You just have to smile....

.....at old age and Evan's Halloween costume. This haircut cost his dad bribe money, a cool twenty two bucks to be exact but Evan's having such a good time, I'm sure he'll do it for free.....a cuter old man I never did see.

...and speaking of old, just got done with our 45th class reunion. Dixie High School Class of 1968!

"When comes such another"......NEVER. Best class ever, Wally even said so. Two days of getting re-acquainted, catching up and just having a good time. There were some that chose not to come for one reason or another, and we missed them dearly, each and every one but there are those that couldn't come as they have gone on to bigger and better but we honored them....

Scott was president of this great class. Just for the record....I miss him. We always enjoyed our class reunions together. To the far left and cut out of the picture is our most recent classmate to leave us, Johnny Hail. We've got five more years until the next one....we found ourselves saying to each other..."hope I see you in five"......speaking of scary, it is Halloween today, not my favorite holiday, but I do like my birthday....

Just one of my many birthdays....and coming off our class reunion, there are a few of my classmates here. It was always a Halloween theme and we always dressed up....I didn't always like my costume......(I'm sure my mom made me wear this one...maybe there was a bribe but I don't think so. I'll post that sweet home made head piece on pinterest.....)

but  there was always a cake....

Another year older....tomorrow starts my new year. I hope to find more in the coming year; more kindness, more patience and more gratitude for I am blessed beyond compare. I hope to "cherish all my happy moments as they make a fine cushion for old age...." (Christopher Morley)

Forty years ago this day....

...this little kid changed our lives forever....just as spunky and fun-loving then....

as he is now! Born in Moscow, Idaho (we lived in Pullman, Washington) weighing in at a hefty 9 lbs. 5 oz... the beginning of our parenting career, he got the brunt of our trial and error type approach but he survived.....

...doesn't ask his kids to do anything he's not willing to do....

Still goin' strong after all these years...marathon runner, department head, best dad, husband and son ever....and the original "scary dad" to all my grand kids. A Happy Birthday shout out to one terrific human being....my first born amazing son, Kyle Scott Wells.

Awesome Awctober......

...it's getting awesomer by the minute ('cause we all know what's coming!!!!) need I remind you....I've started celebrating already though....hooked up with my "Ghoul friend" Traci, for a bewitching night at Gardner Village....

Shopping....dinner at Archibald's (Fried Green Tomatoes, oh yeah...) Thanks, Traci. Loved dinner and I love your gift.

She was in heaven in this fabric store and I stopped by a yarn shop and got some really soft yarn. This evening fulfilled our every desire for sure......Just for the record, I left Tuesday morning early traveling I-80. Jodi Picoult (click HERE) got me to Traci's in exactly 10 hours. Best book on tape author ever....thanks audible.com. Next morning, we were off to State Cross Country....Laynee looking mighty fine as always.....cute kid!!!!

She represented Desert Hills well. She's only a Freshman....gonna be fun watching her run for a few more years. Speaking of cute kids, I enjoyed my hugs from Traci's little ones. Spencer and Max bonded for a bit.......

Upper right...notice Max's mode of travel. It was a beautiful day for a race.

It was fun to be at the Staheli home for a brief time and experience the routine. Even got to see Scott at his Hip-Hop class. Can't believe I didn't take any pictures. We're cruisin' through Awctober but there's still lots of awesomeness to come....Class Reunion, Kyle's big four oh!!!! and my big six three. I'll be in blog heaven for sure. 

When in Folsom....

...if "Ring of Fire" comes to town, it's a must see. We ventured over to Three Stages (The Harris Center) tonight and listened to Johnny Cash music at its finest.

It helped me snap out of the doldrums that have been plaguing me for a day or two...and I finally realized why. Tomorrow David would have been 33 years old and would be the 4th little boy in this picture, probably riding a big wheel or a scoot-along trike or something. Click HERE to read the post I wrote a few years back. Seems like a wee bit of sadness comes as a reminder from Heaven that someone is missing.....and I'll forever wonder what he and Scott are doing up there. (Classic picture...I just have to post it every year).

Another thing that lightens my spirits is to get out in nature...especially right down there on the water with the ducks. My "Duck Dynasty" today as they seemed to come out and welcome me even though I had nothing to feed them. They surrounded my kayak looking for a handout then headed on their way. I love these little creatures and could have watched them all day.

Life is good, even when it's bad....sometimes we just have to take a little while to mourn....then move on with gratitude for all we have been given.

Too much time on your hands????

....and speaking of purses....you could make one of these. I saw this at the Folsom Prison Museum the other day when Joyce and I visited.....

We used to make gum wrapper chains but the inmates can't have gum so this was made from potato chip bag wrappers. I loved making gum wrapper chains as a kid.....

Totally a lost art. I got some Double Mint Gum the other day thinking I would sharpen my skills but they don't even wrap the gum in the green wrappers now....only in the tin foil. I was disappointed to say the least but if you have a few spare toothpicks and a little time, maybe you could make one of these beauties......

To be exact, 250,000 toothpicks and ten months, this could be yours. This kept prisoner Billy Burk sane (?) until his release in April of 1934. Hey, whatever it takes......we do what we have to do for sanity. Everyone needs a hobby....great stress reliever. I've had several through the years (another blog, another time) but for now I think I'll go knit.....

You bought another purse????

"Yes, Randy. I got a coupon for my birthday from Vera Bradley and how could I pass up the 60% off if ordered by mail....?" I know it's hard to understand my "purse" - onality when it comes to my hand bags but I just like them a lot, always have, always will, until my dying day....speaking of which, Lauri and I were laughing about her plans for decorating at my funeral.

Here, Lauri, I found this. It may help....so keep it in mind. Won't some beautiful funeral flowers look great in it? She was thinking of lining up my black purses and I personally think they should be filled with flowers, plants and maybe helium balloons. (Behind that display of purses she's planning to hang all of my "one-sock wonders". I'll blog about them another time). I've been on the quest for the perfect purse all of my adult life. The first purse I remember was a small, black patent leather clutch type wallet that I took to the movies one night. My dad gave me some ones and I had a brand new pack of Doublemint Gum and a handkerchief. I thought I was pretty cool. I remember saving my pop bottles and finally getting enough to go to the Market Basket and trade them in for the cutest little beaded wallet that I'd had my eye on for several weeks. I've since graduated to Vera Bradley, which has come close to fulfilling my quest but I've come to the conclusion there is no "perfect purse" as different occasions call for different purses, but these come pretty darn close.

They are cloth, so very light weight, lots of pockets and a place for a cell phone. I do love just one handle and seldom ever buy a purse with two, (but sometimes I do) but the wallet....let's just say it must be perfect 'cause I've had it for over 5 years now.

It holds everything I need and fits into all of my bags. And here's my cute little post-it note holder that I love and speaking of black purses..... I do wish I had all the money that I've spent on them in my life. (BTW....please don't give my Vera Bradley's to DI. Sell them on Ebay or something. They are worth at least 20 bucks a piece.)
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Moving on....to some other favorites, we do love our "Pomegranate Gold". Spencer and fam have discovered it's fun to give away. They got some poms from their neighbor and have all pitched in to squeeze, prepare and share this beautiful stuff.

It's gotten hard to find a source for the sour variety (which I prefer for jam). There are a lot of crops that go to waste each year so if you have any to spare, give me a jingle. We'll come pick....and even make you some jelly. I did enjoy having my sister here this past week. We frequented many antique stores and here is something I saw that caught my eye....didn't buy it, it just caught my eye.

Just thought I'd pass it along to you Chess players out there. Thought it was a cute idea. Guess I could post it to Pinterest but it's probably already there. More "Aw...ctober" stuff to come. Hope you are enjoying the beautiful Fall weather....I certainly am.

Three days is not enough....

....to fit in all my favorites but we gave it a good try. Joyce drove from St. George with me to Folsom on Wednesday and we've spent the last three days doing our best to do it all....not possible of course but here are just a few.

Placerville and Lofty Lou's.....yarn is candy to my eyes. Brunch is a must so while we were there, next door was Sweetie Pies. We got in a session at the temple, a visit to Folsom Prison.....(just the museum, they don't let just anyone in that place)......

 ...then on up to Coloma,  "The Gold Rush Festival" where we saw everything from basket weaving to making lace. It's been a blast to have her here and share a few of my favorites and my life here in Folsom.

Aw....ctober,

....my favorite month of the year and NOT because of Halloween but just because of the memories....one of my favorites being when my #3 son was born, 3 weeks late so I was mighty glad to finally get him here on this day 35 years ago.....

Mason proves over and over again that he can do hard things. He runs marathons, does dentistry, throws great parties and is the best husband and dad ever....not to mention an awesome son.

He whitens my teeth and brightens my life. Happy Birthday, Mason. Hope you party big today!!! More Aw....ctober awesomeness later. Stay tuned.....

"Why would anyone want to do that...."

...was the response I got from Randy as I was telling him about the St. George Marathon...and why I love it so. Well, they do it...and I've come to love it. Been here watching for a lot of years now.....

...and this is why. They don't even look like they had just run 26+ miles do they? It seems like a really stupid thing to put a body through but about 8,000 people do it on this day here every year and the other umpteen thousands of us that watch wish that we could do the same. These runners become our heroes for a day as we watch them conquer the "nearly impossible".....to me, symbolic of getting out there and conquering other hard things in my life that seem impossible. It's just an awesome, energy filled happy day that I truly have come to love......

I like to watch at about the 24 mile marker on Diagonal Street. Then when my last runner passes, we hurry down to the finish line....Laynee joined Mandy for about the last six miles of the course. They're all lookin' good here....

Here's where we plant ourselves for a few hours.....and I can sense Spencer is wishing he were on the running end. He did it last year and knows full well what these runners are feeling at this point.....

We all gather with the other thousands to rejoice that our loved ones have finished without dying....especially Mandy who runs with a heart condition. Runners have their own reasons for running....some may call it crazy but I call it courageous and wish I really wanted to do it. But I don't, so for now, I'll be a grateful participant each year on the other side of the fence, watching with great admiration for those that do it.

The finish line really is a festive, fun place to be. Vernon Worthen Park is filled, every square inch, with people with smiles on their faces....proof of a truth that the hard things in life really do bring the most happiness. Speaking of happiness, it was awesome to be at another happy place as the runners prepare for this ordeal......

It has become easier for the runners to stay in Pine Valley and head to the starting line at Central at 6 a.m. rather than to board the bus at 4:00 in the morning in St. George so we make a party out of the "carb load" the night before. It was a bit chilly but the leaves were starting to change....and very beautiful.

This is my "Heaven on Earth"....I'm so grateful that day in 1983 when Scott and I went for a ride and saw this "pile of junk" cabin and joined with my mom and dad, stretched our finances, purchased it and turned it into a haven that our family has worked on and enjoyed for the last 30 years....and I'm working on this post as I listen to conference and my heart is so full....there's not one person that ran that marathon that didn't have an obstacle to overcome. I'm so grateful for the gospel that helps me overcome my "obstacles" on my road to happiness. I refuse to let any "obstacle" keep me from being happy here on earth. I'm grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ that lets me "conquer" my obstacles placed here by the adversary. I find great joy in the Gospel of Jesus Christ....as do my children.

This is a wonderful day....George and Drew finally got to participate in the "Pre-Priesthood Session Chinese Food Feast"....a tradition started by Scott many years ago as he would take his boys out before attending the session together. We're all a little disappointed that the Priesthood Session is broadcast now but I don't think my boys will be doing "take-out" anytime soon on this occasion twice a year. I think it's cool that the marathon falls on Conference Week-end. Both occasions exude happiness....and messages of hope and conquering.....Mandy is conquering. We are all guilty of thinking she shouldn't be running but I have to say how touched I am that she is continuing to do what she loves which keeps her healthy and happy. Laynee, who runs Cross Country for Desert Hills High, joined her for the last 6 miles to get a feel for a race that she will run one day.

The St. George Marathon is filled with stories of triumph......

This one touched my heart. The parallel I draw today as I listen to conference is this. These runners can't just go out and run this course without preparation. They have a goal, they work toward it and they conquer, with the help of friends and family. That scene at the park at the end of the race reminded me of what it might be when we get to heaven. There were over 7,000 runners that entered the confines of those fences yesterday but there to greet them, were probably 20,000 friends and family that had come to cheer them on and rejoice in their success. Our Father in Heaven has given us an awesome support system in the confines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We need each other to help us get home. I'm grateful for my "support system".....and I'm grateful for the Gospel and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Long live the Marathon and Conference Week-end...truly a yearly "fix" for what ails us in this wicked world and in our difficult lives. We need to get our testimonies in shape so we can finish the race of life. "We must become the rock that the river cannot wash away."

Thirty days has September....

....but they are gone now and it's October, the first day of October and the day I pay tribute to my dear dad as he has been gone from our earthly lives for 11 years now.....and my mom misses him. Here they are sharing a quiet moment together in his office....

...but I miss him too. I have wonderful memories of a man that was my biggest fan....

...a hard working, good to the core, family lovin' man....

He loved a good time and he loved a good laugh.

I'm just so glad our kids got to know him, love him and have good memories with him...

...and they all do.