Today is my 32nd Wedding Anniversary. Wow! That's half my life! Here's a look back...
5 kids
7 grandchildren (with another due in April)
9 moves in 2 cities
2 apartments
2 condos
5 houses
3 motorcycles
1 houseboat
1 runabout
1 drift boat
4 Personal Water Craft
3 grand pianos
5 cats
2 dogs
1 trip to Paris
1 trip to Scotland
1 trip to Acapulco
1 trip to Denmark and London
1 trip to Israel
1 Cruise
1 California coast road trip
1 Motorcycle trip to Canada, the NW and back
1 Motorcycle trip to Santa Fe and back
1 Ford Bronco
1 Ford Taurus wagon
1 Mercedes
1 Cadillac
1 Audi
1 Corvette
1 Mustang
1 Jeep Wagoneer
1 Toyota
1 Chevy Blazer
2 Ford Explorers
2 Suburbans
2 Porsche
3 BMWs
4 Range Rogers
3 Volvos
(What can I say? He likes cars - expensive ones - and I probably missed a few)
8000+ miles on a motorcycle
1 Pioneer Trek
4 river trips
Many camping trips
Countless trips to Lake Powell
44 Christmas Trees (a live tree, sometimes two, every year)
and
Finally, 1 pair of diamond stud earrings
I think that pretty much covers it!
Update: He tells me it should be 2 Mercedes. Honestly, I barely remember having one.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Just thoughts
The husband is on the volunteer ski patrol at a local ski resort. The resort opened today. Which means that every Saturday until the end of season in about 5 months, he'll be on the mountain. He was overjoyed when he got the call to report today since he thought that volunteers didn't start until sometime in December. For him, ski season started early.
Yesterday, I had four of my grandchildren here for most of the day. The two boys, age 5 and 4, were delighted to be together. The 4 year old and his little sister live in Denver and don''t get to see their cousins very much. The two little girls, age 3 and 2, had a great time together. One of the good things about having four little ones all day is that they are all potty trained - didn't have to change one diaper!!
My two year old granddaughter has me wrapped around her little finger. While on an outing yesterday, she spotted an "elegator" (escalator). In her sweet, little, voice, she asked "Grandma, please can I ride the elegator?" After one trip, up and down, she asked "Please, please, Grandma, can I ride the elegator again?". Of course, we went again.
My five year old grandson was over one day last week and was in a rather contrary, grumpy mood. When he left, I suggested that perhaps it would be a good idea to let Mr. Grumpy out and leave him in the parking lot of his apartment building. The next day, he was over again and in a much better mood. I commented on Mr. Grumpy being gone. His response was "I left him in the parking lot and he got run over by a car.".
We had very amazing sunsets a couple of days this week. The sky was brilliant pink and orange. Spectacular. However, my three old granddaughter was afraid of the glowing orange sky. She thought the sky was on fire and the fireman needed to put it out.
Thursday night, two grandchildren slept over. Yesterday morning while closing up the hide-a-bed, my arm got caught between the mattress and sofa frame. My little helpers kept pushing up on the mattress causing me to scream in pain for the husband to come and help free me. Thank goodness he was home, because I'm not quite sure how I would have gotten myself out of my predicament without his help. I probably terrified my grandkids too.
Yesterday, I had four of my grandchildren here for most of the day. The two boys, age 5 and 4, were delighted to be together. The 4 year old and his little sister live in Denver and don''t get to see their cousins very much. The two little girls, age 3 and 2, had a great time together. One of the good things about having four little ones all day is that they are all potty trained - didn't have to change one diaper!!
My two year old granddaughter has me wrapped around her little finger. While on an outing yesterday, she spotted an "elegator" (escalator). In her sweet, little, voice, she asked "Grandma, please can I ride the elegator?" After one trip, up and down, she asked "Please, please, Grandma, can I ride the elegator again?". Of course, we went again.
My five year old grandson was over one day last week and was in a rather contrary, grumpy mood. When he left, I suggested that perhaps it would be a good idea to let Mr. Grumpy out and leave him in the parking lot of his apartment building. The next day, he was over again and in a much better mood. I commented on Mr. Grumpy being gone. His response was "I left him in the parking lot and he got run over by a car.".
We had very amazing sunsets a couple of days this week. The sky was brilliant pink and orange. Spectacular. However, my three old granddaughter was afraid of the glowing orange sky. She thought the sky was on fire and the fireman needed to put it out.
Thursday night, two grandchildren slept over. Yesterday morning while closing up the hide-a-bed, my arm got caught between the mattress and sofa frame. My little helpers kept pushing up on the mattress causing me to scream in pain for the husband to come and help free me. Thank goodness he was home, because I'm not quite sure how I would have gotten myself out of my predicament without his help. I probably terrified my grandkids too.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Making Mom Proud
For the past month or so, I've been teaching my youngest daughter how to sew. I failed to pass on that skill when she was still living at home. But as part of a college course assignment, she had to learn a new skill. She picked sewing. We finished it up today.
With the leftover fabric, I'm making one of my granddaughters a skirt. My mom would be proud because I'm not using a pattern. That was a skill she used all the time. We'd go to the department store where I'd find something that I liked. Then we'd go to the fabric shop where Mom bought everything she needed to make it. Sometimes without using a pattern.
Now if I was really going to make Mom proud, I'd craft a matching dress for my granddaughter's baby doll. Mmm...I don't think so.
With the leftover fabric, I'm making one of my granddaughters a skirt. My mom would be proud because I'm not using a pattern. That was a skill she used all the time. We'd go to the department store where I'd find something that I liked. Then we'd go to the fabric shop where Mom bought everything she needed to make it. Sometimes without using a pattern.
Now if I was really going to make Mom proud, I'd craft a matching dress for my granddaughter's baby doll. Mmm...I don't think so.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Out and About
I wish I knew the story behind why a gal at the grocery store today was wearing a down coat which barely covered her backside, flip flops and nothing else. I was tempted to tell her that she forgot her jeans/skirt.
While perusing the meat section at the store, I found a small cloth handbag sitting on top of the packaged meat. The handbag had no closure and I could easily see a wad of money in the purse. It wouldn't have taken much for me to take the money. But being honest, I asked a couple of women in the vicinity if the bag was theirs. The owner was located, much to her relief.
Why am I not surprised that out of 1.5 million requests for tickets to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert, my request for tickets wasn't picked? It makes no difference since after putting in the request, we decided to go to Denver that same weekend. Oh yes, and the random selection process for tickets that the church uses really isn't a lottery, right? (wink, wink)
While waiting to make a left hand turn today at an intersection, the driver behind didn't quite stop and bumped into me. No damage...but she did have her cell phone up to her ear when I looked in the rear view mirror. Guess she wasn't paying attention. Hang up the phone and drive!
Even though the calendar says November 1, it's more like the middle of October. And it's only suppose to get better this week. Awesome!
While perusing the meat section at the store, I found a small cloth handbag sitting on top of the packaged meat. The handbag had no closure and I could easily see a wad of money in the purse. It wouldn't have taken much for me to take the money. But being honest, I asked a couple of women in the vicinity if the bag was theirs. The owner was located, much to her relief.
Why am I not surprised that out of 1.5 million requests for tickets to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert, my request for tickets wasn't picked? It makes no difference since after putting in the request, we decided to go to Denver that same weekend. Oh yes, and the random selection process for tickets that the church uses really isn't a lottery, right? (wink, wink)
While waiting to make a left hand turn today at an intersection, the driver behind didn't quite stop and bumped into me. No damage...but she did have her cell phone up to her ear when I looked in the rear view mirror. Guess she wasn't paying attention. Hang up the phone and drive!
Even though the calendar says November 1, it's more like the middle of October. And it's only suppose to get better this week. Awesome!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
A word to the wise....
Caller: "I got a message from someone who I had a interview with last week. I was suppose to call back" Me: "Do you have a name?" Caller: "I'm not sure. (pause....) I think it was Robert?".
So are my expectations too high when I assume that if you got a call back from a previous interview that you just might want to be sure about details, like who called you???? Particularly when I know that out of the multitude of applications for any one position with the company where I work, only 4 or 5 are even called in for a first interview? There are too many people looking for work right now to not be diligent in the details. The competition is brutal.
If the caller had known a first and last name, or the first name along with the department, I could have transferred her to who she needed to talk too. But, she didn't even know what department she interviewed. How can this be? When I cover the central HR reception desk, I hear it all the time. (see previous post)
Look people, if you are qualified enough to get the first interview, be sure that you know who you interviewed with and how to contact him/her. If you are uncomfortable asking the interviewer directly, you can probably ask an Admin or someone in the office before leaving. And for heavens sakes, write the information down and keep it in place where you can find it later. Not keeping track of these kind of details can cost you, big time.
So are my expectations too high when I assume that if you got a call back from a previous interview that you just might want to be sure about details, like who called you???? Particularly when I know that out of the multitude of applications for any one position with the company where I work, only 4 or 5 are even called in for a first interview? There are too many people looking for work right now to not be diligent in the details. The competition is brutal.
If the caller had known a first and last name, or the first name along with the department, I could have transferred her to who she needed to talk too. But, she didn't even know what department she interviewed. How can this be? When I cover the central HR reception desk, I hear it all the time. (see previous post)
Look people, if you are qualified enough to get the first interview, be sure that you know who you interviewed with and how to contact him/her. If you are uncomfortable asking the interviewer directly, you can probably ask an Admin or someone in the office before leaving. And for heavens sakes, write the information down and keep it in place where you can find it later. Not keeping track of these kind of details can cost you, big time.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Dear Caller
Dear Caller 1:
I am sorry that you had marital problems, filed for divorce and reconciled, and in the process lost your 2009 W-2 and that today is the extension deadline for filing your 2009 income taxes.
Even though you waited until the last minute and are in a panic to take care of personal business, all I can do is transfer your call to someone who may be able to provide you with a copy of your W-2. I can't do anything if that someone doesn't answer his/her phone or if their phone goes directly to voicemail. Neither can I "JUST FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN FAX ME MY W-2 NOW!!".
Sincerely,
The Receptionist (and the temporary one, at that)
(There - now I feel better.)
Dear Caller 2:
I can't transfer your call to the woman with whom you had a job interview a couple of weeks ago in the Materials Management Department if you don't know her name. And telling me that it was a Polynesian woman really isn't sufficient information. You see, I don't have a computer program that allows me to bring up an employee's information by searching "Polynesian Woman".
Sorry.
The Receptionist
(It's been one of those days.)
I am sorry that you had marital problems, filed for divorce and reconciled, and in the process lost your 2009 W-2 and that today is the extension deadline for filing your 2009 income taxes.
Even though you waited until the last minute and are in a panic to take care of personal business, all I can do is transfer your call to someone who may be able to provide you with a copy of your W-2. I can't do anything if that someone doesn't answer his/her phone or if their phone goes directly to voicemail. Neither can I "JUST FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN FAX ME MY W-2 NOW!!".
Sincerely,
The Receptionist (and the temporary one, at that)
(There - now I feel better.)
Dear Caller 2:
I can't transfer your call to the woman with whom you had a job interview a couple of weeks ago in the Materials Management Department if you don't know her name. And telling me that it was a Polynesian woman really isn't sufficient information. You see, I don't have a computer program that allows me to bring up an employee's information by searching "Polynesian Woman".
Sorry.
The Receptionist
(It's been one of those days.)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
My week as a single woman
The husband has been in Idaho for the past week taking care of business related to the property we own there and doing some fly fishing. I didn't go with him because I had to work some this week. So I've been living the single life since Monday and it's been interesting.
A few observations...
The stove hasn't been on since I cooked dinner on Sunday. Oh, I've been eating, but nothing that required me to use the stove.
I haven't had to run the dishwasher since Sunday.
I've been able to leave my watercolor project and materials on the kitchen table for most of the week.
This morning, I didn't even make the bed!
Since the husband has our only car in Idaho, I've had to depend on my kids and a daughter-in-law to get places that I needed to go that I couldn't reasonably walk or use TRAX. For the most part, it's worked out well.
It's kind of quiet here at night. So I turn on the light and TV in the husband's Man Room. It fakes me into thinking that someone else is around.
At night, I can turn the air conditioning down as low as I want so that I don't have hot flashes during the night.
He'll be back Sunday. I think I'll have some adjusting to do.
A few observations...
The stove hasn't been on since I cooked dinner on Sunday. Oh, I've been eating, but nothing that required me to use the stove.
I haven't had to run the dishwasher since Sunday.
I've been able to leave my watercolor project and materials on the kitchen table for most of the week.
This morning, I didn't even make the bed!
Since the husband has our only car in Idaho, I've had to depend on my kids and a daughter-in-law to get places that I needed to go that I couldn't reasonably walk or use TRAX. For the most part, it's worked out well.
It's kind of quiet here at night. So I turn on the light and TV in the husband's Man Room. It fakes me into thinking that someone else is around.
At night, I can turn the air conditioning down as low as I want so that I don't have hot flashes during the night.
He'll be back Sunday. I think I'll have some adjusting to do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)