Christmas 2013

Well, it's been almost a year since I updated this blog. I'm surprised that I can still log on! I really am glad I wrote all the past posts because I wasn't on Facebook back then and blogs were a pretty good way to stay in touch. I like looking back to those posts.
I am not super active on Facebook either but it is nice to go to other people's pages and see photos. I have an iPad now...birthday present from the family, so I guess I'm officially part of the tech crowd now.
This past year has been a good one. Major events:
Trip to Oahu with Chelsie, Michael, Teresa, and Lainey...so great! We enjoyed being together, cooking in the condo, going to Hanauma bay and the swap meet, even swam with dolphins!

 
 Mom Martin was with us from May-July. We had a 3-day a week care provider come and help. Mom liked her. She went to Annette's in August and just now is heading down to Jeri's.

The Big event was when Polina's family came from Russia to see her graduate from PA school! They spent time with us at the cabin and I will always cherish that time with them!

 
Polina and Jasper on graduation day!





Polinka and Alexander in Yellowstone.

We went to Yellowstone, wade lake, a little boating on island park reservoir, and to the graduation in Pocatello.
Fall was beautiful this year, very warm, very colorful! We finished our porch over the summer and really enjoyed our evenings out there in the fall.
Winter has descended with a vengeance though! No porch time right now:(
Kathy came to visit us this past week and brought her precious little baby girl Genevieve! We had a wonderful time catching up, shopping, getting pedicures, and playing with the baby. I hated to see her go home but real life must always win.

The ladies brunch was another success this year! We made table center pieces with real greenery and flowers, they all turned out beautifully. This is a picture of the family members we had at the Ladies Brunch.

Christmas was here with our family. So lucky to have each of them in Boise and a huge part of our lives!

What's up with this blog page?

2012 was a challenging year for me and I decided that posting on this blog was something I could give up for a while. Nothing bad happened to me or anything but I have been struggling with my own time management. 

We had mom Martin with us until the end of November and I was trying to manage her medications, doctors visits, home care, my work, trips we took to the cabin, the holidays...before I knew it, it was the end of the year and I am shaking my head as to where all the time went. But it did go. That's the funny thing about time. It doesn't care if you are too busy to notice it.

I took mom to Yellowstone one day in September just to look at the fall colors and have a little picnic. She loved it. This is just before we closed up the cabin for the winter.

I also got to go down to Salt Lake to attend Kathy’s baby shower! She is expecting a little girl in January 2013 and I am so excited for her and Topher! They have been longing for a child for years now.

I guess a Christmas letter would have been good, just to sum up the year. I got a few of those through email this year and I think that's a good idea. This blog is kind of meant to keep track of all my comings and goings, activities, etc. But when you leave off for several months, it's hard to catch it up.

I will figure it out for the next post. But for now, I hope 2013 will be a good year for us as a family. I've kind of given up on it being a good year for the country. All I can do is the best I can for my very small circle of family and friends. Not to be "Debbie Downer" or anything...but it helps to just draw my focus in a little bit and try to concentrate on what I can control. See you in the next post!

July/August

 Well, it's been a while. I will try to recap the following month or so for you. Near the end of July, we headed up to the cabin around Kevin's birthday. We went golfing on his birthday (his only present). But he doesn't mind that. He would rather do something like that than get a present any day.

He also did some pruning of lower branches off the trees near the cabin and we burned them in the fire pit that Michael and his friends made for us. It worked out really well to have that fire pit so close by. The weather was so nice, just right for outdoor working and playing.

 I picked some wild flowers and put them in these little vases that I have at the cabin. Love those little vases!

Here's the cat in a bag...totally random but I thought he looked cute :)

 While I was up at the cabin, I painted a picture of the old Paradise, Utah house that my grandfather grew up in (it was sold after he grew up) and that my grandfather and grandmother purchased back later in their retirement years. They remodeled it and lived there for ten or so years during my teenage years. I had promised my grandmother a painting of it if I could get it right...This is my attempt! My grandmother is pictured at the moment she opened the package containing the painting.

I think it turned out ok:) I'm glad I got it done for her. She's 98 this year and I really didn't want to make her wait too long for it!

August is a working month for me. No real extra time off except for weekends. We've been golfing a few times though and working on the house here. We are going to be building a deck off the back of the house with a covered patio. That way, I can hang mosquito netting all around it and put in some nice patio furniture! I will take pictures of it as it progresses.

We also have a spare bedroom that the cat has taken over. I can't do anything with it until we move some of the furniture out but I want to get a murphy bed in there...the kind that has a table attached underneath so that when you fold it up, the table can then be folded down and you have a work space. The cat won't be able to get up on the bed and we can use the space more efficiently.

Family reunion in Bryce canyon

I've been really bad at this blog but I gotta at least get some pictures in here from our trip to Bryce canyon at the end of June...so beautiful there! We flew in to St George and then rented a car for the drive. It was just four days but really filled with lots of fun and family.

This is Kevin in front of an arch that you can't see because of his arm...


 Ok, here's the arch...

 Kevin and I at another overlook...there were several stops along a tour that we took through the canyon.

 Heather and Annette on our horse ride through Red Rock Canyon...another beautiful spot. Heather was so excited...had been looking forward to the ride for at least a year. She did awesome!

 This is Jeri, Heather, me, and Annette before the ride. We were in a lodge near the mouth of the canyon called Ruby's Inn...a great place to stay.

Summer is going by so fast...already July. We will be heading up to the cabin again soon and I can't wait.

Thoughts on my Mom and my son

Ok, not gonna fulfill my two posts a month rule this time...just too wrung out. I am getting by just fine but anything extra right now is just too much. Mom is here and it's going well. She is comfortable and the girl we hired to spend time with her and help her is a real life saver. But it's a change of pace that I am adjusting to and I think it will take more time before I can really be back to normal. It's been really good having her here though...just a chance to be of service to her and to take care of her. I would not have this opportunity if she wasn't in need of support.

Jasper's 30th birthday is next week....his THIRTIETH!  Wow. I am not that old. Really. 

I'm so proud of him..such a good son and husband. "Proud" really doesn't even describe my feelings. I don't tell him enough how much his calm, reasonable, and reassuring outlook helps me and I am so grateful for him in my life. I can't imagine life without him and his beautiful, caring wife. They are just the world to me.

Well, back to the evening and my getting organized for the day tomorrow. Peace out (as Jasper says).

Last day of April

Well, I posted on the first day of April so I better post on the last to make sure I keep faith with my New Year's Resolution...remember??? Way back in January, we all vowed to do something this year to make our lives "mo' better, lah dat" (Hawaiian pigeon English). So mine was to post twice a month. January (ironically enough) was the only month so far that I haven't done it..(or was it February?) Anyway, this month has gone by way too fast and I am at a loss as to where it all went.

I vaguely remember looking for a cleaning person to come in twice a month to help us with the upkeep of our sprawling mansion (1600 sq ft). Found one on Craig's list. She ripped us off (small theft). Called the police. End of that story line. We now have a new cleaning person, recommended by a co-worker of mine who's house she has cleaned for years...she came and did a fantastic job! I tell you what, I used to clean houses and I appreciate the effort and detail that went into this latest person's work. I came home and just had to text her right then...so nice! What a luxury.

Next thing I know, we were finishing up with the rental...several weekends in a row got the bathroom redone...looks great! The house is ready to go now!!! Yeah! No pics, what a slacker! (me)...Kevin was the hero here...if it wasn't for his persistent effort, we would still be looking at a leaking toilet and sink, a scarred up wood floor, and countless smaller details that went into cleaning up the rental. Way to go Kevin! We just need to find the right renter now.

On a serious note, my friend Sheri from work, became worse with her Leukemia. No more treatments. She was able to visit with friends and put her affairs in order before succumbing to her illness a few days ago. I am glad I went over a few times to bring cheer and food. She was a very social person right up to the last. May she forever rest in Peace. I will miss her greatly. It makes me think about my life, of course, and how relationships are all any of us has that lasts in any one's memories. Your accomplishments may be great but the real thing is how people remember how you made them feel. Jewel had a song a while ago and my favorite line is "In the end, only kindness matters..." That's so true and I try to remember it always. I fall short many times but Sheri was that kind of person. She set a great example for the people who knew her.

We took a quick trip to the cabin with Chelsie and Michael over the weekend and loved every minute of it. The weather was cold but that can have it's charms.  We did some work but not too crazy...mostly relaxed. It was so fun to get away with "the Kids" as we call them even though they are adults. They made it really enjoyable.

That about covers April. May brings my mom to live with us, at least for a little while. We might be taking her to Malad to stay towards the end of the month. I hired a nice college girl who is on summer break. She is going to come over once a day while I'm at work to help mom with things and break up the day for her. I hope it all works out. I guess we will cross various bridges as we get to them.

Post out.

March is coming to a close already...

I just had six days off in a row and boy do I feel relaxed! So nice to just be able to get things done without worrying about getting off work in time to run here or go to that appointment. I got my teeth cleaned (a filling needs to be replaced), got some work done on the rupulsive rental, got my moles checked, met a friend for lunch, met mom-in-law another day for lunch, took Chelsie lunch at work, (lots of lunches)...

I also started trying to find a elder care person to help out when my mom comes to stay with us in May. I put an ad on Craig's List and got a lot of good responses. A couple of these ladies seem particularly good and I will start interviewing shortly. I hope to have it all set before she gets here so that we can get her familiar with the person.

Starting early on the yellowjacket traps to catch the queens this week...priorities you know. Already caught two! I won't put a picture up because it's gross...just take my word for it.

Also, watching the grandkitties for the week since Jasper and Polina are on a cruise! Yeah! They both needed a break. Mafia has totally ignored us since the cats came. He only has eyes for them. Sometimes they play a little rough and end up hissing at each other but for the most part, they are good buddies.

Pretty tame stuff but it's my life!

Whoa March!

Already the 11th and I haven't put any thoughts down here! Wow, time flies.

After our trip to Hawaii, we got back to a routine around here, working, eating, watching  A-MER-ican idol, sleeping, working, eating, watching A-MER-ican idol...well you get the picture. We are all caught up (thank you TIVO) and are going to run into the snag of having to wait a whole week before getting another hit.

Good news is that boring Ben, (the bachelor on this season's The Bachelor) is almost done choosing his pretend fiance' so they can be pretend engaged for three months before breaking up. And the new season of The Bachelorette will start :) The "bachelor blogs" have torn this season up because Ben is SUCH a dweeb...pretty funny stuff to read. That's pretty much the only reason I still watch this mind-numbing dribble. Gotta know what happens on the show in order to get the jokes on the blogs.

I'm also reading a new Anne Rice novel (of Interview With a Vampire fame) about a werewolf...I know...another werewolf story. But this is pretty good. It's called The Wolf Gift. I'm enjoying the unsettled weather because then I don't feel too guilty just hanging out reading and watching tv. I have worked a lot of overtime lately too because it's been busy at work and less staff right now.

Jasper is traveling for work these last two weeks...Japan, Taiwan, and India. He called me this morning from India and it sounded like he was next door...amazing! Polina is in the thick of it at school like usual. We went for a walk yesterday by the river to give her a break from the books.

Chelsie is tearing it up at work, giving presentations, teaching the new software that the whole hospital is switching over to in the next few months, and working tons of overtime. She's loving the new responsibilities but is tired. Michael is also making inroads at his new job. He's had to navigate some pretty tricky politics already in his small office. Why is there ALWAYS politics at work? I guess because we are all just people. Michael has been asked for advice by his boss and others since he's "the only neutral person" in the office! That's a fine line to stay on but so far he's managing it.

Kevin is in the middle of a couple of weeks where visitors from Italy and Singapor will be here. Lots of meetings and showing these people around Boise, eating dinners with them, etc. So busy time for him too.

Well, I''m done for now...got a post in...yes!

February 2.0

We left for a trip to Oahu on February 7 and got back on the 15th. While there, I attended a conference for anesthesia providers with a friend of mine from school. Kevin's mom and sis were with us in the same condo and we all had a great time! It was a very relaxing trip. Here's a few highlights:

Our condo was located in Waikiki at the "Wyndham on the Beach Walk". It's a time share complex so there was some "selling" that went on. But we didn't sit through the presentation. The condo was two bedroom two bath so it was perfect for the four of us. Very clean and decorated well. We all agreed that we would stay there again if given the choice.

We did have to pry ourselves away from this very persistent lady at the front desk who wanted to get us into their selling presentations...she wanted us to call her "Aunty Aloha"...should have taken a picture of her. Anyway, it was kind of a running joke with us after that meeting...we would pass her desk at a distance and say under our breaths "Hi, Aunty Aloha!" 

We ate a lot of our meals at the condo but did go out a few times. It was a pretty lively spot right where the condo was located, a lot going on on the street at night...fun to watch.

We were just a few blocks off the beach so the first morning we were there, I couldn't sleep past 6 am so I got up and walked down to the beach to get a picture of the full moon over the water...so beautiful!

I ended up painting the scene in watercolors later in the trip. I also met an artist while walking through a hotel lobby that was painting in watercolors but using a very unique technique. He was happy to tell me about it so I tried it while painting this scene. I was so excited to try it because I've always had frustrations with watercolor and his technique was something I recognized as a way to get around some of that.

Anyway, I think it turned out well but I still have some things I want to change.

Just more scenery of the beach that same morning...a shot of Diamond Head under a tree :)

 Every Friday night, there is a fireworks show on the beach. We all went and watched. It's a very popular thing. I'll bet most of the hotels on the beach are empty during it because the crowds were dense! But that made it more fun.

 Kevin and I met up with my friend Kathy and her husband Topher for a sunset cruise that takes off right at the beach. We all had a blast...weather was perfect. Kevin and I have taken this trip before a couple of times but have always had to bundle up due to the cooler temps on the water. But this time we didn't have to put on the jackets.

 Our traditional pose in front of Diamond Head! Three years in a row now.

 Kevin on the boat, wind in his hair (you can't tell from the pic).

 You can see my hair...all over the place!

 Kevin's sister Teresa, his Mom Cathy, and I went a lot of places together too. Spent some time on the beach, drove to the North Shore so I could visit my grandmother (98!)  and so that they could attend a temple session (temple closed on Mondays and we went on a Monday so, doh!) We also tried to go to Hanauma Bay on a Tuesday (the next day) and it's closed every Tuesday so we were really striking out! We'll know better next time I guess. 

I thought this was a funny shot...Mom on a beach with China man's hat in the distance...:) She knew I was taking it...

 So, a very fun trip, lots of relaxation time. Didn't do too much but had enough activity to keep us all happy and worn out.

Now it's back to work and the rental project...no pics yet and I forgot to take a before shot! Kevin has already ripped into the bathroom vanity and has it out. Oh well...

Early February

As per my New Year's resolution, I am posting at least twice every month. I didn't specify that I had to post a lot in those two postings...

Kevin and I decided to get some bookshelves for the livingroom in keeping with our plans to continually make our house a little slice of paradise. We found these at Costco. I had measured the wall (kind of) and told Kevin that these would fit side by side and it would be perfect! I went and got them in the truck while Kevin was at work. We put them together in our livingroom...(well ok, mostly Kevin) and stood them up against the wall, and guess what! They had not 1/2 an inch to spare (whew!). They went up so nice! I was lucky we didn't get all the way to installing these only to find out they were an inch too wide or something because we had granite on one side and the end of the wall on the other!

We put a string of rope lighting inside and on top of the bookcases (looks nice at night) and now we have room to display all kinds of cool stuff like my Jane Austen collection from Barnes and Noble, my copy of Lord of the Rings (hard bound, all three books in one ;)...ok I'm a Tolkien nerd), How to Win Friends and Influence People, and some pictures...oh and of course, the busts of my children that I made out of clay and that they would probably rather I didn't display...

Let's see, what else...We celebrated Polina's 25th birthday at PF Changs at the end of January as a family. That was really fun. She is neck-deep in school and loving it. She is also very busy so we don't see her enough to satisfy us.

Our rental is empty and we are in the middle of redoing one of the bathrooms so it will be a while before that project is done. I really don't even like to remember that we have to work on it. It's so pleasant to just forget all about it. Then we get back from vacation and, oh yeah...that freaking project is still waiting to be done! The next Feb post will be about our vacation to Hawaii along with some before pics of the stupid bathroom project. Stay tuned!