Happy Thanksgiving

Today, I am thankful for so much, but I want to tell you about a memory of Thanksgiving that I am thankful for...

I have to start the story in August...my mom always had a huge garden, and one year, we had a bumper crop of watermelon, however, we got a really early frost this particular year, so the watermelon vines were frozen, thus, causing us to loose all those watermelons...they were barely even light pink...so...my dad put all the melons in the wheelbarrow and would bust one open every morning and evening for our chickens and turkeys we raised to eat and enjoy...

Fast forward to a day or two before Thanksgiving...my dad picked the biggest Tom Turkey out of the bunch to butcher for our dinner. This sucker was huge! After he was all plucked and cleaned, he weighed 40 pounds (try finding a 40 pound turkey in any store, biggest I've ever seen was like 13 to 15) He was so big, my mom had to break his drumstick legs to get him to fit in the oven, and she had to get up at like 4 in the morning to get him in early enough to cook all day long.

So, cook all day he did. Well, when my dad went to get him out of the oven, there were no fat drippings in the bottom of the pan. Boy was my mom mad. She made the best turkey gravy from scratch from those drippings, and we figured we weren't going to have any gravy. What's a Thanksgiving dinner without gravy? My mom was stomping around the kitchen, grumbling (maybe even swearing), so my dad just wanted to carve the thing and get out of her way. Well, when he cut into the turkey, the thing sprung a leak! For some reason, all the fat drippings had just stayed inside the skin; the roasting pan filled up, my mom and dad were grabbing every last remaining available bowl to pour the drippings in; it was coming out of our ears at this point! We had enough drippings for about 5 times the gravy we needed. I think my mom even ran out of flour she made so much gravy! Everyone was just laughing and amazed at the amount of juice the bird had.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, complete with the best gravy we'd probably ever had, and since that Tom was so big, we still had pounds of turkey left. My mom spent the next several days after thanksgiving making turkey soup, turkey enchiladas, turkey sandwiches, turkey, turkey, turkey. She canned, she froze, she "Seal-a-Mealed", she gave away, she probably even fed some to the cats and the dog. We were sick of turkey when it was finally all gone. And it was several months before we could bring ourselves to use any of the frozen or canned stuff.

We attributed the size of the turkey and amount of fat to the watermelons he ate for 3 months. We'd never had turkeys like that in the years before or after, just that year.

Every year, I remember this experience, and am so grateful for MEMORIES, especially now that my mom is gone. I am thankful for my great parents, and for the wonderful memories they helped me create as a child.

Something to be Thankful for...

I mentioned back in January/February of the young woman that was abducted and killed here in Reno, not far from my home...well, last night an arrest was made! They think they have the man in custody that did this horrible crime and some others on some other women. When I heard the news this morning, I was so happy for her family and our community. I hope and pray the DNA test comes back that it is truly him and that justice will be served.

Christmas get to know me...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Bags (I hate wrapping gifts)

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial, you can make the branches look “perfect”, and fix any bumps from dogs and kids through out the season

3. When do you put up the tree? Day after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? Day after New Years Day, or whenever I have the energy (Valentine’s Day maybe)

5. Do you like eggnog? Depends on the mood I’m in

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A doll, I still have her, tucked away of course, to share with Louie Blue when she gets old and won't ruin her.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad, he buys what he wants when he wants it, and he pretty much already has everything anyways

8. Easiest person to buy for? Jason (he gives me a list of exactly what he wants in August)

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Several - I collect them (I’m excited to have inherited my mom’s this year; she made it herself in 1985)

10. Best Christmas gift you ever received? That’s a tough one, I’ve received A LOT

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Uh, a fruit cake

12. Favorite Christmas Movie (s)? The Year Without a Santa (hello?, this movie’s got Heat Miser!!!!)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? August

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yep

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cookies and chocolate covered pretzels

16. Lights on the tree? Only about 1000 on the 7 foot tree, the small clear ones

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen. On Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen and OF COURSE Rudolph!!!!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? a Rustic Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Not before 7 am Christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? TRAFFIC and putting up Christmas lights (see the comment about lights on the tree)

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? PRIME RIB!!!!!with lots of horseradish; and mashed potatoes and gravy and dinner rolls

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Clothes and some new i-pod ear buds

I tag Lauren, Andrea, Kim, Carol and Suzanne.

WOO HOO!!!

Only one more month until Christmas!

I just love Christmas! The only thing I don't love about Christmas is the fact it is in Winter. But I love EVERYTHING else about Christmas (ok, well, except maybe putting up Christmas lights, but never mind that); I love the music, the sights, the smells. I love decorating my house, inside and out. I love giving and getting gifts. I love the Christmas goodies. I love thinking about Christmas memories and making new Christmas memories each year. I love how my husband turns into a child again, all excited and happy and giddy, and he starts this in like August.

I can hardly wait for Christmas to get here!

Pictures

This is what it looked like a week ago. All the furniture was pushed into the middle of the room, and everything was covered in plastic.


This is what it looks like today. Such a great change.



I just love the hardwood!

I Feel Like 2008 Is A Repeat

Earlier in the year we dealt with earthquakes and smoke from all the California fires. Now, at the end of the year, we are dealing with the same things. Earthquakes and more smoke sitting in the valley. Yuck!

Busy Busy Bees

Well, the living room is basically done. All we have left to do is hang pictures and put in floor boards. But, the texture and paint is all done, and J pulled out all the carpet and padding and we have the most beautiful oak flooring...the plan was to pull it all up in the dining room, too, but when we got to that area, we discovered the most HIDEOUS avocado/baby poop green lino from 1953, we left the carpet there (for now). The plan now is to find some nice lino we like and do the kitchen and dining room in that. We're getting an area rug on Friday to put in front of the couch and chairs; I can hardly wait. All the kids except Big A worked hard along side dad and I to get our house done (A was feeling sick-to much kissing of his girlfriend), and we are all very happy with the results of our hard work. It is so nice to have things back in order again (we can sit on the couch and use the dinner table again, YAY!) I'll post pictures at lunch, so check back!

Turkey Lurkey

So I was asked to come up with something for the children to do at our ward thanksgiving dinner tonight.(read, babysit). Those of you who know me, know I have NO artistic ability. This is really stretching my ability and causing my stress level to rise dramaticaly. I'm more stressed about this little deal than I am about teaching Gospel Doctrine on Sunday...
I had origianlly planned to make pilgrim top hats and bonnets, but Wal Mart didn't have big sheets of construction paper,(big suprise there, I know) so I decided to make these hand print turkeys. Not bad for my skill level. So, when I went to make my sample, there was NO BROWN CONSTRUCTION paper in the one I bought...ok, so luckily my great friend has brown (you know who you are) I made my sample with tan. It's not too hard, doesn't take too long, and the parents can have a memory of the size of their childrens hands.



Man, I'll be glad when tonight is over!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Big shout out to my sweetie, who is &8 years old today!!!!

I love you and am so glad you were born on this day so many years ago!

Hope you have a great day!!!! And enjoy your magic cookie bars before the kids eat them all!!!

Sister update

Well, my sister has backslid...she was put back in the hospital yesterday because she has fluid building up in and around her lungs and heart. She's probably going to be in there for a week. She is really feeling bummed. Her second son is watching her two youngest girls for her (he's 28) and getting them to school and such, but she is worried about not being better for Christmas, and she really wanted to come up and take care of me after my surgery (when really, I should be down there helping her) She's hopeful she's going to get through this, but, man, she could sure use some prayers.

Yep, it is...

Gospel Doctrine Teacher...

Nice thing is, there are two of us, so I only have to teach every other week, and with my surgery in 2 1/2 weeks, I won't be teaching in December probably at all.

Now, I just hope my feeble brain can retain everything so I can actually teach it...!

I'm Getting A Calling, too...

The Bishopric member came by last night and extended me a calling. I have so enjoyed having the last 17 months of no calling, but, as they say, all good things must come to an end...I'll let you know on Monday what it is. But I can say it's not in Primary and it's not a leadership calling, but it is a very big calling and it will be an intimidating one...

They're BAAAACCCCKKKK!

The earthquake swarms in Northwest Reno are back. A 2.7 hit last night at 11:42, and yes, it woke me up. The news said they started back up this past weekend, and they are building in frequency again. Darn. I thought we were done with them back in April.

Veteran's Day

The kids and I are off work and school for the holiday. I love my feedom, so Thank You Vets! But, it's cold and cloudy today. Big A and C went to Grand Sierra with friend to play at Fun Quest, the 2 little ones are outside with friends, but earlier in the day, I broke out the water colors, paper, and Play Doh. Louie Blue made this pretty flower,

and I made this pretty flower.

Mr. Bulter made a black snow man, but he smashed it, so, no picture, but here's a picture of him being goofy...

It's Official Now

We celebrated Big A's 16th birthday last night with cake. He blew out all 16 candles in one breath, so his wish will come true. His best friend Callen spent the evening with us. That's him in the picture with Big A.

Gas at $2.31 today

What a huge drop from the $4.31 we were paying over the summer. It is so nice to actually FILL up at the pump!

Hopefully the dropping trend continues.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

A picture history of the boy we love! From before birth to now...

Is it possible this sweet tiny baby is 16 years old?

How and when did this happen?

Big A has been a great son through out his time on this earth. He started sleeping through the night at 3 weeks of age, and has really been a great sleeper ever since. Naps were never a fight when he was little, heck they still aren't. He's never STOPPED taking naps, ever. He still takes one after school almost every day. But don't tell him I told you that.

His first pair of shoes were some Air Jordans.

He started walking exactly one week after his first birthday.

He was a very happy baby. We got so lucky to have him as our first born, because he was so easy as a baby. Had he not been the easy going baby he was, he would probably be an only child.

At the age of one, he discovered dinosaurs. Almost before he could really talk, he could say the names of dinosaurs, where they lived, what period they lived in, what they ate, etc. etc. He had to have anything and everything he saw sporting dinosaurs. Books, clothes, pictures, lamps, movies (yes, we own all the Jurassic Park movies and have had to watch them at least 2 hundred thousand times). He would walk around like a Velociraptor or a T-Rex and had a little dinosaur "dance".
Lucky for Big A, he was the first grand child on J's side of the family, so his dinosaur fetish was well taken care of by family. His third birthday had to be completly "Dinosaur Themed" with a dinosaur cake, dinosaur balloons, and a special "Pin the Tail on the Dinosaur" hand drawn by his Pam Grandma, of which still hangs on the wall in the bedroom...

He could read from a very young age (must have been all those dino books) and when in kindergarden he was already reading at a 3rd grade level. A love of reading had been carried into the teen age years for this boy.

He has always been a very cautious boy. No visits to the hospital ever for this boy. He has always preferred to be in the house reading or watching movies to being outside taking risks to his well being.

As a teenager, he's been a pretty good kid. He only has a couple of good friends that he hangs out with, and likes to be at home hanging out on the computer or texting as a way of talking to his friends. He really likes his summer job at Wild Island.

He's never been into sports. He played the saxophone in Jr. high, but gave it up in high school. He has always gotten fairly good grades in school; he's pretty much always liked school.

When he was in the 5th grade, he represented his school at the state Geography Bee in Vegas. And as a result, he was invited to be on the county-wide Quiz Bowl team for his school as the first and only 5th grader. It was quite and honor, and his picture still hangs in the multi-purpose room at the school.

He has a memory quite like an elephant. I'm always amazed at the things he can remember from when he was just a little guy.

I think he's still trying to find his niche in the world and who he really is and what he wants to be, but that's okay; he's got a couple years still to figure that out.


He's a great son, albeit a typical teenager that has to be asked and told several times to do stuff around the house, but compared to a lot of bratty teenagers out in the world today, our teenager is golden, and we love him.

Happy Sweet 16 Big A!!!!!!







We look forward to the next 16 years!!!!

One Year

My Mom passed away a year ago today. I really miss her!

Addition

Another member will be joining our family tonight. As if we need another, right?


Details to follow.

***UPDATE***



Meet Clawrisa. She is a semi-aquatic Asian Box Turtle.

Anthony has owned Clawrisa for about 7 years, but she has lived with Jason's Grandma all this time, but she lives at our house now.

13 Years

Thirteen years ago today, I started my job here...and here I still am.

That is a long time to have the same job, don't you think? My duties over the years have changed a lot, but I still come to the same old building, and have been doing it for thirteen years. WOW.

Sister

I mentioned that my sister was in a really bad car accident last month...I talked to her today...here is the update.

She is out of the hospital, has been staying at a friends home, in a hospital bed, flat on her back. Her pelvis was shattered, so her movement was VERY limited. But, yesterday, she was cleared to sit for short periods of time in a wheel chair and can go places in a car now (it was in an ambulance prior to this) After she was cleared for this, she went and looked at her car for the first time. She said she is lucky to have her life. She was t-boned so hard, her seat was completely removed from the car. She doesn't remember any of the accident, only looking up and seeing the other car and yelling they were going to get hit, and then bits and pieces of the EMT's cutting her clothes off and thinking she was in her favorite jeans, draining her lung, and getting in the ambulance because it hurt so much, then, she doesn't really remember much for days. Her car was obviously totalled. When I talked to her after the accident, she kept saying how her seat belt failed, but it was probably a blessing it did, other wise she probably would have been killed. She totally knows the Lord was watching over her.

Now, she is going to be going thru serious re-hab for about 6 - 8 weeks, for 4 hours a day, but on the upside to that, her PT is a really good friend of hers, so it won't be as bad since she'll be in good company.

She sounds good and is getting better every day. YAY!

Kids

This morning when I woke up the two younger ones, I told them that Obama would be our next president. One kid wanted him; the other didn't. They proceeded to get ready for the day, and didn't really say much more about the election or it's outcome, but the kid that didn't want him said to me as they were climbing out of the car at Grandmas house "You know Mom, I guess I like our new President."

Oh! To be so believing and accepting as children are!

I hope for those two young children, this world will be a good place for them to grow up in, and that they can keep that positive outlook for as long as possible!

Any ideas which kid decided they liked the new President?

ONE MONTH AND COUNTING!!!!!!

Exactly one month from right now I'll be in pre-op, with happy drugs in me, getting ready for my surgery. To say I am excited would be an understatement, what with the reason why I'm having the surgery and the black ice on the road, I'll be so glad to be out of commission the whole month of December.

I know I always hate winter and wintry roads, but I sometimes forget just how much until I have to drive on slick roads and I can't feel my fingers and toes. Man, how many more days until Summer?

Also, don't forget to vote today! I voted early to avoid the lines, and I am so glad I did; there were already many people arriving to the school this morning at quarter to 7. I am not to fond of our choices this year, but I just love that I live in a country where I have the right to vote and let my voice be heard.

A mere one hundred years ago, women just like me couldn't vote, and I am so grateful for the women who came before me, who were pioneers and make my vote this day possible. And even though I may not like the choices, I will never NOT vote, because I seriously appreciate what those women did and suffered to give me my right.

I seriously registered to vote on my 18th birthday because I was so excited to be able to have that right and privilege. In 1992, 9 months pregnant, I stood in line 2 hours so I could vote. I was so glad Big A didn't come any earlier, thus preventing me from voting at all. I just love voting. I can't really explain the feeling I have after I have voted.

I hope that J and I have inspired our children to appreciate the fact that they can vote for their government leaders. Although we are not really political or politically correct at times, we take voting seriously, and hope that the kids will to.

The kids are out of school today. Lucky kids. Because so many polling places are in schools, it's easier for the kids to just be out of the schools so adults can vote. Lucky kids have 3 weeks of 4 days of school. Last week they were off Friday for Nevada day. Off today for the election, and off next Tuesday for Veteran's Day. They they have a week of a full week, then they have Thanksgiving vacation. Oh to be in school again and have a ton of time off...oh yeah...I get ALL of December off...:)

Pumpkins and Grass

Mr. Bulter is quite the pumpkin carver...He did his and Louie Blue's all by himself. Yay! I don't have to do it any more...:)



We also got two pallets of grass down in our back yard. It looks so good. Lots of hard work (I am SSSSSOOOOO sore from moving all those rolls), but the payoff of nice green grass in my back yard is going to be very worth all the work.