Trip to Mesa AZ March 10 to 17

Last Christmas, Patty Powell called and said I should go down to Mesa, AZ to visit. They have a house there where they go every winter. So - I decided to just do it. I surprised everyone, including myself. Wendy helped me by getting the best tickets on line. It was $249 for round trip. I left SLC on March 10 and returned March 17. Wendy took me to Orem. Richard took me to the airport Wednesday morning. I flew to Las Angeles then to the Phonix airport where Patty and Walter picked me up. Wendy got me a new cell phone so I was able to call Patty when I got there and it worked out fine. I waited mayby 5 minutes. Thier neighbor, Jim, drove thier car.

It was beautiful weather and they treated me so special. I was given a beautiful room with a bathroom attatched. Thier house is really nice and comfortable with a fenced back yard. There is a swing on the patio that I enjoyed every morning. They said I took naps, but I said I was just resting my eyes from the bright sunshine. They have two orange trees, a lemon and grapefruit trees back there too. The Oranges were gone, but the Lemon tree had fruit as big as the grapefruits. Unbelievable! It was a really relaxed easy time. They just visit and whatever one wants to do. It was really different to be around people who are not involved in church stuff -- meetings etc. like we are. It was pretty nice. We went to the Farmers Market, Grocery store, Antique store.... Grace Hayes lives there in an assisted living place that we visited. She was so happy to see me. She used to paint in my class in Rangely. It was a really beautiful place to live. Costs $1500 a month!! Saturday morning we went to an Art Show and that was fun. We especially liked it because none of the work was better than ours. (except on portrait of a little child. It was so precious)

I called Dillon and Valerie and he came and got me Saturday with Sydney and London. I stayed the night and went to church with them. Sydney kept me going. She is a bundle of energy. They took me to a Ghost Town where we watched a hanging and a shootout on the street. It is really an interesting place. The desert is beautiful. There are so many kinds of Cacti and everything is green this time of year. It was so good to be in thier home. They are a great little family. They took me back to Powell's Sunday afternoon and came to the patio where everyone was. Pam, Patty's daughter and her daughter Corey and two kids came the day after I got there and so they had a full house. I still got to keep the bedroom I felt kindof guilty, but Patty said I got there first.

Patty and Pam took me to the airport about 5am and left me to my own vices. I made it through okay. It went through Denver this time. Gay met me in the Salt Lake airport. We went to their hotel for a little rest. She met Duane coming from Maryland that night. Then we had lunch at the Joseph Smith Building and then to the Family History Building where Gay found a little information she needed. We then went to Jonathon's and met Wendy. He and Meghan have a nice appartment with Matt. We ate at Panda Express,(I think) and then I and Wendy left for home. Got home about midnight. I was really tired. It was a good trip. I am so glad I went.

February 3, 2010

Today is my brother, Morgan's, birthday. Yesterday Virginia passed over to him and thier son, Gary Dodds Hall. He was killed in the Viatnaum war. Virginia has been living in the BeeHive House here in Vernal for most of a year. The last few months have been hard for her. She existed on fluids only for the past two weeks. I have been singing to both Houses, but only a few times where Virginia lived. She has been in pain for a long time and it was hard to visit with her very long at a time. While she was still in her home, I tried to interest her in going to church, but she and her sister, Lois, didn't seem interested. So many people think that if they believe in God and live good honest lives, that is enough. Something must have touched Virginia, though. Gayla told me that the night before she died, that she was questioning why she couldn't go...."Was it because she hadn't joined the church?" I am sure not, but she will be glad to accept it now. Layne and Landon had Morgan baptised and endowed and we had him sealed to our parents. At the baptism, Layne told me that the sister attending heard voices exclaiming things like "Good job..." She looked around and there was nobode there. We know that Morgan and others were there extited to have our family complete.

The funeral is Saturday at the Mortuary. I am to sing. Will add more later.

The Last of 2009 & First of the New Year 2010

It has been a busy few weeks. Jonathon's wedding, Thanksgiving at Wanda's, our Wardell party. Christmas busyness... My favorite times are always when the family gets together. I LOVE my family! They are all so great. Our family party was especially wonderful for me because all my kids were here together. But, these 'kids' are not very young any more...so guess what that makes me? Landon and Joshua, Megan and Mr and Mrs Jonathon were the only grandkids. Everyone did a part on the program and it was quite hillarious. Pam had Layne, Landon, Temi and Barry read Dr. Suess's version of the Book of Mormon. Barry told how the Angel got to the top of the Christmas Tree. (I think I didn't really get what I was supposed to from that story) Wanda read a story dresses as a cute elf person. Wendy told about the meaning of Twelve Days of Christmas and Jonathon and Meghan shared a cute story. The final touch was Gay and Duane impersonating Julia Childs demonstrating an artichoc/spinach dip. Gay did the talking - Duane's hands did the mixing as though they belonged to Gay. It was awesome. Joshua really got a kick out of that, especially when Gay's nose itched and Duane's hands had to scratch it with cream cheese hands. The food was great as usual and much to much. Gay and Wanda made really good soups and there were lots of finger foods.

Christmas it's self was more quiet. Gay went to Brandi's and took Chrystal. Wendy went to Jonathon's new apartment. Gabe and Parker, and Justin, April and Tegan came home for Christmas day and Candic's family came next day. I think I have never seen so many presents and toys. We are all a bit spoiled, I'm afraid. There was just too much.

We have gotten a few pretty good snow storms. There was probably 14 or 15 inches in the back yard. Then the cold closed in and doesn't want to leave. I keep hoping for a January thaw, but so far it just gets colder. How greatful for warm houses with central heat, running water that doesn't freeze (so far) and wood for my little fireplace that makes it seem so comfortable and cheery.

I am hoping that I will be able to follow through with my resolution to learn the new family history program and actually DO some temple work. All I seem to ever acomplish so far is to up date stuff. Gay is helping me so maybe...?

It is a pretty scary time for our country. Our new President Obama promised changes and has really filled that promise. The economy is terrible. Everything is a mess. He is spending us into a terrible depression. People are out of work..We can count on higher taxes...socialism is taking over...Where will it end? Not good. We can only pray that the Lord will somehow rescue us.

The Wedding

Whew! Jonathon and Meghan Constance Ruppe were married November 21, 2009 at Wanda and Carl Ray's home with a reception at our ward church building. Everything went off without any problems. I and Wendy did the cake - Five layers -Three were of sterefoam. We did the rolled fondant icing. Wendy did the rolling. I made the top two layers. Each had a black satin ribbon around the bottom. I made a garland of real red roses draping down the front-side?? Anyway, it turned out beautiful. Wanda's house was really full of people we didn't know. I think she realizes that her house is only for family gatherings..not community. She is so acomidating to everyone. We just got Halloween over, then the wedding and now we will be having Thanksgiving dinner there. Christmas family party will be Dec. 12th here at my house.

I now have a wonderful strong beautiful porch deck!! Jon and Wendy started it and Carl Ray finished. It is so nice. I am so greatful for all the help people give me.

Trees for Charity will be this weekend. Gay has been overwhelmed with it. She does such a great job that she ends up doing more and more for them. I have donated two paintings this year. One for Katie Slaugh and her Cistic Fibrosis and the other for the van that takes people to Doctors in Salt Lake with no charge.

How greatful for all my blessings am I. Sometimes when I count them I can't imagine how I deserve so much. I love my families. They are so special and good people. How fortunate I feel to live in this most comfortable house and have Wendy here with me. I look out my windows and see beauty whichever way I look. I love the ducks on the pond...there were 7 visitors there this morning. Life is good.

The Witches Came to Town

October 31st was the Night of the Witches at Wanda's house. It was pretty awsome. The decorations took most of three days to finish. A cobweb tunnel led to the house lit with orange lights on bushes along the walk. People were met by Witches, Goblins, Pumpkins, Fog and Scary sounds. The door opened to three very different and original witches and one Goul reading palms and her christal ball..(Me). Guests were greeted for two and a half hours straight..no breaks. The house inside was so spooky. Quite undiscribable. Anyone would have to go to Gay's pictures to believe how neat it looked. Each year gets a little better if that can be. The Girls worked do hard to make it special for the neighborhood.

October 1, 2009

Well, the frost has done it's duty. I picked Cosmos yesterday and today they are wilted little petals. It is cold today but sunny. I worked on tearing up the deck most of the day. Wendy decided she better take controll of building me another floor. I was going to just cover it up with something, which I knew was a bad idea but cheap. She called Barry and Temi for help and they are paying for real stuff! I used the circlier ( however you spell it - that round saw) to cut through to make four sections so I could pry the boards up. Wendy came home and scolded me, but I am okay...I hope some workers show up to help put it back together. It sure is a mess under there. I don't know what the kitties will do for shelter. They must be under the house scared to death with all the wrecking going on.

Moma Blue Eyes has three more babies. I didn't know it till one ventured out. They are so cute. Wendy was going to keep it in the house but changed her mind after the first night. They are pretty wild and so when Jonathon & Meghan caught them, I thought it would be a good idea to keep them in a box to tame them down so they can be given away, Well, that didn't work. I decided to keep them in the bathroom with kitty litter. In the middle of the night I heard them yowling so thought I better feed them. One just dives in but the other white one just wouldn't try. I did get the black one to eat though. Anyway, I figured they would go to sleep. Not so. I soon heard things falling and crashing in there. Two little paws were trying to get under the door and when I opened it, I couldn't believe my eyes. One of them had gotten up in the window and knocked my mirror and candle holder down. I guess they climbed up the towels and jumped in the window. The little black one was on the towel bar. I took them back to thier momma and all were happy again.

I am planning to have an Art Exibit next week, Oct. 10th at the Trading Post - outside. I have several new paintings to show. Valda, Ruth, Lella Ruth and some others will display too. I hope someone just can't help but buy a couple or more. I have invested in several frames that need to get some money back to me. The weather has turned colder. Sure hope it turns nice for that day or we will have to move it here...That is the big rush getting the deck built.

So much for now.