What A Slug

I have been a slug the last three weeks...

last week I was sick...so no visits to the Y

the week before that, part of the week, I was on a trip,

so no visits to the Y.

the week before that, my sister was busy at work, she couldn't make it

and if she isn't there, it is hard for me to go...

so no visits to the Y.

But I am back...

went swimming both tonight and Monday night

(will go again on Friday too),

that felt oh so good...

since, it has been so hot..

and I am not good in hot.

my sister and I did our routine on the machines on Tuesday

and we will meet tomorrow (Thursday)

so I am back in the game

you know, the exercise five days a week at the Y routine.

Love This Gal

I just love this gal.

Not only because she is my niece...

But I was there (besides her dad and mom, of course)

when she was born.

I almost didn't make it for she was in quite a hurry to make her entrance.

Isn't she the cutest little pincushion you've ever seen?

Her mother sewed dresses not only for her

but also for her doll...so adorable.

She has a wonderful big brother

who adores and protects her.

She just had a birthday...18 is the number

She is an artist...

this is her hand.

(don't you just love those long, slender pencil like fingers?)

She graduated from high school in June

..has a wonderful set of friends

....is an excellent student

and has now moved into the dorms at Oregon State U

where she started her first day as a freshman college student yesterday.

I really love this gal.

Emma, you go girl...!

Top Ten Things -Trip To Salt Lake City

Nothing is better than spending a weekend away....

had so much fun.

here are my top

1. Being hit by a fabulous aroma of baked bread upon entering my aunt and uncle's home..and seeing the results of her busy morning, i.e. a dozen pints of canned peaches, two dozen rolls, and a batch of peach jam in process.


2. Being instructed by my uncle on the proper way to eat those aforementioned freshly baked rolls (that lucky guy who has had the privilege to eat so many over the years!). You cut open a pocket, place a large dollop of butter (or margarine) inside which quickly melts ( since you have created a pocket, nothing drips out), and then fill that pocket with a hug squirt of Utah honey or homemade jam...mmm good.

3. Staying at the most exquisite hotel the Grand America...

a huge mountain of marble in Italy must have been used in this incredible building!

Oh..you should see the women's locker room oolala...marble everywhere, equipped with shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion all "flavored" with Utah harvested honey (really, I kid you not, it said so on the bottle), the loveliest sauna and steam room, exercise room, and pool with crystal chandeliers and sconces, big puffy white towels, and robes.

The lobby was filled with over sized upholstered furniture

and original art adorned the wood paneled walls.

To set the tone for your stay,

a person would play melodic music on the grand piano as you entered.

Now that is classey!

Did I tell you about our room located on the 20th floor

with a balcony facing north toward downtown?

We could watch the sun rise

over the mountains to the right in the morning

and set over the Salt Flats to the left in the evening.

White carrara marble covered the shower, sinks, and floor...

makes me want to go home and remodel my own bathroom.

What pure luxury...oh how I could really get used to that!

4. Listening to the live performance of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

perform for the Spoken Word on Sunday morning...

had a front row seat...

those organ pipes are the most beautiful I've ever seen!

5. Getting up real early to swim in the hotel pool...had the pool ALL TO MYSELF!

6. Eating...eating and eating again. Had a wonderful breakfast outside at a place call Flinn...

oh that cool crisp fall clear air felt divine

7. Visiting with cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. ..crashing a birthday party, having a barbecue, eating at the top of the old Hotel Utah (now the Joseph Smith Building) and gazing upon the Salt Lake Temple below.

It was so bright from the skylight overhead we needed our sunglass.

8. Spending the day with my brother, dad, and uncle visiting....

grave sites...
We happened to visit my grandpa's grave on his birthday!

places where my dad and uncle lived and played, and listening to their stories.

My dad and his family 80 plus years ago..(my dad is the second from the right next to my uncle on the right)

Here is my dad and his brother now.

9. Doing touristy things, like going the state capitol...

there were beehives everywhere!

Of course, Utah is called the beehive state.

A beehive motif on the elevator doors.

10. And gazing upon the most amazing model of the Salt Lake Temple.

What a fabulous weekend!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Thirty-eight years ago (almost to the day), I packed my bags, attached my 10 speed bike to the back of our Dodge Dart station wagon and drove with my dad 800 miles east for 16 hours to start my first year of college.

Fast forward.

My small carry on bag is packed and later today DZ will drive my dad and me to the airport so we can board a plane to travel 1 1/2 hours east where we will land in the great Salt Lake Valley.

So glad to fly.

We will visit with my cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

Looking forward to having a blast during this extended weekend trip.

Dr.'s Cabinet

I spied you the moment I reached the bottom basement step at the estate sale of the doctor's San Francisco home. There you were tucked away in a dark, musty corner. I had Cherie (the woman in charge) pull you out and I immediately knew I wanted to bring you into the light of a new home. Cherie said, "Thirty-five bucks and it's yours". I immediately responded with "Deal".

I know, the first thing I did was to put you out in the garage. Sorry about that. You must have thought you were pulled out of one dark crowded corner and placed in another one.. The thing is, I just could not decide where to put you.

And anyway, it gave me time to ponder about you. What have you seen over the last 60 plus years? How many times over the years did the nurses and the Dr. open your drawers and cupboards to retrieve gauze, instruments, bandaids, scissors, or paper to write prescription orders? What did you hear the Dr. ?? say to the many patients who sat in the same room as you? So, what is your story?

So, I tried placing you in my kitchen. Instead of housing medical equipment, I thought your black, shiny glass surface would be perfect spot for the telephone, a few cook books and the radio. Your drawers would be a perfect place to put pencils, paper, and paperclips, and your cupboards could house napkins and tablecloths. However, something wasn't quite right.. the scale was wrong and you seemed too small and too low. Sorry, it did not work out there.

Another spot I thought I can put you is upstairs in the study, but that means dragging you up the stairs. To be honest, I am a bit worried about scratching the stairs...you are a bit hefty.

So before doing that, I thought I would try and fit you in my sewing room next to the white/black enamel topped doctor's table where my sewing machines sit. First, I need to do a bit of furniture rearranging, for things are getting a bit tight in there. I think you and my sewing machine table would look good together. The both of you were created for the same purpose, that is... to be in a doctor's office. I will repurpose the two of you and can use you in my sewing room.

I will find a good spot for you to shine ......hold tight for now.

Welcome to your new home.