On her way in FIVE days!

"not to Secret anymore" Wishes....What's YOURS?

- To get cleared to drive again.
- To be a seminary teacher again.
- To hold African AIDS babies, who I am convinced...need me.
- To travel to India and teach English at Rising Star Outreach school.
- To hook up Rachel with a date with a guy at lizzie's farewell who was DYING to meet her (no, it's not my son!) but he's too CHICKEN!
- To travel more, especially back to Japan to visit my host family.
- Family vacation with all the family to London in Christmas 2010 to pick up Lizzie.
- to not have to work, although I love my job.
- to be skinny enough to fit into my daughter's clothes.
- to fix my skin pigmentation problems.
- to say goodbye when I didn't have the chance to do it.
- to kidnap my husband to a secret hideway and vacation that's not work oriented. Somewhere close to home though.

COLD VIRUS...

Got tested for the swine flu today. This is what I have...the common cold.
I'm laughing at myself now, but glad I got tested, because I work with a lot of great elderly people who I want to protect. For anyone who is scientifically minded, here is a picture of what I have. It looks great, but feels UGLY.

I love this place. Good things happen here!

It's a magical place with lots of wise and wonderful people therein. I love it.

FREEZE, please.

It just seems that we started selling shaved ice before it was really the right kind of weather. Right idea, Right people, right neighborhood....just a little early. Please FREEZE, just like that. Timing is everything. Argh! :-)

Happy Anniversary, Dollface! He said YES!

PERSONALLY, I THINK IT WOULD LOOK GREAT AGAINST A RED WALL! IT'S YOUR CALL, DOLLFACE! :-)

You know you have Epilespy when...

You know you have epilepsy when there are AT LEAST two (or four in my case) cars in the driveway and you don’t drive.

You know you have E. when...someone asks you if you're alright & you didn't know anything was wrong.

You know you have epilepsy when you find yourself eating lunch for the second time in a row.

You know you have epilepsy when your dentist worries about losing his fingers...

You know you have epilepsy when you can decipher the following: I was dx'd with JME by my epi with an EEG, (had MRI and CT), Rx was Lamictal 100 mg p.o. tid, which controlled the jerks, absence, SP's, atonics, and GTC's...

You know you have epilepsy when holy water burns you. (that's for Sis. Hem...)

You know you have epilepsy when your boss doesn't know whether to call 911 or a Priest.

You know you have epilepsy when your Meds cost more than you make in a month.

You know you have epilepsy when you take meds to help the meds you take.

You know you have epilepsy when upon having a burst of energy you're asked "are you having a episode?"

You know you have epilepsy when...you have a seizure in your sleep and smack your spouse...and they ask ...was that a spell or are you still mad at me ?

You know you have epilepsy when...Sleeping till 3:00 pm is normal...yet not sleeping at all is too.

You know you have epilepsy when you hear ten times a day from your loved ones…did you remember your "pills"

NOTE: Epileptics use humor to cope. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. This list is provided my friend, Paula Apoca, who lightens the load for all of us E's.

I LOVE CHESLEY. That's all. ;-)

And I love Kat and Liz for giving me the best birthday present ever - Chesley.

Pre-Mission Trials!

Sweet Birdie is doing so much better! Thanks for all your prayers and well-wishes, she's doing GREAT and ready to take off for her mission. Due to great family & great neighbors, she's doing awesome! Thanks!

MY BIRTHDAY

Every once in awhile, you have to have to be a little silly on your birthday!

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!!!!