Happy Father's Day to Dave!

 

My kids have never had a father figure in their lives until Dave.  It didn't happen until they were grown up and in they were adults.  I know at first it was difficult because I had raised them on my own and had been divorced for 39 years.  Dave never had children, but his many years in education has been so important.  That and his inherent kindness and acceptance has been such a blessing in my life. If it wasn't for Dave, I would not have been able to help them  with anything these past few years.

This past year has been exceptionally difficult with some issues that have been very hard to deal with.  Dave has been patient, supportive and loving to me and to our family.   He has been my rock and what we have been through and his continued love means so much to me.

And he has become a stepdad to our pugs. They are now Diego Uggetti and Seamus Uggetti according to the vet!!  They absolutely love him, as do the grandpugs.

I don't know what I would do without this wonderful man in my life.  He has helped me keep somewhat sane (and that is a big job)!  I am eternally grateful that he came into my life and I love how we get along and the life that we share.  Happy Father's Day to a man who stepped in to a rough situation and has done everything to make our lives better. Dave is a very good man!!!

A Dream Come True for Me

 

Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted a go cart or something like that  I remember always wanted to be able to drive.  My mom taught all of us (the cousins) to drive around the cabin way before we were able to get our driver's license.  In those days, it wasn't a big deal.  I started learning to drive when I was 13 and was able to drive right out of Douglas all the way to the cabin way before I had my license.  I will always remember when I turned 16 and had to wait a few days for the MVD to be open to get my really Driver's License.  

Through the years, I always wanted to go to do go carts or do anything with an ATV.  I never had many opportunities but it was in my blood.  I could never afford to buy anything so I just had to hope that someday maybe I could have something.

When my dear friend, Dottie, invited us to their home in Rocky Point, my favorite part was getting to take the ATV's on the beach and up the hill.  I loved it.

When Dave and I got married and started spending time in Butte, I loved how everyone drives their side by sides around town.  He isn't into that as golf is his passion.  So I had to do a lot of talking (and groveling).  

Last 4th of July, we went up to his cousins' house high above Butte.  John Casey took me out on their side by side and I was totally and truly hooked (yes, it is John's fault)!

So for the last year, I have whined and groveled.  When Dave had his back surgery, I was his nurse.  Being a nurse is definitely not my gig, but I did it and did it well.  So when we got to Butte, Dave decided that between his golfing and me being a nurse, I should be able to find a side by side. We looked into ones that were used and for sale and many of them were very expensive and way more sophisticated for someone like me.

Last Friday, we went to Staacks here in Butte. Dave went to high school with the owner.  We were able to get a great deal on a brand new one that is perfect for a beginner like me.  I absolutely love driving it.  I am trying to find trails and have had some help from his family.  However, it is street ready so I am driving it all over.  I caused quite a stir earlier this week when I went to pick up groceries at WalMart.  It has been fun.  I have found a trail (and there are so many around here) and am hoping to try it out tomorrow or Sunday.   

As I said, it is a dream come true for me.   Thank you, Dave!!

50 Years of Wedded Bliss!!

 

As I get older, more and more times I am invited or am able to congratulate friends and relatives on their 50th wedding anniversary.   All I can say is that in this day and age, that is an amazing accomplishment.  

On May 29th, we were able to celebrate my cousin (sister) Cecilia's and Jay's 50th.  It doesn't seem possible.  However, their marriage is one that I have always admired and have been in awe of the relationship they have.

Cecilia and I have been the best of friends for over 50 years.  I remember her dating different people through the years.  When I was first at ASU and so homesick, she would pick me up on Fridays and I would spend the weekend with them.  It was so much fun!  Cecilia knew (and still knows) how to have a good time. 

I remember when she and Jay first started dating.  It was obvious how much they cared about each other and in my opinion, it was a perfect match.

Throughout the years, my kids and hers were together much of the time when growing up and beyond. They were like first cousins.  Many of our holidays have been spent with the Phoenix cousins.

Cecilia and Jay are truly two of the best people I have ever known and I know that they are a phone call away if I ever need them (and that has happened many times)!

I know that this anniversary was bittersweet for Cecilia as she had just lost her dear sister, Marion, the week before and the funeral was on Thursday.  However, I am so glad that her kids went ahead with the fun evening to celebrate them.  I know Marion would have wanted that.

Lots of love to you both and your wonderful kids.  Thanks for always being there for me.  I can't ever express how much you both mean to me!

GRADUATION 2021

What an incredible evening tonight with what is hopefully a return to normalcy!!! I had the privilege to be a part of Mesquite High School's 2021 graduation. I was able to represent the GPS Governing Board to accept these graduates. I was able to add something personal and that was for me to be able to be there tonight was especially important because in 2009 when I was principal at Gilbert El, I was able to give a number of the students their kindergarten diplomas. As Principal Rod Huston and I congratulated the students, I had so many students say, "Mrs. Rogers, I was one of your kindergartners." It was amazing. Tonight truly made up for a very difficult year. I got a lot of hugs and that has not happened for a long time. What a privilege this was for me!!! I can't even begin to explain how much this night meant to me. It has been such a rough year being on the Board. I know the kids and families needed last night, but so did I!!

 

Marion Katherine "Scotti" Steingrebe

 

I was so privileged to be able to say a few words for our wonderful cousin, Marion, last night at her rosary.  I loved her dearly and she will always hold a very special place in my heart.  I am so saddened by her death.

Here is what I said last night about my wonderful cousin, Marion  (April 8, 1943--May 20, 2021).

 Marion Katherine Scott Steingrebe was like a sister to me.  I dearly love her and she will always hold a special place in my heart.  Tonight I would like to share some memories of when we were kids.  Marion is six years older than me and I always looked up to her throughout my entire life and still do.

 My memories are from when we were kids and  you know that they might not always be accurate.  I can remember how I could hardly wait to go to Phoenix to be with Matt and Gyp and the kids.  To this day, if I smell orange blossoms, it brings back a memory of our drive from Douglas to Phoenix and 914 N. 6th Street.

However, my favorite memories are from when the Phoenix cousins and the California cousins came to Douglas in the summer.  I could hardly wait for them to get there.  Our Phoenix cousins spent more summers there than any others.  I know Pat and Yaya were there a lot, but I don't remember that as much as Marion and Cecilia.  Teresa Ann was enough younger than me that she didn't start coming until later.

As I said, I could hardly wait for them to get there in the summer.  We would go swimming every day at the public pool.  In the evenings, we would play in the yard or across the street at our friend Vicki's house   She was the same age as Marion  What I loved the most is that they always included me, the little kid, in everything.  That is what Marion was always about--she loved everyone and made sure that I was included even  though I was probably the pain the butt younger kid.  At that time, I had been an only child as Judy was only a baby.

We (probably more Marion and Vicki) started a club in the house across the street.  They got boxes and made a clubhouse.  We were called the "Death Boys" an Marion and Vicki assigned us names. I can't remember what my name was, but I know that Marion was either Mehitable the Cat or Archie the Cockroach, but I think it was Mehitable. (Cecilia, I hope you can remember.)  Cecilia was  "Goofy the Gopher."   I don't know why I can't remember what my name was but maybe that is one of those subliminal reasons?  Who knows.  We had regular meetings.  They (not me) made up a recipe for brownies and the "chocolate ingredient" was from one of Judy's diapers so use your imagination.  We even had our own chant.

"We are the Death boys, the mighty, mighty death boys.  Everywhere we go, people want to know, who we are so we tell them, we are the death boys.......  How they came up with this chant will always be a mystery to me.   I loved being a part of it and being included with the big kids always.

Several evenings a week we would ride our bikes down to the Southern Pacific Railroad Station to watch all of he people who came through and into Douglas on the Sunset Limited which arrived at 7 each night  It was only about five blocks from the house.  There was a lady who lived about three blocks away who always wanted to talk to us.  Her name was Katie Jones and she was a friend of our grandmother.  One night, Marion told us all to put our heads down as we road by.  She had big hedges and not a fence  For some reason, I decided to be a "jerk" so I put my head up and we had to stop and talk to Katie  I think that is the only time in my life that I saw Marion angry and it was with me and she had every right to be  I learned a valuable lesson.

Another time and I believe this was way before the came regularly, Marion and Tom Park were at 858.  They tried to tell me how good chinaberries were to eat  They are not good for you but I had a couple.  For some reason, Pat was in there and she was in CHARGE.  I remember her locking Marion and Tom out of the house until my mom and Teresa came home for lunch.  I remember the two of them sitting out on the porch crying.

So many of my childhood memories revolve around our wonderful cousins and I will forever be grateful for these memories for the closeness of our incredible Scott family.   As my dear friend and favorite author,  Carmen Agra Deedy says, "Those we love are never really gone as long as their stories are told.   Marty, Scott, Nate and Maggie, you have so many stories about your wonderful mom that you will continue to share with your children.  And Ron, what a wonderful gift you have been to all of us for your devotion to Marion and supporting her so that so many of her stories will live on with your children, grandchildren an our entire family.  Thank you for loving her an creating the incredible family that you both did.  We love you all.

After Dave and I were married, we have spent our summer in Butte.  There is the fourth largest statue in the US there and it is the statue of Our Lady of the Rockies.  It is dedicated to all of the wonderful mothers out there.  Marion and I had several conversations about it and she so wanted to come to Butte to visit it. It sits at the top of the Continental Divide and we can see it from our deck.  It is lit up each night and it is beautiful.  Tonight the lighting of Our Lady of the Rockies is dedicated to one of the most wonderful mothers I have ever know, Marion Katherine Steingrebe.  It was in the Butte paper this morning and I know that Our Lady of the Rockies and our Marion are looking down on all of us tonight.  How can it get any better that that?  We are all blessed to have someone as good and kind as Marion in our lives.  She will be greatly missed.

 

Totally Vaccinated!

Last Wednesday,  Dave and I drove to State Farm Stadium to get his second Phizer vaccine.  I had both of mine as of February 5.  However,  we had to wait on his because he wasn't an educator, just in the age group.   We had gone three week earlier for his first one.  I was fortunate to be able to get both of mine at Chandler/Gilbert earlier.  

 I have been totally impressed with how Maricopa County has handled this.  In my opinion, it is probably the only thing Arizona has done right throughout this awful pandemic.  I am grateful for that.  

The whole process was amazing!  I can't even begin to thank all of the volunteers and the health professionals for all that they have done to make this happen. Right after he got his second "shot" I have to say I got really teary.  We will continue  to be very careful, but it is such a relief to know that we are protected.

 I was dealing with a bout of diverticulitis which I have had before, but that is nothing compared to the alternative.   Fortunately, my doctor called in an antibiotic since I have dealt with this before.  I spent the day in bed yesterday, but today is much better.

 Tomorrow, we are actually going to go to a spring training game.   Dave's Mariners are playing my Diamondbacks.  He is excited about going to the Mariners facility.  I am excited for a hot dog and a beer!  We are going to spend the night in Glendale so that we don't have to drive back late with the traffic.  I know that we still have to be very cautious, but at least we can start some form of normal life.  

 Please get vaccinated, keep wearing masks and being careful.  I want nothing more than to be with family and friends again and hope that we can get back our lives.  

Thank you to President Biden for getting this and for doing all he can to make this work for us.  He gets it and that is what is most important.  As I have said SO MANY TIMES, I don't get how this has become political.  The virus doesn't care what beliefs you have.  It attacks anyone and everyone. 

Birthday Celebration in these COVID Times

 I don't know why I haven't written on my blog for quite sometime.  It has been a difficult few months.  I intend to rectify this and start writing again.  However, I do want to thank the wonderful friends I have who helped me celebrate my birthday recently.  It brought tears to my eyes, especially during these difficult days when there has been so much negativity directed at me for votes I have made.  

 

 

Dave had a beautiful bouquet of long stemmed red roses delivered.  I don't think I have ever received long stem red roses before.  He is truly a wonderful man and I don't know what I would do without him (although the 24/7 does get a bit old sometimes)!

All in all, turning 72 was not too bad, considering the alternative.  Because we can't go out to dinner, I made beef stroganoff and Kerri made the noodles for me.  It is one of my favorite dinners.