IT'S THE OLD LADY AGAIN!!!!!

Have been trying to keep busy doing little improvement projects at house in SLC and the one in Bridgeland.  The days are sometimes hard to get through.....if I am not busy I tend to dwell on too any unpleasant thoughts.  I am still considering getting a part-time job or volunteering somewhere for a couple days a week.  I go to Planet Fitness 3 or 4 times a week and work out for about an hour, I must say that does boost my mood and energy level most times.  Seriously need some WARM sunshine!
The kids are all busy with their own lives so don't see them often.  Steven and Michelle bought a house so he has moved out.  Colton does come by once a week when he has school or don't know when I would see him.  My grandchildren are all growing up fast.  Hard to believe that Colton will be 20, Hunter 17 and Kaylee 3 in April.  That really makes me feel old and at my age you can't help but wonder how many more good years are left.  I sure wish growing old was easier!!
Spring is coming soon and that means FARMING......that is what will be on the agenda with Steve for sure.  We still haven't decided what to do with the house in Torrey but I go down every few weeks and do a bit more cleaning.  I am always checking voicemail for Boyd's call, got so used to hearing from him every night I keep thinking he will call.
Went to Green River a couple weeks ago and spent the night with Mom and Dad.  They seem to be doing ok or at least getting by.  Like Mom says "every day she can get out of bed is a good day."
 Going to take a writing class on Thursday nights starting this week....thought I should write my memoirs.....or maybe not....don't know that my family needs to know the many mistakes I have made in life.
I find myself liking songs for their lyrics now instead of music and beat....what the heck does that mean?  I like Katy Perry's ROAR....good stuff.  Dierks Bently has a new one called RISER.....like that also.  (I'm a get off the ground, old running hider, push comes to shove and I'm a fighter.  Darkness comes to town, I'm a lighter but get out aliver, out of the fire, Survivor)
As you can see not much new happening in my world....I try to check on my kids every so often and keep myself occupied as much as possible.  Bring on the SUNSHINE!

I'm Back!!!

Yes, it's me...your favorite daughter, sister and mother back after a 2 1/2 year hiatus!! Whew, that went by fast. Don't even know how to sum up that much time in a paragraph. To be honest, I kind of forgot about the whole blog thing until I started cleaning off my desk and found some entries that I had printed off. (That tells you how often I clean off my desk!!) It actually works out well because I never have to file any of my paperwork. I just throw it in a big pile and about every 2 years I go through it and shred everything except for the really important stuff and the last year of payments. It sure makes it hell if I have to find something though :) I dont know what I do with my time. It seems like I keep busy during the day with work, errands, kids and chores but in the evenings I never want to do anything but lay on my bed and read my book. I feel cheated if I ever get through a whole day and have not had time to read. I have started to write a little but only if I am in the mood which doesnt seem very often. I have always told myself that I should write a book but I cant seem to come up with a good thing to write about. You'd think I would have lots of ideas but my mind is always blank. I think thats why I like to read so much.... I can zone out and not have to think! The kids are all growing and doing well (mostly). I have to stay on Braxton and Weston to keep caught up in school but other than that we have no issues. Right now they are all playing basketball again and Garrett is even going to a basketball skills training class a couple times a week. Braxton and Weston are still playing guitar and poopy pants as we call him (Brody), is turning into a very sassy 4 year old. I used to scream and yell at him but he, just like the other boys, has stopped listening so my new plan is just to ignore them. I imagine that will go over just as well as yelling and probably get the same result without raising my blood pressure. Thanks Mom and Sue for still posting once in a while. I will try to do better.

2013 Ends With Sorrow

On December 24th Boyd passed away here in Salt Lake. He had been up here in the Veterans Hospital for a week.  He had cancer in his liver and intestines....no hope of changing its course.  He got to see most of his grandkids and his great grandchildren the week-end before as they gave us an outlook of days and we called everyone to come and see him.  He kept his dignity, pride and humor right up to the end so he was blessed that way.  Didn't have to suffer.  It is the end of an era, a Patriarch of the family has left us.  Steve has literally lost all of his family and that is hard to work through for anyone.  The funeral turned out great I think, just grandkids telling memories of times spend with Grandpa.  Instead of a viewing the night before we had a reception of sorts for the family up at one of Boyd's friend's house with food and drinks and just visiting.  I think Boyd would have liked his send-off very much.
Needless to say Christmas spirit wasn't what it should have been this year but we tried....things like that kinda ruin the holiday.  My grandchildren continue to grow, get bigger and older and that is making me way too old.....scary!  Mom and Dad now 88 and they seem to be sliding downhill more all the time.  It is a worry and losing Boyd put them in a depression for sure.  Lots of snow on the ground here and more headed tomorrow.  Snow on ground at farm is the same as has been there for over a month, never has warmed up enough to melt any of it.  That basin is a cold place in the winter, I am getting to like the cold less and less.  I like to be WARM!  I seem to have kept myself busy the last few months of 2013 making things for Christmas and then the illness of Boyd.  In 2014 I seem to be struggling to get my balance again.  I need to get some interests and get moving forward.  Hoping 2014 will be a good year with some positive coming our way.....maybe even some answers as to what I should do when I grow up!

2013 Retire, What's That?

On September 6th (just 2 days before my 33rd anniversary with CRE) I was called in and told I was being given a choice.  I could stay 4 or 5 months and apply for "MY" job when they combined the I/C and Payroll departments or take a severance package and leave at the end of the month.  I was shocked to say the least, I certainly was in no position financially to retire nor was I mentally or emotionally ready.  On October 4th (just 2 days after my 67th birthday) I walked out the door of CRE and do not plan on ever returning there even to visit.  I am sorry that after all those years I left so unhappy.
I am on my second week of "retirement" and I still have not come up with a plan for this 2nd half of my life as it is called.  I seem to keep somewhat busy but not enough to keep my mind occupied and that is hard on me.  When I do too much thinking I get depressed.
Steven will soon be 21 years old, hard to believe my grandchildren can be that old.  They should all still be little and LOVE their grandma!!!  Hunter and Braxton are juniors in high school, Garrett started junior high this year and Raegan will next year, no way in HELL can I be this old!  Baby Ray is finally growing and even looking somewhat chubby!!
Mom and Dad having some issues but overall they are hanging in there.  Mom calls everyday to check on me, don't know what she thinks I am doing but whatever.  Boyd still doing fine, I talk with him everyday and make sure he is ok.
I sold my Corvette the other day, sad to see it go but really do not need 3 cars and I had to make a choice.  The guy that bought it had been dickering with me on it for over 3 months......finally gave me what I wanted so that made it easier.  Maybe I will win the lottery someday and buy me a brand new one!!!  At least with winter coming on I won't have to worry about my third vehicle, my other two will fit in the garage.
I also had to sell my dog, Ike in September (not an easy month for me) as I could not keep him in yard at all.  He is down outside of Monticello where he can run and chase cows.  I got an update on him a week ago and he is doing good and bonding with the family.  That was another very hard decision for me.
Changes are a part of life for all of us, some are good and some are not.  Who can tell why things happen the way they do,  I sure can't.

FAMILY MISSING/PLEASE RETURN/NO REWARD

May is almost done, so as always time is flying by far too quickly for me.  Trina had a baby boy on May 23, 2013.  He was born about 4:15 A.M. in the morning, weighed 6 lbs 15 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long.  It was a way long labor, she is tougher than me I would have been crazy waiting for 19 hours!!!!   His name is Raiden Craig Lambourne and he is a handsome little guy.  I do think he is just like Trina predicted, has Colby's pig nose and her chinese eyes!!!  Went to Green River and Torrey over Memorial Day weekend, decorated graves, cleaned houses and am now in need of rest.  It is not very relaxing that is for sure.  I bought a Camaro,  a 2011 bright yellow convertible.  I want to sell the Corvette but I am not getting much interest so right now I have too many cars.  The convertible is fun but only if you are in the front seat I guess, people do not like riding in the back when the top is down.  Everyone seems to be doing good, some of my children I don't hear from very often though.  Hunter now has her learner's permit so roads could be dangerous.  Braxton being a cool ladies man, as is Weston.  Brody and Garret have other interests.  Colton still working toward being an electrician, and Brenna is cool!  I think she also has learner's permit so again I warn you ROADS around here are a bit dangerous!!  Macie did well in her dance competitions and Kaylee just turns things upside down.  Mom and Dad doing ok but going downhill more and more.  Boyd struggles to do much but he sure keeps trying.   Job is crazy so I am very busy, feel like I meet myself coming around the corner all the time.  Could be I am slowing down though (young I am  not!)

SPRING 2013

My how the time flies anymore.  It is April 1st already and we have seen a few warm days.  The week-end was super nice.  First time Easter has been warm with no wind, rain or snow in awhile.  We didn't do much ourselves, just cooked a meal and had Tammy, Mark and kids, Sue, Steven, Michelle, Trina and Colby over to eat.  No big Easter egg treasure hunts as we had no little ones.  I worked in the yard and tried to accomplish a few things....certainly not as much as I would have liked. I am getting old and tire out fast......God I hate to admit that!  Colton seems to like his job as an electrician apprentice,  Steven and Michelle think they want to buy a camp trailer, Tammy broke a bone in her foot and Trina and Colby waiting on the little guy to arrive......it is getting closer for sure.  Dirk and Chevaun have many baby lambs,,,,,they have 5 mama ewes and 11 babies,  Macie will have to feed one by bottle as it's Mom didn't seem to want it.  There are lots of birthdays in the month of April....Tanner is 10 today, Hunter is 16 on the 8th, Kaylee is 2 on the 19th, Colton is 19 on the 20th and Dennis has a birthday the 22nd and Michelle also has a birthday in there somewhere, can't remember the date for sure.  I will be broke buying birthday presents!!!  We had a bomb threat at England today....crazy stuff.....people are nuts!  All these goings on tend to keep an old lady quite busy!!!!!

WINTER 2012/2013-----YUCK!!!

Well it is almost the end of February and still this cold weather, snow and ice hangs on.  I have been done with this for a month ALREADY!!!!  I worked long hours in January.....job is crazy and getting worse or I am getting old don't know which.  Work, come home, take hot bath to warm up, crawl in bed and read a book.......that is my exciting life.  Trina getting closer to new baby and between not feeling good and being disagreeable she is not doing too bad.  Colton now working on being an electrician (go Colton).  Steven still at his same job but now he thinks he wants to be a fireman.  Brenna driving around on a learners permit (she can't be that old), Braxton singing and playing guitar ( does a good job), Weston and Garrett playing basketball (Pretty good too as I went to watch them play a couple weeks ago), Macie is in dance and doing good at her performances, Kaylee just likes to entertain, Brody is looking good (just ask him), Hunter and Raegan doing good.....growing up so fast it makes me dizzy.  I hate to admit this but anymore it doesn't take much to make me dizzy!!!!
I had to have a colonoscopy because I have had some stomach issues......did not really think that was fun at all.  Thank goodness they found nothing so I am good for 10 years!!  I seem to have trouble with my stomach constantly so it has been easy to not eat much......good thing is I have lost about 20 pounds through all of this.  I absolutely did not lift weights, run or such to accomplish this.  Now they want to check a few other things and I am waiting a bit, thinking maybe it was one of my meds or something.
Everyone seems to doing good, working and staying busy with all that comes their way.  The holidays were good, enjoyed having my whole family around.  I really am getting old as I even enjoy spending time with my own CHILDREN!!!