Barb and Danny DiVito

The other day we went out to dinner with some friends and look who we ran into...


yeah, I know, he looks a little flat

Trevor's Birthday Luncheon With His Grandma and Me

Last Saturday Barb and I took Trevor out for lunch to McGrath's Fish House and then we asked him what he would like to do. We offered to take him out to buy his birthday present but he said he didn't want anything, all he wanted to do was "drive around" with us.

After prodding him for several minutes it came out that he would like ride the motorcycle. Barb has a smaller Honda Rebel 250cc and we felt that he could handle that just fine. The bike hasn't been ridden in a year so the battery was dead and we had to jump start it. Barb drove it to the gas station to fill the tires up with air and then we headed over to the nearby middle school where they had a big parking lot with no one around.

We started off by having him push the bike with the motor off so he could feel the weight of the bike, and then we started the engine and had him keep it in first gear and slowly went between two light posts. After that, he felt ready to give it a try, so we had him drive between the light posts with his feet up on the pegs. Then he was ready to go a little faster and drive it around the light posts. Then finally we got him to speed up enough to go into 2nd gear and man was he moving.

Then we played follow the leader and I was in front having him follow me around the school. Then he did it by himself. Just look at that smile on his face!

Barb and I have offered to pay for Motorcycle Safety classes when he gets back from his trip to California. We all had a lot of fun together that day.

My Dog - Gloria

Last Thursday, (May 27th), at 1:30 pm, I had to do what is probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I had to decide to put my beloved friend, companion, the keeper of all my secrets - Gloria down. Even though it has been 7 days, I still do not understand why she was taken from me after only being on this earth for 10 years, 6 months, and 8 days. She was the most gentle creature. Everyone who met her fell in love with her, and even though she made it clear that she was MY dog and there to protect me from people she didn't know - once she got to know you, if you gave her a tummy rub, you had a friend for life.

I watched her grow from a rolly little blond puff of fur, gathering her feathering and coloring, into a beautiful copper color, and slowly as she aged into a greying old lady, (just like me). I only had to teach her something twice and she remembered it forever. She would learn and do anything for a treat. She loved children and they were very attracted to her and her gentle nature.

What a lot of people do not know is that she came into this world fighting to survive. When her mother was carrying the litter, she swallowed a knee high stocking, and while under going surgery went into labor. The mother and all the litter were lost - with the exception of 1 little female. She was given the registered name of Duchess Glory Hannah. She was hand fed every 2 hours the first couple of weeks, and she sleep with a teddy bear as a substitute mother. Her owners decided by 3 months that she was just "too much" puppy for them. Everyone who took her home for one night, could not keep up with her - "too much" puppy. I was living alone, and one March morning as I was getting ready for work, the thought popped into my head, "I think I'm ready for a dog". That very day, a co-worker approached me a asked, "would you like a Golden Retriever Puppy? Free, if you don't take it, they are going to put her down". I said, well, let me see her, and then I'll decide. That evening I went over to visit, and as soon as I walked into their house, she pee'ed all over their hardwood floor, she was so excited!! I played with her for a few minutes and asked questions about the puppy, then asked if I could go out back and be alone with her for a couple of minutes to see how we interacted together.

We went outside, I sat down on the step, and Glory walked over, picked up her stuffed teddy bear brought it over and placed it in my lap and smiled up at me. I was instantly hooked. I knew that she was to be MY DOG. I scooped her up, went inside with her in my arms, and said "how much?" They said just put her in your car. So, Glory, her teddy bear and I drove home that evening and it's been a match ever since. I always made sure she never wanted for food, water, bedding, medical care and most of all love. When the vet said she needed a playmate, I got her a cat and a dog. I never struck her, the worst I ever said was "Oh Gloria". You see, I always thought Glory did not sound like it should be her name and immediately changed it to Gloria, and she liked it much better. My home became her home immediately. And she adapted so easily to living with me.

Now today, the little puppy that left footprints all over my heart, is gone. I don't understand how Heavenly Father could ignore my prayers and take my most prized earthly possession. But he must have someone in heaven who needs her right now more that I need her here on earth. So, each day, I cry a little less, but still miss her deeply. While a part of me never wants to have another dog again, another part of me wants to run out and throw my arms around a puppy and breath in the sweet smell of puppy fur and puppy breath. Part of me still wants to laugh at puppy antics, but part of me feels like I would be betraying my dog. My emotions are still very tender and I find at times I need to quietly steal away from others to let go of a few tears and then gather myself up and go on with my daily routine. I know it will get better, so my friends please bear with me if I tear up when you offer your condolences. I know you mean well and I am grateful for them. I just miss my dog, Gloria.

MOTHER'S DAY

This year for Mother's Day, Dave and Shelle plotted and planned for a get together for me to have lunch with Trevor and Ian - yea, my favorite people to spend time with!! So, we met up with them at the Olive Garden close by where we are building our house. We had a enjoyable time, all laughing and talking, they gave me a lovely vase with pink carnations and a beautiful handmade card from Shelle, (that each of the boys wrote a lovely sentiment inside to me) - then we drove over to tour the new house.

Afterwards, we went back to our place and enjoyed a surprise dessert, ice cream cake that was designed like a little pink purse. It was delicious. We sat around, talked, visited, and had an enjoyable time.

Then someone notice something that Ian has been hoping and wishing for, for the last 5 years, and this Sunday it finally happened. Yup, my little grand baby is finally as tall as me. Now I don't have any more "little" grand babies. Trevor is at least a foot taller than me, and Ian is the same height.!! (Even though they took a photo to document it, I think there's something wrong with the camera or the camera operator !!). Ian gave me a hug and said that he would still be my little grand baby even if he was getting taller than me. Gotta love those kids.

Trevor is getting his learner's permit this week, he's turning 16 next month. I can not believe how the time flies. He wants to learn how to ride a motorcycle and asked me if I would teach him. I said yes, provided that #1.) he always wears a helmet and #2.) he also takes the Utah State Motorcycle Safety Course, (which I will gladly pay for). He agreed, and then Dave and I talked a little about motorcycle riding and things that can happen when your on the road. Who knows, maybe it's time to give up my little motorcycle. Those Harley Sportsters are looking nicer every year !!!

It was a very enjoyable Mother's Day. Thanks Dave and Shelle. I got to spend it with the two guys that I dearly love. It was the best present ever.

Cabo In March

A friend of mine has been after me for the last 6 weeks to post about our trip to Cabo last month, (but with all that has been going on in our lives I have just not had the time). So, now I am going to post a few of the pictures about our trip to Cabo with our friends Janice and David Kram, (March 4th - 13th).

Dave and I arrived in Cabo on Thursday, March 4th, we had 1 1/2 days before David and Janice would be joining us. So, Thursday afternoon we wandered down to the pier grabbed a couple of tacos, walked around town a little then as usual wandered over to The Shrimp Factory for Dave's usual 1st night dinner of a kilo of shrimp and a half kilo of lobster. This trip we had a 2 bedroom casa (house), with a living room and full kitchen. It was very nice. Notice the 10 lb. bag of oranges on the counter that we bought for only $4.00 - good deal. They were delicious !!

On Saturday morning, we went up to the airport to pick up David and Janice, (they live in Minneapolis - so I'm sure they were glad to see the warm weather of Mexico.) Dave and I had not see them in over 2 years, so we had lots of catching up to do. We did a quick stop at the grocery store, then we stopped by the casa to drop off the bags and then we were off to grab a quick lunch and a tour around town. David was jazzed and ready to go (unbelievable - they had been up since 4am and he was so buzzed about being in Cabo, he didn't wind down till almost 11pm, where did he get all the energy!!).

On Sunday, it rained - boy did it rain!! In all my years of going to Cabo, I have NEVER seen it rain that much. It was a LOT of rain. We mostly sat around the casa, ran out for a quick lunch. And of course, I HAD to have my annual photo taken with the baby lion. How can I resist such a cute face !!!

Monday we woke up to beautiful skies. We spent the day around the pool relaxing, but I forgot about being on my medication and got burned REALLY BAD. While walking back to the casa, Dave and I found this lovely poinsettia that was 4 feet tall and 5 feet wide. I had to have my photo taken by it.

That evening we went to a Mexican Fiesta. We ate good food, saw good entertainment, and laughed at the guys trying to out drink the donkey. NO ONE has been able to empty their bottle faster than the donkey in 5 years!! Of course the guys are drinking beer and the donkey is drinking 7UP. Unfortunately, we went back to the parking garage to discover that someone had hit the rental car (almost $700 damage - thank goodness for insurance).

Tuesday we took a glass bottom boat around the marina to visit El Arco, (the Arch), Lover's Beach, Seal Rock, etc. That evening we went to an upscale restaurant that David researched on the internet. David brought with him a notebook with all kinds of restaurants (and reviews), tourist attractions and tons of information about the area. Because of David's research, almost every evening the four of us ventured into restaurants that Dave and I normally would not have tried, but will definitely go to again and take our friends with us in the future. Thanks David.

Wednesday was Parasailing day. David and Janice were first timers. I went first to show how easy it was and not at all scary. Janice went second, then Dave, then David. The guys took their cameras and got great shots of the area from up above.

Afterwards we went into town for lunch, and back to the pool for a couple of hours. You couldn't wipe the smiles from David and Janice's face. That evening we took a sunset cruise. More great photo moments.

Thursday we drove up to Todos Santos, yes the home of Hotel California. The very one that appears on the cover of The Eagles album. It's just a sleepy little tourist town. We stopped in to Restaurant Miguel's, (a little taco shop), for lunch - WONDERFUL food and very low priced. Did a little souvenir shopping. Took some photos, then back to Cabo. Another great restaurant for dinner thanks to David's book of research. We used his notebook A LOT.

Well Friday rolled around, the day to pack and start getting ready to go home on Saturday. We went down to the pool again today, taking it nice and easy - relax before going back to the hussle and rush of everyday nine to five back at home. It was very enjoyable vacationing with David and Janice. They didn't rush, when we made plans they were always on time, and like us they allowed down time for relaxation. And we had a lot of laughs. THANKS DAVID AND JANICE.

Stay tuned for next year when we vacation at Cabo with our friends Jayson and Katrina Goldman. We should have lots of interesting stories and laughs to share.

We're Building our New House

I didn't want to waste space in here to show the progress in building our new new house, so I created a new blog just for that. Check it out at http://4454BlackCanyonRd.blogspot.com/. Guess what the address of the new house will be. Enjoy the progress along with us.

Our Newest D.A.R.E. graduate

Last month, our grandson Ian graduated from the D.A.R.E program. We are SO PROUD of him. Less then 1/3 of the participants for his class actually continued through to the end and graduated. But this little guy actually stuck it out to the end. WAY TO GO IAN.