Please note that the sweater Dakota is wearing in the Christmas pictures is a handknitted original by her Grandma Farr- me!
Boy am I thrilled to say goodby to 2007, needless to say it wasn't my favorite. 3 surgeries in 8 months and being sick all year did not endear it to me. I have to say that I have become more patient with myself, and my lack of energy, so maybe the tests of patience I've had will slow down some.
So now on to 2008! I received a knitting machine for Christmas, and now that I'm getting over strep throat, maybe I can start using it this week. I've thought about getting one for several years, but I love to knit by hand, so kept putting it off. This year I decided to make the plunge, because it can be so much faster to make gifts. I have several friends with babies on the way, and this will give me a way to knit baby blankets.
My other goal is to further my genealogy research- I'd love to get my mother's family lines out of the US and figure out where they immigrated from. I have my dad's direct line back 9 generations, I still can't believe we've found that much information!
My third goal is to meditate and excercise regularly this year. I'm signed up for a yoga class, so that will get me 2 days a week, then I'll have to get moving the other days. Hopefully walking will work, since I still can't work out in the yard as much as I like. I have all these seed catalogs coming in now, and it kills me, because I don't have the energy to do much gardening yet. I'm dreaming of digging in the dirt, and find myself sitting at the table staring out the window, imagining hauling in compost and steer manure. I know, you're jealous, why should I have all the fun! I'll have to satisfy my garden craving by clipping dead stems and things in the planters on the back porch, that much I have energy for. David will shoot me if I try to haul dirt or do any major yardwork right now, he's tired of seeing me sick too.
Well, I wish everyone peace and joy this coming year, and abundance in all things. Happy New Year!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Quiet after Christmas
We had Christmas on Saturday and Sunday, so yesterday was a nice quiet day. It's the first time we haven't all been together on Christmas though, that was hard to adjust to. Everyone had to work Monday and Wednesday, and Dakota came over on Saturday for her Christmas, so we decided to have ours over the weekend too. Heather stayed here, that made it easier for me. I enjoyed reading the Christmas verses in the New Testament with her.
My family can be happy to know that I didn't let any skeletons out of the closet during my interview with channel 8! They primarily wanted to know about Prescott in the 1970's, and some of the important issues of the day. It was fun, we were there nearly 2 hours. Heather got to be in the control room to watch, and the interviewer sat off screen. Who knows what it will look like, but hopefully I'll get a little time on the program when they are through editing and cutting. We went shopping afterwards, at the Arizona Mills center. Heather found an Ann Taylor store there, and I found Burlington coat factory. Unfortunately I didn't just pick up a coat there, I caught a pretty bad cold too. We were standing in line with 900 other people, and I kept thinking that wasn't a good idea, my stamina is still pretty lousy. Today I slept most of the day, and I'm feeling better today. We won't make it to Maricopa this weekend though, and I'm sad about that. Most of the family is going to Mom's to help build an addition on her place, and I was looking forward to seeing everyone and helping out a little. But, hopefully she can get a lot done, and we'll go down another weekend to help with the interior.
My family can be happy to know that I didn't let any skeletons out of the closet during my interview with channel 8! They primarily wanted to know about Prescott in the 1970's, and some of the important issues of the day. It was fun, we were there nearly 2 hours. Heather got to be in the control room to watch, and the interviewer sat off screen. Who knows what it will look like, but hopefully I'll get a little time on the program when they are through editing and cutting. We went shopping afterwards, at the Arizona Mills center. Heather found an Ann Taylor store there, and I found Burlington coat factory. Unfortunately I didn't just pick up a coat there, I caught a pretty bad cold too. We were standing in line with 900 other people, and I kept thinking that wasn't a good idea, my stamina is still pretty lousy. Today I slept most of the day, and I'm feeling better today. We won't make it to Maricopa this weekend though, and I'm sad about that. Most of the family is going to Mom's to help build an addition on her place, and I was looking forward to seeing everyone and helping out a little. But, hopefully she can get a lot done, and we'll go down another weekend to help with the interior.
Monday, December 17, 2007
I am a star!
Okay, so not yet, but I have been asked to tape an interview with PBS Arizona, so can fame be farr behind? Channel 8 asked for input on a 1970's feature they are creating, so I wrote this-
'I was a cowgirl, and I loved going to the Prescott Rodeo in July. My dad always worked the livestock pens, and we often were back there helping. As a young girl, it was scary to deal with the big bulls, moving them from one corral to the chutes, watching them crash into the fences, bending the wooden fences nearly over before they even met the cowboy that would ride them, or get bucked off. We went to many ropings around northern Arizona- Prescott, Kirkland, Cottonwood, Cornville, Dewey. Mormon Lake was the best, there was usually a dance after the rodeo, and everyone went, from the grandparents to the little kids. We were very involved with the 4 of July celebrations in Prescott, we usually entered the kids parade when we were small. As we grew up, our church had a booth on the Prescott square- my Mom made the best bread, and we sold fresh bread or sopapillas with butter and honey. After the rodeo, the highlight of the week for me was the street dance. It spanned Whiskey Row, which was closed completely, and had a band at one end. Thousands of people were there, and it was the greatest thing for we small town hicks! As a teenager, it was cool to drive over the hill to Jerome to people watch. At the time, the hippie communes were in full force, with very creative people selling art, ceramics etc. It was great fun to sit on the steps and watch people, lots and lots of hippies in psychedelic shirts or long, prairie skirts with hiking boots. I was too young to go into the Spirit Room, but the music and the bikers were usually spilling out into the streets. '
How surprised was I when they called last week, telling me they liked my story, and did I have photos or videos too? Then Marissa asked if I'd be willing to come down to Tempe and be interviewed on camera. What can I say, my public is waiting..... ha ha! Heather promised she'd drive me down if I'll go to Ann Taylor's with her later. Gee, tough decision, huh? I'll let you know how it really goes- I'll be attacked by the shy's, and get all nervous on camera. After all, I still see myself as young, like I was in the 70's, but the camera will see a 50+ year old woman with too many years and miles behind her. Oh so what, I don't care. I love an audience, even if it's a fisheyed camera instead of people. At least Heather will be there with me for moral support. Wish me luck!
'I was a cowgirl, and I loved going to the Prescott Rodeo in July. My dad always worked the livestock pens, and we often were back there helping. As a young girl, it was scary to deal with the big bulls, moving them from one corral to the chutes, watching them crash into the fences, bending the wooden fences nearly over before they even met the cowboy that would ride them, or get bucked off. We went to many ropings around northern Arizona- Prescott, Kirkland, Cottonwood, Cornville, Dewey. Mormon Lake was the best, there was usually a dance after the rodeo, and everyone went, from the grandparents to the little kids. We were very involved with the 4 of July celebrations in Prescott, we usually entered the kids parade when we were small. As we grew up, our church had a booth on the Prescott square- my Mom made the best bread, and we sold fresh bread or sopapillas with butter and honey. After the rodeo, the highlight of the week for me was the street dance. It spanned Whiskey Row, which was closed completely, and had a band at one end. Thousands of people were there, and it was the greatest thing for we small town hicks! As a teenager, it was cool to drive over the hill to Jerome to people watch. At the time, the hippie communes were in full force, with very creative people selling art, ceramics etc. It was great fun to sit on the steps and watch people, lots and lots of hippies in psychedelic shirts or long, prairie skirts with hiking boots. I was too young to go into the Spirit Room, but the music and the bikers were usually spilling out into the streets. '
How surprised was I when they called last week, telling me they liked my story, and did I have photos or videos too? Then Marissa asked if I'd be willing to come down to Tempe and be interviewed on camera. What can I say, my public is waiting..... ha ha! Heather promised she'd drive me down if I'll go to Ann Taylor's with her later. Gee, tough decision, huh? I'll let you know how it really goes- I'll be attacked by the shy's, and get all nervous on camera. After all, I still see myself as young, like I was in the 70's, but the camera will see a 50+ year old woman with too many years and miles behind her. Oh so what, I don't care. I love an audience, even if it's a fisheyed camera instead of people. At least Heather will be there with me for moral support. Wish me luck!
Friday, December 14, 2007
Baby, it's coooold outside!
Okay, I moved to Cottonwood AZ because it's warm. And granted, this past summer was really, really warm, kinda like hellish- days, weeks maybe, over 110 degrees. But today, it actually felt like winter here- I don't think it was above 45 degrees, with a bitter wind. I actually had to wear a coat and gloves... It reminded me of Colorado this time of year! Flagstaff has snow, lots of it, the ski resort opened this week, and it was 2 degrees yesterday morning at 8. Hard to believe it's only 50 miles away. Most of the time we get into the 60-70's during most of the winter, so this week is an arctic blast... at least for desert rats like me.
When we moved here in 1999, I had finally grown tired of winter in the Rockies. We moved to Colorado from Arizona in 1982, the same year that John Elway was drafted by the Broncos. I know that because that was the only thing on the news for 3 months after we moved there. Coloradans are crazy about their Broncos... Anyhow, we moved from Phoenix to Parachute, yes that's really a town. It was over a hundred degrees by June in Phoenix, and then all summer the Coloradans I knew were whining when the weather got 'hot', all of 85 degrees!
I laughed this week when Flagstaff cancelled school after 6 inches of snow overnight. In the 17 years we lived in Colorado, they NEVER CANCELLED SCHOOL! There were a few snow days, but no cancellations. I remember driving school bus, after a huge snowstorm, with snow still falling, pushing 4-6 inches of snow on a dirt road, but we had to keep going. They did start school later that day, but scoffed at the idea of cancelling it. I loved the snow and cold weather for years, I grew up in the mountains, it wasn't new to me, but the mountains there are so much greater than anything in Arizona. I miss the mountains, and I miss watching it snow, and the kids having snowball fights, coming in soaking wet and freezing, the winds howling down the canyon, wait, I guess I don't miss it all, but I love watching it snow! It makes it feel more like Christmas somehow.
When we moved here in 1999, I had finally grown tired of winter in the Rockies. We moved to Colorado from Arizona in 1982, the same year that John Elway was drafted by the Broncos. I know that because that was the only thing on the news for 3 months after we moved there. Coloradans are crazy about their Broncos... Anyhow, we moved from Phoenix to Parachute, yes that's really a town. It was over a hundred degrees by June in Phoenix, and then all summer the Coloradans I knew were whining when the weather got 'hot', all of 85 degrees!
I laughed this week when Flagstaff cancelled school after 6 inches of snow overnight. In the 17 years we lived in Colorado, they NEVER CANCELLED SCHOOL! There were a few snow days, but no cancellations. I remember driving school bus, after a huge snowstorm, with snow still falling, pushing 4-6 inches of snow on a dirt road, but we had to keep going. They did start school later that day, but scoffed at the idea of cancelling it. I loved the snow and cold weather for years, I grew up in the mountains, it wasn't new to me, but the mountains there are so much greater than anything in Arizona. I miss the mountains, and I miss watching it snow, and the kids having snowball fights, coming in soaking wet and freezing, the winds howling down the canyon, wait, I guess I don't miss it all, but I love watching it snow! It makes it feel more like Christmas somehow.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Deck the Halls
Well, I'm in full Christmas mode. Usually I enjoy making gifts for family and friends, then thoughtfully buying gifts for family and a few friends. Then of course there's the Christmas letter, although mine often becomes a New Years letter, just can't get everything done at the same time. With the kids all grown up and moved away, I end up decorating the house and tree alone. David will bring the tree in, but doesn't care to decorate. I enjoy it, though. I still have the ornaments the kids made in grade school. That's been 15 years, about, but I love them and fix them when they break or the glue finally stops working. I figure that I'll give them to each child when they start having a big tree themselves. Right now Heather puts up a little tree, but I don't think Nic and Jared do. A few more years and they'll be ready.
This year is so different. I haven't really made any gifts, and don't feel good enough to do any baking. I like to make candy, banana and other fruit breads. No, I don't do fruitcakes. I never liked them, and figure other than doorstops they don't get used much. I may make fudge, but probably not other candies. Darn, I love that part!
Decorating- I don't know how much will happen. David will set up the tree, so I can decorate, but other than the Nativity set and stockings, who knows? Now the stockings, I made them a few years ago, nice big crocheted stockings. Then I made Grandma Farr one when she moved in with us.
As for gifts, thank goodness for the internet! I've been able to get everyone's gifts ordered, and sent to my siblings out of town. I'm trying to follow my own advice, and keep it simple, but we always spend more on the kids than we originally planned. At least we pay for everything, and while we use a credit card, we pay off the balance, so we're not paying for Christmas all year. I'm grateful we can have a nice Christmas, and we help others have a better one too.
This year is so different. I haven't really made any gifts, and don't feel good enough to do any baking. I like to make candy, banana and other fruit breads. No, I don't do fruitcakes. I never liked them, and figure other than doorstops they don't get used much. I may make fudge, but probably not other candies. Darn, I love that part!
Decorating- I don't know how much will happen. David will set up the tree, so I can decorate, but other than the Nativity set and stockings, who knows? Now the stockings, I made them a few years ago, nice big crocheted stockings. Then I made Grandma Farr one when she moved in with us.
As for gifts, thank goodness for the internet! I've been able to get everyone's gifts ordered, and sent to my siblings out of town. I'm trying to follow my own advice, and keep it simple, but we always spend more on the kids than we originally planned. At least we pay for everything, and while we use a credit card, we pay off the balance, so we're not paying for Christmas all year. I'm grateful we can have a nice Christmas, and we help others have a better one too.
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