Bloomed just two days ago. Perfect timing. My cousin gave it to me at Christmas. I'm feeling good and blessed by everyone's love and prayers.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Saturday, January 30, 2016
It has been
a great snow day. A great day to stay inside because of snow. Gary wasn't so lucky. He had to leave for Syracuse early this morning for a robot convention and won't be home till later.
But I've been happily on my pain medications (resulting in no pain), cuddled up in a blanket in my coral and teal craft room, watching a marathon of "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered." It is a Hallmark special series, but I have never seen it before. It is delightful and quirky and perfect entertainment for a snowy day such as this.
Now Gary just needs to arrive home safely and all will be well.
But I've been happily on my pain medications (resulting in no pain), cuddled up in a blanket in my coral and teal craft room, watching a marathon of "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered." It is a Hallmark special series, but I have never seen it before. It is delightful and quirky and perfect entertainment for a snowy day such as this.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Ashton is officially
a teenager today! When we talked with him we reminded him not to act like a teenager even though he is one. I have no worries in that regard, though. Ashton is about as level headed and grounded as they come.
Here is the transcript of my interview with Ashton in December.
What has been the most exciting thing for you this year? His team being undefeated in the basketball season and coming to visit Utah.
What do you enjoy doing most in your free time?
Playing basketball (When we talked with him tonight we found out that,for his Birthday celebration, all his cousins and friends are going up to play basketball at the church and then going back to his house for pizza)
Favorite subject in school?
Math. He and 4 friends did very well in a math competition this year.
Favorite Books?
Books of Umber (Sci-Fi fantasy) and Harry Potter. I asked him if he still went to bed and read every night like he used to. He said that he doesn't much any more because he realizes that sleep is more important than reading at night. (Pretty wise, I think)
What are your favorite sports?
Basketball, Soccer, Cross Country, and track
What do you want to study in college?
Engineering
If you could talk with someone who has died, who would it be?
Jesus
Favorite Color? Purple
Favorite Food? Parmesan Pork, Picanya (Beef)
What do you appreciate about your family? My Dad. That we are all nice to each other. (Wishes he had a brother)
What are you looking forward to? Summer vacation
Favorite thing to do with friends? Gym and Basketball
Where do you feel most spiritual? In the Temple
Here is the transcript of my interview with Ashton in December.
What has been the most exciting thing for you this year? His team being undefeated in the basketball season and coming to visit Utah.
What do you enjoy doing most in your free time?
Playing basketball (When we talked with him tonight we found out that,for his Birthday celebration, all his cousins and friends are going up to play basketball at the church and then going back to his house for pizza)
Favorite subject in school?
Math. He and 4 friends did very well in a math competition this year.
Favorite Books?
Books of Umber (Sci-Fi fantasy) and Harry Potter. I asked him if he still went to bed and read every night like he used to. He said that he doesn't much any more because he realizes that sleep is more important than reading at night. (Pretty wise, I think)
What are your favorite sports?
Basketball, Soccer, Cross Country, and track
What do you want to study in college?
Engineering
If you could talk with someone who has died, who would it be?
Jesus
Favorite Color? Purple
Favorite Food? Parmesan Pork, Picanya (Beef)
What do you appreciate about your family? My Dad. That we are all nice to each other. (Wishes he had a brother)
What are you looking forward to? Summer vacation
Favorite thing to do with friends? Gym and Basketball
Where do you feel most spiritual? In the Temple
We are so proud of Ashton
and the amazing young man he is!
Happy Birthday, Ashton!
and hugs to you.
Monday, January 25, 2016
Cochlear Implant
Well, I'm doing it. As I've gone through the various processes, it just seems like the right time. I qualify, with my hearing loss, to have our insurance pay for all but our medical deductible.
It hasn't been a particularly easy decision, because it is permanent and there is no turning back. I've been warned by everyone that there will be an adjustment period because at first it will sound very mechanical and will taking some getting used to. But, it should help with the clarity and decibels I hear in that ear. They are doing my R. ear, which has the most profound loss.
I have kind of second guessed myself since commiting, wondering if I should mess with the status quo, which I rationalize really isn't too bad with my hearing aids. But, funnily, since commiting I've been paying special attention to what I'm hearing and what I'm not hearing. On one day last week I went visiting teaching and my visiting teachers came here. I realized that I was probably only catching 50% what they were saying. I could follow the thread of the converstations but missing a lot of the details. That was actually kind of reassuring to me that I had made the right decision.
So, it is this Thursday. It is a same day surgery, and Gary has taken the day off. I am a little nervous about it being successful and how painful the recovery might be, though it isn't a dangerous or risky procedure. I think of my niece, Andie, who has had that procedure and dozens of others for feeding tubes and surgeries to keep her body in alignment, and I realize that this is nothing.
Then I think of silly vanity issues, like how much of my hair will be shaved off and how much the equipment will show even when my hair grows back (Very important, I know!) It was sweet, when I got my hair highlighted last week, my friend and hairdresser said she wished she could be in the surgery with me to tell them what they could and couldn't shave off.
So, it will be an adventure. Hopefully an exciting one, especially once I am able to start activiating the equipment in about 3 weeks.
It hasn't been a particularly easy decision, because it is permanent and there is no turning back. I've been warned by everyone that there will be an adjustment period because at first it will sound very mechanical and will taking some getting used to. But, it should help with the clarity and decibels I hear in that ear. They are doing my R. ear, which has the most profound loss.
I have kind of second guessed myself since commiting, wondering if I should mess with the status quo, which I rationalize really isn't too bad with my hearing aids. But, funnily, since commiting I've been paying special attention to what I'm hearing and what I'm not hearing. On one day last week I went visiting teaching and my visiting teachers came here. I realized that I was probably only catching 50% what they were saying. I could follow the thread of the converstations but missing a lot of the details. That was actually kind of reassuring to me that I had made the right decision.
So, it is this Thursday. It is a same day surgery, and Gary has taken the day off. I am a little nervous about it being successful and how painful the recovery might be, though it isn't a dangerous or risky procedure. I think of my niece, Andie, who has had that procedure and dozens of others for feeding tubes and surgeries to keep her body in alignment, and I realize that this is nothing.
Then I think of silly vanity issues, like how much of my hair will be shaved off and how much the equipment will show even when my hair grows back (Very important, I know!) It was sweet, when I got my hair highlighted last week, my friend and hairdresser said she wished she could be in the surgery with me to tell them what they could and couldn't shave off.
So, it will be an adventure. Hopefully an exciting one, especially once I am able to start activiating the equipment in about 3 weeks.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
"From the ashes . . ."
Natalie's friend, Kelly, got us tickets to go through the Provo City Center Temple. We went on Thursday and had a wonderful evening.
When the tabernacle burned to just a shell 5 years ago, it was devastating news. It had been a landmark and meeting place for more than 100 years. I had attended a lifetime of Stake Conferences, graduations, and musical programs there.
Then in 2011 it was announced it would be restored as a temple. It was amazing to see the beautiful interiors and restoration details as we went on the tour. It teaches a wonderful lesson on how a tragedy can be turned into a blessing if we make it so.
Here is a link to a time lapsed video.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Sunday, January 17, 2016
One of my favorite events
with the family was our present shopping exchange. This year we went in pairs and bought gifts for the two people whose names we had. Here we were heading out the door on Christmas Eve for our shopping adventure.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
How lucky are we to
have two of our son-in-laws have the same birthday (even though they are 18 years apart). It makes it a date to celebrate.
We celebrated with Trent last Sunday.
We wish we could have celebrated today with Dan, but he was graced with our beautiful voices singing him Happy Birthday, and we did do a little partying with him while he was here for Christmas.
One thing I need to learn to make is an amazing banana cream pie. If I remember correctly, that is Dan's favorite pie and it is also Trent's. So far my attempts have not been too successful, but I have a little time to practice before we are all together again.
We love you Dan and Trent!
We celebrated with Trent last Sunday.
We wish we could have celebrated today with Dan, but he was graced with our beautiful voices singing him Happy Birthday, and we did do a little partying with him while he was here for Christmas.
One thing I need to learn to make is an amazing banana cream pie. If I remember correctly, that is Dan's favorite pie and it is also Trent's. So far my attempts have not been too successful, but I have a little time to practice before we are all together again.
We love you Dan and Trent!
Monday, January 11, 2016
Gary
Is well known in the family for his aversion to anything sticky. Yet he is willing to sacrifice that for wings. He's eating these in honor of Harrison who loves them.
Thursday, January 7, 2016
I'm not a particularly
chatty person. Nor do I look to strike up conversations with others along my way. But, there are many people who strike up conversations with others and make friends everywhere they go. Whatever the reason, whether it be that they are very interested in other people or that they have a need to share their thoughts, I realize that I need to be more approachable and open to that.
I'm thinking of this because of an experience I had yesterday. Gary had his yearly dermatology appointment for his psoriasis, so I went along and had him drop me off at a fabric store on the way. The appointment went longer than he thought, so when he picked me up he asked me what I had done the whole time. I told him of an interesting conversation I had been a part of. (By the way, I can happily spend a long time in a fabric store, but after awhile I just sat down to look at patterns)
A woman across from me immediately commented on my necklace, and we talked about jewelry and shops we liked. Then I asked her if she sewed a lot and I learned how she makes pajamas and skirts for her grandchildren and she shared a great tip about what she does to keep the elastic from rolling (I didn't really catch exactly what the tip was, though)
Another lady was nearby and approached us and inquired as to how she should mend a little hole in a dress. We discussed different ways, and in the conversation she disclosed to us that, because a son had died, she had put on a lot of weight and now just wore tent-like dresses like the one she was wearing. She said she hadn't done much sewing. She had taken sewing in Jr High, but someone had made fun of a skirt she had made, so she had never sewed again. We sympathized with her, and she also shared that she was in and out of foster homes and had not had a lot of support growing up.
The conversation ended with her having some simple ideas of how she could mend the hole and hopefully with the feeling that she was cared for and listened to. It was kind of startling that she would share so much about herself to total strangers. I have a hard time sharing too much of myself, even with those I am close to. That is really not an admirable thing and is in fact a pride issue for me.
This conversation along with the fact that I am reading "The Walk" series books, has had me thinking a lot about the influence we can have on those around us. Of how we may never know when a seemingly insignificant word or act on our part can influence someone else in either positive or negative ways.
I'm thinking of this because of an experience I had yesterday. Gary had his yearly dermatology appointment for his psoriasis, so I went along and had him drop me off at a fabric store on the way. The appointment went longer than he thought, so when he picked me up he asked me what I had done the whole time. I told him of an interesting conversation I had been a part of. (By the way, I can happily spend a long time in a fabric store, but after awhile I just sat down to look at patterns)
A woman across from me immediately commented on my necklace, and we talked about jewelry and shops we liked. Then I asked her if she sewed a lot and I learned how she makes pajamas and skirts for her grandchildren and she shared a great tip about what she does to keep the elastic from rolling (I didn't really catch exactly what the tip was, though)
Another lady was nearby and approached us and inquired as to how she should mend a little hole in a dress. We discussed different ways, and in the conversation she disclosed to us that, because a son had died, she had put on a lot of weight and now just wore tent-like dresses like the one she was wearing. She said she hadn't done much sewing. She had taken sewing in Jr High, but someone had made fun of a skirt she had made, so she had never sewed again. We sympathized with her, and she also shared that she was in and out of foster homes and had not had a lot of support growing up.
The conversation ended with her having some simple ideas of how she could mend the hole and hopefully with the feeling that she was cared for and listened to. It was kind of startling that she would share so much about herself to total strangers. I have a hard time sharing too much of myself, even with those I am close to. That is really not an admirable thing and is in fact a pride issue for me.
This conversation along with the fact that I am reading "The Walk" series books, has had me thinking a lot about the influence we can have on those around us. Of how we may never know when a seemingly insignificant word or act on our part can influence someone else in either positive or negative ways.
Monday, January 4, 2016
We had
A goodbye for Natalie's bird, TuTu, tonight. Natalie has had him for about 16 years, so it was a hard loss. I'm glad they have Aria to love.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Eliza turned
15 today!
They went home today, but I was able to interview her last night. I had her pose in the shirt she is wearing because her favorite band is Twenty One Pilots (which I had never heard of, but I liked the music she played for me).
Here is the summation of Eliza's interview:
Favorite:
If she could talk to someone who is no longer alive, who would it be? One of the Stripling Warriors from the Book of Mormon.
What would a perfect day (with no monetary or time distance restrictions)? Go on a shopping spree and buy whatever she wants. Then go with all her friends laser tagging. Then go to a Golden State Warrior's basketball game with court side seats. Then go to a Twenty One Pilots concert. Then go to a practice with the BYU Women's Basketball team. Then play board and dice games with friends and family and watch a movie at home. In between that she would to to Fogo de Chao Brazilian restaurant in California.
What do you think you will be doing in 5 years? Serving an LDS mission. Preferably somewhere that they speak English and have normal and good food.
What do you see yourself doing in 10 years? Probably have a job, be married (to a rich person, or she is rich) and in college.
How many children would you like to have? About 4, but want to adopt 2 or 3 and do humanitarian projects.
What do you appreciate most about your family? They are helpful and fun to be around.
Where or when do you feel most spiritual? EFY and girl's camp.
Best Friends? Kenall, Maya, Rachel, Gayna, Hunter, Nina, church friends and school friends.
Happy about? Played soccer on varsity team as a freshman this year. Going to try gold or softball this spring. Looking forward to summer (no school) and going to EFY or a basketball camp.
We feel so blessed to have Eliza as our granddaughter and that we were able to celebrate it with her.
They went home today, but I was able to interview her last night. I had her pose in the shirt she is wearing because her favorite band is Twenty One Pilots (which I had never heard of, but I liked the music she played for me).
Here is the summation of Eliza's interview:
Favorite:
- Breakfast: Eggs, toast and sausage; breakfast burritos with eggs, cheese, and fry sauce (that's what we made her for her sendoff this morning).
- Dinner: Mashed potatoes and medium rare steak.
- Class in school: English -- the teacher makes it fun. Example: They study things like Joseph Campbell's concept of a hero's journey. They watch movies and identify the hero's journey in the book and/or movie.
- Sport: Playing and watching basketball.
- Movie of the Year: "Inside Out"
- Book: All 7 Harry Potter books -- has read them 4 times.
If she could talk to someone who is no longer alive, who would it be? One of the Stripling Warriors from the Book of Mormon.
What would a perfect day (with no monetary or time distance restrictions)? Go on a shopping spree and buy whatever she wants. Then go with all her friends laser tagging. Then go to a Golden State Warrior's basketball game with court side seats. Then go to a Twenty One Pilots concert. Then go to a practice with the BYU Women's Basketball team. Then play board and dice games with friends and family and watch a movie at home. In between that she would to to Fogo de Chao Brazilian restaurant in California.
What do you think you will be doing in 5 years? Serving an LDS mission. Preferably somewhere that they speak English and have normal and good food.
What do you see yourself doing in 10 years? Probably have a job, be married (to a rich person, or she is rich) and in college.
How many children would you like to have? About 4, but want to adopt 2 or 3 and do humanitarian projects.
What do you appreciate most about your family? They are helpful and fun to be around.
Where or when do you feel most spiritual? EFY and girl's camp.
Best Friends? Kenall, Maya, Rachel, Gayna, Hunter, Nina, church friends and school friends.
Happy about? Played soccer on varsity team as a freshman this year. Going to try gold or softball this spring. Looking forward to summer (no school) and going to EFY or a basketball camp.
We feel so blessed to have Eliza as our granddaughter and that we were able to celebrate it with her.
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