Not All Who Wander Are Lost

So you ask, "What has Janice been up to?

2010-04-26T06:59:00.001-07:00

It's taken me 2 1/2 years to finish this project.
Let me tell you, I have done some celebrating.
I was one set short on fabric and a special friend (Christina)
was going to the states and she was helpful in picking me
out fabric for the last set. Thanks Christina :)

And now that my babies are done I am able to work on some
other fun projects. I went to a yard sale and picked up
some fabric so I made these fun aprons. Actually the ladybug
apron was a pillow case that I made into an apron. Thanks
to Jen for the idea in the first place.

I brought this cute ladybug material with me when I came to
Russia but wasn't sure what I was going to do with it. Well,
you can see for yourself what I came up with. I made one
for each grandchild. Sorry Maddie, you and Lilee are going
to have to share or take turns.

Jon and I have been buying Gzhel and I have wanted to
add a vase to my collection for quite awhile. Well we found
this one the other day and just couldn't resist.

Just think, 4 days left in April. We have had a long, cold
and white winter and I am so ready for a warm and colorful
Spring and Summer. Later, me

Sergiev Posad

2010-03-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

Cold Walk

2009-12-31T01:50:00.001-08:00

Two days later, all the snow had been cleaned away

Yepper, Halloween on Compound

2009-10-31T21:34:00.000-07:00

just take a picture

2009-10-07T16:20:00.000-07:00

Another one of my *Sister*
Crystal in the moon light

waterfall hallway @ the Embassy

full moon @ the end of old arbot

car crash, they moved it from the street to the sidewalk, go figure

interesting sign, this is how they package ketcup and salad dressings.

Jon, take a picutre

Jon, take a picture, this is a hat I made at the South Pole a few years back. Personally I think it's rather cute/fun.

Jon, take a picture

Very Random

2009-10-03T11:13:00.000-07:00

Glass bridge at night, notice the lit up building on the left.
And on the next picutre notice it is red. It is so interesting.

in front of the British Embassy

Jon would eat the middle of the watermellon so I ate the middle out of a loaf of bread

training out on the green

Happy Birthday from Jennifer, thanx

heading out to lunch with the crew

Doll making 101

Bagel making 101

Dolls for the kids

Maker of the Dolls

Running a 5k

Hoping this finds you all Happy and Healthey. And to those who are struggeling, know that we are thinking of you and are with you in your hearts.

Gzhel Tour and Pretty Little Daucha's

2009-08-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Gzhel is dishware that is very popular here in Russia. I
went on a tour and was able to purchase some of this beautiful
ware.

I took pictures of these summer homes that they call

Daucha's. I'm not sure if the wells are still in use but I

thought they were very cute. The picture of the potatoes has

a little story as well. Going to Gzhel we got caught in quite

a bit of traffic. Appearently a semi truck took a turn too fast

and it tipped over. It took many hours to turn the truck

back up and stack the potatoes against the wood fencing that

it broke.

The NOB Mob

2009-08-07T19:51:00.000-07:00

This is the first group of guys I worked with:

Ken, Gary, Dean (Foreman), Terry, Don (New Forman) and Me.

There is a constant turn around in this job. People changing jobs

within the same area, and people completing contracts and moving on.

And then there was a name change: "The Chancery Crew"
This is the next group of guys I worked with:Don (Foreman),

Bill, Jon (New Foreman), Me, Jake, Ken and Gary.

Who Needs New Zealand when Zions National Park is in your Backyard

2009-08-05T07:01:00.000-07:00

I can't seem to get the right titles by the right pictures, Am I crazy or is this blogging thing messed up?? Mikkel is sleeping on Grandpa's head and Mikayla is the cute one wearing the sunglasses. Her eyes are sensitive to the sun so she'll always wears them when she's outside. They are such fun and cute girls

Do you think I'm missing the Grandkids?

Mikkel

Mikayla

Favorite picture of the day

2009-08-04T01:51:00.000-07:00

Missin Jen-N-Scott

2009-08-02T03:30:00.000-07:00

Special Tribute to My Lean, Mean, Running Machine

2009-08-01T21:42:00.000-07:00

This is a special tribute to my daughter Jeana. Last year she began attending Weight Watchers. It wasn't easy and she had here ups and her downs. She had her good days and her bad days. When she attended her weigh in nights she had her loses and her gains, but she stuck with it. She began walking on the treadmill, very slow and for short periods. And in May she totaly RAN the Kanab 10K. She then hit her target weight and this past week she received her Life Time Membership from WW. Way to go Jeana (crying) I am so very proud of you. You are truly an inspiration, you are a healthier and happy mother, wife and daughter. Your family is healthier and very active. And a special thanks to her wonderful husband Kris, she wouldn't have made it without your love and help. And to Mikayla and Mikkel, one day you two will be able to appreciate your mothers hard work and the fact that you like fruits and vegitables.
Keep up the good work, SLY mom

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

2009-07-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

~ Batter Up ~~ What a hit, What a shot ~~ Where or who is he running to ~~ Strike three your out ~~ Center Field ~
~ On second ready to run to third and home ~

Our team name is

"The Star Spangled Batters "

Places to Go and Things to See

2009-07-17T20:44:00.000-07:00

Trying to keep track of each other

The Hermitage
One of the things we didn't get into but sure wanted

Which way should we go

The guys waiting on the ladies once again

Waiting in line for 1 1/2 hours and made a new freind that
helped us get our day started
Lots of wedding parties and stretch limo's

Man did we see a lot and walked many, many miles

Enjoying the 4th with Family and Friends

2009-07-17T01:26:00.000-07:00

Oh how we Love the 4th of JulyIt's even better when shared with the ones you Love

Being silly is always part of the fun Enjoy the reflection

Sitting on the Metro

Down ya goooooo ! ! !

Firework reflections in the water

Hoping you all enjoyed your holiday

Fun in the park!

2009-07-15T06:53:00.000-07:00

While in Kanab we had several picnics at this beautiful park. This picnic was with Glen & Barbara, Jeana, Mikayla, and Mikkel.

BROKEN BLOGGER

2009-07-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

I have tried many times to post pictures of events that have gone on during the past 2 months. But I can't seem to get anything to work. So I am just going to try sending a message to see if that will go out. Love to you all, Janice

Jeana made me do it!

2009-06-21T12:59:00.001-07:00

Note from Jeana:

This was a HUGE step for my mom. I asked her when the last time was that she had cut her hair short and she said 10. I said, "10 years ago?" and she said, "no...when I was 10 years old!". So this was a big step and I was so proud of her. It looks so cute and she says she has no regrets. Lookin' beautiful mom! SLY

2009-06-09T06:23:00.000-07:00

2009-06-07T14:13:00.000-07:00

I would like to introduce you to the Val and Norma Beazer Family

2009-06-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

These are my (Janice's) brothers, sisters and Dad. We had a wonderful evening for fun, food and swimming. Being with family is one of the most wonderful things.

And this is "The Beazer Family" mind you there are quite a few that weren't even able to attend, I want them to know, they were missed

~Me and my favorite Dad~

My Dad holding my two little Grand Children, this is Mikayla and Mikkel

All Our Bags are Almost Packed

2009-05-21T21:15:00.001-07:00

We're coming, we're coming

Wounded Warrior 5K walk/run

2009-05-17T00:42:00.000-07:00

This picture was actually taken after the race. Jon had a good run, althought he says he ran a few minutes slower than he was hoping for. I had to run and walk the whole distance, but I'm glad I did it and I will do another one when I have the chance.Jon is stretching out his calves and lookin HOT.Pre race warm up and stretching, there were close to 60 runners. We had cool weather and the road had puddles that we got to dodge.

little hang-out spots

2009-05-13T08:24:00.000-07:00

Many places around Moscow have really fun street lights. I like this one because it was only about 4ft tall. It is in the same area as the Starlite Diner. And the tulips make it even more special.

Jon's favorite stand to buy his fruits and vegetables. We hit this same stand because the lady is nice and is willing to let us use our Russian on her. We have fun learning from her and making her laugh at the same time.

"Places to go and Things to See"

2009-05-10T16:52:00.000-07:00

This is "Ismilova" we had been to this shopping place many times. But we found another entrance to it. We had no idea that is was actually as huge as it is. Jen and Scott, this is a place we'll take you to, but we'll shop in a smaller section. How fun this is going to be.

We can only guess that this is a Monastery that goes back maybe as far as 1700. It is still used to this day not only the Cathedral but people still live and practice here.

Jon and I were able to prepare Terry and Pat's last meal in Russia. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast, some laughter and even a few tears. Barrett's you are deeply missed.

The Embassy was invited to Star City, it is Russians space training center. But other countries will come and train here as well because they are the only ones that have certain training features. It was a great trip, we saw many things and had a lot of fun. And we learned a lot of interesting things.

These ladies are the makers of the fun aprons that I have been buying. I keep buying them because people come into our home and want them, so I sale them or give them away and then buy more. The ladies see me coming and they get ready to bargain. Does anyone want me to buy them one???

Fun days out on the town

2009-04-24T08:34:00.000-07:00

My Very Dear Friend Pat that I am missing oh so much! Out to see the world, Donna, Pat and . . Me

Notice how these buildings are kind of twisted from section to section

My very bronzed friends

I like the different types of roof tops

Our little Easter 2009

2009-04-11T20:57:00.000-07:00

These are the little Easter Eggs I was able to find on Old Arbot. It's a fun street and only a 15 minute walk away.

Kind of an interesting picture: I was cropping this picture and it doubled on me so I left it.

Happy Easter to all our Family and Friends.

Irina My Little Russian Friend

2009-03-04T18:05:00.000-08:00

There once was a young Little Red Head that worked in the store here on compound, her name is Irina. Day after day of seeing her we became friends. Last summer she had the opportunity of spending 4 months in Missouri working at a resort. I was so excited for her to visit the states and to see the way we live. There were things she liked and things that just didn't strike her fancy. I thought she would LOVE Wal-Mart, but it just didn't hit her fancy. Oh well!! I would go to the store just to chat with her. I would even bag groceries just so I wouldn't look like I was loitering. We went to a Halloween Party together, she even took me to the movies one night, it was in English. Jon and I had a hand in helping her chose which college she will be attending later this summer. I thought her how to make bread and chocolate chip cookies, I think she ate more dough than cookies. She is a student in the college here, lives away from home, teaches English to Russians and loves cats and talking to people. A week ago she quite working at the Embassy and so this is a little blog for you to meet her. She would call me her Old Friend because we have known each other for 8 months. One day I had a racquet ball match and Jon had a racquetball match. We both ended up losing our matches and she looked at me and said "You are both losers". She really has a fun way of putting things. Love to you Irina and I'll miss you.

Our Adopted Kids

2009-02-26T06:47:00.000-08:00

Greetings All,

The past few months Jon and I have had the pleasure of hosting young couples that are going through the process of adopting children here in the Moscow Russia area. This first couple is Jason and Lindsey, their son is Hudson Luke. We were able to host them from the first visit, to the last visit. They even joined us through Christmas and New Years.

The adoption process is a lot more detailed than I would have ever imagined. And we are so happy that we were able to share with them in the joy of having Hudson become part of their Family. It was so fun to have the young and even younger in our house. So thank you Jason and Lindsey for letting us be part of it all.

Then we had Jeff and Amanda with their son Jacob. They were with us for their last two visits. For them it worked out that we were able to find them a place of their own here on the compound but we still shared meals and many a conversation with them. What a fun family they are. They were blessed with a son of their own before deciding to have Jacob join them.

Then there is Kyle and Jennifer. We were able to meet them on their last visit, the visit that they were able to have Liza join their family. They brought with them their 12 year old daughter Kayla. What a joy it was to see Kayla become a big sister, it was fun to see them become such good friends within just minutes of being together. It is amazing how you can form a bond with people whom you have never met, never even know existed until they walked into your home.

Each child was so unique: Hudson, being only 16 months old really didn't have a lot of language. But he knew who loved him and he knew who was there to protect and teach him. Jacob was 18 months, he had formed a lot of bonds with the care givers and was just a little more shy (for a few days). Then there is Liza, she is 3, she had many many bonds and had won the hearts of many, for many years. There was a bit more of a communication gap with her and her family. But she love repeating words. One little thing that happened with her was one day mommy handed her a coaster and asked Liza to hand it to daddy. Liza thought mommy was telling her that the coaster was a daddy so she would call it a daddy. It was really cute. We have 2 friends Mikayla and James that speak Russian very well. So we invited them over so they could talk to Liza, to explain to her what was going on. They asked Liza questions to see if she knew what was going on. Mikayla told Liza that her mommy and daddy loved her very much. Liza told her that one of the ladies at the orphanage loved her too. Liza told Mikayla that this lady was going to go with her to her new home. Mikayla was quick with this one: Mikayla told her that she had a mommy and daddy that lover her very much and that there were many of her friends that didn't have mommies and daddies yet. So that this lady was going to have to stay here to take care of them. Mikayla asked her if she understood? Liza gave her a very quiet and somber Da (yes). It was nice for mom and dad to know what was going on in her little head. Bless you James and Mikayla.

Pictures of the kids now at Home:

Hudson in Carharts

Jacob and a lawn mower

Liza and Kayla in the snow

Fun in The Snow

2009-02-23T07:49:00.000-08:00

One of the Seven SistersFoot Prints in the Snow (mine)

Love to you all and Thanks to the Bean

2009-01-05T10:53:00.000-08:00

Guess what I did today?

2008-12-25T07:09:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

FROM AROUND OUR TREE TO YOUR'S

ThanksGiving In Russia

2008-12-01T20:28:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday dad and Jake the other plumber planned a thanksgiving for the Russian plumbers.

Decorations By Pat

Table Setter

Just Act Normal?

And the line forms for the feasting of the bird

2008-10-27T07:40:00.001-07:00

Jon really likes this building.

2008-10-27T07:34:00.000-07:00

They also have many of these statues and fountians all around Moscow as well. Oh the fun things we can see, I just love this place

2008-10-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

Yepper, you know the game! It's another Seven Sister

2008-10-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

While going for a walk we came across another one of the Seven Sisters. I'll have to get more information on these beautiful buildings

Touring Russia

2008-09-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

A Beautiful Day at Spaso House

2008-07-27T21:26:00.001-07:00

Rosinka Birthday Party

2008-06-14T22:36:00.001-07:00

Let's Go For a Walk

2008-06-12T07:22:00.001-07:00

Russia in May

2008-05-29T09:49:00.000-07:00

Hello to All,

Jon and I have now been in Russia for 4 wonderful months. We survived our first Russian Winter and we are now looking forward to warmer weather. It was warm for awhile and then bang, the cold was back. The really bad thing was they turned off the heat and turned on the cooling system. So when it turned cold we didn't have any heat, the sun was hiding behind the clouds and I thought I was going to freeze.

We have had beautiful tulips for 2 months, the grass is nice and green and the children are all out and about riding their bikes, trikes, scooters, rollerblading and skateboards. The older kids play freebie, softball and have BBQ's. The dads go out and fly kites with their kids and the animal owners are out walking their dogs and just enjoying the Spring Weather.

We have been taking language classes and then the fun comes when you go out to buy food and items from the little shops and the grocery stores. What a challenge that is, I am still working on buy cheese and getting them to slice it. By the time I get the words out I have worked up a sweet. I can't wait until I can get what I want without all the hassle. But we're getting better and really having fun with it all.

Jon's work is going well, not a lot of big jobs going on but enough to keep him busy. He works with the Russian plumbers from time to time and they are also helping him with the language. My job is going good, I enjoy talking to the people and keeping things clean and looking like a professional work place. But I am happy to announce that I applied for the Secure Work Order Clerk and I got it. So I am doing my job and then going to the other office and learning that job. It will be fun to do something different, I have really never had a desk job. Well, I did do some with our plumbing company, but for some reason that doesn't count. The lady, Donna I am taking over for will leave for China in August and at that point it will be my baby. I'm really excited about it!!

I went out on a couple of day trips, one where they sell mostly crystal and another where they sell Gezel. So I'll send a few pictures of those trips.

Later, Jon and Janice

2008-05-18T00:06:00.000-07:00

I would have to say that this is one of the most interesting pictures I have ever taken. I went outside one evening to take a picture of the tulips and while walking past them I got a glimps of this refliction. Yes, Russia is beautiful!

2008-05-17T23:54:00.000-07:00

I took a picture of this one evening and decided it was an interesting shot so I tryed it in the daytime as well.
Russia is a very interesting and fun place to live. It's fun to get out and try to speak the language. Buying food at the stores and markets have been my biggest challenge.

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-04-21T11:13:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Russia

2008-04-05T05:40:00.000-07:00

Click or roll-over picture to see captions. :-)

The Martins Christmas

2008-01-06T17:38:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Bean

2007-11-16T08:36:00.001-08:00

For The Good Times

2007-11-13T17:05:00.000-08:00

This morning we received a phone call from some Dear Friends of ours. They said they were in St. George and would like to come and visit. These two were our first Friends as a married couple. I'm sure by now you have figured it out that is was Tom and Sandy Daniels. They dropped by and we talked about the past, present, future and as couples our age we talk about all of our bumps and bruises that have accrued due to age. We went to Rewind and had a little lunch and ordered a couple of Old Fashioned malts.

Tom was in a truck headed home, Sandy was headed to AZ to take care of some family matters and to take part in a 110 mile bike race. Good Luck to her, both with family and the race. She's thinking it will take about 7-8 hours.

We took a few pictures but they were on her camera so I hope to get them soon and I'll post them.

Dad and I are still working on the upstairs room, lots to do. We are having a hard time picking out paint colors.

Love to you all and we are getting so excited about everyone coming for Christmas. Keep us posted on your Thanksgiving plans.

And thanks to Tom and Sandy for the visit ;o)

SLY mom

I'm still learning, I will forever be learning

In Quest of a New Bedroom

2007-11-10T10:45:00.001-08:00

Halloween 2007

2007-11-08T15:12:00.001-08:00

A few new shots...

2007-11-08T14:09:00.000-08:00

Take time to smell the Roses

Halloween Witches

"Guess What I've Been Up To???

2007-11-08T14:06:00.000-08:00

Hi,
Just to keep things short Jen helped me set this up a while ago and now the Bean is helping me some more. I'll write more when I learn how. SLY me