While there's time . . .

I thought I'd write about the last 2 months. While June started off in a sad way with the loss of Ruth, the rest of the summer has been great. All of our children (except Steve and Gus) and grandchildren were with us for the funeral. Then they started to leave, one family at a time. It was busy, noisy, and hectic while they were here, but great at the same time. Two days after the last family left, I took off for Colorado for about 2 weeks. I loved being Mom and Nani. I played, sewed, played, babysit, played, ate, played, and sewed some more. Jodie was able to spend some much needed time with her girl friends and I got to play with Taylor and Mason. Jodie's description of him as 'tank' is correct. He is one massive hunk of little boy - but not a stitch of fat on him. I don't envy their grocery bill. I wonder if Taylor will marry a big eater like the rest of the men in her family - only time will tell. I came home for a few days then Jodie, Taylor and Mason returned to California for 3 weeks. Again, we played. We went to San Clemente on the train, Disneyland, Santa Monica pier, American Girl at the Grove, had birthday parties for Hunter and Taylor, played at Bass Pro Shops (wow) just to name a few. Jodie was able to have a couple of days with her friends and I got to play more with the kids. Two days after she left, I went to Utah to be with Becky and her family. And I played. We went to a baseball game, the zoo, and a picnic for Gus' work. Gus and Becky went on a date and I got to have Dallin, Kailee and Tylie to myself. Tylie was sick and spent 3 days in bed - sleeping. I never saw a 14 month old baby sleep so much. She didn't want to be held, but be in her own bed. I was really sad. But as soon as she got over it, she was her normal, adorable self. She loves to kiss!!!!! So I got my fill of kisses. Becky and I went to the Salt Lake Temple one evening. It was her first time there. If you' ve been inside the SL Temple, you understand why it was so special. We went to dinner afterwards and a very handsome gentleman 'hit' on my beautiful dark haired daughter. She didn't even flirt with him - he just couldn't help himself. He gave each of us a $10 gift certificate to return for dinner. Becky will use it when she and her handsome husband go there next time. (Side note - I have these 4 beautiful, darling girls and it's so much fun to spend time with them. People always check them out!) I returned home early Saturday morning and went straight to bed, where I stayed until Sunday for Primary.

Gene and I are anxious to leave on our trip. Gene met with the Lauper's while I was gone and all of our side trips are ready to go. We have Museum passes for Paris (Paris!), and Kelly served as adviser for our tours in Portugal. He said to make sure we see castles and eat pastries. Gus added that we need to try the sausage. Checking prices, I've eliminated the purchase of a Prada purse while in Italy. Our dollar isn't worth much in Europe right now. Heck, it isn't worth much here right now. However, I hear that diamonds are very reasonable - but somehow I don't see my purchasing one for myself.

Preston, Taylor and Dallin all start school. Hunter and Kailee will be in pre-school again. It's hard to believe they will both be in kindergarten in a year. Our grandchildren have grown up so quickly. Preston will be baptized in October when his Dad gets home - I still remember his birth so clearly. Have 8 years really gone by? Kora will turn 2 while we're gone. She's half Mason's size but she holds her own. Small but mighty! Jodie said that Kora is the only child that makes Mason cry. I think it's because she's so little, he doesn't know what to do when she wants a toy he has. Instead of hitting her, he gives in. He pulls the best faces. I think Lisa said Bryson would start pre-school as soon as he's potty trained (which we all know they do when THEY want to and not when MOM wants them to - we've all been through it). Tylie and Mylie are still just little squirts with the most charming little smiles. I hope to see the Kelly Kerr family before we leave.

This has been one of the best summer's I've ever had. I've played, enjoyed my family, and just plain loved it!!!!!

More, please

We've had the best summer so far, except for the passing of Grandma Ruth. We've seen all of our kids and grandies at least once, which always makes for a grand time. The upcoming trip to Utah is much anticipated and the trip with the Lauper's is, too. Not a lot of time to write now but in a few days - look out. It will be a LLLLLOOOONNNNGGGG one!!!!!

Spouse Tag

1. His full name? Eugene Carl Kerr II (not junior!)
2. How long have you been together? Married for 36.5 years.
3. How long did you date? We dated for 15 months before we were engaged. We were engaged for 6 months. Add that to the years married - 38 years, 3 months.
4. How old is he? 57.
6. Who said "I Love You" first? Gene did. We were on the train at Knott's Berry Farm and he said, "My Mom asked me if I loved you and I told her 'I think so.'" Then he said, "I love you." And I told him right back!
10. Who does the laundry? Me. Gene can start the machines but when it comes to ironing, well, he wasn't a very good student. He has several pairs of underclothing and a dozen white shirts. So I can be away for about 14 days before his supply is depleted.
11. Who pays the bills? Gene.
12. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? IF you look at it from the foot of the bed, I do. But when we're in it, Gene does.
13. Who mows the lawn? The gardener.
14. Who cooks dinner? Me, unless it's BBQ. Then the meat is up to him and I do the rest.
15. Who drives? Gene most of the time.
16. Who kissed whom first? He kissed me first - and I've never forgotten it!
17. Who's more stubborn? Me.
18. Who asked whom out first? He asked me.
19. Who proposed? He did. We were playing pool in the family room in my parent's home. He said, "If I asked you to marry me, when would you want your ring?" "Now." "Will you marry me?" (with ring in hand. I asked if it was real.)
20. Who has more friends? It's a tie. We both have 4, including each other.
21. Who is more sensitive? Me, hands down. Gene keeps his emotions in tack. I am a blubbering fool.
22. Who has more siblings? Me - 3 sisters. Gene is an only child.
23. Who wears the pants? Gene does, but he lets me make decisions with him.

He's one of those no-nonsense people. He says what he thinks. He has become more mellow as he's aged. He is crazy about his children and grandies and he makes me feel like I'm the most important person in the world to him. He's a keeper!!!

It's been quite a while since I've updated our blog. It's been a busy month. My sweet mom-in-law passed away from a sudden heart attack on June 3. She was 88. I'm one of the few women who could call her mom-in-law an angel. I miss her and I cry when I look at her pictures, think about her, when I see Grandpa without her or talk to him and not be able to talk to her. He's lonely without her. He called yesterday to talk. He said, "It was 3 weeks ago today that Ruth died." He's fortunate to have his family. His grandchildren call him to check up on him and he loves their phone visits.

After the funeral was over and all of our children and grandies returned home, I left to Colorado to spend some time with Jodie. She had a few projects that needed assistance, and as I love to be with my daughter, grandies, and to sew, it was a win win situation for me. Jodie got the basement put back together while I played and sewed. Taylor sat on my lap one afternoon for a sewing lesson. She is such a girly girl and I enjoyed the lesson.

Jodie, Taylor and Mason will be here in a week and stay for 3 weeks. We're looking forward to their visit. After they go home, I'll go to Becky's for a few days. When I get home, Gene and I will go on vacation for a couple of weeks. It isn't soon enough for him - politics just aren't his thing!

Thank you for your support of our family during the last few weeks. Your calls and prayers have been felt by all of us. I'm especially grateful for our children - they've been great!!!!! ~ Susie

Alone - but I need a job!!!

Ever spend time with yourself? I do. A lot. And I like it. I'm alone but not lonely. I entertain myself often and I trip, slip, stumble, and fall - which happens more often than not. My daughters have 3-story homes. I haven't been to either place without a fall down a few stairs. One of my sons is in a 2-story and I've slipped down a few of their stairs. My other son is in a 1-story but somehow I managed to slip off of the curb. Last week I fell out of my house, off the curb into a storm drain, off of the running boards on my Yukon, and over an extension cord. I'm currently looking for a job - but I'm afraid to leave the house. It means I have to wear shoes (which are a great cause of falling) AND I have to be a lady. I don't fall like a lady - I just go down like someone shot me with one of Bryan's guns. At my last job, I constantly stumbled. I even managed to trip a few times in my bosses office, once pulling his phone and a few other things off of his desk. So if any of you know of a job that I can do safely in the protection of my home, please let me know.

The Honeymoon is Over

I love being unemployed. I enjoy working. I enjoyed most of the people I've worked with. I've gained great experience and learned a lot. There isn't much in Excel that I can't do - which I attribute to employment because I knew next to nothing 15 years ago.

Against my own desires, it's time to seek employment again. I won't tell you where I'm looking, but consider this - the next time you eat a strawberry, I may be monkey that may have had a part in it's packaging! So enjoy your fruit - and know that you're keeping me busy.

Sisters

Yesterday I spent the day with my sister, Carolyn. She called me around 8:30am to tell me she was waiting for her piano student. We talked and laughed for almost an hour while waiting. Then she called me at 9:30 tell me she was getting ready to leave and would be here soon. We talked and laughed for almost 45 minutes. She arrived around 10:30 and we left for the Temple. We arrived in time to make the 11:30 session. We talked and laughed all the way to the Temple - about a 45 minute drive. When we left the Temple we decided to split a turkey avocado sandwich (we found a Quiznos less than a half mile from the Temple). We stopped at 7 Eleven and got a Dr. Pepper and proceeded to home - talking and laughing all the while. Because of the May Day March in Los Angeles (immigrants wanting more rights - on, please don't get me going), the 45 minute drive took an hour and a half. We talked and laughed (hysterically at this point) the entire time. Then we went to Payless Shoes, Wal Mart to get snacks for her grandies, Kohl's then home. We talked and laughed some more. When we got home we ate ice cream for dinner and went to bed around 9:00. She had to be at the airport at 6am this morning and as usual she couldn't sleep. Truthfully, neither could I. I laid in bed til 4am and got up to spend the morning with her while she got ready - but she was gone. I called her - she had left the house at 3:30. And what do you think we did? We talked and laughed - at 4 o'clock in the morning.

You get the picture - sisters talking and laughing all hours of the day and night. No matter when we talk we enjoy conversation. We cry, we laugh, we're serious, we're nonsensical, we talk about our husbands (we agree mine the best), children, grandchildren, aging parents, sisters, friends, laundry, flower gardens, house keeping or whatever else comes up. We are never at a loss for words. If one of us is in a sad mood, or even worse, a BAD mood, we call each other and within a few words, we're ok. So here's my question - why can I talk to me sister for an hour at 4am, but only exchange small conversation with my husband when he leaves the house at 8:30? Here's how it went this morning. I'll pre-empt by saying that Gene is a man of few words, but this is borderline reclusive:

Me: GOOD MORNING! (This means I'm smiling and happy).

Him: Morning (This means don't talk to me it's too early and I'm not the least bit interested in anything you have to say.)

Me: YOU CUT YOURSELF! DID YOU USE A NEW RAZOR?

Him: Yes. Bye

Me: BYE, SWEETHEART. HAVE A NICE DAY.

Him: See ya.

That was it. Last night's conversation had a little more substance not not much more. I think he should be glad that I have Carolyn - because if I didn't talk to her all day, HE would have to listen to me. And that puts him to sleep!!!!!