December

And so this is Christmas, and what have you done? Another year over and a new one just begun.

My first Christmas without both of my parents. It's been rough, melancholy, and sad most of the time. I'll get through it, they would want me to. I remember caring for Mom and talking to her about it, she would always say, "you have your own life to live". It's just not the same without them, they have always been there..... and now? Poof - Gone.

So, this Christmas; I dedicate to them and their memory, what they meant to me and especially for what I am, where I am, who I am. For without them, I would be nothing............ Love ya Mom and Dad! Miss you sooooo much.

On a lighter note. It is snowing here in Utah and beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go! Thank goodness, since it is only 9 days away! I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy and ready for the big day. None of that last minute shopping for the Kisselburg clan...... We are organized and ready! Right?

I leave you with the words from the Rascal Flatts song, "My Wish":

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,

and each road leads you where you want to go,

and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

and if one door opens to another door closed,

I hope you keep on walkin' 'til you find the window,

if it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

but more than anything, more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

and while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to,

I hope you know somebody loves you and wants the same things too.

Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but you never forget,

all the ones who love you, in the place you left,

I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,

and you help somebody every chance you get,

Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,

and always give more than you take.

But more than anything, Yeah, and more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this is my wish. This is my wish I hope you know somebody loves you

may all your dreams be big.

Merry Christmas Everyone! Here's to 2009 being better than 2007 and 2008! Change is in the air, can you smell it? Can you feel it?

Go UTES! And Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope you all had a wonderful Turkey day, gobble gobble gobble. Jack & I went to my son and daughter in laws. It was absolutely fabulous. My cute little grand daughters made place cards for everyone. Very cute and talented girls.
Last week was the big Utah rival game between the University of Utah and BYU. The U won! Yeah! For those of you who don't know the difference between a Ute fan and a Y fan, see above...........

Non medication Acid Reflux

I have been researching on the internet about how to treat Acid Reflux without taking medication. Here's what I've learned:

1. Your stomach is a stupid organ
2. Give up smoking, drinking, caffeine, chocolate, fatty foods, and lose weight
3. Don't lie down for at least 3-4 hours after eating your evening meal
4. Spread a small amount of Manuka Honey on bread and eat before each meal
5. Pickles! Eat a pickle or drink pickle juice with each meal
6. Reduce your Salt intake

Egads.............. Combine that with the low fat diet you need to maintain a healthy heart and lower your cholesterol and you might as well be dead. The secret is - stay healthy, don't get high cholesterol, acid reflux, heart disease, osteoperosis, high blood pressure..... yadda, yadda, yadda

Getting Old

My 10 best things about getting old :

1. My investment in Health Insurance is finally paying off
2. My secrets are safe with my friends because they can't remember them
3. My eyesight won't get much worse
4. The things I buy now won't wear out
5. In a hostage situation, I will likely be the first to be released
6. I sing along to elevator music
7. Arthritis makes it less likely I will lose my wedding ring
8. More and more people I hate are dead
9. Studies show, older people are happier
10. My favorite............ I can order off the seniors menu at IHOP

Fortunes.......

I'm baaaaaaaaaaack............... Just wanted to post my collection of Chinese Fortunes from all the fortune cookies I don't eat, but frantically break open to find the tiny little strip of paper nestled within............. Enjoy

Them's powerful words

I have not posted in over a week. Writers cramp. I have opened the blogger, but stared at it blankly for several minutes then signed out. I am back with a vengence...........
My Great Grandfather (John Paternoster Squires) on my mothers side was born in 1820, migrated from England to the US in 1852. His mother taught him to read and write until he could attend school at the age of 10. He attended school for not quite 3 years before he had to leave to help support the family. He died at the age of 81 in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1901.
I want to quote here a portion of a letter he wrote to his parents just before he left England to come to the US. He had just received a letter from them and was very pleased to receive it. This part of the letter he is in a reminiscent mood.
I find this writing very cultivated from someone who only had education until the age of 13 years.

Aprl 1852 Putney, England

Let us take a walk to Ayet Green, I mean the place where old Samuel Paternoster dwelt, I did think of going to Woolmer Green, the birthplace of my mother, but the journey is almost too far. Perhaps we shall go there some other time. Well, I am now in front of my grandfather's cottage, just about to open the wicket gate at the entrance of the garden. Click goes the latch, I was about to bound down the garden walk, but on looking around I see close behind me with a child in her arms - my Mother. The childs name is Jimmy. So I hold the gate open, waiting for my Mother and little Jimmy to pass through. On looking towards my right, I behold the path bordered with parsley. On the left side of the door to the house I perceive the May flowers growing luxuriantly.
We enter the house and find Grandmum sitting beside a good fire kindling on the hearth, mending Grandad's stockings. On raising her eyes and earnestly beholding us she is saying, "Well, child, is it you? You must be very tired walking all the way, carrying that great child." The chairs are moved from their accustomed places and we are soon comfortably seated.
Grandmum is now very busy preparing tea, ever and anon asking after the rest of the family. Now come that delicious bread and butter, bread out from home made cakes and butter fresh from Master Foxley's dairy. Oh! How refreshing it is after walking seven miles.
We have had our tea, the old black teapot is placed beside the fire for Grandad and my eldest brother (Thomas), whose arrivals we are expecting any minute, and I am standing near the door impatiently awaiting the same.

New Beginning

Just beginning blog spot...
This side of the family is in Utah. We are enjoying a beautiful Indian Summer in October, with the georgous changing of colors in fall.
There is a nasty cold going around that lingers in your head for weeks, has no sore throat, but just seems to hang on, comes and goes in waves, and generally makes you miserable.
It is flu shot season here also. BLAH.
All Utah family members are well, except for the lingering cold mentioned above.
We are working hard and partying even harder. This weekend is the annual pumpkin carving party, our grand kids will carve ours for us. We are very excited to see what we get.
Next Thursday (the day before Halloween) will be our second grand daughters 10th birthday.
This month we have planted 66 crocus bulbs at the cemetery at the Squires family plot (gramma, grampa, cousin, mom, step dad, and brother), plus a few at Orval's niche. Can't wait for spring when they all pop up and these are the only flowers blooming in the entire cemetery!!! It is such a sight to see. My mommy would love it.
Also this month, our son and daughter in law celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary, our nephew turned 20, our very good friends and neighbors turned 75, a good friend retired, another good friend will have a birthday on Halloween - muahahahahaha