Sprout Turns One Year Old!

 Can't believe that this little guy is already a year old.  He is the delight of mine and Neal's hearts and certainly brings lots of fun to us.  He is such a smart little fellow and full of energy.  He is spoiled.  I won't deny that, but why have a dog and not spoil them.  He has past his beginning puppy training class and we will be starting his intermediate class the middle of September.  We sure love this little guy!

Sprout with his best friend, Treble.  Treble lives just down the street from us and every time he goes for a walk he always wants to come to our house and play with Sprout.

This is a picture that Mallory took when Sprout was still a baby.

After playing in the hose.  He loves to chase and bite at the water.

He loves carrying sticks around.  We laugh because it looks like he is smoking a cigar!!

Brinkley and Sprout.  Brinkley is Sprouts favorite cousin - doggie friend - in the whole world.  They love each other!

Yup, he sleeps with us every night and pretty much sleeps where ever he wants.  

Happy one year birthday Sprout.  We do love this puppy!

This and That

 I just realized that I haven't posted anything since the first of August.  I guess I got so wrapped up in my birthday celebrations that nothing else seemed all that worthy of posting.  Judy invited me and two other friends up to the cabin to stay a couple nights and play bridge.  The first group was Susan, Shirley, me and Judy.  We went up on a Sunday afternoon and came back Wednesday morning.  We had a good time and learned lots of bridge tips.  Judy and I pulled out our matching shirts and wore them when we were partners in bridge.  The girls got a big kick out of that.

Judy bought the shirt first and I saw it and loved it so she ended up buying me one for my birthday, thus matching shirts.  We don't usually like the same clothes.  Judy wear a lot of glittery vibrant winter colors and I'm not glittery and like the pastel colors.  But, this shirt was an exception.

Out in front of the cabin.  I sent this picture to Annie and she responded back that I was the cutest!  

The next weekend we had another group for bridge at the cabin.  This time we left on Monday afternoon and came back on Wednesday afternoon.  As always, we had a great time, learned lots of bridge and ate amazing food - thanks to Judy and her cooking, I've put on a couple pounds!!  I had a picture of the next group but can't find it right now.  It was Kerma, Irene, Judy and I.  

When I got back from the cabin the painters were ready to come and get my office/guest room painted.  That was an exciting day.  They came about 10:00 and were finished about 2:00.  Can't believe what an amazing difference that has made.  I think it also helped Neal see that the whole house needs a fresh coat of paint.  We've lived here for 23 years and the walls certainly need to be refreshed.  We asked the painter to give us a bid to do the main floor.  Mallory's missionary companion, Kassie, is a decorator and she came and helped me pick out the paint.  So grateful for her expertise.  I couldn't be happier!

So I have to throw in a funny thing that happened.  Mallory is in charge of all the announcements that go out to her ward in Provo.  She does a beautiful job creating the announcements and drawing peoples attention to what is happening in the student ward.  She sent this out.  I'll let you look at it for a minute.

She also sent this to her family to see what she had created.  Andrew looked at it and said, "Oh, I would go to Gam's church!"  We all had a good laugh over that.  Way to go Andrew!!  And, I'm glad that you would go to my church if I created one!  Love that boy and his sense of humor.  

One More Celebration

 Today was a fun day to top of my 80th birthday celebrations.  Lynda Ann and I drove to Provo where we met Susan and Mallory for lunch at Joe Vera's.  Our favorite Mexican place on Center Street. I would love to have had a picture but Susan absolutely abhors pictures of herself and so I try not to push that agenda very often.  We had a delicious lunch and then sat around the table and talked for a good hour after.  Susan said that my 80th birthday deserved some extra gifts and she wasn't kidding.  Gift cards to Talbots, Beans & Brews and Roxbury.  My three favorite places!!  She also surprised me with an ornate candle holder.  It is unique!

I love getting these on my birthday because Talbots always has their big summer clearance sale around the end of August and I can get things for 70% of the mark down price.  I seriously find some great deals!  

Beans and Brews will be saved to use when the cold weather sets in and a morning hot chocolate just hits the spot.  I even have Neal addicted to their hot chocolate!

My very favorite aroma bath wash.  Smells wonderful and soothing!

This is a cut make up bag or what ever you want to put in it bag.  Love the saying.

This present was the biggest surprise and topped them all!  A squirrel candle holder.  Who would have thought there was such a thing.  I just love it!

After we said our goodbyes to Susan, Lynda, Mallory and I headed to the mall.  Annie had some issues she wanted to get straightened out with AT&T (which she certainly held her ground and got what she needed from them).  She handled the situation very calmly, intelligently and firmly.  From there we went in the mall and hit Bath & Body and then a store that sold Peanuts and Snoopy t-shirts.  Of course we all had to have one.  

It was a perfect day.  On the way home, Annie let me read her journal describing the events leading up to my divorcing her dad, the hurt she and I went through and most important, her finding her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  When I think back of those tender years when she was a teen and trying to navigate through her parents divorcing and her dads issues, I am amazed and proud of the beautiful daughter, wife and mother she has become and is.  She has a lot to be proud of.  

So, I shall put an end to my 80th celebrations and tell my children, my grandchildren and everyone who had a part in any of them, THANK YOU!  I feel so loved, needed and cared for!  

80 Years Old and Still in Love with Life!

 Turning 80 is kind of a milestone, I think.  However, I think my generation is living much longer lives.  I'm loving that I'm in such good health -that is a blessing I will be thankful for every single day!  

Found some fun pictures of me through the years:

The bump on the side of my eye was caused when I was about 2 years old and walking under a table and hit the corner of the table and the bump appeared.  I had it removed in 1965.  

The glamor shot that Annie and I both did.  Yes, Gertsons, your mom has one too!

Through the day, yesterday I had texts from all of Neal's siblings wishing me a happy birthday.  Also had texts from Jamie, Lexi, Peyton, Taylor, Jordyn Lyn, Lyndsy, Mary, Mindy, Maren, Greg and many friends and even my hair dresser, David!  Susan and David both called me and sang happy birthday.  That was a treat.  Abby called me first thing in the morning and we chatted while she was on her way to work.  Emmi called in the afternoon and Tucker called later in the evening.  Thanks to all of you who reached out to wish me a happy birthday.

The day began with Mallory and Brinkley coming with a beautiful bouquet of pink roses and white daisies.  My favorite color rose and the white daisies were gorgeous.  Thank you Mallory, I love you!

Mallory and I ran to Jimmy Johns for a quick bite and then ran a couple errands before heading back home.  We had a little bit of time before the Gertsons were to arrive so Neal, Mallory and I played a game of Nickels to Nickels and Neal handily beat us - but we had fun.  The Gertson showed up with dinner and drinks about 5:30.  Annie was going to make Navaho Tacos but they lost the power at their house so they did a step left and we had pizza instead.  It was delicious.  After a quick bite to eat I opened presents.  Annie had to work that night so we had to move things along pretty fast.  I had asked for a 4 cup measuring picture and some wire whisks.  Got both and so happy.  Andrew wrapped my measuring cup!!

When Annie came in the house she also had a beautiful bouquet of roses from my Hawaii.  Well I don't think they actually came clear from Hawaii but they did come from Emmi who lives in Hawaii and I could feel the love across the ocean!  Thanks Emmi.  They are gorgeous and every time I look at them, I smile and think of you.

Then Lynda Ann Presented me with my birthday cake flown here from California.  It was the same type cake that Abby had for her wedding.  You have to order these cakes way ahead.  You can't just go in the shop and buy one they have to be ordered and either picked up or shipped.  Absolutely the most delicious cake on the planet!  It made me cry that Annie would go to that trouble and that expense!  

Jeffrey always gives me a present that he has picked out and is from him.  This is what I got this year and I can't wait to put it together.

Andrew trying to dodge being in the picture!

Lynda Ann also gave me some very personal writings, from her journal of years ago, that I'm not going to post.  They are too deeply felt and sacred between the two of us.  Those years were rough for us but as we leaned on each other's love, we made it through.  So grateful for this daughter of mine.  I will share what she wrote in my birthday card:

Sadly, Annie had to leave for work and Hayley and Alex also had to head home but Jeffrey, Mallory, Andrew, Neal and I gathered around the table again for a game of Shanghai.  Always a fun way to end an evening if I don't win.  

Some time during the day some flowers and chocolates ended up on my porch.  No name was on them so I didn't know where they came from but after some texting and deductions I text Jamie and she was the sender of some gorgeous flowers and chocolates.  

Then to top off the evening, I went to the mail box and there was a package from Tucker and this was in it.

Tucker knows where my sports loyalties will ALWAYS lie.  Thanks Tucker - I love it!

My friend, Mindy, who is my early morning walking partner gave me this:

After everyone left, Neal and I made a quick trip to the grocery store for some needed items.  As I was walking back in the house, I glanced up at the sign above our dining room table that says: "The best memories are made gathered around the table."  No truer words ever spoken and I could even add here that not only friends grow together, but families grow together through stormy days and sunny days.

Thanks and with lots of love to all of the family who reached out and those who went the extra mile to make my 80th such a fun and very memorable day.  I told the Gertsons that I was kind of excited to turn 80 feeling like I was still 60.  I'm grateful to know that we will have an eternity together laughing until we can't breathe, sharing memories, and surrounding the table playing games."  I'm a very happy and feel like a deeply loved Mom and pocket sized Gam at 80!

Haven't changed too much, right?  :-)