Mom---99.99% free

Just wanted to let everyone know that we took Mom out to a place called Jack's Bay yesterday. It has an absolutely gorgeous beach..and some rocky outcroppings that we climbed onto so she wouldn't just float back to the beach. After we scattered her we threw some rose petals into the water (I'm not sure if you can quite make them out in the photo..but if you click on it, it will enlarge and you can see them clearly) and watched as they floated in and out with the crashing waves and eventually disappeared.

I kept a small pinch of her for each of us kids (I don't know what the karma is involved with that but I think she'll understand).

We decided to go out that morning and we told the kids we were going on a long drive to the beach. After telling them Shaun started talking about Nana Lyn a lot....about how much he missed her and missed talking to her on the phone. He even went looking around the house for presents to give to her. I told him he can still talk to Nana Lyn any time he wants to, but he said she can't talk back because she doesn't have a mouth. Anyway the funny part is...we never told the kids WHY we were going to the beach. Nathan thought it was a little 'spooky'... I really do believe Mom's watching over the kids.
While I was on the blog typing this up I found a comment from Mom to me and Treena that I'd never seen before...and I think she made sure I found it (crying all over again!)


Love to you all and Happy New Year,
Sandy

Christmas

Just wanted to let you know I am still alive. I finally have internet service that isn't dial up! I'm sorry I didn't call anyone on Christmas, it wasn't a great day for me. Bruce is in the Persian Gulf, Lexie was at her fathers, and well you know the rest. Love you all!

If I was green ll

Roses are red,
Violets are blue.
If I was green,
I'd go to the doctor to make I didn't have the clap!

R. Laverty
2008

We're going to Paris!

Now there's a Christmas present! Rick surprised me with tickets to Paris and reservations at a 4 star hotel for Martin Luther King weekend!

And no kids - he thinks of everything!

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas. We are up to our ears in wrapping paper, the kids are happy with their presents, and tech support (Joe) is busily hooking everything up.

If I was Green

If I was green

If I was green what would I be?
A leaf so beautiful hanging from a tree
Like a vegetable growing in the garden,
Like my sister Eileen she is a bean
But is she green?

Could I be a dollar bill?
Yes it is green and even referred to as green.
I would be proud as I would say every where I went
In God We Trust, and that would be what I mean.

I could be a Christmas tree, all green
Dressed in the colors of the season
On top a star proclaiming the birth of our Savior
If I were green, that would be so keen.

Green is a good color if I was a frog,
Dating Miss Piggy as sweet little hog
I’d keep on the run, and it might be fun
Dodging her advances dressed in colors
Anything but green, you know what I mean

Green is a good color as you can see,
Green is of God just like a tree.
Smells of evergreen floats in the air
It reminds me that Christmas is finally here.

Merry Christmas

Jim

Something with jocularity to off set my despair

Despair

Despair

My life is mired in pain and despair.
Hurt courses my veins
Like a thread in a silk tapestry.

I am aging though not gracefully.
I ache with each rising.
My appearance evades my youth
Like darkness does the sun.

I have not the coward ness
To make a deal with the devil,
Keep my youth and age
A picture in the attic, like Dorian Gray
Nor the resolve to take action.

Oh it is more than age and the grayness of my sky
It’s the realization that I cannot
Control my very being.
Despair is worst than a disease or drug
It is insidious the way is creeps about.

I cry for help yet no one hears
I fight the tears like that in a battle of one
One is not the loneliest number it can be two
Or three disconnected by life’s sea.
The question is where will I be?

My tapestry is painted with threads of pain
Like rivers that flow with out names.
I wonder around, trying to see
How can I fix those around and just not me?
Oh joy don’t escape me help me grab hold

I suffer in silence I suffer alone.
I suffer the pain while feelings of stone
Hinder my thoughts like the flow of a brook
Down hill they go with out a second look
I feel one day I’ll close that book.

But how, will they care if I dare?
Do they know just how I’ll go?
In pain? Am I insane?
I don’t know, I just feel the pain.

Keith andTina's Kids Merry Christmas

Oikein Rauhallista Joulua ja Onnellista Uutta Vuotta!

We wish very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2009!

Love, Tiina, Keith, Niklas & Isabella

Okay, my computer has been down (and so have I) - boy did I miss a lot of reading!!!
I had my carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand on Wednesday and as you can surmise I am now typing with it. It was a very easy surgery. I'll have my right hand done next month.
Next Tuesday, I will get the third shot in my back. The shots don't hurt that much but by the evening and the next day the site of the shot really hurts. However, and I'm crossing my fingers right now, the numbness in my leg and the pains seem to be disappearing. So the third shot may be the last and surgery may not be necessary YEAH!
I wish I had a beautiful Christmas story to relate but I don't - yet! Barry and I went to deliver little gifts to the families we home and visit teach each month, last night. It was 2 degrees out and the wind brought it down to 25 below. They say timing is everything!!! Actually, it was really kinda' fun running up to their doors in the cold wind. Donna, I envy your experiences lately!!! I don't do the running around the mall with all the crazies - it kind of ruins the Spirit for me so I've always done my shopping early. This year the computer saved me - I've been extremely sick since Lyn's funeral but I'm fine now. Anyway, the UPS guy loves me very much because I keep him employed!! Aaron and Kyle are counting the days of course, especially since Aaron turns 5 on Christmas Eve - 5 is a BIG year!! I think Mom and Dad are both prompting Kyle from Heaven, Kyle loves practical jokes and has started telling Knock knock jokes (He's 2 1/2!) He was watching a baritone sing a Christmas solo on BYU tv and now he keeps running up to me saying "Grammy, I'm gonna sing you music LA LA LA LA LA and so on. He does it in the deepest voice he can. So now I sing Deck the Halls with boughs of holly etc and he does the Fa la la la la's!!!
May God bless us all this New Year. We are a strange , happy family lol, but we are a family of faith and that is a tribute to those who raised each of us. I'm proud to be a part of this bunch. I can honestly say that I love you all very much and I appreciate the memories that we have all forged together - even when sadness draws us together. At the reunion we can tell more tales on each other - like when Michael tried to rip all my hair out when he was a baby!!!! It's okay Mike, I've never liked my hair either!!! And for those of us who can't make it, we will put together a family book!
Merry Christmas!
Debbie

surgery

Yo Yo!

I went to see my G.P today to have my B.P. checked(it was a little high but not to bad) and the Doctor checked to see if the results of the MRI I had two weeks ago was mentioned in my chart.
She was a bit put off that the surgeon hadn't bothered to call me when he got the results. I think she was not happy about having to break the news to me about the report when it was actually the surgeons responsibility.
Anyway, it looks as if I'm going to need more surgery. The rotator cuff is torn completely through and it sounds like there are metal fragments in the joint. I don't know if the metal fragments are actually screws that have broken or if they are from the saw blades used to trim my clavicle during the first surgery.
A couple of weeks ago I saw the surgeon and told him I thought something was wrong because my shoulder was starting to hurt again. He basically told me that that was not "typical" and referred me to a pain specialist to see if they could put a nerve block in to stop any discomfort and make physio easier to tolerate. I asked him if 100% of his surgeries were typical and he basically acted like I was imagining that my shoulder hurt. The anesthesiologist who I saw about the nerve block was taken aback because she said this Doctor should know that these blocks are only done on neurological damage, usually spinal injuries, and she could tell by her examination that there was definitely something wrong with my shoulder and that the problem was muscular skeletal even though this was not her field of expertise. So the anesthesiologist has referred me to a shoulder specialist. He does nothing but shoulders. After I get his opinion I'll decide what coarse of action to take.
I will be making it a point to ask the first surgeon if he considers the condition of my shoulder "typical"
Well that's all for now. Merry Christmas everybody and a Happy New Year.

It's a GIRL! Again...

Bethany and Josh are having another daughter. We are all excited, but a couple of folks are just a little afraid of living in a home with 4 females...I'm not sure who to feel more sorry for, Josh or Joshua! How many bathrooms does that house need? Thank goodness Joshua has Cousin Carson!

Proud Grammy Eileen

Photos with Santa

Well it's that time of year again. The time of year when Mummy desperately tries to get the kids to take a photo with Santa. Dressed in their..."oh well, I guess that's not too bad" clothes...hair combed when we left, faces wiped of most of the crumbs...but wait! Who's idea was having an ice cream on the way there? Good thing they came wrapped in napkins! Then, finally convincing Zoe to take a photo with Santa ---we arrived just in time for Santa to "need a break". Hooray. So we decided to have a snack in the in-store cafe. Waited 20 minutes in that line. Back to wait to see Santa (now there's a line)......but oh! wait! I can see him....now we're second from the front and Zoe starts to wiggle...then more violently wriggle...."I DONT WANNA SEE SANTA! NOOOO!!!!! " with a scream and a kick to get away..No matter how I tried there was no convincing her! NO WAY!! Fine...lets go....mummy gives up. We left our prime position in the line...got about 10 steps away...."But I want a Dora bike...I want to see Santa" (ah leavers remorse)..so we went back to the line this time at the END....I love that because I am a very patient waiter. This time I held onto Zoe with a death grip! HAHA! No wriggling away!! Once again we were nearing the front of the line...wriggle wriggle...(grip tightens slightly..lol) Then it was our turn!! Shaun went up and sat with the big man...Zoe took a tentative step closer...then with a loud scream ran right past him, past the camera man, past the sleigh, past the trees and out the other side to hide behind a pole. Right. So no picture of Zoe. Again this year. SIGH! But here's a lovely picture of Shaun and Santa. That's what we get every year. But maybe next year? I know I'll try..again..lol (As for Zoe...the remorse was most woefull when she saw the lollipop Shaun got from Santa! ) Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Overseas

This is our first Christmas here where we've been here the entire season. We were commenting tonight on how different it's been. First and foremost, with the kids being older most of their wants are electronic, and required ordering things weeks in advance instead of shopping. That meant we didn't spend a lot of time running from store to store, so we could actually enjoy the holiday season.

We've been to the Grassington festival, complete with torchlit nativity procession (and I mean real torches, not flashlights or candles!). We've also been to the German Christmas markets in Leeds, and even to an honest-to-God mall - just for the fun of it. Tomorrow we're going to a cookie exchange.

Today we went downtown - it reminded me of Christmas shopping when I was kid. People walking from shop to shop, not parking at a mall. Christmas lights are starting to catch on, so there are quite a few downtown, and more on the houses than last year.

Christmas trees are almost always in the front windows, which looks really nice when you're walking down the streets, and there is always some kind of live music downtown and in front of the bigger stores.

Some quirks to Christmas here. Lights are not the traditional red and green - blue, red and white seem to be the favorites. Also, Christmas trees are athrowback to the sixties - remember aluminum trees? And black is a very popular Christmas tree color.

Holiday shopping hours are not what they are in the states. In some cases, it means they open an hour earlier Monday-Friday, but don't stay open later, or change their weekend hours. Costumes seem to be a big gift item for the kids, and Christmas crackers (poppers) are everywhere. Every cracker has a paper crown, and a small prize.

Unfortunately, Joe can not enjoy most of it atthe moment, as he is very sick... and Julie is also sick. They are, at the moment, fighting over who is sicker. But they're in a weakened state, so the fighting isn't getting very far. So mostly, we want good health for Christmas....with electonics a very close second.

“The Throne” (a.k.a. the porcelain god)

The following is a past writing from my "Musings of a Mad Man" collection. Some what dated so do not use the email addresses in the writing. I did not correct these as I did not want to lesson the value of the original.
With that said I have re-printed this for two and only two reasons, First It's pretty cool, second is to see if anyone is reading the blog. I guess I will know by the comments I get or not. Well I guess it is three 'cause I love makin' fun of old Steve
So enjoy,
King James


“The Throne” (a.k.a. the porcelain god)
It has always been the case that a King has his throne. This is a place of deep thought, decision making and is considered by some a place of reverence.

With this in mind think of some of the decisions that have been made while possibly some of the great leaders of the world sat upon their throne and pondered the question of the day.

President Clinton “ should I meet Monica today? President Kennedy “ I wonder what Marilyn is doing today” Old Abe Lincoln “I wonder what is playing at Ford’s this evening”. You see many decisions could have been made on the Throne.

Then the times of reflection, often a time of deep sorrow or thanks. Ted Kennedy “ Boy am I thankful Mom and Dad made be take those swimming lessons” Napoleon on being short “ I am for once glad I was short, that bullet went right over my head”. Sonny Bono, “I’d rather be with Cher”.

The throne has also been known as the porcelain god. As in “I was hugging the porcelain god last night and I swore I’d never drink another drop”. “Boy it must have been something I ate”. We have all been there one time or another.

Well all this to say this is where I get most of my inspiration, mixed with occasional perspiration during a difficult defecation. Some trips to the throne are more productive than others, depending on the time and calm of the session. Nothing more disheartening than expecting a great power dump and finding out it was only meant to be a moment of flatulation other wise known as a “massive gassive”. Thus not allowing time for thought or reflection. (I am not sure if flatulation is spelled correctly but who ever writes that word down anyway, so who will know) You see that alone could have been a moment of reflection.

I was reflecting on the Kansas vs. Maryland game. It is wonderful to see those Terp make it to the final game. Last night’s game was a great game from many respects. First, college sports far exceed the quality of Pro sports. Second both teams played a great game. Third, Maryland won hands down with no excuses, pure talent. And last but certainly not least, as a result of my brother-in-laws not thinking before he speaks, he and my beautiful, but hindered, sister, will be treating King James (not to be confused with the Biblical version) and Squire Rick to a round of golf. I am told it is the custom of losers from Kansas to treat the winner to only the best of Golf Courses. Green’s fees, cart fee’s and food and drink at the ninth and 19th hole are also included.

It hurts me deeply to have to take such a treat from my sister, but hey some one has to be the looser. And after all she should have thought a little more before marrying a Kansas redneck, I mean Red hawk. Sound a little like she needed some throne time? I think so!

If anyone out there in Lavertyville would like to take advantage of Steve’s inability to pick a winner, I have attached a link to his email so you can send him a well thought out wager. SPhelps@encompserv.com or
eileen@kscable.com . I recommend some throne time before you make the wager, something Steve obviously forgot to do before picking up the phone and placing that, although not fatal, but terrible bet with the King.

Well I conclude by saying I hope all had a wonderful Easter and I pray you have a great year to come.

King James (not to be confused with the Biblical version)

Is Jesus the Reason for The Season?

Yes you read it correctly and that is the question, Is Jesus the Reason for the Season, and I have come to the conclusion that He is not the reason for the Season. Christmas Celebrates his birth. But the Reason for the Season is you and me. Yes you and Me John 3:16 tells us For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God sent his Son for you and for me. That is why He was born so the reason is us. Can you imagine sending your child to take on the sins of the Earth? So vile so despicable that Jesus questioned His Father "Why have you forsaken me?" God for a moment had to turn His head, as He could not look upon such sin as His son took on. And He did this for you and me. AND God new this when He sent Him. He knew about the pain and suffering, the hard work, that He would be ridiculed and finally His death, a horrible death. So ask yourself was it for the Season or was it for you and me?

So When you hear Jesus is the reason for the Season take a moment to think that you are so loved that God sent Jesus for you and me.

Merry Christmas
Jim

The True Meaning Of Christmas

Click on the title. It will take you to a web site that has a beautiful story which I doubt you have seen before. I hadn't. Merry Christmas to all!!!

One year ago

It was a year ago that we were in the midst of the mourning of our loss of Mom and yet celebrating her life. A lot has happened since then both good and bad. We lost our sister Lyn and yet through that brought us closer yet as a family extending outside the circle of Lyn's siblings, but to her children as well.
Last year I wrote a short poem and emailed it to some. At that time I said I was no poet and that still stands today as I send it along again, but It does bring me much pleasure in reminiscing about our past and thinking about our future as a family.
God has brought about healing of relationships and personal and spiritual growth. This I know pleases Mom. Even out of loss can come some good. So here is to you Mom and all those lives she has touched.
Love,
Jim


In Honor of Mom


Life can be fragile and life can be long.
Sometimes it's cut short, but never too long.
My mother was a blessing and her seven children remain strong,
As she was a Christian, in that we can trust all day long.

Her laughter will be missed and so will her songs,
But we rejoice in knowing she has gone home.
She asked to be with Jesus, in heaven where she belongs.
God Granted her that wish, now we must go on.

For she knew her Lord and Savior and the promise He made,
By His side she is sitting, embraced by his loving arms.
I know she had no fear and her passing so sweet.
With Her dreams on earth complete, her face we soon shall meet.

Oh time it knows no beginning and it knows no end,
As God's love is the same, and it will never end.
I trust one day I'll see Her, my Father and their son's
My family will rejoice the day we all go home.

So rejoice with me my friends, fill your hearts with song.
Give your lives to Jesus, and someday we will all re-join.

Happy Birthday

Happy Belated Birthday to Megan Loux November 28th.

Thanksgiving in NM

Greetings from Colorado!

Yes I am actually “home” for a while. I have driven over 50,000 miles in 2008 and I loved most of it. I have done work in 39 states this past year, although I have passed through a few more along the way. I also had the opportunity to visit Montreal and Toronto in Canada as well as Mexicali in Mexico. I have tent camped along the way in the warmer months and have logged over 200 nights in hotels plus quite a few nights and weekends with family and friends around the country. With all that traveling I have included a story below about yet another trip with my parents for Thanksgiving.

I do hope your Thanksgiving was a time of rejoicing with family and friends. I hope you enjoy my little story and I would love to hear what you have been up to as well. I will be sending some more news between now and Christmas. Here’s my story…


Our Thanksgiving Trip to Albuquerque, NM

We had done our homework, looking for fun things to do, a nice place to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner and of course a church for Sunday. The weather report said rain and or snow for home as well as Albuquerque area so we planned on leaving at about 8 am Thursday morning and mom was ready to walk out the door at two minutes of eight, which made dad very happy.
The trip south provided cold but pleasant weather for most of the trip. We arrived at Pueblo Harvest Cafe located in The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center about an hour early. They had room so we were seated promptly for our feast. The restaurant is a fusion of American Indian, American and Spanish foods and we ended up in the same restaurant three times in four days – yes it was that good.
Our dinner started out with a spinach salad with candied pecans, red onions, mandarin oranges and raspberry vinaigrette, as well as fresh baked bread in the kiva just outside the window. A kiva is an outdoor wood fired adobe oven. Next we sipped on a bowl of pumpkin bisque (soup that is) followed by our choice of entrée. Dad and I had turkey with all the fixin’s and mom opted for file of trout with all the fixin’s. When we were done with that, not that we finished, we had a choice of bread pudding, pumpkin pie, which mom and I had, and dad ate the chocolate decadence (chocolate cake with ice cream).
Rolling out of there we headed for the Quality Inn & Suites only a few miles away. We basically hung out for the rest of the evening including down at the pool and spa.
Next day we visited the aquarium and botanical gardens, which was awesome. Very interesting! We had a light lunch in the cafe as we watched all types of fish, turtles and sting rays swimming on all sides of us. On Saturday night we returned for the opening night of their annual Christmas Lights Show. It was a walking tour through the extensive gardens which included a story book section through tunnels, a maze and underground with the giant carrots and potatoes (even though we were still above ground). Christmas lights both animated and stationary were simply amazing. Everywhere you looked – up, down and all around there were lights. This is the best one I’ve ever seen.
We had quite a lesson in American Indian Culture this trip, very different than the east coast. We visited the museum at the Jemez Pueblo (village) visitor center and the Jemez Red Rocks - mountains. It was beautiful! We also returned to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center for shopping, the museum and watching some Indian dancing. We met a nice couple from the Santa Clara Pueblo who were Christians. They are both artists and were demonstrating pottery making and basket weaving that weekend.
We missed going on the Tram at Sandia Mountain. It is the longest aerial tramway in the world and goes up to 10,378 feet. The mountains were covered in clouds most of the weekend and the last day it was too windy. Everyone said not to miss it so we will have to return some time soon.
Sunday morning we went to Legacy Church – WOW what a blessing! Worth going to if you are in the area on a Sunday or Wednesday. After church we headed north on the Turquoise Trail through some small towns. Stopping for lunch in Santa Fe for some delicious Mexican cuisine we continued north on secondary scenic highway. It was a nice ride and as we turned onto Hwy 160 in Colorado to pick up I-25 in Walsenburg, we were met by a road block. The mountain pass was closed due to a double accident because of snow and ice. It is a long way around through other mountain passes so we waited it out along with about 40 or 50 other cars and trucks. Back on the road it was slow yet smooth. The rest of our trip was uneventful for the most part.
It was a fabulous time away. In between all the above we mostly ate and relaxed. Never rushed and on the way to the Christmas Light Show we even got to see part of a parade - that was pretty cool. There is so much to do we are already planning another trip even though there are other destinations in the works before this trip.
That’s our story and we’re sticking to it! Have an awesome December!


Jimmy BL (Mom & Dad above would be Aunt Roberta & Uncle Jim)