What a wonderful time of year for a break!
The NFCP weekend joy was partially marred by the failure of my dryer.
No really big deal, things like that just happen. Too bad Mary's clothes were being washed at the time and she had to deal with two loads of wet clothes and a few more clothes not even washed yet.
The story of her washer troubles can be found on her blog--maybe. So I called the appliance repair man early this morning. Of course, I removed the vent hose and checked to be sure it wasn't just a clogged line and thermostat auto turn off. He will be here tomorrow, we pray. Oh did I mention, I have been putting off repairing the washer for months, It too has some significant problems. A "gyro-scope" balance type thing has gone out and the thing rocks to the point that it has lost two legs. But it still worked.
The oven on the other hand has burned everything put in for the last month or so. it's really been on the fritz for three or four months now. I was going to call and get it repaired before the Christmas celebration but, it didin't even make the list of things to do. See previous blogs.
So what the heck, I gave all the info to the repair people and I'll have them all looked at at the same time. Ok
Following my much needed nap Pat and I went to investigate the non-functioning television in the family room, as reported by the kids this weekend. We talked to Comcast and then to Sony but to no avail, it's an internal problem. We called the certified repair people as we were referred by Sony. Yep, you guessed it, they will need to order the part and it will take 7-10 days. "That's nice" Just to make the afternoon complete the tv will into fit in either of our cars. Who would have guessed that while calling Granny to see if she would be willing to get in her van and drive over here in the snow so we could transport the vicitm--the repair store closed--promptly at 5 p.m..
Ther television downstairs in the living room has a pretty good picture, it just has some problems with the connections in the back. I cannot play DVDs on it. Now what? We have all five kids and six grandkids coming, for a "4 day vacation", and no entertainment means for them. Even if they bring the Wii there isn't a tv that will accomodate them.
What do you know, four repair requests in one day, the 22nd of December, 2008.
What is up with all this "stuff?" We do the right thing and give to others so they can have a nice Christmas just to get this? It's a real good thing I know one thing has nothing to do with the other. I surely just wish . . .you can guess what I am wishing for.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Have a heart, your life depends on it
The following is a copy of a letter I sent to my children the 22nd of December. When two people fall in love and marry and have children they never know what will come In faith we go forward, in faith we follow the plan and in faith we accept what we are given. Then we do our best, praying as if everything depends on the Lord and working like everything depends on us. the two together makes us who we are. the alternatives, faith without works and works without faith are both dismal and depressing. thanks be to God and our Savior Jesus Christ for life and love and family forever. Renee
True to his nature Dad did not tell us everything about the passing of his brother. Let me fill you in--thus preventing any unnecessary faux-pax.
On the day he died, Grandmother went into his room several times to give him his medications. He didn"t want to get up and was hadr to arouse. but this was not all that unusual. When it she got no responce and his breathing had become very fast, she called the Paramedics--he was still alive att hat time. They took a little longer to get there than they had in the past and by the time they walked in he was gone. She could not find the"Do Not Revive" paper he signed and by law they had to try to revive him. Which they did, but not for too long. He was gone. The coroner eventually said he had an ischemic heart problem--often the only sign of which is death. It's a strange diagnosis, but no worse than "we don't know" Which is, as you know what we got on John. They did draw a lot of blood and there was no evidence, spoken of in the final report, of unusual drugs or overdose. All of which is a real blessed relief for the family, I guess. Really, an overdose would be easier to understand. An undetermined heart problem gives no comfort or reassurance to those left behind who may inherit the same thing. We can only pray as time goes on, as it will, that the frontiers of medicine expand to include the prevention of such things.
Meanwhile, Aunt Kathleen evidently had a racing heart episode that did not pass in a few minutes and needed to be transported to the hospital (she was at some kind fo a luncheon at the time--I think Grandmother said) She was not able to get into a Cardiologist until January--so much for managed--HMO health care. We will have to wait and see what comes of that.
Anyway, neither Dad nor I knew when we got married that BOTH sides of your family would have life threatening heart problems. Not that it would have made a real difference in our choices. We only regret that we have saddled you with a health inheritance that you did not ask for. Frankly, neither did we. But we love you all, with all our (not so perfect) hearts. and we pray you will pay attention to you health and that of your children, that future generations will be healthier and live longer, happier lives.
I love you all!!!! Mom
True to his nature Dad did not tell us everything about the passing of his brother. Let me fill you in--thus preventing any unnecessary faux-pax.
On the day he died, Grandmother went into his room several times to give him his medications. He didn"t want to get up and was hadr to arouse. but this was not all that unusual. When it she got no responce and his breathing had become very fast, she called the Paramedics--he was still alive att hat time. They took a little longer to get there than they had in the past and by the time they walked in he was gone. She could not find the"Do Not Revive" paper he signed and by law they had to try to revive him. Which they did, but not for too long. He was gone. The coroner eventually said he had an ischemic heart problem--often the only sign of which is death. It's a strange diagnosis, but no worse than "we don't know" Which is, as you know what we got on John. They did draw a lot of blood and there was no evidence, spoken of in the final report, of unusual drugs or overdose. All of which is a real blessed relief for the family, I guess. Really, an overdose would be easier to understand. An undetermined heart problem gives no comfort or reassurance to those left behind who may inherit the same thing. We can only pray as time goes on, as it will, that the frontiers of medicine expand to include the prevention of such things.
Meanwhile, Aunt Kathleen evidently had a racing heart episode that did not pass in a few minutes and needed to be transported to the hospital (she was at some kind fo a luncheon at the time--I think Grandmother said) She was not able to get into a Cardiologist until January--so much for managed--HMO health care. We will have to wait and see what comes of that.
Anyway, neither Dad nor I knew when we got married that BOTH sides of your family would have life threatening heart problems. Not that it would have made a real difference in our choices. We only regret that we have saddled you with a health inheritance that you did not ask for. Frankly, neither did we. But we love you all, with all our (not so perfect) hearts. and we pray you will pay attention to you health and that of your children, that future generations will be healthier and live longer, happier lives.
I love you all!!!! Mom
Thursday, December 18, 2008
And the List grows on
So I cleaned all the stinky stuff out of the fridge,
20-1=19 (to go)
Except
21.Wash old curtains-the lace is still good for somethings, if it is clean
22. clean out Dad's corner-people need to be able to get around the table
23. Take out the garbage-especially the fridge stuff but it's only 15 degrees out there
24. clean out my bathroom-at least my piles can go
25. Put drills and tools away! If it need fixing-it will need to wait!
20-1=19 (to go)
Except
21.Wash old curtains-the lace is still good for somethings, if it is clean
22. clean out Dad's corner-people need to be able to get around the table
23. Take out the garbage-especially the fridge stuff but it's only 15 degrees out there
24. clean out my bathroom-at least my piles can go
25. Put drills and tools away! If it need fixing-it will need to wait!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
You call this time off?
Well, it's been a while since I wrote anything. It's not like I haven't had anything to do. but I always take time to read my kid's blogs. They are great to keep me feeling like I know what is going on in their lives. Thanks!
When Dad left for SLC this week I had a list of 20 or so things to do. No matter how many items I mark off the list, the list continues to grow and the time is growing shorter. You see, on Friday he will return, with his Mother in tow. Now I have a great Mother-in-Law. she gets up early and gets in and out of the bath before any of my kids even dream of arising. And she always brings puzzle books to entertain herself when the rest of us are running around. She is 88 years old and doesn't even complain about sleeping upstairs.
So why am I dreading this? Because I am not ready. How does that go? "If ye are prepared ye will not fear?" It applies all to well.
So far this wek I have washed the sheets, made the beds (thanks Pat for the help!), had presidency meeting, hung all the curtains (a very very big job), sewed a few things for Beck, tended Mia for a few hours, purchased 2 food baskets, fixed (decorated. . .)and delivered them.
I did not go to meet with the Bishop. The executive secretary told me ther was not a minute to be had before 9:30pm. So I called his wife, we had a nice visit, and talked to him on the phine today. I also got my flu shot (with Mia in tow), found her some shoes that actually fit, and she doesn't cry when you try to put them on, and purchased a piece for my drill so I could hang the drapes. I bought two additional poinsettas for the chapel-it looked so boring in there last week, I couldn't take it anymore. Don't tell Dad. I will get them out of the house befroe the NFCP. Granny and I have been to Sams and Walmart, Albertsons and Home Depot sp far this week. I am sure ther is more to come!
After a pause for phonecalls the food baskets, fruit baskets, shopping and deliveries for tomorrow are at least planned. Maybe they will wait until next week. At least some of them. no probably most of them. There is just too much to do.
1. I still have to put the furniture back in the living room. There is lots of moving of furniture when replacing drapes. And I should vacuum, I've uncovered a multitude of dust and crushed leaves.
2 Clean off the table--that alonde could take a while!
3. Copy Grandfather's picture and getit in the frame. I got Grandmothers done today-yea! She will no longer feel left out.
4. Move the bunk bedsd-Lance is going to come over and help me do that tomorrow. I also ned to get the twin matteress from Betsy so it will be comfy for her.
5. Re-decorate the tree-for the LAST time. After that it will be just maintainence of the top two thirds. Little people think bright shiney round things are for throwing.
6. Finish the cards and mail them--this ought to get moved to the top of the list.
7. Clean out the fridge-it really needs it.
8. Wrap and Deliver over-due baby gifts--oh forget the wrapping
9. Call the Opthomologist
10. go to Michaels for a round brush (see below)
11. Paint three chairs (one really needs he round brush. . .)
12. Make 4 books
13. Gather 4 "family boxes" for organization purposes, while families are visiting
14. Finish sub-for santa shopping-only two little gifts left, actually this may get bumped from the list entirely as I just made them a food basket today. Hummmmm????
15. Make menus for next week-so I can shop on Saturday without using what is left of my brain. Is htere anything left up ther. If there really was I wouldn't be in this mess.
16. Be sure thers is a plan and stuff for dinner on Friday when Grandmother arrives. (this may have to move closer to the top as well.)
17. Finish sewing Ella's christmas gifts. then put the sewing machine away!
18. Get all the adult gifts out of the living room before the NFCP
19. Sleep?
20. Friday I get my nails done.
Do you think I can do it? Thank goodness it doesn't really have to be all done by Friday! Why I have a few days next week, sort of, with Pat and Grandmother here.
I was actually feeling pretty good about being ready for Christmas, until I made this list.
Heck no, I am not going to check it twice. I have too much to do for that.
Merry Christmas World
Oh yea, then there is all those emails to answer and transportation arrangements to make.
Any volunteers out there?
Gotta' love it.
When Dad left for SLC this week I had a list of 20 or so things to do. No matter how many items I mark off the list, the list continues to grow and the time is growing shorter. You see, on Friday he will return, with his Mother in tow. Now I have a great Mother-in-Law. she gets up early and gets in and out of the bath before any of my kids even dream of arising. And she always brings puzzle books to entertain herself when the rest of us are running around. She is 88 years old and doesn't even complain about sleeping upstairs.
So why am I dreading this? Because I am not ready. How does that go? "If ye are prepared ye will not fear?" It applies all to well.
So far this wek I have washed the sheets, made the beds (thanks Pat for the help!), had presidency meeting, hung all the curtains (a very very big job), sewed a few things for Beck, tended Mia for a few hours, purchased 2 food baskets, fixed (decorated. . .)and delivered them.
I did not go to meet with the Bishop. The executive secretary told me ther was not a minute to be had before 9:30pm. So I called his wife, we had a nice visit, and talked to him on the phine today. I also got my flu shot (with Mia in tow), found her some shoes that actually fit, and she doesn't cry when you try to put them on, and purchased a piece for my drill so I could hang the drapes. I bought two additional poinsettas for the chapel-it looked so boring in there last week, I couldn't take it anymore. Don't tell Dad. I will get them out of the house befroe the NFCP. Granny and I have been to Sams and Walmart, Albertsons and Home Depot sp far this week. I am sure ther is more to come!
After a pause for phonecalls the food baskets, fruit baskets, shopping and deliveries for tomorrow are at least planned. Maybe they will wait until next week. At least some of them. no probably most of them. There is just too much to do.
1. I still have to put the furniture back in the living room. There is lots of moving of furniture when replacing drapes. And I should vacuum, I've uncovered a multitude of dust and crushed leaves.
2 Clean off the table--that alonde could take a while!
3. Copy Grandfather's picture and getit in the frame. I got Grandmothers done today-yea! She will no longer feel left out.
4. Move the bunk bedsd-Lance is going to come over and help me do that tomorrow. I also ned to get the twin matteress from Betsy so it will be comfy for her.
5. Re-decorate the tree-for the LAST time. After that it will be just maintainence of the top two thirds. Little people think bright shiney round things are for throwing.
6. Finish the cards and mail them--this ought to get moved to the top of the list.
7. Clean out the fridge-it really needs it.
8. Wrap and Deliver over-due baby gifts--oh forget the wrapping
9. Call the Opthomologist
10. go to Michaels for a round brush (see below)
11. Paint three chairs (one really needs he round brush. . .)
12. Make 4 books
13. Gather 4 "family boxes" for organization purposes, while families are visiting
14. Finish sub-for santa shopping-only two little gifts left, actually this may get bumped from the list entirely as I just made them a food basket today. Hummmmm????
15. Make menus for next week-so I can shop on Saturday without using what is left of my brain. Is htere anything left up ther. If there really was I wouldn't be in this mess.
16. Be sure thers is a plan and stuff for dinner on Friday when Grandmother arrives. (this may have to move closer to the top as well.)
17. Finish sewing Ella's christmas gifts. then put the sewing machine away!
18. Get all the adult gifts out of the living room before the NFCP
19. Sleep?
20. Friday I get my nails done.
Do you think I can do it? Thank goodness it doesn't really have to be all done by Friday! Why I have a few days next week, sort of, with Pat and Grandmother here.
I was actually feeling pretty good about being ready for Christmas, until I made this list.
Heck no, I am not going to check it twice. I have too much to do for that.
Merry Christmas World
Oh yea, then there is all those emails to answer and transportation arrangements to make.
Any volunteers out there?
Gotta' love it.
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