Christmas, family and pain.

We had a really nice Christmas, with the Wilsons and Schapper boys and their wives, plus Mom, at our house for Brunch on Christmas day. It was so fun to see all of them and also to have my kids all together on that day. I didn't ever get the house completelyl decorated, but it looked nice, so that will have to do for this year. I wish we lived closer to the Wilsons. Dave and Shelley are fun to hang out with. They left today, taking Mom with them. She said she had a nice time and was glad she came. I am glad she came, too. Even though the weather and the cold prevented her from going out at all, it was better than her sitting home alone for the holidays.
My knee is quite sore, especially by the end of the day. But, I think I can do the Opera. If I am really careful and don't do too much walking and take my meds on time, it should work. I see the surgeon again today and am planning on letting him know how displeased I was with his PA and his attempt to inject my knee. He ended up injecting it, but then told me he had no idea where the cortisone went and doubted it would work. My question is: Why would he inject something into my joint if he didn't know where it was going and why didn't he get someone else to do it if he couldn't do it? Because he went ahead and injected it, it limits my options for treatment until I can have the surgery, after the opera. It just seems like poor practice and poor patient care on the part of the PA. But, I am still limping along, literally and figuratively. Tonight we start again with rehearsals and go almost daily until the end of the run. It's the slippery slide I have referred to in the past. Wheeeeee!!!!!!

Yucky day

I am feeling really crappy today. My left knee hurts on the inside when I walk, I can't find my wallet, my neck hurts and mostly, my heart is really irregular and I feel breathless and some pressure in my chest. I am also feeling very overwhelmed with Christmas and my house not being decorated, although I am almost finished shopping. Back to my heart thing. In the past, when it has gotten really skippy, I don't take Synthroid for a day or two and that seems to fix it. One of the symptoms of too much thyroid can be an irregular heart. Last week, it was terrible, so I didn't take any Synthroid on Tuesday and Wednesday. By Tuesday night, I could feel a difference. But, since I need thyroid, I started back on Thursday and have felt pretty good, except my knee, since then. But last night it was skipping again a little and today it's bad. I have an appt. with the Ortho guy for my knee tomorrow and got an appt. with the heart guy on Thursday. I probably won't take thyroid tonight, so hopefully I will feel better tomorrow. I hope we can get this figured out. But when I feel this way, I get morbid thoughts about dying from heart problems. With my wallet missing today, I am just about ready to go, rather that try to figure out where it could be and if I need to cancel credit cards, etc. It might be less complicated if I just died. At least for me, I guess. But I would miss KC and seeing my kids live their lives, so I guess I need to stay here longer. When I feel this way, I really, really wish I didn't have to work as much as I do. I sometimes think Dana thinks I am joking when I say that this stress is taking years off of my life, but I am not joking. I really feel like the stress is taking a toll on me.

French, opera and me

I have had a couple of days off in a row from my day job, so I am trying to get Carmen memorized. It's so hard. I have studied and studied, but still, it isn't there. The music part of the process isn't hard, but the language...and trying to memorize it....so difficult. But I think my pronunciation is pretty good. I sort of pride myself in having good diction and pronunciation. But I still tend to speak French with a Spanish accent. Who knew that the word "le", which is "lay" in Spanish, is "luh" in French. But the plural, les, is "lez". Why wouldn't it be "luhs". Every morning, I lay in bed with my iPod, listening and singing with the music. But I still need my book. By Monday, I need to be out of the book, but I may be using note cards. That is more acceptable at this point, but then, soon, no note cards, either.

The dregs of my family

Well, I have witnessed the dregs of some of my family members. And all over a stupid rivalry between two universities and their football teams. The thing that hurts me is that somehow, according to some family members, I have personally taken all of the fun out of the rivalry for them and I am a bad example to my own children. I think it is interesting how some people can side-step any responsibility and push blame onto others. And how they don't have sense enough to stop before they say hurtful things. I am also guilty of this, but I really try to consider my words before hitting the send button. In the past two weeks I have been told that I am immature, told that I am a poor example, preached to in the name of President Monson and been told that I am ruining relationships in my extended family. I guess I am really a bad person. I suppose I should be proud that I have so much power over the lives of others, but somehow, I think I am related to some immature and arrogant people. Sometimes I wish I didn't live in Utah. I was told at work today that I am such nice lady and how much this person likes to work with me. And on facebook, one of my own relatives tells me that I have attacked his brother personally, called him names on facebook walls and made fun of him behind his back, none of which is true. None of it. So, polar opposite evaluations from people on the same day. Wow, what a day. I think I will listen to Carmen and go to bed. :(

Update

I am hearing that everyone is worried because I am depressed. It's weird, because I don't feel depressed, just act that way. So, maybe I am not depressed, just lazy. I have decided that Facebook games are a tool of the Devil. I waste hours in front of the computer, playing stupid games. There is a social aspect to them, especially games like Farmtown and Farmville. I talk to my friends at work about our farms and cafes. But, today, I am just wasting time. I need to read the flylady postings more and facebook less. Or, I need to practice self-control and just step away from the computer. So...on that note, I am going to take a shower, get dressed to the shoes, eat lunch and make a list of what I need to get done today. LIke practicing Carmen. P.S. I love that I have learned to put cute borders on my blog site.

It's official

It's official. I have figured out what is wrong with me. I am depressed, despite taking antidepressants for years. My house is a mess, I have unfinished projects all over the place, my car is filthy, the yard is slowly dwindling into a state of shabbiness and I just want to stay in bed or be on the computer, on facebook, playing games. It's my 55th birthday and I feel like my life is close to worthless. My contact lenses bug me, I have back pain and neck pain that won't go away and I can't seem to figure out how to get out of this huge mess. So I retreat into bed or the computer. See, here i am, instead of getting dressed and getting SOMTHING done before the football game, I am on the computer. So, now I am going to take a hot bath and try to pull myself together for a few hours. I keep saying I need some time off from work, but on my days off, I just sleep in and do nothing, so I might as well go to work and make some money. If anyone wants to help a middle-aged, overweight woman try to pull her life back together, email me.

Macbeth is over:(

It's over! Today was the last performance and while I won't miss climbing up and down the stairs for awhile, I will miss the music and the association with the cast. It was a fun experience, even the 10 lb. witch costume. But, Carmen rehearsals start on Nov. 2nd, so I won't have much time off. I will get some photos online soon.

A Rant

I am going to rant, because this is my page and no one else's and because I can vent here, because hardly anyone reads my blogs. I am SO SICK AND TIRED of people saying rude things about other people, politicians, schools and things they don't know anything about!!!!! Tori says I need to let it go and I am sure that's true. It's harder for me to do that since I hit my head. I don't know if it's my age or the head injury, but I am so tired of Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Chris Hannity and the other media showmen who are quoted by people I know on facebook. I have a friend, whom I will call Bill (because that's his name), who loves to make stupid remarks about things he knows little about, just to get it out there for people to comment on. Most of his friends say stuff like, You said it, Bill, or You're right about that, Bill. I often don't agree with him and so I say so. OMG! * He is nasty when contradicted. And when confronted with facts, he just changes the topic. It's like trying to have a discussion with Jehovah's Witnesses. Or trying to herd cats. Mostly, I am starting to think that his ego likes being stroked by people who agree with him and he can't take it when someone else has something half way intelligent to say to the contrary. I accused him of like to hear himself talk. Now I just don't read anything that he says. I probably will "unfriend" him. It's too bad, because I enjoy a good political conversation, and I don't need everyone to agree with me.
Now my nephew, Jordan, is saying stupid things like "the U is gay." GAY??? How ignorant sounding is that? He says he isn't calling anyone names, just the school. I question the education that people are getting down at BYU. There's nothing wrong with saying that he hopes they beat us in football this year, or that our team isn't very good, but GAY???? What does that even mean? Since I have some gay friends, it is offensive and ignorant for him to say stupid things like that. It only reflects poorly on him. The other day, Tori said something about something being gay. I said that is a very "Utah" thing to say and she might offend some of her gay friends by saying that. She said she didn't mean anything by it, but I hope she won't say it again.
So, I think I have most of it out of my system, at least for today. If anyone reads this and has a comment, feel free. I won't bite your head off and if you want to discuss politics or if you don't like my team, that's ok. Just don't say stupid, rude, narrow-minded things, or I will delete your comments.

*OMG- Mormon OMG means Oh My Gosh!

Macbetto

My intention was to regularly post my thought, feelings, etc. during the course of putting together Macbeth. I sort of dropped out of writing, because it's easier to post on facebook. My bad. Tonight is the next to the last night of the production. There have been some bumps along the way, but I now can trip lightly up the stairs, stir the pot and sing at the same time, without getting too out of breath. The cast party was last Saturday night and was at the New Yorker. It was a good venue for that many people and the food was yummy. I am getting better at the cast Party thing. The first few were really awkward, because I was so in awe of everyone. Plus, I think that performers are often shy people when not performing. It's hard to make small talk when you are used to having a script of what to say and do.
I also wanted to write about my feelings about the "house". I love the feeling of security that overtakes me as I walk down the sidewalk to the stage door. It is a feeling of calm and safety. When I go through the door, I usually smile at the security guard sitting in the booth, then down the stairs and sign in at the board. People are usually scurrying around and you hear singers warming up, but it's okay. I just feel so safe there, because I know that I have done all the work and now I know what I am supposed to do, along with everyone else. We have dressers and hairstylists to help us look right, someone has done my laundry and it is sitting at my chair along with my costume, ready for me to put on. There is a list of what I wear in each act taped to the mirror. Dressers are there to zip me up, help me with the costume and be sure I look right. The wig people make my hair look right and I do my own makeup, but even then, we have been told how to do it. It's a secure world, with no worries. By the time we are into the performances, I know my lines inside out, so there are no concerns there. It's just a lovely feeling and I love the experience of having that safety in my life.
One of the challenges that I think we all have it to keep the show "fresh". Susanne reminds us often, especially after opening night, that it is new to our audience, every night. We may have done it 4 or 5 times, but it is new to the people who paid to see the show. I try to remember that every night when I am standing backstage during the overature, waiting for the curtain to rise. I think everyone in the show tries to do their best each time.
I am always amazed at the process of making an opera, starting with picking up the score, laying in my bed, marking where I sing and trying to learn the words, then putting the words to the music. Next comes the rehearsals at the Practice Studio, with Susanne, and the difficulty of learning and memorizing. Next is fitting in the Costume Shop. That's when I first see how I am going to look, sort of. Then, Maestro comes and we practice with him. Next, the stage director starts telling us where he/she wants us to be and how to act. We try to figure it out, based on tape on the floor in the PS. Finally, we are in the "house" and on the set and trying to figure out how the staging we learned on a flat floor fits into the often multi-level set. Then, we start rehearsing with the orchestra and see how that sounds so much different from the piano that we have been practicing with. Dress rehearsals are next, with a small audience on Wednesday and a larger one on Thursday. Then a day off, and then, Saturday....Opening night. It's so fun!

More opera thoughts

Wednesday night was our first staging rehearsal. I enjoy working with Stephanie Sundine. She is firm but also really nice. And she isn't intimidated by Maestro. Anyway, she wants us to be "weird" as witches. We have to bend at the knees and walk sort of bent over, waving our hands wildly. And sing. I have some sore muscles, but have been doing pliés everynight to strengthen my legs. And we saw the set and got to walk on it, and the stairs are higher than normal steps, so it is going to be a challenge to run up and down the stairs and sing, too. It will be fun to do and weird to watch, but a lot of work, too. Then, Thursday night was the banquet scene staging. Much more sedate. They have some sort of cool prop throne for Macbeth, in which the ghost of Banco can appear and disappear as needed. I can't wait to see it. Now if only I could remember the words to sing while acting. More practice.
Tomorrow is the mega rehearsal. 2-5 and 7-10, That;s right, 2 rehearsals in one day. We did that with "Grapes of Wrath" on a Sunday, too. By the end of the day, we are all exhausted. I will need to take some Motrin before we start so that I don't get too stiff. Then, in a week, we are in the house, on stage. It's coming fast.

The Maestro

Well, we met our maestro tonight. He is the same one who did "Tosca". He is not my favorite. He is from New York and is Italian heritage, so he talks with an accent and also he mumbles, so we can't hear him. He doesn't lead with a strong downbeat, so his conducting style takes some getting used to. But the Stage director is also the same one from "Tosca" and she is a dream to work with. I also can't remember her name, either. She is pretty good about standing up to Maestro. Rehearsal went well tonight, but would be better if I had the whole thing memorized. It will come.

Facebook vs. Blog

I just realized that I have spent hours on facebook and have almost ignored my blog site. My bad. I am battling to finish memorizing the opera. Tonight is our first night with Maestro, so it will be fun, I hope. I called in sick to work today, mostly because I have a bad cold and am still feeling tired and sneezy. I have wasted over an hour on facebook, playing Farmville. Now I need to get going with my day. I have peaches to can, tomatoes to can, windows to wash, yard work to do and memorization to finish. I had two cd's of the opera, but I can't find either of them right now, so I may need to burn another one. I think I am at the point that singing with a cd with cement the words in my brain. I also need to balance my check book, too, but I want to get away from the computer. I have to tell about a great dinner I made last night. I made Chicken Helper, Alfredo Fettucini. But I added some tomatoes that I had slow cooked in the oven for about 6 hours. These tomatoes are my new secret ingredient in food. Real quick, you put a baking paper on a cookie sheet, cut large tomatoes into 4-6 wedges apiece, or use small tomatoes whole, coring them first, of course. I heat up 1/4 C olive oil and add about 1/2 teaspoon of thyme, rosemary and then a bunch of basil leaves from my garden and let this heat up so that the flavors mix in the oil. I drizzle this over the tomatoes and put in oven at about 225 for at least 2 hours. Then, I eat them off the tray, or add them to pizza, or Chicken Alfredo. So good and so easy. I would encourage anyone and everyone to try the tomato thing. It's from one of Julia Child's cookbooks and so good. Bon Appetit!

Salsa, salsa, salsa

I started to make some salsa yesterday, but accidently put in twice as much jalapeno peppers as the recipe called for. It was so spicy hot that I can't eat it. It was even hot for Dana, who usually can put up with a lot. So, last night, I put another 5-6 cups of tomatoes in my crock pot and let it cook all night. Then I mixed it with the other salsa to dilute the hotness. It helped quite a bit. So, now I have to go to the store to get more lids and then process it. Does anyone want salsa for Christmas??? I also got my "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" book in the mail. I can't wait to try some of the recipes. Let me know if anyone wants my salsa recipe. It's a good one.

Costumes!!!

I went to the PS (practice studio) today for my costume fitting. I have 4 costumes for Macbeth, the most I have ever had in one opera. First is the witch costume. It weighs 10 lbs. if it weighs an ounce. There is a huge poncho-type outfit which hangs to the floor, with all sorts of unraveled cloth hanging on it. Then there is a mask, which covers my face, except my mouth and chin. Then a big hood over that. The last part of that costume is a pair of flesh colored glove with 3 inch fingernails on them. I can't even take them off by myself. I look pretty ghastly. Next is a lady's costume, with a brown skirt, an over jacket of brown velvet and a necklace. I wear black ballet type slippers with that. Then there is my "sleepwear" costume. Same brown skirt, but with a different tunic over it. Lastly, there is the refugee costume, which is the same as the sleepwear, but with a shawl and an hooded shawl, (both) over the sleepwear. I wear boots made of cloth, laced up the front with that one. It's going to be hot, to say the least. I have heard that we are going to braid extensions into our hair. I will definitely take pictures when I am in full dress. Tonight was our first rehearsal with Suzanne. She is so good, but so stiff. The lady leading the rehearsals last week was more fun, and we got a lot done, but probably not as nit-picky as Suzanne is. I like the nit-pickiness, but I wish she was just a little more fun. Oh well. I plan on blogging this opera experience, so expect a lot more.

I LOVE opera!!

I just got home from the third night in a row of rehearsal for Macbeth. I also found out that the women's chorus are the witches in the first scene, so I get to be a witch! Someone was describing the video of the Met's production of Macbeth from a few years ago, and it sounded really gory. I hope we do something like that here. Remember, we perform October 17-25, so it's right before Halloween. Scary witches and goriness is appropriate, don't you think? We don't rehearse again for a week, so I can have some of the pieces memorized by then, but I have to get working on that. I come home from working all day, then going to rehearsal and I am hardly tired. I love opera!!!

KC's first birthday party.

Here are some pictures of KC's party. Mike, Dane, Matt, Tori, and Dave (of course) were there and are in some of the pictures. It was fun and KC really liked opening presents and eating his cake.

update

Wow, it has been an unusual two weeks. For one week, I was being tested with radioactive iodine for thyroid tissue remaining in my body, then the next week I was being treated for thyroid cancer. That's almost continually being in isolation, 10 days on a no iodine diet and multiple full body scans. The whole process was not great. I survived though. Now they will follow my progress with biannual blood tests. I am not that worried about it, mostly I see it as a bump in the road. Maybe I am really in denial. I don't know.

This past Tuesday, Cloud went to Vista Farms, where she will hopefully be sold by Wendy the trainer to someone who wants a really good horse. Wendy and I both have the same goal to get her to a family who will love and keep her for the rest of her life. She is being ridden daily and gets to run around in a big field with the other horses. I am sure this is what she needed all along and if I had been able to do that, we wouldn't have had the problems we did with her. I will miss her when she is sold, but I am so happy that she is where she is now and I really hope someone will want to buy her. Wendy tells me that she is being perfect and sweet to the riders and the other horses. I am proud of what a good horse she is.

I am working on painting my kitchen, with help from Dave. He has been indispensable and I wouldn't be where I am in the process without his help. I will post pictures when it is finished.

Here she is.

Ok, let's try that again.

Cloud pictures

I had a professional photographer come out and take some pictures of Cloud. Here are a few.

More news

I sold my scooter!! Yay!!. No more payments on that. I sold it Monday to a really nice young couple. The lady said that they had been looking for awhile for a scooter and had gotten really discouraged because what people call perfect condition, wasn't. Mine was in great shape and had only been laid down once. They paid $2900 cash and I threw in my old helmet.

I got some nice photos of Cloud and posted them on my ksl ad this morning and got an email about her just awhile ago. So, maybe, with some luck, she will go to a new home where they will ride her. It will hurt to see her go, but it will be better for her and me for this to happen. I do think about getting another horse in awhile , like a quarter horse, gelding, calm old boy horse. No drama.

I am currently radio-active, until sometime tomorrow. I go for the scan tomorrow morning. I went off the low iodine diet this morning. YAY!!! I lost about 5 lbs on that stupid diet, because there is almost nothing to eat that doesn't have iodized salt, or natural iodine in it. All dairy, soy milk, eggs, tomato sauce, bananas, processed meats, crackers, cookies, almost everything premade, beans, broccoli, spinach, strawberries, chocolate, blueberries...the list goes on and on. So, that leaves water, cantaloupe, apples, grapes, lettuce, fresh meat ( I am not a big meat eater), plain pasta (no salt to add flavor), garlic, cinnamon, fruit juices and a few more things. Oh, unsalted roasted nuts, so I ate almonds until I can't look another one in the face. I have been on the diet since last Saturday, so this morning I was having fantasies about french toast, eggs, cereal with soy milk on it, toast with butter, but when I weighed myself and saw the weight loss, I calmed down a little. Then when I went to the kitchen, there was about 3 tablespoons of soymilk in the fridge, so I had cheerios with a tiny bit of milk on them, a banana, orange juice and two slices of toast with butter. I still have to avoid getting close to people, so I am hoping Dana will go to Applebee's and get me take-out. I have been having fantasies about that. I don't usually eat at Applebee's so it is weird. I set up Mike's bedroom in the basement for me and I like it except there is no phone and no TV. I have been watching dvd's on his computer, which is good. Ketza sits outside on the windowsill and begs for me to let him in. I can't have any of the animals on me, but I can't explain that to him. Poor kittyboy. I got a lot of knitting done yesterday and some good naps, but now I am bored. I wouldn't make a good invalid. Because I am excreting the radioactivity in my bodily fluids, I have to use disposable plates and bowls, and plasticware, wash my laundry separate, flush twice and rinse out the tub after showering or bathing. I'll be glad when it's over. The worst thing is that I can't see KC, but I will be able to see him after Friday. It would be awful if this lasted longer than that. Well, I need to find some lunch. Oh, peanut butter was on the bad food list, too. Thankfully, jam wasn't. No chocolate and no ice cream. Life was hardly worth living. TTFN

Yay for the opera

I got the email that I could go and pick up my score for the Scottish Play.    I guess there is a superstition about saying the name of MacBeth.  Anyway, I picked up my score and am excited to get started on it.  It's in Italian so that won't be too hard.  German is my least fav.  Carmen is in French, so that will be a little hard, too.  

I worked 11-7 last night and survived.  It wasn't too busy, so that helped.  Plus, it is a fun group on nights and we laughed most of the night.  It's amazing how funny stuff on YouTube is at 3 a.m.  

I am so glad that I won't have to do that again for 4 wks.  

I am still working on stripping and washing the walls in the kitchen.  Wallpaper paste is miserable stuff, just gooey.  

I also went to PT and Kurt gave me some exercises for  my neck and my shoulders.  He didn't seem to think that it is very serious and  he thinks that I will be able to improve my shoulder and neck with exercises.  He also suggested that I get a massage, so I will do that too.  And he said that riding my bike shouldn't aggravate either my neck or shoulder.  Yay.  

So, tomorrow, I plan to ride Cloud early, before it gets hot.  Then a bike ride sometime tomorrow.  THen, tend my vegie garden, strip wallpaper, clean house, do laundry...maybe I won't get all of that done, but it's good to have goals.  

Today, I was feeding a popsicle to KC and he wanted to hold it, so I showed him how.  Then he held it out for me to take a lick.  He would feed it to me for a few licks and then would feed it to himself for a few licks.  It was so cute and I didn't mind sharing a popsicle with him.  

Time to go to bed.

Where has the time gone?

My last posting was a month ago! I can't believe it. Since then, we have gone to Oregon for a family reunion, which was fun. It was good to see my sisters and my mom. Mom seems better than she has been in a year or so. Yesterday I helped Dave and Kristen move into a 2 bedroom apt. I don't know who is more excited about having a bedroom for KC, them or KC. Actually, KC is excited about everything, especially the balcony that he can crawl on when he escapes from the apt. D and K kept marveling about how much stuff they had accumulated in 2 1/2 yrs. I was marveling at how hard it was to carry the stuff up the stairs to the new place.

Work is as stressful as ever. I wish I could cut back on the L and D part of my work. Maybe someday.

Today I saw my endocrinologist and he wants me to have a full body scan to look for thyroid cancer. I guess I need to do it, but I still think I am fine. If I do this and it is fine, then maybe he will get off my back about this. I am sure it is in my best interest, but the test is involved and I will have to be in isolation for 3 days after drinking this radioactive stuff. That means missing some work. Oh well.

I also am trying to reach the neurosurgeon who saw me at IMC after my fall. I think I need a follow-up scan to see if the clot is going away. Things seem a little different these days and I need to get it checked out.

I am trying to sell Cloud and my scooter, but no one is even interested. That's discouraging.

My house is a mess, my garden isn't doing very well, my car needs a tune-up and I am off to PT tomorrow after working a night shift tonight for the first time in a long time. It sucks to be me right now. But KC is as cute as a bugs ear and he makes me happy. TTFN

riding my bike

Tori and I went to the Jordan River Parkway, or whatever it is called and rode bikes yesterday and again today. It was partly cloudy yesterday, so it was perfect temperature and today it was sunny and warmer, but still nice. I am getting a little sunburned on my face, so I need to put more sunscreen on. It is pretty flat, so it works well for me as a beginner. I don't have riding gloves yet and am noticing that my fingers get numb from the pressure of my upper body weight on my hands. I also am getting saddle sore, but not too bad. I was wishing for an ice pack today about half way through, but was okay by the time I got to the car. I suspect it will get better. I need to get a helmet, gloves and a waterbottle holder for my bike. It is supposed to be rainy tomorrow by late morning, so I want to go early. I want to get on the trail by Gardner Village and go south. A few years ago I jogged that trail and would like to ride it now.

It was a sunny day, but I didn't get any garden work done. I hope it doesn't rain until late afternoon, but who knows. This June has been the wettest I can remember. Good for the lawns and the roses, but not good for horse riding or gardening.

I am singing in church this Sunday with the choir and I keep forgetting to practice. Not good.

I went to see my cardiologist yesterday and an orthopedic guy today. My heart seems fine and he told me to not take baby aspirin for a year, because of my head bonk. The orthopedic guy suggested PT for my shoulder and neck. We are not sure if I tore anything in my shoulder and he is calling my neck a sprain from the head bonk. If the PT doesn't get my shoulder feeling better, I will have a CAT scan to see if there is anything torn in there. I am told that torn cartilage or rotator cuffs don't heal on their own and have to be repaired surgically. I don't want any surgery this summer. Or fall or winter, either. Both the cardio guy and the ortho guy asked if they "drilled" my head. I love the way we medical people talk about stuff. LOL

BTW-they didn't drill my head.

Babies and Teenaged Parties

Last night, just after Dave called to see if we could watch KC for them while they went to a movie, Tori announced that she was having friends over. KC was coming at about 6:30 and Tori's friends were coming at 7:00. I was in the middle of vacumming and didn't want to stop. I was still at it when Tori's friends showed up. Luckily, KC was satisfied to play in the playpen with Dana watching him. That's a change for him. Usually he wants to be picked up when he sees any of us. Later, Dana was tired and I needed to go to bed, too, so we put him in bed with us at about 9:30 and gave him a bottle and after about 25 min. he fell asleep. Dave and Kristen came at11:10 and got him. He was a good boy. Tori's party went on, although it became Night Games until about midnight. They started out playing "Risk" and then moved on to cards, before they went outside to play nightgames. I am glad she had some friends over. It's a good excuse to clean up the house. TTFN

It's amazing how quickly your life can change. A couple of weeks ago, I went to work. I was happy, contented with my work schedule, my jobs, feeling pretty good about things. Then I found out about the "Mandatory Meeting". It's too long to go into, but basically, our boss told us that we are despised by much of the hospital and that the solution is to "mix it up". That means, in her opinion, that dayshift people have to work some night shifts and nightshift people have to work some dayshifts. Somehow, the thread of logic got tangled up. After another meeting, basically called by the staff, the dayshift people will temporarily each work one night shift a month. That doesn't sound like a big deal to people who have never worked nights, but after years of working nights, it's a big deal. But management made the concession that it won't be permanent, only temporary, although they couldn't tell us how long that will be. Mostly, the way it was handled was not conducive to good will and trust. Oh well. What can you do?

Then 2 days ago, I was the shift coordinator and I got into a shouting match with one of the CNA's. I called Human Resources to come up and help me with this person. I was asking her to go home if she didn't want to do the work I needed her to do. The lady from HR, at one point, was concerned for my safety and stepped in between us. I mostly was so shocked at this person's behavior that I was just standing there, amazed that an adult would act like that at work. Today, we had a sit-down meeting with my supervisor, me, the CNA and HR. I think it went well and was civil. I was concerned that she would be fired and I felt bad about that, but they decided to give her one more chance. I really hope she can turn it around. She basically is a nice person, a hard worker and is really nice to the patients. But she is also volatile, emotional, tempermental and sometimes out of control. Too much drama for my tastes.

I also got my spider veins injected in my rt. leg. I have to wear a TED hose for 48 hours, and then I can take it off and look at them. The dr. said that it would take awhile for them to go away, but I am excited that they will go away soon. I will need at least 2 more sessions of injections. He uses a 30 gauge needle and it only hurt in a few spots. Most of the time, I could hardly feel the needle at all.

I put my scooter on KSL.com to try to sell it. I have Cloud on there, too but have only had 2 calls. The first guy asked a lot of good questions, but then didn't show up to see her. The next guy was looking for a horse for his 13 yr. old daughter. She is a beginning rider and I don't think it would be a good match. So, here we are.

It has been raining daily for about a week. I need to plant my tomatoes, but it's too wet to get excited about doing that. Maybe tomorrow. TTFN

The Opera!

I don't think I mentioned that I re-auditioned for the opera in April ( I may have mentioned that) and I got my contract and I am "Macbeth" in October and "Carmen" in January!  I am so excited to be back in that again.  It is so fun for me to do and I am feeling more and more like myself.  Not being in a show for a year made me wonder if I could do it, but obviously Susanne thinks so.  I am looking forward to learning the music.  It will be fun.  Dana and I went to "Don Pascuale" this past Wednesday and it was so funny.  The tenor was awesome and the soprano was perfect.  It was so fun to see my friends on stage again.  It is an Italian comedy opera and Utah Opera set it in the American West, during the cowboy days.  They all wore hats and boots with spurs.  It was only strange to have them singing in Italian for about 5 min. and then I just got into it and it was perfect.   TTFN

Some photos of Cloud

It was Beauty Parlor Day at Cloud's today.  I spent a couple of hours trimming and washing her for the summer.  We have this each spring.  In the past I have totally hosed her down and soaped her up, but today, I just did the hair trimming on her legs and hooves and her ears.  I think she turned out very pretty.  She was a little concerned when I brought out the hose, but I only used it to rinse out her mane.  

Another try

I don't know why it wouldn't download both videos, so here is the award ceremony video.  

My weak attempts to video Mike's race

Okay, here is the pathetic video of the finish and then the award ceremony.  The award ceremony was pretty casual.  On that video, they have already announced Mike's name and  the applause you hear at the very beginning of the tape is for Mike.  Yay!!!  In the finish line video, Mike is in the blue and white suit with a little red.  He came in third, but I think he is 4th when he actually goes by the camera.  Sorry for the shaky hand.  I am going to get some sort of tripod to help with that.    

The Race

Mike came in  third!!!  It was a great finish, with 8 guys struggling to be the first one over the line.  The guy who came in first is a really good sprinter, the second guy is a Pro and then Mike was third.  He even beat Dave Harward!  Dave usually beats Mike, so that was good, too.  I now have a sunburned nose and face, even though I sat in the car a lot, or in the shade and put spf 30 on my nose and face.  I also met Melanee.   She is cute and seems very nice.  

The weather was perfect for a bike race at Bear Lake.  Not too warm and not too cold.  No  wind to mention and sunny.  I love sitting by the road, listening to the meadowlarks.  And Bear Lake is the prettiest color of turquoise.  

Tomorrow Mike is riding in the race around Bear Lake (twice). He won that race last year, but we didn't get to see it because we didn't know he was racing. Dana can't come and neither can Tori, but I am going up to Logan after work tonight and staying in a hotel and then driving over to Bear Lake for the 8:00 am start. Two weeks ago, he was racing with Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and Floyd Landis in the Tour of the Gila in New Mexico. It was a good experience for him to see how incredibly strong that caliber of racer is. It gives him something to work towards. I hope he wins tomorrow. It's fun to be the mom of the winner or at least someone in the top 10.
I haven't done anything much yet towards selling Cloud, but I will get on it next week when I have some time to clean her up so that I can take some good pictures of her. I may even have time to do that tomorrow, after Mike's race. I hope I can find a good home for her, with someone who understands Anglo/Arabs.
I also am going to sell my scooters, which I also haven't done anything about. I need to take photos of the white one and the yellow one needs to be inspected and probably new tires before I can sell it. I just don't have the interest in riding the scooters anymore. I am really wanting to get back into gardening. And maybe camping. I will miss Cloud terribly though.
My head feels pretty normal now, no aching when I bend over to pick up my shoes. I still forget a few things and can't always find the right word. But I think that is getting better, too. My typing is getting better.
We just realized that the Senior recognition night in our ward is the same night as the Academic letters and awards night at the high school. Tori wants to do the senior night in the ward, but I think the academic award night is more important. I can't believe that the YM/YW didn't check to see if there was any big conflicts before they scheduled the senior night. What a mess.

The last day off before I have to go back to work.

The rash is going away and the itchiness is better, but not gone completely.  I didn't take any benadryl today.  And it is spelled BENADRYL, not benedryl.  I think I was on drugs yesterday when I posted, misspelling the word benadryl and also using all of the seven dwarfs names in one paragraph.  It was scary to read my last post. 

 Tomorrow I am back at work, but just doing testing at LDS.  It won't be too hard and it will be good to get out of the house.  I planted some flowers today, but have a ton of yard work to do in the backyard, but couldn't do it while my head is recovering.  It still hurts inside my skull when I cough, sneeze or bend over, so hard work is out for now. 

 Kristen and Dave are here tonight, studying for finals.  I am watching the Bubs so that they can  study.  Tori has 4 boys over, "studying" for AP English.  From the sounds of the laughter, I am not sure how much studying is happening.  I taught Bubs how to go down the step into the living room backwards, took him for a little stroller walk, fed him, bathed him  and laid down with him until he fell asleep.  It's fun being a grandma.  TTFN

Plans changed and we didn't get to babysit the Bubs.  It is probably good, because I started with a reaction to the meds I was taking to prevent seizures and am covered head to toe with an itchy, red, bumpy rash.  The Dr. said it would last about 48 hrs. and to take benedryl. So, now, it is more than 48 hrs and I still have the rash, but it is getting less intense. I haven't slept very good the past 2 nights because of itching and I am drunk-feeling from the benedryl.  But I can tell that the Dilantin is wearing off.  I even felt good enough to drive yesterday.  So, I am sleepy, but not dopey.  Because of the hayfever, I am sneezy and I was grumpy on Thursday.  I talked to Doc. on Saturday morning. I am also happy to be getting better, but feel a little bashful about telling people about what a stupid thing I did, trying to get on Cloud standing on a bucket on top of a step stool.

So,did you get it?  I used all of the seven dwarfs' names in my last paragraph.  Maybe the benedryl and dilantin are making me weird.  I hope someone will comment on my strange blog, so that I know people are reading it.  Because, if no one is reading it, then I might start writing really personal stuff, like in a diary.  Woo Hoo!!.  

Babysitting little KC

Tomorrow night we get to babysit the Bubs all night again.  Dave and Kris need a break.  It will be interesting, but we have done it before and will have a better set-up this time.  I hope Dana knows that he gets to get up with him all night.  Hopefully there won't be too many times.  We were lucky in that all 3 of our kids were sleeping through the night by about 3-4 mos.  At least most of the time they did.  But it's fun to take care of the Bubs.  He's so cute.  TTFN

More on my condition

I remember that the hospital people told me that I would feel 20 yrs. older for a few days.  I can imagine feeling like this at 74, but I don't like it at 54.  I called the Pharmacy at AVH and Erica the pharmacist told me that the dilantin I am on for a few more nights will make me feel "dumb".  I hope by the time I am finished taking it, my brain will be healed and I won't feel so slow anymore.  Sometimes I have to search for the right word and I get a little dizzy for a few seconds, and my short term memory is not great.  That HAS  to get better.  I went over to see Cloud with Dana today and had a nice time brushing her.  She is totally calm and I never feel threatened by her.  Accidents happen and it was my fault for putting a bucket upside down on my mounting block.  I had planned on riding her bareback for a few minutes, to practice leg commands, etc.  When you are bareback and start to fall, there is nothing to hang on to.  Plus, I think the bucket bouncing around underneath her caused her to move away, so I really had no chance of staying on.  It's just too bad I couldn't get my feet down before I fell.  Then I would have landed on my feet and maybe scrubbed up my knees and hands.  I was asked by hospital personnel if I was wearing a helmet.  I hate how they look, but I think I am going helmet shopping before I ride her again.  I have worked with her so that she doesn't move if I bounce a big red ball under her, but I didn't think about working with her with a bouncing bucket.  I will do that when I am feeling better.  I am considering trying to find her a new owner and home, but I really love her and love being with her and I am really torn.  I guess if someone perfect walks up and says they would like to own her, I might do it.  I just am really ambivalent about it.  But I don't think there is a big hurry, because I won't be riding her for a little while.  I am not even driving yet.  TTFN

Head injury

I fell off my horse while trying to mount bareback on Friday, 4/24/09, and sustained a concussion.  I spent 24 hours in Shock/Trauma ICU at IMC in Murrry, UT and then another day on the post trauma floor.  I am home now, but can really feel the effects of the head injury.  It's hard to concentrate and sometimes I have a little problem finding the right word when I talk.  It will get better, but I am in the "dumb" stage right now.   I will post more later as I feel better.  TTFN  

blogspot vs. facebook

I am getting more and more invitations to be friends on facebook. I DO have a facebook account, but I hardly ever check it. I think this blog site is my favorite, mostly because I have figured out how to use it.
I was thinking awhile ago that this time next week, my trip to Chicago will be almost 1/2 over. I am so excited to go with the Brighton Band to Chicago. I have never been there before, so I am hoping the weather will be okay and we will have fun. I am the mother hen over 4 girls and 4 boys. I am trying to figure out how to be a "fun" mother hen. I think I will bring some sort of treats or something like that. I haven't done anything like this since I was one of the parents on Mike's school field trip to Marine World-Africa USA in California, before we moved to Utah. Or was it Dave's field trip? I can't remember for certain whose it was. It was fun, but boy, was I tired when we got back to the school.
My back has really been bugging me lately, so I finally went in to see Dr. Anderson, my chiropractor. He said I was "really out of whack!" So, now, 2 sessions later, it is still sore, but feels improved. I rode my bike last night for about 10 min, when my heart started skipping. It usually doesn't take too many rides on the bike to stop the skipping, so I will try it again tonight.
Easter is in 2 days. I can't believe how quickly the holidays creep up on me. I used to decorate and make such a big deal of each holiday, when the kids were little, but now not so much. Easter is fun because it doesn't require a big deal if I don't have the time. It was sure a fun holiday when the kids were little, though. Dana would hide eggs around the backyard or the house if the weather was bad. The kids would get really excited to go egg-hunting.
I am almost finished with Tori's knitted camisole. So, I am going to work on that for awhile. TTFN

Time flies

It's been exactly a week since I was sitting down to breakfast with Syd, Brian and Dana at the Flamingo Vallarta for the last time. After breakfast, I walked around the Marina to do one last bit of shopping and saw Oscar, the guy who booked Dana's zipline adventure. We talked for a minute and then I went on my way. When I got back to the hotel, I realized that we didn't have to check out until 1:00 p.m., so I put on my swimming suit and went to the pool. I sat out in the sun after cooling off and got a little sunburn, so that I would look like I had been on vacation. I read Pres. Obama's book until I thought it was time to go and get ready to leave. It's a good book, The Audacity of Hope, but a slow read. I still haven't finished it. I remember being so impatient to leave and go home. I had a lot of fun in Mexico, but was sooooooo ready to go home. I missed my life, my kids and my pets. In Mexico, I was Dana's wife and he was the photographer. At home, I have my own identity and I was really ready to be myself again.
I can hardly believe it has been a week since then. The days go more slowly in Mexico, but go fast here, especially when I am working. My kitty missed me. He hardly lets me out of his sight. Even when I am taking a bath, he sits on the edge of the tub. The dog follows Dana around the house all the time now. I think she really missed him. Tori actually admitted that it was pretty boring while we were out of town, so I think she missed us, too.
It snowed here on Monday and I was almost ready to go back to sunny Mexico. But it has been sunny since and the snow has mostly melted and the bulbs are pushing their way up. The crocuses have already bloomed. I need to get out into the yard and get going on gardening. I am really going to do it this year. I always have big plans and then don't do it because it gets too hot and it's easier to sit in the cool house. But this year, no!
I also found out that I have to audition again for Susanne and the auditions are in 12 days!. I still have a hoarse voice from that huge cold/ear infection that I had about a month ago. My right ear is still fuzzy. So I have been practicing and immersing myself in opera music to get ready for the audition. I am going to sing "Voi che sapete" from Il Nozze di Figaro. It helps that the Opera company is doing that one right now, so I will be able to see it before I have to do it. This past year has been such a miserable one physically and I am raring to get back into the thick of things. My knee is good, the worst of my vein work is over and I am healing from that and my plantar fascitis is better, so now I just need to get back into shape physically. I can't run, so I am biking to do that. So far, only in the living room, but I will try outside soon. I rode Cloud a couple of days ago for 15 min. She did well and I didn't notice any pain in my leg from the vein surgery. I mentioned that to Dr. Hadjbian yesterday and he cautioned me to not ride for about 2 wks. longer. He said that I could knock loose some scar tissue and get it into my circulation and form clots, so I will follow his instructions. I feel like the "winter of my despair" is over and only good things are in the future. Even Wallstreet is going better this week. What more can one ask for? Maybe I will get to retire someday afterall. TTFN

last day

Today is our last full day here in Puerto Vallarta.  I will be glad to get home.  It's beautiful here, but so muggy.  I hate to be sweaty, especially when no one else seems to be dripping.  My mascara constantly runs under my eyes, so I look like a raccoon much of the time.  Dana's seminar is over, so we have time on our hands.  Dana and some friends from the seminar went "zip lining" this morning and they should be back soon.  Later, Dana and I are going down town to the mercado to shop one last time.  Dana got lots of pictures related to his seminar.  I will go through them and post the most interesting.  The models were cute girls and quite sexy.  Lots of skin!!! The pictures will be interesting.  We have not had any trouble with sickness, so hopefully we won't when we get home.  We drink bottled water and soda, but the water system here at the marina is filtered, like in the U.S.  They say we could drink out of the tap, but we don't.  But we do put the ice cubes in our drinks, so who knows.  Everyone had been very friendly, in fact we didn't know how many friends we had.  Every Mexican person who is trying to sell us something calls out, "Amigo, come here!"  I can only get internet in the main lobby of the hotel, so I am getting sleepy and am going to go up to the room.  I may post again from here or just post from home with the pictures.  TTFN

Hola

I am sitting in the lobby of the Flamingo Vallarta, where it is warm and muggy.  We have been here in Puerto Vallarta since Friday and will be going home next Friday.  If I had a camera battery, I would be taking tons of photos and we are still hoping to find a camera store today that will have batteries for my camera.  It is a long story as to why my camera doesn't have a battery and I am pretty mad at Pictureline for not giving me my battery after they sent out my camera for repairs, but the bottom line is that I am in Mexico with a camera but no battery. Enough of that.  The prices here are pretty amazing.  Last night, we went to a restaurant where they specialized in shrimp.  Dana had a mixed platter, which was huge and came with soup and fried banana for dessert and I had a huge platter of coconut breaded shrimp with soup and fried banana.  It also came with Kahlua and Tequila shots, but we didn't partake of those.  Anyway, together the bill came to $199 pesos, which sounds like a lot, but at $14.2o pesos to the dollar, it was quite reasonable.  $13.94 USD or something like that.  And it was more shrimp than I could eat.  The bus is the best transportation around here and it is 5.50 pesos per person each way.  So for 11 pesos, Dana and I can ride as far as we want to, less than a dollar.  We are going to go downtown later today, after it cools off a little, and check out the Marcado and the Cathedral.  And look for a cameral shop.  I really hope people are checking out my blog because I would feel pretty lonely if no one was looking.  No one posts comments, so I don't know if I am talking to cyberspace or if anyone is listening.  Sue

KC's Rasta Hat

I have been making these cute little dred lock hats this winter.  I made one for Tori in Brighton High School's colors, one for her friend Annette, one for Dave Wilson and this cute one for KC.  They aren't too bad to make and actually go together pretty quick.   Sue

PIctures from Christmas 2008

Here are a few pictures from Christmas Eve this year.  KC was having fun playing with the wrapping paper.  In another one, you can see KC playing in his Johnny Jump Up and also my new bike from Mike.

We opened presents on Christmas eve because Dave, Kristen and KC were going to Manti on Christmas Day. 

Two more

Sorry if I am boring anyone, but the more I post pictures, the better I get.  Here are the last two.  Tori gets a lot of attention from guys after the games when she wears that wig and is wrapped in that blanket.  Next year, she will be in the marching band and then who will I sit with at the games???

Some more pictures

For some reason, it only let me post 5 pictures, so here are some more.  

Pictures from the "Big Game"

So, I am still practicing posting pictures.  Here are some from the game with BYU, which we won, by the way.  Some are pictures of KC before the game and then some of me and Tori at the game.  

More photos

Here is a family picture from last October, when KC was blessed.  I don't actually know the names of all of the people, but most of them are Kristen's family.  It was a nice day.  Sue

Not for the faint-of-heart

Okay, here are the photos of my bruised leg about 5 days after the vein procedure (January 28th). It isn't pretty.  It looks much more normal now.  I am still having trouble figuring out how to post pictures, so I will keep practicing.  Sue

If it's not one thing, it's another!

Now, I have ear infections in both ears and my right ear drum burst Wednesday night!  I can't believe my bad luck.  

About 2 weeks ago, I had the worst cold I can remember having, but after missing 2 days at work, I got over it.  Then, this past Tuesday, I remarked to Dana that I still feel sick ,but the cold is over.  Later that day, my ears popped when I swallowed and they hurt a little.  I thought that was all there was to that.  But Wednesday afternoon, the pressure started building in both ears, but mostly in my right ear.  By evening, it was hurting, so I took some Motrin to calm down the inflammation.  I had already take sudafed in order to shrink the swollen membranes in my eustachian tubes, hopefully to get them draining and to relieve the pressure.  That didn't work.  Then, about 9:30 p.m., I was driving home from feeding the horses and I started hearing noises in my rt. ear.  Then there was a pop and some warm fluid started draining out of my ear.  It felt better, but I knew it wasn't a good thing.  I made an appt. to see an ENT on Thursday and by then my left ear was really building up the pressure. I couldn't hear very well out of either ear.  He gave me some drops and an antibiotic, which I took immediately.  It probably looked weird, me laying in the front seat of my car with my rt. ear upward, for about 10 min. letting the drops soak in.  Then I had to drive out to the DMV to renew my temporary license with my motorcycle attachment.  When I had to answer the question about having hearing loss, I said I don't have any, hoping that will be true in a few days.  Then I went to Tori's competition for State Solo and Ensemble.  I missed her solo, but heard the trio and duet.  But when she and her friends would talk out in the hallway, I couldn't tell what they were saying.  I had to have Tori repeat stuff a few times.  That night, my left ear was quite sore when I went to bed and I figured it would rupture before morning, but it didn't.  Today, Saturday, my left ear is still feeling a little pressurey, and my right ear is still draining and feels fuzzy.  I can hear better out of my left ear, because it didn't ever rupture, but I can tell it's not 100%.  My rt. ear is quite muffled.  I don't know if that is because of the continued rupture of the ear drum, or if it is filling up with fluid in my middle ear.  But, all in all, it sucks.  I missed work yesterday because I didn't know if my left ear would rupture, but I am supposed to work tomorrow.  I really want this to be over by then, but I am afraid it won't be.  I think I can go to work half deaf, as long as it isn't hurting.  TTFN  P.S.  What????  Speak up and stop mumbling!

Yesterday, when I went to feed the horses, I jumped out of my car and walked briskly to the barn to feed them. That doesn't seem like a big deal, except I haven't been able to walk briskly anywhere for so long. It felt nice and I felt young again. One of the things I have learned from this past year is that limited mobility and chronic pain makes you feel and act OLD! It also can erode your self-confidence, too. I have more empathy for older folks now. But I never was ready to "settle" for the old lady, sedentary lifestyle, although I have discovered the joys of afternoon napping on the couch. But yesterday, I didn't feel the need for a nap, so I think the napping is really due to fatigue, not just habit.
I am getting excited about our family reunion this summer. I was responsible to get a date, which I finally did. That was a challenge. I think it will be fun to see everyone. TTFN

update

I am at work, waiting for a patient to get ready to deliver, so I thought I would post an update, but I may have to stop abruptly. I see Dr. Hadjbian this afternoon for a followup visit. I have forgotten how unpleasant the vein lasering was and am ready to move to the next leg or whatever. I really want to get this done before summer. Plus, I am dying to ride my bike again and he said no bike riding for awhile after the vein work. I haven't even asked about horseback riding, but with this good (sort of) weather, I am starting to think about that, too. I keep wanting to call it vein surgery or stripping, but that's not what it is, but maybe I will call it that anyway. Dr. Hadjbian is a little vague on the details of how long I can't ride and how much it will hurt, etc. I think someone needs to laser him, but that's my passive aggresiveness showing. Dana took some pictures of my leg, and uploaded them onto his computer, but hasn't uploaded them onto my computer, so I can't post them. I will bug him about that again tonight. TTFN

Vein update

I don't have a lot of time to write now, but in a nutshell, it wasn't fun. I had Dana take some photos of the bruise, now 5 days out, and I will post them. I am becoming a Motrin addict, the 800 mg size. The good news is that I hardly notice my plantar fascitis in my rt. foot or my rt. knee.  Actually, I think the knee is fine and the foot is much better.  But the entire length of my rt. leg is pretty sore and stiff.  I will post some photos soon.  TTFN

You're so VEIN!

Tomorrow I am having the saphenous (sp?) vein in  my right leg lasered/cauterized shut.  They don't do vein stripping anymore, but they insert a laser thing into the vein and then cauterize it.  I need to have this done, but as it gets closer and closer, I am getting less and less excited about doing it.  When I asked the dr. if it hurts, he said not too bad.  "As compared to what?" I am wondering.  I have to take 10 mg of Valium 30 min. before the procedure.  It is done in the office with a local anesthetic, but that doesn't reassure me too much.  I will report back later.  

I finally rode my new bike a couple of evenings ago. It was a dark and freezing night...Mike was making adjustments to the gears and chain and stuff and then he suggested I ride it. It was so cold that I only rode past a couple of houses. I quickly realized that it is possible to forget some aspects of riding a bike. My balance is poor and jerky and I have trouble making u turns, like with my scooter. Maybe I will be able to pass the scooter test if I get better at bike riding. But the good news is that the bike seat is comfortable. Yay!!! Mike also showed me how to set up the trainer, so I am going to ride tonight. I felt okay after walking on the treadmill Thursday and doing some weightroom stuff.
Tonight they are replaying the Sugar Bowl on TV. I am planning on riding my bike for part of the game and then eating popcorn. That sounds good, don't you think?
These days I am feeling very overwhelmed by the amount of work I am doing. I am too tired to do anything else and that is a "sucky" life. I can't remember the last time I rode Cloud. I can't keep up with the housework, let alone do any extra projects that I want and need to do around the house. I am hoping that by getting into better shape, I will not be as profoundly fatigued after work and on my days off. I don't think it is a thyroid thing, because it's not that kind of fatigue. It's the swollen, achy leg fatigue that wipes me out and makes it so uncomfortable to walk. So, I am hopeful that it will get better. Otherwise, I am taking to my bed, like the Victorian ladies used to do. TTFN

Cemetary thoughts part 2

It was a little strange, but last Tuesday night, kind of late, about 9:45, I was driving past the cemetary after feeding the horses. I noticed 2 cars parked by the side of the road and as I went past, I could see 2 women, sitting in chairs, by the side of a grave. It was cold and very dark. Now I am getting curious, so I am going to have to notice which grave they sit at and read the headstone some day soon. That's devotion, to sit beside a grave in January in Utah. I will post when I figure out which grave it is.
My feet still hurt, even after the shot in my rt foot. I am scheduled to have work on the veins in both of my legs later this month and I hope it helps with the achiness in my legs. Mike has repaired his bike trainer and I am going to have him show me how to hook my bike up to it and start riding in the living room. If I could lose some weight, maybe my feet and legs wouldn't hurt so much, but it is hard to get psyched up to walk on the treadmill when my legs and feet burn all of the time. Maybe if I ride the trainer, I will get better circulation in my legs and that will help with them. I will keep you posted. TTFN

National Champs

I think the Utah Utes Football team should have been named #1 in the nation, but I guess we have to bow to the almighty BCS system and we are #2, behind Urban Meyer's Gators. I read an article in Wed. Salt Lake Tribune about the possiblity of Brian Johnson becoming the new offensive coach at the U. It is an interesting idea and he would be good. He always did better when he did his own thinking and didn't listen to Ludwig, or whatever his name was. Johnson is a leader and is cool under pressure. I also think the Ute Athletic Dept. should pay for the marching band to go to the Inauguration. There would be no question if the Football team had been invited to go shake the President's hand. The Athletic Dept. would have paid, no doubt. But at this point, it's up in the air. Dave is saying that they "probably" will go. I hope so. What an amazing opportunity to be at such a momentous event. I keep thinking back to how cool it was to go to the Olympics in 2002. Dave, Mike and I sort of kept pinching ourselves at how cool it was to be at the first event, even though it got snowed out. If Dave does get to go, I hope he takes LOTS of pictures and blogs about his experience. TTFN

Go Utes!

Wow!!!! How about those Utes??? That was an amazing game. We saw Dave about 5 times, a couple of times in the Pregame show, then several times in the half-time show. I was so proud of those football guys! They showed the country what they could do. We are in Oregon right now, and we watched the game at Dave and Shelley's. It was so fun to see the "Crazy Lady", Dave and all the Ute players. The announcers were even calling Louie Sakoda "King Louie", like we do in Utah. The look of disbelief on the Alabama players' and fans' faces was priceless. I am sure I will post some more, especially after I can talk to Dave and get his perspective. We did notice that in the 3rd quarter, the refs seemed to notice that the "wrong" team was winning and they did what they could to change the outcome, but the Utes were too good, even with the call giving the dead ball to the other team as a fumble, not calling an obvious face masking, and penalizing us for "excessive celebrating" when we intercepted a pass and our guy strutted a little bit. But the final score was 31-17, Utes. A perfect season!