trying on dresses

Fred and I FINALLY took a trip to the basin to visit my niece and her family.  We love all the family that lives there.  My niece was asked to prom and so we took some dresses from our house to her house.  She is a natural beauty and her date will be going with a gorgeous young lady.  Thanks for all the hugs from these cute little kiddos.  Much love from Uncle Friend and Auntie Char.    PS..and take a look at the newest member of the family.  She is so cute!!

with the poofy slip underneath!!

Oh Clyde, M and L you are so loveable.  Love Miss A!!  She just came from working in the family business.  No makeup or hair done.  We didn't even notice.

He gives the best hugs!!

she chose this one too!!

Sweet newborn.

New look for Spring

Sale + Shopping + Natalie = A Newer look for Spring.  I was able to recycle an old watering can and turn it into a centerpiece for the table.  The look around the door will match the flowers that I plant in May.  I love Gerber daisies and for the past two years I have been able to find them here at our local Walmart garden center. 

I'm not the best floral designer.  I am grateful for what little talent I have and to my neighbor and mother who taught me the basics back in high school.  :)

Sharing....

"Those who quietly and thoughtfully go about doing good offer a model of consecration.  No one in our time more perfectly incorporates this trait into daily life than President Thomas S. Monson.  He has cultivated a listening ear that can discern even the faintest whisper of the Spirit signaling the need of someone he can reach and help.  Often it is in simple acts that confirm divine love and awareness, but always, always, Thomas Monson responds."  Elder Christofferson, Ensign, November 2010, pg. 18

food

Did I mention that I love mushrooms?  Cute hubby brought lunch from Ruby River to share and to my delight there were some tasty mushrooms included.  I love stuffed mushrooms, sauteed and fresh mushrooms in salads, on pizza and some to munch on.  There were only two but I savored every bite.  Yum Yum.
I also love liver and onions, Purple Turtle onions rings and egg salad sandwiches, hard boiled eggs and pickled red beets.    I'll eat venison, buffalo burgers, elk steaks and moose and Red Robin Whiskey River BBQ with a Turkey patty.    However...I will not eat sardines!!  I've tasted frog legs, pheasant and goose, which tasted like a mud float with dirt sprinkles.  I haven't tried dog food like Clinton has.  Well he only tried a few pieces!!  I enjoy tuna fish sandwiches with either miracle whip or mayo, dill or sweet pickles and cheese!  I served my kids lots of fish sticks and spam pizza puffs which I still love to this day.  They are not so excited to eat those items any longer.

I love freshly ground peanut and almond butter from the health food store and I even love dates!  ( both,  in case you thinking that) Date cookies, date bars and dates rolled in coconut from Mary's Health Food Store.  I'll enjoy raw almonds, raw cashews, dried cranberries, pumpkin, sunflower and pine nuts. 

Just thought you wanted to know :)

She Graduated!

2000 hours later and she is done!!  Our newest Hair stylist!!   Yeah for Kallee!  She is so talented!   So here is the plug from mom.  If you need a hair stylist, nail technician (she specialized in Gel nails) she's the one.  She is that good!!  Love ya and Congrats!

two years working full time and school at night.  Lot's of sacrifice!!

Winter Warrior Woman

My gear

My ride

Her name is ruby

You know you are a winter warrior woman when it takes more layers of clothing than fat to keep you warm.

You know you are a winter warrior woman when it is so cold you can't feel yourself perspire.

You know you are a winter warrior woman when you don't care what your hair looks like after the ride.

You know you are a winter warrior woman when you eat snowflakes for hydration.

You know you are a winter warrior woman when your tires crackle from the salt and sand scattered on the road.

You know you are a winter warrior woman when your nose hairs freeze solid with each breath you take.

You know you are a winter warrior woman when you choose to ride outside instead of going to a gym.

You know you are a winter warrior woman when your husband of 27+ years calls you one and smiles :)

Observations

Observations:

I used to get annoyed when the silverware didn't match.   Now I'm glad to have some after raising children.

It would bother me if I had a chip on a plate.  Now I need that plate to set the table for everyone.

It still bothers me if there are not napkins to use at the table.

"I'm sorry that the house is not cleaned up"  is a phrase I use often.

I don't care if other people don't like our dead animals on the wall.  We just brought the outside in for a visit.

I have more time to do what I want to do. but where should I start?  


I put up with my paper piles and nobody elses...

I need new curtains but can live with the repaired look for awhile longer.

I am worn out on Sunday's now more than ever but it is worth all the effort! 
I still enjoy hugs and kisses from my children
It's okay if everything doesn't get done or if it doesn't look like Martha Stewart.
Living is more important. 

Peek a boo

 We have had a lot of this.....

Peek a boo Spring, Where are you?

My husband has often saved great quotes.  Today while looking for a paper I discovered another page of quotes he had found and written down.  His missionary journal was filled with great verses of poetry, quotes and inspirational messages. 

It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.  H. Truman

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.  M. Teresa

Love is living and therefore growing,
Love is growing and therefore expanding.
There is no limit to the expression of love
for its source is divine
and thus its' expression is perfect.   Khan

It takes years to build trust and seconds to destroy it.

We are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

Sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

Just one person saying you make my day can make your day.

CTR 4

This year Fred and I are teaching the CTR 4 class.  We graduated with half of our sunbeams from last year.  We try to remember everything they say that makes us laugh.  Here are a few from this last week.

Teacher,  I got a cute cowgirl hat!! ( During the middle of a spiritual song)    Do you see that girl over there?  She is my friend.  She is sitting next to my other friend.  Do you know what her name is?       Hey Carlson.    I want Carlson.  Those are the sweet words of primary children who really want "Brother Carlson"   A new girl comes into our class and Carlson tries to befriend her by calling her Bill, Tom or any other name he could think off.  The class kept saying her name is L..... not Bill.  He would keep playing the game.  Another child in our class has the distinct nickname of "clock," Yes, you read that correctly, clock.  Last week Little Miss Wiggle worm sat on my lap and whispered, "Carlson calls her Bill  (pointing)  and he calls him "Clock."   These angels don't miss anything.   

Pollyanna

I wish that I would have kept a notebook by my bed at night to record all of the silly dreams, deep thoughts, random ideas that I have in the middle of the night.  If I had been very diligent with writing them down I probably would have volumes recorded .  The other night had not been too different from many others, I was restless and woke up several times. My mind was racing every direction and replaying events of the day over and over.   By about the third and most vivid dream I lay there awake pondering all that had transpired.  My dreams are usually a mix of the good and bad, if I have watched a show or had a conversation with someone that day if reappears in my dreams but is twisted and unreal.  I usually wake up with an anxious feeling similar to that of one who has just had a nightmare  This time I woke up giving myself a speech.  It was about gratitude.   I attribute these feelings or thoughts to a couple of blogs I had read earlier in the evening. It is hard to read about others who experience lots of heartache and trials.  I had been very touched by what they wrote.    The following words and thoughts came to my mind.  I only write these feelings down so that I can read them later and remind myself of this moment. (after awhile the memories fade )  It wasn't anything profound, it's just a good reminder of how I should think, feel and live my life.  Heartache and life happen.  I have known this for so long   But today I am grateful for the breath I am allowed to take for somewhere someone else may be taking their last.  I am allowed to stay on earth to live, learn and experience life.   I get to be with my family,, I get to love and be loved.  My body still moves, I get to make choices about how my day will go and they are not dictated by ill health or other circumstances.  I get to take it all in.    So...what am I doing about it?  I'm feeling sorry for myself and allowing my own trial to weigh me down.  This is when I got up and wrote my speech to myself down.  It was time to really live...... I thought about the character in the movie Pollyanna, I don't remember her name but she was consumed with the thoughts about dying and filled with self pity for her situation.  Do you remember that scene?  I do,  I love it for it is where Pollyanna reminds her that she ought to get on with living.  That was my message to myself.  Be grateful for the moment, get on with living !!!

Crafting Therapy

When winter blues set in and the sky has turned to dingy gray,
there is nothing more theraputic than a good ole crafting day.

Thanks Nat for the idea.!  Now to get busy and finish my other "heart" day projects.

Updates from December

 Family Christmas Party with Miss Nyman our family friend.  We typically hold this party the week before Christmas.  No matter the age and who ever is home, we will always have the tradition of waiting in the hallway before coming into the room to see what Santa has brought.  We enjoyed having Blake home for the holidays. ( He will be headed to Florida for more training with Parachute Rigging by the end of January.  He is no longer pursuing the medical field. )  Josh joined us Christmas morning.  Cute Caraline had to work and they celebrated the holiday later in the day.  It was a great time having family around.  This is truly a blessing to be surrounded by loved ones.  I am so grateful to have children and family close by.

 

Top Events of 2010

• This list is in no particular order.  Every family event was important but I will excuse myself now if I forget.  That is a condition that is well known to those of us in the over 50 club.  :)
• went camping to the north slope with family and enjoyed the Cadillac 4 wheeler
• kenzie graduated from high school and started the DATC
• Clint, Nat and Duncan all graduated from Weber State University
• Josh and Caraline were married on May 8 and the weather was beautiful that day
• upgraded to a newer and more reliable vehicle.
• survived teaching the sunbeams for one year..now we move up with them.  Must be our punishment
• Went to Florida with Fred, Kenzie and Colton
• Blake joined the Navy and was home on leave for Christmas
• Went to Bear Lake with the fabulous Carlson family and we beat the Mansfields in Volleyball.  LOL
• Fred rode 60 + miles for his birthday, I managed about 18 for a fluffy lady.
• Sad that our Sister Sue passed away
• witnessed a miracle with the Chilean miners
• celebrated 27 yrs of marriage
• added another dead animal to the wall...it's huge
• my mother's health improved
• made many pies for thanksgiving and loved being with the family
• went to dinner with my siblings and parents and had a blast
• survived teaching a class in RS on family traditions
• had most of Christmas ready by Dec. 17 and actually relaxed
• Kallee and Duncan bought a new home
• Josh sold his truck...someone please buy his bullet bike.
• walked a half-marathon with Natalie and friends from Women in Motion.
• then went to a physical therapist for the the first time ever
• lost a dear neighbor 
• Fred grew a beautiful and most bountiful garden this year.  Broke two tillers, and two lawn mowers
• the kids poured the patio in the backyard...stills needs a little TLC.  Josh made a service station.  LOL
• planted more flowers this year and canned more than I have in the past
• made connections with friends on facebook.   
• did plenty of shopping
• I think that it was a pretty eventful year.   Now I just need to catch up with scrapbooking it all.

the holiday happenings before christmas

Just a quick update of our holiday happenings so far.  Sorry no pictures to be attached.  I think they are all in K's camera or Kallee's.  Blake came home on Dec. 17.  It was a great reunion and he looks good.  The elders in our ward thinks he looks buff.  He looked way nice in his uniform and was quite anxious to get out of it.  He indicates that he will be changing careers when he gets back to Great Lakes.  He is not sure what that will be.  He will just have to find a job in the Navy that he enjoys and can learn the skills for.  He was glad to be out of boot camp, as many times the petty officers found much to yell at them for.  I guess there were a few times when they all had to completely make and remake their beds twice in seven minutes.  His division had a hard time getting along, marching in time etc.  I asked him how he was able to handle all of the yelling and he said he just learned to tune it out.  In A school he has more time in the evenings.  He is able to unwind and study.  He doesn't like to sit in a classroom for eight hours a day...I think that is why the career change is going to happen.  He has found that hospital corp is not something is likes to do.  So we don't know when he will finish up.  He is just relaxing and sleeping a lot!   He heads back the day after Christmas. 

Thanksgiving

 Doug and Jon

 Duncan, Gabe and Kenzie

 Joshy

 Caraline

 Gavin the man

 Don't take my picture Kenzie.  BTW the curls in your hair look nice.

 Oops..guess this picture is extra special, it's in here twice. 

 Clint and Nat

 Kallee and Duncan

 Fred

and...Julie

Great Day spent with the Carlson Clan.