Me so happy....

Why am I so happy? 2007 is finally done. Finished. We've seen a lot of Andrew for the holidays. He moved out closer to us. Here he is in Brittany's "pink therapy room". Brittany, up until a couple of years ago, eschewed the color pink. Enter now. Her walls are a very light shade of ballet pink, her comforter is two tone pink. Her sheets are pink, her Christmas tree is pink, she has a lot of pink stuffed animals. Brittany has a lot of pink shirts from her mother planet, Hollister. To borrow a line from Steel Magnolias, "The sanctuary looks like it's been hosed down with Pepto Bismal!"

Why am I so happy? Only one more semester to go before Brittany graduates high school. She made very good grades this last one. I am so proud of her!

Why am I so happy? I got all of the Christmas decorations put away today. I carefully put away everything I took out and some extra treasures for next year that I bought on clearance. I only need to have the icicle lights taken down off of the house, and that will be tomorrow's project. Only I hurt my neck so I won't be able to go up onto the roof. Andrew and Mark will be my special helpers.

There will be some big milestones for our family in January. Stay tuned!

As promised...

Okay, I lied, there were 16 in the group. Have you ever seen such a georgous group? Sorry for the darned line, I must find out why my scanner does this. Mark passed the sacrament today and I was such a proud mom. Not in the bad pride way, but, I realized with much more clarity that my baby is not a baby anymore.

Random Week with more to come

Some have questioned whether I have fallen off of the earth this week. No, just been busy, but it is nice to know that your blogs are looked forward to.

Brittany went to Winter Formal last Saturday. I found this dress at Dillard's for......drumroll please........$29.00!! The best part of the deal was that I bought it without her with me and she loved it!

Any mom with a daughter knows that they have such attitude about clothes. Usually when I try to buy something for her, I say to the checkout clerk, "I may be back."

This is the fella she went with. His name is Layton Hatch and he is in our ward. They were actually part of a large group of about 14. Most of them were from our ward, so it was a cute sight on Sunday to see them all sitting on the same row, all dressed in their festive attire. Truly a beautiful group of youth! I'll post that picture as soon as it comes.

Mark was ordained a deacon in the Aaronic priesthood last Sunday. It was a very proud day for Lee and I. Our baby is growing up! He is now one of the youth! He will pass the sacrament for the first time tomorrow.

We had our ward Christmas party which was a Hawaiian luai theme last night. Kapono and April Mafi and their group provided the entertainment. It was great! Such beautiful and talented people. I wanted to get up and shake my groove thang right along with them!

I have been busy with getting things ready for Primary for 2008. It's coming along, I think. My mother-in-law is in the hospital with pneumonia and MRSA. She says she is getting better, but nonetheless has been very ill.

I have written my Christmas newsletter and filled out the envelopes, so the cards should be along shortly! It's a big chore, but I love getting them myself and I have written one each year since the Christmas before Lee and I were married. Way back in the day. I still have wrapping to do, a gift to buy for the office party, a white elephant to find for Lee, Bunco, Mark's orchestra concert, a dish to make for the office party, oh yeah, and clean my house!

Holy Flooded Freeway Batman!

As some of you may know, I am from Washington state. My cousin Shannon just sent me this photo of Interstate 5. All that you can see is an overpass and a couple of exits. Is this just unbelievable? To all of our family dealing with this storm, we are thinking of you, and praying for your safety. Love you all.

Twelve years ago.....

Twelve years ago, a tiny little 9 lb 2.5 oz baby boy was born. Mark William Johnson made his way into the world through something of an eventful pregnancy for his mother.

Mark was born at 12:35pm by C-section due to the fact that he was a footling breech. What this means is that one of his feet was "stuck" in my pelvis. They tried and tried to turn him around (which hurt like crazy, must tell you) but, he remained steadfast in the position he was in.

Mark meets his big brother and sister for the first time.

Can you guess which foot was stuck?

Mark, being the baby of our family, gets extra special attention from his big brother and big sister. He has finagled his fair share of "gifts" from them. He is more than willing to help them part with their hard earned dollars.

Brittany gave Mark a Nintendo DS for this birthday. He loves his big sister a little extra now.

Mark is very well rounded guy. He is smart in school, he is a gifted musician, and he loves sports, especially soccer. From a very early age he has had such a gift for the funny. He keeps us laughing and we just can't believe some of the things that come out of that brain of his!

Now that he is twelve, here are 12 things that I love about Mark:

1. He has always had an easy time making friends. I guess that other kids like to be friends with the tall guy.

2. Mark is very fair. He seeks to correct the injustices of this world.

3. He has the cutest freckles across his nose. I don't like my freckles, but his are very cute.

4. Mark likes to be "hands on". He has never been satisfied just to be shown how to do something, he wanted to do it.

5. He still cuddles with his Mom. Shh don't tell anyone. I love his huggles!

6. Mark is very helpful. He can carry groceries in the house in a single bound and tries to carry every bag out of the store without the cart!

7. I love just spending time with him talking, I like to hear his thoughts on any subject.

8. Mark is responsible. His brother Andrew was a good example in this department, and he learned it well.

9. He loves to play games! You MUST play with him. He has a way of engaging you so that you can't say no.

10. Mark is going to be a great missionary. He wants to stay in the United States for his mission.

11. He likes to tease. He is not a brutal teaser but, a teaser nonetheless.

12. Mark is so excited to receive the priesthood, and to be a deacon. I can't wait to see him pass the sacrament.

Mark I love you so much son. You are the best youngest son I could ever have! Happy Birthday!

I'm IT!

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. I was Primary secretary in Evergreen ward. (I'm now Primary secretary in Baywood ward)
2. I was teaching salsa and merengue dance.
3. I was working for Kinney Management. (I still am.)
4. I was co-PTA president with my husband at Flora Thew Elementary School.
5. I was mired in what I thought were the hardest times in raising my children.(Wrong!)

5 things on my today list:
1. Dishes (done, thanks Hon!)
2. Laundry (never done)
3. read December Ensign
4. Blog
5. Prepare for primary presidency meeting Tuesday.

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. A bowl of Raisin Bran
2. A caffeine free diet Dr. Pepper or Pepsi
3. New York style bagel
4. A bowl of Oatmeal Squares
5. Reduced fat Ruffles

5 songs I know lyrics to:
1. Man, I feel like a Woman
2. We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet
3. Low
4. Grandma got Run Over by a Reindeer
5. Songbird

5 things I will never wear again:
1. tapered leg pants (no one should wear these EVER!)
2. anything with a "drop-waist"
3. shoulder pads circa 1980's
4. turtle neck sweaters, I just can't do it.
5. large floral prints (too busy)

5 of my favorite toys:
1. Gee this is hard, I don't play much, oh, I-pod, gotta have my tunes!
2. Digital camera to take pictures to blog with.
3. foot spa
4. my Bosch, I cannot live without it now, thanks Mom Johnson!
5. my earpiece for the phone, allows me to multitask hands free.

So there you go. Getting to know me bit by bit. If any of my audience feels so inclined, you may do this list on your blog. I'll read it, I promise. Have a great evening!

Berkeley the Reindog

"Oh Mom please don't humiliate me this way!"

"But Berkeley, you look so cute in your antlers."

Berkeley came to us Christmas Eve 2004. I think that he remembers that he was a Christmas puppy and he likes to lay under the Christmas tree. He "wags" the ribbon off the bottom of the tree and knocks the ornaments off, but at least he doesn't try to eat them anymore.

My "baby" is growing up!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree........

It's taken me awhile, but, I'm back on the wagon. After Thanksgiving I was left with most of a pecan pie and it took me nearly a week to eat it up. YUM! With pecan pie you must pace yourself, no more than one piece a day.



The day after Thanksgiving Mark and I put up the icicle lights on the house, and decorated the tree. We were trying to decide where to put the tree this year, when Grandma said, "I saw someone that had their tree in the center of the room." Mark thought that this was a grand idea:

What can I say, I'm terrible, I forgot to rotate the picture so send me your chiropractic bill. Having a Christmas tree in the middle of the room works wonders in the TV watching department. We don't watch as much, but, with the writer's strike still ongoing there isn't anything on anyway.

We are very much ready for Christmas, we have a tree in the living room, one on the dining room table, two on the entertainment center, one in Brittany's room, and one in Mark's room. I enjoy the decorating. I'll have to take more photos of my "trees".

Johnson Thanksgiving 2007

Here are a few photos for your pleasure and/or amusement. I am publishing these with the emphasis that I love my family, and I in no way intend to embarrass, degrade, or humiliate.

Tara and Brittany fast asleep

Uncle Carl thy tryptophan worketh

Uncle Carl and Bob, turkey coma

Erica and Buster, up close and personal

And this is probably my favorite picture. Dartell was helping me with the potatoes and inside the same ten pound bag of potatoes, were these two heart shaped cuties. Can you believe this? Of course, the cutie in the middle is probably the cutest.

Love to all. It was a wonderful day filled with good food, good family, and good fun! Justine has volunteered for next year. On to Christmas!

Grandma loves Berkeley

Brittany, Berkeley, and Grandma

Grandma loves Berkeley, Oh yes she does, oh yes she does! MMMwwwaa!

Meet Andrew's New Boy

Andrew has a new playmate. He has dearly missed Berkeley since he moved out, so, meet Buster! I'm sorry that the picture is sideways, but, Andrew rescued this cute 6 year old beagle from the pound. He brought Buster over to meet Berkeley and to play for Thanksgiving.

I made a special Thanksgiving meal for Berkeley and Buster. Pedigree turkey and bacon mixed with rice that I cooked for them.

Berkeley wasn't certain at first, he likes to be the main Beagle in the Johnson household, but, they got along and did things we won't speak about in polite company. If you have ever been to a dog park, you know what I am referring to.

Berkeley and Buster

Over the river, and through the woods...

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! We had a house full. I cooked and we had Lee's parents Roger and Sharon Johnson, Lee's uncle Wm. Carl Johnson, Lee's sister Dartell, Lee's other sister Justine and her husband Bob, and their four girls, Tara 16, Jennica 14, Erica 12, and Sierra 10.

There was turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, carrots, corn, and egg nog. Justine made appetizers, cheese balls and crackers. Erica did the deviled eggs. Dartell made some delicious rolls and sugar cookies. The piece de resistance was 2 apple pies, 1 pecan pie, 1 traditional pumpkin pie, 1 lemon meringue pie, and a double layer pumpkin pie. We stuffed ourselves to the gills!

Please...Don't squeeze the Charmin

Dick Wilson, better known as "Mr. Whipple" has died at the age of 91. This icon of my childhood to present torment. From 1964 to 1985 he made more than 500 commercials extolling housewives everywhere to "Please don't squeeze the Charmin". He himself was a closet squeezer.

I have to admit, I'm a little sad that he is gone. The jokes, the teasing, the torture, the laughter that I have endured my entire life, will never die. As most of you know, I have two middle names, the initials of which are "T. P." All the teehees at the grocery store, the bank, and anywhere I might need to show my driver's license will continue. I have, however, learned to work it to my advantage. I make myself the punch line of the joke when I meet people, then they never forget my name. I mean, really, how many Charmen's are you going to meet in your lifetime?

So, farewell Mr. Whipple. Thank you for your contribution to the butt of the joke of my life. You will be missed!

Brittany's Big One Eight!

On November 18, 1989, a certain mother was laboring to deliver her child. This child didn't seem to want to come out. For a day and a half this mother labored, and finally at 1:14 pm on November 19th the child was born. It's a girl! We didn't know beforehand so it was a wonderful surprise, all 6lbs and 15oz and 19 1/4 inches of her.

Yes, Brittany Charmen Johnson was born and made her presence known. She has been and continues to be a wonderful blessing in our lives. Here are 18 things to love about Brittany:

1. She is our most beautiful and talented and favorite daughter.
2. She has a very soft heart.
3. She is a friend to all and loves her friends.
4. She loves her family and her brothers most of the time.
5. She is our peacemaker.
6. She is going to be the world's greatest Massage Therapist.
7. She has had to make tough choices in her life, and has come through stronger for them.
8. She knows how to butter her mom up for something she wants. ie: my car.
9. She is generous with her funds and is very giving.
10.She knows who she is and will never let anyone take advantage of her. (Ever again.)
11.She has great self-esteem, a must for young women.
12.She has a wit that will make you laugh. I love her wit.
13.You can't rush her. She's ready when she's ready.
14.She is a hard worker.
15.She has the most beautiful brown eyes. I could stare into them forever.
16.Since she was little I have asked her, "How long can I keep you?" Her answer, "Forever."
17.She is a fantastic cook.
18.She has a wonderful future ahead of her.

I love and admire you Brittany. You have always amazed me with your growth and strength. You are a tremendous example to your family of standing tall in tough times, and I know I made you stand tall sometimes when it probably would have been easier or understandable to fall. This year I feel like you have really pulled yourself up and out, and everyone who sees you can see the difference in you. Thanks for letting me be your mother and letting me mother you. I love you with my whole heart and am happy about the woman you are becoming. I love you and Happy Birthday!

Phew!!!! I dodged that bullet.....

I've been really stressed out the last two months. In mid-September at my well-woman visit, a lump was discovered in my left breast. I was scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram on October 24th. (Why they can't get you in sooner when you are freaking out I'll never know!) Well, I kept my date with the boob smasher (they put your lung in there for good measure!).

The mammogram did show an irregularity and I was scheduled for an ultrasound on November 7th. All of this is done with great dignity, must tell you, like they've had breasts coming down a conveyer belt in a factory. You know, you've seen one, you've seen them all.

Today I finally got great news! I am alright! Two months of wondering and waiting and worrying. Now I can go back to just worrying about getting my former home sold.

Pretty little jailbird

Brittany has a stellar driving record. She has been driving for two years with her license without any problems, no accidents, or tickets.

Brittany's curfew on Saturday night is midnight, not a moment later. Well, last night she was dropping off friends after their evening of fun, and she apparently was driving a little too slow. So slow that some of the neighbors thought that she must be "casing the neighborhood" and they called the police.

Imagine Brittany's surprise when the police turned their lights on her just down the street. The police officers took her license and she came home with them following and they politely asked if she was my daughter. Of course, I said yes, and they explained what had happened and they left.

I hugged her because she was so scared! She has never had an experience like that before. Of course, today I had to have a little fun with her, so when I woke her up this morning to get up for church, I said, "Good morning little jailbird". In my best singsong voice. She smiled (I love when they smile when they are waking up) and said, "Moooommmmmmm!"

I think that she is too pretty to go to the big house. I asked her if I should get her tin cup out so that she can call the warden. Again, I was met with the requisite, "Mooooommmmmmm!" I love to tease my kids in a loving way.

This is one of her senior pics, isn't she so beautiful? I don't know why my scanner insists upon putting a line through it. I kind of thought, if it made more lines and they were evenly spaced, you might get the image of "My pretty little jailbird". I love you Brittany!

Grown up and out......

Andrew has had some really good fortune these days. I am hoping that can rub off on his parents and result in the sale of our former home!

This summer he had a lot of problems with his car and after about $2,000.00 worth of work, decided that it was just not working for him anymore. It is with great parental pride that I say, he went out and purchased a "new to him vehicle" and financed it without his parents co-signing!

His father and I are very proud of him and are pleased that he is so responsible. In light of the fact that he has a new vehicle, he also got a new job. His new full time job is with Westcor Security working at Fiesta Mall. If you see him, please say hi and ask where the free stuff is. (Heehee) He continues to work part time at MCC security as well. Baby steps to his ultimate career goal of being a police officer. He's just not old enough yet.

He tested and passed for the TSA, but couldn't wait for them to get back to him with a position. Andrew now has his own benefits and is making an acceptable amount of funds. I love this picture of him because he looks so happy.

We are proud of you son and we love you!

Lover Man

For Halloween this year, we really wanted Berkeley to be Underdog. Apparently, the licensing is held so tight, we could not find a costume anywhere. You'd think that since the movie came out this year that they would want to capitalize on beagle owners everywhere and make a chunk of change. Twas not to be. We decided to play up his strengths instead:

















Yes, he is a lover man and loves to give kisses. Maybe he'll make a little money tonight. Happy Halloween!

Deep, Dark Secrets!

I have been tagged to share 6 things about myself (habits, traits, recipes) that are closely guarded secrets of mine. I hesitated for a moment, but, since Michelle disclosed so openly, I thought, this might be fun!

1. I watch Desperate Housewives with my daughter Brittany. We have been hooked since the first episode. Sure it's campy, and sooooo not good TV. Hey, I figure it's bonding time for us.

2. I don't have little babies in the house anymore so what's my excuse, however, I do love to take a nap everyday. My husband doesn't even know I do this, he only sees me take one on the weekends. I can be a crankster if I don't get one. You don't wanna see me throw a tantrum!

3. I have a lot of shoes. I'm not talking fancy, high-end ones (they don't make my size anyway!) My youngest son, Mark, says that I have too many and if he is with me when I shop he won't let me buy more shoes. I get the feeling my extended family has maybe figured this out. Shhh.

4. On a serious note, I have suffered from depression for most of my life. I always thought it was a mind over matter type of thing and if I worked hard enough, I could overcome it. I was wrong. I finally started taking medication for it 3 years ago. What a difference! I am only sharing this because it may help someone else. My only regret is that I didn't get treated sooner.

5. I secretly enjoy when my husband goes out of town for a day or two. (Anything longer is too long!) I love to sleep in our king size bed totally stretched out. No one is snoring or breaking wind or anything. Blissful silence! (P.S. Love you honey!)

6. I used to be able to go through a 9 oz bag of m&m's in 3 days. I don't do it anymore, because I figured out that m&m's won't make your problems go away. They won't make you feel better about yourself, and they just didn't love me back! I also love Diet Pepsi and Diet Dr. Pepper. The kind without caffeine. I used to drink the kind with caffeine and it gave me a massive headache when I went off of it. Talk about withdrawal!

Okay, I've shared. Please don't judge me for my shortcomings. I try really hard to keep up the face of someone who has no quirks. Love to all!

Happy Halloween!

As some of you know, Halloween is my least favorite holiday. The dressing up, the candy, the non-stop candy, and the ghoulish nature of some of the costumes is not my idea of a good time.


Mark is a wrestler this year. He was supposed to be Jeff Hardy, but, the wig was itchy and so we dubbed him Jeff Hardy's little brother.

The boy with him is AJ McCumber. If any of you remember the McCumbers, they live out here in the East Valley in our stake. We consider them family because Vicki and Dartell are best friends. Speaking of Dartell, here she is with her namesake Emily Dartell McCumber:

Isn't Emily one of the cutest pumpkins you have ever seen?

Anyway, hats off to all of you who really get into the Halloween spirit. I admire your werewithall from afar. I am looking forward to my favorite time of year, Thanksgiving and Christmas! I wish it would cool down some more so that it really seems like it, though.

Hubby Tag!

Thank you Michelle! I have been enjoying others answers on these things!

1. Where did you meet?
At a single adult dance.

2. Where was your first date?
We went swimming at the apartments where Lee lived at the time.

3. First kiss?
I remember that it was so nice, for a moment, I forgot who and where I was!

4. How long did you date?
A year.

5. When and where did you get married?
January 16, 1988. We are rapidly approaching our 20th! We were married by my bishop and sealed on April 22, 1989 in the Mesa Temple.

6. How was the reception?
I thought it lasted so long! My face hurt from smiling so much! It was simple and nice.

7. How was the honeymoon?
We had our honeymoon on our 10th anniversary. We went to Las Vegas and this may not sound too romantic, but, I had two nights of the best and longest sleep of my life. I slept for 12 hours the first night, and 11 hours the second!

I tag:

Crystal
Liz
Melissa
Whitney
Lynnae

Melancholy and mellow....

No pictures today, folks. I was going to post a picture of Mark pinning me with his Tenderfoot pin, but I decided not to when I looked at the picture.

I'm mad at myself for gaining weight and I can't stand to see pictures of myself. It all started when Brit got pregnant and then Andrew moved out and we moved. It is not my kids fault. How could I let myself get this way? I've kind of been on a downward spiral and I barely recognize myself. I've decided that short hair is just not for me. I think it excacerbates and emphasizes what I don't like about myself right now.

I realize this may sound like I'm down. I guess I am. Our former home still has not sold and right now it has become a money drain. I miss my grand daughter tremendously and there is not a thing I can do about that. I am happy that she is happy and thriving. I just ache to hold her.

Anywho, I've started speedwalking again. Two and a half miles 6 days a week and the chocolate went bye-bye. Anyone who said chocolate was better than sex LIED! I haven't eaten it in about a month and I'm doing just fine without it. My plan is to have lost the weight and returned to my normal self by my 40th birthday. That is January 6th. Since I've now put it out there it makes me accountable to all who read this. Wish me success!!!

We're Dancing!!

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!Yes, Lee and I are dancing! We haven't danced together since before we got married. Back then my husband used dancing as a dating tool and didn't think that he needed to continue once "He bagged her"

Hey, good lookin'....watcha got cookin'.....

I am so excited for the fall. Today really was the first day that it felt like fall. What a joyous thing it was as I was coming home from the grocery store this evening with the windows down and the car thermometer registering 66 degrees! So AWESOME!!

I was enjoying General Conference today, feeling a little more rejuvenated than I felt yesterday. I love the charge I get listening to the General Authorities and their counsel. I always come away from it feeling like I have clear vision again of what I should be doing. It's so easy to lose our focus in this world, with so much going on, all of the time. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and I am so grateful for all that I have.

So anyway, since it finally felt like a fall day, I was ready to do some baking. Nothing says fall like something yummy smelling coming from the oven, wafting through the house, and dancing in our nostrils.

Cinnamon Rolls!

Yup, I made them myself. Some of them grew taller than others, but tasted yummy. I try to make the food aesthetically pleasing, but sometimes you can't control what the yeast will do. I received rave reviews from my family. They were the best ones I've turned out thus far.

I had a little panic attack, realizing that next month is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving, already!!!!

Gotta a haircut, gotta a haircut......

I realize that I am not very photogenic, and this is the best picture I could take of myself:

It's a little poofy because I just washed it, but, if you have seen pictures of Jenny McCarthy lately, this is the look I was going for. This is the shortest I have EVER had my hair. It's shorter in back. Let me know what you think, I can take it. Have a great day!

Lucky Mom

Okay, the weather is changing and everyone is getting busier because you don't need to plan a week or two in advance how to navigate doing your normal errands in the heat. Yeah!!! Gals, do you ever feel a little too appreciated? I know I do, especially when I look around and it appears that no one in my family has broken arms.



Well, it has been one of those weekends where I had absolutely no time to do anything else. Before proceeding, please know that this is incredibly embarrassing to me, especially when too many people think that I have it all together all the time. Please know that is only my facade.

I wake up this morning, and I guess I know what I need to do first:

You'll notice that it says "Charmen's kitchen" in the back of it all. Family, please don't take this so literally!!!

To all of my wonderful friends who have little children, they just get bigger and move out! I hope you all have a wonderful day. I've got to go because Berkeley got hold of a new roll of toilet paper and has now shredded it in the living room!

I've been tagged!

Thank you Crystal. This is fun:

4 JOBS I HAVE HAD:
1-Housekeeper
2-Administrative Assistant for 3 companies
3-Accounting/Builder Services for HOA management company.
4-Mom, taxi driver, housekeeper, nurse, dog walker, landscape maintenance, small repair, laundress, dishwasher, hostess, flop house manager for a bunch of teenagers that blow through here, friend, confidant, problem solver, detective, accountant, car washer, dog washer, window washer, I could go on.
MOVIES I COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER:
1-Tommy Boy
2-Titanic
3-The Lake House
4-The Wedding Date
FAVORITE TELEVISION SHOWS:
1-Friends
2-48 Hours Mystery
3-Dr. Phil
4-This one is kinda stupid, but I've been watching the re-runs all summer: America's Next Top Model
HOBBIES:
1-Reading.
2-Dancing
3-Blogging is fun. It forces me to take more pictures.
4-Catching up with friends.
PLACES I HAVE LIVED:
1-Long Beach, California
2-Federal Way, Washington
3-San Diego, California
4-Mesa, Tempe, and Chandler, Arizona
PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
1-Paris, France
2-Washington state visiting family
3-New York
4-Sitting atop Piestewa Peak as the sun is rising, beautiful.
SITES I CHECK DAILY:
1-Blogs of family and friends
2-my email
3-my work email
4-County assessor, for my job
WHO I'M TAGGING:
1-Clarissa
2-Sarah
3-Mekell
4-Lynnae

Have a wonderful day! I am tired and I need a nap. I had a great time playing Bunco last night. I meant to take pictures, but, I was hosting and I didn't. I'll take pictures next month. It's a great group of ladies.

Ooh La La!

My dear sweet Brittany! One thing she likes to do is mess around with her hair and makeup, usually before bedtime. She likes to look beautiful when she sleeps, and she does. After she pretties herself up, she takes the most beautiful pictures of herself. Wendi Brown always told her she would be the next Lancome model. I agree, how about you?

Pretty Brittany

Dog Days of Summer....

Well, the monsoon season is officially over. This is the 8th driest monsoon we've had. Okay, I shouldn't say "we". I don't condone this weather at all. But, what do you do when you are sick of the heat, it's too hot to go outside and play, and you and your friends are trying to figure out what to do?

Why, you dress up the dog! Poor Berkeley, he is such a good sport. He'd do anything with Mark, Colton, and Connor. Berkeley thinks he's just one of the guys! Such a good puppy.

Happy Grandparents Day!

Today is Grandparents Day and I just wanted to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the greatest grandparents ever.

Thank you for all that you are to 3 children in the Lee Johnson Family.

Brittany

Mark

You have stepped up to the grandparenting plate to be all the grandparents that Mark, Brittany and Andrew would need. Thank you for your love and support and yummy Schwan's chicken sandwiches that they ate at your house. Thanks for all the yummy banana bread and round bread that you made for us.

Andrew

Thank you for all the jumps on your trampoline, the summers when we would vacation at your house for a week. Thank you for always remembering our birthdays, and being there for all of the important milestones in our lives. Thank you for all of your listening and your advice, even though it probably seemed that we weren't listening.

Thank you for sharing what is important to you, so that someday we can share them with our own children and grandchildren. Thank you for coming for Thanksgiving these last few years, so that you wouldn't have to eat at JB's.

Berkeley

Most of all, when you ask Roger and Sharon Johnson about their three adoring grandchildren, make sure that you ask them, with sincerity, "how is your grand-beagle?" I love you Grandma, Love Berkeley. P.S. I love you too Grandpa, but Grandma has a special place in her heart for me and I will make her love me! (Hehehehehehe)

I've fallen.......and I can't get up!

On Saturday, September 1, 2007, I woke up and thought, "What a great day to do the yard. I have this wonderful 3 day weekend and I am going to make the most of it." So, I went out into the backyard and trimmed the tree, trimmed the bushes, and mowed the grass. I then blew all of the clippings into a neat pile, so that I could pick it up and put it in the green can. After the back yard was done, I decided that the tree in the front yard needed a little trim as well. I started trimming and all of a sudden I became very weak and shaken. I thought, I think I'll take a break and go into the house and have some Gatorade.

Well, I never did get to the Gatorade. Apparently, I fell down in the hallway and passed out. Next thing I know, this is what arrived out in front of my house although I didn't see them for myself.

Well, long story short, I got a ride to the new hospital Mountain Vista Medical Center, an I.V. of fluid, and a range of tests, and a few hours later, home. Diagnosis? Heat exhaustion. Who knew, I am mortal. My friend Sharon would be envious that a white fire truck came to my house, and about 8 firemen were in my living room. I also knew the EMT from Southwest Ambulance. If you remember the Hawkins family in Evergreen ward, Ashley is the mom of two little boys and is an EMT and going for her paramedic. What a small world!

If this isn't a testament to men doing yard work, I don't know what is. Trouble is, nothing will change. I've got to go do the laundry now. The yard looks fantastic though!

Happy 28th Birthday, Jenny!

This is my baby sister, Jennifer. Jenny and I were incredibly close even though the gap was wide. There is an 11 year span between her and myself, me being the oldest and her the youngest of 5 kids.

These are just a few of the pictures that I have of her. She became a mom and a wife at 16 years of age. Her first child, William, was born. She then had twin boys, Shane and Jacob, about 18 months later.

Due to the fact that she was so young at the time, the marriage didn't last. This is one of the last pictures that I have of the three sisters together. Jenny has had some incredible difficulties since her breakup. Unfortunately, the difficulties have resulted in me not knowing where she is at this time.

Jenny, I just want you to know that I love you so much and I wish for you a happy birthday!