The better of two evils...

It is hard to decide who will be a good president at this point in the game, it used to be a little easier to pick someone I usually just agreed with my mom and dad when I was younger but these last several years it seems like it is picking the better of two evils. I wonder if there were two woman running, one was slim, clean cut and seemed healthy and the other woman was a little hard on the eyes to look at, tired bags under her eyes and just plain jane, which would I pick? They both had policies that I agreed with and both seemed fairly worth listening too. Would I pick the one with the nice pumps or the one with a plain flat shoe? Would I pick looks over plainess? You see these slick polititians with there hair groomed so perfectly and their nails all manicured and then you hear from a guy named "Newt" the mere name sounds unfitting. He even looks a little "newtish" for all I know he is the nicest "Newt" in the whole world. What to do, what to do?

Taking a break from it all

I have been on several tour websites trying to find a place to go where it is just Boyd and myself; no work, no worries, just the two of us. I didn't realize that there are a plethora of Travel sites to choose from. All I know is that we want to go somewhere but Hawaii. We have been there several times and want to experience something different. I do however want to go to a beach, warm, sandy, tropical ocean...

I would love to go to Panama (best kept secret) where the beaches are beautiful, Monkeys swinging from the jungle trees, as they follow you from limb to limb. Fresh fruit. You haven't really experienced a yummy pineapple, banana or mango until you pick them fresh from the tree, and the Panamanian people and their traditional culture so captivating. Yep! that is on my bucket list.

I lived in Panama when I was 11 and I remember it was the neatest place to live, my sister owned a Monkey that we bought in Colon. I bought 2 parrots (Paco and Pepe). It was happy times for all.

I will post in Facebook for some suggestions and see what evolves and blog about the results so come back and give me your comment.

Much to blog about nothing...

I don't have much to blog about today, only wishing the sun would shine more. These grey days are so gloomy it makes ones head throb. Some days my head literally throbs and I know it may not make sense to some people but others who go through this know exactly what I mean. I used to smile when I heard my grandma or great aunt talk about her arthritis and how she knew when a storm was coming and now here I sit doing the same thing, the only difference is they were quite a bit older than I am now. Yikes! what will I be like when I am older, I dare not wonder.

My Sawywer Time

I watched Sawyer last Saturday (14th) and we played with his toys and read books but the most important thing in his life is Yo Gabba Gabba.

I don't quite get this freaky little TV show but kids absolutely love it. So I have to post these pictures because as they say "A picture is more than a thousand words."

Christmas Craziness

Erikah loves everything she gets and her smile is so big and she is the sweetest daughter.

Megan as well is grateful for what she gets and I have been blessed with wonderful daughters.
My two favorite men in the whole world. The funny thing is that Boyd didn't plan to match with our Sawyer.
My favorite married daughter and son who was really good this year.
Our little Sawyer looks like a big boy I need to stop calling him my baby. He is so precious and he has the best parents in the world.
We all gave mom and dad a TV for their bedroom but it actually ended up in their living room.
Mi familia
This year I decorated my tree.
Our Christmas is chaotic and full of laughter every minute that everyone is around and I wouldn't have it any other way (okay maybe a little quiet).We love laughing and enjoying the moment we have with each other, it is something that has always made my heart warm.
I am very blessed to have the family that I have, they are intelligent and silly. We end up with some of the most interesting conversations. They will do anything for you.

I have a sister who is sweet and concrete, she makes friends where ever she goes. We will be on a plane and there she is talking to a complete stranger as if she know who they are(Lisa). Another sister who doesn't have common sense and yet she is one of the most skilled social workers you will ever meet. She has helped me a time or two. Thank you sis. (Rita)

My other sister is the most giving person you will ever meet and she is always learning new things (Beck).

Then there is my brother, bless his heart to have to deal with all sisters who talk and talk forever, he sits quietly by because he can't get a word in. I am glad to be building a relationship with him (Larry).

I love you all.

Last but not least there are my Mom and Dad who have made me the person I am. True Christlike attributes. They are the epitome of Love and sacrifice. I Love you.

Family is what this life is all about!

NEW YEAR 2012

Wow can you believe we are in 2012 and I haven't blogged forever. I am going to try and when I say try I mean really really really try to mean it... that is updating my blog.

However pictures may be scarce because I lost my camera and I have looked every where for it. I have no idea where it went.

I have been trying to clean out closets and organize my office. My office is somewhat of a dumping spot for everyone. When they don't know where to put things ie; junk mail, Cd's, winter gloves and hats and just about anything, it ends up in my office so now I have to train the monkey's.

I think organization is slightly over rated. But all the containers make everything look good and orderly. I remember in my container days I put everything in containers even my cereal and noodles just to have my pantry look beautiful, but that didn't last because there were empty containers dangling in the pantry with boxes of cereal and noodles all a miss.

Then I organized my office closet oh the beauty of markers, pens, pencils office supplies and the such in nice organized containers, and then it happens. Things ended up outside the containers all over the closet shelves. Why oh why oh why does this happen? Three things: 1. Tarah 2. Erikah 3. Megan...

Oh well someday I may get my container fix back.

I LOVE SHOWERS

No really I do, I was able to take one today. You may think that is a bit odd but when you have Strep and it hits you hard as with me this round, taking a shower is such a delight.

We came home from San Francisco on Friday, felt tired Saturday and by Sunday I was beyond miserable. I would go into more detail but my sensitive family thinks I am melodramatic. Insensitive Heathens. I'm in severe misery and they think I am a drama queen. Hump! I had a 101.7 (got to get the .7 in there) temperature and a "person" in the family said, "oh hey that is good it is just a slight fever." If I had the strength I would of reached over and smack the "person" in the head but that would of hurt me and I probably would of passed out...

I really can't fault the "person"after all I was the one doing all the temp. taking in the family but it still puzzles me. However, I did let the "person" know that 99.9 was a low grade fever. (Ninny!) The funny thing is I was thinking my fever broke I wonder how high it was before that?

Okay I wasn't going to go into detail, good thing I didn't.

Back to the shower. When you get up to shower and take two steps forward and decide to go lay back down because getting up is just to much energy and your heart is pounding and your sweating, then showers are da bomb.

Day one after laying there sick I started getting angry because I have no time for sickness. Who does? I have no patience for it either. I'm a buck up and get over and stop your whining kinda gal as well. (Okay bordering on ruthless) Not to patient for whiners either. Ask my kids and Loverboy they will tell you. When the girls were young they were afraid of winery signs (we lived in Seattle by wine country) because when they would whine I told them that is where whiners go. (okay I threaten somtimes, not gonna lie.)

Day two I start getting real hateful that I keep myself boarded up where no one can deal with me but me. I can B&M to myself and talk back to myself, but dare anyone else? Oh hell no!

Day three starts the Martyer syndrome, I get weepy, sensitive, and maybe a little whinny. (oh I just contradicted myself, refer to day one) I feel real sorry for myself because I am never going to EVER feel better again and I go around telling my family be grateful for their health, yada yada yada and anything could set me off.

Example: Tarah comes to get some things she has left behind from the move and she brought Sawyer and she comes in and says "Wow mom are you feeling any better" "Make sure you don't go near Sawyer." "OKAAAAAY. I know." I say... I wouldn't want to plague him with my disease (sensitive).

Another Example: Megan comes in the computer room. I am finally at sitting position downloading pictures and she said, "Oh my," (with a giggle in her voice) "mom your sporting a nice hair do"(mind you I haven't showered for 3 days. I know disgusting even the dogs don't sit by me) (Sensitive again)

Then the final Sensitive straw: Loverboy comes in and says: " Hey Lover nice to see you up and out of bed, are you feeling better?" Yes I am my goal tomorrow is a shower. He says: " that should make you feel good and give you some energy. Don't get near Soybean." So rather than concentrate on the nice things Loverboy says I narrow in on Soybean and say, "gall you'd think I had Leprosy or Bubonic plague or something. (whining) Everyone gets sick, just because I suck and it takes me longer to get better and I have tonsils and you don't, even Sawyer has his out,(more whining with annoyance) and the worse thing it sounded so childish and made no sense and I turned around and no one was listening anyway. What the heck was up with throwing in the tonsil remark? They just hear me babbling crazily to myself but didn't hear one word. Thank the lord above. WHEW!!! Weepy and Whinning all in one. OHHH I hate that. Which brings me back around to days 1 and 2.

Okay I wasn't going to go into detail, good thing I didn't.

Back to the shower, just sitting there with no thoughts rolling in my head (another Blog time), smelling my lavendar soap and pumicing my heels. A good lather to my head and taking in the feel of the water and the smell of lavendar makes me love to shower.

I think we all should get in our showers and put our hands together and thank our Father for the opportunity that we get to shower. We are lucky.

Water problems affect half of humanity:

Some 1.1 billion people in developing countries have inadequate access to water, and 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation.

Almost two in three people lacking access to clean water survive on less than $2 a day, with one in three living on less than $1 a day.

More than 660 million people without sanitation live on less than $2 a day, and more than 385 million on less than $1 a day.

Access to piped water into the household averages about 85% for the wealthiest 20% of the population, compared with 25% for the poorest 20%.

1.8 billion people who have access to a water source within 1 kilometre, but not in their house or yard, consume around 20 litres per day. In the United Kingdom the average person uses more than 50 litres of water a day flushing toilets (where average daily water usage is about 150 liters a day. The highest average water use in the world is in the US, at 600 liters day.) Some 1.8 million child deaths each year as a result of diarrhoea

The loss of 443 million school days each year from water-related illness.

Close to half of all people in developing countries suffering at any given time from a health problem caused by water and sanitation deficits.

Millions of women spending several hours a day collecting water.

THE SUMMER IS AMONGST US

I am looking forward to the summer due to the fact that I get Boyd back and what I mean by that is simply he has been to Morocco and back this year several times. He was part of the African Lion Humanitarian Civil Affairs Mission. He had a lot of experiences while he was there. I will post pictures soon. This summer he won't travel as much so we will spend time together which I love to do.

We really love to hang out with each other, he loves to go grocery shopping with me which allot of people can't figure out why he likes to do that. He just hangs around and let's me have at it. We are truly each others best friend. Don't get me wrong we have spats here and there but we love each other and respect each other as well. It takes allot of work in marriage and allot of giving and taking.

I think we tend to look at other people and think their marriage is perfect. I remember a time in life when I would think that just to find out that they were just as imperfect as anyone else. Realizing that struggles and life lessons are to be learned, even though some of us rather not learn the lessons (no thank you).

I love quotes and save them and this quote is one I like: “When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere”.

This is something that hit me at one time in my life. We get so caught up in life and the world around us. On facebook in my status area I once said that my brain is a noisy place (no I don't hear voices) because the world around is so noisy and it is real easy to get caught up in it. We are anesthetized to things around us, things that are acceptable in society today. Standards have become low, it is hard for me to find a modest shirt anymore. It frustrates me that I have to buy a undershirt thingy

We are so connected with the media, Internet and television it is crazy the message we get continually (yes I am on a tangent). Lot of Anti-Family crap, it scares me to death. I feel for our future children because they need to be strong. My grandchildren and great grandchildren and so forth... Jeez no wonder I am up at night eh? No, I have no idea why I had this on my mind at this time It is something that has been buildig up in my noisy brain for quite some time. Maybe if anyone reads my blog, which who knows if anyone does, it may be for them or maybe it is for me to get it off my chest. One may never know . . .

BACK ONCE MORE

Once again I find myself struggling to keep our family blog going, mainly for the sake of following through on something and the fact that it is a journal type of process for my present and future posterity. Okay, this and the fact I can check off one of the things that may possible get my foot through the door to heaven, or at least a servant of some sort. I'll take that at this point. I have started doing my Genealogy. (another check)(getting a little closer) Well okay I turned on the computer linked up to Familylink and typed Boyd and my information in. This is allot better than a week ago. Thank you momma for your inspiring (guilt trip) words. I am committed to following though on this as well.

Two commitments in a row how will I survive?! I am fortunate for the material I am "blessed" to work with, we are a very interesting clan that started back in 1853 a great-great Grandpa by the name of James McNeil and continues today. Then there is my fathers side of the story that I have yet to tap into.

Of course I am always focusing on the present and that gives me much material , for we are an odd bunch of heathens at times and that is why I so love my family. We are what we are. Take it or leave it.

Sawyer

Our little Sawyer is going in the hospital, for yet another operation. I am an anxious Grandma who worries about my Soybean in pain. This is a necessary procedure and will help him breath better and hopefully get him eating other variety of foods and other things he struggles with.

This little guy has been through allot, and so has his parents. But he seems to continue his happy smiling attitude. He teaches me at such a young age. I love you my little Sawyer.

It is all about attitude. Whether scrubbing a toilet, whipping a snotty nose, or preparing a lesson or perhaps waking up going to your place of employment.

If only we all could have the attitude of Sawyer. He always finds a smile and a giggle no matter the circumstance. He definitely knows something that we don't. I am going to commit on having a better attitude in life, I have always been a happy sort of person but Sawyer radiates love and happiness and I would love to radiate that same spirit.

We can be miserable or happy, it is our choice. We deserve happiness, we deserve goodness, we deserve success, we deserve the best that life has to offer.

Sleep Study... Sleep Study... Sleep Study...

Here is Soybean at his sleep study. Tarah sent this picture from her phone so technically this is her picture but I just couldn't help myself. Words can not tell you out there in blog land how much this little angel has melted my heart. They left around 9:30 ish and it was so quiet. I don't know how I am going to do it when they buy a home and take my little sweet angel away from me. (I know I sound a little psycho) He brings such a harmonious energy and spirit into this house I can almost imagine what it would be like to be in heaven.

Oh and as for the results of mine??? Still waiting. I wished I would of taken pictures it was so funny I just sat and giggled, I'm sure the Technician didn't see any humor as he was sticking probe like things in my head and arms and legs, on my face and jaws. Stuck a thing in my nose to measure your oxygen output. I looked like a science experiment. I just kept flashing back to Young Frankenstein.

I am sure he wanted to El ca bong me to shut me up from giggling. Then he left and shut out the light and then I heard from the heavens. "Okay Robbin, blink you eyes 5 times". What the heck, I'm thinking. Silence precedes and then once more, "blink your eyes 5 times please". So I look around the room to find the camera while of course blinking. I'm a little creeped out at this point, then I had to do other exercises like; look left, look right, look up, look down, etc. etc. etc.

How can someone sleep knowing that some stranger is watching them? How can someone

sleep knowing you are not in you bed? In your covers? In a smelly old

building with a next door neighbor doing the same thing? With no private bathroom.

I felt like I was in a hostel only I wasn't in Europe, I was in Murray, Utah. Dang! He went over

the buzzer rule of course and I rang it (twice) to go to the bathroom down the hall. I knew I shouldn't have drank that extra water, what the heck was I thinking and that can of Diet Coke.

He was a nice Dude Technician, very patient unhooking me each time I went to the bathroom.

Then I tried the "go to you special place" meditation, except I don't have a special place. Everyone in the world has one but me, so then I tried some other meditation like thinking of a song, but then I couldn't remember the words. I was not sleeping. Hummm! What next? I tried a breathing technique but that just made me dizzy. Oh and to make matters worse I was suppose to sleep on my back which I am a side sleeper. I finally started getting sleepy and I believe I feel asleep. Then promptly I heard him telling my neighbor it was time to get up.

Man they want you out of there as quickly as possibly, so 5:30 we were up and out the door.

So who knows if I even got REM sleep. Oh well I guess we shall know soon.

Been Awhile

Okay so it has been awhile since I have been on here and so I say to you all, so sorry... I will be catching you all up starting with this new year, but for now I will just do a little entry letting you know that tonight I am going at 9:30 to do a sleep study.

Yes, you heard me a lovely sleep study to see if I have sleep apnea and If I do? well I don't know how this will work because I can't handle anything put up to my face.

The dentist would like to knock me out with the hammer just to give me the gas stuff, I have to take anxiety meds just to go to him. With all my C-sections, they realized they had to put me out or sedate me first before I could let them but the oxygen mask on. I would go absolutely wacko if they tried to put it on, I thought I was suffocating so needless to say I am having a teny little tiny panic attack just thinking about it.

Isn't it interesting what you learn about someone.

Okay, I am signing off and I will let you know how it went. Hopefully I can sleep so they will be able to get an accurate study.

bye bye for now.....

peace out!

I am updating.... Sorry, Technical Difficulties

OH MAN I HAVEN'T UPDATED FOREVER

WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN???

Well, I will do a quick run through.

Megan Graduated. Got her braces off. Made Salt Lake Community College Dance Company and got a Liberal Arts Scholarship. We are so proud of you Meggie-Jean

Had a wonderful Fathers Day, we had a BBQ and played some games.

Went to Park City and had fun, but forgot to take the camera.

Kyle had a birthday, it was great. Forgot the camera.

Went to the No Doubt concert and me and my sister Lisa got a little carried away.

ROCK ON!!!

We had to eat at the Olive Garden.

Had a Berry Family Reunion. What is summer without a Family Reunion?

Mediterannean Cruise

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES FROM MY TRIP IT WAS FABULOUS.



The people in Turkey were so sweet. I wanted to buy things from every one of them. They love Americans. They are a beautiful people. We felt their warmth and friendliness.

The Croatians were wonderful as well. Reminded me like Midway or Heber Valley. We ate fresh figs and they were actually good. Had a traditional meal.

Greece was wonderful, we went to Santorini and Corfu - Santorini is the Volcano Island and desert like whereas Corfu is more tropical. We had a spectacular Greek meal on Corfu and the Baklava was mouth watering. Both had it own beauty I will have to find photos of Corfu.

The Italian I found were not nice people. That is all I will say about them. . .

Venice was beautiful. One day I will take my lover back there. He was serving our country while I was enjoying another.

This is St. Marks Square in Venice And of course the famous Gondola ride down the canal

Here we are looking down the Rialto Bridge and of course here is the city of Venice

This is Kusadisa, Turkey - Ephesus
We are standing in front of Roman ruins that are as old as 5 AD and older. Words can not describe the emotions that went through me

Baptistery at Mary's House (the mother or Jesus)

Santorini, Greece - For anyone that read Sisterhood of the Traveling pants or saw the

movie this should look familiar

Dubrovnik, Croatia - Beautiful country and wonderful people. Natalie and Mark, me and

my mom

I was practicing a Titanic event. Thank goodness we didn't have one

Me and my mom on the sail away

Where will our next venture take us. . . . .?

A PICTURE IS WORTH A 1000 WORDS

It was Megan's last Dance Concert and it was an emotional time for all of us. I remember back when I was hoping and praying that she would make Copperhills Dance Company when she was trying out. I know she was good and loved to dance. She was so motivated and had a passion for dancing.




Her Aunt Shari Woolsey

The Seniors honoring the team member

Isabella and my Sister and Mom, bless you for coming to all her concerts

A beautiful piece she choreographed



Me and my dancing Angel

MI FAMILIA, OUR SUPPORT SYSTEM WE LOVE YOU!

Anyone that knows her can testify to that. She can't go anywhere without breaking into a jig. We will be in Target, or a Theatre, restaurant, a Funeral anywhere you name it she will break into a dance and Yes, even at church down the hall as we are getting ready to go into sacrament meeting.

That is our Meggie. She has been devoted to dance, who else would be crazy enough to get up every morning at 5:30 sometimes earlier for three years to pound their body for 3 hours in the morning and sometimes 3 hours after school? Not a complaint but a big ol' smile on their face?

She was so deathly shy as a little girl and her older sister Tarah took dance from a place called Dance by Dee which taught interpretive dance. This was the perfect Dance class I was looking for. It was non-competitive and taught them dance skills, they didn't have to get all dressed up and look like 25 year old beauty pageant queens and feel massive pressure competing. So Megan wanted to take dance as well and that started her JOURNEY. My little shy girl wasn't shy anymore. . .

We owe allot to them and of course to Copperhills Dance Company. . .

We owe allot to our Family and Friends who have supported Megan. My Family came to every one of her performances throughout the years. She wishes to thank everyone for the support they have given her. She is so blessed to be loved by so many. Thank you.

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY ERIKAH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIKAH WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SO VERY BLESSED THAT YOU ARE IN OUR LIVES. YOU HAVE BROUGHT SO MUCH HAPPINESS INTO OUR FAMILY AND WE WOULD BE BORED WITHOUT YOU AND YOUR SILLINESS. YOU ARE OUR SWEET ANGEL WITH A VERY OLD SPIRIT. WE THANK HEAVENLY FATHER EVERY DAY FOR OUR ERZIE WEARZIE DOODLE ALL DAY.

LOVE, MOM AND DAD AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY. . .