Looking Good Dez'

Dez' ride for his prom nite - along with his chauffeur

Cute Couple

So fun

Classic Vintage Wheels

Handsome young man!



My Sister and Me

This was taken in 1998.  I made a surprise visit to see my sister for her 50th Birthday.

My trip took me thru Reno Nevada, where she and her friend would be spending a few days at Circus, Circus.  It was the surprise of her life and the best "practical joke" I've ever pulled off. 

With the cooperation of the front desk staff I was able to have both Beverly and Susan summoned to the office.  Fortunately Beverly came first and I was able to introduce myself, calm her down and proceed with my plans.

The staff then proceeded to call Susan, ask her to come down to the office for a minor concern on their billing and tryed to assure her it could be easily worked out if she could just come down for a few minutes.  She was a little "miffed" and annoyed to be bothered but she was on her way down.

When she arrived she was ushered in the office behind the front desk, the manager trying to reassure her it would only take a few minutes, could she just come into his office.

So here is the scene as she steps inside:  Sofa to her left, unknown woman sitting there. (That would be my friend Connie, who had made the trip with me) Looking thru the doorway past the sofa she could see into the front desk area.  There's a lady there shuffling thru a file cabinet and looking up frequently to see the concern on my sister's face.  In the corner, diagonally across for the door she just entered.....Beverly setting in chair, face bowed, seeming genuinely concerned and then...who is this???? With my back to Susan, facing Beverly, I had a suit jacket on, my hair is cut in a loose, layered, shoulder length cut.  Couldn't tell if I was a man or woman and it appeared to Susan that I was confronting Beverly at this point.

Susan to motel manager "Could someone tell me what's going on here?  We have other credit cards if there's a problem with this one.  We can pay cash.  I'm sure we can resolve this."  

Motel manager "If you could just have a seat, I'm sure we can take care of this"

Susan "I can't imagine what the problem could be, I know we have good credit"
silence.......no one speaks.......she's surveying the room, wondering "Who the hell is the person in the suit jacket, why is Bev pushed in the corner, what!!! is going on here?"
with a crack in her voice "Would somebody talk to me?"
The tension was high, high, high in that small office space. 

I had not seen my sister for at least 5 years.  She couldn't even imagine that I would be there in Reno at Circus Circus. 

The manager persuaded her to have a seat and we could get this taken care of.  He carefully had her sit on sofa directly behind me......I was so pumped at what was about to take place....I sat looking at the wall, revelling in my accomplishment thus far.

Connie told me later at this point, the room was dead silence and no one was  moving, she was wondering if I was going to move.........oh it was priceless.

I had the grey suit jacket and levis on, my foreboding shades and a cigar.....slowly, very slowly I swivled the chair to come face to face with my sister.  I leaned towards her and with a tap on my cigar I say "I hear it's your birthday"
Total confusion across her face as she's staring hard to believe what I just said.  We are staring into each other's faces, she's got the look of "total blank" going on.  So I lean in a little closer, slowly pull off my shades, look closer into her face and calmly say, with another tap on my cigar, "Happy Birthday  Sister Sue"........still she's blank...blank....blank.  Not another sound could be heard in the room.  Everyone is totally motionless.

All of a sudden she jumps to her feet, throws her arms out and shouts "Holy Shit!!! It's my sister!!!"  The room erupted in squeals and laughter.  What a "hoot".

My only mistake....I didn't have it recorded.  It would have made the best "World's Funniest Video"

Look what Stayton did!!!

 Opening Day

One Shot!

 The fun part was over,

The work to get it out of the brush

and into the freezer,

that was the "real" work.

Good job Stayton!!!

"Little Bit of Fudge"

OK!!!

I'm the worst.........

when I think I just can't take it any longer,

just have to have something CHOCOLATE!!!

Ah ha!!!

"A little bit of fudge"

I made this up years ago,

even shared it with a few people.

I just love a little bit of fudge,

especially if there's some walnuts in it.

Yum.......

So now, about that "diet" thing..........



Grandkids at Grandma's and Grandpa's

It was our first visit with Thad and Kort in a long time. 

I made them Chocolate Chip Pancakes.

They dug up a scorpion and salamander

and caught a fish from my pond.

Their cousins Grayson and Jeriah were here

for a visit this summer too.

How fun if they could have explored the

property together.

"What's up Doc?"

That's what the text message read and then I knew, I'd been "bugged".

This little rabbit has showed up in some hilarious places and always cracks me up.

Stayton and I have passed this back and forth for a few years now.  We may go months without the little "bugger" surfacing and then it starts all over again. 
Recently I found him attached to my bath sponge in the shower.  I then took him to Denver and left him wrapped around Stayton's toothbrush... just left Stayton a text message "What's up Doc?"  Took him til the next morning to find it, I think maybe I need to tell him to brush his teeth more often....

So "bugs" came back to Craig with Stayton this weekend.  I was sure he was here somewhere when Stayton left on Sunday.....I immediately started searching, searching, searching, but no "bugs". I forgot it and went on about my business as usual.....til today when I get a text message "What's up Doc?"  AWWWWW!!!! I knew it was somewhere in this house, couldn't wait to finish with my last client and get home to find the little sucker...

There in plain site, across from where we sit every morning for breakfast and several times besides and within 12 inches of where I ground coffee last night, have put stuff in the crockpot right there....etc...there sit's "Bugs".....laughing and waving his carrot at me......

Games like this sure make for some good laughs and hopefully great memories.

Just wait "kiddo"........granny's got her game on.

Quality time at Sand Wash 2011

Stayton has literally spent his whole life making the trip to Sandwash, may have even gone there before he was born.  It is truly a family tradition, we have tried to keep Mother's Day at Sand Wash in memory of  Dalpha, Tracey and Kelley.  We spend the whole day driving the dusty roads, eyes peeled for wild horses and other critters that  dwell there.  

This is an old fence line, possibly the remains of a horse trap constructed by Stayton's great grandfather and uncles.  They would chase and catch the wild horses before the Wild Horse Act was declared to protect the horses ( and probably, truth be known, even after that) Fence lines would be constructed of the available materials.  This would detour the horses to run straight into a holding corral where they could be roped and moved into trailer for hauling. 

This was our first time together at this site.  We really enjoyed finding the pinyon fence and fantasized about the past.  We spend the day reminiscing about those who have been there before us, it does our hearts good, at least for this one day they live on and are such a part of us.

Old shelter, cabin, maybe summer residence.  It is almost gone with the weather of time. We try to imagine how it would have been to have lived this way.

There is still the remains of an old heating/cook stove, only because it was too heavy for someone to care to remove it.

Pat and Stayton in front of old shelter.  Stayton drove down a steep, narrow trail to make it to this shelter.  Last time we were here together was on a trail ride with our horses.  That was a good day too, I wish I had pictures.

All in all it was a great day.  We seen a lot of country and some beautiful horses.

Happy Birthday Stayton

I know exactly where I was 20 years ago.  I know what the weather was like, blowing like crazy and I stayed up all night waiting for the arrival of Stayton Stephen Mosbey.

After a long night of labor and no baby the Dr. chose to do caesarean and bring you into this world.  It was well worth the wait!

Happy Birthday to You!!!! We love you beyond measure!!!

Our Anniversary - 43 Years

April 26, 1968
West Glenwood Chapel
Glenwood Springs, Colorado





Who's Chair is it?

Cookie Jar Capers

Stayton gave me a good idea.  This is the cookie jar that sets in my kitchen. 
It's mostly empty these days. 

We have a little game we play once in a while.  Who can open the jar without making any noise.......seems they managed to do this a lot when the kids were at home.  So, we set the cookie jar and try to open it then replace the lid without being heard.  This particular jar does not have a soft ring on the lid, it's ceramic......it's almost impossible and with an audience it just doesn't work.

Sneaking food..........it is in our genes.......some of us became masters at it. 
There were times we just thought we were getting away with it only to find we had been outwitted and someone had been there before us.

It got so bad I couldn't buy chocolate chips and leave them in the hopes of making cookies.  I had to get those cookies baked up right away or they would be short a chip or two (half a bag?).

Lisha reminded me of my own little "caper", sneaking the chips.....
There they were, hidden (so I thought) in the crisper in the bottom of the fridge.  I quietly slipped in the kitchen, softly opened the fridge, slid the crisper drawer open and carefully removed the bag of chips.  Holding in tightly against me so not to make any noise I tore just a corner of the bag open to remove it's precious contents, stolen, no one would know if I just had a few.......success lay in my hand as I quietly bent to return the bag to it's hidden spot in the crisper. What? What is this? Spilling out on the floor from the other end of the bag came the chips.  Obviously someone else had been there ahead of me.  I had to laugh.  I just thought I was the only who knew they were there.

What's in Your Cup?

We all have a "heart-shaped" cup that we long to fill with something.

What does your cup long for today? 

Whatever it is, we have to empty ourselves of the lie

that other people or things can ever fill our hearts to the full.

Then we have to deliberately and intentionally

fill up on God's truths

and stand secure

in His Love.

That's a Biscuit

Kody and Shanna were here for a few days.  I cooked up a pot of Chunky Chicken Soup and Shanna made the biscuits.  Doesn't this look yummy?  I have to confess I
had part of one, after all, it's her favorite thing to make and yes....it was very good.

We had a good visit and hope they get to come back soon.

Sammie was really happy to see Kody and decided Shanna was welcome anytime she could come back as she doted on him every chance she got.  It will take days to get him to understand that there are still "off limits" here.

What really happened to the Dinosaurs

Bucket Lists and "To Do"...

I'd like to have a Bucket List...... things I'd like to get done before my time is up.  But for now I've got a "To Do" list. At the top of that list today is completing the ever worrisome "Taxes"...ugh.  We have to pay in this year so I'm not so anxious to "get 'er done" and for sure know I won't be mailing that in til April 15th.


Today I got caught up in sorting pictures....you know, all those photos you have that you just wish you could get into albums.  Well, I have a sorting system that helps but I have been sloppy about keeping it done up, so today I jumped in and did some updating of my system.  That just means the actual photos on hand, then there in all these photos now stored in my computer.

Somehow when I download photos they end up in about three different places.  When I start looking for them I never know for sure which file they are in.

Well then.....I start in my antique trunk looking for something I was sure was in there.
That's my "keepsake" trunk where I've tucked away every card that my husband, children, grandchildren, etc has given me for over 20 years.  There's a lot of love in that trunk.  My wedding stuff is in there along with all the letters that Pat & I wrote when he was in the Marines and stationed in California.  There's the favored first baby outfits from each of our children, and special keepsakes loaded with memories.

So, back to the "To Do" list.  Getting back to this blog has been on that list.
Hey!!! I can check that off my list now. 

And for now I have place to put some of those things I just don't want to mess with

Happy 20th Birthday to Kyle!

Happy Birthday

Hope you have a great day!

We love you,

Grandma and Grandpa 

He called My Name

This was part of our Bible Study today.  Although I have heard the concept and know the scripture, today it registered with me in a different way. When God called my name, did He call me by my given name or does He have a different name for me.
You see, thru out scripture there is so much emphasis on names and the meaning of names.  The children of Israel had many names for God, those names described His many characteristics. One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 9:10

Those who know Your Name will put their trust in You.
For You Lord have not forsaken those who seek You.

So today I'm thinking, when He called MY name, what did that mean.

I took out a framed print given to us by Mischel with the meaning of our names on it.
Today it had a new meaning for me as I read thru the list:

Patricia: from the Latin root Patrick; a feminine form of patrick
(that is an interesting thought, considering I married a patrick)
Patrick  (nobleman) Patricia (of the nobility)
so far I'm liking this train of thought, lets continue

Expression: beautiful eyes, soft like the moonlight of spring
Personality: a person who attracts the best in life
Natural: has a special glamour and power all her own
Emotional: one whose love is concentrated on her family
Character: one who is dependable, practical and reliable
Physical: she feels justice should be fair
Mental: is imaginative and idealistic in nature
Motivation: she has many leadership qualities

Well, I can agree with some of this and am flattered by most of it.

So you,  my family can see if any of these traits are descriptions you would use for me.

Maybe we should do a "name" study for each of you?

When God calls your name.......will you be listening?

Can you hear me now?

In my mind I'm constantly posting something here, but as you see, it's not really here.
I keep lists of ideas to blog about, have every intention to "get it done today" and then, just kind of lose the momentum.....

Praying for Stayton that you would find your way with the next move in your career search.

Praying for Kody and Shanna.  You two can make a life together, but you will have to do that on your own and in your own place.

Kyle, you have talent and desire.....ever thought to ask God what He wants for your life?

Emily, I pray you make wise choices and realize that God has a purpose for you too.

For Annalise and Kendall, that you will know peace under the shadow of His wings.

Kort and Thad, I miss you and know in time we will be together.  I pray you are happy and safe.

Jeriah and Graysen, may the Lord keep His hand mightily upon your lives and use you to shine for Him.

Desmond, may God heal your heart and fill your life with purpose and direction.

Mischel, I have committed to pray for you that this year would be "your year".
God has not forgotten you and He has been knocking at your door.

Lisha and Ron, may God speak to you and give you direction and would you
be open and willing to do that which He asks of you.

I thank God for each of you.  I love you.  Me

Shakin' My Bootie

"Boots Off" to Lisha!

It was so funny, just wish you could have been there.

I found it in a hamper,

what's this?

Oh my.....it's the boot!!!

Cracked up and the poor old man

didn't have any idea of what it was

or why I was laughing....

Didn't take me long to figure out who you

roped into helping you,

but don't know yet how you

made contact with her.

Now.....the game is "ON"

and mother marlow is on the move.

Thanks for so much fun!!!

A few years gone by

This would be my earliest baby picture.

I was born in New Mexico where I'm sure

there were no large trees like this.

I believe my family had moved to

California or gone there for a visit.

Yep, this is my birthday week!

My last year in the 50's (ugh)

I try to realize how this could be,

but as time marches on,

so do we.



Shoebox pictures

This has been a week of "pictures" for me.

My sister handed me a bag of pictures, left over from my uncles collection, which would also include some of my grandmother's collection as well.  It is like a walk down memory lane.

There are many pictures there of my children, from birth through high school.
A newspaper clipping of Mischel's 1988 Miss American Coed Pageant.
Lisha's graduation, Mischel's graduation, Michael and Dad fishing on the Yampa
River with Stayton.  That's a memory in itself. 

Michael had taken his granddad to fish for pike on the Yampa.  They had a successful day.  My dad was quite insulted that Michael would even suggest they would release a fish that had been caught. "Well, I never in my life threw back a fish I caught.!" And Dad didn't throw back the pike they snagged that day.  Michael filleted them, Dad packaged and froze them and packed them in ice to go back to New Mexico with him.

Daddy & Michael

Taken at the Truck Stop Cafe

April 1999

It was a good find, looking thru that collection.  I found dates for other photos that I had failed to write on.  School pictures, events and family history....documented there in a bag of old pictures.

Many of the old black and white photos had the year stamped on the white border of the photo, thus giving my more data to record and remember.

This is an old black and white with no dates.  That's my Dad there with a deer he shot.
Maybe I could find someone who could date that vehicle?  I don't know who the girl in the photo is.

                                            This is me at 14 months.

                                   My baby brother Jimmy.  Age not recorded.

                                 My dad and his last sweetheart, Norma. They loved to go dancing.  Stayton and I went with them on my last visit to see my dad.  We tried the two-step and almost got stepped on in the process.
Stayton was such a good sport and danced with the old ladies and had a blast.
It made for a good memory.

Shoebox pictures.  Someday my kids will go thru mine.  I'm on a mission to get them labeled and dated and maybe a few in an album or two.

Faith, Hope & Love

I've heard it said that right after Christmas is a time many will choose to make some changes in their decor.  Maybe it's the removing of all the Christmas clutter or just the reality it's time for a change, but I find myself in that mode this year. 
I had added a few things just before our company arrived. Hung the plaques that had set for months in the bathroom.  Pat put down some molding to cover the cracks where the flooring from one room to the next didn't match. Cleaned off the dining room table so I could put the pretty tablecloths on.

I picked these plaques up at Walmart.  Took down some fishing pictures in my office and added Faith, Hope & Love.  Everytime I walk down the hall I see them there.  A reminder of God's faithfulness thru the years. 

A few days ago I went to the Dollar Store to browse, sometimes find some little inspiring picture there.  I happened upon the long picture frames and my inspiration was off and running.  Two frames, 10 pictures and I had need to frame the grandkids and put them in one general location.  Desmond is a "grandkid" by absorbtion and a "son" by adoption and this past year became my little "brother in Christ".  This wall grouping allowed exact space for all 11 of them and just where I can see them and pray for each of them on a regular basis.

Which brings me a very special memory.  My grandma Ledford, my mother's mother.
She was a short little woman, about 4'9" I think.  She seemed much older than my dad's mother and totally different temperment.  Can't say I ever remember her scolding or harsh, just "grandma". 

                                                    Grandma Ledford
It would be years after her death that I would come to know that she was a praying grandma.  I'm sure in watching the lives us children would be drug thru she spent a lot of hours praying for us.  By the grace of God and grandma's prayer we made it thru childhood and I believe I am where I am today because of her prayers.

I heard a story recently of a young man who had heard that everyone had someone who at sometime had prayed for them.   Well, he thought, I don't have anyone in my family who would pray so I don't know if that is true.  Shortly afterwards he met a young Christian woman, fell in love and thru her found a relationship with the Lord. He shared with her the idea that surely no one had ever prayed for him as he was growing up.
Well she said, "I have prayed for years for the man that God would lead me to to marry"   Interesting.....she had prayed for him even before she knew him.

So today.....I share my wall of "Faith, Hope and Love" and my grandchildren.
Know that this "Grandma" intends to continue to pray for each of you as your "Great Grandma" did for me.

And for some of you......I can "reach out and touch you" wherever you are.

Winter in the Rockies

 Sometimes even the locals have to get down and "get er done".

Last week's snow storm left us enough white stuff to last till late spring.

Before Pat could even start plowing open our driveway he had to chain up.

I cancelled my first client as my little car was buried in the snow.

 How's this for a bird feeder "snowcone'?

We try to keep all the feeder full.

This one will hold about a gallon of feed.

The pinion jays and blackbirds can empty it in short time.