My name is Penny and I am a Weight Watcher Drop Out

I decided to start attending Weight Watchers.   When I joined previously, a lady who has known me for years, did the intake and paper work.  When the meeting started, the leader asked for those who were new to introduce themselves, and said, "and this is one of our Lifetime members back with us".  I said "My name is Penny and I am a Weight Watcher drop out."  I am no where near goal, but later I found out that the lady who knew me, had assumed the weight I have sloooooooowly lost over the last nine years was due to Weight Watchers.  She had put Lifetime on my papers.  My weight had slowly been creeping back since last year when my only sister had a massive stroke, my baby got married,  my position with the health department ended in July, I was released from Stake RS in October, my husband's business began suffering from economic down turn,  our commercial building tenant went out of business,  Walt decided to put our house up for sale, and my friend who usually exercises with me and keeps my dietary head straight has had other more important things to do.  I had the 911 alert go off in my brain that I needed inspiration and support.  I got the inspiration today when I learned 87% Lifetime members keep their weight off.  I was sitting by a lady who told me the reason she and her daughter joined today was that everyone they know who has ever kept off lost weight belonged to Weight Watchers.  I called my friend Ann Merkley, who lives in Salt Lake, to see if she had considered joining WW.  I left a message.  She called right back and said she is on board.  She had joined with her husband and was not feeling the support she had hoped for.   We are going to go for our Lifetime. When we get there, we are going to reward ourselves with a trip . No more dropping out for me.  I am in it for the long haul.  Lifetime here I come!

Number 16 Joins Cluff Clan

Cove made eye contact with Grandpa as if to say, "Yea, I know this old guy!"

Blessed Little Boy with Two Wondeful Parents

Proud Daddy

Katy Alene and Curtis Lee blessed us with our sixteenth grandchild.  Way before his due date, I gave my "Special Time Speech".  I have shared it with every pregnant daughter.  It goes something like this.  "This is a special time for you and your husband.  It will not hurt my feelings if I am not there.  Just let me know when you go in and call when you want us to come."  They have wanted me present at the birth of every one of my daughter's births.  It has been faith promoting and very humbling.  Walt laughs and teases about this fact, because he has said about my births, that he and the doctor were lucky to be there.  He likes to remind me of the time when the doctor did not have anything else to do, so he sat by my bed and read a newspaper.  I asked him to leave until it was time to check me again.  Then there was the time a janitor was mopping the floor near my room and I asked Walt to run him off.  I do not like to be around people when I am in pain.  I like to find a personal cave somewhere all by myself.  Times have changed.  Katy was dialated to a nine for over 2 hrs.  TWO HOURS.  The doctor left to do a c-section.  Little Cove came out looking like his head had been in a pencil sharpener.  That would have never happened in old days.  Doctors stuck around to finish the job.  Perhaps it was due to the screaming or the husband pleading to end the pain of his wife's embedded fingernails in his hand.  I am thankful that it is easier getting babies into the world now days.  I would not wish my birthing experience on my worst enemy.  Cove Jon Lee is and will be a delight to this baby hungry Cluff Clan.

Grandpa & Granny Penny are soooooo happy

Surprise Visit from Robin

My sister Robin came for a week visit in January. So I was so surprised when she came for another last week. Don and his brother Ray dropped her off on their way to their nephew’s funeral in Phoenix. March 10 is her birthday and she told us so when she arrived. I ignored her statement until the family started to arrive and we got out the ice cream and birthday cake I had hidden in the pantry. She was surprised. It was just plain sweet to get to visit with her again. Even though it had only been just two months ago, I was amazed at the progress she has made in her stroke recovery. She walked without a brace, her speech had dramatically improved, and her sparkle was back. Wow, if she continues to heal at this rate, a year from now will remarkable. I have been taking a photography class with daughter Sheena. Robin happened to be here the week that we were supposed to bring a model to photo. Sheena used Robin and I. She did Robin’s hair and I did her makeup. I just loved the photos. I think Sheena captured, not just a good photo, but also the love we share as sisters.

Walt Connects with His Heritage

Walt gave me a trip for Christmas. He did not know where, but said it was forthcoming. Finally, he told me we were going on a road trip to Safford Arizona, the place where he was born. It is not far from New Mexico and we traveled a total of 1200 mile.. We left the third week of February for four days. On the way there, we toured the Petrified Forrest, and it was mind boggling that the trees were once like mighty red woods.  They are now as rocks among the cactus and sand, standing or laying as reminders of a world long ago. 

Then on to Walt's great grandfather Moses Cluff 's ranch of over 788 acres near Pima at the foot of the Graham Mountains. The Fish and Game bought it after WWII, so it is intact. It is still called Cluff Ranch and is an amazing place. I was surprised by the farm country near Safford and Pima. I was expecting nothing but snakes, cactus, and lizards. Instead, it is a rich farm land with a river and a network of canals. It was humbing to walk the paths his fore fathers and mothers walked. They were amazing people. We took pictures of pictures behind glass at the tiny visitor room. One picture of his great grandmother looked strikingly like his neice, Sherre Finicum Henderson, daughter of his sister Nelda. Walt and I enjoyed the trip, but we have always enjoyed traveling together. We listened to audio books Old Yeller and Louie Lamour's High Lonesome, listened to talk radio, and communicated with each other. Even though it was dedicated to Walt's roots, it was still joy to me seeing  him connect with his heritage.

Lap Dancing at the Community Center?

I realize we are not getting any younger, but has it come to this?  Walt and I were having a discussion at lunch about my new Zumba exercise class today.  I was telling him about how I dripped sweat and knew none of the "moves".  He asked what is Zumba?  I explained that it is exercise stretch, a combo of dance steps in salsa, a little hip hop, and LATIN dancing.  A few minutes went by and he said, "Why are they teaching LAP dancing at the community center?"  I had a good laugh.    Later he told me about seeing Jed (freight company owner) at Bakston Corlet (name of the freight company).  I said, "Where did you see Jed in the back of a Corvette (a car)?  He had a good laugh over that.   Hearing aids anyone?

A Penny Thank You

I wanted to thank all those who served with me in the Stake RS Presidency.  I worked closely with five sisters, so I painted glass bottles starting last November.  These bottles can be used for olive oil, vinegar and oil, or dish soap as I use mine.  It is hard to get a true picture of anything on glass due to the reflection muting the image.  I am adding a thank you note and getting them delivered this week.  A material "thing" or a thank you note can never convey all the gratitude I have for Sister Lund, Gardner, Peterson, Jolly, and Schimbeck. They turned an overwelming calling, as Stake RS President, into a labor of sweet love and joy.

Surprise Grandkids

Brad, Justin, Morgan, JaxonLeese, Avey, MallorieColby(with forehead stitches & both with chocolate donut smiles) with Leese

Grandkids Colby, with his newly acquired stitches on his forehead,  and Mallorie Cannon  stayed Friday night. Brian and Cori, their parents, went on a little anniversary get away.   Other Grandchildren Justin, Morgan, Brad, Avery, and Aleese, all dropped in when they knew the others were here. It was a pleasant surprise.  I cooked some frozen pizza and  baked a ton of mini donuts. The boys and I got on Facebook, and I was shown how to "chat".  They all know I am not really with it in that department.   The rest played outside until dark.  I took some pics, but most had chocolate donut on their cute faces.