Surrounded

It has been such a long time since I have blogged. And my blog was in need of upgrading and change the number of grandchildren. We are now the proud grandparents of 10 grandchildren. We were so fortunate to be surrounded and I mean surrounded during the holidays and on our August reunion with those grandchildren. We are so lucky to have the most terrific grandchildren.... and children (have to give them some credit they gave them to us) Here are some pics of our wonderful grandchildren.

On December 28 the birth of our 10 a granddaughter and she is so lovely as all of our grandchildren. little Addison 7 pounds 9 ounces. Here she is. We truly are blessed!!! and what fun for us!

"LOST"

Have you ever parked your car in a very large garage and come out to get your car and you don't remember were it is? Hum it happened to me last Friday the 10Th of April.

Grandma goes to the big city of Spokane for a doctor appointment. My appointment was at 8 a.m. but I had to check in at 7:40. It's a 2 hour drive to Spokane from Clarkston so I left the day before, after work, to spent the night with my daughter so I would get to the doctor in plenty of time on Friday.

I got to my appointment early. As I parked my car the first two floors were doctors parking only and remembered with my afternoon appointment 2 months prior the parking places were few in number so I took pretty much the first spot above the doctors parking. As I got out of my car I noticed the numbers faintly on the ground for each parking space saw a 68 and thought I better remember that and my spot was 3 cars down 65. What I couldn't see was the letter in front but I was so preoccupied with finding the elevator to go to the dotors from there which was a short stair way across the upper floor to the elevator. I totally didn't pay attention to what floor I was parked on and didn't even think about it except how I got to the elevator.

The doctor appointment was slow in getting in which sort of irritated me because I had one of the first ones and thought that move would make my day at the doctor short and not a hour and half wait like the last time. (My husband went with me for my first appointment and said get an early appointment and the wait will not be so long. Ya right, I still had to ask the nurse if I somehow missed my call 30 minutes later.)

Anyway the appointment went well. The only good thing she couldn't believe how old I was...when she wanted to know how many children and how old my oldest child was. She asked my age and I told her, she then took a double look at my chart to verify my birth date and said " you look amazing." "Yes", I thanked her and said "just wished my parts were as wonderful sometimes."

I then proceeded back to my car. I got in the elevator and looked at all the buttons, hum, they read F,D,C,Basement. Oh no,I had no idea which floor to go on never paid attention. So I picked F and walked down the short stairway towards the side I parked my car and NO car. Hum what a country grandma to do? So I went back to the elevator, went to floor E did the same once again NO car. Hum no panic now, I parked above the doctor floor so it must be down more. I went to level D did the same thing no car, From there I decided to walk down to the next floor C...walked down around and knew that way I would eventually find my car. And I finally did!!! I was so happy. Seriously HAPPY!!!

Once I got into my car it took me awhile to get in the right direction going down out of that place. I finally saw daylight and told the guy at the ticket booth I got lost finding my car. He proceeded to tell me that as you go into the elevator building there is a box of tickets with numbers and each level is color coded so you can remember where your car is parked. Well, I never noticed this color code system, felt like a kid watching Sesame Street. He then preceded to tell me to take a color coded card so I wouldn't get lost again. Well if I had my way I would park outside never in that garage. In a big city it isn't an option. Next time I will pay attention to the colors,level....oh, there is also a west side and an east side (I never know which one is which east or west let alone south or north. I am in big trouble maybe I should just stay home!!)

New Job

I am really getting my feet in my new job. This is my third week in my new department and I really love it. The gal training me didn't come in yesterday due to a sick child so I was on my own with the help of another gal. Yesterday, I was sending "findings" (a nice word for "error")to gals and really getting to learn how to do it. Ya see, I am the "newby" on the block and some really like to challenge me to see if I really know my stuff. It was an interesting day for me and got to be really crazy keeping things together. But I did it and ya know I really like my new job. It has variety and not boring. There is lots to do and the gals in my department are great. I think this is going to work out really well, even if those who get my "findings" don't think so. My name will become a bad word to those who get my emails!

LIFE GETS EVEN BETTER AT 60

It has been a long time since I last blogged. I have had a major change in my life right now. I have been concentrating on new job path. I can not believe at 60 I had decided I had enough of my job in the Coordination of Benefits department at Regence Blue Shield of Idaho.I have been in that department for over 8 and a half years and totally loved it in every way!! But, Regency for the past 2 years or more has been working towards a new computer system in which all four states (Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Utah) will be on the same system. They say that the COB dept will be no more and everyone will be processing our claims involving other insurances and divorce degree. (I am sure they will find out it will be more messing if everyone is doing it since it can be so complicated but oh well!?!) As of February 18Th my department will no longer be on the phones. The customer service will answer all the calls. With this frustration and knowing my job will change major within the next year or two I saw a new job opportunity on the web site and I decided to go for it!


I have never been one to go out of my comfort zone, but decided to go for it. I applied for a job in Quality Control Department and to my wonder I got it! At 60 I got a new job! I must admit I am so excited. I was on the third floor in my old job and am down in the basement far corner (with a window behind me)....but I also have a pay increase and lots of new friends to met or old friends to get reacquainted. I am now in a 4 week training class on the new system so I can audit claims on the new and old system. I must say auditors aren't well liked but that's OK. I will check processors claims. I also will not be on the phones anymore and my hours are from 5 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. I can work anytime, except I will have to work at least 2 and a half hours on Friday to total my hours 38.75 a week. It will be terrific. I will have more flexibility. It is great to know you still can do at 60 !

I have 2 weeks of training behind me and can't wait to finish to go into my new job. I have moved all my things to my new location and love my new friends. It is exciting!!! LIFE IS STILL GOOD AT 60 AND CAN ONLY GET BETTER!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Another year......it seems surreal 2009 whatever happened to 2008!! It was a great year. My husband and I also celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary and where did all those years go? We spend our anniversary finishing up putting Christmas decorations away (after going thou and getting rid of broken and old decorations) and really cleaning up and organizing our basement family room. We got rid of 20 years if junk and it feels good. I told my husband we now have to clean up the garage like we have cleaned up the basement. That is our new years resolution!

I hope everyone had a terrific Christmas! Santa was more than generous at our home. The best part were the games we played from day in and day out for 4 days after. My daughter in law Breianne was a little frustrated the voice volume or arguments expressed from everyone; but need I say anymore it is a Barnes playing games and they are competitive!!!! They are out to win! They are out for BLOOD! It was fun!

I only wish all my children and grandchildren could of been with us but it is hard when they live far away. My children need to know that is why I need pictures of their kids of thing they do and their growth and changes. I was looking at my daughter-in -law Erin's blog and couldn't believe how Eli has grown so much! He will be 6 feet by the time I see him again.

Time does get away from us and now in my 60's I try to get the most out of each and every day I have! I will strive harder to keep in touch with my grandchildren far away so they know who I AM and their GRANDFATHER is, that we love them and they are of great importance in our life. We are excited of our first family reunion in Oregon Coast what a time to get together and play and love.

Have a great New Year!!! love always Mom

LOOKS LIKE A WHITE CHRISTMAS

SNOW AND SNOW AND MORE SNOW.....IF YOU CHECKED OUT MY DAUGHTER'S BLOG AT http://www.thatsmerx.blogspot.com/ THEY JUST HAVE A TON OF SNOW IN SPOKANE WASHINGTON. WE HAVE SOME AND IT IS SO LOVELY. I WENT OUT TO GET THE PAPER THIS MORNING AND THE CRESCENT MOON WAS ABOVE OUR TREE AND LOOK SO LOVELY. TOO BAD YOU CAN'T SEE THE SNOW ON THE LIMBS

HERE IS THE VIEW OF OUR BACK YARD:

YES WE WILL HAVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS.I TOOK THE DAY OFF TO WORK ON GIFTS FOR MY CHILDREN. LOVE STAYING HOME ,ENJOY THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND WORKING ON PROJECTS.

I MUST TELL YOU OF MY DRAMA WITH OUR CHRISTMAS TREE. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I WORKED ON DECORATING THE TREE. IT TOOK ME ALL DAY WITHOUT THE HELP OF MY CHILDREN. I AM EXTREMELY SPOILED WHEN MY KIDS OUR HOME THEY DO THE TREE. THIS YEAR I DID. IT TOOK ME 2 HOURS ALONE TO PUT ON THE LIGHTS (RALPH AND ANDREW WERE PUTTING LIGHTS OUT SIDE.) FINALLY AT 10:30 PM I WAS DONE AND WENT DOWNSTAIRS TO DO THE LAUNDRY. I HEARD A LOUD BOOM AND RALPH YELL YOU NEED TO COME UP HERE. I THOUGHT MAYBE HE FELL....RAN UPSTAIRS TO SEE ALL MY DAY LONG WORK HIT THE FLOOR...WATER AND ALL. RALPH THEN TOLD HOW IT FELL AND BEGAN TO LAUGH. I PROCLAIMED THIS WAS NOT FUNNY AND WANTED TO CRY. I JUST WANTED TO LEAVE IT ON THE GROUND!

I WENT OUTSIDE IN THE SHED AT 11 PM TO FIND A BETTER TREE STAND. IT TOOK RALPH AWHILE TO SET IT UP, HE HAS BAD KNEES SO IT WAS PRETTY PAINFUL FOR HIM. THEN THE TREE WAS STANDING AGAIN MINUS A FEW DECORATIONS AND MESSED UP LIGHTS. NOW THAT I LOOK ON IT, IT WAS PRETTY FUNNY BUT I WAS SO TIRED!

AFTER CHURCH THE NEXT DAY I CAME HOME TO DECORATE AGAIN. HERE IS THE RESULTS: PRETTY AWESOME WITH SNOW FLAKES HANGING FROM THE CEILING.

I MUST SAY THIS IS MUCH BETTER THAN MY FIRST DECOR JOB. MAY EVERYONE HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND REMEMBER WHY WE ARE CELEBRATING. GOD BLESS!

A TIME OF THANKS

I have been thinking a lot of gratitude these past couple weeks and just what I am grateful for. And here is my list:

Life itself!! The air I breathe. My eyes that see the glorious beauties around me. My mind, still active that can think and remember good times past. My healthy body and strength to enjoy work or play. My feelings of Gods great blessings upon me and Jesus Christ who sacrificed himself.

Our great country we live in and all those who have sacrificed themselves for our freedom and free agency. With our great country came the restoration of the gospel with prophets who build the Lords kingdom on earth.

I am ever grateful for my family! A wonderful husband, children, grandchildren and the spouses are the joy of my life. Grateful for other close family members in my childhood and present day that live far away but always in my heart. Love the opportunities of family reunions bring us closer. My heart smiles with the happy memories!

I am grateful for service given and service received and the feelings it brings.

For the sun that shines, rain that falls and even the storms that come. For the glorious moon and stars at night. For the seasons each one bringing such beauties to behold.

I am grateful for challenges and adversities that come our way. They build our faith in God and strengthen our character. It gives us hope after the storm that there is a God in heaven that loves us and is there for us! Grateful for the faith of others and examples they set for me.

Grateful for friends who share are happiness and sorrows and gives us a shoulder to lean on; and there for me.

Grateful for a living Prophet on earth and other leaders in our church who give us constant encouragement in these days of trials and tribulations. Gives us faith in ourselves. Hope of a better life when times get hard.

I am so grateful for so much and they can never all be listed. What I don't list I remember with fondness and it warms my heart. I just marvel at what my Heavenly Father has given me to enjoy! I hope everyone has the best ever this Thanksgiving...............love always Mom