Summer Fun

What is more fun than putting on your swimming suit and helping your Grandpa wash his sweet ride in the front yard?

All is well in Lubbock. Wishing we could see all of you!

A Funny

A Thought For Mother's Day

"A Lovely Story About Me. One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who did not whine, nag or complain. (That would be me...) But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day. THE END." : )

What I Did On My Spring Vacation!

What a wonderful time Harvey and I had in Florida! I don't know where to begin!! We went primarily to watch the shuttle launch. It was amazing! (am I using enough exclamation marks?)

The launch was scheduled for 6:30'ish in the morning. We met new friends in the parking lot of Harry's condo at 3:15 am. Now, we are RETIRED. We often sleep in late in the morning. (Did I say late???) By 4:00 we were all loaded aboard a chartered bus and on our way to the Banana River Viewing Site (a very close viewing area). Sitting in the pre-dawn darkness with an intimate viewing group of 5000, we were gifted with a space station flyover just 5 minutes before the launch. It was almost surreal. As if everything were being planned to maximize the experience for us. Then we all chanted the famous countdown together and the dark was lit with the most incredible white light as the shuttle lifted off accompanied by sound waves that shuddered through my chest. Even the ground shook. WOW, WOW, WOW. The shuttle flew almost out of sight and then hit the sunlight and lit up again, this time the main engine exhaust glowing a ghostly white behind the tiny craft. AMAZING.... And our little brother was sitting in firing room 4! Can you believe it???




The condo we stayed in was located on Coco Beach. Harvey and I enjoyed walking to the beach and sitting in the breeze watching the waters of the Atlantic and enjoying watching sailboats, parasailers, surfers, and beachcombers walking along the sand. It was so peaceful. The weather was perfect. We weren't bothered with the steam of summer.



The pelicans were pretty fascinating for a couple of landlocked senior citizens. They looked like prehistoric birds flying.

And, speaking of weird experiences for landlocked senior citizens...:


Try to picture Harvey and I shopping at the holy grail of surf shops, the original Ron Jon's in Coco Beach. We went specifically to purchase Vicki a tiki lighter that she had seen and regretted not buying on her trip to Florida. The eyes light up and the flame comes out the top of its head. Everyone should have at least one.


The day after the launch we went on a "gold ticket" tour of Nasa. Now, this is a big deal! Gold ticket tours are very hard to get. Obama will be visiting Nasa next week and he will take a gold ticket tour. There were just four of us on the tour. Harvey wasn't feeling well and missed it. So, it was Harry and his sister and his friend, Fred Perkins, and his sister. We saw things that Fred and Harry had never seen. We went everywhere. We saw the motors in process of being assembled, visited the tile manufacturing area, and walked under the shuttle that was being inspected after the previous shuttle flight. We saw the tiles being replaced and re-sealed and even handled the tiles that protect the shuttle. We saw both launch pads and the mobile launcher that is under construction for the post-shuttle program. We could ask any question and see anything we wanted.


Thank you, Harry, for the vacation of a lifetime!

Can You Read This???

It isn't Chinese.

It Never Occured To Me................

Just when I think I've seen everything, I run across something that changes my view of life in America. Can you believe this? Just pause a moment and consider.....

I know I'll be missed when I shuffle off this mortal coil, but it is not necessary. I could be artfully posed sitting in my chair in front of the tv! Or, maybe in one of the more artful poses that this thoughtful business offers.

Military salute? Heisman Trophy pose? Sitting? All are offered, but the appealing service offered is to do a custom pose. Snarling and giving the finger? Picking your nose? I can think of many poses that would be conversation starters when the home teachers drop by.

The testimonials offered are too creepy to believe:

"When my granddaughter had passed away, I was devistated! How could this have happened to my baby? Thanks to HTS, I can see my grand baby all the time. It's like she never left. Thanks HTS."
Jackie Harris, New York

"I lost my daughter to sickness last year. It totally killed me. I would have done anything to bring my daughter back. I was watching TV when I heard about HTS. I thought it was crazy at first but I called them. And now I spend everyday with my daughter. Thanks HTS!"

Sally Adams, Baltimore

And I thought having your pet stuffed was wierd!

Zucchini Anyone???

Another zucchini recipe:

Chocolate-Zucchini Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 3 cups grated zucchini
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add the eggs and oil, mix well. Fold in the nuts and zucchini until they are evenly distributed. Pour into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool cake completely before frosting with your favorite frosting.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 245 | Total Fat: 15.1g | Cholesterol: 35mg

Ah! Lubbock!!

So, California gets high winds, rain, and the mudslide worries. Well, this is what it looks like when it makes its way to us. I absolutely hate this kind of weather. Even in the house, my teeth are gritty with dirt.

Thought I'd share.....

A Status Update

Well........ for those of you who are in the official "Let's Root Laura On" fan club...........I went to the cardiologist and was weighed today and the total count to date is 45 lbs.

I am feeling great and beginning to walk around the house without my cane some of the day. I am still overwhelmed with the love and support that the family has shown and appreciate all of your prayers and well-wishes.


Other big news.... Saturday Vicki and Chip will be leaving with Matt and Josh for Utah. Matt enters the MTC on Wednesday, Jan. 13. We had a family dinner tonight with Reed's family so that they could bid him an official farewell. The rest of the week will be spent doing final laundry and packing. I am so proud of Matt. He will do well in South Dakota.

We love all of you. I wish we lived closer so that we could see you more often.

Surgery News

I finally heard from my doctor's office about my surgery. Perhaps it was the call I made today.

I have known for two weeks that my insurance has approved the gastric bypass surgery that I have been working toward for the past three months. My oriental doctor, Dr. Syn, spends a couple of weeks every December with his family in China. He told my that in my initial orientation. So, as the weeks have gone by, I have known that we were going to have to be pretty dedicated to pressing forward with the process or we would have to postpone until after the first of the year and lose our deductible. I called this morning announcing that I was invited to Florida for the Shuttle launch in Feb. and I needed to know whether to confirm. That was evidently the correct button to punch with the office staff. This afternoon they called and we are in motion for a November 30th surgery date.

Keep all fingers and toes crossed that nothing gets in the way of this!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I had a wonderful birthday which lasted all of last week. I ate out with Reed's family and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Appleby's. Then a lovely evening meal with the Bacon's at Lujan's Mexican Restaurant.

Later in the week we had a birthday meal here at home and presents. I have such a generous family. We had a great time.

Then this Monday my big present came in the mail. I LOVE my new Kindle! What a great little electronic item. I am enjoying reading more now that I am not having to hold heavy books (this is hard because of my neck pain problem). I have downloaded the scriptures and several free books. Most classics are free as well as many, many other books. It is great fun shopping for books from my bed! I never thought that would be possible.

Why it's so hard to learn English

I saw this on the net and thought I'd share. Anyone who has ever coached an elementary school student in their spelling has run into this difficulty, too. Maybe I should back off of my attitude about immigrants (legal or otherwise) learning to communicate in this country in English.

1. The bandage was wound around the wound.
2. The farm was used to produce produce.
3. The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4. We must polish the Polish furniture.
5. He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6. The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8. At the army base a bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10. I did not object to the object.
11. The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13. They were too close to the door to close it.
14. The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15. A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16. To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17. The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18. After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19. Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20. I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21. How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
22. You park in a driveway, yet drive on a parkway

23. NOTE: Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana.

24. Why do "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing?
25. Why do "tug" boats push their barges?
26. Why are they called "stands" when they are made for sitting?
27. Why is it called "after dark" when it's really "after light"?
28. Why is "phonics" not spelled the way it sounds?
29. Why do they call it a TV set, when you only get one?
30. How come abbreviated is such a long word?

Halloween 2009

We began our Halloween planning early last spring. You see, Halloween in our family is a "Happening" and not just one of many yearly holidays. It is an "Extravaganza" requiring many hours of careful planning and consideration.

Our considering and mulling began with ideas about our costumes. Maggie, Ellen, and I discussed many options, but our first "working plans" were settled by the beginning of summer when Ellen decided that she would like to be Moses in his Egyptian period. Maggie chimed in with Miriam, Moses' mother in her grief filled moment of placing her sweet babe in with the bulrushes at the mercy of the elements and an all knowing Heavenly Father.

By the time Halloween rolled around, plans had firmed up with Ellen as a vampire princess and Maggie as Pharaoh's wife....or "a" Pharaoh's wife...maybe Cleopatra.

I wish I had taken pictures... but, we had a wonderful seasonal activity with the younger grandchildren. The kids helped me as I took pieces of cut up wienies and we pushed several uncooked spaghetti noodles through each piece of hotdog. When we had a bowlful of them we boiled the whole mess making hotdog pieces with hair which we called "Witchie wienies" Adding spaghetti sauce made "Witchie wienies with blood" which we consumed at a family home evening along with a lovely fresh veggie plate. I think we had brownies for dessert. You had to be there to truly appreciate it. When we got home from Reed's house and reported to our at-home family the boys ( almost in unison) informed me that: "Ma, witches don't have wienies." in droll voices.

See Vicki's blog with a report on Josh's activities.

Clever

Here are some illustrations. Can you tell what their meanings are????

Just a joke

I saw this joke at Sal’s Not So Secret Ramblings. Hoh hoh, this is gooooood!

The Pope and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were on the same stage in front of a huge crowd.

The Pope said, “Did you know that with just one little wave of MY hand I can make EVERY person in the crowd go crazy with joy? This joy will not be a momentary display like that of your subjects, but will go deep into their hearts, and they will forever speak of this day and rejoice.”

Pelosi seriously doubts this, and says, “One little wave of your hand, and all people will rejoice forever?? Show me”, she said.

..so the Pope slapped her.

Hmmmmmm....

Obama??? Nobel Peace Prize??????

Run Away....!!! Run Away...!!!

The Swenson-Bacon family spent last week with Joshua in isolation because of his "Piggy" flu. There was great apprehension that the geriatric wing of the family would catch it. I guess that is going to be a worry for at least the next few days as Vicki was sent home from school today running a pretty good fever and with her chest aching. She and Chip are on their way to the walk-in clinic now for testing and probably a Rx for Tamiflu and instructions to stay in bed in her room.

She has instructed Matt that he will be the cook for the next little while. I guess Josh will resume his post as the chief trash collector, etc. This is the part of family living that is most challenging.

Meanwhile, Harvey and I are still riding high from this past weekend's conference. We were able to watch most of it from our "wing" of the house and enjoyed most of the talks. Elder Holland's moving talk was my favorite. I will remember it as one of the landmark talks. I also enjoyed seeing a little change in Elder Scott's typical monotonous talk delivery. He almost pounded the pulpit. Was that beads of sweat on his upper lip???

Pray for us.... We would like to think that we do not have to pass this around the family for the entire fall season. Hopefully we can practice healthy hand washing, etc, and escape this.

Good News!

Word came today that the mass on my thyroid looks ok and that I can postpone having the right side of my thyroid removed for several months. That will allow me to go ahead on schedule for my bipass surgery.

I am sooo grateful for all of my family and friends and for their good wishes and prayers. I feel very loved.

Thank you, all.

Biopsy Done!

Well, friends, the biopsy went well. I will hear in a day or two about the results from the pathologist. Thanks for the prayers.

My Most Unusual Visit

When you've grown up and lived your whole life in West Texas and the Panhandle, you are accustomed to the friendly and open way strangers react to one another. It is not at all unusual for a moderately outgoing and friendly person to stand in line at a grocery checkout and discuss family, friends of family, medical conditions, pets, and a wide variety of other subjects that people in other parts of the country reserve for intimate family members only. That is what I love about living here in Lubbock.

Now, my family (especially the teenagers) find this trait a little intimidating. They are a little unnerved by discussions of parenting problems with total strangers at the market and have responded with everything from scoffing and teasing to avoiding alone trips with Ma to the grocery store.

But, even I was amazed with my trip today to the Chiropractor. I have been going to this chiropractor for three months or so trying to avoid neck surgery. He is a lovely man with a modest office run by his wife. They have one child, a daughter, who is 7 . She spends time with her grandmother when her parents are at work. Once when I was in the office for a treatment, Shelby was with her parents because of Grandma's eye appointment and the little princess talked to me all the way through my treatment. I know that this is a Christian family because of the very subtle Christian instrumental music that plays softly in the background in the office. Other than that, there have been no religious discussions. Just family, trips they have taken, etc.

Today I went in for my bi-weekly treatment with a small loaf of Zuchini Bread as a gift. I told Cheryl, the wife, about my upcoming biopsy on Wednesday. The surgeon thought the mass on my thyroid was too large to ignore and is checking it for a malignancy. I am a little unnerved and spent last weekend fasting and have asked several of my close friends to remember me on Wed. and perhaps remember me in their prayers. So, when I told Dr. Rohder about Wed, he asked if I would mind if he prayed for me. I answered that of course, I would appreciate it if he remembered me in his prayers.

I was frankly stunned when he reached out, put his hand on my neck and began a "Father, God" blessing right there in the treatment room. It was sweet and appreciated, but perhaps the most unusual experience I have ever had in a professional setting.

I got a lot more than I paid for today...

And, if any of you read this before Wednesday, please remember me... I am worried. But reassured.