Pictures to Share

I just moved into a little cottage on the Avenues in Billings. Going from 3100 square feet to 850 is a little bit of a shocker but we are managing. I still have boxes stacked in the sewing room but that works because I'm not in the mood to sew anyway. The hardest fact is that there is only one bathroom and it is like a miniture bathroom. But it is surprising what we can live with and live without. I have some pictures to post if I can figure out how that is done. The cottage is a work in progress and calling it a cottage just makes me feel better.....

60th Birthday!!!

Doesn’t seem possible that I can be 60 years old. I’ve never thought much about age and I still don’t think I will but looking at it in writing makes me know that I’m probably not considered middle aged anymore! I had a wonderful birthday. On my birthday, April 19th, the people at work decorated my office to the max, had a food day and harassed me all day long. They had fun and the food was good. Then on Thursday the 29th my mother, sister, Kim, Nicole, and me of course took off for Park City, UT to spend the weekend in a condo with Julie, Amy(babies - Preston, Noah), Christy, and Ashley. Ashley came from Minnesota, Christy and Amy came from Sacramento, and Julie came from Orem. I’m so greatful that so many husbands let their wives go for 4 days and took over the care of the children it was so nice of them. Thanks guys! We thought the weekend in Park City would bring us outdoor events like bicycling, zip line, snowless toboggan, etc. Well sadly it snowed and rained all weekend. But fortunately Park City is home of the OUTLETS so we didn’t want for things to do. We shopped on Friday, on Saturday we went to SLC and shopped and then came back and went into the old part of Park City and wandered around. Found Amy a awesome bracelet for her “B” day which was the 3rd. It was just nice having family close for 4 days! We ate the best food and enjoyed each other. Nothing beats being with family. In my 60 years I’ve learned a few things with a lot more to learn I’m sure, but what I have learned is in this life we are each continually changing. I’ve learned that we are given certain challenges because that is what we need. Some of my challenges I’ve passed through and learned a great deal from and some of my challenges are ongoing and I’m learning but not fast enough. Some challenges hang around to remind us that we don’t have it mastered yet. I’ve learned my children mean more to me than I would have ever thought possible. Each one is unique and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in this world. When I think of how much I love each of my children I think of my Heavenly Father and his love for me. Nothing can teach you about his love more than your children. I’ve learned grandchildren are the icing on the cake. It is like getting to have your children young again without the responsibility…. Love it! I’ve learned I like to work, I like to be busy, I like a challenge, I like to create with fabric, dirt, food (wow)! I’ve learned I need to be more patient, that is probably the hardest thing in my life is trying to be patient. I see very little progress in that area! Good thing I have a few more years left to work on it as I’m going to need them all. Thanks to all of you for making my Birthday so fun!

Opps!!!

Once again I paid my mortgage when I shouldn't have and shorted myself a substaintial sum of money..... I thought I was being so on top of things and decided to schedule all of my bills to pay from my banking on line yesterday instead of waiting until pay day tomorrow.. That went so well that I thought I would continue to schedule even the ones I pay at the middle of the month. Problem with that was I didn't think to change the month so my house payment which should have gone out 8/30 but instead was sent 7/30!!! Yikes that is not a mistake one should make but to late I will just have to eat over at the kids house for the next few weeks. Love ya kiddos!! Is something you should blog about? Telling the world your stupidities, well now you know.

Lost my MaMa!!!

Nothing like a light refreshing snow to make me sit in my office and look outside and think about how blessed I am. I'm thankful to be the mom of 6 wonderful children and the wife of a very sweet caring man. I'm excited about the upcoming holiday. Thanksgiving should be a lot of fun with all the kids being home except for Darren and his family. Hopefully the weather stays nice so no one chickens out (Wayne!!)...
We had a scare on Monday which as I look back is rather funny but it wasn't at the time. I had gone with my boss to pick up prizes for our Christmas party so was out of reach on my cell phone because I can't hear it when it is in my purse.... I know I should turn it up but I don't know how as I just got a new one and it is beyond me on most of its features. Anyway, Dick had tried to call me 8 times so I knew there was a problem. I tried calling him and there was no answer so I called Colleen as she had called me also. She said Dick thought mom had had a stroke as she was confussed and her face was drooping so he had taken her to the ER and she was on her way there also. I had my boss drop me at the ER and met up with Colleen but Dick wasn't there yet. We waited a few minutes then decided he must have taken her to the other hospital so Colleen ran up there and I waited at the Billings Clinic for him. She cam back as he wasn't there and we decided he must have had car trouble or changed his mind so we went out to the house but he wasn't there. So, back to the Clinic thinking we must have just missed him. But still he wasn't there when we returned. I called Nicole she called St V's to make sure he wasn't there. I called Devin had him out driving up and down any possible streets he could have taken in case he had a accident. I called the sheriff to see if any accidents had been reported involving a Ford Explorer. All of this turned up nothing and we were going on two house that they had been missing.... Finally it somehow clicked with me and I told Colleen maybe he had taken her to Same Day Care so we ran over there and sure enough he had and they had her in doing tests on her which all came back fine and she is fine.... The doc said he wasn't sure who was confussed when Dick brought her in her or Dick... But I am just thankful he is there with her and he did notice there were some questionable signs.

Weekend

This last weekend has left me so totally confused. While cleaning mom's house it felt so comfortable and cozy that I can't get it out of my mind. I have this obsession about houses anyway and fixing them up but I never get to the fix up part it seems. I'm thinking about buying the house and fixing the Kitchen and just living in the small quarters because then I would have extra money to put away toward my retirement. It is small.. Devin and Julie are coming home for the summer so I shouldn't think about it until fall but by then it will be rented. Mom could actually make more money if she took the $120,000 that house is worth and invest it in a secure investment or CD that pays 5%. But she likes that extra income on a monthly basis. Oh well I get like this way to often to worry about it. I wonder if I will ever live in a house I love and stop looking around or if that is just in my blood??????

Birthday Parties tips

Birthday Parties are the best, today we are celebrating Mom, Nicole, & Cale's birthdays. The greatest thing about this party is that I tricked my dear sister into having it at her house!!! We are here eating her food, drinking her drinks and messing up her house, the grandkids are having a blast the only one not excited about this party is Warren!! Can't understand that but it appears to be so. I'm a little tired from all the excitement so think I will go on home, to tired to help clean up that is for sure!!!