Updated pictures on my 365

Updated pictures at Picture My Year.

What a week it has been!

It is 10:52 p.m. on Saturday night. Almost everyone is in bed. I am up trying to update my 365 pictures--I enjoy trying to document at least one thing a day--however, trying to keep up is a bit hard. I have to stay on top of it--if I get too far behind I will just give up!

So--where have I been all week?

Let's start at the beginning.

Sunday-Miss E plays piano in church--beautifully plays " I am a Child of God"
Late Sunday night/early Monday morning----go to the Emergency Room with Miss A for extreme stomach pain. They temporarily ruled out appendicitis--she is still having pain.

Monday-tired Mom, Dad and Girl---I buy two twin beds off of KSL classified--have Tina pick them up in Logan for me.

Tuesday-Preschool, I purchase another entire bedroom set off of KSL, six loads of laundry, pick up MissE from school with the barfies, fix dinner, go to M's late basketball game.

Wednesday--return orthodics to Dr., drive to Tina's to pick up twin beds, go to lunch and do a bit of shopping, return home-make dinner, homework, piano, etc. Help D set up one of the new twin beds--they have to be re drilled.

Thursday--Preschool--free paint day! Go to Roy and pick up twin box spring-bought off KSL. Help D put together the second twin bed. Watch tivo'd Biggest Loser.

Friday--go to boot camp at the gym, drive to SLC and have lunch with D, go and pick up the bedroom furniture for M. Come home and start cleaning the furniture--my way. I wiped, polished and buffed. Took J and E to Javier's for dinner. Came home and finished putting the bed together. Stayed up too late and watched tivo'd American Idol--I love not watching commercials!

Saturday---slept in! Cleaned dirty couches, washed dirty dog, made food, picked up dirty clothes, put away toys, made beds, spent over an hour trying to salvage a vinyl word phrase that got stuck together.Comfort J after he crashed on his bike. Dinner at Steph's, run to grocery store, made chocolate chip cookies, sorted laundry, loaded pictures on computer and updated 365 blog.

The End

I'm alive!

I am not dead. I am not sick. I am not depressed.

I am busy---with laundry.

be back soon-with pictures!

Picture My Year---update!!

picture updates on Picture My Year!

From Feb.4--Feb. 21

Is Spring coming?

This past Tuesday we were BLASTED with snow! We received two feet! Yes, two feet of the heavy, cold, wet stuff. My poor Mr. Sweetness came home from work early to plow. He plowed and plowed and plowed.

I am ready for spring!!!

One day

One of these days I am going to take the time to write something interesting. Or I might just write about the laundry again!

Moving on

Feeling better. Now---the laundry!

Ickyness

It doesn't matter how old I get, when I am sick I want my Mom!

One knows that there is something wrong when you actually remember the last time your stomach hurt this bad. CHILD LABOR!

The Real Feb 11 (recap)

Today REALLY is February 12.

Yesterday was a long day. We left here at 6:00 am to drive the 3 1/2 hours north to Grant's funeral. It really was a nice funeral. We went to the cemetery in a blizzard. As we drove past the headstones I mentioned that this was the type of scene that movie makers love to use. Cold, frozen, drifted over headstones.

I was aware of the date. It was strange to be at the same cemetery on this particular day. I chose not to dwell on it.

After the graveside we went to the church for dinner. Laurel had to leave to catch a plane. I visited with her family a bit. After that we headed home--another 3 1/2 hours!

It was a long day, I am glad that D was with me--he is a great driver!(among other things)

What is the date anyway?

Wow-I am a dork.

Today I looked at a calendar that actually said FEBRUARY! Today is February 10.

I have no deep thoughts only that I should pay closer attention!

February 12, 2009

It happened.

I never thought that this would happen, but it did. Today, I was reading and turned with a jerk to look at the date. February 12,2009. My Dad died 21 years ago--YESTERDAY. This is the first year that I have not been keenly aware of the date. It is always there, in the dark recesses of my mind. His loss is never far from my thoughts.

On Saturday I told Mr. Sweetness (when he was looking at my creative mess) that Valentine's Day had been tainted for me for the last 20 years. This was the year that I was taking the holiday back. Sunday rolled around and we were busy with church, trying to nap(not successful), piano practicing, and making Valentine cookies. Never once during the day did I even think about the date.

Ten years ago I would have wondered if this was a lack of caring on my part. How could I forget? If I forgot when he died did that mean I was forgetting him?

I now wonder if perhaps it is just the opposite. Perhaps by finally not agonizing over when he died I can actually get on with living. My living with my little family. My Dad was a very outgoing person. He did everything with gustso(even snoring). He would never want anyone in his family to be paralyzed by the grief that his death brought.

So, today is February 12. It is a new day!

Grant-You will be missed.

I had a lucky childhood. I had two homes. In my parent’s home, I was the fourth and youngest child. There was always something going on at our house. My Mom went back to college while I was little, moved two thirds of the family out of state for nine months to finish her degree and started teaching when I was in third grade. My Dad owned his own automotive supply business where he worked long hours. He was also an avid outdoors men. My three older siblings were very normal. They were busy, messy and loud. I shared a bedroom with my older sister. We were usually fighting about something. Often who was responsible for the messy bedroom!

My second home was the home of my best friend Laurel Chandler. Laurel is also the youngest of four. That is where the similarities ended (in my child’s eye). Laurel’s parent’s, Grant and Donna had always wanted a daughter but were not blessed with one the old fashioned way. When they brought Laurel home from the adoption agency her closest brother was twelve years old.
Laurel and I were friends before birth. After birth we were inseparable. I remember making mud pies outside their old house, getting in trouble for taking good spoons from the kitchen. I remember Donna curling our hair using a playing card to protect our ears.
Laurel and I would run around the back of her Dad’s office when we we little(the old one, torn down to make way for the freeway), we would jump large rolls of carpet, boxes and other huge items. There was always a fridge full of sodas.
We would talk about the bridge the city should build across the river from the park, then it would be easier to get to each others houses. Laurel and I went to kindergarten together, up the huge wide stairs. I remember sitting in the back row by the huge windows. Donna would often take me home while Mom was at class.
When we were about seven, Chandlers decided to build a new home outside of town. This was also the year that we went to Logan, Utah for nine months so Mom could finish her degree. I remember driving out of town wondering if I would ever see Laurel again, missing her so.

For a second grader the year in Logan was an adventure that went by quickly. It was finally Mom’s graduation day. The day the call came. The call about the Teton Dam breaking, sending a twenty foot wave of water toward St Anthony. My first thoughts were of Dad’s shop and sand paper floating out the door. My next thoughts were of Laurel and her family. Would the water get both their brand new house(barely moved in), their old house and their business?
Fortunately, both family’s homes and businesses were not harmed. I remember finally getting to come into town. I remember driving past Laurel’s beautiful new home, all safe and sound. I was so happy to be home.
From this moment on there very few days that I didn’t spend part of it at Chandler’s. I didn’t go to the front door and knock. I went through the garage and knocked as I was entering! By the time Laurel and I were ten years old her brothers were grown—off in college, missions, getting married. Laurel was basically an only child. Therefore we pretty much had total run of the house! We were able to bake, sew, decorate, sing, etc. without any older siblings telling us to stop.
Throughout high school Chandler’s just continued to be my second home. Grant was in the Stake Presidency so I had opportunities to meet with visiting authorities. I remember meeting Elder Marvin J. Ashton. I also remember staying at their house while they hosted members of a choir. We were love struck tweens!
During high school my family had some serious family issues (who’s doesn’t?). Laurel’s house was always open to me. I never once had to explain our problems. They also never expected an explanation. They just welcomed me, no matter what day or time. I went on vacations, ate Sunday dinners and basically became one of theirs.
I have been out of high school for twenty three years. Over the course of those years I have stopped by on occasion. I almost always still go through the garage. More than once I have noticed my little families Christmas picture on their fridge. I have walked a block from my Mom’s house to Grant’s insurance office. Even after Grant retired I was greeted like family by Laurel’s brothers. Usually being called something like Rosemont or Rosie BD(don’t ask me why?).
Yesterday Mom called and told me Grant passed away. He hasn’t been well for awhile. I am so saddened by this news.
Grant was a constant in my life. He was my Bishop when I was a little girl. He helped us bottle feed baby lambs, helped us feed baby chicks. He never complained about our “creative messes”, staying up all night playing monopoly or our constant giggling. He allowed access to his office so we could deliver circulars, never complained when we drank all the pop in his fridge. Always gave us money for gas and treats. He even gave us access to his wood shop, even helping us build doll houses for our own little girls.

Grant was a figure of strength for me. As an adult I am well aware that we all have short comings. I am certain Grant had them. However, as a child I felt Grant’s faith. I knew he had a testimony of Jesus Christ. I knew this before I even understood what this truly meant. I knew he loved his family, he would do anything he could for them. He was a strong example of a good husband, father and leader. His example helped me know what to look for in my own husband.

I feel blessed to have been part of his family.

He will be missed.

Sick Day

Last night my little man looked horrible. He was fevering, glassy eyed and sounded like a seal. I decided that I better call and cancel preschool for today. I don't want my child to be the one that exposes 16 other children to croup!

What a great day this has turned out to be. Just exactly what I needed. A sick boy that is not TOO sick. Just sick enough that I don't want to take him out. He just laid low all day.

What did I do you ask. DIG OUT my laundry/storage room! I know that it sounds like I am always buried. Well, I am! I am trying to simplify(isn't this such a catch term right now?) my life but right now, I am just trying to figure out what that means. So, today, I have done laundry. My 15 loads last week helped so much-unfortunately for me, I haven't done even one load since last Wednesday! So-lots of laundry and sorting as I go. It is once again time to go through everyone's clothes. They all seem to be growing constantly, I feel like I just barely went through their stuff to pull out the things that don't fit. I guess that is just part of life!

I am often curious about when and how people start having their children be responsible for their own laundry. My friend Lara has her very young children do theirs, I have other friends who have them start at 12 others 15. The truth be told, I was never totally responsible for my own laundry until I went to college. I did know how to do it. I was taught how to sort(well, thank you very much) and to not wash one shirt(sorry Mom). However, my Mom really never required me to do it. Now, I wonder if I am doing my older children a disservice if I do or if I don't? I certainly would like two less people's laundry that I am responsible for. However, I haven't decided how to go about this.

Updates

Updates on picture my year 365 blog.

I'm Alive!

Hello there world!

I am still alive. However, it is still winter and I am still running in slow motion. I am hoping that very, very soon I will actually feel like I WANT to do instead of I HAVE to do!

Wish me well!