Never Say Never

One thing you should know about me... I really hate moving... the sorting, the decluttering, the painting, the cleaning, the packing, the unpacking, the decluttering again... it's not my favorite activity. So here we go again. 

   Getting ready to paint... again       

Removed wallpaper border from bedrooms

We really thought that this last move to go on the mission would be our last, or at least we hoped, until the pandemic hit. When you are stuck at home with not much to do except ponder and think about your future, things begin to happen. Then our friends started moving away. 

When I married a Missouri boy almost 44 years ago, I told him, "I will never live in Missouri." The main reason for that is because it gets very hot, humid, and ugly in Missouri during July and August. Now think about that... we lived in the Arizona "Valley of the Sun" (nicknamed that for a good reason) for almost 30 years, where you have temps over 100 degrees for 6 months each year. But... it is a "dry heat." My response to that was always, "yes, but so is an oven." So I figure, if I can survive living in a 122 degree oven, I can probably survive living in a sauna for a couple of months each year. And there is a benefit to that... you don't have to water your yard or garden because the water comes from heaven. Missouri has four beautiful  seasons, a longer growing season for gardening, and not quite as much snow as Colorado. 

University of Missouri Columbia

We started putting things down on paper, and realized that we can either continue to work and worry about paying a mortgage for the next 8 years, or move into a new home and be debt free. And that was pretty much a "no-brainer." And we can really retire and enjoy life! In case you can't tell, we're pretty excited! 

This is what our new home will look like.

Here's the lot it will be on.

Our oldest son, Brent and his family live in the small town of Marshall, MO, and Bruce's relatives live in and around Kirksville, MO. Our new home will be in Hallsville, a short 10 miles outside of Columbia, a college town in central Missouri. The population of Columbia is about 123,000, perfect for this gal who needs all of the conveniences of a larger city. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a strong stake in Columbia, and we will be attending the Bear Creek Ward there. 

I am looking forward to being retired from cake decorating, and instead, baking and decorating cakes with my Missouri grandchildren. We are also looking forward to having money to travel to visit the other grandchildren, friends, and hopefully serve another mission. After all, these years are supposed to be golden, right?

Aunt Leila with her Mizzou crockpot! It'll be fun being closer to her.

Signs of Spring

Autumn has always been my favorite season of the year, but after a long cold Colorado winter, spring often takes a close second. As I was out for my walk this afternoon, I was enjoying the warm springtime temperatures, knowing that it was only a tease before our next cold snap. Springtime in the Rockies usually means snow for Easter Sunday, and this year will probably be no exception.  

 (Photo by Barb)

 (Photo by Barb)

My friend, Barb, traditionally walks around her neighborhood  this time of year, looking for the first signs of spring. That usually means finding the first blooming crocus, and I love how excited she gets on the day that happens. She usually posts a picture on Facebook, with a joyous hope that springtime is just around the corner.  Today I saw bright yellow daffodils in my neighbor's yard that made me smile. As I was working in the yard, after my walk, I noticed that our fruit trees were budding and just about to blossom, only to be suppressed by the impending snowfall. 

During this season of renewal, Christians around the world celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. As we have all been forced to "slow down" a bit this year, Easter has taken on a special meaning for me that I have rarely experienced in the past. As parents raising our young children, we always tried to do the Easter bunny and basket celebration on Saturday, and leave Sunday for reflection of the true meaning of Easter and the resurrection. That being said, I still have seldom taken the time to personally study and ponder the events of the days preceding that glorious moment. By doing so, this Easter will take on a special significance, as I reflect on the amazing gifts of the Atonement and Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, and what that means for me. My heart is overflowing with gratitude.  

Old blog, new face lift, and things I've learned from isolation...

While on our mission at Cove Fort, I discovered that I really enjoyed writing, so I decided that when we got home, maybe I should pick up writing again on the first blog that I started many years ago. As a matter of fact, the last post I wrote here was in 2013. 6 grandchildren and many life experiences later, it was time for a face lift on the old blog and to start anew. 

So here we are, in the middle of a worldwide health crisis that I never imagined I would see in my lifetime. Since I am pretty much of a social person, unlike my introvert husband, I am finding this isolation thing a bit uncomfortable. Thank goodness for electronics and social media. 

While we were serving at Cove Fort, we were pretty much isolated from the world, but the one thing that made it bearable was having other couples around to socialize with, and of course, the guests that came to visit the fort each day. 4 couples are left at the fort, and I can't imagine what they are experiencing just now. 

Even though this whole social distancing thing is something I would rather not have to experience, there are always lessons we can learn from unusual situations.    

Things I have learned during this isolation period:

• I need hugs. 
  
• Even though I love my husband, I still need female interaction.
• In the middle of a crisis, people still celebrate anniversaries and birthdays... and that usually means a cake. (Curbside deliveries and online payments)
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• It helps to keep busy, as long as that doesn't mean baking and eating all day.
• It's easier to eat sugar when you're stuck in the house.
• It does no good to store wheat if you don't have a wheat grinder. 
  
• Isolation brings out creativity, new recipes and ingredient substitutions. 
  
  
  
• It doesn't help to have cheap gas, if you can't go anywhere. 
  
• It helps to have a calendar hanging in 3 different rooms so you can remember what day it is. 
  
• Hand lotion is a necessity and not only a nicety. 
  
• 66 is considered elderly, even if I don't feel old.
• Having 42 rolls of toilet paper stored in your cupboard is somehow very comforting. 
  
• When our prophet encourages us to be prepared, we need to listen.
  
  
  

  
  

Hats!

You often here the phrase that someone "wears many hats." Well, I can say that about Bruce... figuratively and literally.  Bruce is Grandpa, "Grumpys," hubby, "Sweetie," hard worker, hiker, helper, garbage man, delivery man, custodian, "author," and all around great guy. And here are a few of his real hats, usually worn while hiking...

 This is his favorite...I call it his hillbilly hat.

 This is a hat that I made for him a few years ago...very warm for Colorado climate. Also wears this one to work on cold mornings.

 This hat makes him look like a homeless guy.

This is my favorite...it says "Awesome Grandad," which he is!

If you're going to visit Colorado Springs, don't forget your hiking shoes!

Garden of the Gods is certainly one of our favorite spots here in the Springs - to hike at or even just to drive through. There are so many great trails that we never get tired of coming here. It is certainly a favorite picture-taking venue also. This beautiful area is visited often by us locals, but also from people from all over the country, and yes even the world. Today we went over to Garden of the Gods to go for a hike since the weather was perfect for hiking. Being a Saturday and having beautiful weather make for Garden of the Gods to be a busy place. When we visit, we like to check out the parking lots to see where the other vehicles are from. Today we hit a jackpot... besides cars from our beautiful state, this is what we found...

And this is why...

We love Garden of the Gods, and we love Colorado!