The Blodgetts

Sunday, May 31, 2009

May in Holden

This is Jim painting the trim and making repairs on our house. It's a good thing he doesn't mind heights! He has been putting up scaffolding and doing all the repairs before painting. Then he takes it down again to move to another area. He has been working on the stucco too. He is big on being safe, which I am glad he is! What a big job it is to maintain a home!

Can you believe he is on a ladder too?

Going where the faint of heart won't go...

He has quite the system with all the ladders and scaffolding.

MEMORIAL DAY
We went to Loa over Memorial Day weekend. Mom and Dad and Jim and I drove down to Capital Reef National Monument. It is sure beautiful country! Here a picture of "Chimney Rock".

This is a picture of the "Castle":

This is "Ship Rock":

RETIREMENT FUN

I decided to start sewing again (after 20 years). I oiled up the sewing machine and got everything ready to start sewing, thinking of all the projects I could begin. First I settled on making a Temple dress. I already had a pattern so I didn't buy a new one. I then went to buy fabric and was shocked at the prices. I had a great time trying to remember all the short cuts of sewing and I was pretty happy with my dress. Next I went to buy a new pattern at the fabric shop to start a new project. I about fell off my chair as patterns had gone from $2.00 to $14.95. So, I don't think I will be doing much sewing. However, my sewing machine is oiled up and ready to go for patching up holes.

I am loving being retired! I have been learning how to make bread (and rolls) from grinding our own wheat to making the loaves. I have to say it is delicious! I've been having fun making up for lost time in the cooking area, by trying all sorts of new recipes. I've tried my hand at making Manicotti, chinese pasta salad, flour tortillas, corn tortillas, and several other new recipes. Jim isn't complaining and he says he hasn't eaten so good for years. Wonder why...? Yup, I was working! Cooking is alot of fun! It is so wonderful just having TIME to call my own.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Retirement Life

I retired April 2, 2009 from IPP (Intermountain Power Plant) in Delta, Utah. This is a picture of the Department Head presenting me with my Retirement Plaque and the IPP History Book. It was a difficult decision, especially with the economy the way it is. However, we felt this was the time. I have kept busy and haven't regreted my decision. It's so nice sleeping past 5:00 a.m.

After working for 25 years, (eight at IPP) it is wonderful having TIME to get things done at home. And - I have a long list to get done! I have even learned to make bread and rolls. It is also hard to get out of the mind-set that I need to get everything done on the weekends... I find myself saying, "Wait - I can do that next week!" I love it!

Jim and I have a lot of places to go and people to see. So far retired life is GREAT!

The kids and Jim threw my a surprise Retirement Party. I didn't have a clue they were consorting such a thing! It was wonderful!

A Visit from the Mississippians

Cowboy Henry

Van and Heidi came to Utah for the month of April and spent two weeks with us. It was wonderful having them here. We had a blast with Henry. He kept us laughing all the time. Van worked with the local Vet during that month. He kept long doctor hours and the experience he received was packed with interesting cases. Van will graduate from Mississippi State Vet School next April.

Spring in Holden

We have had a beautiful spring this year. Here is a picture of our Apple tree and our Almond tree in full bloom. We have had a lot of rain this month and everything is so green and beautiful.

Celebrating 65 Years of Marriage

In March, our family celebrated my mom and dad's 65th Wedding Anniversary. We all got together and enjoyed visiting with one another over a wonderful meal and program. Here is a picture of my folks with five of their kids and their spouses. We are missing Stephen and Linda who are on a mission in Moscow Russia. However we were able to talk to them via the Web cam.

We gave Mom and Dad a "Family Tree" with all of our sweet mugs on it.

We tiled our backsplashes after Jim fabricated the beautiful counter tops

In February Jim and I went to Yuma, Arizona to visit Ray (Jim's Brother) and his wife, Billie. They took us to the Organ Pipe National Park as well as into Mexico where I stocked up on Vanilla and Olive oil. I didn't know there were so many kinds of catcus. What an interesting park!