Why Cows don't jump on trampolines

This is Jeffery.

Emily named Jeffery, before Emily saw him, his name was "Cow". He was just the neighbor's cow that lived in our pasture. The other day Bill went out to leave and Jeffery had decided that the grass under the trampoline was the best grass in the pasture and had somehow gotten under it, so here is this cow standing with a trampoline on his back. Suffice it to say, Bill did not get a picture, he thought about it, but didn't. I would have loved to have seen it actually. Oh well. Today Jeffery decided he was going to try out the top side of the trampoline.

Now, this is why cows don't jump on trampolines.

I'm up in our bathroom window looking down, so to get his attention, I just yelled "COW!". (He knows that name more than Jeffery)

Then I realize that his little legs are in the springs and he could trip and break those legs. So quickly I take another picture or two and then keep trying to get him to walk towards me to see if he can get himself out without breaking any bones.


Again. . . COW! And out he walked, safe and sound... of course! You know me. I worry about these things. So, don't ever let your cow (or the neighbor's cow) jump on your trampoline. It just doesn't work. The trampoline is now at the dump and the Jeffery? Well, on Wednesday morning Jeffery is being taken to the that place where all good cows go, he'll be back though, just all wrapped up in yummy juicy packages of steaks. Thanks Jeffery, you've been a good cow.

Do you have a cow?

Cupcake Pops

Last week I was cruising blogs I follow and found these cute little cupcake pops. They were adorable. Since we were having a small supper before the YW Broadcast on Sunday I decided it might be fun to make them as a desert. Of course, it was hard to even find any of the things I needed in our town, but finally found them in Eugene and went to get what I needed. Here is a picture of the finished product.

Aren't they so cute? These ones are without the stick, obviously, but they are still so cute, and pretty yummy too. Below are the "cupcake pops".

I didn't have a way to stand them up, no styrofoam to stick them in, so you can't see the stick very well. Sorry about that. Trust me, they are really cute. Here is a link where I got the idea and recipe. They were originally found on The Pioneer Woman's web page. Bakerella is where I got this, she was even on Martha and has a video of it.

Here is a link to Pioneer Woman's page on it: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/03/back-to-the-sweets-bakerellas-signature-cupcake-pops/

and here is Bakerella's blog link.
http://bakerella.blogspot.com/2008/04/make-your-cupcakes-pop.html

Have fun and give them a try. Bakerella has since posted all different types, chickens, bunny's, all very cute. Let me know if you try them, I want to see pictures!

oops

I just went on to a blog I am doing for projects, not a very active blog I might add (I keep forgetting to add things I'm doing there), but noticed that I accidentally put a Christmas blog on there instead of on this blog. I don't know how to move it from one blog to another, my guess is I can't. It has a picture of Chip and Andrea for those of you who were wanting to see their picture, so you will have to go there to look. The address is http://myoceansidelife.blogspot.com/. Again, if any of you know how I can transfer it from one blog to the next, let me know please.

Did you notice her hat? That went with the spiral scarf I mentioned on that blog as well (and the picture of mine in different colors). I love that hat. I think I need one. Just need to find the right color. Her scarf was in purples and pinks that went with the hat color. By the way, that is a self taken picture, can you tell? :)

El Charro Cafe

Just thought I would quickly upload some pictures of what is now our favorite Mexican restaurant. It's a shame that it is a two day drive to go.

El Charro Cafe - Sonora style Mexican food. Yum!

Their patio dining. Just reminds me of something in Baja, Riviera Maya or the Cozumel area, a few of our most favorite places.

Here are some inside shots, as well as a picture of all of us before we left.

If you are ever in that area, don't forget to stop by and give them a try. The food was amazing, the service great. They were written up by some travel place that it was worth going out of your way to try. Pretty good huh. I even went online to see what they offered and found a cook book, they don't sell them anymore, but I did find one at Amazon.com that I ordered. I'm excited to get it. It should be here when we get back. I think I'll try to find a Mexican grocer that I can get some local chili peppers and spices while I am there, if there is time.

Last night I was talking to Bill about which hotel to stay in while we are down there again this week (Tucson, AZ), his vote was the one next door to this place, and it wasn't about the quality of the hotel, I can tell you that. So, you see, it's not just my weirdness, it's both of our weirdness. At least we have each other. :)

Billie Madelene Scott

Late in the afternoon on February 26th we got a call from Bill's brother James that their mom had a massive stroke. I jumped on the computer and started looking for flights to Tucson Arizona, eventually found one, packed a few things and headed out to Portland. It was a long drive, made longer by freezing fog and the fact that we had both been up since 5 am, worked and it was now 1:30 am Friday just as we headed out. Bill had been driving all day at work, but on we went. After 4 hours we arrived safely, parked and got checked in. All was good, our flight on time and we arrived in Tucson at around 12:30 Friday afternoon. I know seemed like a long time to fly so close, but we had a layover in Las Vegas. It was all good though.

Carrie, Jim's wife, picked us up at the airport, apparently she had been waiting for an hour. We told her 12:30, I guess that was our time, not theirs. Sorry Carrie, really, I'm so sorry. Just didn't think about it. Can I use sleep deprivation as an excuse? She was very gracious and wonderful about it. Thank you!

We checked in to our hotel quickly, washed our faces and off we went to the hospital. Carrie filled us in on the way, Madelene wasn't doing well, she couldn't speak or swallow, but could understand everything and knew everyone, which we would have confirmed within a few minutes. When Bill walked in and went to her she threw up her left arm and squealed with delight. (Her right arm paralyzed) It was so fun to see. She just grabbed onto him and wouldn't let him go. She laughed and tried to say some things which of course we couldn't understand, but we knew she was a happy camper. That whole evening she wanted to hold Bill's hand or mine, James or Carrie's and of course Bud's, her faithful husband of over 63 years. We sat with her for the rest of the evening and into the night, happy to be there for her, with her. During the course of the day and watching how she was doing, hurting, we found out she had what the Orthopaedist called a sheared pelvis and broken in three places. They had found a spot on her lungs the size of a tennis ball during a CT scan in the ED and then of course, the stroke. This woman had every reason to moan and complain and all she could do was smile and laugh with us and be happy that two of her sons were there.

We took a break and let her sleep a little bit and went to James and Carrie's house for awhile, then leaving to freshen up and grab a bite to eat before heading back to the hospital. Now I know it has been awhile since I have been in good weather, but it was about 80* there, so we rolled the windows down to enjoy the early evening. As we came to the street that our hotel was on the most wonderful smell started getting stronger and stronger. Bill and I both looked at each other and said, "where is that coming from". As we followed our noses we found a restaurant called "El Charro Cafe". Oh my gosh, it smelled soooo good! Lucky us, as we turned the corner, there was our hotel, just next door. So, guess what, you got it. We got cleaned up and walked immediately over to experience probably the best Mexican food I have ever eaten. Seriously, ever! Later James would tell us that it was called Sonora style Mexican. Will I ever be happy with any other kind again? I just don't know. We just had simple enchilada's but they were absolutely to die for, and the salsa.....oh my gosh! Everything about it was wonderful. The restaurant made us feel like we were in Mexico, the staff was wonderful, food amazing and we were only staying next door. Could it get any better than this!!! We had to eat, right? Suffice it to say, we went every day, trying something new each time and never being disappointed. That restaurant alone could convince me to move there! Yum! If you ever get the chance, you have got to go. You friends in Phoenix, well worth the trip for a Saturday afternoon drive, seriously! (Picture to follow)

Okay back to Bill's mom. Saturday brought Paul and Diane, another wonderful moment when one more of her boys showed up. We all sat around the hospital and visited, getting to know each other (I had only met James and Carrie once, 19 years ago or so), laughing, taking care of any needs we could see of Madelene's and enjoying the time together. Every once in awhile we would try to be quite so Madelene could sleep and someone would say something funny and we would all bust up and Madelene would be laughing right along with us. More than once we told her we thought she was asleep, but she wasn't, she would lay there and revel in the fact that her boys were together and the family surrounded her. Roger also flew in, so all her kids were together, what more could a mother want. She was so happy. Every time another son showed up she would squeal with delight and hold their hand forever, kissing it. In time she was able to express two simple things, "uh huh" and "I love you too".

During this time this wonderful woman never complained. For the longest time the doctor would only give her Tylenol 650 mg (until the sheared pelvis was confirmed), but even in excruciating pain she never really complained. She seemed happy and content, all because her family was together. We did finally get her more pain medication, but never really enough and she would groan when she was moved or shifted for any reason, but I was amazed at how well she was. Eventually she got an infection and we knew her time would be short, for any of her four medical problems. Hospice was called in and she was transferred to their care facility, Pepe's House, on Monday. Monday night Bill and I and Paul and Diane went to say goodnight after being gone while she got settled in there. She seemed quite agitated and was picking at her clothes. Bill said "lets sing to her". So, the four of us started singing some Primary songs and other hymn's. She immediately settled down, it made us smile. After six songs or so we stopped and up popped her good arm and started leading us to do more, not just waving her hand back and forth, but in 4/4 time. It was hysterical. So, we started singing again. What a woman! It still makes me chuckle. It was so funny. Later that evening as I was sitting by her side she started to get agitated again, so I started singing again, after a couple of songs I stopped and she did it again. I'll never forget it, we'll never forget her, or this great, last, visit with this wonderful woman.

Bill and I, Paul and Diane flew out the next day, Roger on Thursday. This morning we got a call that she had passed away, and I know she did so content and unafraid. She had her family around her while she could still remember, laughed with us, sang with us in her heart, listened to the boys talk about childhood things with fond memories and knew that she was surrounded by people that loved her, knowing that we would meet again. I'm so grateful for the Gospel in my life. For the knowledge we have that death is just a beginning and that we can all be together if we but do our part. Sad? Sure, we are sad and will miss her. At the same time. No, because we know we can be together, that the pains she has suffered for so many years are now gone. I'm sure she is loving the reunions of family and friends and to be free of a body wracked with aches and pains.

Now, I need to say something about her care at the hospital. She was in St. Joseph's Hospital, Neurology Department. I can't say enough good about the nurses and aides who attended her. They gave her great care, they were always kind and loving, never short toward her or any of us who might have been overly concerned about her pain. They only showed us kindness throughout the stay, even with eight people in her room nearly 24/7. They never hinted that we were in their way, but always made us feel that we were welcome any hour of the day or night. They were wonderful! Also, Pepe's Hospice Care Facility. Wonderful! What a great bunch of women. We are so grateful that she had such good care there as well. It made it so much easier to leave, knowing she was in their hands. We would call for updates and always be told to call back any time, day or night.

All in all, it has been a wonderful 10 days or so. We have been blessed by the Spirit which has comforted us, testifying of the truthfulness of that great Plan of Happiness, we have visited with family, have bid our farewells, expressed our love to the Matriarch of this family, laughed with her, sang with her, thanked her for all that she shared with us and we have each had our quite moments with her. She left this world knowing of our love and sharing her love for us. We look forward to the day when we will be together again.

Madelene, we love you!

February already?

I can't believe it's already February. Before it gets away from me I thought I should make a quick entry. Not that much as been happening, but I have these great pictures of the trip to the Temple. I didn't take them all the way down (since I was driving), but just a few between Reedsport and Sutherlin. This can be the most beautiful drive, even once I get on the freeway.

I just realized I have already been working at the Medford Temple for over two years. Time has really flown by. I love working there, just wish it was closer. I hope you people that live close to a temple, attend often. It's 3-1/2 hours to ours. Anyway, here are some pictures I took last month on my way. I don't know why they didn't transfer as close as my original pictures. I had some really good close ups, who knows.


A young Bull Elk


Half of the ladies enjoying their morning.


The other half of the ladies


I thought this was a pretty picture, nicer if you could see it up closer like the picture I took, but still nice. I know, I shouldn't be taking pictures while I am clipping along on the highway, but I couldn't resist. I promise, I stopped for the pictures of the Elk.

just more pictures
It's just a pretty sky. Actually it was a great day. I was on my way to spend two whole days serving in the Temple and there were blue skies. Who could ask for more!

My friend Suzanne, who lives in Central Point, and who I met because she housed me for awhile when I came to work, just got three dairy goats. Anyone who knows me probably knows I LOVE GOATS! I don't mean I like goats. I mean I LOVE GOATS. Whenever I see a herd of them I just want to run into the pasture with a can of cob and have them all to myself. I'm tellin' ya, I LOVE GOATS! I forget what these are. I should remember, but I don't of course. She is milking them and making cheese. Sounds wonderful. Oh, La Mancha. They are La Mancha goats. Aren't they cute.

Almost kissed, dress nibbled, times three.
Look, they only have tiny little ears, almost none at all, at least not big ones that hang down. I had never seen these goats before. I guess they have yummy milk, not the stuff we used to get out of our goats. That was nasty stuff. I'll have to try some of it some time and see if it really is as mild as they are saying. Did I mention that I LOVE GOATS?

We used to have four of them, well, we had two or three when we first moved here and were still citified people. We milked Maggie. Then we got rid of those and a few years later got two Pygora's, (which are goats with yummy wool) Parley and Brigham. They were as cute as can be. I'll have to look for pictures of them. Then we added an Angora goat (Mohair) that was pregnant, so we got her baby. Another one that was cute as a button. Eventually we decided that we had better get rid of them. Time for them got shorter, but I sure loved them while I had them. Would love some again some day too, or some sheep, probably something that can feed us. But they do take up a lot of time.

Did I mention I LOVE GOATS?

December Vacation

It's been awhile since I've had time to update my blog, but I'm going to try to do better.

Last Spring Bill and I decided to wait until this winter to go see my Dad in So. Calif. I'm so glad we did. We loved it, not only because we got to be there for my Dad's 88th birthday, but because the weather was nearly perfect, there were no crowds and it wasn't 120* in Palm Springs when we went to see my mom. We had a great time walking on the beach, biking down to Balboa and having lunch at the Fun Zone. In spite of a mishap with my dad's finger, on his birthday and needing 10 stitches, it was a perfect trip. It has been years since Bill could come with me. It's hard for him to go in the summer, since he can't just sit in the sun for hours, he burns to easily, but this was perfect. We sat on the beach and watched the Dolphins and Seals, the surfers and just relaxed, besides the fact that the beach was nearly empty. It was wonderful!

It was about 68* to 70* every day, perfect for Bill. I love that we can walk everywhere.

The Newport Beach Pier from a distance, notice the crowds? It was like having our own beach.

Another picture of the Newport Beach Pier from 33rd Street.

Each evening, to keep with tradition and because it really is fun, we play Aggrevation and "31". We really had a lot of fun. I don't know how he does it, but my dad is the CHAMPION. I don't know how he does it, but he does. I thinks he lets us win once during the trip just so we won't feel back, but really, he wins all the time. It is so fun and the evenings are full of fun and laughter.

Dad in action, I'm sure he won this game as well. Notice the bandage on his finger. Luckily it is healing well.

Another fun evening

Yes, the T-shirt made it official, he is the Aggrevation Champion!

Bill and I rode the bikes down to the Fun Zone and had lunch. It was a beautiful day and so nice without the crowds. I used to ride a Moped (remember those?) down to the Balboa Island ferry to work on the Island.

It really was a beautiful day!

We took a day and drove to Palm Springs, the weather was beautiful there too. We had a great visit with mom and all went to lunch at Appleby's. We even got a Blondie. Yum!

Just one more picture. The Seals were out in force, as were the Dolphins. Every time I tried to take a picture of the Dolphins they disappeared, but we saw them nearly every day as we sat and relaxed on the beach. But we did get a picture of the Seals.

We had a wonderful time and have decided this is when we will try to go every year, probably not before Christams, as it made things very hectic, but we are thinking of January for next year. Bill's folks live in Tucson now and we had hoped to go down there, but we found out that we need to be there in April to help out, so decided to skip it this time. Hopefully we will be able to work that into our trip in January 2010. (that sounds so far away, doesn't it!). We will stop and see mom and dad again in April on our way to Tucson, but will only be able to stay one night. Bill's brother needs us to go and stay with Bud and Madelene for a week while they are in Germany, we are dividing time between all the brothers. But even one evening of Aggrevation will be fun.

Time for more fun

Where does time go? It's amazing how fast the days go by. I need more weekend days to be able to get more done.

My newest happening is that I got a new calling, or should I say another one since they didn't release me from teaching my class (Gospel Doctrine, which I do every other month). I've been called back to YW, can you believe it! I'm the 2nd Counselor, Go Beehives!!! With all the new young people in our ward it took me totally by surprise. That said, we are going to have a great time! Maren Evans is the President. She was the YW President in Reedsport when I was serving in the Stake YW, so I know her well. Tammy Holmes is the 1st Counselor. She is also incredibly awesome. For those of you who know our ward, Nola Xavier is the Beehive Advisor and teaches the lesson on Sunday. She is a great teacher and a wonderful woman. Marianne Wherity is the Mia Maid and Laurel Advisor and Erin Felt is the PP Leader. They are also great women. So we have a full house, except for a Secretary, but Tammy loves that kind of thing and is wonderful at it, so that will wait.

We had a fun activity last Wednesday. We did a Service Scavenger Hunt. It was so fun. Each act of service had a different number of points. I'm just getting a blog up and running for the girls, so I'll let you know when it is a go and you can see pictures there. Hopefully it will be in a day or two, if the days slow down. Actually Beth is working on a blog banner for me and I've been trying to get all the girls together in one picture, well, that' s not going to happen. So I'll have to add them as I get them.

Last Saturday we had a Temple trip to the Medford Temple. I will share a picture of that. We didn't have everyone there, but we did have a great time. Aren't they a great looking bunch, the kids I mean! Brother Wherity is on the far left, he is the YM President, Brother Larson is one of his counselors and then on the other side, next to me, are the Suckows. I'll go over the kids names on our YW Blog.

During our Presidency meeting today we started talking about the new DVD that just came out "Reflections of Christ". My sister Alana sent it to me before the DVD was out and so I might have forwarded it on to some of you. If you haven't seen it, it is wonderful. I'll try to get it on here so you can watch it. If any of you hear of them touring anywhere in Oregon, Washington or Northern California, would you please let me know. Reflections of Christ:

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

If this doesn't work email me and I'll forward it on to you. I hope you like it as much as I do. If anyone can tell me a better way of sharing it here, let me know.

Chip and Andrea

Chip and Andrea came over a few days ago to visit. We love it when they come over, we have a lot of fun visiting with them. It doesn't happen often enough, but we love it when it does. I FINALLY got Chips socks done and gave them to him. He found my camera and messed with it. He now officially knows how to work it better than I do. Because he had the camera all night he is the one who took the pictures. Here are some pictures of his socks, which fit perfectly I may add (yeah!): I actually took the first ones of both of them, you can tell the self portrait ones.

Don't they look nice, and notice the fit? They seem to fit perfectly. They were a lot of fun to knit, especially since I constantly thought of him while doing it. They took me forever to finish, but that was because I knit them twice. I got all the way to the toe and realized they were way too big. Well, I knew that before and kept mentioning this to my knitting guru and she kept saying, no they will be fine, no problem, they'll fit. I kept looking at them and saying Chips legs just aren't this big around. Well, I should have trusted my gut because by the time I got to the toes (1-1/2" to the end) I realized I was right AND I ran out of yarn. Not a good thing. So, ripped them all out and started over (good practice since these are just my second pair of socks) and these went way faster and fit. Yeah! He seemed to like them. I'll call him in a day or two and see if he has worn them much and see if he still does. I think Andrea would like a pair, so I will make her some too. I'll post them when I get them done. For those of you who don't know Andrea, here is a picture Chip took of her when goofing around. We really love this girl. She is so fun to be around. She is easy going and so busy with work and school. I love both of my daughters-in-law actually, they are great gals!

The other part of their family is Lucy, but I don't have a picture of Lucy, wait, I might if I can figure out how to get it out of an e-mail...

I can't believe I figured it out. I had to copy it to my jump drive. Really, I don't know how to do anything like that on my computer.

So, this is Lucy. Isn't she cute! I love her bark, if you can call it that. It kind of sounds like a bark with a cold, kind of part bark, part howl. It makes me laugh whenever I hear her. I just wish I had 1/4 of her energy, though that might be too much. She's calming down a little bit as she gets older, but she is still excited to see people. She is very friendly.

Well, better get off and finish something else. I may add, I got everything done on my list today, it was a good day, storming like crazy, but good. Oh, here are the cookies I made today. (Not even on my list) They are the most yummy cookies and usually are the only ones I make. They have chocolate chips, oatmeal and peanut butter in them. I don't eat cookies usually, but the family likes them.

How do you like the tray? My sister Alana sent it to me for my birthday. Isn't it great! Thought I would show you my pumpkin pillow I made a few years ago since it was sitting right there.

Hope you have a nice night! More happening of life continuing on while I'm sick in the next day or two.

Okay, so when I posted everything was all jumbled up, so I hope I have it fixed now. Let's see.

Well, it didn't quite fix. So here is a question for all you people that know what you are doing. How do I make the part of my blog where the posts go, wider? I would also like to know how to make it a three column so I can add a calendar of events to a blog. If anyone knows how to do this or where there is a tutorial is, I would appreciate it. If it is a long thing, you can email me at luscott@peacehealth.org. Thanks. I need help! Might as well as one more thing. I want to know how to put like a 9 patch of pictures together and then when you drag your curser over them the one gets larger. Do you know what I mean? How do I do that?

Ward Carnival

I'm back and I have a couple of things to share.


First, I have been sick! It hasn't been fun, let me tell you. It was only a cold, I think, but it took me down for days, not even able to work. Then even a week later I was getting such bad chills my ribs hurt, if any of you know me, I do not get cold, ever! For days I was so chilled I couldn't get warm. But I'm back and have lots to say, surprised? While I was sick life continued on, as it does for us all.


I was called to help with the Fall Carnival in our ward and I couldn't refuse, she couldn't find anyone to help, so I rounded up Bethany and Lyn and we got it all done. It wasn't really a "Halloween Party" but the kids still dressed up. I just took a couple of pictures before my battery died, but I'll share these. Now just so you can appreciate this picture let me explain it a little bit. This is Calista and Mia. Calista was one of my Beehives 10 years or so ago. I tried like crazy to get her picture, over and over again and all I ever got was the back of her head running away or an arm up over her face. I NEVER got a picture of her. So, when she sat here and I asked if I could take her picture I was SO VERY HAPPY that she just simply said, yes. It's amazing what a baby does to change our outlook. I LOVE this girl and it has been fun watching her grow up to such a beautiful wife and mother. Now you can look at her little burrito. Yes, I said burrito. Isn't she the cutest thing, all wrapped up in a tortilla shell with lettuce, cheese and tomato. I think I have a close up of her, hang on.

Okay, here it is. Isn't she adorable. I guess Carissa made it for her. (Calista's sister)

The carnival was a lot of fun and we had a ton of people show up. It was called Wally Wonka's Most Excellent Carnival, (Wally is our Bishop's name) or something like that. You can see more pictures of it on Bethany and Lyn's blog.

Well there is the first part of my life while sick, more to come soon. I've got to get the rest of these cookies made and get a card made, so I'll be back later today or tomorrow or...as soon as I can. :)

It's fall on the Oregon Coast, well, it's fall everywhere, but you know what I mean. I love it! Last Saturday, oops, I guess it was the Saturday before that, anyway, Bill was outside to pull in the last of the branches and finally burn the pile that has been gathering all summer long. We can officially burn our burn pile. It's just one of the fall things we do here after we get our first good rain, and boy did we have it. I can't believe I'm actually saying it, but it was kind of nice for a change. Seriously, did I just admit that the rain was kind of nice? I'll reevaluate later this winter after our first 30". Anyway, back to "the burn".

I'm not sure Bill likes me taking his picture while he is out doing his normal stuff. He just doesn't get the whole blog thing yet, but he's coming around. Besides, he is the major thing that makes my life so good, so he has to let me, right??? So here are two more pictures of the man at work and his fire.

It actually got really, really tall, but I had to run to town and missed it. I think Lane, Shay and Todd, three of my nephews, could really get into this. I hear they love doing monster fires. I kind of like it too, though it seems I rarely have time to just go out and sit and watch it burn, when it finally dies down enough to enjoy it. I've been trying to get a fire pit in my yard for years now, don't have one yet, but we will some day. Until then, we have the fall burn, and I love it.

Here is another reason I love fall here.

Mutsu Apples! I love Mutsu apples. They are crisp and tart, but not too tart. I love them! Here is the whole tree.

Something happened to another of our apple trees (we have 3), but we can't figure it out. Bill thinks it was 50 mph winds we had a few weeks ago. I think it was either a bear or elk trying to eat the apples, which happens every year.

I don't know if you can see this or not, but a whole branch is broken and just hanging there. I'm sure some large animal was either leaning on it to get higher, or climbed up and thought it would hold his 500 lb bear body, who knows, but we lost a big limb. Honestly, we don't take great care of these trees, I keep forgetting to get someone in here in January that can prune it and spray it for blight, or whatever apples get. We really need to do better, cause they are yummy. Why don't you all come visit next October and have one!

Our Temple Weekend

One weekend a month Shirley Kilmer and I serve in the Medford Oregon Temple. It is one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. I knew I would love doing it, but never really realized how much it would actually change my life. My only wish is that we lived closer than 3-1/2 hours away and could go more often.

If you want to know more about Temples--click here

I have met some wonderful people who have opened their homes for us to stay the night, as well as those I serve with in the Temple. We work Friday evening shift and then early Saturday morning shift before heading home. It is actually in Central Point, Oregon. My life has been blessed by serving there. I can't even begin to explain it, but it is a choice experience that I hope will last a lifetime, in which ever temple we are living near. Here is another picture of it.

When it was first being built Lyn Winona and I would take our kids, Zach, Maddie, Dustin and Jenny Eichelberger and Hailie Mulder. We went to the ground breaking, corner stone. I can't remember all of it. I'll try to figure out how to copy a 12x12 scrapbook page I have of it to show some pictures. Does anyone have any idea on how to do that?

The Portland Oregon Temple is closer to us by about 1/2 an hour, but because we live the farthest north in our Stake (which goes from Florence, which is about at the Central Oregon Coast point down to the California Border), the Medford Temple is closer for everyone else. I keep trying to tell people we need one centrally located on the Coast and that Florence would be a wonderful spot. We just happen to have a few acres for sale next door. Why won't anyone listen!!! :)

It is a wonderful weekend and is always hard to leave. We have a great time and just chat up a storm about so many things going there and back. It has been a fun thing to do with Shirley.

Here is a try at scanning an 8-1/2 x 11, but it came out short for some reason, but I did get it in. It had trouble reading the SD disk. Anyway, you get the idea.

Afternoon walk on our beach

Yesterday we went for an afternoon walk on our beach. We have to walk down this trail on a cliff north of us to get there.

We are so used to being the only ones on "our" beach, so it was very strange to see people there. What's with that! We must have seen eight people. I know, we're spoiled. I can't say I blame anyone. It was a gorgeous day, the tide was out, though not quite far enough to reach the cave, but it was very nice. I just walked around in a T-shirt most of the time. We did get a picture of us which was kind of nice, I guess. Dare I put this up!!!

Quick, scroll down! Usually when the tide is out this far we find tons of sand dollars, so we were excited and both brought our own bags to gather. There weren't any! Not even one! We were so surprised, there were no shells of any kind. There have been times when we have picked up 35 at a time, for 3 days in a row, or some crazy number like that. It isn't usually that good, but last year it was. What there was however, that was also very different, are those sand crabs. You know, the ones that come in on a wave and dig down into the sand. In Newport they are just tiny, these were all pretty big, maybe 1.5" long. Big things. There were hundreds of them, all looking like dinner for all the seagulls lurking about. I took it on myself to "save" as many as I could see. Some of them couldn't dig down deep enough to be hid because the sand was to compact. They were like kids that hid their heads and thought no one could see them. The picture is a little blurry, but you can see how big they are. This is just his hiney.

When I was a little girl my dad used to put me on his shoulders and we used to go out in the ocean in Newport Beach, CA. He would reach down and bring up these same crabs but they were almost as big as his hands. I have to tell you, it freaked me out, they were HUGE! So, I spent the afternoon digging up a bunch of them and putting them in pools of water that were everywhere, where they could dig deeper into softer sand. There were so many I finally had to just not look down anymore. I think Bill thought I was nuts. So what's new.

We also saw some star fish, I know we are supposed to call them Sea Stars now, but whatever.

Here are a couple more pictures of the day. See, people on our beach! :)

These are all over the side of the cliff. You can walk by them and they are making spitting and popping noises.

Relaxing on the cliff with the warm sun on my face. It felt so good!

You should all come with us next time!