MJ

Just saw Michael Jackson movie "This Is It". God Bless Kenny Orteaga. But for him, we never would have been able to see the true human side of MJ. Although he was 50 years old, I could still see a young boy inside him. There was so much respect and love on the set. No raised voices, just pure talent. He really had a gift. The movie theater audience was silent from beginning to end and no one moved for a while when the movie was over.This would have been a spectacular event to see live. I loved how the people around him were so thrilled to work with him and how he respected everyone. I'm so glad that we were able to get a glimpse into the private side of Michael and see how he truly loved the world....If you see it, make sure you stay through the credits. I predict this will get nominated for an Academy Award. Too bad he couldn't have been loved in life as he is going to be loved now.

While Dick and I were dining at Clint Eastwood's Hogs Breath Cafe, a man walked in and asked Dick is he was Clint Eastwood. Dick replied "I wish I was". The man continued by saying his son was a big Clint fan. He left, came back with his wife and 8 year old son and proceeded to ask Dick is he wouldn't mind posing for picture with his son. Dick obliged, I left because I was finding this to be a pretty funny experience. Dick came out a few moments and said they couldn't get the camera to work. I guess that's what you get for impersonating a celebrity!

There is a Veteran's Memorial Park in Nephi, Utah that shows names of Nephi residents who have served their country. Found dad's name and his father's name. While at Dick class reunion, I met Paul Lunt is my second cousin (We had the same great-grandfather). This is a pretty impression Park - full of roses, dad's favorite flower.

MY FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT, I GOTTA WEAR SHADES

So I was up working on the computer the other night while Richard was sleeping soundly. The only light on in the house was the computer screen light. When I got up from the computer to go to bed, everything went suddenly black. I mean I couldn't see any of the usual lights through the blinds, nothing. My first thought was - "Great, the hearing is gone and now my eyesight is gone - I'm blind!". In a bit of a frenzy, I stumbled my way to the closest light switch, knowing that Dick would be up any moment to see what all the noise was about - not. Thankfully, when I turned on the light, I could see again - whew! So I turned off the light and everything went black again - what the? When I found another light switch and turned it on, I was standing in front of the hall mirror. I looked in the mirror, and realized that I was wearing my glasses that automatically turn to sunglasses when they're exposed to bright light. Apparently, my glasses thought the computer was the sun and it shaded my eyes for me. I need to write a book.

The Griffens and the Red Sox

Found this photo in the archives. I just happen to like this picture of Erin with her dad on his 65th birthday. It was taken at the Homestead in Heber City, Utah. We tried to surprise him but I think he suspected something. OK -let's not have any jokes about the reptile. For those of you who live in the South, her father is the one in the shirt.

What Happens in Vegas.....

For my 60th, and after my mega surprise party, I took the daughters to Las Vegas in my braaaaand neeeeeew MDX. We stayed at the Palms but it wasn't quite as nice as we thought it would be. We did, however, dine in "Nine" and had some fine food. Saturday night we all went to see Bette Midler at Caesars Palace. Since we're always looking for celebs, maybe that's me that looks for celebs, one of my sharper-eye daughters spotted Penn or was is Teller? Not sure but we lined up for a photo with him. After Erin had her pose, she asked me what I said to him because he called me a "Cougar". I just said he was lookin pretty good for "Dancing With the Stars" and that we would vote for him. Apparently, we were the only ones who voted because he didn't stay around for long. The shy daughter, won't say who (Monica), wanted to see the Pussy Cat Dolls. That was quite an experience. I finally waited outside while the youngins boogied inside. My favorite part was seeing how many hotels we could valet park in so we could step in and out of the new wheels. I'm sure we hit 5 or 6. We stopped at the Wynn, ran inside, took a group photo and were back in the car before they could park it. All in all, it was a weekend to remember.

Legends of Aviation

LIVING LEGENDS OF AVIATION

Wahoo! We've made it to the big time! 15 minutes of fame! Call it what you want but what an exciting evening at the Beverly Hilton in January 09. Dick bought tickets to this charitable event so I could scope out the celebs. They told us we didn't have to walk the red carpet if we didn't want to. What? of course we're walking. Just before we stepped onto the carpet, a man came up and told Dick he was being inducted. They placed a medal around his neck, introduced him to the press and I proceeded to "work it" while the cameras flashed. This gave us entry into the social where the celebs hang out. I met Morgan Freeman, saw Harrison Ford with Calista Flockhart (I didn't dare ask for a photo), Dick had his picture taken with Buzz Aldrin (astronaut) and we sat with Dick Rutan (the guy who flew nonstop around the world in the 80s). We're still not sure why Dick was inducted. We think they got him mixed up with someone else. Oh well, we'll know when we don't get invited back next year.