Something to Blog About.....: February 2008

Grandma Musings.....

For those of you who just can't get enough of Hudson and Hannah's cute quotes, here are a few about Grandma.......

The other day I was talking to Lesli on the phone while she supervised the twins taking a bath. I could here Hannah in the background saying, "Twust me, Hudson, twust me!" She was trying to get him to tilt his head back so SHE could pour water over his sudsy head!

We sent them some "green stuff" for Valentines in ones so they could give some to Jesus, save some and spend some. While riding along, out of the blue Hannah said, "Since Grandpa and Grandma sent us SO MUCH MONEY, I think we should do something nice for them." Lesli: "What do you think we should do, Hannah?" Hannah, "I have NO IDEA." Hudson: "I know, I know! I could guard their castle!"

Lesli has become a soccer mom now and they are in a soccer league and Saturday is their first game. I get to be there! Grandpa wants me to video it....a four year old soccer match!" Actually, I had intended to drive home midday on Saturday, not knowing what a chance at such a monumental athletic event I would miss but Hannah, put two and two together and realized Grandma would be in town on Saturday therefore, she would see their very first soccer game! Whoppee!!! She made it a point to tell her coach that "her Grandma would be there." Lesli informed me "The coach is counting on you being there, I'm sure" Well, I wouldn't miss it for the world!

Meanwhile, our Kaylee is growing up just tooooo fast. I can't believe she is already a toddler!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UGGGGG!!!

Typical weekend

For our life, "typical" means "atypical" because it is anything but routine! This weekend, amidst the "typical" we had a spur of the moment visitor from Alaska, I worked with a bunch of my "kiddos" at a Relay for Life at Greyhound Arena and on Saturday morning, gave a presentation at a conference to thirty parents. Meanwhile, Phil and hired help painted Kilz all over the ceiling. Boredom is NOT a problem!

I couldn't let Melissa get ahead of me with her "home improvement" photos so here's some of my own "before" photos.

Wood working

Here's last Monday's wood load. These logs aren't as fat as they usually are.

Hank

Today I helped sponsor a Teen Summit. It was attended by 95 high risk, seventh and eighth graders and went eight hours! We had lunch and dinner and nine breakout sessions. Hank Baskett, III, was our keynote speaker. Hank is a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles - for those who may not know him. And he is our very own Clovis boy! His dad, Hank II is a good friend of Phil's. Hank is such a great role model and is anxious to give back to the community.

The t-shirts say, "Stop Toxic Movies - Smoking in the movies means death in real life." in recognition of "International Smoke-free Movies Week of Action".

I went immediately from that event to give a training on spit tobacco to a group of 4-H leaders from our county. Man, what a difference in kids! These kids will be peer educators and give the presentation to all the 4-H clubs in the county.

....I'm pretty well wasted tonight! I don't know why Phil hit the sack before me....he got up at 4:30 a.m. He and a friend put out seventeen American flags around town (a Kiwanis activity). Then they drove our one ton to Mountainaire, NM (5 hours away), loaded about three cords of wood, drove home and then picked up the flags and came home! That's REALLY WASTED!!

From the Garden to the Picnic Table

O.k. so this is random! Phil is just beginning to dig in the garden and plant some early crop. And we are beginning to plan our first 5th wheel outing for the year - mid-March to Villanueva State Park! Can't wait to enjoy both! I just happened to find this post draft I never posted so here it is. The meal includes patty pan squash on the grill, garden greens and grilled chicken breast! The vine-ripened tomatoes were drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with fresh basil.

When is a man the most romantic..

...or the much prefered (by men) question, "When is a man the sexist.....in an apron or on a ladder? I'm not sure.

Valentine's Day my sweetheart spent the day tearing down 625 sq ft of ugly ceiling tile. He did that wedged between three meetings and teaching two tobacco cessation classes. He was dead tired by the end of the day but we still enjoyed a dinner of grilled steak, twice baked potatoes, baked squash, green salad with homemade red onion dressing, garlic toast AND MADE FROM SCRATCH CHOCOLATE PIE and exchanging romantic cards AND the rest is sensored!!! I tell you....men are irresistable on a ladder or in an apron! :) I say all this to just celebrate the fact that in a day and age where a lot of society would have you believe life-long love, romance and passion are a thing of the past, there are many people who have guarded and cherished it and it remains a living and priceless treasure year after year!

A storm is blowing in today. It's 33 degrees outside but the 24 mph wind makes it feel like 21. He's on his way to the dump with all those ceiling tiles.

What's happening in YOUR neck of the Woods? Go easy on the chocholate or be sure and take time to hit the gym!

To My Only Squeeze!

Happy Valentines Day to the Love of My Life!!!!

"Today is the day we're suppose to send and say "sweet nothings to our Sweetheart. We've never been real big on huge holiday celebrations because we celebrate often and say and show our love when it is not expected. For Valentine's Day he's ripping down 625 sq ft of ceiling tile for me! Now that's love!! I take delight in blogging about my "Main Squeeze" who has been my "Main Squeeze" since the Fall of 1969! WOW! That's over thirty-eight years! It's amazing to reminisce about all the fun times we've had, passion we've shared and blessings we've received. None have been any more delightful than the past years. This past Christmas he bought me the most beautiful diamond for my wedding ring. He had been saving for it for several years. I'd say that's worth more than a truck load of roses! It would be impossible to record all the things I value about him or our relationship but high on the list would be all the tings we enjoy together like attending sporting events, fifthwheeling, worshipping, enjoying all kinds of foods. I love the fresh vegetables he raises in the garden and the warmth of our woodburner which he keeps stocked with wood. (He still lights my FIRE!! If there is one word that best describes my honey, it's "PASSIONATE!") Worshipping God together in church side-by-side with his arm around me is a special delight for me and I treasure that blessing.Love you, Babe!!!!!

In Memory of My Brother-in-law

The family said good bye to my brother-in-law, Dick this past Saturday. The weather in the northwest had been so unpredictible that we were urged to delay our trip up there. Hopefully, we can attend a special time in June when his ashed will be scattered in an area he loved to hunt. Dick reminded me of Walter Matheau in his later years. He was a tall, handsome man and and made an impressive cop! And at 6'5" standing next to my gorgeous sister, they made a strikingly attractive couple! (See photo below)

My sister, Diane never ceases to leave me in "awe" of her creatvie talents. True to our family practicality (we got it from our mother and we ALL got it) we aren't in to spending oodles of money draping flowers on graves. When my mother died, Diane made a beautiful casket blanket of flowers using mom's own flowers picked from her own garden! Once again, she wowed us with what she did for Dick's memorial service! Using a metal sculpture which was cut with a welding torch by our son, Pat, she added this elk to this arrangement she made around the box holding his ashes!

Here are exerts from the Obituary in the Spokane paper:

Richard "Dick" C. Chapman, loving husband of Diane Chapman, passed away quietly at home on Jan. 30th. He was born on Jan. 23, 1928 in Chewelah, WA. Dick grew up in Chewelah and played basketball at Jenkins High School and earned a scholarship to play basketball at WSU. Basketball was one of his favorite hobbies.
In fact, four days before he died-he was up at 9am all ready to watch GU on TV! In 1951, Dick started employment at Utter Cadillac and worked there until he proudly joined The Spokane Police Department in 1957. Dick held several positions including patrolman, detective and retired as a sergeant in 1985. He was always willing to help those in need and never hesitated to lend a helping hand. Dick was also president of the Washington State Council of Police Officers in the 1970's.
After retirement, Dick loved to play golf and enjoyed traveling always looking for the perfect golf course. He played many years at Wandermere in tournaments with his wife, Diane. Dick's sense of humor will never be forgotten and at 6'5" he loved to be called "Big Dick." Hunting in the Blue Mountains for many years looking for that 6-pt. elk was one of his many hobbies. Other hobbies included: salmon fishing, piloting, camping, and all sports.
His children will always remember that his family came first. Our dad would not hesitant to take all the neighborhood kids to Nat Park or play a game of "Kick the Can" until dusk. He will be missed as "King of the Neighborhood." Dad worked three jobs at once to provide for his family in the 1960's and to ensure his children's education.
Dick leaves behind his wife, Diane, of 29 years, and his children........
dson.

Toxic Movies

Yesterday was a big day for Students Concerned About Tobacco and for the coordidnator, ME! We had our all school Talent Show: Two showings, in the afternoon and for parents in the evening. Our focus was on smoking in the movies. For information about why that is a big deal, Google "Smoking in the Movies" or Toxic movies and get lots of information. It is the #1 influence on kids initiation of smoking. This link is to a video on an interview I did for the Clovis News Journal Online. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1155316076/bclid1155290738/bctid1409053108