Another year comes to an end

And I can't say I'm sorry to see '07 go into the record books. It has been a really bad year for me. Many ups and downs and bad things have happened. The way I see it, '08 can't be much worse than '07 was. Once you've reached the bottom of the pit, the only way is up, right?

We don't have money to spend the end of the year like we'd like (bowling) so we are just staying home, watching movies we haven't in a while, and going to bed early. We may set the alarm to get up and watch the fireworks that go off from the casinos downtown, that we can see from our bedroom window, but I'll have to see how tired I am. I'm gonna let the kids stay up all night if they want, and have a slumber party in the living room. Jason and Anthony are going hunting if they haven't bagged something this afternoon.

Jason is an official employee of Cabela's now. Fun fun. I'm just looking forward to the discounts on the jar candles. And maybe some of the clothes. I have to make sure Jason doesn't spend all his paycheck out there, though, on hunting supplies...Putting a store in Reno was a good thing. The place is always packed, and the weekend before Christmas, they did over $5mil in sales. A lot of the customers are coming in from coastal California, where there is no store yet, which is good, they come to gamble and that helps the economy.

A HUGE storm is forcasted for Thursday thru Sunday. YUCK! 173 days until summer!

Anyways, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY BLOG FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES!!!!

yuck! Yuck!! YUCK!!!

Snow, snow and more snow. Although the actual accumulation is not much, it is still enough to make travel bad and to make me really miss summer.

As I was sitting here being sad that it was snowing, I figured out there are 176 more days until summer, and I bought a new swim suit from Victoria's Secret. It should be here in 14 days or so. I'm thinking it should make me feel better, but I don't think it will; it will just make me sadder that I can't wear it and go swimming. Oh well.

Kids are having a sleep-over at my father-in-laws tonight(except Anthony, cuz he and Jason are going hunting early in the morning) but it will be quiet at my home tonight. I think I'll get my Scottie dog and go to bed early since I had to be to work at 6 this morning...

Last night (in the snow and ice) I had to tow Jason's truck to the shop at 10:30. The ignition module was out, so it didn't start. But now it's done to the tune of $250. It seems to be one thing after another with our cars lately. The started went on my car the night before my mom's funeral, which Jason fixed an hour before the funeral (luckily it broke down in front of my dad's house). Then the trany in Vegas, and now Jason's truck. I told Jason we should just make copies of our car keys for all 3 cars and just give them to our mechanic.

If Jason ever gets hired on with the Sheriff's office, we think we'll end up dumping all 3 of our old trucks, buy Jason a chevy duramax crew cab, and me a little fuel efficient 4x4 something. (too bad Porche Boxsters aren't 4 wheel drive) I just hate car problems.

So ten more minutes of the fish business. The phones are all ringing with people wondering where their fish is. Our line truck was late due to the snow(chains only on 80 over the hill from Sac this morning), and we are heavy because of the holiday. It's like no one has looked out a window or had to drive in the white stuff all over the road, or looked at a calender.

Anyways, should start packing up.

Happy weekend to you all!

Happy Birthday Dad!

My dad is 69 today. How is it possible?

Have a good one!

Ho Ho HO!!!!

Santa has come and gone.

Kylie's gifts include...clothes, a doll, nail polish, the game Operation, lip gloss, bubble bath and lotion, and a piano.

Rhett's gifts include...clothes, box set of The Police cds, pencils, an i-pod skin, an i-tunes card, shoes, and a drum set.

Anthony's gifts include...clothes, pajama pants, art pencils, music books, an i-tunes card, and an electric guitar.

Jason's gifts include...a camo day planner, a coffee mug with a pheasant on it, a t-shirt with a Lab on it, a sweatshirt with a pheasant on it, some pajama pants, a gift to AAA membership (which we already had to use, but that's another story), and a gift card for favors from me (you fill in the blanks as to what those favors are).

My gift include...TONS of clothes, boots, perfume, a Scottie dog brooch, Nike tennis shoes, Cabela's candles, and a candle warmer. The pants I got, Jason ordered on-line from Victoria's Secrets, and they are all really big. Either their sizes just run big, or I have lost weight. But any ways, we had to send them all back to get a smaller size.

Grandpa Palmer got a puzzle, a puzzle mat, and a Lifesaver Storybook.

Dinner was good. And the best part is, we still have plenty of left overs.

I am still tired from having to stay up well after 1 am Christmas morning...I think Rhett caught Santa, but won't admit it...time will tell I guess. When we were out getting rid of the garbage, our neighbor across the street was doing the same thing. I told him I was glad we weren't the only parents up so late...

But all in all, it was a very nice Christmas. I think we all missed my mom very much, but we had some good memory moments of her, and we tried to joke more than dwell on the fact she wasn't with us.

I told my dad about my dream, and he teared up, but he thanked me for telling him.

He gave me a list of headstone ideas and wants Elaine and I to pick it out. There are so many to choose from, and SO many of them have crosses on them. What's up with that? I know mom wouldn't want crosses on it. I told Jason that we should pick ours out now, so there won't be any weird choices made by us after we're gone.

With mom being buried in Yerington, it's a county cemetery, and the families really have a lot of options for the grave site. This summer we want to place her headstone, put in a curb and lay paver stones. From there, we may put a bench, and some kind of a cat statue. The options really are endless. I like that. Makes it feel more personal and loving than the options you get here in the city (grass and a flat grave marker that a lawnmower can go over, no more no less)

My dad jokes about finding a "red head" to hook up with. I don't think he's ready to settle back down yet, but I think joking about it takes the pain away a bit. As a joke, we tried to find him a redhead duck decoy, but were unable to do it.

Jason started working at Cabela's last night. He's going to be working in the Archery department 4 nights a week. Fun. Sure hope we get a call from the Sheriff's office soon.

Anyways, people in the fish business are just starting to realize that New Years is here (busiest season of the year and we are busy). I swear people live under rocks or don't have calendars or both. It's like they wake up to find out this big surprise of New Years being here, and it then becomes our problem to figure out how they are going to get the special order items we told them to order 2 weeks ago. I have learned in 12 years of this business, chefs are really clueless...

Anyways, should get back to the fish business...

"Twas the night before Christmas...

I am ready. I have actually been ready since last Wednesday.

I think Santa is bringing a Scottie Dog sweater for Kirby, and she won't be able to wear it out, cuz her AND Kodi decided to come into heat for Christams. Merry Christmas family!

Saturday we had a huge family dinner with Jason's family. It included all kids, their spouces, and their parents. My dad came in. I was so glad. We had dinner at this local Italian place that was just amazing.

After dinner we went ice skating at the Rink by the river in downtown Reno. It was so much fun. I was totally scared at first, but I got the hang of it...kind of like riding a bike...I ice skated once when I was like 12...and never fell once. Even after the iced it all smooth again with the Zamboni. Rhett and Kylie fell like a 100 times each, Anthony opted not to skate (my ever caution child) and Jason went around twice. Toward the end, Kylie was about half way around and decided she wanted no more, so Rhett actually helped her cut across the middle, hugging her to him and helping her up with the most love and compasion and concern I have ever seen. It was THE most precious thing I have ever seen. Of course, we didn't think to bring the camera...so hopefully the memory will live forever in my mind.

I am in charge of the Holiday luncheon here at work, which is scheduled to start soon here. Then we get to go home early.

Dad is coming back in to spend the night and spend Christmas with us. Tonight we are having take out Chinese food, family home evening, and riding around looking at the lights.

Tomorrow, after Santa comes, we will have bacon and eggs for breakfast, and lay around while a 15 pound prime rib cooks. The nice things of working here...prime rib and shrimp for Christmas dinner. Yum. I can hardly wait.

My boss gave me a $100 gift card to Wal Mart. So nice. I got a work suit from my father-in-law. Black with pen stripes (pants, skirt, and jacket) Very nice.

Maybe tomorrow when we are laying around, I'll try to get on the home computer and post, but if not...MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!!!!

Still can't comment

I think it is my computer, because the comment box starts to come up, but then it like locks up and I get the error message. If I ever get time to sit down at the home computer, I'll see if I can comment from there. Who knows, maybe there is some security feature work put on my computer...

Computer Error

I tried to comment on both Janika and Kim's blogs, but I couldn't seem to get in, and kept getting an error report. Stupid computers. Sorry guys! Hi though...maybe I'll comment on your blogs tomorrow if I can get in.

I have 15 minutes here at work to kill before I leave early to get my monthly menopause shot...fun times.

It is cold, cloudy, grey, and windy. Snow is in the forecast. Yuck.

We got all the Christmas lights and decorations up over the weekend. House looks nice.

Saturday morning we had our Ward Christmas breakfast. There is an older man in our ward, who is a convert of only a few years, and is a bit weird. He was walking around tyring to find a place to sit,and was holding his OJ with his pinkie finger, and spilled like 90% of his OJ. He had no idea. And since he's old, you tell him, and he just smiles at you. Jason moped up after him, and he never did notice he had hardly any juice left in his cup. We laughed so hard. It may be one of those things you had to be there for. Our Bishopric makes all the food and serves us. It's nice.

My brother and sister-in-law had a Christmas party at their house Saturday night. It was fun. But there were a ton of people there we didn't know,and like most of them are either cops or accountants. We didn't stay long, left and went to the mall. We didn't want to head home, and didn't want to spend any money, so we just window shopped. Macy's does have a bunch of different Scottie dog jammies, though. Have to go back with Christmas money...

Did manage to get a couple of naps in, but I still don't feel good. My sore throat just won't go away, and I think my back is out, or else I pulled a muscle in my chest, or something that is making breathing and laughing hard.

Today I had to pick the kids up at school because I traded a day a couple of weeks ago. Tomorrow I have to take Anthony to the doctor. He had a zit that has turned into a huge boil that is making his eye hurt. I'm a little scared about what it could be, and the prospects of how to fix it, and it scaring...my poor boy. Zits just plain suck.

Well, guess what...I killed 15 minutes! Time to go!

So happy

It's Friday!!!! I am so glad. Tomorrow is a busy one, but I plan on being as lazy as possible in between the busy to rest. I'm still not feeling very good. A small cold. I think Airborn has helped keep it from getting worse, but my chest and my throat hurt, and I'm just plain tired.

Jason made dinner last night so I didn't have to, so I took a hot bath instead. He even set the table, did the dishes and helped Rhett and Kylie with their homework. He even sat with Rhett so Rhett could read his library book. I love my hubby. He's great. I SO enjoyed not doing anything but what I wanted.

My dad sent me some money for Christmas, so we got Anthony some boots to wear in the snow and to go hunting in (instead of his Vans), and Rhett and Kylie got Christmas church clothes. Jason picked out Rhett's. A pair of black pin strip pants and a nice white shirt. Kylie picked out her own outfit. A black velvet shirt and a sparkly red shirt. Having to wait two more weeks to wear it is killing the poor girl.

My grandma sent me some money, and I think we'll use that for stocking stuffers, and I want to get myself a black turtleneck sweater. I usually hate turtlenecks, but with my cold and the cold weather, I really want my neck covered. Plus, my skin on my neck is so dry from my shots, I have old lady skin, and it needs to be covered up. Dry skin and hot flashes seem to be the only side effects I'm having with my drug induced menopause. Not too bad really. The list of possible side effects is long, and with my luck, I figured I'd get them all. But, dry skin can be lotioned up, and during winter, hot flashes aren't really so bad.

The temp is 16* right now. Down one from an hour ago. Nice.

A vertual heat wave is upon us

Yesterday at this time it was like 17*, today it is 22*. Wow! What a heat up. With a high of like 38* expected. It's not even winter yet, and I'm sick of winter.

Jason and Anthony went hunting up on the hill yesterday afternoon, and the big truck got stuck in the mud and snow. The quad even got stuck once, but Jason got it out. I had to meet them at the end of the road to get Anthony home, and a buddy with a winch on his truck pulled it out. Poor guys were so frozen. They didn't get a deer either.

I went home early and took a nap. Rhett was so good. He and Kylie VERY quietly did their homework, and Rhett read his Book of Mormon for about 45 minutes. He turned on the lights, including the Christmas lights, closed the shutters, and made sure I was able to enjoy my nap. I thanked him very much for his thoughtfulness.

Kylie kept talking a little loud, and Rhett told her to whisper. After I woke up, he asked if I was feeling better.

Makes me wonder who that kid was, and what he did with Rhett. But the real Rhett woke up this morning...unable to wake up and slower than snot.

I can't blame him for being late today though. I'm having a bad hair day in addition to not feeling good. Time for a hair cut.

Hey! It's heated up to 23*!!!

Way too cold

With all the snow we got on Friday (and a 2 hour long power outage) the cold has really settled in. My desk top says it is 19* right now. I'd say that's about 80* too cold for me.

I got the house all decorated for Christmas over the weekend. It looks nice. Can't put out the outdoor decorations though due to the snow and frozen ground. Too bad, really. Our house usually looks like National Lampoon's Christmas.

Kylie and I are getting sick. Sure wish I could go home, take a nice HOT bath, and crawl in bed.

I had a dream about my mom last night. She told me that dieing wasn't scary at all, and she was so happy to have a clear mind again. She was so happy to see her family that had gone before her, and that Heaven is wonderful. She is very happy. I think she really came to me. It was a nice dream, and didn't make me sad at all. She also said she gets to see us here on earth, so she doesn't miss us. Isn't that cool?

Have I mentioned I hate snow?

Woke up to a few inches, and work has even more. It's a wet, heavy snow. It's ugly. It makes driving awful. It's cold. I hate it. When it snows the satellite dish doesn't work. Kids are on a one hour delay for school.

Right now, in Reno it is 31*. In Coral Gables, Florida, it is 80* (the warmest spot in the US right now) It's only supposed to get to a high of 38* today. Nice, huh?

What I want to know is how many more days until Summer!!!!?????

Today is

my brother's birthday, too.

Is it Friday yet?

No, no it's not. Too bad. I am so tired.

The party was really fun last night. Jason opted to not go, and took the boys to Scouts. Not sure what Rhett's activity was, but Anthony went fencing (as he put it, he got to play with swords). He is only one thing away from getting his Life Scout. The committee chair is an amazing scouting lady, and she told Jason she will make sure Anthony gets it done so he can get his life at the next court of honor. From there it is all working on his Eagle. WOO HOO!

Jason is the only father of our scouts that is an eagle himself. She asked him to talk at the next court of honor about what it means to be an eagle and how it has always impressed his prospective employers that he is an eagle. I thought that was cool. I was surprised to hear he was the only eagle though. I would have figured at least one other dad was, but I guess not.

Back to the party. Kylie had fun. She got to sit on Santa's lap and got this totally awesome gift basket. It was full of candy, a color book, crayons, a snow globe, glow sticks, a penny bank, a butterfly toy. It was cool, and she liked doing something when it's usually the boys that get to do stuff. Plus she dressed so pretty and looked beautiful. I wore a pair of black slacks and a white sweater.

Jason is working again on the living room remodel. He is planning on having it ALL done by Sunday. When I say ALL, I mean, texture, primer, paint, everything! I sure hope so, we want to get the Christmas decos out. It just isn't begining to feel a lot like Christmas at our house yet.

Rhett and Kylie have their Winter Concert at school today. Jason and I are going, and I get off work early. I can hardly wait. To get off early that is.

The weather is calling for snow tomorrow and Jason is going hunting. Sure hope he gets his deer. Sure hope driving isn't bad. Guess I have to dig out my winter boots. :(

Fogged in

Woke up to thick fog this morning. Not on the ground at the house, but at work, which is higher in elevation, the fog is on the ground. I can't breathe when it's foggy. I don't know why, but taking a breath in, hurts, and I have a hard time doing it. Could it be because I am claustrophobic?

The Suburban is back and running good. I am so glad to have my own car back, especially since snow is in the forecast for Friday morning's drive to work.

Tonight we have a Christmas party to go to for work. I am looking forward to it, but I don't know what I'm going to wear. I guess I'll figure it out at the very last minute.

Oh, and when I stepped on the scale this morning, I was at 128!!!!!!! I am so happy!

Oh, and McQueen ended up loosing...:(

News update

Where to start?

Saturday was my and Jason's 17th wedding anniversary. I got a very special gift. Jason took my mom's wedding ring in which she lost the diamond years ago, and had a very beautiful princess cut Sapphire (mom's birthstone) put in it. It is so beautiful. My mom would really like it, I'm sure. I will wear it on my right hand, and some day hand it down to Kylie. I'll have to take a pic and post it...

I got Jason a watch at Bass Pro in Vegas. It wasn't the greatest watch, but he said he really likes it, and set it and put it on as soon as I gave it to him. I also got some pretty things from Victoria's Secret for both of us to enjoy...:)

We ate dinner at Claim Jumper.

Yesterday we went to church and then watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on tv at home while we enjoyed Christmas flavored hot cocoa.

After the kids went to bed, Jason and I sat in the recliner together and enjoyed each other's company, and then at 11 Jason took Sienna and got on the road to Vegas to get our 'burban.

He drove all night and pulled into Vegas a little before 6:30 this morning. He should be headed back here shortly. I have the cell phone at my side so he can call and let me know when he gets on the road.

Without him home last night I slept really badly, between worrying about him driving and the hot flashed I am having from my drug induced menopause. I hope I can muddle through the day here. So much to do...

Really should go do it....

Inch or so and go McQueen

It snowed this morning, an inch or two, and I was really starting to hate winter already (even though it's not winter yet), but now the sun in mostly out, and the snow is melting.

I was a little worried about driving a loaner car that I am not familiar with in the snow, so I am glad it is melting.

Anthony's high school football team leaves today for Vegas (too bad someone can't bring my Burb home) for the state high school football championship game. They are playing another undefeated team from Vagas. It is supposed to be quite a match-up. Go McQ! We are behind you all the way. (My brother-in-law is also a coach on the team). Lancer Power at it's best in the South!!!!!

Nope

Part didn't come in yet, so Suburban is still dead, so Jason is still in town...figures...just our luck...

His deer hunt starts Saturday, and he has all of next week off for his hunt, so hopefully he gets his deer quickly, and can drive down to get the Suburban, get back, finish the remodel and get the Christmas decorations out and start getting them up.

I am so tired of my life being chaotic. My house is in upheaval from the remodel, my car doesn't run, work is busy, I've taken a ton of time of for my mom's funeral and Thanksgiving, and you all now how crazy this holiday season can be, and I am in the midst of a drug induced menopause. I have hot flashes like crazy, I don't sleep well at night, and life is just coming at me to fast and too out of control. YIKES!!!!

I think I need to go home, take a hot candle light bubble bath and go to bed early. Don't you agree?

Jason returns to Vegas

Jason is driving to Vegas to return the Kia, and pick up the Suburban today. One very quick round trip. 16 hours in a car, maybe an hour in Vegas. Poor sweetie.

I am praying for a safe trip and no car problems for him!

Made it...

We are home...We are safe...we are back to work and school...Got home VERY late Monday...I'll have to fill you in on the whole story when I have more time...and the story hasn't closed yet...so maybe I'll just wait to tell the whole story when it has come to an end Friday...

Anyways, gave Kirby a bath last night. She was mortified, but after I was all done, and she was dry and shiny, she was the happiest girl. She is soft now, and doesn't smell like chicken poop...

It is FREEEEEZING here. Computer says it's 36 right now. There should be laws against temps this cold.

Need to get back to work.

I haven't dropped off the face of the earth...yet...

We left Reno very early Thursday morning and drove to Vegas to spend the holiday at Jason's Aunt and Uncle's house for the Turkey holiday.

We had dinner at their neighbor and partner next door. Harvey used to be a chef in Baltimore, so needless to say, dinner was fantastic, I ate too much, and made my self sick.

Friday we went shopping, Bass Pro Shop, Guitar Center, the mall...bought some things we can't get in Reno. Jason and I went to the strip alone after dinner and walked around. Went to the Venetian and walked the shops there, then we went down the street and across it to the Bellagio and walked around there. From there we went to Planet Hollywood and walked the Mile Mall. The only thing we purchased down on the strip was an over priced soda. We had a very nice time being together, and after Thursday's dinner, all the walking did us a lot of good.

Saturday we got up and went to Lake Mead, where a hot spring is, and the kids hiked the hills up to some caves, and Kylie fell in the water. Then we went down by the lake and had lunch. We were going to go to Hoover dam, but the suburban decided it wanted a new transmission, so we died on the side of the road about 5 miles from the ranger station, had to call a tow truck and Harvey to come get us...towed the 'burban back into town, came home and got in the hot tub, which decided to stop working too. We have bad luck I guess.

So, yesterday we sat around (when we should have been heading home) and now today we are waiting to hear back on the Suburban...I'll try to keep in touch. When and if we do make it back to Reno, I have a bunch of pictures to upload.

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Jason is x7 years old today!!!! He's the greatest husband, and I hope he has the very best birthday!

Today after work I am heading home to make not 1, but two birthday cakes for him. I don't know why I think I need to punish myself this way, but his two favorite cakes are German Chocolate and carrot cake, so he is getting both.

I am back to work today, and doing ok so far. I never thought that loosing my mom would be so hard, what with her being so sick and all, but it has been really tough. I know she is happier where she's at now, but I am going to miss her A LOT!

A winter storm is BLOWING in. The wind is just howling today. Glad I'm heading to Vegas on Wednesday where the weather is nicer...You know how much I hate snow!

Funeral Sevices for my Mom...

Will be held, Tuesday, November 13 at 11:00am at the Yerington Ward Chapel in Yerington, Nevada.

On a happier note, Anthony's 15th birthday was yesterday. With his money he bought a new i-pod.


We are having cake in a little while to celebrate.

The two little kids had their Primary program today, but I wasn't up to going to church today, so Jason went. He said Rhett was comical, but didn't elaborate.

I have had a migraine since Friday, and am sick to my stomach. This just sucks. I pick my sister, Christy, up at the train station in the morning and we are headed out to dads.

I'll try to keep you posted on what's going on.

1935-2007

My mom passed away this morning.

Time Change...

Don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour on Saturday night!

I have just loved having the time change be so late this year. I hate changing time both spring and fall. Why can't we just stay the way it is?

Small children and dogs can't tell time, so they want to eat when the clock says it isn't time yet, or they don't want to go to sleep when the clock says it is time.

And for a week every 6 months, you're either hungry and it should be time for lunch at work, or you're tired, but it isn't time to go home from work yet, or the day is done, but you still feel like you have another hour to get some work done.

Time changes are just stupid. And I'd like to know how they figure you are saving daylight. There is X amount of daylight no matter what, who cares if it's in the morning or at night? Not me, or my kids, or my dogs.

Whatever...

When my sister lived in Arizona years ago, they didn't have time changes. Even as a teenager I thought that was a good idea, and now as an adult, I think it is an even better idea.

I wonder how many more days there are until the first day of summer?

The day after

I was late leaving work to pick up Anthony yesterday, and then when I got to the school, I practically have to get a release signed by Congress to get your kid out of school, which made me more late, and then when I went to pick up Kylie, she was at recess, and no one could find her. I ended up being about 10 minutes late to the dentist, but all was well. I was super stressed though.

Anthony has no cavities, and Kylie did well getting her first filling.

We went shopping, and by the time I got home, I was beat. So we had TV dinners, and I made Anthony take the kids out around the neighborhood for trick or treating, while I stayed home and gave out candy. Most of the kids that came to our house were like middle school age kids. Sometimes I had to wonder if they were really wearing costumes or not, or if they are just freaks all the time. Most of the girls could have been wearing nothing at all for as much as they did have on. Halloween should be for the little kids, not the trashy teen age kids just looking for freebies. I can already tell when my kids are grown, I will be one of those crabby old ladies that has a dark house on Halloween. The last bunch showed up at like 8:20, after Rhett and Kylie had already gone to bed, so I turned off the lights and locked the door, and did my aerobic workout in the dark and then went to bed.

Still no change in my mom. Dad had to work yesterday, so he didn't get to go see her, but my sister Elaine is there and is planning on camping out until the end. I'll keep you posted.

Jason is off tonight and plans on getting the living room done some more. I hope to sit at my slow home computer and upload some pictures...no promises though...

End of another month

I read on the Internet that Afton Fredrick passed away last Tuesday. She was 90 years old. It's a bad month for that I guess.

Other than my mom, my life has been crazier than usual. I'm just waiting for my breakdown to come, but so far, so good.

Saturday, Jason tore out the ceiling in the living room, and removed the awful insulation that was covered with 6-8 inches of 50 years worth of dust. We went to Home Depot to get all the new insulation, sheet rock, mud, tape, and paint. That took forever and a day, we rushed home so I could make cheesy potato soup for our ward Trunk Or Treat party, and so the kids could get in their costumes. Anthony was a rock star, Kylie a Butterfly fairy, and Rhett was a pirate. I was going to go as a rock star, too, but I didn't have time to make soup and get all the stuff out, and our house was in such disarray, I just didn't make it happen. The trunk or treat was fun though. My co-worker and her son came with us. I have pictures, but I have no idea when I'll get pictures posted (of both the house and the ward party)

Sunday, Jason stayed home from church to try to finish the ceiling, which he didn't and the rest of us went to church. I have been having headaches every day, so I cut out on Sunday school and came home to take something, then went back for RS. I was glad I did, both to get rid of the headache, and because RS was awesome.

Monday was crazy at work, we started a new computer system, and my head just wasn't in the game because of mom. It rained a little on Monday, and when I finally got home, Anthony and I were running around gathering up the Halloween decorations that the wind had blown all over and covering the sheet rock. Jason came home and managed to get the rest of the ceiling insulated, except for 3 strips because he ran out. He is off tomorrow and his dad is coming over to help him, so hopefully we can get everything done up to the tape and mud so on Saturday we can texture, and on the following Saturday we can start to paint. The goal is to have it DONE by the weekend before Thanksgiving so we can decorate for Christmas because we are going to Vegas for Thanksgiving. I'm not holding my breath. Of course, with my mom, any and all plans could be changed.

My sister, Elaine is coming up to stay with dad, and plans on staying until after the funeral. We both thought we'd be ok when it came to this, but we are both wreaks. I have been really relying on the Lord to get me through this.

This afternoon I have to pick Anthony and Kylie up early to take them to the dentist. Kylie has to have a filling, and Anthony is getting a cleaning. The dentist is clear across town. Sometime I think we should move to Sparks since so much of what we do happens over there..

Jason still hasn't heard from the Sheriff's office, we are keeping our fingers crossed.

After the dentist, I have to run to the store to get candy to hand out tonight. I'm hoping I get to bed before 10 tonite....

Mom

The doctors have given her 72-96 hours to live.

My mom

early Friday morning she had a stroke. Things aren't looking good. My dad said the lights are on, but no one is home. She had to have a feeding tube put in, and she is basically unresponsive. She just lays there with her eyes open, but doesn't do anything else.

My dad was at the hospital Saturday and he never called me back, and yesterday, the phone was busy all day...whether he did that to make the world go away, or because he was on the Internet, I don't know. I'll call him later today to get an update.

Things are tough right now for me. I've know she was going to die for a while now, but now that it seems to be getting closer, I'm having a tough time. Just trying to stay busy to keep my mind off her.

I'll keep you updated.

Please just make it all go away....

So Tuesday afternoon, I was taking the car-pool kids home, and right around the corner from my house, the car died while I was driving it, which means, I lost ALL power; no brakes, no steering, nothing. I coasted to the side of the road, put the car in park, and it started right back up. Drove around the block to the house, drove back to work, and had no problems. Strange.

During this, my cramps started to get progressively worse, so after I got off work, I planned to go home and crash for the most part. But that was not to be. Jason called, and his truck totally died outside Sportsman's Warehouse. He called into work, but I had to go pick him up and spend the evening running around trying to get it fixed. I'm so glad I had the crock pot soup on so the kids could eat. We didn't get the truck running and had to run home to meet with the Primary councilor about Rhett starting Scouts, and then we ran back to the truck so we could get it towed to the mechanic. That never happened, because we found out the problem, but by that time it was like 10:30, and no stores that carried the part we needed were open. We had to drive my father-in-law back home way south of town because he was going to help tow it. I didn't get to bed until after mid-night, and then because my cramping was so bad, I never really got any sleep.

So, I called in sick to work yesterday morning. Jason was able to get the part he needed and got his truck ALMOST running. He drove it to the mechanic, I then had to take him to work clear across town, go to the bank because he didn't have a vehicle to do it, had to make it to my nail appt. that was too short of notice to cancel, and got a wonderful migraine in the middle of all this.

I was able to take some migraine pills and avoided the vision sparkle, but my head still hurt a bit and I was so tired. Unfortunately I still had to go shopping so my kids could eat, pick up the kids for the car pool, and get Jason from work.

I managed a 45 minute nap before I had to take Jason to his other job, only to come home to get Rhett and Anthony to the church. It was pack meeting, so I stayed, but I was glad, because visiting with my friends at church helped me at least feel emotionally better, if not loved at least by them. They all know my problems, and they feel for me. I came home, went to bed, and had to get back up at mid-night to go get Jason from work. And of course, someone had to be late for the grave-yard shift, so Jason got off late. I went home and went right back to bed.

Woke up this morning at 4:30 to get myself and everyone else ready, take the two little kids to Grandmas, Anthony to school, and Jason to the mechanic to get the truck.

Now I just feel wiped out, tired, crampy, and wish I could die. Like I said in the post the other day, this should be the last of the crampy crap I have to deal with. At least that's what I'm hoping for. I still have a small residual headache, but I usually do after a migraine, by Saturday I should be feeling better. Aunt Martha will be gone, and the headache will have flushed from my system.

So, enough of my worries and troubles. How are my friends out there?

They should re-name Reno/Sparks

First, they should combine both cities and make one BIG city, and then they need to re-name it DETOUR, Nevada.

You simply can not go ANYWHERE in this area without having to go through some form of a detour.

There are more orange cones than there is sagebrush. They should become the new state flower, or state something...

One wonders why we have such a problem with smog. A car trip that should take 5 minutes, turns into 25 minutes, and going 36 miles out of your way. Longer time and more miles equals more car emissions, which equals more smog, the way I see it.

And a road project that is already going on isn't even completed before they start a new one, just up the road. And we've been told that work on the freeway will begin AGAIN, next year. They should just start on the freeway and never stop, which is really what it seems like anyways.

At all entrances to the state, they need to put up their "ROAD WORK NEXT_____ MILES AHEAD" but have them read "ROAD WORK ON ALL ROADS THRU THE ENTIRE STATE AHEAD". And instead of "DETOUR AHEAD" just have a sign that reads "DETOUR CONTINUES"

That's my rant for today. Just getting to work takes me on two separate detours, and has been ongoing since August, with no end in sight the way I see it. I'm just tired of it. One is going on just outside my window, and I see 5 people standing around, and one man in a big earth mover just sitting there. At the end of the day, it doesn't look like anything has happened. But we still have to "detour" around it. I get on the freeway just to get off again to go around the "closed road".

UUUGGGHHH!!!!

Hopefully this is the last one...

at least for a while. I started my Lupron shot yesterday to stop my body from producing estrogen, and the ugly period that started this morning will hopefully be my last. I have to have a monthly shot for the next 6 months, and they say about 6 -9 months after stopping the shot, periods will usually return, but by that time we hope to be able to afford to have all the parts out, so it won't really matter. With this shot, I am basically going thru a drug induced menopause, so I could experience hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopausal symptoms, but I figure those WAY out-weigh the problems I suffer every month for the first 3 days of my cycle, what with the HEAVY flow, the diarrhea, and the intense pain from the cramps, that no pain med seems to be able to touch. I guess we'll see how it all works out. Wish me luck. It's no fun getting a shot in the butt, but it only hurts for a minute, whereas the above mentioned symptoms last 3 days...

Today is my busy day from the time I get up, until I go to bed. I put a mix of stuff in the crock pot that will hopefully become a yummy chicken enchilada soup. I have to pick up my dry cleaning during lunch, pick up kids at school and do the car pool thing, go to my counseling session, rush home, eat, and then the Primary Councilor over Scouts is coming over to give Rhett all his stuff, cuz he gets to start going tomorrow...Plus, I have work in the middle of all that. Guess I should go do that.

One more month until Jason's birthday

I have already purchased his gift, and it is hiding somewhere in my office. I have also felt the urge to make him a real German chocolate cake. Not one from a box mix. I have a month to work up my nerve for that. Good thing I already took care of the gift. One less worry on my mind...

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Welcome to the slightly new look...

After I posted all the pictures below, I started playing around, and found a ton of cool new features, that are actually easy to use. First time I have found using something on the blog easy, so I am quite excited. Hope you like it... Oh, and I added some links over to the left...now I just need to get more of my friends on this blogging bandwagon so I can add them. I also changed the comments so my other friends that don't blog can at least comment. Hope to hear from you soon. Have fun with all the posted I did tonight. You might want to make sure you have some time...lol.

Scroll down A LOT- I posted a ton of pictures...

I was only going to post a couple of pictures, but then I started going to town, and now most of the current pics are here for your enjoyment, or entertainment, or amusement, which ever way you prefer to look at it...

Jason and Rhett went duck hunting...

Rhett shot 2 mallards. He had so much fun. They went out with my brother-in-law and some of his cop buddies, which Rhett just thought was great since he wants to grow up and be a cop...and he hunted with my brother-in-laws dog, Diva. She did good, as reported by Rhett.

Kirby Sue Scottie Dog

Slowly fazing out the 50+ year old green...

UGLY GREEN WITH WOOD LID!!!! What were the builders thinking? Plus, the ugly thing flushed itself, so we got a nice new one...

It's white, clean, modern, and doesn't flush itself...so much quieter now...

Plus, I'm sure we're saving a ton of money in water now...Next on the agenda other than wall removal, is to have the tub glazed...maybe next year.

Picture Catch-up

Jason...(don't tell him I put this picutre here...he thinks it's awful...)

Pics from Rhett's birthday...



Anthony, Rhett, Kylie...they were actually sitting like this without being posed...

View of what I look at all day long...

My desk...



The west view from my desk...

Rhett makes it up as he goes along...

Rhett loves music, but the poor kid doesn't really have an ear for what is being sung, so he makes up his own words...

For example: "King of Pain" by The Police..."uh, uh, ah, dah, to be the king of pain"

And "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen..."Hey! I have allergies too, another one bites the dust"

He may not know what's being said, but at least with what he's singing keeps us laughing on a nearly daily basis...
:)

Received this e-mail from a friend...

***VICKS VAPORUB...TRY IT, IT WORKS! I wish I'd known this when my family was young during winter colds and coughs. I am going to try it myself. Share with young parents. Isn't life strange. When we had a lecture on Essential Oils, they told us how they foot soles can absorb oils. Their example: Put garlic on your feet and within 20 minutes you can 'taste' it. Some of us have used Vicks Vaporub for years from everything from chapped lips to sore toes and many body parts in between. But I've never heard of this. And don't laugh, it works 100% of the time although the scientists at the Canada Research Council (who discovered it) aren't sure why.

To stop night time coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put Vicks Vaporub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime, then cover with socks. Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. (And there was just a huge recall on children's cold medicine) In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly.

I heard the head of the Canada Research Council describe these findings on the part of their scientists when they were investigating the effectiveness and usage of prescription cough medicines in children as compared to alternative therapies like acupressure. Just happened to tune in to AM Radio and picked up this guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good due to the chemical makeup of these strong drugs, so I listened. It was a surprise finding and found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bedtime, in addition to having a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly.

Polly tired it on herself when she had a very deep constant and persistent cough a few weeks ago and it worked 100%! She said that it felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her, coughing stopped in a few minutes and believe me, this was a deep, (incredibly annoying!) every few seconds uncontrollable cough, and she slept cough-free for hours every night that she used it.

If you have children or grandchildren, pass this on. If you end up sick, try it for yourself and you will be amazed by the effect.***

I don't have any Vicks Vaporub at the moment, but I think I need to go out and get it, my cough kept me up all night last night!!! Can't hurt to try, huh?

21 Years Ago today...

I was standing at Rancho San Rafael Park with hundreds of other LDS Young Women from around the area, letting helium-filled balloons into the air with my testimony attached. Freezing...but having fun...hopeful that someone would get my message and contact me...never did...realize now as an adult, what a great thing that event was. It was the largest gathering of the YM in the world at the time.

I'm here...

I have been soooo busy lately. I have had a ton of good intentions to sit down and blog and post some pictures, but, well, you know...

Rhett's 8th birthday was on September 27. He got books, clothes, and a punching bag (I think so he'll stop punching his sister) and a cordless guitar for Guitar Hero so he and his brother can play together (another reason for afore mentioned punching bag?) He had a good day. He is doing really good in school. I think he has finally realized that reading is actually a fun thing to do. One night, a UNR student was on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and missed a question about "Green Eggs and Ham", so Rhett started reading it to find out what the answer was, cuz I wouldn't tell him, and he ended up reading the thing out loud for over an hour, over and over again. In the month of September, in class, he had to pass 2 AR tests, he did 6. He's at reading at about a 2.6 level.

Anthony is loving high school. His favorite class is German. His least favorite is biology, but when I told him he'd need all those science classes to become a paleontologist someday, his grades came up. He's so good at school though. All A's & B's. He got out of band and now he's in P.E. and has the football coach as his coach. Everyone knows he's Uncle Mark's nephew. Uncle Mark is a math teacher at the school and one of the football coaches. All the other kids think he's lucky. He doesn't think so.

Kylie loves school. So much in fact, one night we were sitting around having a family council and she said "I'm bored, can I do homework?" Crazy girl. Last week was the school's annual Chili Fest, and I think Kylie is little miss popular. All these other little girls were coming up giving her hugs and asking to run off with her to play.

It snowed here on the 28th, much to my dismay. Earliest snow in like 8 years or something like that. I was not happy.

Jason has been busy ripping out more walls in the house. We were going to start on the ceiling, but when he crawled up in the attic, we found we have blown in insulation, so that is going to be more of a project that we had hoped. My house is in total disarray right now, and everything is covered in white dust, and I have no shutters on my front window.

On a happy note, on Saturday, Jason got a letter from the Sheriff's office to go test on October 20. We are keeping our fingers crossed. It's time for him to become a police man.

I am feeling better, but the surgery wasn't a complete success, and on the 22nd I have to start monthly shots that will stop all estrogen production. I do 3 months of shots with 6 months off, with another 3 months, and then we'll see. If the shots don't work, the next step is to take it all out. With my family history, and my own as well, I'm sure in another year or so, I'll be going under the knife to get it all out.

And I have a little cold. Sore throat, achy, stuffy nose. I am taking Alka-Seltzer Cold and Airborne. I have to be stuck in computer training for the next 3 days, so I hope I feel better tomorrow, otherwise, sitting there I may just fall asleep.

Tonight for family home evening we are going to make the t.p. pumpkins similar to what Devanie made. I'll try to post a pic or 2. Which reminds me, we got a new camera, all fancy with bells and whistles, and it works great, but our computer leaves a lot to be desired...

Better now...

Yesterday I made it the whole day without ANY pain relievers! It was/is so nice to be feeling better! I didn't expect the surgery to effect me as badly as it did. I figured I'd be up and back on my feet in no time. I had a blessing before and the thing that stuck out is that my surgeon would be able to fix my problems and that I'd get the needed rest my body has been needing after all the problems I've been thru, so I guess not getting on my feet as fast made me rest more than I would have.

Oh, and I got a new job. Still at the same company, but instead of doing credit, collections, and accounts recievalbes, I am now an assistant to the general manager. I will still be doing the above mentioned duties, but now, I will get to get out with Tommy (the G.M.) and visit existing customers, and try to get new customers, to help increase our sales, I will be learning the new computer system that will be going in next month and training not only the Reno division, but Sacramento, and possibly a couple others, which means travel, and I will be in charge of things like company picnics and Christmas parties. I am really excited about it. Only down-side is that for now, I didn't get a raise. Probably in 90 days...But I am a hard worker and will do whatever I am asked and then some, so I'm sure I'll some kind of raise.

Kids are busy with school, and Jason is busy working. He applied with Washoe Co. Sheriff's office yesterday. Say a pray for him, would you? Thanks friends!

Things are good...

The pathology reports came back, and I do not have cancer! What a relief! I guess other than really bad endrometriosis, I have nothing wrong. I am so grateful. My blessing prior to the surgery told me I would be fine, and it is true.

I go in for my post-op check with the doctor next Wednesday, and I'll get to discuss more with him then. For now, I am just working on getting past the pain I am still having, and the fact that the air they filled me with during my surgery makes me look four months pregnant. Vicoden is my friend right now...and lots of prayers.

Funny how I have to go thru this surgery and the pain and the possiblity of not having my health to bring me closer to Heavenly Father, but I have really felt his love so much for me the past few days.

Just kill me now...

I had my surgery on Thursday, September 6. Today is Monday, September 10. I am still in serious pain, and I took my last Percocet at mid-night. The doctor has called in a refill, but until I can get to the store, I wish I could die.

I have 2 small incisions; one in my belly button, and one lower, on my pubic bone. I had a very large amount of endromitriosis, which he cleaned all out, and found a small stange looking lesion in my utueris he sent for a biopsy. I didn't have to have a period this month since he sucked all the stuff out, but he didn't remove anything at this point. He wants to see how I do in the next few months all natural, and what the biopsy says, and go from there. I wish he would have removed everything on Thursday, because I don't want to have to go thru this pain again. Plus, I really don't want to have to have another period....yuck!

My sister, Elaine, came up and stayed the weekend. She basically kept the kids out of my hair so I could rest as much as possible, and fixed dinner. It was nice. Today is her birthday! Happy Birthday Elaine!!!! XOXO.

Today is really the first day I have been out of bed for more than an hour, and that may have something to do with all the pain. But I had to get back to work. I wish I could have stayed in the hospital for a few more days, just drugged up on Demoral. I had to have a shot of that when I was coming out of my sleep induced surgery, and it was great, no pain, no worries. Great stuff.

My 16th neice was born Saturday morning. Labor was induced on my sister-in-law Friday morning at 7:30, and around 7:30 Saturday morning, Lyndy's temp suddenly elevated,(whose wouldn't after 24 hours in labor?) and the baby turned breach, so they ended up taking the baby by c-section. I saw pictures of her. Lots of dark hair. Her name is Ainsley Kate. They are coming home from the hospital tomorrow.

Busy weekend for the Woodward family...

Not quite a record...but almost

The area has gone 85 days without a trace of moisture. It was finally broken last night when we FINALLY got some rain. 1-1ooth of an inch of rain fell at the airport. It was the second longest stretch without moisture for the area. We got more thunder and lightning than rain, but it was enough to cool things off a little, and make the air smell SOOOOO good. The moisture in the area is actually remnants of hurrican Dean that caused such trouble in Mexico last week. Anthony thought it was cool that we were "in a hurricane". We are praying for more moisture, but it doesn't look like they will be answered yet.

Crazy how in the mid-west they have been getting more rain than they can handle, and we have gotten nothing. Can you say "Signs of the times"?

Cool idea...

Rhett struggles with his spelling words, and getting him to study them is tough on both of us. He gets tired of writing them 3 times each, and we fight to get him to spell them out loud. So I had an idea after seeing something he did in class yesterday...a word search...so I googled "Word Search Puzzle Maker" and came across DiscoverySchool.com, where they have a Puzzlemaker section. I typed in his spelling words, and a puzzle was created for me. It is pretty cool. Thought I'd pass it along. I'll let you know if it helps the poor kid.

I also thought about writing out flash cards, which we did last year, but to change it up a bit, post them through out the house and tell him he has to go find X word and bring it too me.

Do you have any other ideas? Let me know. I'm taking any and all sugestions.

First Day...and a few other pics

I took the day off so I could do the mom thing on the first day of school. I got up and made pancakes, bacon and eggs for breakfast, and helped the kids get ready. Jason took Anthony to his first day of High School, and being the teenager he is, wouldn't let me get a picture...I curled Kylie's hair, which by the way, she got cut last week, and I walked down to the school with them. We already knew what class Rhett was in, but Kylie we had to find out, and I am not happy at all. They have a 2 teacher class with 41 kids in it, and she got unlucky enough to get stuck in that class. I am trying to get her transferred to another class. She will get lost in a class that big because she is such a quite child, plus, the little brat kid that our families don't get along at all who lives down the street is in that class. We'll see what the principal has to say, but this could not be a good year for Kylie. I don't think they should even allow classes that big, no matter how many teachers they have. It's not fair to the kids. I tried to request a teacher at the end of last year, and the office wouldn't let me, so this may be the first year I end up hating our school in 7 years of having kids there. But, anyways, we'll see.




I am having my surgery next Thursday, the 6th. I am having it done through the belly button, and it will be what they call a partial hysterectomy. Fun Fun.

Kim asked...

Nannette, me, Christina...we had dinner together on July 29. Nannette lives in Alaska, with her hubby and 3 girls. Christina lives in Carson with her hubby and 6 month old baby boy. Both are doing really good...it was so good to visit, and we have to have a 20 year reunion in 3 years!!!

Update on myself. I have to have surgery. My ultrasound results came back not showing any polyps or fibroids, but I had more uterine lining than I should have 12 days into my cycle. Doctor says that could be many things, such as growths that just doesn't show up on the ultrasound, clear to possible cancer(my grandmother died of uterine cancer) So, I get to go in for surgery to dilate my cervix, and he will explore with a telescope, and scrape the uterine wall to send for pathology, and cause scar tissue so the lining won't build up and my periods won't be as heavy or painful. If that doesn't work, I may have to have a hysterectomy. I should probably be doing this in the next week or 2. Hopefully before school starts on the 27th, because not only are the kids starting back to school, but so am I 2 days a week...Math 096...Doctor said I'd only be off my feet for 1 day, but with my luck, I'd miss class and get totally behind. But, whatever, I just know I'm sick to death of having periods from hell every 24 days. The cost of feminine protection alone is killing me. I'm soaking them in about 1 hour for the first 3 days...and the pain is so bad, I have to take 4-5 Midol.

Oh, I forgot to mention how AWESOME the ballet was. For being 59, Mikhail is in perfect shape, and moves just as good as he did 40 years ago when he was still in Russia (he danced with an old video in the backgroud)it was so amazing to be watching probably one of the greatest dancers of all times in person. I posted a picture from the program in the post I did below...labeled "Nice Suprise"

Who are the people in these pictures?

More Pics...

Finally some pics...

This week could kill me...

Well, Anthony made it home safe and sound, having survived Scout Camp. He had a good time, but he made it a vacation, and only did one merit badge...he is so close to his Eagle, we are a little disappointed in him. He was pretty dirty and smelled really bad, so we made him get in the shower right away, and throw away all his socks.

I had dinner with Christina Alvarado and Nannette Pickles last night, from high school. Nannette lives in Alaska with her hubby and 3 girls. It was so great to get together. Tried to get Tracy Lyman to go with me, but she had been at Tahoe all weekend and wanted to stay home to get some things done and spend time with her honey.

Today, Anthony got called into work, I have my ultrasound to try to find out what is going on with all my female problems, we have the ballet tonight. This may be the only time I have to sit down today...

Tomorrow I have to go with Anthony to his new High school to meet with the councilor and get his schedule set and get everything in order for that...then he has to be to work at 11, then there is swimming lessons for the little ones, and Jason and I will be starting our marriage counseling tomorrow night.

Wednesday, being the 1st, I will be very busy here at work getting statements out. Thursday, Anthony is at work again...

But Friday, I am taking a day off to head out to Wild Island with the kids, and a friend from church is going to come over and let me use her vacuum because mine doesn't suck any more. It really sucks to have a vacuum that doesn't suck.

Anyways, I should get to work since it's such a busy day. I'll try to post the picture of Chris, Nan and I, but no promises.

I finished it.

I just finished reading Harry Potter! WOW! It was great! The best book in the series by far!

Nice surprise!

In an effort to do nice things for each other, and remember that little things mean a lot, Jason has surprised me with tickets to go see Mikhail Baryshnikov with his troupe Hell's Kitchen on Monday at the Pioneer Theater! I am so excited. It will be so great to see such a great dancer in person. I hope we have good seats! I guess we are going with my father-in-law and his wife, Kathy. I can hardly wait!!!!

What should I wear?

A day in the life...

Up yesterday at 5 am to have Anthony to the church by 5:30 to leave for Scout Camp. He will be home on Saturday sometime. I had to sign his life away so he could be in the shotgun merit badge class, now that he's fourteen, he can do that. Not that he hasn't already been shooting shotguns and rifles and handguns since he was about 4...hello, he was born into a hunting family...

Was late for work because after I came home from dropping A off, I just didn't want to start getting ready for my day. When I finally did get my butt to work (15 mins. late) I had to really rush because I got to experience the wonderful joy of going to the doctor for my annual gyn check up. My monthly's have been evil lately, and they think I may have fibroids or am starting the early stages of "the changes". I could be so lucky. I get to go have an ultrasound and a mammogram now...Fun.

A catalog that Jason has been waiting weeks for finally came, so I had to come home, fix dinner for the younger two, while I was standing in the kitchen reading Harry Potter, and then take the catalog to Jason, and take him to get dinner. While he was eating dinner in the Burban, we sat and watched a bunch of thugs getting in and out of their van where it was very appearant they were smoking, but they weren't smoking ciggarettes...smelled like skunk...so later in the evening, Jason got the ask them all to leave the bowling alley because they were all high. Idiots.

So Jason got the Harry Potter book for Anthony on Saturday at midnight, and I told him he couldn't take it camping, because I didn't want it to get ruined or lost, plus I want to read it. I have to get it done by Saturday so I can be done with it so we don't fight over it. Plus, I would love to know what happens and hold it over his head. Hope I can finish it. I stayed up until 10:30 reading last night....

Oh, and I pulled Kylie's tooth Sunday morning, bringing her total count to 5 now...now all she wants for summer is her 1 front tooth...I have to take and try to post a picture. Her smile is a little scary right now...poor girl.

This blogger is not working...

I tried to post yesterday, but it isn't showing...what's up?

Up in smoke

There is a fairly large fire burning west of Reno. It started Monday afternoon, and due to the weather and the terrain, it is still burning. The smoke is blowing right over my office, and my allergies are just about killing me. Almost the entire area is covered in ash. Hopefully the fire gets contained soon. What's weird, is this is about the 4th or 5th fire to have burned in this area of town this season. The area is called Caughlin Ranch, and is full of very expensive homes and is where all the rich folk live. Makes me wonder what the Lord has against this area of town...

Things are looking up. Every day is a new day and offers a new set of problems and Jason and I are living life on a roller coaster, but we are starting to have more good days than bad ones. We have a great bishop helping us, our families are being very supportive, and we will be starting counseling soon.




Just as an update because I was so excited about it and it ended up being so great, our trip to Vegas for the Police concert was AWESOME! Vegas was super hot, and we spent more money then we probably should have, but it was great to get away from the problems at home for a while, and the concert was by far the best concert I have ever gone to. The arena was sold out, so it was packed and loud, but there was a huge international following (we were surrounded by British folk). The band played great, the sound was great, the stage set up was great so that even though we were behind the stage, we saw everything. They played all the big hits, starting with Message in a Bottle (one of my favorite, and Rhett's all time favorite), and had 3 oncores. I got Rhett a t-shirt he lived in for about 3 days, and a lanyard he still wears almot every day. And I bought t-shirts for Anthony and I. I also bought a book bag to use for school this fall. I spent over $100 on concert momentos. But I figured, what the heck, they will probably never tour again, and I'll probably never go to another concert by the Police. Rhett had to have been the youngest person there. I saw 2 or 3 teenage kids, but no other 7 year olds. Some people made some rude comments I overhead about bringing such a young kid to a concert, but for the most part, people were like totally excited that a kid so young would like a band so old and would want to come to a concert. People were talking to him and high-fiving him and that. It was cool, and an event Rhett will remember for the rest of his life. Now, whenever we hear a Police song on the radio or satallite, he comments, "I went to that concert."

Anyways, my "Aunt" is in town, and I'm misserable today...Such fun! But I want you to know, I am still here, doing a bit better, but yeah, prayers are still needed and much appreciated. Hey, Jans, with you and your hubby going to the temple so much, maybe you could put mine and Jason's names on the prayer roll?

I need your prayers...

Jason and I have hit a VERY large bump in the road, basically it's a granite mountain. I'm not so sure we're going to make it this time. Can my dear sweet friends pray for us? Can you go to the temple for us? (Jason hasn't been able to go since our marriage, and I have now lost my recommend) My faith is wavering and I can't do it on my own. I know the Lord has given us friends to be there when He can't be, and I probably need you more than I have ever needed friends in my life.

Thank you!

First weekend in June...

Kylie learned how to ride her bike without training wheels!!!!

Rhett and Anthony were working on their bikes (new innertubes, new brake cables, etc) and Rhett needed some bolts, so the felt he could use the ones that were holding Kylie's training wheels on, forcing Kylie to figure out how to ride without them. Jason worked with her for a few minutes, and she'd go several feet, but she is a hard one to deal with, and Jason doesn't have much patience with her, so she figured it out on her own, and now she's gone!!!!

Anthony had fun at Six Flags. He found out all his friends are adrenelin junkies, so he went on all most all the roller coasters, and I think after 14 1/2 years on this earth, he may finally be coming out of his "safety zone". He actually had fun. Anthony is a super caution, carefull child, which I guess is good, but he won't even climb trees...They didn't get back to Reno until after 10:00pm. He only spent money on food. Strange child...

Saturday, Jason and Rhett went on direction in the valley to baseball. Rhett went 2 for 3, but they ended up loosing 11-6. Baseball is over now until the fall... The rest of us went the other side of the valley to, where else, Wild Island. We had fun. Anthony and I played in the waves on the tube a ton, pushing each other off, trying to dunk each other, etc, and in the waves, and now I am so sore! Trying to stay afloat in the waves is a great work out.

Sunday, I managed to keep my usuall migraine away with a ton of drugs. I was in charge of sharing time, so I had to kill it. A boy in our Primary was baptized on Saturday. His family is Tongan and Hawaiian, and like half of the two islands were in Sacrament yesterday. Fast and testimony meeting wasn't fast, but it was soooo good and so full of the spirit, and that spirit carried over in to my sharing time for the junior primary. I did a "concentration" game with picutres representing baptism. I called children up who were being reverent to pick 2 pictures, and the first 2 pictures were not a match, but from the second kid on, they turned over every match. One of the teachers figured out the odds of getting a match to be like 1 in 135,135. And the last match they got, was the one that should be the last one, and it was just so awesome. I'm sure you really had to be there, but it was amazing and totally cool.

The weather is starting to cool down, which makes me sad, and it's looking to be ugliest on Wednesday, when I took the day off to attend Kylie's kindergarden graduation, and go to Wild Island as soon as the kids get out of school...it's the last day...oh, well, maybe I'll just stay home and take a nap...

Spud Bunny

I think I have failed to mention the new family member...Spud Bunny Woodward. He was the classroom pet in Rhett's class this year, but the teacher is going to a different school next year, and didn't want to take Spud, so we got him. At first I really didn't want another animal, I mean, after all, I already have 7...(husband, 3 kids, 3 dogs) and I was worried about Rhett having the responsibility, but I have to admit, I love the little guy already, and Rhett is doing a great job so far. The first several days he was very timid and didn't do much, but I think he is starting to settle in and his personality is coming out. He likes to tip his food bowl over, upside down, for whatever reason, and then he can't get to his food. I've seen him do it twice now, and it's pretty funny how he puts his front paws on the edge of the bowl and flips it over.

The first day we had him home last week, I gave him a small carrot, and he really had no idea what to do with it, but we persisted, and now he loves them, he eats them up quickly and quite loudly.

We waited a few days to introduce the dogs and Spud. The 2 chocolate labs just sniffed him and could have cared less, Kirby on the other hand, went crazy and is still trying to climb Rhett's dresser to get at him. You can tell the labs are bred for bird hunting and scottie dogs are bred for vermin hunting.

Anyways, I'll try to post a picture someday...

Not much...

Not much happening today. Met with the principal and Rhett today. He has recess detention for the rest of the year (4 1/2 more days), and can't go on the school field trip to Roller Kingdom tomorrow. We already know who his teacher is for next year...Mrs. Wilkinson...she is really good with kids like Rhett, and all involved think he will really benefit from her. Also, his resource will take place in the classroom next year instead of him going to the resource room, which I think will help keep him focused better. It's like his mind gets lost when he changes classrooms. His reading level has exceeded what we planned for, and the principal said he is probably in the top 10 most improved students in the entire school.

Anthony has an 8th grade award/graduation ceremony tonight...glad he does good in school, but I'm not looking forward to sitting on the bleachers again.

Tomorrow Anthony is headed to Six Flags with his band. I'm jealous. Wish I could have afforded to go. Have to have him at the school at 6 am, and they may not be back until around 9 or 10 pm.

Finally Hot...!!!!

My desk top temp gauge says it's 92*. I think I have to believe it. My office faces south-eastish, and gets sun ALL day long. The general manager is trying to cut costs, and the A/C was nixed, so I am sweltering. I have a tiny fan on, but it isn't helping much. Too bad I can't be at Wild Island when it's this warm, but unfourtunately, it's not open today, and I'm stuck here...only 45 more mins. I can make it, then I can get in my A/C car and go home to my A/C house.... It's not really bad, it's just making me more tired than normal. I'm actually very happy it's warm.

Speaking of warm, I'm really glad the burmuda short look is coming back. The capri's have been wonderful, and now long shorts are cool again. I'm so happy. I have 2 pairs in black, and I'm going to head back to the mall tonight to get some white and brown ones. Plus, they are appropriate for work, which is nice considering the previous paragraph...

Have to meet with the Principal tomorrow morning. I'll let you know how that goes.

The Start of Summer!

We enjoyed a very nice 3 day weekend.

Saturday I had lunch with Christina at Olive Garden. Then we sat and visited for like 3 hours. It was so nice to catch up and visit. We both agreed that we do this once a month from now on.

Saturday night I went out with my friend Heather and danced. We had a blast, but some guy kept trying to pick up on me, and wouldn't get the hint I wasn't interested. Jason was no help. He just laughed. I think he was flattered some guy thought his wife was atractive. Whatever...

Sunday, after church, we had Heather over for dinner, we bbq'ed a tri-tip that was so yummy. Jason is so good in the kitchen. Then we drove down to visit some friends that live in Coleville. While there we (not me) played pool, and watched a movie and enjoyed each others company.

Yesterday we spent the entire day at Wild Island, even Jason came! No one suffered any sun burns, but Kylie scratched her back on the bottom of the wave pool when a wave tipped her tube over. We had so much fun, though. The park was packed, so swimming was hard in the wave pool, so I just laid in the sun and enjoyed the beautiful warm weather we were blest with on Memorial Day, the first time in about 6 years.

We came home and bbq'ed hamburgers, then Jason took me out for Dairy Cream ice cream after dinner. We drove around eating it and talking and enjoying being together without the kids. Plus we didn't want to have to explain why we had ice cream and they didn't. We also had to return movies and didn't want to fight the kids on not getting more movies.

Today Jason is doing his physical agility test with UNR PD. He had to be there at 7:30. Haven't heard from him yet, so I hope things are going well. I really hope he gets hired on this time around.

Rhett got suspended from school on Friday for fighting. This was the second time this week he got in a fight. The kid is a bully and doesn't know when to stop. He had perfect attendance all year, and now this. He is ready for school to be out, but this is bad. Jason and I are so mad at him. He has lost a lot of things. He gets to finish out baseball, because he has an obligation to the team, but the Police concert is iffy, and he will be doing summer school. He is also not allowed to go to the end of year skating party, or have any more recesses. School gets out next Wednesday. Little brat! I'd like to kill him, but don't have that option.