Quite Labor Day Weekend/ Enzo Birthday

Stacy just posted some cute pictures on Facebook of Enzo celebrating his 9th birthday August 11th.

summer fun at Bear lake - our little Enzo, Farrah and Cousin Ani- summer 2025. We called him on his birthday and grandpa Symes Venmo birthday money for his special day. They celebrating spending time on their boat sailing on the ocean. Cole and Chase left for home early afternoon. We don’t have anyone else coming up this holiday weekend. Nice to have some quiet time. Craig and I played a Lot of Pickelball this week. I’m really sore and need a few days to rest. We are practicing for our up coming Pickelball tournament on the 5th of September.

Cole And Chase / We are going to be Great-Grandparents

Cole and Chase arrived Tuesday evening late to spend a few days here at the lake now that they have passed their nursing school finals. They are taking two weeks off before looking for a job in their specialty field. Just a few days before they arrived I was thinking about our older grandchildren and that we would be having several getting g married in the next few years. I was thinking king it will be fun to have a new family generation of babies coming up. To our surprise Cole and Chase surprised us with the picture of an ultrasound showing Chase is pregnant!! So excited for them! We are going to be great-grandparents! Chase is due in April. We are so thrilled! I love babies and it will be fun to have some little ones in our family tree as it continues to grow.

They told the family while playing a game so cute !

We are all so excited for the new arrival !

Monday

We woke up to rain !! So surprised it wasn’t on the forecast until tomorrow. It feels so nice to have a rain, which we have had very little this summer. I can feel a touch of fall in the air! I live the fall season. I was excited to get out my fall decorations this past week and decorate for the changing seasons from summer to fall. It is fun to be creative. I ordered a new fall rug and pillow covers to place on our upper deck. It all looks so fun foe the fall season. It feels like fall today. Last week was still hot, but I was in the mood to decorate- I love. Hanging things up for the seasons. Alec and Kate surprised and came for the weekend. It was nice to have the here. They both just moved into an apartment close to our Draper town house. So maybe I can see them more often. It was their 8 year dating anniversary on Saturday. They plan to get married I the future. Alec is just afraid of the commitment. Moving into an apartment together is a big commitment for him for now. So hopefully they will plan a wedding - I know Kate is ready. Alec has been looking at wedding rings. As new season with our older grandchildren pairing off and staring their own families! Cole and Chase just finished their nursing college program. Their graduated this month!! So pround of them both. Cole texted and wanted to know if they could finally come up to the lake for a few days it will be fun to spend some time with them. I worked on our Alaska cruise trip figuring out what to pack. I’m trying to pack light and fit everything in a carryon Luggage. So far I’ve done good. The weather will be cooler and warmer clothes taken up more room in packing. I think I have it figured out. I need to finalize our excursion trips at the 4 different ports-I have been watching u-tube videos of the different locations Learning about the areas and what we would like to do. It is a lot of work planning this trip! Something Craig does not do so it is all my efforts to plan and make it happen- it is stressful and exciting at the same time! It it still raining but Craig just texted me and says the courts are dry to play Pickelball so guess I’ll get dressed for the day and play for a bit while the weather holds out- we are suppose to be receiving g rain for the next three or four days! We we really need it has been a very dry summer.

Austin Missionary Weekly letter

Alma 7:24

"And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works."

This was a random scripture I read. Like literally random. I opened my BoM with my eyes closed and pointed at this one. And this was the exact thing I needed to hear as becoming a trainer. These are the attributes I need to focus on right now. And these ones are like the best christ like attributes. And I love the promise. You will ALWAYS be filled with good works. That's an awesome promise. This can apply to yall at home as home. If it's work, school or whatever. Focus on faith hope and charity for others. Coworkers and classmates. Then everything will fall into place for you! I love - I really enjoyed his letter this week- and love the scripture he shared! I sent him a note back - Thanks for the uplifting letter this week - I love your scripture for the week - very inspiring to me- we have our challenging serving in the YSA branch and this scripture gives me encouragement to keep up the good work - increasing our faith daily, keep loving with all Our hearts and hope for the best ! The Lord’s will bless us for our efforts ! 

Why Do I attend Chrurch ?

Sister Romona Daun speaking today in our YSA sacrament meeting- why am I here today? - her message theme- I come because I love Jesus Christ- all that I do in the church is for my love for my Savior! Brother and sister are serving on our YSA activity committee. They will be leaving us by October- they go to Arizona for the winter months- they have been a great support. We miss them. They will be back by May 2026. Our summer season is coming to a close. Our YSA numbers are shrinking. We were done to 11 in relief society. Our sacrament attendance today is also down we have 52 today. The YSA members are leaving us going back to school- it has been two years since we were called to serve in the ysa branch. We have one more year to full-fill this calling- Brother Daun speaking shared stories about the power of the priesthood- by our faith and prayers and we will witness miracle in our lives. They both gave great talks- we all enjoyed our linger longer treat this week. I made brownies and made just enough. We served with vanilla ice cream and different toppings- we also had a large cookie sheet of watermelon from our weekly activity left over it got all eaten. They all enjoy the treat and visiting with on another.

Why do I attend Church ?

Sister Romona Daun speaking today in our YSA sacrament meeting-  why am I here today? - her message theme- I come because I love Jesus Christ- all that I do in the church is for my love for my Savior!   Brother and sister are serving on our YSA activity committee.  They will be leaving us by October- they go to Arizona for the winter months-  they have been a great support.  We miss them.  They will be back by May 2026.  Our summer season is coming to a close. Our YSA numbers are shrinking.  We were done to 11 in relief society.  Our sacrament attendance today is also down.  The YSA are leaving us goi g back to school-

Marriage

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹.

Marriage is ugly, you see the absolute worst in someone. You see them when they’re mad, sad, being stubborn, when they’re so unlovable they make you scream. But you also get to see them when they are laughing so hard that tears run down their face, and they can't help but let out those weird gargling noises. You see them at 3am when the world is asleep except you two, and you’re eating in the middle of the kitchen floor. You get to see the side of them that no one else does, and it's not always pretty. It's snorting while laughing, it's the tears when it feels like it's all crashing down, it's the farting, it's the bedhead and bad breath, it's the random dances, its the anger and the joy. Marriage isn’t a beautiful thing, but it is amazing. It’s knowing that someone loves you so much, and won't leave you even though you said something nasty. It’s having someone have your back no matter what. It's fights over stupid things, like someone not doing the dishes or picking up after themselves. And it's those nights you fall asleep in each others arms, feeling like there will never be enough time with them. It’s cleaning up their throw up, or just rubbing their back when they’re sick. It’s the dirtiest, hardest, most rewarding job there is. Because at the end of the day you get to crawl into bed with your best friend, the weirdest, most annoying, loving, goofy, perfect person that you know. Marriage is not beautiful, but it’s one heaven of a ride. ✨️

YSA End Of Summer Party

Tonight at we’re having a party behind the Blue Clothing Company as kind of a last hurrah to end off the summer! (as most people start school next week) There will be music, food, and plenty of fun stuff to do. If you’ve never been to the blue clothing company, it’s at a great venue. It’ll be a great time! We all had a great time and fabulous food. At the end of our games of the balloon toss- they were all invited to go inside the Clothing Blue store to pick out a clothing item of their choice.

Our Sabbath Day

Thomas family arrived home safely- they had a great trip. We enjoyed our few days with the girls Ani and little Cora. They are both so sweet. Their cat Cosmo had to have surgery on Wednesday to have his bad eye removed. He got an infection when a kitten- it could have killed him, with care he survived but he eye died and became blind in the one eye- The eye did not grow any more as he grows which started to cause problems - it needed ti be remove. Poor kitty he is only a year old and has had to suffer a lot. So I was left caring for him post surgery. Trying to give him his medicine 4 times a day waking up early for his morning doses. He got diarrhea which is not fun cleaning cat poop off his little bum. Pray he continues to heal- our YSA numbers are shrinking we are down from 100 to 67 for sacrament this week. I’m serving Nachos and pico salsa for our linger longer treat this week- August has been my month to host our linger longer after church. Sad our summer season is ending! It goes by all to fast- we are sad to see the ysa summer members leave us. It has been a joy to fellowship with them and create new friendships. Josh England is speaking in our sacrament today and called to be our new Sunday school YSA President as Modoc has left us for college. Im going to miss Modoc- a fun young man! It is hard to say good bye for the season- Lydia Boyd also speaking- She is also leaving us along with Maggie Thornock who had served in our YSA relief society presidency. I have tried to get a picture all summer with our Relief society YSA presidency but have not been able to get all three together at one time. Now the summer is coming to a close and we will lose them all- we will be short sister their coming fall and winter season.

cute picture of Maggie Thornock and Jodi our YSA Relief society president. Not sure will be able to keep Jodi. Maggie was engaged to marry Kyler Rassmensen this August but she called the wedding off a few weeks ago. I feel bad for her. This has been a very emotional time for her. They had already mailed their wedding invitations. It’s better now than when married to find she had made a mistake. Kyler was not as committed to church as she wanted. She was coming by herself to church now and found this was not what she wanted to be alone going to church along with other problems- bless her heart ❤️ she is really struggling to find her place again with the wedding called off - life has it challenges- it is so important to make the right spouse choice.

More Drama

Well I guess I have dug myself a deeper hole with Shannon- I have felt so bad that I fouled up on my dates- planning our trip to Alaska which is over lapping Shannon and Ryan’s anniversary trip to Cancun. They were married Sept 15th 1998 -27 years it’s hard to beleive the years have gone by all too fast. I tired calling our Granddaughters Saydee, Aubrey and Karlee to see if they would be available to help out. They are all busy working new jobs and going to school. So they were not an option- today I called Kathy Chaudhry - Ryan’s mother who lives in California- I know she has not been to Utah for several years. This would be a good time for her to have some bonding time with her grandkids, with Shannon out of the way. We had a very nice conversation and she is more than willing to help. She would love to have the opportunity. A sigh of relief for me that they do have another option. I don’t have to let Shannon throw her anger on me leaving them stranded without anyone to watch their kids on their up coming trip- I sent Ryan a text - Hi Ryan - I have felt ready bad about forgetting I said I would watch Ash with your upcoming trip - I have checked with all our older granddaughters and they are busy working - I did talk to your mother and she said she would love to come spend time with the kids and they are open to help ! So this does gives you an option - sorry I messed up and have caused any stress - it was for sure not intentional on my part - just a senior memory loss- love you all so very much and wish you a fabulous trip - Well all hell and furry has come down!! Shannon called screaming her head off in anger - luckily I didn’t here the phone ring but have a scathing voice message from her. I saw the voice text come through - and makes me laugh - where has my mother gone this summer? “I don't know what is wrong with you. I don't know where my mom went. I don't know the person who has known me my entire life. And that person is not present. How dare you? How dare you? Call Ryan's mom you have no right -You do not -you just don't even understand the level of anger and betrayal I have toward you right now. I want nothing from you. You have done enough, not only to my emotional well-being. My trust Is out of this world right now, mom I am done if you do not even understand the level You are just so completely unaware that why this whole thing is even an issue how dare you? How dare you? Give me a favor and stay out…” All I can say is she has made every issue that has come up this summer from a mole hill to a mountain by her attitude in over reacting !! have just tried to communicate with her and it has gone from bad to worse giving herself unneeded stress- I don’t want to talk to her in this state of mind yelling and screaming at me- I have crossed the line calling her mother in-law! Well she does have an option- she just chooses to be as mean as hell about it. I have not agreed with her, on how rude and disrespectful she has been to her mother in law. Shannon has not been nice to her in-laws-. She does have a choice for other family members to help out and I’m done letting her quilt me in shame. She is so mean with her words and attacking- she is missing in action when it comes to any family events. I have to walk on tIp Toes to get her there and then it is always two hours late. She doesn’t offer to ever help- I’m the one doing alll the work for her and serving her family. She is very short sighted in saying in her last voice text I don’t listen to her and help her with her problems - when I have been there and have listened to her for hours at a time over the years. She can talk and talk and I don’t get hardly any words in- I just listen to her and let her talk. I have confided to her my challenges over the years which now she is using against me - I have been a much more listening ear over the years. I have told her to be kind to her in-laws. She is not going to have it. She thinks it’s ok to yell and scream at me and it is ok for her to have her say about how she sees it! I was treated disrespectful by my mother doing the same thing to me and I will not allow myself to be abused by my own daughter with her terrible temper tantrums - I’m done being mistreated and a floor map to be walked on. I have said No and will continue to say no by her unkind behavior. My heart aches and I hate being cross threaded with any of my girls. Shannon is just going to need time and space to have a cooler head and realize I’m not her enemy, I have been in her court her entire life, I sacrificed giving birth and have truely strived to love and care for her in the 45 years of her entire life. I have been there when no one else has. She has forgotten the sacrifices I have made for her over the years. Her judgement is very clouded right now. Time will heal all hurts- I have not tired to hurt her- I just feel she is mentally not in a good place- she needs to let go of resentment toward her family members- even her in-laws -she has been terrible to them- shutting them out of their lives. Now she is pushing het own mother and sisters away. My heart aches for her but she has got to stop pushing the ones that love her the most away-she has a terrible temper and she thinks it’s ok to express her feelings and doesn’t look at others point of view in our family circle- she had been the one who left us this summer and pouting about things. She purposely did not attend the birthday party for her dad - which is very disappointing- attacking me and mad at me over the 4th of July- for me us allowing the Noriega family to spend time at our lake home while we were out town. She had the same opportunity to come as well and plan with her family some lake time and she gets all mad and upset and chooses to give me the cold shoulder I’m not returning any calls or texts messages- she has so much anger stored up -she has got to figure out how to let go and quit holding grudges- she is causing herself unneeded stress- I’m not going for always be here - she has got to communicate with her sisters in a nice way if she is going to have any time at our family lake home- she has failed the test terribly of how she will act when Craig and I have passed on. This summer she has been contentious, mean and purposely withdrawing herself from any association with her family. It is very sad! 😢

Baby Sitting Ani & Cora

Natasha and Bridger surprised Win for his birthday this year with a trip to Shanghai, China- this is a wow surprise trip ! Their nanny Abby had been incharge for a week and a half - she needed a break till their arrival home on Saturday evening. Craig and I drove down from the lake to watch the girls from Thursday afternoon to Saturday evening, three days- I have to chipper up and not let this upset with Shannon ruin my time with the little girls-

Shannon’s Drama

It doesn’t end the drama with Shannon - I have tired to not let it upset me. She sent her mean unreasonable text on June 27th when I was trying to communicate with her and Ryan family plans over the 4th of July- she has her blow up that her Sister Sharlena is coming to our lake home while we are gone on the 4th to Montana with the Thomas and Towner family- an offended that they are bringing Noriega’s family. I felt it was just fine with us being gone and there is plenty of room for both families. I knew with Shannon going to Las Vegas for 4 days and the. Turning around and coming to the lake in two days was not a real reality with her track record- but if they did come I wanted to let her know the Noriega’s would be there from July 2-5. Trisha and her family were staying at another cabin with Buck’s brother and his family. We were not even going to be there. Well she has not responded to us at all since June 27th. I have felt she way over acted and felt that Noriega family did nothing wrong on their part in coming to the lake over the 4th- Shannon could have and made it nice for her family if she wish to- but no she has been stand off and no communication. I couldn’t believe that she didn’t come to the family birthday party we hosted on July 25th for all to come. Stacy flew in spent three days with us- Shar ,Trisha and Natasha came with their families and very helpful I. Helping me host the party. Shannon response was nothing - no show and not even a note to her dad. I feel this is very disrespectful on her part and again she is the victim. She is excluding herself from us- which is very sad we all miss her. She doesn’t even try. She has got to get rid of her resentment that are so unneeded- I try to get them to come up and spend time with Landon and his friends some time this summer and still no response- Ryan did text Craig to let him know they would not be coming to the party- Well Landon just came up for Raspberry weekend with five of his friends. They stayed 4 full days and still no response from Shannon- no thank you for entertaining them- she showed no interest- still withdrawing herself for the entire summer season. I feel bad little Ashtyn has been excluded from the lake the summer and missed out spending time with her cousin her age. she would have had a great time. Shannon did text us on Monday a week ago that Landon fractured his hand and most likely would not be coming up with his friends- Landon texted back a day later and said he was still coming up which they did. The kids were really good and we did enjoy having them. Well today I received a texted from Shannon finally - which I knew she would when she wanted something from us! Hey mom Are you still going to be able to watch Ashtyn and Landon when we go on our trip ?? It’s exactly a month away from today . Just checking in with you . ?? Well with no contact all summer I totally forgot that I said I would baby sit for them in September 14-21st while they go to Cancun for their anniversary! She asked me back in May- I told her I would love to- I don’t get to spend much time with Ashtyn. I planned an Alaskan cruise for Craig and wanted to surprised Craig for his birthday this year. It is something he has always wanted to do. In planning it -the travel guide suggested this very week- I had totally forgot that I would watch Ashtyn. When I realized the mistake - I knew Shannon would be furious with me and just shut us out even more. I really felt sad I planned the same week - and dreading having to tell her I was not able to watch Ashtyn the same week they had planned- I figured they could make other arrangement- giving her notice we could not babysit while they were gone. I have always been there to watch the kids- I had my melt down in June because we didn’t plan anything for our anniversary this year- we haven’t been on a trip for over 8 years. We are not getting any younger and Craig’s health is not very good. With him turning 70 this year we need to plan some trips in the next 10 years or we are going to be to mild to travel. I’m already feeling like we have missed our window the past 9 years hanging out at the lake. It was exciting to surprise Craig with our trip to Alaska in September- well the happy bubble didn’t last long when Shannon texted me today asking me if I was still planning on watching Ashtyn? I responded -No -you will have to make other arrangements- for Dads birthday we are leaving on the 13 of September for an Alaskan cruise - it has been on his bucket list to do for many years and we are not getting any younger - sorry I will miss watching her! I knew she would not be happy about it but I have already paid for the trip and felt we deserve this time away for us. We have spent so much time watching our Grankids over the years while our adult children are traveling the world. Well Shannon responded back in an angry rage- You are so conditional so Evil for this one .. I can’t even imagine doing anything like this  to any of my kids  My grandchildren… I hoped some time could would help us and we could be mature adult and come to a place where we could air out our differences and the hurt feelings   And admit when you hurt people’s feelings . Especially the ones you claim to love but you clearly can’t do that your   .  I will NEVER Forgive you for this one … 

I will never ever ask you for  anything Ever agin you are unbelievably cruel…   You much more like your mother than you even know .. Have a nice life . I’ll let Ashtyn know how much you think of her … 

I’m heart sick about it - it was not intentional on my part! Ryan texted Craig back - saying -Hi Craig and Debbie. Shannon let me know you guys are no longer able to watch Ash during our Mexico trip in Sept. I’m hoping this was a lapse in memory on Debbie’s part, but if this is in retaliation for not showing up to the lake last month then I think we need to get together and try and mend things as the last thing I want is for us to end up in an estranged relationship. I love you guys, hope to hear back soon.

Craig texted back - Ryan, it was a total lapse in memory. She forgot that she had said that she could watch Ash. It had nothing to do with you guys not being able to make it up for my Birthday. We realize that with the distance to the lake it’s just not feasible at times. I didn’t know any thing about the surprise trip until last Sunday. We have been trying hard to find a time to get away for the last few years. We are getting older “ don’t like to think about it”and need to do things before we are not able. We love watching Ash, and have always done our very best to accommodate over the years. We are sorry the mix up.

Ryan responses back - HI Craig thanks for the update. Us not making it up last month had nothing to do with distance, and everything to do with Shannon and Debbie feuding, which was why I questioned if it was intentional, but glad to hear it wasn’t. I really wished we could have made it to the party but Shannon is stubborn. I’m very happy to hear you guys are getting out to travel again, as I’m on the same page of we aren’t getting any younger! The timing is just bad. We have a financial stake involved which is non-refundable, and Shannon doesn’t trust anyone else with the kids. Anyways, I’m not asking for you guys to make any changes to your travel plans. This is more of me just expressing the bind that we’ve been put in. We’ll figure something out, and wish you guys a terrific experience up in Alaska.

At least Ryan sound reasonable - and I know put them in a bind - which I feel sorry about and disappointed too. They do have a month to figure something out- they have the older boys still leaving at home. So I would think they could work something out with them or their girlfriends who they are dating. Landon is a senior in High school now and really he would be able to manage it. We left our girls incharge a few time when they were this age- so now the I’m in a deeper hole with Shannon - she is just way over reacting and being very unreasonable. I’m tired! And tired of her attaching me- she has been missed and just keeps pushing us further away acting like she is a victim to her parents cruel behavior when it is further from the truth!!

My Go To Scripture

In YSA relief - Maggie Thornock taught our lessen. She did such a great job. She asked us to think of a go to scripture that brings us encouragement- I loved the scripture in section 6 of the Doctrine and Covenants - Austin also shared this same scripture in his missionary letter this week - D&C 6:36

"Look unto me in every thought, doubt not. Fear not.

Austin - This was a scripture my seminary teacher would make us chant every class my senior year. It's always been a great thing for me to remember in trials. I still hear him chant it haha

There are times when I learn about the events that need to take place before the second coming of our Savior Jesus Christ I become afraid- yet I know I was born for this time in history and God is incharge- he is the winning team and he will provide a way to escape if needed and through my temple covenants I have a heavenly shield against the power of the destroying- don’t get discouraged I can do hard things!! Love how it say look unto God in every thought and be not afraid- doubt not he will be there to lift me up - I just need to ask for his help when needed and thank him every day for the blessed earth life I have lived! And will continue- be not afraid to die as I approach my older years the closer to death is fearful in some ways- it is the unknown that wait- another journey In my eternal life line- just praying for the strength to get through this earth life as a valiant servant of God-

Happy Birthday President Symes

celebrating Craig 70th Birthday August 10th 2025- so sweet at church they made lovely cake and sang happy birthday to honor him on his special day - I surprised him with our trip to Alaska leaving Sept 13th- Craig has tears in his eyes when he read his card! Something he has always wanted to do! So excited !

Craig and Dave Placed 1st

Craig and Dave placed 1st Place in their 3.5 men’s double competition. They won all 7 games- great job! It was fun to watch them. We stayed for the afternoon games where some of our Bear lake Pickelball members were playing. Ashlee and Dale were playing on the far west side of the court. While watching- a group playing next to them- one of the players became mad and threw his paddle up and over the fence really hard hitting my new Lexus on the hood. Sad it put a big dent. I was not happy with the guy! He came over after his game and gave us his info so we can claim on insurance to have it fixed. My car is not a year old and now have a big dent to repair. Bummer, it is repairable- just taking the time to get it fixed is annoying to have to deal with. 2025 Raspberry Days Pickleball Champs men’s double 3.5

Craig and Dave Noriega our son-in-law won their first tournament playing together at Raspberry Days. Craig is turning 70 years old tomorrow- congrates to the oldest man in his group to compete and took the gold!! He and Dave played well together!

Pickelball Frustration

I just feel like quitting!! This Pickelball sport has become a source of contention for me. I’m tired of being told I’m not good enough and trying to not let it hurt my feelings. Craig is very competitive and has pushed for me to learn. It started out it has been a sport we could do together. Well I’m not good enough to play with him anymore and has become a source of contention for me. I’m left playing with players less challenging in our community Pickelball club who gather to play. So I have been frustrated that I’m not improving and have hit a plateau. I have just been playing for fun and felt it has been something we could do as couples- well that has all changed this summer for me. Craig doesn’t want to play with me and wants to play with the more competitive group in the community. He really hurt my feelings in June when he yelled at me I’m not good enough to play with the group his was invited to play in and separated him from our community club- Dale Brower who taught Craig and I how to play started his own group playing with those he felt pulling out from our community group- I’m not invited. I have tried to not let it hurt my feelings. Craig has been hurt most of the summer and has not been able to play much. I have gotten up early three days a week to play in the coummunity group without him. I just wanted to play and try to get better. It has been fun and more challenging to have summer guest join in our community play time. Well this week I’m made to feel I’m not good enough to play even in our community group any more with nasty comments by players who don’t want to rotate partners which is what they have always done- we rotate partners for each game. I’m fine with more challenging partners it makes the game more exciting. Well we had partners staying together and not wanting to rotate because they are playing in an up coming tournament and want to stay together. I’m fine with it- then I have Brad who I was matched up with for the next game say I’m not able to play well enough with the competing couple. It really bugged me because now I’m being told I’m not good enough to play with the group- Brad played terrible as my partner- I out played him on that game- I was really offend by his comment- which was not needed- this is a community group to play and not criticize as players, just give us time to play with one another and to enjoy the sport. Then Ted a friend of Craig’s and Dale stops by our home this week to visit and Craig is pushing me on him for him to play with me and work on my technique which is very uncomfortable to me- him being a single man that I don’t even know. Thursday -Ted comes to the community group play time and we pair up. The entire time his is bossing me around how to play as his partner and even had the nerve to say I’m not listening to him- I’m trying to do better and I just want to play and have fun. He was really stressing me out- the entire morning I had my male partners telling me how to play- when it is ok for them to mess up - and I’m not telling them how they should have made a better hit at the ball! They are all too competitive for me- this weekend we are having a Pickelball tournament and some our community members played and did well winning gold, sliver and bronze in mixed doubles mostly spouses playing and competing with one another. Craig never even suggested we play together- He signed up with Dave our son-in-law. They play in the morning at 8am. So now I’m left to feel I need to support them in their competitive tournament. I know they will do just fine- what is the point? to boost your ego- I won a game and pay money to even play. I’m suppose to be the cheering supportive wife! It all just infuriates me! I’m tried of being a spectator! I have done it our entire marriage- in rhe early years of our marriage I supported Craig in competing when he played racquetball- I was left home with raising our girls and didn’t have the time to invest. Now I’m placed in a position in our older years where he is competing again and I’m pushed to the side. This time I’m trying to invest time to learn the sport and have enjoyed learning -yet told Loud and Cleat by many men I’m not good enough to play!! So why bother any more? I’m just done !! And I don’t what to be a spectator either- I don’t want to compete- I just want to play and enjoy the activity- it has just become to frustrating for me making me feel I’m not good enough to play! I feel really anger about it all right now and it is not worth the grief for me. I’m just done- so much for something we can do together in our older years- that has been blownup by my husbands competitive spirit in my view and not worth the upset! For now I’m giving up the sport all together -

Busy Summer

I was busy the week before our July 25th surprise birthday party for Craig getting things ready. The family started arriving on Wednesday July 23rd. Trisha and Buck came up a week earlier. We enjoyed spending time with them. They are very helpful for us around the cabin doing chores. We had fun eating out at the different summer restaurants in town. The family all left on Sunday July 27th. I was so tired after they left I had to just do to bed. I missed church that Sunday- It took me the rest so the week cleaning up from the family of 20 for four days- I just took one day at a time doing what chores I could do. We had our YSA activity at the North beach July 29th- we all had a great time- we had a doctor’s appointment for Craig on Monday and drove down late Sunday evening. I was so tired I slept all the way down and slept in on Monday most of the day resting from all our family and hosting the big birthday party. It was a quick trip down and back in time for our YSA weekly YSA activity at Piggotts lovely home on the 29th- I kept busy cleaning each day to get our home back in order. Sunday August 3rd was my week to cook for our YSA Dinner after church. I made yummy spaghetti with sausage and pepperoni- it is a family favorite we learned from Dave Noriega when he served his mission from Spain. I cooked it all on Saturday for a 100 people. Sunday I made a double batch of banana brownies for our dessert- it took me the two days cooking and preparing. Everyone loved our dinner! It was a lot of work- I went early to set things up nice and decorated the table nautical theme for summer. It didn’t get home until 8pm from our dinner and cleaning up it took me until 10pm- it was a full day for me getting ready. Monday I woke up in-time to play Pickelball for a few hours. It’s a daily chore for me to water all my flower pots. They are all so pretty this year. Tuesday we hosting another lake weekly ysa activity at our home. They all like coming to our lake home. I was busy tidy things up out side and getting g ready- we had breakfast for our dinner. We had to cook pancakes and eggs ahead of time. We had a great turn out about 40. Today I have been so tired. I took a hot shower and did a few morning chores, tidying up from hosting our activity last night. By noon I was so tired I had to go back to bed and slept the afternoon. I needed another day to recover from our busy activities. Can’t believe it is already August. Summer is going by too fast as always. Landon and some of his friends are arriving tonight for the 4 day weekend- Shar and Dave are arriving Friday. Craig and Dave are playing in a Pickelball tournament on Saturday morning. Natasha, Bridger, Lincoln and Win left for China today they will be back on August 16th. I told her I will take a shift next weekend to watch the girls Ani and Cora- we will have a busy weekend. It is the last big weekend at the lake- Raspberry weekend coummunity events. The parade is tomorrow Thursday evening- and a firework show on Saturday evening- Im in charge for the Sunday treat again this week- I’m serving frozen Marie Calendar pies- it is Craig’s big 70th birthday Sunday we can sing happy birthday to him at church. I’m so excited to surprise him with our cruise trip to Alaska leaving Sept 13th. This is something he has always wanted to do. We aren’t getting any younger and needed to plan some trips! He is going to be so surprised !!! Can’t wait till Sunday to tell him! Going to enjoy this weekend with our family.

Craig Big 70th Birthday Party

We had an awesome Birthday !! It was all worth the planning. I had the Rich Jazz High Band come play 70’s songs. The live band added a really fun feel to our party. We had about 100 in attendance. The girls and their families were all here except the Chaudhry family. Shannon is still in the pout with us which is so not needed. Pray she can heal from her troubling thoughts about our family. We do love her very much and do not want to hurt her in any way. We have missed seeing and their family this summer. Stacy flew in from California with Farrah, Enzo and Jude. Chad had to stay home with Yeal. It was alot of work hosting! I really appreciated the help from all our daughters to make it a great success. Trisha is our great organizer and helped with the decoration and good prep. She cooked our yummy barque pork. I made baked beans and we had serval guest bring salads. It all was really yummy, we served mini cheese cake desserts and sang happy birthday to Craig with 70 candles to blow out- so glad we plan a fun party this year. Thomas Family Ani and FarrahDebbie, Craig and StacyTowner family Burbidge Family Thomas Family Best Cousins Saydee, Karlee, Ani, Farrah, EnzoShar and DaveTrisha and BuckCraig and I with his Sister Chris and brother in law Terry Spinks Our Favorite Cousins Flint and JacciWe all had a great time !