More to come

Day 3: We traveled out to the country side to see an old Estate and gardens but it wasn't as old as were thought only the early 1900's and the gardens were beautiful but it was so hot you couldn't spend too much time in them. But we did learn a lot about the Faberge artiest and his famous eggs. There is a collection of some of his work in the home, mostly cigarette cases and flowers but a couple of eggs.

We just drove around the country side a lot today. We found there to be a church on every corner and then one in between. Some took up blocks and blocks. None of them have the same name, and you can sure tell who has the bigger population and money due to the size and ornateness of the building. Mormons and Catholics are no where to be found. Even miss Garmin had a hard time finding a church. We are having a good time and tonight, Day 4, we check into the Grand Old Opry Land Hotel and convention center, we have our tips ready. Today were are going to an old battle field and General Jackson's home. We are grateful for good old southern hospitality.

Travel Log

(Warning could be boring)
Day 1: Travel. Salt Lake to Denver lay-over no problem. Then on to Chicago, we were not supposed to have a lay-over, but we were told something was wrong with our plane, (on the ground is a good time to hear that) and so we had to get off and had about a 30min. wait for a new one. Finally into Tennessee.

We got our cute little car, PT Cruiser, can we say old folks car? It has really been a good little drive, according to Kim anyway, it has great leg room and our tires must have that right air pressure because we are getting pretty good gas mileage. Gas here is about .50cents cheaper.

Day 2: Mammoth Caves, in Kentucky. Kim had prearranged and booked out 2 tours. We had two very long and fun tours of the Mammoths cave, named because it's about 367,m known, miles of cave. We only saw about 3miles at two different entrances. It was different than any other cave I've seen. There were hedge rooms and some very tiny areas, walk-ways that took a good back and some very tricky body movements to get through. There were straight up stairs and then straight down and so not to look like a wimp you just kept moving. In some areas we were walking more than 200 feet above the floor. Being inside was always a pleasure, because of the cool air, once outside all you have to do is blink and the humidity makes you sweat.

It's been fun having the Garmin, but a few times she didn't like the little side trips, like the spooky old cemetery Kim found, and the car ferry ride. But all in all she's done well.

One side comment. Did you know that only in Utah Polygamy is LEGAL? We meet someone who totally believed that. We did set him straight and he said he appreciated the information. More to come. I am grateful that I am seeing more of our great country.

52 great years to you

(cake frosting melted in the Car)

52 and going strong. Happy Birthday to Kim. Gordon said Sunday, that we don’t seem that old to him, compared to some of his friends parents. What a great compliment.

(about 2)


We had Birthday dinner Sunday for Kim, along with his parents all the kids and the dogs, and all the chaos that goes with that. It is always a great time when everyone is here. It gets a little loud with too many conversations at once, but great all the same.

Back to Kim. He is such a hard worker and good provider, we may not have become millionaires yet, but we seem to have everything we need and most the things we want.He has so many good qualities, he seldom gets mad, usually very calm, doesn’t really care about what other people think, not a big complainer, (unless were on the road),very smart, granted a lot of his information is seemingly useless information, but he knows it none the less, he loves to study, anything & everything, and loves to read anything he can gets his hands on, and is always reading and studying the scriptures too. He is a great example and teacher. He makes tons of comments in Sunday School and usually Jodi and I have to give him the “be quiet” sign.



He is all about the outdoors and hikes almost every single day. That is his choice of exercise. He hikes one of the local trails everyday for lunch, and if he can’t get it in during the day, then he’ll go in the evening. We’ve always had a standing disagreement that I don’t know which trail he is on, and so if he should get hurt or die how would I be able to come help him, but his comment was, “Well if I’m dead it won’t matter”, so my come back has become, “Well I need to come get the car”. He loves nature, the Lord, his family and me. Happy Birthday to a great man, son, father, and husband.



I am so grateful and blessed to have such a great Husband and friend.

Winner takes it all

I have been "put in my place" about the Dark Night movie, mostly by my kids but a few others also. I really think I got it, but they are insisting that I didn't. None the less, it was dark and a little too evil for me.
Moving on. Mamma Mia was so much fun, my family said they don't have to see it because they know I"ll buy it. They're right. I can't wait. I have always been an ABBA fan. And that has never been a popular thing to be, at least not in my house. I have all their Gold Cd's and my I-pod/shuffle had all their songs already.

Jodi her friend Shelly and he mom Ann went late Fri. night. Jodi told me I couldn't sing along, and if I even hummed she'd give me "that look". I couldn't help but tap my foot. It was so fun to see all the dancing and singing and how great of shape all the "older actors" are in.

It's too bad that the whole premise of the movie is about a young girl who has no idea who her father is and neither does her mom. But they have a great time trying to figure it out. It's light, it's fun, you smile all through the movie and you know they had to have a great time filming it and being is such a fantastic setting. It gets 4stars and during the song "winner takes it all" Meryl Streep should get an award.

I am grateful again for choices, a better one this time.

Better choice next time

I have to share some movie feelings. Kim and I don't go to R rated movies. That doesn't mean all the PG13's we've seen are worth the viewing either, but we are usually pretty picky about what we see. We really like to go to movies. I think we are making up for all the years when our kids were young and to go anywhere we had to get sitters.

Back to the movie. We went to Dark Night. Should have been titled "Evil". Should have been rated "R" for rotten, plus I could have skipped it. When I think of Bat Man I think of good over coming Evil, the bad guy being dealt with and a happy ending. Isn't that what make-believe is all about. Getting to see great strength, power, new gadgets, superman speed, fast cars, and men in tights. The guy gets the girl and the bad man is out of the way. I guess there is a reason I don't go to shot-em up and slit their throat kind of movies.

I think I was mislead about this movie. Good does not over come evil. Evil wins. People die who you would not usually see die, at least not in the type of movie I thought this was. (I can't give too much away) just encase some still want to see it. No new gadgets just sick stunts. A few fast cars, but just way way too much killing. No men in tights, just really bad make-up.

I haven't been this disturbed by a movie in a very long time, in fact I can't even remember when I was. This is 2hr and 20 min. of slow, demented, horror. People in our audience actually clapped and cheered at the end. I couldn't even figure out why. The last scene is truly evil winning, who cheers for that? Enough said, it gets 1/2 stars from me for good acting, because the actors make you hate them. Next is Momma Mia, I know I'll love that one, Abba already fills my I-Pod

Positive ending to our date night. I have been on a quest to find the best Pot-Stickers with the best dipping sauce. I may have found them, but not both at the same Chinese restaurant. The best sauce for sure so far is at Golden Jade, on Harrison Blvd. in Ogden. This a a tiny hole in the wall, restaurant where you are served on paper plates or take out containers. But their service and food is fantastic. I liked to Pot-Stickers, but loved the sauce. The best Pot-Stickers so far has been at the Mandarin in Bountiful, again great food, ceramic plates but more money. So now I just have to find a place with both. I will enjoy the search.

I am grateful I have choices is life.

What a difference a year makes

One year ago today, Sunday, we were in a whole different place. Kim had awaken that morning and had a very sore back; he even went home from church because the pain was so bad. The next few days were just the beginning of his nightmare. Each day seemed to get worse and then we sought out the wrong kind of help.

Well long story short, after 2 months of very limited and painful mobility, therapies that didn’t work, 3 days in the hosp. with possible surgery as an option, 6 weeks of home antibiotics with a PICC line, Kim was on his road to recovery. He is an amazing man. He worked so very hard to get his strength and flexibility back. I remember how excited he was to go on his first hike in 4 months, to be able to start his Yoga and get some bending back, and to try everyday to stand up straight. He was so crocked his ties hung sideways instead of straight down.

Kim is 99.5% straight. I can still see just a slight tilt, but he has come so far to get back to normal. He is a dedicated man to everything he sets his mind to and this was just one more thing he has been able to overcome and concur. He may be just an inch shorter, but I love him very much and he will never be small in my eyes.

4th

Ok I haven’t forgotten how to Blog. But I just haven’t had a ton to say.

Happy 4th or now the 5th. We had a nice day. Mostly relaxing and visiting, but there was some action stuff by some family members. Kim, Matt, and Justin did a very long and exhausting hike which started about 0530. They hiked to the top of Mt. Olympus, something Kim and Matt have never done but had always wanted to. They all came home very tired, but they all said it was worth it and not as bad as they thought it would be.

Mel and I went stroller shopping and may I just say, babies butts and their rides are treated with a lot more respect than any baby I ever had. I really haven’t looked at this stuff so close before, but my-o-my you’ve come a long way baby!

Then the festivities began. I reserved Kim’s office area again and we had great food, fun entertainment, mostly provided by the young and those who are young at heart, nice conversation and a few mighty wind blusters.

The rock climbing wall is a favorite by the little kids, including Jodi. I think they don’t have as much weight to haul up the side so the work load is easier. Paul tried the tight rope; Gregg tried some kind of climbing post.

But then the water slid came out and the wet and wild fun began. Those who were the young at heart (Paul) showed us a good time. The big boys, Justin and Matt, had to learn ways to no burn their knees. The little kids could run, body slam and slid to the end without fear of damaging any vital body organ. Matt wasn’t to luck when he and the yellow post became friends. And the rest of us just laughed and tried to stay dry..

We were sorry that the rest of the family couldn’t make it, but we hope we can all be together next year and carry on the Family 4th tradition. We really missed mom and wish her well in her rehab stay. I am always grateful for any reason to be together as a family, so the 4th was a great day.