Missing My Dad

I was in my sewing room working on a little project when Trulie came in from pre-school and wanted to go swimming.  I gave her all the excuses I could think of why we couldn't get in the pool, until I finally just gave up and took her out. I was surprised at how refreshing it was even though I lose my desire to swim when Fall comes.  Yesterday I had a rough day mood wise.  This is the first year I haven't had fresh squash, pumpkins, tomatoes and corn stalks from the White Mountains. I was missing my Dad and the longer the day went on, the sadder I got. I know my Mom is struggling being alone but doesn't want to leave her home and the memories she has there. I totally understand that after spending almost three weeks in Montana. There is no place like home and I know that is where all her memories are. She has lost her courage when it comes to driving and going places she used to go when Dad was there waiting for her. She is coming over tonight to watch the girls play volleyball, so that will be fun for her. Rich is going up to Utah next week for his missionary reunion and the next week I'm going to the beach with Candi and B.J. and the boys.  I have been really excited about this trip for a few weeks since they invited me. They have some fun things planned like going to Disneyland for the Trick or Treat with Mickey.  I don't really like Disneyland and I wonder how I'll do getting around but hopefully I can make it through it. I love watching the waves and feeling the cool breeze on my face at the beach, so I'm looking forward to that.

Ballgames and Fabulous Friday

When I was a kid it seemed like forever between Christmas and my birthday but as I get into the senior citizen category time seems to be speeding up. This week has gone by so fast I can't believe it. It seems like the days just speed along with Rich getting up at 4:00 a.m. and hasn't been getting home until late in the evening. If I didn't have my kids and grand kids around I would be alone 95% of the time. It's fun that the kids are playing sports because is breaks up the days and gives me something to do. I'm also working on a couple of sewing projects and helping with Fabulous Friday tonight. Our ward seems to like it better on Friday night instead of all day Saturday, so it will be nice when it's all over tonight.  We have some yummy food planned and really fun projects to work on. Mindi and I were going to try and make some painted Kerr jars but couldn't get the paint to look good, so we gave up. Tristyn has a volleyball tournament today and tomorrow so it's a good thing the painted jars didn't work out. The weather is finally cooling off a little bit. We should be under 100 degrees in a couple of weeks and then instead of exercising in the pool I will be able to start riding my bike. It's been really hard because I've gained a few pounds since my Dad passed away in January. I know I'm an emotional eater and feel the void with may favorite treats. I have to just be glad I didn't get into the drug, alcohol and tobacco because I would hate to try and battle those demons. I know everyone has things about themselves they struggle with, I'm just really tired of the fight with food. I hope when I get to the other side I will be able to overcome that trial and be at peace with myself.

Freeway Shooter Really?

I'm always glad to get to the end of the week and have a day of rest coming.  Even though Sundays aren't really restful it's still nice to have the guys home from work.  On Wednesday Mindi and I had it all planned out.  We would drop Trulie off at preschool, take Dave to pick up his car at the dealer, get to the grocery store to pick up stuff to make food for the football team and be home in time to pick Trulie up. As we got to the store and started shopping, Dave called to say he was stranded on the freeway with his car overheating.  We grabbed a few containers of water and some things we had in our cart and left in a hurry. He was about twenty minutes away in the HOV lane where two freeways meet.  As we got closer, there were signs telling us that there was shootings on the freeway and we needed to report any suspicious activity.  It was so scary sitting in the car with traffic passing us at least 70 miles per hour and wondering if someone was going to start shooting at us.  It all worked out okay and we found someone to pick Trulie up for us and we got our groceries and got home safely.  Dave only got a few more miles down the road before his car died but he got some other guys to go help him.  Whew!  While I was telling Rich how scary it is to think there is someone shooting at people on the freeway, he acted like it was no big deal. He just doesn't worry about stuff like that and he's usually right.  So far no one has been killed but I still wonder what kind of a person would just randomly shoot at cars on the freeway? The world is getting crazier by the minute and I don't see it getting better in the near future. 

Let The Games Begin

Sometimes it feels like "Groundhog Day" around here but at least we have been under a hundred degrees for a few days.  This week was busy with volleyball, football, and shopping.  Tristyn had her first game on Monday night and Trace his first football game on Wednesday.  I'm hoping to make it to the Larsen girls' games when they play closer to home. This week as I was at the grocery store I bought some sweet corn to cook for Sunday dinner. This is the first summer I haven't had fresh squash and corn from the garden my Dad and Mom would grow in the White Mountains. It's funny how your brain pulls up memories that remind you of someone who has passed away. I do that a lot with Kamber too, where I will see something that reminds me of her. Last week a friend came over for lunch.  She is a single lady that takes care of her Mom who is losing her memory. I know it is so stressful for her and as we talked I was grateful that my Mom is still doing well and is able to take care of herself. Sometimes she seems a little bit confused and tells me the same thing about ten times, but I'm just thankful to still have her to talk to. It's tough getting older and becoming one of the senior citizens of the world. My friend said something that I had been thinking all week and that is after our parents are gone, it will be us next in line to cross over. That's a little bit scary but I sure hope to be able to get out of here before I get so useless that my kids have to take care of me. I know Dad was adamant that if he became too sick that he needed major care, he wanted to leave, and he did. The other side has to be better than what's going on now doesn't it?