Soon to be reunited, again!

St. Louis, MO Temple 2006

Just had to say: I'm excited that DAVE is coming home on Thursday! He has been working out of state for the winter, and it has been lonely here. He has a one way ticket HOME! I will pick him up from the airport in less that 48 hours (who's counting?). There is always something to be learned from our experiences, and I believe I have learned to appreciate Dave more. There are so many things I miss about him. He makes me laugh....I miss that. He has really good insights into life and what is going on....I miss hearing those spontaneously. He is FUN and helpful....I miss that. His perfect sense of direction when we travel....I miss that. He has a great perspective on life (to me it is like sunshine...that essential to daily life)....I really MISS that!

This has been quite the experience, with him working out of state for so long. Life just seems very FLAT without Dave. Kind of like the spice is gone. So, I am looking forward to the JOY of having him back home. And I hope I remember to appreciate him more!!!

Bigler Time...even tho Tara & Jon are not here

Yesterday I went to the Ojai Ward for Sacrament meeting...because Jon's little brother, Clark Bigler gave his homecoming talk...just got home from his mission from Chile the week before. He did an excellent job on his talk. Very inspiring and insightful. I thought he was a 'mini Bert' (his Dad) when he spoke. He is truly a leader and just a great guy! I was impressed. I had fun visiting with the Kris, her sister, and the Bigler boys etc. after church. I also got to meet David's fiancee,.

Tonight the Bigler's were having a B'day bar-b-que (another grandchilds b'day) at the park right next to us....she invited me to come by for dinner.....I did and had fun visiting with Kris and Clark mostly. I always feel so comfortable with Kris....she is a good friend/relative.

Afterwards, I went to my Mom's house to hang out with Mom and my sisters...Debbie & Joyce. We had fun watching the Bachelor on TV and then visiting. Debbie made her famous cooked sugar free chocolate pudding with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream in the bowl of pudding....the contrast between the hot and cold, creamy vanilla & chocolate....yummy! Anyway, that was my evening after work. I was going to do errands, but instead I had FUN! Errands can be another day....

A GREAT new Church Website

Did you see this yet? http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/
A beautiful new website the Church has created for the world to enjoy! Check it out, I thought it was awesome!

A new TARGET is opening in Ventura

I read in the paper today, that the new Target (in Pacific View Mall) will be opening next Tuesday, March 4th. It is where the old Rob-May was. The paper says this is a new tradition for malls all over the USA, to add non-traditional anchor stores. It is just short of a Super Target, and only lacks produce, a bakery and a deli. If it had those 3 things, it would have been a super-Target....but then our fair city would not have allowed it to be here. The city council is bigtime NO BIG BOX retail. WalMart has been trying for YEARS to get in to Ventura. They even own the recently closed KMart building and pad. But our city has put so many restrictions on them, it has been impossible for them to develop it. I hope they are getting close! We need a decent WalMart.....our Oxnard one is trashed. We need one here in Ventura! I like WalMart everywhere else I go, but NOT here...yucky and dirty. So here's hoping.

215 new jobs were created by this store's opening. Ventura should make about $500,000 a year in new taxes. They are not worried abou the other Target being less than one mile away. They say it will remain open, since it is the highest seller of the county.

Aunt Norma's Memorial Service

Last night after work, I went to my Mom's house to watch her sister's memorial service on DVD. It was beautiful. Her kids and grandkids did an excellent job putting this together. They covered all bases....with wonderful pictures on display, beautiful music sung by her granddaughter, Carly, and another song by her son-in-law, Terry. They even made a video of Aunt Norma's life, set to music of the 40's...which was their era. Some of her granddaughters spoke of their memories of their Grandma. She is from the same mold as my Mom for sure, as they always make things FUN! Really, those 3 sisters know how to make everyday things FUN! Terry read some of the memories my Mom wrote about her sister and their younger sister, Barbara, made a video clip of herself telling some memories of their shared times together. Barbara's clip was hilarious and yet also touching. They all were loving sisters! It was neat to watch that together with Joyce & Debbie and my Mom. Afterwards, Debbie came over to hang out with me at our house. We watched Monk on the DVR and had fudgescicles & licorice. It was good times the whole night.

I did my 'new duties' again today....

Well it's Tuesday, and I just finished my fairly new weekly tasks. If you don't know, while Dave has been working out of town, I have the JOY of cleaning the kitty litter box....something Dave has ALWAYS done for our household. It isn't as bad as I thought, but the first time I really goofed. The box is siftable, and comes in many pieces....like 3 or 4 siftable trays. Well, you have to get them put together correctly, or the next time you go to sift it....the whole thing sifts onto the garage floor. Well, that was my first experience with it, but I was a quick learner, and never did that again. Another one of my newfound duties is taking the big trashcans out to the curb each week. Dave has always been a gentleman and insists on taking care of all things related to trash...which is perfect for me... 'cuz I don't like "dirty". Thank goodness these duties are only temporary...till Dave gets home. That is my exciting day: going to work and these 'special' home duties. I miss my honey....not just for this, of course. I really miss him to hang out with and go Costco with, to go to the movies with, and to grab a bite to eat together also. Simple little things, but I miss doing them all with my honey.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAVE!!!

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY"

This is the first time we have been apart on your B'day. I wish we could go out to dinner together tonight (and a movie). I know you are very busy and working HARD. I appreciate that. I hope everything 'goes your way' today....meaning an extra smooth day at work for you (my wish for you) Just know: YOU ARE LOVED and MISSED! Take care and be safe!

Happy Fifty-something (we won't say exactly which number it is here).

Note to our girls: This is my FIRST POST by myself and you are right...it is easy! You are good teachers too. Thanks a bunch for showing me how to do this. I love it!