"Stretchy" Week

That means I have attempted stuff way outside of my comfort zone! (Of course lately that is anything beyond the front door to my house).

Anyway, I went to sit with an older Sister in The ICU in Mercy Gilbert Hospital while her daughter got some rest. The doctors said she was probably out of danger. I was nervous. We, her friends and neighbors, but mostly the Doctors, were frankly all surprised she was still alive at the end of this week. All her organs were shutting down--heart, liver, kidneys, lungs. (I think it may have started with a heart attack). You should have seen the long list of Doctors on the wall for her care.
Miracles happen.
They had removed the intubation from her throat for her lungs that morning so she was breathing and able to talk again some, and had just finished removing the drain from her kidneys the minute prior to our walking in (I took Mom with me because Jan had asked for her particularly too, please).
Mom sits by Merlene(the sick Mom) every Sunday in RS and had also been a great comfort to Jan, the daughter, just that Sunday as she reported the miracles that meant her Mom was still alive. Anyway we both felt very good to be able to be there and help in some little way (once we got there).
Sometimes(most times) anticipating something like this is worse/scarier than the actual doing. The actual doing is a great privilege and I feel unimportant after I plunge in. It is hard to explain, but once arrived I felt no qualms and started right in with her care.
The friend who came next was scared too, took both my hands and asked me to please stay with her as long as I could,( she said she was having a panic attack). She was terrified that Merlene would "die on her watch", but soon she felt the calm Love that was there too. All was well when I had to leave her later. And Merlene was sleeping peacefully.

I don't really have the causes or details Allison, I wish I did so you could help me understand it better. It really made me wish that I had followed the dream I'd had to be a nurse. (dang chemistry fear and hangup).
I am so glad for you, Allison, That you will be a Nurse. Especially when it feels like this to care and help some one. It's bigger than can be explained? Do you feel that? It's too late at night for words to work for me very well.

The other "stretch" didn't work out quite as well,
I volunteered to help man a phone bank to help get Prop 102 passed here in Arizona. Well, anyone who knows me very well knows I really don't like telephones, and I avoid them at all times if I possibly can (which really isn't very often in todays world, unfortunately).
This proposition is to define marriage as only between one man and one woman and puts it in the constitution so it can't be over turned in the courts as they did in California recently.

Yes, me, with a list of names and numbers to call (on the dreaded phone) in an office with forms to fill out on the responses received! I must feel pretty strongly on this issue to sign up for this duty.

I lasted about 2 hours then I was so sick to my stomach I called my dear husband and he came to my rescue and finished my time. I did pretty dang good for me.

For info on the proposal go to;
http://www.yesformarriage.com/


By the way, the response was mixed.


I used to be pretty involved politically, I was even was voted as an alternate delegate to the Colorado State caucus once. It was so fun, but as an alternate I didn't vote while there unless Ted couldn't go, but he did, so I got the experience with not so much of the pressure.
I remember the year I campaigned against Clinton for Bush. Do you remember all the placards and stuff around Allison? Anyway, after it was all over, My kids got me a big Button that said, "Don't Blame Me. I voted For Bush." I guess they could tell I was pretty discouraged that Americans would reelect a lying adulterer.
Rachel did not remember so I wanted to tell you about this so you will know I think it is important! But I digress.


This activity, the phone bank volunteers, is actually coming from - our Stake. The LDS Church never (almost never, I guess) takes a political stand other than encouraging it's members to please be informed, involved, vote etc. so I figured I better step up.
LDS or Mormon info here; http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/
This is very important and I was a little surprised at the lack of initial volunteers. But it is getting rolling.
Allison, as a registered voter, you should receive info booklets in the mail addressing at least the local issues. Watch for these, if you don't get them, the libraryshould have them and I am sure they will be available on line too.

Back to my story. I called Keith after 2 hours and had him come take over for me. I was pretty nauseated and nervous.
After Keith rode up on his white Charger, I mean drove up in his white Ford Focus, I ran quickly into the over 100 degree Knight, I mean night, and bought him an anniversary present.
It is tomorrow after all. But that's another story.

Here is a link to a video on similar issues put out by the Catholic church that I like.
http://www.catholicvote.com/

Can you tell I am a conservative and a Republican? What gave me away?
(actually it is Thursday the 25th for me, it's just really late so excuse any gibberish etc.).

Thoughts

Asking for help doesn't mean you are weak it means you are smart.

A Hero is someone who gets up every morning and does the right thing.

It is called The Doctrine and Covenants not the D and C.

Overheard" If you truly want to make an impact, be a really good Scout Master."

Decision making tip; Do the right thing. Why? Because it is the right thing to do.

How are we doing on our test today?

"A man's got to know his limitations". Dirty Harry Callahan

Menagerie

My kids came back too soon from walking the dogs. David stayed in the kitchen while Rachel stood in front of Keith and I and started stammering out a long tmi story. ( Have all the parents had their warning bells go off? ) It turns out they had found an abandoned ,skinny scraggly, dirty,tiny kitten, in a bush out on a major street.
Well, of couse, I am now trying to teach this kitten to drink from a bowl and use a litter box.
She (it's barely old enough to be able to tell the sex, I'm guessing maybe 4-5 weeks old.) is way too young to have left her mother.
No one is answering any posted signs about a lost kitten, no surprise there, and well, here we go I guess.

This one is Rachel's. Ha!




Any suggestion on a name?

Miles and Cheap Stuff

This was an errands for my Mom day. This kind of day almost always includes a Doctors appointment of some kind and two or more of the following; pharmacy, bank, post office, discount store, grocery store,(blood pressure machine in side of these)and a drive thru fast food place.

Snowball?

Carpet cleaning can create a "snowball effect" in cleaning.
I know, a good title but a boring blog.
I am tired but can't seem to settle down to sleep and tomorrow is no snoozer either.
Speaking of work-Why is it I can't seem to tackle big jobs by myself? I am a hard worker, I just seem to work better with company. And getting started is at least half the battle, especially when I feel overwhelmed, or it is a job i have a hangup with/about.
But-- it is late and I am even boring myself, maybe I can sleep now.

Political u tube from Sister Brown

This is a link to a video on u tube that I want to share too. Thanks Jeanne.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8

Wha'z up?

"Hey Mom, What's up"?
(This is how Dan always greets me, especially on my cell phone)
"I'll go shopping with ya if ya want".
A surprising second sentence.

We spent all saturday afternoon at the mall of all places, shopping for white shirts and ties, a mother's dream! We bought two suits, two pair of shoes and several shirts and ties. I think this mission thing is really going to happen.

Yipee!

It has stayed below 100 degrees for the past two days!

Cooler Water

I took a morning swim and the pool temperature is down to 83 degrees!
It has been cooler at night, probably because of the small wind /rain storm that blew through, so that has decreased the pool temp.
It is supposed to be fall after all.

Rachel sold her volkswagon chop top this week and so is searching for a new car today. A Mazda Miata is the top choice right now. Shopping for cars is, and always will be, a priority at this house, so no helpful work out of the rest of my family today.
"If it's not my job whose is it"? Bah.

More Eye Surgery

Mom had more eye surgery this morning.
The Doctors discovered the membranes behind her new lenses were cloudy, so Dr. Lewis went in and did laser surgery to put a hole in the membrane to try and clear her vision.
They did both eyes at once.
The "after meds" gave her a lot of energy. I couldn't get her to sit still. She wanted to do laps.

Out With the Old

I am ripping out the old growth in my garden. It is time to plant again.
I harvested nothing!--no wait, 3 small (nickle sized) yellow cherry tomatoes before it got too hot to set fruit.

The Zinnias in the front didn't work well either, and the potted plants are mostly dead again.

I don't know, as Rae Rae says, "The heat makes me angry"!

I had to drive Mom to her dentist Appointment this afternoon in Rae's topless, aircondioningless, car. I made Mom wear a hat to keep the sun off a little bit. She didn't like that much. She won't even let a window be rolled down usually 'cause it blows too much. (I had been on a wild goose chase to try and get a different car to take, but to no avail)! arghh.

Can you see it, imagine it? It was really quite fun. the looks we got were different from the usual ones this car gets.

No $10,000 dollar dentist for My mom, no Sir!

We had Dr. Thomas, from our ward, take out(not rip out as I did my garden) Mom's old teeth stuff and put in shiney new gold crowns.

Ian and Allison Kelly Visit the Desert

This is not the Bronx.

We wore 'em plum out?!

Aren't we the same age?

Uhmm, no I guess not. see below for evidence.

Sedona is beautiful.


Before, during, and after the 50 foot plunge--together!

Kinda like marriage?"

More at Slide Rock Park

That is Alli ,Spencer, and Davey in the background contemplating a slide in brisk, refreshing,"coldee" water.

All we need now is a Palominohorse for them to ride off into the sunset on.

Our Ward

My LDS ward was in the back part of the Ensign! an article on our ward's Missionaries actually. It has a picture of one of our favorite familys seated around their table. Here is a link.

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=a6cfbf9cd2f0c110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1


We feel very proud. (Yea, I know, there is that word again.)
Now, with a Temple anounced just a few miles away in Gilbert, we feel we are getting on the Map. Fun.

Another cool thing, Elder Tanner from our Ward is serving in Oakley, Idaho! He says it is quickley becoming his favorite place. No doubt! His Mom is my visiting teacher. I told her it is in my home area.

A Ward Visited

It was a fairly isolated ,unchanging Ward, and I made some observations. (The Speakers were really good, some of the best ever, even.) Those observations are the topic for todays Dinner table.
Observed in Sacrament Meeting;

No one singing
teenager studying for the Drivers Test
reading a novel held up high in front of face
drinking from a water bottle pulled from a brown paper bag (full of food too?)
ipod earphones in
doing hair
leaning forward with ears covered
sleeping
back massages- the distracting kind
preparing a lesson
serious snacking

I did not see any texting or hear a phone ring.

These were not little kids either.

I really was trying to listen to the great speakers.
It took some effort to keep from being distracted.
How did the speakers feel I wonder, was anyone even looking at them?

What if we had been investigators?

How am I in my ward?

Oversite

How could I have forgotten the awesome game of Sardines? I actually left it off the agenda list at first ( the oversite has now been corrected).

P.S. What are your sources for real info on the candidates stands on issues or details of their platforms? maybe webswites? even Party platforms, or voting records? I used to go to the library but no more,so..Would you tell me ? I know, I know, but hey...

Rants Much Better Than Mine

I have been interested in the Republican VP nominee.
The immediate uproar was astounding. So she must be good.
If it couldn't be Mit, (yes, I like to consider myself on a first name basis with my favorite) then I quite like McCain's choice of fellow Idahoan and Alaskan Governor, Sarah Palin. It has brought his image back up a few notches in my eyes. I was worried about him there for a while.
Here are a couple of articles I really liked. They are funny, articulate and right on. (everything I wish I were).

I found(actually Keith found) an article by David Kahane at National Review Online:
Click here to view the article: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=N2YzODI3MGE3OTU0Yjg5ZDY5YmFjZmE3MmFiOWE4ZjQ=


an article by Rich Lowry at the same place:
Click here to view the article: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MjExNmM3ZmJiNGJmMjYyZGMwODdlMTkwMWUwODJmNzc=

Thanks To Everyone

Grandma Jones, aka my Mom, had the biggest smile ever after checking her emails! Thank you all for contacting her. It really was a big deal to her.

She turned 83 and quit using her cane!