My Dad Was a Rad Santa

My dad played Santa years ago. To many a party for friends he did show

That Dutch Crane couldn’t say, No! His grand children didn’t even know.

With his home sewn suit he said, HO, HO!

My mother loved to accompany him to the many friends, family and functions he shared his hearty laugh and love for serving at Christmas. How it began, I don't know. I am not sure I ever asked them. Perhaps someone needed a Santa and told him he would be perfect for the part with his giant laugh. I had my son, Jory try on the same suit. He has some of the same 'hamming up' abilities that my dad had.

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is coming, with just a week to go. Will we be ready and have new fallen snow? Life is busy and the nights are all aglow. It’s Jesus birthday soon, this we all know.

The pressure was mounting and I had a hard time concentrating on the task at hand. On my daily walk that morning, I said a prayer asking the Lord to relieve the weight and replace it with a clear mind. Almost immediately I could see exactly what to do and without doubt I began to move forward. It made all the difference. Taking one step at a time, I am getting there. Just ask and Jesus will lift your burdens, too. It doesn't matter whether they large or small. Confidence and a friend to help, makes life easier. Merry Christmas!!

Pecan Pie, Cant Pass it Up

I can’t pass up a good pecan pie. It’s my one major, ‘can’t’ leave it guy. Checking the pastry shelf with an all searching eye Got to select one and buy, for my high. Bye!

Breann's pecan pie was the winner this year. Even though we had several, hers topped the must have list. She is becoming quite the pecan pie maker and the first thing we request from her. I have loved this delicious pie, consisting of mostly nuts, eggs and corn syrup since my high school days. During the pep club pledge week, when we have a greenie to convince how much she really wants to be a Minerette, I even asked mine (Andrea Lendaris) to make me one. I ate most of it all by myself.

Coats of Many Colors

I've been looking for the most beautiful tree. It seems the Flowering Pear holds onto its leaves up to December. Each bitter cold night deepens their colors from green, to yellow, orange, red, burgundy. Some lucky trees appear to be related to Joseph, who had the amazing Technicolor dream coat. This tree is around the bend of a winding road and catches your eye in all its glory. When others are barren many continue to grow more beautiful by the day.

The pear tree holds on to its leaves to the end. A coat of many colors is its dividend. Did these trees for all the same hair color spend? Soon they’ll be bare, with winter around the bend.

These honey colored "Lombardy Poplar?" trees all in a row look like they used the same beautician and hair color. Isn't it funny?

Up In the Air Junior Birdman, Henry

When the children were little, especially Jory. We would lay on our backs on the trampoline with feet up in the air balancing little children on our feet as they faced us laying on their tummy. We sang the song, Up in the Air Junior Birdman' and fly them around. I don't know where I learned the song or if it really is one. The kids loved it and we spent hours helping them fly, not just on the trampoline but even on the living room floor.

I just Googled the song and found that it is a Scout song. It goes this way: Up in the air, Junior Birdman Up in the air, upside down Is it a bird, plane or Superman? No It's Junior Birdman upside down. And when you hear the grand announcement That his wings are made of tin, You can be sure Junior Birdman. My words were a little different, but the tune is the same.

Henry was an airplane pilot for Halloween. I didn't even play the game with him, but will in the very near future. It is funny how you forget the things you did with your children until something jars you memory. He will love to ride in the air. Hopefully, you do fun things with your grand children, too.

It's November & First Frost Now!

Farewell warm days, November is here. Time to vote, pay taxes, and yards to clear. Watch our winning teams and lots of cheer. Grateful hearts with Thanksgiving near.

It was the first frost of fall, Shriveling everything to small. We’re lucky it took so long to call Now we can move on. That’s all.

Usually first frost is the end of September or early October, but this year we didn't have it until November 6th. What an amazing autumn. Can't complain about it. No, not one bit. Thank you, Heavenly Father.

A Zinger of a Zipline

Do you every look at an offer for adventure and think, "Wow, that would be fun!" Then you wonder, 'Could I do that?' You continue to see the same ad and start to mull over it your mind of actually doing it. Well, Groupon does that to you. I constantly get emails from them, many are the same. The Zipline adventure looked fun. After five months of looking at the photo, I jumped at the chance when the price dropped and there was an extra 20% off.

We drove past these towers coming home from Midway a month ago and wondered what they were. Little did we know, standing on them would be our fate in a very short time. Allan was game to try it, so I made the appointment when the weather was pleasant. The early morning was quiet on the roads and canyons beautiful, though colorful leaves were mostly gone.

Our ten party group had three couples and a family of four. We were the oldest, but no one said, "Wow, how old are you guys?" Instead we suited up in our harnesses and helmets. They trained us in the ways we should go and told us not to depart from it. A test line from a ten foot platform, showed our abilities.

We were shuttled to the first tower and scaled up choosing our positions. Oh, the view from the top of the lake and mountains was amazing. The calm waters and cool blue sky, kept us on task. With a busy highway not far away, many pulled off the road to watch us careen from pole to pole. There were five in all.

"We went on the Utah Zipline tour. It was scary and exciting that's for sure. They strapped us in tight and secure. After riding the line, we now want for more."

Perfect Picture Faux Paux

I asked Al to take a picture of our grandson kicking at the second half of his football game. He is the team kicker #33 and pretty good, too. We have new phones and it takes a while to figure each one out. The camera is touchy and he doesn't take as many photos as I do. I often grab his phone and take the picture if I see something and don't have mine. This is what he got. Yeah, it's his hairy leg.

Here is a poem to go with it: Our grandson's the kicker on his football team. I asked Al to get a shot of the kick-off, oh to dream! With his new I-phone he missed the main stream and got his hairy leg. What a scream! He got it right the next time as he picked up steam.

When he teases me about taking photos, I will remind him about his. Mine have been just at bad at times, but it still is fun to rub it in. By the way, they won the game.

Grantsville Football - All For Fun

It's football season again, or has been for six weeks now. But where are all of the parents and spectators? They are out in the field awaiting the second half of the game. Their banner is strung across the support divide as they cheer on their sons.

Hunter, our grandson, is on a different team this year. He loves it! He loves Grantsville. It was the best thing our daughter and family could have done. Move to a small town so their kids could participate in everything. That's what they do in Grantsville.

And there they go, the team that is. Hunter is number 33. He is the kicker this year and loves it. His playing time has increased by 300%. It is great to be a Cowboy! Go Team! Go!

Fun At Four Theme Parks in Four Days

When we arrived each day we were full of wonder. We took wild rides and the music was loud as thunder. The food stuffs and shops our funds did try to plunder. Walking hither and yon our feet felt buried under.

We recently spent five days in Florida, four of which we went to Sea World, LEGOLAND, Universal Studios and Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. The shops are not just cart vendors but, themed villages with detailed stucco and elegant features. The Enchantment and entertainment draws you in. Most rides exit through the shops, which makes it necessary to put blinders on to walk through them.

Even the bathrooms are something to behold. This retro 'Classic Car' was in one of the sections. Every detail has been well thought out.

The rides ranged from the wild, 'The Manta, Keetch at Sea World, to Spiderman, Transformers death drops and all types of roller coasters at Universal Studios.

There were gentle as a baby's bottom rides, Cat in the Hat, Minions, ET and such. Cant forget the water rides> I got soaked by sitting in the one spot, I thought would be the safest. The other dozen riders laughed out loud over & over to see me get drenched.

The newest and coolest are the Harry Potter places in both Universal Studios with an official train and station leaving from Platform 9 1/2. There was no end to the imagination and believability to really transcend into the Hogwart World. If only we all could have gone. At the end of each day we drug ourselves out of the parks, relaxed in the warm swimming pools and slept like babies to repeat it each day. I had to come home to regain my energy.

Shaven & Shorn

I love a man who is shaven and shorn. His face is as soft as a baby newborn. When that mug is scruffy he looks so forlorn, And scratchy as the husk from an ear of corn.

Swallowtail Beauty

Hello butterfly bush, hosting that big swallowtail. Don't get beauties like you in the US mail.

Did you blow in on the last big gale? Thanks for waltzing by on your outdoor trail.

Schmidt Baby Boy Numero Dos

Cooper Scott Schmidt came into the world about 6pm, August 14 weighing 8lbs 5 oz. to the delight of his parents, Jory & Sarah. The delivery was easy and he is a handsome dark haired angel. Big brother, Max, wasn't sure what to think of this little fella that will take up some of his parents undivided attention. It isn't easy to be gentle and soft. He is learning, though.

This little gift from God has stolen the hearts of his family. He looks a lot like his grandpa, Scott. Funny because big bro, Max, looks a lot like his grandpa, Allan. May you both enjoy many happy days together.

BROWN is the NEW!

Have you noticed how many brown cars there are these days. It is the NEW car color and increasing by the spotting. I verbally shout 'Brown'. It helps that I have a brown car. You can imagine how excited I was when three were parked next to each other, one of course was mine.

Brown can never be compared to black, But finally now, it’s making a nice comeback. With cars and cute clothes on the rack, It’s a nice change, if you’re keeping track. When my kids were small, brown was the in color. I had many outfits in brown. Then black came along and pushed it aside. Well, it is finally time for brown to shine.

Oh Them Bones

In May Jenn's family had two broken bones. Kade fell off the tent trailer (May have been pushed) and snapped his arm. Jennifer crashed on her scooter and got a spiral break on her lower leg bone. Young bones heal fast and Kade has enjoyed a pretty fun summer. Jenn's leg bone is not healing as of this week's x-ray. She needs to see a specialist. This has not been a fun twelve weeks for her. She doesn't see the end of the leg scooter rainbow any time soon. Best of luck hanging in there with them bones.

Hair, The Haves and Have Nots

Some say, "Girl, you have lots of hair!" Ours is thin, now is that fair? There's plenty for us and some to share. Believe me pal, I have more to spare.

I am so lucky to have a great head of hair. My beautician says she loves to cut it. There are so many women with barely enough to cover their heads. I should be grateful to have such an abundance of it. I am!

Broken Bones At the Bad Luck Ranch

LAST WEEK: Kade turned ten. His R2D2 cake is a winner, along with its owner. Although you can't see it, one week before his birthday, Kade broke his arm. Thanks to a little push from his brother unexpectedly off the tent trailer. Suffice it to say, the trampoline bounce party was scaled back to Chuck E Cheese with the gang, after the doctor said, "No way, Now how on the trampoline warehouse one.

His gifts do a good job of concealing the blue cast. How long will it take for him to change his mind about breaking both of his favorite brother's arms? You better watch out, Big Bro! Keeping it dry and free of foreign bodies is another story. E N T E R: JENNIFER WITH A BROKEN LEG THIS WEEK!!

Yes, you read it right. Jennifer broke her leg this week while driving her scooter to the shop for an oil change. It happened so quickly, as she turned to soon or overshot the entrance, she can still see it all in her mind. Road rash and a few crushed bones is the result.

But, Mom, who will fix our dinner, clean the house, do the laundry and so on? "I will", she says. Because mom's just keep doing the job the best they can, come rain or shine or broken bones. Now she has a scooter for her leg. It waits patiently beside her bed.

They are looking over the rainbow to better times next month, because the last three have been quite ugly.

Payson Temple Visit

We did it early. Ordered tickets to tour the Payson Temple, instead of waiting until the last week when the lines and traffic will be unbelievable. How beautiful the interior was. Leaded glass bowed windows not only adorn the exterior, but are used in many of the interior rooms. Intricately carved railings and molding make the structure, very unique. Sculpted carpet, ornate chandeliers and plush furniture are used generously in the Celestial Room. If you get a chance, it is still well worth the effort to take the hour drive south and tour this amazing building.

The Brashy Bride

She made a young and beautiful bride. With her brides maids making faces at the photographer and having fun. Now twenty years later, she hollers at umpires when they don't call strikes as she keeps their teams score, works full time, keeps her family happy and loves to go camping. She hasn't changed much and has changed a lot. Here's to your twenty year anniversary and many more.

Paradise Practically

I checked out the second season of The Paradise this week. It took three months of waiting for my number to come up. I had to watch all nine episodes in six days. It was practically like paradise, seeing all those beautiful dresses, perfect hairdos and lovely shop store items. The best part about the show is that it is clean. No sleeping with anyone, no swearing, no cheating, lying, killing, shooting, or stealing. Just lots of lovely stuff and a bit of brilliance on the part of women. I need to sign up for season three. I'll call you when it comes in. You can come over.

Fancy, Fit and Feeling Great

Jenn has been working out. Getting fit and loving it. Every day and sometimes more she slips on her bright work-out clothes, puts a movie in and begins her cardio glide. What started all this. It was a contest. $300 to the winner of weight loss, body fat and so forth.

Eating healthy came next. Fiber became a vital ingredient to get this gal on the road to looking and feeling good. She actually won $100 for the most points. Way to go Jenn. Keep up the great work!!

He's Not Heavy, He's My Brother

We love it when the little boys (cousins) get together. Now Brayle, our oldest, can hold them all at the same time. In a few years that won't be the case. It would be even better if three year old Joshua could be here, too.

Here is a rare moment when they are all smiling and life is wonderful. I felt like singing, "He's not heavy, he's my brother.'

Henry Healing His Grandpa

Walking is one of the best activities, if one is recovering from heart surgery. Allan is doing it twice a day for fifteen to thirty minutes. On cold days he goes to his cousins big commercial greenhouse to walk. It is not only warm, but the fresh air is abundant. He loves to see the activity of the workers planting seedlings, replanting starts and filling big pots as they prepare for the spring rush.

When our grandchildren are visiting, such as little Henry, they take Grandpa walking around our cul-de-sac street of sixteen homes. Holding their tiny hands and being helped by them, is better medicine than one hundred pills.

It is just a matter of time, until he is healed and can thank our grand children for lending a hand.