Playing Horsey

When Marianne, Bob and I were little, we saw very little of our dad.  He was doing his internship and residency in General Medicine at Brooke Army Medical center in San Antonio, Texas and worked a lot of Emergency Room shifts.  When we did see him, he would lay on the floor (out of sheer exhaustion, I realize now) and we would jump over him and roll around on him.  When he finally had enough, he would rise up and give us horsey rides.  Mom snapped this shot of the three of us on his back when Bob was about 1-year-old, so I would have been about 6-years-old and Marianne 3+.  This picture was taken in our living room in San Antonio, Texas on Infantry Post.

Old Smokey

This is a picture of my father, Archie Brugger and my sister, Marianne on top of Old Smokey - the horse.  Old Smokey was one of the only horses I remember from my growing up years.  My Grandpa Brugger and Uncle Raphael worked a farm together outside of Richfield Utah in a town called Venice.  Eventually the farm went to my uncle and his family but when this picture was taken my grandfather still owned a big share of it and managed it, though they lived in Richfield.  They sold the farm and all rights to it just before they came to Germany to visit us (about 1962) This picture is taken in Venice, just outside of the family home that my father grew up in.

The Brugger Family

When I was 9, my Grandma and Grandpa Brugger came to Germany to live with us for a year.  During that time Grandma got 
Guillian-Barre' Disease - that almost took her life.  For quite some time, it left Grandma paralyzed.  Grandpa would lift her in and out of her wheelchair and rub her legs.  In truth, I have never seen such loving care given to anyone as Grandpa gave to Grandma.  Grandpa pushed Grandma all over Europe, once she get up and about.  The above picture is one of those outings.  This picture is actually taken on our way to Stake conference.  The dress I am wearing had a red jacket with red tulips.  It was my absolutely favorite dress ever!  I felt so beautiful in that dress.  I will never forget how we could get through the New York World's Fair in one day because we would get bumped up to the head of the line, because of Grandma's wheelchair.  It was amazing.  

Odds and Ends

I know this is my second blog of the day, but my other one was an obligation.  These thoughts have been haunting me all day, so I decided to go ahead and get them down.

I have had the strangest 'dreams' lately.  Last week I was really congested when I went to bed.  This has been an ongoing thing all winter, between being cooped up in an apartment with mold everywhere and just allergies that will not quit.  I do better when I can work out but Sedona has had major damage because of a fire next door.  Hopefully they will be opening any day.  But even then two or three days a week, we have been stuck indoors because of the weather.  I coudn't walk over there today - even if they were opened simply because the sidewalks and streets are sheer ice.

Anyway, I dreamt that my mother came to me and literally shook me.  She told me to wake up and start breathing again.  When I woke up, I was literally gasping for breath.  I know my mother came from the other side and saved my life.  Then last night I dreamt I was holding my newest grandbaby Mallory.  I woke myself because of the loud kissing sounds I was making - as I kissed Mallory on her neck (my daughters will know what I mean).  I had my arms wrapped around me with just enough room to fit a baby. That was my other 'odd' dream.  Needless to say I have been missing my grandchildren.  Not just my blood grandchildren but my adopted ones too.  Yesterday was Jacob Kilts birthday.  I don't think I will ever think of the groundhog before I think of Jacob again.  He was and is a very special part of my life.

Today is a bitter cold day.  Interestingly enough we are about same temperature as Kerrville, Texas - where our oldest daughters family lives.  They are not supposed to get out of the 20's today and neither will we.  This has been one COLD winter for all of us East of the Great Divide.

My Book Review, Finally!

When I was at Heidi's, she received her first book from Waterbrook Multnoma {Blogging for Books}.  I wanted in, so I signed up.  You receive one free book after each of your book reviews.  The book I chose was Divine Appointments by Charlene Ann Baumbich.  My biggest gripe with the book was a single woman with hot flashes.  You only go through hot flashes if you have gone through a traumatic surgery.  It is not just a peri-menopausal symptom.  People that have had a dozen children naturally often never have a hot flash.  BUT if they have had breast cancer or a hysterectomy or some other major surgery, then they get the hot flashes.  In fact the more surgeries, the worse your hot flashes are.  My other irritation with the book is that in essence, if you get a friend your health woes will all go away.  Though it is not quite that simple, it seemed like once the protagonist opened herself up to friendship, suddenly her health issues were never mentioned again.  It was fast quick read and pleasant.  I would give it about 3 stars if I were rating it.


This is a book review for Blogging for Books on behalf of WaterbrookMultnomah.com

Yesterday , Now My Troubles Seem Here to Stay!

Happy Ground Hog's Day!  If he even finds his way out of his hole, it will be a surprise to me!  Above are pictures from our apartment complex.  The first picture is the gazebo in the circle across the street from our apartment.  The second picture is our apartment's front door and the second to the last one is the club house/office for our complex.  The others are just what we look like with all of the snow.  Last night we had a bit more snow but today it is freezing rain.  The snow acts like a sponge making roof collapses here a big concern now.  Our roads are treacherous this morning, so Clyde does not have to report to work until after 10:00. 


The other day on the way to the temple, we say a Church's marquee.  It said: "If you are praying for snow - Please Stop It!"  I agree.  Have a wonderful day and stay warm where you.  I hope my sister and her daughter are safe and warm in Chicago!

The Weather Outside is Frightful!

We have been getting a crazy amount of snow this year.  Last Friday, we were up at the Boston Temple and the sun was somewhat shining.  I thought I would take some pictures of the snow and the temple - just to give people an idea.  There have been days the temple has been closed because of the snow.  Church has been cancelled in some areas on a few Sundays because of the snow this year but fortunately we have not had to do that this year.  I have had to cancel seminary every Wednesday and Thursday for the last month!  That seems to be when our snow storms hit and they hit the hardest during the night hours.  The roads are not cleared enough by the time seminary starts to have my young people driving on them.  Fortunately we are keeping up and doing well with the class time we do have.  I have an amazing seminary class - I am very lucky that way.  I will eventually take some pictures of where we live but it needs to be cleared and not snowing!  Welcome to February!  Hope your winter is easier than ours!