I can't believe this many weeks has gone by since I blogged.
www.MyMemories.com has offered me the opportunity to share with my followers The new My Memories Suite Software digital download (a $40 value) free this week only. Just go to their website and place the Suite in your cart. Copy and paste this link: FreeTreatEE49 in the "promotional code" box. The discount will show up at checkout.
I have to admit, I am taking myself up on the offer and downloading the new software as we speak. I have used a previous version. I loved that rather than have to print my digital pages and put them in my scrapbooks, which I could never get all of them out of my house in a fire, I can save the pages to a cd and easily handle grabbing my cd's if I had to get out in a hurry. Pictures can be set to music as well and viewed as slideshows. There are tons of options for digital papers and embellishments and it's a great stress reliever too. I'm hoping to alleviate the guilt I feel about not recording memories as much as I feel I should. I have tons of paper scrapbooking products I have purchased over the years - I will use those for the pictures I have already printed or had developed -but I am going to be use this software for all the pictures I have not printed on paper, but am afraid I will lose from my phone or camera cards. Hope you can enjoy it too!
August was a whirlwind of last minute summer events. After our journey to Napa Valley - which I believe was the last time I took a moment to blog, we flew home on Kylee's 7th birthday.
Grandma and Grandpa Hunt had flown out while we were in Napa and stayed a few days with us. I had to work part days to make up for missing two of the three required teacher work days because of my niece's wedding events in Washington on the 23rd and 24th of August.
We drove back Sunday night and school began on Monday, August 26th, which was Lexi's 10th birthday. This year, all 5 of my children began at new schools without us moving homes. Steven and Chalyse both transferred to the University of Utah from Salt Lake Community College. McKenzi started Middle School, which is 7th grade in our district. Kylee and Lexi transferred from Westland to the school I started working at last December.
It was neat that when lunch time came, I was able to sit with Lexi in the cafeteria to celebrate. She had wanted me to bring a birthday cake for her class. I was not sure how I was going to handle getting a cake for her after having to drive 10 hours on Sunday to make it home - but we were offered an extra cake left over from the wedding so Lexi got her cake.
It has been a challenge to keep up with the house and yard work and be at school 32 hours a week, but I truly feel like I have the best work situation for my family. I get to be with my two youngest all day long - not directly, but they usually have an opportunity to wave at me, or blow me a kiss, or even come give me a hug during the day. Kylee was able to find me when she hurt her eye on the playground or lost her tooth during lunch last week.
We have figured out that it causes a lot less stress to pay the 80 cents for breakfast, than to try to get something healthy made for the girls and have them done eating by the time I need to leave for work - so the girls just get themselves dressed, hair done, teeth brushed and we arrive at the school a half hour before school starts. They go eat breakfast with the other kids - most of the kids of staff at the school are also eating and my girls have become friends with many of them.
After school, Lexi has band Tuesdays and Thursdays until 4pm so Kylee and I hang out in my office while she does homework or helps me color materials.
I have a manageable caseload and enough time to plan ahead.
I love that I work the same days and almost same hours as my kids have school and that I have them with me. The kids I see are great to work with and I feel like I am changing their lives for the better! I think my principal placed me well when he put me on the Sunshine Committee. We are planning to have a family work party in our back yard to celebrate the end of the school year - and I have to admit, there are moments when I find myself looking forward to having next summer off again. Summer is my favorite season and it has been hard to see it go!
Trent is recovering from his torn rotator cuff surgery (something we didn't know he was having until after the surgery was over. We thought he was just having a scope to remove some bone spurs. He woke up to being in a sling, with a pain pump, and weeks of physical therapy to endure). It hasn't kept him down at work. Against doctor recommendations, he flew to Virginia 3 days after the surgery to fulfill his previous commitments. I admire his tenacity and strength. I don't think I could have handled the pain.
I'm looking forward to getting my stitches out from my own minor surgery tomorrow. We had a wonderful time at the Fall Ball yesterday! It's great to have awesome friends and have opportunities to catch up with neighbors we don't see often enough!
Until next time, I'm going to go scrapbook before church!
Valerie
Our Amazing Journey
Butterfield Canyon Oct 2012
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Friday, August 9, 2013
A stay at the Silverado Resort in Napa Valley
Trent is off to his classes and I am getting ready to work on writing my book. Something I haven't worked on all summer.
Looks like I will be back at work next week for 2 legislative days at $200 a day, after 4 hours of IPAD training on the 13th. Then the 19th through 22nd I will be putting in time at work. I have loved my summer vacation and am sad to have it end!
My in-laws are flying in today. We got a call last night with the somewhat unexpected news. I hadn't heard back that they had been able to make arrangements and didn't want to pressure them to come if the flights were too expensive being last minute. I feel bad that I didn't get things arranged for them before I left.
I did leave some money for Steven, our 22 year old, to purchase tv dinners or the like, but he had given the money away to the neighbor for a fundraiser, before our 2 hour flight had landed in San Francisco. He figures they'll live on eggs and pancakes - the girls aren't real happy about that. Grandma and Grandpa will either save the day, or join in with the plan. I did leave them with plenty of bread, milk, cereal, peanut butter and lunch meat and cheese, mac and cheese, corn dogs, and spagettios. I don't think they'll starve, right?
So yesterday, our flight landed around 1pm Cali time - 2pm our time. I hadn't eaten since 8am breakfast - other than the little package of pretzels and a 8 oz. of Fresca on the plane. I figured we'd grab lunch at the airport. By the time we took the air train to the car rental place - and let me just say, I have never seen that many people trying to rent cars on a Thursday afternoon in one place. Apparently, it's pretty standard this time of year. Enterprise had the shortest line so Trent booked with the right agency. Even so, we didn't get our car until 3pm which mean I hadn't eaten for 8 hours with the time change (the pretzel snack doesn't count!). By that time, I was so shaky and weak that the car attendant offered me some of her dried fruit as a snack and gave us directions to the quickest and closest restaurants. Trent decided, however, that it was 2 minutes out of the way and that we should find something on the way to Napa. It turned out that this wasn't as easy as he thought it would be and I was feeling quite uncared for since he seemed to care less about me than the car attendant had.
I have decided that when I get feeling like this, that I don't act like my normal together self. I was so upset with Trent by the time he got off the freeway and got us to this little Italian eatery somewhere between here and there.
I got a vegetarian panini and he had the special tuna spagetti with capers. The interesting thing to me was that the employee directions were 100% Spanish - the only thing Engish on the instructional signs was "Department of California Public Safety." It was an Italian Restaurant too. Interesting place, and surprisingly good spagetti. My panini was awesome with grilled peppers and tomatoes. I'm still trying to eat healthy!
Dinner was the appetizers at the cocktail meet and greet. My gingerale and grilled vegetables, mushrooms, hummus and breads were delicioso - but we also had our share of fried coconut shrimp, beef tarts, and egg rolls - so I can't say the meal fare was completely non-fattening! I am trying hard not to put on weight while taking this prednisone!
I've gotta get some stuff done to help Steven with scouts from afar.
And then, I really do need to work on my book!
That's all she wrote for now.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Adrenal Insuffienciency and what it means to me!
My fasting scare a couple weeks ago, has led to discovering that all my various symptoms actually add up to something. Imagine that!
The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency usually begin gradually. The most common symptoms are
- chronic, worsening fatigue
- muscle weakness
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
Other symptoms can include
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- low blood pressure that falls further when standing, causing dizziness or fainting
- irritability and depression
- a craving for salty foods due to salt loss
- hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose
- headache
- sweating
- in women, irregular or absent menstrual periods
I was beginning to wonder if it was in my head and many things I wrote off to a flu bug, or IBS, or going back to work and having difficulty sleeping.
Apparently, my cortisol study results from the hospital last week indicate that my cortisone levels are low. This indicates that my adrenal gland is not doing its job sufficiently and who knew all that could happen because of that little gland.
I also learned that my Great Aunt had Addison's disease which is caused by chronically lower cortisone levels. An Addison's crisis can be fatal so it's not something to be untreated.
I began Prednisone yesterday - two little pills a day that no matter how fast you try to swallow them, leave an after taste that is horrid. I'm not thrilled about taking a steroid but am told I won't bulk up or sprout facial hair, but I may gain weight. Joy! I hadn't lost as much as I would have liked from this low cortisone stuff, so, not thrilled about that!
I follow up with an endocrinologist in a couple weeks when they had an appointment for me. Hopefully, this isn't a life long, medical alert bracelet kind of thing mentioned in the information I read on line: http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/addison/addison.aspx#special
I've been told by 6 different medical doctors and personnel that I should not be fasting. Apparently the stress it causes my body is too much for it. The natural man in me is thrilled, but the spiritual one is sad. A friend recommended just sacrificing something I would normally eat - maybe just eating fruits and vegetables on Fast Sundays or to fast for personal religious reasons. I think that is a good answer.
You hear over the years about getting older and the health issues, but it's still hard to deal with. Apparently kids have this little problem as well - so I guess I should be grateful that it has taken this long in my life before it was bad enough that I had to do something to treat it. It honestly could explain all my fainting and dizzy spells over the years, intestinal stuff I've been dealing with and written off as IBS, lower blood pressure.
That's it for my ramblings today!
Valerie
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Heart Health
Fasting has been something that I have done regularly on a monthly basis where we take the money saved on food and give it to charity to help those who are struggling. Occasionally, we are asked as part of our church to fast for additional purposes. Our former pastor and neighbor was recently diagnosed with aggressive leukemia and we were asked to join in a ward fast if we would like to. I was happy to do so. I've also heard through educational sources that fasting is good for the body on occasion as well.
We were asked to begin our fast at 4pm and close it the following day after church at 4pm. About 2pm the following day, I began to have symptoms that scared me. I experienced splotchy vision and a feeling that I might pass out. I decided I needed to do something for my own well-being and drank some juice and had a few chips. Following this, my left arm went numb and I had a headache that throbbed, especially if I lowered my head. After joining the congregation at the church to end the fast, I then ate a normal meal.
The following day, after a regular breakfast of raisin bran, I went to a clinic to participate in a University Study comparing women who had given birth to healthy babies with those who had had babies with cleft-palates. I was part of the norm group, having had 5 healthy babies. After drawing my blood for future DNA studies, my blood pressure was taken repetitively for 10 minutes. After which I was told that my blood pressure was low. I told the nurse that my blood pressure was usually at the low end of normal. She said, "This isn't the low end of normal, this is very low!" She mentioned that the lowest reading was 70 over 50 and the other 3 were 80's over 60's. I had a headache at this time as well, and suddenly I connected that maybe all my symptoms over the past months may have been blood pressure related.
I have had numerous headaches lately, been tired, had blurred vision, and coupled with the symptoms during fasting that may have effected my blood pressure, I decided it was time to see my doctor. During surgery to remove the tumor on my thigh last month, the monitors went off repeatedly due to low blood pressure.
My doctor is in the process of running numerous blood tests which included a cortisol study that meant I had to have an IV through which cortisol was administered and blood was drawn 4 times with 30 minutes in between. He said my heart beat is uncommonly slow, my EKG was abnormal (not the first time this has happened), and had 3 vials of blood drawn at the office to check anything that might be related.
I use reading glasses because of my 45 year old eyes, but my far vision has always been excellent. Lately, I've had blurred vision that changes - maybe due to blood pressure. I hope we can get this figured out soon, because I've had to consider that with the vision changes, I may not be a safe driver. If I can't drive, I can't work, get my kids to Jordan Hills, etc. Joy! I can't imagine losing my independence, especially since I've already lived through 16 weeks of not driving while my right foot was in a boot and my doctor would not clear me to drive.
I've never thought I was above the law and figured it would be just my luck to get pulled over or in an accident if I'm not doing the right thing... so I try to follow the law. My ex husband wouldn't hesitate to write me a ticket so I figure I'd better live right!
I hope we'll figure things out soon and that it won't be anything serious!
We were asked to begin our fast at 4pm and close it the following day after church at 4pm. About 2pm the following day, I began to have symptoms that scared me. I experienced splotchy vision and a feeling that I might pass out. I decided I needed to do something for my own well-being and drank some juice and had a few chips. Following this, my left arm went numb and I had a headache that throbbed, especially if I lowered my head. After joining the congregation at the church to end the fast, I then ate a normal meal.
The following day, after a regular breakfast of raisin bran, I went to a clinic to participate in a University Study comparing women who had given birth to healthy babies with those who had had babies with cleft-palates. I was part of the norm group, having had 5 healthy babies. After drawing my blood for future DNA studies, my blood pressure was taken repetitively for 10 minutes. After which I was told that my blood pressure was low. I told the nurse that my blood pressure was usually at the low end of normal. She said, "This isn't the low end of normal, this is very low!" She mentioned that the lowest reading was 70 over 50 and the other 3 were 80's over 60's. I had a headache at this time as well, and suddenly I connected that maybe all my symptoms over the past months may have been blood pressure related.
I have had numerous headaches lately, been tired, had blurred vision, and coupled with the symptoms during fasting that may have effected my blood pressure, I decided it was time to see my doctor. During surgery to remove the tumor on my thigh last month, the monitors went off repeatedly due to low blood pressure.
My doctor is in the process of running numerous blood tests which included a cortisol study that meant I had to have an IV through which cortisol was administered and blood was drawn 4 times with 30 minutes in between. He said my heart beat is uncommonly slow, my EKG was abnormal (not the first time this has happened), and had 3 vials of blood drawn at the office to check anything that might be related.
I use reading glasses because of my 45 year old eyes, but my far vision has always been excellent. Lately, I've had blurred vision that changes - maybe due to blood pressure. I hope we can get this figured out soon, because I've had to consider that with the vision changes, I may not be a safe driver. If I can't drive, I can't work, get my kids to Jordan Hills, etc. Joy! I can't imagine losing my independence, especially since I've already lived through 16 weeks of not driving while my right foot was in a boot and my doctor would not clear me to drive.
I've never thought I was above the law and figured it would be just my luck to get pulled over or in an accident if I'm not doing the right thing... so I try to follow the law. My ex husband wouldn't hesitate to write me a ticket so I figure I'd better live right!
I hope we'll figure things out soon and that it won't be anything serious!
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Girl's Camp Survival Stories
My last two weeks can be summed up in two words: "Girl's Camp." As the Camp Cook, I have been bombarded with thoughts of food, food, food. The challenge is to get as close to running out of food as we can, without actually doing that.
My family and I returned home from Yellowstone on Saturday morning about 1:00 a.m. After traveling to Provo for my niece's baby shower, it was time to get started on preparation for girl's camp. I spent the next days planning shopping lists, shopping and cooking Café Rio pulled pork, black beans, cilantro lime dressing, barbecue pulled pork for sandwiches, and taco meat and more..
My sweetie pie was kind enough to smoke and cook the chicken for our Chicken Alfredo night, and prepare the 10 pounds of potatoes left over from youth conference by baking them and cubing them for an easier prep at camp. Incidentally, my own family lived off of leftovers and frozen meals. They didn't complain, but I have felt a bit guilty about how that all turned out.
I took a couple Youth Camp Leaders (YCL's) with me to get the last minute items. Lindsey H. and Aspen are fun and amazing and a huge help!
The other YCL's: Cassidy and Melissa H. were a huge help at camp. Melissa came home with me after and helped me unpack and pass our leftovers over to the scouts for their campouts afterward. I am so impressed.
Funny Stories:
1) My Zip-line adventure... not! I have always wanted to do a zip-line - at least since it was "invented." The idea of zipping through a remote jungle has somehow appealed to me. So, when I heard that part of the new ropes course was a zip line, I was anxious to be a part of it.
I was even more excited when I realized our group of 8 girls was the first of the morning to do it. Imagine my dismay as I looked up and realized that the only way to get to the zip line was to tight rope 25 feet across a cable about 20 feet up in the air. That almost changed my mind.
Pulling the safety harness up over my incision in my upper thigh from a tumor removal 4 weeks ago, almost caused me to back out, but the pain was almost non-existant, so I arranged it hoping it wouldn't touch that area.
Bro. Burt asked me to assist Bro. Cutler in holding the girls who were harnessed in to keep them safe. I was his right-hand assistant. I had to stay to his right, pick up the rope slack and keep an eye on the girl's as they moved across the cable. They all did. By the time it was my turn to go last, my neck, from my car accident injury, was aching and again, I was contemplating not making the attempt.
Bro. Cutler then told me that after doing this job for 6 hours the day before, he was already feeling fatigued. He asked me to go find Anthony, a 21 year old RM, to come spell him. This was yet another straw on my pile of reasons not to make the attempt.
The whistle blew, indicating that it was time to change stations and the next group came. It was at that time, that I was told it was my turn to go. I made the climb up pretty quickly, took my first step out on the cable and my leg shook so bad from the weight of my body that I wasn't sure how I could possibly make it across the cable. I grabbed hold of the rope and attempted to turn my body around on the cable to be in a better position to grab the ropes to go across. In doing so, I got out of balance and to save myself from falling, I sat down on the cable. Then I tried to pull my body back up. My neck fatigue and lack of enough upper body strength to pull my body back up was too much. After only a step out on the line, I was told to lean forward and they gently and slowly lowered me down to the ground.
It wasn't too much later that Bro. Burt came to tell me that my 12 year old daughter, McKenzi has bragging rights in our house because she made it all the way across, as did most everyone else!
That's okay, because I'm going to go find myself a zip line that doesn't require any extra effort to get to it and enjoy the ride that this 45 year old body has earned after the surgeries and car accidents!
2) Memories come alive again: Okay - maybe this one isn't funny, but it was worth the whole trip!
I had to make an ice run during the first night's devotional, but on day two, I was able to attend. This event made all my sacrifices as camp cook, well worth it. The woman who wrote a song that kept me going through my youth spoke about how the song came to be.
My family and I returned home from Yellowstone on Saturday morning about 1:00 a.m. After traveling to Provo for my niece's baby shower, it was time to get started on preparation for girl's camp. I spent the next days planning shopping lists, shopping and cooking Café Rio pulled pork, black beans, cilantro lime dressing, barbecue pulled pork for sandwiches, and taco meat and more..
My sweetie pie was kind enough to smoke and cook the chicken for our Chicken Alfredo night, and prepare the 10 pounds of potatoes left over from youth conference by baking them and cubing them for an easier prep at camp. Incidentally, my own family lived off of leftovers and frozen meals. They didn't complain, but I have felt a bit guilty about how that all turned out.
I took a couple Youth Camp Leaders (YCL's) with me to get the last minute items. Lindsey H. and Aspen are fun and amazing and a huge help!
The other YCL's: Cassidy and Melissa H. were a huge help at camp. Melissa came home with me after and helped me unpack and pass our leftovers over to the scouts for their campouts afterward. I am so impressed.
Funny Stories:
1) My Zip-line adventure... not! I have always wanted to do a zip-line - at least since it was "invented." The idea of zipping through a remote jungle has somehow appealed to me. So, when I heard that part of the new ropes course was a zip line, I was anxious to be a part of it.
I was even more excited when I realized our group of 8 girls was the first of the morning to do it. Imagine my dismay as I looked up and realized that the only way to get to the zip line was to tight rope 25 feet across a cable about 20 feet up in the air. That almost changed my mind.
Pulling the safety harness up over my incision in my upper thigh from a tumor removal 4 weeks ago, almost caused me to back out, but the pain was almost non-existant, so I arranged it hoping it wouldn't touch that area.
Bro. Burt asked me to assist Bro. Cutler in holding the girls who were harnessed in to keep them safe. I was his right-hand assistant. I had to stay to his right, pick up the rope slack and keep an eye on the girl's as they moved across the cable. They all did. By the time it was my turn to go last, my neck, from my car accident injury, was aching and again, I was contemplating not making the attempt.
Bro. Cutler then told me that after doing this job for 6 hours the day before, he was already feeling fatigued. He asked me to go find Anthony, a 21 year old RM, to come spell him. This was yet another straw on my pile of reasons not to make the attempt.
The whistle blew, indicating that it was time to change stations and the next group came. It was at that time, that I was told it was my turn to go. I made the climb up pretty quickly, took my first step out on the cable and my leg shook so bad from the weight of my body that I wasn't sure how I could possibly make it across the cable. I grabbed hold of the rope and attempted to turn my body around on the cable to be in a better position to grab the ropes to go across. In doing so, I got out of balance and to save myself from falling, I sat down on the cable. Then I tried to pull my body back up. My neck fatigue and lack of enough upper body strength to pull my body back up was too much. After only a step out on the line, I was told to lean forward and they gently and slowly lowered me down to the ground.
It wasn't too much later that Bro. Burt came to tell me that my 12 year old daughter, McKenzi has bragging rights in our house because she made it all the way across, as did most everyone else!
That's okay, because I'm going to go find myself a zip line that doesn't require any extra effort to get to it and enjoy the ride that this 45 year old body has earned after the surgeries and car accidents!
2) Memories come alive again: Okay - maybe this one isn't funny, but it was worth the whole trip!
I had to make an ice run during the first night's devotional, but on day two, I was able to attend. This event made all my sacrifices as camp cook, well worth it. The woman who wrote a song that kept me going through my youth spoke about how the song came to be.
Walk Tall, You’re a Daughter of God
1. Right now I have a prayer deep within my heart,
A prayer for each of you there is a special part.
That you remember who you are and Him who lives above.
Please seek for Him and live His way; you’ll feel His love.
Chorus:
Walk tall, you’re a daughter, a child of God.
Be strong—please remember who you are.
Try to understand, You’re part of His great plan.
He’s closer than you know—reach up, He’ll take your hand.
2. Long before the time you can remember,
Our Father held you in His arms so tender.
Those loving arms released you as He sent you down to earth.
He said, “My child, I love you. Don’t forget your great worth.”
3. This life on earth we knew would not be easy.
At times we lose our way—His plan we may not see.
But please remember always—please—that you are not alone.
He’ll take your hand. He loves you! He will guide you home.
Copyright © 1995, 1984 by Jackman Music Corporation, Orem Utah. Used by permission. All rights reserved. These pages may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church and home use. Arrangements in simplified, solo, and trio available from Jackman Music Corp. (Original version printed April 1979.)
I sang this song on the bus ride home from camp as a young girl, crying, knowing that I had never felt the Spirit so strongly before in my life, and wouldn't be feeling it back at home like that.
I sang it through my younger sister's terminal illness from an inoperable brain-stem tumor when I was 15 and 16. She died a week before her 10th birthday and 3 weeks after I turned 16.
I sang my babies to sleep by this song. I love it! It was amazing to have the woman who wrote it tell us about how, even though she is not a musician, the words came to her as she was to teach a lesson to her group of Young Women.
3. Rock Hard Ground to sleep on.
I didn't get much sleep before camp and even though I hoped that would change once I was no longer losing sleep worrying about forgetting something I needed to bring with us, it didn't.
I didn't get much sleep before camp and even though I hoped that would change once I was no longer losing sleep worrying about forgetting something I needed to bring with us, it didn't.
I was going to bring the sleeping mat I had bought for myself, but my sweet husband, got out the newer mat telling me it was better. It was so hard, it was like sleeping on the ground. It was also so hot the first two nights, that I took my extra blanket and folded it in half and lay on it as well. It helped some, but not quite enough. It wasn't until I was rolling up my mat to put it away the last day of camp, that I saw the cap I had neglected to take off to allow air to fill my "air mattress" and realized that the whole trip was over and I had been sleeping on a piece of canvas and a blanket! Go figure!
It was an amazing time and I am thrilled to have experienced it with my 12 year old daughter who makes me so proud and even publicly declared that she was glad I was there with her and that I was the person she admired!!! McKenzi, I admire you so much! You amaze me with your sweet heart and numerous talents! And how cool, that you found the bench that Chalyse painted and added her name to with the other Young Women who completed the service project at camp that many years ago.
It's great to be home with my husband and other children I missed!
Now I'd better get ready for my next adventure!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Post op and Father's Day weekend
I survived surgery to have a presumed benign tumor removed from my thigh yesterday. As I was being checked in, the registrar said, "Well, hopefully, everything will go okay for you today." I thought to myself, "Isn't there a better word than 'hopefully' to use at a time like this." Talk about a non-committal, less than enthusiastic statement!
Not that I was overly worried that I would have complications, but any time you are asked for your living will to give directions for what to do if you end up in some kind of vegetative state, well, you can't help but think about the "what ifs."
The tumor was sent to the pathologist and we will hear confirmation that it is benign. It was probably the anesthesia talking when I told the nurse through a few escaping tears that my sister had died from a benign tumor that chose the wrong location - her brain-stem - to grow where they couldn't get at it. I can't help but wonder - having had 3 cysts and now a tumor removed in the past 6 years, if this is just the beginning. I was told these things weren't hereditary after my sister died... but I'm beginning to wonder.
Add to this, Lexi coming to me last night crying saying she was afraid I was going to die. I calmed and reassured her that I was taking care of things so they wouldn't grow or spread and I would be just fine - and I know I will be one way or the other... but it breaks my heart to have my 9 year old wondering.
Anyway, on to the more entertaining events of the past weekend --
Pre-Fathers Day weekend Friday, I begin the morning in the kitchen loading the dishes that my kids didn't quite get to the dishwasher when I hear "drip, drip, drip" at a pretty good rate. I look under the sink and can see where someone has put a towel, that is wet, a candy bowl is almost full of water and water is missing both the rag and dish and dripping on the base of the cabinet. I clear out the items under the sink and find a flashlight to see where it is coming from - looks like the actual faucet itself vs. the hoses. I call Trent and ask if he knows anything about the kitchen sink leaking and he says no. I ask the kids the same question - after all, someone put a rag and dish there. No one knows anything. I propped Big Gulp cup in place. Trent eventually decides to look at it before we decide to call a plumber and says he has to get back to work so we can leave on our trip.
Next, I go put up the tent trailer so I can get it cleaned and loaded. I noticed the previous week when I put it's registration sticker on that we hadn't registered or used it since before it expired in 2011. Even though it was folded up for all that time, it still had a pretty good coating of dust. After using 409 on everything, sans cleaning gloves (big mistake) I hooked up the electricity to make sure the fridge was still working, and then the water. I turned it on, and went back in the trailer. Water was running on the floor from underneath. I ran outside to turn off the water at the faucet and it was running along the hoses underneath it. When we bought it used, we were told it was a 2001. Trent discovered a year or so ago, when looking for parts, that it was actually made in the 90's. Looks pretty good for being that old-- the point is, it wasn't fresh out of the factory, hadn't been winterized in all the time we had it - other than maybe the first year, and when I hooked it up to the hose, I wasn't thinking that our water pressure had been increased since we last tested it. So - it could be one of several or a combination as to why it sprung a leak. End result - we packed out own water in and did the dishes at the spigot at the Green River KOA.
Our weekend get away was meant to be a try out for the trailer before we take it for 8 days to Yellowstone this coming weekend. Steven can't go with us, so he will be holding down the fort here at home.
We pulled out of town 6 hours later than planned with the trailer lights not working. After a stop at autozone and cleaning off the plug, the lights worked fine and we made it to our destination just after 9pm. My brother's advice worked... he says he always spits on the plug before putting it together. That worked for us on the way home so maybe there is something to a little saliva!
We saw Goblin Valley and went to Arches with our 3 little girls and Trent in an early Fathers Day gift - a shirt that said: "DADD - Dad's against Daughters Dating." He got lots of smiles, compliments and men wanting to join the club.
We had a great time once we got there - even made it to the KOA pool.
Made it back in time for a Father's Day BBQ at my sister and the father of their baby, Mikul. He did 3 selections of barbecued meat. This was really nice - we've gotten into bring your own meat and a pot-luck dish because for awhile there, we were doing most of the hosting. Only hard thing after my dad arrived, was Pam saying that since our family and my mom like to pray for our meals and they don't, that she was wondering how to handle it. I had just said my own private prayer to bless the food and express my sadness over the prayer issues before she came over. I asked if she wanted us to go to a corner of the yard and have a private prayer. She said no, that we could say it. I said we didn't want to offend anyone by praying if they didn't want to. Just about that time, Mikul's female cousin stood up, said they were ready to get started and she would pray. I thanked her after and told her how much I appreciated it. Maybe we weren't as alone as I thought!
Trent had a wonderful Fathers' Day other than not hearing from one child. She was taking care of her bio dad who had surgery to have his gall bladder removed and said she honestly didn't think about it. I feel for my sweety. He opened his heart to her the moment they met and she asked him if he would be her daddy. He has never treated our two oldest any different than the 3 we had together. Never complained about the thousands of dollars in extracurricular activities they participated in. We're not perfect parents, but we have always tried to be there for our children and do what's best for them with lots of thought and prayer in our decisions. My personal experience has been that you don't really get it until you've had kids of your own.
I used to resent my dad for not taking the family on vacations other than 2 weekend family reunions with his brothers each year. It wasn't until I had my own baby, that I was able to focus on the fact that he never took a vacation or sick day from work, because he was worried about not having enough money to support us if he was unemployed from his construction job in the winter. Now his body is worn out with arthritis after years of hard manual labor. He may not be the most genteel, proper, compassionate man there is, but he was faithful to my mom, and wanted us to be responsible adults. I think I have been just that.
Anyway, to all our wonderful dads! To my quick recovery from my surgery - as well as a speedy recovery to my ex-husband. Thanks to my beautiful children who have been there for me to help me with foot rubs, food and help with swim - oh and the hugs and kisses too! Thank you to my neighbors who brought dinner last night - sorry about the kitchen covered in dishes, items from under the faucetless kitchen sink!!!
And life goes on!
Not that I was overly worried that I would have complications, but any time you are asked for your living will to give directions for what to do if you end up in some kind of vegetative state, well, you can't help but think about the "what ifs."
The tumor was sent to the pathologist and we will hear confirmation that it is benign. It was probably the anesthesia talking when I told the nurse through a few escaping tears that my sister had died from a benign tumor that chose the wrong location - her brain-stem - to grow where they couldn't get at it. I can't help but wonder - having had 3 cysts and now a tumor removed in the past 6 years, if this is just the beginning. I was told these things weren't hereditary after my sister died... but I'm beginning to wonder.
Add to this, Lexi coming to me last night crying saying she was afraid I was going to die. I calmed and reassured her that I was taking care of things so they wouldn't grow or spread and I would be just fine - and I know I will be one way or the other... but it breaks my heart to have my 9 year old wondering.
Anyway, on to the more entertaining events of the past weekend --
Pre-Fathers Day weekend Friday, I begin the morning in the kitchen loading the dishes that my kids didn't quite get to the dishwasher when I hear "drip, drip, drip" at a pretty good rate. I look under the sink and can see where someone has put a towel, that is wet, a candy bowl is almost full of water and water is missing both the rag and dish and dripping on the base of the cabinet. I clear out the items under the sink and find a flashlight to see where it is coming from - looks like the actual faucet itself vs. the hoses. I call Trent and ask if he knows anything about the kitchen sink leaking and he says no. I ask the kids the same question - after all, someone put a rag and dish there. No one knows anything. I propped Big Gulp cup in place. Trent eventually decides to look at it before we decide to call a plumber and says he has to get back to work so we can leave on our trip.
Next, I go put up the tent trailer so I can get it cleaned and loaded. I noticed the previous week when I put it's registration sticker on that we hadn't registered or used it since before it expired in 2011. Even though it was folded up for all that time, it still had a pretty good coating of dust. After using 409 on everything, sans cleaning gloves (big mistake) I hooked up the electricity to make sure the fridge was still working, and then the water. I turned it on, and went back in the trailer. Water was running on the floor from underneath. I ran outside to turn off the water at the faucet and it was running along the hoses underneath it. When we bought it used, we were told it was a 2001. Trent discovered a year or so ago, when looking for parts, that it was actually made in the 90's. Looks pretty good for being that old-- the point is, it wasn't fresh out of the factory, hadn't been winterized in all the time we had it - other than maybe the first year, and when I hooked it up to the hose, I wasn't thinking that our water pressure had been increased since we last tested it. So - it could be one of several or a combination as to why it sprung a leak. End result - we packed out own water in and did the dishes at the spigot at the Green River KOA.
Our weekend get away was meant to be a try out for the trailer before we take it for 8 days to Yellowstone this coming weekend. Steven can't go with us, so he will be holding down the fort here at home.
We pulled out of town 6 hours later than planned with the trailer lights not working. After a stop at autozone and cleaning off the plug, the lights worked fine and we made it to our destination just after 9pm. My brother's advice worked... he says he always spits on the plug before putting it together. That worked for us on the way home so maybe there is something to a little saliva!
We saw Goblin Valley and went to Arches with our 3 little girls and Trent in an early Fathers Day gift - a shirt that said: "DADD - Dad's against Daughters Dating." He got lots of smiles, compliments and men wanting to join the club.
We had a great time once we got there - even made it to the KOA pool.
Made it back in time for a Father's Day BBQ at my sister and the father of their baby, Mikul. He did 3 selections of barbecued meat. This was really nice - we've gotten into bring your own meat and a pot-luck dish because for awhile there, we were doing most of the hosting. Only hard thing after my dad arrived, was Pam saying that since our family and my mom like to pray for our meals and they don't, that she was wondering how to handle it. I had just said my own private prayer to bless the food and express my sadness over the prayer issues before she came over. I asked if she wanted us to go to a corner of the yard and have a private prayer. She said no, that we could say it. I said we didn't want to offend anyone by praying if they didn't want to. Just about that time, Mikul's female cousin stood up, said they were ready to get started and she would pray. I thanked her after and told her how much I appreciated it. Maybe we weren't as alone as I thought!
Trent had a wonderful Fathers' Day other than not hearing from one child. She was taking care of her bio dad who had surgery to have his gall bladder removed and said she honestly didn't think about it. I feel for my sweety. He opened his heart to her the moment they met and she asked him if he would be her daddy. He has never treated our two oldest any different than the 3 we had together. Never complained about the thousands of dollars in extracurricular activities they participated in. We're not perfect parents, but we have always tried to be there for our children and do what's best for them with lots of thought and prayer in our decisions. My personal experience has been that you don't really get it until you've had kids of your own.
I used to resent my dad for not taking the family on vacations other than 2 weekend family reunions with his brothers each year. It wasn't until I had my own baby, that I was able to focus on the fact that he never took a vacation or sick day from work, because he was worried about not having enough money to support us if he was unemployed from his construction job in the winter. Now his body is worn out with arthritis after years of hard manual labor. He may not be the most genteel, proper, compassionate man there is, but he was faithful to my mom, and wanted us to be responsible adults. I think I have been just that.
Anyway, to all our wonderful dads! To my quick recovery from my surgery - as well as a speedy recovery to my ex-husband. Thanks to my beautiful children who have been there for me to help me with foot rubs, food and help with swim - oh and the hugs and kisses too! Thank you to my neighbors who brought dinner last night - sorry about the kitchen covered in dishes, items from under the faucetless kitchen sink!!!
And life goes on!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Cranky Cuss Cuz?
Looking back on the past week, it really has been an amazing one. I finished my last full day of the school year 4 school days before my kiddos. Friday was the end of year party at my school. After bbq hamburgers at 2:00 in the afternoon it was announced that the Sunshine Committee wanted to play a game. Amazing how fast a bunch of teachers can flee. At first, I wasn't too keen on the idea myself. I helped clean up a little and then decided to take a peek in the gym to see who was in on the big event.
Not a whole lot of takers other than the principal, secretaries, those with the game idea, and a handful of others. My desire to support those with the idea was greater than that to preserve my comfort level, so I decided to join in. I really had a great time getting to know the group a lot better. The Special Education teachers were among those who fled the scene the moment the word "game" was mentioned.
We played "Werewolves of Miller Hollow." I was the hunter, which meant that if the powers that be decided to take me out, I could take someone out with me. It wasn't until the end that I became the target and either despite my protestations and efforts to move suspicions from me or because of it - I was targeted with 2 werewolves and 1 villager left in the game. I took out the one werewolf that wasn't linked by Cupid to the remaining villager. That is, if I had chosen either of the other two people, I would have unwittingly killed both the werewolf and the villager and the only remaining werewolf would have won the game. As it was, we had a tie between a werewolf and villager. If all this sounds like nonsense to you - let's chalk it up to ignorance of the game and not my writing! ;D
I had to order the game from Amazon for nine dollars and some odd cents for Kenzi to play at her 6th grade graduation party next Saturday. We decided to make it a day of parties with Kylee's birthday party followed by Lexi's birthday party and then Kenzi's graduation party. And, no, we don't really have 3 kids with birthdays in June. Steven's really turning 22 on June 10th, but Lexi and Kylee have August birthdays. Problem is, with the move to my school, all their friends will probably long have forgotten them by August since they don't live by us, and getting invitations to them when they aren't in school becomes a bigger expense and challenge
So then, why am I so cranky, you ask? Fear of the unknown is plaguing me. A few months ago I found a lump in my thigh. I had a cyst removed by my general practitioner about a year before between my neck and shoulder and it has grown back now. I didn't know who to see for a lump and after talking to my doctor's assistant and having them offer to cut it out for me, I wasn't sure what to do. Sure, it would save us money to have him do it, but I almost passed out from the cyst and this is quite a bit bigger. So, I did nothing. The lump has now gone from something I could feel, to something that is clearly visible and looks to be about the size of an egg. Last Sunday after Trent getting mad at me and saying he didn't want to lose me and that I needed to get this taken care of (I had also considered the possibility that it could lead to something serious (probably not, but...) so to have him thinking the same thing didn't help. Or maybe it did. I contacted IMC Cancer Center and they emailed me back with an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sarcomas. Got my appointment for Thursday. That's all been moving around in my brain just below the surface at all times. And sadly, it's effecting my reliability. I completely forgot that I had offered to usher at Pioneer Theatre Company for Memorial Weekend with my mom. She completely forgot too. Maybe she has to chalk her faux pas to age.
I find myself impatient and short-tempered with Trent when he doesn't remember what I said to him 2 seconds before or isn't listening to me, but deciding how to handle my problems without my input.
We went to the temple yesterday. I had male names that needed initiatory and just female names needing endowment before we have the group ready for sealings. When given the choice, Trent said he wanted to do initiatory and that he would pick me up in front of the temple when I was finished. I just missed the session so I was 20 minutes later than he expected me. When I finally got to the car waiting for me, not only did he not seem put out, he had gone to Great Harvest and gotten my favorite "orange craisin scones."
Then, after a graduation party, a trip to Jordan Landing for the girls and arriving back home, we again remembered our desperate need for 9 volt batteries. He didn't want to go alone, but I still had a newsletter to finish. I should also mention that I had gone to Sam's earlier in the day and forgot to get them myself earlier. We had gotten to the point yesterday that 10+ smoke detectors that have begun beeping at us all at once. To be fair about 4 were going off throughout the house the past couple months, but this weekend, it seemed like they all joined in until I finally couldn't stand the idea of us all dying in our sleep as the house burned down around us. Unfortunately, out of hearing range, out of mind, because instead of the batteries, I ended up with a whole slough of yard and swim items and no batteries. So, even though Trent wasn't thrilled to do it, he showed up with a drink for me when he arrived home. And then proceeded to replace the batteries. The house hasn't been this beep-free for months!
That's not to mention the dozen roses he brought me to work last Tuesday saying he knew I needed a pick-me-up, I am so proud of him when I see him teach swim lessons and have fun with the kids.
He has been such a support to me. I can't imagine what my life would be without him. Everyone deserves to have that special someone to make them feel cherished and loved. To all those who have experienced the opposite, I say be patient and don't settle for less!
Not a whole lot of takers other than the principal, secretaries, those with the game idea, and a handful of others. My desire to support those with the idea was greater than that to preserve my comfort level, so I decided to join in. I really had a great time getting to know the group a lot better. The Special Education teachers were among those who fled the scene the moment the word "game" was mentioned.
We played "Werewolves of Miller Hollow." I was the hunter, which meant that if the powers that be decided to take me out, I could take someone out with me. It wasn't until the end that I became the target and either despite my protestations and efforts to move suspicions from me or because of it - I was targeted with 2 werewolves and 1 villager left in the game. I took out the one werewolf that wasn't linked by Cupid to the remaining villager. That is, if I had chosen either of the other two people, I would have unwittingly killed both the werewolf and the villager and the only remaining werewolf would have won the game. As it was, we had a tie between a werewolf and villager. If all this sounds like nonsense to you - let's chalk it up to ignorance of the game and not my writing! ;D
I had to order the game from Amazon for nine dollars and some odd cents for Kenzi to play at her 6th grade graduation party next Saturday. We decided to make it a day of parties with Kylee's birthday party followed by Lexi's birthday party and then Kenzi's graduation party. And, no, we don't really have 3 kids with birthdays in June. Steven's really turning 22 on June 10th, but Lexi and Kylee have August birthdays. Problem is, with the move to my school, all their friends will probably long have forgotten them by August since they don't live by us, and getting invitations to them when they aren't in school becomes a bigger expense and challenge
So then, why am I so cranky, you ask? Fear of the unknown is plaguing me. A few months ago I found a lump in my thigh. I had a cyst removed by my general practitioner about a year before between my neck and shoulder and it has grown back now. I didn't know who to see for a lump and after talking to my doctor's assistant and having them offer to cut it out for me, I wasn't sure what to do. Sure, it would save us money to have him do it, but I almost passed out from the cyst and this is quite a bit bigger. So, I did nothing. The lump has now gone from something I could feel, to something that is clearly visible and looks to be about the size of an egg. Last Sunday after Trent getting mad at me and saying he didn't want to lose me and that I needed to get this taken care of (I had also considered the possibility that it could lead to something serious (probably not, but...) so to have him thinking the same thing didn't help. Or maybe it did. I contacted IMC Cancer Center and they emailed me back with an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sarcomas. Got my appointment for Thursday. That's all been moving around in my brain just below the surface at all times. And sadly, it's effecting my reliability. I completely forgot that I had offered to usher at Pioneer Theatre Company for Memorial Weekend with my mom. She completely forgot too. Maybe she has to chalk her faux pas to age.
I find myself impatient and short-tempered with Trent when he doesn't remember what I said to him 2 seconds before or isn't listening to me, but deciding how to handle my problems without my input.
We went to the temple yesterday. I had male names that needed initiatory and just female names needing endowment before we have the group ready for sealings. When given the choice, Trent said he wanted to do initiatory and that he would pick me up in front of the temple when I was finished. I just missed the session so I was 20 minutes later than he expected me. When I finally got to the car waiting for me, not only did he not seem put out, he had gone to Great Harvest and gotten my favorite "orange craisin scones."
Then, after a graduation party, a trip to Jordan Landing for the girls and arriving back home, we again remembered our desperate need for 9 volt batteries. He didn't want to go alone, but I still had a newsletter to finish. I should also mention that I had gone to Sam's earlier in the day and forgot to get them myself earlier. We had gotten to the point yesterday that 10+ smoke detectors that have begun beeping at us all at once. To be fair about 4 were going off throughout the house the past couple months, but this weekend, it seemed like they all joined in until I finally couldn't stand the idea of us all dying in our sleep as the house burned down around us. Unfortunately, out of hearing range, out of mind, because instead of the batteries, I ended up with a whole slough of yard and swim items and no batteries. So, even though Trent wasn't thrilled to do it, he showed up with a drink for me when he arrived home. And then proceeded to replace the batteries. The house hasn't been this beep-free for months!
That's not to mention the dozen roses he brought me to work last Tuesday saying he knew I needed a pick-me-up, I am so proud of him when I see him teach swim lessons and have fun with the kids.
He has been such a support to me. I can't imagine what my life would be without him. Everyone deserves to have that special someone to make them feel cherished and loved. To all those who have experienced the opposite, I say be patient and don't settle for less!
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