Something to Blog About.....

Meet “RAIDER”

2010-10-29T05:24:00.000-07:00

The REAL Pluto Dance

2009-11-10T15:10:00.000-08:00

I could never get this to upload previously!

Dancing With Pluto

2009-10-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

Biggest Loser

2009-09-15T17:31:00.000-07:00

Tonight a new season of Biggest Loser is starting. DH cannot understand why in the world I would want to watch people lose weight but I love this show! It's because I can relate to so many emotions these people express and how hard it is to fight, control and conquor weight issues living in the food obsessed society. It is so motivating in so many ways. And it's real life.

So in honor of the season premier, here is a diet to get started with. It's the Stress Diet and I "borrowed it" from another great blog!

Breakfast
1 grapefruit
1 slice of whole wheat toast
1 cup of skim milk
Lunch
1 small portion of lean, steamed chicken
1 cup of spinach
1 cup of herbal tea
1 Hershey's Kiss
Afternoon Tea
The rest of the Hershey's Kisses in the bag
1 tub of Haggen-Daaz ice cream topped with chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles
Dinner
4 glasses of wine (red or white)
2 loaves of garlic bread
1 family size supreme pizza
3 Snickers Bars
Late Night Snack
1 whole Sara Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from the freezer)
REMEMBER: Stressed spelled backwards is desserts

My own weight managment tips are:

Don't wear loose and forgiving clothes such as elastic waistbands.

Avoid white bread. A good snack is whole wheat bread dipped in olive oil

Drink milk (I don't do enough of that)

Don't keep junk food available I can't eat what is not there

Pay attention and be aware of what I eat and how many outragous calories are in stuff

If I must eat some ice cream (which I don't keep around much) , eat it our of a very small bowl or 1/2 c. measuring cup and baby soon.

Things I need to eat less of: margarine, caffine (Yes, Josh!), chips and fried foods

Oh, and I'm also great at binging and just losing it, yo yo, yo yo, but I never give up! I'D LOVE TO SHARE ANYONE ELSE'S IDEAS ON THIS.

A Little Garage Sale Miracle!

2009-09-10T21:29:00.000-07:00

Friday night my man asked me if I wanted to go garage saling with him Saturday morning. He knew of a man who was selling "thirty years of tools" and he wanted to
check them out. I hadn't been going to garage sales for years until a friend asked me to go this past summer and I had lots of fun and found some "treasures". So I was pretty enthusiastic about it. Besides, it's fun to do with him. We have several things we are scouting for for our home and fifth wheel, one being a food processor. I used to have one but it moved to Kansas to make babyfood. Evidently, more babies are expected since it hasn't moved back. We needed one for pico de gallo!

We found out right off the bat the man with the tools wasn't very serious about making sales so we continued on to a few more locations. The next place was a second day sale but we found some "cool" stuff including pitcher just the right color and size for my frig and kitchen (.25),percolator - we use them a lot around the campground and they wear out (.25). This one took a little elbow grease to look like it does here. Two Starbucks mugs - just like two mom's has I have admired (.10 ea)

Phil did even better. The lady had a old tool box with a generous assortment wrenches, cutters, pliars and what not. She took $10.00 for the box and all. Then he spotted a basket of odds and ends obvously collected in a garage. There was an unopenend box of .22 shells, more sockets and other tools. He didn't take time to look it all over but the lady was more than happy to take $5.00. I wonder if her husband knew!

The next place was a chance "drive by" that happened to be an estate sale. "Grandma" died and kids and grandkids were selling her stuff. Grandma was quite a gaget collector! And she liked good gagets. We found a high quality food processor (Moulinex La Machine) It's better if it's French you know. It's a dandy! ($5.00) And she had a higher quality hand mixer with retractable cord and assorted speciality beaters ($3.00) Add to that a like new bath mat just the right color for the fiver ($1.00) ! I was pretty pleased.

We came home and while I fixed brunch (fried trout from Colorado and eggs and toast), Phil sorted through the basket of stuff he'd purchased. There were quite a few tools and stuff. But down in the bottom was quite a find! It's about the size of a frizbee. "Are you kidding me? Could it possiby be the right one? It sure looks like it." Mom's car broke down last month and the timing belt had to be replaced. The cover to the timing belt was missing and they were going to have try and find one to order over the internet. So far, none had been located. The car is 15 years old so it was anticipated the silly part would probably cost between $35. and 75.00...just guessin' I'm sure. Mom had been praying it wouldn't be too much since her repair was the equivilent to a house payment! Would you know, it was exactly the right part! I think I'm goingto get a bumper sticker "This Car stops at garage sales".

"One Thing For Sure, I Got The High Note!"

2009-07-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

Here I am again lovin' on my granddaughters. Jana, Kaylee and I attended church this morning while Josh stayed with Makenna. As we drove out of the garage Kaylee said, "Good bye, Daddy! Have a good time! Good bye, Makenna." So cute! The service was amazing. The guy who led worship was a British guy who was once in Paul McCartney's band. I could help but thinking about the transformation in is life. He was a great guitarist, also. The guest preacher was not only inspirational but HILARIOUS! Marilyn Hickey will be the visiting preacher next week. That is so cool! Can't wait to hear her in person. The Fourth was definitely not a typical one but restful. Jana and I treated outselves to mani/pedi. In the late afternoon I picked blueberries off Jana's blueberry bush and plums off of one of her plum trees. She also has a peach tree with lovely peaches and a couple actively producing lemon trees! Oh, how wonderful!

Welcoming Baby Makenna

2009-07-03T19:45:00.001-07:00

Here I am in California, welcoming my new granddaughter, Makenna Joy Best! I'm enjoying my time with Kaylee too! I brought her a "My Little Pony" sleeping bag with built in blow up mattress. It was a big hit! She gets in it, shuts her eyes and pretends she is asleep momentarily. Then she opens them up and says, "Wait a minute! I get up in the morning!" She jumps up and runs over to Josh and in the sweetest little voice she says, "Good morning, Daddy!" as she kisses him on the cheek. Then she repeats the proceedure over and over. She is enthralled with Mary Poppins and loves to sing "Superkalifragilisticespialidocious!" It's her favorite part of the whole movie. Today is Phil's and my thirty-eighth anniversary and I believe the first we have been apart. We will have to celebrate double when he gets here next week! Love you, Babe!! We took our second walk to the park today with her Mommy, Daddy and Baby Makenna.

Hudson, A Man of Few But Decisive Words!

2009-06-29T18:55:00.000-07:00

Phil recently related this little exchange that took place when our grandkids were here a couple weeks ago: He showed Hudson how to crank down the leveling jacks on the fifth wheel while he was setting it up. He always looks for ways for Hudson to help out and have a part in the "guy stuff". Hudson was vigorously cranking down one of the jacks and Phil came around to observe. "You really look like you know what you're doing." he told him. Huddy, finishing the job, stood up and slapped his hands together like you would when finishing a job and replied, very matter-of-factly, "I DO know what I'm doing!" Later that evening he snuggled up next to his iGrandpa and said, "Grandpa, I'm really getting bigger, aren't I" "Yes, you sure are, Hudson." Hudson, once again matter-of-factly, "I KNEW I would!"

Aunt Mary at 93

2009-06-29T04:54:00.000-07:00

We took Aunt Mary on her annual trip to El Porvenir. She loves the mountains and what an amazing lady she is! She never ceases to amaze us! She didn't hesitate when we said she WAS going on a ride on the 4-wheeler. She seemed to really enjoy it even though we discovered Phil had his big ole boots on top of her feet the whole time!

We also took are "guests" up to Johnson Mesa. This is seven miles above our campsite and an amazing view.

"Well I'll tell you one thing....."

2009-06-14T20:36:00.000-07:00

That was one of Hannah's expressions while she was here.
Like "Well, I'll tell you one thing, Grandpa's T.V. watchin' kept me awake last night!"

We visited our friends, Hope and John Finney on their farm on the Pecos River in Fort Sumner. We rode took their 4 wheeler and ours and went down between the irrigated fields, across irrigation ditches and to a wonderful beach on the river. The river was perfect for kids to play in. It was only about a foot deep all the way across and moved very slowly. The kids had a great time. Josh kept busy collecting sea shells and dunking the top of his head in the water. We feasted on a nutricious meal of barbequed hotdogs and chips for supper.

We parked our fifth wheel next to the Finney's new house and in the morning went for a ride on the four wheelers.

Well, I'll tell you one thing....it was really fun!

Meanwhile, back at the farm....

2009-06-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

Mr. Pearce's farm included a mare named "Hannah" with a beautiful little colt. I think this was a highlight on their visit.

"Matter of Fact, this IS my first rodeo!"

2009-06-14T17:01:00.000-07:00

I had the delight of taking three of my little cowpokes to their FIRST rodeo AND Tombstone race! My Hannah NEVER ceases to amaze me. I've never seen a child with such a willingness to try just anything. She ran in the tombstone race which in the child's division was the same as adults except she had to hurdle over bales of hay while carrying a pretty heavy "tombstone". Even though Hannah came in last in her heat (Hey, the other kids had experience and tennis shoes and Hannah was wearing her cowboy boots.) She wanted to know where her award was! Then at the rodeo they told any kids under ten who wanted to participate to come down in the arena to be in a calf scramble. She didn't even ask what a "calf scramble" was. She jumped to her feet and asked if she could go down. Mind you, she had been watching bronc and bareback riding and all kinds of wild stuff. No matter, she wanted to be a part of it. For you city slickers, the calf scramble is where they let five calves loose in the arena with ribbons tied to their tails. Pull a ribbon off a calf and you win $10.00. Bless her heart, her hat wanted to fall off as she ran so she just ran around chasing the calves as best she could while hanging on to her hat. You know a rodeo arena is just loose dirt so you gotta know it was exhausting. She ran and ran and when she came back, she seems pretty satisfied she got to be in the rodeo!! What a trooper!! Hudson, on the other hand, is like his grandpa! He's not going to do anything before making sure he can win!

I entered Joshua in the 2-3 yr old stick horse race. Unfortunately, his "heat" was the very first one. He pretty much had no idea what to do. I wished he could have watched it for awhile first. He probably would have spurred that horse to a win!
He really enjoyed watching the rodeo. He sat on my lap for two and a half hours and took it all in.

Old Cow poke and little pony!

2009-06-14T15:17:00.000-07:00

A visit to Grandpa and Grandma's

2009-06-09T20:23:00.000-07:00

We have three of our four precious grand babies here for several days. They are with their Papa and Grandma Doris today, however. We picked them up in Elk City at noon yesterday. They have been just perfect. By the time we got them to Clovis however, Hannah asked, "Are we taking the long cut?" Bless their hearts, they went back to Amarillo today and will be back tonight! This is the first time Joshua has been away from his Mama and Daddy overnight and he hasn't skipped a beat. Last night we introduced them to Grandpa and Grandma's new toy. They were so excited. Phil said he didn't think he had ever seen Huddy as ecstatic about anything! What fun we are anticipating having with them on it.

This morning, before they left, the HAD to help Grandpa feed the chickens and collect the eggs. We have a new batch of baby chicks, too. Joshua loves the big dogs and is understandably leery of the chickens. One of the first things he did was figure out how to make the clothes line braces into a jungle gym! Silly monkey!

Stuff we've been doing...

2009-05-29T20:21:00.001-07:00

Peer Education:

Here are two awesome young men who are doing spit tobacco peer education. Both guys are top notch in every way. The one on the left, Isias broke three thirty-year, school records in distance running this past year. He is going to college and majoring in ministry. The other young man, Omar, is a four year letterman in baseball. Omar is a great leader, speaker and role model. I am quite fortunate to have both of them on our team!

Kids Just Want To Have Fun!

2009-05-21T15:05:00.001-07:00

Last night our church hosted the Azusa Pacific Men's Choral (60 in number!). I hosted three guys and they are such nice young men. They had a great time rodding around before having the breakfast burritos I made from home raised eggs, ham, green chilies, three colors of pepper and two kinds of onions.

The ATV was a hit! Note the safety gear!

Four Wheeling Granny!

2009-05-21T14:37:00.000-07:00

After running my digital camera through a load of wash (I don't recommend it), I did lots of reading and decided on the camera I would purchase. I'm not sure a made a very good decision but I'm back blogging again after being a slacker.

We purchased a new toy and took it on our first outing last weekend to El Porvenir above Las Vegas, NM. Here we are at over 11,000 feet and having a blast! I rode it half the way up (7 miles) and all the way down. What fun!! I had a muscle spasm in my right arm from riding so much!

POLARIS 800 SPORTSMAN

March Madness!!

2009-03-22T14:44:00.001-07:00

"Hey, dad, I really, REALLY need some boots of my own....preferably in brown or black!"

Here we are in Wichita with three of our four grandbabies. We had a great time with them at the Wichita Zoo yesterday while Lesli had some time on her own. It was Joshua's first visit to the zoo and he loved it! The stroller served as a good cart for carrying our bags and jackets because he wanted to run, run, run! Unfortunately, Grandma didn't have a memory stick in her camera so the cute photos were lost! Joshua is maturing so much. He is a happy, well adjusted boy.

Hudson and Hannah always have wonderful litle tidbits of funny things to say. While navagating through town Phil said, "This road has no sign on it to indicate what it is." To which Hannah replied, "If you need to know where to go, Grandpa, just ask me, I'll get you there!" She called us several times to see how soon were would be getting here Thursday night. It's the reverse of "Are we there yet." I asked to talk to Lesli and she said, "Actually, I want to talk to you!" And then, "Well then, she will be here in a moment, please wait." She is quite the little secretary.

I was fixing hamburgers and asking Huddy how he wanted his doctored. After responding he finished with, "Grandma, can I tell you something?" "I sure appreciate you!". They are so precious. Not perfect, just precious!

How I spent Valentine's Day

2009-02-15T04:31:00.000-08:00

It started out pretty energetic. I was up before daybreak and in the gym at 7:30 a.m. After a good workout of walking and weight lifting I decided to take in the "weekly" doorbuster sale at the mall. (Need a new career? Go into the door repair business.) I hadn't been shopping since New Years so I thought I'd see if there were any good sales left. Well that ended up taking the rest of the first half of the day. I came home with three tops and a shell, a very lovely pair of shoes and some earrings. Seventy percent off? Now, THAT's my kind of sale!

Phil's morning was taken up with his monthly men's ministry breakfast. It is held in a small sandwich shop downtown. They had a great time with fifteen men!

I was able to get a nice nap in the afternoon. There was a wonderful basketball game on and I was able to sleep on the couch with screaming crowds and referee whistles in the background. It's my fav napping atmosphere! Meanwhile, Phil drove his "chick magnate" to town to do some Valentine shopping.

I made the traditional Valentine chocolate pie while he napped. Then we were off for a nice evening of dining. We decided some ribs sounded good so we headed for the Rib Crib. Fortunately, there was no wait while Dakotas and Red Lobster had people standing out in the cold waiting. Unfortunately, the guests at the table next to us comprised of two families: four adults and five very young children. I shake my head in wonder at what people are "not" thinking! None the less, the meal of baby back ribs and catfish was delicious. The regional manager came to see how our meal was and ended up standing and chatting with us for about twenty minutes! No joke. He even bought our dessert - blackberry cobbler a la mode! That took up the rest of our evening, enough that we decided against a movie we'd planned to rent. I'm not much about movies, anyway. I'm usually mad before I leave the rental place and disappointed by the end of the movie, wondering why we wasted our money. When we got home there was a DELIGHTFUL little video on our blog of our precious granddaughter dancing at Disneyland! I'll take that anyday.

Actually, Valentines' started the night before as we attended the Valentine's banquet at the church.

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful Honey. He has been my sweetheart for going on forty years! We have such great times together. Soooooo, how was YOUR Valentines' Day?

One way to get rid of the tumble weeds!

2009-02-05T11:47:00.001-08:00

Some neighbors had the bright idea of burning their tumble weeds. Bear in mind it hasn't rained here in literally months and the current humidity is 10%. Fortunately the wind wasn't very bad that day and it wasn't in our direction. When Phil drove by they were standing and watching it burn and had not called the fire department!

Hudson, Hannah and Joshua visit a special friend..

2009-01-05T14:12:00.000-08:00

Antics and Activities at Granny's

2009-01-05T08:58:00.001-08:00

If No One Else will Clean Up Granny's Yard, I Will!!!

2009-01-05T08:54:00.000-08:00

Christmas of a Different Kind

2009-01-04T19:43:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas this year was certainly different. Since none of our kids could come until after Christmas, we knew our Christmas was going to be pretty quiet. We decided to do some kitchen remodeling and tiling of the space in front of the french doors where we usually put our tree so there was no tree until the 28Th! This was just fine with Papa Scrooge!!!

While our cabinets aren't finished, the project is coming along nicely and I do have my drawers in. Meanwhile, the grand kids all came New Years week. I will post some highlight photos. (My new Windows Vista computer is driving me nuts and I can't guarantee how fast they will post! Much of our most precious times were having meals at Granny's! She made us her famous roast with mashed potatoes and noodles.

Here's some highlights:

Prayer.....

And Praise!!!!!

Biscuit Update!

2008-11-30T21:31:00.000-08:00

Third time's a charm! The bicuits continue to get better and this morning's breakfast included some tall and fluffy ones.

Lessons from the Toy Box

2008-11-29T15:34:00.000-08:00

My little granddaughter wants something for Christmas "weely, weely, weely" bad. Unfortunately, her momma doesn't think it is an appropriate gift even though "every other little girl in the "who-e wuld" has at least one. Her mamma thinks it is inappropriate because I wouldn't let her have one for the same reason. I did it because my mother wouldn't let me have one for the same reason and my mother was VERY wise!

Whether or not the toy is bad is not the reason for this entry, however. After Listening to her share the unpleasantness of having to help her child to accept this I began to recall the days we went through the times of teaching our children to swim against the current. This is a lesson few parents even consider teaching their children. It is a huge lesson with lifetime benefits! How fortunate my granddaughter has parents who will hold the line and help her to learn it at a young age. It will make increasingly more profound choices in life be easier to make.

I was disgusted, but not surprised at an article on today's MSN Business Today: "Parents Desperate Plea, No more toy ads!" telling how a huge group of parents are trying to pressure toy makers not to advertise to their children. (here is an absurd portion:)

"Parents have trouble saying no," said Allison Pugh, a University of
Virginia sociology professor. She says parents often buy toys to avoid guilt and
ensure their children feel in sync with school classmates. "Even under
circumstances of dire financial straits, that's the last thing parents give up,"
said Pugh. "They'll contain their own buying for themselves before they'll make
their child feel different at school." Amanda Almodovar says she encounters
such families in her work as an elementary school social worker in Alamance
County, N.C., where homelessness and unemployment are rising. "I had one
parent who said she'd prostitute herself to get what her child wants," Almodovar
said. "It's heartbreaking. They feel inadequate as parents."

Children need to learn to accept the fact they can't have EVERYTHING they want and parents are morally responsible to teach them that lesson. That's why our nation is in the condition it is in. My mother could have told you that was going to happen! Another life lesson hangs in the balance here, too. My daughter discussed the difficulty in not knowing how to explain to her child why she couldn't have the toy; an explanation way beyond her readiness to understand. She realizes she is going to have to expect the child to accept a "No" that doesn't make sense to her. Isn't that what God asks us adults to do? I am ever so convinced many, MANY of life's lessons and trials can be taught early by good parents and tragedies and heartaches in later life could be avoided. There's a poster that "All I Needed to Learn In Life, I Learned in Kindergarten" well, I think it can and should be taught by parents. In looking back on our parenting, there is NO doubt we made many mistakes, but I think this might have been one we did right! I think the kids became really good "upstream swimmers!"

Rebellyun!

2008-11-29T14:54:00.001-08:00

"One move, Buster, and I'll staple yer hide to the playhouse!"

Hey, Mom! I noticed you chose a MAGNUM STAPLEMASTER 2000 in stainless rather than the traditional blued steel model that so many older, I mean "more mature" women are packing these days. I'm also impressed that you chose the 17 mm high capacity magazine in full size grip configuration with the Tritium sights and polymer accessory rail. Very classy!! So, what's the ballistics on that thing anyway? Pat

(Side note: The photos taken in New Mexico were taken while the photos (of Jacque) from Alaska were being posted; within the same hour. No prior planning or knowledge!! Other weapons: Smith & Wesson .38 Special; Smith & Wesson 9mm; Smith & Wesson AR15.)

Black Friday

2008-11-28T20:02:00.000-08:00

This morning I had my first experience at early morning shopping on Black Friday! I was interested in purchasing a laptop computer at Radio Shack so I decided last night IF I WOKE UP in time (that would be five o'clock) and IF I felt like it, I'd try my luck. I didn't set my alarm because I nearly always wake up by then and frequently get up. Sure enough, I woke up at 4:55 a.m. The weather man predicted very cold weather which didn't make it too appealing but after downing a bowl of oatmeal topped with sliced almonds, I headed into town.

When I drove up to the mall and saw all the cars I told myself I was sure this would be my last time to do this! I got to Radio Shack five minutes before opening and got in line behind about twenty people. "This was a waste!" I mumbled. Had I of known they only had four of the the marked down notebooks (one being the display model) I REALLY would have been disgusted I suckered into the early morning expedition!! But very soon I had the Gateway notebook under my arm and a few other very nice bargains!

Perhaps I would have to add this to my bargain hunting "repertoire" after all", I thought to myself as I waited in line to check out. It is a pretty great feeling to save a couple hundred dollars. I have always loved a bargain and like many bargain hunters I have a "history". The Boss says I can make a dollar go farther than anyone he had ever seen. He says that when he wants to complement me. When I don't go along when he wants to splurge he has another not so complementary remark for me. It has something to do with being tighter than the south end of a north facing buffalo during fly season! I got my bargain hunting prowess from my mother. Her claim to fame was Christmas shopping in January. Back in those days NOTHING went on sale until after Christmas. She would find huge bargains and put things away for the following year. I've tried that but I get worried that the items will be out of style or outgrown by then. (I'm bad enough at picking presents! And I stress about it incessantly!)

I guess MY version of bargains - other than clearance racks began with garage sales, something that didn't exist before say, the seventies. I could feel my juices running as I hit the road. Trouble is, I'd often find GREAT buys on quality items I just didn't need and would buy anyway!

My next purchasing phase was refunding. Boy, I was just sure I was going to save my family thousands. That was in the late seventies. Then I got pregnant and just the thought of a refund coupon and I would gag!

A few decades later and eBay came along. Oh, I could have gotten addicted at that! I made some good purchases and some stupid ones, too. Mostly good I'd say.

A non-shopper would say getting excited about shopping and finding a bargain has no sense at all. I think it is similar to a man getting excited about hunting and bringing home game. There is the practical side and there is the satisfaction and enjoyment of the "hunt" and "kill!"

So I have a lovely notebook. It is really beautiful - red - the same red that my purse, wallet and cellphone are. That has to be a sign! What a bargain! It was worth getting out of the warm bed, scraping frost off my windshield AS I DROVE in the 36 degree cold and standing in line....... THEN I got home. I went online to get a bit more information about its value and compare it with a Dell. I discovered I could have bought it online for the same price!! Well, not exactly...I could have saved $7.00 because the tax wouldn't been as much, even considering the shipping!! AND I could have ordered it in my PJ's!!!

Oh, and one last thing...... It had a rebate for $100.00. Cool, huh? I've used rebates enough to know the pitfalls and loop holes! Read them VERY carefully, following the ridiculous rules to a "T", like "print your name in all caps". I make a copy of everything and carefully watch to make sure I receive the rebate. But NOW they have a NEW twist to the refundle bundle of schemes the store thinks up to keep their money. Here it is: Well, it's not REALLY a REBATE (a check I can cash)....It's a prepaid Mastercard which can "only be used between certain dates". So it expires, must be SPENT, not deposited and "may not be valid in all market." Surprise! Surprise!

I still really LOVE the notebook! I got a great deal and I'm glad I tried out the Black Friday. I think it might become part of my repertoire afterall but I'm for sure not going to be like those people who line up outside around a building and stand there all night! That's just insane!

"Just My Size" ........Out of the Mouth of Babes!

2008-11-24T15:29:00.000-08:00

Recently, my grandson described the bathroom at the church where he attends Awana's (Cubbies) as SWEET!!! The whole dialogue was hilarious and I have repeated it to my friends for another great laugh numerous times. (www.tawtieanddobie.blogspot.com; November 19th, "Hud's So Funny") On Sunday I was sitting in my pew and observing children all around coming into the sanctuary when the Lord gave me a revalation concerning Hud's comment. I don't know if I can effectively describe it but I will try. Sometimes "words from the Lord" speak to you in a way you can't articulate.

Anyway, I will be forever perplexed by the fact that the "church" in general doesn't "get it", that the most effective evangelism (by a landslide) is to children. Yes, we say we "get it" but we don't. Philip Morris gets it. McDonalds gets it. Everyone gets it but the church. Perhaps churchs are "getting it" more than they did when I was a child. Back then, with the exception of a Sunday school class, church catered to adults in every way, the music, the sermons, everyway. And woe to a child who didn't perservieve quietly. Children's church was unheard of in those days. We were given a pad and pencil and something to entertain ourselves until it was over. Granted, despite the inappropriate way it was dished out to us, we STILL got a lot out of it. I think it was in the shere power of the fact that our parents were so intently engaged.

Our Sunday school classes were nearly always painted beige or "mushroom" and decorated with an old picture of Jesus knocking at the door or "Jesus and the Children." That was about it. There was a chest of drawers or bookshelf in the corner (usually pretty dilapated) where are Sunday school material were stacked. Below was stacks and stacks of unused take home papers. Oh, yes, we always had a cigar box full of old OLD broken crayons and dull kid sissors.

Hudson's comment reminded me just how profound "making a place for children" has the potential of influencing them and in such basic ways. I would have never thought of anything so basic. I am usually way too practical about stuff. I remember years ago when directing a VBS mentioning to Phil I didn't even want to mess with crafts. What spiritual significance do they really have, anyway?" I asked. "And the cost and fuss.." Phil's response hit me between the eyes, "That's what I remember and liked the most at VBS!" translated:"How mean can you be?"

Hudson's remark reminded me of how we should be "seeing things through the eyes of a child" if we truly want to be effective in evangelism. If the church would "wake up" and "get it", they would be catering to children all over the place. They would be spending less of all the stuff that caters to grown ups.

(photo is not a recent one)

The BEST Way to Make Biscuits!!!

2008-11-18T06:46:00.000-08:00

Mom, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, when it comes to making biscuits, here's my favorite way:
First you get some Kingsford charcoal burning good and hot, 30 usually does the trick, it doesn't take a lot. Then you need to figure out just how flour you'll need, how many hungry cowboys does your outfit plan to feed?
Give or take a hat mouth or two this recipe feeds 12, but when you go to count'in hats, don't forget yourself!!
Mix soda, salt, and powder in a bowl with regular flour and don't waste time those cowboys need to eat within the hour.
Next you need to cut in two thirds cup of shortening, then add your yeast and buttermilk you aint left out a thing!
Now wash your hands and work it on a floured table top, and when it's rolled out to an inch that's when you know to stop.
Find a coffee cup or can or whatever can be found, it doesn't matter what you cut them with as long as it's round and place them edges touchin' in a greased up 12 inch dutch and put some charcoal underneath but careful, not too much! Too much coal will burn them 5 or 6 will do the trick, to spread those coals out evenly I use a wooden stick.
But put as many as can fit on the oven lid, and don't forget to check your watch, you'll be glad you did. Let them cook for half an hour until they're golden brown then pull that cast iron lid away and let them things cool down.
Make these biscuits up according to the warden's wishes and if any cowboy doesn't like them, he can do the dishes!! Pat Teakell

Posted by Meli n Pat to Something to Blog About..... at 7:24 PM

Back to Basics

2008-11-17T09:10:00.000-08:00

When I was a young mother and lived in Idaho I did a lot of traditional cooking. I canned, made pickles, made my pie crusts from scratch and occasionally baked bread - the hard way. I remember in the fall when after water bathing (and that doesn't mean I took a bath) all day my windows were covered with condensation but my table was covered with lovely quart jars of tomatoes, peaches and even fruit cocktail. Then I got either lazy or smart! I discovered that store bought pie crust tasted better than the crust I worked so hard on, you couldn't beat a box of Stovetop Stuffing and a bread maker was worth it's weight in gold! There were also a lot of things I took so much time to preserve that were very cheap in the store and my time was worth more than the effort it took to do the homemade stuff. And there were flops like limp pickles and "not to bueno salsa" that ended up wasting time and money.

I'm regressing, however. Times are probably going to change significantly and so I am once again changing my mindset. I'm definitely NOT giving up my bread maker or my boxes of Stovetop but I'm going to replace those canning jars I gave away because they were just taking up space, AND I'm going to get back to the old fashioned way of making pie crust and biscuits from scratch.

I've decided to learn how to make Buttermilk biscuits from scratch more or less for the "hobby" of it. I got online to gather some hints for making good biscuits. (Isn't the internet just wonderful?) I found one blog which had some good ideas so I decided to just print it out. I hit "print" and walked away. Not a good idea!!! It printed out 32 pages of instructions and comments from the forum!

I DID learn something I have wondered about and never knew: the difference in flours. ( I don't get enough of Alton John, I guess. ) I have included that below.

After studying her instructions, purchasing a pastry cutter, replacing my old baking powder with fresh, (Did I bring that baking powder box with my from Idaho in '82???)as well as my baking soda, buying some cake flour and buttermilk, I followed the recipe to a "t". The biscuits were O.K. but didn't taste any better than if I had mixed some water with some Bisquick! However, I read several times in all those 32 pages - yes I read all of them - that the key is to practice and don't give up! One of several key suggestions which was mentioned several times was "don't twist when cutting." I need my son to teach me good biscuit making techniques!

The Low –down on flour:

less protein = better for quick breads
more protein = better for yeast breads
Not all flours are created equal. Southern bleached all-purpose flours are made from the soft winter wheat that grows well in the warmer southern climate while northern all-purpose flours are made from the hard spring wheats that grow in the colder climate. Strains of soft winter wheat have less protein than the hard spring wheat and therefore southern all-purpose flours are better-suited for quick breads such as biscuits, cakes and muffins.
Here’s a quick rundown of some flours and their protein contents, taken from the book Cookwise by Shirley O. Corriher
Cake flours (Swans Down, Softasilk):
7.5 to 8.5% protein

Bleached southern all-purpose (White Lily, Martha White, Gladiola, Red Band):
7.5 to 9.5% protein
National brand self-rising (Gold Medal, Pillsbury): 9 to 10% protein
National brand bleached all-purpose (Gold Medal, Pillsbury): 10 to 12% protein
Northern all-purpose (Robin Hood, Hecker’s): 11 to 12% protein
Northern unbleached all-purpose (King Arthur): 11.7% protein
Bread Flour: 11.5 to 12.5% protein

So, keeping in mind that less protein equals light and tender cakes and quick breads, the flours from the top of this list are going to give you the best results for those types of baked goods. And since more protein equals higher rising yeast breads, the flours from the bottom of the list will be best for those.

A Mi-Wu-Kul!

2008-11-17T05:34:00.000-08:00

One of the many things I admire about my husband is the joy he gets in helping others. Here's a neat example:

As stated earlier, he has been cutting wood at the old cemetary. It is a good idea when using a chainsaw to have someone with you in case of an injury, thus I tag along, help as womanly possible and sit in the truck a lot. Saturday we went back to the site and a man in his seventies was by himself trying to load some very sizable chunks of wood. When we parked beside him I'm sure he thought we were going to infring on his claim but to his appreciation, Phil helped him get his truck bed full of wood. The man was only 6 weeks post surgery, too. Go figure!

What was more amazing was that a few days prior Phil had picked up his chainsaw from the shop and was told by the shop keeper the graveyard crew had just done some more cutting. He decided to swing by and investigate. He only had his newly serviced saw and 1/2 tank of gas. Those of us who don't know anything about chainsaws need to know that they have small tanks and use a lot of gas. That info is important for the rest of this story.

Phil noticed an elderly Hispanic man picking up small, kindling size pieces of wood and putting them in his pick-up which had a trailer attached. He guessed the man was in his eighties. He pulled up beside him and remarked, "Boy, you sure are going to have a lot of kindling!" The man responded by telling him his chainsaw was in the shop and he didn't have enough money to get it out. He figured if he would pick up enough of the small sticks, they would help keep them warm.

Phil pulled his chainsaw out of his pick-up and told the man he didn't have much gas but he'd cut him a few big chunks until he ran out. The saw cut and cut until the grateful old man had a pick-up load and a trailer load! There was still gas in the tank, enough to cut some chuncks for our neighbor! As Hannah would say, "It's a mi -wa- kul!!"

There are Some Weeks One Just Wishes They'd Stayed In Bed!

2008-11-11T07:30:00.000-08:00

.....last week was one of them!

Sunday dinner with old friends!

My week started out quite nice! Sunday we entertained some old friends who just moved back to the Lower 48 from Alaska, along with the Directors of Matt 25 and Phil's mom. Phil made up his wonderful Garlic-Mint marinate and roasted three small hens on the "Q". Yummmmmmmm!! The meal also included from our garden, green beans and Butternut Squash with Ginger - Pecan Butter, also roasted on the grill. This recipe was out of our Weber's Art of the Grill cookbook and "Chef Phil" put it together. Oriental cabbage salad and garlic bread was included and chocolate zucchini cake was the dessert! We had a delightful time visiting with Hope and John and catching up on old times.

A Dark Day for Curry County, A Dark Day for America!

The week went down hill from there. I began fasting and praying until elections and had hopes for a miracle! Our election day began early (6:30 a.m.) as I drove the truck while Phil put out American flags at businesses all over town. We ate breakfast out and as we read the morning paper we discovered that once again our County commissioners were pulling a stunt and once again voting to sell liquor at our new event center THAT MORNING. We had no warning. We scramble to get whomever would show up with 30 minutes notice and went to "fight city hall" so to speak. After waiting for two hours and giving a passionate plea we lost by one vote. It was a sad day for Curry County!

The Good News, The Bad News and the Reality of a Deprived World:

On the way to the Courthouse, however we got a call......

Those who read my blog are probably close enough to us to know we have recently been investing a great deal of time in the life of a man whom God is delivering from a life of bondage. What has been amazing is that because of the direction we were able to head him in, four other men's lives have been touched! Two of whom have gone to the same treatment center on his high recommendation and two of whom he has shared the gospel. The good news for Tuesday was that this man had, within 24 hours been able to share the gospel to two other men and one had accepted the Lord!
That evening, however, we received news that the third man, whom we hold dear to our hearts, and whose children I had been actively involve with, was in terrible shape and referred from the said treatment center to psychiatric help. Obviously, I can't share the details other than to say that this was a shocking blow for me. This situation has shaken my world! "We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against "principalities and powers....." The reality is that they are alive and well and existing in the church of today!

After a day of deliberately avoiding the T.V. to hear election coverage, we headed for our Emmaus Community gathering with not only the sobering news just mentioned above but that the course of our nations history had just been dramatically altered.
Wednesday, I spent the afternoon meeting with classes of high school students at Clovis High school but was somewhat in a state of numbness!

Enter the Twilight Zone...

Wednesday night was our first DWI class for the month. This is where my week gets REALLY bizarre!! We began to intake our 16 students for the month. We discovered 5 of the sixteen had July birthdays. Well, that's just a little weird, but no big deal. Then two gals arrived and they were mother and daughter and both our students! Then another lady student came in only to discover her estranged son with whom she hasn't spoken for a couple years was ALSO a student. Then another lady registered who lived on our road. At the end of the class the mother and daughter were calling for a ride home. I asked them if we could help get them home and they replied, "No we live clear south of town". "Oh, no problem," I replied, "So do we." O.K. the dialogue got really funny until we found out they were our neighbors! So, we had three students who lived on our road! What a way to get to know your neighbors! But, hey, I think it will be a positive thing.

Morning in the Graveyard

Thursday morning by 7:30 I was sitting in the middle of an old graveyard; the one on the west side of town. Elm trees had been cut down and the plan was to fill the truck full and take home a load before heading to Albuquerque for a four o'clock meeting. I waited for Phil to get some smaller chunks ready for me to load. It was a beautiful, sunny but cold, crisp and breezy morning as I gazed out over the sea of elaborate tombstones. I marveled at them! Some not only had thick marble markers several feet high but the entire grave area was covered in a 4" thick marble slab. Furthermore, I was most amused by the items left on graves. Of course there was the "lovely" bunches of plastic flowers. There were birthday cards, toys, and what appeared to be letters (no, I didn't touch anything! and just a lot of junk. Now, recall I had just read the book "Driven by Eternity". That book makes the "here after" a very real and conscious event and the passages were fresh in my mind.

I'd like to suggest to anyone who would like an interesting dialogue with the Lord to take their Bible and have their "QUIET TIME" in the middle of a cemetery! It will be amazing the insights that will come to your mind! I listened to morning, religious radio and the speakers seems to have words that just fit the setting to a "tee!"

Here's what impressed me the most: those thick, marble tombstone monuments. I guess the idea is to mark a person's existence or life forever and with something that will last. I suppose marble will last a long time because there is probably nothing more dead! That heavy, dead thing is to continue reminding people that the pile of compost below was once a live person! That, itself is ironical to me. Who really cares about those markers except the family members and those VERY close to that person? And THEIR memories exists in their hearts and minds anyway!

Then on the radio a man was speaking about evangelism and about sowing and reaping the harvest. He told about a missionary to India who preached the gospel for - I don't remember how many years - but it was a long time and when he died he only had ONE convert. However, later someone traced that one convert to 13,000 who had received eternal life due to the missionary. Now, we can rightly suppose those 13,000people have influenced thousands more who are walking this earth as a living, breathing harvest of the seeds sown by that one pioneer missionary! This will go on for eternity!! Who needs a marble slab to mark that man's grave when the memorial of his life goes on forever until Jesus returns!

You would have thought the inspirational thoughts at the graveyard helped me to refocus on the eternal and not be so overtaken by the clear and present challenges. My week was laced with dealing with more than one painful interpersonal experience. Life goes on! Hopefully, better next week

Our trip to Albuquerque was beautiful and we enjoyed a lovely meal at Mac Grill. Yummm!!!

Two Frequent, Sweet Dinner Guests!

2008-11-04T13:49:00.000-08:00

Mom and Esther love to come and eat pansit and lumpia with us. We do it as often as we can.

2008-11-04T13:47:00.000-08:00

Actually, I don't think this is exactly correct. I think I spend more time eating than sleeping!

This book SHOULD "rock your world"

2008-10-29T20:26:00.000-07:00

.....if it doesn't, something is frightfully wrong! I am about two thirds through and it has really "rocked mine"! Now, here is the disclaimer: Phil says "EVERYTHING I read "rocks my world." Not so: "The Shack" didn't, not after I found out it was all fiction.

I strongly urge anyone reading this blog to read this book. It MAY fly in the face of your theology but "oh, well". It is worth the investigation. (65 out of 76 critiques on Amazon rated it a five star. One of the three "one stars" was an atheist).

Is your life focused on the "here and now" and eternity seems dim and far away, READ THIS BOOK! John Bevere makes it a very tangible and eminant reality! Do you think going to heaven by "just making it inside the gate" is enough for you? READ THIS BOOK! You may change your opinion. Do you think you have eternal security while you are justifying habitual sin? You may be in for a more than rude awakening. READ THIS BOOK with your Bible in hand. Is developing an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus not really something that gets you motivated to spend time in prayer and Bible study? Reading this book should help to motivate you. Are you selfish with your time and resources? Is it "all about you?" In Matthew the 25th chapter Jesus said to people who did all kinds of spiritual things and THOUGHT they were "IN" "Depart from me, I never knew you!" (And they were "toast") Do you seldom remember that those you rub shoulders with on a daily basis will spend eternity somewhere and may ask you in that time why you didn't tell them? Driven By Eternity gives real, bone chilling, hair raising accounts of eternal damnation but it also addresses eternal judgement and rewards for the saved.

A large part of the book is an allegory so if you are into "Lord of the Rings" kind of stuff, you will like it. I'm not, and the allegory is a little too easy to interpret and cheesy BUT get beyond that and be prepared to "hold on!". Read with your Bible in hand and be prepared to be sobered and infused with much GREATER passion to walk in the Light and serve the Lord!

Fireproof

2008-10-16T20:48:00.001-07:00

Tonight we went to see "Fireproof". It is a great movie. While it started out a little cheesy in the acting, once you get beyond that it will suck you in. The situations are very realistic and there are specific lines that are major zingers.
Scenes at the end are powerful and well done. Take kleenix and go see it bit don't go without your spouse! The gospel message is clearly portrayed and it could be a great tool to recommend to friends.

Little Cabin in the Woods...

2008-10-13T19:12:00.000-07:00

We meet the most interesting people on our trips! This time we met some "new friends" from Alabama who own a cabin up the creek (26 miles and about two thousand feet in altitude) from us. It was a lovely one hour windy trip. On their property is two small lakes teaming with huge brook trout.

They invited us to come up and fish!! We made two trips up there. The first I took some chocholate zucchini cake and we had cake and tea after Lowell and Phil brought in five huge brookies they caught in about 30 minutes!

The second trip Tim and Sabrina went with us. Lowell smoked some trout and we added baked potatoe fries, crusty rolls, tangy oriental cabbage salad. (I brought this salad which is my recipe in which I use top ramen. I accidently added more vinegar than it calls for and it actually fit really well with the fish!!)

The views from the cabin are just spectular! Unless, ofcourse you live in Alaska...and then they are probably "ho hum!" The altitude is 10,500'.

Down by the Creek Bank

2008-10-13T13:15:00.000-07:00

Here is the first of several entries I want to make about our delightful vacation in south central Colorado. We parked our fifth wheel back up to the creek and there we stayed for two weeks. Wonderful!

Unfortunately we are not wealthy enough to park it with all those others in what I call "Refugee Camps for the Rich and Retired!" Actually, what you see there is only about half the amount of rvs usually at that camp as it was late in the season and many have gone home.

Two different views from the back of the camper!

Sunshine in the camper in the morning. Pardon me while I have my morning coffee!!

Two weeks parked on a creek bank makes you turn to mush!

Confessions of a Blog Slacker!

2008-10-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

Several of my blog readers (O.K. my kids!!) have ragged on me for not blogging anything for so long. Well, it HAS been a long time! It all started with a wonderful little entry I was working of entitled, "Things That Go Bump In The Night" about a bear who played soccer with our ice chest in the mountains while we tried to sleep in the tent at El Porvenir. My photo of my ice chest floating in the creek with bear bite marks on the lid would not post! I left it to get back to later and went on a wonderful three week trip to Colorado and came back with great pictures and some pretty good stuff to blog. BUT my laptop crashed. My laptop is my primary source for blogging because the photos are kept there, the color on the screen was not too dim to see the pictures like my desktop was AND I could not get Picassa to crop pictures on my desktop. Worst of all, I had just too many pictures from Colorado to choose from.

Then life just got too busy! Well, I haven't gotten around to figuring out what laptop to purchase but I switched back to my "itty bitty" computer screen so maybe I can get some stuff posted for my loyal reading...(OK, my kids....who have probably given up even checking it!)

The above photo is one of the two private lakes Phil fished on in Colorado in August!
More on that later....

Olympics: 2026

2008-07-28T19:49:00.001-07:00

Chinese Born Gymnast Leads USA in Gymnastic Gold!

These guys look strangely familiar....

2008-07-26T11:53:00.000-07:00

2008-07-21T09:05:00.000-07:00

Gotcha!!!!

Grandpa calls this a "kissing sandwich"!

We are sooo blessed to announce our new grandson: Joshua Shen Cryer. He comes into our family via the far east. He is a blessed little boy and so are his parents! I'm thinking if they don't tell him he's adopted maybe he'll never know.......

Three Days and Counting.....

2008-07-15T20:09:00.000-07:00

To Gotcha Day!!!!!!!!

We can hardly wait to meet our little Joshua Shen!

Tomorrow morning my daughter and son-in-law fly to Beijing. On Monday they will fly north to the large city ot Shenyang where they will meet and welcome this sweet little guy they are adopting. Our whole family is counting down the days! This journey can be followed on www.our-china-doll.blogspot.com

Happy Belated Anniversary #7!!

2008-07-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

We were traveling when our "youngest" had her anniversary so this post is a little late. We love you both and are so blessed by your wonderful marriage and the family you have created....despite your quirks! :)

We're so proud of our attorney, son-in-law, specializing in "Intellectual Law"!

Congrats on your new home!!!

He's Da Man!

2008-07-04T08:21:00.001-07:00

My honey out did himself for our anniversary this year!! He fixed me a Surprise candlelight dinner in our fifth wheel complete with a linen table cloth (can't believe he found it) a scrumptious meal and ,a DVD I had been wanting to see.

The meal consisted of: Grilled pork chops with brown sugar brine and onion-peach marmalade, grilled crook-necked squash and kale (both from our garden), wild rice, garlic/onion rolls and I made strawberry pie. The pork chops required brining for 24hours and included fresh rosemary from our garden. The onion-peach marmalade was "exceptional" combined with the rosemary. We had seen the recipe in a Sunset magazine while flying back from California. When he said "Grace" he asked the Lord for thirty-seven more years!

A special treat was a surprise visit of one of my best friends and her husband from Japan!

Thirty-Seven And Counting!

2008-07-03T06:27:00.000-07:00

Thirty-seven years ago we tied the knot - tight! What a ride it has been!
(FYI: The girl in the striped dress is our youngest daughter-s mother-in-law!)

Here we are in front of the recently retired Air Force One at the Reagan Library.
I'm lucky to be your FIRST and ONLY Lady - Love!

This was our honeymoon cottage in Pasadena, CA.

Who would have thought spending time with Grandkids would be sooooo romantic!

I love spending time with you, Babe and look forward to many more years!

DisneyDay!

2008-06-27T18:24:00.001-07:00

Here is the first installment of pictures of our day it Disneyland. What a memory maker it was. The only thing that would have made it better would have been having Melissa and Pat there, a few less other people and a little less heat. None the less, it was a great time!

The rest of the week....

2008-06-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

We stayed at El Porvenir for a week and just "chilled". We took a seven mile drive up onto Johnson Mesa. It is the top of a mountain overlooking the whole area with the top flattened. It is an amazing picnic area. All the years we have been visiting El Porvenir, I don't know why we never drove up there.

Bertha's grandsons, Johathan and Michael also joined us. Phil won three out of four of the horseshoe games.

Roughin' It at Ninety-two!

2008-06-19T19:21:00.001-07:00

Once again we had the priviledge of taking "Aunt Mary" to the mountains. She is just amazing!!!

Our Little Starfish!

2008-06-09T19:28:00.000-07:00

We have officially become the proud Grandparents of a bouncing baby boy. He is 21 months old and is currently living in northern China about 150 miles north of the Korean boarder. We will get to meet him possibly as soon as July! And we are very blessed and excited to welcome him into our family!

God truly loves him very much and has an AMAZING plan for his life. How do I know? Because he looked down from heaven and chose him to be our daughter and son-in-law's son. I don't care how biased I am. They are just amazing parents with godly character and a vision for eternal goals.

You can see his adorable picture on her adoption blog: www.our-china-doll.blogspot.com. She has had to change the name of her adoption blog from "Our China Doll" to "Our China (G.I. Joe) Doll"!

One day while pondering the thought of this precious child the thought of the Story of the Starfish came to my mind. I was delighted when the first photo I saw of him had stars all over the wall behind him! Coincidence??

In case you don't remember the story, here it is:

Once a man was walking along a beach. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. Off in the distance he could see a boy going back and forth between the surf's edge and and the beach. Back and forth this person went. As the man approached he could see that there were hundreds of starfish stranded on the sand as the result of the natural action of the tide.
The man was stuck by the the apparent futility of the task. There were far too many starfish. Many of them were sure to perish. As he approached the boy continued the task of picking up starfish one by one and throwing them into the surf.

As he came up to the him he said, "You must be crazy. There are thousands of miles of beach covered with starfish. You can't possibly make a difference." The boy looked at the man. He then stooped down and pick up one more starfish and threw it back into the ocean. He turned back to the man and said, "It sure made a difference to that one!"

Wildcat Basketball Camp

2008-06-05T18:14:00.000-07:00

S.C.A.T. sponsored two days of the Wildcat basketball camp this week. Three of the high school's top basketball players did a presentation for the kids on dip. We designed and provided 91 t-shirts and gave away four leather basketballs. It was a great sucess!

This boy (dark shirt) was quite interested in getting lots of information for quitting for his aunt, cousin, mom.......and I think he probably mentioned his whole family!

Shown here are two great kids, Arthur Edwards and Jay "The Rocket" Crockett, who will be a senior next year and has already unofficially committed to play for Texas Tech.

My TWO Moms!

2008-05-31T08:27:00.000-07:00

From a hen seducing a cookie jar on the kitchen counter to a politically correct lesbian poultry love affair, we are having our version of "Sex in the Country!"

These two hens laid eggs on the same nest - as hens frequently do - but when it was time to "go broody" (Jana, please explain to Josh), they both insisted it was their eggs so they BOTH sat on the eggs and incubated them for 21 days! Out of nine eggs, only three hatched but the chicks claim them both as moms and follow them everywhere. The two hens and three chicks are always together. This morning Sophie (gentle German shepherd) accidentally got between one of the hens and the chicks and boy, howdy, both hens REALLY got after her! You think getting between ONE animal momma and her babies is bad news.....try a couple of angry lesbians mommas!!!

Hopefully, I can get a better photo when I can coax them out of the shade. It's HOT!

And you thought we country folk were behind the times!!
Well, this is about as close to political correctness I care to get.
For the record, I'm SICK of hearing about the new movie, "Sluts er ah Sex in the City!"

Happy Anniversary!!!

2008-05-27T05:33:00.001-07:00

Six years ago we were blessed with the most wonderful daughter-in-law who knows the secret to a happy marriage................

Hope you had a wonderful time celebrating! I know you did..... We love you and are delighted you are a part of our family! (Faithful readers: Help me out with some captions to this...)

Thithter.....Thithter...

2008-05-26T09:17:00.000-07:00

My "thithter" from Washington came to visit for a week. What a delight it was to have her. Not only did we both enjoy her company but as I already knew, she has more creativity in her little finger than most of us do in our whole bodies. She jumped in and helped with our project and added some great touches. It was her idea to stripe the floor. Her only limitation was me not letting her start another project! Her creative mind gets to trying to explain something to me and it's like Robin Williams going off on a comedy improv...! Her graceful fingers start waving around creatively in the air while she tries to explain what she is seeing in her head! That's probably where my kids got their creativity. Love you sis!

Varnish on, varnish off!

We took time for R&R in the mountains, too!

Empty Nesting???

2008-05-10T05:39:00.000-07:00

Another Mothers' Day rolls around and it finds me up to my nose in upgrading my "nest" - something most Fathers just don't "GET". Thankfully, they go along with it anyway every now and then. I am blessed that "Father" is willfully going along and working very hard to support my desire to upgrade the nest. Nesting is a significant part of mothering. There are few moms who don't have serious feelings about their nest and how it reflects on them; probably not unlike how a man's status on the job reflects on him.

Mothers' Day during this season on my life finds me not concerned about whether or not my children remember this day with cards and flowers but pondering the blessings I have in three children of godly character, hard work ethics and well established in the role they are playing in this world. Their lives bless me beyond words! Meanwhile, as I upgrade the nest layer upon layer (as an interior decorator would describe it) I am continually reminded that even though my children have left the nest, they are contributing a significant part in this process.

First off is the first layer, and my "First born". It was she (along with my last born) who nudged me to pursue tearing out the wall between my kitchen and great room - something I've always wanted to do but needed the push. Her talent for "putting things together", seeing color posibilities and creating something beautiful out of junk never ceases to amaze me! Which brings me to a "pondering" that came out of somewhere: Aren't "artists" and "trendsetters" those who have the courage and ability to "color outside the lines"? She also has the guts, brawn and brain to try just about anything. When three electricians said our electrical plans either were just too much to do or extremely costly, she visualized how it could be done easily and sure enough it could and was! She saw great possibility in the original paint color, which was mixed incorrectly and I was ready to scrap. Each time I look at it in the future and enjoy the warm and unique affect, I will remember how she liked it from the start and made me consider something that was out of the question until that moment. So you see, her mark on the current upgrading of this nest is quite significant.

The second layer comes with my second born: Anyone reading this is probably family or friends and knows well the artistic talents of my second born. Everywhere I look I see sculptures and furniture he has made for our home. When he was six he made me a "coffee table". You can imagine the fine craftsmanship it must have displayed! The coffee table I now have iS a work of art. A local doctor had commissioned him to make it. While he was initially working on it I went into the garage to see how it was coming along. It looked rather funky at that point and I made a comment indicating something not exactly complementary. "You just wait", was his response. When it was finished he set it in the living room "temporarily". I told him, "this table is NOT leaving this house!" I just love it! I am truly lucky that he has shared the fruits of his giftedness with me!

My last born equally has an eye for color and style that her sister does. One of my favorite rooms in the the house IS her bedroom which she painted red and redecorated before she left home. While she hasn't been able to contribute to this project since she is much too far away, last year she did some great rearranging for me on one of my "special places". I am really looking forward to see what she will do with her new home. She didn't learn how to always color in the lines either. (Maybe I should have sent them to kindergarden..) She did some unique things with old window frames in her apartment. Meanwhile, we shall enjoy the "ambiance" of the lovely music she has recorded for us; a layer even interior decorators don't think of.

And speaking on layers and "ambiance", does having a hen seducing a cookie jar on one's kitchen counter count?

Finally, on Mothers Day, I would want to honor my Mother-in-law who has truly contributed to the decor of my house. Her beautiful pastel paintings are such a treasure to me and SO IS SHE!!! She is truly a blessing to me!!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

They say your home should be an expression of you and be a place where you surround yourself with things you love.... and I might add, the people you love!

Farmacology

2008-05-05T08:43:00.000-07:00

I love living in a rural area! I've lived in L.A. but I much prefer "Green Acres" or more accurately described as "Brown Acres" right now. Recently "the boss" got some game hens and a real pretty game rooster. The hens hide their clutches all over and we have a constant Easter egg hunt finding lots of eggs and enjoying the dark orange yokes for breakfast. Once you've enjoyed them, you will never like store bought again. A couple of the hens went "broody" and hatched out some baby chicks. One hatched all twelve of her eggs which is quite rare. They are so cute following their mother around and responding to her clucking communication. Jesus even referred to a hen with her chickens. The rooster gets protective of the chicks, too. He is quite the "Cock-of-the-Walk". To keep the "girls" around he steals morsels of dog food from Sophie's dish and lays it in front of them. I guess he thinks if he buys her dinner she owes him! While she eats the morsel of Kibbles 'n Bits he catches her off guard and well... Barnyard antics can be pretty funny.

I guess one little hen got tired of just being one of the girls and went on a search for another "Cock of the Walk." We were inside the house using a drum sander on our wood floors. The thing is so loud I can't imagine any animal coming close. We had both doors open and a window to allow the breeze the blow out the floating dust. The little hen spied a lovely suitor on my kitchen counter, my cookie jar! We discovered her as she was doing everything she could to get his attention! She preened, poised and pranced, did the Watusi trying to get the stone cold rooster to notice her and finally went tail to tail and just nested next to him! We chased her out and did it several times until finally we had to shut the doors and window to keep her from coming in to flirt!

"Hello, there, Pretty Boy! Check out my tail...feathers!"

"Don't you see I'm trying to get your attention????"

I posted this story for my city-slicker, son-in-law in California! I knew it would make his day! And it would mortify his wife!

Quality Friends are a Gift from God!

2008-04-21T05:18:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been pondering how quality friends are a gift from God to us. Sure, we might say, "We're blessed to have friends like them." But it really struck me that THEY ARE AN INTENTIONAL GIFT GOD GAVE US TO BLESS US! Wow! Among the many blessings of God, more than we deserve, an abundance of godly, quality people that call us friends, keep in touch with us, and show us they love us has got to be at the top!

At at the top of the top is a great family like that. We had the privilege to get to know them when their family was pretty young. Even though they moved across the country we have kept in touch. The photos of their adorable boys have been magnetized to my frig and we watched them go from cute little boys to (hubba, hubba)godly and handsome young men.
What is more exciting is that because of their wonderful parents, they are attractive on the inside, too! (I was going to post all the photos in secession to prove to them I've kept them all but I counted 18 of them....) Anyway, their oldest went off to Bible college a few years ago and then on a "short-term" mission trip to South America.

Well.......the young single and handsome, short-term guy found a gorgeous young lady and a long-term relationship and...well, our great friends recently went to Uraguay to meet her and attend the wedding! How delighted I was to get a bunch of pictures and get permission to share them on my blog!

Here they are meeting their "daughter-in-law-to-be" for the first time!

Congratulations! Keith & Betiana!!!

I'm thinking Russ is thinking "she's a keeper."

We love you guys!!

P.S. I even have the "rude" first thing in the morning, photos you took of me when you stayed with us before you moved! And I've forgiven you for that! :)

Recent Letter from Granddaughter:

2008-04-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love the way preschoolers say things? Here's a recent letter from Hannah:

Dear Grandma,

I love you and I want you to come to our house SOON. and I love you, Grandma. Today it's St. Patricks Day at Kansas and I made some green playdough with Hudson and mommy. I put yellow and blue and some salt in but you never should put that much salt in food. And I love you, Grandma, Good bye.
And to Grandpa, she wrote:
Dear Grandpa,
I love you, Grandpa. Grandpa, I hope you come to our house soon - maybe after this day, I don't know whenever you're gonna come. Grandpa, say "hi" for Grandma and I hope she has a great time today.
Love,
Hannah
Today, she called me and said she was "oganizing" her toy box!

Happy Birthday to my First Born!!!

2008-04-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

Today is my oldest daughter's birthday! I wish I could be there to celebrate with her. I have "unearthed" some of my favorite photos. Here is a little walk back into her past life before Rusty, FOCUS and twins!

Her life began as a "California Babe"

...with a Hillbilly dad!
But she never lost her glamour!

Although she was still a "little bit country"

...with a Hillbilly dad!

Education was very important. She was so smart she skipped Kindergarten and first grade and went straight to the head of the class in second grade!
Here she is on her first day in junior high! Remember the "layered look"? Note, the matching three pairs of socks and three shirts.

She graduated senior class president and a 4.0 and then some...

On to college and nursing school!

"California Babe once again..."

But she must have missed the country life.....!

Because, no matter how hard they tried, those surfer guys couldn't win her heart!

But Rusty did!

"She catches, she even cleans!"

So back to the country she went!

Hope you have a great day Les! We love you!

Three Funerals and A Wedding

2008-04-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

This time last week I was helping a dear friend decorate for her daughter's wedding. By the end of the week we will have attended three funerals. Wow! What an emotional roller coaster! Weddings, funerals, and the like have a real way of making me focus on what is really important in life. Funerals, in particular always make me think about what I'd like people to be able to say kindly about me when I pass! Our first funeral, on Monday, we attended in a small rural community senior citizen's center! When we arrived it was all set up as a potluck! Now that's a funeral! Since the elderly gentlemen was cremated, there was no need to decide whether he would be positioned at the head of the line or by the desserts! And I might say, it was the most amazing dessert table I've EVER seen at a potluck! Anyway, everyone enjoyed a wonderful meal which was followed by a few sweet songs, and inspirational words and verses from the pastor. The "floor" was then opened up for anyone to stand and say what dear Melvin had meant to them. Melvin was truly a kind, caring and gentle man. The words were indicative of how much he cared about people. Even in his eighties he had stopped to help someone in "need" who then stole his cellphone. Melvin's wife raised German Shepherds which is how we got acquainted with him. We had the privilege of having them in our home for Thanksgiving dinner one year. Melvin's "potluck funeral" ended in a flag ceremony by the local Veteran's of Foreign Wars. The shaky gentlemen completed the ceremony with great dignity, and I was thankful our society remembered those who served our country at their funerals. Mostly I went away wondering if people would speak of me as being a "kind" person when I pass.

This "Potluck Memorial Service" reminds me of a story I heard at the recent "Walk to Emmaeus" of which I was a part. The story goes that a lady asked that she be buried with a fork. "Why?" her family asked. Her explanation was that anytime she attended a nice meal, when the hostess took her plate away if she was told to "keep her fork" it meant that there was something better coming! The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is certainly something better coming!

The second service was not so pleasant. We shared in the grief of a precious little family whose sweet baby boy went to be with Jesus. Words cannot express the heartache we feel for them. I went away with a new reality of all our "nice and tidy" lives can be greatly disrupted with the reality of a fallen world and only Jesus can truly comfort us. What if we had no hope? I grieve for those who have no hope. I also went away with a lightening jolt of how I would feel if I had to say good bye to one of my three grand babies. It's too much to even ponder. I pray for their safety everyday, I always have.

Lastly, we will attend the celebration service of my pastor's father. He has been an incredible inspiration to me! His life is a testimony of the amazing power of God to change a man in an incredible way! Here is an exert from his obituary:

From 1985 - 2007, he devoted himself to short term missions. One of his favorite Bible verses was Proverbs 11:30 "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise." In 1985, he took his first mission trip to Panama, then the following year to Honduras. From 1989 - 2006 he went to Mexico several times a year taking food, clothing, toys, and bibles. In November of 2007, he took his final mission's trip to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and China. From 1983-2008, he faithfully ministered in numerous jails and prisons having touched the lives of many inmates both adult and juvenile.
Henry's hobbies included spending time with his children and grandchildren, gardening, yard work, and traveling throughout the United States.
He was a faithful member of Legacy Life Family Church.

My fondest memory of was on Mother's Day, 2005. Our pastor had asked me to preach the Mother's Day service. When I arrived that morning Henry greeted my at the door and informed me he was going to anoint me and pray for me. He escorted me into the Pastor's office, gently touched my hands with oil, then held them and prayed for me. I could definitely sense the presence of the Lord! Another special occurrence was just a couple of months ago. Phil overheard a lady in our DWI class telling some other students that while she was in jail a man came to share the good news with the inmates. She said he had faithfully come three weeks in a row. She didn't want to have anything to do with him so she stayed back in the shadows. The third week he looked straight at her standing in the back, pointed at her and said, "Jesus needs you!" With joy in her voice and a smile on her face she proceeded to tell them she accepted Christ and it changed her life! Henry will truly be missed!!!! There is no doubt in my mind Saturday's celebration of Henry's life will be amazing indeed!

2008-03-23T20:53:00.000-07:00

The other day was an unusual morning for my husband. The traveling Vietnam memorial had been set up in Clovis. As a part of Kiwanis Club member, he was responsible to help take down the flags as it was leaving. While he was heading to the high school to fulfill his duties he drove past a man in a wheelchair pushing himself backwards down the street. On his way home he pasted him again. This time he stopped and asked if he could help the man. The man told him he was trying to get to the memorial. He was loaded up and off they went back to the high school. No big deal. But the guy's last name was "Thomas". When P headed home he then past another guy walking on the highway heading south. He picked him up and and gave him a lift. The guy's last name was..."Thomas". P ended up driving to the city south of us and bought him some breakfast. He had a real serious time talking to him about the Lord. Then heading back north he picked up ANOTHER man walking north. His name wasn't Thomas but his story was equally interesting. His original job of talking down the flags had already been done before he got there but no one had let him know.

Home again, Home again

2008-03-21T17:56:00.001-07:00

From this....

to this..

But we are making progress. Phil asks me if it is driving me crazy but I say "NO!". I'm excited about the project and the guys are doing an amazing job! It may take months before it is all finished (kitchen cabinets and all) but it can live with it. What's a little chaos in MY life! Oh, by the say, in response to Pat's comment in the previous post:

"I KNEW you'd just HATE Alaska! Poor boy! Oh, but about those salmon-less streams you mentioned.....where are the ones that one can actually wade knee-deep in? Tell me quick!"

March Madness for sure!

2008-03-20T15:03:00.000-07:00

I left OKC at 4:00 a.m. and in time to get home and help host a wedding shower for my friend, Patricia's daughter. Then, with a turn-around time of a 24 hours, we loaded the fifth wheel and headed for Albuquerque where we attended a Traffic Safety Summit AND the state basketball tournament. We were in Albuq for six days. On the sixth day we drove to Villanueva State Park and had a couple days of R&R before returning home. We met up with some new friends and had a great time together. There was a neat one-mile hike up to to a cliff which looked out over the Pecos River where we were camped. I put these lovely photos in for Pat to look out and pine away for the beauty of New Mexico! This was our first outing since we brought our latest "fancy camper" home. I absolutely LOVE all the windows and especially the dining area!

Soccer Granny

2008-03-20T14:23:00.001-07:00

While in Wichita I got to attend Hudson and Hannah's soccer game! The previous Saturday Hannah told her coach, "My grandma is going to be at my game next week!!" I'm sure the coach was counting on me. Their team is the "Comets" which Hannah pronounces "Comics!" More truth than fiction. You haven't lived until you've seen four and five year-olds play soccer!

A visit to Hudson and Hannah

2008-03-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

When the conference was over I made quick tracks north to Wichita to see my twins, Hudson and Hannah. I didn't get to spend much time with Lesli but long enough for her to cut and color my hair! I DID get some great quality time with Rusty, another one of my very most favortie people!

Another crazy week!

2008-03-07T13:56:00.000-08:00

After an awesome but exhausting four days working a Walk to Emmaus, on Monday I followed a snowstorm to Oklahoma City to attend a Spit Tobacco National Conference at the Cox Convention Center. When you tell people you are attending a Spit Tobacco Convention they look at you really strange! It was really a good conference, however as we learned about the latest research, cessation techniques, youth advocacy activities and sinister tactics of Big Tobacco. Here I am with Rick Bender, the "Half-off guy". Quite by accident I ended up sitting on the same table with Rick.

While in OKC I got to stay with one of the most precious person in all the world, my sister-in-law, Marilyn. She lives in a really nice condo and is getting to really enjoy life. She has gotten to travel abroad four times in the last few years. You go, girl! We had a great time yacking for hours! Here we are in an Arabic-Mediterranean Restaurant specializing in Kabobs and flavored tobacco smoked out of gizmo's that resembled a cross between a bagpipe and a Kerby vacuum cleaner! We passed on the smokes! (Nephew, Gabriel took the picture.)

Grandma Musings.....

2008-02-28T06:30:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-24T15:01:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-22T21:07:00.000-08:00

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

Hank

2008-02-18T20:05:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-18T19:48:00.000-08:00

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..

2008-02-15T09:18:00.000-08:00

...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!

2008-02-14T14:53:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-10T18:52:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-08T12:13:00.000-08:00

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

Our three MC's were hilarious!

This was my favorite act! These two "FLKs" did the "Hokey Pokey". It was really cute!

This ten year old is an INCREDIBLE piano player!

These lovely girls are members of SCAT who gave the "Toxic Movies" presentation.

Basketball Archeology

2008-01-30T18:23:00.000-08:00

We had a most delightful surprise when Phil's college basketball coach, Myron Finkbeiner and wife Gwen came to town. Myron is a most amazing and interesting person! He scouts for Oral Roberts Universtiy where his son is a basketball coach and has he founded the "Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame" www.http://sportshumanitarian.com in 1997 and since that time has recognized philanthopic athletes for what they have done to "give back" to society. The Hall of Fame is located at Smurf-Turfed football stadium at Boise State.

Shown here are 2007 inductees, Dikembo Mutombo, Edgar Martinez and Kyle Petty.

Thirty-eight sports-humanitarians have been enshrined in the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame including tennis great Arthur Ashe, major league baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, NFL coaching legend Tom Landry, the NBA's David Robinson, and soccer
great Pelé and the Harlem Globetrotters.

2007: Kyle Petty (NASCAR), Dikembe Mutombo (Basketball), Edgar Martinez (Baseball)
2006: Steve Largent (Football), Harmon Killebrew (Baseball), Steve Smith (Basketball)
2005: Drew Bledsoe (Football), Louis Zamperini (Track & Field) , Kathy Kusner (Equestrian)
2004: Jesse Owens (Track & Field), Jackie Robinson (Baseball), Babe Didrikson-Zaharias (Golf)
2003: Steve Young (Football), Harlem Globetrotters (Basketball)
2001: Johann Koss (Speed Skating), Andrea Jaeger (Tennis), A.C. Green (Basketball)
2000: Mary Lou Retton (Gymnastics), Nate Archibald (Basketball), Kirby Puckett (Baseball)
1999: Tom Landry (Football), Wilma Rudolph (Track & Field), Tony Gwynn (Baseball)
1998: Pelé (Soccer), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Track & Field), David Robinson (Basketball)
1997: Billy Mills (Track & Field), Kevin Johnson (Basketball), Mel Blount (Football)
1996: Bonnie Blair (Speed Skating), Kip Keino (Track & Field), Pat McCormick (Diving)
1995: Dale Murphy (Baseball), Roberto Clemente (Baseball), Julius Erving (Basketball)
1994: Chi Chi Rodriguez (Golf), Arthur Ashe (Tennis), Rafer Johnson (Track & Field)

.
"Coach" as we affectionately call him, is writing a book entitled, "Vanishing Hardwoods" which highlights "ancient basketball ruins" (my term) from all around the country, and records the anecdotes along with them. He had discovered an impressive collection of gyms around our area. Today, we chauffeured them all around dicovering the old gyms. He had researched stories already written about them in the library. It was quite interesting. In one community we discovered the pictures of a team of seven players who beat Albuquerque High School in a state Championship in 1931 and 1933!

Two wonderful meals out and lots and LOTS of great conversation made the last 24 hours a great time!

Happy Birthday to our Baby Girl!!!

2008-01-23T06:24:00.000-08:00

Hope you have a GREAT Birthday!!! Can't believe you

have a baby of your own. We love you!

Mom & Dad

Happy Birthday, Kaylee!

2008-01-15T19:11:00.003-08:00

Today our precious Kaylee is one year old!!! What a blessing she is to us!

2008-01-09T09:08:00.001-08:00

You Have Turned My Sorrow Into Dancing!

2007-12-23T21:18:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas Sunday with wonderful praise and worship and see three baptized!

This man and his family attended our church because of the food handout that took place last week. This morning he was baptized!

After church today we had mom and brother-in-law, Garnett, over for lunch. Phil took two whole hens and grilled them on the rotissery. The recipe he used was "Garlic-and-Mint Roasted Chicken" in the Webber's "Art of the Grill" book. He substited catnip for the mint since it is in the same family and we have it growing in our yard! It was "WONDERFUL"!! He had already tried out the recipe a couple of times and knew it was a hit but this was the first time on the rotissiary. Along with it we served Rice a Roni - Rice Pilaf (doctored with green onions, small pieces of carrot, red peppers and celery), brocolli salad (with bacon, sunflower seeds, red onion and raisins), and Garnett brought Pretzel Surprise". For dessert we had carrot cake. This was one of the meals where the items really complemented each other.

We spented the evening extending hospitality to a man, recent Phil has been discipling.

Chrismas Love!

2007-12-16T22:29:00.000-08:00

Wishing to impact our neighborhood with the love of Jesus this Christmas season, one of the young men at our church had a vision of giving out food to our neighbors. Because our church is located in the poorest part of town, this was a very appropriate way to share the love! Enough money was donated to purchase 219 boxes of "Angel Food" (@25.00/box). The boxes included an assortment of food including some frozen chicken and four rib eye steaks! On Saturday approximately forty people assembled the boxes in an open ended warehouse with the temperature of 20 degrees and windchill of about five! We had an assembly line and then loaded them on to our pick-ups. We then met at the church and divided up into teams assigned to specific streets. We simply went door to door and shared a box with a Christmas greeting and invitation to our church. There were blessed reports of the responses! Today at least two families came to the service as a result of our contact with the food. But I'm not sure who received the most blessing, the giver or the givee! There were quite a few of our teens and children involved and they were greatly impacted by the experience as were the adults. After distribution we had a great time eating hot soup at the church. It was the coldest day of the year so far but our hearts were warm! (Unfortunately, the camera I took with me had low batteries so I did not get any photos!! Boo Hoo!).

The Cleansing Stream I see, I see!!

2007-12-16T22:15:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday after our morning service, in a COLD basement youth room five boys from our youth group shared their testimonies and very baptized in a stock tank! I think the photos captures the moment in a way my words can't!

In Sweet Memory......

2007-12-11T20:26:00.000-08:00

My father-in-law made his final flight last week and went to be with Jesus! This was a real answer to prayer because his quality of life had deteriorated so and he did not suffer endlessly like some others have. His memorial service was just amazing and wonderful. There was such a sweet presence of the Lord. We couldn't have asked for a more wonderful send-off celebration. One thing that was made so apparent to me was how much he had meant to my children! It made me even more determined to be all I can be for my grandchildren.

Each of my three children had tributes to him as expressed previously which were read at his service. They were as follows: I truly think they were a blessing to all.

Written by Jana for speech class in high school:
In the world’s eyes, a life like the one lived by my grandfather may seem insignificant, but my life wouldn’t be the same without him.
My Grandpa is a survivor
He was born in 1920 and lost his father at age 5
In Grades 1-8 he moved 7 times
In the 8th grade he worked in the fields and joined the army at 16 years of age, and YES survived the Great Depression
My Grandpa is sacrificial!
He only earned $21 dollars a month from the Army but sent $15 of it to his mom who had no income.
As a father, he worked long hours to provide for kids.
He and grandma were able to send all four kids to private college despite being lower/middle class.
My Grandpa is a Servant!
He would give of himself to anyone in need.
I know he’d give his right arm for me!
My Grandpa knows how to work hard!
He grew up on a farm.
He worked as an engineer for the Army.
My Grandpa spent 35 years as a carpenter and after long days at work would come home and play ball with my dad.
My Grandpa Loves God!
He accepted the Lord at 22
He raised his family in the church
To this day he shows God’s love by his actions and words.
My Grandpa is loving!
He didn’t always show emotions but now he hugs me and says "I love ya" with tears in his eyes.
As much as he would hate to admit it, he is soft inside.
My Grandpa has a sense of humor!

When asked about his childhood he replied quickly, "I was born at a very young age, and wasn’t very big for my size. I spent all my life on the farm, but the first 6 months I was only milkin’ and spreadin’ fertilizer."
I helped him paint a fence and we got into a paint brush war.

When I come to visit, he opens the door and says "Oh, it’s Halloween again?"
Others may not see what I do in my grandpa, but I tell you they are missing out!

Lesli posted this on her blog this past Wednesday:

After suffering with advanced Alzheimer's for the past several years, my Grandpa is finally in his right mind today. It's been awhile since he could think clearly and recognize his loved ones, but I'm sure that when Jesus came to take him home this morning he had no trouble recognizing his Lord.I have some great memories of my Grandpa. Early on, I mostly just remember his blue work shirts that said "Lester." Grandpa was a hard working man, and a skilled carpenter.

Later on I remember him attending my sporting events and other important milestones. Even though he wasn't always comfortable showing affection, he showed me his love by the things he did for me. He was very quick witted and ornery. Instead of telling me he loved me, he'd say things like, "Some people have to pay their grand kids to be good. You're just good for nothing!"One of my favorite memories of my Grandpa is when he took me to college. For some reason that I don't really recall, my parents were going to send me off to college on an airplane. My grandparents didn't like the idea of me having to go to my first semester of school alone, so Grandpa loaded up me with all my stuff, and we made the 16 hour trip together. And Jesus got us there in one piece!I'm blessed to have good memories! It makes days like today not so sad. I loved my grandpa. I'm thankful that I got to grow up with him in my life, and I'm really glad that he's finally free of the disease that took so much of his mind so that he can celebrate Christmas with Jesus this year!

This letter was written to Dad by Pat:

2-17-00

Grandpa,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits.

Last week while I was visiting a close friend of mine, the conversation turned to grandparents. He told me how his wife’s grandfather had been a shining example of Christ to him while they were visiting (before they were married.). Every morning this man could be found sitting by the window reading his Bible by the early morning sunlight, and again when the sun set. This example had such a profound example on my friend that he turned from his life of sin, married the woman that is now his wife and they have a two month old baby named Elijah.

As you know, my brother Rusty has just lost his grandfather. I don’t know if “Paw Paw” knew how much he meant to Rusty.

Grandpa, if tomorrow never comes, will you know how much I love you? Will you know how much your influence has shaped me into the man I am today? Thank you for the times when I was in school, discouraged about life and you had encouraging words for me. When the world made me feel like a failure you were quick to point out that I was special and that God had a plan for my life. I will never forget the years when I was at school at Yucca. I would walk to your house after band practice and you and I would talk for hours about when you were young and about how you learned to “Do it right and then do it fast”. The work ethic you taught me will someday be passed on to my grandchildren.

I will keep forever in my mind the stories you told of hunting with John Reynolds, your brother Paul, and others. I have the Remington model #41 .22 that you used to kill countless rabbits during the Depression, when marksmanship meant eating or going hungry. I think of you every time I look at the old Springfield .30.06 with “FERN” carved on the side. I will keep these heirlooms until I have grandchildren to pass them on to, and along with them will be stories of you and I and how we loved to harass one another and work together.

Granddad, God is doing a wonderful work in my life. I am totally sold out to his will for me. He is drawing me into a close personnel relationship with him and I’m excited to see what He has for my life!

Thank you for always loving and supporting me and for being there even when you didn’t have to be!

Write back if you have time!

I Love you!

Pat

Just Try to Resist!

2007-12-03T14:13:00.000-08:00

Rhinestone Fairy Princess Cowgirl!

2007-12-03T13:13:00.000-08:00

Green Bay

2007-11-03T15:10:00.001-07:00

We visited Lambeau Field at Green Bay.

Sault Ste. Marie

2007-11-03T15:03:00.005-07:00

The highlight of our recent trip to Michigan was camping our new fiver on the banks of the St. Marie's River and watching the freighters pass. We would then follow them one mile down to the locks and watch them proceed through the locks to and from Lake Superior. Looking across the river was the Canadian side of the river. It was quite an experience!!!

Our new fiver is surrounded on three sides in the end with windows. This is where the dining room is. It was such a delight, that chilly fall morning to sit and the table, read my Bible, drink hot coffee and watch the ship go by! I could have stayed there a week!

This particular vessel is the Arthur B. Anderson. It just so happens we were there as it passed through the Locks. The Arthur B. Anderson is known for for it's role in the attempted rescue of the sinking of another vessel during a storm in 1971. this is an amazing story and I had seen the documentary on PBS this past year.

I regret that I do not have a photo of one of these 700-1000' vessels squeezing into these locks with only a couple (literally) feet clearance on each side and quickly and seemingly effortlessly being lifted to the level of the upper lake but my camera was not charged that morning. It was quite an amazing site!

Friday Night Lights!

2007-10-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

HudMan (age 3-3/4ths) was bent on going to a football game Friday night. We checked the paper and picked one on the west side of town. The paper was wrong! It was an away game. So we had to search for another game. It took awile to get our directions and all. I asked the twins who were sitting quietly in the back seat of the car if they were getting "impatient". Hannah answered, "What does impatient mean?" I told her it meant you were tired of waiting. Her response, "Well, them I'm patient!!"

Once we got to the game while HudMan was intense at watching the game - he was analysising the coaching strategies in hopes to offer some suggestions, I'm sure. 'takes after his grandpa! "Miss Wigglesworth had made three trips to the consession stand and bathroom by the first half!" At the end of half time I asked HudMan if he'd like to go down and pick something out at the consession stand. He paused to contemplate a moment and then replied, "No, you can just get me some popcorn and a drink. I'll keep an eye on the ball!"

We ended up leaving a little early and Miss Wigglesworth asked why we left before the game was over. We told her it was cuz she was wiggly! Her response, "I was just wanting to tawk to da chea-ledah!

Big Mac

2007-10-25T13:55:00.000-07:00

The Mackinaw Bridge "Big Mac", is five miles long. it separates Lake Heron from Lake Michigan. It is an amazing stucture! It is quite high and it's not unusual to have to be closed down due to winds. The bridge is constructed so that the deck at center span can shift as much as 35 feet in severe wind conditions. The Big Mac is the third longest suspension bridge in the world. We crossed the Big Mac last week to get to the Michigan Upper Peninsula.

These photos don't do it justice. The day we crossed the Big Mac it was very foggy. Photos on the web show a spectacular view on a clear day. It was still pretty interesting to cross it.

Grandpa!

2007-10-25T13:08:00.003-07:00

Say "Aha"

2007-10-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

Today the twins saw the dentist for the first time for a teeth cleaning and check up. Hannah should be poster girl for the "American Dental Association". She was the model child that all dental professionals dream of. She had her mouth ready even before being told to.

Hudson needed to keep up the typical "guy" approach to anything that remotely challenges the pain threshold - we know what that is, don't we girls? Unfortunatly, he saw what he called the "hook" (the probe) being used in Hannah's mouth. He didn't want any part of that!

My Best Birthday Party Ever!

2007-10-24T20:32:00.000-07:00

The Party Planner!

Yesterday was my birthday and my granddaughter, Hannah planned my party! It was a "Little Mermaid" Party! Grandpa was hoping I'd dress like a Mermaid....NOT!!! Hannah wore her Mermaid costume.
Lesli said Hannah would have bought everything in the party store including a Pinata, if she'd have let her. I told Pat on the phone I had never had a pinata at my birthday party! His reply, "Mom, WE WERE YOUR PINATAS!"

Lesli made me a cheese cake. Afterwards we danced! What's a party without dancing?

Dancing with the Stars!

2007-10-24T00:39:00.000-07:00

Creed, Colorado

2007-09-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

Among our delightful discoveries is the fastinating town of Creed. It is wedged up between some amazing rock formations and has quite a mining history. We can't wait to come back and take some of the back road mining tours on a 4-wheeler!

We spent a delightful evening at an off-broadway play, George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion at the Creed Repertory Theatre. This is rated one of the top ten Off-Broadway Theatres!

Exploring!

2007-09-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

One day we drove to the Rio Grande Reservoir.

This is just above our primitive campsite.

While camping we took time to do a lot of exploring the general area. These photos show a primitive camping area beyond where we camped and views farther up the road.

Primitive Camping

2007-09-04T17:36:00.000-07:00

We explored the area for three days while staying at the Big Meadow Campground. That was just long enough to discover what has got to be one of the most beautiful primitive campsites ever! We were right on a beautiful creek with cascading water and pools to fish in just out our door! We stayed there for four days. I actually shot these pictures but they don't do it justice.

The second shows the tall, jagged rocky moutains which surrounded the camp. Phil snags some great pan size browns and we enjoyed them for breakfast!

Wolf Creek Pass

2007-09-04T15:33:00.005-07:00

I was literally amazed at the views going up to and through Wolf Creek Pass. I had no idea of the majestic mountains views ascending into the Weimanuche Wilderness so close to home! So close, that is, in comparison to North Idaho, the Tetons or Alaska! This is another borrowed photo and doesn't really tell the story at all.

At the immediate north side of the pass we turned west a couple miles to Big Meadow Campground where we stayed for three days. Big Meadow reservoir had a lovely hiking trail all the way around and was a popular fishing spot. We were REALLY fortunate to get the absolute best campsite in the whole campground!!!

It was #10 and a "TEN" it was! Not only did it have a peek view of the lake and its' only trail straight down to the lake, it had a lovely little creek running right along side the campsite! It was back in the far corner so we were not surrounded by campers. (I managed to get some photos with my camera plugged in to the generator.)

A three mile windy road above Big Meadow Reservoir was Shaw Lake. This was a serene, high mountain lake teaming with trout not the least bit interested in Phil's lures but beautiful!

Next stop: Pagosa Springs

2007-09-04T14:55:00.000-07:00

The beauty of the scenery didn't stop as it got greener and greener and higher and higher. We stopped over at the beautiful town of Pagosa Springs before ascending Wolfe Creek Pass. Wow! What a view! It was quite a pull too as our truck overheated and we had to stop to cool it down. (photos borrowed from internet)

Chama and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

2007-09-04T13:19:00.001-07:00

Just a few miles north of El Vado Reservoir is the village of Chama and the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad yard. We parked by the rail yard at this quaint little village and ate lunch as the afternoon train came into the station. Then we visited a few shops before heading north for the totally gorgeous drive up to Pagosa Springs, Colorado.