4 Hour Window

In my life, I am an organizer and like to have things planned out. When you call for an appointment to have a service call at your home, you get a "window of time".. I understand they need to give an approximate time frame.. but a "4 hour" time frame..See we as women could narrow that down to an hour and a half maybe even an hour.. Men just can's seem to get it - that to tell me that I have to sit home for 4 hours and wait for them to arrive is ridiculous... I have places to go and things to accomplish that require me to be out of my home and not setting here waiting.. Of course I do need the window on the laundry room door fixed at the house.. so I am being held hostage while I "WAIT" for the phone call..

It makes me as crazy as trying to talk to a human on most phone calls to companies.. I think that one of the first buttons you should be able to push when trying to reach a human voice is "push "1" if you want to spend 20 minutes pushing buttons and listening to a computer talk to you".. push "2" if you want to actually speak to a person who can help you and not bounce your phone call to every department in the company...

Well now that I have those gripes off my chest, I really do feel a lot better..since no one is home for me to air out these feelings with, I thought I would share them with all of you.. You are the best listeners.. have a wonderful day and remember:

Be Positive

Let nothing dim the light that shines from within.

&

Relive pleasant memories

SCARY

I had a very scary experience yesterday. I had been running errands and decided that I wanted to stop by my house to see how the newly repaired roof stood up to all the rain we had been having. When I pulled into my driveway, I noticed the side gate to the back yard was wide open and I thought "Oh man, the wind must have blown it open". so I closed it and pushed the button to the garage door opener and when the door went up there was a car sitting in MY GARAGE, (an older white Honda) that WASN'T A CAR I RECOGNIZED.. & not one of my kids cars.. I was a little concerned..then thought well maybe it is a realtor showing the house and just parked in there. I went to the door between the house and the garage and it was open, so I went inside and called out."hello, anyone here, Hello" no one answered and then I noticed that my front door was standing open about 8 inches. I closed it and started to freak out.. I then noticed the door to the laundry room was open and there was glass on the floor. I called my son Steve and he told me to get out of the house and get in my car and lock the door and call 911..that they could still be in the house. Then I REALLY FREAKED OUT.. He said he was on his way to the house and would be there in about 10 minutes.. When I called 911 the operator said they would have an officer out as soon as they could.. After Steve arrived we waited for the police and several neighbors came over to see why we were all standing out in front of the house. When the police arrived, I explained what I had found and they asked us to stay back and pulled their guns and proceeded to enter the house yelling "Phoenix police".. They came out and said the house was empty.. the only damage was the broken window in the laundry room. The police called in the licence plate and car vin number and found out the car was stolen and the license plate was off of another stolen car. I was checking out the house to see if anything was missing or broken and noticed that one of the towels in the guest bathroom was gone. When I went out to the garage to tell them and my grandson Kelly said that the towel was in the front seat of the car with blood on it.. Now as the most loyal fan of "Law & Order"..I knew that was DNA right there on the towel.. The police bagged it and said they should be able to get an identification from the DNA as to who had broken into my house. I asked them what happens if they come back for the car?, why would they break into my house just to hide the car? Were they staying in my house? I was assured that there were no signs that anyone was staying in my house, it looked like they just wanted a place to stash the car. While all this was going on with the police Steve had had to leave for an appointment. During the appointment my neighbor had called him to let him know that police were in front of my house..(I had given her an emergency call list). As Steve explained to her what was happening at the house the lady at the bank overheard and when Steve hung up the phone she told him, that she had heard the police were looking for a white Honda just like the car in my garage in connection with a shooting over the weekend.. The police had a tow truck come and pick up the car and they left. I made sure that the side gate had a padlock on it and that all the doors were doubled locked. We taped up the broken window and I'm getting it fixed today.. still worried that they might come back for their car, even though the police said they were probably long gone. I still have a knot in my stomach.. glad nothing was damaged in my house and that no-one was hurt.. But I will never forget the feeling when I opened the garage and saw that car parked in there.
That is my scary news of the day....

My cards for the February class

Here are the 6 cards for the class on February 6th. I teach the class twice on that day..morning and evening. I am so excited,because both classes are sold out to capacity.. + 3 more kits sold. I love teaching and love the ladies in my classes, we have so much fun together.

Rainy Days and Sundays

I know the song goes rainy days and Mondays, but it is Sunday and it is really raining.. Started yesterday and it hasn't stopped.. We do need this rain here in the southwest, and now that the roof on my home is repaired it can rain all it wants.. helps keep the grass so green. I got a call from my daughter -in-law Jamie about a man she was talking to that was looking for a house to buy. She told him all about mine and he was very interested, so he drove over and had a look and then called my realtor for an appointment to see it inside today. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, it would be so great to get it sold..
I was asked to give a talk in church today and it went great.. The subject was how we "strengthen our faith".. I also was asked to give a history about me, since I am new in that ward..
The roads up to the church building were really flooded and in several spots I got a complete washout by the on-coming cars a couple of times.
I am still working on the card samples and kits for my up-coming card classes. I really do love to keep busy creating them.. I'll be sure and share them when I'm finished.
Heard from Kristan that Morgan is doing great at home..they have the pain under control and now she starts out-patient PT tomorrow..
At church today one of the lessons was on charity and how we can become more charitable in our lives.. I thought this quote fit right in:

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch,

a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest accomplishment,

or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential

to turn a life around.

Leo Buscaglia

It's a Good day....

Just received this from Kristan:
{Homeward Bound}
At 4am this morning they disconnected Morgan's epidural, she has been doing great all day. Just very relaxed. She walked to Physical Therapy and back and begged the doctors to let her go home. Their criteria was that she had to be able to function without a wheelchair, walker or boot. She did it. She has been walking. She is not completely pain free. But she is fighting. I don't know when the fighter in my daughter came out, but it did. I think the Lord has heard the prayers and the pleading. She has worked hard even though it hurts We have not had a good nights sleep in over 2 weeks. She has picked up a nasty cough and a UTI. So we are ready to crack this joint. She is so excited to just sleep in her bed. She tells me she is sleeping all weekend. Then we have physical therapy first thing Monday morning and 3x's a week for a very long time.We are going to conquer this nasty nerve disorder. Thanks for all the prayers - we look forward to returning to our life. We will be making some changes and re-evaluating things and we are so excited to just be with our family. I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend. I will be getting some sleep.

What great news for our family.. the Dr.'s said yesterday that maybe Saturday morning if she could handle it without her epidural. When I talked to Kristan about 11:00 this morning, she said that Morgan was doing great and that she might be able to go home today.. So what a determined young woman she was and did the things that the Dr. required of her to go home. I know that the entire family will be so happy to have them both home. Having a mom gone from the home for over 2 weeks is really tough.. and the kids missed Morgan and she missed them so much.. I am so thankful for all of your prayers in her behalf and ask that you will continue to remember her often. She has a long road ahead of her, but she is determined to lick this RSD once and for all.

For Morgan

We define ourselves by the

BEST

that is in us,

not the worst that has been

done to us..

Edward Lewis

My son the author

My oldest son, Steve is pursuing a career in writing.. He graduated from ASU with a degree in marketing & design and is very talented artistic wise and has always had a flair for creativity and words. He published 2 books upon graduation the "Arizona Golf Guide" & "Hawaii Golf Guide". He has worked for some major companies in marketing and finally decided last year he wanted to take a leave from corporate business and write. He is just finishing his first long novel and I was asked to give it a read. It is so amazing to read this wonderful book and know that "my son" actually wrote it. It is an action adventure on the likes of a Indiana Jones / Star Wars/ Back to the future . It is written for the teenager / adult readers. I am half way thru and it is great, I hope the publishers pick it up so you all can read it.

This is a picture of Steve and his wife Karen.

Morgan up-date

I got to spend the day with Morgan yesterday, so Kristan could have a break and spend the day at home..keeping the home front going. It is tough when you still have 4 kids at home and you are away from there 24-7. I arrived at the hospital just as Morgan was finishing her PT. She came wheeling herself down the hall in her wheelchair.. She had a great day in PT. Lots of progress. After we got her settled into bed I discovered she has gotten a cold and lost her voice and also has developed a UTI..rats.. what a rotten deal..as if she wasn't feeling bad enough.. But all in all we had a good day. Every time someone (one of the DR's or nurses) came into the room she had to do a show and tell and show them all of her new tricks..like how she could push herself up in her bed using her feet to move her up, and how she could rotate her right foot and pull it back towards her.. Everyone is so proud of her progress and her determination to GET OUT of the hospital and GO HOME.. She tells everyone she is ready.. she has learned how to use breathing techniques to work her way through the pain grabbing spasms in her leg and did so thru at least 9 episodes yesterday. When I left she hadn't had any pain meds. for over 7 hours and she was determined not to put any more drugs into her body. She is getting control of her foot and is so positive that she can make it. The hope is, that she will be able to leave the hospital this weekend and then proceed with her PT on an outpatient basis from home. She has been keeping up with her school work and may have to be home schooled, but that is OK too. She will continue to work hard on getting full mobility back into her right foot and I know she will be successful. More later.

Have a wonderful day and remember:

Intense desire not only creates it's own possibilities,

but it's own talents. Don't be afraid to do something just because

it's impossible.

Kobi Yamada

It's Monday

Wow, where did the week go.. I spent most days at the hospital with Kristan and Morgan and worked 3 days at W.S. Last night we had our January family birthday party at Jason & Jamies home , celebrating Jamie & Zacks birthday, we had a bar-b-cue and lots of fun. I love being with my family, we have so much fun together.
I am spending the day today, catching up on housework, preparing my cards for my Feb. card class and writing my talk that I was asked to give in church next Sunday..
Morgan is still struggling.. the Dr's are trying all sorts of new things to see what works. Since this is such a rare condition, it is a lot of guesses and trials.. she has been in the hospital for 10 days now and they are in the process of starting a lot of new changes in her treatment.. The Dr's at Phoenix Children's Hospital are so awesome and are re-searching and trying everything they can think of to help her. The hospital wants visits to stop for the time being so they can concentrate on the "business" of getting her better.. So I sit at home and wait by the phone for up-dates.. I want to do whatever is necessary to help my wonderful granddaughter, and if the Dr's want no visitors then so be it..

I found this quote today and love it: be brilliant

Do more than exist.

Live

Do more than touch,

Feel

Do more than look,

Observe

Do more than read,

Absorb

Do more than hear,

Listen

Do more than listen,

Understand

Do more than think,

ponder

Do more than talk,

Say something

John H. Rhoades

Have a wonderful week and remember - Be Brilliant -

"All About Me Club"

Last night we had our monthly "All About Me"class. We were joined by 2 new gals. Addie & Jamie, in addition to Terri , Charlie & Connie. We met at Connie's beautiful home and had such a fun evening. We started at 7 and ended a little after 10. Talking and laughing and having a great time. The pages we worked on last night were, " 10 Reasons I love you", a 2 page layout about someone we loved and ten of the reasons why. I chose my daughter Kristan.. We each read our journaling that we wrote and it was so inspiring to hear each one.

The other layout was titled "A Dinner Invitation". On this layout you could choose the 3 people you would love to have dinner with.. they could be real or fiction, dead or alive, famous or not. The selections were so fun to share we had everyone from Queen Elizabeth the first, Jim Brickman and Josh Grobin, to Movie stars and family. We all shared our selections and the reasons we chose these 3 people to invite to our dinner. I decided I wanted to take my 3 guests, Kent, Judy & her husband Jim over to Connie's to have dinner with Jim Brickman and Josh Grobin..

I have so much fun with these girls and preparing the pages for us to create each month. It is so important to include yourself in your scrapbooking, your stories are important. When our families read these in the future we hope they will thank us for taking the time to write down who we were at this time in our lives & that we valued our life enough to share it with them.

Next month our themes are: Favorite Indulgence, Just ME ( questions and answers), and the word Inspire and what it means to you.

Morgan up-date:

Yesterday was Morgan's first day of physical therapy (2 hours) & it was tough. She then had music therapy and worked with a psychologist on pain management for an hour and a half. Then off to the teen room, where they have a tutor to help with homework. The Dr.'s told her to be ready each morning by 9 to start her day. Her leg had several muscle spasms during her workout, but we were told that it was just the muscles rebelling against having to work out and not lay still. It is hard work and she is having a tough time, but I'm sure at the first sign of improvement she will be so happy for all the hard work she is putting in.

Just had a call from Kristan and Morgan had a really tough night with her anxiety going off the charts.( the many strong drugs she is taking for pain are causing this). The Dr's are trying to change some of her pain meds. to help in her mood swings, because their goal is to keep her calm and she is so anxious about everything right now. She is getting ready to go to physical therapy and I hope she has a better day.

I go up each day and take Morgan and Kristan lunch or dinner and lend whatever support I can. I will do whatever that they need me to do to help. I will keep you up-dated..

my quote for the day:

You don't know what you get back until you give.

Bill Clapp

Up-date on my grandaughter Morgan

Update on Morgan- admitted to Phoenix Children's Hospital) this update is from Kristan's blog.
To catch you up if you haven't followed Morgan's story - Morgan sustained a deep compression nerve injury to her right foot on November 29th when her friend accidentally ran over her foot when Morgan was getting in her car after seminary. Morgan's foot immediately swelled and began to throb. After a trip to urgent care they had called it a hairline fracture and told us to come back in a week for followup, upon followup they were still concerned with the swelling, pain and discoloration and sent to an orthopedic surgeon. He initially thought from the x-rays that she had a possible crush injury to one of the joints in her foot, but after a CT scan they ruled that out. After a few more visits with different specialist they had determined she had a deep compression injury of the perennial nerve with extreme soft tissue damage. Unfortunately her injury developed into a rare condition called RSD/CRPS. We had found some doctors to treat it and basically we were very discouraged with the long term prognosis. I just kept thinking to my self - there is no way. The whole disorder is so hard to wrap your Brain around. As Morgan tried to go back to school last week and lead a somewhat normal life she began to experience more pain. Then Wednesday night she experienced a pain episode that lasted longer than an hour and told me she couldn't do it anymore. On Thursday the muscle spasms came more frequently and more intense. By Thursday afternoon I was determined to do something. I was just not going to accept the long term prognosis we had received and watch my daughter suffer through this excruciating pain. On Tuesday night I spoke with a friend that works at Scrap Happy Sisters and she said her daughter had been hospitalized in November and the girl that shared the room with her had the same thing Morgan has. I thought to myself if there is a team of Doctors at Phoenix Children's Hospital who know how to treat this then I am getting my daughter in there. None of the doctors that have been treating Morgan have privileges at Phoenix Children's, but I was determined I could get her in there. I called and asked registration if they have a "cut-off" age. She said "no, they treat 18 year olds all the time". With a lot of prayer I knew this is what needed to happen. Some how, some way I had to get my daughter in there immediately - I wasn't going to wait for a doctor referral and I wasn't going to watch her in pain all weekend. The Bishop and Stake President came over on Thursday night to see Morgan and see how she was doing. They also mentioned that the Ward was going to be fasting for her on Sunday. Morgan asked President Ogden to give her a blessing. It was amazing. He blessed her that we would find the "right" doctors that had the knowledge to help her, and blessed her with patience as they figured out what was wrong. it was a beautiful blessing. As the evening progressed and Morgan had two more pretty bad spasms I packed her in the car and took her to Phoenix Children's Hospital ER. Upon arrival at the ER we met a doctor that did her residency back east with a doctor that specialized on RSD. Prayers were already being answered. They immediately admitted her and brought every resident doctor in the hospital to look at her foot. No one in the group had ever seen RSD. We told them about my friend and the girl that was treated here in November. One doctor knew of Taylor, my friends daughter, and they immediately researched and found the team of doctors that treated her roommate. We have been greatly blessed. We could be here a week or so - they have started an aggressive treatment plan to save Morgan's foot.
They have put an epidural catheter in Morgan's back hooked up to a pump that will give her continuous medicine for 5 days. She is completely numb from the waist down. This is done to shut down the nerves. It is hopeful that when the epidural medicine wears off in 5days that the nerves will have lost their memory and return to normal function. During this time they will come in do physical therapy on her foot and begin to get normal motion back to it while it is out of pain. Then on Wednesday they will continue physical therapy as her feeling comes back. We really don't know what will happen then. We will face that hurdle when we get to it. In the meantime, her spirits are good. She has a very cute boy visiting her today and that has brought a smile to her face. I am so thankful for all of the amazing people in my life. I have some phenomenal friends. I thank you for your love and support.

I am on my way back to the hospital to lend support to Kristan and Morgan.. I like to be there to help in any way I can.. I am so thankful for prayer and for answers to prayer and the miracles they bring. I will keep you all up-dated on her progress.. Love to you all.

Tag You're It

I was just browsing through some of my favorite blogs and upon reading my sisters, found out that I was tagged. To share with you 7 random facts about me.. It is so funny when I read Judy's 7 random thoughts, I could use several of those for me too, but I'll try to be different. Then at the bottom I have tagged some friends too.
1. I grew up on a farm in Idaho
2. I worked as a car hop at the drive-in movies during high school
3. I dated my husband Kent for 5 years before we got married
4. I had each of my children in a different state. Steve- Arizona, Kristan- Washington & Jason- Utah
5. Kent and I moved 14 times the first 8 years of our marriage
6. I am petrified of heights
7. I can't leave my bedroom in the morning until I have made my bed

Kristan
Charley
Connie
Cheryl
Janna
Jamie
Karen

You are all tagged.. if you don't have a blog just e-mail me your 7 random thoughts and I'll post them.

Kristan sent this quote along with an e-mail the other day and i just love it and wanted to share it with all of you. It goes along with my word of the year "Believe".. What a wonderful way to start my day with such a positive statement.
I have a my kits for my card classes assembled and ready to go. Goodness there were a lot of pieces this time..but that's what makes them fun and unique to create.
Tonight I am attending a class taught by Kristan at Scrap Happy Sisters. She is an excellent teacher and I'm looking forward to making a cute project. I'll share it tomorrow. She will be flying to Houston next week to teach 8 classes for Rusty Pickle at CKC. I love being in her classes, they are really so much fun.
Yesterday was a cloudy, rainy day and I just stayed in all day..Today the sun is out and it's beautiful blue skies and gorgeous out..
Have a terrific day..

A look back at "2007"

As I look back over 2007 -these were some of the highlights of my year.

Going to CHA in Anaheim in January

Working at the Mesa Temple each Tuesday morning

Judy coming to Phoenix for a visit in February

Teaching my paper crafting classes each month

My trip to Idaho to visit Judy in March

Going to CKU in Detroit in April with Kristan

Giving up my sales rep job in April

Women's Conference at BYU in May with Kristan, Karen & Morgan

Working 2 to 3 days a week this entire year at Williams Sonoma

Another fun visit to northern Idaho & Judy in August

Working as a volunteer at Creative Escape in September

Going to CKU in Orlando with Kristan in October

Judy & Jim visiting in October and helping me move into my new condo

Spending quality time with my family

Attending my grandchildren's performances and ballgames

The events of 2007 were many and varied and fun..

It was a year that "I truly designed a life I loved"

I love this quote I found today

"We each leave our mark on the world every moment

of every day through the choices we make and the actions we take".

Believe

I have several words on the wall behind my desk that I look at each day.. Believe. . Happiness is .

Inspire. . . .Celebrate the promise of new life and the joy of a new season. . . & grateful.

After looking at everyone's blog and seeing that Ali Edwards has inspired each of us again to choose a word to live by for 2008, the word I have chosen for the coming year is "BELIEVE"..

I love the word believe.. it means so many things to me..

1. To have faith or confidence or trust

2. To have confidence in the truth, value or existence of something

3. To accept as true or real

So this year "I believe"

*That I can reach my goal of a healthier & slimmer me if I work hard

*That my life will just get better each day if I write it on my heart

that every day is the best day of the year.

*That I have the most awesome supportive family ever

*That all things are possible if we just "BELIEVE"

"Believe that you can make a difference and you will"

Cousins

When my kids asked me what I wanted for Christmas, my answer was I only need a new picture of all my grandchildren together. So last Sunday they all met at the Desert Ridge Marriott for a photo shoot.
Each one has such a cute personality & each one is different. I have some who are athletes , great students , musicians & comedians, models, artists, entertainers & and all around great kids. I am so lucky to have each one in my life. The only one who doesn't live in Phoenix is Marissa, who is in Utah attending BYU. I get to spend time with the other 12 on a regular basis. Their ages range from almost 20 to 5 years of age and everything in-between. Since they all live so close they are great friends and love spending time together.

These are Jason & Jamie's four cuties

Here are Kristan & Don's great kids

This is Steve & Karen's family Christmas photo, rounding up the last of my 13 fantastic grandchildren.

I am one lucky person to have the priviledge of being mom and grandmother to such an awesome group.. wouldn't you say!

It's 2008

Wow, did 2007 go by fast.. It seems that every year goes by faster than the year before. I have all my holiday decorations put away for another year and the place looks so bare. I really do love the green boughs tucked in all around pictures and lamps and everywhere I can think to put some holiday greenery.

I have been working on my card samples for my up-coming card class at Mad Scrappers.
I really do love getting my samples finished early and sending sneak peeks to all the girls in my classes..

Here are a couple of the cards we are going to be making in the January class.