DECEMBER 2018

2018 has been a very interesting year!  For those of you who have not kept up with me, let me give you a brief overview.  For those of you who have, this is just a reminder…please, don’t get bored!

I spent last Christmas with Loren, Jen and family.  Had a marvelous time! Other than the holidays which are always special I really enjoyed going to some swim meets with Laine.  He was swimming for Cascade High and as a freshman did an excellent job. 

 Next, I traveled to Junction City and spent several months with Lenny and Vickie!  It was there that I started working on genealogy!  That has become my passion for the year!

In April I traveled to Heber City, Utah, and spent the next 5 months with Lonnie and Lori.  Three of their 4 live close by so I had time with grandchildren and great grandchildren.  That is always a thrill.  Luke, Lonnie’s # 2 son, has the four oldest Utah greats.  Which means that I went to football, basketball and musical programs!  All those things that kept me so busy when my 5 were growing up…you know, those things that you wonder if you will ever survive!  And now I realize just how much I miss all those activities and really enjoyed them!  Funny how that happens!

I survived the hot Utah weather much better than I expected and September found me back in Oregon.  I am currently in Junction City with Lenny and Vickie.  I decided to do a genealogical project for my boys and siblings for Christmas.  I have compiled a notebook on the Leeper family from 1296 to 1997.  It has been a journey that I really enjoyed. 

This was the Magnusson year for Thanksgiving and Christmas will be with the other side of the family.  So, I needed to get my Christmas shopping done by Thanksgiving.  What a stretch!  But I made it!  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving as we gathered at Lenny and Vickie’s home.  There were 24 of us!  As you can tell, not everybody made it…maybe next time! 

The Thanksgiving weekend was really thrilling!  Lonnie and Lori came from Utah and there were 9 of us that traveled to Klamath Falls, Oregon to help my brother Terry celebrate his 80^th birthday.  What a joyous occasion to visit with friends and family that I had not seen in way too long!

Another year is ending.  I am doing well for an 82-year-old great grandmother of 24 with 4 more on the way.  I do hope everyone is keeping a journal, so we can move this family into the 21^st Century and beyond with lots of interesting stories! Who is the family recorder?

I am not sure where I will be spending Christmas.  Lander (Loren and Jan’s # 1 son) will be returning from his mission to North Carolina on December 19^th; so, I will be here!  Probably curled up with warm memories and thoughtful reflections on the true meaning of Christmas!  I love the Savior and am so grateful He came to earth!

Merry Christmas to all!

L&H’s,  

   Terry and Gail 1939 and  80 years later!!!

I think it goes without saying that keeping a blog going is like dieting for me.  Catch as catch can OR real committed one day and totally out of it the next!

My weight has stayed the same over the past few months.  Don't ask me how or why as I totally porked out over the holidays.  Spent Christmas with Loren, Jen and Laine.  Lots and Lots of Goodies!!!

Just a quick catch up on my health.  I forget who I have told what to and at this stage of the game I feel it best if my family knew what was going on with me!  (If it's not your thing...quit reading!)  

I had my semi-annual appointment with my Pulmonologist and everything is A OK!!  Still on the same med's and everything is doing good!

Haven't gotten into my regular Doctor yet for my annual physical.  So, will have to report on that next time.

Was having trouble with the middle toe on my right foot.  Finally went to a Podiatrist and learned that I have the starting of "Hammer Toe".    My mind says it's like arthritis of the toes but the good doctor says that toes don't get arthritis!  Hmmm!  So the doctor has me wearing this little pad under my toes.....wonder of wonders....no more pain!!!  Only problem is I can no longer go without shoes and socks!!!  Darn!  My shoes will wear out twice as fast!

Terry has given us a scare with potential heart problems.  I understand that he has been referred to a pulmonologist.  Sounds like he may be plagued with the family curse!  Send out a prayer or two!  

Hope this finds all of you happy, healthy and wise!

L&H's
Mom aka Grandma Gail

monthly letter

Well, I have been back in Oregon since December!  Am currently in Junction City with Lenny and Vickie!  I am working on family Genealogy and found this poem, which I am going to send as it is totally describing me these days.  Will fill in more on the "Diet" page for those who really want to know!  L&H's

I Can’t Remember

Though I’m getting more forgetful

And mixed up in the head.

I got used to my arthritis,

To my dentures I’m resigned.

I can manage my bifocals,

But God I miss my mind.

For sometimes I can’t remember

when I stand at the foot of the stairs

If I must go up for something

or have I just come down from there.

And before the fridge I so often,

my poor mind is filled with doubt,

Have I just put food away, or

have I come to take some out.

And there’s time when it is dark

with my nightcap on my head,

I don’t know if I’m retiring, or

just getting out of bed.

So, if it’s my turn to write you,

there’s no need for getting sore,

I may think that I have written 

and don’t want to be a bore.

So, remember that I love you,

and wish that you were near.

But now it’s nearly mail time

so must say goodbye dear.

There I stand beside the mail box,

with a face so very red.

Instead of mailing you my letter,

I had opened it instead!

Beautiful Sunday morning, October 15th, 2017

Today I have the pleasure of attending Church with Luke and family.  It is the Primary program and Ruby and Annie are both participating!  If it is Primary program day wherever you are this Sunday, I will be thinking of you and wishing all my little ones a spectacular experience!

I have been here in Heber City, Utah since the 29th of August.  It is great to spend time with Lonnie and Lori.  Lori is teaching in Cedar City this year so is only home on week-ends.  That means I get to  watch the Game Show channel and play lazy all week.

Cole, Luke and Missy's oldest is a freshman at Wasatch High School (where Lonnie teaches) this year and is on the freshman football team.  It has been fun to go to his games and remember all those good ol' days of watching my boys play.  Cole is a very good athlete!  I love watching him!

Until next time!
L&H's

                                                    MY JOURNEYS

Well, my internet is not working and I wrote a spectacular blog on my drive from Aumsville to Junction City yesterday.  So, this afternoon after doing nothing but relaxing and reading all day I decided that I had best get those ideas down on paper before they were lost completely.

I have not driven over 15 miles in the last however many years.  I have been convinced that I didn’t see and rationalize well enough….in short, when I got tired I did some foolish driving mistakes that really scared me.  I didn’t want to endanger others by my aging infirmaries!  Henceforth, no driving when I was tired, no driving at night, no driving over 15 miles from home.

Yesterday, with a new pair of glasses and a firm resolve to put on my big girl shoes, I decided to drive by myself from Aumsville to Junction City.

It is a beautiful drive.  Lots of open country!  The weather was gorgeous!  The traffic was lousy…I don’t know where everybody was going on a Thursday afternoon.  The freeway was loaded going both North and South. 

Clutching the wheel with both hands I kept telling myself, like the little engine that could, “I think I can, I think I can!”   I changed from George Strait to Alan Jackson and just peddled on down the road with his ‘first love with an older woman’.

Drove at least half of the way in the fast lane, even passed trucks (my all lime anxiety) and really had to smile when I looked at the speedometer and realized I was going 75 miles per hour!  My boys would come unglued!  I quickly backed off!

So, while this engine is saying “I knew I could, I knew I could”, I am not ready to head to Utah alone…..not even close!   Not even Klamath Falls!   So sure hope there are family members getting geared up for some road trips! 

Until next time!

L&H’s

HAPPY MAY!

I started out researching this information for a newsletter to accompany my new Website, Decorate With Grandma.  As usual, time got away from me and I didn't get it fine tuned to what I wanted so thought perhaps some of my family might find this info fun and entertaining. 

Would love your feedback!

April showers are doing their best to bring us lots of May flowers!  Along with all of the loveliness of spring there are lots of special occasions for gift giving and sprucing up our homes and surroundings.  Take a look and see if you find anything of interest…..

May 1^st   May Day  This is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival that includes singing, dancing and cakes.  The earliest celebrations appeared in pre-Christian times.  It was originally a traditional summer holiday in many Christian European pagan cultures.  One of the traditions that we see today is that of school children dancing around the Maypole.  I remember that tradition!  Do you? 

May 5^th  Cinco De Mayo.  How about having some guests over for your favorite Mexican cuisine.   Did you know the significance of the celebration is the Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.  It is often mistaken to be Mexico’s Independence Day but that is not celebrated until September.  So, we can keep that in mind and celebrate again in September!   

May 6^th  Kentucky Derby.  Get together with friends and have a “Hat”  party.  For the ladies, the bigger and brighter the better and for the gents, a very stylish “Derby” would be smashing!  I took a stroll through Wikipedia and found lots of interesting facts about the Kentucky Derby.  It is known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports”, along with being the fastest! 

May 14^th   MOTHERS DAY!  Mothers Day turns 100 this year!  It is known mostly as a time for honoring and showing love and appreciation to our mothers.  It basically all started in the 1850s when a West Virginia women’s organizer held Mother’s Day work clubs to improve sanitary conditions in an effort to lower infant mortality and fight disease contamination.  You can let your fingers do the walking thru Wikipedia or Google and be mesmerized  at how Hallmark and the local flower shop has taken over this celebration and of why Dad gets fewer gifts!

May 20^th  Armed Forces Day   I’ll save the info on this for next week.   Be sure to keep it in your mind and heart to remember our military!

May 24^th  National Brother Day  Another information save.  If you have a brother, by blood or by love or both, be thinking of a fun way to connect and make it a special day!

May 29^th  Memorial Day   This is a big celebration day with lots of interesting back ground.  Stay tuned for information and plan to make it a memorable week end!

Oh Yes!  On May 28th there is a national Burger Day.  Anyone care to join me for a double decker, with bacon and cheese?     L&H's