Do we find our ancestors or do they find us?

Lately I have been amazed that the world is taking an accelerated interest in finding their ancestors. This is evidenced in the recent televsion productions on PBS's 'Faces of America" and NBC's "Who Do You Think You Are?" The premise of these shows is that professional geneologist research is done for celebrities and then the Geneology or stories of the celebrities past is presented to them on television. I have been interested and spell bound in a few episodes of Faces of America as I watched Oprah and Mario Batalli learn about their ancestory and how those relatives had similar interests and personality traits and even work interests. As they learn that their careers and even their charities are interests passed down through family lines, thier eyes light up and they become emotional as they finally meet their family and in turn learn more about who they are themselves. This week others like Susan Sarandon will be portrayed as they are presented and assisted in finding out their history and family members of the past on the NBC show Friday night.

The interesting thing to me is that celebrities and other people are just now getting interested in who they are and where they come from. What is this new phenom and why the sudden interest in researching one's relatives. Is it just a passing fad or the newest craze that will pass with time? I don't think so. I think the world is finally coming to understand what is important; thier family! I also believe that spirits from people who have passed away call to us to find them and make records and take that even further - - which I will explain at the end of this blog.

Finding ancestors, doing family history and writing our own personal history is not new to me or to the members of the church I attend (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.) Not only that we have been encouraged since we were children to write in a journal and create our own personal history, our church has the largest Geneological Library in the entire world right here in Salt Lake City where anyone in the world can come to learn more about their family ancestry. Our churh has presented family histories to all of the recent Presidents of the United States.
http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/57628/Obama-family-history-presented-to-US-chief.html

The reason we seek out our ancestors is because ultimately we all want to know who helped us begin our own lives. We are all family and were family before we were born. We all have ties back to Adam and we are brothers and sisters who belong to the same family. It is no surprise that people are wanting to know how they are tied together into family lines. Who we are, what we do, what we enjoy doing is tied to someone in our past who had those same traits and passed them on to us. Family research can help us find someone from our family's past who is probably very similar to us in many respects.

So now we ask, what do we do with the knowledge of our ancestory once we have it? There's the question that is most important. We record it, we treasure it, we share it with others; but is that all? No, there is something else we can do. Our Ancestors who have passed away before us wait for us and even prompt us to find them for a specific reason. They are the ones who are speaking to us "from the dust" so to speak. They want to be found and then there is something else they wait for us to do for them. What is that act of service they are waiting for? For the answer to that question and others regarding families and extended families visit www.mormon.org. You will be amazed and hopefully encouraged even further to find your past.

Note - I have filled several journals in my life and recently purchased another journal. In that journal I have created a time-line of my life and plan to not only make brief daily entries but also stories about experiences in my life that I feel would be of interest to my children and their children so they can know me without having to search to learn about me.

January Duldrums or updrums - WHICH?

(These pics are of Howard standing at the entrance to Fish Lake National Forest which is 10 minutes east of our home in Delta). Click once on the pic to enlarge.

Hello February! January came and went without even a thought of posting on my blog. Why? On January 1 I was completely exhausted from all of the happy and fun activity in December. When my grown up children left after Christmas and went back to their three different cities of residence (Seattle, Pensacola and Ogden), I cried out loud briefly, then Dean hugged me and I stopped crying and then I thought, "Here we go into long,dreary January!

I have been fearful of living through my first January since I arrived here on August 7 of last year. I've not experienced January in Utah for 22 years but I do have a mark on my brain that says, "Katie, on January 1 you will be depressed and it won't let up until your birthday on March 5th. Having lived and grown up here for 30 years I am well aware that January brings a semi-serious depression for me. How do I know? because I experienced it from age 10.

This disorder defintely comes from lack of sunlight in the winter months. I have light induced mood disorder and since January tends to be dark in Utah I was sure it would set in this year. Even in Florida if there was more than 2 rainy days in a row, I would get a headache and then the small signs of my mood disorder would manifest themselves. I was always rescued however on the third day when the sun would always return. There ought to be a provision in Obama's budget plan to send all depressed people to Florida in January. I mean, as long as he's handing out money why not consider the depressed people of the world in January.

Here's the thing! See, Florida Januaries were always filled with spring cleaning organizing, making my first trips to the beach for the year. Generally greeting the day with a song was normal for me because the sun shines on December 26 and on into January and through the entire first quarter months of each new year in Florida. Even going to Target on Bayou Boulevard in January was a joyous experience because their nursery would be swelling with new plants and flowers for me to start to plan my planting which would take place in February. Okay, now I'm definitely getting homesick.

So I have had two realizations this January in Utah. Realization no. 1: I find myself living in Central Utah and surprise of all surprises, the sun shines A Lot in Delta Utah. Most of the snow each year either comes in above or below those of us living in the very center of the state. We somehow get by-passed by most major storms in the year. . . which by the way is not good for crop season. In Delta we have eternal sunshine as well . . . JUST LIKE FLORIDA! Yay!. I'm so relieved. I had no signs of depression this year. It was just the best realization for me to know that I have moved to "Little Florida!" Realization number 2: If you have to leave Florida for Utah, Delta is a good spot to land.

So here is how my January went. I was happy! I had a terrible cold in the nose and ears and throat for two weeks; and I spent two weeks in Roy, Utah (three hours north of here and very cloudy and snowy)tending my lovely little Lilly and Savannah while their parents were at work; I didn't get depressed however because holding a tiny baby all day tends to make you happy! I took long drives on the weekends with my sweetheart Dean. I also received my first new "calling" in the church I attend (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints - Sunday Relief Society Teacher on the 2nd week of each month.) I went visiting teaching which was so much fun - - which amounted to going to homes of ladies I had not met to take them a message of friendship and love and spiritual awareness. There names are Vicky, Helen, Deb, Deanna and Sue. That was so much fun. Visiting Teaching is what you do if you are a woman in the Relief Society Organization in our church. The ladies are between 40 and 83. Even though I am supposed to be teaching them, they taught me alot in our first visits together.

Dean and I also began in earnest a search for a new bed this last weekend.

We are debating on the Tempurpedic "The Cloud" and also looking at the "Sleep Number bed" that is all over the TV. Let me just say that "The Cloud" is the closest thing to laying down in heaven on earth that I can imagine. It's brand new and when I laid my tired self on that bed I fell asleep in less than three minutes. I'm not kidding! I did not get up even get up though I heard other people standing near by talking about it and probably wanting to lay down on it. My bone-spurred shoulders just said, "ahhhhhh." My shoulders, hips, back, knees and ankles were pain-free. The other bed we are looking at is the Sleep Number bed and we are sure we need a King Size. The cost of either bed? . . . too much to talk about but in my mind worth it since we will spend half our life on this bed and either will last at least 20 years. We must do something soon because after laying/sleeping on "The Cloud" I am sure my life will be extended by at least 3 years by making this purchase at this time in our lives.

So that is my January. Now we're into February and I have already put my "love" wreath on the front door and my Christmas Red Rockers out on the front porch are still appropriate. Women stop me and say, "Can I just say, I love your red rockers? You are so creative." I need to really tell them that I come from a place where lots of people have rockers of varying colors on their front porches but I'll settle now for letting them think that I AMMMM Creative. Oh yes! That feels good!

Here we are in February and for the next 2 weeks I'll be in Roy again with babies. It is exhausting but it is happy exhaustion so I look forward to it. I miss my Claydee boy in Florida and My Rachie and Ashlynn and Howard (who has deployed to Haiti for 2 months) in Washington. I must go see them all very soon. I'm so lucky, so happy, so loved and generally well-adjusted - - after all!

Goodbye 2009

One final quick little post for the old year. It's New Years Eve 2009 at 3:06 pm in the afternoon. It's time to let the year going out know that I'm thankful for it because it brought me many good things and experiences but at the same time, I'm really not sad to see it go because I'm ready to move on to the new year and a new decade.

Today it is very cold here. I usually go to the Sinclair gas station around the corner for a drink. I usually walk in and fix it and pay for it myself but today I went to the drive-up window and asked for a large hot chocolate just so I could stand to be in the car long enough to run my errands. It's 7 degrees here and everything is frosty white with frozen ice crystals.

Our Christmas was great. So much family fun and it went so fast that it's hard to realize that it even happened. Clay came on Dec. 20 and left on the 27th. Rachel, Howard and Ashlynn arrived on the 23rd and left on the 30th. Each of them stayed in our new/old house in Delta and loved it there. It was like a vacation cottage on the beach but without the beach. When Rachel left, she clung to us and cried - - partly because she loved being "home" again. "Home" is wherever mom and dad are. . . and partly because she was very much plagued with morning/noon/night sickness and was dreading the two-day drive back to Washington. Once she was out of our house and into the car however, she did fine.

Clay left on Sunday morning two days after Christmas. As we dropped him at the airport to return to Pensacola he grabbed me tight and said, "I love you mama!" Tears stang (not a word but oh well) my eyes. He and I had a great time the three days we were in Delta. As we were leaving Delta on the 23rd to go to Salt Lake for the remainder of the week's celebrations we said, "That was a nice week!" Even though we still had 4 days to go we knew our private together time was over and that the rest of the week would fly. It did! It seemed like it was only 10 minutes from that moment until he left us 4 days later.

There were lots of mom joys for me in that week like watching two little grandaughters get reacquainted and play together sometimes not so well but most of the time great. Seeing Avatar with Dean and Clay, spending Christmas Eve with my extended family and Christmas Day at Eric and Jen's house. Jen is the most amazing Christmas Hostess. I don't know how she did all she did for us and just 6 weeks after having a baby/c-section. Amazing! Rachel and Clay sang a song at our Christmas Eve family home evening called "Joseph's Lullabye" for my extended family accompanied by me and Rachel also played the Clarinet for part of it. It was a proud mom moment for me as well. They didn't get to practice it before they sang it and so it wasn't perfect but it was still so pretty. They used to sing together all the time when they were younger. It was fun to hear them do it again as adults. The song they sang is below on my music blog. Click below on the song by "Mercy Me" called "Joseph's Lullabye."

There were lots of pictures taken but they are on Dean's camera so as usual I don't have them for this blog. Oh well. Here are a few pictures I took today of me and of how it looks in Delta on New Years Eve.

My new year holds many unknowns for me. I hope to be thinner some time soon. I hope to walk better by this time next year but the only way that will happen is for me to have a new knee and possibly a new hip. Oh what the hay. I might as well become bionic and put in for new shoulders too since they also hurt. So we'll see. I'm not ready yet but I know the day is coming.

Happy New Year everyone.

More Regis and Kelly thrills!

http://jezebel.com/380484/regis-and-kelly-remind-us-not-to-stick-foreign-objects-up-our-noses&autoplay=true (Cut and Paste into your browser to see a fun clip from show proving that only silliness exists on Regis and Kelly)


So yesterday morning I was watching Regis and Kelly again. I decided today that I am going to enter their trivia contest. I had decided not to do that because what that means is that I have to watch them every day so I can answer their trivia question about the previous day's show when they call me to give me a 7-day all expense paid holiday to one of the exotic places in the world.
Today I decided I will go ahead and register to be a contestant in their contest because I have known the answer to all their questions for the last 5 days. It's the only show I watch in the morning so I might as well get something from it besides laughter right? I registered today. I hope that one of these days when you are watching the show you will see Regis and Kelly call me and invite me to answer and win their contest.

So yesterday Regis told a hilarious story about being in a car with some important people following a very big dinner at a fancy restaurant the previous evening (Sunday). He said that one of the guys he was with ate quite a bit and about the time they got in the car to go to their next destination, this big guy started to wince and his face turned white because he was having some digestive pain down below. (I can relate to this story after having my gallbladder removed last year.) So Regis continued telling the story and said that they finally had the driver stop the car at the nearest convenience store because the man was in so much pain he was tied up in a knot. The man goes into the convenience store and about the time he locks the door to the men's rest room another car pulls up and another man gets out and RUNS in the store and heads right for the men's room. Regis is dying laughing now as he's telling the story and so was I because when he laughs I laugh; and as I said before I can relate to these guys who are heading for the men's room.

So, anyway, (as Regis tells it), sick man number 2 get to the rest room door, wiggles the door knob, LOCKED, so he pounds on the door. BANG BANG BANG!!! He yells, "Open the door! I need to come in!" Regis then hears his friend who is sequestered already in the little room yell, "I'M IN HERE! - - You'll have to wait!" Now Regis is laughing and I'm laughing and sweet little Kelly has her had back with laughter and all you can see is her skinny neck and pointy chin but her chest is heaving in laughter. Then Regis said, "Finally the door opens, and our friend comes out and sick man number 2 plugs his nose and runs in!" (By the way, this is not a story that a lady like myself should ever tell on her blog, but I just have to share! - Forgive me).

Regis said that when his friend came back to the car he was all better and that made the Regis and the other men in the car roar in laughter just seeing that the color in his face had returned to normal. They asked him if he was okay and he said, "Yeah, but that wasn't the worst of it - - - there was no toilet paper in there!". I wish you could have seen me in my Cabella's chair at this point. I can't describe how happy I was. At this point in the story Regis can hardly talk. Kelly's eyes are huge and her mouth is open and her hand is over her mouth. Kelly then asked Regis what the man did if there was no TP in the restroom. Regis - - "He used his handkerchief and had to rinse it out between wipes!" GROSSSSS!!! - - but so funny right? "Poor sick man number 2. He went in with his hand over his mouth and no toilet paper to boot!" - says Regis.

Story number 2: - Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep was the special guest on this segment of Regis. She comes out and they start interviewing her about this cute little animated movie about a family of foxes that she is in with George Clooney. They are the voices for the foxes in the family. After the interview they go to commercial and come back and Meryl is still there and Regis asks her about her family. Then he asks her about each of her daughters and he is reading from cue cards - as always. NOW - keep in minid that Regis is over 80 and his hearing and sight are starting to fail him which makes his show even more funny. Already on the show earlier he has heard things wrong or not heard them at all and gets this look of hysteria in his eyes and berates his staff (jokingly) for yelling at him from the background because he isn't sure what they've said and it panics him (but he never admits that he can't hear)you just have to love him.

So now he is reading a que card with questions for Ms. Streep. While they are talking about her daughters and what they are up to, suddenly Regis blurts out, "Well that's great; and I understand your daughter broke her leg?" Meryl AND AND AND KELLY get this look of horror and shock and they don't know what in the world he is referring to. Meryl sat up straight in her chair and said, "What,? I don't think so, at least I hadn't heard that, are you sure?!" Regis then gets a confused look on his face and the que card man comes over and handed him the HUGE BIG WHITE CUE CARD which he then read it out loud. It said, "Go to break," meaning commercial break but Regis had read it too fast and just saw the word "BREA" and for some reason surmised a Streep had a broken leg. Now Kelly and MERYL throw their heads back and all I could see were their long skinny necks and pointed chins and flying hair because they were rolling in laughter. Poor Regis! I was sitting in my Cabella's recliner and truly my face was as purple as I'd ever felt it could be. I was coughing all over again because the flue I had last week had been re-irritated re-activated from being so out of control with glee. It was almost unrighteous laughter on my part but I'm telling you anyone would have been just as purple as I was yesterday witnessing this!

Regis, please don't ever retire. You are my morning cheerful pill. I've registered for your contest now so be sure and call me. I'm your biggest fan next to Kelly and your wife Joy! I would love to win a 7-day all expense paid cruise for Dean and myself. Regis if you read my blog - here is my phone number - 435-864-7349.

Someone once said that love makes the world go round. I think laughter does and Regis and Kelly are my source for laughter every morning at 9:00 a.m.

Visiting Seattle

I'm in Seattle for my 2nd visit this year with my daughter Rachel and her husband, Howard, and daughter, Ashlynn. I've been here 4 days and it's gone so fast it's hard to believe that I've been here that long. It's been full of me and Ashlynn time and some time with Howard. Last night Rachel, Ashlynn and I went for a ride to Black Diamond. Beautiful! Up in the mountains and it was cold and Autumny and golden and red and orange and foresty green. It reminded me of our trip to Norway 2 winters ago except without the snow. The trees here in Seattle and surrounding towns are so massive and numerous. I love the blue spruce and the tall pine trees with the branches which turn up in a smile with super-long needles. It's really beautiful because everywhere you look there are differences and great variety in scenery.

I am enjoying the humidity. For the first time since moving west from Florida I can sleep all the way through the night without drinking three glasses of water - in fact I don't need any fluids here during my sleep hours. Nice!

Last Rachel and Ashlynn and I were driving through Black Diamond and I said to Rachel, "Look that over there looks like a scene out of the Twilight movie! - - It looks just like Forks! I guess I'll go home and finish the movie now." I hadn't finished the movie when I started to watch it two weeks ago because I became bored with it so turned it off. Anyway, Rachel then explained that Forks which is just a little ways from here looks nothing like this and that the movie was not actually filmed in Forks WA where the novel is set. Interesting!

Ashlynn loves to run from me. I think she knows I'm a grandma and can't keep up with her. She has the fastest little legs (definitely an athlete). She loves to spend time in her room alone and we shut the door and give her some space when she needs it. She has a crib and a big girl bed and loves to sleep in her crib but watches her barbie TVDVD play which teaches her how to sign and to sing and which is mounted on the ceiling from her big girl bed.

Today Ash went down for a nap on the big-girl bed which is unusual and we shut the door for quiet. I was downstairs and her mom was napping in her room. After about an hour I heard sobbing and coughing and then some choking and so I jumped up and ran as fast as this grandma with a sore knee can run up the stairs. I looked into her room and she was not in her bed but I could still hear her sobs. I opened the door wider and looked in and found her in her closet on the floor on her face with her still tiny diapered bottom up in the air crying like a 9 month old - broken hearted. When she wakes up in her bed and not her crib it scares her and she cries like the world has left her behind. I walked over and picked her up and she wrapped her arms around my neck very tight and cried even harder. I carried her into her moms room, pulled the covers back and she crawled over to Rachel and buried herself next to her mom and stopped crying immediately. I have not ever seen anything as tender as this little girl's feelings for her mom and her dad.

Tomorrow Ashlynn goes to Children's Hospital in Seattle at 11:30 a.m. for Surgery at 12:45. She has a slight runny nose and we're hoping this doesn't stop the surgery which she needs so very much. I'll be praying all through the day and night tomorrow if the surgery happens for both she and Rachel who will be in Intensive Care until Tuesday morning. Then if all is well they'll come home, Rachel will go to bed and I'll take my first shift with Ashlynn. Tonight when Ashlynn was standing in front of the sliding doors to the outside looking out into the darkness and dancing with her reflection, I told her parents that I don't know how they got her because I'm not sure that any of us are worthy of her. They agreed and said, "because without her we would not make it to the Celestial Kingdom!" I don't think that is true but one thing is for sure, with her in our lives we are learning how to live a little higher, be a little happier and at times a little sadder. She very definitely is showing us how to be a little more grateful for who we are and for who she is that we don't know about yet. She is something. She is exhausting. She is happier than anyone I know. She gets more frustrated than anyone I know when she can't communicate her feelings and needs to us. She understands everything we say so maybe the problem is on our part! We're learning from her every day. I wish everyone in my family and among my friends could have an Ashlynn in their lives. Thanks for coming to us Ashlynn.

A happy TV moment for me! Joy Joy Joy!

Did you see Regis and Kelly Live yesterday? I love these two. When it is too cold to go out or even to get up and venture into my bathroom I sit in my recliner and smile at these two very cheerful characters. Regis is almost 80 and I will truly be sad when and if he retires. He is the last great entertainer of his generation. When I think that he was friends with Dean Martin, Johnny Carson and others who I enjoyed as a child I truly relish getting to get up and watch him each morning. It's one of the joys of being recently retired from working that I give to myself each day. Watching Regis and Kelly is compensation for all the years I worked hard and didn't get to watch all the daytime TV shows that people talked about all those years. "Did you see Oprah today?" "Did you see The Doctors yesterday?" Nope I never got to watch those shows but I am making up for it now . . . especially watching happy Regis and cute-happy Kelly!

Anyway, the reason for this post? Yesterday Regis and Kelly gave out the "Relly Award" for best Regis impersonation in the past year. They've been giving out Relly Awards all week to guests who came on their show and made big impressions with talent or whatever they do. And America voted on the Relly Awards so Regis and Kelly have no clue who will win until they read the card on the aire!

Yesterday, they played each of the contenders film clips showing various actors or news people impersonnate Regis and each one was truly funny and talented in his own right. The best one in my opinion was Niel Patrick Harris. It had nothing to do with the fact that I think he is very talented and cute and sings well and dances and is charming. I have appreciated Niel's talent since he was Doogie Howser on television back in the 1980's. A cute little 10 year old kid who gets through medical school and works in a hospital. A bit far-fetched but not impossible was the premise of this weekly sit-com show.

Now, Niel also won the Relly award in 2007 for impersonating Regis. I was sure they wouldn't give him the award again yesterday even though he was far and above the best over all of the other contenders . . . . including Regis himself~! When his name was announced as the winner again - I actually screamed and bounced up and down in my Cabella Recliner. Then . . . I was slightly disapopinted (but understood) when Regis and Kelly announced that due to another film project Niel was working on he would not be able to accept the award in person. Yes I know he is an actor, and I know he has recently "come out" about certain things and even though I am deftly opposed to his lifestyle I do appreciate his talent and was slightly disappointed that he would not be there to joke with Kelly and be his usual funny self. Then . . . suddenly . . . from behind Kelly and Regis the beaded backdrop parted and out stepped . . . . SURPRISE!!!! . . . Niel Patrick Harris to surprise the audience, Kelly and Regis and ME!!!! It was wonderful! I screamed and jumped up and down again . . . all by myself in my little house . . . and in my Cabella chair!!!! It was one of those moments when I had a "rumbly in my tumbly" as pooh states or I had butterflies run through me. You would have thought that I was right there in the theatre with Regis and Kelly and Patrick! That's how excited I was to see him. I got SOOOO excited!!! When the audience started to scream, Kelly and Regis turned around and Kelly started jumping up and down in those very tall spikey heels she wears and clapping her hands like a little kid who has just met Santa Clause for the very first time. It was just one of those TV moments you had to see to appreciate. It was like one of the TV moments we would watch on the old Bob Hope or Jack Benny Comedy Hour.

Who is Niel Patrick Harris? He seems to be taking the entertainment world by storm lately. Hosting all the award shows like the recent Emmy's. I have to say that here is a young man (in his 30's) that is recently making big strides in his career and he has a charisma that is so catchy. Everyone wants to be his friend because of his cute boyish smile and his sence of humor and his talent for singing, dancing and acting.

So he gave a very cute acceptance speech, kissed Kelly on her cheek telling her she looked ravishing (they are very good friends) and the show cut to commercial break. When the break was over Regis and Kelly were back at the desk to finish the show and Kelly was still smiling and said, "If Loving Niel Patrick Harris is Wrong, I don't want to be right!" Hahahahahaha! My sentiments exactly. This was the TV highlight of my week! I just wanted to share it with all of you who didn't get to see Niel win his Relly! Go Niel! I think I'll go to the internet now and buy some of his movies or at least the Doogie Howser DVD set - if there is such a thing!

Pictures of our Shangrila

This is our house thus far. It's taking shape and it has become what I wanted it to be a little beach house away from the beach. We're still hanging curtains and every day I move something from one place to another and it does feel like home now.

(Click on the pictures to get an enlarged or clearer view)

This corner has our Florida things that I always keep out to remind me that we lived in a beautiful place by the water. The vase holds actual Pensacola Beach white sand and shells. I love the stained glass beach picture, the glass fish and our first family portrait taken on the beach in March of 1989 (too small to see here - but take my word for it we were all young and beautiful or in Clay's and Rachel's case, "cute") Also Rachel's Prom Picture. That was a fun day making her up even though she had a miserable time at the dance and never went to another prom.


Dean and his dad watching over the irrigation waters that come into our yard every other Monday evening. Because we irrigate, we don't have to water our lawn - ever.

My piano corner. I spend a lot of time here practicing and even composing sometimes. Yesterday I ran across a beautiful song that Rachel performed one time which I accompanied her on and it brought back memories. Rachel, find a place to perform and I'll come and accompany you. Memories! The little purple pumkin is from my friend Celeste. She sent it to me with Flowers in it when Lisa passed away and now it is very full of all kinds of chocolate. I don't eat it. I find that when all the things I love are plentiful in my house I don't go there. It's when I have nothing to munch on that I go to the store and eat everything I can get my hands on. Dean eats the chocolate though. He makes up for what I don't eat. Children come to our home and love to open the pumpkin and see what edible goody is inside.

Our TV room which has changed since this pic was taken. We now have the TV centered in the room and 2 Cabella's outdoor recliner chairs that we sit in every evening and some beautiful blue and white tropical curtains hanging on the windows (I'll have to post another picture soon). We recline, eat popcorn or dinner on our laps and enjoy the few stations we have which are digital. Three networks and some spanish channels and a station called "Create" which I LOVE!

Front Porch Rockers just like they were in Pensacola.

Wall hanging in our hallway across from the Bathroom. 3D

Irrigation waters in our back yard coming up over the ditch. It's very weird. It comes at 5:00 on the dot every 2 weeks on Monday evening.

Bedroom or part of it. We still have to hang the curtains which are blue and white striped and will add texture to the walls. Our window is a corner window on both walls. Does that make any sense? That is a Southern Magnolia hanging above the headboard.

Living Room. Very similar to Pensacola only smaller. I heard that if you have not changed arrangement of the decor in your home in 20 years - - it's time. I tried to add a few things here that make this a little different like the way things are placed and there are a few beachy things on teh shelves like my old real Sand Castle that I have not had out in years. It's lovely in this room. I also now have a beautiful brightly colored Euro pillow sitting on the couch (not shown here) that I purchased at "Gardner Mill" the other day which is not in this picture and really brightens up the entire room. I love oranges, yellows and greens - - LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM.

The walls look really green here but are more subdued in real life. This was bright morning sun.

Dad's paintings and the metal artwork above says, "JOY". Orlando LDS Temple on Side Wall.

Kitchen - - - Fun Fun Fun kitchen. I love my antique stove and ovens and my new Jennaire Microwave and KitchenAide Refrigerator. Nice Nice Nice. Consolation for having no heat! Yep.
Kitchen Table and Microwave cart compliments of IKEA, our new favorite home supply store.
The canvas picture is of an Italian Wine Vinyard.

Towels made and given to us by our Bishop's wife in Pensacola.

This little fish's name is Neumann. He was a gift given to me by our housekeeper at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. Nina! She gave me this little glass fish who actually bobs up and down in the water when I talk to him. When I quit my job Nina told me I was her best friend. I had no idea. I need to call Nina tonight and check on her. I had a contest to name the fish and my friend Amy (who coincidently works at a mental health center - hahahaha Amy!!!! ) gave us the name Neumann. He does sort of look like Paul don't you think. He sits in our kitchen window now and is the first to greet us every morning. He is full of personality!

These pictures are sort of outdated already but you get the idea. I'm constantly decorating and redecorating. Love to all!