I have no pictures of my morning adventures, so you'll just have to settle for the verbal description. Our morning routine was altered due to a variety of circumstances. Lance had to leave home at 7:00 am to attend a campaign kick-off breakfast, which meant that I was the designated morning chauffeur.
I didn't feel well, so I got out of bed at the last possible minute, which meant that I didn't shower and get dressed before I set off. In the first hour and a half I was "up," I drove 14 miles in my pajamas, saw a man get hand-cuffed, and (only a few of you will appreciate this), while looking at the "META4" license plate of the car in front of me, heard the word "metaphor" sung in a song I was listening to.
These unusual events will never be repeated in the same morning, I'm certain.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Family Lodge
Check out this photo of our family lodge in Idaho. This structure used to be a 2-story garage/chicken coop, and my dad turned it in to a lodge with the help of a few other relatives. It's the place we hold our family reunions in the summer and we love to stay there. It's surrounded by rolling hills and farm land.
A Feat Never Before Attempted
Now that I'm almost 50, I think I'm old enough to try to upload a photo and post it on my blog. I've been taught, so let's see if I can do this by myself. If this works, you might see a whole host of pictures on this site.
These are photos taken today of my adventure to Farrell-McWhirter Park with my little buddy Tyler. Tyler and baby pigs--how much cuteness can you stand?
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Dad Chad
Ode to My F-I-L
My husband's dad
Is Grandpa Chad.
He's always glad
And never mad.
Today's "his" day,
So shout "Hooray!"
It's time to say,
"Happy Birthday!"
We love you, Grandpa Chad!
My husband's dad
Is Grandpa Chad.
He's always glad
And never mad.
Today's "his" day,
So shout "Hooray!"
It's time to say,
"Happy Birthday!"
We love you, Grandpa Chad!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Warranty Expiring?
Ever notice how your car starts to fall apart the day after your warranty expires? Do the car manufacturers somehow plan for this and build it into the car's computer system? I wonder.
Well, I'm approaching my 50th birthday and beginning to wonder if my "warranty" is just about up. Allow me to explain. I contracted some sort of annoying cough several weeks ago--just after I "recovered" from a regular cold. Ticklish and scratchy throat. I coughed and coughed for a couple of weeks but didn't feel sick at all. Then last Thursday night--the night I picked Lance up from the airport after he spent the better part of the week in Southern California and I had to play the roles of both parents (a job I don't relish)--I started to feel sick. I was awake most of the night coughing my lungs out. At least it felt like I would cough up my lungs. Friday morning I felt better--well enough to walk my short route with Jeanne and Tyler. Monday night brought a more expanded set of symptoms including a fever, fatigue and a horribly runny, stuffy nose. Did I have swine flu?
Of course I didn't go to the doctor because I rarely do. Lance visited a doctor and was diagnosed with "community pneumonia." I'll get well riding his coattails, I reason. Sara's chronic state of ill health was entering an acute phase, and Zachary was still taking the antiobiotic the allergist prescribed for his sinus infection. I drank a lot of herbal tea sweetened with liberal amounts of honey and became addicted to a new kind of lozenge--Hall's Naturals (the honey-filled peach-flavored ones are as good or better than candy).
During the past few days, a host of other (some seemingly-unrelated) symptoms have cropped up. While sitting in the chair watching one of "my" reality TV shoes, I shifted my leg and heard a pop in my right knee. No swelling, but a lot of pain. The pain has mostly subsided thanks to my trusty Phiten titanium disc patches. I developed a massive headache from coughing and blowing my nose way too much. I can't lift my left arm above shoulder level without the top of my arm aching. My left hip is causing me some pain (a chronic problem). My sternum hurts (probably from coughing too much). Yesterday morning I awoke with conjunctivitis in both eyes. There are other issues as well, but I'll spare you the details.
Does my body know I'm approaching the magic age of 50? Am I crossing the line into old age? I guess I'll just have to break out the t-shirt I bought for myself that reminds me: "You can only be young once, but you can be immature forever." At least I can remain immature as long as I wish!
Well, I'm approaching my 50th birthday and beginning to wonder if my "warranty" is just about up. Allow me to explain. I contracted some sort of annoying cough several weeks ago--just after I "recovered" from a regular cold. Ticklish and scratchy throat. I coughed and coughed for a couple of weeks but didn't feel sick at all. Then last Thursday night--the night I picked Lance up from the airport after he spent the better part of the week in Southern California and I had to play the roles of both parents (a job I don't relish)--I started to feel sick. I was awake most of the night coughing my lungs out. At least it felt like I would cough up my lungs. Friday morning I felt better--well enough to walk my short route with Jeanne and Tyler. Monday night brought a more expanded set of symptoms including a fever, fatigue and a horribly runny, stuffy nose. Did I have swine flu?
Of course I didn't go to the doctor because I rarely do. Lance visited a doctor and was diagnosed with "community pneumonia." I'll get well riding his coattails, I reason. Sara's chronic state of ill health was entering an acute phase, and Zachary was still taking the antiobiotic the allergist prescribed for his sinus infection. I drank a lot of herbal tea sweetened with liberal amounts of honey and became addicted to a new kind of lozenge--Hall's Naturals (the honey-filled peach-flavored ones are as good or better than candy).
During the past few days, a host of other (some seemingly-unrelated) symptoms have cropped up. While sitting in the chair watching one of "my" reality TV shoes, I shifted my leg and heard a pop in my right knee. No swelling, but a lot of pain. The pain has mostly subsided thanks to my trusty Phiten titanium disc patches. I developed a massive headache from coughing and blowing my nose way too much. I can't lift my left arm above shoulder level without the top of my arm aching. My left hip is causing me some pain (a chronic problem). My sternum hurts (probably from coughing too much). Yesterday morning I awoke with conjunctivitis in both eyes. There are other issues as well, but I'll spare you the details.
Does my body know I'm approaching the magic age of 50? Am I crossing the line into old age? I guess I'll just have to break out the t-shirt I bought for myself that reminds me: "You can only be young once, but you can be immature forever." At least I can remain immature as long as I wish!
Friday, May 15, 2009
A Birthday for BooBah!
My eldest daughter has now caught up to my age; we're both 24! It honestly seems like just a year or two ago when I really was that age. Funny thing is that at 24 we are/were both working in health-related careers. Annica works in a hospital, and I worked for the Utah Department of Health.
Annica has brought us much joy over the years and has developed into a beautiful young woman. She came into the world with a very independent spirit and has always seemed very confident and secure in who she is. Entertaining herself and others came naturally to her.
The summer Zachary was born, Annica organized a summer school for the neighborhood children. She formed lesson plans, and made bathroom "passes," lunch tickets and the like. When I voiced some concern about which areas of the house she would use for her school, she said, "I'll just use the whole upstairs and the family room, and you and Zachary can stay in the downstairs bedroom." She never did carry out her plan, but sure had a good time organizing everything.
Annica had an active imagination and was and is very artistic and creative. Unlike most other young children, she never drew "stick" figures. One of the first pictures she drew was of someone getting a haircut. She drew the person with a tiny pair of scissors on each strand of hair.
She expressed her creativity in other ways as well. She and friend Noelle tried to find a more efficient way to use the bathroom, so they experimented with a way that involved neither removing nor pulling down any item of clothing. They both ended up wet. And smelly.
Annica used to make lists of goals and aspirations. One of her goals was "to not go through labor giving birth." We'll see if she reaches that goal.
This lovely daughter makes friends very easily. She's very personable and potential employers like her. That's why she's been hired for almost every job she's ever applied for.
She used to be terrified of dogs. Really terrified. Really, really terrified. Obviously, she's overcome much of her fear because she now has her own dog to care for and love.
She is married to a wonderful guy, Josh, who takes very good care of her. They make a great team, and we love them both. They help each other in so many ways and work at making a happy life for themselves.
Happy birthday, my sweet daughter. I love you so very much!!!
Annica has brought us much joy over the years and has developed into a beautiful young woman. She came into the world with a very independent spirit and has always seemed very confident and secure in who she is. Entertaining herself and others came naturally to her.
The summer Zachary was born, Annica organized a summer school for the neighborhood children. She formed lesson plans, and made bathroom "passes," lunch tickets and the like. When I voiced some concern about which areas of the house she would use for her school, she said, "I'll just use the whole upstairs and the family room, and you and Zachary can stay in the downstairs bedroom." She never did carry out her plan, but sure had a good time organizing everything.
Annica had an active imagination and was and is very artistic and creative. Unlike most other young children, she never drew "stick" figures. One of the first pictures she drew was of someone getting a haircut. She drew the person with a tiny pair of scissors on each strand of hair.
She expressed her creativity in other ways as well. She and friend Noelle tried to find a more efficient way to use the bathroom, so they experimented with a way that involved neither removing nor pulling down any item of clothing. They both ended up wet. And smelly.
Annica used to make lists of goals and aspirations. One of her goals was "to not go through labor giving birth." We'll see if she reaches that goal.
This lovely daughter makes friends very easily. She's very personable and potential employers like her. That's why she's been hired for almost every job she's ever applied for.
She used to be terrified of dogs. Really terrified. Really, really terrified. Obviously, she's overcome much of her fear because she now has her own dog to care for and love.
She is married to a wonderful guy, Josh, who takes very good care of her. They make a great team, and we love them both. They help each other in so many ways and work at making a happy life for themselves.
Happy birthday, my sweet daughter. I love you so very much!!!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mothers Day!
From me to my mama:
I have a mother
Like no other.
This much I know--
I love her so!
From Mark to me:
I have a mother
Like no other,
And I really, really love her.
Sometimes she's glad,
And sometimes she's sad,
But today is Mothers Day,
So I'll try not to be bad.
From me to my mother-in-law:
You raised a great son.
He's my Number One.
You're a marvelous gal
And even my pal!
Mark "accidentally" ate the rest of my chocolate candy bar I was given in church. To assuage his guilt, he gave me all of his money which consists of $23. I told him to keep the money (and the chocolate).
I have a mother
Like no other.
This much I know--
I love her so!
From Mark to me:
I have a mother
Like no other,
And I really, really love her.
Sometimes she's glad,
And sometimes she's sad,
But today is Mothers Day,
So I'll try not to be bad.
From me to my mother-in-law:
You raised a great son.
He's my Number One.
You're a marvelous gal
And even my pal!
Mark "accidentally" ate the rest of my chocolate candy bar I was given in church. To assuage his guilt, he gave me all of his money which consists of $23. I told him to keep the money (and the chocolate).
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Mark's Philosophies of Life
*"If you want to find true happiness, don't try and find it through money. Try and find it through the simple things."
*"Finding peace involves serving others."
*"Don't gamble with your life along with your money."
*"Invest in things you know will succeed and not in things that you don't."
*"Learn from failure. Take joy in success."
*"If you don't like someone, don't be with them."
*"Instead of finding the bad things in a person, why not find the good things."
*"If there's a rule you don't like, then don't be in that game."
*"Obedience can save you from trouble in the darkest times."
*"Work hard on something that is worth working hard on."
*"Love equals joy. Joy equals happiness. Happiness equals success."
*"Show a little anger, but don't let it all out."
*"If you feel like you're about to burst then put yourself in a container."
*"Smile!"
*"Finding peace involves serving others."
*"Don't gamble with your life along with your money."
*"Invest in things you know will succeed and not in things that you don't."
*"Learn from failure. Take joy in success."
*"If you don't like someone, don't be with them."
*"Instead of finding the bad things in a person, why not find the good things."
*"If there's a rule you don't like, then don't be in that game."
*"Obedience can save you from trouble in the darkest times."
*"Work hard on something that is worth working hard on."
*"Love equals joy. Joy equals happiness. Happiness equals success."
*"Show a little anger, but don't let it all out."
*"If you feel like you're about to burst then put yourself in a container."
*"Smile!"
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Buy One, Break Some Free
During my grocery shopping excursion yesterday, I noticed a display of a new kind of salad dressing--miso salad dressing to be exact. Since my friend Jeanne raved about her Miso Seafood Salad at CPK last week, I decided to surprise her with a bottle of the miso dressing. As I lifted one bottle off the shelf, the entire shelf collapsed spilling every single glass bottle onto the floor. Several bottles shattered and splattered my shoes with the yellow fragrant dressing. The accident was loud and embarrassing. The incident occurred next to the in-store pharmacy, and a male pharmacy technician rushed to my aide carrying a plethora of paper towels. As I reached for the paper towels and bent to wipe my shoes and the floor, the technician said that he would clean it up and asked me to not move so he could wipe any glass shards off my feet. There were no glass shards, but there was a lot of dressing. If Jeanne likes the dressing, she'll have to shop elsewhere to find another bottle as I broke every bottle in sight.
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