The Life and Times of Mary Lou

Aug. 7 '11 fullfillment of a long time dream

2011-08-07T21:45:00.000-07:00

Today I arose at 9:30ish, got into the shower, ate some breakfast and headed out for an 11:30 appointment at SkyDown Idaho. This is a Sky Diving facility at Caldwell Airport. Paul is my co-pilot this morning, Amanda, Phil, Keegan, Mindy and Tristan will join us at noon. We arrive five mins. early and Denise greets us and has me go sit down and watch a video and fill out all these papers agreeing to not sue them should something go wrong. Next it is off to be advised how to depart from the plane, a visit to the rest room, and them we are choosing my jump suit. After I am suited up we are sent to the viewing area to watch a couple of jumpers who are up already.
As the jumpers come into view a young man, don't remember his name, comes over and fits me into a harness and goes over the instructions with me. The plane taxi's in the jumpers are landing and I am being hustled toward this plan that doesn't look very safe. One of the jumpers runs across the strip grabs a chute and heads for me, he checks all my belts and pulls a couple of them tighter tells me he is Mark and asked if I am ready. As we approach the plane he goes over the instructions for departing the plane one more time. He them tells me to get in and sit on my bottom next to the pilot with my legs stretched out, he then gets in and sits facing me on his knees. The plane begins to move, the door is still open and I am thinking "oh shit." are we flying with the door open? We taxi down the strip, turn left reved the engine and begin to get serious about leaving the ground. About the time we are leaving the ground Mark closes the door( I am very glad. As we are soaring higher and higher we exchange some information and make small talk. I find out that Mark makes up to 10 jumps a day, and Ken, the pilot, has been flying for 18 years. They bullshit and tell me funny stories...including that Ken doesn't have a license and that the plane is out of gas. Ken tells me that he wrecked a plane a couple of months ago and he walked away but the plane didn't. Mark is filming most of the conversation and we are flying higher and higher. Just before 10K feet, Mark has me turn with my back to him sitting on my knees. He then latches us together and opens the door, he steps one foot out on this tiny step and I am to do the same. I am thinking God how are going to get out of here? So we both have one foot on the step and I have my head leaned on his shoulder and am grasping my harness and I am momentary scared to death. I take a deep breath and Mark leans sideways and we are soaring thru space. It is the most extraordinary thing I have ever done. In a very short time he taps my shoulder and I can extend my arms, shortly after that he pulls the chute and we stop falling and I drop down below him a few inches. He allows me to hold the guide handles and direct our direction. He sends us in circles and we look and talk all the way down. I told him "I love you, Mark thank you for making this happen." He tells me that at some point soon he was going to have me hold my leg's straight out like I was sitting on the ground and we would be landing. I asked if it would hurt and he said "no" that injuries happen when the legs are allowed to drop and I wasn't gonna do that. What he didn't tell me was that he was gonna sit us down in dirt so fine it was like sugar. When we landed there was this huge cloud of dust and we were both covered with dirt. We laid there on the ground for a very short time talking and letting the dust settle. He asked if I would do it again and I said "in a heartbeat!"
Even though I was very scared when it came to leaving the plane, I have never experienced anything like this in my whole life. It was so free, so beautiful, and we even seen a hawk on the way down. He just soared right by us. This is one thing that I will never forget and hope to do again real soon. I now know why birds sing.

I am very sad

2011-06-13T20:13:00.001-07:00

I am truly sad.....
I have a friend that I love like my sister and she can not be happy for me........I am truly sad ....
I don't know how to make her understand that I need her blessing...I know she misses the time we spent together....please understand there will still be time for us...just right now I need time for me.... I love her very much...I know she loves me...she just can't be happy for me...I am very sad....

2011-06-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

WOW! Here it is the second week in June...school is out...summer has begun and still the weather is like March or maybe April. I am so ready for it to be really summer. Keegan is finished with Soccor, Tristan is playing t-ball, of course my girls are playing softball and Olivia has a boy friend. All the Buchta grand kids have grown into young adults and yet I don't know where the time has gone.
My beautiful mother has shrunk into an old lady and my aunt Maggie is laying in a hospital bed fighting for her life. My sisters and their families are well and my wonderful brood are all doing well. My life is wonderful and I am truly blessed.
Paul and I took a fast trip to NYC and checked out the sights, spent a day in Seattle and have spent many hours walking the river filming birds of all types. If I can get the time off we will be going to Red Fish Lake in July, with his family. I haven't been to Red Fish Lake in years.
Still haven't heard from Cecil and Dorla yet, Scotty and Celeste had their wedding ceremony, Keegan turned 4, Tim will be marring his Shelly in 3 weeks, I am going to the Emmett Cherry Festival this wed. and possibly this weekend.
That is about all that has been happening in my life right now..so till later..have a great life..

Birding

2011-05-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

I can't be sure but I think it was Feb. 2009 that Bob Whitlatch introduced me to the joys of birding. A walk on the river, with a be quite and listen followed by a trip to Eagle to see Burrowing Owls and I was off. I spent that year traveling pretty much alone and then joining a couple of clubs. Last year 2010 RoseMary Paasch joined me and this year it is RoseMary, Paul and myself. The stared birds are "lifers" or first time ever to see...goal is 500
2009 birds ALL IDAHO
1. American Robin
2.Quail
3.Horn Lark
4.Meadow Lark
5.Red Tailed Hawk
6.Sharp Shined Hawk
7.Harrier Hawk
8.Magpie
9.Red Shafted Flicker *
10.Pheasant
11.Peacock
12.Quinea fowl
13.Kestral
14.Red winged blackbird
15.Raven
16.Mourning Dove
17.Song Sparrow
18.Great Horned Owl*
19.White crowned sparrow
20.Starling
21.Junco*
22.Ruby crowned Kinglet*
23.House Finch
24.Rock Dove (pigon)
25.Black-capped Chickadee*
26.American Crow
27.Burrowing Owl*
28.Belted King Fisher
29.Northern Flicker
30.Western Grebe
31.Spotted Sandpiper
32.Bald Eagle
33.White Pelican
34.Downey Woodpecker*
35.Mtn Blue Bird*
36.Snipe*
37.Great Blue Heron
38.Yellow Headed Blackbirds*
39.Osprey
40.Barn swallows
41.mud swallows*
42.Cedar wax wings*
43Vultures
44.Dusty Flycatcher*
45.humming bird
46.Lazuli Bunting*
47.Brewers Blackbirds
48.Cowbird*
49.pine finch*
50.goldfinch*
Birding 2010
Florida
1.Great White Egret*
2.Cattle Egret*
3.Black headed turkey vultures*
4.Brown Pelican
5.White Pelican
6.Florida Cormorant*
7.Great Blue Heron
8.Green Heron*
9.Greater Flamingo*
10.Roseate Spoonbill*
11.White Ibis*
12.Wood Stork*
13.Mottie Duck*
14.Greater Sand Crane*
15.Black Skimmer*
16 many gulls...not sure of type
17.Kingbird*
18.northern Mockingbird*
19.Peregrin Falcon*
20.Red sholdered Haws*
21.Snowy Egret*
22.Summer Tanager*
23. red winged Blackbirds
24.many sparrows
25.Osprey
Iowa birds
1.Cardinal*
2.Baltimore Orioles*
3.Cat Bird*
4.Blue Jay*
5.yellow finch*
6.Pileated Woodpecker*
7.Red headed turkey vultures
Idaho
1.Eastern Kingbird*
2.Brewer Blackbirds
3.Magpies
4.Horned Larks
5.Long Billed Carlew*
6.Western Kingbirds*
7.Meadow Larks
8.Sage Thrusher*
9.Lark Sparrow*
10.Robin
11.Killdeer
12.mourning Dove
13.Brewers Blackbird
14.Cowbird*
15.Pewee*
16.Red tailed Hawk
17.Lewis Woodpecker*
18.Yellow Warblers*
19.Bullock Orieole*
20.Luzili Bunting
21.Kestrel
22.Pine Siskin*
23.Cassins Finch*
24.Osprey
25.Turkey Vultures
26.Ferrugirous Hawk*
27.Goldfinch
28.Lesser Goldfinch*
29.Hummingbirds
30.Mtn Blue Birds
31.Fly Catcher*
32.Ravin
33.Wilsons Warbler*
34.Tree Swallows*
35.Mallard Duck
36.Canada Geese
37.barn swallow
38.spotted sandpiper
39.Great Blue Heron
40.quail
41.snipes
42.Common Night Hawk*
43.Sand Grouse*
44.Golden Eagles
45.Ruff winged Swallows*
46.House Wren*
47.Cliff Swallows*
48.Phoebe Says*
49.Vesper Sparrow*
50.Chirping Sparrow*
51.Double crested Cormorant*
52.Gray flycatcher*
53.SWage sparrow*
54.white collard dove*
55.American Coot*
56.Western Grebe
57.Ringed Neck Duck*
58.Crested Flycatcher*
59.Cedar Waxwing
60.Borthern Shoveler*
61.Harry woodpecker*
62.Lesser Scaup*
63.Ash Throated Flycatcher*
64.Calliope Hummingbird*
65.spotted Towhee*
66.Townsend warbler*
67.warbling vireo*
68.Ruby Crowned Kinglet*
69.Western wood pewee*
70.blackcapped chickadee
71.king fisher
72.Common Merganser*
73.Junco
74.yellow rump warbler*
75.falcon*
76.Northern Pintail*
77.Gadwell*
78.American Wigeon*
79.green winged teal*
80.canvas backed duck*
81.Red Headed duck*
82.Baffel head duck*
83.Ruddy duck*
84.Mutted swans
85.canada goose
86.Pied billed Grebe*
87.western grebe
88.eared grebe*
89.Horned grebe*
90.Sharpie hawk*
91.ringed billed gull
92.rock wren*
93.gray partridge*
94.quail
95.wood duck*
96.townsend solitare*
97.Northern Harrier
98.rough legged hawk
99.California Gull
100.Marsh wren*
101.Virginia Rail..heard not seen*
102.Pippet*
103.robin
104.Black crowned night heron*
105.loon*
106.pine siskins
107.Killdeer
108.rock wren* heard not seen
109.downey woodpecker
110.Great white egret
111.Snipe
112.Long billed Dowitcher*
113.Hooded Merganser*
114.Tundra Swans*
115.Hering gull
116.Merlin*
117.clarks grebe*
118.least sandpiper*
119.Lincoln sparrow*
120.savanas sparrow*
121.red headed woodpecker*
122.semi palmated plover*
123. yellow legs plover*
124.Eastern muted gull
TAHITT BIRDS
1.Myna*
2.Red-venter bulbul*
3.Zebra Dove*
4.Lesser Golden Plover
5.Common Fairy Terns*
6.Wedge tailed Sharewater*
7.Tahiti Petrel*
8.Great Pacific Heron*
9.Great Crested Terns*
10.White bellied storn Petrel*
11.Brown Noddys*
12.Rock Doves
13.Red Jungle fowl
14.Wandering Tattler*
15.Chestnut Brested Mannikin*
16.Lesser Frigate birds*
17.Swamp Harrier*
18.Polynesian Imperial Pigeon* (127) 127)

Hawaii

2011-05-14T06:26:00.000-07:00

Maui May 5-11 2011....My first trip.
Paul and I just returned from Maui where we spent 6 days getting to really know each other. We spent hours talking, walking, and exploring both the Island and ourselves. We left the mainland knowing we liked each other and we returned much more than friends.
Maui was beautiful and yet in some ways disappointing. we had rain and clouds everyday, the sunshine came and went, and until the day we were leaving it was never really hot. For old folks like us you could say the weather was just perfect. I expected it to be like
Tahiti and it wasn't yet it was, it is much larger so you have very little intervention with the people. We stayed at a very nice place and were right on the Ocean and the people at the Condo were very welcoming. We rented a car and day one lost a tire and ended up off the road and had to change cars, so that cost us a day. Even with this happening we spent the remainder of the day birding the local area and visiting the Iao National Park, seeing the Needle, it turned out to be all good. Day two we went on a whale/dolphin watching trip. We seen Bottle nose dolphins and were treated to flying fish but no whale. Paul ended up very very sea sick and after the trip we walked the beach and stayed low key. Poor guy he was so mersible and worried about spoiling the trip. The following day we drove to the summit of Haleakala and checked out the native birds and were lucky enough to see six Nene (Hawaiian goose) which are the Hawaiian State bird. We played hide and seek with the clouds and the dormit volcanic scenes. I LOVE what they call the Silversword plant. More birding and exploration of the Island with a trip to Turtle town where we explored the different beaches and drove thru the Volcanic landscape at Makena. We were amazed by the Bayna Tree at Lahaina, which is said to be the largest tree in the world. We had three separate sightings of Turtles just down the road from Lahaina for a total of 5 turtles(or maybe all the same two just different days.) We drove the road to Hana to the very end, checked out waterfalls, visited the Hana airport, and Charles Lindbergh's grave and Paul ended up with a National Park Lifetime Membership. He said "stick with me babe and we will visit all the parks for free.
Paul and I we are a couple...we plan on remaining a couple...we have a great time together...he loves me and I him. I feel very lucky to have found a relationship like this and plan on treasuring it to the fullest. It may not be very long but We will embrace it for however long we are given. God is good.

IT'S MY BIRTHDAQY

2011-03-27T21:10:00.000-07:00

Today I turned 60! Amazing to think I am 60. I don't think I feel any different..I am excited about this next stage of my life. I plan on enjoying every moment of it..the good. the bad... and the sad. I am going to be grandma again..Tim and Shelly are getting married and having a baby. Amanda and Rick threw me a "non birthday party", that most of my Alaska friends couldn't attend because they were working OT. My family and friends turned out in droves and Paul got to meet the Buchta boys and they gave me their blessing. I love them so and am very happy to see them happy. Ray and Jenny had me up to their place for a day of SnowShoeing and a birthday dinner. Their two beautiful boys are starting to warm up to me and it is a joy to watch as they interact with their mom and dad. Ray is Pauls oldest boy, they have a place in McCall that sits above the river and so they outfitted me and off we went. We were out for about 2 hours, walking over virgin snow, listening to the birds sing, breathing crisp fresh air and just letting the beauty of the area sink into our souls. These wonderful people have welcomed me into their homes and lives and they make me feel very special. Yes 60 is going to be a good year for me and mine. Didn't get to jump from the plane today because of weather but will try again next week and the next week until I get it done. Going to see Elton John on the 9th, off to Debois the next week end and in May Paul and I are going to Maui for a week. I like this man ...I like the fun we have the laughter and the talks and sharing each others families and I like this man. I no longer have to be alone unless I want to be. I love my friends and my family real and extended. YES 60 is good....I am healthy...my mind is well....I have potential. Look out 60 here I come!

MARCH 2011

2011-03-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

I HATE WINTER! I AM SO READY FOR SUMMER!
Ok I will quite screaming....Nothing much happened this month.
PA and I are still hanging out, we went to Pocatella last week end and fininshed moving his Heidi up to Boise. It was a beautiful weather week end ...thank you God! Now they can just focus on getting her thru these next few months.

We also helped his grandson Ian celeberated his 2nd continuation year. He has lovely daughters and his grandchildren are very nice. It is clear to see that he is a great poppa.

I have started birding again and have had two very nice trips. One to Nampa by myself and one to Fort Boise with the SIBI group. Next month RoseMary, Paul, and myself are going to Deboise Idaho to a Grouse Festival. This will be a life bird for all of us. YES I said it Paul is now birding with us....I can be such a bad influnce on people....two of my friends have now joined the birding trail.

My birthday is next week end and weather permitting Paul and I are going to Sky Dive from an airplaine....will write about it... Goodby to my 50's hello 60's..looking forward to this new trip.

Paul and I are planning a trip to Maui in May with some friends.

McCall

2011-02-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a snowy trip to McCall, the Ice sculpters were interesting. I would bet they were exceptional when they were first made. Sharlie has to have been my favorite. People sledding and walking about on the lake was amazing. I do love that area and am always astounded by the beauty the area offers.

OK so Paul's' son Ray and his wife Jenny have invited us to their Super Bowl party and we are going. Nerves abound, but it all turns out OK....should have know it would.
They are lovely people and it is a small gathering so we can visit and get somewhat acquainted. They have two beautiful boy and truly enjoy each other. Jenny has made the best chili and Ray is working on doctoring the hot wings. The door bell rings and in comes two more people, who are introduced as Judy and Lynn ( I think).

Other than introductions no one explains the connection right away. It is plain that this is grandma, but I'm not sure how. Mr Paul disappears for a short time to spend time with Cory and then returns to be with the grownups. When we leave I ask questions and lo and behold Judy was Paul's X...... God would I have loved to have been a fly on the wall after we left.

It was the longest time we have spent together since we started hanging out...and it to was all good.

No plans for this coming weekend, Paul will be helping Heidi finish moving, but the following weekend is his birthday week so we have plans.

CHANGES

2011-02-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

Wow it is Feb 2011! The days are getting longer and the nights shorter soon (please God) it will be Spring and Summer, I am so very ready. I am glad that our snow seems to have moved on and around us.
I am still getting to know Paul and things are good with us. WE have so much in common it is kinda scary. Both of us make our families number one and that is a good basis to build a friendship. We enjoy hanging out and talking and have gone to the movies and yes I have even cooked for him. Sunday Rick invited him to dinner at their place and I said "I'm not sure if I'm ready for that and he said why not if your just friends. We know your other friends so what is different about Paul? Not having a good reason I invited him and he said yes with no hesitation. I think I fear commitment and ruining a friendship. Rick said "mom what do you like about Paul?"
What do I like? I like his honest forthright approach to life, I like his sense of quirky humor, his intelligence, his duty to family, and I like the way he treats me. I like the fact that he is open to doing things instead of just staying home. I said birding starts in Feb. and he said when and can I go. I said I am jumping from a plane on my 60th birthday and he said I will rent a video camera and jump with you. I say want to go to McCall for the Ice Sculptors and he says sure want to go Sunday? I like the fact that even if we have plans and his family needs him he is there. He is smarter than me in a different way and yet we complement each other. I am in your face and he is quite and watchful, yet always ready to participate. I invite him to a gathering of my girls and he goes. We both love to travel and he is always taking pictures. Maybe a better question would have been what do you fear about Paul?
I like my Independence, I like spending time with my friends and family, I like not answering to another human being, I like my alone time, I like me. Does having a friend like Paul put any of that in jeopardy? At the moment NO ......could he...only if I allow it.
Meeting family is scary but I'm not sure why, this is a person that I enjoy very much and he will be fine with my family just like he was with my friends. I met his dog and we bonded just fine why not. ...bring it on we can have fun doing that as well. Yes I enjoy this man very much and look forward to spending more time with him. What does it mean for the future ...my guess a lot of good fun times for however long it is meant to be. Changes bring them on I am finally ready!

Dec 2010-Jan 2011

2011-01-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year...what shall you bring to us. I haven't any idea but I know what you have done for me to date.

I made it through the year with my health, my family (intact and growing), my job, and new and old friends. I was blessed with three trips, a new family for Scott, health and happiness for Amanda and Rick and their families. Kenneth and Glenda, Ken and Jodi, Clay and Lori all doing well. My mommy isn't doing well and I fear we will lose her this year, but my sisters and their families are well. I am truly blessed!

It will be 7 years in April that George died and my life turned upside down. I lost not only my husband but a family as well. I try hard to stay in contact with that side but life happens and it isn't always easy. I am happy to say that contact with Corey and Brandon is in the makings.

I got really sad, on my last trip, that I am alone and don't have anyone special to share with. I sent a prayer to My God and the universe asking for someone to share with. I have a code that a man must meet and things that will not fly unless he does.

Thanksgiving week God may have answered that prayer....a man that I have worked with for 9 years, and that I thought was married, shocked the hell out of me by asking me to dinner. After closing my mouth I accepted and we have been hanging out ever since. When he told me what he wanted out of a relationship I could have wept. It was almost word for word what I had sent into my request. I don't know what may come from this but I like him and have no expectations except to enjoy his company. Thank you Lord

New Years Eve: Bonnie and Bob Brooks, Paul and I went to Bogus and did the sleigh ride and dinner. It was the first time since GB died that I have seen the new year in and I enjoyed every moment of it. Paul took me home and gave me my first very sweet new years kiss and then he went home. I think we are both a bit frightened ( I know I am) but I am excited to watch as our friendship expands. I am looking forward to traveling with him and to a spring trip to Alaska to check out the birds as they get ready to migrate. And yes Rose Mary will be going as well (she is my birding partner.)

New Years Eve also so me buying a car on MY credit. I hate having a bill but I needed to do this. My car was having issues and I am working hard to rebuild my credit so this can only help. I got a 2009 Pontiac Grand Prie, 4 door, white, low mileage. No more eating out for me.

Yes I am truly blessed.. Until later

our last days before heading home

2011-01-01T13:27:00.000-08:00

Gosh it is Thursday and we leave on the morrow, I could stay right here. Today is a free day so we take out time getting around and then we rent bikes for a ride. The bikes are older and kinda difficult but we are able to do this. Off we go taking our time and of course my camera. We travel for a bit and stop often to just look at the sea and to check the beaches for shells and of course birds. We travel down to where the road starts to climb and there is a beautiful Catholic Church. We stop and check it out and then decide to start back as we have been gone for awhile. Visualize this...the roads are barely wide enough for two cars, yet they give to the bicycle. It was a bit frightening to start with.
On the way back we have stopped to check out the area again and as we start to take off I walk out into the road and as I lift my foot the Velcro strap on my sandal wraps around the chain and throws me to the ground...BAM I am on the pavement..damn did it ever hurt! Up I jump, onto the bike and off I go. It is the same arm I broke and I fear it is broken yet again. All I can think about is getting to the hotel and into my room. Once there I check the arm and determine nothing broken and go to the pool where I work it.
Next morning and my arm hurts like bloody hell. After a dip in the pool we go to get a massage and that was most interesting. My massage person is a young man, about 30, who is in a sarong. He has great hands and does a very good job,however he had started me on my back and when I get my massages I go buff. When he has finished and is ready for me to turn over he just flips the cover off and there I lay, naked as the day I was born and unable to use my arm to turn myself over. I was shocked, and then mortified because I couldn't use my arm to turn and he had to help me. So I am now on my tummy and it is on with the massage. No pictures taken here!
Now we are out of the massage and it is time to check out so we run back to the room and we are locked out. We have to get a maid to let us in so we could get cleaned up and get our suitcases so we could get checked out. we are checked out and now we have all afternoon to wait for out ride. Now on a normal day we could have swam, or went out in the canoe but I am in so much pain that I am not good company. We read, sleep in the sun, discover that the bar has cheeseburgers and fries, and just hang out until our bus takes us to the ferry and then on to the airport where we wait 3 hours for our plane. After 8 hours in the air, we are back on US soil, thru customs, and the Gods are with us because we make an earlier plane and are home 3 hours early.
I love to travel but am always very glad to get home and into my own bed!
THINGS THAT STOOD OUT:
Never expect to get out of Boise on time...Horizon doesn't work that way!
The saying "don't worry be happy" actually applied to the people of Tahiti
I never knew there were so many different types of greens and reds and blues.
I want to be part of a couple...I got really sad watching all the couples (even hought about trying to pick an aussie up but that was a very quick NO...
RoseMary is a great travel companion would take her again in a heartbeat.
We saw 19 different types of birds (that we could id) while in Tahiti
I would go back in a heartbeat!
I liked the Poi as made on Tahiti
I loved the raw Tuna ( can't remember what it was called)
I was very glad to be home
Can hardly wait for my next adventure..where and when shall it be?

Moreea adventures

2011-01-01T12:44:00.000-08:00

So it has taken me awhile to finish this but here goes. I told you that we found ourselves surrounded by wonderful people and things and that we swam with the Sting Rays and Sharks..now I will tell you about exploring the Island.
We have joined an Inland Island Tour and we will see the inside from the back of a jeep. WE are joined by a couple from Mo, a couple from New Zealand, and an older couple. Our first stop is "Magic Mt." which is reached by a track of cement that is single wide (yet twice we pulled over and let other jeeps pass. We back the last 20 plus feet up the cliff where we are treated to breath taking views. Back in the jeep we are off to an inlet where we are told about how they raise shrimp close to the sea and prawn more inland, near the fresh water rivers. We are told that the only wild creatures on the Island are chickens, dogs, cats, pigs, and rats. We are told that the small fires we see with much smoke are to keep the mosquito's at bay, that the Myna bird was brough in to eat the wasp, and the Red Venter Bulbul, was brought in to keep the insect down. We were advised that Hawks were imported to eat the rats, but since they are night creatures that was a mistake so Owls were brought in. All birds found on the Islands have been imported, by man, ships, or storms. Moreea and her sister Islands are all volcanic and all the vegetation and animals were brought in.
From here we travel deep into the forest and up on the top of yet another mountain where we can see both of the Inlets and all of the Island. Just down the road are ancient sacrificial sites. We are told that when the priest came in they order them all destroyed and only a few were rebuilt. They are areas when items were left for the Gods, including human lives. This is located in a quite tree covered area and all the rocks and stones are covered with green moss and could totally be passed by never knowing what they were. There were two; one which was quite large and was said to be a community area and another that was for brides.
Our next stop is a plantation where we see two different types of bananas (one grown down the other up), oranges, grapefruit, lime, passion fruit, mango's, pineapple's, and flowers of all types, colors, and sizes. Our next stop is a Pineapple factory, where we are treated to different types of liquor made from the pineapple. On to a garden where they grow the vanilla bean and more types of fruit. We are shown the different stages of the bean and advised of the different uses for said bean. Here we are treated to home made ice cream then it is back in the jeep and back to the hotel.
After a dip in the pool and a walk downtown we are off in yet another bus where we are taken to what is call the Polynesian Experience, which is actually The Tiki Village Theater. Here we were shown around the village and given history of many of their items. There was this beautiful long carved bench/chair. The story on this item was: Among the Tahitian people tattoos are a sign of strength and each group of people are know by their tattoos. Our guide stated that in years past they didn't need a passport because everywhere people knew you by your design, "now you must have a passport." Back to the story; In the not so distant past when a male child reached 5 years of age they received their first tattoo and it was always done on this bench/chair. The child would be sat(tied) on the chair and given the tattoo. After the priest came this was stopped. All males have tattoo's but they get to decide when it is done. After our tour we are lead into an area where a large underground oven is opened and large amounts of food is taken from the oven and then sit up for our evening meal. We are served smorgasbord style and they food is excellent and too many items for me to tell you about. WE are treated to a female and male demonstrating how to wrap the sarong and how to keep it on. Our dinner was followed by 2 hours of native songs and dances in the most beautiful outfits. I loved the dances which includes the torches.

morrea french polynesian

2010-11-25T23:31:00.000-08:00

Ahh the Island of Morrea...we arrive via Ferry like cattle. The trip was a delight to our senses, Rose sat back and enjoyed the trip while I took pictures and watched the water for any kind of exciting stuff. Over to the left near shore appeared to be a dolphin but it was too far away to tell. I believe it was as several other people thought so as well. People in long boats, and surfer were in the water. The sky and the water was as many different colors and textures as the people on the ferry. It was a treat to intermix with them, to be able to watch the people, the sea, the birds and watch as the Island approached. So we have arrived and our ride is awaiting for us in this very large bus. Everyone is aboard, the luggage is stored and our driver welcomes us to Morrea like this. "Welcome to my Island, on my Island you will not have any problems and if you do you all me and I will fix it. Everyone will have fun on my Island."
We are the first drop and is maybe a 10 min ride from the ferry, along a winding road that is boarded by sea on one side and mountains covered with dense plants on the other. Everywhere you look it is many shades of green and blue. I am itching to explore! Our hotel is the Morrea Pearl and Spa and we have our own lagoon. All the buildings have been thatched. We are met with a smile and warm welcome, invited to sit down and brought ice water and a cloth to freshen up with. AGAIN we find that the reservation is for Charles and Mary Buchta..no big surprise this time. Our lagoon has a white sand beach and the water is warm and crystal clear we have our own coral reefs and fish we can sit on the boardwalk and watch play. Our room has two stories with a loft that has a bed tv and dresser, downstairs we have two beds a tv and dresser, we opt to just use the downstairs.
Wow it is Tue already and we have a full day ahead of us...We am up early and down exploring our beach and having breakfast and a dip in this wonderful pool...the pool boy isn't bad either. We have a lagoon tour today that includes lunch and a swim. So the driver picks us up and takes us on down the road about 30 mins and we board this funky boat. Joseph is our guide and Brian is the photographer. After a short wait we are off..ahead of us is multi blue seas dark blue sky's, white fluffy clouds, deep green mountains and an adventure of a life time. As we boat we stop and pick up more people, lunch and just relax as we watch the beauty float by. We are told that the Island is totally protected by natural reefs that keep the rough seas out. We see people snorkeling everywhere, there are people fishing with spears, boating, and wind surfing with a para sail. We are at our first stop and the water is chest high a beautiful teal color and filled with Stingrays. We get off the boat and go into the water and have a one on one experience with these large gentle creatures. They remind me of a dog or cat that circle around your feet waiting for attention. About 10 feet from where we stand there are about 10 large black fined reef sharks circling back and forth. We finally advance toward them and we told to stay out of the deep water and watch, our photographer swims into the center and Joseph begins to feed and taunt them. They respond by circling and grabbing the fish and just swimming back and forth. We are maybe 5 feet from them and in the same water but we are standing on a sandy bottom. WOW! Now we move to our right where there is a reef and we watch as Joseph feeds large more eels and watch two very large giant clams. This is the best tour ever. I Mary Lou Buchta swimming with Sting Rays, Sharks, and Eels. So back on the boat and off to an Island where we are fed, shown how to make this delicious raw tuna meal, how to husk and break coconuts and how to make coconut milk. After some snorkeling and hanging out we are back on the boat and headed back to the hotel. Yes we bought the tape of our trip but only one and we are gonna burn a copy so we both have one. Back at our hotel we change and walk down to the town which is the biggest shopping center on the Island. We have 2 banks, a supermarket, and 4 or 5 stores. There is a great fabric store, a very interesting jewelry store and yes a store for tourist with cheap( or not) little gadgets. We do a bit of shopping and head back to swim, hang in the sun and have dinner.

Tahiti // exploring papette

2010-11-25T20:07:00.001-08:00

Last Dec. I won a trip on Air Tahiti to either Paris or Tahiti for two. Having been to Paris twice I chose to go to Tahiti. After much discussion it was decided that RoseMary and I would go, thus followed many months of preparation. We decided not to just show up on our own and went through a travel agent and booked our land package. 1500.00 pp gave us our hotels, our transfers, a tour on Papeete and a tour on Morrea.

So almost a whole year has past and here it is Nov.6th and time to go. Our bags are packed, passports ready, and we are sitting at the Boise Airport being told they can not get us to Lax in time to catch our flight. The plane had a problem that was checked out and oked but no paperwork done so the captain will not put it in the air untill it is checked again. OK so back up and start over...how do we get to LAX? So they reroute us Boi/Pdx/Lax and we get in 2 hours late and are lucky enough to get on the 5:30 flight out of LAX.
Air Tahiti is a hugh plane with great service, we have movies or music, we get a pillow and blanket, an eye mask and two meals. I have a terrible time sleeping on planes but did just fine this time around. It was an 8 hour flight from Lax to Ppt with us arriving at 11:30 pm Tahitian time. We file off and wind thru customs to be met on the other side by a beautiful women holding a sign with our names on it and welcoming us with a real flower lei. We run to the bathroom and stop to exchange out money and then we are whisked off in a bus to our hotel (the Radissen).
Upon arrival we are met with what could have been a very nasty surprise...our reservation is in the name of Mr and Mrs Charles and Mary Buchta. I am not very happy and after they determine that this is my reservation, we are taken to a great room on the 3rd floor. We have double beds with a shower room and a hugh sunken tub (which we use for drying our swim suits), a great patio with a table ad chairs overlooking the sea. Beautiful Black Sand beach right at the foot of the patio, this time of night all we can do is hear the waves as they crash on the beach. It is like 2 in the morning so lights out for now. After about 4 hours of sleep we are up showered and out exploring the area. The birds are singing and whizing everywhere, the waves are crashing and we are two very excited ladies. We walk the beach and look at the coral and rescue a star fish and just enjoy the begining of a new day and oh what a glorious sun rise. We opt for an early breakfast a swim in the pool and back to get ready for our Island Circle tour. Our driver arrives in a large bus and we are off, our first area is called One Tree Hill and we don't even stop just hear how captain Cook planted it because you couldn see everywhere from that spot. Other spots we visited was Faarumai Waterfalls, The Blowhole, Fern Grottos, Lookout Point, Point Venus and the Lighthouse. We also went to the Paul Gauguoin Museum and Restraunt. The Museum was lame but the food was wonderful, after eating we were able to fist the fish farm where they had all type of fish including shark swimming just outside the dining area. The Falls and the Blowhole were excellent as was the Fern Grotto but the area where the lighthouse and Point Venus was very run down and the streets were filled with garbage. One our tour we learned that the natives work hard all week and play hard on the weekend. Sunday the market is open from 4am to 6 am and then everyone goes to church and to the beachs where they relax and enjoy the water. We seen surfing, boating, spearfishing, snorkling, and many friendly happy people on our tour. Managed to get in a couple of birds along the way as well. Their Polynesian Imperial Pigeons were out, loved the looks and sounds of the Zebra dove and you had plenty of terns, Bulbuls, and Myans. So now we are back at the hotel and thinking about our next adventure......We are exhausted and decide to take a short nap....a nap that lasts all afternoon and night.
Day two is more time on the beach another sunrise, breakfast, the pool and showered, packed, and waiting for our ride to the Ferry. We really only get a very quick glance at the Capitol city of Papeete as everything was closed. There are many people awaiting the Ferry to go to Morrea. There is a hugh Chinese ship parked there that we later learn is a science expedition that is staying over for a few months. We also learn that there is a cruise ship that is berthing there for several months and taking people on short trips of the Islands. (that would have been cool) So we are on the Ferry and heading out to our next Island which is a short 30 mins. away. So far Rose and I have had a great trip...wait there is a Brown Booby sitting on a red buoy with a surfer below it and several long boats coming up fast. That is all for now our first day and a half have been very busy and we are tired but we will have down time on Morrea.

Life

2010-08-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

So God has a plan for me that I don't understand but once again my life has been jolted. Again I had to move and it was kinda traumatic but I know it was the correct thing to do. I am now in a cosy apartment in a beautiful part of Boise down by the river. I have a pool and a work out room plus the Green Belt is right next door. I have been too busy getting moved in to take advantage of any of them but I sure plan on doing so. I have been in for a couple of weeks and I have already met everyone in my building. I will not have room to entertain like I enjoy doing and I decided to set up an office rather than a second bedroom. If I have company coming I will get a blow up mattress and we will be A ok. When my grandchildren visit they never use the second bed anyway. I have it all put together and it feels comfortable and safe. My house, that I loved, was way to big and there was room that I never used the family that bought it will use the space and I hope will love it every bit as much as I did. I trust that this move will make life better for all of us involved and am open for whatever the next step will be.......later

Birding with the Audubon Group

2010-06-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my first trip with the Audubon Society and we visited the City of Prairie. We went out of Boise to the Black Creek Road and drove North to the end of that road. I had never been there and it was breathtakingly beautiful. The road is fairly decent and right now everything is green. Our first stop was at Bonners Point, (said to be the first stop when the settlers entered into the Boise Valley and where the city and river were named.) Here we were treated to 2 long billed curlew, who must have had a family close by because they screeched at and dive bombed the area. My first sighting of this magnificant bird. Next it was a group of Eastern King Birds trying to lead us from their nest followed by as Sage Thruster just sitting pretty as you please, followed by Honed Larks, Meadow Larks and Hawks. Our next over the top view was a Red Tailed Hawk sitting on a tree branch with his/her nest and two half grown babies. This was across from the Blacks Creek Gold Mine and the tree was sitting right next to this amazing old farm house and believe it or not the barn that is displayed on most drivers licenses. From there it was on up the valley to an area of large dead trees where we seen a Lewis Woodpecker and two Hawks soaring with one dangling a snake. There were more stops and more birds and wonderful views, however the best was yet to come. At the Belknap cabin
( our guide place) we were treated to lunch with the birds, followed by a walk around the pond where a Great Blue Heron had a Hugh nest at the top of a tall pine with 3 half grown babies. We were blessed that the birders carry a scope for just such sitings so we could watch as they interacted with each other.
My friend RoseMary went with me and I think she is going to join as well and thank God she drove as I was working on 3 hours of sleep and might not have been able to go otherwise. WE had four cars with 8 people (10 counting us) who were all really into hiking and birds. I am hooked and hope that I can find time to really get involved with the group..Unfortunately my camera was on the fritz so very few pictures. Oh well I wanted a new one anyway.
PS: at one point our guide, Bill, stopped backed up got out of his truck and picked up a snake and checked it out to see if it was hurt. He advised us it was a Blue Race and it was hurt bur he though it would be OK. He took it and place it off the road. Gotta say he/she was kinda pretty. Bill spent the entire time telling us about the area, pointing out different types of flowers and plants and information about every spot we stopped. He and his wife have ranched that area for many years.
Thank you Lord for opening a new door for me to pass thru.

more on my vacation

2010-05-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

I went home in May to see my mom, sisters, and their families. I was to have gone to Europe but God intervened and so I went home. I have to tell you that I was afraid to go home....home as I remember it isn't there anymore. My mom is in a nursing home and she doesn't speak and we don't know that she understands what, where, or who any more.
Ellen and I go early on Sat morning and when we arrive she is sitting in a chair with her back to us. I walk around and lean in and say "hi mommie", she kinda jerks, turns ,looks at Ellen and then she grabs me and we hug and she doesn't want to let go. We talk and she stares at me and hangs on me the entire time. Of course I was hanging on to her as well. Ellen asks her if she wants to show me her room and up she get and we take off down the hall. At the first room she stops and looks in and continues doing the same at each room. When we come to her room she does the same and I say "mommie are you sure this isn't your room?" She turns to me and says" nooooo" just as plain as day. It was an anguished sounding no and very drawn out....but she spoke!
So in between visits with mom I stayed with Ellen and the family came to visit. I got to see my neices and nephews and their families. We did a lot of talking and laughing and yes crying. I am so glad that this is the path I choose rather than going to Europe which will always be there...MOM won't be.
Mothers day we took mom to a program and she would place her hands togehter like she wanted to clap and she hugged CD and then I had to say goodby. Just thinking about it makes me cry so I won't go into details but I came away with these thoughts.

I needed to go home and my God knew that so he made a volcanio go off so I would go to Iowa instead of Germany.
I know that mom knew who I was and that she was very glad to see me. I here as well.
I Loved seeing my sisters and their families....I have missed so very much with them
I am sooo ready to go back just have to find the time to make it happen.

Thank you, GOD, for sending a volcanio to wake me up to what was important. Now you may let it go back to sleep and let Europe begin to recover.

Yesterday

2010-05-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was bitter sweet...

18 years ago , come Oct., I watch my grandson be born...yesterday I watch as he graduated from high School. He plans on going to college this fall, however as I watch him receive his diploma, I think about all the time we have spent together and the time we have missed. I wonder what out Lord has in store for him and how he will deal with them. I wonder how he will do out in this big bad world.

I have another grandson who turned 19 in May. I have been forbidden by his parents to have anything to do with him and his brother. Yesterday he was there and I cried when he reached out to hug me. Yes he did some bad things, but he was very young. My heart begs to know this boy, to know who he is. I miss him and his brother so very much...and his mom...I love her and miss her very very much. I missed their graduation...will not be there for their weddings...first child...and so many more things that I would love to share with them.

I know I will never have the option to know them as adults so I take joy in yesterdays touch and I think GOD for that small moment. I pray for more small moments and that God will bless me with one for Cory.

I pray that they know that I love them and no matter what I will always love them.
God forgives us anything so why can't we as humans forgive and just allow love to transform all.

Disney World Summary

2010-05-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

I never thought it was a place I wanted to visit..how wrong I was. We were there 4 days and took in a lot of events but hardly scratched the surface. The concert we took in at House Of Blues , downtown Disney, featured Ben Harper and Restless 7, with Alberta Cross opening for them. Throughout the visit we were treated to music with bagpipes,and several different types of instruments that I will add later. All told I lost my fear of rides and fell in love with the Disney Experience, I now see why people go back over and over again.

Sunday

2010-05-18T10:09:00.000-07:00

It is our last day at Disney World so we are up and out...kinda. Hollywood Tower here we come! Laura and Eric has joined us and so we are going to spend the day doing as much as possible. We start out with Holloywood Studios, riding the Rocking Roller Coster, and Hollywood Tower. Moved on to Aimal Kingdom where we explored the Dinosaur Land, Expedition Everest, and the Kilimanjaro Safaris. Enjoyed seeing the Tree of Life and the other amazing things. Now it is off to Epcot for more rides and dinner followed by fireworks, which is an exceptional way to end a visit to Orlandos Disney World.
For a lady who doesn't do rides, I rode the following: Rocking Roller Coaster (twice), Hollywood Tower (twice), Star Wars, took a safari, Dinosaur, Expedition Everest(wonderful ride), Splash Mountain, rode the train, It's a Small World, Snow Whites scary Adventure, Space Mountain, the Merry go round, Mission Space, Test Track, Soaring Land . We visited the Tiki Hut, the Tree House, and many other attractions. My favorite attraction was the Reflection of China, we went twice. We ate at the Germany Biergarten Restraunt, which was a smorgaoard, Moroocca Restraunt Marrakesh, and Chinas Nine Dragons Restraunt. All the food was unique to the area we were in.
Our night ended with the fireworks and a run to catch the bus back to our resort.
Oh wait I stood in line for like 20 mins. to see Micky and get a picture with him. I told Micky I had waited 4 days to visit him and he gave me a hug kiss on the cheek and sent me on m way. I thought the stars would be more visible and we did see a lot but to get any special pictures it was a wait so I just snapped and ran. Did not get shots of Winnie and Tiger but they were out and about and I did see them. Ready to take another trip.
Thank you Bonnie for suggesting this tip.

Boggy Creek

2010-05-17T10:22:00.000-07:00

Sat. no parks for us today we are going out and yes I am driving. Time for me and the Bitch to interact again.
Boggy Creek is where we are going to ride the Airboat and hunt for alligators. It is on a lake (can't remember the name) which is at the beginning of the everglades (s0 says the operator). On the way out we see some beautiful territory, the trees are green and big and hung with moss, the birds are plentiful and I am very happy. If I had been alone I would have stopped and shot may pictures of birds as it was I only stopped once to get some magnificent shots of Sandcranes.
So we are here and have to wait for the next boat so we hang out and wait. I take a couple pictures of Turkey Vultures and Common Brown Greckles and turtles.
So it is our turn and the boatman tells us "the water is only about knee deep and if you fall out and the gator doesn't get you, you'll be fine." Off we go out thru the backwater with all its plants and birds and YES gators. For about half an hour we just drive around and enjoy the wildlife including a bald eagle, a racoon, multiply types of Herons and Ibris, and the gators.
When we are getting ready to leave we spy a fishing tournament and I walk over and ask permission to watch, even took a picture of a bass that weighed in at 8lbs 15 ozs.
So we are off back to town and a bit of shopping.
It was a great day which ended by Laura and Eric joining us for the next to days.

House of terror

2010-05-17T10:13:00.000-07:00

So we have arrived and visited a couple of parks and I have ridden Space Mountain. I have not been on any ride (except the merry go round) since 1991 and Bonnie puts me on Space Mountain. I truly don't know if I enjoyed it or not, since I kept my eyes mostly closed and breathed hard to keep from screaming my lungs out. Hell yes I was scared almost to death. From there we went to Splash Mountain which I loved and on to the Hollywood Tower. OK how bad can it be? Bad enough that if I concentrate I can still feel my stomach and backside separating from the seat. Did I go back yes I did and I would again. I"m not sure what happened up there in that elevator but I lost my fear and began to have fun...lots of fun

The Bitch

2010-05-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you about this bitch of a GPS....she took us in circles tried to tell us that Disney World was in a rundown section of town which was a big empty field. Ok getting ahead of myself.
Bonnie brought her home GPS to help us get around Orlando. Great ideal except neither of us played with it before hand, so do we know how to use it..of course not. Nor did the gentleman at the parking grage where we got our car. Ever persistant Bon doesn't give up and finally we have a setting but no voice..so off we go and over all we do very well, until as you read above, Disney World isn't where it took us. Never to be outdone Bon goes into a store and askes directions and off we go again. Ok we are finally where we need to go and we won't have to use her again until Sat.
Off we go on Sat and by now Bon has programed the voice and she takes us straight to Boggy Creek, however on the way back she again tries to take us to the empty field. We are smarted than she is now...well almost and it only takes us a couple of hours to get back to the room. So is it the Bitch or the operators? She was funny as hell when I would go one way and she wanted the other she would advise me that she had to recalucate. We contributed to getting lost because we decided to shop on the way home instead of follow the direct route.
On Sunday we give it to Eric and Laura and we follow them...onto an incorrect highway and once again we are backtracking. Needless to say we made it to Cocoa Beach ( I didn't get too far from Erics bumper).
Bitch time again for us to find our way back to the airport and once again she lead us in circles. To give her credit she was giving us street names when there wasn't any signs and I missed a couple of turn offs that common sense should have told me to take. Even though the Bitch tried to sabatoge the trip we never stayed lost long and oh hell we can get lost even on foot and with no help from our friend the Bitch.

Disney World

2010-04-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

So we made it to Orlando with no problems at all. Oh wait can't put any pictures on since I left the cord at home.....bummer!
We are staying in the All Star Movie Resort and we are in the Dalmantions room. We have stars on our walls and dogs and critters on out double beds. The weather is beautiful, the rides are fun and the lines are short. Today we did Magic Kingdom, and yes we did It's a Small World. We seen the disney parade and a couple of chatures but not Mickey or Miney. Gonna crash for now more later....Loved Splash Mountain

today

2010-04-22T07:04:00.001-07:00

Memories...they make you happy they make you sad.......

Today is a happy/sad day for me.........

I have Keegan who I Heart more than words can say
I plan on visiting Tristan later who makes my life special
I have had the privilege of wishing several very special people happy birthday

My mind is filled with thoughts of George and that day 6 years ago that changed our lives...
I wonder what he thinks of me now..if he see the new people in our lives....
I wonder if his kids know just how special they were to him.....
I wonder if it makes him sad that we don't interact as a family......
I wonder does he get to laugh and feel joy.....
I wonder does he still know he is LOVED...........

EYJAFJALLAJOEKULL

2010-04-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

NASTY...NASTY...VOLCANO GO AWAY! You are messing with my trip....
Right now all countries except three are closed to air travel. We have ten days before we are set to go so maybe we will be ok. I am worried about getting stranded in Europe...Oh wait I threatened to stay....but that was all it was was a threat didn't really want to stay, not now anyway. Stay tuned for the next installment

minus two weeks and counting

2010-04-14T20:36:00.000-07:00

April 27th 2010 will see me on a plane headed for LAX where I will board a plane to Frankfurt Germany. I plan on blogging my entire trip while I am there. I hope to post pictures as we travel.
Our agenda will go something like this:
LAX.......FRANKFURT.......SALZBURG.....EDELWEISS....PRAGUE...AND POSSIBLY VENICE....
This trip has been a long time planning and I have worked my fanny off and I am so ready to board that plane and fly off into the blue.....For any of you who care I hope I don't let you down.

Yesterday

2010-04-14T20:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Tristan had his tonsils and adenoids taken out and his sinius routed. My precious little 3 year old was so brave right up until they tried to prep him to "fix his throat." At that point I am told he was like a furious tiger. So much so that mom and dad were asked to leave while they preped him. They were over an hour late taking him in, they should take into account that these children haven't eaten or slept since the day before.
When the surgery was over they took his parents back to this little cube and sat Mindy in this hugh leather recliner. Her baby boy was given to her and she and dad were the first persons he seen when he woke up. In post opp he had trouble keeping his oxygen levels stable and had to have a couple of breathing tretments.
Shortly after we went to visit him he kept putting his arms in the air and when his mom spoke his name he turned to her and put a hand on each side of her face and pulled her in for several kisses. God how I wish I had had my camera it was beautiful.
Today after work I went to visit and give Mindy a break. You could tell he wasn't feeling too good but he sure wasn't having anything to do with sleeping. We played games, read books, and watched Scooby Do.

Moments to remember

2010-02-21T17:16:00.000-08:00

My youngest grandchild was born in June 2.5 years ago. I am lucky enough to get to watch him every Thursday of the school year, and it the highlight of my week.

Last summer Amanda, Keegan, and I were at the Nursery picking out plants when this happened:
Amanda had gone back to pick out some plants and Keegan and I were talking with the sales agent. I glance down and Keegan has his shorts pulled down and he is peeing in the mud puddle. Of course me being me I begin to tell him he can't do this and pulling his clothing up. Totally confused him to the point that it was months before he volunteered to go to the potty again.
Oh yea the sales man was laughing his but off and telling the little man to go pee on the rocks.

Last week his Mommy changed her hair color..(my beautiful blond is now a beautiful Burnett). After she was done we went to lunch and while we were setting in the booth she turned to him and shook her head and asked if he liked it. He stands up and shifts his fingers through her hair and then he said "OK" and he was done.

The Olympics are on and we were watching the kids come down this hugh snow hill with their snow boards doing their flips and spins and he is announcing that he is the one on the hill and he is the one spinning upside down and it is like he really believes it. At one point he launches his elf into the air from the couch just trusting I will catch him.

He never forgets a game we play and may come back weeks later and want to play with the "monster."

He calls me on the phone to tell me he went "poop" in the toilet...to wish me Happy Valentines Day....that he fell and got an cut on his head at grandma Jackies.

He completes my life like no one ever has....Thank you God for this wonderful joyful person.

Time vs Life

2010-02-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

Very few things change in my life yet time just keep moving.
Another year is upon us, another birthday around the corner, another chapter awaits.
My grand babies are growing and moving on with their lives, another will be graduating and entering college this fall. My Children prosper and move forward with their lives and find joy with their families. My son will soon embrace (I hope he embraces ) the joy, pain, and bewilderment of his beautiful daughters having "boyfriends." I believe that he is strong enough to be there for them..strong enough to listen with an open heart and mind. I believe if they let her Mindy can be a great resource for them.

I miss the Buchta side and continue to make the effort to stay connected. It is hard when you live in a different city and work all the time.

I have a bucket list of things I want to do..and I don't plan to wait until I am old and feeble..well feeble anyway.

My first order of business is to stay healthy..which leads me to this dance class I am taking.. the gym membership I hardly ever use..the walks I love and haven't been doing. Time to get my priories in order. Enough for today...I plan on doing a lot of blogging this year.

2009-11-01T09:26:00.000-08:00

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

2009-09-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-08-06T21:27:00.000-07:00

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......

2009-07-27T19:20:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-27T09:09:00.000-07:00

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???

2009-07-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-13T21:13:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-11T17:03:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-12T22:06:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-12T21:31:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-08T10:19:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-04-27T15:43:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-04T16:35:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

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

2009-02-27T11:49:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-23T09:43:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-17T18:24:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-21T22:02:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-21T20:50:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-11T16:34:00.000-08:00

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.

Christmas

2008-12-26T08:26:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas was white and cold. I spent Christmas eve with Amanda and Phil, Kenneth and Glenda and of course Keegan. Rick and Jodi didn't make it over. It was nice and quite whith good food and good company. I stayed the night so I could watch Keegan open his gifts..he was funny. He sat out the cookies and milk by the stockings and than off to bed. Santa brought him a wooden train set and when he got up and seen that he didn't want anything to do with opening gifts. With a lot of help from mom and dad he finally got everything opened and than he went from one toy to another checking everything out. He was cute as can be.
Spent Christmas evening with Rick and MIndy and her family. Tristan also got a train..thomas the train and friends. He didn't have any issues opening gifts last night..but he did the same thing in the morning with his train set. He played with it untill the bateries died. He a a beautiful loving little boy. The twins are growing like weeds and when I look at them I see young women. They got a lot of games amd BSU stuff.
Another Christmas come and gone....hope the new year will be filled with wonder.

My weekend

2008-12-14T17:00:00.000-08:00

My son had surgery on Friday and he and Tristan hung out with me while Mindy moved them into their new home. Ricks employees moved them in about 3 hours. Tristan is such a joy to spend time with and Rick is AOK as well. Their new home is wonderful and when I say home tht is what Mindy will make it...a home.
So yesterday we had snow and more snow today. I love snow in the hill hate it in the valley. Last night I got off work (12:30am) and went out and turned the car and the wipers on and ripped the heck out of my wiper. So I drove home with no wiper and got up this morning and had to drive to the store to get another one. Than I couldn't figure out how to put it on. so I asked one of my co workers and he just squeezed it and said all done. YUCK I hate it when that happens. It isn't snowing now but I bet it is ice when I go home.
Amanda only has a week of school left so I wish it had waited to snow until after her Christmas break starts.
Have a great week.....

gifts

2008-12-14T16:24:00.000-08:00

Jenny went to Jerusalem last week and I gave her money to bring me back a trinket. She made me soooooo very happy and I am very jealous that I did not get to go! She brought me back a post card, a magnet,a piece of salt from the Dead Sea, 2 charms, 2 vases made out of Olive Wood from Mount Olive, a shot glass, and a beautiful set of earrings with Iranian writing on them. The only thing that would have made me happier was to have been there. They got to see the tomb where Jesus lay...what a wonderful thing that would be. Thank you Jenny I am glad you had fun.

Lead/Relief party...11 dec '08

2008-12-13T15:49:00.000-08:00

On the 11th of Dec.,I had the privledge of hosting Boise Reservations annual lead and lead relief party. The party was from 6pm to 8pm and everyone brought food, Victoria sang a Christmas song, Patty did this wonderful experience where we all shared a nice thought about each other, and we had a gift exchange. There were 31 of us and a lot to get done in a short time, but some how we managed to get it all in. The food was plentiful and delicious...Victoria sings like an angel...the nice thoughts made some of us cry and I think everone enjoyed their gifts. Liza took pictures and made us a slide show of it. I would like to share some of them.
I am blessed to work with wonderful people who enjoy their job and each other. People who know how to laugh...cry...and be real....I am blessed to have them in my life.

Mr and Mrs Clause

2008-12-10T21:46:00.001-08:00

I am on the board of a Charity where I work and we do activities to raise money. On Sat the 6th we had Mr and Mrs Clause in from the North Pole. They sat for pictures and shared breakfast with the kids. Rick,Mindy and Amanda brought their kids in and had pictures with Santa. I had like 10 pictures taken with me and the kids and only a couple of them was really good. It was actually funny because Keegan did not like Santa and Tristan wasn't sure. Olivia wouldn't smile and kept telling me to tickle Keegan so it was an interesting sitting. I got to kill two birds with one stone...supported my charity of choice and got my Christmas card made.
Rick and Mindy had their pictures taken and they were all very good.

best present

2008-12-10T21:30:00.000-08:00

Today my friend Stacey gave me a college of our trip to San Diego. She thought I was silly because I said it was the best gift ever....it is by far one of my favorite things. Our trip was wonderful and I love scrapping my trips and having my memories around me. I always tell my kids that pictures are the #1 item on my list. For the world to see....Thank You Stacey for my wonderful gift!!!

year 11

2008-12-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

My twin gradndaughters Martha and Olivia turned 11 on Dec.5....we had them a birthday party at my place. We only had their grandparent and aunts and uncles and cousins in..it still was a house full. They are very sweet young ladies who will be heart breakers when they get older. Martha has the most beautiful long full hair and Olivia is like her granny and likes her hair short. I think she should spike it but she doesn't...no harm no foul. They are avid sports fans and play football..basketball and baseball like all stars. Martha loves to read (like her granny) and Olivia can be found on the computer..out of doors or listening to her music. I LOVE having them around and am excited about what their future will bring.

2008 the year in retrospect

2008-11-29T18:29:00.000-08:00

The year is almost done and I was sitting here thinking about it and all the blessing I have received. January saw my friend Bonnie and I go to Europe where we visited Spain, France, and London. We took her daughter to Spain to take a semester of College. We visited, Madrid, Bilbao, St Sebastian, and several other small villages. We were lucky enough to be able to tour with the college and was shown several of the beaches and haunts around the college. In Spain they take siestas in the middle of the day and EVERYTHING shuts down. They do not eat dinner until late in the evenings, and they eat very small dinners. At one stop we ordered Prawns and what we got was shrimp with their eyes and feelers looking at me setting on a bed of lettuce with a small loaf of bread. It took a bit to get up the courage to eat them but boy were they good.
From St Sebastian we took a train and headed into France. When the train ended just over the inlet we were advised that unless we rented a car there wasn't any way out until the morning. When we asked about a place to stay this beautiful young lady told us that there were 2 hotels but one was closed. So we trooped across the street and up a hill and across a road and into this quaint hotel where the innkeeper pulls out a book and asks "do you have a reservation?" Yea right like we planned on getting stuck in this little Podunk town. OK so the town turned out to be a wonderful seaside village with Spain on one side and France on the other. We walked around and than we went into a pub and asked for food and the man took our orders and left the building...some time later he came back with a loaf of French bread and proceeded to fix us a sandwich of bread, ham and butter served with wonderful wine. He never came back to our table or spoke to us again until we left. It was a Basque establishment and a Basque town. We did go back and have wine at the hotel and than crashed so we could catch the 10 hour train to our next location. Next day we are off on the train to Genoble France and time in the French Alps. Our journey is long and dry...they did not offer any food or water on the train and we were not prepared for that. The scenery was beautiful and it is exciting to watch the land, the houses, and the livestock change from location to location. So we finally arrive and are met by Bonnies' friends who take us to our lovely hotel and than comes back and we walk to the center of town and go to dinner where I have lamb chops and this wonderful potato dish. Tomorrow we are off to visit the Alps and play in the snow the next day we are off to Paris for a quick walk around and a sleep over. We are back on the train and headed for London When we arrive we will have traveled the length of France on a train and a big share of Spain as well.
London...the weather is wonderful..I am wanting to see it all. Woops we were suspose to have been her last nite and they canceled our reservation on us. Managed to get it back and the first evening we go to the theater and see Wicked, next day it is out to check out the sites ( Big Ben) and watch the changing of the guard, followed by another night at the theater watching Momma Mia. Next day we are off and headed home but not before we induldge in a massage.
Febuary Amanda, Mindy and myself go to see Gypsy Rose Lee at the Morrison Center. March or April saw us taking a trip to Lax but I don't remember the date. I remember getting sick..I remember watching a fisherman off Vience beach catch a Leopard Shark but I don't remember the date. May was the month I went to the retreat...see my blogg..June and July see me looking for a house. A dear friend made it possible for me to have the finances to purchase a place of my own. June brought Clay and his family in from Oklahoma and we had a great visit. I so wish they were not so far away. He has a wonderful family and we miss so much as they grow up. June also saw Mr Keegan turning one year old...In July I spent quite a bit of time in Cascade with Cecil and Dorla. August sees me one step closer to moving into my own place and Tristan turning TWO. Sept seen me packing and moving. In Oct.I held a house warming party on the 18th, with 33 adults, 5 kids and 2 dogs attending.
Nov. was a trip to San Diego and me cooking Thanksgiving dinner for my family.
In Dec. I am hosting the Lead/lead relief party and I don't know what else.
It has been a wonderful fulfilling year and I have grown both spritualy and personally. I am looking forward to what 2009 will bring. I pray it will be good and that I can get some thing taken care of and be able to go to Iowa and Arizona, among other places.

Black Friday '08

2008-11-29T05:55:00.000-08:00

While everyone was out spending money I slept in, read my book, and decorated for Christmas. Yes that is what I said...decorated for Christmas. It has been a long time since I actually felt joy at the prospect of Christmas. Not that I have any more money but just that I feel alive and am looking forward to the season. I put my tree up and decorated my downstairs. I bought a new tree and it is pretty all by itself but I forced myself to add some bobbles on it. I laid silver against my chocolate wall and green and silver to my windows. I took my time and sat out my snowmen (George always gave me a new snowmen every year), sat out my village and my nativity scene. Now I get to share them with my precious boys for the next month. I hope they enjoy them as much as I do.

Thanksgiving '08

2008-11-29T05:46:00.000-08:00

It is the Sat. after Thanksgiving and I have to go to work shortly..but first thought I would write a bit.
Thanksgiving was great! Amanda, Phil and Keegan were the first to arrive and while Keegan and daddy played Amanda and I finished dinner.( got to admit most of it was done well before noon.) Rick, Mindy and Tristan arrived shortly after two. I had cooked a turkey with dressing, potatoes combined with peas, a gravy which had Swiss cheese in it, asparagus with cheese, and an apple pie. Amanda brought veggies and a key-lime pie (her speciality) while Rick brought meatballs (yum) and deviled eggs.
So we sat down to a fine meal followed by watching the football game (Dallas of course) checking out the Black Friday ads and playing with the boys. We sat around and visited until about four when Rick and Mindy had to leave and than Amanda, Phil and I cleaned up and sat around and visited some more and than they had to leave.
It was a great day and I thank God for it.

Retreat

2008-11-24T18:48:00.000-08:00

Several of us went on a retreat in Sep. of this year, to Buhl Idaho where we stayed in yurts and bunked next door to Alligators. My very special friend, Bonnie, put it together and our instructor, Peggy, flew in from California. We spent three wonderful days communing with nature, singing, dancing, swimming, walking, playing games and laughing. We spent hours meditating and just getting in touch with who we are. She had us meditating before, durning, and after we ate. We played musical chairs, duck duck goose, did yoga, and sang songs while whirling in circles. Our instructor is a practicing Buddhist and I was very impressed with what a wonderful person she was. She taught us to be true to God and that we must always remember to take time for ourselves if we are to be healthy and happy. She taught us methods of relaxation that will make a true difference in our lives. This was a first fo me and I was amazed at how much fun it was. When I left I was filled with a peace that has never truly left me.

2008-11-24T00:27:00.000-08:00

Surprise! I am cooking Thanksgiving dinner...yep that is right I am having Rick and Amanda and their families in for dinner. I think they are in shock that after years of no cooking mom is actually cooking a meal. Even Clay commented on it when he was here.....I always could cook just chose not to. I always look forward to spending time with my favorite people in the whole world.

2008-11-23T22:32:00.000-08:00

San Diego 14th of Nov. 2008..........This is our first trip together...won't be our last. left to right: DeVonna, Stacey, Char, and myself. We had just left the Tide Pools and was pretty wind blown. This was just the beginning of a great 2 days.

We thought we were pretty cool, made it off the rocks without getting thrown (they tried but we hung on)

This is a cave that the Ocean has carved out and would normally be under water but because of the low tide we were able to check it out. It was way cool!

This was about 7pm and we were on Coronado Island playing in the Ocean. It was the first time Char had seen the Ocean. We are running from a wave that is trying to wipe us out. It was great watching the waves crash in on each other...it was like a domino chain falling.

Now Blogging

2008-11-19T21:07:00.000-08:00

I have finally taken the big step in the world of blogging. Check back to see what I have been up.