Last month I traveled to Iowa to do some family history work.  Des Moines was a beautiful little city, but there was something very remarkable I learned from the drivers there.

Des Moines drivers are the most kind and considerate driver's I have ever encountered!  I was driving like a tourist, trying to read street signs and follow my navigation system.  Unintentionally, there were several times that I pulled out in front of other cars, needed to squeeze in front of someone, or drove too slow.  However, I was not honked at a single time.  Nope, not once.

It was contagious, and I noticed I began to be a more compassionate driver.  So, as I get back to Utah and am driving in traffic, I repeat to myself, "Be like an Iowa driver."

It is easy to drive "nice" when everyone is driving nice, not so easy when everyone is not driving "nice!"  Maybe I'll print up a little card to put in my car as a reminder of my travels to Iowa and a personal lesson I learned from the drivers there!

Here's what's been happenin'

It has just taken me half an hour to be able to post!  Seriously.  Something must not be working between Blogger and Firefox!  Frustrating!

Any-who, I just got back from a family history trip to Iowa.  My great grandfather's sister and brother settled in Iowa and much of their family has remained there.  It was a very rewarding family history trip finding death certificates, obituaries, marriages, graves and meeting second cousins.  It was also fun to spend time with my Dad who tolerated my obsession with family history work and me popping out of bed in the middle of the night because of a research idea!  (He also tolerated my incessant talent of getting lost--even with a GPS!  Yep, that's me!)

 Dad & I swung by Casper on the way home and met with some relatives, and as we were getting ready to leave Dad kept saying that there was another road and maybe we should try it.  So, we asked a couple of seperate locals how good the road was and if there were facilities.  Neither had been on the road in awhile and maybe...maybe not about the facilities.  We decide to take the road which to our unexpected surprise, took us past Independence Rock and Martin's Cove!  Seriously, Casper people who we spoke too!

The Sunday before we left, the Lott's had the new baby blessed! 

What a sweet family!

(Yep, my son decided the dog, Cappy, should be in the picture!)

Two of this family's children did not want this picture taken,

however they happily found their way into this picture!

Can you believe how big this little guy is getting! 

He was running and playing, just like the "big" kids!

Dip anyone! 

Yep, that's grandma's great photography and the quickness of a 1 1/2 year old! 

Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!

Thimbles

Of places,
travels,
friends,
and family.

Tokens
Trigger;
Travel,
Trails,
Tears,
And trists.


Mementos,
and memories;
souvenirs,
and gifts;
telling stories
of travels near and far.

Gratitude

Things I am grateful for:

• The dear friend who brought over home made lasagna, who even though she knocked and I didn't answer the door, checked and walked right in.  I needed her but was too down to answer the door.
• The sweet little waitress in San Diego who served clam chowder with lemons and Tabasco sauce. Yummy.  That's the only way I can now eat clam chowder.
•  Life Insurance.  It has eased my path down the grief road.  I am very blessed.
• Learning how to use power tools and to mud sheet rock.
• Travel to Florida with my BFF
• Travel to Hawaii with another BFF
• Travel to Las Vegas and Yellowstone with two of my BFF's
• Grandchildren who were just with their papa Joe, and now are in my arms.
• The plan of Salvation, temple sealings and my faith in God
• My children
• The Internet that allows me connect with the outside world.
• My mission at the Family History Library, it has given my life meaning and service.
• Home teachers who come and visit each month
• DVR
• My BMW and never ever ever having to find my keys!!!
• Learning to play the piano 
• Hugs from my grandchildren
• Good neighbors
• A warm bath
• A quilt and a cool breeze while I sleep
• My IPad

Trip to Vegas

Here's where we stayed

Here's what we saw:

Here's what I bought:

Minnie Mouse for little baby girl Smith

and

Tigger for little baby boy Lott

A much needed/wanted new purse, which I looooove.  

Thanks for the help Nanette!

Friends are family too

Spending our annual "February in Vegas" trip! Can you believe we have been doing this for over ten years! This year we are staying at the Stratosphere.

So far we have: shopped at the outlet mall and the outdoor outlet mall; ate at a wonderful Italian restaurant and TGI Friday's; saw "Iron Lady"; had aqua massages; split a banana split, french fries, onion rings and buffalo wings; risked our lives at the scary 7 Eleven and on Vegas roads; looked at the night lights from the Stratosphere; slept in, stayed up late, played trivia, compared apps., and signed up for Pintrest; and laughed and laughed and laughed!

I am so blessed to have my friends. They are great and I have so much fun with them. I need friendships to help me along this road, and these women are there for me, during the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of grief and life!

Thank you. I love you both!

(pictures to follow!)

Catch Up

So, here is what has been happening from most recent--pictures to follow someday!!!

• Sunday was Stake Conference and it was like watching Poltergeist the movie--the technology was not working very well.  Good thing I went to the Saturday evening session and was spiritually fed--no stuffed!  Good thing I had the new IPad so I could read.
• Saturday went to a wedding reception.  Good luck Smith newly-weds.
• Received a post card announcing Anthony and Katie are expecting.  Baby due February 29, 2012.  I am very excited and can hardly wait.  (Good thing Dad checks his mail!)     
• Went to Grace, Idaho with my Dad on a family history interview with my second cousin once removed.
•  September 4 would have been Joe's 50th birthday.  I got him an IPad.  I hope he likes it, because I am sure enjoying it.
• September 3  Joe's brother LaRonzo had a heart attack.  What a scare.  We are very glad he is doing well and thanks to everyone for their prayers.
• ROAD TRIP:  I went to Yellowstone with my BFF's Patty & Nanette.  Saw Old Faithful, buffalo grazing on the side of the road, bears, and wolfs.  We had a blast and as always I love traveling with them.
• Kaleb turned 1 years old. 
• Matthew and Trekker both lost their two front teeth and they both started second grade.
• Learned about Netflix and began watching reruns of  The Walton's because of the next item on the list:
• July and the first weeks of August I laid around while I passed two kidney stones.   (My Dad passed one during this time and another one last week--I'm thinking genetic!!!)  Needless to say I was laid up and did nothing, so I am very far behind.  I think that is why I did not feel good in June.  Who knew.  Here are the results of the unscientific study that was completed:  drinking water does NOT make you lose weight.  Two gallons of water a day for 4 weeks and I lost no weight, only two small stones.

In other news, Athena was called to be in the Primary Presidency (secretary) so I get to babysit every Monday while she attends presidency meeting.  It is very, Very, VERY fun to watch that new baby.

I am loving the Mormon Channel on the IPad.  It is very nice to listen to uplifting messages throughout the day.  Can't listen to the radio--love rock 'n roll but there are too many memories associated with the music.  A person can only listen to so much talk radio--like once a week is plenty.

I am still serving a Church Service Mission two days a week.  I am loving it and it was very good to be able to still do that while I was so sick.  I only missed one day.  This mission has been such a blessing in my life. I have learned so very much and it has given me an opportunity to be useful.

Lastly, need to buy a new lawn mower.  Who cares, me, because my yard has looked like crap this year.  Adam and Athena have mowed it several times while I was laid up, and I am still learning the fertilizing system, and it shows by the look of the multicolored greens and dead spots.  In fact, it almost looks camouflage!

Next I will try to get my pictures download!

P.S. CONGRATULATIONS to ANTHONY and KATIE
(This will make 3 grand babies in 18 months which = a very happy grandma)

Cruise 2010

ice sculpture

carving in a watermelon

another ice sculpture

es cargo: another bucket list item

yummy!

Cruise 2010: fine art sale

On the ship there was a professional artist who gave a class on water colors.  I was so excited.  So, Janice and I went to the class.  My picture was soooooo good that they featured it in the art gallery...notice the little sign above my masterpiece...





look a little closer-----


Sold!!!

(cross one more thing off that bucket list: sale artwork!!!)

The Entertainment-Cruise 2010

Here are two of the entertainers from the cruise.  

Jeff Trachta played "Throne" on CBS's the Bold & the Beautiful, 

"Danny" on Broadway's production of Grease, 

and now he has an award winning Vegas show

Sure Janice, your secret is safe with me!

(oh, the rumors!!!)  

And ventriloquist Ken Groves

Cruise 2010: Critters

Critters on vacation cruise 2010:

 Ship critter

 Rooster in Nawiliwili

 Chicken in front of KMart in Nawiliwili

 Frog in Honolulu

elephant, ship critter 

No pictures of the whales or whale spouts--darn it!

Cruise: 2010 Honolulu

Cruise 2010

Here's some of the fun food...

First Port Hilo

Helicopter ride

We are ready

The shore line in Hilo

Waterfalls

the ocean against a shore line of volcanic rock

the red lava from the volcano

the shore line of volcanic rock, and steam where the hot lava hits the ocean

more Hilo shore line

the volcanic destruction

steam rising from the heat of the lava running underground

the macadamia nut farms