Spring Surprise for Jim

Jim enjoying three generations and honoring Cade with his Priesthood advancement, We sure love having Jaron and Jan and family so close now, And really love getting to see Augie

Trying to surprise Jim with help in the spring trim of our fruit trees is really difficult. The day before the prearranged surprise of all the Chatterley kids in the area, Jim decided to set up the scaffold and start trimming our cherry and pear trees. When I got home, I had to quickly distract him from continuing working and get him off the high ladder and stop. I set up the next day with a fun bike ride along the river and a picnic so that when we returned the kids would already be there.

But of  course Jim had to get into the act and join all the fun.

Nothing makes Jim happier than kids and work projects.

Here is part of the crew, the rest were already getting ready for the well earned pizza party.  A special thanks to Jaron and Heber who manned the two tallest parts of the trimming. Well done, we really love the help and fun times.

 

renew and restore

We need sun and this was the best time to go south and see old friends and honor those who have passed

we tried to avoid the storm headed our way and enjoyed the evening with Lorraine and whit, Here the men are gleaning the nuts and fruits of their back  yard while  us girls review music and shuffle clothes around to figure our our latest figure challenges.

lake Mead 

flowers and bees

KAYAK ?

Here is Eph and his cute family's, We spent one morning with Laurie as we honored Daryl Austins passing and reviewed family storied and photos, Daryls first wife is Jims sister and Eph is Dereks good friend., it is a small world, We also visited with Loren Marsters from the late 70's and the show OPen Any Door, He was the devil and I played  Eve! and then of course we ran into each other threw out the years at various theater opportunities and single adult dances. He and Daryl stayed connected after they moved to Az., We miss Daryl but are glad we could renew friendships

Linda Dipadova and family !Why we didnt get a phoro> We were having too much fun catching up!! We did enjoy every second and miss the love and great friendships, Here I am trying to renew my shopping degree! I let it slide during covid

As we prepare to leave,, one more sun shot before heading north, We left earlies than planned and again avoid the snow and rain predicted

And here we are back in the cold and the other dam 

Jim loves to study the structures, while we try to keep warm and travel north.

we end up staying in Kanab which just happens to have their local event with parachutes and cowboys and music with some clever name, But since I will just admit it now,,, my brain is not as quick and clever as it used to be. I often enter this blog at 5am with no light on so Jim can sleep, And just like old college papers

I rarely prof read what I write,,, so if you have made it this far in reading this blog, GOOD FOR YOU,, you are loved and missed prayed for !!!!along with my prayers each day for loved ones near and far.

 

sleep overs

We love having sleep overs with grandkids.

We have one room we call the closet room with many of my left over costumes from teaching drama, Here is part of the dog from Peter Pan and the wig from the Wizard of Oz. oh, and cute grandsons being creative,

They set up two drum sets just like the ones in Tarzan

These instruments are from when I taught dancing with  some food storage and kitchen supplies added, After we put the drums away we made sour dough raisin bread.

After doing cup stacking, they measured to see if the cups were as tall as Nik.

 And then we made Valentines

.We also did puzzles and legos and when it was raining we got in the hot tub. Then next day they wanted to get in the hot tub right after breakfast.. All and all it is always fun to be together

Happy Valentines Day, We love sharing our love. 

 

Hygge..Danish secrets to happy living

yesterday Nik and Peter asked me to teach them how to knit! how  I love this! One of the ways I survived covid last year was knitting 4 blankets. Knitting is relaxing and productive and Hygge. What is hygge? It is ways to keep happy and warm during the winter months. It is candles, hot drinks, fire places ,  .music, warm sweaters and good books.

keeping warm and cuddly with pets and hot tubs help keeping hygge

I will admit, I need sun! I am really blessed to have a south facing family room and sunroom and these are where I choose to read and study during these months. 

This is the view out our front door, It is North facing with snow from December to March

 

trying to stay warm with kitty kisses

we workout at the gym very early to avoid the crowd

we had a get away in Sr George to  get some sun and fun before Jims surgery. His surgery was a few days ago and he is recovering nicely. 

 

Finding peace in the New YEAR

Can we find our source of peace and joy in the New Year? Yes we can, I have hope in us. 

Here is Jim keeping his New years goal to work out! Yes, he does, every day! He did marry me and loves to start off the day right.

In the New year, we are continuing to look for ways to serve others,

We love being with family and wish that we could be with them all. ugh! still dealing with Covid restrictions

Jim started redoing the kitchen,,,

Our youngest grandsons love the hot tub and sharing time together

Me, I have rediscovered my need for scheduling study time and increasing my knowledge through classes and reading. Here Jim caught me getting distracted.

being able to work with my grandkids by showing my love of learning is priceless

SO , here is to lifting up joy and happiness for a NEW year. We celebrate with music and dance and uplifting shows and messages.

 

Christmas fish

2020 has been hard for another reason. I love to serve others in many ways including having friends and family over to eat.  WaSH hands, wash dishes, check date on the food, where did you buy it? Did you leave it in the garage for two days before bringing it in? So many rules,  I have prayed each day to know who I can help/ How can I serve?

And then the Christmas fish came into my life. It is a long story which includes helping my good friend with caring for her home while she works on her tan in  Hawaii. She said, "no big deal. just water my plants and get my mail." It would  only be a couple of visits a week" Again I had been praying about who to help and serve and really wanted to visit family but with covid rules getting more tight I didnt know if I could make it work. And then the fish came and needed me each day. That was the answer.... Feed the fish.. Feed my sheep....Feed the Christmas fish. 

Ans so that is what I can do. I can do this, and without a mask. but with plenty of love and knowing that I am needed

 

Christmas Poem 2020

 Merry Christmas 2020

let's wrap up this year, and find a way to be

of good cheer. 

We changed the way we shop and school and even tried to work out without a pool.

So we bought a kayak and discovered Utah's lakes and streams - 6 feet apart -we biked , hiked and changed our dreams.

PAT KEPT ON KNITTING, HAND WASHED AND MASKED. JIM ENJOYED ENGINEERING AND LEARNED SOME NEW TASKS.

we stayed in our home to worship and pray, when it got warmer out in the sun we stayed.

Now we can text, chat and zoom. we have hope and faith, anda desire to serve, so we have plenty of room.

Love, pat and Jim