Owww...

Whoa, it's been so long since I posted, but we were busy! For one thing, Mark went to the E.R. (yes, we seem to be keeping them busy lately!) because of a fluttering and irregular pulse, and they put him in the ICU till they got his pulse back to normal. Can you believe, he didn't even tell me he was leaving? He had me feel his pulse and then, when I feel back asleep, he drove himself to the hospital! Crazy, huh? Now I feel like the apostles who couldn't stay awake with Jesus! Anyway, they spread his blood pressure meds out more, and they're going to test his night oxygen levels, as well as do a cardiac rhythm test. They're all going to be done on an outpatient basis, so he got right out of the hospital the next day! I'm so glad to have him home again. I missed you, Mark! I got my teeth pulled and a partial denture put in. I love my new teeth, because they look just like my 'used' ones! And it does hurt some, but I'm good at ignoring it. I figure they'll adjust them at my next appt., 'cause that's what Dr. Harris said he'd do. Oh, and I have a purple black eye and a big bruise on my cheek, and a swollen face. I think that's all. I'll post pictures when Mark gets here and hands me the cord that downloads the pictures, 'cause I can't reach it. Dr. Munk did a good job, and the partial just clasps on to my remaining upper teeth, rather than being loose or clunky or needing some kind of adhesive. Cool, huh? So, that's all for now. I think Phillip left for Iraq, but if you want to email him, just send it to our email address and I'll put it in his folder, which he checks. I'm guessing they can still do that over in Iraq. Anyway, I'm not sure if he's left or not. If I hear from him, I'll blog about it. :) Thanks for reading and for your comments. Even the lamest comment is like water to a drowning man. Oh...did I get my metaphors mixed up? Well, you know what I mean. And you can post anonymously, too, so no one traces it back to you when you're famous. Just comment as a 'name' and then make one up, like 'Penelope.' Okay? Okay.

Odds and Ends, and Odds

Hellooo! How was your Thanksgiving? Ours was great! (See previous posts) The above picture gives you a little window into living with Mark. 'Nuff said. ;) Yesterday, Mark had some errands to run, so he dropped me off at D.I. to look around. Of course, I went straight for the toy aisle. They must have had Bishop's night and sent out what wasn't taken, because the store was really full! There were a gazillion naked Barbies that I, being the compulsive gatherer that I am, put back in their proper bins, arms, legs, and hair straightened and tidy. This drives Mark crazy, but I enjoyed it, and an elderly male employee thanked me for doing it. That really made my morning! I managed to find a few treasures, such as a MARY ENGLEBREIT bulletin board! It was hiding under a bunch of wooden craft projects, just waiting for li'l ole me...how sweet was that?! Then, Ben and Linda stopped by on their way home from Bancroft. Linda and I made plans to get together, with all our STUFF, to make Christmas cards. How fun! (Sorry...I was so excited to see them and I forgot to take pictures :/) They said Buddy and Jewel are doing well, and they are in a HUGE pasture by the house, about a mile long, and can run full out, to their hearts' content. Linda rode Buddy and Ben rode Jewel, then 2 of Linda's brothers worked with Jewel on yielding her head (she's a bit rusty). Sometime they're going to pack them into the hills, to give them experience. Isn't that a dream come true? Linda said they are kind of like 'their' horses now, yet we get to go ride them, too. Awesome! Phillip is at Fort Bragg, N.C., for a week of equipping, etc., before heading off to Iraq. He's says it's scary, yet exciting. He has one friend from Basic that will be shipping out with him. Hard to believe that Phillip is just-turned eighteen and helping fight a war overseas. Sheesh! Where did the time go? (Sunrise, Sunset...) Seth is quieter than normal lately. I told him it's the tryptophan, but maybe it's just 'jet lag' from his visit to Justin's. Seth helped with the kids alot when they were here, taking them out to see the neighbor's goats and such. Thanks, Seth! I had more to say, but I can't remember what it was - maybe I'll add more later on. Right now, my blog is acting up a bit, so I'll close for now. (See? I started on Odd, and now this is the End, and I'm Ending on my own mixed up thoughts - Odd!)

Yay!

It's Thanksgiving Weekend! One of my favorite times of the year! And I'm posting...finally. But I have an excuse, 'cause I've had a chest cold, and I've been either resting or having fun, as in going to the Twilight movie with loved ones, who either liked it or loved it. (I'm a proud member of the latter group, for each of two viewings so far!)

First, I saw it with Mark, last Friday. Then the girls and I went on Wednesday. And on Thursday they came over with their families and we ate, talked, and watched old home videos courtesy of Megan, while the kids ran around, played with toys, ate some regular food, then popcorn and marshmallows, cried, laughed, and ran some more. It was hilarious!

Haley and Dallin came early and helped us get ready for the big day Each family brought some delicioso food to add to the feast! Lainie helps decorate Anya isn't so sure about this Lainie's crazy stockings Some of the beautiful decorations Megan arranged for us Audrey and Alaina on Grandma's lap (good picture of me - that's the kind I love :) Melinda and Haley holding babies and watching home videos Alex pauses to give Grandma a closeup Aiden chills with Dad One of the two tables full of dinner I love this shot that shows how blue Lainie's eyes are The other table full...Everyone looks happy! Dallin played outside with the kids...Look at Audrey's cute stockings! Tristan's turn with the popcorn bucket Okay, these three shots are of all the 'girlies' that were there Leto wondering who's going to clean up all these toys (our guests did - Thanks!)