Nancy 3/9/14

WHAT A WEEK!!   I've never seen anything like this weather wise!

• Sunday the temps got in the 70's - beautiful.
• Monday - we left work early due to the arrival of yet ANOTHER winter storm - it started out just like the Feb 13 one -           temps dropping, windy, sleet, etc.  But then conditions improved enough to make it to work somewhat later on Tuesday.
• Wednesday was nice.
• Thursday started out in the 50's and temps dropped throughout the day.  When I left work at 4:30 it was sleeting somewhat.   Conditions continued to get worse and worse.
• Friday morning when I got up the radio reported accidents all over the place, trees down, power out, etc. etc.   It was slushy in the neighborhood.  But then it started to snow, and then snow/rain/sleet.      Things were a whole lot worse to the east in Winston, and High Point and Greensboro really had a LOT of downed trees/loss of power.    Hundreds of thousands of customers!!      
• Monday (today) - Guilford county schools still closes and over 10K customers still waiting for power.   71 degrees today!

My lights flickered on and off a bit, but otherwise everything was fine.    Frances (my coworker) lives by Peters Creek Parkway and Clemmonsville Rd.    Apparently there was no power in a huge area around her.   Walmart finally got power and the place a jam packed, because none of the other businesses, including 3 grocery stores, had power, even as of Saturday night.    

Yesterday - it got warm again, just about all the snow melted, and today it is sunny and warm  Go figure.

Even though Clemmons West didn't get hit with as much ice (it was about 1/4") I was amazed at all the piles of debris stacked along the road from the clean up.  Kathy Marino (across the street) had a big pine tree come over.     On I-40 by Mocksville it looked like a tornado had gone through there were so many trees knocked over.   Most of the trees everywhere were pine trees.

So that's the big excitement of the week!   Of course, Wake Forest beating Duke was the big highlight for Wake fans.  They hammered the campus with toilet paper.

I went out with the sister missionaries on March 1.  They are so awesome!   Their investigator bailed out on them.  She's the sweetest lady, but just quite can't give up cigs, and I think she didn't want to face them.    Plan B wasn't home, so plan C was to pray.   A name came to my mind of someone in our ward whose dau and son-in-law live them.  We had a wonderful visit and the dad mentioned it in testimony meeting the next day.

Going back to Tuesday - the interstate was clear, but on my way to piano lessons there was a car about 50 yards ahead of me that all of a sudden went out of control, spinning, going back and forth, almost went in the center, and ended up facing the wrong way.  Scared me to death - I thought I was going to see a horrible multi-car pileup, but miraculously NO one else was hit!   If I had been a few seconds earlier, I could have been involved in it!! 

Today - I went to the allergy doctor (the last appt was cancelled due to weather).    Very nice guy, explained everything; I really liked him.   I had a skin with rat stuff, among other things.    Did some sort of breathing thing also.   The results - no surprise - I'm very allergic to rats!!!  It was way up there, along with DUST MITES!  (my mattress is as old as Scott)  Cat and dog were next, then cockroaches, and some trees.   He gave me some things to do-including getting mattress covers, drying bedding in high heat (I usually just let my quilts air dry), reducing exposure at work, goggles at work, closing windows in pollen season, etc.   Use the meds I have; come back in 5 weeks.

I usually weigh the rats everyday in the satellite room where they stay and I really enjoy it because I can talk to each one and look them in the eye, etc.  It's kinda fun.     I informed my boss that perhaps I'd better cut back and not do it daily.  Well, Chad doesn't think it's part of his duties, even though he's in first, and the other 2 don't really care to weigh.     So this will be interesting......

Brett's wedding is almost here!   I need to get my scissors sharpened to hem my dress.    I'm so sad for Scott and Wheng that he's leaving - I can't imagine the feelings they have right now.    Emily is doing AWESOME in school!   Jenny got the tuition concession!  Julie and Jeff were invaded by alien mice!!  Rebekah has a 30 page paper due the day before the wedding!  

Time for bed.   I love you!

Nancy/mom

Nancy 2/2/14

February 2, 2014

Happy Ground Hogs day!

I just thought I’d share a bunch of things going on around here.    The temps were in the 60’s today – a far cry from the single digit numbers that came with the snow and ice this week!    The roads were really icy –so school was closed Tues afternoon through Friday.  

I’ve had enormous problems with my eyes being very irritated from the cat and rat dander.   I let Boo the cat stay upstairs because of the cold.   However, she’s been banished since Saturday morning; I washed quilts and blankets and vacuumed and things are much better.  We’ll see what happens at work tomorrow.   My primary care doctor basically said I need to find another job.   The first allergist opening is JUNE 10.   Grrrrrr.   

This weekend I went with my recruit, Anne, and the other Pampered Chef girls to a big regional meeting at the Charlotte Convention Center.   It. IS.BIG.     There was a huge volleyball tournament going on in another part of the complex – with 16 games going on at once.    The meeting was lots of fun and I’m really excited about the new spring products!    Anne is in my ward and we got to know each other better on the way down.  Her Dad worked for United Airlines so we had a lot of “child of airline employee” stories to share.

Every time I’m in Charlotte I can’t get over how much downtown has changed and become so much like a big city.   So much has been torn down to make way for apartment buildings – remember the area around Irwin – Brett’s school?   It used to be all small homes.

I met Emily after the meeting at her place and we went to Ikea.  It was our first time, so we had meatballs and looked all over.   I had no idea their prices were so reasonable.    I really liked the kitchens – they had drawers, like Kathy’s.   Makes so much more sense than traditional cabinets.   I wish I had some of the organization stuff when the kids were little, to organize their toys.   Emily was really positive about her life and we had a great time together!

I watched some interesting programs this weekend.   On PBS, there was “Hawking,” the story of Stephen Hawking’s life.   I had no idea that he completely lost his speech and hand movement so long ago; he communicates with his cheek muscle– wish Cheri could have had a set up like that when she lost her ability to communicate.   The more he lost control of his body, the more he thought about the universe.  Did you know his book sold 10 million copies and was a New York Times best seller for 4 years?  

On Sunday after Church I always watch BYU-TV on my Roku.   The Joseph Smith papers episode was especially fascinating because they were discussing how Joseph Smith has risen to prominence in the history and shaping of American culture (and world influence) especially in the last 10 years.    Some non-mormon scholars especially have studied him exhaustively and their comments  are AMAZING!

Here’s some things I noted:

-          LDs people have a responsibility to do their homework (about Joseph Smith)

-          Joseph Smith has met the test of a prophet

-          Joseph Smith is the most unstudied genius of American religious history.

Today I got talking with Starr Eckholdt about the temple films.  (He’s a temple worker).  Raleigh hasn’t got the newest film yet.   Starr said that Eloheim in the August film is played by Wayne Bills  (WS 1^st ward)!!.   I knew he had a really good speaking voice.  Apparently the guy they selected fell through and he got called at the last minute.  Now Starr said that not all the actors are LDS, but I have a hard time believing that.

For those of you who knew Jeff and Nicole Skinner – they officially adopted 2 foster children Friday!  They are soooo excited to be parents!!   They’ve waited a LONG time.  The boy and girl are around 7-10 years.    Apparently there is another older sibling who couldn’t be with them.

I’m starting to get hooked on the group “Imagine Dragons.”  I got bored with my usual playlists and decided to check them out and created a Pandora station.  

Sis Bowman, our firecracker of a missionary , goes home this weekend.    The baptisms in our ward totally skyrocketed while she was here!    It’s interesting because she’s from Price Utah, and her dad didn’t join the Church for a long long time, kinda like my dad.

Nancy 11/11/13

I know, I know, it's been 3 months since I've written much of anything, and if I wrote about everything, no one would read it.   So you'll get bits here and there, somewhat random.

As you know I have Magic Jack phone service at home, for better ($$) and for worse (it can only go to one phone).   They told me the solution for a home as big as ours was to get a set of phones that was already synced together.   Well, I'm happy to say, that after checking at Goodwill every week for over a year, I finally found a set with 5 phones.    I had already set the one phone to 6 rings, but now I should be able to get to a phone, and HEAR a phone when it rings.    Hopefully, this will work better!!    As always, if you leave a message during work hours, I  will pick it up here.

I'm scheduled to come in "second" at work, behind Maggie, since she always likes to leave early.  THis morning she wasn't here, and someone else was doing her work.   Maggie's brother took his life yesterday.   He was 26.    He had made a couple of other attempts this past year, but now apparently he had a job and things were looking up.   I don't know what happened, but we are all very sad for her and her parents.

I participated as a Pampered Chef vendor at the "hoity-toity" country club neighborhood by me (Salem Glen).   Oh. my.goodness.  Those people are in a different world.  All the vendors had very nice stuff.    But only one person bought something over $20, a food chopper she needed to replace.  I sold 20 of the $4 mini-nylon spatulas though!  So rich people are still frugal with their money.    I was hoping to sell more, but a couple of ladies want to have shows in January.   So I'm crossing my fingers.   And of course, I spent some of my "profit" on some unique things you'll see at Christmas!

The sister missionaries came over and raked the front yard - yea!   Still have the back yard do go.

Halloween was lots of fun - we had about 40 kids.     We had a ward Halloween party inside this year - with a chili cookoff.    We have the big full sized gym now, and it was PACKED!!!

There were 3 clemmons council seats and the mayor's seat up for grabs in the election.    I got involved in it somewhat because one the Mayor Pro Tem, (who is 29 years old) was running for mayor, and Nancy Muster's husband (she's one of my piano students) was running his campaign.   Anyhow Nick won!    Anyhow, while I was talking to Joe about the election, I invited him and his family for the Halloween party dinner - and they came!  

Have a great week - get some pampered chef orders to me ($150)  in by the end of the week and get a free turkey!

Have a great week!

Nancy 7/7/13

July 11 - a little about the pictures - some of you have seen from Facebook:  

• Alaska pipeline,
• moose (along the road), 
• caribou (in a pen), 
• North Pole Alaska light poles and McDonalds, 
• the flower design is at the Visitor's Center based on native american crafts; 
• in the greenhouse they grow tomato plants hydroponically - these have been growing for 15 months and they wind the stem of the plant around and around;
• the ice museum - everything is carved out of ice - even the design in the Christmas balls
• hydrangea arrangement from my plants
• front yard flowers
• Daisy - I'm babysitting her this week

July 7, 2013 – wow, the past 10 days since I’ve been back from Alaska have been a whirlwind – weather-wise and with what’s going on here!    

Happy Birthday Brett!   Hope you had a great day!!  We love you!!

Four years ago at this time we were together for Grandpa Slocum’s funeral – I’ll never forget the honor guard at the cemetery – it was so touching.    I’m so grateful that he served in the military!   Who has the pictures of Mom and Dad together when they were first married??  I’d like to get copies!

We’ve had rain and more rain here!   It definitely put a damper on the neighborhood July 4^th activities.  At one point it was POURING!!   I think it’s rained everyday for the past 16 days.  (july 11 - add 5 more days to that).     There are weeds everywhere there is bare ground, and the rain washes away the weed killer before it can take!  The tomato plants have grown, but not blossomed.

We’ve had several people on vacation at work this week, so it’s been very busy, plus Maggie and I are training 6 new rats.    It’s so amazing to see the moment when they “get it” – when they learn to push the lever hard enough so it retracts and they get water; and then when they realize that now they have to put their nose in the “nosepoke” correctly so that the light goes off and they get the reward.      Perhaps it’s like the way God looks at us, wondering when we’re going to “get it” in order to progress toward our eternal “reward.”  

[By the way, as I compose this I’m watching Music and the Spoken Word – wow , it’s so good today!!!   Wish I could see it in person!!  Don’t miss it!!  (I’m at work so I have the benefit of my two monitors). ]

And speaking of work, for those of you who don’t know, Dr. Hampson says the NIH hasn’t approved one grant, so they’ll have to “downsize” personnel for 2014.  Time to update the resume and start job hunting.    (Pray that I can stay with the Medical School so Jenny can get her tuition concession!!!).

I finally found some cupboards I like at the Habitat Store – for $200 I got 2 bottom cupboards, a top cabinet, and countertop.    They look like the ones in the kitchen!   Now I have to find someone willing to install them at a reasonable price.    [the Habitat Store has been getting in a LOT of cupboards like the ones we have in the kitchen]  I mean the former owners had BIG kitchens, so big that the store unusually divides the set up.   Unfortunately they wouldn’t let me just take a couple pieces from each – there were pieces with drawers I really wanted.]

We’ve had NUMEROUS families moved into the ward.   One guy came with his small family from Albany New York to start his PhD. Program in my department.  He remembered our lab when he came through on a tour in February.    Ryan Brown’s family came down from Michigan and they’re staying in a furnished apartment; hopefully their home in Michigan will sell.  It sure helped to have the extra money from him staying here.   

Frances at work suggested that I advertise for a graduate student to live downstairs until Wheng and Xylar come next summer (when Scott is deployed).  

Jacob Brewer is getting married this Tuesday - I don’t know if he’s getting married in the chapel, but there is a reception here.   Joseph came for the wedding – he’s in the Navy, and learning CHINESE – they won’t tell him why.   

I’m volunteering for some races this summer.   Last week was the “popsicle” run and this little bitty 3 year old girl ran – she was soooo cute!  Next weekend I’ll be doing the same kids triathlon I worked with last year.  

Matt – Kim Henderson’s sister Shenole lives in Kathy and Lynn’s ward.   She lived in Winston Salem for several months, so she knows who I am.

Some tidbits from my Alaska trip:

• -          All the cars had the plugs dangling out from the grill; fire hydrants are set back from the street and have small flags sticking up so they can be found in the winter. (I'll have to send the picture)
• Scott and Wheng fixed me some salmon - it was very very good!
• 
  
• -          Posts with electric outlets in public areas so that people can re start their cars!
• 
  
• -          I spoke with a Pampered Chef rep who had a booth during the Sun Festival downtown. I asked her how she could keep her business going in that weather.  She said business was great because people wanted and excuse to get out of their homes!!
• 
  
• -          The apartments that Scott lived are configured so that the doors don’t open directly into the home.   On one side, there was a little “vestibule” with two doors, on the other side of his townhouse, you had to make a “u turn” from the entryway.  
• 
  
• -          I thought something looked different about Fairbanks.   It took me a few days, but I finally realized it was I never saw any structure was built out of brick!  Makes sense – the dirt is sandy, and it probably cost a fortune to ship it from the “lower 48.” 
• 
  
• -          They don’t have sales tax AT ALL in Alaska! 

Nancy 6/21/13

Every week I plan on writing something, but so much has been going on, that I don't get to it.   I just loaded some pictures onto the computer, so at least I'll send you pictures and highlights of what's been going on here.

Since May 1

• Emily moved to Charlotte and lives within walking distance of public transportation.  She's made plans to get a job and go to school!  We had a lovely Mother's Day at Grandmas.   She posted a picture of the three of us on her Facebook page.
• I volunteered for the Susan Komen race again on May 4.   It was well attended (over 7000) in-spite of cold weather and wind.  The sponsor I volunteer with, Fleet Feet, paid for us all to have hot drinks downtown!
• We've had a LOT of rain (especially the past week - 3 1/2 inches above normal for the year so far).  But on May 7 there was water in the family room in the basement that went all the way through under the stairs!!!  Aaaaah!   I pulled up carpet, threw towels down and spread out soggy camping equipment to dry.  There's a picture above.   
• I've been talking with people about taking down the wall between the kitchen and den.   One guy came over after the "flood" and pointed out that it was probably caused by 2 things - over-filled gutters, and the ground has settled and slopes down toward the house.   The a/c and the deck are sloping along with the ground and will require something - the deck is actually splitting apart!
• The following Saturday (May 11) I tended to the rats, then went over to the auditorium where the W-S Symphony rehearses and watched them for over an hour for free.   I wanted to hear "Pictures at an Exhibition" but they were rehearsing another really neat thing - an artist creates images on his computer as the orchestra plays and it's shown at the back of the stage.  It was beautiful.  Afterward I went to Old Salem because it was totally open to the public - all the houses and exhibits were free because the city was celebrating the 100th anniversary of WINSTON and SALEM becoming one city.
  • not only that -  it was the start of a parade - they had floats depicting every decade, as well as cars and other vehicles from each decade - really neat!
• I've been focusing on understanding my 403b retirement plan and how to get more out of it.   Last Friday I met with someone and he showed me how to work with it on the computer to get more what I want, and just the best strategy for me.  I wish I had known this stuff 2 1/2 years ago!   
• The medical center royally botched converting to all digital record keeping and went millions of dollars into the whole.  As a result they they withdrew the 5% company 403b match - ugh!! and asked the hospital staff (not nurses and doctors) to take "furlough" - aka unpaid time off.  Since I'm paid out of a grant that part doesn't affect me.   Maggie's been on maternity leave, so I've worked like a beaver and gotten more overtime.  She'll be back the day before I go to Alaska.
• My grass in the front yard continues to garner attention - no weeds; green, thick, lush and plush.   Give it a couple of weeks of hot weather and things will be different.   We have so much shade that the vegetable "garden" Emily and I created isn't growing too well.   I'm getting raspberries and a few blueberries in now.   
• The other morning I heard what sounded like a woodpecker!!  I was in the screen porch and saw the culprit picking at insects in the woodpile - it was an Eastern Flicker (ID courtesy of Mom's bird book).
• I've done bit of dog-sitting - I had Molly and Penny over Memorial Day weekend. We had a great time at the new dog park in Tanglewood Park!  I also tended Daisy (a white one) some - she's a very sweet dog.
• I had one student who could do a piano recital - Amelia.   I went in with Lisa Ray from the ward - she has 30 students.  She reserved the Wake Forest University Brendle Recital Hall, FREE;  - it's big and has a Steinway!!  So these little kids got to play on the "real deal."    The pictures are of Amelia and her brothers.
• Last weekend we had not one, but TWO general authorities for an absolutelyAMAZING stake conference!   wow.   I got drafted for the choir; we sang the Mack Wilberg (MoTab) version of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." 
  • Elder David Evans presided - he's the top person on the missionary committee for the Church - quite the guy.   He told a couple stories of HIS struggles to follow through with promptings to talk to people about the gospel.   [It's nice to know I'm not the only one].
• My birthday was absolutely delightful - actually it was a 3 day celebration because I talked to every single child and grandchild, plus Rebekah and others.  My VT companion (Haley's mom) met me for dinner one night.   They remembered at work - we had Krispy Kreme donuts - key lime among others - eat your heart out!!   Plus lots of Facebook wishes; even some from high school friends.
• The past month I've also been expanding my "home handywoman" skills.   I cleaned out the gutter with my hands -[yuckkk], changed the oil on the lawn mower (I accidentally put gas in the oil), and changed a van tire - all by myself!!
• I'm sad that Lynn Gottfredson left us.  I'm exciting that Xylar (Scott & Wheng's baby) will be joining us this week - I'm leaving June 18 to go to Alaska to see them!
• I've discovered a great adult ADHD website - with forums and webinars every week.   It's wonderful to find people who share the same frustrations dealing with ADHD, especially in their jobs.   One guy described it when he said having ADHD is like having several channels on all at one time  - that's me.  
• Opossum - I was organizing in the basement today - picked up a basket that was over a bucket of cat food and saw our newest "resident."   Check him/her out above!   It's a baby, but it's still an opossum!
• Everyday I am more and more grateful for the Christ's Atonement.   One quick story:  our Elder's Quorum president developed a severe neurological problem several months ago.   It was diagnosed as a "movement" disorder.  He presents like he has Parkinson's disease, only the jerky, uncontrollable movements and stuttering are much worse.   This fellow was a perfectly normal, 30-ish guy, family man, successful in his career, etc.   He got up in testimony meeting today and obviously had a hard time communicating.   But  his body and his voice became still as he related this:  
  • One night in the hospital he was totally upset, discouraged, worried, and unable to sleep.  In the midst of this turmoil a peaceful feeling came over him and the impression came: "I know exactly what you're going through becauseI've been through it too."   
  • think of it - the Savior has experienced all the junk each of us has been through.  We are not alone.  He knows our trials and struggles perfectly.
• Chellie Dazey got her mission call to South Salt Lake City - you know Jacob Murphy  and Jordan Marsh both entered the MTC this past week - Jacob - to NORTH Salt Lake and Jordan to Brazil (same country his dad served).   Jacob's picture was on the Desert News website June 16 (I believe) with the "parade" of missionaries going to the Marriott Center.
• As you know I made it to Alaska - almost thought I was going to have a day in Minneapolis.   I'm enjoying being here with Scott and Wheng and Xylar.  Xylar is the BEST baby ever!   This morning he was awake for 3 hours happy as could be.

Nancy 4/7/13

GOOD MORNING!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILY!!  Happy 5^th “birthday in heaven,” Mom!!

It’s wonderful to be able to listen to Music & the Spoken Word LIVE – instead of hoping they’ll replay it – byu’s been very sketchy the past couple months.  And , thanks to my Roku player, I can listen (and watch) conference in the den and kitchen.   

I’ll start with the latest news and go back.  

Thursday we had a nasty, yucky day – a wintry mix, with snow, sleet, and rain, and near freezing temps.   Spring has really been late this year!

Wednesday and Thursday this week I had some amazing days.   Wednesday I went with Rob (Dr. Hampson) over to the hospital (main campus) to help him carry some of the stuff he needed.    He is taking the neuron recording to clinical (people) trials now.    We went to the EEG area with the patients who recently had brain surgery for epilepsy.   For some patients doctors are also installing something so that Rob’s equipment can capture and record the neurons, just like we do with our rats and the monkeys.   I got to meet the doctor and staff and see what goes on.  

The surgeries take 7-10 hours, so it’s a long day.   Rob’s trying to get permission for us to observe some of the surgeries, but that may be a long shot.    The whole point of all this is to be able to enhance memory/brain function in people where it’s been impaired.

That afternoon I called the Winston Salem Symphony office in a last ditch attempt to see Sir James Galway (perhaps the preeminent flute player in the world).   I couldn’t get off for his master class, so I called to see if I could go to the dress rehearsal, but it was closed.    I told the guy I worked for the School of Medicine, and that was the GOLDEN TICKET.   He asked “where would you like to sit?”  Balcony, of course.   Well, I got on the 4^th row, CENTER. 

Sir James was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!  His wife also did some numbers with him.   He played at least 4 things for encores, including Shenandoah and Danny Boy.   He even alluded to how Danny Boy “was a prayer,” and it was.  I felt like I was in heaven.    I can’t describe how the feelings I had.    So I bought a CD and stood in line to meet him and his wife.  They are the most gracious people.

Emily bought food for Easter dinner – ham, potatoes, green beans, and she played Easter Bunny!  I really enjoyed “Google +ing”.  We’ll have do to it again, soon!

Emily and I are working on getting some plants to grow.   I got a small greenhouse (see picture) from Big Lots, on sale.   I got 6 tubs full of llama poop from Frances, my co-worker who has llamas, to put on the raspberry and strawberry beds.   Actually we could many pickup loads full, to get the dirt in the yard in shape.  

 My little Mantis tiller is so fun to use – I can get in small places in-between plants!    The lawn mower won’t start, probably because I put too much oil in it.   If I can get the screws loose, I’ll take the top off and get some new filters and that should do it.   Meanwhile, the front grass is getting taller, so I’ll have to do something this week!

Two Saturdays ago I went to Colfax (by the airport) to a seminar (from 10-3 pm) Anthony Sweat was doing on effective teaching.   I had rat duty so I was already ½ way there.   He also was absolutely amazing!!   How he showed how to bring the atonement teaching in the home and church.   Maybe I was on another planet, but I never recall the atonement being really taught in church classes, even up to the last few years.   He had some great ideas for making family scripture study interesting.

You may or may not know that Andrew Sweatt, is the name of my boss.  Well, Anthony Sweat has a brother named Andrew, who was a Bishop in Colfax, and made the arrangements for him to come.

I got the results back from some blood work, and it appears my kidney numbers are out of whack, but not enough push up my May check up.  It IS scarey, to see that I have 58% kidney function, and apparently it only goes down.  My A1C, however, was the best It’s been for a few years.

I got my other “tooth”  the part that goes above the implant post – [I think I told you I had to have the stuff redone for the very back one.]   When I went to check out I found I owed more money.    The insurance information is very deceptive – it says itpays for half my restoration and pays for 100% of checkups.    Well, it doesn’t pay, it just puts it into the total allowance.   So when I had my checkup, it was over the allowance (from the “half” for my implants)  and I have to pay for anything else that’s dental this year.  Bummer.

Work is busy due to Maggie being incapacitated and out for maternity leave.  So I’m doing most of her part also, plus the extra weekends.

pictures -  aaaahhhh!!!  Why won't they show up??? someone tell me how to get it from "my pictures" to here!

The Galways and me 

the greenhouse

Daisy - I'm dogsitting her from her house

the current round of daffodils

Have a great week!

Nancy/Mom

Nancy 3/11/13

It finally felt like spring yesterday - temps were close to the 70's and the daffodils are in bloom!   Even though it hasn't been really cold this winter, it's been DREARY.  Because the temps hovered just above freezing, we go this cold.yucky.rain.

I've been to various doctors a lot the past 2 weeks.   Had my leg veins checked - they're okay (ugly to me);  diabetes check - my sugars have gone up but not enough to go up on the meds, so more exercise is definitely in order;  a med check on concerta - sometimes I can't get to sleep, so again, can't change it so I need to exercise to get it through my system.   Last Tuesday I participated in a study looking at the relationship between diabetes and memory and got paid for it!   The most interesting part of it was having another MRI - it's old hat to me now.   However, this time I was on my back and they put a "football helmet-like thing" on my head - probably like what Cheri experienced since they were imaging my brain.   I've learned to ignore all the banging and shaking, so I could just sleep through it - nice!

I took last Tuesday off since I was at appointments all day.  It also was lab inspection day.   The day before was hectic as we were getting the lab in ship shape.   I worked like a beaver finishing up organizing and labeling all the cords, cables, and electronics stuff we had - wayyyyy too much, so I set a bunch aside for "surplus."    On Wednesday we starting a new project making room for another touchscreen box in the "training" room.  I don't think a thing had been moved in that room  for 20 years.  So we did it right, right down to getting down on the floor and scraping hairy rat crud that had built up under the boxes.   Frances and Andrew (who are both tall), took down the ceiling tiles so they could get rid of excess cables and route everything that we used through the ceiling instead of across and around the room.  It looks like a new place!    I said something to Rob about painting the boxes a new color, and he said that was fine.

I finally got some seeds started yesterday in the 48 well container things.   Cross your fingers the plants come up!

I enjoyed talking with Matt and Rebekah Friday night.   I can't figure out what's up with the web cam microphone.  I spent over an hour and thought I got it working, and then it refused to work.   Anyhow, it was great to talk to them.   If you have any ideas what could be going on, let me know!  (It's a new web cam).    I called the support phone number, and the menu referred me back to the exact number I dialed for technical help - dumb!   

Jacob Murphy should be leaving tomorrow for his mission - North Salt Lake.     They weren't there yesterday, and he never gave a talk in Sacrament meeting - don't know what's up with that.  I know Kylie Jenkins is somewhere in the "preparing for a mission" mode.

Anthony Sweat is coming to our area in 2 weeks to do an all day training thing.   (I get him mixed up with Andrew Sweatt, my boss).   Anyhow, have any of you heard him speak or had classes, or know anything about him?    The thing is meant for teachers, but anyone can come, and if you think he's good, I may come.

Emily hasn't heard anymore about the cruise job.   I think someone got her hopes up too much.

Have any of you tried "quinoa"?    I've read alot about how it's so much better for you than rice or pasta.   I made this Southwestern type salad with tomatoes, guacamole,etc.   The salad was really good and it filled me up!   I'm looking for more recipes.    It's like $6 for a 1/2 pound box, but if it's as good for you as they say, it will be worth it.

Have a wonderful week!

Nancy 2/19/13

I don't know about the rest of you, but I.am.sick.of.winter.   Not that it's been that cold (and certainly not enough snow to bury a flea), but it's been DREARY.CLOUDY.DRIZZLY, with not enough sunny, "warm" type of days to count on 1 hand, it seems like.   

Cheers to the brave daffodils.  Some around the neighborhood have already bloomed!  Ours are on the verge, and hopefully two weeks from today, I'll be playing a different tune.

Happy Valentines Day to everyone, especially those I didn't get around to wishing if officially.   I love you!  (Happy Birthday tomorrow Scott).

Emily and I went to Starbucks using their "buy one get one free."   I hate to say it, but I like my homemade hot cocoa better.  But it was nice to have some time alone with Emily, which is always rare.   One of her friends apparently works for Norwegian cruise line, and is encouraging her to apply to work on the ship.    Emily gave me some Dove chocolates - they put me in heaven!     She bought a bunch of roses and I got some balloons to put on the grandgirl's graves.   I've been to the cemetery several times this week, and it never fails to "get" me.   I wish I could visit Cheri's - Brett and Matt, you'll have to go for me - take some pictures - I've never seen her marker (how did we fail to go there this Christmas?!?!?!)

Got my Roku set up last night - finally - so now I can watch BYUtv while I'm in the kitchen! I can't believe how many channels there are!  I'm not going to miss Time Warner Cable, at all.

I got my old Schwinn bike put into shape, with the help of a Groupon and an additional $80.  Now I have another way to get exercise!  And speaking of bikes, I was on a busy street on the way home Friday and while I was at the light, two missionaries zipped across on their bikes!  Only, a moment later one of them was on the ground next to a car!! Oh no!!  After a tense minute the guy put 2 thumbs up, hopped up and hugged the horrified driver of the car.   Guess he was ok!  

Because Feb. 11 and 18 will forever be significant days in my life, I decided from now on, I will make a trip to the Temple during this time.   I started over a month ago looking for some company on the trip - it was announced in Relief Society, and found no one, which won't stop me.   The weather was supposed to be kinda bad in the eastern part of the state, and there were even flurries in Clemmons when I left.   When I got to Siler City it looked like a feather pillow was ripped open and dumped out!  I loved it - but I was too far to turn back, so I kept going and the snow turned back to cold/drizzle stuff and made it to the temple just fine with beautiful music from my Tim Janis Iheart station on my cell phone.

This is the end of my news for the week - Meriden, feel free to edit for the blog.

Now, for something more personal, and this far outweighs the above in significance for me.    If you don't want to read it, just make a "mom" file and save it for later.  This is about temple worship, for want of a better term.

Raleigh NC Temple

I'll be honest and confess that for the past several years I've had lull/lapse in what I hoped to gain from attending the temple.   I NEVER fail to be inspired and feel the Spirit there, don't get me wrong.  And I always feel good for doing service for others. 

But I've been kinda frustrated feeling that I wasn't learning/feeling/experiencing all I've read that one can learn from the temple.   And I've been feeling guilty, knowing that kind of knowledge comes from the Holy Ghost by revelation, which said to me that I am lacking some way.   AND to be honest, for most of my life I've attended the temple with the primary goal of obtaining guidance for situations/problems in my life (which is appropriate and fine), but as I look back, perhaps it was at the expense of understanding the symbols and other things there are to learn from temple worship.     

I made a point to do some reading this week - I listened to a WONDERFUL talk (House of the Lord)  by Truman Madsen on the commute to work.  (Those of you who aren't familiar with TM, he is an absolutely amazing - he is a scholar, but he also comes totally from the heart).   From there I looked for a classic talk by John Widstoe (look him up), and found it on a fantastic web site at work.  (This site is a gold mine about the temple-http://www.templestudy.com/). And then I revisited a book on my bookshelf,  House of Glory, by S Michael Wilcox, which discusses how to how to find personal meaning in the temple.

http://deseretbook.com/House-Glory-Finding-Personal-Meaning-Temple-S-Michael-Wilcox/i/2875292

http://www.amazon.com/House-Glory-Finding-Personal-Meaning/dp/0875799701/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361375344&sr=8-1&keywords=house+of+glory+by+michael+wilcox

So yesterday I went with the attitude of just learning one (or more) things.   Like so many spiritual experiences I've had, the meaning of a couple of things was quietly, almost imperceptively, brought to my attention.   And the more I thought about the symbols the bigger it got, with one thing leading to another and another, and of course, leading to Christ.   I was amazed! How could I have missed it these past 40 years??  It was just right there!  And today during the Sacrament song it jumped off the page and hit me between the forehead!  

But that's not all---let me go back to Wednesday, which is always a sweet day when I have my counselor appointment followed by the parent's group meeting.   I came to my appointment with Carol without an "agenda" in mind, which I usually do.   Instead we got started talking about experiences I had recently that didn't fit the "mold" I developed for myself throughout my life.   As Clayton Christensen (author of the Innovators Dilemma - look him up; I was in the Honors Program with him at BYU), would say my idea of myself was being "disrupted."   (here's another link which talks about disruption http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=3120; WANT TO BE HAPPIER? DISRUPT YOURSELF  ).    And perhaps - the mold I created for myself wasn't correct, and realizing that it is really full of holes, and perhaps,  there's is much more to me than I thought of myself before - is really thrilling!!

http://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Dilemma-Revolutionary-Change-Business/dp/0062060244/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361375452&sr=1-1&keywords=innovators+dilemma

http://deseretbook.com/Innovators-Dilemma-Revolutionary-Book-Will-Change-Way-You-Do-Business-Clayton-M-Christensen/i/5066154

NOW, back to today - I was reading more in Bro. Wilcox' book, and a flash hit me - just as there is so much in the endowment to learn,, there is more to ME to learn about  because I've existed for thousands of years!!  Heavenly Father knows about the endowment, because he gave it, and He also knows all there is to know about me because He is my Father!   And just as we find more and more meaning in temple worship, there is more to learn about ourselves!   And we can disrupt the "mold" that we have created about ourselves and our purpose in life in favor of a true "mold."

I think that's about enough.   There's more I'd like to share, but at another time.  As always, I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences.

In love,

Mom/Nancy