Summertime…

Bet my husband makes better frozen strawberry jam than yours does!

Ha!

Thanks to my husband, Ken, for becoming the family jam maker.  It started one year when I was really busy about the time strawberries were on sale, and he stepped in to help out. 

Now that we know he can do it, and do it well, he gets to take over that role.  He mashes the berries much better than I ever did-I’m too impatient.

He’s been busy all weekend.

Did you know, we worried that he had forgotten to put in corn syrup, but we checked the recipe again and again and corn syrup isn’t there anymore. 

They must have changed the recipe this year.

While he has been making jam, I’ve been able to putter in the yard.  We are enjoying this time of year and all the perennials so much.  Mother Nature does a great job of spring gardening.  Things never look as good when it is dependent on our care. 

For the record, I was able to join up with my sisters on Thursday and spend the day with them.

We had a great time, saw some fun houses, and got a little inspiration for a few new decorating ideas,

but I always come home grateful for my own little home.

Happy rest of June!

♥

JoAnn

Killing time…..

I’m sitting here waiting for a call from our mechanic as he finishes  servicing my car.

Killing time is not one of my virtues.

My sisters Julie and Linda are going to the Utah Valley Parade of Homes and I hope to join them soon.

I was so looking forward to a day of fun with them.

It’s kind of an annual thing to spend a day together: looking at newly built and cleverly decorated houses, talking, driving, eating out, getting lost, wearing ourselves out getting in and out of the car, climbing up and down hundreds of stairs, sweating (or getting soaked from rain-but not this year), and catching up on what is going on in our lives.

Sounds fun, right?

So, the killing time thing lead me to this old drawing by Katie, which caused me to think about how I visualize myself, and how others perceive me back.

I have never claimed beauty as one of my virtues.

On the other hand, I figure I’m not homely either.

Average looking is probably a good description.

(Some hair fashions have NOT helped my cause!)

I tend to visualize myself as much thinner and younger than I am (although that is getting harder to do), and I’m sure I must have that well aged look to the young leaders I serve with in our church’s Young Women’s organization, seeing as they are younger than any of our children.

But, I won’t think of myself as old enough to wear frumpy shoes, mother jeans, or letting my hair go gray! 

So, where is this post going?

I’m not sure.

The mechanic still hasn’t called.

Did I mention that I’m not very good at killing time?

JoAnn

June…who said retirement was restful?

(The 9 cutest kids on the planet!)

I have officially been a retired senior citizen for two weeks now.

Life hasn’t slowed down a bit!

We had some good family time on Memorial Day weekend, with some of our extended family and with our children and grandchildren.

We like to remember our family members who have passed on by taking flowers to their graves and then by having a picnic or gathering to celebrate our family legacy.

It’s kind of nice to think they are aware of us, too, as our little ones who don’t know or remember them climb on their headstones, despite our efforts to stop them.  (I hope they would understand!)

We attended a preschool graduation, a kindergarten graduation, a soccer game, and a birthday party for some of our little grands.  We love being a part of their lives.

My life was interrupted in a big way when my cell phone disappeared.  I must have dropped it somewhere and someone found it and took it to Motel 6.  We never did find it, so I have been out of touch with the world, literally!

I spent a very hectic week preparing for our church girls’ camp.  We worked on schedules, handouts, skits, devotionals, and then we went shopping.  Six hours spent buying food and other supplies to keep around fifteen people happy for four days was anything but restful.

It was a fun camp, despite heat, sun burn, lack of sleep, hiking, a blown over tent (in the middle of the night), and lots of work putting up and taking down tents and other equipment.

(Isn’t recent retiree and girls’ camp leader an odd mix?)

We taught the girls first aid and other life skills as we worked together during the week.  The girls got to zip line, learn archery, and do crafts.  Our camp director was amazing! 

I don’t have many photos (no phone camera), but it was a beautiful place.  Mother Nature never disappoints.

Today, I am officially starting my summer vacation/retirement- if you don’t count doing a week’s worth of mountain-dirty laundry!

Have a relaxing and fun week!

JoAnn

P.S.  The movie, “Once I Was a Beehive”, gives a pretty realistic view of what a girls’ camp is like.  Check out this link for more information.