Christmas, New Years & Lost in the Chaos

A very gorgeous sunset last night. Thought I would share that for fun!

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. We certainly did.
Santa got me a Garmin so I won't get lost in Scotland. Wise Santa.

A baby with a 'tude. She looks like she is ready to spin some records.

Christmas is so much fun with a three year old. Santa is the coolest.
In fact he visited us Christmas Eve.

Not so sure we like Santa.

What a difference a present makes!

Even Izzy got to sit on Santa's lap.

I love this picture because you almost don't notice the little hand. On Christmas Eve we have our good friends, LaNice and Alan and their kids, over for Huevos Rancheros. Its a wonderful tradition that we have been doing for years. The little guy wanted to help Bud cook. He was sick however and had to have his Grandpa hold him.

He is such a little helper.
He really does like to work with you when you've got stuff to do.
I wonder if he will feel that way when he is a teenager.

Snort getting a chuckle out of Jake's present to her.
A chocolate cookbook with all the recipes he wants her to make for him.
He also gave her 20 pounds for her trip to England in September.

Grandma thinks this is one of the real miracles of Christmas.
Such a sweet baby!

Wow he must of been a good boy! I know, hard to believe!!

We also called this a used Christmas. Jake got Bud's paint ball gun,
since they don't allow guns of any kind in Scotland.
Snort got all my canning supplies.
She was quite happy about that. Poor girl!

Bud and his buddy.

This is the weather we have been dealing with over Christmas. The wind was howling like mad and the snow blowing. I actually got stuck in our driveway with my SUV! Bud had to pull me back and let me get a running start at the snow drift. Today's weather was really nice though.

Other News

Do you ever feel lost within your own life? That is how I am feeling right now. A little overwhelmed at all that is going on!

We are now in the process of getting ready for our New Year Eve's Party. So friends and family in the area, drop by. It is so hard to remember to tell everyone, so don't be offended if you weren't told personally and just come on over anyway. We are having an open house so we can see all our friends before we make the big move. I hope people show up. That would be terrible if no one came! (Am I paranoid?)

Part of getting the house cleaned up for the party involves actually getting ready for the movers too. I hate that part. It is such a pain! The kids came over and were going through their old rooms. You know, getting all their memorabilia out - stuffed toys, work from school, art, etc. That is kinda of fun to see. Snort and Bud went through my kitchen cupboards while I was out running errands. They found some (a lot) of expired cans of food, etc. that were pushed in the back of the cupboard. Boy did I get a hard time for that!

I don't know what we would do without Snort. She has been such a help. I give her a hard time because she is a list maker. She is constantly making lists for Bud and I to make sure we get things done. Glad someone in our family is on the ball. Its certainly not me! When she is trying to get into my head about getting stuff done and I don't feel like it, I tell her to go make a list. That keeps her happy and busy.

Dear son-in-law also is helpful. He is our go to guy. Just waits to find out what we need to get done and he does it. I love him!

Jake has also been a help. He is the muscle that Snort and I don't have. He helps Bud with the heavy stuff. Jake is still doing well and still being that fun, crazy kid we love. I have been enjoying the extra time I have spent with him driving him around. We have got to talk a lot and that has been fun.

Well wish me luck that I will have a clean house by tomorrow and some sanity to go with it!!! I don't know why when you clean it seems like you make a bigger mess in order to put some order in your house. If anyone figures that one out, let me know.

The Final Word on Jake

Jake the cattleman!

- I hope anyway. Jake had his final doctor's appointment yesterday. We were finding out the results of his final EEG. It wasn't what we wanted to hear but it wasn't all bad either. The EEG showed more abnormalities in his frontal lobs than the first one. On the first EEG it was only in one sphere (I am sure I am not getting the wording quite right - sorry) of the frontal lobes. The second EEG, where he was more stressed and more sleep deprived, showed some minor abnormalities in both frontal lobes. When the P.A. was telling us this she said that he would need to go on seizure medicine. Jake and I both brought up the fact that Dr. Vincent told us on the first visit that she thought it was probably the result of being kicked in the head, some damage, and that most seizures occur in the middle and back (lower?) lobes. The P.A. said she hadn't heard that and went to talk to Dr. Vincent. After conferring they decided that he didn't need medication. Just proves we all need to be active in our own medical diagnosis'.

Anyway, seizures in the front lobes are typically very minor seizures. The P.A. said that they can appear as a feeling of an "aura", vision squiggles, a funny feeling, stupor, blocking someone out while they are talking, deja vu, etc. I said that I think I must have seizures everyday - stupor, blocking someone out while they are talking, etc. Makes you wonder. The problem with frontal seizures is if the electrical current crosses over to the middle lobes. That can cause the full blown seizure, which is what happened in Jake's case.

Jake and I both feel that this was a wake up call for him to take care of himself. With this minor abnormality, and it is minor, if he doesn't take care of himself his body may react this way again. At the time of his seizure he was not eating well, lacked good continuous sleep, working full time and going to school full time, managing the complexes at his duplex (there are four complexes), doing cows, being in charge of FHE for his ward, and most importantly chasing women. He has cut his work hours in half, is eating better, sleeping better, and taking vitamins and minerals the doctor recommended he take. He said he is feeling better - he doesn't hardly need to nap now. I feel bad this happened to him but it is good to know. I am glad it happened while I was in the U.S. and not in Scotland.

He still can't drive until February 1st. The doctor said the first three months are critical in determining if he is going to have problems with seizures. If he can make it through the first three months without a seizure, he reduces the chances of having one down the line. If he can make it through the following three months (six months total) seizure free, then it is likely he will never have one again! I am betting on that scenario! I know he is anxious to be driving his new car again and while I love spending the time with him as his chauffeur, it is cutting into my time to get things done before the big move. Oh well, it will all get done whether I am ready or not. I love my boy!!

Baby Blessing

Blessing Day
November 29, 2008

What a happy day. Little Izzy Lizzy got a name and a blessing.
A big moment in her little life. Doesn't my little guy look like an angel?
Looks can be deceiving!

Four Generations

The whole clan.

She loves her Uncle Jake. He is a natural with her.

My two kids and the babe. So cute!

Unemployed

The whole gang for my last day picture!

How does it feel to be unemployed after 17 years at a wonderful job . . . good actually. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving was my last day. I thought it would be very hard but when I actually set the date it was alright. I loved my job. It was great and I could not have asked for a better bunch of coworkers. I love my coworker friends! We are all a big family. Our office had very little turn around because everybody was so content working together. Once in a while we would get a bad apple or two but they didn't stay. My boss was the greatest guy - so easy to work for. The other attorneys and office staff were fun to be around. I am going to miss everyone. I would not have quit if it weren't for my moving an ocean away.

Celia - the other full-time legal secretary. She came to our office as a 17 year old intern in high school and she never left. She is studying for the LSAT so she can go to law school. Go Girl!

Denise, Betty, Me, Sommer, Celia, Camille and Mitzie.
The women who actually ruled the office! Betty was the office manager when I was hired. She retired a few years ago but we still go to lunch every two weeks. She is a great friend - we both love movies, horses and a good laugh.


Rick and David
Rick was my first boss. He and I got along really well, like two siblings who had to give each other a hard time. We had so much fun razzing each other. He is now a judge.
David just retired this past April. He would go to lunch with Betty and I. We called him one of the girls, which we thought was a compliment but he didn't see it that way! He and his wife still come to lunch with us. He and I have a similar sense of humor. We would laugh at Far Side cartoons until we snorted and cried.

Jeanine and Paulette from the records department.
They made my job a lot easier when it came to working with the P.D.
Paulette's girls are coming over for visit to Scotland.

My best friend LaNice. Bud is bringing her with me when I move over to Scotland. What a smart man he is. He knows it will be hard and that having LaNice there to help me get things set up at the house and then a bunch of goofing off will be a nice way to ease into Scottish life. LaNice and I leave in February! Bud will move in January but then he has to go to Malaysia for a meeting on the 20th. He didn't think it would be a good idea to leave me in a place where I didn't know how to get around or knew anyone. I appreciate that Bud!!

I am officially retired. I just hope Bud can keep up with all the spending I plan on doing now that I have time! JUST KIDDING BUD!!!!

Happy Birthday Jake

Today is Jake's 23rd birthday.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you,
Happy Birthday Dear Jacob!
Happy Birthday to you!
(Ahh!)

Someone wanted his hair just like Uncle Jakey.
Too bad he acts like him too!

Yum, looks good!

Who are these people? (Chris and Sarah)

Joe and Bree (I don't know if I spelled her name correctly.) Joe is Jake's roommate who called the ambulance when Jake had his seizure. I am grateful to Joe because he did everything right and he was at the right place at the right time! My hero!!!

A bunch of strange people . . . I am not sure I know these people (probably homeless!)

Every party needs a pooper and that is why we invited them!

The best feeling in the world - a snugly baby!

P.S. I know I am way behind on my blog. I will have to catch up later on!

Clearing out the Junk!

This past Saturday our children came over to help us go through the collection of 27 years of marriage! That is a monumental task! They were good sports however, and worked like troopers the whole day. Thank goodness!

Here is beauty and the beast. I don't think I need to tell you which one I think is the beast but it isn't Snortney.

I can't believe we have let stuff pile up like this. Nothing like a move to help you de-junk. Really it is the best way to get rid of stuff. Our unfinished basement had become the catch-all for stuff. Anything we didn't want to deal with or knew what to do with got put in the basement.
We also had to go through the garage outside. We worked inside until the weather warmed up. We still have part of the basement to go through but Snort and I can tackle that after I quit work. I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate my daughter. She has been such a support to me during this move thing - Jake thing. She is my very best friend. It has been such a blessing to me to have her friendship. WAY TO GO SNORTNEY! HIP HIP HOORAY!

Back to the garage, we pretty much have it cleared out. If any of you saw it, you know what a chore that was. We took two pickup loads to the dump, my car full of stuff for D.I., Snort's trunk full of things she wanted and about three loads to the storage unit. Having the kids help us was huge! I think if Bud and I had to do it we would still be here this spring.

I can't believe my last day at work is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I have been working at that job for the last 16 1/2 years. I love it. It has been a wonderful opportunity and I will miss those I work with immensely. My co-workers are like family and we have a great rapport. Since giving my notice, however, I have found myself quite relieved. It was an unexpected feeling. I was dreading quitting - not knowing what to do with myself, missing my friends, etc. I will still miss them but it feels good to know I will have some time to get ready for the move and to spend with my kids and other family members. You never know how things are going to turn out but I am feeling very optimistic about my future!

Dr. Appointment

Today was Jake's appointment with the neurologist. Overall it was a good appointment. His MRI looked great. We now have irrefutable evidence that Jake has brain matter, no never mind what anyone else thought! His EEG had some very minor abnormalities in it. The EEG measures the electrical current in the brain and how it interacts with all the circuits (to best of my knowledge.) His EEG had about two minutes worth of some minor abnormalities. (Jake said that just proves our theory of him being abnormal!) The doctor said that it could just be a fluke or somewhat of a misread, but then it could be a sign of some problems. She said with that kind of results Jake would have about a 50/50 % chance of having another seizure. She said he had three options. 1 - Be put on seizure medicine for a couple of years; 2 - Keep going on like his is and take the risk of the possibility of having a seizure again; or 3 - Get another EEG and see if the abnormalities show up again. Of course Jake chose 3. He has to go in next Monday for another EEG. This time the doctor really wants him to be sleep deprived. Last time he was only allowed 4 hours of sleep. This time he needs even less sleep. If the abnormalities show up again then he will probably need to take some type of medicine. If they don't show up then we consider it a fluke. I hope and pray that it is a normal reading. We won't know the results of the 2nd test until December 16th on his next doctor's appointment.

Utah law states that a person who has a seizure is not allowed to drive for three months from the time of the seizure. That was a big bummer for Jake. He jokes about me taking him on his dates, but only if we could get some kind of glass closure like they have in limo's. Ha ha! His ward, friends and co-workers have been great to take him places. His bishop said that the ward would pull together to make sure he was able to continue working, going to school and doing his cows. (Bud doesn't have anymore cows, just Jake. Bud, however, has been taking care of them since this happened. Jake wanted to keep some cows - he said it is a stress reliever. I think Bud ruined the boy!!!) My last day at work is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I guess I will have a new job as chauffeur!

Keep my boy in your prayers - it helps!

Thanks and much love,
Mel

Jake

Jake had his EEG on Friday and everything looked good. They couldn't find anything wrong. YEAH!!!! We still have to go to the neurologist on November 17th to see what the MRI results were. They didn't tell us those. I think a radiologist has to read that and then sends the report to the neurologist. The wonderful waiting game.

Jake is back living at his apartment. His roommate Joe, the one who heard him crash and called 911, has been around alot to babysit Jake. Tonight his friend Joe, not the roommate, is babysitting. Jake is so cute about being "babysat". His friends have been great to help him resume his life. He works at Los Hermanos in Lindon and Thursday a bunch of his co-workers picked him up and took him out to work to see everyone and to have dinner. Of course they had to bring him back to Provo. It is comforting to know that we don't really have to worry about who is watching him. He still can't drive until his November 17th appointment but he seems to find rides whenever he needs them. Tonight Bud and I took him grocery shopping. He was so excited and grateful to have food! The little things in life.

Health wise he seems to be in tip-top shape. Hasn't had anymore problems. Let's hope this is a one time experience!

8 Things

I have been tagged - thanks Tiff!

8 TV Shows I Watch

House - Reruns
The Office - That's What She Said
Crusoe - Just started - not sure yet
The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson - every now and then
My Name is Earl - kinda falling out of love with it
Football - not by choice
Discovery Channel - whatever suits my fancy
Food Network - same as the above.

8 Things I Did Yesterday

I have slept since then but I will try -

Went to work - Jake was at Court's
Had lunch with Betty - a former co-worker and great friend
Played Bubble Breaker - yeah I have a small problem . . .
Watched the Grandkids so Court could run an errand while Brett was at school
Watch election results with very mixed emotions
Checked my blog
Vegetated
Slept - I told you I would have a hard time remembering

8 Favorite Restaurants

Si Senors in NM
Joe Bandito's
Red Robin
P.F. Changs - Mongolian Beef - that's what I'm talkin' about!
Brick Oven
Olive Garden
La Dolce Vita
Guru's
and anywhere that serves food!

8 Things on My Wish List

Jake to not have another seizure in his entire life! I could stop here and be complete.
Not to be a chubby grandma.
Have my kids move to Scotland with us.
Jake to find a wonderful girl so I won't worry about him when I am in Scotland!
A stable economy, honest politicians and a bright future for our younger generation.
Not to worry about whatever.
Never have my children to have to worry about whatever.
While we are wishing here, I wish I had buckets and buckets of money to give to all of you!

Tag - You're It: Megan S. and Melanie B.

Update on Jake

I don't have much new news to report. Jake seems like he is the same guy he was before the seizure. In fact he is working this to his advantage. I asked him to scape the snow, yes snow, off my car this morning and he said that he couldn't - that it might cause a seizure! Need less to say he scraped the snow and is just fine. This seizure has come in handy for him - if you could ever say that. I am glad to know he still has his humor in tact.

Once you have a seizure you are reported to the Driver's License Division and not allowed to drive until you get clearance from a neurologist. Jake has to have two tests before he goes to the neurologist - a MRI and a EEG. He had the MRI yesterday and the EEG is schedule for Friday morning. He can't get into the neurologist until November 17th!!! A person could die waiting for appointments, I swear. The neurologist's office said that they would put his name on a list for any cancellations they might have so he could get a quicker appointment. I hope that happens but I doubt it. We won't know any test results until the neurology appointment.

If you can read between the lines, that means we have to drive him everywhere he needs to go and he always has to be around someone, in case he has another seizure. He has been staying with us but is longing for his bachelor pad. I don't blame him. Bud and I are not that exciting, as you well know! Monday night I sat in the parking lot of the UVU testing center for an hour and a half while he took his chemistry test. It was dark and I played Bubble Breaker on my phone. I set a personal best that night! Today I took him to school and told him to find someone to eat lunch with and hang out with. I think he is eating with a girl but I don't know. He was coy about it. Go Jake Go! Yesterday Court got to babysit. I think he was ready to go home after hanging out all day with an infant and a three year old. He loves the little kids but they are only so much fun.

Thanks for all the comments of support and prayers. It is a great comfort to know you are loved! I will keep you updated if there are any new developments.

By the way, I love all your blogs. It has been so much fun for me to get to see what you and your families are doing. Hopefully Court is going to really get going on hers soon. She definitely needs to change the color of her blog from that Pepto Bismal pink!

Love to you all!

Jake The Snake

Well if any of you have read Court's blog you know that Jake had a bit of trouble this weekend. He had a Grand Mal Seizure on Saturday. Never has had one before. It was a scary thing for all of us but especially for him. We probably won't know if it is a one time thing or if he has something wrong inside his noggin' for a few days, but I will keep you posted. In the meantime, he is staying with us (a silver lining for me!). He is doing well and is nervous about what may be ahead but is in great spirits. That is one of the things I love about Jake. He is a happy, humorous guy!
Looking at this picture I would say he is the picture of health. What a beefcake if I do say so myself. This was taken at Rynie so Cute and Tiny's birthday party.

Hamming it up for the camera. Snakeman is one to have fun and goof around.

Best Friends!

Jake has developed a love for cattle ranching, just like his father.
These pictures were taken at the bull sale in California this past September.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Well I can't resist posting these pictures of my grandbabies sleeping. I had taken the day off work because I spend the night coughing my head off. My sweet daughter came over with the kidlets to hang out. We were all laying on my bed when the babes fell asleep. I couldn't resist -

I love the chocolate milk mustache! Also the wee one's chubby cheeks. Sooooo Cute!

Guanajunto, Mexico

The travels of Angus. This week: Guanajunto, Mexico.

The week of October 20, 2008 was spent in Guanajunto, Mexico for some company management meetings. There was a little time to look at the city. Guanajunto is the city where the Mexican revolution to gain their independance from Spain started in 1810. The hills around this area were found to contain gold and silver.
Guanajunto has remained an old-style, traditional town much as it has been for several centuries.
The town is built in an area with numerous hills. The streets and buildings are built up and down the hills taking into account the elevation changes. Nothing is straight or level.

The town was founded in the mid 1500's and quickly grew with the mining industry. Compared to mine shafts in Colorado, the shafts here are much larger. The veins of gold were incredibly gi-normous. This was supposed to be the largest area of gold production in Mexico for many years. The mines beneath the town have been turned into a system of roadways that are utilized for automobile traffic today.

This is an apartment building in town. Guanajunto has a nostalgic feel and is listed as a World Heritage site.
One of the many alleys leading up into the housing areas of the town.
Typical construction style of old Mexico.

A traditional musical group that sang for our group during our tour of the city.
One of the several old churches in Guanajunto. This is the primary church, as symbolized by the dual belltowers. Most churches only have one belltower.
These are Mexican girls dancing one of their many traditional dances.