Sunday, September 12, 2010

I love My Daughter in Law's Brain Dump

I was so cleansed by Bethany's Brain Dump post that I thought I would do my own.  I love how she included good, bad, frustrating, crazy, funny, and great advice.  All of those will not be found in my post - because let's face it - she was a State Sterling Scholar in English.... and I'm from a small town in Utah with a dialog all of it's own - gads.  I do have a few thoughts - so if my medication will allow me - I'm going to try to focus.

HEAVEN SAKES.... would people quit dying in my ward?  We use to have a birth a week - and now we are losing them from the other side.  I know things come in threes... but fours?  I always sign up for Potato Chips for the luncheon - I don't burn them, or over flow them in the oven. and they are always edible.  I get the wavy one's because there are more chip per chip - I think.  I liked the other option this week - five dollars for flowers.  Can't burn that either.  Please everyone stay alive for at lease another week. 

GADS.... facebook - it's really getting on my nerves.  Some people are creative, and fun and others have so many hidden agendas that make my head spin.  I'm not sure what to comment on - the creative, or the agendas!  I have recently LOVED that comments about my grandson - those make my heart smile.  I struggle with those that want me to join something... I want to feel special - but then I see that I'm one of 4000 invited.  I'm a loser baby so why don't you.... wait - that's Matts! (:   I do love hearing what's in people's heads though - it's like spying.  

YIPEE.....I put a skirt on today for church from last like 3 years ago - (since Mervyns is no longer in my life - I'm recycling more often than I want to) and it was loose.  Freakin' hours of bike riding - I guess are good for something besides greasing up my leg, biting the grass on the side of the road when I crash, and sweating like a dog.  Yipee... I shall celebrate with chocolate.

YeGADS - (different than Gads).... I called my 81 year old mom last night - at 11:30 PM.  I was in between jobs (no I'm not a hooker) and she's ALWAYS up until 1ish or so.  She told me that it had rain all day.  I said - Mom - it's been a beautiful day all over the state of Utah!  She said - no - I could hear it raining in the side of the house off and all all day long!  I didn't dare even go outside it was so bad.  Thinking... thinking... thinking.... "Mom..... did Eric have the sprinklers on today?"..... 

EWWWWWWWWWWW...... I plant tomatoes - they are now squished into a pulp and slowly cooking in my big metal pot.  I would like to dump them on some dead man's toes - I hate tomatoes (but I do have 4 fresh bodies.... remember.....)  As much as I can't stand the smell - it also reminds me that I'm doing that thing that my mom did, me gma did, and my great gma did.... (probably at 1ish in the morning) and it feels kinda good to know that.  There are some lost arts in the world... canning... at the top of the list.  In the dead of winter, when I make my curry that not one of my kids will touch... I will be grateful that I have tomato goo to dump into it.  When I make my stew, because I don't have anything else but the kitchen sink to put into the stew - I have a quart of tomato juice.  Just to make it Martha Stewart - I put a bay leaf in it - kinda looks like a cockroach, I like it.

AWWWW..... This weekend I was able to be with both of my girls.  One has a roundy tummy, the other has two other roundies.  They can sit at the counter, eating french toast, burping...., and I love them more every time I see them.  Mandy locked her keys in the car so Ryan had to get his brother Kevin to bring him all the way up from Provo with the keys... Ashley was on her 15th workout - but we called her and said - PARTAE - and she dropped everything and came over.  Basically it was a great way to see each other.... and a sweet way to get rid of most of the syrup in the house.

DARN.... I miss my grandkids.... I almost beat up a woman in the store the other day because the two grandchildren in her cart were Andy and Em... well they weren't but to me they were - and I didn't see why she should be able to drive her cart down the toy section and laugh and giggle with them.... I miss them...  Usually I have a solution for my sadness.  To tell the truth - I sat down in my dungeon basement Saturday morning and cried where no one could see or hear me. That big sobby cry that makes your nose tingle.  There is no answer here.  I surround myself with their pictures.  I rejoice that they have amazing parents that are raising them so sweetly.  I giggle at the Andy posts because I have had that same exact experience, and he's 26 now.  I hope they have 20 more.... is that ok Bethany?  They are beautiful - and loved.


I'm fortunate in the fact that when I look in the mirror - each worry line, every single identifying age spot, each long hair growing from my chin, each split end, every extra pound, both sweet sets of crows feet next to my eyes, the crown that needs to be replaced in the upper right side of my mouth, the turkey gobbler wafting in the wind under my chin, and the deep crevasses/not cleavage located on my treasured sinking chest.... makes me unique, and strange at the same time.  Brain Dump - does a mind good, I guess - I don't know - I can't remember.  Is it raining outside?

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

The marvelous world of 30

When Mike joined our family - he was excited to turn twenty-sex,
yes you read that right.
After that - he was twenty-sex for 4 more years.
It is time, for the Thirsty Thirties to arrive.
I remember those days - 20 years ago.
For his birthday this year the Military (for the third tour) flew him first class.....
to a planet far far away (I especially like the
naked flight attendant preparing the food cart)
where he was booked into a first class hotel
and no doubt received top care, clean green towels, and
assorted crawling appetizers...accompanied with random
wake up calls, and random.... um.... flyovers...??
As if leaving this beauty...
wasn't hard enough?  But then to turn 30 alone
in a sand bioch place - with no Motorcycles or a La Costa in sight?
That's hardly fair.
(and because I can't spill the beans about your
gift that should arrive shortly - I will not comment
on how I tried to make this day a tad better)
(along with my friends)
(many many friends)
(tee hee hee)

I love our soldiers.
I did not bring Mike into this world 30 years ago,
but when he became Ashley's husband...
he then became my son.
I am grateful for the concept of eternal families.
On our planet here Mike - we are lost without you.
We are constantly turning off the news on TV,
 we kneel in prayer more, we have to trust more.
Yet, with each passing day we find the kind of courage you
have every single day becoming the comfort of those answered prayers.
You have a strong family - your dad would be proud of
the man you are today.  I love that your mom Pam taught you
the lessons of life that included love, service, and although you
tower over us and knock down my door frames with your
guns.... she taught you tenderness.
I love that Ashley met you for the first time,
and was smitten - and that was that.
Happy Birthday Michael
Today - I'll think of the fun times and let those rule my thoughts.
Come home safe and make me a 100 pretty grandbabies.
And I'll get the video camera ready... (no...Mike - I'm talking
about for the grandbabies.... dirty soldier boy...)
Play safe now... and please don't light your candles
with a blow torch again ok?
We love you
Mikhole daWkstadder

Saturday, September 4, 2010

The diagnosis is in... and it's not good.

Strange but true - I now and then actually think things through.
Mr. Hillary and I rode our Harley's up to Snowbird last night.
This morning we rode to Lehi on our Bicycles.
This is my train of thought..... 
ROAD BIKES

TOTALLY Structured....
Constantly gripping the handlebars
Helmets
Water bottles
Sissy Cloth gloves with pads
Padded butt pants (oh so sexy)
I-Pod on shuffle
Nod your head to other bikers
Average 15-20 MPH - depends on the heat
25-30 Miles in record time - depends on the Tylenol
No gas required - unless you had beans the night before
Clipped in so that if you fall, you get road rash
Pimping just the right Biking store on your Jersey
Bugs land on you - and then sting you
Get constantly dodged at by idiot drivers
Burning massive amounts of calories
Shot blocks and power bars - Power aids
Enjoy passing anyone with a U of U Jersey.
(I love that last one)
HARLEY'S
(this is actually my bike)
(Can you hear Free Bird in the back of your mind?) Going 75 MPH down the road, no helmet, leather gear from head to toe, dodging at cyclists, I-Pod on Stained, Stopping for a cold drink anywhere you want, or pulling out a cold drink from your ice filled side bags, if you fall - you just die (none of this moaning around on the road), 180 miles on a sweet padded seat not built into your pants, no shaving required, looking around at the scenery, dawning a pair of wings on your Harley Shirt, getting gas at the local taco stand or.... stopping for sliders at the Timp Harley shop, taking your hands off your beach bars to give a another Harley rider the 'Peace Down, Happy Trails' sign, sticking your nose up at donor bikers (bullet bikes - and yes Matt I still love you), after dark - turning on the headlights for more fun, swallowing the bugs faster, getting your picture taken at the stop lights - because Mr. Hillary's bike is like a rock star, not burning even one calorie and not feeling bad about it at all, and passing U of U jerseys... (how did that get in there?)

Diagnosis:  I'm Bi-Polar

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Yo numba 5....

TODAY - IS NUMBER 5
for Matt and Bethany!!!
(No not kids - but someday!)
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!
I LOVE THESE TWO!

Bethany and Matt have been together since the beginning of time - we loved life even more when Matt fell in love with her.  I mean she was practically a Hillary before she was actually one!
1.  Loved Matt
2.  Loved Disneyland
3.  Loved Music
4.  Way cool parents (ok hers are better than his)
 ... and I'll just skip down a few....
60.  Knew there would be a motorcycle one day...
61.  Was accepting of our poor table manners.
62.  Realized that one day she might have a little ditto of Matt.
63.  Understood that she would have to have at least
one more to make up for the ditto....
and the list goes on.

When I fall in love with my in law children - there is no longer a fine line between their families and ours.  We all become just one.  The Stimpson Family knew that Matt was marrying up - and yet they still allowed him in.  (JK Mae - we love you too)  There is a quality of love between them that they promised to have for each other 5 years ago when they were married in the Jordan River Temple.  The sweetness between them, has only grown.  There is a great respect between the two of them.  It's obvious that we can all learn from them, and their love for life is contageous.  They are Masters Graduates... they both have sweet sauce jobs (a great blessing these days).  They are active in their church, and in their neighborhood.  They have built a beautiful home and have filled it with 2 beautiful beautiful babies.  I think that everyday I learn more about how to be better by just knowing them.  When that first born son is born - you worry about someone stealing his heart away, but I never ever had to worry about that.  I'm fortunate to be the co-owner of  the name Mrs. Hillary with Bethany.  Congratulations you love birds - smooch and smooch and smooch.
I love you both almost as much as I love Pirates of the Caribbean,
or Splash Mountain, or the Haunted Mansion, or ..... those
really good corn dogs at the little trolley by the market place
on Main Street Disneyland... 
RRRRRRRRRRRRR is for Rah!! (I think)
Or 'really?'
or RIGHT ON!
Oh Happy Day
For your Anniversary,
I've prayed that the Utes...
run out onto the field tonight....
and they're dressed in blue.
Go Independent Cougs...

Monday, August 30, 2010

Yo Numba 3

So three years ago today these two tied the knot.
I know, I'm kind of biased but - what a beautiful couple!!
(I know right?)
I loved the fact that Mandy fell head over heels over Ryan.
She could not stop smiling.
(Even though she said - Mom and Dad if I even start
thinking about getting married before I'm 23 you stop me....)
I also loved the fact that Ryan was kind of
taken by surprise - as falling in love, getting married and
going to school at the same time so shortly
after returning from his mission
was not actually on his agenda - but it was
on the Lord's agenda.  (Can't fight true love eh?)
When you get to have a new person join your family, it's
always interesting how they take to you - Ryan observed
our family... for a long time - I think he was in shock.
For we are a strange and marvelous bunch.
I'm not sure how he felt the first time he was going to
leave our house and everyone hugged him goodbye.
I love that he is a good human, a kind man and and has a
sweet heart.  He is a good husband to Mandy and will be
a wonderful father too.  Mandy has adored Ryan, honored him,
made sure he ate food, supported his fun church callings,
worried when he went running for miles and miles and miles
in a snowstorm....
and has fallen in love with is family also.
(Don't we all love Randy and Ruth!)
Currently they are starting a new adventure called BYU Law School,
and
Parenthood...
Both of which will demand all they can give -
and they are both 100% ready for the challenge.
I am sort of worried about the genetic make up
of my new grandchild due on March 17th...
Never the less...
I love these two - they have taught me great
lessons of sacrifice, true love, service,
and laughter, and random car repair challenges.
On the other hand - Even though I'm pretty sure Ryan
is still in shock over our family, tonight he was
the first to give his old mom in law a hug.
Thanks Ryan!.
Much love, Congratulations, and Happy Baby
to
The Merriman Family.
(Lucky Us We Have You!)
xoxoxo


Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Can I have your Order Please?

Well - Missionary Man has had a wonderful week. They had a Zone Conference (oh excuse me - you must say it Zooooooooooonnne Conference) in Tucson and he was able to see Elder Edmund and Elder Cortez - which could make anyone's day better.  Amazing companions.  Elder Christofferson, from the Quorum of the 12, was the visiting General Authority and he came with some heaven sent leadership big shots.  Elder H will never wash that handshaking hand again I'm afraid.  His new companion is Elder Kestas from Chile' - there's not much - wait - NO English spoken here folks.  I hear great things already about this new companion - and he loves US (not Hostess but U.S) Twinkies.... and Ding Dongs - wow -won't have to make any more of those annoying cookies eh?  I see great things coming their way...  Elder H is now District Leader, and has been given an area over all of the Sister Missionaries..... and they're all cute!  They call him the Relief Society President - and he just laughs.  He said he felt like he was home again.... although he says that everywhere he is.  He's just heard that a sweet sister (Elizabeth) he baptized will be going through the temple - and she  1. Might be able to go to the Gila Valley Temple if 2) President Walker allows Elder Hillary to go!!!  (The beautiful fruits of sweet missionary work)

I love my son.  I love being the mother of a Missionary.  I miss him with all my heart.  In less than 128 days I'm going to get my hug.  There is no manual on how to let your son go for 2 years.  There is hope and faith, and knowledge that a better man returns. In a mom's point of view - he left a better man.  Just when I thought he was going to be spiritually wierd (you know - like you were Matt - HA!  JK) (no really - you were weird)  I get a letter saying.... "Mom check out where I got to have lunch while I was at Zone Conference - it's on my debit card"  Pull up his account on line...and smiled (A very big give me a chocolate shake with that smile).  I love my son.  (lucky mom - I have amazing kids, with amazing hearts)  Can I take your Order?
 (FYI - there is a God and he loves my son)
On your mission - you don't ask for
ANIMAL STYLE
you ask for 
I HAVEN'T HAD ONE OF THESE FOR
ALMOST TWO YEARS SO MAKE MINE
MISSIONARY STYLE!
..... and I'll take some fries on the side.
(Serve Strong Elder Hillary)
Your Family Loves You
(hope you had a breath mint...)

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Columbus was right....

The world is not flat....
"That was a TOP NIGHT"