Just Moved

Well, I have a new blog site--it's one that you get to register so I know who's reading my info. Here's the link: http://www.beth.breinholts.com Sometimes it scares me off when I have to register for something, but it's really nice and friendly. Just sign in and do your password, and the first time you do, it will shoot off an email to me, and I will say, "Sure, you can read it," unless I don't know you are. Then you get an invitation and you are in! See you soon.

It's all about ready

Okay, we are working on this huge music/dance/bells pageant for Christmas, and last night all the pieces were put together for the first time. Wow!! the energy was sky high. Our guest stars were there, and all the bell ringers and the dancers and orchestra and it was very gratifying to hear the music all put together. Our director makes killer arrangements of stuff, I don't know how he does it. I have such a small part in the whole thing, but it's incredible how it comes together. One thing that I do to contribute (besides sing) is appreciate, admire and enjoy the event. Wally is driving the stars back and forth from the hotel/venue/airport and where ever they need to be. I understand that the people who agree to do the show with us, do it with very little compensation. It's mostly a gift on their part, and what a gift it is.
I feel sad for my sister Joy. She broke her leg last week in Idaho, and Saturday she had surgery. Brenda brought her home from the hospital yesterday, and hopefully she will make it through the next few weeks without incident. She and Jim were planning a trip to Florida to see Nate for Christmas and now that's been canceled.
Speaking of trips, Wally and i are going to NYC again next week for a few days. I have never seen the place all decorated up for Christmas, and it will be fun. The reason we are going is for family, of course. Wally hasn't seen Piper for a long time and will he ever be surprised!
I have been out of commission with my computer for a while because of a nasty little surprise via facebook. All is back in order now, but I am so wary about any emails that come my way, even from people I know--that's how my awful little spybot "virus" was delivered. Anyway, my answer was to leave facebook. I found out that you never really leave it, you can't get your info off of it, you just disable your account. Nice. I went in and changed stuff first. It kind of creeps me that they have my info, ready to roll if I say so, or if someone chooses to hack. I will miss visiting with some of my friends that way, also my cute and adorable neices and nephews. Okay, i know they are grown up but they are still what i said--cute and adorable.
That brings me to my next subject. I am preparing to make this a private blog. Anyone who likes to check on it occasionally, let me know, and i will invite you to read it. As of January 2009, I will close it to the public. Call me paranoid, call me overcautious, call me whatever you want, it's probably true.

New Addiction

Okay, i just have to blog about this--Sushi. Last time I was in NYC, my kids ordered in sushi, and I thought, okay, I will try it, it's food, right? It was so good! Not to be confused with sushimi, which has raw fish. Anyway, there were several different kinds, and I just went down on it. We had avocado rolls, sweet potato rolls, cucumber rolls, etc. I was kind of worried about the taste of seaweed, but as I discovered, seaweed in sushi has no taste. One type we got was spinach sushi, and it was our least favorite--too "chewy", kind of what I thought the seaweed would taste like. Anyway, I am hooked. I came back home thinking about when i would have some next, and wondering where I would even find some. I was talking to my hairdresser and she told me this great place to get it, so i went there and she was right. it was good, but it was kind of expensive and it was downtown, which wasn't that practical for me. Anyway, i was at the grocery store a few days later and what do you know? They just added sushi to their deli! So i have been hogging it down, almost everytime I go there I pick up a little tray of it, 12 piece spicy Califormia rolls. I still don't like wasabi on it, but the piece that sits next to the wasabi on the tray tastes a little extra spicy and it's good. So let's hear it for Sushi! Especially the day before Thanksgiving, Ha ha.

Halfway or thereabouts

November is speeding by! Wally went to San Diego under the guise of watching a game, but it was really to check up on and visit Pete and Kristin. I spent the weekend finishing up a quilt top project I have been working on for several months, sporadically of course. It's a grandmother's flower garden, a very complex and labor intensive piece of little hexagons that must be hand-stitched together. The blocks were rescued from a grab bag, and then i put them together, creating a "path" between the flower blocks. Last night I put a border on the whole thing and now it's ready for a back and batting. If I wasn't feeling so lazy, I would take a picture and post it but i just thought I would post. Actually I am in the middle of retraining my speech recognition program on my computer and there are these long delays so I am doing other stuff in between the dictation. LIke just now I downloaded all the pics off my camera, because it was sitting here by me at the computer. I found one of Maya's visit. She was using a little iron I have, just her size, that really works. Last night i was talking to her mom on the phone and she said, "you are busted. Maya told us you let her iron." I know she's little but she's very smart, and can do stuff like that. So since the secret's out i will post her pic. I know this is a boring blog but the picture is really cute.

Patient Patient

Last weekend I took Laura to the hospital where she underwent a 24 hour EEG. I wasn't sure how it was going to work out. I knew it was a long arduous process and way out of her comfort zone, but we just jumped in and did our best. When we got there, the techs told us what would happen, etc. to put our minds at ease. Laura kept up her famous line, "But i don't have to have a shot, right?" The answer was always no, no way. She eventually came up with an important concept in hospitalization: "But i don't have to have an IV either, huh." The answer to that was less than definitive. "Uh, that's something that the nurses decide on the floor." Oh man. High Anxiety on the spot. "Mom! why do they say that?" I was determined to get through this event without having her strapped on any giant papoose boards, so I said, "Oh, that's probably for people who won't cooperate and let them put all the electrodes on their heads, so they put sleepy medicine in the IV bag." She said, "That won't happen to me, because i am going to cooperate!!"
In about a 2 hour process, the tech guy marked Laura's head into 24 quadrants with a grease pencil, scrubbed the point of contact on each mark on her scalp with a special soap, squeezed contact goo on the spot, placed the electrode, covered it with a patch of white gauze, saturated it with a stinky glue, and then dried it point blank with an air hose. For anyone that knows Laura, does this sound like something she would like? Well, she did the whole thing with incredible self control and patience. It helped that the tech was very cute with her, like coming up with the suggestion that he could call her boyfriend to come and check out her new "do", etc. It also helped that he was from Preston, Idaho, and had some experience with horses, appreciated her knee high cowgirl boots, etc. Anyway, when she was all glued and wired, he bandaged her head up, creating a ponytail of wires coming out the top and taped the whole thing together. We went to her room and she had to hang out in a hospital bed for the next night and part of the day. Luckily there was cable TV to watch, but i think I've seen enough of Hannah Montana and the Suite Life of Zach and Cody to last me for quite a while. I guess the whole thing wasn't quite enough for me, and I decided to develop the flu during the night, and by the time we went home the next day around noon, I had chills and fever and aches so bad I could hardly drive. I tried to call Wally but could not reach him. I called Brenda, but she was already committed for the day, however, she listened to my lament and figured out that Wally was probably flying. She was right. Anyway, a salute to Laura, for rising to a new level of courage and enduring yet another trial in her long history of docs and hospitals.

Unexpected Gift

Last Friday night Kelton was here, or should I say Samurai Jack? He was so cute about Halloween. He was not even that interested in the candy, just loving the costume and the day's events, etc. He is a sweet boy.
I have to say that there are serendipitous moments in life that come when we least expect them. Today around 3:00 we are going to pick up Maya from the airport. How can that be? That's what i say. Her mother is going to New Orleans to a work convention thing, and she has a layover in OUR CITY! so she's bringing Maya and we are intercepting her and keeping her until Friday. So here we go! Another grandchild to brighten our home. Sophie almost got to come to, but she's grounded from traveling ever since the trip to Virginia and NY.
So tonight Mimi is coming with John and Kelton, Laurie is coming with Mason, (here visiting for the extended weekend) , of course Brenda and Eryn, and we are having Maya, too. What a great FHE!

Award Nomination

I would like to nominate Reagan and Jake Breinholt for hostess/host of the year 2008. For the past 5 weekends they have entertained company in their apartment there in NYC, and done a fabulous job. One of the top draws there is the quick trip to Westchester to see the fabulous and incredible Piper. She is doing so well, it's amazing. I think she's soaking in all the love and attention from her parents and others who visit her and take care of her. Plus she's just a little bit plucky! (Okay, a lot plucky!) She is drawing from wells of courage and determination and is doing whatever her little body allows her to do. Whenever her parents walk into the room, she whips her head around, makes eye contact, and starts her little voice noises to give the report of what's been happening in her life. She loves being read to, and hates to have her nose wiped. She allows us all to try hats or socks on her or change her outfits, but she is very quick to grab the intrusive hand and quickly pulls it front and center to examine it and try to see we are doing to her. The hardest part about the visit is leaving, which is sad, wondering when we will be there next.
The other part of the visit was to see a Vincent Van Gogh exhibit at the MOMA there in NYC. (In the above picture you will see Piper reminding us to go see Starry Starry Night) Mimi was able to cross something off her "things to do before i die" list after our visit and admiration of Starry Night in person. The exhibit had about 40+ pics by Van Gogh and it was really awesome. I loved it. The Potato Eaters was featured, too.We saw someother displays there, too, including a few Andy Warhol pieces--his famous Marilyn Monroe and also the soup cans. Another exhibit was very awful (artist? unknown)--it was a room full of murdered stuffed animals, or so it appeared, all their stuffing was spread across the floor and mirrors were propped up throughout the carnage. I started getting anxiety and left. It could have been dryer lint, I don't know.
But if you ever need a traveling partner, choose Mimi. She is easy going but knows how to make a decision, has great ideas, and doesn't complain about sleeping with someone who snores intermittently. But watch out for her quick fingers on the airplane--she will create a music playlist for you that you may or may not like before you even find your glasses to read the screen!

What a day Dad had

from Dr. Seuss: "Dad is sad, very very sad. He had a bad day, what a day Dad had."
Wally started out his day flying, which was good, and got into the groove of hanging out with the guys from his old work. They decided to have lunch, and sat down together at the Jasmine, when the phone rang, and Alex said, "Wally, where are you?" He had forgotten his assignment downtown, and he left in a panic, unprepared (no badge, improper dress) for the tabernacle. Around 3:00 things were winding up there, and he got another call, this one from Laura, scolding him for not being home when she got there, and where was he?, etc. He headed for home, feeling a little out of sorts because of his error, and ending up breaking his 40 year status of no speeding ticket. By the time he got home, he was a little on the down side, and to make an end to a not-so-perfect day, he got a call from our Realtor in Alaska telling him that the pending sale of our house fell through.

Apple Peeler demo by Kelton

When is a happy face sad?

I used up the last of the salsa and got ready to chuck this container in the garbage when i noticed the little happy face on it. Some good memories came flooding back--Pete was the one who put the face on it with marker of course. I started thinking about the time this summer when we had people here and when we got to see most of our family (minus Piper ;( ) and then I began to contemplate some other things.
I have a very full life with lots going on, many worthwhile, stimulating projects, some stuff that's just fun, etc. and as I did a mental evaluation, i realized that all the things i do now pale in comparison to what my life was when i was raising children. Granted, i am still raising a child, who will always be a child, but this one left really just needs a maintainence officer and director.
Interesting. I also thought about when my mom left-- she was 54, and next year I'm there, too. I wonder how much longer I'll be hanging out and taking up space on this planet. If i do even half the work my mom did I will probably have done enough.

The Happy RickRack Quilt

I found the pics I took in Alaska (not very many) and I thought I would post this one of Jessie, Sarah and Wally preparing for a dive in the ocean there. It was really cool from what they said. Jessie and Sarah spent a lot of time entertaining us even though they were both over saturated with work. We think they are generous and awesome.
Okay, I had a great time as expected at Quiltfest, but it was way too short. See pic for blocks from the class I took. Warning--these are labor intensive!! But I have learned a lot. My teacher is a color wizard, and I got some good ideas and tips from her. Plus she let us handle her quilts up close and stuff. That was very lovely.

One More Wakeup

Tomorrow morning I head north to be a part of the Quiltfest, formerly known as Annual Meeting. It's a great time to learn, relax, laugh, and shop. A mini-mall of fabric stores springs up in the entrance and foyers of the convention center. There is a world-class quilt show on display, and wonderful luncheons and lectures, plus classes!! This year Adele and I drew out the same national teacher, Karen Stone, and we are excited at the challenge and opportunity to create a quilt under her direction and with her pattern. (the Happy Rick-Rack Quilt.) It's foundation paper piecing along with machine applique and other cool stuff. Wild and awesome. I love having time with Adele, too, and we get some good sister talks in. this year will not be near as stressful, because Wally is home and able to watch over Laura and handle stuff while I am gone.

Yesterday we met with Maxine and it was awesome! She is definitely a cousin. She has a lot of cool things--pictures, histories, etc.--just what we were hoping to find. She made us a nice lunch and we visited and looked over the info, and set up another meeting time. The part I like is that we found her, and basically filled a desire of mine. This is what I originally wrote at the end of Ingre's history:
"This history is simply a collection of facts and information about Ingre and those who surrounded her in life. Before publishing this book in 2008, a search was made for possible descendants of Ingre, but none were found. I hope that somewhere a detailed and personable history of Ingre Christensen exists, hopefully a collections of memories and stories of someone's mother and grandmother. Her life by today's standards would seem somewhat of a sad drama; coming to the United States from Sweden for an arranged marriage to a man she has never met who is 30 years her senior and already married, hiding from the authorities because of her status as a polygamous wife, tragic premature death of two of her daughters and three grandchildren, and living alone at the time of her death. yet by the standards of the day she lived, she may have felt it was a great opportunity to come the United States and marry, regardless of the circumstances, to live close to her mother and sister once again, and finally near the end of her life have a plae to herself. It would be nice to know the truth of her feelings. If one of her descendants locates this history in this book, please tell the rest of her story as you have learned it."
Well, now that has happened! Maxine had a beautiful history about Ingre, her great grandmother, and we have invited her to add to it or whatever she wants, and that will be a part of our book. Talk about blessings!

A fun discovery

Recently I finished writing a history about my 2ggrandfather's second wife--I know, it seems a little extreme, but this genealogy book committee is thorough!---anyway, I felt bad knowing that what I had written was from a family group sheet, some articles from the paper, census records, and an obituary. I kind of mentioned that at the end of the history, that i knew out there somewhere, there was a picture or history or something that we didn't have access to. Engre (the wife) had children, and we knew they had children, but we couldn't locate any descendants, after much perusal on the web, phone calls to people that might have been her relatives, etc. (Now that takes courage!) Anyway, we are weeks away from publication, and lo and behold, Joy finds a letter someone had written to my mom in a file that contained the information about Engre's children. It was sent by a person (now deceased) that was living in Brigham City, but somehow, through this name, the internet and several phone calls we were able to trace her lineage enough to find a relative!! Okay, get this: She just happened to have written a ton of stuff about her family, and she is what we refer to as the "Record Keeper" of her family, and she has been entrusted with family pictures, artifacts, etc. from generations ago!!! so today we are going to meet her for lunch, and we are going to see all her stuff, which she is very willing to share, and we will show her our stuff. Oh, BTW--she lives in the same city I do---less than 5 miles away from me. Cool, huh.

Grandma Time

Wally and I are enjoying time with some very cute little girls--our granddaughters. We have played and sung and fed and changed them, put them to bed, got them up, pretty much anything we wanted--well, almost anything. Jessie and Sarah are very work laden, and we knew it would be that way, but they are still finding time to entertain us. It was not expected at all, but much appreciated. Oops, gotta go--someone's calling me!

Web Presence

Okay, the last week (or has it been two?) has been crazy with energy and emotion.  First of all, Jake, after agreeing to help us set up an extended family website went ahead and did it!  We totally thought it would be something for the future, like in a month maybe try to start when he had the time, etc., and it's already up and functional! Joy and I have been busy looking and learning, giving our opinion freely to someone who will listen (Jake) and we are watching the www.christensenfamilyhistory.com and the www.whitneyfamilyhistory.com sites slowly transform into something awesome and informational.  Today I learned how to link the pictures with the text, and I am slowly working my way through M.J.'s history to hook it all together.  I am exercising much self control and I only work on it a certain amount of time per day, otherwise I'd be up all night besides all day.  It helps that my computer is acting up a lot--I have to be in a patient frame of mind to get it moving.  Once I'm on the site, it's just fine.  

Now I want to address the title "Web Presence."  It's really a way of saying, hey, we are out on the web, come check us out.  But for me it was something more.  First Jake set up the Christensen site, then after a few days and about fifteen emails later and a phone conference, he set up the Ralph E. and Doris E. Whitney site.  When he e-mailed me to tell me it was ready, I went right for it, and there was a picture of my grandma and grandpa, grinning and hanging out in the front room of their house in Overton. (see above.) I thought I was going to cry.  Maybe I did a little.  But talk about web presence!  I felt their spirits so strong and powerful, and the message was, "Thank You!"  Tons of gratitude poured out, for what little research and publishing we have done in their behalf, and also for what lies in the future.  Did I mention I am excited??!!!

Something else.  This week in choir on Thursday we were rehearsing for Sunday, and one of the pieces was "Homeward Bound."  I immediately thought of my dad, Bert Whitney, as that song tends to do--it sends me to the time when he was dying, and we used that music for comfort and expression, ultimately publishing the words to it on the back of his funeral program.  I did a little calculation in my head and realized that Sunday, today, is the 3rd year anniversary of his death.  We sang the song this morning, and i managed to get  through it okay.  So, that was for you Dad.

Whoa, September already!

Kristin and Pete traveling along a beach in San Diego.
Here's something I wrote a few years back:
I am enchanted with the earth. It is a wonderful thing to me. I enjoy exploring it and discovering new things about it.
When I was a smaller person, the soil of the globe held a fascination for me. As a child I let my feet grow painfully cold in order that I might enjoy longer the cool and slightly damp earth in the springtime, especially delightful to the touch after being freshly tilled. It could be so easily shaped and patted, dug and trenched into villages for fantastic imaginative play. Only when the fingers and toes were too stiff from soil and cold would I give into the evening and go inside to bathe and warm up.
These gardens of dirt were very different from the teenage sandy shores. On the edges of lake and oceans, the heat of the late morning and early afternoon burned small sand crystals, embedding them into my feet as I made my way to the cooling and cleansing water. Little white flecks of persistent sand clung to my browned skin and I appreciated how quickly they would fly away when brushed, helping me maintain my sleek appearance.
There was the wonder and discovery of the mountain dirt—gray, clinging soot, kicked up by those traveling to or from somewhere on narrow paths, this dirt only turning to black ooze when wet at the edge of streams, or else transforming everywhere by the surprise of storm showers. This made it much more difficult for me to maneuver, both myself and mud.
And what of the sphere that slowly rocks the ocean? I can only address what I have experienced, and then only part.
A summer Youth trip to Zion’s Narrows in south Utah this year opened my eyes to a place that I had not previously seen or known.
Cold water chilled my toes as it soaked through my shoes and greeted my ankles. I tried to keep my balance on the slippery moss-slicked rocks. They are just below the surface at the beginning, but the current blurs their image and travel is difficult and slow. For this trip, up a living riverbed, two legs are not enough. A primitive third is adopted and immediately I was befriending an inanimate object—a stick!
My body quickly became used to walking three-legged and the water temperature was only noticeable as the level became progressively deeper. Clothing previously dry drank in the water and soaked my skin. Trying to stave off the initial soaking, I sought for sandbars at the base of the canyon walls that occasionally edged the water. Sometimes I skipped from side to side in effort through the water, that I might walk a short distance on dry land.
Soon, the adventure for me was focused on what lay ahead instead of underfoot. As the sun began to heat the narrowing and black-walled canyon, welcome water cooled and the splashing and swimming ahead became spontaneous. Turns and twists in the Virgin River bed, and subsequent canyon walls led me curiously ahead. The water deepened, as the canyon steepened and sky was a small blue ribbon overhead. It was difficult to hear someone speak because of the rush of water, but it didn’t matter, I was too absorbed and fully conscious of my adventure. Just going with another was sharing enough.
The day progressed on and the water and tedious work of walking soon began to tire me. I was so small, only a speck in that great gorge and rushing water, yet I felt so significant. Fatigue crept into my cold and wet body. I longed to climb in the river and let the current carry me back to the beginning. A fork off of the main canyon afforded me the opportunity to rest, eat and rejuvenate.
It was time to go back, and now there was energy enough to do it. The exhilaration from the major excursion accomplished filled me with new energy. I began to use my rod as a vaulting pole and propelled myself quickly along the land and water, this time with the current instead of against. My feet were springs and my spirit was high.
This came to an abrupt and temporary halt when one slippery rock let go too soon and tipped me into the waiting water. Face first and gasping, I came up to the surface and tried to visually find my bearings. Cold water shocked my system and I consciously calmed myself, laid back, and floated with the current, mentally checking myself. I still had my stick, and my shin hurt!
After this assessment, I clumsily climbed out, checked the damage foreleg (I still carry the scar), and began again. I finished my adventure a bit more cautiously, but enjoyed it just as intently as before. Occasionally, I went back into the river purposefully and rode out the current, down the slippery rock beds into pools of deep water.
As I reached the final point, which was originally for me the beginning, I was surprised that I was reluctant to let go of my stick, even when I no longer needed it. Tired, calm and content, I made my way to a resting spot to think about my latest and most satisfying adventure with the earth.

Post Party post

What a weekend! Funeral on Friday, I helped with the food for the dinner after, Saturday I gave a baby shower for my neighbor--first time ever to do that, and in the evening I took dinner to a family that has a teenager in the hospital for several weeks now. Sunday was choir then we went to Grandpa's house for his 90th b-day party. I have to say, Wally's sisters really know how to throw a party. They had the best decorations--interesting, not just "decorations." They were big pictures of the family growing up, and a bunch of Verle's stuff from his war years, and then the tables had more pictures, etc. The food was good and the whole thing was well organized. My assignment was rolls and butter. I am so lucky to get that type of job. Costco and home again. Today Wally is four-wheeling with a couple of his brothers. He left at 6 am and I dozed back off instead of getting up. Around 7:10 or so I came to and realized that Laura's bus was to come at 7 and Yikes!! I jumped out of bed, and there was no Laura or bus to be seen. She had everything already for the day since a couple of days ago, and she showered last night, so that part was ready. I checked her toothbrush and it was wet, checked her meds case and this morning's meds were missing, looked in her drawer to see if she had tried to slip out with her holey pants, but they were there, folded up nice and neat. It was crazy! She actually had gotten up with her alarm and did at least three of the most important things to do to get ready for school. I'm sure she was on the curb waiting for Kathy, her favorite bus driver, and so there was no honk, just board 1109 (also named Belle by Laura of course) and go!! It was a little anti-climatic, to wake up and have part of the day already gone. My plan was to make French Toast for breakfast, her favorite, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. So I did my 45 minute walk alone, since Wally's gone, and then watered all the flowers in the front and back yards. I have several hours of uninterrupted time before me!! What a luxury that is!!

Two weeks off

We just finished our latest "extra" gig at Deer Valley, and now we (choir) have two weeks with no Tues-Wed-Fri-Sat rehersals or perfomances. It seems like endless days stretching before us! (We always have Thursdays and Sundays, and never have Mondays.) So to fill up the empty time in my schedule, I told my neighbor I would give her a baby shower next Saturday. Today the invites need to go out, I think that's our FHE activity, deliver invites. Then I will stress for a week working out the food, etc. We are doing a little quilt for her--I know, it always has to involve a quilt--but it will be a fun time if anyone comes besides her and me. It will even be fun with just her and me. Sunday is Wally's dad's 90th birthday party, a big shebang, and then Monday Laura starts school. WOW! Did we really make it through another summer with out involving the authorities?
About Wally's no job situation: It's still the same--no job. He is golfing this morning with some friends--they go every Monday a.m. and do 18 holes. We have had many discussions about the jobless situation, and communication helps. I am able to sleep better, for at least a night. For now, my biggest frustration besides no paycheck and how do we pay the bills is: All this vacation time and no vacation!
What I would do if I could: Fly to NYC and see baby Piper and her parents. Fly to Ketchikan and see babies Sophie and Maya and their parents. Fly to Maui with Wally and lay on the beach, snorkel, hike, sleep, eat well-prepared fish, etc. Cruise the waters of Central America and be as lazy as possible for about 10 days or so. Buy a new computer. Go to a fat farm and work it out. Fly to San Diego again and see Pete and Kristin. Take Kelton to Disneyland with Mimi. Get new carpet in many of the rooms in my house. Buy a new bike.
Okay, now what I am so glad I can do:
Walk almost every morning with my healthy, happy husband. Visit by phone or blog with my kids (some in person!) Sew stuff with my newly repaired sewing machine. Drive places in my newly repaired car. Sing in the choir. Move forward on my office related projects--writing, publishing, scanning, etc. Read good books. Pick fresh tomatoes out of my garden and eat them. Sit on my deck early in the morning and study. Breathe. Speak. Ride a bike. Do the dishes (that means I have food to eat). Scour my kitchen sinks until they are pure white. Talk with Brenda. Sleep in a comfortable bed next to the man I love. Watch the Olympics and knit (woo hoo Phelps and others.) Dream. Pray. Go to the temple. Meditate. Listen to music, scriptures, books, etc. while I work in my quilting room. Blog. (Ha ha, just had to add that one.)

Favorite Reading

I just finished a book that I really like, titled "Mormon Scientist, the Life & Faith of Henry B. Eyring". One of my favorite stories from the book:
"Henry's second son Hal dutifully majored in physics but not with much enthusiam. He frequently sought his father's help with homework, as anyone living under the same roof with a math genius would. He later recalled how one day his father challenged him. "My father was at a blackboard we kept in the basement. Suddenly he stopped. 'Hal, we were working this same kind of problem a week ago. You don't seem to understand it any better now than you did then. Haven't you been working on it?' " Hal admitted that he hadn't, and got this reponse from his father: "'You don't understand. When you walk down the street, when you're in the shower, when you don't have to be thinking about anything else, isn't this what you think about?' When I told him no, my father paused. It was really a very tender and poignant moment, because I knew how much he loved me and how much he wanted me to be a scientist. Then he said, 'Hal, I think you'd better get out of physics. You ought to find something that you love so much that when you don't have to think about anything, that's what you think about.' " (p. 196)
Good advice, huh.

Teflon Chef

I totally forgot to mention one of our most favorite FHE's in a long time. Pete & Kristin love the show "Iron Chef" on the food channel. The idea is that two very good chefs go head to head and in a measured amount of time they cook a gourmet meal using a secret ingredient that is not announced until the beginning of the show. We altered the rules slightly, but did the idea. Juli D. was the head of one team, and PJ & K were the other team. The secret ingredient was: ZUCCINI! Pete went into Grandpa's and raided his garden, and then both teams took a short trip to the store. In one hour we had some of the best food ever! It was delicious, fun and really creative.

Two very intent and busy buddies.

Summer Life in Limbo

Wally took off Monday with Tom McCoy and 5 14-15 year old boys to backpack for a few days in the Uinta Mountains. He will return Wednesday, and then he has to face some "music." We are still deciding what to do next. Wally is not quite ready to actively seek out a solution, he's still got things bubbling and stewing inside. I think he is taking this time to talk to Tom, one of his very good friends, and use him for a sounding board.

After Moon Lake, we still had company for a few days, one of them being Sophie. It was a nice peaceful few days and we got close. Kristin and Pete hung out for about a week, too, and we kept the party going until they finally had to leave and go back to work. Wally and I spent the weekend downtown with our volunteer jobs, Wally driving the Osmonds to the airport, hotel, stage, etc. and back again. By Sunday i bailed and took a ride to Idaho Falls to hear my nephew Jarom speak in church and a moving piano solo by Clint. We had good food after, then headed back home. Brenda drove me, we left at 4:30 am to get there and we were home by 8:00 pm.

Now it's time for me to head out, but I thought I should post, after all, July is nearly over.

One Sunday from now

One week from today I will be sitting on the porch of a rustic cabin, chatting with family, or perhaps strolling down the sandy beach of Moon Lake with Wally, or singing around a campfire. The point is, one more week! On Friday, some of our people start flying in. Tonite Wally and I wrote a list of things left to do to get ready. He is so emotionally available to me now, I am like a kid in a candy store. On Thursday when Kelton was here, he was playing a game of catch with him and something happened that made them both burst out laughing. I was in my office, and it hit me how unusual it was, and i said, "Kelton, did you hear that sound? That's Grandpa laughing." Wally has been so cheerful and upbeat. I know that 2 years with SliceX has been an incredible drain on him, and he's feeling some real relief, even though we are not sure what is next. Well, actually we do know what's next--vacation!! So the rest remains to be seen. Right now, we both feel very peaceful, and that's what counts.
Clark and his family have spent the last few days here with their family reunion. Some family stayed here, and so this was kind of the hub. Clark and Susie put their trailer in the driveway, and that was a draw, having the parents close. I gave myself a new nickname, Aunt Grandma. The cute and sweet children of my nieces and nephews were so cute, and I had a little time with them on Friday which was fun. Lucy was baptized on the 4th, and she was so darling. We had more extended family here in town for that event, and later in the day we went swimming at Brenda's pool. Kelton was fabulous and had us all amazed at his abilities in the water. He is such a smiler, his happiness is contagious.

Imaginary Lovers

That's the name of the tune I am listening to right now, via speakerphone, played by some saxaphone soloist with a kind of a jazzband backup. Actually it's the first recognizable tune so far in the last 14 minutes. I am on hold with the Medicaid office, and waiting, . . .waiting while all representatives are assisting other customers. My patience is appreciated. When I first got on, there were 25 customers in front of me, with an estimated wait time of 47 minutes. That's worse than two days ago when I called, and today, well, let's just say that there is an added urgency to get Laura all signed up with medical benefits. Unless she will stop needed meds in the next 28 days that is, because that is only how much longer we can get her benefits. Actually, that's only how much longer Wally and I have benefits as well, at least until he figures out what his new place of employment is.

Sand Diego

Just flew back from sunny and hot southern Cali where we (Wally Laura and I) spent a few days with Pete and Kristin + Sweet Pea and Elvis. We were there to: 1. Be a part of Pete's Patriarchal blessing which he received on Saturday 2. taking advantage of the Delta weekly special 3. See our fun kids and where they lived, worked, played, etc. 4. take a little break from the daily drag 5. give Laura a little vacation she could brag about that all would understand what the devil she was talking about 6. have fun. All the above were accomplished. The first night was kind of like a nightmare with Laura struggling to show us all she didn't think she should be subject to any unfamiliar night noises, and I think she slept all of one hour--that was a time when I slept, so I can't be accountable for her during that time. When dawn finally broke she slept for about 2 hours as well. During church she was so tired she couldn't stop tossing her head and scrunching up her face, which started to become alarming to me and I panicked just a bit wondering if she was going to have a full-blown seizure right there in the chapel. Finally I was able to coax her to sit on the floor and put her head on the seat and rest, a normal procedure during church for her, at least a couple of years ago. She did for a little bit, and then she began the trips to the bathroom. We finally waited in the foyer for it all to end, and then went home (amidst the tears) for a nap, both her and me. If Kristin wouldn't have gone too, I don't think i could have got her to leave. The rest of the day was relatively calm, and after a delightful barbeque we played dominoes and Phase 10. By that time it was food time again, and we made these huge pancakes. It was really fun. Monday we rested, then went to the beach and walked around and stuff. Laura gathered shells for Morgan, a gift for her "provider". That's a word which means a person who takes care of her for a while on a weekly basis, providing respite care for the individual and her family while earning a living for herself. I must say, Pete and Kristin are very wonderful host and hostess, with an extra measure of love and understanding for the less than perfect guests that show up at the airport wanting a ride and a place to stay. Kristin once again introduced me to a super food treat that I obsessed over for the whole time I was there--it's a mint chocolate chip frappucino made at Starbucks. :) Last time she stayed her she got me hooked on a potato salad she makes that has some addictive chemical in it. I think we will be having some more at MOON LAKE!

(This Picture I posted looks a little bad, but the pancake size was what i wanted to document. Sorry Kristin and Pete--they weren't really beat up evil twins, it was the photographer.)

Making a difference

Somehow, things are working out this summer with Laura. I was pretty panicky at the first of our daily time together, but we have both settled down and are getting into a groove. I know the thing that sets her off is not knowing what to expect or when to expect it, and what sets me off is to have a timed schedule daily, but I am conceding to give us both peace. It's turning out okay, too, because after a while, she wants time alone without me hovering, and that's good for me. It helped a lot that Brenda decided to invite her to do some fun things last week, like rock climbing (yes, she did it and did it well) and swimming at the pool in Crystal Cove. After the swim, Laura came home and changed and then went back and fixed dinner and watched movies with Brenda. That was so cool. Especially considering the fact that Eryn is in Iowa, so Brenda doesn't even have any kid responsibility right now. Now that's a tender mercy. Brenda is the best.

Look who I found online

Sunday nite, Father's day, we had a nice party/dinner for the Father of this home. Later I hauled my computer (it's a laptop but has a serious battery problem so i take all the equipment to keep it powered up when I go) out to the deck for a calm cool peaceful sunset and evening. I got online and looked around at some blogs that my kids write and I found a nice tribute to the man I love and married: http://jakenreag.com/blogspotblog/jakes/jakesnewblog.html he's also the father of my children (our children). If I could make three wishes for him for Father's day it would be 1:free time and tickets to go see all our children & grandchildren 2: a new job he loves with a pay increase and 4 weeks of vacation starting the day he started work 3:three more wishes. I know that last one might be considered cheating but what's the penalty? Does it matter?

Sigh

The cutting has begun. First large chunks of Laura's long hair, which she has worked so hard to grow out, are slowly disappearing. Now the jeans. Today we were sorting wash and part of the pants were just totally missing. I am a little worried--I splurged yesterday and bought some new jeans for her, stocking up little by little for her summer camps. Which means no more for a while. My age old challenge--how much is Laura and how much is autism? what amount of scolding is fair? how do I teach some one who is unteachable in some ways, and what are those ways that are unteachable and what are the ways that are teachable? How do i get inside her head and see what she is trying to accomplish and then assist her in that accomplishment? And when did she have time to cut yesterday that I was not with her? We literally spent the complete day together, except for sleep time. Wally wasn't even home until 8:30, so I can't blame him for not keeping a closer eye on her.

Can I do this?

Laura's last day of school was Wednesday, and as is my common mantra, "They don't pay school teachers enough." How do you keep a hormonally active, sleep deprived, energy charged autistic 19 year old busy? For three months??! One idea I had today was to get her a gmail address, and give her an assignment to write e-mails to her sibs, one a day. So get ready for some interesting correspondence. She also has a check list of "get ready for the day" type stuff, and we are planning an activity every week. Plus there's Morgan, good old Morgan, what would I do without her, who comes twice a week and keeps Laura busy, challenges her, teaches her how to follow a recipe or instructions on a box, takes her to riding lessons, takes her for bike rides, etc. Laura is struggling right now, too, because she has had a medication change, plus we have added a new one, called "Period Pills." She only has to deal with the dreaded periods once every three months now. It's been just one week, and it's not been too bad for her so far. She's been a little emotional, but it's been appropriate, and it hasn't been prolonged. Wish me luck. Wish her luck. Wish everyone luck!

June First

Ahh, it's June 1 and I just got a notification that my family newsletter is ready, and I didn't write anything for it. It was sure fun to read, though. We had some cool times at the reunion (literally) and many wrote about that. I have spent the last two hours sitting at the computer and I have visited many sites and read a lot of stuff, but i can't remember why I initially sat down. I was bound and determined to take a nap today, but it's too late now. Saturday at about 7:00 we (Wally and I) got home from the recording. I was well enough that i did Fri. night and Sat. all day. We quickly threw a pizza in the oven, watered the plants, ate the pizza (it was not that good) and then left for Carly Robinson's reception. It was at their home in the back yard (shades of two weeks ago for us) and when we drove into the neighborhood, we could hear the music. Earlier in the day we slipped away from the recording and went to the wedding. It was awesome to see the family, and both parents wept at the ceremony. Today choir went forever as we did the broadcast and then had a special rehearsal afterwards for a fireside coming up next week. As we drove away from downtown, I began singing, "I'm runnin' on--I'm runnin' on, I done left [that] world behind...." We don't go back until our regular rehearsal Thursday nite. Wally came home and took a nap before dinner, then one after. I think he's awake now. Laura had a great week with Morgan, who earned a boatload of money this week hanging with Laura while Wally and I were gone or sick. I guess i really had nothing to say but I wrote anyway.
For about three weeks I have a fairly clear schedule--no big events, just normal stuff. Cool.

So Much in So Little Time

The events of the past month have been overwhelming, and all consuming, but very satisfying. Melinda got married to Thomas on May 17, 2008, and had full support from her sibs and her extended family. http://picasaweb.google.com/Jacob.Breinholt/MelindaSWedding Check this out for pics of the wedding posted by Jake. As I was saying, it was fully supported by family, and there were a few who couldn't make it (We missed you Jessie and Sarah plus babies) but we know their hearts were with us. In fact, Sarah and Jessie played a very important role in Melinda's preparation for marriage, by hosting her in their home last summer, and letting her try her wings a bit, providing a great safety net. Anyway, those that were here covered everything possible, from preparations to participation to clean up. While Wally and I were in the temple with Melinda, Laura was hanging out with the family, and I have heard over and over again from others present how supportive and inclusive her brothers and sisters were to her. It has been a tough time for Laura, watching her sister go through the preparations and the parties and all the stuff that goes with getting married, knowing she's "losing" her sister to someone else. She has struggled and cried and carried on about this or that, but the extra attention and love from her sibs definitely soften the loss. The day after the open house in Perry (for Thomas' family's friends) we packed and left for a three day family reunion at Cathedral Gorge. It was beautiful although a bit chilly at times, but the laughter, activities and love warmed our hearts. After all the numerous assignments and events I have faced and completed, I guess I let myself get a little run down and by Monday I began nursing a cold. It's too bad, because the choir is recording this week, and I will miss tonight's event for sure. As I told Wally, I will take it a day at a time, and if i get past the snotty sneezy coughy stage, I will show up for some of the recordings. Saturday we are on double duty--we have to sneak away for a bit during the recording to attend the wedding of Carly Robinson, Doug & Lori's daughter. We are the "parents" of Lori, and will support them in this event.

I am Blessed

Today was the final wedding shower (of the three) Melinda has had, and it was really sweet. Extra kudos to Kerry--she was invited to two and came to both!! I have always noticed that about Glen and Kerry. They come to every family event, always supporting and encouraging. We are blessed to have them as part of our family. She told me the medicine the doc gave Glen for his back is working, and I am happy for them. I don't know what they would do if Glen couldn't lay brick. At the shower today, there were many of Melinda's friends from school and dance and the neighborhood, and it was so fun to watch them visit and carry on like they haven't seen each other for months, which, in some cases, they haven't! Most of them are either graduating from high school in a week or two, or else just finished up a semester away at school. They were so cute and excited and happy. This evening Wally went to help on Temple Square and I was just cleaning off the counter when Julie showed up and Eddie came walking up the stairs in his suit. I asked where they were going and the reply was, "To Stake Conference." Wow, i totally spaced it! They invited me to go with and I did a quick change and headed out. We got seats in the chapel (soft) and enjoyed some very nice music and talks. There were some poignant stories shared, and how trust in the Savior has seen many through some pretty incredible trials. My heart was very soft, and I felt much gratitude for the Savior in my life, and also how blessed I have been and am even this very moment.

Getting closer

Check out the cherry tree, it's blooming.
Looks different, huh. Thank goodness.

Yep, here it is. A whole day to unroll 4600 feet of sod & paint the playhouse. Packy (Patrick) and Jessie. Landscaper and really good friend/part-time employee.

Since Wally wrote the letter on the website about blogging, i have been torn whether or not to continue. That and the time factor. I struggle with my loyalty to support him, or just blog away. I guess I have chosen to blog.
Tuesday the grass is coming. Our backyard will no longer be a wasteland of dirt & clay, but a green oasis. The bark is already in, and it smells heavenly, an aromatic experience to walk outside. It kind of smells like we are in the forest. Packy the landscaper was working pretty late Saturday to get that done, and we ended up inviting him in for Pizza from the Pie. He accepted. We had a houseful, with Melinda's new sister and mother-in-law to be, (Margaret and Susan) and Eddie's Wii party, but it seemed normal. I had just returned from Orem where Wally's sister Marilyn and her girls had just put on a wedding shower for Melinda and also Amber, Joan's daughter, who is getting married in June. Marilyn is one of the most unselfish awesome women I have ever met. She is so willing to do good things. She has much opposition at times, but she just keeps going on if she has a conviction that something should be accomplished. This party was really sweet--even down to the last detail. She dipped strawberries in chocolate, and then embellished them with white chocolate to look like little tuxedoes! I have no clue where she gets her ideas. On the serving table for decorations were little topiary trees made with strawberries, grapes and a third one with broccoli and carrots. It was unbelievable. I took some pictures on my new phone and maybe I can download them. We'll see.

Is this the same planet I was on yesterday?

Monday was 80 degrees, sunny, windy. I finished the second coat of paint on the inside of the playhouse and went in to get hamburgers to barbque for FHE dinner. I watered all the pansies I have planted for Melinda's wedding, it was so warm. They were actually drying out. Wearing my flip flops was like hanging out with an old friend. I surveyed the back yard and noted that it kind of looks like the Gobi Desert with all the grass gone. The mounds under the apple trees and other places where there will be bark beds are starting to take shape.

Tuesday I was working at my computer for most of the morning, re-writing a history for the book (Vol. 2) which is closer than ever to publication. I got up and stretched, wandering out back to check on the yard progress. I opened the back door and a cold blast of wind hit me, making me momentarily forget my question for Packy, our landscaper. I shuddered against the low temperature as I carefully made my way down the deck stairs, determined to complete my mission. My toes were frosty by the time I reached the patio. "Uhm, what happened out here--why is it so cold?" That wasn't the question. Oh well, time to get back in before I can't move because of my plunging body temperature. By the time I got to the back door, there was snow swirling around me.

In Utah, if you don't like the season, wait a day.

We have power

Saturday Thomas and Melinda were here, and Melinda spent the day doing homework and such, and Thomas & Wally rented a trencher and made trenches in our back yard in the dirt/grass. He ran a line out to the playhouse, which now has a light inside, and then to the gazebo, which also now has a light inside plus a plug. Cool, huh! Thomas worked from sunup to sundown, in fact until midnight to do it. Wally assisted and also did some sawing and drilling and digging for sprinkler pipes to my new grow box he is building. I just went around the yard excited and did a few of my own little projects. Today I finished painting the inside of the play house, and I was dreaming of the day that little people would be inside it, having a sleepover, and being not scared 'cause there's a real light,etc. Now I need to finish the play house stair rail Wally started Saturday (drilling his finger in the process) and then paint the outside and add the trim. I did my research work today, and didn't find any of the people I was searching for. It was frustrating.

Cherry's back

I have missed my car. It went into the shop Monday and every day I got an update on it, but it still wasn't ready. One day I borrowed the truck. Another day Wally gave me a ride to Trax. On Wednesday i drove Melinda's car--she was here for her surgery, and while she was sleeping I rushed to the grocery store. I have had to plan everything ahead if I wanted to go somewhere. Finally today (Friday) I got a phone call that it was done. I went to pick it up and I paid the bill, etc. and then the nice lady said, "Okay, they will pull your car around front right out there." I stood and waited and watched. When I saw it come around the corner, my heart skipped a beat and I quietly exclaimed to no one, "My Car!" It was all dirty from the most recent rain/snow storm, but I loved her anyway. I hopped in and drove off, stopping at the car wash on my way home. I noticed that the little delay that I sometimes experience when I step on the gas to accelerate after stopping at a light doesn't exist any more. Apparently she has two coils, one was out and when the second one went out, we really noticed. Now she doesn't hesitate a bit--she's really zippy! And cute! And I am happy to have her home!

Miracle

Yesterday i took Melinda to have eye surgery. She has had such a powerful astigmatism in both eyes, the doctor told us it would help her a lot, but not fully free her from glasses. their machine can correct up to 7, she has a 7.5 measurement of ellipses or something like that. She was just a bit nervous as we waited for them to take her back, and about that time a woman came bustling into the room and beelined toward us. It was Lyndy and Lenae's mom who was working there as a surgical assistant. (Lyndy and Lenae are twins, good friends of Melinda from her high school performance group Encore.) She saw Melinda's name on the list for the day and had to come and see if it was "her" Melinda. She chatted away with her and then when it was time to go in, she walked in with her. She stayed by her side the whole 1 1/2 hours of the surgery, even holding her hand when it got scary and rough. I call that a tender mercy of the Lord. It relieved me tremendously to have her a part of the whole deal. Later in the day, after a we had been home and Melinda had napped, there was a checkup she needed to go back for at 2:00, and Thomas took her, planning to head to Ephraim directly from the doctor if it all looked right. Melinda called me, all excited, and reported that she had 20/40 vision in her eyes, a total and complete surprise to the docs. They said that it usually doesn't happen for their patients until the next day, to get that good of a result, and they really didn't think it would at all for her, that she would have to have a "redo" in a couple of months. Cool, huh.

Sunday Times

Well, I wonder if there are some in our "blogging group" who don't blog anymore. And I wonder if anyone has read my last blog and clicked on the link with the special movie. I may just be blogging to myself but here goes.
I heard something at General Conference today that I really liked and wanted to write about. It's such a great way to structure life, I just had to repeat it. Paul (in the New Testament) said What ever things are true, what ever is honest, just, pure, lovely or good report, keep. Anything virtuous or praiseworthy? Think on these things. It's such a good policy to live by. Why would we pursue anything else? Also we must show kindness and respect for people everywhere. Especially kindness and love within our families. Home is where the storm stops at the door. Great saying, huh. I believe the reason these things jumped out at me is because this is what I can really benefit from the most right now, by implementing them into my life. I am grateful for what a good teacher Laura is for me. I am also grateful that Wally and I are married. I love him a whole bunch.
Yesterday I got to hear two of my grandchildren sing "Popcorn Popping" to me--one on the phone (Maya) and one in person (Kelton.) What a treat!! These little people in my life are awesome. Jessie sent some pics of Maya and Sophie and they are changing a lot. I'm glad he sent them so I will recognize Soph next time I see her! I am grateful that Jake and Reagan keep posting Piper's pics, too, so I can see her growth and progress.
Speaking of growth and progress, I landed a job as a researcher at the FHL for a private firm called Ancestor Seekers. They have a group in England and handle a site here remotely. I work very short hours of course. Actually, I set my own hours and there will not be many until after Melinda is married, but they pay me a lot which will help with all the wedding and such. It's exciting to do the research--kind of like solving really complex puzzles.

Allison's Birthday

I just noticed that this Thursday, April 3, is Allison's birthday--just thought I'd mention that.

Stuff and things

Here's Sam on March 3, birthday #30, goofing off with Kelton. Sam is back from a San Diego run this weekend to get Allison and all their stuff.

I saw an interesting little video yesterday, Eddie showed it to me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzoNInZ2ClQ It's worth watching the four minutes it takes to view it.


Yestserday in the a.m. (kinda early for Saturday) Wally and I walked the cemetery loop, and he told me what his plans were for the day--it was cool, but not cold--and he wanted to do some things outside, such as rebuild the grow box, take down the Christmas lights, etc. I spent the day yesterday going from a baby shower to lunch with Grandma Breinholt for her birthday then home again. By the time I got home and quickly changed in hopes to join Wally outside, the temperature had dropped about 10-12 degrees and we finished up in a few minutes due to the chilly wind that kicked up. And then winter came back for a bit. Ask Sam, he drove home from San Diego to SLC in the night last night and apparently they hit a hefty snow storm by Beaver. That was probably quite stressful to drive in while pulling a trailer. Now it's Sunday afternoon, and with the combination of a chill that has settled in the house, a somewhat sleepless night, and the post-church post-lunch contentment, I am drowsy.

Crystal Blue Persuasion

Check out the cutest little man on the planet, loving the egg hunt on Saturday.

Busy time last week with Easter concerts and such. Sunday when it's all history Wally and I napped. He slept on the bed, then woke up and moved to the couch, put the remote in his hand and fell asleep before he even started his surfing. I was reading and finished my book and went downstairs and stared out at the empty backyard.

There are two new dog owners this weekend--Cora, a cute little lady in Friendship Manor up by the U and my sister Annalee. I am in process of fixing up the backyard, and I know that dogs don't fit into the equation, so I just got proactive and listed them in the paper. Laura's fine with it all. She commented to me this morning with a smile, "Well I guess I don't have to feed the dogs today do I?" I agreed.

Packy, my landscape guy came by yesterday and we talked about what we could do to get a yard ready for a wedding. It's gonna cost a lot.

I have been transcribing some of my old journals lately. I've been doing it chronologically, and I was very impressed with my hip language in the 70's. A sample: "At the dance Wesley was jealous of Jim, he kept sending boys over to dance with me, and tried to get Floyd Wilkins to beat up Jim, but he didn’t want to. I hate Wesley now. He really makes me sick. If only he would act like an adult instead of a boob-baby. Barfo, I hate him But I really groove on Jim. Jim called me 9 times this week. I was only home twice though. I really dig that guy." Some of my favorite music I liked and mentioned was "Never My Love" by the Association, "Badge" by Cream, and "Crystal Blue Persuasion" who I can't remember the artist. I wonder if the journal is worth the transcription, but if nothing else it's great entertainment for me.

Yesterday my new software came. It's called Office One Note and I saw it demonstrated at computer genfest and loved it. I hope I can make it work for me the way I dream it will.

One more thing

It's me again. I forgot (weirdness, I know) to put on this cute picture of Thomas and Melinda. Mimi has touched it up. it was one of the finalists for their invitations. I really like looking at it, and thought others would like to see it too.

I found it

I decided that I was going to sort my office out, paper by paper, and I am pretty close. In the last three days I have gone through all the binders on my top four shelves in the closet, and three shelves in my bookcase. I still have a few to go, but while I was sorting, i was also backing up my pictures, folder by folder, onto CD's. I have them backed up on an external hard drive, too, but I wanted them in neat little boxes so I can access them easily and make copies as needed. About the next to the last binder I opened, there it was. Laura's life. I was so relieved, and as I went throught the pages I found some really important stuff that I didn't even remember was in it. So there you have it. Part of me feels remorseful that I suspected that Laura ditched the book, and part of me feels glad I wasn't sure it was her. Actually in the past she has taken a binder out of my office and emptied it to use for her own puposes, but not this time. For some reason the binder was mixed up with some genealogy binders all the same color, but in a totally different spot than i normally keep it. Don't ask me how it happened. I just want to remind all my family that when i start losing my mind, (officially) my wish is to just quietly be packed off to a nice care center and don't worry about me. sometimes I think it might be sooner than I imagined.

Can't Sleep I'm so Excited

Okay, the truth is I learned so much at the conference I just went to that I woke up this morning at 4:30. I just layed awake, thinking about my plans, etc. and was sorting through the stuff in my mind about what I want to do with my new info. I got a big surge of energy and I have a plan to get myself all sorted out--well, my stuff in my office anyway. I also was thinking about what Wally said to me just before bed. he told me that he wants to get me a new computer for my birthday/mother's day and if I want it early to go shop!!! Sam and i already shopped online and found one that meets my requirements. Well, I think I'll post and then get at it. Bye. Love you.

Genfest Computer Conference

tonight i was driving back from Provo where I have been attending a 2-day conference on computerized genealogy, thinking about all I wanted to blog about. The conference was awesome. The hardest part was to pick what classes to take, cuz that meant I would miss some others. It seems like I was "led" through the labrinyth of choices, though, and they built on each other, providing important and timely information for me, especially focusing on digitally organizing the paper chase. After I "lost" my reference book for all of Laura's life, I decided that I am going through each piece of paper in my office and determining what to do with it all. If I ever do get that book back, I will be scanning all the pages so I can keep an e-copy of the whole thing. Good idea, huh. Well anyway, the thoughts that were with me on the way home have since left, but i thought I would blog anyway. Oh, Wally and I met Thomas' parents Friday night and they are about as nice a people as they make anymore. Susan (his mom) injected me with energy and enthusiam about preparing for Mel's wedding. It's all good. Also something else good. Dr. John saw Kelton (with a busted ear drum) Friday late afternoon with no appointment and took care of him, just for love, not money. What a great friend he is.

Ah, ummm, where am I?

This afternoon I went to grab the binder which has all of Laura's life in it (correspondence from SSI, Medicare, School, Doctor, Therapist, records of all phone calls concerning her, who I talked to, dates, etc etc etc) and it wasn't there. No worries, I said to myself, you moved it to the desk, the other spot it goes. Hmm, not on the desk. Hunting, hunting, hunting . . . about 2 hours later and an ocean of frustrated angry tears I gave up. I even called the school and had the aide do a locker and backpack sweep of Laura's places. No book. Well, it's gone. Probably at the landfill, just as I predicted last blog--that's where it all ends up anyway, especially if you live with Laura. Part of me feels guilty for blaming her and part of me feels confident she ditched it. After I realized it was truely gone, I got super-disoriented as the enormity of what has happened to me really hit. I don't have copies, it was all super-organized in the book. The whole reason i was looking for it was to get her Dr. phone # and talk about meds. she is becoming more and more agitated lately and I don't want any broken windows or stuff. I found the number to call, and got a message that she has quit her practice. Now I'm really dizzy and I can't even remember how to open a file on my computer. hlephlep!

It's fun to read my family

I can't say how much I enjoy reading everyone's blogs. It's not possible to describe what pleasure I get out of reading what's going on, in the mind, in the life, etc. of people that I really care about. It's kind of like having a chocolate or something at the end of the day, a reward that I look forward to a lot. Occasionally I snack during the day and do a furtive check to see if there's anything new, but I am just loving it. I learned at women's conference last Saturday that at the end of the year there is an option to have your blog (for the year) published in a hardback book for only $22 or so. I hope that everyone chooses that--it's irreplaceable family history here.
Yesterday was FHE and we had the whole group here again. Brenda was on lesson and it was about families and how that's what it all boils down to, and that's why we really do the things we do. When it's all said and done, everything else goes to the landfill, right? I know I say that a lot but it helps me keep perspective and also remain encouraged that what I do is important, even though with Laura at times I just wish she would disappear for a few days so I could take a break. Don't get me wrong, I would want her to come back. Actually the real thing is for me to take a break, which I am doing this Friday and Saturday--it's the Computerized Genealogy Conference at BYU and I loooove going to it. That's where I learn a lot of tricks of the trade, and get info about cool internet sites and stuff. Joy's going to which is always fun. She likes my jokes.

Whew!

It's been a long week. Here's Sunday night, quiet and peaceful. Laura's taken her final trip upstairs for toilet paper, and the meds have kicked in to put her to sleep for the next four hours or so. I often debate whether I should used this time to do what I want to do, uninterrupted or if I should get some uninterrupted sleep. I usually split it up. I have been down in the sewing room tonight, working on Melinda's wedding quilt. It's going to be pretty. It has a lot of pieces in it and at first a quilt like that is hard to keep working on, as the results are not that rewarding, but now it's taking a form and pattern that is visible. The colors are blue, tan and yellow with green accents. Melinda saw some of the blocks and she really liked it. Because it is taking so long to make the top, I think the trade-off will be that it will be machine quilted instead of hand. Then it will be finished for her wedding. While I was sewing, I first listened to a session of General Conference from last October. I miss President Hinckley. Hearing his voice was good. Then I had about an hour of Bach, then a little Mozart. After that I heard the history of Athens and Sparta, and now I am listening to the arguements between Plato and Socrates in "The Republic." Actually, now, I am blogging. But that's about to end 'cause I'm going to bed.

Blogging blurbles

Today I went to a woman's conference in our stake--Lani McCoy is still the stake Relief society president and I am really liking it. One of the classes taught was about--you'll never guess--blogging. Jeni Roberts taught it (my next door neighbor--Jeremy's wife) and she did a great job. She handed out a paper with step by step instructions and explained about them, etc. and I am really proud of all of our progressive older women (older than me) that do stuff like that. They had intelligent questions and used the internet lingo, etc. I'm glad I know how to do stuff like this cause my kids tell me about it. Look for fancy new updates on my blog, I know how to do even cooler stuff now. Most of the blogs I read already do really cool stuff and it inspires me.
Wait a sec, i got to get bread out of the oven.
k, I'm back, with a piece in my hand, buttered and strawberry jammed. So I have to type with one hand for a minute. When I was a kid, we used to have bread and milk for dinner. We would break up a slice of bread and put it in a cup, then pour milk over it. Sometimes we would add raisins, too (I bet Jessie would hate that. He had his raisin quota for life while he was a child.) Then we eat it with a spoon and drink the rest of the milk when the bread was gone. Anyway, that's what we are having for dinner tonight. Only you don't have to break up the bread and you can have the milk separate.
Yesterday I transcribed another document for the WRG (Whitney Research Group) It's fun and stuff.

The one thing we can always count on is change

The tender mercy of the day yesterday was that I didn't go to choir--it was an extra rehersal, and I had been cold all day, so I chose to wrap up in a blanket and put on a sweater and read instead of going out, hence, I dodged a bullet. Well, not entirely, it nicked my heart but I didn't die from it. Craig Jessop resigned from choir. At the end of rehersal, which Mack Wilburg conducted, Craig read a letter of resignation, and now he's finished. Cheri Ringger my choir friend noticed I was absent and called me on the way home with the news. I am grateful for the thirteen years of tutelage I have had under his baton. The wild ride put wind in my hair as we have been flying from one experience to the next, witness to the blessings and the hand of the Lord directing the path. I will miss Craig, especially tomorrow night at rehearsal when he's absent, and I imagine a lot during conference next month. I cried a little today, when I wrote him and his wife a thank-you letter, and when Sam, Eddie and my sister Joy expressed sympathy. but I think I am going to be okay. I guess now I know that I am committed to the choir and not just the conductor. There were times when I wondered. We aren't supposed to blog about the choir, but since Craig resigned, I guess it's not really about the choir anymore.

FHE Activity

Tonight we got it together and ripped up the sticky tile off of the middle bathroom floor. Laura cranked up the music to High School Musical and kept fetching garbage bags. Brenda and I had a rythmn going, and we were all getting kinda sticky whenever we touched the place where a tile had been. Then our FHE guests had to go, so Wally and Sam finished up. The washer and dryer have been moved into the hall and office, and the bathroom's ready for the floor guys to come and replace it tomorrow morning. We just laid out newspapers to cover the sticky parts so we (acutally Laura) could still use the bathroom until tomorrow morning when the toilet will be pulled. It was a good thing to use that newspaper idea cuz I saw an obituary of the husband of one of my quilting friends. She owns one of the first quilt shops that opened here in the SLC area, Quilts Etc. There he was, stuck to my bathroom floor. I must send a card of condolences.

I just have to write it

Wally's up in the bedroom watching Fiddler on the Roof and I decided I would take a break and get on line a minute. If you all read the new post on "Breinholt" you will see that Melinda is officially engaged, ring and all. She and Thomas came by this weekend for hugs and congrats and then made the rounds to Thomas' parents and most of his grandparents. He still has quite a few hanging around. This is the part I want to write about--
A couple of weeks ago Wally was in church and Julane Holland came up to him and said, "So, I guess Melinda's engaged now." And Wally said, "No, she's not." Julane kind of stammered a little, then asked, "oh, well when is the wedding?" Kind of wondered a bit at that. It was right after Valentine's Day, and we thought, humm, well, probably some one thought she would be getting engaged that day. Anyway, that night, the phone rang and it was my sister Marilyn calling from Idaho. Her question, "Is Melinda really engaged?" My answer, "No! She's not! Where did you hear that?" Her son Clint was talking to some friends about South Jordan, and he commented that he had family in SJ and named us. One friend said, "Oh, I have heard of Melinda Breinholt, she's engaged and is getting married on May 16." Clint was surprised and called his mom to confirm who in turn called me. I called Melinda and she was a little shell-shocked, too, but we talked through it and decided not to worry about it. We suspected that one of her friends was getting a little imaginative and gossipy and just left it at that. Thursday night a person came up to me in choir and said, "So you must be busy with your cute daughter engaged--what's her name--Melissa, Mel--" My immediately reply was, "It's Melinda and she's not engaged!! Where did you hear this??" She kind of cowered and said it was in her water aerobics class at the rec center, and then slid away with her head down. I may have come on a little too strong, but I was amazed. How on earth was this traveling around the valley (and Utah Valley, and Idaho, etc. etc.) so much? I started feeling a little bad that someone was determined to steal her thunder. Melinda and I talked again, and she said that Lanaya called her and said, "So you're not engaged yet? My chiropracter (who sings in the MoTab choir) told me she was." At that point, I thought maybe I was losing my mind, and that I had made an announcement in choir or something.
The other part to this story is that last Monday, Thomas came by to talk to Wally and ask for Melinda's hand. It was a sweet, loving and thoughtful thing to do. We all had a nice visit and then he showed the ring to us which is beautiful. It used to be his great-grandmother's ring. Thomas had a diamond solitare mounted on it. It's gold filigree and very Melinda. And this weekend we got to see how it looks on her finger.

Grandma & Grandpa

Today I spent some time in a timeless place--Grandma & Grandpa Breinholt's house. I worked with them and got us all up to speed on the personal history projects. We got together for this purpose last fall sometime and then it kind of faded out. I am a little shocked at the difference today from last time. It takes a little bit longer to communicate, a little longer to accomplish the smallest task, and I find myself worrying about whether or not we get to finish what we started together. About 1:00 or so Grandma hobbled to the fridge and said, "Would you like a sandwich with us?" I said it sounded good, and I kept working on the laptop transcribing her written notes of her life history. She mixed up some of this and that, chopped a few things, went to the freezer downstairs for some homemade bread, Grandpa came in and they fussed at each other a bit about who was better at slicing bread most evenly and the right thickness, etc. I finished the typing, we blessed the food, ate together, chatting the whole time. It's such a nurturing thing to eat at their table. I ran a couple of "store" errands for Grandpa and then came home to do homework. My brain is winking out periodically so I will end.

Saturday just before Sunday

I'm sitting here wondering if I should keep working on my homework or get the house ready for Sunday. Tomorrow Jerica Price, John and Jill's daughter is speaking in their church at 1:30 and I was planning to go, but Wally deferred. He has had a day off today, the first Saturday in ages, in fact, i can't remember the last time. He also is taking Monday off--it's a holiday after all, but that never matters to %$&*^$. Anyway, he remedied a lot of things around the house that needed care. He even replaced a shower head in the bathroom that everyone who visits here complains about. It was so successful he may do the one in the basement bathroom. Sunday night Kelton will sleep over here and we can have a lazy get-up on Monday, have waffles and enjoy the day. So do I keep working? Actually the article I am studying is very interesting, I'm just tired. It's about Common Law concepts for the Genealogist: Marriage, Divorce and Coverture. Mr. Blackstone's Commentaries on the laws of England have had longer lasting effects on the US than England.

Oh Yeah, it's Special Love Day

I forgot to write my love to everyone today. I already sent it out when I was laying in bed this morning, starting with Piper, a big open arms of love and energy her direction and a kiss on her little fuzzy head, a 2 inch-away eye to eye with Kelton and smile with the heart, a smother-tickle kiss on Sophie's neck and a heartfelt grin and tousle of the curly head of Maya. I love Melinda, too, and wish her happy memories today as she fixes dinner with her roommate and their boyfriends. they have some special gifts they have made to surprise them. I also send my love to Laura with her $2.00 she earned to buy coke and pepsi (she thinks I don't know). I send my love to Mimi and John and the sweet little nest they have created for love and growth. I send my love out to Pete and Kristin, working hard together and loving it. I send my love out to Sarah and Jessie and their big challenges and changes they are taking on together, loving and supporting each other. I send my love to Sam, making his way clear on how to secure the love of Allison, I send my love out to Jake and Reagan, busily and intensely creating a home of peace amid the NYC confusion. I send my love to Wally, the light of this home and my life, the peaceful center of the storm, the strong oak with deep roots, the steady and spiritual source of wisdom, the Christ love and intimate love and enduring love of my life and world. I send my love out to all my supportive extended family, and to everyone who believes in me and has my back--I have yours, too! I send my love back to the Lord who showers me with His love every day.
Happy Valentine's day all my people.

Stormy season

yesterday Eryn called from school about 4:00 and said "Mom can you give me a ride?" There was a little quiver in her voice and I immediately exclaimed, "You're not out walking in this are you?!!" It had been blowing all day and it started snowing sideways, and when I opened my front door to say goodbye to Cheri (we were quilting yesterday) it looked like a TV ad for cold season with the wind and blizzard conditions. So I went to get her, and she and a few little friends made it to the car, walking at a 45 degree angle to the ground. They looked so tiny, and when there were all settled in the back and front seats of Cherry, Madison our little neighbor girl (Jeremy Robert's daughter) said, "We tried to walk but the wind kept blowing my little brother away. I had to hold on to his hand to save him." I thought of Piglet in Winnie the Pooh. Actually Grandma Marlene had been to the school twice to find them, but it was pretty hard with the whiteout and these little tiny snow-covered ants slowly moving away from the school, kind of how it is when I dump diazanon on a swarming anthill. I thought it was cool the way they banded together, all the little kids in the neighborhood together, trying to get home. One of the schools, Suncrest Elementary, kind of up on the hill where Reagan's brother lives, ending up keeping all the kids overnight. The buses couldn't make it up to the school. It took Brenda 3 1/2 hours to get home from work, Mimi about the same. In spite of it all, Wally came home from work kind of early (6;15 or so) and took me to dinner at Cafe Rio to celebrate our anniversary of engagement. There was no line, and we felt kind of strange in the place with not many others there. It was really quiet and we could hear each other talk. I had my favorite: salmon taco.
This morning we were supposed to take Mom & Dad Breinholt to the temple but Dad called at 6:30 to say it was too snowy. We weren't going to pick them up until around 8:30 but old habits die hard. The brickmason in him got up early and checked all the weather reports and sent out the calls whether or not we would be working or not.