Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Can you just see the fireworks starting?


  SO...............  Karin and Keith (and Murphy) will be joining us for the 4th of July weekend - Mr. Hillary and Keith decided to get the womenfolk a little riled up before the games begin.... after you read this information that has been circulating around the men folk... any one know of a good 'Dog House' they could stay in - because Karin and I and Murphy.... are staying at the Grand America.... xoxox

MEN  ARE JUST HAPPIER PEOPLE


NICKNAMES:
  • If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah.  
  • If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla and Four-eyes.  
  
EATING  OUT:
  • When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it's only for $32.50.  None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change  back.  
  • When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket  calculators.
  
MONEY:
  • A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.  
  • A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need but it's on sale.
  
BATHROOMS:
  • A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel .  
  • The  average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337.  A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.
  
ARGUMENTS:
  • A woman has the last word in any argument.  
  • Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
  
FUTURE:
  • A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.  
  • A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.  
  
SUCCESS:
  • A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.  
  • A  successful woman is one who can find such a man.  
  
MARRIAGE:
  • A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.  
  • A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.
  
DRESSING UP:
  • A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail.  
  • A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.
  
NATURAL:
  • Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.  
  • Women somehow deteriorate during the night.
  
OFFSPRING:
  • Ah, children.  A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favourite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.  
  • A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house. 

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Something about a talking Walrus?

Just so I can see them together
I posted this selfishly just for me.
Pretty soon I'll be able to write about it.
Until then...
I love you both so much!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Podular Notations Suggestion

So - I'm someone that really loves spiritual music - ok - when I'm not listening to Radio from Hell on X96, and on the side a little Stained - and Foo Fighters.... And - when you have the Tab Choir - it's pretty hard to beat that - along with the MULTITUDE of LDS musicians that shine their way to the top of the spiritual charts.  But I really found my diamond in the rough - and I want you to listen to this guy sing!  He sings spiritual mostly - his messages are amazing - and he also remakes amazing songs by other musicians.  He is a wonderful American Christian Vocalist from Texas.  I am crazy about his Christmas album - and it's always playing all through December.  So my Podular Notation Suggestion - would be to click on my I-pod here on my blog - if your sound is on it will already start playing - look past the beard and freaky hair - and listen to the first song.  Amazingly sweet.  If you like that one - click across to the song about the Savior - the 3rd or 4th song - enjoy... David Phelps (no he's not a swimmer).

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

It's Mr Hillary's Birthday

.... but not until 4:00 PM this afternoon - so his mom said.  (He was a big baby - so how could she forget) (kinda still is a big baby - and yes I still love him so remember that as you read on)  So I really don't have to be uber nice to him until then right?  Oh Happy Day husband (just said kind of excited)!

 Let's recap some feelings I have about this.

Usually I have warm fuzzies about peoples' happy days but I'm kind of on a 'path to recovery' with my happy day feelings just with him.  Dec - my 50th' birthday - LIKE IT'S NOT JUST YOUR RUN OF THE MILL BIRTHDAY - oi - I got that out.  So I get the card saying:  Hey - the kids will come for dinner - yeah!  BUT - you can also choose your gift!!!  (Oh - am I a lucky girl or what?)  I have multiple choices on the card and I mull over them - trying to pick just the right one.... and after careful consideration of the immediate gratification I could receive from 4 of them...(they were all very nice and I was feeling very loved and special!!!), I came to the conclusion that I would choose the one where we would wait until a month later when I could have some time off from work (retail + December = no time off) and we would go to Disneyland - just him and I for a day, spend a day at the beach, visit a few family members and head home joyfully fulfilled with memories of a great 1/2 freaking century of living....... awwww... I was so excited - and didn't mind being alone the entire day because I knew that we would have a riot in a month!!!! (:    (what a guy!) (: 
 Still haven't seen the day come - still waiting.... still waiting.... still waiting  - it's June   Kindly mentioned it - posted the card on the bathroom mirror - circled the date - cleared the day off at work.... nothing.  Not to be ungrateful - I enjoyed immensely that the kids came over and we had some great laughs which should have been enough - but the bait was set right out there before me in a contractual - birthday card!  RIGHT?  Still waiting.... kinda bitter about that one (betcha couldn't tell eh?).  So.............. today is HIS birthday.... and I enjoyed getting him a wonderful gift with the kids help..... I made Lasagna for his Father's Day/Birthday family dinner.... today I am taking him to a movie and dinner.... and kept all of my promises.  So even though it's birthday wishes day for the old man.... I am not really a nice person today.  I'm pulling out my Junior High Attitude and I am pouting and saying, "Wrong? Why there's nothing wrong dear"  Sometimes it just looks like everything is great - but inside - there was no happy 50th, and no Disneyland as promised.  But if anyone else is having a birthday today - HAPPY BIRTHDAY and may all your WISHES come TRUE!  .... and I'll take a chill pill and get ready for the movie.  (I'll have a real Coke on the rocks today....) (WHY?)  Because I'm 50... any problems with that?  (I love when the evil twin comes out to play) I should have married his sister - her birthday is tomorrow!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARIN!!!!! (:  ..... but then - you live right next to Disneyland and you have season passes... and your 50th birthday was spent at Club 90 right inside of Disneyland..... because Keith - kept his promise!!!!  AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!  happy day husband... kinda....

(well...... it IS my blog... I know right?)

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Dadd-i-o

Happy Father's Day Dad!  You are still on this earth - although your memories of me have faded long ago.  My memories of you are fresh, and vibrant, and alive.  As I sat by your bed a couple of days ago - I looked into those beautiful eyes and I remembered your amazing spirit.  Something always stirs in them when I talk to you and call you by your name - and remind you for the millionth time that I'm Nicole, your daughter, knowing fully well that inside, your spirit knows that but your mind cannot put that piece of the puzzle together anymore.  I have tried to do all that you asked of me in my life.  I have continued to tell your stories to my children.  I have honored your name.  I have danced in the dark on your toes to music from my imagination.  I have cared for mom, and her home. I have planted seeds in the earth and one by one said, I love you dad, I love you dad, I love you dad as I planted them.  You are today, and always will be alive inside of me as long as I am alive.  You stood for things in life that are rarely found in this world of ours now.  Quiet reserve, tender service, a belief in the earth and mother nature and in the signs she gave you to live day to day.  A respecter of animals and the beauty and purpose they bring to everyone.  God has not forgotten you dad.  He's just reminding me that there is more to learn from your gentle heart, that keeps ticking, and ticking and ticking.  Your mind still reminds it to do that.  Today I honor you.  I pray that you know that your grandchildren have had a great dad.  That your great grandchildren have a great dad, and your legacy will live on and on as long as I possibly have the strength and power to do so.  I love you!  Always save the last dance for mom - but I lay claim to the second to the last dance ok...

To the Dad in my world - Fred Bowen
To the Dad in my children's world - Del
To his father - Ed Hillary - on the other side of this world,
along with Mike's dad.
To Ryan's and Bethany's dad's, Randy, and Mark
To Andy and Emma's dad, Matt
To the future dad's in our family somday:  Mike, Ryan and Ryan
Hope you know that you are all loved.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Oddly Enough....

When He's Home:  Dinner, on time, several courses
When He's Gone:  Pancakes at 10 PM
Home:  Sleep in my bed until I twitch so much I go to the other room so he can sleep
Gone:  Sprawl out on the King Size Bed - and snore and twitch all I want.
Home:  Park the 4-Runner exactly behind the Motorcycles
Gone:  Park sideways in the driveway just because I can.
Home:  We take his route on the bike course
Gone:  Ride amuck.... amuck amuck amuck
Home: Frozen feet next to his to get them warm
Gone:  Just frozen feet
Home:  All quiet on the Western front - at about 9:00 PM (because we're exhausted)
Gone:  Did you know that Jimmy Fallon is on at 3:00 AM?
Home:  Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, and Avitar....
Gone:  Every single chick flick I own, and microwave popcorn, and chocolate milk
Home:  Quietly tiptoe in the shower at 3:00 AM for work
Gone:  Sing rock and roll at 3:00 AM in the shower.
Home:  Pour a glass of milk.
Gone:  Drink it right out of the milk carton, and say - AHHHH loudly afterwards.
Home:  YEAH!  U of U made the Pack 10!
Gone:  Yea... BYU will still show them who's boss... (How 'bout those Aggies?)

Did I mention that my true love and I are total opposites?
Don't get me wrong folks - I miss him when he travels.....
.... and I seriously really love him - deeming us... yes...
The Odd Couple

Sunday, June 13, 2010

200 Days Left...

As you can see on my counter on the right - Elder Hillary has 200 days left to serve the Lord.  (Not that his mom is counting or anything)  It's been a long haul for this young man - His journey has not been that of most.  After seeing him in pre-op in the hospital a week before he was to leave for Mexico, I never dreamed he would be allowed to serve.  He laid there on the hospital bed ready to go into surgery with his missionary name tag on - he said, "It's the last thing to go off when I go in - and the first thing I need to see on when I come out of this.  And it was.  I thought many times of the previous hundreds of days - that he was out there changing his life on a mission - and he was - but mostly I think of the lives HE has changed because he was allowed to serve.  To me - the greatest, most humble lesson learned is that you don't need to be the most incredible missionary in the farthest most deserted place in the world millions of miles from home.... you need to be a humble, sweet, kind, strong, soft spoken servant in a small town in El Paso,  Horizon, Hatch, or Pima... speaking the language you've been trained for, teaching the gospel you've lived for, speaking the words that change people's lives, bearing testimony of that which you believe - to be an amazing missionary.  Of all the letters I've written to him - most have said - "Now if you weren't where you are... who would have helped the Lord make that miracle happen?"  Oh how I love my son.  Oh how I love the Missionary in him.  200 days will fly by - and he'll be home - ready to knock the socks off of anything he wants to accomplish.  No ties, no anchors, fulfilling all promises he's made, and looking amazingly handsome doing it.... Returning with Honor...  It's been a time of physical, and mental healing.  A time of spiritual growth and language growth.  Memories made for a lifetime and friends and new members to match that.  Our family has been blessed by his service...and his companions have been top notch. (Except for the one that called him a Utah Nazi Mormon.... of which I prayed he would get blisters and boils for the remainder of his mission......) (or chaffing... I also prayed for chaffing....in the heat) (:  So - cheers to you Elder Hillary - you pictures are also on the 'other camera' of which will be posted after I create a new way to download my pictures..... sigh.  Happy 200th day left my son - which means only 200 X 1,000 times more prayers to go, and blessings to receive.  We love you!!  Oh and we'll try to find your bedroom and where you stored everything soon.... and we'll let the hem out on all of your jeans because you've grown an inch or two right?  And maybe we'll even save the numbers of the girls calling to find out when you are coming home.... and their moms.... (:
You are my sunshine
Dream Big

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Aw....


NAKED BABY TOES...
WANNA JUST TAKE A BITE OF THEM DONT'CHA...

Plantin' a Memory

I asked my grandson Andy if he would help me plant some radishes...this was his response..  It was important to me to do this with him.  My father, Fred Bowen, grew the most amazing gardens throughout his life.  Each one turned out to be a picture of perfection against the Mendon Mountains in Cache Valley.  People would stop and look and stand in awe at the beauty of his gardens.  My son Matt recently planted his garden, and the next generation down just helped his Grandma.... it wasn't about the radishes - but about the moment.  Here are those moments...
we added some of this and that....
and this is what we grew!
and then this is what Grandpa ate...
Most excellent salad of memories Drew Bug - Thanks!
(Remember Great Grandpa Fred!)
Teach a child when they are young and they will never depart from it....
works.

Emma's Day

Well - I decided to not cry over spilled milk - or pictures that I cannot upload - and rejoice in the ones that I could upload.  We spent Memorial weekend in Washington, in the Seattle area (because everyone asks what part of Washington....).  It was the big weekend for my beautiful grand daughter Emma!  It was the best time for both families to get together since most of us are Utah folks.  Matt and Bethany were very patient and waited until we could all be there for her blessing.  We enjoyed their new home - it was filled with so much love.  To see them at this point in their lives with jobs, a home, and 2 beautiful children - is a rich blessing to be a part of.  Here are a few pics from Emma's Day
The Hillary Grandparents - yep - we're a smilin'!
We shared the day with the Stimpson Grandparents - also smilin'
(We really love these guys!!)

The amazing parents of Miss Emma - and our ever
so handsome Grandson Andrew.  (My favorite little terror!)
Good time for a 3 Generation Picture...
Mine with Matt is on the ...'other camera'.... ):
You can see where she gets her good looks!
(We LOVE Bethany!  She is a wonderful mom)
She wore her Grandma Bracelet... Each heart represents
a Grandma, and a Great Grandma.   (Shhhhhh..... sleepin')
Hope you always know how much your parents,
Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Cousins and Neighbors
love you Emma - and somewhere in there - I do believe
that Andy loves you too.... but he's kinda busy right now....
Great... Great.... Great... Great weekend.
I'm ready to go back.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

KaZoWiE!

WOW!  I was so excited to go to Inkleys to have a DVD/Pic file made of all of my pictures from the trip... and 2 clips from Elder Hillary... and Bethany's pics that she took and shared with me..... it is harboring 1,100 PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!  for only  $8.00!  Excellent........
Now.... it will take 7 hours for Windows 97 to allow me to download them, so I can look at them......
Dear Santa.....