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