Year End Update

I know I say this every year but I can not believe that today is the last day of 2009. The year came and went so fast. I have finished another year of school. Just one and a half to go. I had a great year and received my first B+ which was good and bad. Bad because I am an over achiever and good because now the pressure is off a bit. I had a difficult semester with the construction going and was really happy when finals were over. I look forward to the Spring Sememster and hope I will enjoy school like I used too.

Our construction is almost finished, well the inside anyways. We just have the backsplash and two small tile floors to finish along with some minor carpentry and cabinet touchup. I was able to officially clean up the construction mess on Christmas Eve. My mom came and helped a lot.



Mom was not just with the clean up but also with a very sad event. Our puppy, finally named Molly, became ill and we took her to a vet to check on her. He tested her for Parvo and that was negative so they hydrated her, she had been vomiting, and sent her home with anti-biotics. She seemed to feel better and got a little energy back but the then the next night the vomiting started again. She became very ill and I kept her by my bed all night so I could help her if she got sick again. When I woke up the next morning she was so ill and lifeless. I held her thinking that I was going to keep her warm and comfortable until she died. My wonderful husband decided to take her to another vet to see if they could help her. They tested her blood and the sugar level was critically low - 23 when she should be 150 to 175. They started treatment and gave her an 80-85 percent chance of recovery. She started to rally and was going to be able to come home on Christmas Eve. They called that morning and said to pick her up after noon. The doctor did mention that she vomited again but was not too concerned. Scott and Josie went to pick her up and she had taken a turn for the worse. They knew something was wrong inside her little body and so they wanted to do a couple of tests and see if she needed surgery. She never got strong enough and by 3:00pm she went into cardiac arrest and on the 3rd time the staff was unable to revive her and she passed away. Scott happened to be at the vets waiting to see her and get an update when I called and told him the news. I always felt bad that we did not bring home our shetland collie when she had to be put down, to bury, so I asked him to bring her home and we buried her out under the trees. We only had her three weeks but Josie, Scott, and I really fell in love with her and it was an unhappy day. I was so glad to have such a great husband who did everything he could for our little "baby" and my mom with me. She really was a help and a loving support.



Other than that we had a great year and Christmas was wonderful because the grandchildren were here. It is difficult to be sad when you have such fun grandchildren to spend Christmas with. Shauntel took pity on us old folks and did not wake us up until 7:30am. We were grateful for that. The kids walked downstairs to an undecorated Christmas tree and saw all there presents and were so excited. They didn't even care that we lacked decorations this year. It was difficult to decorate because our house did not get put back together until Christmas Eve. Without my beloved grandchilden and children, Christmas would have been pretty boring and quiet.

We also had Scott's family over for breakfast and that was also fun. They brought presents from the grandparents in Japan and so that was exciting for all to see what they sent. Then we went to my mom's for traditional Christmas Day chicken noodle soup and to visit with the family. It was a nice day after all.

10 Things I Love About You...2009

1. Shauntel and her family spending the summer with me.

2. Ryan cooking delicious dinners for us - especially crab legs and prime rib!

3. Seeing Brad at work with always a friendly "Mom! How are you."

4. Amy's getting a job with Granite District teaching geography, yuck!

5. Whitney being accepted to Medical School and completing her first "semester."

6. Jacob coming home honorably from his mission and getting engaged.

7. Getting to know Felicia and adding a new member to our family.

8. Josie going to her first "formal" dance at school.

9. Jackie's opportunity to finish another year of school even though there was much complaining.

10. Most importantly, having such a great husband that would do anything so that I do not have to be sad or uncomfortable.

Merry Christmas to me (a little early)!

I got my Christmas present early this year, and I share it with Josie. We have both wanted a new puppy for a long time but had been unsuccessful in talking Scott into getting us one. We would look on KSL.com for a dog we both liked. We decided on a poodle because they stay small and do not shed, besides Jo kaboshed the Dachshund because they grow up ugly (her words) and shed (my words).


On Friday, Josie and I sat down again and looked on KSL.com and there happened to be a lady coming from Idaho who was selling poodles. Josie had two requirements for the dog:
1. It could not be white because their eyes get gross.
2. It could not be a male.


Well Idaho lady had two females and one was black. Plus her name is Rita and that is what we call Aunt Jen, so we took it as sign that it was time to talk Scott into an early Christmas present. Well I asked him Friday night and said this would be the last time I asked because I did not want to nag him anymore about it. He said he truly did not want a dog and so I said okay and gave Jo the bad news. She decided that she would ask him herself and the discussed why he did not want to have the dog and she explained that she is older and would be very responsible. Well, he gave his infamous answer that he always gives when Josie want something, "if your bedroom is clean right now (then you can have the dog)." Josie had anticipated this answer and she and her friend Devon had cleaned her bedroom earlier that day. Scott and Jo walked downstairs and walked into the bedroom and Scott said "Oh my h***." He knew he had be snookered. But being the man of honor that he is he said I gave you my word and you can have the puppy.


I couldn't believe it! We went to the house Rita was staying at and bought little girl, she has no name yet. She is very young, only five weeks and probably shouldn't have left her mother, but she was weened and all ready on solid food so I consented and we took this little, sweet baby home Friday night.


She is so cute and we both love her so much all ready. All I could say to Scott is that at least you have your Christmas shopping finished. It didn't make him better but he sure being a good sport.


Shauntel and her family came to town today, Saturday, and the kids got to play with girl. She would chase J.R. around trying to get his toes. She did get Shyann's toes and she did not like this at all. Shyann was also very protective and anything that was on the floor because she did not want puppy to chew it. It was a fun day because I had the grandchildren while Shauntel and Ryan went to Premier to make holiday baskets for our customers. What could be better than being with the grandchildren and a new puppy. Maybe a little bit of chocolate and it would have been perfect!

Whew! Time to Catch Up!

Here it is after Thanksgiving and I haven't blogged in such a long time. Remodeling the house and going to school at the same time has proven to be quite a challenge. It has been very busy at our house and I have just finished my last midterm. Construction and midterms should never be going on at the same time! I have just finished midterms and finals are in about two weeks. I will need the winter vacation to recuperate. I really hope the construction is finished by then, or at least by Christmas. We thought it would be finished at the end of September, then by Halloween, and hoped by Thanksgiving, but no such luck. Counter tops are being installed today. They have been the hold up. They were supposed to be installed on November 18, then on the 20Th, then on 23rd and now on the 30Th here we are. We will be able to get the sinks, dishwashers, and cook top installed tonight after they leave. That is very good news. Tomorrow and Wednesday we will have the cabinet manufacturer come and finish them and finish the final touches on the railings and stairs. The carpenter will be here Thursday to finish the moldings. I love how the moldings have turned out. If you need a good carpenter I have one, his name is Jeremy Beck. He actually used to be employed by Premier Vending but left us a few year ago to start his own company. He is doing really well because he does such great work. December 14, brings the shutters and I believe that is the final touch on the room. I am very excited to see it finished and show my friends and family the final product.

Now onto a more fun topic. On August 29, 2009 we attended Oktoberfest at Snowbird again. We went last year and had such a good time that we have decided to make it an annual event. This year we had J.R. and Shyann so it was even more fun. We ate our delicious dinner, J.R. ate caramel popcorn and Shy ate cookies. I know not very nutritious but I am grandma and they can eat whatever they want. Then the big kids, Scott, Brad, Amy, Jacob, and Josie went down the Alpine Slide while the little kids and I watched. It took them a long time to come down so grandma had to do some entertaining while we waited but all in all it was a very fun day. J.R. loved watching the Yo Yo man who is always at Oktoberfest. It is so nice to spend time with my children and grandchildren. I am glad Brad and Amy reminded us that we needed to go or we may have flaked out.

Whitney has been home twice lately to visit. She came home on October 16 which fell at the same time as Josie's Homecoming Dance. We spent Saturday with Josie taking her to get her hair done and a pedicure so that she had fabulous toes for her fabulous new gold sparkly shoes. She looked so cute. She wore a cream and gold dress with her gold shoes and she looked liked a pretty pretty princess. We had such a good time with her. Whitney and I also were able to go to a movie because that is one of the things Whitney misses while away and busy with school. We went to see Couple's Retreat and I don't know if it was funny or Whitney was funny but she laughed loudly and I then laughed at her laughing. It was so fun. She also came home came home for Thanksgiving. She was a little bored this time because I had to work one day and go to school for class and the last midterm. When she comes for Christmas we are going skiing and I will not have work, construction, or school so it should be more fun for her.

Shauntel came to pick up supplies for gift baskets she was making for Banasky Insurance a couple of weeks ago. She brought Shy and we had a good time having a girls day out with Josie, Shauntel, me, and her. We went shopping and to dinner. We, of course talked Shauntel into staying because she was going to go home on Saturday but luckily for us, we had a snow storm that kept her here so we could have the fun girls day out.

Yes, it has been a hectic few months but I have been very blessed this year and love my life. I would like to end this blog with:

10 Things I Am Grateful For...

1. My wonderful husband

2. My fantastic children and grandchildren

3. All my beloved extended family members

4. Great Friends

5. The opportunity to attend the University of Utah

6. Teaching the Sunbeams - they are so cute

7. My health

8. My home and all the comforts and protection I enjoy because of it

9. The blessing of the having the gospel restored here on this earth

10. Most important I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and his willingness to Atone for me so that I can return back to my Heavenly Father

Construction Framing, Done!

I have invited my friends from Face Book to come to my blog to see the progress of our construction site. I thought it would be a good idea to tell the story of how this project came to be. I will post pictures taken since my last post so if you want to know more you can read the earlier posts about the project.

The story starts with me wanting to change the banisters in my house. I wanted to do something different than the other 100 houses in our neighborhood, an exaggeration. We started to get bids and find out what the project would entail so I suggested to Scott that now would be the time to re-due the kitchen as well. I have wanted to redo the kitchen for over six years but when I was in the Relief Society Presidency, the president told how her sister-in-law surprised her husband by paying off their house early as a 50th birthday gift to him. I relayed the story to Scott and he decided that we should do that too and all the money I had saved for the kitchen went to the house payment. After a few years, we were able to pay the house off and so I started to save again. Anyway back to the story. After I suggested the kitchen redo at the same time as the stairway, Scott thought it would be nice to expand the kitchen so that when the kids come home we can all fit comfortably at the table. We talked about how to do this and what would be best for our needs. I had the idea to turn the existing family room into the kitchen and visa versa. If we did this there would be several advantages. First we could knock the room out as far as we wanted. Second, we would be on the same level as the garage and bringing in groceries would be easier. Third and most important to me, we would be on the same level as the swimming pool. When we have parties everyone ends up in the kitchen and so this is really a big deal. No more going through the family room up to kitchen. So that is what we have done.

We started the planning back in February and March. The architect finished the plans in April. The engineer had them a week or so, so we are now in May. The plans then went to the city for permits and they had them over three weeks. We did not start construction until the middle of June. This was not a good thing because I wanted the project to be finished by the time I went back to school. The framers took the longest time to finish. They actually just finished on Monday, August 24. The plumber finished all that he could do until walls are put up, and the electricians finished all they can do for now today, August 26.

It has been a test in patience but I think Scott and I have done really well. Especially during the days the air conditioner was turned off. That was miserable and made me very cranky.

We now move into the stage of pouring the patio pad and sheet rocking the inside. Appliances have been purchased and cabinets have been ordered. We still have to pick out the granite for the counter tops and the travertine for the floor. Work will continue to progress and we hope to be finished by Thanksgiving. Won't that be great to have all my family home with enough room to be together without bumping into one another. We also hope to have my brother-in-law and his family come because he is a great cook and loves to do it so between him and my son-in-law dinner would be fantastic.

The moral of this story is this is one expensive banister. :)

Shy helping Grandpa

J.R. wants to help too - he was actually first

Tearing the porch apart

Crane comes to lift the steel beam into place



Framers doing their job - they took such a long time

Heating and Air Conditioning Guys

Getting ready to destroy - Josie and friend Devon

Destroying

More destruction

Success - wall comes down

Josie's war wound

Getting ready to install can lights - The tarp was the tool to help keep the rain out of basement. Yes we flooded on the Saturday with heavy rain.

Scott installing the lights

Brad was a great help

Framing finally finished - inside

Outside view of finished framing

Another view

Life Saver