remembering

My thoughts are tender and many this morning. The thoughts that came to me last night and which occupy much of my thinking thus far today is of the incredible gift of choice which I, and all people have, thanks to the Savior. I was reminded of this as my thoughts were going to the events of two years ago. As I contemplated this I decided that I can choose to remember and then I can choose not to let those events define my day in a negative way. So I choose to remember with love, then choose not to remain in the negative, but to put the memories in the good memory bank and then be at peace.

Trudi has left me with so many examples that I am trying to follow. How could one not be better after being with her and her wonderful smile and giggle.

Her love of life, and all creatures large and small. Of boating, family vacations that, when it was her turn to choose, we went to places wild and wonderful, and not in Utah. Not that she didn't love this state but she wanted to see everywhere and experience all of God's creations.

Her desire for education and she insisting that when we played Uno we would give our scores in Hebrew. (never did master that one)

Her orange room, still is that way, couldn't change it.

Just one more, she would say when eating my homemade rolls.

Lucy, her name for her car, and nicknames she had for many people and things.

Her love of the scriptures and her understanding of Isaiah.

Love of family and friends.

Her hating pink, ruffles, and lace as a child and then as an adult loving that.

In memory of Troo-dums, Troo-de-licious, Trud-a-loo, Trudith and Trudi Marie.

We love you.

Trudi through the years

2 years

This morning I left the house driving, what I believe, was the route that Trudi took two years ago. As I am not the runner she was I drove and parked along 8th West. All the stars were aligned and I jogged to city hall and arrived at 6:57am. I was listening to her ipod with I have been lead to believ was the song she was hearing that morning. I spent a few minutes in silent contemplation of this morning two years ago and said a silent plea that God would continue to watch over her. I know she jogged with me and that she is happy doing what she is doing. My love for her is stronger now if possible than when she was here.
Have learned so much over these past two years, some of it hard, but every struggle, every tear, every, you want me to do what Lord, every boulder I have climbed over, every step I have run has defined and refined me into the person I have become and I am grateful for that.

A dogs day

Yesterday was Shiloh's annual visit to
the Vet. He was checked and given his
shots.
After careful examination by Dr. Pam
three things were discovered.
One his heart, lungs and other vital
organs were healthy and working well.
Two he is overweight.
Three his teeth need to be cleaned.
We believe that the picture to the right
is partly the cause of the extra few pounds.
When we went on our trip Aaron stayed at the house to dog sit. To make things easier for him we put out the "eat-on-demand" dog feeder, which is a 24 hour never closes diner. Shiloh took full advantage of it.
The next picture shows what he does for most of the day.
Consequently one of the adults in the family
needs to take him running. No one so far
has volunteed for the job.
His teeth cleaning requires him to be put out
to it which is scheduled for next week.
All in a dogs life.

the best laid plans...

I know that a picture is worth a thousand words but black against black just does not work.
Our trip to the Oregon coast started out smoothly until a mile outside of Bliss when the car just stopped in the middle of the freeway. We coasted to the side and Jim and Dad checked to see if they could find out the problem. No luck and so we called triple A, thanks to Aunt Linda. A tow truck was dispatched and we sat and waited.
It was my first ride in that type of vehicle and we headed to Boise at the speed of 80 mph at times. What a ride. We arrived at the GMC dealership about midnight parked the truck and headed home with Aunt Colleen and Uncle Lyle. Sleep was not easy to come by that night.
The next morning found us at the dealership anxious for a diagnosis. I don't understand cars but I do know it was not good, but that it was probably the fault of the repairs that were recently done or a faulty part.
We abtained a rental car and headed out. We were told it would take 19 hours to take the car apart and find out the exact extent of the problem.

enjoy

As I mentioned in a prior blog I got second place in the 4th of July cookie contest. I have had a request for the recipe which causes me some problems as I entered two cookies and I don't know which one won.
So here are both recipes:
The first is the hands-down favorite according to my children-
Cinnamon-Raisin Bars
1/2 C. butter
1C. b. sugar
1 1/2 C. flour
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 C. rolled oats
Raisin filling
Cinnamon Icing
Cream butter and sugar. Add dry ingredients. Add oats and 1T. water. Mix till crumbly.Firmly pat half the mixture into a greased 13x9 pan. Spread with raisin filling. Mix remaining crumbs with 1T. water; spoon over filling. Bake at 350 sbout 35 mins.
Filling:
Combine 1/4 C. sugar and 1T. cornstarch in a pan. Add 1 C. water and 2 C. raisins. Cook over medium heat till thickened and bubbly. Cool
Icing:
Mix 1 C. powdered sugar with 1/4 tsp. cinnamon. Stir in enough milk for drizzling consistency.

Big Ginger Cookies
2 1/4 C. flour
2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
3/4 C. butter
1 C. sugar
1 egg
1/4 C. molasses
2 T. sugar
Combine dry ingredients. In bowl beat butter to soften; gradually add the 1C. sugar; beat till fluffy. Add egg & molasses; beat well. Stir in dry ingredients. If batter looks really soft add a little more flour.
Sha pe into balls and roll in sugar.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.