Memorial Day !

Last Monday was Memorial Day. A day for us to remember and honor those who have gone before us, and especially those who gave their all for the freedom of this great country in which we have the privilidge to live. That was the purpose of the holiday set up by Congress in the first place. Now we include everyone, but especially those who have given their all for us.

I have several in my family tree who have served during time of conflict.
My dad, Roy B.,(MP in Washington DC), Uncle Spot (Leo Olsen)(Europe), Uncle Scott Jackson (Pacific). Uncle Glen Jackson was in the Navy but released early be cause of health issues. Uncle Carvel Jackson was in for a few weeks before the war ended. My Uncle Mike (Walter Olsen) served in the Korean conflict and was wounded while there in Korea. To my knowledge he was the only one that suffered any wounds while serving. All of them are now gone, except for Uncle Scott. But he is getting up there in years.

I am thankful and proud of those of my heritage that served their country when called. I don't think any of them wanted to go, but they went and served and helped to keep America free and strong.

So Memorial day holds a spot in my heart for all of those who have given their all, and for those who were fortunate enough to return home and carry on with their life as well. God bless them all!! And God Bless America !!

Just a quick report on our garden project. There really are things growing where we planted. They are just not big enough to tell what they are yet with out the grid plan for reference. We haven't told them where they are living so maybe they will keep growing and give us produce.

Last week we put up a hummingbird feeder that Grandma had bought. It is outside the window by the dinner table. We didn't see any activity for several days. Then suddenly presto there was this little hummingbird feeding on our feeder. A day or so later there were two and this morning while I was eating breakfast before going to Orem there were several fighting over the feeder. It was real neat to see them dive bomb at each other and contend with each other to get to the feeder. It was also really cool to watch their shadow through the blind as they fed at the feeder and dove at each other too. How they can hover there and feed at the same time is simply amazing to me. It has been a lot of fun. In fact we catch ourselves looking out the window to see if there are any hummingbirds at the feeder when ever we walk past the window.

Have a great week. Grandpa O.

Planting time

Yesterday was planting time at Grandma and Grandpa O's.



I laid out the grids. Grandma got out her grid plan
and decided where she wanted to plant her seeds
and starts.




Then she planted them in the grid that she had
planned for them.
She then wrote down where each different plant
or plants were to be
so that we would not forget what was where.




As the last picture shows we already
had some
tomato plants.
They are dwarf tomatoes and they
already have a few small
tomatoes on them about
the size of a marble.

We first put cardboard underneath
the box to keep the weeds
from coming up through the mixture.

Each box contains a mixture of compost
(which we got at the city dump),
some peat moss, and some vermiculite.
We mixed it all together and that forms
the basis of our plant food.
There is no soil.



Now we hope it all grows and gives us tasty results!!

We are still alive.

I don't know why some of this blog is underlined. So you will have to just put up with it. A couple of weeks ago we were outside taking a few sun rays. Dave put the tail gate down and tried to get Sadie and Bejing to jump up in the back of the truck. Sadie didn't have a clue as to what to do. But to our suprise Bejing put her front feet up on the tail gate like she wanted to jump in. Which is unusual because she normally will not have any thing to do with getting in the truck bed. Any way, I picked her up and put her in the truck bed. She was pretty excited after a few seconds of unsurety. Dave had to pick her up and set her out because she can't jump with her bad hips and all. What a doll!

You may not be able to see them from this picture, but the apricot tree was loaded with blossoms. The bees also found them before the last cold spell so we are hoping that there will be a good crop of apricots come next fall. The flowering plums out in the front lawn are very pink with blossoms now that the sun has warmed things up again. Real pretty.

Grandma wanted some gardening boxes this year. So I made good use of the boards from the old decking. I made three boxes that are four feet square. They can be divided up into several areas for different types of plants. We only wanted a couple of boxes so Marcia's family is going to use the third. We just need to get the compost and other stuff needed to fill them. It makes kind of a potting soil. We won't be using any soil in them at all. We will be using a weed barrier in the bottom to keep the weeds out. (hopefully) Now if it will just stop snowing and get warm enough to do it.

Helping Grandma fix breakfast. When Rodger and family were down one week end for a sleepover last February, the girls had to help Grandma cook some french toast for breakfast. They are real good helpers.

Bed time . Bejing and Sadie have taken to each sleeping on the red comforter. It has taken a bit of time but they have finally learned to share. It used to be who ever got to the comforter first took it all. They still do that some but more often than not the share. Some times it is only a corner or a narrow part of the edge. It is kind of cool to see them sleeping together.

Update

Yesterday, Dec 13th, we received our first snow just like every one else in the state. About four inches or so at the last measurement on the deck. And for now we are removing it the old fashion way, we shovel it. Have been looking on a deal for a good snow blower though. That is a definite for the future . David, bless him, cleaned the driveway first and then I did it after a few more flurries had come through. This storm ruined our plans to go up to Logan and attend Jamie's Graduation. It was so bad up there that she didn't even go herself. Janis was not feeling well either. So between the two things we stayed home and did a bit of Christmas shopping. That was a bit harmful to the bank account, but a lot of fun. Then we just sat around the fire and watched it snow all day.

I hope the weather is good enough that you will all be able to come to Grandpa's Christmas party next Saturday. Hope to see you all there!

Thanks for coming to Thanksgiving dinner.We had a good time and hope you all did too.

Update, Sorry I'm Late!!

I believe it is time for me to update you on some of the things that have been going on with Grandma O and myself for the past month.

On the 25th of October we drove up to Logan to visit the Jensen's. While there we visited with Jamie and John too. The pics here show Jared showing us how to load a very long string of beads into a jar.And then while holding it high in the air, start the beads to come out by pulling on the end that is sticking out and watching the beads start to come out so fast that they actually fly out of the jar. Quite amazing!

That evening Suzanne, John, Grandma and I drove over to a place near Riverside and watched a play that Marion had a part in. It was community theater and the play was titled "Twelve Angry Men". It was based on an old movie about 12 men serving on a jury and the struggles they had in trying to reach a verdict in a murder case. It was very well done.
The next morning we went to church and watched the Primary program in Sacrament Meeting. It was very good and every one did their parts well.

Oct. 29th, we went to Shannon's birthday party and had some birthday cake and punch. She had several friends over too. It was a lot of fun. She turned seven.

Oct. 31st, the Olsen's came down from Ogden to spend Halloween with us and go trick or treating. Later we had some strange looking people come by. Turned out to be the Ealey's and the Olsen kids. They had loaded up real good on treats. Lots and lots of sugar. The Olsen's stayed until Saturday and after a busy day playing and visiting they went home.

November 12th, Grandma and I celebrated our 37th year of marriage. We went out to Dalton's and had a nice stake dinner and then came home and watched a video. It has been hard to believe that we have made it for 37 years. We have had our ups and our downs at times, but for the most part the journey together has been good. If I thought I loved Janis 37 years ago, I love her even more and I can't even imagine life with out her now. She is truly one of Heavenly Father's choice daughters.

Last week end Jim came over and we got the stairs put on the deck. I don't have a photo of that because I was so tired when we finished that I didn't take a picture of them. They look really good and it is nice to be able to get up and down off the deck. We still have a few more things to do but we ran out of time and materials.
Yesterday I started putting up more of the railing posts. After a few I realized that I was putting them shorter and shorter. Now I need to go back and take them off and reposition them. I got disgusted with myself and quit for the day and will do it later. One of these days, I will be able to show you a picture of the finished project. Maybe not until next spring though.

In there also, we had a ward Halloween party for the student ward. It was a lot of fun and the weather was not so cold that we couldn't play games and do things. It was well attended and we all had a good time.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Thanksgiving!!!

Life is good --- Enjoy the Journey

This quote from Pres. Monson was in our ward program last Sunday. I really like it and would like to share it with you.

"This is our one and only chance of mortal life --- here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greates lessons we are to learn in this sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass your by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey --- now."
- President Thomas S. Monson -

The past few weeks as financial institutions fail and turmoil seems to be everywhere one can be caught up in the negativity of it all and lose hope and faith in everything. But there is hope and their is no need to lose faith. Lately, as I have evaluated my life and the lives of our family, I have come to the conclusion that life really is good. There is much for us to be thankful for. We are healthy, happy, and moving forward, and many good things are happening to us all. And we have some money put away in the credit union as well as enough food storage to help us get through disasters.

During my life, I have spent more than my share of time thinking that life is too tough, That I am being picked on and given to many trials. But during the past year or so I have come to realize that life is really good. That there is much to be thankful for in a world of turmoil and negativity. A great wife who loves me. Six great kids, who are trying there best to be good and successful. Three great in-laws and eleven wonderful grandchildren. What more does one need? So, why not enjoy the journey. LIFE IS GOOD!

So much for my standing on a soap box. Today Janis went to the Doctor to get a checkup and have some of those things checked that they say every one should have checked periodically. Then she left for an overnighter at the cabin. (it is the UEA break, no school) She left a note on the table and said there wasn't enough room on the page of paper to list all that she has wrong and would talk to me about it when she gets home Friday afternoon. So, all I can do until then is wonder and try not to worry, which I am not doing. There were some papers on the table but much of it was in medical lingo and so I couldn't understand much of what it meant.

Still, I am going to enjoy the journey and know that life is good. Why not? And I hope you will too!

A few Events of The Past Week!

This is Grandma O. watching her new tree grow. To see the rest in the right order scroll down to the bottom. One of these days I will get this blog right.

Finally! Finished for the Day. Looking realllllly GOOD!!

Still hard at it. But getting closer.

Help has arrived! Now we will really get somewhere with this project!

The first piece of new decking. I did it all by myself. Wow!!!!!!

Michele catching a quick nap. Had a busy day. Partying is a lot of work.

Starting the day. Having Donuts with Alexi and Sam.