Scattered Seashells

  My 'Unka' Jeff and Aunt Susie took me to Longbeach Washington when I was 3 or 4 years old.

I remember trudging thru the sand with a blue plastic pail that had a flat, white, plastic handle.  I followed behind Unka Jeff, stepping into his big, deep footprints that were pressed into the sand.  I bent down and picked up the most beautiful seashells, coral and polished sea glass. My little bucket quickly filled.  

  Anytime since then, I have always compared the beautiful variety of shells I picked up in my childhood to the actual ones I find as an adult and they just don't measure up.  I mentioned this to Susie and she looked at me with most bewildered look!!! She then says " You did realize that Unka Jeff was dropping the seashells in front of you to find, right?!?!"   42 years had gone by and I am crushed!!!  Sea shells bought from the gift shop!  I had NO idea!!!  

   Today my Unka Jeff had a pretty major health scare. I am pretty worried. A clean bill of health and a speedy recovery is what I'm praying for.  

  Recently, Unka Jeff and Aunt Susie have invited my husband Jim and I to go to Mexico to celebrate our 20 year wedding anniversary.  I am so excited to go!!  I can't wait to walk on the beach and collect seashells. And I'm sure Unka Jeff will be in front of me, dropping the shells from his pockets, just as he did 42 years ago!!  And I'm sure I will gather them up with just the same amount of joy and excitement. 

  So hurry up and get all better Unka Jeff. We have scattered seashells to collect. 

Zaycon chicken wrap party November 2014

Boy!!! Did we ever wrap some chicken!!! We picked up 540 pounds!!! The friendly Zaycon driver, Mike, loaded us up. 12 cases into the back of the suburban. 

The assembly line method sure works the best for us. 

We have our trimmers.... Susie and Janel. 

The bagger Unka Jeff. 

I do the wrapping. Oops..... No selfie. 

Penny was the taper and stamper. 

Sheilah was our rover!! She did a little of everything!!! 

what a fun crew!!!  Oh and how could I forget the 'head boss', my grandson Jamisen!!!

 

We even had a brief celebrity cameo stop by 'Nekid Beebs'.  But he sure wasn't much of a rapper....er... I mean wrapper!!! 

www.nekidbeebs.blogspot.com

Can't thank you all enough for the hard work. We are set for winter!! The most delicious, fresh chicken and a bargain at that!!! Boneless, skinless, hormone free, antibiotic free, and huge breasts!!! 

For $1.89 a pound!!! Can't beat that!!! 

  To clarify, our order was split between 11 families.  

  Check out Zaycon for your own deals!!! Use carollarsen as a referance code.  thanks!!

www.zayconfoods.com

Zaycon Chicken Party

Want a new way to have a fun and economical get together? Have a chicken party!!!  I am in love with the company of Zaycon Foods. They have the best products that are farm fresh, and brought right to you!  

www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf210711

 

You order online and the product is brought to a town near you, during one of their events. A group of us got together today and wrapped six boxes of boneless, skinless, chicken breasts. It comes in a 40# box and you need to trim it up, and wrap it into freezer packs. 

  We decided to make it a fun party and used the most awesome kitchen in our local church.  It worked so slick that everyone had a task. Using an assembly line method, two people trimmed, and two bagged into plastic, one wrapped in freezer paper, one used a vacuum sealer, one stamped a chicken on the pack, and some were comedic relief. :) 

As you can see, the breasts are HUGE!!!  No, No, not Mean Jeans!!! The CHICKEN!! 

Here is Trimmer Too Too ( my sister Trudi). 

My brother in law Kirk. The master vacuum packer! 

Mean Jean opening the box.  She moves so quick- she is a blur!! 

My friend Kris, the paper and tape portioner. Her hubby Gene kept escaping my camera. But his labels and artwork, on the packages, will keep a person giggling every time they go to the freezer for a pack of chicken.  

Bobbie bagged the chicken ( and she kept running away too) as did my daughter in law Abby. 

Why can't I take your picture?!?  We had a birthday party for my dad, the night before. Many might of had one or four margaritas too many!!  So none of us were feeling too spry. Hence my missing sister, Diana.  We love and missed you Nanner!!! But hahahaha..... Wanna sell a Buick to Ralph?!?! 🚽

And then there is my Aunt Susie!!   

She makes me laugh so much, I contemplate purchasing Depends!!  The world is a joyous place, just because you are in it, Aunt Susie!! Thanks for making my heart happy!! 💜

 So if you want to have a fun morning, have a chicken party!!! 

Did I mention the chicken is $1.89 a pound?!?  Saving money, stocking the freezer, and fun with friends and family.  In my book, that's the makings for a great day!!! 

Give it a try!!!  It will be in a town near you, soon!  Oh, and they have lots of products!! I have gotten the bacon, sausages, ribs, hotdogs, and breaded chicken strips. They are all farm fresh delicious!!  

www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf210711

Zaycon Foods Chicken

I love Zaycon foods! I will be doing a post on our upcoming Chicken Event. There is a group of us getting together, to wrap our chicken. If you want to get involved, let me know!!! 

https://zayconfoods.com/refer/zf210711

I think it will be a very fun time!!! 

Is compassion dead?

Tonight Jess, the grand babies and I were at the Spokane Valley Mall. Enjoying our dinner, I heard a noise that sounded like a watermelon hitting the pavement. I look up and an attractive, slim, blond girl who was about 25 years old, started to fall and hit her head on the food court counter. As she hit the ground she started having a Grand Mal seizure. Her body was contorted and shaking violently. Her two male friends were at her side. One was calling 911 and the other kneeling over her. Minutes passed and the convulsions ceased but she never gained conciseness. Her wrists and hands were bent ridged. They had her on her back so I went over to them to help roll her on her side, which we did. I asked if she was diabetic or epileptic. They both said no. This has gone on for 10 minutes or so. Here is the amazing part. In a food court full of 50+ people, not ONE person stepped forward. Not ONE offered assistance. I have no medical background, other than first aid, but I am a mother. If that was my child on the floor, racked with pain and convulsing, I would pray that someone help them if I wasn't there. This was 'someone's' child. If this had taken place in Whitman County, there would have been injuries from the stampede of people rushing to her, to help. I guess I take small town compassion for granted. It's sad it takes an unfortunate incident like this to open my eyes but I am grateful. Thank you to my friends and fellow Whitman County Volunteer Firefighters/ EMTs/ Paramedics and just caring friends and neighbors, who are always there but go so under appreciated!
As the Paramedics were getting ready to take her away, I touched the one guy friend on the shoulder and said " I wish you luck". The look in his eyes and his sigh of " thank you" was enough to let me know that...no, compassion isn't dead, it's just lacking in others, in the big towns.

Body Art or a Plea to my Mother

A Mary B quote " I gave birth to a perfect, healthy, flawless baby. You better be meeting God the same way." Or something along those lines. So I am using this as a chance for her to understand.

Mom...... I got a tattoo.

Before you sharpen the butcher knife for my left arm, hear me out.
For 40 years I have worn some pretty deep scars on my left arm. So for the next 40 I decided to wear some pretty flowers that no one questions. It was a daily occurrence that someone asked me " what happened to your arm?" Most of the times it was a child. I admire their courage to ask and got a kick out of their expression when I would say " when you get Chicken Pox and your Mom says don't pick that...... Don't pick it. " That is really how I got the scars. A deep hole from a chicken pox!!
I never told my parents that every year, when the new school year started, I would get the call to meet with the school councilor to ' just chat '. " Sooooooo how is life at home? Did your parents do that to you? Is it a cigarette burn?" And later as a 'rebellious' teen " did you do that to your arm? Do you cut?" The look of bewilderment on their faces when I say " uh it's a chicken pox scar" is priceless.
It could be worse. I always told my mom I was gonna get a tattoo of a horse walking away, with his tail raised, and the deep round scar placed just below his tail!!!
Now that I am a mother, and a grandmother I have decided I should heed my own advice.
Stand up for what you believe. You are beautiful on the inside first and on the outside second. And my favorite advice.... Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, smallness or insecurities, remember things could be worse....You could be them.

The tattoo has symbolism for me. The large flower represents Jim, the smaller two, my sons Devin and Cody and the smallest flower is my grandson Jamisen.

I worried about what my mom would say or think only because I love and respect her. I worry about doing anything to let her down. I don't think there is enough space on the Internet for me to write all the little things I have done that might have let her down. So I guess I add to the list and keep on living day by day.

Mom......I got a tattoo. I am OK with it. And I think God will think I am OK, too.

And they ARE addicting. I've even been thinking where would I get the next one. I've got some pretty nasty stretch marks from having babies, so I was thinking a road map of Tennessee across my belly would cover that. Breathe Mom.... Breathe!!!! I am just kidding about that one!

Ageing Gracefully?......

Being 'middle aged' has never worried me.
If I was really worried about it, I would have eaten healthier, exercised, and used that Oil of Old Lady  Oil of Olay.
 I am content with where I am in my life. 
 That is, until I have to renew my drivers licence. 
 What is it about this photo that freaks me out? 
  I can remember as a teenager, getting my license, and taking hours to get ready for the photo.  Slathering on the concealer and foundation so that big ol' zit wouldn't show.  Now some 25+ years later, I found myself doing the same thing! Only thing different is: I had to cover the zit on my forehead AND remember to pluck that stray chin hair.
 Seems like the older I get, the more things change back to what they were!! 
Hair color, bangs, weight, smile, no smile......We will see again in another six years, when I have to do this again! 
Ageing gracefully???? BITE ME!!

Legacy....Diamond Distributing

leg·a·cy

n. pl. leg·a·cies

1. Money or property bequeathed to another by will.

2. Something handed down from an ancestor or a predecessor or from the past

 

For as long as I have known Jim, THIS photo has hung on the wall at Diamond Distributing. 

I am sure it was placed there by Carol Larsen Senior (That is Jim's mom). So today when I was at the shop, I told Jim my idea. He said "Just a minute" and ran upstairs.  Down he comes with the actual coat Bill is wearing in this photo!! I couldn't resist so here is going to be the new addition to the wall by Carol Larsen Junior.

Oh but of course I don't stop there...... I have to add a third picture, don't you think??

Cody insisted I have to wait 40 years, like the first one, but Momma's whining got the best of him.

 

 

 

NOW if I can just get my grandson to stand on that step.......... He is almost 17 months old.

I know he can do it!!         to be continued..........

 

MMMM EggNog French Toast Sticks

I am making up a batch of French Toast Stix, for the freezer. I pack 4 sticks (the perfect grandson sized portion) into a Ziploc baggie. I also put in the single wrapped, cooked sausage link. Works great for breakfasts when you don't really want to cook. Zap in microwave for 30 seconds and you are good to go. I just can't see paying Jimmy Dean for the same thing that I can do!

Penny pinching tip :)

Where will your path lead?

Spending the last four days, with my grandson, has been awe inspiring. I love to cuddle into the lazy boy chair, book and blanket in hand, and rock him until he drifts off for a nap. As I gaze at his velvety soft cheeks and perfect little lips that curl into a smile as he dreams, I wonder....
where will your path in life lead you?
  Will you be a doctor, lawyer, farmer or a state senator? How big can you dream? When is it in our lives that we come to the point where our dreams crash into realization and we settle for what will be..will be? Growing up we all hear that question....what do you want to be when you grow up? I wonder how many of us answered with what we want in our hearts or with what we think that person wants to hear.  I remember being asked that question and my answer was "I want to be a farmer". I remember the look on that teachers face when she laughed and said "Girls can't be farmers".
 Is it then when we start to question ourselves?

I certainly never heard I couldn't do something from my grandparents, or my parents! Growing up at my house there was never any gender discrimination. The girls were expected to drive trucks and tractors and service equipment just the same as any farm hand. My mom definitely lead by example. She became a union journeyman carpenter and worked at Hanford Nuclear Reservation right along side my dad.   So where in life do the alternate paths come along?
 I hope I will be there for you, to help guide and be your Granny LaLa whenever you need me.
  As I look at your sweet cherub face, I hope you only dream big. Live big. Love big.
  Oh, my beautiful Grandson.....I hope your life's path leads you only to happiness.

Pantry Room

My life is becoming a reality TV series. First I thought it was 'Extreme Couponing' but it is looking more like 'Hoarders'! I had made the statement that I should become Mormon and just call it 'food storage'. My friend, Raylene, then pointed out...Sister Wives!!  I'm unsure of what series I will end up on. Lets all just hope for the show 'Lottery Changed My Life' and we will call it all good!!

  I have finished my pantry; aka Devin's old bedroom. I think for a pantry it is a little small.
Never mind the fact that my son is almost 7 foot tall and the room is only 8x8. Poor kid. But I love it!!

Now before you all go freaking out on me......just keep in mind that I bet I have spent LESS that $300 on all this. Not counting the actual shelves, that is a different story!  A lot of it is stuff I have canned myself. The empty shelf is just waiting for corn I plan on canning this summer. If I could ever get my mom here to show me how to use that scary pressure cooker!  My only worry now is it is almost FULL! Where am I going to put the bargains I get later?? Hmmmm Cody's room is 12x14.

I guess I had better wait until he moves out, huh? Just kidding. I think this will do for awhile. :)

  So there you go. Written proof I AM crazy. I can just hear you all...."We knew it all along!"

But at least you know who to call when you run out of body wash!! I have 18. :)

I have found her!!!!

Power of the universe is an amazing thing!!
If you put the thoughts out there, and have patience, it will come to you.
  I have been searching for a little vintage trailer to remodel.
 Maybe I could join http://www.sistersonthefly.com/ ?  I have asked friends to keep an eye out for me and they have been great with little leads and hints here and there but nothing quite worked out. Until the other day!
  I was talking to Jim's cousin, Richard Lockhart, and he said "Why don't you get Jim's Grandpa Gerald's trailer? It is parked in town. We towed it in 30 years ago so it didn't get bulldozed into the canyon."
Ahhh Ahhh Ohhhh Ahhhh!   Insert angels singing down from heaven here.

Turns out that Grandpa Gerald had this trailer that he used as a man cave, guest house, storage and what not. I came across a picture of our ranch that was taken in the 50's or early 60's and what do I see right there in front of the house?????

My vintage trailer! The one I have been dreaming about! The one I have decorated in my head, four different ways!  I went to town and looked at her today. I saw past the dirt, dead bugs, and bee's nests. Past the two cracked windows and tattered curtains. Past the funky smell of musty and who knows what from decades ago. What I saw was a shiny, sparkling trailer with freshly varnished woodwork and crisp, ironed, linen curtains. A cowboy quilt adorns the bed, and a blue mason jar of fresh flowers is on the table.

On the front is painted her name....... "Molly" Drusilla........with her picture there too! 

Do you see it, too????? Can you spare some elbow grease? Mine is low.    :)

Thank you so much, Lockhart Kids, for babysitting my trailer for 30 years. 

 She was just waiting to come home!

Drusilla "Molly" Sever Larsen Roth

I thought I should do this post so you would understand my posts that are to follow.  First you need to know an incredible woman.  Drusilla was my husband's grandma. She had led an interesting life. 

When she was younger, she worked for Walt Disney! She worked on the movie, Snow White.

 Oh, if only she had saved some of those artist cells!! They would be worth a fortune today.

To make extra money, she moonlighted as a fashion designer's artist, in Hollywood.

 She also liked to design her own. Here are a couple that she designed, drew, and painted.

Her gold wedding band is what graces my left ring finger and the mate to it, is on Jim's finger.

 Gerald Roth was Drusilla's soul mate. The kind of love that fairy tales are about.  They were married later in life and had not enough years together.  He used to call her "Molly".  That is what most people knew her as. She was known for her incredible artistic talent.

  My granny, Eileen Getz, lived 'over the hill' from Molly. They were friends and neighbors for many years. When Jim & I got married in 1995, my granny gave me a special gift. It was the hand painted bowl that was very special to her and always was placed on the upper shelf. Turns out, it was made by Molly and given to granny as a gift.  When I showed it to Molly she was floored and said " It has come home".

 Jim and I live at the ranch where Molly grew up.

I could go on and on about Grandma Molly and the impact she had on my life and I know many were touched by her 'tell it like it is' attitude and zest for life. She was the true definition of one tough cookie, with a man by her side that would lasso the moon for her, if she asked him to.
 I would like to think Jim and I are kinda like that too.     :)

Bug's 6 1/2 month pics

What kind of Granny would I be if I didn't share the cutest grandson pictures with you!?

Gratitude

Have you ever felt so much love in your heart that it overflowed and caused tears of joy?
I have been feeling that way today. I'm not sure if it is because my grandson got to spend the night and we had hours of snuggle time, or if it is just that I am so happy that Gram doesn't have any major heart issues. 
  I am so blessed that I have a home that keeps me warm in the winter, and cool in the summer.
 Better Homes & Gardens is not going to use my home for a photo shoot any time soon and to me, that doesn't really matter.  The best thing is that my house is my home. I am happy to just be here.
Oh, new carpet wouldn't be a bad thing but if I have my family, I can live with the moss green shag!
  In the last couple of weeks, I have caught glimpses of the men that my boys are becoming. I am so proud that they strive to put others first. If this is the only lesson they ever learn from me, I have done my job.
  I am the luckiest woman in the world, because I am married to my best friend.  Jim would move heaven and earth if I asked him to.  I have figured out to be wealthy has nothing to do with money!
As my grandpa would say
" We are so poor we don't have a pot to piss in or the window to throw it out of!"
  My cupboards are full and I couldn't ask for anything more.
So on this snowy, blustery day I hope that your heart is warmed by loving thoughts of family and friends that would be there on your doorstep with one phone call from you.  Keep in mind the people that you might have been taking for granted. Cherish the things that matter. The most important life lesson was taught to me by a friend that is no longer here on earth.

The most important things in life are not 'things'!

Last Chance Prom

Here is the next little project I am helping put together.
 I think it will be sooooo FUN!!!!
The proceeds go to the scholarship fund so come on out
and support a great cause.
*******Heck, come on out just to laugh at old farts
                       in prom dresses and tuxedos!

Life is a Highway

 Life's like a road you travel on
When there's one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend, Sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind.

There's a world outside every darkened door

Where blues won't haunt you anymore

Where the brave are free and lovers soar

Come ride with me to the distant shore.

                                  We wont hesitate   Break down the garden gate    There's not much left today

Life is a Highway

I want to ride it all night long

If you're going my way

I want to drive it all night long

There's no load I can't hold

Road so rough this I know

I'll be there when the light comes in

Tell'em we're survivors

~~~   Tom Cochrane