Down with the sickness!

I hate being sick! Last Tuesday I found myself at the family doctor at 2:30pm asking for anything to stop me from coughing so I could get my root canal at 5:00pm. He gave me some cough "pills". Who takes pills for a cough? When I filled the prescription, I asked the pharmacist just how good are those "pills". He said the codeine cough syrup was better. I had a bit of that at home. So to be safe in the dentist chair, I took a pill and a teaspoon of the syrup. Then just to be completely positive I wouldn't have a coughing fit, I tried to swallow the excess Novocaine as I was being numbed. It was a very comfortable 2 hours. I got home about 7:00pm, went to bed and back to work at 4:15am. What a trooper!

Now, a week later, I'm still not over the sickness. I was told I have an ear infection and was given the biggest, pink, horse-pill, antibiotic. I feel much better, but not 100 percent. Tomorrow will be my first "day-off" since January 13th. (Sundays don't count when you're Mormon--three hours of church, choir practice and maybe a meeting that night is not a day of rest) I did call out sick on Saturday, which made me sick. (That's not how I roll) I'm thinking the whole "get some rest" thing is a good thing. I try to sleep in till 6:30.
Of course, with me working so much, one must wonder how I manage to keep such a clean house and home cooked dinner on the table each night. Enter David! My husband is still a far better mother than I could ever hope to be. The kids grades are even better. I am so lucky. He has taken up the "protector of the neighborhood" role. There was a man parked across the street taking pictures of the houses. Dave marched out and asked who he was and what he was doing. The man said he was with "the bank". Dave asked which one and the man did not have an answer. He "encouraged" him to leave, which he did promptly. Of course Dave got his license plate number and called the fuzz. They showed up and Dave discovered an old friend is on the force. We now have a daily patrol.

We figure the guy taking pictures was with the HOA. We finished painting our chimney and he wanted "proof". The mail lady saw it all go down and mentioned that he needed to go two streets over and take a picture of the Hummer parked sideways on the driveway and rock lawn. Dave let her know that he would not be taking pictures of that because that was the HOA presidents house and they weren't subject to the same rules. Dave obviously made an impression on the fellow, we received a letter from the management company a few days ago saying that we did not do as we were told with our paint job and we owe $900.00 in fines. I'm not sure how you miss the fact that 5ft of off-white stucco is now brown. Perhaps he's colorblind. I can't wait till the next HOA meeting. There's more to the story--I'll say more when things get resolved.

All in all, things are good. We still thank our Heavenly Father for our blessings!

Stormy Weather

Out here in the desert, we just got a years worth of rain in 4 days. I was lucky enough to be working those 4 days. Weather and the airline industry are like oil and water. Thursday I started my day at 4:45am and walked out at 9:45pm. Yes, I liked the overtime pay, but man, I'm tired. I was at one gate all day. At about 7pm I get a call from home. Keep in mind that I've been starring at about 300 people in the boarding area all day and dealing with a 20+ person line since 5am. My son is on the other end of the phone full of excitement. "Hey mom, did you know that there were 190 flight delays today?" Really, are you serious. I begin to wonder if he really knows what I do for a living. "Yes," I say with a sigh, "I'm looking at all those inconvenienced people right now. Most are looking back as if they want to follow me to my car after work and do bodily harm." I'm sure he meant well, just keeping me informed. He needs to stick to weather reports. After about two days, everyone got where they were going.

Dave is still the better mom. He finished painting the house today, just in time for the HOA! He is determined to cut back and utilize all available resources. Let's begin with the fireplace. We are in a 20+ year old house. We were probably one of the last homes built with a wood burning fireplace. Well, we're burning wood; and pizza boxes, paper plates, newspaper, and anything else combustible. We were eating pizza the other night with a fire going. When the kids were finished, they threw their paper plates in the fireplace. I looked in horror. I asked them how much more hillbilly could we get. Then dad threw his in. This is now the running joke. They all know how to make me cringe. This morning after breakfast dad chimed that he would be taking care of the dishes, I handed him the long lighter.

All of us are doing well. The new homework rules are great. Paxton's teachers are shocked that he's turning in homework. He is now getting high B's and A's. Gabby learned that we mean what we say. She had one missing assignment and lost out on any weekend activities. They are learning.

We are dealing with Dave's unemployment and realizing how blessed we are. Things are so much worse for others without the security of a duel income. We give thanks daily for those simple blessings; again understanding that all we have, and have been blessed with, comes from our Heavenly father.

To tired to notice

Working 6 days a week stinks! This week I worked 5--I had a root canal on my only midweek day off. My dentist is the most patient man on earth. He and his staff have put up with me calling and coming in for the 4 crowns I've had done in the past three months. It's almost all over. Tomorrow I'll call to request the second root canal--I'm done with the throbbing pain. He has been very conservative with his treatment and for that I am grateful. But sometimes you have to bite the bullet and go for the big guns. Every time I go in, I think, "They must be sick of me," but they always greet me with a smile and assure me they would rather I call than be in discomfort. I guess I'll mention their name since I am such a satisfied customer, Sunstone Dental, the Welch brothers. I see Dr. Greg. The staff is awesome. Sometimes that's more important than the doctor. The bonus is that Dr. Greg is just as nice.


The bad part about working so much is that one day runs into another and you don't seem to notice the things that use to make you smile. Passengers and their crazy questions and silly predicaments are there everyday. That never changes. I guess I'm missing the silliness of my family. David is still the best housekeeper and for a better term, mother. The kids are finally turning to him for the everyday kind of questions. I still get the big stuff. I can't give you one funny story. Maybe next week.


I'm feeling somewhat blah. Could be the painkillers. Okay, one funny story. David and I stopped by our friends house to participate in her bake sale. She was selling treats for a dear friend with cancer. Her husband is a police officer and came out of the house with a box of treats and Dave commented on how he got roped into this activity. We chatted a bit and he asked about my teeth. I told him things were almost over but the painkillers were great. He placed his hand on my shoulder and starred into my eyes. "Yep, fixed and dilated", he said without skipping a beat. I'm sure he's seen plenty in his days. We got our treats and he let me get in the driver's seat. (Must not have been that bad) Can't say that I've ever been scrutinized by law enforcement.

I guess I'll end with thoughts and prayers for Haiti. We all need to pray for our brothers and sisters and hope that they get the life sustaining supplies they need in time for good. Living in the Las Vegas valley affords us the comfort of not having to deal with large natural disasters. Our biggest worries are flash floods, which I imagine we could see in the next week. Please think of those with nothing and pray that our Heavenly Father will give them comfort.

Working Girl

Well, it finally happened. Dave got laid off. Now don't freak out--we planned and saved. Everything is covered. I now work six days a week. I only work morning shifts, so the kids don't even notice I'm working more. The only difference to them is not hearing mom yell at them two mornings a week to get up and ready for school. Which brings me to a funny moment.

Dave texted me the moment he got his pink slip. I answered with, "hey, I'll call my dad and let him know he's off the hook taking Paxton to school for a while." He promptly replied, "you know I have to be to the hall at 8am." To which I answered, "no problem. He has to be to school at 7am." Really? You think you're going to get out of taking the kids to school?! He didn't. He has been wonderful. He has cleaned and cooked. Cooking, not my strong point. Which leads to another funny moment.

One day my kids were watching Family Feud. The question was, "Name something women do better than men." I immediately thought "cook". They went through the answers and of course "cooking" was number one. Both my kids gave a perplexed look at the television and responded with, "What?" You see, I don't cook. I mean, I do simple things (breakfast, spaghetti, chili), but I'm certainly not noted for a particular meal. There are no request for my home cooking at dinner time. I'm sure most of you hear, "hey mom, could you make this or that for dinner." Or maybe they squeal in delight knowing that the one dinner they love is on the menu that night. Not at my house. Left to me, it's Panda or Taco Bell. I may stretch my culinary talents and get something frozen from Costco and use the oven for that. I have cooked a Thanksgiving dinner and have a killer cinnamon roll recipe; but for the most part anything to write home about has come from dad. So for that I am grateful to have him home.

He has a long list of "honey do's" and the cash to get them done. He should be back to work by the end of February maybe March. We have been very blessed over the past year when so many were not. We were wise with our good fortune and know that as we continue to be thankful and generous, we will continue to have our needs and wants met. All we have comes from our Heavenly Father, we must keep this foremost in our minds.

Merry Christmas!!

Boy, Christmas sure takes alot of work! I am ready! I'm sorry for the delay in writing. I had issues with my teeth, but everything is ok now. The whole going to Jr. High was a bust. My kids thought it was great. Their friends want to bring their moms too. I guess I'm just too cool of a mom. (Ha! Ha!)
We are now immersed in the Christmas vacation. Now that my kids are older, that means sleeping in and not bathing unless they are actually leaving the house. We've done the traditional things like looking at lights and making goodies and the not so traditional things like turning an old plastic wagon into a bike-towed slingshot and decorating the house only 3 days ago. David is finally back to 40 hours a week. We are so happy to have him home more often. Things have been so busy that I haven't had time to even notice the funny things in life--well, I did have a passenger give me a giggle yesterday.
A nice family traveled here from Denver. I was working in baggage claim and we delayed their carseat. Mom did the report and dad played with the baby and older sister (I'm thinking about 6months and 7 years old). They weren't quite settled and dad had to put money in the meeter. I chatted with the 7 year old while they took care of business and determined that she was definitely on the good list and deserved all she wanted from Santa. When mom came over I let her know what a delightful child she had and how her Christmas would be a dream. Mom then informed me that this was a last minute trip because Grandpa had died. The little girl chimed in without missing a beat, " yep, right there on the kitchen floor." I politely let her know that we all have different ways of leaving this life and can never plan on the most comfortable room in the house. She was fine with that and went about her business, very matter of fact. It just made mom and me smile; sweet child like innocence.
I will hopefully be more consistent in the new year. Please remember the real reason for this season, the birth of our Savior. Know that he is there for you. He is truly the greatest gift!

Back to School--Jr. High that is!

If you have seen the movie "Billy Madison" with Adam Sandler, please reminisce and sing along. "Back to school, back to school." Yes, I am going back to school. No, I'm not going back to college or some kind of trade, I'm going to Greenspun Junior High. I told my kids that if I did not see improvements in their grades and study habits, I would be happy to accompany them to the classes they are struggling in to see if together we could come up with some strategies that would help them to improve. Well, they didn't do their part so I'm doing mine. Follow through is a must as a parent (something I struggle with), but not this time. If there was ever a time for me to rise to the occasion, this is it. I'm sure my children could not be happier that I picked this moment to "follow through".
Even my sister doubted me. She said she would call me tomorrow and I reminded her that I would be busy from 8am till 2pm. "Why?" she asked. "Well, I'm going to school with Paxton and Gabby", I replied. "You were serious?", she said cautiously. "As a heart attack!"
Their schedules could not have been more perfect. First period with Paxton in Advanced Math, second period with Gabby in Math, third period with Gabby in Science, fourth period with Paxton in US History, fifth period with Paxton in Science and sixth period with Paxton in Advanced English. I get to skip Gabby's English class because I've already had a discussion with her teacher. It's all good. They each have a choir class I can skip and Paxton has a Peer Advocate class I can skip.
I told their friends to spread the word that Paxton and Gabby's mom would be in school on December 9th. They have already complained that "people" can't wait to meet their mom. They doth protest. Well, I can't have that. I explained that if they doth protest too much I would be happy to bring a tuna fish sandwich for lunch. This way everyone, friend or foe, would know exactly where they and their mother sat in the cafeteria.
Gabby is nervous about what I'll be wearing. No sweatsuits! At least I know what to threaten her with next time. Paxton told me that a certain teacher thinks I'm a "dork" for coming to class, as if I would believe a professional would resort to name calling. I'm sure he pinned his thoughts on his least favorite teacher.
So tomorrow, while you mothers are enjoying the "me time" you have while your kids are at school, I'll be with my kids and probably yours too.

The day started as any other weekday off of work--taking Paxton to his earlybird class (Madrigals). As we were walking out I mentioned his advent countdown filled with chocolate. He said he would get it later followed by, "and if Gabby eats any of mine, I'll kick her butt!" I asked "you would consider physical violence for candy?" He said, "yes." I told him he has issues and headed out the door. When I came home, Gabby was ready for school. I told her I was headed back to bed as a walked toward the coat closet located by the family room. She asked if I was going to sleep downstairs. I replied, "No, I'm going to a little room with things called hangers--you put clothes on them. I am going to put my coat on one and try out this new thing I heard about called a 'tidy home for Christmas'. You see mine, like all other preteen and teenagers will use chairs, sofas, and the ever popular floor for anything fresh off their body. In this respect, we are just like everybody else.
Time for a little history. I was born in Las Vegas. My dad was born in Las Vegas. I was not a child bride. I did not have my kids at 16. My grandfather came to the valley in 1938, the 8th postman in Las Vegas. I was married at 21 and didn't have kids until I was 28. Yes I'm 40, and 40 is fabulous. I was born into the church and my husband is a convert. He has always felt "less-than" Mormon because of this. I say, "get over it". If anything he is more than. After living 23 years and having all of those life experiences, he choose to become a member. What a hero. Sure, even if your born and raised in the church, at some point you have to find your own testimony of its truthfulness. Everyone, member or not, needs to study scripture, read the Book of Mormon and pray earnestly for the answer to the same question posed by Joseph Smith so long ago, "Which church is true?" So David has times when he is more active than others. My dad was the same way--I figured I'd carry on the family tradition. Today my father is an active High Priest and very supportive of my mother in her callings. I have no doubt that David will follow that same path and one day know the joy and happiness that comes from living gospel principles. In the meantime, and for as long as that may be, I practice unconditional love. The whole family does. Face it, the reality is that sometimes we all do stuff that will make someone else in the family say "and you did that because?!" Jesus is my inspiration and best example. Trust me, it's really just that simple. Try it with friends and family. You'll be surprised how little aggravates you in a day. Judging people and coming up with your own conclusions just takes that job away from our Savior. He asks only that we "Love One Another". (Another Children's Songbook song) Try it for a day or two. See how much happier you'll be to your family.