David and Goliath

3 Questions and do I have a LEMON?

      If you can believe it, I still do not have a computer.  I got my computer back finally, and then went out of town for a week.  My computer would not work and it is back at the "computer doctor."    They keep saying there is nothing wrong with the hardware, BUT for some reason no software wants to work with this perfectly functioning hardware.  I certainly should have a computer that is brand new because everything has been replaced such as the processor, hard drive, outside case, video card, sound card, ram, speakers, hardware fans, and things I don't know the name for.  However, for some reason this new computer doesn't work. HUM????   The power surge started on May 20th and now it is July 23rd.  I'm using a laptop today so that I can update my blog.  Many things have been repaired at our house.  However, we are still waiting on a few things, such as the computer, doorbell, dishwasher, freezer, fridge, family room heater and most importantly some kind of monetary reimbursement.

 

     My friend Mandi emailed me a 3 Question Challenge.  I thought I would post my answers on my blog.  Thanks Mandi, and congratulations on your new baby.  How exciting!  I hope you have a safe and uneventful pregnancy.  I miss seeing you.  My answers are  as follows:

 

3 Questions

Three jobs I have had in my life:

Worked at McDonald’s during high school to pay for college.

Worked at Holiday Reservations Center to continue to pay for college.

Worked as a 1^st and 2^nd grade teacher for 6 years.

Three places I have lived:

Topeka, Kansas

Japan

Italy

Three TV shows I watch:

Dancing with the Stars

24, if it ever returns to television

Good Things Utah

Three places I have been:

Rome, Italy

Istanbul, Turkey

Paris, France

Three people who e-mail me regularly:

Spam, Deborah, and Bulk (kind of sad, huh?)

Three of my favorite foods:

Ice Cream and Gelato

Italian Pizza, thin crust

Sweet Potatoes with cinnamon sugar

Three places I'd rather be right now:

San Diego, CA

Hawaii

Australia

Three things I am looking forward to in the next year:

A new kitchen and master bedroom
Air conditioning and heat that is efficient
double pane windows and new doors and hopefully a lower power bill

 

      I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July.  We actually went to Timberlakes to enjoy the cooler weather.  It was so much fun.  Our friends, the Pacini's, invited us to their cabin and we had a most relaxing time.  I am posting some pictures from the weekend.  Also, a very special thank you to the Pacini's for their hospitality. 

      I am most thankful for the freedom which we enjoy.  So, happy birthday America 2008.  Also, I'm very grateful to celebrate the 24th of July tomorrow.  I am most grateful for the early pioneers who suffered so much in the name of religious freedom.  They left their homes many times to settle this desert that we now call the Salt Lake Valley. I am grateful for to live in America where we can live without religious persecution.

      We went to the soccer game on the 3rd.  My husband went for the game and I went to take pictures of the fireworks.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our July 4th weekend.

 

 

Happy July 24th!

Unexpected Trip to Barbeque Land!

   I knew that my father was having surgery on Tuesday morning.  I had thought of going to Kansas City but the cheapest airfare was over $700.00.  With all of the expenses of our recent power surge the airfare didn't really fit into our budget.  I checked our phone messages Sunday evening at 10:00pm.  My Aunt Nancy offered me a buddy pass to Kansas City.  The fare was so reasonable that I could pay for my flight as well as Nichole's for 1/7th of the price.  I am really not a big fan of flying stand-by.  I have some really bad stories that I will not bore you with but trust me I really don't like it!

      Anyway, I was able to get on the Monday flight at 1:30pm with 1 minute to spare.  Unfortunately, Nichole couldn't get on until the next 2 flights.  She finally arrived the next day at 5:00pm.  The stand-by experience is behind us until we try to get back home.  Here are a few photos from Kansas City.  My Dad had surgery Tuesday morning.  It went well.  He was to come home yesterday but things weren't ideal so he had to stay one more night.  I'm happy to report that he gets to come home today.  I'm very much like my father in the respect that neither one of us are big fans of the doctor or the hospital.  Here are a few photos from Kansas City.

     While in Kansas City, my sister Pennie who lives in Oklahoma, introduced us to a new game called Settlers from Germany.  It is similar to Risk or Monopoly.  You have to buy properties or resources and plan strategies to win 10 points so you can win the game.  You can buy settlements, cities, or development cards. Nichole is addicted to the game.  We have spent the majority of our time at the hospital but every spare minute is spent play the board game.  An average game lasts for more than an hour and a half.

When my Dad got out of surgery he was really hungry.  Of course he could only have ice chips and clear liquids.  He kept saying I don't want that, "I want a strawberry smoothie."  The nurses told him he couldn't have one yet.  So, on Wednesday morning we got him his strawberry smoothie and he was so happy.

       At the hospital they had a therapy program for the patients.  You could request a visit from a therapy dog.  Fiona a 6 year old Brussels Griffon came to visit Dad.  My father has such a soft heart for animals.  Now, you know where I get my love for animals from my Dad.  This little dog was so smart and friendly.  She loves squeaky toys, doing tricks, reading, spinning, rolling over, shaking, and waving.  Her favorite treat is anything edible.  I told my mom that Fiona could read.  She did not believe me.  Fiona can read down, wave, and sit.  Here are photos of her reading wave and then waving.  What a wonderful service. Her owner and trainer was just delightful and certainly cheered up my Dad.  Especially since he was waiting to go home and found out that he would have to stay one more night.

     I am very grateful for modern medicine and the doctor and nurses who took care of my Dad.  Here's to a quick recovery Dad and I love you.  A special thank you to my aunt Nancy who made the trip possible.  I will post more photos from Kansas City later.

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

      I'm very happy to be able to update my blog.  I have not had a computer since May 20th.  Many things have happened but I will only post a few things at this time.   The most joyous occasion that has occurred during my almost 2 month absence is the birth of our 2nd grandchild, Jade Kelly.  She was born on Friday, June 13th.  She definitely made Friday the 13th a very lucky day for our family.  Congratulations to Ty and Andrea.  Jade is such a sweet spirit which we are so grateful to have in our family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                       

      I am very thankful to have been present for the birth of both of my grandchildren.  The birthing process is a definite miracle!  The word "labor" is really a lot of hard work for everyone involved but especially the mother.  My children were delivered by C-section which was complicated by toxemia resulting in a very high risk pregnancy.  The only good thing about my pregnancy was the fact that I did not experience labor.  My heart goes out to all of those mothers who experience a really difficult labor.  Andrea is such a strong, patient, and outstanding mother.  She is so sweet with the baby and so conscientious.

 

     

 

 

       I love celebrating the 4th of July.  I love living in America and I am most grateful for our freedom.  My father was in the Air Force for over 20 years.  He served at the end of the Korean War.  My husband's father served in World War II as the captain of a Naval transport ship.  Our son was in the Marines for over 5 years.  He served 2 tours of duty in Iraq running convoys.  I am most grateful for all of those who have served in any capacity to preserve our freedom.  I still get teary-eyed whenever I see the American flag or hear the National Anthem.  I know that God blesses our country everyday.  I am most grateful for the founding fathers of our country and the vision they had of a country that was to be governed by its people.  Happy Birthday America 2008!