Winter Wonderland!!!

It started snowing about 10:00 this morning, and we have A LOT!! I can't believe how much snow has come in the last week or so, and it is still coming. For those of you who don't have the prospect of a White Christmas, we have one this year. Maybe these pictures can put you a little more in the spirit.


As you can see if you click on the pictures, the flakes are huge.





I had a wonderful time with Lilit and David last week. We were so busy with visiting, receiving appliances, fetching things from IKEA and other places, etc. that I failed to take any pictures. However, if you want to see pictures, go to Dennis's blog. He posted a bunch of pictures he took while we were there shortly before going to the airport. We did some Christmas shopping, Lilit got to visit with several ward members, family members, and friends, and I got lots of holding time with David. He is such a charming little guy, and fun to play with. We had a wonderful time.

I would include update pictures on the remodel, but we didn't complete as much as we had hoped, so I think I'll wait. More to come after New Years. Merry Christmas to all!!!

Ecstasy and Agony--I know, it's backwards

Christmas has finally come to my house!!! Some of my dear friends from my ward, Janet Jensen and her daughter and granddaughters, came over this evening and helped me decorate, and it finally feels like Christmas. I so appreciate their help. My tree is a little different this year, but I like the differences. Also, we put lights on my mantle for the first time. Anyway, it is fun. I'm not quite finished, but such a good start.




The agony part is really not agony--it has just been a very long time since my house was not cluttered with stuff and tools, and such. However, you will probably never see this room so empty again!!! This is my laundry room that has been crowded and full of old cupboards, etc. for so many years. By next Friday (the 19th) it will have a new stove, fridge, and washer and dryer, not to mention a new floor and, eventually, cupboards, counters, etc. Lynda, this is partly for you to exercise your imagination and help me find the right configuration for the room. Thanks for your help, by the way.




I'll follow up with the finished product in a couple of weeks.

More Remodel Pictures

Well, here we go again. Mike finally got the mirror up in the downstairs bathroom today, and it makes a world of difference. The only thing left to do in there is to put in some storage shelves behind the door. I didn't take any pictures behind the door since there is nothing there right now :) This first picture is an attempt to show the light fixture. It is very difficult to get an angle that really shows things. I tried it straight on, but the only way to do that showed me in the mirror, and that ruined the picture--oh well.



This next picture mostly shows the vanity. It is a two sink vanity, which I think will be very nice for that bathroom. However, it does not leave a great deal of counter space to put things you're using. I'm going to look for a small shelf to put on the far wall.


This next picture I guess does the best job of giving an idea of the overall effect. However, I realized that I didn't get any pictures of Mike's remarkable job on the floor. I guess you'll all have to come and visit if you want to get the full effect.

Those of you who've been here know that the downstairs bathroom has two rooms, The first pictures are of the room with the vanity, etc. The next ones are of the room with the toilet and tub/shower. Again, it is very difficult to get an angle that really shows what it looks like.



I didn't photograph the tub/shower since it has not substantially changed. Anyway, hope you all like the effect. I guess you can see a little of the floor in this last photo, but it looks more yellow in the picture than in reality.



Meanwhile, the laundry room/kitchen is well underway. Most of the cabinets are out and part of the floor has been taken up. New appliances will be delivered on the 19th. Prior to that, the $20.00 floor will be done, and new IKEA cabinets put in there. More to come!!

Remodeling Joys . . .

I thought I would share my great bargain, as well as the joys of remodeling. The bargain is these 18 inch floor tiles that I found last night at Lowes on clearance for $0.50 apiece. When Mike (the young man who is doing most of the work on my house) went to buy them this morning, he found that they were actually $0.13 apiece!!!! I got the floor for my laundry room for a little over $17.00!!!




The rest of the pictures are the joys of remodeling. I've found that it is the greatest motivator for sorting through things and getting rid of unneeded things short of actually moving. This is done one room at a time. You just get things put away from the last room and out comes the stuff from the next room. I'm really into getting rid of things right now though, so BRING IT ON!!








If anybody sees anything they want, just let me know :) Cheers!!!

My Pathetic Christmas Efforts

I decided to post, since I haven't done so for awhile, and all I could think of to do was to show my pathetic, undecorated Christmas tree. Carol Ann, Jim, and Tyler helped me put it up before they left, and I haven't had time or motivation to do anything with it since.


We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, by the way. Carol Ann, Jim, and Tyler came and stayed with me. We went to Kathy and Dennis's for dinner and had a wonderful time. Thanksgiving evening we went up to Salt Lake to Lynda's house and had dessert and visited with her and her family. It was all fun, and I particularly enjoyed having guests in my house.

I haven't posted pictures of further remodeling yet--specifically the downstairs bathroom--since it is not quite finished and it still looks rather empty. Once I get the mirror and get it up, I will post and let you see what it looks like. Hopefully that will be later this week. I'm also looking for some cabinets or something similar to go in there as well, but I may not get those this week. Also, for those who might be interested, we are starting to clear everything out of the laundry room/kitchen downstairs tomorrow, and I may post some pictures of the demolition, etc. to let you see the progress.

I also plan to get more decorating done for Christmas later this week. I realize that it is already Wednesday and that there is not much left of this week. I'm thinking specifically of working on Christmas on Friday evening, to the accompaniment of a Christmas movie or two. I'm also looking forward to a visit from Lilit on the 15th to help me complete my Christmas festivities. So . . . more to come.

More Lists .. . . thanks to Josh

I'm like Sandy, I'm a sucker for these things. I also think it's a fun way of getting to know things you never knew about people. Josh sent this in an email, and I couldn't resist.

Who are you? Hit forward and place an X by all the things you've done and remove the X from the ones you have not. Answer the 27 questions at the end and send it to your friends (including me). This is for your entire life!

() Skipped school
() Gone on a blind date
(x) Watched someone die
(x) Been to Canada--several times
(x) Been to Mexico
(x) Been to Florida
(x) Been on a plane--More times than I can count
(x) Been lost--I guess so, though never dangerously so
() Used a GPS--Not really, but I've been with someone who has.
(x) Been on the opposite side of the country
(x) Gone to Washington, DC--more times than I want to count
(x) Swam in the ocean--and I love it!!
() Cried yourself to sleep--I don't remember ever crying myself to sleep, but maybe I've cried myself sick???
() Played cops and robbers
() Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke--thanks to Scott and Maryann
() Paid for a meal with coins only--not that I can recall
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't--all the time!!!
() Made prank phone calls
(x) Exercised today--sort of
(?) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose--maybe, but I don't remember the circumstances
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue--as anyone would who grew up in a place like Gunnison, Colorado
() Danced in the rain--I don't like being out in the rain
(x) Used a Palm Pilot--ad nauseum
() Written a letter to Santa Claus--I don't think I ever did
() Been kissed under the mistletoe
() Shaken a movie star's hand
() Watched the sunrise with someone you care about--I generally avoid sunrises
(x) Blown bubbles--loved to as a kid
(x) Gone ice-skating--I loved ice skating when I was a kid, too
(x) Watched a sonogram to first see your child or grandchild--if you count Lilit
(x) Been skinny dipping outdoors--remember that camping trip, guys???
(x) Gone to the drive-in movies--it is really was fun

1. Any nickname? I've had a few in my time, the most memorable of which are Babs and Bejal (a composite of my initials)

2. Sisters name? Lynda, Kathy, Carol Ann

3. Favorite drink? I guess I would have to say fruit juice
4. Tattoo? I agree with Josh on this one--UGLY!!! However, I was once accused of having one!!

5 Body Piercings? Again, I agree with Josh--no way, ugly again
6. How much do you love your job? Not so much
7. Birthplace? Stillwater, Oklahoma
8. Favorite vacation spot? The Mediterranean
9. Ever been to Africa? Yes, if you're referring to the continent--been to Egypt
10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Exclusively, probably not
11. Ever been on TV? More times than I care to recall--with my last job
12. Ever steal any traffic signs? nope
13. Ever been in a car accident? Unfortunately, yes

14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? Yes to both--currently, a 4-door

15. Favorite salad dressing? In general, I'd have to say ranch, although I really like thousand island, and I like to mix them.

16. Favorite number? Can't say I really have one, but I probably would go with 2

17. Favorite movie? This is a difficult one--I'll do a category, vintage Walt Disney
18. Favorite holiday? Christmas, I guess--I just like holidays in general

19. Favorite dessert? I guess I would say really good cheesecake
20. Favorite day of the week? Any weekend day :)

21. Favorite brand of body wash? Whatever is cheap at Big Lots

22. Favorite Toothpaste? Crest

23. Favorite smell? Mexican Vanilla

24. What do you do to relax? Read

25. How do you see yourself in 10 Years? Old and retired, if not dead

26. Furthest place you will send this message? Boston, Mass. or Alabama--don't know which is farthest

27. Who will respond to this the fastest? Whoever takes the challenge!!

Shoulder Update

So, I just got back from the doctor. My shoulder is doing well, and I am ready to start PT to rehab it. The doctor was quite optimistic that I can regain near normal use of the shoulder eventually, with some work. However, I had him x-ray the left shoulder and it has arthritis damage similar to the right one and may also have a rotator cuff tear. Without an MRI or scope, he can't tell specifically what the rotator cuff situation is, but he said it needs to be scoped in any case. I may also have damage on my knees and need them scoped as well, also due primarily to arthritis. Fun times!!! However, it is apparently a fairly quick recovery from just a scope, so it is probably worth it. So, there you have it.

I'm Thankful for Many Things

I'm thankful to be healing fast. I'm also thankful for many other things, like family, home, resources, and countless other things. I decided now was a good time to do Shannon's Thankfulness game.

Rules for this game. You will be given two choices of things you may or may not be grateful for. Choose the one which you are more grateful. You must choose one, no neither or both answers acceptable. If needed or desired, you may explain your choice. Enjoy.

Which are you more grateful for?

Ghirardelli or Guittard? Guittard. I'm not really a chocolate fan, and haven't had much Ghirardelli, but I do like Guittard milk chocolate chips.

Morning or Evening? Evening. I'm a night person.

Bagels or muffins? Bagels. I really like both, but you can't beat a good bagel.

Computers or Cell Phones? Computers. They do so much more.

Cotton or Polyester? Cotton. It is so much more comfortable.

Tennis or Bowling? Bowling. I actually took tennis lessons as a kid, but I never could really get the hang of it. I really enjoy going bowling.

TV or Radio? Strangely enough, I think I'd choose TV. It's good company when you live alone.

Military or Police Force? Military.

Electricity or Plumbing? I would have to say plumbing, in agreement with Shannon's rationale.

Spiders or Snakes? Snakes. Mostly I can avoid snakes, and spider bites get huge on me--I hate them.

Elementary teachers or high school teachers? Elementray teachers. I have more fond memories of them, and I enjoy being in elementary schools more now than high schools. I never did really identify with high school agers.

Books or Magazines? Definitely books.

Money or Time? This is a really hard one. I would say time, I think, although life can be really challenging without enough money to be comfortable.

Pumpkin or Pecan pie? Pecan. However, if you had said Squash rather than Pumpkin it might have been a harder choice.

Summer or Winter? Why not Spring or Fall? That would be easier for me. I guess I would choose summer because of the light and free time. However, I prefer the cold of winter to the heat of summer.

Sewing machine or Washing machine? I guess I'd say sewing machine because having clothing is pretty essential and you can't make clothing with a washing machine. However, I got really tired of hand washing my clothes while I was on my mission!!!!

Board games or card games? Board games. We were taught not to use cards as kids, but I must admit there are some card games I really enjoy.

Mountain or Beach? Beach. Even though I grew up in the mountains, I have a fascination for the beach.

Spring or Fall? Oh, here's my Spring or Fall!!! I'd say Fall--love that football and apple weather.

Christmas or Thanksgiving? Christmas. I must admit, lately Thanksgiving almost seems to be a part of Christmas--the initial event?!?

Blogging or Facebook? Since I don't use facebook, blogging.

Chili's or Applebees? Chili's. I haven't been to either one lately, but I'm really fond of Mexican food.

Carpet or Hardwood? Carpet. I do like hardwood, but carpet is easier on the feet when you get old :).

Dishwasher or Microwave? Dishwasher, saves me more time to spend on blogging.

Boston or Las Vegas? Boston, weather is better, historically interesting, and they have beaches.:)

Ballet or Baseball? Ballet. I think baseball is boring unless you're playing.

Mashed potatoes or Candied yams? Mashed Potatoes. I like candied yams, but you can't beat good mashed potatoes.

Milk or Juice? I would have to say juice. I'm lactose intolerant, but I do like milk products like cheese and ice cream.

Lincoln or Washington? I'm going to break with everyone else and say Washington on this one. Without him, we may not have had our great country.

Homemade or Store bought? Homemade! Especially when it comes to food.

Thanks, Shannon for the fun game. It's a really great idea, especially for this time of year. I would encourage any of the rest of you to try it out.

Flowers and Light

This is for Jane!! Thank you so much, sweetheart, for your thoughtfulness in bringing me these gorgeous flowers. They are so pretty today that I had to take a picture for you to see. Every time I look at them they make me so happy. My shoulder is getting better every day, and I'm happy for that, too.




I have been extremely blessed with people wanting to help and bringing food and flowers and things, and this is a general thank you to all who said prayers for me, sent flowers, and everything else. I am doing well, regaining use of my arm, and feeling optimistic. I spoke with my physical therapist today, and he thinks he can help me get fairly good range of motion and preserve the joint for quite a while without having to have a replacement


These are some more flowers that were sent to me by people from work. They are really pretty, too, and all of the flowers really brighten up my day.

And, speaking of brightening, I thought I would include a couple of pictures of the new lamps I bought for my living room. The other ones have been sent downstairs to brighten up the basement. Any of you who have not been to my house lately may have a little bit of a hard time recognizing it. If you wait another couple of months, though, there will be even more changes.


.

Lists, Lists, Lists . . .

Awhile ago I responded to Joanna's list by email, so I thought I'd put it on my blog now that I have one. I agree, these are fun. I'll do Shannon's later.

1) Do you like blue cheese? yes
2) Have you ever smoked marijuana? No
3) Do you own a gun? No
4) What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? I don't go to Sonic often enough to have a favorite.
5) Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Always!! My blood pressure is usually off the charts. I have to take proof that it is normally fine.
6) What do you think of hot dogs? Mostly I can leave them, but every once in a while they taste good.
7) Favorite Christmas song? I have a hard time choosing a favorite--I guess it's between Silent NIght and Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains
8) What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Some kind of fruit juice
9) Can you do push ups? I used to be able to do them from my knees--I haven't tried for years.
10) Can you do a chin up? never have been able to
11) What's your favorite piece of jewelry? In general, I have a liking for rings
12) Favorite hobby? Well, I sometimes like to do handwork, but mostly in my spare time I read.
14) Do you have A.D.D.? nope
15) What's one trait that you hate about yourself? I am sometimes wishy-washy about doing what I should
16) Middle name? Jean
17) Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I'm enjoying letting myself just watch TV, It's about time to go to bed, I'm tired.
18) Name 3 things you bought yesterday: chair rail, baseboard, paint primer
19) Current worry? What I'm going to do for a job after June
20) Current hate right now? having my house in disarray as I do some renovating
21) How did you ring in the New Year? With my sister Kathy and family
22) Where would you like to go back to visit? Israel, Armenia, Hawaii
24) Do you own slippers? Yes, but I hardly ever wear any of them
25) What shirt are you wearing? plain black t-shirt
26) Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I've never slept on satin sheets, but I think I might like it
27) Can you whistle? Yes, since I was less than 2 years old
28) Favorite color? Depends on the day and what it is (e.g., clothes, walls, food)
29) Would you be a pirate? I can't imagine ever doing such a thing
30) What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't recall ever singing in the shower
31) Favorite girl's name? I used to like Emily
32) Favorite boy's name? I don't think I've ever thought of one
33) What's in your pocket? nothing right now--most often, keys
34) Last thing that made you laugh? A good funny movie
35) Best bed sheets as a child? I can't remember much about bed sheet when I was a child--mostly they were white
36) Worst injury you've ever had? broke my right arm
37) Do you love where you live? mostly yes
38) How many TVs do you have in your house? 4--if you count the 6 inch black and white that I haven't used for years
39) Who is your loudest friend? Becky Sanford
40) How many dogs do you have? 0
41) How many cats do you have? 0
42) Does someone have a crush on you? Not that I'm aware of--alas :)
43) What is your favorite book? This has varied a lot during my lifetime--difficult choice. I'm enjoying Ellis Peters as an author right now
44) What is your favorite candy? caramel
45) Favorite Sports Team? don't have one
46) What song do you want played at your funeral? Never thought about it--maybe O My Father
47) What were you doing at midnight last night? probably reading
48) First thing you thought about when you woke up? What time is it?
49) Favorite Bath and Body fragrance? Warm Vanilla Sugar
50) Favorite childhood memory? Christmas Morning

Surgery Update

This will be very brief. Surgery went well for what he was able to do. I went to the hospital at noon, into surgery at about 2:30, out about 4:00, and home by 5:30. The doctor was not able to reattach the rotator cuff. He said it appeared to have been detatched as much as 10 years ago, and was considerably atrophied. He cleaned up arthritis damage and put more space between the scapula and the joint. His comment was that the joint was "kind of beat up" and that I will probably eventually need a shoulder joint replacement. Meanwhile what he did today should relieve my pain and restore some, but not all, range of motion. The good news is my recovery should be somewhat shorter and easier. Thanks for all your prayers and good wishes.

So tomorrow I'm headed for surgery on my right shoulder. I don't know exactly what time I'm going--I had a call yesterday telling me to call tomorrow at 11:00 and they'll tell me then when to come. I guess it will be sometime in the afternoon. I'm not sure how I'm going to survive this little adventure. I can barely imagine living for a couple of months without the use of my right arm. I've been practicing doing some things with my left hand, and all I can say is I hope I get better with practice. I'm not sure how much I'll be able to post on my new blog, so it may sit for a couple of weeks or so with little on it. If I can manage a left-handed message, you might hear sooner. Prayers are always appreciated.

Taking the Plunge

Okay folks, I'm taking the plunge. I've decided I need to come into the 21st century and be a blogger, so here it is. Most of what you see on this post will be pictures of the updates I've been doing to my house. These have been promised for awhile, and this will be just the first installment. I've redone the bathroom on the main floor, as well as the bedrooms in the basement. So, for my inaugural post, you will see some rooms in my house. Enjoy.




This is my new and improved main bathroom!! Such an improvement, no? I'm really enjoying the change.




This is bedroom number one downstairs--the one where Lilit and Michael used to live. It has new paint and new carpet!!!





This is "Lynda's Room" as Lilit lovingly calls it, and this is the headboard that Lynda helped me find on Craig's List. She also helped me pick the paint colors, so I guess the title fits. However, I don't want anyone to think that she is the only one who can stay in this room!!!


This picture is for Lilit. It is my new computer, and I really like it. It is so small it fits comfortably on the desktop, even though it is not a laptop.