Quarantine 2020......

.......WHAAAAAT!!!!!!!?  For future viewers of this blog, yes we are all (all of the world) quarantined to our homes until further notice while we see if we can slow down this CORONA VIRUS. So I guess this blog is going to be about our quarantine. Randy is doing well, started out a bit rough but he can sleep in and do nothing with the rest of us now, bless his heart. Always lived a busy "gotta make some money" kind of life but now he's confined to his couch.  Several sunny memes have come through. I'll try to find some of the best and include them here for posterity. My very favorite was sent to me by Lauri.  They have done well. This would have been their spring break but next week is just plain "NO SCHOOL" and they have to make it up by online courses. For Traci, no big change. The boys, I think are all still working but home-life goes on as parents are getting creative with things to do while the kids are home. Lauri challenged her kid to dress their dolls in different outfits every day. I'm sure there's a lot more screen time mixed in there but so far it seems like everyone is fine. 

So Randy and I got out in the "Z" on one of the better days between all the snow and the rain. We rode to Gunlock Res then stopped for our new favorite Mexican food in Veyo. All restaurants closed to dining in customers but we made it just the day before that mandate. Now everything is take-out and I think the restaurants are getting streamlined and keeping some business going.

Randy finished a giant puzzle. Not only is he quarantined now, but is healing from shoulder surgery. I must say I think he is thriving.....well, maybe just surviving but he still has a smile on his face most of the time.

I've been doing some crocheting to pass time which always calms my nerves but I'm losing my knitting skills so I'm starting some knitting projects this week. I'll post my progress for posterity.

I took Traci out for her 35th birthday. Wow that seems old but......time flies by when you're having fun and I think she is. She seems to enjoy motherhood and has a lot of energy for those 5 kids. They keep her busy but she is succeeding at homeschooling them and making sure they get their music lessons...btw they are excelling and see to love it.  That was March 12th a really good day 35 years ago. I'm so glad I was able to give Lauri a sister and they truly are the best of friends. Then on March 17th would have been my 48th wedding anniversary. Scott always took me out for lobster on our anniversary and I've tried to keep it up throughout the years however, this year all the restaurants were closed to in house dining but they were willing to let us do take-out so Joyce shared that with me Red Lobster Take-out. Good times. A few favorite memes......and yes, there is a shortage of toilet paper.

 .....and I have been crocheting during this down-time and am soon to start knitting again and I want to assure you all that Randy and I are getting along pretty well...

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I would like to end with this quote that I found and I know when we look back on this, we will be stronger.  One of the Facebook posts said that in 2050 our grandchildren will open our boxes of hoarded toilet paper......and on this note: we are still using Mom's Cheer detergent that she hoarded, no I mean saved that we found as we were cleaning out the storeroom.  Also, the many bags of sugar, salt, cocoa, and various other things that are being put to good use. Bless her heart for being prepared (to give it all to us) ha ha. Love you Mom. 

 And so from THE GREAT TOILET PAPER SHORTAGE OF 2020, I leave you with wishes of goodwill and lots of TP in case I run out.  Also, THE GREAT QUARANTINE OF 2020. Unbelievable. If you get this far, leave me a comment so I'll know you stopped by.

Snow yesterday.......

(this was February 24 when I started this post..)....4 inches from about 2:00 to 5:00. Lauri wanted to come and bring us dinner and orange rolls. It had started to rain when she called but by the time she should head out, it was heavy snow here so we both thought it better that they not come. It's so hard to believe that we have 4 inches of snow today (and sunny) and they got a little rain but the daffodils are in full bloom. I keep track of them every year and they usually come out about Feb. 5....maybe a bit late this year but here is the first bud.

Lucy is enjoying her daffs in the sun....I got a selfie with my geraniums with snow in the background.

Some may wonder why I stay here in the cold. Well, this is my home and I love it here and I'm very warm and comfortable by my fire and as I've said before, I love all the seasons. I'm not even sick of the snow yet. We'll probably have more before spring. Just a wee 30 minutes away I can go from dead of winter to the sweetness of spring. It's a good life.

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Skip ahead now to March 6. February flew by and now I'm ready for spring. Our snow has a hard time melting because we are so far up here in the clouds and the sun just isn't getting warm enough to melt our snow....but it is warm enough for me to bask in it several times a day which I do..I've just come in from giving my thyroid a little sun. A friend told me that it's the thyroid when it's not functioning that makes us tired and she swears by giving it a bit of sun every day so I did. I only have half a thyroid but I'm sure it needs sun too and it feels good to let that natural heat penetrate my neck and my half-thyroid, I'm sure, says thanks. And I say "thanks for the sun" which I'm sure does a whole body good. I do take a thyroid supplement but I'm pretty much gullable to try most things people tell me about. When Scott was sick and fighting Leukemia, someone told me he needed a gallon of carrot juice a day....and I was ready to go out and buy out Harmons producer department but he said he wouldn't do that even if I did prepare it for him and I soon learned he wasn't as willing to do the weird stuff like I was. Someone suggested a drink called "Body Toddy"...once again he said NO, damnit...but when someone told me that the doctors in Mexico had miraculous tours, I thought I better ask him before I book our tickets....once again a "NO, stop this nonsense". One thing I did do that I didn't ask him was read a book about positive thinking and imagining the good cells in his body forming an army that destroyed the bad cells. Yep, I did that. Spent days on end imagining his army doing it's job. In the end, I think it was his faith in God and desire to conquer and the many prayers and fasting of our friends and neighbors that pulled him through and he was cured of AML, Acute Mylocytic Leukemia. It was a long, tough faught battle but he did it and conquered. 

It was hard for me and my little family of five little ones, but we were carried too through all the love and support of family and friends. As Lauri found James unconscious as he had fallen in the shower, I could imagine the horror and thoughts of her thinking he was dead. I remembering preparing myself every day I rode up the hospital elevator when Scott was going through treatments for Leukemia in 1985....."Is this the day he will die?"  

Bless her heart though, she was brave. Held it together to call 911 and they came and took him to ER. He had a nasty cut on the back of his head but came through it and is now home resting....Lauri, however is suffering PTSD and cries at the thought of "what could have happened". We are all forever grateful again for wonderful a neighborhood and ward friends that have gathered and supported her and her little kids who are so resilient, Lucy sleeping through it all and proclaiming when she woke up...."I think I missed all the dramma"(so cute, that's how she said it,
drammmma")......and Louis being in awe of all the firemen and emt's that were in his mom and dad's bathroom that morning. 

The kids are oblivious to anything going on around them when settled in front of a screen. They really are a blessed and wonderful family. James and Lauri are awesome parents.....facing a lot of those health trials so young. It will make them stronger.

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Emily was born to act. We enjoyed her performance of "Game of Tiaras" a spoof of Shakespeare, Game of Thrones and the Disney Princesses. It was hilarious....blood and guts, but funny, so funny. I loved Emily and she did a great job but my very favorite character was "Guy with the Blood Pack" and I hope when I read this a few years from now, I will remember him and think how much I was able to laugh....laughter is so good for us all and this play certainly brought that on and they all "killed" (pun) it.

 Emily always has good support from family and friends.

Emily may have been born to act but I think Lucy was born to sew. We took out her sewing kit on that dark day as Lauri was with James and with very little instruction, she was able to create these cute crafts from a kit she got for her birthday. Molly joined in with some simple projects I created for her out of cardboard. Listening to a talk show guy he told us that everyone is born to something. It has gotten me thinking a lot but I really felt good when he said ...."some people are born to be lazy".  That's me. I'm hear to teach people how to "just be".....and I've made progress with Randy.  He was born to paint and work and make money....and he had shoulder surgery and now he can do none of those things and he was quite agitated at first but he has settled into a very "nothing" routine....only healing.

He fell a couple of years ago and is finally realizing he had to get something done so Randy Clark, M.D. did the job and we are hopeful for a full recovery. He has been doing a jigsaw puzzle and resting in the big recliner and mostly.....is learning to" be" but yearning to" do". Bless his heart.

In his disability, we have learned to accept help from the branch. I asked for a couple of guys to help me move some bookshelves and six showed up. That's how they do it in Pine Valley. They have also kept our walks shoveled and driveway clean. Bless their hearts. Good men with good hearts.

I'm so grateful for the blessings of this day and yesterday and last week and last year....lots of them to count and so grateful for family.....and good and bad times. We muddle through the storms and bask in the calm but know we truly are born to be happy.

The sky.....

 .......never disappoints. It's awesome to catch one of these sunsets as I did driving home on Thursday. Yes, I did stop the car and get out. I can't resist when I see one of these. I consider it a privilege whenever I get to see one......

I don't get up early enough but every once in a while I get the leftovers of a beautiful sunrise through my bedroom window. It comes through in bright coral and blue stripes and once again, I feel so gifted when it happens. 

We've had snow all day today....didn't take pics but we are grateful for that gift as well. It made for a beautiful day to be in church and give thanks for this moisture that we pray so fervently for. This was Friday morning, Feb. 7. My goodness, we are at the middle of the month already. So what's happening in this month of February. I got to spend some time with my kids this past week......when I was surprised by Kyle's family, they came to watch the Super Bowl with us. It isn't really that important but we all wanted KC to win.....I like Mahomes and we all like Andy Reid. Fun to see him get his first win but mostly fun to have a visit with my family. The children are growing and getting too busy any more to come to Pine Valley but I'm so proud of all that they are doing and I'm especially proud of George and the great missionary he is.

I put Matty in charge of the relish tray.....um, talk about creativity. Very impressive.

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 This week I've enjoyed spending time with the littles and made them hand-warmers (fingerless mittens) and hats. Lauri's pom-poms just scream for a hat. I especially love having a hobby to do on these long, sit-by-the-fire days.  Today I continued listening to "Little Women" on audible. I saw the movie a few weeks back and it was really good but nothing is quite as good as the book and I have especially loved having it read to me. One of today's chapters was number 8.....especially a good one for a lesson on anger. If you have a minute you might want to read that one and there are so many lessons to be learned. This is the chapter when Amy burns Jo's manuscript that she has been working so hard on, justifying the act as revenge for not getting to go to the ball. Jo finds out.....as Amy confessed...."Yes, I did it. I told you I'd make you pay for being so cross yesterday and I have, so....." Amy got no further as Jo's hot temper mastered her, and she shook Amy till her teeth chattered in her head, crying, in a passion of grief and anger."  Jo's book was the pride of her heart......"I could never write it again." She says.  The storm cleared before Marmy came home.  The house wasn't very cheery that night but Mrs. March whispered to Jo as she said good night......" MY DEAR, DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN UPON YOUR ANGER; FORGIVE EACH OTHER, HELP EACH OTHER, AND BEGIN AGAIN TOMORROW....and then she goes on to counsel her daughter how she conquered her anger. Oh, that we all could do that.....but we can work on it and no one needs it more than me. In our Relief Society lesson one of the sisters said....."We pray for God's arms to be around us and his hand to be over our mouth." I loved that. Mrs. March admitted that she wasn't patient by nature but her husband helped her because of his calm, peaceful demeanor.....it was always an example to her. I feel like I can say the same. I don't get far here in my Pine Valley home as my temper flares....Randy is always so patient that I try (along with my medication daily) to pray for peace and self control. It's a parents' sincerest prayer that her children come to her as Jo did.......Jo held her mother tight......"and in the silence which followed the sincerest prayer she had ever prayed left her heart without words; for in that sad yet happy hour, she had learned not only the bitterness of remorse and despair, but the sweetness of self-denial and self-control; and led by her mother's hand, she had drawn nearer to Him, our Friend who welcomes every child with a love stronger than that of any father, tenderer than that of any mother."

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This is Randy and I love the look on his face 'cause it says just what I would be thinking if I were him and had to face shoulder surgery in 4 days from now.....here we go......and he is excited to finally get this problem fixed and move on to more pleasant things.......like cruising with the top down pain free. Pray for him......and me. We will be recuperating in Joyce's basement. Would love visits and treats.

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GEORGE HAS MOXIE.....

I looked it up in Webster's Dictionary and this is what it is.....it takes … moxie to pull up roots and go to a land where the culture and probably the language are totally foreign. 

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May we all have Moxie throughout the week...( ENERGY, PEP

woke up full of  Moxie ) and peace in knowing we all have a Friend who wants to help us on this journey.

Sunshine, yarn and mountain air.....

....and it doesn't get much better than that. Such a warm, nice day today, I had to stay outside as long as the sun would let me and one of my favorite hobbies, is yarn either knitting or crocheting....I love them both but crochet is easier and goes lots faster and I'm starting to like how things turn out. I'm practicing different stitches now as I work on hats. Hats are always needed up here (let me know if you need one) and I have enjoyed making them.  This hobby has helped me get through a lot of tough times and keep me out of the mental institution. I learned it from my grandma. I used to crochet hats in school (actually in class, I sat on the back row). School caused me a lot of anxiety. I crocheted an afghan when I lost my baby in 1980. It really did sooth my soul and when Scott was sick and I spent a lot of time in the hospital, I would crochet hot-pot holders and give them to the nurses. Everyone needs a hobby. Someone taught Mason to knit.....I'm sure it got him through a lot of anxiety in dental school. Impressive, right?.......................

I told Randy he needed a hobby. He'll have shoulder surgery soon and the days will get pretty long.  I offered to teach him to knit.....he refused but....he started a puzzle.....

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....and you won't see me assisting. This drives me craaaaaazy. I prefer sewing the same stitch over and over again, hours on end and seeing my finished product way faster than a puzzle but it's just what his family does.....and I'm sure many families do it but not mine and not my mother's family. Nope, no puzzles in our house, E V E R but if it helps him kill some time, I'm grateful. As we are thinking about this upcoming surgery, I actually had a panic attack yesterday thinking of all the things Randy does for us that he won't be able to do any more, that I will have to do.....like VACUUMING.....I'll have to figure out how to run the vacuum.....or maybe he can do it left handed. Hauling wood....cooking, organizing......at least he did get my taxes done. We will be fine but he sure does a lot around here and I really appreciate him. It will be my honor to help him get better. He sure does need that right arm (without pain) so he can get back to his most important task...making money. Good chance for us to face reality for a few months and have to cut back......like not buying stuff like sports cars.

Low mileage, decent price and a whole lot of fun not to mention, it's on my bucket list....I love convertibles. A hobby? You might say, yes but it sparks joy. 

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I can't leave this post and this day without remembering my dear mother who left us 2 years ago today. She had hobbies.....mostly cleaning house and staying organized and serving others.

She would start and end her day in service.  She loved to bake and give wonderful cakes, cookies, pies, and bread to her neighbors.  When we were little we would run her delectible goodies around the neighborhood or take fresh milk and cream from dad's cows to neighbors and friends in need. I baked today.......in her honor......and took some cookies to a few friends.I couldn't get this picture to turn the right way but I'll work on it.  I don't do much service up here in Pine Valley but I do like to give away the things I make and hope it sparks joy in someone's day......and speaking of sparking joy in someone's day....I felt joy today as I love to just "be" here. Everything is looking drab but that just tells us spring is on it's way and I've said this before and I'll say it again.....I LOVE 4 SEASONS. Here is my home today, February 1, 2020.

The first daffodil will be blooming soon in St. George.....weird, huh? Only 30 miles difference and I do love to drive to the warm once in a while but I prefer living in the cold......and getting warm.....

right here. Looks like it needs a dusting....but that's the way it always is. Here's a shot as we drove

home yesterday from town to show the contrast of just 30 miles. Those clouds love to settle on our mountains.  And never forget that........

"BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS NEED CLOUDY SKIES"

May your soul be bright......even when the day is not.

January.....

....already almost done with it but it's been delightful so far. Randy and I just got back from a little adventure in our ATV and I'm glad he gets me out of the house once in a while because I wouldn't get myself out of the house but it's good to enjoy my surroundings. We went on the Pinto road for a while until I told him it's time to go back. I always figure we should only go as far as I figure we could walk back and there was no traffic that could have helped us out if we got stuck but it was a good drive and the sun was shining....I loved it. No pics of that one but just know it was beautiful.....and, I haven't talked about our trip to Florida which was wonderful. We left on the 4th and came back on the 11th and all went well. We are getting older and can't do as much but what we did was amazing. We enjoyed Joslyn's family very much.

We enjoyed Bok Tower Gardens very much. Lots to look at and it was so very beautiful and I loved the quotes that were all over the place by Edward Bok. here is a little bit about him that I found on the internet.  "Known also by their official name Bok Mountain Lake Sanctuary and Singing Tower, Bok Tower Gardens are considered a National Historical Landmark in Florida. Since they opened to the public in 1929, over 23 million visitors have passed through the gardens to enjoy their historic landscape, the superb 1930s Mediterranean-style mansion and the unique Singing Tower carillon.  The Bok Tower Gardens were founded by Edward W. Bok who emigrated from the Netherlands and went on to become a Pulitzer Prize winning author and advocate of the environment.  Bok was awed by the beauty and dramatic views offered by the area and chose it create a bird sanctuary and place for meditation.  Bok commissioned the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. to build sub-tropical gardens which would entice wildlife and gifted the park to the public.

The stunning gardens offer acres of ferns, palms, pines and other trees, which create a backdrop to seasonal flowers. The gardens are home to 126 different species of birds, as well as a number of endangered reptiles such as the gopher tortoise and the eastern indigo snake.  There are many pathways that make up the Bok Tower Gardens, including two which lead to the Singing Tower.  This 205-foot neo-Gothic and art deco 60-bell carillon is a stunning piece of work crafted by the stone sculptor Lee Lawrie. The tower is surrounded by a moat which doubles as a koi pond. Daily recitals are given from the carillon set."

We spent a day at Disney World's Animal Kingdom which was amazing. I remember going there with Spencer and Shana's family quite a few years back and I loved it again this time. I got to go on a couple of rides.....I've never seen Avatar so I'm sure I didn't get the full appreciation for the ride. Here is what I learned about it after experiencing it:

"Can you believe that it’s been nearly a decade since the film Avatar came out in theaters and broke nearly every box office record imaginable? Since the debut of the film, the world of Pandora has stayed alive thanks to Disney World. When you experience Avatar Flight of Passage, you’ll be whisked away to a world like no other.

The Incredible World of Pandora

Anyone who has seen the film knows how gorgeous Pandora truly is. This exquisite jungle-like environment consisting of a wide variety of flora and fauna has been recreated so that when you experience Avatar Flight of Passage, you’ll be immersed in its beauty and splendor. But don’t forget that this virtual Garden of Eden also comes with wildlife at every turn.

Captures the Exhilarating Avatar Film

To experience Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney World is to be as close as you can possibly get to actually being in the Avatar film. You’ll truly feel as if you’re riding on the back of a real winged banshee as you soar through the gorgeous setting of Pandora. Every detail helps to capture the exhilarating feeling that you had while sitting in the theater and watching the world and story unfold before your very eyes. "

We also enjoyed the jungle excursion and I hadn't been on the Matterhorn forever and it was a blast as well. At one point it goes backward.....that was a huge shock but added a big WOW factor.

Randy and I took a day and kayaked with the Manatees at Crystal River.

It was a most enjoyable afternoon and fun to see we could still do it after a few years. It was ok getting in but the guy had to almost pick me up to get me out.

And as true to most of our trips to Florida, we find a lot of really good eating places, some our favorites from the past and some new ones.......

The worst of all, I must confess is that there was a Krispy Kreme on our way back to the hotel that we passed (but we didn't) several times a day. I lined the 3 boxes that we devoured in the week we were there and I'm not proud of it but it was so fun to not deprive ourselves of such an indulgence but I'm paying for it now in that I have to shed those pounds. I don't mind being fat, but the excess poundage that I put on my body last week just has to go as I'm at my "all-time" high. It's hard enough knocking on the door of  age 70 but I hate even being near the door of 190 if you know what I mean. I'll let you know how it goes. 

I gained a new appreciation for these wonderful goodies that were hot off the machine every time but you could nuke them for 10 seconds the next day and they were just as good. Oh, I want one now.

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It's always good to get home but we had left this little number in Joyce's garage and I hadn't had a chance to drive it so I was anxious......to say the least. Why?.....you may ask as I do but I don't question Randy when he wants to do something crazy (well most of the time I don't) but I guess this is our mid-life.....I mean end-of-life crisis.

It sure will be fun in the spring. Want a ride?

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It was time for Dixie's Got Talent and Scott made the finals for his second time and we all enjoyed his performance last Thursday.

He is amazing and did a great job. Traci said there was a technical difficulty in the middle of the performance but I didn't notice and if there really was, he sure covered up well. He seems to love performing and I can tell you for sure.....when he's up there, he owns that stage. 

....and when he's done, I sure do own him.....proud to call him my grand son. This kid has a bright future as he is just as good on the piano. Well, that's it for January so far. Another two weeks....time sure flies when you're having fun and I AM HAVING FUN. Let me leave you with an Irish Blessing for this new year......

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