Old Friends

Spent today visiting with Wally, her Mom, sister, Tudie and grandson, Donny. It's been four years since Wally moved to New Boston, Texas. They all looked great and we had a fantastic visit. Wish they could have stayed longer.

Happy Birthday Aunt Connie June 23rd!

Today our Aunt Connie turned 73 years old. You'd never believe it. She's a real go-getter! Happy Birthday, Auntie. Glad your girls, Rhonda, Rocky and Ashley are with you. Your California family love you very much.

Michael's 8th Grade Graduation

Today, Little Michael graduated from 8th grade at Chet F. Harritt in Santee. All the family was there to cheer him on for his accomplishment. We are all very proud of him. I now have four grandsons in high school --12,11,10 and 9th. Cody will be in the 3rd grade.

My friend, Wally, will be here Thursday. She is coming from Texas and I'm looking forward to seeing her again.

Jakob John Mattie

June 14, 2010, our family welcomed a new addition to the family. My nephew, Joey, and his wife, Angie, have a new baby boy. His name is Jakob John Mattie and he is a beautiful baby. He came in at just under 10 pounds and we are all calling him "Big Jake!" Pictures will follow soon.

Merry Christmas to Everyone!!!!

We have spent time visitng with Aunt Connie and making lots of quilts. I have pictured only one of about eight! We have had so many friends and family come by to enjoy the holiday with.

We were able to make 63 bags for the homeless this year and we had a lot of help and a lot of fun making them. We could have made 1000 and it still would not have been enought but we get such joy out of helping the people who need it so badly. Next year we are going to try for 100 bags!

Our family all comes home Christmas Eve and we open gifts between each other. Then Christmas morning we have Santa. Christmas Day we spent at Heidi and Larry's and had a wonderful turkey and ham dinner with all the sides. It was wonderful. That's what it is all about: family, friends, sharing, giving, loving....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. We love you all.

Sorry I haven't written in quite some time but we have been so busy enjoying Aunt Connie that there has hardly been time to write. We have restored two quilts and have made five new ones! We still have plenty to go but Aunt Connie will be here until Easter so have no doubt we will get them finished. We went through one sewing machine but Auntie bought Judy and I a new one for our Christmas present this year. Wow, we are so excited and grateful.

Speaking of grandchildren~my sister, Debra, is going to be a grandmother again. Her son Joey and his wife are expecting another baby. We are all hoping for a girl but, as you know, we think boys are great!!!! If a girl, they want to incorporate my mother's name as the baby's middle name. I suggested Bella Faye but they are leaning toward Anna Faye which is very nice.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, we did! I also hope you all have a ver Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This, in case I am slow in writing again.

Saturday, we got together with Heidi and Larry and went down to Old Town for lunch. We had Mexican food at Guadalajara's and it was delicious again!! Next we went down to the wharf and walked around the "Star of India" and just enjoyed the sea air and people watching. After all the good sea air, we were ready for dessert and went to Extraordinary Desserts for a wonderful ending to our day.

Coda, Heidi and Larry's chocolate lab had to go to the hospital for emergency surgery on Sunday. Her stomach had flipped and she had an intestinal blockage. She came home from the hospital Tuesday night and I nursed her all day Wednesday. I am happy to report she is doing fantastic. She's fantastic and it is amazing how fast our wonderful dogs can recover from major surgery as compared to ourselves.

Tuesday night Katie' brought Judy and I some amazing chocolate truffles that she made. And when I say that they were delicious, that is an understatement!! She is very considerate and we appreciate her thinking of us. Judy is going to try to find out how to make them. Yummy.... Thanks, Katie'!

Where's the RAIN and Flu Shots

Well, as usual, the weather people are wrong--no rain--at least for Spring Valley. But the day was not a loss, Judy, Michael, and I went and got our flu shots. They were not giving out the H1N1 shots so don't know if and when they'll be given out. Heard on the news today that a five year old girl died of the swine flu today. I think I'll get the shot for my family, if it is made available.

Rain????

Weather forecasters are saying we are going to get some rain tonight and tomorrow. I hope they are right, we certainly need the water.

Fun Weekend

It feels strange to be writing again. It's been awhile. With everyone not feeling up to par, I just didn't have much to write about. But, everyone is well again and I'm so thankful for that.

Judy had another three day weekend and it was so nice having so much time together. We went out Friday and just fooled around. Went to Sonic and had our usual dollar menu lunch, which is perfect. Saturday, Heidi called and wanted to go on a girl's shopping trip. What fun we had. Heidi got some beautiful clothes and also treated Judy and I. Next, she planned lunch at a French Bistro and the food was wonderful. We also went to Big Lots to start buying the supplies for our Christmas bags we make up at Christmas to give to the Homeless. It's so gratifying but does take a lot of time, money and effort. We have friends that donate and help assemble and distribute. We look forward to doing this every year that we are able to. Any-
way, after all the shopping and lunch, we returned to Heidi and Larry's and to my surprise!!!my son, Larry, wants to take me for my postponed birthday celebration for dinner and banana splits!!! What a day!!! What a family!!! I am blessed...

Sunday, since I am still prone to anxiety and panic attacks around a lot of people, we did not attend Church. It was Stake Conference and I knew there would be a lot of people. Maybe someday it won't bother me to be in those circumstances. Judy made banana bread, oatmeal cookies and we had a late dinner of bar-be-cued chicken and fried potatoes (which were so good because we never have them anymore)! Watched a little television and went to bed.