Highlights

Only two days until Christmas and I still have not gone shopping-and I don't really care. This is so not like me. I was thinking about this month's highlights and Christmas past. Here are some highlights sprinkled with some from Christmas past.

• I survived both Girl's and Boy's NGS with a minimal amount of complaints. (Hey, the food is free!)
• We had a snow day earlier in the month, only it did not snow! Go figure.
• School is out for 2 wonderful weeks.
• My leg is almost healed. There is, however, an apple-sized lump on the cut.
• We woke to snow today and could not go shopping in St. George.
• Tyler is home today and Jake will follow tomorrow.
• I remember Grandma Johnson ho!ho!ho!hoing from the other side of the door when we would arrive in San Diego in the middle of the night. We would drive all night and listen to KNX radio.
• I loved going to Grandma and Grandpa's house in San Diego anytime, but especially at Christmas.
• How about Grandma DeWitt's marching band on Christmas Eve??! I so miss my family at Christmas time. Our Christmas Eve is so quiet. I hate it.
• I loved the jingle of Santa's bells outside letting us know it was time to go to bed.
• and most of all, I loved hearing either Grandpa Johnson or my dad read from Luke.

Add your Christmas memories! Merry Christmas everyone. We love you.

Crazy Month

Where has the time gone? I can not believe it is almost Christmas and I am proud to say I have not begun my shopping, yet!! First time ever I don't have a clue AND I don't really care. Christmas is not about presents. It's about familTodd and I were treated to a night at Amangiri. A new Aman resort hidden in the middle of no where. It was so amazing. The food was fantastic. We were treated like royalty. The tour of the property was most impressive. We pretended to be rich and famous for 24 hours.

.

OUR ROOM. THE PATIO OUTSIDE OUR ROOM.

THE AMAZING SWIMMING POOL. DINING ROOM

We also pulled off our Ward Christmas Party Dinner. It was a huge undertaking and that is all I care to say about that! However, I do have to mention that when it was time to clean up, I had a little mishap, to say the least. I gathered 5 poinsettias in my arms from atop the piano. As I turned around to take them into the Chapel, some men had pulled out the folding chair cart and I plowed right into it, sending 5 poinsettias flying and me tripping and falling all over the place. Not a pretty sight. My pride was more hurt than my physical body--or so I thought. When I walked into the dimly lit, quiet Chapel I sat the 5 poinsettias on the organ, turned around and sat down on the first pew. I began to cry and cry and cry. I felt something on my left leg. I rolled up my pants and realized I was hurt more than I thought. Here is a sample of my "Christmas Party" accident. I'm seeing the Doc tomorrow for an unrelated item, but will have him take a look, just in case.

A bit bruised I'd say. My whole leg looks like

I have some dreaded disease!

I did not think the cut needed stitches.

It was deep the further down my leg it went.

FIVE YEARS AGO

Mom died 5 years ago today. I always laughed at her when she would say, "My dad would have been 105 today..." Now, I find myself figuring the same things. How old she would have been when her birthday comes around. How many years has it been since she and dad got married. Things like that.

I was looking for something in my closet a few nights ago and came across the scrapbook I made when dad died and continued it when mom died. I looked at all the family group shots and different pictures. It made me sad and happy at the same time. I love my family and wish we all lived closer. But, that is life. I don't care how old or young you are when you parent(s) die, it changes you and your world. As Paul said at mom's funeral, '...the world will never be the same without her..."

We've enjoyed the wonderful fall weather here. No jackets needed, yet. We still have leaves on the trees and the grass is still green. My tomato plants are loaded, but they are no longer in the sunshine and that makes it difficult for them to ripen.

We spend our Saturday's and Sunday's in our back yard. We love what we have created there!

Today, Todd built a fire in our little fireplace on the patio, it was so cozy.

Pig Flu, Clorox and Lysol

I had to laugh when I saw the cleaning supplies on Amy's blog. Since my "mystery illness" I've become somewhat of a germaphobe my self. But, it did not hit hard until last week when I spent over 4 hours in the ER with Todd. I thought for sure he had pneumonia! But, it was a good case of the flu--they did not mention the pig flu--so I'm guessing he had the flu-flu. He was off work for 3 days, and is still not feeling very good. So, I went to work and disinfected my whole house daily with MY cleaning arsenal. I do not want to get sick--my poor immune system is so compromised as it is. So, these products are a staple in my daily/bi-daily routine. I'm stopping short of eating the stuff! So far, I feel fine. Clorox, by the way, is the best! I don't care how disinfected my house smells, can't beat that Clorox clean. Am I the only one alive that actually likes the smell of Lysol?

Patsy and Tracy came for the weekend and we had a great time just hanging out, visiting and eating. We had lunch at Antelope Point on Saturday. They had never been there and the weather was fantastic. We sat outside on the marina and dined. It was so nice. Tracy did get a bit sunburned as did I.

She bought me a birthday cake and it was so good. The first one in forever I did not have to make myself! Thanks sis. Peggy sent the most beautiful floral arrangement with gigantic lilies. It is so pretty! It sucks to get another year older, but isn't 50, the new 30? or is it 40? Either way, I'll take it.

Sunday Reflections.

I have absolutely nothing to say. Just wanted to change the post. And, since no one ever comments, who cares anyway???? No, not feeling sorry for my self, or being the martyr--just looking at it as it truly is.
I have tomatoes coming out of my ears, and if I can find a way to ship them to Erin and Mark, I will do it! So, look out, you may get a soggy package that is filled with "love and only the finest of ingredients". (Stole that one from Mary and Sue/MarySue Cookies--blast from the past.)
Happy to report that all vehicles are running great. I got my car back within 24 hours--Steven Wade delivered it right to the door step. They are great.
And, I ditched Church today-Primary programs are not my favorite thing then or now.

"And that ain't no bull..."

Jacob was on his way back from Long Beach when his SUV's engine blew up outside St. George. It was towed to Findlay Hyundai in St. George. When Jake bought the SUV at Earnhardt in Tempe, he was told it was still under warranty. Findlay, said it was not. The warranty stays with the original owner! So, $3000 and ten days later, Jacob was on his way back to Scottsdale. Three days later, the engine blew up again! Neither Earnhardt nor Findlay want to take any responsibility. Findlay is willing to help him out with a settlement of $1000, which we have not seen yet and goes a short way toward paying for another $3000 down on the new car.
We were going to the Valley for my doctor's appt. last week, and we helped him get a brand new, fully warrantied car.
Before we left, my new Trail Blazer decided to be difficult and not start right away. We took it to Steven Wade Chevy in St. George to get it fixed. However, the day before we were to go to the Valley, it started to act up again. Long story short--my car is being towed to St. George today. It, I know, is still under warranty and will pay for repairs and the tow job. But, the question is, will it pay to have it brought back to me?

The Wedding

OK, so it's been a while. We've been quite busy. We had a great time with friends and family at Daniel and Fiti's wedding a couple of weekends ago. Got to eat In and Out Burger--always a favorite. Loved seeing Amy, Wally, Mary, Pat, Tracy, Paul and DeAnne and all the Bowman's. Truly a fun reunion.

My favorite as always is seeing the (great) neices. Love those girls! Sage, Tilly, Asha, and Cricket as flower girls! They were so cute

With Jack

Sisters. Really, we were not gossiping!

The wedding party...

Then, we went back to the Valley for yet another doctor's appt. This was with new Doc in the neurologists office. She actually takes Saturday appts. which worked out so well for us. She basically took my history and then proceeded to change the meds the other doctors had me on. We shall see. I was headache free all last week, but this weekend I've had really bad ones. Oh well...

So we had to go back to school on August 5th. THAT IS WAY TOO SOON! It is still summer. Why, when we live in one of the hottest states in the union do we go back to school in the middle of summer? With all the budget cuts, you would think we would wait a few more weeks so the A/C's wouldn't have to work so hard. It was over 100 degrees yesterday and 115 in the valley! Crazy. But, noone askes me. I seem to have good classes/students this year. After last year's hell, anything would be better. My education classes are great. I have two and I have wonderful teacher cadets this year. It's my baby and I love teaching it. The culinary classes are fine, however I'd rather teach child development, peer counseling and have three education classes. Again, no one asks me.

Not Again!

OK, so here it is Sunday afternoon and it is HOT HOT HOT outside. I know, not Phoenix hot, but it is 100 and the wind is blowing. The really bad news is, we have to go back to work this week. Todd starts tomorrow and I start on Wednesday. We will sit through (as Wally says) 4 days of butt numbing "professional development" crap. All a part of the game.
We were in Scottsdale this week with Tyler. I had a neuro appt. Turns out all the tests are normal! So, basically, once again THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME. I am thankful nothing showed up on the tests, but how can one be perfectly healthy one day and the next get slammed with some mystery illness? It is too hard to understand. The doctor wanted to know why going back to work would be a problem for me. HELLO! I have throbbing, pounding headaches, head pressure, and shaking like a leaf making my daily functioning miserable. I suppose this is not a problem since 4 specialists have said the same thing--all tests are normal.
He prescribed some meds for the head pressure/ache but they take 4-6 weeks to kick in. So, in the meantime, I guess I'll just go teach and pretend everything is normal, since it really is. He said I got sick and it is taking a long time for it to leave my body--some sort of virus or something. Whatever.
We got a chance to go to Peggy's for an afternoon visit on Wednesday. I got to hold Jill's baby. She is so pretty and such a good, sweet baby. And Peggy's business is being launched right now! She has done such a wonderful job getting everything ready and her new office is beautiful. I know she will be a wonderful counselor to her clients. See her at www.peggybarber.com

TOO DARN HOT!

I went totally organic in my garden this year--well, what little garden I have, that is. Here is a picture of my tomatoes. I just need to brag. My dad used to be my garden advisor and now I just wing it, so I feel lucky when things begin to produce.

I think a couple of these are ready to be picked!

Gotta thank everyone for the phone calls and prayers. I was in PHX last Wednesday and had a brain angiogram and a spinal tap to rule out a bunch of things I don't want to think about. The spinal was not bad--the first shot hurt a bit, but I was gripping Tyler's fingers and he said I had a really strong grip! I go back on the 30th for the results and hopefully a game plan. I have to go back to work on the 5th of August and can not work in this condition! Sometimes my melon feels like there is a balloon in there ready to explode! But, of course, as all the other doctors have said so far, ANXIETY! Why do they do that? Just because you are a woman they say everything is anxiety. And just what do I have to be anxious/depressed about? Life is good, except for my head wants to split open 24/7...

106 degrees yesterday. That is insane. Our new A/C unit got a workout. No more hammock weather.

I want to congratulate all my nieces/nieces-in-law on becoming mamas this past month. I know Grandpa and Grandma DeWitt are looking down and smiling at the number of great grand kids they now have. Just wish all these cute kids could know Grandpa's gentle nature and Grandma's feistiness. I hope to see all of the new babies someday soon!

JFK

Well, we made it back from Dallas. Our Hotel was a very nice place with absolutely no amenities. There were a couple of high end restaurants, but no pool, no entertainment and the work-out room was unbearably hot. It was just a beautiful old hotel and a place to sleep. We were in down town Dallas-West End district, just a couple of blocks from Dealey Plaza where President Kennedy was assassinated. We toured the museum on the 6th floor of the book depository where Oswald shot JFK. We walked behind the "picket fence". They have two "X"s on the road showing where the shots hit the president. It was very surreal and made me very sad/mad. Todd, being the history buff could not get enough. We walked there every evening. He even bought an Oswald DVD on his lunch break from the conference he was supposed to be attending!

If you enlarge this picture you can see the "X" on the road. That is where the 4th fatal shot hit the President. That is the one they say came from the picket fence on the grassy knoll.

The picket fence on the grassy knoll, just as it was in 1963! (Minus the graffiti)

The book depository where Oswald did his shooting.

Todd's video of the plaza.

Summer Madness

Todd got home from Minnesota yesterday. I was so glad to have him home and he was glad to get home. His grandma's funeral went well and the reunion with his brothers and sister was nice. Wish I could have been there.

Over the weekend we had JP/Shelly, Jenny/Jon, Katie, Daniel/Fiti (sp?) and all the kids. It was so nice to have them all here at the same time.All the little girl cousins play and get along so well--most of the time. They are so cute and growing up so fast. Dewey and Jack just take it all in stride. Jack was quite taken with Todd's TV set-up on the back porch and was just as happy as can be to sit on the patio, eat his snack, and watch his shows. It would be so cool if we can get all the DeWitt brothers and sisters here for a reunion with all their kids and grandkids. How about it guys????

We can go look at the ghetto mess our house has become.

JP's dog, Lola, went NUTS when the sprinklers came on. It was so funny and all the kids were laughing so hard.
Just as everyone was getting ready to leave, we noticed our refrigerator had gone belly-up. So, I am literally camping in my own house with the ice chests. Lucky I have a freezer in the den, and a dorm refrigerator--which helps a little. I am waiting for True Value to call and say the new one is here.

I had an MRI and now need to see a neurologist. I will go to PHX on July 8th for the appointment. In the meantime, I'm trying to keep positive and pray they will find out what the heck is going on inside my head!

Todd is going to Dallas for a school counselor's conference on Sunday, I am going with him. It should be nice since the school is putting us up in a 5 star hotel. But, this place does not have a swimming pool. Isn't that why you stay at a motel/hotel, to lay by the pool and have some cute little guy serve you drinks?

Todd's Grandma

It's been a while...
I've been released from the ENT and my sinuses are fine. I still have all the symptoms I had prior to the surgery! (pounding and tons of pressure in my head, shaking...more, and more...) So, today I'm having an MRI (FINALLY). It really bugs me that my "doctor" did not order this 7 months ago when I first presented him with this. He was concerned with blood pressure and anxiety (?). But, finally I hope to find out what is really going on in my head. I'm sick and tired of living in a place with the type of Health Care Providers we have in a small town. The nearest help is 2 hours away. Anyway, that is my big beef for the season.
Todd's grandma who turned 101 in January passed away Monday. So he will be flying out of Page on Sunday for the Monday funeral. It will be hard for the Glasenapp family because she was always such a big part of their lives. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. She NEVER complained about anything, except for the food in the care center where she resided for the past several years. I don't blame her for complaining about the food. It was truly horrible. She was always so pleasant to be around. She will be missed.

Mystery Illness Update

Saturday afternoon, Tyler and his girlfriend Dionna came to spend the long weekend with us. It was nice to have them here and to cook dinner for us! We did not take any pictures with our camera, however. I love having my boys come home and hate to see them leave. But, work and life calls.

I got the stints taken out of my nostrils on Wednesday in Flagstaff. That was amazing how large they were. I had instant relief from congestion. I have since been feeling a bit better each day. We go back on Wednesday to take the packing out which will be a bit more intense. He will have to numb my nostrils and dig way up there to get them out, but that is when my sinuses will begin to really heal and hopefully work. I still have a lot of pressure and headaches and can only take Advil and apply ice. The doctor said that should go away after the packing is removed. I still have a few of the other "mystery" symptoms, but all in all, am feeling more like Dana every day with the exception of the fatigue. As most of you know, it is really hard for me to sit still and just rest.

We bought a new hammock for the back yard as our old one was unraveling. I spent all yesterday afternoon reading, napping and relaxing in it. I felt so much better when I finally got up.

Thank you everyone who has called and prayed. Keep it up. I want to be 100% sooner than later. Love you all.

Rain and Post-Surgery

1. After almost 3 months without rain, the heavens opened up and poured down upon us Friday morning.. I lay in bed with the window open listening to it rain heavily for over an hour plus. It was amazing. (Reminded me of when I was a little girl and it rained that hard and the gutters could not handle it. The water began to rise up the front yard of our house on Navajo Dr. )
   Anyway, there were road closures and mud all over town. It was exciting. Our lawn has never looked better! Todd's school was flooded. True Value said they almost ran out of mops and buckets. We've had way above average temperatures. We went from using the heater one week to the A/C the next! The rain has cooled everything off and I hope it stays that way for a while!
   This picture is on Coppermine road just after the Haul road turn off-the road that goes to the ballfields. Highway 98, between Big Lake Trading Post and the NGS Plant was closed as well.
   
   

Well, as most of you know, I survived surgery. It has been difficult. I hate being in bed and this has knocked me a good one. Wednesday night after the surgery and full of drugs, I could not sleep. It was most miserable. I quit taking the pain meds and have done fine on Tylenol. Thursday, the expected congestion set in and I have to breathe through my mouth which is annoying and gross, not to mention the snoring. I can not blow my nose, either.
I was able to get up and move around the house this morning--cleaning up and I even put a pot of stew on. Todd took me for my first major outing-shopping at Safeway. By the time I got home, it was back to bed and the ice bags.


Now, I don't want to sound bitchy, BUT allow me please to get this off my chest. Many years ago the Stake split our wards and we were put in the Page 5th Ward. It has been an interesting experience. It is the old Page 2nd Ward with all the old timers. I really feel the only person in the Ward that cares about us is our home teacher, Wayne Gustaveson. He is wonderful and is the 2nd counselor in the Bishopric. He has given me several blessings since all this illness began. I know he cares and would do anything for Todd and me. But, the Relief Society could care less. They all knew I was having surgery and not one call, one loaf of bread or even a plate of cookies has appeared. Poor Todd has gone downtown for lunch and dinner take out every night and as most of you know, we don't have that many good places to eat in Page, AZ. Funny thing is, they don't hesitate to call me to take a meal or something into someone else. It just bugs. I remember the old days of Page, the house would be full of food from anyone and everyone when mom would get sick and we owned the KFC! People looked out for one another and comforted one another. I have a friend from the Episcopal Church ask if we needed meals brought in. Course, I told him, No, since I figured our RS would come through. OK, that said, I'll still go to Church, sit on the back row and be anonymous-fine with me.

Margie Re-Visited

Todd and I always sit on the very back row in church--you know the one--it's the one at the very back of the Chapel back up against the divider between the Chapel and the gym. Sitting on the last row of pews on the left side of the Chapel was Sister Ann Jourdain and Rose/Verle Palmer. In the middle of the high council speaker, a little native child began to SCREAM at the top of his lungs. This went on for a long time and the parent did nothing to soothe or stop the screaming. We were getting quite irritated when all of sudden Ann Jourdain stood up, bent over two rows of pews and said something to the "care taker" of the screaming child. The "care taker" took the screaming child out! I laughed inside! When services were over, I told Sister Jourdain, "Thank you"! She looked at me, smiled and said, "your mother used to do that". I laughed and said, "she sure did".
I was always so embarrassed when my mom would quiet someone in Church but now I appreciate someone standing up for what is proper in Church etiquette and what is right! Thanks, Ann!
Two more days until my surgery, I'll be so glad when this is finally behind me. I'm so tired of feeling sick! Please keep your prayers coming this way.

Happy Mother's Day

Well, we finally got a Saturday when the wind was not blowing
so we were able to hang the cute lights JP and Shelly gave us for
Christmas. I love them! They make the patio look so festive!





This peonie was the only bloom I got this year. When they bloom, it reminds me of MOM. This planter was hers and the flowers in it just come up naturally every year. She loved the peonies as they reminded her of Grandma. Now, every year I get to be reminded of both my Mom and Grandma--so appropriate around Mother's Day. I miss both of them very much. Seems the older I get, the more I miss my mommy! Happy Mother's Day to all my sisters, neices, and friends. I love you all!

Well, after 5 long months of HELL/Misery I will be having sinus surgery on May 20th. Who knew? Very long story short, after seeing our "Doctor" and three specialists it was discovered that my sinuses literally "blew up"! The Cardiologist and Endocrinologist I saw both feel this is what my "problem" has been all along. Hopefully, when it is over, I can get off the high blood pressure meds-they are truly aweful.

People have told me my ENT is the best. He told me I had a deviated septum as well--(maybe from a little baseball accident when I was a little girl, Wally????) So, I sort of get a nose job in the process--only my nose won't look any different.

All I ask is for relief and your prayers. The 20th is the soonest opening he had and it falls on our last week of school--finals week. So, I won't be there to see all my little darlings off to summer break. I hate making sub plans but this will be easy. For my final this year, I am giving a mandatory CTE survey. Once the survey is over, I'll leave a movie or game to play. Easy enough, but what do I care? Then I will have to go into work when I feel better to input and verify my grades. The ENT said I will be down a couple of days, but I have to go back once a week for three weeks to get stints and bandages removed, etc...OUCH! I told him to just give me DRUGS!

I LOVE MASSAGE THERAPY...

We officially have 32 days of actual school left and I can not wait. It has been a difficult year for both of us and the time off will be welcomed!
I treated myself to a massage last week and saw a Chiropractor a few times this week, hoping for some relief. I have to say, the massage was well worth it and will be treating myself to one every two weeks for a while! I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone! It seems the bones in my neck are not working in concert with one another--thus the pounding and pain in my neck and head for the past 4 months! The story keeps on keeping on....
I had a cranial/sacral massage as well, that was very interesting. I slept for 1 1/2 hours after. I was trying to watch conference but kept drifting off. What better way to sleep than with conference playing in the back ground!!!

What a couple of weeks!!

We had Todd's mom and dad with us for a couple of days over our spring break. It was their first time here in four years and things have changed. It was so much fun to have them here when we did not have to work. We played tourist and visited all the sites in town--well the couple of things to see (WalMart, the Museum, the lake). This picture is at the new marina, Antelope Point. I have to say, we had excellent weather for us and for the Minnesotans, they are making their way back today, and I heard on the weather that they are having ice storms!! Sounds like fun to me! And, that is why Todd came west.

These geese were at the docks at Antelope Point. I see the geese at the golf course all the time, but never at the lake. When we approached, they began to honk like crazy. It was pretty funny and very noisy. Yuba City isn't the only "home of the honkers"!!!

So, yesterday, Todd and I got home from work and began to get ready to go to the gym to work out. Just as we were leaving, we noticed the bathroom vanity lights getting brighter and brighter, then dim. I turned them off thinking the electric company was doing something. As we walked out of the house the surge protector on our new TV, DVD, Satelite dish popped and the wall was making all sorts of popping noises. Pretty scary. Todd unplugged the surge protector, it was black on the prongs. Then we heard a big popping noise coming from the bedroom--ran to the bedroom and the surge protector in there had exploded, smoke was everywhere. I thought maybe our house was possessed!! I ran next door to see if Tracy was having problems and she was having the same thing happening throughout her house, too. Luckily, her husband is a heating/ac guy and she had called him and told him what was happening. He told us to turn off the main disconnect to our electric box. As more neighbors assembled outside, we told everyone to turn off their electricity and FAST! We called the electric company and they said they were sending someone out to check it out. In the meantime, Tracy noticed the electric transformer located across the street between two houses was elevated on one side about 8 inches. Tracy said she had heard a crash, screeching breaks and laughing earlier in the morning. She looked out of the window and saw a pick up truck drive away, but did not know it had hit the transformer.

Meanwhile, the police arrived about the same time as our other next door neighbor's "nanny" (I really do use the term "nanny" loosely.). I tell her and her "boss" to get their electricity off. A few moments later the "nanny" confessed to hitting the transformer earlier in the day, but thought nothing of it. Now, I have to say, I know this "nanny" and she is NOT playing with a full deck--if you know what I mean.

Luckily, all the damage we sustained were two surge protectors and electrical outlets which Tracy's husband, John replaced f or us this morning. Tracy and John had very little damage as well. However, Steve Ward, across the street and down one has considerable damage to appliances and his home office computers. "Uncle Bob" Bingham, one more door down, lost 2 out of 3 TV's and is still looking for more damage.

Had Todd and I been 2 minutes quicker, we would have been at the gym and probably sustained considerable damage, if not an outright fire!

This is the transformer that had to be replaced.

We had the whole crew from the electric company on the job for 2 1/2 hours--there were 5 of them at one time--we are so thankful for their speedy service and good nature. All is well!!

What's old is new again!

The "Old" MC D"s AND The "New" Mc D's

It did not seem that long ago that McDonald's came to Page, building just off the mesa. But, in no time, they built a brand new one next to WalMart (what a combination!) ON Highway 89, just off the South Access Road. In less than one week, the old building was completely torn down and hauled away. Just what do they do with all that used equipment and old arches?????

PHS Girls Basketball Team won their regional title and played their first round of the state playoffs here in Page on Friday afternoon. We played Douglas--they had to travel over 10 hours so we could beat them by almost 50 points!! Our Lady Devils are ready for the semi's on Wednesday in Glendale.

I am especially proud of two of the girls on the team-they are FRESHMEN that I teach and boy can they play ball! I have taught and currently teach most of the girls on the team. Go DEVILS!
We won't be making the trek to Glendale, as will most of the school. It just happens that the AIA planned the tournament on the same day we give our High Stakes State Test! (AIMS). Smart!
Is there NO communication at the Arizona Department of Education????

Jilly B's Tag

Jenny tagged me once, and I did not know what that meant. Thanks to Jill, I just now found out what that means, AND she tagged me! If you don't already know, I minored in Psychology in College and ended up taking MANY self-evaluation Psych tests and I scored right down the middle of all of them. My point is, I'm just plain and boring!!!!
So, I will attempt Jill's tag:
10 things I love:
1. Jake
2. Tyler
3. Todd
4. JP, Shelly, Jack, Ryan, Jenny, Jon, Tilly, Cricket, Dewey, Katie, Asha, Sage,Zaya, etc. (All my family! Brothers/Sisters/neices/nephews, etc.....FAMILY
5. Pastrami Burgers
6. That I taught all the Barber kids the business!!!! and to eat creatively (PNut Butter-Pastrami Burgers? Come on Scott!!!!
7. My little comfy house.
8. My Trailblazer
9. My nightly bath
10. My bed

10 Things I hate:
1. NCLB
2. Lazy people
3. Unkept yards
4. Barking dogs
5. Cats
6. Cancer, high blood pressure, and any sickness
7. Having to actually buy KFC
8. Having to actually buy Pastrami Burgers
9. Kids who spit in the halls at school-for reals! happened right in front of me!
10. Boring Sacrament Meetings.

10 Random Thoughts:
1. I got robbed at gun point in So. Cal-Dang gangs.
2. I take a warm bath every night.
3. I still wish my college roommate happy birthday every year-going on 35 yrs. now.
4. I like to watch TV in my PJ's-just like Margie!
5. I can't see the dust on my furniture any more-just like Margie!
6. I HATE to cook dinner, even though I'm a Culinary Arts Teacher!
7. Todd and I got DISH for Christmas and love it! (I always hated TV before satellite)
8. I watch Bromance and The City. Brody is MUCH better looking than his dad ever was.
9. Grandma Rosalie (Zufelt)'thinks I'm her daughter and calls me on occasion! She always calls on April 21st to wish JP happy birthday-----
10. My mind just went blank---I'M ON DRUGS!!!!!

There you have it. So, I guess I'm supposed to tag someone but, most of you have already been tagged! So, let's try for Mark/Erin, Shelly/JP, Jenny/Jon!!!!!

Happy Birthday Mr.G!!!!

Happy Birthday, Todd!!! He looks pretty good for an old guy of 51!!!! Living in Page, and not being able to go out of town lately, he did not get showered with lovely gifts from his "I don't plan too far in advance" wife. But, I got him a cute carrot cake and some candy bars with the promise of a new sound system next trip to St. George!!! He is a wonderful husband and I am so lucky!! So HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR.G!!!

We made a quick trip to Phoenix earlier in the week so I could see a Cardiologist and get nuked. Turns out, nothing is wrong with my heart--big relief. He can not figure out why my blood pressure is way up. So, I am waiting for results from another specialist who ran many tests. Meantime, I am having HORRIBLE side effects from all the meds. Thankfully, the Cardiologist is having me slowly get off them, and see what happens and I've had some relief the past couple of days--thanks in part to my little pink friends (Xanax)! Just pray this will be all over soon!!!

As most of you know, our Chapel is closed and undergoing a year long reconstruction. Since we drive by it to get home, we watch as it is slowly looking more and more ghetto as they strip, rebuild and reroof. Here are a couple of pictures of the back of the Chapel

Holiday Fun!

Well, Christmas has come and gone and here we are in a New Year-2009!

We had a lot of fun with the boys all home. Little did I know they were growing beards! Jake and Tyler had a pact with our good friend (semi-son) Phil that they would not shave until after Christmas. Boy, they all looked scruffy, but cute.

Christmas was great just hanging out and visiting. It threatened to snow every day Jake and Ty were here but it did not. It was plenty cold, though.

Christmas Day brought JP, Shelly, and boys. So, we really had a house full but, I loved it. It was the best. Jack is saying the funniest things, always wanting Todd to play. Todd spent an entire day watching cartoons with him! Todd is a new fan of Phineas and Ferb (???) he says, "it's really clever". I think he likes the music!

JP got in a bit of basketball the couple of nights he was here. Seems a tradition to play basketball or golf on holidays around here!

JP and Kevin just before Christmas Night basketball at the Stake Center!

Nothing like a little side-yard hoops! It was really cold that night, but who knew?

And then there was golf! Jake and Ty had a lot of golf time with dad.

It was a good time. Happy New Year!!