Girls/Boys Night

Last night my Rudy and Nyle went to the movie. ("Dark Knight") So not to be left out, the girls went out too. CJ and I went to BYU to pick up Ardis. After getting RDK we went for a nice little ride. What should we do? We weren't to hungry, but there is always room for ice cream. So we made our way back close to home to a new place called "SubZero". They freeze what ever kind of flavors you want into one wonderful bowl of ice cream. I had caramel and raspberry flavors with almonds. It was deliciouso! (Ardis is studying Spanish). They start with some kind of creamy base, then add the flavors and freeze it into ice cream with liquid nitrogen. It is cool how it is done. We sat down and had a good visit. We got there just in time. It got really busy while we were eating. It must be a very popular place.

After our fill of dessert we decided to go home, sit around and just talk. On the way home we decided to see if Verna Jo wanted to come over to my house with us. Well, she brought popcorn. Who am I to turn down popcorn. We laughed and remembered the "olden days". After doing some homework Ardis popped over for more laughs. It was so nice just to lounge around and have girl talk.

Just after ten pm, Rudy and Nyle got home. So we had some "boy plus girl talk. (of course we had to hear how wonderful the movie was, boy, was glad I didn't go to the movie... that would have been 3 hours I would have never gotten back). After a few moments of political debate, we settled into a more pleasing discussion. The Smiths left about 11:00pm. All in all I had a very good evening. I know Rudy did too...he wants to see the "Dark Knight" again. I guess he will be going by himself!

Bubble, No Trouble

Rudy and I went swimming under the bubble today. I had heard it was hard to breathe and really stuffy. Well, we had no trouble. Actually, it was nice.The water was a little colder than usual, but other than that we had a geat time. It felt so good to be back in the water. Dell and Dolores Sanders were there. I talked with "Dolly" for a few minutes. She told me she was still using the cards I had made (to sell at the garage sale last year). As I remember she bought quite a few. She is interested in buying more. So I guess I will make some and leave with Mother to show her. She can get them if she wants some more.

I want to go up the canyon to see the leaves. I am trying to talk Rudy into going tomorrow. I hope he will take me. We could take a little picnic and have a fun time. CJ and Nyle Smith want to go, so maybe we could ask them. I love to see the leaves change. It is so beautiful. The reds, yellows and oranges are so vivid and bright. Heavenly Father sure gave us a beautiful world to live in. Each season of the year is so unique. We are so blessed.

Darn Knee

My left knee has really been giving me fits the last week or so. I have not left the house because it hurts to walk. I didn't even make it to church, and I hate missing church. While in the shower, the knee gave out and I nearly fell. I didn't want to fall at church, so I stayed home. Rudy helped me and put heat on it. We have put cold on it and today a brace. We have tried everything, even an injection. I guess I need a new knee (besides a new body). Not being able to swim has contibuted to the pain, so I am for sure going tomorrow!!!

I haven't done much but watch TV (so boring) and reading (love It). I have made some cards for Relief Society, but I cannot sit to long with bended knee. So, I don't need to say I am going CRAZY!!!

Not Much Happening

It has been a slow couple of days. Not much news. I went Visiting Teaching yesterday. I love the sisters I visit. Mary Ann Sellers is my partner. She is great. I love her as a partner. We visit Emily Ables, Mel Valletta and Amy Palmer. I am very happy when I get my VT done before the end of the month. I don't like to wait until the last day. Mary Ann is that way too, so we get along fine!
My visiting Teachers (just teacher) came to visit me last night. Jen Anderson came with out Becky Mc Ginnis (Becky was sick). Jen and I had such a good visit. We talked about Motherhood and children and babies. I feel close to both of my visiting teachers and love them so! Of course, I owe a lot to Jen. She got me to start walking. She had such a gentle nudge, and never gave up on me. She was encouraging and patient with me when we were walking together. I owe her so much.

I am getting a cold. YUCK!!! My throat is sore and lots of snot! Sorry about that, but what else can you call it? (nasal drainage, phlegm, boogers (gross) nasal congestion)I think you have the picture or, I better say idea. No mental pictures, please. Any way, it is drugs to the rescue. I love day-time and night-time Quils. And don't forget the Ziacam. Oh, and of course SLEEP!! nightie, night!!

Our little Princess was here today!

Speaking of Palmers...Allison came for a "play date" today. We were so excited she got to come over. Amy dropped her off and she stayed with us for about 2 hours. I really know the meaning of "How time Flies when you are having fun", after her visit. It went by so fast. I love little Alli. She calls me "Grandma", "Grandma Caro", or just plain old "Caro". I love hearing her little voice as she jabbers on and on to the toys. Most of it I can understand...because she talks so well for being almost 2 yrs old...and some I can't. Some of the cute things she will say are:
1. I don't see it
2. I see it
3. My Princess
4. Fishy
5. Whoa
6. Ok
7. I don't know.
She talks so fast, it is hard to hear her sometimes. Wudy and Caro love her to come over to play!!! Rudy blew up a balloon and drew a picture of a Princess face on it, including the crown. She was so excited to have a pink princess balloon. So Blake wouldn't be left out, Rudy got a blue balloon and drew Sully (from Monsters Inc.) on it.(by the way Blake was at pre-school) I hope he liked it, cuz it sure was cute! We read lots of stories, watched the fishy, had some milk and treats, read more stories and played with the toys. It was a fun morning. I hope she comes again soon! It sure makes our day.:)

Amy and Tyler

As it turns out, Amy did take a picture of her and Tyler. She sent it along, so of course we had to post it to show they swam with the rest of us on Saturday. We love the Palmer family so much. Thanks, Palmers for sharing your "little Loves" with us, cuz we love them too!

Amy and Baby Tyler at the Pool

Later Sunday Night

Well, I got rejuvenated last night when Hampton's called and asked Rudy to come over and fix their remote control. Marianne told Rudy to bring me along. It took about 2 minutes for Rudy to find out the problem and 40 minutes to have a good visit with Don and Marianne. They are such fine, good people and we had a great visit. Then we went out on what I tease Rudy as "Pemberley Patrol". We simply ride around the neighborhood (looking for someone to visit with). We stopped and talked to Rick Voss, then saw Mailani out with Darcy dog. Rudy needed a pet fix, so we stopped and visited with her for a minute. While there, CJ came out and said we must of ESP. She was getting ready to come to visit us. I told we would go home so she could come over. Her and Rolly showed up about 3 minutes later. We had such a nice visit. We lounged back on the sofa with our legs up and talked for about a hour. She just brightens my life. I love her outlook. She makes me "chortle"!! We both laughed and commiserated about our lives. We just understand each other so well! What a wonderful way to end the Sabbath!!!!

By the way Carol means "Song of Joy". So I am just "Song of Joy", while CJ is redundant and is "Song of Joy Joy". She truly brings JOY into this world. I hope I can live up to that name...by bringing a little joy here too!!

Sunday/ "It's a Good Thing"

Sometimes I don't think of Sunday as a day of rest. I seem to be so tired along about 5:00pm. You get up in the morning, start getting ready for church, grab a quick bite to eat and then out the door. You are at church for 3 hours, then get home, get dinner ready, eat, do the dishes and then it is time to collapse! Why am I so tired?

I marvel at all the young mothers and fathers out there! Taking care of the little ones at church is a BIG job. I just don't know how they do it. We had little ones coming and going all during Sacrement Meeting. Trying to keep them quiet,from crawling all over the floor, from throwing the toys like a ball, from crying and most of all helping them to be reverent, is a full time job. Don't get me wrong...I love all of our little friends...but I must be getting old!!! It wore me out! Ah ha, maybe that is why I am so tired today!(but what about all of the other Sundays?)

I do enjoy going to church each Sabbath and hearing all the gospel nuggets. I feel so refreshed for the following week. I am always learning something new. That is how we grow in the gospel and help our testimonies. I really love our ward family! You can feel the sisterhood in Relief Society and feel everyone's love. As Martha Stewart says..."It's a Good Thing!"

Houston, we have pictures!

Hooray!!! We now have some current pictures to show everyone. Like I said earlier, we went to the pool with the Palmers. We now have pics to prove it. Are they just about the cutest kiddies you have ever seen? I love my little Alison and Blake and even baby Tyler too.(don't forget mommy Amy) Although we have no photos of Tyler, he was there. We also need a picture of Amy to make it complete! To bad she couldn't take one of herself! lol
We played some Benoit "invented" games. There was that fun one..."Shark in a cage". And then the counting game of "One, two, three" (while twirling, of course). Last, but not least, "Ride the horse, Yahoo". They were just silly made-up games. All of us loved playing them. We laughed and had a good "chortle"! Now we just have to wait a gazillion months to swim again.

The Day After/Pool time with the Palmers

It is the morning after the fun party last night. What a fun time!!! Lots of girlies were there and lots of treats. No old codgers like me though. Wow, did they miss out. We played games and snacked and sang and snacked and snacked. Some of the girls played a video (I guess that is what it is called) that you have guitars and drums. I guess it is really popular and I guess I am really behind the times not knowing what it is called. I played Scatagorries and Tabu. We laughed and had a bunch of fun. There are some real smarties. I was totally impressed. I had a good visit with Jolene Munford and Amy Palmer. I was glad I went, but wished more of the more "mature" sisters would have been there...if ya know what I mean!

Amy Palmer called this morning to see what time we were going to the pool. We decided to meet her and the kiddies at 10:30. I got there just right after 10:30 and was just getting ready to get in and here came Blake, Ali, Tyler and Mom Amy. Ali said, "Hi Grandma Carol". I just love it when she calls me grandma. Sometimes she just calls me Carol and that is so cute too. She says CARO in her little 2 yr. old voice and it melts me. We all got into the pool (except baby Tyler). Blake is so brave, he jumps in and splashes all over. He laughs when he splashes you. Ali was getting use to the water and it took her a little while to feel safe with me holding her. Finally she let me hold her and we played and had so much fun. Rudy showed up after going to the store, and he played with us for about another hour. All in all we swam for about 2 hours. Time just flew by. Amy took lots of pictures and she is going to send them so I will be able to post up-to-date pics! Hooray!!! What a fun way to spend a fun day...playing with the Palmers!!! I love them all so much!

Girls night out tonight

We went to AF's pool today. I wanted Rudy to experience the pool without the bubble on it. We went about 10:10, for about a hour. It was not to chilly. The pool is closed all next week and Pemberley's pool closes on the 15th...so no swimming for a whole week. While we at the pool, Shelley Elementary had a bunch of school kids there for PE. How fun is that...we never had that kind of fun for PE. While swimming we talked to some cute girls. Two of them looked very familiar. After asking some questions we found out they were Kathie Miller's (Adamson)daughters. How about that!!

Tonight the RS is sponsoring a "Girls night out" at Pemberley Clubhouse. Chick flicks, games, visiting, snacking and more visiting is on the schedule. We are each suppose to bring a snack to share. I think I will take Popcorn...what else...it is my favorite and is way easy. Rudy asked me if I was staying until 11:00pm when it is suppose to be over. Well, of course. What is one thing I do good? Visit!!!!! I hope someone takes pictures so I have some to post on this blog. Maybe they will share. It would be fun to have some up-to-date pics.

We stopped to see Mother after swimming today. We interrupted her cleaning. She looked very tired. We had a very good visit. It was nice to see her.

Sept 11

It was 7 years ago that the World Trade Center was attacked (besides the Pentagon and Shanksville Pa.) It feels like it was yesterday. I was watching the news this morning and they were showing the news reports of how it happened that day. I remember where I was watching back then. It is surreal. I still watch the plane hitting the building and cannot believe it happened. I can remember those feelings I had that day. Feelings of horror, anger, worry, that something else might happen. We were glued to the TV both day and night. How that day changed the world we live in. We will never be the same. My prayers are that something like this will never happen here on our promised land again. How grateful I am to know we have a loving Father in Heaven who will never leave us in times of trial. I am so thankful for that knowledge. Today is a solemn day. A day of remembrance. A day of gratitude... grateful to be a United States citizen. A day to honor all those who fight for the freedom that I enjoy.And a day to pray for those families who lost friends and loved ones that horrible morning in September.
Also today is Rudy's father's birthday. So happy birthday Dad Benoit. We love you and miss you.

Rain Stayed

The rain did stay most of the day. There was thunder and lightning. Our power went off (for only about 10 minutes). Just long enough that we had to reset all the clocks. What a pain!!! Rudy was my hero and did it promptly. What a guy!

I know, I know, I talk about swimming alot, but, remember it is an obsession. So back to swimming...none today. I tried to be in a good mood and I think I have been. I guess Raola's little girl is growing up. I hope the weather is better tomorrow, so I can keep swimming, swimming, swimming...Dori said that in Finding Nemo for all you movie buffs... it is one of my favorite sayings. When life gets tough, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming!!!

Rain, Rain go away

Well, not really. We need the moisture. We just can't go swimming in the rain. I woke up really early...5:45...and saw it had been raining. I wondered if it was suppose to rain all day, so I tuned in to the local news. Yes, it is suppose to rain most of the day. Oh well. Maybe it will stop later and we can go to Pemberley Pool. I went back to bed for about a hour. Got up, took my pills and read for awhile. It feels kinda gloomy today with the rain and dark clouds. I think I will just snuggle with a blanket and a book for most of today. If I can't go swimming, reading is the next best thing. I guess I could do some cleaning up around here...maybe not...reading sounds better on a rainy day!

Chortle

Don't you just love the word chortle? I was trying to find some differnt words for chuckle and laugh and found the word chortle. That is a new favorite word. Chortle...it just makes you want to snicker, giggle, titter and even chuckle or laugh.

So do you love the Melissa shoe site? I love, love, love those red Oswald shoes. I want some so bad. Of course I love the red ones, but they had them in black and white. What a hard decision. I guess I will have to get both. Yea, right. Maybe when we get rich (just rich, not rich and famous)I can get a pair.

I went swimming at Pemberley pool this morning. It was a little coolish until I got in the water. The water was warm. The pool girls were chit-chatting and swimming away and lo and behold who should show up...MY RUDY! He finally came swimming with the "girls". I had told him I didn't think many would be there this morning and he ask if I wanted him to come along. I tried to get him to come (I love being with my Rudy)and he said no way. I guess he changed his mind, cuz there he was. We stayed a little while after all the ladies left and had a nice time. We laugh...oh I mean chortle...and have a great time together. He is going with me tomorrow to the AF pool. I know he will like it there.

On the way home I stopped to visit with Amber Mann and Jolene Munford. They had their strollers out and were walking. They are such cute girls and their kids are so adorable. We have so many fun, younger women with little ones, that live here in Pemberley. I enjoy visiting with them. Amber and Jolene are fun to visit. They make me CHORTLE alot. While we were visiting, I stood there dripping. Jolene's little boys were giving me funny looks. I think she realized the boys were thinking my dripping was something else...if ya know what I mean. She explained that I had just gotten out of the pool and it wasn't what they thought it was. Well, we all had a good chuckle out of that. It didn't even dawn on me, the kids thought it was something else. I guess that happens when you are not around curious little children much. But mothers tune into those kinds of things right away. Yea for all you mothers out there!!!!

Melissa's Plastic Dreams

Just today we found a must see site, check it out for the very latest in Shoes. This is just one of their styles.
http://www.melissaplasticdreams.com/collection/fall-winter-08-09/black

A.F pool and Me

I went to the AF pool this morning with Phyllis. It was my first time there. It was very nice. The water was warm and the temp outside was not bad at all. For 8:00am, I thought it would be a bit more chilly. They have a class for people with arthritis and it is a low-impact class. Just right for me. I could do most all of the exercises, but one or two that hurt my knee. I really enjoyed it. All the "old codgers" were fun. Some of the things they said made me laugh. Telling each other about their colonoscopies etc. It was almost a little to much info. I guess I am getting to the old codger stage, well "old codger in training" stage!!! I am not quite ready to tell about all my health troubles...but maybe I do, do that. Oh no...I am an "old codger in infancy" stage. One lady they call "Shorty" is 83! Good for her! I hope I am still swimming at 83 years old.
I told Rudy he is going with me on Wednesday. So he should just make up his mind now that he is going. I really think he will go, but we will have to wait and see. There was plenty of men there so he won't feel out of place