Another Fun Day with Austin

Here we are on the Calico Mine Ride.

Last night, after saying our prayers, Austin told me that I forgot to pray that we could go to Knott's Berry Farm today....so I had to add a "p.s." to our prayer. I had not planned or intended to go to Knott's today. I'd just finished sewing night and day on a new dress for Emma and I'd planned to catch up on housework. (When I'm sewing house work takes a back seat.) I made a big deal about us making pancakes when we woke up and thought I could distract him from the Knott's theme. (After all, I teach my child dev. students that distraction works.)

The first thing he said when he woke up this morning was "Grammy we're going to Knott's Berry Farm after we eat our pancakes." (So much for distraction!) Claire and E.J. were in school. Grampy was busy on his latest project out in his woodshop. I searched my brain for a good reason why Grammy couldn't drive all the way into Orange County and spend the day at Knott's. However, I learned a good lesson from the years I was a mom.........time slips away before you know it......but there are always kitchen floors to mop. So, Austin and I had a Grammy-Grandson date. It was a lot more fun than cleaning my house. I'll do that tomorrow when Austin is back home with his family.

He still has not warmed up to Snoopy.

Since the train was not working, (his favorite ride) we drove the trucks over and over and over.

We dined on his favorite cuisine, chicken nuggets and fries for lunch. (I know that is not a nutritious lunch, but hey, I'm the Grammy not his mom.) In the car on the way home Austin spontaneously said, "Grammy, I love you." I love you too, Austin. I'm blessed to have you, Claire and E.J. live just 30 minutes away from me. I just wish that I lived nearer to my other sweet grandchildren and could spend this kind of time with them. I'm glad that we have blogging to keep us in touch with each other. Grammy loves each and everyone of you. Have a good day.

I love my solar powered dryer.

Shannon reminded me that it was Earth day last week. On her blog she asked what we do to support the cause. Well...we own a Prius hybrid car.....but I don't think that really counts because we didn't get it to "save" the earth. We bought it (and I love it!!) to get 44-50 miles per gallon. Not bad now that gas is $3.89 per gallon in our area and we are on a retirement budget.



However, I do love to using my solar powered clothes dryer. I use it most of the time unless it is raining. It saves me money and wear and tear on my clothes. When I use it my clothes and bedding have a wonderful fresh fragrance and crispness that I love. My clothes come out almost wrinkle free and require very little ironing. Claire loves to help me use it when she is visiting just like I helped my mom when I was young. Probably most of you reading this blog will not relate or appreciate my love for my solar dryer, but if you've ever used one you may understand why I like it so much. I've made sure that I've had one installed in each house we've owned. It works great and I recommend it to everyone.

I have a crush on the new Angel rookie!

I absolutely love going to the Angels games. I rarely miss a game, even the ones played in the middle of the week. It is not because I am a huge baseball fan. It is because I just love their new 1st base rookie. He is a great player. He gets a one or two base hit almost every time he is at bat. He can also catch, throw and run fast. He is really handsome too. In fact whether the Angels are up or in the field, I can't keep my eyes off of him. I rarely watch any of the other players. I'm sure when you look at the pictures from his last game you will see why I love number 12 so much. Don't you think he is a cutie? By the way, he just started a blog spot. His address is
http://baseballej.blogspot.com/ You can check it out.

My Early Morning Surprise A Special Time

Our little Austin always spends the night with us on the days our daughter works because she has to leave too early in the morning for me to get him before she goes. He is used to getting up around 6:00 a.m. Since we retired last Sept. we are lazy and like to sleep in until 8:00 or 8:30. I've found if I go into Austin's room early in the morn, and lie down on the bed across from his crib where he can see me, he is happy to stay in his bed longer and I can usually get an extra hour of sleep.

This morning I went in about 5:30 a.m. but I had trouble falling back to sleep. I tossed and turned for about an hour. Then around 6:30 I heard my front door open and the excited voices of Claire Bear and E.J., Austin's older siblings. I couldn't figure out why they were here since they always leave for school with their mom about 7:00 a.m. I got up to find, Mindy, Ernie and the kids with great big smiles standing in our family room. I ask what was going on and they said it was a surprise. Just then I saw my daughter, Lynell, who lives out of state. The family laughed and said they had just picked her up at the airport. I couldn't believe it. She gave me a big hug and told me she had come to spend the week with us. I was so happy. What a surprise!........then I woke up........It was all a dream.

Needless to say.....the rest of the day has been anticlimactic to say the least. Oh well....they say that some dreams come true. Lynell, Erin, David... are any of you coming for a visit soon? I miss you. (Thank goodness I have Mindy and family close by). I love you all.

Another Lottery Payment

You may think that last weekend was great because we were blessed to listen to General Conference. I agree that was great. But, my weekend was even better . Except for being a bit sick with a sore throat and cough, I had a perfect weekend. Our little 6 year old granddaughter Claire came to spend it with us. In between conference sessions, she wanted to learn to sew. So we made a new dress for her doll, Elizabeth. This was Claire's first sewing experience and we had so much fun. Even though I helped, she could not have been happier with her sewing skills. When she left Sunday night, she asked when we could make another dress.

This is just an example of me getting another payment from life's lottery. Is there anything money could buy that would have brought me more pleasure than listening to conference and sewing with my Claire Bear last weekend? I can't think of any!

I won the lottery!!!

I did....I really won...I am soooo rich!!!! Oh, I don't mean the state lottery game. I actually never even buy tickets for that. I'm not wealthy in ways of the world but I won life's lottery and I am rich beyond measure in things that matter to me. I am so rich that I can hardly comprehend all that I am blessed to have.

As I listened to and sustained our new Prophet, Thomas S. Monson last weekend my heart was full with thankfulness that I know there is a living prophet on the earth who leads and guides us. How sad it is to me that there are so many who do not know this.

As I serve in the temple each week I think of how blessed I am to be there. Out of all of the people in world I have the opportunity of working in His holy house each week. Why me??? Why am I so lucky?

As I look at my family my cup runneth over. I have a good husband who loves and supports me. I have four of the world's best children. What did I ever do to deserve such wonderful children? I have sweet friends who are as or more deserving than I, who have had challenges and heart aches with their children. How could I be so blessed to have all my children love the Lord, love me and are striving to live good righteous lives?

While I am glad that I was able to teach for many years, I am thrilled to be retired. What a blessing to be able to use my day as I see fit. (Even being able to stay in bed when I'm sick instead of dragging to work is a blessing.) Why am I so lucky to be retired with my husband and enjoy this time of life?

I do not know the answer to these questions but my heart is full of gratitude. Those who know me know that my life is far from perfect. I would like to be thinner and prettier. I would like to have more money. I would like to have more talents. I would like to have better health. I would like to live closer to most of my children and grandchildren......but overall I am so blessed. I truly did win life's lottery and every day I thank my Heavenly Father for these blessings. Thanks to my family and friends who make my life so rich.

Scenes from Johnny's Utah State Gymnatics Meet

John and I drove up to Utah again last week to support our 11 year old grandson, Johnny, in the State Gymnastics Meet. These pictures can not capture the event, but they will give you an idea of what we experienced. I was nervous as I watched Johnny go from apparatus to apparatus. I was awed as I saw him flip through the air and swing on the rings, parallel and high bars. I'm amazed that such a young boy can have such strength and control. I wonder what drives him to practice at the gym 3 hours almost every day....to push himself so hard.... to keep going when the going is rough? I don't know how he does it, but he does. This was not his best meet. He was not happy about coming in 5th when last month he only missed 1st place by 2/10 of a point. But, as for me, I couldn't be prouder. Even when he knew that he was not getting scores as high as he hoped he would, he kept going and giving it his all. Those judges may have only given you 8 1/2 to 9 1/2, Johnny, but you get a 10 from me. Grampy and I love you very much and we are glad that we could be there to support you and cheer on our favorite gymnast in the whole world!