Random Thoughts

Things are a bit slow at the homestead right now. I am awaiting hubby's return so we can finish the computer room upstairs. He gets home on Thurs., the 5th. Not only are we going to finish the room and move the computer back upstairs, we hope to do a night time skiing trip into the Uintas. It should be pretty close to a full moon, so we should have a delightful time. I'm sure there is plenty of snow to making skiing great.


(Notice the beautiful blue sky. I love it.)

I did a "long" ski trip at the state park this morning. Usually I only do the two upper loops, but because it was so nice and sunny, I did the bottom loop as well. It was spectacular and I enjoyed it so much. There are a couple of spots where the snow is scarce, but it was fun, nonetheless. This was the first time the trails were groomed which makes it much easier to ski. Maybe that's why I did so much today. I didn't see any moose, but one guy said he saw a bull moose with a huge rack the other day.

I was surprised as I looked into the elk pasture, too. We have a new elk. One of the large elk passed away a couple of summers ago and now there is a smaller elk to join the remaining one. (I read in the town paper that there were two elk brought to the state park, but the other one crashed into the fence and broke his neck.)

My aero garden is doing very well. Everything has spouted and is looking great. I have figured out how to set the timer so the light isn't shining all night long.

Nate continues to do well in school. I am very proud of the way he is getting himself up each morning for the ACT prep class. He wants to do well on the ACT test he is required to take in March.

I am putting together a list of things I want to do this year in the way of traveling. Of course, Florida is on the list for spring break. I want to go down and check the place out for sure. Albuquerque in August is also a sure thing. Maybe a camping trip that way as part of that trip. A couple of trips to Yellowstone is a must and a bike ride on the trails in Provo Canyon is on the want to do list.

If you can think of other fun things to do or if you are planning a great trip and don't mind Nate and me tagging along, let us know and we'll be there.

(Here's a picture of the Bison, enjoying the snow.)

Exciting Present

(It kind of looks like a robot, doesn't it)

I just finished setting up the "big" present Roy gave me for Christmas. I have been holding off setting it up because I was going to put it in the computer room upstairs. I couldn't wait anymore. It is an AeroGarden. I came with herb pods. Basil, chives, mint, thyme, dill, and parsley. I have never done much cooking with herbs, so it will be fun to learn. (I didn't cook with garlic either and look what happened with that.) I can plant tomato pods and green salad pods, too. I might try flowers next winter, also. (Maybe one night I will try out the ice cream freezer--the roll around kind-- that the Albuquerque Turners gave us. That should be fun.

I think I have finished painting the computer room upstairs so I thought I would share pictures of the colors we painted it. Hope you like them; I sure do. I especially like the chair rail. It kind of dresses the room up. We will get the laminate "oak" flooring down when Roy comes home the first weekend in Feb.

He is in Florida for the remainder of this week. I hope he enjoys the sunshine and warm weather.

Thursdays are my Favorites

Today is Thursday and I started it off by going skiing at the State Park. I really do love that and today was perfect. I left the house at 9 am and the temp was 23 degrees. Perfect skiing weather. By the time I finished I was soaking wet from sweating so hard. I came home and took a nice relaxing bath and then order lunch to take in to the school. Each Thursday I take some sort of lunch in to the school to eat with my teacher friends. Today I took in Mexican from Don Pedro's and there were 8 of us eating together. It is fun to just get together and gossip and it makes me realize how glad I am that I am not teaching full time anymore, but makes me grateful for good friends.
I then came home and prepared for my class this afternoon. For me Thursdays are like Fridays, because I don't have to go to work tomorrow. (Nate doesn't have school so we are going to Park City to buy him some more T-shirts. His other Tees don't fit anymore.
Everyone have a great weekend.

Back to Work

We are on the 9 AM meeting schedule this year for church. I don't know how I feel about that. I really enjoy sleeping in on Sunday morning, but it is sure nice to take a nice nap in the afternoon, too. I guess I will get used to it.
I go back to work at UME Monday afternoon. It is only for 1.5 hours M-Th. I guess I can handle that. It still gives me plenty of time to do things I want to do around the house and to some skiing in the winter and biking/walking in the afternoon. I will be teaching extended math again, the same program I used last year.

I am trying to get out to the state park each afternoon for a little skiing. I am really enjoying that. I continue to do the painting in the upstairs computer room. I want to have everything done when Roy comes home in Feb.

Only four more days of the first semester and then it's three more semesters to go. (But, then, who's counting.)

The Holidays--they're Over

Nate's back at school; Roy's back to work in Bowie; that must mean the Holidays are really over. We had a lot of fun with the new "Wii" and had lots of good food to eat. Roy and I went skiing once at the state park and had a great time. Most of our time was spent working on the computer room upstairs. We had hoped to get it all done, but it didn't happen.
Saturday, the third, I took Roy to the ER in Evanston where he was diagnosed with a kidney stone. He had been in a lot of pain since Thursday and working on the room wasn't a priority. He has gone back to MD and is still having some discomfort, but he has lots of pain pills, so we hope he does okay. He is supposed to fly to Florida tomorrow; we'll see if he makes it.
I just got back from another skiing trip at the state park. It was a lot of fun. But, I am sure out of shape. I'll try to make it out for a little while every day.
I want to try to get up to ID sometime this winter and try skiing at Herriman. Any ID folks want to make the trip with me?

The Holidays--they're Over

Nate's back at school; Roy's back to work in Bowie; that must mean the Holidays are really over. We had a lot of fun with the new "Wii"

What a Finish

The holidays are over. Roy is back to work and getting ready for a few very busy weeks that include two trips to Florida in the next three weeks. Nate is back in school ready to give the semester a big finish. The Christmas decorations are in the boxes waiting for me to lug them back to the basement, (except the spiral trees and beaded reindeer that will have to wait for the snow to melt before they come indoors.)

We spent a lot of our relaxing time working on the "computer" room upstairs. We really thought we were going to get it done before Roy headed back east, however, it didn't make it. We did alot of the painting, bought all the materials to finish including the flooring. (The colors of the room are: off white, Brussels Blue and bonnet blue. After getting most of the painting finished, it looks great.

While we were picking up the flooring in Park City, Roy started to feel sick and to make a long story short, we ended up getting nothing more done. He spent a few hours Saturday morning at the ER where it was determined he has a kidney stone. Veyr painful

Happy New Year

Welcome to 2009. It started with a bang in Evanston. Thousands of crazy Evanstonians gathered together at Depot Square for the New Years fireworks. (You expected something else in Evanston.) Really there were a couple of thousands of people gathered together to watch the spectacular display braving the cold. It was very exciting. The music playing in the background was fun to listen to, as well.
The Evanston Turners had a great Christmas thanks to the generousity of family members. The digital photo albums are fun to watch and remind us of fun times from the past. The camping ice cream maker will be used when we get out in the wild; Dad will make use of the ladder, which matches last years ladder, alot; and the new fleece jacket will keep me warm, but not too warm. Its perfect for a jaunt to Ogden when it's too warm for a heavy coat. Thanks to all.
It appears the grandkids had a wonderful Christmas. Nate did too. He got the cell phone he wanted, a weight bench, and lots of shirts for the cold Evanston climate.
We also got a "Wii" and that has taken up a lot of free time. Bowling is definitely the most used game,but I am trying to learn golf, tennis, and baseball.
All in all it was a most fun time.
Roy is finishing up the computer room. We are going to pick up flooring sometime today and I will get to painting later. Blues for this room, but that might change when I get the paint on the wall.
Roy flies out on Sunday.
Enjoy the remainder of the Holidays.

New Site

Nathan has joined the world of blogging. His new site is listed as one of my links, but you can go there by going to natesnewspaper.blogspot.com. He is mainly going to share the articles he has written this semester for newspaper.

He is really loving his newspaper class and has received alot of praise for his articles from the teacher. When I went to P/T Conference in October, the teacher told me he (Nate) is good enough right now to write for the Uinta County Herald. The article he posted last night was one of the first articles published in the Herald in their Evanston High School News section.

Nate spent an hour and a half after school Tues. working on his next article for the Herald about students working while in school. I didn't read it, I am not his editor, but Wed. morning he sent me a text message saying his teacher really liked his article. He let me read when he got home from school. He is a darn good writer. He always has liked writing and I have a box of books he wrote and illustrated about "Transformers" when we lived in New Park.

It is so fun to see his enthusiasm for something academic. He is doing better in school and is making his plans for classes for next year already. Last night at supper, we were talking about the weather and how it was supposed to snow this morning and his comment was, "there is a thirty percent chance because we have to forecast it for meteorology."

I hope you enjoy his articles.

By the way, his forecasting was right. It is snowing here, not much just enough to make the roads and sidewalks slick.

Thanksgiving Happenings

I wanted to get some pictures up on the blog of our Thanksgiving Day trip to Cheryl's for Thanksgiving dinner. Cheryl did a great job with the dinner. Everything was perfect. It was good to spend time with David, Summer, Allyson, Ryan, Isaac, and Evan, as well as Cheryl, Jason, and Ben.

Roy made it home on Sat. Nov. 22 and spent the better part of his vacation working on the computer room upstairs. He got the insulation in, the electrical, and most of the drywall up. We should be able to paint over Christmas. Then it is on to the downstairs bathroom. (He flew back to Baltimore on Sat. Nov. 29.)

After I took Roy to the airport, I met Michelle and we drove a new Suzuki Grand Vitara. (Roy told me to drive some new cars and see what I like best. I have already driven the Hyundai Santa Fe and loved it.) I wasn't impressed with the Suzuki.

After driving the car, Chelley and I headed to the mall to do some Christmas shopping. We had a great time. On the way home, my throat felt a little sore and by Sunday I was feeling real sick. I am taking it easy and hope to soon get back to the projects I still need to finish before Christmas.

Hope you like the pictures from Thanksgiving.

Evanston Happenings

Evanston is a pretty quiet little town, except as Dave has noted, on the 4th of July. It is especially quiet when the weather turns cold and everybody stays indoors. I have been inside working on the Christmas presents I decided to make instead of buying this year. I am almost finished and hope to be all done by Thanksgiving.
The election is over and Evanston residents overwhelming voted for McCain, no surprise there. What I did find surprising was the percentage of Uinta County voters who cast their ballots. 107 %.
I have been a volunteer at the Uinta County Museum for a year now and have enjoyed working there very much. Last Thursday the museum volunteers were recognized at the monthly chamber of commerce luncheon and the museum received a very nice plaque with our names on it. When the quarterly newsletter came out on Saturday, there was a picture with me and 2 other volunteer taking down an exhibit. It is a lot of fun.
Nate is now a published writer. He had an article published in the Uinta County Herald yesterday. It was about the senior projects that are now required for graduation. He did a great job.
Roy will be home for a week on Saturday and we are looking forward to traveling to Rigby for Thanksgiving dinner with the New Mexico Turners and the Kimbers.

Vacation Over

Yes, Nate and I returned home after a fun filled trip to the east coast. The previous blog was written by Roy telling of our first day and a half on our visit. I did enjoy the fights and not much blood was spilled. Maybe that's why I liked them.

Because we got home late (or early), we didn't make it up to York 1 for their 9 AM meetings. Sleeping in felt good. We chilled out and watched football on tv until 5 pm when we ventured out to Baltimore's Inner Harbor for some seafood. Our destination was Phillips All you can eat Seafood Buffet. It's the only place we can take Nate to eat crab that won't bankrupt us. He had 3 plates of crab legs and a few other treats. My favorite is the Crab Imperial, but everything is good. I think Roy had a taste of everything, too.

After walking around the Inner Harbor for a few minutes, we headed home to watch Football Night in America and an early bedtime. Of course, Nate had to order pizza before he could sleep. (I am taking donations for new clothes, as I'm sure the ones he has now will be too small in a week or so.)

Monday morning Nate and I slept in while Roy had to go to work. (Somebody has to pay the bills.) He came by later in the morning and took Nate for a hair cut. After a quick lunch at Pannera Bread, the boys went to work and I stayed at the shopping center to do some shopping. It was a very fun afternoon.

Then it was off to the Monday Night Football Game--the Redskins vs. the Steelers. It is a lot of fun to go to a football game; lots of fun to sit in the sky box; and Monday Night Football is terrific. A couple of the Redskins Cheerleaders stopped by for a visit and later a couple of the Hogettes came by, too. Jeff Valcourt gave me my own Hogette Bobble Head figure,too. Unfortunately, the Redskins looked pretty bad and lost 23-6.

I guess the highlight of the evening had to be watching Nate consume another huge amount of food. I know he had at least 3 plates of sandwiches, pasta, and ham. He drank 3 gingerale/sprites, too. It is fun to tease him about how much he eats.

We returned home Tues. afternoon. The mountains had a dusting of new snow and looked beautiful. Then I watched the election returns on and off until I could take no more.
My candidate did not win, but I will support Obama. He might just be what the country needs right now. I can only hope he doesn't raise the taxes on those making $250,000 or more. I have a real problem with that. We live in a great country and I am proud to be an AMERICAN.

Big Weekend -- So Far
LeAnn and Nate arrived at BWI hungry on Friday evening so trick-or treating was done in Little Italy. We came away with a large bag of left-over goodies in additiion to full tummies. Nate impressed everyone by ordering, and eating, desert after appetizers, lasagna and most of a basket of bread.

Saturday began with LeAnn and Roy shopping while Nate slept late. Dad is pretending to hold a grudge that Nate wouldn't get up at 5am to play basketball in York. The real events of the day didn't begin until evening, however. Nate caught a ride to the Jimmy Lange championship fight with Miguel while Leann and Roy attended a pre-fight party at the Tyson's Corner Ritz Carlton. From the Ritz the party traveled to the Patriot Center, on the campus of George Mason University, by custom party bus for the fight.

Sitting ringside, Roy dismayed that the early bouts on the fight card were very poor (compared the the bludgeoning he and Stewart witnessed last year) while LeAnn marveled that none of her daughers had aspired to be the scantily clad girls who carried the number cards between rounds. Jimmy Lange managed to defend his title by points, going the distance to beat some stiff from Nebraska.

Before the championship bout the crowd was treated to the shortest version of the national anthem ever as a lady with a great voice but obvious poor memory forgot the words. During introductions of local celebraties it was announced that writers from Hollywood were in the stand researching their next movies, about a boxer, to be titled "Five Good Years", starring non other than Jimmy Lange.

After the fight R&L endured another ride on the party bus to a restaurant somewhere in VA where a post-fight party was held. Entertainment for the evening consisted of Jimmy signing autographs (I'm sure the poster will be displayed in the Turner sports memorabilia room) and the evictions of the number card carrying girls from the private party. Most entertaining.

Roy became a hero by arranging alternate transportation back to the hotel, avoiding another mind numbing ride on the party bus. Arriving home about 2:45am R&L found Nate sound asleep -- something that hasn't happened for a long time.

Now time to recover before Monday Night Football at Fed-Ex Field as the Redskins host the dreaded and despised Pittsburg Steelers.

Just thinking

Just some notes about what is happening in Evanston and in the Baltimore/Washington area. I was in charge of another funeral yesterday. Given the age of some of the people in the ward, you would think it was one of the older folks who had passed on. No, it was a 20 year old who died of complications of diabetes. His family was inactive, so it must have been tough for them. The ward and the city pitched in and although we served 160 people, we had tons of food left over.

I have had two job interviews this past week. One at the state hospital as an instructor to train on safety procedures and the other one in the "valley" working with family services in determining benefit eligibility. I cannot do the valley thing because the drive in the winter is just plain awful. I am still waiting on the state hospital thing. In the meantime, I am enjoying staying at home and doing things around the house.

Last week Dad (Roy) had a great experience. Miguel, who has worked for Dad for a long time, became a US citizen. Dad went to the ceremony and was very proud of Miguel and how hard he worked for that.

I am anxious for this weekend and to be able to spend sometime with my sweetheart on his turf. (Only 19 months until Nate graduates and I move out there.)

Brrrr--the mornings are cold

It is really feeling like fall here--at least after the sun goes down. We have been lucky so far; the days are sunny and warm. We have had a couple of snow storms, but that has melted quickly.

I have been working very hard on this year's Christmas presents. A lot of them are home made and I hope everyone likes them. I have finished shopping for all the married kids and their families. The grandkids are getting presents made by grandma and I am all finished with them except for the little guys, Ben and Evan. I know what I am doing for Ben, but I am still uncertain about Evan. (Any suggestions from Evan's parents would be helpful.)

Nate and I are taking our fall vacation next week. We are flying to MD for an extended weekend. Dad and I are going to the boxing match Sat., Nov. 1 and then Nate, Dad, and I will go to the Monday Night football game on the third. We fly home on the 4th. (Which reminds me I need to do my absentee ballot before I leave.)

Nate is working at Subway now. He seems to like it. It does keep him out of trouble.

Enjoy the beautiful autumn weather.

Nate's a busy Boy

I showed in my last blog, a picture of Nate on the Fire Department's Ladder Truck in the homecoming parade. He has gotten involved in school activities this year. Two weeks ago he traveled to Casper to a journalism conference. I think it was the first time he has been out of town overnight without a parent or sibling with him. I wondered how he would do--he did great. He had a good time and he enjoyed very much the conference.

Today he was supposed to go to Jackson to the Teton Science School for 4 days. It sounded like a lot of fun to me and he was excited to go. When he looked at his schedule and how much school he would miss, he changed his mind.

He has a conference in Casper on Monday and Tuesday of next week that he would rather attend. So early Monday morning he will go back to Casper for a Marketing Conference.

Next Wednesday he will take the PSAT. I am impressed with the boy this year.
Now if we could only get him to cut his hair.

WOW!! What a Fun Weekend

We had the most fun weekend. Dad was home--he flew in late Thurs. night. Cheryl, Jason, and Ben came down late on Friday night to spend Conference weekend with us. It was homecoming week in Evanston so Nate had lots of activities planned and then Saturday about noon, Chelley and Jon came up to visit.

(Here's Nate on the fire engine in the Homecoming Parade)

It was a bit stormy on Saturday, so Dad did't get as much done on the shed as he had wanted, but Jason did help him get it closed in for the winter. After eating stuffed shells for lunch, Jason set up his new toy for everyone to enjoy. (He went shopping at the local Walmart and found a "Wii".) Everyone had a great time taking turns playing. It was fun to watch.

(Ben with Aunt chelley, trying to watch Grandpa and Nate playing Wii Boxing)

Jason and Dad put in my new gas heater, too. It is much like the one we had in the basement in New Park. It keeps the kitchen toasty warm.

We had apple crisp and cream puffs to munch on throughout the afternoon and evening, too.

After priesthood meeting, (Jason, Dad, and Nate went together), Nate headed off to the Homecoming Dance. He didn't have a date, but had a good time anyway.

Ben was a lot of fun getting into everything. He really got upset when grandma tied up the hutch doors so he couldn't get in, but found lots of other stuff to play with.


Cheryl and Jason headed home Sunday about noon and Dad's flight was out at 5:30.

Boy, is it ever quiet around here today. TOO QUIET!

Simple Request

I have a simple request to make to those for whom I will be sending Christmas packages to. PLEASE give me some ideas. What is that you would like/need this coming holiday season. Also, if there is anything you don't want, or don't want your children to receive, ie, stuffed animals, whistles, dolls, whistles, action figures, whistles, guns, whistles, please include those as well.
I don't want to think of Christmas yet, but if I start now, I hopefully will get it done in time.
Nate and I are flying to MD the first weekend in Nov. so maybe MD Christmas presents can be purchased while we are there.
Thanks.

Saturday in Yellowstone

Nate and I traveled again to Eastern Idaho for the weekend. We left Friday as soon as Nate got home from school and arrived about 9ish. It is about a 4 hour drive to Cheryl's and when we get there I am tired. Carma and My Dad came over to deliver me a box of potatoes he had gotten for me and an invitation for breakfast at Carma's was accepted. Ben was again in a very playful mood when we got there.

After breakfast with Carma and Dad, we stopped in Rexburg to pick up Jason and headed north to Yellowstone. It was a chilly, rainy day, but we still knew we would have lots of fun.

The leaves in Island Park were turning to the autumn colors and were beautiful. The "quakies" were turning golden and some even had a pinkish, orange tint. Beautiful.

After a stop in West Yellowstone's Visitor Center and MacDonald's we entered the Park. Out itinerary was to head to Mammoth and do the upper loop. We stopped at the Museum of the National Park Rangers. Very interesting. Then on the Mammoth where we hoped to see lots of elk.

It is rutting season for the elk and that makes watching them very interesting. But there weren't many to see on the lawns of the building. We saw a few, but not as many as I have seen before. The scenery at Mammoth is so wonderful to look at.

After a ranger program on the Elk Rut, it was on the road again--toward Tower and then on to Canyon. We saw some beautiful, breath-taking rainbows on the way. The drive over Dunraven Pass is spectacular.

After stopping at Canyon for refreshment, we went through Hayden Valley where we spied a couple of bison herds. Then to Old Faithful where we hoped to see the famous geyser erupt.

Our first stop was at the Lodge to see if the cafeteria was still open for a bite of dinner. It was and Nate and I dined on our favorite--Trout Almondine. It was great. I needed to learn how to fish for trout so I can have it all the time.

We ventured outside--in the rain--to watch Old Faithful go off. It was the ending to a perfect day.

It sure is nice to have another driver for the trip home. Nate took over the wheel and drove the last 1/2 of the way on Sunday. Now it's time to stay home and get the fall yard work done. (Dad, Roy, come home for General Conference weekend and Cheryl, Jason, and Ben are coming down for the weekend. Better get the house child proofed.)

Our Weekend

Friday as soon as Nate was home from school, we headed north to Idaho. I love the drive, the scenery, and the thoughts of spending time with Ben and his parents. If we nothing else but sit around and watch Ben play, the trip has been worthwhile, but we never just sit around.

We arrived at the Kimbers around 8:30 so there wasn't anything to do but unpack the car and watch Ben open his birthday present from us. We gave him a little turtle that plays funny songs and teaches babies there shapes. (I should have made him some warm pj's but it didn't happen.)

Saturday morning we went exploring to find "Cress Creek". It is a nature hike that Carma blogged about a few weeks ago. Cheryl kind of knew where it was so off we went. WE FOUND IT. It is a beautiful spot and the hike is very nice. Thanks Carma for telling us about it. It was definitely worth the time. I truly love the Idaho landscape and even more the love I have for the Rexburg area because of my experience at Ricks. Maybe that is why I love visiting Cheryl, Jason, Ben, and Carma so much. I'm glad you don't mind me coming up so much.

We then moved the activities to Rexburg for "Rexburg Unplugged" which is an activity put on by businesses to show the students what services are availible in town. Nate helped Jason last year and Jason asked him to help again this year, so he did.

Cheryl and I took Ben to the park to swing for a while, did a little shopping where I got a great idea for the older grandchildren's Christmas present, and then took Ben home for a nap. The poor little guy has had the flu and by the time we got him home, he was feeling really rotten.

By the time we went up and got the boys and grabbed some KFC for dinner, both Cheryl and Ben were feeling rotten. They had a rough night. Both were feeling a little better by the time we headed for home.

Nate and I had another nice quiet drive home after I slipped over to Carma's to see her and my Dad who had come up to visit and take care of her pets while she is in Houston next week.

Maybe next weekend we'll head north again for a trip into Yellowstone. We'll see if that works out.