Simply T

Speaking of Events!

2011-08-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

My last blog was about events. Then we REALLY had an event !There is nothing quite as memorable as your darling daughter sitting next to you in church and then pitching over in a never before, totally unexpected seizure! It was an event that I had never anticipated in my lifetime and really not what you want to have happen. We spent the rest of the day at the ER. We have since been to get an EEG; no real abnormalities detected and been to a neurologist. We had to make some adjustments to our plans for the next few weeks (we can not leave her unattended) and were feeling a little better about it until Thursday evening when I called her to go with me to run an errand and she didn't respond. When I called again and she didn't respond, I ran up the stairs and to my distress found her on the floor by the couch unconcious (in a post dictal state) and with pillows lodged around her head (freaky how they were configured that way) (there are just two fairly small and lightweight accent pillows on that end of the couch) I did not witness the actual seizure (so unnerving that I didn't hear anything and I was just downstairs doing seminary paperwork) but the post dictal state was very similar to her first seizure (it may have lasted a bit longer. This seizure (from start [my guess] to finish was approximately 6:40 pm to 7:15. We were truly hoping that she would not have a recurrence. She has now been put on anti seizure medication [Keppra 500 mg twice a day] and we will have to consider her as having a seizure disorder. She has been my semi constant companion for 35 years; she will now be my ever constant companion for the foreseeable future as we try to keep her safe and monitored. In an odd twist of events; Nan has for a long time chattered to herself incessantly [we have always felt it was her coping mechanism for the loneliness and isolation that she has felt over the course of her life with her disability] It is a behavior we have aggressively discouraged. She also is a mad dog vacumn-er which can also be annoying. All of a sudden I am encouraging her chatting and any other noise making (vacumning) because I can monitor her from other parts of the house and know she is safe and not seizing! WEIRD WEIRD WEIRD!

There are Events and then there are EVENTS!

2011-07-10T19:36:00.000-07:00

We have had an eventful few weeks and an eventful day. I have been to Michigan in a Penske truck and off to Paris the week after; I returned home to our daughter and her cute baby being here to spend the summer and help us with the dog etc while we traveled; I am off to DC next week and the Caribbean the week after that and then seminary starts and then we head to Michigan again over Labor Day. We have a new Bishop tonight and that is eventful and there are other little events along the way (I hope to blog more about some of these individual items soon)but the thing I wanted to make note of (besides it being Corey and Kerry's birthday today...it really was a fun day 33 years ago when a cute little boy was born on his dad's birthday) Kerry told me this morning that it occurred to him that 40 years ago today he had been baptized. I had forgotten that he was baptized on his 18th birthday and I was impressed with the sense I had in that moment of the magnitude of that event. That is the event among all these events that has had and will continue to have the most lasting influence on the eternal wellness of our family. If he had not chosen the path of baptism, his life and mine and the children that we were blessed with would have an entirely different trajectory and it is a bit frightening to think what it would have been. So there are events and then there are events and as wonderful as the event of my son's birth is/was and as memorable as our little trek to Paris will be for Nan especially and as memorable a day as this will be for our new Bishop Dayhuff, I am most grateful for that event 40 years ago that allowed me to "date only those young men who honor their priesthood" and the influence for good it has had in my life.

Home Sweet Home

2011-03-24T17:02:00.000-07:00

The weather is BEAUTIFUL! The azaleas are stunning..there is a ball game on and I am loving the opportunity to spend an evening at home after a week gone and then busy-ness that needed to be attended to. Trip to Utah accomplished and cute Liam and parents visited and now back to seminary and dog and chauffering and funerals and laundry and paperwork and grocery shopping and dentist appointment and much more fun stuff! Not much to say so let's watch Jimmer! (Charles Barkley an idiot!!!!)

Grateful Hearts

2011-02-22T12:48:00.000-08:00

February is heart month according to something I read recently (I think they were referring to cardiac concerns) but my grandkids think of cupids and arrows and all things pink and chocolate and rosy (maybe not so much Johnny) I am once again not a big fan of Valentine's Day-ish kinds of silliness except for of course cutsie stuff for the littles (yes I know, I have holiday issues) but this is what I have been thinking about recently. [Bet ya can't wait.] More than just about anything you can do to show someone you appreciate them and care about them and love them is to express gratitude. We think of gratitude at Thanksgiving time but it is an appropriate expression at Valentine's time as well. I have glimpsed what Father in Heaven means when he tells us there is none against whom his wrath is kindled or 'in nothing doth man ^aoffend God,... save those who ^dconfess not his hand in all things...' I think it is a very real part of an expression of love and even though some of those lessons come hard, I hope that I have had that principle sink deeper into my heart these last few weeks and that I can remember the importance of expressing gratitude to those I love. I am kind of lousy at it and being 'not dead yet' I guess I can still work in that direction. So here is a verse I love and haven't ever put in the context of hearts and roses but what is more loving than a Father who delights to shower his children with glory and 'things'....that will bless them?!
And he who receiveth all things with ^athankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an ^bhundred fold, yea, more. Happy Heart Month!

Family Photos 2010

2011-01-24T12:05:00.000-08:00

My favorite people on the planet!

My Fam

2011-01-18T14:46:00.000-08:00

Can I just tell ya how much I adore my fam? Since I am not worried that anyone is going to spend much time reading this, I am just going to be obnoxious and say that I have the world's cutest grandchildren and that I really can't imagine that anything else that one might do in life would be any better than kids and grandkids. I remember that it was hard. I remember that there were days. But the joys of knowing and spending time with such really great people just can't be beat. Liam is a darling little cherub with a happy smile and a silly belly laugh. Coleton is a peaceful little angel with the bluest eyes and the cutest superman stance I ever saw; Cavin says the funniest things and is the funniest kid that looks at you sideways and melts your heart; Caden is mature for his age and clever and full of surprises and quietly always plotting something fun; Ella twirls and skips and runs with grace and ease and flashes her dimples at you; Madi has beautiful hair and a lovely complexion and loves to spend time in the land of make believe and makes you wish you were there with her....ooolala (that's french); and John will forever be my Johnny; sober, careful, obedient, brilliant and curious with a love for books, video games, dinosaurs, Lego's and who manifests a deep concern and care for his sister and his mom and dad. Then there are two darling sons who I am crazy proud of and three lovely daughters who all do hard things and do them with faith and with determination and who nurture and care for the people around them and who are capable and solid and reliable and committed to the task(s) at hand; they have all five of them stuck to hard things and mastered them and held the faith and worked and struggled and persevered knowing that there is much more of that ahead. I am grateful that they honor their marriages (Nan not yet) and that their spouses have sustained them and blessed their lives.I am past grateful that they are faithful and that their spouses have been faithful and support gospel principles and righteous living. So on this 18th day of January, 2011, that is what I am thinking about and what I am grateful for. An entry to begin the year and to record my sense of gratitude for the blessing these kids are to me. Smiles and happy New Year!

2010

2010-12-30T18:53:00.001-08:00

As the year closes out I thought I would note a few of the years hi-lites for the sake of posterity and record keeping and all things 'memorable'. I am going to skip the whole chronology because that would really tax my brain.

Coleton Younes Speers was born January 28th, 2010. He weighed 5 lbs 1 oz.
Liam Ethan Scharman was born June 30th, 2010. He weighed 8 lbs 12 oz.
Corey graduated from Baylor College of Medicine.
Chris changed assignments at work and is now working in 'Lubes' (whatever that means)
Cavin learned how to wear big boy undies very easily; a blessing to his mother.
John and Madi started a new school that they like alot.
Corey and Steph sold their home in Humble.
Missa went to work in Idaho Falls, her first paid teaching job.
We held a Haws family reunion in July in Vernal. Chris and Chira and family attended.
My 35th Uintah High School Class Reunion was held in August. Me and Becky and Laurie went.
Mom had her hip replaced a year ago and did better for a while.
Visited with Lois and David Powers and Don and Lynette Taylor and Scott Lewis and Fran and Art Ericson; all dear old friends.
Went to Hawaii with Lisa and Ragnar and Natalie.
Mabel turned 85.
Dad turned 81.
I won't tell you what I turned.
Randy returned home from Iraq and then moved to Kentucky.
We took Johnny up to Randy's Change of Command ceremony
I was called to teach seminary.
Kerry has been working in the Stake Presidency since the end of last year.
We had car trouble on our road trip to Utah which fuels Kerry's "i hate road trips' fire.
The car trouble fueled my 'Father in Heaven watches over us' fire as we had the real brake trouble at exactly the necessary spot to access help.
We went to DC to bless Coleton. Lisa and the kids came with us. We had a great trip.
I went to DC just to see Coleton when he was few weeks old.
Went to Idaho when Liam was born for 10 days.
Had Corey and Steph and fam and Lisa and Rags and fam for Thanksgiving.
Had all the kids home for Christmas this year. A wonderful way to end the year and start the new one.

Happy New Year!

This isn't what the GOVERN....meant!

2010-09-23T15:48:00.000-07:00

My to do list has included getting my passport renewed for quite some time (a year). I determined that today was the day. I was going to take my 3 month old passport photos and my $110 bucks and get this job done. The paperwork said you could mail the renewal in but my mind works weird and I kept worrying that I may have misunderstood something because I would see people waiting to get their passports at post offices. I called the State Dept to see if I could just mail it and got lots of music to listen to but no person or information; I almost called the post office but decided to just go in and get it over with. I prefer the Tomball post office because in the past they have been much more efficient than the Louetta facility (of course, two year olds can put a fully functional nuclear attack sub in the water faster than the Louetta facility people can sell you a book of stamps) I had the paperwork filled out, my checkbook in hand and, as I walked in the door, two little girls about cut me in half as they zipped by, unattended, by the woman sitting in the passport application area who was chatting about some trip the passport processor was wanting to take someday. Another little boy went screaming out the door on a leash followed by a highly exasperated father who apparently was the spouse of the other woman in the passport application line who was on the phone loudly trying to get someone to dig through some paperwork at home so she could complete passport papers with a five week old baby in a car seat purched precariously on a table. The two little girls of the first applicant continued to catapult through the place without much concern for seniors (not me!) babies or unsuspecting patrons coming in the door; and so, we had two out of control little girls with a clueless mom (a third little girl would enter later with an equally unqualified care giver)and two harrowed parents who had only been there five minutes and had already lost control of their two year old. They had checked in for passports 12 and 5 minutes before me. Now, I will never be able paint a picture of the passport processor that any of you will ever believe but I have to try; She was somewhere between 45 and 65 years of age (it would be difficult to pinpoint her age exactly as some clearly hard living had been indulged in) hair that was half kinda blond and half very gray was held in place by a claw thing and it seemed as if she had never been formally introduced to hair care products of any kind (shampoo, conditioner, frizz control products) other than the occasional bottle of blond hair color; on her feet were house slipppers that I guess she might have thought were moccassins; she wore jean shorts and a plaid sleeveless top that had had the sleeves cut out and tattoo's encircling both ankles and her arm [now her arms made any Relief Society arm you have EVER seen look toned and chisseled]. She not only did not have ANY semblance of a professional, 'I am an employee of the US State Department' demeanor in her dress or her mannerisms, she could have easily passed as an inmate out on parole or a hillbilly from Kentucky (or East Texas). I am being mean but I was shocked. I honestly looked around to see if she was a baglady that had decided that she wanted to be a passport processor for a minute while the real processor was away from her desk. Sooooooo, I waited for one hour and seven minutes for the two families to conclude their business with my clearly blue application in hand while they filled out clearly beige applications (for new passports I was assuming) and with the children racing and screaming and crawling and bumping and getting their fingers caught (almost smashed once) while their parents just sat there and shouted at them. This doesn't count the very cute (they were all cute) little two year old girl that came in and knocked my purse off the chair and ran into a little man with a cane while waiting for her grandmother to get finished in the very long (18 minutes) postal line. Yes, I had time to track the timing on the line. The conversations between the processor and the second family consisted of comparing notes on the annoyance of finding they were pregnant with their first borns after only having dated the fathers for a couple of months and the process they went through to try to 'hook' the father or decide if they were even worth the effort of 'hooking' them and the decision after extended periods of time of living with the fathers to go ahead and put up with the
''$%*&*^' sons of ......uhhhh....guns" and how much 'fun' they had before they got saddled with brats. Oh my gosh!
She finally concluded with the little families (whom, by the way, I could have been in line AHEAD of if I had been 5 minutes earlier and she called me over. In 1.2 seconds (I hadn't even really gotten seated yet) the processor/bag lady looked at my CLEARLY blue application and said "I don't need to process blue aps, you can just put it in a envelope and mail it off!!!!!!"

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

My New Gig

2010-09-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy summer and in Houston it is still VERY summer-like outside. We are in the high 90's and have high humidity and we're kind of tired of it; no more tired, I am sure, than the northerners get of snow and ice in April.

On my way home from a trip to Utah in August, I got a phone call from a member of the stake presidency (the one I am married to!) calling me to teach seminary and so all of my family history plans have gotten shuffled off to the side while I try to get up to speed on seminary. My poor little ancestors must have been SO excited only to have their hopes and dreams dashed yet again (they have heard me speak of getting going before) I hope that they can endure me. And I hope that the kids in seminary can endure me as well. We are into this three weeks now and the fatigue is already a tiny bit better and we are working out how to get this job done. Experience goes a long way and I don't have any. The first week I thought to myself, what in the heck have I gotten myself into. Second week better and this week better still. The kids are a delight and I adore them already. 16 seniors; mostly boys four girls and an eclectic group that is very sharp and who has some marvelous future missionaries in it. I am grateful for the opportunity and the blessings that I can see flowing into my life. Increased capacity on a couple of levels and I am hoping for some more because I really need it.

Chillin in Colorado

2010-07-24T06:13:00.000-07:00

On our way to Utah for a family reunion and Liam's blessing we ran into brake trouble. Now mind you, we just had the brakes fixed three weeks ago to the tune of $1000. We had trouble with them the first few miles of our trip so we pulled over in Houston and took the car into Discount Tire to have the tires balanced again (Kerry had just had it taken care of the day before). We thought maybe the rotation and balancing job was improperly done. They rebalanced the tires and off we went two hours late but rolling. All day had difficulty on and off with vibration and drag. But our destination was Dalhart and stopping there for any length of time was not an attractive thought so the next morning we pushed on. More vibration in New Mexico so as we were traveling through Colorado Springs we were wondering if we should stop in Denver and have it looked at or just push on......question answered when we were pulling away from gas station in Littleton and the brakes seemed to 'lock up' and when smoke started to spew and rubber started to burn, question answered. Now, do ya think it is crazy that we were passing a Brakes Plus establishment as the brakes started to smoke and we were able to make a left hand turn and be there? And do you think that it is common to have a Comfort Suites AND a Fairfield Inn in the same parking lot as the Brakes Plus place when we found out a part would take overnight to acquire and we would be left overnight with no vehicle? And so....things haven't been going as planned but we have felt the hand of the Lord and are grateful. Seems to be a bit of a metaphor for life....Things don't always go as planned or hoped but help is available to assist through the changed plan or situation and peace is always available. We will see what today's adventure is going to be! On the bright side, had a fun visit with Scott Lewis...just camped out in the corner of the Brakes Plus place and visited for an hour or so.

And Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

I Determined I ought to make some mention of Father's Day while I am at it as it IS Father's Day. Kerry however is in London and so it just seems like a kind of super quiet not much going on day around here........... So happy Father's Day to you in England honey and happy Father's Day to our darling sons who are really quite extraordinary dads and to my father who is an example of the believer's who has lived a long and service-filled life. Kerry and I were just talking the other day about how we can see that 'enduring to the end' might simply be much more difficult that we might want that it will be. Maintaining momentum and enthusiasm is tough! Then as I look out at folks who have lived into their eighties and nineties, I have nothing but admiration for those who are able to do it well and keep their chins up. So chin up and thanks for teaching us the gospel dad, and know that we are grateful for the heritage of faith and hard work and dedication that you have devoted a lifetime to leaving us.

Mundane and Ordinary

2010-06-20T18:09:00.000-07:00

I simply can never think of anything interesting or exciting to post. I love reading the kids posts and seeing their photos. I love reading other people's facebook entries that detail some of the daily and possibly mundane details of their lives but struggle to feel comfortable posting or publishing some of the mundane details of my life. They seem overwhelmingly mundane and uninteresting. It has almost become a mind block. I guess I am fairly certain that there is not a single interesting thing to report in my little day to day world. And yet I view blogs in particular and facebook a little less so as a valuable tool to record family history and share feelings and events and experiences and life! So I am going to attempt to post an entry. My last entry was May 5th...we are now into June. May was a crazy and overly busy month that bore much fruit in the memorable category. Chris and Ella had birthdays. Chris and Marisa were home for Corey's graduation. All five of the kids were here and that is something that isn't mundane to a mom in any way. What a delight to have all the kids together with their lovely families (we missed those cute Caden and Coleton boys and Chira and Ethan) but were delighted to have the kids together. They are the blessing and joy of my life...maybe that is why things feel so mundane now; after all these years of busy family life on a day to day basis, EVERYTHING will always feel mundane. I appreciated the effort that the kids made to get here. Supporting each other over time and distance is a challenge but one that I hope they will never give up on. Mabel was able to come and spend her 85th birthday with us. It was Corey's graduation day and made me wonder what I will be doing on my 85th birthday? Hmmmmmmmmmm............careful about the comments y'all!! Corey and Stephani sold their home and moved into an apartment downtown. Then Lisa and Ragnar and Natalie and Kerry and I took off for Hawaii. I was running a little low on gas for that trip and so I hope that we didn't slow down everyone's experience there. I have been running on empty for a number of weeks now and am trying to figure out how to get the energy levels moving upward a bit. Hawaii is a beautiful place and makes you appreciate the lovely world we live in not to mention the fun diversity of cultures that exist in the world. The polynesians are a beautiful and graceful people with a quiet intensity for living that I think may be contagious given some extended time with them. We came home to a lonesome dog and a house that needed (and coninues to need) a bit of attention and a trip to London for Kerry and a jag to Idaho for me. The next big event will be the advent of little Mr. Scharman. We are so excited to add a little fella to the family. How can one grandma possibly have ALL of the adorable and delightful grandchildren on the planet???!!! While I am in Idaho I am hoping to spend a bit of time figuring out how to download photos and organize pictures. Maybe this post will be the beneficiary. Till then...........

Feliz Cumpleanos

2010-05-05T08:23:00.000-07:00

Feliz Cumpleanos is how they say happy birthday on Cinco De Mayo........so happy birthday to my darling not so little Texas born and bred son AND little Miss Adorable Ella Belle. We have a penchant for sharing birthdays in our family.....Chris was born six months after we moved to Midland and his new little guy, Coleton, reminds me temperamentally of Chris....Chris (and Coleton) was (is) a sweet natured and peaceful baby and we were very happy to add a son to our family all those years ago! And little Ella is a pleasure and a delight and we are happy to have her sparkly personality in our family! So smiles and love to Chris and Ella on their birthday....we hope it is fun and wonderful!

He Is Risen

2010-04-04T19:13:00.000-07:00

I love words. I love phrases. I love poetry and observation and I love truth. This is a beautiful truth and a glorious declaration. One that words, as much as I love them, can't really provide any more illumination for. I love everything that Easter celebrates. We celebrate Him.

Happy Easter.

Cherry Blossoms

2010-04-02T19:59:00.000-07:00

Cherry blossoms in DC are beautiful and I was going to post some pics of them but I am on the wrong computer...my photos files are on the other one. I REALLY NEED TO ACQUIRE COMPUTER SKILLS!

27!

2010-03-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

Burgers, baubles and balloons
Chocolate cake that makes you swoon
Wishing you a happy day
You've blesssd our lives in every way!

This is the best I can do with my three minute window of opportunity! Have a great birthday!

The Ides of March

2010-03-15T04:09:00.000-07:00

If you are Julius Caesar not your favorite day....and quite frankly, not my favorite day either! I really don't want to do what I have to do this week which is fuss with and finish prep on the Youth Conference Service project! Feeling the pinch on this thing and I work VERY hard to avoid stress in my little life! Sometimes it is unavoidable! On the up side, Lisa is having a birthday tomorrow! Woohooo! and Match Day is Thursday and next week we run away to DC...get to go see our cute boys. Delightful lesson on the Creation in RS yesterday and it has helped to raise my spirits. The weather is lovely here right now and so I am going to focus on the fun and lovely things around me and try to not be concerned about silly details that even though they need to be managed, they can be managed in a lovely environment! Et tu, Brute?

February 14th

2010-02-13T20:11:00.000-08:00

A kind of sober Valentine's Day in my little heart. I am so terribly sad for Shauna and for the loss of her boy....it just still seems very unreal to me. And cruel that she has to manage this loss particularly on a holiday that celebrates loved ones who you want to be with. Life is changed in an instant and so I guess that is the lesson to take away [or one of the lessons] from this experience. Eternity is today. Live with appreciation for the things you have and think less about the things you don't have. You will never have everything you think you need or want and we all have everything we really need now. The gospel, freedoms, families and friends. Few other things matter. I have the greatest family in the world and I am certain that it is the family it is supposed to be.........remarkable children, children in law who sustain us and take care of the dearest people in the world, darling and adorable grands and good hearted sibs. Parents that struggle but who keep trying. Very darling nieces and nephews and sibs in laws. The best friends in the world for many years now. So have a happy Valentine's Day and know we love you and pray for your every happiness and are grateful for the blessing you are to us in our lives.

MESS!

2010-01-13T02:43:00.000-08:00

Cavin and Ella have a very cute way of saying MESS! when they need their hands washed or their faces cleaned or the toys need to be picked up or there is any type of major disorganization. And that is about the only word to describe the house right now but I am ok with that. The floors are mostly installed and I think I am going to really like the way they function and look. I am excited about the possibilities of a cleaner and more orderly home!

2010

2010-01-01T16:41:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all. I struggle with Christmas but love New Year's! Crazy huh. It was great to have the kids home and the other kids around except for Chris. We missed him and his cute family. I really have the greatest kids and they have the greatest spouses who are marvelously supportive of them and us and (we) all have the most darling and adorable children/grandchildren. I will never cease to be amazed at how delightful they are and how much I adore them. I am grateful for the blessings of the past year. It had some difficulties but there was very clear evidence of the hand of the Lord helping through the challenge. Miracles were granted and progression was made. Progression always comes with struggle if we allow for it. There were good things that happened that maybe shouldn't have happened or certainly came through the grace of God and I have had a tremendous sense of gratitude for His willingness to help my family with what they need. There were some prayers that were not answered in the way that we would have wanted them to be answered but I am certain that they were heard and that He will attend. We went to watch Lisa run her half marathon this morning. It is very inspiring. She did great. Then we took Missa and Ethan to the airport. Sorry to see them go. Loved having them. (Thanks for coming!) They are going home to move to Rexburg tomorrow! I hope that all goes well. Chris and Chira went down to see the White House Christmas Tree.....Caden says it's COLD! Corey getting ready to head out to interview some more this coming week. The kids start school again on Monday. Natalie not having to work very much. Kind of nice. Kerry out churching some this evening. He is trying to support the new ward creation on Sunday. They have to have calls issued by then. I am watching football and working on the computer. Fun (if Miss didn't have to go) and low key day. Steph made some great chimichangas for lunch. They were wonderful. Stopped by Lumber Liguidators on the way home. Narrowing our search for hardwood flooring. Time to do maintenance on and update some features of the house! All in all I am hoping that the new year will be a happy and healthy one. I am so grateful for so many tender mercies.

Hustle and Bustled

2009-12-17T13:48:00.000-08:00

This is a photo from our trek to Israel a few years ago...we were going down the steps into the area in a cathedral in Bethlehem where they feel that the Savior was born. It is a site whereon several churches have built cathedrals and shrines to the Christ Child...it has become very non-manger-ish and non-stable-ish as they have guilded and adorned and encrusted the site with much that the world values but with nothing the Child would have valued...it was crowded and hustle-y and bustle-y and very much NOT a peaceful place where you could make a connect to the sacred event that is said to have transpired there. Hmmmmmmmm......there is a pattern there that I am picking up on...a holiday(site) meant to celebrate the Savior but with little real semblance of anything that actually does celebrate the Savior.... Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Hustle and bustle is the name of the season but my hussle is bustle-d! I told Kerry that I think I have too many 'windows' open on my 'screen' and the hard drive is bogging down! So I may need to be re-booted and see if I can get some forward progress going again! I hope that you are finding all well this season and getting a few of the things that you want to have done.......done!
My mom is home from her hip replacement surgery and we find that to be a miracle..I guess 'tis the season. Kerry's step Aunt Ruth passed away on Tuesday in Vernal. Mabel has done a magnificent job of assisting her during these last years of her life. I hope Ruth is able to understand that now. She would not have been able to before due to her mental alertness and assessment skills. But no matter, the guy that really counts knows. Nan is beside herself with anticipation. She loves the holidays. Corey is all over the place interviewing for transition year programs and resident programs. That process will continue into the new year. Chris is working hard in VA and they are awaiting the arrival of their new little one in January. Lisa and Rags are in the throws of the Rockets basketball season and Marisa will be here on Monday. We are happy she and Ethan are coming home! Our grandchildren are delightful and wonderful.......and growing. We wish you all a very merry Christmas and the happiest of new years.

Merciful

2009-11-19T18:23:00.000-08:00

Mom had scheduled hip replacement surgery for today with much consternation and concern on the part of her family. But she has made it through the surgery and is doing well and we are hoping that she will do as well with the rehab. The resident's comments to mom before the surgery were that this was high risk and her test results were less than favorable; the dr's comment after the surgery was that the hip was a real mess. Contradiction seems to be mom's watch-cry. Don't really need evidence of His willingness to bless us but I am always in awe of that willingness...His blessings are abundant and usually undeserved but abundant none the less.

Monday

2009-11-16T19:18:00.000-08:00

Trying to make a weekly post...we will see how long that lasts. Kerry home today which is a fairly rare event. Kind of fun to have him around. He helped me with a bit of Christmas shopping. Something tells me the holidays are going to come crashing in this year. Then he spent two hours on a conference call with President Rawson and Kunz. Nan and I went and finished a bit more shopping while he was otherwise engaged!
Marisa called and said that the ultrasound for the baby went well and that they can hear a heartbeat. That is exciting news! She has 'morning sickness' medicine now and so we hope that will help. Babies are wonderful. Nan working and getting excited about holidays as only she can. Corey about done with this year's rotations! That will be a great day. Chris is sick tonight with a headache. Bless his heart. They have been dumped on by the remnants of Hurricane Ida in Virginia. Allen Johnson came for a visit last night. He is Kerry's high school buddy/college roomate and the kid that helped him take the discussions and join the church. He comes to visit his daugher and grandaughters in Houston once a year. Fun to have him. A very interesting guy. And totally blown away by the whole Stake Presidency counselor thing/call! He knew Kerry when he was a total knucklehead! Makes me smile.

I will post a fun picture[s] that will once again be highly random! So the first photo is of a Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall (otherwise known as the Wailing Wall) and the second one is a statue at the {Greek} Orthodox? Church that was built very near the Garden of Gethsemane...in fact, on the grounds of the garden...a little blast from the past of two autumns ago! Have a great week!

I'll Huff and I'll Puff

2009-11-09T13:17:00.000-08:00

I really have days when it would be OK if the big bad wolf showed up at the front door and huffed and puffed and blew my house down. I would at least feel like it came from an outside source as opposed to the slow painful demise that currently is at work here. The roof people replaced the roof after a hail storm a few years ago (not a hurricane mind you, a hail storm) then we had air conditioning and ceiling leaking problems that seemed un-related but now have proven to be connected. So the ceiling had to be repaired on two levels of the house and the air conditioning continues to function below minimal levels and now the plumber is here trying to resolve a back up in the system that seems to have been the source of the air conditioning overflow problem which caused the ceiling issues.AHHHHHH!!! And my floors ans walls are getting beat up in the process and the house is in serious need of some cosmetic and routine maintenance work and all in all, as hard as I try to keep it maintained, it has outpaced me! Just a fun Monday.
In other news, Kerry was released as Bishop yesterday and promptly flew out to Mexico City this morning (those are un-related events as well unless he doesn't come back!) He will feel a void in his life from the hole that the Bishop thing will leave in his heart and schedule but he won't have much time to worry about it. He has plenty of other items that will require his attention. Nan is having work scheduling issues......Corey and Stephani are fielding responses to his application(s) for transition programs and residencies. He has a one year transition program that is required in his field of endeavor and then the residency begins after that for four? years?. So twice the applications and twice the interviews. And twice the expense of flying to interviews. Bless his heart. Chris and Chira are heading to Utah for Thanksgiving. Lisa and Ragnar are in the throws of beginning season NBA basketball. Marisa is counting down her student teaching and very excited to be able to announce an impending birth to their family. Ran to Killeen to watch Jon play football and see Jana and the kids...then a week later that horrific assault occurred. Some are calling it a terrorist act.
Halloween was fun.....last week I took Nan to Mary Poppins and that was fun. Lots happening at church......and the holidays are coming on! So I'll huff and I'll puff and keep going along!

Sunday

2009-10-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

Sundays can be one of my more energy sapping days. It is all good in that I really don't worry about a single thing that is related to home management or property management. That is a delight. But just for instance, today was choir then church with an opportunity to sit with a 2 year old whose mother leads the music in sacrament meeting and whose dad works on Sunday...so Sacrament Meeting was busy but fun (is it supposed to be fun?) with Daxton and the Children's Sacrament Meeting Program. Then Gospel Doctrine that was condensed to 20 minutes which is fine but the prep is what it is whether it is five or forty five minutes. Then I subbed in Primary with a little lesson so the Priamry teachers could have a break after rangling children for an hour and a half in Sacrament Meeting. Then home to get ready for a Bishop's Fireside that we were having here at the house. Now don't get me wrong, I have plenty of time and resources for this stuff...and I am not complaining....and with frozen pizza for dinner and cocoa puff for breakfast...the lagging commodity here is energy! Hooray for Sunday!

Been A Long Time

2009-10-05T15:43:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more photos from the trip to Guatemala. Been trying to find these for a while to get a few posted. I was going to do a bit each day. I find that doing anything consistently is the hardest thing I do in the world! Journal-ing, blogging, exercising, letter writing, reading, cooking, budgeting etc. etc. etc.test me to the max..........Been working hard on getting the house dug out and re-arranged now that my darling boarders are gone. Lisa and Ragnar are happily ensconced in their new little abode in Atascocita and my house is empty and and a bit too quiet but I am glad for them to be able to be on their own. It is a much nicer way for little families to live. Nan and I and the dog rattle around here. Nan is working a bunch more. She has to work this Sunday. Kerry has a pile of stuff on his plate that is pressuring him. Some fairly heavy responsibilities for a month or two. He just got back from Bucharest. Corey and Steph are in the winding down phases of this year's rotations....he is finished in November and has December and January to fly around the country interviewing with transitory program directors and residency program administrators. Chris and Chira are 'potty training' and 'binky breaking' and 'big boy' bed switching Caden in prep for their new little fella that is coming along early next year. And Marisa is finishing a fairly stringent student teaching assignment that has stretched her expectations of providing care and teaching to disabled populations. Grateful that the kids are well and that they are getting along ok. Loved General Conference and the General Relief Society Broadcast a week or so ago and am always grateful for the blessings of the gospel in our lives.

PS The stuff that just popped up on the blog with some past dates have been sitting in 'draft' for a fairly long time so don't let that stuff fool you...I was trying to import photos and kind of finally did it! These photos are of Palnenque and then our trip down the River Usi-something heading to Yaxitlan. The children (four and five and six year olds) live along the river and when they see tourist boats coming along they hop in the canoe and paddle out and offer to let us take their picture for a dollar (one dollar one dollar!) They are desperately poor and to die for adorable. Women washing babies and clothes all up and down the river.

Home a Week

2009-09-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

Survived our Mexiguateduras trip and been home a week. I thought I would try to post a couple of photos before I continue with my day. Haven't seen John and Madi for a million years so I get to go say hi this afternoon and then I pick up Lisa and fam from the airport later this afternoon. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that we(my family) would be traipsing around the world like we are wont to do! Lisa and Rags in Germany and Chris and Chira spent the long weekend up in Boston; Kerry and I tramping through Mezzoamerica; I think we are home for a while. Lots of catch up to do. Kerry has only been home to sleep since we got back a week ago and he leaves for Romania a week from today. I hope you can catch a glimpse of the ancient civilizations that we explored and get a sense of the environment in which they carved out their lives.

This is My Day!

2009-08-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

This is my day,
My Baptism Day
Life in God's kingdom begins in this way........
Congratulations Johnny, I can't believe you are eight!
We were so happy to be a part of John's baptism. He was baptized in the same font that Corey baptized Marisa in 13 years ago! Who would have thunk it!

Important Numbers

2009-08-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

34-1975-5- 5.5-a whole string of numbers that don't mean much of anything to any one but me.
Wonder what will be going on in 34 more!?

News

2009-08-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in ever so long and so I thought I would try to put a few things up.Chris and Chira notified us last week that they are going to have a baby! We are so excited for them and for the little one that will be a new member of their family. Chris went to California for a week and now Chira and Caden are in Utah for a few weeks to attend weddings and baptisms.
Natalie has a new haircut. Should have taken a picture while it was still professionally styled cause now all she has is me! She is excited about our little jaunt to Utah this week.
Corey and Steph are gearing up for their annual BIRTHDAY WEEK! John was born on August 20 and two years (almost) later Madi was born on the 18th. So we are going to be birthdaying it week after next. Johnny is going to turn eight! What an exciting thing.
Lisa and Ragnar just celebrated their fifth anniversary and Cavin and Ella are growing and going and keeping us entertained and hopping. Cavin is learning new things everyday that he can do with that chunky little body of his and he loves it! He can climb and walk and run and sit and roll and march and jump! It is 'Cavin' jumping but nobody is more delighted at the prospects than he is! And Ella delights in serving us pizza and making us cocoa and twirling in her dresses and teeling us stories.
Marisa walks this week. She will be finished in December but they will be gone to Idaho to school by April so since she is eliglible to walk now, she is going to! She has been called to work in her RS Presidency as of today and so she is (and actually has been for a little while) a Relief Society girl! We are excited to see the kids when we run up. ( I know! the photo is random!)

R and R

2009-08-09T19:52:00.000-07:00

Kerry and I went to visit a new little family that moved into the ward through the block and in the process of talking with them a minute, I invited Raney to come for a walk with me some morning when I take the dog out and I would show her where everyone in the neighborhood lived (we have 20 ish families that are members in our little sub-division). She responded favorably and then she asked what time I went walking at which point Kerry kind of smirked and the point was made that I am not a particularly structured person by nature and therefore my morning walk time was fairly randomly scheduled (basically when I feel like it). NOW, if you know anything at all about Kerry, you know that the opposite could be said of him. He IS a structured guy and I can pretty much tell you at any given momnet of the day what he is up to. So there you have it! Kerry and I can now be known by our psuedonyms, Random and Robot! R and R...ying and yang and black and white. We will celebrate 34 years of marriage a little later this month and you may be able to see that we have had some learning curves to navigate. It's all good. That's what it is all about! [Speaking of random, the picture I posted was from a youth conference that Kerry attended earlier this year. It was a Book of Mormon re-enactment kind of thing and he and two other bishop's went as the Three Nephites! He and Bishop Peterson are standing as watchmen on the tower!)

Two for One

2009-07-16T16:55:00.000-07:00

It would seem that I missed a couple of birthdays! So before the month is over, I better get my birthday boys up here......smiles and love to you...Kerry and Corey

Dumb and Dumber

2009-07-16T13:20:00.000-07:00

I am fifty two years old and you would think that by now I would know a few things. I find that the older I get, the more I am faced with how much I don't know!!! I think that is crummy! You would think that you should get a tiny bit of satisfaction at this stage of the game out of knowing at least something. SO, this afternoon, I have been sitting here at the computer making a list of all the things I need to learn technologically (is that a word?) and all the things I should probably be doing instead of worrying about all the things I don't know. So I will blog!!!!! I'll push all those disturbing thoughts out of my mind and update....haven't blogged in a while (have you noticed?) Here are the few things I have successfully navigated this afternoon in my effort to learn something I need to/want to know: #1 I successfully copy and pasted this text to my blog as I realized that I was writing this in Lisa's blog...brilliant. #2. I downloaded the new images from my camera to the computer. Now I just need to learn how to name the files according to date taken. #3 I am figuring out the 'copy image' thing from computer image libraries to Powerpoint. #4 I successfully set up the church's projector and connected the computer so I can operate a Powerpoint program for class on Sunday. Now, if I can just do it again. I am trying to move into the 21st century on visual aid types of resources. That is as far as the afternoon has taken me. I will close with one of my photos....another thing I would love to learn more about! I hope you like my Gettysburg Soldier.

Happy Birthday

2009-05-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

28 years ago we had a sweet little guy join our family. Kerry was crazy happy that he had TWO sons! He was a sweet and peaceful little man and has grown to be an adorable not so little man. We were very blessed those seemingly few years ago. THEN, three years ago a little girl came into our family who has been a delight and I expect will continue to be a delight for a million years to come. She is a bright and funny and adorable and precocious 'big girl' and we are happy to have her around! Happy Birthday to Christopher and Ella.

Life

2009-04-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

I started an update but I only got as far as the title(Creation). When I went back to try to finish, I decided the title said it all. I really love the photo of the thistles. It is a shot I took down at the ranch when we were home for Will's funeral. They are reminiscent to me of life;' stickery and stunningly beautiful!

We have had such fun watching Ella and Cavin lately. Ella is such a pistol and so dang sharp and Cavin is growing with 'fast forward' speed and his little personality is just 'popping' out all over, just like he is popping up everywhere; he is getting so good at his 'all fours' crawl and he is unstoppable at the army crawl and he pops up over the rail of his crib and he pops up as soon as he hits the floor which is where he wants to be cause that signals freedom. And he has gotten that little mischievous gleam in his eye that makes you smile and cringe all at the same time. They are such darling and adorable children. There really aren't words to describe the joy of seeing them everyday or watching Caden on Skype or hearing John and Madi come through that front door. And then there are my really fairly amazing kids who are their parents. I am really in awe of the great gifts of heaven that these people are to me and to the world at large. Missa who is now two semesters away from student teaching and graduation and a light in the life of kids who have been challenged by developmental delays; Lisa who is a remarkabley committed mom and wife when there isn't much support in the world for such devotion; Chris who listens to the spirit and allows it to guide him through work and church duties and responsiblities and who is a joyful father; Corey whose curiosity and desire to know more hasn't ceased in the 30 plus years he has been hanging here on this planet (he was probably Curious Geroge way before that) and the methodical way that he applies those acquired skills and bodies of information is really very inspiring even instructional to watch; then Nan who is courage personified; it is required in every footstep she takes but she keeps stepping. It is all stuff I have been reflecting on lately and with world conditions seeming a bit out of control, it is great to remember that there is much good as well. Thanks for being good, guys!

Creation

2009-04-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

Goofing Off

2009-04-02T12:11:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a quick trip to Utah. It must have been more draining than I thought because today I am JUST GOOFING OFF! I have a thousand things to do but feel wiped out. So I am playing with my blog and contemplating the universe. I need to go to the grocery!

Millions of thanks to Chira and Ragnar and Stephani for supporting the kids while they came to Utah to support Mabel and Kerry. It was really wonderful to have the kids there and the only thing that could have been better (two things I guess) were a) happier circumstances and b) y'all and the babies there with us. Thank you for your sacrifice and support and the happiness you bring to the kids lives.

Birthdays Birthdays Come Unto Earth Days

2009-03-16T19:12:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to Lisa...26 years ago today she came to us quite a bit late and after some concern for her welfare. She has been a blessing to us every moment since then. Have a great 26th year honey!

I'm Busy

2009-03-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

Ella was in the family room the other day and her mom called her to come and do something and after she had called her several times, Ella very matter of fact-ly marched into the kitchen and informed her mom that she was 'busy' after which she marched right back out and back to the picture she had been drawing. It was fairly hysterical and I have smiled every time I have started to say to someone "maybe later, I'm busy" or "not yet, I'm busy" Soooo..... I hesitate to begin this little entry with "I've been busy" and not very focused on blogging...in fact, I am fairly certain that I don't really even need to say that because I will assume that you can surmise that from the dates of entry on this thing. And my busy and y'all's busy are likely very different things. Mine is more likely 'piddly' busy than urgently busy. And I think my head is where I am busiest. I have a LOT going on in my head......that does not necessarily translate to being physically busy. Or productive; or anything that even remotely resembles overly scheduled. Some of my busi-ness has included a day or two spent with Natalie at "Time Out For Women". I am at a place in life where I don't feel like I really need a 'time out' but Natalie loves it and she needs to be able to do some of the things that she enjoys. Johnny was here at the house while I was gone and he wanted to know what we had done to warrant a 'time out'. Funny huh!
We also had a little jag to the rodeo this week to see Toby Keith. The rodeo is fun. The temple has been closed so we are looking forward to that starting again this week and John and Madi are out on spring break and so I am looking forward to a little time with them. Lisa turns 26 tomorrow so we need a little celebration. And Corey finished with his neo natal rotation and goes to 'ambulatory'. I have no idea what that means except that it is at Ben Taub and so I assume he will have a story or two. The kids went to Bill Cosby who appeared with the Houston Symphony this week and Johnny was awarded first alternate for the the first grade on his science project. That means he can go to districts if one of the top three opt not to go or are unable to enter. Rags is working the Rockets. And Marisa is buried (it sounds like) Really quite busy! I got a very fun phone call from Caden this week. I saw on my cell that a call was coming in from Chira's phone and when I answered it all I heard was a darling little guys voice talking about I am not sure what. It took me a while to realize that his mom didn't know that he was making phone calls but I heard something about bananas and mom and daddy and cake and walking in the park. What a fun baby! oops, little man! I am going to put myself through a tutorial about how to download photos and get them posted so have a great week and I will quit with the less than focused blog entry. Smiles and love...........

Happy Valentine' Day

2009-02-13T15:05:00.000-08:00

There really aren't any little people on the earth I love more than these four...and Cavin who isn't pictured here but who steals hearts at his early age! Certainly mine!
Then of course there are their moms and dads and their Aunt Natawee and Aunt Rissa. And their Gwanpa ssssSpeers....he is kind of a silly one!

Off to a Fast Start

2009-02-06T06:31:00.000-08:00

All through the holiday (and wedding) season I kept saying to myself and anyone who would listen, "I will get to that in January". January came and went and there is very little that I intended to get to that I have actually gotten to BUT, February is here and I am going to try again! Not that we didn't have plenty going on in January. Marisa got married on December 27th (by my account, it went very well even with the glitch or two at the temple). Laurie and Charm and Randy and Janikka came to the wedding. Great to see them. Marisa was a beautiful bride who married a very nice young man with a great family and she is happily residing in Provo working to finish school this year. She has informed us she is contemplating walking in August as she will graduate in December and they don't have a ceremony in December (which would require her to come back in April and that doesn't make sense). She is working for BYU Catering and Ethan is working for a Post and Ship company until he resumes his work for Kevin fighting vermin (Giselle's word, not mine!).
Chris and Chira and Caden were here visiting until the 2nd of January (we LOVED having them home to play and visit.....Ella is sad Caden is gone and Caden made a new best friend in Uncle Corey) They went home to Virginia where Christopher began the month teaching his kind of wild little Sunbeam class and then received a call to work with the Elder's of the ward as the Elder's Quorum President. Let us hope that they are less wild than the sunbeams. They endured the Inaugural festivities (let's hope the country can) and are plugging along through chilly to say the least weather. They are getting ready to celebrate Caden's second birthday. Happy birthday to you!
Then Lisa and Rags helped me put the house in order after the holidays. They have been living with us since the first of December. It is great fun to have Cavin and Ella here where we get to see them everyday. Ragnar is trying to find employment and has taken a couple of part time jobs. There may be opportunitites for one of them to turn into long term employment. That would be a blessing. They rented their little cute townhome out in Logan so they have a reprieve on mortgage payments for a year or so. The kids are getting along ok with Maggie dog and they are a delight to have around.
Then off Kerry and I went to Utah because of the difficult situation Kerry's mom was facing with Will. Will's dementia became so debilitating that Mabel had to place him in a long term care facility which was very difficult. It is a horrible decision to have to make for someone you love and want so much to take care of yourself but the workload is overwhelming and it became unsafe for her to try to manage him on her own. It was a very sad day and Will is declining significantly. We visited with mom and dad and quite honestly, all not going well there either. Laurie and Charm work hard to help and support but Dad is wearing out as well. Becky pitches in when she can and I am fairly useless. Old age 'ain't fun'.
All this has limited my opportunity to see John and Madi and so we are looking forward to trying to catch up with them very soon. The excitement at their house has come in the form of a totally unexpected call for Corey to work as an assistant to the High Priest Group leader (30???) and so Kerry went over and ordained him a high priest in early January and shortley after that he got the fabulous, stupendous and marvelous news that he gets to defend his thesis (on Monday). He has worked for years on his PhD and the time has come for him to wrap it up and present it to the committee that oversees his work. Even though the defense date came sooner than he had anticipated, it will allow him to get back into rotations for med school in March and a year from this spring he will be done!!!! Many years of labor and sacrifice.
And Nan just applied for a passport! She is so excited at the prospects! We are going to Mexico to Amy's wedding in May and she is coming with us!
All in all we have much to be grateful for. It was wonderful to have the kids all home for Christmas. It was the first time all five grandkids had been in the same place. All the kids pitched in to make Marisa and Ethan's wedding a success. I am past proud of all of them. There will be great things ahead for the wonderful year of 2009!

THE QUESTION

2009-02-06T06:08:00.000-08:00

There is an article in the local paper today about three guys who decided that they wanted to be in the Krystal Hall of Fame (Krystal is a hamburger joint). They embarked on a plan to build a pyramid out of the Krystal hamburger boxes they got every week when they would go get a 24 pack of burgers!!!! It took them two and a half years and a shift in plans (they built a replica of the Washington Monument instead of a pyramid because the pyramid was too wide at the base for their garage) The reward for their 'effort' is personalized Krystal boxes (their photos, names and all) that are being distributed company wide! Now, this begs the question, WHO IN THE HECK HAS TIME TO THINK ABOUT, MUCH LESS BUILD, A TOWER OUT OF HAMBURGER BOXES AND WHY HAVEN'T THEY DROPPED DEAD FROM HEART DISEASE BECAUSE OF POOR DIETARY DECISIONS? And do you really want your picture distributed on the cover of fast food packing materials? I simply could not help but ask myself why people have the time or inclination in life to contemplate such remarkably obscure activities when I seem to be unable to get around to some fairly significant (in my mind) duties and responsibilities......like updating my blog! I guess the last question that comes to mind is, why did I take the time to stop and read an article about guys building monuments out of food wrappers??!!! Oh, the distractions of the world!!!

2008 in Review

2008-12-31T13:03:00.000-08:00

I have a few moments to review the year.........how can you sum a year up in a few minutes?! I found a word that will likely work!
We have many joys that I am grateful for; there were challenges as well and I have worked to remind myself challenges are part of the plan...an important part...an essential part....but many more great gifts from heaven. So.................................

Marisa was endowed and then sealed in marriage. Joy. My beautiful daughter is all growed up.
I had all the grandchildren together in one place for the first time during the holidays; that goes into the great joy category.
Cavin Ragnar Hartzheim joined our family. Joy
Corey ordained a high priest. Joy.
We spent time with Chris and Chira in the Mediterranean this spring. Joy
Madi started kindergarten. Mixed joy (she can't be old enough)
Visited Chris and Chira in their new home in Virginia. Joy.
Hurricane Ike came and WENT. Joy (the went part)
The protection and care we experienced. Joy.
Marisa transferred down to BYU in Provo. Wonderful.
Johhny. Joy
Madi. Joy.
Ella. Joy.
Caden. Joy
Cavin. Joy.
Health, resources and employment. Joy. Priesthood bearing husband, sons and and sons in laws. Joy. Temple duties and opportunities. Joy. Visiting with friends in Heber and Bountiful and Vernal and by email and letter. Joy. Sisters and brother. Joy. Goodly parents. Joy. Callings and opportunities to serve. Joy. Lisa and Rags in Houston. General Conference. Living prophets. Great prophets who have gone on. Laurel breakfasts. The gospel to cling to. Joy, joy, joy. Time is short and the joys are many. The challenges kind of fade with the thoughts of rich blessings. May we wish you a safe and happy holiday and a joyful new year!!!!!!

2008-11-17T11:42:00.000-08:00

I was tagged as I was making my list for the week and checking it more than twice...a few too many things on it...anyway

This is a photo of the casino on the cruise ship that we sailed on earlier this year....we walked through the casino most days to get to the auditorium on the ship where they had shows and stuff...we did not go near it in the late evening because it was full of really kind of 'interesting' people. I have WAY more interesting photos than this but if I am honest...this is the fifth photo in the fifth file........

9 point 2

2008-11-15T08:55:00.000-08:00

That is how many pounds I have lost as of yesterday. You may be saying to yourself, big deal! And rightly so, BUT, it is 9.2 pounds less that I weighed in August and hopefully I will be 29.2 pounds lighter NEXT August. (Weight Watchers wants it to be 39.2....I may be settling but 29.2 will be FINE with me!) Hope you have a happy healthy week.

Crazy Government

2008-11-10T13:48:00.000-08:00

I am sitting on the phone waiting for someone from the Social Security office to answer. They arbitrarily denied Nan her SSI benefits last week (and her SSI has the medicaid benefit attached which is what pays for her community resources program that really doesn't do anything anyway BUT....) and as our insurance company has decided to release her from coverage again, I guess I will try to see if anyone has any in the heck idea why! I marvel at human capacity when I watch a plane fly overhead or hear an aria or a symphony or a ballet or tour a beautiful cathedral in Europe and with the very same breath that causes me to marvel, I am also compelled to wonder how we can mess things up so badly! How can intelligent, capable, sophisticated individuals have created a government and society that is so complex and difficult to navigate that fewer and fewer individuals are capable of figuring out taxes, benefits, insurance, retirement and investment plans, banking procedures and mailing processes. Oh my goodness...
Now, if I were an intelligent and capable person I would cease my ranting and get on with something more productive. Thanks for allowing me to the figuratively 'kick the wall'

Fractured

2008-10-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

I am feeling fractured! When I have more than a few projects that I need to attend to, I don't do well! That will not be news to most of you. So I am trying to figure out how to get moving in a forward direction! Yikes...maybe a list

SOOOOOO..............................
centerpieces
texture the bathroom wall
clean fridge (and freezers)
laundry
Sunday school lesson
Christmas finished and wrapped for out of town folks
organize wedding junk
mailing lists
figure out how to get invitations down here
turn RS stuff over to Amy
baby shower tonight and gifts to about five babies now that I have missed
Natalie's ICS people
phones exchanged (7-10 days if I can get Missa to authorize them because Kerry has her listed as an authorized account member but not me!)
budget/funding management
money to Missa's account
talk to Jenny
send Halloween treat to grandkids
call Bobbie
walk the dog
AND..........
clean up my little old MESSY house!

Does it just make you want to jump off a cliff??!!!! The boys are saying to themselves, 'then quit blogging and get busy' and they will be accurate in their response to this frustration............so enjoy your day......I am off!!!!!!!!

From Dad's Files

2008-10-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

My dad has been cleaning out his file cabinets...a task I ought to attend to instead of blogging... and he sent some silly stuff to me instead of tossing it; a brief historical note...Dad was known throughout the region at church for his speaking ability....he was funny and would quote poetry and scripture from memory and write his own poetry (he was also an artist...his favorite class in school....I don't think he really liked academics for some reason...he was plenty bright but I think that the formality of education caused him feelings of inferiority...he may have had some type of dys----something-a) He was sought after as a speaker and had opportunity to hone his skill with his fairly non stop years of church leadership and service....his like-a-bility was enhanced by his reputation as a problem solver and a tireless servant...he was forever running little old ladies catalog orders out to them so that they wouldn't have to come to town...then he would hang the little curtains they ordered or weed the garden on his way out or scrape their walks....he has ever been a historian at heart; hence his love of antiques. He would go through the VERNAL EXPRESS on Thursday afternoon and cut out articles that involved people near and far and drop them in the mail with a note congratulating them or commenting on their event or expressing appreciation for their effort and then he would cut out articles that would have something to do with our family or close friends which he would then paste in a scrapbook...so from dad's files:

Think you Know Everything?

A snail can sleep for three years
A dime has 118 ridges around it
A crocodile cannot stick out it's tongue
An ostrich's eyes are bigger than it's brain
Babies are born without knee caps. They don't appear until the child reaches 2-6 years of age
Cats have over 100 vocal sounds. Dogs about 10.
Our eyes are always the same size at birth but our nose and our ears never stop growing.
The Bible does not say there were three wise men, only three gifts.
The cruise liner QE2, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns
Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur
and.............there is no Betty Rubble in the Flintstones Chewable Vitamins!

I posted a POLL at the bottom of my blog page just for fun. It is a silly poll but I think I will have fun with a few polls in the near future! So weigh in!

End of Week Review

2008-10-10T19:42:00.000-07:00

Ike came in and kind of chewed up our September so we are happy to be working through (although it is going by VERY quickly) October. I am having a hard time getting some forward motion going...experiencing lots of starts and stops.......this week a bit more starting than stopping which pretty much characterized all of last week.(the stopping) The wedding plans that have been needing some attention are beginning to swim through my head......black.....white......pink....a little green......websites and numbers and layouts and black dresses and pink shoes are all running together in my head. Addresses need to start running through my computer and columns of numbers with receipts that are being tracked need to run through my notebook. I am getting a clearer idea of what we need to do so hopefully in a week or two we will have it jelled completely or at least almost completely. I did buy very cute black shoes today for little ole me. And a suit for John that Steph and I looked at and little outfits for Cavin and Caden (Chira, I need to talk to you about those)
Other events of the last few weeks:

watched Conference and loved it
did a little Christmas shopping...need to be done in three or four weeks
Kerry came and went to Turkey...he is going back the end of next week or the first of the following week.
Corey's neighbor came home from his place of evacuation and now we can get the car fixed
worked on wedding
Nan is working a bunch
met with a caterer this week...yikes!
I am down little bits at a time at Weight Watcher's...at this rate you will note a difference in a year or so but what do you do!
John and Madi lost power at school again for a few hours the other morning
Alana says my 'little grandson is totally adorable' (I knew that)
watched Conference and loved it
working on wedding
Our tree limbs and logs and debris that have been piled up from the storm is almost 100 per cent gone as of today; we have one more pile behind our gate which will hopefully be gone tomorrow
Worked two shifts at the temple this week
watched Conference and loved it
working on wedding
have some RS stuff that Susan needs me to do (invites to Board Meeting in TWO WEEKS! and Board Meeting)
a gospel doctrine lesson to get ready for Sunday
LSU tackles Florida tomorrow and the Longhorns are taking on the Sooners in the Red River Rivalry........go Texas!!!!!
and, I AM WORKING ON THE WEDDING! and LOVED CONFERENCE

POWER

2008-09-22T13:11:00.000-07:00

What an amazing thing electricity is. We were restored to power this afternoon and we are so grateful. I hope I can REMEMBER (that is one of the most oft repeated words in the Book of Mormon) to be grateful for blessings that are such an everyday part of our lives that we forget just how great a blessing they are.

IKE

2008-09-19T17:58:00.000-07:00

A week ago tonight I was sitting in Provo having just sent Kerry back to Houston on an airplane to face down IKE! We had been in Utah working wedding plans and visiting our folks and checking in with ever growing grandchildren. The weather in Utah by the way was lovely! The evening was pretty much a wash because it is tough to focus on anything substantial with your fam in harm's way. Nightime came and went and the next morning revealed the effects of a massive weather event that will have a lasting place in our memory banks. All was well with our family and properties with the exception of a few trees in our yard and the electrical service that IKE hauled off with when he left! Nan and I dodged it as we sat it out in Provo. We flew back to Houston Monday afternoon after having several flight delays and was able to check in with kids and grandbabies who were roughing it at our house. We had purchased a generator after Rita and now that we are a week without power, we are SO GRATEFUL that we have some resource. GAs was tricky for a few days and groceries and diversion running thin. We need to do an assessment (one we can keep in a place where we can access it) The emotional aftermath is real and significant in that it is difficult to watch people lose everything they have temporally and not feel their pain and their loss and not have your own sense of security (or insecurity as the case may be) impacted. The very up-side is that it is nothing short of awe-inspiring and faith promoting to have the spiritual support you need from a loving Father in Heaven when there is no where else you can go. A very real manifestation of 'as thy days may demand so thy succor shall be'

Home Again Home Again

2008-08-29T12:34:00.001-07:00

Flew in yesterday after a rainy departure from Dulles International Airport and had a quiet night. Kerry ran to the hospital to see the Sulin's who had a brand new (premature) little girl (3 pounds not sure oz) They will name her Paige. She should be ok. Natalie went to work this morning. We have struggled with her transportation this week while I was gone. She is home now. I am supposed to be cleaning house for the New Member Social tonight. We also have a baptism for a kid who has been coming to church for several years now and who is finally eighteen and can get baptised. Hoping to see Madi and John in the morning and find out about their fun week at school. Went to my 'meeting'! Did good.... for me. Miss and I need to come to a meeting of the minds. We need to make some progress on wedding plans so she can be more comfortable with where this is going. She is going to spend a few days with Lisa in Logan. That will be fun for Lisa and nice for them to have some time together before the new school year gets fully underway. Cavin went to the doctor for his 4 month check and he is working the weight charts. Actually, he is OFF the weight charts. Natalie said "He is a bouncing baby boy!" Lisa continues to hope for an early walking ability so she doesn't have to carry him! Chris should be home tonight. I probably need to get busy and focus on cleaning! I will post pictures when my cables come from Virginia. I left them there! Sorry Chira!

DC

2008-08-27T08:09:00.000-07:00

We have been hanging here in Virginia since Friday. I got into Dulles ( a very cute little airport that is easy to navigate) Friday afternoon after a flight that was close to perfect. I got to sit by myself on my own side of the plane and we just went up and came down slick. Chira and Caden met me at the airport. We have the cutest little grandson. Chris got home and we had calzones for dinner (y'all really need to get this recipe from Chira) and Chris took off for Germany at 3 the next afternoon. He was delayed getting out of Dulles, therefore missed his flight to Germany and so had to route to Lisbon Portugal and layover four hours before he could travel on to Germany; an eight hour trip turned into a 24 hour gig and we are assuming he is ok. We haven't heard from him since he called and said he had made it to Portugal (we have since heard from him...he is ok but has had no luggage and food poisoning among other inconveniences) Sunday we went to the kids ward. They have a very nice ward. I think there are some very nice people there and was excited to have an idea about who they are/will be working with. Monday Chira and I ventured over to Leesburg. Leesburg is at the beginning (or the end one might argue) of a ninety mile driving route that traces Civil War babttlefield sites! Guess what I will be doing in the not so distant future. We visited Rust Manor and Graydon House (just looked around because they were unavailable for touring) and wandered the outlet mall in Leesburg. Cute black dresses!
Tuesday we attempted a run to the temple and the zoo. The temple is huge and hidden behind a forest. I guess it rises off the freeway if you are coming from the other direction. Lovely visitor center with a map of ancient Jerusalem that I may attempt to 'mock up' just for fun. Then we went to the zoo and saw lions and tigers and bears (pandas) Our route home took us through Gerogetown and out over Lincoln Memorial Drive. It is a beautiful city that I adore and have a better feel for with our little tour. The National Cathedral is impressive! That goes on a list of places to get back to. Wednesday we slummed and went to the grocery and made some fun almond crescent pastries and watched Shear Genius. There is a FABULOUS biking trail that runs for miles back behind the kids town home that was great fun and beautiful to get out on in the morning. Weather delightful. A darling little park that Chira and Caden (and Chris when he is home) get over to every night. Caden loves to go 'side'. And he misses his daddy. He wandered for the first day or two calling for 'da..eee' in the late afternoon hoping daddy would come home. He is a darling and sweet and fun and charming little guy that steals your heart in about 30 seconds. And man does he have an arm. Happy to have a chance to see the kids and see where they live and how their daily life goes. And time with babies that grow too fast in precious. Thanks for letting me come!

Spooky

2008-08-21T09:39:00.001-07:00

33 years ago today we were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Fiddler on the Roof was all the rage on Broadway and in the theaters and the immortal words of Tevya's daughters come to mind "Up to this moment I misunderstood, that I could get stuck for good!! Good thing I picked a good guy! So, is this picture scary or what?! A current picture may be scarier! Spooky.....

They have been really pretty interesting years and we have gone to places and enjoyed/survived/been challenged by experiences that I would never/could never have contemplated on that day so long ago. In the beginning I thought that we would live our lives out in eastern Utah and raise a family and grow a garden and do a little church work on the side. I knew where Texas was but only because Dallas was a TV show that was fairly popular in those days. And I was thinking six kids, Kerry was thinking three; I thought Salt Lake City was huge and totally beyond navigation and Kerry thought Vernal was Mayberry; I thought I would be a great little mother and homemaker (ie Mrs. CLeaver) and so did Kerry...OOPS. Kerry thought we would be VERY COMFORTABLE, riding snow mobiles and three wheelers and maybe go to Hawaii some day. Hard to even think what else we were thinking. Anyway, thanks, honey, for broadening my horizons and taking care of us all these many years. Bring on the next 33!

Seven is Heaven

2008-08-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

Seven years ago today I was ambling through Southern Utah after having taken Lisa to Utah State and stopping by Provo to see how Corey and Steph were doing. Their baby boy was due anytime but as the birth didn't seem imminent, I hit the road to Texas as Marisa was getting ready to start school and I had been gone a week or two. My phone was low on battery power so I turned it off. At around 4 o'clock and just north of the New Mexico border, I checked in with Kerry and he told me that just after I had left Provo that morning, Stephani's water had broken and the kids were at the hospital. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I spent a few minutes agonizing about what to do and then decided that I wasn't going to wait for a month or two to see our darling first grandchild even though it would require a turn around and an eight hour drive back north. So off we went to see little John! What a sweet and darling baby he was and what a dear and darling young man he has become. Happy Birthday Johnny!

Cute Madi

2008-08-18T19:50:00.001-07:00

Madi at the park

2008-08-18T19:49:00.001-07:00

Madison is Five

2008-08-18T19:32:00.000-07:00

Today is Miss Madison's fifth birthday! She is our beautiful little granddaughter who is starting kindergarten next week, has a hilarious sense of humor and a wobbly tooth! She ate a corndog for her birthday dinner and cake with mint chocolate chip ice cream. She has a new Aladdin and Jasmine doll and cute new clothes for kindergarten and lots of fairies to play with.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Madi! We love you.

Family Photos

2008-08-05T19:06:00.000-07:00

I thought I would explore importing pictures and there is nothing I love more than pictures of the children and their darling children. So here is the whole family before Caden and Cavin were born. The weather had been rainy and wet and we look a little windblown because we are. But this is (left to right) Stephani and Corey and Marisa and Natalie and Ragnar and Lisa and Chira and Chris. (Caden is hiding in his mom's tummy) Then John and Madison and Ella and I and Kerry are on the front row. Time for another family picture!

Our Family
Kerry and I at Christmastime 2006 with Corey and Marisa and Natalie and Lisa and Chris

Pals at the Park
Johnny and Madi are Corey and Stephani's darling babies who will both be school kids this year!

A Box is Best
Caden Christopher at his first birthday celebration

Grandpa's Knees
Cavin Ragnar was born in April of this year

Ella in a Basket
Ella Nicole is Lisa and Ragnar's cute two year old

ADD

2008-08-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

I am convinced that if I were enrolled in elementary school in the year 2008, they would diagnose me with an attention deficit! Certainly not hyperactivity!! Focus is a huge challenge for me. It may be because I have a bunch of little things on my plate or that I am really bad about 'routine'. I know that the thing that helps kids with ADD the most is structure, and I am bad at structure. I need to teach myself to quit avoiding it! As a result, I am kind of all over the map on 'to do' lists today. I had an assignment at the Regional Employment office but they cancelled us due to the storm (which has been something of a non-event) and it is my temple session day but they closed the temple. So we are scrapbooking and blogging and working wedding budget projections and watching HGTV! I NEED to do some of Natalie's paperwork and my family newsletter and some financial tracking stuff and make french bread to take to Porter's and a bit of laundry. I am going to try to find Nan a movie we can watch later this evening while Kerry is bishoping. I also have a few Relief Society assignments that need attention. Now this is not particularly interesting! That is because there is not anything particularly interesting going on today!

El Shabat

2008-08-03T07:39:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite memories from our trip to Jerusalem was being in the Old City on the eve of the Sabbath and watching all the families dressed in their very nicest clothing making their way to wherever it was they were making their way to for their Sabbath observance. As the sun fell lower on the horizon, the level of hurry-d-ness increased exponentially until in the end, families and individuals were racing to their destinations.

Saturday Is A Special Day

2008-08-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

I can tell that it is going to be a challenge for me to get the hang of this. I do love checking in with the kids blogs and have even followed a few links from their blogs to view some of the blogs they keep up on. I love the creativity that is manifest by some of those cute folks and I can see where this is an opportunity to connect and stay connected. So I am going to play with it too. Now, my kids have maintained for years that I don't have anything to do except silly stuff and this may be another piece of evidence to support that theory. But hey, it will make them happy. They love to be right!!!

So for my quick Saturday entry! Nice to have Kerry around for a Saturday. He didn't have anything scheduled except a baptism for a sweet little Jensen fella at 5 pm. So he got the carpet cleaner out and cleaned traffic areas of the carpet for me. I shut myself in the downstairs bathroom and finished scraping all the wallpaper off the wall. I had already started ripping into it earlier this week. I hung it eight years ago when we moved into the house and did a fairly poor job and it needed to be replaced. So, it is off! Now I need to figure out what to do next. I am thinking purple!
Went to my little 'meeting' this morning and am making VERY SLOW progress. But progress.
Been busy helping Ruth with her house and trying to help Becky with her reception and John and Madi are back so I need to get over to see my cute 'babies' (they are so NOT babies anymore!) Wednesday night at the temple is going to work out very well except for the fact that they made me the veil co-ordinator and I really really really would prefer just to work posts; but we serve where we are needed so.................I am having fun with this little effort and thanks for the inspiration!!!

A New Trick

2008-08-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

I am going to try a new trick. This blog thing may help prompt my journaling efforts and maybe even my family newsletter efforts. So here we go!