A Small Infection

Many have heard bits of this story, so I thought I would give everyone (those that actually read this blog) the entire story.

My doctor has decided that I’m at the age that I need to have a regular colonoscopy. Just to make sure the plumbing is working properly. So he sends me to the specialist, who needs to see me for insurance approval. He approves and is sending the papers into the insurance company for funding approval.

On Friday, October 23, before I can schedule the outpatient colonoscopy, I get sick. It appears the plumbing has decided not to work right, so Lindy takes me to the local ER. They check me, and run tubes and medical gadgets in me, and on me, and they determine that I need an emergency colonoscopy. Go Figure. They work on me all night (absolutely no sleep this night) to get my blood pressure back up to normal.

On Saturday @ 10:30 am, they wheel me into the room with all of the necessary tools to put me to sleep and watch my vital signs and, well, examine my colon. When they put me to sleep, my blood pressure dropped to 50/20. They decided that my colon was less important at this time, and they now worked to bring up my blood pressure. They put a tube through my chest directly into my heart. This was to get more fluids and drugs faster into my heart then the IV was capable of. All I knew was that I was 98% asleep and they were working on the wrong part of my body and it was painful, so I fought them. I guess my wrestling with Jim, Andrew and Matt at the same time was good practice for this fight. It took 4 of them but, they won, and I got better more quickly because they won. The nurses and doctors were actually great.

On Sunday @ 10:30 am, they bring all of their medical tools to put me to sleep and watch my vital signs and, well, examine my colon again into my hospital room. This time they brought an anesthesiologist with them. Although my blood pressure dropped again, it didn’t drop too low, and the exam went well. I had 1 tiny polyp, and a small infection that had been bleeding slowly.

I appreciate the many people who showed concern for my health. Cards, calls and visits. Lindy and Becky visited me several times. I also had a special visit from Jim, who drove all the way from Utah to be with me.

So, in the end, I fasted for 2 ½ days, had 3 liquid only meals, had a good meat loaf for lunch, and not so good beef for dinner and on Monday night, I was released to go home with the infection cleared up and missing a tiny polyp.

Pizookie or Frozen Yogurt

I’m sitting here thinking about when, a couple of weeks ago, Matt and Sarah were visiting from Utah. Sarah took the time to help me make a decision.

We decided to go get a desert one evening. While deciding, I got to thinking about a place my friend Travis showed me years ago. They have the best desert, a Pizookie. This is basically a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie about 8 inches across with ice cream on top. It takes about 15 minutes to get as they bake the cookie after you order it. I made this offer to the family, to go get Pizookie’s. This is where Sarah comes into the decision.

I’ve been doing good going to the gym, and eating “better” than I used to. In fact, in the last 13 weeks, I’ve lost 21 pounds.

OK, back to my story. Sarah taught me about 2 websites (calorieking.com and theDailyPlate.com). Well, after discussing 887 calories, 426 calories from Fat, 104.5 Carbs, 47.3 Total Fat, 23 Saturated fats. I got talked into frozen yogurt. We actually have a decent frozen yogurt place nearby, and I enjoyed it. We had a good time, and didn’t eat all of the stuff listed above. I learned something else, the only thing better then eating a delicious freshly made chocolate chip cookie, is NOT eating a delicious freshly made chocolate chip cookie.

Thank you Sarah.

Summer time

Summer in Placentia has been hot, warm and occasionally overcast! Carl and I both joined a gym. We each have a personal trainer and are working hard to loose weight. We are looking forward to Matthew and Sarah visiting us this next week. We are still working in the yard busy with our jobs and church callings. Soon enough Sept. will be here and the 91 freeway west in the morning will load up again with everyone going back to school.

Andrew & Kate's open house reception in CA

Sat. June 20th was Andrew and Kate's open house reception in Long Beach. It was great to see our family and friends from Los Alamitos and Long Beach. Kate's parents came out from Texas and we really enjoyed spending time with them. Jim and Becky came down from Provo as well. The reception went very well. It was held in the big room at the Assistance League of Long Beach where I work. Katie did a beautiful job of decorating with photos of her and Andrew's wedding. We had good food, wonderful cupcakes and lots of visiting.

Mother's Day

I thought Mother's Day would be very sad this year. It is the first Mother's Day since 1982 when I became a mother that I haven't had at least one child with me on that day. However, it turned out to be a wonderful day! I spoke with all 6 of my children (yes I count Sarah and Katie as my children-in fact they were the easy ones to raise!!). I also spoke with my neice Angel which was a great surprise. Carl and I went to church with my sister Laury and then attended her son Dallas's priesthood ordination afterwards. We then went to her house for dunch/linner (a cross between lunch and dinner). I enjoyed my time with Dallas and of course Laury and I worked on genealogy.

Even though I wasn't physically with my kids, I enjoyed the day with Carl, Laury and Dallas and thought about my mother, my mother in law and all the other mother figures I have had in my life and how blessed I am to have had this family as part of my life!

We're Back

Well we are back from Dallas, Texas where son Andrew married our lovely new daughter in law Kate. The wedding was wonderful, the reception great and the weather was even OK. No rain, not too hot and no humidity. Can't ask for more than that! We were thrilled to finally meet Katie's family and think they are all wonderful. We look forward to getting to know them better in the years to come. Our entire family was there which was great. I'm so happy to have everyone on the same continent again! In fact, all 4 kids and spouses live in Provo now. Carl and I drove back and even though there wasn't a lot of variety to see through Arizona, New Mexico and Texas I enjoyed the time with Carl. I feel truly blessed to have such a great husband and children!

Were having a Contest

It’s been busy around here lately. Last Wednesday was not a fun day. There were layoffs, and about 80 people were laid off where I work. I was not affected, but several friends were, so it was a sad day. The good news for me is that there are no more scheduled layoffs in the near future.

I’ve attached a couple of pictures. The red rose is ‘Mr. Lincoln’. The yellow rose is ‘Midas Touch’. I’ve also attached a picture of the garden. The broccoli is abounding. We have already harvested about 1 ½ pounds, and there is still more to go. Click on the picture and you can see clearly see it growing. These pictures were taken after we harvested.

Please send us recipes of how to use lots and lots of broccoli. The submitter of the best recipe will get some of our canned jams (Strawberry or Apple or Peach).

I'm looking forward to our trip to Texas at the end of the month. Andrew is happier than I remember seeing him for a long time. Kate is such a sweet woman. I think Andrew has met his equal.

We're into jam!

At Carl's suggestion we have tried canning over the last few weeks. We did strawberry jam first and it turned out very yummy. Very sweet and a little runny but tastes very good. Last Sat. we did apple jam. It is very thick and I think quite good. Hopefully we will be able to do some canning of items from our garden. Our broccoli is going full speed ahead and we have had several radishes already. Thank you Carl for a great idea-I love working with you on projects!

I'm a Ham!

Well tonight I took the test to receive my Ham Radio License and I passed so now we have 2 Hams in the family! When the fires came to our area a few months ago, I watched Carl help out by using his radios and decided it was something I wanted to be able to do. I took the class and studied and as soon as my name appears on the Amature Radio database, I will be legal and can start transmitting!

Adoption

Who could turn down this adorable kittn.

The Last Bean.

Welcome. The latest from the garden.

The First 2 pictures are from a week ago, and the next 2 are from this morning.

I think this is the best garden we have ever had going, and it’s only March 1st, and we still haven’t planted zucchini. Here is what we have planted: Tomatoes (2 plants), Beans(6 plants), Lettuce (8 Head), Broccoli(2 Plants), Asparagus (2 Plants), Radish (20 so far), Cauliflower (4 Plants), Peas(6 Plants), Cucumber(3 Plants), Carrots (They are like rabbits).

Lindy and I also planted over 100 bulbs yesterday. Daylily, Freesia, Tigridia and Gladiolus.

After mowing, edging, sweeping, cleaning, watering, planting, shopping and everything else yesterday (about 7 hours), I was sore. Even more sore today. It’s a good sore, but it’s still sore. I’ll be over it in a couple of days.

The storms we had over the last 2 weeks helped most of the garden. We lost a dozen tulips, Cucumbers and Beans. We had 1 bean plant survive (See the last picture).

In these difficult times, many people are looking for a place to turn. I turn to my garden, my family, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My testimony of the restored Gospel helps to remind me that as we live in difficult times, there is ALWAYS hope. The troubles we have now are nothing compared to the blessing we can we receive.

My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7, 8)

May we endure the storms of life well, so that we can be the last surviving bean.

Jims Home. Almost.

Jims Home. Almost.

He called tonight (Thursday) from Fort Lewis, Washington. He should be back in Provo in about 1 week. Lindy and I are really happy he has made it home safely.

Holiday Card

I heard this Holiday card read on the Dr. Larua show and thought it was funny. Please enjoy.

Please accept with no obligation implied or explicit my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday practiced with-in the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice.

With respect for the religious secular persuasions and/or traditions of others or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009 but not without due respect for the calendars of choice for other cultures who’s contributions to society have helped make America great, not to imply that America is necessarily greater then any other country, nor the only America in the western hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or sexual preference of the wishee.

In other words, Merry Christmas.

Transcript from the Dr. Laura Show, January 5, 2009.

Good News And Bad News

Good News And Bad News
Jim and Mary were both patients in a Mental Hospital. One day while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Jim suddenly jumped into the deep end. He sunk to the bottom and stayed there. Mary promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled Jim out. When the medical director became aware of Mary's heroic act he immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as he now considered her to be mentally stable.

When he went to tell Mary the news he said, "Mary, I have good news and bad news. The good news is you're being discharged because since you were able to jump in and save the life of another patient, I think you've regained your senses. The bad news is, Jim, the patient you saved, hung himself with his bathrobe belt in the bathroom. I am so sorry, but he's dead." Mary replied "He didn't hang himself, I put him there to dry."

Isn't Spring Wonderful?

This is so cool. My roses are in. 6 varieties. Mister Lincoln, Peace, Tournament of Roses, Midas Touch, Medallion and Lagerfield. 6 different colors and styles. All of these roses were bare root and so we are starting them almost from the beginning. It's hard to see, but they are all there. We did replant the Tournament of Roses variety since is started leaning over.

Last Saturday, Lindy and I made the soil. Added all of the ingredients (Compost, Vermiculite and Peat Moss). It doesn't look like much in these pictures, but the soil is very rich and should hold water well. I'll let you know how well in future posts. Our square foot garden is looking good, for us starters.

So far Lindy and I planted Tomato (Early Girl and Beef Master), Lettuce, Cucumber, Broccoli and Asparagus. Of course in the near future, we will have carrots and radishes and peppers. It looks like we will not have a Jacquier family favorite of Zuccinni. This may surprise many of you, but my kids make the best Zuccinni bread in the world and I will miss it.

We added some flowers to for color. The marigolds also help keep to tomoto bugs away, so 4 marigolds are planted at the base of each tomoto plant. WARNING TO PESTS: I try my best to use avoid using chemicals, but if you still infest my garden I WILL USE CHEMICALS.

As you can see, I enjoy my garden. It is fun to make things grow, and I'm learning more every

time I have one. But the best thing in the world to me is my family. No matter what happens in the world, politics, weather, work etc. Either going the way I want, or not, doesn't match up to how much my family means to me.

Lindy, Jim, Andrew, Matthew, Becky, Sarah and Kate, you are the garden of my heart. Isn't Spring wonderful?

The Mote

The original owner of this house did some peculiar things around this house.


1) Plants planted into the ground in their original plastic containers. This isn't a real problem except for the roots. There is no where for the roots to go. Because of this, we lost a beautiful palm tree during 1 of our Santa Ana wind days.


2) Chains around palm trees to keep them together. This isn't a real problem except when 1 of the palm trees gets blown over due to the wind (see #1) and you don't have a key for the lock.


3) Chain link fencing buried in the driveway. This isn't a real problem unless you have a new driveway put in, and the contractors who were to spend 3 hours demoing the driveway needed 3 days.

The most interesting is the mote. This is the name of a trench along the back wall running the length of the property. It's dimensions are 110' x 7'2" x 1' 6". That's about 1,183 square feet (Please check my math and let me know if I'm wrong).

The explanation that I got for the mote is simple, but I've never heard anyone reacting this way. In most cities in southern CA, the city and utilities have run underground pipes and overhead wires. These same cities and utility companies have a right of way to improve/fix/manage these same pipes and wires. To do this, it may be necessary to dig up the ground. The previous owner handled this by building a mote the entire length of the backyard so that if the city/utility needed access to their pipes/wires, they could reach them without digging up the grass. Well, in 40 years, they have yet to dig up the yard. They did an upgrade to some of the pipes, from the street side a couple of years ago, so it looks like the mote was unnecessary. Now the mote has 2 horseshoe rings in it for entertainment. If I was to add a fence to it, it would be a great dog run. Of course, then I would need to get dogs.

I don't want to sound like I'm complaining. This is a great house, and I love it. Just a few things I think are odd.

20 years at Assistance League for Lindy!

As of Jan. 2nd I have worked at Assistance League of Long Beach for 20 years. When I began, I never envisioned being here that long but for the most part it has been a great experience. It was great when the kids were young because I was home by the time they got home from school. Assistance League of Long Beach is a non profit organization and every year they have a new president, consequently, I get a new boss every year. When this year's president found out about my anniversary she and the treasurer took me out to a nice lunch at a well known place in Los Alamitos, the Shennahdoah. Had a very yummy chicken cashew croissant sandwich!

My First Post

Well here goes my first post. It is Jan. 3rd and we are officially empty nesters. Becky left today with Andrew for Provo. Matthew and Sarah left last Monday. Mighty quiet in this old house. Today we bought roses for the yard and a couple of dwarf orange trees. Maybe next year we will have fresh orange juice.