~♥~♥~♥~♥~: November 2008

Monday, November 24, 2008

Marlow Vernon Poll

Sept. 30, 1917 ~ Nov. 24, 2008

Grandpa Mike always made me feel like one of his very own. I will miss him saying, "You come back again sis."

Even though its been a little while since he's been able to pillow fight, Emma will never forget all the battles they had together. He took many a nitroglycerin when the pillow wars were over.

Four generations of good men-

Sweet Grandpa holding my Sweet Boy-

We'll desperately miss Grandpa asking Emma & Brooks if he can have Tug. He was providing laughs to the very end.

Grandpa, give Lana & Kent a hug from us. Hopefully you'll also get to meet Trav, you will like each other. We love you and we will miss your repeated stories. I will personally miss being minus one strong democrat in the family. God be with you until we meet again...

Saturday, November 22, 2008

My own synopsis of Twilight on film

Pattison as Edward = SCRUMP-TIOUS!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Monday, November 17, 2008

Tribute from a Friend

Before I even met Lana, I knew she had a dear friend named Diane. Steven talked about their friendship often and I later saw for myself just how special it was. To this day, I know I could call Diane for anything and she would help me simply because I am married to Lana's son. I am honored to post Diane's own reflections and song in remembrance of this day that changed all our lives.
Angie
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Lana (right) and Diane (left)

The best of friends then & now

Tribute To My Bestest Friend
She left us two years ago today
November 17, 2006

I will always wonder why my best friend, Lana, left us all so soon. I have missed her every day for the last two years. I have shed many tears, but have also found much joy in the memories I have of her. I have only dreamed about Lana a couple of times and they were hazy & confusing dreams. I'd like to share a dream I had very recently. I saw her very clearly. I was so happy to see her, we ran to each other through a crowd and hugged a big, long, happy hug! She was vibrant and healthy, and smiling her happy Lana smile. I excitedly introduced her to some people she hadn't met in this life. After more hugs & happy greetings, she gave me a gift, a very large picture of her with the Savior. I thanked her, we hugged good-bye & she left. There was no sadness, only joy, & that's how I felt when I woke up. I have that picture in my mind of her with the Savior. There are no words to express how badly I miss her, but I know, especially after this dream, that she is very happy where she is, even though I'm sure she misses all of us.

Some things I miss about my friend:

Not having my special friend to go with me on errands anytime I call.
Not being able to call and share with her my happy or sad news.
Not having her call me to share her happy or sad news.
Not having her to talk to about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!
The countless fun times the "four of us" had together over the years.
Our annual summer trips.
Our Utah Noodle dinners for over 40 years.
Sewing together.
Walmart adventures. I don't like Walmart, but I would go there with her.
Missing the "brave" one in our friendship. She'd always do the things I didn't dare do.
Her phone calls.
Always having to look for a restroom for one of us.
Taking her to the Dr. (never thought I would miss that).
Hearing about her family...I'm out of the loop on what everyone is doing now.
Hearing her tell me how wonderful Aleesha is.
AND hearing her tell me how wonderful her boys are.
Her wanting to do everything the way I did. That used to bug me, but I sure miss it now!
Taking her with me to visit my parents. She & my mother shared a special bond.
Bragging about our grandkids.
Someone to laugh with.
Someone to cry with.
Trips to the D.I.
Shopping at Big Lots & the Dollar Store.
I miss being able to go to the temple with her, but I feel her near me when I'm there.
Planning what to get all our grandkids for Christmas.
The way she always wanted to help somone in need.
Enjoying spending more time together since I retired. We were both looking forward to that.
Her positive attitude no matter how she felt. She told herself she felt good even when she didn't.

Below is my friend on her front porch: Waiting for me to pick her up for quilt trip. I always told if I saw her sitting on her front porch I would pick her up & we would go have fun.

Our friendship was priceless. I seriously doubt that anyone has had a friendship like ours. We were very aware of our unique friendship & expressed our love & appreciation to each other often, especially in the weeks before her death. As I have comtemplated our friendship since she has been gone, I have come to realize how much I have learned from Lana over the years. I would not be who I am without her in my life. I feel I'm a better person because I knew Lana. We were not friends by mistake, the Lord had a hand in it & I thank Him. I look forward to seeing her again & continuing our eternal friendship.
I love you, Lana.

Diane

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Changing of The Guard

Monday, November 10, 2008

Valor waits...

This suit has been a nuisance for over a year now. If I don't trip over it at least once daily, I consider it to be a good day. I am forever picking it off the floor from various rooms and putting it back in Brooks' toychest. I went to retrieve Brooks' backpack this morning, looked behind the door, and this is what I found instead. The black guise hung neatly from every knob and the gloves balanced with perfection atop. He is ready to save the world, but he's already my hero.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth ~ Abraham Lincoln

I went to Gettysburg when I was 17. A significant time in my life because it is also when I gained a real appreciation for being American. I had heard all my life about a great leader who entered a war to keep his country together, but then had the heart to see that there was more to it, and the courage to actually do something about it.

I also gained patriotism at 17. I saw a Wall that stretched on forever with names of Americans, many who had been very near my age when they gave their lives in hopes of providing others the same privileges I have today. It was also the place where I realized that freedom is certainly not free.

Next to that blessed wall, I stood on the steps where another brave American had once stood and given a speech about hope. Hope that his children would be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I was so moved by these places that I had to return years later with someone whom I knew would treasure it as much as me.

Above are Steve and I at another monument in Gettysburg. If you've never been, I recommend trying your hardest to get there in your lifetime. It is truly hallowed ground. I am grateful I was able to visit history and then watch its impact right before my eyes last night. I was the minim of the veriest minimums in this part of history, but I was a part of it!!! It doesn't take much to get me teary, but I have never cried about election results before last night. Today I am an especially proud American. Proud to be amongst fellow country men and women who voted for an awesome candidate, hopefully not just because he was black, but because he's a worthy leader who happens to be black.

I think it's fair to say that this was my sister and myself's dream ticket. We actually went into the primary's wanting Biden, but when he didn't have a snowball's chance in the devil's hand, we converted to Obama. Now it's true that Lyndee introduced me to Joe and his policies. I did follow, but I do my own research and thinking. She would probably agree that it was I who then suggested she give Obama a chance. She liked him, but didn't think the rest of our country would vote in a black president just yet. I told her that I believed we would and she did her own investigating from there. The day they announced Biden as the vice-presidential running mate, I called her up screeching. She hadn't heard yet so we cheered together.

Above is a funny picture only because Lyn has two very big screen tv's in her home, and this is what we were watching. As you can see, it's the tv closest to the food, so one can conclude where our loyalties lay. I didn't realize how idiotic we were until Kari said, "I can't make out the electoral votes, can you see what they are?"

I thought the pic above to be a good representation of American voters. How great that we are a majority when it comes to voting. Emma also voted at her school where McCain won but she went with Obama. If you know her, you already know that I didn't brainwash or push, she has a sensitive spot for the civil rights movement sans help from me. She's her own girl.

I also wanted to mention that I did not appreciate Third Sister liking my hair to that of Sarah Palin. I told her that she could call me a b!#*h, fat, stupid, or whatever else but if she ever assimilated me with that animal butcher again, I would have to kill her.

For the record, I do not hate Republicans. I'm a registered independent- I vote by policies and personal issues. I actually would've went for the straight Dem ticket yesterday but I love what Huntsman has done for education, so one elephant got my vote. That being said, I get more and more Dem with every election so I don't know who I'm trying to kid.

I just added this pic because I love that Steven almost measures up to Abe, height wise anyway :) He is one of Lincoln's #1 fans. We went on this trip a few months after Steve did his baccalaureate project on Lincoln's assasination so it had many extra perks and feelings for us.

Lyndee and I made a pact last night. We vowed to see the real painting of our first African-American president hanging in the White House. She asked if I minded giving another "national treasure" tour. I don't think I'd call it that, but in any case, looks like we're headed to D.C. within 4 years. Two women, born U.S. citizens, great-grandaughters of Mexican immigrants, grandaughters and daughters of WWII and Vietnam veterans, respectors of the females before us who fought for our rights, sisters of same yet different faiths, will head off to revere where and why it all happened. I love this country!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Spooky Kooky

Emma Sue and her kitty too

Brooks said on his own, "Fantastic 4 is a bore!"

Let's have the Hulk and Spidey Bulk

Love me tender, love me true, but not my cousin Emma...ewe!

Every man's dream meets no self-esteem

It's not a trick but a deal to be made, the witch fairy came knockin' for a sweet little trade! Give her your candy and cool things she'll swap. She's the kindest of friends, she's over the top! So long milk chocolate and farewell to skittles, goodbye rhymes and thank goodness no riddles!

Thank You Savannah, you're the best in the west!