Juror # 55.....

....that would be me showing up for Jury Duty a week ago Monday at the audacious hour of 8:30 in the morning along with 70 other jurors, some seasoned, some newcomers like me but we were there and did what we were told. First off, it's a murder case......is there anyone who isn't o.k. with that and that's where I should have raised my hand but heck no.....a Dateline episode come to life....I'm in. So for the rest of the day, 8 hours to be exact we were questioned, issued oaths, one at a time told about ourselves....where we live, what we do, what we watch, how we get our news, what are our hobbies, etc.....and most of them said they watched Fox News and I couldn't figure out why but found out later, that's terms for expulsion because of bias I guess...  Anyway, going around a room with 70 people to stand up and talk takes a minute or two...then we were ushered in one at a time to talk to the lawyers. Me being Juror #55, I didn't make it.  They had their jury picked by #35 and we were excused to go at 4:30.  Interesting day to say the least. When it was all over I looked it up with the few facts that I knew and found the case and am really ever so glad I didn't have to sit through that. A guy murdered his girlfriend and put her in the bathtub and covered her with blankets and pillows then left the state. They found her 11 days later. Yes, he was on Meth...duh...but he did it and that jury of mine convicted him. That's just in a nutshell, the Sprectrum outlined the juicy details and I'm sure what the jurors had to hear would have burned my ears and caused me nightmares for many years to come.
https://www.cedarcityutah.com/news/archive/2019/04/19/cgb-jury-finds-mcatlin-guilty-of-first-degree-murder-in-stabbing-death-of-st-george-woman/#.XMDIdjBKiUk  Here's the article if you are a glutton for punishment. The guy in the green shirt.....GUILTY as charged.

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...and on a lighter note and speaking of GUILTY.....we were totally "guilty" of having the best Easter Picnic Evaaaaaaa. It's like we rented the DSU ATWOOD INNOVATION CENTER for the afternoon.  This is the old East Elementary and Kyle thought he owned it back then but he really does now....well not really but he is in charge and it is a wonderful use of a very old (but not that old) building as I was in the first kindergarten class in that new school....um you do the math. I'm 68.

Here I am showing some very uninterested grandchildren where I went to kindergarten but that's not all that important because all of my children went there too and some of their children so I guess it is pretty old but let's just say, they are "recycling" it and in fine fashion I must add.  It is very impressive and Kyle is the one that has solicited $$$$ for this place traveling all over meeting with very rich people.

Kyle is in the red tie on the front row, third from the right.

Evan is pictured on the computer creating a pattern for a 3D printer.

However, as I said, we were privileged to use the grounds of the school for our Easter Picnic where Don Willie, the other owner (not really but a very smart man that is the director) and his family joined Kyle's fam, Traci's fam, Lauri's fam, Brad and Ashley and kids and Joyce and Jarrett where we had a grand time playing on the playground, cruising around on the rentable scooters that the city has provided and then eating the best food ever

and have a HUGE egg hunt. I was so tired I didn't even want to hit the Arts Festival.....now that's pretty tired for me but it was a wonderful and educational afternoon as Kyle helped the kids design their own plastic eggs from the 3D printer....(boggles my mind).

After some quick instruction...Randy was off.

 I love it when my little kiddos come running toward me....

 ...so excited for the hunt.

 This is the mysterious 3D printer.....like I said it so boggles my mind. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen this with my own eyes.....

 ...and here's Jarrett scraping off one of the mistakes.

Here are some cute as heck pics of the kids...

 I think Mae has a huge crush on Henry and when I asked her if she had talked to him she said..."He doesn't know who I am....I have different clothes on." Love it.....

 It just doesn't get much cuter...

 JoEllen is helping Ruby get just a little higher.....

 Good to see the guys relaxin' a bit....

We really had such a good time together. I'm going to end this segment with my favorite picture of the day.  I've titled it "My Girls".  Always love it when I can get them both in one shot.

Oh how I love these two.....

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And now as we say goodbye to April, here are a couple of shots I took when we rode up to the res yesterday afternoon.

This is the base of Whipple Trail.....don't think that snow is going anywhere any time soon. Maybe June.

Here are a couple of deer we saw at the side of the road. They are starting to come home. So are the cows, folks arghhhhh......Goodbye April, hello cows, I mean May. It will soon be Christmas.

Spring is trying....

...yep trying it's hardest to get here and just as we were enjoying the outdoors and welcoming some sprouting bulbs, a late storm arrived and dropped a couple of inches over night.

The ugly clump left at my front door is still there just freshened up a bit with the new snow. Frankly, I'm happy to have winter take it's time leaving. I love the four seasons and hate to rush any of them out the door before they are ready to go. April Conference was this past weekend and nothing better than staying in pajama pants and sweatshirt all week-end. I really enjoyed all of the talks and I think one of the most important messages given was to re-commit and return to activity and the arms of fellowship of the saints. I especially loved the talk about answers to prayers and he said that even though He doesn't answer our prayers immediately, He gives immediate goodness. Encouragement was given for older single sisters and couples to serve missions.

It got me to thinking about my mission as does every conference as I served 18 years ago in the translation department and every conference I was able to go into the "tunnels" behind the organ where the translators worked their magic and brought conference to the world in 108 languages. I was honored every conference to be a part of it and I have fond memories of that time every time I watch conference.  I would like to add the pages of my missionary newsletter for posterity as I make these entries into a book (as soon as I find them).  This is my history that I will leave behind.

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Here in Pine Valley, we have wonderful monthly activities for the whole community. This past Friday, we were privileged to hear the Marty Warburton Bluegrass band as they performed in our quaint little church. It took me back to how the pioneers must have entertained each other on that stage. Such a perfect setting for an amazing program, the most amazing part of it being my idol, Ryan Tilby on the bass. I've watch him in various bands for many many years, I guess starting when he would play with Sam Payne and at concerts in the park that I would attend regularly. He plays every instrument with the cutest smile on his face.

Not a real good pic but it's him....and he didn't disappoint. He can play every instrument up there and has won many awards for his talent and has played with any band in the area from here to Salt Lake that you can name.

I'm hoping the one of my grand kids will be able to learn from him, especially maybe Jake on the bass.

I was brazen enough to ask for a picture with him. If I were famous for something I'd want my fans to come and talk to me.....so I figured.......he was most gracious. 

 Ryan Tilby forever.....

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....speaking of forever, Tuesday night I had the honor of attending the "Forever Queens" social just before the 2019 D Queen contest.

Not many of us go but I feel like I'm representative of my class of 1970 and I'm happy to represent. It's still a shock to me that I'm the queen of '70. Now days, they have this big pageant where they dance and do talents and answer questions. We were nominated for our service and activity and grades by the faculty then presented in an assembly then voted on by the students. I had made so many friends that year as Pledge Mistress in Lambda Delt and all my girls came out and voted for me but I'm forever grateful and proud to be a "forever queen".

Here's a picture from my glory days.  I still have the dress if anyone needs to borrow it for a Supremes impersonation. Loved those white gloves. I have more pics but can't get them to behave when I enter them into blogger. I'll try again later.

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A couple of weeks ago the 69-70 Rebelettes were invited to the review and we had a little gathering at Elsa's after. I got these pictures from a scrapbook that had been saved. I will post more for posterity as I figure out how to do this blog post.

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Randy has moved here now and has been welcomed with lots of job opportunities. He is working on Dr. Hoy's little cabin today then has three other jobs in the hopper.

Here he is, the working man.....in his element. Works no matter the weather and it has been a bit nippy these past couple of days. Last Sunday, we had some very welcome visitors. When I moved up here I was sad to leave behind the Sunday tradition of going to grandma's but Lauri, James and the kids came for a visit....

 ...and I loved it. 

It's tea party time again so we had a preview. Too cold to be outside but inside was just fine. 

Laynee has been able to travel Europe on the week-ends while teaching English in Lithuania. I got this screen shot of a post she sent from Helsinki. Her grandfather served there over 50 years ago. She was able to spend conference Sunday on the grounds of the Helsinki temple......and....

.....she's had the true Finnish experience of a  hot sauna then jumping into the cold, cold, ocean.

Speaking of cold, George seems to be doing well in Vermont. Never too cold for ice cream.  My grandkids are all doing well. Drew got elected to Exec. Council at Desert Hills High School and chosen as SBP. Maycee will be a senior at Herriman High and I love getting pictures of her activities, mostly dances and she plays soccer. Emily is at State Drama Competition and was able to go to Costa Rica on Spring break.  I don's think I ever recognized Scott on his participation in Dixie's Got Talent. Last December I was able to attend and watch him wow the crowd on his guitar.  I'm lovin' watching him "rock on". He's had some fun opportunities to perform.

 He did sooooooo good. We were all so very proud of him......and appreciated Evan's cousin support.

On down the line, they are all achievers and I love watching them grow up.  I will devote other posts to their activities. For now, it's a comfortable day here in Pine Valley and I'm lovin' it.........

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I guess yesterday was National Siblings Day.....Siblings Day (aka National Siblings Day) is a holiday recognized annually in some parts of the United States on April 10,^[2] honoring the relationships of siblings. Unlike Mother's Day and Father's Day, it is not federally recognized, though the Siblings Day Foundation is working to change this.^[3] The commemorative day has been recognized by three US Presidents (Clinton in 2000, Bush in 2008 and Obama in 2016). Since 1998, the governors of 49 states have officially issued proclamations to recognize Siblings Day in their state.^[4]

I'll take a minute here and give a shout-out to my siblings Clark (deceased) Joyce and Bruce. This past month we have all been living under the same roof again after all these years and how fun it has been to get caught up with each other every day. I lived with Joyce while she had surgery and Bruce and Gae lived in her basement while they are remodeling mom's house as their own.

Here we are celebrating our mother on the first anniversary of her passing. They met me in Veyo for delicious ribs and pie. To my siblings......may we always have something to celebrate and may we do it with ribs and pie.  

April has arrived.....

....and the snow is still here and I'm planning on it 'til June but the days are very beautiful here in Pine Valley and we have had a lot of sunshine, however; it doesn't make it to the north side of the house. The large boulder in front of my front door is annoying and has been there since the first snow. I must remember in years to come to go out every day and remove the snow.

This is what still greets me out my front door and it's April.....argh..Yay for snow.

Speaking of snow, Steve and Phyllis joined us at Paul's funeral.  Paul Rowe Thomas (we all called him Jerome, thus the PJ) was laid to rest yesterday in Beaver. Several other classmates not pictured were there, like Doug Rogers, Dennis Grover, Steve Shakespeare, Tom Seegmiller and others I may have missed but was a pretty good representation of the Class of '68.

Paul was such a good friend to all. I had a crush on him when he first moved here (1965) and he lived just through the block from me so I would spy on him daily. I soon realized I was no competition to Shirlee Esplin and about that time, Scott Wells entered my heart to stay forever. Paul has remained dear to my heart as a really good friend. He will be missed.

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I left my car yesterday at Lauri's and rode to Beaver with Larry and Carol Ann so I was able to stop in for a little band concert by Lucy, Molly and Annie. I wish I would have snapped a pic but Lucy's violin was a small garden shovel and a twig and Molly's clarinet was a branch from a tree. Such creative girls.  Loved their program......


Speaking of program, Lucy's baptism was in March and I was honored to be on the program. I played the piano and gave the baptism talk in which I had made 3 white baptism bears.....Bear His name, Bear one another's burdens and Bear you testimony. I gave Lucy and Liam each a white bear to remind them on this. (Didn't take pics) but what a fun day filled with family.

Lucy looked so beautiful.

My Pizza Factory date with Lucy.
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A few pics to remember January-March 2019.......

I always love to watch for the first daffodil.  It was a little late this year but oh my, what a crop.  Here in Pine Valley mine are still under 2 inches of snow.  Hope I get to see them soon.

 George organized this Older Cousins Crazy Gramma Camp before he left on his mission.  Love these crazy kids.

 I don't think my hot tub was meant for the whole bunch....

 ....but here they are.

 Daring each other to roll in the snow.....

 So fast I couldn't even get a pic but notice someone heading for the trampoline!!!

 Yes, I do love each an every one of them and all the ones that aren't there.

 For Christmas I gave them these latex bubble blowing thingys.....

 ...and challenged them to blow the biggest bubble they could....

....and send me a picture. Jake, Jack and Lux......I'm gonna call it a tie. 

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Before I leave March, I've got to for sure remember our yearly trip to Florida.  Joslyn has a new house now in Celebration, Florida and I always love going there.  She welcomed us with open arms and we had a grand time.

We always love a trip to the beach and a boat ride.....

....always love some Krispy Kremes....

We went to Sea World and you guessed it.......

....and we always find our favorite eateries.....It was such a good time.

I've gone to Heritage Elementary the last few years, first with Evan and not Matty. This year I showed the bears that I've been making and took a treat of gummy bears for her class.  I really enjoy this tradition and glad that I live close and can attend Grandparents Day and I'm glad that Matty invites me.
Bowling with Seth (no pic) and lunch with Em....more March highlights.

She's 16 now and sweet as can be......