Oh, what to you do in the summer time...

I posted this on Facebook a few weeks ago...

Loved the summers growing up. Besides the pool, my favorite place in the world, was my Aunt Jane's house. Every summer, in my youth, we were invited for a week in the City. Being from a small town like Vernal, we were in awe of the city, and all it had to offer. My Aunt Jane and Uncle Allen would make sure every wish my sister and I had, was fulfilled.

Their house on 10th Avenue was amazing.  It had stairs to bounce down on our behinds, a laundry shoot on the third floor, that we threw things down besides clothes, a basement full of interesting things, side tables with drawers of playing cards for bridge, and beautiful objects placed just right in the living and dinning rooms. Their yard was meticulously kept, with a bird bath placed in just the right spot.

We would always go to Hogle Zoo (train ride included),shopping trips to ZCMI (Tiffin room for lunch), Some fancy dinner buffet (loved the fountain), Liberty Park,,, with plenty of rides on the ferris wheel and carousel, Snelgroves for ice cream on 21st South (the big twirling cones), The Van Winkle's home to swim, the train station, and the airport to watch the planes land.

My absolute favorite times were at night, out on their deck. The sparkle of city lights was an incredible sight for little ones from the country. Uncle Allen's cheese burgers, were the best. In my mind, I can still hear him reading our favorite story, as we were cuddled up in his arms.

One time we visited, and much to my mom's dismay, my Auntie had our hair chopped off. My long golden locks gone. I guess the new dresses (Scottish style) were a peace offering. 

Scottish jig...

ZCMI Tiffin Room.  This is a picture of the second renovation.

Salt Lake's, answer to Bluebell.

Beautiful City Lights.

Liberty Park...

I am thankful for the love my Aunt Jane and Uncle Allen showed me.  Being one, of ten children growing up was a challenge, it was fun to get the extra love and attention.

The Realities of Summer

After living in Houston, Texas for 14 years now, I can still report that I despise June, July, August, and September. Why, you might ask? Its just the abundance of a lot of stuff. Abundance of humidity with the increasing temps, fire ants, snakes, mosquitoes, lizards, allergies, and having to stay inside (that one by choice for me). We have had a beautiful spring for Houston, for which I will be forever thankful, but Saturday brought the reality of the coming days.

I really wanted a pool when we moved down, but the horror stories of snakes in the filters, or just taking a swim in the pools, made it a dream, rather than a reality. Oh, well. So as I anticipate another summer, my imaginary bags are pack and ready to evacuate.

There are a lot of people who just leave. They are gone for a month at a time. We could have never done that with clear conscience, for our church responsibilities, and work, have kept us around. Well, lets just face it, if you work in IT, you rarely can be gone for a week at a time. When you are off, you take your work with you. We have never been on a vacation the last 20 years, without Rick needing to work while he was gone.  So, here is to another summer.

I will look for the positive, I will dream for relief, and I will make it through...

April ...gone!

Wow this month has flown by. Church, football games, car buying, bathroom renovation gone amok, Easter, and everyday life, have devoured every minute. I like being busier though, it keeps me going.

Loved listening to conference. I decided that even if I wasn't a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I could enjoy and glean goodness from listening to the talks that were given at General Conference.  Who doesn't want to be a better person and do good?

Well good things do come to those who wait.  Rick finally decided I could get a new car! This time I got to pick, just what I wanted.  I drove all kinds of Toyota's. Rav 4, 4Runner, Sienna, and Highlander. I was leaning towards a van, but too tight for the garage. Sat in the Highlander, fell in love.  I have loved having a car again. Not that I went without one to drive, but it's nice to have my own. Love the new technology of back-up camera, hands free phone, and a sun roof again. Was holding out for a sea blue color, but when I saw the Ooh, La, La, Rouge Mica, I changed my mind. It looks a lot darker than the pictures.  Black interior, with heated or cooling seats. Yes, in the few frigid cold humidity days we have, seat warmers are wonderful.

 Captian seats in the back will make it wonderful to haul around the grand kids.

 A third row will make it nice when shuttling around more people.

I won't tell you what my hubby did a week later...but he really liked the cars extra features.

Easter was again tweaked at our house.  Jamie and Becky had her parents in town and enjoyed the day together at "Oil Ranch."  We celebrate the beloved furry rabbit rituals and Easter egg hunting on Saturday.  We started out with delicious BBQ at Valley Ranch, and then moved the festivities over to Brianne's and Jarod's.  One good thing about having a smaller house, and yard, is the kids invite us to use theirs. Some of us played out front with the kiddos, while the others hid eggs. We color coded all the eggs.... so Pippy got pink, Zeke got orange, Bay purple... It worked out well and everyone got the right amount.  Will do this again!

Then the hunt...

Ended the festivities with a wet jump on the tramp. All was good.

Bathroom...
I am almost embarrassed to post these pictures, it is still not completed.  The wallpaper is gone however, and that made me feel a lot better about the room.This is when I started, got a steamer and it cut the time in half.  If you attempt to remove wall paper save yourself a lot of work, buy a steamer, they are inexpensive and so worth it.

 After the wallpaper... only a few of the vanity lights still worked. No storage but one drawer and a linen closet. Yup that is my disgusting bathroom.

After..
I  just can't stand the white walls against the yellowish color of  marble and everything else. Need to paint cabinets underneath dark, and the wall something neutral, my bedroom is lilac, so it has to flow. BTW... I did not pick the lilac, my big burly husband did.  So there you go, good bye April.  Hello... May!

Weekend Writings...

What a wonderful weekend.  As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are blessed to watch or attend General conference twice a year.  The messages and spirit felt as each talk was delivered, was so up lifting and encouraging to me. It is a time for me to reflect on what is important to me, and what I need to do better.  Top that off,  with the blessing of supporting my grandchildren in their activities, and a beautiful drive to Brenham, Texas to see the wild flowers. Just loved the weekend.

Top 40 Conference Memes (click)

Football...
Ike with football.

 Gavin with his stylin' cleats and sport glasses.

The cheering section...
Zeke was saying CHEESE!

Love this shot of Jake and Bri

Ady

Laynie practicing her football skills.

Audrey and her model pose.

Laynie is such a sweetheart!

Flowers in Brenham much better crop this year. These were taken at Old Baylor College.

 Oak trees are beautiful.

 Who knew cactus!!!

Wishing the grand kids  were along.

 Rick was a good sport.

I will never tire of going to see these beautiful creations of  a loving  Heavenly Father.

So blessed to have a desire to enjoy what this world has to offer. Hoping your weekend was as wonderful as mine.