Super Saturday Revisited

Cynthia helped me catch up tonight. Had a great time. Crafts are definitely more fun with a friend! 

Gold panning Gregman style

Putting Christ in Christmas

Thanksgiving

Owen was gone on Thanksgiving, Greg was with Sierra's Family and Barrett is at school so I spend Thanksgiving dinner with friends...The Thueson's and The Ford's.  Love my good friends.  It was delightful 

Hamp Thanksgiving

Kim and Jeff, Jean, Laurie and Hector and the girls, Grandma Kay, Greg and Sierra spent Thanksgiving with us.  

Beautiful faces painted by our resident artist, Kimberly. 

Sierra and Greg...so cute.

Mom heart

Look how great she looks after a night in the hospital.  Mom had a mild heart attack and an angiogram.  They found only on blockage, 80%, so she was transferred to Mercy for a stint procedure.  She came through great!  

Gwyne was on her way back from Indonesia and she changed her travel home to come here.  What a blessing.  She took over the day after the procedure and took care of mom while I went to bed.  

Greg and Gwyne offered to take over prepping for Hamp Thanksgiving so we did not cancel.  

Hawaii Day Four

Sunday was a good day. Owen, Barrett, Randy and I got up to go to church.  We got lost so we missed Sacrament and the English speaking ward and ended up at a Tongan ward, but at the last 20 minutes.  So Barrett and Owen went in and were able to hear a few testimonies and the closing song which was apparently amazing. He was thrilled! 

We then went and found the English speaking meeting for the last 20 minutes and took the sacrament afterwards.  Then we returned to the hotel.  We celebrated baby M's first birthday and took more family pictures.  

Grandma Kay and M

I liked the chili cookoff award from the Tongan ward 

Family lunch 

Love this group!

Yukata pictures before everyone started heading home

Hawaii Day Three

This morning we scattered Uncle Lloyd's ashes at Rainbow Reef?  I opened it up got people to share but not many did but I knew what I wanted to say. I shared that he was always positive and interested in others. He would always ask what you were doing in your life at the time of your visit. Gwyne and I shared some fun Uncle memories... Him taking her to Tiajana in route to the Laguna Art Festival. Him buying us every Beatles albums he could find because we said we were interested.

Owen, Karen and Bob added a few things and Gwyne and I sort of primped each other on some memories. Naomi shared about how he met Milton, his best friend and her husband. Milton was a music agent in Hawaii and was a vocal coach for the Orientones, the group Uncld Lloyd was a part of. 

Then it was time. Petals then Uncle Lloyd followed by beautiful leis. It was great to have everyone there. I hope they thought it was okay. Grandma Kay was happy!

Later lunch at Duke's to visit and get to know each other a big more.

Our full day was not complete. Family photos on the beach. Monique referred us to a friend. I peaked at one point and I think she is a miracle worker to make any of us look good at the beach with the wind and fading sun. 

Our luncheon visitor - Duke's is open

Mom with Naomi, the wife of Uncle Lloyd's best friend 

Family pics - Gwyne and Erekson kids

Handsome Greg waiting for his turn

Lovely Amanda, Randy, and Mariko in the background 

Hawaii Day Two

North Shore! Love North Shore. Spent a wonderful morning with Monique and her beautiful family. Went to BYU Hawaii, the Temple, Ted's Bakery and Sunset Beach. Then Tai and his friend Sean arranged for great tickets to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Best day! 

Beautiful baby boy!

Charismatic LR

I love North Shore, this is just in the neighborhood. 

Love this beautiful girl and her family!

Greg taking care of LR (not that she felt she needed it but so sweet to see my boys being so attentive to her) 

Beautiful shot of the temple from the window of the Visitor's Center

Yummy Hawaiian food: quava and shrimp grilled sandwich, M________?, 

Competition at Sunset Beach

T with Monique in front of the Polynesian Cultural Center 

PCH - Hawaiian dancers

PCH - Tahitian dancers

Hilarious Coconut guy

Hunky tree climber

The Luau 

The Luau - after running through a soaking rain

Post show - long but great day! 

Hawaii Day One

Landed, got the car, got a soda, then back to pick up Barrett. 

First stop:  L and L Hawaiian Barbecue

Barrett and Gregory 

Owen and Mom 

First musubi of the trip 

Barrett's traveling attire. Actually he wore real clothes but changed to this at the airport to get the reaction. Funny boy!

Wisconsin...Finally Back!

Have to go to Mars Cheese Castle

I

Happy Me 

 Barrett and I came back for Julie's wedding but I had wanted to come back to visit for 24 years so I asked Gwen if it wouldn't be too hard on her if I stayed to visit. Gratefully she said I could stay. 

Day One Post Wedding...Barrett, J , K and I drove back to WI before the others to get Barrett on a plane and K to work. Sunday at 4:15 up to take Bear yo the airport then back to bed. Later I woke up in time to drive over to Sacrament meeting. I texted the change in the bishopric to Gwen. 

Day Two Post Wedding...recovery

Went for a walk on the new trail

Day Three Post Wedding...it was raining. Saw Gravity and went to Mars Cheese Factory 

Day Four Post Wedding...went to Lake Geveva for lunch and shops

Today I go home. It is nice to visit with Gwen. We are comfortable. She doesn't feel like she has to entertain and I don't feel like I have to be entertained. 

Mary, her mom, has been here too. Very fun visiting with her. Talking about politics, latter days, my work, her family has been great ! She is awesome and it has been years since I saw her last. 

First selfy attempted with my new iPhone - have to work on it. 

Week ending July 21, 2013

So today I realized that I didn't write about last week...not sure if it because it was boring, I forgot or I hate typing on an iPad? I think it is the iPad. I will try to go back to it but meanwhile...Owen is staying with Barrett this week. Greg is helping Steven with a motorcycle. I started the Registration project this week, short two people and realizing I really love what I do but would still love to retire. Mom invited us to dinner and Greg asked if Steven could go so we had a nice time.

Ute's in Town

Today I took the day off work, took the bus to Sacramento, and spent the day with Ute. She came with Mark who is attending a conference and we played.  First stop, pedicures.  Then Hobby Lobby followed by Jack's Urban Eats and the Bundt Cake place.  Back to the hotel for a couple of hours at the pool and then back on the bus.  It doesn't really matter what we do, we always pick up where we left off.  A couple of hours filling each other in on the kids and life, but the rest of the time is just comfortably being together.  Friends forever!

Week ending 7/7/13

Some weeks are better than others.  Monday I had a bad day at work. I could have been bolder in doing what was right. Lisa tried to call me out on some activities that I should have been responsible for.  She was upset by one of my former teammates.  He was a retired annuitant, and before he left he shared his opinion with someone who is his personal friend about the perceived apathy about our project. I knew about it but let it go because I trust him, his former position and experience, and felt that it was their personal interaction and not my place.  However, it was shared back down to Lisa, which surprised me about the other person, but Lisa thought what he did was unprofessional. Lisa was ranting about it and I didn't chime in, deflecting it from me. Lesson learned but it was one of my weaker moments.   Then there was a fire on Hwy 50 and the highway was closed. 3.5 hrs on the bus. Gots lots of reading done:)

Thursday - July 4th Independence Day! Pancake breakfast in the morning at the ward building. Then Bridal Vail Falls wither the Porters...way fun!
Friday gave blood, lunch with Carey for her birthday. Something for Sue for her birthday. Picking Owen up from French Camp.
Saturday spent most of the day moving a new family into the ward...well Owen and Greg did with Seth, Steven and Dave P and PlVly ward.
Sunday...Got called to Primary as 1st counselor. Working with Bonnie R and Debby G.

Week ending 6/30/13 - Reflection

Since I am losing my mind it is even difficult to look back on the week and remember what I did. I sit here and really have to think. I was supposed to go to Sue R's for dinner on Tuesday but she called to tell me she wanted to go to the city council which reminded me that there was something I did on Monday which was why we set it for Tuesday in the first place. I met the missionaries to visit a couple. She is a member by birth and he knows Owen from school and Barrett and Michael C from musicals. It was a nice visit. The missionaries are frustrated because they can't get him to go past the intellectual exercise to sincerely want to know if it is true for himself and for the greater desire to know God's will and plan for us. I prayed this week that he would want to change his hear to real intent. Maybe one day.

Tuesday I stayed at home and wasted the night. I am caught in the place between guilty and letting my back heal. It isn't getting much better and When I get up to do stuff...it's hurts worse.  I probably did the same thing on Wednesday but I can't really remember it :(.

 Thursday Greg came home from house sitting and was here after my visit with Sue which was very nice. We talked about family history and an upcoming health event she is having. She is one of the strongest people I know.

On Friday Greg was back to house sitting and I was on my own again. I am lonely and happy at the same time but wasted too much time on the couch. Discovery number two: the couch has the same effect on my back as the car seat. Note to self: don't sit on the couch for more than 20 minutes at a time.

 Saturday...stretching, icing, watching movies. Wondering why I am wasting so much time? Spent time feeling guilty and sitting on the couch actually made my back worse. Note to self: do something productive.

 Sunday the answer to my prayers...Sunday School was about the second coming. She asked what we would go home and do differently if we knew Christ was coming. The lesson was about the fact that we are doing what we need to be doing and rejoice and not be frightened. Lesson:  do those things that I have been asked to do...what am I waiting for. Family history; service; relationships; personal history; time with family.

 Sunday night...empty nesters potluck. Yep it is the stage I am in. Was the youngest there but had fun.

 Sunday...awesome day of reflection, discovery and learning.

Before I went to church I watched a Mormon Message about a girl applying the same scripture that Joseph Smith did to know the truth. I love this because as missionaries it illustrates that we are really just inviting people to find out for themselves so great is our faith that Heavenly Father will answer our prayers and the Holy Ghost will testify the truth of all things. Today in Sacrament meeting Elder Clements filled in for Lennie who was supposed to speak but he wasn't well.  Elder Clements goes home this week. I was glad to hear him he was to share the Joseph Smith story and he did through the story in this video. He did I a very nice job.  Then Pres. Sellers spoke on seeing the finger of God in our lives.  I have been so blessed because I now see the hand/finger of God in my life everyday. He really is intimately involved in our lives.  Then in Sunday School the answer to my prayers...how to be more thoughtful with my time...everything is in preparation for the coming of the Savior. If we are doing these things everyday then we are ready and not fearful.  The mundane is necessary but with the attitude of preparation our attitude can be much different and what we choose to do can be totally different as well.  then on the finally hour a combined meeting was on family history. The Taylors did an awesome job by using people as the visuals as they told stories of families that re missing people and how they found them.  It was a great visual.   A going to take the time to plan my evenings to do these important things I should be doing and can be doing with my time.

This evening I feet to the empty nesters dinner. It was fun. It helped to talk to a few of them.  I miss my boys. They are men and I still want to be the mom. I am but they will make their own lives now and will share those things with the loves of their lives just as I do.  Not their mom.  I remember that about me and my mom but now I know that is where I am. It is not bad, it is how it's supposed to be but I guess I am just surprised at how quickly it has come.

Week ending 6/23/13 - College and Owen comes home

Ha ha.  I listed what I did this week but I never went back to fill in so I have no idea what some of this means.  Maybe I will find the pictures to go with it someday.

Monday - Mikuni's
Tuesday - Cindy visits
Wednesday- temple with Barrett. Dinner with mom, Cindy and Roger before Barrett leaves for BYU
Thursday - Barrett leaves.  Pedicures with Cindy
Friday - Missionaries over for dinner and Owen comes home
Saturday - Went to see Man of Steel.  Had dinner with mom and Cindy

Week ending 06/16/13 - Hospital still and Ward BBQ

So Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the test came back at 35,000.  We loved Dr. Swartout who on Monday tried to rule out the rare and unusual.  On Tuesday, we changed doctors.  Nice enough guy but got the feeling he thought it was silly that Barrett was there but could not release him until the number got down to 5000.  However, he was able to tell us the results of Dr. Swartout's test and there was nothing rare or underlining that caused this to happen above just overdoing the workout with Seth.   

 

 

First outing outside in four days

On Wednesday morning the number got down to 19000.  So they started doing the test every four to six hours. Barrett walked me to the lobby because I was going to work for a few hours until the next test where we were sure he would be headed home.  When he was in the lobby he talked to the volunteer about playing the piano.  I had tried for the last four days, but it turned out he was successful and he was able to play in the afternoon. The results of the next test still didn't get the level low enough and he said that he would be there til morning so instead of going to pick him up, I went to girls night at Carrie's.  

 

On Thursday morning, it jumped down again but didn't go below 5000 so thinking the test at noon would do it, I left the office and headed over to the hospital.  Nope.  Greg was in the area so we both went to the hospital and hung out.  The doctor was frustrated and turned up the volume on the IV (Bolus). Barrett played the piano again; we went to get dinner (Greg and I); we watched YouTube videos and waited.  The results at 8:30 p.m.....5500...still he was staying the night in the hospital.  Because Greg was there we left my car with him so when the results of the next test came and he had breakfast, he could drive himself home....which he did! Yippee!

 

He was discharged Friday morning.

 

 

Walking down to the piano

Playing piano with IV cart

Greg listening

 

Saturday was the Ward BBQ at Lyon's Park sponsored by the Elder Quorum.  Owen was supposed to cook but he didn't make it back in time.  Greg came with me and that was fun.  It was a great turnout and everyone seemed to have a good time.  The weather was perfect!

 

Also Greg worked on the Element to get ready to sell.  It looks beautiful.  The first buyer came up from Stockton after the BBQ, but didn't offer.  It is okay because I wasn't quite ready yet. 

Greg, Jonny, Nathan and Debby's dad chatting

Greg and Amy with Ben

Bishopric skit - they have thrown the gauntlet down for the auxiliaries to follow suit

Sunday is Father's Day!  Greg, Owen and I will celebrate next week when Owen is here.  Barrett will be leaving for Utah, but Owen goes there often so they may see each other more than we will.