Christmas 2010

Well, what a joyous Christmas and holiday season we have here in Idaho. I received a blanket from Cyn, gift certificate for Southwest from Tonie, and a loom from Robbie. Wow, I also got a Kay Scarpetta novel from Robb. I am set. I will bundle up in my blanket, read my book, work on the loom, if I can get it set up to work on a rug, and fly to see my daughters in Utah a couple of week-ends. I have also been making necklaces out of turquoise, coral, jet, and shell and other gemstones. I love making necklaces. I will do some beading this year along with the necklaces.

Tonie was here for Christmas. It is sure fun to have her come home. I love having my children around me. I wish Cynthia, Kyle and Jackson could have come home but I understand that when one has to work, sacrifices have to be made. Robbie and Tracy were here more than at their apartment this week, I think. We also had the pups all running around outside and in and then crashing for the night because they were so worn out. I think we were just as tired.

We sure got stuffed this week-end! On Friday, we did not have our traditional fondue because we were so full and tired of eating. We waited. We got up on Christmas morning at 9:30 and ate "breakfast" at noon. Then we opened presents. Cyn was able to watch by video chat while we opened the presents. Then, we were going to go to a movie, "Tron" but we were all so tired that we just took naps. Then we were going to have fondue that we missed on Christmas eve but decided against it because we were still stuffed. We did not have fondue until about 4:00 today. It was good after all that waiting.

This next week-end, Irene is coming to visit us. She will be coming on Wednesday evening and staying until Sunday morning. We need to get her to the airport by about 5:00 ish on Sunday morning. EARLY!!! oh well, our meeting schedule changes with the new year so our block starts at 9:00 a.m. instead of 11:00 a.m. as it was this last year. We will be up in time to make it to church on time.

Tracy, Robbie's wife, is ready to pop anytime. She is getting very uncomfortable and wants to deliver soon. She is tired of being pregnant and I don't blame her. I think we who have been pregnant can all relate to this. Tracy's due date is January 10th so she does not have much longer. Maybe she will come this week - - that will be fun. Between her family and ours, we have made sure she and Robbie are ready to bring Zoey home from the hospital. They were talking about their supply of diapers they have received from both families. I think they have about 300-400 diapers. Robbie thinks that supply will last about ten weeks but we will see.

Cynthia will give birth to Claire in May. I hope she schedules her C-section on the 9th of May. The 8th is Mother's day. How convenient. She is having a girl so we need to add pink to her nursery supplies. pink, pink, pink, bows, and lace. How fun. I remember Mom Fisher getting really ruffly dresses for the granddaughters. Cynthia wore many a ruffly dress. I love being a grandma!!! Jackson has grown up so much this past year. He is wonderful. I love all the faces that he makes. He is walking now and keeping Cynthia busy. I have to baby proof my house and that will be a chore! I have so much to move to make the house safe - - books, photos, computer supplies, plants, speakers, tv stuff, on and on. Cyn said for me to get down on my hands and knees so I could see what Jackson would be likely to pull down. I guess baby proofing my house will be my New Year project.


I have to work this week. I was not fast enough to get the days off as vacation so I get to babysit the office for the Commission. We will have about half on the staff on vacation so I am hoping that it will be quiet. Maybe everyone will still be celebrating Christmas and carry their celebrations on to the New Year. We are only open four days this week. Our office will be closed Friday and New Years is Saturday. I cannot believe the year has gone by so fast.

Well, I need to take a break. I hope it will not be a six month break this time. bye.

Family Vacation

We have a family vacation of sorts in SLC this last weekend. Robb and I celebrated our 34th anniversary eating dinner at the Garden Restaurant in the Joseph Smith Memorial building. The temple lights were beautiful.


Robbie and Tracy, Cyn, Kyle and Jackson, Tonie, Robb and I all got together and enjoyed each other's company for the week-end. I think we wore ourselves out walking and walking. We visited the Pioneer Park at "This is the Place Monument." We did not realize how many more buildings and attractions had been added since the last time we visited. We intended on being there for a couple of hours but five hours later, we finally ended out visit. The last stop at the village was where the tee-pees were set up. There were some Natives making fry bread and of course we asked if we could have some. They said they were not able to give fry bread to the visitors -- Suddenly I felt like I had a "don't feed the animals" sign on my chest. Since one of the ladies was a friend of Tonie's from the Indian Walk in Center, we were able to have a piece of fry bread. They had a hogan, sweat lodge, a loom with a rug on it but the rug was covered, they had a shade and a man's hogan. It was interesting to visit.

We visited with a woman whose father was born in one of the log cabins in 1885. She told of her father and how they moved the cabin to the location and turned it over to the church. President Monson dedicated the cabin for use in the exhibit and they had over 200 family members come from across the county to attend the dedication. They also planted two black walnut trees in front of the the cabin in honor of President Hinckley. It was really nice to visit with the woman and her daughter who were at the cabin. We rode the little train around the village to get an idea of what we wanted to see. Robb's five greats grandfather, Benjamin F. Johnson, had a tannery and that was set up in the village. It was stocked with all sorts of leather for saddle making. We did not spend much time there and missed the opportunity to take a family picture. Sadly, the oxen that were there the last time we visited were gone to heaven and we did not get to see oxen.

We had a picnic up in Provo Canyon at this wonderful little spot that Cyn and Kyle picked out for us. It was a around Bridal Veil Falls and Tracy and I walked up to the Falls with Simon, Vinny, and Mikey while the guys were trying to start a fire. Surprisingly there were not many mosquitoes even though we came prepared. We made smores out of the largest marshmallows I have seen. Apparently they are made for making smores. I think I got as much on my face as in my mouth!

On Saturday morning, Robbie, Tracy, Tonie, Robb and I went to Hogle Zoo. It was "Zuir's" one year birthday, the little elephant. It was so cute to watch. We also saw giraffes that seem to pose for the cameras and a Gorilla that we thought was doing Yoga under the shade trees. He had a blanket under him and sat up very straight with his legs crossed and his hands resting on his knees. He must of gotten tired of everyone watching because he packed up his blanket and resettled himself with his back toward the people.


We had Navajo tacos for lunch and then Robb and I, Tracy and Robbie, and the pups all headed for Boise. We did not stop much but pushed on through and we got home at about 11:30. We know Robbie got to his house before us because he text-ed us wondering where we were and letting us know he was home.

Today is Sunday. The grass is browner from a few days without water, the tomatoes are plentiful and it is quiet around our house. The temperature is nice and we have had a nice day at church. The talks in church were wonderful. I was supposed to teach a Sunday School lesson but the two students I was to teach decided they wanted to attend another class. I went to the classroom and no-one came. So, I went to the gospel doctrine class. We have had an enjoyable week-end, anniversary celebration and are now happy to be at home and resting up for the week to come.

It is quiet time now --- it is quiet time often around our house with Robb and I. Simon and Sashi (the goldfish) do not make much noise. Bye now. . .

Fishing Mill Pond

 

 

Robb and I got up early on Saturday morning to go fishing for the first time this summer. We wanted to go to Mill Pond which is located about one mile north of Horseshoe Bend. Robbie got up and went with us. It was really quiet, we put up the shade got right down to business. I had one fish get away and caught two Bluegills. They are smaller than trout but fight none the less when trying to bring them in. They really like to nibble on the worms and i lost several pieces before being able to snag one. We had fun. The sun got up higher in the sky and we moved the tent and our chairs to stay in the shade. The cool breeze across the pond was just right to keep us cool. Robbie suggested that we try Lucky Peak the next time. We will go there on another Saturday. Lucky Peak is only 30 minutes away so we can get an earlier start and see what happens. Robbie says that we will find trout, larger ones, because the water is deep due to the dam.

Robb got a bit sunburned on his cheeks but he stayed under the shade and used sunscreen. Robbie I think got some tan. He wore his "muscle" shirt and tried to eliminate the farmer tan he has on his arms. Me, I forgot to put sunscreen on and of course, my arms broke out in the "sun rash." I cannot remember how long it has been since I got the rash but it itched. I came home, scrubbed and put some medicate lotion on my arms. This morning they are doing much better.

Recently, I read an article about people not getting enough vitamin D these days. Vitamin D comes from the Sun, however, because most people now wear sunscreen, the skin does not absorb the necessary vitamin to help our bodies recover. The lack of Vitamin D causes one to be lethargic, achy, and fell like they have the flue. Sounds familiar to me and fibromyalagia. I started taking Vitamin D but I don't know if they will help. I guess I will see if it helps but I love the sun and try to get sunlight every chance I get. It makes me feel better when I can feel the heat penetrating my body. I do try to watch it so I don't burn though.

Puttering Around

 


I had to take a picture of the squirrel in the backyard. We continue to feed the birds and the squirrels every chance we get. I just picked up another 25 pound bag of wild bird seed. I also purchased a suet block and feeder. I want to see if the birds like that as much as they do the feed. Robb got some squirrel mix the last time he went to WINCO and the birds and squirrels like it. It is really fun to watch the activity out in the backyard. I love hearing the birds chirp and the larger birds walk around the bottom of the bird feeders to pick up the seeds that have dropped.

The weather is finally like summer and then I hear on the news that there will be a "heat wave" next week with the temperatures up to 100 degrees for a couple of days. I hope my tomatoes and other hanging garden plants do not get fried. I keep them watered and they have been doing great. The squash is doing great in a hanging basket and I have not seen one squash bug. When we have planted them on the ground, they are usually covered with bugs by now.

My office just moved yesterday and today to our new digs at the Department of Labor. My new address is 317 W. Main Street. It will seem funny getting used to new phones, new computers, new email addresses, new street address, and up to date computer programs. The Commission has not been able to keep current with technology and DOL has the latest technology. We will have laptops with docking stations and more. WOW!! I will feel like we are coming out of the dark ages... I am excited!!! One thing I have to watch for is that in order to get a parking space in the DOL lot, one has to be to work no later than 8:00. It is first come first serve and the spaces are limited. Some of the employees park on the street and go down every two hours to move their cars so they will not get parking tickets. I think it will be easier and less expensive to get there before eight. I have been getting to work at nine for several years so I have to change my pattern.

I had so many plants in my office, some very large, that I had to bring home because the movers would not move them. I had fourteen of them. My co-workers call my office a jungle and I got the suggestions that I needed to play a tape with jungle noises. I love plants and maybe my office air is cleaner because of the plants. One would hope!! I think the rest of the office together has less than fourteen plants. I will try to fit them in my new office space but it may turn into a jungle if I do not have enough room. I will have to post a picture when my office is all set up.

Well, this is all for now. I guess it is time to move the sprinkler. see ya.

Mom and Dad Heaton

 

I opened my blog and low and behold, there is a picture of Mom and Dad that I put on the Merrill and Afton Heaton Facebook page. Well, now that I see I have blogged this picture, I will add a few comments.

Mom and Dad have been gone for several years and I still miss them and think of them often. Every time I pick up a book or read the Bible, I think of Mom and all those books that I brought home to her from the library about the groups of people such as the Hittites. She read them and did not complain about my picks. Of course, I had Ms. Carley helping me out at the City library. Ms. Carley was the School librarian until she retired and then she worked or volunteered at the city library. She and I would try to find something we thought Mom would like to read. I would take several books home for her and then take them back when she finished reading them.

I think of Dad every time I pick up a Book of Mormon. He read this book, talked about the Lamanites and the promises made to them every change he got. I remember sitting in sacrament meeting and listening to him give a talk about the Lamanitss and how they were to "blossom as a rose." Dad used the "breathing machine" for his asthma. He had to sit for fifteen minutes morning, noon, and night at that machine. I supposed it helped him breath better. I think it was like a big C-PAP machine when I think of it now. While sitting at the machine and "breathing" as we use to say, he would read the Book of Mormon. I do not remember every seeing him read any other book. I have a fond memory of Dad after he had been in St. George to the temple. He had spent the day down there and when he came home, I remember thinking that I wanted to marry a man that would be dedicated in going to the temple.

I love Mom and Dad and am so thankful for all they have done for me, to prepare me for life, and for helping me develop a strong testimony of the gospel. I look forward to seeing them again. How wonderful that will be. Right now I think of Grandma Heaton, Aunt Irene, and how many times we stopped to visit them as we drove back and forth to Salt Lake City. I remember Florian, Grace, Maxine, Ruth, and Claire. How fun they were and so much talent. I also remember Vard, Gail, Ross, and Lloyd and they all looked like variations of Dad. I just thought of Geneva.

Now, I am going to be thinking of family all evening. I love facebook and being able to see the extended family members.

I gotta go. I could write forever. Love ya.

Memorial Day 2010

It is Memorial Day again and we went to the Veteran's Cemetery to celebrate. Somehow it seem so right to go there and see the veterans all gathered, to hear the speeches, the presentations, the flag waving, the 21 gun salute, the cannons going off and the missing man formation as the jets roar past. I am very thankful for the freedoms we enjoy in this country!! Thank you all the vets in my family and though out the USA who have given much to protect us from tyranny. I am so thankful to Heavenly Father for the USA.

We drove up to the parking lot and got on a school bus for the ride to the cemetery. Cyn, Kyle, Jackson, Tonie, Robb and I all went up. Brad and Grandpa were there also. Jackson rode his first school bus.



Robb and I had the the family home this week-end. It was really fun but it rained and we could not do some of the things we had planned. I wanted to clean the kitchen cupboard doors but with the rain coming down, that was not done. We wanted to go swing some golf clubs but I did not want to have a family of lightening rods out on the driving range. I wanted to work in the yard but that did not work either. We just watched movies, had a BBQ out back and visited. Cyn and Kyle were able to go on a date because we were the babysitters for her. We had fun with Jackson. He is sitting up my himself, goes over on to his knees and hands and then plops down. He will be crawling around really soon, I am sure.

Today, I stayed home from work so I could recover from the family activities. I am sewing a dress for Tonie so I need to go back to it and finish it off. I love to sew and be creative with it. I wish so often that I could just stay home and do things for my kids and for Jackson. Also, for the new baby that will join our family in January. We are so excited that Robbie and Tracy are going to give us another grandchild. I love doing grandma things. I think I have repurchased and outfitted an entire nursery since Jackson was born. Robb made a changing table that is so pretty. We have a stroller, high chair, booster chair, changing table, and a pack and play. The next purchase will be a crib for Jackson for when he visits. He will out grow the pack and play. He already out grew the bassinet. Oh we are having so much fun.

Well, off to sewing. Bye.

Mother's Day 2010

I love flowers!!

Cynthia and Jackson. I love his little red baseball cap. What fun I have with Jackson.

Tonie Tonie aka "Auntie Mame."

I took this picture because it said, "Sweet Afton's." I thought it was neat because it said Mom's name. I do not know if mother would have liked being called "Sweet Afton." Oh well.

Cynthia and Tonie flew me to Salt Lake City to play with them on Saturday before Mother's day. We had a fun fun day. First, I forgot my cell phone so I called Robb in Boise to let Tonie and Cyn know where I was at the SLC airport. They told me that it was a lot easier to find me at the airport then when Robb flew down to meet them. I guess Robb walked way far down and they could not find him. Oh well, I was watching for them to come by. One time there was a gray small car with a black rag top and I almost ran over to get in but the car was not a VW but a sports car of some make. I thought it was Tonie's VW from the colors. Then I also watched for Cynthia's green or blue car, I could not remember the exact color. Finally, I saw Tonie get out of a green car and wave to me. Yeah I was found.

We left the airport and went directly to get a facial. Cyn and I got facials and Tonie got a massage. It was really nice. I have never had a facial. The lights were turned down low, the towels were hot but soothing, and Sarah Brighton was playing in the background. I could have gone to sleep. We were finished and off to get our toes done. We waited for some time but were able to get a foot and leg massage and our toenails painted. What women do these days to feel good. I love my toes.

Off we went to get lunch but first we picked up Jack Jack from the babysitter, who happened to be his aunt, Kyle's sister, who lives in SLC. Jack is such a cutie. I love him so much. He has long reddish blond eye lashes and blond hair. He still has blue eyes. I lathered him up with SPF 50 sunscreen so he would not get burned while we walked around a sort of Pioneer village type shopping village. I wished we had more time to visit the other stores and also go to the garden show that Tonie and Cyn had planned but we ran out of time. We ate lunch in a old silo that had been converted into a restaurant. After lunch, I was back to the airport to catch my plane home. Whew, it was fun but I was tired when I got home.

It was funny when we went to land in Boise. The airplane did an "uncle wiggley wings." The wings dipped left and right before landing. I do not know what that was all about but it sure unnerved some of the passengers. I just read my book. I had taken a book by Eli Weisel, "Night" about the Holocaust. I have had this book for sometime but just had not taken the time to read it. It sure makes me think about what happened to so many people.

I had such a wonderful trip. I am having a relaxing day today. Robb and Robbie are grilling steaks and shrimp since these are my favorite foods. We will wait for Tracy to get here before we eat. She had to work today. The boys, aka Micky and Vinney, are over here enjoying the back yard and playing with Simon.

I love being a Mom and Robb, my kids and Jack are great.

Is it Spring Yet?

We had sunshine for a couple of days and then back to the winter weather. Yesterday there was hail as big as marbles, 1/2 inch, and it sounded like the roof was taking a beating. I did not check to see if we still had shingles after the storm. The grass was covered. The wind did some damage to the soccer fields and farms around the area. It uprooted trees, destroyed barns, and demolished fences. Today, it is rainy again. I think we are to have a few hours of sun on Friday and then it is back to the stormy weather. We don't mind the rain but we wish there would be one dry day so the lawns can be mowed. Our back lawn was about 12-14 inches tall. We called a professional lawn mowing person and he brought in his riding lawn mower to cut the grass down. Now I need to get out an rake up the cuttings but it has been raining and so windy that I cannot go out. The front yard looks better.

We received our moving date today of when we are moving to the Department of Labor (DOL). Moving day is June 25th. DOL will give us boxes and tape so we can box up our personal things to be moved. They have a moving company coming in on Saturday and will get our things over to DOL about eight blocks down main street. They said they did not want the employees present because having employees there slows down the move. Our offices will be 10 x 12 and I have to reduce. My office for the last many years has been 15 x 14 with three windows, corner office on the fourth floor. Now I will be in a 10 x 12 with one window on the second floor. My view will be the office parking lot and trees. Oh joy! Oh well, I think it will be nice to have a future with the Commission.

Tomorrow evening is the Annual Bitteroot Ward Chili Cookin' Contest. Robb is all excited and has experimented with his chili recipe. Actually, the test one turned out really tasty. Tonight he is testing his cornbread recipe. I hope the turn out for the dinner will be good. I think the ward members will support the event really well. There are two categories for prizes: mild/medium and nuclear furnace. How fun. I have to get award badges, big ones from Zurcher's tomorrow. We also will get prizes, varying sizes of Tums.

oops. Robb wants me to taste the cornbread so I better go try it out. Yum!!

Salt Lake City Marathon

We made a fast trip to SLC this week-end. Robbie and Cynthia ran the half marathon!!! They did well. I felt so proud that they ran and finished. Oh they were hurting all right, but they did it. Robbie now wants to run a full marathon but I don't know if Cynthia will try this again. She was hurting so badly we wanted to cry - - her knee did not cooperate very well. She has done it once and once may be enough. I hope she does it again. I was excited at the notion that I might try a half marathon but I ran only about 20 feet on Saturday and felt exhausted. I was trying to catch up with Robb and Kyle as they were making their way to the finish line to watch Robbie and Cynthia. Robbie ran too fast for us and beat us to the finish line. We all got to cheer Cynthia on as she made the last turn and to the finish.

At the finish line, they each received a medal of participation and then we had their picture taken by a professional photographer. I anticipate they will get the proofs so they can order a photo for their memory books.

The entire family purchased blue t-shirts and had a logo printed on the back. Even Jackson got his t-shirt. It was so cute and we loved doing this. Kyle and Cynthia got a baseball cap for Jackson and he looked quite the spectator as his mother and uncle ran by. It was lots of fun. The logo is a picture of a fish skeleton with "go fish" written on it. We figured we could use them as our fishing shirts after the race was finished.

I am sure we will be attending more race events since Robbie has caught the bug. Tracy was not able to go with us and we sorely missed her. She is really a lot of fun and is always watching out for Robbie. It is cute to see them together. Maybe next year, Tracy will be able to go along. Robb and I drove down with Robbie. We stayed at Tonie's and Kyle, Jackson and Cynthia spent the night at Tonie's. Tonie is going to have a big house when she buys a house because we all like to get together at her house. Tonie had a backyard fire pit and barbecue we used for dinner on Friday night. Of course we all visited. Robb and Tonie were the last to retire, I think as they talked into the wee hours of the morning.

On Saturday, we started home at 3:00 from SLC. We had borrowed Grandpa's caddie to make the drive more pleasant. It normally takes five hours to drive home. But, we had to get speakers for the IPOD so we could listen to music. The radio did not work, according to grandpa. Then we needed to get keys made for the car. Then we needed to gas the car and pick up drinks. Then we needed more snacks and a restroom break from the drinks. Then, the fuse blew and the dashboard went dark with the speedometer stuck clear to the right of the dial. Robb panicked thinking I was going over 85 miles per hour. I panicked because all I could see was "140" but that was in Kilometers. I slowed down immediately and realized that all the dials had stopped working. We went to get fuses. We would not find anything but two fuses that would work. Robbie put the fuses in and then we took off again. We turned on the air conditioner and the fuse blew again. In the process of replacing fuses, the radio suddenly began working. I guess the fuse for the radio had blown and no one had replaced it. We had the radio all the way home and listened to Robbie's IPOD. Then, the air conditioner blew the fuses and again, and we stopped in Burley. We thought we might have to stay overnight in Burley if we did not have power to get home. We stopped at the Checker store and the men in the store came and put a meter on the engine. They found that the alternator was not working. OH NO!! A new alternator was $160.00. Then the other man at Checker said he had worked on a car where the air conditioner fuse also ran the alternator. (I don't know what the are talking about.) Good think Robbie and Robb were talking to them. The put in a new fuse and then checked the alternator again. Miracle of miracles, the alternator was working so long as the fuse was working. We had enough power to get home to Boise if we did not turn on the air conditioner. We took off again and did not stop again until Mountain Home. We had no more problems with the fuses and we did not turn on the air conditioner. We got home at about 11:30ish. That took us eight and one-half hours.

Now Robb has a list of things that need to be repaired or maintained on the Caddie. He will be busy and when we borrow it again, maybe we will not have so many fuse problems.

Today, we went to church but I was so tired I came home and slept most of the afternoon. Because I slept most of the afternoon, I am up now at 11:40ish working on this blog.

With the events from the race and the travels, we are blessed to have a wonderful family that loves one another. We love to get together and I guess that is the way it should be. We are blessed!

Easter Weekend

Hello everyone!!! I watched conference all week-end and am so energized. I feel that I need to get back to work trying to improve how I live my life and follow the Lord's commandments. I loved the talks given. There were so many that I really enjoyed, I can hardly wait until the Ensign comes out so I can study them. To me it was really neat that Conference came on Easter Week-end. How great is that!!

I am back to indexing for the family history cause. I have to read handwritten records and it takes some study to be sure that I am making the correct spellings of names. I feel an obligation to do the best possible but also know that another indexer is doing the same records and there is a third person who will review it all. It helps to know that I am not the only indexer upon which someone's blessings depend upon.

This last month, my "cousin-brother" died. His name is Marshall Plummer, and he was the first Vice President of the Navajo Tribe. Marshall's mother is my aunt, Grandma Nez's sister. He is also my clan brother. I think that is how come he is referred to as my "cousin-brother." I am not really sure but Irene will let me know how this all works. She is really up on all the connections through clans. I have not taken efforts to learn about the clan system, customs, etc., like Irene has done. I just look at a family pedigree chart and think of things in that way. Irene attended the funeral. She said there were so many people and he impacted many lives in his service to the Tribe. I feel good that he fought a good fight. Now he is able to see his mother and father, and relatives that have gone on before him. Marshall's brother is the Branch President who conducted the funeral for Mom Nez. I am sure he will take care of the ordinance work for Marshall. Irene was able to seal Virginia to Mom and Dad Nez. To seal Mom to her parents. I guess I can go on family search and find out who has had their work completed in the family.

Robb and I are doing well considering all the aches and pains, the long hours of working, and trying to keep our heads afloat. Simon, our dog, keeps us so busy, you know.

Robbie and Cynthia are running a half-marathon in SLC on April 17th. We will go down to cheer them on.

Robb is home so I guess I better go. Love you!

St. Patrick's Day

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's day. I sent an outfit to Jackson with green on it so he could wear it tomorrow. I hope he gets it. I also sent on that is red. If he wears red, I think he gets kisses. I cannot remember all the rules of St. Patrick's day. If you can believe it, I am still trying to think of something green to wear to work tomorrow. Seems silly . . .

Robb and I are doing well. We are both working, working, and working some more. The Idaho Human Rights Commission will still be funded contrary to the Governor's wishes. I am really excited about this. I can work for at least five more years and get retirement. AND, we are moving under the umbrella of the Idaho Department of Labor, which is a "plush" agency. We get all new state of the art computers and electronic equipment. I cannot believe our good fortune. We will be moving by July 1, 2010. The Dept. of Labor is also a big proponent of assisting its employees in pursuing educational goals. I may be able to get my Ph.D. after all. Our offices will be smaller than my current one so I will need to downsize. But that will be worth it to me. I am not sure where to put all my about twenty plants though. We will see. It is another few months but you know how time flies.

Sometimes I feel like I am being left behind. Irene and Dennis just returned from a trip to Vietnam. Tonie just returned from a trip to India. I just came back from Meridian (ten miles away) a few days ago. I do not know if I will ever be able to travel because when I think of traveling, I think of "family" trips, like going to Nauvoo with the family in a car caravan or following the Mormon Trail from New York. Robb and I have wanted to do something for our anniversary for several years now but we always seem to let go of our plans and do something as a family. If we went off by ourselves, we would think of what fun the family would have. I guess things change as one gets older, I don't know.

I remind myself of Mom Heaton more and more. I have my own chair to watch TV or read, I wish I could travel but don't, I wish my kitchen could be remodeled but it is not, and my bathroom has not been redone for years. I am fat and want to be skinny but I am not. All of these "wishes" and nothing done. I remember Mom saying one time that not a day goes by without pain. I identify with that now but I wish I did not. I wonder if hopes and dreams and pain are hereditary!! I remember Dad pinching pennies and limiting expenses - - all so he could have money to leave his kids -- is what it turned out to be, instead of redoing the kitchen for Mom. Yes, I do have some angst over that!! Now I am pinching pennies and do not want to spend money. I sometimes challenge myself to see how long I can go without spending money for food or how little we can get away with on food or how far we can drive without filling up the gas tank.

Well, Robb came home early. YEA!!!

President's day

It is a holiday and I am at home. With Robb working and the children gone, it is me and Simon that are here to keep each other company. Sometimes I wish Robb could have the same holidays as I do - then we could do something together. I have not gone outside today. I probably should have taken Simon for a walk but I did not. We have just been lazy.

Tomorrow I go back to work at the Commission. The plans for the elimination of the Human Rights Commission have been changed. The Idaho Department of Labor will have the Commission come under its umbrella agency and keep the Commission funded henceforth. The Commissioners have agreed with the plan, the two agencies are on board, and the governor is agreeable. The only hurdle left is to have the legislature agree to the merger. If all parties agree, we will be the employees for the Department of Labor. It all sounds exciting and I am glad that I will be able to continue working for years to come. There is hope in the future. I really enjoy mediation and so am glad I will get to continue that for a few more years.

This last month, I had my birthday. I am now 57 years old. I do not know how Mom Heaton started again with Irene and me at this age. She had a lot of gumption!!! I sure am thankful she did because I have been blessed tremendously by her decisions. For my birthday, I got a massage chair from Robb and the kids. I love it and I use it each day when I come home from work. I have to be careful though because I fall asleep and could sleep for hours. My muscles are relaxed and the heat feels good. I also got a DVD set for 24. Robb really likes this show and now he has me hooked on it. We have watched season six, season one and now season two. I just picked up season three and we are starting that. Lots of watching but it is all without commercials. I also got a "Snuggie" which I use to cover the massage chair unless I get chilly. Simon has his own Snuggie - - thanks to Tonie, we both have matching snuggies. How funny!!

Better go.

Funky Mama

Funky Mama died this month. She was between about 16-17 years old. Cynthia brought her home from the farm when Funky was just a kitten. Over the years, Funky had kittens and then was spayed so she would not have any more kittens. She lived a long happy life, we think. Always had food and a nice warm place to sleep. Throughout her life, she was teased tremendously by Tonie's two kittens, Roman and Bernice. Eventually we had to let the kittens go because of the allergic reactions to their presence. WE simply could not let Funky go because she was getting older so we kept her. Then Cynthia got married and her husband is allergic to cats. We had to cover the couches, make sure Cyn's bedroom was as clean as possible, and generally take steps to lessen the allergic reaction for Kyle. We even thought of putting them up in a hotel because we felt so bad for him. BUT, we kept Funky because she was getting old. WE also kept Kyle, too. :)

In the recent years, Funky has gone through several dogs. First there was Peanuts, cockapoo, who really got along with her. Peanuts knew not to tease her or chase her. Then came Buster, miniature schnauzer, who had a difficult time controlling himself at first and tried to chase her. Buster did eventually learn that he could chase every cat he saw BUT Funky. Then came Vinny, Robbie's miniature pincher. Vinny never did learn that he should not chase funky but Vinny was smaller than Funky and did not dare push his luck too much. Then came Simon, our Yorkshire Terrier, who tried to sneak in a chase while we were not looking. Simon and Funky just tolerated each other, Simon giving her a wide berth. Then came Mikey, miniature pincher and Vinny's younger brother. Mikey has tried to play with Funky on many occasions and we are thankful that Funky was declawed. Otherwise, Mikey would have had ribbons for ears. Despite all the dogs she had to deal with, Funky ruled the house. She even took over Simon's bed. Towards the end, she became much more comfortable in being petted by Robb and Me. She would eat from Robb's fingertips, and purr really loud when Robb held her. We did not know what was wrong although I kept watch on her food dish which was not emptying. Funky generally came and got us to show her the food dish and to have us watch her eat. She did not do that and we wondered where she was. It was way too quiet and she had not come to get us. We found her asleep in the front room. She kept quiet. Then when we got home after work, Robb saw her lose her balance as she tried to walk into the bedroom. We all panicked and picked her up. We watched her but it did not look good. Of course we had to let everyone in the family know. The next day I missed work so I could try to get her to eat but she would not. That night, she passed away sometime between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. when Robb saw her and told me that she had passed. I often wonder if there is a heaven for animals and whether they are part of our lives after this life. I guess we will have to see. Now we have Simon at home. I wonder if he misses Funky or even wonders what happened to the cat that lived in the house and used his bed.

What a way to start of the New Year

The governor for the State of Idaho gave his address and presented his budget for the next fiscal year. Not good news. He has recommended that the Idaho Human Rights Commission be phased out over the next three years with a 25% reduction in funding each year. If the Commission can generate funds on its own without relying on the general budget, then it can exist. But, if it cannot, which it cannot, it will have to close its offices unless another plan comes into play that will keep the Commission going. I never thought I would see the day!!! Essentially, the Commission has been given a life span of three more years. Unfortunately for me, this is one year short of early retirement. I don't know what will happen but I will hang on for the long haul.

On to other things, I do have blessings in my life. First, I have a job for the time being. I have my kids and my husband for whom I am very thankful. I have Jackson who is adding joy to our family with each new day. We have a home and cars, albeit old ones, to drive us back and forth. We have food on our shelves and heat for our home. I have been blessed when many are seeking these basic things in their lives. The economy is so bad that unemployment has sky rocketed - - people have lost their homes, families, and all sorts of disruption has occurred. For Robb and I, we are very thankful to have what we do have.

Somehow this begins to sound like the Book of Mormon over again. The turmoil in the world is great with wars going one in various places. Our nephew, Kendall, is now serving in Afghanistan, a hot bed of warfare. We hope he remains safe and will return home safely when his turn is over. He is with the Marines. News reports come every day of some fatality that has occurred. We keep our fingers crossed and pray he returns safely.

The war on terror is still raging on. The latest incident was when a person attempted to blow up a flight coming into Detroit. The incident was stopped and everyone was safe but this man got past airport security. We never know when our turn will come, whether we will fall on the way to work, in our homes, or in a public place. I guess the lesson is to prepare and always be prepared to meet Heavenly Father at any point in our life. We have to remain vigilant in all that we do.

Robb has started tax season again and he is gone long hours. I spend evenings by myself and keeping myself busy writing posts and other things. It is difficult to prepare meals when Robb works so late. Often times he comes home and eats very little and goes directly to bed. Well, so much for the "wonderful" outlook on my work and life.