Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The Man I Love

I've been tagged, so will dedicate this post to my eternal mate.

1. What's his name?
Clive Michaelis Killpack
2. How long have you been married?
32 years in June, which is hard to believe since I was born just 29 years ago.
3. How long did you date?
Would you believe 7 weeks before a 10 week engagement? (Even though we had been acquainted for 20 years)
4. How old is he?
We're both 56, but I was born 7 weeks before him.
5. Who eats more?
We both love to eat, but he can definitely down much larger portions than I can (unless it is ice cream).
6. Who said "I love you" first?
He did. I wasn't used to hearing words of endearment & I didn't know how to respond. It took awhile for me to tell him.
7. Who is smarter?
Clive has a brilliant mind. He understands history, politics, and is quite a scriptorian. Not only that ... he knows how things work and is able to create and repair most anything. He is a computer whiz! I did much better in school, but he remembers more than I do. I am more logical, while he is spontaneous. We both have our strong and weak subjects.
8.Whose temper is worse?
Clive has had to learn to overcome a quick temper and very seldom shows it. I don't get mad very often, but am easily frustrated.
9.Who does the laundry?
It has always been something we have shared from the beginning, though once in awhile he washes my delicates in warm water or throws my "drip dry only" items into the dryer.
10.Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?
I do. When were were first married I slept on my right side and he slept on his left. However, through the years he has also turned to the right, so I get his C-pap air blown on me until his tossing turns him the other direction.
11.Who pays the bills?
I've always handled the majority of the bills and kept the budget balanced. Clive handles bills pertaining to his business and the cell phones. Once he decided to take over and the bills didn't get paid!
12.Who cooks dinner?
These days the preparation of dinner is on a day by day basis. Sometimes we cook and sometimes we just eat whatever is handy. Clive probably cooks more than I do because he enjoys it. I do it because it is necessary. He loves to experiment and make new dishes all the time.
13.Who drives when you are in the same car?
He usually does unless we are traveling and he needs to rest.
14.Who is more stubborn?
It is about even. Neither of us is really hard-headed, but we both have definite ideas about certain things. Naturally, I'm usually right!
15.Whose parents do you see the most?
We don't see either one often enough. Together we see them about the same, but I see my Mom more since she needs my care.
16.Who proposed?
He did. We were talking over the dirty dishes after Sunday dinner when he said, "So, should we get married?" He's a real romancer!
17. Who has more friends?
I think Clive has more long-lasting friendships. I tend to have more acquaintances or casual friendships.
18. Who has more siblings?
Clive wins! He has 5 brothers and 3 sisters. I have 2 brothers and 3 sisters.
19. Who wears the pants in the family?
That's hard to say ... I wear pants a lot and Clive has been known to wear a kilt on more than one occasion! No, really, I think we work well together and I allow him to be the patriarch. I am so grateful for him.

25th Anniversary

25 years ago this month six couples gathered together for dinner. We were all from the Miller Ward in South Salt Lake. We had a wonderful time and decided to form a Dinner Group. In the beginning we had a combined total of seven children, the oldest was 9. Two of the couples hadn't yet started their families. We met monthly for a number of years, then cut it back to every other month. Some years our growing families (we ended up with 22 total children) kept us so busy that months would pass by without meeting, but we always eventually got back on track. Through the years we have shared the birth of babies, loss of employment, marriages, and have sadly lost two couples to divorce. We have laughed together and cried together. We have discussed raising children, politics, religion, and growing old. Most of all, we have delighted in one another's company.

The Debonair Husbands

The Lovely Wives

Jeff & Tamra Koch
Parents of two sons, two daughters, & one son-in-law.


Jana & Don Quigley
Two married children, a grandchild, a missionary, & a dog!
Alan & Linda Mangum
Three daughters, a son, and one grandchild.
Clive & Wendy Killpack
Patriarch & Matriarch of the Group!
Five children, three children-in-law, & five grandchildren.
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Avery Turns Four!

Saturday night the Miles family joined us at our home to celebrate Avery's 4th birthday.

Avery models the beautiful birthday dress her Mom made especially for the occasion.

Avery opened a myriad of gifts and enjoyed a pizza dinner and birthday cake.

Success ... she blew out ALL the candles!

Gracyn & Avery ... sisters & best friends.

"I SPY"

I just finished a quilt for the grandkids.

It is multi-purpose quilt.

It might be used to curl up in to keep warm or to sleep under during nap time or when spending a night with Grandma & Grandpa.

Maybe it will serve as a tent or a good hiding place when playing hide and seek.

Mostly it is intended to play "I SPY."
I spy a star ... can you?

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Monday, February 18, 2008

Weekend in the Sunshine

Saturday morning Clive and I left the snow and storms behind and drove south for the weekend. We made a stop in St. George for the wedding reception of a former neighbor and friend, Elizabeth Lindell, then travelled on to Henderson to visit my sister, Jolene, and her husband, Rendal. We hesitated making the trip because of my illness, but I decided that I could cough as well in Nevada as I could in Utah. As it turns out, the warmth seemed to do me good and I came back home feeling much improved. The trip was quick, but relaxing and we had a wonderful visit.
Ben & Janet Lang --- former neighbors & good friends

Jan & Cathy Lindell --- parents of the bride

Elizabeth & new husband, Matthew Avery

Elizabeth poses with her brothers, Johnny & Jimmy

Clive & Rendal take care of dish duty following Sunday dinner

Wendy teaches Jolene how to Blog and archive photos


Clive & I enjoy the February sunshine

Rendal & Jo joined us for an evening video




Thursday, February 14, 2008

My Valentine

Valentine's Day is a day of events in my family ...
my sister, Sheryl, was buried
and my son, Kevin was born.
But, of course, I like most of all to celebrate my love for my husband, Clive.
This month marks the 32nd anniversary of our first date.
The traits that attracted me to him still stand true:
  1. His love of life
  2. An infectious laugh
  3. Commitment to family
  4. Optimism
  5. A friend to everyone
  6. A worthy Priesthood holder
  7. A hard worker & good provider
  8. Spontanaity
  9. Patience with my impossible expectations
  10. His beautiful singing

And so, to Clive I say ...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY. I LOVE YOU MORE THAN EVER!

Under the Weather

I have really been under the weather this winter.
The snowflakes keep falling and the snowbanks are getting higher and higher.
My spirits are low from lack of sunshine and I find myself desiring nothing more than to hibernate with a good book and a blanket.
To top it off, I'm suffering from bronchitis again ... the third time in nine months!
I've celebrated every big occasion this year with sickness.
I say NO MORE!
Now, excuse me while I go back to bed.