We thought this day would never come.

My hubby has been waiting for this day with happy anticipation for about 9 months.

As the day drew closer he got more and more excited.

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He insisted that we buy new equipment to get ready for it... even though I felt what we had was plenty good enough.

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A week ago he started a daily count down.... which turned to an hourly countdown yesterday.

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What... might you ask..... caused this anticipation?

Was it a new baby coming to our family?

Was it a wedding?

Was it a birthday?

Was it a visit from distant family or friends?

No!

It was the start of the BYU football season.

He wasn't feeling very well today but he perked right up when the game came on. Here he is with Austin ready to cheer on the mighty Cougars.

He is wearing the BYU tee- shirt and hat that our sons-in-law, Patrick and Dathan sent him. You notice that he is wearing ear phones to hear the computer play by play as well as the TV sports commentators.

We are a true blue BYU family.

John and I met at BYU and graduated from there. All of our kids except Mindy are BYU kids and blue through and though. (Mindy and Ernie both got their BA & Masters from Cal State Fullerton, but we still love them..... and... I am going to come out the closet and admit that I got my Masters from Cal Poly but don't tell anyone.)

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Patrick and John are the world's most enthusiastic BYU Cougar fans. They both are so cute.

They usually keep in touch with each other by phone before, during and after the game.

Last year before we retired, Patrick got an extra ticket to a game. John drove all the way to Utah to go to it. (I couldn't get away from work that Friday so he left me home. LEFT ME HOME! When he learned about the ticket he KISSED ME GOODBYE, jumped in the car and drove up all by himself.)

This is Patrick and Erin at today's game. I got this picture from her blog.

Erin and Patrick have season tickets and attend every home game no matter what the weather. Their enthusiasm is contagious.

The next few months my husband's well being depends on how good the Cougars do. Luckily BYU won today so he is feeling fine. In the past it has been a different story if BYU lost.

Maybe I should get a defibrillator to have on hand just in case there are some close calls. I'm not so sure that my Grampy's heart can stand this kind of excitement at his age.

Wish us luck and "Rise and Shout the Cougars are out"

Tuesday Morning Tale

I love Tuesday Morning....... uhh.... not the day particularly...

I guess as days go Tuesday morning is o.k. ...

...better than Monday.... but it is not the day Tuesday Morning I love.

I love the STORE named Tuesday Morning (in spite of it's unusual name.)

I wonder why anyone would name a store Tuesday Morning???.... but I digress..

I love Tuesday Morning for two reasons.

1. It was my dear life long friend, Silvija that introduced me to Tuesday Morning.

(This is Sil wishing me happy birthday.)
Sil has filled her beautiful home with many things from Tuesday Morning. Every time that I visit a Tuesday Morning store I think of her and the sweet friendship that we have shared through the years since we were children. I often will go to Tuesday Morning when I am visiting with her since there is no Tuesday Morning store in my town. However, on occasion I will make the drive to another city just to visit this store because I enjoy it so much.

2. The second reason that I love shopping at Tuesday Morning is I can get Nordstom quality at Wal-mart prices. (My husband says that I go broke saving money there.) They stock really nice merchandise at discount prices. For instance Sil and I found some really nice towels there that were marked $25 each and I got them for $10. The hand towels were $7 instead of $15. What a bargain. I bought a set for my guest bathroom.

When I got the towels home I intended to put them right out in the bathroom. I thought I would keep these dark green towels for fall and winter and put out the new lighter towels for spring and summer.

However, I got busy and time got away from me. I forgot about changing my towel decor until I learned that Holly, my blog friend was coming from Texas to visit. That motivated me to put out my new towels that were sitting in a bag in my closet.

So I got busy and put out the new towels.

I think that they look pretty..... don't you?

...and then I saw this tag.... what does it say???.... I can't quite make it out?????


I'll get a little closer look...



Oh no!..... It can't be!!! That is not possible.....








How can it say....

DRY CLEAN ONLY!!!

What do they mean DRY CLEAN ONLY?

Who ever heard of towels being "Dry Clean only"???

I couldn't return them because I'd had them past the time limit for returning them.

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So, if you come to visit me and need wash your hands be sure to wipe them dry on your clothes.

I wouldn't want to get my towels wet or soiled....

...after all, they are DRY CLEAN ONLY

Have you seen my Claire Bear??? I can't find her.

Have any of you seen this picture of Claire in a Claritin ad?

(The left side will be foggy and the right side "Claritin clear".)

I need your help......I can't find her.

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Claire shot this ad several months ago. It was suppose to come out this spring and be used for the next 2 years, but we haven't seen it anywhere. However, the only magazines we take are Church magazines that don't have advertising. I look for it every time I go to the Dr. or Dentist to no avail. So, if any of you see it would you hold on to it and let me know. I really want to get a copy. (You know how Grammies are)

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This is the Lands' End school catalog that just came out.

We were excited to see that they used Claire's picture on both of the front covers.

If any of you got the above cover would you send it to me when

you are done with it?

I got this cover when I ordered the catalog. This is cute picture of her but I would really like a copy of the first cover if you have it.

These are a couple of pictures inside the Land's End school catalog.











I think this one makes her look a lot older than six... maybe it is the big glasses.

She has been doing alot of work for Lands' End lately. I can't wait to see their fall/winter catalog.

This Fisher-Price box came out last year.

I think it is really cute.

It is my favorite because it has big pictures of her on both sides.

She has also done quite a bit of work for Mattel but we haven't seen any of the boxes in the stores yet. If you spot one let me know so I can run out and buy it.... better yet, if you happen to buy a toy with Claire on the box, keep the toy and send me the box. I'll pay for the postage...hee hee... and still save money on the deal.
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Please leave me a comment and let me know if you spot Claire anywhere and I will send you my email address. I think she is so cute.....don't you???

(of course I think all my grand-kids are cute....that's a Grammy's job!) .....I think your kids are cute too...Claire isn't any cuter than my other grandchildren or your kids. We are just lucky that she happens to live in an area where kids get this kind of work and she has the personality to enjoy doing it.

I hope that all of you are doing well and have a great day. Keep your eyes open for me. Thanks, Grammy Lura

Happy Birthday Dear Marie....and Thanks for the award

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday Dear Marie

Happy Birthday to you

This is my very special blog friend Marie http://ayearatoakcottage.blogspot.com/. She didn't know that I tiptoed over to her old post today and stole this picture of her.

Isn't she darling! Just looking at her makes me want to give her a hug.
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The love she has for others twinkles in her eyes.

Her optimistic attitude in life shows in her sweet smile.

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Claire and I had a tea party today in honor of Marie's birthday. Even Grampy joined us. We made Marie's cinnamon roll toast for our celebration. We were in such a hurry to wish her happy birthday that Claire and I didn't take time to put on our tiaras or our princess dresses like we usually do.... and even though Marie is a proper English lady, we know that she loves us and will excuse our causual attire at tea time.

Although I have never had the joy of meeting Marie in real life she is a wonderful friend to me and many others.

She is really amazing.

She publishes a post EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! ....and it is always GREAT!

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She writes wonderful, inspirational thoughts, posts beautiful pictures and always gives us a delicious recipe to share. She works as a chef. I'm sure that she puts in long exhausting hours in her profession, but she still takes time out time each day for me and you. I really don't know how she does it.... but I love her for it.

If you don't read Marie's post already.... you should. My daughter had to tell me to go to her blog several times before I did so. As soon as I hopped over the pond to England and dropped into her cottage, I knew that we would be dear friends. Across all these miles I am touched by her sweet spirit and attitude in life. I love Marie. I can hardly wait to hear from her each day. My fond hope is that I will get to meet her in real life one day.

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When I crept over to grab her picture this morning I found that she had given me an award. That is just like her to give to others on her birthday.

I am honored to receive this lovely award.

"This very beautiful award, an expression of the special threads of relationship and sisterhood connecting women, was created by the artist Tammy Vitale of Women, Art, Life: Weaving it All Together. Its purpose is to send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day, teach you new things, and live their lives fully with generosity and joy. "

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Like any award, it comes with rules and obligations:

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1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it’s up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post.

2. Link back to Tammy's blog: Women, Art, Life: Weaving it All Together (so Tammy can go visit all these wonderful women and see where, and who, the award has traveled to).

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Like Marie, it is hard for me to select blog friends to pass this on to. There are so many of you that brighten my day through your blogs and your comments. However, today I would like to pass this lovely award on to two friends that have touched my heart this week.

The first is Sheryl from Heavenly being Holmes. http://sherylrussellholmes.blogspot.com/ Sheryl is one of the few blog friends that I know in real life. I've spent quite a bit of time with her this week as she and her family prepared for the marriage of her son, Jordan to his bride, Breana. Normally most of, or all of, the hours of work that she did would have been done by the bride's family. However, since Breana's mother has MS and was physically not able to do so, Sheryl took on the duties of the mother of the groom and the bride. She and her family worked endless hours for days preparing food, flowers and decorating for this wonderful occasion.... and then cleaning up afterwards. Never once did she complain or grumble. It was a joy to watch the service she gave so willingly from her heart. Much of the beauty of Jordan and Breana's wedding day was because of the vision and hard work of this sweet lady. She was an example to me. You deserve this award Sheryl.

Holly from http://mykidssayimsilly.blogspot.com/ is my second award recipient. While I know Holly best from her blog and comments she makes I had the privilege of meeting her and her family when they visited Ca. It was such a joy to spend an afternoon and evening with them. Holly was just as sweet as I knew she would be. She has always been there for me. She reads all of my posts and comments on them. I don't know why a young mother like Holly has been such a faithful reader and support to this old grammy, but she has. This week she noticed from a comment I made on another post that I was a bit down. She took the time to send me an email to see what was troubling me. I was touched by her kindness and concern for me. So Holly, enjoy this award.

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There are others that I would like to pass this award on to but I will have to do it at a later date. My granddaughter, Claire is spending a couple of days with me and she is waiting for us to go jump in the pool. When I started this post I only intended to say Happy Birthday to Marie.... However, when I hopped over to her post to sneak away her picture I saw that she had giving me this award honor and I had to respond.

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So Happy Birthday again Marie and Congrats to my award winners.

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May they and all the rest of you have a great day. Love, Grammy Lura

Happy Birthday to two old gals

Today is my birthday and I turned 64..... I can't believe it .... 64..... I don't feel that old..... Of course I don't feel that young any more either. My house just turned 30..... like me she is considered pretty old now too.... past her prime. We have seen the years come and go. She has comforted me through both happy and hard times. I love her and I find that we are both a lot alike.

We moved in 28 years ago when our children were young. We both watched them grow up and leave home. Now they are all grown with families of their own. Her rooms and my arms are empty and miss them but they are doing well and we are happy for them. Sweet memories comfort us.

We have been together all of these years but clearly we have not aged the same. She has gotten better in the last few years.... This was me 14 or 15 years ago. As you can see from looking at me now, I've just gotten older....and older.... and older.... certainly not better.

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However, we do have a lot in common.

I wouldn't say that either one of us are particularly pretty on the outside.

O

There is nothing outstanding or eye catching about us. In fact, we are quite ordinary.

But, looking past our exteriors, most people find us to be quite warm and friendly.

Room for family is the most important part of each of us. It fills up the center and heart of us.



















This is where we gather with friends and loved ones. It is our favorite place.

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We both enjoy spending time together in the kitchen and feeding family and friends.




Some of our private inside parts are quite nice.....

....Some are a mess and need work. At least we are aware of our faults and are trying to improve.
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We have both added on to our size.
The 800 sq. feet added on to her for the extra bed room
and game room is good.

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The 35 lbs I've added on are not a good thing. I need to get busy and do something about that.... but so far I've been too lazy....maybe I will this year.

... For her being large is an asset.... unfortunately it is not for me....but like her I do enjoy getting dressed up for special occasions.

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We have both had our share of injuries and physical problems.

Her fire of '91 and flood of '05 were quite devastating.




When we have had these difficult times, family and friends have come to lend a helping hand and help us recover. In her case, she turned out better than before. I did not turn out better physically, but I am better in other ways. I learned to pray with more meaning and appreciate health and abilities that I had taken for grated before.

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John has put years of work and love into her

care. He has built patios, landscaped and planted

orchards....


His hard work and talents have made her more charming and fun to be around.

I have also benefited from John's tender care and talents. His love has touched my life and made me a better person.

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So here we are old gal, you and I, not as fashionable ,up to date or full of energy as we used to be, but we look back on the years we have spent together with contentment. Of course there were many mistakes made within your walls as there have been within my life. We have both gone through some difficulties along with all the great times we've had together. We have been blessed. I think that we are both better from our experiences.... at least I hope so.

My birthday wish for us today is that you and I might continue being together and able to love and serve our family and friends.... for that is what brings us both happiness.
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I wish a Happy Birthday to my dear daughter-in-law, Marla, tomorrow and a good day to my sweet blog readers as well.