Sequel to the Story and more...

Last week I was in a dilemma about taking Riggin to Circleville with me for Christmas. It worked out just perfectly. We got everything in with one half of the back seat for him and his bed. He traveled well, didn't get sick or anything. He liked Kristi's house and yard. AND he behaved himself very well.
I have to record here one of the most special Christmas gifts I have ever received. Ryan sent me and Rocky and his siblings and children gifts, but the one that we all enjoyed the most was a video that he made. He did a beautiful job on the video. He talked to us and wished us a Merry Christmas, he showed a prank that he pulled on Elder Luce, he gave us a tour of the cabin he was living in, he showed us his new trick of juggling (which, I might add he was very good at after one week's practice.), he took us on a tour of Steamboat Springs, and he finished it all with his testimony which was very, very special. After we watched it a little while later he called an we were able to visit with him for quite a while. He sounded so good. He is happy with what he is doing and happy with where he is. What more can you ask? I love that guy.

Merry Christmas!

Here's wishing everyone who sees this a Merry Christmas. If you are into Winter Solstice instead. Sorry. I'm not into that. Just Christmas. I will say Happy Hannukah to all those who are of the Jewish faith. But other than that it is just Merry Christmas. If you want just a "Happy Holiday" wished to you, go somewhere else. In other words, if you believe that this is the season to celebrate the birth of our Savior, then my heart goes out to you and all of yours and my hope for a very special season for you is here. Otherwise, you don't really need it, do you. So again I say: "MERRY CHRISTMAS"

Riggin

I have a dog. I love dogs. I always have. But this dog is the best dog I have ever had in my entire life. And I have had a few. He is also the one that I have had the longest. He is thirteen years old. His name is Riggin. Now I have a dilemma with Riggin. He is not a lap dog, although he thinks he is. Last night I was sitting wrapped up in a blanket. He kept coming up and sticking his nose under the blanket and trying to weasel his way in to sit on my lap under the blanket. Ryan used to let him do that and he thinks I am really mean because I wouldn't share. He finally gave up. But he is a fairly big dog. Not real big. Probably about 60 pounds. Anyway, back to the dilemma. For the first time in years, we are leaving for a few days and I do not have a dog sitter. Marita is usually the one that does that for me, but she is going to be gone also. Connie used to do it for me all the time. Riggin loved Connie. We both miss her very much. So, I determined that I will have to take Riggin with me. I am hoping he is a good traveler. But it has started to dawn on me that I have a lot of gifts to take with me and luggage for Rocky and I. Is there going to be room for this dog? But I have no choice. I have to take him. What to do? What to do?

I Married a Cowboy (Accent on the Boy)

Yes, I am married to a true-blue, dyed-in-the-wool, Cowboy. But have you ever noticed that men are just little boys dressed up in a very good looking grownups body. And cowboys are no exception. He makes me laugh and he makes me cry. But all in all I wouldn't trade a minute, an hour, a day, a year with him for anything. He is what makes my world rock. For one thing, I like boys. I had 4 sons all of whom I adore. Then I had a daughter to help me keep sane.

Hard Work

I have some HARD work ahead of me today. I mean real HARD. I have to write my Christmas letter. Now this may not seem hard to most people. But they have to realize it may not be hard for them. But it is for me. I don't know what to say. I don't know how to put a whole year in a nutshell. I am not talented at writing or producing stuff. And I know I am a little late getting to it. But that is because it is HARD. But I guess I better get to it.

Magic or Tricks

I don't know how many people know that my son, Luke, is a magician. He has loved magic since he was eight years old. Over the years he has become pretty good with a few tricks. He is teaching his son, Cody, these things now. But, anyway, he tells me that it isn't really magic. It is distracting with one hand while the other hand does the magic.
This has come to my mind today because we have a salesman that comes to my office about once every other month. He entertains me with magic tricks each time. He also has jokes and stories to tell. He is a fun guy. He came today. And he reminded me that when we were at Luke's house a couple of weeks ago, Luke was the one doing the magic. It reminds me of what a talented amazing person Luke is. He is very good at what he does in his field of Psychology. He has a wonderful gift of relating to people. He is kind, loving, loyal, and always wants to do what is right in every situation. He is strong and good. But the magic or tricks isn't what makes him that way. It is the rest that makes him so good at magic.

Now THAT is funny.

Have you ever heard of a "road-kill" Christmas tree? I hadn't either. Until now. Rocky brought one home. In case you are clueless, this is a tree that someone lost off the back of their vehicle and it was laying beside the road. We haven't put up a Christmas tree yet, so Rocky thought he should bring this to me. I guess he thinks I will be nice to any kind of stray. I am not sure why, but he went over on the wrong side of the road, either to get the tree or to turn around. I am not clear on this. Anyway, when he did that, Guy Davis (a guy the same age as Shawn and raised her in the valley and who is now a Highway Patrol) pulled Rocky over. He thought he was drinking and driving. When he saw Rocky, he said, "Oh, I am so sorry. I didn't know it was you." Then he let him go. And as for the tree, well, it is about the ugliest tree there ever was, two trunks, one whole side missing, short and squatty. So I figure that it really isn't a "road kill" tree. I think it was dumped, because they couldn't stand to look at it anymore.

Alyssa are you reading this?

I just invited my granddaughter to read my blog. I hope that she is reading this. So I want to tell her what a special girl she is to me. I have only been present (in the room) when two of my grandchildren were born. Alyssa was the first one, and Ira the last. It was love at first sight when I first saw her. I was so touched to hold her so newly from heaven. We have been buddies ever since. We just click. My fondest memories of her are when her family lived in Hiko and I saw her a lot. She was not quite 4 when they moved. But when our house was just across the road from her, she used to make the trip over to visit me. (Remember she was just 3). Those are such sweet memories. When she was 4 she had an incident that changed her life forever. She nearly died and was diagnosed with Long QT. She had to have a pacemaker put in shortly after that. At the time she was so small and it was so big. One time I went to pick her up and I grabbed her by the waist which is right about where the pacemaker was. She said "Grandma, hasn't my Mom told you that you have to pick me up under my arms." (Again, she was just 4). But this is how she has treated her situation. She faces it and deals with it and goes on. She is one tough girl. Now her family lives so far away (Roy, Utah) that I see her rarely. I miss this girl. I look forward to every moment I can spend with her. I love you honey. Always know that.
Grandma

I Like People

I was just sitting here thinking about a Christmas party I attended last night. And I realized that I really enjoyed being around a group of friends and family. And also, prior to that I had been at the store and when I came out one of Ryan's friends stopped me and talked to me and he saw that I had a low tire and was so considerate and tried to help me. I realized I enjoy talking to people. Then I stopped at R Place on my way home to put air in my tire and two young boys were there and offered to do it for me. It touched me that they were so willing to help a stranger. They were so efficient and cute and businesslike. I realized that I really like meeting new people (particularly kids). Also early in the day when I went to the Post Office I saw an old friend who I hadn't seen for a long time. It was so good to visit with him for a minute. It all just warmed my heart. I really miss this type of thing which happened a lot when I lived in Alamo. I don't think it has ever hit me so hard as this year how different and lonely Hiko can be. Don't get me wrong, I really love living in Hiko. I usually like the fact that I have my time and space to myself. I think it is just the season. I miss the hustle and bustle of Christmas and seeing friends and meeting people on the street. But I don't miss it enough to make any change. I'll keep my life the way it is.

The Definition of Joy

I know that I have realized many times how sweet things are to you when you don't get them very often. But every time I am amazed how sweet it is to have a day at home to do what ever I need to do on my own time. This happens so rarely that it is pure joy when I get it. Yesterday was one of those days. I THOROUGHLY enjoyed the day. I got a lot accomplished, too. I fit a weeks worth of work into one day. Now I have that "ahhhhh" feeling. I love it.

Historically Speaking

Okay, I know I am not very funny. But I couldn't figure out a title for today's blog. So I decided to put the first thing that came to my mind. Now why this came into my mind is anybody's guess. I have already maintained that I have a weird streak in me. Anyway, historically speaking .......
We just had a pretty awesome weekend. We went to Cedar City on Friday and did some shopping for Christmas and such. We met Kristi and Dustin and of course, Dalley, there. We went to Applebee's for dinner, then Kristi and I went to the "New Moon" movie. I would like to say it was good, great, bad, or not-so-good, but since I slept through the end of it, it wouldn't be fair to put any kind of judgement on it. How about if I just say that it was good, but not as good as the book.
The next morning Rocky and I went on to Escalante and got there in time for Cody's baptism. It was a wonderful day. Cody is a wonderful kid. I am so lucky to be his Grandma. He is so smart, good, and handsome.
Rocky and I stayed overnight with Luke and Kayce and the kids. I had so much fun playing with the kids and later when they were in bed, Luke, Kayce, Rocky and I played games.
We went to church with them and then we headed back to Cedar City. We had taken our four-wheeler in for service and left it there. We were supposed to pick it up on our way home, but we got our wires crossed and it was all locked up. So we determined that we would have to stay the night and get it in the morning. But at about 2:00 we were driving past the place and noticed that the owner had stopped in for a minute. We pulled in and he agreed to let us get our four-wheeler. So we got it and went home. We were both so happy to be home. We love our own bed.

Blogger's Block

You have heard of "Writer's Block" haven't you? Well I have had "Blogger's Block". I have had no idea what to write on this blog. I am hoping that this will end soon. I wish I could have written about our "Fabulous" Thanksgiving. I wish I could have written about how happy it made me to have my brother, Mark, and his wife, Marita, come. I wish that I could have written how awesome it has been to have six of my grandchildren under one roof and the fun that we have had. I wish I could write about how sad I am that it is all over. I wish I could write about how happy I am that I got to spend time with Ira, who I never get to see as much, and how he warmed up to me and warmed my heart. I wish I could write about his cute little smile, his "Shawn look", and how he can go from crying to smiling and back to crying in an instant. I wish I could write about how sad I was to see him go because I don't know if he will know me again when I next see him. I wish I could write even more than all of that. But, alas, I truly have "Blogger's Block" and can't seem to express myself.