Okay

How the heck do I add a picture to my posts!!!

Being blessed

My beautiful daughter and her equally beautiful husband have blessed us with a sweet granddaughter.  Ava Anne born Dec 14, 2008 11:05pm, at home with midwives, daddy, nana (me) and Momma of course, present!  8 lbs, 11oz, 19" long.  Beautiful, healthy and so so sweet.

Went to Phoenix this weekend for Sophie's shower. It was a wonderful time...lots of ladies, laughter, good food and gifts. Ava will be the best decked out little peanut in the valley! Sophie looked lovely...positively glowing! Now THAT'S an original description of a pregnant woman. But so true.
After the shower she went home with Mike and my mother and I went back to her house, after stopping at Sonic for a burger as big as my head. I can't believe I consumed the whole thing, usually it's a burger every 2 years. I have hit my allotment for the next 4 years. Yuck. By 7:45pm me, my mom and my dad were lollygagging in the dining room, trying to stay awake. So we didn't!
Sunday Gary came back from Ajo, and we all went to breakfast. We got on the road by noon and ended up being held up for THREE HOURS between Happy Valley Road and New River Road. The highway was shut down due to a diesel hauling gas flipping over and slipping. I hope nobody was hurt. But 7 hours home...unheard of. I am beat.

8 things

All right then...carrying on another fun round of information for all!

8 Shows I Like to Watch:
Bones
House
LipStick Jungle
Law and order SVU
The Office
Mad Men
Barefoot Contessa
CNN

8 Places I Like to Eat:
Olive Garden
Mother in law's home
Mom's home
Oreganos
A greek place in Phoenix, cannot remember the name!
Matt's Big Breakfast (Phoenix, owned by old high school bud)
PeiWei
Gilligans (???) in SC

8 Things That Happened Yesterday:
Skipped walking
Read a book
Worked
Left work early
Wrote bills
Snuggled with honey
Emailed parents
Spoke briefly w/son (who was moving)

8 Things That I am Looking Forward To:
Baby Ava!
This weekend
Holidays
Changing furniture around in my little abode
Seeing Tricia and Hunter soon
A visit to Phoenix and Ajo
Reading
Buying my IMAC and writing

8 Things on my wish list
Next big vacation
Health and happiness for my loved ones
Bring Justin home safely
Success for Mike & Sophie w/schooling
Happiness and success for Josh
Honey gets his turkey this weekend
Honey comes home safely!
Loose that last 5 pounds!

8 People That I am Tagging
I don't know many people who blog! So I'll email it to:
Mom
Karen
Gretchen
Kristin
Nona
Minerva
Darcie
Dolly

I would like to be a writer. To write stories, either true or fiction. It's been my life long dream and I will accomplish it someday. When we were kids, my sibs would tease me about having my "nose in a book" all the time. Yep...love to read. The other day I picked up 8 library books and have already read two of them. I read to get ideas on how to write, but also because of course I just love to read. I love to analyze the content of a story and the manner in which the author writes. Editing is also a passion of mine.
A post on my daughter's blog has made me even more thoughtful over my future. Should I pursue a journalism degree? I probably have enough credits for one. Should I start writing short stories for magazines? I would, am just waiting to purchase my laptop. A college writing class may be in order in the next year or two. Working as a secretary has been fulfilling, and I love not having to bring my work home with me...but would love to do a passionate pasttime!

On another note...girlfriends and I talking today about gossip and how destroying it can be. Growing up I was not a gossip and don't consider myself to be one now. If I have unconfirmed info, passing it on is NOT something I strive to do. If it's tentative info, I'll preface with a disclaimer ("Don't quote me on this, it's just what i have heard....") and never do I try and slander another. Over the past few years I have been part of gossip and I don't like it. I am one of those people who can be sarcastic and in conversations just pop off a smart remark to be funny. Unfortunately, some of those remarks can be taken seriously and passed on as fact. It's damaging and saddening to some extent. Gossip mongers can take a toll on people, cause strife and make a person previously happy and carefree, silent and misgiving. Gossipers can induce a person to wrap themselves up in a cocoon and be close-lipped in fear. I live in a small community that has proved so many times over it can be so small minded. Yes...small communities have their good points...you usually know where your kids are and who they are with, you can call on a neighbor or friend and they'll come right away, etc...but small communities can be great harborers of gossips. Not something I am interested in. Give me fact and justice! You might think this would make me want to hold my cards closer to my chest and not be "me" but it's actually taught me that freedom of speech is much more than just talking about whatever..it's talking about what's right and true. I guess some people just don't have the hang of it yet.

Memories

1. As you comment on my blog, leave one (or 2 or 3 or 10) memories that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember.
2. Next, repost these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty fun to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you are playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave a memory about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you do not have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.
Have fun!

Tragedy

Late Friday afternoon, Dr Lansing Ellsworth, physician’s assistant Dave Goddard and several of their SouthWest Skin and Cancer staff from Cedar City, UT were headed home from Moab, where they had just finished up a day of seeing patients, much like they do in Page every month. There were 10 people total aboard the twin-engine King Air aircraft, which tragically crashed not long after it took off. All 10 perished.
Dr Lansing Ellsworth (dermatologist), his 23 yr old son Dallin, who was working as an assistant; Dave Goddard, PA and his adult daughter Cecilee, working as a medical assistant in their clinic; Val Imlay, the aesthetics specialist; and Marcie Tillery, histotechnologist saw patients the second Monday of every month during their Page clinic. Mandy Johnson, Keith Shumway & Camie Vigil also worked at SW Skin and Cancer; the pilot was David White.
Dr Ellsworth and his staff also saw patients in several other rural communities in Arizona, Utah and Nevada. There were very committed to serving these areas and bringing their specialty to those who were in far places. All victims leave behind hundreds of family, friends and devoted patients. They will be sorely missed.
There is a website in which one may leave comments/condolences/anecdotes at www.cedarcondolences.blogspot.com.
The Ellsworth family will be holding a funeral on Saturday, August 30 at 10:00am at the LDS Stake in Cedar City. Please keep the families of the victims of this tragic accident in your prayers.
I was honored to be one of a few people in Page who worked with Dr Ellsworth and his staff. Val was this little, fiesty, beautiful 50-something yr old woman with short, dark spiky hair. She was kind of the "mother" of the rest of the office staff and exuded this nurturing, calming & funny character. Dr Ellsworth and Dave Goddard worked tirelessly and personalbly with all everyone and anyone. Nobody ever complained, moaned or groaned, and they would frequently come to the front desk where Donna and I worked to see if we were doing okay or needed a hand (because of the sheet amount of patients they saw, the paperwork alone would build a small forest). It was a joy to work with them, and honor to know them and we will miss them.

Tag!!

Okay...I was tagged by Mandi, my dad came through with a picture of me from 1968..probably taken on the front lawn of our Sterling Park, VA home.

JOYS
1. Faith in Christ. Without it I would be nothing.
2. My beautiful, big, loving, blessed family and my husband, whom God brought me to 14 years ago!
3. Life-there are too many joys in life to list! However....hope and anticipation are high up on the list...like I hope to retire within 10 years with Gary and anticipate that being somewhere on the south east coast!

FEARS
1. Loss of faith. It will not happen, but it's a huge fear I have. I believe faith in Christ is paramount to a full life.
2. Members of the arachnid family...you know, those 8 legged, 8 eyed scarey scarey things. it's the ONLY thing on this earth I will smash in a heartbeat. People who know me well will know that I will do anything to get away from a spider, to the point of jumping out of moving cars..(hey that spider was coming right at me, lurking on the steering wheel, the car was only going 5 mph!) I went to see Charlotte's Web (the newer movie) with a friend and her daughter. Thought it would be cute, and a good test to overcome my fear of spiders. I cannot tell you about most of the movie, as I watched it from behind my hand so as not to have to look at gentle Charlotte, big as an 8 legged freak on the movie screen. My friend and her daughter were laughing hard enough to shoot soda out their noses.
3. Throwing up. I hate to do it, hate to hear it being done. Can't even write about it. Ick.

Current Obsessions/Collections
1. Cooking books. My collections is becoming quite impressive. Instead of magnets, I bring home cook books from places we visit. It's a great way to get to know a place, and learn how to make new dishes, like hush puppies. Yum.
2. Crosswords. Years ago I visited family on the east coast, and my aunt did the crossword in the daily paper to help keep her mind sharp. I buy the easy books ; it's cheap and fast entertainment, and quiet. Each morning, armed with a cup of coffee and Pilot gel pen (yes PEN), my crossword book and I connect on the porch before my walking date...I race the clock to get one crossword done each morning!
3. Keeping fit. I walk every morning before work, for about 40 minutes. Situps, push ups, light weights...my arms were getting that fun wobbly wing thing going, and I will have none of that! At least for now!

Surprising Facts
1. My mom taught me to play piano back in the late 70's and gave me lessons until the end of my senior year. She told me I was one of her best students the last few years. I actually participated in many competitions, placed quite a few times (won a few, too). I loved being able to produce the sound of music from a book to the keyboard...could never compose, but playing was wonderful. I will always thank and love my mom for taking the time, patience and effort to give that to me.
2. I can ride a unicyle...yep, just like the circus clowns. It's actually quite fun and strenuous.
3. I WILL write a book someday. This is not a passing whim or something that I will grow out of. Ever since I can remember, writing has been a great joy and love of mine. As soon as I get my MacBook, the writing will proceed, and commence somewhere in my ideal living place. My book will also include a description of my ideal house, which I designed and drew up years ago. Blueprints will be available after I build mine, in my ideal living place.

I will email this to Minerva, Nona, Dolly, Gretchen, mom, Kristin and Karen..they don't have blogs!

Oh..that's right...

My mind works against me sometimes, especially with this "designer disease" that plagues my very core. Yep...along with all of the lovely physical afflictions and the cognitive crap that goes on once in a while something triggers a depression as deep rooted as the day is long, and I fight with apathy, sadness, feelings of unworthiness, and additional fatigue.
Last week, my youngest step daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, he is gorgeous, as all of her sister's babies have been. I felt such joy and a certain sweetness to the event, even as far removed from it as we were. When the phone rang at 5:15am July 22 I KNEW he'd been born, and when I heard Mandi's voice on the phone, I started tearing up. Mandi sounded tired but happy, and incredulous that she herself felt a little shaky. I told her, well you just became an auntie! That's your little sister there...it's a pretty huge thing. I kept thinking to myself...wow, that's 4 grandchildren! And by Christmas this year, we'll have 5!
Later that morning, as I was working alone, I started feeling very ill and had to go home. The rest of the day and for two days after I fought a bad headache, stomache ache and malaise.
The other thing I fought, over which I had no control, was an almost crippling depression that set in so rapidly that same night I went home early, I hardly moved from the couch, kept my nose buried in a book and answered my husband in the minimal amt of words needed...so much so, he started acting like he was walking on eggshells around me. Due to the apathetic rendering of this depression, I really didn't care. It's a horrible thing to feel no control over one's mindset, to want to reach out and care but are literally unable to. I wasn't being mean or nasty or anything, though probably seemed that way because I am usually very loving and THERE.
I finally realized what brought it on....on Monday (day before Hunter was born) I spoke w/a woman a few years older than me who is in her 9th year of young onset parkinsons. She is contemplating a surgery called DBS-deep brain stimulation. Right now, she's taking 3 different medications. I asked her how she was doing about 4 years ago (where I am right now) and she said, Not too badly. She could move okay but was starting to get more stiff at that time, was only on one medication then..which is where I am. Now, she has hardly any facial expression, has a very short gait, bad balance and a myriad of other symptoms common with PD patients. It threw me into a tailspin I had no control over and took over my life for the remainder of the week.
This has happened to me now about a dozen times over the last 4 years, and my doctor has deemed it one of my symptoms, which is very "normal" for a patient with PD. By Monday I was pretty much back to normal (in MY book), not much depression, but cannot forget.
I have been turning over in my mind starting a group for patient suffering from parkinsons disease in Page. I know at least 4 other people not much older than I who have it. It can be done. People who have an illness not very common can benefit from talking to one another. The only thing I'd be wary of is those patients who are farther along having more brain issues, which could make them lash out.
I would also, on a personal note, would be a little wary of them looking at ME and saying WHAT? you don't have PD, you don't look like you do, you arent shaking, look, you aren't using a cane or drooling or shuffling, you have some facial expression, yadda yadda yadda....to which I would probably reply Walk a mile and a week in my shoes, buddy you'll be WISHIING you were at the stage I am in right now...it ain't a cake walk for me either. Though I do feel like a fraud sometimes because my symptoms are not very external. Nobody sees my internal tremor or feels my pain from rigidity. Nobody can tell I really concentrate on walking carefully so as not to drag my right foot or trip or lurch from side to side like a drunk (though sometimes I cannot help it). Nobody sees any of the other things, the cognitive issues, the depression, the bodily functions...any of it. I can still work full time, give or take a couple hours...I can still walk a couple miles in the morning (but ask me to put on my mascara without missing my eye a few times), I can still cook (but watch me drop the vegetable, the knife, the pot....), I can still have a cocktail or two a week (but choke on water and food), and can still read a good book (but cannot find words to make a simple sentence), I still look good (but you should have seen my tying my shoes and buttoning my shirt, it was a laugh and took forever it seems)...there are so many changes and the progression while slow is apparent. I am very good at hiding things most of the time.
Gary doesn't talk to me about it...I think he feels because he cannot fix it he's helpless. What he doesn't realize is it helps to be able to talk to him about it...but he needs to be knowledgable. And I don't know if he wants to be.
I don't need pity or empathy...but understanding and knowledge of the illness.

Numero Quattro!!!

We became grandparents again on July 22 at 5:15am (EST). At 6 lbs 9 oz and 19 inches long, Little Hunter was finally able to join us and make his mom and dad very happy and content! He is the cutest little baby...I wish I was computer literate enough to move a picture of him from one blog to this one...wll have to work on that. We have only seen pics of him but will be meeting him in person on Saturday and cannot wait! Tricia looks great and told her dad she & Justin are doing well. We'll be bringing our oldest grandson with us for the week, so it ought to be fun.
I haven't called Tricia since the week before Hunter's birth. Wanted to, that Saturday her family arrived from St George, but Gary had spoken to her that day and told me she was tired and the phone had been ringing alot. She was also just ready to have this baby! So I held off calling, out of respect and not wanting to interfere with this new time with Hunter, Justin and her family. We'll have plenty of time to visit and catch up all next week-in person!
I think Gary has gone around for the past week with a perpetual smile on his face. He is SO excited to see Tricia and Justin and meet Hunter "Oops", as he has dubbed him! He is SO looking forward to seeing Mandy, Rob and the kids on Friday, and having Mackay with us that week. He loves being a Tata so much, cherishes every moment spent with his grandchildren. Gary turns 47 this August so I think he looks at himself at this age and wonders where the years went. His girls were just babies themselves! And now they are all grown up, having their own babies. Again...what a wonderful life.

Postscript to "Wedding Blues"

When planning a wedding, definitely-DEFINITELY-look for, interview, consider a caterer. The one we used was worth every penny. The caterer we used is Bruce Brown Catering in Phoenix, website www.bbandco.com. Thanks for suggesting and kind of pushing for a caterer, Sophie! Besides the food being delicious, we didn't worry a bit about set up, clean up or anything in between. It was a blessing!
Also, I don't know his last name (because the kids hired him), but the DJ we used was outstanding. I have never seen a DJ work so hard and so pleasantly, or have so much fun doing it.

Finally

I cannot stand the sound of someone hauking up a loogie. And there is a kid in the lobby waiting for his mom to come out of physical therapy, walking around playing his hand held video game and hauking up loogies. Where he is putting them, if anywhere, I do not want to know. We fortunately have many plants in the lobby, creating a jungle-like appearance. Perhaps one of them is the lucky recipient of my little friend's mocos.
Seems we are the only community in the state not getting slaked with the rains of monsoon. Flagstaff is getting hit every afternoon and the valley even gets their share a few times a week, which is so desperately needed. We get beautifully colored skies and dark, ominous looking clouds, winds enough to blow one from their shoes and promising droplets that bring a delicious smell and cause spotty windshields...but none of the torrential waterfalls the rest of the state is having. I suppose our time will come after the rest of the state has drunk their fill.
When we first married, Gary played ball every summer for the city league, and our summer nights were spent in the cooler baseball fields nearby, the kids running around with friends and me cheering the team on with the other wives. He played until fear of further injury stopped him from doing this sport he loves so much. He'd already ripped up his quads and shoulder muscles, and so 6 years or so ago, he quit playing. Being over 4o by that time didn't help sway his decision. But after working out for the past half a year and getting back into shape, he decided he'd give it another go and he's back to playing ball with a team of younger men, and one man a bit older than him. So far so good, no ripped or torn muscles though he had a beautiful black and purple bruise on the back of his knee for a few weeks, just from the exertion during the game. he doesn't remember getting hit, so we can only surmise it's from the running, sliding, jumping, etc. He is quite in his element.
We are awaiting our 4th grandbaby, Hunter Riley, to be born in South Carolina this month! After that we'll have a few months then our 5th grandbaby in December! I feel so much happiness when thinking of these things, sometimes my mind plays tricks and I think "Is this really MY life? Is any one person allowed this much love and contentment in their life?" God is so good to me.

Post Wedding Blues

The past few months have all lead up to the wedding, and now that its over and done with, I am left with a little feeling akin to that one might feel after spending a week at the beach. But counter-balancing that is a feeling of excitement and elation for the new couple, and tenderness for their new commitment to eachother, one forged before God, family and friends. It's amazing my daughter is married.
I didn't start to cry until my son and I looked at each other during the ceremony, and then the tears started flowing with both of us. My husband gave her away, shakily, and during the toast gave a tear jerking toast, and then she and he danced to the Hawaiian rendition of "Over the Rainbow" which had my sisters bawling. It was beautiful and we are so happy! More later, as I am at work!

I am a Virginian

To be a Virginian,
Either by birth, marriage, adoption,
or even on one's mother's side...
Is an introduction
to any state in the Union,
a passport
to any foreign country,
and a benediction from
the Almighty God.
Anonymous

I am now in Phoenix, with just 6 days to go until wedding time! Last night my nephews and my mom threw a surprise party for my sister and her husbands 25th anniversary...it was too funny. For some reason everyone was waiting for them to come in the front door...which nobody but the most infrequent visitors use....and focusing their cameras on it. Of course, they came through the back door...the normal entrance for them, and we all had to do a bout face...
We had about 70 people in my parents' home, which gets warm even with 4 people in it. it was HOT. But lots of fun...Karen and Dan (the guests of honor) were very surprised and touched at the turn out. Food was great...G'ma and Wayne made sure of that! And Wayne's experience, schooling and training paid off last night. The food was tasty, beautiful and wonderfully presented.
It will be a busy week, but am SO GLAD to be down here and getting closer to wedding day. I loved the role I had in my step daughters' weddings and always wished I could have done more. This has been so fun!
My aunt mary is also visiting from South Carolina this week...what a great time to spend with her, my mom and the other women in my family. She is a beautiful person, has such strength, faith and love..talks fast and smart, too! And loves a glass of good red vino....
My love left this morning to go back home, until this Thursday. Wish he could be here, but he doesn't like Phoenix very much and it's SO hot here right now, he'd be miserable. When he gets back later this week, we'll have moved out to my sister's home, where the wedding will be and be able to lounge (between cleaning and prepping) in the pool or by the pool or somewhere near the pool....
Last week after Rob, Mandy and the kids left, we moped around a while..missing the kids running around and the noise. I found little finger prints Hallie left on the glass of the entertainment center, the junior ranger badge Jonah left behind and the shells Mackay was so kind to leave for me (will probably use in my garden, great for the soil!) "It's way too quiet here," we said to one another a few times. The week BEFORE that, I'd moved my son to the big city of Phoenix and when I returned from there, it felt the same. I miss the guitar playing, the friends visiting and even miss waiting up for him! Well, kind of....have to admit I am now getting a good full nights' sleep, good for the body and soul!

I live at work

Monday- 8am to 5:45pm
Tuesday-8am to 5:30pm
Wednesday-8am to 5:30pm
Thursday-8am to 6pm
Friday-8:30am to whenever I want darn it!
Robert, Mandi and the kids came in last night for Rob's 10 year reunion. I couldn't be there to receive them, so I asked Gary to come by with the boys before they headed out to the lake. So he brough Mackay and Jonah in, and they were all wide eyed and cute, very proper and quiet! Jonah showed me his kung fu panda picture he was carrying and a figurine of some little rat with a kung fu outfit on. He reminded me of Josh at that age, carrying around his favorite toys all day, either in hand, a bucket or something. Apparently Mackay is a big fisherman, baits his own hooks, casts really well...Tata was having a ball. They hit the sack at 10:00 and slept comfortably through the night.
Poor Hallie, on the other hand, was up frequently throughout the night, pulling on her ears, croupy cough and miserable with an ear ache. Luckily, our visiting ENT took a peek in her ears (hallway consult!) and was kind enough to write out an rx for her. She was smiling and playing a little, but looked a little peaked. But better days ahead, she'll be good in no time.
Today is Kim's last day with us....I am so sad to see her go! She is very on the ball, has really grown as a nurse over the past several years, and is fun to work with. THings seem to run more smoothly with her presiding over cases and recovery. But she has to do what's best for her and her daughter. We'll miss her!
Wedding plans have taken on a life of their own! It's all coming together beautifully and I cannot wait to start decorating, setting up table and chairs, see what cake Wayne has in store for us...

Long day

Actually this should be titled long week! Wow....have you ever seen those cartoons where something gets rolling and picking up stuff on the way and the whole thing keeps getting bigger and bigger!? That's how my week has been! Not in a bad way....but snowballing to the finale which is tomorrow, when I return home to good ole Page and begin another week of action and adventure...my lovely step daughter and her family will be visiting with us a few days, giving Gary (husband, dad and Tata) ample time to play with Mackay and Jonah, and be sweet on little Hallie...who turns one on Tuesday! Hard to believe it's already been a year since that sweet little one was born.
Today was Sophie's bridal shower up at the mother in law to be's home...fabulous food, gifts and women to share the day with! Sophie looked so beautiful, as expectant mothers can (right Tricia!?) and I realized that in exactly three weeks, the youngest of our daughters will be a married woman...and by the end of the year, we will be grandparents x 5! Holy hannah.....but itss a blessing to have Mike in our family, along with Rob & Justin.
We just returned from the movie theater after watching Sex and the City...what a fabulous story, actually pulled my cynical heartstrings....even with the raunchy sex scenes (at which I actually had to cover my eyes)..I loved the story and the characters, but especially the strength these women found in themselves in their 40s. Of course, it's just a story, not real life...at least not here! This sure ain't New York City.

My blog name

Beachbum wanna be is exactly what I aspire to become. Besides being a good wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, etc....
I first fell in love with the ocean before I can even remember. But for some reason there is a little niggling in the back of my mind from when I was a toddler and my parents took us to the coast in North Carolina for vacation, when we lived in Virginia. The next beaches I visited were the Pacific coast beaches in California, Oregon and Washington which were beautiful, mysterious and crowded. And a little dangerous, with the strong undertow and agressive, hungry sea life.
Then I got to see more of the Atlantic coast...Maine, Nagshead, KittyHawk, Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach, Pawley's Island, Charleston, the Outerbanks...and was hooked. The east coastal beaches are regal even when they are inundated with hotdog eating flipflop wearing locals and vacationers. The waters are calm and eddy around you in a welcoming caress; sand dollars & starfish are easily found and either kept to dry or given back to the sea; the sea life is more curious than anything and beautiful to behold. The calm that pervades the eastern coast -especially the southeastern coast-is such that it stayed with me for months after my last visit...and now, my whole being is screaming and yearning and aching for the east coast.
The past year has been a bevy of excitement, disappointment, love, hate, excess, denial...we "became" parents again after 4 years; my son had decided to move back in with us last May after his junior year ended. Thus began our most trying months yet. I learned what NOT to hide and what I should be pushing off on my husband, his step father. And realized he can take a lot more than I thought he could. But that is another story for another day.
Welcome to my world.