Thanksgiving

My turn to cook! I had a great idea this year, let's explain. I thought since the best part of Thanksgiving is the part where every one gets together and visits and we enjoy the family thing of celebrating the season together that maybe the food thing could be different. It meal is so much work the cooking the preparing and the clean up seem endless. And all for half an hour of dinner. Which includes a nap for everyone except mom who is still cleaning up long after every one else is napping. I suggested that we have a smorgas board where every one could do their favorite dish. Any thing, any thing that they like. Not well received...... Jack can't eat turkey, neither one of us should eat the dark meat at all. I didn't think JC and Emily liked turkey. So it all sounded like a good idea. Not so. I got over ruled. Traditional Thanksgiving dinner it was. Much to my surprise it was great. I bought paper plates, ( not exactly the traditional table setting, but saved much time and work.) Emily did the potatoes, they were great and in great abundance. JC went down and got Grandpa for us. Dari did the sweet potatoes. I did the turkey, dressing, gravy and relishes with rolls. We each did a couple of pies. There was plenty, we got to visit some of us got to nap, clean up was a breeze only 2 loads of dishes, ( can't imagine if we would have used real plates.) Em was my best help and each of the boys got to make a garbage run. We have much to be grateful for. Family, fun, health, and most of all we know what will bring us the most happiness. With gratitude I am thankful this year for all that I have.

Just 17

Happy Birthday Michael. Michael's birthday is on Sunday this year, but since Sunday is already a special day we can't celebrate his birthday today. We must have a special day just for Michael. So we will wish Michael HAPPY-BDAY on Monday the 17th of November. 17 on the 17th. Buy the way his real birthday is on the 16th, every year exec pt the years it falls on a Sunday. Happy 17 Michael!

History in the making

At my age it seems weird to say that I've seen alot of history. That's reserved for my parents. Any way I remember gas for a Quarter. Now it's $3.89 a gallon. I remember penny candy. There's nothing to compare that to. We could walk to the store with a dime and come home with a sack full of candy. Bread for .25. The first Astronaut on the moon. "One small step for man one giant leap for man kind.' There's more, but on election day this year history will forever be changed again. I repeat, One small step for man and I hope a giant leap for man kind. As I now have 3 grown children that take the freedom to vote seriously, I am proud that they don't take their freedom for granted. I was so excited on the first Presidential election that I was able to vote. Grateful that I had the right to do so. Thankful for those who fought for the right so that I could have it with out having to fight. In some elections we have commented just make a decision on the lesser of two evils. I believe that those that choose to run for an elected post either have their own interests at heart or really believe passionately that they have some thing to offer. I hope that passion will turn our country into the country that our founding fathers set it up to be. One of freedom for all. One where we all can be successful. And most of all safe and
Happy.

Live, Laugh, Love

Well I Guess 3's the charm. We usually don't get one weekend away by ourselves, but this year we have gotten 3. Parker wanted to go with JC and Emily to the Ute game in New Mexico and Michael is in the finales with Alta football. So we find ourselves on this Halloween being able to choose what we do with our time. So...........once again we have gotten on the motorcycle. We want to head toward the Canyons again. Knowing that rain is on it's way we carefully choose our route. We head toward Price, into Emery and under I70. Back side of Fishlake, beautiful day but chilly, the canyon is beautiful, lost all it's leaves but still pretty. We end up in Torrey. The west side of Capitol Reef. Saturday we travel through Capitol Reef and on to Canyon Lands and stop in Moab. It's hard to describe the way the beauty of this canyon makes me feel. I'm sure that there aren't many places that have this kind of beauty. I love it here. This is where the trip would end if I had my way. But being fearful that the rain will find us tomorrow Jack decides that we should move on to Green River. So on we go. I have lived most of my life walking on the safe side. Not looking for the excitement that makes me feel as if I'm walking on the dangerous side. Keeping my kids held back so as not to let them get into dangerous situations. being fearful that one of us will leave or get hurt. So spending this much time on a motorcycle is far from the safe side of life. (Where's the seat belt?) And now there's rain coming. Sure that it will hold off till later we get up and head out early. I hate Price canyon and just know that Soldier Summit is the worst place to be in a storm cause it always snows, we take I70 toward Salina. What a beautiful piece of road, that's what I'm on the back of that bike thinking. See I was right, and then comes the rain. To late to turn around and go the other way so on we go. Jack's only thought as we travel through all that rain is, why? Why, are we traveling further away from home. It's cold, we are getting wetter and wetter and Jack can't see. So every so often he has to blow the rain off his face shield. Wow, what a trip. From Salina to Nephi pretty uneventful. And here we are home again. The four of us once again under one roof again. Back to work, and school and all the activities that we each do, I want my family to know how much I have loved the life we have and have had together. Some have moved on and have lives of their own. I choose safety so that I could have one more day with each of them. So to Dari, (and her family), JC, (and Emily), Spencer, Michael, and Parker I cherish the life I've been blessed with, never wishing for more, just wanting time, time to spend with each of you. Loving you and making memories that can be what we build on tomorrow. So here's to the safe side. AND TO YOUR DAD, JACK WHO TAKES ME ON THE WILD SIDE! You have been my life I love each of you.

Happy 19th Spencer

October 30 what a great day to have a Birthday! It was always fun for me to celebrate Spencer's birthday. You got to dress up and act crazy if you wanted and know body thought a thing of it. The decorations were always easy and cute, who can argue with Frankenstein and ghosts. He always asked for the grave yard cake. Except this year, no cake, "no cake for me he said. I always get the grave yard cake." So no cake it is, specially since he is away at school. First birthday away from home. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPENCER!

9 to 5

Does any one agree that Monday is only the worst day of the week because it's the day we all return to work? So if your Monday was Tuesday would it hold the same dislike? Well I can tell you that no matter what the day, the return to work is hard no matter what the day of the week. I have a great job! I set my own hours (pretty much), I can call it off at any time (with in reason) and I really do love what I'm doing. I work in the water all day long, or not. I swim, I exercise, who gets paid to exercise, I do. I get to work with great people when they are feeling their best and recreating. I also can work with the cutest kids (for the most part, as kids go). I teach swim lessons to kids and adults, and I teach Water Aerobics. As a young person it was thought that I would be a secretary, book keeper or the like. Hated it, but I did it for awhile. Too many skirt chasers.

But my true love is my home and my family! So I put my all into it. I cleaned, I cooked (including desert every night) I sew, arrange flowers, learned to paint, crochet and knit. I groomed the yard and mowed lawns, planted flowers and vegetables. I can and prepared a storage,tried to do it all and do it at home. And I loved it. Then every one grew up, and I found that I had lots of time on my hands. I had no problem filling the hours, but, I felt guilty that I loved what I was doing and For so many years Jack had worked so hard to care for us. Now granted, now and then I did hold a few jobs. Usually long enough to get us out of debit, pay off the Dr. bills or buy transportation. But as soon as we could see daylight I was done and back to the job I loved.

The problem is now I really do have a job that I like, exec pt that it so physically demanding that there's no way I can do it full time. So for now I will do what I can and help bring in the bacon. And still have the advantage of being home also.

Long Days

We had Spencer home with us for the first time since August 15. We all had a long weekend over UEA. Except that Jack and I spent 14 hrs. of it in a car traveling and we still ended up at home! But we had Spencer and a few extra young men. What a long drive, made even longer by the fact the once we reached our destination we just turned around and did it all again. We hope that he will be coming home at Thanksgiving, and that it is some one Else's turn to drive. We enjoyed his visit though. We celebrated his birthday, partied, shopped and had family over for dinner! It's plain to see that we put a crimp in his style. College life agree's with him.

Date, Dance all first's

Alta Homecoming, first date, First dance, Michael did it all. It's not possible. Michael old enough to date! He's just a little guy! At 6 ft and 100 and something lbs. He really shot up this last year. And I literally mean shot up. At least 6 inches. I was beginning to think he was going to be our shrimp. (But I guess we won't have a shrimp, their all over 6 ft. except Dari.) Taller than dad and I and still growing. Ok so guess he really can be old enough to date, he sure looked fine and claims he had a good time.

Friday Night Lights

Here I am spending 2 nights a week at a football game. Who would have thought. But I guess when the boys you are chasing are your sons it makes all the difference. Parker has spent so much time in the gym and has really developed some good muscle. He now looks 21 going on 15. He usually gets to play in the last quarter. Can't believe a young man with his strength and ability doesn't get more play time. But we hope he sticks it out and stays on for his JV season, I think he will really see some good play time. I really am bad at positions, but, he is defensive line right on the end. Usually gets a good block and moves right for the person with the ball, has gotten some really good sacks this season. I look forward to next season.

Now on to game two, (or three). Michael is on the JV team. He was one of the persistent ones. Not much play time as a sophomore, but here he is now getting in for about half of the game, and playing some in the last quarter of the Varsity game. So at times we have had 3 games in a week and then Parker is insistent that we need to go to a UTE game also. Michael plays defense also, as defensive back. He is pretty good at making sure he knows where the guy with ball is and not letting him get by. So for as much as I really don't like sitting, (especially in the cold) to watch a football game we have some pretty exciting Friday Night's, (and sometimes, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday also). Stick with it boys and enjoy it while you can!!!

What A Great Week

As usual we started the week of September 15th like any other week, work, school, football practice, laundry, dinner and all that other stuff that fills our time. But we had many great and exciting fun things that we each were able to do. On Tuesday myself, Dari and Emily went to see the Musical "Big". Just like the movie only with out Tom Hanks. It was great. Dari was shocked that they sang to every thing. Thus, a musical. And from now on maybe it will be just Emily and I. On Wednesday Jack and I went to the UMFA to see the art show Monet to Picasso. It was ok, we stood in line for at least 1 1/2 hours, and we had pre purchased tickets so as to make sure we could get in to see it before it was gone. After all when can you see a real Picasso? We looked, we wondered, and we are not sure what to think. It was amazing to think that those painting could survive so many years and that we were looking at a canvas that was 100's of years old. But would I buy any of them. Even if I could afford them the only one Jack said he would bring home was the "Thinker". Thursday Michael got up and got on the bus that would take him and the football team to play a game in Sacramento California. Jack and I loaded the motor cycle and took off for Cedar City, the long way. We went through Delta and many other places that time has passed by. Got to visit with Spencer. He looked great and seamed to be having a great time. He is not starving any way. Busy with school and having fun. We rode around the long way west into St. George and across the valley and into Zions. Then on Saturday we headed for home after having breakfast with Spencer, of course we had to get him out of bed first. We then headed for Bryce Canyon. We came across the reason we will never forget to wear our helmets. A motor cycle group of 6 passed us, no helmets and going too fast for my liking. Soon we came upon them and one had a bashed up head. NOT GOOD! We got a small amount of rain and it was chilly but we were dressed plenty warm. It was great. Saw some wild Turkeys, deer and antelope. When I say towns that time has forgot, in Koosharem we had to stop for gas, modern is not what this town is about. One pump, and you have to tell the clerk how much gas you pumped. In side the store it was just the way it was for ever ago. All the old cabinets and scales, cash register and supply shelves were still in use. It is also the Post Office, and all the old brass mail boxes still in use, it was truely a real life working museum. So for home we headed no free-way for us. You've heard that the joy is in the journey. How true that is for us. I decided that when I'm in a car I look forward to getting to my destination. But on the bike the journey is the destination. We enjoyed each other and the trip. Now it seems as if we forgot all about Parker. Not true, he was able to travel with JC and Emily to Colorado to watch the UTES play Air force. He even got front row seats all the way. How lucky is that! So as I said we all had a great week.

What a mess!!!!

OH MY GOSH. It's true that only your hair dresser knows. (That's would be Dari.) Let's see if try number three works. If you have read my other blog it's not real, it is only a figment of your imagination, or is it mine. That's scarry!!! Here we go, I HOPE. Well the summer has come and gone, way to quickly. It started out with Spencers graduation, and looking forward to him going to college. He now is at SUU. Parker and Michael in football training, not much has changed for them. Practice, school, more practice and games. Although Parker still found time to get himself grounded. While they were gone the week of July 7th to football camp Jack and I took a motor cycle trip to Yellow Stone. Aside from some time alone, I wanted to see a Moose. But, the only wildlife I got to see was the Bare running around my hotel room every night. It was a great way To spend my 50th birthday. My children had other plans. On July 12th the two oldest, with the help of their father and a well behaved neighbor pulled off a surprise party. Surprise it was, surprise people showed up, great food and it was fun, with Jack giving me a scooter. When asked if I felt older my reply was, "how can I feel older when still acting like a teen." So my ride to and from work is like a little minny trip every day. How can I be going to work when I'm having so much fun getting there. August was spent with Dari being sick, and that's putting it mild. I always thought I would be a great Grandma. But, what I'm finding out is it's a lot of work. And yet there are times when Grandma is the best thing in the world to be. Well here I am again ready to push Post or save, I have to go to work now so hope this works!

The Great Gathering
Every Labor Day for all of Jack's child hood his Grandmother would get all her children together. They would laugh and eat and visit and have a great time. It was a time to catch up, and for cousins to play together. Now all are grown up and Grandma is gone, but Carole has taken over the gathering. What a big job, and she does a great job. Just wish we could figure out how to make it easier on her so that all the cousins, second cousins, grand kids and so on could make it an every year event. This year every one was here execpt Jack Garbett.
Posted by Jack & Theresa at 10:24 AM