Um- Is this thing still working? June Cliff Notes version

So sorry for the unintentional absence of all things bloggy.  My only excuse is that life gets crazy here at the looney bin, and I haven't had motivation in the spare minutes to pull it together enough to post.  To illustrate my point-  I recently FORCED myself to take the time to get ALL my pics off of my camera.  If you know me- well- at all-  you know a few things-  ONE-  I take quite a lot of pictures, and TWO- I usually download them off my camera and have them backed up on at least two sources the same day or within a day of returning home.

Lets just say that I had 987 pictures on my big camera.  I had some of them on the desktop but not backed up anywhere else- so I didn't dare delete them from my camera.  It took me some time to get all the pics from Feb through the first part of July into appropriate folders and backed up as well.  I happened to be doing this while trying to get out the door on one more of my million and one trips I have been on this summer.  The DR was not happy with me for not getting on the road quicker.  I honestly can't remember where I was supposed to be traveling to for that particular trip- it has been that kind of summer. 

When Summer Break began, I had a few major things on the agenda.

One- Oldest going to EFY in June
Two- Middle going to soccer tournament first weekend in June
Three- Middle going to soccer camp in July
Four-  Buzz Reunion in July
Five-  Larsen Reunion in August.

I also planned on squeezing in horse riding lessons for Youngest during the EFY week and Soccer camp week, so that made those weeks busier- but still in the same time frame.

Not too bad, especially considering what our prior 9 months had consisted of.

WELLLLLLLL- that was the plan, any way.

You know what they say about the best laid plans????

They don't work.

In June we added another soccer camp- locally- and hosted one of the coaches.  No biggie- except I was out of town on Friday afternoon when I found out I was hosting - and I knew I wouldn't be getting home until late on Saturday night.  Add to that, the games got an hour behind- so we pulled in to the driveway at about 10- and I dumped stuff out of the car and took off to get a few groceries to get us through until Tuesday.  We also added another soccer tournament and then a rather impromptu trip to Oregon, which I found out was possible on Wednesday afternoon- knew for sure would be happening Thursday morning as I was making food for a funeral and leaving for the additional tournament by noon so I could pick up Middle and her friend from Girls Camp so they could make their first game, then took them back to girls camp so they could make it to testimony meeting.  I have a few Tender Mercies to share about all of this- but that deserves a post of its own.

Tired yet?  I returned home about 9 ish on Saturday night- LOL (she came home with me and Middle)and I ran to the grocery store for basic needs so she could have something to feed the In- Patients while the DR and I drove to Oregon for the week.  The trip was work related for the DR- but it is a long----- drive so I went along, leaving at 1:00 on Sunday.  So- I was home a whopping 15 hours to do laundry and re-pack? We managed to have a nice visit with several of our good friends while there- so that was an added plus!  We hurried home to be there for one of our nephew's wedding open house, arriving with not too much time to spare. We arrived home to a BIG surprise!  All the patients had been very busy worker bees while we were gone- and they had totally cleaned up the toy closet, the food storage room, and the room that will someday stop housing all our hockey gear and become a real live second bathroom.  Holy Cow!  We could not believe how much they had done!  We hurried to help with the open house, and then the next day we were able to be present for another nephew's baptism.  That was a special treat because they live in Washington, and it was held in Utah because he had an aunt get married the day before. 

And- Thus ended June 2012. Possibly one of the crazier months in my life.

Oh- and that tooth that I had the root canal in April??  Well- it has not been my friend. More on that to come too.

I will get back to May at some point.

Oh Dear- April disappeared too-

So much for keeping up with even monthly postings-  but if you could see in my head- you would understand why.

So-  April brought soccer, which is way less time consuming than hockey.  It also brought a work change as we added LOL to the workforce- alleviating half of my hours and taking a big load of daily pressure off my shoulders.  It brought a few other events too.  Like a root canal from which recovery seems far too distant.

I returned home from getting Middle back from her California adventures- and turned right back around and headed out to our dentist and then turned around again to get home and within an hour and a half had the trailer loaded up and headed out to camp for Easter weekend.  It was an interesting trip to say the least.  Total dust bowl thanks to our super dry winter and spring.  There were places when my van thought it was expected to be a dune buggy.  And the DR and I worked almost the whole time thanks to his hot spot.  The wind blew like crazy too- so wind and dust.  But Saturday was nicer than Friday- and the DR and I got a minute to ride 4 wheelers- kids went to the dunes-  and Youngest was granted at least part of her heart's desire which was a few horseback rides. The Easter Bunny managed to find us in all that dust.  The patients were spoiled as per usual.  I must have a talk with that rabbit.

General Conference was amazing- so much food for our spirits- I was on the road so much but tried to listen to as much as I could- just couldn't take notes like I wanted-  but I did HEAR so much more that I usually get to because I was ALONE!

Life moves so fast that before I knew it- the TaVaci Spring concert was upon us-  and Youngest had been assigned a solo, which in her teacher's words-  had her name ALL OVER IT- and boy howdy- did she rock it!  She sang part of R E S P E C T-  and she sold it with gusto.  Tons of laughter and applause with overflowing compliments afterwards.  I videoed it-  but then Middle was messing with the camera and recorded over part of it.  (tad cranky about that !!!)  I know there was more that happened- a lot which I won't be blogging about-  getting fed up with our school district for one thing- that would be a whole blog of its own.

I may end up editing this later if my mind gets jogged.

Merry Christmas 2011

This Christmas season has been a busy one, but Santa did make it to our house, and Middle, the DR, and I sang with the choir in Sacrament Meeting, despite the DR being sick with a cold and his voice giving out.

Outpatient and LOL were with her family, but thanks to modern technology- also known as facetime- they were with us in technological spirit while we opened most of our presents after we returned from church. There was something rather peaceful about getting up, finding out Santa had arrived, then eating breakfast, getting ready for church, attending church, and then coming home and leisurely opening gifts. I wish Christmas was on Sunday every year.

The DR managed a huge surprise for me- he gave me an iPad- and I didn't suspect a thing! Santa brought the girls new nightstands, hoodies, and other goodies- including a itouch for youngest and a new helmet for Middle. Oldest and Middle also got new hockey bags- with wheels! Oldest also got a new itouch to replace the casualty from this past summer, and a hoodie. We were all very spoiled- especially me.

Afterwards- I took a major nap- aparently missed my inlaws coming to see the patients. Later- we went to their house, opened presents from them and visited with my SIL and her family who were visiting from Washington.

Then- the best Christmas present of all- the return with honor of our nephew after serving the Lord for two years in Fortelza Brazil- it was a little bit priceless to see the shocl on his face as we introduced him to Facetime- so he could talk to Outpatient.

I hope the holiday season has been full of peace and joy for you and yours- Merry Christmas!

More Moab- Fiery Furnace

Last year, we had hoped to go on the Fiery Furnace Hike-  which is either a guided hike or on your own- but you can't just go into that area- if you are on your own hike, you still have to sign in and have permission to be in there.   The guided hike is a 3 hour adventure, and it costs a little bit-  but it was worth it.  We learned some interesting stuff, and our group (big surprise) asked our ranger some great questions.

Youngest started off back by her parents- and ended up talking the ranger's ear off at the front.  He rewarded her by letting her lead the hike into his favorite place- Surprise Arch.

It is hard to capture the grandeur of the formations- but rest assured it was amazing.

Little Miss Youngest Tour Guide

Youngest and "Ranger Rick"  (not his real name-  but that is what "someone" was calling him)-  he was a pretty nice guy- and we even saw him when we went out for dinner that night. It was interesting to hear how he came to be a ranger giving tours.  Most of us agreed we would love to go back and hike it again.

Where oh Where have the Looney Larsens gone?

Where have the patients been?  We have been running around like crazy with hockey, soccer, piano, TaVaci, work, school, and church jobs; and threw a trip to Moab in there, just to spice it up.

This year we were able to add one of the DR's sister's, her hubby and her daughter who is bestest cousin friends with Middle.  Sis J and her hubby and two of her boys camped in front of us- and Sis E and hers rented a cabin.  I think they had fun, despite all the hiking we did.  We missed having the older kids with us-  but LOL's brother had his white coat ceremony the same weekend. And- if Outpatient wasn't going- I guess the other older cousins didn't want to go either.  (one is on a mission now- so he had to miss it too)

We got there a day later - so we had a day less of vacation time- so it felt too fast.  We re-did some things, but added a new adventure.  Hiking up to Delicate Arch was harder for me this time-  I was in worse shape from not working out much, and weighing more, but the DR has lost about 28 pounds and it was easier for him.

We had wanted to do the Fiery Furnace hike last year- but it was booked solid- so that was a main agenda item for this year.  It did not disappoint.  The hiking was not as physically strenuous as hiking up to Delicate, but it was a little more technical.  Some tight places, and some gaping ravines.  I did fine- although I was a little nervous on one ledge.  Heavenly Father has some beautiful country.

The hike needs a post of its own- so I will get my pictures downloaded and hopefully get back to blogging a little more frequently. 

I am so grateful for the family I married into.  They are really great people- while not being perfect, and they are great to spend time like that with.

September's gone Already???

Wow- did the last month fly by or what?

Middle has played a lot of soccer-  all out of town.
Girls are back to TaVaci
All patients are back to Piano Lessons- after a 2 year break while Grandma was gone.
BYU Football has been a little bit Bi-Polar.
Outpatient turned 23
Neighbor/ Friend opened her mission call. To Germany.
Relief Society Tea Party
Nephew TC returns from Chile
Our first- born niece got married **-
Nephew TC reports mission.
Science Fair Project
Service projects

DETAILS:

Soccer-

Lots of traveling but they have won all but one game-  they are doing well. 


TaVaci-

Middle changed her other mind (at least 6 times) and decided to finish out her last possible year.  She will be glad, I hope.


Piano-

Regardless of what my patients might say to your face, I think they have missed it and are enjoying the progress they are making so quickly in trying to get back up to speed.  I have spent a small fortune in new books and music for all of them to work on.



BYU football.

Well- it has had its moments.  They have been few and the DR has/will miss more games this year because he doesn't want to miss his meetings on Sunday and that is hard to do with games getting over so late on Saturday nights-  the night of the Utah disaster- he and his dad didn't get home until 2:00 AM.

So far, only the girls have had a turn to accompany the DR to the games, because the one other weekend was too crazy with the wedding and our nephew's mission report- so the DR opted not to add yet another round trip out in that week.


Outpatient turned 23-

LOL had a party for him- and it was adorable! Woodland Theme- thanks to the acquisition of Rufio to inspire the theme.  Hedgehog cake balls, owl cupcakes, "acorns" from kisses and pretzels, and a cake like a tree stump.  Gummy bears and "sticks" as well.

 LOOK AT RUFIO'S PARTY HAT!!!!!  Seen anything cuter?

stole the pics from LOL's blog- since I wasn't packin that day-


Mission Call-

Friend opened her mission call- which has quite the story behind it- and it said Frankfurt Germany.  She is way excited and we are excited for her.


Relief Society Annual Tea Party-

Caused way more stress than it should have for us.  They had a fun idea to bling out shoes for a fashion show.  Thanks to our busyness, we didn't get to start until almost the last possible minute to create our blinging fashions.  We only did the girls.  We tried our hand at making cake balls (those take more practice- although they looked okay once we got them on the cake plate to display.  Only got pics of Middle's shoes-  Youngest had silver blingy healed sandals and she attached gold bows and big curly ribbon streamers which trailed behind her.

Middle's shoes actually turned out pretty good- but thanks to soccer practice, she and I missed the Youngest's play that she did at the tea party.  I felt bad about that and wonder why they didn't wait until later into the party to perform- since a few of us weren't there yet.  Oh well- other than Youngest being disappointed- it was fine.  Our cake balls disappeared quickly- so that was good.

Elder C returns.

Our nephew TC returned from serving a mission in Chile- he left 6 days before Outpatient had returned from Brazil- so it has been 4 years since these best buds had seen each other.  I didn't go to the airport- it was on a Wednesday and the week of the wedding, but the DR drove out and back that afternoon with his parents.  He said he looks great but thin.  Might mention here that he was serving 60 miles from the epicenter of that horrendous earthquake a couple of years ago-

Wedding

Our niece is one of the sweetest gals ever- She was married once before which was not a good situation- divorced a little over 8 years ago.  She has had such a struggle- but finally- she is so happy- and we are so happy for her and J-  it was a long time coming- and I have to say that wedding was possibly pulled together in the shortest time I have ever seen-  it was so creative and fabulous and I was so happy to help with the set up and during the reception.

Mission Report

We got up dark and early to drive out and back for TC's mission report-  it was so nice to see him again!  He did a great job speaking- even though I couldn't hardly keep my eyes open :)  There was another person speaking that day who was preparing to leave for a mission- to Frank furt Germany- and so of course I had to run up and speak to her immediately after the meeting was over and tell her about our neighbor- so maybe they will even end up serving together down the road.

Science Fair-

Middle had her project due- and that was shocking to the system-  I am used to trying to help with those in the spring months- not immediately after school starts-  but we got it done- doubt she will be going to the main fair-  but that is what I said last year too.

So-  for the most part-  That was our September- Cliff Notes Version-

Fill in the Blanks- Wedding and Oregon

I have mentioned before that when we lived in Oregon- we made some of the best friends we could have asked for.  We also picked up a few extra children from time to time.  Those are the best kind- kind of a "rent-o-kid"  but anyway- we had the opportunity to return to our "home" for the wedding of one of our "daughters".  Missing a place you only called home for about 19 months may seem weird to some people but our friends from there agree-  it seemed like we were there for much longer and we have definitely taken them with us in our hearts.

We flew in on Thursday afternoon- and immediately had to remember we were NOT on vacation- so we both sat down to work for a bit.  Then we headed over to stay with the "B" family.  They are empty- Nester's now- so we made our reservations for whichever room had the best bed.  We went out and had a light dinner, and then the DR and I had the opportunity to go to the temple with Miss Ashlee for her endowment.  So many memories of this beautiful girl when she was just a tiny three year old.

Friday- we worked, fed the soon to be in-law family- and then spent the rest of the evening setting up the reception. 

Saturday- we went to the temple again- this time for the sealing.  I had fun catching up with a friend of mine from high school who happened to move to Oregon about 6 months after we left- and he and his wife became friends with a lot of our friends too-

The sweetest part of the day was right as the officiator was beginning to speak- Garrett got teary- and that pretty much did it for me.  Love seeing a misty eyed groom.

Our girlie grew up to be a beautiful woman.

The Paparazzi ;)

And boy do those daddy-daughter moments get me too.

There is one of our other "daughters" and part of her little family-

Ashlee and Fuzzy Face (aka- the DR)

 (yes he looks totally scruffy- but she wanted his beard back that he had when she was little so he didn't shave while we were there.)

So glad we could make it back to Oregon.  I would move back there in a heartbeat.  Think if I click my heals, I could have a Dorothy experience?

Fill in the Blanks- Last Full Week of Summer

Besides teaching RS (more on that later), The last full week of summer brought lots of last minute things.  Like 7th Grade shots.  You know, those shots you planned on getting taken care of all summer- and then- bam- summer is over.  Yep- those are the shots.  Big problem- the health dept was out- so Middle had to go the clinic and get a check up and then her shot.  Going to the doctors with her is so entertaining.  I dread the day she has to "really" go for a check up. 

We also had Standards Night- and since there was no one to take care of Youngest- she came too.  She was kind of bored and crazy as it seems- she will be there for real soon enough.

Middle and her friend B have birthdays close together, and so we decided to have a joint party- only not call it a birthday so they could both invite certain people that the other might not invite.  The girlies got together and made the invites for their Back To School Spa Party.  More on that later.

Friday, we delivered invites, and got the menfolk off for the start of the Bow Hunt. And Middle played in another 3V3 tournament.  This time it was Hockey and on Rollerblades which was a new experience for Middle.  She did pretty good though-and again- she is a competitive beast against the boys!  They ended up taking 4th- and most importantly, had a great time, but realized her feet are not ready for skates to be on them just yet.

Friday also brought a lovely phone call from Outpatient saying his car had broken down in Itty Bitty Town.  An hour away.  And itty bitty- like no stoplights- bitty. Oh the joy.  Luckily they were traveling behind his friend and wife- so they were able to come the rest of the way with them.  They were coming out for another friend's reception- which we went to Saturday night after Oldest and the DR returned from hunting, and then we got up at 4:45 to leave for Cougar Territory to listen to our nephew speak at 9:00 am before he leaves to serve a mission.

Kind of not what I had thought our last week of vacation would be like- but there you have it.

The day our nephew left for the MTC-

 he is headed to Massachusetts

Buzz Reunion 2011

This year- the reunion was bigger than it has been in a long time.  We had lots of newer attendees- like LOL, and plenty of old timers.  The weather cooperated with no rain from Thursday evening on.  There were plenty of mosquito and buffalo gnat bites for those who didn't religiously apply bug spray, but for those of us who did, we were good.

Middle trying out her new bow.  She is a pretty good shot already.

Theme for this year was fairies- and it was a HUGE hit with all the little girls in particular-  but the older girls and Outpatient and LOL painted canvases and found other fun things to do-  here is Youngest's face after "makeup"  She was a Garden Talent Fairy and helped the younger fairies make garden stones.

The water was HIGH!  that boat would usually be docked at least 50 to 100 yards further away.  The patients and cousins were bummed because they didn't get to make their traditional mud pit.

But where there is a will- there is a way!  They had to go a bit further around the lake- but find some beach front property they did.

There was also the regular shooting of the breeze ( this is just some of our own branch of the family tree)

The boys- and Norine- created a flotation device.  They called it a raft, but my vote says it was too hole-y to constitute a raft.  There was also lots of fishing.

And downshifting.

A hugely successful auction.

Youngest always entertains and she did not disappoint the crowd this year with a skit from an episode from That's So Random.  She was totally in character!

And- for the second straight year, Middle and Cousin Am did a wonderful job dancing to a parody they worte about the reunion.  I unfortunately couldn't find the charger to the video camera, forgot to grab the iphone, and didn't have either Middle or Oldest's cameras so there is no video record of these acts this year.  BOO! Oh- and the word "shoebox" will never be the same and no- you really don't want to know.

When talking to my sil about some of the missing cousins who currently reside in Europe, I said without any doubt that my patients ( with quite likely the exception of Out and LOL) would far rather go to the reunion that take a trip to Europe.  And for now- that is the absolute truth.  Maybe as the girls get older it might change for them- but for Oldest- it never will.

Dear Larsen Family Aunts:

Fabulous as usual!

Thanks!

Weekend Wrapup

The Grandparents had their mission report talks this weekend.  Outpatient and LOL came on Friday and took the girlies to the drive in to watch both shows- so they got home very early in the morning.  I sewed a cover for the vent/window thing in our trailer bedroom so the sun doesn't come in so horribly early in the mornings (it is cute too). Saturday we did housework and LOL mowed the lawn while I did weeds and cleaned off the patio and the DR and Outpatient were helping Grandpa take stuff to the dump. LOL gave the girlie glitter nails on their toes before she and Outpatient went to experience the derby at the fair. Then- the DR took the kids to eat dinner with the cousins and finished off the night by taking Oldest to shoot his recently re-adjusted bow.  The kid's arms are now 73" long.  Basically- if his arms get much longer- he will have to have a custom bow made because his draw will be too long :(-  Say what? 

Sunday was a good but long day.  The mission report was nice then I let the patients go with the family while the DR and I also attended our own ward meetings.  The second Sacrament meeting was also over time- but also well worth it (even though my tailbone was screaming by that point).  Some great insights that I took note of.  Then I went and got Oldest and Middle so they could attend Priesthood and YW-  Since it was 5th Sunday- the Bishop was talking to them- while the DR and other counselor were handling RS/Priesthood combined.

Poor Middle!  The Bishop was speaking about chastity and she hates that kind of conversation worse than death :)  She couldn't get out of the building fast enough after church.  I hope she keeps part of her prudishness intact throughout her life-  it will serve her very well.  Ironically- I have to teach that subject in RS in a couple of weeks.  I think I would rather teach the youth than the older ladies that particular subject. 
It did provide some entertainment for Oldest- seeing as he knows her personality.  Oh- and the bishop had her stand up and repeat an answer she gave- so she was super red faced.  Oh well-  there are a lot of kids who could learn a thing or two from her-  from her desire to dress cute-  but totally modest- and her plugging her ears and refusing to talk about things that shouldn't be discussed openly and grossly.  Now- if I could get her to turn that down at least enough to really talk to me-  we would be golden.

The DR spoke on Forgiveness.  A topic very much in need in our home.  I know he was trying to teach me what he has been trying to teach me for the last year (in particular and longer in more general terms)-  without letting the whole class know it was a major issue for me.  He might have been afraid I would get up and walk out if he got too close to our personal struggles.  What he was teaching I know to be true principles- but about the hardest to live there is.  I want the world to know of the pains and hurts- and apologies of the most sincere form- and that won't happen and I have to figure out how to make myself forgive without it.  I do however- refuse to throw myself under the bus to keep getting run over again- and he says I don't have to :)

Anyway- crazy but good weekend- and I loved being home for once.

The recent doings-

Been really busy.  I know.  Big surprise.  Funniest part is this is supposed to be our slow month- and it has been.  Need to simplify.

We made a trip out to the dentist and then saw HP-took Miss Sophie to the groomers (ugh- she also came in heat this week)  came home- turned around two days later and drove back out to attend the temple with one of our nephews.  He leaves on a mission next month to Boston!  So excited for him.  My inlaws are home and report their mission on Sunday.  A nephew returns in two months, and then by the end of the year- another will return.  Fingers are crossed that we will be sending out another soon too- (really it is prayers instead of fingers you know)  We also had a nephew get engaged!!  So much exciting stuff.

Came home same day and then a day later we hauled the trailer up on the mountain and we just spent the last several days camping with a combo of friends and family- and I am just taking a quick break from hours of entering data into the database to give my brain a break.  So- I will update that stuff later (tomorrow maybe?)

But I am excited because I just made reservations for a return trip this fall to Moab for the Looney Bin.  We are going with the cousins we went with last time plus a couple of other family groups have said they want to join us-  so kind of family reunionish-  without everyone.  Looking forward to a few things we didn't get to do last time.  Like a few special hikes, maybe a river run, not sure what else but we have a little more time to plan and a better idea what we might be interested in since our last trip.

It is fun to have stuff to look forward to and plan :)

One for the record books

We traveled to Cougar Country for the Independence Day Celebrations and arrived Sunday evening.  My mom and two nephews were staking our claim to the front part of Outpatient and LOL's house.  Can I just say- there is not a parade worth this?  And parade attendee people, you are very rude to butt in on people who have bothered to stay up and out all night for their places.  And all night savers- you are just crazy.  I was the crazy one this year.  And- yes, I stayed awake all night and morning and basically was awake from 7:00 Sunday morning until 12:30 pm on Monday afternoon- then I slept for 2 hours.

Middle and my niece Am stayed out with me the whole time, only going in for potty breaks. My nephew Gav- came out periodically, Oldest came out even less, and the other nephews went to a dance/concert until 2 ish and then they only came back out when the police were coming. 

You read that right.  We had to call the police.  There was a place next to the apartment that was selling food and drinks, and they also had a giant blowup screen set up with movies and then hours of Just Dance going on-  it was my entertainment- so I would watch them for awhile, or read my book.  The later it got, the creepier the people still walking around were.  We had a couple of different guys sit down in our chairs for who knows what reason,  and there was at least one incident where at least nine police cars went flying by to the library (guess people were shooting fireworks AT each other).  Noisy all night- firecrackers, fireworks, yelling, singing, motorcycles and loud cars and loud trucks up and down and up and down.  By the way- WHY???? 

Anyway- I noticed a lady over watching the dancing, and only because she was standing a bit crookedly and I just wondered if she had scoliosis.  Finally at about 3:00- 3:30- the Just Dance group broke up and people started drifting back to their places by the curb.  Well, this lady come over, and proceeded to put her stuff on the curb right with us.  I very nicely said- excuse me, we have this area saved because we have a large group coming in the morning.  She turned and said she just wanted to sit for a minute, so I said that was fine.  THEN she went a bit nuts.  I wish I could tell you the whole deal but that would take forever, but she told me I was illegal and that I couldn't save space (keep in mind that both sides of the street everywhere were covered with people doing exactly that), she yelled about if I wanted her to vote for the guy whose political posters were staked in the yard, she told me I was a horrible example, and then she told me she was going to go get the police- so I told her that was fine, please do.  She finally walked off, and I watched her start going slower and less angrily.  I chalked up her reaction to the very early hour and figured we were done.

Not so.  She came back about 20 minutes later.  She threw her stuff down in front and immediately started in- she swore at me, flipped me off, told me "I am not Hispanic- I am Hawaiian"- which had me wondering if she thought I was being racist- turns out she was being totally racist- she said that she paid her taxes so she owned the street and Hispanics don't pay taxes- anyway- she said many many things- and was getting more and more belligerent-  I got up closer to her to try and talk sensibly, and she told me she had talked to the police and they said for me to "bring it"- and then she told me she had a bodyguard- at which point I did reply- "where? in your back pocket???"  obviously by this time I realized she wasn't playing with a full deck and that made me nervous for the kids.

Earlier, the guys sitting down were making Middle nervous so she wanted to get Outpatient, and I told her to relax, I had my phone and I could call 911 if I needed to, but I doubted I would need to.  Famous last words.  The girls ran into the apt to get the cousins and I decided I had had enough and called the police- one of the questions the operator asked me was if we had been drinking or doing drugs-  I could vouch for my group- but not for her, but I thought she was just a little nuts.  I explained that what had happened and said she was getting more and more belligerent to which she started yelling at me that I was a liar- which of course the 911 operator could hear.

Long story shortened from here, the police came, also determined the lady was a brick or two short, and told her she had to leave.  By then, the adrenaline was cruising- my knees were shaking and the girls began bouncing off the walls.  No sleep for us :)  I did keep a close eye out for her just in case she came back.

The parade- too long- but the floats were beautiful-  Small Town doesn't have floats- but the parade is 20-25- minutes.  We made breakfast and cleaned up after.  Then I took my nap :). 

We had a great time swimming and having a BBQ at my SIL and BIL's house with lots from both the DR's family and mine. 

Then we did some fireworks- after my niece Am and I went and bought some of the pop its (snaps- whatever you call them)- and that became an adventure because they rang me up for 2,423 of them. 

All in all- what a day.  Next year I think we will stick to camping.



(PS-  I hope you know that I am very sympathetic to people with mental illness of any sort especially because I can personally relate- I truly felt bad for this woman- but I was worried she was going to start swinging at me- and her language was not nice.)

10 years ago-

We were on vacation in California, and the DR had unusually left his cell phone on all night.  It rang rather early in the morning on a Sunday.  I answered the phone to both my uncle and aunt on the line.  They were trying to get in touch with my parents.  My parents had been visiting my sister but were on their way home at that particular time.  So- I got the news instead.  My grandfather had been murdered in his home. 

My Grandpa A was a quiet man.  He had grown up on a cattle ranch and loved it with all his heart- but since he was one of the younger sons- he had to leave the ranch and make a different life for himself.  When he and my grandma were married, they eloped to Driggs ID, and didn't tell anyone for a while. They were eventually "caught"- I can just imagine the conversation-  "well folks-  the good news is we are married".  Grandpa worked road construction and then he and my grandma decided to open a Coin Op laundromat.  They raised 4 children, 2 girls and 2 boys- my dad was the oldest son- but the third child. I very seldom heard my grandpa's voice, and never heard it raised.  He would head out to the laundry with his big ring of keys and say- "c'mon Fluff" to the dog and off they would go- out the back door and across the small yard to the back door of the laundry.  Funny side note-  my grandparents did not have a washer and dryer in their house-  they had a whole huge laundry right out the back door.

Grandpa was very mechanical- and could fix anything.  For years, they washed and ironed sheets for the hotels in town- and sometimes we got to ride with him when he picked up and dropped off the sheets.  Then he would "pay" us and send us down the street for a milkshake.  He would also often open up the pop machine and he would give us a free pop.  Grandma A was definitely the dynamo in that relationship, but Grandpa A had a very quiet strength.

Grandma and Grandpa were really into Square and Round Dancing and they traveled all over to participate in dances.  They helped with dance festivals and Grandma would be the caller quite often. Grandpa apparently liked clothes a lot-  he had quite a closet full, and some things even still had tags on them.

Grandpa became a widower when my grandma died at the age of 60 in 1981.  That was really hard on him.  Once when I was there at his house, I heard him talking out loud to her about why she had left him.  It made me really sad for him.

Grandpa came from a big family and not one of them went by their given name.  There was a Bill- who was NOT a William- there was Hoot, Bud ( the real William), Babe, Gigs, Lolly, Oscar, and Louise- really her name.  This might be why my dad was insistent that we went by our given names at all times-  no nick names!

So- Grandpa had gone dancing that Saturday before, and at some point that day (and on more than one occasion that day) a man had gone into the house and stolen lots of my grandma's old jewelery and what he could find trying to get something of value in order to get drugs.  At some point, Grandpa was home when he came, and after quite a few altercations in several locations in the house, he beat my grandpa and left him for dead, after starting a fire in the office to cover up the crime.

As the DR and I were driving home after the sentencing hearing months later, I had a rather strange reaction-  I was proud of my grandpa.  He was 81 years old and he put up a major fight against a man in his 30's.

Grandpa was a quiet man, but he left a big impression on me.

Quick rundown of last week.

I am just taking a quick second to post so you don't think I have completely left the blogosphere.

This past week has been a tad busy- Oldest and Middle had soccer camp every day, Youngest had sewing camp- and I did end up spending nearly the whole time there with her.  On Friday, I got up early and drove out to Cougar Town for Dennis' funeral.  I am so glad I went.  I had to leave a little before it was over because I had to get back in time for the late afternoon crazy-ness. 

Thanks to Road Construction, I spent over 6 hours on the road that day.  Middle went boating immediately after camp with a friend, Youngest had a birthday party to go to and we had a pot luck dinner with the ward.  I stopped off quick at Outpatient and LOL's apartment to drop off some stuff and see their progress then it was hustle on down the road. Get home- get patients to various drop points and make a potluck dish (the DR had stayed home to take care of the patients as best he could while working).

Then, Saturday morning, the DR and I got up earlier that I would have liked and went on a major 4-wheeler back road ride with a bunch of people- like, 20 people in/on 15 machines.  We drove a Razr and there were several of those type of vehicles and several 4 wheelers.  We ended up going about 76 miles all around the back country- and we even went to Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah.  All at the same time :)  (we rode all the way to Three Corners).  I don't think I have ever been so dirty in my whole life-  but boy is that some Beautiful country back there.

We got home, quickly showered, and loaded up patients and luggage, then headed back out to Cougartown Territory for my nephew's mission report (excellent- by the way). And home again today.  That made for 3 trips out and back in a week.  My tailbone is NOT happy with me and I don't blame it.  I have forced many many miles on it in a relatively short period of time.

I have a lot of stuff to get caught up on both with work and home- and the girls leave for summer games on Wednesday, the Boys leave for a camp on Thursday- so there is no rest around here.  Anyway - I will post some pictures from the trail ride a little later.

Not quite halfway through June.  I  think I can. I think I can. I think I can - make it to July without losing my marbles.  Oh, and my weird infection is all better, I have my voice back except when I sing- sometimes it plays hide and seek then.