weather stayed nice despite a thunderstorm or two.

Here is Aunt Nancy's home nestled in the woods...everyone's home is nestled in the woods it seems. I wish my driveway looked so beautiful and inviting! Aunt Nancy was a gracious hostess. We had fun looking at family photos and talking about memories, family and travels.

The little flowers are Forget-Me-Nots...they grow wild here. Aunt Nancy says they were my grandma's favorite flower. In St. George only thorns seem to sprout up without encouragement.

Just around the corner from Nancy's home is this snowmobile trail that traverses the entire width of Canada. She's kind of glad she doesn't live next to it.

One day we went to St. Joseph's Island to the Mohammadi's "camp" (which is what Canadians call a "cabin." Well, the picture above isn't the camp, it's a gazebo Ehsan, Diane, Marc and Aron are building. We had a fun barbeque and enjoyed visiting and taking in the scenery.

Here's the view from the cabin...I mean camp. And not a bad view, I'd say. This is Twin Lakes which are lakes inside the island.

Here's the "camp." What a nice way to spend the day.

Bjorn the Newfoundland...first he swam in the lake, then he rolled in the leaves. He's big as a bear. Nancy says they have to lock him in the house when the kids swim in the lake because Newfoundlands have a natural instinct to save people in the water. He's a sweetheart.

Another fantastic part of my vacation was seeing Lisa, Andrew and the kids! They are on a road trip to visit Andrew's grandfather, aunts and uncles who live in the Toronto area. They stayed a few days in Aunt Nancy's cottage which overlooks Lake Superior. My camera batteries ran out of juice before I could get many photos. Here is Lisa holding the coffepot my great great grandfather made in Sweden (he was a blacksmith). Very cool indeed!

At Nancy's cottage there's a treehouse Ehsan built. Brian, Clayton and Dory loved climbing around and sliding down. What a fun way to get their energy out after days on the road. I had a great time. I even helped make plattar breakfasts for everyone who wanted some twice. Nancy supplied pickled herring which I love...but none of the grandkids wanted to try! It's nice to be home but I'll miss everyone and the beautiful trees. What a great trip!

December 18, 2010

2011-05-26T12:42:00.003-06:00

James and Chelsea were married December 18, 2010. If I was on the ball I would have posted pictures months ago, but better late than never? I apologize, but hey, it's fun to see these pictures anytime!
It was a drizzly rainy week, no sun in the sky, but it didn't dampen spirits...in fact I think it kind of added to the beauty of the outside photos. The white sky with the white dress, the white temple...ooooh, I love it!

What a wonderful day for our family! We are so blessed to have Chelsea Michele Bryant as part of our family. President Judd performed the ceremony, so spiritual, enlightening and wonderful.

Here we are at the reception in Cedar City...the end of a long but fantastic day! The reception was awesome! (Do we look ready for naps?)

Dance Recital

2011-05-21T15:28:00.003-06:00

It must be spring! School is going to be over soon...graduation cards are in the stores...and of course dance recitals! Yesterday I attended a cute dance recital for Kahlil, daughter of a colleague at work. Today I attended a sweet recital starring some of the girls from our Primary.

On the left is Natalie, daughter of my first counselor in Primary.

These girls had fun and put on such a cute show. It's been a few years since I saw my girls in a recital. My girls used to take baton lessons which was so much fun!

I love this picture of Claire (Natalie's little sis) and Lilly...two of our Primary girls. What sweethearts they are.

Going down for the splits. If I tried this I'd be hospitalized! What a fun day thanks to all the future dancing queens!

A Family Tradition

2011-05-17T21:15:00.003-06:00

When I was very young my mom found a recipe in the Los Angeles Times for marinated flank steak. So started a family tradition that is carried on today by my siblings and I. I remember going grocery shopping with my mom at El Rancho Market on Huntington Drive in South Pasadena and stopping at the butcher’s counter. I would always look for the strange cuts of meat, tongue, pig knuckles, etc while my mom picked out the best flank steak possible. Then she would ask the butcher to run the steak through the tenderizer twice. Never once…always twice.

Parked on the kitchen counter back at home I would love to help my mom mix the flank steak sauce. I watched her pour the red wine vinegar and the forbidden red wine from the Gallo jug. Next she added Heinz chili sauce, minced onion, a bright yellow dollop of mustard, and some oil. I was in charge of stirring with the wooden spoon…my taste buds dancing with the pungent smells and aromas. Next Mom lowered the huge steak slowly in the brew, drowning it lovingly beneath the saucy marinade.

Hours later Mom would broil the steak in the oven, keeping a careful eye on its progress. It was the only time she cooked with the oven door left slightly open. Mom was breaking the rules! First she had real wine in the sauce, now this! She assured me that the alcohol was cooked thoroughly out of the sauce, which simmered on the stovetop. Between beef meeting flame and sauce on the stove our house smelled divine. We all drooled like ravenous dogs until dinner time.

Flank steak was always served with baked potatoes. The vegetable side and salad were interchangeable, but the baked potato was a must. Dad sliced the steak very thin long strips and piled them on a plate. Oh to have the charred end piece!

When birthdays rolled around we inevitably chose flank steak for our meal of choice. When company came to stay and they were people we truly liked, they were served flank steak. I never met a soul who didn’t like flank steak and I’ve never tasted anything like it. When my older cousin Jim brought his fiancé Marie to visit, my Mom (Jim’s Aunt Doris) made flank steak. For years they were sure it was the delicious meal that sealed the deal, as they are happily married to this day. My sister and I make flank steak for our families for special occasions, sometimes including Christmas Eve or Easter. Why have nasty ol’ ham when you can have divine flank steak?

Happy Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-08T08:55:00.003-06:00

Posed portraits are wonderful, but the truth comes out in snapshots. I love this snapshot taken in Craig and Ginny's backyard years ago. Was it Mother's Day? I don't remember. I just love that glimpse of my mom giving her granddaughter Lisa a kiss on the cheek. She was such a loving mom and Grandma. And Danny...that's how we remember Danny as a little kid: happy and not sitting still!

I miss my mom so much. I miss talking to her on the phone, hearing her voice, laughing with her and confiding in her. I miss her advice and her encouragement, I miss having lunches with her and finding a sweet card from her in the mail. I love you, Mom!!

Here's a posed portrait, now one of my favorites ever.

Happy Mother's Day to my daughter-in-law (friend) Chelsea, daughter (friend) Mary Anne, and daughter (friend) Lisa. I love you all so much! I'm so blessed and honored to call you all best friends. Family is pretty awesome.

From A to Z

2011-04-23T14:27:00.002-06:00

Age: 54

Bed size: King.

Chore you hate: Cleaning bathroom floors isn't a favorite. Emptying the dishwasher isn't my fave either. I don't mind washing dishes a bit!

Dogs: One Boston Terrier named Gracie! She is so full of energy and a snuggle bug. She is a great little companion...maybe a little too attached sometimes, but a sweetheart.

Essential start of your day: Taking meds...ha! How fun is that! I do enjoy getting up early to just relax before work...maybe watch a little news, or check emails.

Favorite color: I love so many colors! Maybe green!

Gold or Silver: Depends...I used to prefer silver, now I prefer gold...but then again...

Height: 5'7"

Instruments I play (or have played): Piano not very well.

Job title: Patient Service Representative...fancy name for receptionist.

Kids: Four! Lisa, Phil, James and Mary Anne. I love 'em all!

Live: St George, UT since August of 1993

Mom's name: Doris (my granddaughter Dory is named in honor of her!)

Nickname: Mom to my kids, Mormor to the grandkids. At work sometimes I'm Annettee-Roo!

Overnight hospital stays: After giving birth to my 4 children and one night after surgery for breast cancer.

Pet peeve: Phony salespeople...phony people

Quote from a movie: "Don't be so gloomy. After all it's not that awful. Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock. So long Holly." ---The Third Man

Right or left handed: Right.

Siblings: I'm the youngest of three. My oldest sibling is Craig and my older sister Mary Anne. Both live in Glendora, CA.

Time you wake up: 5:30 to get ready for work most days. I try to not sleep in too much on the other days so I stay on my schedule. Ugh.

Underwear: From the cradle to the coffin underwear comes first.

Vegetables you dislike: Canned peas. Lima beans. Raw celery.

What makes you run late: Sometimes I have just a little too much fun checking the ol' emails in the morning. I don't think I've ever been late though.

X-rays you've had done: Teeth. I used to have to develop x-rays at the vet office (super old equipment using vats of smelly chemicals in a pitch black room...no red light bulb. It was horrible!)

Yummy food you make: Flank steak! Plattar!

Zoo animal: I love animals!! I love watching sea lions, elephants, bears, reptiles, you name it!

Grandkids!

2011-04-20T16:51:00.002-06:00

This week Lisa and Andrew visited from Rapid City, SD. It was wonderful to have them all here! The weather was perfect and Heber and I were so excited to see the grandkids. Let the spoiling begin! Monday we went to Snow Canyon (just 10 minutes away from home) to let Dory and Clayton play in the amazingly soft and beautiful sand dunes. They loved it! Above Papa is digging a hole with Dory.

Sand for digging, sand for drawing circles in with a stick, sand for squeezing between your toes and sand for hitchhiking a ride home in your shoes.

Dory especially enjoyed "planting" little sticks in the sand; little mini trees.

Digging down to the cooler sand below. As much fun for the grandparents as it was for the kids.

Soon it'll be too hot to venture out here in the daytime, but luckily we hit the prettiest week of the year! This same day we took the kids Lisa and I took the kids downtown to the splashpad and river walk. I think they would have spent the entire day here!

Clayton loved sitting and running in the water, just feeling it rush around his ankles was fun! Brian and Lisa follow behind.

My little sunflower Dory just blending in with the flowers. She had to pick a few...oh well. She is pretty as can be!

Clayton had the place almost to himself. We went in the morning before the clouds burned off...it was slightly cool but worth beating the crowds.

Brian poured several thousand cups of water that morning...why is playing with water so much fun? It just is.

Dory getting to know the cute little statue that sprays water. What a flirt.

Unfortunately we had to say our goodbyes this morning. The Monks are off the spend time with family in Sandy...more fun for them! Sad goodbyes for us. What a great time we all had.

Party Time....YEE HAW!

2011-03-15T14:04:00.004-06:00

Dory's official birthday is February 23, but she patiently waited until March 14 to celebrate! It was a Toy Story 3 party and most everyone dressed up for it!

Clayton is Buzz Lightyear and loved wearing the costume. He had fun with the games and playing with friends.

Dory making a wish...
Brian is ever so ready to show Dory how to blow out the candle.

Lisa's friend made this Jessie the Cowgirl birthday cake! It was so cute and delish!

Lisa made wanted posters of each of the kids at the party..."One-Eyed Clayton," "Brian the Kid," and "Desperado Dory" to name a few.

Bowling the Bad Guys....knocking over pins with pictures of bad guys on them. So fun!
Dory had a Jessie the Cowgirl costume the Lisa made...even came with the cute braid!

Brian is Sheriff Woody! I can't believe he'll be turning six in June! Time flies so fast.

Papa and Dory below the cute sign made by Lisa...looks pretty darn professional!

Here's the fam. Nice to have Andrew home...he was a good sport to dress up with the rest of the gang!

Clayton and Dory!
Happy Birthday to a rootin' tootin' 2-year old!

We Just Go Nuts At Christmas

2010-12-25T10:48:00.004-07:00

What a joy to see little kids ripping open the presents on Christmas morning again! Clayton and Brian got Toy Story pajamas the night before.

Cutest grandsons ever! Do you think they're excited for the big day?

Before shot of the Christmas tree decorated nice on the top half and kid friendly at the bottom.

Aren't stockings fun? All the little gifts and gizmos and unexpected things?

Clayton, Brian and Dory each having fun experiencing Christmas morning!

As Lisa said, she feels like her family is a walking billboard for Toy Story...the kids love it so much. Merry Christmas everybody!!!!!

Fun With the Grandkiddos

2010-12-24T13:58:00.004-07:00

Today we took Clayton and Dory to Fiesta Fun where Clayton got to ride the go-cart with Mom and play on the video games, too. He had so much fun!

Here's Dory earlier in the week at Jumpin' Jacks! She loved climbing and sliding and running everywhere!

Clayton after sliding down the big long slide at Jumpin' Jacks. I wish I could harness their energy!

Dory and I getting ready for James and Chelsea's reception last Saturday.
Lisa hamming it up for the camera...I think she misses Andrew! Hubba hubba!

Heber took Brian fishing today at the local pond just up the road from our house. He was so excited to have Papa take him! What a beautiful day!

Brian caught three fish! They decided to catch and release....so no fish dinner tonight...guess we'll have to settle for flank steak instead.

Proud fisherman! (Proud Grandpa, too!)

Heber and Mary Anne and Brian. What a beautiful sunny day after a week of non-stop rain.

Clayton trying his luck with the games at Fiesta Fun.
Dory liked the Addams Family Value game. She has great skills.
Finally, here's Clayton and Lisa zooming around the track. They came in first!!! (they were the only ones out there). What a fun amazing week!!

It's Christmas In the Nuthouse....

2010-12-19T20:11:00.002-07:00

Lisa and the kids came to visit for Christmas...and to be here for James' wedding, etc. Mormor let Brian and Clayton open up a present a little early just to keep them entertained. They loved it!

Brian is looking so grown up! He's such a fun little guy. I was sitting by him on the couch tonight hugging him and asking him about Christmas. He says, "Hold still and no talking!"

Here's the group all gussied up for the wedding luncheon at Pasta Factory. It was a fun wonderful day! How great to have Lisa be able to see James get married! She's a brave awesome lady to drive here from Rapid City SD with three kids all by herself.

My dad made the trip too! He drove over with my sister. Such wonderful family support at this special time. My dad is holding cute little Dory.

Dory and I having an in depth discussion. Note the ornaments with the grandkids' pictures they made for me? Makes my tree all the more Christmasy!

Phil showing Clayton the wonders of the IPad...I think Clayton would love to have one! It's been so much fun having so much family around!

More from Mormor

2010-11-07T14:37:00.004-07:00

After church, I offered to make Brian a grilled cheese sandwich, but he requested "pancakes!" so I had him help me make some plattar.

Brian gave a play-by-play...first we mix up the batter, then we make little circles, then we put them on a plate and then we eat them!

Everyone has their own special method of eating plattar...Brian likes butter and powdered sugar and then roll them up. Clayton likes his plain and flat on the plate.

Dory just eats them any way she decides at the moment! And she really is "Too Sweet."

Here is the purse Lisa and Andrew had made for me out of one of his flight suits. Andrew had patches made for it including one that says MORMOR. (It's also the colors of the Swedish flag!)

Tomorrow I pack up and leave in the early evening...must get back and start earning more money for my next trip! It's been busy and wonderful. I will miss Lisa and the kids sooooo much. Thank you for letting me visit!!

Clayton's Race Car Party

2010-11-04T09:23:00.004-06:00

Brian test driving the birthday cake. Yum!!! It was a racetrack with cars zooming in the frosting.

Everyone helps Clayton blow out the candles! Four years old!! Clayton is crazy about Cars, Hot Wheels....anything having to do with the automotive industry.

Opening presents under direct supervision of big bro Brian. Brian was just sure there would be a present for him somewhere! Not until June, big guy!

Playing Red Light Green Light with Kaden, Frankie and Lizzie. Clayton is happy to be racing around the house. Lisa did a great job with the decorations and games.

Lisa says, "NASCAR and Cheetos...we are a classy bunch." Clayton thinks so!

Race car cake before the demoliton derby started. Happy Birthday Clayton!!

Clayton wins the race of the century.

Lizzie sitting next to Clayton. They are coloring wooden racecars with markers. We decided against paints...smart decision I think.

Brian, Dory and Clayton in their racing uniforms putting sticker cars together. What a fun party!

The pit crew.

Brian hiding from the papparazi, Dory relishes the camera and Clayton just wants to get back to driving his Hot Wheels. What a fun group.

Decorations...many from yard sales for pennies. Go Lisa!!

Clayton with his Hot Wheels...just a mere sample of his vast collection. Happy driving, Clayton! Mormor loves you!!

Halloween: An UP Lifting Experience!

2010-11-01T07:18:00.002-06:00

If you've seen the movie UP you will recognize these characters: Dory is the bird Kevin, Clayton is Wilderness Explorer Russell, and Brian is Mr. Frederickson. Lisa has been putting these costumes together for months and she did a fantastic job. The balloons held up Mr. Frederickson's house as you can see.

Pumpkin carving is fun to do especially with the grandkids helping with the design specifications.

Pumpkin guts and slimy seeds everywhere. What fun!! Everyone had fun with the pumpkin carving and especially looking at the glowing results.

Here's a picture from UP...you can see how close Lisa got to so many of the details! All that's missing is Doug the dog!

Looking at the balloons...we're on our way to Paradise Falls.

My paradise is here in Rapid City visiting with Lisa and the kids. What a kick to see them all dressed up! Clayton, you're adorable!! (It was also his 4th birthday, too!)

On the trail to some Trick or Treats!

I Was Cleaning Out a Drawer...

2010-08-05T14:17:00.002-06:00

I found a memory card for my camera I didn't know I had and there were these 2 pictures on it. How long has it been in the back corner of my nightstand drawer? Well Brian turned five in June...

A. A. Milne said it best: "One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries."

Highchair Facelift

2010-07-04T09:27:00.003-06:00

When I was in Rapid City I visited a Scandinavian store and bought some books on rosemaling, which is decorative painting from Norway and a book on Swedish decorative painting. I thought I'd try it out on the old wooden highchair.

This is a work in progress...I'll post more pictures if anything looks good. It's so fun to try! I may have a new hobby here.

Reptile Gardens!

2010-06-11T16:27:00.004-06:00

We went to Reptile Gardens and loved it! The landscaping was beautiful, the animal displays were awesome and we saw 2 fun shows. I'm amazed at all the fun family stuff to do there is around Rapid City.

Brian, Andrew and Clayton in the aviary...all the orchids are real and totally beautiful!

Clayton by the fish pond.

Heber got a little too close to the big snake.

One of the ingenious things they had there was this sand area with shovels, buckets and rakes for the little ones. Clayton could have spent all day here!

During the snake show the boys (in orange shirts behind the glass) look at a rattlesnake! The show was informative and fun! (Did you know the largest Diamondback Rattlesnake is 8 feet long? wow!)

Here is the snake handler letting Brian feel a big albino python. We also saw the alligator/crocodile show...very exciting!

Andrew and the boys looking for fun. They are wearing the junior ranger hats I bought them at Custer State Park. They have a komodo dragon here, a prairie dog town, along with tons of other wonderful exhibits. I could have spent the entire day here.

Dory gets to pet the very big tortoise while he eats. Their largest tortoise will be 129 years old this month! That means he was born in 1881....another WOW!

The boys got to try mining for treasures using the sluice method. Clayton found arrowheads and Brian found pretty gemstones. All in all a very fun day.

Photos With the B-1

2010-06-10T11:00:00.004-06:00

Last Saturday we were able to go on base and have family pictures with the B-1 Bomber. It's a beautiful aircraft! After pictures they let us climb up the ladder and get into the cockpit! It was very awesome. Don't the grandsons look great in their flightsuits and jackets?

Even the sky looked so beautiful that day.

Andrew, Lisa, Brian, Dory and Clayton. What a good looking family.

We are having a wonderful time here in South Dakota...we've done so much and gone so many fun places. Lisa and Andrew have been wonderful hosts.

Wall Drug

2010-06-09T20:21:00.002-06:00

We couldn't visit South Dakota without visiting Wall Drug in beautiful downtown Wall. The grandkids are perched atop a giant jackalope. Wall Drug has every strange thing imaginable.

Clayton waiting for the splashpad to start spraying water in tune to the music, Dueling Banjos. There's a sculpture of the sculptures at Mt. Rushmore in the background.

Brian tries busting a bronco. Go, Brian, go!! He looks pretty calm.

Clayton enjoyed the motorcycle game...he doesn't even care if you don't put any quarters in. Go, Clayton, go!!!

Heber shooting it up. Yes, there's something for everyone at Wall Drug...even free ice water!

Storybook Island

2010-06-08T17:35:00.002-06:00

We went to Storybook Island today with the kids...it's a wonderful place for toddlers to run and play and have some fun. Papa is helping Clayton dig dig dig.

Dory is riding the little red fire engine. She loved sitting up high.

Clayton at the wheel...off to put out any fires in Rapid City.

Clayton and Dory ride the magic carpet with Aladdin. Hang on tight!

Dory loves the swings best of all.

Clayton and Brian ride the stagecoach jungle-gym. It was picture perfect weather today.

Dory hides in Yogi's pic-a-nic basket...a tasty morsel!

Three more cute puppies play with the dalmations.

Dory loved the doggies!

Clayton is a fan of cars of any type. He loved pretending to drive! What a fun afternoon!

Old MacDonald's Farm

2010-06-08T11:58:00.006-06:00

A few miles from Rapid City (and close to the Scandinavian store where I would love to spend all my money) is Old MacDonald's Farm. What a fun place for the kids!! They can roam everywhere, see lots of fun animals, go inside to pet them, feed them and even feed the koi.

Dory loved wandering around everywhere, especially walking after the chickens. She and I petted a gray and white bunny and looked at the newly hatched chickees. She loved it!

Brian got to feed the baby goat.

Dory loved petting the nanny goat and her babies.

Clayton was hoping to ride the goats, but they weren't cooperating. He got to feed them, too...that was what the goats were hoping for!
Clayton rode the pony, "Chief," and had so much fun.
Brian loved the pony ride, too, and yelled, "Yee-hah!!!!" Go Cowboy Brian!
Dory loved the pony ride ....at least the first half. Papa helped her stay on ride the range.
She loved petting the sheep even when they tried to eat her hat.

Here's the start to the pig race! Barby-Q, Hamlet, Louie Luau, Oscar Meyer, and Sonic Sow made a mad dash over a hill, fence and water trap to get to the Finish Line. It was so fun and cute!
The train ride went all over the farm. Clayton was enjoying every minute of it.
Brian is here waiting for the train to leave the station. What a fun fun day for all. A perfect place for the little ones...and us adults loved it, too!!

Brian's 5th Birthday

2010-06-07T20:27:00.005-06:00

Brian's 5th birthday was a military/patriotic theme...Dory loved the balloons especially!

Brian and Clayton loved throwing parachutes and water balloons off the balcony! They had more fun...especially when they got their Daddy all wet.

Clayton and the paratrooper.

On the balcony with water balloon on it's way.

Look out below!
Brian got a Batman fishing pole from Daddy. He'll be going fishing soon and loved practicing with it indoors.
Brian with Pee Wee and Chairy.
Brian got Pee Wee's Playhouse (from the 1980's courtesy of Ebay and Mommy) and almost every character from the show. He was so excited!!

Clayton shows us his military medal honoring him as man of the house while Daddy will be gone. He is wearing a dog tag with his name.

Brian received a medal, too...he'll be the other man of the house until Daddy returns.

Brian with his cake...he helped decorate with army men and flags. He really was excited and happy...just pulled a face for the camera.

He can't wait to blow out the candles and dig in to the chocolate cake. Yum!
He blew them out in one try! Good job, Brian.

Dory opted to decorate her face, hair and everything else with vanilla frosting. Go Dory!

Mormor loves you, Clayton!

Did anyone say Par-tay?
Dory got into the fridge and took a bite out of every grape. Dory keeps everyone busy.

Visiting the Flying Monks

2010-06-04T10:15:00.003-06:00

We arrived in Rapid City hours ahead of schedule due to being bumped to a direct flight in Salt Lake City. Go Delta!!! Everything went great.

Yesterday we went to the Air and Space Museum at Ellsworth AFB. Brian and Clayton are in the cockpit ready to take off! We had fun looking at all the old planes and gear.

Clayton, 3, Brian will be 5 on Monday, and Dory is almost 1 1/2. They keep us busy but we love it!
After the museum and lunch we headed up into the Black Hills to see Mount Rushmore. Brian wanted his picture taken on these rocks. Mt. Rushmore is incredible...the views are spectacular and we all enjoyed it. Heber talked to a man who worked on Mt. Rushmore for three years...quite the project!

After sightseeing the kids shared some yummy ice cream with Papa and Mormor.

Dory the cheerleader...Papa enjoying his granddaughter. Hooray for Dory!!

Clayton and Brian getting creative with play-dough.
Summer wouldn't be summer without popsicles. We still have a week to spend here, so we are looking forward to lots more fun in beautiful South Dakota!

Pomp and Circus Dance

2010-05-08T13:23:00.005-06:00

Mary Anne graduated from Dixie State College last night....whoo hoo! It was a nice ceremony and all went well. Even the speeches were short and sweet....my favorite kind of speeches. Mary Anne has her BS in English with a secondary teaching certificate.

Mackenzie came to see her get the empty diploma case.

Heather and Mary Anne. Proud mama with the new Dixie alumni.

Nathan, James, Mary Anne and Chelsea.

Chelsea played the viola in the orchestra. She was the best out of the whole orchestra.

Confetti at the end of the graduation signaling the beginning of 16 months of celebrating the 100th year of Dixie College! Even more exciting: after the ceremony we all went to In-N-Out!!

Friday Weigh-In

2010-04-16T06:53:00.001-06:00

I am up a pound from last week! Mmmmm....but down from when I was really up and too embarrassed to post it. I'll just keep a tryin'. I'm late this AM, better go!!! I'm NOT giving up!!

I...Have...The...Power!!!

2010-04-10T16:07:00.002-06:00

My out-of-this-world quilting project.

Here is the infamous HeMan quilt I am making for Phil for Christmas. I am not a quilter but am having fun stitching around all the weird characters. What was going on in the '80's??

I do not know who this female character is or who designed all the awful costumes...yikes!

Wish me luck! Stop by and help me out! It takes up my entire front room.
At least it's not November 30th!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Nc8RCLy1s

Putting on the Brakes

2010-04-08T07:16:00.002-06:00

Yes, I am up 2.6 pounds from 2 weeks ago with a loss now at 48.4. I'm facing the music and putting on the brakes. I got out my book "Am I Hungry?" again and decided to re-read some of it. I've been lazy and just eating because it looks/tastes so good, not because I am having hunger rumblies. What a mind game this all is! This confession was hard to post and the fat little devil on my shoulder kept telling me not to do it.

The past few days I have done well and feel I am slowly getting back on track. Do I want to 'go back' to where I was last summer? NO! Well, if I really don't want to, I better do something about it. The weather has been iffy, so Jen and I haven't walked every night. (Jen calls me, or I call her...we ask if we've seen any leaves moving on the trees...has the windchime moved? If so there is a chance our slim frames might blow away, so better walk another day.)

The weather was beautiful yesterday and no leaves were moving, so we walked! Yay. Felt good. There's no way I want to gain all this stupid poundage back..heck, I've thrown out or given away all my fatter clothes. So I will continue to walk and ask myself if I'm actually hungry...not, do I feel like eating that?

My camera is broken and I haven't saved up for a new one, so no pictures today. (I think it broke when I finally got the courage to have MY picture taken. Thanks a lot, camera.) If I had a camera I would show you the quilt I'm working on: (it's for Phil for Christmas...but he knows about it, hard to hide a quilt on a frame which takes up exactly 98% of your front room.) I found his old (1983) HeMan top sheet and am turning it into a quilt. It's very strange and makes me wonder what we were thinking back in the 80's. I'm hand quilting around the cartoons, nothing fancy and thank goodness Phil knows nothing about quilting. I'm having fun with it and it's hard to eat and quilt at the same time (but not impossible). Anyway, thank you Jen for helping me get started on this project!

Saturday With George

2010-03-27T15:35:00.002-06:00

Today Mary Anne and I tended George while his family went to the movies. It's a bit like having a grandkid here. I miss my grandkids so much! Here is George and Charlie.

George in action kicking the ball around the backyard. What nice spring weather we had today.

Thanks for coming to visit, George!

Thursday Weigh-In

2010-03-25T07:07:00.002-06:00

Just decided to try weighing in on Thursdays...I have a total loss of 51 pounds...I am the same as 3 weeks ago! I'm happy about that. I'm down a bit from last week, whew. Crisis averted for the moment. I feel back on track and am asking myself "Am I hungry?" again instead of, "What else can I eat?"

I hope I can start losing weight again, but maintaining is wonderful, too!

Sorry, no pictures today, I'm trying to use Heber's laptop because my computer isn't working this morning.

Starting Over

2010-03-19T06:25:00.002-06:00

It's Friday weigh-in...let's just say I'm up a little AGAIN. Ugh. I enjoyed myself a little too much last week in California. I'm not giving up! For one week I will write down everything I eat! I have forgotten to ask myself, "Am I Hungry?" and have been telling myself, "This is so good! More is better!"

I have been walking with my friend Jen on week nights 2.5 miles very brisk, so I know I'm getting some exercise in. That isn't the problem.

My scale could be broken...well it could! Maybe I'm really losing weight but the mechanism is broken.

It was extremely windy and cold last night so Jen and I did not go walking. (She was afraid our slender frames would blow away in the wind.) So blame the wind.

So...I will write down every morsel that I eat and see if that helps. Sigh.

Trip to California

2010-03-11T17:05:00.002-07:00

My daughter Mary Anne and I drove to visit family in California...since my camera bit the dust I am using some pictures from Mary Anne's camera. James and Nathan drove down Tuesday...we are having fun visiting with family. Mary Anne and Nathan went to the Troubadour in Hollywood last night to see some bands.

Here's Jacob, Danny and Sarah's dog.

Here's Edward, Danny and Sarah's cat. Guess who they named their animals after.

And here's Joey Wolfe...just hangin'.

Nathan and James relaxing. James played golf with Papa this afternoon. Of course I went to Trader Joe's this morning to stock up. It's been very nice to visit with my Dad and sister. Thanks Mary Anne for use of your memory card! See you soon, Heber and Charlie!

Friday Weigh In

2010-03-05T05:45:00.004-07:00

Oh boy, I'm up 1.2 pounds! This isn't good. I did good till yesterday...my day off and we had dinner at our friends' home and well...mmmmm. Must regroup! I really didn't think I'd be up this much....yikes! Any ideas to get back on track?

How do some people who shall remain nameless manage to lose weight while eating cereal drenched in heavy whipping cream instead of milk and "extra butter style" microwave popcorn drenched in melted 1/2 cube of margarine? 'Tain't fair! :-)

Me and My Sis

2010-02-27T05:44:00.003-07:00

Does my sister love me or does she have me in a headlock? Note the little turtle home with the plastic palm tree? I loved pet turtles! This must have been taken in Sunnyvale.

Here we are at Grandma's house in Salt Lake City. It was always so wonderful to visit Grandma and Papa.

Riding bikes in Sunnyvale. I'm glad to have these sweet pictures because I sure don't remember any of this! Looks like the neighbors all collected antique cars :-)

Here we are all dolled up in Grandma and Papa's backyard. Papa always grew such beautiful flowers.

I love you, Sis!

Friday Weigh-In

2010-02-26T06:18:00.002-07:00

Well, this week I'm back down .2 lb for a total loss of 52.2. Thansk, Jen, for walking with me last night...see you Monday! I'll keep at it, at least I've learned how to maintain.

Friday Weigh-In

2010-02-19T06:27:00.003-07:00

Here's a picture from Lisa's wedding day, July 13, 2002. I still have this dress hanging in the closet...I will fit into this dress again! I'm getting close.

This week I gained .2 pound...still on the ol' plateau...I've been doing well most days and exercising most days. I'm not discouraged; I will keep going and try to kick it up a notch. I can do better. I cannot go back!

Friday Weigh-In

2010-02-12T05:56:00.003-07:00

This week's loss was 1 pound! Yay! Maybe I'm finally nearing the edge of the plateau. My total loss is 52.2 pounds. Besides the fact that I actually lost some weight this week, I am eating healthy and exercising.

The new cancer med I'm on is not only EXPENSIVE, some of the side effects include WEIGHT GAIN and JOINT PAIN...which I'm experiencing challenges in both those areas. Oh well...I'll keep up the good fight and try to stay healthy. Isn't that my goal anyway? To be healthy...not necessarily skinny? Yes indeed.

Doppelganger

2010-02-08T18:38:00.003-07:00

Last week on Facebook was apparently Doppelganger Week...you were supposed to post a picture of a celebrity who people say you look like. We always thought Heber looked a bit like Gary Shandling.

Our son Phil looks like Hilary Swank.

My mom always thought I looked like actress Carol Lynley. I remember the name but don't remember any movie she was in...but I did used to resemble her many years ago.

Now it's your turn...who's your Doppelganger?

Friday Weigh-In

2010-02-05T06:12:00.004-07:00

There are lots of songs about mountains...inspirational, motivational songs..."Ain't No Mountain High Enough"..."Climb Every Mountain"..."O Ye Mountains High"..."High On The Mountain Top"......on and on it goes. There is not one song about a plateau. I am on a plateau. So I'll make up a song about a plateau:

I'm here on this stinkin' plateau,
With virtually no where to go.
I watch what I eat,
I walk every street,
But I still can't shake loose from fatso.

Well, it's early in the morning...it's the best I can do with poetry right now. I did lose .4 lb this week which brings my loss to 51.2, so I'm still up from a couple of weeks ago, but down a tiny bit from last week. Am I giving up? NO! I'm determined to keep going!

After all...it's better than being "Down In the Valley."

Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Missed Out

2010-01-30T18:01:00.003-07:00

Remember the Shel Silverstein poem about the girl who would not take the trash out? Taking out the trash isn't the most glorious of chores, but when you see a beautiful sunset in the clouds, it's well worth it. What a beautiful world we live in!!

SARAH CYNTHIA SYLVIA STOUT WOULD NOT TAKE THE GARBAGE OUT

Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would not take the garbage out!

She'd scour the pots and scrape the pans,

Candy the yams and spice the hams,

And though her daddy would scream and shout,

She simply would not take the garbage out.

And so it piled up to the ceilings:

Coffee grounds, potato peelings,

Brown bananas, rotten peas,

Chunks of sour cottage cheese.

It filled the can, it covered the floor,

It cracked the window and blocked the door

With bacon rinds and chicken bones,

Drippy ends of ice cream cones,

Prune pits, peach pits, orange peel,

Gloppy glumps of cold oatmeal,

Pizza crusts and withered greens,

Soggy beans and tangerines,

Crusts of black burned buttered toast,

Gristly bits of beefy roasts. . .

The garbage rolled on down the hall,

It raised the roof, it broke the wall. . .

Greasy napkins, cookie crumbs,

Globs of gooey bubble gum,

Cellophane from green baloney,

Rubbery blubbery macaroni, P

eanut butter, caked and dry,

Curdled milk and crusts of pie,

Moldy melons, dried-up mustard,

Eggshells mixed with lemon custard,

Cold french fried and rancid meat,

Yellow lumps of Cream of Wheat.

At last the garbage reached so high

That it finally touched the sky.

And all the neighbors moved away,

And none of her friends would come to play.

And finally Sarah Cynthia Stout said,

"OK, I'll take the garbage out!"

But then, of course, it was too late. . .

The garbage reached across the state,

From New York to the Golden Gate.

And there, in the garbage she did hate,

Poor Sarah met an awful fate,

That I cannot now relate

Because the hour is much too late.

But children, remember Sarah Stout

And always take the garbage out!

Shel Silverstein, 1974

Friday Weigh-In

2010-01-29T06:16:00.003-07:00

Well, I'm up one pound this week putting my loss at 50.8 lbs. I've decided I need to write down what I eat for a week. It was bound to happen and I can't let it throw me. It's been a bit of a crummy week for a variety of reasons...so here's to better days and better times!

One Word Tag

2010-01-22T19:25:00.002-07:00

I found this on Lisa's blog and thought it was pretty cool! It was harder than I thought though, answering with just one word.

1. Where is your cell phone?............... Purse

2. Your significant other?............... Heber

3. Your hair?................ Highlighted

4. Your Mother?............... Wonderful

5. Your Father?............... Fantastic

6. Your favorite thing?.............. Family

7. Your dream last night?............... Weird

8. Your favorite drink?................ Dr. Pepper (well...2 words?)

9. Your dream/goal?............... Happiness

10. The room you're in?............... Computer

11. Your children?................ Grown

12. Your fear?............... Heights

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?....... Here!

14. Where were you last night?................ Home

15. What you're not?...............Undependable

16. Muffins?................ Bran

17. One of your wish list items?............... Studio

18. Where you grew up?................. California

19. What are you wearing?............... Jeans

20. Your t.v.?................ Off

21. Your pets?................. Charlie

22. Your computer?................ Running

23. Your life?............... Good

24. Your mood?............... Blue

25. Missing someone?............... Lisa

26. Your car?............... Blue

27. Something you're not wearing?............. Hat

28. Favorite store?................ Lin's

29. Your Summer?................ Grandkids!

30. Like someone?................ Sister

31. Your favorite color?................ Green

32. Last time you laughed?................ Today

33. Last time you cried?............... Today

I tag anyone reading this who wants to play!

Friday Weigh-In

2010-01-22T06:13:00.003-07:00

Love this cartoon! Why didn't I think of this before???

Well...I skipped weighing in last week. I enjoyed myself in South Dakota without really thinking too much about what my weight was...therefore I was scared to step on the scale this morning. I actually lost!! Since two weeks ago I lost .4 pound! My total loss now is 51.8 pounds. Whoo hoo!! It's been a struggle since New Year's to keep a-goin' but I will just stick with it. Even if I maintained for a YEAR I'd be thrilled!!

With the Grandkids....Before and After

2010-01-18T22:10:00.002-07:00

Here I am with the grandkids last March when I visited in Texas for Dory's blessing. That was about fifty pounds ago.

Here I am with the grandkids today...looking a bit better. Still have a ways to go, but that's okay! Andrew got some great pictures with the kids...they've grown. I've had so much fun this visit!!

I have to leave to go back to St. George in the morning. Always hard to leave, but Heber and I will be coming in March during his spring break. I gotta get back to work to earn more money for this visit!

Here's Lisa and I. We've lost 100 pounds between us. I'm wearing the Black Hills gold necklace I bought at Mt. Rushmore...had to have a souvenir! Lisa spoiled me...made sure to stock up on Diet Dr. Pepper and made great meals for me. Today we drove the Wildlife Loop at Custer State Park. We saw lots of buffalo, antelope, a huge prairie dog town with lots of cute critters running around and deer, too. It was beautiful!

Mount Rushmore

2010-01-17T09:00:00.002-07:00

I've always been fascinated with Mount Rushmore and hoped to one day actually see it. Well yesterday Lisa and Andrew and the kids took me out to the memorial and we had a nice time there. The lady in the gift shop said it was 22 degrees below zero a couple of weeks ago, but today it was so nice and sunny. I bought souvenirs and went through the visitor center...totally enjoyed myself. There's an exhibit that allows you to push a plunger and blow up dynamite on a screen. Clayton loved that most of all.

Here's a profile view of George Washington. Thanks, Andrew for the great photo!

Here's Dory with a brand new bow made by Lisa's friend Amy. Amy made lots of fun beautiful bows for Dory. Girls are fun! I tended the kids (with the help of Play-Doh) last night so Lisa and Andrew could enjoy a few moments of time together. What a great visit Mormor is having!

Fun With the Monks, South Dakota Style

2010-01-15T20:15:00.004-07:00

This morning we drove out to Wall Drug...a conglomeration of souvenir stores, clothing stores, animated cowboys, fudge shop, diner, etc etc etc. Here's Brian saddled up on a barrel with
Dory looking on...Clayton wandering down the hall looking at all the sights.

Dory and I made friends with this bison. How fun to hold my granddaugter! She's so cute.

Yeeee Hahhh! Ride 'em Brian and Clayton!

Don't tell Heber I met this fine-looking guy. Too bad he wasn't much of a talker.

Here we are being serenaded by the wacky animated cowboys. Wall Drug was quite the experience!

Lisa and I went to Michael's and bought a gingerbread house kit on sale for $1.99. The kids had a ball putting candy all over it and watching their Mormor make a total mess of things.

I didn't follow any building codes; the roof fell off but Clayton didn't seem to mind a bit.

Here's a shot while the house still looked pretty good. Brian had fun playing with all the candy and Dory roamed the floor looking for windfall. My first day in South Dakota was awesome!

The boys are excited to put this house together. It's so fun to be with them!

Snow Canyon

2010-01-09T16:50:00.002-07:00

We decided to go for a walk in Snow Canyon today; the weather was warm and beautiful and the scenery is fantastic. Plus, it's only 5 minutes away from home.

What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Friday Weigh-In

2010-01-08T05:59:00.003-07:00

I'm still walking every night...it helps having an IPod. There truly are days where I spend a lot time talking myself into getting out the door.

This week's loss was 2.8 lbs! I was excited to see the scale really move again. My total loss is now 51.4 lbs...I am over the big 5-0 mark! I'll just keep plugging along.

NOTE: Next weigh-in will be in South Dakota!! Whoo Hoo!

1970's

2010-01-07T09:07:00.002-07:00

I found some old photos...and I do mean old. Here are two pictures from a Young Adult campout at Port Hueneme. I'm wearing a Hawaiian shirt that I actually made. It was a lot of fun.

Here I am with my best friend Niki Coop dreaming by the lovely firepit. Do you know what happens when you camp on the beach? You wake up damp and cold.

Here I am in May, 1977 holding Mary Anne's firstborn, T.J. Was this really over 30 years ago? Yikes.

Who says I don't know fashion? Well, Hope Russell and I had just gotten back from riding our horses down in the Arroyo Seco. Yes, that is a leather jacket with fringe! I thought it was too cool!

Friday Weigh-In...Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T07:34:00.002-07:00

Above: workers putting the 2010 South Pasadena float together. South Pasadena is one of the few floats in the parade every year that is built by volunteers. Go South Pas!

New Year's Day always brings memories of the Rose Parade...every year we sold programs at the float sites or parade route to pay our ward budget. My dad was very involved every year.

South Pasadena's float this year includes some of the town's old landmarks including the Rialto Theatre (the only theatre in town) where my siblings, friends and I spent countless hours watching movies. I remember Mom dropping Mary Anne, Craig and I off to see a double feature (remember those?) on Saturdays. We'd see such classics as "Snow White and the Three Stooges" there. Maybe the Rialto deserves it's own blog post...

Anyway, I digress...this week's LOSS (it was really iffy whether this was going to be a LOSS week...) was .6 pound bringing the total loss to 48.6 pounds! Whoo hoo! Being home for the holidays is murder on eating right. Working fulltime helps me stay out of the kitchen!

So on to a new year. I'm not much of one for resolutions...I just want to keep eating right and eating only when hungry. I want to keep walking every day, I want to do some good this year. I hope this year brings great happenings to all and challenges that will help us grow. Count your blessings and have a great 2010!

Game + Family = Fun!

2009-12-27T07:13:00.004-07:00

Weeks ago I was over at my friend Jen's house and saw an interesting box...I asked her what this was and she said it was the funnest game ever! I had never heard of Settlers of Catan but went home and read about it on the internet and promptly ordered it for a family Christmas gift. (I have total faith in my friend's opinion!)

So, last night we tried playing the game and were slowly getting the idea of it but it wasn't quite clicking. Jen, bless her heart, came over and showed us how to play...walking us through several turns until we could solo. (Jen, you just earned lunch at In-N-Out!)

We ended up playing until almost midnight and having the best time! It was the funnest game. How wonderful to have the TV off and all of us just having fun all evening. We can't wait to play it again!

Friday Weigh-In, Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T05:53:00.003-07:00

GOD JUL!!

(Those Swedes were smart to have fresh fruit instead of Rocky Road Squares and a cheeseball!)

I was down .2 lb this week...I was hoping to do a little better, but along came Christmas Eve and all the goodies that have to be tried. I am happy to have any loss at all! My total loss is 48 lbs. It's been a nice Christmas, I've been a bit sad, nostalgic and happy. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!!

Christmas Past...What a Blast!

2009-12-23T19:45:00.004-07:00

Christmas is also Phil's birthday! Here are Lisa and Phil, Christmas 1982. We lived in the little house on Orange Grove Blvd in South Pasadena...a very tiny home, but one of my favorites!

Phil opening presents....we lived in Fillmore, California at the time. Santa brought the kids musical instruments...including a drum and other very noisy items. What was Santa thinking??

Lisa on Christmas day. What could be more fun? We used to tell the kids they couldn't leave their rooms until 7:00 AM. What torture!

Mary Anne half asleep trying to enjoy her new toy scooter. We lived in Alta Loma, California at the time.

James in his Superman pajamas opening up Superman cartoons.

Opening the stocking stuffers...always so much fun!

At Grandma and Papa's home in Glendora. Mom always put on a wonderful dinner. We usually played bingo and had a little game or talent show. Such fun times and wonderful memories. Sometimes my dad would write a mad-lib to read.

Lisa and Mary Anne on Christmas Eve.

We do get snow in St. George once in a while. We built a lop-sided snowman....either that or we lived on a hill...

I think this is actually a Thanksgiving picture, but I had to include it. So many of our holidays included the Wolfe family. We had some fun times!!! Left to right: T.J., Danny, Ryan, Tom and Mary Anne. This pic was taken at my parents' home on Winding Lane.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!

Cousins

2009-12-22T20:43:00.003-07:00

Sisters are great, and cousins are awesome! Here's Janis, Becky, Mary Anne on the top row, then Kathy, Jody, and me! Any guesses on what year this was taken?

Friday Weigh-In

2009-12-18T06:04:00.002-07:00

This cartoon doesn't pertain to weight loss, but it's funny!

Goodnight! I lost 2.2 lbs this week for a total of 47.8!! I had a cold this week so couldn't go walking as much. I'm so happy to be getting through the holidays so well...so far so good.

Dueling Doggies

2009-12-12T18:39:00.005-07:00

Here's a couple of short videos taken by Mary Anne with her new camera...Joel and Charlie are fighting over an old sock. Can't we all just get along?

It cracks me up how Charlie just sort of gives up at the end. What a dog.

Friday Weigh-In

2009-12-11T06:01:00.002-07:00

Actually, I'm not fed up and this isn't really a diet, but I love the cartoon! I have felt like shooting the scale now and then...especially the one at the doctor's office which seems to weigh so much more.

This week's loss was .8 lb, bringing the total to 45.6 lbs! I have met my goal with weeks to spare, so on we go!! We march headlong into the holiday season. I'm still walking most nights, or exercising at home if it's just too nippy out. Thank you, everyone, for your continued encouragement and inspiration!

Friday Weigh-In and JAD

2009-12-04T06:15:00.003-07:00

Okay, I don't use JAD salts, but if anyone has any out there, let me know!

My weight loss this week was 1.6 pounds putting the total at 44.8 lbs. Yesterday I went to the radiation oncologist for my 6 month check up and my blood pressure from last appointment was down several points! This must be another perk to losing all this flubber and exercising. Today I have my annual physical with my family doctor...I'm actually looking forward to the weigh-in.

Do I stay motivated every moment? No. I'm always slightly shocked at how I can be so motivated and excited one day and feel like giving up the next. Nothing changed, but it goes to show you that this is indeed a mind game. Little Dory in Finding Nemo says, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" and that's what we'll do, just keep plugging along.

Friday Weigh-In

2009-11-27T06:39:00.002-07:00

The first Thanksgiving...before football and bathroom scales were invented.

My loss this week was .2 lb, bringing my total to 43.2. I am happy and amazed because this is the day after Thanksgiving and, well, I enjoyed myself yesterday! I love stuffing! The holidays are upon us, but I will do my best to just eat when I feel hungry. My goal is to lose a total of 45 lbs by the new year, so I only have 1.8 left to go. It would be amazing for me to actually lose weight over the holidays...but whether I gain or lose, I am not giving up!

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-26T19:48:00.002-07:00

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Besides Mary Anne, Mackenzie, James and Phil, we welcomed Dad, Uncle Phil and Aunt Maida, and Nathan to the feast! Mackenzie made broccoli casserole, Mary Anne made glazed carrots, and Maida brought rolls and cheescake.

I love Thanksgiving, because it's about getting together with family and thinking about all our blessings. What a great holiday...not over commercialized and you don't have to stress about gift giving.

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and counting blessings. I am so thankful for my family, my children, my husband, my dad (and it's his birthday today, too!) and all my aunts and uncles.

We all told some Swedish jokes and reminisced about the good ol' days. I sure missed my mom today so much. I also missed having Lisa and her family near us, but I am thankful for Skype so we can see each other and talk across the miles via computer. Technology can be great!

I'll be peace, you be quiet.

Friday Weigh-In

2009-11-20T06:23:00.002-07:00

Last weekend I was discussing the upcoming holidays with a friend who is on the HCG diet. She said she hoped to maintain through the holidays then hit it hard in January. I thought that sounded like a good plan. Later, after thinking about it, I decided to just keep doing what I'm doing...(not dieting!!) and see what happens. Anyway, this week I lost 2.4 lbs for a total loss of 43 lbs! I just need to keep muddling through the way I am, eat only when I'm hungry and keep walking. Thank goodness for those who continue to encourage me!

Office Field Trip to New Castle

2009-11-19T15:48:00.004-07:00

One of our goals at work is to become better friends, so what better way to bond than go on a fun field trip. Dr. Chalmers arranged for us to have tour of Milgro Nurseries out in New Castle (just past Enterprise out in the middle of nowhere). It was awesome and beautiful and gi-normous! Here are white mums.

Left to right: Bobbi John, Anna, Dr. Fagnant, Dr. Chalmers, and Scott the tour guide. Milgro supplies flowers all over the country. Their newest account: Trader Joe's!

Baby mums.

There were huge greenhouses full of pointsettias and people busily getting them ready for shipping. So beautiful! So many shades and types.

Jen, our office manager, Anna from Front Desk, Mary and Kristi who are both M.A.'s.

More pointsettias. We each got a lovely large pointsettia to bring home. What a fun day!

Friday Weigh-In

2009-11-13T06:14:00.003-07:00

This is forty pounds of pennies!

This week I lost 1.2 pounds for a total loss of 40.4! The holidays are ahead of us. If I can maintain till January I'll be satisfied. This past week, with the art trip we walked miles a day, but we also ate out a lot, too. My sister and I had the best time ever at Disneyland (she is looking GREAT by the way!). It helps to have my sister and daughter and husband all inspiring me and encouraging me to keep going. My journey is far from ending.

Sisters Star Wars Style

2009-11-09T19:12:00.001-07:00

Mary Anne and I met up at Disneyland and I talked her into this. We are ready to take on the galaxy! (Now if only Han Solo would show up.)

Art Trip and Disneyland!

2009-11-08T21:33:00.007-07:00

Here's Mary Anne admiring an interesting painting at the LA County Art Museum. So many paintings and sculptures! We also went through a Japanese Art Building and loved it!

On the bus, ready for more fun!

We went to the Huntington Library, the Norton Simon Museum, the J Paul Getty Museum and the LA County Art Museum. Here is Mary Anne by one of the beautiful amazing paintings we saw.

Mary Anne really liked this painting a lot.

Mackenzie and Mary Anne next to a beautiful painting by Jacques-Louis David. We saw several Van Goghs, Manets, Monets, Renoirs, Degas, Ingres, etc etc etc.

This is a painting by James Ensor entitled, "Christ's Entry into Brussels." It was huge!

Mackenzie next to a few statues. This is also at the Getty.

Mackenzie especially enjoyed modern art at the LA County Museum.

Yesterday we spent the day at Disneyland and met up with my sister Mary Anne and her two daughters-in-law, Sarah and Cathrine. We had a total blast, including dinner at the Blue Bayou.

We had fun on the new Buzz Lightyear ride where you get to shoot laser guns at targets all through the ride. Very fun!

My favorite ride was the Haunted Mansion with it's Nightmare Before Christmas makeover. Totally awesome and wonderful!!

Today, our last day on the trip, ended with a visit to Forest Lawn in Glendale. We saw the Last Supper stained glass and a gorgeous Bougereau. The guard led us to Walt Disney's final resting place. All in all we had a wonderful time!

Getty Up, Let's Go!

2009-11-04T05:58:00.003-07:00

We will be going to the J Paul Getty Museum, among others, this week on our art trip with Dixie College, so I decided to have an early weigh-in. It should be noted that we are stopping at In-N-Out on the way down and I'm just as excited to go there as to any ol' museum!

I couldn't help it, I was too curious to see how I was doing this week. It's only Wednesday but have lost .4 pounds since Friday. My total loss is 39.4. I am anxious to get to the big 40!

Trick or Treat!

2009-10-31T21:56:00.004-06:00

Halloween was so much fun! Here's Cinderella AKA Kahlil...she has to finish trick or treating before midnight or her mom and dad's car turns into a pumpkin!

Here are the Trailerpark boys, top left is James, top right is Phil's friend Will, bottom left is Phil and bottom right is Nathan. White trash fashion kings.

Very cool.

The Gnome Family came by...Anna, Steve and little Sophie looking cute as can be!

Who wouldn't want this garden gnome in their yard?

Here's a truly crummy picture of Ayla as a ladybug! I love all the cute costumes!

Here are the older Van Lehn sisters, ready to gather treats!

Snow White (Amber) with one of the 7 dwarfs (Adam) and wicked witch (Ben). No poison apples, thank goodness.

Here's a few of the jack-o-lanterns we carved today.

The Hall Family (Harley, Kenyon, Hunter and Josh) sailed in on the Black Pearl right to our door! How awesome is this??!!

The Foster kids don't seem to scared of the talking skull.

Jayni is Minnie Mouse!

Claire was adorable as Madeline from the children's books.

George is the Travelocity Gnome...roaming the neighborhood and finally ended up at our house!

Caitlyn and Emily have awesome costumes! Here we have Princess Peach and the Midnight Fairy.

Friday Weigh-In...A Loss is a Loss!

2009-10-30T06:20:00.002-06:00

Today's loss was 1.8 pounds putting my total at 39 pounds. Whoo Hoo!!
NOTE: No weigh in next Friday as I will be with Mary Anne and Mackenzie on the art trip with Dixie College.

My New Favorite Chili Recipe!

2009-10-28T06:37:00.005-06:00

We are going to the ward Fall Festival tonight and they asked for people to bring chili or soup. Just for fun I perused the internet for chili recipes (hopefully with "easy" in the title) and came across this recipe on (of all places) the WalMart Website. I made a triple batch of it this morning and test tasted it: great! It is easy, yummy and perfect for fall! (The recipe calls for 1/2 tsp salt which I left out)

MANWICH CHILI

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 can (15.5 oz) Manwich Original Sloppy Joe Sauce

1 can (15.5 oz) kidney beans, undrained

1 1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/8 tsp garlic powder

Cook meat in large skillet over medium-high heat about 7 minutes or until beef crumbles and is no longer pink; drain.

Add sloppy joe sauce, beans, and seasonings. Simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve warm. Maybe some grated cheese on top?

Save A Sister Walk

2009-10-24T10:23:00.003-06:00

This morning was the St. George Save a Sister 10K, 5K and mile walk/run. Mary Anne and I did the mile walk with aspirations for the 5K next year. Mackenzie served as photographer. Half the proceeds go to breast cancer services here in St. George. It was a cool morning, but absolutely beautiful.

Here's me with Anna from work. She ran the 10K! Go Anna!!

Mackenzie and Mary Anne.

On the walk!

Friday Weigh-In

2009-10-23T06:19:00.003-06:00

This week's loss was 2 lbs....bringing the total loss to 37.2 lbs!! Yeah! This shirt says, "I've Lost 37 Pounds and five shillings!" I wish that was a picture of me wearing it, but nay, nay, 'tis not.

I've had a good week, I've kept walking but am running out of clothes! What a happy problem! Tomorrow is the Save-A-Sister Mile walk I'm doing with Mary Anne. I'm ready!!

Halloween 1950's Style

2009-10-20T21:42:00.002-06:00

I love this photo! My sister Mary Anne, brother Craig and I dressed up and ready to trick or treat. My mom made this ghost outfit for me (with captions to make it clear what I was! "Boo I'm a spook!") She first made little eye holes for me to peer through but being the dork that I am, I whined about not being able to see out of the holes...she cut the holes bigger...I still whined. She cut them bigger...it wasn't any better, so she finally cut one giant hole and stuck my entire face through. Oh what moms have to put up with!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Mackenzie's Graduation!

2009-10-16T21:19:00.002-06:00

Mackenzie's official graduation from The Paul Mitchell School was tonight! We are so proud of her. What a great accomplishment for her and bright future she has!

What a happy group!

Brandi Clawson, Kayla Colour, Mackenzie Grover and Sam LeBaron.

Afterwards we went to the Honolulu Grill, ate yummy food and listened to karaoke; finally this group got up to sing, "A Whole New World." Mary Anne, Mackenzie, Meggi, and James. Mary Anne even sang a solo rendition of "Eight Days of Week." What a fun evening!!

Friday Weigh-In...A Loss is a Loss!

2009-10-16T06:11:00.003-06:00

I lost .2 lb this week bringing the total to 35.2! Of course I wish I had lost 2 pounds, but a loss is a loss! There are bound to be slow weeks. Let's keep the journey going for a very long time!

I Looked out the Window...

2009-10-14T19:20:00.004-06:00

This evening I saw a few of my favorite things. For one thing, the temperature is so perfect right now, so wandering outside is fun! The sunset was spectacular; I just wish my camera and skills were both better. I get so excited about autumn and the cool weather, the darker evenings and spicy smells of candles, apple crisp and pumpkins. Besides that, I am a bonafide cloud freak...I absolutely LOVE clouds!

I also love pumpkins and our new red door...looks so inviting and cozy! I love Halloween, too, with all the decorations and costumes. I look forward to greeting our neighbors and their children on All Hallow's Eve.

One more shot of our beautiful sunset.

Heber has been working hard on our backyard; he's been shoveling and raking gravel, moving rocks and creating a fun little rocky world in the backyard. It's fun to go back there now! Thank you, Heber, for all your hard work to beautify our yard! Our front yard is big but the backyard is small, but every year we do a little more to fix it up.

Yes, autumn weather means it's actually fun to work in the yard! I LOVE it!

Witchy Woman, Convict Charlie

2009-10-14T06:51:00.002-06:00

Mary Anne contemplating what spells she will be casting this Halloween.

Convict Charlie looking very guilty about his crimes...this perp was caught getting into the kitchen garbage again.

Mackenzie Clocks Out!

2009-10-10T13:20:00.003-06:00

Our dear Mackenzie (AKA Mickey) graduated from the Paul Mitchell Hair School today at 10:30 AM. We are so proud of all the hard work and time she put into this endeavor. The director of the school told me that Mackenzie has had a huge influence on the school...everyone had wonderful things to say about her. What a great accomplishment!

Everyone drew moustaches on their fingers.

We're so proud of you!

Here's lots of her friends and school colleagues waiting for her to clock out one final time.

Saying all her good-byes is hard to do. But we softened the blow by taking her to In-N-Out for lunch! A perfect ending to a perfect day. Way to go!!

Thirty Firsts

2009-10-09T22:40:00.002-06:00

Who was your FIRST prom date? Never got asked...I sure wanted to go!
2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love? No
3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink?Never had any!
4. Who was your FIRST kiss? My first kiss was with a guy I was dating, Tim, after he took me to Disneyland (Alhambra Night). It was nice!
5. What was your FIRST job? I worked for Judy Kelton who ran a houseboat rental company from her home. I mailed pamphlets, answered phones, rented houseboats, etc. Not too bad.
6. What was your FIRST car? A 1966 Red Mustang...I still miss that car!
7. Who was the FIRST person to text you today?I don't text!
8. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? Mmmmm, I don't remember...probably my husband.
9. Who was your FIRST grade teacher?Miss Dyke at Oneonta Elementary School in South Pasadena. She was sweet and wonderful. When I was a senior in high school I became a student aide for her and it was great!
10. Where was your FIRST apartment or place of your own? I lived at University Villa in Provo when I attended BYU. It was fun, I met a lot of nice people and learned to fend for myself.
11. Your FIRST ride on an airplane? I remember flying with my Mom to Salt Lake City to visit my grandparents. I love flying!
12. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk? My first best friend was Hope Russell and yes we still talk and email! It's awesome! We met in 7th grade art class when we discovered that we both liked the same color of green.
13. Where was your FIRST sleep over? I don't remember, but probably sleeping over at Cindy Porter's house in South Pasadena. We slept outside and talked and talked.
14. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today?My husband...discussing the day and the upcoming weekend.
15. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? I was a bridesmaid at my brother's wedding...it was a fun experience!
16. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? I weighed myself...my weekly weigh-in.
17. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? The first concert I ever went to was Jethro Tull in Los Angeles at the Forum I believe. I went with my sister and some of her friends. It was great! I remember one of the guys we went with kept yelling "LOCOMOTIVE BREATH!" at the top of his lungs thinking that they would hear him.
18. FIRST tattoo? The only tattoos I ever had were the dots they permanently tattooed on my when I had radiation.
19. FIRST piercing? When I was 17 years old. My Mom wanted to have her ears pierced and talked me into going with her as moral support. I think we went to some jewelry store to have it done.
20. FIRST foreign country you've been to? Canada (Vancouver) to visit the Slawsons when I was in second grade.
21. FIRST movie you remember seeing? I don't remember!!! I do remember when Mom would drop us kids off at the Rialto Theatre for a double feature on Saturday...we'd see such gems as "The 7 Voyages of Sinbad" and "Snow White and the Three Stooges."
22. When was your FIRST detention? My friend Niki and I went to detention for cutting gym class in high school.
23. What was the FIRST state/province you lived in?I was born in Utah!
24. Who was your FIRST roommate? Hope Russell and I roomed together at BYU. Our other roommate was Carol Baily...we all became good friends.
25. What was your FIRST "bad" word? I don't remember!
26. What was your FIRST broken bone?Never have broken any bone...not yet anyway.
27. When did you lose your FIRST tooth?Yikes-- who remembers this?? probably when 6 years old.
28. If you had one FIRST wish, what would it be? I wish for my children to be happy.
29. What is something you would learn FIRST if you had the time? I would like to learn some Latin...is that weird?
30. Who do you think will be the FIRST person to post this? I don't know!!

Friday Weigh-In

2009-10-09T05:59:00.003-06:00

Well, we're back to dead fish...it's either that or a dog, and somehow a huge dead fish is a better visualizaton of 35 pounds of fat. This is a salmon...I love salmon, but was I really carrying this thing around with me...all the time? Yikes.

This week's loss was 2.6 pounds for a total loss of 35 pounds. I wonder if it's a good thing or a bad thing to weigh myself 3 or 4 times during the week...I was getting discouraged...last Sunday I was down, then Tuesday I was back at the same weight I was at last at last Friday's weigh-in, then I was down a bit the next day...some say only weigh yourself once a week but I can't help it.

So, I was really wondering if I'd lost anything. The last few days I stepped up the walking which was easy because of the beautiful weather and cool evenings. I definitely have more energy and more endurance.

Conclusion: Enjoy the journey! The scale's message is just a number...an important number to keep track of progress to a point, but just a number. The main reward is that I'm getting into some smaller clothes, I have lots more energy, I can put on pantyhose much easier, I can get in and out of my car easier, and I feel more confident! My left knee has quit hurting completely and I don't dread weighing myself at the doctor's...heck, I'm looking forward to it! I'm almost ready to look in a mirror!

Friday Weigh-In

2009-10-02T06:16:00.003-06:00

This week's loss was a suprising 1.4 pounds for a total loss of 32.4! Why suprising? Because it was one of those weeks I felt unmotivated. I talked to my dear sister who gave me a pep talk...asked me if I wanted to be at the weight I started at...no! Weight loss is a total mind game...I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have people encouraging me to just keep going. Even if I just lost this much and stayed at this weight...that would be good! So, thanks, sis...you're like the mirror in my fridge!!

My Grandma's Basement

2009-09-30T10:19:00.006-06:00

2139 Roberta St.
When life slows down and I'm in a thoughtful mood, I love to mentally tour Grandma and Papa's little home on 2139 Roberta St. in Salt Lake City. When visiting I would sleep in the room in the basement...I can see the dark green pattern of the art deco curtains, see the grass above me through the little windows and hear the comforting creak creak creaking of the adults walking upstairs through the cozy kitchen and down the basement wooden stairs. The picture above is one of my favorites: Karin, Linnea, and Rose. It stood in a frame on the dresser in the basement alongside Grandma's beautiful brush and comb set. There were other photos of Grandma and Papa's children hanging on the wall and sometimes little works of art from various grandkids. The floor was concrete painted red and there was no light switch...you had to partially screw in and out a light bulb. I loved it all! Waking up in the morning excited to be where I was! Running up those happy wooden stairs for a breakfast of homemade Swedish coffebread and Ovaltine.

Everything seems so high tech now and vacations need to be more luxurious and more expensive to be worthwhile (according to some). Just give me one day back in the 1960's in my Grandmother's house. That's all I need.

Friday Weigh-In and Scary Goals

2009-09-25T05:53:00.002-06:00

Here's 31 pounds of strawberries...hey, it was either this or another fish! This was prettier!

This week's loss was 3.6 pounds! My total loss is 31 pounds! I was hoping to get to the 30 pound mark...I'm not sure why it was such a good week...I ate Cafe Rio twice, I enjoyed some Oreo ice cream cake yesterday. Walking every night is a great habit. Though I still have a journey ahead of me, I am feeling so much better, have more energy and for the most part have been eating healthier. I just want to keep it up! We now have a small group who report in each Friday and are doing great!! Even my daughter, Mary Anne, who doesn't need to lose weight, has dropped a couple of pounds and is getting in shape with the walking.

As I lose weight I have goals shaping up...goals which face my greatest fears. No, I'm not planning a skydiving trip or climbing Mt. McKinley. My biggest fear is facing the camera willingly. Next summer Heber and I will have our portrait taken...now that is brave! My sister and I want our portrait taken together, also...double brave!! She and I also want to go tubing down the Virgin River next summer...overcome our fear of looking ridiculous and popping the tube!! We can do it!

Friday Weigh-In

2009-09-18T06:11:00.002-06:00

Here's a dog who weighs 27 pounds. I no longer carry around "this dog" wherever I go.

This week's weight loss was 1.4 lbs for a total loss of 27.4! It's going well; some days seem easier than others. It's wonderful to have my husband and my sister losing weight also. We support each other and encourage each other. I continue to walk every night and it's almost cooling off at night a little more. I still have a long journey ahead but that's okay!

Weekend!

2009-09-12T20:29:00.004-06:00

I decided to try some vines on my own kitchen cabinets...I can't decide if I like it or not...I'll sleep on it. Mary Anne suggested adding some berries or grapes to give it some color...what do you think? I may end up painting over all this.

Next stop: Phil's place

Mary Anne and I headed over to Phil's this afternoon to try out Nathan's new game: Beatles Rock Band! It was so much fun! It's hard to believe these songs are 40+ years old. We took turns trying out guitar, bass, drums and singing...very fun! The game itself is fun to watch.

I tried singing "Back In the USSR," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and a few others. Mary Anne loved singing "Hard Day's Night." I'm not very good at all this, but loved it!

Friday Weigh-In

2009-09-11T05:54:00.002-06:00

Here's a lucky fisherman holding a 26 pound fish!

This week I lost 2.4 pounds for a total loss of 26! We've been working in the yard and walking 2 to 3 miles per day. Together, Heber and I have lost about 44 pounds! When we started I had to convince myself to go walking, but now I look forward to it everyday. The weather is slowly cooling a degree at a time...it's still warm at night but much more comfortable. I set a goal to lose 30 lbs by Oct 24 (the Save-A-Sister mile walk) and it's looking good for that. I still have a lot to go, but that's okay!

Nuts About Sand Dollars

2009-09-04T19:56:00.002-06:00

My friend Thea gave me a few dozen bleached sand dollars she found in Oregon. I thought I'd try painting on them...maybe for Christmas ornaments? Heber drilled little holes in the top so I can put a wire or ribbon through to hang them.