The Grammy Fay Blog

Easter Fun 2011

2011-04-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

This was Quinn's FIRST Easter since she was born just after 2010 Easter. What a joyful time to be together remembering the great atonement of our Savior!

Fay and her lame, very outdated blog!

2011-01-30T18:07:00.000-08:00

It's been over a year since I even contributed to my blog. Maybe no one even get's notifications of my new entries anymore...out of sight, out of mind, right? But...I have a new computer and a new will to utilize it fully, so here goes! Next week on the Mo Tab Broadcast, we sing a song by one of my favorite composers and one of my favorite lyricists. Since I hope to include this song on my newest gig 'LIFE!', I decided to share with you the words. "Wonder" music by Mack Wilberg, lyrics by David Warner.

From wat'ry, dark, round candle out

Pulled high, you dangle, look about

One slap, you dance and sing and shout and wonder.

One breath four limbs spring out in space

Swing up and down and pound in place

How far this monumental race you wonder?

One blink-bright planets racing by

Collide mere inches from your eye.

What more than sunbeams fill this sky, you wonder?

One foot steps out , all fours go down,

Then up and tearing all around.

Has any king more power found, you wonder.

One hand flings out to meet a stair,

Before you hit you're in the air.

Who is this giant always there, you wonder?

One hurt and two and growing fast

The bruises fade into the past

Will anything about you last, you wonder?

One heart that beats life's steady drum

Takes hurts and hands and feet in sum,

And makes of them what you become, you wonder...

That life's old dance will never end-

You're young, you're old, you're young again.

So turn and leap and spin and bend and wonder...

Yes, wonder!

This is to all of you, who like me love the roller coaster of life! I'm glad to be in the sandwich generation. To have parents who taught me and now depend on me, children who I had the honor of teaching and who now fly as the 'giants' in their own children's lives, and grandchildren who just LIVE each second with wonder is pure joy to me!!

Baby Skye

2010-01-24T13:21:00.000-08:00

Sure love our newest little gift from heaven, Skye Harper Croxford, daughter of Pres and Breck

Pink Skye smiling at me, nothing but Pink Skye do I see
Blue days, all of them gone, nothing but Pink Skye from now on.
Never seen a child full of such light, never seen eyes sparklin' so bright.
Grammy loves the girl sweet as can be, just like the rest, hope she'll love me!

Winter Fun

2010-01-14T14:32:00.000-08:00

I know I never contribute to this blog, but just in case someone is out there, we DO have a fun life around here, mostly when the grandkids come to visit! Here's our awesome sledding day pics!

Grammy x 5

2009-01-05T10:12:00.001-08:00

We are SOooooo thrilled to welcome a new grandson, Davis! Pictures to follow!

Christmas fun!

2009-01-05T10:06:00.000-08:00

We had a great time over New Year's at the cabin! Warm and comfortable, lots of games and plenty to eat. Happy New Year, indeed!

Best Christmas ever!

2009-01-05T10:03:00.001-08:00

Here's the gingerbread version of the new cabin house with Sheriff Layne and his Deputy Fay standing by! What a fun place! When can YOU come?
It

Crowsfeet Cabin!

2008-11-16T21:48:00.001-08:00

We moved into our new Bear Lake Cabin on just up the hill from the Ideal Beach Resort. Can't wait to share it with you as we make some memories together!

I Love to Wander in the Mountains...

2008-08-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

We did it! Two neighbor friends and I set out early Thursday morning for a 16.4 mile hike! Ben Lomond is gorgeous! I loved the variety of pines, quakies, sagebrush and wildflowers all along the way. The peak was breath-taking and I felt lucky to be above the soupy atmosphere below. The descent home got a little hot and tiring, but well worth the effort and sore muscles! Ahhhh!

strawberry failure

2008-07-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

I love strawberries. I love the pinkish red vibrancy of color, their 'love-ly' heart shape, and the cute little spiky crop of green hair atop each one. I even love the seeds as I tongue them out of my juicy strawberry washed teeth. In the spring, I pick the first available ones up at the market and don't stop eating until the last of the freezer jam is used up!
One spring morning I was typing at my transcription desk in the physical therapy office when my lips started to tingle for no apparent reason. In a matter of moments I felt them swell until I could barely talk. Not only did my lips swell, but my feet and hands did too. I removed my wedding ring just before it became a turniquet of it's own accord! I had to shed the shoes too! "Bhat's habbebing to be? Call the doctor!" My fellow secretary phoned and I padded, shoeless, to the building next door to try to discover the reason my body was hot, swollen and feeling like I'd combust at any moment! The doc grilled me about any previous allergies, any changes in laundry soap, diet, or environment at home. Nothing rang a bell until he mentioned eating strawberries. "Dot any bore than ebery sbreeg!" He injected me with an anti-inflammatant and then sent me home with a prescription for more to be taken orally. Later that day my legs and abdomen became covered with rashy hives, I was feverish and generally a mess! Besides all that, I couldn't stop feeling heartsick that my favorite summer treat could be causing all this! Then it dawned on me that the previous week for Secretary's Day we were all honored by our boss with a basket of smell-good Plumeria flavored body wash, after bath splash, and luxurious lotion which I'd gratefully used very liberally. Aha! That's it! Back to my boring Dial soap and two weeks later I was finally feeling normal again. "Whew!" Strawberries were still on my list!
I started to grow strawberries not long ago in our garden. We'd had pretty good luck years before in grow boxes in our other home. We beefed up the garden with good soil, planted the giant variety in neat happy rows. My friend had told me to pluck off the first year's blossoms to give the plants a good head start. I did so and patiently waited for the harvest the second year. Layne fixed the sprinkler head to reach the strawberries daily and I was diligent with weekly Miracle Gro treatments. The plants reached their dark green leaves sprinkled with perky white blossoms skyward and I dreamed of an amazing yield. Wrong! Come spring some of the plants did produce respectable strawberries but most came out puny and sour.
This year, I chose a different source for my gardening info and learned that foilage loves frequent water and fertilizer. No wonder the beautiful display. But to see the fruits of our labors we have to water deeply, fertilize only at the very beginning of the spring, let the first year plants do their thing because they produce the best berries and get rid of the oldest plants each year.
I decided berries and people are pretty similar. They need only a little push (fertilizer) from the experts (teachers and parents), a LOT of deep water (caring and love) and a chance to grow (don't pinch them off and discourage them in their youth). They definitely require patience and pruning and they grow better if you share them each year. When they're old, you have to let them go!
I'm slow to learn but NEXT year I'll make you a strawberrry pie!

River Man!

2008-06-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

Layne was a great help at camp. Besides being our Priesthood chaperone he helped erect tents daily, accompanied our many camp songs on his guitar and he has a 'mean' rowing arm! Thanks, Babe

Rock Star Fay

2008-05-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

My latest fire to put out (following close on the heels of preparing the yard for a wedding at the end of May) is getting ready for YW Camp in a few weeks. I'm the director three years running, and feeling older with each attempt! I DO love young women, love camping, and love being silly and so I guess it's a good fit for me for now. This year we are following the YW/YM scripture theme found in Mosiah 5:15. Therefore, I would that you should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works. That Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent may seal you his. I love this scripture. In this unsteady world, it is more important that ever that young people know what their values are and stand firm. Our song is Like the Stars- a wonderful new LDS pop hymn that reminds us to be close to our Heavenly Father by being as steadfast as the North Star, and rock solid in Christ! Our fun song is to the tune of the Queen song We Will Rock You with new words.
Lady you're a star gonna go far, standin' ever steadfast and immovable!
Ya gotta a smile on your face, you're leavin a trace, spreadin good works all over the place! Singin' we will, we will Rock YOU!
Know just what we should do, could do, showin' all the world that we're immovable.
We got love in our heart, Doin' our part. Hold th'iron rod right from the start.
Singin' we will, we will rock you!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2008-03-09T20:38:00.001-07:00

Every time the kids are around it's a party, but this is the first time we'll have a sleepover with all the kids new slumber bags! Wanna come?

Gettin' Wet with the Boys

2008-02-28T10:15:00.001-08:00

We had a fun "Cuzzin' Camp" at the beautiful Clearfield Pool. It was amazing to romp through the lazy river whirlpool, trip under buckets, fountains and sprayers attached to the kid friendly water playyard, and whoosh down the big yellow slide with a grandkid atop my lap. Love it!

Back to the Real World

2008-01-28T15:26:00.000-08:00

I had such a fun week in Vegas but I must admit, I got a little tired of "the bling" that surrounded us all week on all sides! I'm a sort of glad that our girl Jill gets to go back to being Miss Utah. She will always be a winner in our eyes and will do much good wherever she goes!

Go Jill!

2008-01-14T09:46:00.000-08:00

Here's a photo of my friends Karen and Miss Utah Jill Stevens and a card I made to pass around to the other groupies!

Groupie Gram

2008-01-13T20:43:00.001-08:00

I have to confess, I have become a groupie! My dear friend Karen who serves in the Tabernacle Choir is the mother of Miss Utah, Jill Stevens. Since I love Jill, too, and since I love the cute young man Brad who grew up on our neighborhood that she is dating, and since I can't think of anything more exciting than Miss America in the middle of the bleak winter...I have become a dyed in the wool Groupie! I follow every detail of Jill's varied speaking engagements, dress, hair, swimsuit, and funding dilemmas during my carpool rides to Choir. I Google Jill Stevens, GI Jill, Miss America, etc and watched tons of video clips, read articles and commentary all regarding our darling soldier/marathoner/RN/pageant contender. Layne and I cuddle up with treats and the TLC Channel at Grandma Ottley's house every Friday night for the Miss America Reality Check Show. I went to lunch the other day with the strangers/now friends who I'll be riding with to Las Vegas to attend the pageant in person! My kids think I've gone crazy, but the truth is, I really think this little blond cutie has what it takes to be Miss America. I would like someone of her brains, brawn and beauty for our country's girls to look up to. She has something to say and I hope she gets the chance to say it to the whole country. If not, it's been a fun ride. Her life, and the life of we groupies...sigh, will go on AP (after pageant). I honestly think we'll all be better for having taken notice!

The Visiting Teaching Don't Be Pokey

2008-01-13T20:39:00.000-08:00

My RS is having a VT workshop this week and I was asked to do a silly something to encourage the sisters to do their VT early in the month. Even though I haven't done mine yet this month, I did make up new words to the familiar Hokey Pokey:here goes...

The Visiting Teaching Don’t Be Pokey
(sung to the tune of The Hokey Pokey)

By the 5th you’ve made your contact, by 15th you’ve (done the date,
(five fingers arc across body, three hand claps)
By the 20th you report it, 25th it’s kinda late!
(pop 10 fingers twice, high five fingers then throw away)
But, you DO it, don’t be pokey, and you’ll turn some lives around.
(shake a chiding finger, both hands victory ‘V’ as your turn a circle)
That’s what it’s all about!
(slap knees twice, clap twice, victory ‘V’s)

Jump right in and serve your sisters, put your shoulder to the wheel.
(big jump foward, alternate shoulder shrugs)
Add a little elbow grease and then you’ll see how good you feel!
(elbows flapping twist)
Just DO it, don’t be pokey, and you’ll turn some lives around.
(shake a chiding finger, both hands make victory ‘V’ as you turn a circle)
That’s what it’s all about!
2 knees, 2 claps, V’s

You put your head in (know your ladies), You take your nose out (no gossiping)
tip you head way forward, grab your nose and take it out
You throw your whole heart in and then you shake it all about!
hands to heart then throw them forward in the champion shake
You DO it, don’t be pokey, and you’ll turn some lives around.
shake a chiding finger, both hands make victory ‘V’ as you turn a circle
That’s what it’s all about!
2 knees, 2 claps, V’s

You do your Vis’ting Teaching, you do your Vis’ting Teaching,
hand jive i.e., 2 knees, 2 claps, hands cross over R / L, fists R /L, thumbs up R/L
You do you Vis’ting Teaching, THAT’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT!
both hands ‘Vs’ with turn, knees, claps, V’s

Oh, yeah!!!!
Victory V’s high and shake

Gratitude Group!

2007-11-18T18:51:00.001-08:00

I have a cute friend in the Choir who challenged a slew of us to think of three things we were grateful for every day in November, in honor of Thanksgiving, of course. I started sending those off to the 'challenger' but not to my own friends and family that I adore. So here's my month of gratitude...for what's it's worth! You could start your own list too!

Gratitude November 2007
11/1-1. I'm grateful Carol let me joint this little grateful group
2. I'm blessed to have a pirate, a princess, a fairy, and an astronaut that, when it's not Halloween, I usually call my beautiful grandkids!
3. I'm grateful that at least the first trailer load of leaves from our tree laden yard are raked and ready for the dump.

11/2-1. I'm thankful for a chill in the air that makes me bring out the fall clothes. They are in better shape than my summer wear
2. I'm grateful to hear that my sister in law who is recovering from colon cancer surger just got the report of NO cancer in the lymph!
3. I'm happy for a computer so that I don't have to hand write stuff...my fingers hurt!

11/3-1. I'm grateful for living parents who today celebrated 65 years, and counting, of wedded bliss (and challenges) together!
2. I'm grateful for my own husband and the daily hope that he'll be happy to "Grow Old Along With Me"
3. I'm happy today for PERFECT weather.

11/4- I'm eternally grateful for Jesus my Savior, my comfort by day and my song in the night!
2. I'm thankful for a wonderful friend to ride to choir with.
3. I'm happy that our youngest daughter and her husband invited US to dinner today! Yeah!

11/5-1. I'm grateful for a walking buddy. It's free psychiatric counseling!
2. I am thankful I finally learned how to start the leaf blower
3. I am thankful for clean socks!

11/6-1. I'm thankful for Ibuprofen and Tylenol today
2. I'm thankful for knowledge of the eternities and comfort it gives those who lose a loved one. (funeral for a neighbor today)
3. I'm thankful for vocal students who sometimes look at their assignments before they come to lesson!

11/7-1. I'm thankful for fall time sales on the grandkid stuff. I hate shopping in December
2. I'm thankful for be an ordinance worker in the Bountiful Temple
3. I'm grateful for new paint!

11/10- 1. I'm grateful for the heady feeling today's weather leaves me with. It's gorgeous!
2. I'm thankful for silly grandkids to play with me and help me feel young again!.
3. I'm grateful for a hardworking husband who can fix anything.

11/11 1. I'm grateful for my 85 y/o Dad, my favorite veteran, who served 20 missions over Europe during WWII curled in the ball turrett of a B-17 bomber.
2. I'm thankful for all those who support our country in the military.
3. I feel blessed to have a dining room table to share with my loved ones on Sunday!

11/12 1. I am grateful for a wonderful book by Rachel Naomi Remen entitled "My Grandfather's Blessings:.
2. I'm als thankful for her other book "Kitchen table Wisdom". I have learned so many insightful truths from the stories of this pediatric oncologist and counselor that help me heal my heart and sould with in turn seems to help out the old body too!
3. I am thankful I FINALLY got to go to IKEA and find out what all the buzz is about. What an adventure!

11/13 1. I'm thankful to be walking out the door in a minute to research my ancestors at the Family History Center in our neighborhood. I love my family the more I know tham!
2. I'm grateful for things like genealogy that take time and patience in my world of hurry up and get it done.
3. I'm glad I completed my crossword and Sudokue this morning so I will NOT be getting Alzheimer's today!

11/14 1. I'm thankful for an amazing, able, insightful daughter who through her talk at her enrichment night, taught us more about Mary, the mother of Jesus. It's great when your children become your heroes, isn't it?
2. I'm thankful that it's my sister's b-day and she's well. Recently she's been dealing with blood clots in her legs! She's SO well that I can't celebrate her b-day with her because she is flying to Thailand today to be with her daughter and family. Say a prayer for my Linda. I hope they have great medical care in Bangkok, should she need it!
3. I am grateful for blogs, so I can keep up with my extended family and friends who are spread across the globe for work, missions, or fun!

11/15-1. I'm grateful for choir tonight! I always look forward to it!
2. I'm glad I'm finally learning to blog!
3. I'm grateful the leaves are ALMOST done falling...although I must admit I LOVE to see them falling
11/17-1. I'm grateful for yet another amazing beautiful fall day and one more trailer load of leaves ready to haul away!
2. I'm grateful for the luxury of dinner out tonight with a few of our kids at Gateway's Thaifoon! mmmmm!
3. I'm thankful for finished sewing projects and for a vacuum to such up the leftovers!
11/18 1. I'm grateful for the traditional music of Thanksgiving and the joy at singing it again today. It seems that Christmas music creeps in a little too soon for me.
2. I'm thankful for an invitation to Sunday dinner at our daughter's home. Mmmmm!. this is shaping up to be a pretty easy cooking weekend for me!
3. I'm thankful for wonderful cook who share recipes for their favorite Thanksgiving pies. Another mmmm!

11/19- 1.I'm grateful for my Layne.
2. I'm glad he's my sweetheart, my confidante, and my able teacher in so many ways.
3. I'm thankful he loves me back.

11/20- 1. I'm grateful for Adri for blazing the way in teaching us how to be parents.
2. I'm thankful she made such an awesome choice of a soulmate in our Chad.
3. I'm so grateful to be Grammy Fay to their lively little elfin children Dal and Kate.

11/21- 1. I'm thankful for Kami. She teaches me much about patience and thinking things through.
2. I'm grateful for her awesome choice of a soulmate in our Shawn.
3. I'm happy I get to claim wonderful Carson and Maryn as two of my favorite grandkiddos ever!

11/22- 1. I'm thankful for Preston. He's definitely our favorite son. I'm proud of him for reaching for his dreams.
2. I'm grateful for his awesome choice of a soulmate in our Breck.
3. I am grateful for two beautiful granddogs Soda Pop and Mel, but hope someday that they will have some human brothers and sisters!

11/23- 1. I'm grateful for my baby Jaci. I'm glad she still lets me call her baby even though she's matured into a capable amazing woman.
2. I'm thankful for her awesome choice of a soulmate in our Zach.
3. I'm thankful for their patience with newlywed 'poverty' and the creativity with which they enjoy their lives!

*the month isn't over yet, but I'm pretty sure this list is over for now. I'm thankful for all the things that will keep me busy the rest of the month! I'm grateful YOU took the time to read this monster list!

Happy Veterans Day!

2007-11-11T19:59:00.000-08:00

I have been overwhelmed today with gratitude for veterans and current military who have served our country so well. As the Tab Choir sang "Oh beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife...who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life" I felt so pleased to personally know some of those heroes! Thank you!

Golfing with the Tab Choir-8/22

2007-09-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

Preston, Layne and I were able to play in a little scramble with the Mo Tab Choir. I think our foursome ended up with three under par, definitely not the leaders but lots of fun!

Layne Croxford Moose Mountain Family Reunion 2007

2007-09-20T13:08:00.001-07:00

Kami and Shawn planned our awesome 2007 reunion. We played in the mountains of Park City, Heber City, and Midway. Highlights were fly fishing, the elk hunt for photos, the Alpine Slide, golfing, visiting the Park City Jail and Main Street, the Newlywed Game, lots of good food and many impromptu yet memorable performances by Maryn, Kate, Dal and Carson. We LOVE this family!!!!!

Hey, I'm a Blogger!

2007-09-20T10:44:00.000-07:00

Hey, fam and friends. I decided we should get on board the blog boat too. Here's everything you ever wanted to know about Grammy Fay, Papa Layne and the clan at the Croxford's!