Friday, November 2, 2007
Trick-or-Treating
Since Annie is the only grandchild (and the only "skunk") to come Trick-or-Treating at my house, I have to post a picture. I'm sure my other 4 grandchildren were equally cute and I'm hoping they post photos! I also had a very cute octopus come to see me and her photo is posted on Chris and Dawns blog.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Wow! Stephen is joining the "bloggers"
Wow, if Stephen and Cari are joining the blogger fun, it's time for the Mounts to get 'back in the game',and I'm sure everyone is anxious to know my side of every story that they might share.
Anyway, it seems only fair when so much enjoyment is derived from reading everyone elses blogs.
For those of you that may not know, the Mounts Family Home has been sold and with the help of the Zollinger family and a few ward members they have finally removed 27 years of "stuff" from every nook and cranny in the house. It was a monumental task, even for Mary Ann who definitely knows how to throw things away. Just ask anyone that currently lives with her or ever has. Just this last month she managed to throw away a hospitol check for Cassie, and a brand new, never been worn, $60 shirt that she purchased for herself. (Glenn found the check stuck in the bottom of Grandma's garbage can, but the shirt is somewhere at the Rexburg landfill)
The young couple that purchased the house has moved in and are anxiously awaiting the day when Glenn will have the belongings moved out of the garage as well. Glenn is not really wanting Mary Ann to help much with this project as he places a higher value on "his stuff" than he fears she would.
Most of their belongings are in storage and the rest are in their new apt in grandpa and grandma's basement or in their garage waiting to be sorted through. Yes, they have had some frustrating moments wondering where things are, but they are "muddling through". Amazing how grateful one can be in this modern day to just have ones own washer and dryer when you've gone all summer carrying the laundry up and down the street from one house to another. Grandpa was pretty upset when Glenn started cutting the hole for the dryer vent - he yelled at him from the bathroom window, "Don't you cut one more hole in this house or I'll call the police!" Glenn stopped what he was doing and explained WHAT he was up to and grandpa let him finish. Mary Ann is refusing to leave the ironing board that grandpa built-in for her at their house, so that was actually written into the purchase agreement. Glenn is a little stressed about how to remove it, but Mary Ann is insisting.
Yesterday was grandpa's 91st birthday, for any of you that are keeping track. When we went up to wish him a Happy Birthday yesterday morning, he asked us how old he was. Glenn asked him how old he thought he was to which he replied, I'm 80. " When Glenn told him that grandma just turned 81, he decided he must be 83. Remember when grandpa Zollinger(Mary Ann's Grandpa) told Aunt Raya to alert the newsapaper that he had turned 95? When she asked him why he replied with, "Well, you know I just want it run up the flag pole to see if anyone salutes!" When the current Grandpa Z found out he was 91, his reply was, "Oh my achin back, I better go back to bed."
Every morning as Mary Ann leaves for work now, she stops to make sure the "ole folks" have the fireplace turned on(grandpa loves it more than he loves "mama" and is mad when it goes off) If they are awake mom always asks , "now, how did you do that?" Like there is some sort of magic to flipping the switch form 'off' to 'heat'. The other day Mary Ann came home and the house was so hot you couldn't breathe. They had the temperature set at 91!(which should be impossible to do, I agree) Grandma was hot, frustrated, and contemplating opening the windows, but grandpa was contentedly sitting on the couch with a blanket wrapped around him.
The most important function the basement tenants perform is picking grandma up when she falls, especially in the middle of the night. It is nothing short of miraculous that she has not broken any bones! She just "knocks 3 times" on the ceiling and one of them goes running - they take turns. Glenn is very good natured about it all!!!!!
Grandma has finally given up driving and grandpa has finally consented to letting the Mounts park their car in the garage. That was quite a battle! Grandpa told Mary Ann, "don't you know that the cruelest thing a woman can ever do to a man is to take away their car?" "It doesn't matter if it's being driven or not."
Anyway, life is anything but dull and everyday is a new adventure. more often.
Anyway, it seems only fair when so much enjoyment is derived from reading everyone elses blogs.
For those of you that may not know, the Mounts Family Home has been sold and with the help of the Zollinger family and a few ward members they have finally removed 27 years of "stuff" from every nook and cranny in the house. It was a monumental task, even for Mary Ann who definitely knows how to throw things away. Just ask anyone that currently lives with her or ever has. Just this last month she managed to throw away a hospitol check for Cassie, and a brand new, never been worn, $60 shirt that she purchased for herself. (Glenn found the check stuck in the bottom of Grandma's garbage can, but the shirt is somewhere at the Rexburg landfill)
The young couple that purchased the house has moved in and are anxiously awaiting the day when Glenn will have the belongings moved out of the garage as well. Glenn is not really wanting Mary Ann to help much with this project as he places a higher value on "his stuff" than he fears she would.
Most of their belongings are in storage and the rest are in their new apt in grandpa and grandma's basement or in their garage waiting to be sorted through. Yes, they have had some frustrating moments wondering where things are, but they are "muddling through". Amazing how grateful one can be in this modern day to just have ones own washer and dryer when you've gone all summer carrying the laundry up and down the street from one house to another. Grandpa was pretty upset when Glenn started cutting the hole for the dryer vent - he yelled at him from the bathroom window, "Don't you cut one more hole in this house or I'll call the police!" Glenn stopped what he was doing and explained WHAT he was up to and grandpa let him finish. Mary Ann is refusing to leave the ironing board that grandpa built-in for her at their house, so that was actually written into the purchase agreement. Glenn is a little stressed about how to remove it, but Mary Ann is insisting.
Yesterday was grandpa's 91st birthday, for any of you that are keeping track. When we went up to wish him a Happy Birthday yesterday morning, he asked us how old he was. Glenn asked him how old he thought he was to which he replied, I'm 80. " When Glenn told him that grandma just turned 81, he decided he must be 83. Remember when grandpa Zollinger(Mary Ann's Grandpa) told Aunt Raya to alert the newsapaper that he had turned 95? When she asked him why he replied with, "Well, you know I just want it run up the flag pole to see if anyone salutes!" When the current Grandpa Z found out he was 91, his reply was, "Oh my achin back, I better go back to bed."
Every morning as Mary Ann leaves for work now, she stops to make sure the "ole folks" have the fireplace turned on(grandpa loves it more than he loves "mama" and is mad when it goes off) If they are awake mom always asks , "now, how did you do that?" Like there is some sort of magic to flipping the switch form 'off' to 'heat'. The other day Mary Ann came home and the house was so hot you couldn't breathe. They had the temperature set at 91!(which should be impossible to do, I agree) Grandma was hot, frustrated, and contemplating opening the windows, but grandpa was contentedly sitting on the couch with a blanket wrapped around him.
The most important function the basement tenants perform is picking grandma up when she falls, especially in the middle of the night. It is nothing short of miraculous that she has not broken any bones! She just "knocks 3 times" on the ceiling and one of them goes running - they take turns. Glenn is very good natured about it all!!!!!
Grandma has finally given up driving and grandpa has finally consented to letting the Mounts park their car in the garage. That was quite a battle! Grandpa told Mary Ann, "don't you know that the cruelest thing a woman can ever do to a man is to take away their car?" "It doesn't matter if it's being driven or not."
Anyway, life is anything but dull and everyday is a new adventure. more often.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Babysitting and Graduation
Well we survived the 9 days of babysitting the Johnson Children whose current ages are 4,3,2, and 1. No, that is not a misprint, they are 4,3,2,and 1!!! I think it's more difficult in some ways than quadruplets! Anyway, we managed to take them to Jungle Gyms, Hogle Zoo, 2 baseball games, (Larkin and cousin Ethan are on the same baseball team) and the Dinosaur Museum. The power went out for a brief time while we were there and when we called David to get his advice, Anna was overheard in the background telling David to "get us a hotel room, but don't invite them to spend the night over here." That might give you an idea of how people that know them and love them feel about the ease of caring for them. Seriously, Anna was very helpful and went above and beyond the call of duty to feed us dinner one night and take Larkin early to the baseball games. We didn't lose any of the children and we only lost the dog, Sadie, one time. After much prayer and significant personal restraint we are happy to report that all four children survived the ordeal virtually unscathed and unharmed. We were happy to see Katie, Adam, and little Ali on Saturday afternoon. They stayed as long as they could and it was very nice to have an outside opinion about the situation we were in. It was also nice to see how well-behaved and tame Ali appears to be. Adam probably doesn't deserve this, but I'm sure Katie does. It was also nice to visit with Laurel and she actually showed Larkin how to get the dog to sit on her command. That was the first things Larkin wanted to show and tell when her parents got home.
Michael and Ann Marie had a wonderful time in Ecuador doing humanitarian aide for the church. Michael was a great teacher and will be welcomed back anytime they can find another babysitter for their children. Don't everyone volunteer at once.
The next Thursday Glenn and I returned to the scene of the crime for Cassie's graduation . It's official - she has her Master's and is now a Nurse Practitioner. I think she may have the honor of being Grandma and Grandpa's first grandchild to have their Master's Degree. Anyway, we are very proud of her and she has worked extremely hard for this honor. She finished all 6 years with a 3.8 grade average - a real chip off the ol' block, wouldn't you say? HA HA
Paul is busy interviewing for Jobs and weighing his options. He's in Denver today interviewing with Halliburton and will be interviewing with another company later this week in SLC. I am just hoping that they don't end up too far away.
Thomas is working everyday to improve his new house and having fun with his little girl Annie. She is a good baby and, like Adam, he is lucky he got her. Kricket has gone back to school so life is hectic but good for them, as many of you can relate with.
Grandma and grandpa are just chuggin along - grandma always has a good attitude and she still walks at the track most days. Yes, she is still driving, but not too much. She is having her eyes operated on tomorrow, she may not even need her infamous glasses they say.
Hope all is well with everyone and I will write again soon.
Michael and Ann Marie had a wonderful time in Ecuador doing humanitarian aide for the church. Michael was a great teacher and will be welcomed back anytime they can find another babysitter for their children. Don't everyone volunteer at once.
The next Thursday Glenn and I returned to the scene of the crime for Cassie's graduation . It's official - she has her Master's and is now a Nurse Practitioner. I think she may have the honor of being Grandma and Grandpa's first grandchild to have their Master's Degree. Anyway, we are very proud of her and she has worked extremely hard for this honor. She finished all 6 years with a 3.8 grade average - a real chip off the ol' block, wouldn't you say? HA HA
Paul is busy interviewing for Jobs and weighing his options. He's in Denver today interviewing with Halliburton and will be interviewing with another company later this week in SLC. I am just hoping that they don't end up too far away.
Thomas is working everyday to improve his new house and having fun with his little girl Annie. She is a good baby and, like Adam, he is lucky he got her. Kricket has gone back to school so life is hectic but good for them, as many of you can relate with.
Grandma and grandpa are just chuggin along - grandma always has a good attitude and she still walks at the track most days. Yes, she is still driving, but not too much. She is having her eyes operated on tomorrow, she may not even need her infamous glasses they say.
Hope all is well with everyone and I will write again soon.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
What's Happening April 18
I thought this might be a good way to keep everyone updated on "life with crapa (as Larkin affectionately refers to grandpa) and grandma" as well as life in the "burg" with Glenn and Mary Ann.
You'll be happy to know that since Stephen and I are the official caretakers that we are also the most unpopular. Last week, Grandpa accused me of having taken everything he owns; including, but not limited to, his ranch. No one ever told me he had a 'ranch'. Have you guys been holding out on me? Then last night he asked me what I was going to do about the college closing. I tried to ignore the question, but grandma continues to try to correct him so they got into a little spat about whether or not the college was on its way out. They claimed that Stephen has not been over to visit for 2 days and wondered if he was out of town. It seems to me that they relish his visits more than mine, which tells you just how far 'OFF' they really are.
Keith and Elizabeth arrived this last weekend for school. They are both living at the same apt complex and sharing a pickup. Reminds me of the days when Joe, Laurel, and me all lived at the University Villa. Those were the days!!!!!! Keith had a great mission it sounds like and although he's not sure about being back here in Rexburg, we're sure it's the right place to be and I'm equally sure that Joey, Andy, and Adam can all relate with how he is feeling right now. Maybe you should drop him a line and let him know that everything will turn out for the best.
Glenn and I are getting ready to spend this next week tending Ann Marie's 4 children while she and Michael do church service in Ecuador. Michael has been brushing up on his Spanish and Ann Marie is not sure if it's worth it some days. I'm sure it will be a great experience and that Michael will be a superb teacher. New born resuscitation training is one of President Hinckley's 5 humanitarian initiatives and that is what they'll be working on. I have no doubt that they'll have fun, but I'm a little worried about us - I hope we survive 9 days with 4 children age 4 and under!!!!!
You'll be happy to know that since Stephen and I are the official caretakers that we are also the most unpopular. Last week, Grandpa accused me of having taken everything he owns; including, but not limited to, his ranch. No one ever told me he had a 'ranch'. Have you guys been holding out on me? Then last night he asked me what I was going to do about the college closing. I tried to ignore the question, but grandma continues to try to correct him so they got into a little spat about whether or not the college was on its way out. They claimed that Stephen has not been over to visit for 2 days and wondered if he was out of town. It seems to me that they relish his visits more than mine, which tells you just how far 'OFF' they really are.
Keith and Elizabeth arrived this last weekend for school. They are both living at the same apt complex and sharing a pickup. Reminds me of the days when Joe, Laurel, and me all lived at the University Villa. Those were the days!!!!!! Keith had a great mission it sounds like and although he's not sure about being back here in Rexburg, we're sure it's the right place to be and I'm equally sure that Joey, Andy, and Adam can all relate with how he is feeling right now. Maybe you should drop him a line and let him know that everything will turn out for the best.
Glenn and I are getting ready to spend this next week tending Ann Marie's 4 children while she and Michael do church service in Ecuador. Michael has been brushing up on his Spanish and Ann Marie is not sure if it's worth it some days. I'm sure it will be a great experience and that Michael will be a superb teacher. New born resuscitation training is one of President Hinckley's 5 humanitarian initiatives and that is what they'll be working on. I have no doubt that they'll have fun, but I'm a little worried about us - I hope we survive 9 days with 4 children age 4 and under!!!!!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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