Thursday, June 28, 2007

Vacation

I finally got it done. Bought the tickets for Howard, Michael, David and me to fly to SLC to go to Idaho for the Catlin family reunion in July. It will be a quick trip for the 3 of the boys as they are returning on Sunday, but I'm staying and my friend Marsha and and I are going to SLC and meeting up with our good friend Calleen for a couple of days for our annual "girfriend weekend". Except this year it's a "girlfriend beginning-of-the-week". Anyway, I love these times together. I always can't believe how the time flies when we're together. There's nothing we don't talk about, discuss, ponder, laugh and cry over. I never had a sister when I was little, but finally got a couple of really great ones when I grew up! The initial plan was to try to meet up in Mesquite, for fun in the sun, but it didn't work out, but this did. Yahoo!

I am looking forward to the reunion, too. Howard has an aunt, Stella, who was 100!!! last December. She's not doing well from what we hear. Plus, his Aunt Ora from Michigan will be there and she's always so fun to see. And, last but not least, we get to see and be with Randy and Dan! Reason enough to go, if you ask me. I love them so much! They are the poster children for happy endings!

I watched Sarah's kids today while she is at Girls Camp. It went well. I brought the kids over here in the AM, took David to work at noon, stopped and bought lunch, took them home, had lunch and all 3 went down for naps. Grandma might have snoozed for about 20 minutes herself. :) Went and picked up Kenzie from school, and Tyler got home around 5:30. Only glitch in the day was when we found Tyler's glasses (missing a lens) on the floor. We're guessing Brock found them in their bedroom. First, we couldn't find the lens, but then, Kenzie did. And, she found it just inches from where I had previously searched. On the floor in the toy room. All's well.

And bonus for the night, a new episode of Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip just came on! Life is Good!

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Finally, the wait is over

Charlestson, West Virginia!!! That's where Michael is going to serve the Lord for 2 years. He enters the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT on Aug. 22.

We had a house FULL of people tonight. It was nice, noisy at times, and extremely gratifying to see all the people who came to support Mike in this. I felt amazingly calm as this day approached. Only in the few minutes before did I get a little bit antsy. He seems to be really excited about the location. He'll love the mission, I know he will. I just keep thinking "Appalachia" and "Coal Mining". I drove through West Virginia in 1994 on an LDS Church History tour. What I saw of it was really beautiful.

It's going to be very busy for us and Micheal as he gets ready to go. But, it will be a good busy.

Friday, June 22, 2007

It Came!

Well, the long awaited mission call is finally here! Yay for Mike. Howard is returning from Reno Saturday evening and we'll be opening it then. No one can say Mike doesn't have will power and self control, for sure. I'll post later and let you know when/where he's going.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Mission Call on the Way?

Got a call from our Bishop tonight wondering if Mike had received the Mission Call. The website indicates it was mailed on 6/15. I'm pretty sure it will be in the mail tomorrow (Thursday). BUT...Howard is in Reno until Satuday evening (home around 8:00) and if it does arrive, Mike wants (?) to wait until his dad is here to open it. So, I'm thinking Saturday evening we'll have the long awaited wait over. If it doesn't come, I'll be back posting the update. His good friend CJ had to wait for his Mom to come home from Women's Conference. He leaves in about 2 weeks. I wish I could say I felt strongly one way or another where Mike is going. When we were in Mexico, I dreame he was going to go to Kentucky, but my dreams are sometimes pretty off, so I don't put much stock in that dream! Oohh, the suspense.

Not much to blog about this week. I read others' blogs and really enjoy them and wish I had more to say sometimes. It has been a good week, as The Closer has returned to TBS! Hooray. I really do love that show! Kyra Sedgwick does a great Georgia accent.

I had a bad start to my morning today. At 3:30, the dog barked and woke me up. I couldn't get back to sleep very well, but I guess I did, because at 4:40 when the alarm went off, I more or less slept through it (I have it set to a country music station) and didn't hit the normal "snooze". But, I did begin to dream a dream wherein Mike and I were driving in the mountains and saw dozens and dozens of youth climbing and clamboring up the mountainside, escaping from the valley floor. Mike andI got where we were going, got out of the car and were sitting on a bench waiting for the guy in charge to tell us some very needful info. He had a microphone and everytime he went up to say something, he couldn't because COUNTRY MUSIC was playing from somewhere and he couldn't talk. I was getting really irritated after he made about 4 attempts to speak and couldn't because of he music and couldn't figure out why someone couldn't jut locate and turn off the radio! That's when I finally woke up and realized it was MY radio. It was 5:07! I need to leave by 5:10. Yikes. I was out of the house and in my car by 5:18 (not looking too cute, though). Rough start. So, why am I up at 11:10 tonight? I fell asleep on the couch and snoozed because I was waiting up thinking David might call for a ride home from work. But, he hasn't called by now, so I'm going to bed. Goodnight. At least I won't be hit in the face with a baby bottle (ha Jer).

Friday, June 15, 2007

Ahh...Friday!

OK, so my "day off" began like this: Went to bed at 11:00 after watching a new episode of "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip". Way tired. Didn't have to work today, so I looked forward to sleeping in until oh, I don't know, 7:00? I was awake before 6:00! That's what happens when you have been getting up at 4:30 all week, I guess. So, in a matter of speaking, I DID sleep in a little. Got up, did a couple of loads of laundry, folded two other loads that belonged to someone else, cleaned the kitchen up, put away laundry, got dressed and left by 8:45 to go to my "day off". 1) Chiropractor appointment at 9:10, 2) Physical Therapy appt. at 10:00, 3) took Zoee's dress (more about that later) to N8 & Stacy's, 4) nail appointment at 1:00, 5) Kohls for Father's day shopping at 3:00 and home at 4:30 before taking David to work at 6:00. I'm so glad to have had this day "off" work because the early rising has been kicking my butt and you know that's a pretty big kick! I've been so stinking tired when I get home, I really can't muster up any energy to do much. So, I'm not sure if the 3 day weekend after working four 10 hour days is worth it or not. Nevertheless, here I am.

I started making a dress for Zoee to wear at the Temple tomorrow when she gets sealed to Nate & Stacy. It's been a while since I made a dress. It is lined, but I've lined things before. I can do this. But, as I alluded to in a previous post, I hit a snag. Right now, I want to say THANK YOU, SO MUCH to Dodie Barlow for bailing me out. I took it all over to her on Sunday and she figured out what I had done wrong (missed the directions for cutting out 3 pieces of netting for the petticoat, thereby not understanding the sewing directions. I was trying to make a ruffle out of the skirt netting...big ruffle!) and took pity on me and just finished the dress. IT IS DARLING, I have to say and will take photos of Zoee in it. I have decided that she has an engineer's brain to figure out patterns and things the way she does. She really is so smart about stuff like that. Anyway, credit and thanks to Dodie! I owe her big time!

So, here's an example of the paradox that is me. Today, as I was doing all the laundry I mentioned, I noticed by my laundry room door (tight space) was a trash bag clear full of clothes. I guessed that someone had something to go to DI. So, I passed by the bag 3 or 4 times. I knew it was there, but coming out of the laundry room, load of laundry in my arm ( no laundry basket), I tripped over it and banged into the wall, knocking off the picture that was there. I immediately swore. I will spare myself a LITTLE embarrassment by NOT telling you exactly what I said, but I swore. I almost said "it wasn't too bad" but swearing is, so I won't say that. I kicked the bag out of the way and bent down to pick up the picture OF JESUS and put Him back where he belonged. Does anyone get the irony in that???? Michael was on his way out the door right as all this happened. He rolled his eyes (as if to say, "brother, I can't believe you are my mother" and said, "I'm going to work". Weird thing is, I swore, but really didn't even feel angry. So, why did I do it? I think it was because I thought I was going to break the picture frame and when I didn't, I was OK. So, MINUTES later, I had picked up Zoee's dress and was getting on the freeway, imagining her coming into the sealing room room tomorrow. I IMMEDIATELY got misty eyed and was SO overcome with gratitude for all the events and happenings and choices that have come together to make tomorrow happen. So, there's the paradox. Swearing one minute, thinking about the Temple and bawling the next. I've got some work to do!

Had lunch with Nate and Stacy today. I echo their sentiments of the Spicy Pickle restaurant. Tasty.

It's hot. I'm not complaining, because we choose to live here and 3 months of hot beat the heck out of 8 months of cold, snow, ice and generally awful weather and scary driving. But, I do admit, it's HOT. It will probably get hotter (sorry Stacy). But, when I say I often thank the Lord for the circumstances of my birth, part of that is being glad I was born in 1955 for 2 things, especially. 1) Epidurals and 2) air conditioning. 'Nuff said.

I just heard on the news that the CCSD is needing 1163 teachers to begin school next year. That's double what they needed last year at this time. New teachers start at $33,000 and the Superintendent wants it raised to $43,000. I'm sure that would help people decide to work here. Howard is going to Detroit in a couple of weeks to recruit. I hope he's successful. So, if your kids have 40 kids in their classroom next year, don't be surprised!

Enough for now. More later.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Big Brother is Coming!

I finally saw what I have been looking forward too on TV tonight. Maybe it's old news, but BIG BROTHER, Season 8 is coming back! July 5th. Can't wait! It's the highlight of the summer! And, tonight when I played Mahjong at my Addictinggames website, I actually got down to 10 on the "hard" level. Never did that before, and I've played the stupid game for 2 years! Michael told me that he cleared it one time, but I wasn't around and wasn't sure I believed him, but now I know its possible! I love a purpose filled life, don't you? Mahjong and Big Brother! Woo-hoo! I'm off to bed, because I have to get up at 4:45 to shower and get ready to leave for work by 5:15 to be to work at 5:30. It WILL be worth it on Friday when I don't have to work!

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Motherhood

I'm not going into detail, but today, I feel like Motherhood really is the HARDEST job in the entire world. And, I think it sucks that I don't have my mom to talk to about it! All I know is I really hope that the "intent of our heart" is something we'll be judged on, not the way things actually turn out. I've been re-reading a book on trials and experiences and the value and necessity of them and how our perspective is so often so myopic compared to God's who really does know all things, even before they happen to us. I don't get how that is, but I believe it is. And, I really do believe that we get to deal with the crap we do in life because there are lessons in the poop for us to learn. I must be totally stupid, then, because I seem to be on a treadmill, going round and round and round with some of the same issues. What is the definition of stupid...doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results? There you go! I'm tired. On so many levels. I didn't sleep well last night because I kept having stupid, disturbing dreams. I'm trying to make a dress for Zoee to be sealed in and have run into a snag and can't figure out the pattern. What did I say about being stupid? I've got it more than half done, but I'm going to have to get some help, I think to fix it. Maybe the elves will come tonight and wave their magic wand or whatever they wave and have it all done for me in the AM. I should be able to do this! "Simplicity" pattern my A--!!! Maybe tomorrow will be a better day. I sure hope so.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

The Lost is Found!

Stake Clerk called tonight. Stake Pres. had the dental work. Whew! Papers should go in tomorrow AM!

Why?

Why is it easier to preach patience than to actually exercise it? Why is it easier to know what one should do than to actually do it. Could it be this is why we're here? To learn this stuff? But, is it ever too late to learn some things? Is there a point of no return where you really can't teach an old dog a new trick? I certainly hope not. I hope that even though each day ticks off precious seconds and minutes and hours, never to be regained, that somehow, the remaining time will be sufficient to learn what I came to this earth to learn. Patience. Wisdom. Compassion. Unconditional love. At least those are the things I want to learn. Maybe God has a different list for me!

For those of you on the Mike,-the-soon-to-be-missionary watch, here's the latest. Got an email from the bishop on yesterday AM saying he was done with the papers. Great. On to the Stake Clerk for him to go over everything, email the Stake Pres. to add some comments. We're movin' on! But, wait! Today, at 5:00, the S.C. called and said...wait...are you waiting...THE DENTAL PAPERWORK IS MISSING. We talked about why and how it is that that is just now being discovered. I can't really explain that, but the bottom line is, it is. Doesn't really matter why or how. Michael is certain he turned them in 3 weeks ago when he met with S.P. Anyway, the good news is, the dentist is in the S.C.'s ward and has spoken to him and is faxing the paperwork to his office and he's supposed to fax it back to the S.C. and he'll get it on to the S.P. and he'll get it on to SLC tomorrow, hopefully. Maybe Friday at the latest. Michael is frustrated to the MAX. I told the S.C. that I don't blame anyone, I just can't understand all the snags, some of which have turned out to not be real after all.

Yesterday was a sweet day for me. It was the 32nd anniversary of my baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I marked the occasion by going to the Temple. I would have loved to have had family there with me, but no one was available. I as able to take the name of Gertrude Lacobee Thornton with me and do the work for her. She let me know she was happy about what was going on. I love that feeling. It was sweet. I've been dreaming about the various members of this Lacobee family. I feel like they are telling me something. "Get my Temple work done!". So, I'm on it.

Props to FAB1 for getting on board with the Blog Posting! WTG!

My sister-in-law, Pam, who has endured more in this life than I hope I ever have to, had surgery today. She had her right leg amputated 2 years ago and today had to have more of it amputated because she had some issues. They were able to keep it a below-the-knee surgery, which is huge and what she wanted so much. I'm so grateful for that and I know she and Gary, my brother, are especially so. Maybe now, she can get healed, and get a prosthesis that fits and will be able to be up and about and finally get some semblance of her life back. She's been virtually home bound for 2 years. That has to suck! I feel for her so much. And, my brother is great, too, to take care of everything.

Well, I'm off to Enrichment cooking class. Making pie crust and apple, banana cream and strawberry pie! Yum. Thanks to Lynette for taking that assignment. We'll skip July and Aug. and start up again in Sept.

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Another week down

Almost everyone I know that reads my blog lives here in Las Vegas. There are a few exceptions. My friend Marsha does, but hasn't set up an account so she can post comments, so I never know if/when she's read what I've posted, and my brother, in Louisville, KY. I don't know how often he checks, either. So, this is for them. Nathan and wife Stacy are expecting their 2nd baby in Jan. Yippee! That will round up the grandbaby count to 10. On my list of things I like should have been even numbers. I have a thing about even numbers. I feel like they're positive and odd numbers are negative. Doesn't make sense, don't ask me to explain. I just prefer even numbers. So, 10 is good!

Today was a long, busy, not especially productive day. Started at about 7:15 when I finally got up after telling myself, "It's Saturday, you can sleep in" about 4 times because I kept waking up. Went in to the laundry room and collected the various and sundry assortment of left over done laundry and folded it. Mostly it was Davids but a little was Mikes. Then, I did a load for myself and dried it. Put away somethings, and got ready. Went and got my nails done and had a pedicure (a highlight every two weeks. Props to Mai at the nail shop. She gives a wonderful foot/leg massage). Got home at 11:25, expecting Howard to be ready to go to Matt & Terry's wedding reception that was from 11-2. I had told her we'd be a little late. Howard was out "buying a card and getting the car washed. I'll be home shortly". Ok. He got home at 12:10! Then, David decides that he will, after all, go with us, but only after he showers. Long story, we didn't leave for the reception until 12:40. Got their at 1:05. Great! I love being 2 hours late to things. Did it matter in the long run? No, but I HATE being late to things. And this was beyond late. I let it put me in a really bad mood. I vented. I felt totally justified in it. Still do. No body cared, which made it worse. The reception was nice. Terry tap danced with her friend Ellen and there was a nice crowd of people there. We got home at 3:00 or so.

By then, I had cooled down, which was really an answer to prayer, because I had to speak at Mackenzie's baptism tonight and knew I wouldn' t be able to pull anything together that even remotely had the Spirit to it if I still had rancor in my heart. The Lord loves Mackenzie and pulled me through! Props to Howard, because I asked him to go to the Book Store and get a card and gift, AND HE DID. He might have said I was so grouchy with him that I could do it myself, but to his credit, he didn't. Ahh...ain't marriage grand?

So, I finished the talk at 4:00, hopped in the shower, left to take David to work at 4:35, stopped to get gas, and made it to the church by 4:55. Baptism was nice, Mackenzie was the only one in the entire stake being baptized today. So, it was really a family affair. Dinner at Sarah's afterward. And here I am at 8:50. Like I said, not especially productive, but busy. Good thing tomorrow is a day of rest.

Nate and Stacy are celebrating their 1st anniversary tonight. Tomorrow is the day, but they're out tonight. They are so happy and it makes me happy seeing them happy. I've aways loved Nathan. And I really love Stacy. She fits in our family.

So, that's my hot, exciting, post for today. Hope it didn't blow any of you away with the over-the-top excited-ness of it all!