Challenge "R"

 

Wow, I am really impressed with myself.  Two posts in two days.  This must be a record, at least for this year.  It could be that R is really, really, extremely, perfectly easy for me.  I just hope I don't forget someone really important.  Here goes:

 

 

Rocky, my husband and best friend.  Of course I love him.  He is my life.  I cannot imagine life without him.  He is my best friend, my sweetheart, my support, my EVERYTHING.  We have been married for 39 years, but if you count the four years of dating we have been together for 43 years.  Waaayyyy more than life before him.  I love him, I adore him, I depend on him.

 

Next is our oldest son, Rowdy.  He brought so much happiness with him the day he was born.  He is such a fine person.  I am so proud of the person he has become.  Rowdy is a Physical Therapist.  He got the dream to be one when he was in High School because he had a knee injury and went to a Physical Therapist for it.  He loved the fact that you can help someone with this profession.  Rowdy is a hard worker and he has integrity and loyalty.  I love this man so much.

 

Ryan, our baby, is next.  Words can't explain the blessing he has been to our life.  We thought we were finished having children.  Then we found out that we were going to get to have one more.  From the moment he was born he has blessed our lives. He has kept us young.  He has been his Dad's hunting and fishing buddy.  He is strong like his Dad.  When he believes in something there is no one that can change his mind.  He, too, is a fine person.  I am proud to be his Mom.  I love him with all my heart.

 

Rocky James is our first grandson.  He is our only grandchild whose names starts with R.  He is named after both of his Grandfathers.  What a noble name to have.  Both men are the kind of men you would want to be like.  I have always loved this boy.  He has always been my friend.  He loved to visit with me when he was young and he still does.  Right now I am so thrilled because he is living with us for his senior year of High School.  What a special gift he is to us at this time.  I really love this boy.



 

Robert Hull, my grandfather.  He was very special to me.  I learned a lot from him.  He was the best grandfather a kid could have.  He played with us.  He taught us about work and gardening.  I think that is why I love working in my yard so much.  Grandpa loved to travel, I do too.  He loved people, I do too.  Just sitting here and thinking about it I think he influenced so much of my life.  I realize that a lot of my traits come from him.  Grandpa, I love you.

Challenge "Q"

 

Okay, in my defense for the long period of time between posts, Q is really, really hard.  There are not many things that even start with Q, let alone things that I love.  But here is what I came up with:

 

 

Quilts:  I love  quilts.  I love snuggling in them when it is cold and I love that my mother made quilts for me that I still have even though I don't have her.  Both of my grandmothers left me quilts, too.  I think quilting by hand is a lost art.  Everyone uses machines nowadays.  I am grateful that I learned how to quilt.  I just wish I had time to do it.

 

 

Questions:  I love questions.  I love to answer them.  I like to ask them.   I guess it is probably because I like to visit with people and questions open the conversation and get it going.  I also like surveys and tests because I get to answer questions.  Kind of weird.  But I still like questions. (Oh, except for "WHY" asked a hundred times.)

 

 

Quarts:  I love to see a pantry shelf full of Quart bottles with produce and other things in them.  Canning has always been a love of mine.  I love the way it feels when you see the result of your time.  I love to spend the time visiting and laughing while we do it.  I spent a lot of time with my Mother canning.  And my grandmother.  These are cherished times.

 

 

Okay that is it.  That is what I came up with.  And it should be good with all the time I have had to think about this one.  

"Challenge P"

Finally, I am getting to "P".  Okay, I am not making any excuses.  I have worn them all out.  I am just glad that I finally got the energy to get this done.

The things that I love that start with "P" are:

Pahranagat Valley

I was born and raised in this valley.  I love it with all my heart.  I have loved the people, the weather, the natural springs, the history, the beauty, and the list goes on.  "Pahranagat" means "many waters".  I learned how to spell it in Elementary School.  It made me feel very smart.  Because that is not an easy chore for a first or second grader.  I remember my mother telling me to break the word into pieces to make it easier.   Pah   ran   a   gat.  It worked.

People

I truly love people.  All kinds.  But mostly the little ones.  There are some easier to love than others but I try to love them all.  I like the saying from Will Rogers  "I never met a man I didn't like".  It isn't as easy as that, but I can try can't I.

Puppies

I absolutely love puppies.  They heal my heart.  They are just so easy to love and they make you feel good all over.  I don't have it in me to take care of one right now, but I still like being around them.  They don't stay puppies very long, but neither do kids stay small long enough, but I still love them.

Challenge "O"

What do I love that starts with "O".  I am thinking this is going to be another hard one.  Maybe.

The first thing that comes to mind is "Oysters".  I LOVE oysters.  Thank goodness, so does Rocky.  We have oyster stew quite often. 

I love October.  Because I love October weather and I was born in October.  And I have a few of my loved ones born in October also. 

I love Opals.  It is my birthstone but I would love it anyway.  A few years ago when we were in Alaska I purchased an opal ring that I just loved.  I wore it and wore it and wore it out.  At least the band part.  I am now reminded that my intention was to get it set in a new setting.  I guess I will work on that now that I am thinking about it.  But I just think opals are beautiful.

And lastly, I love my new Office.  It is in the process of being built as we speak.  I have worked for the Sewer and Water for 24 years.  I have worked out of my home through most of that time.  The last 12 years have been in a trailer office.  So, this new office is going to be greatly appreciated and Loved.

Challenge "N"

Well, I have been through a lazy period where I just didn't want to blog.  I am not sure I can get over this phase.  But enough of that already!  I am here to blog about the things I love that start with "N".

I love the word "Nana".  That is what Dalley calls me.  Whitlee will be doing that when she talks.  It is music to my ears.  I love being called "Nana".  (Secretly:  when I first became a grandma I was only 40 years old and was wishing I could find an alternative to the word "grandma".  I am used to it now, but I do love "nana".)

I LOVE Nevada.  I was born here.  I was raised here.  I have lived here all of my life except for two years of college and the first 4 years I was married.  Hey, I know it can be hot, but there are a lot hotter places and the heat doesn't last all that long in the whole perspective.  And the winters are ideal.  But I love fall and spring in Nevada the most.  We have awesome weather.  It might be nice to have a little rain more often, but I can't really complain. 

And I love Neighbors.  I love people and I love being  close to others and interacting with them.  But I have a double reason for loving my neighbors right now.  They are family too.  And four of them are cute, funny, loving, enjoyable, and here a lot.  I LOVE It.

Challenge "M"

There is only one "M" that I love, but it is THREE fold. 

I love my Mother.  She was the greatest example and teacher a child could ever ask for.  She had so much love for her children that none of us felt slighted.  I always knew she loved me no matter what I did.  She was taken from me early and one of the results was missing  the years of being not just her daughter but her friend and helper.  I would give anything to be able to have that time with her, but I can't go there.  "What if" is not an option.

I love BEING a mother.  It is so fulfilling and has taught me so much about my Heavenly Father and his love for me.  It has given me 5 people who make me proud every day.  What joy they have brought to my life.  I don't see how anyone would want to miss the opportunity to be a mother if they could be one.  Sure, it isn't always a piece of cake and sometimes you want to just bail out, but it is SO worth it.

I love the mother's of my grandchildren.  They are all beautiful, wonderful women who put their kids first and have given me 13 beautiful reasons to live.  I love being a grandma even more than being a mom. 

Challenge "L"

"L" is very easy.  And I don't have to think any further than next door to me for all the "L" things that I love.  They are:

Luke Alan, my son.  Luke was a joy to raise.  He was always happy, laughing, and teasing.  He stole my heart when he was born and he has kept it.  One of the things I appreciate about Luke is his knowledge of his profession.  He is a psychologist.  In my eyes he is the best.  When I was young my mother was taken from me.  I feel that my Heavenly Father gave me Luke to compensate.  He has been one of the best advisors to my healing.  He is awesome.

Luke Shawn, my grandson.  We call him Lukie to distinguish him from his Dad.  This kid is one of those super cute kids.  He is so pure and sweet.  He loves to give hugs and I love to get them.  Lukie brings smiles and joy whenever he is around.  I LOVE that boy.

Lynda Elaine.  Known as L.E. to us.  She is named after me and her other grandmother.  That gives us this little bond.  This little girl is a pistol.  She has such personality and imagination.  She can have you laughing one minute and totally frustrated the next minute.  Life is never dull when she is around.