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!