Grey skies

That's Humboldt County this time of year. Grey, grey and more grey. I hate it. Lee and I promised ourselves to go to the sun next February for sure. I leave on Friday for London but since their weather is similar to ours, I won't get warmer. I am super excited to spend time in London and Paris with 2 of my 4 beautiful and fun girls though! Someday we can all vacation together along with Kalie when all the grandkids are older.

My dad and his wife have been here visiting in the ugly weather. No one should have to see what it looks like this time of year. All visitors should come in the summer or fall. I always feel bad when people come here and we have to stay inside. We've watched movies, played games and eaten a lot of seafood. We did get a quick beach trip in (no sun) and a trip to the Hatchery. I love visitors but wish there was more to do up here. And these visits always remind me how much I miss my mom.

Meet the Parents

That's what Alex's boyfriend, Jeff, got to do this weekend. He also met Jody, Kelly and their kids. Jeff is a really nice boy and we had a great time showing him a rainy Humboldt weekend. Of course, it cleared for most of today. We did manage a quick trip to the beach, a couple of movies, eating out a few times, a game of pool and introduced him to our favorite game, Settlers of Cataan. It was so wierd though. They seem so young (or am I just really gettting old). It seemed like they should be going on a prom date together instead of coming for the weekend. Maybe that's how it always is with the youngest. We had a great time with them though and are so glad they came! I felt so bad that he left with a nasty cold though. Love my little girl so much!!!!

P.S. I've now lost 8.5 lbs!!!!!!!!!

The Boyfriend

I drove down to Kelly's yesterday since this is my off week. It was really snowing about 15 miles out of Laytonville until I reached Ukiah. It even snowed Sunday night in McKinleyville (so gorgeous on the trees behing us!)I was just going to hang out with her and the kids at first. Then I got to thinking, Alex is getting serious with a boy we've never met so I checked out air fares and times and tomorrow we are picking both of them up. We will spend the night tomorrow at Kelly's and drive up to McKinleyville on Friday to spend the weekend with Lee. We are all so excited to meet Jeff and actually see our little girl with a real live boyfriend. It ought to be interesting. I promise to include pictures and tell all in my next blog!

Weigh In and Home Alone

It's hardly worth posting. I only lost 1 pound this week. At least it's in the right direction though! Last week I had two off days though and didn't work out as much. I'm determined this week to have a bigger loss.

The last of our before Christmas company left on Monday when Ma and Charlie and Kelly, Jody and family left. The house is cleaner now but too quiet. I did find I was absolutely exhausted for the next few days. Even though my company was so easy to be around and have, I guess I was still doing more than I do for just Lee and I and my body let me know it. I am looking forward to having next week off and lots of rest. Lots and lots of rest.

Great Vacation Deals

I have some great trips planned for this spring due to some great travel deals I've found.

1: I am going to London to visit Lindsey because I found a flight out of here for $646. That is an amazing price. I have to pay almost that much to go to SLC or Cedar Rapids right now. We found a cheap trip to Barcelona and planned to go there for 2-3 days but then Alex decided not to go to school this semester and things changed. She's coming to London with me and we changed our side trip to Paris because she's never been to Europe. We found great deals on the EuroStar so we are heading there too! That is my February trip.

2. I have always wanted to go to the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple but always go to Arizona earlier and miss it. Since Easter is in March this year, I am heading there for my dad's birthday to see the Pageant and see all my Pomeroy family on March 10-17. I can't wait to soak in the warm Az. sunshine, eat at Cafe Rio and see all my family!

3. Recently we got one of those crazy invitations to go to a resort for a ridiculously cheap price and I looked up the resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and we are going April 21-27. When we were thinking of going to Cabo again, this is where I wanted to stay. Rooms are in the mid $200's usually though. Our great deal is $299 for a WEEK!! Check out the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Holistic Retreat and Spa on Trip Advisor. http://tripadvisor.com/hotels. It has great reviews and looks soooooo relaxing. When I booked they told me we didn't have to hear a timeshare presentation but I've also read they give about $200 in food credits and $100 in spa credits if you do. It might be worth the 2.5 hours.

Jenny and I

The results are in and I lost 5.2 lbs. this first week. Actually the day I started I was 3 lbs heavier than I was the week before. I think it was a lot of water retention from drinking too many sodas the week before. So I think the actual weight loss was closer to 2.5 lbs. That is a more reasonable weight loss for the diet. Anyway I feel better already. The best part is 90% of the food is really good, I get plenty to eat and I don't have to cook!!! Yea!! I love just going to the pantry or freezer and pulling something out to eat that I didn't have to plan, shop for or cook. And I love to cook-I just hate all the planning and shopping.

Lee has been lucky because his parents are visiting and his mom is cooking for him but next Tuesday he'll be on his own! 1 week down, 7 to go. And yes, I will be doing Jenny or WW on my trip to London. Cabo is my reward for losing the weight so I HAVE to do it!!!!!

Cheer Me On!!

I've finally done it. I started Jenny Craig today. I am sick and tired of the 15 lbs. I've gained in the last few years and have decided to do something about it. My problem is I love to cook and I love to eat. So it just keeps piling on. I decided the best way for me to lose it was to stop cooking and do a plan that told me what to eat. Lee's all for the idea of me losing weight so I told him he had to support me in it. He agreed. Then I told him he had to do his own cooking for 2 months. He relunctantly agreed to that too.

I decided on Jenny Craig because:
1: The meals are planned out for me, no cooking, less chance to slide
2. It is expensive so I will feel too guilty to quit or cheat
3. Supposedly the meals taste good

So for the next 8 weeks I am dedicating my life to Jenny and excercise. I will post results each week so cheer me on!

Top Ten Things About Christmas 2007

1. Being in the new house where we all had a bed and room to move around in. It was still messy, still chaotic but soooo much nicer.

2. Watching 6 of my 9 (10 in July) grandchildren play together, fight together, and quickly make up. So cute. We also got to see adorable Sienna before Christmas at Kelly's. We missed Kaden and Alexa a ton though! I loved all the kisses and hugs I got from them in between their having so much fun together. Ammon and Madison love each other, Cohen and Izzy were hysterical together and Kyle tagged along with everyone. Rylee was so sweet we hardly knew she was here.

3. Spending time with all of my children and all but one of their spouses. (Missed you Matt). My children are amazingly fun, cool, and beautiful and so are their spouses.

4. Hearing all about Jeff from Alex. How much fun is it to hear about new loves, plans, and stories. We were all enthralled, wanting to hear more. I feel like I know him already and think he is great!

5. Spending time at Kelly's before the onslaught at our house. It was so great to not have to plan meals, just help. It was also so wonderful to be in warmer weather with no rain. We had way too much rain here for Christmas!

6. Spending a girl's day out with Kelly, Lindsey and Alex. My favorite way to spend a day. (Missed you Kasey)

7. Lots and lots of delicious food. Tons of desserts. Ymmmmmm!

8. Watching old family videos of Christmas Eve performances past. We died laughing at old clothes and hairstyles. It tugged all of our hearts to realize how quickly time passes.

9. Adopting a new boy. Fabricio, 6 years old from Brazil through World Vision. We adopted him as a family instead of receiving so many Christmas gifts. Feels like the real spirit of Christmas. It will be fun to follow him through the years, write to him, maybe even meet him some day.
We always wanted one more boy....

10. Feeling the Spirit on Christmas Eve as we read the Christmas Story in Luke and sang Christmas songs. It was a tender moment as we reflected on the real reason for our being together.

I am so grateful for the wonderful husband I have been blessed with and the amazing children and grandchildren we have. I love when we are all together. It may look like a hurricane swept through the Iorg household at times but I cherish it all. The broken vases, scuffed floors and cluttered rooms can all be replaced. Our precious family memories can never be. Thank you family for all your love and fun personalities. You are truly MY favorite gift any day of the year!

33 YEARS

That 's how long I've been married. It's wierd when you've been married longer than when you were single. By 12 years now. On December 19, 1974 I married one of the most eligible guys on the BYU campus. He was so hot (and still is)! Here we are 33 years later. Great times, good times and some not so good times (as with all marriages), He's mellowed out, I've become more difficult and he still doesn't help much in the house. Would I do it again??? In a second. It's been a great life, wonderful memories, wonderful children and good times. Love you tons, Lee! Happy Anniversary!

(Pathetic picture but it is the only one I have on this computer!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!!

Today was Chris' birthday. My oldest is over 30-talk about making a mom feel old! I feel like I was just 30. Crazy. I hope you had a wonderful day Chris. I love you very much. You did a great job picking out a beautiful, talented wife and have blessed us with Madison and Kyle. Good work, son! You are a funny, bright and talented boy (man) and we can't wait to see you and your family over Christmas.

FAMILY TIME

We took Kasey to the airport today. We had such a good time with her and Sienna. Sienna is the biggest kiss giver ever. She was constantly giving me kisses-on the lips, on the back of my knees when I was doing my hair, on my shoulders when I was sitting down. It was soooo cute. It was so fun to be around Kasey, way to short of a time, but fun. I got a horrible cold on Saturday and Sunday so that put me down a little but I feel good now.
Lindsey and Isobel are here at Kelly's too. Izzy continually says"hello" in what we think is a British accent-it is adorable. I swear she even speaks jibberish with an accent! Izzy and Sienna are about a month apart with Sienna being the older one. Izzy, however, is a head taller. We thought Izzy and Sienna would have so much fun together but actually it has been Izzy and Cohen, the wild ones, who are the crazy duo. Cohen is continually trying to get Izzy to join him in his adventures. Rylee hangs out looking cute and Ammon is loving having so many cousins around.
Lee's parents are at his sister's, Rona, house so we all went over there on Saturday. It was great to see all of them. We love that side of the family so much. Lani, Jami, Donnell and Ryan are such cuties and little Keal is to die for! I loved seeing Ronzy again and catching up. Saturday was my major sick day and I should have stayed home instead of passing bugs around but I just couldn't miss out on the fun. Bad nurse, I should know better. I love Lee's family so much and we look forward to Ma and Charlie coming to our place. We hope they stay a long, long time.
Tomorrow Alan comes in from London and on Wednesday, Alex comes in. Then we head up to McKinleyville on Thursday. Holidays are so much fun because of all the family time!

Holiday Tradition

Friday afternoon, Lee and I drove down to the city, San Francisco. What a beautiful city! The sky was clear and as you head into the city you see the lights of the city and Golden Gate Bridge lit up. It is amazing. We were headed to see Jersey Boys for Lee's birthday. The original plan was to spend the night in the city, hang out during the day and drive up to Kelly's and stay Saturday night there. After we'd bought our tickets we found out that Lee's work party was scheduled for Saturday night and he had to be there. It ended up being a really quick trip but so worth it.
We got to the city and wanted to get a nice dinner. We only had an hour and a half though because the traffic into the city was slow. We checked in to the possibility of eating at a few dinner places only to realize it would never work. Finally, we went to Macy's, ate at Wolfgang Puck's Express place and grabbed some cookies at Tom's cookies for the show. Then we walked around Union Square. It was beautiful and I really felt the holiday hustle and bustle. So fun. I think San Fran is just a gorgeous, fun city, and even more so at Christmas. I decided that a weekend in San Francisco at Christmas time is our new holiday tradition.
The show was amazing. We both grew up on the Four Season songs and loved them so it was really fun to watch. Lee has talked nonstop about it since and got a cd at the show and listened to it all the way home. I woke up this morning to him singing one of the songs in Frankie's falsetto voice. The only questionable thing about the show was it was spiced with quite a few swear words. Of course, they were street thugs from New Jersey so I guess it was accurate. Interesting story, great songs and the guys portraying them were great.
We went to Kelly's after the show to sleep so we could have a few hours Saturday with them. When we got in our room we noticed Ammon sleeping in Rylee's crib. Evidently he wanted to sleep with us so Kelly said if he wanted to sleep in our room he had to sleep in the crib. So he did. We died laughing! About six in the morning I heard rustling around and looked up. His head was over the crib and he was staring down at us. He saw me lift my head up off my pillow and he bolted out of the crib, announced that he was going to snuggle with us and that was the end of sleep for that night. He wiggled in between us, talked our legs off, and grinned the whole time. Priceless. It was great to see all of them if only for a few hours. I head back there on Thursday because Lindsey and Kelly and their cute 18 month old girls will be there. Fun times. The best part of the holiday season is starting!! Family time!

Great Book

Okay, I read a lot of books. Most are good, some okay, but few seem to really grab me. I just finished The Glass Castle though and loved it! It is the story of a family who survives on very little money mainly because the father is a drunk and the mother "lives for the moment". It was very interesting, one of those books that make you think and wonder. I mainly wondered how any mother could allow her children to go hungry (eating butter for dinner one night), be cold and not have decent clothes or shelter when she had the means to change things. This is a true book and the author is a successful journalist in NYC now. Great book! Read it, it will grab you.

The last book that really grabbed me like this was A Thousand Splendid Suns which I absolutely adored!! One of my favorite all time books!

Recent so-s0 reads:

Love in the Time of Cholera (too many love affairs, ending was sweet though)

Suite Fraincaise (only read first story-okay, not great, have to read second one)

Man Walks Into a Room by Nicole Krauss (wrote History of Love which I liked much better)

Peace Like a River - really not crazy about this book

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (fast read, pretty good but not spectacular)

It is so hard to find a good book. The language in some is so offensive. I find myself at Costco skimming them before I buy them, looking for the f-word so I know not to buy them. Drives me crazy when I buy a book that has a few and I didn't know it. Any good books out there that you've read?

Happy Thanksgiving

The turkey and dressing are in the oven-smells delish! The weather is sunny and bright and beautiful. Kelly and Jody and family are here. My family is all healthy and happy. I have a lot to be grateful for. I love this time of year and this holiday especially. No commercialization, yea!! Just family and food-my favorite things. Of course, I wish all of my family were here but I am grateful for those that are. We have a few people who had nowhere to go coming over and are eating at 3:00. Menu is: turkey, dressing, mash potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, fruit salad, fresh cranberry relish, rolls and a relish tray. For dessert there is pumpkin pie, pumpkin bars, pecan pie, banoffee pie and lemon bars. Ymmmm! No Weight Watchers today for me!
Next year we are reserved for our condo in Snowbird, so Chris, Kasey, Kelly, Lindsey, and Alex here is your official invite to come! We go every other Thanksgiving there and it is so fun to be in the snow and enjoyeverything in Utah.
Hope you all have a wonderful day and enjoy your families! We miss you so much Alex!!

Home Alone

Lee's been gone this last week and I was home alone. I was on call this weekend so couldn't head to Kelly's so I had to tough it out alone. Luckily, it was a much better experience than the last time I was home alone. I actually had a great time and didn't get sick of myself so much. Of course, the fact that I was working most of the time helped. I had more adult conversation during the day and could then vegetate at night in front of the tv. I actually started a diet (Weight Watchers) - I desperately need to lose at least 10 pounds and didn't want to add to it with the holidays. I did some genealogy, cleaned out my closet and decorated for Christmas! Yes, you heard it right-Ms. Humbug already decorated! I hate rushing Christmas pre-Thanksgiving but I had the time and a quiet house so it seemed like the thing to do. Having decorated the house and simplified gift giving this year because we are now part of the name drawing, I think I am going to enjoy the holidays more. In fact I am getting out my Christmas music today. I'll start listening to it on Friday. Hmmmm, could Pam actually be getting in the Christmas Spirit? Never say never....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KASEY!!

Beautiful Kasey is 29 today. Happy Birthday! I just had so much fun visiting her and her family in Iowa last week. I had so much fun hanging out with them, watching and hearing the kids funny antics, snuggling with Sienna and just being with MY girl again. It is amazing how quick life goes by. It seems like a few short years ago and I was giving birthday parties for Kasey and her friends and last week I was at the party she gave for Kaden. One of the funniest things last week was to watch crazy Alexa who is full of sass and vinegar. I was dying laughing because Kasey was just like her. As a child, Kasey too would give it right back to you and we were constantly laughing at what she said. When she was a teenager Lee would wake her up for seminary and she'd give him so much grief that he just started going into her room, turning on the light and running. You could hear her yelling all through the house!

Kasey, I love you so much and am so proud of the person you've become. You are bright, articulate, loving, talented and a wonderful daughter, mother and wife. The best thing is I'd want you for my friend even if you weren't my daughter. Love you. Have a wonderful day!!

Happy Birthday Kaden and Freezing in Iowa

It's our oldest grandchild's birthday today! Kaden is six years old, the oldest of nine, so far. He is such a handsome little devil (and I do mean devil when he teases Alexa!!). He is a crazy little boy who can read like you can't believe and loves to beat me at the game Sorry. We've played it 5 times so far and I've only won once. He tries to be all big and tough and over all that mushy kissing and stuff but every now and then he suddenly ends up in my lap and I can always get hugs and kisses at bedtime from him. What a cute boy-watch out girls, he's going to steal a ton of hearts. To see pictures go to Kasey's blog: http://www.henryfam.blogspot.com.

Alexa is still crazy as ever. Seriously, if you've ever met her you know what I mean. She talks a million miles a minute, with eyes wide open, hands waving and is hilarious-funniest child ever!! Noone, and I mean noone, is ever going to run over her. She can be completely serious telling you just how life is and then completely off the wall, laughing with her high-pitched hysterical laugh the next minute. She is a laugh a minute.

Sienna is so loving and sweet. Loves me to hold her and lays on my shoulder all the time. She is beautiful and amazing. Everytime I look at her she grins and holds her arms out for me. I am loving it. We went and saw the Bee Movies yesterday(real cute) and she had a blast eating popcorn, drinking soda and walking around.

Kasey and Matt both look great and I am even going to see Dr. Matt today to have a sealant put on an area where my gums are receeding and are sensitive to cold and some foods. Poor guy, nothing like having to look into your mother-in-law's gross mouth! Did I say it is 43 and windy and freezing here??? It is clear with blue skies though and the company is great so it is a good time despite the weather.

HAPPY B-DAY ALEX!!

Little Alex turns 20 today!!! Is that possible? Where have the years gone? It seems like just yesterday we were putting this tiny baby side by side to a Cabbage Patch Doll to see who was bigger. Alex had a narrow victory. She was always a tiny thing and we all have the hardest time believing she has grown up. I think we all still think she is eleven. We are so pround of the beautiful young woman she has become and love her to pieces. Have a wonderful birthday Alex!!

P.S. I think there should be a law that the youngest child can not leave the home until the parents are too senile to care!

Weekend in Windsor

Last week I spent Tues night - Sunday with Kelly and family in Windsor. We had a great time eating out, just hanging out and going to Six Flags. (I do so love me some rollercoasters!) I love going there without Lee for one reason. I get attention from Cohen and Ammon directly solely at me. Grandpa, for Ammon, is one of the most special people in the world and when grandpa is around I just get the crumbs. But when I was in Windsor, I am numero uno. He slept with me every night, of course. The last night I was there I told him I was leaving the next day. All of a sudden he starts wiping his eyes and saying, "I'm feeling sad right now." I told him I had to go home to work and he asked if I would come back when I didn't work. I told him I was going to go visit Kaden, Alexa and Sienna next and he said, "But what about me?" Awwww. Then he says, "Maybe, when my mom doesn't like me, I can come live with you in Kinleyville." I assured him his mom was always going to like him but we could visit back and forth a lot. I feel so bad for him and his little sensitive heart but secretly Love It!

Girl Time

Alex came home on Thursday and left today. On Friday we went to the Sea Grill and had prawns (both of our favorites) and then had manicures and pedicures and did a little shopping. Kelly and family came up on Friday. We went shopping, again, on Saturday and out to lunch. We had planned on a movie but didn't make it. We made lots of food this weekend and lots of goodies. Alex's high school friends came over and spent a lot of time with us too, playing games, laughing and talking. It was great. So much fun. Nothing is better than girl time.