Dear Kids,
Dad and I are settling back into our normal routine. Dad started a new run this morning, because UTA always changes the runs when the ski work ends. Yep, no more ski busses, now that we have a huge dump of snow in the mountains. It’s always that way. Springtime in the Rockies.
We’re still trying to get back onto Utah time, after our trip to Michigan. We tried to stay up late while we were there, and sleep in late, but it didn’t work very well. (Now I wake up about 3 each morning and I’m ready for bed by 8 pm.) We had a lot of fun playing with Charlie and Matthew and Lucy, and we had a great time attending Seth’s dissertation defense, not that we understood a whole lot of it. Basically, lupus patients have more heart disease than the average person, because Type I Interferons in their blood keeps the blood vessels from repairing themselves. (Steven condensed it into three words: Interferon is BAD.) Seth was studying the effects of interferons in mice, because they’re so much more expendable than humans. (He expended hundreds of them.) Now he’s finished with his PhD, but he’ll still be working in his lab until they leave for Maryland in July.
It was really cold in Michigan–in the teens at night, and thirties during the day. Plus, it’s damp, and the wind blows. We didn’t spend much time outside. Seth’s family came the day before the presentation, so Dad and I spent our last two nights at the Lamp Post Motel. It was very funky, probably built in the fifties, with many layers of paint on the walls and many layers of caulk on the yellow tile in the shower. Very thin towels, some with holes in them. But everything was clean. And it was cheap. Can’t beat that. Our flight home was very roundabout: From Detroit to Philadelphia, and then a long flight from Philly back over Detroit, over a corner of Utah, and down to Phoenix. And our last leg was from Phoenix back to Salt Lake. I think by then we’d seen enough of the country for one day. We were glad to get home.
Conference weekend was great! Lotsa kids, lotsa food, lotsa fun, and we actually listened to most of the speakers. Sunday morning we woke up to a big snowstorm, which dropped 8 or 10 inches, but nobody went sledding. I think we’re about wintered out.
What’s up next? The Easter picnic at Al and Missy’s on the Saturday, the 23rd. Thank goodness there’s always some family event to look forward to!
Lots of love, Mom
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Dear Kids,
Dad and I are packed up, ready to leave for the airport in a few minutes. The cats are milling around, deciding on the last possible minute to hide from us. We know their routine, though, and we’re waiting for the last possible minute to throw them out. We’ll be gone to Michigan for 6 days, but Donna will be coming on Tuesday to run my piano class and refill the catfood container.
We’re looking forward to conference weekend right after we get back. We’re hoping to have lots of you for dinner on Sunday, and possibly see some of you on Saturday, too. I presume the guys will be going to the Saturday night session in the new Francis church. (No more long "11-minute" drive to Marion!)
I bought new towels for the cabin, and the old ones are piled on the dining room table. First come, first dibbs. They would be good for trips to the swimming pool, wiping the floor, etc.
Vanessa says that Meg is doing great! She even went to Church the following Sunday. Thank goodness kids heal quickly!
Dad is facebook friends with Emily Thomas Nixon, and she sent him a message that she and Marcus kept talking about those cookies I used to bake for their Sunday School classes. They wanted the recipe. Ah, yes, I remember those cookies. I looked forward to eating them as much as anybody in the class.
Oops, our ride is here. I have to upload this quickly.
Love, Mom
Dad and I are packed up, ready to leave for the airport in a few minutes. The cats are milling around, deciding on the last possible minute to hide from us. We know their routine, though, and we’re waiting for the last possible minute to throw them out. We’ll be gone to Michigan for 6 days, but Donna will be coming on Tuesday to run my piano class and refill the catfood container.
We’re looking forward to conference weekend right after we get back. We’re hoping to have lots of you for dinner on Sunday, and possibly see some of you on Saturday, too. I presume the guys will be going to the Saturday night session in the new Francis church. (No more long "11-minute" drive to Marion!)
I bought new towels for the cabin, and the old ones are piled on the dining room table. First come, first dibbs. They would be good for trips to the swimming pool, wiping the floor, etc.
Vanessa says that Meg is doing great! She even went to Church the following Sunday. Thank goodness kids heal quickly!
Dad is facebook friends with Emily Thomas Nixon, and she sent him a message that she and Marcus kept talking about those cookies I used to bake for their Sunday School classes. They wanted the recipe. Ah, yes, I remember those cookies. I looked forward to eating them as much as anybody in the class.
Oops, our ride is here. I have to upload this quickly.
Love, Mom
Friday, March 18, 2011
Dear Kids,
I was just sitting here trying to think of some news for my family letter, when Vanessa called and said Meg was in the hospital and her appendix had been taken out. She woke up yesterday morning with stomach pain, and her white blood cell count was high, but the doctor wasn’t sure it was her appendix, because she wasn’t screaming in pain. (Sound familiar, anyone?) Luckily, with laporoscopy they can look all around inside you, and the appendix didn’t look terrible, but it wasn’t normal either. They found a place where her diverticulum had ruptured, though, which can be really bad. So they cleaned it all out and took out her appendix besides, and we hope she will make a fast recovery. She’ll probably be in the hospital for another day. They had planned to leave for Disneyland this morning, but naturally they’re not going now. Sterling was practicing his theatrics (mostly a very sad face) for telling his teacher that they weren’t going to Disneyland because of his sister’s appendix. Vanessa says Disneyland is the absolute last thing on her mind right now. We’re just happy that it all turned out OK for Meg.
Paul has a job! No, it’s not engineering. It’s not full time. It doesn’t have benefits. He’s working at Frederico’s Pizza in Logan, three nights a week. He washes dishes and sometimes busses tables. Well, it’s honest work. You know what they say.
My breathing troubles are back again. I thought I didn’t really have COPD, because I was doing so well, but something brought it back. Dr. Newbold prescribed a different inhaler, Dulera, but so far it isn’t doing much for me. He referred me to a specialist he thinks is very good, but whenever I call their number, I only get a recording that says to leave a name and number, and they’ll call back. I’ve left my name and number twice, but I haven’t heard from them yet. Pulmonary doctors are supposedly the hardest to get into. Maybe I’ll drive to their office and camp out at the front desk until they let me make an appointment. But maybe it doesn’t even matter. I’ll probably have trouble off and on for the long term now. Dr. Newbold said the last two tests have shown that my lungs are scarred, but it’s funny I’m just hearing about it now.
Well, sorry for the downbeat news. I hope you’re all doing really well.
Love, Mom
I was just sitting here trying to think of some news for my family letter, when Vanessa called and said Meg was in the hospital and her appendix had been taken out. She woke up yesterday morning with stomach pain, and her white blood cell count was high, but the doctor wasn’t sure it was her appendix, because she wasn’t screaming in pain. (Sound familiar, anyone?) Luckily, with laporoscopy they can look all around inside you, and the appendix didn’t look terrible, but it wasn’t normal either. They found a place where her diverticulum had ruptured, though, which can be really bad. So they cleaned it all out and took out her appendix besides, and we hope she will make a fast recovery. She’ll probably be in the hospital for another day. They had planned to leave for Disneyland this morning, but naturally they’re not going now. Sterling was practicing his theatrics (mostly a very sad face) for telling his teacher that they weren’t going to Disneyland because of his sister’s appendix. Vanessa says Disneyland is the absolute last thing on her mind right now. We’re just happy that it all turned out OK for Meg.
Paul has a job! No, it’s not engineering. It’s not full time. It doesn’t have benefits. He’s working at Frederico’s Pizza in Logan, three nights a week. He washes dishes and sometimes busses tables. Well, it’s honest work. You know what they say.
My breathing troubles are back again. I thought I didn’t really have COPD, because I was doing so well, but something brought it back. Dr. Newbold prescribed a different inhaler, Dulera, but so far it isn’t doing much for me. He referred me to a specialist he thinks is very good, but whenever I call their number, I only get a recording that says to leave a name and number, and they’ll call back. I’ve left my name and number twice, but I haven’t heard from them yet. Pulmonary doctors are supposedly the hardest to get into. Maybe I’ll drive to their office and camp out at the front desk until they let me make an appointment. But maybe it doesn’t even matter. I’ll probably have trouble off and on for the long term now. Dr. Newbold said the last two tests have shown that my lungs are scarred, but it’s funny I’m just hearing about it now.
Well, sorry for the downbeat news. I hope you’re all doing really well.
Love, Mom
Monday, March 7, 2011
Dear Kids,
Dad and I just bought tickets for a trip to Michigan March 26-31. Seth is doing his dissertation defense, and even though we won’t understand much of what’s going on, we’ll be there anyway. The Thackers are coming too, so it will be wild and crazy. I think Dad and I will be staying in a motel for a couple of nights, but we’re always up for a Motel 6 adventure. (Not a Hilton adventure, however.)
Friday afternoon we were in Heber, checking out John’s new office. It’s actually the same old office with a totally new look, and everything’s laid out differently now. We gawked at his marble counter tops and funky new sinks and faucets. Later that night we went up to the cabin to stay overnight. There are still seven or eight lonely jackets and coats hanging on the coat rack. Anybody? Anybody? I’ll probably leave them there until Conference Sunday, and then haul them off to the DI after that.
Saturday morning we did cabin work projects, and then drove to Midway so Dad could spend just a little more time with Donna and Bevan’s dishwasher, which he’s become so attached to. (It’s an electrical problem this time.) I worked on their bathroom tile. When I walked outside to get my chocolate chips out of the car, I noticed a kid on a skateboard coming down Center Street, right down the middle of the road. (It slopes downward for several blocks.) He sailed past me and kept on going. Cars went by him on both sides, but he just kept cruising. Is that a Midway thing, skateboarding down the middle of the road?
When we were done with our projects, we drove down Provo Canyon to Orem, to visit Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma looked a lot better than last time. Charlie told her about a woman in his ward who lived four years on hospice, and Grandma said that would take her to age 91, which might be a good time to go. She’s knitting again, too, which we thought she couldn’t do any more. Best of all, she looked cheerful. Grandpa, too. We had a fun visit.
This coming Sunday, the 13th, I’ll be cooking Sunday dinner again. It won’t have been a month since the last time, but I want to get in one more dinner before Conference weekend, April 3rd, when I’ll be cooking dinner at the cabin. Be there or be square.
Life is good! We’re grateful for all the wonderful things you kids are doing, now that you’re grownups.
Lots of love, Mom
Dad and I just bought tickets for a trip to Michigan March 26-31. Seth is doing his dissertation defense, and even though we won’t understand much of what’s going on, we’ll be there anyway. The Thackers are coming too, so it will be wild and crazy. I think Dad and I will be staying in a motel for a couple of nights, but we’re always up for a Motel 6 adventure. (Not a Hilton adventure, however.)
Friday afternoon we were in Heber, checking out John’s new office. It’s actually the same old office with a totally new look, and everything’s laid out differently now. We gawked at his marble counter tops and funky new sinks and faucets. Later that night we went up to the cabin to stay overnight. There are still seven or eight lonely jackets and coats hanging on the coat rack. Anybody? Anybody? I’ll probably leave them there until Conference Sunday, and then haul them off to the DI after that.
Saturday morning we did cabin work projects, and then drove to Midway so Dad could spend just a little more time with Donna and Bevan’s dishwasher, which he’s become so attached to. (It’s an electrical problem this time.) I worked on their bathroom tile. When I walked outside to get my chocolate chips out of the car, I noticed a kid on a skateboard coming down Center Street, right down the middle of the road. (It slopes downward for several blocks.) He sailed past me and kept on going. Cars went by him on both sides, but he just kept cruising. Is that a Midway thing, skateboarding down the middle of the road?
When we were done with our projects, we drove down Provo Canyon to Orem, to visit Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma looked a lot better than last time. Charlie told her about a woman in his ward who lived four years on hospice, and Grandma said that would take her to age 91, which might be a good time to go. She’s knitting again, too, which we thought she couldn’t do any more. Best of all, she looked cheerful. Grandpa, too. We had a fun visit.
This coming Sunday, the 13th, I’ll be cooking Sunday dinner again. It won’t have been a month since the last time, but I want to get in one more dinner before Conference weekend, April 3rd, when I’ll be cooking dinner at the cabin. Be there or be square.
Life is good! We’re grateful for all the wonderful things you kids are doing, now that you’re grownups.
Lots of love, Mom
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Dear Kids,
I’ve been putting off writing my family letter for lack of news, but nothing has come up. It was fun having so many of you for Sunday dinner last week. It’s always wild and crazy and fun. Our next family Sunday dinner will be March 13 (getting back to the 2nd Sunday, my plan,) and then the next time after that will be April 3, Conference Sunday, at the cabin. (Wow, this long winter is going by fast!) Easter Sunday is April 24th, and on Saturday the 23rd, Allen and Missy are hosting a picnic and Easter Egg hunt at their house.
Dad was off last Monday for Presidents Day, so we drove to Midway so Dad could do his final work on hooking up Donna and Bevan’s dishwasher. (It has been a heck of a job, due to the weird way the kitchen is laid out.) Usually Midway is pretty quiet, even on Center Street, but we were surprised to see several vehicles in front of Donna and Bevan’s house. Their living room was full of old guys in fishing gear. Winter gear, that is. They were all friends of Bevan’s dad, and they had been ice fishing at Deer Creek. When three of them fell through the ice, Lloyd sent them to Donna and Bevan’s to get warm and dry out. Donna gave them cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate, and they put their stuff in the dryer. They said everything had to be completely dry, so their wives wouldn’t find out. Besides, they couldn’t go home yet, because it was still morning. When they were all dried out and put back together, they took off for Rockport, where they figured the ice would be thicker. A couple of weeks ago, when I drove past Deer Creek, there were hundreds of people on the ice, with their little huts. I thought it was the dumbest sport ever invented, but come to find out, people really do catch fish that way! Bevan’s dad offered some to us, but they didn’t look very appetizing.
If you’ve been on Facebook, you might have seen Bonnie’s link to the video of Grandma Allen’s cat Charlie, after he was shaved. Nancy made a good point: we shave poodles, so why not cats? Ask Ramona. She gets professional shaves from Monica now.
Paul has a new job, sort of, but it doesn’t pay anything. He helps deliver Meals on Wheels. I’m glad he’s doing it, because Grandma and Grandpa really benefitted from that program, and I’m glad someone in our family is giving back. Speaking of Grandma, things haven’t changed much for her in the last few days. Any time you can visit her and Grandpa would be a good time, the way things are going.
Maybe it’s good when there’s no news! At least there isn’t any bad news right now, that I know of!
Lots of love, Mom
I’ve been putting off writing my family letter for lack of news, but nothing has come up. It was fun having so many of you for Sunday dinner last week. It’s always wild and crazy and fun. Our next family Sunday dinner will be March 13 (getting back to the 2nd Sunday, my plan,) and then the next time after that will be April 3, Conference Sunday, at the cabin. (Wow, this long winter is going by fast!) Easter Sunday is April 24th, and on Saturday the 23rd, Allen and Missy are hosting a picnic and Easter Egg hunt at their house.
Dad was off last Monday for Presidents Day, so we drove to Midway so Dad could do his final work on hooking up Donna and Bevan’s dishwasher. (It has been a heck of a job, due to the weird way the kitchen is laid out.) Usually Midway is pretty quiet, even on Center Street, but we were surprised to see several vehicles in front of Donna and Bevan’s house. Their living room was full of old guys in fishing gear. Winter gear, that is. They were all friends of Bevan’s dad, and they had been ice fishing at Deer Creek. When three of them fell through the ice, Lloyd sent them to Donna and Bevan’s to get warm and dry out. Donna gave them cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate, and they put their stuff in the dryer. They said everything had to be completely dry, so their wives wouldn’t find out. Besides, they couldn’t go home yet, because it was still morning. When they were all dried out and put back together, they took off for Rockport, where they figured the ice would be thicker. A couple of weeks ago, when I drove past Deer Creek, there were hundreds of people on the ice, with their little huts. I thought it was the dumbest sport ever invented, but come to find out, people really do catch fish that way! Bevan’s dad offered some to us, but they didn’t look very appetizing.
If you’ve been on Facebook, you might have seen Bonnie’s link to the video of Grandma Allen’s cat Charlie, after he was shaved. Nancy made a good point: we shave poodles, so why not cats? Ask Ramona. She gets professional shaves from Monica now.
Paul has a new job, sort of, but it doesn’t pay anything. He helps deliver Meals on Wheels. I’m glad he’s doing it, because Grandma and Grandpa really benefitted from that program, and I’m glad someone in our family is giving back. Speaking of Grandma, things haven’t changed much for her in the last few days. Any time you can visit her and Grandpa would be a good time, the way things are going.
Maybe it’s good when there’s no news! At least there isn’t any bad news right now, that I know of!
Lots of love, Mom
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Dear Kids,
The big news of the week is Monica’s notice on Facebook, and if you didn’t see it, she posted: BOY! I presume that means a little Prendergast boy will be born in July. Great news! A girl would have been great, too, of course. We hope everything goes well.
I had fun today at David Tregaskis’s wedding, although I was too tired to go alone to the reception tonight, and Dad’s doing the Blue and Gold Banquet. (He made a big pot of spaghetti and meatball sauce and took it.) Anyway, at the wedding, I had a lot of time to talk to my siblings, while we waited for the luncheon. Bonnie is making all the decisions for Grandma and Grandpa now, and they’ve started hospice treatment. Generally that means the person (or persons) are expected to die within six months, although Charlie said a woman in his ward just died after four years on hospice. Most of us don’t think Grandma will last six months, and Grandpa will probably follow her pretty soon after that. Grandma passed out in Bonnie’s car last week, coming home from a hair appointment, but she revived on her own. She and Grandpa have asked that no paramedics are to be called, no matter what. Their lives have shrunk down to their family room and the bathroom, and the hallway in between, and when you consider what they used to do, they don’t have much quality of life left. Earth life, that is. The good thing about hospice is that they have nurses, hairdressers, grief counselors, and even a chaplain. Bonnie said the chaplain read scriptures with them and sang a couple of songs, and Grandpa loved it. He thought the chaplain was his new home teacher. My brother Andy says if he gets laid off from Thiokol, he’ll become a chaplain. He says the training is pretty easy. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know what’s going on with Grandma and Grandpa so you’ll be prepared, if that’s possible.
Tom and Kim will be in charge of our Ackerson family reunion this summer, and we’ve tentatively set the date for August 18-20. If you have a conflict, please let Tom know as soon as possible. There will be an Allen family reunion too, at Riverwooods Park, probably the middle week in July. I’ll let you know the exact date when I find out.
I’ll be cooking Sunday dinner this coming Sunday, the 20th. We’ll try to eat at 4:30. Let me know if you’re coming, so we can set enough places!
Hope you’re all doin’ great and lovin’ it!
Love, Mom
The big news of the week is Monica’s notice on Facebook, and if you didn’t see it, she posted: BOY! I presume that means a little Prendergast boy will be born in July. Great news! A girl would have been great, too, of course. We hope everything goes well.
I had fun today at David Tregaskis’s wedding, although I was too tired to go alone to the reception tonight, and Dad’s doing the Blue and Gold Banquet. (He made a big pot of spaghetti and meatball sauce and took it.) Anyway, at the wedding, I had a lot of time to talk to my siblings, while we waited for the luncheon. Bonnie is making all the decisions for Grandma and Grandpa now, and they’ve started hospice treatment. Generally that means the person (or persons) are expected to die within six months, although Charlie said a woman in his ward just died after four years on hospice. Most of us don’t think Grandma will last six months, and Grandpa will probably follow her pretty soon after that. Grandma passed out in Bonnie’s car last week, coming home from a hair appointment, but she revived on her own. She and Grandpa have asked that no paramedics are to be called, no matter what. Their lives have shrunk down to their family room and the bathroom, and the hallway in between, and when you consider what they used to do, they don’t have much quality of life left. Earth life, that is. The good thing about hospice is that they have nurses, hairdressers, grief counselors, and even a chaplain. Bonnie said the chaplain read scriptures with them and sang a couple of songs, and Grandpa loved it. He thought the chaplain was his new home teacher. My brother Andy says if he gets laid off from Thiokol, he’ll become a chaplain. He says the training is pretty easy. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know what’s going on with Grandma and Grandpa so you’ll be prepared, if that’s possible.
Tom and Kim will be in charge of our Ackerson family reunion this summer, and we’ve tentatively set the date for August 18-20. If you have a conflict, please let Tom know as soon as possible. There will be an Allen family reunion too, at Riverwooods Park, probably the middle week in July. I’ll let you know the exact date when I find out.
I’ll be cooking Sunday dinner this coming Sunday, the 20th. We’ll try to eat at 4:30. Let me know if you’re coming, so we can set enough places!
Hope you’re all doin’ great and lovin’ it!
Love, Mom
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Dear Kids,
The double baby blessing last Sunday was a great event. As Nora pointed out in her testimony, all but one of her siblings were there! Sharon and Seth, we really missed you! It was fun having Monica around for a couple of days. Thanks, everyone, for such a great day!
Dad and I are still getting used to having a van again. I never did get used to its California tires, however. Last Saturday morning I was driving from the Cabin to Heber in an unexpected snowstorm, and it was terrible going past the Jordanelle. I didn’t know if I was going to stay on the road or go over the side. In Midway I picked up Anna, to tend her for the day, and I also traded cars with John, because I had to drive to Utah Valley for a bridal shower (for David T’s fiancee) and a baby shower (for Carly.) John’s car has Arctic Claw tires, and they got us down Provo Canyon very safely. Monday morning, early, Dad ordered Blizzak tires for the van, and I told him it didn’t matter how much they cost. It was plenty. But I feel safe now, and ready for anything. This morning Dad and I drove to Brighton for some snowboarding. It was great, except when Dad face-planted on Sunshine. After that, we were both ready to eat our lunch and go home. Next time we go, we’ll both be in better shape, and we’ll have an even better time. By the way, is anybody interested in a Saturday trip to Brighton for snowboarding? I know practically everyone skis free at Deer Valley, because of Bevan, but there’s lots of charm in snowboarding, too. Let me know if you’re interested.
Now that nobody’s living at the cabin, I’m going through everything that’s still there. There are eight coats hanging on the hooks by the bathroom. If they belong to any of you, you’d better rescue them. I have no idea who brought any of them. Going through the games, I found the missing chess set with Revolutionary War figures. Yay! It was tucked in among the rest of the stuff. Dad took it to chess club yesterday, and both he and his opponent were equally baffled by which pieces were which. Dad finally won.
I’ll be cooking Sunday dinner on February 20, and we’ll eat at 4:30 pm. Let me know if you’re coming!
Lots of love, Mom
The double baby blessing last Sunday was a great event. As Nora pointed out in her testimony, all but one of her siblings were there! Sharon and Seth, we really missed you! It was fun having Monica around for a couple of days. Thanks, everyone, for such a great day!
Dad and I are still getting used to having a van again. I never did get used to its California tires, however. Last Saturday morning I was driving from the Cabin to Heber in an unexpected snowstorm, and it was terrible going past the Jordanelle. I didn’t know if I was going to stay on the road or go over the side. In Midway I picked up Anna, to tend her for the day, and I also traded cars with John, because I had to drive to Utah Valley for a bridal shower (for David T’s fiancee) and a baby shower (for Carly.) John’s car has Arctic Claw tires, and they got us down Provo Canyon very safely. Monday morning, early, Dad ordered Blizzak tires for the van, and I told him it didn’t matter how much they cost. It was plenty. But I feel safe now, and ready for anything. This morning Dad and I drove to Brighton for some snowboarding. It was great, except when Dad face-planted on Sunshine. After that, we were both ready to eat our lunch and go home. Next time we go, we’ll both be in better shape, and we’ll have an even better time. By the way, is anybody interested in a Saturday trip to Brighton for snowboarding? I know practically everyone skis free at Deer Valley, because of Bevan, but there’s lots of charm in snowboarding, too. Let me know if you’re interested.
Now that nobody’s living at the cabin, I’m going through everything that’s still there. There are eight coats hanging on the hooks by the bathroom. If they belong to any of you, you’d better rescue them. I have no idea who brought any of them. Going through the games, I found the missing chess set with Revolutionary War figures. Yay! It was tucked in among the rest of the stuff. Dad took it to chess club yesterday, and both he and his opponent were equally baffled by which pieces were which. Dad finally won.
I’ll be cooking Sunday dinner on February 20, and we’ll eat at 4:30 pm. Let me know if you’re coming!
Lots of love, Mom
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