Single woman for a day

Saturday Fred went with his sister and parents to a Howes Family reunion in Junction Utah. This is his mother's family. Both Randy (Sharlotte's husband) and I opted to miss this gathering. Fred left at 9 am. and returned home at 9 pm.

My plan was:
Clean the 3 bathrooms, shop for a new set of king size sheets, grocery shopping, shop for a new bathing suit, shop for nicky nacks for my "beach" themed bathroom, eat out for lunch even by myself, maybe rent a great chick flick.

This was my day..............My friend called and asked if I wanted to go shopping. I just realized we didn't even go to the store she mentioned. Why of course, I would love to. Who wants to shop by themselves (well actually I don't mind that), but having someone to eat with is so much better.

Oh before we left though. I got off my plan from the get go. I got one bathroom cleaned and spent a lot of time ironing our new king size comforter on the bed. When they come out of the plastic zipper pouch, there are always creases. I ironed it while it is on the bed. My new iron has about a 20 ft. cord on it. Awesome. Also had to iron the Euro pillow case. That took a while.

The clock was ticking down to pick up time at 11:30 and I had to stop all production and get ready. I realized "ah this is what happens to Fred". You have a daily plan and then things just pop up and you get distracted with something else. Lesson noted.

Judy came by with her two year old granddaughter that is visiting. She was a good little companion. We shopped at Kohls first. I found sheets after gleaning info from another shopper what she recommended and asked if the fitted sheet fit snugly to the mattress? Our current sheets are so baggy and totally unacceptable. I also bought just a bathing suit bottom. My current suit has the little shorts, but they are annoying. I decided since it's Judy that I am swimming with and she doesn't care what I look like - I'm going for a sleek look with no extra coverage.

Next was Tai Pan, but neither of us found anything we liked. We ducked into a Panda Express. I've never been to one. It was okay. Judy's granddaughter saw my egg roll in the baggie and helped herself. She was a great little eater.

Next was Home Goods. I found several things there. Oh and Judy brought over her cast off beach decor' so I didn't even have to look for that. I bought a couple of frames and a few Christmas gifts for grandkids.

We were done by then. Came home and then did all my chores. I watched Labor Day on Netflix. I would have enjoyed something a bit more uplifting than that movie.

Working full time and Fred being retired I no longer have all the hours to myself. I use to resent all my alone time because I didn't know what to do with myself. I had a problem with feeling obligated to be productive in my down time. Now I really miss that and I wish I had more time to just myself without feeling like there isn't enough time for just me and time with Fred.

Sorry it's kind of a boring post. But it was a really great day! 

Oh and I forgot that it was Buddy's birthday on Saturday. Even with Shannon's email titled 

Pre-Birthday it just didn't sink in. 

She scored these ride on toys from a friend.

I wish I could ride them!

Pine Valley

In St. George on the north is a huge mountain called Pine Valley Mountain.

There is also a little town called Pine Valley that I hear people talking about.

This weekend Fred and I took a day trip to check it out.

Pine Valley is located on the north side of the mountain so basically we drove around to the back.

It was about a 30 minute drive.

Our pictures do not really do it justice. It's was green and lush and little country town looking.

We checked out their campground, but we will not be camping there.

Pit Toilets. No thank you. Otherwise it's an ideal camping area. 

We stopped at the camp entrance to take pictures on our way out. 

This is heading home direction.

This is the campground area behind us. 

Nice hair.

What is a day trip without stopping to eat - twice.

We stopped here and shared a BLT, fries and a much needed Diet Coke for me.

We would like to go again. It was a cute little place and the food was good.

We left Pine Valley and drove another 12 miles to Enterprise. 

Another town here that I hear about. It's nice little town.

We stopped at the original Marv's for a shake (Blizzard actually).

We have one in St. George that is 50's in decor' and much nicer than this old one.

So that was our day.

What Shannon is about

This is a picture of Shannon with the family that she is a surrogate for.

Their baby is due March 1, 2016.

This couple has been through IVF treatments for over ten years.

This little jewel is their daughter who is the only surviving egg that survived the IVF process.

Shannon is carrying their next baby which has been created by an egg donor and was 

fertilized with their father's sperm.

Shannon wanted to help another couple who is unable to conceive a baby on their own.

She has been through it herself.
She handles pregnancy very well and enjoys the experience.
You may be concerned or wondering how she will be able to give up the baby.
Don't worry. She can do it without hesitation.
Shannon and Brian feel very complete with their two babies.
Following each of Shannon's pregnancies, she experienced a full year
of severe postpartum depression and anxiety.

I think postpartum is my biggest concern for Shannon in this process.
She will probably not avoid it, but at least she won't be up with
a newborn losing sleep and she won't have another baby to deal with
like she did when Mima was born. Buddy was only 14 months old at that time.

This is a really great time for Shannon to have this experience.
Her own babies aren't really babies anymore. We just like to call them that.
Buddy will be 3 1/2 and Mima will be 2 1/2 when this baby is born.

If you are interested in learning more about the surrogacy program,
I know Shannon would be thrilled to share the information with you.
Let me know and I can get you in contact with Shannon.

Day Six

Saturday was waffle morning, this time with a new box of Bisquick.

Then Grandpa got the boys to provide free labor in shredding our box of paperwork.

It was a good bonding activity.

 Grandpa took the boys out to pick cherry tomatoes. These boys like tomatoes.

We rented Big Hero Six and watched that.

Hot dog lunch and taco dinner.

Corinne and the rest of the family arrived about 9 pm. 

It took a long time to get the boys quieted down and to sleep.

I imagine it is hard to go to sleep in a room full of little boys.

 Here is our garden. It is getting a little wilted looking.

Day Five

Everyone was still in bed when I left for work.

There was a one hour limit to Wii this morning. We realized there has been too much time on it.

Grandpa took the boys back to Fiesta Fun Center.

They played mini golf and the boys rode the kitty size go carts.

Here Richard isn't tall enough for the regular ones.

The cars went very slow. Not too exciting.

The boys cashed in their 545 tickets.

Garrett picked toys and Richard candy.

Grandpa bought a pepperoni pizza from Pizza Hut for dinner.

I made smoothies again.

The boys spent most of the evening in the family room.

While Grandpa went to Bio Life and grocery shopping,

we watched a dragon cartoon of some kind of Netflix.

They were in bed at 8:30 pm. Heard them talking still at 9 pm.

Day Four

A tidbit about us - we haven't kept up with the perishable pantry items expiration dates. 

Yesterday Grandpa fixed pancakes for breakfast with orange juice. 

I asked him how the boys like them - he said they weren't very good.

Expiration date was sometime in 2013.

Be prepared Corinne, Garrett is blaming the orange juice for his upset stomach yesterday.

That would also explain my sour stomach on Tuesday morning. Probably the waffles he made.

Grandpa took the boys to the Daly's while he helped them finish up their

on-line banking. The Daly's offered to take everyone to lunch at Wendys.

Next Grandpa took the boy to the Rosenbruch Museum.

It wasn't the most exciting place, but it was a new experience.

We also fail as grandparents who make their grand kids practice their instruments while visiting.

Garrett much prefers the piano over his violin.

He played everything once and then disappeared.

Here is walking towards the "Theatre".

The weather was ideal. It was windy, but I think that really helped with keeping the bugs away.

I always take a sweater or lap quilt. It does get windy in the canyon and my lap gets cold.

The pants that were packed were too tight and small for the boys.

New pants for school will be needed!

Here is the entrance to the Amphitheatre.

We invited Aunt Sharlotte & Uncle Randy to come along. I like sitting on the edge on the side.

That way it is easier to see - less heads in the way. 

Sharlotte was very sweet with Garrett. She said his eyes just bugged out as some of the

scenes took place.

This was our view to the stage.

There is action from all angles here.

Right side of stage.

Left side of stage.

This is the bottom of the canyon where they actually made a

waterfall that rushed - I mean rushed down on to and over the edge of the stage.

Garrett ran out of juice after the intermission. He kept wrapping himself up in his blanket,

but couldn't get comfortable enough. At each scene change he would perk up

to see what was going on. He went straight no bed - no potty or brush teeth or clothes change I think.

Richard took care of those items before bed. It was going on midnight before

the evening was done.

Day Three

First of all, I now get a glimpse into Corinne's day.

There is no time to take pictures. I'm sorry I'm not doing better.

I came home a little after 5 to this scene.

If you can't tell, that is Grandpa sleeping.

Today the boys spent the morning at home. Grandpa was helping his parents with some on line banking at our house.

Lunch was hot dogs, of which was reported the boys scarfed down and ate their fruit too. Grandpa took them to Fiesta Fun Center. It has recently moved to a new building. We went and scoped it out before the boys came. It is really nice and open. They bowled and played some of the games. There is a bag of tickets on the counter at home. Grandpa will take them again so they can earn more and spend them too. I asked the boys if they had fun and they said yes. Richard still bowled left handed. He is walking around with his right arm still in the same position that the cast was molded. He said it does hurt a bit to straighten it out.

We went to our friend's (Hubsmith) to swim. It was really windy and had even rained a couple of times before we went. Grandpa and the boys went swimming while I worked with Judy in the house on our Alaska cruise booking. We were there about 1 1/2 hours.

On the way home I told the boys they needed to get right to bed because we will be up really late tomorrow night because of the musical at the Tuachan. As we pulled to a stop in the driveway, Garrett said he had a stomach ache. I think bedtime equates a stomach ache for Garrett. Richard asked for a few crackers before bed and Garrett didn't eat anything.  Oh - dinner was grilled cheese and tomato soup. Garrett told us he didn't really like grilled cheese or tomato soup. I did make banana and strawberry smoothies to go with dinner. They both really like the smoothie.