Just An Ordinary Monday In Paradise

Aren't they cute? Just had to show you this picture off the Internet

The weather is gorgeous all the time this month. It's amazing, and I sit outside and read or do crosswords every morning, pretty much. That's not news, I know. Seth had an all-day class again Saturday. It seems like his training is so thorough, and I'm glad about that. He also seems to be doing well over all. I hope he continues to. He's gone alot, chopping firewood and mowing lawns (with other people's mowers). He and some friends chopped and split firewood to sell. Did I already tell you that? Anyway, I'm glad he's keeping busy. Mark is doing fine, seeing some of the many, many sights around Vegas. He went in a really fancy chocolate shop where they gave out whole pieces as samples. His was a caramelized pecan rolled in cocoa powder, and he said it was sooooo good. Can't wait to go there myself! He said it was like being in Chocolat. As for me, I'm managing really well so far. It's nice and peaceful (my favorite!) and I have a routine I follow. The main thing is, I take my shots and meds at certain times (strictly) and I do things I need to do before I get to play (play usually means computer games like Faunasphere). I play or browse for several hours each day, rather than watching tv, although at night I watch tv - I just fall asleep quickly, espcially if the show I'm watching is fascinating and wonderful. Do any of you do that? I have yet to make it through Rebecca (the movie) because I'm so happy when I watch it! (Isn't this fascinating? My basically solitary life. Btw, if robbers are reading this, we are armed and ready and have a huge, mean German Shepherd Dog! teehee) I look forward to visiting Vegas one of these days. Won't that be fun? Each Sunday, I try and get to church, but haven't succeeded. They've started bringing me the sacrament, which I so appreciate. Yesterday I was so weak! I need to order more Reliv. And that's all I can think of right now. Thank you for your awesome blog posts. I enjoy them so much! Love You All! xoxoxo

September Season

September is so beautiful this year! I sat outside reading today, all morning, and it was about 65 degrees with a light breeze and a bright sun. Perfectly perfect! Since then, I've been reading blogs and organizing lists and ideas and talking with Seth, who is gone now. I'm here by myself almost allll the time! It's fun. Leto is getting even smarter. He understands when I suggest things like going to his food bowl (other end of the house) and eating a couple of bites, or going to his water bowl (in our bathroom) and getting a drink, or just staying nearby. It's amazing sometimes, how he truly understands words. Mark is doing fine still, and we talk a bunch on the phone. I never worry about him, because he's good and smart and brave and can take care of himself. I love him, btw. hehehee (proud, wicked laugh)! I took the best bubble bath this a.m. We use Ivory dish liquid for bubbles. So relaxing. Tomorrow I go for a bone density scan and Seth has his class. He's going to the store for me tonight. I want the ingredients for banana nut bread and choc. chip cookies~ yum! Wish me luck! Love you...a bunch! xoxoxo

Sniff, Sniff...

I've been somewhat 'down' today. I woke up, barely, and went back to sleep for a while. When I did get up, I didn't feel well. When I don't feel well, I feel kind of overwhelmed about the state of the world, right on down to worrying about the tiniest things in our lives. If I feel this way, then surely there is no hope for any of us, lol. Anyway, I'm quite pathetic. And how are you? Cause if you're good, I'll let you carry the burden. And no, it doesn't help to think of Heavenly Father's help when I'm like this: that just encourages me to feel overwhelmed, because then I can't fend off all my dad's dire warnings about the end of the world or our secret, rotten, hidden core that might be hiding amidst our intestines, unbeknownst to us. Of course, that premise denies the principle of agency, but, when I'm in the throes of my fevered anguish, all rational thinking is out the window! Seth went to see about a job, and the pets are locked out of my room for the time being. The tv isn't on, but the fan is - it's hot! Hence, I didn't go outside with Leto and I don't want to be around him if he's whiny. Seth did brush him, however, and did his other pet-chores and moved the sprinkler before he left. I've been trying to think of plots for the Three-Minute Fiction contests on NPR. Tamathy told me about it. You should go to npr.org and look it up. Last month's winner was intimidatingly well-written, but the runners-up weren't so great. My mind is a blank rt. now, however; at least in terms of original ideas. Hope you're having a good day. If not, don't tell me!

PS On Books

Duh...Just look at my profile for books I love!

Book Recommendations

(Watch for updates on the photos to the right. I plan to change them soon.)

I remember something I was going to tell you all: The other day someone called here for medical info., and I told them to hang on while I retrieved it. On coming back to the phone, I gave them the information, but they didn't reply. It was so weird, just dead silence and no dial tone, either.

I was just about to ask them if they were still there, when I realized I'd been talking into the tv remote control.

Isn't that hilarious?

Fortunately, she was still on the phone and I gave her the info. she needed.

Hah!

Haley, I agree about the Jane Austen books. They are wonderful! Also, the ones by the Bronte (I don't know how to type the accent over the e) sisters. I think you've read the Little House books; the Little Britches series is wonderful. Have you read Little Women? I love the Dune series, but it's a particular sci fi taste that you might not enjoy. People really like Madeline L'Engle's books, and Orson Scott Card's. They're fantasy and sci fi, too.

It's easier to recommend authors than books, for some reason. You know I love Betty MacDonald's writing. Pearl S. Buck's books are wonderful, especially The Good Earth. And there's always GWTW, one of my favorites. Black Beauty is so sad, but I've always loved it. Also, Lois Lowry's The Giver.

Cheaper By the Dozen has some good sequels, and the James Herriot books are excellent. I know I'm forgetting so many, but my books are packed up right now.

I love biographies and autobiographies. You should check out that section in the library.

You've probably read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton - it's such a great story. I like YA fiction, obviously, and kid's books. Other favorites are Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows, and The Velveteen Rabbit (an absolute favorite).

If you haven't read Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, you ought to, I think. They're just wonderful. The Oz books are good. And the Narnia series is wonderful, too.

Personally, I enjoy reading Nancy Drew, and The Happy Hollisters.

Have you read Wild Swans? If you haven't, go check it out! It's outrageously interesting and absorbing and educational and inspiring.

I'll add more books to this post as I remember them, so check back later, but at least these are some that I really like and would recommend looking at. I absolutely love nonfiction, and one of the best is The Devil in the White City, so you might look that up, too.

Nothing is really going on today. Seth has class this evening, and yesterday he took the car to be repaired (he said it runs much smoother now - yay!). The weather is gorgeous, and I leave the patio doors open all the time.

Thank you for your comments. I really appreciate them! And, Megan, I looked at your photo cds, and I can't believe how many good pictures you got of the Campbells. Also, you and Kim got so many great shots of your family last year. Great action shots of Aiden and the kite, too.

So, take care and I will post more later!

xoxoxo

Tell Me What You Think...

Of my new blog design! (Thanks, Megan, for the info) Btw, the car still runs fine so far. As of today, it runs better, in fact, but it still needs the tires, shocks, and the oil leak fixed. Today was a total wash, so I just pretended I had the flu - no guilt! Love you! xoxoxo

Housekeeping

On this day in 2010 the sky is whispery and warm and there are large numbers of garulous birds in our trees. Can you tell I've been rereading Housekeeping? It's my pick for the book club next month, the first novel by Marilynne Robinson, a word artist whose prose turns and floats and is light and easy, yet evokes powerful sensations and memories that linger at the periphery of conscious awareness: pale skies and old homes that smell like postcards in photo albums, mud on my tough boy-shoes, and high grass filled with webs. They are vivid and unexamined and sensory and they turn into dreams of gladiolus flowers, growing in masses.

That's exactly what happens, and her writing is unique in my experience.

Seth woke me before seven this morning. He has class all day long every other Saturday. We both thought he would enjoy himself today. There's a camaraderie in learning a medical-type profession. I think it's simply because you start to feel separate from the rest of the population - from those that you will be serving. It's a 'secret clubhouse' kind of feeling.

Yesterday we ran some errands, then took Leto for some ice cream. That marked the trip as an event for Leto. When I go out on the back concrete and read, he lays in the lush grass, half-awake and taking in the sounds and smells of our neighborhood. Tut goes outside with us, stretching out on the patio table. It's very peaceful here.

Our car is having some work done on it. The guy is doing the job for free, and Seth will help him so he can learn more about car engines. We need front shocks and a new tire and the tires all need to be rotated. We'll wait for those things, but the cracked gasket in the 't pan' (?) will be fixed now. We put oil in the car quite frequently. Maybe this will stop the leak somehow. Idk much about it, but I'm glad we are able to attend to the car, as well as the yard. Seth cut weeds yesterday with our machete, and we hope to spray them down (and out!). They're along the far side of the driveway.

I had such a good visit to Danny and Melinda's last Wednesday and Thursday. Seth dropped me off in the early afternoon before book club, and Justin drove me home late Thurs. night. While I was in IF, Mel took me to see the dentist and I was able to get a small adjustment to my new teeth that improves their fit. Yay! And we went to T.J. Maxx and I bought some bath soak, and liq. hand soap that smells like almonds. Mmmm. I was looking forward to a most sensual bathtime, but, alas, I left them at Melinda's. Ahh well...I still had a great visit with them, and Lainey said some funny things that Melinda might post, so I won't tell you myself.

Their kitchen felt like autumn, so warm and vibrant with trees outside and cooking inside. I hesitate to describe it, because I know it's painful for Haley and Megan to miss out on. Just try to be happy for us, and look forward to further times of togetherness, because I know they are coming!

I picked up some cds from Melinda. They are from Megan, and they contain pictures she took of Danny and Melinda's family, of her own family's trip out here, and of other things that I'm excited to see. Thanks, Megan!!

Thank you for reading this, and Phillip, we did get that errand accomplished for you. : )Mark is doing well and enjoying the use of a car. His job feels stable, at least as much as one can in this economy, and that is something we appreciate!

Best wishes to all of you!

xoxoxo

Chugging Along

Okay, now Seth is driving to classes and he took me to the store - yay! His driving is waaay improved, and I'm minding his schedule a little more (taking considerati0n for his classes and studying, mowing, etc.). This a.m., we went to see the dr. that took over for my old intern. He is super-good and really pays attention with being weird. Seth saw him too and got his TB test and some medicine that might help him even out and be able to sleep. We're hopeful about that! He goes back in two days to have his TB test checked and get whatever shots he needs. I feel like the lady on the Geico ad, saying, "And we're walking, and we're walking..." Hurray for us! I had sooo much fun shopping for groceries. I spared Mark all the details, but I won't spare you, lol~ I got spicy V-8s, tomato juices, grape tomatoes, 3 avocados, Santia's tostito chips, 3 cans of black olives, a thing of green olives, Ruffles chips and dip (had to), cat fud, dog fud, a nail file, some 'Profs, a spicy peanut noodle cup and one red curry noodle cup, extra crispy tater tots (Get your own dang tots!), some pepper jack cheese, am. cheese singles, 3 pks. of dried beef, some boiled ham (lunchmeat), butternut squash soup (2 little cartons), some cinnamon graham crackers, mustard pretzel bits, peppered beef jerky, extra noodles Lipton soup mix, pot pies, mint cocoa, and I think that's all. Doesn't that sound good? Yum! That's the kind of food I like (exc. for the pets' fud)! We already have milk, eggs, bread, hamburger meat, etc. Now Seth will go to class this evening. I've been watching Star Wars movies and eating grape tomatoes. And that's all I have to say about that! I love you! xoxoxo

Fri.

Hey. What's up? Didja have a good today so far? Seth and I are kind of frustrated. He mowed, but when he went for immunizations, the holiday Mon. interfered with his TB test, so he'll have to go back. And he was taking me to the store, but we didn't go because it never works out. I'm just going to ask a neighbor to take me. And Seth will therefore have to walk to classes. That's the breaks! What else? Mark says the staff and patients and families are all happy that he's there. That's really cool to hear. He won't miss Idaho's winter, either. It's been 132? days there without water. 150 is the record. That part's scary! Leto is so good about staying rt. outside when our French doors are open. It's so cute! And I found some toys I was missing, so that makes me happy. I'm excited that Chris and Laura are moving to Idaho. Yay! (Our family is slowly taking over Idaho and the West. Did you notice that? Hehehe!) Well, better go for now. I love you! xoxoxo

September Thursday

The light changes in September. It softens. Seth went on his own and got fingerprinted today. Then he left for his class, which he's attending after doing some errands. It's amazing that those things are getting done. He gets his immunizations tomorrow, and then we can think about a CPR class and his other class. I've been sleeping all day - didn't sleep all night - and listening to the movie, "Beckett," with Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole. It's a beautiful movie, good to dream to. I think that's all for now. I got a new hose and mask for my O2, and distilled water and prescrips. Seth is mowing tomorrow, also. Have fun! xoxoxo PS Don't miss my last post!

Looking Forward...

Hi. Waiting like this, I go thru moods of being lonely and desperate, alternating with enjoyment and hope and excitement, mostly the latter. I'm so excited to join Mark in Las Vegas! It feels like we're moving to the carnival/store/celbrity-watching center of the world! Yet we're in a good ward with lots of good people and opportunities for service, right where Mark works! Isn't that cool? I just want to list some of the cool things to do where we'll live, beside the lights and fountains and all of that. There are crazy-unusual red rock formations there, a ton of museums, Lake Mead, stocked fishing ponds, roller coasters, game shows, lots and lots of cool stores, and all kinds of shows that are family-friendly. I never noticed how much happens in Las Vegas until I became hyper-aware of its name - it is mentioned constantly on television. America's Got Talent, Top Chef, dancing shows, and on and on go there, besides regular tv shows that are always there. I'm sure there are big horse shows too. I've heard the garage sales are fantastic. And Mark has already met a celebrity through his work; I guess that's inevitable, lol. People living there need to help their parents find a place to live in their old age. Also, they might want to retire there themselves. So you meet them. It reminds me of the Howalds living by Branson, only even more in the middle of all of that type of thing. I guess you just get used to it. As far as what we've been doing, Seth got to his class with his books and all went well. He has to get his immunizations caught up (Fri. appt.) and a criminal background check (tomorrow) and he needs to take a CPR class too. And another class, incidentally. He looks cool carrying his notebook and textbks. He took 7 pages of notes! I wrote him a list in a notebook of things he can check on and do each day, besides his class stuff. Then it's just easy for him to look over the list and make sure certain things, like watering the lawn, are maintained - without me saying anything. Then I have my things to keep track of, like meds and appts. and shopping and laundry and so on, and we're managing so far. I talk to Mark on the phone numerous times each day, and he sent me a box of prizes! It contained such treats as Tiny Chiclets and Necco Wafers, plus Barbie, Little Pony, and Princess stickers, ponytail holders, and little lotions and gels. Isn't that sweet? I know I'm forgetting something~ it was so sweet of him to do that! Oh, and a little Vegas shot glass, lol. And a wonderful lights of Las Vegas calendar. So fun to look at! It's funny, 'cause it's "Sin City," yet it is exciting in a good way, too. The most exciting thing is getting to live with my hubby again. That is the best reward of all! It's sweet to know that death won't separate us. We have so much hope and happiness that we will be together forever, and remembering that about our families makes life so much richer. I want to help others come to experience the fullness of Heavenly Father's eternal plan. We're not just what's happening at the moment or this year...we're forever!