Then & Now

I came across this picture of Nate. Compare it to Gus. I see a resemblence. Minus the hair, of course.

Carlene

Today, I got some sad news. My 2nd cousin, Carlene, passed away on Tuesday. She was 78, would have been 79 next month. Her son, Frank called me and told me to call him. I had an inkling, but I was hoping it was a Mama's-in-the-hospital call, rather than a Mama-died call.

I have such fond, deep seated memories of Carlene. Her father and my grandfather were brothers, though I never knew either one of them. Her mother was "Aunt Lilly" and she died when I was around 12 in 1967. I have vivid memories of going with my parents to Carlene's house and sitting around watching the grownups have fun visiting and having their "highballs". Carlene loved to dance and they would push the furniture against the wall, put on the "hi-fi" and dance away the night. Gary and I and Frank would amuse ourselves running around and being bored a lot, but it was more fun than staying home! When Aunt Lilly got sick, Carlene took care of her at home, before she eventually died. I had never been around anyone so old and/or sick and it was a bit scary at the time. Aunt Lilly and my grandmother were great friends and it was hard on my grandmother after Aunt Lilly died. She missed her a lot.

As I got older, Carlene and her house became a haven to me. She was kind, sweet and loving to me. She called people she loved "Baby", including me. She could cook some of the same foods my grandmother did, and just as well. Carlene was stability to me as I went through hard times with my family. I learned her phone # when I was a little girl of about 8 or 9 and never forgot it. I called it yesterday, from memory. I would always call her when I went to visit my grandmother, because she lived nearby.

After she retired from the Highway Department, she eventually went to work at a mortuary and when my mom and later, my dad, died, she was kind enough to let Gary and me and our families stay at her home and be "based" there. So gracious. So giving. So Carlene. A huge sadness is that my kids never got to meet her and know how special she was.

She loved her only son, his wife and grankids. She was a devout Catholic and was a southern lady. I will miss her, even though I seldom ever saw her in the past years. She had been very sick for the past several months and it was a blessing to her that she was able to join her husband, and mother and siblings who went on before her.

I love you, Carlene.

Busy Week

Well, for all of you who are just turning blue from holding your breath wanting to know how work is going for me at my new digs...it's fine. I still feel like a visitor and am very cramped, but the work is fine. I have LOTS of it and am trying to learn all the schools that are now mine to deal with and who my drivers are and...well, lots of stuff. I am NOT caught up and probably won't be. But, I'd rather be busy than bored and we're headed into our busy time. Compounding the whole thing is I have a brand new clerk and I'm having to answer a lot of questions she has and teach a lot. A lot. And, things keep getting thrown at me to "fix". Sigh. Such is the life of a CCSD R&S analyst! But, it's all good. It was really great to see old friends that I haven't seen in years. Some of whom I've known for 20 years. How is that possible?

We're having our Relief Society Birthday Celebration tomorrow night. I totally stole the idea from Erin (with her permission). We're having a Service Auction. So, that's going to be fun.

And, Megan, I made the Apple Dumplings and they WERE sin on a fork!!! They were awesome. I was surprised how far two little old Granny Smith apples can go. I've checked out the Pioneer Woman Cooks website and want to make the linguine salad that's there.

Gotta run make some dinner. And clean my bedroom. It's a disaster zone in there!

Hola & Adios

Well, we went to Mexico. Howard, David, friend Terry and I. We were there for a week and it was pretty great. We had a fantastic time with David and Terry and had lots of laughs. With the exception of the day we left, we had absolutely perfect weather. I don't know what the temperature was, but I'd guess 75. Warm days, cool nights, but I only got really cold one night. Terry and I laid out on the beach three times. It's glorious! You could stay there for 8 hours, because it feels so stinking good. (My pedicurist said today, "what have you done to your feet!?). The hospitality we received from our hosts, Morris and Elaine, was really amazing, as they are!

Coming back we had a bit of excitement. The pilot announced, about 2 hours into the flight) that there was a problem with the plane. (I remember him saying "serious problem", but Howard only remembers "problem". ANYWAY...because of the problem we were going to have to make an emergency landing and he'd tell us more later, once we got landed. A stewardess told someone that we were landing in Hermosillo, MX. We all immediately got out our maps of Mexico that's in the Delta Airlines magazine in the seat pocket to see where it is. Northern Mexico, south of Tucson, AZ. When we landed ("crash landed" according to Terry, but not really), they told us that there had been a fuel leak from one of the engines. True enough, because there were 3 fire trucks waiting for us on the side of the runway! Then, they had to figure out whether we could get the problem fixed or whether Delta would have to send a plane for us. By now we realized we WEREN'T going to make our connecting flight in L.A. to Vegas, which was a bummer for David because it was his birthday and he was hoping to get home and go play with his friends. They eventually were able to fix the leak, refuel the airplane and get us up and off again. We landed in L.A. around 8:30. Then, we had to go through customs and that took FOREVER. Because there were no flights out of L.A. to Las Vegas at that time of night (hard to believe) they gave us a room voucher and got us scheduled to leave L.A. the following morning at 6:50 (too early!). By the time we ate some dinner in the hotel restraunt and got into our (very nice) room, it was midnight. We had to be up and ready to catch the shuttle by 4:30, so it was a short night. Got on the plane ok and made it home around 8 something. This little experience confirmed two things to me: 1) always take the day AFTER you plan to return off work and 2) bring snacks of some sort with you. I threw away a bag of trail mix that morning because I didn't want to have to carry anymore than I needed to. And, you know how heavy those peanuts and M & M's can be :). We pretty much cleaned out the plane of cookies and crackers and sodas while we were on the ground (2 1/2-3 hours, I figure). But, all in all, it was a great trip. And, I read two books. Bonus!

Upon return, it's been nice. We got word that our fabulous son in law, Kevin, passed his final test for his CPA licensure,which was great news.

Today, I got a pedicure, made a baby blanket and a choir robe, cleaned out my refrigerator, went to a baby shower, made invitations for our Relief Society Birthday dinner for the Laurels in our ward, and did some other stuff for it. My calendar is filling up. The next week is crazy, for me. Stuff to do/places to go every day! I hate those kinds of weeks. And, I need a hair cut.

We got a great email from Michael this week. He and his comp, Elder Stewart have two potential baptisms in the works, but it's too early to tell. And, we had some pictures waiting for us from him when we returned. He sent some pics of him eating some "local cuisine". I might post them later, once I scan them in. You might get a little sick, so maybe I'll see if anyone wants to see them before I post them. You vote!

I have watched two of my all time favorite movies today. I watched Sense and Sensibility while I was making the baby blanket and while I've been working on the R.S. stuff and writing this blog I've been watching The Ten Commandments. Interspersed with Top Chef. That's congruous, right? Every time I watch that movie, I wonder what Moses thinks of Charlton Heston portrayal of him (hee hee).

My SIL, Pam, is in the hospital with pneumonia. A few complications the night she was admitted and she nearly died, according to my bro. Scary, but she's better now. She was in ICU, but was waiting for a regular room, yesterday.

Monday, I report to my new old work location. I will love it. I will love it. I will love it. I will love it!

Marsha had chemo treatment #4 on Friday. Two more to go. The last one kicked her butt. I hope this one won't be worse. I love you, Marsha!!!!

Music & Passion

Barry Manilow was wonderful. I think you don't realize how many really good Manilow songs there are that you would sing along to until you go to his show. I knew EVERY one of them, even the old songs he's remade from the 50s, 60s & 7os. It was so cool that Shawnna would invite me, and though I thought about Sarah, Erin and Howard having a good time without me, I was having a good time without them, too, so I guess it's all good. Shawnna is such a fun person and I'm really glad to know her (even if I didn't get free Manilow tickets). We had good seats, pretty much center, but in the back. Really, not a bad seat is in the showroom. I'll be Copacabana-ing in my sleep all night, tonight!

Timing...sometimes stinks

Tyler and Kevin (my super sons-in-law) are taking all their kids except Brooklyn camping tonight. That leaves the Moms (my beautiful daughters) "free" to do whatever they want. Sarah called me today and asked if I wanted to do a movie Marathon tonight, beginning with The Other Bolyen Girl". I really want to see it and wanted to see it with Sarah, since we both read the book. And, that was the plan. Along with some sort of dinner, a REAL girls' night out. THEN, I got a call from friend Shawnna..."I got free Barry Manilow tickets for tonight's show...wanna come"? Oooooohhhhh....SO torn! I love Barry, I really do. And, his music. But, a night out with my girls (or girl as the case might have been) is pretty much equal in the enjoyment quotient as far as I'm concerned. But, Sarah encouraged me to go see Barry. So, I am. And, I hope the chance comes again to do a movie and dinner with her and Erin! But, really, of all nights? C'mon!

And, thus begins my weekend. I've got an entire day of chores lined up tomorrow, because I AM going on a trip next week and haven't done a thing to get ready for it. My former Supervisor's mother passed away yesterday and I learned that her funeral is Sunday afternoon, and I'll probably go to that.

Monday is my last day at work at my wonderful office, before I relocate to my new old digs.

Let the weekend begin!

Better Attitude

OK, I'm feeling much better about things regarding my job. Nothing really has changed, except my attitude. I've decided that it is what it is and I can make the best of it. I think what bugged me most about it was the feeling that I think less than noble motives were behind it, but whatever the reason, I'm going to go and Analyze the heck out of that area and make everyone wish they could have my location! I'm already looking at it and am psyching myself up for the move. I've pretty much emptied my desk out into the trunk of my car (amazing what you can accumulate in a year's time), so mentally, I'm there.

Sarah is sick. She has a Super Sinus Infection. It stinks.

I got to talk to Marsha today. Her last chemo treatment really kicked her butt and she's only just today felt like talking on the phone. We had a good "therapy session" as she said. But, because of that, and the fact that I have to go Visit Teaching, I didn't get to the gym today. I really should have gone, because I didn't make it last night, either. I'll be there for sure tomorrow because I have an appointment with Marcos. That means I'll have to go Friday and Saturday, fo sho, to get in my 4 days this week.

We're going to Mexico on Tuesday. I need to get some shopping done and start packing this weekend. Maybe I could just leave something there, so I don't have to pack every time we go! Hmm...that's an idea! Mexico wardrobe to stay in Mexico. Talk about travelling light...the trip back could be real light.

I'm really interested to see what the Democratic party is going to do and who they end up nominating for the Presidential candidate this summer. This campaign is one for the record books, for sure. I read somewhere (Time Magazine, I think) that if Obama gets the nomination, and is elected President, he should choose her to be his Secretary of State. I actually thought that would be a good idea. But, if this campaign has shown us anything, it's that you never know what's going to happen. 6 months ago, I would never have expected John McCain to be where he is now.

TTFN.

Suck it Up

You know how you get up and go about your day and all of a sudden, on some days, things just hit you out of the blue? Things you don't like? Well, today was one of those days. But, before I go any further, let me say on a scale of monumental proportions, this "problem" really isn't all that much. But, for the moment, I'm bummed.

I found out today that I'm being reassigned to a different work location. My problem is that I get too emotionally involved with the people I work with and begin to regard them as my FRIENDS. People I care about and, yes, love. After all, you spend more time with those people than your own family, when you think about it. So, having to relocate is a bummer to me. Not that the new people I'll be working with won't be just fine people to work with, it's just that I'm comfortable and happy and content where I am. There's a bit of "why me" and "it's not fair" going on in my head, but I know enough about the purpose of life here on this hunk of dirt to even ask the first question and who said life is supposed to be fair anyway? I think what has me bummed almost as much as having to relocate is that 1) my immediate supervisor hasn't even said one word to me about it. I can even give her the benefit of the doubt and suppose that her supervisor said "don't say anything until I send the ever-so-personal email informing her (and the others--- oh, yes, there are others who might not be any happier than I am, but I'm not convinced that misery really does love company), but once the info was common knowledge and word was out, you might think that she MIGHT say something along the lines of, oh, I don't know, "are you ok with this? or "let me help you understand how this all came about and why it's happening". No. Nada. Zippos. She didn't say a single word to me all afternoon about it. And, I think that a year and a half ago when I stepped up and agreed to be the one who would go to our new yard when we were just in a portable and had to us a portapottie for 7 months in cold, wind, and rain because no one else wanted to, even though I was perfectly happy where I was at the time, should count for something.

But, if I am to believe what I'm told, my "strengths" are needed where I'm going. I guess I should feel complimented by that. And, the site administrator (whom I will share an office with) approves of me being with him, which, again, is a compliment.

OK, I've vented. In a few days, I'll be ok. Thanks for "listening" and really, I'll just try to be extra grateful tonight when I say my prayers that I even HAVE a job I like. Some days more than other, however!

I'm Baaaaccckkk

Wow, I always enjoy reading other people's blogs so much that I didn't realize how long it had been since I posted. Two weeks, I guess, or close to it.

What have I done? It's hard to tell. How is it that we can be so occupied, yet, at the end of the week, not really be able to tell much about what we did? I think my life is PRET-TY boring, most days, and therefore, not too blog worthy. Here was my week:

Monday:

Got up @ 5:15
Left for work @ 6:10
Worked till 3:30
Met Marcos at the Gym @ 3:45 (trainer)
Came home @ 4:45
Checked email and blogs
Packed lunch.
Watched TV.
Went to bed @ 8:30 (gym makes me tired!)

Tuesday:
Got up @ 5:15
Left for work @ 6:10
Worked til 3:30.
Went to Sam's club and shopped
Brought groceries home
Made & ate dinner
Cleaned kitchen
Packed lunch for next day
Called Marsha, but she wasn't home and I talked to Mike
Fell asleep @ 8:15. Went to bed @ 9:00

Wednesday:
Got up @ 5:15
Left for work @ 6:15 (running late)
Worked til 3:30.
Stopped @ Nates & Stacy's after work til 5:00
Went to the gym
Got home @ 6:20
Checked blogs and read email
Picked up bedroom before houskeeper came on Thursday
Went to bed @ 10:00

Thursday:
Got up @ 5:10
Left for work @ 6:10
Worked till 3:30
Met Marcos at the gym @ 3:45
Worked out til 4:45
Hurried home, cleaned up and left @ 5:10 to go to Terry's
6:10 arrived @ Terrys and went to dinner
Visited with Terry until 9:45
Drove home. Fell in bed @ 10:20.

Friday:
Got up @ 5:10
Left for work @ 6:15
Worked until 3:30
Skipped the gym and came home.
Cooked rice for pudding.
Enjoyed my clean, quiet house.
Got a call to join Stephens and Barkers and Taylors @ Chuck-E-Cheese
Ate & visited with family until 9:15
Came home and made rice pudding.
Fell asleep @ 10:40.

Saturday:
Woke up @ 6:15 ( I love sleeping in!)
Worked on my R.S. lesson I'm giving today.
Did a load of laundry.
Checked email and blogs.
Went to the gym.
Came home around 10:00 or so.
Started working on a quilt for a friend.
Sarah called and asked if I could watch kids. Said ok.
Sarah called back and said nevermind.
Worked on quilt some more.
Decided to find someone to do a two-for-one at the massage school with.
Left @ 2:00 for a massage.
Got out @ 4:30 from massage.
Went to Sarahs and massaged her head for an hour and had a nice visit. Well, nice for me, I wasn't the one with the migraine.
Stopped @ Taylors and gave $$ from Sarah to their daughter.
Got home @ 6:00 or so.
Doug called and came over and set up the router. THANK YOU, DOUG!!!!!
I busted out the laptop and hooked it up.
Worked on my lesson some more.
Fell asleep around 11:45.

Sunday:
Woke up @ 6:20
Worked on my lesson till 9:30
I'm writing this blog.
I will go to church till 2:00 and have a 2:15 meeting.
I will come home and fix something to eat, which I didn't do before church because I was working on my lesson and writing this blog.
Hopefully, I'll see David and visit with him, since he's not working today.
Mallory's from Idaho are coming over to visit sometime tonight.
I might get to watch Big Brother, but we'll see.

Ok, see, my life is B-O-R-I-N-G. I'm not complaining. I'm just sayin'.....No reason to blog.