Easter Pagent

Tonight we had the opportunity to go the Easter Pagent. For many years we did not attend because our teenagers did not want to attend twice. This year we accidently struck on the solution. Go the same night as the young men/young women. Then we can all enjoy each other's company. This time Ellen, Beth, and Katie, and also the Laytons sat with us. It was very nice, though the most moving thing for me was at the beginning. I was standing there watching the people gather. Couples holding hands, old and young, mothers and fathers with children of all ages, people in wheelchairs being helped to spots to enjoy the show, people we know and love, and those who we don't (know that is ) all coming to the temple grounds to celebrate our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and his gifts to us. There are just moments when the weepy me creeps in. I still miss sitting on the lawn on a blanket at 3am Easter morning with Grandma Manker and all of us children that she could persuade to join her, waiting, freeeeeeeeeezing, and then finally to have the pagent start with the fanille of the risen Christ just as the sun was coming up over the visitor's center. I know there is no way that everyone who attends now could have this same experience, but I am glad to have had it. It really does seem like such a long time ago almost a dream. (I never freeze in my dreams!)

Memories
of Baby's Days
Paul Alan Gillespie

To-day I came into the world
at 12:30 O'clock pm on
Sunday the 29th of March 1936
St. Vincent's Hospital
Sassatrass St., Erie, Pa.

At birth I measured 20"
at 1 month 22"
at 2 months 23 1/2"
at 3 months 25 1/2"
at 4 months 26 1/2"
at 5 months 27"
at 6 months 29"
at 9 months 31"
When I was born I weighed 7 lbs 5 oz
1 month 7 lb 14 oz
2 month 10 lb 7 oz
3 month 13 lb 2 oz
4 month 15 lb 13 oz
5 month 18 lb
6 month 21 lb
9 month 25 lb 9 oz
1 year 28 lb 8 oz

Health Record

May 20th-7 1/2 weeks old Smiled and cooed in bath.
May 21st Slept out on porch
16 weeks and 5 days old Rolled from face down to lying on back
Sept. 27, Sunday My first tooth, upper left front
Oct. 6th, My second, upper right front
Oct. 18th, My third, right front. lower
Oct 18th, 1936, I tore up Daddy's "Boy's World" a Sunday School paper for boys. Also got up on my hands and knees!
In November I would get up on my hands and feet and later stood on my knees. I started crawling this month.
By Thanksgiving I began to stand up in bed, holding the sides and early in December I stood in my "pen". By the 10th I was standing anywhere I could get hold of a support, and loved to stand, one hand against the radio and the other slapping it or turning dials.
January 29, 1937- Just 10 months old to-day and when mother was out I climbed the stairs all alone and found Daddy in his study.

First Outing

Went with Mother, Daddy, Rev. & Mrs. P.T. Gerrard and Mss Low to wedding anniversary of Mr and Mrs. C.B. Smith. Slept nicely until time for feeding. April 28, 1936 (1 month old)

Baby's Favorite Toys

Age 6 months, any paper or magazine
at 7 months a string of wooden beads and a rubber donkey- possibly due to Democratic leanings in a Democratic year.
Age 8 months - greatly attracted by electric light cords & lamps.

Baby's First Step

Jan. 28, 1937 - One day before 10 months of age. Stood alone, with no support, the day before.

Mother's Remarks
"Frisky"

My Travels

1936
April 8 Wed
When 10 days old, went by Taxicab with Mother and nurse, Miss Morrison, to the home of Mr. & Mrs. Grant Joslyn & Donald, at 2680 Myrtle Street, Erie, Pa. (Daddy moved from Conneautville, Pa. to Sebring, Ohio, today also.)
April 22 Wed
Daddy took Mother & me to Sebring, Ohio, this afternoon in the Chevrolet, to our new home. (3 weeks)
May 11 Mon
We went to Erie, Pa. & back to Sebring today, to see Dr Meyers. Whole distance was 250 miles.
May 18 Mon
Visited "Uncle Paul" and "Aunt Rhea" Gerrard at Hubbard, Ohio
Jun 1 Mon
Only 2 months old but we visited the Shawkey's at Connneautville, Pa. from Monday to Thursday. Came to Conneautville via Erie & Dr. Meyer.
August 3
Sebring- Erie-Waterford, Pa to Warners
August 4
Waterford, Pa to Glen Spey, N Y First visit to Grandfather & Grandmother Gillespies. Great-Grandmother Green came up later.
August 16
Baptized by Daddy, at Grandfather Gillespie's. Grandmother Gillespie & Great grandmother Green there.
August 18
To Takoma Park, D C & the Paravanos, via Pa & Md
August 25
To Latrobe Pa
August 26
Saw Grandfather & Grandmother Hartman on Her birthday
August 27
Home to Sebring, O via Pittsburgh Pa and Chester, W Va Travelled this summer about 1,500 miles all by automobile

PS He started that 'on the road again' thing early.

5 things?

5 things I was doing 5 years ago;
retiring from scout master
filling shoes for a scout unit comissioner
enjoying driving my 1975 pickup
planning scout camporees
taking memory pills

5 things I would do with a million dollars:
Pay off my house
buy a shopping mall and collect rent for forever (not)
travel to different places just to ride atv's
get a house in hawaii
snorkel with cheeze wizz

5 placed I have lived
here
mckellips and lindsay
alma school and broadway
chandler
elysian fields TX

5 jobs I have had:
Del Taco in TX
card and camera corral in Mesa
hauling wood in TX
working on building a power plant in TX
big two oldsmobile Mesa

Tagged

5 things I was doing 5 years ago
Learning to be the new RS president in my ward and finding that it wieghed on my mind and my heart 24/7
Working for Athena's sewing drapes (part time)
Homeschooling
Trying to be more Christlike when I just wanted to slug one of my daughter's boyfriends
Planting apple trees

5 things on my to do list today
Pick up school bus from mechanic
Help Jen and Adam with their move
Laundry/Shopping
Take Emilee to dinner and to the YW broadcast
Chaperone a 14-18 dance with Mikie

5 things I would buy with a million dollars
Pay off mortgage
Buy property by Clints Well
Build small 1 bedroom cabin with LARGE kitchen gathering space.
Purchase Caboose and 2 sleeper cars for guests
Make spaces for toy haulers and trailers so family could come cool off and relax

5 places I have lived
Flagstaff, AZ
Yuma, AZ
Mesa, AZ
Chandler, AZ
Elysian Fields, TX

5 jobs I have held
bag girl at Alpha Beta
Cashier
Researcher for Arizona Bank
Fast food
Route driver for newspaper

5 people I tag
Cristal
Jill
Lori
Judy
Jena

Friday was one of those crazy days. Mikie dropped me at work, drove the bus, filed papers, served lunch, drove the bus again, picked up Emilee (in the bus), on the way to drop the bus off at the Mechanic's, Michael picked Emilee, Julia, and myself up, went to the bank and started up hiway 60. We stopped in Miami at El Ray's, and had mexican food. Good stuff. We arrived in Thatcher in time to stop at Walmart and do a little shopping. Then off to the show! Seussical was alot of fun. Cristal starred as a Bird Girl. Awsome. Of course I thought she was the star but they some how didn't list her at the top of the credits. It was really good. We recommend it. Well worth the drive, 2 1/2 hours from our house. Tickets 5 dollars per seat. Playing March 28 & 30, also April 3, 4, & 6. Did I mention that Cristal sewed some of the costumes?

Why can't food storage come in attractive boxes? Rachael gave me some fabric and Pamela helped me make these curtains. Hanging them from the ceiling made this corner in the dinning room a little more my taste. Yes, these have yellow in them, but nothing here is permanent.

Dawn's sorrow turned into a blessing for us. Angela and Jody said that the boys could have one of their bunk beds. Benjamin and I went and brought it home on Saturday. Then Ben reassembled it in a 9X8 ft space in their room. No small task. I kept checking on him and finding him playing contortionist. We did a lot of laughing. The floor in the boys room can be seen now daily. Thanks to the new bed and a new storage unit. ? How do you fit 2 1/2 boys and their stuff in a 10X10 ft room?

This is the story shared at Julia's Acheivement Days Recognition
As a man walked a desolate beach one cold, gray morning he began to see another figure far in the distance. Slowly the two approached each other, and he could make out a local native girl (it was a man in the original story), who kept leaning down, picking something up and throwing it out into the water. Time and again she hurled things into the ocean. As the distance between them continued to narrow, the man could see that the girl was picking up starfish that had been washed upon the beach and one at a time, was throwing them back into the water. Puzzled, he approached the girl and asked what she was doing.
"I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it's low tide right now and all of these starfish have been washed up onto the shore. If I don't throw them back into the sea, they'll die up here from lack of oxygen."
"But there must be thousands of starfish on this beach," the man replied. "You can't possibly get to all of them. There are just too many. And this same thing is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast. Can't you see that you can't possibly make a difference?"
The young girl smiled, bent down and picked up another starfish, and as she threw it back into the sea she replied, "Made a difference to that one!"
The point to the story was every kind deed, word, and sometimes thought, do matter. Even if it is just to yourself. We had starfish cookies for desert, and had beach themed table settings. Very fun.

Took our little archeologist to the Lower Cliff Dwellings near Roosevelt Lake. Ben, Julia and I drove to the visitor's center last spring break, but it was cold, rainy and the clouds were low enough we couldn't see how far the ruins were. So today, Paul, Emilee, Ben, Julia and I went for a ride to go exploring. Just above the visitor's center, up a paved path about 1/4 of a mile is some small ruins. They have upper ruins but you have to make an appointment to see them only during certain times of the year. It was interesting, some place I could probably bring grand children to and wear them out. Mostly it was a good ride to take this morning. I was plesantly surprised to find that they would let us walk inside what's left of the buildings.

What? There was a plan?

Most days I have a list. This week is no different. I spent part of Sunday afternoon, asking and scheduling Mikie, and the children. After finding out where everyone needed to be this week I started planning out what I needed to see happen. Today I scheduled a trip to the dump with my mom. We use her water bill and it doesn't cost anything. (One of the draw backs of living on a county island)
I started this headache late in the afternoon, medicated it, and settled into my bed with a book. Mikie fixed and cleaned up dinner. It stayed a dull ache until about 3am when I started my usual argument with my head, stay in bed and try to sleep and it'll just go away. Years of this same argument and I still haven't learned. By 6am it started picking up more speed by 7am I finally got up and made myself a migrain coctail. I also was trying to find my dark sunglasses, ( these are not the ones) the one thing I am doing today, sun or no sun is go to the dump. Then I'm going to park myself in my dark room and ride this silly thing out. Even the best laid plans sometimes need to be ajusted.

Box Canyon March 15,2009

March 14, 2009
Box Canyon
These are my favorite rides, trail rides. We rode up and down some hills for awhile before taking off down the road. Pamela stayed in camp with those that were too small or were enjoying the yerfdog, while the rest of us went on a ride. THANK YOU PAMELA!!! It had been awhile since I had had the time to go on a ride so my bikes been out with Paul a few times. Everyone came home covered in dirt and smelling like camp fire, as it should be. I didn't hear any complaints just tired bodies waiting for the shower. The scenery was beautiful, and the trail only slightly bumpy, perfect for someone who needs to work up some courage. The food was delisious and filling. Everyone at our house slept hard and well. Thank you for sharing this spot with us.

There were modes of transportation for all ages and terrains.

They were poking fun at Paul and Alex. Why?

It's been two years since I've ridden my bike, and yes it was me that broke the fenders and had them removed. I crashed, rider error, on some switch backs west of Phoenix.
And yes the tire is slightly off the ground but I didn't crash. Mikie said I need to be more cautious. It was a little, very little, bumpy, so where is the fun of staying on the ground.

By the time we loaded the suburban with the passengers it was sitting a little low. The hitch bottomed out at every dip in Dawn and Andrew's neighborhood. I'm encouraging Mikie to finish the truck up the hill so we have better clearance. We did redistribute the passenger load when we were gathered at Dawn's.

Dinner time at Mikies.
Will the real Charlie Chaplin please stand up?

Demolition, this time I've decided there is just not enough pantry. Our numbers seem to be fluctuating between 7-11 persons at dinner. Having a place to put the food for daily use is making me a little crazy. Emilee needed a 10 hour project for spring break so we had Paul start us off by ripping out the wall in the closet next to the current pantry. We'll see how much Emilee and I can get done this week. The kids, grandkids and Mikie have been having fun taking the shortcut to the hall from the kitchen.

Paul chatting up the girls on March 8th at Oak flats. The boys learn to shoot black powder at scouts but this time they scheduled the 16-18 year old ladies to go also. Michael went as adult supervision (ha ha). They came back and reported that everyone seemed to have a good time, even though it was a little chilly for us desert rats.

Years in Review: 1874
Item: "Tar and Feathers-
We learned this evening that a young man who has been for some time a citizen of Greenwich Township, and who has been paying attention to a girl in Lapatcong Township, received an application of tar and feathers a day or two since. From the run of the story, some of the lady's male friends found out by some means that the young man did not intend to marry the girl, and a general council of war was held when the question of tar and feathers was brought up and passed unanimously. Accordingly on Monday evening the preparations all being in readiness, the young man made his appearance and was immediately seized by the friends of the lady, who gave him a severe beating first and then applied a liberal supply of tar and feathers to his person after which they compelled him to walk past the window where his fair one sat. From there he was conducted to the main road and driven about a mile in his new suit of clothes. Yesterday he made complaint before Esquire Thomas J Hubbell, and warrants have been issued for three of the ringleaders of the affair. The course of true love never did run smooth, is an old and true saying, , and it is fully exemplified in this case. The young man was in town yesterday, presenting a very sad appearance. The young man declares he meant to marry the girl he was visiting. We learn that the parties committing the outrage gave the young man $50 and asked his forgiveness. He forgave them and will be married to the young lady on Saturday."

Just a little something I found with the wedding anouncement of Benjamin T Winters and Lizzie G Omick. I don't think it was about Benjamin because he is listed as being from Port Murray, and Lizzie from Washington.

Love Notes to My Family
Carol Gillespie

Gratitude-1997
4-14
Books
Sunshine
Family pictures
Talking with friends
Feeling better
4-15
Shopping-Choices
Iris, Hollyhocks, Primrose
Clean furniture
Missy's actions & reactions
4-16
Bookstores
Sprinkling systems
Visiting with neighbors
Health
Sunshine
4-19
Dinner w/ friends
Apple Strudel
Opportunities for travel
Alaskan prints
Free lunch at Costco

Sadly this is the conclusion of this book. As I read through the papers you have entrusted to me I will share the gems that I find. Love you, Ginger

Love Notes to My Family
Carol Gillespie

January 1985

Brenda is off to Coalinga California to visit Lori & Christe Paradise
Lori & Webb have a new pick-up, Mikie an ATC
Ginger has made beautiful drapes for the girl's room.

April 26, 1985
Lori wasn't feeling well today.
After two IV's at the doctor's office, she came "home"
& curled up on the couch with pillows & an afghan.
We hope for a healthy, happy baby.

Love Notes to My Family
Carol Gillespie

Both my Grandmothers died in the same year. Grammy Jayne the first part of the year & Grandmother Taylor at the end of the year. After that Pappy Taylor came to live with us. He was my pal & we got along famously.

Nov 1984
Snow at The Ranch-simply beautiful

Brenda is spending Thanksgiving fixing dinner at a half-way house

Gary is anticipating buying his first auto

Shopping & lunch trip with Lori

Dawn's first school picture

In October Aunt Joyce came for a visit. We introduced her to the joys of porta-doors & tow truck rides. Lunch at El Tovar was special.

What would we do without Cream of Celery Soup?

Christmas 1984-
What a special, wonderful day with all the family gathered for brunch.
It's been a busy time with Karen's shower on the 23rd, New Year's eve with the Hughes & an informal open house on New Year's Eve day- and a Gillespie Ladies Lunch at the Raddison.

Love Notes to My Family
Carol Gillespie

I remember one vacation with my parents & sister. We went to the New England states and Canada. The first night I cried myself to sleep because I missed Grammy.
On the same trip we had lunch at a Canadian restraurant & there was nothing on the menu that I liked so the manager went to the garden & picked me a bowl of strawberries.
I must have been a joy to have around-I was often sick, always shy & very picky about what I ate.
If my family could only see me now! You've come a long way, baby!

Everyone has at least one book in them.
But- will it be a best seller?

Man's best friends-
Dusty & for a short time we had a puppy named Fang.
Then there was George- and Taffy.
Our Granddog- LeRoy

When I was growing up there was Timmy & a cocker spaniel named Twinkle. And Daddy's hunting dog, Star. Not much for hunting.

Thank you for:
Ladybugs
Raccoons
Ducks

Love notes to My Family
Carol Gillespie

July 1984
Parks seems like an appropriate place to start this-
Here my heart is so full of love & here I know how lucky I am
Our place in Parks is so peaceful-
a good place to go for renewal.
I hope you'll all be able to come here.
There's no special order to things in this book.
Just my thoughts-
ctg

Thank you for:
The black wax candle that looks like George-
a Christmas gift from Mike & Ginger
Chocolate pies from
Lori & Webb-Yum!
And the Mother's Day dinner.
Grandma and I were so pleased.
A note from Brenda

"It's not the gift, but the thought that counts!"


Aren't Grandma's quilts beautiful?
A lasting gift of her love to all of us.


When I was growing up, my Grammy was my best friend.
She died when I was in high school & I was devastated.
Grammy took care of me while my parent's worked.
I decided if I ever had children, I'd stay home & take care of them myself.
Thank you, Paul, for allowing me to do this.

Love Notes to My Family
from Carol Gillespie

"What an empty feeling when both your parents die.
Now you are the adult & you can't go home again."

Wade Clayton Taylor
August 26, 1911-
February 19, 1977

Ruth Edith Jayne Taylor
June 13, 1908-
March 12, 1977

"Lori- You really did drop a glass of chocolate milk & it really did splash on the ceiling. Really!"
"Brenda- Do you think it will rain?"
"A birthday card from Gary. It brought a tear to my eye."
"Thank you Paul for making my life worthwhile."

This came out of one of the note books on the book shelf in the master bedroom, in with mom's daily books. There are not a lot of entries, but I will share them all in the next few days and return this book to Lori so it can be passed around. I love you all, Ginger

16 Feb 2009
If I have time, gas, and wheels, I love to load up and go. This time we had a destination to take Cristal back to Thatcher. Why not do a little exploring along the way. Our first stop was the water fall in Devil's canyon. It's located between Superior and Globe, just past the tunnel. You can park at the second pull out on the right and follow the path
on the south side of the road to the bridge, where
you can then climb down and under the bridge.
This will put you next to the creek bed. If there
has been rain or the snow is melting the water
will be running. If not then there is a pool of
water there just above the hiway.
If you are brave you can climb up the
right side of the water fall to
another pool of water and
another water fall.
Cristal was good enough
to take the picture of
the upper fall so I could
stay with Julia.

Also by the falls there
was another couple. They had
found out about the falls
though an email they had
received. I had discovered
them while Julia and I
were on fall break, and
looking for geo caches.
There is one there but I
had stolen the batteries
out of the gps for the
camera. Lesson learned
carry extra batteries.
Maybe next time, we can
find the geo cache.

After stopping in Thatcher for food and Cristal's friend, Alex, we continued on our way up Mount Graham. There was a rumor that snow was to be found and we had several geo caches to look for. The road is steep and states that you must be no longer than 40 feet. I can't imagine driving a school bus up this road, they are 40 ft long. We did find snow, make snow angels, throw snow balls, climb up a small canyon, find 2 geo caches (Ben), and watch Paul ride his bike a ways down the mountain. After seeing him with both feet on the ground I was informed that the bike he was riding had no brakes. Being mom, I decided not to let him go too far down the road before having him load up. We continued down the hill and about 2/3 's of the way down could smell the brakes. It is quite steep, but a really fun drive. Next time I'd like to take the olds but with the power steering fixed. It is not a road to drive while looking over the edge.

This is what a normal Sunday afternoon looks like at our house. There is 8:00am church for everyone, and every other Sunday 6:00am meetings for Mikie.
Then we all arrive home for lunch, naps, piano playing, movie watching, and some computer activities. Also 2:00 chior if we are available. There are some Sundays where Mikie is still checking on the people that he watches over and he misses it all, but we are all blessed by his service, even though we miss his presence.
PS :The blanket on the floor is Benjamin, sleeping.