Here's a couple of old folks who want all of you to have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Thanks for all you do for us.

WE LOVE YOU.

Dad & Mom.

No picture! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with all the trimmings! I'm still full. It was good to have those who came, come. We are so blessed. We have great Sons and Daughters, Sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. Thank you ALL for being such good people, We love you all.

Following please find a few pictures we have taken this morning and evening. The clouds at sunrise and sunset.

Just some recent photos

Kai and the Bobcat

The driveway being upgraded

Otto

Any one interested in following the death and burial of Belle's Store in Otto can look through all the pictures of it on Myfamily.com.

Well, we worried early in the summer about losing our corn to racoons, deer, rabbits, birds, hail, or wind,. Did I miss anything? This morning we finished picking the last of the crop which wasn't hit by any of the above. So our 8 - 30 foot rows of corn produced 70 - 1 cup bags frozen and 44 bottled pints. Plus what we've eaten or given away to neighbors...so our corn crop was blessed!!!! As are we! This is really good corn called ambrosia, a supersweet variety...mmmmmm good. We are just about to sit down to some BLT sandwiches. We won't have enough tomatoes to can, but they are sure good.David and Kris have been here this weekend and so they helped the old folks get the corn taken care of....thank you.We are thinking about a trip to Otto on Monday to see the newly cleared place.

Here is Mom's quilt. Pretty, isn't it!!!!!! It took forever and a day. The extra several days is because I helped.

Mom has been busy! I heard that the temple in Billings was in need of an alter cloth, so I got a pattern from them and went to work. This is the finished product (looking a lot longer than it really is--it is 50 inches long)

Yesterday...Friday We, that is Elden, Connie, Bill & Ellen, went to visit Leon and Eva at St. Vincent's hospital in Billings. We found Leon in Room 532 in the stroke unit asleep. He is under 24 hour per day observation, someone is in the room all the time. That morning they had done some surgery to put a tube into his stomach so that he can receive nourishment because he can't swallow. He also has MRSA infection http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-mrsa-methicillin-resistant-staphylococcus-aureus I looked that up and found the indicated link which is a discussion of it.We didn't stay there long, just long enough for the nurse to tell us his condition and why they'd done surgery. It didn't appear that a long stay would be satisfying to him or us, so we went looking for Eva. We found her room just as Butch and Diane had stepped out, so we visited with them for a while. Then when the nurses finished what they were doing we went in and visited Eva a little while. She is looking better. She tries to communicate and appears to be making some progress. She seemed happy to see us. I told her that she had found a good place to hide out as I had a hard time finding her room. (But then I get lost really easily!)Yesterday was a long day. We left home at 5:00 AM, went to the temple and did our shift there until noon. Then we took in a session with Ellen and Bill after which we went and did the visiting. Following our visit at the hospital we went to the Golden Corral and you all know what goes on there! We enjoyed the meal and visit! Then, Connie and I went and visited a few minutes with Connie's sister Judy. To finish off the day we went to the temple again for the 6:20 session. Our ward was to be there...The Bishop and wife, his 1st counselor and wife were the only ones to show. I had somewhat of a hard time staying awake. I think I went unconcious at least twice! We arrived back home at 10:00 pm and went right to bed, we were really tired. And now this morning I am REtired, just got back from a long walk and I'm putting off mowing the pasture!

Ok. So here are the pictures we took on our trip today. I wanted to Narrate, but found that to be beyond my limited Blogger-deficient accomplishments. So, just the pictures and not in the correct order, and I see one of them repeated...o well. The ones of the lake are south of the cause-way showing how high the lake is at the present time. Now I'm to tired of this project to comment any more...hope you like the pictures.

I wanted to show you our trip to the mountains, but I'm having trouble getting the right order...apparently I should have started at the end so you could get it in the order we went. And I can't figure out how to "undo" what I've done. DUMMY!

From the same spot, different view.















this one is looking at the place where a big wind blew the trees down many years ago.
this one is on top just looking at some flowers...there sure were lots of them.



This one turned out ok!

We went to the Big Horns Today, July 4th. We went to Lovell, then toward Greybull. We took a side-Road half way to Greybull. I've never been on that road. We saw lots of desert which is what there is between Lovell and Greybull. We came out at the Bentonite plant in Greybull. I wanted some pictures of scenes there, but the batteries on the camera were dead. And I just charged them a few days ago. Must need some new re-chargeable batteries! We bought some regular ones at Ron's Food Farm in Greybull and continued on our way. We saw a sign a few miles out of Greybull that pointed toward "Devil's Kitchen." I've been there before but we couldn't seem to find it today. Wasted over an hour taking a couple of different roads but weren't successful in finding it. Just found a lot of places where they dig up bentonite. We finally stopped at the top of Shell Canyon a shot a few pictures, this is one looking back toward Shell.

These pictures are for your entertainment. Folks here had a good laugh, so you need to also. The "new look" is courtesy Annette. Should I go to work this way???????????????? Roland has been trying to get me to for 4 years. Annette also has given me a certificate for a ride on the motorcyle....dressed in these clothes obviously!

I found the following story quite humorous which we heard on Story corp on NPR. We hear these stories every Friday Morning about the time we hit 56th West in Billings. Helps us know that we are about on time at our appointment. This, by the way, isn't a temple story!!!! Just click on the following link and read or listen. Most of them aren't humorous...Some are sad, some really aren't stories at all, but most are pretty interesting. This one...humorous!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91943477

My Monday

My Monday is going to be a lot shorter than Caroline's--even without her pictures. We had breakfast at 7:00. Read my scriptures and some talks from April Conference. Exercised for about 1/2 hour. Finished reading a junior book. (It was quite fun. Called "We Were There when Washington Won at Yorktown. It is an older book) Did a load of washing (yes, I even dried it and folded it). Started quilting at 11:00; quit at 3:00. Read (maybe that was when I finished that book). Had dinner; home evening; and Dad and I quilted from 7:00-9:00. Crocheted while we watched some of a movie, but turned it off after an hour because it wasn't going anywhere. Then at 10:10 we decided to get ready for bed, but I crocheted a bit more, then found I had made a mistake several stitches back, so I pulled some out--again. Then that was the end of my day. The end. Mom

What Makes a Great Dad?

One who contemplates before making big decisions.
One who stands strong when there are afflictions.

One who helps when help is needed.
One who shares when others feel defeated.

One who works hard to provide.
One who plays to soften the tide.

One who knows the Gospel is true.
One who loves us through and through.

What makes a great Dad? Your Dad--that's who.



My own Dad was gentle and loving. He knew the Gospel was true and lived it all his days. He was a farmer by trade, but was a boiler man at the sugar factory, and also a canal "rider" to supplement the finances. He had some close calls in his day. For example, he was riding on a "cabless" tractor by the canal under our hill, and the tractor tipped over into the canal. It momentarily pinned him under, but miraculously he got out and walked back up to the house. Mom and I were gone at the time, and by the time we got home he had changed clothes and hung the wet ones on the clothesline. That was the first indication to mother that something wrong had happened. He had an attack of appendicitis while working at the sugar factory and had to come home early. That was when he said he was no longer going to work there. He loved flowers and gardening. It seemed he enjoyed life for the most part, and I think he was happy when he was able to join his own father in the heavens.

Happy Father's Dad to my dad, my father in law, your dad, and to you who are fathers in the family. I love you. Mom

This picture isn't to look at! Although if you look real hard you can see the car. I wanted to get the sounds of 5:00 AM. This is what we hear when we leave for Billings on Friday mornings lately. Noisey aren't we. It's a wonder that people can sleep this time of day! We have two new baby robins outside our door on the light same as last year. We've also done our patriotic duty and purchased a new lawn mower...you know the tax rebate...stimulating the economy...We've done our part today!!! I'll get a picture of one of us using it soon and show it off.

Here is the finished product. I'm not doing anymore to it. I feel pretty good about how this turned out. Glenn seemed to think it is "pretty good."

We went to Billings twice this week. One for our usual day at the temple, and then on Saturday for the Stake Temple day.

I've mowed all the tall grass this week. It took about 4 hours. I will someday learn not to let it go for two weeks...especially after fertilizing and rain! Trouble is, it needs it again already and its only been a couple of days. The garden is growing weeds. I got them out of the onions temporarily. The corn isn't up yet but watch out! The cantaloupe I set out couldn't take the rough weather, they are dead. Amazingly the watermelon plants are still alive. The heritage raspberries I got from Bob Doerr are still living and growing. I don't know if we'll get berries from them this year, but they are going to stay alive. I'm going to have to get rid of the remaining raspberry plants on the north of the house...the ones all you guys remember. About all that is left is dead canes.

That's about all for now. Our lives aren't very exciting I guess. Not much to add since the last time I posted. Oh well.

Tuesday April 22, 2008

Good morning to you, to you....

We had a very nice visit this past week with Ryan, Caroline, Jaden, Josie, and Jami. We also had Annette and Brian, Kjelden, Brayden and Simon, as well as Susan, Kai, and Matthew. Of course we did what WE DO when getting together...you guessed it, we had FOOD! One evening Mom and I played scrabble with Ryan and Caroline, and of course you know who won that game...for those who may Not know, it was Ryan.

Mom had her innards scoped on Friday after a thorough cleaning out. The dr pronounced her "clean." She has now recovered from that event. I must have had sympathy pains, as Saturday I wasn't feeling well all day, so I just layed around...At least I used the excuse so I could just lay around. I did go for a walk, but that was about all I was up to! I should have done yard work all day but alas, no. And of course Sunday it stormed. Couldn't do yard work that day no how, Spent all day churching.

I'm still working on carving a red-tail hawk. I've got to get some eyes ordered and build some feet so that I can get it painted. What do eyes and feet have to do with painting you ask...hmmmmm. 0. Those are things I still need to do plus a couple of hours of burning the lines in for feathers. I guess I'm a LONG ways from finishing.

enuf.

What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was right here in the grand town of Byron, Wyoming; however, I was probably suffering with sores on the bottom of my feet, and having surgery to try to heal, but alas and alack, yes I lack my toes.

What's on my to do list?
1. Quilt the quilt I have ready to quilt.
2. Make another quilt top.
3. Crochet baby afghans.
4. Crochet an alter cover for the Billings temple.
5. Read books when I have time after the day's work is done each day.

My five favorite snacks
1. Candy bars mostly the chocolate ones (and even Reece's peanut butter ones)
2. Mixed nuts
3. Kirtland Rice Cracker Snack Mix
4. Extra Gum, now that I have to have something in my mouth so I am not sucking my tongue to the roof of my mouth
5. Ice cream bars

My five favorite foods
1. Macaroni with tomato juice
2. Egg gravy over bread
3. Spaghetti
4. Subway sandwiches at the medical clinic
5. Sweet and Sour Chicken over rice

Do I have five places I have lived?
1. Lovell, Wyoming
2. Provo, Utah
3. Otto, Wyoming
4. Greybull, Wyoming
5. Byron, Wyoming
Yup, there were five

If I had a million dollars (or was it a billion--doesn't seem to matter)
I would try to squelch the anxiety about riding on airplanes and go see the world.
Save a lot for a rainy day
Share with whoever I came across that might need a nickel or two.

My favorite saying:
"Let us oft speak kind words to each other, at home or where'er we may be."

Who do I tag now? How about Kelsie.

10 years ago...I also was in middle school and being it was April, I definitely was wanting to be out. I wasn't wanting to be in high school however, I wanted to skip high school, college, graduate school and go into retirement which I did 4 years ago.

5 things I want to get done?

ok.
1. Get the yard ready for summer.
2. Put in a couple of pieces of siding on the house where the old has rotted.
3. Become an independent carver!
4. Figure out Medicare parts C & D.
5. Learn to play the 2nd line in the hymn, "For the Strength of the Hills," and the last half of "Pilgrim's Chorus."

5 snacks I like. This one is EASY!

1. Ketchup on Crackers.
2. Crackers with Ketchup.
3. Mixed nuts.
4. Kirkland Rice Crackers from Costco
5. peanut butter and or honey on a spoon or fingers or however else you get it out of the container. Did I mention chocolate. oops I tried to squeeze in 6 by not numbering it.

5 favorite foods. See 5 snacks I like!

1.Meatloaf
2.Taco salad
3.Oatmeal
4.Pork chops
5.sandwich (I have many favorite sandwiches. ground-up balogna!!!!!!!!!mmmm)

5 places I have lived:

1. San Francisco
2. Otto
3. Provo
4. Greybull
5. Byron

What would I do with a billion dollars? spend it! There would be millions of ways to do that!

I like the following quote from the "Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Jester, "What you can do is often simply a matter of what you will do."

Grandma....you are tag-ed!

I finally figured out again how to put a photo on! I'm really slow on most things. Remember the comment last week about my week-end? It really is my head.

The shelf on the left is the newest addition. Epoxy does wonders for filling in holes made by mistake! I have a hard time remembering the word "epoxy." Had to go look at the container to remember. My week-end at work again.

We enjoyed conference yesterday. I enjoyed Priesthood meeting last night. I THINK I caught a glimpse of David in the choir but am not positive. The camera didn't stay long enough for me to be sure. But, I could imagine him being there anyway. I enjoyed the choir more because I knew he was there! Oh, but I do enjoy a men's choir singing those great songs! Makes me wish I were a singer, but alas...

No gardening or "lawning" this week. Too cold! Good excuse huh? Besides, my knee has been hurting, another good excuse! I've been trying to treat my knee with various home remedies. I slept with a heating pad on it for a couple of nights. Decided to stop doing that because The cover on the heating pad slid off a little way and gave me a nice blister on my calf. I should know better, I burned myself before with a heating pad! I have a great excuse though...my weak-end.

I finally decided to see a dr. about the pain in my knee. Maybe I should see one about my weak-end. One thing at a time! He prescribed some pills to take for a week. We'll see.

Our Friday at the temple was a busy one. There was a shortage on ordinance workers, so there was plenty for those of us that were there to do! Though there was a shortage on patrons also!

I've started another cardinal, trying to improve on the earlier editions. I got a picture of a red tailed hawk that I'm going to try, I just need to shrink it on a copier then transfer to a block of wood and then I'll get started.

I've talked to long. bye.

Sorry, no pictures this morning!

We had a great week-end. (oh, I shouldn't brag about my head! afterall it is quite bare.)

Kidding aside. Our weekend started on Friday morning at 4:00 AM. We went to Billings to the temple. We did our shift (2 sessions). Then because Ellen and Bill were there we went through a session as patrons at 12:00. After that we went to the Golden Corral with them and filled up on corral food. We had a good visit with Bill and Ellen. They are busy. They are also working at cleaning up the Otto property.

Saturday we did some housework and odds and ends. I started to build another shelf for pictures, but messed up the works when I drilled holes for dowels. I tried to drill all the holes by piling the boards in a stack, unfortunately I drilled at an angle so when the dowels went in they pointed in 3 different directions. Should have used a drill press to get it straight. Maybe I can take them to work and use the drill press there, then use some good ol' wood putty to fill-in...or maybe just toss it all!

Sunday's conference meeting was really good. Then we spent the time preparing and eating dinner, visiting, playing a game, visiting, visiting and visiting.

And now it is Monday.

I started tilling the garden yesterday, but I started too late in the day...had to attend a leadership meeting at 4:00 pm and Saturday evening session of conference at 7:00 pm. Would have been nice to have another 2 or 3 hours on the garden as that would have finished it. But, I'll try to get it done sometime next week. It's still to cold to plant, obviously, with temperatures at night in the teens, but I want to be ready when my onion plants arrive on the scene, and the supersweet sweet peas. And, the ground is really right for tilling at the present time.

Well now, I've been trying to figure out how to get this picture on your sites. The only way I can figure it out is to do one myself. So here it is!

THE ROADRUNNER WITH DINNER ON THE RUN! And it ain't Pizza.

It has been a fun project. Mostly done by me with coaching. Hope to become independent some day.