SCARECROW PAT

PIRATE COBY

WITCH MARIANNE

MUSTACHE FUN

EVEN MILLIE!

HONEY'S HALLO-WEINER

'A Walk in the Woods'

October 2014

Here it is, nearly Halloween 2014, as we try to 'party on'!

It's been a good month, all around, despite the disappointing news of a Sara and Marianne's miscarriages.  We know that there are spirits awaiting a turn on earth and we hope that they will find a home in our family this next year.

Our Hallo-weiner was such fun!  The day of, I had so many ideas running through my head, I wasn't sure I could pull of the 'Walk in the Woods.'  Then I realized I had talented 'thespian' children who could assist and so, thanks to them being darn good sports (so like their Dad) I had four stops on the walk with 4 different characters.

Pat was an excellent Scarecrow who handed out flashlights after his story, telling the 'grands' there was 'pirate trouble' ahead.  Coby jumped out of the woods in his trusty Pirate character, telling the children there was buried treasure that they needed to find before that scurvy pirate, Blackbeard got his hands on it!  Treasure was to be found and the pirate told them to walk on, and beware of the 'Witch'!  Marianne proved to be a likable but totally witchy witch, who read a story, telling the kids there was always 'room on her broom'!  She warned of something ahead that might want to catch them in his 'web'!  By then it was getting dark (sorry, no picture) but Ben, dressed as Spiderman, jumped out of a tree and sprayed all with silly string, thus 'catching' us in his 'web'!  

Then it was back to Honey's to enjoy Hallo-' weiners', cider, cupcakes and games.

I can't deny it, I often have brilliant ideas that work - and this one did.  Love that I can count on my children.

Sorry Bob and Sara's family missed out being in Boise.  Bob would have made an excellent 'Skeleton', now that he works with 'limbs'!

I know Jim was with us all evening.  I still feel him very close.  I know he wants to be a part of our lives and know he is there to be our guardian angel.

Missed you darling, as always!

BOISE OR BUST!

I just arrived home from a week in Boise with the Bob Rich family.  Bob completed his prosthetics and orthotics residency in California and found employment in Boise where they have bought a cute home that Sara and I had fun adding a few little decorative touches to.
The day I arrived was a bit traumatic, as Sara had just found out she was pregnant with a rare set of twins called 'mono mono twins'!  Their survival rate is about 50-50 and as of today, it looks as though they don't think they have survived.  Sara is a rock and Bob is such comfort.  They are wonderful parents and I'm sure the Lord is looking out for their best interests, as this pregnancy would be tenuous and very stressful, not knowing what the outcome would be.  I so admire all of my children for their faith and positive outlook on life.
Marianne also had an early miscarriage this past week and we marked the 6th anniversary of our darling Jack's death as well.  Life is hard but we feel so blessed to have the Gospel and know that someday, all will make sense and be well.

You can see in pictures below that we had great fun with the Boise Riches.  Duncan and Charlie play so well together, and I may have introduced them to their first taste of 'coke'....I know!!!  Honey spoils again!  I love their new home..it's just right for them and they have a beautiful landscaped and fenced yard for the boys to play in.  Soon their will be more little footprints covering their lawn, as I know they will be blessed.
Marianne is off with Lance to Las Vegas today for a much needed break after her hard week.  Her birthday is Monday and they'll meet Pat, Anna-Lisa and kids and me and Livie and Tyson in St. George on the way home.  They are a great couple and I know they will also be blessed with more darlings like Olivia and Tyson.  Ben and Whitney have been working on their cute home again and have made some nice changes to the kitchen.  Ben continues to be a little frustrated with all the meetings a ward executive secretary has to attend, but he is learning and growing.  Sammie, Mason, Lulu and Chance all seem to be thriving and growing well.  Pat continues to work hard for IHC and Anna-Lisa has her hands full with little Daphne (who just had her 1st birthday) and Millie.  They are darling little girls and I'm excited to spend a little time with them in St. George this weekend.  Coby and Tif are off to Bear lake with the boys and their friends for a couple of days.  Corbin and Jaden are both in school and Cole is starting to be so fun!  Coby has been putting in alot of time with his company, Property Solutions, and just did a fun presentation for their summit at Deer Valley.  Tif is volunteering at the boys schools and keeps busy.  I think they are hoping to add to their family - one more time - this next year.  So, it seems we will keep growing in numbers.  

I surely miss my Jim.  My car had a major breakdown after I got home from Boise and I NEEDED him.  I always NEED him.  He was always a calming presence and the voice of reason.  It's amazing how much I miss just bouncing things off of him to get his reaction.
I know he is busy watching over us (a big job) and preparing our heavenly home but I sure do wish he could have hung around a lot longer.  I might have already mentioned that The Dennis Group had their annual Jim Rich Memorial Bike Ride and picnic the end of August in Millcreek Canyon.  They are so kind to do this for Jim and our family.  Coby, Ben and Pat and Uncle Rob (Best Buddy) rode the trail and the rest of us enjoyed a wonderful picnic.

On to Autumn and soon -  Christmas!!!!!  The days are going by too quickly.  Here's to SLOWING the GO, ENJOYING each moment and.....keeping the FAITH!

Bob, Sara, Duncan and Charile at the Boise River

Charlie and Duncan at the Thunderbird air show

Bob and Sara's backyard after nerf wars

Thunderbird Air Show - Mountain Home Idaho

When b-fast is over, you can make a hat!

SUMMER AT BEAR LAKE!

SEPTEMBER ALREADY?

Not that the days always fly by, but why do SUMMER days?  
It's been a great summer at Bear Lake for me and my family.  We've enjoyed the new cabin changes which followed our winter pipe break and find that everyone still loves to escape the hot city for a weekend retreat.  
To catch up, in June Bob and Sara moved to Boise with their little boys and bought their first home.  Bobby has taken his first real job in the Prosthetic's and Orthodic's field and they are settling in, as they usually do, with ease!  They seem to roll better with change and being on 'their own' than we did as a young married couple.  Of course, Jim and I only lived away from SLC for three years and just had Coby at that time.  

What's NEW?  Got to spend a few days in Cedar City in August at the Shakespeare Festival with Allison Clayton.  We had a great time and it was a good time to regroup, clear my brain of a few things and be entertained.  That is amazing entertainment.  I really do love SHAKESPEARE.
I've also taken on a new little job as an editor with Meridian Magazine.  Our former neighbors and good friends, Scott and Maurine Proctor asked me to write for a section of their online magazine called 'Circle of Sisters' (under the heading of Family).  I'm supposed to ask questions that elicit responses and then respond to those 'responses'!  It's been a little tricky for me to curb my desire to be more 'creative' - but it's good experience in writing and you know how I LOVE WORDS!
In addition, I've recently been called and sustained as a counselor in the new stake YW presidency with Wendy Morgan as the president.  I'm a little sad to give up directing the ward choir, since I was just beginning to feel somewhat confident.  Since I had this YW calling in the Brighton stake and was choir director in my ward prior to that, I'm wondering if the Lord just doesn't want me conducting choirs?  Anyway, I shall do my best, which reminds me of this poem:

"They might not need me, yet they might,

I'll let myself be just in sight,

A smile the likes of mine might be,

Precisely their necessity!" 

As for other changes, no new grand babies to announce as of yet!  I do expect to be 'expecting news' in the next few months from a few of our girls.  Oh boy, we already have a pretty lively group; can't wait to see how the momentum picks up with more!!!!!  Coby is still working for Property Solutions as director of marketing.  Ben is finding his niche selling medicare and other insurance supplements with Browning Insurance, and with so many of our friends approaching that certain AGE, he should have a busy year.  Pat is still working for IHC as their videgrapher, Bob is as mentioned above and Marianne's husband Lance is a claims adjuster for Progressive Insurance.  I feel blessed to have all our children employed, their families healthy and happy and faithful in the Church.  HUGE blessings!  
I'm off to visit Bob and Sara in Boise in a couple of weeks this month.  In January (for my big Christmas/birthday, etc. gifts to the family this year), we're going on a Disney Cruise (with everyone ...I hope)!.  Other than that, no plans to travel but I'm always thinking ahead of what would be fun.  Got to keep movin' to ease the pain!

"As For Me And My House", I'm feeling like year two without Jim is even more difficult than year one.  My heart aches for his arms around me, his voice, his laugh, his company!  I think the first year I felt so sorry for what he went through, so sad he had to endure that horrid disease.  Now I miss how he might have been if he'd stayed healthy; what we might have done together, how he could have loved and enjoyed seeing his children mature and grandchildren grow!  It's plainly just painful and still such a hard reality.  I still find myself wanting to call and tell him something or expect the door to open and him to saunter in after work!  And......I DON"T LIKE LIVING ALONE!  It never worries me - it's just feels so EMPTY!
 
Now, with all the 'ice bucket challenges' for ALS and the new awareness and money flooding into research, I am reminded even more of our GREAT loss - and of others who have endured and still are enduring!  I truly pray that with the Lords help, a pathway will open up to a cure.  I know that Jim would be thrilled to see it benefit others, even if he was not a recipient of that help!  I know he is cheering on the effort!  I know he is mindful of his family and busily preparing a place for us all to gather together one day.  I know he is close to me because I tell him that HE HAS TO BE and I feel his protective care!  I know that he is still Jim - just somewhere else!  Oh, this ENDURING THING can be crappy!

However, though days can be rough, there are also many good days so I'll end this entry by sending love and thanks to Jim's former employer, The Dennis Group, who are holding the 2nd Annual Jim Rich Memorial Bike Ride this Thursday in honor of Jim.  They have been so good to our family and this really is the crowning touch!  After the ride the riders, their families and our entire family will be treated to a fabulous picnic up Millcreek canyon as well!  I believe this speaks volumes for Jim and the influence he had on others.  Many from the various Dennis Group offices in the country have also all participated in the ALS ice bucket challenge in honor of Jim - such an amazing tribute.  And lest I forget, to many of our family, good friends and neighbors who have also participated in the 'challenge' in honor of Jim  - our profound LOVE and GRATITUDE!
HAPPY SEPTEMBER!

STILL 'SINGING'

The 'SONGKEEPERS'

June has 'busted' out all over' so it's time to make another blogspot-entry!
In 1990 I was asked to create a program around a book by Emma Lou Thayne called 'As For Me and My House' for a stake Relief Society Education Day, with Emma Lou as the keynote speaker. That was the beginning of my experience writing and producing musical readers theater presentations with a little group of lovely ladies that came to be called

SONGKEEPERS! 

 The idea was to write productions that would give a little history of the songs we sang, in order to KEEP those SONGS alive!  'As For Me and My House'  put a 'bee in my bonnet' to continue writing.  With the church's sesquicentennial celebration and Utah's bicentennial in progress in the 1990's, I dove into writing two different productions of  'Hats of Our Heritage';  a musical history of our pioneer heritage and of Utah's statehood!  When the year 2000 rolled around, we performed a quick run through of music and stories from the 10 decades of the 20th century called 'Sing a Century'!  Then my love of Christmas music led to writing  'A Patchwork Christmas', a history of how we came to celebrate Christmas on December 25th as well as the stories behind beloved Christmas traditions, customs, carols and songs.  The last to be put to paper has been 'Accentuate The Positive' which we currently perform, along with 'A Patchwork Christmas'!

Twenty four years later we are 'still singing' as I continue to work on 'accentuating the positive' in my new life without Jim.  The ladies have come and gone over the years as life's experiences and events changed.  Some of them included my sisters Margaret and Janette and sisters in law Mary Ellen and Ann.  Our fabulous pianist Alice Christensen, Naomi Damron and I are 'originals' but Kathy Bates has been in most of the shows and Daryl Broadbent has lent her talent to many!  Kay LaCheminant is our fun new addition and the six of us are currently performing 'ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE'! So fyi, if you know anyone interested in an upbeat 30 minute program, let me know!

I am grateful to these ladies and all those others who have supported me in this creative venture.  Performing has always been a passion as has the love of words and putting them into story form.  I think my first attempt was a sixth grade play (can't remember the name) which several of my brave classmates and I performed for the whole student body at William Penn Elementary in the early 60's!  Wow - that dates me!!!!!

 So, THANK YOU dear friends for helping me keep a 'song in my heart' these past years and especially these past months.  It has truly been a healing help!

A quick 'catch-up' on the family!  Coby and Tiffany are settled in South Jordan with their 3 darling sons (four really, as we always include our Jackie) and Coby is a marketing executive with a company called 'Property Solutions' in Lehi.  Ben and Whitney have two adorable girls and two strapping boys and Ben continues to sell Medicare supplements for Browning Insurance.  (So you 64 plus-ers, let me know if you need a good man to set you up in the near future).  Pat and Anna-Lisa are specializing in girls and have two sweethearts, Amelia and Daphne and Pat does well continuing to work in IHC's videography dept.  Bob and Sara just moved from Sacramento with their darling boys Duncan and Charlie to Boise, as Bob has recently completed his residency in Prosthetic s and Orthotic's. They're excited to be closer to home. Bear Lake and family and finally find a permanent place to settle!  Marianne and Lance live close by in Draper with their two cuties, Olivia and Tyson.  Lance works for Progressive Insurance as an adjuster and is my 'favorite' son-in-law!  The others are just plain...my favorites.  Jim and I always felt that our offspring were out choicest of blessings!
HAPPY JUNE!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

CELEBRATING THE 'WONDERFUL LIFE' OF JIM RICH - April 8th 2014

Jim and Joanne's 'grands' (minus Jack, Duncan and Charlie)!

DISNEYLAND 2014

Di

The Disneyland gang!

Honey at Poo's 'honey pot' with the grands!

May day, May day!

The Riches and Welches visit Disneyland

The Coby Rich, Ben Rich and Lance (Marianne) Welch families just concluded a week of hysterical fun in southern California.  We survived the masses of humanity that now visit the Disneyland theme parks daily and no one was lost or hurt.  Some of our gang visited for five days, some for four and let's just say.... that this is MORE FUN than one should have!  We were also hit with an unusual heat wave and wind but it didn't hamper our active bunch.  Thank goodness the our accommodations were close enough to leave the park and have an afternoon swim.  All nine of my grands had a blast; even the four year old's were introduced to the 'TOWER OF TERROR'!  Yes, that is one ride NOT on my list, but the new CARS ride in California adventure is a new favorite.  You MUST TRY IT! 

We all felt that Jim was with us, as we know he would want to be.  He was always such a 'presence' with his kids and grand kids; ever in the fray with them! I know he came along for the 'ride' because it was hard to hold back tears.... daily!  What a fun husband, Dad, Poppy to share life with.  I MISS HIM with all of my broken heart!

Coming and going we stayed in the family home in St. George, which to everyone's dismay, is now for sale.  With all of my siblings having second homes at Bear Lake, it just seems a bit much to try to keep our Lakota Ridge home as well.  Sad but true.  And....speaking of Bear Lake, our remodel from the pipe break last winter is nearly complete.  We will have a new kitchen and laundry room, fresh paint on the walls and new flooring on the main floor thanks to insurance coverage.  We're calling it a 'fortunate' accident!  Can't wait to enjoy summer at the lake!

Bob Sara, Duncan and Charlie (our California gang) are in the process of making a vocational move.  Bob has completed his Prosthetic s and Orthodontics finals and finished his residency in Sacramento and they are on the lookout for permanent employment.  He's interviewing so far in Boise and Albuquerque and I am personally hoping for the closest one...Boise!  Pat, Anna-Lisa, Millie and Daphne couldn't make the trip with their family either but both of our little troupes were greatly missed.  We do love sharing time together!  Again...grateful for Bear Lake and for my beautiful family!

JOANNE AND MARGARET HAVE 'FUN FOR LESS'!

AWAY, DOWN UNDER

In February, my sister Margaret and I took a 'Fun for less' trip for three weeks to New Zealand, Australia and Fiji!  The following is a poem I wrote to 'travel log' the adventure.  The pictures are out of order because I haven't yet figured out how to edit them in the blog, but I will work on it....
So......

Away, Down Under

Away, down under where Kangaroos roam,

Far far away from the comforts of home,

Strangers hoping for fun...for less,

Packed bags and passports and all...but their stress

There were misters and sisters, couples and singles,

Grouped all together for a three week mingle!

A long stop in Fiji then to Auckland N.Z.,

Across the Pacific to the Tasman Sea!

A night in Auckland gave needful rest,

Fueling a journey that would be the best!

Breakfast then buses, green, yellow, red, blue,

Then off through the city the whole classy crew!

Museums and Maori's views of all sorts,

Gave way to the 'Princess sitting stately in port!

We boarded, unpacked, finding all very fine,

Then met for dinner with those whom we'd dine!

Sunday's church meeting, a nice Christian blend,

With Michael and John, a fine way to end...

Our first touring day, then off to our beds,

Enjoying the ship as it rocked our tired heads!

First stop, Tauranga, a ride through the hills,

The lush rolling landscape gave each our first thrills!

Sheep shearing venture and fun Maori show,

'People most important' is what we should know!

Next day a lecture for our happy group,

Aborigines, Maori's and 'Cook' were the scoop!

Movies on deck under moon lit sky,

Entertainment, trivia and treasures to buy!

Akaroa tendering, a morning delight,

Seeing dolphins, penguins and seals, quite a sight!

Some found the 'House of Giants' a hit,

Or ate fish and chips and shopped for a bit!

Back to the boat for the standard regime,

Dressed up for dinner, a formal night theme!

Bringing us 'round to our next seaport day,

Where we'd meet at our bus in the usual way!

Rain fell in Dunedin, still lots to see,

Albatross, sea lions, quaint scenery!

A walk up and down the world's steepest street,

For some, in the rain this was quite a feat!

Fjords I thought were just Norway's boast,

But seeing New Zealand's we all were engrossed!

A beautiful day and St. Valentines too,

Making new friends, awfully nice through and through!

On sea day two, Michael's wisdom imparts,

A love for these people and lands in our hearts!

John's music and voice are truly sublime,

He made (some) of us sing and try to make rhyme!

Sunday more sailing, free from all strife,

Our service with Michael, 'The Greatest Life'!

Then later on Alex Maconochie,

We were taught of mercy and humanity!

Port Arthur, Tasmania's colony prision,

Was our next day's trip,  a most humbling one!

Beautiful now, though the history is chilling,

Grateful for our time to live was instilling!

Another day on the Tasman Sea

Could we 'eat' much more, why sure it 'seems' free!

Relationship lesson and tales of 'bold dashes,'

Cheers John and Michael, your lectures were smashes!

Melbourne next day was a too-brief treat,

Right from our hands we helped Kangaroos eat!

Koalas, Tasmanian devils and more,

But out time in the city was too short for sure!

Can you believe it, our last day afloat,

Twelve days at sea, that's all she wrote!

Oh the things we've learned and the places we've been,

On a travel scoreboard this gig gets a ten!

But we're not through yet because Sydney awaits,

We'll sail in at night by the Opera House gates!

Back to the states group one now must go,

Group two to the airport and on with the show!

Flight into Cains, Aborigine show,

Didgeridoos', boomerangs, learned how to throw!

Nightfall then breakfast, to the reef for a dive,

Or a snorkel or swim around coral that's alive!

All suited up in our one-piece attire,

We look so hot (not) we were almost on fire!

Some saw Nemo and other rare fishes,

Making come true our fondest reef wishes!

Dinner in Cairns then for Fiji we packed,

So much excitement, not many 'zzz's' racked!

City tour of Sydney and harbor cruise sights,

Then dinner and back to our room for good nights!

Flight into Nadi on Fiji air,

Luggage checked (15 lbs.) got room to spare?

The Pacific's beautiful emerald isles,

Soon changed our weary faces to smiles!

That night on the bus we were all loose and tired,

Jokes passed around, we were all pretty wired!

Late night arrival at resort, Shangri La,

Luggage unpacked then to bed we'd withdraw!

Morning dawned sunny and breakfast was tasty,

Swimsuits on 'cause FUN one must not waste-y!

But rain soon was falling and palms were a' sway,

And the rains settled in for the rest of our stay!

Now an end to adventuring, I don't think so,

For a speed boat trip kept us still on the go!

Life jackets on we went rushing up-river,

With rain coming down, 'twas a bit of a shiver!

We climbed to the village, a slippery trail,

The natives were happy with stories to tell!

The chief's house for 'Kava' under thatched roof dome,

Some didn't drink, but why not 'when in Rome'?

An invite for lunch nicely set on the floor,

Singing by villagers, kids to adore! 

Then off to our bus we went happy and wet,

With memories all of us won't soon forget!

Last night a luau, Fijian style,

With buffet and dinner and dance all the while!

The natives said God had sent them a gift,

'Cause the rains of the day had started to lift!

"Bulla', "vinacca," these people are rare,

Happy and loving, so willing to share!

Yes PEOPLE are truly the 'IMPORTANT THING,'

Maori words from New Zealand in our hearts did ring!

The Fijians bid us a soggy goodbye,

No Cyclone in sight we were eager to fly!

A few more island sights to take in,

Before our long journey back home would begin!

Perry Mason's garden of orchids and flowers,

Was quite a bright spot in a day full of showers!

Then dinner and buses and airports and such,

Hard to believe we'd been traveling so much!

Anita and Eric, what great gracious hosts,

Each of us offer a most heart-felt toast!

To your positive outlook, your patience and care,

Better times we couldn't have had anywhere!

To Michael, John and Norelle, all the same,

We found you delightful in spite of your 'fame'!

And to all of the PEOPLE whose lives ours have blessed,

Here's to memories and friendships and more

'fun for less'!

2014

SNAP-SHOT SUMMARY!

Mark and Lafaunda Curtis met us in Auckland

                                                       Fijian Village - river boat adventure

Last dinner in Nadi Fiji

Shangri La Resort - Fiji

All geared up for our river boat adventure

Fun friends from Idaho's potato farmland

House of Giants - artist's mosaic fantasy land

 Sydney Harbor and Opera House

 Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef

 Melbourne Australia - Aborigine Village

 Formal night on the Diamond Princess

 New Zealand fjords - Dusty Sound

 Our dinner 'dates' following Maori show - Auckland

 Rotoura, N.Z. hot pots

 A couple of our dinner partners - Jim and Becky in Tasmania

 Sorry- can't turn!  Our boat embarkation picture

                                  

 Milford Sound, New Zealand

More of the 'House of Giants' - Akaroa, N.Z.

 New friends from SLC - Ruth and Gary Wright

 My little 'Rue'- buddy at Ballarat Wildlife Park - Melbourne, N.Z.

 Before tendering in to Akaroa

 Disembarking at first N.Z. port, Tauranga

 The fabulous fjords of N.Z.

The Jim and Joanne Rich fabulous 13

Christmas 2013
 Just didn't get this darling picture posted in my December news and I couldn't possibly leave it out!
Of course we're missing our 'angel' Jack, which really gets us to 14! I am a proud 'Honey' - as is 'Poppy', I'm sure!

CHRISTMAS GATHERINGS: The 'two party' system!

Christmas 'Jingle Mingle'

Chris and Jayna

Diana and Suzi

Becky, Marg, Katie, Marianne and Tyson

 Christmas Open House

Good friends gather

 SONGKEEPERS