Well, After 30 years I did it. I got a job! I am working in the Attendance office at Lone Peak High School. (The same school Ethan goes to) It has been quite an adjustment fitting everything I do in a day, into a few hours in the evening. BUT the hours are good, I am close to Ethan, the commute can't be beat, and I get the same time off Ethan does! I will still get to spend time with family during the holidays and vacation time all summer. I like the ladies I work with and I am learning a lot. So now I have to be even more organized, and go to bed earlier. The Pay is OK but at least I have my foot in the door and hopefully I can get a full time job with benefits next year.

October has been a busy month for me. I was blessed to fly to CA to see some good longtime friends, relax, eat, scrapbook, eat, rest, see my new granddaughter, read, and eat some more!

First when I arrived at the Sacramento Airport I knew my friends were picking me up to wisk me away to a remote ranch built by our friends, the Athey's. What I didn't expect was to see my granddaughter just yet. To my surprise Kymbra brought Rylee to the airport to surprise me!! And what a surprise it was. Kymbra was there with Rylee and this cute sign to welcome me. She is the tiniest thing I have ever held. Born at 4#8oz. by the time I got there she was a whopping 5#8oz. She is so precious!! It was such a surprise I didn't even notice them there till I got to the bottom of the escalator. It brought tears to my eyes to see and hold such a precious spirit so new to this world. More about my visit with Rylee later.
My dear friends, Shelley, Jo, Adrea, and Pam picked me up at the airport, we got my luggage, and got in the car to drive to the ranch. We ate at a darling sandwich shop and drove to the store to pick up some last minute food for cooking. With this group there is never an end to FANTASTIC food. We ate like queens! I was so impressed with the ranch Kevin Athey built with his own two hands, it sets on a beautiful remote mountain, it rests on about 200,000 acres, and it is totally off grid. That is so cool. The propane hookup runs the fridge, and stove / oven and a few lights. Solar also runs a few lights. We heated the cabin with a wood burning stove. We ate, played games, ate, visited, went to point Reyes, ate, slept in, ate, laughed, watched the sunset, read, watched the sunrise, and ate some more. I know I didn't loose any weight this weekend!

We had such a great time together, laughing and enjoying the beautiful, peaceful mountain. It was a much needed time away for all of us.




When I got back to Civilization, (Sacramento) I enjoyed 4 1/2 glorious days with Rylee. (and Allen and Kymbra) We went to Appple Hill and met Anna there. We had to take a traditional picture with the pumpkin man! It was a cold day but the best weather for Apple Hill. We couldn't resist a caramel apple, looking at all the crafts, and taking a picture of Rylee in the apple bin. She is truly the apple of my eye!




The next day there was a huge rain storm so we stayed in the whole day and snuggled!! I couldn't get enough of holding this new precious baby! She is so beautiful and perfect in every way. I was blessed to see some more Sacramento friends when I went to play Pokeno with the girls one night. I miss our monthly night together! I made a chicken tortilla soup and fresh bread rolls the next day and snuggled, kissed and loved Rylee late into the night. I also enjoyed my visit with Allen and Kymbra but I have to say my highlight was Rylee! Sorry A&K. LaRon and Ethan drove to CA for a few days but I only spent a few hours with them. Ethan was anxious to get to his friends and LaRon had a ton of Tax work to finish before the deadline. The next day I was off to my Bodega Bay scrapbooking retreat!

I have been going to Bodega bay every fall for 18 years. I have only missed 2 years in all that time. There is a group of Creative Memories consultants that have become great friends and through the years we have shared too many memories, and twists and turns in life to mention. BUT one of my favorites has to be this tradition of scrapbooking in Bodega Bay. Barbara's mom owns a house there and we enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the ocean, scrapbooked and of course ate!! (Go figure.) We don't know how to pack lightly. (We wouldn't want to be with out something we need)

It is so fun to work into the wee hours of the night (Arlene), Share ideas (April), catch up on each others lives (Jennifer, and Shelly) and laugh (Barbara). The cricket was a HUGE HIT. Arlene and I were newbies but everyone else was so kind to educate us. I think we are both hooked. I can't wait for the recipe exchange to come via email! The weather was perfect... Cloudy and misty!! Together we got over over 683 pages done!! A successful weekend I would say!

Well after the weekend of scrapbooking, I had to return home to UT. I flew home the next day after one more night of treasuring every minute with Rylee. (I can't wait till Thanksgiving when they will come see me!) I am so THANKFUL I got to enjoy this little respite, I really needed to recharge my batteries!!

With the arrival of our 4th Grandchild (a girl, Rylee Elizabeth Rowbury. 4#8oz.) I decided to get brave and make a car seat carrier cover. At the mall they cost $49. With no pattern, much thought and a trip to the fabric store, I dove into my project. I had to get it done in a hurry... I was leaving in 2 days to go to CA to see her!!. I used measurements I acquired at the store by using my arm, finger, etc. ( the back end to where the straps go is from my elbow to finger tip!) Sewed the cover and then took it to a neighbors house to see if it would fit. I was so happy when it fit and actually looked good!

The right fabric - $20
Bows - $6
Velcro - $1
Knowing our new little one will be protected from all the germs floating around out there. . . . PRICELESS!