ZEKEY HAS PASSED ON TO KITTY HEAVEN.....

  

Jen wrote this after Zekey passed....It broke my heart.

    I had to say goodbye to my best buddy this morning.💔  She was the absolute sweetest most petite little angel baby I've ever met. She stuck to me like glue. Followed me everywhere. She always found a cozy spot on my lap or legs with every movie or Netflix binge.  Slept with me every night . Best snuggler. 

She'd nuzzle her face deep into the crook of my elbow.  I'll miss her heavy comfy sighs.  To say I'll miss her is a huge understatement. I've never taken more selfies with anyone, human or animal, than with her. 

I guess it was my daily token of affection. The love always felt equally reciprocated.  The joy she brought to my life these past 4 short years is immeasurable . A piece of my heart is missing but I'm happy she's resting peacefully now. Hug your babies a little tighter tonight for me.  I love you, Zekey.

Notes of visit to Angies some years back.....

Thurs.I arrived at Angies and she went back to work while I rested.Friday we went to Hotel DelCoronada i biked as Angie ran ....later went to 'Julians' a Country Western place and then to Red Barn to eat.Sunday..We all went to church then " Guys and Dolls"at 2PMFound a note from Angie when I went to stay with her some years ago. Had a cookout on the upper deck of condo /Great Mother's Day in all. Later that evening we played a game called 'Life Stories' and watched movie "Some like it Hot"Monday we shopped and went sailing in the Bay....Tues. with Leslie at Baboa Park/then took long bike ride....Angie is a great Host....will copy note here she left for me on bed.

Dad's Note

Found  this on a piece of paper that Dad had written on:  We did this in Family Home Evening one night writing about things we liked:

Wife and children

Genealogy

Church

Purple Iris

Boy Scouts

France and french heritage

Outdoors

Foreign Language ...French

Photograply...  still and movies 

Seminary

Bro. George

Keith Chapman

American Flag

Blackberry Dumplings

BBQ Rabbit...ugh

Ice Water

Finlandia

Mormon Tabernack Choir

Simon and Garfunkel

Bridge Over Troubled Waters

America the Beautiful

The Star Spangled Banner

Collie Dogs

Toby

Color Television

Radios and Repco

Wayne Nelson

Mosaic of my life

Green apples  and salt

Family Notes

    Notes i found but never posted about.  

In 1998 Angie played piano as Leslie sung"He loves me this I am Sure."

1998... Was a bad Hurricane that hit Key West.

Kristen and day care/ i cryed leaving her there

Leslie and her music

Stacey ... a 90 Honda

Dad liked movie "I led three lives"...also KPBS and  "The Great American."

Bump and I went to movie theater on bottle caps & bread wrappers

Old word used back in old days   "Hankering"

My mom born 1909 and died 1978

Our kids bringing us happiness....1 Nephi chp.22 verse 20 and 1 Nephi chp. 6 verses 4,5,and 6  

Miracles for real.....       Todd with meningitis

                           Finding a lost article in washroom immediately after prayer

                          Sherry and her lost earring in grass

                           My time warp during our trip to Pamala Utah

                            Prayed for getting a break from  vertigo.....it happened

                           Going out to find Angie one evening

Story / at Indiana trip/ told by nephew

  Talk about a Holloween Story,  Steve told us while we were setting around his cabin that he saw a light outside near his huge garage.  You have to know that Steve has many valuables in that garage worth much money and he said he went outside with his gun and shouted and the two boys took off running but he was able to nab one of them and worked him over a bit and then said " If ever you return I will throw you into my log grinder and it will grind  you into little pieces and no one will ever be able to find you.  The kid was terrified and said please turn me into the police , he was so totally scared. He was warned again and Steve said now get out of here and never ever come back.  Said that kid couldn't get out of there fast enough!!

No kissing a frog to see if it turns into a Prince....ha!

 Stace was telling me that after Steve left early in morning one day for work and it was still dark out she was in bed and later heard this rattling sound from blinds and figured someone had broken into the house.   She creeped down the stairs with a knife in hand hearing the rattling of there sliding glass door blinds.  She switched on the light and to her surprise a big frog was jumping around on her blinds making all that noise. Now to catch it was another thing, not so easy but finally it hopped on something and she was able to throw it outside!  Wow! one chilling experience.😄

quote of a pass president

  Love this:  it was said by President Adams second Pres. of United States.

"I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise Men ever rule under this roof."

Blind Spots

  ....I listen to the "Spoken Word" on Sundays but you can listen to it anytime. Its only maybe ten mins. long. 

 

This week it spoke on how we sometimes have a hard time  seeing the blind spots while driving and at times its nice to have another set of eyes pitching in to help us out.  So                                    it is in life... someone who can help us to see those areas where it might be dangerous.  Those that love us are usually happy to help us see where as we ourself cannot see the danger spots!

 

   We are Gods army here on earth. And yes we need to help those that can't find their way and possibly don't see those Blind Spots along the way!!

Trip to Indiana

 Got home late last night from our trip Indiana. Bump drove the whole trip going and coming back.  Trip went fast and we were able to see my two brothers and my sister Sarah and some extended family.  Hung out with family and picked up a few decorations to bring back with me.  Stayed one night with Joe and one night at Kenny's (Sarah's son) and tree nights at Steve's cabin.  I will post a few pictures of the folks back there.  They are getting old as I am also. Both brothers have a hard time with walking now and will shortly need help.  We drove around Vincennes to see how it had changed and looked at places we played as kids and the old movie house and where our old home used to be.  

 

 As we were picking up before we left the cabin Bump said he has this saying which is 

" Leave No Trace"  😊

Joe also has his favorite saying when the talk gets around to what a person should be doing.

 " Everyone should do what they want to do"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Republican or Democrat?

 A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs, in other words, redistribution of wealth.
She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.
One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.
Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.
Her father listened and then asked, 'How is your friend Audrey doing?' She replied, 'Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over.'
Her wise father asked his daughter, 'Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA.'
The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, 'That's a crazy idea, how would that be fair! I've worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!'
The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, 'Welcome to the conservative's philosophy.'

Joe says this.....if anyone has a better explanation of the difference between a Republican and Democrat I'm all ears.

           

My Brother Paul

This is my brother Paul or Bumper as he was called growing up.  Not sure about how that nick name got started but will always be Bumper to me.  Frank our neighbor has a brother who's nick name is Baby and it stuck with him as a adult growing up and I am sure that got him attention so  saying Bump doesn't sound so bad after all. ha!  Anyway my brother brings back some fond memories of the fun days we had and enjoyed together way back when!  And of here lately we have taken trips back to Indiana together. Always enjoy my time spent with my handsome brother! 

Regis Philbin

Been watching Regis for many many  years and am sooo sad to hear that he had passed.  In my early married years I would get up and take care of the kids in the morning and try to be done with chores and all whenever Reg came on.   Lived for his program and yes loved Kathy Lee as well.  Watch Kelly and Ryan today but they can never fill the spot that Kathy and Regis did so well.
 you Reg!!Miss

  Will miss you Reg!!

 

A gift from Frank

💗this belonged to Franks wife Carolyn who passed away about six years ago.  Since her passing he came over one day to give this to me.  He knows I love to decorate the outside and inside of my home and will cherish this little gal and take good care of her!

Thank you Frank!

Dottie's 7

                                 

Valerie , Randy, Angie, Todd, Leslie, Stacey and Jenny

Who is who?

You can guess!

               Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, Grumpy, Doc, Happy and Dopey

                                            They are all so cute!!

Angie and Christopher

Love love this card that Angie sent me along time ago. 
Its so true, time goes by fast and alot of us just don't take the time to stop and enjoy it! Seems we are always watching the time!

Frank Our Neighbor

Frank our neighbor just turned 96.  He came over the other day

with pictures of himself as a young man in the navy and some reward statements in the newpaper to share with us for his outstanding work with  screwworms eradication which were experiments he was involved with for our country. (will get newpaper clipings and put in here)

will post later but want to first tell you a little of his life growing up as was told to me.

He starts out with saying he and his mother " invented poor."  Sad story actually. Seems his father was a minister and once he and his brother went with his father on a mini vacation and they stopped at the home of his fathers secretary to rest overnight before heading home the next day. While there Frank just happened to see his father in bed with someone that was not his mother.  😕  After Frank got back home he didn't say a word to his mother but his older brother who he told went and told had no problem telling his mom and shortly after that their  parents divorced.  The older brother went with his dad to live in Ca. and Frank stayed with his mother. Said he was always a mommies boy anyway.  So it was that life got hard, really hard and one day his mother said if anyone ever ask you how we are doing you just say ok.  But the fact is they weren't doing ok. They were poor as mice and lived in a one room shed with no bathroom and no running water and barely any food. I can't even imagine how that came to be.  His father went on to marry his secretary and they moved to Ca. where he did well while Frank and his mother struggled.  He and his mom were left to make it on there own and as he said they" invented poor." 

 I could hardly believe how he said they lived as he told me this story...poor was right!!

He went on to join the navy as soon as was old enough and his mom went to live with her sister.  He later got stationed in Ca. so he decided to one day to look up his dad and drop in on  him. This was many years later and guess Frank was curious so he looked him up. He knocked at the door and his dad answered and of course he didn't even recognize him or know who he was.  Frank made an excuse that he came to see about buying a horse since they had horses.   He finally gave in after small talk and said take a look at my navy tags. It said of course Frank Dudley.  Can you imagine the look that father must have had on his face!  Must have shocked him! His father said he didn't reckonize him because he was so young back then when he left. Yes he grew up poor...even alot worse than us Todd kids.  He is a interesting guy to talk with and often pretty funny.  Franks wife Carolyn passed about five yrs. ago.  He misses her alot and at times you may see a tear in his eye as he speaks lovingly of her. Now he has Miss D. his puppy to keep him company.

Will post some of Franks funny sayings here:

1. If telling him a problem he will say " thats by far the saddest story I've ever heard ... it entitles you to so many minutes with the clergy of you choice. 

 2.On gossip would say "Many a slip from the cup to the lip" he would say

3.In giving advice I usually charge for this kind of  information. ha.

      He really did have a sense of humor.

Christmas with Leslie and Boys

This was way back say maybe fifteen yrs. ago..A sad time for Leslie for she for she was going through a separation of her then husband Jared so she came home ....will add more pictures of them here as the boys are now Fifteen

 and Thirteen now I believe.  

Kristen and Daisy

Kristen has always been a BIG part of my life since she was just a baby cause I kept care of her for many years while her mom worked. Here she is now all grown up and with the love of her life.

Daisy whom she adores!  Her tax refund baby.

Tree Taken Out

     Our tree in front yard wilted away after having it trimmed.  It was sad day when took it down because it gave us so much shade.  Anyway the stump was left and we decided to have it removed also.  What a mess!  Trash man said they would take all the bags we put out on curve but should not be over 50 pounds ....here is picture of where tree stood.

So many puzzles

 I have worked so so many puzzles and after would glue them together. Why? well cause I had put so much work into them I hated to take them apart.  Later after having too too many stacks of them I decided I couldn't keep them all and needed to start putting them back into the box for others to enjoy!
 Here are just a few I took pictures of....

can't put them all on here....just no way !

Bob The Cat

I so loved this movie and the book of "Bob the Cat."  I literally cried when found out in real life that he had died.  Its a story of a homeless guy and a cat named Bob that just decided to take up with him.
He was 14 yrs.old when he was hit by a car.  The tears flooded when I found out of his passing.  Cartoons and Books were published during his life time with James his homeless best friend.

I Believe

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining
I believe in love even when I do not feel it.
I believe in God, even when I don't see him or when He is silent and my prayer go unanswered.

Turning 79

Here are some pictures of my flowers and cards...ask for
no gifts cause I ask for money to help get sod for our yard. .

Gee I'm getting old!!   79

ev

Zekey is not well.

Jen had to take Zekey to the vet.  She was having some problems.  As of now we are waiting to see if she pulls through.  Love this sweet little gal. She is attached only to Jenny.  Update!  Zekey is doing well and the vet wanted to put her down.  Jen was not ready for that.  That was two weeks ago and Zekey seems to be doing good.  Never know how much longer we will have her but Jen is a happy camper.  When it is her time to go she will go in the comfort of our home.

loves looking out the window

.....seems Zekey has caught a second breath....getting along good for now.  Maybe cats do have nine lives! ha!

New Knee for Donna

Donna has had a knee operation and doing

pretty well.  Here she is with her new partner ...a walker!

We have a visitor...

             So we have a Raccoon that lives under our shed or real close near by.  He likes coming out in our back yard and just looks around.  Not sure if its a he or a she.  I won't worrry about it for it could have babies and perhaps they just need a home. Here is couple pictures of our visitor. 😊
Its as big as our cat Plo ....hope is wouldn't hurt our cat Plo!  ugh!

One important thing I have learned in life

   One of the hardest lessons I have had to learn as a parent is that you can't always fix another person or there problems.  They have to fix themselves.

Frankie

Celebrated my sister Frankie's 96th Birthday this pass March and I am late with this post. It was at the Olive Garden with her two daughters Jeanie and Carol,her son Mike and two grandaughters and a grandson. Donna, my brother Bump and I were also invited. Sure missed my brother Joe but think his traveling days are over.
 HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANKIE....YOU ARE AMAZING!!

Jen works from Home

Here is Jen ....Since virus has hit us Jen is loving not waking up early.  She does wake up and is at the computer at 7:30 ready to work.  Stays there till noon and takes her hour break and then back on computer till 4:30.   Proud of you Jen.  She loves not getting all dressed up early in morning and can even rest on her bed at lunch. ha. 😊 YAY!

Maggie

Here is a picture of our Maggie....she is 15 years old and
doing quite well.  The love of Dads life!!

Song.....There is Peace in Christ

 love this song sung by Claire Ryan