Dashboard Fabrication

Making a whole new dashboard for the Bronco. I had lots of clever text but lost it. Really, I did.

Short Fingers

All this time I've believed I was unskilled and untalented because I cannot play a musical instrument.
I had an electric organ as a kid that I loved and practiced on a lot, to no avail. My cousins and friends all seemed to play the Piano well. Not me. I bought a guitar as a young teen and tried and tried. Never could do much with it either

Did anyone else hate it in church when you were asked to list your talents?

I used to try and console myself by claiming to be a "jack of all trades master of none" or a "good listener". I finally took a small class on leading music and joined the school choir.
Okay, so I am not musicaly talented either but I have discovered that I have shorter than average fingers! Nothing freakish mind you, but short enough to hinder my ability. What a relief. I would rather be deformed than lesser. I don't know what that says about me. I just know I would have liked to have had this excuse years ago.
This also explains my short based stubby looking fingernails--sigh.

Gila Valley Temple

The open house for this LDS temple is going on right now. We are going to be able to participate in the dedication ceremony soon.

P.S. Spring is over. Summer is here.

weekend

I helped throw a wedding shower--invitaions, made but did not deliver them. Then for the food, I made Ian Kelly's famous Lemon bars (mine turned out almost as good as when he makes 'em) and bought bluberries-- and set up with table cloth,dishes and flowers etc. No cute games just SIMPLE was our M.O.
I also did flowers for a Wedding reception this weekend.
When I do all the flower pieces it is a lot of work. I usaully starts out simple and easy sounding then escalates into way more. I did not do the bouquet or boutenneer but I did do-- the register table, gift table, three buffet tables, a 'line' table, 6 guest tables and decorated the cake! We also salvaged a bad entrance walkway with 15 dollars worth or ribbon and a lot of "tweaking" by Rae. I could not have done this one without Rachel. Come to think of it she helped a ton on the last reception I/we did too. and helped withservice on another.She has a good eye. Thanks so much to Rachel!
My back did hurt afterward and I had a couple of glitches in the plan (there always are) but in the end it was beautiful and everyone was very happy (me too) and that is the main thing. I took some before photos but no after ones-- rats one day maybe, but it is just one more thing to do and sometimes you just have to get out. Maybe Katherine has some photos.

My Cute Mom

My Mom walks our dogs, Argo and Dodger, most days.

Her outfit to stay cool is pretty cute.

She reminds me of "Maxine" that Hallmark card Cartoon character.

Ducklings

David and I rescued 3 ducklings from a street drain this weekend, with a bunch of other folks "helping". (One lady called the fire dept. another lady called the police) We rigged a small soft net (David says it was a camp utensil sterilizer bag, I say it is a "delicate items in the washer" bag) held open with wire and duct taped to a broom stick. or some version there of.
It felt good to sucessfully reunite the 3 with the Mom and the other 5 babies, and no human hand ever actually touched the ducklings-- just in case the Mom was picky.
They were exhausted.
Ducks do nest away from the lake and then walk 'em there.
Have you ever read "Make Way for Ducklings"? One of the best ever childrens books. If you haven't go to the Library and get it and read it-- now.
I wish I had photos!

Bounteous billowing burgeoning bougainvillea blossoms!

This bush at the corner of our house will not be ignored any longer! It is wonderful. You just can't walk by and not go in for a closer look

This massive bunch is trying to escape or take over.
We can no longer get to the sprinkler box that is back there somewhere. Boug does have pretty serious thorns.

Bronco Rally

A Visit from the Emig's

My swing set in the back yard hadn't seen much use lately. The slide was nice and slowI managed to snap just a few photos of my Great Nieces and Nephews while they were here. They came to see their Grandma Aha while on their trip to the Emig's here in the Phoenix area. She was thrilled.

Jack I missed getting Carolina and Fiona in a shot. Nor did I photo their parents Cali and Joey Emig. I guess because it is busy when they are around.

We went to the clubhouse to swim. The Beach pool was open but it was a little cold. So we went in the main pool and the hot tub.

--So glad they came by.

Gracie's trick

with help from her big brother Tyson.

She's Great!

and getting greater!

-- counting down 'till June!

We Rock!

Why are the fans swinging?
For that matter why am I shaking?
It must be an earthquake!
Whoa, can you feel that?

Easter Sunday, between sessions of General Conference, an earthquake, 7.2 on the scale, hit Baja California.

Blossom Time

This is some of the Bougainvilla outside my window. Now is when the desert blooms.

Orange and Citrus trees of all kinds are blooming right now. The whole valley is scented with them.

I planted some grape vines this year. We shall see how they do.

Here are the two new citrus trees we also planted. I wanted a lime and a lemon.

This doesn't count as gardening. I gave that up you know.

Samantha and Kyle

I have been wanting to post something about our visit to Miller's in California. My camera was fritzi so I just have a few semi clear ,semi representative photos but have decided to use 'em anyway since my words have been failing me a lot lately.

My niece, Samatha, and her husband Kyle have a great little place in a beautiful area of Thousand Oaks. They also have two wonderful little kids Kate and Owen.

I know it is never a dull moment at their house. Sam is constantly busy with them and then there is the work of being pregnant too.

We took them a sofa and chair. I hope she uses it like this as much as she possibly can.

April 2nd 2010

Happy 21st Dan!

Having fun yet? This is a very serious game after all.