Christmas Morning

December 31, 2011

Here's Christmas morning, at least some of it.  As usual, there was a lot of paper everywhere....although Dad makes a pretty good trash man.  The girls seemed to get most of the things they wanted, and some unexpected things too.  Dad got his new clothes, and mom got her blog published in a bound book...something I've wanted for years.  So now, when this post is finished, Dad will make another book for 2011 to match the first one.  It's a family history of sorts......

Cooper and Cymbre both got "Flanagan Robots" sweatshirts and t-shirts.  They were named the Flanagan Robots for dancing so together in their duet this past year.  They LOVED the shirts!

The present opening is just beginning....Britni got a purse post-it note dispenser, Cymbre a cookie skillet, and Cooper a make-up bag.

Britni finally got her Christus statue like mom's.

Cymbre got her rhino head for the wall....it has to hang where there's no chance she will bump into it and knock her eye out.  (Caleb thinks she should use it as a coat rack!)

Just one of many shirts Dad got....he needed them since he's lost a bunch of weight....and mom got him some of her favorite kind...you know, the ones with the colored shirt, but white cuffs and collar.  I know the kids think they are silly, but he belongs to me....

All in all we had a good Christmas.  The girls finally got their kindles, and now they can just download books instead of making Mom take them to Barnes and Nobles.  Mom got a new grandbabies picture frame, and is currently hunting down new pictures of those cutiepies to put in it.  Dad got some church books, and a fancy measuring tape, and a finger mouse.  You put it on your index finger and work it with your thumb.  I think it goes well with his ninja flash drive he also got.

As far as other news....it's almost time for the girls to go back to school.  That means one more semester of making school lunches for Mom.  A job I really dislike....however,  you know, a Mom does what a Mom has to do!

My back appears to be not hurting as much, although, when they make me do something harder like ride a bike for 10 minutes...it's ouchy again!  I told the therapist my back didn't like that and he said something about endorphines taking the pain away.....ok....whatever!  Still hurts!  Guy has got my bike in working order again, I am supposed to ride it for a few minutes twice a week....we'll see what happens.   There was a man at therapy who asked me if I had seen his drill sargent....he has a different one than I do.  If I do these exercises 3 times a day like they say to, there will be no time to do anything like mom stuff.....so I split it up.  They all get done at least once, and most of them twice, but the three times I just don't get done.  I mean I need time to brush my teeth, do laundry, and take a bath too, you know!!

All the dance costumes are pinned for sewing, so that will start ASAP when the girls go back to school.  Should only take about a week with conserted effort on the sewing machine's part.....probably a real struggle for the thing though!  Although, it has been in rest mode since I finished the Christmas PJ pants.

Cooper is taking a bunch of her non-member friends to the Stake Youth Dance tonight....Guy is doing the driving.  Lucky him!  A van full of crazy teenagers at 11:30pm....what a thrill!  As for me, I will be watching the TV for the dropping of the New Years Ball in Times Square.....then going to bed.

This has been a real trial year for us, but things are beginning to look up.  Cymbre's eye is much more stable.  The headache doctor is sorting out Cymbre's headaches.  They are working on my back, and all the dance injuries have healed.  My hands seems to be back in working order....at least most of the time. There are still some power issues, but it gets better everyday.

We are truly blessed with a lovely family, and many friends whom we truly love and appreicate.  And we especially LOVE those grandbabies!

We have been able to serve others, and to see the influence that kindness brings, especially when someone thinks that no one cares.  You know, it's worth the price of the value

 meal for the hungry guy on the street.

Happy New Year!

Mom

All Cleaned up......FINALLY!

December 28, 2011

Christmas is all taken down, cleaned up, packed up, and put away for another year.  Somehow, Britni escaped this year without helping....we will get even next year!  I had to get it down and put away before Dad wasn't here to help, considering all this goings on with my back therapy and a million exercises they think a mom should do three times a day. Excuse me...do you realize that a mom doesn't have enough time to do them once, let alone three times!  It seems I just get done and have to start doing them again. 

I told the therapist today that he was the torture chamber master.....he just laughed and said, "We'll start with all your stretching exercises, then do the biofeedback aparatus including the marching"...I just laughed at him and told him the marching was an impossible thing!  However, at the end of the session during the marching stuff, I managed to keep the pressure at almost 40 pounds, which is where I'm supposed to keep it, for the entire 5 minutes....progress I suppose!  Then he decided since I was getting so good at that, we needed to do some strengthening of the pelvic floor stuff....that sounds familiar from 5 pregnancies.....only this was more than that....now I have this ball thing, a belt thing, and a blood pressure cuff that I have to use.....will the torture never end???  He said that at least I was a good sport and actually did the exercises at home.  I guess most people don't, and then they end up coming back and complaining that they can't do them.  I think some good is coming from all this stretching and stuff....my back isn't hurting as much, but it is still sore, and last night I managed to sleep in the bed the ENTIRE night.  That makes Guy happy!  Guess he likes to be slept on top of all night.  Probably makes him feel loved or something mushy like that.....and for those who want to know....yes, I do love that man!

I tell you what...there is this man that comes the same time I do that had carpal tunner and cubital tunnel surgery on his arm.  That's what I had the beginning of the year.  He is in agony when they try to bend his arm.  I guess his doctor put him in a sling and he's been immobile for 6 weeks...now he has scar tissue and no range of motion.  Boy am I glad I didn't use his doctor!  I had full range of motion in one week, no sling, and no physical therapy!  My doctor made me start moving the thing before I left the hospital....thank heavens!  To watch that poor man lay there with tears running down his face and in pain just breaks my heart when I lay there knowing that it didn't have to be that way for him.  The therapist said it will be about 6 months of therapy for him....and then he still has to get the other arm done.  Man, I would be looking for another doctor....just saying!

Today I had the girls try on the dance costume parts that need altering....just have to shorten things, take in some things, and hem some pants, and make afrench cuff and get cuff links for Cooper's tap costume. Cymbre's is just to shorten things, add petticoats, and rhinestone fishnets.  With cooperation from my back, by the end of next week I hope to have most of it done.  We have to make a trip to Harwin street to look for a necklace for Cooper's Mark Goodman tap solo.  And I have to figure out how to attach the silk leaves to Cooper's jazz solo so that she can be a forest creature.  They have to be attached to a chiffon type of flowing material and not weigh it down.  I even got a little bird with tail feathers to attach to her bun...she will be a great forest creature when I get done.  I also still need to measure the tulle for Cymbre's cumberbun...and figure out how to make a decent bow for the back without it being cumbersome.....get it!  Maybe one of those big gift wrap bows in a matching color just snapped into place after the cumberbun is attached would work.  You know those ones in the bridal department at Hobby Lobby with the big loops and long tails....think I'll go look tomorrow.  At least her headdress is simple this year....no millinary extravaganzas this year. We are just putting feathers in her hair....sort of boring if you ask me though.  I mean how much imagination does that take?  I just bought some of those feathers that they have that you can decorate flip flops with, and attached them to a barrette and VIOLA!!  Hairpiece!

I have been working on my Sunday School lesson this week.  We are doing the Book of Mormon, and Cooper has been talking, so I have to make it good.  So I decided since the lesson is basically just about the title page and the witnesses testimonies that I would spice it up by using some Star Wars stuff.  However, my quest for finding a C3PO hasn't been successful.  I will probably have to use a picture instead of the action figure....but one is on the way, so everyone needs to say their prayers it gets here in time.  I should have just had Caleb send me one of Jack's and then sent it back.  Anyway, since it's just an introduction to the Book of Mormon lesson, I decided to tell the kids that they need to make their scripture study count...enter C3PO!  C=commitment  Make a commitment about when and where they will study their scriptures. (3P's) P=prayer  Pray before you read and while reading to gain understanding of what you are reading. P=Pencil  Have a pencil handy for marking scriptures and making notes. P=Ponder  Ponder what you are reading and ask yourself some questions.  Why was this included when Mormon abridged the book?  What am I to gain? O=Obey  Do the things the scriptures and the Spirit teach you to do.  So, I have a C3PO picture for each of them to keep in their scriptures. I had Cymbre make stickers with the above explanation on it for the back of the pictures.  I had Cooper make them a "plates of Cooper, Spencer, Cody" notebook for them to take notes in or write their impressions and understanding of the scriptures in, and I got them each a scripture marking pencil.  Hopefully, this will keep about 16 teenagers busy for this week at least...heaven help me!

Who knows what I'll do next week.  I am living for the week we do the Liahona.  Cooper has been making individual ones for each of them, and a fancier one for a visual aid.

And I have the stuff to make a set of golden plates, and a box to keep them in.  They are in the sewing room with the bag of bloody arms and swords for the Ammon story.  And I'm rounding up old blankets to use to listen to King Benjamin give his speech, and trying to figure out how to deal with the burning of Abinadi, since I'm pretty sure that they won't let me light a fire in the front of the church building. There is a wonderful wall outside of the church hiding the air conditioning units that will work great for the Samuel the Lamanite story, (I need to buy some nerf arrows)  and maybe we can do some barge building in the parking lot for the Brother of Jared story. I already have white stones and little sacks for the handout. I don't know exactly how to bury all the weapons with the 2000 Stripling warriors' parents. I'm pretty sure that digging a big hole in the front lawn isn't an option.  And what to do about all the walls falling down in the jail with the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's is another problem deserving some thinking.  Planning an earthquake at the church just at the right moment may be more than I can handle....just saying. I may have to borrow another class for some battles....but I think I could bribe the teacher of the class just younger than mine.  That would give me about 40 youth, and that's a good number for a battle don't you think?  I may have to retire from teaching by the end of this year....But Cymbre thinks I should stick around until her class is done with my class, and that's like 5 years from now....YIKES!!  In order to do that I would have to teach the Old Testament a couple of times, and I just don't know if I'm up to that much Isaiah!

The other night Cooper asked me what I thought the Prophet would think if he came to my Sunday School class, and before I could answer Guy said he would think that Gospel Doctrine class was boring!  I think he would think that a crazy woman was teaching the 16-18 year olds in our ward.  This year will be interesting to say the least.

As long as the youth in the class can feel the Spirit, and learn something, and have their testimonies strengthened....that's all that matters to me.  I've been known to do some crazy things, but they seem to always get the point acrossed.

And on that note, it's late, and I'm going to put these tired bones to bed....

Have a great week everyone....I'll post Christmas photos soon....Dad has to get them off the camera first.

Remember Dad and I love you all very much.  Get out there and serve someone.

Mom

Is Christmas Ready Yet?

December 22, 2011

So the girls are decorating gingerbread houses with their friend Shauna, Christmas music is playing in the background, and the homemade rolls for Christmas dinner are rising on the counter.  Presents are getting wrapped, or getting wrapped at some point.  Even the stocking stuffers are almost ready.  Guess you could say Christmas is almost ready around here....WAIT!!!!  The washer and dryer are BUZZING....really loudly!   Well, it was a nice picture while it lasted!

Got a recipe in my email this morning for mint chocolate chip cookies....may have to add it to the Christmas cookie stash....just saying....I mean since the peanut butter ones with the candy kisses are almost gone, and it's not even Christmas yet.  Of course, I could just make another batch of them, or bribe Cymbre to make them.  She did the last ones.

Ok, now the girls are dying Cymbre's hair.  She has to have it back to her original color in order for her fake bun to match for dance competitions this year.  We'll see.....there's a lot of laughing going on.....

Just Dad's presents left to wrap, and those others that have just gotten added to bags in the closet....I am pretty sure after a rush trip to the post office on Monday morning early that everything that needed to be mailed is finally mailed.  They have gotten the packages with the PJ's so I guess that's the most important box anyway.

It's nice to have Guy around for a couple of days.  He's already opened jars, helped with the laundry, and replaced batteries in the swiffer this morning.  I guess to relax he went running.....or maybe it's to burn off those cookies he's been eating.  However, I made them with Splenda, so that's better for him and me anyway.

We still need to make the hard candy....maybe after dinner tonight.  And we haven't gone to see the Christmas lights yet either....maybe we are waiting until Britni gets here...not sure.

We cleaned up the house today...or at least gave it a lick and a promise....looks ok if company comes.  It will get a good cleaning when Christmas get's put away anyway.

The exercises for my back are either killing me or helping...I haven't decided yet.  Some days it just plain hurts to do them, especially that third time.  And then other days, it's ok.  Still I think I like the warm jacuzzi bath the best.

I sent the girls to run the errands today, you know, take the paper recycling, go to the grocery store, fill up with gas, bring home lunch.  While they were gone, I wrapped presents, and did my torture treatments for this morning!  Can you believe that Guy just sat and read his book while I was torturing myself....I think he should have rescued me or something terribly romantic don't you?  Maybe given me diamonds for my efforts?  At least a kiss......Guy...Guy....guess not.

Well, enough of this foolishness for now....must go check on those rolls and the girls.  I don't want the kitchen floor dyed afterall....and the dryer is buzzing AGAIN!

Get out there and find someone to serve today....you'll both feel GREAT!!

UGH!!

December 22, 2011

Can I just say UGH!!!

If physical therapy is supposed to make hurting things feel better, why is it making my back hurt more?

They tell me this will make things better, but right now, I am just thinking it's like slow torture!  BUT, I am under the influence of tylenol and advil......

Back for more torture at 3pm today.....

And since when does a mom have time for exercises 3 times a day for at least an hour at Christmas?  Especially, when she is hardly moving as it is?

Can we just stop and rethink this?

Almost Christmas!

December 19, 2011

It's Christmas week, and the cookie baking has begun.  And where are those little worker elves that love to bake cookies, frost cookies, and then clean up the baking mess?  I tell you, all my friends are asking for them too.....I should start a business!!

I am finished teaching the Sunday School class for the year, but have to get all the things ready for the first of the year class on the Book of Mormon.  Cooper is helping get the personal liahonas and journals (plates of Cooper, Spencer, Cody...well you get the idea) ready.  I have been collecting handout stuff for several lessons, got the lesson manual from the church last week, and have started thinking about fun things to do next year.  With it being the Book of Mormon, these kids have already studied it in seminary, so I guess it's up to me to help it come alive for them this year.  Why do I ALWAYS get the hard part???  I just hope that I can live up to the reputation I have, and that Cooper has been spreading next year.....just saying!  There will be a whole herd of kids 16-18 years old.....and how they like to tease me.  I know these kids because they are Cooper's friends who come to the house all the time.  Although, I already have the stash of bloody arms for the Ammon tending the King's sheep story, and a King's robe and crown.

I must admit, this past year it has been a pleasure to teach these kids about the Savior.  I enjoy teaching the New Testament, and I always hope that the students testimonies have grown when the year is over.  It is always interesting to see them learn new things about Him, and see them put them into action in their personal lives.  You can tell in their eye when the Spirit touches their hearts and the learn something new.

I found this song that I gave to them...on a CD, with a written copy of my testimony of the Savior.

Do You Have Room?

They journeyed far, a weary pair,

They sought a shelter from the cold night air.

Someplace where she could lay her head,

Where she could give her babe a quiet bed.

Was there no room, no corner there

In all the town, a spot someone could spare?

Is there no soul come to their aid?

A stable bare was where the family stayed.

Do you have room for the Savior?

And do you seek Him anew?

Have you a place for the one who lived and died for you?

Are you as humble as a shepherd boy,

Or as wise as men of old?

Would you have come that night?

Would you have sought the light?

Do you have room?

A star arose, a wonderous light

A sign from God this was the holy night.

And yet so few would go to see,

A babe who came to rescue you and me.

This child divine is now a king,

The gift of life to all the world He brings.

And all mankind is saved from doom,

But on that night for Him there was no room

Do you have room for the Savior?

And do you seek him anew?

Have you a place for the one who lived and died for you?

Are you as humble as a shepherd boy,

Or as wise of men of old?

Would you have come that night?

Would you have sought the light?

Do you have room?

Will you come tonight?

Will you seek the light?

Do you have room?

It's by Sarah Belt Edwards....

This song touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes as I thought about that night so long ago.  In the year that we have once again studied the Savior, those tender feelings of His birth are very much on the surface this time of year.  And I am grateful.

I finally got all the Christmas cards mailed, and Guy has wrapped most of the Christmas presents.  Do you think I could get him to wrap his own with his eyes closed?  Probably not....

Cymbre and I started the cookie baking today...and Splenda doesn't work in chocolate chews.  Guess Dad and I won't be eating to many of those....it works in his pies though, and it shouldn't be a problem in some of the other cookies.  I think it was just because you cook the chocolate chews instead of baking them.  Still to be made are the chocolate chip, peanut butter, grammie lommason, spritz, and it seems like there is one more.  And then the hard candy.  We always make cinnamon and the house smells so good for days!

The pajama pants all are done, just the elastic in Britni's waist to finish when she gets here.  Next year, I think I will make them in July, and then just do the hemming closer to Christmas.....a good intention anyway!

Cooper is spending more time not at school than at school the last few days.  It's because of finals, and she gets to not take some, so she has been doing other things.

I mailed the final box today...you know the one with the lost at the back of the closet present.  Well, this year it has three presents....hopefully, it will get there, but if not....Caleb, Shyla, and Eden are the lucky winners this year!  There is always at least one!  Actually, Eden's made it under our Christmas tree and Cymbre found it the other night pinching presents.  Good thing, because Cooper spent hours making the thing, and would have been disappointed on Christmas morning to have found it still here.

I think I have once again whipped my sewing machine back into working condition.  At least at the moment, it is working....SHHHHH! Don't tell it!

From the looks of the corner in the bedroom, I need some ironing fairies to show up.....don't know how the herniated disc in my back will take to ironing!  It doesn't like sewing for hours at a time, or shopping, or carrying groceries.....however, I have made it suffer recently.

I go to physical therapy in the morning....we'll see what they have up their sleeve to make my back feel better....I admit, I have my doubts!  However, the insurance is totally paying the bill so I will go a time or two and see if it makes a difference or not.  Heat helps, and sitting in the jacuzzi, but I can't stay there all day....well, I could, but then Dad would have to help me get out because the muscles would be too relaxed!

Tomorrow is the last day of school and dance.  Here comes boredom for the girls.  Cookie baking will keep them busy for a day or two, and then Britni will get here late on Friday night.  Saturday, we need to make pies, rolls, and cheesecake, and finish wrapping...and that bring us to Christmas.  We have Sacrament meeting at 9am...so if they want new clothes for church, we have to get up early.  Needless to say, Christmas dinner will be in the evening this year, not at lunch time.

Guess this about catches up things for the past few days.  It's raining in Houston, a welcome sight....to bad it won't turn into a little bit of the frozen white stuff.  Oh well, I guess snow and flip flops really don't mix!

On that note, get out there and do something for someone....take cookies to an older person, drop a happy meal at the corner for the homeless man, give hot chocolate to someone working outside in the cold....just do something.

Grandma needs to skype my babies....so please find some time....

Love you all bunches and bunches!

Mom



Take A Breath!

December 13, 2011

It is FINALLY time to take a little breath!  The mail away Christmas sewing is DONE!!!  Everyone in the Utah families has a couple of homemade presents.  And the sewing machine is still living.  Guess that last oil job was just the ticket!

Other Christmas stuff that is done involves the family newsletter, the Christmas cards are signed but not addressed.  The dance baby presents are ready to distribute in baby dance classes, the teacher presents are ready, the church friends presents are made and ready, and the neighbor gifts are made and wrapped.

Dad has started wrapping the gifts for those who will be here, and I've been collecting the baking supplies for all the cookies yet to be baked.....and I'm still needing some little helpers....just saying!

My bedroom looks like a bomb went off, but that's because that's where everything gets piled that is moved for decorations, or needing wrapping, or just no one knows what to do with it.

We have the rest of this week and two days next week left of school....then it's back for FREEDOM!  Then it will be nothing until after the holidays....no seminary, no dance, no school, hopefully, no doctors, and just doing family Christmas things.

I have Britni and Cooper's PJ pants left....then I'm done.  I can't believe that I got everything done, even with a herniated disc in my back.  And last night, I made 3 pairs of pants in 30 mintes....a new personal record!  Do you think I can make 5 dance costumes in an afternoon?  I doubt it.....

Cymbre just called from the dance studio....her glasses broke....great!  A friend is bringing her home for me.....thank goodness for friends.  Dad was off home teaching....

Cooper is baking some birthday treats for her friend....he made a special request for the same thing she gave him last year.  He's lucky we still had a jar of the mix in the pantry.  Who knows if I could have found the gift in a jar recipe again.

Cooper is busy at school building a paper roller coaster.  She had all of us cutting out parts on Sunday evening, and they have used rolls of scotch tape putting the thing together.  She says it stands about as tall as her.  Dad thinks it is just busy work.  It's for her physics class.

I have to see the spine doctor on Thursday for my back issues, and I already went to the family doctor regarding the anemia.  I really think I shouldn't go to the doctor....like dad says when you go they tell you that you are sick.  I'd say they found two pretty major issues this past two weeks....I have been scanned for bone density, x-rayed, MRI'd, and had more blood sucked than any person really ought to have to have sucked!

We got our temple recommends renewed....took a week longer than we planned because the Stake wasn't doing it when we went the first time.  But we are back in business again.   We have been trying to get some family names done, but haven't been very good lately....we will do better.

I have to figure out something to make for the kids in my Sunday School class for a Christmas treat.  I would like to have something related to the Savior, but I may just end up with a fabric bag with candy....I will run out of minutes.

Cooper is busy making my individual liahonas for next year, and I have the stuff ready to make the little journals once I get the picture I want.

On that note, I am going to make lunches, take a bath, and lay on the bed and watch the news.

Get out there and find someone to help....they are everywhere this time of year.  We gave lunch to a man living on the street the other day....it made his day and mine!

Remember Dad and I love you bunches and bunches.  Hug those grandbabies.

Mom

Adding Another Kind of Doctor To Our List!

December 6, 2011

 

Well, we are adding a spine doctor to our phone list.  It seems that I have a disc bulge....in other words a herniated disc.  WONDERFUL......can we just get rid of the pain now?  Or should I just take up permanent residence in the jacuzzi in order to keep those muscles loosened up?  AND, they say I am anemic....ok, no one ever told me that before.  Another pill to swallow.  And it means when they suck my blood, they will take another vial...great, I only have so much!  I told the doctor pretty soon I can just give up eating and just take all the pills they think I need to have, and that will fill me up!!

 

On the plus side...the neurologist seems to have at least found a medicine that will help Cymbre and her headaches....takes about an hour, but that's better than 3 days!  And it doesn't make her head feel "tight" as she says, and it doesn't make her sleepy.....thank heaven for small miracles.

 

Only three more weeks of teaching the New Testament, and then we go to the Book of Mormon.  I get a bunch more kids, and that should make the class interesting.  Cooper's group is coming in, and she is already telling them how much fun it will be.  I told her she can't tell any of my secrets!

 

The liahonas for each kid are well underway, and I have the stuff to make a set of gold plates.  I also have a king's robe and crown, and a bag of bloody arms and some swords and a machete....for acting out the story of Ammon when he was guarding the Kings sheep.  Each of them will get a liahona for their bedrooms to remind them that they have to walk by faith in order to get where the Lord wants them, and they will have their own set of golden plates to write things on this year....have to remember to get the notebooks, and that picture of Moroni burying the golden plates for the front of the notebooks.  I may have to borrow another class in order to do some of the battles justice, but I am sure their teacher will be happy to loan them out.  If I could just get the real Nephi to show up with the sword of Laban, it would be tremendous, and maybe King Benjamin would come and stand up on the table an deliver his speech while we sit on blankets on the floor.  And I can't wait for the 2000 Stripling warriors....do you think they will let me dig a big hole in the lawn at the church to bury some weapons?  And I am not quite sure what to do with poor Abinadi, but we do need to at least tie him up to a tree and let him deliver his last words.  There is a brick wall outside by the air conditioners that will be terrific for the Samual the Lamanite story (note to self...buy some nerf arrows to shoot). And short of King Benjamin showing up, I will have someone stand on a table to read his scriptures while the class sits on blankets.  Anybody got a few extra camels lounging around that maybe I could borrow for the trip in the wilderness? What about some ideas for the Jaredite barges...I already have some pure white stones. And all of this because I have a reputation as a teacher to uphold.  I should let it dwindle, but then the Spirit wouldn't always be there, and I need Him there.  It is SO FUN to create those special moments when the Spirit touches their hearts and they take a lesson to heart!  As long as their testimonies grow, it will be worth it all.  And my own spirit so enjoys those tender moments when I feel so close to the Savior as I teach my class.

Cooper asked me the other day if I thought the Prophet would enjoy coming to my class next year....and Guy piped up that he would LOVE it!  Anything is better than the Gospel Doctrine class!

 

At any rate, there were some rumors about moving me to another class, but I have squashed that one....I told them I didn't want to move, and that I had already started planning for next year.....I think they will leave me alone.  They are all dying to see what I am going to do. Our home teacher is in the bishopric and he has seen some of the stuff I am doing. That could be a problem....he may want to bring an audience.... I think the Bishopric think I am crazy to want to stay and teach all those 16-18 year olds.  I'd rather do this than be the RS president!  And these are the kids that frequent my house anyway, so I know them.  They think I am crazy, I'm sure!  But they keep coming back....I think it's the baking Cooper does....just saying.


Well, Christmas is all up and doing it's job....too bad those grandbabies can't come play and make cookies....what I wouldn't give!!!!  We could really drive Grandpa crazy!  It would be SO much fun!!!!  Grandpa....do you have any extra pennies? Grandpa?  Guess not....


I have officially bribed my sewing machine back into working....that thing is not a machine...it has it's own agenda.   But I'm not complaining since at the current moment, it is working on a mostly efficient basis.  Half the sewing for Christmas is done, and now I have to cut out again....a job I HATE!!!


Well, I am going to sit in the tub, loosen up some muscles and break out the scissors, patterns, and pins.  Who knows, if I can't sleep, there will be PJ pants in the morning.  I hope I have enough elastic....and that cording stuff...I didn't check.  There's always a trip to Hobby Lobby in the morning.


That's all for tonight....what have you done for someone else today.   There are plenty of people who need help this time of year.


Love you....lets those grandbabies skype Grandma.


Mom

Thanksgiving

November 24, 2011

Today is Thanksgiving.....thank goodness!  Now all the holiday traditions can begin for yet another year.

The rolls are made, the pies are made, the cheesecake too.  Cranberry sauce is in the refrigerator....turkey is defrosted and awaiting his turn in the oven.

The Christmas spode dishes are standing at the ready on the kitchen counter....now I just have to get the regular dishes out of the cupboards and put them in the china cabinet and then put the Christmas dishes in the cupboard....who started this tradition?  And why aren't they here helping put the dishes away?  We still have to break out the crystal glasses from Belgium.  You know those ones that have about 2 swallows of water in them.....why do we like them for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner?  I still have to get the big turkey platter out, and find the dish for making stuffing....

I have even managed to find the Christmas crackers like we had in England....you know, those silly hats, and the cheap toys and the joke packed inside a tube that you pull apart.  The only problem is....there will be no broadcast from the Queen today.  We have to wait for Christmas to wear the silly hats and listen to the Queen.

We all survived the teenager party here last night....they had a great time and ended up playing games and doing a lot of screaming....always a fun time.  At least the walls upstairs seem to be in stable condition this morning.

The age old debate was once again upon us last night.....Is dance a sport?  Well, all you football players that consider it a fine art.....the definition of a sport is.....something that requires physical exertion, practice, and is performed in a competitive arena. That's what an online dictionary says.   Sounds like dance to me.  All you boys who think you are so great should attend dance classes for a week and let's just see who has more stamina.  Your little two minute bursts of activity followed by a few minutes rest and walking around won't hold up to an hour of constant dance.  And when was the last time that football practice took up 20 hours of your week?  Face it boys....these girls have you hands down! All five of them!   You guys lost the debate last night.  Ballet class anyone????

It's time to start writing the family Christmas newsletter....that's always a challenge for mom....maybe we will try a different editor this year....what's that noise I hear....murmuring among the ranks????  Ya'll better be making your lists of accomplishment for the year....

Grandma's sewing room is piled high with little Christmas projects for the grandbabies....well, there are some for the parents too....but they aren't as fun as the ones for the babies.  AND, it's almost cookie baking time.  I'm just saying that I need the grandbabies to come and eat all the cookies....I really think so.  Think of the fun we could have....spoiling dinners, teasing Grandpa, eating cookie dough, eating cookies.

We managed to get good reports at most of the doctor appointments this week.  Cooper's tooth still needs to come in more before they can pull it....Cymbre's headache tests all came back normal....interesting for a Beast...Cooper's bug bite is healing, and Mom has to go for an MRI on my back.  That big magnet better not mess up my toe!  They claim it won't....guess we'll see.

The doctor is changing Cymbre's medicine for her headache.  Now we have this packet of powder that we have to mix with water at the onset of her headache....sounds very "Harry Potterish" to me.....or maybe "Little House on the Prairieish."  I'm not sure I want to get caught carrying that powder stuff in my purse!

Well, enough of this rambling for now....must get going on organizing the stuff still to be cooked so everything can be hot and ready to eat at the same time.

Get out there and serve someone you don't know....we dropped lunch to the homeless man on the street corner again the otherday.  You might say...it made his day!

Love you bunches and bunches....Mom

Just Stuff!

November 13, 2011

This past two weeks has been very busy and very trying around here.  A couple of weeks ago Cymbre was just suffering constantly with terrible headaches.....almost at my wits end I said one more prayer and sat down to the computer to see what I could find regarding headaches in children and to see what information I could find out about the medicine her neurologist has perscribed.  This poor child has just endured and endured thru pain to be in school.  She's has priesthood blessings, her name is in several temples.  Constant prayer has been my companion for many weeks as we have tried different things, and looked for doctors who could help her.  When you have a migraine diagnosed in your eye and then have them in your head too....most doctors just assume that the one in the eye is the usual aura most people get before a regular migraine.  It has taken me FOREVER to finally find a doctor who says he isn't concerned about the eye....she has a team of specialists dealing with that.  He is just going to deal with the things going on in her head!!!!   FINALLY!!!   I have told them all along that what happens in her eye has only made the headaches she has had since she was 9 years old worse....they are not caused because her eye freaks out and goes black.  This doctor finally was willing to listen to me when I told him I wasn't going for the usual explanation.....I live with this child...I dry the tears....I deal with the frustration.  We briefly explained her eye injury....he then said he was going to leave that to the eye specialists and just deal with the headaches.  I also explained to him that the previous neurologist just decided she had seizures without even examining her, wanted to drug her daily, and lots of other things that I wasn't willing to do.  She doesn't have seizures....she has a rare eye injury which aggreviates a headache and makes the kid miserable.   SO, we had to go for tests.....MRI (structures of her brain, MRA-blood flow in her brain, EEG-brainwave tests to rule out seizures and epilepsy.....OK.  He didn't want all the extensive seizure ones the first doctor wanted.  Good thing, because we weren't going to do them.

SO, this photo from her MRI shows that she does have a brain, and it doesn't have anything there that isn't supposed to be there....no tumors, no white spots...totally normal!  HURRAH!!!

Thank goodness.....however, the medicine dosage he gave her doesn't do anything....he told us he would have to adjust it but we needed to do this testing before he could decide the best plan of action.  SO,

In total frustration, and hoping that Heavenly Father would guide me, I sat down at the computer.  I decided to google the medication he had perscribed....so I put the Zomig in the google slot.....well, up came Magnesium.....OK...I think the computer messed up....so I do it all again....AGAIN the magnesium article pops up.....AND then I get the warm tingly feeling that ALWAYS accompanies the Holy Ghost talking to me.  There was no denying what was happening....Heavenly Father must have know I was literally at the end of my rope! He gave me an answer.  Tears were running down my face as I read that people who have a shortage of magnesium in their bodies tend to suffer greatly from migraine headaches.  OK, so after I read the article, I tried to whole process again....this time the zomig information came up....NOTHING about magnesium.   Interesting....guess I only got one chance to read the thing.  Since then I have tried to find that article in other ways....I cannot find it.  Another testament to me that it comes from Heavenly Father.  It makes perfect sense to me that He finally answered our prayers as we have been praying and praying and praying about this issue for months.

I went to the store, got some magnesium and she's been taking it daily.  She has not been suffering with her headaches so much, and when she does get one....it isn't nearly as severe!

I have thought about this whole story repeatedly the last two weeks, and never do I think about it that the Spirit doesn't manifest itself with that warm tingly feeling.....

We are still going to the doctors because she will still need some type of medications to see if we can prevent the headaches altogether....but can you imagine....a simple vitamin has helped her so much.

I have known for a very long time that Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers.  I've had them answered immediately when my safety was concerned.  This time, however, it took much longer to get some sort of answer.....maybe we needed to find this doctor....maybe I just needed to worry to the point of desperation.....maybe I was finally willing to read what popped up on the computer...Maybe He just finally got tired of all the asking and decided to help....I don't know.  I just know that it happened.....there is no denying it.

I have also finished altering two bridemaid dresses for our dance studio directors wedding next weekend.  I did them as a gift to her, and the dance teachers that wear them.  The wedding will be beautiful.

Cooper will be substititing in some baby classes for Ms. Traci while she gets married and goes on her honeymoon.  A good solution for everyone as Cooper LOVES to teach the babies.

Guy is going on another business trip....something he seems to be doing more of lately....cross your fingers....who knows what will break while he's gone.

We had to replace the dishwasher this week.  It was 6 years old and was dying a miserable death....so for our almost 33rd anniversary, we bought a new dishwasher.  Isn't it the year for appliances?  Guy spent all day yesterday trying to get the thing installed before he left town, but there is still some leakage issues with the drain hose, but he thinks he fixed them on a temporary basis until he can get home and the longer hose arrives.  However, I do have a guy who can help me while Guy is gone if I need it.

This week will hopefully allow some time for dance costumes to be worked on.....I think I have all the parts, now I just need to do the remodeling, shortening, taking in, rhinestoning stuff to have them done.  Cymbre's needs a cumberbun made out of tulle.....I just SO excited to have to deal with all that tulle again......NOT!!

We are not going to Disneyworld for Christmas because we had to replace two water heaters, so I now have Christmas shopping to attend too....left most of what was needed in Utah already, but there were still some things for the parents over there that I needed to get.  Since I didn't finish it while I was over there because I was too busy playing with the babies.....my own fault, but I don't care.  Playing was too much fun!

The Texas medical board is investigating that neurologist that I reported for all kinds of legal violations.....guess that will take some time, but at least maybe she will not be able to just drug someone else's kid.....she isn't getting her hands on my kid ever again.

The girls have had some issues with a girl bullying them at the dance studio because they are better than she is....the teachers think the remarks like...showoff, of course she's perfect, she doesn't need to practice said in a not so friendly way are because of jealousy....so we think since the tap teacher talked to her that we might have situation sorted out.....what a mess....why can't they just get along....I told the girls they just have to keep being friendly no matter what she says.   It seems like there is always some kind of DRAMA at a studio.....I don't understand why it has to be that way.  At any rate, the teachers say our girls haven't done anything wrong, and they are now watching the other girl....she may loose her spot if she keeps it up.

Well, I think that about catches things up for this week.....I need some quiet time to just be me instead of doctors, headaches, tests.....this week.

Please keep Cymbre in your prayers and her doctors too....it can't possibly hurt.

Get out there and do something fun for someone...get a candy cane and hand it to the road workers....remember, they are likely someone's daddy!

Love you bunches.

Mom

Crocheted Baby Blankets

November 5, 2011

Here's some baby blankets I have crocheted since I had both the surgeries on my hands.  No more numbness!  I LOVE to sit by Dad at night while we watch TV and just crochet.   And yes, my Grandma box is currently restocked and ready for some more Grandbabies whenever they may decide to show up!



TADA....I'm done for tonight!

Other Misc. Stuff From Recently....

November 5, 2011

Here are just some misc. photos from recent months....I am lazy so they have been in the camera until Dad got around to taking them out....

Dad in the hospital waiting to find out what they were going to do about his kidney stone.  We will reserve judgement on his fashion statement....just to preserve family unity!

 

The new washer....bought after the other one died a very messy death all over the laundry room floor....can't trust a washing machine!

The pile of strawberry jam Cymbre and I made...Cooper came home right at the last a helped a bit.

For some reason my rolls raised like little halloween ghosties....they just need wiggly eye don't you think?

So, I think this pretty much catches up things on this blog.

Next post will be photos of some of the baby blankets I have crocheted since my surgery on my hands.....can you believe it...no numbness!

Gwamma's or Gamma's Utah Trip

November 5, 2011

I went to Utah in October to visit the gandbabies.....had a ball....we LOVED playing, but we didn't get enough time to go for Happy Meals or ice cream....so we MUST do that next time.

Gamma's Eden....she would go around saying" Gamma come back" when I left the room,
" Gamma get me" when she was buckled in the carseat, and she liked sitting at the table by Gamma.

This is her "cheese" smile for the camera, and yes, this Gamma is totally biased  SO CUTE!!

Gamma's Britain....she liked me most days, but the day I babysat so her mom could go to an appointment...the kid didn't want ANYTHING to do with me!  We are pals though because Gamma will play peek-a-boo, and she thinks it's so funny!

Gwamma's Lucy!

This is the first time I had met her, but she warmed right up.  I LOVED taking her away from her dad late at night to feed her a bottle and then just holding her a little while to snuggle....Gwamma's are good for night duty....just saying!

Gwamma's Jack

We have a common LOVE for monster trucks, and did you know that he has some friendly spiders on a halloween web hanging on the cabinet in his house.  He says they don't eat Gwammas!  We are walking buddies...we went on a walk just us two to look at halloween decorations in Aunt Shyla's neighborhood.  We had such a grand time walking together!

And yes, I am TOTALLY loving being the Grandma....I love skyping, talking on the phone to the babies, sending presents to the babies, getting pictures they color for my frig, hugging the babies, and visiting the babies.  I love the parents too, but the grandbabies are so much fun!

I told Grandpa the other day....I think I need another trip already!   He didn't fall for it yet....but I will keep trying!



Homecoming #2

Homecoming #2

Cooper and Kooper Smith....they met each other at EFY in San Antonio this past year.

The lovely flowers Kooper bought Cooper.

Posing in Ms. Christine's backyard by the pool.

Ms. Christine trying on Cooper's heels for the dance.



Cooper's Homecoming or Cooper Times Three For Homecoming!

November 5, 2011

First just let me say....Happy Guy Fawkes Day!   Since we don't live in England anymore, no one threatens to burn Dad on the bonfire anymore!

NOW

On to Homecoming:

Our Cooper had a date named Kooper and they drove around in her little red mini cooper car.   It was a night of confusion around here as we tried to keep everybody and everything straight, but in the end they had a great time at the dance.

The confusion lied in the fact that both "Coopers" answer to the same nicknames....we tried Coopie....two answers...we tried Cooper...two answers....we tried coopdeville...two answers.  Finally, we just started calling for "The Coopers"!  Cooper told us it was her Cooper Cubed night!

Cooper's homecoming group....photos taken at the seminary teacher's house.

Cooper Cubed!

 

The homecoming mum....no one has a clue why we do these hugh ridiculous things....the girls wear these big mums all day, and the boys wear a garter with all the ribbons too.  Sort of crazy, but no one knows what the reason this tradition started is.

in the Mini Cooper....leaving for the dance.

More photos in the next post.

The Legend of a Blustery Day, A Lizard, and A Toilet!

October 19, 2011

The Legend of a Blustery Day, A Lizard, and a Toilet!

It all began on very blustery day in Houston, Texas.  There are not to many of these kinds of days in Houston. After checking for smoke from forest fires, and seeing the allergy report, we decided to throw caution to the wind and so we opened up the house.  Now, opening up the house means that we have to leave the doors open because most of the windows in our house do not open.  There is just one tiny problem with opening up the doors.....in Houston, the builders who build all these big fancy, expensive homes DO NOT believe in screen doors!

Now usually when we open the doors, we post a guard near the door to watch for the little creep crawly things that like to walk in just as big as you please.  I secretly think that they think an open door is an open invitation to visit!  However, there are times when the guard leaves their post in order to do things like get a drink, use the restroom, eat dinner, talk to someone, or the constant change the laundry routine.

Well, at some point during our blissfull, blustery day, a creepy crawly little orange baby lizard decides to invade the territory.  He went unnoticed....probably came in during a potty break for the guard!  If he did come in unnoticed, he must be very good at hiding because we hadn't seen the little critter until he decided to put in an appearance in the front bathroom.  And the bathroom is several steps from the front door.

Now, if I was a lizard, I am not sure I would go find the bathroom.  I would probably be thinking that the bathroom was a room that would have fairly frequent visitors, and knowing how humans are usually not very friendly to lizards in houses, I would avoid that room...I'm just saying!

However, our little lizard must have been curious because he decided to go to the bathroom.  Now there are all kinds of exciting things lurking in our front bathroom.  There's the cabinet with the bandaids, the rolling drawers....which have also been used to roll over and KILL creepy crawly things....the pedestal sink, the toilet, and the shower stall.  Since the shower stall has a big glass door, our tiny lizard must have decided that he was never going to manage to open the door.  Inside the shower is the water home storage.....good place to store it right....it's been known to leak!  Also in there are the vaporizors!  Probably not a real good place for a lizard to explore.

Who actually knows what the little lizard found to explore in the bathroom, but somehow he got himself up on the toilet seat.  BIG MISTAKE!!!  This big tall human named Cymbre came into the bathroom, saw the lizard, and was prepared to scream.  However, instead of screaming, she did the "old flip and flush" routine on the poor little guy.  She just flipped him into the toilet and flushed!  Hope he said his prayers...hope he said goodbye to his mom before he left this morning....hope he's not a very good swimmer....hope he can't swim back upstream and attack when someone is least expecting him!

Well, after a few minutes Cymbre goes back into the bathroom....and there before her very eyes is the little lizard sitting in the toilet bowl.  Now she says "Another installment for the blog"  and promptly flushes him again.   This time he has been flushed several times!  And every time she walks by, she flushes him again.....poor thing....just recovers from one wave and another one hits.  Kind of like a Tsunami I would imagine!

Has he not heard that all drains lead to the ocean....does he not want to be Nemo's friend, and meet the sea turtles?   Maybe he forgot his lunch.....or has to go home to finish his homework!  TOO BAD little lizard.....you are learning how to swim today.....flush again.....maybe he just needed to go potty!   TOO BAD...do your business outside!  HAHAHAHAHAHA........

And the moral of this legend.....watch out for the "flip and flush" or humans are not friendly people, or Flanagan's HATE lizards in the bathroom....you can pick whichever moral you want!  Bottom line.....now we are guarding the toilet to make sure he doesn't put in another appearance!  Should have just smashed him to start with....in the future, there will be no compassion!  LIZARDS be forwarned.....invasion into the Flanagan home is life threatening!