What was the Month of May?

BoxElder Bugs, planting "Early Girls" and "Celebrity" tomatoes, 9 vases of Purple Tulips, missing Miss Loree-Lou & Darla, buying a little car (motorized wheelchair), best birthday ever, wonderful mother's day, Magnesium Citrate adventure, Okada family research, 2 bad news days, irrigation water back on, snow completely melted, London visa application finished, spring cleaning, Mission shopping, 2 family members dental work completed. All in all, it's been a fairly good month. Spring has sprung, and I'm hopeful for some wonderful family-filled days ahead. Now if I can just get rid of the Box-Elder Bugs

CABELAS FIND....

What every missionary to London needs? Doubtful.

Susan Boyle's NEW DO. Love it!

If you don't know who she is, look her up on YOU TUBE (full version) and prepare to be inspired by her story and performance on Brit's IDOL!

Welcome Home!

I love this time of year! Thank you son, for planting these beautiful reminders of renewal and faith. I love my tulips and I love you too!

The Mall Rats

So, I'm at the mall, resting while Lizzie returns something to a store. While I'm sitting there, across from a children's clothing store...about 6 or 8 teenagers all dressed up like 80's characters, just file into the clothing store and stand in the front display area, and POSE. People were snapping pictures like wild people, and clapping and LOVED IT. The cops came and busted it up. It was the coolest thing. I want to take my family pictures at that mall, in that display case. I just wish the cops hadn't have upset the kids who really were just having harmless clean fun.

Sister Shattuck - LONDON ENGLAND MISSION !

Wear Purple for me... - March 26

Purple Day - March 26th, http://www.purpleday.org
Please support people like me, with Epilepsy, to raise awareness.

MY INDEPENDENCE DAY! A Walmart!

TODAY is the first day of the rest of my INDEPENDENT life thanks to WALMART!

Words cannot describe how deliriously happy I am to be FREE from 'total dependence'! Most of you know I haven't driven since about 1992, due to Epilepsy. I've been dependent on others for food, my perscriptions, for everything I need. I can't think of a more wonderful feeling - to go from "being helped" to being the HELPER! Thank you to the VISIONARIES who made this possible for those of us who really needed this in our community. Thank you Walmart, for giving me my LIFE back. :) I cried with JOY today as they raised the flag and cut the ribbon.
Today, I went and got myself a small jar of my favorite pickles! Life is GREAT!

Walmart is now OPEN, and I walked there! NOW I can take care of my family and myself - by myself. Oh, Happy Day!

Ode to my Crocus...

Welcome, wild harbinger of spring!
To this small nook of earth;
Feeling and fancy fondly cling
Round thoughts which owe their birth
To thee, and to the humble spot
Where chance has fixed thy lowly lot.
- Bernard Barton, To a Crocus

Hail to the King of Bethlehem,
Who weareth in his diadem
The yellow crocus for the gem
Of his authority!
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,
Christus--The Golden Legend (pt. III)

'lil licky-lou-lou at Disneyland. I started taping... after tons more licks!

A Year of Celebration, and they mean it. :-)

I've taken too long to post these pictures, so I'm finally getting them on line. As a surprise, my sister paid for me to go with and her family to Disneyland! That's been something I've wanted to do for years! (Side Note: My "Rock Star Pass" didn't hurt the process at all! - because it enabled us to get me safely on rides that I could ride, and make it an easier time for everyone!) The only seizure was on "Finding Nemo" which was a miracle. Of course, I didn't do any of the rollercoasters, but I think I rode "Indiana Jones" about 8 times, thanks to my nephews who were the only ones brave enough to go over and over! Trick: If you ride this ride, semi-standing, you don't get any-what-so-ever impact to your spine or brain, so it was a great option for me. My sister and brother in law treated me like royalty, and it was a dream come true. I made costumes for my neices and nephews. One was a Jedi-in-training, One was a pirate, One was a Purple Princess, and the other was the "Jungle-Cruisin' Tiki Tiki Cool Adventureland Dude". Everyone at the Park treated me with great kindness and respect. Disneyland was something I thought I'd never be able to do again in my lifetime. Disney works great with people of varying disabilities. They informed me of the flashing lights, and where they would occur, which made my visit very tolerable and enjoyable! I know it sounds dumb, but I'm so pleased that I could make this once-in-a-lifetime trip even after 2 brain surgeries. I never expected them to go out of the way for me like this, and I'm so grateful for their kindness, and I hope I was helpful with the kids too. I'm glad the kids are old enough to enjoy the Park, and patient with their old "fogie" Auntie Winda. (that's what the purple princess calls me). If you're ever going to the Park in the future, check out California Adventure Park. I was "California Soaring" at least 6 times, and felt truly liberated and free of my epilepsy for a few minutes. I don't think my sister understood how much that meant to me - to be back home, and enjoy the redwoods, the lakes, the beach, the orange groves, Cannery Row in Monterey, and especially the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz all over again. I cried each time I soared over the virtual California, and smelled the ocean breeze, the oranges, the redwoods, and the beach again and again. I almost forgot I was born in Idaho, because I've been a Californian for so long. Thank you Tom and Sabrina for taking me on your Magical Kingdom vacation. You are a beautiful family, and I love you for enabling my "Make a Wish" come true. Love you all.

THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH

Sorry, but there's NO comparison. I love to see the Temple. :-)

Hero or Villan? You pick...

"Yes, it really is Angela Patrelli and me. We're total buddies". P.S. YES, she is nice and wonderful in real life. She told me she was going to a family reunion. I nearly had a coronary, because I was looking around for her unpreditable children, Nathan, Syler, Peter, etc. She has a wonderful smile, and she's very engaging. Fun lady.

GRANDPARENTS DAY - Cornish Pasty Cooking Class

"THIS IS HOW WE DO IT"

A Hippie in Utah....

My wonderful neice, Ashley, sent this to me. She must have sensed what I've been feeling about living here in Utah, and missing Santa Cruz and the Beach. Not sure I've quite fit in yet. I'm finding my own path, but I'm really thinking about growing back my hippie hair, and wearing my CaliClothes! I feel like I'm on the mend, and coming back into my own. :-) It's gonna be a great summer!

Birdie is gauze-free at 10pm

She's a SUPER DOOPER TROOPER! P.S. Yes, they are my Pippi Longstockings Socks, FULL OF ICE.

The Spa Treatment for Wisdom Teeth Removal

Anyone caring for a person with wisdom teeth removal? Here's the drill.
1. Get medicine IMMEDIATELY (Keflex, Lortab, Big IBU and Phenergan)
2. Small rolled up neck towel
3. Two small rolled up neck towels for side (to hold up ice packs).
4. Take two nylon knee socks and tie the toes together.
5. Take two large ziplock baggies and fill 1/4 with ice, and roll it up and seal it.
6. Slide ice packs into each of the nylon knee socks. Then tie the tops together.
7. Cover patient with warm blankets (2) to stop any shaking (which can be normal).
8. Change gauze every 15 minutes. We mean it.
9. Take the meds with a little bit of yogurt or applesauce.
10. Rest and be sure you have a lot of papertowels for patient comfort and "droolies".
11. Reassure patient they are doing really well. Hugs and kisses. :-)

By the time you read this, they will be out!

By 11:00am on Friday, these little babies (wisdom teeth) are goners!

This used to be a Bird, but now it's a Chipmunk.

I'm in nursey-mode now until Monday. Bye! :0)

The wind is shifting, time for Birdie to fly....

Today, I am finally breathing again. Peace and Acceptance have come to my doorstep to comfort me. In the months ahead, I will fully rely on the Source of that Peace - The Prince of Peace who can only give the "peace that surpasseth all understanding". Birdie is sprouting wings and leaving the nest soon.

Liz-bird's paperwork has started for the mission she will serve for the Lord. Wisdom teeth come out this Friday. I begin concentrating on my breathing today. . .

25 Random Facts (because you tagged me)

1. The only person with worse insomnia than me, is my son.

2. Cats are seriously allergic to me.

3. I have a secret I've been keeping for months. It's really a "good" one.

4. I have to burn incense everyday, or I don't feel like it's been a good day.

5. I'm a little more hippie than most people suspect.

6. I don't drive, anymore, and it bugs me.

7. I don't swim, anymore, but I could care less.

8. I enjoy art from children, more than any art in art galleries.

9. I like frosting, but not cake.

10. I only really like white cheese.

11. I have three sets of parents.

12. My fav song is "As I lay me down to sleep"

13. When I say goodnight, it's never the last time.

14. I make the best high pitch screams.

15. I like Big Macs, but I only like them sushi-style.

16. I never finish my food.

17. I lock and check the front door at least 3 times.

18. My hands are warm all the time, in fact HOT.

19. I like plain M & Ms.

20. I have to have shoes from different countries.

21. I purchase earrings each vacation.

22. I want a "wake" (awake), not a mourning funeral.

23. I can only play "Master, the Tempest is Raging on the Piano"

24. I love crowns.

25. I went bowling with Victor from Albania, and I won.

26. I have epilepsy - epilepsy does not have me.

I've Never....ever..

I have never....

1. Eaten a Twinkie
2. Smoked a cigarette
3. Gone ice skating
4. Been to Germany
5. Been on a skateboard
6. Seen the Statue of Liberty
7. Been to Church History sites east of Utah
8. Lived alone
9. Planned a vacation that I wanted
10. ...had a chance to say goodbye
11. Been on a picnic
12. Riden a horse
13. owned a cat
14. tasted a real truffle
15. ...willingly eaten yogurt

What have YOU never-ever done? TAG, if you read it, you are TAGGED. Even Stalkers...

U-bonics! (How to speak "Utah")

Is it just me? Or is it because I'm from California? Is it because my mother is an English Professor and the Dean of Humanities? What is my problem? (don't answer that - Lizzie says " you don't have to tell people they're fat - they already know") Anyway, I think it's hilarious about the way people from Utah talk. I didn't come up with this idea, I read about it, and I've added to it, after being here for almost 2 years. Ubonics, the way people talk in U-tah. It's like Ebonics but it's U-bonics for lack of a better word. Here is a start-up vocabulary list, in case you want to take up Ubonics and convert to the language as well as the religion of Utah, or perhaps you want to avoid this. Either way, after reading this, you will be either educated or entertained.
I chose the latter. (by the way, it is a little charming...to talk Ubonics, but it does make one sound a little inept, which makes it funny.)

ENGLISH vs. UBONICS

Heal - Hill "I see you're hilled up from your surgery" (Uh, ouch)

Steal - Still "Thou shalt not still" (that confuses the Primary kids)

Deal - Dill "I got a great DILL at the mall" (A pickle stand?)

Feel - Fill "I fill great!" (I don't even go there...)

Meal - Mill "Get three square mills a day" (that's a lot to take in..)

Sale - Sell "I'm having a yard sell today" (I've seen SIGNS spelled that way!)

Jail - Gel "Did you hear OJ is in GEL" (Yikes, is he ok?)

Fairytale - Fairytell (Is that what happens when someone "comes out"?)

Whale - Well "she's as fat as a WELL" (Round wide and deep?)

Sex Appeal- Sex Appell (I can't explain this one AT ALL)

Lord -Lard Q. Where can I find the Lard" A. In heaven. (not appropriate...)

Layton - Lay'en "He lives in Lay'en" (does that mean he's lazy layin' around?)

Cotton - Co'en "I have Co'en mouth" (isn't it CAUGHT IN your throat?) yikes.

Mountain - Mou'en (What? All I know is that they are EAST of here)


Ok folks, so next time you catch me speaking like this, it's either that I'm being slowly brainwashed or I'm just messin' with you, because I think it's funny. I do have to run now, and check and see if the MELL is here. Let me know if YOU have heard any more great words in Ubonics, so I can add them to the list. Don't send me CRICK, BATT-RY or SPA-CIAL I already know that's CREEK, BATTERY, and SPECIAL. Those were the first ones I learned. :)

What is "The Family Business"?

Other than my living family, this is what I spend my time doing....and it's "The Family Business". It's what I live for, dream about and work for, and I really love it. I'm back in business. I'm finally doing what I love to do, and I'm "making a difference" in very real and personal ways, physical, mental, spiritual and a little bit financial. Thank you to everyone who believed in me, supported me and encouraged me to follow my heart. I wouldn't trade it for any washed-up Starfish even if you paid me.

I miss this little angel

Thanks to Mark's BYU associate! We went to Applebees!

Thank you to Mark's work associate so we could go to Applebees! THANK YOU!!!!

Updated - "This is Howie Do It" Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, WISH YOU WERE HERE!

All I want for Christmas...

I want to sponsor a child from India. I want someone to call Rising Star Outreach and sponsor a child in my name. I want to write to this kid (boy or girl) and tell them how wonderful they are, and how much a little birdie in America misses them and aches for them.

Happiness, Freedom and Peace of Mind...

There is a wonderful mythical law of nature

that the three things we crave most in life --

happiness, freedom, and peace of mind --

are always attained by giving them to someone else...

-Peyton Conway March

Pollyanna.... ya gotta love her...

This Blog is just an update to my Glad Game post a little while ago. My neighbor has some prisms she wants to put up in her window. I'm getting some serious inspiration, and just wish I also had a window, but alas, I do not. here's the picture MC! Hope you love it!

DRESS UP, UPDATE

Update on the Costume Closet. We are cleaned out, and have kept a few "collections". We are still playing Castle Games, hanging out with Mary Poppins, Oliver Twist and the Dickens Crew. We're crossing the plains with the pioneers and keeping a few of our fantasies with Dorothy, Cinderella and their friends. Thanks for all our friends who took our excess and have fun playing dress up!

I'm delighted that with all the costumes cleared out, I can get down to the real work of finding my ancestors. Every day these historical pieces mean more and more. :)

Take Two- Tag

Two Names You Go By:
1. Momma Linda or Momma Shattuck
2. Lindy-Lou

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now: (other than clothes)
1. Reading Glasses
2. Boots (I'm the only one in house that hates to take off shoes!)

Two Things You Want Very Badly At the Moment:
1. To take a nap, and let dinner finish itself..
2. That Chocolate cake from "Aqui".

Two Things You Did Last Night:
1. Had a deluxe private tour at the Harley-Davidson store.
2. Early dinner at JCWs with Jigg & Marilyn.

Two Things You Ate Yesterday:
1. Hickory Bacon
2. Bowl of Cream of Brocolli Soup

Two things you are Doing Tomorrow:
1. Praying for Mark to get a job at BYU.
2. Paying bills.

Two Longest Car Rides:
1. California to Utah with U-hauls
2. Driving home from Washington, with a colicky screaming baby boy.

Two favorite Holidays:
1. May Day
2. Easter

Two Favorite (working) Vacations:
1. Tahiti
2. British Virgin Islands

Two Favorite Beverages :
("other" men in my life)
1. Dr. Pepper
2. Mr. Pibb

Two People I Tag:
1. Katie Doo Day
2. Lizabuff

Christmas List revisited (UPDATED)

I'm going to add my Christmas list here, and I'll add everything from the ridiculous to the sublime. It's not because I want gifts, it's because I make a list every year, and I never show anyone. This year, I decided to "expose" my little Christmas list. This will be updated and prioritized, but for now, it's just a work in progress....

1. My husband to get over his dental phobia! His tooth is killing him...argh

2. Two new King size pillows from Bed, Bath & Beyond (I'm picky!)

6. A date with my daughters to a decent sushi house.

7. Long dress length "dress bags" that hold at least 4 dresses, to organize my costumes!

8. Someone smart who can help me get a 90 day supply of anti-convulsants from my insurance.

9. For someone to tell me Jacob's favorite foods.

10. Go to India with Lizzie next summer to meet her friends.

11. Mansmith's ORIGINAL barbeque spice, large - from San Juan, or Hollister!

12. Knee socks. (not multicolored, just thin, black, dark blue, dark brown) cotton! Target kind.

13. A really high-quality scanner, to scan & organize & preserve my family photos!

14. A couple bags of those really cool white little triangle make-up applicators, disposable.

The GLAD GAME (what are YOU Thankful for?)

Today, my friend Michelle gave a great lesson in R.S. on gratitude and also other subjects based off the last conference addresses from President Monson. She and I are both big fans of the movie Pollyanna. Is this the first time my children are hearing this? Anyway, I love the prisms Pollyanna refers to, and how her enthusiastic optimism affects those around her and how that optimism is manifested in the love she shows others. Today, I want to express my gratitude and play the GLAD GAME for myself. Here's what I'm glad (grateful) for:

1. I'm glad I am married to the right man, in the right place, at the right time.
2. I'm glad my children are all hungry learners. It will serve them well their whole livces.
3. I'm glad my children are all playful. Life is hard and serious. Have a sense of humor!
4. I'm glad for my daughter to teach me how to blog, it's been "serious" fun.
5. I'm glad to have a testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and what that does for our optimism.
6. I'm glad that I live so close to my honies, so we can 'sup together, and find out what's 'sup.
7. I'm glad to have such life-long loving and loyal friends! I reflect back and cherish you all.
8. I'm glad my children have picked wonderful friends. Sam, Jaimie and Lars, you're my favs. "That's what I'm talkin' about......"
9. I'm glad for Rachel Ray. She's made my life so much easier these days. Let's get cookin'!
10. I'm glad for Marines. Semper Fi. I'm off to Booty Camp, so stay tune for a healthier me.

Loree on the Left....standing...FINALLY...

I love my Loree. Did anyone else see this in the Ensign Conference issue, inside the front cover? I don't know how it happened (since this was painted near 1850) but it's clearly Loree or maybe her TWIN. Every detail, when examined closely, from her hands to her toes to her color of her dress (like the one Donna Corno painted of her) looks just like my little Loree Lou. Gosh I miss her. I can't stop staring at this painting. It's like finally being able to have some peace that it might be like this for Loree in heaven. Finally standing on her feet and learning from her Savior that loves her dearly. I miss you Loree Michelle Jones.... "It's about time..." I called the Ensign Dept to thank them for posting this amazing piece of art, and the comfort it has brought Loree's mom, sister, and all her friends. I hope you enjoy it too.

"

4th Picture Folder, 4th Picture TAG!

OK - this is so wierd, but I'm addicted to playing "tag" in posts.... So, I'm randomingly posting the "4th picture in my 4th picture folder". Wanna play "post tag"? Here is the picture! Without selecting a picture, I just went to the 4th folder, and the 4th picture. I started laughing like crazy! This is at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, with Katinka on stage and I don't have any idea what was happening at the time, but obviously it was a moment of surprise on stage for her. Maybe it was when she pinched Davy Jones of the Monkees on the bum? True story....

Quirk Tag! (I'll show you mine, you show me yours!)

I've been tagged by Tamra Tungate in QUIRK tag. Here's the deal, you have to confess 6 of your quirks, so here goes. (P.S. Tamra, I didn't know any of your quirks, except your clothing quirk and I think you're awesome to wear vintage clothing!)

1. I type out with my fingers or in my head - everything everyone says. My children often find me typing on my leg or in my lap. It's totally involuntary, and I do it a lot. It was a trick my 6th grade typing teacher taught us to learn to type fast, and now I really do - type fast. Unfortunately, this stuck with me, and not only do I type out what people say, I count the words too. :) I'm pretty sure it borders on OCD.

2. I - like Tamra- have to wash my dishes almost completely before they go into the dishwasher. It's not completely inexplicable, because my mother did it that way too. I tell my kids, it's not a dish-WASHER, it's a dish-STERILIZER. :)

3. I have a worthy-but-ridiculous goal (obsession) with having to do some SPECIAL act of service for a member of my immediate family each and every day, or I can't sleep (literally), and it has to be beyond the normal cooking or cleaning. They don't have to know about it or acknowledge it, but I have to do it. It's insane, because I use it for my lame excuse for my insomnia, which has no mental nor organic causes. So, whatev, I use it as my excuse. I convince myself that once I finish the task, I can sleep. This doesn't make me noble in the least. It just adds to the insomnia. LOL

4. I have to check the locks on the doors 3 times each night. I will go to great lengths to do this. I also have to be the last one to sleep, because I don't trust anyone else to do it. Say I'm from "L.A." or say I'm from "San Jose". It's not because of living in the East Side, it's from being totally quirky and maybe a little OCD. In my house in Hollister, there were 3 doors. I would have to criss-cross across the room 3 times each (don't do the math, you'll start laughing hysterically, and then I'd have to start over, because I don't remember if I "really" locked it or just accidently unlocked it. That's seriously quirky, and completely ridiculous, but I did live on the East side of Riverside, California - does that count? Give me a little break, or give me the number of your pschycologist :)

5. I'm in love with...... Clorox Wipes. I think I might like them more than Johnny Depp. This is beginning to be a problem....and the writing is on the wall - - wait....I guess it's not anymore, because I probably wiped it off with my Clorox Wipes (lemon or orange flavor please!). Buy me a little cylinder container, and we're friends for LIFE.

6. I have to own shoes that are made in foreign countries. Don't know what my deal is but it probably has something to do with "walking in another person's moccasins". I love to travel and having shoes from other countries. I have cute little slip ons from other countries, and I love getting little foreign shoes as gifts. (and my birthday is May 6, and I'm a size 6 1/2, hahaha). I don't own a lot of shoes, compared to most women, I just love little slippers for my very little feet. Makes me feel "dainty". (at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

QUIRK TAG, you're it: Kathryn, Rachel, Donna, Christine, Lars and Stephanie!