A Bunch of Becks and Beyond

You've Got One Shot, Charlie Brown   ( I fund this and had to share so true) Another nostalgic post. Respect your elders. We got the Deseret News every evening. Sure, the Tribune was delivered in the morning, but it was clear in my home that there was something suspect about the Tribune. I was always a newspaper reader when I was kid. For the most part, I would look through the whole thing, finishing with the comics. (delayed gratification) But, for one month out of the year, the newspaper had a very specific purpose - and it was serious business to us. As soon as December rolled around, we would grab the newspaper with a sense of urgency, and open it directly to the TV listings to search for the signs of their coming. Who, you may ask? The Big Five of Christmas. Specifically: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Santa Claus is Coming to Town! Frosty the Snowman! How the Grinch Stole Christmas A Charlie Brown Christmas These were THE Christmas shows

FYI the new address: 8107 Palm St Lemon Grove Ca 91945

So here we are into December. The house is almost ready for Christmas Ernie has to finish putting up the lights. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We drove to West Covina to share the holiday with our family.     Its always a good time at Aunt Honey's house. It was really good to be able to spend time with everyone and to see Cynthia and John together. The last time we saw them together was 1992 July 4th. So its been awhile. John works  hard running that business that he doesn't leave New York often,    It was a great visit. Gabby is dating a young man named Ryan whom we all met. Its nice to see them all growing up and adding more love to our family.      It was nice to see Michael and Martha, even though they live in San Diego we don't get to see them often.   Then on the Saturday after Thanksgiving we cooked up another bird and shared it with all our kids and the missionaries.   Then we got down to putting up Christmas around the house. Since we are having our first C

You would think October screams fall. However if you live in San Diego not so much this year.  I am ready for fall baking and its been hot. So as soon as it cools down I will be in the baking mood.      The month started out with the Surprise party for Michelle. Now let me tell you how hard it is to get a party done for Michelle. She wants to know what we are all calling each other, I think they finally had to tell her.  We had a wonderful party anyway. Lots of people showed up. She seemed to be most surprised by Uncle Billy.     So the month moves on and our Stacey left to go back home with Heavenly Father. She has been fighting cancer for more then two year. She gave it the best that she had. D'ante is missing his mother, however she has so many people that love them both to watch over him.      November and finally a little fall rolls in. Kim and I went to attend a "Time Out for Women" in Phoenix, AZ.  There were a few speakers that I really wanted to hear. And I th

This is what happened  The girls and I (Betty, Moe and Alisi) had a plan to attend Time Out for Women in Las Vegas.  So Friday Moe and I got in the car and drove to Vegas, waited for Alisi to fly in and  out to dinner we went. To the Blueberry Hill Restaurant. It's a favorite.   Great food and  lots of  it for the price.     So Saturday morning 5am, who gets up at 5am on vacation?  We do so we can drive to St George and pick up Betty and Shop.  Off we went and arrived at the local Cracker Barrel for breakfast yummy and they have a cute little shop. Oh no not shopping already. There are many things that are sold in Utah and not in  California, so Utah truffles are a must along with Stephan's Hot Cocoa. And last but not least caffeine free Dr. Pepper.  Then a quick trip to Nielsen's Frozen Custard and Betty and we are off to Vegas.      And to the conference, that is the reason we are there after all. Friday night great speakers and music. Dinner and after prayer bed.  bac

August passed and with it went Beverly Ball, Uncle Jeddy's partner for the past 20+ years. We are all sad to see her go.  She was a joy to have in our family.  Her paintings well stay with us and for me the white pumps she wore everywhere.     Uncle Jeddy is feeling the loss and I am sure would love to hear from any family member.  Tina had a birthday party that I am so sorry that I missed.  Ernie and I took the last week of the month and went to St. George Utah.  Where we visited with Leveni and Betty and Kids. The best part of the weekend was the cooking, there is always so much love that comes from cooking and hanging out in a kitchen.     I guess that is a  lesson I learned from Aunt Honey. Whenever we are together it seems we all find our way to her kitchen.    At the end of the weekend we drove from Utah to Aunt Honey's house and made breakfast together.     Many blessings have come from that kitchen. After returning home Ernie had an outing with the Young Men from

Okay so July was crazy.  It started with company we love it, July 3rd Dante came through and then July 4th Angel and kids came to San Diego.  What a fun time, we haven't seen the Kelsey Klan since 2003.  Angel took care of Ryan while he was in college. Whenever he was sick or needed a real meal she made sure he was taken care of. The Kelsey's also helped to keep his spirit in check.     I am so thankful to her and her family for the joy, support and love that they gave to Ryan. I believe that everyone needs a little Angel in their life to give them extra love. I pray that I can do that for someone else. I have been given that love from others and to honor that I need to pay it forward.    So the Kelsey's stayed for a few days and we enjoyed their company. Had a lot of good food and the pictures were fun. Fireworks that didn't shine so bright here in San Diego. And we discovered that you are never to old for sparklers.     Then MFC Lisa and  Robert stopped in for a qu

So June has come and gone. And it seems the Becks Bed and Breakfast is now open for guests. In July we are going to see Robert and Lisa. And Angel and the kids. we are so excited.  The house is coming together even though our handy man is slow to get everything I would like done    (Ernie). We are getting  to know everyone in the new ward. Ernie is enjoying getting to know the young men. I am having a fun time with the activity day girls. They seem to like my style.  Almost every time we meet we learn something new both spiritual and crafty.  I wanted to make it fun so that they would want to come and also get the things signed off in their Faith in God books.        We attended the fair twice this year.  Ernie's brother Darrell came to town.  Ernie and Darrell hung out at Disneyland this was the first time Darrell had been. Sounded like they had great time. I used that time to clean house and reconnect with my friend Bonnie. We had a nice lunch and visit. Trying to get a lot do

Well May got started and the kids and I were on a cruise ship. I have to say that  this cruise had some of the best people on it. Our Dinner table was amazing. The first cruise Ernie and I took we meet Debra, Shea, Ryan and Emily. We are all still friends. Ernie and I see Debra often and are blessed with meeting her. This cruise at dinner we were delighted to meet Louann and Sidney the first night. They kept us laughing all through dinner and what a fun time. Our table must of looked so fun that then next night we were joined by Brian and Crystal. They fit in just fine. And the laughing and friendships grew.     It is always amazing when you meet amazing people on a cruise. Its like the heavens have opened your heart to new friends.  We all keep in touch and we learned so much about each other.    I came home and was trilled to see Ernie and have a nice Mother's Day of Church and brunch with the  boys. Dante had his car broken into the night before. Lesson learned stay with the p

Well May got started and the kids and I were on a cruise ship. I have to say that  this cruise had some of the best people on it. Our Dinner table was amazing. The first cruise Ernie and I took we meet Debra, Shea, Ryan and Emily. We are all still friends. Ernie and I see Debra often and are blessed with meeting her. This cruise at dinner we were delighted to meet Louann and Sidney the first night. They kept us laughing all through dinner and what a fun time. Our table must of looked so fun that then next night we were joined by Brian and Crystal. They fit in just fine. And the laughing and friendships grew.     It is always amazing when you meet amazing people on a cruise. Its like the heavens have opened your heart to new friends.  We all keep in touch and we learned so much about each other.    I came home and was thrilled to see Ernie and have a nice Mother's Day of Church and brunch with the  boys. Dante had his car broken into the night before. Lesson learned stay with the

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As many of you now know we have bought a new home. We are really going to miss our house on the hill. We didn’t plan this, however life happens and the trust is thinking about selling the houses on hill once Sid passes away. Our sweet Sid is now 95 years old. So as his sunsets and ours is still mid sky, after much prayer. We decided to house hunt. We found this cute little 3 bedroom home in the heart of Lemon Grove. We have always liked Lemon Grove and are happy to return. It is 4 miles east from Beck Hill. It has all that we need a craft room and a guest room. The kitchen is workable and has lots of space and a garage for Ernie. Plus a nice size yard fro his garden and for the Tata to play in. It is close to shopping and the trolley. That is good just in case we want to ride it to Mexico or games or downtown. Lots of parking and a place for Ernie to put the Razorback Hogs at Christmas. Earlier if they are winning. The new address is 8107 Palm St. Lemon Grove, CA 91945. W

Well it is March and we are moved into the new house.  Ernie has found lots of honeydew's here.   The bathroom had to have new plumbing and we discovered a crack in the pipe just buried enough that it would  not be seen by the inspector.    Since the house sat emptied  for years.  We are so grateful to everyone who helped us get moved and helped with painting and floors and plumbing.  The bathroom will be done this week.  I am just praying for no more surprises. We are going to have to update the electric in the house. But that will come down the road a little.  We are really grateful for Sid and all his help. At 95 years young he is teaching Ernie allot about plumbing, Ernie is the muscle and Sid the brains. Together we have a working bathroom.  Our bunco group started up again and that night gave us a much needed break from house repair. Ryan has been a big help in getting the garage in some kind of organized sense.  And now he is doing the shed. It seems we have a lot to be

Well here it is Feb and I feel the need to update everyone. Jan we waited on pins and needles for the new house to close and to get a few things repaired by the seller.  Then the painting started with the living room and Kitchen and bedrooms with some paint on the walls. It was time to see what was under the gross carpet. Hardwood floors and now to get them refinished. Thanks to Jamey and his friend Reese that job was done. Ernie and Sid redid the plumbing in the bathroom. And Rocco is helping with the tile and Phil is fixing the mess by the heater.      So just maybe we can get moved in. Mean while all that was going on at the new house. I was busy packing the old one. After 17 years on the hill there is some stuff to pack.   I would like to thank everyone who helped. Michelle, Rachel Dolla, Kim and Jan. The other help I got came from Bill, Nick, Mark and Michael. We would not be able to move if we didn't get some much help.    The house is shaping up and at some point there wel

We decided to give 12 days of service as part of our Christmas this year. So this is what we did I gave out allot of cookies, I mean allot of goodies. I baked for a weekend, Fudge, Toffee, truffles and cookies.  for a bit of service we hide the neighbors gifts from the kids.  We took goodies to one of our Friends mother in law. Put up a tree for someone. Send a cheesecake to a group of hard workers. Helped teach someone how to work the Koncit.     Since we are not a singing family we spared many of that. Goodies to the office. Brought a few short story books to a few. read a story about Christmas to a child.  Made special cookies for  my Sunday school class.  Had some pictures ordered and delivered to my Dad. It was easy to come up with ideas.    Most were done out of the house but a few inside. It didn't cost much and I feel filled with the gift of service. I thought about giving the gift Christ gave when he washed the disciples feet. I wanted to put all white socks on the clea