He's Off!

Seth just left for his first EMT class. We looked up the bldg. it's in, on Google. Hope he finds it okay. He took a looseleaf notebook, his textbk. (I hope!), paper and pens. He has something to drink, also, during their break, 'cause it's a long class. There are lots of things to monitor here. It keeps me on my knees (lol!). So, wish us luck! Not much happening. Nice, nice weather here. Mark is fine and has a car now. Nothing's dying that I know of, so that's good. Lots of love to you all. xoxoxo

Everything, Everything!

Anya (photo courtesy of Megan)

Hi. Thx. for reading my blog, first of all. It really thrills me when you leave a comment, however small. I like it!

Thursday, the day after Seth got his license, I had a dental appt. in I.F., so we got to experience freeway driving! I have to say, Seth learns very quickly and the ride home wasn't nearly as scary!

We went to my appt., then swung by the insurance office, where my blood sugar really dropped (but I managed to conceal it). I, for some reason, didn't have something sweet with me so we went to Arby's and I got two cherry turnovers and some curly fries. Seth got a couple of sandwiches and some mozzarella sticks, and we shared a strawberry banana split shake. I felt like I was starving, and the food was EXCELLENT. Oh my goodness! You have to try that shake! And everything was so fresh and hot. It was the best food on earth (given my state of blood sugar and the fact that it really was good). We shared the fries and mozz. sticks, and I had a bite of his sandwich. Mmm, mmm, good. : ) One of those memorable eating experiences that you never forget!

It reminded me of when we'd drive to Bro. Jensen's in St. Louis. We'd take apples to eat, and the car would smell like apples. On the way home, we'd smell the food at a restaurant (it's name escapes me) by the freeway, and we would die! But a couple of times, the kids would earn some free food coupons at school, specifically for that place, and we'd spend a couple of dollars extra, and we'd get to eat from their salad bar. Oh, that was so good! They had chicken wings and potatoes and gravy and really, really good corn. Those are the things that I remember eating there. Megan and Melinda and I all remember those experiences, because we've talked about them.

Other food memories for me are having pork chops (once?) when I was little, and the few times we ate bacon. Also, eating watermelon with my mom - so good! And eating her homemade eggnog and the cookies she'd bake for the church bakesales - the "20,000 Mint Surprise" cookies, or "Starlight Mint Surprise." The best cookies in the world! They don't make the thin, dark chocolate mint discs that she used anymore, unfortunately. Andes Mints are the best substitute I know of.

I also loved her Molasses Chew cookies, and I'm always trying to find that recipe.

Occasionally, I would get a malted milk at Paul's Diner, in Decatur, Illinois. It's been owned by the same family since before I was born, and they make their own ice cream for their shakes, which are huge and delicious. I was introduced to milk shakes by Sis. Weatherbee, Carleen Weatherbee's (she was always my best friend) mom. She made the best homemade milkshakes, and forever spoiled me for fast-food chemical foams!

Another indelible food memory is drinking homemade lemonade at Turners' farm (Aunt Evelyn was good friends with Mrs. Turner), after fishing. We'd eat outside in the evening - the twilights were long and and exquisite, and I'll never forget them.

I'm sure the older kids remember butchering the pigs and having bacon sandwiches with garden tomatoes we had raised. I always felt that Arnold and Fred were happy that they had lived so long and well (they'd been free runts that were going to die, courtesy of cousin Jim, Evelyn's son), and that we really needed the food they provided for our family.

Being married to Mark has given me many indelible food memories. Standing out for me were clam dip, cream of mushroom soup, French onion soup, strawberry ice cream, dreamy hot chocolate, his hamburgers and pork chops and roasts and steaks, and prime rib, when we've had them. His beautiful turkeys for Thanksgiving, and his Christmas hams. And the chocolate pies and cheesecakes and German chocolate cakes and homebaked breads of all kinds, his oatmeal cookies and fragrant banana nut bread, and our meatloaf and vegetable soup, his buttermilk fried chicken and his shish kabobs, and Chinese food, and I could go on and on!

I know I'm forgetting some of his specialties, so remind me if you think of some I've overlooked!

It's amazing, especially being so limited physically, that I don't weigh ten tons!!

As for other food experiences, I love fresh fruit and brocolli, garden tomatoes and green onions, chives, and cucumbers ~ so many fresh and healthy, simple foods.

----

I've been watching some really good movies lately, on tv. I can hardly remember their names, tho. Some were edited shows I've never seen before. I'll let you know if I remember their names, okay?

The weather has been great lately. Some hot days, and a few cool ones. Overall, it's been perfect August weather. Of course, you can't beat September and October here, and in some parts of the Midwest and New England and the Mid-Atlantic states. Megan and family should get to enjoy some great fall scenery in Amish country, in eastern Ohio.

Mark is doing well in his new job. The High Priest's group leader is loaning him a car, starting today. Isn't that nice? It will make a big difference for Mark!

He says that it all feels unreal still. No wonder, with living on the premises, not having a car, and all by himself!

He says he mailed me a box. So sweet of him! I'll have to make him one, too.

Tamathy and I were talking about Glenn Beck's gathering in D.C. today, and I'm going to try to take notes and write something funny about it. I know there'll be kooks there, from both sides of the political spectrum, and it should be great fodder for funny commentary. I hope so, because I really enjoy writing humorous material, but I have to be inspired to do so.

Then it's so easy. : )

What else? I can't think of much. Leto lies on the back patio when I have the door open, which I do when it's not very hot outside.

We both enjoy the fresh air and quiet.

Tut is very needy and reaches out his paws for attention

from his lazy, happy naps on the bed.

Mostly it's an act.

He's always been on the stage, in his mind, playing the part of a fat, happy cat.

He can hold a pose forever.

I think fall will go very quickly. I look forward to Mark's visits

and to visiting him in Las Vegas, as I'm able.

Won't that be fun?

As usual, I'm not planning to give many store-bought gifts this Christmas.

I realize that might seem chintzy, but it makes the season so much more enjoyable to do so.

It turns the holiday into something peaceful, long and loving,

and fun!

It gives me room to think and plan

And it allows time for many more seasonal, traditional activities.

I feel happy when I think of sledding, Christmas caroling, drinking cocoa by the fire,

spending time with family, and being a Secret Santa, some times!

Remember when we went to Linda's parents' home

and went on a horse-drawn hayride in the cold?

And then we rode Buddy and Jewel

We got some great pictures of the family

and the setting is beautiful!

What a fascinating history that location has.

Linda said, I believe, that it's called Deer Springs,

and it was a stop on the Oregon Trail.

Well, that's about all for now.

Keep making memories!

I love you!

xoxoxo

Whew!

We can stop holding our breath now ~ Seth passed his driver's test, first try! We just got home from that. When we went to meet the tester, we didn't know where the police station for Pocatello was. That's where he said to meet him, and Seth had looked up the location and directions. We took a wrong turn, but recovered and went right there then. Yay! The guy was so relaxed and nice. That was really helpful. We showed him our vehicle registration and proof of insurance and Seth's permit. They were gone around 15 minutes. And we were done with that part of things. Then we had to take the test paper, in a sealed envelope, to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles to get his license. Seth had one knife (totally legal) on him, so he had to leave it at the entrance, and I had two that I had to leave. I felt so cool with my knives! Now Seth has his actual license, good until he turns 18 and gets an adult one. I won't let him drive all over, tho, and no friends in the car at all! Still, it's so nice to know we can drive together, and I can send him on errands, and he can get to his classes! After we got Seth's license, we had to drive in circles, asking people for directions repeatedly, till we found the college bookstore. We picked up Seth's EMT book and workbook - expensive! It'll be really interesting to look at, anyway. I'm excited to see how it differs from my old EMT textbk. Now I'm eating wonderful grapes - the best ever - from Smith's. Not much else is going on. Seth is getting his hair cut, and we have appts. soon. I'm so glad to have this done! Thanks for reading my blog. : ) xoxoxo

This Is Where Mark Is

Catch Up

I finally got a shot of my new teeth. Don't I look better in them?

I think so!

Isn't this a gorgeous room?

I found it as the head photo on realestate.com, I believe

I couldn't find it there later on, so I'm glad I saved it.

I love it!!

I was thinking this a.m., about moving the sprinklers, pet care, more driving practice for Seth (we went driving yesterday - the practice goes well, except for the times Seth loses consciousness briefly, lol) and then doing all my medical things and morning routine (including going out on the back porch with Leto for a bit), I felt kind of overwhelmed by just how many things we do just to maintain things. It doesn't leave so much time for extra effort, then.

Even though Seth does many things for me, I check on and direct with him, to see that the animals and yard are cared for, so those things are part of the routine.

My point isn't that I have so much to do, because I don't, compared to all of you; it's that I realized that when we move, even if we have a house, we won't have pets, a lawn, or children to care for. When I wake up, it will be my health and grooming things and that's it. Won't that be strange? My mind and energy can then go immediately to whatever else I want to accomplish, pretty much.

I know that raising kids is my major responsibility, and those relationships are eternal and I love them, but you have to admit, the routine will be so different then. Wow. I won't know what to think! I'm really hoping to take advantage of this time, to have fun, and to be with Mark and explore the area. I would love that!

I just naturally spend time on certain things, like family, visiting with the elderly, and doing church callings (when I have them). I want to make friends in our new ward - Mark says our ward is almost all young couples, but I won't hold their age against them. ;) Our bishop and several ward members work for casinos, probably as accountants and so on, but that is plain strange to me! That's like working for the tobacco companies, or beer places. Right? I'm not judging, just surprised. Maybe it's like running for office: politics is generally corrupt, but there you are. Things aren't always black and white.

I found the zip code that feels right to me, looking at the homes and the neighborhood, and the proximity of the church bldg. Turns out, it the zip of Willow Creek at San Marten, which I didn't expect. It's a ways from the neighborhood, but is included in the same zip. Is that a sign?

Anyway, I feel really good about it.

In every neighborhood, there are a number of foreclosures. It's scary to think that 'regular' people couldn't keep their homes, but many of them were probably in construction during the housing boom there and lost their jobs.

You can do Google Earth and see all around where Mark works. The zip I like is 89113, if you want to put that in your search.

Mark's work is going well. He called me last night and asked me to check out youtube videos of a young girl on America's Got Talent, Jackie Evancho(?). She is truly amazing! And so sweet and cute. You should look her up, too (as if you all have lots of time on your hands!).

Mark might be able to fly up here some weekend. Wouldn't that be great? I've got to hurry up and do more, so that he's surprised when he gets here.

I'll tell you more when I think of more, okay? I feel a bit fuzzy-brained from not sleeping, but I just don't sleep much when Mark's not here.

Oh, I went outside at 3:30 a.m. to look for shooting stars (the Perseids are showering through Fri. a.m.), but we had total cloud coverage. I think it will be clearer the next two nights. They're in the NE sky, after midnight. With a new moon this year (not the movie ;), it's a great time to see them. I'm excited, because I've never really seen a good meteor shower and I would love to have that experience.

Thanks for reading!

xoxoxo

Bear Lake Pictures, Some Sad News, and What We're Up to Now

Miss Emme

Josh struggling to get a seat on the picnic bench (Look behing the white bundle)

An Alex and JoshM Moment

Josh, heading for the High Country

Ben and Josh against a beautiful late-afternoon sky

Danny and Alex walking together

Linda helping Josh with a juice box

She squeezed the box

and he chewed

He thought that he was chewing

the juice up the straw

Isn't that cute?

Seth, Justin, and Danny, watching the kids' toes

and the crocodile's mouth

Look what we made in the sand at Bear Lake! Aren't they cool?

We had so much fun! The weather was perfect

and the water was so refreshing!

Linda and Ben brought Josh

who crawled all around, and Justin came and played catch with Seth

I spent time in the water

and under our tarp/shelter and ate

We had sandwiches and fixin's

and chips and Oreos

(which Alaina found delightful)

and licorice and bananas and grapes

and watermelon and water

and sf punch for me

Yum!

___

As for now, Seth mowed this a.m., and I edited these pictures

and made more lists of things to do

Mark walked to the stores last night and got food

to make sandwiches

He felt shy about getting utensils from the facility

so he used a plastic knife to slice his bread and tomato

That is so pathetic

We feel for you, Mark!

He's getting ready to take the nat'l. licensing test

That's what Nevada uses for assisted living licensure

Mark always does well on tests, so I'm not worried

Seth needs to do some practice driving for his license test of a different sort

And we need to get dog food and return some jeans for Seth and do some laundry

Scary!

We have the sprinkler going, too

(mentioning that for Mark's benefit :)

We need to wash the car also

And, of course, continue packing and cleaning

Seth's room is actually looking quite nice now

And the main bedroom is about half-packed (that includes the bathroom)

I still need to do the desk, the filing cabinet and the bathroom

The living and dining room are 'easy peasy'

The kitchen will be fun, until we get to the things to store and things to get rid of

Same with the office

The craft room will be fun, since I've recently organized it

and I know what I want to take with me and I know what I want to store

The family room is pretty much all packed up; Mark did that before he left : )

The really difficult things will require Mark, too, or at least some kind of assistance

because I can't go down there

I've only seen pictures that Mark took of it

The garage will be pretty difficult too

The last things, around the yard and the garage and the basement

are always the worst to get done

They take up lots of room and they're usually heavy!

Monday, I go back to the dentist to get my teeth

Yay!!

I hope Seth gets his license Monday morning or I'll have to get a ride or change my appt.

Mel and Danny can't take me; they left today for Megan and Brooks' home

and Gr. Cripe's too

(Any potential robbers, Beware! People still on the premises!)

Justin will be working, so he won't be available

I just hope that Seth does well driving

I think he will

He's very coordinated, so we'll see

And pray for Danny and Melinda to travel safely

I have another group for us to pray for...

Roger and Mary called last night with sad news

They said our cousin Colleen

(Uncle Wimpy and Aunt Pat's daughter)

is very ill and doesn't have long to live

That is so sad! She is one of my favorite cousins!

I always think of her closeness to my mother

She was closer to Mom's ageand they were very alike

All huggy and enthusiastic and kind and generous

and very family-oriented

We will miss you, Colleen!

___ Thank you for your comments! I love you.

xoxoxo

Oh, and by the way

we weren't the ones who made the elephant and the other sand-critters... someone else spent all day making them; they said they sculpt them on one day, every year

and we were just lucky enough to be right there at Bear Lake on that particular day!

Take Care!

A Few Days So Far, and All is Pretty Well

I haven't tried downloading the photos from Bear Lake yet, so will just say it was a perfect day to swim, so beautiful and refreshing. I'm so glad Seth and I went!

Mark is enjoying his work so far. He says that the people are nice, our suite is large, the bed is comfortable, and the menu is great. What is really exciting to me is how close we are to major shopping! That's just fun to me, 'cause we've been fairly close here and have gotten spoiled; we're even closer there - right down the street is a shopping center with many stores, including Home Goods and TJ Maxx! And, if you get on the loop (nearby), the first exit goes right to a Sam's Club and Wal Mart and a ton of other stores! Also, they have a Target and a Kohl's. Shopper's (well, in our case Lookers) Heaven. Yay!

Doesn't that sound like a travel destination for all of you? I say that you all come and visit at the same time, and that we hit the shops and stores and all the unique little places around there, then we visit Lake Mead, and then we ride all the roller coasters in the area! Also, if you come in the right month, we could go to the Nat'l. Finals Rodeo, too. Or see Phantom of the Opera, Las Vegas (a little shorter version, said to be wonderful), or The Blue Men or The Trans Siberian Orchestra. Or who knows? There are some awesome rock formations near there, and Zion's Nat'l. Park isn't far.

As for Seth and me, I got my glasses and Seth got his driver's permit, he went to the dr.'s yesterday and we got meds for his sinus infection and some groceries (cheese crumbles, bananas, and some other stuffs), and I got part of our room packed up.

Tomorrow a.m., Mel is supposed to pick Seth, me, and Leto up and take us to I.F. for my dental appt. and our book club, and we'll stay overnight. Then Seth might be able to practice driving with one of them and take his test when he comes back. Then we'd have wheels and he can apply for his jobs easier, too. Wow, that would be different!

Then I'll keep up packing with my aide and Seth, and in about a week I'll get my dentures! It starts feeling like we are moving towards our present goals.

Bro. and Sis. Coles, our elderly neighbors (and home teacher), have been driving us around. We've gotten to know them so much better. Bro. Coles likes to tell about his life, which I love. He's pretty funny, and a very dedicated worker and helper. They still have their own home and garden, and they're 89! They once guessed Mark and I as being in our 70's; maybe that's young to them!

Well, take care, and I'll keep you posted!

xoxoxo