A Bunch of Stuff

Wow...I've been a ton of places and done a bunch of stuff since I last posted here. I was able to go to Washington for fall break and was so lucky! The kids had a ton of activities while I was there, and in 6 days, I went to 2 of Dayson's basketball games, 1 of Jayden's volleyball games, 1 of Ryenn's basketball games, Dayson's playoff football game, Easton's field trip to the Pumpkin Patch, the Apple Cider Mill with the family, the kids Primary final practice for their Sacrament meeting presentation, and to my favorite little store that sells primitive holiday knick-knacks. We also were invited to some friends home for fresh salmon (grilled and baked). It was a terrific trip and I always am so sorry to have to leave. I truly feel I was born to be a grandma! There are no words to explain the love you have for your children. But when you have grandchildren~ that feeling that you can't explain about your own kids~ it comes into your heart with a vengance! They are the most precious gift and I'm so grateful that I've been 'loaned' all these kids to love me and me love back. Enough of that...I have a lump in my throat. Sunday I went to Abby's and had dinner with 4 of my kids, my sweet daughter in law, and 3 of my grandkids. We had great conversation and just a lot of fun. I was a tad tired from staying out until 3:30am with some old friends, but will never pass up the chance to hang out with the kids. I'm going to post a few photos from Wa., but know I wasn't able to capture the gorgeous fall colors. ILMF!

OH MY GOSH!!!!!

What in this world possessed me to work at a MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!!! The kids have been horrible this week in anticipation of Fall Break next week. They seem to have forgotten everything their moms taught them about being kind and respectful. It starts right at 7:45 AM when Pennie and go out front for bus duty and escalates at lunch. Pretty soon it's 12:30 and the little sweethearts are on their way home to their loving parents. And we're going to do it all again tomorrow! Only worse...they have an assembly for 1 hr. of the 4 they'll be at school. Oh wait...that's why I work at a middle school! I only had to work 1/2 days today and tomorrow and then have a whole week off. Not to mention a 4 day weekend for Veteran's Day coming up, 4 days off for Thanksgiving, 2 weeks off for Christmas...yep that's why I work at a middle school ~ for all the time OFF you get! Of course we aren't paid for those days, but somethings just aren't worth the money! Did I forget to mention that just 2 weeks ago school got out at 10:30 am (Thurs. and Fri.) for conferences and the following Mon. we didn't have to work at all because of teacher inservice? Oh yea...that's what I'm talking about! ILMF

My trip to New Mexico

I guess you'd have had to be there, but Paulette and I found this sign so curious. There were NO nut trees close by! We drove past it on our way to walk along the Rio Grande River. I walked/ran 3.2 miles and saw beautiful herons and some beaver dams. Great nature trail. ILMF

We Love To Shop!

Last Mon. Shelly and her 2 little girls and I went to the Promenade Mall in Casa Grande. It really is one of the best places to shop because everything you could want is in one place. Whether it's Best Buy, Target, Dillard's or Kohl's. The sky's the limit! The girls were so good and man, Peyton LOVES to shop! She does her Aunt Kristen proud! Her mom told her she couldn't have a new pair of shoes ( she had received 3 pairs for her birthday the week before!), and her big brown eyes just welled with tears. Thank goodness her dad wasn't there or I know there'd have been a new pair of shoes in the cart. She loves new clothes, while her sister just isn't so into it. Tatum's the entertainment for whoever is standing close. We just shopped and shopped some more. Stopped and had lunch and shopped some more! Then it was obvious the girls had enough. I'm so thankful to have 5 daughters, 2 daughters in law, and 4 granddaughters who all like shopping. I'm also very thankful for 3 sons, 2 sons in law, and 6 grandsons that love sports of all kinds. The best of 2 worlds! ILMF

Happy Day!

What a happy day for Pam! I woke up and strapped on my running shoes and was out in the desert before 6:30AM. We have this terrific path out here, that goes behind the park, and so far out in the desert that pretty soon you're almost right up against the frontage road. I felt so good that I actually found myself running more than I was walking. On the way home I saw a bloody, dead, huge rattlesnake. That was interesting. When I walked in my front door my cute cute little granddaughters were at the table having Peyton's birthday breakfast. There were balloons and streamers and a ton of gifts. The magic of a birthday as seen through a child's eyes is always so exciting. And we still have her party tomorrow because Trey had a basketball game today, right when her party was supposed to be. Then I went out to Abby's for a little and played with my grandsons. We ended up going to Trey's game and then Abby and her boys and Jake and I set out fot all you can eat shrimp at Red Lobster. However, when we were told it would be an hour wait, it didn't sound so appetizing. We just grabbed a bite at the mall and I headed home. Just in time to have some of Peyton's birthday cake. just a taste. What kind of grandmother would I be if I didn't have some of her cake?? It's now all quiet on the home front. What a heavenly day! Getting to see 5 of my 10 grandkids. ILMF

Fun weekend!

Why can't the work week be only 2 days and the weekend 5? Just pondering...I had a fun weekend that started out by getting my tires rotated at Discount Tire. I felt, though, like I was in a Seinfeld skit. Remember the one where he goes to rent a car and has a reservation, but when he shows up they have no car. He told them that the 'essence' of the reservation was so he'd have a car. Well, I had made an appt. with Discount on Thurs., because they said I'd have to wait an hour and a half. It's a 10 min. job, so that made no sense. The guy suggested I make an appt. for Fri. and since i was getting off at 1:45 I made a 2pm appt. At 2:30 I finally told them I just wanted my keys back because they hadn't even taken my car in yet. I think it was because they don't make any cash dollars on tire rotations. Either I don't get the whole concept of a reservation, or they don't get the 'essence' of making a reservation. Anyways, I got the tires all done and felt such satisfaction. I had gotten my oil changed on Weds. after work and had new wiper blades put on as well. I felt like all my 'car' chores were done. Except the old car wash...and that'll have to wait til it stops raining. Then I went to the gym and hooked up with Paulette and we went to Chili's to have fajitas. Sat. I had breakfast at Cracker Barrel with my sister and did a little shopping at Lowe's. Picked up my new UA red shirt at Wal Mart and headed home to garden. Got back in the car, met Paulette and went tailgating with some friends. Just as they were about to have the kick off, they pulled both teams off the field because of lightening. No sooner did we head for shelter and it started to pour. After waiting an hour we got back on the shuttle, picked up her car, and went to Chuy's for some shrimp and a beverage. We looked for a movie to go to, but none of them sounded to die for, so we both headed home. Just as I pulled in my garage it started to pour here. Went back to my sister's to grill steaks on Sun. And some of their zucchini. Got to visit with my younger brother, who I haven't seen in a couple of months, so that was fun. However, I was a little nervous because I had left a candle burning in my kitchen. So I took off right after we ate. I just worked around the house and messed in the yard today and it was great! Now, back to the grind tomorrow. Oh well, the Hall's will be here soon and I have a short month of work, so it will go fast and before I know it Oct. will be here and I'll be off to Wa.! Peace out! ILMF

"Toadly" freaked me out!

The other day when I came home from work I went to water my little potted plants out front and there resting next to myneighbor's house was a big toad. I thought it was so cool that I snapped a few photos of the guy. The next day I noticed he was gone. I figured he had just moved on to greener pastures. Lo and behold, I stepped into the garage from the house and he caught me toadly by surprise. He had found refuge from who knows what, right by my door! I practically wet myself he scared me so bad. So I took a rake ( I know, I know..poor choice of weapons),and tried to rake him out of the garage. He didn't go out, but had the nerve to start hopping all over the place like he'd been popping pills or something. I couldn't get him, as hard as I tried. So, I've been leaving my garage door opened just a bit to give him an escape route. But the bad part about that is I don't know if he left or not. I decided to shut my garage door last night, because I figured it would be the only way I would ever have, to see if he was still in there. Holy smokes! The toad turds I woke up to are huge! He's definately still in there and I'm going to have to empty out the whole thing and find where he is before he dies or something. I need CSI to come in and track all his DNA to see where his hiding place is. I'll keep you updated. Meanwhile, enjoy the photos of the big guy. I'm looking forward to giving him a 'wild ride' when I find the dude. That's just a little Disney reference for all you Disneyland fans! ILMF