Sharks in Benson, they smell fear

About once a year I re-learn why you can't send a woman to do a man's job. What can I say I am a slow learner. Benjamin saw in town a sign that read "Have you gotten your oil changed for free today?" So naturally when he called from work to have me go check it out, I was leery. But the Yukon was in need of an oil change and i wanted to find a place in Benson I could go to and support the little town. I am not completely gullible, I did not think they would actually change my oil for free, but I did think that at the very least I would get a card to buy "four get the fifth free." Well when the boys and I were sitting in the lobby reading a Pooh Bear story in walks the repair man. "After looking over your car you need to replace your whodawhata for 35 dollars as well as your thingamabob for another 35. Also your chunkochange needs to be replaced for 110 dollars." Then he shows me the air filter from my car and says this is very dirty and recommends that it be replaced for 20 dollars. I think to myself are you kidding me I run a vacuum cleaner filter into the ground and it looks a whole lot worse before I bang it clean. What am I suppose to say, put it back. So I tell the man I need to call my husband because he is the car guy. Which I am sure he knows when he saw the fresh meat walking through the door. I try to recount to Benjamin all the jive that man was spinning at me, Benjamin tells me just get the oil changed and air filter and then we will take it to Jen's dad (thank goodness there are honest car mechanics). Well the price of the oil change plus filter still came to 70 dollars, ouch. I know it could have been worse by almost 200. And as for the "free oil change" my name gets entered to win a free oil change, they pick one weekly. Yeah sure you do.......

Cake Coincidence

Today the boys and I were grocery shopping at the Mart, Walmart that is, and I asked Holman to help pick out our treat for Family Night. Every Monday evening the kids get to pick a dessert of their choice, and Holman I think likes chocolate just as much as any woman does, so I wasn't too surprised about his choice. We had only bought this kind of cake once before.

Today was the day we had the Pima County inspector coming to inspect our electrical and water pumping station. We were quite nervous about the re-visit since he had failed both sites before. There were a couple of things that he could get technical about if he wanted to, so it definitely wasn't a gimme that it would all work out.

Well we passed! Could it be that the inspector was in such a good mood because the Cats are going to the sweet 16? Or is a more likely scenario that the chocolate cake that brought us luck in the past ( remember the awesome eclectic company man who gave us power, despite our failing mark) is truly some type of good luck edible charm. When we picked out the cake I forgot all about the inspector coming, it truly was a coincidence. I think somewhere in my subconscious I knew that the cake must be purchased. I was talking to my friend Sarah Allred yesterday about such serendipity with the electric man, so maybe that too helped me to buy the cake.

Yesterday I gave a talk on overcoming disappointments and finding hope, in jest I mentioned that while riding the storm out, a little chocolate always makes it better. Who knows the true power of the coco bean?......

Two Idaho men make 60 trips around the Sun!

This is a shout out to my father and father in law who turned 60 this year! Both of them managed to survive their youth despite their many trips to the dump and lighting various things on fire. It's funny they both grew up in Idaho but in separate towns, but in many aspects they are very similar, maybe it says more about the spud state. A couple of months ago Ron impressed the Howe family with being able to sing the Idaho state song, so naturally I wanted to see if my Dad was up top par, and of course that guy was! He too was able to recite all the lyrics. Both these men had crazy sidekicks that followed (or lead) them into trouble. My Dad's was David Long, Ron's was Bucky Nelson, oh these two can tell a tale. Both of these men are great handy men ( or at least produced a son who is, yeah Benjamin!). Both are awesome Fathers and love their grand kids who adore them. Both have been married to their wives (Yeah Joyce and Barbara) for over 38 years!





My Dad turned 60 in January, Hillary flew in from DC and Lindsey drove form Utah, John and I trekked in too, although at not such great a distance, we surprised him at the Mesa Temple with mom. It was great fun!







We are celebrating Ron's birthday on Sunday with the Howe's famous desserts. Today is his actual Birthday! So Happy Birthday!This is a picture of Ron getting his toes painted at one of Bella's birthday party's what a real man!





So here's to another 60 trips around the Sun ( well as long as your bladder, eyesight, hearing, joint. limbs, mind are still intact).

Treading Water

Time has not stopped, but we have not progressed! We are now squatting at Scott and Suzie's rental in Benson, and for the moment are enjoying the modern day comforts that now are quite meaningful, instant hot water (who cares about the dishwasher), toilets that flush, regular soap not hand sanitizer, a waching machine......aah the living. But none the less it is not ours nor is it permanent, thus treading water. Eventually the plans will get through the county and we will start the build, eventually. When asked by a friend how things were going I said , "good we are treading water, not moving backward, not moving forward, not sinking, just treading". She said, "good that means your building muscle." Love that thought. I want toned arms not body builder arms, just toned. So hopefully we can start building soon, or I will be awesome at arm wrestling.