It has been a long year!

Greetings to all of you who figure I dropped off the face of the earth.  Not so!  This has been a very busy year full of much joy and just a little upset here and there.

Last year at this time I was suffering from what I believed to be a really awful cold with congestion and sleep problems which began about thanksgiving.  Several trips to the doctor were not helping, except he ordered and EKG and Echocardiogram, but failed to explain what these tests were for.  I was feeling so poorly at the time, I really didn’t care, I just wanted to get fixed.  Well, on January 24,  2015 I had Shep take me to the ER and was admitted for congestive heart failure and Atrial fibrillation.  My stay in the hospital lasted 5 days and I had 2 cardioversions (shocked my heart) and the second one worked to fix my crazily beating heart.  Needless to say, I was pretty shocked (no pun intended) at the whole experience.  Boy, did I ever learn a lot about women and heart problems and really poor medical care from my primary care doctor.  I also learned what incredible children I have-they all visited and provided both physical and emotional support.   I am not sure what Shep and I would have done without their help. They are the BEST. It’s been a real struggle for me to try and regain the strength and energy I had before this bump in the road.  I have quit smoking, and feel better, but I have replaced the cigarettes with popcorn.  Even a nutritionist cannot seem to figure out why I crave popcorn.  I eat three bowls (big ones) a day after each meal. I even take my popcorn supplies with me to the kids’ homes when I visit.  Pretty sick!  My new year’s resolution is to get back into shape and tone up the 20+ pounds I have gained.  I can use the REC center at Pueblo Community College which is a two block walk from the house.   They offer Yoga classes which I find I am also addicted to!  You all should try it if you haven’t already.    My personal trainer over there is getting me on a good program.  Boy, do I ever feel my age.  I just went in this last week (Jan. 29 for a cardioversion!  Darn it, it happened again, but it was just an outpatient shocker!  I feel better

Work at the Steelworks Center of the West (my job at what used to be called Bessemer Historical Society) is great.  I have flexible hours (20 per week).  We are gearing up for our annual fundraising dinner.  I am responsible for the silent auction and some live auction, table decorations and bulk mailings.  Keeps me on my toes and occupies the better part of three days a week.  This year I called Colorado Correctional Industries and got them to donate a redwood canoe for our live auction.  That was a kudo for me!  The prison system makes all kinds of things.  I will be busy at work for the next month and a half, then plan to visit SLC and Conifer to see kids.

Christmas was incredible with the whole family gathering.  Becky and Devin had a harrowing experience driving I-80 to Colorado.  The road closed and they spent the night at Little America.  They did arrive Christmas Eve and we spent several days with kids and adults eating and having fun together.  As the kids have grown, the noise level has certainly increased.  What an experience.  Below is a picture of the clan at the Cave of the Winds.  It was so cold outside, that the cave was wonderful and toasty at 50 degrees.  As usual we spent time between the Springs and here.  I made marshmallow shooter guns for the kids which they had fun using when the parents played disc golf.  It was sad to see everyone leave for home knowing it will be a while before we are all together again.  At least we are not living across the country from each other!  We have so much to be thankful for.

Shep has had a good year, I think.  He has fewer problems with his back, but like me adds additional aches and pains daily-which seem to just come and go for no reason.  He is still active with a couple of volunteer groups and has successfully written a few grants.  He swims 3 times a week to stay in shape and visit with other old codgers at the swimming pool.  It is part exercise, part socializing if you know Shep!  We are both aging, and find the whole forgetfulness thing pretty funny.  At least we can laugh at ourselves and each other.  We got a Keurg coffee maker, and if you really want to test your aging brain, try to make coffee with it and always getting it right.  The other day I forgot the coffee pod and Shep forgot the cup of coffee he just made.  I hope our kids get a good laugh at us as well.  I am sure we say and do things that raise eyebrows.

Becky, Devin, Logan and Laila moved to Salt Lake City last year from Los Alamos, NM.  Devin has a super job in scientific medical research, the kids love their new school, and Becky is working as well and just started with the State of  Utah in environmental  field. I miss the trips to Los Alamos, except now I just hop on a plane in Colorado Springs and fly out for a week to visit.  Their house is great and is located in a centralized area.  They plan to ski a lot and have already enjoyed all of the outdoor activities.  It was nice to move where they knew people, too.  Buying their first house was a real treat.  Logan has become a real techy these days enjoying music and reading like a mad man.  Laila still plays by herself a lot talking to the animals, etc.  It is so fun to listen to her!  Logan is playing indoor soccer and taking guitar lessons.  Laila is still in gymnastics and doing great.  My visits are such a treat because I get to do a little outdoor activity and some great shopping.  Becky and I do not shop much except when we are together.  These trips are never cheap!

Josh, Bree, Owen, Wyatt and Molly moved to a new house in Colorado Springs closer to work and recreation.  They got a bigger house and love the neighborhood and schools.  Josh still loves his principal job and Bree is working part time substitute teaching.  The kids like the new school they moved to after Halloween.  Molly did not change pre-school, but she will be going to Kindergarten at the boys’ school next year.   Their neighbors have children that are perfect playmates, and the dad just happens to work in the building next to my office in Pueblo as the GM of Evraz (they rent the building from us).  What a coincidence.  The move has been great for recreation and wildlife in the neighborhood.  I have never driven to their house without seeing at least 2 deer grazing on the lawns.  Owen is playing the tuba and still playing chess and mine craft and they have added clash of clans.  Wyatt is the artist in the family so he and I have bunches of fun when we get together.  We usually get to do great projects with him.  Molly is the athlete taking gymnastics lessons and the character in the family.  She has the most incredible sense of humor.

Ben, Brenda, Amelia and Cavan are still enjoying Confier.  They have spent a good deal of time on the house this last year, so they are looking forward to some skiing and fun this winter.  They made a trip to Costa Rica this fall, as Ben was in a mountain bike race.  It was quite an ordeal as one of his teammates was lost in the race, and ended up in the hospital for a week.  His buddy has been written up in two newspapers, one in the US and one in Costa Rica.  In spite of that, the trip was great and they have some great stories.   Amelia is still quite the artist and both kids are Lego fans.  We got to see her spelling bee this last week.  She is really growing up.     Cavan still loves police things and has a great new Lego set he got for Christmas.    It is such a treat to bring their art work home with me to decorate the fridge.  Ben is still working hard with SYSYS and Brenda is looking for a part time job in the near future.

I hope all of you are well.  Email me occasionally!

January 2014

What a wonderful holiday season we had with the family.

                                                                                                                                                          

Thanksgiving was celebrated in Pueblo with Ben, Brenda, Amelia and Cavan.  We cooked the turkey, ate too much, exercised a little and had a great time with the grandchildren.  What fun it is watching them grow and develop into such delightful young children.

Christmas was a treat this year with the entire family gathering between Colorado Springs and Pueblo.  The seven grandchildren are best of friends. 

Quiet time on Nana's bed

Watching a movie - ah the quiet!

Logan and Owen are especially close, and even write letters every couple of weeks.  When they visit, the boys have to spend at least one
night as a sleepover.  They play with Legos and lots of Plants vs. Zombies but have now changed to Mine Craft game, which I have not participated in yet. Amelia and Laila are such buddies and take Molly and Wyatt under their wings.  What imaginations they have!  Laila is into fairies and Amelia likes the Beanie Boos.  Her collection includes 10 so far and counting.  Wyatt and Cavan really are in training as Barristas.

Cavan andWyatt are future Starbuck's Barristas

  Cavan got a play coffee maker for Christmas and it made a huge hit with those two boys.  Molly is such a character-she keeps the energy at peak level at all times.  She plays with all of the kids and does not feel that she is any younger!

Becky and Devin spent 3 nights here, 3 nights at Ben and Brenda’s, and 3 nights in Leadville skiing at Cooper.  They really enjoyed the holiday and since Pajarito does not have snow, the skiing was a big hit with the kids.  Lots of quality time was spent with siblings, nieces and nephews.  Becky loves to shop while in Pueblo, believe it or not.  We always squeeze in one evening to hit the stores.  Neither one of us like to shop unless we are together.  We don’t have a lot in Pueblo, but certainly more than  Becky has available without making a whole day of shopping.  Nothing like some female bonding!  Devin is always so gracious to take care of the kids – he always knows what the plan is! 

Laila (5)

Logan (7)

  Laila has grown so tall this last year and blossomed into a lovely young girl.

  She has this cute little voice and a great sense of humor.  She will play for hours in her elaborate conversations with her fairies and other toys.  Gymnastics will be her next athletic endeavor.  Her skiing has nearly surpassed her Mom, dance is on hold for now, and she will most likely master gymnastics as well.   Logan has begun basketball and recently in a game he made 4 baskets.  Devin got one on tape, and he threw up his arms in celebration, than very humbly ducked his head to run back down the court. 

Logan loves Cub Scouts, especially the fundraising

What a cutie.  He is ever the questioner of all things!  Sometimes he stumps Shep and me with questions and ideas.  Devin is great at the rapid response.  Logan is such a protector of his sister, except when they are doing the usual sibling thing.  Both kids love school and seem to be doing well.  Devin and Becky stay busy with biking, running and working. 

Ugly Christmas Sweater

Bree and Josh are really busy with the family and Josh’s new position as Principal of Carson Middle School.  His hours have increased, of course, compared to an Assistant Principal, but he is really enjoying being the boss.  He had an ugly Christmas sweater party at work and could not find a sweater, so he called to see if I could find something.  I bought a sweater at the thrift store, and went through years of old Christmas ribbon and junk.  I used fabric transfers, ribbon, ugly greenery and gobs of stuff.  It was hilarious!  He won first prize and gave me the ugly Christmas sweater ornament he won.  It was truly a sight to behold as you can see.

Molly (3)

Wyatt (5)

Owen (7)

 Bree has been incredibly busy with Owen in second grade, Wyatt in pre-school and generally keeping up with Molly.  She has mastered Gluten-Free cooking to the max!  Owen has to be totally Gluten-Free and it seems to help Josh somewhat, too.  The rest of the family gets a break, but it makes meals and baking quite a chore.  Shep loves it, because he can eat at their house without taking his own bread!  Celiac disease is no fun, and I wonder why anyone would choose to be Gluten-Free.  Owen is doing great in school and the T1D has not been a problem, since he has mastered his Glucose Monitor and the Pump.  I

Soccer for Owen - what a runner!

learned how to use the pump and he has to step me through it and gets pretty frustrated at how slow I am – oh, technology!  He has such a great sense of humor these days and is into board games, Legos, and playing games on Shep’s phone!  Wyatt is ever the artist.  The biggest plus about pre-school this fall was the amount of art they would do.  His birthday party this month is ART, of course.  He still has a great little belly laugh and wrinkles his nose like Josh.  He looks so much like his dad at this age.  When we ask his siblings who it is in a picture of Josh, they always say Wyatt.  What a love he is!  Molly, well, what can I say….  She is a bundle of energy, speaks way beyond her years and seldom keeps moving.  She has the most incredible sense of humor and pretty much entertains parents and kids alike. 

Cavan(4)

Amelia (6)

Ben and Brenda are in constant motion with the kids, work, exercise and house projects.  Amelia is the budding artist lately and my refrigerator is proof of her artistic talents.  Her favorite animal is the Cheetah, so it seems there are a lot of spots in her art!   She is in first grade (hard to believe) and really having fun leading the playground girls in Cheetah games.  Guess what her Halloween costume was!  Cavan is interested in tools and putting things in bags for safe keeping.  When he leaves, I find all kinds of things tucked away in bags in the toy box. 

  He is one of Shep’s biggest fans- it is so cute how he always latches on to Papa when we visit.  The children are huge fans of Nana and Papa since we are the only grandparents that they see often.  What a treat to be treated with such enthusiasm when we see them.  Ben finally got a hot water heating system installed late fall, so it has been a blessing with our first really cold spell.  I am sure it saves a bundle from the space heaters.   Ben helped us with some household projects while he was here for Thanksgiving– it is the pits getting older and relying on the generosity of children.  Brenda has finished up her last projects with the Bailey Hundo and will be off to something new in the near future.  She is busy with the two kids in different schools and working as a volunteer in the classrooms.  Ben’s business is always busy and he travels several times a year to Chicago, California and Canada.  The two parents stay in shape between biking and running.  When they visit we always try to keep the kiddos while they get away for an evening.

My job is still just great!  I am so lucky to work 20 hours a week, and get to take time off when I want!  The work has enough variety and challenge that I seldom get bored.  We have a huge archive collection, so the archivists will be busy for years to come.  The steel industry is fascinating!  Ben and Brenda got to tour our buildings and collections and were quite surprised at the extent of the business.  Future endeavors will be renovation of a 1901 building and creation of media center and upgrades in the museum.  If you go to the website, you can get an idea of what Pueblo meant to the development of the west  www.steelworks.us.    I am still the go to person for repairs, supplies, ideas and advice-kind of like a Mom at work, I guess.  The staff is incredible and I have no complaints, except there is no running water in our building.  We are ramping up for the big fundraiser of the year on Feb. 15, so I am working 30-40 hours a week and it is killing me.  I get to gather and create items for baskets to sell at our silent auction.  In addition we have to plan the entire event from table decorations to take down.  I look forward to getting back to a leisurely life.  Shep and I may head to Cancun in March for a rest in the sun! 

Occasionally I still have lunch with my friends from CSU but their schedules are much busier than mine.  We have such fun catching up on everyone's lives!  I haven’t seen much of the neighbors in the winter months.  We have all been pretty much home bodies except for a couple of glasses of wine on occasion.  Summer is always fun when people come outside and start making noise in the yard. 

My bedroom is finished and so much nicer and cheerier so I am on to other tasks.  I always need to have a project in the back of my mind, or I am not happy.  A house built in 1942 always has a project waiting to be done.  I am looking forward to getting outside!!!  I have watered the lawn and flowers twice as we have had no snow this winter. 

Recovering projects in the living room

The only time we got much snow was when I left one morning to travel to Colorado Springs to babysit.  I left at 9:30 am and was home at 11:30 am and had gone all of 40 miles.  There were slick roads and crazy drivers.  I saw 15 cars off the road, a couple overturned, so I exited at mile marker 20 and came home!  It was not a fun trip. 

The treat this summer was 3 Mississippi Kites across the street

Shep and I enjoy Pueblo and the variety it offers.  We went to a Christmas concert, a couple of pot luck dinners and I enjoyed a floatilla on the Arkansas River for World Peace (go figure).

There is a never ending supply of entertainment.  Shep has found new interest in do-gooder organizations.  He is always volunteering for meetings, offices, grant writing and singing.  What a diverse life he leads.

I hope you are all well and happy.  I miss my GJ friends and hope to visit the Western Slope this summer.