Jen's Baby Shower

We have been waiting for a long time to have our first grandchild.  And now my adorably pregnant Jen and her husband Greg are expecting little Logan in February.  So having her baby shower recently was fabulous and my Jen was radiant with her baby belly proudly holding our grandson.

The shower was a joint venture of friends and family pitching in to decorate, cook and carry on games with snazzy prizes.  It was an emotional time for me, not just because of the impending birth, but because of the love I felt as so many people were gathered together from different areas of our lives to celebrate this momentous journey.  It gave me the chance to reflect on my life and all of the people who are so important to me.  Milestone events do that to us and I’m very grateful to have all of you in my life, whether you were there or not, if you are reading this, you are important in my life.

Jen’s childhood friend, who now lives in CA, was the master planner and I have watched Kristin grow up from a rambunctious little one to a wife, mother, baker and planner extraordinaire.  The decorations were just ‘ducky’ and were perfect for my waddling daughter!

 

The tables were adorned with their own private duck ponds created by Jen’s friend, Paula, one of the delightful co-workers from her teaching.  Sister Andrea made ‘duck feed’ mementos to complete the table décor.  Laura, another co-worker, completed the joyful decorations.

Food was yummy as Jen’s friends from middle school, Kris and Stacey, and my friend from their middle school days, Kathy, (Kris’s mom) worked their magic.  Kathy’s blue and yellow deviled eggs were devilishly delish and Stacey’s culinary expertise included the cantaloupe ‘baby’ enjoying his pacifier.  And Kris cut veggies for the first time, watch out Martha Stewart!

 

   

 The bubblegum babies made by the attendees were hysterical and how people can shape such intricate anatomically correct bodies out of such a small piece of gum is incredible.  Somebody’s been doing some research!  

Another Kristin, this one Jen’s friend, through Greg, had the fabulous idea of each table writing a book for baby Logan.  We were given a blank hard cover book, a set of stickers and markers, and oh how the creativity flourished.  Each table followed the theme of their stickers and we had aliens, pirates, beach scenes and more.  Most of all, Logan has several books that are all about him or how he was created, which we’ll leave till he’s a bit older.

The many gifts were so fun to open as I took in all of the baby basics that I had never seen before.  Times sure have changed since I was changing diapers.  And Kathy, those are pacifiers, not light socket holders!

Of course, I wrote a poem and made a collage.  I started with Jen’s own shower, and was thrilled to have friends that had attended that shower many moons ago, there to celebrate again.  We haven’t aged at all, have we, Judy, Francie and Rose!  Memories came flooding back as I went through pictures of the years growing up and how that little baby grew so quickly and is now going to be a mother herself.  

Now the fun is watching the nursery being created as Jen’s in-laws, Debbie and Dennis, who came in from Oregon, painted the room with waves across the walls for the surfer dude theme.  You can take the girl out of Hawaii, but you can’t take Hawaii out of the girl.

Thank you Jen and Greg for this wondrous opportunity to be a grandparent.  I am truly blessed to have such love and positive energy surrounding me and I am anxiously awaiting the birth of little Logan.

Flying High!

I have been going to the Arizona State Fair for as long as I’ve lived here, 36 years.  I took my kids to the fair every year, went with them on school trips, band trips, dance trips.  I’ve seen every inch of those grounds, especially the bathrooms.  But this year, they had something new, something I’ve wanted to do.  I wanted to do it when we were in Utah but the snow prevailed.  I wanted to do it when we were in the Poconos, but time passed too quickly. 

So here it is, in my own back yard, a ZIP LINE!!  I’ve always loved swinging, (keep your minds out of the gutter), that feeling of being in the air, close to the sky, free as a bird, so zip lining would be the ultimate swinging adventure.

As Joshua and I walked up to the table with those ominous warnings and releases to be signed, I started to have second thoughts.  The waiver said I could die and be maimed for life and all of that gory stuff and there wasn’t anything I could do about it, whew!  The sign said if you have back or neck problems or are pregnant, you should not do this.  I know I’m not pregnant, (that’s my darling Jen).  But the rest, well, I have every ache and pain known in this old body and it can be aggravated by walking to the bathroom, so I might as well have some fun if I’m going to ache.  Joshua encouraged me and told me to not back out now.  (Did he just take out a life insurance policy??)

There were two young men in front of me, late 20’s, and I watched as the attendant strapped them in and they started to climb the stairs, those stairs that you have to climb without help and they go way hiiiiiigh into the air.   I can do this, I’ll take my time, there’s no one behind me. 

The young attendant had me step into the gear and hoisted the straps around me.  We joked and he said he’s had all ages do this and he’s done it several times and it’s a blast.   He handed me the rest of the strappings and I was on my way.

As I started my ascent, I waved to my darling and held on to the cold, steely rails and took it one step at a time.  After the first two flights, I needed a breather and stopped and looked out at the lights and rides covering the fairgrounds.  Couples pushing strollers, kids running in costumes, everyone oblivious to my undertaking.  When I reached the top, the two men were strapped in and ready for takeoff.  You have to jump off by yourself; no ride that starts up, no one giving you a push or boost, it’s all you, jump into the abyss, take a flying leap.  One of the young men was hesitant but after looking back at me, he thought if this old broad is going to do this, so can I.

So here I was, at the top of the world.  Hello Phoenix, you bright star, I’m ready for my fly through your air.  “Just jump”, the attendant said, “or some people sit down, you can do that if you want.”  No sitting down for me, young man, I’ve been waiting a long time for this and I’m ready to fly.  And I did, jumping into the atmosphere, feeling nothing but freedom, waving my arms at everyone below, hooting, whooping and incessant laughing.  I am here, flying, look at me, I’m a bird, I am free!  My body is weightless, nothing hurts, nothing aches, I was meant to fly!

And then it was over, the landing was smooth and the euphoria filled my senses as the straps were undone and the attendant said, “You really enjoyed that, didn’t you?”    You betcha, maybe next time I’ll jump from an airplane!

BTW, the next day my body felt great, everything had been stretched out to the max, maybe they should use this as physical therapy. They tell you to try and look at the landing as they are taking pictures of you for sale below, but I was looking everywhere else, relishing this flightful adventure.  But Joshua got a few at the beginning and end.

Rejuvenating at Kohl's Ranch

The sound of the creek running over the rocks, crickets chirping their lullabies, the smell of pine mixed with horses; nighttime at Kohl’s Ranch Lodge in Payson.  Getting a cabin there was just what the doctor ordered to slough off stress and fill ourselves with ranch style hospitality.  The best part, of course, was having my darling husband, three children and their mates all together to share mornings, noons and nights of fun, food and frivolity.

The cabin overlooked Tonto Creek, surrounded by Ponderosa pines.  Robins were bobbing along, pulling worms from the ground for a tasty meal as butterflies fluttered through the plants. Craw-fish skittered along the rocks in the creek but the quick hands of our daring men gave us a closer look at their snapping claws.

Joshua made his “I want to live sandwiches” for a healthy start to the day amidst the ranch’s numerous options for play.   Basketball and tennis courts, horseshoe pits and bocce ball are a few of the activities that strained the muscles of the weekend warriors.  We had our own wheelbarrow races and Joshua kept up with the youngun’s with his attempts at handstands.

Tonto Natural Bridge was a must see, the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. You can hike down to the bottom or stay at the top at one of the lookout points and still catch the grandeur of this unique geological formation.  There is a trail to take to see a waterfall cave but I just let my imagination do what my legs protested.

The Tonto Fish Hatchery and the surrounding campsites were all closed because of fire danger and recent bear attacks.  One night at about 3a.m. I heard lots of scuffling outside but it wasn’t a bear, just some javelina looking for a snack.  We found some more docile javelina at the bridge and they are quite accustomed to the humans gawking at them as they go about their business.

Kohl’s Ranch is the perfect family getaway.  Dogs are allowed, though the grandogs didn’t accompany us.  There is a restaurant and bar with a guitar playing singer that we kicked up our heels to, waking up the sleepy patrons that enjoyed our antics.

There is much history to partake of through a book written by the Kohl’s granddaughters that you can check out through the office.  Friendly, accommodating staff, super clean cabins with TVs with a million channels, WIFI and even a whirlpool tub!  Best yet, there was no cell phone service so no texting.

I’m ready to go again and sit by the creek with my tea and crumpets, watching the water flow over the rocks, feeling the peace and serenity that swallows you up.  Just what vacations are for.