Well, it's Wednesday night @ 10:00. I'm headed to bed and back to work tomorrow. I've had two glorious days off work. Got some things done on my Need To Do list, got some things done on my Want To Do list. Didn't get everything on both lists. Oh well...list fodder for another day.
Went to Scrapbooking group at the church. Missed you Jana and crew. I just have to say my daughter Sarah is the BEST (but she's not my favorite. I don't have a favorite). I realize I'm not unbiased or unprejudiced, so you can probably just quit reading here, but really. She's talented and giving and is really good at most things she does. She's a good teacher ( she gets that from her dad) whether it's teaching Scrapbooking class to a bunch of women or Young Women lessons or HS English (hope you never have to take one of her tests!). She worries a lot about being a good mom and wife and PERSON and I guess it's the worrying that makes her good at all those things, because she wants to be good at them. Women do this, I know, much more than men. Sarah does her share. So do I. Erin probably does, but doesn't talk about it as much. Anyway, Scrapbooking for Sarah is really a lot for her to do and the amazing thing is...she doesn't even HAVE to do it but she does. For us. Thank you, Sarah.
But, I have to give my other kids their kudos, too. Erin is an AWESOME mother. And really smart. Nathan is, from what I see, a pretty good husband and amazing Dad. David makes me laugh (even when I shouldn't) and is great with kids. One day, he'll be an awesome father. Michael is growing up more every day and is genuinely good. Why is it that JUST when they get to that age when you REALLY like them...they move away or go to college or a mission or get married? I know it's the way it's supposed to be, but really, my kids are some of my mostest favorite people. OK, enough already.
I went shopping for friend Terry's wedding on Friday. Getting excited for that. Happy for Terry. Happy for Matt. Ran some other errands and fell asleep on the couch right before my R.S. Pres. meeting @ 4:30. Woke up @ 4:23. Yikes! Hurry. Was only 5 min. late. Whew.
Saturday is a busy day already. Nails at 9:30, Terry & Matt's recption from 11-2, Mackenzie's baptism (I'm speaking on baptism) @ 5:00.
Still waiting on news on Michael's med. paperwork. Seems to be lost in...somewhere. Haven't heard anything from anyone. Patience is a virtue. Virtue is good. Does anyone know where I can pick some up? Smith's? 7-11? Target?
Guess I'm headed back to work tomorrow. Thank you CCSD for the two personal leave days you gave me this year for not taking more than 40 hours of sick leave LAST year. I have over 700 hours of sick leave accumulated ( I had over 800 before my surgery) and I could just use them whenever I want to take a day, but, I have a problem with lying about it and calling in sick when I'm not. So, I don't use it unless I'm actually sick. Or sort of sick. Sick enough to not feel like I would be lying to call in. I'm blessed to be actually healthy most of the time. That's what not smoking does for you, I think. So many people I know at work that smoke are sick at least once or twice a year with respiratory yuch. Some of it really serious stuff.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day 2007
It's 9:30 in the AM on Memorial Day, 2007. I've been awake since about 6:15, but dozed a little til about 7:30. Read my scriptures which I'm trying to be much better at, made a list (don't you love that, Sarah) of the things I want/need/could do today and the next 2 days. (I had saved 2 personal leave days to use in case we needed to take Michael to the MTC, but that isn't happening before June 30 which is the date by which I need to use them or lose them, so I am off work on Tuesday and Wednesday). I have some sewing I really need to get to, some grocery shopping (isn't there always?), some cooking (ditto), a new outfit to buy for a wedding I'm going to this weekend---Yay, Terry & Matt!---just.....life, I guess. Mundane, not too exciting life. I'm not complaining. I've had enough drama in my life at times to have learned to appreciate the slow, not so exciting days. Sometimes when I read my girls' blogs and read about all their doings, I get tired. But, I know at one time, I was there in that same boat, rowing away. That's what Mom's do.
Barlows and Garrard families are in Utah this weekend. It's weird how I miss my kids just knowing they are away. Erin & Kevin had us over for lunch yesterday after church which was 1) delicious & 2) much appreciated. My kids are good cooks! They are always making things I love.
And, finally, we're still waiting...patiently?...for the mysterious medical paperwork to appear so Michael can get on with the mission call. He wondered yesterday if it wasn't something he could just download from online. I don't know. I would think if that was the case then that would have been told him last week and he could have found out by now what else he needs. There is a reason, there is a reason, there is a reason...
Barlows and Garrard families are in Utah this weekend. It's weird how I miss my kids just knowing they are away. Erin & Kevin had us over for lunch yesterday after church which was 1) delicious & 2) much appreciated. My kids are good cooks! They are always making things I love.
And, finally, we're still waiting...patiently?...for the mysterious medical paperwork to appear so Michael can get on with the mission call. He wondered yesterday if it wasn't something he could just download from online. I don't know. I would think if that was the case then that would have been told him last week and he could have found out by now what else he needs. There is a reason, there is a reason, there is a reason...
Thursday, May 24, 2007
OK, maybe I lied...but not on purpose.
It looks like there's been a snag with Michael's paperwork. Evidently the papers HAVEN'T gone in. Yet. From what I understand, after the Stake Pres. interview, the Bishop needs to "sign off" on "something". When our BRAND-NEW Bishop went online to sign in, the system wouldn't let him because it hadn't been updated to reflect that he is our Bishop. Still had our old Bishop listed. So, today, after work, I got home and there is a message from the Stake Clerk (or someone) telling Michael to call him "regarding some missing information". So, the papers haven't gone in. Patience. Can't control this. What's one or two more weeks in the overall scheme of things???????? I keep telling myself that this is for a plan and he'll go where he's meant to go, when he's meant to be there. There...(big breath) I feel better.
I have a gripe. We had an AC unit that has been making a horrible sound. Still cooled fine, but we figured it was a matter of time before that wasn't the case. Went through our American Home Shield homeowners insurance and had a contractor come out THREE times. Couldn't find anything, but took our $55 service fee. Got 2nd opinion last Saturday. Great. Bad compressor. AHS approved replacing it. Sweet. Wait...there's $350 that isn't covered. Per AHS, $150 for freon recapture (EPA guidelines) and $200 to haul away the old compressor. Howard said for $200 we can haul it away ourselves. So, when the part came in and they called to set up the appointment to install said compressor, I had a chat with the scheduler and told her we'd pass on the $200 fee, thanks. She put me on with Victor, owner/manager of A1 Air Conditioning and Heating, who told me that AHS had misquoted the fees, that the entire $350 was for the freon recapture and disposal. So, after about 10 minutes of polite discussion, I finally said, "fine, go ahead and schedule it to be installed". So, today, Agustin comes and all credit to him, worked on our AC for about 4+ hours. When he left my well running AC, and brought me the receipt, right there, in black and white carbon was the $150 freon recapture and $$200 disposal fee. So, I called the company. Of course, Victor is gone, so I speak to the receptionist who really doesn't have an answer as to why Victor is telling me on one day that what AHS quotes is WRONG, but the very next day, gives me something in writing that is EXACTLY what AHS said the charge was. I asked her why I should pay the entire amount, because at that point, the compressor was installed, an payment was being made for that by AHS. It seems to me as though they were just trying to gouge us out of $200. She told me that if I didn't pay for the entire thing, that they would take the compressor out. I would stop payment on the check, if I weren't afraid they would do just that, but it makes me think I should take them to small claims court. Of course, by now, they have actually taken the compressor and disposed of it, in the SPECIAL, $200 DUMPSTER, I'm sure. What a rip off. All I can say is AAHHGGH!!! Where is an attorney in the family when you need one?!
OK, I started this and had to come back to it. Michael's "snag" with the mission paperwork is that evidently, the medical paperwork he had was "old" paperwork. So, he needs to pick up new paperwork, get a new appointment with the doctor, and get whatever else checked/tested/poked/probed/examined he needs to. Don't know how long that process will take. He's frustrated, I could tell. Guess him making it to the Temple when Nate and Stacy are sealed will be pretty much out of the question, with this hold up happening. Disappointing to me, if no one else. But, I refer to my last sentence in the first paragraph!
Tomorrow is Friday. Hoooooorrrrrrraaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy!
I have a gripe. We had an AC unit that has been making a horrible sound. Still cooled fine, but we figured it was a matter of time before that wasn't the case. Went through our American Home Shield homeowners insurance and had a contractor come out THREE times. Couldn't find anything, but took our $55 service fee. Got 2nd opinion last Saturday. Great. Bad compressor. AHS approved replacing it. Sweet. Wait...there's $350 that isn't covered. Per AHS, $150 for freon recapture (EPA guidelines) and $200 to haul away the old compressor. Howard said for $200 we can haul it away ourselves. So, when the part came in and they called to set up the appointment to install said compressor, I had a chat with the scheduler and told her we'd pass on the $200 fee, thanks. She put me on with Victor, owner/manager of A1 Air Conditioning and Heating, who told me that AHS had misquoted the fees, that the entire $350 was for the freon recapture and disposal. So, after about 10 minutes of polite discussion, I finally said, "fine, go ahead and schedule it to be installed". So, today, Agustin comes and all credit to him, worked on our AC for about 4+ hours. When he left my well running AC, and brought me the receipt, right there, in black and white carbon was the $150 freon recapture and $$200 disposal fee. So, I called the company. Of course, Victor is gone, so I speak to the receptionist who really doesn't have an answer as to why Victor is telling me on one day that what AHS quotes is WRONG, but the very next day, gives me something in writing that is EXACTLY what AHS said the charge was. I asked her why I should pay the entire amount, because at that point, the compressor was installed, an payment was being made for that by AHS. It seems to me as though they were just trying to gouge us out of $200. She told me that if I didn't pay for the entire thing, that they would take the compressor out. I would stop payment on the check, if I weren't afraid they would do just that, but it makes me think I should take them to small claims court. Of course, by now, they have actually taken the compressor and disposed of it, in the SPECIAL, $200 DUMPSTER, I'm sure. What a rip off. All I can say is AAHHGGH!!! Where is an attorney in the family when you need one?!
OK, I started this and had to come back to it. Michael's "snag" with the mission paperwork is that evidently, the medical paperwork he had was "old" paperwork. So, he needs to pick up new paperwork, get a new appointment with the doctor, and get whatever else checked/tested/poked/probed/examined he needs to. Don't know how long that process will take. He's frustrated, I could tell. Guess him making it to the Temple when Nate and Stacy are sealed will be pretty much out of the question, with this hold up happening. Disappointing to me, if no one else. But, I refer to my last sentence in the first paragraph!
Tomorrow is Friday. Hoooooorrrrrrraaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Good things
I thought today, as I was headed to church in a pretty positive feeling mood, that I really am very blessed. I started thinking (as I often do, but probably not often enough) of the things I'm grateful for/really like. Here are some of them, but they are just randomly listed, in no paricular order.
1. Banana flavored candy--Laffy Taffy, etc.
2. The beach on a warm, sunny day.
3. Red Pepper Stew.
4. Road trips with people I like.
5. DVR.
6. Grey's Anatomy.
7. The smell of freshly mown grass.
8. Baby giggles.
9. A good Sunday School lesson.
10. Hymns.
11. Car washes.
12. Learning new things.
13. My husband's legs.
14. Country music.
15. Puppy breath.
16. Making quilts (it's been a while).
17. Finishing a book.
18. Going to the movie with friends.
19. Boston Legal.
20. Fresh cinnamon rolls.
21. Fried catfish (southern style).
22. Family History.
23. Family reunions.
24. Girl friend weekends with Marsha, Calleen & Cathy.
25. Doing nice things for others.
26. Sheets dried outside.
27. My house after the house cleaner lady comes.
28. Sparkly clean floors & windows.
29. Caffeine Free Diet Dr. Pepper.
30. Caffeine Free Diet soda IN THE FOUNTAIN at restraunts & convenience stores.
31. Floating in a 85 degree swimming pool.
32. Oldies (60s & 70s music).
33. Cross stitching.
34. Word Processing.
35. Microwave ovens.
36. My icemaker/water dispenser on the front of my fridge.
37. Being able to park my car in the garage.
39. Being around my kids when they are reminiscing about their childhood.
40. Being around my kids.
41. Waiting for my kids' mission calls.
42. Wating for my return missionary coming home!
43. Idaho grown baked potatoes.
44. Ham & bean soup & fresh homemade bread (thanks to Grandma Garrard for teaching me how good that could be)!
45. My husband's dry, slightly naughty, slightly sick sense of humor.
46. Daffodils.
47. Listening to Erin play the piano.
48. Watching David play with the grandkids.
49. Holding hands.
50. Being listened to.
51. Good steak.
52. Old friends.
53. New friends.
54. Old friends rediscovered.
55. Babies right out of the bath.
56. Someone else unloading the dishwasher!
57. Clean bathrooms.
58. Fudge.
59. Hugs.
60. White teeth.
61. Personalized stationary.
62. Massages.
63. Foot massages.
64. Shoulder massages.
65. Losing weight.
66. Blogs.
67. Singing in the car (never the shower).
68. The song "Love Shack".
69. The Temptations.
70. Red Robin.
71. Target.
72. Unhealthy as it is, a "good" suntan!
73. Hearing about my kids accomplishments.
74. Hearing how much teachers like working with my husband.
75. Vacuum tracks in the carpet.
78. Folding laundry (not putting it away).
79. Lemon flavored desserts.
80. The smell of Honeysuckle.
81. Cemetaries.
82. American History.
83. America!!!!!
84. Atlases
85. Dancing.
86. Good service at stores/restraunts.
87. Seeing Davids art.
88. Weddings.
89.Relief Society.
90. Cel Phones.
91. Washington D.C.
92. New York City.
93. Gulf of Mexico beach in Florida.
94. Trips to Louisiana.
95. Philisophical conversations with my daughters and friends.
96. Seeing people act with integrity.
97. Feeling prompted to do something, doing it and knowing I did the right thing.
98. Good running cars.
99. Doing a good job at something.
100. Feeling like LIFE IS GOOD!
1. Banana flavored candy--Laffy Taffy, etc.
2. The beach on a warm, sunny day.
3. Red Pepper Stew.
4. Road trips with people I like.
5. DVR.
6. Grey's Anatomy.
7. The smell of freshly mown grass.
8. Baby giggles.
9. A good Sunday School lesson.
10. Hymns.
11. Car washes.
12. Learning new things.
13. My husband's legs.
14. Country music.
15. Puppy breath.
16. Making quilts (it's been a while).
17. Finishing a book.
18. Going to the movie with friends.
19. Boston Legal.
20. Fresh cinnamon rolls.
21. Fried catfish (southern style).
22. Family History.
23. Family reunions.
24. Girl friend weekends with Marsha, Calleen & Cathy.
25. Doing nice things for others.
26. Sheets dried outside.
27. My house after the house cleaner lady comes.
28. Sparkly clean floors & windows.
29. Caffeine Free Diet Dr. Pepper.
30. Caffeine Free Diet soda IN THE FOUNTAIN at restraunts & convenience stores.
31. Floating in a 85 degree swimming pool.
32. Oldies (60s & 70s music).
33. Cross stitching.
34. Word Processing.
35. Microwave ovens.
36. My icemaker/water dispenser on the front of my fridge.
37. Being able to park my car in the garage.
39. Being around my kids when they are reminiscing about their childhood.
40. Being around my kids.
41. Waiting for my kids' mission calls.
42. Wating for my return missionary coming home!
43. Idaho grown baked potatoes.
44. Ham & bean soup & fresh homemade bread (thanks to Grandma Garrard for teaching me how good that could be)!
45. My husband's dry, slightly naughty, slightly sick sense of humor.
46. Daffodils.
47. Listening to Erin play the piano.
48. Watching David play with the grandkids.
49. Holding hands.
50. Being listened to.
51. Good steak.
52. Old friends.
53. New friends.
54. Old friends rediscovered.
55. Babies right out of the bath.
56. Someone else unloading the dishwasher!
57. Clean bathrooms.
58. Fudge.
59. Hugs.
60. White teeth.
61. Personalized stationary.
62. Massages.
63. Foot massages.
64. Shoulder massages.
65. Losing weight.
66. Blogs.
67. Singing in the car (never the shower).
68. The song "Love Shack".
69. The Temptations.
70. Red Robin.
71. Target.
72. Unhealthy as it is, a "good" suntan!
73. Hearing about my kids accomplishments.
74. Hearing how much teachers like working with my husband.
75. Vacuum tracks in the carpet.
78. Folding laundry (not putting it away).
79. Lemon flavored desserts.
80. The smell of Honeysuckle.
81. Cemetaries.
82. American History.
83. America!!!!!
84. Atlases
85. Dancing.
86. Good service at stores/restraunts.
87. Seeing Davids art.
88. Weddings.
89.Relief Society.
90. Cel Phones.
91. Washington D.C.
92. New York City.
93. Gulf of Mexico beach in Florida.
94. Trips to Louisiana.
95. Philisophical conversations with my daughters and friends.
96. Seeing people act with integrity.
97. Feeling prompted to do something, doing it and knowing I did the right thing.
98. Good running cars.
99. Doing a good job at something.
100. Feeling like LIFE IS GOOD!
Saturday, May 19, 2007
For Stacy
Stacy! I tried to post on your blog, but the option wasn't there. I'm so sorry about Thursday night. I had been home, but I made food to take to a family who had a death and visited a while. I don't know why anyone else didn't answer, other than if a strange number comes up and isn't recognized, often it doesn't get answered. If you had left a message, I'm sure someowne would have picked up. I didn't get home until after 9. So, if you were calling from neighbor Don's phone #, that could be the reason. What a real bummer of a night. If you thought we were home, you could have just come over here and hung out until Nate got off work. Maybe you need to keep a list of phone numbers of family members to call outside. That has to be near the top of the worst-things-that-have-happened-to-me list. I love you and feel terrible that we weren't any help to you.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Almost a Missionary!
Well, it's official. Michael met Wednesday night with Stake Pres. Davie. Couldn't find the medical paperwork to turn in with the rest of his packet. Found them that night. Met Pres. Davie on Thursday night, passed on the papers. I'm assuming that the papers are on their way. Yay!!! Bishop says the call COULD come in 2 weeks. I learned today that the missionary committee meets on Wednesdays, then the First Pres. meets on Thursdays and they give the final OK (or not) to the MC recommendations. So, I'm thinking that the call COULD come a early as May 31, but more likely June 7 (I think Thursdays are the magic day, usually). Anyway, we'll just see. Big waiting game, then it's on to shopping for suits and shirts and socks & stuff!
I talked to my cousin Carlene today. Her daughter-in-law, Sue, had breast cancer 4 years ago. I just found out it returned and in November, she had a double mastectomy and nearly died from a subsequent staph infection and collapsed lung. I just hate hearing stuff like that about people my age! Ever since my friend Dodie went through her breast cancer about 11 years ago, I've given a fair amount of consideration to the subject. It's weird how cancer is. You can have it and be feeling perfectly fine before you learn you have it. Then, it's discovered, and to treat you, you get so sick you nearly die. Literally. I mean, after all, you're being poisoned with chemo. But, I'm grateful to live in the day and age I do so if it does happen, I have a better chance than my grandparents and even parents would have had. I've decided being born in 1955 was really a good time. I mean, Disneyland opened that year!! Nice of Mickey to celebrate with me. My sister-in-law is having more surgery on her amputated leg on June 4. I mean what's left of it. She's had some complications and they are hoping they can fix it without having to end up amputating above the knee, which changes the whole dynamic of a prosthetic. I don't know how she endures all she does. She has a lot of health problems. She has a great support in my brother, Gary.
My girls are both out of town. Feels weird.
I talked to my cousin Carlene today. Her daughter-in-law, Sue, had breast cancer 4 years ago. I just found out it returned and in November, she had a double mastectomy and nearly died from a subsequent staph infection and collapsed lung. I just hate hearing stuff like that about people my age! Ever since my friend Dodie went through her breast cancer about 11 years ago, I've given a fair amount of consideration to the subject. It's weird how cancer is. You can have it and be feeling perfectly fine before you learn you have it. Then, it's discovered, and to treat you, you get so sick you nearly die. Literally. I mean, after all, you're being poisoned with chemo. But, I'm grateful to live in the day and age I do so if it does happen, I have a better chance than my grandparents and even parents would have had. I've decided being born in 1955 was really a good time. I mean, Disneyland opened that year!! Nice of Mickey to celebrate with me. My sister-in-law is having more surgery on her amputated leg on June 4. I mean what's left of it. She's had some complications and they are hoping they can fix it without having to end up amputating above the knee, which changes the whole dynamic of a prosthetic. I don't know how she endures all she does. She has a lot of health problems. She has a great support in my brother, Gary.
My girls are both out of town. Feels weird.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Rambling...
No big news. I just got of work and got home (it's 4:45). I should be napping quickly, because I'm driving up to the Temple. Much needed session, as I haven't been in a couple of months. So much for my 2 sessions/mo. goal I set for myself! Maybe I can still make up for the sessions I've missed. Sometimes I imagine taking a day and spending the entire day at the Temple, just to see what that would be like. I'm not that good, though.
Michael is going in tonight for his Stake Pres. inteview. Conceivably, his papers could be submitted tomorrow. I that happens, I expect the call to come in the mail on June 7! I'm personally blocking out that day on my calendar if, in fact, the papers do go in. It's weird. I'm just so stinkin' eager to find out where he's going.
I went to the State Semi-Finals for Men's Volleyball last night. We really have a great ward. I bet I saw 20 people there who were from the ward supporting the kids. Most of them didn't have kids playing at all. It's nice to see such support. Unfortunately, they boys lost, but not without valient effort. I'm sad for the Seniors because there's no more chances for them for that State Championship. But, like Mike said last year, "someone's got to lose".
Nothing profound in this post. More at another time.
Michael is going in tonight for his Stake Pres. inteview. Conceivably, his papers could be submitted tomorrow. I that happens, I expect the call to come in the mail on June 7! I'm personally blocking out that day on my calendar if, in fact, the papers do go in. It's weird. I'm just so stinkin' eager to find out where he's going.
I went to the State Semi-Finals for Men's Volleyball last night. We really have a great ward. I bet I saw 20 people there who were from the ward supporting the kids. Most of them didn't have kids playing at all. It's nice to see such support. Unfortunately, they boys lost, but not without valient effort. I'm sad for the Seniors because there's no more chances for them for that State Championship. But, like Mike said last year, "someone's got to lose".
Nothing profound in this post. More at another time.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Mother's Day
Today--Mother's Day--of course I think of my mother. Elizabeth Joyce Weir Prudhomme Voorhies. She's been gone from this life 23 years. Weird. Because, in my mind, she's still very present. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around the idea that she never even saw 2 of my children, and the other 3 were so young they have very little real memory of her. That the knowledge they have of her has been sort of filtered through me. That to them, she's not very REAL. How can that be when she's SO real to me? I get that that's just how it works. Because I hardly knew HER mother. Been there, done that. BUT, I want her to be real to my kids. I want them to feel like they know her so when they do meet each other again one day in the Spirit World, it won't be a matter of hand-shaking-nice-to-meet-you, but "Hey! How've you been"? Personally, I think we will all be surprised at how much people we never knew here on earth, or hardly knew, knows about us. Our lives, our hearts, our fears, our successes. I think we'll find out that they really helped us in ways we didn't even know at the time. I don't think the people in the Spirit World sit around shadowing us, like voyeurs, but I do think they get updates and get to peek in on our lives at certain times. Big events and when we need them. Real guardian angels. Anyway, back to my mom. I love her. I miss her. She had a hard life while she was here and I'm glad for her she got to get out of it early. (I'm already older than she was when she died)! But, I REALLY look forward to seeing her again and hear her call me "Baby" like she sometimes did. She loved me, was proud of me, loved Howard and my kids. Happy Mother's Day, Mama!
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Every Day Should Be Saturday
It's Saturday night and I've had a busy day. Not as busy as some I know, but busy enough. I began the day rather dreading how much I had to do today. I, along with the rest of my R.S. Presidency decided tht we wanted to make mini-loaves of bread and give them, along with some jam to our sisters in R.S. tomorrow for Mother's Day. So, I got up this morning and made 16 loaves, which is how many loaves I got out of a double batch of bread. I finished that, got gifts giftwrapped and left around 11:30 to attend a bridal shower for my great friend, Terry, who is getting married in about 3 weeks. Fun time. Swim party, but the water was cool and not too many people actually got in the water. The sun and warm weather did something to me though, because when I got home I HAD to have a nap. Went to the church at 6:15 and wrapped the bread and put things together for tomorrow morning. It was fun. Got home around 9:00, after stopping at the Walmart Neighborhood Grocery. I have to say, that place, or maybe it's the parking lot, gives me the creeps at night. Feels very seedy.
What I really want to say most today is how much I love my husband. While I was in the house, making bread, unloading the dishwasher, loading the dishwasher, cleaning the kitchen, wrapping gifts, etc., he went outside with his cute little hat that he wears to do lawn work. I figured it would be the normal 20 minute lawn mow. But no...today he used the leaf blower, and blew dust and dirt and leaves and whatever had accumulated on the patio and around the house. Then, he got out the edger and edged clear around the entire lawn and patio. Then, he picked up poop from the dogs and mowed the lawn. He was probably out there for at least 1 1/2-2 hours. As I was watching him do his thing while I was doing mine, I just had the strongest feelings of love for this man. I know he likes a nice lawn. But, I know that having a nice looking lawn isn't just for his enjoyment. He likes to provide a nice home for his family. He's NEVER been unemployed in the nearly 31 years we've been married, as a matter of fact, there have been times when he's worked 2 and sometimes even 3 jobs to accomplish his husbandly/fatherly duties. He's SO not a complainer, (I am much more so inclined to be one!), just does what he thinks needs to be done. He's endured a lot. Still does. Sometimes---and this is a little sad, I think--- it gets difficult to express what is most deeply in your heart to those people you want to hear it the most. I love him and feel so blessed today to be married to him. My life certainly wouldn't be what it is if I hadn't. I don't even want to try to figure out where I'd be if I hadn't. I have an awesome family and I know I am SO blessed. And, when I see my kids laughing and joking and generally enjoying each others' company...well, it just doesn't get better than that. And the sons in law and the daughter in law? Well, I can't imagine anyone different for my kids to have married. They know how to pick 'em! Great matches, it seems to me. They love my kids and for that, I love them. They are great parents to my grandkids. I can't wait to see who David and Michael eventually marry. I know we'll love them, too. Today is a good day!
What I really want to say most today is how much I love my husband. While I was in the house, making bread, unloading the dishwasher, loading the dishwasher, cleaning the kitchen, wrapping gifts, etc., he went outside with his cute little hat that he wears to do lawn work. I figured it would be the normal 20 minute lawn mow. But no...today he used the leaf blower, and blew dust and dirt and leaves and whatever had accumulated on the patio and around the house. Then, he got out the edger and edged clear around the entire lawn and patio. Then, he picked up poop from the dogs and mowed the lawn. He was probably out there for at least 1 1/2-2 hours. As I was watching him do his thing while I was doing mine, I just had the strongest feelings of love for this man. I know he likes a nice lawn. But, I know that having a nice looking lawn isn't just for his enjoyment. He likes to provide a nice home for his family. He's NEVER been unemployed in the nearly 31 years we've been married, as a matter of fact, there have been times when he's worked 2 and sometimes even 3 jobs to accomplish his husbandly/fatherly duties. He's SO not a complainer, (I am much more so inclined to be one!), just does what he thinks needs to be done. He's endured a lot. Still does. Sometimes---and this is a little sad, I think--- it gets difficult to express what is most deeply in your heart to those people you want to hear it the most. I love him and feel so blessed today to be married to him. My life certainly wouldn't be what it is if I hadn't. I don't even want to try to figure out where I'd be if I hadn't. I have an awesome family and I know I am SO blessed. And, when I see my kids laughing and joking and generally enjoying each others' company...well, it just doesn't get better than that. And the sons in law and the daughter in law? Well, I can't imagine anyone different for my kids to have married. They know how to pick 'em! Great matches, it seems to me. They love my kids and for that, I love them. They are great parents to my grandkids. I can't wait to see who David and Michael eventually marry. I know we'll love them, too. Today is a good day!
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
O my aching....
OK, I'm gearing up in the ol' job for summer craziness. From now until about October, life in the Transportation department is busy, busy, busy. Deadlines, and such. So, for the past couple of weeks, my shoulders have been gathering stress and tension exponentially. I've been thinking I need to go see my GREAT chiropractor, but he's at Trop & Jones and I just didn't want to spend the gas and time to go. Besides, as long as it's been since I've been, I knew I wouldn't be able to get by with a one time visit. Fast forward to today. I set my alarm last night so I could sleep in till 5:45 (normally I'm awake by 5:30), got up, pottied, and all was well. I went into the closet to get dressed and while putting on the upper body foundation garment, something went GRAB and suddenly, I couldn't even take a full, deep breath without searing, stabbing pain in my upper right shoulder blade. I couldn't tip my head down without pain. Every moment that passed, increased the pain. Went to work, because I had a meeting and a DEADLINE I'm working on, but managed to see the chiro on lunch hour. Yes, you can travel from I-15 & St. Rose to Trop. & Jones, see the chiro, stop at Del Taco, call your best friend in Idaho and be back to work in 1 hour and 15 minutes. In case you were wondering. Got adjusted. Better but not much. See him again on Monday. Then...inspiration hit. A new massage therapist has taken residence at my hair salon. Svetlana is the name, massage is her game. I called, and luckily I believe in miracles, I was able to schedule an appointment at 4:30 today. Got there, met her, told her my tale of woe. She worked on me for an hour. Can't say it was all pleasant, because there were times she HURT, but let me tell you what...I felt like a different person coming out of there than I did going in. She seriously helped. A LOT. So, I recommend her highly. Pecos & Wigwam. Revvolutions Hair & Nail Salon. She does 30 min. and 1 hour massages. Swedish, Deep Tissue (which is what I got), Trigger Point, and more. She said I had a lot of tension and stress in my shoulders. Really? But, seriously, it's a good thing I found her. She's reasonably priced. She's got an accent, but I couldn't pick up on where she's from originally. She's fairly young and pretty, I thought, not that that matters, but I don't think I've E-V-E-R had anyone with such strong hands. It was good. Did I tell you I feel better?
Saturday, May 5, 2007
First posting!
OK, after much, well, SOME encouragement, I am posting a post, after having this Blog account set up for probably 2 months or more. I just have a hard time thinking of anyone being nearly as interested in what I have to say as I am in what others have to say. Anyway, let me say this...I just returned from a WONDERFUL day out with my daughters, daughter-in-law and niece. We trekked over to Christina (niece)'s baby shower, shopped at Target for a bit and drove home. Not a huge deal. However, the time alone in the car was fun. We laughed, giggled and had a general great girl afternoon. Something I could appreciate more of in my life. Since my girls married, I've suffered from serious estrogen deprivation in my life! I've lived with only males in my house since Erin got married over 10 years ago. I miss the girl-y times together. I love all my kids, but my girls will do things and talk about things my boys never would. I thought how fun it could be if we took a trip together. I want to go see the Ellen show. But, with 9 grand kids between them all, that's easier said than done, and I really do get that.
Today we had an Enrichment Activity at the church. It was all service oriented. We had a pajama drive, made baby blankets and procedure dolls. We had a much more sparse turnout than I hoped for, but I'm satisfied with what we got done. Most of the projects need to be finished at homes, but I'm happy with what happened. Saturday really was the only day we could do what we did, because it lasted 4 hours. Evening activities can't be that long. Evidently, however, Saturdays aren't that convenient. Maybe it was the whole Cinco de Mayo thing, maybe it's Little League, maybe it's just Spring and people have lots going on. Anyway, thanks to Debi Dommer for pulling it all together and all the people who showed up and stitched and stuffed! And, thanks to all who donated pajamas for the Safe Nest shelter. It bothers me that women and children have to leave their homes in the middle of the night, or other inconvenient times, and don't have time to even gather a pair of pajamas or a nightgown and are in a shelter sleeping in their clothes or just their underwear. I like to imagine that some woman or child will sleep better knowing someone cares.
Today we had an Enrichment Activity at the church. It was all service oriented. We had a pajama drive, made baby blankets and procedure dolls. We had a much more sparse turnout than I hoped for, but I'm satisfied with what we got done. Most of the projects need to be finished at homes, but I'm happy with what happened. Saturday really was the only day we could do what we did, because it lasted 4 hours. Evening activities can't be that long. Evidently, however, Saturdays aren't that convenient. Maybe it was the whole Cinco de Mayo thing, maybe it's Little League, maybe it's just Spring and people have lots going on. Anyway, thanks to Debi Dommer for pulling it all together and all the people who showed up and stitched and stuffed! And, thanks to all who donated pajamas for the Safe Nest shelter. It bothers me that women and children have to leave their homes in the middle of the night, or other inconvenient times, and don't have time to even gather a pair of pajamas or a nightgown and are in a shelter sleeping in their clothes or just their underwear. I like to imagine that some woman or child will sleep better knowing someone cares.
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