I am loving listening to all these different versions of the Song 'Hallelujah'. So I'm going to post some of my favorite ones here on my Old Blog. Hope this Blog still works....:-)

Hallelujah https://youtu.be/F6L0zIz3eoM
   This is a wonderful Christmas Version of Hallelujah - song by one artist.

Another good one:https://youtu.be/F6L0zIz3eoM

   Another great one . Pics of the manger scenes.
 This one was done by The United Bethel Methodist Church. https://youtu.be/y4U2pGgrsC0

I really like this group.  Pentatonix      https://youtu.be/LRP8d7hhpoQ

Hiking

Since walking from Huntsville to home, I have done a lot of hiking. And I've done a lot more walking from Huntsville to our Home.  I was also able to do the San Francisco 1/2 mara with Rocky last month.  But I'll have to talk about that later.  I'm trying to catch up.  This wonderful trip we had earlier this Summer - I just have to write about:

  We went to Kanab, Utah area with our Son, Rock one weekend. We were able to hike around some beautiful area.  One amazing hike is through Buckskin gulch. It is a narrow walkway between two big rock hills that goes on forever.  I will post some pics.   We also got to see the beautiful "wave" that is in that area. Sooooooo awesome.  It is a sight that you can't believe you are actually seeing. You are constantly wondering " how was this formed?"  
    Then we spent a day with a very good guide who took us on a very primitive road way to "The White Pocket Area".   This place had formations that I've never ever seen in my life.  I was so amazed that this place existed. Here are some photos:

This spot looks like the Rock was clay once and someone walked through it and put in their footprints.

The above is in the 'White Pocket Area'

Above:    This is the WAVE  that I told you about earlier.

Here's Rocky Jay standing in the light between the two Rock mountains that go on forever in
Buckskin Gulch

The above two pics were taken at 'White Pocket".   The Rock formations were so amazing!

I will sign off w/this pic.  But there were sooo many more that I can't even begin to choose. We really saw a lot of country.   Loved it!

The Walk from Huntsville

Well, my first 10 mile walk in this area is accomplished!  It was better than I expected.
Jay dropped me off in Huntsville and I walked back to our home in Eden.  It was a beautiful day.
It did rain a little at one point, but for most of the day- it was nice.
I think I can handle doing this one (walk) often. There is a nice paved walking path - most of the way.
Also, I noticed, that most people I encountered were very friendly.   Example:
I saw a minivan parked in a precarious place on the road. It was a young gal with 2 children in the car. I asked her is she was okay and she motioned me to come over.  She pointed out to me what she was looking at. She said that she was showing her kids these beautiful big birds in a tree across the way. We talked about the birds and what kind we thought they were (Ravens or something), then she told me about herself and I told her a few things about me and why I live here now.
Anyhoo, we had a great exchange and then she went on her way. I reflect on this and realize that has happened to me a lot since I have moved here.  So many very nice and friendly people.
I think I'm going to like it here......:-)

 I live in such a beautiful Valley.

New Goal for me......

Yes, I myself can't believe it, but I am going to set a goal to do another 1/2 Marathon.
I Haven't done a 1/2 mara since October 2013 - The Huntsville Marathon.
  Our Son Rocky Jay has got me convinced that I need to do the San Francisco Marathon with him.  He will of course do the full mara, but I will , of course, do the Half.  
I signed us up so that makes it a full blown Goal or commitment for me. Anytime you put down money - that gives you the incentive. (well, it does for me....:-)

   So yesterday I started the 12 week course of getting myself ready.  I walked/jogged 4 miles.
Then today I walked 2.5 miles.  I also lifted a lot of rock today (landscaping outside). So I'm counting that as cross training .....:)   I guess I'm kind of following the plan and also kind of making up my own plan.  (nothing wrong with that, I hope)
I know I need to keep up 3 or 4 miles every other day - so I hope I can keep the commitment.  It has been hard for me to keep up my walking this year, because of moving and going on so many trips in the car.  It is very difficult to keep up your fitness plan on the road.  Unless you get up early in the morning before everyone else that you are traveling with........nope, that's not me.  Anyhoo, I  will do a long walk within the next week. I got in the car today and clocked out 10 miles for myself.  If Jay drops me off at Huntsville Park and I walk back -that will be my 10 miles.  I'm excited to start doing the long walks again.  I soooooooo miss my long walks around the Columbia River in Wenatchee, WA.   But those days are gone for me now.  I have to find my  new favorite walking ground.   There are a lot of beautiful trails and nice places around here, but since I walk alone - a lot of the trails will not work for me.  I have to walk out in the open where there are a lot of other people around and animals on leashes.....:)   Yes, I've been bitten by dogs before.  It is no fun!

Well, enough of my walking talk.  Now I will have to report back to this blog and hopefully that will help me accomplish this goal.  I don't want to say that I didn't do the Marathon.

 The above pic is of the Apple Trail Loop in Wenatchee.......I miss you.

This one is of my daughter and me after the Huntsville Marathon.

Pain that we Suffer......Thought for April

"No Pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted . It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility.  All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God....and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in Heaven..
by Orson F. Whitney

I like this quote.  It makes me feel a touch better about pain. We have to go through pain in this life.
I read C.S. Lewis's book  " The problem of Pain"   It wasn't an easy book to read. But it did make me realize that - if we didn't have suffering (pain)..... We probably would have a tough time becoming humble and we need to be humble to be more Spiritual.  It's all part of the Plan of Happiness.
 How would we know Joy, if we didn't have pain?

Well, that's my thought for this month. We've had a pretty good month, but are still trying to figure out this Retirement thing.  It is hardest on my husband.  He is use to going to work everyday. We just have to keep him busy and find a new normal.....:)
We had a good week at Disneyland with our daughter Staci's Family.  Jay and I did notice that we were very worn out and tired, tho.  I guess we can't keep up with these youngins'.  But we tried our best.

Freedom

The ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us.    Stephen Covey

Every choice has a consequence whether we like it or not, even not choosing anything is a choice.  We are here to learn, grow, evolve and transcend.  The better choices we make - the freer and happier we will be!

That's my quote for this month. Yes, I was going to have a quote of the week, but a month has gone by and it looks as if I might have to be happy with getting a post of the month on here......
I did have a good excuse tho,  we actually moved all of our belongings from Ephrata, Washington to Eden, Utah.  I can't believe that it really happened. I have to say that it was harder than I thought it would be. We did have some help, but most of the work was done by my husband and me. We haven't moved in 30 years - so what did I expect?  But we are finally feeling like we have things in place and have some order in our home.  I realize that I am OCD or type A or whatever you call it. But I do feel a sense of accomplishment that most of the things I wanted done are done.  Now to go on with this choice we have made and make the best of it!
(-more on the move later.....)

Optimism

No Pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit..... - Helen Keller

I'm keeping with my happiness theme for awhile. Especially since it's the first part of the year and it is  gloomy and gray outside. I always have a tough time with January and February. I'm a person that loves light (sunshine).     I'm sure I've said that already, but it doesn't hurt to repeat it....:)
  So it is a little hard to be feeling Optimistic when the weather is cold and disagreeable.
But being and feeling optimistic has always gone back to the word "Gratitude' for me.  When you start counting your blessings, it is very hard not to feel Optimistic about your life.
So that is what I try to do as often as I can. Start thinking about all the things I am grateful for.
My Family is probably the first one I think of and then my Health. And of course then there are many other physical and spiritual things when I start thinking about it.  So by the time I am done, I am feeling very Optimistic about this life.   I just have to keep reminding myself about that important word "GRATITUDE!!

Let's give it a try.....:)

Yes, I know it's already the end of January, but I think I want to try and do what I said in the last post:
Give a thought or quote for the week.  Here's my quote for this week:

 There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.  By being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world.    Robert Louis Stevenson

I believe it is human nature for us to keep thinking that we will be happy after something happens:
when I get that new job, or the new house, or a bigger kitchen, or when my kids grow up, or.....etc. etc.    I  realize at this time in my life that I have to try and make happiness a habit.  Every morning I wake up - I've  been given a wonderful gift -  another day of life -  so  I have to make the most of it.
No one can do it for me.  It really is a state of mind and I have the power to make it a state of my own mind.  I hope that I will do that more now.
  My husband and I are in the process of moving to another state. We are blessed that we can do this. We can live closer to our kids and grandkids. We are able to semi-retire. It is a blessing and I have to look at it that way.  But right now, I'm feeling a little sad about leaving a place that we have lived at for 30 years.  We raised our kids here. We have family and friends here. 
 But now it will never be the same, because we will come back as visitors from now on.  Someone else will be living in this house. I have to let it go and let a new chapter of our lives begin. I think we are ready. But it is a bittersweet thing to move away from a place that has been your home for so many years.

In the Words of Thich Nhat Hanh:

When we are mindful, we notice that another person suffers.
If one person suffers, that person needs to talk to someone in order to get relief.
We have to offer our presence, and we have to listen deeply to the other person who is suffering.
That is the practice of love--deep listening.
But if we are full of anger, irritation, and prejudices, we don't have the capacity to listen deeply to the people we love. If people we love cannot communicate with us, then they will suffer more.  Learning how to listen deeply is our responsibility.  We are motivated by the desire to relieve suffering.
That is why we listen.  We need to listen with all our  heart, without intention to judge, condemn, or criticize .  And if we listen in that way for one hour, we are practicing true love.   We don't have to say anything; we just need to listen.

Wow, I like this...... I hope I can remember this.  I'm thinking about starting a Quote of the Day again, (on second thought)
Maybe it will have to be a Quote of the Week.....:)
 

You Never Know

http://youtu.be/3n-DOKBffuU

This  Video so reminds me of my daughter.  She is always doing things for others, but has 5 kids and a husband to take care of. They have an insanely busy schedule.  I wish things would slow down for them sometimes.  The kids are growing up so fast and it will all seem like a blur later, but this is life. It is good,-all the things they do for others and for their kids.  But I see sooooo much how these young families really need to replenish the water in their well . Or in other words, fill up when they are running on empty. And I know you know what I mean.

After I wrote this, I read a comment that some one put on Utube about this, I will post it below my comment on it -right  here:

I do believe what this gal is saying. We, as young and older Women need to prioritize.  We need to realize how much we are realistically capable of doing. But it is so hard to find a balance.  And most of all, we need to forgive ourselves.  Learn from our mistakes and go on.  If we don't do this, This is how a mental breakdown starts out. ( When we never truly forgive ourselves and are not realistic in what we should be doing and what we can do.)  I just hope we can each learn what is the right way for us as an individual.  I'm still working on that, but I have learned not to be as hard on myself. I pray that I won't be hard on others either.  No one likes someone to tell them what they are doing wrong. The condescending attitude has got to go....... Okay , that's my two cents worth today.....:) Marie Adams

comment by:Debbie Gaddis:

I know this is well meant, but the Bible does not teach us to be martyrs in this way.  Learning to say no to your children and letting them fail when they do not do their jobs is being a good mother.  If your kid gets a zero for not doing his science fair, then he learns a lesson.  If your daughter is hungry because she won't eat her breakfast, then she'll learn a lesson.  A child can go with the mother to a doctor's appointment or someone else can keep them.  Dads can make a meal or even (horrors!) buy a Stoffer lasagna after a baby is born. Teaching women that they are nothing but servants, unable to fulfill themselves except by sacrificing their own needs and desires is not right.  There needs to be a balance, not a sacrifice.  

Thanksgiving 2014

So Thankful today for my Family, Friends and life here in the U.S.A.

It is a very different Thanksgiving for us this year, because most of our family is having Thanksgiving with someone else. It's just Rocky, Jay and I and we are in St. George, Utah.  I will not be cooking the Turkey , because we will be going to Cracker Barrel.  Yes, very different in deed, but we have been able to get a lot of golfing in and the weather has been Fantastic!  Here are some pics of the Beautiful Golf Course we went on yesterday:

Over a month ago, Rocky and I had come down here to climb Angels'Landing in Zion National Park area. We met my Brother Rick and His wife, JaLynne and son, Brayden and Daughter, Alli.  We had a good time on this challenging climb to the top again.  Here are some photos from that day:

We love it here in Southern Utah. It's beautiful and the weather is usually very good.  I think I would like my address to be down here in St. George some day....:)

More 2014 Happenings......

I forgot to say that in March we came down to Utah to our Nephew's wedding - Beau Winters.
He married Josie Hansen from Salt Lake.  They are a darling couple.

First here's a pic of My Brother Rick's family at the Temple after they were married.

 Here's Beau and Josie:

and here's Jay and I.........

We have really gotten close to Rick & JaLynne's family.  They have lived by us in Ephrata (Soap Lake)... Every Sunday we had Dinner together and played a game of Pit. (for 2 Years)

Now they have moved on us.  They moved to Magna, Utah Area.  It is by Salt Lake City.  I know I

will still get to see them, but it's not the same as it was.  Waaa. Waaaa.

I am in Utah now at our Eden Place and I did get to spend the afternoon with them in Salt Lake a couple days ago.  Here's a couple pics from that day:

Josie,Beau, Ben, Alli, JaLynne, Rick, and Brayden.

This is a goofy one w/me in the back.


Also, this year, my little Sis, Mindi had her first baby. They named her: Kya Jane I was able to go to Olympia to visit them.  Here's a pic with me and Kya:

Above
 is the blanket I made Kya......since I don't do this much anymore, I have to share....






Here is a pic of Mindi's family:
Mindi, Kody, Kya, Zoe and Gavin
















Well, I can see that I'm going to have trouble catching up with all that has happened this summer.I think I will tell about our son, Rocky's story in the next post.  It was quite involved and we spent most of the month of June helping him.
We had a great 4th of July time with my (The Winters') family. They came to our house in Eden and we went to the
big Parade in Huntsville. Then played games, had a Barbecue, had pool and basketball tournaments.  Then did the
fireworks at night and had Pizza!  What a day.  I think I'll try and post some of the pics of that day:

Some of the Gang at the Huntsville Park after the Parade

Mark and Rick after Mark wins a Basketball tournament

Brother Rock standing and the others watching the Tournament

Little Madden with Natalie Grace

Staci and Analee making faces

Gwen and Analee

Part of Rick's family

Ben, Bray, JaLynne and Rick

Pic of our house in Eden after almost everyone has gone......

So after everyone left.  Staci , Kids and me stayed on for another week.
We had a great time going to the Swim Park and the Tree Museum and various other
activities. (Even a couple movies)  It was a good little summer vacation.

IN the HOT TUB!  Gwen, Kallista, Analee and Lydia

Before Chad left - we went on a little hike by the Ogden River.

The Beautiful Sunset - looking out from the Hot Tub one night.

My wonderful Grandchildren - Weston, Lydia, Analee, Kallista, and Gwen.

I did forget to mention that Lydia had a surgery earlier this summer, (before Rocky's tumor surgery)
She came through it really well for having to be put under and everything.  And she hasn't had any more trouble with seizures since she has been on medication.  We are so thankful that she is more Healthy now.
Analee has had some health issues with Schlerderma sp?) ,but has got it under control now.
She has had to go to a lot of Dr. appointments and will continue to do so, but at least it was caught before there was anymore damage to her beautiful face.

How can I catch up?? I guess I'll start with our trip in April to see Greg, Heidi & Tommy.

I realize that there is no way that I can catch up with my blog here.
So I will do the best I can.......
I feel that I've traveled a lot this year, but it has mostly been back and forth to Utah.
We did go to Greg and Heidi's in North Carolina in April and that was a fun trip.
They showed us a great time and we enjoyed little Tommy (our Grandson).

Here are some pics from that trip:

 Greg & Tommy

Heidi & Tommy

 Grandpa & Tommy

 Greg & Heidi on the Lake

 Dr. Rock w/ Tommy

 All of us there w/Tommy

Grandma with Tommy ........awww


So I do have a lot more pics of us doing a lot of fun things, but I know it would take me forever to load them all.  We spent a fun day going to Williamsburg. (they re-enact events from the time of the Old Colonial Town of Williamsburg.)  It was very impressive.
Then one day the guys went Golfing at Myrtle Beach and Heidi, Tommy and I went to see the Alligators and Crocodiles.  I was very intrigued with the Albino ones that had to live in the Dark.

We also saw the World's largest Croc,  but my pic isn't too great of it.
So moving along,
We spent a couple days going to and coming back from Virginia Beach, VA.
We saw the Boardwalk & Atlantic Ave.   It was the off-season, so we felt like the only ones on
the Beach.  That was strange, because I hear it is usually very crowded.  It was a wonderful Beach.
Here's a pic I was able to get of me and my boy, Gregory. :

I think that's the best pic I have of him and me - since he was a little boy....

Well, our trip was fun and we hope we can go back and see them again while they live there.  But It sure is a long ways away from us here in the West........:(

Gloomy or Glorious

Life can be legitimately seen as a painful tragedy or a purposeful triumph.
Each of us must choose. I choose to see God at work blessing His children in wise and loving ways.
The very fact that God has created a world in which everything can be seen in gloomy or glorious ways seems to be evidence that He honors our agency.
- H. Wallace Goddard

Yes, Everyday we are making choices on how we see and interpret the things happening in our lives.
It is so easy for me to get stuck in a rut. I can get frustrated and think that my life is so limited in what I can and can't do. I don't feel I have the time and energy to do all that I want to do. AND I don't like to commit to things, because I hate to feel trapped in to what I have to do.  Hummmmm.......does that make sense??
I am one that really LOVES  my freedom. I like to be able to walk in the mornings, read a book when I want and go see my grandkids when I want.
I have been blessed to be able to do these things and more -- to travel and be available for my husband and other family members. Also, I've had time for different church jobs and been able to play the piano/organ at various functions.

I have had a few different paying jobs in my life, and I've learned a lot from them. BUT I felt like I was held hostage.  I definitely didn't like to be controlled with my precious time.......:) I'm so glad that I can plan my days myself- right now. 
 I just have to remember that I have a choice in how I'm looking at my life.  Is that glass 1/2 full or 1/2 empty??
I read an obit. of someone that really has left a mark in this life. She did a million different things and was involved in a hundred different charities and raised 8 kids and made quilts and was the best gardener, etc. etc.    Uh-oh, there I go comparing myself to someone else again.
I've learned that is the wrong thing to do and I've tried to help my daughter not do this either.  But that is where I have to catch myself and tell myself how great my life is - there really isn't anything gloomy about it. (except in the winter when everything is so darn cold and gray....:)

There really are ample reasons to fret in this life. Don't get me started! There's
a lot that just isn't fair and it is so sad to see friends/family suffer and in so much pain.
BUT   ...The Sun is starting to shine more. Spring is in the Air.  Now is the time to shed any negative, sad, or gloomy thoughts. I will!  I will!
God wants us to be happy.  We are suppose to be joyful.  I just have to remember that I have the choice.  Like my mother always says, "I choose Joy".

Everyday Epiphanies

Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it. - Anne De Lenclos

I sure wish I felt like this everyday. In fact most days I do not. But every now and then I have an Epiphany and am reminded that I am alive and I should appreciate every day. Well, really I should appreciate every moment, but I don't.  I forget. I forget how blessed I am to be healthy and alive at this moment. Life goes on....

I was reminded last week when a gal I knew passed away and she was only 32! I am 54 and still feel I have a lot of living to do. When I was at her graveside....I looked at all the headstones there and was reminded of all the people that had passed and wondered if they really realized how short and quick their life here on earth was going to be?? All those days that slipped by unnoticed and unappreciated. How can I turn that around and appreciate every single darn day that I live??? I wonder.

I thought today of some of the days that I remember in my life. Already I'm forgetting a lot....:)

 For some reason the first one that came to mind was 9/1/01. Which of course is now known as 911. The day that the Trade Center in New York (Twin Towers)were destroyed by our own planes. A very vicious act of terror. Done by a group of people that really, really hated Americans. 

Well, I won't go in to all that, but another day that I thought of was in May of 1980. Mt. St. Helen's Blew it's top and we lived pretty darn close to it. (40 miles as a crow flies). I was a month away from delivering our second son, Greg. So I remembered being quite worried about it. 

Another day was when we got married (7.8.78) Big day for us!! Then of course, I remember something about each day that I gave birth to our 3 children.  The last day I want to mention, because now I'm remembering a lot more....:)  Anyways, another day that I will never forget is when our son Greg was in a terrible accident.(8/4/98) Two of his good friends: Matt Hammond and T.J. Sortomme died in that accident. It was such a shocking and scary time as a mother to witness. Greg flew out of a car that was going 82 mph. He had a bad blow to his head and was very combative. Anyways, I won't go into more detail, but my point is.....that you just don't forget those kind of days in your life.

So today I'm going to be Thankful for right now and try to appreciate this day and be thankful for the ones that remain. We never know what is in store for us, but we sure can try to cherish our life and the lives of others around us right now!

 

 

Love and Thankfulness

There are two ways that love helps me, now and then, to see real people through the filter of my insecurities.
One of them is a growing power to love myself enough to be thankful for what I am, and to forgive myself for what I am not!  I feel this power intermittently, I admit, but I feel it enough to get my eyes off my anxieties about myself and get a focus on what is going on with other people.

Love also helps me to get outside of myself long enough to discover that the people whose favor I need so much are as weak and needy as I am.   They are trusting me to care about them while I am struggling to see them through the haze of my own anxieties.  If I discern them in their needs, I am getting the imagination to catch a moment of grace when it comes.  :)

This is a quote from Marianne Williamson's book - Return to Love.

It has taken me a lot of years to try to focus more on the other person and quit thinking of myself so much.  I believe that this is human nature(to think of ourselves more than the other person),but I do notice that people really like to be around you when you actually listen closely to what they are saying and show that you care. 
 It is easy to not listen very well.  I am trying hard to give full attention to the person I am with and not think of my little world so much.
It's always a work in progress.....

I am always reminded of how blessed I am.
All I have to do is turn on the TV and see on the news what so many other people in the world are dealing with. Right now they are focusing a lot on the big Typhoon that hit in the Phillipines. Thousands are dead and Thousands more are wounded and displaced. 
The scenes of graphic destruction are everywhere.It is so sad and depressing to see.
Yet we have people close to home that have many hardships, too.
Yesterday I took a Gal and her son to the Dr. and to run some errands.  She and  her family are homeless right now. They don't have a car and a job either.  Jay (my husband, the Bishop) is trying to help them get back on their feet. It is sad to see how hard it is on them and their family.  But I'm finding that we can only do so much to help......then we have to let go and pray that their lives can get better. It does make you sooooo Thankful for your own life and all the luxuries that you have. (i.e:  a warm home, a car, a job,running water, food, clothes, etc.)
I hope and pray that I will always keep a grateful heart.  
Gratitude and Love - that's what it's all about.


  

Trying to remember....

I'm trying to remember the 1/2 maras that I've done in the past. So I will put it down here - so I can
refer back to it.
The first 1/2 marathon  I did was in Verona, Oregon.
The second one was in Hartford, Conn.(did with son, Rocky)
The third one was in Sunriver, Oregon
The fourth one was outside of Pocatello, Idaho. (did with daughter, Staci)
The fifth one was around the Lake of Chelan, WA. (parents came with)
The sixth 1/2 mara was in Carlsbad, California. (did with Rocky again)
The seventh one was the Rock-n-roll 1/2 Mara of Seattle, WA.
The eighth one was in Wenatchee, Washington.
The ninth one was in Miami, Florida. (did with Rocky Jay)
The 10th one was in Wenatchee, WA again.
The 11th one was in Eden, Utah, (did with Staci)
The 12th one was in Huntsville, Utah. (did with Staci again....:)

The only whole Marathon I did was in Salmon Idaho with my daughter Staci.
  I came in an hour or more later than her, of course.....:)
But hey!  I did it.

Now I have a record of the races of done.  So that I can remember when I'm old and gray
and can't remember any more.  Ha haha.....I guess I shouldn't laugh.....that might not be too
far away from now.  I had a time remembering the order of these now.
I will still try and do at least one 1/2 mara a year.  And I always do the Ephrata Canal Caper in March. (10K)   But now I think I will be lucky to do that much a year.
I do spend a lot more time just walking the River or around the Farm, when I can.