OCTOBER 2016

Oh boy, I hope I can catch up with this crazy but amazing year!  Maybe if I go backwards, I'll be able to remember everything I've done.

Marg and I just got back from our trip down the Mississippi River on the American River Queen.

American River Queen

Browning shop - Nauvoo

This is a trip that's been planned for a year and I have to say I was not very excited about it since I have been gone so much lately and especially since I knew there would be 

bus excursions which I truly don't love.  As it turned out, it was a very special experience!

We left from St. Paul Minnesota and cruised through 4 other states (Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri and even drove over the boarder to Arkansaw).  By the time we docked in St. Louis, Marg and I opted to rent a car and drive to Branson (our extension trip) while the others toured Springfield Illinois and stayed a night in St. Louis.  It was a great decision and we had a good little rest from the buses and crowd, who were all very nice but mostly an older group.  The Branson shows were spectacular and I would go again for the entertainment.  Many LDS family groups have shows there and they are amazing!

Sid:

I've been seeing Sid pretty regularly.  The above is a picture of him fishing on Bear Lake in September.  We've had many adventures and it seems that the 3 hour trip between us hasn't been a big issue as we've been able to meet in Salt Lake, Bear Lake or Pocotello or Idaho falls without too trouble.  The picture below is from our trip to Afton with his sister Vicki and husband Bernard to the Afton Temple open  house.  Summer was over in a flash and it was unique as I spent a lot of it with Sid.

It will be a year next month since we began messaging (online - grown) and talking on the phone.  December 4th was our first date!  He met me at one of our Christmas programs then took me to a singles dance at the Capitol.  In January we met at Bear Lake for a weekend which proved to be surprisingly so fun and easy.  On a date to Salt Lake later that month, he (very impromptu), invited me to go to San Carlos Mexico (that day) where he leases a home in a gated community.  After checking with all my children to see what they thought about me going out of country with a bit of a 'stranger', we took off and spent a quick week there.  Have you ever 'driven' to Mexico? It was a lot of fun driving and talking and it gave us a chance to get pretty well acquainted.  From then on we have been together pretty steadily, although I have known he has dated occasionally in between.  This fact became apparent this summer - which started my real roller coaster ride.  By now I had become pretty fond of him and he of me and so I had no idea that he'd had any time to date anyone else.  We've camped,hunted mushrooms and asparagus, tubed down the snake river, sailed, kayaked, cooked and played together at his Idaho Falls home, Bear Lake and St. George and he has had plenty of opportunity to bond with my family.  I have only met two of his four sons but they are very nice young men and I'm hoping to meet the others before too long.  

Putting myself in a position to date again has made me pretty vulnerable and down right scared of having my heart broken....again!  I had no idea my life would take on this kind of angst; the dating scene.  Sid has made it so fun to be together and we do have such a 'connection' with his growing up north of Bear Lake, his love of hunting and adventuring and sense of humor, that it's been hard to resist his charms.  On my return from the Mississippi trip last Friday he surprised me and picked me up at the airport from Branson.  He hasn't been much for surprises and his work in Pocotello has kept him so busy lately, that it was such a fun thing to see him drive up in his 'pick up'!  We've traveled many times to another project site he is working on in Milford Utah and then we usually head to St. George to spend a few days from there.  We've traveled to California to his sisters wedding and other trips together which has made us pretty aware of each others qualities and 'quirks'!  No one is without, yes?  So, as you've gathered, I like this man.  He makes me laugh, he values his testimony and is active in the church and has such a nice way with people.  He is just plain comfortable to be with, funny.  I's also so nice to have a  hand to hold.  I have mixed feelings about liking someone so much, because as you know, I had the best in Jim.  I believe that' our great marriage is why it's been so easy for me to love having a new companionship and..... maybe why, since he comes from a divorce, it's more difficult for him to make any kind of commitment.  I've made this relationship a serious matter of personal prayer and of leaning on the Lord's will for me. So, I will go forward with my new mantra from the scriptures....'stand steadfast in faith for that which is to come'!

Marianne turned 30 this September 29th and she invited me to join their family at Disneyland.  Again, just the right amount of vacation and lots of fun with this cute family

Disneyland with Welches - September

SUMMER 2016 

Sid with one of his planes

 

Bear Lake Patterson reunion

Ava Welch

In July Pat and Bob's families invited me to join them in Yellowstone for a fun 4 days of camping.  We had a great time and saw many things that I haven't yet seen there.  These kids really like to camp....my other children, not so much!  They're a fun group.

The latter part of May and early June, my siblings and I went on the FF Less tour to the British Isles.  It was almost a three week trip and with building going on at Bear Lake this summer.  It was completed in time for us to use in July and has been, I think, something Jim would have approved of and loved.  On our cruise we visited historic sites in London and Ireland and Scotland, the latter where we were able to take a side trip and visit Clackmannon, the home of our Patterson ancestors.  The boat was nice but I've made a discovery.  I do not like big crowds anymore.  The river boat held 500 (just right), the cruise ship, 2000 (too big).  I also think that I'm not likely to take another long trip without having a partner.  I just get too lonesome (it's a problem).  The Lord is trying hard to teach me trust and patience with these changes in my life and I hope I'm learning what I need to know.  Getting home was almost a relief but in retrospect, it was a wonderful trip and I think I was 'missed'  always a good thing.

 

Clackmannon Scotland - June 2016

 

 Scotland Highlands

Loch Ness

Going back to the spring, Ben and his family invited me to spend some time with them at their time share in Newport California during April Conference.  It was a fun outing and just the right amount of time away.  This is also a fun group!

 

Newport Beach April 2016

Shortly after that, they sold their home and moved in with me (with their two dogs) making our dog count three.  I have to admit that it has been a blessing in many ways.  I've been able to travel to Idaho Falls and Boise and points beyond and not worry about leaving Rosie, although I know she has suffered for my absence.  Wish I didn't love her so much.  We've been through a lot together since Jim's death and it would be hard to part with her.  Ben and Whitney have been very helpful and easy to live with and I have appreciated their help and company when I've been home.  Ben, and all my children, have been good counselors as I've worked my through these experiences and my 'ride' this year.  My children are wiser than their mother and each have something to offer to help me take life as it comes.

As I said, the new building at the lake (Poppy's Place) has been a blessing and all the kids have spent more time there this summer knowing they had a bedroom to call their own.  I love the fact that I (we) can all enjoy it this fall and through the winter without having to use the cabin.  I know there will be wonderful new memories made there. 


I've been able to visit Bob and Sara's family in Boise twice this year and love this little family.  They will be coming for Thanksgiving and I'm very 'grateful'!  

This wraps is up without, of course, so many more wonderful details of my blessed life.  I miss my Jim as always and the children miss their father.  He is near and his love and tender care of his family continue in spirit.  I cherish wonderful memories and look forward to the eternities where I know the Lord will have everything in place for our life to continue.  I also believe that if there are others we love here on earth, that He will make everything right in His great plan of happiness.