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It has been a crazy, busy, wonderful, challenging last few weeks. Sometimes I wonder how there can be so many things happening at once and then how blessed I am to live today. I am so grateful for modern medicine, modern media and technology, and modern transportation. I am over the moon grateful for family. And I am humbled and grateful for the knowledge I have of the restored gospel and my Savior.

The Saturday before Thanksgiving I was at Costco getting gas. As I picked up the nozzle I felt a pinch and thought it was just "a pinch" and hung on until I couldn't anymore. When I opened my hand, I realized I had been stung by a bee (or other yellow/black flying insect) on my left ring finger. It hurt like crazy. I was able to get home and put it on ice but the stinging and itching was intense...and it started to swell. I had a miserable night and it just continued to swell. Playing organ the next day was really tough and I kept it on ice, kept taking Benadryl and using hydrocortisone - to no avail. The next day Rich took me into to the Walgreens pharmacy to get it checked out at their little clinic. They prescribed some steroids and good antihistamines which helped immensely. By the Thanksgiving I actually had a hand back!

On Wednesday (before Thanksgiving) Rich and I headed down to Joey and Carlie's for Thanksgiving. We had such a good time. The kids are growing like crazy and so much fun to be around. Gideon is wrestling and has a practice every day. He has some bruised ribs at the moment but seems to be taking them in stride, nevertheless. Glory loves to sing and seems to be a songbird nearly every waking moment. While we were there Joey and Carlie presented the kids with an early Christmas present - an electronic piano keyboard - and Glory loves playing and she loves singing while she's playing. It was fun to watch her and Scarlett playing together (Scarlett playing her flute) - it brought such sweet memories back to me with our kiddos. Levi wrestling too and loves playing his computer games. And Reah is such fun...always drawing, playing, and loving. The whole family was involved in the thanksgiving dinner preparations - Scarlett had baked pecan pies (she must have known they were my favorite), Carlie made apple pies, Joey made sweet potato pies, and I don't know who made the Oreo pies but they were gone the first night. We had ambrosia salad, corn, potatoes, gravy, cranberries, turkey, relish trays...seems the food just kept coming and it really was yummy!

On Friday Rich and I spent the majority of the day shopping for pjs...didn't get it all done...but came home and spent the evening playing phase 10 with Carlie, Joey, Rich, Scarlett, and Glory. The next morning we headed to the temple with Joey ands Carlie on our way home. I enjoyed that immensely.

 

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So - today was a difficult day in some respects - Desi called earlier with the news that the hopeful prospect for Marci yesterday was not what they were hoping for. In fact, the pathology report showed that the cancer in Marci's colon originated in the breast and it has matastitized to the colon, and as such, was automatically staged a level 4. She will be meeting with drs and specialists and I'm afraid she is in for the fight of and for her life. My prayers are with her and her precious family. I wish I could do something for her...but have no idea what that may be except for my prayers and fasting.

Rich had a busy morning with therapy, labs, and training. I, in contrast, did dishes, practiced the organ, and did some reading. This evening we took the missionaries out to dinner. We went to our favorite Mexican place and it was yummy, as usual.

I learned that my brother, Mike, was released from the hospital last night. I'm hoping he continues to gain strength and that the pain begins to subside.

Today is Wanda and Robert's 21st anniversary. It is so hard to believe that they have been married for that long! Truly it seems as if it were yesterday, but that is obviously not the case! lol. I talked with her this afternoon - meant to wish her a happy anniversary but got sidetracked as she told me about the events of her last few days. She and Robert purchased a new (to them) mini van this past weekend and in an unfortunate series of events she rear-ended another vehicle and it appears that their new van may be totalled! She ended up spending a precautionary 4 hours at the hospital being monitored because of the accident, and gratefully, all is well with Wanda and Eve. Her saga didn't end there though! Last night their basement also flooded and so you can imagine what that has meant in time, energy, and resources! I also learned that they will probably induce Wanda approximately a week early - so I guess I'll be heading to Wisconsin a little earlier than I had supposed. Happy Anniversary, Wanda and Robert!

The events of this past weekend in Paris just keep fueling the airways. Last night two Air France planes were diverted to Salt Lake and Halifax on reports of bomb threats. And, this morning there was a shoot out in France that lasted 6-7 hrs and resulted in the death of two reported terrorists. The issues with the refugees continues to pose problems and the world is in turmoil. It is the subject of conversations everywhere and is unsettling, to say the least. I feel like I need the wisdom of Solomen at this point. I hate the idea that the only way to defend against this insanity is to kill everyone, but it doesn't seem that hearts are capable of being turned. The threats continue to grow and ISIS has sent warnings that Washington, D.C. and NYC are next. They already brought down the Russian airliner a couple of weeks ago and I have no reason to doubt that these lunatics are intent on doing just what they say they're going to do. Obama and the Congress are at odds and the media just keeps things broiling. I know there are reasons to hope but you can certainly understand the angst that is abroad in the land. So - how do I feel? What should I do? I don't trust the President of the U.S. at all...he's proven himself to be an outright liar...again and again. His sympathies seem to lie with the Muslims and the terrorists...and his entire advisory board seems to echo his sympathies. I actually feel like this is a secret combination at the highest level of my government and I find the Republicans feckless and weakkneed - if not duplicitous. I struggle to try to determine the truth of these matters and to know where/who to trust - besides the Lord. Too often I feel like we, the American people, are pawns in a big chess game or puppets with our strings being pulled...not unlike how I felt about the economic crises of 2007/8. Surely our constitution is hanging by a thread...I just wish I knew what I could do to advocate for the right.... Obviously it would help if I knew what the right was in this matter! Amazingly I don't feel consumed with fear or doubt about the outcome...just don't want my children and grandchildren to have to live through this stuff. I would sure like them to know the idyllic world I grew up in and to have the carefree world of a child.

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Today was a really nice day. I had my little "institute" group this morning and afterward our group had some lunch. We chatted about all things politics and of course about things at church. We are a group with pretty solid conservative creds and the situation with the bombings and terrorist attacks in Paris last Friday, along with the disgusting press conference of Obama's at the G-20 summit yesterday only served to fuel our discussion and frustration with the direction of our country and the obvious anxiety over next years' presidential election.

On a happy note - Desi called with the news that everything seems to be going well with her new little one at this moment. And, the news that her friend, Marci, may not have a nefarious type of colon cancer, rather a carcinoid that may be actually a much better type to be treated and eradicated and that would not be a result of her breast cancer. There has not been a complete diagnosis yet as the pathology is not yet in...but it is hopeful nonetheless.

Rich went with me to the church to practice the organ this evening. I sure appreciate his continued supportiveness. I sure got a good one when I got him!

This evening we've just relaxed and enjoyed the time together. There are some not great things about getting older...but spending time like this is not one of them:)

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Today was pretty quiet. I have found that each time I return from Alaska it seems to take me several days to acclimate...just bone tired and seem in need of endless sleep. I found myself returning to bed in the afternoon and taking a long nap and then going to bed early too, all after having gotten up late to begin with!

A friend, Rebecca Turk, called this afternoon asking if I would like some fresh dill. Rich and I both went over and harvested dill and other herbs, and just chatted for a couple of hours. It's fun to be with friends and I'm delighted to have the herbs to dry.

We went to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Gallo Loco...the crazy rooster. The food is always wonderful and they service very quick. It was no exception tonight, except that I think every living soul in Oak Ridge must have been there.

Today and this evening the airways are filled with the stories of multiple terrorist attacks in Paris. Just today Obama had declared that ISIS was contained...how did he ever get elected??? So far the news is that there are about 140 killed and hundreds more injured. President Hollande of France has declared this an ISIS attack, and ISIS has claimed responsibility. So much for "the JV team". In the meantime I'm guessing that the college aged, self absorbed, "brats" protesting across the nation for free tuition, tuition forgiveness, race, and $15 per hour minimum wages will be angry at ISIS because they've been kicked off the front page! Oh my! This is going to be a long, long next few days!

"Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-Jig"

Got up early this morning to shower and do my final packing to leave for home me today. It has been a wonderful three weeks and, it is terribly sad to leave, and, very exciting to go home!

Dan and I left about 3:30 a.m. Cherstin had gotten up to say, "good-bye" and I woke up Enzo just as we were leaving too (by accident)...I'm afraid there was probably no going back to sleep easily for both of them!

The roads weren't too bad, even considering the snow and ice. I hope that Dan made it back safe and sound...and I bet he did.

I got bag checked, through security, and down to the gate in record time...duh! It was 4 in the morning! We boarded soon after (a completely full plane) and then we sat on the Tarmac for probably 45-60 minutes due to needing to de-ice the plane. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they de-iced it - but did they need to do that with us on board? Or could they have done it while we were boarding? Perhaps not. I don't know. But we were late getting out and I felt anxious about people on board that had connecting flights in Seattle.

Each leg of the trip was fraught with extreme and longs periods of turbulence. I've flown in the winter before and never experienced anything like this! They had been so bad flying into Minneapolis that when we left there, a new route was charted for Nashville to avoid them as much as possible, according to the pilot. Anyway, the flight from Anchorage to Seattle was no different, except that we'd been sitting on the Tarmac all that time, it was early morning, and I was sitting behind three children (ages 5-8 maybe). As the turbulence stretched on and got rougher, I felt nauseous! But the kids behind me were having a very difficult time and finally one of them just erupted - all over the cabin, seats, and the passengers in front of them...me! And as luck would have it, I packed all my clothes in the bag I checked. We all just cleaned up the best we could and I hoped that I wouldn't smell too bad for the rest of the day and all the other passengers I would be onboard with!

On my Seattle-Minneapolis leg I was able to select a movie to watch. I chose "Still Alice". I had read the book while Dad was struggling through Alzheimer's and I had enjoyed it and learned and thought a lot about what it must have been like for him. I had wanted to see the movie when it came out, but it didn't come here...so I enjoyed it on the plane. I found myself moved to tears at the struggle and wishing that we'd had an earlier diagnosis for Dad, and that Mom could have been there in those early stages so that he could have expressed the range of emotions to someone on that deep, intimate level when you're in such need. I tried to talk to him about it but I think there is always this parent/child relationship, that you want to protect your child, when you're functioning lucidly. Dad would share sometimes, often really, but I'm under no illusions about how much he must have missed Mom...and needed her.

On each leg of the trip delta thanked the veterans of our country, and especially any on our flights. They also handed out pieces of wrapped chocolate and led those of us on the aircraft in a round of applause. I am grateful for all who've served too. Thanks!

I also learned today that Mike, my brother, is having 7.5 hrs of surgery, with two surgeons, on his back. He's going to need lots of prayers!

I arrived home (Nashville) at almost 10 p.m. CST. It is wonderful to see my sweetheart again. He had brought Julio with him too and it was nice to have the company and catch up on the doings here and share what's happening with our little family in Alaska. But, we definitely had to stop and get a bite to eat at "Jack" before heading out of town. We were back home by 2:30 a.m. EST and finally dropped into bed by about 4...it's nice to be home!

 

"Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-Jig"

Got up early this morning to shower and do my final packing to leave for home me today. It has been a wonderful three weeks and, it is terribly sad to leave, and, very exciting to go home!

Dan and I left about 3:30 a.m. Cherstin had gotten up to say, "good-bye" and I woke up Enzo just as we were leaving too (by accident)...I'm afraid there was probably no going back to sleep easily for both of them!

The roads weren't too bad, even considering the snow and ice. I hope that Dan made it back safe and sound...and I bet he did.

I got bag checked, through security, and down to the gate in record time...duh! It was 4 in the morning! We boarded soon after (a completely full plane) and then we sat on the Tarmac for probably 45-60 minutes due to needing to de-ice the plane. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they de-iced it - but did they need to do that with us on board? Or could they have done it while we were boarding? Perhaps not. I don't know. But we were late getting out and I felt anxious about people on board that had connecting flights in Seattle.

Each leg of the trip was fraught with extreme and longs periods of turbulence. I've flown in the winter before and never experienced anything like this! They had been so bad flying into Minneapolis that when we left there, a new route was charted for Nashville to avoid them as much as possible, according to the pilot. Anyway, the flight from Anchorage to Seattle was no different, except that we'd been sitting on the Tarmac all that time, it was early morning, and I was sitting behind three children (ages 5-8 maybe). As the turbulence stretched on and got rougher, I felt nauseous! But the kids behind me were having a very difficult time and finally one of them just erupted - all over the cabin, seats, and the passengers in front of them...me! And as luck would have it, I packed all my clothes in the bag I checked. We all just cleaned up the best we could and I hoped that I wouldn't smell too bad for the rest of the day and all the other passengers I would be onboard with!

On my Seattle-Minneapolis leg I was able to select a movie to watch. I chose "Still Alice". I had read the book while Dad was struggling through Alzheimer's and I had enjoyed it and learned and thought a lot about what it must have been like for him. I had wanted to see the movie when it came out, but it didn't come here...so I enjoyed it on the plane. I found myself moved to tears at the struggle and wishing that we'd had an earlier diagnosis for Dad, and that Mom could have been there in those early stages so that he could have expressed the range of emotions to someone on that deep, intimate level when you're in such need. I tried to talk to him about it but I think there is always this parent/child relationship, that you want to protect your child, when you're functioning lucidly. Dad would share sometimes, often really, but I'm under no illusions about how much he must have missed Mom...and needed her.

On each leg of the trip delta thanked the veterans of our country, and especially any on our flights. They also handed out pieces of wrapped chocolate and led those of us on the aircraft in a round of applause. I am grateful for all who've served too. Thanks!

I arrived home (Nashville) at almost 10 p.m. CST. It is wonderful to see my sweetheart again. He had brought Julio with him too and it was nice to have the company and catch up on the doings here and share what's happening with our little family in Alaska. But, we definitely had to stop and get a bite to eat at "Jack" before heading out of town. We were back home by 2:30 a.m. EST and finally dropped into bed by about 4...it's nice to be home!