If she's 30, that makes me.......

The past 2 weeks were milestone weeks for me. They started with Mique's surprise b'day party. My # 1 likes to do whatever she does in a big way, with lots of gusto. So we knew- Randy, Josh, my other kids, and I- that we had to plan a big event for her big day- turning 30. We started planning a couple of months ago. Somewhere along the way Mique decided to start planning her own "big 30" party. Not wanting to be outdone, and having started planning a surprise party we enlisted the help of her college friend, Taryn, to make plans to visit Mique before her upcoming move to China. There were a couple of close calls (fires and evacuations), and the logistics were a little complicated. But we managed to pull it off on Oct. 27, just 6 days after the fires broke out. (Talk about an exciting, busy week!!!) I kinda blew the surprise by forgetting the album of letters that I'd asked all invited to write. I had to call Taryn and ask her to bring the album, and Mique answered the phone. A story I won't get in to. But when Mique and Taryn finally arrived at the party that night, I think Mique was genuinely touched by all who'd made the effort to attend.... Uncle Aaron flying in from Utah, Aunt Lisa and family driving from Arizona, Joel who's 25th b'day it was, Taryn, BF Chrissy from SD, Aunt Cindy, Uncle Scott, Aunt Teresa, cousins Matt, & Cheryl from Glendora, Gabe and Rosie, + many friends from Santa Clarita and the Provost family. I don't know how many people came, but about 50 I think. Good food, good fun, great people! I think she felt the love. I hope she did!!!!

The next day was the primary program for Mique's ward. Julia and Jonathan were participating. Chrissy and I spent the night in Santa Clarita then went to church in the morning. J was a little hyper, probably from the crazy party the night before. But Julia, was in the front row, singing all the songs and looking adorable. But then the time came for them to say their parts. Of course it took me only a nanosecond to burst in to tears as soon as J went to the microphone. He did a great job!!!! And Julia did her part without a hitch. There was never a more proud Grammy!!!!! (I just wish I could keep a tighter reigns on the tear flow!!!) Great job, kids!!!

Monday was recovery day for me. After a crazy week of fires, house guests, & the party I was really tired!!! By Thursday, I felt better and spent the day with Jessica- her 28th b'day. We went shopping with the baby, and just had a nice day getting out. I love my Lupdy and am proud to be her mom!!!

Friday was our ward talent show- "Fall Follies." Being in charge, I was back in party mode. With help from Daryl, Kris Whitehead, and Afton Sleight, we had a fun night. We spent the morning decorating, and the evening mostly laughing at cute acts between making popcorn, and keeping all the participants organized. It all came together, although I wondered earlier in the week if it would. I think this will ba an annual event from now on, since this was our 2nd in 2 years. As usual, after it was all over I cheered that it was over. Now on to the ward Christmas party in Dec. 8. I think that when that's over I will be partied out for awhile!!!!!

Gratitude.....

It's ..... Wed. night, after a long couple of days. (Yes, I did just stop to think about what day it really is.)

Sunday was a beautiful, clear day. It started with an early morning correlation meeting, ended at dinner with good friends followed by Extreme Home Makeover. A really nice Sunday.

On the way to dinner we noticed a big cloud of smoke to the east. Santa Anas had been predicted, so a fire was not a huge surprise. But it was far away. So we went to bed not really giving it a 2nd thought. Monday morning I was doing my usual routine... hot chocolate in the microwave, out front to get the paper when I notice that the huge cloud of smoke was all across the southern sky. And not just a cloud! It was a BIG, BLACK cloud!!!! A little while later the phone rang and it was Tony. They had to evacuate. Of course I said "come over here." A few minutes later the phone rang again and Jessica said they were to evacuate also. So the invitation was given to them, too. About an hour later Mique call to say that they were being evacuated. San Diego is too far for them, but they were on their way to Punks house. Mique had told me the day before that fires in Santa Clarita were pretty bad.) 3 kids 3 evacuations. A little while later we got a call from our ward compassionate service leader asking if we could house some evacuated elders. "Welcome to the Hotel Mendioroz!!!" So we had 1 Grammy, 1
new mom, 1 son, 1 daughter in law, 1 son-in-law, 2 dogs, 4 elders, 1 friend of the elders (and
daughter-in-laws evacuated parents and dogs for a little while.) Pretty crazy! Randy worked until 5 or so.

Tony and Erika were the first to be able to go home on Tuesday. Jessica and gang were here 'til this morning, and the elders are still here (sans friend). They will leave in the morning. Lots of cooking and tv news watching.

Through it all I feel so blessed. The kids keep telling me that I've been very patient. especially with the elders and friend. I am actually so glad that we have a home big enough to provide shelter when needed, and even just for fun. Monday night Jessica was kind of urging us to evacuate. an option but not manditory. I kept saying " and go where? The Beach?" I would have packed up if I thought we were in the slightest danger. I just felt so at peace. I feel so fortunate to have been spared the disaster that so many endured. Soooooo many lost their homes. More than any other fire in San Diego history. It's always wonderful, too, to see the goodness in people come out at a time like this. The donations of time, goods, and shelter has been enormous. The state and national disaster people have been very impressed by the outpouring from San Diegans.

I love living here, even if there is an occassional disaster. I love the weather, the beach, the people, my home.

But today I am most grateful that those I care about most are all well and safe. Reality check....you bet! and I think we all passed a kind of test. In the toughest circumstances, we can find the blessings, the tender mercies.

I love you all, both near and far. I am grateful!

Grammy's ode to O.D.

So the big day fiinally arrived!!! Owen David was born on Sept. 25, 2007 weighing 7 lbs 14 ozs. (almost the same as his mommy!)

After a long induced labor, Owen was born by C section. But he was worth it all! My first look at him brought me to tears. (I know... big surprise!!!) But he looked so much like Jessica did as a newborn. I was taken back almost 28 years to the day she was born. Gorgeous baby! Yes, I know, I'm a prejudice grammy. But I'm 4 for 4 beautiful grandkids.

Miq and Julia were there for the long haul. They drove down as soon as they heard that Jessica was being induced. We went to the hospital Monday night, left when contractions were pretty uncomfortable for Jess, around 10:00 pm. Got to the hospital the next morning about 9:00. It wwas decided around 5:00 pm that after pushing for an hour, the baby was making no progress and mom-to-be was exhausted, that a c section was needed, (much to my dismay.) And after waiting in a room for 1 1/2 hours, I finally went to the nurses station and asked if my daughter and her baby were OK, since I knew it should only take about 1/2 hr. The nurse was embarrassed that she hadn't let us know any details, and took us right back. Yes, all was well!!

Julia and Mique said hello to Owen, then got in the car to drive back home that night. Tony and Erika arrived just as Miq and Jules were leaving. One big happy family!

Jessica is recovering well, and Owen is growing like a champ. At his dr.'s visit yesterday he weighed 8 lbs 6 ozs. That's about a 1 lb gain since losing after the birth. We spent the day toegether, Grammy and her daughters and grandkids. We ate Rico's, played in the yard, spent a perfect 2 hours at the beach. I asked Julia what her favorite part of the beach is. She thought about it for a few minutes, then replied, "I don't have a favorite part. I love it all." That's my granddaughter!!!!!

Yes, we're so happy O.D. is here. We look forward to many fun times together!!!

I guess I'm it....

My blogging daughter, Mique, tagged her sister, Jessica, the other day, to complete this..... I'm pretty sure they know most of my answers, and remember more than I do about my life in the recent past (one of the symptoms of being menopausal is lack of memory, which sometimes is a good thing.) So here goes.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago? I had just finished being the chairman for La Costa Canyon grad nite. It took all summer to recover. I had only Tony living at home. The house was very quiet! But I was just starting my new calling... seminary teacher... Old Testament. The hardest church calling I ever did!!!!!

2. 5 years ago? We had just picked Jessica up from Argentina. Tony was still in Spain. We sold our home on Green Orchard Place for an fortune, but had to move out before the new house was finished. We lived in Dee and Dad's condo for 3 months. So I was trying to get things ready for the new house on Cypress Hills.

3. 1 year ago? Can I remember back that far? I know I was enjoying having Lup and Clint close by. Oh, I know!!! I was just getting ready to go with 3 friends to Paris and Burgundy, France. amazing trip!!!! 2 weeks of great fun!!!

4. Yesterday? I met up with Jessica and went shopping for some essentials for the upcoming delivery of Owen. And lunch of my favorite In-n-Out!!! Yummo!!!!!

5. 5 snacks I enjoy? anything baked, chocolate covered nuts, chips and guacamole or corn salsa, popcorn, fruit.

6. What 5 things would I do with a million dollars? Give lots of it to charity (Autism Speaks, CF foundation, Lds Humanitarian charities) travel, buy a vacation home, help my kids

7. What 5 locations would I like to run away to? Hawaii, Positano, Italy, anywhere in europe, anywhere on a beach where the water is warm and blue....

8. What 5 bad habits do I have? Procrastination, pessimism (which I'm working on) laziness, picking my eyelashes, watching too much tv.

9. What 5 things do I like to do? Watch reality tv, shop, spend time with family, go to the temple, read, travel, go to the beach, spend time with friends (I know that's 8!!!)

10. What 5 tv shows do I like? Oprah, Dr. Phil/ Ellen, Cooking with Paula Dean, Survivor, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, most reality tv (I told you I watch too much tv!!!)

11. What 5 things do I hate doing? Laundry isn't my favorite, grocery shopping is a chore! I don't like to exercise, I'm stumped on the other 2

12. What are my 5 biggest joys at the moment? Grandkids, kids, husband, friends, siblings.

Now that I'm finished, it's my turn to tag. So I tag:
Lisa
Heidi
& Tony
(I don't know too many bloggers!!!)

The end of and era

A few days ago I did something that I'd been anticipating for awhile. I sold my '67 Mercedes 250 SL. I decided about 3 years ago that I needed to drive a car that I could put car seat into for the grandkids. At that time, after looking at several cars, and with the recommendation of Tony who'd parked cars at the Four Seasons that summer, I leased a Lexus 300 ES. It was a fun new car with air conditioning and four seats. I thought at the time that I'd drive the Mercedes on occassion. But I never seemed to want to take the time to get it out of it's comfy spot in the garage. I only drove it a few times in 3 years.

I loved driving that car. It was fun, and wherever I went people asked me about it. It was old with the pains that happen with old age. But with the help of a couple of good mechanics, it ran OK. With the exception of the electrical problem..... It stopped dead in the middle of the street one too many times. That's when I found a new mechanic that FINALLY fixed the problem. But by then, I was ready for a reliable car. And I left the lights or the radio on so many times, leaving me with a dead battery, that AAA was getting to know me very well!
So it got parked in the garage.

I finally decided around April, knowing that my lease would be up the end of July, that I'd better start looking for a new car. This time I wanted to buy, not lease, and knew that I should sell the Mercedes to help pay for a new car. I looked on several car sale web sites, decided on a price, and had it checked over by the mechanic. He had 2 customers that were also having work done on their cars that were interested in buying it. It didn't work out with them, so Randy posted it on Craig's list. I had a couple on inquiries, but noone dying to buy it. Then I was contacted by a company that lists cars on a national site that was sure they could find me a buyer. After researching the company, we decided to list it with them. I didn't hear anything for about 4 weeks. Then last Saturday I got a call from someone in Beverly Hills. I won't get into it, but this guy was a jurk so I eventually hung up on him. 2 days later another man called. He was in Santa Barbara, and after telling him about the car, he agreed to ride the train down later in the week.

So on Friday, after driving down 101 along the beach one last time, I met him at the train station in Solana Beach. A very nice young man, about Tony's age, who's dad used to have "one". We drove around the block, he liked what he saw, and we made a bargain. We went to John Fahrnkopf car (he agreed to help me with this transaction) where the money, pink slip, and keys were exchanged. We shook hands; I told him to take good care of it and call if he had any problems. Then we drove away. I got a little teary!

And I cried a few times later this weekend. I LOVED that car!!!! I had wanted it from the first time I layed eyes on one when my next door neighbors came home from Germany with a brand new one when I was 12 years old. At age 41 Randy induldged me. I enjoyed driving it, and loved that others enjoyed looking at this beautiful little machine for many years. Please love it and spend lots of time cruising in Santa Barbara, Barrett Reed. I'll always have fond memories!!!!

Do's and Don'ts

I have a group of friends that I go to the temple with almost every Wednesday. Lately a cute older gentleman has been the officiator. He looks kinda stern. But every once in awhile you see a little sparkle in his eye and you know he's kind hearted. He has led the prayer circle for the last 3 sessions I've attended. First he "cordially invites" the gentlemen to join the circle. Then he says the sweetest prayers! One of the things he says that has stayed with me is "may we do the do's and don't the don'ts". This morning as I was praying, that phrase came to me strongly. I hope I can remember the do's and then do them. And realize before I get into trouble that the don'ts will only make me unhappy and regretful. One of the big don't for me is opening my big mouth inappropriately. Been a problem for me as long as I've been talking- about 51 years. My goal today is to say only the things that will make me, and especially everyone around me, happy. Lewt's see if I can do that do for just 1 day. I'll let you know how I did.

You know your getting old.....

So, this past weekend we went to Utah for the surprise b'day party for my baby brother who turned 40 on Thursday. Yep, my youngest sibling is 40 and my oldest child will soon be 30. (Can you hear the creaks and moans as I age befor your eyes?) Randy and I left Saturday morning around 8:00 to make a 9:50 flight to SLC. Of course, we met my sisters at our favorite place on 90th So.- Taipan. Got some cute "Joy" Christmas ornaments. Then we headed south to check in to our hotel near Thanksgiving Point. We left the hotel , map and directions in hand, but didn't realize that the directions that mapquest had given were THE WORST!!! So I called Jill to get directions from her (because we were coming from the north instead of our usual, Provo.) Shw was frantically getting the party set up, and couldn't remember street names, and tried her best. Eventually we made it to their beautiful house. Aaron and Wes had gone golfing, and we waited for them to come home for awhile. And when they finally did, it was fun to see Sluv's reaction. He knew something was up, but he had no idea that Lisa and Greg and Randy and I had flown up. Janet, Raelyn, and Valjay were also there from Cache Valley, as well as Amanda from Price. That got a big reaction from Aaron- to see us all there. Heidi got some good pictures of his reation. Later that night Scott and Teresa arrived around 10:00 after deciding at noon to leave Teresa's parents house to surprise Aaron. That was a great reaction. But it was a little weird being the oldest there, (with the exception of Janet who has been Aaron's mother for the past 25 years.)

Aaron is a great brother. I can certainly take some lessons on how to be a good sibling/uncle from him. He understands that family is what matters. I try to emulate him, but I often fall short. I promise to do better, because I do love my family- from husband to children to grandchildren to siblings and spouses to neices and nephews. I vow to do better!!!!! And I love you, Sluv!!!