An Autumn Week of Good Things and Gratitude

Here are some of the best parts of the past week for me and my family.  I am joining with Susanne and friends over at Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five to look back at some of my favorite things. 

😊 I'm grateful that we had a nice Fall Break trip to Idaho and returned home safely on Sunday. It was fun to spend a weekend in the little town where Josh went to college.  It's a great town, with a nice atmosphere and friendly, helpful people.  Josh has not made firm plans to move back there, but he is considering it, if he can find the right job. I'm thankful that Josh could go to college in Rexburg and that we could have a nice visit there. 

😊 I'm grateful that Charly and I were able to get our annual flu shots when we were in Idaho.  I know that vaccines are controversial, but because of Charly's asthma and my exposure to viruses in the classroom, we have been advised to get flu shots every year, and we have done so for quite a while. That being said, we have decided to skip Covid vaccines for the foreseeable future. 

😊 I'm grateful that our little condo is now all clean and fixed up and ready to go back on the market.  The new stove came and was delivered, but the new refrigerator won't be here until next Monday.  It was frustrating not to get both new appliances at the same time, but I am grateful that we are making progress.  

😊 I'm grateful that I was able to get outside to walk this past week.  We had some sunny albeit cool days - perfect for afternoon walks.  A lot of leaves in our area seem to be at their fall peak of color and I am grateful for their beauty.  

😊  Charly and I have been watching a Bible archeology series on DVD this week after dinner. These archeology DVDs are very interesting, and I am grateful for people who do scientific, historic and archeological research that sheds light on the truth of scripture.  They strengthen my faith. 

😊 I am grateful for nights like tonight, when I come home the wonderful aroma of dinner in the crock pot courtesy of my sweet husband.  Tonight, he made Swamp Potatoes for our dinner and it was delicious.  It was so nice not to have to worry about dinner after a stressful day. 

😊 I have been going through the books on my "to read" shelves so weed out books that I have had for a while and am no longer that interested in.  These books will be turned into our favorite used book store on Saturday.  While I was going through my books, I packed two more boxes of books I want to keep.  I am grateful to be making progress as we get ready to move when I retire. 

😊 Even though the school where I am currently long-term subbing is not great, and my days can be stressful, I am glad for the income I have that is helping us get ready for a good retirement in a few months. 

That's all for now. Thanks for stopping by to share the good in the last week.  Have a great weekend! 

Until next time, 

😊Deb💖

Fall-Break Trip to Idaho

This week, I finished my assignment subbing for a math teacher at a junior high about 12-14 miles west of my home. Our fall break started after school on Wednesday.

My next assignment is back at this 80-year-old junior high school, which was the same school I spent four weeks subbing in a computer technology class at the beginning of the school year.  Starting next Tuesday, I will be subbing here in an English classroom. 

Our fall break started on Thursday, and goes through Tuesday for me.  Monday is a teacher planning day in our district, but I am taking that day off. 

It was a mostly rainy and cloudy week, until Friday.  We set a record for October rainfall around here.  We had over 4.5 inches of rain in just up to the middle of the month.  After our very dry summer, it has been nice to get some much-needed rain. 

Friday, we left on a little fall break trip to Idaho. 

We stayed in Rexburg, Idaho, the town where Josh went to school at BYU-Idaho.

One reason for our trip was to allow Josh to check out job and living opportunities in Rexburg.  He is thinking that he may move back there.  He really enjoyed living in a small town, rather than a bigger city.  This is an apartment he looked at.  It was a two-bedroom apartment that he could rent for about the same price as renting a single room in a house down here in Salt Lake City.  Josh hasn't accepted a job or made any firm decisions about moving back to Idaho, but he wanted to go up and have a look around, and his mom and dad are always up for a little road trip. 

Of course, Josh wanted to visit his alma mater, BYU-Idaho.  There is such a great, positive, Christian vibe there.  It is beautiful, and the people are friendly and helpful.  We had blue skies and sunshine in Idaho, although it was windy and cold.  

This is a view of the city of Rexburg from the BYU-Idaho campus.  You can see it is not a big city - no skyscrapers - just lots of trees.  The population is about 40,000.  Look closely and you will see snow on the mountains to the North of the city.  Snow is in the forecast for Rexburg this coming week!

We worshipped at the beautiful Rexburg Temple, and that was a very special experience. 

The temple looked so awesome lit up on Saturday night when we got out of the worship service.  The Rexburg Temple is set on a hill overlooking the city of Rexburg.

After worshipping at the temple, we went to Applebee's for a delicious late dinner that we all enjoyed.  

While we were in Rexburg, we got some Huckleberry Honey and Huckleberry Jam.  We've had Huckleberry Jam before, and it is a real treat, so we thought we'd try the honey.   I had some on toast Sunday evening and it was excellent!  

We left Rexburg on Sunday morning and we were home by just after 1 p.m.. Although Sunday was mostly sunny, by evening, the clouds were back.  More rain is in the forecast for the end of next week.  There are always a lot of things to do (like unpacking and doing laundry) when returning home from a trip, so that is what is taking up my Sunday evening.  I hope to do some reading and relaxing once all the extra laundry is washed and put away. 

Weekend Gratitude:

• Having a nice fall break getaway to Idaho.
• Traveling safely. 
• Worshipping at the Rexburg Temple. 
• Getting our flu shots (yes, we went to a pharmacy in Rexburg).

Coming up next week:

Monday -  Taking a day off. 

Monday -  New appliances being delivered at condo. 

Tuesday - Begin long-term assignment at a different junior high school. 

Wednesday - New pictures being taken for the new real estate listing of our condo. 

Saturday - Birthday lunch for our granddaughter who is turning seven. 

Praying for:

• Help with the new long-term sub assignment I am starting.
• Inspiration about and help with retirement planning. 
• Family members going through some rough times. 
• Our nation. 

That's all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.  Have a good week. See you again soon!

😊Deb💖

"Life is beautiful.

It's about giving. 

It's about family."

~Walt Disney

Currently on the First Sunday of July

Here's what is currently going on in my world this Sunday, July 6, 2025. 

The weather is hot and sunny. Right now it is 88 degrees, and it will be in the 90s every day this coming week.  I put a number of flags in our yard for the 4th of July, and I decided to leave them there throughout the month.  I am feeling extra patriotic and grateful for this country (warts and all) right now. 

I'm reading three books - all nonfiction.  Two are self-improvement books, and one is a memoir.   All three books are quite good. 

I'm listening to some Youtubes by some of my favorite Christian and conservative content creators.  I like content that is well-researched, makes me think, and teaches me something. 

I'm enjoying the flowers, especially the hydrangea, and the flags in my front yard.

I'm looking forward to enjoying all of the delicious things, like these Bell Peppers, that are currently growing in my vegetable garden. 

I'm feeling exhausted after driving over 500 miles and ten hours, much of it along winding mountain roads.  I'm glad we made the trip, but I didn't sleep very well at the motel where we stayed and parts of the drive were pretty grueling.  

I'm thinking about our friend we went to Wyoming to visit.  He is currently at the hospital shown in the picture.  He and Charly have known each other since they were 19, and Charly's mother introduced this friend to the woman he ended up marrying.   He is about six months younger than my husband and has several major health problems, including congestive heart failure.  I'm glad that we made the trip to Wyoming to see him.  

I'm grateful we had a nice and safe trip to Southwestern Wyoming and Eastern Utah.  We stayed in Green River, Wyoming and went to see our friend who is not well and is in the hospital in Rock Springs, Wyoming.  Friday, we drove over to Vernal, Utah and saw some beautiful scenery and visited Dinosaur National Monument. I am grateful that we were able to make this trip, visit our friend, and make some nice memories. 

I'm praying for those who lost so much in the terrible and tragic flooding this past week in Texas.  May the families of those who lost their lives find peace and love in God's infinite grace, and may they know that their loved ones live on in the place that God has prepared.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a good week!

💗Deb🙏

They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:3-4 NIV

Blessings of Another Road Trippin' Week

It's been another busy week for us with not one, but two different road trips!  We are safely back home now, and I am happy to be able to take a few minutes out to remember the blessings of the week.  To do that, I am joining again with Susanne and friends over at Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five. 

😊 I mentioned in my last post that we had made on offer on this house in Ivins, Utah (near St. George) that seemed perfect in every way for us.   Monday night, our realtor called with the good news that our offer had been accepted!  The property inspection was Thursday and didn't uncover any big problems with the home. We are now going through mountains of paperwork to make everything happen, but hopefully, in less than a month, this place will be our new home - which we will probably rent out for a year and then move to when I retire.  I am so grateful and excited about this.   

*After my last post, several reader asked me about the lack of lawn in the yard around the house.  This, my friends, is desert landscaping - rock and a few desert plants.  We got used to it when we lived in Arizona for 16 years, so it doesn't seem weird to me.  I like lawn, but honestly, lawn takes a lot of water, so many places in the desert landscape with rock.  Desert landscaping isn't for everyone, but it's very normal in the Desert Southwest and it is easy to take care.  

😊  We got home from a two day trip to St. George on Sunday afternoon, then left again on Tuesday to drive to Idaho to see Josh and take him to dinner on his birthday.  I am grateful that our road trips went well and we were blessed with safe travels. 

😊  I have been blogging since 2007 and in that time, I have come to know some of the nicest, kindest women I have ever known. I have always said that blogging friends are the best.  I am so grateful that I got to meet up with my long time blogging friend, Barb (at Barb's Blog) on this trip. She and her husband Bob, met Charly and I for lunch because Barb lives not far from the Idaho town where Josh goes to school.  Barb, Bob, Charly and I spent a delightful couple of hours at the Olive Garden enjoying a delicious lunch and some good conversation. I am so grateful for Barb and all of the wonderful people I have gotten to know through blogging. 

😊 After our lunch together, Barb and Bob gave us a little gift bag filled with honey and honey treats from the local Idaho area.  We love honey and I am so grateful for Barb's thoughtfulness and this lovely sweet gift. 

😊 We met up with Josh in Rexburg Tuesday evening to take him to dinner at Outback Steakhouse and give him his birthday present.  I am grateful for my youngest son.  He is a good man and I am grateful that we were able to see him on his birthday - despite his very busy school and work schedule. 

😊 Using our Wyndham Rewards points (from our Wyndham and Worldmark timeshares), we were able to get hotel rooms for our last two road trips to St.George and Rexburg for no charge.  I am grateful for being able to get hotel rooms free and save some $$$.

😊 Charly and I love to listen to audiobooks in the car when we go on road trips. We listened to and finished this book, The Slow March of Light, on our recent trips to St. George and Idaho.  What an excellent book!  It was so moving and uplifting, and it was based on a true story.  I am grateful for all good books and especially good audiobooks to listen to on a long drive. 

That's all for now. Thanks for stopping by to share the good in my week.  Have a good weekend!

Until next time,

😊Deb💖

ANOTHER Weekend Road Trip and a Confusing House Hunt Update

We were in St. George Sunday through Wednesday of last week, so Thursday and Friday were busy catch-up days at our house.  

We had found a nice, large home in a 55+ neighborhood in St. George earlier in the week, and we made an offer which was accepted, and we went under contract on the home.  Wednesday, before we came back to Salt Lake City, the inspection was done so we would know if the house had any problems.   On Thursday, we got the inspection report back, and it was not good. There were a number of expensive problems, including a big problem with the shower drain in the master bathroom.  The entire shower and drain would have to be dug up and replaced. We decided to cancel the contract on the house and continue our search. 

I received a text from a friend in the same area where the house that we made an offer on was located. She told us that another home in the 55+ area had just gone up for-sale-by-owner.  We called the owners and went through the home but decided that the home was just not big enough for our needs.   After deciding to cancel the contract on the home with the bad inspection report, we decided to reconsider the for-sale-by-owner home. We contacted the owner who told us that the home would be listed with a realtor early this coming week, so we decided to make one more quick trip to St. George to look carefully at the home before it was listed.   The owner offered us a much reduced price if we bought the home before it was listed, so Saturday morning, we drove once again to St. George to look carefully at the home and see if it would work for us.   It is a beautiful, well-kept and maintained home, and the current owners were delightful people to show us all the good (and not-so-good) of their home.  We are keeping this home in mind and may look at it again if our first choice (see below) doesn't work out. 

Since we were going to be in St. George, we decided to look at yet another home in Ivins (a small town near St. George) that just went on the market.  This is an aerial picture of beautiful Ivins - which has a populations of under 10,000 - and also a medical college, two resorts and a lot of multi-million-dollar homes.   The home we looked at was NOT one of those. 

We asked our realtor to show us the home, which I was pretty sure neither Charly or I would like much, but Ivins is a beautiful area right next door to Snow Canyon State Park where we love to hike.  You can see the amazing large red rock bluffs and cliffs which are part of the park, only a few blocks behind this home.  

In addition, this home is on a large piece of property with no HOA (Homeowners Association) and the monthly dues associated with that.  You can see in this drone shot that the property goes back to the wall behind the two sheds at the end of the long driveway.   All of this seems confusing but if you guessed that we liked this home best, you would be right!  We made an offer, and we are now on pins and needles waiting to see if the owner will accept it so we can go forward and buy this home.  We still have a ways to go in our home search/purchase, but we are encouraged that we have been able to find some nice homes in our price range, so if this one doesn't work out, we will keep looking.   I'll keep you posted!

 

Now on to a few other things that happened this weekend.  Whenever we drive to Southern Utah, our first "pit stop" point is this Flying J Truck Stop in Nephi, Utah. When we stopped there Saturday morning, to get a couple of snacks and use the facilities, the cashier who rang us up asked me if I was from Bountiful, Utah (a town about 50 miles north where I went to high school).  I replied that yes, I was, and she asked me if I remembered her. She had recognized me, and when she told me her name (she obviously looked a little different when I knew her over 48 years ago), I absolutely remembered her.  She lived around the corner from me, and we went to high school and church together.  It was so fun to see this woman, who I considered a friend so many years ago.  I thanked her for speaking up and asking me if I remembered her.  Since we stop at this truck stop every time we head down south, I hope that I will see her again from time to time. 

While we drove, Charly and I listened to an audiobook, The Slow March of Light, by Heather B. Moore, which is a novel based on the true life experiences of a young U.S. soldier who was captured and imprisoned by the East Germans while he was on assignment for the Army in the early 1960s.  It is truly an interesting and inspirational story.  

Of course, Sunday was Father's Day and Charly was remembered with calls, texts and gifts.  He is a good man and I am blessed to have married and had a family with such a guy. 

Sunday evening after dinner, I went for a walk.  While it was triple digit hot in St. George, temperatures here in the northern part of Utah were much cooler. 

After my walk, I checked out my garden and gave it a little extra water. If you look close, you can see a little green tomato on the vine already!  There are more on other plants as well. 

Weekend Gratitude:

• Traveling safely to and from St. George.
• Finding some good houses that would work for us.
• Having our children remember Charly on Father's Day. 

Looking forward to this coming week:

• We are making another quick road trip to see Josh and take him to dinner on his birthday.
• I have plans to meet up with my long-time blogging friend, Barb of Barb's Blog for lunch. She lives in Idaho, not far from where Josh goes to college.
• I'm getting together with another friend for lunch and shopping later in the week. 

That's all for this post.  Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great week!

Until next time,

😊Deb💖

"...be strong and of a good courage;

be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:

for the Lord thy God

is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
~ Joshua 1:9