Again, and again...

Today is a bright sunshiney day here in Salt Lake City. I am at work, and TGIF!

Sorry I haven't been keeping my blog more up to date. I'm still having a rough go with my grandpa's transition. Since I have the Stanely's off adventuring, I am now focusing on scrapbooking old pictures of my grandparents. I must say the pages are coming out beautifully! I can hardly wait to show you some. I know, I always promise pictures, and I have yet to deliver.

Tonight Mike and I are going to a fundraising dinner called the Chili Open. We are going in support of Cancer Wellness House. I never plan on spending money, but if I find something I like that CWH is silent auctioning, I will probably bid. Who knows, there might be something really fun; maybe something scrapbooking. hahahahahaha! Right. Maybe I'll see Frank Layden and his wife again. I have a picture of me with them from years ago. Man do I need to deliver some pictures!

I hope you all have had a nice work week and enjoy your weekend.
HUGS!

Like Sands Though the Hour Glass...

I know it has been almost a week since my last post. I have been dealing with the funeral mass and grieving in addition to work and life's constant stressors.

I have decided to scrapbook some old pictures of my grandparents. I took their wedding album to Walgreens to scan them into the computer there, make prints for me to scrapbook, make a disk, and then no one would fight over pictures from that album. This pictures are in black and white, so I'm complimenting them with black, white, and shades of grey. It's turning out beautifully. I have to take more pictures to Walgreens to scan them in and make copies for my mom's siblings (yea, don't get me started on my mom's siblings...it's been kind of messy). At least I get copies and can scrapbook them!

Flat Stanley and his brother Flat Stanley are with Emily in Monument Valley, Utah on the Navajo Reservation. They will soon be up to see Laurel in Seattle, Washington. They are hopefully having grand adventures.

For those of you interested, the City of Hope 2009 BMT Reunion is Friday, May 1, 2009. Thank you to my inside source, Rod! It is later than usual, so if the date looks weird, it's because it is.

The cats say hi, and we all hope you are happy and doing well.
HUGS!

1 Week...

It has been one week to the day that my grandpa transitioned. I can hardly believe it. On one hand it feels like yesterday, and on the other it feels like it was ages ago.

My sisters come into town tomorrow. Laurel gets here in the morning, and Emily, I think, gets here in the early afternoon. My aunt and uncles arrive today. I don't think I will be able to get time off tomorrow as it's the busy day for the week and already someone else's permanent day off.

Services will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2009, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 1pm. A gathering will be held from 12 noon to 1pm to celebrate and commemorate my grandpa's life. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served.

History

I usually don't like to put my political opions out for others to see because it's such a touchy and emotionally charged subject in my family. I am making an exception for this historic day. I am proud to be an American. I am hoping for change. I am proud that we have broken a barrier of race and status. I am proud to say that Obama is our new president. He did a lovely inaugurational speach, and I don't think things could have been stated any other way.
God Bless America!

I will survive...maybe

Well, I’ve survived a day at work. The good news is that the schedule is light and easy. The whole week is that way, thankfully. I’ve been able to double dot my I’s and double cross my t’s without any problems. Granted, my immediate coworkers are in admixture class - basically learning how to mix chemotherapy. So whether or not this will continue the rest of the week, I don’t know. Working with my manager (Mary Lynn), another lead RN (Shelly Frohm), and experienced RN (Darren) who are both understanding and patient with me is very nice. I hope I’ve done a good job faking it with my patients. I haven’t been overdoing it - just been calm and patient.

Yes, I’m still using caffeine. Seems to be my keep moving drug right now. At least it’s legal! Some people here are work just laugh at me - they say that if that’s all I’m using, they need to get me out to use something else.

If anyone wants a visit from the Flat Stanley brothers, just let me know.
Hugs!

RE: It's Time

My grandpa, Donald W. Busch, transitioned on Thursday, January 15, 2009, at 1:50pm MST. I was fortunate enough to be at his side. Thank you to my manager and coworkers at Utah Cancer Specialists for allowing me this privilege.

I want you all to know that I love and appreciate you more than you know.
HUGS!

It's Time

My grandfather has suddenly taken the turn. He's not coherent, now has a foley catheter (after he collapsed trying to go to the bathroom last night; they drained a liter), is jerking in his sleep, and my mom has been giving him liquid morphine (0.5mg) every hour, and the last time - about 0545 - it took 30 minutes more for him to relax and respond to it. I couldn't take today off as it was not outside the 2 hour window I need to call into work to call off. So I'm at work, told my manager that I won't be in tomorrow, and am planning on spending tomorrow with my mom and grandpa. I'm probably going straight from work to my mom's house, but I'm not spending the night as I don't think I can handle it. My mom is going to call me when she talks to the hospice nurse and let me know what the plan is. Please send thoughts, love, and prayers.
Thank you.
HUGS!

Back to the Grind Stone

Well, I got down the canyon safely - big thank you to Keith for following me down! It was quite the adventure just getting out of the parking lot.

I went back to work yesterday, and I worked a 10 hour day! I worked 9 today, too. It's good because it will cut down on the amount of paid time off that I need to take to make the hours I need for a livable paycheck.

Well, I have to admit a few things - #1 - Stephanie got me onto facebook. Not too excited about it as it's nothing like my blog here. I only signed up so that I can train to play more boggle with her. Train you ask? Why the answer is Scramble on facebook. That leads to #2 - Stephanie officially beat me in Boggle - once. She no longer is allowed to have her handicap.

I hope that you all have had a nice week so far and to hear from you soon.
HUGS!

Bummer

Turns out that you have to RSVP a spot 0n the snow shoeing tour 24 hours in advance. Oh well, it's not like I can't come back up here another day to do it.

The weather is cloudy and cold, but hey, that's what you expect up in the Wasatch Mountains. It's just beautiful. If the sun comes out today, I'm definitely going to take pictures. If not, then I can still take some, but it will have to be from the roof - better than the ground.

They've been having Internet trouble up here - get a signal but can't get out or painfully slow connection. We found the "hot spot", courtesy of the tech staff, down in the Atrium. As you have noticed, I have made some color changes to my blog. Sometimes you've just gotta change things up a bit.

Stephanie is planning on beating me at Boggle today, which is a joke. I always win. She has a handicap, though, of she "wins" if her score is more than half of mine. Seems fair enough. I am back on my favorite drug - caffeine! It happened on Christmas eve at work when I couldn't keep my eyes open. I've been using ever since. I plan on using today before Stephanie and I play Boggle to give myself an edge. hehehehe!

Hope you all have a good Monday.
HUGS!

Mini Vacation

I am currently up at Snowbird Ski Resort courtesy of Stephanie's parents. They have a time share and enjoy skiing every day for a week.

Stephanie and I went to the roof pool and hot tub. We did strengthening swimming exercises, and I can definitely feel the workout. It's a good thing as, if any one made it snow shoeing yesterday, Mike & I didn't go snow shoeing yesterday. Let's just say that I learned we need to set an alarm and I have to shove him out of bed. I might go snow shoeing on a tour here tomorrow. Could be a great picture taking opportunity. I'm going to call and find out before I go because it is $38.

My dad's father turned 88 on Jan. 6. We had a nice brunch today at Market Street grill. My grandpa Jack is such a sweet heart and just so cute. He's beginning to loose his memory with some dementia, and so he repeats himself a lot. I got to sit next to him and across from granny Marilyn. It w3as really nice, really quiet, too.

I hope to take some pictures up here....and yes, try to post them. With my little lap top, I might be able to do it from right here.

I'm going to get moving. Hope you all have had a nice weekend.
HUGS!

:(

well, my temp crown fell out AGAIN! and now it's split down the back! I am so not happy. I called and left a message on my dentist's work line, and they called me back this morning. They wanted me to take time off of a busy schedule of work to come in and fit their schedule! I thought, "oh HELL NO!" Like hell I was going to go in at their convenience when it's their fault it's fallen out a 2nd time this week! They did tell me that I could use denture cement - if they had told me that in the 1st place, I would have done that instead of going to the dentist on Tuesday! *sigh* Anyway, the receptionist wasn't happy with me saying that I couldn't come in until 4:30pm because they are double booked 1-5pm. I personally don't give a shoot. As far as I'm concerned, I didn't eat or drink ANYTHING for the 1st 2 hours yesterday just like he told me to do; it still came loose and then fell out! It's their fault and they should accommodate me. I'm pissed. I can't eat anything solid, at least not easily, because the temp crown falls out. And now my tooth is starting to get cold sensitive. Anyone have a really great dentist?

I went to Each 1 Reach 1 last night at Cafe Alchemy. It was a big group. We've started an exercise...make list of things want to call in for this year; place in envelop ready to be mailed back to you at end of year...

meditate on the year ahead
make a list of things you'd like to see happen
Remember:
not I want\must have or do but...
...wouldn't it be nice if....
attributes you'd like to gain
things you'd like to get and do
changes you'd like to occur
what you want to have happen (vacation, cruise, teach in another country, find a partner....)
make a list of places you'd like to visit & see
leave room for unexpected and unintended
make room for the possibilities of what you'd like
your intentions, wishes, dreams, hopes, and goals
list what you're ready to let go of
list of behaviors would like to release
if anything were possible, what would you like to see, experience

Take a chance and participate, what have you got to loose?

Still planning on snow shoeing tomorrow. Hope some of you will join me and Mike.
HUGS!

Fun, fun, fun

Hello, everyone. Sorry it's been a while since I last wrote - I've once again been a busy bee.

Update on my grandpa. He's breathing better as he's using the nebulizers. He is also going through his belongings and dividing things up. I think this is sad because he is preparing to die. At the same time he is in control of something, and that makes him feel better, which is most important. He found one of my grandma's old wind up watches, which he gave to me. He said it was more just a piece of jewelry than use as a watch. I think it's great! Every time a battery dies on a regular watch I just but another one. This one I just have to wind every day to keep it working! It's fabulous! Thank you, grandpa! I also got some stamps from his albums! US stamps are what I'm into mostly. It's really cool of him to give me some.

As for me, I am having fun with my arbitration for my MVA (car accident) from August of 2005. The other side now wants a deposition! I've already given my story twice now - once within 24 hours of the accident, and again in the discovery phase, which was written. I talked with my lawyer - William Morrison, who is fabulous, by the way. He says they might have some clarifications that they want to ask about. I think they are wanting to try and trip me up - try to see if I will give something different than I've already given twice. If you were to look at my over the phone description and what I had written, I'm sure that they are almost identical. The other person has a completely different story for the accident. It's a amazing! For me, it's not about the $$$, it's about the principle of the thing. My lawyer and I have talked about how if they had offered me all of my out of pocket expenses up front instead of about half, then this wouldn't be happening. So, I am scheduled for 1/20/09 at 3pm for this deposition. I'll let you know how it goes.

Work has been busy - I'm handling it well, though. We're doing the biggest looser, and I'm not doing it to win the $$$. I'm doing it to motivate myself, putting in my $$$, as a commitment to a better life style this year. I've started with doing my Pilates Mat workout on DVD Tuesday and this morning. I am going snow shoeing on Saturday with Mike through CWH - call 801-236-2294 to RSVP - hopefully I'll see you there! I am hoping that Mike & I are not too sore to go again up Millcreek on Sunday. I have been having blood sugar problems recently. I saw my GP (general practitioner), and he thinks that my body is very sensitive to sudden drops in my blood sugar. That and the stress I've been under with the changes in my grandpa's health, my sugars are on a roller coaster. He's having me eat trail mix all day long in addition to my meals. Yesterday was really weird because I felt like I was going to pass out, and my blood sugar was 116 - well within normal limits. *sigh* I did get to eat a real lunch today! It feels good to have that kind of food in my stomach - of course, it is dead right now. We'll probably have some people go home early today.

I need to leave at 4pm to get to the dentist - AGAIN! On Tuesday I saw the dentist to get a tooth prepared for a crown - the temporary that they put in became loose the 1st night! It's the only time that I now have to get it re-cemented in place. Tomorrow is going to be way too busy to leave early. I'm not going to have any fun coming in at 9am - it's going to just be super busy in the morning, and Doug has Fridays off. Oh well.

Anyway, I've been knitting some - mostly a scarf for my mom - I saw the yarn and knew it was just for her. JoAnns has a sale on yarn this week - everything they have is on sale. So I bought some yarn to make a scarf for myself - one to match my nice coat that I bought in Rhode Island when I was visiting Stephanie a few years back. I am almost done with my mom's, so mine won't be far off.

My quilt is almost done - I've kind of put it on hold as it's too big to take places to work on. That and the invisible thread I need good natural light for. Since it's been snowing, I kind of haven't had the light I need.

Hope you have a good one!
HUGS!

Grandpa

I went to see my grandpa today - he's looking pretty good. He does tire easily though. Laurel & I played cards with him for a while, 1 game crazy 8's which he won, 1 game rummy which Laurel won, and a half a game of crazy 8's in which Laurel came out ahead; after that, he needed a nap. *sigh*

My aunt Sue is coming into town on the 8th. My Uncle Charlie and his son, Brian, and his son are coming into town a day after Sue. This will be interesting, people. I don't know how it will turn out with grandpa and energy and all that jazz. Someone else said what I was thinking - the vultures are circling. Sad to think that about family, isn't it? I know that my aunt Sue wants to actually spend time with my grandpa and is coming in for good reasons, although her history is interesting. My uncle Charlie, I'm not sure about. I know my cousin can't wait to see my grandpa and show his his 1st born. I would be, too.

My sister, Laurel, just summed up what my grandpa has - old age. *sigh* I will keep you posted.

I am feeling much better; I still have a cough and sometimes sound like a man, but other than that I'm doing great! Just keeping myself busy with arts and crafts things. Speaking of which, Stephanie's mom taught me how to hand sew and finish the binding on quilts. I've also found invisible thread to use. I am now finishing with success my king sized quilt for my bed. My stepmom's brother-in-law saw it last night and suggested that he might want to take it home with he & Holly (Jody's sister) as it would look good in their bedroom. I told them that it was for my bedroom, and if they really wanted to buy it from me it would cost them $800. There's about $400 in fabric alone in my quilt. Needless to say, I still have it. ;)

I am off to play some more.
HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and so it goes

well, after burning the candle at both ends for the last 2-3 weeks, I'm finally sick. My dad & Jody have let me crash at their place yesterday and today -although I need to go home and feed the kitties.

My New Year started like it has for the last 10+ years - at Stephanie's house. Mike was with me this year, which was really nice.

My grandpa had a rough day yesterday according to Laurel. I hope to see him next weekend.

I can't think straight right now, so I'll probably write again when I feel better.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sandra