Berry Patch

Long Overdue Update

2010-08-26T18:53:00.000-07:00

This update is long overdue!! I started typing it a few weeks ago and then it disappeared on me somehow- I gave up! Anyway I will try again!!

Boy ,the summer has sure flown by!! I have been at my job about 3 months now. I 'am still loving it very much!! I have been working pretty much full time. When they hired me they said I would work up to full time but instead I jumped right in and have been going strong. Lately though due to Dr's much needed vacations and patient numbers being down, my hours are being cut some- almost to part time. While I like the money that comes with full time, it is nice being home with the kids more especially while they are getting ready to go back to school. I was able to take Michael to the HS and get his schedule changed and will be off on the first day of school. I like to take the kids to school especially the younger two. So it is nice. I do not know how long it will last. I 'am just so thankful for a job doing something I love! I'll take any hours I can get as long as I can keep my job!

Scott, our graduate, just finished a summer school course at the community college. He took a statistics class. He is hoping that is the last math class he will have to take in his college career. He as a job that he is really enjoying and will start fall classes on 23 Sept. He has been working on his music quite a bit and has written one song that I especially love. He has also been a help driving us places. We have had some major car problems that are not over yet. We need a mechanic in the family that lives close by! :0) We can't buy a new car so we have to keep this one running.

Michael has had a pretty laid back summer. He traveled in July to visit his BF in North Carolina and had a great time! He has also had some lawn jobs and earned a good bit of money. He was the family navigator for relatives visiting this summer while was working. Cross Country practice has started. I think he is going to have some good times this year! He is a great runner! He is also pleased with the new class schedule we got for him the other day. Michael will be a Sophmore this year!

James is our sweet techy! He has had fun playing in the neighborhood but you mostly find him at the computer. He has also enjoyed going to the pool almost daily for most of the summer. He has helped us navigate the new computer Aunt Cara and Uncle Craig passed down to us. It is awesome having a Mac!!! Thank-you CV 2!!!! James will be in 7th grade this year!

Emily has done a lot of playing out side with friends and really enjoyed time at the pool! She has also started cooking some on her own. She made some great cookies last night all by herself!!! Emily will be a 4th grader! I can't believe how all my kids are growing up!! Time seems to be flying faster the older I get!!

My sweet hubby has been a big help around the house with me working so much. He mostly cleans the kitchen each night- a BIG blessing!! He is loving his job and is looking for more challenges. He has started to finally work on his writing. I have been after him to write a book- or something!! We will celebrate our 21st anniversary on September 2nd!! He is such a gift!!

My cousin Christine spent 6 wks of the summer with us to help with the younger two kids. After she left my parents arrived for a 2 week visit. Since they went home Scott and Michael have been helping with their siblings. Having my hours changed at worked has helped too. School starts September 1st.

Well I guess that is our update. We have been enjoying some beautiful weather. I feel fall coming though!
Hope all is well with everyone!!

New Job!!

2010-05-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

I have a new job!! Dr. Eagan of Kitsap Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine called me with the good news yesterday! I'am so excited! They are opening a new clinic right here in Poulsbo and have asked me to join their team! :0) Here is the link to the new web site: http://www.kpsmhealth.com/

Wt Loss Finally!

2010-05-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

I have not posted on here in forever, but I want to today!!

I go to a group called TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) every week. I went because a new friend invited me and I thought some accountability would help me lose weight. Anyway I have been going there since the beginning of March. I think some of the ladies come just because it is something to do , but some are serious and many of them have been coming for years! There are some sweet ladies that have reached goal and come to encourage others. TOPS does not really give you a specific plan to follow, just suggestions and friends to encourage you on your journey. I needed the accountability of stepping on the scale for someone. It has been nice to go with my friend and meet new people but I have had to figure out a "plan" on my own.

Another friend from Whidbey Island had told me about a web site called Spark People.com over a year ago but I did not really get into it . She has lost 75 pounds using the tools on Spark People! I decided to check it out again and it has been a wonderful tool for me also! I signed up on the site on April 8th and have so far lost 9.7 pounds. I had lost some weight already having joined TOPS on March 10th. I have lost a total of almost 14 lbs. I think it has gone better using Spark People and I really enjoy it! It is keeping me focused and is easy to use. AND it is free ! You sign up with just a user name and password. You tell them your goals and they set up a meal plan for you based on your calorie range. If I do not like on of the choices on my plan for the day I can click on the food and a list of alternate choices pops up that I can replace it with. No food is totally taboo and there are no "special" foods to buy, it is all about the calories . There is also a fitness tab where you can track exercise and how many calories you burned. It has just really worked well for me! I'm excited to see what more I can do!

Just thought I'd share! I'm a bit excited today because when I weighed in this morning there was a 6 pound loss!! Off for a walk now!!

Dr. Jack Leslie McPherson PhD

2009-09-27T06:58:00.001-07:00

Johns Dad, Dr. Jack Leslie McPherson, went home to be with the Lord at 5:30 this morning.
He was an amazing, wonderful person and gave his best in every area of his life! We love you Dad!! You will be greatly missed, but we are comforted that we WILL see you again some day in heaven!
Gramma Noras birthday celebration March 2009

Scottie, Dad and Scott at the beach on Whidbey Island May 2008

Please keep our family in your prayers, especially Johns step-mom, she is in the hospital also.

Haircuts

2009-09-21T09:54:00.001-07:00

The boys had haircuts recently and Michael decided to be goofy with his hats. The joke around the house when we have "extra" money is to go blow it on hats!
Scott decied he was tired of taking care of his longer hair and asked for a haircut.

Then Emily decided she wanted her hair trimmed. I think I cut off about 5 inches. It sure is easier to brush!

Good thing they waited until after our family/sr. pictures were taken!

Anniversary Getaway

2009-08-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful weekend getaway, in Idaho and Montana, to celebrate our upcoming 20th anniversary! It was beautiful and relaxing!! We sure would love to move back up there someday!! This is me in front of the church where we were married. It is in Hope ID, across the road from Lake Pend Oreille.

John in front of the church.

This is the house we stayed in on the property of a future Bible camp and retreat that is located in Montana.

This is the lake down behinsd the house. This was taken looking back across at the house.

This is the barn on our former ranch in Idaho where John proposed to me!

This was our family home. We built this in 1979.

Our house again. We had 40 acers. I really miss this place!! It was so wonderful getting back up there again and just exploring!! Enjoy!

Buds since birth!

2009-07-31T08:23:00.000-07:00

The ferry ride picture I put up in my last post was taken when we were crossing over to Seattle on the way to Ellensburg WA, the weekend before last. Ellensburg is where we lived when we were first married and two of our kids were born there. We went to go to a going away party for our friend Logan. He left for the Army. Logans mom Kim was my babysitter for the boys when I was working. She is like their second mom in some ways. Anyway we have been friends with this awesome family since before John and I were married. We all had abaies around the same time! At the party we were able to see many people we have not seen in a long time! This is Kevin, Scott ,and Logan! Logan is the oldest of the three and they have know each other since birth.

Scott , Logan, and Logans girlfriend.

Scott and Kevin jammin in Logans room!

More jammin!!!!

It was a fun visit! Sunday we went to our old church and saw MORE people we had not seen in many years. Most were amazed by the change in Scott!! Some had not seen him since he was four!

Visitors!

2009-07-31T07:50:00.000-07:00

We have had visitors since the first day we moved in here! It has been wonderful seeing family and friends! One of our visitors was Michaels best friend Aaron. He came to visit for about 8 days from North Carolina. He loved our non-humid weather and when the heat started before he left he said it was nothing compared to his summer weather in NC! Here they are on the ferry to Seattle.

Of course we HAD to take him back to the island to see "our" lambs!!! That is Vicky standing by Michael and our old house is in the background. It is very brown there right now!

Here they are in front of our new house. It is green here!!! Our most recent visitors from last weekend were my brother Monty and his wife Jackie and their girls. Katee, my brother Chips daughter, was here also!! Jackie came to help me paint- her birthday present!! Yes, she wanted to paint and see us for her birthday!! Katee was here for some driving lessons from Uncle John. Here are all the kids at dinner one night!

Here is a picture of the on a "finished" part of the deck! Great group of kids!! Katee and Scott will both be seniors this year!! I can't believe it!

Family is awesome!!!

deck

2009-07-31T07:42:00.000-07:00

Here are some recent pictures of the deck project! I "love " how these load in reverse order! The two bottom pictures are of the sides that were "finished". How ever when they got to the main part of the deck it was worse than they thought so I think some of this may have to be redone. Especially on the west end of the deck. They had to tear the railing off that side and as you can see there is not much left of the main part. When I open my door it is a long drop down!!
Enjoy!

Catch Up!!

2009-07-16T20:27:00.000-07:00

Hi all!! It has been way too long since my last post. Life has been busy! We are now moved, yet again, to our new place!

I wish I knew how to post pictures on here better!

We have had some drama with the move but things are calming down!! The very first day we were here the refridgerator died and the a few days later the washer died also. THEN right after that we started having some flooding in the laundry room and part of Michaels room. It got his new carpet wet. To make a long story short, there is a drain in the floor that is under Michaels carpet. We found out after a search that this drain was backing up when we showered or ran the dishwasher, basically when we were using alot of water at once. The septic was WAY over full and there was no where for the water to go!! SO after all that, we have a new fridge, new washer, pumped out septic, and clean and disinfected carpet!!!

The other project going on is replacement of the deck. It was supposed to be done before we moved in and they have finally started! It will be really nice when it is done!

The pictures show a shot of the front of the house, some young deer that have visited us already, (they were enjoying my apples, roses and wild strawberries) James showing Grandpa how to play the Wii, ( my parents came to help with moving in) and a picture of the dismanteling of the deck. Anyway enjoy! I will try and post more often!!

March Happenings

2009-03-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

I ment for this to post before the St. Pattys post, opps!! The first weekend of this month we went to Elizabeths and helped celebrate Destinees 14th birthday. We had a good time! She had us play a few fun games!

Sorry about the order of the photos! I have not mastered this!

Happy St. Patricks Day !

2009-03-17T08:21:00.001-07:00

Happy St. Patricks Day!! We had a nice time this past weekend ! We celebrated Johns Grammas birthday. She turned 96!! Since there are several March birthdays and our family has an Irish heritage we celebrated St. Patricks Day also. Here is a family shot of Gramma , Dad , Joyce, Sean, Jackie, Johns other sister Susan, and our family. There were more family present that are not in the picture, but we wanted a picture with Dad since we are not all together very often. Susan lives in Indiana. Johns Dad is still battling cancer.

Here are pictures of twin lambs that were born Saturday while we were gone. They are so cute and tiny!! Spring may really be coming!

Tonight I am making corned beef and cabbage for dinner! I am really loking forward to it and my family even likes it!!

Happenings

2009-02-22T17:51:00.000-08:00

I have been enjoying some beautiful sunrises in the mornings when I go out to feed the lambs!

We have had a nice day around here today! John talked Emily into trying to ride her bike again and she had success!! She had crashed on her bike back in Florida, over a year ago, and has not wanted to try again. Daddy was able to talk her into it. At first she would only ride on the grass but after awhile she was riding up and down the driveway and we have a pretty long driveway. She was having so much fun that she did not want to stop. I think she probably rode for about an hour total. John got his bike out and they went out on our road too. It is a very quiet road.
See how long the driveway is?

Here are a couple of shots of the lambs. I was out playing with them for awhile. We are trying to get them to learn to eat grass. They need to get off the bottle soon. Vince was trying to nibble on my vest insted of grass but it looks like Vinny was eating some grass. It is really hard to get a good picture of them!
They are 5 weeks old now and have really grown alot!
The boys were out shooting their BB guns also but I did not get a picture of that. They had fun shooting plastic bottles. It was just really nice having everyone enjoy the outdoors and not vegging with the TV or Wii!

2009-02-04T14:56:00.000-08:00

Hi! Just a quick note! My Mom is still in the hospital for thoses of you that knew that from reading Facebook. Her pneumonia has gotten worse because it did not respond to the antibiotic. They changed her meds last night, but she is feeling pretty bad and wants her girl to come. So we are out of here in a few hours and will stay through the weekend. I would appreciate prayers that the new antibiotic does its job!

On a side note. John got his offical job offer for the promotion! There are just a few things that need to be ironed out. So we will be moving again, but it will not be until after school is out. They are going to let him work from his office here a few days a week to cut down on the commuting. He may only go down there 2 days a week until we move.

Well I have to get packing! Love you all!

2009-01-25T16:53:00.000-08:00

Sadly the newest lamb did not make it. He was neglected by his mother. Randy said if any more lambs happen to be born to these Marinos we are going to just take care of them right away insted of seeing what the mothers will do. He said there are 2 more sheep that may lamb since the others did. We shall see! Vince and Vinny are doing great and it looks like it is about time for me to go feed them!

Suprise

2009-01-24T11:20:00.000-08:00

This morning I went out to feed the lambs and I looked over into the field where the Merino sheep are kept, the lambs mother being one of them, and I'll be darned if there was not another baby lamb!!! This time the mother is taking care of it. I have not gone up close to see it because I don't want to scare the mother. I am going to wait until Randy comes out to feed and see if it is OK to go near them. I went to Ranys house and was able to tell Katie but Randy was not up yet. Katie was again surprised and excited. She looked good!

HOME AGAIN

2009-01-22T21:57:00.000-08:00

Hi All!! Katie is home again and is doing well!! She gets tired pretty easy but was excited to meet the lambs when Charlie brought them home today! She came over from the house and met and inspected both of them. She is still having some trouble with saying what she wants to say and with reading but she says it is getting better everyday.

Meet the lambs!! This little guy the kids are calling Vinny. ( I think Randy and Katie are going to let the kids name them) He is the smaller of the two and we were having a hard time getting him to eat. Tonight when I fed them though he ate really well, almost a full bottle. Michael is trying to feed him.
Here is Emily holding Vinny.
Here is James holding the little guy the kids have named Vince.
Vince eats very well ! He sucked down almost two full bottles since he came home. He is a bit bigger and more agressive of the two.

The kids chose V names because Katie names the lambs by the same letter of the alphabet. Last year was U so this year is V. Anyway you will probably see more pictures of these guys later. Randy is going to let us have the job of taking care of them and I think it will be fun! Of course he is around if we have questions.

2009-01-20T08:40:00.000-08:00

Katie continues to improve and may be coming home today. She is still having trouble with getting out what she wants to say and still can not read. They are going to run some final tests today and then hopefully she will come home. I'll keep you updated!

Monday

2009-01-19T16:41:00.000-08:00

I spoke with Randy and Katie is doing better. She was up walking around. She is having trouble forming sentences and can't read yet but Randy believes that will all come with time. Katie is understandably a bit discouraged, but Randy is expecting a full recovery. Katie is a very active lady and works hard on their farm. She was excited to here about the baby lambs, who are doing very well, and Randy was going to show her a picture of them when he went back to the hospital today.

Cara came over and since it was such a beautiful day we took her to see some local sights. A former fort from WWII and a driftwood beach. We tried to go to a local bakery, but it was closed. Insted we went to a coffee place that had baked good and Aunt Cara spoiled everyone with a treat. FUN!!

When the lambs come home next week Randy is going to set them up in our barn and he is going to let us take care of them. He will provide everything we need. The kids are excited!

Eventful Saturday

2009-01-18T22:36:00.000-08:00

We have had a nice weekend!! There is a bit of sad news though. Our neighbors next to us are Randy and Katie. They are sheep farmers and are wonderful neighbors and we had planned to have dinner together Friday night. They planned to bring a Prime Rib Roast and a special homemade chocolate pudding Katie makes. Anyway Randy called and said he would bring the roast over at about 6 pm but that Katie would not be coming because she did not feel well. Randy brought it and the pudding over but did not stay either as he wanted to get back to Katie. It was so sweet of him to bring the planned dinner even though they could not stay. And it was yummy!!! Saturday morning Randy took Katie to the Dr in Seattle and it was determined that she had had a stroke. She is expected to have a good recovery but will be in the hospital until at least Tuesday. Please pray for her. This is Katie with one of the sheep.

The next part of my story is happy and something Katie will be excited about! Randy was going to tell her today.

Last night , around 5 pm, while Randy was still gone, I went outside on the porch and I heard a "crying" sound. My son Michael walked down our driveway to see if he could find where it was coming from and I'll be darned if he didn't find a new baby lamb standing by the fence "crying". His mother was not paying any attention to him and when he would walk to her she would run away. Anyway since Randy was not home and we did not know what to do we called his friend Charlie. Charlie came over and helped us figure out what to do. He went into the field and could not get near the mother. So he had us pick up the lamb. As he was turning to come out of the field he heard another sound behind him in the distance. He turned around and walked to the end of the field and he found another little lamb standing by the far fence . Anyway there are 2 new baby lambs!! One is white and one is black with a white patch on his head. They are both boys and they were totally unexpected!! Randy did not know the sheep was pregnant. He had just bought these new sheep last month. Randy was still not home by the time we found the other lamb and we did not have a way to call him. Charlie looked around his place and in his house for the mix to make lamb formula. We could not find it so Charlie told me what to buy at the store to make them some milk to drink. We put the lambs in some hay in our little chicken coop and John and I went to the store to buy bottles and the milk I needed.
We got it all and as we were just getting home Randy was arriving home too. He was very suprised at what we had to tell him! He then got lamb formula mix that we couldn't find, and so we didn't need what I had bought. Anyway I made bottles for them and we were able to feed them. They were not eating very well because they were cold so Randy made a place for for them in his bath tub with blankets and towels and turned up the heat to warm it up for them. We went home after that but Randy told us this morning that after they warmed up they ate very well and made it through the night. Charlie came and picked them up to take them to his house while Randy is at the hospital in Seattle with Katie. We can't wait until they come back home so we can help take care of them again. That was our excitement for yesterday!!

I wanted to get pictures of the lambs last night but we were too busy holding them and trying to get them to eat. I will try and get some when they come home. Cara is coming tomorrow and she was going to take some pictures but they are at Charlies place .

It has been a nice weekend and tomorrow we get to see Cara!

Change in 2009

2009-01-16T10:16:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!!! I am feeling much better and almost to 100%. Thank-you again for your thoughts and prayers!!

WELL I almost can't believe I am going to tell you what I am going to tell you BUT in the big picture it will be for the best!! ANYWAY John is getting a promotion and we will be MOVING AGAIN!!! But not until July! John will start the new position and will commute to Bangor, WA. He will come home on the weekends and maybe a few other days a week. It is very good for Johns new career and we will be able to "relax and settle" once we are all moved.

So losing my job is looking more like a blessing in dusguise! With John gone part of the week until school is out I need to be available for my kids. Also this gives me time to finish going through all our stuff that is in the garage.

Honestly I am not looking forward to packing up again, but I've just got to buck up and do it! With this much advance notice it should be a much more orderly move than the most recent one.

We are thankful each day that we are back in Washington and thankful for this new opportunity for John!!

Thank-you!!

2009-01-05T08:19:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

I just wanted to thank-you all for your thoughts and prayers while I have been sick! A MILLION thank-yous are not enough for our Cara Bear!! She always knows what to do and after two days of taking care of me she left my family with thorough instructions for my care!! If not for her care I would have been put into the hospital for sure.

One of the special things she did was to make sure Michael had a birthday party. My Mikey turned 14 and is a New Years baby!! I can't believe he is already 14! Michael is a special young man and is an "old soul". He loves Star Wars clone troopers. I think he has 0ver 100! He also loves all the old superman and batman shows from the 40's and 60's. He is a good student and an all around great guy!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Michael!!! We Love You!!

Our snow is gone and this is what it looked like Saturday morning!!!
This is the sunrise I woke up to Sunday morning!!!!
Today I got the kids off to school OK and am just going to take it easy. The Dr said to only do what I feel like and to not push it and overdo. I'am going to "obey", I'm good at that!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

2008-12-24T19:41:00.001-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Have a blessed time with your families!

This is a picture of the "calm" before our second snow storm.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

The weekend

2008-12-21T18:51:00.000-08:00

We got up this morning to not much more snow but it was windy last night and what we did get was drifted. There were dritfs about a foot deep in places. We planned so we could head out early for Church and got there in good time only to find out it was cancelled. We did not know because I have not signed up for the church newsletter yet so we are not on the e-mail list. I don't think any of the Churches were open today. We needed gas so we got that and then went home. John did a devotional with us and we just enjoyed being together. In the afternoon we headed out across the road for a neighborhood party.

The party was nice. The hostess fed us all a yummy dinner of lasagna, bread, an italian salad ,and a sausage pie that was very good. Rumcake and cupcakes were for dessert along with punch. We then played a game with "white elephant " gifts. She bought each child there a gift of there own. We had a good time and it was nice to meet some neighbors!

It is snowing pretty hard again and the base may be closed again tomorrow, so John could be home with us. He might go in just to go through his in box, so he is not "buried" later, but he won't stay all day.

We still have our water back and are leaving a faucet running so it does not freeze again.
Thats all for our lazy Sunday!

2008-12-20T20:13:00.000-08:00

We have water again!!!! Yeah!!

No Water!

2008-12-20T16:28:00.000-08:00

Well I have to remember how to ruff it w/o water! Ours froze today it is so cold! When we lived at the ranch in Idaho we would lose water sometimes, so I have done it before. It is really cold and another storm is due tonight or tomorrow. Heres to "Pioneering" LOL!

2008-12-18T07:25:00.000-08:00

We are having a second snow day today. We have not gotten much more snow but the roads are icy, a kind of chunky ice on some because the snow plows did not go down them.

I may try and run into town later. I did not go anywhere yesterday until John got home from the airport. Scott arrived safely in Florida and it was 70 degrees there at 11 o'clock at night. So he is missing our snow , but I don't think he minds.

I made sprintz cookies for the first time in a long time yesterday and they turned out yummy. Potatoe soup sounds good for our snowy day today.

Now that I am home from work and staying busy around here, I wonder how I had time for it before. Having the kids around has helped with the transition.

SNOW DAY!

2008-12-17T09:52:00.001-08:00

Yes, it is a snow day, but this is a picture I took last night! It is so beautiful! This is looking west. Above the tree line are the Olympic mountains and you can't see it but between the trees and the mountains is the ocean!
Since it is a snow day the kids are all home, except for Scott. Dad braved the weather to take him to the airport in Seattle. He is flying to Florida to see his friends he left behind when we moved here last December. James and Emily helped make pancakes this morning. James has a bandage on his hand because he accidentally touched the wood stove this morning. Ouch!!

Here are some more pictures of snow. Right now it is coming down pretty hard. And to think I told a new friend recently that we don't get much snow on the island! LOL!

Enjoy!!!!! You can see that the stump is more buried.

SNOW!

2008-12-14T18:26:00.000-08:00

We had our first snow of the season here on the island. It was just a few inches but it sure is pretty! Enjoy the pictures!!

Things

2008-12-10T09:43:00.001-08:00

Hi! It has been far too long since I posted! It has been really busy around here with the move and work. But as of yesterday I no longer have a job. I was laid off/let go, what ever you want to call it! Needless to say I was/am crushed, because I truly loved my job and being back in the healthcare world. OK- we won't talk about that anymore!! On to happier topics!!

We really, really love living in this house! Here are a couple of pictures of the view! They aren't the best. I'll have to work on getting better ones.The house just feels much more like home!

THANKSGIVING was WONDERFUL!!! It is the first time in 61/2 years that all my family was at my house for a holiday dinner. We did not go and do much, other than the "endless" shopping we seemed to need to do in our small town. We had to get ready for Rachels B-day party and needed "stuff". It was just awesome spending time with family and just hanging out. Cara took most of the pictures so I do not have much to show you. There is a shot of how the men in our family "bond"!

They sit around and read together. I think they talked some! It was also fun dressing the girls up for church in dresses that Auntie Cara bought them last year. They don't look like they were having much fun but it was their idea! They sure got a lot of compliments at Church too!

It was a wonderful long weekend with family!!! I want to do it again!!

Moving!!

2008-10-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

I have not blogged about this yet, but some of you already know that we have to move to a different house. The owner of this house is going to be forclosed on if he does not sell it SOON! They will be putting the house up for auction in about 3 months. Anyway we found a new place to live and are moving Saturday! I can't believe I am doing this again! Once we found out we were moving all the things we did not like about this house were magnified. Like only having one bathroom with a tub only, not a real shower, sink and toilet, for 6 people! We have another tiny bathroom with just a toilet and sink. This house also does not get very warm.
The house we are moving to has 2 full baths!! One has double sinks! It also has a wood stove.

The house is also on 2 1/2 acers and our neighbors have sheep and llamas. It is about a mile and a half from our current place.I think we will like it!

Anyway Saturday is the big day! We get the keys tomorrow. We will not have the internet for possibly 2 weeks. I don't know if we will survive!! LOL!! But I will be back! I promise! Think of us Saturday!!

Life gets busy!

2008-09-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

Hi all!! I am still here!! Let me say first if all that, I Love my job!! Working again has made life busier and more challenging, but I love being back in the medical world and helping people!! Figuring out how to get everything done at home is a trick, but I am getting a system worked out.

Two of our boys started soccer and are really happy about it, but that too adds to the busyness around here! It also makes for more expense because a lot of their games are off the island. (good thing I am working now!) So more driving and gas, but the boys are enjoying it and they needed that outlet AND we enjoy watching them!

Awhile back Cara did a family photo shoot for us! She did an AWESOME job! I know she shared some on her blog, but I wanted to share some more. I have them in my computer now!

For Sandra and Baby Hayden!

2008-09-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

A baby boy
Author: Unknown

A baby boy was created

by the hand of God above

to give the world the sweetest touch

of tenderness and love.

With the softness of a whisper,God made a baby's skin

and then designed two trusting eyes

to put the starlight in.With giggles from a waterfall

and breezes passing by,God made a baby's laughter

and a tiny, sleepy sigh.

God made the world a precious gift

more dear and pure than gold,with little toes to play with and tiny hands to hold

then brought into the sunshine a precious baby boy

All wrapped up in a rainbow of wonder, hope, and joy.

-unknown author

Congratulations on the upcoming arrival of Hayden!!! Can't wait to see what this little man looks like!! I 'am still deciding on your gift! Please e-mail me your address! cmcpherson9@hotmail.com

You are a great Mom and you are really going to enjoy having a boy!!

Love Cheri

Random FUN!

2008-08-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

I got a funny idea off a blog I read and decided to post it. You should try this for a good laugh. You just google your first name and then "needs". Then see what you come up with. It's for REAL what I came up with...

1. Cheri needs fluency..... probably in communicating to my kids (and hubby)!! Sometimes I think I am speaking another language!

2. Cheri needs positive thoughts today..... We all could use those!!

3. Cheri needs a good nights sleep....... Always!!! There are these "little" munchkins that "appear" in our bed, that are not so little any more and take up way more space than they used too and I wake up to send them back to their bed. Somehow they are back in the morning!!

4. Cheri needs volunteers..... Another thing we could all use!! How about one to watch my kids so I can run away with my hubby for a day and night!

5. Cheri updated Cheri's needs..... Did I?? They don't change much! I needed a job and got it!

6.Cheri needs to find another lable soon...... Hmmm? I did just add the lable of Medical Assistant recently and today was called "Lovely MA" at work!

7. Cheri needs to change her image...... Into what ? I'll have to think on that!

8. Cheri needs to only to cover the cost of shipping food... How about the cost of paying for food and driving it home!! The new job will help with that!!

9. Cheri needs the same connection they do.... I wonder what kind of connection? My cell phone could use better connection sometimes!

10. Cheri needs for a medication that slows progression..... Alot of things come to mind here! What would you like to slow the progression of?

11. Cheri needs to do some facial exercises.... Hmmm! It take more muscles to frown. I don't want to be doing that!

There you go!! Now try your name! I was fun!

So far work is going very well!! The lead MA is on vacation this week and I was left " alone" on Tuesday and Thursday! It sure helps to learn how things work in our office and I think I did pretty well. There was only one provider today so it was quieter and I stocked all the patient rooms. I had to go on a hunt to find things but I think I got it done. I'll have to ask my co-worker tomorrow how I did.

Looking forward to the weekend!!

NEWS

2008-08-01T18:08:00.000-07:00

The big news here today is, I got a job!!! I have been "sorta" looking for awhile and the one that I think will work was offered to me today.

I was offered a job a few weeks ago, but the hours were not right. They wanted me to work 7 am- 6 pm 4 days a week. I felt that was a bit much to jump into from having not worked outside the home for 7 yrs. I also want to be here in the morning to send the kids off to school. They do not really have much of a memory of me working outside the home. When I did Grandma was there or their "Aunt" Kim or Daddy. Any way this will be a big change, but we could use the extra income and like I have said before when the kids are all at school I really get lonley here alone at home. I also LOVE being a Medical Assistant and am excited to get back into it!! I am nervous too, but one of the PA's I will be working for confided to me that I have more experience than any of their Medical Assistants currently employed there. Everyone was very nice and I hope I will be a good addition to their team.

The job I was offered will be in an Internal Medicen clinic working for one Dr. and two PA's. I will work Mon- Thur 8:30- 5. I start next Tuesday. It would have been Monday but the boys trip to help Auntie Awesome has turned into a family affair. We all wanted to see Cara and she says she could use my help too. I sure hope so , she does sooo much for us, I would like to give back!!!
Anyway we are excited to see her on Monday and then I start the new job on Tuesday.

My two older boys are going to watch the two younger kids while I work until school starts. I am going to pay them to make it worth their while and seem more like a job. They both are wanting to earn money. John will also be home just after 4 in the afternoon too.

Well I guess I have rambled on enough about that! Think of me Tuesday!! I will be nervous, but I am very excited!!

TOTALED!

2008-07-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

Cara blogged about our accident, so for those of you who were curious I thought I would post some pictures of our car. They totaled it and we are now looking for a cheap replacement so we don't have a car payment.

We are all doing pretty well as far as aches and pains go. The last time I was in an accident was 1985. That one was my fault though. This one was NOT! Here are the pics!

Later I will post some pictures of our summer visitors. It has been pretty busy, but the rest of the summer will be pretty quiet!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARA!!

2008-07-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET CARA BEAR!!!!!

Cara at her "real job", soon to be all day shifts!!

We Love You so very very much !!! You are an amazing, wonderful, giving, loving , AWESOME

soul!! You are every positive descriptive word in the dictionary!!

We Love Love Love YOU!!!! Have a special day even though you are working today!

Cool Web Site!

2008-06-08T18:12:00.000-07:00

It is good to have my computer back!! While excessively surfing the other day I found a really neat web site/blog!! Some of you may have heard about it, it is http://thepioneerwoman.com/
It is just really awesome! While looking at the pictures she has posted all over her site I was imagining the she was a pioneer woman here in the NW, maybe Montana? It took me awhile to figure out where she was, but she is in Oklahoma!! I honestly did not know Oklahoma had an area the was a beautiful as her pictures, but I never left OK City much when I lived there.

Anyway check out her site and be sure to start reading her love story, "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels"! You will be hooked! I am caught up with what she has written and waiting expectantly for the next chapter! She has great recipes too!

WELCOME TO BABY ALYSSA STAR!!!! Born early this morning!!! Mommy has posted pictures already! Beautiful family!!

I'm Back!!

2008-06-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

I got the computer back last night!! It is like having a new computer, nothing is like it was before. They were able to save the pictures and anything in our documents file, but it is just in a retreaved data file right now and not easy to access. Anything that was saved on the deasktop - ie: some homework, for easy access, is gone. Anyway we have some things to do to make it more like it was and we need to store some of the retreaved data some where else.

So good to be back!!

Dead Computer!

2008-05-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

I am posting this from the library! My computer is down and is at the "doctor". So I will be away for awhile. I don't get into town to the library very often. I'll "see" you all soon!

Beautiful Day!

2008-05-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

Today is just so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes!! I took some pictures to share with you.

This is my Lilac bush that is almost to full bloom. The birdhouse is attached to my clothes line.

I was able to hang out all of my laundry today. It is going to smell soooo good!!

After I hung out the wash I went for a walk on the beach and took some pictures of the view. I even sat and called a friend on my cell phone. I get reception down at the beach but not at home.

It is just really nice here today! Just the right temperature, around 70. I think it is supposed to be nice all weekend!

FUN puzzle

2008-05-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a fun puzzle and it works!!!!

Work this out -- it is fun and 100% accurate.
>>
>>
>>> YOUR AGE BY EATING OUT
>>>
>>> Don't tell me your age;you probably would tell a falsehood anyway-but
>>> your waiter may know!
>>>
>>> YOUR AGE BY DINER & RESTAURANT MATH
>>>
>>> This is pretty neat
>>>
>>> DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST!
>>>
>>> It takes less than a minute. Work this out as you read .
>>> Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!
>>> This is not one of those waste of time things, it's fun.
>>>
>>> 1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to
>>> go out to eat.
>>>
>>> (more than once but less than 10)
>>>
>>> 2. Multiply this number by 2 (just tobe bold)
>>>
>>> 3. Add 5
>>>
>>> 4. Multiply it by 50
>>>
>>> 5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1758...
>>>
>>> If you haven't, add 1757.
>>>
>>> 6.. Now subtract the four digit yearthat you were born.
>>>
>>> You should have a three digit number
>>>
>>>
>>> The first digit of this was your original number. (I.e., How many times
>>> you want to go out to restaurants in a week.)
>>>
>>>
>>> The next two numbers are
>>>
>>> YOUR AGE ! ------ (Oh YES, it is!)
>>>
>>> THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2008) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND
>>> WHILE IT LASTS
>>> �
>>> �

Pastor Pollock

2008-05-13T12:24:00.000-07:00

I posted earlier about Pastor Pollock and the deleated it. Pastor Forrest and his son Preston did not survive the crash. Please keep his wife Dawn and their other five children in your prayers.

He was a wonderful man ,very talented but humble. He will be missed greatly, as will his son. I'am at a loss for words. I still can't believe it.

Here is the recent post from the web site.

We regret to inform you, our church family, that at approximately 11 AM this morning we learned that search and rescue teams found the aircraft of Pastor Forrest Pollock in the mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Pastor Pollock, 44 and his son Preston, 13, did not survive the crash. Please continue to lift up Dawn and the children during this difficult time. We grieve with hope and assurance that our Lord Jesus will lead us and carry us through these difficult times. We have lost a great brother, pastor and friend in Forrest Pollock as well as a precious little brother in Christ, Preston Pollock. We owe a great thanks to those who risked their lives, endured extreme hardship, and worked non-stop in the attempt to rescue our pastor and his son.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Scotts story

2008-05-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

I found out the story he submitted was one he orignally wrote 2 years ago when he was in 8th grade. He had a writing assignment in English. He was given an illustration with the caption "Another Place, Another Place",written under the picture. The picture was of 4 kids on a rail road hand car that had a sail. In the distance down the track was a castle. They said it did not need to be a new story, just one he had written so he submitted it. I posted it on my blog back then. Here it is again! Enjoy!!

Another Place, Another Time

He lived in the town of Blandington. In Blandington, everyone and everything was the same. The males of the little town all wore berets when ever they were out-doors, and had short-cut hair, and wore slacks with white button-up shirts, always tucked in. Every female wore the same exact modest, rather dull looking dress, and their hair was neatly trimmed above the shoulders. If anyone in Blandington had ever asked anyone else the word “individuality” meant, they would promptly be directed to the nearest dictionary, and even then not find a definition. This was just the way things were in Blandington.He wanted out. His name was Quentin. He knew that somehow, somewhere, there had to be a beyond, something outside of Blandington. You see, Quentin was like any other person in Blandington. His hair was short, he wore a beret at all times when he went out-doors, had short-cut hair, and wore slacks with white button-up shirts, always tucked in. He even pressed his slacks regularly, which was more than most boys his age did. And he never went anywhere without his beret. But despite his obedience to all the recognized protocols and dress codes, Quentin, though a mere boy of thirteen, was a free thinker.His best friend was a girl his age named Priscilla. Priscilla also followed the protocols and dress codes, and she also cared for Quentin. Though she did care for Quentin, she thought he was a pretty strange kid. And he was.Quentin heartily agreed with this statement, for Priscilla had told him this many times before. There was still one thing though, that Quentin thought himself, and that was this: through the heart of Blandington, there ran a set of railroad tracks. It merely sat there, and no one had ever seen any thing or anyone come down it, nor did they wonder…except for Quentin. One night, Quentin made up his mind to follow the tracks, wherever they may lead.“Come with me,” he said to Priscilla, who was staring at him in bewilderment, as he stood outside her bedroom window.“Why?” asked Priscilla, baffled.“Haven’t you ever wondered what those tracks are for, what travels on it, what’s at the end?” interrogated Quentin, nearly hysterical with excitement.“Quentin, it’s 11:23 at night. You’re breaking curfew! Maybe tomorrow. I have to sleep.”Quentin stared her down.“Oh, fine!” said Priscilla, giving in. “I’ll come.”Priscilla was outside with Quentin within ten minutes. It was only a two minute walk to the tracks. And so their journey began.They had been walking for about 24 minutes, and hadn’t even gotten all the way out of the town. Quentin looked at his wrist-watch. Almost midnight. He had heard many different stories about special things happening at midnight. He also knew that there was something special about these tracks.“Quentin, we should turn back. If we’ve walked for this long and haven’t gotten anywhere, what makes you think that there is anything at the end of this track?” asked Priscilla, beginning to tire of this late-night stroll.“Priscilla, tell me something,” said Quentin, patiently.“Okay,” said Priscilla, somewhat meekly.“Have you ever seen that house before? That one, with the barber’s markings?”“No, I don’t think so. The barber that we go to has different markings on it, but so what?” asked Priscilla, her interest somewhat piqued.“Well, if we haven’t gone very far yet and we already see something new, just think what all we could find at the end of the track!” elaborated Quentin. “Besides, I’ve heard that at midnight, special things happen.”Almost as if on cue, Quentin saw a dim light behind them, rapidly growing brighter. Quentin quickly pulled himself and Priscilla off the track. The light’s speed began to slow down and revealed a small sail-driven railroad car, carrying a boy that appeared to be a little older than Quentin’s and that wore a sailor’s outfit, as well as another, slightly younger looking black-skinned boy wearing a bowler. Quentin and Priscilla had never before seen anyone with black skin.“Evening folks!” greeted the boy in the sailor’s outfit. “Where are you headed?”Stammering slightly, Quentin replied, “W-we’re trying to get to the end of this track.”“Is there an end?” inquired Priscilla skeptically.“Well of course it has an end!” replied the sailor boy jovially. “But you’ll never get there by foot. Climb aboard my car with me, I’ll take you there.”Quentin eagerly climbed onto the car, pulling the measurably less enthused Priscilla behind him.“You folks comfortable? Good, good. Full speed ahead, Jojo,” said the Sailor boy referring to the black boy at the front of the cart.“Yessir!” replied Jojo enthusiastically, with a grin across his face. With out so much as a breeze, the sail seemed to drift forward as though filled with wind. They were off.“Hang onto your beret, Quentin!” said the young sailor excitedly.“How did you know my name?” asked Quentin, bewildered. “And what’s your name? And how did that kid make the sail fill?”“Ha ha ha!” chuckled the sailor boy. “I’ve been told all about you. You’ve been expected for a long while now. And, how rude of me to not introduce myself. My name is John. And Jojo there is able to fill the sail simply because he is different and takes pride in it. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could fill the sail yourself.”“And who might you be, miss?” asked John, addressing Priscilla.Priscilla looked at John strangely. “Why don’t you know my name?” asked Priscilla.“I’m not sure. I guess you just weren’t…expected,” said John with a slightly worried, forced smile upon his face. “Let’s press on then, shall we?” The cart continued to roll along with great speed.Before long, the houses seemed to simply melt away. Soon there was nothing anywhere in sight but the track on which the foursome traveled, as well as something neither Quentin nor Priscilla had ever seen or even heard of before: the sea.Quentin could only stare in awe at the sea. He had been traveling for an hour and a half now and already, he was finding more than he ever expected. He couldn’t wait to see the end of the track, and possibly find out why Blandington was so, well, bland. And finally, why none other than himself had ever even wondered about the track. If there was an answer, he knew he’d find it there.The car had been moving swiftly now for hours, and still, the sea and the track stretched as far as the eye could see. Priscilla had long lost interest in the sea at this point, and she was beginning to get impatient.“Are we there yet?” she whined, shortly.“You jus’ gotta have patience, ma’am,” said Jojo, eyes never straying from their course.“But we’ve been traveling for hours and have gotten nowhere fast!” snapped Priscilla, still uncomfortable with Jojo’s diversity.“He’s right, though Priscilla,” said John, in his calm, ever cheery tone. He thought for a moment. Then, speaking to Jojo, “Stop the car.”The car slowed down as the sail deflated and finally came to a halt.“Wait, why are you stopping?” asked Quentin, a hint off worry in his voice.“Don’t worry, we’ll be off again before you know it,” John reassured Quentin. “Just as soon as Priscilla fills the sail again. Go ahead, Priscilla. Fill the sail”Jojo moved over and took Priscilla’s seat. Quentin was feeling a little edgy.Priscilla sat where Jojo had just been and set about filling the sail. She sat there for five minutes, willing the sail to fill with the invisible breeze. Nothing happened. Quentin took a peek at his wristwatch. Five more minutes passed. Still nothing.“Why can’t I do it?” demanded Priscilla.“Because you do not truly believe that it’s possible,” explained John, who knew exactly why. “You do not even believe that there is an end of this track to get to. You still don’t wonder about this very track on which you have been traveling for the past few hours. You were correct in saying that we’ve been getting nowhere fast. And you are the reason for that. We were not expecting you. You were never meant to travel to the end of the track. You were not born with your eyes open. This is where your journey ends.”Just then, the sea began to bubble and froth.Quentin understood what must happen, and why. He would miss Priscilla, but not as much as he thought he might. He realized that she did not belong.The water’s bubbling and frothing began to get more violent.Quentin said his final goodbyes to Priscilla. He would never see her again.The water pulled back and began to curl, forming the beginnings of a wave.Priscilla could only stare in horror. She did not quite grasp that the wave was meant to take her away, or why. She glanced at John, and then at Quentin, imploringly. John only gazed at the wave, waiting for it to carry out its purpose.The great wave crashed over the car. It pulled back out as quickly as an eagle who had just snatched up its prey. When the wave was gone, so was Priscilla.Quentin, John and Jojo were still as dry as a bone.“Well then” said John, breaking the silence. “Shall we press on?”Quentin, immediately picking his spirits back up, “Yes, let’s keep going! I want to reach the end of the track, with or without Priscilla.”“That’s the spirit!” encouraged John. “She was only slowing you down. If she had remained, you would have lost any chance of getting to the other end. She did not believe, nor does any was else back in Blandington.”Jojo began moving up to his place at the front to fill the sail.“Wait!” yelled Quentin, stopping him before he could even sit down. “I would like to fill the sail.”Jojo looked back at John, who nodded in consent. Jojo gladly stood aside and took a seat next to Quentin. Quentin eagerly sat in the drivers seat.With barely any effort at all, Quentin filled the sail with the invisible breeze. The car took off so fast that John was knocked off his feet into his seat.John was amazed at the speed that Quentin was able to create. He had never been able to make the car move at this kind of speed before.Quentin could only grin with delight. He had already forgotten about Priscilla. Within a very short time, Quentin could see a castle off in the distance.“What’s that?” he asked John.“That, Quentin, is the other end of the track. The other end of the track is not only in another place, but another time.” replied John.Quentin grinned and turned his gaze toward his wristwatch. It no longer ticked. Here there was no time. He was finally on his way. He had all the time in the world.

My Writer!!

2008-05-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

I have to brag again about my son Scott!!
I was just reading the weekly Oak Harbor school district breifs and saw this:

WIWA Announces Contest Winners Oak Harbor student writers did well in the annual Whidbey Island WritersAssociation (WIWA) 2008 writing contest for middle school and highschools. Awards were made in poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Winningsubmissions are displayed in a special binder at each Sno-Isle Library.Oak Harbor winners included: Grades 9 through 12: Fiction - 1st SCOTT McPHERSON (OHHS), 3rd Cristin Lode (OHHS). Non-fiction - 1st Adrianna Royal (Home Connection) Poetry - 1st Samantha Beville (OHHS), 2nd Adrianna Royal (HomeConnection), 3rd William Hammond (OHHS), HM Meijiao Jachning (OHHS).

I did not even know he was entered in a contest!! I wonder if he knows, he has not said anything! I'll surely be asking questions tonight!!

Birthday boys!

2008-05-04T17:35:00.001-07:00

This weekend we celebrated John and James birthdays! We celebrated Johns today, this is his b-day. He likes pie alot so I made him a berry pie with 4 different berries in it, The first time I celebrated Johns birthday with him we were dating and he was turning 25. I can't believe it has been 20 yrs already!!!! I was living with my aunt at the time and she let me make him dinner. I made Chicken Cacciatore from a recipe I found in a magazine. I still have the magazine. We had only known each other a few months and this was the first time I had cooked for him and I was nervous. He kept the conversation going at dinner by telling me ALL about Robert the Bruce. Yawn!! ( I still tease him about that sometimes) He loves Robert the Bruce and William Wallace and after 20 years I have grown to enjoy hearing ALL about them. Brave Heart is one of my favorite movies!

Saturday my sister-in-law and her kids came to help celebrate James birthday.
Ten years ago Jamesy boy came into this world lickey split,- when he decided to come! Auntie Cara came to be with me because we thought it would be anytime! After spending a long weekend with me and at least 2 false alarms she had to go home on a Monday. She went with me to take Scottie to Kindergarten and then had to leave. She said her cell phone battery was dead so I could not call her. Anyway after she was gone I went to get the oil changed in our car. (everyone else was asleep at home because they had been with me at the hospital till 3 am and I was not tired anymore so I thought lets get the oil changed) While I was waiting for the car the pains started up again. Not too regular though. I went home and even went back to get Scott when he got out of school at 11:30. After I got home with Scott the pains got really hard and my Mom rushed me back to the hospital. Anyway James was here by 2 pm. He came very fast! John almost did not make it to the hospital. Auntie Cara was very sad she missed it! Anyway James has not slowed down!! He is a very sweet ,busy boy and I can't believe he is 10!!!
Here is my sister-in-law , my kids, and the cousins! It is so nice being closer to family again!!!

Fun Weekend

2008-04-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

We really had a nice weekend !! Friday night Johns dad and step-mom arrived for a visit. This is Dad's first real "trip" in a long time. He has been going through chemo for liver and colon cancer. He finally finished the last of the harsher treatments and is getting a "maintenance" treatment every 2 weeks. If he does not do this the cancer will come back. Right now though he is clear and his markers a good. He is looking much better too and gaining some weight back (he was down to 139 and he is 6'1")

Anyway Dad wanted to see Michael march in the Holland Happenings parade Saturday. Whidbey Island was settled by dutch settlers and they celebrate every year. Michael is the handsome guy playing the blue sax!!

After the parade James and Emily wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel. They really liked it! They had never been on one before.
After that we went to Coupeville WA, 9 miles down the island, and went to a farmers market, had lunch and ice cream cones ,and looked in the shops. That was quite a bit of walking for Dad so we went home so he could nap. Emily and Michael took grandma Joyce down to the beach. The rest of us napped and read until time to eat dinner. After dinner we had a yummy birthday carrot cake Joyce had bought for an early celebration of James and Johns b-days which are next week.

Sunday the boys took grandpa across the road to the woods to shoot BB guns . Joyce and I sat on the porch and drank coffee and enjoyed the view. They headed for home around 11 am . At little later the family went to a soup fellowship lunch at our Sunday School teachers house. They were glad we made it since we didn't go to church earlier in the day. We had a nice time getting to know everyone. There were some really yummy soups too!

Scottie part 2

2008-04-18T13:35:00.001-07:00

This is one of Scottie's B-day presents . Now that we are back in the NW John wants to take the boys hunting again. We will have to see if they can find the time. The next two pictures are from the lip sync contest Scott was in at his school on his b-day. He did a good job. Sorry the pictures are not very good! I can't remember the song title. I think it was a Muse song. He likes Muse alot! All the kids did a good job. It was a fundraiser for the class of 2010.

Scottie

2008-04-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTTIE!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!
Today 16 years ago at 4:20 am, my first born came into this world!! The day I offically became a Mommy! I can't believe he is 16 already! How time flies! He came into this world at 7lb11oz and 19 1/2" and is now a strapping 6'2", 210lb man child. He is an amazing young man, full of creativity and imagination, loving ,respectful, and smart! He blesses our family daily!!

I wanted to post some baby pictures of him but I am not able to figure it out for some reason. I scanned them in but they would not post.I'll keep trying!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET SCOTTIE!!!!!!

Bonding

2008-04-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

My parents were here for a visit this past week. We had a great visit!! One of the special things about the visit is that my Mom was able to do some bonding with Emily. Because we have lived so far away for almost 7yrs. ( she was 8mos old when we moved away) Emily has not been able to be around my parents much. My boys all were around them more when they were little. Anyway Emily is kind of in a shy stage right now also and so it has been hard for us to get her to interact well with others. This week she had some quality time with Grandma and I think we turned a corner. They read together every night and Mom did some sewing for her. The activity she really enjoyed was planting flowers and strawberries. I am glad they had so much fun doing this!!

Baby Heros

2008-04-07T10:31:00.000-07:00

I saw the following article today on Focus of the Family web site. Anyway my baby making days are over but if I were still having babies this is something I would do. Donating cord blood or saving it was not an option when I was having babies. At least it was not an option readily offered, I never heard about it then, but it is now becoming much more popular and well known.

Anyway just though I'd share this! Enjoy!

by Sherry Graf

No parent forgets bringing a child into the world. I remember feeling elated to be a part of the miracle of new life. As I held each of my children for the first time, I knew that they, too, only minutes old, were potentially giving life to someone else. Months before they were born, my husband and I decided to donate their umbilical-cord blood, which is a rich source of stem cells.

Those stem cells could save someone’s life.

1. Donating umbilical-cord blood is a small way to take a stand against embryonic stem-cell research. Though we couldn’t stop researchers from destroying embryos at the local university, we could show our community there is another way to treat diseases. More than 70 diseases are being successfully treated with cord-blood stem cells. Researchers have been unable to do the same with embryonic stem cells. In fact, there has yet to be a single human disease successfully treated with embryonic stem cells.

2. It is free and easy to donate. Before delivering our baby, we completed some medical history forms to ensure the cells would be safe to use in research. Minutes after the delivery, my husband cut the cord and the doctor collected the blood using a kit provided by the company receiving the donation. Then we contacted the company to pick up the donation and a sample of my blood from the hospital.

3. Cord-blood stem cells provide hope for patients suffering from life-altering disease. The company we chose to receive the donation registered the stem cells on several international donor lists. We are excited that someone can have hope for a cure because of a simple, painless procedure done in the delivery room.

At my post-delivery checkup, I gave my doctor a stack of brochures on donating umbilical cord blood, hoping she would inform other patients of this option. After delivering my second son, I sent another brochure to the doctor who delivered him because she was interested in learning about donations. I also wrote an article for my church newsletter, and I share my experience when friends become pregnant.

This journey started as one way I could take a stand against the destruction of young human life for research. It ended with the birth of two boys who I hope someday will be somebody’s little heroes.

Sherry Graf is a mother of two in South Dakota.

Easter

2008-03-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

Here is some interesting Easter trivia!

The date of this coming Easter is quite early this year, but I didn't know the details shown below.

Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.

Here's the interesting info. This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!). And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here's the facts:

1) The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!).

2) The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!

Interesting, huh! That means Johns ,Grandma Nora was only 11 days old the last time Easter came this early....Not that she would ever be old! She just celebrated her 95th B-day!

Wishing you all a very Blessed and Happy Easter.

Movie Answers

2008-03-17T11:18:00.000-07:00

Here are the answers to the Movie guesses;

1. Top Gun

2. Brave Heart

3. Somewhere in Time

4. Forest Gump

5. Rob Roy

6. Princess Diaries

7. Message in a Bottle

8. Open Range

9.Notebook

10. A Walk to Remember

I know there are a lot of chick flicks!!!!

Bakeries

2008-03-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

Today Aola mentioned that she found a new bakery and it got me to thinking about bakeries.

Our family has a tradition of finding a special bakery near where we live. We did not really find one in Florida because they do not really have any that "fit the bill". At least not that we could find. There were some special cookies at Disney World that we had to get when we went there.

When John was little his family went to the Black Diamond Bakery http://www.blackdiamondbakery.com/ He took me there when we were dating, but I don't think we have taken the kids there.

When we first married and lived in Ellensburg we went to the Cle Elum Bakery. They do not have a web site but here is a very old picture of it.

When we moved to Wenatchee we went to a bakery in Levenworth WA. A wonderful Barvarian themed town. http://www.leavenworth.org/ The Bakery was called Home Fires Bakery

http://www.homefiresbakery.com/ We had a family picture taken outside this bakery on their property one year .

When we lived in Omak we went to a bakery in Twisp WA called Cinnnamon Twisp Bakery

http://www.cinnamontwisp.com/

Most of our bakery memories have been in Washington. We found a neat bakery when we lived in Virginia but I can't remember the name of it.

When we lived in Germany there were bakeries everywhere!!! YUM!!! Anyway this is our bakery history! Now we just need to find a special one around here!

Movies!!!

2008-03-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

Several blog friends are doing this! Post quotes from 10 favorite movies and people try to guess what movies they are. Go here http://imdb.com/ to serch out quotes.

1. I feel the need .... the need for speed!

2. You see? Death comes to us all. But before it comes to you, know this: your blood dies with you. A child who is not of your line grows in my belly. Your son will not sit long on the throne. I swear it!

3.The man of my dreams has almost faded now. The one I have created in my mind. The sort of man each woman dreams of, in the deepest and most secret reaches of her heart. I can almost see him now before me. What would I say to him if he were really here? "Forgive me. I have never known this feeling. I have lived without it all my life. Is it any wonder, then, I failed to recognise you? You, who brought it to me for the first time. Is there any way that I can tell you how my life has changed? Any way at all to let you know what sweetness you have given me? There is so much to say. I cannot find the words. Except for these: I love you". Such would I say to him if he were really here.

4.That's all I have to say about that.

5. I will think on you dead, until my husband makes you so. And then I will think on you no more.

6.Shut up!

7. If some lives form a perfect circle, others take shape in ways we cannot predict or always understand. Loss has been part of my journey. But it has also shown me what is precious. So has love for which I can only be grateful.

8.Well, if I'm gonna get killed, I got a hankerin' to soothe my sweet tooth.

9.So it's not gonna be easy. It's going to be really hard; we're gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me... everyday.

10.How can you see places like this... and have moments like this and not believe?

There are so many it was hard to choose!

Boys Playing!

2008-03-04T09:28:00.001-08:00

Here are some pictures of 2 of my boys outside playing. It was fun to watch! They did not play outside very often in FL. It was too hot most of the time! Here they are out playing in 40 degree weather. They were sword fighting with wooden swords their Dad had made them. Some that had been in storage. Dad will have to make some more because they have broken a few. They did temporarily repair them with good ol duct tape. My kids love duct tape!

Boys will be boys!!! Across the road is some woods and they go there with John and "hunt". They actually take their BB guns and target pratice. It is just neat to see them playing together OUTSIDE!!!

STUFF, STUFF, STUFF

2008-02-21T13:00:00.000-08:00

I did say I wanted my STUFF from storage, didn't I!? It has been there for 3 1/2 yrs. and there were a lot of things I was missing. Sentimental things. These are just pictures of the boxes. I did not quite realize how overwhelming this would be. I open the boxes and look at the stuff and have all kinds of reactions. Like" I didn't know I had that" and even a few "I have never seen that before"! There were a lot of awww's when I got to pictures of my children. There are things that were very precious to me and now with some of it I am like ,"What was I thinking?" A lot of it has to go! I am going to have to have a huge garage sale. Maybe more than one! These boxes mostly have books in them. We love books! Needless to say they were part of the cause for the heavy weight of our shipment. (11,000 lbs) ugh!!
There are a lot of clothes in these boxes too. My oldest son was 5'5" when these things went into storage and now he is 6'1". I am pretty sure his clothes will not fit!!
Clothes!! We never dreamed all this would stay in storage so long. We left EVERYTHING when we went to be with John in Germany. back in 04. All we took was 9 suitcaes of things we thought we could not live without. Pray for me as I wade through all this. I really need to let a lot of it go.
Ugh!

CV was with me when it all arrived. She was such a help and a big moral support!!! She is the BEST!!!

Visitors!

2008-01-29T13:57:00.001-08:00

These "young ladies" were visiting my yard when I got home from picking up my kids the other night. They did not seem to mind that I was coming in the drive and went right back to eating!

I'm Really Here!

2008-01-22T13:21:00.001-08:00

WOW! It has been awhile!! I just got the internet today and thought I would say Hi and share a few pictures. The first two pictures were taken not even a block from my house. For the last picture I turned around and took a picture of our house back up the street. The house in the middle of the picture. It was a beautiful day!!

We are settling in slowly but surely. The kids seem to enjoy their new schools and we are learning about living "in the country" again. (ie: no cell phones here at the house) I actually had no phone until yesterday. It had problems, but I think they are all fixed now.

Enjoy!

I'm still here!!

2008-01-11T13:32:00.000-08:00

Hi All!!

I am still here and am in Washington safe and sound!!! Quite busy trying to get settled! We only got our telephone the day before yesterday and I do not have the internet yet! I am at Johns office posting this. I will try and get the internet SOON and post some pictures. CV may have posted some pics already. I have seen her 2 times already! She is coming over again Tuesday!! It is so great being near her again!! More later!

Air Force JR ROTC Ball

2007-12-14T18:05:00.000-08:00

Scott went to the Air Force JR ROTC Ball tonight. He took his friend Emily. They were both so cute and a bit nervous. This was the first time either of them had gone to an event like this. I know they will have a great time because they enjoy each others company so much!

"Empty House"

2007-12-14T18:01:00.000-08:00

I had a request for pictures to be posted of the house empty, but realized when that happens the computer will be on a truck going away. So I'll post some of a sort of empty house!

The Call

2007-12-07T18:30:00.000-08:00

I wrote this post once already but the computer froze before I could post it!! Ugh!!

Anyway we got the final job offer call and we are really , truly moving!!!! We are getting more pay than we expected and they are paying us a moving allowance the will even help in getting our stuff OUT of storage!
I almost can't believe it is true, but all I have to do is look at my house!! Alot of the furniture is gone and some of the stuff is packed. Tha packers come on the 19th and they load the truck on the 20th. We hope to pull put of here on the 22nd!

My blog friends have been talking about the coming Christmas celebrations and what they would like to do. There are alot of things I would like to do but this year we are going to be in a car traveling HOME to the beautiful NW! That is our Christmas present! I have told the kids we could do some shopping after we get there. Maybe hit the after Christmas sales! I may even decorate a little.

We will be seeing dear friends and family along the way. Christmas Eve we will be in Memphis ,TN visiting some special friends and Christmas evening we will arrive in OKC, OK at my cousin Joyces. Both famlies we have not seen in a long time! I know it will be a special time!!

We are just soooo excited!!!!! The "topper" for all this excitement would be if our house would just sell!! It could still happen!

Update from the Berry Patch

2007-12-03T16:17:00.000-08:00

I thought it was about time to give you all an update about what is going on around here!!! We are STILL waiting on the final paper work, but John got a civilian job back in our home state of Washington!!! We are VERY excited and eagerly waiting for the call from HR and the last paper work to fill out. The CALL came today but we were not home!! Ugh!!! John took me to lunch and then we waited in the car line to pick up our kids from school. They actuallly tried the home ph 3 times but did not call the cell phone number John had provided. Anyway when we got home John tried to call back and discovered the lady he needs to talk to had to go home suddenly because of possible flooding in the area. The NW is having pretty bad weather at the moment! SO if she can get to work tomorrow John should be in touch with her. John will be the Chief of Security for Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and Everett Naval Air Station. We will live in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island. I will only be about an hour from Cara!!! AND in the same state with the majority of our family!!

As soon as everything is finalized John will fly to WA and hopefully start work on the 10th. He will then fly back on the 20th to drive us home to WA!!! While he is gone the movers will come . He always seems to "miss out" on that part, but he has been doing alot to help me get ready this time!

John and I got to go to a wonderful Christmas party Friday night. Enjoy the pics!!

My retreat!

2007-08-12T13:45:00.001-07:00

My reateat was just what I needed! We stayed in the Bellview Biltmore in Clearwater FL. A historic hotel built in 1897. It kind of reminded me of the hotel in the movie Somewhere in Time.

Very big!!

I shared a room with three other women. I was the oldest! The youngest was a 25 year old named Lyn. It was scary how much we had in common. I had not really know her before this weekend.

When we arrived and checked in we met in the Presidential suite for a reception. Later appetizers were served. Two kinds of homemade hot cheese dips. One was spinach and the other I am not sure what it was but it was good. There were also white and blue corn tortilla chips. There was some fruit, cheese slices and crackers. We had lemon water or sodas to drink.

We also played a couple" get acquainted" games. One where you had a name of a famous woman on your back and others in the room were to try and describe her and get you to guess who you were. The other game was a "bingo" game. You had to find and get the names of people in the room who ," had a blue couch, had 3 dogs, played the piano, had a TV in their bedroom, owned a water softener, liked liver........ I think you get how it went. You got a prize for a bingo or for filling all the spaces. After this we had a break.

Later dinner was served. We had homemade chicken salad, grapes, cheese cubes and a croissant
served with water or peach tea. We played another game after eating where we were to write 2 things about ourself that were true and one that was false. The others at the table had to guess the false one. I said that I had assisted in surgery, met Colonel Sanders (the chicken guy), and had gone white water rafting. Which one do you think is false??

For everything they tried to mix us up so we would meet new people.

After dinner we had a devotional time and broke up into groups for prayer. The theme for the weekend was "Going Deeper With God". The points Gwen, our speaker, touched on during the devotional were our Hunger for God, Hindrances that keep us from God and" Helps "that help us hear God. After the devotional we were numbered off so there were about 5 or 6 different groups that went off to pray. There was no agenda for the prayer time other than praising and thanking God and bringing our needs before Him. It was conversational prayer and when it got quiet we ended.

After this the next activity was dessert and a "chick" flick for those that wanted to watch a movie. Dessert was yummy!!! Several different cheese cakes from the Cheese Cake Factory and a chocolate fountain with strawberries, pineapple, marshmellows and pretzel sticks to dip into it. There was also coffee with different flavored syrups and whipped cream. This was definately not a weekend to be on a diet!! All the food for the weekend was prepared by the womens ministry leadership and they served us! (except for the cheese cake)

They tried the set up the movie , which was to be, One Night With the King, but it did not work , so No movie. So we pretty much did what ever. I mostly talked with Lyn and learned how much we had in common. She comes from a legalistic Independent Baptist background like me, her Dad was in the military, she has lost a brother and she is studying to become a nurse. We both signed up for Mary Kay to get the discount when we place big orders . We both struggle with our weight. I could go on and on.

After getting back to our room we talked more with our other two room mates. Both very sweet gals. They are both lawyers wives, but one is an accountant that works from home and the other left the military after 10 yrs. to have babies. She is an Areospace Engineer. Very neat ladies and very down to earth! We got to sleep after 1am!

A breakfast was served from 7-8:45 am. they served muffins, mixed fruit, yogurt parfaits, croissants and coffee and juice. After breakfast we had another short devotional. She talked about a Holy Hush before a Holy God. She did not talk very long , but gave us an activity to do alone. We were to not talk to anyone for one hour while we did the activity. She wanted us to be still and let God speak. She gave us some scriptures to read and some questiond to reflect on. It was very special! At home I do not get to Be Still very often!

After our alone time we had an opportunity to go on a tour of the hotel if we wanted, go to the beach, pool or golf. What ever we wanted. They also had lunch that we could pick up and eat where we desired. The lunch was sandwich choices that were from Panera bakery, ( ttp://www.panerabread.com/ ), a very popular resturant here in FL. There were chips , fruit salad, soda, water, coffee and they also made these yummy peanut butter chocolate brownies.

The ladies I rode with to the reateat decided we should go to the Super Target on our way home. We tried to but made a wrong turn and did not find it! Bummer!!!

Overall it was a very nice getaway! Just what I needed! AND it only cost me 20$!!!

Oh, it also looks like John did not get the job. SO we are still going to be here for awhile. At least until December most likely. It is just not the right time yet and we are pretty OK with that.

round one

2007-08-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

The interview last night went well, but it was just round one. They are going to select 3-4 canidates to do a second interview with. If John gets chosen that interview will happen Friday or Monday.
We are hoping to hear soon!

Quick Update

2007-08-04T18:34:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd pop in quick and give an update! We have not sold the house yet. The market here is very bad! We are looking into other options should John get a civilian job. John does have an interview on Monday. This job is in Mt. Vernon Washington, not too far from CV! Being close to her again would be incredible!! We also have alot of extended family in Mt. Vernon. That is where Johns Grampa grew up. So say a prayer for John on Monday please!

If he gets the job I will have and incredible amount of work to do!!! We have to leave behind most of our furniture because we still have a housefull of stuff in storage back home!

If he does not get this job there are not any other prospects in the near future.

In His TIme

2007-06-19T14:03:00.000-07:00

The other interview John was hoping for did not come through. It is disappointing, but we know that it means God has something different for us. In His time we will know what it is! It is hard waiting , but God has been so faithful in the past and we are trusting in that!

Update

2007-06-14T04:58:00.000-07:00

Surgery went well and I am starting to feel almost normal. Still tired some. The surgeon said this surgery was not as involved as the one last year. I am not really having much pain, so I don't need the vicodin they gave me.

John is home safe from his interview. He feels he did very well , but says the competition are great canidates also. There were 5 of them altogether. They said they would tell him by Friday, So we are anxiously waiting to see if he got the job.

More later!

Jackie and Grandpa

2007-06-08T11:00:00.001-07:00

This is a picture of Jackie, who was in the sledding accident earlier this year, on her graduation day. This is not a good quality picture, but she looked beautiful!! She will be attending college at PLU after spending some of the summer working in Alaska.

Pictured with her are her and Johns grandparents. Grampa and Gramma had a wonderful day that day too! Jackies older sister had brought them over from Auburn WA for the event. Grampa and Gramma are 94, they looked wonderful !! Sadly the morning after this was taken Grampa passed away.
We miss him very much but he was surrounded with family and left this world realitively peacefully. He lived a long and wonderful life and was a sharp as ever !! We Love you Grampa!!

Gramma and Grampa would have celebrated their 68th anniversary this year! They are amazing!

Possible job

2007-06-08T10:53:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update! My husband has a job interview in Walla Walla, WA on tuesday!!! Unfortunately this is the same day I am having some breast surgery, but I told him to go anyway. My sister-in-law, that happens to be in the area visiting her son, is going to stay long enough to go to the hospital with me. I had this same surgery last year on the other side so I know what to expect and everything should be fine. Nothing bad is going on in there, they are just being cautious so nothing does.

There is someone that is intrested in the house too. Hopefully that wil come through! PRAY!!

Job Hunt!

2007-05-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

Our first open house is this weekend, hopefully it will bring people in. The market is slow here as I am sure it is in a lot of places!

My husband found out last week that Admiral Fallon wants to cut back CENTCOM staff by 1/3 and so my husbands job may end sooner than we anticipated. (CENTCOM is the headquaters for the war) He wants it completed by May of next year and the reservists are one of the first ones he wants to cut. So as tours end jobs will go away. Anyway my hubby is more determined than ever to get a civilian job. He is in for several. Most are in the NW where we want to be. Please pray one comes through at the right time!! This is all weighing very heavy on my husband right now and he is the most stressed I have ever seen him in 18 yrs. of marriage. Pray also that I am the helpmate he needs! The "therapist" as Sandy put it in a post. We need the house to sell too so we can move easily if a job comes through.

Thanks in advance for thinking of us!!

House for sale!

2007-05-16T09:43:00.000-07:00

Hi All! It has been awhile! Well we put our house on the market! My husbands days doing AF military tours may be coming to an end and we want to be ready to be able to move should that happen or the coveted civilian job comes through! Here are some pictures of what I did to the house to get it ready for showing. We are now trying to survive in a "Sears Catalog"! LOL!!

JRROTC part two

2007-03-31T17:03:00.000-07:00

This morning Scott had a drill meet at his High School. It was early so my husband took him. He said they did a great job. Here are some pictures. Scott looks pretty sharp!!

Spring Break

2007-03-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

Jackie, my son Scott and Jackies friend Becca

Jackie, Becca, and Dad

Three of my kids and their cousins

We have had a nice spring break! Last week we found out that Johns Dad was bringing his sister Jackie to FL for spring break. She is the sister that was in the bad sledding accident.

They flew into Jacksonville to Johns brothers house on Saturday and drove to our house on Monday. Jackie looks great!! You would not know by looking at her all she has been through these last few months! She has to wear glasses now to help with double vision. They are hoping the vision will clear, but if it does not they think they can correct it with surgery. Her hearing in her left ear is permantly gone. She is back playing tennis and her music and has received a nice scolarship to PLU in Tacoma WA.

It was wonderful to see them ! On Tuesday they went to Orlando to Disney World and we met them there on Wednesday to go to Sea World. We spent to night at their hotel and went home Thursday. We had a great time!!!

New Couch

2007-03-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of our "new" couch and chair a friend gave me. We love it!

Last Soccer Game

2007-03-10T13:51:00.000-08:00

Hi Guys !!

This morning we spent at soccer games for Emily and James. It was their last game and they got their trophies. We also had a "picnic" on the grounds.

I then spent the next 3+ hrs at the urgent care because Emily was complaining of an ear ache (after the games) She has a raging ear infection in her right ear and she still played soccer this morning. She must really like soccer! Now Em and I are home relaxing watching Peter Pan. John, Michael and James are at Barnes and Noble, (that could be dangerous!) and Scott is at a B-day party for a friend.

I will try and post some pictures. In the distance in one of the pictures of James you can see our new sanctuary going up. I hope this works! Enjoy!!! --It did, only I thought the pictures would be after my post. Also the colors on the soccer ball coincide with the colors in the Wordless Book witnessing tool. Cool huh!

Love you All!!!!

I'm here!

2007-01-25T12:48:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to pop in and say hey to everyone! I am still here but as busy as ever! My husband was gone again this week out of country, but will be home tomorrow. Yea!!! He will just have to recover from jet lag before Monday!

CV blogged about my sister-in-law and I am happy to say she is home and on the road to recovery! It will be slow going, but I called to check on them Tuesday and Jackie answered the phone! That was a neat suprise! She sounded great and a friend was staying with her while her Mom ran some errands and checked on getting her schooling going again. She tells me she has been offered two scholarships. One is a music scholarship at EWU (Eastern Washington University) They want her to play drums. She is very good at drums and the piano. I don't think she will be playing tennis this spring though. She is still not seeing very well yet after surgery, but teachers said her Mom or friends can read her assignments to her and she can dictate answers.

Anyway she is doing well but still needs our prayers!

Life here is as busy as ever but we get a little break tonight. Soccer pratice was cancelled for two of my kids- because of RAIN!! Yea! Much needed rain and cooler temps!! It looks like we will have cooler temps for a week or more. I am liking it! It feels a little like "winter".!

Daddy will be home to help with weekend activities and he is looking forward to it!!

I guess that is it for now. I will try and write more often. I always have good intentions!

Duped!!!

2007-01-05T09:15:00.000-08:00

Boy was I duped good today!! I am mad and hurt, but calmer now!

I recently decided to look into finding part time work as a Medical Assistant. I have not actively
worked in that role for about 5 yrs., but with our property tax going up 2000.00 dollars this year I am looking for extra income.

Anyway I answered an ad for a Medical Assistant in the paper and faxed them my resume and cover letter on Monday. Yesterday they called and said they were an ENT , cosmetic surgery office, and set up an interview for today.

To make a long story short, I arrived at the address given to me and it was a freaken STRIP CLUB!!! I immediately left and called my hubby in tears.

He could only talk to me because he is still in SC, BUT he comes home tomorrow!! Yea!
There is nothing we can really do about it except call and complain to the newspaper so they can cancel the ad. Anyway I have wasted a big chunk of my day on this!!

Aside from that the New Year is going well so far. We had a wonderful time with my husband in SC during Christmas break and made it home safe and sound after buying two new tires. He comes home tomorrow and we can get back to "normal"family life. He is applying for jobs in the beautiful NW (Washington and Oregon) in hopes of moving back closer to family and the wonderful mountains. He has been applying all along but there are a couple of good prespects right now.

Well I guess I am done venting!!

School Projects

2006-12-03T15:44:00.000-08:00

This weekend we have been working on finishing some school projects!

Scott (14) had to build a model of a molecule for science. He built Potassuim (K) .

Michael (11) had to read a book on how to do something and then do it. He chose model ship building and he built an air craft carrier.

James (8) had to do a science "research" project. He did an experiment to see which brand of toy car was the fastest. He chose the same make of car , a Ford GT-40, and tested 3 brands, Johnny Lighting, Match Box and Hot Wheels. Johnny Lighting won! He predicted Hot Wheels would win.

The pictures did not post where I wanted them to , but I am sure you can figure out which picture goes with which project. It was alot of work but fun also! We e-mailed Daddy pictures of the finished projects. We sure miss him, but we have only about a month to go!!! During Christmas break we will be able to go and see him for awhile! Can't wait!!!!

I am still here! Just been very busy with life! In case I do not get on here again before Christmas, MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Young Writer

2006-10-11T10:11:00.000-07:00

I have to brag about my "big boy" again! He had a writing assignment recently and I was really impressed with what he wrote. I am not a good writer so I am maybe not a good judge. Tell me what you all think! He was given and illustration with the caption "Another Place, Another Place",written under the picture. The picture was of 4 kids on a rail road hand car that had a sail. In the distance down the track was a castle. Enjoy!!

Another Place, Another Time

He lived in the town of Blandington. In Blandington, everyone and everything was the same. The males of the little town all wore berets when ever they were out-doors, and had short-cut hair, and wore slacks with white button-up shirts, always tucked in. Every female wore the same exact modest, rather dull looking dress, and their hair was neatly trimmed above the shoulders. If anyone in Blandington had ever asked anyone else the word “individuality” meant, they would promptly be directed to the nearest dictionary, and even then not find a definition. This was just the way things were in Blandington.
He wanted out. His name was Quentin. He knew that somehow, somewhere, there had to be a beyond, something outside of Blandington. You see, Quentin was like any other person in Blandington. His hair was short, he wore a beret at all times when he went out-doors, had short-cut hair, and wore slacks with white button-up shirts, always tucked in. He even pressed his slacks regularly, which was more than most boys his age did. And he never went anywhere without his beret. But despite his obedience to all the recognized protocols and dress codes, Quentin, though a mere boy of thirteen, was a free thinker.
His best friend was a girl his age named Priscilla. Priscilla also followed the protocols and dress codes, and she also cared for Quentin. Though she did care for Quentin, she thought he was a pretty strange kid. And he was.
Quentin heartily agreed with this statement, for Priscilla had told him this many times before. There was still one thing though, that Quentin thought himself, and that was this: through the heart of Blandington, there ran a set of railroad tracks. It merely sat there, and no one had ever seen any thing or anyone come down it, nor did they wonder…except for Quentin. One night, Quentin made up his mind to follow the tracks, wherever they may lead.
“Come with me,” he said to Priscilla, who was staring at him in bewilderment, as he stood outside her bedroom window.
“Why?” asked Priscilla, baffled.
“Haven’t you ever wondered what those tracks are for, what travels on it, what’s at the end?” interrogated Quentin, nearly hysterical with excitement.
“Quentin, it’s 11:23 at night. You’re breaking curfew! Maybe tomorrow. I have to sleep.”
Quentin stared her down.
“Oh, fine!” said Priscilla, giving in. “I’ll come.”
Priscilla was outside with Quentin within ten minutes. It was only a two minute walk to the tracks. And so their journey began.
They had been walking for about 24 minutes, and hadn’t even gotten all the way out of the town. Quentin looked at his wrist-watch. Almost midnight. He had heard many different stories about special things happening at midnight. He also knew that there was something special about these tracks.
“Quentin, we should turn back. If we’ve walked for this long and haven’t gotten anywhere, what makes you think that there is anything at the end of this track?” asked Priscilla, beginning to tire of this late-night stroll.
“Priscilla, tell me something,” said Quentin, patiently.
“Okay,” said Priscilla, somewhat meekly.
“Have you ever seen that house before? That one, with the barber’s markings?”
“No, I don’t think so. The barber that we go to has different markings on it, but so what?” asked Priscilla, her interest somewhat piqued.
“Well, if we haven’t gone very far yet and we already see something new, just think what all we could find at the end of the track!” elaborated Quentin. “Besides, I’ve heard that at midnight, special things happen.”
Almost as if on cue, Quentin saw a dim light behind them, rapidly growing brighter. Quentin quickly pulled himself and Priscilla off the track. The light’s speed began to slow down and revealed a small sail-driven railroad car, carrying a boy that appeared to be a little older than Quentin’s and that wore a sailor’s outfit, as well as another, slightly younger looking black-skinned boy wearing a bowler. Quentin and Priscilla had never before seen anyone with black skin.
“Evening folks!” greeted the boy in the sailor’s outfit. “Where are you headed?”
Stammering slightly, Quentin replied, “W-we’re trying to get to the end of this track.”
“Is there an end?” inquired Priscilla skeptically.
“Well of course it has an end!” replied the sailor boy jovially. “But you’ll never get there by foot. Climb aboard my car with me, I’ll take you there.”
Quentin eagerly climbed onto the car, pulling the measurably less enthused Priscilla behind him.
“You folks comfortable? Good, good. Full speed ahead, Jojo,” said the Sailor boy referring to the black boy at the front of the cart.
“Yessir!” replied Jojo enthusiastically, with a grin across his face. With out so much as a breeze, the sail seemed to drift forward as though filled with wind. They were off.
“Hang onto your beret, Quentin!” said the young sailor excitedly.
“How did you know my name?” asked Quentin, bewildered. “And what’s your name? And how did that kid make the sail fill?”
“Ha ha ha!” chuckled the sailor boy. “I’ve been told all about you. You’ve been expected for a long while now. And, how rude of me to not introduce myself. My name is John. And Jojo there is able to fill the sail simply because he is different and takes pride in it. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could fill the sail yourself.”
“And who might you be, miss?” asked John, addressing Priscilla.
Priscilla looked at John strangely. “Why don’t you know my name?” asked Priscilla.
“I’m not sure. I guess you just weren’t…expected,” said John with a slightly worried, forced smile upon his face. “Let’s press on then, shall we?” The cart continued to roll along with great speed.
Before long, the houses seemed to simply melt away. Soon there was nothing anywhere in sight but the track on which the foursome traveled, as well as something neither Quentin nor Priscilla had ever seen or even heard of before: the sea.
Quentin could only stare in awe at the sea. He had been traveling for an hour and a half now and already, he was finding more than he ever expected. He couldn’t wait to see the end of the track, and possibly find out why Blandington was so, well, bland. And finally, why none other than himself had ever even wondered about the track. If there was an answer, he knew he’d find it there.
The car had been moving swiftly now for hours, and still, the sea and the track stretched as far as the eye could see. Priscilla had long lost interest in the sea at this point, and she was beginning to get impatient.
“Are we there yet?” she whined, shortly.
“You jus’ gotta have patience, ma’am,” said Jojo, eyes never straying from their course.
“But we’ve been traveling for hours and have gotten nowhere fast!” snapped Priscilla, still uncomfortable with Jojo’s diversity.
“He’s right, though Priscilla,” said John, in his calm, ever cheery tone. He thought for a moment. Then, speaking to Jojo, “Stop the car.”
The car slowed down as the sail deflated and finally came to a halt.
“Wait, why are you stopping?” asked Quentin, a hint off worry in his voice.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be off again before you know it,” John reassured Quentin. “Just as soon as Priscilla fills the sail again. Go ahead, Priscilla. Fill the sail”
Jojo moved over and took Priscilla’s seat. Quentin was feeling a little edgy.
Priscilla sat where Jojo had just been and set about filling the sail. She sat there for five minutes, willing the sail to fill with the invisible breeze. Nothing happened. Quentin took a peek at his wristwatch. Five more minutes passed. Still nothing.
“Why can’t I do it?” demanded Priscilla.
“Because you do not truly believe that it’s possible,” explained John, who knew exactly why. “You do not even believe that there is an end of this track to get to. You still don’t wonder about this very track on which you have been traveling for the past few hours. You were correct in saying that we’ve been getting nowhere fast. And you are the reason for that. We were not expecting you. You were never meant to travel to the end of the track. You were not born with your eyes open. This is where your journey ends.”
Just then, the sea began to bubble and froth.
Quentin understood what must happen, and why. He would miss Priscilla, but not as much as he thought he might. He realized that she did not belong.
The water’s bubbling and frothing began to get more violent.
Quentin said his final goodbyes to Priscilla. He would never see her again.
The water pulled back and began to curl, forming the beginnings of a wave.
Priscilla could only stare in horror. She did not quite grasp that the wave was meant to take her away, or why. She glanced at John, and then at Quentin, imploringly. John only gazed at the wave, waiting for it to carry out its purpose.
The great wave crashed over the car. It pulled back out as quickly as an eagle who had just snatched up its prey. When the wave was gone, so was Priscilla.
Quentin, John and Jojo were still as dry as a bone.
“Well then” said John, breaking the silence. “Shall we press on?”
Quentin, immediately picking his spirits back up, “Yes, let’s keep going! I want to reach the end of the track, with or without Priscilla.”
“That’s the spirit!” encouraged John. “She was only slowing you down. If she had remained, you would have lost any chance of getting to the other end. She did not believe, nor does any was else back in Blandington.”
Jojo began moving up to his place at the front to fill the sail.
“Wait!” yelled Quentin, stopping him before he could even sit down. “I would like to fill the sail.”
Jojo looked back at John, who nodded in consent. Jojo gladly stood aside and took a seat next to Quentin. Quentin eagerly sat in the drivers seat.
With barely any effort at all, Quentin filled the sail with the invisible breeze. The car took off so fast that John was knocked off his feet into his seat.
John was amazed at the speed that Quentin was able to create. He had never been able to make the car move at this kind of speed before.
Quentin could only grin with delight. He had already forgotten about Priscilla. Within a very short time, Quentin could see a castle off in the distance.
“What’s that?” he asked John.
“That, Quentin, is the other end of the track. The other end of the track is not only in another place, but another time.” replied John.
Quentin grinned and turned his gaze toward his wristwatch. It no longer ticked. Here there was no time. He was finally on his way. He had all the time in the world.

JR ROTC Cadet

2006-09-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

I thought I would show off some pics of my "little " cadet. Scott is a freshman in HS and participates in JR ROTC.

I am not the greatest picture taker. Too bad Auntie CV is not here!

Anyway he is handsome Cadet and I am proud of him!

"I'm Already There"

2006-09-07T05:28:00.000-07:00

Feeling a little melancoly today. My hubby is gone for awhile.

We did get to see him this weekend though. Saturday was our anniversary, 17 yrs! I can't believe it! Johns brother lives in Jacksonville FL and Jacksonville is the half way point between home and where John is in Sumter SC. We had a nice weekend together just hanging out with family.

On his way back to SC my husband heard the song ,"I'm Already There", by Lonestar, on the radio. I have heard it before but I don't think he had. Anyway that song always "gets" me even if John is not away and it really "got" him too. He sent me a sweet e-mail with a link to it so I can hear it whenever I want. I have the CD but it is in storage, just like everything else.

For those who would like to hear it again or hear it for the first time , here is the link http://www.operationhomefront.org/Community/community_inspire_lonestar.shtml

Be sure to have a tissue handy!

AAADD

2006-08-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

This was sent to me by a friend and was just too funny!!! Enjoy a good laugh!!!

AAADD - Age Activated Attention Deficit DisorderThis is how it manifests.I decide to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the front verandah table that I brought up from the letter box earlier, just after the mailman had been.I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car. I put my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage bin beside the table, and notice that the bin is full.So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first.But then I think, since I'm going to be near the post box when I take out the garbage anyway (and the mailman picks up the mail at noon). I may as well pay the bills first. So, I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only 1 cheque left.My spare cheque book is in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Coke I'd been drinking earlier this morning.I know Im going to look for my check book, but first I need to push the Coke can aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over. The Coke is warm, so I decide to put it in the refrigerator to make it cold again.As I head toward the kitchen with the Coke, a vase of flowers on the dining room table catches my eye - they need water.I put the Coke on the dining room table and discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning. I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to put more water in the flowers.I set the glasses back down on the table, go to the kitchen sink to get a jug and fill it with water and suddenly spot the TV remote on the window sill. Some-one left it there.I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I'll be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the window sill, so I decide to put it back in the lounge room where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.I pour some water in the jug, but spill some on the floor. So, I set the remote back on the kitchen bench, get some towels and wipe up the spill. Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.At the end of the day:- the car isn't washed- the checks aren't written for the bills to be paid- there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the dining room table- the flowers don't have enough water,- there is still only 1 check in my check book,- I can't find the remote,- I can't find my glasses,- the garbage hasn't been taken out- and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day, and I'm really tired now.I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail.Do me a favour. Forward this message to everyone you know, because I don't remember who the heck I've sent it to.Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!!GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY.GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL.LAUGHING AT YOURSELF IS THERAPEUTIC.

Things

2006-08-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

Well the first full week of school is almost over. Three out of four of my kids love it so far! The one hold out hates change , but he will be fine with a little bit more time. I went to my daughters school yesterday to give her some medicen and she was upset with me because she thought I was going to take her home. She is really loving school! My husband and I are impressed with the teachers they all have.

My hubby is home from the family reunion he went to in the beloved NW. He is on leave now until he goes on his next tour. I have him" all to myself" until 27 Aug. It has been really nice having extra time together! He is enjoying being here in the mornings when the kids head off to school. I'am going to be really spoiled by the time he leaves again! Then it is off to South Carolina for 4 months. He will be close enough that we can seeh im sometimes and during Christmas break we will go to him. We will have to make sure the time we have together as a family is quality time!

Have a blessed day everyone!

New school year!

2006-07-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

School starts Thursday and I must confess I am looking forward to it! I love my kids VERY much, but they do not act like they love each other very much sometimes. Some days this summer it felt like all I did was mediate arguments. I think kids need their " space" and alone time and with all four being home most days, they were not getting it. They also seemed to think we should go somewhere each day, not thinking about the work I still need to do at home. I did try and find ways to spend one on one time with each child. They are each funny and amazing!

My" baby" starts Kindergarten this year! I can't believe it! I hope to get more involved with volunteering at their schools. I was limited with what I could do last year with Emily still at home.

There are some talented Moms out there, with more kids than I have, that can homeschool without a hitch, my Mom did it, but I don't seem to be one of them. Things did not go too well when I homeschooled them in Germany. Anyway they have great schools here and the kids are doing well.

shutter sputter

2006-07-21T04:56:00.000-07:00

My very bestest girlfriend now has a blog. Check it out at shuttersputter.blogspot.com
I wrote about her in one of my earlier posts. She is an amazing person and a great writer!!
Enjoy!

2006-07-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

I went to the Dr. today and he said the pathology came back clean! I had ductasia. Anyway I am fine and am just supposed to get my annual mammos. I think I will try exercising again on Monday.

On another note my hubby found out yesterday that the military is sending him to Shaw AFB near Sumter, South Carolina, for 4 months. He leaves sometime in August. We are definately NOT going to enjoy being apart from each other, but at least he will be in the same country and even in the same time zone! The job he is going to do will also be good for his career. He will be gone for our 17th anniversary, but he says we are going to celebrate early! It will be difficult having him away, but we have done it once before and we will survive.

update

2006-07-15T06:36:00.000-07:00

Surgery went well! they found the faulty duct and got it out. The Dr. said it was smaller that he expected and that it looked good. It was sent for pathology, but he expects it to come back clean. I am not in much pain, but have to keep ice on the area for all of today. I am just a little tired and my throat is sore and raspy from the tube they stick down there.

My in -laws just left for home and my house is all clean , so I can just veg today and tomorrow.
Hopefully by Monday I will be ready to keep up with activities and kids.

Thank-you for your prayers!

Surgery

2006-07-13T12:31:00.000-07:00

Boy has this been a busy summer! When I last posted I was wondering how I would keep my kids busy all summer, now they go back to school in 3 weeks! Aug. 3rd! They have been "hogging" the computer and I have not been on here much.

June we got to see a lot of family. My parents and nephew came to our house for 2 1/2 weeks and then Johns Dad a step Mom and younger brother and sister rented some rooms in Orlando and we ( Johns older brother and family) all descended upon then for most of a week 16 of us!!! It was wonderful to see family. Johns Mom and step Dad now live 2 hours away so we see them more often now. They will be here tonight in fact.

They finally finished poking and prodding me and I am having surgery tomorrow at 12:30 EST. There is a breast duct that they want to remove. They do not believe it is cancer, but said it could turn into cancer later. SO I am getting it out! It is supposed to be same day surgery , and I will come home in the evening. I would appreciate your prayers! Another surgery to add to the list. Ugh!!

Other than that everything is great! I looks like the military will keep us here for about another 18 mos. No more moves yet!
I'll try and post again after the surgery! Thank-you for your prayers!

Also on another positive note! Since learning about IR ,and finding out the right way to eat for this "syndrome", I have lost 20+ pounds! This makes me very happy! It has been a 5 year struggle. There is still more I want to lose , but I know how to get it off now. At least the way it works for me.

FSMA Conference

2006-05-12T05:43:00.000-07:00

Male readers, you might not find this post interesting- The Florida Society of Medical Assistants coference I attended last weekend had some interesting classes and I was able to earn 10 CEU's.

The one that perked my interest the most was on Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy. The lady that spoke with us is a specialist in this area and has been praticing it for 16 yrs. She got started in this because of her own health issues. She had a hysterectomy at a young age . (She was an EMT and so she had medical training) She litearlly woke up from the surgery in menopause and "was a mess". She wondered why when you have a hysterectomy 3 hormones get taken away from you and they are only replaced by one, Premarin, made from pregnant horse urine. She was basically told, that just the way it is, no real answers. She started researching on how to get all three ( estrogen, progesterone and testosterone) back and in a natural way. A few months after her surgery her Doctor saw her in a store and asked what she had done to herself because she looked great! She explained what she had discovered and he told her he had a woman he had been working with that was not helped by anything he had tried with her. He told her that if she could help this woman she could have a job as a consultanat for his patients. The next day the woman called her. It was the Dr.'s wife! She was able to help her and was hired as a consultant.

Now she does this full time and speaks around the country. She is part of the staff of Signature Pharmacy, here in Florida, but helps people anywhere they are. The hormones are made from wild yams and soy and are bio-identical. Signature Pharmacy is a compounding pharmacy and they are formulated especially for each person. They save the "receipe" for future reference if changes need to be made.

Anyway I am excited about hearing all this. I had heard about it a little bit in the past and was interested because I am afraid of artificial hormones. I think birth control pills are what caused my pitutary tumor that I had. Now that I am 40 and starting to have peri menopausal symptoms I am really interested. I had my consult with her already. She believes getting mine all regulated will help my metabolism also. I'll lose some more wt.!! She says if you suffer any symptoms you can get help even if it is only a small amount.

The web site is www.signaturepharmacy.com and you can read all about it and then just click on the womens consultation form , button. Within 72 hrs. her secretary will call you to set up a telephone consult with Lynne. Her name is Lynne Byron. They accept all insurances and if you don't have insurance they keep the cost low. You do need your Dr. to write a pescription, but she communicates with your Dr. and gives her recommendations.

Anyway I am excited about this! They even have something for the men going through Andropause- yes, guys go through a "change" too!!

Busy life!

2006-05-03T10:56:00.000-07:00

Hi All!! I am still here! Some of you have been wondering where I have been. It is just getting a bit busier with the end of the school year activities, field trips, and extra Dr. visits. I had my mammogram and they saw some things they wanted to check out. I have been to the Dr. way too much lately. I have one more test on the 15th, but so far everything is fine. PLT!!

My husband did not get the civilian job in Tampa, but the military says they have more work right here while he keeps looking. He is working LONG hours right now but they are taking good care of him. He goes to Qutar in June for a few weeks for another conference. The next IED conference after that will be right here at MacDill. That will be nice !

The kids only have a few weeks of school left. I am glad , but now I have to find things to keep them busy without spending too much money. It will be more difficult getting my turn on the computer when they are all here all day. Even my 5 year old wants her turn! We have family visiting in June and that will be a wonderful distraction.

Things are going well with eating the IR way! I am starting to let myself get excited that I am finally going to get rid of the extra "baby wt."! I am down 9 lbs since starting early April. Little by little- as long as the number is going down!!

April here in FL is considered the dry month. It has been in the 80's and low 90's and no rain. Our yards all look pretty pitiful. We are only allowed to water 2 days a week. We got a letter the other day from the HA assoc. telling us to work on our lawn so now my son is watering it each night. If someone complains I'll show them the letter. You can't make the lawn look better with out water!!

I am a Medical Assistant, not currently working, and this weekend, Fri-Sat, I am going to the FL Society of Medical Assistants Conference in Orlando. John is taking leave on Friday to take care of the kids and I get to go alone! I will be earning some CEU's and having some Me time. I have not had that since I was alone in the hospital in Germany last year in March. That was quiet, but not fun.

I'll try and get on here more often!

2006-04-09T13:27:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick update. My husband did not get the job in Germany and they decided NOT to send him to Iraq! He is still in the running for a job here in Tampa and we continue to look for jobs to apply for. We saw one in Alaska. That would be a change from sunny Florida! God has a plan! Can't wait to see what it is!

The IR Diet

2006-04-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was talking to a friend at a ladies Bible study I go to. She asked me if I had any prayer needs, so I told her all that was going on with us, job search etc. I also shared with her about my recent diagnosis of Insulin Resistance. She told me she had newly been diagnosed with IR also, by her GYN Dr. He suggested a book that has really helped her. Anyway she told me about the book and I went out and got it as soon as I left the church. It is called The Insulin Resistance Diet, by Cheryle R. Hart M.D. and Mary Kay Grossman R.D. I have almost read the whole book. It is like they were writing about me! There is an Insulin Resistance Self Test in the book that helps with diagnosis.

It is very infromative and teaches you about the Link-and-Balance Eating Method. Each carbohydrate serving of 15 grams needs to be linked with at least 7 grams of protein. A simple formula to keep in mind is- maximum total carbohydrates of 30 grams links and balances with a minimum protein of 14 grams.

The only vegetables that need to be linked are corn and potatoes. Most fruits need to be linked.
Raw fresh apples, and grapefruit do not need to be linked.
No food is totally restricted. You learn what needs to be linked to protein and how much.
I am still reading and learning, but I am hopeful that this is going to be very helpful for me. I have been eating very careful since I found out about IR, but this gives me some tools and a plan. IR will never go totally away for me. It has to be controlled. Anyway I am excited that I may have a way to finally loose this wt. and continue to get heathlier!!

No update on the job situation yet. We are still waiting.

Insulin Resistance

2006-03-29T05:29:00.000-08:00

Monday I went to see an Endocrinologist. He confirmed that the pituitary tumor is not returning. That is a blessing! I discussed with him my inability to loose weight, even with all the exercise I do. He is running some lab tests, but believes I have Insulin Resistance (IR), also called Metabolic Syndrome. I fit the profile,( lower blood sugar, high blood pressure and high triglycerides), and what he said makes sense. IR leads to Type 2 diabetes and possible coronary problems. My Father has Type 2 diabetes. I wonder why a Dr. did not suggest this possibility sooner. I have been fighting my wt. for 5 yrs.

Anyway I have been researching it some and found some pretty good links.

http://syndromex.stanford.edu/InsulinResistance.htm

http://www.heartlandnaturopathic.com/irdiet.htm

I have been eating close to the way the diet tells you to eat, BUT I usually give myself a" free day" or have something sweet now and then. Doing that takes me back to "square one" again.
Until I get this reversed and loose some weight I can't indulge, even a little bit. This is going to take some work and discipline, but I have to do it! I want to be healthy and avoid some of the health issues my parents are dealing with.

The Dr. also asked what my life has been like the last few years-any stress?! When I told him about the 3 moves in the last year , major surgery and a husband headed for Iraq if he does not get a civilian job soon, he said my stress level is off the charts ! Stress raises cortisol levels and keeps you from loosing weight also.

In about 9 days my husband will know if he has a civilian job, back in Germany for 3-5 yrs, or if he is headed for Iraq the end of April, returning in July. If he gets the job in Germany he has to be there 15 May and the kids and I would go to him after school is out. I would "get " to handle all the moving details again!

My husband would be a GS employee working for the Army. He is an Air Force Reservist right now and has been on active duty since 7/01. Here is a link to where we would go.

http://www.grafenwoehr.army.mil/default.asp

I would appreciate your prayers as we navigate through all these possible changes! My husband hates making us move again!! It weighs heavy on him!! If he gets this job we would stay put for at least 4 yrs and he would be in the GS system and could transfer, back to the states, after that time. We would be back in Europe and would have all the support this time instead of on our own. Maybe I will get to see Scotland yet!

And Life Begins!

2006-03-20T16:11:00.000-08:00

They say life begins at 40!! If that is so, my life "began" Saturday, March 18th! We went to my husbands brothers house to celebrate. My husband was out of town . We had a nice time! Here are some pictures of what they did for me! There were 40 flamingos! Then the kids decided to add to the flock! Later in the day we took the kids roller skating. I have not tried that in over 25 yrs! I used to go alot when I was young. I remember stompping my skates to, We Will Rock You! The music Sat. was a bunch of hip hop junk I had never heard! BUT we had fun! My husband came home Sunday night and he had more presents!

Finally!!

2006-03-10T10:43:00.000-08:00

I finally got my results! I found out they had not even left the imagining dept. on the base yet and did some "prodding" (in a nice way) to get them faxed. Anyway my pitutary and brain look all normal! No sign of the tumor coming back. I did ask my Dr. what we were going to do about the abnormal lab and the other physical symptoms I am having .She wants to send me to an endocrinoligist now.

I am just glad the tumor is not back! It was not fun the last time. The other stuff does not worry me as much, but maybe they can find out why when I exercise as much as I do and try to eat right that I can not get the weight off that I want to loose. I am still carrying around that extra 25 lbs of "baby fat" from when I had my daughter and she is 5. I just keep trying though. I have been reading The Search For Skinny, for new ideas from those ladies.

Thank-you for all your thoughts and prayers!

MRI update

2006-03-07T16:58:00.000-08:00

I called the Dr.'s office today and it sounds like the report is there. I was told the medical assistant would call me back. She didn't, so I called them back. The medical assistant was not available and I was told that since my chart is still on the Dr's deask she could not tell me anything anyway. They are supposed to call tomorrow. If they don't I will go show up in person!

I 'am a medical assistant and I get really frustrated when I do not get the level of service I was expected to give when I worked. I think I took pretty good care of my patients and as a patient myself I hope for that same quality of care. I know how busy a Dr.'s office can be and I think because of that I muster up a little more patience, but why couldn't they a least talk to me! I couldn't get past the front deask.

I guess I am a little spoiled because in the past, when I worked, I usually worked at the same clinic where I received my care. If I wanted to see my labs, test results or read my chart ,I did. I could talk to my Dr. whenever I wanted .

I guess I need to get a job again! LOL!

I will post about this again when I have some answers! Stay tuned!

Strawberry Festival

2006-03-05T13:43:00.000-08:00

Heard about a cool web site. It is www.notreligion.com Check it out!

I love anything strawberry and yesterday we went to the Strawberry Festival in Plant City FL. It was really neat, but crowded. I would have liked to look around a lot more, but the kids were hot and tired. The neatest thing we did there was watch Steven Curtis Chapman do his sound checks and pratice for his two concerts he was going to do later in the day. It was great! He was singing all the songs we know. My son heard him first ! He said," Mom I hear Steven Curtis Chapman, is he here?!" I had forgotten about the concerts so this was a neat suprise. We were able to sit in the bleachers and listen all we wanted. An hour before the concert he went back stage and the "show " was over.

It was fun for us!

MRI Today

2006-03-01T19:11:00.000-08:00

I had my MRI today- although it almost didn't happen! After almost 2 months of referrals and waiting for this appointment, they were almost not going to do it because I did not have a script in hand that said, " she needs an MRI of her brain and pitutary". Never mind that they had the referral from my insurance company in hand! My Dr. did not hand me a written script for it. She called in a referral to the insurance company and gave a verbal order. Anyway I started crying like a big baby !! I took alot for me to arrange to even be at the MRI! I had to go to the Air Force Base clinic , which takes an hour or more to get to in morning traffic. I also had to arrange for someone to watch my daughter and get her to school. Well I blubbered! They were very nice to me and called my insurance to see if they had the script and then they called my Dr. and asked her to fax one over.

I finally got my MRI, which went well, and in a few days , 3-5, I should know if the tumor is back or not. When I/we know we can deal with it accordingly! Just a little more waiting! Stay tuned!