here you go...

Here are some apples... hope you enjoy them. They taste as good as they look (even the worms think so, however not all have worms) We got grapes from our grape vine and a few raspberries, a hand full of black berries. The peaches didn't show this year.

40 years...

Can you believe it ... 40 years ago I joined the Vance family!

What fun and growing times we have had in 40 years! (many 'lighter weight' years ago) We continue to grow in wisdom and love for each other and the family. Thanks to you all for your love.

Apples anyone?

We have lots of golden delicious apples on our tree which is about ready to harvest. I am going to have to get busy and bottle some apple pie in a jar soon. Our neighbor's trees are as full if not fuller this year! This is the first year in the 11 years we have lived here I have seen so many apples on our trees!

three's???

I have heard it comes in threes.... I found out that Harvey Holman passed away on the 3rd. This is from the Valley Courier:

HolmanPosted: Thursday, Sep 4th, 2008Harvey L. Holman, 76LA JARA — La Jara, Colo. resident Harvey L. Holman, 76, died Sept. 3, 2008 at his home in La Jara. Harvey was born Feb. 1, 1932 in Sanford, Colo. to Joe and Frances Vandiver Holman. He worked for the D & RGW and Durango & Silverton Railroads as a carman for many years. After retiring from the railroad, he worked for the Town of Sanford in their maintenance department. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and his dog. Harvey is survived by his children Ann Radcliff of Chico, Calif., Michael Holman of Corning, Calif., Lynne (John) Staggs of Alamosa, Colo.,Donnie (Michelle) Holman of Alamosa; Shelley (Jim) Raines of Ft. Morgan, Colo. and Janice (Martin Dominguez) of Alamosa, as well as by 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.Harvey was preceded in death by his parents, one brother one sister and one grandson. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sat., Sept. 6, 2008 at the Sanford Cemetery. Contributions are requested to the Valley Humane League and may be made through the mortuary office.Arrangements are in care of Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa.

Givers and takers

With my church callings, my work and my personal activities, I attend a lot of meetings. This gives me the opportunity to meet a lot of people. Among these people, I have seen two distinct personalities. The first personality type is demonstrated by people who always lift spirits and motivate others to be better. The second personality is typical of people that wear their friends out with their contstant complaining and criticizing. The first group is always a pleasure to be with. The second drains one of energy. The first is surrounded by people who enjoy their company. The second ends up alone and discouraged.

In a meeting I recently attended I heard someone share how they were frustrated by the apathy and incompetence of the people around him. He heard of a new approach he was trying. He went into a fast food restaurant that had been slow and inaccurate. He told them what a pleasure it was to do business with them and that he enjoyed coming into their establishment. He said that he can now go into that business and get the service and accuracy he expected. He said he got better results by being positive than he did by finding fault.

When I was teaching, I had a discipline plan one year that advocated catching students being good. That was a good year. I had my share of problems, but two things were different. My students were looking for things to please me and I was looking for things that they were doing well instead of the things they were doing wrong. Our perspective was altered and so was their behavior.

I would like to think that I can motivate others to be better. I want to have friends who seek out my company, but I am at times overcome with my need to have a pity party. The need to heap my problems up onto the shoulders of my friends wins out over my desire to be positive. I can be quick to find fault with the people around me and let my opinion be known. I then wonder why I am frustrated and alone.