Well, here is the fixer-upper we are buying. This picture makes it look nicer than it is. It is truly ugly but we got a decent price and there is a lot of room for guests! Dad has spent 3 days trying to figure out the watering system and the mystery of the backyard which currently has several trails, whoop-dee-doos, and berms for dirt bikes. I'm taking votes as to whether we should keep the dirt mounds or clear them for a volleyball court . . . . Dad voted to keep them. The rest of you can add your vote in the comments section.

Come visit!

xoxo,

Amy

It's really impossible to realize we have been married 47 years. What an amazing life we've had. There is no way I could have predicted such joy. So many children, and all the incredible grand children. Way back when I was dating, I remember feeling sorry for 'old married people', who didn't look like they were having any fun, and definitely looked OLD.

It's funny how perspective changes with age and some wisdom. John is lying here next to me (snoring away). He said he "couldn't go to sleep" so was hoping for my magical, sleep inducing, back scratches. He actually fell asleep just being here with me at the laptop. How I love that man! How blessed I feel to have been together all these years. We have so many treasured memories. We're both thinking along the same line: preserving some of those moments. He is hoping to start putting together some DVDs from all our family pictures and movies. I just want to get some more scrap booking done along with journal keeping, in the form of all the journals I've already finished, plus the notes with my scrap books and now, the blog. Thank you, again, Mark and Sara.

This past month or so, have been spent keeping up with the house, reorganizing my bedroom office and closet; and most recently, the kitchen and all the scrap book supplies. I'm nearly finished with that and will finally tackle the game room next. Yes, Spencer, I will find the pool table. Then I'm really hoping to get back to some sewing and embroidery. Our scrapbook "walls" in the hallways need my attention as well. You know, I thought of something I could use help with: all of our family scrapbooks that are "before the archival" quality need to be redone. How I would love it if any of you wanted to help with those.

Bobby is coming this week. I'm so excited to have him help me with my new laptop so I can really organize all my photos and include more of them on this blog. Joel and John gave me a blessing today. I have had a growing concern for a walnut sized lump in my throat that Dr. Bitter thought was just a clogged salivary gland. My dentist ruled that out and sent me to the oral surgeon, who is in turn sending me to a neck/throat surgeon. With each new referral, my concern has grown, hoping the final referral would NOT be to an oncoligist! It will be all right.

Creative Efforts and Sad Stories

I taught a class of ladies how to make the boxes Julie taught us to make at WWWW. It was fun and now they want another to learn how to make the cards as well. See what you've started, Julie?



If you are in the market for craft ribbon, try the $1 spot at Target. They also have pretty tissue paper that I use to stuff (lightly) in the handmade boxes to hide the gift inside. I also figured out that by weaving the ribbon loosely through the four corners, there is room for larger gift items.



I am enjoying blogging more every week. Honestly, Sara and Mark, I had NO IDEA what I was missing. Thank you, again! There's a whole wonderful world of people out there, much like me, who enjoy home, family, and have creative talents to share, as well as poignant stories.



The best part for both John and me is the ones in the family who also blog. We get a little peek into your lives that compensates (just a little) for the fact that none of you live close anymore, and we are very much deprived of our BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL, ADORABLE, PRECIOUS grand children! Now is that a sad story, or what?



I found this site sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com through one of the other family blogs and she had the cutest flowers for hair bows (or whatever) made out of zippers. They look amazingly simple and are adorable.

Letter of the law

"As soon as you put your dishes in the dishwasher, you can have cookies." Sammie took us at our word . . .

Cold February, Warm Hearts

All Right!

Sara gave us "instructions for changing your blog background in six easy steps" and it worked! So you may see more changes there than blog postings. This is really fun.



I'm in San Diego this week spending time with Amy and family. We've had fun and will extend it even further when they come up to see us this Sunday.



I am so tired tonight, but had to see if I could change that background again. John is in the Poppy Fields but we're both headed home tomorrow. I bet Joel misses us.

I’m a goner for sure. Internet Shopping, yikes!

OK Most of you family bloggers know that I follow your posts regularly, and enjoy all of them immensely But there are not enough of them! I love reading about what’s happening in your lives and especially your thoughts on various things.

Well, Rachel has to be the most consistent, so of course I really “hone in” on what she has to say. I love it, Rachel. I also enjoy checking other blogs you suggest that you follow, and looking into the books you read.

The only problem is this: I am trying VERY hard to control my shopping addiction by only shopping for things we absolutely need, and going to the store as few times as possible. You see, for me, going into a store is like taking an alcoholic into a bar! I’m totally serious here, so don’t laugh – well maybe just a little giggle.

Some of the sites Rachel visits are really great and I have thus far resisted; but not today. Oh those ribbon bows on http://preciousaccessories-sunnie.blogspot.com are so sweet. I have fallen into the trap and hope to forget that address soon. As soon as I get my bows, that is.

Stake Conference weekend

It's been a beautiful weekend. Our stake conference, and Saturday, usually my favorite session, was good, and made me think more about some changes I want to make (to myself). But Sunday was wonderful. It was a regional broadcast with talks by Pres. Uchdorf and Elder Holland; Bishop Edgley and Sister Matsumori. They were exceptional talks, or maybe I was just in the right frame of mind. Either way, tears came and came some more. I really need to make some changes and am starting NOW.
We are so blessed to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives - and a knowledge of His atoning sacrifice for us. How grateful I am for repentance and a patient, loving Heavenly Father. I still have time to get things right.