I WON'T FORGET MY SHOES!

I had months to prepare.  Along time ago I had a dream. The dream started out so light and carefree. I was with Craig. We were holding hands, walking through the most beautiful, soft grass. It was a meadow. It took very little effort to walk for miles on the soft ground. Then suddenly the cool soft ground came to an end.  As far as you could see the ground was dry, gravely dirt. Suddenly I realized I couldn't go any further. Craig pulled me, but sadly I was forced to stop, I wasn't able to continue. I showed Craig why. I was barefoot, I had forgotten my shoes. I WASNT PREPARED.

I am not sure why we were walking so far or what the destination was but I did know it was somewhere special, good and there would be a reward waiting for us. Craig urged me to keep going but I couldn't. We agreed that he would go ahead and l would go back and get my shoes.

Then I woke up.

I had this dream at least  30 years ago. I've never forgotten it. It had a real, clear message for me -

BE PREPARED

I think all of us, especially me, should use caution and always be prepared for what life may throw at us. When I've remembered this clear message things have, for the most part, turned out in a positive way. I believe that my dream was a gift and has helped me through some difficult challenges.

Months ago Rebecca invited me to participate in a 5K with her.  I am not a runner but I love to walk. I knew this would be a challenge and I accepted. I was committed to eating right and to "get into shape". As the months ticked on I found really good excuses to skip the gym. I actually counted the months and then weeks always thinking I still had time to get it together.  It amazes me how fast time goes by for some things and slow for others. Training for this 5K went by fast. I literally hadn't gone to the gym for months. 

On the day of the race I was a bit nervous. I knew I wasn't prepared. I was asked if I was excited and the only answer that came to mind was, "not nervous, only anxious for it to be over".  The setting was beautiful, Mona, Utah, in the lavender fields. The weather was perfect. I was feeling blessed to be able to walk and jog (a little), in such a beautiful place. I was also grateful to be there with my incredible daughter and her family. Most of all I felt blessed to have Craig waiting for me at the finish line. I will do better to prepare in the future and -

I won't ever forget my shoes.

HAPPY 37 TO US

Crazy kids!

Today is my Anniversary!  I've been married to my best friend for 37 years.  We dated in high school so we've been together for 39 years.  As long as I can remember he has been there, since we were very young as we went to the same church. He was a year younger than me.  I didn't notice him at all, until I needed him. I needed a partner. The youth of our church preformed a huge dance production called The Dance Festival held at the Rose Bowl.  I didn't really want to participate but thankfully my adult leaders encouraged me and assigned me a partner. My partner, just like his, never came to practice.  One Saturday I saw him standing there without a partner and being in the same situation I asked him to be mine.  At that moment, I never in a million years, thought I would still be his dance partner.  

He was a bleached blonde, long haired surfer dude when we started dating.  He was the most layed back, carefree, fun, forgiving, amazing person I'd ever dated. I decided he was the one for me on a date to Disneyland. I was the first one to say, I love you. His reply wasn't what I expected but I won't go there, hey we were young, stupid and trying to be "cool".

He loved to say, "It's cool" to everything. He drove a loud car. That time he drove away from my house burning rubber didn't help my parents like him much but it brings a good chuckle now.  

We've experienced many highs and lows in this 37 years of marriage. The highs are what has made the memories while the lows have taught us tolerance, patience and made us strong while cementing our feet in the same stop.

Thanks for taking this journey with me Craig.  Looking forward to eternity where our load will be lighter and the view will be more clear!

MY HAPPY PLACE

Last weekend I finally made it to my HAPPY PLACE!   If you know me you'll have a good idea what that means.  If you don't know me that well, let me just say that my happy place includes a lot of sand and salt water. When I was young, my sister and/or friends and I would grab our beach essentials and head to the bus stop on Harbor Blvd. and Wilson St. in Costa Mesa, Ca. and pay a quarter for a ride to Newport.  We would slather on the baby oil and lay there all day.  I was blessed to grow up close to the beach, I love it and since I've moved 6 hours away I miss it everyday.

I took a lot of pictures. The first day we went to the Newport Pier. There were lots of people fishing from the end of the pier.  They had their lines rigged with five hooks each. It was fun to watch them reel in multiple fish at the same time.  A little girl fishing next to where I was standing squealed with delight when she felt that hard tug on her line.  Her Dad shouted to her to reel it in fast.  Little did I know that there were sea lions waiting for the lines to come out of the water so they could snag the catch.  Those lazy sea lions.  I clicked away at my camera, I knew I was getting amazing shots and couldn't wait to download the pictures.  Now for the duh moment........wait for it........I ACCIDENTALLY DELETED ALL OF THE PHOTOS I took.  Heartbroken and shamed, I admit I have never done that before.  There is a first time for everything.  Dang it.  The next day we went to Crystal Cove.  It was beautiful, calming and surprisingly not crowded.  Below is the picture overload taken at Crystal Cove.

Everyone needs a 'Happy Place'.  I highly recommend you find yours and get there.  Take a lot of pictures and whatever you do don't delete them!

Why I Love Him

The top 10 15 things I love about Craig -

He grabs my hand and places it on his chest in his sleep

He calls me "Girlfriend"

He goes above and beyond to help me with anything

He enjoys his food (I know weird but you have to see him eat)

He gives me the remote for the TV in his man cave just so I'll sit next to him

The way he looks at our Grandkids

The way he loves our life together and isn't afraid to show it

He actually likes to go shopping with me, even if it's just to the grocery store

He is easy going and understanding

He respects and believes in his priesthood and isn't afraid to share it

He's compassionate

He tolerates and has patience with me

He makes me feel safe

He has courage and has endured more than most

He's been my best friend since I was 17

I love him

Finally, the Spirit of Christmas and more......

We had the opportunity to attend the Christmas Devotional at the Conference Center in Salt Lake a couple of weekends ago. It was just what I needed to get me into the holiday mood. The sweet spirit there helped me put my feelings in order and remember what the season is all about, Jesus Christ. This year, for no obvious reason, it has just been a stuggle to get excited about the holidays. We also had fun visiting with Becca and Devon. Their apartment is so cute.

The lights at Temple Square were gorgeous! We took alot of pictures! There was just enough fog to make things cold and beautiful.

Before the devotional I made the most amazing Butternut Squash and Corn Soup and..........

'Corn Stuff' I know the name doesn't sound very impressive, but trust me this is so tasty!

Don't be fooled by the picture below, it is seriously to die for! Recipes below:

Corn Stuff (a cross between cornbread and corn pudding)

1 - Cup Sour Cream

1 - 7 ounce box of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix

2 - Eggs

3 Tablespoons Sugar

1/2 Margarine or Butter

1 Can of Creamed Corn

8 inch square pan

Preheat oven to 375 and melt margarine or butter in pan. Mix all other ingredients and pour over melted margarine or butter, which will then surround the mixture. Bake for
approximately 40-45 minutes, until the top cracks and the side are golden brown.

Butternut Squash and Corn Soup

(from Taste of Home)

12 - Bacon Strips, diced

1 - Med. Onion, chopped

1 - Celery Rib, chopped

1 - Tablesppons All-Purpose Flour

1 - Can (14-1/2 ounces) Chicken Broth

6 - Cups Mashed Butternut Squash

2 - Cans (8-3/4 ounces each) Creamed Corn

2 - Cups Half and Half

1-1/2 - teaspoon salt

1/2 - teaspoon pepper

In a large saucepan, cook baconover medium heat until crisp, remove to paper towel and drain fat reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. In the drippings, saute onion and celery until tender. Stir in flour until blended, stir in both and bring to a boil, cook for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the squash, corn, cream, salt, pepper and bacon. Cook and stir until heated through. Makes 8 servings or 2 1/2 quarts.

He's BACK!

He's back! Craig loves soccer, it's his passion. He's had some health issues for the past few years and hasn't been able to participate. I've blogged about it before and some of you may know that in May 2003 Craig had 6 heart bypasses then, after 8 months of dialysis, in October 2003, our son Scott donated a kidney to his dad. Then 18 months later Craig had a pancreas transplant.

This year two of our grandkids started playing soccer. I think that being a spectator was too much for him. He volunteered to referee - HE'S BACK!

As a bonus Scott volunteered too.

I HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

These pictures aren't the best. Both Scott and Craig weren't in the posing mood.

Even though the picture above is blurry I love it. I don't care how old he is, he's Scooter Pie around here. I am sure he will love me for sharing that too!

Little Things.

I woke up at 4AM on Friday morning in Fargo, North Dakota. I was there for a work conference thing. Although it was an informative 3 days, I found myself missing my family. I threw on the clothes I'd laid out the night before, grabbed my huge suitcase and darted for the hotel elevator to get on the shuttle to the airport. I was going home! Below are the things I missed the most (not in any specific order).

Craig

Nikki

the grandkids

Tyler

Scott

Mike

Becca

Tammy

Devon

Jaimie

the grandkids

Craig

Click on pictures to enlarge

I couldn't sleep last night. I was so tired and maybe a bit stressed, I couldn't turn my brain off. Then Craig laid down beside me, I rolled over to put my arm across his chest and in an instant I felt safe and comfortable. As corny as it may sound, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I am so thankful to have that man in my life. He turned 50 recently!

Happy Birthday Craig!