Back Stage Pass

Kevin and I had the opportunity to go back stage at last week's Collin Ray concert. It was a very small venue, probably 200 seats, so it was very intimate and comfortable. The acoustics were fabulous. And to be able to go back and meet the singer...well it was alot more than I expected. He was as down to earth and sweet as we could have hoped.


 

Another afghan finished

 


Our group, the Loosely Knit Group, tries to do an afghan a month. The recipient is decided before we start. Its usually a patient going through chemotherapy. Every person thinks about or prays for the recipient and then they get the blanket knowing that this community has kept them in prayer during their journey. We've also done blankets for families who have lost loved ones. We just want to wrap them in love and good thoughts and the blanket is a physical manifestation of those sentiments.

This is the most recent afghan that we've completed. We got together Monday and put our "squares" together. Someone else will crochet the border. It is going to a local teacher who is battling colon cancer. Most of our kids have experienced her classroom finesse, so this one is sorta personal.

Post Election Ponderings

So, another Presidential election is now one for the history books. And what a history it is!

I have no idea if the American people elected the right leader. I do wonder if the two choices put before us were the absolute best that this country has to offer. I, personally, know men and women who seem better suited to the job. But I know of no one with enough common sense AND humility who would put themselves and their families into the circus we call public service. Anyone with any mistakes or errors of judgement is subjected to such scrutiny that we would all fail the test on some level.

As for the people who have strong beliefs that this was the right OR wrong choice, if we've made the wrong choice, we get another chance to vote in 4 years and rectify our mistakes, if we've made the right choice, we can live in peace (hopefully) and freedom, knowing that our voices were heard. That's the beauty of the American Democratic system.

Time Flies

Where did the weekend go? It sure seemed to fly by...

We didn't have very many trick or treaters this year. We never do, but we seem to get fewer and fewer each year. Our neighbors hosted a party next door; we put out a sign directing the little goblins to the party place. All of us put our candy in a row on a bench and when the few trick or treaters came by they could get a huge ration at one time.

Saturday evening we had another get-together: dinner and dominoes. Had a great time, but it was a long night. Luckily, we had that extra hour with day light savings time ending... Kevin and I came in second place (as a couple) and got a book--something like The 1000 place your must see before you die. I think I'd better get busy. Gonzales, Louisiana wasn't on the list. No accounting for taste.

Yesterday was alot of puttering around the house. We got the cushions off the deck furniture just before it started snowing. Made a big pot of spaghetti sauce, knitted a bit. Essentially, took it easy.


Now the week begins again. Lots to do, not enough time (or energy) to do it all.

Halloween Party

The annual Spice Girls Bunko Halloween party was last night. Oh, what fun. Lots of creative costumes and time spent with some great gals.

Here's me in my prize winning, fat ballerina costume...
 
 
 

Lets see, also in attendance: a whoopie cushion, a fat chef, a very sexy Bo Peep, and my personal favorite, Paradise (a pair of dice, get it?)

Got a JOB!

Yikes...what have I gotten myself into? I just got hired by Deer Valley Resort. I'll be in reservations, booking private and group ski lessons. The commitment is only 3 days a week, and I'm not sure I'm up for it. I know I'll enjoy the interaction with the other employees and the guests from out of town, and I know I really need to be doing something other than obsessing about life. But I'm not sure about getting up early in the mornings. Oh, how I hate to second guess myself... I start training November 19th...

Some things never change

This came by way of an email. Don't know if the source is true, but if it is... wouldn't that be something?
The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.





-- Cicero , 55 BC

Makes No Sense

I spent yesterday afternoon at a friend's husband's memorial service. By all accounts, he was a smart, kind, gentle man. But, for reasons unknown to most, he didn't think his life was worth living and decided to end it all. He left behind a grieving wife and two heartbroken children. His son is a Marine helicopter pilot, set to be married next month and then deploy to Iraq; his daughter is a college graduate, just starting her adult life.

I can't figure out how there are people who will fight so hard for life and there are others who just throw it all away. It is such a mystery why some people just can't appreciate this incredible gift of life. Actually, it sorta hacks me off! The logical side of my brain understands that depression is as much a disease as heart disease or cancer and left untreated it is just as deadly--but why didn't he get help!?! Why didn't he seek treatment!?! I know what we would give to save a life; why didn't he see what he had? Just makes me sad...

More Cancer News

Who's tired of cancer talk? Then skip this post... its all I've got.

Just heard from Megan and Kevin. They've been in Houston for her monthly check up at MD Anderson. Yesterday was spent in clinic doing blood work, chest x-rays, CT scans and other fun stuff. Today was her day with the doctor. Her magnesium is a tad low (what a shocker...sarcasm), CA 125 went down slightly, from 149 to 143, and here's the biggie... drum roll please...

some of the tumor nodules in her lungs have disappeared and the tumor they are monitoring in her gyn. tract went down to less than 1 cm! Huge news! Big applause! Standing ovation!

Seriously, this is not a cure all. But it is the most hopeful news we've had in quite a while. This experimental drug might be the time buyer we've prayed for... Its hard to believe that after the horrible summer we had--a summer when I seriously thought I was going to lose my child before fall arrived--it looks as though we'll get to have a full out holiday season!

Escape-ism

Today was the annual Friends of the Library Luncheon. The speaker was Carolyn Jessop, the woman whose plight to escape polygamy made national headlines. She's been on Oprah and some of the morning talk shows. What an incredible woman! She was visibly nervous which made her story so much more authentic. After growing up in such a closed society, it was completely believeable that she would still be nervous before a group from "the outside." Of course, I would like to think our little "friends" group would be less intimidating than Oprah, but you never know...

I've ordered the book, "Escape", and can't wait for it to arrive. My friends who have already read it said it is quite the page turner.

Not so Manic Monday

I know its customary to hate Mondays. But I'm really starting to like them--alot. Its always the day I'm going to start my diet and its always the day I'm going to start exercising. And last week I did... and this week I did. By Tuesday, well, diets and exercise regiments usually go to hell by Tuesday.

Another reason I'm starting to like Mondays--I have the house to myself. KB's cell phone is not ringing, no one is asking what I want to have for breakfast, lunch, etc, I can watch whatever I want on tv or (and this is really the best) I can have complete and utter silence. Oh silence--the sound of peace.

So today will be filled with mundance tasks. Running to the library to donate some books, doing a little bill-paying on the rental properties, sorting laundry, maybe even going through a few boxes of clothes. I love mundance tasks--especially on a cold, almost snowy day like this wonderful Monday.

Trip to Yellowstone

Kevin and I went to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone last weekend. What a great time of year! Perfect weather, gorgeous leaves, no huge crowds. It was great to get away for just a bit--not exactly Hawaii (which we had to cancel AGAIN this year...) but it was still relaxing.

 
 
 
 

Just a quick catch up...

For my 2 1/2 readers:

The summer has flown by. Fall has arrived. And yes, I haven't posted anything since May. Although much has happend.

So--a short summary:

Summer was tough for Megan and us. We really thought we were losing her in July/August. We flew with her to DC to the National Institute of Health's Cancer Institute. After a couple of days of complete inefficiency, they determined that Megan didn't fit the trials in which we were interested. Seriously, from the bus driver to the attending physician and almost everyone in between, Megan had a bad feeling. So we came home feeling very dejected. But then that four letter word "hope" raised its head again and really smart folks from right here in Utah came up with a procedure that eliminated the pain and pressure. (Many thanks to Dr. Zempolich at St. Marks and Dr. Adler at U of Utah and their collaborative spirit.) She stabilized enough for us to bring her to M D Anderson in Houston. She qualified for a clinical trial and has been on this new drug for about 6 weeks. So far, so good. She's been back once and the tumor they are following has shrunk 25%.

Sydney spent the summer looking for work. She's finally employed by CASA (court appointed special advocates) training volunteers who advocate for kids in foster care. Not alot of pay, but it is rewarding in other ways. And it is good experience.

I'm debating going back to work. Things have stabilized around here, but I'm constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. Getting out of the house would probably help keep my mind off crap. I know I could work in the ski industry again, but I really don't think I need the aggravation of working holidays and weekends. Since feeling valued is more of an issue than money, I think I'll look around and see what looks fun.

So, maybe I'll try and do better with this posting stuff; maybe someone will read this stuff; maybe someone will even leave a comment or two. Who knows...

Cabo San Lucas

 
 
 
 

Syd's Graduated!!!!

Sydney is now officially a graduate of LSU! Here are a few pictures taken following graduation. We celebrated her accomplishment with an extended family dinner at a great restaurant in Baton Rouge. And then our immediate family (plus her boyfriend Michael) took off for a family vacation in Cabo. Those pics will follow soon.