Deep thought (Again)

I have been deep thinking again.
I have a new friend named Cindy. She is having a rough time with life right now. Short on the obstacles she has that I know of are a clot over one of the main arteries by her heart, pancreatitis and unable to eat anything but liquids that are prescription food substitues and water or a pop, and no children, parents dead, no husband and so ill......Now, how much better does my life feel. Much.
Anyway, back to the story of my deep thinking, when I visit with Raelyn and Marci, both their families are so busy, growing and involved in many activities, and they are stuggling to accomplish all that they are required to do. Life keeps giving hurdles for them to jump just to keep their day going. Each of the children have good and bad days, as do their husbands, and then they have a bad day as well. Money doesn't go as far, school activities, church, family prayer, home evening, cooking, cleaning, being a friend, relative, lover, and on and on. You throw all that together in a world like ours and you will find stress. I mean, STRESS. It makes days long, and sometimes I remember living like that as well.
At the middle of the stressful day, I can remember wondering will this day ever be over. Will I ever see those kids raised, will they ever ever leave home, will they grow up and be on their own and leave me alone and not need me to do EVERYTHING for them, and I not have to be responsible for their decisions or mistakes. Well, just so you know the answer to that was YES. They did grow up, they did leave home, and I am no longer responsible for their actions or decisions.
I was walking the other day and was listening to the Abba CD. It hit me like a bat on the head when I heard the song "Slipping through my fingers".
Here are the words:
Slipping Through My Fingers
Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
I watch her go with a surge of that well-known sadness
And I have to sit down for a while
The feeling that I'm losing her forever
And without really entering her world
I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter
That funny little girl
Slipping through my fingers all the time I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see whats in her mind
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Sleep in our eyes, her and me at the breakfast table
Barely awake, I let precious time go by
Then when shes gone there's that odd melancholy feeling
And a sense of guilt I cant deny
What happened to the wonderful adventures
The places I had planned for us to go(slipping through my fingers all the time)
Well, some of that we did but most we didn't
And why I just don't know
Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see whats in her mind
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture
And save it from the funny tricks of time
Slipping through my fingers...Slipping through my fingers all the time.

Well, what can I say. This is such a reminder I want to say to all of you: Time does slip by, life runs past us so quickly we can't see that it is Speeding past us faster than we think. I think what I want to be is a COP for all of you and to remind you that life is slipping past each and every day, and to take advantage of all moments in life. Don't put off doing, saying and enjoying the "little" time and things life has to offer. We don't get to do our days over. We do get new days but never overs. Words expressed both good and bad can not be taken back, promises made and not fulfilled on time can not be done for the person the promise was made too, a touch or smile needs to be given when needed or thought off. Don't let time and your loved ones slip through your fingers.
All of us have so much, and Cindy has so little. She has been an example to me of enduring to the end, and has reminded me of all I have, and that I need to make sure that I appreciate and show each day those I care about that I do care, and that I don't let life and love slip through my fingers. SO, freeze the picture of each day and don't let the funny tricks of time take life away. Love ya all.

The Value of Friendship

The Home of the Week!

Getting ready for our ride on the beach at sunset!

Eternal Friends (all with white/grey hair too)

Elaine resting (like totally out cold!)

Sunrise on the deck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ellen Enjoys the Deck

Mondays Events: NOTHING! PJ's all day!

It is with great pleasure I announce to all of you that I have awesome friends. I have been so blessed in my life to have been given friends who I knew in the pre-existance. Time will pass without talking to them, and when we meet, we pick right up and begin our conversations as if time hasn't passed. I turely believe them to be my sisters.

Check out that picture. Often we go somewhere and someone will ask if we are sisters. On this trip we went to a Antique Store. The owner watched us for a few minutes and then asked the usual queston, "are you sisters?" I love that thought. If there were ever friends that I want to emulate, it is these two plus Aunt Annie. Love has no bounds and these people bring out the best in me and give me all the love and support a person could ask for.

Events of this week: Ellen called asked if we could go to Ray's home in Bear Lake? What a question. I was packed and out of there in no time at all. We made it on Sunday evening about 7 PM, just in time to see the full moon come up over the mountain. It was clear, the lake was smooth, and the air was clean and warm. What a beautiful evening to be there. The three of us just watched as the moon made it's way overhead. Monday was a day of PJ's. Yes, PJ's. We stayed in our lounge pants all day. I did go for a long walk on the beach first thing in the morning while Ellen slept and Elaine read, and I was covered with sand and mud and had to put the clothes in the washer, so I "had" to put on the PJ's, the other two were just relaxed. We got hungry later that afternoon and actually went to the drive inn in our sweatshirts and pj bottoms. The young man who waited on us actually made a comment about our attire, but we were sure enjoying the afternoon and watched the younger people dressed just like us so we felt right at home. Tuesday, we drove over to Star Valley and had lunch with Maxine McDonough. We took one of the back roads back and stopped to pick some of the most beautiful chokecherries for Ellen. She got about 3 gallons of juice from them she states. Totally enjoyed the afternoon. We took the kobato out that evening and went for a long ride on the beach exploring and watching the fall moon make it way up over the mountains. The air is crisp and fall is certainly on it way. Wednesday we went back to Paris Idaho, bought Lottery tickets (didn't win by the way) and visited an antique store. Ellen found a book with information about her ancestors and I found a pair of leather boots for Chelsea for the rondavu next year. On the way back, Elaine just took a road up the mountains and we did a little exploring. Just like us to just take off without a map and no particular destination. Totally awesome afternoon. Thursday, packed up and headed home. I sent a card to Ray and Shelley that stated the summary of our trip: Thank you for Eternal Memories. That says it all.

Sunday ride

Do you know what is good for the soul? It's a ride in the back of the truck with some of the family on a beautiful Sunday afternoon up Providence Canyon. I know, kind of funky thought but the memories it brings and the reminder of the awesome valley we live in can't be done any other way. We showed up at Rob's house and loaded into his truck. I started getting into the back to ride with the kids and Rob and Jim had a fit. After demanding using the excuse that I wasn't getting younger and wanted to do this while I could, Rob got a ginormous bean bag and made me ride on it. I had a softer ride than the people that rode up front. It took up more space than the people but it was soft as a baby's bottom over the bumps. (He is quite the gentleman).

We had Jim, Ireland, Kelly, Rob, Trevor, Karly, Gavin, Riley and my self. We were joined later by some of the Eric Fuhriman family.

I look at Katie and Brad's blog and Amanda and Jakes and am so amazed at the things they can do with it, but you will get some of the pics I took (I think it amazing I can add just them) and a little narrative. There is no music, no side pics, or even centered, just added. However, take and look at them in the spirit they were entered.

Thoughts that spring forth is the memory of Sunday afternoon taking Rob, Marci, Brooks for sure and some other friends up the canyon shooting years ago. We set up our targets at the mouth of the canyon that day (they call it the gravel pit area) and were getting the guns ready. Isn't interesting that I don't remember ever having my older boys take gun safety classes. Hope they taught them in scouts because I don't remember them being card carrin' members of the safety classes. Oh well, back to the story, we were getting ready to shoot, one of the boys had a scope and was siting it in. I asked Rob if I could take a shot and the boys kind of snickered when Rob said, hey Don't laugh at my mom, she's good. Loved that boy. I hit the target (I had eye sight then and didn't shake like a leave in the breeze as well as shoulders that weren't metal), hit the bottle, and blew off the end of the gun and handed it to the boys. OK, I was lucky, but it cemented a proud moment with my child.

Years ago before the divorce, Larry happened to mention the Grandpa Alder was going to town to finish the paperwork on selling a portion of land he had in Prov canyon. I never did now how much, where or any of that info, but as I drove up, I wished that we still had it in the family for a place away from the world. I know they grazed cattle up there for many years and that he owned grazing permits for the area. Lots of history that could be found out through grandma's history books some day.

We are such a lucky people. With all the world suffering from storms, wars, droughts, earthquakes, and other natural conditions, we sit here in Happy Valley never realizing the struggles of others. This week my goal is to be more aware of others needs, not big material things, but the smile and a hello, the open a door, the thank you kind of things to see if I can lighten the life of another. I challenge anyone who happens to read this to do the same.

Ok, Amanda isn't answering so I can't figure out how to change these images correctly so you are going to have to turn your head to see them a little. I will learn how to do this better another time, but have to finish for now as I am heading up to Bear Lake with great friend Elaine and Ellen for a couple of days.

Harvest time

I know the summer has gone quickly as I look out the window and realize that in Logan tonight, there is a chance of freezing. It is the first of September, and possible frost. That bites! Where did the summer go? Raelyn and Val Jay are returning from their annual fall weekend away with the girls and they had a marvelous time all dressed in their western/pioneer gear, and Amanda is starting her new job as a teacher of P.E. and dance, and I am looking at finding jobs for Rob to do before the weather turns snowy, and the Rigbys will be working day and night now to get the rest of the hay and grain in before winter are all signs that the summer is over.
The times in our lives when we are busy, we don't notice how fast time is flying. Actually, I remember wondering some days when all the kids were small, if time even passed as each day seemed so long.
Well, I have gone through the spring, summer and fall of my life I think. The seasons are
CHANGING FAST IN LIFE as well as in each year of living. I am not certain that I did all the things that we should do in the proper times, but darn, there were some great years and some great learning experiences.
This weekend we are having a cousins get together. At first I struggled with the idea, but then it was announced that it would be my immediate cousins. Now you are talking. When you look at the Zollinger family and you invite all the uncles, aunts, and "cousins", we are talking a zillion people at least. That family multiplied faster and better than a bunch of rabbits. However, just hanging with my immediate family will be wonderful. I am making Moms doughnuts, spudnuts is the correct name, and Ron has some apple cider he froze from last year to serve and we are having a diner party, visit.
It was my Uncle Sam Dallas Zollingers funeral this weekend and meeting with the few relatives that were there was a delight. It reinforced to me the importance of family and confirmed my previous teaching to others that having and being close to family is the most important work we will do on this earth. That is especially important when you add the element of including gospel teachings with it. Now Uncle Sam only had two daughters, Patsy and Annette. Annette married later in life as I remember, but there was a large posterity there to say farewell to the earthly remains of an awesome Grandpa and father. As Steve and I visited with others we realized that when Uncle Chet, Aunt Mary and Aunt Margaret pass away, we cousins will be the "older" generation. How in the heck did that happen. We talked about the frail health of the three, and that we probably will be meeting at the cemetery three times this next year. Again a reminder that time is flying faster and faster.
Let this note be a reminder to all that you have one day when you wake up in the morning that you are guaranteed in life, make the most of it and enjoy each moment!

trevor aldber WAS HERE (he wanted to type along with Grandma so go for it Trevor)