Gosh, it has been a long time since I have been here.....Lets see what have I been up to?
1. took a trip to California to a retreat
2. had my beautiful daughter and her family live with me for 2 wonderful months
3.had them move out and into their new home....thank God it is 10 mins away and not 60.
4. dressed up and went to a Halloween party and ate great food and drank excellent martines and rode around in a limo, checking out costumes.
5. after the party I joined Rick and Mindy downtown and didn't get home until almost 5am this morning. I do love watching them have fun and of course we had to go to breakfast before we could go home.
6. oh, yes, I signed up on that online dating site that several of my friends are on.
7. had to replace not one but two tv's that decided to stop working

........guess I have been a little bit busy

New Beginnings

September 3rd 2009......
Tristan has turned THREE and starts Pre School today
Seemed like just yesterday we were worried about rather this beautiful boy would ever be....Than we were excited that he was alive and well followed by worry that everything would be OK with him....worry...worry..worry..

This boy is truly a angel of God ....While he may have some challenges as he grows he does everything any other child does. He faces each challenge head on and with his arms wide open.

First day is greeted with smiles, excitement ,and a backpack that is almost as big as he is, he gets to ride the BUS....he is going to SCHOOL...
Not quite so exciting for mom who takes the day off and watches as strangers assist her son onto the big yellow bus. She follows said bus to school...taking pictures the whole 5 minutes. Watches as he almost tumbles down the steps..caught on tape...and again walks off with strangers. Watches as he is shown the first steps of the day and than decides it is time to leave(the teacher has told her she can stay). Back she goes at 3:30 to watch him walk the halls again and get back on the big yellow bus and get off at the sitters house.
New beginning for Tristan..his mom...dad...and me his grandmom...

Speaking of wonderful things on my way to work on the 3rd I was following a school bus and this is what I seen.
Standing on a hillside is a family waiting for this bus..as it approaches and stops the dad breaks away and lopes down the hill and goes to the door where he greets a cute little brownhaired girl. Hand in hand they turn and walk together up the hill to where mom, sis, and a baby awaits for her. They gather around as she shows them what she has brought home...another first..beautiful to me..priceless to them.

Pdx on Sat.

OK so Martha, Olivia, and I went to the PDX Zoo yesterday and had a great time. The weather was low 80's and at moments it was actually cool. It was our first trip and I loved it...especially loved being with the girls and loved the way the zoo is set up. As I walked around I kept thinking about George being there with Scott and his family and how much he loved it.

I enjoyed the fact that it was built in its natural location, I very much love the trees and everything that is natural. We arrived just before 11 and left at 5 and still didn't see everything. It was so very easy to get from the airport to the Zoo on Max that is was unbelievable. I discovered that Olivia is a people watcher and she doesn't miss much.

On the Max Liv didn't want to sit right next to us so on the way into town this "person" gets on and sits beside her. Visual he is rather large and smelled rather ripe and took up his and her seat. Needless to say she was sitting with us just as soon as she could. No other issues of not sitting together on the entire trip. On the return trip there was two very cute 16/17 year old boys who tried very hard to get her attention and she pretended she didn't notice. Bet she did... smart girl..our Lib. Martha is an excellent traveler and took joy in everything we did..including sitting by her granny. Olivia asked me at the airport if I would "act like a grandma." I told her that I didn't know how to do that....and teased her all day.

Back to the zoo...it was a delightfully long day with many strange and wonderful animals. We seen: crocodiles, rhinos, hippos, elephants, sturgeons, polar bears, sea lions, penguins, bats, snakes, bugs, a 7 point Elk, a green hummingbird and many other beautiful birds indigenous to the areas we were visiting. We visited the Laketta area where the birds stold the nectur right out of your hand, sat on Marthas head, mine and Olivias shoulders and pooped on us. We were there from 10:45am to 5:00pm and didn't see everything. We rode the train and went to the Rose Garden and could have gone to the Japanese gardens but time was growing short. We ate at a restaurant in the Zoo and the food was not badly priced and it was plentiful. Bought each of us a cup from the zoo and shocked the girls at what it cost(5.00). When I said it was OK because it was a one time thing..the response was uh uh we want to come back. We sat in on a demo where large birds responded to whistles and food, they swooped across our heads and strutted their stuff. We seen hawks, Eagles, Owls, vultures up close and personal, each of the girls gave a vulture a dollar bill and he dropped it into a jar.

On the way back we stopped for about 10 mins. at Pioneer Square and walked about and visited with a friend of the girls. He is a long time friend of their mom and he had gotten them each a gift.

I would strongly encourage you to take your family to the Portland Zoo and get in touch with your inner child. Pictures to come......

My daughter sold her home in Emmett and she will be moving to within 10 mins. of where I live. YEA! Of course she has to find and purchase her home but it will happen...she might even have to live with me for awhile until everything gets settled...YEA! I know it will now be hard on daddy because she is his transportation but we will work it out...Also means Phils parents are the ones' that have to travel but ole well Rick...Amanda and I will be close...YEA!

Waiting....Waiting...Waiting

Seattle "Seafare parade" was on the 25th and our company was the main sponsor this year.....that said Five of us, from Boise, volunteered to assist with the parade, we thought we will be given something small to do, we will do it, and off we go to play. Well.....it kinda worked like that//NOT.

Patty, Jan, RoseMary, and myself are banner carriers Victoria is in charge of the Latin Culture booth.....OK we're in so why not. So here is our story.

At the Boise Airport no one is there to check bags so we end up assisting the passengers with the Kios while we all wait for an agent. In Seattle we arrive before 8am, grab our ride to the Corp. office and wait outside the door because it isn't open and no one is there to let us in. We are finally inside but still no one to assist us....however there is a lady sitting at a desk who doesn't know how to turn the lights on. Finally the front desk lady arrives and gets the lights and us taken care of...so now we are standing again outside the office waiting for transportation back to the airport, so we can get to the light rail. Once back at the airport catching the bus to the rail was a piece of cake..We are off and running...but wait at the light rail they only have one ticket station running and many people so once again we are waiting. On the train( which is marvelous) we make good time to Westlake where The Red Lion is just a block away, we are doing good Seattle here we come...After we stand around and wait for the bell captain to come back so he can take our bags. Ok the waiting is over for the moment..We're Off To See The City...The Wonderful City Of Seattle. Seattle is a city filled with smells, sounds, people, and sights to delight the pallet. But this has to wait because one of us has to go to the bathroom so we are on the hunt....so it is time for breakfast, we get our seats and wait to be served a scrumptious meal. Finally we are able to walk the Market and take in the sights and go down to the wharf when we see Jelly Fish in the sound...big pulsing Jelly Fish. I have been to Seattle many time and have never seen any signs of life in the sound so this was excellent. Next we had to ride the Carousal and by than it was time to get checked into our room. We caught about an hour of sleep since we all had gotten off work at 11pm and caught the 6ish flight out and it was too early for Happy Hour which was from 4:30 to 6:30 at our hotel. We get up, get ready, go to the terrace, get a seat and wait for service...finally our waiter comes and takes our orders so we can wait and wait and wait for that non existing order. The hostess finally checks on us and is appalled that we haven't had service so she almost gets us taken care of. We finally snag Chad who gets our orders and tells us about this wonderful little Irish Pub named Fabo. Thank God the spot was great the company even better so we did ok, especially after the goodies arrived. Jan is arriving so we head back down to decide what we are going to do with the night. We decide to check out the Irish Pub....bad choice...the food is ok but the music was nasty..It is very late so we head back and call it a morning. Day one is complete.

Day two starts with a phone call from Victoria who is bubbly and vibrant and we are still in bed and all grouchy..it is like 8:30 and she had just arrived from Boise and had to get to the booth. We finally get up and around and Jan introduces us to this wonderful "Crumpet and Tea" shop. Anyone know what a Crumpet is? Delightful place and than we are off to stroll the market and spend some money on something other than food and drinks. What am I saying of course we bought food...cheese...fruit...bread and than off to the park for a picnic and people watching. Back we go to the hotel to get dressed and check in for the parade. We ride the monorail to the Seattle Center where we check in and hang out for HOURS...we walk around check out the exhibits, eat ice cream, and wait...wait..wait...Finally it is time for us to move out...We are the main banner in front of the balloon and the flight attendants. We had a blast waiving at the crowds, high fiveing the kids and my BEST moment of the weekend being hugged by a little kid. I had high fives all the kids up to this one ...who was bald and sick looking and he reached up and gave me a hug and I hugged back. It was a special moment in time. Walking the parade was a SCORE for us and a big moment in our lives ...we are tired ...hot... stinky.. dehydrated.. blustered..gimped up..and ready to do it all over again. The city of Seattle LOVES Alaska Airlines and it showed, thousands turned out and at no spot along the 2.5 miles did they lack for people. We finished at 9:30 and got back to our room at around 10 and the parade was still going, it began at 7:30pm. Seattle had a great parade.....
We are ready for showers, food, and cold cold drinks before we head to bed, because our flight leaves at 6:30 and again it is very late. I arrive home at about 10am go directly to bed wake up to watch the news 10pm, go back to sleep, wake up at 1ish and stay up until 3 where I go back to sleep and get up at 9 this morning where I have 5 messages and text and an email waiting for me, 3 of the messages and the email is my daughter scolding me for not checking in//my fault I always check in was just too tired..... Now it is time to mow the lawn and get ready to go to work...
We had a great time made new friends and made a difference that is all anyone can ask for....until next time MLB

Is it too late to teach an "ole dog" new tricks???

So here I am a hillbilly from Missouri who never learned proper English and guess what I am trying to do.

I am taking a class to learn to speak Italian. Yes that is what I said. So far I have learned the Alphabete...they only have 21 letters...vocalis....double consonants and much more. Problem is my brain and tongue don't work together. I am working on the days of the week, numbers, and colors. It has taken me 50 plus years to learn English so guess that means I have another 50 plus to get Italian down. Note to self I is spoken as e
Did you know that Casa means house and cassa means cash register//sete means thirsty and sette means seven. It is a sure bet that I will mess up somewhere and it probably won't take long.
Come ti chiami? Mi chiamo maria theresa.
Arriverderci for now....A presto

David visits Idaho

David is my 27 year old grandson, who lives in Colorado Springs, Co. We hadn't seen him in over 3 years and it was a real treat to have him visit this last week. He bunked with me from Thur. to Mon. spending time with the rest of his family at different times during the week. I hosted a family bar b que for him on the Sat. and 21 people showed up to spend time with him. Scott and the boys actually took him to the Boise Burn game that night. When he got back he and I stayed up until 2:30 am just talking and catching up on our lives. I am amazed at how he has grown and truly enjoyed every moment. Sunday was a hang out and nap kind of day and than he went to visit another branch of the family. Monday he was up and out before I was even up, little "brat" didn't wake me up to say goodbye just left. When I got up at 7ish he was gone so I called him he said he didn't want to bother me. I hope it isn't several years before we visit again he is moving to New Mexico so maybe I can go visit him.

OPPS

So as most of you know I have developed a passion for driving around searching out birds. I have been doing this for several weeks now and this weekend I kinda got into trouble. No picture as I was afraid to try and get the camera out.
I went to Cascade over the 4th and watched, the White Pelicans, Black Birds, Ducks, Greebs, Yellowheaded Blackbirds, Bluebirds, a couple of Ospreys, Robins, and a Blue Heron, (also a fox) . Now you would think I would be happy with that but NOT me.....So on the way home I drive back through Sage Hen (which is beautiful) and I see a flock of Waxwings...beautiful bird, 8 Turkey Buzzards, many Meadow Larks, and a beautiful little bird (don't know what it is yet)sitting on a great nest with 4 eggs in it. Ok so I am near Montour so lets go take a look at what might be out. I was there the week before and seen a great Hawk, a Spotted Tohee, many Violet swallows, so why not go back. So I am in Montour and the birds are not really out but I am wandering around anyway. I do see a beautiful tiny hummingbird (no picture) and than I decide to try and drive around this big mud puddle. While parked I watched a little Mazda do it so why can't I. So I drive up to it, take a look and drive over to the side..just before I get all the way around it my front tire hits the water and it sucks me in like a big ole drain. I am still moving so I gun it and just move further out into the center...so I try reversing and it is only getting worse. I grab my phone and call Phil, who tells me he will be right there. As I wait my car seems to be sinking and water starts coming into the floor..I am freaking so I call him again and he tells me to sit tight he is on his way. The water is higher and the car is tilting so I crawl out of the passenger side and stand in the road and worry. Long story short..Phil shows up pulls me out, we bail water, he checks out the car( thank God no damage) and we go back to his place to wash the mud off and tell Amanda what I did. Than I had to go tell Rick and Mindy and be scolded because NO ONE knew where I was and how lucky I was to have had phone service and so forth. All agree that if I am to continue this I have to have a different type of car and take someone with me. Since I can't afford a jeep/truck and I don't have a birding buddy guess I will just have to make sure they always know where I am. I gotta say I was really worried and will NEVER try that stunt again, truly thought my car was gonna turn over before Phil could get there. But I won't quit seeking out my little and big feathered friends.

Never under estimate a 2 year old

June brings us the Emmett Cherry Festival and for the first time in about 3 years I was able and wanting to go. I call my girls and ask if we can go together and if I can buy wrist bands for the twins and the boys to ride. Both moms advised that Keegan and Tristan were too little and that if there was something they could ride we would just buy a couple of tickets. Par for the course my boys demanded to ride and of course purchasing their tickets was more money than the wrist band . They rode more rides than either Martha or Olivia did. It was entertaining to watch the two of them as they rode the; wacky bus, the police jeeps, the cars, and slid down the BIG slide with the girls. Tristan kept wanting to go on the big kid rides and Keegan did not want to leave the cars. He drove the car, the bus, and the motorcycle and was taken away in tears. Needless to say next year they get wrist bands or we hide the fact that the carnival is in town.
I had a lovely evening with my family and getting to visit with people I haven't seen in ages.

One side note is the parade SUCKED! What happened to floats and people giving candy? So what if Emmett has more cop cars, more fire trucks, and big toys, the kids were scared to death of the sirens, the pops and the bangs that went on forever.

DFW to BOI for a 15 year old traveling standby

Today my 15 year old grandson,Ty came in from OK, by way of Dallas. His dad wakes me up telling me he is on the flight and while we are talking he gets a text stating that Ty is still waiting to depart. DFW had lightening storms that delayed the flight for over 2 hours. Two hours late and several phone calls later Ty lands in SEA and calls to see what his next step is. So I walk him thru going to the desk and asking to be put on the next flight to Boi. (It is very strange to be listening to this particular grandson talking to the agent. He is so very polite and laid back that it makes me think about the first time I met him. He must have been 2 or 3 and he was hell on wheels, now I still see that mischievous little boy but this young man isn't anything like that.)So he gets out of Sea on the flight that will land in Boi at 3:40pm and I go into a tail spin because there isn't anyone to pick him up. Thank God for my Alaska family who pitch right in and work for me until I can get there. When I picked him up he grinned and told me that it was much easier than he expected and not as bad as it was traveling with his parents. I was terrified that his football gear (2 bags) would have been lost but there they were no problem at all.

Ty was here just about a year ago and he was a big strapping youngster and the young man who walked off that plane was a very fit and trim person. Still with a devil may care smile and taller than I am and very happy to be attending the BSU FOOTBALL CAMP. He would LOVE to be asked to attend BSU and play football. This year in his little town he played Varsity and JV football. He just returned from a week at a Basketball Camp so I told him I would take him to breakfast in the morning and than he can just chill for the rest of the day because his camp starts on Sat. and it runs from 8am to 9:30pm for 5 days straight. On the day after camp is over I took the day off and am having the family in for a bar b que so they can visit with him.

We are all very happy to have Ty here with us for a visit and since he has proven he can fly standby with no issues we may be able to do this yearly....of course can only get by with that as long as he doesn't have a girlfriend.

Birthday #2

Keegan turned 2 today..wow where has the time gone? Amanda had his BD party on Sat the 6th. The only child attending was his cousin Tristan. The two of them are close in age and spend a lot of time together. The day was off and on nice but mostly it rained so we were in and out of the house and spent a lot of time on the patio. Let me tell you his parents SCORED BIG with his present from them. It was the last thing he got and it was a Radio Flyer Motorcycle that made his eyes light up and his face beam. He was one very happy little boy. Can't say the same for his cousin because of course, as all kids do he wanted it and Keegan was not about to share. Maybe next time he visits but not that day. It seems as if I waited a lifetime for Amanda to have a child and overnight he is 2......go figure.

Captain Phil

My friend and co-worker happens to be the step-daughter of Captain Phil Harris from the Cornelia Maria on the Deadliest Catch. Phil was in Boise last week and I was one of the lucky people who had dinner with him. He was very nice and you can tell that he cares a lot for my friend.

Our Friend

Our friend died last year. Our friend had a big heart and he had a bigger dream. His name was Ed Mansfield and he loved Emmett and the kids in Emmett. Over by the river, near the mill, was this piece of land that use to be a cattle lot and than was nothing but an Island surrounded on four sides by water. Ed dreamed of taking that piece of land and developing it into something that the citizens of Emmett could use. Before I moved away he had begun his dream and was raising money and starting to develope it. Today Keegan and I visited it and I marveled at what it has become. There is a great walking path, baseball fields, soccer fields, a terrific skateboard area, a basketball court. There is a pond for fishing, a marsh area for birds, and it is totally surrounded by the river, there are now two access roads. The man may be gone but his dream is alive and well..what a wonderful legacy to leave for Carol and their children.
Yes, our friend is gone but he will never be forgotten.

My Emmett Vacation

WOW! It is Tuesday evening already....It has been unbelievable so far. Keegan has been a real treat, he is always busy and learning and doing. Sunday after we left his parents at the airport we went to the end of the runway and watched the planes take off and land. Later we went to Rick and Mindys' and had dinner and hung out. We took our time driving back to his house and than sat outside and played with his dog Lucky. Just as we finished his bath and was thinking about going to bed his uncle Scott and aunt Laura show up so we sit and visited.
Monday was a beautiful day and we took a walk around the block, played in the water from peoples irrigation and just hung out. It is incrediable to watch him as he discovers new things. "Bug" is what you hear a lot of when we are outside, the water running down the side of the road is to be spashed in and when it falls down into the grate he must walk on it, feel it and sit on the grate. His mommie probably isn't gonna be happy when he tries playing in the water with her, but oh well, grandmas do things moms don't. He will walk, excuse me run, the complete block and want to go for more. His mom and dad arrived in Austrilia without anything but a small delay. It took a long time for them to get to the hotel and it was like 8pm our time (1pm their time) when they called. We couldn't get the web cam to work right, we could see them but they couldn't see us. Jackie, Phils mom was here trying to help me figure out how I had managed to "break" the TV, so we all got to talk to them from down under. I ended up calling Dish and having them help me refigure the remote.
Today, Tuesday, was cold and windy so we didn't do any walking instead we went to the cementary, drove around town, and went to Roe Anns for lunch. That night we went with Poppa Ken to the nursing home and listened to his gospel band play. Keegan sat on Poppas lap and played the guitar and made friends with the residents. Just as he were getting into the bath his aunt Vonnie and two cousins showed up so it was more hanging out. I like to open the windows and keep the houe pretty cool, this morning when he got up he told me it was "cold" and proceeded to close the windows and went and got his blanket. When I have my tea he tells me that it is "hot" and then tells me to blow on it so he can have a drink. Tomorrow we don't have any plans for the day time, we're having dinner with Scott and the kids, would like to look Tim up and than we will see. Stay tune I will add things as they happen.
Ok I'm back and my week is over but what a week. Wed. we went to "Gardian Angels" and I purchased flowers to plant in my yard and bought a couple of planters. While we were there Keegan started throwing rock and so he got into trouble and had to ride on the wagon. He was yelling his head off and I asked him if he was mad and he replied.."mad tell dad!" I told him to go right ahead and tell his dad. Later Scott had us over and did a bar b que and he spent the couple hours we were there running after Norm the cat. He is fasinated with their fish tank, it is hugh and has big fish in it. Back home, bath time, reading and off to bed.
Keegan woke up about 1:30am crying and I tried to get him to lay down with me but he is too much of a flopper and I was afraid for him so I sat up with him until like 2:30 am when he said "night night" and I put him down and he went to sleep. He didn't wake up until like 8am and than grandma Jackie and Poppa Ed came and got him and Lucky. I cleaned up and went home, later Jackie told me that he wanted to know where I was when they came back to the house.
I am SO glad to have had this oppitunity to spend time with him and miss him bunches, but I know him mommy and daddy miss him more and can hardly wait to see him.Everyday we talked to them on the computer and he was glad to see them but did not interact with them like they would have liked. Even so he will be glad to have his family home.

May 7th 2009

Yesterday my son , Rick turned 37 ,so tonight I threw him a "not a birthday party." What was to have been him and his family turned out to be his sister and his step siter and her husband and his family. I cooked fried chicken, mashed potatos, gravy, veg and home made apple pie. Turned out pretty good and the visit was great. After dinner we all gathered in the front and played with Tristan,Keegan , Martha and Olivia. Martha had her skateboard and before the night was over we had the boys flying across the driveway on their bellies on that board. At one point Tristan was leaning on the board and Keegan came up, gave it a shove, laying down at the same time and off he went. That boy will keep him mom and dad young keeping up with him. He and Tristan are great buddies and sometimes not so friendly but they learn from each other and will be good friends as they grow. It looks like they will get to go to the same school and that is very exciting. Take a look at my dare devil boys....isn't God good with the blessings he gives to us?

Not a lot happening in my world right now....I had a birthday...it has been five years since George passed...celebrating seven years this week with Alaska...my grandchildren are growing up in front of my eyes...my children are prospering... I LOVE my home, my family, have great friends, and am content with my life. I've lined myself up a bunch of volunteer work this spring and summer. I also plan on expanding my knowdledge of birding, so I don't think I will be bored.

I sent Flat Standley home last week and his transportation was over $9.00, I swear I spent a bundle showing him around town and creating his book. It was fun and for sure a first with me.

The house directly across from me sold to a lady named Chris who was widowed in Oct. I'm not sure how old she is but we have a lot in common, she and her late husband together have 9 children and 15 grandchildren. She is a Boise native who lived in Arco with her hubsand, she is a registered nurse and will be working at St. Als. I think we will be good neighbors and hopefully become friends. I am excited to have her as my neighbor.

My vacation is in two weeks and I will be in Emmett staying with Keegan while his parents are in Australia. I am very excited for them and can hardly wait to have 4 days with the boy. I hope to reconnect with some of my Emmett friends and family while I am there. Amanda and Phil leave on the 10th and will return on the 17. His other granny will come and stay from the 14th to the 17th and I will come home and have a couple of days off and than back to work for all of us.

My House Guest

So Flat Stanley arrived at my house yesterday unannounced, he plans to stay a couple of weeks. He is a friend of my grandaughter Brittne Tooley and they live in Burneyville, OK. He's never been to Idaho before and arrived in a package with wonderful pictures of Brittne and her family. He didn't wear a coat and is dressed in a suit and tie so he may get a bit chilly as we wonder around. I have advised him next time to dress casual and always have a coat.
Today I am taking him to work with me and Wed. we will go to a poetry reading in Garden City, and on Friday we are going on a field trip to try and see the burrowing owls in Pearl. I think he may get to visit Amandas' third grade class and of course he must take a trip to the capital and the train depot. He will spend Easter with us in Emmett and meet the rest of Brittnes family, including her grandpa Ken.
So far he hasn't had much to say but he has a great smile and hasn't made any messes, we will see how he does with the boys on Thur., maybe it will be nice and we can pay some ball. It is too bad he has to head back so soon as we will not be able to take a trip anywhere....but wait maybe one of my friends is going somewhere and he may get to tag along. Maybe Bonnie will give him a massage since being cooped up in that package couldn't have been much fun. I think right now he can go help me mow the yard before we head for work.

March 27 has come and gone

So I turned 58 in March and it may have been one of the best days of my life....and I have had my share of good days. It started at my son, Rick house where we hung out with Tristan and Olivia. Than we went to a yard sale where I bought an excercise machine and a basket ball hoop for the boys. We than headed down to the Zoo where Amanda, Keegan, and Martha were waiting for us. I love the Zoo but when you get to roam around it with two very excited boys, two helpful young girls and your son and daughter it is a bonus trip. We got to the Zoo about 11am and were off to see the monkeys. Following the monkeys we were off to check out all the birds and than off to see the new African display. The African display is still in the planning stages and only had the griaffes and the lions out. The griaffes were actually inside the shed and were kinda hard to see but the lions (3) were romping around and both boys were NOT impressed with them. Tristan wanted to drive the jeep (along with many other kids) and Keegan was running around like his feet were on fire. From there we were back out to see the medium Cats whch were out and running around. BUT WAIT..what is this a merry go round that only costs a 1.00 to ride...as Keegan pulls Tristan across the yard to check this out it is decided that they will ride with the help of the girls. Around and around they go and they are not ready to get off when it stops. It is starting to warm up so maybe more animals will be out so off we go to our next adventure. The Penguines are out diving and swimming and as we stand around and watch, I can see my son beginning to glaze over. As we walk around he, Martha, and Tristan are getting futher and futher ahead so I wonder how much longer he is good for. The Zebras are behind a fence and hard to see, the Mtn. Goats are gone because they are working on their pen, the Sloth Bear is all curled up in the sun sleeping. The Leapords and the Tigars are out and we have a great time watching them. At the Tigars cage, Keegan falls down and Martha isn't aware that he is on the ground behind her so she starts to step back and Amanda and I both grab her and scare her so much she almosts drops Tristan in the process. Thank God no one was stepped on...knocked down..or dropped.
However I believe that the boys have the best time when they can go down the slide, go through the tunnel, sit on the toys and just run around. OK it is after 1:00pm and time to move along. Lunch anyone? Off we go to Carl Jrs. in Garden City and than Amanda, Keegan, and Olivia are off to my house where they will try to get him to nap. I go back to Ricks so I can stay with Martha and Tristan ,who is napping, while Rick does some shopping. When Rick returns I go home and spend an hour with Amanda and than it is back to RT's where Phil, Mindy, Mandy and Damon join us for a birthday bar-b-qu. Amanda, Phil and Keegan give me gardening stuff, Mandy and Damon give me candles and lotions, Martha and Olivia give me the most wonderful pictures, and Rick and Mindy and Tristan give me a gift cert to Wine and Things.
I spent my total day with some of the people I love most in the whole world...what a great way to spend your birthday. The next day I go to work and the girls have flowers, brownies, and a great card for me. Several people sent me birthday wishes by way of emails and facebook. It was the first year ever that I didn't get something from my mom but I know that if she were able she would have sent me a card. I miss you mommie.
So I'll drink a toast to 58..put out good vibes and look forward to whatever new adventure this year will bring to me. Heres looking at you....Bring it on.

changes they r a coming

So to all my wonderful friends and family:

In April of this year it will be 5 years since life as I knew it ceased. During these years I have been building friends and learning to live alone. I have learned that while it isn't easy I can do things I never knew I could do.

So yesterday I had a real live "date" with a person who wasn't already a friend of mine. His name is John and I can see us becoming friends. We had a great visit and we have a lot in common.

I was really nervous because it has been a long time since I had sat down and had any type of conversation with a grown man that wasn't already an acquaintance. My nerves were for naught because we had lots to talk about.

As I said changes they R a coming. I am ready to move on with the next step in my life...don't know what or where that will be but I am ready to get it on.

What a morning

I just spent the most amazing morning in the foothills of Boise. A friend and I went to breakfast and than on a long walk where I was introduced to bird watching. Yep that is what I said watching the birds in the trees and the sky instead of my feet. The sun was breaking over the hills and the air was alive with the sounds of music. It sounded like the sweetest concert ever played. Birds were flitting and chirping and going about their merry way. I was introduced to Morning Doves, Robins, A great Horned Owl, Hawks, Pigeons, and 7 other species of birds, whose names I will have to learn. It was amazing to watch and to feel the passion my friend has for these tiny creatures. I am inspired and will need to purchase a set of binoculars and a better camera. I will NEVER take a walk again without looking around me and listening to the sounds.

Glen Ivy 2009

Ok it is time for another adventure..lets head for the sun.
Carrie, Signe, Bonnie and I jumped a plane on Thursday and headed for LA. Our goal is a Spa at Corona Cal, called Glen Ivy, it is our second trip in as many years. So the plane leaves early and it is a quick pleasant trip, the shuttle to Dollar arrives rather quickly....but the line for the car is out the door long. One hour later we are picking up a sweet little convertible and on our way....except the top won't come down because out overnite bags take up too much room in the trunk. What? Why would that have any bearing on lowering the top? Well it does so no worry..off we go with the windows down and our trusty GPS guiding us. Wait with the windows down we can't hear a word she(the GPS) says...After a couple of miss turns and lunch it is like 2:30 and we are there. So we check in and go get undressed so we can enjoy the facility.
Carrie and Signe opt for the works with a massage but Bonnie and I go with the mud bath, the Grotto and doing our own thing...that's what is nice about Spas' you can do what you want. You asked what is a mud bath and Grotto..let me tell you. Club Mud is where you shower and than rub red clay all over your body, than you let it bake either in the Waffa oven or the sun and than you rub it off before you go into the warm mineral bath and soak. The Grotto is underground and they paint your body with Alo and Kelp and allow you to sit for 20 mins. in a heated area, followed by a shower and hanging out in a cooler area drinking green tea and feasting on green apples. From there you have a hugh range of things you can do...we opt for the sea salt pool which is luke warm and with the wind way too cold for us. So off we go to the stem room and than the hot tub and by now it is almost 5pm and closing time. Carrie and Signe finish right at 5pm and only have time to sit in the steam for a couple of mins. We are all totally relaxed and ready to go to the next part of our adventure. Sig and Carrie are headed back and Bon and I are staying in La. We all have to overnite but they are doing so in Seattle and flying out early the next day.
Bon and I head out to Santa Monica to the Travel Lodge and a great Mexican restraunt we know. By the time we get there and have dinner we are ready to crash so we go to bed and get up early the next day and go down to the beach and watch the surfers, birds, a seal and people. Than off we go back to the airport.
It was a good time out after a hard couple of months....

PS:On the way to the airport I tried to run down a man. I had already pulled out to cross the street before I saw the man with a dog following him... what I almost didn't see was the man who was attached to the dog. I was stopped in the middle of the street with cars on my ass and Bon yelling at me because I was trying to take out this man. See always an adventure.
Until next time....

Special Olympics

Boise hosted the 2009 Special Olympics and I was lucky enough to be able to attend most of the performaces. ....I was so touched by these young people that I cried and laughed and came away feeling renewed.  It is such an honor to live in a state/town that takes on such a great cause and than to be part of it is unexplainable.  I watched one young man who tried with his whole heart to skate backwards and even though he never made it, he was so proud of what he did that the crowd loved him.  He bowed and threw kisses and BELIEVED that he had done an excellent job.  When he fell he got up and tried again and my heart filled with happiness.  If only the world could look at things like that. 

At the Floor Hockey I sat with the Team from Bulgaria and Tim Schriver sat right in front of me. I watch Team USA beat Team Kuwait by one point and Team Spain beat Team Combodia 7 to 2. The players were very competitive and they all came to win. At one point one of the players got upset and his coach made a donward move with his hand and he settled right down. I was there for the finals and watched Kuwait win a medal and they were immediatly on the floor giving thanks to their God...than they were dancing and singing and very very happy.

I took Keegan and Tristan to watch the figure skating and Scott Hamilton and Michele Quan was there.The Vice President attended, but we had to go so we missed him. We ended up sitting in the "nose bleed section" but the view was great. It was packed and noisy so Tristan kept covering his ears and everytime the music stopped Keegan would sign for me to tell them he wanted more music. He would bounce and clap and loved every moment. They were such good little boys and we had a great time.

Olivia,Martha and I went to the Speed Skating we sat with the delgation from Hong Kong and Olivia spent over 2 hours visiting with one of the skaters. Ryan skated the 700 and the 775 and medaled in each event. He was honored to be in our country and to tell Liv about his country. She now wants to go to Hong Kong.

Every event was well worth attending and I am so honored to have been part of the Special Olympics. Kudos to Idaho and to the people who took the time to make this happen. My life has been blessed by these athletics!

Mccall Trip 1/23/08

So the weather in Boise has been the pits for a long time now. Snow..Rain..Snow..fog..and than we start all over again..Yuch! Time to get the heck out of "dodge". So Bonnie and I pack up the van and off we go to McCall..everyone knows that the sun shines and the clouds are blue high up in the mountains. Yeah Right....We fight the fog all the way to Horseshoe Bend where we have a great breakfast and good conversation. Back in the car we just know that it is gonna clear up but when is the question. Fog follows us all the way to McCall but we are here so lets go with the flow..First stop is the "Womans Auxillary Shop" which is this great little second hand shop....NOT TODAY...today we have junk and not even good junk. No problem: we have a plan so next stop is the sporting shop to rent cross country skis and on to Ponderosa Park for some exercise. So the skis are not expensive and when we get into the park we can actually see SKY blue sky and soon we see the sun...YEA!
OK now how do we put these long skinny thing onto the nice boots that came with them? We seem to have forgotten to ask..we're smart so soon (5 or maybe 10 mins.) we figure it out and off we go across the snow to find a path thru the woods...the very icy slick woods. For someone who has never done this before I think I did very well....only fell down twice..tried to wipe a tree out...and forgot to pay attention. Let me tell you these long skinny pieces of wood on ice are not very forgiving. I quickly learned that I can NOT go downhill because I CAN"T STOP!!!! I learn that I can not lean over to check thing on the ground because I TUMBLE OVER!!! Once I hit the ground I CAN"T GET UP!!!! I CAN'T EVEN GET THEM OFF MY FEET!! So 3 hours of sking, walking, taking pictures, seeing Big Foot and wolf prints have passed and other than hurting all over we have had a great day..but wait it isn't over yet. Back into McCall..by by sky..and off to Lardos for a late lunch and than return of our equipment and off we go to the Gold Fork Hot Springs where the road is narrow and snow covered and I am white knuckled the entire way. (I hate driving on snow much less on little bitty roads. ) The HOT water beckons so we get into the pool and hang out for a couple of hours and than off we go back on that nice narrow snow covered road. by now it is after 7 pm and we are headed home, Cascade is clear as a bell, as is most of the way to HorseShoe Bend. On the road from HSB to Boise we hit an area that is so bad that we needed both of us to see where the road was. I swear if you looked at Bonnies' dash my fingers are etched into it, probably my nose to since I was peering out the front window as I held that death grip on the steering wheel.
Long story short we managed to see the sun, play in the snow, eat good food, listen to good music, soak in hot water, and enjoy good companionship. It was a great day...even though every part of me and parts I didn't know about hurts like crazy. Until my next adventure.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow I am having my stepson Chris over to dinner. I haven't seen him for a couple of years (we do text each other) and I am looking forward to the visit. I am fixing Lasagna, green salad, and garlic bread. I remember his favorite food was Lasagna so I will see what I can do.. I will offer a red wine but don't know if he will have any, I think we will have ice cream for dessert. I miss spending time with my Buchta family...I will update this after we visit.
This is follow up to the above note.
Rick Mindy and Tristan joined us for dinner and we had a great time. The food was good (with the exception of the garlic bread which had too much garlic) and we visited like we had never been apart. After dinner we went over to Rick and Mindys so Rick could let Chris listen to his music and hang out.
Chris looked good and he appeared to be doing very well hopefully we will not wait to see each other again. Just one more brick into becoming a family again.

Ken and Carol

Ken Tooley is a good gentle man who happens to be the father of my children and a very good friend of mine. He and his twin sister love to "pick and sing."
He spent his whole life working like a mule just to survive and now that he is retired he can be seen every Thursday night playing with the Gospel Revival at the fairgrounds in Emmett. He also plays with the Old Time Fiddlers and at the local nursing homes. He is the "real" thing and never pretends to be anything except who he is and I, for one, never tire of listen to him entertain. Now Kenny takes his guitar most everywhere he goes and is always ready to pick it up and entertain you. His sister,Carol has a site on YouTube and she posted some of their hanging out sessions...please feel free to check it out and enjoy some good ole Gospel music.
www.youtube.com/cjcidaho

DAVID

David is my oldest grandson, he lives in Colorado and I don't get to see him. BOO HOO...
When I was expecing my daughter, Amanda, my daughter Jodi, was expecting him so they are the same age from Aug to Oct. It made it hard for me to be the kind of grandmom I should have been and a mom to someone his own age at the same time.
David is a special young person and he is that way totally because of who he is. The way he was raised he should probably be a hood but instead he is a smart talented young man.
His craft is the internet and any kind of art, while his artistic talent ran toward gothic..I am sure he could do anything he sat his mind to.
I was bless with him as a small child and again as a teenager and have missed him a lot and after an extended time of no contact we have recently been talking and I am excited about getting reconnected. Wish us luck in becoming friends and family again.