January in review

January 3rd 

Went for an early morning walk

 

January 8th

Had a silly idea, or maybe it was a beautiful idea

January 11th

Bought a new camera.

January 16th

Got a little distracted, by HH (Handsome Hubby)

Jan 27th

Truth is January is usually a little hard on me.

January 29th

I am happy with the end results, and the end of January.

Sweet Thursday

 

Timp all cuddled in a blanket of clouds.

 

I love it that I spent one hour today driving around with my very favorite person, and my whole outlook of life is brighter.

Hubby went with me to take some fun pictures. I don't think they do justice to how bright blue the sky was today.

The real treasure is I noticed the sky, and I got to spend time with my Handsome Hubby.

He always puts a smile on my face, plus I can hear Neil Young in my mind for days. It is all a win-win situation.

CGL

 

I would like to introduce you to the classic Caldwell Girl LOOK, or CGL.

We all do it. My many sisters and I. All our daughters have inherited it, and the neighbor girls we've raised. 

You may want to teach it to your daughter too. I believe it is easy to master, and comes in very handy in all kinds of situations.

This is the look that I always thought said, " You CAN'T be serious?"

Her sweet friend tried to warn her I was taking a picture. So Sorry!

Hubby says, it means," You've GOT to be joking". He told me the CGL would stop an armed robber in progress. All I've got to say is - Don't cross the CGL. Consider yourself warned.

If we are being brutally honest, it probably is saying, "You CAN'T be serious, Mom. You've GOT to be joking, and why don't you GET a life!"

I am so proud of how well she has mastered this look. I've have not failed her as a mother.

I mean look at the other kids, their looks are typical yawners (okay I am trying to be nice, but I can't resist who is the "heed" in front of my camera?)

Princess tells everyone I am her personal paparazzi.

So a word to all mothers with those darling little princesses you are raising.

Blog away, Blog, Blog, Blog.

Pretty soon they too will master the CGL. 

 

Ahh!

Princess I just wanted to let you know. I realized last night you are way smarter then your mother.

Right over my head,baby. I hope you know that I am proud, so very proud of all you have mastered in your life. 

Bumper Cars

As we steer about in the bumper car ride of life, we cannot avoid every collision.

Some are purely accidental, some may be a bit calculated, but most fender benders are the result of simple human frailty and miscalculation.

Every day of this life is new to us, and we may have a hard time getting used to the thing. I may bump into you, you'll probably bump  into me a time or two,

but hopefully no one will be hurt and we can just learn from the experience. Maybe we can even make a new friend.

- ANON

 

FYI: Above pictures do not go with the quote - in other words do not read anything into them ( Hubby and I are still wildly in love!) It was snowing, and I shot all pics from in the house. Yes, I was protecting my camera.

Except for Clark - yes Clark thinks living with me is a bumper car ride. After he let me take this cute picture, I think we may become friends.

Rainy days and.....

Mondays always get me down.

Actually, I love a rainy day. I love a rainy day.

Okay, enough of the songs.

I grew up in the high desert of Arizona, and we loved when it rained. We celebrated! We played in the puddles, and danced in the huge raindrops. I still love a cloudy, rainy day.

What really gets me down is WIND- I will curl up in my bed, pull the covers up over my head, and go into a deep, deep depression, all because it is windy. Hubby has witnessed this and it is not pretty. Also, a result of growing up in the high desert of Arizona.

Wind, Wind go away, come again another day. (I can't stop the songs)

Now rain, rain I want to dance in - oh, I feel another song coming on.

Wow, I stopped myself and it was a hard thing to do.  

But today, today there was no wind,

just rain,  in January?

What a nice surprise.

I love a rainy day. I love a rainy day.

Dreaming Of....

 

Lazy Days in the Sun

With no where to go, and nothing to do

 

Hanging out with those I love

 

  

The memories are warming me thru and thru.

God Bless America

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. "
God Bless America, Land that I love.

Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans, white with foam

 
God bless America, My home sweet home.

Words and music by Irving Berlin

Ironic

 

Question:

Do you think the sign is for trudging thru the brambles? I think that looks fun.

Or does it mean look at the mountain, but do not step a foot towards it.

Either way - Isn't it a little bit Ironic?

Grandpa and Timpanogas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Grandpa Walker loved Timpanogas!

As his children were growing up Grandpa taught them to love the mountains. He taught all of his family the beauty of the world around them. The family frequently hiked the foothills. He took his children and grand children to all his favorite places on Timp, and in the surrounding canyons. Grove Creek Springs, Battle Creek Springs, Sam Green's Grove, the top of Timp, Tibble Fork, and Mutual Dell, just to name a few. He loved to hike, ski, fly fish, and camp. Mostly he loved to be outdoors enjoying God creations.

He was the consummate teacher, he taught school and was principle of Central elementary school for many years. He taught Boy Scouts all of his adult life, he was a master story teller. He took the sixth grade children for years on an annual fall Indian Trail hike. This eventually led to Alpine School district setting up the Clear Creek camp for 5th graders that still operates today.

When Grandpa and Grandma built their home, it was placed to get the best view of Timpanogas. Memories of my Grandpa all intertwine with Timpanogas. My favorite memory is my Grandpa telling the legend of Timpanogas. Grandpa loved to go around the area telling the Legend of Timpanogas, (and others) dressed in his blanket and headdress. He did this for family, church and civic groups, always free. He eventually had the story published. He had a great love for the  beauty  of Utah Valley, and the great mountain that forms it's eastern boundary.

I am blessed by the heritage this great man left for his family. Not only of a love for a beautiful Mountain, but a respect of nature, a great  love for people, a desire to learn, and the ability enjoy life to the fullest daily.

This is the the story of how my Grandpa gave me this Mountain. You see, my Grandpa also believed you had to share it - to fully love it. 

 

Happy Trails to you

 

We went up the canyon trail today. It was sort of warm and I needed to see the outdoors desperately. I find I get far to serious when I stay inside too many days in a row. I need sunshine.

I went to take pictures of my Mountain, but when I looked at them after we got home I found most of my pictures had been tinkered with.

I was not there to take pictures of HIM all day. We both know who the true photographer in the family is. I am try to absorb his knowledge.

We were talking about how this could be a fun thing for us to do together. I am afraid it might not work out because when I go with Hubby this is what I come home with. Do you see any pictures of a Mountain anywhere?

Is it because he is so Cute?

 

Is it because he is passionate about everything he gets interested in?

I think maybe it is because he is so DANG entertaining to watch.

I felt a little better when he asked me to download his pictures from his camera. This is what I found on it.

I mean when you got the best - you just can't say anymore.

Slowing Down

 

I could write a long list of everything going on in our lives right now. You know that when writing the list itself exhausts you, you are in trouble. So from now on every Thursday I am going to remind myself to slow down, and notice how many blessings I have in my life.

Care to join me in a walk down this peaceful country lane that leads to my favorite Mountain. Careful pictures can be deceiving because right around the bend is one of the busiest roads in the whole valley. This trail happens to run under the bridge, and it is the favorite part of our running/biking path.   

So, I am reminding myself that even though life is crazy, and busy, I can finds spots, corners, and trails for quiet, peace, and reflection.

As my wise Papa says,

"We have time for everything that is important to us."

Yes, he is wise, and once again he is spot on.

I am so grateful it is Thursday.

Peek - A- Boo!

My day was long, work, then my class. I stayed up way to late last night.
I am so tired that I am headed for bed (and it is only 9:30pm).
I am going to look at this view that is sometime obscured,
and remember it is all worth it.
Ten calming breathes.
Plus, a good night sleep resets everything, doesn't it?
Hope everyone had a fantastic day.
Goodnight.

Mountain Pose

  

Does this look like a Mountain to you?  Tadasana, or Mountain Pose.The first posture of Yoga. Try it you'll like it.

Utkatasana, I like to say the name, over and over again. Hands raised to the Light.

Warrior One, Virabhadrasana, or Peaceful Warrior. Lots of balance and strength combined. Energy shooting out the fingers.

Finding my own strength. Stick posture, or Eka Pada Koundiyanasana II, Try to say that name. This is not the full posture, there is still so much more.

Marichyasana III , or the sages twist, Wisdom is coming I can feel it.

King Dancer, Natarajasana, (now that is one I never knew), one of the most beautiful and graceful postures.

This is the most pleasant surprise of all. Urdhva Dhanurasana, a simple backbend. I never thought I could do this, I was so tight (uptight) when I started Yoga. I just shattered that illusion. Hooray!

 

The most calming posture of all.Vrksasana, or Tree pose. My favorite.

Listening to the Breathe.