My Next Life

In my next life I'm gonna be a bear.
If you're a bear, you get to hibernate.
You do nothing but sleep for six month.
I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate,
you're supposed to eat yourself stupid.
I could deal with that, too

If you're a bear, you birth you children (who are the size of walnuts)
while your sleeping and wake to a partially grown, cut cuddly cubs.
I could definitely deal with that.

If you're a momma bear, everyone knows you mean business.
You swat anyone who bothers your cubs.
If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too.
I could deal with that.

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling
He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat!

Yup.... Gona be a Bear

1 year ago this week

Last year at this time me and my family were all gathered together in SLC Utah preparing for the funeral for Ruth Nick and Audrey. (my sister, her husband and youngest daughter). At about this time to the day one year ago, I was out shopping with CeAnna, Megan, and Adrienne. We all wanted something purple to wear to the funeral and viewing, at DJ's request. (DJ is now known and Joie,) It was a break from the norm for that week, and the four of us ended up have a ton of fun! For starters there is Me the one in charge I don't really care for shopping, then there was Megan, who's definition of dressing up is a skirt and a T shirt, nothing frilly or even puffy sleeves at all! Then there is CeAnna who is either all girl or all tom boy depending on the day. Then there is Adrienne the Queen of all shoppers, who learned form the best Ruth. (that is what she says anyway) It made for a very interesting outing. CeAnna and Megan quickly found their purple outfits, that of course included a skirt and a shirt, then came Adrienne, I liked it she didn't, she liked it, it wasn't in her size, and on and on. I think we had about 10 outfits to try on, I ran back for a different size of something, and on the way out of the left corner of my right eye I saw the outfit, grabbed it to, I was trying to get Adrienne to hurry a bit, we were on a time line. So now imagine all the stress, Sister and family die, one is still in the hospital, we had been working on information, getting the viewing ready, pictures, flowers, program, along with keeping up on DJ and her needs and including her in as much as we could. So here we are waiting for Adrienne to hurry and go through her outfits, finely I get this idea that if she just hands me the clothes she has already tried on, and I would put them back on the hangers, and put them on the reject rack. So Just after asking her to hand out the clothes she had already tried on, a lady walks out of a stall, and then over the top of her stall comes all the outfits she didn't want. The lady and the clothes collided and Adrienne was laughing inside her stall, (she didn't know that all the clothes that she just threw (not handed) landed on top of and in front of this lady and I was now getting one evil eye from hell!) So after she left, I just bust up laughing, and because I was the one in charge I told her "I said hand them out , not throw them over the stall door" then I told her about the lady that they landed on , and that only helped us laugh harder. So did it actually help get things done faster, I don't know, but we did make it to the viewing on time, so no regrets here, I don't shop there, I don't live there, neither does Adrienne, so no harm done. It really was a shopping experience I won't ever forget.

Pictures

Check out my slide show, that will change with the weather too. I see the world & dream in pictures, not words. So enjoy which ever part you choose.

What is the last thing you will say.......

Two years ago in September our family to a trip to Southern Utah for Fish Family Reunion, the first for his side of the family, and everyone knew it would be the last for his grandma Betty Fish.
So we pack up our thing for a fun filled extended weekend on Smith's Mesa, we hiked all over the place, got dirty, thought about how we would fight a fire if it got any closer than it did, and help redo the water pipes and bury them that came down from the spring that gave them water in the cabin. We knew we were really short on time, but wanted to spend time with my family, I kinda threw them for a loop, and said because of time we only had time to go to SLC, for a day, and then the next morning we were going to head off back across the US to Alabama. Somewhere headed up the state of Utah, Ruth convinced us to just swing by her house and check out their unique cement home, it wasn't that far of I-15 she said. And from there it was a straight shot to Mary's not a big deal at all. Well after driving about 30 min we get to cedar fort. and then to the Home of Ruth and Nick. Yes unique it was, but then so was Nick and Ruth, I wouldn't expect anything else for them. But it was very much them, and it was a nice home, I sort of teased her about her ceiling and told her it was really creative, I really liked the barbed wire as crown molding. Most of all I liked her collection of lamps and old thing and how she decorated it. Then we got a phone call Nick was on his way home, and he was going to stop and get some hamburgers for dinner. So while we waited for Nick, Ruth convinced us to hike up to the water tower, I tried really hard to just sit and chat, but nooooo she wanted Chad and the kids to be able to find some Cedar fort follicles. I didn't have good hiking shoes on, in fact after getting to Mary and Tim's I had to go out and replace my shoes so I had something casual nice for Temple square. Yes I could have gone and gotten out my work shoes I had used on the Mesa but they were buried, and I just didn't want to unpack the car just to repack it again. So that was my lazy call not Ruth's, I just blame her for everything because it was a miserable hike. It had just burned and it was super dusty! and then the Hill up to the water tower, well that would be considered a mountain in these parts. For some reason I ended up with Audrey on my back and she had the purple pack that I now have, full of water, camera (I think) and snacks for the kids.
My kids had a blast, they loved every bit of it. Chad even found some cool follicles, although he really didn't want to be out there too. Chad and the kids went a head, Ruth took on my granny pace and we just talked and walked. When we got back Nick almost had the hamburgers ready, we ate and then headed over to Tim & Mary's. Just for the record, it was more out of the way than just on the way. The next day we spent with the rest of the family and yes Ruth and the girls were there too, It was a very fun packed stress free day, that went by way to fast. As the day came to an end and every one was saying their goodbyes, I just had to let Ruth know my feelings about the hike, but also that I was glad she dragged me up there. In future chats and what ever, I would give her grief about it's just out of the way, it isn't that far, when she planed her trip to the South East in April 07. She was going to see Esther, and then her brother in law Chris. And this time it was me trying to tell her it wasn't that far out of the way, It would only add about 300 miles onto her already planed trip, not a big deal, then what surprised the heck out of me is when she came back and said ok we can do that. But in the end Nick couldn't get off work, and she didn't feel safe driving that distance alone with just her and the girls. (I think she flew into SC and then drove to AL, and then flew home from Montgomery) I don't really remember why, we didn't plan on meeting up with her in Alabama, I would have gone in a heart beat, but it was never a topic we discussed. Oh well guess I will have to wait to get the answer on that one. I really hope it wasn't me that put it off. I do know that the main focus of her trip was to See Esther and her family, and Chris and his family. yes we were 3rd on the list, because she had just seen us in September. I had thought about surprising them in SC but I was just there in January, and I knew how big their apartment was. So it was what it was, because it is what it is. I would like to think that if I could live it all over again, I wouldn't be so negative about the hike, and that I really would have taken the time and enjoyed it better.

Night of all nights,
Last night started out like almost any other night, went to sleep with out almost no issues at all, and then out of the blue I was startled awake like nothing else, I don't remember the dream, don't know if I want to either. But once awake almost I had a RSL attack from no where like nothing else I have experienced. I only say RSL because that is the best I can describe it. At first I thought it was drugs gone wrong, way wrong! but I checked my heart rate and that was fine, breathing was fine, I could do simple tasks with no problem. So I knew I didn't need to go to the hospital. I tried relaxing, with some of my normal tricks, as I waited for the requip to kick in. It was only getting worse, my arms and legs were shaking like I was having a seizure, only I wasn't (I don't think anyway) because I could talk to Chad, and I was being fairly reasonable under the circumstances.
He wanted to take me into the hospital, but there was no way I wanted to go there, I couldn't explain it to him, how could I explain it to a Dr. I couldn't get comfortable in my own house, how in the heck was I going to get comfortable at the hospital. So he asked if he could give me a blessing. (the whole time I am shaking out of control, worse than baby shakes, except it was just my arms and legs) He gave me a blessing, and was very straight forward, and right to the point. I bless you that you will be able to relax, long pause, I bless you that you will be able to be comforted and rest. long pause I bless you that you will be able to sleep well, long pause, and then he ended. I just having Chad a wake and talking to me was 100% comfort in and of it's self little alone a blessing too. I came out got a drink of water, took CeAnna to the bathroom turned off her 1:00AM alarm. and went to bed, and was asleep just about that fast too. I had a dream, Ruth was there Brushing my long hair (except it is really short right now, my dream hadn't caught up to my hair cut yet another story) We were just talking about everything and how it was all okay, not to worry. I don't know why I don't worry about her, I worry about everyone else, epically the Jarman's and Joie. And Joe & his family. I worry about everyone else about the same and just what they are dealing with and the stress going on in their lives, but I don't think worry is the right word, I spend time thinking positive compassionate thoughts and sending them your way. (the prayer in my heart thing) Along with daily prayers. I don't think it was actually Ruth in my dreams, but I do know she really had issues with RLS and we would have a lot of conversations on that topic. I do think she was close by in spirit, and wished she could make it better for me. It was a really freaky night for me, that ended feeling really close to my sister.

Hot Peppers

Over the years living in a family who likes to grow HOT peppers, I know that when you handle them the oil can burn your hands. This really hasn't really ever bothered me until last year! When I decided to cut up a whole bunch of peppers all at once, ohhh very painful. There are a lot of suggestions to do to prevent this from happening, and treatment if it does happen. So this year I took the suggestion to wear gloves. (duh sort of a no brainer from last year's experience) So I was off and ready to do stewed tomatoes, with peepers and onions. I took me about 2 hours to cut up all the peppers and onions, and when I was done I put the latex gloves in the garbage, washed my hands and proceeded to finish up the project! OHHHHHH burning hands just like the year before what the heck. so I did a Google search again and found... don't use latex gloves the oil seeps through latex. So once again my hands were on fire. I tried the rubbing achol, I used powder, dish soap, laundry soap, baking soda, orange cleaner, Tylenol, and I even tried to find our ocean potion. (CeAnna loaned it out to someone) l l I didn't want to waist milk on my burning hands, but that was a suggestion. So I headed out to find some ocean potion, found something like unto it, used it once, and my hands were all better. So if you are going to be working with peppers, wear safety goggles, (I use my normal glasses) and don't use latex gloves.
I have some heavy duty green vinyl gloves to try next time around! Anyway happy cooking with hot peppers!

The AC

When it comes to an AC unit, they use a lot of juice, and make a lot of noise, and make your home very comfortable during any season. When the AC stops working what a night mare, all of a sudden this thing that made your home comfortable, is a ball of stress, and where the heck is the money going to come from to fix this beast. First thought, well there didn't used to be AC units, I will just tough it out for awhile. Well after a day of that you wish you would have called the AC guy a week before it broke down so there was no down time. Ok so the broken AC wasn't really that bad, we didn't have to actually go with out this year. But the thought of having to relive last year quickly came to mind. Then the reality of what was really wrong, a plugged drain line. My first thought was ok where is the drain-o. Good thing we didn't have any on hand, or I probably would have used it. So my next thought was call Kevin (the AC guy) who is also a friend of ours so I went a head and put our friendship on the line and called a professional to help me fix our AC unit with out having him come over, or paying him. Just simple information that I sort of found on the internet later on. I am thankful I did talk to him before turning to the internet, that would have made life really interesting. Anyway His first words were you didn't use drain-o did you? He knows me too well. he went on to say simple get your shop vac and just put it on the other end of the drain and let it suck it out, if it doesn't come out call me back. I figured if it didn't come out I would get Chad up in the attic with the air compressor and I would be at the other end with the shop vac. Well it really didn't need anymore than the shop vac, and it came right out. Now for our next problem. Because AC drain lines are known to get plugged they have a drip pan under them, to try to prevent them from having them bust in the ceiling of the room it is over. (This really did happen in AZ very funny story) Well our drip pan was set in so the water would run away from the back up drain and not to the drain, so there was a drip pan full of water that wasn't draining in the attic, do we just let it evaporate. or do we get the shop vac up there and clean it out. We cleaned it out. Nasty! then we followed the directions we found on the internet. dump bleach down the drain, and then clean water, that really made a difference in the clear part of the drain that we could see. Anyway here is the list of common AC yearly maintenance I found on the internet stuff anyone can do, as long as they own a shop vac. (If you don't already own a shop vac, go get one, once you've had one for a year, living with out one would be like living with out a toilet.) With notes on how we did it.

Locate the drain line. It runs from the furnace and will go to a nearby floor drain.

Step2

Visually look for clogs, debris, mold or mildew. ( there wasn't much of the drain you could see, and the actual drain from the AC unit was harder to get to than the drain at the other end)

Step3

Disconnect the line and remove any clogs by blowing air with an air compressor, running hot water through it, or blowing forcefully through one end. (Do this if using a shop vac on the other end doesn't work)

Step4

Run a solution of half-water, half-bleach through the line to kill mold or mildew. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all bleach from the line. (we used full strength bleach, but we did rinse thoroughly)

Step5

Reconnect the drain line. Make sure the line drains in a straight downward line. This will help prevent clogs from occurring. (never disconnected ours, I guess we could have if we really needed to but we didn't)

Step6

Clean the drain pan clean to remove any debris, mold or mildew. Your drip pan is located above the heat exchange on your furnace. It is critical to keep this cleaned and properly functioning to avoid water invading the heat exchange. Rust holes in your heat exchange means the furnace needs to be replaced.

Step7

Perform this maintenance on your condensation line annually and any time you see water coming from the drain pan.