Catch up

I have been unable to add posts to my blog for the last few weeks, due to technical difficulty. NO REALLY!!! I actually did try and could not "sign-in". Misti had the same trouble when she tried to add something to her blog from our computer, but she figured it out. Then told me what I needed to do. So here we go. Lots has happened over the last few weeks. I will try fill in the gap a little at a time as I think of things to share. They may not be in any logical order because that is how my brain works these days. For now here are some picture highlights:

Thanksgiving... friends, food, traditions and games!

Santa visits, family fun & the North Pole!

No Trunky Missionaries !!!

That reminder courtesy of Mike & Kelli who drew our name for the family ornament exchange.

No, we are not "trunky"... well not exactly. We have plans to finish strong, but we are aware that we have less than 3 months left in our mission.

There you go for now... but watch for more pictures to come. IF... I can find which file actually contains the rest of the downloaded pictures from the last two months.

Vinyl-ish-ous

My daughter, Misti, has a vinyl lettering business. I saw her fall crafts on her blog and ordered a few vinyl pieces for a project. She surprised me and sent a whole bunch of fall vinyl cutouts. Here are the projects I completed. WOW! Even I have a crafty side- well at least I can peal and stick!

Thanks Misti- I am hooked!

Flash backs and traditions

In 1984 Fred went to Officer's Candidate School in Tennessee. He was gone over 2 months. It was a long and lonely time for him, away from his family. Plus we ALL missed him terribly. So one FHE I traced each of our 7 kids on newspaper end roll and made paper doll cut outs. They each drew on the details and wrote a message to their dad. We put them in a large envelope and sent them off. He loved them, though he paid a price in daily push-ups to keep them hanging.

Fred in 1984.

October 15th was our 40th anniversary.

Our kids organized a delightful surprise.

32 paper doll cutouts of our children and grandchildren came to us in individually wrapped celebration boxes. We had so much fun! This was the perfect gift for two old missionaries missing their family. The pictures below show our guest room, covered wall to wall and nearly floor to ceiling with cutouts of our family. I know the pictures aren't great, but its the best we could do. You have to be here to really appreciate this sight, which will stay up until we head home!

Martha Stewart may not approve,

but this is my favorite way to decorate a guest room!

Who's That Lady?

Business owner, realtor, writer, painter, gardener, beauty, care-giver, driver, FAST driver, world traveler, fashion setter, home maker, genealogist, cumputer geek, candy and cake maker, fryer of the world's best chicken, budgeter, adventurer, wife, sister, daughter, mother, grandmother, friend and...

Betty Jo Curtis! Our favorite birthday girl!

We love you.

Your family.

A New Point of View

Over the last six years we have made several attempts to ride in a hot air balloon. First in Montana, next New Mexico, then California and recently many attempts right here in Colorado. Our efforts were thwarted by... miscommunication, scheduling conflicts, fog, snow, wind- well you get the picture. Last Saturday we snuck up on our scheduled flight. We made no announcements. No blog or facebook posts. Not only that, but we decided it would be our last Colorado attempt. If we couldn't get the weather to cooperate then we knew our chances would be slim during the winter months. So off we went to the appointed place at the appointed time. We were so excited when we launched as scheduled- with another balloon following close behind. The rest of the story is in the pictures... simply amazing.

Fred seems to take this as a sign I have become quite adventurous and is busy planning a few post mission experiences... well we'll see. For now I am content with our beautiful fall balloon ride.

Family is Forever

We enjoyed Mom's short visit last week. Touring beautiful Colorado was such fun. Recalling childhood memories and listening to stories of family members (some no longer with us) was even better. This is a picture of Mom and cousin Blanche at Bishop's castle. You can also see cousin Ricky climing up the hill below. Choice experiences and choice memories.

Ah but ain't that America

Bishop's Castle near Rye Colorado. Brought to you by the hard work and talent of Jim Bishop. He not only shares this amazing structure at no cost, but includes a demonstration of spontaneous freedom of speech with little or no prompting. The castle is a three dimensional protest sign. Although you are free to disagree, he will quickly warn that you better agree. No threat - just his warning voice of impending doom at the hands of our government. Agree or NOT... castles, conspiracies and commentary make this a trip worth taking!!! The short clip below is just the beginning. The volume and intensity picked up as he continued... for 10 or 15 minutes.

The lyrics of John Mellencamp's "Pink Houses" keeps going through my mind!
Ah but ain't that America for you and me

Ain't that America somethin' to see baby

Ain't that America home of the free, yeah

We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet

Eight years have passed since the devastating attack on our nation. Hard times are upon our nation and the world. I will ever remember that morning and the feelings of fear and sorrow. Hearts all across our nation turned to God and prayers ascended to Heaven. I also remember the comfort we received as we listened to the words of our dear prophet, Gordon B Hinkley. What a choice blessing- then and now. To understand that we have a prophet today. To know that God speaks to us through him. As we remember that fateful day, let us also remember a few of the comforting and inspiring words the prophet at the time spoke to us.

From the November 2001 Ensign;

"The Times in Which We Live"

I have just been handed a note that says that a U.S. missile attack is under way. I need not remind you that we live in perilous times. I desire to speak concerning these times and our circumstances as members of this Church.

You are acutely aware of the events of September 11, less than a month ago. Out of that vicious and ugly attack we are plunged into a state of war. It is the first war of the 21st century. The last century has been described as the most war-torn in human history. Now we are off on another dangerous undertaking, the unfolding of which and the end thereof we do not know.

No one knows how long it will last. No one knows precisely where it will be fought. No one knows what it may entail before it is over. We have launched an undertaking the size and nature of which we cannot see at this time. Occasions of this kind pull us up sharply to a realization that life is fragile, peace is fragile, civilization itself is fragile

Now, brothers and sisters, we must do our duty, whatever that duty might be.

Let us be prayerful. Let us pray for righteousness. Let us pray for the forces of good. Let us reach out to help men and women of goodwill, whatever their religious persuasion and wherever they live. Let us stand firm against evil, both at home and abroad. Let us live worthy of the blessings of heaven, reforming our lives where necessary and looking to Him, the Father of us all. He has said, “Be still, and know that I am God”

Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes. We can be an influence for good in this world, every one of us.

VICTORY

One snazzy cage to keep out sneaky little critters brought us sweet victory. No more gnawed almost ripe tomatoes, just fresh fruit for us. My husband is a genius! Now those pesky rodents are after our grapes!

SURPRISE!!

We enjoyed a wonderful surprise Saturday evening. Three unexpected visitors knocked on our door. Three former Colorado Springs Missionaries came back to visit a few people in the mission and stopped by to say hi. What a treat. Fine young men who entertained us with their teasing and brightened our home. Matt, Nick and Brett. Hard to use their first names- such a pleasure to have a short reunion with some of our favorite people.

Traditions

Jim and Diana came to visit us this week. We have been having lots of fun. Today we went to "Big Train" for brunch, upon recommendation of my mother. Mom thought I might remember eating here. Although I don't remember, I did order biscuits and gravy in Dad's honor. It only seemed fitting. Good food! Thanks for the suggestion Mom.

Joys of Missionary Work

We were blessed to attend the sealing of a young army family. It took place at the Denver temple. Due to some unusual circumstances we were in the temple for over 5 hours. What a wonderful gift. Peace, joy, gratitude, love, charity, enlightenment, understanding, service... the fruits of temple work. Truly heavenly!

Spouting off

Forgive me while I vent for just a few minutes. I just need to get this off my chest. I am tired of people going on and on about how little time they have. These are the people who usually respond to your latest comment with "I wish I had the time to do that!" The hidden message is that their tasks are much more important than yours. They intimate that they are indispensable, like the world would stop without their efforts. They are the same people who need to tell you how late they went to bed and how early they got up. They send you email messages at the strangest hours (when they find time to send them at all). If you ask me they do it to impress you with how late they are up finishing up their chores. They usually talk to you in the "you can't possibly understand" tone of voice. I have a little message for them...

WE ALL HAVE THE SAME 24 HOURS EACH DAY!!!!!!!!

I have been busy in my life, but I have known it was by my choice. No one dropped seven children on my porch. No one forced me to take college classes while I was raising them. If I would rather clean a closet at 2 am than sleep...well that was my choice also. When I was a social worker, cases would pile up, and we would sit in court hour after hour... I would teasingly say to our County Attorney- "Two weeks notice, and this isn't my problem any more." It was said in humor, but was also a reminder that I had a choice. I remember the day I sat next to the County Attorney during a heated court case, turned to her and smiled then said "In two weeks this isn't my problem any more." I had given my notice. I had finally come to the point that I was ready to spend my given 24 hours a day some other way If I had been stuck in that job because of debt or lifestyle- that would have been my choice also. Now I know that some people have challenges that require them to do things seemingly beyond their choice. I am not without compassion for those with family or health issues that limit their choices... still we all have some choices.

So dear readers, I truly understand if you are feeling overwhelmed. You have my sympathy if your energy is gone before your tasks are done. You are welcome to vent if that helps. But please... please... please don't make yourself feel better by assuming my time is less valuable or my tasks are less important. I would go on, but I am out of TIME.

Crazy Critters

Two carefully planted and tenderly cared for tomato plants.
Branches weighed down with round green orbs and
long Roma's just waiting to ripen in the sun.
Promises of lush red fruit. So sweet and delightful.

Small furry creatures.
Playfully chasing through the tall trees.
Clicking and squeaking as they call to one another.
Tapping of small paws across our roof.
Adorable little clowns.


Watching and waiting, ever so patiently for the fruit to reach its peak.
Expectations of sweet perfection.
Wait... wait... not yet.

WHAT??? WHERE IS THAT RED TOMATO?
What kind of neighbors sneak into your yard in broad daylight
to snatch your nice tomato when it was nearly ready.
Evidence of the crime.
Dastardly deed!
SQUIRRELS!
Demonic rodents. Hideous pests. Day by day stealing each nearly ripened fruit.
How do they know the right time to grab it- hours before our planned harvest?
No garden tomatoes for us this year.
BUT... we have a pellet gun by our back door
And... I am collecting recipes.
Squirrel stew anyone?

Cano's Castle

2 Chronicles 27:4 ...he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.

We enjoyed a little working vacation Friday as we hopped into the 12 passenger mission van with another mission couple. We pulled a large trailer full of supplies and furniture over the beautiful La Vita mountain pass. After a quick stop in Alamosa to recruit some laborers (also known as Zone Leaders) and grab a bite to eat we headed off to Antonita to set up an apartment.

We saw some beautiful scenery. I especially loved the green trees and red rocks of the mountains and the wide expanse of the high desert. We also saw some very interesting structures- including a castle. Yep... a CASTLE. Or at least that is what they call it. I was totally fascinated and could have studied it for hours. But we had tasks to complete. So I had to be satisfied with taking a few pictures. The pictures do not do the magnificent structure justice. Words can not describe it either.

Unfortunately a google search provided information that may detract from the splendor of this handmade wonder- such as references to the creator's inspiration. Still, its worth a few key strokes to learn the history. Here's what I found... Built by Donald "Cano" Espinoza, a Native American Vietnam vet, whose main influences for the Castle are "Vitamin Mary Jane" and Jesus, it is a wonder to behold. Built largely out of beer cans and other metal refuse, for Espinoza it serves as a thanks for having his life spared during the war. Cano's castle is actually four separate structures. "The king", "the queen", "the palace" and "the rook". The four story "king" house, covered in beer cans and hubcaps gleaming in the sunlight, is by far the crowning architectural achievement.

Friends and Fun

Mark and Sue were able to spend 5 days with us.

We picked right up where we left off- as if we had seen each other just a couple days before. The time went too fast- shopping, cooking, walking, games, and a real live train ride... just too much fun! They keep trying to convert us to the wonders of VERY HOT chilies- we keep trying to covert them to the wonderful blessings of our church. So far its a draw- neither of us are making much headway. Oh well... they are forever friends so maybe... just maybe we will both convert the other to our causes. So glad they came!

ps... I think it might be time to delete some old posts. I will clean up the blog in a week or two, right before I add another post.

Cookout in Garden City

President, E Frost and Fred grilling burgers for some very hungry Elders.

This was a reward for an exceptional and record setting month- 87 baptisms.

Happy Trails

Fred was invited to speak at girl's camp.
We enjoyed a beautiful drive, the darling 17th Ward girls, and the lovely mountain campground. So many years of girls camp behind us- how fun to add this experience to those memories.

Happy Events

Ken and Diane came to Colorado Springs to celebrate some pretty special events. The sealing of their son and wife, plus the baptism of a grandson. They stayed with us and we were able to join some of the activites. We loved spending time with their sweet family- and catching up with dear friends.