The Bills Family

SEEING BLUE

2010-11-11T14:40:00.000-08:00

I thought it was time to up-date our Blog. We have been busy, busy. Between Pops & Grandma's new Laundry Room and getting our yard back in shape with our new Shed/Shop, we haven't had time to think or anything. And Darwin has been visiting his Dad when time permits.

I have taken my camera up to take pictures twice now and forgot to take them. dah ! I need to get up there and see it done --with the washer and dryer in it. Just so glad it is done. Randy still has to hook-up the heater vent but that's all. Of course, Randy has been to the ER with heart pains and found out he has 18 stints instead of 11 in his arteries. The doctor is going to manage the pain with medicine for now. ??? Crazy!

Any who, After doing Grandma's tile floor, the next week I painted the Family Room blue. Was not too sure how it would turn out. Darwin just told me if I wanted it blue to go for it. I am so glad I did! I really like it. Makes the fireplace stand out. So do the sofas.

At night I have been crocheting afghans, that way I don't eat ! The white one was my first...somewhere along the way I kept adding stitches? The brown and pink turned out way better. I had yarn left over from the hangers I made, so I used it up.

Darwin has been doing the new gates on each side of the Shed, and now working a lot of over time!

We now have a lot of fallen leaves to rake up----again. What do they say? No rest for the wicked!! LOL

THE SHED

2010-08-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

We have talked about a shed for--I don't remember how long. I decided to put rocks over by the short fence by the driveway, that way the cats couldn't use it for a litter box. No sooner do I get it done then Darwin decides to get a shed! He isn't just 'talking' about it now--he wants a shed. So fine, we decide how big, exactly where, what kind of roof, all of that stuff. Right now I'm tired of building and do it yourself projects. So--do we build it our selves or order a kit? I voted for someone else to build it period ! A place in Nephi has physically challenged people build and sell sheds. Darwin checked them out. They can only deliver 10 feet wide and up to 20 feet long. 10 feet wide because of the road width, hahaha.
This week Darwin has been destroying the North side of the yard. Tore down the fence, ripped out the post. I moved my rocks. We are moving the wood to behind the back fence. Getting rid of some garbage, so fun. Today he is calling for details on the shed. Tomorrow he should order the cement to set it on. Good fun.....AND then, we are going to RELAX !! I am anyway........but then we have to move stuff INTO the shed?

PROJECTS 2010

2010-07-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

Here are photos of finished projects. First the Craft Room, it was fun to up-date the paint and trim. It was even better to get it all put together again !!
Darwin's project was a Banister on the front porch. I didn't get a picture of it yet, but it turned out beautiful! I love it!
The next project was the Picture Boards. I think I ended up making 10 of them! Thanks Katie for starting them.
My new project is the Sweater or dress Slacks Hangers. I have 7 made, for who or what I don't know? But it keeps my hands busy and the food out of my mouth ! And there is so many colors of yarn out there !!
I also have a file full of projects I'd like to get to.
Darwin is planning a shed for the Fall project?? That's because I totted tons of rocks to that corner......

4TH OF JULY REUNION

2010-07-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

I see it as, Our kids are coming home for a visit, but I guess it is a reunion. We had oodles of fun. Shawn and Rebekah and family showed up Thursday night, they immediately claimed the big bedroom. On Friday, Katie and Rob and the boys showed up. Later Tara and Eli came from Reno. Later toward evening Tori and Clark and kids came. We had them all except Mr. Jake. He had to stay in Reno and make money for R.C. Willey's. It's called keeping your job. We missed Jake's humor.

Each family took a meal so that help a great deal! And we had delicious food, Cranberry Chicken, Pizzas on taco shells, Fruit and yogurt Parfaits, Pot Roast, Turkey Burgers, everything tasted so good. The kids really liked Aunt Tara's little cereal boxes.

Saturday we enjoyed the parade and the kids gathered tons of candy, which they ate all day long. Some of them went over to the park for the games and concessions later in the day. Tori's family and Tara and Eli went to the Derby that night and watched the cars and trucks crash into each other! After the Derby, we watched the Fireworks from our driveway. While we were waiting for the fireworks to start, we did some of our own fireworks. Darwin had his blow torch out and was lighting the fireworks. A couple of times he almost lit a couple of kids on fire ! Silly Grandpa.

It was also little Silas's birthday !! He was so excited. Silas turned 3 on the 3rd of July. He had a bang-up of a celebration !!

Sunday at 9am we all showed up at Church.....most of the members were gone. The visitors made up for them. I think the nursery had the most kids they've ever had! We came home, had dinner and a quiet afternoon. Grandma played Bingo with the older kids, I gave them money for winning. I didn't think it was gambling? We played Bingo all the time growing up, it was one of the few games we had. Of course, we played for candy. ???? Still pondering that one.

Monday was the Run for Infertility....Me and Grandpa walked with the kids. Some of the kids rode the scooters and trikes. Finley enjoyed us carrying her around and around! The Moms and Dads ran a 5k (I think)... We did this at the track over at the High School, it's very nice! At the end of the run, Tori had the kids all running through the sprinklers that were on. We headed back home for more pool time for the kids and cleaning things up and gathering belonging so families could journey home! Katie's family left, Tori's then left...hard to watch them go.

Tuesday morning Shawn's family headed out for Rebekah's family reunion. That was after Shawn taught EFY classes at BYU for 2 days. Busy people. Tara's made her Picture Board and then headed home. Eli carried his new used "slip and slide" to the car...so happy!!

The house is back to quiet---Darwin and I cried when they were gone. If they only realized how missed they are !!

Looking forward to next year !!

LAUNDRY ROOM

2010-05-18T10:38:00.001-07:00

Just a few photos of the Laundry Room. It is now painted and all white and sterile looking. We still need to do the ceiling but that won't take long. We bought some wire shelves to put along the wall for storage, it turned out quite nice! Just glad to have it done. In fact,

we both spend more time down there .... hahaha. Darwin said he kind of likes it there. Funny man!

APRIL TRIP

2010-05-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

I finally figured out how to download our photos to the computer !! So I can post about our trip to Arkansas. We did have a lot of fun with the kids and Shawn and Bekah. It was good to share Phebe's birthday with her. We don't often get to the grand kids birthdays. Everyone is always so busy or too far away. Phebs really enjoyed her birthday Fondue party. Good Stuff !Phebe's baptism was special, she was so pretty and happy. It was good to see the Westons again. They are such great people, as are all of our 'in-laws' parents. We thank them for raising such awesome men and woman.

We enjoyed the 'Crater of Diamonds' too. Just a big field of plowed up earth and lots of rocks!!

It was fun and we look forward to going back someday. Maybe take a couple of days to search for whatever we can find. It would be fun to find a diamond, but just digging in the dirt is good for the soul. Did you know you can dig for Emeralds in Montana?? Hahaha

We hit a few Antique Shops along our way home. I pick-up some old embroidered hankies and scarves to add to my new wall-quilt pattern. Now, I just need to get with it and get it done. Darwin wanted to check out the 'Texas Steak House' in Amarillo, Texas. It was quite the place, huge, and the food was delicious!

It was good to get away, but also good to be home again. Talula was really glad to see us. Even though she gave us the cold shoulder for a few days.

VISITS

2010-03-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

We had Katie and her boys come visit in February. Of course, I forgot to get the camera out and to use it. We had tons of fun. Lincoln likes to hug his Grandma and I like his hugs. He is surely growing up. Sawyer is ..Sawyer. Great wit, like his Mom. It was cold if I remember right, so it was a stay in time. I tried to help Lincoln build something with my new Lego's....I did better with Sawyer. He's just happy to have anything built, it doesn't have to be grand or even something. A tower was the easiest !

Last weekend we had Tori and Clark and the kids here. Tori came Friday afternoon and Clark drove the Blazer down on Saturday. Finley is growing up fast. She even giggled for me. Tori and Clark tried to get my camera to video but by then Fin wasn't giggly anymore. Ezra was sassy and doing attitude, maybe a little jealous. But he protects Fin.

We ate and ate and made vinyl stuff and went to Church. Busy times. We had fun though and look forward to July !! First, we go to Arkansas for Phebe's baptism. That's next week !

So--that is that! And we will Blog when we get back in 2 weeks ........

GOOD CHANGES

2010-03-01T07:18:00.000-08:00

A month ago, Darwin was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. He, of course, thought his life was over!! The second day after finding out, he woke up early (4:30 am), in a panic. He was worrying that the diabetes had harmed his internal organs and he was going to die !! Of course, being half awake I told him the osteoarthritis could get him first! Or I could get hit by a car tomorrow and go first. I won't tell you his reply to that!! It was just rude... :( We did talk and settled him down and got him off to work. He gets to work and someone had brought in DONUTS ! Darwin was good and didn't have one.

We have been searching the Internet for all the info on diabetes. Some of it is so contradicting, you can have honey, NO you cannot have honey, a little of this is okay, NO you can't have a little of that ! So confusing. We are at the point now of experimenting with what raises his sugar and what is safe. We have to count in the Osteoarthritis, High blood pressure, and Cholesterol also. Low-salt, which low-sugar products add for taste, low-fat, high calcium--- did I tell you this is so confusing???? Argh !!! This person is losing her mind. I am not a cook, as you all know by now.

I have been going through recipes in books and on-line. I am getting a small collection going, and you should see my spice collection !! I have every flavored vinegar made, and vinaigrette's.

Wheat pasta, whole wheat bread, 7-grain bread, wheat flour (yep! we used our grinder), Truvia, I've always used canola oil and olive oil. "I" have made whole wheat muffins twice now! We found sugar-free chocolate chips and I added those. I have lots of applesauce, pumpkin puree,

this has been so expensive to get organized for. I'm so glad you are all eating smart now, before something like this hits ...

Darwin even has eaten a little lettuce on his burger. Oh! And I found Whole Grain Thin Buns, they are great for everything !! They are about 3/8 of an inch thick and split in half and are good! Now to get him to try some new veggies.

All in all, and after all is said, we are getting it together.

We went to dinner at 'The Loft' and Darwin asked me "What do I order potatoes or rice? " He was in a panic...I told him to get double on the veggies. "Can we do that?" "Yes we can." He was so relieved !! He is so funny!! Good news is, we have both lost weight and his sugar is under 100 in the mornings!!

So if you have any low-sugar, low-fat, low-salt recipes -- post them for us. :)

DECEMBER DAYS

2010-01-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

December was a blurr !!! Finished the Quillos I FBed about in July, it takes a while to make 8 quillos . I had fun doing them, picking out the fabric for each one was great. I now know Sadie likes blue and Phebe is a pink fan. Isaac seen the Star Wars fabric when he was here and loved it !! I had to tell him it was for something else and he felt ssoooo bad! Sorry Isaac, I had to tell a fib! I hope you like your Star Wars quillo !
We had the Bills Family Party. That was fun. Good food and games. We got to meet Jake's little boy Casey and to see Amy again. Cute kiddies!
The next night we had the Beckstead Party. That was fun also. Lots of food and games. Kristin brought a candy bikini top everyone wanted ! For the candy of course.
We had our Neighborhood Party--I didn't go again.
We had our Ward Party at the Palomar--We didn't go.
We had the Company Party at Provo--We didn't go.
( I don't like being around people lately, don't know why?)
We had a Christmas Day Party at Katie & Rob's, it was great !! Good food and lots of pies !
After dinner we had a pie tasting, Pumpkin Chiffon, Apple, Razzleberry, and Cherry Cheesecake ! Sawyer joined us and tried a couple, I think Rob finished his up...funny Sawyer!
On the 28th, we awaited the arrival of Miss Finley. She is just like a GIRL--took her time getting ready for her appearance. It was worth the wait, she is beautiful!! And Tori already has her posing for photos. We kept Ezra for 3 days, Kate had him Monday. By Thursday he was homesick. Tori called Wednesday afternoon and he told her, "Mom, I miss you So very much!"
He was ready to go home. Tore her up, she was crying when I got the phone back! Of course come Thursday morning, he didn't want to go home. By Thursday afternoon he couldn't get home fast enough!
December 31st, I stayed up and Darwin went to bed. At 12 o'clock fireworks and shotguns going off !! Happy New Year Everyone !!!!!

NOVEMBER DAYS

2009-12-12T07:22:00.000-08:00

Not too much going on in November. Started Christmas shopping, Darwin put up the Christmas lights. We decided to try the LED lights, found them on sale at Alco here in town.
They are kind of pretty, they look cold???
Then we went to Nevada for a week, spent 3 days at Tara & Jake's for Thanksgiving. We really had fun with Eli !! What a character!! He drags Tara all over the place. He likes to climb too!
You know their little half wall between the living room and dining area? He stands on that, no fear at all !! Tara prepared a great Meal, very good !!
Next day we hit the Black Friday sales. We went to Target and Tara got the last of the toys she was looking for. Then it was off to Joann's. Flannel was $1.49 a yard with 20% off at the register !! Eli was really patient with it all. The clerk came around handing out Dum Dum suckers and mints (In a fabric store!!!), Eli sat in a little blue basket on the floor with his feet out one side and lying back on the other. Had his sucker and a toy truck, all was well with his world! Darwin came back and we went to lunch at an all you can eat "salad and pizza" bar.
Then back to Tara's for a nap. Later we watched Tara and Eli decorate their tree. Eli was throwing the bells on it.....funny kid !
Then we headed home, we stayed over in Wendover. Broke the trip up a little, which made it nicer for two old geezers !!!
It was a very good month !!!

OCTOBER OCCURANCES

2009-11-05T07:32:00.000-08:00

To tell the truth, October was a blurrrrr! I ripped a cap out of my mouth with caramel popcorn and ended up with a $1200.00 implant !! I've been on pain pills for 2 weeks, so maybe that's why it is a blur.
Darwin has been working. He took two Fridays of vacation because he had to or lose the days. Nothing gets done when he is around. We just do puttering stuff. Not really, he works hard. He went and got two loads of firewood.
We gathered all of the yard decorations and tarped everything. Getting it all ready for the snow.
On Halloween, we deserted Delta. We went to Walmart in Payson, then wandered up to Lowes and got tile for a back splash in the kitchen. They say we had over 500 kids come around! We had a couple come after we got home around 9. Crazy !!
So....this is our October run down !!

BABY QUILTS

2009-09-22T11:43:00.000-07:00

So--I have been looking for a baby quilt pattern and found a couple that I liked and was easy, or at least looked easy. I went to 'Mom's Fabric' to find the fabric for the quilt. Instead I found a panel, you know the pre-printed stuff. Someone had made a sample quilt, only it was a twin bed size. It was big ! I bought the panel, but didn't really like the layout of the squares. I decided to split them up. After all I only wanted the bigger middle one anyway. I got that quilt done and then didn't quite know what to do with the 4 smaller squares??? I fiddled around with them and this is what I came up with. Will Baby Thompson like them? That is the question???

LIFE IN DELTA--AUGUST 2009

2009-08-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

It's hot and hotter. The plants are dying, the garden is not doing very good. The tomatoes are growing though and right now have a ton to freeze. Mom's neighbor told her to just wash and core them, then put in a bag and freeze! You can then take out the little frozen balls and run under water, the skins will come off. Add them to soup or sauces. This should work out great since I don't bottle anymore. (Can't do canning on the ceramic stove top).
The Asters and Zinnias are growing like weeds ! The Four-o-Clocks are doing good, they smell great. We dug up the grass and daisies around the light post out front, now we have dirt!
Darwin had Dutson's deliver me some more rocks to put around it. (The guy won't put rocks in Darwin's 'new' truck!!) LOL!
So, that is about all that is happening around here. It's a good time to sew and do lettering. I have some watches I want to do with the beads.....sometime.
I watch the kids go to school across the back road....if their Moms knew they stopped to throw rocks into the canal, they would have a hyssie fit. Things seem a little more relaxed around the neighborhood with the kids gone during the day. It's quiet again, kids are missed. Olivia doesn't get lost as often when Mikala is in school! She is 4 and wants to do what her big sister does. (Sound familiar?) We "mature" ladies sit at our computers and send hugs and hearts and pillows and such to each other and I mustn't forget the many e-mails!
Life is good !! Cannot complain !! Well, except we could use some rain !!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAWN

2009-07-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

Today, thirty six years ago, I became a mother!! It was the most exciting and scary day of my life.

Darwin was in the Navy, so we were based in San Diego, California. I was ssoooo sick in the beginning, I could not keep anything down. We went to the Balboa Naval Hospital for help, of course there is never a Doctor on duty when you need one. An Intern gave me something for the nausea and told me to come back the next morning to see the regular Doctor. We found out the Intern had given me something pregnant women should not take. The Doctor fixed that and slowly after three or four months, the nausea passed. As I sit here, I remember taking plastic bags with me everywhere !!

I had a friend I met in Church, she was a Primary teacher with me. Betty Hepworth was a great lady, she took me home one day with her and made me a maternity dress. It was pale blue with little dark blue and pink flowers. A sign it was going to be a boy!! We had a great ward there in National City. The Relief Society gave me a baby shower! Our neighbors here in Delta, the Panhorsts, La Dawna's parents were in that ward. Small world.

Back to Shawn. When I was seven or so months along, the Doctor did an ultra-sound. As I lay there with my BIG belly covered in that jelly stuff, in came a class of interns !! The Doctor/Teacher then asked if I cared if they observed? Dah! Kind of late to ask!! The Tech confirmed it wasn't twins, hallelujah! And, no, he would NOT tell what the baby was....it wasn't always what the Tech said it was. I guess that was how they protected themselves then, if they didn't tell you what they thought it was they wouldn't get in trouble and cause disappointment.

At eight months I went home to Riverton and lived with Mom & Dad until the baby came. Only Shawn had other ideas, he was 3 whole weeks late. This is where the Doctor told me it was the quality of the baby, not the quantity of time I carried him. Darwin would call every night to see when he should come home for the birth. To him, it seemed like forever !! Finally !! After 3 weeks, I was going to be induced. I called to let Darwin know and he drove to Riverton. Shawn had other ideas again, I went into labor the night before and 10 long hours later he was born !!

I remember as they wheeled me through the hall and past my parents, I told my Dad, Darwin was not going to touch me again !! He just laughed !!

We took little Shawn home to Mom's and after 3 days, Darwin went back to California. He had about 10 or 12 days left before his discharge date. I remember sitting and looking at Shawn for hours. It seemed so unreal and he was so perfect !

Have a Happy Birthday Shawny-brooke! Haven't called you that forever......

JUNE

2009-06-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

Just some thoughts about June. ........I'm thinking.......It's the month we were married. It's the month of Father's Day. It's the month summer starts, and on the 21st is the LOONNGGEST day of the year. It's also when the earth comes completely alive !!! Gardens start to bloom and grow. Flowers are blooming all over the place and scents of summer are in the air. We have a Flowering Locust tree that has big magenta blooms and smell amazing. After the blossoms start to fade, the Honeysuckle starts to bloom little white flowers and it smells really sweet. Along the way the roses start to bloom and you can catch a whiff of rosy scents as you walk by. I'm looking forward to the Four-o-clocks to bloom next. They smell heavenly.
So I like June. Even though it starts getting HOT.
BTW--we were cleaning windows yesterday (23rd) and guess what was in the window well ?!!

THE WINDOW WELL

2009-06-05T09:01:00.000-07:00

I was getting ready to clean the leaves and winter grunges out of the front window well. I got to remembering all the adventures of 'the window well'. Mainly I was thinking, "What am I going to find down there this time?" Many years ago we had a muskrat in there! Tara was maybe 12 years old, she was babysitting the Betensen (Jeff & Deann) kids. They were at our house and everyone was so excited and could not wait for their dads to get home so Darwin and Jeff could get this little muskrat out for them to 'play' with ! Well, the Dads did get home and the planning of how to get this critter out was on....No one was going to fit in the window well to grab the animal. So they came up with making a little lasso to get around the muskrat's head and then haul him up and put him in a box. Ya right. The lasso worked but it was like getting a cat into a box! After much wrestling with this scared to death rodent, they got him in the box. The guys took him down by the river and let him loose. Much talk went on after words, was It really a muskrat??? Or was it just a big RAT!
We also had countless toads in the well! Lyndsey Ingram would come to my aid and climb down and rescue the cute little darlings. Then Lyndsey grew-up and she went off to college. Most of the time we just left them in the window well to eat the bugs. One summer I remember I was trying to show Darwin where the little toad was. It looked like the gravel we had put in the bottom and he could not see it. I took a stone and was going to drop it near the toad (which was the size of a 1 1/2 inch ball) to show him where it was. I lined up the stone with my left eye to get it on target and let it drop !!! BAMMM ---right on the toad's little noggin!! Put him out cold, he stretched out on his belly and laid there for a minute. I thought I had killed him, but he started to come around and got back up on his little webbed feet. I swear he was shaking his head to clear it. Darwin laughed his head off and bet I couldn't do that again! He did see the toad!
We have had snakes and black widow spiders, who knows what else. Now we have Talula, who sleeps down in there on the leaves and junk sometimes. I think she keeps it pretty cleaned out for us.

HAPPY (LATE) BIRTHDAY TARA

2009-05-21T11:38:00.000-07:00

On May 19, 1975 a little redheaded girl came into our lives. Of course it took an extra 28 days to get her here. The doctor told us it was the quality of the baby not the quantity of time it takes to get them here, whatever that means. Thinking back, the pregnancy went fairly smooth. Not any real problems. No toxemia or bed rest. Just a really
lllooonnnggg last month!! She was what the doctor called a 'floating' baby. And I think she was comfortable where she was!! Thank goodness she decided her life needed to start. Grandma Donna came and got Shawn that morning. I remember her coming in the bathroom and she told me I had better get to the hospital because I was bearing down and Tara was on her way. No fooling around for her! Once she decided to be born she was on her way!! We made it to the hospital and Darwin went to check us in, by the time he got to the maternity ward, I had had Tara! I think labor was all of 4 hours. Slick as a whistle as the saying goes! lol!!! Tara was not a happy baby, she had colic all of the time and cried a lot. She liked lying on her Dad's chest.
And spent her first couple of months sleeping there. Her little temper matched her bright red hair! When she wanted something it was now or else. Tara always liked to sleep wrapped tight in a blanket and she could lay absolutely content for hours. Needless to say we all survived and now she is a mother to her own little redhead!

MAY 2009

2009-05-20T13:14:00.000-07:00

Not a lot going on here. We have been getting the yard in shape for Summer. Darwin got the garden all tilled up and his potatoes planted, they are up and growing. He planted my peas and they are big. Soon we will have peas! He got the sprinkling system going and now we----he can mow the lawn. He doesn't think I can walk yet??? Next week I'll take my turn.
The hostas are up and the lilies are getting ready to bloom. The tomatoes are doing good and the green peppers are trying to grow. We have a banana squash this year and a zucchini started. Darwin started corn behind the fence, but this morning I seen something crawling through it ? What could it be? Through the fence it looked like Talula rolling around? But NO ! It was pigeons pecking at the corn seeds!! Darwin will not be happy!
Our roses are looking really good this year, maybe it was the long spring we had. Or the banana peels I put arounds them! They are ready to bloom. I have finally got my old tree stump put together. It has a gnome door and a little window with a little gnome peeking out. Irish moss is growing around the little doorstep. The squirrels and bears and birds are perched all around. Shawn and Bekah should not have taken us to the little fairy world. That was so fun! It has gotten all the creative juices going. When the kids are here, they can help me make little stepping stones for the gnomes to use!
Anyway, that is it for now !

HAPPENINGS

2009-04-24T11:56:00.000-07:00

Just a quick catch-up for April. We had Tara, Jake & Eli come for a one night visit. Eli has grown and is still a character! Jake is still a character also!! Darwin did get an afternoon off to spend with them. He and Jake went out to shoot the 'guns'. Tara, Eli & I went to check out Crazyscraps.
We came back and tried out the Cricut. I think Tara like it ! The Eaglestons then proceeded to Eagle Mountain. We got together on Saturday for Easter. That was fun! We ate and talked and played Red Rover. Sawyer loved that.
On the following Tuesday we had Katie and the boys come down. Katie wanted help making her new tote bag. She told you about Sawyer and the hammer. Poor Talula! It was a quick trip for them, plus Katie promised them a McDonalds if they were good. BTW, Katie did an excellent job on her bag.
That Friday, we had Ezra come stay with us for a couple of days. He's a character too! He told me Talula had boogers in her nose and needed a tissue. LOL! I think he was in heaven, he could just run wild in the yard. I had picked up a plastic bike and he road it around. Tori & Clark came and picked him up on Sunday. It was a good weekend.
And now, Today is the last day of the 'Outage' !!! Time to celebrate !! I know Darwin is just going to catch up on his sleep!

THE OUTAGE BEGINS !!

2009-03-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

Today is 'O' Day ! The fun begins. Darwin will be Tired, Hungry, Dirty, and Ornery when he gets home. He will go to bed at 8:30-9:00. Gets up at 5:45 and starts all over again for the next 4 weeks straight. We are really looking forward to Jake and Tara and Eli's visit! It will break up the rut. Not to say they are Rut-Breakers?
I had my 4 week check-up and I can now wear a big shoe around the house and only wear the boot when I go shopping or walk a lot. Thank goodness your Dad's shoe works for me!! So fashionable. The foot is healing well. He could still see the saw mark though and said it would take another 2 months before that closed up.
Other than this, we are doing great! We have potatoes and peas planted and Spring is finally in the air here !! If the wind doesn't blow it away !!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE

2009-03-15T08:34:00.002-07:00

Katie was our Placenta-Previa baby. Which meant everything that should have been at the top was at the bottom. Which meant she had to be delivered cesarean.
I remember the doctor sending us over to have the ultra-sound done, Grandma Bills took me. The technician wouldn't tell me anything, I asked if he could tell me if it was a boy or a girl.
He told me 'No' but she is going to be a big baby.' Grandma thought that was clever and giggled.
So I got busy making a girlish baby blanket and fixing everything for a girl. A week later we found out she was going to be a C-section delivery. It also meant she would be born 2 week early. That was a great surprise since the last two had been 21 days and 28 days late. (I'm really glad they don't let women do that anymore.) I was sick through the whole pregnancy, you know when things just don't feel right. Of course, we were building the house by the Billses. I did things I probably shouldn't have, like hauling gravel for the window wells and helping to move a fridge in! I remember my cousin's wife had just had a baby, same thing Placenta-Previa. Only her doctor hadn't caught it and she went into labor and he almost lost her. So I was a little nervous. Needless to say, everything went great! Katie was born and she was a crack-up from the beginning! Those big brown eyes were priceless. Pops said they were just like Grandma Ida's. Those eyes would melt your heart, and sometimes you just could not get mad at her.
We love you Katie, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Deb's toe

2009-03-02T07:22:00.000-08:00

As you can see Deb's toe is all wrapped up. So is she , she had a few pain killers. But is feeling better. And no she not turning into Fiona the green is from the antiseptic. We're having a good time here.

25 THINGS ABOUT ME

2009-02-25T12:36:00.000-08:00

1. I have red hair.
2. I have acrylic nails. Have had them for many years!
3. I live in Delta.
4. I am now a retired Pharmacy Tech.
5. I have 4 children. All married to great spouses!
6. I have 8 grandkids. Two pretty little girls and 6 handsome little boys.
7. I like to quilt and sew.
8. I like to do woodworking.
9. I like to make jewelry. (for myself mainly.)
10. I love to garden! (Got that from my Mom)
11. I have to have my alone time. (Got that from my Dad)
12. I read, not as much as I use to.
13. I like to iron, probably because it is an alone thing?
14. I am married to a great guy! Who some believe resembles Shrek. (I love Shrek)
That must make me a good Fiona! hahaha
15. I do not like to COOK!
16. I like to have order at home. (the old 'a place for everything and everything in its place')
17. I don't like to go to church sometimes.
18. But I do have a strong testimony.
19. I live in a good neighborhood.
20. I sold Home Interiors at one point. Worked at Draper Bank for a few years.
21. We lived in San Diego when we were first married.
22. I like to stay in motels when we travel, no more camping. I also love to get back home to my
own bed.
23. I miss my grandkids, I don't get to see them very often.
24. I love hearing from my family and extended family. (Love the blog and e-mail)
25. I am fat, happy and sassy!!!

Well, 25 things about me, not neccessarily in that order. Monica's right, this was hard.
I don't think I will Tag anyone. Just do it if you want to. It's good fun. ;D

Pay It Forward

2009-02-21T15:17:00.000-08:00

I just got this off of Tara & Jake's blog because I was NUMBER ONE, then I went to Shawn & Bekah's blog and was NUMBER TWO!! This is going to be fun! I can't wait to see what Shawn comes up with??? I love to get anything in the mail!

1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me. (Deb)

2. Winners must post this challenge on their own blog, meaning that you will pay it forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!

3. The gift that you send to your 3 friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember it’s the spirit and the thought that count!

4. When you receive your gift, blog about it! If you are not one of the first three to comment on this post, you can still play along. Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same! It's all about paying it forward!

3-D

2009-02-11T08:16:00.000-08:00

Monday was cold and snowy and so we couldn't do anything. We have been changing out our light and plug sockets to the new white ones, we worked on the Family Room and got those all changed out. Darwin did what he had to do that morning. Come 3 o'clock we had nothing to do. I suggested we watch our new movie "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (with Brennan Frasier).
I had opened it earlier that week and it had these 3-D glasses in with it. One side of the disc is normal and the other side is 3-D. We opted for the 3-D. Sooo- here we sat with these 3-D glasses on watching this movie. Of course, I got the giggles just thinking about what we looked like! 0-0
Darwin kept falling asleep (under those glasses). The last part gets a little exciting and he watched that. What we don't do for fun!

JANUARY PROJECT

2009-01-28T18:14:00.000-08:00

This is my newest toy. I want to start or I should say add to my Family History and do it scrapbook like. And I want to make some of those vinyl wall sayings. Plus, I know each of you would like wall sayings---? I know it will by well used.

I have been working on this quilt for our bed. I decided I'd do it in plain, solid colors for Darwin. I'm sure he gets tired of flowers all of the time. Then, I did get a bonus when I retired. I have been looking for a sewing machine to buy with it. I was looking for
a machine like I have, but the store I got it from is closed and I don't want to order one off the Internet. So---Darwin noticed Nuttall's was having a Bernina Sale!! Well, Sunday morning on the radio, they announced "Dave's Bernina" was having a Super Sale this weekend. We went up on Monday to check out the machines before the sale so we wouldn't have to rush, then I would go back up for the Super Sale. The Saleslady asked the guy about the sale and they let us get it at the sale price! I finally got up the nerve to try it today, it is so fun and has all of these stitches! Plus, the Cricut will cut out fabric for appliques! I can't wait to try it all!!! Anyhow, this has been the January fun!

THE OBAMA DRAMA

2009-01-21T14:39:00.000-08:00

It is now official. It is now President Obama. Here are a few thoughts on yesterday's happenings. It was an amazing event, to see all of those people in DC watching history being made. Pres. and Mrs. Obama will make a lot of first I'm sure. Her clothes were dissected by the media, but she is by all accounts a down-to-earth person. She had on cheaper gloves with her name-dropping coat and dress. Of course, the little girls coats cost $200 each. I guess now a day that's cheap. They said the Internet was over-loaded by down loads for look-a-like coats. I see Pres. Obama has already put a wage freeze on the White House. Ouch! I think he will do good things, I will watch and wait to see. No, I did not vote for him, I'm old and set in my ways. Some of the things he said and didn't say made me hesitant to support his views. By the look of the Inauguration, he is pulling the Country together and that--is good.

CHRISTMAS IN DELTA

2008-12-30T12:50:00.001-08:00

Rebekah made me a Chicken Roll Keeper. Grandma Janie had one she would put over a bowl to keep rolls warm then all we had to do was reach in where the wings opened and get our rolls!!! Katie put the chicken on her head (she didn't know what it was for)and said I could wear it for Halloween and give out treats from my head.....Thanks Bekah, I love it and I have it in my kitchen on the cupboard.

Christmas Eve morning they all went sleigh riding. I stayed home and cooked dinner. We didn't have a lot of snow left but the kids, big and small, had a good time, I think.

We were expecting a big snow storm that afternoon, but it didn't show up in Delta until Christmas morning. The kids all stayed late on Christmas Eve, they were making me nervous because we knew Utah and Salt Lake valleys would get hit. Sure enough they hit snow on their way home. We did have fun, lots of food and conversation, playing with the grandbabies, Lincoln watch my Living Scripture DVDs. I was so glad, after talking to Shawn, I thought I had goofed again. Lincoln liked them and Sawyer and Ezra even slowed down a minute to watch!!

We missed our 'out of state' families. It's not the same without them all here. Maybe some day.

Christmas was a good day, nice and quiet. A little too quiet. We opened gifts and ate leftovers. Just vegged out for the day. Thanks for all of the great gifts everyone...we appreciate each of you. And...now we can clean up and get ready to do it again next year!!!! ;-D

THANKSGIVING PHOTOS

2008-12-30T12:25:00.000-08:00

A day out target shooting. Ezra didn't have a coat and he really didn't want to wear Grandpa's "orange" sweatshirt. Rob brought his co-worker with him. She has 5 brothers so she fit right in.

Later that day we fondued bananas and apples in chocolate. I have a little Hershey fondue pot Kevin gave us last year for Christmas. I think the boys and grandma had a great time!!

Snow Means Christmas

2008-12-15T09:21:00.000-08:00

It snowed here Saturday. I was so excited! I love the snow, and even more so this year because I don't have to go to work or anywhere else. I can stay home and enjoy it. And Darwin was home with me to enjoy it too. And you all know Darwin, he was right out in it. He HAD to shovel the walks and he HAD to straighten out the house lights. (Which meant going up on the roof) Funny man. During the night someone or someones came and tried taking our reindeer from the front yard. Instead the big one came apart and I think the kids got scared and ran, getting away with nothing. Darwin was up before I was so when I came downstairs I found the big reindeer in the house!! I asked him if this was how he was going to keep it safe??? hahaha!! He actually had to fix some of the lights. So big deer is now back in the yard with the baby deer and all are staked down extra good. And you know some kids are not too bright?? It snowed and Darwin could follow their footprints to their doors.......dah! Of course he didn't, sometimes it's wise not to know who was out having good fun. It's not like we didn't cause trouble when we were 12. And our kids did their share. I remember Tori coming home scared because some farmer had chased her and the Basset kid and friends.....and who didn't go toilet papering???

I think we will be getting MORE SNOW today!! So I am going to bring in some wood and bake sugar cookies. And do some laundry, clean bathrooms, change bedding, wrap presents, shovel snow, mop snow off the floor, and start over when Darwin comes home.

DECEMBER 9TH

2008-12-09T09:36:00.000-08:00

I thought today would be a great day to update our blog since it is our baby's birthday!!!
We can't believe Tori is 28 years old. I always think back to that day, she was two weeks over due and really wanted to come into the world!! I remember getting up and knew something wasn't quite right. Katie had been born c-section so it was likely Tori would too. Even though the doctors said not necessarily so. Tori was trying to come through the old incision. We called the doctor's office and they had us come right over and then sent us right to the hospital. While I was waiting for Darwin to come home from work to take me to the doctors, I made a phone call. Back then the General Relief Society board had a hot line with a thought for the month. I called that line and I can't remember who was giving the message but it was about Mary. The Sister remind us about what life was like back then and how hard it was for an expecting mother. No running water, no hospital, no Doctor, no cars, no heat, no pain pills or shots. Here I was scared and feeling so unsure of what was to happen in the next few hours. The Sister continued about how Mary left it to the Lord to watch over her little family as they entered Bethlehem. She knew everything would be all right. How great was her FAITH. Darwin got home and we headed out.
At the hospital, I was set up for another c-section. i had eaten 1 caramel earlier that day so I could not be anesitized. I was glad I had called that hot-line. I could not feel sorry for myself. I could only remember Mary. I prayed for strenghth to handle the pain. The Doctor did deaden
the lower half or whatever they did back then. Of course, it didn't completely work. ;( As I prayed, I heard the doctor decide to just go ahead. That's when I passed out. Tori was delivered and I was stapled up then woke up. It all worked out great.
I will always remember Mary and will always be thankful to her for her courage and example.
So Miss Victoria Ann Bills Thompson, Happy Birthday!!!

HERO DAD

2008-11-19T09:06:00.001-08:00

We have been up North the last two week-ends and each time your Dad has been a "rescuer".

The first weekend, we were heading toward the escalator in the Provo Towne Mall and a little 4 or 5 year old girl was standing there by herself. Her Grandma and Mother were going up the escalator and yelling at her to get on! Of course these days you don't know if you should help and get in trouble or run. I could tell the mother was being cautious and wondering what to do, did I mention she had a baby in her arms? But the frantic Grandma asked your Dad to bring her up to them. The little girl was hesitant at first until her Mom said it was okay. I wished I'd had a camera, she reached up and took your Dad's hand and held on til we were at the top and then she took her Grandma's hand and waved good-bye after saying Thank-you to him.

The next week-end we pulled into the Mervyn's parking lot at the University Mall. There was a college student standing in the empty space next to the one we pulled into. She was on her cell phone and you could tell she was very upset! She reminded me of our kids when we'd get the 'phone calls". Your Dad was smiling, he said, "Wait til you get out and come around, you'll see what's wrong." She had pulled her car over one of those cement dividers. She had called a kid to come help her. (Her licenced said Washington) It wasn't two seconds and he pulled up, he had two logs with him and a jack. But your Dad took charge and offered to help push the car back over the cement divider. He did use the logs. The poor girl was sooo thankful. She shook his hand and had tears in her eyes. And of course your Dad was the proud rescuer!!

What a guy!!!

Finished Project

2008-11-14T15:28:00.000-08:00

Here they are. All finished!!

MY PROJECT

2008-11-12T15:38:00.000-08:00

Just before going to Arkansas, we had bought a new TV stand for the TV. (that was dah) Any who, I painted the inside black and thought by time we got back it would be dry. (Actually, I put the back on right side out and had nailed the sucker on pretty good.) Needless to say the Family Room was a mess, in all of the rearranging, I decided to build a built-in bookcase. I have watched millions of the DIY shows, how hard could it be? Darwin bought me the wood and I was off. I had an idea of building a frame and raising it into the square. I cut out the carpet, and built a platform for this frame to sit on. So far so good. The problem was that I had put all of the books on the love seat right where I need to put my frame together??? And I WASN"T going to move those books one more time!! So I built the frame in the middle of the Family room. Darwin said he would help me get it into the square??? Okay, I measured three times and everything was all set----we raised the frame. BAM! We hit the low part of the ceiling! With some finagling we got it in place. Yea!!! Next we went on a quest to get the brackets and peg things to put the shelves up with. Remember, we live in Delta!! Argh!! ;( Losee's had some of the uprights I needed but not enough and they didn't have the little peg things. So I had Gary order me some, he said they would be in on Monday. Ya, right! I called after 11 just to give them time to find them, only to find out Gary went up on Monday to get his order and would be back around 3 or 4. :( Mind you, I came down with a cold Saturday, I got chilled out in the garage painting shelves. So I decided to wait and called on Tuesday, The uprights were there but the guy couldn't find the peg things. Fine. :( I felt like crap so I took some cough syrup and had a nap. I worked in between feeling good and coughing on the frame work around the bookcase. Wednesday I headed up to Losee's! The peg things were not in stock at the warehouse and had to come from another company, Gary said they should be here Thursday! Argh :( (So did that mean next week?) I did some errands and when I got home Losee's called. The peg things were there!! ;) Happy Day!!
I rushed home with my little $35 package of peg things and got busy putting in the uprights I had gotten that morning and the shelves!! I couldn't wait to get the books off of the love seat, I noticed the seat cushions were getting flatter and flatter! No worry though, they popped right back up with some fluffing. The books now have a permanent home and I can say I built the bookcase myself !! Mostly.....

PHOTOS from ARKANSAS

2008-10-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

Just a few photos of Arkansas kids. It is a really beautiful time of year, the leaves are starting to turn colors and it's just pleasant to be outside and walking around the park or neighborhood.

My APRON CAME

2008-10-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

My apron was here when we got home!! The lady's daughter had her best friend die and so she was late getting it sent. Poor girl, that would be hard. I really like my apron and the little teddy bear, even the bag of Moose Poop!! It was worth the wait.

Baptism

2008-10-29T12:14:00.000-07:00

Saturday was Isaac and Sadie's Baptism Day. It was a perfect day, the sun was shining and it was warm. Shawn and Bekah had a little program planned and everything. All of their friends and co-workers were there and the kids Primary teachers and the President were there. I felt bad for Bekah, her Dad's talk didn't get there as planned. She read her Dad's talk though and it worked out well, but I could tell she misses them.

Grandpa took care of Silas for most of the program, he really was delighted that one of his grandkids would go to him. (The others will like him more when they get older I'm sure).

All in all it was a perfectly wonderful day !!!!

ARKANSAS TRIP

2008-10-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

We made it back to Delta in one piece on Tuesday at 4 o'clock. And Delta was still here!! Talula was excited to see us and she "meowed" for an hour! I think she was cussing us for leaving, I haven't heard her meow like that before?...

We had great fun in Arkansas with the kids! Silas is growing and says a lot of words. Like "I don't know", What's that?", "Okay" , "no", Sadie was plain but I couldn't understand Isaac or Phebe. Silas is definitely the King of the house. Sadie is a young lady and still a little shy, but she can get the other two to do things her way. Isaac is a young man and very smart, still has quite the imagination and he CAN tell a story. He can enunciate and add the drama in all of the right places! Phebe is Phebe, she can make you laugh and she can make you cuss all at once! She was definitely named after the right Grandma(Jan). Very stubborn, but very soft hearted when someone it hurt or hurting. And we loved our time with them. We found out they would be in school Wednesday but only half a day on Thursday and home on Friday. So Thursday we figured we could handle taking them to McDonald's or Sonics, and it went great. So after McDonald's we ventured on to Walmart to get a couple of videos for them. Sadie and Phebe got the new Barbie video "Diamond Castle" and Isaac and Silas got "Underdog". Then I had to get wrapping paper and gift bags, it was a record trip to Walmart!! We were in and out in 25 minutes. Silas was thoroughly bored and wanted down. Of course you all know what happens when you put a 1 year old down in a store? They RUN!!! Just as fast as two short little legs can carry them, even with one shoe on and one shoe off!! Hilarious !! Friday we watched the movies and when it warmed up, the kids went outside to play in the back yard. Grandpa took Silas for a stroller ride and the girls went with them. Later we decorated a haunted house that Sadie and Phebe got at a birthday party. What a fun mess!! Have you ever decorated with BLACK frosting??? (See photos) Isaac had a very black mouth from the big spoonful I put there. Sadie had it all over her hands and was drizzling frosting on the roof. After, her and I had a black hand battle, it was fun until I tried to get her nose black and then the fun was over!! I thought she would have to get baptized with gray hands! But it finally came off with lots of soap! Oh, but what a house they made! Friday night Shawn and Rebekah came home and the kids missed them and were so glad to see them. Silas especially missed his Dad, he is a Daddy's boy. (Which means he really liked Grandpa) I think me and grandpa were just a happy to see them.!!!

OUR LIFE

2008-10-16T15:39:00.000-07:00

Just a quick up-date on "US". Darwin is doing great. He took prednisone for his knee and that seem to help him so far. He found out he has osteoarthritis in his knee also....(I thought he knew that?) He is still the Membership clerk for the Ward, has been for 13 years now. I was just put in over Visiting Teaching....(Katie, give me some ideas come spring)
We spent 4 days in Reno, helping Tara & Jake. Jake is in the hospital with bladder trouble.
Tara said he is doing ok. We got home Friday night. While in Reno, Eli was sick. I got it and when we got home Darwin got it. Tara had it. Not really fun, I felt so sorry for little Eli, he had dry heaves and it sounded like it hurt. However, it did not slow him down very much!
Next week, we are flying to Arkansas !! We can't wait to see the Bills Bunch there. I can't believe how grown up Sadie looked on the blog. I just hope Silas will like us. Sadie and Isaac will be baptized while we are there. Our little family is growing up. Next will be graduation, then missions!!
BTW= We thoroughly enjoyed having Sawyer for a couple of days (at the First part of the Month)(I think). He is quite the character, and he knows how to get around the NO's. I think he had fun, he just meandered around and played. Fun times, next it's Lincoln's turn.
See you all when we get back~~

BACK2LIFE

2008-09-22T06:42:00.001-07:00

This is our new "stretch your spine" machine. I seen this on TV. On one of those ads they do.

It showed how it stretches and rotates your spine. So I thought it would help Darwin's degenerated disc disease, and it has. I tried it and it DOES work!!! Darwin said his back feels a lot better and he can move easier. Which means he can work harder! It also puts him asleep.....

NEW TOY

2008-09-22T06:35:00.001-07:00

I have a new toy !! Target had these on sale, so I thought I'd
give it a shot. Maybe by Christmas I will be able the play something. It's kind of fun, it
has all of the back-up stuff on it, so it makes you sound good. And it can connect ot the
computer, for what I don't know yet?

APRON #2

2008-09-22T06:15:00.000-07:00

This is Grandma's new apron. It turn out quite festive!
I don't think she liked it, might have been too bright....!

THE APRON SWAP

2008-09-08T16:07:00.000-07:00

I finished my apron for the Swap. What a project this has been!! Did you know that either everyone is using chocolate brown rick rack right now .... or the company isn't making enough of it to go around ! Mom's Fabric here in town was out, Joann's (both stores) was out of it. I had this apron cut out and half sewn, because I thought I could just go to Joann's and get brown rick rack. But no, and all of the pink rick rack was the wrong pink!? And either all the stores had only 1 package of beige or none. So I got on the Internet and ordered 6 packages of sable brown rick rack. It came this morning and I got to work on my apron. It is now done and will get mailed out tomorrow to Stephanie in Iowa. I hope she likes it, she said her favorite colors were brown, pink, blue, and green.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE GREEN

2008-09-08T15:25:00.000-07:00

We finally got around to painting our bedroom a couple of weeks ago. We are no longer GREEN. We are now Navajo Tan. And I don't have to make a new quilt because the one we have still matches just fine. Anyway, I thought you'd like to see what we do for fun around here.

DING DONG - THE SOFA IS GONE

2008-08-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

We finally retired the old sofa!! We decided it was about 22 years old. So it was about time. We went to St. George and found this one at Ashley Furniture, I had been on the Internet searching so I was glad they had it in the showroom. Of course, it didn't look quite this big at the store. Then of course, the chair pads did not match. Monday I redid those.

It only took me ALL DAY!! I ripped open the back cushion so I could reuse the stuffing and the spongey stuff went all over!! What fun that was! Any who, I think it turned out okay? And now it matches the sofa. It's muted reds and olive greens. Alittle different than my usual blues, but it matches my roosters, so that is good. (I should redo Katie's cushions, don't you think Katie??)

New News

2008-08-20T13:18:00.000-07:00

Tara asked if we had any new news??? I'll think of something......We were privileged to have a visitor on the 7th, 8th, and 9th. Tori and Clark trusted us to tend Ezra and we had so much fun!!

Talula was his best friend and she was very patient with him. Ezra would lay on his belly and put his little nose right up to Talula's dish and watch her eat her "cereal". And Ezra likes bugs, or maybe he doesn't, he told Grandpa, "Bug!" and then he stomped on it!! Grandpa laughed and laughed! Ezra followed Grandpa around the yard when Talula gave him the slip. Ezra also loves the trucks and cars, he carried them around and I have found them all over the house and yard. We enjoyed having him, he is really growing into a cute little "boy". He's not a baby anymore.

HAPPY 58th BIRTHDAY !!!! DARWIN

2008-08-11T00:50:00.000-07:00

It's your BIRTHDAY ! You just turned 58 !! What are you going to do now???

MAMMA MIA

2008-08-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

We went to "Mamma Mia" last night. Darwin didn't know what he was getting into. I told him it was a 'chic flick', he said he was fine with that. We had some women come sit behind us and one was laughing out loud---we couldn't help but laugh with her. One of them brought a three year old with her, he was having a good time too. He'd scream when Meryl Streep did and then he'd laugh!! The show was good, in fact it was great and I can't wait to get it on CD. Of course, the music is from our 'teen years'. I loved ABBA. We had an 8-track tape and when the kids were younger, I remember playing it in the van and we'd all sing along. You probably don't remember that. Now we need to get the sound-track! (I don't know how to download to my play track thing??) Any who- it was good and even though some of the actors could not really sing. And yes, Darwin did like it. He said at least it wasn't one of those depressing chic flicks!!

FINALLY ARRIVED !! ~~~~~

2008-07-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

I finally received my placemats and napkins!! They are from a lady in Kentucky. They have a bandana print and a little floral print on the blue. They are cute, but I know my girls could have sewn better than or just as good as this lady. It's interesting to see all of the ideas that come from one pattern, and to see who follows that pattern or does their own thing. (Check out the http://btrsswap.blogspot.com/ ) I can't wait to see how the Flirty Aprons turn out!!

CARE PACKAGE~~~

2008-07-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

Your Dad says Thank You for the Care Package!!! Shawn, Bekah and family sent him all kinds of good stuff to help him feel better. He really liked the cards from Isaac, Sadie, and Phebe. Your Dad took the Advil to work with him this morning, it's his favorite. And he really got a kick out of the ball cap and t-shirt. He needed that! He really is the very best Grandpa. And I say thanks for the bubble gum lipgloss and the neat pen! I do like the gloss, it taste so good! And I can write you guys a letter with the pen. Won't that be fun?? That was a cute idea and it made him feel good to receive something from his "favorite son and daughter in law and kids in Arkansas."

STONEY DARWIN UPDATE~~~

2008-07-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

Darwin had a follow-up appointment on Friday. He is doing ok, but still gets pains off and on.
On Wednesday(the one before the appointment) night he pulled the stint out~~it turned out to be 15 inches long and Darwin cussed ~~I can't repeat what he said or thought! Once that was gone he did better. He still had blood in his urine but I think he is still healing from all of this.
The Doc told him he still has a 5mm stone in his kidney. This news did NOT make him happy!
So basically it is a waiting game, if the stone moves or not. One of his concerns was cancer, but the Doc reassured him that the Cat Scan did not show anything. Darwin's new thing is to go walking around the neighborhood in the evening when he has a pain, I suggested maybe it would lessen it since that what they do in the hospital. Only he wears his pajamas! The neighbors stop him to see if he is okay because he is slumped and walks like an old man. (Actually, I think he gets a kick out this!)
Darwin did go to work today. After all of this, he is ready for retirement. Really ready. We will see how long he last today. He is still weak and his stamina isn't like it was. We stopped by Mom and Dad's on Friday and Grandma told him he looked terrible!! So much so that she took a picture of him to show the rest of the family....funny. He has lost at least 25 pounds and his pants fall right off!! The good news is he is getting better. It will just take time and now we know how to handle kidney stones.

Dirt and Worms

2008-07-09T23:25:00.000-07:00

2 cans tomato soup
1 lb. hamburger
1 medium onion chopped (optional or use onion powder)
12 oz. Twisted pasta
Brown hamburger and onions, add tomato soup and let simmer. Cook pasta according
to direction. Combine pasta with sauce and serve!!! Would be good with French bread.

4th of JULY FUN !!!!

2008-07-08T13:03:00.001-07:00

THESE ARE A FEW PHOTOS FROM THE 4TH~~
EZRA DIDN'T LIKE THE NOISE AND STAYED ON CLARK'S LAP AT THE PARADE~~I THINK THAT IS ME AND TORI PLUS A FEW EXTRAS ON THE NEW HAMMOCK (that's Taylor-Lincoln's friend)~~KATIE ON THE HORSE SWING~~AND TORI & EZRA IN THE POOL. (WE MISSED GETTING A PICTURE OF KATIE IN THE POOL.)

~~THE STONES~(Not the Rock Group)

2008-07-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a weekend. That is a photo of Darwin at the Parade on the 4th, he was in pain then but joined in the fun anyway. Plus he had taken a few Percocets. By 5 in was dying! So after a blessing, we headed to the ER, after 5 morphine shots in the I.V. (20ml) his pain was under control but not gone. They released him with a bottle of new pain killers. His urologist told us to give him a call if the pills didn't work and he would have him admitted to the hospital up north and do something about the stones. Of course, the intense pain didn't come back until Saturday evening. At 9, Darwin had me call the Urologist, Dr. Platt, only he wasn't on call, his associate was and he sent us to the ER at Timpanogas Hospital. We left Delta at 10:30 and got in Orem around 12. That was quite the ride!! Poor Darwin was in so much pain and every curve and pot-hole made it worse. Then after we got there, the ER Doc was going to send him home. Darwin told him No way! He wasn't going anywhere! So they admitted him, which was a good thing.

On Monday morning Dr. Platt removed the stones by doing a urethra-basket procedure. Check this out on the Internet, it's really something. They slide a wire under the stone and break it somehow and then this little basket opens behind the stone and is pulled out. They did this several times....OUCH! The Doc said he had a hard time getting the big ones out because they wouldn't break up. The hospital sent him home around 10. Needless to day Darwin is in a lot of

pain today. The Doc put a stint in to keep the channel open so he could pass the residue left from the breaking of the stones. The stint has a sting on it so on Friday Darwin can pull it out.

This has been quite the experience for him!! It hurts when he goes to the bathroom, he came downstairs and asked me if I knew how bad that burns and hurts?? I laughed!!! You mean like after giving birth and the epesiotomy hurts?? Then he laughed and said "Touche!" But lets hope he is on the mend and that this doesn't happen again!! Darwin really thought he would be up and running today, but instead he is tired and very weak. Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers on his behalf.

BTRS Swap Project~~~~

2008-06-26T15:27:00.000-07:00

This is my finished product!! And now I get to send them to a lady in Alaska. I really hope she likes them. This has been fun to do, except trying to decide what fabric to get. It has little cherries on the white piece, that's as vintage as I could find. ( Some of the other was quite ugly)

And I found this cute green plaid ribbon to do the border. They turned out okay....I think.

Busy Friday !!

2008-06-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

Darwin had a follow-up doctor's appointment for the kidney stones. At 9:45, so we started out early. We seen Dr. Platts associate, Dr. Egan, he was funny. He told Darwin it might take a while to pass the stones or pieces of the 9 millimeter. Darwin did pass one the morning before and so we had it so they could have it analyzed. Dr. Egan would rather find out what causes the stones than to just treat them. So, we go back in three weeks. Darwin has to have another x-ray here in Delta and he will take it with him so the Doc can see if things are moving. Darwin had another "episode" last Sunday. He was in PAIN. I don't like to see him hurting. I'm just glad it's not a constant pain.
After the doctor, we stopped by Joann's to get fabric for the BTRS swap and then hit the Golden Corral for lunch. We headed up to Pops and Grandma's to do some finishing touches on their downstairs bathroom. Randy started the project by rearranging the plumbing, Darwin did the wiring, Kevin did the framing, Eric (Kristin's husband) did the walls and ceiling, Kevin painted the walls once and Pops & Grandma painted again. Soooo- Darwin put up the lights and we tiled the floor. We were out of practice and it took us a minute to get it going, but it turned out pretty. I think Pops wanted his bathroom back, it's been a few months. Kevin is living with them and he has been lifting and resetting the toilet each time it needed it because it's too far to go upstairs....funny boy! By the way, Kevin and Karen are getting a divorce. Due to this event, he has seen Monica and his three little grandbaby girls. It is a very good thing. He is going to AAA and trying to get it together, so pray for him. We had Chinese dinner with Pops & Grandma then headed home around 8. All in all it was a great day!!!

RENO VISIT

2008-06-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

We made our way to Reno last week. As Tara said, we needed to check on Eli. And we had to make sure Tara and Jake were well also. It was a way too short visit, but they are busy and Talula can only fend for herself for so long. Eli is doing great, he gets around so fast for a little feller. He has the army crawl down and it's like he floats above the wood floor he goes so fast. He wasn't too sure about Grandpa at first, but he was warming up to him before we left. We seen Jake's TV infomercial about the digital Hi-Def thing coming to TV. I did listen but I forget easily.
He was very professional & knowledgeable !! Tara had her Bow-making stuff out and had been working hard before we got there.
It was interesting to see Donner's Pass museum. It makes you glad for what we have and for the time we live in. Even Eli was impressed by it. He got really quiet. The drive around Tahoe was enjoyable, I love Tahoe. It is so peacefully there and people are friendly. Last year, when we checked into the motel, a bear had been in the lobby. We had just missed it. Needless to say, the bellboy was extremely excited !! Going to Tahoe is our annual anniversary get-away, but we decided not to go this year. (Don't know or remember why?)
Any who, we had a very good time and playing Wii was a riot. I found muscles I haven't used for a while.....Now how am I going to get to Shawn & Bekah's ?????

5 Unimportant Things About Me~~

2008-06-17T13:21:00.002-07:00

Bekah tagged me and I had to think about this ????
Oh, and I'm tagging Tori, Katie, and Tara !!

1. I worry as much as Darwin, I just don't let it show.
2. I would rather do dishes at a Ward Party than socialize...
3. I really like to do creative things--or at least try. It's fun to try something new and to see if
it can be accomplished.
4. I like to sew, decorate, & garden more than clean the house......
5. I decided in 7th or 8th grade that I was totally a Minority---red hair, glasses, & left handed.
A total loser back than!!! ;) ( my thinking has changed since then)

TAG~~YOUR TURN!!

S'MORE QUESADILLAS ( MoM)

2008-06-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

USING YOUR QUESADILLA MAKERS---

2 TORTILLAS
CHOCOLATE CHIPS
MARSHMELLOWS

Place 1 tortilla in maker, place marshmellows and chocolate chips on top. Top with second tortilla and close lid. After marshmellows melt and ooze out and make a complete mess, open and cut into 4th. Enjoy!! You could add graham cracker crumbs for that taste of a s'more. Or bananas would be good. (I added the ooze part)
(I seen this on the recipe sight and thought the kids would like it)

Hacker

2008-05-31T08:54:00.000-07:00

Yep, that's me. I am a hacker. I got into Mom and Dad's account and changed things up (this is Katie, by the way). I did have permission, just for the record. Sorry the header is massive. Still trying to figure out how to re-size things. I love this picture of Mom and Dad! They are beautiful people!

DINNER ANYONE???

2008-05-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

The other day we were out and about in the yard. Grandpa was hooking up the watering system in the garden, he turned the water on to test it out. It also turns on the sprinklers under the trees by the back fence. I noticed that Talula was just sitting there with her back to the water. Now why is she doing that, I wondered? So I called to her. She didn't move, she merely put her nose in the grass and scratched around. Soon she walked over to the patio where I was and she had a what looked like a mouthful of grass. Upon examining closer, I seen it was a LIZARD !! The question was "Where on earth did Talula get a lizard?" I screamed at Grandpa, "Talula has a lizard! Do something!" He just said, "Good for her, it's okay. Tell her not to play with her food."
I kept a close eye on her, but especially on the lizard. She would let the lizard get so far then she would reach out with her paw and catch it's tail. The thing would play dead and not move for a long time and then Talula would nudge it til it moved and it started all over again. At one time it got over in the flowerbed and Talula lost it, I didn't and I picked her up and showed her where it was! She was so excited! Grandpa needed parts so we headed to Ace's and an hour later she was still playing with the lizard. That was until she seen us. She then proceeded to take the lizard in her mouth and went around the corner by the chimney. Soon she was back around and wanted to come in the house with us. No way, I went to check out exactly where that lizard was. All I found was a wet, greasey looking spot on the cement.....argh !! Needless to say, Talula did NOT come in that night. She had to digest her dinner. Now the question is, "Are there anymore lizards in my yard?" I really don't handle snakes or lizards well !!! :)

UPDATE ON DAD

2008-05-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

Just to let you know what's been going on here with your Dad. Remember the lilac bush we moved and your Dad hurt his knee and all? Well, the pain didn't go away. Friday Darwin was putting in the new front door and his back and leg and knee was hurting. I finally told him to go to the Doctor!! He agreed (right away I might add). I called and got him in to see Dr. Shamo that afternoon. Dr. Shamo told the therapist at IPP was right, it is his sciatica nerve. And that he has Osteo Arthritis in his body. The doctor sent him over to have an X-ray of his back. We got the results Monday, he also has "multi-level degenerate disease in his discs and joints". And then..on Monday he came home early, he had twisted his ankle again ! He is NOT having a good week. The doctor told him to take Tylenol and Glucosamine Sulfate for it all. When he can't stand it anymore then I guess we think about surgery. (On his back). Can you believe he took sick leave?? As you can see he is on the mend.

"D" -DAY

2008-05-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

Well, last night I took the 'bull by the horns' as they say and went to Weight Watchers. Darwin has agreed to do this also, we will see how long this lasts. I was laughing because Weight Watchers is so appropriate--we were all eye balling each other as we stood in line to be weighed.
They had 32 of us sign-up three weeks ago and last week, 55 showed up!! Yes--Delta had a VERY good winter and a llooonngg one too. Of course with gas prices and a shortage of groceries in the stores, we are all being forced to watch what we eat. Any who-- this is a good thing and we CAN do it. We both want to be around to watch the Grandbabies grow up. And to see those new ones yet to come. (hint-hint) And I have things to do yet. I have a list that I haven't touched . Wish us luck !!

YOU THINK MOVING FURNITURE WAS HARD !!

2008-05-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

We drove home last night after the wedding, we got home around 12:30am. We decide to get up and move the BIG lilac tree. Notice the different colored fence. Your Dad dug a big hole over in the other corner, because I had the Migraine of all time!! I haven't had one like that since '02. Anyway he dug a hole on Friday morning. Sooo, we started digging around this tree. Dad got out the winch or wench and pulled the truck up to the gate, attached a huge chain to the tree root ball and the wench and started winching then he attached the wench and chain to the other tree and winched the other way and we pushed and pulled till it popped loose!! Then we put it on a large tarp and pulled it to the other corner where the hole was................what a job!!! But we did it! Actually, your Dad did most of the work cause he gets manic about it and I just kind of stay back. So today(Sunday) he has a twisted knee and is sick to his tummy. (too much sun). Does he look so sad???

Nancy & Bob's Wedding

2008-05-11T11:20:00.000-07:00

I guess by now you all know that Nancy got married Friday night. It was a fun gala ! Some of his family came. His mom is Jane and his two sisters were there. His daughter and son were there. And his one sister had her grandson with her. They are all very freindly and really nice. It was the first time anyone had met anyone?? Pops and Grandma had met Bob a couple of nights before the party. Bob's friend married them, I think he is like a Chaplain in the Army? He is LDS anyway so any how he was authorized because Pops gave him the quiz and joked he didn't want anything to go wrong at this point. Bob's best friend was one of the witnesses, they are from Bountiful. Nice church going people. I think this will be a very good thing for Nancy. She was so happy and her eyes lit up when he smiled at her. We had Kristen & Eric there and the kids. Curtis and Megan and Alexis was there, she will be three this coming week. Mollie and Blake came for Randy and Kris.(Randy had a Church thing) But they did come later --after most of them had left. Brian was there. It was a great night, and things went well. So it is now official, Nancy is now Nancy Stewart (she wasn't sure how to spell it at the time).

The reason for the marriage--Bob was tired of the back and forth driving and at their age, told Nancy he just wanted to get married and be done with it!! He is a soft spoken guy, but I think he makes the decisions. Which is good. Kristen said this was a good thing for Nancy. She has been on her own for a long time!

Gardening Time !!

2008-04-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

It's that time!! I spent yesterday out in the front yard. I dug weeds out of the flower beds and rearranged the plants. The Daisies needed to be split and divided and spread out and about. I was pulling weeds in the bed by the house and found bird remains the cat had left us...yuck! And the cats had use it as a litter box all winter. That's another big yucky !! But the lilies are sprouting and the hostas are breaking through the earth. The Grape Hyacinths are grapey and pretty. The Snapdragons are leafing out and the Yucca plants are getting new spiney leaves and the mature one will have a flowering stalk growing up the center soon.
I had made some stepping stones for our little Hide-Away around by the chimney. I need to make about 18 more! Whew!! I tore up the wild rose bush and am hoping the Four-a-clocks will come back. I love the way they smell come fall. I can stand on the patio and smell them, it's great. I noticed our peas aren't doing so well, could be it's been COLD! Hopefully as it warms up they will take off. Darwin is done with the outage next week so we can get the garden together.
It all just means more work !! But it is good work, nothing better then playing in the earth. (As Grandma Janie would say.)

"Thanks For A Good Birthday"

2008-04-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

I just want to thank all of you for a memorable birthday. You know, you could have added the bad memories too. But it's good to hear the best things. You are the best FAMILY!! Your Dad enjoyed it too. He said he is looking forward to his birthday to see what you guys come up with for him.

FUNNY !! ;)

2008-04-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

Look What I Found !!!

OLD NEIGHBORS !

2008-04-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

Grandma called Wednesday night and told us that Lamar Butterfield passed away. He was Pops age. That brought back old memories. Lamar and Maxine lived next door to us, in that red brick house, when we were growing up. They had Kent (Nancy's age), Shauna (Shauna Ann is named after her), Cherie, and then they waited and had Blake (Brian's age), and Colette. I didn't know the last two. Shauna was a Server at my wedding and Cherie was a Flower girl. But we played with them all the time and Mom & Dad were in the JayCees with Lamar and Maxine. They would come and get Mom & Dad to go for a ride to Draper to get a drink....and away from the kids. Lamar was always wetting his finger and sticking it in your ear!! They out grew their house and moved to South Jordan. It just brings back lots of chidhood going ons.

TAGGED THING !!

2008-04-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

5 Things I was doing Ten Years Ago..
1: Thinking about weddings. (I think)
2: Attending Tri-Del Competitions w/Toria
3: Outage Time.
4: Helping College Kids.
5: Loving Life!

5 Things on My To Do List..
1: Vacuum & dust Family Room.
2: Color my Hair. (Pam said I'm too young to go white yet)
3: Get a Primary lesson.
4: Change my Bed.
5: Go NUTS from listening to the wind blow for 4 days straight!!

5 Snacks I Like...
1: Chocolate any thing---Ice Cream, Hershey candy, etc.
2: Popcorn.
3: Almonds.
4: Jerky.
5: Green olives!

5 Things I'd Do If I Had A Billion Dollars!
1: Pay everything off!
2: Give to my kids.
3: Give to the Church.
4: Invest some.
5: Build a new house with a bedroom for each kid.

5 Bad Habits I Have...
1: Like things my way. (Kind of a perfectionist in some ways.)
2: Too much TV.
3: Plan to do things for others then get self -conscious and don't do it.
4: Eat too many snacks.
5: I'm thinking----

5 Jobs I've Had..
1: Salesclerk at Rollie's in Riverton w/Grandma Janie (I was 14)
2: Proofreader at Valley Bank and then Draper Bank (I encoded checks with the amounts at the bottom so the computer could read it and subtract from the accounts)
3: Teller at Draper Bank.
4: Manager at Dove's Grocery Store over Sundry stuff.
5: Pharmacy Tech and salesclerk.
(6: Being a MoM is the Best Job I've had!!!)

5 Places I've Live
1: Oceanside California ( Dad was a Marine)
2: Riverton Utah
3: National City California. ( Darwin was a Sailor)
4: South and West Jordan Utah--back to Riverton
5: Delta Utah (22 years now)

People to Tag??? ( this is the End)

"A Day At Grandma's & Pop's"

2008-04-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

I went up to the Becksteads on Tuesday to show Grandma my quilt. I think she was impressed. They are doing okay but not great. Pops was great but Grandma still has the aches and pains in her arms and hands. It does not slow her down ! She was talking about planting potatoes and tomatoes and peas. She was looking for a PVC pipe to plant her peas---you poke a hole with the
pipe and then drop the pea seed in the pipe and it goes in the hole, then cover with dirt with your toe I guess and your pea is done !! ( I just throw mine out and rake it over and hope for the best) That's probably why Darwin planted them this year--nice little rows. Any who, that way Grandma doesn't have to get on her knees. Smart idea!
We went to Albertsons to see Nancy, she is engaged to a nice man named Bob Stewart. She has a beautiful ring. I hope things go good for them. We then went to Carl's JR. for lunch, and seen Steve Lawrence there. He talked to us and said his family is doing good. Their girls are growing up and are driving him crazy. We went back to Grandma's and I set up the Blogs for Pops so they can enjoy them and keep up with their grandkids. Grandma and I tried out their new digital camera and printer, by taking a photo of the quilt for Nancy to see. Grandma was excited to use the two and wanted to take more pictures but the photo printer ran out of paper...;( It was a very good day !!!

Temple Photo

2008-04-07T07:42:00.000-07:00

Did anyone notice that I elongated the photo of us at the Temple?? We look skinny!!

FYI

2008-04-07T07:27:00.000-07:00

I was talking to Shawn last night about reading the Ensign. Sometimes it's hard to remember
to do it, but I do read the Presidency Message when it first comes. Then I read the Visiting Teaching message and the Sampler. I also put the new Ensign in the bathroom, in hopes that Darwin will read it.... ;) So last night when I got in the tub, I decided to read one article each night. As I was looking through the April issue I came across an article about "Nurturing Children". On pages 38 & 39 look at the photos---it's Teresa Nickle and her kids. Her mom & dad are in our ward now and they have the little girl sometimes. I know her husband is in the CES. Shawn knows him, I think. So there you go!!

QUILTING PROJECT

2008-03-31T09:30:00.000-07:00

I have been adding several items to my things I'd like to do list. I get those Ads from Joann's with the coupons, great stuff !! (Now I get them on my e-mail too!) That's twice the coupons. Anyway, I got myself a couple new Quilting Books. One was a "Quilt as You Sew", it's a rag quilt. I have been using up my "stash" in it. (It's not done yet) It's been fun to watch it grow and turn into something! Darwin has the "outage " this month so it gives me something to do. If it ever get warm here, it'll be time to work in the yard. We did get the water turned back on and the Peas planted.

It is amazing how much didn't get done when I worked. It's amazing how much doesn't get done now that I don't work !!! hahaha I must say though---Life is Good, very Good!!

THIRTY-SIX YEARS AGO

2008-03-31T08:59:00.000-07:00

It was a good feeling to be at the Salt Lake Temple again. Especially

out on the grounds up close to the Temple. It was 36 years ago ( give

about 3 months) that we stood on that spot as newlyweds !! We stood

up in that little alcove then but we didn't want to get stuck that day.
Of course, Randy laughed his head off at that. The photographer took
Brad and Jessica around to the other side in the shade, it was COLD!
It had been raining and it was wet. But the sun wasn't in their eyes!
Jessie's mother made her dress, it was beautiful. Her little nieces kept
looking under the layers to see what was holding it up. It was a good day. They had the Wedding Brunch at the Gathering Place at
Gardner Village. We had Pops and Grandma with us, so we just walked
around. I think Pops and Darwin were bored, they were watching the
ducks in the creek. Mom & I were checking out the shops.

Welcome to our Blog!

2008-03-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

We are going to do a blog to keep everyone updated with our exciting lives. We are always involved with some sort of a remodeling project. It keeps us happy and busy.

Today we have the honor of having our children and grandkids here for Easter. We had a fun easter egg hunt this morning - Ezra, Lincoln and Sawyer all had a great time and got a lot of eggs.

We will post more later with some pictures of our projects, etc...

The Bills Family

~~SEEING BLUE~~

~~THE SHED~~

PROJECTS 2010

4TH OF JULY REUNION

~~LAUNDRY ROOM~~

~~APRIL TRIP~~

~~VISITS~~

~~GOOD CHANGES~~

~~DECEMBER DAYS~~

~~NOVEMBER DAYS~~

~~OCTOBER OCCURANCES~~

~~BABY QUILTS~~

~~LIFE IN DELTA--AUGUST 2009~~

~~HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAWN~~

~~JUNE~~

~~THE WINDOW WELL~~

~~HAPPY (LATE) BIRTHDAY TARA~~

~~ MAY 2009 ~~

~~ HAPPENINGS ~~

~~THE OUTAGE BEGINS !!~~

~~HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE~~