Funny Folks

So, many of you know that I like to do word searches. The other day I began working on a page called Funny Folks and I circled the word "Laurel" and started laughing. Yes, Laurel is a Funny Folk! So I have to blog this picture, well, just because! I love that girl and her sense of humor!

The Tradition of Prizes!

So, last weekend Vanessa went to San Diego for Anna Lisa's wedding. I got periodic calls and pictures via my phone as she visited the area, went to the beach and into Mexico. We've always done this "prize" thing...which can I say is wonderful when it starts out a little tradition when your kids are little and you bring home prizes after a trip or something and the tradition spills over into their adulthood. And even after a divorce as Clark and I still give each other prizes...anyway - Vanessa calls me this week and says she stopping by to say hi and that she has prizes from her trip for me. Yes, I am like a little kid. I got excited. It is always fun to see what Vanessa will come up with. When she came in with a killer purse from Mexico (Laurel you'll be jealous!!!) I thought - she did have fun in Mexico! So, she pulls out the mexican vanilla - which is always a treat - especially in chocolate chip cookies! Then a fun, colorful little saucer...with purple in it. And three little rocks, collected from the beach. Oh, how well, my children know me. It wasn't so much the things...it was looking into her face as she gave them to me. It was seeing her joy in giving, knowing that she had thought of me and carefully picked up these things. It was the pausing as she handed me the rocks and I sensed her memories of being on the beach. I often think to myself, oh, please let the memories I have cherished from this life (that don't always come back as quickly now cuz there are so many), please let them all be there when I leave this body - that they all really will be connected to my spirit. Oh, how I treasure the interactions we have in this life. I am a very lucky and blessed mother.

Fried Dill Pickles from Lon's Cooking Shack...

First Julie talked about the potato salad at Lon's Cooking Shack. So, I had to investigate. Then last Sunday Scott was talking about fried dill pickles. I couldn't even image that but today, I was a bit adventurous. I had forgotten my lunch in the fridge and had already planned to go renew my license on my car. So I ventured to Lon's on my way back up University Avenue to work. I realize that I am not very extreme in my adventure of new food - not like that crazy guy that Brian and Julie showed me on cable TV. Yuck - that was disgusting. My children are leading me astray...and I go so willingly. The only thing I could think of though is that I wish I could give some to my Dad to taste. My father is known for his unusual combinations. But, I just don't think they would taste very good if I smuggled some on the plane. So thanks for the tip Scott!

Birds

I have shared with many of my friends and family that I have been feeding the birds. Well, I'm pretty sure I'm feeding all the birds in South Utah County. As quick as I put it out, it gets eaten. I've discovered the birds that usually visit my bird feeders like the cheap stuff.

It has paid off tremendously, though. I am awakened in the morning to the song of birds. My favorite this week was the song of the Mourning Dove.

Most of the birds that frequent the feeder are typical little birds you would find in this area - lots of house wrens, but I have been happy to see a few others. It has been a while since I've been in Minnesota - land of many birds and have played the "name that type of bird" game. Yesterday found me at Barnes and Noble buying a bird book. Sometimes living in a place where we have so many options of things to buy makes it a bit time consuming to dash in a buy a book. I finally decided on the one pictured in this blog. Okay, it was mainly due to the pretty pictures. I figured if I was going to be able to decide on what type of bird I was seeing, I'd need good pictures.

So picture Simon (my ever faithful cat who plays dog to appease his master-and keep her from buying a dog) and myself sitting in my living room staring out the front window looking at the birds. Simon makes a weird clicking noise as he watches. I'm sure he's thinking he wants to chase after and eat the birds! I know why my Gram Elliott enjoyed birdwatching so much. I also have been reminded of Hitchcock's movie: THE BIRDS. Ah, the trauma that caused in my little girl head. Fortunately, my birds are more friendly looking. Oh, and PS - they love the bird bath...and are hilarious when taking a "bath".

Flowers from my Son

So, I admit it my heart melts when I get flowers from a man. And when that Man is my son...well - you know! So, I'm at work this week and Scott tells me he is going to stop by which, of course, is always a highlight in my busy days. (I love it when my kids come by.) When he walked in with these beautiful gerber daisies he made me smile. I love that kid! It isn't just the flowers, it is the kindness and love he shows me. It is the tenderness I see in him. It is the way in which he listens to the spirit and blesses my life and those around him. From the time he was young he showed this side of him. I remember saying to Clark, "I just hope the world doesn't gobble him up." (The world can be pretty cruel...well, especially when your the mom looking out!) Scott had a teacher, Marthanne Argyle, that said to us, "Scott is a gentleman and a gentle man." How true it is and how blessed we are - those that are touched by his life.

Andy Williams Music Blaring...

Well, Saturday morning is here again. I like getting up early and this morning I've had Andy Williams and Dean Martin music filling the house. No police visits yet for noise. Some days this house seems so BIG for me to be wandering through. I've had weeks of sorting and reorganizing which is about ten years too late. When it becomes overwhelming I sit at the computer a bit.

My greatest find this morning as I search the internet was finding a picture of the tables I like with the very sofa and loveseat I have in my family room. I love the internet! I don't think Simon, (my cat), likes Andy. He was fine here by the monitor when Dean Martin was playing. We'll see if he likes Clay Aiken.

The wonderful thing happening today is my fence is being finished for my back yard. I have great neighbors...with cute kids that call me Grandma Cindy. These are the neighbors that took my lawn mower hostage and then declared it dead. And I get up in the morning and water the grass and come home work to find it is perfectly mowed. It's like little fairies that come and do the work...like the elves in the Elves and the Shoemaker story. The same neighbors took my snow shovel hostage and my driveway and walks are shoveled everytime it snows . I used to say, I need to down-size and not have to worry about taking care of my yard. I can't use that excuse now. The only thing that has brought me some comfort is that I've discovered that Kyla hates to iron. I finally found something she will let me do for her. Serving is fun when you can do it for one another. It's hard to always be on the receiving end. I think I will always feel indebted to the Priors though as they do so much for me and holding Averi or reading to Cayd doesn't feel like I'm doing much because i feel like I still am receiving so much myself. I love their hugs and watching them grow...and giving them popsicles, fruit snacks, and other treats - that's what Grandma's are for.

Saturday mornings are a treasured time for me. It is my time for reading blogs. I feel so blessed to be able to go into the blogs of family and friends and catch up on what is happening in their lives. It is fun to rejoice in happy times and pray more quickly as I find out about challenges people are facing. So bless all of you for blogging! There are so many "kids" that have passed through BYU the last eighteen years I have worked there and it brings me much joy to still be connected to their lives.

Okay - Simon totally left the room when I put Clay Aiken's new CD in. Well, I really like it - now I know how to get rid of Simon when he is being a pest while I'm sitting at the computer.