Party Planning

I am getting excited about Ron's 70th birthday. I sent out invitations to all of our kids. Of course our local family will be here and as of this morning it sounds like we will have Jesse & Laura with three little ones staying with us. We will have to find some places to accommodate other guests – but I'll bet we can figure that out.

I am looking for ways to make this a really special celebration. Ron has already bought $50 worth of rib steaks so he is planning to barbeque in his outdoor kitchen as always. I will need to find a way to get him out long enough for someone to appropriately decorate the place! If you have any ideas – let me know. I need help to really surprise him.

If you are a family member planning to come you can email me at bettyderricott@hotmail.com and Ron will never know about it!


While the middle of our Nation is having a bad winter – we are seeing spring here in our beautiful Salem Oregon. The daffodils are blooming now. I have seen Azaleas in bloom up and down our street. My Christmas gift of Amaryllis is beautiful as you can see.


Mike & Cynthia invited us down for an evening of Bingo recently. It was such fun spending the evening with them. Mike had worked all day it appeared making wonderful food for us to share. With a few quarters thrown in to make it interesting – first Cynthia won big and later Ron took the pot! Par for the course – huh? Ron likes to win!!




Cynthia has been in charge of the Food Drive for her office. She has done a wonderful job to get everyone involved. I'm sure she will post all the activities soon. I made a cake to donate and Ron made the pretty box to display it in. Hope it helps!

My daughter got a new puppet. Yes – she enjoys any furry stuffed animal as well as her two cats. She brought the puppet to play with Sitka. Sitka wanted to eat it! I don't blame her. It is sure fun having a dog here again. We love her.


If you don't care to comment on my blog – do send an email to share your thoughts and ideas.

Happy Valentines Day to all!

Never a Dull Moment

It seems that our new year is flying by faster than ever. Here we are about to celebrate Valentines Day with our special dinner out. Ron's 70th birthday will be celebrated on the 4th of March, and we haven't had a dull moment!

We took time off for a winter trip to our favorite beach in Newport. We were surprised to see that the pelicans were there during the wintertime. They are supposed to travel to California – but the weather has been unusual with all the storms pushing California the birds have found better weather but less food in Oregon. The bird sanctuaries have been taking in starving pelicans and nurturing them back to health. Many have died.


The blustery wind gusts coming off the southern coasts caused us some problems as well. In January we got a call from our tenants at the duplex about 10:30 pm to inform us that the top of our 75 foot fir tree had landed on the front of the duplex and covered the driveways. Fortunately – there were no cars in the driveway. One was in the garage, the other had broken down and wasn't at home. So we all lucked out.


Insurance took good care of us – and no one was hurt so we cannot complain. We had the big tree removed the next day – the root removed and proceeded with the repairs to the duplex. Since the damage was to the front edge of the entire roof and one gable corner we decided to go ahead with the replacement of the roof. Insurance helped with the repairs. We have hired a contractor to remove the 3 layers of roofing and replace with a brand new beautiful roof.


When the rains stop – Ron & I will paint the duplex finishing up all of our plans to keep it in the best condition possible. We will also be landscaping the front yard where the giant tree left an ant hill mound of sawdust and displaced dirt. That will be fun!

Ron had his heart devise check up on January 22nd. We were thrilled to read the copy written up by the devise team who did an echo cardiogram and devise optimization. The report reads "Ejection Fraction – 45%"! At the time of his implant in July of 09 it was 23%. The cardiologist said if the devise would help as much as an increase to 28% he would be pleased. Needless to say – we are very happy. Ron is feeling great and is busy with his upholstery and looking forward to some hiking this summer.

Our son-in-law who has been unemployed for some time has a new job and we are thrilled! All of our kids have been affected with some form of wage reduction through reduced hours. They are all doing ok. We will make it!

We hope the New Year is finding all of you well and happy. Nothing is more important than feeling the joy of life each and every day. Love to all.

2010 Promises

2010 promises to be a very exciting and good year for Ron & me. Ron is doing very well physically and has a steady flow of upholstery coming in – which he is enjoying very much. We are thinking in terms of what we "really want to do" and have already put some memory makers on our calendar.

Mike & Cynthia gave us a very generous gift certificate to Morton's Bistro Northwest, which is here in West Salem. We have made our reservations for Valentines Day! We always think about Valentines dinner out too late – so this year it will be fabulous!

Mike & Cynthia are planning a very special gift for the River Romp as well. I expect that will take place August 6 – 8th. Last year was a struggle for Ron to set up camp, Mike got too hot and had to go home early – so this year they are planning to rent an RV for the event that is big enough for all of us to share. I wonder what Lip Sync they will be planning for this year??

I have registered to attend my 50th Class Reunion in Shelley Idaho September 17-18 this year. It is hard to believe that all those "kids" have grown up to be great grandparents! With the trip to Idaho in the plans, I made a reservation for one night in the historical Old Faithful Inn. We will stay in the old section and experience what it was like in the early years with a room at the Inn – bathroom down the hall! I am SO excited. I also made reservations for dinner there – which I was told is already completely booked for the 7:00 hour on September 8th! I took 6:00 pm!

When I was a youngster my family made frequent trips to Yellowstone Park. In the years past it was not unusual to see lots of Black Bear and sometimes Grizzly Bear out on the roads – begging for a hand-out. We stayed in little 20" x 20' cabins equipped with beds and a little wood stove for cooking. In 1955 my parents and I took relatives from Nebraska and stayed in the cabin shown here. I warned my Mid-West cousins that there were Bear outside – but they didn't believe it. So while we were cooking dinner – one cousin opened the door to find a big black bear, tongue hanging out and drooling on our door step ready to enter. You can bet that got his attention!



The Bears became too dangerous – or people too foolish so they have been removed to the back country for years now. I must admit it has been over 30 years since I have visited Yellowstone – and a lot has happened. There was the huge forest fire that threatened the Old Faithful Inn – and many more tourists visit now. The last time Ron & I were there we had young teenagers along. This will be a grand adventure.

We will be able to visit my brother Bob and his wife Barbara in Idaho Falls – gratefully we will have a place to stay for a couple of weeks. My Class of 1960 is building a float for the "Spud Day Parade" and we will ride or walk in the parade on Saturday September 18th.

In 1957 I was the person in charge of building and entering a float for the Girls Federation Club – and it WON first place! Of course my Dad donated the hay-wagon base and my Mother did a lot of the planning. My girlfriends and I did a lot of work and we were rewarded with a ride in the "Spud Day Parade".

My Dad was a farmer, and Spud Digging was our money making time of year. He hired a crew and we were in the cold, hot, rain, dust or whatever came until all those beautiful potato's were in the big cellar. Dad was so proud of his #1's! Raising big smooth beautiful spuds was an art – until the potato processors turned the culls into Instant Potato's and Chips. The big automated farms took over and Dad retired the farm and went to work for the potato processor's to finish out his career. What a guy! Below you see some of the crew taking a lunch break during October 1957 potato harvest – my Dad in the background taking a quick nap on the floor! He was the boss, the crew leader, the payroll department, the bookkeeper, the mechanic, the CEO and the back bone of our farm and family. Born in 1904 he passed away at nearly 98 years old – and is still dearly missed.

We are looking forward to a Happy New Year and hope you are too!

Love to All!

Family & Friends Celebrate

It has been a wonderful holiday season for Ron & Me. We enjoyed all the preparations for Christmas and the actual festivities were filled with surprise and delight!

On Christmas Eve Ron cooked prime rib and Eli joined us for dinner. Eli, for those of you who don't know, is our youngest son – informally adopted in 1997 when he was 16 going on 17. With no one to care for him – he needed love and critical guidance to grow up to be the fine Man he is today. He has a wonderful spirit and a big heart. We are very proud of him. He shared gifts with us on Christmas Eve and then spent Christmas Day with his Aunt and Uncle of his biological family.

Ron got his special requests plus a few extra's. I got my request for the most unique and beautiful decorative item ever!

I saw this Beautiful Globe at "Interior By Design", the store that Ron does work for. It was an outrageous request for me to make – but My Ron made it happen. It will delight me for as long as I live and the World Turns.

The "Mova globe" contains a strong magnet inside to interact with the earth's magnetic field. It is powered by tiny solar cells that cause it to turn from sunrise to sunset. It can also be powered by indoor lights in the evening. It is magical to watch my earth turn. It makes me smile and remember to recycle and be kind to my Sacred Mother Earth!

Christmas Morning we opened our stockings and then Mike and Cynthia came upstairs and shared the most wonderful and generous gifts. People that you love in life need to be near at Christmas. It is the love energy that fills the heart with the Love that Christmas Celebrates.
Mike and Cynthia prepared the Turkey to take to our dinner Christmas afternoon. My daughter and son-in-law hosted the best party ever! The house was decorated beautifully and the dinner was grand – pulled off without stress – and perfectly planned.


The most amazing surprise of all occurred just as we pulled into the driveway of my daughter's home. I saw a green pickup pull up across the street. At first I wondered "why is he parking there?" Then I thought "That really looks like Ernie!" It couldn't be Ernie because his family doesn't celebrate Christmas and he lives hundreds of miles away in Moses Lake. Then I knew – it WAS ERNIE! What a grand surprise. He had come a long way to spend Christmas with his Salem family. He made the evening so much fun.

It was almost complete – my son Tim was ill and stayed in bed and his wife Marilyn went to her parent's home. But it was a wonderful time! Thank You to all who kept the secret and shared the Love this Christmas!

I had a very special Joy in taking my Son Tim to the movie "Avatar" for his birthday. He still wasn't feeling great but he was not contagious so we walked arm in arm toward the theater. I said "I had a date with you 47 years ago that wasn't quite so much fun!" What a joy he is in my life. Now he is a good friend – sometimes coaching me in spiritual and emotional matters. We share deep thoughts and common passions. We are both very lucky. Thanks for showing up Tim! Many Happy Returns! Forty Years Ago

When I think of all the friends and family that I love, and who LOVE me I am a cup overflowing. Life is good and joyous! Heaven is Here Now if you notice! Thank you all for being here with me.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to All

Thanksgiving was over, our grandson Jesse and Laura with their three precious children left – us exhausted! We so enjoyed their visit and the wonderful stage that the children are in. Kaylee is so cute – dancing about the house – Landon is so smart and a definite leader! Little Kaedon is cute as a 3 month can possibly be and the parents should be very proud – they are such good kids!

Cold and Flu season caught both Ron & I the first of December and slowed us down for a full two weeks. I finally had to get antibiotics to kick the stuff. In the meantime we have been having a blast enjoying every little thing we do to make this dark season bright and fun.

The lights were on the house before Thanksgiving so that before the great grandchildren left they could walk up the street and see them come on! They thought that was great fun.

Ron started sewing Christmas Gifts making (instead of stockings to stuff) 14 Hobo Bags,and at least twice that many reusable grocery bags + some very special stuff I can't mention before presents are opened!




On the 11th of December we finally felt well enough to get our tree. I got extra branches to make wreaths but just didn't regain enough energy to get that job done.
Gratefully, Mike and Ron helped in the kitchen cracking and grinding walnuts so I could bake a few christmas cookies for gifts. Of course we snitched a few. They are so fragile, and you have to eat the one's that break, don't you?


We had fun decorating the inside of the house with lights and festivity. I am in ecstasy as I sit in my beautiful recliner (recovered by Ron last Christmas) listening to my surround sound Christmas Music and enjoying my elegant fireplace with all the festive lights casting a warm glow all about! How lucky I am! All the things I dreamed of as a child and young adult.

When I was a teenager and discovered I enjoyed classical music – the only instrument I had was a little plastic radio with no antenna . If I touched the metal at the back of the radio I was able to ground it somehow and could tune in to my favorite music. Stereo sound, much less surround sound was not even in existence!

Ron & I enjoyed a lovely evening out with Mike and Cynthia last week when we walked through the Magic of Christmas at the Mission Mill Museum. It was a beautiful evening for a stroll through the lights – and dinner later at the Ram Bar and Grill.


We are all looking forward to our family gathering hosted by my beautiful daughter and wonderful son in law here in Salem. My ex-husband and professional entertainer Bob will make my old piano sing along with anyone who wants to join in! It will be wonderful fun!

Christmas and Holiday Greetings to all of you! We love you and have you close to our hearts!

Children-Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren

Thanksgiving was very special for us this year. Tim decided to spend the day with us,
Eli came for a while and Jesse, Laura and their three children came on Wednesday night and stayed until Sunday Morning!


What a gift!

Kaylee is 4 years old and is sweet and fun to play with (most of the time). We credit both parents with a very good job – because the children are polite and mind very well. Kaylee brought a DVD of her tap dancing performances from last June. It was not only fun to watch her DVD, but fun to watch her as she danced along with it. She enjoyed drinking tea from Grandma's antique tea cups and sitting in bed with Grandma and watching the birds and the squirrels feed outside the window.


Landon is 2 going on 30! He is very deliberate in every step and action. I think that he probably knows EVERYTHING! He is a bit bossy like his Grandpa Ron – telling me when to fasten MY seatbelt, what to get for him, and what to do. When I handed Mommy (Laura) a few dollars to buy presents for the kids, she said to Landon, "what do you say?" He just shrugged and replied, "It's Yours", and walked away!

Little Kaedon is just three months old now and I need to correct his statistics. He was only 21 inches long and 10 lb. 11 oz. – just a little Baby! He is really good and it was fun listening to him squeak like all little babies do when he was hungry. I am sure it was more fun for me than for his Mother – since he likes to eat at least every two hours!
Tim brought his newly invented board game and taught us to play on Thanksgiving Day. It was really fun. It is a great invention! I'll do better next time I play his "Become a Rock Star Game!

That got Jesse in the mood for games so Laura & I played Jesse and Grandpa "Aggravation" and lost 4 times in a row until we "restructured the rules!"

My daughter came over on Friday and played with the kids. She brought toys from her house and they were delighted. She and Laura made plans for shopping on Saturday morning. While they went shopping, Grandpa and Grandma took Kaylee and Landon to the Bird Sanctuary where we saw lot of geese, ducks, blue heron, white egrets, and even deer. We went for a long walk and the kids were great hikers! Then our daughter and son in law joined us for steak and chicken dinners along with left over "Pretzel Salad" that Laura brought. Boy is that yummy!

Saturday evening Jesse, Laura and family visited them at their home to see all the nice things their Uncle has done to make it beautiful after Uncle Ernie and Jesse helped him put down beautiful floors. They will host Christmas this year after all their hard work re-decorating.

Thank you all for making it such a really fun time for Grandma and Grandpa. What sweet little ones Jesse and Laura have. Thanks for coming kids!
Have fun preparing for Christmas! Happy Holidays to all!