Today Mike and I took our favorite puppies (but don't let them know they are dogs) to the vet. It is time for licenses again and they needed a few booster shots. To those who don't know the history of our dogs, I will share. Their pictures are at the bottom of my blog.
Sammie is Miniature Schnauzer. She was born in July of 2000. We adopted her from the animal shelter in the fall of 2003 when she was 3 years old. The Weber County Animal control took her away from a lady that was running a puppy mill. Poor Sammie lived in a crate and had babies. When she came to us, she weighed 10lbs and had been shaved almost bald because no one ever groomed or cared for her. She is the light of our life and the biggest couch potato, TV watching dog I have ever seen. She loves anything with puppies in it.
Penny is a West Highland White Terrier. She was 5 years old when we adopted her in 2004. She belonged to a lady who had Parkinson's disease and could no long care for her. Previous to this owner, someone had abused this sweet little dog. She is so timid and is always looking for a corner to hide in. She hates loud noises and hides if anyone raises their voice. I worry about her ever getting out of the yard because if you holler for her, she is sure she is going to get into trouble. Her favorite activities are carrying a stuffed animal around in her mouth like her "baby", chasing birds in the back yard and chasing her tail. Oh and she likes to lick Sammie like she was cleaning a puppy. She will do this for an extended period of time until finally Sammie gets up and walks off.
Anyway, back to the Vet visit today. It was very discouraging because although they are in good health, they are starting to show their ages. Both dogs are getting a cloud over their eyes. The Vet says it isn't cataracts but can blur the vision the same as a cataract can. Their teeth are starting to show their age. And Penny has developed a cough that sounds like her wind pipe is starting to collapse. Luckily this is a slow moving problem and will not affect her quality of life for a while.
As I was sitting in the front room tonight, watching Penny walk on the back of the couch and licking Mike's ears, I thought "What are we going to do without these babies". Hopefully, that won't be an issue for 4 or 5 more years but the Vet said he thinks that their early years had a part in advancing their age related issues.
So I would like to say that anyone who mistreats a helpless, loving animal like my dogs ought to be hung from their toenails. These dogs are the most loving things I have ever encountered. They give unconditional love and are always ready for a pat and a kiss. Give them a carrot or a dog biscuit and they think that life is great. I hope that the life they have experienced since they came into our family helps to make up for the first years of their lives when things weren't so great.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Sunday Random Thought Again
It is Sunday once again and today the whole fam is sluffing church. Mike is sick. He has been for a week but finally he is sick enough that he let me take him to the doctor. I wish that he would listen a little sooner. If he had gone to the doctor yesterday like I wanted him to, he would be on the road to recovery today. Instead, today (on Sunday), we were off to the InstaCare (Bless them). Nothing major, just a sinus/respiratory infections with a side dose of ear infection. So off to the pharmacy for some antibiotics, decongestant and then back home in the chair with the Snugglie. He laid around all day yesterday which lets me know that he really is sick, not just whining, because he is the busiest person I know. He doesn't do down time well. Dave is running a close second with the runny nose etc and now my throat is tickling. Can I tell you how tired I am of winter..........
I have been cleaning house preparatory to starting to demolish our upstairs bathroom. We are looking at 26 years with the same plumbing and things have been leaking a little bit in the past. So it's out with the old and in with some new. We were able to match the cupboard doors that are in the bathroom now so we won't have to replace the vanity, just the sink and top. Then we are going with a wooden "john" cabinent over the toilet for storage. We are taking out all the old tile (which includes the walls) installing new tile on the walls and in the tub and then going with a tile floor. New tub bars (for old people) and towel racks and hopefully in a few weeks, we are good as new. Then it's on to the down stairs bathroom. Because of the upstairs leaks, we have some damage in the downstairs bathroom to fix. Not quite as major as the upstairs but we are moving the doorway from the hall to inside our bedroom so it will now be an ensuite bathroom. How nice that will be. I will be keeping a journal on my blog of our success.
Last big remodel project will be taking the siding off from over the garage and installing new windows and rock on the front. Then the house will be all in this century and in good shape to sell. All we need to do is finish putting in our time and retire. Over the last 26 years, I have enjoyed being a home owner and still get great satisfaction from maintaining a nice home. But more and more I am ready to say "Home Owners Association Baby". Stand by for updates.
I have been cleaning house preparatory to starting to demolish our upstairs bathroom. We are looking at 26 years with the same plumbing and things have been leaking a little bit in the past. So it's out with the old and in with some new. We were able to match the cupboard doors that are in the bathroom now so we won't have to replace the vanity, just the sink and top. Then we are going with a wooden "john" cabinent over the toilet for storage. We are taking out all the old tile (which includes the walls) installing new tile on the walls and in the tub and then going with a tile floor. New tub bars (for old people) and towel racks and hopefully in a few weeks, we are good as new. Then it's on to the down stairs bathroom. Because of the upstairs leaks, we have some damage in the downstairs bathroom to fix. Not quite as major as the upstairs but we are moving the doorway from the hall to inside our bedroom so it will now be an ensuite bathroom. How nice that will be. I will be keeping a journal on my blog of our success.
Last big remodel project will be taking the siding off from over the garage and installing new windows and rock on the front. Then the house will be all in this century and in good shape to sell. All we need to do is finish putting in our time and retire. Over the last 26 years, I have enjoyed being a home owner and still get great satisfaction from maintaining a nice home. But more and more I am ready to say "Home Owners Association Baby". Stand by for updates.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Random Thoughts
Today is a work holiday and it's my favorite kind. Mike and Dave are both working and I am not. Bless those kind of days. I have accomplished so much even though it's the kind of stuff no one will be able to see but me. I spent the morning shredding. That's just about my favorite activity, besides playing Bejeweled. Which by the way I haven't. I have been getting ready for tax time. This is what's involved.
1)Balance the checkbook (and if I'm lucky, it's not for months and months). This time, only one month. And that's just because I caught it up over the holidays (5 months) because I knew what was coming.
2)Try to remember how to run my reports for the tax stuff on Quicken. Quicken is a really wonderful invention and really is a time saver, if you know how to or can remember how to work it. But I found them (the reports) and they are printed.
3)Try to remember what all went to Deseret Industries etc, because that darned IRS requires an itemized list.
4)Find all the other stuff that goes in the folder for the accountant. Luckily, I have been doing this long enough that I have gotten smart and put all the receipts etc in a folder through out the year. 2010's folder is already going.
5)Empty out the files from years back and shred shred shred. I took out 6 bags of garbage, papers, envelopes etc that I have been cleaning out. I have to bag it up and stick it in the can before Mike gets home because the questions will start "Why are you getting rid of that". And if I don't bag it up good enough, and he sees it in the can, he will look through it. Don't think I'm lying , the neighbor has the pictures to prove it. Will we all develop those weird habits when we hit 50?
The only thing I have to figure out now is how does paper get so dirty? I am filthy, my hands are filthy and the floor really needs to be vacuumed. But I have accomplished the task, all I have to do is wait for the 1099's and W2's and I am there. What a relief.
Just a word about this holiday that I am enjoying so much. I really respect Dr. King and what he was trying to accomplish. I am especially grateful for the way he tried to accomplish it. It is so sad that a man who was against violence had to die by violence. I am very grateful for the message's I hear coming from our president when he talks about being a parent and trying to raise our families right. I don't agree with all of his politics and he hasn't been proven yet, but he puts the right message across concerning responsibility. Now if people would just listen to him. I am especially grateful that I have never had to feel the sting of racial bias or discrimination. I have dealt with disrespect but I can't complain because I am pretty sure in the last 49 year's I have dealt some out. I am just grateful that I learned respect and as parents we have tried to teach it to our family. It is still a lesson in progress but on the whole, they are getting it.
Thank you Dr. King, and "I have a dream" also.
1)Balance the checkbook (and if I'm lucky, it's not for months and months). This time, only one month. And that's just because I caught it up over the holidays (5 months) because I knew what was coming.
2)Try to remember how to run my reports for the tax stuff on Quicken. Quicken is a really wonderful invention and really is a time saver, if you know how to or can remember how to work it. But I found them (the reports) and they are printed.
3)Try to remember what all went to Deseret Industries etc, because that darned IRS requires an itemized list.
4)Find all the other stuff that goes in the folder for the accountant. Luckily, I have been doing this long enough that I have gotten smart and put all the receipts etc in a folder through out the year. 2010's folder is already going.
5)Empty out the files from years back and shred shred shred. I took out 6 bags of garbage, papers, envelopes etc that I have been cleaning out. I have to bag it up and stick it in the can before Mike gets home because the questions will start "Why are you getting rid of that". And if I don't bag it up good enough, and he sees it in the can, he will look through it. Don't think I'm lying , the neighbor has the pictures to prove it. Will we all develop those weird habits when we hit 50?
The only thing I have to figure out now is how does paper get so dirty? I am filthy, my hands are filthy and the floor really needs to be vacuumed. But I have accomplished the task, all I have to do is wait for the 1099's and W2's and I am there. What a relief.
Just a word about this holiday that I am enjoying so much. I really respect Dr. King and what he was trying to accomplish. I am especially grateful for the way he tried to accomplish it. It is so sad that a man who was against violence had to die by violence. I am very grateful for the message's I hear coming from our president when he talks about being a parent and trying to raise our families right. I don't agree with all of his politics and he hasn't been proven yet, but he puts the right message across concerning responsibility. Now if people would just listen to him. I am especially grateful that I have never had to feel the sting of racial bias or discrimination. I have dealt with disrespect but I can't complain because I am pretty sure in the last 49 year's I have dealt some out. I am just grateful that I learned respect and as parents we have tried to teach it to our family. It is still a lesson in progress but on the whole, they are getting it.
Thank you Dr. King, and "I have a dream" also.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Daddy's Little Girl
My Dad has been on my mind today. On February 22, it will be 15 years since he passed away from complications due to ALS. Frankly, the disease sucks and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. But compared to the Big "C", it's a fairly pain free disease until the end.
My Dad was born on May 8th, 1929 (I think) in a coal camp in Carbon County. He was the oldest son of Gerald and Katie Banasky. He had one living brother, Jimmy, and one sibling who died at birth (I think). He met my mother on a blind date and married her on December 15, 1956. They saw each other about 4 times before they got married. She lived in Vancouver BC Canada and he lived in Salt Lake City while he was going to the University of Utah. In September 1958, they had my sister Katie. Two years later, the same month and the same day as Katie, I was born. Five years later, there was a little tag-a-long named Georgina, George to those who know and love her.
We lived in a house on Main Street in Helper Utah for most of my childhood, moving to Salt Lake City when I started high school. From there, they moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, back to Carbon County, then to Coalville Utah. They lived in Coalville until my father passed away.
My dad and I had a strange love hate relationship for most of my teenage years, love on his side, hate on mine. Mostly I think I hated myself because I didn't know where I was going or what I was doing. I asked my father once, after I had been married for a few years and had children of my own, why he didn't just shoot me when I was 17 and put him out of his misery. His answer? "Where would the fun be in that?". I have affectionately referred to myself as my "father's daughter" for a long time. We both had the same hard headed personality. He told me once that I would spend half my life pissing people off and the other half apologizing for it. I hate it when he's right.
During my dad's last year of life, I was fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time talking to him. I was raising two small children, working full time and managing a house mostly by myself because Mike was always gone. My dad told me one day that "he was going to be my guardian angel. I needed someone to watch out for, and take care of me because I didn't do it myself". Sometimes, during really rough times in my life, he still comes to me. I can hear his voice, just like if he was standing beside me. He will say "Edythe, you need to slow down before you are no good to anyone." I love it that sometimes the veil is so thin that he is still with me.
I found that I had loaded a song onto my MP3 player that I use at work that really brought him back. It was a song by Faith Hill called Daddy's Girl. I had never heard it before, but it really said it all. Sometimes when I really have a bad day, I still wish I was just "Daddy's Girl". I love you Dad.
My Dad was born on May 8th, 1929 (I think) in a coal camp in Carbon County. He was the oldest son of Gerald and Katie Banasky. He had one living brother, Jimmy, and one sibling who died at birth (I think). He met my mother on a blind date and married her on December 15, 1956. They saw each other about 4 times before they got married. She lived in Vancouver BC Canada and he lived in Salt Lake City while he was going to the University of Utah. In September 1958, they had my sister Katie. Two years later, the same month and the same day as Katie, I was born. Five years later, there was a little tag-a-long named Georgina, George to those who know and love her.
We lived in a house on Main Street in Helper Utah for most of my childhood, moving to Salt Lake City when I started high school. From there, they moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, back to Carbon County, then to Coalville Utah. They lived in Coalville until my father passed away.
My dad and I had a strange love hate relationship for most of my teenage years, love on his side, hate on mine. Mostly I think I hated myself because I didn't know where I was going or what I was doing. I asked my father once, after I had been married for a few years and had children of my own, why he didn't just shoot me when I was 17 and put him out of his misery. His answer? "Where would the fun be in that?". I have affectionately referred to myself as my "father's daughter" for a long time. We both had the same hard headed personality. He told me once that I would spend half my life pissing people off and the other half apologizing for it. I hate it when he's right.
During my dad's last year of life, I was fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time talking to him. I was raising two small children, working full time and managing a house mostly by myself because Mike was always gone. My dad told me one day that "he was going to be my guardian angel. I needed someone to watch out for, and take care of me because I didn't do it myself". Sometimes, during really rough times in my life, he still comes to me. I can hear his voice, just like if he was standing beside me. He will say "Edythe, you need to slow down before you are no good to anyone." I love it that sometimes the veil is so thin that he is still with me.
I found that I had loaded a song onto my MP3 player that I use at work that really brought him back. It was a song by Faith Hill called Daddy's Girl. I had never heard it before, but it really said it all. Sometimes when I really have a bad day, I still wish I was just "Daddy's Girl". I love you Dad.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Family History
I spent the evening at the Family History library. The LDS church has a new program for genealogy called Family Search. It is so neat and makes it easy to do genealogy. The older I get, and the more family members that pass away, the more important this information seems to be. Mike and I have been working on his family line. We were working on his mother and father's information, and his sister Mary that passed away in 2007. When we put the information in about his grandparents, it found their information and the town they were born in. We were able to add the information we had about their marriage, when they died and where they were buried.
I am trying to work on my family information. My grandparents lived in Canada and are buried somewhere in Vancouver. It dawned on me that I don't even know where they are buried or even if they are buried vs being in a vault somewhere. Lots of detective work and the biggest problem is my mother has had a stroke and some of her memory is diminished. I will be contacting my Uncle to see what information he has available.
The interesting part about doing genealogy is you find all kind of neat skeletons. For instance Mike's grandfather was born with the surname of Nash. Now his father (Nash)seems to have not been a nice person so his mother ended up marrying a man with the surname of Kuhn. But no information has been found the says that Jesse (Mike's grandfather) was ever adopted by Mr. Kuhn, or if he just took his last name. I don't know what the Social Security Records show or anything. What a quandary.
And at my great grandparents 60th wedding anniversary, it was discovered that even though Morley and Margaret, my great grandparents had been married 60 years, their daughter (my Grandmother) was 65. What a scandal. Seems Margaret had been married to a man who was killed when my grandmother was a small child and Morley was her second husband. I am not sure what the scandal was all about considering some of the family relations of today. Some individuals family trees have no forks in them and you can really tell.
So, the detective work goes on, stay tuned for more.
I am trying to work on my family information. My grandparents lived in Canada and are buried somewhere in Vancouver. It dawned on me that I don't even know where they are buried or even if they are buried vs being in a vault somewhere. Lots of detective work and the biggest problem is my mother has had a stroke and some of her memory is diminished. I will be contacting my Uncle to see what information he has available.
The interesting part about doing genealogy is you find all kind of neat skeletons. For instance Mike's grandfather was born with the surname of Nash. Now his father (Nash)seems to have not been a nice person so his mother ended up marrying a man with the surname of Kuhn. But no information has been found the says that Jesse (Mike's grandfather) was ever adopted by Mr. Kuhn, or if he just took his last name. I don't know what the Social Security Records show or anything. What a quandary.
And at my great grandparents 60th wedding anniversary, it was discovered that even though Morley and Margaret, my great grandparents had been married 60 years, their daughter (my Grandmother) was 65. What a scandal. Seems Margaret had been married to a man who was killed when my grandmother was a small child and Morley was her second husband. I am not sure what the scandal was all about considering some of the family relations of today. Some individuals family trees have no forks in them and you can really tell.
So, the detective work goes on, stay tuned for more.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
It's a great day
Well finally, after getting off to a bad start, the week has started going good. I was at work today, finally accomplishing something, jamming to some good redneck tunes on my MP3 player. I had the tunes cranked so I couldn't hear the lady sitting next to me complain about her soon to be ex any more. So I am sitting there rocking to a little redneck music by Keith Anderson "Pickin' Wild Flowers" which is best listened to really loud. Like I said I am jammin, and typing away and my good buddy Nick, who I work with, taps me on the shoulder and says "We are having a disaster drill, are you coming????". So off goes the music, grab my sweater and my purse and out the door I go. Then I don't know why I thought I was signed up to be the bathroom monitor (to save all the ladies lives that are hanging out in there) but I did. Needless to say, that's not the job assigned to me, I found out what my job really should be, then we headed outside into the sub-freezing weather to the meeting point. And waited and waited and discussed what we had done and the fact that in a disaster situation, we will probably all die. So I'm wondering, as the trucks and cars are whizzing by us and I can't here what my boss is saying, why can't we take this inside and discuss it in the relative peace and warmth of our building????
Anyway, good thing it was only just a drill, I now know what my job is and the lady that sits next to me has promised to make sure she won't leave me again. Maybe I will make it out of the dungeon I work in alive if we do really have a disaster.
On a more somber note, I have been reading and listening to reports about the damage that occurred earlier this week in Haiti. They were hit with an earthquake that hit 7.0 on the Richter scale. Due to the poorness of the country and the substandard building practices, thousands of people are out of their homes, with no shelter and no support. Once again I am grateful for the country I live in and the laws that sometimes frustrate me but are mostly for my own protection. I am so glad to live in a house that is securely built, with food storage provisions that would allow us to survive in relative comfort should an emergency happen here.
I was talking to my oldest son today who had to make a very important presentation for his business. This was the first time he had to do this and he has been worrying and fretting about it for a week now. He did ok, said it was constructive and he has guidelines that he needs to follow to correct his business plan. So his brother and I decided we would help him and rewrite his business plan. We texted him a picture of his new business plan that we had created, on a very stunning red piece of construction paper with our best black sharpie marker. Of course we got a few words wrong, but a few strikeouts wouldn't hurt anything, at least he would know we proof read it. We haven't heard back from him, as to when he wants us to come up and present it to his company vice president for him, but we do want him to know that we are ready anytime he makes the call. The thing I love best about both of my kids, is they have a sense of humor, though sometimes it gets a little lost.
As I am sitting here listening to Dave sing "Ala-freakin-bama" over and over along with the song he is listening too, I am so sorry that musical/vocal talent isn't one of the talent's that he was given in the pre-existence. He will just have to work on enlarging his other talents (when he finds them).
Can I tell you how much I love being a MOM?????? It's great some days and this is one of them. Thank you God for my blessings.
Anyway, good thing it was only just a drill, I now know what my job is and the lady that sits next to me has promised to make sure she won't leave me again. Maybe I will make it out of the dungeon I work in alive if we do really have a disaster.
On a more somber note, I have been reading and listening to reports about the damage that occurred earlier this week in Haiti. They were hit with an earthquake that hit 7.0 on the Richter scale. Due to the poorness of the country and the substandard building practices, thousands of people are out of their homes, with no shelter and no support. Once again I am grateful for the country I live in and the laws that sometimes frustrate me but are mostly for my own protection. I am so glad to live in a house that is securely built, with food storage provisions that would allow us to survive in relative comfort should an emergency happen here.
I was talking to my oldest son today who had to make a very important presentation for his business. This was the first time he had to do this and he has been worrying and fretting about it for a week now. He did ok, said it was constructive and he has guidelines that he needs to follow to correct his business plan. So his brother and I decided we would help him and rewrite his business plan. We texted him a picture of his new business plan that we had created, on a very stunning red piece of construction paper with our best black sharpie marker. Of course we got a few words wrong, but a few strikeouts wouldn't hurt anything, at least he would know we proof read it. We haven't heard back from him, as to when he wants us to come up and present it to his company vice president for him, but we do want him to know that we are ready anytime he makes the call. The thing I love best about both of my kids, is they have a sense of humor, though sometimes it gets a little lost.
As I am sitting here listening to Dave sing "Ala-freakin-bama" over and over along with the song he is listening too, I am so sorry that musical/vocal talent isn't one of the talent's that he was given in the pre-existence. He will just have to work on enlarging his other talents (when he finds them).
Can I tell you how much I love being a MOM?????? It's great some days and this is one of them. Thank you God for my blessings.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sunday night rambles
It is Sunday night at 9:30 and work comes too early tomorrow. I spent the day with my son yesterday at Cabelas. What a treat. I also caused a major faux paux. I don't know how I am going to live with the guilt. I guess it's a bad bad bad thing to mention the fact that someone is carrying a weapon. Not like I announced it on the loud speaker or yelled it across the room, I just read the sign and said do you need to check in???? So anyway, once again, I APOLOGIZE, PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR MY SINS.
Ok on to other things. I made bread yesterday, and it's a miracle, it turned out pretty good. I like making my own bread because it's a challenge and I have struggled to be able to do it well. There are so many things I can't do that most times I feel like a big looser. I can't add in my head, heck I can barely work an adding machine (showing my age because most people born in the last 30 years don't even know what that is, now a days they are called "graphing calculators" and I can't hardly run one of those either). I can't do jigsaw puzzles, I have a hard time making small talk because I always end up sounding like an idiot, I am not a very good wife because I won't make phone calls, and on and on and on, so anyway, I make bread.
This has been a pity party kind of day and I don't even know why. Started out pretty good, then I got out of bed and it went pretty much down hill from there. On well, I have learned on days like that, it's pretty much over in about 24 hours if you can just breathe through it and tomorrow is another day.
I think it kind of started yesterday when I went to visit my mother. She is 77 years old and has struggle for the last 5 years. She suffered pretty severe depression when my father died, then she moved in with my sister and helped them for quite a few years taking care of their son while they worked. Then in July of 2005 she had a stroke. My sister's life changed drastically because she stays home and cares for my Mom. I live with a lot of guilt because I could do it but am glad that I don't have to. I don't have the kind of home that Mom could live in, too many stairs, and my bedroom is down stairs. But I feel bad because I think about all that my sister and brother have sacrificed. I am never going to be able to repay my brother-in-law. Their life pretty much runs around my mother (who is not always the most grateful person in the world).
Anyway, I went to see my Mom and she wasn't feeling well so she was being the queen of the day lounging in her jamas watching TV in her room. She looks so small sometimes and I wonder how much more she can take. She had the stroke, then she ended up having heart surgery and really struggled with both. Then in September of this year, she fell and broke her leg. Back to the nursing home for 2 and a half months. While at the nursing home, she quit eating. I really wondered if she was giving up. But she is home again and looks like she is doing better. Except somedays she really seems to not be as alert as others. And I worry about what is going to happen to my sister when she passes away. It will be so hard for her.
So I just pray a little harder and try to love her a little more. Oh well, that 24 hours, they are almost up, and if I sleep them away, tomorrow is another day.
Ok on to other things. I made bread yesterday, and it's a miracle, it turned out pretty good. I like making my own bread because it's a challenge and I have struggled to be able to do it well. There are so many things I can't do that most times I feel like a big looser. I can't add in my head, heck I can barely work an adding machine (showing my age because most people born in the last 30 years don't even know what that is, now a days they are called "graphing calculators" and I can't hardly run one of those either). I can't do jigsaw puzzles, I have a hard time making small talk because I always end up sounding like an idiot, I am not a very good wife because I won't make phone calls, and on and on and on, so anyway, I make bread.
This has been a pity party kind of day and I don't even know why. Started out pretty good, then I got out of bed and it went pretty much down hill from there. On well, I have learned on days like that, it's pretty much over in about 24 hours if you can just breathe through it and tomorrow is another day.
I think it kind of started yesterday when I went to visit my mother. She is 77 years old and has struggle for the last 5 years. She suffered pretty severe depression when my father died, then she moved in with my sister and helped them for quite a few years taking care of their son while they worked. Then in July of 2005 she had a stroke. My sister's life changed drastically because she stays home and cares for my Mom. I live with a lot of guilt because I could do it but am glad that I don't have to. I don't have the kind of home that Mom could live in, too many stairs, and my bedroom is down stairs. But I feel bad because I think about all that my sister and brother have sacrificed. I am never going to be able to repay my brother-in-law. Their life pretty much runs around my mother (who is not always the most grateful person in the world).
Anyway, I went to see my Mom and she wasn't feeling well so she was being the queen of the day lounging in her jamas watching TV in her room. She looks so small sometimes and I wonder how much more she can take. She had the stroke, then she ended up having heart surgery and really struggled with both. Then in September of this year, she fell and broke her leg. Back to the nursing home for 2 and a half months. While at the nursing home, she quit eating. I really wondered if she was giving up. But she is home again and looks like she is doing better. Except somedays she really seems to not be as alert as others. And I worry about what is going to happen to my sister when she passes away. It will be so hard for her.
So I just pray a little harder and try to love her a little more. Oh well, that 24 hours, they are almost up, and if I sleep them away, tomorrow is another day.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Kids say and do the darndest things, and so do parents
A story in the news this week talks about a couple down in Georgia who are in trouble with the law for tattooing their six children with a homemade tattoo machine. It used an electric motor and a sharpened guitar string. They cannot understand why this would be considered "child endangerment". The kids didn't mind said the mother. The youngest child was six. Helloooooo, what six year old is going to say, Noooo Mommmmy don't do that when Mommy makes it seem so cool. Now these children are marked for life without consciously making the choice to be so. I don't have anything against tattoos, just wouldn't choose to do so to myself (except for my eyeliner Brandon) and think it isn't fair that a parent make that choice for a minor child.
But I digress. What started the thought for this blog was hanging some pictures in my office.cum.sewing room. I received a picture from my son for Christmas that says "I love you to the moon and back...infinity...and beyond..forever and ever." What makes this wall hanging so precious to me is the fact that with my children when they were young, we would play this game. I would say "I love you". They would say "I love you too". I would then say "I love you the most". The response to that was "I love you to infinity and beyond, I win". Finally as adults, it got shortened to ILU2IAB, I win. I have threatened for years to have that made into a vanity plate for my car, but being the cheapskate (frugal person) that I am, I haven't wanted to part with the cash. Still, it's fun that at their advanced ages, my boys are not too grown up to say it.
I was looking at some pictures of the kids when I was creating a DVD for my husband's 50th birthday. I found one of my youngest son, making this goofy face. When he was crying or fussing, which seemed like all the time, I would say "Show me your big eyes" and it was a miracle, no screaming for a few minutes and this doofy face that made me remember why as a Mom, you try to love your kids no matter what. I have a picture of him(as a baby) sitting right next to his graduation picture so I can remember him when he was cute. Not that he's not cute now, he does clean up well.
The funny thing about my youngest son Dave, all he ever wanted when he was little was to do what his big brother was doing. The funny thing now, even though he towers over his big brother by about 7 inches or so, all he wants to do is what his big brother is doing. And they still manage to fight like 2 year olds sometimes. The thing about siblings is no one seems to know how to cut as deep (in an argument), or protect as much about 2 seconds later. Dave was always the one to cut it, break it, or take most of the skin off of his body parts. And his big brother was always the one who would doctor him up. I came home from work one day and with the amount of gauze that was wrapped around Dave's appendage, you would think he had amputated something. I asked him about it and he said, it's okay, Brandon fixed it for me.
So anyway, ILU2IAB, I WIN and I will always love you guys.
But I digress. What started the thought for this blog was hanging some pictures in my office.cum.sewing room. I received a picture from my son for Christmas that says "I love you to the moon and back...infinity...and beyond..forever and ever." What makes this wall hanging so precious to me is the fact that with my children when they were young, we would play this game. I would say "I love you". They would say "I love you too". I would then say "I love you the most". The response to that was "I love you to infinity and beyond, I win". Finally as adults, it got shortened to ILU2IAB, I win. I have threatened for years to have that made into a vanity plate for my car, but being the cheapskate (frugal person) that I am, I haven't wanted to part with the cash. Still, it's fun that at their advanced ages, my boys are not too grown up to say it.
I was looking at some pictures of the kids when I was creating a DVD for my husband's 50th birthday. I found one of my youngest son, making this goofy face. When he was crying or fussing, which seemed like all the time, I would say "Show me your big eyes" and it was a miracle, no screaming for a few minutes and this doofy face that made me remember why as a Mom, you try to love your kids no matter what. I have a picture of him(as a baby) sitting right next to his graduation picture so I can remember him when he was cute. Not that he's not cute now, he does clean up well.
The funny thing about my youngest son Dave, all he ever wanted when he was little was to do what his big brother was doing. The funny thing now, even though he towers over his big brother by about 7 inches or so, all he wants to do is what his big brother is doing. And they still manage to fight like 2 year olds sometimes. The thing about siblings is no one seems to know how to cut as deep (in an argument), or protect as much about 2 seconds later. Dave was always the one to cut it, break it, or take most of the skin off of his body parts. And his big brother was always the one who would doctor him up. I came home from work one day and with the amount of gauze that was wrapped around Dave's appendage, you would think he had amputated something. I asked him about it and he said, it's okay, Brandon fixed it for me.
So anyway, ILU2IAB, I WIN and I will always love you guys.
Monday, January 4, 2010
A few interesting articles I have read
I read a few articles in the last few weeks that I found rather ironic.
The first article talked about the number of people that are hiring "life coaches". In case you don't know what a life coach is, it is a person that teaches you the life skills to get ahead in today's society. Whether it is learning "how to dress for success" (do not, I repeat do not wear that cute little black bra under your white tank top, it just isn't appropriate office wear), "how to win friends and influence people" or "nutrition and balanced dieting", there is a person out there just waiting to teach you all these things, for a nominal fee of course.
The next article I read was about so called "helicopter parents" that "hover" and prevent their children from growing up and becoming responsible adults. The thing I find ironic about both articles is the fact that when I was growing up (and I know it was last century) I had a life coach that taught me all the things I needed to learn to "dress for success" and "how to win friends and influence people". Granted the last skill still could use some fine tuning on my part. Anyway, I digress, the life coach who taught me these skills were........are you ready, my parents.
I guess now a days, I could blame every little set back in my life (and their have been a few) on the fact that I had helicopter parents who hovered and kicked my butt when it needed it most. I come from very sturdy, hard headed country stock, and my Dad explained more than once in a dinner time lecture, what skills were needed for life. My Mom taught me how to dress properly by refusing to let me leave the house with that little black bra showing under my shirt. Skirts were to be worn the proper length and make up shouldn't look like I was auditioning for a clown contest.
I am sad to say that I learned my parenting lessons at the hands of "helicopter parents" and therefore have been somewhat of a helicopter parent myself. We explained more than once to a child that 10 p.m. on a snowy winter night is not the best time to head through a very dangerous canyon to visit friends that were attending college in another town. Finally, my husband explained, "I would rather have you alive and mad at me than dead or a vegetable that I have to take care of for the rest of your life". Also explained were the rules of "choice and consequence"and "he who pays the mortgage makes the rules". Then we helped them learn how to make right choices and stood behind them when they paid the consequences of their bad choices.
I am not saying I have perfect children, how could they be with the example they had for a mother. I was always saying "I am my father's daughter" and have heard my son say more than once that "I am my mother's son". In our family, we learn life's lessons the hard way. But I would like to say that the fact that their father and I have hovered over... school activities, church activities, visits with various police officers and judges, doctor's visits and E/R visits, weddings, divorces, broken hearts etc.....have contributed some way to the fact that they both are good law fearing, tax paying contributing-to-society citizens. Now if I could just figure out a way to bill them a nominal fee for the "life coach" hours they have absorbed.
The first article talked about the number of people that are hiring "life coaches". In case you don't know what a life coach is, it is a person that teaches you the life skills to get ahead in today's society. Whether it is learning "how to dress for success" (do not, I repeat do not wear that cute little black bra under your white tank top, it just isn't appropriate office wear), "how to win friends and influence people" or "nutrition and balanced dieting", there is a person out there just waiting to teach you all these things, for a nominal fee of course.
The next article I read was about so called "helicopter parents" that "hover" and prevent their children from growing up and becoming responsible adults. The thing I find ironic about both articles is the fact that when I was growing up (and I know it was last century) I had a life coach that taught me all the things I needed to learn to "dress for success" and "how to win friends and influence people". Granted the last skill still could use some fine tuning on my part. Anyway, I digress, the life coach who taught me these skills were........are you ready, my parents.
I guess now a days, I could blame every little set back in my life (and their have been a few) on the fact that I had helicopter parents who hovered and kicked my butt when it needed it most. I come from very sturdy, hard headed country stock, and my Dad explained more than once in a dinner time lecture, what skills were needed for life. My Mom taught me how to dress properly by refusing to let me leave the house with that little black bra showing under my shirt. Skirts were to be worn the proper length and make up shouldn't look like I was auditioning for a clown contest.
I am sad to say that I learned my parenting lessons at the hands of "helicopter parents" and therefore have been somewhat of a helicopter parent myself. We explained more than once to a child that 10 p.m. on a snowy winter night is not the best time to head through a very dangerous canyon to visit friends that were attending college in another town. Finally, my husband explained, "I would rather have you alive and mad at me than dead or a vegetable that I have to take care of for the rest of your life". Also explained were the rules of "choice and consequence"and "he who pays the mortgage makes the rules". Then we helped them learn how to make right choices and stood behind them when they paid the consequences of their bad choices.
I am not saying I have perfect children, how could they be with the example they had for a mother. I was always saying "I am my father's daughter" and have heard my son say more than once that "I am my mother's son". In our family, we learn life's lessons the hard way. But I would like to say that the fact that their father and I have hovered over... school activities, church activities, visits with various police officers and judges, doctor's visits and E/R visits, weddings, divorces, broken hearts etc.....have contributed some way to the fact that they both are good law fearing, tax paying contributing-to-society citizens. Now if I could just figure out a way to bill them a nominal fee for the "life coach" hours they have absorbed.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
I can't believe it is 2010 already. My son asked me, what have I done (meaning him) to be a better person in the last 10 years. As we were discussing what he had accomplished, I began to think about what had happened in my life in the last 10 years. Some sad, some happy, some gratifying. So here's my list
2000
2000
- Graduated one some from high school in 2000.
- Was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 2001.
- Was sealed to my family in the Temple in 2002.
- Lost the most wonderful father-in-law to Pacreatits. He passed away June 5th, the same day Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped.
- Got a different job as an instructor at work.
- Yippee, graduated my second son from high school. What a relief. No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers dirty looks.
- Got a new job in Examination, what a life change for me.
- Bought a brand new (38 miles on it) car. What a treat for me, I felt like such a grown up.
- My Mom had a stroke in July. Went through rehab at a nursing home for 3 months
- My oldest son got married to a very nice girl.
- My sister-in-law passed away from Cancer that she had bravely battled for 7 years.
- I started taking college courses after almost 30 years out of high school. Started with an Accounting class, what a challenge for me because I am mathematically challenged.
- My Son got a promotion in his job and moved to Ogden, living about a mile away from us.
- My mother-in-law sold her home and moved in with us. We found out that she had pancreatic cancer in June. What a devastating blow. Our family and friends rallied to help us care for her.
- Got a promotion at work (still in Examination) doing complex interest for large corporations. What a challenge and a wonder that I could accomplish this task.
- My mother-in-law passed away in January of 2008. What a blow to our family because she was such a wonderful person. We loved her and miss her so much.
- PAID OFF OUR HOME.
- Bought my husband the truck of his dreams. It is an F350 Super duty, 4-wheel drive, diesel, dually. Not bragging, just can't believe something so nice is ours.
- My son and his lovely wife separated. Spent quite a while soul searching thinking maybe I had something to do with it (steamroller personality that I have).
- Finished the last college class I am going to take (got a 3.9GPA). Decided at my age, I just want to retire and enjoy myself.
- My son's divorce was final in February. What a sad time.
- Helped my brother-in-law complete the temple work for my deceased sister-in-law. Assisted as he was sealed to her for time and eternity if she so chooses to honor the covenant made in her stead.
- Watched happily as my brother-in-law married a wonderful woman.
- Oh my heck, my son is now managing his own store. Meant a serious move (8 hours away) but what an accomplishment for him. I am so proud.
- Managed to travel someplace almost every month this year. Not that we planned it but it worked out that way. Missed January and December.
- Landed the best job in the world (so far) as an ATS in Appeals. I don't know what I was doing right to get the job and the boss I have but I am in heaven. Starting July 2010 I will be working from home part time. I can't wait.
- My Mom fell and broke her leg the weekend after Labor Day. What a shocker, really brought it home that she was the only parent left. Rehab in the same nursing home as last, with wonderful caring people. She is home now and doing well.
- Bought our retirement home, see picture posted.
- What a wonderful day. In December, we were able to complete the proxy temple work for my husband's parents and seal him and his sister to them for time and eternity if they choose to honor the covenants we made on their behalf. What a joy for my husband to know that they will be together as a family again.
- What an accomplishment, my wonderful husband and I have been married 30 years. Not all of them great but oh how glad I am that we stuck it out. What a friend I have and we have some much to look forward to.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
My first blog
I don't know much about computers but figured I would try. Everyone says you should keep a journal and I pretty much suck at it so I figured maybe this would be a good way to do it.
About me:
I am my kid's mom. I love it when everyone says that on Dr. Laura's show. Now I am not a dedicated fan of hers, just like the slogan. Because that about sums it up. I have two children, Brandon (27) and Dave (23). They both turned out pretty good despite their neurotic mother.
Brandon lives in Wyoming and is engaged to a very wonderful girl. He will be married in about 6 weeks. He manages a store that sells industrial supplies and really seems to do well at it. He started working for this company about 5 years ago as part time shop help and receiving freight.
Dave lives at home with us and works as a receiver for a trailer supply store. He dates a little but isn't really looking for a serious relationship right now (he says). He said he is going to live with us forever. I don't mind him being around because he serves a purpose, lifting heavy objects and reaching tall things. That and the fact that he really isn't that hard to live with and is kind of fun to be around. Unless he's doing stupid stuff, which he does every once in a while to remind us that he still can.
Mike and I have been married for 30 years (on the 29th of December). We were pretty young, just 19 and 20 when we got married, but have managed to muddle along pretty well together over the years. We are looking retirement square in the face, and it couldn't happen soon enough to suit me. We just bought a new trailer and truck in the last two years and the open road is calling our name.
Also living in our home are two of the cutest rescue puppies you could ever imagine, except when they are shredding the Kleenex in the bathroom garbage. We are the proud people of a miniature Schnauzer named Sammie and a West Highland White Terrier named Penny. I say we are their people because they really own us.
About me:
I am my kid's mom. I love it when everyone says that on Dr. Laura's show. Now I am not a dedicated fan of hers, just like the slogan. Because that about sums it up. I have two children, Brandon (27) and Dave (23). They both turned out pretty good despite their neurotic mother.
Brandon lives in Wyoming and is engaged to a very wonderful girl. He will be married in about 6 weeks. He manages a store that sells industrial supplies and really seems to do well at it. He started working for this company about 5 years ago as part time shop help and receiving freight.
Dave lives at home with us and works as a receiver for a trailer supply store. He dates a little but isn't really looking for a serious relationship right now (he says). He said he is going to live with us forever. I don't mind him being around because he serves a purpose, lifting heavy objects and reaching tall things. That and the fact that he really isn't that hard to live with and is kind of fun to be around. Unless he's doing stupid stuff, which he does every once in a while to remind us that he still can.
Mike and I have been married for 30 years (on the 29th of December). We were pretty young, just 19 and 20 when we got married, but have managed to muddle along pretty well together over the years. We are looking retirement square in the face, and it couldn't happen soon enough to suit me. We just bought a new trailer and truck in the last two years and the open road is calling our name.
Also living in our home are two of the cutest rescue puppies you could ever imagine, except when they are shredding the Kleenex in the bathroom garbage. We are the proud people of a miniature Schnauzer named Sammie and a West Highland White Terrier named Penny. I say we are their people because they really own us.
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Cutest Puppies in the world
Sammie and Penny
Our Retirement Home
The Tilt'n Hilt'n