Rambling on -more about mine & Preston's trip to LV

We had a wonderful flight to LV - first time using Jet Blue and I really enjoyed the staff and the plane and the individual TV - I hooked Preston up for cartoons and he dug in and was in TV land until we arrived - 50 minutes later. The flight home- not so good. The flight was delayed - we were supposed to leave at 5:40P but boarded at 7:20 and the plane actually lifted off at 8:05P - It was good weather in LV - not sure why it was late. Weather in SLC was bad - At 9:00 P we overshot SLC and went to Ogden to circle because the runways were a mess. At around 9:30 they decided that they needed to go to Boise to get gas - We ended up getting home at about 1:30A - we made it, thank you GOD! I was really bummed about Preston coming on his first solo trip with his Sedge ---- wasn't sure if he was going to get back to Yaya and Papa ----but we did. I really liked Jet Blue...

We drove by this sign in LV - Song mentioned to me that she had driven by this earlier with the kids and that Will (he is an excellent reader) noticed the sign and was tickled pink that someone had named a store for him.... (he has a healthy ego!) I thought that was pretty cute

of him.

Here is our Preston, enjoying the McCarren Airport in LV - we sat in front of the big window and watched the planes coming and going. We had a really fun time together. The boy LOVES his airplanes!!!!

Vegas Vacation

"E" with scary Gma

Good Buddies

Getting Ready for Church...

Dinner Time Blues...

Baby's got beans!

Preston & I flew to LV for a short vacation... The kids had a good time, lots

of playing and fighting and laughing and crying. They are such sweet boys

and girls. I alternate between wanting to spank them and wanting to hug and

kiss them! But I love spending time, it goes by so fast .... I'll turn around one

day and they will be too big to toss in the air. I can barely do it with E, but still can

with Cady! More later about the trip!

Go Obama!

I hope for our country's future that our new President will be sucessful in the job he has been elected to do. Lets all wish him well in his endeavors and leadership to do our part by being active within our communities and respectful of each other and our beliefs. Ask yourself how you can contribute more to your job, your family and the world around you.

The Tooth Fairy

Preston and I had a conversation the other day, and during the conversation, he commented that I had really large teeth. Being the adult that I am, I commented on how small his teeth were. I mentioned to him that at some point all the little teeth in his mouth would come out and be replaced by large honkin' big teeth like mine. He looked fairly shocked about it so while he was processing the loss of all his little teeth, I said do you know about the tooth fairy?? He said he DID know about the tooth fairy, but the info he gave me was fairly sketchy - "the tooth fairy comes at night and leaves stuff" . I told him that some tooth fairies left quarters, some left dimes and some left larger denominations of cash or coin under the pillow and took the tooth, because other little kids who didn't have teeth yet, needed the tooth. (He looked pretty grossed out when I told him this part) I told him I hoped the tooth fairy he got would be generous with him. He thought about these revelations for another minute and said - I want the tooth fairy to bring me a truck not a quarter..... I think we'll have to continue our discussions.

The Holidays - so over!

"We should view stress in much the same way as we view the weather. Although we might not be pleased with a rainy day, there is not much to be done about. We continue to go about our business in full acceptance of the rain. To deal with it we take an umbrella, wear a raincoat and maybe even rubber boots. Maybe we change our plans a little so as to spend less time outdoors. The best way to battle stress is to deal with it in much the same way. Instead of trying to master stressful situations or make them go away, the best bet is to learn how to work around them"

I don't know who wrote that but I was reading about stress in the Discovery Health website (www.discoveryhealth.com) and really liked this view of stress, about a helpful way to handle issues that challenge us.
People are struggling - whether it is for health reasons, loss of family (parents and/or pets) healing from physical injury or emotional pain. Fighting children or other family members - or spouses - economic issues or any combination of the above. Life is hard sometimes and the road is a roller coaster of ups and downs. Sometimes it's harder for others.
Be good to yourself.... get an umbrella in the form of a good friend or a wonderful book, or some form of exercise that works for you. Do something that makes you happy . Do your best. My New Year's resolution is to be a better friend because I may not see them often but I sure love mine.

Capricorn 7 - the Big 56

Happy Birthday thoughts go out to my womb-mate, Clarky... wish we could always be together on our day but hope he enjoyed the Dinosaurs walking the Earth with Payton & Ashley! Just think, we are becoming the dinosaurs!!

Time is such a weird thing. According to my calculator, I am 491,056 hours old... Clark is 491,056 + 12 minutes... so weird.

Some observations:I believe in being self sufficient and I believe in choosing to be happy. I wish I wasn't so suspicious - it is one of my worst qualities. I like to be right - that can be a good or a bad quality. I'm comfortable in my skin (not comfortable with my skin ) I love my family and my friends. Not crazy about my daily work, but am good at it and appreciate having a job. Still not sure what I want to be when I grow up....

Favorite birthday moment(s): Will and Vivi singing to me over the phone - Ian was caterwauling in the background with Cady too... Sheer Delight!

Right behind that was the call from my Mom and Dad singing to me...having dinner with my Mom and Sisters. I'm so lucky to have them.

Other people who share this birthday: Betsy Ross , J.D. Salinger, Vern Troyer (mini-me), Nicolas Cage and Katie Couric....

2001

1961Shit. I've really changed.

2008 in Review

Happy New Year!! Farewell to 2008 - It was a year of plenty in so many ways. I assume getting older just creates a lot more opportunities for the rites and passages of people's lives. Besides Heather's and Spencer's nuptials, Song's friend Katherine married, and Song's sister in law just in Dec. as well as Lana's cousin, Mary. There were several funerals mostly of the parents of my friends and cohorts, but also one of Song's friend's brother and one of an old friend that was unexpected. Baby Cady was born - she is gorgeous (of course) and growing like a weed - she is fast on the ground and I suspect she will walk by Ian's birthday this Feb if not sooner! Kim kept us lavishly entertained at several of her events and at her home which was so generous and such fun. I have not included any pictures of my friends (just to keep this a bit shorter) but spent some quality time with my best pal, Lana and spent a little time with Zenda, Michele, and Craig over the year...even got to see Roger a bit this year which is always a treat as well! I don't spend enough time with them but love the time we do spend together. As always, my neighbors and the boy keep me going. Looking forward to 2009 to see what happens. I'm grateful that my Dad survived his months in hospital and we're hoping to find a new home/duplex for us all to live closer together in the coming year...stay tuned!
Here are some favorite pics and highlights (and lowlights) from the year....

A couple of angelic expressions if I've ever seen them!
Driving past the Bellagio fountains with Becky and George and Jayme.

Cute Wendy in Sonoma during our visit in November - we had a pre-Thanksgiving

visit and hung out in this beautiful area for a few days.

Had to include my gorgeous picture of the grapes that I took in Sonoma....

Just past the San Francisco bridge - the Sisters. I was very proud of Becky - we took 2 vacations together - that's a LOT of family time...

My baby girl .... I'm so proud of her.

Baby Ian, he was talking on someone's phone and very happy to see us!

Smootchies from my g.kids!!! Heaven on earth for old G-ma!

Halloween playtime...He looks really cute as a chick, huh??

Testing..1,2,3...trying to get that special pic... not this time, but I like it.

Sue missed Preston's party - she had a good excuse (appendix problem) We knew she wouldn't miss it for anything (except a hospital stay) ....

At the birthday party for Carey, Dad and Preston...

Mike is calling the spirit of Nina Lou, circa the picture of her with her hands on the

purple pillow against her cheek. This also followed an extremely rude remark made

by NL to which Mike was noting her sweetness of 79 years strong! (You had to be

there, it was good)

The infamous Sept fall and subsequent damage/infection... nasty.

The neighbors, hangin' in the hood.

Vivi's birthday party - The Bounce house - very cool party fun with that thing. I got stuck in the door getting out. The kids (and some adults, Tom you know who I mean) LOVED it.

Fun vacation to Kim's house in Tucson - we really had a good time.

Another "attempt" picture that makes me laugh. This pic took some work to get it right!

Love this pic of Song and Will

Preston's Official Adoption Photo...

My sweet womb-mate

My sweet little brother with Miss at Heather's rehearsal dinner party.

Porchin' it with Grandpa, Oliver, Grandpa Clark, and Grandma

Bride Heather... it was a fun wedding. The ceremony by the river was unique and Preacher Dave did a great job officiating. May 2008

Baby Cady (Cadence) came to us ... March 11, 2008 - She is a big girl now!

Spencer and Sara tied the knot in October 2008 -

Always entertaining - Capt. Clownshoe - my baby brother. Stinkin' Republicant.

Photographed and matted by Song - my favorite Christmas gift!

Just like this pic of Preston.... He is so rosy cheeked!

The sisters... not sure what was going on here - Becky kept telling Sue not to touch her - it reminded me of the old days when we shared a bedroom...