Lilly joins the famiy

We have a new kitty, Lilly. She is a Himalayian which is part Persian and part Siamese.

She is gentle and loving and loves the grandkids. Here is a recent photo of her sleeping with Benson. She is 2 years old and we had her spayed. She talks and says mama very plain. The night before we found her at the PetSmart, I had a dream we had a kitty that was the color of our carpet and could say, Mama! And so she was. Pretty neat.

More Tales and photos of Las Vegas

Here we are having fun!

Tales of Las Vegas

What a great time the girls and I had in Las Vegas Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Cheri and Avy helped me figure out how to get the top down on the Mustang convertible and we were off to see the sights along the Las Vegas Drive (known as the Strip). Wow, I had never seen such sights before and I've been to 13 countries and lived in 7 states including Hawaii. Vegas is gaudy, beautiful, inspiring (yes) and way over the top in excess; and I really had a good time. The girls and I shopped, eat out, saw the sights, shopped, eat more, and picked up our bodyguard at the airport on Saturday. Trent joined us and took over the roll as chief driver and bodyguard. He did a great job and we sat back and played and then did the pool thing. It was warm 80's part of the time, our condo was comfortable and had no gambling, which I liked. I especially loved the palm trees.

Happy Birthday......

A new year already, and the month is half over. I've had another year added to my age of 67. Angie celebrated her 10th birthday and Mary was baptized. Barack Obama was inaugrated as our first American black president and I had a colonoscopy today with no polpys. Yes, it was truly a great day. Our family is celebrating my bday on Friday by going out to the Thai House (my fav place to eat) I am one blessed and happy lady!

Bella

We have a new kitty, named Bella. She is black with a chocolate ruff around her fat little neck.

She talks and talks. Meowing so politely, and winking her deep green eyes so lovingly at you she

purrs and purrs when picked up. However, she prefers to sit about two feet away from you unless you will pick her up and carry her around. She loves that and purrs and looks and purrs some more.

Snow Throwing and Blowing

Bob bought a Toro snow thrower just before the big storm hit. He cleared our driveway 4 times in one day and had some help from Brett and James the next day.

How is it possible, Christmas already?

Everyone wishes for a white Christmas. We sure got one with 14" accumulation. This is our birdbath in the backyard. It looks more like one of Cheri's wedding cake creations!

Double Hibiscus watercolor

Aug. 23 found me teaching a watercolor workshop for the program "Women in the Outdoors" at Camp Wapiti in Tooele, Utah. I taught 4 classes with about 35 students. What a neat day to get to paint in the outdoors and watch the joy and fun as a new talent was discovered for these adults. My next in studio classes will begin in Oct. in acrylic. Several of my former students are asking for some lessons in acrylic and I have decided to teach it. This will be my first class in teaching acrylic and have so loved watercolor; but enjoy acrylics also so have decided to forge ahead undaunted and only a little scared. I'm developing the painting now and have several ideas to pursue. I'll post the finished picture when its ready.

The Whole Gang

Here's a little about our family. My husband, PapaBob and I have 4 children. Two sons, Brett and Scott and two daughters, Avalie and Cheri. Brett has 7 children (another on his way in Sept.), Scott is a super uncle and single, Avalie has 4, and Cheri 2. We all live within a few miles of each other except for Scott who flies in and out from Seattle for visits whenever he can get away from work. What fun we have and what good times!

Bob and I share a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Yep, we're Mormons. We served a mission for our church for two years and taught astronomy and physical science at a church university. I also taught watercolor to a community education group for those years. We are both officially retired and love our daily blessings from the Lord. Each day is unique unto itself with opportunities to serve each other, our family and neighbors. We watch and listen for God's inspiration and do his will in all we do.

The biggest change in our lives has come since last February. I joined a prayer based weight loss group called WeighDown and have lost 40 lbs. I feel terrific, have developed a stronger relation with God and dropped 3 dress and pant sizes. Basically, you learn to turn to God for all your needs -- overeating being a major problem for me. Now I eat when I have a growl and am really empty and stop when politely full. Because the food can't fill us up, we pray and read scripture and learn to fill up on his word and his love -- which truly can fill your emptiness and loneliness.

Praise God for the freedom I feel from the siren call of the food. No more slavery to the food. However, God isn't done with me yet, I know, for I am learning how to lay down pride, self-will, and mean spirited words and actions. This has been a marvelously difficult journey, with many changes and rebirth. I am a new creature, born again and so happy. And I have Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost to praise and thank for it. AND I DO!!

Once Upon a Time

there was a grandma who wanted to blog. She saw others blogging, watched for blogs on her email and wondered, "When will I learn to blog?". Then both her daughters sent her their blogs. She read them and wanted even more to blog. And so it was the the NanoNanny aka NanoCarol aka MamaCarol aka Mom started blogging. Read on for the REST of the story.