A little bit of random

This Memorial Day weekend was pretty uneventful for my little family.  On Saturday I finished refinishing an old dresser and nightstand.  I will post pictures when I get them in a room instead of my brother-in-law's garage.  On Sunday, we visited my nephew at the hospital.  I left my son there with his Grandpa and cousin while I went with my Mom and Grandma to decorate graves.

At the cemetery where my Grandpa is buried there is a grave not far from his for a young man who was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007.  He was 23 years old.  The headstone was beautiful and flanked by two American Flags. It was a somber reminder of the reason for the holiday. 

We generally look at Memorial Day as the first long weekend of the summer, a time for cook outs, camping, and play.  Or as a time to remember all loved ones who have passed on.  There is nothing wrong with either of these but the real purpose for Memorial Day is to honor the men and women of the military who have passed away either in service of their country or otherwise.  Veterans Day honors the living men and women of the military while Memorial Day honors those who have passed away.  I admit that I tend to forget why and focus on the fun. 

Usually our fun involves camping.  Last year it rained so much that our campsite looked more like a swimming pool.  This year, camping was nixed as the majority of us are a little poor right now.  Mainly due to car troubles.

My car is fixed now.  It only took $3,200 but it is running and getting me from point A to B.

Tomorrow, I will sit with my nephew at the hospital.  On Friday he was moved to rehab for physical therapy and to make sure he still has all of his faculties.  When I was at the hospital on Sunday, he didn't seem to be doing too well. His head was hurting and so were his hips and back.  Today the report is better.  They allowed him to go out to eat with his mom.  They went to Fuddruckers and apparently he did really well with the sun outside and the noise of the restaurant.  Hopefully, he continues to improve like this so that he can go home sooner rather than later.

On a side note, he is at the same hospital where Gary Coleman passed away.  When I told my dad this, he thought I was making a joke about his passing.  I really wasn't.  Although I was not a fan of the guy, I think it is sad that he has passed away.  I don't think he really had a very happy life.  I hope he is happier now than he was in life. 

Gary Coleman lived in my small little town.  My son and I saw a couple of years ago at a craft fair held at the city building.  His wife had a booth and he was helping her with it.  We bought something and he rang us up.  I didn't think it would be appropriate for me to say anything about who he was, so I simply said "Thank you" when we were finished.  I like to think he appreciated being treated normally.

Update...

My nephew was moved from the ICU to a regular room this afternoon.  If all goes well he should be home on Friday.  I babysat my niece (age 6) and nephew (age 5) today and had them make cards for their brother.  When I asked my nephew what he wanted to say to his brother he said, "I miss you, Codie.  Never do that again." After we made the cards I took them to the hospital.  It is the first time they were able to see their brother since Monday before the accident.  They were a little afraid to touch him but Codie tried to make them feel comfortable.  After seeing him today, I feel better and more positive about everything. I know he is going to be just fine.  Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

On a lighter note, this evening I super glued my fingers together.  I was trying to open the tube and the bottom was cracked, spilling super glue all over my hand.  I managed to get my fingers apart, with the help of some rubbing alcohol but I still have dried glue all over my fingers.

Lucky? Blessed? Both!

Yesterday afternoon, my 16 year old nephew and his friends were being stupid typical teenagers. They were at the skate park sitting on the back of a slowly moving car driven by another friend. One kid jumped off but my nephew did not. The driver, thinking both kids jumped off, sped up. My nephew flew off the back of the car, landing on the asphalt. He hit the back of his head. Fell forward and hit the front of his head, then rolled several times. At least this is how the story has been told to me.

Codie blacked out, came to, and then blacked out again. Lucky for him there was an off duty EMT at the park who was able to make sure he or his friends did not do anything to cause him more damage. He was transported to the local hospital where they ran tests and concluded that he had several bleeds and hematomas. They felt he may need surgery and he was transported to a regional hospital where he was again x-ray'd and underwent another CAT scan. During this time he was very agitated and violent; enough so, that they had to restrain him in order to do what was needed.

When I arrived at the hospital he was pretty heavily sedated but came to a few times. It was one of the hardest things for me to watch. He was trying to sit up, to take the oxygen tube out of his nose, and wanting to use the bathroom. He kept telling everyone to let him go, he had to go pee. The nurse told us that the nerve that makes you feel like you need to urinate was damaged which was why he had that feeling even though he had a catheter.

Codie fractured the occipital lobe and a vertebra in his upper neck. Last night he had some bleeding in the brain but not enough that the neurosurgeon thought he needed surgery. He is in the ICU but has been up today and talking and going to the bathroom on his own. He tries to keep his eyes closed; otherwise he gets sick to his stomach. They have been performing CAT scans throughout the day to look for changes. In fact, his second scan this morning is the one that revealed the fracture in his vertebrae.

Originally, the doctor’s thought he would be in the ICU for three or four days. They now think he will be out of ICU tomorrow and could even come home the day after.

My sister has been amazing. Last night when I, my mom, and other sister broke down while Codie was struggling to get up, she was calm. She gently pushed him back down and tried to explain why he needed to stay where he was. I don’t think he realized what was happening or even where he was.

This has been a reminder of what we went through with my niece. When she was two she fell on her head and had to be sedated and monitored at Primary Children’s Hospital for a week. She has had no lasting side effects.

Codie is very lucky. There are so many “IF’s” and “could have’s” that would have caused him to not be with us anymore. This is not the first time we have watched and prayed for Codie to be safe and healthy. When my sister was pregnant her water broke with about 7 or 8 weeks to go. They kept her in the hospital, trying to keep as much fluid inside for the baby. He was born 6 weeks early.

While he is not completely out of the woods and we don’t know what, if any, lasting effects there may be; he is so blessed that his injuries are not worse than they are. Someone is listening to our prayers and watching out for him.

It's all about having fun...

The end of April through May is the busiest time of year in our house.  I can't imagine how I would handle having more than one child to keep tabs on.  This year has not been as busy as last year but we still seem to have one thing after another - literally.

Last Thursday we were the entertainment at the Senior Citizens lunch.  Our guitar teacher disguised a rehearsal for our recital as a "performance".  The Seniors seemed to appreciate it and I didn't feel overly out of place being the oldest student.  Right after the event at the Senior Center, Austin and I had to rush back to his school so that he could participate in a triathlon.  Austin's leg was the swimming.  He didn't do too shabby for a kid that has never had a swimming lesson - at least that he remembers.  When he was 6 months old we took a mommy and baby swimming class. 

Finishing his laps!

Poor kid! I think he thought he was going to die.

He was nice enough to let mom hang out with him until their runner crossed the finish line.  He never did find out what their time was but he has a good time and really that's all that matters.

Unique Ideas?!?!

I am starting to wonder if there are any truly unique idea's.  Sometimes I will have what I think is a unique thought and then lo and behold someone else has the same idea and ran with it. 

Several months ago, I was talking to a friend about the simple pleasures in life such as clean sheets, laughing, etc and how I should either blog about them or try to write a book about them (feel free to interrupt your reading with a good chuckle).  I never did get around to either one.  Then this morning on The Early Show, I see this segment on The Early Show.



The dude even has a website http://www.1000awesomethings.com/.

One day I will come up with a unique, creative, and fantabulous idea. Maybe.

Perfect Sunday

Fishing is one of my favorite activities. I find it relaxing to be outdoors, near the water, and spending the time with friends or family. My son does not share my enjoyment of this activity and I don’t force it upon him. I secretly hope that one day he will come to appreciate fishing as much as I.

There is a reservoir near my house that I frequently fish at with my sister and her family. It isn’t one of my favorite places but it is close and fulfills the need to fish when it rears up. I prefer to head up into the mountains to a lake, river, or reservoir.

Last week I suggested to my friend John that he and I spend Sunday morning fishing. I let him chose the location. He invited a friend from work, Ned. We met up at 6 am on Sunday morning to drive up the canyon to Scofield, a tiny town in the mountains with a big reservoir. The day was beautiful. Not a cloud in the sky. Though we were up in the mountains, the temperature was pleasant enough that we didn’t need to wear a jacket the entire time.

The three of us lined up on shore, prepared our lines, cast out, and waited. It wasn’t long before we started getting some nibbles. I caught four, John caught none, and Ned was the winner with ten. We only kept six.
As I was getting my gear ready to fish, Ned looked over and commented on my doing everything myself. He said that I restored his faith in women. Apparently, he is does not know many women who enjoy fishing or know enough to handle their own equipment. Later in the morning as we were basking in the beauty of the day, I made the comment about the great idea I had to go fishing. Ned looked at me again and shook his head. Again, I don’t think the women he knows would suggest such an activity.

On the drive home, I was rather quiet, just listening to the men talk about work. John commented on my silence and Ned again mentioned what an awesome girl he thinks I am to spend the day fishing and enjoying it. John went on to tell him how much I like the outdoors, how John and I go fishing and shooting together, that my dad and I do these things together, how I like to ride four-wheelers, and camping. My ego received a boost at their praise.

I forgot to take my camera so I have not pictures to share with you. But I this is one that was taken many years ago on the Provo River. I was the only girl in a fly-fishing class. All of the men were catching a lot of little fish. I only caught one. But it was the biggest.

What a great kid!

Tonight was my son's last Junior High choir concert.  All of the kids did an awesome job.  During the concert, the teacher recognized the eight student who were selected to be part of the all-state honor choir last winter.  Austin was one of them.  I was so proud watching him get his certificate of recognitions  Later, the teacher gave out "Spirit of Choir" awards to four ninth grade choir members - 2 boys and 2 girls.  The "Spirit of Choir" award is given to the kids who are always on time, support other choir members, and have showed improvement over the past two or three years.

Guess what?  Austin received one.  He was given a certificate and a music medallion thing. 
 
I am a proud mama.  I couldn't have asked for a better kid.  Hopefully, high school doesn't damage him. 
 
 

Rambling about the single life...

I have a confession to make:  I really don't like the single life but what I like even less than being single is dating.  So how am I supposed to get out of the single life without dating?  If I ever figure out the magical formula, I will let you know.  Not that most of you need it.

Problems with whole dating/single life thing are:
Age. The older I get, the more set in my ways I become.  Same goes for the men I know. 
Experience.  The more experience I have with dating and relationships the less I trust men. 
Love.  I am afraid to fall in love OR admit that I feel love for a man.

So unless I get over some of these, then I am destined for the single life.  In a world of couple's, the prospect is pretty depressing.  Maybe it is a case of the grass is always greener but remember I have been on the other side of the fence.  I know it is not always greener.  I know it takes work but I am older and I think I could handle it better the next time around.  Better yet, I know what I want in a relationship. 

IF I have another chance at coupledom, I want a partnership.  I dislike it when I hear a man or woman say they LET their husband or wife do something.  For example, "I let my wife go shopping with her sister today" or "I let my husband go play poker with his buddies."  I wouldn't want my partner to feel as though he needs to ask my permission to do something.  I wouldn't want him to leave me in the dark either but you don't own another person.  Decisions should be discussed of course but someone shouldn't have to ask permission.  I also want someone who has a life that doesn't revolve around me.  He needs to have hobbies, friends, something that gets him out of the house now and then because after being single for 12 years I don't know that I could have someone around ALL OF THE TIME. 

Maybe I am hopeless.  Perhaps my ideas on relationships aren't realistic.  But maybe I will get lucky and find someone, somewhere who thinks the same.  If not then I had better get used to the single life.

Walking, planting, reading....

This morning I woke up bright and early to participate in the "5K for Amy J". Over 500 people showed up! All of the money from the registration fees to additional donations and raffle ticket sales goes to the family to help pay for their expenses.  If you want to know more about Amy's illness and how strong and loving this family is, you can visit their blog Kisses for Amy.

My friend, Robyn, and I walked together.  It was a fun way to support the family and get in a training walk for the 3-day for the Cure in September.  While walking I met up with another friend who told me about a 50/20 walk in June.  It is 50 miles in 20 hours. Starting in the afternoon and walking through the night. I think I have Robyn talked into doing it with me.  If I can do that, the 60 miles in 3 days shouldn't be too difficult. Maybe.   I still need to get more details but I think it sounds fun. 

After the 5K this morning. I had just enough time to shower and get ready for guitar rehearsal.  As predicted, I am the only kid person over the age of 16, but it is something my son and I do together, so it is worth the embarrassment effort.

Following rehearsal, I dug up my strawberry plants and put them in a planter to take them with us on the move in June.  I also planted some gypsy and bell peppers in planters.

I spent the rest of the day reading and finishing my Mother's Day book I bought for myself  my son gave me. I may write something up about it or I may not.  I am still processing my thoughts there.

An update on my 3-day progress:  For a lot of reasons, I almost decided not to participate, however, I put them aside and am still walking.  My fundraising efforts have been minimal so far but I have had $40 in donations. A long way from $2,300 but I will get there.  It is hard for me to ask people to donate when everyone I know is tightening their budgets but I will continue on. 

I hope all of you have a great weekend.

I should be...

I should be in bed but I am catching up on blogs and other internet related stuff.

Since I am not in bed...

I should be reading the new Nora Roberts book, "Savor the Moment" that I bought myself today for Mother's Day.  My son is so thoughtful!

BUT...

I really should be in bed BECAUSE tomorrow I need to be up at 6 AM to walk in a 5K to support the girl (I call her a girl because she is my age and being called a lady makes me feel old) from church who has cancer.  

After the walk, my son and I have a rehearsal for our guitar concert at the end of May.  I use the word concert loosely, it is more like a recital where I will probably be the only student over the age of 16. 

But for right now at 10:35 on a Friday night I should be in bed.

Finally...A New Post

I am moving! In June I will move four blocks south.  A couple that I know are moving and want to rent their house to me for the same rent I pay for this 100 year old pioneer era house.  I will have TWICE the space I have here.  It is seriously too much space for just the two of us but I plan on using all of it.  The house has 5 bedrooms plus and office, three bedrooms, two car garage, hot tub on the deck, a fenced yard (great for the dog), and they are leaving their pool table.  

I will finally have my own bathroom and a closet that fits all of my clothes - currently there are some in storage bags under my bed and some in my son's closet. Plus, when my son has friends over they will have room and I won't always be in the way.

I am excited to be moving someplace bigger that is worth the amount I shell out in rent but I am sad to see my friend move away. 

In other news, my car is still not functioning.  I don't need a new transmission, at least I don't think so, I just need to have a seal replace because I am leaking transmission fluid which is causing the car to stay put when I want it to go.  I am not sure what I am going to do with the rolling wreck.  I am pretty sure I just want to get rid of the thing, instead of putting $700 worth of work into it.  I'll figure it out sooner or later.  It is a good thing I am able to work from home, otherwise the situation would be a lot worse.

There really is nothing else to say.  My life is a tad boring right now and what isn't boring is stressful and not fun at all.