Life

Today I'm working on a story that is breaking my heart. It will run this weekend.
But it doesn't help a dear man, who I admired professionally, passed away on Monday. I wrote that story on Tuesday and it ran Wednesday. Steve Hill did so much for the children in this community. He loved teachers. He loved students.
And I'm just in whine mode. I really need day or two where I can just sit in the sun and read books. I need to find a good book I haven't read yet. But I will feel lazy and I will find something to do, like prune my roses. They really need to be pruned. And thin out my lilies. They really need thinning. Or putting away my winter sweaters, skirts, pants and boots. They need to disappear and the sandels, short sleeve T-shirts and cotton pants and skirts need to come out. Or just scrub out a kitchen cupboard or two or three or four. It's been a long winter.
I've been extra grumpy too. Poor Rod. He has to put up with extra grumpy. My poor coworkers and boss. They've had to put up with extra grumpy.

Where has the time gone?

Where has the time gone? My husband's birthday came and went. Thanksgiving came and went. Christmas skidded through and then came the New Year. I ended up covering the Utah Legislature and gave thanks for my regular beat, cops and courts. And here it is April. Almost the end of April and it's still lousy weather. I know only Heavenly Father is in charges of the weather, but I sure wish He'd decide to let it get a tad warmer and drier. I really want to put away my winter clothes. Besides when I'm feeling down and out, I tend to spend more than I should.
Speaking of spending, I love spending money on my grandkids. Saturday I hosted a wedding shower for a young woman who grew up in my area. I showed our guests this cool book I bought at the Capitol's gift shop during the Legislature. It is a dinosaur pop up book. Turns out, I'm behind the times. The author of the book is very well-known and has created many pop up books, including a Star Wars, Harry Potter, Magical Creatures and Super Heroes, that are way too cool and Amazon sells them. Trust me. They're cool. Grandkids love them.
I love my job also, most days. I love writing about people and the choices they make. I love writing about events. I love tryng to find out stuff also. I do hate what people do though, like hurt each other and small children.
I love my children and their spouses. Easter was fun this past weekend. I had all the families make a salad and share it on Easter Sunday with the turkey I cooked. I'm amazed at how much easier the kitchen was to clean when they shared, instead of me using every pan I own to cook an entire meal for everyone. I don't mind though. I love to cook and bake. Sometimes though I do get stressed and just want to cry.
Crying.....I figure I will always cry. I don't need a reason. I just cry. I don't always feel like I'm measuring up to a mark that society/people/or I have set. I am disappointed in myself a lot lately.
I just want it to get warmer so I can go get a fancy pedicure, go ride my bike and prune the roses. Maybe even take a nap in my hammock.

Day 10 in thankful thoughts

I'm heartbroken. I'm trying to be thankful. The son of my dear friend died Tuesday due to complications from cystic fibrosis. He was 20 and so much fun. It was expected, but not expected.
My favorite memory of Carol is when she entered my sewing/laundry/yarn room to sew camo jackets for her sons. Not many people have been allowed to enter my domain.
She was so much fun to be around and I cherish that memory. It is one of the few "friend" memories I have. I tend not to do much with other women.
I should not be such a loner and do something.
Anyway, I've posted on Facebook that I'm grateful that I can be grumpy and not feel guilty. I am grateful for people who really care about others.
It's been a difficult, difficult week. Yes, I'm feeling sorry for myself.

4th, 5th & 6th of 30 Thankful Days

Thursday and Friday got away from me as far as writing down what I am thankful for, but I woke up with the thought.
Thursday I was grateful for crockpots. I feel in love with the cooking device 30 years ago. I have used up a couple. I enjoy cooking roasts, stews and chilis in a crockpot or slow cooker. I love coming home from work to a cooked dinner.
Friday I was thankful for fall. It is so beautiful right now. The golden leaves make everything look golden outside. It feels so peaceful.
Today I am grateful once again for my grandchildren and my children. I am so thankful for these wonderful, amazing little people who call me Granny, Gramala or Damma. They are so smart and kind. I am blessed to have them all living so close and even more blessed my children and their spouses allow these sweet souls to come spend the night with me once a month. We watched Toy Story 3 last night and it reminded me how quickly this thing called childhood will pass and Me like Buzz and Woody will no longer be needed by these beautiful children but maybe there will be other little ones who will play with us. Yes I cried.

3rd Day of 30 Days of Thankfulness

Today I'm thankful for my husband of 31 years. We met 32 years ago this month. I thought he was the most handsome man I have ever seen. And he made me laugh...a lot. He still does.
I still remember when I proposed to him, shortly after Christmas. Told him, "Let's go to Nevada and get married."
He thought I was joking.
It took him a month longer to realize we were going to get married.
I love my man, Rod. He's been the best thing that has ever happened to me. He believes in me. He has encouraged me to do whatever I want to do most of the time. He, like President Hinckley, is a man who lets his wife do what she wants to do and stays out of the way. He knows how much I love my children and grandchildren. He knows how much I love to help others.

Day 2 of 30 Thankful Days

Today I'm grateful for the opportunity and privilege of voting. Too many people out there said it doesn't count. Well, it doesn't if you don't vote.
My father, Richard J Dunn, my grandfather, Eldon Fay Watts and my uncles, all fought and served this country so we could vote.
So basically get out there and vote. If you don't vote, don't whine about where this country is going. I don't agree with everyone, but I do agree we need to stand up for what we believe in, even if that vote ends up on the losing side.

30 Thankful days
The beginning. My daughter-in-law, Megan, has inspired me to write this blog. Each day I will write something I'm thankful for.
Today, Monday, Nov. 1, 2010, I am thankful for my children and their spouses who are truly, caring, kind and concerned parents.
I was in 2nd District Court in Farmington this morning and a 20-year-old man was sentenced to jail for breaking the femur and fracturing the skull of a 2-year-old last November. The little girl was the child of his girlfriend. The mom didn't buy his story.
I wasn't there for his case, but I did some checking and may do a story.
I know what bones sound like when they break. I accidently broke my son's foot when he was 4 years old. I knelt down to help him pick up his toys and landed on his foot. He screamed. I cried. We went to the doctor.
I know what a femur is like to heal. Same son, two years later. He gets in the way of a motorcycle on 2000 West. I was stupid and allowed him to cross the street by himself with his older friend. He got ran over and his femur was broke. It took weeks of healing.
I know my children are human and get frustrated with their kids, but none of them would intentionally injure a child because the child is crying.
They know they can call me and I will come get my grandchild or grandchildren.
I am so grateful to have caring and kind adult children who are wonderful parents to their children.