candid shots with blankie in hand

Luke shed his coat and gloves and hat and went in for the 'blankie'. Cute how he wanted to lay down on it outside. I've got to get my hands on that little boy. I need some magical powers to transport myself to Thayne, Wyoming. Grandma needs a grandbaby visit soon.

Finally a day outdoors!

Hooray for sunlight! Luke and I finally got to head outdoors yesterday and play in the snow. We built this snowman on our deck bench in the back yard.

Turban Squash

Nan bought a Turban Squash. I'd never seen one or tasted one before. Turban Squash has colors that vary from bright orange, to green or white. It has golden-yellow flesh and its taste is reminiscent to hazelnut. Has a bulblike cap swelling from its blossom end, come in bizarre shapes with extravagant coloration that makes them popular as harvest ornamentals. It is popular for centerpieces, and its top can be sliced off so it can be hollowed and filled with soup. A larger variety of the buttercup squash, the turban has a bright orange-red rind. The turban-like swirl on its blossom end is a fanciful variegated orange, red and white. Its flesh and storage ability are comparable to the buttercup's. It was part of our dinner tonight. Loved it!

They grow up too fast

I begged Jen/Clive for a photo of Luke. (She was exercising and asked Clive to snap a few). Here's one to show you what I mean. He will be 19 months on the 29th of February. I can't explain how fast the time goes and how fast they grow up. I just know from personal experience (my own children now nearly 29 and 31) that it happens before your very eyes. They start kindergarten, and in a blink of an eye they're graduating from high school. They're married and having children of their own. Here's proof. Hang on for the ride as it will fly by. I have got to figure out how to clone myself so I can be here to take care of Dale, but be there to squeeze that baby.

(I mean that little boy).

Who said nothing is forever?

Did you know you can purchase forever stamps. They cost you 41 cents now and they're good FOREVER. I heard at the post office the other day that postage will go up again in May. It's a good time to grab some Forever Stamps. I'm going tomorrow.

Last year, the announcement was made on March 26 2007: Beginning April, 12, the Forever stamp will be available in booklets of 20 through www.usps.com, by calling 1-800-STAMP-24 and in Post Office lobbies nationwide. Once prices change May 14, 2007 the Forever stamp will remain on sale at the 41-cent First-Class one-ounce letter price until the next price change. The Forever stamp will then be available at the new price.

The next price change will be this May (2008), so happy shopping.

Make sure you ask for the Forever Stamps.

Happy Birthday, Paul

Paul - Oakley
It would have been Paul's 44th birthday. Unbelievable how the time does seem to pass and life does go on. But for a moment today, I thought about how fun Paul was. He had such a fun sense of humor. He loved his kids, he had a zest for life. If he wasn't riding a bicycle somewhere, he was working out at the gym, or finding a new movie to watch, or downloading a new song from I-tunes. He had energy beyond description.
We surely would have been celebrating with him today in some way.
Hope he's in your heart like he is in mine.

Annual Valentine

Dale and Susan have been sending out Valentine Cards (in lieu of Christmas Cards) since 1975, the Valentine's day after they were married on June 12, 1974. In spite of the year we've had, we mustered a little one again this year.

For more details see http://susanbuxton.blogspot.com.

Here's a sneak peak. Happy Valentine's Day.

Dale gave a dozen red roses, lunch today, and then dinner down at the Bingham's (good friends) for celebrating our love and getting through yet one more day.
Love abounds here in this home and for our children and grandson, Luke.

Hope the same is true wherever you all are.

Two girls response for Two for Two

Two names
Susan Spafford (parents gave me that one)
Susan Buxton (Husband gave me this one-married the love of my life on June 12, 1974)
Two things I’m wearing
jammies
underwear
(it’s nearly one in the morning!)
Two favorite things to do
Play with Luke
Play with Luke
(okay I like to watch television, listen to music and play the piano, scrapbook and sleep and go to the hot tub)
Two things I want badly now
Healing for Dale and JD
Time for myself
Two pets I’ve had
Irish Setter - Brandy
Two little Shitzu’s belonging technically to Jen.
Rip and Tommy are big old quarter horses, I guess you could call them pets!
Two people I just spoke to
Besides Dale
two friends, Debbie and Susanna
Two longest car rides
Longest car ride from New Hampshire to Wyoming with Jen/Luke/Clive (5 days straight in a car with a 7 week old nursing baby)... Long 10 hour days.
The drive home from Star Valley (normally 3 hours, turned into four -snow packed roads. I didn’t love that experience at all)
Two beverages
Root beer (root beer floats) - my favorite treat
Milk - (and occasionally chocolate milk).

See how I can milk the answers to get a little more than two!

Even by submitting these, I’m sure I’ve shamed the family. It’s a blog request, and It’s done. It might have been done more creatively during waking hours. I’m off to bed. The hot tub was awesome tonight. Wish some of you could have been here. The black slate sky scattered bright starts and a sliver of a moon as far as the eye could see.

Ari, why aren't you here in Oakley where it is a winter wonderland? We miss you!

Tag of the TWO'S

My friend Ari tagged me in her blog and not wishing to anger the blogging Gods, I will post my appropriate responses here for all to enjoy: (but mostly you Ari)

Two Names:
1-Jen
2-Jenny, because my mom can’t quite make the abbreviated switch to Jen yet. But she’s coming along nicely. At least no one calls me Jennifer.

Two things I’m wearing:
1-Uh, this will NOT surprise Clive…my house slippers (aka my best friends when he’s not here)
2-A bra: What? It’s a big deal when you aren’t planning to leave the house. I feel all dressed up with a bra on, like it’s a special occasion or something.

Two Favorite Things to Do
1-Read a good book
2-Swim (I try not to pee in the pool, but I hate getting out for any reason when I’m having fun)

Two Things I Want Badly Right Now
1-SUMMER (five feet of snow in front yard it getting OLD)
2-A Target or Walmart to magically appear in Star Valley

Two Pets I’ve Had
1-Brandy our brilliant red Irish Setter when I was a kid
2-Logan our not so brilliant but very sweet Shih-tzu and Luke loves to torment him

Two People I Last Talked To
1-Clive, my hunky LMFT (see previous blog for description)
2-Luke’s doc this morning. Mr. Luke is down with some serious gunk. He’s got meds now!

Two Longest Car Rides
1-Utah to New Hampshire, no wait, the drive from New Hampshire to Wyoming was the longest, most dreadful ride of all for many reasons. Leaving our friends was at the top of the list. (that’s you Ari, you better be reading this)
2-Utah to Mount Rushmore was long too, but worth it to see four faces in stone. It would have been cool if they were stoned when they posed for their stone carvings, huh?

Two Favorite Beverages
1-I can’t remember what it’s called but it was an orange slushy type drink at Dunkin Donuts. Slurp! Delish!
2-Milk-it does a body good.

Now, I believe I’m supposed to tag others but I’m not sure how that works, so I’ll just tell my other family bloggers who contribute to this blog-Mama and Brother JD that if they so choose they may post their witty quips, if not they will have shamed the family name, but no pressure. Ari, How did I do?

So I Married an Axe Murderer

Wait, no, I'm thinking of someone else. I married an LMFT. What's that? Well, thank you for asking. Clive is now officially a LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST. He got the word today and we are totally excited. He worked so hard to make this happen in under two years and he is now at 1.5 years post-graduation, so he did it! Way to go Sweet Cheeks and I'm glad you are NOT an Axe Murderer. Phew!