Time marchs on....Happy New Year!... Hmmmmm

You know you aren't young anymore when on New Year's Eve you:

1. View New Year's Eve as dangerous.
2. Plan to go out before others do so you can be home before others get started.
3. Go out, have dinner, come home, look at the clock and are amazed that it is only 5:30.
4. Your husband rents a movie to watch only to fall asleep 5 minutes into it...and it's only 6:00.
5. By 7:00 you are sitting on the computer writing dumb stuff on your blog to help fill in the time.
6. Anticipating going to bed in a hour and being woke up at midnight by all the crazy neighbors who stay up to let off firecrackers and bang pots and pans....knowing you probably won't be able to get back to sleep.
7. Don't really care anymore about some silly ball falling thousands of miles away.
8. Look at your new calendar and wonder how it could possibly already be 10 years into the 'new millennium'.
9. Sigh and wonder how many more New Years you will see.
10. Yawn, consider going back to bed and hope everyone you love and care about had a safe evening.
11. Pray that this new year will be much better than the last.
12. Also pray you can go back to sleep!

Hmmm...does it sound like I've done this before?!?!? :-)

My Chuckle for the Day

This morning I woke up extra early...2:30am and could not get back to sleep. I decided to work on a project in my office/guest room of sorting through papers and 'stuff'. As I was doing so, I ran across a print out of an e-mail for a Hot Punch recipe Barbara McKown gave me that is suppose to be great for when you have a sore throat. At the bottom of the e-mail there was a little added zinger that made me smile as I painted a comical visual in my head.
Here it is:

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, " WOW, What a ride!" :-)

Surprise!

Late yesterday afternoon I just happened to look up and out the window to find that snow was falling. It wasn't expected at all but was a wonderful sight. It was just enough to make things pretty but not dangerous. It was the perfect snow for snowballs. What fun for the kids off on Christmas break!

Looking Ahead

Goals
Last night my mind kept referring back to the lessons we had on Sunday in church about the importance of setting goals. Someone mentioned how it is a way of making a plan for our dreams to come true. I like that thought. It was also stressed how important it is to write down our goals and place them in an area where we will see them daily to remind us of our ultimate desired destination. Last night I started to write down a few things I would like to accomplish. Some are long term goals, others short term. I intend to write out a plan for each before January 1st.
It was also stressed that we need to schedule in time, or allow time for serving others. I have found that when my mind is not as focused on myself but on serving others I am happier and able to accomplish much more. Life is more satisfying and I find that my desire for 'things' lessens. 'Things' tend to bog us down with more maintenance and anxiety. I find it interesting how as we start out in life we tend to acquire more and more. Yet, as we get older we find those things that use to seem important more of a burden than a blessing. To rid ourselves of clutter and simplify is to regain control of our lives so we can truly enjoy the rich blessings of the truly important things such as family, friends and values that enrich our quality of living.

Christmas Day

Jeremy & Andrea

We went to Andrea and Jeremy's for Christmas. We got there before the others so we could exchange gifts and then had a wonderful dinner of turkey and ham with all the trimmings.
Jeremy's parents, brother Aaron and wife Katie and their 4 children and Jeremy's sister Laurin
were also there for dinner. It was a good Christmas Day.

Jesus' Birthday Cake for the kids

Kaitlyn, Lauren, Audrey, Ally, Thomas, Rachel singing 'Happy Birthday'.

Christmas Eve at Mom's

George & I with Ally and Kaitlyn

This year our annual family gathering was at Mom's house.
It was good to be able to be together after the heavy snow that kept us from all from getting together last year.
As I was going through these pictures, I realized I didn't get a picture of Andrea and Jeremy together...darn!
Tomorrow we will be going to their house for dinner so I will make up for it.
Tonight we all enjoyed all the great food everyone brought, an ornament exchange and lively children that brought smiles and joy.

Ally and I

Kevin, Heather and Mya

My brother Steve

My sister Peggy and husband Ken

Peggy's eldest son Scott and his wife Molly

Mom with Scott & Molly's daughter Athena

Scott & Molly's son Oliver

Painting Fun

The girls stayed the night last night and then spent the day with grandma while mom went to a class for work.
Grandma was ready with some paint by number sets for the girls to enjoy.

I can do it myself!

As hard as I try, I never seem to be able to capture Mya's sweet smile. It will be there and then suddenly, when the camera finally takes the picture (after a delay) the smile is gone. Today I caught this smile as she was eating her breakfast of cereal and yogurt combination. I usually feed her, but today I actually got out the toddler chair and let her go at it. She was a happy girl! She didn't eat much but sure had fun playing in the food! The mess was worth the smile and fun.

No Touch!

Hmmmm, Should I or Shouldn't I?

Grandma said no

Our Nativity

A couple of years ago I started putting our nativity set under the Christmas tree along with the gifts to be given out. This is symbolic of the greatest gift ever given and to never forget the true meaning of Christmas.

Picture a Christmas

Today in Relief Society we sang a song from the Children's Primary Song Book that I don't recall ever singing before. Since I was not raised in the church , have never heard it when I have served in Primary, and am not muscially inclined to play it myself, it was fresh and new to me. The simple words impacted me as to how easy it is to enjoy Christmas if we only remember what it is all about.

Picture a stable in Judea.
Picture a sacred, silent night.
And can you hear
The Angels near
And see the star so bright?
Picture the little baby Jesus.
Think of his life and words so dear.
Sing praise to Him;
Remember him,
As you picture Christmas this year.

December Sunday Morning

Ally & Kaitlyn before church today

Originally Ally and Kaitlyn were going to go to church with us today. Our meetings start at 9:00. Because of icy conditions on the road, we made the decision to stay home for safety's sake. Andrea however, had a meeting to go to before her church block which starts at 11:00 so she braved the roads and brought the girls here. Later she picked them up and they went to church. I was able to get this picture of the girls in their Christmas dresses.

Patching the Past

Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting my cousin Susan and her husband, Walter (previously mentioned a few posts ago) for lunch. What fun it was to be able to see her again after so many years. As we talked, I couldn't help but let my mind wander to when we were young girls and how different we were from each other, or so I thought. She was very lively and played with her brothers and the other boy cousins having fun while I was the quiet shy miss prissy sitting under the shade tree. What I didn't know then that I do now is how similar we were in how we viewed the individual family members and the importance of remembering the small details. As Susan and I have been revisiting the past, we have found we have a connection that is unique. We came away from our childhood with a love of the history of our heritage and hunger for more information. It has been frustrating for us that the remaining generation before us seems to have so little knowledge or remembrances of those who have since passed on. We are the next generation to pass on the information. I am now the eldest of the blood line for dad's maternal side of the family and the only one of my grandmother's grandchildren left that has any memories of her. With each generation the stories become fewer, they fade away just as our childhood fades away. Nevertheless, whether we recongize it or not, our lives are woven together by the generations of time. The results if preserved, are a beautiful patchwork quilt of people, experiences and memories that are rich with various shades of color. Some bright lively shades and other quieter muted hues. When we choose to look closely, we can find the common bond and see the stitches that hold us all together. I am grateful that Susan and I have found that our individual patches that have been woven are closer together than we ever would have thought and have balanced out each other. The thread which stitches us together is strong and I believe will hold over time adding strength and richness to the family quilt.

Welcoming December with our Tree

Over the years it has been tradition that I decorate the tree for Christmas (a self imposed tradition). Usually this would be done while the kids were in bed so they would wake up to a surprise. As they got older I would let them watch and sometimes put a few ornaments on. I was so bad! I have relaxed a little over the years and now let Ally and Kaitlyn add their decorating touches. This year they put almost all of the ornaments up once I put on the lights. I tweaked a few ornaments, but mostly left it the way they decorated it. I love a brightly lit tree, but over the years I find I love the bright reflection of the happy faces of kids who feel a sense of accomplishment and pride even more.

Four Generations

My Mother, Me, Andrea and her two girls Ally and Kaitlyn

Andrea made an appointment for all of to get our picture taken.
This is the second generation picture we have done.
The first one was before Kaitlyn was born.
What a great feeling to be surrounded by love!

Our Family Doctor the Country Music Singer

This morning I just happened to turn on the TV to 'Fox Family and Friends' and went about my morning business. I got dressed and washed up then returned to the TV just in time to hear the last little bit of our family doctor, known as Ricky Lee Jackson, singing a song he has written and is now out on CD called 'Freedom, Family & Faith'. I have always known he was a country singer but had never heard him sing. He was pretty good! I also liked what I heard of the song. I will have to get the CD! For those not familiar with Dr. Jackson, his son Johathan is a 3 time Emmy award winner for his acting who was on General Hospital as Lucky and also in several familiar motion pictures. His other son, also an actor, was a regular on 'Saved by the Bell' in his teens.

Another Year Older

As any child, I was always excited for my next birthday. I remember when I turned 10 I thought it was truly momentous. To have reached the 2 digit mark...WOW! I smile now as I think of that day...I got my first bike that year. I felt like I was given a first taste of independence which made me feel very grown up. Of course, I wasn't allowed to ride the bike beyond where my parents could see me...down about 3 houses and back unless on a bike ride with one of them for the first few months. Now kids get bikes before they start school and often are on their second or third one by the time they are 10. Times do change....as do people. Turning 57 is not something I was looking forward to. I wasn't dreading it, but the number speaks for itself...I am not all that young anymore Over the years November has become my least favorite month of the year. Not just because of the fact it is my marker for age, but it is a dreary month that brings rain, wind, and gray which usually stays with us here in this area steadily for months. That is kind of how I felt this year with a dripping nose, swollen eyes, my voice was gone, and I felt like my energy was lost and I was wilting like the remaining leaves on the trees barely hanging on. There were a few rays of sunshine that day. To me those rays were symbolic of the love of family and friends who brightened my day with their warmth and kindness. I needed them. One is never to old to need to feel loved and cared for. I am grateful for what the years have brought me..... gifts more precious than anything, the people I call my family and friends. With them, it doesn't matter how old I may be, I will feel like a kid with a new bike each passing year... except I find I no longer yearn for that independence as much as I do the companionship of loved ones to ride through life with.

Family History

My first cousin once removed, Susan and her husband Walter

About a month ago my cousin Susan contacted me. Susan and I have known each other through the years by attending annual family reunion picnics which brought together our grandmother's siblings and their families. Her grandmother and mine were sisters. There were a total of 9 children. It was a 'his, mine, and ours' mixed family. Susan's grandmother and mine were full blood sisters. Her grandmother was the oldest, mine the youngest. Anyway, Susan expressed an interest in trying to put the history of this group of siblings together so she can make a presentation at the next reunion for the remaining cousins. Another cousin's wife is going to put together a book which each of us will have the opportunity to purchase and have for our own individual families. Since Susan contacted me, we have been in touch through e-mail almost daily sharing past memories and impressions we had of the various family members over the years. It has been so much fun! Susan and I have found that we share similar views and have developed a friendship that I value greatly.
Below is a picture of my grandmother. She died at age 55 when I was 4 years old. I still have memories of her although not nearly as many as I wish I had. My parents always spoke highly of her and the talents she had. I am grateful for the connection I have had over the years with her siblings, nieces and nephews and the rest of the extended family.

My Paternal Grandmother

Happy Birthday Ally!

Ally had fun opening her gifts after we all ate the dinner she requested of BQ hamburgers, Caesar salad, salt and vinegar potato chips and brownies with peanutbutter cups in the middle of them rather than a birthday cake.

Kaitlyn was enjoying watching her sister open the gifts.

My mom came to help celebrate and Ally enjoyed having her great grandma there.

Ally in her 'Hannah Montana' wig. She thought it was great fun to suddenly become blond.

It was a fun day. It started out with the girls participating in the Primary Program at church which George and I were able to attend along with my mom. It was a wonderful program and the kids did a great job.
Then we went to Andrea and Jeremy's for Ally's party. Grandma and Grandpa Kanooth as well as Aunt Lairen, Aunt Katie, and cousins Lauren and Audrey.

Ally's Wish

About 2 months ago, Ally told me she wished that just her and I could go to the Olive Garden for lunch. It was right before school started and the timing wasn't right for us to be able to do it. I casually mentioned that maybe we could do that around her birthday. She forgot all about it...But grandma didn't! She had no idea when I showed up at her house today that I was about to take her away. When I did get her into the Jeep, she just thought I was taking her to our house for some alone time with grandma...but she soon discovered that we were about to go out for lunch. We had a great time.

She was surprised when they came to sing Happy Birthday to her and bring her dessert.

My Happy Birthday Girl.
7 years old...where has the time gone!?!

Birthday Celebrations - George and Heather

Yesterday was both George's and Heather's birthday.
Heather was with Kevin and Mya at the coast for a much needed vacation while George worked the day away then came home to dinner with Andrea, Jeremy and the girls joining us.
Andrea brought cupcakes which the girls helped decorate.
It was a pleasant evening.
Happy 58th, George! :-)

Mya's 1st Birthday

Our youngest grandchild, Mya, (Kevin's daughter) is a year old!
Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the party due to being sick.
George took these pictures which I really appreciate.

She loves Elmo

The frosting is finger licking good!
So was the chicken daddy cooked on the barbeque!
(George brought some food home for me to enjoy.)

Kevin and his little girl

Mommy (Heather) and her sweetie.

Mya with Great-Grandma Douglas
(My mom)

Ally thinks her little cousin is the cutest baby ever!

Kaitlyn loves playing with Mya
Looks like Mya enjoys Kaitlyn, too!

Present time!

At the end of the day, Mya was one happy little girl.
George and I feel so blessed to have such wonderful grandchildren.
Mya, we love you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

A Beautiful Sabbath Day in the NW

George and I rarely get or take the opportunity to enjoy all the beautiful scenery around us.
After church yesterday, we decided to take a ride up the Columbia River Gorge in the Jeep with the top down and drive the old Highway. It was a wonderful drive. We had the Mormon Tabernacle Choir playing and enjoyed talking about church related topics while taking in all the great scenery. I wish I would have taken a picture of the actual drive through the trees on the old highway. The sun shining through the thick trees and casting their shadows was truly beautiful.
The drive was exactly what I needed to balance out a very busy week and make me not feel so closed in by it all. As September starts to come to a close, I am grateful for these last warm days and clear skies and the opportunity to enjoy such a peaceful beautiful day out with my hubby.

Looking east from Crown Point

Horseshoe Falls

It's my time of year......

A week ago Friday, Ally came over for some grandma-time.
We went shopping during the day and in the evening while grandpa was sleeping she and I got out the fall decorations and displayed them. She spent the night and the next morning was excited to show her mom and sister what we had done. We had so much fun! This last Friday, Kaitlyn had her grandma-day. We too, went shopping and had a fun evening of watching a movie before she fell fast asleep. Kaitlyn loves to push the buttons to make the fun decorations sing and move.
Grandma just loves being able to share her love of the season with her girls and wishes she could with all the grandchildren.

Follow-up on previous post......

After hearing Andrea's interpetation of how she viewed my comments on Ted Kennedy's memorial service, I thought I better clarify that when I said I enjoyed it...I meant that it was light and filled with humorous comments from his friends ...the circumstances were different than of his brothers' deaths, so it wasn't as solemn. I certainly never meant to imply that I enjoyed the fact that he was dead! ......Whew! Now that's taken care of!..Hahaha

A bit of history and personal commentary

Ted Kennedy certainly hasn't been a favorite of mine in the Senate, nor has he impressed me with his moral conduct over the years, however his passing does take me back in time to when I was young girl sitting in my 6th grade class room. We were having music time with the school music teacher when there was a knock on the classroom door. I remember the teacher going to the door and stepping outside for a moment then coming back in with a terrible look on her face. She went to the front of the class and with tears running down her face and told us that Pres. Kennedy had been shot. I remember the shock and the unsettled feeling that came over everyone. (Times were shaky back then in the early 60's...The missile crisis, the KKK, etc. At school it was common to have air-raid drills regularly.) It was shortly after that we were dismissed from class...I believe for lunch. After returning to the classroom, we were told that he had died. School was out for next few days. I remember watching the funeral procession on TV and how 'John John' saluted his father's casket as it passed by. I remember being glued to the TV and for the first time really understanding that I was watching a historical event...live coverage on TV...something we were not use to back then. I also remember the live coverage of Lee Harvey Oswald being shot by Jack Ruby. These became strong images in my mind. ...Of course, a few years later there was the assassination of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King. In the 60's my eyes were opened to the many things that were going on in the world....the KKK... mobsters, riots, Vietnam, Hippies...protests. I found it all very scary.
Tonight, as I watched a little of the memorial service of Ted Kennedy, I have to admit I rather enjoyed it in comparison to watching the services for his brothers. I find myself surprised he lived as long as he did. He tried running for president a couple of times over the years...I think we all assumed if he did, he would also be shot down. There were many who didn't like the Kennedy clan. Though I wasn't a fan of his, one can't deny that his passing marks the end of an era. Things have changed. Now, I believe there are threats to us all much worse than back when I was sitting in that 6th grade classroom. What is the biggest threat to our society today? This country's motto is being pushed aside..."IN GOD WE TRUST'... if only it was taught and valued by all...I believe we all would be living more peacefully. Instead, celebrity status seems to be what people follow, trust and treat like gods. It is superficial on so many levels.
I believe that Ted Kennedy had good intentions and did many good things in his life. I do not believe most of his political agendas were correct ones, nor do I think he conducted himself as someone to be idolized. Nevertheless, I do pray for him and his family...that they may all turn to God and find the peace and comfort that lies within His love.

Rain Forest Cafe

One of the grandkids' favorite places to go in Katy, Texas is the Rain Forest Cafe.
For those of you who have never been to one, it is a place that has various animated animals, waterfall, and aquariums under branches of foliage all across the ceiling and walls. The animals come to life at different times making their familiar sounds, while moving their various body parts.
While there, you will usually experience a thunder storm complete with lighting as well as the big booms of thunder. While Melissa was working one afternoon Jason and I took the kids there for lunch where they ordered their favorite....mac & cheese.

I wanted to get pictures of them with some of the animals...but kids will be kids...they were ready to go after lunch. Instead we went out to the gift shop where they picked out treasures for grandma to get them to take home.

Grandma goes to Texas

These are my 2 munchkins that live in Texas.
It was great to have the opportunity to spend time with them and their mom and dad.
Jacob, age 2 is our only grandson. He is a sweet easy going little guy that is full of energy and lots of fun.
Emily, age 5 is our 5th granddaughter. She is very bright and determined with a big heart.
She loved having grandma play in her room with her.
Grandma got lots of exercise being an airplane, horse, and giving piggyback rides to both the kids.
I also got the opportunity to go sliding and survived...hahaha

This was taken on Emily's first day of kindergarten.
It was nice to be there for one of the milestones in her life.
Kindergarten goes from 8:20am until 3:40 in the afternoon.
A big adjustment to be gone all day!

Taken in the morning before school

Saturday morning at the neighborhood pool