The Stewarts by Pikes Peak

A grand finale to 2010

2011-01-07T11:54:00.000-08:00

We really did have a wonderful Christmas Season. Of course it all really began with the big November Thanksgiving Event and celebrating the birthdays of two precious granddaughter. Eric, Erika, Alexander, Sarah and Levi made the long trip from Tomball Texas to Colorado Springs and it was so wonderful to have them here. We began with a celebration of Bayli #3 birthday and Sarah #2 birthday. Then we did the big Thanksgiving celebration. I was finally able to have all of our family together for the dinner. I had always hoped that it was something I could do at least once before I depart. I guess you could say it was on my "bucket list". Of course we did not have Kristi nor any of her children, but then we never have and probable never will be able to have her four with us . That is just the way life is at this time. We did remember her and each of her children. We did have a grand time together and hopefully we will be able to do it all again. Thanks guys for making the trip and all the helping hands. Love ya

January 2011 Here we go again.

2011-01-07T11:47:00.000-08:00

Well I hope this is a great year for everyone. Best wishes to all my family friends and everyone I meet along lifes highway. I begin this year with a lot of gratitude for my wonderful life and all the wonderful people that are in it.

Last year began with replacing worn out parts and pretty much
ended the same way. I now have two new and functional knees thanks to modern medicine. Only now I get a notice that they may need to recall my knees. What is that about. ? Too bad, they are not going to get them back until I begin having a problem with them.

Hey,hey it is December

2010-12-22T13:41:00.000-08:00

Finally managed to post my pictures from Nov '09 to Dec 22,2010 yes that is a years worth of photos. Never be surprised at what may
show up here. I have almost forgotten how to do this.
I have posted pictures of the grandgirls making Christmas cookies last night Dec.21, 2010. We really have had a great year with visits to texas and to Oklahoma and Utah , new baby Levi in September and our trip to Houston to visit and be there for his arrival. It has been a a year full of fun and surprises.
One of the pictures is of my surprise bloom from the cutting that my cousin gave me in Oklahoma. Hibiscus I just have it in a bottle water to get some roots and it actually blossomed out. I now have a flower pot to put it in until spring arrives. I need to move some pictures of my surprise 70th birthday party with Eric and Erika's family and Melba some of her family and friends that Heidi arranged for me. So much to remember and enjoy through the whole year.
I received two new knees in January 2010 and July 2010. I am doing great. So much has happened I cannot get it all down.
I will just wish a Merry Christmas to one and all and may you have a wonderful new year in 2011.

Summer is gone, Fall has gone by the way side and now. BRRRRR

2010-11-13T16:49:00.000-08:00

It is hard for me to realize that we are now in November. Looking forward to next week when Eric, Erika, Alex, Sarah and Levi will be coming to share the big turkey with us. Levi is almost two months old and Sarah will be celebrating her birthday with us. Actually Bayli and Sarah will share a big #2 with our Bayli 's big #3. I guess the slower I go the faster times goes on. It never ceases to amaze me of all the wonders of each new day. My grandones are such a joy to me. I love watching each of them and hearing them laugh and cry and just enjoying their life.
I do have a lot of pictures to post. Really almost a years worth. Can't believe that I have not downloadedmy pics. Come back and perhaps by then I will have the pictures on the computer. Love u ya'll

Can't believe it is August 2010

2010-08-08T06:58:00.000-07:00

It has been an interesting summer. I think I actually skipped over most of it. It seems my focus was on July 20, 2010 and the left TKR and yes it is just as painful as I remember the right TKR. It is getting better each day , but still keeps me from doing what I would like to do.

I am hoping to have a much speeder recovery as we are planning on a visit to the E's in September to welcome the newest little guy. We get to spend time with Alex and Sarah while Erika is recovering from the new arrival. We are so looking forward to that time.
It has been a fun summer having special moments with Heidi and her girls. Just doesn't seem like it was enough time. But,, it has been fun when it was happening.

Special Thank you to those who made it possible

2010-07-07T06:42:00.000-07:00

Here I am again after a break away time. I just want to say thank you to all those who made it possible for this nation to celebrate the 4th of July one more year. The way this Nation is going who is to say we will be be able to celebrate in the future.

We had a grand day with BBQ at Heidi's with family and friends. Just about the time for the big fireworks to begin a storm moved in with very big hail stones. We did not justain any damage but areas around us were hit pretty hard with broken car windows, house windows, roofs, and broken trees and shrubs. I don't even want to think about all the gardens that were doing so well and got beaten into the ground.

With July comes all the pre-op appointments for the TKR on the left knee. I am prepared for it, but not looking forward to the recover. After the recovery I am sure I will be glad I did it. I must keep moving along as I have so much to get done before the surgery.

Father's Day June 20 2010

2010-06-20T21:29:00.000-07:00

After a wonderful Father's Day Church Sacrament Meeting and then home for a Father's Day Dinner per request of the great Dad that resides at this house. Typical Sunday roast with the usual trimmings of potatoes,carrots, celery, onions, garlic etc. Lemon pie and watermelon. Everything turned out to be a really good dinner. Even the vggie terrors seem to enjoy the chicken enchilidas in place of the roast. All the grandones and Heidi, Mike and Shirl went to the park playground and had a fun time with the the girls while I rested on the chaise lounge on the back patio. When they returned through the back gate, I mentioned that it would be a good project to put together a patio swing and it was suppose to be very simple. NOT! sure enough the dads decided that they could do it in a matter of a few minutes. It turned out to be a little more complicated than anticipated and I felt bad they had to put all the little parts together. They actually had it finished in about an hour. Pretty amazing.

Everyone had to take a turn setting in the new swing and it is really comfortable . Thank my SH and Mike for your hard work . I am sure we will enjoy it all summer. It's great to have such great Dad's to celebrate with on their special day.

WooHa! I am found.

2010-06-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

For some reason part of the name had just dropped out. Thanks to all who let me know I was not lost. We had a couple of really cool days and now we are back to summer. I am still working on my stripping paint and sanding the little table that once belonged to my grandmother. It is a hand carved table it had some rough spots, after I removed the gunky black paint I found some very interesting wood. I am excited to get it finished. My SH has been working on trying to get grass to grow on some bare spots in the lawn. Yesterday he mowed and it looks pretty good. Oops! he said it looks great and tht is what I should say. Okay , it looks great. Now for some summer lawn food to green it up.

Help! My blog is lost in. I do not exist. ???????

2010-06-09T06:47:00.000-07:00

Well, now this is interesting. The Stewarts by the sea has disappeared and so has The Stewarts by Pikes Peak now what do I do?

2010-06-03T06:11:00.000-07:00

A lovely and WOW! May and now its gone.

2010-06-03T05:35:00.000-07:00

Happy June! I can't get my mind around the fact that my May has turned into June. Time is marching on. I love the month of May as it is a time of change of season. Of course it is also my birthday month. This one was some birthday. My sweet daughter and son and all the family conspired to make sure I never forgot that I was turning 70. I never thought 7 could be such a big number when you add the zero.
I had the surprise party of surprise party. Heidi sent out invitations to everyone and I received cards and happy wishes from the whole family. Then the big surprise party.

My sister called the week before and said "we are going to make a quick trip to spend Mothers Day and your birthday with you. We have not done that for several years." I was really happy to have them come from Utah for a visit and to help me celebrate. Then.... Heidi called and said the grandgirls wanted us to come for cake and ice cream at 7:00 . I did think that is pretty specific on the time, but with their crazy schedule I could accept that. Melba, Davy, Crystal, Klara, Avery and Stephanie arrived from Utah and then we went to Heidi's house. Skylar met us at the door and as we walked into the kitchen and family room a big SURPRISE! was shouted and there was our son Eric, Erika, Sarah and
I had Alex wrapped around my knee along with very dear and loved friends that we had known in Germany. Tom Spillaine, Ashley, her husband and daughter, Cory and her boys. Heidi, Mike and the four grandgirls. I was one very surprised 70 year old Birthday Girl.

The buffet was loaded with wonderful foods for chocolate dipping in the Chocolate Fountain and refreshing punch from the Punch Fountain and one super delicious chocolate birthday cake. Thank you Heidi and everyone that traveled and took time to celebrate for me and made my birthday one to remember for always. I never had a surprise party before in my life. I must remember too that one of the big surprises was that I would be getting and new grandson in September.

On the Spur of the Moment

2010-04-19T11:11:00.000-07:00

We made a decision to make a between snow storm trip to Utah. We had great weather and clear highway. We also had a wonderful visit with all the family. I spent several days visiting with my sister and her family and then we spent several days visiting with my SH's family. It was so nice to just be able to spend time together with the ones we love and to know we are loved by them. Thank you all for taking such good care of us.
We even took our pup-dogs and they were welcomed by everyone. They were pretty good doggies and did not create too much havoc. Even the Poquito adjusted pretty well. It was not until we were back home that I realized that I was having so much fun that I forgot to take pictures. I did get a couple , but not as many as I had planned.
Of course we both returned home with very annoying coughs and snuffy sinusus. It was a fun, fun trip for us.

PT today three more to go

2010-03-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

Tried to post yesterday events and they would not post. So now I am finally back in posting and so........ Had PT today and it went well, the only problem being that I am stiff and sore all over from my little nose dive in the living room floor yesterday. I have taken it pretty easy the rest of the day. I am just so grateful that I did no damage. When I think of what could have happened I am just one very lucky person.
.

Sunday March 21,2010

2010-03-22T19:43:00.000-07:00

I just can't believe that this is my eighth week from my TKR and I am doing really good. Still doing my PT for another three sessions and then that will be done.

I did not even take the cane to church with me and I did just fine. But then...........after I was home for about 30 minutes. I let the puppers in and with all their excitement and toys on the floor. I did not see the rolly toy , stepped on it and turned my ankle and pitched forward did a little bounce routine with the glider footstool and then did a crash landing on the floor with both knees. Oh! Ouch! I was stretched out on the floor and afraid to move my knee. But, everything is okay. I broke the fall with the footstool so I really did not have a total crash on the knees. I do have a couple of bruises on each knee and the heel of my hands. Poor SH was very concerned but he helped me back up on my feet which was a feat all it's own. Just trying to get me up without putting pressure on the knees it was kinda tricky.

Happy Days !

2010-03-17T07:08:00.000-07:00

My cute funny little Gizzy Pig and my very sweet Bay keeping me company during my recovery.

Monday was my seventh week of recovery and the doctor was very pleased with my progress and said he was surprised at how well I was doing. He said I could start driving again and swimming (now I just need to find a place to swim). I will continue my PT until the end of the month and by then I should be pretty much back to normal as far as my recovery goes. He also indicated that I could have the other knee done whenever I felt I was ready. I was thinking next year, but now that I really think about it I have pretty much used up a lot of this year with the surgery etc and perhaps I should look at September and then I will be past the hard part by the end of this year. Maybe I will call 2010 the Year of the New Knees and I will be done with it.

A Grandgirls #8 Ice Cream Birthday

2010-03-16T06:45:00.000-07:00

Saturday was an early celebration of Skylar's #8 birthday. It was a fun family event with most of the family and a group of Skylars friends. Some fun games for the gang of kids and of course the famous Ice Cream Pinata that was one really strong pinata. Those little girls really whalloped that ice cream cone and it just did not want to crack. Finally after everyone had taken several turns it finally gave up and sent candy flying. Everyone got to make their own ice cream treat and the ice cream cupcakes turned out okay. YEAH! Happy day for all.

Week Seven and I can almost do an Irish Jig

2010-03-16T06:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my check up with the doctor on the progress of my new knee. He was very pleased and surprised at the range of motion I have and that I ws doing so well. Here are a couple of pictures of the ugly. But it does seem to be working pretty well.

So Ready for Spring

2010-03-13T05:28:00.000-08:00

Surprise, the Crocus and Tulips are breaking out of the ground. YES! does that mean Spring is not far behind? I was so excited to note that just in this last week the flowers have begin to pop up. Last night we saw two of the little wild pigmy bunnies running around our neighborhood.

Today is our Skylar girls #8 birthday party. We will be going to Heidi's to celebrate with an ice cream party. I baked the Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes last night and just need to add the frosting and some sprinkles and they are done. I am cutting 24 ,2 inch holes into a cake board to transport them. Hopefully without a master disaster. The cupcakes came out really well. Love those cones. Check in next post for results.

2010-02-27T06:52:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it is Saturday again. It has now been four weeks since my TKR and I am doing really good. I do still have a lot of discomfort in my leg and I am a bit surprised at the level of pain still. I do know my knee is healing and getting better and stronger every day. I am being very faithful in doing my physical therapy and yes it does sometimes hurt. I have stopped taking the vicodin and percocet and depending on Aleve for pain control. It keep things more tolerable and yet does not fuzz out my brain so much. I am starting to do a little more of my housework and I have been able to do the laundry and help in the kitchen. My SH has been wonderful in keeping things up and me going. He is the ice pack man and makes sure I ice the knee through out the day. He has become a good man with the dinner menu and does a wonderful fried fish and broiled chicken. I am so grateful for him and appreciate all that he does for me. today we are going the Bayli Sit so Heidi and Skylar can enjoy some time together. We enjoy taking the Bayli to Petsmart and looking at all the critters and then since we are the Grands we take her to McDonalds for chicken nuggets in her kids meal. Grandpoppa always treats her to an ice cream. She keeps us laughing with her unexpected comments. Like "I really love the purple candle" "Oh, mgosh!" I love the ....whatever pops into her head. Life is a challenge but, oh so rewarding!

Moving right along

2010-02-19T07:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my third week out from the TKR and I am moving right along. I have managed to walk without my cane with out a problem. Today will be my last day with Home Physical Therapy. I will miss April my PT. She has been great. But, I am looking forward to going to out-patient therapy, just to get out of the house and to be able to work on some of the equipment. I even was able to get into the little "Mitzi" and hit the gas and brake pedal without a problem. I will soon be able to drive . I still have some pretty good pain episodes, but they are getting less bothersome as the healing continues and when some of the nerves wake up it really gives me a super electrical zinger. Ouch! We had snow again yesterday afternoon just a predicted and it is cold about 24 degrees this morning.

Planning on going to church Sunday and enjoying our Madison's 11th birthday family party. My sweetheart thought we should go out and celebrate my progress. It was good to just get out of the house and enjoy the sun and nice lunch with my BigRed. We went to Taco Bell (one of our favorite ) I feel like I have been so blessed with wonderful husband and dedicated daughter. Heidi has been great to come by and squeeze in her busy schedule time to clean my Piggy cage and to vacuum and clean my floors. She has also brought apple fritters, fruit and home baked goodies. For such a busy girl she has managed to make me feel loved . I am truly blessed by my wonderful family. I know the super "E's " have kept me in their prayers and have checked on me. I appreciate the concern and love that I feel from them.
It is a beautiful Friday and I plan to move back upstairs to my bedroom this weekend. I have missed having my sweetheart sleeping next to me. I just hope I do not disturb his rest with my moving around so much. I have a crazy sleep pattern.

Made it one more time.

2010-02-13T07:29:00.001-08:00

After a wee set back I am up and going again. The knee is progressing nicely. The doctor took x-ray and everything is looking good. I still have a constant ach, but it is getting more tolerable. The staples are out and what a relief . In a few more weeks I will be able to move much better and will start out -patient therapy. That will be sooooo much fun I am sure. At least I will be able to get out of the house every couple of days.
Love to all

Well that was fun!

2010-02-04T06:01:00.000-08:00

Well, all is well. I am so grateful that I am finished with the first phase. Now to get through the second phase. The part that feels like a loaded garbage truck ran over me a couple of times. I have a beautiful varigated leg in everyshade of purple you can imagine. The pain is, well let me just say a major Pain in the knee. Ouch! I finally made it downstairs this morning as I could not sleep any longer. The knee said get up and hurt rather than stay here in bed and hurt.

I am really doing great and so grateful for all the prayers and happy thoughts sent my way. My sweetheart and family and friends and neighbors have taken good care of me. I do a great job of getting up and down the stairs and am getting better everyday. Today my physical therapist (name is April) will be coming out and putting me through the torture routine. I have been excercising with the little peddle machine and the tens unit. I still have a way to go before full recovery. It will come I am sure.

Thanks for all the prayers and love sent my way. Have a grand day and remember to keep happy .

Today is the Day

2010-01-28T06:08:00.000-08:00

It is finally here. Today, at 1:00 I check into Penrose Hospital and then at 3:00 the TKR is to begin. I was hoping for an early morning surgery. I don't think it will make much difference for me as I will be out of touch for several hours.

Today is a snow day and along with the snow we have fog. I just worry about Shirl having to be out in the bad weather and the messy streets.

Last night Bishop Smith came to our house and he and Shirl gave me a blessing. I appreciate him taking the time to do that.
All should go well, and I will be home and sporting a new knee. Along with a new scar to add to my collection.

My latest project, Redo Heidi's snuggle

2010-01-22T07:32:00.000-08:00

You might call this the" before" and watch for the next coming event of the "after" .

Keep on checking the post as there are a lot here

2010-01-22T07:24:00.000-08:00

Bayli and the dancing pony.
Poppa with Christmas Gifts

Some more of this and that.

2010-01-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Honey Bun the Gizmo Pig

Pretty PaBu
Poquito checking out PaBu new "do"

Sugar Plum Ballet

These pictures are pretty much standing on their own.

Bayli on a pony ride.

More Christmas and fun stuff

2010-01-22T06:48:00.001-08:00

A little of this and a little of that 12/09

2010-01-22T06:41:00.000-08:00

Nov 2009 Sarah First B'day, Texas Visit

2010-01-22T06:22:00.000-08:00

Poppa with Alex and Sarah

Alex with Self-photo

Sarah and Alex Frozen Moment

Momma Erika, Alex ,Sarah

Alex and Sarah,sharing time on the sofa with Christmas Tree.

Jan 2010 Current Photo

2010-01-22T06:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas at our house 2009

Okay, I have met all thats required now for Pre-Op

2010-01-21T20:37:00.000-08:00

Today has felt very cold to me. I have been working on a number of little projects that I hope to finish before the "saw bones" event takes place.
We attended a class this afternoon to cover all the details and answer any questions we may have regarding the TKR (total knee replacement) procedure. I am anxious to get it done and over with so I can start enjoying my new knee. I did give PaBu a trim as she was sooooo matted, from rolling in the snow and dry grass. Then my SH scooped her up and took her to the groomer. They did a teddy bear styling on her and added little pink ribbons on her ears. She was so fiesty when she came out of the groomer. She knew she was looking good. I will post a whole bunch of pictures after I finish with this . That is if I can get them downloaded. I have some from November and December . I have also been working on repairing (remaking a Snuggie Quilt for Heidi) Her Aunt Carolyn made it for her . I think it was part of a wedding gift. Heidi and her whole family have loved that quilt to death. I am just trying to resurrect it. I should have taken a picture before I started. Maybe I can get a picture for a before and after. It has taken me longer than I wanted as I have been also trying to get some other projects out of my way before the TKR
It has been a bit of a challenge as I am totally clueless about quilting anything. Now to try and download the pictures from my camera.

Righteous Doctors

2010-01-19T21:21:00.000-08:00

I had a unique experience when I had my pre-op appointment with my primary care doctor. After going over all of my results and his giving me the go ahead for the surgery. He asked if there was anything else he could do for me. I just made the comment "say a little prayer for me" he immediately said. May I pray for you right now? Will you hold my hand? He took both of my hands and then he proceeded to give a most beautiful prayer for me and for the surgeon that will be doing the knee replacement. It was pretty amazing all the things he included in that prayer. I have always prayed for the doctors , but it is only the second time I have had a doctor pray for the patient. When my sweetheart had his heart surgery his heart specialist prayed for him and for herself that she would be able to know the right choice for her to repair his heart and that she would be able to use her skills and training to help him and that he would heal and not have any infections.

Good News I have been approved!

2010-01-19T08:42:00.000-08:00

That is I have passed all my health exams and I have been approved for the TKR this next week. My doctor said I am only a medium risk bacause of health issues and age. I am a bit "freaky" about the thought of having my knee bones sawed off, but I am looking forward to having a new prosthetic knee that will let me walk without having to worry about all the pain and a possible of fall. Oh, YES! the doctor assured me I would be able to dance again. I will be getting the latest and most up to date replacement that will give me more freedom of movement than previous ones and it is gender specific for women. I just wish it was a done deal.

Wishing a wonderful New Year to everyone.

2010-01-04T07:01:00.000-08:00

I hope to be able to get my pictures sorted out and then get them posted as they are great memories to have and to share. Why do we enjoy them so much? They help us to remember and to relive those special moments. One of the miracles of this magical time that we live in. What a grand time. We are now living in a time of instant communication and instant vision of all that is going on around us. We must remember to keep it all positive and to hold on to the "good stuff" and not get caught up in the negative and destructive things that are also available.
Enough of my wandering and wondering mind . Love to all and Happy New Year. We are off a running to the next great adventure.

January 2010

2010-01-04T06:43:00.000-08:00

We all enjoyed a wonderful Holiday Season starting with our Thanksgiving and Sarah's first birthday celebration in Houston and then we slipped into December with all the wonders of this special season. We had some wonderful family get togethers and some good times sharing, laughing and just being together. Now we are looking forward to all the wonders of a new year, a new month and a new decade. It is hard to believe that this past 10 years has actually past. I wonder what this new time will bring to us.

December and Sugar Plum Dancers

2009-12-16T19:58:00.000-08:00

Here I am at the end of this day. What a grand day it has been. I managed to complete some projects I have been working on and mended a couple of tops that my granddog had tried to eat right off the bodies of my grandgirls. What a wonderful dog is the Cooper. He is just one little puppy that is the size of a small horse. I did get in a short rest this afternoon with both PaBu and Poquito tucked in next to and on top of me. Spoiled puppy-dogs.

The best news of the day was a program presented by the dance studio that my grandgirls attend. It was Madison dance class that presented the dance and it was just a beautiful demonstration of all they have been studying . Of course they all did great and I think our Madi was exceptionally beautiful. I will try to post a picture. I think I only managed to get a couple as my battery in my camera decided to go dead and I did not take my replacement one with me. I know I should have double checked and charged the battery before it was time to leave for the recital. I am sure Heidi will post pictures . I will have to check out her blog to see what she has. I think that about winds up my today.

I did also receive some very sad and heartbreaking news about my cousin. One of my cousins is very sick with a terrible form of lung cancer.
It is sad as he is younger than me. I will keep him in my prayer and thoughts and those who care for him.
I am going to go work on my camera and see if I can post some pictures,

December -A wonderful month of memories

2009-12-16T06:42:00.000-08:00

After a wonderful celebration and a day set aside for Thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for all the wonders of the past year we now head into the month of December. December, what mixed emotions comes with this month. It is the last month of the year (this year 2009), the month of happy thoughts and memories, the month of dark and sad memories, and the month of remembering the great comfort and hope for the days ahead as we remember the old, old, story of the birth of a wonderous child. Christmas, remembrances of the gifts of love, faith, comfort, assurance, atonement , sacrifice and the promise of eternal life. I love the story of our Savior and I know that it is a true story and the most amazing story in the whole world. We enjoy all the wonderful traditions and family customs, but it is still not Christmas for me until I can get my beautiful nativity set up. Then as I look at the baby in the manger I finally feel the Spirit of Christmas. Last night I finally was able to set it up. My wonderful Sweetheart spent some time and hard work to recover it from the cold garage for me. Yesterday was his first real day of recovery from the terrible cough and sickness that he has been going through since our return from Texas. I am so happy that he is recovering and getting back to his normal self.

Yesterday, I decided to bake a fruit cake and then of course I could not find the recipe for the really good fruit cake. So I took several different recipes and tried to pick out the best combination of all to come up with a cake that could be eaten. SUCCESS! I ended up with a very good fruit cake. I just hope I can remember what combination I used. I did try to write it all down. I have always loved my wonderful Mother-in-Laws fruit cake and I could not locate the recipe. I soaked the candied fruit overnight in apple juice and what a difference it made. The fruit plumped up and was not so dry and I toasted the walnuts just a bit for a bit of extra crunch.
I have not been able to post the most recent pictures for some reason I cannot get them to come up on the computer. I must be forgetting a very important something to do it.
I am off to another adventure of trying to get something finished before the grand day arrives. I am looking forward to having the family come for a Christmas Eve Brunch. This Saturday we are doing the Gramma's Christmas Cookie Day with the Grand-ones. It is always so much fun for me. I just hope the grands enjoy it as much as I do. Merry Christmas

November Adventures

2009-12-02T08:29:00.000-08:00

We had a busy first of November as we had planned to make a visit to the family in Houston to celebrate the first birthday of our little Sarah Anne and to spend some time getting to know little Alex better and enjoy the family time. We left on the 17th of November and drove to Texas. the weather and travel was perfect and we arrived in a goodly time. It was so great to be able to visit with them and just enjoy. Eric and Erika made us feel so welcome and so much at home. Erika prepared so many wonderful meals for us and kept us so comfortable . We enjoyed visiting with Erika's mom and dad . We are so glad they could come and join in a wonderful Thanksgiving day. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family. Pictures will be posted later.

The 41 year Anniversary Roses

2009-11-04T07:36:00.000-08:00

Check out all the following post for Oct. adventures

2009-11-04T07:23:00.000-08:00

Wow! this has been one busy time. The last couple weeks of Oct and first days of November have been very full. I have posted a lot of pictures so I must keep on reading all the post. We had a wonderful time at dinner at the Red Robin with Bess. She insisted on paying for the entire dinner as she said she just wanted to have a dinner with the family. Then of course, all the fall weather and falling leaves to keep us entertained. The back fence visitors, Halloween party, adventure with Bayli and all the grand-ones.
Just keep on reading the post to see all the pictures. I am not sure how
many I did. I think I posted all most every picture I took during this time period.
One of the best days was October 25, 20o9 . We celebrated 41 years of sharing our lives in love with each other. I did receive a beautiful bouquet of roses. Shirl has given me red roses every year but one and that was on number 15, We were living in Germany and he could not find the roses so he gave me a fun little elephant with a rose.

I can't believe my awesome life. So much fun!

2009-11-04T07:13:00.000-08:00

Cute gerbils and pretty fish . Bayli loved them all.

What? Green Fish!

"My Little Pony" teat from Kids meal at McDonalds. Loved the fries ketchup and the bottle of chocolate milk. Not in the mood for the chicken nuggets.l

2009-11-04T07:09:00.000-08:00

We had a fun dinner at Red Robin with Bess Fuchs. Bess was a wonderful hostess. We love you Bess.

2009-11-04T07:05:00.000-08:00

2009-11-04T06:58:00.000-08:00

The tree is getting thinner.

Again???

Furry friend. This guy danced all over the yard.

I guess I really liked this picture ???

Two cuties

Fun and more fun!

2009-11-04T06:52:00.000-08:00

The Mummies Walk

This one is coming to life.

Still smiling after all those years.

Help! I can't breath.

One blind mummy.

The fun continues

2009-11-04T06:43:00.001-08:00

Beautiful Pirate

Uncle Jeff and Bayli

Ryann and friends ready to gobble the goodies

Jeff and Bayli, Ryann and Pirate Papa enjoy the food.

Luigi and friends decorate the cupcakes.

Let the fun begin Party time

2009-11-04T06:34:00.000-08:00

Scary Fortune Teller

Decorating the goodies. Sky and Olivia

The Chosen one.

That is one scary story.

Awe struck.

Halloween Party The Fuch's Party

2009-11-04T06:26:00.001-08:00

Shirl was the Pirate King

Garrett so cute! The best Mario ever.

Skylar the sweetest Hermione in all of Hogwarts

Madi the Beautiful Pirate Princess

Mario and Luigi two of the best brothers ever.

Great October 2009

2009-11-04T06:18:00.000-08:00

View from front step Pikes Peak with snow Oct 2009

Shirls little Squirlly Dude

All the leafs came down after the big ice storm.

We have done some traveling.

2009-10-25T21:31:00.000-07:00

We started out living in our Hobbit hole on "I" Street in Salt Lake City, then we moved to a 1920's home on Harrison Ave. in the Salt Lake. After our 1st year and half we bought an old farm home in South Jordan at the end of Mabey Lane. Heidi arrived when we lived on Harrison Ave and then Eric joined our family about 2 years later at Mabey Lane. We had a "wee hobby farm" with all kinds of animals. We had cows, sheep, rabbits, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, pigs, pheasant, chickens, ducks, hamsters by the dozens, goats, and even a protected couple of snakes to keep the rats out of the barn. Kristi joined our family and then we were a family of five.

In 1981 we had the opportunity to move to Frankfurt Germany because of Shirl's job . We then made our home in a German village in the Taunus Mountains. It was called Wierheim . We traveled and did a lot of sight seeing all over Europe. We saw so many cathedrals and castles that finally the children ask that we not see anymore for a while. After two years in Wierheim we decided it would be better to move closer to Frankfurt and not spend another winter in the Taunus . We moved to Ober-Erlenbach just outside of Bad Homburg. We saw and did a lot while there and we meet so many wonderful people that we loved . The time finally came when we needed to return to the United States and we were very happy about that. We arrived back in Salt Lake City , Utah on July 3, 1987. Culture shock in reverse. Shirl had promised that our life together would be full of surprises and it has been. Some so wonderful and then some not as wonderful. (Next chapter: Life in Colorado Springs)

Oh, Yes it has been a snowy anniversary day

2009-10-25T21:16:00.000-07:00

We started the day with a nice breakfast and then went to church. It was a special day as the Primary children taught us about the importance of family's and temples. It was a good day to remember what it means to us and to be married in the temple. After church we came home in the snow and then we prepared the anniversary dinner. We enjoyed broiled chicken, rice, steamed zucchini, and Shirl made his famous crisp green salad with tomato, scallion, cucumber, green and yellow sweet pepper with a mix of different lettuce and greens. Oh, yes we also had hard rolls and then for dessert we had tall cups of cold milk with oreo cookies. Just can't get much better than that for a good dinner.

Anniversary # 41

2009-10-25T20:47:00.000-07:00

October 25, 1968 We began a wonderful adventure into the world of the marrieds. It seems like only a few days ago, and yet it seem as though I cannot remember not being with my sweetheart. Our life together has truly been a grand adventure. Life has given us so many great and wonderful experiences and it has also thrown us a few very hard and difficult challenges. One thing for sure is we have always been there to help one another through the tough times. We have been blessed with three amazing and wonderful children to complete our circle and they have each contributed so much to our life.
At this time they have contributed a total of ten marvelous grandones.
I am so blessed and grateful for these last 41 years.

The weather is changing again. Love it!

2009-10-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

We had a grand weekend and now a new weather front is moving in. Ever wonder why we always talk about the weather ? I think it is because we always like change and of course the weather is always changing and we can't do much about it. It also gives us an excuse to buy new weather appropriate clothes each season.

although I thing it has been several years since I have really added many new items. I just keep recycling my old warm and comfortable sweaters. Our beautiful trees are almost bare and are really looking so cold to me. I just want to go out and cover them up with a nice warm blanket. All else is pretty much gone to sleep for the winter too. No more geraniums, or roses :+(

Turnip Au Graten

2009-10-19T06:16:00.000-07:00

A very interesting dish. I don't think I have ever prepared a turnip in any form or fashion in the whole (almost) forty one years of marriage and I know I never prepared one prior to that time. Well, I have prepared this dish. Believe it or not, it turned out to be pretty good. I think if the time ever comes that I prepare it again I will use a mix of cheese. The recipe just called for Parmisan. If you are interested in turnips and want to try this just let me know and I will be happy to give you the recipe. The whole idea was to expand our vegetable diet. We did have Kale a few weeks ago and we liked it. Our next experiment will be leeks.
Whoa! we really do have exciting adventures.

2009-10-17T10:07:00.000-07:00

Standing guard, keeping critters in view.

Yum! chocolate

"Mom, let me show you how to work this thing"

It is Saturday and the weather has warmed up and it is a beautiful day. Let's see what trouble I can think up for todays adventure.

The Big 70 for Shirl

2009-10-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

This is out of order , but it was a fun birthday dinner with the Grand ones and Heidi and Mike.

Just Fun Stuff

2009-10-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

Introducing Mr. Cooper

Thirsty Bayli

Look at the snow.

So far this has been a busy and fun month. With a few exceptions. Heidi and crew have been visited by the "Bad Piggy Flu" and that is not fun. Just hope they all recover quickly so they can enjoy the Fall Break.

More Pictures

2009-10-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

Frozen lawn grass,

View of frozen back yard and park
PaBu -"What is this stuff on the grass?"

It's only the middle of October

2009-10-12T08:29:00.000-07:00

View of backyard and park, Phantom Canyon trees turning and butterfly on flowers.

I had a great weekend. The RS Super Saturday aka the RS Meeting was so much fun. The weather however, was not. Started the day with my SH trying out some new ice skating moves in the driveway. Just happy he did not permanent damage. We had a major ice storm of super fine frozen mist. The car doors where frozen shut on the Mitzi (my little red car) scrapping the window was like shaving off a coat of glass. It was interesting how fast it all came down and turned everything into frozen ice crystals and black ice . The temperature had just been in the 70's and then down to freezing.

Looks like fall is on it way out

2009-10-08T15:09:00.000-07:00

Today is a very different day from yesterday. I actually saw a few snow sprinkles and the trees are already starting to look much thinner. Shirl mowed the lawn yesterday morning and all the leaves where gone for about 5 minutes and now there are more on the lawn. We are having a very short fall season.

October Beautiful

2009-10-04T20:57:00.000-07:00

Phantom Canyon Colorado

Okay ! Here we are with a fab Fall time of year.

2009-10-04T12:05:00.000-07:00

Early morning surprise. So beautiful I had to run back inside and grab my camera. This beauty stayed around for several minutes. Made me so happy to be able to witness this little miracle. What a grand start for the day.

Well, still trying to get the pictures right.

2009-09-17T16:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am trying to learn a better way download pictures, and then share them AUGHhhhhh. and

2009-09-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

I love 'em and hate 'em computers that is. I have spent about three hours scanning pictures onto my computer and now I cannot get them to move.

where I want them to go. GRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

How did I do that???? I wanted pictures of my sister Melba and a family picture. Well I guess something is happening.????

Oh, dear me! It is already September 2009

2009-09-08T06:03:00.000-07:00

We have had a really great summer. We did some traveling in early spring and visited with family and friends . Then we have had family and friends visit with us . Now we are planning on spending some more time traveling this fall to celebrate Sarah Anne's first birthday. How blessed we are to have such a wonderful life, such a wonderful family, and wonderful friends. We have also had some interesting challenges which help us to appreciate all the wonderful life experiences.

Another Fun,Fun week with Family

2009-08-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

We just had a fab week with family from Utah. Marilyn,Walt, Carolyn,Christine with children Alex, Emmalee (sp??) Andrew and Austen. We walked a new (to us) area of Garden of the Gods, right under the Kissing Camel rock formation. It was a beautiful but a very hotwalk.
Then we all went to Heidi and Mikes and had BBQ and family fun. We also made a day trip to Royal Gorge and that was a fun adventure and a full of surprise day. Walt shared with us pictures of their trip to Israel and Egypt. We also enjoyed an outing to America the Beautiful Park and the children enjoyed the playground. A pizza party at Heidi and Mike's and all the kids enjoyed the little electric car and then a special outing to set off rockets in the park. Just a fun time .

Well July was a lot of fun and now we start on August

2009-08-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

Bayli loves to do lunch at Heart of Jerusalem Restaurant. Stuffed grape leafs are her favorite, and all the trimmings. So much fun to have lunch with her. She digs right in and enjoys.

My beautiful Heidi and the Grandgirls. All so pretty.

Wow! how time goes so fast when having so much fun. We are looking forward to the Utah family coming to visit in the next week. This time I hope to get more pictures. We have been very warm and then finally a cool day came. We have been lucky to have t-storms and rain just about every afternoon. I just love it. Today we are back to the 90+ temp. Makes me sad that summer is starting to come to an end.

Watch for a more interesting post later on.

Oh My! it is July

2009-07-09T17:01:00.000-07:00

We have had a wonderful past week with our family. Eric and Erika and Alex and Sarah arrived from Texas and spent 10 days with us. It was wonderful to have all the family together. We had a special activity planned for Saturday morning and had some concern about getting to actually do it. We planned to take the cog railroad train to the top of Pikes Peak and after we arrived at the little station they informed us we had to make reservations. Well it was a little late for that so we just took standby and miracle of miracles. We did get a seat on the little train. We are really a pretty good size group when you get us all together even theough some of the grandones decided not to go. It was a beautiful day and the scenery along the way was breathtaking. We arrived at the tippy top of Pikes Peak still had a little bit of snow and clouds and it was very cool. Sweaters felt good. We had the famouse nutmeg doughnuts and hot chocolate wandered around for a few minutes and then it was time to take the train back down the mountain. We did get to see a Marmat? a little (pretty large rat)shaped critter that lives on the mountain. A rare sighting from what the guide said. I was just happy that we were all able to get to go and to all be together to share that special trip. It was our big adventure for this go around.

Our dear sweet Heidi was not feeling to well and decided that after the trip down the mountain she should go home and rest for awhile.

Dad (Shirl) and I decided it would probably a good time to try out a German restaurant . We all really enjoyed the lunch. It was very much like the real food that we learned to love in Germany. We will return for sure. The Edelweise Restaurant . The food was great, the prices right and the atmosphere warm and friendly. Well I will have to download some pictures of the events. Problem is I forgot my camera for most of the events so I hope Heidi and Eric with share their pictures.

Another grand day in Old Farm

2009-06-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

My rose bush from Heidi and Mike

on Mother's Day, Heidi, me, Bess and Cory at Cory's home on Mother's day after a wonderful brunch.

Shirl with Bayli on the trampoline

We had a pretty busy weekend and here it is Wednesday already. Saturday we had building clean-up at the church and then on the way home we found out the first Saturday in June is the Old Farm yard sale and everyone that wants to join in for a yard sale is welcome. We spent a couple of hours roaming around and checking out a lot of stuff. I did finally come across new crib sheets and mattress pad for $2.00 . What a good deal. Now I am ready to make up the little crib for Sarah Anne. I will paint the crib so it will be clean and fresh for her.

Shirl finished painting our first guest room. Yes, he pretty much chose the colors and I agreed. It is very cheery and looks great . It will be my Shabby Shabby guest room. Forget the Chic part as it just does not apply to our house. I will post a picture of Shirl Painting if I can catch him.

It is viola on three walls and violet on the fourth wall. I am using the white furniture to go in with a white window cover . All is old and worn and very shabby. I love it! I did get the little crib painted. This is the crib that most of the Stewart babies have slept in over the last 70 + years including Heidi and Eric and most of our grandchildren. We have a very nice and safe mattress ready to go into it and I have now given it a fresh coat of non -toxic paint. I have not yet taken a picture of it, but will take one or two as soon as I get finished here.

I finally have a minute to share some pictures.

2009-06-05T16:56:00.001-07:00

Tidal Pool on Bandon Beach

The Wild Rose Restaurant great food. Yard decoration typical of area.

Elephant rock on the Bandon Beach. Love to watch the water shoot through the holes around the trunk.

The places I love in Bandon

2009-05-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

Picture of Shirl in our cozy Yurt. The Elk Reserve and of course sunset at the light house Coquille River on the North Jetty. Bandon Bakery run by our dear friends the Kim and Chris Powells. Wonderful soup and sandwiches made to order and fresh each day. So much beauty on a daily basis

Pictures of the Jail House Rocks (It really was the original jail house for Bandon)one of our favorite rock hound place Kay and Bob were always so helpful with questions about rocks from all over the world.

We had such a wonderful life in Bandon it was hard to give it up, but we do love being here and being closer to Heidi and family. Life is good and I have been so blessed. Since leaving and knowing this would probably our last trip back to Bandon for a long time I had to take pictures of all the places I loved. I did go to the beach and found some beautiful agates and we had dinner at La Fiesta the most delicious Mexican Food on the coast . So many wonderful memories.

Well that seem to work better.

2009-05-30T16:06:00.000-07:00

Family History Center

Antelope Island with the Buffalo and lots of little black Vampire knats

Bayli at lunch at Heart of Jerusalem lunch for a mother and daughter outing. She absolutely loves middle eastern food. I enjoyed this special day so much with Bayli and Heidi

2009-05-30T15:40:00.000-07:00

The "Big Snow" that delayed our trip to Utah and Oregon for two days. We had a great time and the roads where in perfect traveling condition. It was beautiful. We had a grand time in Utah and Oregon and all along the way. I have so many pictures I hope I can remember how to share them.

Guess what the new little "thingy" seemed to work like a charm and I did not have to fiddle around with the cable thing. I will now try to post a picture or two. Here goes.................

2009-05-30T14:41:00.001-07:00

Well, here is am again. I have been waiting to post with some pictures. Only one major problem. I have misplaced the cable from my camera that plugs into the computer. I did buy on of the plug in jack type thing that is suppose to work so wonderful. Oh, yes another technical difficulty for me. I am working on getting my new pictures into the computer. I say new as they are still in my camera. The have been for about the last several months. I have about 400 and I have deleted some of the not so good ones. Still I do not want to print all of them. I will have to keep messing arund with this new plug in devise until I finally get it to work.
Then I will be able to post my pictures. I know , I know you can hardley wait..

I have been hacking away at getting projects and boxes empty and still not missing any one of them. I am beginning to believe that all the boxes are breeding and multiplying and replenishing my storage area. No matter how many boxes I empty, the volume does not diminish one bit.

We have been pretty busy with project like opeing boxes of "stuff" and I have actually gotten rid of a lot of the "stuff". So much more to go.

I took a break yesterday as my sweet neighbor Susan decided that she was tired of looking at the accumulation of weeds and grass and dead leafs from the winter in the corner of my side yard. She volunterred to clean it up and plant some plants from her beautiful yard as she needed to thing out some areas. She did a beautiful job and I just sat there in my chair and watched and then supervised. Like she needed me. She knew where plants should go and I agreed. Now I do have a beautiful side yard./ I would love to have some rock put in along the side of the house and then a little walkl way to the newly refurbished gate that Shirl fixed yesterday.

Today was the Ward Clean up and everyone helped to do projects for the single sisters and some of the older folks in the ward as well as any neighbor that needed to be cleaned up . Anyway we do have a great lawn and all the junk is off and out of the way. I will work on the ugly wood pile later this week. The bishop and his second counselor came to fix our back gate. Of course Shirl decided that he needed to do it so they helped him hold the gate and drill the screws etc. It does look a mite better.

Watch for my additional pictures later this week. Once I can read the directions and then translateto the computer.

Hope you all have a great week.

Just have to share pictures

2009-03-26T08:39:00.001-07:00

Sarah laughing, Bayli on the dishwasher door

Bayli as the Bead Queen

Alex having fun

Bayli at 16 months.

Give it another try!

2009-03-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am again. We have had another birthday with the Grandgirls and so much fun. Heidi had the family dinner for Sky's birthday and it was so much fun. She prepared a wonderful dinner of enchilidas everyone enjoyed the delish food.
Then on Monday night Bess invited us to join her for dinner at a wonderful new restaurant called "The Heart of Jerusalem" it is middle eastern and the food is wonderful. It was a fun evening.

Tonight is suppose to be a spring blizzard of giant size. I will have to take post pictures.

Check out my updated blog

2009-03-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

Check it out. I had a great time with my delightful daughter and she updated the look of my blog. How do you like it ? I had a grand time watching her work the magic with no clue as to what she was actually doing. I love it! Makes me feel sooo up to date. Now I just need to remember how to post some new updates.

2009-02-05T07:39:00.000-08:00

Merchants of Kashgar on the Silk Road." Melba the Christmas Cactus" is doing well here in Colorado. She has been in full bloom since Thanksgiving.

My beautiful new addition to the kitchen. Just waiting for the glue to dry with the boxes as weight on the counter top.

Most recent events

2009-02-05T07:23:00.001-08:00

The lastest project
The Poodle Skirt for Madison's "50's Sock Hop"

Merchants on the Silk Road Ancient China. The trading was hot and heavy. Madi was a very shrewed trader she traded her figs and raisins for silk and then for ivory, gold, porcelain, and I think a War Horse.
My new addition of kitchen cupboards with my wonderful son-in-law and my Sweetheart. Mike did most of the labor and Dad did the measuring and they had everything installed in record time. I really enjoy the new addition to my tiny kitchen.

The Look!

Detail of Sarah's dress/ I don't remember hitting this picture, but there it is......

More adventures

2009-02-05T07:13:00.000-08:00

Just some random fun pictures.

2009-02-04T08:19:00.000-08:00

Sarah on her Blessing Day with Grampa Stewart and Gramma. Sarah wondering when we are going to finish with all the picture business so she can have her dinner and a nap.

Alex the Birthday Boy with so many presents.

The Happy Family Photo (only Sarah was not so happy about it.

Remember I am trying to catch up on my pictures

2009-02-04T08:04:00.001-08:00

Karen,Brianna,Erika Happy to be together. Sarah enjoying her day in the park with Dad. Sarah enjoying the Snuggly from Aunt Heidi. Happy Eric with his up grade for St. Petersburg from sister Heidi.

2009-02-04T07:57:00.000-08:00

As you can see below . Our beautiful Erika, Erika and Sarah growing tall, tall , tall on Mom's shoulders. Alex being the Master Chef and Alex at the Famous MEL's Restaurant . Alex was very carefully stacking the butter cups while patiently waiting for his dinner. Oh, yes he must have inherited that from his "super stacker" dad. We had so much fun and enjoyment watching him being so careful to get them balanced just right.

2009-02-04T07:48:00.000-08:00

Finally Did It

2009-02-04T07:26:00.000-08:00

Alex as the Chef and the Mechanic Christmas 2008 Houston TX

Sarah, Momma and the Angel Cat

Alex checking out the produce from the food crates from the Fuchs Family.

Yes, I finally managed to download new pictures. I know you are so excited that you can hardly wait. I will give it a try and see how it all comes out. Please keep in mind I am still in training and this is the result. LOL Enjoy!

Ready for some more

2009-02-03T07:52:00.000-08:00

Just had to post the E's and little A at the airport in Portland. The other pictures are of Bayli attacking the Black Knight at Madi's Medievel Day.

That was so much fun .

Whew! Stay tuned for more adventures !

2009-01-31T09:10:00.000-08:00

I have tried to get the font smaller and that doesn't work either. You just never know what is going to happen with this post.
Hope you have a grand day. I will be posting more current events when I download my camera.

Medieval Day with Madi

2009-01-31T08:56:00.001-08:00

The Market, The Monastary, Entry to

the Castle. Madi transcribing with quill and berry juice ink.

Well, I finally managed to get the pictures posted even if they are all scrambled. You can probably figure out what is going on anyway. I want to try again and see what happens this time. ?????? Will it work?? It is still a mystery.

Saturday morning. Trying to post pictures

2009-01-31T08:40:00.000-08:00

Bayli and B'day cake, #1 Bayli and Momma

Sunset behind Pikes Peak from front yard. November 5,2008

More Pictures

2009-01-31T08:30:00.000-08:00

As you can see I still cannot get the right title with the pictures, welllllll I did at least get a picture posted.

Finally got a picture.

2009-01-31T08:19:00.000-08:00

The frosty morning was a pic. from our back yard to the park behind us.

Grrrrrr!

2009-01-31T08:17:00.001-08:00

Long overdue Pictures. (I hope)

2009-01-31T08:03:00.001-08:00

Making Me Crazy.

2009-01-31T07:56:00.000-08:00

I tried to add some pictures to the previous blog and Oooopsey! It did not work. So I will try again. Someday I might find out what I am doing.

Happy Happy Day

2009-01-31T07:27:00.000-08:00

We have had a wonderful week. I was a little concerned after the way last Saturday went. Shirl had such a bad day and we ended up spending most of Saturday in the ER at St. Francis Hospital while they tried to decide what to do for his bad headache. They determined that it was not a migrain, and not a brain bleed as he is on the blood thinner still . They did a CT Scan and everything looked good. Decided he was having Chronic"Tension Headache". They gave him a shot of morphine and some other pain killer and then let us loose about 2:30 am. We were both worn out and after returning home having a very early breakfast at 3:00am we slept in late on Sunday morning. The headache finally let up about 3:00 pm Sunday. By now I had the headache. So glad to be past that.
This week has been good, no headache! I have been busy making a Poodle Skirt for our Madi girl to wear to the sock hop on Friday. It has been fun and I enjoyed making it. Then on Thursday I went to school for Ancient China Day and Madi and I walked the "Silk Road" of Ancient China. She was a merchant and traded Sweet Dates and raisins for silk and ivory and porcelain and horses. It was really a "kick" watching all the trading and bartering among all the kids. They really got into it big time. We had a Chinese Lunch that was very good and then it was back to the current day and time for me to leave. It is really wonderful to be able to share time with my Grandgirls. Hopefully I can get my camera downloaded to share pictures of the events. Meanwhile check out Heidi's blog.

I'm back only not by the Sea

2009-01-21T08:12:00.000-08:00

Now that my computer is finally coming together out of all the boxes I am back in business for my blog creations. I have missed doing the blog (like anyone really loves reading all my wierdness ) that's okay as it gives me a place to keep my "journal???" and helps me to remember all the wonderful happenings in my days . Sooooo ! here goes my trial and error again.
We made our big move from Bandon (so sad to leave) and arrived in Colorado Springs on Nov 4, 2008. We are so happy to be here finally after a long trip with a few annoying trials. Like the trucks acting strange and would not start for several hours.( Although, I really believe it was my guardian angel watching out for me. Another story I will share at another time. ) Then we both were coming down with some kind of virus and then arriving later than planned. The men from the church were waiting for our arrival and they were so fantastic to be there for us. They came and had both of the large trucks unpacked in a matter of a couple of hours. They are an awesome force! I can not express my gratitude and feelings of love and appreciation to them . We had some wonderful help in Bandon from our dear brothers from Bandon Branch they really were our life savers there. My dear Marita was so careful in packing up all my heavy cookware. I do feel so blessed to have so many wonderful and caring friends . We are so blessed .

We are now here in Colorado Springs and loving it. We have had some great times with our daughter and her beautiful and exciting family and we have pretty well gotten established with the Ward and starting to feel a part of it. The Ward has been so helpful and made us feel right a home.
I still am living out of boxes and everyday is a bit like Christmas as we open a box I find a treasure.

We love being closer to family in Texas and Utah as well as Heidi and family here. We had a wonderful two day travel to Eric and Erika in Houston Texas over the Christmas holiday and it was just so wonderful I cannot express how much we enjoyed that . Much closer than before. It was so great to be able to spend time with them and see our little Alex and Sarah. We are looking forward to a one day travel to visit Utah family when the weather gets better.

Just this last weekend our wonderful son-in-law Mike came over to help Shirl install our new kitchen cabinets. He did most of the hard work and was so great at just getting it done. Thanks Mike. Everytime I open a cupboard I will think of you standing on the wobbly footstool and pressing against the drill to drive the screws in the wall.

That about brings everything up to date and I will post pictures next time.

Last Days of Living in Bandon

2008-10-27T05:39:00.000-07:00

Today is October 27 2008 and a Monday. How time does fly when having so much fun. We are now down to the last two days of living in Bandon if all goes well we will be vacating Bandon on Wednesday morning. It is getting scary as we don't know if we will be able to get everything loaded we may have to make some other arrangements to transport everything on this move. I am sure we could have done things a different way and it would have been easier . I guess we are just "do it meselfers" even if it cost more and a lot more work. Shirl has been great and is always searching for boxes. Then he fills them up and goes in search for more boxes.

I still need to go out and take more pictures of the final days in Bandon.

It is like a really good dream coming to an end and finding myself in a scary place. I have loved Bandon from the beginning. We have made wonderful friends and feel so much a part of the community here.

Life will be a lot different in Colorado. I enjoyed our time in Colorado Springs when we lived there before, but it was very lonely with so many people crammed into one area. The military presence and heavy concentrated population makes for a very busy lifestyle. Like living in a beehive. No more quiet mornings with just the sound of the ocean and the fog horn. Foggy misty or bright sun it was always a beautiful morning and a peaceful feeling to restore calm in my life.

I'm not confused just overwhelmed

2008-10-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

Below is a couple of pictures of my favorite places in Bandon and then I included a couple pictures from my China visit. The spitting dragons is from Aberdeen area of Hong Kong and a pictures of the Great Wall at Badaling China.

Moving Day is fast approaching

2008-10-22T20:33:00.001-07:00

Here we are near the end of October and we had hoped we would be settled into Colorado Springs by now. Like always, the best laid plans often take a detour. We still have one more event to take care of and then we will be pretty much prepared to travel east. After Saturday and the "Celebration of Life" for my dear friend Dorothy Edmison we will be just facing the loading up and moving out. I have taken some pictures but have not downloaded them at this time. We are literally walking around and climbing over boxes.

2008-09-22T18:14:00.001-07:00

The following pictures are some we made while in Colorado. Bayli blessing before we returned to Oregon, rooms in our house. The last big crabbing event in Bandon.