Life is like a box of chocolates - or two

MINE. ALL MINE.

I do not share well with others. Just check my report cards.
Full disclosure: these are not holiday related chocolates. Don't let the timing, red box or cupid confuse you. These weren't technically Galentine's Day chocolates either, despite giver and date of intended celebration. Yes, given by a gal, a friend, and the date was for 2/13 but different celebration altogether. 

I am trying hard NOT to eat them all in one sitting or afternoon.

Current Mood: February, Hating Thereof

But ....

Thus sayeth Lady Mary Crawley, early Final Season, on behalf of us all.

 via somewhere on the Internet

Happy Valentine's Day!

These kids? They are my Valentines. So I sent them something from my heart.

 

Nevada:

Drew, Sarah, and Cannon

Don't wake them!

He slays me.

Double trouble

Eating healthier than the adults.

Idaho:

Amber, Elle, Nathan, and Jaime

Showing me they have my hearts.

Virtual Hugs from Nathan

Sure, they love each other ... RIGHT NOW.

Warm smiles from Jaime

Apparently, while the East Coast is frozen and snowy, Idaho is having a spring thaw. The crocuses are blooming and the ladybugs swarming.

Thanks to Grumpa for the photos, as well as my sisters-in-law for updates from the kiddos.

Birthdays and Valentine's Day

Usually my birthday tradition involves some sort of "sick" day or personal day, but this year Mother Nature gave me an extra present. We seem to be in a winter pattern not seen in about 20 years - or what winters used to be: snow about every other day, a precipitation mix that lasts about 12 hours and sees sleet, freezing rain, snow, white out conditions, slush, ice and temperatures that cause snow to fall while the icicles melt - and then just as quickly freeze.

Or you know, a typical nor'easter.

In ye olde days, this would be a true SNOW DAY: a day free from work responsibilities, a day to watch movies, read a book, or hang out. (If you had a car or property it would involve snow removal. Blessed be the poor aka Nettie, for doth she have neither of these?) In ye new technology days, this means working from home, conference calls on Bluetooths, email, .pdfs, and "track changes/insert comments."

Still, it was a most excellent day - to work, take phone calls, listen to voice-mails sung in 5-part harmonies, and get well-wishes... and open presents.

Me thinks my friend Jenn hath heard the tales of my people one too many times. Forsooth, it came to pass that some of Nettie's present came hidden in this box. As in ... "I hope it's not what's in the..."

I started to laugh, but had to stifle it, in case it actually was. Friends make sure that their friends are of the "regular" variety and all. I mean, Jenn and I are "not normal," but ...

My Valentine's Day also start off treat: I got to sleep in. The snow was bad enough to alter train schedules and cause a late opening.

Sleep. Sweet Sleep. 

YOU are my true love. YOU hold the key to my heart.

Hearts by 'Cupid' for various colleagues

Scenes from the commute:

Still life: Shadows and Shovels

Snow is so deep, it covers the Arts for Transit at Hartsdale

Guess I'm not sitting there to wait for my ride!

Despite the snow, doesn't the Rosen House look happy to have people on the property?

Caramoor Rosen House

40 Diamonds for 40: Valentine from Daddy

It is said that a girl's first true love is her father, so it's only appropriate that my first love's entry for this project be posted on Valentine's Day.

Despite the nasty face shown below, I know this is exactly where Grumpa diligently spent hours uploading photos and text for this project. He's been my rock for years, through adolescence angst, auto-mechanical adventures, and employment exhaustion, and by staying steadfast in navigating the rapids of sibling and mother/daughter relationships.

I love you Daddy.

In the beginning

The beginning came on a early morning in Logan, Utah, February 1972 with this little bundle arrived with lots of dark hair. (Something that has not changed over the past 40 years. She shares those locks where ever she visits for weeks after she departs.)

It was not until April 2, 1972 that this little girl received a proper name and father's blessing.

The picture was taken that afternoon.

If I remember right the name given had been selected even before she was a gleam in her mother’s eye; a name that goes way back into family history. A name, it was later to be discovered, was 100 years earlier given to another little girl. (AN: That little girl’s headstone still hasn’t been found, poor tyke. RIP 1872-1878).

A better addition to a family could never be found for a first child. Warm, willing to be held, and, in spite of the picture, nearly staved for lack of food for the first months of life. Good thing she has grown up with a desire to share her baking with others. Still loving and warm to all she meets.

Yep, that is my little girl. And always will be!!

Sunday morning before Christmas 1975

If I were not so sure this was my three-year-old, I would think we were in Idaho looking at Miss Amber.

This is at the Logan home with Grandma Roa’s bowling ball Santa looking over your day. Those bowling ball holiday items have been back and forth across the country as many times as you have.

My, how you did like to show off for the camera way back then. I wonder what brought on the desire to stay behind the camera lens? (AN: Adolescence)

Five snap shots in the year of 1976

And you didn’t think you got to travel when you were little. This is also a way to show three different generations of women in your life.

January 1976 just before bed time: Could this be Auntie Nettie with Miss Amber last year? No this is mommy Mary and her special, quiet little girl at a time when being close was good for both. (AN: Mommy Mary is probably keeping an eye out on teeny tiny baby Jed most likely just out of view.)

Great Grandma Cora (Grandpa June’s mother) in what I think is her Delta, Utah house. (I don’t believe that Grandma Cora was up in Ogden at Grandma Roa’s house but I may be wrong.) Interesting that a hair cut took place between Jan. and May. (AN: Probably because Grandmary couldn’t deal with the feet of long hair that I would shed all over the house. This was the first of the short hairstyles I now wear. Also, I'm pretty sure that's a stash of yarn by the chair. What do you know: My addiction to acrylic polybends is hereditary!)

May 1976 at the same location as above (maybe), but not the same day!: This is Grandma Roa (my mother) with you and your brother Jed. Seems you liked each other enough then to sit in the same lap, for at least two minutes.

Our Miss Liberty in the summer of 1976, on her way to a Primary activity for the 4th of July: I think that was the last time you were allowed to pound with sticks on a drum. This is in the back yard of the Logan home.

Why we were traveling in October of 1976 to North Carolina, I don’t remember, but there you are sitting with Grandma Ollie and Grandpa Jack in their living room on the Farm. Grandpa Jack was still getting use to the idea of having happy feet in the house. Grandma Ollie was o.k. with the idea though. (Someday we will share the tractor photo with the world.)

So as you see, travel and parties took up a lot of your time for that year. No wonder you like getting out of the City to explore other places.

Note: Some of those same quilts are in the back room here in Utah even now.

Three more photos to complete this part of your life in review

All children should be so excited to attend first grade as you were to go to the Logan City, Wilson School in 1978. That was back when they wanted to get children into school early and teach them lots.

The hair cut and style was one that really made for a pretty girl.

July 8, 1979 Grandma Ollie made a trip to Logan to see her sisters and the grandchildren.

Looks like she still liked having you sit in her lap.

Always looking for a photo op you were.

Just two years later (October 1981) you were in Willimantic, CT playing the piano, and, even though she is not in the picture, Grandma Ollie was in the side room listening to your musical talents. Many an hour you sat there in the “Piano Room” getting ready for the many programs you performed in, not to mention the other piano and organ playing you were asked to do for high school programs and church meetings. Here you are, not yet a ten-year-old and showing great promise in a field that you have never been far away from since. (AN: Grandma Ollie actually gave me that piano for a birthday and I played the heck out of it. Poor keyboard.)

As your dad this review of your first few years of life has been very rewarding. Too many events to share with the world, but a ton of love to feel from the journey.

I really hope you know how proud both your mother and I are of all you have done, are doing, and have the ability to do, as you move forward in a life waiting for you to find the fulfillment you are looking for.