daughter~sister~mommy~nana

A Christmas Variety show 2011 -- #1

2012-01-07T13:56:00.003-08:00

Here are Lynnette holding Owen and Daddy (George) helping Norah -- their family picture :-P

Lynnette's niece Kaylie, sister Jamie, dad Lloyd, mom Melissa, and brother-in-law Gaylen & new baby Cole (not pictured) also came to enjoy this special Christmas Day at the Ogden's - it was a FEAST :-)

Norah, Lynnette and Jamie opening a present.

sleep well ... but not long, Tim :-P

Here's OWEN EMMETT OGDEN - 2 weeks old.

Emma wants to know who's taking mommy away - never fear, little one ... it's just little Owen

Laurie-girl, Norah-girl and Evoly-girl feasting on din-din <3 at Norah's new table and chairs <3

A Christmas Variety Show 2011 -- #2

2012-01-07T13:38:00.003-08:00

Everyone enjoyed the "snow" that Nannie made to play in <3

some of 'the girls' wrapping presents

Livvy lovin'up Emma

the boys cleaning up my garage - THANKS FELLAS!!

Diane delivering her FAMOUS Christmas rolls ~~ YUM

Us eating the famous Christmas rolls ~~ YUMMIER

Blake's hurts his toe - I think it was the only casualty of Christmas :-P

Sarah and Evoly enjoy Christmas Eve <3

Michael reads the Christmas Story to all.

Emily and Carlos sing a new carol.

the boys horsin' around - no one got hurt!

We all sing some Christmas songs around the pi-an-nee.

Christmas Morning! The tradition is that everyone comes in to Nana's room (with eyes closed as they pass through the living room) and we tell the Christmas Story and say a prayer before STOCKINGS!! It was FULL this year with 21 people on and around my bed <3 I was in HEAVEN for sure :-D

The blind-folded walk down the hallway before seeing what Santa brought (notice the bionic possessed cat?? hehe)

we all DRINK -- sparkling apple cider of course!

Elaine GETS HER BOOTS!! ...

... not to be outdone by baby sis Emma!!

In the busyness of Christmas Day at the Ogden's ....

2012-01-07T13:19:00.002-08:00

... we missed getting a family picture of the Ogden's. :-(

Above is George and Norah sitting with Sarah and Evoly opening some presents (which we did one person at a time :-) torture to be sure :-D ) ... and below ... Lynnette and Norah open another present, with Livvy and Tristan (who felt pretty crummy all day)

The Heilmann's Christmas Day 2011

2012-01-07T13:06:00.000-08:00

Julian, Timothy, Tristan and Olivia ~~ Christmas at George's & Lynnette's home

Emma at the Falls

2012-01-07T12:56:00.001-08:00

1 year old Emma Louise Chacon, 2011

Multnomah Falls in the rain Dec 2011

2012-01-07T12:54:00.000-08:00

The Chacon's are on their way back home shortly after this <3 Carlos, Emma, Laurie, Miriam, Elaine and Emily <3

The Reyes' on Christmas Day 2011

2012-01-07T12:51:00.000-08:00

Evoly and Sarah ~~ Evoly calmed down by the time the "Nana" picture was taken :-D

The Chacon's on Christmas Day

2012-01-07T12:48:00.000-08:00

Laurie, Carlos, Miriam, Emma, Emily and Elaine Chacon

The Halverson's on Chriatmas Day 2011

2012-01-07T12:44:00.001-08:00

The Halverson's ~~ Michael, Blake and Amanda

Nana in Heaven on Christmas Day 2011

2012-01-07T12:03:00.003-08:00

These are all 10 of my beautiful grandchildren ~~ from bottom left, spiraling up and
clockwise: Tristan (7), Blake (13), Laurie (4), Norah (2), Evoly (4), Miriam (9),
Julian (9), Elaine (7) holding Emma (1) and me, holding Owen (2 weeks) ~~
taken Christmas Day 2011 at George's in White Salmon.

Open House December 2011

2011-12-22T22:49:00.002-08:00

Miriam and Emma joined me for 8-Minute TaeBo -- let's do this again, girls :-D

We had many wonderful friends come to our Open House today - thank you all - the girls and I really enjoyed seeing you again and visiting - just like old times :-) many thanks, lots of love and have the Merriest of Christmas', everyone (we're sorry we didn't get pictures of you all :-(

Open House spread :-) yum yum -- a fun selection of healthy and not-so-healthy (and this is only PART of the vittles!)

Howie is a Reindeer - see how much he loves wearing his annual costume?? MeOwwWW :-(

Megan, Jon and Teresa

Kenny, Melissa and their boys

Miriam, Livvy, Lauren and Emily

The perfect tree =)

2011-12-20T21:58:00.000-08:00

the PERFECT first full day of Christmas

2011-12-20T21:46:00.002-08:00

Em, Mooshy, Laurie-girl and Emma eating from the best fast-food business in town - Burgerville

Carlos and Elaine enjoying their choices from Burgerville =)

Even Emma loves Burgerville - another 'convert' <3

Waiting for the Christmas Ship show to begin <3 - perfect crispy winter night, no breeze, PERFECT parking spot, no crying or complaining -- a rather perfect day, all-in-all <3

Sorry for the blurring pictures - this one is the better of the two Santa and Reindeer

This is my favorite one ... snowmen and lots of pretty trees =)

and a Roadrunner =)

A couple more decorations around the house 2011

2011-12-18T23:13:00.002-08:00

this is the stairwell ...

Christina will recognize these little guys - they're from your shop =) ...

close-up of Vicki's amazing craftsmanship ...

wreaths in the kitchen <3

Christmas Livingroom 2011

2011-12-18T22:54:00.001-08:00

The entry wall ...

Nativity nesting dolls by Vicki Lewis, on the piano

... and last but not least, the fireplace <3

My Baboo

2011-12-14T18:20:00.001-08:00

I LOVE to travel places with this kid =) <3 <3
Taken summer 2011

This is for my kids

2011-12-14T18:10:00.001-08:00

Here's a pretty good picture of me ... is you can download and print
this, put it in your NANA frame -- taken last year at Emily's

My two 'boys'

2011-12-14T18:06:00.000-08:00

This is the last time they "touched" each other (these two had a "mutual
toleration society" thing between them - never "friends") ... I buried Thomas
(16-yr-old white boy) last summer, and now Howie is having severe allergy
problems - we know it's fleas, but probably food, too, so now he is on
steriods to try to combat the symptoms so that he can have some
kind of relief ... for a while at least ... and Howie is now 16 years old.

My mommy

2011-12-14T17:58:00.000-08:00

Isn't she a beautiful lady <3 =)

A bit of nostalgia

2011-12-14T17:51:00.002-08:00

From top left around to bottom left: Amanda Elizabeth, Larry, Nancy,
Johnny, Dena, Evoly (looking away), Sarah, me, Judy and Maggie (GG).
This is for my mommy's (GG's) 95th birthday in 2010.

FLAT FAMILY 2010

2011-12-14T11:41:00.001-08:00

This is our "flat family" used for Julian's Baptism on September 11, 2010

Winter 2010

2011-12-14T11:39:00.000-08:00

Isn't the falling snow cool looking ... I wonder if we'll get any snow Christmas 2011??

Christmas in Washington DC 2010

2011-12-14T11:37:00.000-08:00

The Temple in Washington DC, Christmas 2010, with Bobby

two frogs on dahlia leaf

2011-12-14T11:34:00.000-08:00

summer 2010

2011-12-14T11:11:00.002-08:00

"It's my first morning at my new home .... did I do alright last night, mommy and daddy .... am I still a keeper <3 <3 =) "

2011-12-14T09:07:00.000-08:00

A pretty nice photo of George and me at his 204th Army Band Concert in December 2011.

2011-12-14T09:05:00.001-08:00

Always a sad moment in our lives .... Nannie has to fly away =(

2011-12-14T09:03:00.000-08:00

Sarah's name means Princess ... and this is her princess <3 Evoly

2011-12-14T09:01:00.000-08:00

Laurie & me doing "Up-in-the-air" ; we ALL love to do this =)

2011-12-14T08:59:00.000-08:00

This is taken at Shennadoah - the girls, spiraling from the top, going right, to the center are: Elaine, me, Miriam, Laurie, Emma, (being held by) Evoly. Evoly is Sarah's girl and the rest are Emily's -- this is a beautiful place and I always love coming here with them =)

2011-12-14T08:44:00.000-08:00

Someday, soon, Michael, Amanda and Blake will be sealed in this Temple
This is his Baptism Day

2011-12-14T08:40:00.002-08:00

Michael's Baptism Day =) October 29, 2011

2011-12-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

I've re-discovered my BLOG :-P This is a picture of all the Virginia girls in September 2011 at Carytown Cupcakes

2011-12-14T08:26:00.000-08:00

Mooshy, you need to know that this is a very beautiful backstroke! You are smooth and evenly-pulling - once you build your confidence in just how good a swimmer you really are, you should try out for swim team.

Welcome to Our World, Owen Emmett Ogden

2011-12-13T16:50:00.000-08:00

Owen is about 18 hours old in all of these photos <3

Norah got to be present during the birth of her baby brother
Owen was born on Monday, December 12, 2011 at 6:02pm

Isn't Owen beautiful <3
The birth story is cute - it's for George and Lynnette to tell =) <3

Norah is kissing Owen bye-bye; Grandma Church is taking her home to eat lunch and nap

2011-07-09T22:55:00.002-07:00

Abraham de Lacy Giuseppe Casey Thomas O'Malley the Alley Cat

2011-07-09T22:49:00.000-07:00

2011-07-09T22:48:00.000-07:00

2011-07-09T22:46:00.000-07:00

2011-07-09T22:45:00.000-07:00

2011-07-09T22:42:00.001-07:00

<3 My goof-ball <3

more pictures ???

2011-01-09T14:59:00.001-08:00

I need to put up some more relevant pictures I think .. don't you?? mmm, don't hold your breath or anything :-D I'll try

New entry - French Toast Casserole

2011-01-09T14:49:00.002-08:00

During Christmas break, in Virginia at Emily's house, I learned a great new way to make french toast --- in a casserole :-) --- so ... this morning I tried it and it came out fabulous (with a tweak of my own :-P ) -- here it is ...

... the night before: cut French bread into 1 inch slices, mix 8 eggs and (what did you use?) about 1/2 C or so of milk -- not too much, but enough to get the eggs well mixed, then I put in some cinnamon, orange peel, nutmeg - blended all together......

now alternate 2 layers of the french bread with egg mixture in a 9x13 pan (I used a round French casserole dish) (light coating of oil in pan to prevent too much sticking) -- put pan/dish, covered, in the refrigerator overnight ....

next morning take it out about 1/2 hr. early (to warm up a bit) then bake at 350' for about 30-40 minutes ... then the best part, while it's HOT serve it by pouring cold Egg Nog over it (I had some left over from the holidays) (you could use yogurt, jam, honey, syrup, whatever else seems yummy to you :-))

make sure that you pour carefully, covering all the pieces, especially the crust - THEN - put a cover on the dish overnight to prevent drying out ...

you could also do a savory version (we did one at George/Lynnette's for Christmas morning) with adding with each layer, cooked crumbly sausage , then cheese on the top! be creative - this is so easy! :-)

oh AND I probably should have made this a blog entry, too, huh? LOL :-D ♥ ♥ ♥ :-D silly me ;-}
(see?? blog! :-D )

Is something missing?

2010-08-16T17:34:00.002-07:00

I know it's been along time since I've posted anything, but was this really the last thing I posted?? Isn't something missing ... or out of order??

Ancient Chinese Emperors Coat

2010-04-11T20:00:00.006-07:00

Two models from Dr Anita Fisher's Ancient History Class - Winter term 2010
It took me about 5-1/2 hours to make this
I got an "A" for the class - it was SO DANG MUCH FUN!!

My "Bionic" hearing aids

2010-04-11T19:50:00.002-07:00

A whole new world has opened up for me with these tiny little things :-D

THE PARTY

2010-04-11T16:27:00.005-07:00

Queen for a day - and forever :-)
Top L to Bottom R -
2 granddaughters - Amanda & Elizabeth, Larry (long-time family friend), Nancy (daughter-in-law) married to (son) Johnny, Dena (niece), mom, 2 daughters - Judy & Laurie, and granddaughter and great-granddaughter, Sarah & Evoly
Enjoying some creamer :-D
We had a great sing-a-long
Three pics of the MANY well-wishers - there were about 60 family and friends at her party ...

Saying our last "bye-bye's" at the airport - Sarah and Evoly went home to Virginia and Amanda and I flew home to Washington

Part of Our Trip

2010-04-11T16:09:00.003-07:00

"Three Ladies and a Baby" in a hotel room - and three laptop computers :-D
Pretty sisters - Sarah and Amanda
Mom, Dena (my cousin at her house for dinner) and me (we had lasagna, salad and bread - not McD's ;-)
Dena and me

Trip to Minnesota

2010-04-11T15:56:00.004-07:00

Evoly likes to dress herself
After the ride (I'll try to get the video up if it cooperates)
this is INSIDE the Mall
Evoly's TWO best TV buddies ... and ...
... her OTHER favorite TV buddy - she did hug her - she wasn't afraid at all :-D
Dino make off thousands of regular little LEGOs
yes! we did go inside - full theme park with 4-5 full-sized roller-coasters
Evoly staying busy while WE played cards (she was so well behaved - we hardly EVER had a problem with her )
Playing MHING again and again and again - it's our favorite card game (card version of Mah Jong)
As part of mommy's birthday present, we sent her to the Salon for a wash and curl - isn't she pretty??
announcement posted all over Champlin Shores for mom's birthday celebration

some early Spring pics

2010-04-11T15:49:00.004-07:00

"Inconvenient buddies"
Hail storm - about the size of big peas
daffies up and now they're almost gone - lastest almost a whole month, tho'
first of my african violets - now the 2nd one is blooming, too - it's dark pink (this one is actually violet colored)
more storm
sorry for they duplicate - tried to delete it and it didn't want to go away

Winter & Christmas 2009

2010-04-11T15:37:00.004-07:00

as usual these pictures are in reverse order -- this is "elsie" all gone
Elsie melting
powerful wind storm - didnt' even hear it
"elsie" she has red pepper mouth, carrot nose and olive eyes
pretty shot in late afternoon
last shot of me with Halverson's (In Michael's church foyer) before I drive back home from a great Christmas
Blake and I at Multnomah Falls on way back to his house beforChristmas (I'd taken him home with me, so that I could attend Shelly Brown's Funeral)
counting trains - there were 2 trains came over this bridge at Multnomah - one over 100 cars!

hehe ...maybe

2010-03-24T18:09:00.001-07:00

just maybe, I'll put something -- or a lot of 'something' - up here after I visit with GG

here we goooooo .......

2009-12-02T22:15:00.003-08:00

recognize anything? it's my countdown chain to CHRISTMAS :-) do you have one? or an Advent Calendar? or a surprise box with places for candy, etc.? are you using it!?!?
It's December already

Thanksgiving odds & ends ...

2009-11-28T16:10:00.007-08:00

Lynnette, Norah, Isabel & Naomi at Thanksgiving Dinner (sisters-in-law & their babes (cousins are 6 days apart!)
kitties resting together -- the reason I put this up is THIS NEVER HAPPENS - they have a mutual 'hate' society going with each other
last dahlias of the season - they're gone now
wreath purchased today at the Prairie Yuletide Bazaar - there is a real bird's nest, a fake bird and several pheasant feathers from the birds they'd hunted and enjoyed; lots of beautiful and different types of greenery
here's the wreath in its full setting by the front door
my 'forever' wreath on the front door
Lights, reindeer, etc. will be put up next week, or so, with the help of my HT & his sons -- I'll do some pics of that when its done

!!NOW IT'S LEGAL TO SAY FELIZ NAVIDAD!!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY EVERYONE =-)

2009-11-26T09:37:00.003-08:00

Gobble gobble! I'll try to remember to take a couple of pix of Norah later in the day -- I played with her last night up at George & Lynnette's and got her to laugh with me =-) she's so dang CUTE. Have a great Thanksgiving Day, enjoy the Macy's Parade and ALL the great food, wherever you are o_O LOVE YOU!

see anything kinda weird...

2009-11-08T08:50:00.002-08:00

.... my early November gladiola?? see the bright red-fall changed Japanese Maple in the background?

weird, huh!

El dia de los muertos en mi clase de espanol

2009-11-04T17:09:00.006-08:00

... these are some of the decorations that are used in this holiday ... calaveras (skulls), calacas (skeletons), velas (candles), clay figures and flowers ... In Mexico, celebrations in honor of their dead take place over 2 days, on November 1 and 2 ... our class met on Monday, Nov 2nd and so we naturally had a party to learn more about the culture of Spanish-Catholic Mexico. The colorful lady (and gent) is a very famous lady in Mexico know for her lavish, colorful, expensive clothing and life-style in the middle of poverty ... it is a friendly mocking of her ... it is normal and acceptable in this culture and this celebration to do this ... skulls are completely sugar and frosting and edible, if you'd like =-)
This lady in the middle is my tables' skeleton offering to the party ... skeletons and skulls are created to honor -- and mock in a friendly way -- the natural el ciclo de la vida (cycle of life) that we all experience ...
... These skeletons and skulls can be of people who have died, but also of famous or well loved living people ... this is Michael Jackson ...
... this table was being silly and made Spiderman ...
...another silly pretend-person, Superman ... this is not a 'silly' or 'creepy, scary' time ... skulls and skeletons are not frightening things ... they are natural ...
... tombs and houses are decorated with papel picado (paper cut-outs), favorite foods (especially pan de muertos -- sweet bread), drinks, pictures of loved ones, flowers and other decorations to honor their dead ... it is a very special & serious time, but also a time of great joy & celebration ... and many keep a night-long vigil until dawn, when their departed's spirits go back to the spirit world, until next year ...
... my table's 'ode to Autumn'
... 5pm sunset this night ... pretty

Here's some updates...

2009-11-01T18:54:00.006-08:00

Me and Evey Heilmann with kitties on Halloween night - they came to visit for a few minutes before they went to 'trunk or treat'
fall spider on my siding - on halloween
me in my "el dia de los muertos" jammies
dahlias from Lynnette
Mommy and Norah on Halloween
Daddy and Norah
Letter from Julian and Tristan in a homemade envelope - it is wonderful - I saved it!

"surprise" thank you

2009-10-16T08:02:00.004-07:00

I forgot to say that I couldn't have gotten my garage cleaned out without Sarah's help!! We worked hard this summer at bringing stuff inside and putting it away, consolidating and exchanging duplicates of everything, and moving the emergency storage over to the side ... it was a lot of work ... We did it!!! I got my car in the garage =-) Sarah, Liv and Tim helped me get to that point, even if just in spirit =-) thanks, everyone!

The only things that the ARC didn't take were the dresser, that funny card thing, the rowing machine, the 'tubes' and the wire card spin rack ... i'm sure they'll be irritated at some of the junk, but honestly, there was a lot of really good stuff in there ... good towels, blankets, sheets, clothes, kitchen and dinner ware, sewing machines, and a whole lot of other very useful and 'in good repair' things.

I'm so excited =-p

Surprise!!

2009-10-15T15:57:00.004-07:00

The ARC came today and took away all the junk in the garage ...
...so now I can park my car in it ... just in time for all the rainy weather =-) ahhh

Well, OK, not ALL the junk ... but plenty enough to give me room for my little car =-)

Baby Norah has arrived :-)

2009-08-19T07:45:00.007-07:00

First family photo ;-) Happy 2nd Anniversary! I love you all :-p
daddy choosing breakfast, lunch and dinner
mommy is soooo tired...Norah Lynn came so quickly (just over 2 hours) that Lynnette didn't even have time to change into one of those lovely hospital gowns (oh too bad, 'eh?) :-p
isn't she beautiful? see that little upper lip? that's a GG 'birdy-beak' lip!! hehe
another view - she looks like daddy...with 'the eyebrow' from nAnnieLaurie
she still has a bit of fluid in her lungs, but they expect that will clear quickly

more pictures

2009-08-13T15:14:00.005-07:00

pretty flowyer
weed?? Indeed not! it's the National Flower of Scotland, growing in my yard...well, I pulled it up! Hey! it's a weed!!!
my hydrangea has not liked the excessive heat at all!! It's looking a little bit better now, but not much. :-(
sorry this is sideways - pretty gladiola

Kaylee eating a napkin - I encouraged it...mom and dad took it away...silly mommy and daddy ;-)

Kitty outfits for Norah
Horsie outfits for Norah :-) she got 2 sets of these, but in 2 different sizes...more horsies!! yeah :-) and...the softest matching horsie dolly

some new pictures

2009-08-13T15:02:00.003-07:00

Lynnette's baby shower cake - it was SO YUMMY - Jamie made it -- so , there is no baby yet -- everyone's waiting... impatiently...as happens when you're SOOOOOO ready to be done with it!

Mara, Andrew, Tigan, Courtney and Jacob with Sister Wise...we've since moved out of this tiny stage room, and are in a regular classroom with a window and some light and TOO MUCH space...if you know what I mean :-)

a bouquet from my garden...roses, gladiolas, asters, (can't see them) purple dahlias -- they lasted more than a week before I had to toss them :-)

I'm a terrible nana!

2009-07-28T14:33:00.007-07:00

this background makes me feel cooler somehow...it's called strawberry mint...

...I forgot my baby's birthday - baby Evoly, that is!! it was yesterday! she's 2 -- okay so she won't know that I forgot; if I do this again in a couple of years, I'm toast! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE ONE - I LOVE YOU! :-) and I'll see you and mommy very soon.

I do have a legitimate excuse tho' (yeah okay still an excuse!) but REAL...I had a big English paper due today (tuesday) and I just pulled it off late last night at 10PM - turned it in finished and on time...tho' probably not my BEST effort, it was quite good and I should get a decent grade on it...so far in English I have 86, 94 and 100 for paper grades (93.3 average - not bad :-) we start our rough drafts this week, with a working introduction. I really don't like this process, but I know, I know! it's necessary and will come to be a very useful class to have taken (plus it's required for an A.A. anyway)

We've only had one exam in math so far (next one is tomorrow, Wed) and I got a 96/100. It 's not stressing me too much, even tho' we are on a double speed-up session and are 3 days behind in class note-time...plus the teacher let's us bring 1 paper of notes...which I might just take him up on this time.

Anyway, the back porch thermastat says it's 109.5' out there...officially it's 101+', with no let-up in sight for another full day and 1/2 - MELT! Inside it is currently a cool 82.4' -- hey! 20 degrees cooler feels nice right now - even tho' it's 'stinkin' hot' according to the radio announcer :-) And we officially had a LOW of 75' - another record HIGH for a LOW -- the last low we had that high was in the 1940's, folks...it made for a very rapidly increasing temp for the day and tomorrow is supposed to be even hotter (and the air quality sucks, too) (OFFICIAL HIGH FOR VANCOUVER TODAY WAS 106'F and tomorrow is supposed to be the hottest yet...triple melt)

Ok - enough whinning :-)

Have a nice day - and I hope it's cooler where you are (just had to throw that in! haha!)

Happy Birthday, America :-)

2009-07-05T09:30:00.003-07:00

I had a great time at the Church's house this 4th of July...George wasn't there (he was in Montana with his Army unit) and Tim, Livvy and the boys weren't there, either....but Lynnette, Jamie, Gaylen, Melissa, Lloyd and all the family and friends had fun visiting, eating yummy, yummy food and watching the boys light up the sky...

Happy Birthday, America!

Livvy, Tim and the boys had a great time visiting with Sarah and Emily and their families! They had a big BBQ at the Chacon's, went swimming at the Reyes's and saw the what they call "better fireworks than the Fort Vancouver Fireworks" at the active Army base near them. They are on the road again, one last time, to Orlando, FL today....Tristan will be celebrating his 5th Birthday at Disney World. whoohoo!

Happy Birthday, Trissy :-) Nana loves you!

This one's for you, Jules! LOVE YOU!

2009-07-03T11:54:00.006-07:00

We had lots of fun learning about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost and your upcoming baptism next August...

This was the day that we sat on the floor, because the 'kids' table was really the 'baby' table...remember how you always knocked your knees on the underside of the table - ouch!

Here are the boys in your class...Andrew, Jacob and TJ, YOU!...and a girl guest

Missing are the girls; Mara, Gracie & Courtney.

Still no camera cord...

2009-07-01T16:19:00.001-07:00

I THNK it's lost in the camera case, inside a suitcase, inside and in the back corner of the 'blue room' (dubbed such because it's painted blue!)

don't give up on me...I'll dig it out soon and hope it's there ;-p

happysad :-):-(

2009-06-27T07:29:00.002-07:00

Tim, Livvy, Julian and Tristan are on their way....they're gone....they've moved....Mickey! Here we come....

They get to start a new, exciting and profitable adventure....Tim is a Doctor :-p !!!! Livvy will sing and sing and sing....

My camera ran out of card-space just as the kids pulled out of the driveway....I know where the Canon camera is (it took the shots) and I know where the cord is for the Nikon....but nothing matches today ;-d

As soon as I can match things up, there will be some pics up....There's a lot to share, laugh and cry over....

....so stay tuned :~)

AND, OH YES! I HAVE A 4.0 GPA!!! :-P 2nd quarter....here I come....hehe

Words to remember and live by...

2009-06-09T18:35:00.001-07:00

"We are not inheriting the Earth from our children, we are borrowing it from our grandchildren."

Attributed to both Chief Seattle and the Pennsylvania Dutch, among others.

A Concert...

2009-05-23T18:22:00.003-07:00

I went to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's year-end performance. Their conductor is Salvador Brotons, who lives in Spain year-round, and comes in early for his concerts. I've been to the last 3 - and this one ... by far... was the best.

He has as guest performers a mezzo-soprano, Angela Niederloh, for the opening half, where she sang with the orchestra in Leonard Bernstein's Symphony No. 1 (Jeremiah) - He had as a mentor Aaron Copeland - both of these men are my favorites ...

... and I want to add another favorite ... Salvador Brotons ... the second half of the program started with a Catalanish (Spanish) group named "Cobla de Cambra de Catalunya" ... 11 men who placed these intruments -- 2 Tenoras (a very long, belled, double-reed oboe-ish instrument); 1 Flabiol (a very small flute-like insrument, but with a reed, played with one hand); 2 Tibles (a smaller Tenora-like insturment without the large bell); 2 B-flat Trumpets; 1 Trombone; 2 Fiscorns (a double french horn/small tuba like brass); 1 Double Bass ... Groups like this play in the streets of Barcelona on the weekends for the pleasure of the crowds. They have a conductor, and they played about 6 pieces for us before the closing piece.

The principal player & composer, Jordi Molina, who plays the Tenora (a tenor shawm, or high-pitched tenor oboe) also played a featured solo part in the final piece, Catalanish Concerto, composed and conducted by Salvador Brotons, and which premired today in the USA. It was simply one of the most beautiful, exciting and peaceful 3-movement pieces I've ever heard. What an exciting day...

For new subscribers to the 6-concert season, you get a 50% discount if purchased in the next 2 weeks....guess what I'm purchasing !?!? ($78.00 for 6 great concerts - oh yeah!)

Before...

2009-05-22T17:23:00.002-07:00

Okay - here's a list of things to do before June 29th...and hopefully in this order (or something like it, anyway) The important thing to do is get all this done before the shipment from Singapore is delivered to my house - it's already in port waiting clearance from customs:

1) Finish clearing out of the 'blue room' of the few remaining things of Tim& Liv's
2) Organize what's left in the 'blue room' (that would be my things, in boxes)
3) Empty all the other boxes out of my bedroom and put them into the 'blue room', leaving just my bed (which needs a new mattress), my desk and my dresser
4) Re-organize - again - all the things in the shop and make room to put more stuff in there

Then, the next step:

5) Make sure that all of Tim & Liv's things are in the front of the shop for easy removal for when they head out for Florida (approx June 29th)
6) Make a single spot for all of Bryan's things for his easy removal
7) Consolidate the rest of the stuff, mostly which is still Gg's and Manda's things (mine are organized along the shelves mostly, from when I lived in Singapore)
8) Put what boxes don't fit in the 'blue room' in the shop along the furniture and things that I am keeping
9) Tim and Liv are almost done packing their non-essentials - whoo whoo!!

And we really only have this Memorial Weekend to do it, among a full schedule of fun activities

Wish us LUCK!

American Idol Rewind & "So You Think You Can Dance"

2009-05-21T08:08:00.004-07:00

I think all of the top 4 will get their contracts! They're all super!
Go Kris, Adam, Danny and Allison!!

Tonight starts my summer TV addiction! I love to watch the talented dancers - as long as they're modest in movement and costume - yeah, right!

They're still amazing :^)

Adam! Kris! Adam! Kris!

2009-05-19T20:51:00.003-07:00

augh!! who's gonna' win??

I think it's going to be.........

..........Adam.......

well, I missed :(

I did the "spin" class today??

2009-05-18T09:50:00.002-07:00

I think my legs will break, wobble and break off - ugh! I'm taking the ramps as school today - going down the stairs is to dangerous :-(

My English Paper -- GRADE :^)

2009-05-15T16:23:00.002-07:00

I don't want to include my whole paper (it's 5 pages long) on the blog - but I will put down the whole comment from my instructor --

"I enjoy the way you interweave all the pieces of this essay. The Clark's story provides a nice framework - inspiration for the rest of us to wake up and take action. Your own personal story works well in this context: explaining the way we have lived for so long and showing what caused you to start making changes. Informative, thought- provoking, and ultimately persuasive."

Grade:?? 30/30 - A

(My first essay got a 29/30 - A, also) hehe :^)

Not Snow ??? mid April

2009-05-14T08:52:00.001-07:00

A good hail storm that lasted about 15 minutes; left a remnant of winter...

Check out the other entries below - there's a couple more new things to look at :^)

Spring is in the air -- well at least this day it was ;-p

2009-05-14T08:46:00.002-07:00

Perfect weather - perfect fun!

family time is the best time!
I know you can't see the little buggers, but when Tim lifted a rock up out of the garden...he unearthed an ant colony - they were scurrying by the thousands to protect their babies...

more fun!
Isn't this beautiful :^) Can you feel the beautifulness of it???

Birthday Boy :)

2009-05-14T08:36:00.002-07:00

My boy turned 26 recently -- it was a fun day!

The Blazer's didn't win tonight and lost the division title -- sorry Georgie :-(

wonder if he won anything?

love!

I gave him this card - it plays the "chicken dance song" when you open it - it's the song that plays in Georgie's head when nothing else is occupying his great expansive mind ;-p

sharing a moment with Jules

More Pictures

2009-05-13T00:12:00.004-07:00

Cool colors, 'eh!?!? Julian did the artistic looking ones - he's very creative :)

Dad helping Jules

Nana getting her hands in for a couple of dark eggs

and then back to homework...what else are kitchen tables good for, anyway? hehe :)

and more homework :-) I'm doing well and having fun, besides

Some Pictures

2009-05-13T00:06:00.002-07:00

Gorgeous tree across from my neighborhood

In a neighbor's yard

Tristan Angel-face at the LDS Easter Presentation over a 3-day period - this was one of the inter-active things for the kids to do

The boys are playing in a wheat-tent

Trissy and I went to Heaven to see Jesus

I can't find it!! -- FOUND IT!

2009-05-11T23:13:00.002-07:00

Pictures soon :^) :-p

I can't find the cord to the camera so that I can down-load and put up some photos of the past couple of weeks...

Yeahyeahyeah :-):-):-)

Well...it's done :^)

2009-05-09T13:58:00.003-07:00

I've just finished my 2nd Essay - an argument paper - on the needs for more small farms...I will let you know what my grade is when it gets returned later next week.

In the meantime, I've registered for Summer Quarter - ENG 102 (1 large paper for the term) and Math 090 (then one more, 095) before College Math (100+).

Tim & Livvy will be moving to Florida sometime at the end of June or early July, so this will keep me busy and not as lonely as I might be otherwise...sniff...Dooooonnn't gooooooo..........

I also finished reading the Twilight series, again...it's better the 2nd time around :-p

...And the Church Roadshows are done!! Tim and Livvy are very happy about this...they had a GREAT time writing the script, directing and choreographing the show, but it was long and hard and FUNFUNFUN but 'it's done'...They won the "Best Choreography" award (done by Tim to Michael Jackson's Thriller) and Livvy got a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers as a gift! the show was awesome, by the way :~)

Food??

2009-05-05T23:25:00.003-07:00

Okay - here goes....My English instructor has had us reading many essays and articles on...

** environment & industrialization
** ecology
** fast food vs 'slow food' (never heard of that!? - me neither!)(decades old!)
** The Transition Movement (started in England decades ago)
** Permaculture (Tim added this one- started in Australia decades ago)
** CSA's (thanks Lynnette and Melissa)
** Oil, gas, coal depletion
** Wind, solar, hydro and nuclear power options
** Suburbia (taking last of the good farm lands)
etc etc

I'm interested; I'm reading and studying; the Stake has us planting (for food and family-time)

All of these things are pointing towards Americans taking a careful look at the food we eat, where it comes from, whether or not it's actually healthy, how we eat (and how much!) - who tells us how , when and how much we should eat (government?)...as a country and as a culture, we WILL have to learn how to grow our own food, cook our own food and we WILL have less of it -- and all that's a good thing!

Anyway, my interest is peaked - I'll keep you posted :^)

YEP ! :^)...

2009-05-01T16:32:00.000-07:00

Just a new 'face' :^)

Spring Break and Birthday

2009-04-04T21:27:00.005-07:00

The "Fort" :)

Gg enjoying a birthday card with Julian looking on...

Human "choke chain" (some of the dogs could use one, too :p

Gg is really laughing hard at a birthday card...we ate Green-Chili Chicken Enchiladas and strawberries & cream on pound cake...YUM YUM

Blake has a "tattoo" :)

Julian and Blake, cousins, enjoying each other's company during their Spring Break...

Leaving Virginia :(

2009-04-04T21:19:00.003-07:00

from my seat...

landing on a runway next to this other jet...

hehe! Evoly is so cute :) I heard that she was looking for me after I left "where's Nana?...Nana??!" :( I'm sorry baby :(

And these girls are the silliest...

Poor Laine!

2009-03-31T07:51:00.000-07:00

You MUST go visit Emily's blog and watch my poor Lainey eat a Warhead ;(

Silly Facebook "Test" Results....

2009-03-30T19:34:00.005-07:00

....I should be living in Rome; I am the Greek Goddess, Athena; I am June Cleaver; I am a Jedi Master; I am the Book of Mormon Prophet, Alma the Elder; I am a nerd; my Teddy Bear name is "Snuggly Baby Bear"; my Smurf name is "Insane Smurf"; my Super Hero name is "The Daring Mime"; my Princess name is "Laurie the Lucky, Princess of Lyham; my Twilight guy is Jasper; my "Real Age" is 50; I scored 100% on both the 'Grammar" test and the "There, Their, They're" test...
...and....
...drum roll, please....
...my Easter Bunny name is "Cinna Bun Fluggybum" --- I LOVE that name! :-) ;-p ;-0 --- I giggle every time I say it out loud :-D

Curls and girls...

2009-03-21T16:24:00.005-07:00

Freshly washed -- ooooooo
Big grin! :) ... almost 2
Puttin' on the gloss ;) ... almost 5
"Caught me by surprise!" ... 1st grade
'juicy grin' - 'gawd a cowd' :( ... 1-1/2

Virginia Trip...so far...

2009-03-21T16:18:00.002-07:00

St Patrick's Day green :) Sarah, Emily, Evoly, Laurie, Elaine & Miriam...(Evoly's shirt has green print and ribbons)
Green milk...

GREEN Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Cassarole...
Green grapes and apples in a luscious fruit salad...
Silly Spaghetti face :)

Julian's Page...

2009-03-21T16:08:00.003-07:00

Papier Mache "The Three Billy Goat's Gruff" from school...
Silver (2nd) in Flag Sparring...
Bronze (3rd) in Board Breaking (flying kick thingy) Very impressive! ...
Showing off my medals and the prize that daddy and I won! It's a really cool 'kick practicer' thingy (there is a real name for it ...I don't know what it is ;) ...

Maya Angelou....

2009-03-21T09:02:00.008-07:00

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..... a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal,

that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.... that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.... whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table.. or a charming Inn in the woods... when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... What she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...

Beautiful Poem

2009-03-09T19:44:00.002-07:00

Song for a Fifth Child

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth
empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
hang out the washing and butter the bread,
sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew
and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
but I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

(borrowed from Ana's blog - thanks again for such beauty) ;)

"Saturday Projects" day :)

2009-03-07T10:03:00.006-08:00

"Eternal waters" of the kitty kind :)

Haunted Mansion - "Tristan the Monster-Ghost" with all the appropriate growls and howls :)

"Julian the Friendly Ghost" :)

Laundry with my new bins :)

An almost clear kitchen sink... :) ...

... ;-p Then we go to Julian's TaeKwanDo Tournament, and then the movies, for $0.80 each! Yep -- through Julian's school and Kiggins Theatre, we get 10 movies for $8.00, TOTAL! And they're some really good ones, too, like Madagascar 2, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, High School Musical 3, Bolt, IGOR, Tale of Despereaux and 4 others....Neat huh!? :~) It's nice to get a day without all the stress....We're happy! :-D

changing backgrounds

2009-03-05T13:47:00.001-08:00

It's fun! and there are so many :)

Our little overnight snow :)

2009-02-26T09:46:00.005-08:00

my favorite Japanese Maple

bright morning with clear shadows

light fluffy stuff

across the street scene

a little grass plant from Sarah's wedding reception

Will the fun never stop - what a great Winter we've had - and Spring isn't that far away....One Spring, several years ago, we had a fairly good snow on March 17th (I remember the date and you'll see why) - It was St Patrick's Day, and the snow had been falling all night while we slept, and in the morning, when we discovered what had happened - oh joy! - we built a big snowman and covered his neck with clover-necklaces - in honor of St Pat....He was so cute....we got a couple of pics, but of course they are digital - only film - and I'm not sure where they are right now (probably in the hall closet repository of old pics and negatives)

Anyway here are a few shots of what my house and street look like this morning...It's bright and clear with a few clouds on the horizon...I wish you could HEAR these pictures...the birds are all coming back and they're singing a might pretty song - hehe - and it must be loud out there, 'cause even my deaf 'ole ears can hear all it's music :)

PS - the mountains (ski resorts) have been getting an INCH AN HOUR for the last day-and-a-half - they're LOVING it! This is all we got - that's okay - Julian's school wasn't even delayed

Breast Cancer Awareness

2009-02-25T11:39:00.002-08:00

Any quilters out there?? Here are pictures of some of the cutest bras in town made by talented quilters! They're probably not wearable :) but they're sure cute! Way to go quilters!

http://www.quiltersofsc.org/artfullbras/artfullbras.htm

Thanks Geneva for sending this great email to me :)

Our family "dust piggy" :~)

2009-02-22T16:10:00.006-08:00

This is Oreo - a male Peruvian Guinea gig -- The boys were playing with him on the kitchen floor, because it was too cold and wet outside (he LOVES to romp and HIDE in the grass in the summertime).

The boys got bored with him, because, let's face it, Guinea pigs don't do much :)...
No one knows how old he is...

...and he went into hiding...in the corner by the broom.

...and,mmmmm, in Peru... :( he would be lunch :( glad you're here, Oreo...

P.S. Thomas, our big FAT white kitty-boy (aka "fatty-boomba-latty") will be 15 yrs. old soon -- good boy, Tommy! :) He's on a diet, loosing weight slowly - the safe way :!)

Stimulus Bill Humor ??

2009-02-17T16:07:00.004-08:00

Shortly after class, an economics student approaches his economics professor and says, "I don't understand this stimulus bill. Can you explain it to me?"

The professor replied, "I don't have any time to explain it at my office, but if you come over to my house on Saturday and help me with my weekend project, I'll be glad to explain it to you." The student agreed.

At the agreed-upon time, the student showed up at the professor's house. The professor stated that the weekend project involved his backyard pool.

They both went out back to the pool, and the professor handed the student a bucket. Demonstrating with his own bucket, the professor said, "First, go over to the deep end, and fill your bucket with as much water as you can." The student did as he was instructed.

The professor then continued, "Follow me over to the shallow end, and then dump all the water from your bucket into it." The student was naturally confused, but did as he was told.

The professor then explained they were going to do this many more times, and began walking back to the deep end of the pool.

The confused student asked, "Excuse me, but why are we doing this?"

The professor matter-of-factly stated that he was trying to make the shallow end much deeper.

The student didn't think the economics professor was serious, but figured that he would find out the real story soon enough.

However, after the 6th trip between the shallow end and the deep end, the student began to become worried that his economics professor had gone mad. The student finally replied, "All we're doing is wasting valuable time and effort on unproductive pursuits. Even worse, when this process is all over, everything will be at the same level it was before, so all you'll really have accomplished is the destruction of what could have been truly productive action!"

The professor put down his bucket and replied with a smile, "Congratulations. You now understand the stimulus bill."

Manda took these! hahahehe!!

2009-02-14T11:00:00.004-08:00

My Baboo - 10 yrs old.... sorry Manda, I stole these 2 :)

Fabulous front and back views! hahahehe
GET A HAIRCUT!!
No...........on second thought, I actually like it :)