The Pizza Man Called

Yesterday I received a call from a very young sounding "Pizza Man", who asked me what kind of pizza I wanted.  "Humm, This is very unusual", I thought, but I decided to order anyway.  I ordered a unique combination of pepperoni, shrimp, chocolate chips, and caramel sauce.  He was very professional as he gave me a price of $1.00, and informed me that the pizza was in Washington.  "Ha, ha, this is Kacin!" (As if I didn't know it.) But to this dear little boy, it was the funniest joke to play on his Gramma Barb.
How blessed I am to get a call from a strange pizza man, (and an ice cream shop this morning) and what an amazing feeling it is to have this endless love for the little guys in my life.

I LOVE these hands, they are rough from play, strong from little boy work, and have shared joy with a high five or a happy punch, and have comforted with a hand hold, a hug, and a face pat.

Blessings

All I can say is, Blessings come, blessings go(or are taken away by confused people), but it REALLY is the small blessings, tender mercies, if you will, that make daily life worthwhile.  Yes, it would be nice to win the lottery(I don't play, so that would be a miracle), but it is the phone call, the peace at the end of a confusion, the socks in the mail, the hug from a kindred spirit,  that helps me realize God's hand in my daily activities.

BALANCING

Quick, while I can think of something positive to say, write it down!   That's the way I have felt lately, a lot of negative with a bit of positive thrown in.  Shame on me, I know, but in my defense, I am now living with TWO Allen men.  Brent and I have always balanced each other out, but the scales are tipped now.  Plus, the whining part of me wants to mention the constant state of sickness, the house sale that fell through, the 4, yes 4, mechanics we have tried to get to finish the boat but none of them showed up, the really empty nest that our home has become, etc.  Blah, blah, blah.
Let's see, how lucky I am that when I vocalize my feelings, I don't get fired.(Where have all the sensible people gone?)  How wonderful for Skype, cell phones, and email.  Let's not forget the dear old Postal Service.  How fun that we can have a full table of family members for a birthday breakfast for a son-in-law!
How INCREDIBLE to receive phone calls or visits from my daughters on the same day, many times over. What a blessing to have a friend that calls every weekday to motivate me to come walking.  Walking and talking!  I am so grateful for a Dr. I trust, and for the availability of medications that help me to wake up, move and be sane.  A lot of things come to my mind, now that I have started thinking about the positive.  Maybe that's the trick?!
I guess the good could possibly outweigh the negative, maybe, kind of, sort of. 
Yep.

Are you on THE LIST?

List?  What list?  I am sure you are asking yourself if perhaps you missed a good opportunity to sign up for something special.
Oh, it's a special list, but you don't just sign up, you have to earn your place on this list.  The name, you ask? It is :
DID YOU GET MONO FROM BARB?  How many people can be on it?  Well, way more people than want to be on it!  Here it is, broken into two catagories :

DIRECTLY             INDIRECTLY

Jenny                  James
Cindy                  Connie(Cindy's sister)
Brent

As this is a new list, we are just gathering names, so, if you think you should be listed, or would like to be, please let me know.

OLD FRIENDS

I was able to meet up with two old and, well, dear? friends this week.  It felt amazing and joyful to be with them again, as it has been many months since I have had any close contact with them.  They have been around but I have been too exhausted to have anything to do with them.
Their names, you ask?  Mr. Mop and Ms. Vacuum.  Now, you may ask how it is possible that I have not been in contact with them?  Not by choice, it has been a irritating, depressing, and tired time.  Which is why I actually felt joy in using them again to clean my floors.  Don't worry, other people have helped out, so I did not have to clean a 6 month mess!  But to be able to do it my way, to feel a tiredness from working, was so wonderful!  I even had a short visit with Mrs. dust rag.
You never realize how much satisfaction you get out of daily chores until you can't do them, and I am grateful for this past week, no matter what next week brings.

Look Laura, I am posting!!
Here are a few pictures that I have taken in the past (gasp!)
2 months since my last visit here. I will post more as soon
as I figure out what new and difficult things they have added.




I love this picture, matching daddy/son clothes, and Bryce is
actually clapping in rhythm to his mommy's drumming!

We have discovered a wonderful way to include the entire family
during our Family Home Evenings. I LOVE seeing the Allreds. I think
that's Kyler on the screen. . .






Stef invited us to one last "business" lunch at Mango's,
Bryce apparently is like his Aunt Laura, and loves guacamole.(And sour cream)






My "sister" Cindy shared a fun, hilarious really, afternoon with me,
finishing the cleaning of the attics at my Dad's. We got our exercise that day just from laughing,
we found so many unique and special treasures, most of which we passed on to D. I.
I wish for everyone the chance to clean out an attic.

Jenny had a birthday and ate a pizza. Well, it was a girl's lunch and we all helped.

Prose and musings to follow soon, I promise!

Birthday dreams

February is a wonderful time for a birthday, and this year was no exception. It was a good day, I did what I wanted, (mostly) and I received SO many Happy Birthdays that the warm fuzzies were overflowing. I was told that the party was me themed, and after looking at the pictures, I am resisting being offended! (But it was a sweet day, thanks dear ones!)

The party games were, well, different. Bryce was not feeling the love, not at all.

But he did try Grandpa's party game. . .

The excitement was infectious.

And to all a good night.

Alive and Walking

Yes, It has been a very long time since I have written anything! Life happened, as it does, and writing, and other things, went way down on the List. My Morning Walk, something I have done for years, became almost an impossible task. I missed it, I missed the movement, the morning newness, the fresh air, the "therapy" my friend Michelle and I gave to one another.

I never quit entirely, but it had been months and months since I had made it out 5 days in a row. Notice I said had, because last week I did it! All five days, the entire route, and it felt great!

Photographs, Fishing lures, and Frogs

The title pretty much describes what is stacked in my Az. room/my computer space. It also represents the "last" of the tangible items from my parent's home. It has made me think, what will be left after I am gone from here? What will be the last things my children will let go of, memory makers, items that connect me to them? What do I want them to care about?
The three items in the title are, generally speaking, the things that most represent my parents. I could add a stuffed elk to the list, but I drew the line at dead animals laying around and it is stored at Brent's office.
My Mom loved pictures, she took pictures from teenage years on, but I think they are an extension of her love for people, family. She loved doing things, going places, and remembering them with photos. I am very much like that, even so far as her storage system, which was put them in a big box. Period.
My Dad was a lover of outdoors, woods, and told me once that he should have been a forest ranger. I never liked fishing or hunting, but I cherish the lures sitting next to me.
So, what would my family have to go through? Photographs, cookbooks, travel folders, waterglobes are not going away anytime soon, so they will be on the list. I hope that, like my mother before me, they remember me for my love of people and places. (Thank goodness for son-in-laws who have a love of fishing and hunting.)

Okay, So I have figured out that I am officially BAD at keeping up with blog writing, not reading other peoples, just writing. I am also a failure at returning emails, posting things on Facebook, writing in a journal, and labelling pictures. What does this mean? You might think that it means I don't like to write. Ha!! I LOVE to write, especially family things,so what's the problem? Yes, I am asking YOU, cause I don't know the answer! Why do my eyelids droop uncontrollably when I sit down at the computer to write? I need someone to invent a lovely tool that could take what I write in my head and put it on paper/computer.

Beyond that, life in the Allen household is moving along steadily. I am bringing more boxes down from my Dad's that I can set in the Az. room and look at as I pass by everyday. Brent is bringing home more things to take to the boats in Mexico and placing them in the garage.

I did find something interesting in another box of pictures I found of my Mom's, out of all the comic books my brother and I read as children, she saved 5 that I guess she felt was noteworthy.

I don't remember reading these, I only remember a lot of Archie comics! It has been very interesting, taking out the emotional equation, going through the things they thought enough of to keep. I am going to try my hardest to weed out the garbage and only keep the items that mean something to me, hopefully with something written down explaining why I kept them.. Now we are back to the writing thing again. . .

Forever Family

I am afraid I am destined to blog a bundle of things at once, I write the most amazing, creative blogs in my head,but they never make it to the site. By the time I am here, I just jumble everything up in one big blobby blog. But the one's in my head are so cute, really!

I guess first and for most was the beautiful sealing of the Allred children to their parents. I had to hold back tears, more tears than I shed at my daughters' weddings. My joy was deeper than the obvious joy of seeing a sealing bring two beautiful children to our family. All of our precious girls were there, (along with some really special guys!) But the most heart healing emotion came at the realization of my Laura's dream of having children. Her pain has been my pain, and now her joy was mine also. To see your child suffer, then to have the suffering replaced with so much love, it was an indescribable feeling. In a really good way.

The rest of my blobby blog will have to wait. . .

Okay, turn about is fair play.
Things I did not like about the weekend:
Missing the blessing of Laura's two beautiful little boys. : (
Grown children that disrespect their mother. ( Definitely NOT ANY family member of mine!)
A sick husband.
Marshmellows that don't melt.
Being exhausted after attending a wedding/reception.
Hitting the lamp post with the truck.
Falling asleep early three nights in a row.
Friends that don't answer/ return phone calls after emailing that they are"almost dead".
The mess by my computer that is still there.

It doesn't sound as bad as it felt, but I am remembering some good things too, next posting!

random fun and other things

I feel a need to just catch up with blogging, so I am going to jumble everything together in one happy little blog and entitle it, oh, something creative like, "Things That Happened in the Last Month".

With the amazing weather we have been blessed with(it IS Az. in the springtime),

I pulled out the zoo membership card, dusted it off, and have made a few walking trips around the animal kingdom. Below are two of my favorite exhibits, although I always head first to the orangutans, to pay my respects and say hello.

We had a lovely birthday gathering for dear Jenny at the beginning of March, homemade pizza and smoothies for dessert. An amzing fact, we waited dinner till 7 p.m. as Jenny was working that day. If you know the Allens, you know that was a rare feat for us.! Of course, no Allen gathering is complete without a bit of game playing! As you can see, Tyson and Dad did not make it to the game playing.

A bitter sweet moment came when we moved my Dad's bedroom set to our spare room. It looks like it was made for that room, as it is a big set, the room is big enough to hold it nicely. Dad did not spare comfort whne putting it together, it is a great place for a retreat or a nap! Maybe the Allred's will like it. . .

The pictures below are just random, cute, and all Allen. How many 20 something adults can still find joy in making and hanging out in an inside tent? Joy is everywhere, a person just has to look for it.

Stefanie waiting for Tyson to get done with work, sharing a "girlie" movie night with her Dad. I call it girlie because of the movies they were watching. Dad lasted longer than daughter!

I will tell you what this is, cause I doubt that you can figure it out! A yummy, tasty plate of fried green tomatoes! A treat I have enjoyed since childhood, and one I don't get very often. I saw somme almost green tomatoes at Costco, and had to do it. It only really frys up well if they are totally green, which is why these look kind of mushy. If you want brownie points, bring me a green tomato!

Last week I was able to do my first extra work in a long time, it was so fun, but, more than that, I was so grateful to feel good enough to be doing it. Jenny got booked on the same job, which made it more fun.

Things I am happy about today :
Walking the zoo and enjoying the spring!
Reading the Allred's blog
Finding an old friend on Facebook
It is only 7pm and I can put my pjs on
Re-re-re-reading my beloved Mitford books
Smelling the wet dirt that is harboring lovely/delicious things in my front yard(thanks Jenny and Aaron)
Everyone seems to be almost well again, and happy!
The icemaker works again
The wild daisies growing in neighbor's yards
I finally figured out that the nasty smell was my new garbage can(goodbye new garbage can!)
I feel like writing again, at least right now
The Suns are playing tonight
Writing this will make Laura a bit happy!

Okay, so I guess I've been tagged, which means I go to My Pictures, 6th file, 6th picture, and blog about it. Oh, yeah, I am supposed to tag 6 people, but I only know the bloggers that Laura has already tagged!

This is a perfect picture to put on, yesterday would have been my Dad's 77th birthday.

I took this picture at a Neff family gathering at my Uncle Jack's house in Hardinsburg, Kentucky.

With my Dad is Sarah Neff, the youngest "child" of my only brother. I am SO glad I went back to visit, I was able to reacquaint myself with most of my relatives on the Neff side, reminisce about my childhood, and see my father together with his remaining siblings. What a great experience!

Ode to Albertsons

Another sign of the changing economy, the local Albertson's grocery is closing. Now, I don't do all my shopping there, (maybe that was the problem) but it is so sad to see it go under. No more 11:30 p.m. Saturday night runs, meeting other Ward members and neighbors who also forgot an important ingredient in their Sunday dinner, no more quick runs for treats and junk, which is probably a good thing! If I have to do an Ode to them, I will have to include the car wash around the corner, the Mervyn's down the street, the cookie shop at the mall, and so many other local stores that are folding.
It is a solemn time for American economy, the buck stops here, time to face the music kind of thing. I know that in Albertsons, several members of the same families worked there, which means the whole family is out of work. It is a shame that those with not much will have to pay the most. Yet, I feel a small glimmer of, not happiness, but something like it. We have had SO much for SO long, most of us have forgotten or never known what it is like to really want for anything, to work hard for needs. I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing that we seem to be turning TOGETHER to face the happenings of the day. Our happiness does not depend on what things we have, or our circumstances, but on our attitude, and our gratitude for what we are blessed with.

Okay, I was looking up prices for something on Craigslist, and ran across someone who was selling a lot of things. Good for her, trying to make ends meet. As I was reading through the list I notices a few unusual things. read on:

If you believe in things like magic, I practice Paganism and can perform a spell for you, or give you all the necessary tools to do one yourself.

-Carnivorous plant seeds. The plant is the hard to get seeds of the Purple Pitcher Plant.

-Tubes of Shelly Mehndi henna paste, red-brown, with 3 different caps for different lines.

-Belly button jewelry, tongue barbells, labret studs, nose studs, and ear plugs and tapers (different sizes and styles, let me know what size you're looking for).

. I can babysit here, I am the eldest of 3 kids so I've always had to watch my brother and sister all the time when my parents were away. I only have experience watching young kids. I'm very creative and can keep them entertained other than just t.v. I have taken cpr training more times than I can count.

Okay, maybe I've been sheltered too much, but I don't know too many people who would want to put someone who does paganism in charge of their small children. I think this girl should have advertised her babysitting skills in another ad. Does this person not realize how "unsafe" her lifestyle sounds to others? What happened to "will teach art and music and give your little ones healthy meals"?

I love things like this, even if I haven't done everything I want to do. I am still working on my own list, which includes a few of the items in this one. Copy and post in your own blog, I want to know!

1. Started your own blog

2.Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band(what else do you do when your kids are little?)

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland(too many times to count)

8. Climbed a mountain(It felt like a really big mountain)

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a Solo (same time as no.3)

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea( does it count if you are on a lake?)

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch(still working on it)

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables (it's been a long time, but I did!)

)19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France(it was okay, the other De Vinci painting were better)

20. Slept on an overnight train(not a fun experience, but glad I did it-from Germany to Paris)

21. Had a pillow fight(just a couple of weeks ago)

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort (I grew up in a snowy place)

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon (no thank you)

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run (in a neighborhood game)

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors(an unforgettable trip to Switzerland)

35. Seen an Amish community(in Iowa)

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing (not a lot of upper body strength!)

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke (very briefly, under duress, not in public)

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant(I bought one and gave it to them. . . )

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been on television

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

)61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (I tried, the 1st time I didn't weigh enough (ha), then I got sick blood)

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check (accidently, of course!)

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job (let go for scheduling reasons, still devastating)

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone(ankle, in high school-should never dance across a newly waxed floor)

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper(small town paper, Girl Scouts, I think)

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House (I absolutely love DC!)

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (how I got away with not doing this I'll never know)

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life(had my life saved by someone, thanks Kenna!)

90. Sat on a jury (I could never hear them)

91. Met someone famous (Alec Baldwin, Richard Simmons, Donnie Osmond,Tom Cavenagh. .

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a lawsuit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee (a bee, a hornet, a wasp)

100. Totally copied a post from someone's blog to your own

The Sixth Sense

I had forgotten the joy and wonder of being a preschooler until Kyler and Kacin came along, how important climbing is in the discovery of life. In order to find out about something new, a person should smell it, taste it, touch it, and climb on it! And it is all so much nicer with food in your mouth. . .

Getting the wrinkles out

Maybe I should have been in the dryer instead of the Allred boys, I don't see any wrinkles anywhere on them! I think, looking at the pictures , that Kacin was not quite sure if this was an acceptable thing to be doing, even if the Grandparents instigated it! But he was not about to pass up the opportunity to climb somewhere he had not climbed. Kyler had no problem happily posing for Grandma Barb, who all the while I was taking the pictures was proclaiming the "evilness" of playing in the laundry machines.