03/27/23 Twins visit and other fun stuff

 It's been a rainy busy week. Just kept thinking the rain would stop but it just kept raining. Felt like I was back home in Jersey again!

Monday night we went to the fancy dinner with all the city council, congressmen, senator's reps, and freeport west staff. They are putting a fancy gigantic commercial center down by the airport in Washington City and this was a kickoff party.   We ate at a fine dining restaurant called 1861 Fine Dining. (weird name, right?) It was like $50 each person. 

Tuesday we had a RS activity (the quarterly ministering interviews) and YW presidency meeting. I guess we've been having a lot of clicks and discomfort with our YW. We needed to talk about things but one of the leaders brought their daughter...so kinda tough to talk about anything with a girlie there, ya know!  It feels like there are some disconnects and YW is a little rocky right now. Maybe it's cause I don't have a girl so it's harder to be excited about all the activities.  I dunno!

Wednesday we had a combined activity and they had plenty of leadership so me and two other ladies went and planned an activity coming up in May. (I just got a text from one of the organizers that she wants to change it all. Sigh).  I really don't enjoy planning! haha. 

Thursday Grandpa, Dad and I went to Tuacahn for Tedx Talks. It is basically a bunch of speakers that have something cool to share. Before there was a pretty big party dance thing going on. Wendy Bulkley (used to work at Washington City) got Gpa to come dance. It was fun and cute. I danced with Gpa too but we didn't get a picture.   There were some really inspirational talks and we all had a really run time. I'm so glad Gpa is still able and willing to get out and do fun stuff. 

Friday Dallas and fam came. We swam in the 92-degree pool and it was wonderful. The weather was still cool and unsettled but the water was delightful!  I didn't get any pictures of the swimming tho cause I didn't get my water camera out. DJ jumped in too far at some point and took in too much water and then puked all over McKayla (and the pool). Luckily he was ok. 

After swimming DJ came in and took my 7 lb weight off the shelf and dropped it on his toe and broke his toe. . He cried and cried and finally, McKayla took him to instacare.

They had to relieve the pressure on his big toe and then gave him some antibiotics to make sure he doesn't get an infection. They don't wrap it or set it or anything...I guess it will just heal itself.  He came back a pretty happy boy and has been bounding around like his old self ever since.  

Saturday morning Kayla and Ellie went to a dance production while DJ got to hang with Dad, Dallas and me. He is a lot easier three-on-one. . Or five on one...Holly and Erik joined us at BBQ pitstop grand re-opening (Troy sold and someone else owns it now). 

We babysat the kids yesterday while Dallas and Kayla had a date getting pedicures. The kids were fun. Ellie loves to collect rocks. We played potato head and stickers. The kids absolutely love getting in the pantry and pulling treats out. 

Today we will celebrate Dallas' birthday and they will head back home. 

One of the ted talks was by a guy named Mark Colo. He got early-onset Parkinson's disease when he was in his 40s.  That is super young. Parkinson's disease makes you shake ALL.THE.TIME. He gave a really great talk and I wish I had taken notes because it was great advice. I'm going to try to find it and send it separately soon. 

Hope all is well there. Look forward to talking to you tomorrow!!! xoxo mom

03/20/23 Whew! What a week!

 

Well...you knew about our last week and all the fun it brought with the water heater and flood. We got that all remedied and paid for. The flood people came out with a wet stick and then an infrared camera to make sure everything was ok. They sprayed anti-mold stuff and removed the pad in your carpet. Replaced the pad and then relayed the carpet (they had to staple it back in...or whatever they do).  Then they came back and cleaned your carpet and then next day Holly's carpet. Whew. 

I venmo paid them $825 on Wednesday as we were going out to meet Aunt Laura and Uncle Ben and Gpa for dinner.  It was raining and raining and raining here. Like more than I ever remember.  (Turns out this is true. This is officially more rain then ever recorded in Washington County. Even more than 2005 when the houses fell in the river.). So we walked in after driving around and seeing massive amounts of water everywhere and a drop of water lands on my nose in the hallway between the garage and the kitchen. Huh. That's weird. So I look and there's a small puddle on the floor. I grab the ladder and go up in the attic to find several little pin hole drips coming down up there. I grab some buckets and go to bed. 

I won't bore you with any more details...I found someone to repair my roof and mercifully it was only $200. The end. 

Or is it? We'll find out this week as it is forcast to rain Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. So use your magic lil missionary prayers and keeep us dry!  

The Mayor gave me a fun project this week. He called me on Wednesday and said that he would like something fancy and cool for his awards that he is giving out on Tuesday next week. (If you know anything about these fancy awards...they need to be ordered, shipped, engraved.  Generally speaking a week isn't really enough lead time).  I found some really cool ones and they are promised for Tuesday.  So I'm excited!  And I hope there is no issues with shipping! And etching!!!

Our house had some issues that have been bugging me ... dishwasher stopped drying, two recliners are not reclining properly, there are some outside lights to be hung and a dead tree in the side yard. Well all those issues are still on my list....except...me and dad took down the tree today!  I had someone come and bid the job and they wanted $350 ($275 if they leave the stump).  We went to harbor frieght and bought a saw for $35 and rope for $5.  An hour later -- tree all over our yard!  Voila!  I was really proud of us! 

Friday was our annual hike with Aunt Cathy Hill and Rachel. Rachel's girls came as well which was a nice bonus.(They are both planning to serve a mission before they attend school next fall. They will turn their papers in within the next couple of months.  They both are thinking of going to USU when they return. One has 3.9 GPA, the other 4.0. What amazing girls!)  We went to Snow Canyon and hiked around for about 3 hours. It was really fun. And theraputic for me. I love nature and sunshine and chilling with my girls. I wish you and Holly could have come (she was sick with a head cold...boo!!)

Afterward Aunt Cathy said...hey...do you want to go to gunlock?  We're halfway there!!! I was like...sure!!! Holy spectacular!  I'm so glad we went. It was a true wonder of the world. 

At the end of Friday I had 27,182 steps translated to 9.28 miles (which I believe it was actually more miles because you know my phone and how it lies about distance!). But I think that is my biggest day EVER!!!! And it says I climbed 13 flights of stairs as well. It says I only burned 773 calories which basically isn't even a very good treat for all that effort. Whatever. 

So there you have it. A very productive (if not expensive) week. I feel really good about all that is accomplished and am very hopeful the house will behave itself for awhile now!

Dallas and family are coming this week for a visit. Probably the last time they will be down before Emory and Amelia arrive. Dallas wanted to come spend his birthday with us. We will have a BBQ and probably a fancy cake. Should be delicious. And fun. Can;t wait to see those two little cuties...and their parents!  

Dad and I went to Tuacahn Friday night (after my hike and falls) and watched a country concert. It was outdoors. And it was CHILLY!  I felt bad for the band and their singers.  When the show ended they were like...Good night everyone. And hurried off the stage. No encore!!! They were DONE! And I don't blame them a bit. I was ready to be done too!

This morning (it's Saturday) we went to the temple at 6:30 a.m. (me and the YM/YW). It was a fun trip...we had only 6 girls and 11 boys and 2 female leaders and about 5 male leaders. I'm really impressed how many came so early during spring break. 

I can't think of anything spiritual or uplifting to say...but you should probably be saying it to me...you're much more involved in all that church stuff than me! 

If anything inspiring happens tomorrow I'll write again!

I should have a good amount of pictures for you. Hope you had a fantastic week! Look forward to hearing from you!!! xoxo mom

03/12/23 My $10,000 week, tales of woe

 It's been an expensive month so far! Fortunately, we are able to cover the expenses that are coming our way, but...ouchie!!!

Holly and mom at the BlvdHome Cafe

Also, to put things in perspective -- we are healthy and well and alive...so that's good!  

I think you knew that our water heater went out for a replacement fee of $2600. Ouch! Didn't see that coming!  But we have hot water again and that's good. A whole bunch of other things hit this month making for a VERY expensive 10 days so far! This included...every year there is a mortgage adjustment...that came this week, we paid for our cruise, H&R Block tax preparation, Taxes, bought dad's birthday stuff, and luggage, and the insurance came due (we pay every 6 months so it's big when it comes!!!), tithing and your mission fee.  Add all this together and we are at just over $9K. WOW...!!!! 

But wait...there's more!

This week I've been saying I smell something that smells bad. I would get a whiff of something but couldn't place what/where/why. I asked dad and he was like, nope I don't smell anything, (Which is weird cause he has a good nose and always smells stuff...like a dog... seriously!!!) So I even mentioned it to Holly that she needed to come to smell my house. 

Flood causes all Katie's things
to be removed from her room.

Well AJ arrived before Holly came over and he's like...mom your house stinks!!!! And I said...I KNOW!!! What is it?!  And he sniffs the garbage disposal, dishwasher, garbage, pantry, fridge, laundry room, washer, and bathroom.  Nothing. Everything is clean and smells fine. So we give up. After 10 p.m. he heads to bed and a few minutes later I get a text...mom...come in here. So I get out of bed and head to your room. 

It is soggy. Everywhere. Apparently, the water heater leaked (we knew it was leaking but didn't realize it was going into the house... specifically into your bedroom). The closet floor and all the way out to about halfway under your bed. Wet. Soggy. Stinky. Ew. 

Saturday was a rainbow day
This is one of several seen as the weather
r

So we pulled everything out of your bedroom and a lot of things out of your closet. And we have been drying it for the past two days. Tomorrow a restoration company is coming to determine if they can extract the remaining water and replace the pad and make sure the drywall is in fact...well...dry. They will spray something to prevent mold and mildew. I told her I had a $1000 deductible. She said she thought they could take care of everything for less than that. We'll see. 

But there you have it. My $10,000 week.  I didn't even include regular living expenses this week like eating etc. 

Sheets piled up after flood

But I want to count my blessings (after lamenting my money flying out the window!!!) -- so on Monday after the shock of the water heater (I truly expected that to be $1200 worst case scenario) -- I called a lady that I worked with on my office last year. I hadn't talked to her for several month and just to start off asked how she was doing. She kind of laughed and said something like, great, considering all the dr. appointments we are going to these days. She went on and said a couple other things. Then I asked...what's going on that you are going to the dr all the time? Is this a recent addition to your life or have you always been doing this. 

She goes on to tell me that in November her daughter was riding an ebike and did a head over handlebars (like your cousin Rebecca) and split her head open from forehead to back neck. She spent considerable time in the hospital, has brain damage and has to relearn life.  Like all of it. Walking, eating, talking, existing. She's 12. She's a miracle. But a very difficult miracle. And they have no idea if she will ever be "whole" again or how long it will take to regain function or anything. They just keep working rehab and trying but they just don't know. 

And then I felt really stupid for being upset about a few financial daggers that hit us. 

Shortly after that at work I received an email about a subdivision where the soil is poor and so the people's foundations are sinking. Their pools are failing. Their walls are cracking. 

Perspective. Again. 

So, may I just say...it's been a challenging week with lil problems hitting us but I am still thankful for what I've been dealt and that I am not dealing with some of the other issues that are out there. 

Our week -- besides all the surprises -- was pretty usual. 

Drying out the flood

I am working with a health coach -- and so far not really achieving my goals -- but we decided to try 3 days with no sugar in the next two weeks. I have a serious sugar addiction and I have really struggled to pass on anything sugar ever. I am happy to report I've done two days so far and they were ok!!! It helped that my days were not the standard days but regardless...I've just about done 3 days!!! It's supposed to make you feel better and I'm hoping will help me to drop the couple of lbs that I've been battling. We'll see!  If I can get through today...I'll have achieved my 3-day goal...which I really did think was impossible when I agreed to it!

Friday Holly asked me to go to the dr with her. Her belly is still making her miserable. They talked to her and prescribed some medication she is going to take for the next couple of weeks. They ordered testing for celiac and allergies and stuff. I really hope they get some answers for her. She's been miserable for a long long time. If this medication doesn't work over the next two weeks they want to do more invasive tests. Ewe. So pray that it works for her!

We played pickleball inside on Saturday due to rain. It was really fun. Becca came too so there were 5 of us. Dad took a tumble at the end and hit his knee, elbow and head -- but as far as I can tell he's ok!  

Today at 4 p.m. Sydney Chase is opening her mission call...that's pretty exciting!!!

My thought for the week -- I think I've already said -- is to be happy in your circumstance and grateful for your challenges. It can always be so much worse than it is. Keep smiling and everything will work out. 

I've been going through your closet and got rid of old sleeping bag and mat. There is a lot of prom type dresses...do you want to save those or are those days over? (I have saved them but if you want me to get rid of some of your things let me know and I'll do it! For example...you have a ton of shoes that are really hammered.  You should really get new ones...should I chuck them?)

I'll send you some pictures of the mess. Don't worry we'll get it all back together very soon!!!!

Love you lots! 

mom

03/05/23 Hello Hermana

 The week after a trip is always tough...kinda tired from the previous week and back at it again! 

Monday we jumped right back into the week and played Monday pickleball right after work with the Casey's and then had pizza at Gpa's house. We didn't get home until around 8 p.m. That's a long day!   But a good one! It was fun!

Bryce and a pic
of little Bryce

Tuesday evening we were pretty beat, so when I got him at 6 p.m. (had to run to costco first), I went right to my room and put on my pjs. Dad was running around in his underware. And our friend's Milt and LeAyn (from pickleball) knocked on the door to deliver pinkbox donuts to dad. So nice!  Haha Dad had to scramble to put some clothes on. 

Wednesday was dad's birthday. Holly and Erik went to the radio station to surprise dad with a cookie and drink from swig. Dad worked a full day and then we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner with E&D, B&L, Gpa, E&H and us. (Honestly that is too big a crowd...couldn't even talk to anyone at the other end of the table.). But we had a nice time. E&D got dad a Chili's gift card. Laura made dad's favorite dessert that she makes every year...peanut butter chocolate pie. I think there was something else but I can't recall what. Gpa went to Harbor Freight and got a pickup stick (to help dad not have to bend over), lights for the back porch, a car wash mitt and some gloves. Not bad for a guy that hates shopping! haha

Lil Imogene
and Lil Bryce

Thursday we went birthday shopping after work for dad and got him two pairs of shoes -- fun fact...size 14 is found at Big 5 if you ask...they will take you in the back stock room and show you the very limited inventory. Basically dad came out with a black pair and a white pair. They both fit. He bought both. The end. Dang lucky because 14 is not too availale and he had holes in his sneakers!!

Then we went to Ross and bought luggage for our Alaska trip in June. Found the biggest carryon you can get without going over the measurements. They have wheels and a handle -- I'm excited to have some nice luggage.  We've been needing to that a long time and kept resisting!!

We grabbed a quick dinner at Angelica's and then met Milt and Shane at Sullivan park for pickleball again. Super fun. 

Friday dad was off work Friday night...he worked his regular job until 2 p.m. tho...so still worked plenty! !!! (that rare Friday in between basketball and baseball season). So we went to dinner with Gpa at Red Robin. We had a nice experience and the waitress brought us 5...yes 5 giant cookies for his birthday. WoW! She was a cutie! 

Saturday morning another group of pickleball - we had 12 people - it was really fun. I felt like I had a pretty good day -- was playing pretty well. Even when I lost games it would be close. We did a little shopping, cleaning, two home cooked meals (we eat out way too much now that we don't have kids so this was nice!), hot tub. Then Holly came over and me and her made cupcakes. Dad had to go put BYU on at the station so Holly and I had a quiet night where we just sat and visited and decorated our cupcakes...I use that term lightly...they are kind of ugly!

Pomegranate in white cake
 with lemon
and chocolate frosting

And now it's Sunday morning and I'm off for my walk with Linda!

Thought for the week...I am reading a book called Making Sense of your patriarchal blessing by Keith Erickson. 

He tells us to treat the blessing as scripture. Get a notebook and write our impressions. Find the warnings and the promises.  Highlight or pull them out on another piece of paper. Don't compare others blessings...you shouldn't be reading them anyway unless they are family. Dont worry about how long or short it is. There are a couple of prophets who had blessings that were only a portion of one page. Realize that it is not meant to tell all or give you step by step...it's a large overview not a detailed list. Don't skim over something just because you think it has been fulfilled. Often blessings are fulfilled multiple times in different ways. Examine how you are living -- are you doing the things that will get you on a path to fulfil certain promises or blessings. Don't give up because we can't imagine how/when a blessing will be fulfilled. Have patience and continue to do good. Realize that you will not understand your blessing all at once. Little by little throughout life it will make more sense and as you look back you will see the blessings in your life. 

Ellie eating her soup

Imogene and baby Holly

It isn't a super long book...but I've been enjoying it and plan to take a little bit of time with my blessing and see if I need to refocus myself and the direction my life is going. 

I hope that you will take a little time with your blessing and see what it says to encourage and uplift you!

Love you so much and look forward to talking to you tomorrow!