Never thought I would say this . . .

I miss my kids! Years ago when all my kids were at home summers were chaotic. The first few days after school was over it was nice sleeping in. Not having to make breakfast, find shoes, clothes, homework, book bags, and race the clock to the approaching bus. Then after about a week into summer, I realized I had to feed the kids all day, clean up messes, referee the fighting, and not panic when I saw them jump from the roof of the house onto the trampoline. There were trips to the ER, bag balm & bandaids for the lesser injuries, tears to comfort and fears to calm. But inbetween all that the good times out weighed the bad. Camping trips, swimming, picnics, one major trip to Disney Land, memories that will never be forgotten. At the time I didn't appreciate our time together. Now that they have families and reponsibilities I'm so proud yet I really miss and yearn for those days long ago. Each time in our life has its good and its bad. I would say raising my kids was one of the best times of my life. I was born to be a mom - I feel blessed - I miss having the kids at home, chaos and all!!!!

You're Never Too Old

This last week I did something I have never done before. I traveled 125 miles all by myself and stayed in a Motel by myself for 2 nights. You young people probably laugh at that because you are so much more fearless than me. If you know me very well you will know what an unbeliveable task that was for me. Pure Line Seeds is closing our Corporate office in Moscow Idaho and I had to go over and be trained to take over MORE responsibilities. Just what I wanted. Our new COO/Chief of Operations who is 40 years old and who doesn't know the difference between a pea and a bean is now in charge. He is supose to be a financial wizard and I guess that qualifies him to run a Seed Company.(That and he is the owners nephew) My most interesting experience on the trip was going to lunch and dinner with him every day. He is very religious (Catholic) and said a blessing over every meal. So it was comforting to know that his beer was blessed as well as my ice water with lemon. He did, however want to know all about Mormons and I was able to give him the first discussion during one of our dinners. I never thought I would be doing the things I am doing at this age. I'm old and tired and worn out. Not sure how long I can last at this job but I do enjoy working with Brian and Kylee. I guess if I can't keep up maybe I'll be offered a severence like the secretaries in Moscow. I could live with that.

Empty Nesters No More

I haven't decided whether it was guilt or a desire to do what is right but we decided to let the missionaires live in our basement. It is an adjustment for us, no more screaming matches, no more running around in underware (that would be Ed) the TV has been turned off more often, and I must say there is a different feeling in our home. I'm not used to sharing my kitchen, especially with 2 young men, and they do cook alot, but they clean up after themselves. We're not used to accounting for our where abouts or telling anyone where we are going, and we're not used to someone coming and going except each other. When I hear bumps & noises in the basement I have to remind myself the missionaries are down there. For now I have turned half my house over to missionaires, but we have received blessings already and a feeling of peace in our home I can't describe and was not expecting. Its an adjustment for sure but we are going to give it a try. I'm sure each missionary will bring new experiences and maybe some challenges. When you come home from a hard day of work and see two young men cooking in your kitchen and have the biggest mess you just learn to disapear and hope when you come back the mess will be gone. And so far so good. I keep thinking "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are in the service of your God" I'm sure we'll have some interesting tales to tell when its all over- Maybe I'll start a journal or write a book "The Boys In the Basement".

Family Easter Party

I know there are lots of things going on Saturday but if you were wondering about the Easter party at Aunt Sharon's - it is still on. If the weather cooperates! Saturday 11:00. The eggs will need to be there earlier for the Easter Bunny to hide. So please provide those. Bring and something to cook on the fire salad or chips or dessert. Now also please note that if the weather is bad the party will be cancelled. Who would have thought we would have freezing weather this late in April. If there is any question on Saturday please call Sharon to see if the party is on.

Family Gossip

Please notice the invitation to the right of this to Abby's Party>>>>>>>
Family rummors : I heard that Emma is wearing a shiny ring on her left hand -- fact or fiction? I heard Sharon turned the big 60 this last week end. We could hardly get any sleep from all the partying going on down there. Almost had to call the cops. Fact or Fiction? I heard Rick has been going to night school to be a State Patrolman. Fact or Fiction? I heard Kyle and Mishelle took their kids to Seattle over Spring Break and ran into Brian and Ronnie and their kids at the Cheese Cake Factory? ( This was a fact) Answers: I did hear Emma has a ring, No there was no party at Rick & Sharon's - that I know of, Rick's going to school but I'm not sure what for. I've been sick and out of the loop for so long these are things I have heard second hand. I think they are true. I would love to hear any news about the family if anyone knows any.

Pink eye! What Next?

For the 3rd time in a little over a month I am sick!! And this ain't no April Fool's joke! This started Monday morning with my eye sealed shut. By Tuesday I realized it wasn't going away when I woke up with my eye swollen shut and I couldn't get out of bed because by body was raging with pain. No it was not a pretty site. I couldn't believe this was happening - AGAIN!! I don't know how but I got my self ready and drove myself to the Moses Lake Clinic. The walk in clinic had a 1 1/2 hour wait already even though it was very early in the morning. I just prayed no one came in that I knew because I didn't want to talk to anyone. I looked awful, eye sealed shut, no makeup and I didn't even do my hair. I wished I could have written down my symptoms and just handed them to the Dr. cause I didn't even want to talk to him. And you don't just have to tell the Dr. You have to tell the lady that checks you in, the nurse who takes you back and the Dr. For Heaven's sake, can't they all just be there together and hear the story. No one really cares but the Dr, anyway. So I told the Dr. my sad tale about how I had been sick so many times and everytime they were just viruses. So $125.00 later he said it was a virus. And guess what there is nothing they can do for viruses. Why oh why can't I have a bacteria infection. At least then I could have an antibiotic. Well he could give me something for the pink eye. So thank goodness for that. And did say if I got one more virus they were going to do tests to see what was causing this. I know that because almost every chair in the waiting room was full - I am not the only one sick. So hopefully thats it. I am thinking good thoughts and hoping I get my voice back fully and get rid of the headaches and cough soon. AGAIN!!! Its a good thing I don't have a bunch of chickens to take care of!

Olson's Chicken Farm - Eggs for sale

So Ed decided it would be a really great idea if we got some chickens and had our own eggs. I didn't think we could have chickens in town but he said he asked and we could. So he bought the lumber for the chicken coop and the wire and all the stuff. I told him I was deathly afraid of chickens because we had them when I was growing up and the rooster always chased us when we went to get the eggs. Besides with the stink of chicken poop--and the crowing of the rooster I knew our neighbors would not be happy with us. But he was determined to do this and I couldn't change his mind. So he got on the internet and actually found a place where you could order chickens. Did you know you can get 20 baby chicks and 1 rooster for $35.00 not including shipping and handling. And they ship them UPS! Well, yesterday they showed up, the problem being that Ed didn't have the chicken coop ready yet. I called him and screamed "THE CHICKENS ARE HERE - what the H - E - double hockey sticks are we going to do with them!!!?? I don't see Ed panic much but he did rush home and there I was with this cardboard box of chirping chicks. Chessie was going crazy trying to get in the box.
And evidently they have to be kept warm and need food, water & shelter of which we had none!! I will not go into detail of the words spoken that night but I know a lot of repenting will have to be done. Ed decided the chicks would have to be put in the house for the night and well, I won't repeat what I told him. We rigged up a water pan and did you know baby chicks can eat dog food!! Today I am exhausted from no sleep, Ed is building a chicken coop and our house smells like chicken poop. And if it wasn't april fools day and if it was a true story Ed would be packing his bags to go live with his mommy!