"Very Good, Jodi"

panic attacks.

2010-09-22T11:21:00.000-07:00

I've only ever had one panic attack and that was when Chris was about 2 years old and I was boxing up his baby clothes and thinking..... this is my last baby. Now I probaby should have had one this past weekend, while he was getting married.

but all I did was shed my share of tears. Everything was beautiful, rain and all.

2009-12-14T20:03:00.000-08:00

http://brain.mgh.harvard.edu/Glioblastoma.htm
Thought she was going to Phoenix for her birthday and thanksgiving, but ended up with a brain tumor. All is okay now. had surgery to remove it. Why did I have it...... Don't really know. no I did not have lots of headaches. i WAS HAVING A SINUS INFECTION WITH HEADACHES. wHAT'S NEW ABOUT THAT.... NOTHING. i WAS TAKING A Z-PACK FOR THE INFECTION, BUT THAT DIN'T SOLVE ANYTHING. mY HEAD DID NOT EXPLODE ON THE PLANE RIDE TO PHOENIX AND i DID NOT THROW UP ON ANYBODY ON THE PLANE, WHICH TO ME WAS A SUCCESS.

nOW i WILL BE STARTING CHEMO AND RADIATION SOON. tHE PROG. IS GOOD. tHEY GOT ALLL OF THE tUMOR OUT. i AM ABLE TO GET AROUND. BY MYSELF.......i KNOW WHO PEOPLE ARE.....AND i RECONIZE THINGS AND SUCH. sO.... MY BRAIN IS STILL IN TACK. bUT THE ANSWER TO ANY QUESTION IFS93........ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS THE OCC. THERAPIST ASKED ME..... POOR WOMAN.... DIDN'T KNOW THAT i DON'T DO MATH....... WHAT IS 100-7........i ASKED FOR A PENCIL AND PAPER. i COULDN'T DO IT IN MY HEAD.i DID IT FINE ON PAPER. MY DAD JUST SIGHED. HE KNEW i COULN'T GET IT ON A GOO DAY.

had one of these.

Then and now.

2009-11-11T15:35:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of my grandfather's call to report for WWI. He never told us grandkids much about his time there...... we would gather from him that it wasn't good. Times were tough on the people there. And my 'poppy' was a very symphathtic man. He hated to see anyone hurting.

This is a picture of my son Chris.... in the middle..... when he was in Afghanistan. He is home now. I don't know about his two buddies. All of these men are honorable and I'm so glad that I got to know them.

Where I spend a lot of my time.... or how to get lost in a parking garage.

2009-11-10T19:36:00.000-08:00

This is just part of the west parking lot that I park in when I go up to the hospital to see Emalee. Who by the way now weighs 3# 4 oz.... and is doing really well. But, I get turned around in this garage. I can always find my car, but I can't get out of the garage. Ya, those Exit signs...... are for those people who are walking over to the hospital. Now if my car fit in an elevator... I'd be in good shape. The other night, it took me 5 minutes to find my way out. And not once did I have to go the wrong way.

My life in text.....

2009-10-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

today's text msgs: from Andrea - Woohoo.took the IV out last night. And I got to see her without all the tubes and she opened her eyes. Today I should hopefully be able to actually hold her on my skin. It's called kangaroo care. And she's eating my milk which is good. My labs look good. They're gonna let me go home today!

Newest and Tinyest addition to the family

2009-10-13T16:19:00.000-07:00

EMALEE JORDAN

Newest pictures. I like what Annie said...... she needs disco heels and a disco ball.

Born almost 2 1/2 months early. Weighing in at 2lbs. 2 oz. Andrea had a couple seizures and so they had to deliver the baby via C-section. Mom and baby are doing good.

Things that made me smile lately....

2009-09-27T13:43:00.000-07:00

Watching the crossing guard lady at the grade school I pass every day.....HUG the kids as they crossed. Actually HUG the kids..... and NOBODY came out and told her she couldn't do that! I smiled the whole way to work.

Having an old decision validated.....after all these years. Finally told that I had made the right choice. I can't go into details here.....email me if you really want to know.

Having an old friend cook me dinner and it was good! And then great conversation after.

Reading this from someone......"Ya. I try to think the best of everybody" and knowing that actually the opposite happens from this person all-the-time.

Going back to the gym......well, didn't really make me smile, but it has made my pants fit better.

Visiting with cousins. Even if the circumstance wasn't ideal.... we are still FAMILY! And we love each other. Just wish we could see more of each other... because...we are FAMILY! We have got to the the family reunions back on track.

Phavorite Phriday Photo

2009-09-11T11:00:00.001-07:00

We happend to like spiders around our house. The kids have never been scared of them. Brent found this one yesteday. She is huge. She has an enormous web. She and her guy were doing the mating dance. Quite interesting... but I didn't stand around to watch. (you know... they need their privacy also) anyway... I went back out about 10 minutes later and this is what I saw. Ya. She killed him and was eating him. And this morning. There was another male doing the mating dance..... He's not going to make it either.

Missing - if found - please return

2009-08-24T12:22:00.001-07:00

A friend recently told me that he missed my sense of humor.

I think I'm missing more than that...

If you find: my mind, my waistline, and my sense of humor, please return them. No reward is being offered... just my graditude.

Thanks.

See.... I told you. I didn't make another post during the 7 Days run..

2009-07-22T16:31:00.000-07:00

But this stuff here is funny.

One of my responsibilities is to read the safety reports that each foreman is suppose to do at the beginning of each new job or at least once a week. I know it get's old and boring to say the same things over and over to people.... so recently, some have gotten.... insightful? creative? You judge.

Wear hearing protection at all times and saftey glasses. Once you lose your eyes or ears they don't grow back. (duh.....)I added that part.

Don't pee, unless in a portapot!!

Don't do drugs please (we have to be nice about this?)

I know... this isn't totally entertaining stuff..... but then I work around a lot of goofballs.

I'm still alive......

2009-07-12T21:14:00.000-07:00

The position working with the project manager is still crazy, but I think I've gotten a handle on it... somewhat. Never say you know what your doing, because they'll throw something new at you and turn your cart upside down. I am learning a lot. Huge amounts of stuff. Like phase codes...construction terms...any many new acronyms. Not that any of this will make me more profitable to anyone else...but it is interesting.

I'm also doing 7 Days again.

Day 1 was before and after.

Day 2 had a theme. Relax. My way of relaxing... go tanning,.

I only tanned for 14 minutes... but promptly fell asleep in the tanning bed. We had rain today, and it was coolish... so this felt really good.

I'll try to post daily.... until the end of the 7 Day run... then I make no promises.

The reason I've been absent from blogging....

2009-06-29T21:19:00.000-07:00

Our recent work project

I've been working with the project manager for this job... and it's a huge learning curve for me. I'm enjoying it... but.. wow.

A catchy tune

2009-06-23T21:29:00.000-07:00

You have to read this article.....especially if you're a Baby Boomer

2009-06-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

Are Baby Boomers Killing Facebook and Twitter

It just made me laugh..... cuz I'm in the center of the Baby Boomer age group.

It's a sad day

2009-05-29T20:38:00.000-07:00

Speed.... you will be missed.

This cat was not mine. He's lived at my house off and on for the past few years. He was my oldest daughter's cat. He was left behind by someone. She found him. Caught him and rescued him. He got an infection in the sack around his lungs and the antibotics that we were giving him didn't work. Chris took him to the vet today. One week after I had taken him... but he wasn't recovering. He is now buried in the backyard. He was a sweet cat.

Can add a new description

2009-05-21T22:51:00.000-07:00

Project Secretary. (and why does that second word look mis-spelled?)

Sorry about the lack of posting....

2009-05-19T22:47:00.000-07:00

I've been busy and it's only going to get busier.

Work

We got the contract on the I-5 job and got it all processed and sent back.

Sub-contracts have been coming in like mad and I have to process them all...then they go to R then to S then to B and then the set-up comes to me and I have to make files...right now.. I'm making lots of files! OH, and I have to mail the subcontracts back to the Prime. And insurance. I have to order the insurance for the contracts and I don't even understand all of that stuff.

If you are a vendor calling us about something, which we don't need, and you are cold calling.... You're going to get transferred to George. George isn't a real person. He's a voice mail. I love George.

I got hanging plants at work. Yea. Flowers. Hopefully the hummingbird will show back up.

I get to start working with the Project Manager for the I-5 job. It will only be 1/2 days, but I'm really excited to work with him.

Home

Brent has moved in. And all of his and Ashley's belongings are in my garage and in my front room. I'm just glad I have a room for him and space for their stuff. Ashley is feeling better and they had a great time in Hawaii. Brent came back very tan. Oh, and he's going to be going back to work at Nordstrom's. Hopefully Ashley can get over here soon.

Speed the cat has an infection in the sack around his lungs. I spent $380 to find this out. The poor guy. We didn't know he even had an infection. Just one day he looked like he had lost a lot of weight and wasn't eating. He's on 2 different pills and he's starting to breathe a little better.

The garden is planted. Let me know if you want any of the tomatoes or butternut squash come harvest time... I'll have plenty.

I went to the Doobie Bros. Concert on Friday night. FANTASTIC! I loved it.

My parents are in good health. Not that there were any worries. Just letting you know that my 75 almost 76 year old parents are doing well. Mom had a knee replacement last November and has recovered quite well. We're trying to talk her into doing the other knee. She needs it.

Jodi and I went to the Celtic Woman a week ago Saturday. Again. FANTASTIC! It was her birthday present.

Phone Calls

Have you been getting those calls.... those warranty calls about your car? Ya. Me too. Only at work. ANNOYING! I got them back. I complained to the FTC. Then the next time they called... now mind you..... I had hit the #1 button to talk to a representative muliple times and asked to have our number removed....."it will take up to 24 hours", well, after 5 days of still receiving these calls.... MULTIPLE times a day, I told them that I had reported their practice to the FTC. Ya. They haven't called back since. I was polite. I wasn't rude.

I have a work cell phone. I'm on Verizon. If you want to call me... let me know.... JUST KIDDING! My personal phone is a Palm Centro with Sprint with a data plan. I love it.

I haven't had a land line for years.

Memorial Day Weekend

My plans... I don't really have any plans, but we are suppose to have really nice weather! SHOCK! I may got to the beach for part of the weekend. My parents are going to be at the beach house. It's very relaxing there and they have free WiFi.

Questions

email me...... I'll get back to you as-soon-as-possible. Maybe next week.

The Garden - nothing secret about it

2009-05-13T09:02:00.001-07:00

There are 6 tomato plants. Why? Who knows. I just find them easy to grow. A couple lemon cucumbers. Some peas. Yellow crooked neck squash. Butternut squash. Zuchinni. Onions. Small pumpkins for decoration, not eating. Peppers and herbs in pots. Now let's just hope I didn't plant too early.

Ashley in Hawaii

2009-05-08T19:01:00.000-07:00

Brent and Ashley are finally taking their honeymoon. They are in Hawaii. They rented one of these little scooter/cars...to get around for a few hours. They are having a GREAT time!

Happy Birthday Jodi ~ Phavorite Phriday Photo

2009-05-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

See that little girl in the middle? That's my sister. I only have one. Her name is Jodi. It's her birthday tomorrow. I won't tell you how old she is...cuz if I did, she'd tackle me down to the floor and lick my face...she's done it before, she'd do it again. She's a sweetie and I love her. She and her family only live a few miles from me. I'm so glad they do. I'd miss her if she lived far away and I couldn't see her whenever I wanted. For her birthday I'm taking her to see 'The Celtic Woman' tomorrow evening. You've heard them sing... haven't you? Well, they're very good. Anyway...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JODI! LOVE YOU!

Now go over to Carrie's and add your Phavorite Phriday Photo.

From my in box

2009-05-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

my name is *** ***** 40years old my exp. includes 6 years at standard utilitys started as a laborer made it to truck driver crew lead had ran som eq such as bachoe trackhoe roler 440jet track directional boar unit then moved on to owning my own con. co. about 5 years were i rane everthing iv moved asphault grinders i have a cdl a with all endorsment haz tanker doubel tripels i know id be a good addition to youre co if given a chance willtravel any were have worked and am used to working out of town long periods of time standard utilitys number is *** *** **** d w was my boss also have ran bucket trucks tanker dumptrucks ilearn fast and listen well have worked on paving crew also curently am a pwner op for landstar would like to work four you thx my home phone is ***-***-**** cell********** i would start today ready wiling abale

And because I didn't reply to him...he sent this:

my name is *** ***** have sent you emails no respons just woundering if you have found someone to runn youre grinder email me if you have ill tack u off my contact list thanks 'email' thx

Great-Grandmother - Mary Halsted Fridal ~ Phavorite Phriday Photo

2009-05-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

My Great-Grandmother. I do not know the date of this photo. I scanned it from the album. If I had to guess a date, I would say 1891 or there abouts. Mary was born in Kappendrup, Fyen, Denmark on Jan. 28. 1859. She came across the Atlantic on a steamer when she was about 12... but don't quote me on that. I've got to look that up again. She was the 4th child of Rasmus Hansen and Anna Catrine Christensen. Mary Halsted Fridal died on Oct. 30 1925 in Tremonton, UT and is buried in the Bear River Cemetery, UT.

Now, go over to Carrie's and add your photo.

If you can't say something nice....

2009-04-30T11:04:00.001-07:00

This saddens me

2009-04-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

"$andMan'z Gurl™ watching another beautiful sunrise, waiting patiently for my brothers to arrive, and wondering why the Withers are so wack."

My oldest theatens me with lawsuits, tells me I can't communite with her, yet likes to write on her Myspace page about my family. I do wish she wouldn't. She is angry about something, but no one knows what.

Phavorite Phriday Photo - Or the engine that wouldn't

2009-04-24T15:57:00.000-07:00

I know. Could I have found a more boring picture? Things at work have been very busy. VERY BUSY. We were the low bidder for a big road job. Had we not gotten the job, it most likely would have been a very lean summer and leaner winter. So, thank you ODOT and our estimators for making it all work.

Okay. The picture. The machine is a rotomill. It chews up and spits out the asphalt that was on your road. Then some other contractor will come in and repave the road. The engine in this machine needs work. Lots and lots of work. I have not idea what's wrong with it, but at least $60,000 worth of work to get it back up and running.

I don't work on them. Sheesh. I wouldn't want to. It's messy and noisy.

Go on over to Carrie'sand add your Phavorite Phriday Photo.

Phavorite Phriday Photo

2009-04-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

Aunt May with a couple of her brothers. Knud (who was called Knue) and Walter. Aunt May was born on Feb 15, 1885 in Bear River City, Box Elder County, Utah. She died on May 10, 1974. Knue is on the right. He was born on May 11, 1881 and died on July 27, 1961. Walter is on the left. He was born on Jan. 28, 1883 and died on May 21, 1962. Aunt May was the 3rd child of 8. She had two sisters. One was my grandmother, Hazel Sarah.

Go add your photo at Carrie's.

Her Morning Elegance

2009-04-14T14:04:00.001-07:00

Makes me smile.

Phavorite Phriday Photo

2009-04-10T08:58:00.000-07:00

My Grandfather is sitting under the numbers. I don't know when this was taken or where. I do know that he was home from WWI, but I don't know if he was married yet at this time. He died in 1980. One month later, my oldest son was born.

Please go over to Carrie's and add your Phavorite Phriday Photo.

Say What You Need to Say

2009-04-09T15:03:00.000-07:00

Before it's too late.

I Love You

2009-04-08T16:49:00.000-07:00

For Nina - coats optional but recommended

2009-04-04T10:46:00.000-07:00

7 Days:7 - Driving to the beach

2009-04-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

The rain is suppose to quit for the weekend, so I'm headed to the beach. It's not a warm beach...jackets will be needed, but who cares... it's the beach...it's away from home. My sis and her family will be there also. I wish you could have seen the sunset on the clouds.. it was pretty. Thanks Sarah and Lauren.... see you all next time!

7 Days: 6 - Through the water bottle

2009-04-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

I have a pink water bottle.... that I should drink from more often. It's such a pretty color of pink and it has an autoseal.... so I don't spill!

7 Days:5 - Oh what a fool I am...to walk a dog in the rain

2009-04-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

Luckly I didn't do this with my good camera... because when I sat it down in the grass....it got muddy. Too much rain. And the sky... it's gray..And yes... that is a duck umbrella. And yes... the wind was blowing and it is cold.

7 Days:4 - And you all thought I worked... at work.

2009-03-31T17:57:00.000-07:00

Some days I work.... and some days I just play with the toys. :-) One of the milling guys brought these in for me. His son was done playing with them. Just imagine how big the real ones are.....if you have to have a ladder to get in it.....yikes!

7 Days:3 Looks like a fun house mirror

2009-03-30T17:59:00.000-07:00

I took pictures of my reflection in a picture, looking through the water cooler water bottle, standing next to a window waiting for the WES train to go by and nothing worked... so you get this. A shiny faucet which makes my body look HUGE and my head small.

7 Days: 2 - All Things Yellow

2009-03-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

1. Article from Real Magazine about how to clean with lemons.
2. The number 7 out of lemons...to represnt the 7 Days Group.
3. The number 2 out of lemons...to represent that we are on day 2.
4. One lone daffodil from my yard. One that hasn't gotten totally munched on by slugs.

7 Days: 1 - And the weekend starts off gray why not my picture

2009-03-28T14:29:00.001-07:00

My truck had a tire that was wearing a bit thin, so I had to borrow another truck from work and go all the way out to Newberg to have them put a new tire on my rim... This is not my rim, but shinny objects in tire store make for a good self-portrait. Oh.... and on a weather related note, it's raining here. One radio guy said we're suppose to get 1"-2". yea. Maybe I should have gotten the jet skiis ready and not the truck.

Phavorite Phriday Photo - Didn't I tell you to STOP growing!

2009-03-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

The youngest child in this photo is now 23. Where did all that time go.......

Now go over to Carrie's and add your Phavorite Photo.

Wedges

2009-03-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

Forgiving others and forgiving ourselves. It's never easy and often a long process. I know that I've done many things wrong. I know that I've hurt people. I know that I haven't traveled down the path that others thought was the right one for me. I do know that I have asked for forgiveness. I know that I can ask until the ends of the world, but until the recipient(s) accept the effort, it will all be in vain. Well, not a total waste of time. It is then up to the recipient(s) to accept the effort. The burden is now theirs. Once forgiveness has been asked with sincerity. It is not up to the recipient to judge if the request is sincere or not. That is up to God. Can you just imagine getting to Heaven and having God say to you..."They asked you with a sincere heart, for forgiveness, yet you refused to forgive them... Why? Aren't I, the final judge?" A quote from Pres. Hinkley ...In our day the Lord has said in revelation: “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men”

These riffs or wedges can come at any time. Sometimes we don't even know we've caused a riff. We don't even know we've offended someone. We usually don't find out until someone else says something... you know, sort of like gossip. Ah. Yes. Gossip. The biggest wedge of all. "Did you hear what so-and-so said?" Feelings get hurt so often when 'so-and-so' said something to somebody that got repeated to you-know-who.

If you aren't LDS aka Mormon, some of this article won't make a lot of sense, but the heart of the article is for everyone and anyone whoever has been hurt or who has caused hurt. Hopefully, we can forgive and be forgiven by those closest to us.

I just love text messages

2009-03-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

Phavorite Phriday Photo

2009-03-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm

Nuff said.Photo taken in 2007.

Now go over to Carrie's and add your Phavorite Phriday Photo.

I have friends who have relatives who.... well you get the picture

2009-03-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 16, 2009
CONTACT: Public Relations
619-685-3291
WEB SITE: http://www.sandiegozoo.org

PHOTO RELEASE
RARE SUN BEAR CUBS EXPLORE THE HIGH LIFE

Pagi, a female Bornean sun bear cub whose name means "morning" in a Malayan dialect, reassured her brother, Palu, who is named after a valley in Borneo, as they made their public debut at the San Diego Zoo. The 5-month-old bears surpassed their keepers' expectations by exploring every inch of their habitat, including the highest points of their climbing structures. The twins are only the third Bornean sun bear litter to be born in North America, all of which have occurred at the San Diego Zoo, where researchers are studying reproductive biology and maternal care of the sun bear. Visitors to the San Diego Zoo can learn more about these cubs and the five other bear species during Zoo Discovery Days: Bear Bonanza March 19-22. This four-day event showcases the six species of bears at the Zoo: brown bear, giant panda, polar bear, sun bear, sloth bear and the Andean bear.

Photo taken March 16, 2009, by Tammy Spratt, San Diego Zoo.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bob emailed this to me.... I think it's his cousin who works at the zoo.

Always a welcome text message

2009-03-17T22:06:00.000-07:00

I couldn't get a good picture. It says..."Oooh. Thank You." That was after I texted him that his "Lucky Leprechaun" was at home. Later in the evening I got a phone call from the same son...saying "Thank You" again.

It's Lucky Leprechaun Day

2009-03-17T09:03:00.001-07:00

I'm not Irish. Not that I know of. But I think we all need a little luck. Ever since my kids were in grade school, I thought we needed to celebrate a this particular holiday. Just for the fun of trying to find a hidden object. So, I would create something to be their Lucky Leprechaun. One year it was a small black cauldren filled with gold (chocolate) coins. Another year it was a gold metal cup filled with Yellow M/M's. The next year it was green Matchbox cars. Every year it's something different. And every year, they had to hunt through the house to find their "Lucky Leprechaun". This year. It's what you see above. A bag with Green M/M's. There is a Gold Cadbury (without the creme filling) in the center. Before I hid them, I tied $5 to each bag. Hey. Money is green.

And because I need a Lucky Leprechaun... I made myself this:

And, yes, a lot of M/M's were consumed during the assemblying of the "Lucky Leprechaun" bags. Lots.

I'm an Alice

2009-03-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

She was my favorite character in the book and movie.

Speed is not impressed

2009-03-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

The look I got from the cat when I threatened to take him to Goodwill after he jumped in my sorting box.

One of my MOST favorite songs

2009-03-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

Phavorite Phriday Photo - A girl, her dad and a motorcycle

2009-03-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

For as long as I can remember, my dad has had a motorcycle. He still has one and he still rides it from time to time. He rode it this past weekend with my sister on the back. Dad is 75. He has a Goldwing. I don't know what kind of motorcycle dad had in this picture. I was 3 1/2 years old. My dad was 28 years old. My dad also had/has a nickname. Black Bart. You can see how he could get such a nickname. Black hair, dark eyes.

Now go over to Carrie's and add your photo.

Sisters

2009-03-12T14:34:00.000-07:00

My mom is off to visit with her sister. My Aunt Verna has dementia, but she remembers her sister. You know. Sister's have that effect on each other. I told mom to give her a hug for me.

Other sister's in this grouping, are my Nana and her sister, my Aunt May, in the bottom right hand picture. Aunt May has the big hat on, and her sister, my grandmother, is on her right, with her arm around Aunt May. I put a heart on Aunt Verna and a pink star burst on my mom.....so you'd know... who was who.

Yea. Got rid of the gray.

2009-03-11T20:31:00.000-07:00

Since Leslie doesn't live close by, I go to Miranda.

This will make you think

2009-03-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

Not a Warol - just a hummingbird feeder

2009-03-06T20:23:00.000-08:00

Phavorite Phriday Photo - From the beginning

2009-03-05T19:38:00.000-08:00

My mom is the baby...in the middle. Her brother, my uncle, is on the left, my aunt is on the right. They are still alive (my mom was born in 1933...for a reference point) and I am very lucky to know them. They are some of my most phavorite people.

Go to Carrie's and add your phavorite photo.

For all of you who are still in winter

2009-03-04T19:20:00.000-08:00

I can't take all the credit..I had help with the electrical

2009-03-04T18:29:00.000-08:00

My family room is very dark. The only natufal light comes from one window in the kitchen/dining area and the patio door. And, well, my backyard is very shaded. The house had sconces up before but they got taken down years ago and I hung a long shelf over the fireplace. I knew I wanted to hang my beach boardwalk picture above the fireplace, but didn't quite know how to make it happen. And I wanted sconces again... for light. I'm sorry you can't see the sconces very good... because I had them turned on, but they match the paint so they blend in when they aren't on and when they are on....I can see!

I love this commercial.... since I plan on living to be 100 years old

2009-03-02T20:22:00.000-08:00

28 years in the making - or where you can see Sam... one of the guys I work with

2009-03-02T16:23:00.000-08:00

Sam throws a pitch and is interviewed.

Oregon Ducks have a new baseball field after 28 years.

Nathan asked....

2009-03-01T12:10:00.000-08:00

....if I was feeding the homeless.

This after two pans of homemade Chicken Pot Pie and a large pot of Clam Chowder. The fridge is full of little containers for my lunch for the next week....that's if, Nathan doesn't eat it all.

Today I've got two crock pots of ..Smoky Slow Cooker Chili going....yum

Just a simple post

2009-03-01T11:58:00.000-08:00

If you don't want what you write read, then don't post, but calling other people cruel names only makes you look bad.

And I don't care who reads that.

A little knowlege is a dangerous thing.

Travel Channel Trip-A-Month Sweepstakes

2009-02-27T08:50:00.001-08:00

Phavorite Phriday Photo - Or still featuring the same sibling as last week

2009-02-26T19:24:00.000-08:00

Like last week's Phavorite Phriday Photo, I'm still featuring my brother. Since last weeks photo was of 1975, I thought I'd flip the numbers and show you one from 1957. Mom had put me in curlers. Ya. I came with a lot of hair. Doug... not so much. And to this day... he still doesn't have much hair, but he still makes that face.

Go to Carries and add your Phavorite Phriday Photo.

In which I tell you I know someone... sort of famous...he's not famous... I just know him.

2009-02-25T11:02:00.001-08:00

Sam Manley will be throwing out the first pitch. I work with Sam. He's one of the vice president's of the company I work for. He's the head of the paving division. Sam threw out the last pitch some 20 odd years ago. I may have the story a bit mixed up, because I don't get it. How the team hasn't had a home field in that 20 some odd years since Sam played for the Ducks. But that said.... He gets to throw the first pitch on their new home field. Yea Sam! (oh... and he's nervous...very nervous)

My favorite cookie

2009-02-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

I use this: Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

I don't fudge. I use butter. I use Baker's Sugar.

Gather the ingredients

Cream the butter together

Add the vanilla, eggs, the white sugar and mix together.

Add the brown sugar and mix well.

Add the flour. If you're doing a double batch, add two cups, stir gently and then add the rest. Also add the baking soda and salt.

You don't want to put the speed on high or you'll have a huge cloud of flour dust everywhere.

Add the chocolate chips and nuts (if you like). Again, stir slowly. If you blend the flour too much you will turn it to gluten and that will make your cookies very hard when they are baked.

I like my cookies on the smallish size. So I use a teaspoon and only fill it about 3/4 full.

I space the cookies far apart. I don't want them cooking together.

Bake according to directions and your oven's temperment.

The first couple cooked batches of my cookies turned out flatter than others. I added a bit more flour (about 1/4 cup or less) to what was left of the cookie dough and they plumped up.

Phavorite Phriday Photo

2009-02-19T19:21:00.000-08:00

Doug & Brenda
Brother & Sister

For my Phavorite Phriday Photo, I chose my graduation picture from high school. I don't know what the goofy look on our faces are all about. I don't know who either of us was looking at. And I can't tell you if this was before the graduation ceremony or after. I do remember that there was a graduation party at Kelly's Canyon, a favorite ski place, but it was almost summer and all the snow was gone.... and that a high school boyfriend drove me home.... but we weren't dating at that time....and that I got home at the crack of dawn. As for Doug... I don't know what he did that evening. He is my brother, but I don't keep track of him....I mean, I do know where he lives.. and all that good stuff, but in high school.....he went his way, and I went mine. Our classes were in different halls, except for our German class... that we had to do together.

Go over to Carrie's and play.

You may think it's all grand.....

2009-02-15T23:32:00.000-08:00

We have been staying here. It is a nice place. The service is good. The place is clean. There is good food close by.

But just so you don't think it's all been a bed of roses. I want you to know, that I've had a kink in my neck for the past couple of days from sleeping wrong on a very non-supportive (I'm talking.... some of the spring that hold the mattress on the bed frame... were gone...not there.....I think there were 3 that were supporting the top) couch pull out bed. I almost ended up with my head caught between the couch and the bed....(Thank Heavens for the farmacia and 600 mg of an advil type pill). Then they changed the couch pull out bed with a new one, and I thought... OH YEA! My pain is over. They didn't change the whole couch, just the guts of the bed. Well, the first night of the new bed I almost ended up on the floor because it's so sloped. Seriously. I ended up sleeping sideways at the foot of the bed. So last night and tonight... I wised up. I took the mattress off the frame and put it on the floor. Ya. So. I'm staying in this beautiful building. Sleeping on the floor. So Ghetto.

But I have a GREAT TAN!

You couldn't pay me enough to do this....Or what to put up for Phavorite Phriday Photo

2009-02-13T09:27:00.000-08:00

Caught this last night while we were taking a city tour of Mazatlan.

Go visit Carrie and add your photo.

Excuse me for awhile.... I'm busy

2009-02-12T09:19:00.000-08:00

Doing lots of this.

Going South and taking these with me

2009-02-08T13:25:00.000-08:00

Valentags I ordered from Secret Agent Josephine.

Also taking 4 swimming suits, 3 pair of short pants, 1 pair of long pants, 1 sweatshirt, 3 pair of flip flops, 1 pair of tennis shoes, 1 dress, 4 shirts and my personal stuff. I am so hating this one suitcase packing!

Mazatlan here I come!

Where I can get most of them in the picture

2009-02-06T15:26:00.000-08:00

This web cam spying sometimes is hard stuff. Trying to get everyone you know to sit still while you try to focus the camera and then take the picture.

That's my mom in the center with the white hat on and dad is to her right, on the lounge chair. I know the others also, but I'll let them remain anonymous.

My one foray into advertising - also known as Phavorite Phriday Photo

2009-02-05T18:49:00.000-08:00

Yes. That year is right. 1992. That's two of my five kids. They only wanted to have two kids in the ad. They didn't think that an average family would have five kids. Go figure.

(That's my now ex. He was an accountant for this travel trailor manufactuer. We were suppose to get a dinner paid for this, but I don't recall getting any dinner.)

Go add your photo at Carrie's

I'm spying.....on my mom

2009-02-05T11:47:00.000-08:00

She is in the left corner. In the black and white dress. HI MOM! See You Soon!

Like... in 5 days!

Web Camera

A collection of seashells

2009-02-04T20:55:00.000-08:00

In taking a count of various containers of seashells, I came up with 12. Some are from the Oregon Coast. Near Cannon Beach. Some from Crescent Beach, which is the beach right below Ecola State Park. Some are from various trips. The Panama Canal Trip, the Thanksgiving the family went to Rocky Point, Mexico and then some are from Mazatlan. I need to get rid of some. I don't need 12 different bowls, jars, etc....and even a margarine tubs fill with sand dollars and seashells.

Blame my compulsion on Aunt May

2009-02-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

May Hansen Fridal
Born: February 15, 1885 in Bear River City, Utah
Died: May 10, 1974 in Brigham City, Utah
Buried: Bear River City Cemetery

This is my great-aunt May. She lived alone. Never married. Not that she didn't have the chance. She did. But she got very sick when she was of the marrying age and was ill for quite a few years.

She lived in the family home up until she had a stroke and wasn't able to live alone. I was with her when she had her stroke. In the home you can see in the picture. I was 10 years old. It mostly effected her right side. She could still function and actually got most of her range of motion back. She stayed with various family members for quite a few years. She even spent time at our home in Idaho Falls when I was in grade school. Those were good times. She was my grandmother's older sister.

Anyway, Aunt May didn't travel much so people always brought things back to her. Her house was like a museum. Seriously. There was a huge dinosaur bone in plaster, arrow heads in frames, a couple jars of dead snakes, framed trilobites and Indian pottery in a room known as the curio room. People gave her things. She kept them. So, I come by my 'keeping' of things quite naturally.

In my 'intentions' to start de-cluttering my home, I ran across this box. It was in the cupboard with the 1967 World Book Encyclopedias. The encyclopedias are now gone.

That's her handwriting. She had notes on everything.

Now. Would you toss out a box of seashells that your great-great grandfather had bought for his family over 100 years ago? Would you?

Oh. And that chair she is sitting in. Yes. It's in my house too along with its sister-chair and I sit on it daily! I love it. They are fire engine red. Both chairs are at my kitchen table. Keeping those.

Please add to this list

2009-01-31T09:03:00.000-08:00

Nina asked me after I asked her, what book(s) she was reading. She like me has multiple books going on. Do you?

Recently I finished reading "Nights of Rain & Stars" by Maeve Binchy. I like how Maeve Binchy writes. I finished all the books in the Twilight series before the movie came out and now I've started on "The Host". While riding the 'torture' bicycle at the gym, I've been reading "Bones to Ashes" by Kathy Reiches. The TV show Bones is based off of this authors books. Also, while pedaling, I've been reading "Confessions of an Ugly Step-Sister" by Gregory Maguire. I like it better than 'Wicked'. I also take long "Year of Fog" by Michelle Richmond, but it's not a 'happy' book and I'm having a tough time getting involved with it. It's about a young girl who disappears on a foggy beach. If you've read it and liked it, please tell me why. There's also a couple books under my bed. Books that could be sitting on any table, but I don't have a big enough nightstand. "World Without End" by Ken Follett and "The Snowball:Warren Buffett & the Business of Life" by Alice Schroeder.

In about a week, I'll be headed to Mexico. I'm planning on taking "Love in a Time of Cholear" by Gabriel Marquez and "Eat Shoots & Leaves" by Lynne Truss.

Any suggestions on other books?

Phavorite Phriday Photo

2009-01-30T09:33:00.001-08:00

This is another nephew. Older brother to the first nephew picture. Cody and I got to travel to Nauvoo, Ill. this past summer. My parents were there on a 6 month Mission for the LDS church as Temple Missionaries. I wore Cody out making him walk everywhere we went around Nauvoo, but he was a trooper and stuck with me. He loved it when we walked by the horses. This one was his favorite. Cody is very loving, helpful and always has a smile for you.

Drop on over to Carries and add your Phavorite Phriday Photo.

Who knew

2009-01-28T09:24:00.000-08:00

Somebody liked my picture.

It's legit. I gave them permission. :-)

This is why I'm leaving to go on vacation

2009-01-27T11:15:00.001-08:00

A view from my window at work. Blech. It's suppose to melt by noonish.

Ya.

It better!

In two weeks... I'll be here.

Taaaa Daaaa..... Look what I found.... in my yard...

2009-01-24T12:17:00.000-08:00

Off the floor and on the walls

2009-01-24T12:05:00.000-08:00

Phavorite Phriday Photo

2009-01-23T10:29:00.000-08:00

This is my nephew Jesse. I was taking this picture of him, while he was trying to take a picture of me with a cell phone at the beach on December 31, 2007. This is one of the most well rounded, energetic, coordinated and politest kid you will ever meet. I feel lucky to be his aunt.

Drop by Carrie's and add your phavorite photo.

All framed and no where to hang.....

2009-01-19T10:23:00.000-08:00

I do have a wall for these to hang on, but I only have room for three. Not four. And stacking them two on top and two on the bottom won't work either. The wall isn't the right size. Three will fit perfect. Now.... to choose. Which of the prints get to hang on the kitchen/dinning room wall.

I am not a good decorator. So, please help me.
Any and all suggestions will be considered.

Intentions

2009-01-17T12:37:00.000-08:00

This beautiful necklace arrived in my mail today. I bought in from Jenn.

Why, do you ask, did I have her stamp "LET IT GO"?

For many reasons.

I hold onto too much anger. Too much guilt. Too many worries. I hold onto the 'actions of others' that I have no control over. And then I stew over them. And it's not tasty.

I also hold onto too much 'stuff' around the house. Clutter. Little pieces of paper. A receipt to a movie. A pair of Mickey Mouse ears from Disney Land. Books, magazines, articles clipped out of magazines. And let's not even begin to discuss the 1964 World Book Encyclopedia's that I have stored.

But last Sunday before my parents left to go back down to the warmth of Sun Lakes, Arizona, we all sat around and discussed how we wanted to improve ourselves this year.

A nephew mentioned about wanting to loose a few pounds. So did my dad. Mom's was to not walk wrong. (she's been favoring her right leg since the knee replacement surgery, and it's not good on her back) Ed's was to get Jodi's car done... she made him set a date. (it's a '64? Mustang) Hopefully by May. David's was to get his yard in shape.

Mine was to de-clutter the house. Daunting, but do-able.

I didn't mention the de-cluttering of my emotions. More daunting, but also do-able.

That is why I had Jenn make me this necklace. So that I would remember to 'Let it Go'.

Let go of the sadness. Let go of the anger. Let go of the disappointment. Let go of the things I can not change.

Wish me luck!

(And thank you Jenn. The necklace turned out fantastic.)

Phavorite Phriday Photo

2009-01-16T08:51:00.000-08:00

I took this photo on Oct. 4, 2008. I don't know the couple getting married. But it's become one of my favorite photo's. It was a rather coolish day. I saw them walk past the beach house and my first thought was that they were all going to a wedding on the beach. Not that they were the couple to be married. So, I grabbed my camera and went to see where they went. It didn't take me long to find them. They were only a few yards off the boardwalk, out in the sea grass. A storm had just passed through and one was brewing out on the ocean. They were oblivious to me. I wish I could give them this picture, but like I said. I don't know who they are.

Go over to Candid Carrie and add your Phavorite Phriday Photo.

Only if I played

2009-01-15T18:25:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's blurry. I was driving.

Boating.... anyone?

2009-01-15T13:59:00.000-08:00

These were taken just before Christmas. The large boat had to be moved out from under the dock cover. The cover was sinking the dock because of all the snow on top. There were a couple boats that did sink.

Like.... this one.

The snow and ice have melted. Matter of fact... Today, it's a balmy 41 degrees with sunshine and barely a breeze. Swimsuit weather. :-)

Just to clarify....

2009-01-10T15:21:00.000-08:00

My name is Brenda.

Jodi is my sister.

She has red hair.

Mine is brown.

She is taller than me.

But then, really....most people are.

I am the oldest.

She is sort of the middle child.

(When you're #3 of 4 how do you get a middle child?)

The tag line..."Very good, Jodi" was spoken by my dad. I don't recall why. I'll have to ask him one of these days.

It has been a phrase much used in the family when there is something very good that has happened. Or really anything good that has happened.

Like.... not spilling food while passing it around the table (even tho it almost happened)

or.......having happy hour in Mazatlan sans alcohol and with popcorn, especially on the day we all arrive.

or......more important things, like....Brent marrying Ashley, Mom having a successful knee replacement surgery, making it safely to all the Christmas functions, loosing 10 lbs., and Chris arriving home safely from Afghanistan and then a few months later being honorably discharged from the Marines. (these are not in order of their happening)

When Chris was out of Afghanistan and at his first stop in the long flight home, he called... and those were the first words out his mouth on the phone to me.

So see, some family phrases past the test of time and this one.... it will be around for a very long time.

Things that have been on my mind lately....

2009-01-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

1. Newton's Third Law of Motion:

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Law of Nature

“If a person, whether knowingly, ignorantly, intentionally, or accidentally, touches a hot stove or a bare high-voltage wire, he will be burned to the extent of the exposure. If for any reason he steps in front of a rapidly moving vehicle, even to save another life, he will be injured and possibly killed. Numerous examples could be given to show that we are subject to these laws regardless of who we are or what our intentions might be. We cannot change the laws of nature.

“As we understand the natural laws and respect them, we can apply them to our good. If we violate law, we suffer; and if we obey it, we are blessed!” (N. Eldon Tanner, Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God)

"There are certain immutable laws of nature which, if violated, will bring sickness or untimely death." (N. Eldon Tanner, “‘Ye Shall Know the Truth")

"Speaking first of the laws of nature, have you ever stopped to think what would happen if we could not depend on the sun rising at a certain time each morning? Or if the earth failed to rotate on its axis for only one day, or for just a few minutes? Or if the law of gravity were suspended? In a very short time, the earth and all mankind would be destroyed. All bodies of the universe are controlled in space and move according to law.

If iron, when heated, were to expand one day and contract the next, it would be impossible for anyone in the world to operate a machine shop or produce implements of any kind. These laws are immutable and must be such that we can depend upon them at all times and under all circumstances.

It would be interesting to review in our minds all the things we do every day and see how totally we depend on the laws of nature and how they must be followed to the very letter in order to accomplish our purposes.

We have seen men walk on the moon, and we have marveled that man and spacecraft from different countries could have a rendezvous in space. We have watched the Viking leave on a mission to Mars in search for evidence of life. If any of the natural laws had been ignored or had failed to operate, the space missions would have been complete failures and lives would have been lost. We are awed when we read of the predictions of astronomers who can foretell so accurately the appearance of comets and eclipses.

All of this is possible only because through the laws of nature, the Creator keeps creation in its course. "

"Regardless of whether or not we know or understand the laws of nature, they always operate the same. A child, though ignorant of the law, will get burned if he touches a hot stove. If we disregard the law of gravity, we may get seriously hurt. If we know and understand the laws of nature and live by them, we benefit thereby and can be free of the hazards facing those who ignore these laws or go contrary to them. " (N. Eldon Tanner, “The Laws of God,”)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. Safety

Seat belts are installed in all cars for our use. For safety. We make our kids wear helmets and pads when they roller blade. For safety. Ear plugs are highly recommended in loud work areas and hard hats in construction zones. Matter of fact, if you don't wear a hard hat in a construction zone, you will be escorted out. Safety First. Even when we're playing, we have to be aware of the hazards around us. When kids are in a swimming pool, who is the designated "watcher"? Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, but if we've taken proper safety precautions, what might have been a life altering tragedy, might now only be a bump on the head. Please be safe.

No better place to be when the New Year starts

2009-01-04T10:45:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year's Eve

2008-12-31T15:10:00.001-08:00

Please be safe. I want to hear from you next year!

7 Days:7 Sparkly

2008-12-26T11:07:00.000-08:00

The car is still stuck in the snow/slush, but who cares! Not me. No worries. Maybe later today I can move it. These shiny jingle bells are on the stair case. They alternate with red stockings and there is fake green garland wound around and through the railing.

I had a wonderful Christmas Holiday. Hope you all did too.

Thanks again... to Sarah and Lauren!

7 Days:6 Mr. Christmas Music Box

2008-12-25T19:02:00.000-08:00

One of the Christmas presents from my parents. I was hoping to get a family picture, but that didn't work out...mainly because the roads are so bad that I missed most of the family get togetherness, well not all of it. I still got a warm plate of left overs. But by the time I left to come home, the roads had begun to ice over and now.... it's ugly. Then when I got to my house... I couldn't even make the turn into my street so my little car is outside in the street, along the side of the house and not in it's driveway. But, whew.... at least I'm not out in the middle of the street..... shoveling my little car out of a foot of slush and ice. Maybe tomorrow.

All in all.... after my complaining about the roads.... we had a great Christmas.

Hope you all had a Wonder Merry Christmas!

7 Days:5 Where am I? Staying warm

2008-12-24T10:02:00.000-08:00

The fireplace is getting a good workout.

7 Days:4 Speed says we should stay in the house... again.

2008-12-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

This is Speed the Cat. He doesn't particularly like going out in the snow, but he loves sitting and watching all the neighborhood happenings from the big front window. Nothing is melting yet and so we are stuck in the house.... again.

7 Days: 3 Even the smallest of critters need food

2008-12-22T17:40:00.000-08:00

The six neighborhood squirrels just love the Hazelnuts and the little birds like the tiny bird seed.

The patio table now has over 10" covering it.

I don't have all my Christmas shopping done, and I'm not sure if I'm going to get it all done. Do you think gift cards are too tacky? The roads are covered with packed snow, but I don't have the chains put on my car yet, so I've been pretty much home bound for the last 4 days. And then, earlier today, the power went out. It was only out for about 2 hours so the house didn't get too cold. I now have a warm fire going to keep the cold at bay.

Speed the Cat, who is an indoor/outdoor cat, got out for a few minutes. He doesn't really like the snow, but thought the squirrel was entertaining. Trust me. He can't catch the squirrel.

7 Days:2 Welcome to the First Day of Winter...in pictures

2008-12-21T12:09:00.000-08:00

The first day of Winter has arrived.

Last night 7" inches of snow fell. I had put out a measuring stick. It was only 6". It is still buried under snow and freezing rain.... on the picnic table.

7 Days for Winter: Day 1

2008-12-20T12:41:00.001-08:00

Got the Christmas tree up the other night, and the garland of tiny silver balls. I'm not putting as many ornaments on it this year, or the silver ribbons. What I put on, has to be taken off....so this year, I'm going with the idea that less is more. :-)

Who ordered this?

2008-12-14T16:09:00.000-08:00

Take it back please.

Opt out

2008-12-09T15:37:00.000-08:00

I like music. Honest. But I don't like web pages that you open up and music starts playing..... and you can't find the player to turn it off!

Bike vs Treadmill

2008-12-08T14:07:00.000-08:00

Saturday and Sunday the torture bicycle was always busy when I got to the gym. Mind you, this gym I go to is actually a park and rec building. It's in a old elementary school. The heating is still from old radiators under the windows, and can't be regulated by room, so it's always 105 degrees in there....and there are cubbies also under the windows where books use to go and now outdated magazines are filling the slots. There are some huge fans up by the ceiling that blow back and forth.... if they get turned on....but some dud always comes along... someone who thinks they are going to get cold during their workout....and turns them off and closes every window! ARGUH! The windows are the old style with the hook and you have to push the window out. No screens. Yes, moths have been known to flutter in. So, anyway, back to the torture bicycle. There is only one like it, the others don't have a back rest. Busy. All weekend. So I had to walk 3 miles on the torture treadmill. I put it at an incline of 3 and got my speed up to 3.5, which means I'm walking a 18 minute mile. And the backs of my legs... they are screaming at me. Bloody.Murder.Screaming! But......I did loose a couple more #'s.