Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

This June will be my first time participating in this fundraiser.

If you feel so inclined to donate to a good cause the link below will take you to my Race web page. They make it very easy to donate on-line and even 5.00 would help the cause. There is a box for "other" amounts.

I found out this week that my company will donate 100.00 for each employee that completes the walk/run, so that's exciting.

Thank you for your support.

http://www.pugetsoundraceforthecure.org/goto/TGaytan

Trudy vs. James Street Hill - May

Trudy 4 - James Hill 1

May 23 - 38 minutes (new PB), temperature about 65 degrees, wonderful walk.

Apr. 25 - 41 minutes (temperature about 50 degrees) It was off and on sunny. Springtime is pretty on the hill.

March - I didn't do the hill in March. I blame it on the weather and busy Saturdays, I know that's no excuse!

Feb. 21 - 40 minutes (temperature about 58 degrees)

Jan. 31 - 39 minutes

The goal is to walk up the hill starting at the Chevron on Central Ave. up to the pedestrian walk-way at the grade school and back down the hill, a minimum of once a month this year.

Time for the Weekend

I realize it's only Thursday night, but I'm so ready for the weekend. I say bring it on.

The weather is great. I got my bike out today after work for a short ride.

Friday is a half day for me at work and Monday is a holiday.

So I'm looking forward to some fun and relaxation this week.

And of course - James Hill on Saturday.

A Tribute to My Mom - Elsie Bowler Nielson

It's Mother's Day once again and I think about my mother who passed away five years ago. She was an absolutely delightful woman. I have very fond memories of her, not just from growing up as the youngest child in Boise, but many memories of her from my adult life as well.

This is a picture of her when she was in her early 20's.

To name a few things that made her special to me:

1. She was a great candy maker
2. She always talked to strangers
3. She was a wonderful letter writer
4. She was a great poet and writer in general
5. She had an incredible sense of humor and sharp wit
6. She loved her family very much
7. She always said to me, whatever decision I make is okay with her, as long as I'm happy
8. She adored my Father
9. She baked wonderful cinnamon rolls which I would come home to after school
10. She had a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ which she loved to share

I spent the weekend in Boise caring for her shortly before she passed away from Alzheimer's. Although I'm not sure she knew who I was and she couldn't talk much, when I tucked her into bed at night, she put her hand on my face and looked at me with those big brown eyes and said, "pretty".

 

This is a lilac plant that was given to me by my step-daughters after she passed away. We have lovingly nicknamed it "Lc". It has spent most of it's years in a pot on the patio and this spring we found it a permanent spot in the backyard. Mom always loved turtles so we found a ceramic turtle which is at the base along with a butterfly.

If I could say anything to those of you who still have your Mothers around, it would be cherish the time you have with them, learn from them and love them.

 

Age 72

Mars Real Chocolate Relief Act

Every Friday you can go to this website and sign up to receive a coupon for a free candy bar. They are running the promotion through the summer. The limit is one coupon on Fridays and a total of four during the promotion period.

Just something fun and free. I like free.

https://secure.realchocolate.com/

Blog Stalking

I just love reading all of your blogs.

It's so much fun to see what everyone is up too, how the kids are growing,

what new thing you're learning to do.

I view blogs of people I know.

And I view blogs of total strangers who allow me a glimpse into their lives.

Is it fun because it's not my life?

Or is it fun because perhaps I have something in common with that person?

Did you know you can have things in common with a person you've never met?

Sometimes when I read about other people's interests, loves and activities,

it sparks something in me and I think,

Yeah, I like that too, or I could do that, or that looks like fun.

Thanks for sharing it all.

Trudy vs. James Street Hill - April

Trudy 3 - James Hill 1

Apr. 25 - 41 minutes (temperature about 50 degrees) It was off and on sunny. Springtime is pretty on the hill.

I start at the bottom of the hill and when I reach this street the steepness of the hill goes away and I know I can make it to the top.

March - I didn't do the hill in March. I blame it on the weather and busy Saturdays, I know that's no excuse!

Feb. 21 - 40 minutes (temperature about 58 degrees)

Jan. 31 - 39 minutes

The goal is to walk up the hill starting at the Chevron on Central Ave. up to the pedestrian walk-way at the grade school and back down the hill, a minimum of once a month this year.

Utah Trip - Starting with the Food!

I have to show you this great pizza I had for lunch at SeaTac airport. It was called Tutti Carne and had pepperoni and sausage with fresh basil, it was so good.

Then there was the Nachos from Porcupine Pub where we met our cousin Russell for dinner.


Then on my last day, Natalie and I went to Leatherby's for a good old fashioned ice cream sundae. She had the black and white and I ordered the white and tan sundae. It was almond ice cream and vanilla ice cream with carmel and chocolate toppings.

What? You don't eat fries with your ice cream?

Vacation

It's 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday night. My bag is pretty much packed, the laundry is all done, the kitchen is cleaned up and homemade cookies are on the counter. Tomorrow I board a plane to Salt Lake City. It's my annual "sisters" trip. This was started many years ago.

I live in Washington State, two sisters live in Idaho and one sister in Utah. The sister in Utah is a school teacher. This is her spring break. I'll meet my two sisters from Idaho at the Salt Lake airport were my daughter will pick us up.

Then it's off to dinner with our cousin Russell. After dinner Natalie will drive us south of Salt Lake to Springville where we will stay with Nancy until Sunday afternoon.

While in Springville, we will eat, clean house, catch up laundry, run errands, eat some more, talk, read, watch movies and visit the local quilt shop. It's the ultimate girls vacation.

I'll also get to visit some friends and attend a wedding reception while I am there.

While I'm gone my husband and son have to fend for themselves. They don't really cook so it either has to be microwaved, boiled or fast food. They're adults so I don't worry about them. I do worry about the dog however since she can only do so much for herself and really does depends on others. But it's just 5 days and she can survive the minor inconvenience.

The moment I hit that airplane seat with my iPod and book in place, I will relax and enjoy whatever comes my way. I'll check in later and post pictures.

Through the Eyes of a Three Year Old

Today in church we had our hands full with 6 three year olds. For the first time in over three months, two crayons attacked the chalkboard. They move so fast it was unavoidable.

The best thing today was when I looked at the only little girl in class and asked, "Did you mix the green and blue play dough together?" She smiled at me and said, "yes".

Then one of the little boys who surprisingly was listening when I asked her, looked over at her wads of blue and green play dough on the table and said, "it's the world".

Now how come I didn't see that?

Trudy vs. James Street Hill - March

Trudy 2 - James Hill 1

March - I didn't do the hill in March. I blame it on the weather and busy Saturdays, I know that's no excuse!

Feb. 21 - 40 minutes (temperature about 58 degrees)

Jan. 31 - 39 minutes

The goal is to walk up the hill starting at the Chevron on Central Ave. up to the pedestrian walk-way at the grade school and back down the hill, a minimum of once a month this year.