STILL ALIVE

THIS IS MY POST CHRISTMAS/POST VALENTINES LETTER FOR 2012

Dear Friends and Family:

This letter is going to seem crazy to some of you.  I have always been an ardent Christmas letter writer but the last couple of years have found me faltering.  I have not sat down and written or sent Holiday greetings to our choicest friends and family.

It isn’t that I think you need to know about “the Fontanos” but rather that I need to think about you!  I have always felt a special spirit as I have gone through lists of names each year and renewed feelings of love that we have for each of you.  I always treasure the thoughts I have – “oh I remember when we went to girls camp”, “oh she makes the best desserts”,  “yes, he was such a great bishop or scout leader”, “our kids had such great fun together”….   You know, those feelings that have just enriched your life. 

Well, last year I at least got around to sending out some quickie email notes at Christmas time 2010…  then during this year, I got hacked and lost all of my email addresses and consequently all of my other addresses as well.  (I thought I was so smart by putting them all on the computer email list).  I am not savvy enough to know how to regain that information.  I have gone through some old lists and have found some of you there.  I also realize that many addresses are lost now forever and I have to say that hurts my heart.

I hope you will enjoy this letter.  I hope you will respond by perhaps letting me know your physical and email address.  It would mean so much to me and to Jim as well.  We cherish our memories of times with you and with your families. 

Best wishes to you.  We hope your life is good and you are healthy.  We hope your family is happy.  We especially express our gratitude for the goodness you have brought into our lives and for the memories we have of you.  Have a great year and know that you are loved by The Fontanos!

*if you are receiving this via email then Jim had you on his email address list – however there is a good chance I don’t have your physical address, so I’d appreciate it if you would send it to me! 

Dear Friends and Family:

This is our (my) after Christmas, after Valentines letter.  We have not disappeared, we have just relocated yet again and I have lost access to my email accounts as well as misplaced most of my addresses.  So if you receive  this letter via the US Postal service, then let it be known that I found your address.  If you would be so very kind, please return email me at my current email and let me know your email address!

I am not meant to live in this technological world.  It seems like we are constantly changing  accounts  (business, banking, telephones, computers… you name it and I am always playing catch up.  Last fall, my email account got hacked and so I lost all of my information that I so brilliantly put into yahoo including my friends and family addresses and phone numbers etc.  I have felt so alone… literally.   I miss knowing about all of you and how you are.  I hope you will have a minute to respond to this letter and tell me some things about you and your family.

So here is our yearly update for the Fontanos… Jim and I are living in Cedar City in a cute house that is just the perfect size for us (at least that is what I think).  Jim has in mind to move to a condo so don’t think we are done with our moves yet. 

Mid 2010 we started an antique and oddity business in a little house here in town.  We called it “The Little Brick House.”   I thought it would be a fun “hobby” for me.  John was also looking for a job at the time and got involved.  It was fun to decorate this shop and we also made baskets and fudge.  About 8 months into the project we knew that we either needed to move and expand or close down.  There is an old bakery in Cedar that actually has approximately 4500 square feet and a large basement.  It also had a kitchen or at least the beginnings of a commercial kitchen.  We put up some walls, knocked down a few, scraped doughnut grease from the ceilings and walls, painted, did some plumbing, wired and rewired,  and by the first of June we opened a much larger Antique and Craft mall.  We have consignors and renters who bring in interesting and wonderful items for the store.   We still do gift baskets and about 12 different flavors of fudge.  Jim is thinking to process his own jams and sauces as well.

By the first weekend in July we were able to open our restaurant “The Brickhouse Café”.   We make all kinds of fattening and delicious sandwiches, homemade soups, salads and desserts.  Just getting started, our budget is tight and so we are doing most of the work.  Dave and his wife Dani came on board as well as Amy.  We are pretty much a family run business with me watching the store and John, Amy and Dave working the café.  Jim runs all of our errands, takes care of advertising and whatever else we need.

We have done very well and we are so hopeful for this year.  We were worried about January and February being slow and cold months but they have been great.  We seem to be doing well in both the store and the café. 

Because this was such an eventful Christmas season, I didn’t get around to even thinking about Christmas letters.  Being that we had moved again, I realized that most of you had no idea where we were or what we were up to.  Here is an update on each of the kids and their families:

Jim and Clorinda are still in North Las Vegas where Marien is a freshman in High School, Clayton in 8^th grade and Kathryn in 5^th.  We are glad they don’t live too far away and they are great about coming up for holidays and spending time with the family.

John and his 3 kids live in Cedar too.  Natalie is in 6^th grade, Jack in 2^nd and Andy in kindergarten.  John has a full time and more job keeping up with the kids and running the café. 

Pete and Tara are in Houston TX and love it there.  Jeremy, Abbie and Ben are darling children – active in sports and dance.  We don’t see them often but we did have the greatest of surprises when last summer they came walking through the front door of the Little Brick House!

Jay and Sara and their six children:  Mack, Tara, Jayson, Jaykob, Anna and Tom are all doing great.  Jay has been taking an animation class  and when he finishes this spring they anticipate moving away from Cedar to a place where Jay can work with the skills he has been learning. 

Mike and Liana live in Laramie where both are going to school and working.  Mike works as a bus driver and tells some great tales about what he does to those poor kids.  We shared a fun trip with them after Christmas to Disneyland (don’t ever go to D-land during Christmas Vacation) and Newport Beach.  As always it was a delight to be with them. 

Laura and Nigel Bloomfield are attending the University of Utah where Nigel is finishing up his MBA.  They have two children:  Sheylani almost 6 and Donovan 16 months.  We get to see them quite often when we go on buying trips to Salt Lake or when they come down for a visit. 

David and Dani live here in Cedar where Dani works for a local Dentist and Dave goes to SUU and works with us every day at the shop and Café.  Dani also has a Zumba studio and has lots of energy.  I keep thinking I’ll get back to exercising with her but haven’t been there since Christmas.

Amy works at the café and still does hair as well.  She lives with some roommates her in Cedar and attends the University stake.  She has a new boyfriend and although he lives up in Orem and goes to UVU – they seem to see each other several times a month.

Jim is still serving in a bishopric at the University.  He should be there until April when his time is up.  He loves the kids and the opportunity.  I was just called in my old age to go to girls camp again…  I am pretty excited about that again!

Well, that is our story for now.  We have had some great experiences this year… took a cruise up the coast of California to Victoria for our 40^th anniversary, went to Salt Lake for an adult family reunion, made our yearly move and have enjoyed seeing so many friends and making new friends at the shop. 

We are feeling our aches and pains but for the most part, life is good.  We hope this letter finds you well and happy and hope that we can do a better job of keeping up with you!

The Fontanos    1348 S 860 W - Cedar City UT 84720 -  435-590-5415   jimfontano@gmail.com    kathleenfontano@yahoo.com

What happened to January?

Wow, I thought last month went by fast - this month was even faster.  I can't believe there are only two more days in January - I just can't seem to catch my breath anymore.  Well January has been a good month at the shop and especially the cafe.  I was afraid things would die but actually we have had some very good days in the store and the cafe is averaging at about double what we did in November... I could be exagerating but i don't think so.  At least this last week we had phenominal days and Friday we did over $1300 in the cafe which is our record so far I believe.  I see a light in the future... that light means maybe we can hire a few people to help us out!
So the other thing I wanted to mention tonight was the chance I had to go to New Beginnings for Mack and Natalie tonight.  It was 'Happily Ever After" and it was such a nice program.  Both girls are so excited to get started as new Beehives - Nat will turn 12 on Feb 20th and Mack on March 21.  They will have great leaders and the older girls in their YW group seemed to be cute.  It seems like yesterday that we were doing New Beginnings for Laura and then for Amy.  I was in YW last about 5 years ago now.  That was with Amy's age group and included the Pace girls, the Lundgren twins, Hillary Stavros, the Carter girls, Lacey Larsen... all of them grown up now and most of them married.  It seems like only yesterday that we were taking them to do baptisms at the temple, telling stories and playing games around the campfire at Girls Camp, enjoying times together at Youth Conference etc. 
The other day I came across my Beehive Bandalo - blue felt,band  decorated with Beehives, red rose (my flower), bars and stripes for things I don't remember.  I do remember however that I had the most wonderful Beehive leaders.  Sister Shari Pack was my first year and she was just the sweetest thing.  A new married girl whose husband was going to school - I think she wasn't over 22.  I just adored her.  Then I had my Beegive 2 teacher but I don't remember her name - however I do remember that she used to pick my up for MIA as we called it in those days and she took me to various activities.  I loved her too.  They were so good to me and I think their influence helped me to desire to give to the girls I have served that same feeling of being loved and cared for.  I have served as a YW leader many, many times as my Patriarchal Blessing said .  I was reminded tonight how much I love theYW program.  It was a strength to me when I needed it so desperately after my Mother died  and has continued to hold a place in my heart  over the many years I have served.  I hope and pray that each of my little grand-daughters (including Marien, Nat and Mack) will feel the love of the program and of their leaders and that it will be an influence for good throughout their lives.

What happened to December?

I am so sad that December came and went this year and I really didn't ever feel the spirit of the Season.  I was so busy at the store and I didn't think I had time to do the things I usually do like 12 days etc.  I loved going to California after Christmas with Jim and Amy and Mike and Liana.  It was crowded at Disneyland but being in the great weather and enjoying being with the family it was truly wonderful.
I enjoyed Christmas with everyone as well.  We did do the traditional Nativity dinner and everyone did their part from Jack being a donkey to Andy and Anna being Joseph and Mary.  Christmas eve the LBH crew went to Garden House for dinner and before that we went to see Sherlock Holmes at the movies.  It was a different type of Christmas eve but it was so great not to have to prepare dinner etc. after such a hard week at the cafe and shop.  Jim and Clorinda and kids came over after and spent the night.  Christmas morning was fun and then the rest of the family came for dinner. 
After Christmas and Disneyland, we came home for New Years.  Laura and Nigel and kids came up on Friday and spent the weekend.  We had a great time with traditional fondue and although i am sure i went to bed before midnight, the New Year came in regardless.  I am hoping that I can have a great 2012 ... and balance my time to enjoy life and not just work, work,work.
As i write this I guess we really did have a nice December... I know it was different but it was good.  I am not so sure i like all of this change in my life.  Tradition is important to me but I know that things are changing and I have to make the changes. 
So Iwill try to make more of an effort this month to keep up on my blog.  I am interested to see how much I forget when I write after a couple of weeks like this.  

It's December already?!

I just saw that I missed blogging for the entire month of November... I have been reading Liana's blogs and I so enjoy her thoughts and words.  She is a great writer and it is fun to read her  thoughts on life.  She is a great gal and I am so glad to have her as a daughter-in -law. 
Tonight I am watching Burn Notice and starting with episode one on Netfllix - I am starting to understand a whole lot more of the reason for the story.  November has also been a great month for watching The Biggest Loser and Amy and I are now into Season 5.  I am learning some interesting things about how people gain weight to cover for other problems that they have.  I probably have eaten most of my life because I like to eat!  I don't know if I have a lot of negative things to influence the eating - i just like food.  On the other hand, watching the Biggest Loser has helped to make me feel a determination to watch the food I eat and try and make it worth the calories... now the exercise, well, that's another story.  Skipped 2 Zumba sessions over the last two weeks and now I need to get back on track and at least get in two sessions this week.  It is one of those hard things to do and yet you feel so good after you go.  hope i can keep doing it!
Seems like I have not got a lot to say after a whole month of not writing.  I know there were some significant things I wanted to write about this last month but i just never got there.  Lesson learned:  write it when it is fresh.
We are waiting to hear about what is going on with Jim.  He has been miserable over the last 3 weeks and hardly able to eat anything.  Yesterday he went for at Cat scan and should find out on Monday what is wrong... then we'll have to work on how to fix it.  Jim is a quiet patient and doesn't really complain much but he can also walk around like a zombie.  I think he will be better after he knows what he is dealing with.  I am trying to stay positive but this is another anxious time.  I can feel it in my whole soul just like in the past when things have been hard for us...I truly hope he can come through this, I can't bear to think of what it might mean otherwise.
So anyway, it is December and Christmas is around the corner.  We are busy at the store and in the restaurant.  I need to get presents put together and I do so hope we can go to Disneyland...  Hoping for the best!

CEDAR FAMILY SUNDAY NIGHT ACTIVITY

We had our first Sunday get-together for the Cedar Fontanos tonight.  We met for dinner and then a lesson/activity.  I felt good about it although got some complaints that it was long... too bad Grandpa!
We had some fun talking about why each person was special.  I think G-pa was just ornery about it cause he, being the oldest, was the last one in the special seat and so he had to wait awhile to hear some good comments about himself! It was fun to hear nice comments and observations made about each member of the family and how they are doing.  I also liked that the younger set found good things to say about each other!  We plan to do this once a month, on the third Sunday... I hope it works.
On another note, I heard Saturday that my New Harmony neighbor Martha Coe on 3430 passed away.  She is just a year or so older than me and was such an active woman.  I have great memories of the time that we lived by each other... we were good friends and I have missed her.  We had a lot in common at the time.  We both had children in the same age range and we had both had 8 children.  She was a great example to me of enthusiasm and hard work.  I am remembering that we served together as activity day leaders.  I know she had such a loving and giving personality and I loved being around her.  We did a lot of family things and she and Bill were always so good to our children. 
I was mentioning to Laura on the phone tonight that her passing makes three of my very best friends now have died... Ellie Grover, Shanna Reed and Martha Coe.  All three were what I would call kindred spirits.  I just loved them and they were just natural friends who I felt I could share anything with.  I haven't had a lot of friends like that in my life.  Glad for them and their influence for good.

I've been hacked!

Last week my Yahoo email was hacked.  I lost all of my contacts and it makes me sick.  Some of those addresses have gotten posted on the Little Brick House account but none on my gmail account.  My Carson City friends, my "family" group, my New Harmony friends... I just don't have anything on them.  Hope someof them will send me there addresses again so I can get them on the list.
This weekend Amy and I spent some time with Laura and Nigel and family.  We just mostly shopped and talked but it was a good time.  I just love to be with those little grandkids.  Shey is so wonderful.  I love her so much.  She treats me like I am just the best grandma ever.  Donovan had his first birthday.  He took 4 steps for his Dad but then fell down and wouldn't get up again.  He got lots of little cars and made car sounds and pushed them all over the floor and furniture.  He loves Amy and he will let me hold him.  We had a fun time at Texas Roadhouse for dinner on his birthday when he got to ride the saddle!
Got back about 8:30 Sunday night and then spent Monday with Susan in St. George.  We went to the temple and to lunch and then did a little shopping.  Today I worked in the shop and we sold some good stuff... Diane Delport's buffet to a young couple.  I could tell she loved antiques.  I am starting to move some things into the back room and was able to rent a space today and have another vendor ask me to apply the money they had made to their rent!  Yeah, I have been so sick about owing different vendors and consignors money and now these people come forward with money right when I need it!  I think my prayers are being answered!
That brings me up to tonight.  Not much happening except that Jim tried another type of fudge.  While I was gone he made Pumpkin Pecan and Butterscotch Penuche that were both delicious and tonight he tried to make some Gingerbread... I sampled a little and couldn't really taste the ginger but perhaps as it sits out overnight it will get better...
I read Liana and John's blogs tonight and they both brought tears to my eyes.  John talking about Jack and how he is progressing in school.  He had a tantrum the other day and then the next day apologized to the aide and said he would do better (that was all on his own, John didn't even know about the incident).  Liana talked about being cold in their house and using her peppermint bath stuff (I had some of that because she gave me it for Christmas and I loved it) also how she helped her mom by bringing in wood and how she loves her mom's toasted homemade bread with hot cocoa (my favorite)... I love reading both of these blogs because they bring me closer to these special people.  Both are great and entertaining writers.
So I am going to read a chapter or two in my book and then head for bed.  Seems like today was a day of getting up, getting dressed, going to work, coming home from work, getting ready for bed again...  No complaints really... I love the challenges at work, the kids make me sandwiches at work and I get to see lots of old friends and make new friends.  I also made three fun baskets today for the Apple Fest and like I said earlier I felt the Lord's hand in helping us get through some challenges at the business.  Life is good.

Keep on blogging

I've already written a blog tonight but then I read John and Liana's blogs where both talked about quitting the blogging world... I must say that I hope they do not.  I thoroughly enjoy their blogs.  I also read Laura's blogs and feel like all three keep me up on what is going on in their lives and in their thoughts.  I love to read Liana's blogs because I don't know her as well and they teach me so many things about her and about her thoughts.  I also am amazed at the things John writes.  I love to read his comments about the kids and also about how he is getting along in life.  Tonight I read about Rachel telling him how she was sorry for the way she had treated him and that he was a good man... brought tears to my eyes.  Not only because he deserved to hear that but also because I am grateful that Rachel has had her heart softened.  I enjoy Laura's blog as well.  She shares frustrations and struggles that otherwise I doubt she would mention to me... she also puts on pictures of the kids which I so enjoy.   I am just so glad for this medium of communication.  I hope all of these guys just keep on blogging!