Reflections 2009

Well there is just one more day left in 2009. When I was in school the year 2010 was a science fiction movie theme. We would all be traveling in outer space by this year and wearing space suits, our mode of transportation would be the monorail. Here we are nearing 2010 and the biggest change in our lives has to be electronic devices -no space suits yet. How did we ever survive without cell phones, DVD's, video games, even microwave ovens!? This year we broke down and bought a Wii. For excercise purposes of course. After I had Jacob- my 9 year old grandson, show me how to run it and how to play it I have been using it morning and night. All we have is the sports games that came with it. Now you would think playing those games wouldn't make me sore - I have been doing arobics every morning - but, but, my BUTT hurts, my shoulders hurt, my arm aches and I think I have Tennis elbow already! Does this mean its doing some good. When I first started I was good at bowling, terrible at tennis but now I'm pretty good, Look out Jacob! Then I tried golf, Hey watch out Tiger Woods! I am good! Haven't tried baseball yet. I guess we can just sit around and let the world pass us by or we can jump in and try the new stuff. Life is good, I can't wait to see whats next.

Christmas in the Future

It was a good Christmas I think. If I had one bad thing to say about Christmas it would be that everyone has so many places to go during that time that it makes it hard to all be in the same place at the same time. Some suggestions made: Maybe we could have the huge Cox party every other year or move it to the summer when the kids can run and scream outside to their hearts content. I just know some things are going to have to change. Something to ponder when you get together in your own family groups. We need some feed back. As you know our family isn't getting any smaller in fact we had a new announcement at the Christmas Party. Congratulations Tyson and Vanessa - New baby due July 28th. That will be 51 great grandkids for Grandma Cox. That we know of for now. Thanks Chad for renting the Senior center for us and thanks everyone for cleaning up. Did you know that you have to pay a $300.00 damage deposit along with the $100.00 for the rental. Thanks everyone for chipping in so that Chad could get his money back. It seems we are no longer a family - we are a Corporation. Who knew we would grow this big?!

Cox Family Christmas Party

60 years ago a young handsome man married a beautiful young woman. In those 60 years that cute little couple has evolved into a great big giant massive family. This great big giant massive family love each other very much - but - they cannot all fit into one house. Oh, they can fit, but its not a pretty sight. Now they only want to fit a few times a year but still its alot of family. And alot to ask one home to take. So on Thanksgiving we rented the Sr. Center and it worked very well. So we thought we would try it again for our Christmas Party. A few of us paid for the time at Thanksgiving but this time we are asking everyone to donate a little bit to help pay for the rental of $100.00. Everything else will be the same: Everyone bring finger foods, and a gift for the gift exchange game. One suggestion that was made is that Couples can bring just one gift if they want to and play for one gift. It might help cut down on the time but everyone is welcome to do whatever they want. It will start at 6:00 this year and we hope everyone will help clean up. (P.S. I have heard thru the grapevine there might be a special announcement made that night)

News of an Engagement

I think I was the last one to find out that Abby is engaged! I was gone all day on Sat. and read it on Facebook at 10:00 sat nite. I guess there were rose petals and a rose and a ring on a rose and a guy holding the rose. Pretty much a scene out of the "Bachelor". Congratulations Abby.

Cats In The Attic!

Sounds like a horror movie. But its happening in our house. I was sitting on the couch the other morning reading my scriptures and thought I heard Ed getting up. But no -he was still snoring away so I thought it was just my imagination. The next morning the same thing happened and the thought came to me that someone else was in our house. Since Chessie wasn't all upset I thought I must hearing things. When Ed got up I told him I thought someone was in the attic. He said "yes, there are cats up there - They are getting in through the garage" He said it like he was talking about the weather. I said "well get them out, now, today!!!!" They used to live above the hot tub room and since Ed fed them all summer I guess they decided to move into the house. When I came home from work I found Ed putting together some kind of a wire trap. He went out and set it (I'm not sure where) and in 10 minutes caught the cat. This morning I hear the same sounds coming from the attic. So we have the one in the trap and I don't know how many in the attic. Gayle Noyes wants them at his dairy so I guess Ed will transport each cat as he catches them to the dairy. This is a new problem for us. We've had mice in our houses, bee's and wasps, even birds came down our chimmney one time, but never cats in the attic. Just when you think you've seen everything. Life is always keeping us on our toes.

24 Shopping Days until Christmas!

21 if you don't shop on Sunday! I am barely getting rested up from Black Friday. Yes Ed and I were up before the butt crack of dawn and thought we were getting a real early start on things only to find 500,000 cars and shoppers beat us to Walmart. The lines were backed up to the Garden section with full carts. We finally found someone to ask "where the Laptops were that were to go on sale at 5 am" The kind Walmart helper replied," Oh, those were at the pharmacy and they were gone by 4:15." I guess we didn't get the memo that they don't really stick to the sale rules. We ran into Michael whose eyes were still wild with "sales frenzy"! He had been there since 4 am and did not seem normal to me. We talked for a few minutes and then he was off again. I hope he got home ok. The only thing we were looking for was a laptop for Ed and we found one in the regular aisle for not much more than the one on sale. I looked and looked and really did try to find something to buy but it was too early and my mind was not working properly at that time. They ought to have a "Black Friday Afternoon" for Seniors. One you don't have to fight the crowds and you can look leisurly - even sit for a while and think about it, have a cup of cocoa maybe some cookies or lunch. Well here we go into December - credit cards ablazing. If life gets too crazy - sit down and listen to Christmas music. It really calms the sole.

Turkey Bowl -Turkey Dinner

I didn't get to see it but I heard the football game was awesome. I will try to get some pictures to post. I think the dinner at the Sr. Center was a success. WE didn't have as many people as we thought we would have but still had a crowd. The food was delicious. Such a good variety of everything. Too many potatoes this year - so I know I will be cutting back on that. Thanks Jodi & Erin for bringing games for the kids to play. Everyone was right on time for the dinner so we were able to start on time. The day ended earlier than expected when all of the toilets plugged which put a damper on the day. We were glad to find out that it wasn't our fault because they had been having trouble with them before we came. It was really fun to be all together and have such good food. I feel bad about the bathrooms though. We would like to know how everyone else felt about it? Would we want to do this again, is it time to break up into individual families? Inquiring minds want to know?

The Big Day Almost Here. . .

Turkey, check , Potatoes, check, Pumpkin Pie for 70, check - football check! Are you ready for the big day? This will be an interesting Thanksgiving as we move to a new location and hope to have room for everyone to sit down. I always worry if we will have enough food. I remember one year we ran out of potatoes, and one year hardly anyone came to moms and we didn't have all the fun side dishes and salads that we usually have. Isn't it interesting what we get used to and have to have traditionaly. What would Thanksgiving be without Aunt Lyn's carrots, or Aunt Sharon's pies. We have learned to live without Grandma Cox's homemade rolls so I guess you can adjust. I remember one year mom made white milk gravy instead of turkey gravy. It tasted good but it wasn't the traditional gravy. Are we spoiled, or what. I just guess tradition runs deep. A family football game has been played on Thanksgiving since Tom and Nick were little kids. thank goodness we all had boys first so a team could be formed ASAP and Tom & Nick would have someone to play with. Now to think all of those boys are grown and still playing. Now they have brought the Martinez family on board and can play against someone else. I love this family and hope you are all getting ready for tomorrow. I, myself, have been walking and excercising in preparation for the feast. See you all tomorrow, 1:00 PM Sharp!

CHANGE OF TIME !!!!!!!

PLEASE TELL ALL THE GUYS WHO ARE PLAYING FOOTBALL THURSDAY THAT THE STARTING TIME HAS BEEN CHANGE TO 9:00. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CALL TYSON 855-2659

3rd Annual Turkey Bowl

While many of us are worrying about the Turkey dinner, "the boys" are getting excited about the "Cox's vs the Martinez's" football game. Brian has asked me to announce this and the place and time. I guess you girls will have to pass this on because I don't think many of the men read the family blog - at least they never comment so I assume they never read it. Anyway - The Kick off time will be 10:00 AM Thursday morning, the place will be the same place as last year - Leavitt's turf farm - If you plan on playing please call Tyson 855-2659 and let him know. (I hear Grandma is going to be one of the Cox team cheerleaders so it might be a game you won't want to miss.) I myself have never seen the game because someone has to be cooking all morning. Don't forget the dinner at 1:00 PM SHARP!!! We're on a time schedule this year.

Thanksgiving dinner

The family council met Sunday (yes we have a family council) and made some final decisions on our Thanksgiving dinner. You know when we get this big we have to be organized a little so that everything comes off without a hitch. It only took us about 4 hours to decide to rent the Sr. Center for 4 hours, so you see we put a lot of discussion and thought (and in some cases, raised voices) to come to the final decision. After all the chattering ended this is what we came up with:
We will be renting the center for 4 hours. This has to include setting up and cleaning up - CITY OF WARDEN RULES! So We will start at 1:00 hoping everyone will show up as close to 1:00 as possible. NO one wants to eat cold turkey. All food must come prepared as we won't have a kitchen or electric appliances to cook, beat or boil. There is however, a microwave. The Aunts & Uncles are bringing the main dishes, so we would like all the adult grandkids to bring side dishes and salads. We would like you to bring LARGE salads or side dishes. Think about how many we are feeding. If you don't want to bring one BIG salad or side dish bring 2 smaller. The idea is to have enough food for everyone. At approx. 4:30 we will begin cleaning up.We need to be out by 5:00. I know this sounds so military and kind of takes away from our free for all family events but think of it as having a reservation at a resturant at 1:00 pm except you are bringing the food. We are hoping everyone comes on time so that we can eat at the same time and have all afternoon to eat, visit and watch football on the big screen TV they have there. We do not want this to be an inconvience for anyone and we realize some of you have other family to visit that day. We just wanted to try something different and make it easier this year. Who knows what we will try next year. If you have any questions call me. Looking forward to a great family Thanksgiving.

Its My Party and I'll Cry if I want to. . . .

This is a sad birthday for me. I know next year will be even sadder but . . I did't mind turning 30 or 40. 50 was a little tough and tomorrow I will be turning 59!!!! (There's just no happy way to turn 60.) But I will cross that black road, slowly, when I come to it next year. When your in your 20's you can't even imagine being in your 50's. Heck,you can't even imagine your parents being in their 50's. Now fast forward, and it does seem like it was fast forwarded, here I am, on the brink, top of hill, preparing to descend "over the hill." Somethings I never thought I would have at this age is, my own teeth (whats left of them), blonde hair(with grey roots), a job (with my son as my boss), 40 extra lbs.(I've lost & gained a 100 times), energy to get up at 5:30 every morning and walk 2 miles.(but not enough to stay awake past 8 pm), chills during the day (hot flashes at nite) and a mini van. We all have hopes and dreams for our future and although things haven't worked out exactly like I planned I'm very greatful for a wonderful husband who isn't rich but alot of fun, wonderful children who found wonderful partners and together gave me my greatest blessings - 15 grandchildren and 2 more on the way. I might cry a little tomorrow as I begin the end of more than half of a century of life,(oh my) but by the end of the day I will be laughing with joy as I spend the day with my family & friends.

Please Forgive Me Lyn

I guess I have to apologize to Aunt Lyn about the comment I made in my last blog about if we divide the family in half and half goes to her house and half goes to my house it would be too hard on Grandma running back and forth and half would be missing out on all the fun at Aunt Lorrie's. I think she thought I was serious. I'm not serious very often but I guess me being the oldest and she being so much younger (and prettier I might add) I should be more grown up. I really think if the family took a vote everyone would rather go to her house than mine for Thanksgiving. I know I would. But because we have become an increasingly huge family both of our homes are too small, even if we have basements. Heather asked why we don't have it at the church. If you asked the men its because they wouldn't be able to watch their football game, if you asked the women its because the kids run around like wild indians and I can't even imagine the messes we would have to clean up all thru the church. We have had a few family dinners there and the noise level is above my tolerant level. For those of you who didn't know the SR. center is now the Community Center and has been remodeled with beautiful laminate wood floors and it doesn't even look the way it used to. You will really be suprised. The rental of it will be paid by us older generation and so we just want you all to help with the food. We have talked about having an auction to earn money for future family events and thats something to think about. For those of you who have asked if you can bring guests - of course you can. The more the merrier. Lets just make sure we have enough food!

New Thanksgiving Plan

Everytime I have to change the blog background I think "didn't I just do this"? As I said last year our family has more birthdays in November than any other month and I think 2 more will be added this month. By this time next year we will have added at least 6 new babies to this family. As we continue to grow I have scarey thoughts of inside family events. Mom's birthday party was an eye opener for me as to the enormity of it all. Sometimes I find myself envying the Thanksgiving dinners you see on TV where everyone has a seat at the table with cute little place cards and decorations and even a centerpiece. They all hold hands and say what they are thankful for. Can you imagine us doing that. We would never get to dinner until the next day. I'm not sure what the weight compacity is for our house floor but I'm sure the firecode for maximum capacity is below 70 people. Taking this all into consideration Grandma and I have discussed different solutions to this growing dilema. #1 We could all go out to a resturant to eat.(Too expensive, too many of us)
#2 We could split up - half at Aunt Lyn's & Half at Aunt Lorrie's - Grandma running in between. (Too hard on Grandma and half missing all the fun at Aunt Lorrie's.)
#3. We would not have Thanksgiving all together at all. (Can't even imagine it, yet)
So we have come up with an idea and would like everyone's imput. I have checked into renting the Senior center, which has been remodeled and is very nice. We would all be able to sit at a table, we could all eat at the same time, the "Big Game" would be on the big screen TV they have there so no one would miss it. The only draw backs I see would be keeping the little kids entertained and the money for renting it. The fee is $100 dollars for 4 hours or $200 if your going to be longer than 4 hours. We would have to set up and clean up in those amount of times. What I am asking is how many of you are planning on coming to Our families Thanksgiving dinner and would you be willing to be here at 12:30 or 1:00 so the majority of us would be here for dinner at the same time? Do you think this will work? I need to know what you all think?

Rainy Day Thursday!

Today I just want to curl up in bed and take the longest nap! I have still been getting up and walking every morning at 6 am with my neighbor and although its cold, it is invigorating. Plus I have lost 7 lbs. and thats what I am most excited about. But anyway last night we had our Ward Halloween party and once again Lyn, Chad and Jaycie, (who Ed and I couldn't do this calling without) came thru. I'm going to say there was close to 150 people there. Alot of kids but adults also. Lots of cute costumes. This really is a big holiday for everyone, I have said before that I hate Halloween. Its a lot of money and alot of work. And right before the 2 biggest Holidays of the year. (Well three if you want to count my birthday.) But I love seeing the clever costumes everyone comes up with especially since I don't have to worry about doing that anymore. People are so creative. Did you see my grandkids last night? Ok Ok everyone elses grandkids looked cute too. I complain alot about Halloween but the only thing worse would be having your birthday on Halloween. Huh, Deby? It's almost a gurantee what you will be doing on that night while your raising your kids and its probably not dinner at a nice resturant. Well, Happy Birthday Deby - You're the kindest sweetest person I know and you've been thru so much in this life. I feel honored to be your sister. Have a great day even though its Halloween. We'll try to make it special for ya!

It Must Be A Guy Thing

The mighty hunters have returned. Although they look like hunters I'm not really sure they were actually hunting. They have nothing to show for it. They had orange vests, hats, guns & amm. . . but no deer. Ed has been preparing for months for what has become an annual event. This year he decided to buy a huge army tent for them all to sleep in. A week before the trip they set it up on Brian's front lawn much to the terror of his neighbors. I'm sure they were thrilled to see it come back down. Now I don't get it. I would find no joy spending the week end in a stinky tent, no bathroom, no running water, cooking over a fire. It took Ed hours to pack and hours to unpack for 2 days in the wilderness. But you can tell by the smiles on their faces they loved it! It must be a guy thing.

Birthday fun & New Announcement

Sorry no pictures. But my heck, what a party! I could't believe it when I counted up how many family members were at Grandma's Birthday party. All day we watched outside as the wind roared and nothing but dirt for miles. I told Ed, I don't think very many people are going to come tonight. And then I thought well, maybe thats a good thing cause the kids won't be able to play outside and everyone will be inside. But as it turned out almost EVERYONE did come. I went downstairs one time to look for Cooper, Jodi had been down there and couldn't find him, but he was there. With about 40 other kids!! It is a wonder we didn't lose someone. It was potluck and I was afraid we would have all jello salads and no main dishes, but what a wonderful buffet of delicious foods. Just the right variety of everything. It was standing room only and I'm sorry that everyone didn't have a place to sit at the same time but hopefully we "musical chaired" enough that everyone got to sit at one time or another. I was really suprised when everyone took their plates and kids and left that we didn't have much of a mess to clean up. Mom was the last to leave and I think she was totally thrilled with the whole night. At the end of the evening she took some time to thank everyone and give some advice to all of her grandchildren. These are treasured moments that we will remember forever. The one new announcement for the evening was that Michael and Rachael are pregnant! Poor Rachael is going thru the 24 hours a day morning sickness. But after last night I did some caluculating and here are some family statistics: Mom & dad have 6 children, 30 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren with 5 on the way. Out these - 69 were in my house last night!

Grandma Cox's Birthday Party

As you all know Grandma's birthday was last Monday and since we were all recovering from our fast weekend trip we didn't have time to have her party. I think that when you turn "80" you deserve a party, don't you? It's going to be at Lorrie and Ed's SUNDAY at 4:00 pm It will be potluck so I hope everyone will bring something yummy and big enough to share. Hope to see you all there!

Skyla & Michael's Wedding

Heading to Skyla's Wedding

A very special event is taking place Saturday - Skyla's Wedding. Sharon, Mom and Deby are leaving today - the rest of us are leaving Friday morning. If anyone wants to send a gift or card with us let me know. I know this is going to be a very special occasion and that her dad must be beaming from Heaven. Her mom, Lisa, has done such a good job raising her and we are so proud of Skyla. I am so glad we get to be there. Its going to be a very fast trip but worth it I'm sure. WE WILL TAKE PICTURES. And they will be on the blog.

38 YEARS !!!!

Wow, has it really been that long. 38 years ago today Ed and I were married in the Cardston, Alberta Canada Temple. The only people there were my mom and dad. As my memory serves me we went to a little resturant afterwards and had chicken fried steak. I can't believe it has all gone by so fast. I came home from our honeymoon a new wife and a mom to a little 4 year old boy. We had a nice little house in the country that cost us $50.00 a month. We lived there for about a year and then bought a new single wide trailer that cost us $99.00 a month. We put it on a little piece of property next to mom and dad. It was fun living there because Ed worked with dad and worked close to home. Nick went with Ed most of the time and was quite the little worker. It took me 5 years to get pregnant and then we had 4 kids in 4 years. After a 5 year rest we had Tyson. In that time we had changed out the single wide for a double wide then sold that and moved to Moses Lake for 3 years and back to Warden. In our marriage we have had 7 different homes and a zillion different cars. I only left Ed one time and my mom told me to go back home and make things work. That was the best advice I ever got. Life has been a roller coast ride - lots of laughter, tears, and love. Out of this 38 years we were blessed with 6 beautiful children - 15 wonderful grandchildren and one on the way (so far) and 5 awesome daughter in laws (one future daughter in law) I joke about the things Ed does that irk me but he has been a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He has given me a wonderful life and beautiful children. I can describe our marriage with the quote "it was the best of times - it was the worst of times." But we have weathered many storms and lived to tell about it. I love him more today that I did 38 years ago and all I can say to all of you is marriage is hard work, but so worth it in the end. When in your older years you not only have a husband-you have a best friend. Happy Anniversary Ed!

Hello, Is Anyone Still Out There . . .?

Where have all the bloggers gone
I feel so all alone.
It seems you've all abandoned
our "Home sweet blogging Home"
Erin keeps on posting
I'm just so glad for that,
Now we have to see the rest of you
On Face Book for a Chat.
Just when Grandma learned to blog
what a long time that one took,
She had to learn a whole new way
And join you on Face Book.
I miss the old times on the blog
Where life was shared detailed
with stories, pictures, music
Now its on a smaller scale.
I understand that times have changed,
I've just learned how to text,
I'm getting tired of keeping up
What the Heck is next!!!!!

Can you teach an old dog new tricks?

After working with Chessy for 3 years, Ed finaly got her to roll over. Every night I had to listen to:" Chessy can you roll over, Chessy roll over" Can you imagine listening to this for 3 years - night after night. EVERY NIGHT. Her treat for doing this was a piece of baloney. Dogs really don't want much do they. But I do have to admit that it was quite a shock to me when she finaly did "roll over". The next time the grandkids came over, Ed sat them all down and showed them Chessy's new (and only) trick. Oh, they cheered and applauded. It doesn't take much to please kids either. So now Ed is trying to get Chessy to take his socks off. I don't think we will live long enough to see that one. She just sits and looks at him. Would you pull someone's socks off with your teeth? I think its going to take more than baloney to pull that one off.

What the . . . ?

Yesterday Ed and I were in Taco Bell eating and I saw a couple get out their car coming into Taco Bell, The young man had an orangish red mohawk a mile high and earrings and tatoo's every where possible, the young woman had bright red & black hair and also piecings and tatoos and was carrying a baby. Since I had seen them and Ed had not, after I gasped, I said "Now don't look, and don't stare!" Of course that was all it took and he couldn't take his eyes off of them. I told him to quit staring and he said he just wanted to see how this guy was going to eat with all the nuts and bolts sticking out of his mouth and nose and ears and eye brows. Its not like its unusual to see this kind of stuff anymore. We shouldn't be shocked anymore, but I am. I am just wondering when the day will come when these parents will think it would be cute to pierce Jr.'s nose or lips. Or give him a tatoo or dye his hair orange. A woman just got arrested somewhere for tatooing gang signs on her kids. The world is becoming so bazaar! There has always been weird people, maybe people look at Ed and I say "look at those weird people". I don't know. I'm not a professional but I am worried about what people are beginning to think is "normal". In 20 years when I'm my moms age what will people look like. What will the world look like. I shudder to think. I just hope "normal" will always be my idea of "normal"!

SEPTEMBER !!!!

Where did the summer go? I was working - the story of my life. I wish I could say that we had a wonderful vacation somewhere but no can do. Even though I have hired a lovely assistant and could get away, Ed is stuck on the farm. Why oh why couldn't he have been a lawyer or a business Tycoon or even a teacher! They get a lot of days off. We were married in September and had to hurry to get married between wheat harvest and potato harvest. I asked Ed the other day why he stayed in farming. He is a good mechanic and so talented in the repair department. In fact our motto has always been "Ed Ed he's our man, if he can't fix it no one can!" So here we are 38 years later and still unable to take a summer vacation. But he is doing what he loves. I don't think we would be any better off if he was doing his other dream occupation, 'running demo derbys.' Speaking of September it is a wonderful month. Its full of family wedding anniversaries, & birthdays. Its a month thats not too hot, and not too cold. No matter how old I get I will always remember traveling to Arizona for Rick's wedding and getting ready for my wedding in Sept. 3 of my kids got married in Sept. Its just full of wonderful memories. On Sept. 26th we will be attending the wedding of Skyla and a few days later celebrating the 80th birthday of our sweet mother. It just seems like September is the month to celebrate. So get ready for the fun, exciting days of September. Get ready to CELEBRATE!

A Blast From The Past

Last night Ed and I traveled to Tri Cities to the Benton Franklin County Fair to hear the Beach Boys perform. Now I realize that there is only 1 true Beach Boy left and the rest were fill ins. But honestly they sounded just like they did 40 years ago when I saw them in concert at the Spokane Colliseum. I was 18 then and I ironed clothes for 2 weeks to earn enough money for tickets for my "then" boyfriend and I to go. If you can believe it my parents also went, and dad loved it. All last night cost was the Senior rate "5.oo" to get into the fair. I didn't know they were playing there until Kevin & Amy told us on Sun. You had to pay for tickets to sit up close and they were sold out. But Kevin said to just go early and they had a section for everyone else to sit "free". So we arrived early, set our chairs up, went and got something to eat, came back, and there was a million other people with the same idea. There wasn't one empty spot of grass in the area. It was just a bunch of 50 & 60 year olds taken back to the good ole' days. I did resist the temptation to stand and dance (unlike alot of others)But it was great anyway. I'm tired today, but happy to have gone down memory lane last night with my "now" boyfriend of almost 38 years. I would like to think my dad was there groovin' with us but I'm sure he has better things to do.

IT'S A BOY

Yesterday, Monday, TJ and Misha had a baby boy. He weighed a whopping 9 lbs. We just saw Misha not long ago and its hard to believe that this tiny girl had such a big baby! Not only that - she had him at home, with no drugs!!!!! I can't even imagine it. But congratulations both, we humbly bow. They named him Sabastian Thomas Cox. (I hope I spelled that right) This makes something like 44 great grandchildren and 3 more on the way for Grandma Cox. (Forgive me if I calcuated wrong) Way to go Grandma!

Grant County Fair. ..isn't fair!

As you all know I am not one to complain. (well maybe once in a while) But I was so disappointed in the fair. I realize the economy is bad but did they have to triple the prices of food at the fair. Imagine my shock when I arrived at my favorite Pronto Pup booth and found the price had jumped from $1.50 to 3.50. And a plate of curly fries had leaped to $6.50!!! When you consider the ingredients of a corn dog, 1 weiner dipped in corn batter and deep fried. And how much would 1 potato cost cut with a curly cutter and deep fried. I'm not a spaceburger eater and wouldn't you know that they were the same price as always. I didn't think the "lion's ear" was that good either. When you get my age the fun thing to do at the fair is eat and its not that fun anymore. And while I'm complaining I really did think Lyn's cake was beautiful and deserved at the very least a blue ribbon! I know it doesn't do any good to complain - maybe I'm just getting old - or maybe I'm still suffering from the M-80 they blew off at the Demo Derby that just about gave me a heart attack!!
I guess its time for me to take my place in the "Senior" section.

Forever Plaid

Last night I ventured to Othello by myself to see the play "Forever Plaid" (Ed was working and Mom had already seen it) It was worth the drive! I want to tell anyone who has not seen it that they really should. If you love harmonized singing, and if you love 50's music, and if you love comedy, you will love this play. And even if you don't love any of those things - you will really like the play. We live here in this po-dunk area - and seldom have the opportunity to see live plays. These 4 talented men and the people they have playing piano, guitar and drums really put on a good show. The sad thing is that only about 50 people, if that, have showed up for each show. Its such great family entertainment and you don't have to have a ticket to see it. I think that is one thing that has stopped people from going is that they think they have to have a ticket. So if you are wondering what to do Friday or Sat. night and your tired of going to the fair, I would encourage you to go to Othello Stake house at 7:00 and see this great show. And its much better than anything on TV. And ITS FREE!

Back to the Good Ole Days . . .

Coupon clipping, budgeting, exchanging babysitting. This is the headlines these days for people who are trying to make it thru the recession - Like its a new invention or something. But these things are not new to us. Aunt Deby was the queen of coupon clipping.We took care of each others kids, FOR Free, even overnight sometimes. Those are the reasons why we didn't have to work when our kids were little. That is why we were able to live on $1,000 dollars a month (or less) and still go to the show and to dinner once a week and go on vacations even. Of course things weren't as expensive as they are now. We could have a really good steak dinner for 2 for $15.00. And feed the whole family at Burger King for 15 dollars. We took the whole family to Disney Land with $1500.00 dollars in our pocket and came home with 300.00 still in our pocket.(The kids all helped to earn that money I might add) And the kids have good memories of all the things did. Even though we did them as cheaply as possible. I was the queen of cheap. The only thing my kids haven't forgiven me for is the time we took them all to the show one night and when the ticket lady said it would cost $28.00 I said "sorry, I'm not paying that much!" My kids were mortified. (I admit that I was too cheap sometimes) But as far as I know none of my kids are scarred for life. But thats the way it goes, we did more than our parents did and our kids have done way more than we did. But it always seems to come back to the basics. Even if you make lots of money - every generation goes thru bad times. It keeps us humble and grateful. In the old days we got together more, went out less, cousins played together more, because we were babysitting for each other. I remember helping Deby move into the house she is in now, we had all of our kids and everything we could cram into an old van (no seatbelts) and made the trip a million times back an forth until we moved her in. We made do or went without but didn't seem to let it get us down. Deby was also the queen of garage sales and knew all the good houses to go to. Alot of our school shopping was done that way. We didn't have to keep up with the Jones's because they didn't have much either. But I'm glad things are turning back to the basics. I saw first hand Amy's coupon keeping book and I was so impressed. And she really does have a full stocked pantry. Its proof you really can live on any budget. Its more funner with a bigger budget, but it can be done.

Confessions of a Soap Opera Addict

They say that when you give up one addiction you find another which is exactly what happened when I gave up diet pepsi last March. Maybe deep down inside I'm not ready to change my evil ways. I have slipped back to an old addiction that I had years ago. I love watching "The Young and Restless" and "All My Children". I used to watch them when my kids were little, EVERY DAY!! Now with the new technology I can even watch them more than once a day. MyBAD! All My Children is on at Noon when I go home for lunch and when I'm watching it at 10:00 at night Ed goes "didn't you watch this today already?" I didn't think he would notice, and I'm embarrassed, like a kid who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. But how could I not be interested to see if Nick and Sharon get back together because she is pregnant with his baby and she told him it isn't his because she didn't want to break up his marriage, but now she's in jail because she started stealing things as a way to cope from losing Nick. And what about Ashley,who was pregnant but now she's not and she still thinks she is, but her 30 year old blind step son, Adam, is living with her and Victor and he is trying to drive her out of her mind by dressing up like Victor's former wife who is dead, and caused her to fall down the stairs and lose her baby but he convinced her that it was just a bad dream. (I know, I know, how stupid do they think we are that we would believe this could really happen) But I am drawn into this crap, like a druggie looking for his next fix. I think to myself, I'll just skip a day or two, or I'll just watch a little bit to keep up on whats going on, and then, there I am glued to the tube, anxiously waiting to see if Kendall is going to get out of jail for killing Adam's twin brother - Stewart - which she really didn't do- and she's not really in jail because her husband - Zack - paid a Kendall look alike to go to jail for her and he has her hidden in a secret room in their house while he really finds out who killed Stewert. See, how can you just walk away from entertainment like this! I wonder if they have a rehab for Soap Opera Addicts like me. Maybe I'm the only one. Oh, heaven help me, I do need help!

Calling All Strong Family Members . . . .

Chris & Erin will be here and moving into their house Saturday morning - 9 AM. If anyone can be there to help him he would greatly appreciate it. They would like to know exactly who and how many can actually be there so if you can blog or call Rick and Sharon or email them that would be great. That way he will know if he needs to call in recruitment from his new ward which is not what he wants to do if we can help him. If your worried about hurting your back - I'm sure Chris would be willing to give on site treatment to anyone who needs it - wouldn't you Dr. Cox??? Aren't you glad you're moving close to family?

Singin in the Rain . . .

I love the rain. When I was younger we always used to go for walks in the summer rains. And after this hot summer we have had - this is great! We got our air conditioner fixed just in time for the cooler weather - but I'm not complaining. Come to find out it was cooling and heating at the same time. Which accounts for the $100.00 more on our electric bill this month. Just what we wanted - a winter power bill in the summer. And for those of you who were wondering if Ed got his pick up fixed after having to leave it at the church Sunday - he did - when it rains it pours! Our life has always been 1 step forward and 2 steps back! Thats why we can't retire and live the life of luxury. But again, I'm not complaining. We have our health and if we can just hold out until Obama's universal health care kicks in we'll be ok. Then we can sell our house to the government and live it until we die - Free! I only wish we had an old Klunker to turn in and get $4,500 from the government. Oh, well, we can't have everything.

I've Got A Secret. . . . .

Well its not my secret and really its not a secret at all. Its something Brian and Ronnie found out today that they are letting me announce. ITS A BOY! Or will be sometime around Jan. 1st. And they are thrilled. Madi even wanted another brother. Brian is beaming! So lets all see if we can come up with some good boy name suggestions. Something that has not been used yet in our family. Now that will be a challenge. Not that they will pick our suggestions but lets see if we can come up with some good ones to offer them.

Some Like it Hot. . . .

That was a title to an old old Marilyn Monroe movie and could be the title to our weather except I don't know of anyone who likes it hot! But I'm sure that movie wasn't talking about the weather. Anyway, I Hate It Hot! And so does our air conditioner. So it decided to quit. Just like that, on the hottest day of the year. Well it decided it would cool just a little bit to tease us. I asked Ed if maybe the big hole he cut in the basement door to help the heating in winter could be causing us to lose our cool air but he assures me that its not. So he called the repair shop and we are "on the list" waiting for someone to come fix our air conditioner. So probably as soon as it cools down they will show up to fix it. Personally I think we are too old to own a house. We need to rent and let landlords fix our stuff, mow our lawn, pay the property tax - cook our food - oh yeah, thats called a nursing home. If their air conditioner works we might consider it!

Bloggers Block

I have really had a hard time thinking of things to blog about. I know everyone likes to open their blog page and find a new blog entry from anyone and here my blog is still on Potato Salad! I have no excuse. I have a new assistant to help me at work, all of the Ward activities are over for a while, All of my big jobs at work are done for a while, I have some spare time, and . . . I've got nothin'! I have my suspicions why, #1 My brain could have gone on vacation without me. #2. There's not much going on so "no news is,. . . well, no news." #3 Ed and I are getting along and so I can't write about him. I could talk about how hot it is, thats bad news not funny news. Here's a one liner though, Its so hot even Mom has her air conditoner on! So with that I will just close and hope my Bloggers Block will be over soon and that Ed will do something to give me something to write about. He always does!

If I have to make one more Potato Salad. . . .

I know I'm always complaining about something but I have made enough potato salad this summer to feed a nation! The good thing about potato salad is that you always have the ingredients the bad thing about potato salad is the peeling, cutting, cooking, and the mess! Have you ever wondered who invented potato salad. Who in their right mind decided one day, I think I'll mix some potatoes and boiled eggs and put some mayonaise in it! And just for fun I'll add some mustard and dill pickles. It must have been a pregnant woman. Oh well, it is delicious. I am ashamed to admit that I never really made good potato salad until a couple of years ago. Until I made a few changes to it and come up with my "secret recipe." At work I have to serve lunch to visiting customers a few times a year. The first year I made my "secret recipe" potato salad and much to my suprise it got rave reviews. The next year it was requested and now is required for every lunch I do. I just hired Kylee Buck to work with me at Pure Line Seed and the first thing my boss asked me about her is "Can she make Potato Salad?" I know this is a stupid blog, but all I've done the last few months is make food and feed people. Lots of people. People I know and people I don't know. Even people from other countries. And they do love the "tator salad".

Lost & Found

I was really afraid I would be writing a eulogy soon for a close, almost, family member. Saturday Ed and I went to Spokane and we left Chessy home. She is always waiting for us on the front porch when we get home but Sat. night she was no where in sight. We called & called for her but nothing. Now I'm not as attached as Ed is to Chessy and I was also sick so I went to bed while Ed kept vigil over the front door. Chessy is not just any old dog. She is Ed's companion and best friend. (Ok I'll admit I'm a little jealous sometimes) Many of you know the story of Chessy - we have had her for 3 years and except for her constant barking at everyone that walks by even if its the same people that walk by everyday - she's a pretty good dog. But to me she is a dog - to Ed she is human. I learned that when he was talking to the police Sunday and telling him that one of our family members , Chessy Olson, was missing. They were all interested until they found out she was a dog and the conversation ended, "we'll call you if we see her" I'm sure their eyes were rolling as well. I needed to go to the walk in clinc on Sunday for my sickness and I thought Ed had stayed home from church to drive me but I know it was really because he was going to go searching for Chessy. He had to put it off until we got back from the clinic. Monday came and went and still no Chessy. This was not like her at all and we were sure she was gone for good. Monday nite was hard for Ed as we realize that she isn't coming back and wondering what the heck happened to her. Tuesday Morning Ed went out and was sitting on the Patio chair when he heard the jingle jangle of Chessy's collar he hollored "Chessy came home"! Yes she's home but she's not the Chessy we know and love. She's quiet and sad. Did someone take her and lock her up, did someone hurt her, did she just get lost? I think this might be the one and only time I wish dogs could talk. What would she tell us? I have to admit that I did miss her (maybe not as much as Ed did) Now maybe we can't get back to normal, well as soon as I get over my bronchitis that has turned into a raging cold & cough.

TGIF

Thank Goodness Its Friday!!!! I can't believe its been a week since our 4th of July Breakfast. I finally got my kitchen floor mopped now if I could find someone to do the rest of the house. I do have more exciting news than this to talk about. Skyla has chosen a tentitive date for her wedding. September 26th in the Rexburg Temple. We are so happy for Skyla and want her to know that we will do anything we can to help her. I have also heard that she will have a reception there in one of her friends yards if the weather is good. We might have to talk her into coming back here and having an open house for anyone who couldn't make it to Rexburg. Congratulations Skyla. On a more somber note our Cox flag football teams season is over. On a happier note they were all able to walk off of the field last night. This was their championship game and I thought they did really well for their age. Although Austin was the real star and Ben has to be given kudos for playing with a broken, healing ankle, the old guys weren't too bad. I didn't know they could still run that fast, and Brent blew me away with his one arm catches and touch downs. We look forward to more at the Cox/Martinez Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl.

Gangsters & Mormons

Hey, that sounds like a great movie. Well it almost was. We had our annual ward 4th of July breakfast at the Warden City Park Saturday morning. Wouldn't you think this would be the safest time to have an outing in Warden. As we were enjoying our Pancakes, eggs, and ham, the "Red Gang" strolled passed our picnic area. We looked at them and they looked at us. I wondered if we should invite them over for breakfast but quickly dimissed the thought. I'm all for fellowshipping but I also had a red T shirt on and didn't want to confuse anyone who might think I was part of their gang. We continued on with our breakfast and had started the clean up when several of the "red gang" members came running back passed us with the police in pursuit. Emma received a phone call from Jodi telling us the blue gang and the red gang had fought and the police were after the red gang. They were hiding in the restrooms and a house across from the park. We witnessed the police take down one and handcuff him right in front of us and then several other police rushed on the scene and took the rest of them into custody. I never planned on our entertainment being a scene fromm "Cops" But it was a little patiotic watching Warden's finest in action. That will be a 4th of July our family will never forget. Especially Chad and Jaycie's kids. AS our family was the one's left doing the clean up. Brian was at Pure Line working and he had watched a bunch of police come flying into town with their lights and sirens going and he called me to see if people were fighting over the pancakes or something. He was suprised to find out we were in the middle of it though. Sorry Erin, I hope this doesn't scare you. My kids will tell you that I am always sticking up for Warden and telling them I'm not afraid. Well maybe now I'm a little afraid. But I think every town has their gangs- well maybe not Lind, and I'm not moving there. I love Warden - but maybe we will have our activities at the church from now on. I would like to say that I couldn't do this Activities job without out Lyn, and Chad & Jaycie. We have had some real exciting experiences but I never thought we might have to start carrying guns. I'll have to talk to the Bishop about that!

Is it July already?????

Can you believe Christmas is only 6 months away? And the way time is flying Santa will soon be to. Now to get back to July, how are you all spending the holiday? I remember the good ole' days when I was growing up and mom and dad always had a big BBQ with lots of people. One year the canal flooded and our BBQ was cut short with a raging river running thru it. But always a big family event. For the last several years we have had the (joy) of going to demo derbys in Othello. The guys are thrilled but I miss the family BBQ's. We're lucky if we get back in time to watch fireworks. To the guys its a thrilling, exciting, tremendous, exhilirating, fantastic experience. To us (the spectators - meaning me) its a hot, sweltering, exhausting, gas fuming, dusty, dirt throwing, LOUD, event. A long time ago I gave up the idea of vacations on the beaches or holiday cruises, as long as there is a demo derby and a family member racing in it, thats where Ed will be. I realized Ed's obession of Demo Derby's 29 years ago when Mount St. Helen blew and covered his beloved yellow derby car. I pleaded with him to not work on it in the ash, but there he was - mask and all trying to work on his car - for a derby I knew would be canceled. And it was. But right then I knew this was more than a fleeting hobby. And now he has sons who love it as well. Although their wives have a little more control than I have had. I guess I was always afraid of the answer to the question, "the car or me"? So I never asked. Whats a woman to do? So I would like to wish you all a wonderful 4th of July. No matter where you are - or what you are doing - CELEBRATE!

Thank goodness for my Sister!

I've always thought this job would be easier if there was 2 of me. This last week was what we call "Hell week" at work. Our boss's bring in customers from all over the world and show them our pea fields and varieties. We, meaning me, feed them lunch in the field for 2 days. But this year our boss's decided it would be so great if we added a steak dinner the first night. With all the fixins', and a band. Ok, so it isn't like work stops at the office for this big event. So I hired the best person I could think of to help me. My sister Lyn. They set up a couple of tents on the ditch bank in the dirt and that is where we hold this extravaganza. The wind was blowing and no amount of duct tape would hold the table cloths on the tables and We spent every spare moment wiping dirt off the tables- over & over & over again! As soon as lunch was over we started preparing for the Big dinner.The wind was really whipping up a storm now and so I ran to town to get sides for the big tent. In the meantime Lyn was dicing & slicing and baking & mixing & putting together the dinner. We even got Shana in on the event, even the 2" New York Strip Steaks couldn't compete with the cakes she brought covered with the Pure Line Logo and each piece had a candy pea pod with peas in it. It even impressed the corporate big wigs that were there. The dinner was a huge success "thanks to Lyn" and all of her delicious food. We couldn't even taste the dirt that had blown into the food. As the dinner was ending and the drinking began, we fired up the generator and the JR Swafford band began playing. Our boss's seemed shocked that we could come up with such a great band on such short notice. One of the boss's wife's even joined in with the band singing a couple of songs. As I sat there that night looking down at my filthy feet, tired, and out of energy, knowing that tomorrow we would have to serve them food again, I realized how thankful I was for family. To Shana for making the cake, the GerriAnn and JR for the music, for Ed who was there working along side of me and putting up with my stressful outbursts, and for my sweet sister Lyn. We worked, we laughed, we sweated, we laughed some more. I couldn't have done it without her.

Announcement!

I haven't heard all the details yet but sweet Skyla Cox is engaged! We are so excited for her. More details to come........

Help Wanted: House Cleaner

I went down to Mom's last night around 8:00 pm and she had her table and chairs moved out of the kitchen and was mopping and waxing her floor. I guess she had given up on the promise from her daughters months ago that we would do that for her. Sorry Mom, but I can't even find time to mop my own floors. I know that is no excuse whatsoever and dad is probably cursing me for not taking better care of you. But right now I would pay for someone to come mop my floors and clean my house. Yes, I am that desperate. I can't remember the last time I vacumed. My toilets used to be so clean you could eat out of them ( sorry for that analogy) But I prided myself on having a clean house even when the kids were all little. Now that all of them are gone I am more behind than ever. You've all read that poem that says something like Dust and cobwebs will have to wait cause I'm rocking my baby today. Well my baby is going to be 25 and that excuse ran out years ago. I still have one baby left at home, Ed, and he won't mind me when I tell him to pick his stuff up. He won't do dishes or dust but he does do his own laundry and he is building a very nice fence in our backyard. So the housework is pretty much up to me. I just need 8 more hours in a day and a good nap. Or a 3 day weekend. Or a housekeeper. Anyone looking for an extra job? Of course you would have to be sworn to secrecy that you wouldn't tell anyone what a mess my house is. Sorry there won't be any slide shows on this one!

Olson Family Bike Trip

Ya Hoo!!!! I figured out how to add a picture, aren't you so proud of me. Well anyway this last Sat. we took our annual (well 3rd time)13 mile bike trip down the Hiawatha trail. The 1st time we ever did this Amy was pregnant with Jake and Ronnie with Brennen. The 2nd time we did this Cody, Jake & Brennen were babies and were in a pull along that Brian pulled behind his bike.They started screaming when we went thru the first dark tunnel and screamed all the way down. So this trip was so fun because all the kids that went were on bikes(except Emily who rode behind Mike. It started out a beautiful day. The sun was shining and it was just the right temp. We stopped for lunch about half way and the clouds started to gather it started to get darker and so we knew what was coming. Yes, it started to pour rain and I mean pour. Other bikers were zooming past us trying to get down the mountain. You have to realize that we had little kids on little bikes. Jackson was peddling about 20 peddles to our one on our big 10 speeds. Madi, Mckenzie, & Brennen were doing about the same. (this is an old train train track with lots of dark cold drippy tunnels to go thru also and our dinky lights hardly showed the way. Ed had taped my flashlight on my bike and it pointed at the ceiling so it was not much help.) But the track is all down hill and a very smooth ride. There wasn't much complaining until it started raining and it was cold but we pressed on. About 3/4 of the way down Jackson decided he wasn't going to peddle another second. He was a real trooper to make it that far. But how do you get an extra bike down the mountain- hence the bike strapped on Tyson's back. And poor Michael had to give up his only seat to Jackson and finish the trip standing up. As we rode thru the finish line the sun was shining and everyone was smiling. It took us a little over 4 hours I think. We ended the day at the Hot Rod cafe in Post Falls. This was a great family activity that will be a memory forever. I hope next time we'll have all of the family there.

Did I do that?. . . . .

Mom and I were talking the other day about that commercial where the husband found his wifes keys in the fridge and the ad said that if you are putting things where they don't belong you should have an exam for alzheimer. If that were truely the case I would be at the Dr's office all the time. Mom even said that more than once someone had knocked on her door and asked if there was a reason she left her car door wide open. I realize with old age comes forgetfullness. I don't know when it turns into alzheimers. I have often gone into a room to get something and forgot what I went in there for. Not long ago I ordered a dress from a catalog-received it-tried it on-didn't like how it fit-sent it back. Last night I was looking through a catalog-saw a dress- started to order it even though it look familiar and so cute-then at the last minute realized it was the dress I had just sent back. I can't tell you how many times I have brought home a "Woman's Day" magazine only to realize I had already bought and read that magazine. Its funny what we do remember. I remember what I got for my 4th birthday, but I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday. I would like to think that my brain is just on overload and I'll use that excuse till I don't know who I am anymore. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad having alzheimers. You could just go around doing anything you wanted and you wouldn't care what anybody thought. Yes they would be talking about you, but you wouldn't know, you wouldn't care. You would embarrass your kids to death, but it would just be pay backs for all the times they embarrased you and they didn't care. When you get my age you get a whole different way of looking at things. Scarey, huh?

An Accident waiting to happen. . . .

I wish I knew how to put pictures on my blog. I know it would really spice things up. Especially with the event that happened last night. I recieved a phone call about 4:00 from Mishelle - she had fallen at work and was being taken to the walk in clinc with a possible broken foot. Bill Porter, Moses Point golf course manager had come to her rescue. You all know that Mishelle doesn't slow down for a minute and as she was rushing thru a puddle of water at work her feet slipped and down she went landing on her foot. I got to the clinc and found her sitting in a wheel chair with a bag of ice on the most black and blue and purple foot I have ever seen. It was an almost comical moment but she was in so much pain I dared not smile. She told me the story how she had slipped and fallen and then had to crawl into her office - get a baggy - fill it with ice from the freezer - put it on her foot, then call for help. So I got to the clinic in time to wheel her into X-ray. Then we had to wait for about an hour to see the DR. Poor Mishelle, she had taken pain pills but was hurting so bad. So mommy ran down town to get her a Tropical Smoothie from Jack in the Box and that seemed to help a little. The good news is her foot isn't broken but badly sprained and in the Dr.s words "a sprain is as bad as a break sometimes" So we drove around town getting perscriptions and finding some crutches. Then home to find Kyle doing the dishes and the kids cleaning the house. Its a painful way to get your husband to do the dishes and your kids to clean the house but for 1 night she got to be Queen for a day. She is a little better today but the Dr. said no working for a couple of days. I hope she's getting a well deserved rest.

Thoughts From an Old Warden Graduate

I can't believe its been 40 years since I graduated! I graduated on a Friday and started Beauty School in Moses Lake on Monday. Not much time to celebrate. I don't miss school at all. I was not what you would call a model student but I did make the honor roll- barely. My favorite subjects were English and Biology. I hated math and barely passed bookkeeping so what am I doing here at Pure Line as a bookkeeper you ask? I am one of those persons who - once they got out of school - got an education. I took sewing and cooking in home ec but didn't learn how to do either until I got married. My mom sewed my home ec projects. I wasn't good in sports, never tried out for cheerleader, but I did try out for Miss Warden and still have night mares over that one. I would have to say my most embarrasing moment in High School was eating a cookie, baked by the boys in Home Ec, frosted with Ex Lax. I stayed home for 2 days- not because the ex lax worked but because I was too embarrassed to go to school. Such a little thing now but I could have died from mortification at the time. One of the hi-lites of my Senior Year was being Prom Queen chosen by the Junior Class. What a shock for me that was. I was sick with a sore throat,no voice and a terrible headache. Almost didn't go but glad I did. I was so busy at that time with end of school stuff that I didn't even have time to go get a dress. My mom went to Spokane and picked out the perfect one for me. I loved it. I had alot of friends in school but now we hardly talk. Life is funny that way. All I ever really wanted to do in life was get married and have children. Its hard to believe that I'm still living in Warden and working at my age. When I think of my school days I don't have a warm fuzzy feeling. I'm sure my mom was glad to get me out of school also. I loved Beauty School. I love being married and having kids and grandkids. I like where I am right now. I know I learned alot of life's lessons in school and that its a big part of who I am today. What I really miss about school is summer vacation! You never get over that.

Family Happenings

Many of you know already but to bring you up to speed - Ben Bisnett is home from his mission for surgery. I've heard 2 stories but not sure which is true, but he broke is ankle, stepping off a curb or playing BB.(I guess you'll have to visit him to find out the truth) He had surgery this morning in Moses Lake. If all goes well he will go home today also but will be home for a couple of months to heal. Then back to California to finish his mission. As if the Bisnett family didn't have enough drama Levi was hit by a car yesterday on his motorcyle. A hurt shoulder is what I know for sure but he walked away from the accident. (Lyn you're just going to have to get a blog. I'm not a very good reporter.)Get well soon, Ben & Levi! Can you imagine being without hot water for 3 days. Well that is what happened to Grandma Cox this week. When you live in a Rental you have to wait for whoever is in charge to do something. We are just not used to roughing it these days. I guess cold water is better than NO water but who wants to take a cold shower! On a lighter note, Grandma and I attended Mishelle's debut as a Pampered Chef Host last night. I have to say I was pretty impressed. Except for dropping a bag of cheese on a baby's head and flipping a piece of chicken across the room she totally entertained us with her newly acquired cullenery skills and delighted our taste buds with delicious food. I was a bit skeptical when I heard she was going to do this but I think she will do really well with this new venture. If anyone wants to host a Pampered Chef party I'm sure she would be thrilled to accept your invitation. I'm glad its Friday today, Even though there are many things going on this week end - I love Saturdays.

Announcement!!

Ed & Lorrie Olson are pleased to announce that our family is growing again. (drum roll please) Brian and Ronnie are expecting a baby due Dec. 31st. I wanted Brian to blog about it but he gave me permission to. Ronnie has said for a long time that her family was complete and so this has been a pleasant suprise to us as well as to them. Yes, they are suprised also. So maybe - there will be a New Years baby in the family this year. I know that Becky and James announced their baby news at the Memorial day picnic and we are happy for them also. TJ and Misha are also expecting Is there anymore out there we don't know about yet? How many does this make Grandma Cox? I gave up counting a long time ago. Anyway, Congratulations Brian, Ronnie, Brennen and Madi!!

Are You Ready For Summer?

Hot weather, kids home from school, vacations, BBQ's, picnics, and swimming. Back in the old days when I was a much smaller size - I used to love summer. Before having kids I didn't look too bad in a swimming suit and really enjoyed summer activites. In fact in my senior yearbook there is a picture of me in a swimming suit. (Scarey thought, huh?) I wouldn't wear a swimming suit now for a million dollars. Well maybe a million but not one penny less. Its not fair that men can sash- shey around the pool with their belly hanging out but just let a woman do the same and look at the heads turn. Not that women don't do that anyway. Have you gone to a public pool lately? I didn't know they made bikini's that big? But hey, more power to ya. Each season brings new activites and good things. Change is good. I love summer- even in my long shorts. I love watching everyone come out of their homes after a long winter and spring. We're like bears coming out of our caves after hybernation. Its fun to visit and watch what everyones going to do with their yards. I know I will be ready for fall when it comes but right now I'll enjoy summer. Happy summer everyone!

Memorial Day

For Monday - Memorial Day - I will tell you all that I know - We will meet at Warden Cemetary at 10:00 AM. Then go to Moses Lake Cemetary. Then we will have a picnic afterwards. I don't know where. But it will be the same as it always has been. Bring Flowers for the graves, and for the picnic meat to BBQ, salads and desserts. And whatever you want to eat on and eat with. I'm not really in charge of this holiday so I don't know if we are getting the Warden Park again. Another thing I have been told is that there will be Family basesball game after we eat. So plan for that either to play or watch. We should know more on Sunday. Please pass the word to all family members.

I'm Glad Thats Over!!

Now that the reality shows are over maybe I can get something done! Dancing with the Stars and American Idol - 2 shows that kept Ed and I home and in the house every Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday. On Thursday night Ed would always say "so what are we watching tonight, Dancing with the Stars or American Idol" and I would have to remind him that they were only on Mon,Tues & Wed. He would be so dispointed like a little kid waiting to watch Sponge Bob or something. We would have liked Melissa to win on Dancing with the Stars but the winner is ok. And we were really rooting for Adam Lambert to win American Idol. That one was disapointing. (Ed doesn't know he's gay) He's just a nice guy and a very good singer. Even though he was hard rock sometimes he could really sing a good ballad and how can we forget his version of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire". (The thought also entered my mind that he would have been an awsome Edward in the Twilight movie) Ok so enough daydreaming - now maybe my fence will get built in the back yard and some flowers will get planted. We're thru being couch potatoes for a while. I'm not even going to watch the Bachelorette!!!!

Will you be my friend?

Everyone has been talking about Facebook and so the other day I decided to look into it. I signed up for it not knowing anything about it at all. I was exploring. The outcome has been suprising! Bordering on shocking! Of course I don't know what I'm doing so if I checked something that said everyone who I have ever known and some I don't know well who is on Facebook please accept me as their friend - I must have checked it. I am a very shy person and don't have many friends except for family so of course my first thought was I hope everyone doesn't think you have to accept me as your friend. I am flattered that you did but maybe you didn't and you thought you had to. I know some of you "chat" and who would want me, your Aunt,mother or mother in law eaves dropping on your chatting. I will assure you that I won't be on in the evenings so chat away. The one good thing that has happened since I have been on face book is I have heard from old friends that I haven't talked to since graduation. I know you won't believe this but that was 40 years ago. I know, I look so young! This new age computer stuff is so great. What a country!

Mother's Day

AHHHH the aroma of BBQ chicken, & poopy diapers.It just wouldn't be Mother's day without the 2. We have often talked about going out to dinner on MOther's Day but look at what all we would miss. Loud schrilling screams, food spills, whining, messes, blood & first aid experience. We did do something different this year. We had all the moms go thru the food line first and we got to eat at the Big table. The dads had to take their kids thru the line and eat outside. It was so nice. I just want to tell my daughter and daughter in laws how much I appreciate them. Being a mom is such hard work and takes so much courage and strength and patience. Sometimes you just want to throw your hands in the air and say "I give up" I'm sure I said it more than once. And yet somehow we go forward and pretty soon the kids are in school and we have more time to ourselves. And they get involved in sports and activities and we go and cheer them on. The work is still there but it gets more enjoyable. I think Heavenly Father realized what we could handle at each stage in our lives. As I was scrubbing the jello off of my kitchen floor Sunday night - I could hear Ed throwing toys in the toy box in the basement. We were tired, but it was a good tired. I loved having everyone of my kids come to my house Sunday and I especially loved having my grandkids there. Yes they make noise and YES they make messes but when they are gone the house is so quiet. Quiet is good, but theres nothing like the sound of grandchildren laughing and excited to see Grandma and Grandpa and their cousins. I love it.

A Tribute To My Mama

Since Mother’s Day is Sunday I thought I would blog about one of the most influential women in my life. How can you not give tribute to the woman who gave you life. You never really-really appreciate your mom until you have children of your own. Maybe its because mom never complained or maybe its because moms keep it a secret so our kids will have kids. . . but no one ever told me about being up all night feeding a baby, or all the crying and screaming (and that the babies do that too) and still being expected to clean and cook and wash and fold- and in our day, sew. I only remember running away once. I packed a big suitcase and walked down to Dan & Mary Lou’s and told them I wanted to live with them. I think I was about 6. Of course I was sent back home. Then there was time I ran away from home (after I was married) My mom gave me some good advice and then told me to go back home. (I’m glad I did) I always had the prettiest dresses at Easter, and the fanciest dresses for Prom & Homecoming dances. She made sure we had the latest fashions as we started school every year and for almost any event in between when I know that she probably only had one dress a year growing up. She had 9 brothers and sisters and lived in a Tent house a lot of the time. There was no money for Christmas or clothes or anything. She has devoted her life giving us the things she never had. Sadly I know there were times I made her cry, I hope there are more times I made her laugh. Over the years we have shared notes of sadness, happiness, and encouragement. The hardest thing I ever had to tell my mom was that Brian was coming home from his mission, the greatest love and compassion I have ever received from mom was when Brian came home from his mission. She’s the one I run to when anything goes wrong, or first one I want to tell when something great happens. It was after midnight one night when I told her Ed had proposed and it was on Mother’s Day 1975 I told her I was pregnant after trying for 5 years. She was in the recovery room at the Hospital when I shared the news I was having twins! She’s always been there for me – good times & bad times. She’s the one that picks me up when I am so down in the dumps I see no way out. Her strong testimony of the church and her dedication to church callings influenced mine and I will be forever greatful for her decision to become active in the church again. I know it wasn’t easy raising 6 kids but thanks mom for hanging in there and showing us patience and love and not giving up. I’m sure we gave you many reasons to.
Love you MOM Happy Mother’s Day!

I wished I'd married a Dentist

Ed's a real handy man. There isn't many things he can't do. He has even cut my hair for the last 20 years. But he can't fix my teeth. If I had all the money that we have paid dentists over the years we would be retired and traveling the country in our huge luxery Winnabego. I don't understand how one little tooth can cause so much pain and cost so much money to fix!!! And when it hurts you would sell your own child to get the money to fix it. (well maybe not) But tooth pain is like no other pain. Labor pains can't even compare to it. We went on a 2 week trip one time with all of our kids and Ed's mom and I got a toothache while we were gone. I swallowed aspirin like candy and all it did was make me mean. Its a good thing we didn't have a gun or surely I would have used it. I'm suprised my mother in law still speaks to me. My worst toothaches come late at night or on weekends. I've been to the emergency room and walk in clinics and got Dr. Schafer out of bed at night more than once to come put me out of my misery. I follow Sharon around to every dentist office she has worked at begging her to do whatever it takes to get me in. I'm like an addict but get no joy or high out of my pain except for laughing gas. Sharon understands because she is the same way and so is Lyn. I've been to the dentist 3 times for one stinkin tooth this last week. This last time I had a cold sore and Dr. Dorrow told me they were caused from stress and I needed to pack my bags and go to Hawaii for a week. I would like to have replied "Maybe I can go to Hawaii with you because you have all of my money." Well he is a nice guy and so I couldn't be mean and after all he had a big needle in his hand. So if you don't have bad teeth thank your lucky stars and count all your money. If you have a dentist in the family your extra blessed. I on the other hand can always count on a fast demo car and a good hair cut. Its a good thing he's good lookin'!

Confessions of A Lonely Housewife

Okay, so as I read your responses to my blog I feel really guilty. Ed had been gone for almost 7 days when I wrote that blog and until the weekend I must confess that I was quite enjoying myself. Please don't feel sorry for me, I'm ok. I was worried about Ed though. Sending him off without me to direct his every move. What was he going to do? Remember us being lost in the Las Vegas Airport? I could just see him falling asleep on one of the benches during his 2 hour layover in Seattle and missing his flight to Spokane. A few years ago when he was working for Roylances he had to fly to Minneapolis to bring back an old truck they had bought. The owner of the truck picked him up at the airport and they drove a couple of hours to get the Truck. When they got there the truck wouldn't start so Ed told the guy he had some Coveralls in his suitcase he would have to change into before he worked on the truck. So he got his old brown suitcase out and opened it up in front of the guy and here it was full of ladies clothes-bras, panties and everything. Ed goes,"well these aren't mine" And the guy looks at him like "sure they aren't". After he convinced the guy this wasn't his suitcase they had to drive all the way back to the airport and find the lady who had taken his suitcase. The suitcases were exactly alike. So you see this could have ended badly. Thank goodness there was another brown suitcase. But he is home now, safe and sound, Chessie is thrilled and I am too.

A Week Without Ed.....

When Ed told me that he wanted to fly to Kansas and visit his brother for a week my first thought was, but I'll be all alone for a whole week, and there are gangs here, and drive by shootings, and you just tore down our back fence and I have no protection. And then I thought, A whole week to myself. No meals to prepare, no extra shoes laying around, no snoring at night, and best of all, the channel changer all to myself. So off he flew- last Wed. And I had my peace and quiet. I could do anything I wanted, eat anything I wanted. I could lay on the couch and not hear, "can you come help me load these bricks, whats for dinner, have you seen my hat? It was pretty nice until I got a tooth ache and had to go to the dentist and have 2 root canals which he left open to drain for a week. So, I can't eat anything I want. I am lonely and have a greater appreciation for my mom and the loneliness she feels without my dad. I have found that the extra shoes laying around are mine, the mess in the kitchen is mine, and even though there is no snoring there are lots of strange noises at night to still keep me awake. A neighbor stopped by to tell me our flag had come undone and was flying illegally - I just told him Ed would be home Tues and he would take care of it. And then as soon as it got dark I went out and struggled to get it down and off the pole. Chessie is depressed and just sits there looking at me all droopy eyed wondering where her master went and why don't I pet her and love her like he does. Tomorrow he returns and we will be back to normal. I think I like normal better, snoring and all.

What Day Is This?

Have you ever asked that question and you really didn't know what day it was? That is where I have been lately. I think its Wednesday and its only Tuesday or I think its Thursday and its Monday. And forget about knowing the date! The days are passing by so fast! I thought when I was this age that I would be sitting on my enclosed patio sipping virgin strawberry daquiries reading romantic novels. What a dream that was. I drove over some railroad tracks the other day and felt the bags under my eyes bounce. But I guess if I didn't have anything to do I wouldn't like that either. I was very suprised the other day when we had our RED CROSS Blood Drive that my blood flowed freely and the nurse said I must have really rested and ate well and prepared myself. What a crock of bull that was. I think it flowed freely because my stress level was running on high and I had had 2 Alieve's already. Speaking of the blood drive I want to thank everyone who helped and also donated blood. I know many tried and were turned away but it took alot of courage to try. I depend so much on my family because I know you won't turn me down. The Red Cross Lady called me and told me how impressed she was about our turn out. We had 38 doners - of which only 20 could donate. But she told me that those 20 pints would save 60 lives! Just when I don't think I can do another thing something nice happens that makes me feel like we really accomplished something and gives me the encouragement I need to go on.
Thanks everyone!

Two thumbs up!

I can now finally judge for myself if "Beauty and the Beast" is a good play. We took Grandma Cox and Grandma Olson to the play last night after warning them to take a nap and eat before we went because I had heard it was 3 hours long. I couldn't imagine the play was really that long but it was and it didn't seem like it at all.
I think Kyle has found his calling in life. Although it was an out of character part for him - he portrayed the part of the charming, arrogant, good looking, boastful, fun-loving, conceited, womanizing man pretty well. I guess thats where the acting comes in. And I thought his only talent was clogging. We sat by Brian and Ronnie and we were all amazed that this was the shy, bashful Kyle that we all know and love. We were all very impressed with his acting and singing and his undeniable ablility to keep us all entertained for 3 hours. I have to admit that the other actors were very good but we enjoyed it most of all when Kyle and his side kick David Anderson was on stage. I am giving this play 2 thumbs up and 4 thumbs up for Kyle. And its not just because he's my son in law. If you haven't seen it - Run don't walk to the Moses Lake High School tonight. If you don't have a ticket I'm sure you'll get in.

Beauty & The Beast

Just thought I would let everyone know that you probably don't have to have a ticket to get into the "Beauty & The Beast" play in Moses Lake. Last year it was first come first serve and hundreds of people went hoping to get in - many didn't - but this year they gave out a 100 tickets for every night. I think alot of the tickets are not being used and people aren't going because they don't have a ticket. Last night there was 90 empty seats. So I guess if you don't mind standing in line for a bit to see a wonderful show my suggestion is to just go. I haven't seen it yet but I have heard from those that have gone that its "awsome, funny and very professional" and of course that Kyle, is a hit as Gaston. The down side is that no children under 8 can go, but I know you won't be disapointed if you go. It starts at 7:00 pm sharp at the Moses Lake High School.

'True Grit'

It takes 'True Grit' to be in the Cox family. And we all got plenty of 'grit' at the Cox family Easter party Sat. Gritty teeth, grit in our ears and in our hair and lots of other places. We ate gritty (but delicious) food, we wiped grit out of our eyes and we loved it. Brian said that on their way to the party Brennen said this was his favorite holiday, and that he loved running in the sage brush looking for eggs.(I don't think he got that from his mama) I could tell that all of the little grandkids loved it. They don't care if the wind in blowing a 100 miles an hour. They don't care if dirt is worling around and getting in everything. (I heard once that if you wanted to make your kids ammuned to everything - let them play in the dirt.) Well Grandpa Cox loved sage brush picnics. Wind or not. We honor him every year by having this sage brush Easter Egg hunt. My hat is off to daughter in laws and son in laws who brave the wind and dirt and have learned that this is one holiday you don't have to dress up for. Thanks everyone for the wonderful food and laughter. Isn't that what life is all about. What a great family!

Why We Need Cell Phones!

A man was on TV last week saying how we could all save so much money by getting rid of our cell phones. I don't use mine alot, but when I need it - I NEED it! For instance Sat. Ed & I went to Moses Lake & I had forgotten my cell phone- he knew I didn't have it- when we got to Walmart we couldn't find a place to park so he dropped me off at the "Food" entrance & said he would drive around until a place opened up in Handicap parking. We were in a hurry to get to Madi's B-day party so I said I would be fast. When I came out the "Food" entrance (where he had dropped me) I did not see his pick up anywhere, I walked back and forth, do you know how many white pickups there are?!!!! But they were way out there. So I went inside and sat on the bench thinking that maybe he would come looking for me.(I know thats a stretch but he knew I didn't have my cell phone and how could I know where he parked) I remembered there was a pay phone inside so I ran to it but it was credit card only & tight wad me thought that surely he would come looking for me any minute or I would see someone I know with a cell phone. Ok its been over an hour now since he dropped me off wouldn't you think that maybe he would think "I bet since she doesn't know where I parked I better go see if she can't find me." Or that he would see me waundering back and forth. So I went and sat on the bench again wondering what life would be like as a older single divorced woman and if a divorce would effect my adult children. Now its 2 hours since he dropped me off and the party started an hour ago. I am not seeing straight at this point, my head is throbbing but I realize I am going to have to go walk the parking lot. . .so I head down to the other entrance of the parking lot and see about 5 white pick ups out a ways and so I cautiously approached the first one and find Ed sleeping as sound as a baby. I will leave out the rest of the story as to spare you all some words that I use only in hi stressed moments. Needless to say I will never be without my cell phone again. And Ed will never just "drop" me off and go find a place to park. I'm not sure we will ever go to Wal Mart again together in the same vehicle. But I know time heals all- how else would we still be together all these years.

April Snow Showers . . . . .

Is it April already??!! My how time flys when your not having fun. I'm sending out another train today please pray for me. You will be interested to know that Grandma Cox has watched the movie "Twilight". She can't figure out how everyone could be in love with a white faced pansy man. She should have read the book first and fallen in love with Edward the same way we all did. I think the movie has peaked her interest in reading the book. And she sees that we are all still "normal" after our "Twilight" experience. Plus I think she is the only person I know who hasn't read the book. Well, April is here and Easter is coming, a time for renewness in our lives. And I will feel that way as soon as I can put away my winter coat, scarf and gloves & hat! And when I don't have to hang onto everything to keep from blowing away. I'm ready for Spring, heck I'm ready for Summer! Bring on the heat!

"If I Only Had A Brain"

I haven't blogged this week because I have been so busy. Jaycie said she wished I would blog everyday. I can't even imagine it. Plus I have writers block often. But all of you women who don't work-thank your lucky stars! I know you are just as busy as everyone else - I was a stay at home mom once. Oh those were the good ole days. The only person I had to account to was Ed. If I made a big mistake we would scream at each other and that would be it. Of course I never made too many mistakes - an overdraft once in a while or washing & drying his favorite wool sweater.(I didn't know a piece of clothing could shrink that small.) I backed into a car once but Ed just laughed and told me to run for it. But when you work for someone else you have to account to someone higher up for your actions. Someone you can't scream at. (Especially if you want to keep your job.) Last week we loaded a train car with 185,000 lbs of seed for Canada and I have to do all the paperwork on line to release the train. The paperwork for trains has become so complex since 9/11- they want to make sure you aren't shipping explosives or drugs over the border. Well Monday when I got to work they were calling and saying our train was in limbo in Wisconsin because my paperwork wasn't right. I had shipped the train to Wisconsin not Canada and they wanted $825.00 to just get the train back to the right track to go to Canada. I had to call my boss and tell him my mistake and tell him how much it would cost. I waited for him to tell me that they would have to take it out of my pay check, well, a couple of pay checks but he didn't. In fact he was very understanding. I am lucky to have a good boss. But it doesn't take away the feelings of stupidity I feel for making the mistake even though there are lots of reasons the mistake could be made. It could be worse though, I could be a surgeon and make a mistake. You just don't want to hear "oops" from too many occupations. I do envy you women who don't have to work though. I am looking forward to that day again!

"Sleepless In Seattle"

When I opened a Christmas gift from Mishelle and saw that it was a ticket to "Time Out For Women" I was estatic. When I saw it was in Seattle my excitement turned to terror. I am scared of Seattle. Its so big and driving in Seattle brings back horrific memmories of the only times I have been there. People do not tolerate outsiders on the freeways there. But the time came to go and so we set out with Ed's girlfriend, G.P.S. - Mishelle and her map quest printout and Rachael as the lookout and me the designated driver.(I know thats such a scarey thought to everyone who knows I don't even drive in Spokane) We actually made it in record time with time to eat dinner before Fri.nites program. I have never understood how I could raise a daughter so opposite of me. She's out going, I'm reserved, She's unafraid, I'm cautious of everything, she's an optomist, I'm a pessimist with a capital P. And most importantly of all she's a spender and I'm the queen of tight wads.(ask all my children, they will verify.) We stayed in the fanciest hotel with doorsmen, valet parking,consierge. I knew we would be tipping so I brought a bunch of ones, but I guess $5's are the norm. Eck!!! We were just a block from the Building where the meeting was so we decided to walk-Mishelle just knew there would be a place to eat close by. But by the time we found a place to eat we were several blocks away and had to run all the way back to get there in time. (I don't run) We stopped long enough to buy a $6.50 strawberry the size of an apple dipped in chocolate. It was worth it. After a wonderful evening at the conf. Mishelle & Rachael decided we should go to The Cheese Cake Factory. The next thing I knew Mishelle was hailing a cab and off we went. It was delicious. It was now about 11:00 pm downtown Seattle and we decided there were lots of people walking around so we would walk back to our Hotel, even though we were'nt sure where it was. So we set out, "I told them Dad would just be furious if he knew I was walking around Seattle this late at night" The farther we went the less people we saw and it was so cold. Mishelle & Rachael kept telling me it was just an adventure. A ferry ride is an adventure, walking the streets at night in Seattle could be a CSI story. But we made it and when we got to the Hotel our beds were all turned down for us. Sat. morn. it was pouring rain. So Mishelle hailed us a cab to take us a block & he drove several blocks and dropped us off at the back of the building so we had to run thru the rain to find the entrance.(but it was an adventure) At noon 1500 women were looking for a place to eat and Mishelle thought there was a Red Robin down by Pikes Market. So we started our trek down to the warf. It was all so exciting but no Red Robin. A man was waving people into a cafe at the top of the stairs. We climbed 3 flites of stairs and the cafe was packed but Mishelle kept walking and we went into the backside of another little resturant at the top of this rickety building that was so quaint and nice. We ate and then had to run all the way back "up hill" to get there in time. But we made it. (she couldn't find a cab) The speakers were wonderful and before we knew it it was over & we were on our way trying to find our way out of Seattle. We were always in the wrong lane to turn but I just put my blinker on and Rachael told me when to stop & go I made people wait to let me get by. I was not missing my exits!! I'm sure Seattle was glad to see us go but it was so fun. After one quick stop at North Bend for gas & a shop or 2- It was snowing like crazy on the pass but we drove slow. I know that Mishelle was sent to me to keep me young - to keep me on the go - to show me how to let go once in a while and just have fun - I'll always be a tight wad and she'll always be a spender but I love her dearly. When she's around there is never a dull moment. My shins are killing me from all the walking but it was worth it. If it wasn't for Mishelle I would have missed so much in life!

Like Sands thru the hour glass . . .

"So are the days of our lives." Isn't life like a soap opera sometimes or at least full of lots of drama & excitment. Not always the good kind and not always the romantic type. Grandma Cox and I were talking and I asked her "looking back over the years what was her favorite time of life? When her kids were all little, when they were in high school or when it was just her and dad? The reason I asked her this was because I was having a really hectic week and I was reminising back in time when the kids were all little and I didn't work. We didn't have any money but I loved being at home. I thought " yeah, thats where I'd like to be." Then I started remembering the sick kids, the kids who cried all night, the 5 kids that slept with us forever, and how I couldn't wait until they grew up. I remembered the time Ed came home one day and Brian and Kevin had dumped everything out of the cupboards onto the floor, flour, sugar, cereal. He found me in the bedroom crying with the twins. So fast forward to high school years. That was a fun time. Basketball games, cheerleading, Jr. Miss, and I thought "now that was a great time in our lives," and then I remembered sitting up all night waiting for kids to come home, wondering where they were and who they were with, doing laundry all night so the kids could get their sleep,(even though I had to work the next day)Staying up day and night building a float for Jr. Miss and spending our whole summer traveling to parades, And now here we are all alone, and its a good time too. We love to see our kids and grandkids but they are busy with their families. Mom dittoed everything I said. Each season has its really great times and its hard times. And we survive - even though sometimes we think we can't make it another day. Another day comes and we plow thru and pretty soon the family is grown and gone. And we wish we could do it all over again. Kind of like a roller coaster ride. We forget the hard times and remember the good times. The hardest part is losing your companion and being alone. Just ask mom. She needs us now. Its lonely at the top. If you have a free moment (I know they're rare these days) drop by or give her a call. Being alone might sound great when your surrounded by chaos but its not so great when its your only choice. And most important of all "Love the time your in, you can't go back!"

Day Light Savings Time?

There is only one thing worse than winter weather in March and that is having to set our clocks ahead one hour!!! I have never understood why the government has the right to tell us to set our clocks back and forth. I truely belive it is a communist plot to destroy us. We are like mice in a maze. Blindly plodding along and all of a sudden the path changes and we have to go the other way. We are depressed already from the cold long winter days and then all of sudden now we have to get up an hour earlier! Could the bags under my eyes get any bigger?! So why do we put up with it? Why doesn't someone stand up and say "We're mad as H_ _ L and we're not going to take it any longer!!!!" I say it all the time but not to anybody that cares. Ed just says "Me too" I heard once that the reason was so that the farmers would have longer working days, and so that we could conserve energy by not using our lights or some insane thing like that. Well I think its time that they quit messing with our heads and leave the clocks alone. My biological clock is ticking away fast enough and I need more sleep. Lets all write a letter to President Barack Obama and ask him if he could put an earmark in his Stimulus plan that wouldn't cost anything, just get rid of the daylight savings time thingy. Whose with me?

I Am Shocked!!!!!

Last night Ed & I sat down to have our weekly Family Home Evening in front of the TV to watch the Bachelor. What can I say, we're hooked this season. I am so mad I honestly wished I wouldn't have watched it. My heart is broken just as much as Melissa's. I thought Jason was so sweet and now I think he is just a big "whimp" Maybe even gay. Sorry, I should have rated this blog PG-13. I guess I should have suspected when he giggled with the girls, or screamed like a baby when he and Molly bungie jumped off the bridge, or even with all the crying he has done on the show. For Heaven sakes, how many "real men" cry like that and on national TV. We all thought it was sweet and touching, now we know - he's a loser. Melissa should thank her lucky stars she didn't get stuck with him - she would have to be the man in the family! Molly shouldn't get too settled with him he will probably start feeling sorry for Melissa and they'll have to have another show where he breaks up with Molly and asks Melissa to take him back. This could be a regular ping pong game, back & forth back & forth -Oh cry me a river Jason! At least he has his son, Ty, I hope they will be very happy together because he probably won't find anyone else. Well, I have learned my lesson. This was not a good Family HOme Evening activity. It made me have bad feelings towards others. But there is a lesson to be learned here - You can't find your true love by dating a man who is also dating 24 other women.

Mama Told Me There'd be days like this. . .

And thats all I have to say Except I'm glad February is overwith!

Ward Talent Show

Last night we had the funnest Ward Activity night. We had a Talent show and Potato Bar. Our family was half the show and I was so proud. Jaycie & Brenton were our MC's for the night introducing the acts and telling a few jokes. Trace played his saxophone with a friend, Cara did some acrobatic moves that I can't imagine how, Weston came all the way from Moses Lake dressed in full western attire to tell us some cowboy jokes, Haley and Emma along with some friends did a lip sinc, and to top it all off Hallie was the absolute Princess Ballarina! We had lots of other ward members participate but I am so proud of our family. Jaycie, Chad and Lyn are on the Activites Committee with me and Lyn worked so hard over the food I appreciate them so much. Its fun working with family - I don't think I would enjoy it without them.

Are Looks All That Important?

Well it depends. For those of you that have seen me lately you might be wondering when I started undergoing chemo treatments - No I'm not sick - My hair is very short. Last week end I was debating whether to get my hair cut in a salon or have Ed cut it as usual. Well he talked me into going - and I don't know why because he has seen me cry every time I get my hair cut in a salon) well I have never had my hair cut that short & I have had short haircuts! I told her exactly what I wanted but the only thing I can think of is a guy in the chair next to me was getting a mohawk and she must have been watching and got crazy with the razor. Well I did cry all the way home but Ed consoled me and kept telling me how good it looked. (He later admitted he was just glad he didn't have to cut it- he even went so far as to tell everyone to tell me how good it looked.) But I'm over it now and trying to work with what little bit I have. I was listening to the news the other night and they were looking for a criminal on the run. They were describing the person's looks- they never say good things - they never say - we're looking for a slim, attractive, flawless complexion white female - its always 200 lb white female with stringy hair, mole on side of nose & unsightly zit scaring on face. Now that right there would keep me from committing a crime and hiding out. Who wants their weight & blemishes shouted over the TV - its bad enough to have them. Not that I'm ever going to commit a crime but if I do I want to look my best. I don't know why I'm blogging this, This is what happens when you don't have any kids at home to blog about!