September

 The dead leaves fall like noiseless rain

The air is calm and warm and sweet;

Upon the woodland and the plain

The ghost of summer rests her feet.

September 1 - A new bike for Jarrett

Jarrett turned 8 years old today. I stopped by to give him a gift and wish him happy birthday. Steve and Misty got him a new bike. Spiffy, cool, rad! And I love the color. It is so happy, just like Jarrett. Happy Birthday Jarrett... grandma loves you!

September 2 - Shaniel's headstone

Worley's called and told me they placed Shaniel's headstone. I knew this would be a hard weekend, but I wanted to be there. It was a different feel today. The Cliffview Cemetery was peaceful and beautiful. But the harsh reality refuses to go away. Shaniel, my precious daughter and angel, is buried there. I got to the cemetery before Amie did. I sat in the car, frozen, not sure if I wanted to get out. I eventually had to make myself do it. I sat on the bench, stood up, started to walk to the grave, but found myself turning back in a panic, unable to do it. 

I was glad when Amie arrived. The headstone is so beautiful. Everything we imagined it to be. It is fit for our angel. Amie brought flowers and arranged them in the vases on either side of the headstone. We stayed for quite awhile... time did not matter. All we cared about is being near Shaniel. We wandered the cemetery. There were several other people there. They were curious about Shaniel's headstone and made their way to it. Off and on that day we heard people talking about her death. So distressing, and I couldn't help but tell each one that she was MY daughter. No words to say... just "I'm so sorry". Well, so am I. It shouldn't have happened. Sometimes it still feels like a dream, a nightmare, and that I am going to wake up, pick up the phone to talk to her and see her smiling face. I miss her so much. I love her. My heart hurts.

September 3 - Peaches and Ice Cream

  

This was a good day for fresh peaches and ice cream.... Ummmmm!

September 4 - Build-A-Bear Workshop

All of the grandkids get to have a birthday at Build-A-Bear, with grandma, when they get old enough to enjoy it. This year it was Audrey's family's turn. Emilee was still a little young so Alia picked out her bear.

We started our adventure at Olive Garden for lunch. Then, a ride on the Trax to the Gateway. The kids all picked out a stuffed animal. Ben is into the Smurfs and was very excited to see Papa Smurf as a choice. Alia and Emilee got bears. They stuffed them, put hearts into their bodies, bathed them, picked out outfits and dressed them, and printed out birth certificates. 

Afterwards, we went to the ice cream shop next door and had Gelato and Ice Cream cones. Then it was down the stairs to the lower level. We sat on the bench and watched the water fountain dance in step with the music. It was enjoyable and relaxing. On our way back up the escalator, we stopped at the gumball machines. I stepped in a hole and just about tumbled into the pond! How I caught myself, I'll never know. The camera snapped as I was going down!

Ben was so funny. Such a boy! He carried his bear box over his shoulder. He was bushed out by day's end and snuggled in next to Papa Smurf and went to sleep as soon as we got to the van. 

It was a very good day!

September 5 - Goatheads

The yard guy and his crew came up today. They mowed the lawn and sprayed the goatheads over taking the flower beds. They are so painful to step on. I don't know what's worse... these low-spreading goatheads we get in Box Elder County or the massive "tree" weeds that grow in Carbon County and are impossible to pull. Both are so noxious, or should I say obnoxious!

Picking Peaches Days

Meet pickers, Melchor and Elda, at day's first light. Out to the orchard, drop baskets, pick peaches, load on tractor, to the barn, load in fruit wagon, and start again! That's my routine for picking peaches!

September 7 - Farmers Market

Now that Dave is gone, the kids are taking advantage of the opportunity to pick and sell the fruit off the orchard to earn money for school clothes, college expenses, birthdays, Christmas, or whatever they want. I'm just glad I don't have to go! The week's work is enough for me!

Amie was so excited when she came up on Friday. The peaches were big and so delicious! She took a picture of one, posted it on facebook and said... "Anyone want some peaches??" Needless to say, she and Audrey were up until 12:00 a.m. picking peaches by the light of the 4-wheeler. They made this market their last hurrah!

Rain in Box Elder County today. Sunshine in Salt Lake City.

September 9 - Maverick

"That's our Maverick!", said Alia. We were surprised to see the new store going up so quickly in the background. The Maverick on 2700 North, Audrey's exit, is closing and making way for a much bigger and improved gas station. We love our Maverick!

September 12 - Happy Birthday One Year Old!

She's our goo! We love her so much. She is so happy and full of spunk and attitude, I might add. We had her birthday at the park next to Alia's school. Audrey made Emilee her own cake. She would have eaten the entire cake had we not stopped her. Oh... belly ache!

The weather was perfect for a party. We had pizza, cake, and ice cream. Emilee had her own party hat. We sang happy birthday, took pictures, and enjoyed the evening air. Emilee knew it was her special day all day long! Grandma got her a princess outfit, including glittery shoes! 

When it started to get dusk, the rain clouds rolled in, the thunder clashed against the mountains, and a beautiful rainbow spanned the sky. I could have stayed there all night!

September 13 - Last delivery

Today was my last delivery to Kents for the year. I was surprised to see the ad at the front door... $11.98 a half bushel. Dennis is selling them for less than what we sell to him. Kents is a good-old home-town grocery store. It's the best one in all of Box Elder County, and the state as far as I am concerned. People come from all over Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah to buy fresh fruit and veggies from Kents in Tremonton. Dennis sells as much local fruit and vegetables as he can. I love to go in the store, fill my refill mug up for 1 cent an ounce, and see all my baskets of peaches lined all around the floor of the produce section! Kelsey and Audrey can't help themselves... they brag to all their friends (and that's ok with me!)... "those are my mom's peaches!" Our peaches really are the best around. We've been told that by customers, pickers, competitors, too!

Canning Peaches

After I made my delivery to Kent's, I went to Audrey's and helped her bottle peaches. It reminded me of the days I canned with my own mother. It started as a young girl, still at home. The only part I didn't like... going down stairs to fetch a batch of jars... scary! Canning days with mom went well into my adult life. She taught me how to be a homemaker, and to love to be a homemaker! Patty came to my house in Spring Glen and bottled peaches with me, too. It brought back so many wonderful memories of days gone by. 

We processed the jars out on the patio on her Camp Chef. So convenient! The back water bath canner is Shaniel's. Loved my canning day with Audrey! 

I hope my daughters look back on our canning days together with as much love as I do when I think about canning days with my mother.

September 14 - Hike for Heidy

Rachel lost her sister-in-law to an act of Domestic Violence on October 1, 2012. Her mother-in-law, Janet Wagner invited our family to participate in a Hike for Heidy. Family and friends came together to remember and honor her life, as well as raise awareness for Domestic Violence. Donations were accepted and given to the local YWCA. The hike was held east of the state Capital building (Memory Grove), as I remember it from my youth.

It was such a pleasure to meet Janet. She is so sweet and giving. She asked me to bring a picture of Shaniel, which I did. She graciously included Kelsey and I and introduced us to her friends and family. I was grateful for the opportunity to be there and my prayers are ever with the family during the long and difficult months ahead. They still have to deal with her killer. It makes me grateful that we don't.

The rain stayed at bay just until the hike ended. Perfect timing. Although, across the pond, a couple was getting married. The irony... a wedding and a death. Balloons released. You can never be too careful in who you choose to marry. 

State Capital

It was just starting to rain when Kelsey and I got to the car. Overcast skies are perfect for picture taking and I couldn't resist getting a picture of the State Capital. 

The picture on top is of the Capital building unedited. The exact same picture (below it) was edited in http://www.picmonkey.com/#. I couldn't tell you exactly how I got this. I love playing around with different effects and textures and when I like the way a photo looks, I stop.

September 18 - What I did today

First thing in the morning, I gathered some baskets, hopped on the 4 wheeler, drove to the orchard, up and down each row, assessing the amount of peaches left to pick. Not many! Whoo Hoo! Almost done. I am ready for a much needed rest!

I picked a basket of pears for Audrey and I to bottle today. When we dove into them, they weren't quite ready. So what did we do? Went out on the town instead! First to In 'N Out Burger.. my favorite burger bar. Apparently Ben's, too! Look at that happy face! Then we went shopping. It was a fun day. Bonus... we got out of work!

September 19 - Harvest Moon

The Harvest Moon was large, round, and full, with tinges of color illuminating from it. It filled up the night sky with enough light to see well into the wee hours of the morning (the clouds were put in the picture to add contrast and interest). It is said that the full Harvest Moon lights up the sky for the farmer who is harvesting the last of his crops. So true! 

And today was Amie's birthday!

September 20 - Birthday lunch

And tomorrow is my birthday! 

So... we met in Orem and had lunch at my favorite place, Costa Vida! Smothered sweet pork burrito with mango salsa and sour cream... ummmm! Then we went shopping for each other's birthday gifts at Amie's favorite place, Crafty Wood Cutouts! And, after shopping there, I could clearly see why! Amie's eyes were irritating her today, but she was a good sport and made it through the day. 

Amie was the best birthday present I could have ever asked for. I brought her home on my birthday. I love celebrating our birthdays together every year. She turned 35 yesterday. And that makes me??? tomorrow.

September 21 - Another year older

I asked Amie what kind of cake she had for her birthday. She said German Chocolate Cake. I just realized that it is my favorite cake, Kelsey's favorite cake, and Amie's favorite cake. We are so much alike!

Alia and Ben helped me make my cake and then Kelsey's and Audrey's families came over to help me eat it! A perfect evening.

September 24 - Apples

I just sold the last of my peaches to another customer today. Pinea Nursery in Centerville. I was so happy to see them go!

After Jeff left, I went shopping for myself. Peaches, pears, Asian pears, plums, and apples. This is our first year for apples. Oh.. so crisp, juicy, and delicious! I love my orchard.

September 25 - Rain

I woke to the sound of pounding rain. So nice!

Audrey made us purple scarfs for Shaniel's walk. She surprised me with mine today. I love it! I love her!

September 26 - Gossner's Milk

I went to Cache Valley today. One of my favorite places to go is to Gossner's. It is a large cheese factory. The kids and I used to go there when we lived in Logan. And I still go there almost every trip I take to Logan. They have a cart filled with cheese, crackers, spreads, and milk for sampling. If your'e on lunch break, you can get your fill there! I bought a case of chocolate and strawberry milk. I like to have them in the pantry when the kids come for a visit. Ben loves chocolate anything! It didn't take him long to break into the case of chocolate milk!

September 27 - Getting ready for winter

My yard guy and his crew came up again today. Mowed the lawn, tied up the wisteria on the pergola, sprayed weeds, blew leaves, dumped dirt out of garden containers, put benches, chairs, and hoses away in the barn. They just about had everything put away for winter when the rain hit. I was glad they got it all done. The Zinnias are still so beautiful!

September 28 - Saturday

Perm

First thing this morning, I got a perm in my hair. I've wanted one for a long time but knew if I got one, I would have to live with it! 

I took Cosmetology in High School and loved experimenting on my hair with colors and perms, but always a little conservative on hair styles. Although, I loved to cut hair and did so for my family for many years.

I kept a perm in my hair, almost constantly, from my early twenties to my late thirties. I kept my girls in perms, too. Perms went out of style in the mid nineties, and I followed the trend. So, this is my first perm in about 15 years. I like it... and I don't like it. It seems to be more work than I remembered. You can' leave it just permed, but today that doesn't look so hot. When I try and blow dry and straighten my hair, it seems a little frizzy. So... what was the point! I'm not so sure I did the right thing. I was tired of limp, fine hair that didn't keep any body. Maybe I'll just have to accept it!

Playing in the yard

General Women's Relief Society Conference was this evening. Audrey and I went together. We ate a light dinner and then watched the conference at her stake center. I loved the messages, but I loved being with my daughter more!

Before conference, we watched the kids play outside in the yard. Swinging, soft ball shooting, digging dirt with trucks, climbing walls, using their imagination, and patching up boo boo's! Watching the grand kids play and use their imaginations is one of my favorite things to do. And, there's nothing better than being a grandmother!

Oh... my heart!

I was sitting on the rock wall and looked over at Audrey. I was taken back. Was it her?  

Audrey could have been Shaniel in that moment. Standing there, in Shaniel's jacket, stance just like her's, hair pulled back in a pony tail, and standing there in her slippers... pigeon toed. Just like Shaniel! I started to cry. It doesn't take much to provoke the tears. I am thankful to have Audrey. She reminds me so much of Shaniel. Her laugh, her tenderness, her kindness, the way she stands and looks. I love Audrey. She makes me so happy. She is my sunshine. Always will be.

September Birthdays

Month in Review