Saturday, February 28, 2009

Stairs vs Elevator

Over the past week, I have been to the hospital quite a bit. Grandma was on a grand total of 3 different floors. One time she was located on the second floor. I always felt foolish taking the elevator to the second floor. So, one time I found myself riding up (one floor) with a hospital emplyee.

"I feel silly riding the elevator up one floor. Are there stairs around here?"

"Yes."

"Where are they?"

"They are all over."

I guess the location of the stairs at UVRMC is top secret. If you find them, let me know!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Food Poisoning or Hung Over

Yesterday evening I wanted to die. Don't worry, I wasn't actually drinking while working :)

I was scheduled to work late at WIC last night. So, I was happily working along, chatting with my new buddy and clinic director, Lori. Around 5:30, I starting feeling horrible. The world was spinning and I couldn't walk in a straight line. I told Lori I might better go home early. She replied that was probably best since she didn't like me enough to clean up after me!!

Even before I left the building, I was violently ill. After that, I pretty much crawled to my car. I climbed in the back seat and called my mommy and daddy. I layed in the back seat throwing up. My dad managed to get me in their van where I proceeded to throw up all the way home. I guess my mom does love me to let me do that!

Before I crawled down to bed, I called the kids, who were with their dad, to make sure Ali would get a ride home from mutual cause I would be dead.

When the kids got home, Kate got into be with me. She layed there still and silent.

I finally said, "Kate you can talk to me."

"Ok. We had chicken at Grandma's house. And mashed potatoes and...."

"Kate, how about we don't talk about food?"

"Oh. Right. Sorry."

She is so precious. They are all so precious.

Only the thought of getting in the shower and getting clean got me up this morning. But, I have felt ok most of today. I have no idea what I got; but I am sure if that is what it feels like to be hung over, I will never drink!!!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Looking to Eternity

This weekend has been a difficult weekend. We found out my grandma, Hazel Darle Morgan Sorensen, is dying.

I have a great fondness for my grandma. I have a great fondness for anyone who loves me like my grandma does. You can ask around, I am her favorite grand-daughter. There are only about a hundred of us, but I am her favorite.

Yesterday, as I helped her around her hospital room and held her hand, she placed her head on my shoulder. As she held my hand, I wasn't sure who was holding on for dear life, her or me. For years, I have felt like I was barely keeping my life together. Now, I am getting my feet firmly on the ground as she is slowing letting go of her mortal footing.

My Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen have always been a strong presence in our lives. I always loved going to grandma's house. She kept colored marshmallows down low so I could reach them without asking. I tell you what, that was the best thing ever.

As I grew up, they were there for everything: birthdays, baptisms, plays (and more plays), recitals, athletic events, graduations, etc. They lived 300 miles away from us when I was a child. So, for them to be so involved really said something of their love for us. Actually, I think they only came so often because Rexburg was the only place grandma would let grandpa have Trix cereal.

We didn't know it, but grandma has had cancer for three to five years. The doctor said she is quite a woman to be able to continue functioning without having any symptoms of it. The past few months have been increasingly difficult for her. Since moving back to Provo, I have tried to spend more time with her. I will always treasure those moments I was able to spend with her, alone. She never passed any judgments on my life or choices I have made. She always made me feel loved. I loved her.

I will lock those moments I recently spent with her in my heart forever. We would talk about our lives together, our memories, our family and when she was in too much pain to talk any more, I would read the scriptures to her.

My grandma loved the gospel with all her heart. You never had to wonder where she stood on the principles of the gospel. She loved the Lord. She served a mission, she served in her ward, she served in the temple, she served her family. She served those whom she loved and she loved the Lord and her family. We all always felt loved by grandma.

My children love the birthday cards from grandma. And they knew they would ALWAYS come. I think they even borrowed money from each other with that birthday card money as collateral.

Grandma we love you. I love you. I love you with every fiber of my being and am so honored to be your grand-daughter. I am honored to share your name. I am grateful for the power of the priesthood and the blessings of the temple that seal we two together. I will live my life so we can be together forever.

Thank you for holding my hand.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Compliment of the Decade

Tonight I took Ali to a party.  I hadn't met the parents so I walked in with Ali.  I saw the mom back in the kitchen, so I headed back there.  We made eye contact and she just kind of turned away.  So, I kept walking toward the kitchen.  

Pretty soon she jumped up and said, "Oh, you are a mom!!  I thought you were just one of the kids."

She might be my new best friend.  I need to ask her her name again :)

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Our New Car

The kids and I voted and decided on a 2007 Dodge Caliber. I had never heard of them, but I quickly fell in love with it. It is sporty and safe AND a stick shift!! We pick it up tomorrow, hurray!
I highly recommend Naylor Auto for anyone looking to buy a vehicle.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Fav Pictures

These are from last summer. They are on my old blog, but I wanted them here also. I love the SLC temple. It is so beautiful and architecturally amazing.
Aren't those kids beautiful?



Car Shopping

Grrrrrrr

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Car Shopping

Recently, I have begun my hunt for a new car. I seemed to have lost all three vehicles in the divorce. But, I did get other things that were important to me; they just can't get me to work or my kids to school.

So, today Ali and Nana and I went to a couple of dealerships looking around. I am looking for a car that is affordable, reliable and has a good warranty. The kids are really pushing for a PT Cruiser. So, when we found one that was stick shift today, we decided to test drive it. I really want a car that has a stick shift :)

Ali and I were sitting in the PT Cruiser while the sales man went and looked for a car he seemed to have lost. He was quite the character I tell ya. After he went looking, and couldn't find the lost car, he told me to park my parent's van in front of the dealership and he would bring the Cruiser around.

While Ali and I waited for the salesman to bring the car around I told her, "Ten buck he gets out and says 'You know this car isn't automatic, right?'" He pulls up and gets out, "You know this is a stick shift, right?" Honestly, what is it with men and cars? Did he think after sitting in the car I didn't notice it was a stick shift??? Now if I were blond....

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Luke in Drag


Today I was taking my parent's pictures and I guess Luke and Kate got bored. This was the result. I will blackmail him one day with these, don't doubt it for a minute!!!



Happy Anniversary

Today is my parent's 40th anniversary. Can you even imagine? I love them both dearly.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Where's Kate?!?!?

Yes, my wonderful daughter Kate is hidden in the picture. Every night she tells me, "Mom, don't let the animals sleep with me." I respond, "Of coarse not, Kate." Every morning she yells at me for letting the animals on her bed.
What seems to be the problem, Kate?


Facebook

Ok, I joined Facebook a couple of weeks ago. I ONLY joined to keep an eye on Ali, who wanted a Facebook page. This is what Facebook has done to my life.

It has made me VERY insecure.

Daily, Ali asks me how many friends I have. Holy crap, I don't have as many friends as she does and not even close to as many as my high school senior class president, James Clarke, has. He has an obnoxious amount like 1,500.

This is how a typical Facebook interaction goes for me.

I find a person I know. I do a happy little dance, seriously. I have found some people that I have loved dearly over the years. I get SO excited and then this happens:

"Will they even remember me?"

"Do they hate me?"

"Do they remember something stupid I did from my teen years?"

"Did I accidentally snub them last week at the library or market?"

OK, so all of that makes me doubt even asking them to be my Facebook friend. Asking them to be my friend is a very big commitment. And, what if they decline me??? That has not happened yet, but I fear it happening daily. After I get up the guts to ask them to be my friend, I wait. Will they be my friend? Sometimes it is a short wait. Sometimes it is a very long wait. (Shila Dass Conway--you know who you are. You took like WEEKS to accept my friend request. You left me hanging sister, feeling SO insecure :))

The very best is when I find a friend from long ago and they are HAPPY I found them and send me little note asking about my life. That makes my little heart so happy. I have had very good friends in the past and have surrounded myself with fabulous friends right now. My friends keep me strong.

Once I get past all the insecurities of Facebook, I love it.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Mediocrity, Please

I have made a discovery. It has only taken my neigh on 36 years. If we expect little in the way of customer service, we will not be disappointed.

We have a Pizza Hut just down the road from us. On special occasions, Papa orders from there. When I say "special occasions," I mean when he wants to get very annoyed with someone. Honestly, they have had to give us hundreds of dollars in free pizzas. (Yeah, I know, why do we keep going back?!?)

Consistently, without fail, or interruption, they mess up our order. They have been doing this for years. They either get the order wrong, loose the order or plain don't have the pizza ready.

In December, my dad and brother went to pick up our order. Surprise, surprise, they had lost our order entirely. No record, what-so-over. My dad actually complained (kindly and friendly-like; you know Rodger) and got a voucher for free pizzas next time.

A couple of days ago, we decided to redeem our free pizzas. I was looking on the voucher and the reason for issuing a credit to us was "pizza late, too late." So, I guess they have some guidelines they follow. Pizza must be able to be late, just not TOO late.

I went to pick up said pizzas. After giving her the name the order was under, she asked, "Might it be under a different name?" Seriously, I almost punched her and took any pizza I wanted.

Luckily, she actually did just have it under a different name. So for once, the pizza was hot, ready and yummy. I guess once every 5 years we are going to luck out with Pizza Hut.

But, I am sticking with my new motto for customer service, "Medicrity, please." Honestly, do we deserve better?