Jim's visit to Shallotte

Jim finally arrived. It was a great five days, we did so many things and finally with a lot of batteries and broken camera's we were able to get some pictures. He arrived on Thursday. Friday we went to the ward party and then on Saturday we drove to Raleigh Temple and went through a session with Brian and Michelle. We both enjoy being with Brian, Michelle, Austin and while we were there we spent some time with Clyde.

While he was here we went to the beach, played games, shopped, and most of all laughed until our faces hurt and then laughed some more.

We both love the beach so today we went to the beach for the second time. No one else was with us so we took a self portrait. It isn't the best but it is fun.
















It was a beautiful day at the beach even though it was only 57. As you can tell we had our coats on but no shoes. I had a great time and can't wait until Christmas.

The rest of the house

After four days and 20 boxes my home is ready for Christmas now I just wish I was. I love decorating and see all of the stuff that I have collected over the years. I have chosen a few pictures to share with you and maybe help get you into the spirit. So turn on some Christmas music and enjoy. If you want to play a game you can count the nativities.

This is taken from my kitchen area looking toward the front door. The nativity by the rocking horse is one that Austin can play with so that he leaves all of the other ones alone. He has so far made them line up like a parade and the loin couldn't join them because baby Jesus was afraid of him. Then it was bowling with Christ, at that point Michelle said that he was done for a while.





Here is a closer shot of the snowmen collection if I can't have real snow I might as well make my own .














I made this Santa when Julie was in Kindergarten he has been around all this time. Some of the grand babies had their picture taken with him. I have taken him to school for the kids and for several years a cabbage patch kid sat on his lap but Julie took her doll so now he just has a story book. The story book is the night before Christmas we read this story every Christmas eve. The mouse is one that Ron purchased because in the book he had the kids find the mouse on each page.



The entertainment center all changed from normal to Christmas. I have seven nativities on this if you are counting. I believe this year I put only 25 up in the house. The rest will be on display at the Stake center. So that is less than half.







My village is up over the counters. I didn't dare drill holes for the cords to plug them in because I have officially purchased the house yet. You can't tell very well but I have snow on the ground and a nativity in the village. Just one more. Can you tell that I love Christmas yet.








My nook I love the shelf it is a great spot for all of the small nativities. In the south people put candles in the window so I decided to do it this year. Even though it is in the back of the house. I sill love the look of them. I hope you have enjoyed seeing my home as much as I have enjoyed sharing it.

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas at the Nana's

Putting on the lights. This is the first time that I have done the lights in a very long time. I also did white lights like when I was a child. I think they are so pretty.










Austin helped me decorate the tree, after breaking a bulb he had to stay in the great room and I would bring out two and he would pick which one he would like to put up. I would put up the other one. I would do all of the high ones and he would do one or two branches, putting several on the branch. Then I would suggest that he go some where else and he would for the bulb and then right back to he favorite branch.





Here is a branch that Austin did. It was just like when my children where little. It was so fun to have him help with his excitement and he was so careful not to drop or break anymore. Children really bring out the joy of Christmas.



The end product but of course I am still moving bulbs around. I just can't seemed to get it right the first time. :-)

Thanksgiving

I want to tell all who see this email just how thankful I am for them, without all of your love and support this past year I don't think I would have made it. Marilyn asked me what I had learned this last year and I have been thinking about that subject every day since she asked. I would say the biggest thing that I learned is that Heavenly Father has a plan not just the general plan but a plan for each of us and when we are told by the Prophet that he know us; I know that he does. I am so grateful for this last year and the personal growth that I have had. I am also thankful for the life I had with Ron and the love that we shared. I am thankful for all of you and your support and love. Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving!!



This is the appetizers before the dinner. Brian said that today was the national eat day. So we did. We started at 8:00 this morning and this was our 11:00 meal and then at 2:30 we had the real dinner. It was fun.









This picture is of Melanie, Michael and Michelle we were playing a game and eating of course.












"Oh I ate to much" Brian said and then I replied We haven't even had dinner yet. Austin is ready to go for anything. How about playing "Sorry" his favorite game.


Our Turkey was so juicy when we were carving it the juices ran down the front of the cabinet and onto the floor. Abby(the dog) was so excited she just stood right there and licked it up. What she didn't realize is that the juice was dripping onto her ears and side of her body. So even though she got a bath this morning now she has to have another one, but I really don't think she would care. She was in heaven.

Brian and Michelle wanted me to spread the news they are going to have a baby Boy. Logan Harlow Kruse he should be here around the end of February. Austin is so excited. He asked me the other day if Logan was going to be born crawling. I think he will be disappointed that he just lays around and cries. Brian and Michelle are excited to have another boy and I am excited to have nine grandchildren.

Sister's weekend in Boise

In August my sisters Jo, and Marilyn and I went to Boise to my Aunts and Uncles 60th wedding anniversary. This is on my dad's side. We were at my cousins Patti's house. As usual my sisters and I had so much fun. We went to see our old house where Jo's reception to Frank was and where Marilyn graduated from High School. We also went to the ice cream parlor that Marilyn worked at. Yes, It is still there and looks just the same. They even make the ice cream just like they did when she worked there.

This is my Aunt Lee and Uncle Dewayne it was their 60th. Uncle Dewayne was grandpa Griffith's brother. He is the brother that lived in the same town as my family in Ontario and Boise. He is also next in line as far as Brothers and Sister. This is also the uncle that grandpa had his trucking company with. He is 90 years old. He lives in Boise. Aunt Lee is one of my favorite Aunts she always smelled like perfume. She also had funny ghost stories about her houses that they lived in. When I was twelve we moved to Boise from Ontario on my birthday. She had a party for me at her home.


Next in line is my Uncle Mac his real name is Charles McCurdy Griffith. But we call him Uncle Mac. Aunt Nima is his second wife. His first wife was Aunt Lorna she passed away several years ago. They live in Riverside CA. Grandpa married uncle Mac and Nima in the Seattle temple when they were married. I have great pictures of all the of Aunts and Uncles. My funnest memory of them is when we stayed at their home in CA and Marilyn and I went swimming in their pool. After that trip I was really sick and they sent me a get well card. I still have the card.


Next is my dad's only sister Laurel. She married a real cowboy, Uncle Verl. They lived around Ontario also. My sister Jo went to high school with their son Scott and Marilyn was close to their daughter Susan's age. I don't really remember going to their farm at all, but I did know that every time we saw them Uncle Verl had a cowboy hat on. Even now when we arrived he had his hat on. I also remember that when they were at my moms and dads house they were always really nice to me.



They last of my Aunts and Uncles on this side is my uncle Lloyd and Aunt Bobbie. His real name is John Lloyd but he goes by Uncle Lloyd. They have always lived in Idaho Falls. Ever since I can remember. Their oldest children are around my age. They took care of Grandpa Griffith's mother. I can remember going to see them when we would go and see my grandmother in Pocatello. She has always been such a classes dresser. I can remember one time that I went to see them and their children were doing their homework I wanted to play and they couldn't until their homework was done and their reading time was up. When I was at the "Y" so was their son Doug. So we did some stuff together but not much.

This is a picture of my cousins that where at the reunion. In the front row is John who is Uncle Dewayne's son. Then comes Scott who is Aunt Laurel's son, next is my sister Jo. In the back row is me then Patti who was the hostess and Uncle Dewayne's daughter then Sharon Uncle Dewayne's oldest daughter and then my sister Marilyn. It was fun to see all of my dad's family. I can only hope that next year when it is a Griffith reunion that more of the cousins will come. A long with all of you. It was great to talk to the Aunts and Uncles and find out more about them and their children. I have learned that Family is so important.

Nana's New Home

This is my new home. Julie just ran outside and took the picture of my home. It was the last part of May. I really love this home. You can't tell by the picture but it is a light yellow with blue shutters. I don't have anything behind me yet. Brian's home is right next door. Just to the right of my home. I have a lot of work to do out in the yard but I do love it. It has three bedrooms including the master. As you will be able to see the only rooms that are decorated the way I want them are the bathrooms.

This is my living room the room that you can see is the kitchen and the nook is next to it. The opening to the right of the entertainment center is the opening that goes to my garage and to the master bedroom.






This is my master bedroom. I am going to paint it a different color but right now the neutral color of the house works okay. I need to get blinds because the sun comes in first thing in the morning and for the days that I want to sleep in forget it by seven it is bright and sunny. Brian and Michelle bought me the new bedspread and pillows for my birthday. I love the colors.



This is my
master bathroom. I love this area because it looks so peaceful. It is nice to go in and see that at least this area is done. I had most of this stuff from when my bedroom was oriental but I love it so much I am keeping it. I have a very small shower next to the tub and double sinks. It is funny because I still will use the sink in the corner because Dad/Ron would have taken the other one. I laugh each time I hit my bottom on the door that goes to the potty room.






This bathroom is the hall bathroom. I love this because it was the first room that I decorated in my new home. I also love it because it is so bright and cheerful. It has a fun beachy theme to it. When I was in St. Thomas with Laurie Elder she found some fun flip-flop decoration so she bought it for me. When I told Jenn about my bathroom she made me this cute sign that says Bath. It has flig-flops hand painted on it. I added the ribbon to hang it. The bathroom isn't quite done yet, I want to cut out of wood some flip-flops and make them into towel holders. You can see the cute little bench that Julie sent me.

My home is coming along. I am trying to buy blinds for the window one a month and then I will save up for the bigger things that I want to do. So I will keep you posted on my progress.