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.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
My Emmett Vacation
WOW! It is Tuesday evening already....It has been unbelievable so far. Keegan has been a real treat, he is always busy and learning and doing. Sunday after we left his parents at the airport we went to the end of the runway and watched the planes take off and land. Later we went to Rick and Mindys' and had dinner and hung out. We took our time driving back to his house and than sat outside and played with his dog Lucky. Just as we finished his bath and was thinking about going to bed his uncle Scott and aunt Laura show up so we sit and visited.
Monday was a beautiful day and we took a walk around the block, played in the water from peoples irrigation and just hung out. It is incrediable to watch him as he discovers new things. "Bug" is what you hear a lot of when we are outside, the water running down the side of the road is to be spashed in and when it falls down into the grate he must walk on it, feel it and sit on the grate. His mommie probably isn't gonna be happy when he tries playing in the water with her, but oh well, grandmas do things moms don't. He will walk, excuse me run, the complete block and want to go for more. His mom and dad arrived in Austrilia without anything but a small delay. It took a long time for them to get to the hotel and it was like 8pm our time (1pm their time) when they called. We couldn't get the web cam to work right, we could see them but they couldn't see us. Jackie, Phils mom was here trying to help me figure out how I had managed to "break" the TV, so we all got to talk to them from down under. I ended up calling Dish and having them help me refigure the remote.
Today, Tuesday, was cold and windy so we didn't do any walking instead we went to the cementary, drove around town, and went to Roe Anns for lunch. That night we went with Poppa Ken to the nursing home and listened to his gospel band play. Keegan sat on Poppas lap and played the guitar and made friends with the residents. Just as he were getting into the bath his aunt Vonnie and two cousins showed up so it was more hanging out. I like to open the windows and keep the houe pretty cool, this morning when he got up he told me it was "cold" and proceeded to close the windows and went and got his blanket. When I have my tea he tells me that it is "hot" and then tells me to blow on it so he can have a drink. Tomorrow we don't have any plans for the day time, we're having dinner with Scott and the kids, would like to look Tim up and than we will see. Stay tune I will add things as they happen.
Ok I'm back and my week is over but what a week. Wed. we went to "Gardian Angels" and I purchased flowers to plant in my yard and bought a couple of planters. While we were there Keegan started throwing rock and so he got into trouble and had to ride on the wagon. He was yelling his head off and I asked him if he was mad and he replied.."mad tell dad!" I told him to go right ahead and tell his dad. Later Scott had us over and did a bar b que and he spent the couple hours we were there running after Norm the cat. He is fasinated with their fish tank, it is hugh and has big fish in it. Back home, bath time, reading and off to bed.
Keegan woke up about 1:30am crying and I tried to get him to lay down with me but he is too much of a flopper and I was afraid for him so I sat up with him until like 2:30 am when he said "night night" and I put him down and he went to sleep. He didn't wake up until like 8am and than grandma Jackie and Poppa Ed came and got him and Lucky. I cleaned up and went home, later Jackie told me that he wanted to know where I was when they came back to the house.
I am SO glad to have had this oppitunity to spend time with him and miss him bunches, but I know him mommy and daddy miss him more and can hardly wait to see him.Everyday we talked to them on the computer and he was glad to see them but did not interact with them like they would have liked. Even so he will be glad to have his family home.
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.
Friday, May 8, 2009
May 7th 2009
Yesterday my son , Rick turned 37 ,so tonight I threw him a "not a birthday party." What was to have been him and his family turned out to be his sister and his step siter and her husband and his family. I cooked fried chicken, mashed potatos, gravy, veg and home made apple pie. Turned out pretty good and the visit was great. After dinner we all gathered in the front and played with Tristan,Keegan , Martha and Olivia. Martha had her skateboard and before the night was over we had the boys flying across the driveway on their bellies on that board. At one point Tristan was leaning on the board and Keegan came up, gave it a shove, laying down at the same time and off he went. That boy will keep him mom and dad young keeping up with him. He and Tristan are great buddies and sometimes not so friendly but they learn from each other and will be good friends as they grow. It looks like they will get to go to the same school and that is very exciting. Take a look at my dare devil boys....isn't God good with the blessings he gives to us?
Monday, April 27, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
My House Guest
So Flat Stanley arrived at my house yesterday unannounced, he plans to stay a couple of weeks. He is a friend of my grandaughter Brittne Tooley and they live in Burneyville, OK. He's never been to Idaho before and arrived in a package with wonderful pictures of Brittne and her family. He didn't wear a coat and is dressed in a suit and tie so he may get a bit chilly as we wonder around. I have advised him next time to dress casual and always have a coat.
Today I am taking him to work with me and Wed. we will go to a poetry reading in Garden City, and on Friday we are going on a field trip to try and see the burrowing owls in Pearl. I think he may get to visit Amandas' third grade class and of course he must take a trip to the capital and the train depot. He will spend Easter with us in Emmett and meet the rest of Brittnes family, including her grandpa Ken.
So far he hasn't had much to say but he has a great smile and hasn't made any messes, we will see how he does with the boys on Thur., maybe it will be nice and we can pay some ball. It is too bad he has to head back so soon as we will not be able to take a trip anywhere....but wait maybe one of my friends is going somewhere and he may get to tag along. Maybe Bonnie will give him a massage since being cooped up in that package couldn't have been much fun. I think right now he can go help me mow the yard before we head for work.
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.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
March 27 has come and gone
So I turned 58 in March and it may have been one of the best days of my life....and I have had my share of good days. It started at my son, Rick house where we hung out with Tristan and Olivia. Than we went to a yard sale where I bought an excercise machine and a basket ball hoop for the boys. We than headed down to the Zoo where Amanda, Keegan, and Martha were waiting for us. I love the Zoo but when you get to roam around it with two very excited boys, two helpful young girls and your son and daughter it is a bonus trip. We got to the Zoo about 11am and were off to see the monkeys. Following the monkeys we were off to check out all the birds and than off to see the new African display. The African display is still in the planning stages and only had the griaffes and the lions out. The griaffes were actually inside the shed and were kinda hard to see but the lions (3) were romping around and both boys were NOT impressed with them. Tristan wanted to drive the jeep (along with many other kids) and Keegan was running around like his feet were on fire. From there we were back out to see the medium Cats whch were out and running around. BUT WAIT..what is this a merry go round that only costs a 1.00 to ride...as Keegan pulls Tristan across the yard to check this out it is decided that they will ride with the help of the girls. Around and around they go and they are not ready to get off when it stops. It is starting to warm up so maybe more animals will be out so off we go to our next adventure. The Penguines are out diving and swimming and as we stand around and watch, I can see my son beginning to glaze over. As we walk around he, Martha, and Tristan are getting futher and futher ahead so I wonder how much longer he is good for. The Zebras are behind a fence and hard to see, the Mtn. Goats are gone because they are working on their pen, the Sloth Bear is all curled up in the sun sleeping. The Leapords and the Tigars are out and we have a great time watching them. At the Tigars cage, Keegan falls down and Martha isn't aware that he is on the ground behind her so she starts to step back and Amanda and I both grab her and scare her so much she almosts drops Tristan in the process. Thank God no one was stepped on...knocked down..or dropped.
However I believe that the boys have the best time when they can go down the slide, go through the tunnel, sit on the toys and just run around. OK it is after 1:00pm and time to move along. Lunch anyone? Off we go to Carl Jrs. in Garden City and than Amanda, Keegan, and Olivia are off to my house where they will try to get him to nap. I go back to Ricks so I can stay with Martha and Tristan ,who is napping, while Rick does some shopping. When Rick returns I go home and spend an hour with Amanda and than it is back to RT's where Phil, Mindy, Mandy and Damon join us for a birthday bar-b-qu. Amanda, Phil and Keegan give me gardening stuff, Mandy and Damon give me candles and lotions, Martha and Olivia give me the most wonderful pictures, and Rick and Mindy and Tristan give me a gift cert to Wine and Things.
I spent my total day with some of the people I love most in the whole world...what a great way to spend your birthday. The next day I go to work and the girls have flowers, brownies, and a great card for me. Several people sent me birthday wishes by way of emails and facebook. It was the first year ever that I didn't get something from my mom but I know that if she were able she would have sent me a card. I miss you mommie.
So I'll drink a toast to 58..put out good vibes and look forward to whatever new adventure this year will bring to me. Heres looking at you....Bring it on.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
changes they r a coming
So to all my wonderful friends and family:
In April of this year it will be 5 years since life as I knew it ceased. During these years I have been building friends and learning to live alone. I have learned that while it isn't easy I can do things I never knew I could do.
So yesterday I had a real live "date" with a person who wasn't already a friend of mine. His name is John and I can see us becoming friends. We had a great visit and we have a lot in common.
I was really nervous because it has been a long time since I had sat down and had any type of conversation with a grown man that wasn't already an acquaintance. My nerves were for naught because we had lots to talk about.
As I said changes they R a coming. I am ready to move on with the next step in my life...don't know what or where that will be but I am ready to get it on.
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.
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