The older I get, the better I used to be...

I've decided to take a break from blogging and Facebook. Thanks to all of you who meander in this direction once in a while to read what is going on in my life. I'm going to shut down for a season.

Be good, be happy and be a good example. Someone out there depends on your example to keep going each day.

Peace and Joy to all!

Headed to the Valley of the Sun

Garrett will be having surgery on Wednesday morning...it's his nose. The operation will hopefully correct his sinuses so he can breath with ease. Please keep him in your prayers. Also my step-brother Bobby Allen is having difficulties with an infected incision which is on the back of his neck. He is in a lot of pain and needs your prayers also.

One more bit of sad news. I received a message from Brady Lish that his brother passed away yesterday, it was very sudden. He is requesting prayers for his family.

I will be in Phoenix for the week to help Garrett. I will have my phone and yes, I will keep it with me at all times in case anyone needs to reach me.

Take me out to the ballgame...

Go Diamond Backs this is how far away the lower section was from my seat above.

Gary, Garrett and Kenney went down to the lower level for a while to get closer to the action.

This was the view from my seat way up high.

Aunt Sandi gave us tickets to go to the baseball game. We had a great evening. Lots to see and do and the game was good, even though our team lost, it was a lot of fun. Thanks to the Lyons for an evening out together.

Relaxing on the 4th

The Lister's, Garrett and Granny came to visit for the weekend. For Friday night's activity we learned how to make "bread on a stick". A few weeks ago I went to Cub Scout Day Camp and assisted a leader teaching the boys how to make bread on a stick.

Recipe: Refrigerator rolls, buttter, sugar and cinnamon.

Take two rolls, kneed them together, roll the dough into a rope, wrap around a stick and bake over a very hot fire. When the dough is nice a toasty brown , using a stick of butter rub all over the hot bread, cover it completely, sprinkle on sugar and cinnamon, quickly pull ioff the stick securing your hand around the bottom of the dough and push upward.

YUM YUM taste like a donut or cinnamon roll. Great Fun!

After the parade and activities downtown we stopped off at Del Taco for lunch and got home just in time for the rain storm. It rained so much we actually had a pool in the backyard. When the rain ended and the movie was over we ate hamburgers and headed down to the church to find us a spot to watch the fireworks. What a nice way to celebrate the 4th

Downtown Prescott 4th of July Celebration

Just a few pictures of the Nate's family on the 4th. Parade, Boot Race (Payton came in 4th, her dad Dale, 2nd) and meeting Jameson Barnette for the first time. He is adorable.

"The heart that loves is always young." -Peter Ustinov

This young lady is 49 today. These are my favorite things about Sandi:

1. She loves you even when you stink

2. She will always fix your favorite food even when she is too tired.

3. She always has munchies available when you visit her.

4. She keeps our family connected.

5. She takes care of and loves her neices and nephews.

6. She has a heart full of love and kindness

Happy Birthday Aunt Sandi....with 49 candles to blow out, you will have a lot wishes to make...may they all come true.

Blanca, the little white truck

Hello everyone, my name is Blanca. I am Verda's new ride. I use to work for Bob Canell, but he bought himself a new truck and retired me. So now I reside with the Hebners. Verda has made me a new seat cover with bright colors and gave me a well deserved bath. We plan on taking trips and enjoying the pleasant surroundings that are offered here in the Prescott Area. Verda tells me that I may need to work from time to time but for the most part we will be playing. Isn't retirement great!

Blanca takes notes..

Today I sat and watched the road in front of my home be chipped sealed. I did not know what the process was, so i watched. I was fascinated. It took 3 very large trucks to do this work with the help of 3 men with shovels. The process actually began a few weeks ago. All the cracks and pot holes were filled in, mended so to speak. Yesterday the road was washed and blown dry with a street cleaner and today the actual sealing took place. One truck sprayed black gunk all over the road, behind it came another with the rock spreading it evenly all over the black stuff, next a vehicle with 8 wheels across the front and back rolled over the rock several times. The men with the shovels filled in spaces with rock that the trucks could not get to, small little nitches and Viola! a new road. Now the rocks will fly and windshields all over the neighborhood will get chipped.

I never paid any attention to these workers on the road. They are quite profecient. From start to finish this morning it only took 40 minutes to give the road it's new look. Modern machinery is amazing. I wonder how long it took to repair roads before these trucks were invented to do the work. The next time I have to wait for a work truck on a road job, I'll be more patient. These workers are in the heat all day reparing the roads to make it safe for us to travel. I'm grateful that we have nice smooth roads to drive on instead of dusty ol' rocky pot hole dirt roads that get all muddy and lined with ruts, YUK!

It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father

"It doesn't matter who my father was;

it matters who I remember he was."

-anne sexton

Fathers are so special with a very special love

They watch and protect us

They guides us and direct us

Back to our home above.

"Old as she was, she still missed her daddy sometimes." -Naylor

Charming visitors from Virginia

HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME

I believe these pictures are self explanatory. Kerri and Kaci came for a visit last week and it was so nice to see them in person again. Kerri we did enjoy your company. Sorry Kaci is so popular but you are still loved by your parents very much. There would not be a Kaci if there was not a Kerri. We love you Angel Child!

Tinkerbell has given birth

Yum, yum yummy red bell peppers. Tinkerbell has done good! Tom-Tom however has not done so well. I had to buy a new tomato plant. Tom-Tom got sick. All we got was this teeny-tiny green tomato. But we will perservere. I will grow tomatoes this year!

Lunch with Granny

Granny made at trip to Bucky's casino with the Senior Center groupees this week. Two bus loads of old people, and I mean OLD people. Granny invited me to have lunch with her because Bucky's is in Prescott.
I ordered the Philly Cheese Steak sandwich and it came with the most yummy fries. Thanks to Pat, (granny's friend) there was way too much food for her, so I had lunch covered for the next day. Each of the people on this excursion was given $10 on a debit card which they attached to the spring cord you see above so they wouldn't loose it. What a sight, dozens of seniors walking around with their cords hanging off their bodies. I couldn't find Granny at first, I was looking all over the place for a short dark haired lady, well Granny doesn't have dark hair anymore. We finally found each other. The food and the company were great. As soon as we finished eating, Granny escorted me to the front door and she went back to the casino to spend her $10.

Happy Father's Day?--- Addition to backyard habitat

PoPo's food
PoPo

This is PoPo. The newest member of the family. This is Gary's

Father's Day gift, or at least what he asked for...kids you each owe dad $10.

We thought this would be a great way to sit outside among the trees and stars and roast marshmellows or wiennies this summer. I cleaned out the garage again and have gathered many boxes just waiting to be devoured .

Can't wait to eat smores, YUM YUM yummers

Favorite memories...

from left to right: garrett, verda, laura, lisa, destiny, kim, scott, skyler, dale, payton,
gary, yuri, ethan sierra and nate. (i do not know where kerri and krystal are, they are missing in action.)

Camping with the in-laws Labor Day 2004

I just finished reading Kim's post about camping. She is right, I do not care much for the camping thing, however, when she and nate were newlyweds the two families combined for a weekend in the pines. I have to say that was a great outing. Since the picture above was taken, Destiny and Dale have added 1 1/2 kids to their family, Kim and Nate have added 2 1/2 kids and Laura is now a mommie. My or my, where does the time go. I'm glad I have this memory now that everyone has moved away. I also remember wanting to wring Yuri's neck. He came into camp very late the first night honking his horn after all of us were snuggled in bed. That is something that has not changed, he still pulls tricks like that...we wanted to repay him the next morning but he was to smart for us. Some day Yuri, we will get you back! I have not forgotten....

"how delicious to savor a favorite memory from the past. It's like experiencing it all over again."

"ANTICIPATION"

"How wonderful to have something to look forward to. Even the word 'anticipation' is fun to roll around in your mouth."

This is Jessica after losing a marker war with her Uncle Gary. She is always up for something new and is willing to give things a try. This week she will be promoting from 8th grade and begining her journey through high school. I can remember looking forward to high school with great anticipation and anxiety. What a wonderous time in our lives.

Jessica you will be making the most important decisions for your entire life within the next 4 years. Be prayerful and kind. These two things will be a help to you every single day if you practice them faithfully.

"Great things are not done by impulse,

but by a series of small things

brought together."

-Vincent Van Gogh

It's you I like...

This sassy woman has fallen in love. She and Bruce came for a visit last week and we have to agree that the two of them are a good pair. Good luck to the two of you as you proceed through your dating experiences. Krystal, we think you found a good one. Bruce, we KNOW you did!
I dedicate the following to the new couple...

"It's You I Like"

it's you i like

it's not the things you wear,

it's not the way you do your hair,

it's you i like.

the way you are right now,

the way down deep inside you,

not the things that hide you,

not your toys, they're just beside you.

but it' s you i like, every part of you.

your skin, your eyes, your feelings

whether old or new.

i hope that you'll remember

even when you're feeling blue

that it' s you i like,

it's you yourself, it' s you,

it's you...i...like!

-Mr. Rogers

Just a bit of Earth will do.

Every morning and early evening I visit TomTom and TinkerBell and we solve all the world's problems.

I have a question?

So I've been thinking. We use itty bitty spoons and forks for our little ones to learn to eat with utensils. What do Chinese mothers use, toothpicks?

And...
What hair color do they put on the drivers license of bald men?

Smile your heart out!

EVERYONE SMILES IN THE SAME LANGUAGE

Jessica: Krystal twisted her ankle and she can't walk right.
Brooke: Can she still walk left?

Celebrating Grand Ma-ma's birthday

LUCY NULLINER

(this is a photo of my mother as a young woman, cool picture isn't it!)

"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness or abilities that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." --William Penn

Happy birthday to you Grand Ma-ma!

Another 50th shout out!

Debi Brown

May 6, 1959-2009

It is not in the pursuit of happiness that we find fulfillment,

it is in the happiness of pursuit.

-Denis Waitley

Happy Birthday to you, Debi

Quotes

My Relief Society Book Club recently read "Three Cups of Tea" a very informative book telling of a man's passion for building schools in Pakastan. Any who, each chapter began with a qoute and I am sharing a few here with you today...

"When your heart speaks, take good notes." -Judith Campbell

"Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you, all things pass. Patience achieves everything." -Mother Teresa

"Trust in Allah, but tie up your camel." -hand written sign at entrance to the 5th squadron airbase, Skardu

"When it is dark enough you can see the stars." -Persian Proverb

"Why ponder this the future to foresee, and jade thy brain to vain perplexity?
Cast off thy care, leave Allah's plans to him---He formed them all without consulting thee." -Omar Khayyan, The Rubaiyat

"Youth has no age." -Picasso

MISTY ROSE COLEMAN

This girl is a woman...

and she knows how to live!

Introducing my delightful niece Misty Rose. We wish you a happy birthday Misty. Also, Misty is graduating May 15 from ASU. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology...graduating with honors. YAHOO! We applaud you!

Family members portrayed in comics

Do these cartoons remind you of anyone? Click on the cartoon to enlarge for reading....

Star lives to be 21 years old this week...

Krystal Ann Hebner

21 years old

Every star is different, and so is every child, Some are bright and happy, and some are meek and mild.
Every one is needed for just what she can do,
You're the only person who ever can be you.
I can shine for others and let them feel my love,
Follow the commandments that come from God above.
I can help another to learn to choose the right,
Having faith and courage will let my star shine bright.
A shining star, shining brightly,
not so very far, shining brightly;
Be a shining star, Shine so brightly;
Shine right where you are, BRIGHTLY!

FELIZ CUMPLEANOS SENORITA KRYSTAL

This month is such a special one, it's birthday time for TWO!

Kevin and Karen

50 years young today

Happy birthday to Kevin and Karen. Are they not the cutest twins ever? These two wonderful people have been such blessing to our family. We laugh and cry, dance and sing with these two fantabulous individuals. May all your dreams come true. We love you !

A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise. Winnie the Pooh

Today I am working on the talk I was assigned to give in sacrament meeting. A quote came to my mind as I was pondering how I wanted to open....Picture this-Pooh is sitting on a hillside overlooking a beautiful meadow. Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh!" he whispered
"Yes, Piglet?" 'Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you."

I am always touched by the simplicity of Winnie the Pooh. As I thought on this quote I decided to look up some others and found a couple I think are quite darling. I wonder if you will think the same.

If a person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has small piece of fluff in his ear.

It's more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "what about lunch?"

Just because an animal is large, it doesn't mean he doesn't want kindness; however big Tigger seems to be, remember that he wants as much kindness as Roo.

Some people care too much, I think it's called Love.

If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.

Forever isn't long enough, when I'm with you.

and this one is for all of us who do not spell well...(verda, gary, krystal & garrett)

My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places.

-Winnie the Pooh

You've had a birthday, shout HURRAY!

Jessica Morgan Lister

Somehow I forgot Jessica's birthday. I was called to serve Jury Duty and being away from the home for three days out among real people, threw me for a loop. So Sorry Jessica! I hope you had a wonderful celebration with your friends and family. I really do love you, hope you will forgive me!

My name is my friend

All my life I have loved my name. VERDA. Isn't it great. It sounds good too. When I was little the boys use to tease me and call me Verdi River. Not such a bad nick-name as nick names go. I like the sound of my name, even in combination with other words. After I got married I would get a bit grumpy about my name. When we were at church all the other women in the ward were referred to as Sister so and so... I wanted to be called Sister Hebner. I like my last name too because it connects me to Gary and I am proud of that. I was introduced as Sister Hebner but it wouldn't be very long til it changed to Verda. The priesthood would call all the other sisters , Sister Coleman, Sister Philp, Sister Merrill. I was always VERDA. Even the men in the Stake would do this. I use to feel like I was being demoted or something. But no matter what I said, they still called me Verda. My seminary students were sweet, they called me Sister Verda.

Why do I bring this up? Well, since I have moved to Prescott, I have been known as Sister Hebner. Wonderful, I thought I had finallly been promoted. But I think it was only because we moved from ward to ward so quickly, that I wasn't really quite known yet. We have now been in the Glassford Hill Ward for about a year. No one has really spoken to me this whole time. So I didn't feel much like a member of this ward. I said to Gary one night, if I don't receive a calling by the end of the year, I'm going to the bishop and ask for one.(this was last october) That's all it took. We were called to serve in the primary. Ever since then, the Bishopric is now aware of me. Not as Sister Hebner, though. As VERDA. I have finally become part of this ward. It feels good, like coming home from a long vacation. I think it's funny that people prefer my first name. It's doesn't bug me anymore. It just makes me feel at home. And Gary, well, he isn't Gary, he's The Heb, or usually HEBNER. The guys like his last name. Oh well, like Dad use to say, 'call me what you like, just don't call me late for dinner'!

The old gray mare she ain't what she use to be, but...

She can still learn new tricks! Yep! I am very proud of myself. I have been trying to make "good" torillas. The kind my grandma use to make when I was a little girl. I use to stand by her side in her little 'hot' kitchen (no air conditioning in those days) and roll out dough and watch my crooked, pointed creation bubble up on top of the old black cast iron griddle on her little stove. My tortillas did not look like hers, but they tasted the same. Maybe because she made the dough. As long as I have been married I have tried and tried again to make her tortillas. They always turn out yucky. Hard, thick...no good. But today I have succeeded! Yeh, yahoo!. Thanks to Youtube. I found a video, several actually, but one in particular caught my eye and I did everything exactly the way the video explained, and
wha-la!!! yummy, soft, round tortillas. I feel like a whole new woman. Isn't it funny how something so simple as a minor accomplishment can give us so much joy. Tonight we will have home-made green chili burros and they will be yum, yum, yummers. I also learned how to make corn tortillas...but that will have to wait for another day.

52 and lots of charm

GEORGE PATRICK LYONS

This is the latest picture I've taken of Uncle George. His favorite place to be is with his lovely wife Sandi.

Uncle George

We are happy to celebrate with you

the grand young age of 52!

You are wise, witty and full of charm

Yes! you still have muscles in your arm

You should be happy and do as you choose

there are only 364 days left in the year to be 52!

Have a grand day Georgio, Jorge, Mr. Smooth!

Birthdays are good for you, the more you have the longer you live.

I am posting a few of the photos of Courtnae that were sent to me over the years of her growing up. Isn't she the cutest little girl? She's a beautiful woman now and is enjoying the day to day wonderment of motherhood.

Happy, Happy Birthday dear niece of mine. I hope all your dreams come true and that you will be blessed with all the happy desires of your heart.

A birthday is the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip!

"Every smile makes you a day younger"

BETTY LOU NULLINER

Happy, Happy Birthday Betty Dear....may happy days come to you all year!

Today is Granny Buns birth celebration day. What do we remember about Granny?

*always serching for the bathroom
*passes gas in the elevator and blames it on Bob
*crochetes covers for family jewels
*is the family's #1 card player
*smiles, smiles, smiles
*has a strong testimony of Jesus Christ
*best step-mother ever
*too many more to mention

"Every smile makes you a day younger."-chinese proverb Granny is proof of this.

We Love You Granny Buns!
*

This little boy had a birthday, this little boy right here....

NATHAN BUTLER HOWARD

GIDDY-UP!

Nate always notices when the wind blows the branches of the trees.

Girls, girls, that's all I see...they are always holding me.

Brother wiggling in to take a nap with big sister and her baby doll. He always has to be where Lili is and doing what she does.

This little boy is my love-adorable grand son. Isn't he the most darling little guy? He is now two years old and we legally can not call him Baby Nate anymore. However, I'm sure that name will forever be his. I wonder what his friends will think when we are still calling him Baby Nate when he is 16!

Happy Happy birthday Nathan Dear.

Bubba needs blessings....PRAYERS

Bubba doing what he enjoys most...hanging out with the family. Jessi & Brooke have become his dearest friends lately.

Uncle Bubba with Baby Kaci. He loves to holds his neices and nephew.

Poor Bubba! He has been fighting a sinus infection for two months. One doctor sent him to get a cat scan and they have finally found the problem. His nasal cavity is deviated. So surgery is on the schedule for him. He has to get the infection cleared up first, get a couple major injections and he will be feeling better soon. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks to Aunt Marsha for getting him to the right doctors. We do not know what we would do without her help. Granny has been in the mix too. We are so grateful for loving family. I know Garrett appreciates all you do for him.

More pictures of the wedding...

There was dinner and dancing and lots of fun. Sheree color choice was maroon and chocolate with gold accents. It was very pretty so was Sherre and Chris.