I don't know if I posted this picture before but it is very true to life. Cheryl and I feel as if we are at the last two pictures in our lives.

This will probably be my last blog until after Cheryl's operation which is tomorrow. I plan on staying at the hospital until I know all is well and she just needs rest. Since we live 60 miles from the hospital it is a little hard to run back and forth.

My daughter, Leslie, has been staying with us for the past week along with our granddaughter Rylie. Lots of diapers that Grandpa had forgotten about. It reminded me of a story about our next to the oldest son.

When Pat was alive Cheryl was a youth leader for our church and it required her to be at meetings quite a bit. Naturally, Dad was the babysitter. That darned Pat would wait until the car taillights were just around the corner and he would mess his pants like he was never going to have the chance again. I mean it was the kind where you had to put him in the tub to clean him up. It would have been okay if he did it only once in a while, except he would do it every time his mother would leave. If he hadn't have been so sick I would have killed him.

One time Cheryl and I decided to trick him. Actually Cheryl would not believe me when I would say he did it before she made the first corner. She got in the car and slowly drove around the block a couple of times. I just knew he would let me have it. That little pup didn't do a darned thing. Cheryl came into the house to check and he was just smiling and happy and she just knew I was a big fibber. She got into the car and before she hit the first corner he let me have it with full throttle. Oh, that kid. They learn at an early age to torment parents.

Well, this weekend is the 4th of July and I hope everyone will be safe and happy. I hope everyone will fly the flag honoring our country and those who provided us with so much freedom.

Have a nice day everyone.

I received this picture of a naked woman the other day and just had to share it with everyone. Yep, this is our Rylie Roo taking a bath. She is a pill and cute as can be. (A little predjudice goes a long way this time) We sure are enjoying the visit of Leslie and Rylie and wished they were a little closer. Leslie worries us a little 'cause she has tumors that are quite large. One is 3 pounds and the other is 4 or 5 pounds, I think. The doctors are monitoring her progress and just waiting for her body to settle down from having Rylie.

I was thinking the other day of little things that make life a pleasure and here are some of mine.

1) A cold drink of water on a hot day. You can feel it go all the way down to the bottom of the stomach.

2) The touch of my wife's hand when we are just sitting and watching a movie.

3) Watching two squirrel play with one another, oblivious to who is watching.

4) Listening to children or grandchildren as they play and are making their own make believe world.

5) Taking a drive with no particular place to go in mind, just viewing God's creation.

6) The thrill of seeing seeds turn into plants.

7) Having all my children call and say they love us.

8) An extra large pizza with all the toppings.

9) An ice cold drink of milk.

10) Having friends that don't want anything other than to be a friend.

Have a nice day everyone.

I have probably mentioned this before but... I am a movie buff. I like to watch movies. I guess it is because, like books, they allow me to use my imagination at times. Of course there are some movies that leave nothing to the imagination; we don't watch those. Last night I watched "Elecktra ", again. I will say this for Jennifer Garner, she has quite the swing in her get a long. I also received, as a Father's day present the movies, "Batman Begins" and "The Work and The Glory II". I was going to borrow "Narnia" from my daughter but her husband, Mr. Forgetful, forgot it.

Update on Cheryl. The surgery is Wednesday, June 28 and will be in Logan, UT. She will be in the hospital for about 4 days, depending on how she does in recovery. The she will be home but not able to do much for about 4 - 6 weeks. She keeps telling me that she is ruining our 4th of July weekend but I don't see how she figures that. We never go anywhere due to high traffic volume so we would be home anyway. Also, she is getting repaired something that has bothered her way too long in her life.

Our daughter, Leslie, is here visiting with us. Of course she brought our newest granddaughter, Rylie, and she is a pill. I think she likes her grandpa best. Other than that life has been very quiet and uneventful. I think I warned everyone that I was a boring person.

I got to thinking the other day, (yes, I know that is very dangerous), about the little things in life that bring a person pleasure. One of them is breakfast and I just got the word so will write about this another time.

Have a good day everyone.

Some have asked how Cheryl's doctor visit turned out. Wellllllllllllllllllllllllll, she is having surgery next week, the 28th, to have a part of her large intestine removed. She is like an unstable stick of dynamite that is going to go off some day but no one knows when. She has diverticuli real bad and the fear is one of them becoming infected and bursting causing infection to spread throughout her system. All the doc would say is, "We don't want that." She will be in the hospital for about a week and then home recuperating for about six weeks. Naturally she is nervous. Cheryl has never been one to go to hospitals very much for her own needs. I, of course, will be taking very good care of her as long as it does not interfere with fishing, eating, tv, and sleeping.

My cousin and friend back in Iowa sent this to me and I found it very funny. Please don't be offended by it; it is just intended for humour.

Men's answer to Maxine. Men strike back! ! ! ! ! ! !

How many men does it take to open a beer? None. It should be opened when she brings it.

Why is a laundromat a really bad place to pick up a woman? Because a woman who can't even afford a washing machine will probably never be able to support you.

Why do women have smaller feet than men? It's one of those "evolutionary things" that allows them to stand closer to the kitchen sink.

If your dog is barking at the back door and your wife is yelling at the front door, who do you let in first? The dog, of course. He'll shut up once you let him in.

What's worse than a Male Chauvinist Pig? A woman who won't do what she's told.

Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.

Have a nice day everyone.

Cheryl and I have not been getting much rest at night lately so my addled brain might not make much sense today.

Hope all fathers had a great Father's Day. Mine was fantastic. Cheryl waited on me like a queen should wait on her king and I loved it. She made me eggs, hashbrowns and bacon for breakfast and for dinner we had T-bone steaks (I bbq'd), mashed potatoes with fresh creamed peas for gravy. Yum, yum. All the kids except for one daughter called me and I loved it. We always hang up laughing about something. My oldest daughter, Kate, always tries to embarrass me somehow and she usually manages to do it.

After Kate's call I got to thinking about some of the things we did in our home while the kids were smaller. I went and obtained a folding chair and painted it fire engine red. When I asked one of my children to come and have a visit with me and I pointed to the red chair they knew they were in serious trouble. After a while it got to be the joke of the house at times.

I used to ask my children to come and have an interview with me. This was a one on one time where they could talk about anything they wanted just with their dad. I heard some unusual comments which made me try very hard not to laugh 'cause to them it was very serious. Often, if I would set down with one child to have an interview the others would not let me rest until I had an interview with them as well. Even in their teen-age years we had these conversations and I am glad I did. I hope it helped them with some of their problems. I have good kids, I just don't let them know it. Hah, hah!!!

Well, Cheryl has something smelling awfully good in the kitchen so I had better meander out there and check it out. Won't be blogging tomorrow because I have to take her to the doctor and see what is happening inside of her. She gets to suffering an awful lot.

Amber, how was the funeral? How are you feeling? Are you licking this pneumonia thing or is it still bothering you?

Schaumi I wish I knew you in person. You sound like a lot of fun and I truly enjoy your remarks on my blog.

Don't know what has happened to Lowa lately. Found out that Luce is a sneaky little rascal. Mayden is crying because her Carolina Hurricanes are going down tonight.

Have a nice day everyone.

This is my sweetheart when I first met her. Hubba, hubba. The picture was wrinkled but she still is very pretty.

I don't know how many of you watched Star Trek when it was on television but for those who did do you remember the encounters with the Borg? I have decided mosquitos are like the Borg. You try one thing to deter them and it works for a while until they adapt and then you have to try something new. I take vitamin B-6 because in the past it has been a very effective deterent for mosquitos without all that oily spray and nonsense. These mountain mosquitos adapted and I now have several lumps to prove they can bite and bite well.

I get a kick out of reading "tagging" blogs cause you can learn a lot about people. I normally don't do them because my brain can't think of answers for the questions. Some of those who do answer the questions really have a flair for writing since their answers are so good. Cheryl and I were discussing one "tag" this morning and I have to share it. The question: What are some of your comments on a daily basis?

Tim: 1) I love you more Cheryl. 2) Whatever. 3) Gus, you are a big fat lazy cat. 4) Ma, you are a crazy old woman. 5) There are no *&^%$#@!!! fish in this lake. (Might not say that everyday but close) 6) (I was only going to do 5 but this one popped into my head) Cheryl, the phone is for you.

Cheryl: 1) blah, blah, blah and everything. 2) I love you more, I think. (Hey, when I do the typing I put it as I hear it.) 3) Don't even think it buddy boy. 4) Are you going to sleep all day? ( I am sure she is referring to the cat) 5) You better be nice to me or you won't get fed.

Guess I had better quit before Cheryl finds out I am not paying the bills but am writing a blog. Serious consequences could be the result. Crazy old woman anyway.

Have a nice day everyone.

Just got back from a 2 day camping trip. It was GREAT!!! The angels were holding a bowling tournament, the fireworks were going off all over the place, it rained, it hailed, it was just super. We snuggled down in the camper and listened to the rain hit the roof and slept like a pair of babies. There were a couple of thunder boomers that literally shook the camper. Loved it.

Have you ever heard or read the story of Rip Van Winkle? We mentioned it to one of our daughters and she gave us the strangest look. Apparently we never read this story to her when she was younger and the schools didn't mention it either. Now I have to find a copy for my own so I can read it to my grandchildren. Cheryl and I mentioned the angels were bowling one day and all around us thought we had lost it. Rip Van Winkle silly people. I remember that story as well as Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear and Brer Fox from Uncle Remus as being some of my all time favorites.

Of course all good things have their down sides as well. The mosquitoes were somewhat obnoxious. The black flies were bothersome. The fish didn't like one thing that I offered them. I had a fellow pull up next to me on the lake and with one cast he caught a beautiful trout and then proceeded to catch 4 more. Me, I caught nothing. The next day I had nibbles but no takers. A boat pulls up to the bank just down from me and I hear, "Oh, way to go big guy." The fellow had caught a magnificent trout on a plastic worm. Trout normally will not hit plastic worms. I grumbled some more. The bottom line, I got skunked and everyone else got fish. *&^%$#@!!!

Guess that is all for now. Will go and play Word Whomp and nurse my hurt feelings. Heck, even Dana could outfish me.:)

Have a nice day everyone.

What a weekend! What a weekend!!! Two of our children and their families were here for three days and as happy as I was to see them, I have to admit I was happy to see the taillights on their cars as they left. It wasn't so bad with just the kids but the dogs that came also were almost more than I could bear. Two of them were doberman pinchers and the other two were dachsunds. I had dog crap in my dining room, dog pee in my hallway, I had dogs that kept jumping up on me and I hate that. I had a grandson that went to the basement to play his video games and he only surfaced when he wanted food or to torment everyone.

We went fishing since it was free fishing day in Idaho. What did we see? Ten thousand cars from Utah. Now I know Utah has free fishing also. Not only did we not catch any fish but most everyone got sunburned. Hummph.

Sunday Cheryl and I were the speakers in our church meeting. Who fashionably shows up late so they can make a grand entrance but my children. Our talks turned out okay I guess since no one threw any rotten tomatoes or other materials at us. One lady said I made her cry.

Things are back to normal now though. The cat has come out of hiding, we think we have found all the misplaced toys, all the dirty diapers have been sent to the landfill and the refridgerator is empty. The most important part of all is they left me with at least 3/4 gallon of milk. We all know that milk is the nectar of the Gods.

It must have been birthday time in this town. We celebrated three birthdays, our next door neighbors celebrated three birthdays and they told us of another party going on doing the same. I tell you some of these winters are long and hard here in Idaho and June bears the fruit of such.

I have been told I will get the camper checked out for sure this week and we are going camping. Cheryl, who is usually very quiet during visits, said she wants peace and solitude for a couple of days. Maybe we will even catch some fish this time since no one will be throwing rocks in the water, tangling lines like crazy and constantly asking for more bait on their hooks. (And I am talking about the adults)

Have a nice day everyone. I will try to visit your blogs but make no promises this week. Often I will read them without making comments so don't think I am ignoring you.:)

Have a nice day everyone.

This is about how Cheryl and I feel on a Friday night. Friday's used to be movie and pizza night but somehow it is changing to other things. (No, not sex)

I don't know how much I will be blogging this week since it looks like a very busy week coming at us. The kids who live within a 150 miles of us are coming with our new granddaughter. The kids who live within 70 miles of us are coming with our grandsons and we are all going to enjoy free fishing day here in Idaho. Cheryl tells me I have to get the camper ready so we can take it to the lake so I have a feeling I am going to be busy. Of course I have to schedule nap times each day as well.

Too bad all of you aren't close by so you could come to my church and listen to me preach. :) Should be interesting and fun, I hope. I agreed to talk mainly because when I am done they never ask me again. Cheryl, on the other hand, is so sweet and loving and walks on water that they always want her back.

Well I am getting closer to driving truck again. I have a friend who hauls milk and he is going to take me with him so I can get the feel of the rig. Once I do that I will take the skills test and hopefully become a full fledged terror on the highway again.

Got to go and do some stuff for Cheryl so will close with this story.

Grandma and birth control

A doctor that had been seeing an 80-year-old woman for most of her life finally retired.

At her next checkup, the new doctor told her to bring a list of all the medicines that had been prescribed for her.

As the young doctor was looking through these, his eyes grew wide as he realized she had a prescription for birth control pills.

"Mrs. Smith, do you realize these are BIRTH CONTROL pills?"

"Yes, they help me sleep at night."

"Mrs. Smith, I assure you there is absolutely NOTHING in these that could possibly help you sleep!"

She reached out and patted the young Doctor's knee.

"Yes, dear, I know that. But every morning, I grind one up and mix it in the glass of orange juice that my 16 year old granddaughter drinks..................................And believe me, it helps me sleep at night."

You gotta love Grandmas!

Have a nice day everyone.

Okay, I am going to show my ignorance here. What in the world does LOL mean on the Internet? I see this a lot and have no idea what it is all about. I know there is a version of shorthand used by many on the net but I never could grab the hang of it.

Yes, Cheryl is and was a pre-school teacher for over 25 years. I kept asking her if she would like to get her degree and move up but she loved her work, she loves little kids and she loved where she was working and was so loyal that she would not leave. She tried it once and worked for a time with a government agency teaching children but the politics were so bad she quit and went back to good old Darla and stayed there until the business closed. For those who might be LDS she was a primary worker, president and stake president for over 25 years as well then she graduated to the young women's program.

Does anyone know what the word twitterpated means? This is a word I learned while living in Utah and I think it means when someone is so caught up with someone else that they lose their sense of bearing. Dana does that sound like anyone you know. I think it happens a lot when people think they are in love.

Got to go. Guests coming, lawn needs trimming, garden needs watering, belly needs feeding and body needs napping. I am a busy man.

Have a nice day everyone.

Now this is a true Mama Bear. Look at those feet. Cheryl had a bear picnic at her school and my wife is not one to go unless she is dressed for the theme. She said she had a lot of fun and everyone loved her slippers. She is a corker that woman.

She had a tooth fall out yesterday and she would not step outside the house until I agreed to take her to the dentist and get it fixed. I think it had something to do with me calling her "Snaggletooth" from the cartoons. We have some friends from California stopping tomorrow and she was not going to entertain them looking like that. They would have understood.

This crazy weather. It goes from snowing last weekend to 85 degrees today. Great way to catch a summer flu. I normally am not bothered by allergies but lately it has been really bad. Too much stuff blowing up from Salt Lake City I guess.

I sure appreciated all your remarks to my last blog. All of you are very kind.

This is going to be very short 'cause I have a bunch of things to go do. Been working on obtaining a government grant and the paperwork is enough to drive a crazy man sane. Probably won't get it but sure hope we do. Our house has an old oil furnace and if something isn't done we will be going without heat this winter. Might have to move to Texas or something. Help me Lord, please help me.

Have a nice day everyone.