155 days to go

today we got the vegetable garden planted. Miguel turned the soil and added the nutri-mulch, I planted my little starts. Good team work! Miguel worked on the sprinklers and Chelsea moved into her greenhouse. Then it was off to the cemeteries again. This time Andrea and Addy came with us. We ended the day with dinner at Su Casa. All in all a very productive day.

156 days to go

took care of that cabin fever today. It was so great to get out of the city for a bit. We had a good visit with the usuals then headed back home. I hope everyone is having a holiday weekend.

157 days to go

Still drying carpet...

158 days to go

What a hassle; we are trying to dry the carpet.YUCK

159 days to go

CRAPPPP! the basement is flooded, no time to blog.

160 days to go

I have never been rich but, I have always had enough. As a kid we may have been poor, I'm not sure if we were though. We didn't ever want for much. My mom and dad did a good job of making sure we were always taken care of. As an adult , Miguel and I decided it was important for me to be able to stay at home with our girls. This meant we lived on one income, so I clipped coupons and shopped for bargains. We only had one car and didn't go out much. The result, I got to spend my days with the two cutest babies to come out of the 80's. I had to be very creative in finding fun and cheep ways to entertain and teach them. We did things like going on bus adventures, we had picnic at the park wednesdays. We would go downtown and explore Temple Square and the old shops around North Temple. We were not rich but we weren't board either.

161 days to go

I can't blog right now; I have to go over to Matt's blog. You should check it out. He is beginning the "chocolate milk" diet. There is the diet I have been waiting for!

162 days to go

I never have spa days. But I do have a husband who rubs my feet at the end of a long, hard day. He will get some special lotion and moisturize them first, then comes the good part. He messages them until I say "enough". I have always thought feet in general are pretty gross, so it isn't often I reciprocate. My Migo is my "feel good" hero.

163 days to go

I have never been to Hawaii. I have been to soccer tournaments all over the western states. I have sat in rainy cold weather on the side lines of the field and have been so happy to be there. I have been so proud to see my daughters playing the game they love. I have been so thankful that this sport has given them the chance to spend ample time with their dad, and thus given them a wonderful father-daughter bond. I have tender memories of driving to many of these tournaments... the books we read together on the way, the conversations we shared, the snacks we enjoyed. Then there are the tournaments that each girl went on all alone with her dad. Like an inside secret they share. Soccer took up a major part of my life, but looking back on it now, I am so glad it did. It helped make our family what it is. No, I have not been to Hawaii and that's alright with me!

164 days to go

We finally got the headstone for mom's grave. It is beautiful and everything, but seeing it really hit me hard. I'm not sure how to explain it, I mean I know she has been dead several months now. But a gravestone with her name on it sort of stunned me... why?

165 days to go

200 days of blogging, wow!

I have cabin fever.

166 days to go

I had to go to a daycare meeting tonight. The last thing I wanted to do after a long daycare day. Well the other providers always manage to make me feel glad I came. They really are a group of good hearted, loving people. I guess in any profession there are support groups to belong to. I am glad mine is ok with jeans and yesterdays' hair.

167 days to go

good night.

168 days to go

My brothers and sisters all came over to my house on Sunday. I must say we are a real decent group. Way to go mom; none of your kids have been in jail, on drugs or been in any sort of real trouble. We are all pretty funny in our own way. We all love our families and provide for them.

I made a pot of lima bean soup in honor of my mom. The siblings devoured it. I am lucky to have such a great relationship with each one of them. Love you guys.

169 days to go

Just the usual monday night stuff.

170 days to go

One day when I was a little girl I was sad about something. I can remember my mom taking me in her room a lying on her flowered bed, with me. She held me close and sang some old fashioned songs to me as I cried. Two Little Boys in Blue and A Letter Edged in Black are the ones I can still remember. My mom had a special calming ability. She had a difficult life and I know she could have been much more bitter about it than she was. Sometimes when I am sad I just wish I could lie next to her and hear her sing to me.

171 days to go

As you can read from Chelsea's blog it was a Chelsea and mom day, and I loved it. We have always been like two peas in a pod. I know her life is going to change in big ways that will limit my involvement in it, but I hope she always has room in her life to spend a day with her mom. Love you Chel.

172 days to go

Tonight Migo and I went to do BIG shopping at Costco, after a full day's work. So I am going to call it a day. Good night.

173 days to go

It is a proud day for our neighborhood. Two of our hommies are in leadership positions in the FFA (future farmers of America). It was announced at a banquet and awards ceremony tonight at the high school. Chelsea and Shandy will both be busy next year with their new responsibilities. P.S. Mitch did a great job conducting tonight's meeting.

174 days to go

Went shopping with Andrea and Addy for some flowers for their back yard. It was so satisfying to find such beautiful flowers; I loved giving her my opinion. She actually acted as if I know what I am talking about! We ran out of daylight so we will plant them later. Thanks Andy.

175 days to go

Yesterday Abby was playing outside. I told her not to go on the grass because I hadn't yet done poop patrol. As she rode away on her little bike I heard her say to herself," damn poo". Where does she get that?

176 days to go

Today was Chelsea's orchid society meeting. She decided to take one of her prettiest plants for show and tell. She stood with such confidence in front all those much older people. She told them the scientific name of the plant without so much as a pause. I know she was a little scared to do this for the first time. What I love so much about her is she is willing to do scary things anyway. She inspires me to venture outside my own comfort zone. Thanks for the lesson today, baby.

177 days to go

We had a lovely mother's day. The girls gave me a beautiful picture and a forsythia bush. We all went to Macaroni Grill for dinner; I am blessed to be the mom to these wonderful girls.

178 Days to go

this is my first mother's day without a mother...i'm sad

179 Days to go

What a busy day. Today was Jon's graduation from the U of U. We are all so proud of him, he managed to do it while supporting a wife and child. Don't forget all the home improvements he made during this undertaking. He truly did it the hard way. Knowing that his achievement will directly affect my future grandbabies is a comforting thing. The legacy of the importance of education and perseverance and sacrifice will be his to leave. Way to go Jon.

180 days to go

Today's interesting family history fact...

If you refer to day 353 of my blog you will note I changed my name to Lewis when I was tired of Lu Ann. A fine choice of a new name, I thought. But how did it come to me??? Last night I understood as I was reading some writings from my dad's dad. Turns out if you go back far enough ( about 1700) I come from a long line of LEWIS'S. There were several father and son Lewis's and I am sure they guided me to this new name. So there you go. I am going to read again tonight, but I don't think this can be topped.

had been

181 days to go

Interesting family history fact...

My dad's dad had a great grandfather (on his father's side) named,...are you ready for this?...Christopher Columbus Williamson. Don't worry I am saving another great fact for tomorrow, tune in.

182 days to go

blog ya tomorrow.

183 days to go

This winter/spring I planted tons of little seeds. To my surprise they are growing. Yesterday I thinned them out and fertilized them. This is something I have wanted to try for years, but always just paid the little extra and purchased the plants from the store. It was a bit of work and a time commitment. It has been quite rewarding though. I have peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, zinnias, marigolds, phlox, begonia and impatients. Now the next step is warm enough weather to plant them outside!

184 days to go

Prom...

Chelsea was so beautiful and we all had fun "helping" her get ready. Crystal did such a great job on her hair and makeup. Andrea got my favorite photo shot of the day, so be sure to check her blog. It is funny how it seems like only a moment ago it was Crys and Anj getting ready for prom; now they have babies and husbands. WEIRD. Savor the moment before it is gone.

185 days to go

Prom... Please refer to Crys, Anj, or Chel's blog. I will give my report tomorrow.