Little Bighorn Battlefield

Here is a picture at the entrance to the wonderful battlefield shown on my last blog.

It's a 3 State Day

We started the day in South Dakota, Drove through Wyoming and ended up at the Battle of Little Bighorn in Montana. Here I am standing with the place they call "Last Stand Hill", which was where George Armstrong Custer Died.
It's very educational, At this National Cemetery they put the Markers where every soldier fell when he died. These stones are scattered over a 5 mile radius! And the Indians, Red Cloud of the Lakota, the Cheyene and the Sioux Indians were all against Custer and the 7th Calvary. This battle took place while the rest of the Country were celebrating the 100 year anniversary of Independence and the unveiling of the Telephone unveiled by Alexander Graham Bell!

This is the car driver, he is a good driver, doing 80 most of the time, standing in front of the Monument erected for the Battle.

Mt. Rushmore Trip

We got to Keystone, South Dakota about 5 pm tonight. Just long enough to see it was a cute, touristy little town. We stopped to eat, after we checked into the Super 8 motel, at a place called Ruby's, decorated up as an old fashioned Brothel, we had ribs and they were delicious.

Then we heard about a Rainger Program located at the Ranger station below Mt. Rushmore, so we went. Its a beautiful place, They had a 10 minute talk, then a 20 minute movie on the 4 presidents who are carved into the mountain. At the end of the program, they invited all Vetrans who were in the audience to come up on stage to help lower the American Flag. Thats The picture below.
This next photo is of all the Veterans who were in attendance.

After the movie finished, they light up the mountain, so, here is a photo of Mt. Rushmore at night, pretty cool!

Disneyland a la Family

On Friday I was going to Disneyland with Lisa, John, Caleb, and Davis. We got a babysitter for Beckham because he doesn't like Disneyland yet. Larry was supposed to be tracting with the Youth and meeting with the Stake President, which gave me no end of grief because I was worried about Beckham being passed around. I volunterred to stay home with him rather than traumatize him. It was only Lisa crying and saying "This will be your last time at Disneyland with me".

So we went to Disneyland and as we got on the gate, Lisa asked me where we should go, of course I always start at Adventure land and work my way around the park.

As we were walking around the entrance, under the overpass of the train, I'm hoofing it right along, because there is nothing wrong with my legs yet! We get about 50 yards into the park, right before heading down Main street, and I hear a noise, it sounded like Ashlynn screaming Grandma. I looked over to my left, still walking and there were people over there on a porch waving their hands at me. So, I slowed and then I recognized Ashlynn running toward me and my thought was "What is she doing here?" Then I started recognizing people, my whole family was there except Beckham Henderson, and my sister Pam, Rick & Peter Daut.


The first thing they did was surprise me with a special Gift that Kelly got for us to use. It saved the day because the park was crowded.

Then they presented me with my own special Micky Mouse hat with my name on it: Yep, they call me Grandma Silly and I wore the hat all day long. It was the best surprise and day at Disneyland I have ever had, we stayed till Midnight and it was so fun!

Thank you Lisa & John Henderson, Larry Rober, Kelly & Brian Rogers, Brian and Kate Rober, Mark & Lisa Rober and Matt Trelatsky for the best day since I was diagnosed with ALS. I love you all dearly!

What do I really have?

It's anyone's guess. After that awful shock & pin test they ruled out any motor-neuron diseases which included ALS. YEA!

What they are looking at now is either A) a neuromuscular disease or B) an Auto-immune disease.

The good thing is that I'm pretty sure I don't have AIDS. Thats what I think of when I hear Auto-immune disease. So, next Tuesday we have another appointment with Dr. DeSilva- the neurologist.

I still have trouble with my speach when I get tired and at other various times when I don't expect it. My left hand is almost useless, my typing is getting harder.

Other than that I'M GREAT! Thanks to all of you sweet people who read my blog and care about me. I ask God to bless all of you for your support of me and my family. We love you all!

R & R for the Weary Soul & my symptoms

This weekend was the weekend that Larry planned to take Mark and Brian to SLC for the UW and BYU games. He left Thursday afternoon, so I left too!

I went out to my sister, Pam's Palm Springs home and we had a blast just pampering ourselves. We really splurged, getting yogurt at 9:30 pm and then getting a foot reflexology foot massage after that!

She took me to see "Celtic Woman'' in concert at Aqua Calentie? We got fully body massages and went to a Lobster Fest at her Club. It was all you could eat, and we ate!

We also had amazing breakfasts each morning at their club where for $5 you could get Lox and bagels or Eggs Benedict or Waffles or Steak and Eggs and everything was delicious.

We watched 3 movies at different times: The Blind Side and 2 Legally Blond movies.

I had a great time with my sissy. It was just what I needed after the roller coaster I've been on.

It's hard to come 'back' to life when you have resigned yourself to dying in the next 2 years. So, I don't have ALS, then what is it? Here are my symptoms..... There are 3 of them:
1. Loosing my hair (and I mean loosing lots of it, even my hairdresser said something)
2. Lose of strength in my left hand and arm.
3. My voice comes and goes with slurring of speech.
4. Fatigue

The really odd thing is that my fingernails are stronger than they have ever been in my life!

And I noticed that people were a lot nicer to me when they thought I was going to die. Why is that?

I'm the Mystery Woman

OK, bottom line, I'm not going to die anytime soon from ALS because I don't have it!

I don't have any of the Neurological diseases! They can't tell me what I have, so they took 5 more viles of blood in order to try to find out.

On our first visit the Dr. said that I EITHER had ALS or XCXCXCXCZZZZZ. Because of my family history of ALS running in my family, we all assumed it was ALS because it started with me in the left thumb, just like my Aunt Peggy who died of ALS.

The one thing this month has taught me is to take one day at a time and to enjoy the journey. I need to start taking care of myself before I spread myself so thin in trying to serve everyone else. I also discovered true friendship and love with the ones I care about the most, my friends who cried when I told them the good news and some of my family who were elated at my good fortune.

Was it the Priesthood Blessing I received at the hands of righteous men? Or, was it the heartfelt prayers of so many righteous people? Or was it that my name was in at least 3 Temples? Whateer it was, I'm Thankful that Heavenly Father has given me a second chance.

Our 35th Wedding Anniversary - the test

Today Larry and I celebrate our 35th Wedding Anniversary. We actually celebrated last Friday and Saturday because today we knew I had the EMG test scheduled.

Let me tell you what took place (but this isn't for the faint hearted), First, they attach little sensors to your skin, then they shock you with an electric current which feels like you just put your finger into a live electric socket. The did it on my left arm, right arm and left leg. The second part of the test was like accupuncture (sort of), they stick little needles into your muscle, then they wiggle it around until your muscle cramps up like a charly horse! I DIDN'T LIKE IT ONE BIT. I could hardly walk out I was shaking so badley. Yes, I cried! It hurt especially in my leg. The needles are about the size of a straight pin and didn't hurt going in, it was what they did afterward that caused me so much pain.

As for answers about what I have: Well, the tests will all be back on Wednesday and we have an appointment with the Dr. I promise to post what he tells me. As for me, I am betting it's ALS.

Another clearer update on Health

So many people read the worst in my last blog that I have to set the record straight.

Remember I said it was one of 2 things? It could just be some sort of Auto immune disease thing going on that is attacking my nerves, but until we get a blood test taken (Tomorrow), and then it takes about a week for the results to come back, we don't know if I have this immune thing or ALS. Think positive.

I want everyone to know how peaceful I feel now. I can honestly feel 'angels' attending me and surrounding me. And, no, I'm not crazy. They are bringing me peace that transcendes anything earthly and I am thankful for that. I don't want to cry anymore, I truly am calm.

Here is how each morning goes: I wake up and take stock to see what works and what doesn't. Then I read my scriptures, take a walk, a shower and on with the rest of the day. I am doing very well now and things aren't getting worse yet. I can still type and I have a fair amount of strength in my left hand/arm. My legs are stong with no signs of weakness. It's my speach that worries most people, but hey, everyone should be happy that I can't force my own ideas on them anymore.

You will hear me joke about this now, so be advised. If I make slide remarks and poke fun at mortality, don't think I am being insensitive. If I can laught, then I can't cry. Simple. I hope this helps you all understand where I am at this time. When I get another update I will post it but for now, put me in your prayers and on the Temple Prayer Rolls.

A New Update on My Health

Today we went to see a good Neurologist Dr. DeSilva. He pretty much looked at all the tests we have taken so far, Brain MRI, C-Spine MRI, MRI of the rest of my body cavity and all seems normal and clear.

After doing some preliminary tests on me, he said "You either have an autoimmune deficiency disease or you have ALS. So, we need to go get some expensive blood tests and then when they rule out an Autoimmune disorder, we will be left with the prognosis of ALS, which is pretty much what the Holy Ghost whispered to me in the Temple.

It's tough but I am doing fine right now. I am going to face this with the same courage I have faced the rest of my life with. I won't give up or give out. I will keep eating healthy, and exercising regularly for as long as I can. I will continue to serve the Family History Center and finish all the Speaking Engagements I have scheduled for now, but I will take on no new Speaking engagements.

I might take my dream trip to Ireland, but we will see.

I have my family behind me and as soon as they go through the grieving process of coming to terms with my impending demise, then we will enjoy each other's company for as long as I can be allowed to be around my grandchildren and be 'normal'.

I will get busy and finish my clients work and take on no new Clients. Then I will write my life story and get my genealogy files in order so my dear family won't have to do it after I leave and run the risk of throwing out anything important or pertinent. My dear sweet Daughter, Lisa said she will come and help me go through the files and boxes and help me get it all done.

This will be my last BIG Christmas. I don't think I will be able to decorate after this. Lisa will be home with her family and I am inviting Mark and Lisa & Kam and Brian's family for Christmas Dinner with us. They can have Christmas morning at their homes and then Drive for Christmas Dinner.

What got mixed up with prop 8?

Let me first say that I DO NOT HATE OR DISCRIMINATE AGAINST GAYS OR LESBIANS. However, they are haveing a fieldtime in the streets today and rubbing my nose in it. I can't watch news to see what is going on around the world, because all I see is Jubilation at the overturning over of Prop 8. When have I ever taken to the streets to brag about being married to my husband? I don't protest them having their day in court. And I don't make out in the public streets, in bars, in pools, in parks, at ballgames or any other public forum. My love is sacred to me and my spouse.

Prop 8 never was about discrimination, it's about the God Given right of Marriage to propogate the world with families. Today I heard someone say that the United States can no longer say no to Lesbian or Gay partners to marry. Prop 8 wasn't about politics, it's about religion. About the right of God Fearing men and women to hold sacred their right to the sancity of Marriage. And the right of Heterosexuals to keep "Marriage' between a man and woman just the way God planned it in the Garden of Eden.

I'm sure my kids could have said it better, but I had to write down my feelings.

2010 Mini Family Reunion

It was so much fun to have all our kids come home this weekend and to have such a great time. We swam in the Jacuzzi and pool. All the kids can swim now, except Kamden and Beckham whom I have here in this photo in intertubes, Davis is looking on wondering why he can't get in on the fun. One of the things we did, besides, Angels Baseball game with fireworks, Genealogy Roadshow about 3 grandparents was to go to Huntington Beach. It was pretty fun, and here is Beckham full of sand from one end to the other. I mean it was everywhere in and on him.

This video below shows Kamden being buried in the sand, we actually burried all the kids, but Kamden fell asleep as soon as he was buried. It was funny and cute. Kamden has Autism and one of the symptoms is that as soon as they are held real tight, they get very relaxed. It proves it here. I hope you enjoy it and can see it.

Wonderful long time friends

This is Jenny Letecia Arellano De La Torre Fernandez. She was born June 24, 1952. She is, and has always been "My Best Friend". When I met Jenny I was only 4 years old. She came and was standing on the sidewalk in front of my grandma's house, a skinny (bony), mexican girl in Pig tail braids. She asked my mother, as we got out of the car, "Can she (pointing at me) play with me?" My mom said yes, but first I had to go into the house and use the bathroom. We were inseparable from then until I left San Bernardino, I was 16.
Through the years, we have stayed somewhat in contact. I was the only White girl in her extravant Mexican Wedding. She was the only Hispanic girl in my wedding to the Bishop.

Now that we are all old Ladies, things have changed a bit. She is not only my firend, but Pam's friend too. Pam was 3 1/2 years younger than us, so we were always trying to get rid of my little sister. It was so evident to me yesterday at our lunch that Jenny is just as much Pam's friend as she is mine. We went throug much of the same abuse as children. That makes us truly friends, we did it and came out triumphant!

A great day for Caroline

Today was good for 4 reasons. I took a photo with my phone, but don't know how to import it.

1. I got up and cleaned the house- it was a mess, did the laundry & all put away. Grocery shopped to.

2. Harvested my first home grown tomatoe and ate it for lunch...DELICIOUS!

3. I went and got a pedicure and manicure to treat myself.

4. Went and had picnic in the Park with our Ward.

Good Deed, Good Day

Although I pretty much serve all the time, the living and the dead, today the Lord provided me with a perfectly clean grocery bag while I was on my walk. So, I thanked Him and picked it up and started picking up the trash I saw as I walked. It slowed me down quite a bit, but it was on my way home and the cool down part of my walk anyway.

When Girly was home last weekend, we went for a walk, and on the way home, in the cool down period, she started picking up trash. I was impressed that she cares enough about mother earth to try to keep her clean. I think she learned that from me but I'm not sure. When the kids were young, I always kept grocery bags in the car and whenever we stopped, and I knew they would be bored, I got out the bags and made it a contest to see who could find the most trash. Of course they ALL won and got a treat.

I just hope my boys remember those lessons and do the same thing, pick up trash wherever you find it. God gave us such a beautiful world, and people are trying their darnest to mess it up one way or the other. Let's all do our part to keep it clean and beautiful.

Happy Independence Day

My heart gets really tender when I think about this great land of ours. About all the great men who suffered and bled and sacrificed to bring about the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

I am a genealogist, to no one's surprise, I have traced the ethnicity of our family. Starting from as far back as I can go, we hail from Italy, France, England, Germany, Ireland and Wales. All together we are AMERICANS. This great Country doesn't discriminate against people who don't yet feel like they belong here, people do. If you are an American Citizen, just say so! I am an American! If you are inferior then go right ahead and say "I am an African-American" or "I am a Mexican-American" or "I am a Chinese-American" or whatever country you still identify with, but if you live in America or were born in America, you are an American! Pure and simple.

There should be no distinction of our nationalities, we are AMERICANS! God Bless this great land of ours. We do not yet have the perfect union (Country), but we don't have any perfect people yet either. Lets all work on ourselves to make ourselves more perfect in order to make our Great Country more perfect.

That usually means: Be kinder, be loving, be peaceful, be generous, and be honest in all your doings. May God bless our Land.

Old Tried and True Friends

Throughout my life I have been blessed with some true friends. You know the kind: The ones you have fun with, cry with and just think will always be there and then you loose track of each other. But when you find each other again, it's just like no time has passed at all.

This week I heard from 2 of those old friends which made my week really sweet. The first person I heard from was Janet Howes, I met Janet in about 1978. I always admired her for having so many kids and still keeping it all together. Her kids grew up with my kids and were best friends for many years. We left Torrance within a month of each other. She moved to Las Vegas and I never knew it until one day I went to call her and the phone was dead. UGH. Until she called me I had no way of getting in touch with her and I'm sure glad she did.

The other friend is really "My Best Friend" for life. I have known Jenny Leticia Arellano De La Torre Fernandez for 54 years. That's right I met her when I was 4 years old. She knew me through all the crazy stages a kid goes through. She also experienced the verbal abuse Gloria was so good at handing out and through it all Jenny loved me. We've seen each other Fat and skinny. We were at each other's weddings. I was the only white girl in hers and she was the only Mexican in mine. What a team we were. She used to protect me against the black girls that always tried to gang up on me. She tried to make me stop cussing, which I know have, but I didn't then and she used to punch me in the arm each time I said a bad word. Anyway, she found me on Face book and I'm so glad she did. She had 3 of the sweetest kids you would ever want to know, I hope they still are. We are going to get together in a few weeks and have lunch and I'm looking forward to it.

My Work

I just got home from a wonderful experience in Salt Lake. I was invited to go with Beth to a "Directors Meeting" which was for the 15 largest family history Centers in the world, which we rank about 14th or 15th in size. Needless to say it was a humbling experience. We learned a lot and were given a bunch of mandates to accomplish before the end of the year.

I'm not really supposed to say much, but 2 things did stand out to me. 1) Everyone will start being able to order films online from their homes using a credit or debit card. This is hugh change for the Family History Centers. 2) We will soon have all our in house films and books listed in the Family History Library Catalog for everyone anywhere to access. Before this can be done, there has to be alot of behind the scenes work done and even before Beth gets back, I have started the ball rolling.

I finished with one client and back onto the other one. Busy, Busy, and sad, I still have to do the laundry and put clothes away, clean the toilets and cook some. I guess bring home a paycheck is not all it's cracked up to be.

Dinner with the Smith's and Eliasons

A month ago or so, we had a Ward Auction to help out the youth for their camps and things. Larry auctioned off a "Rober Favorite: Dinner for 4". Clay and Lynn Smith won it in the auction, so they came to dinner last night and brought Steve and Deb Eliason with them.

They are such good friends and such good company. The food was delicious and I made a new, killer dessert! I made a batch of my own Chocolate Chip Cookies, but I flattened them down before I cooked them. Then I took softened vanilla Ice cream and made 'chip wiches'. They were better than any I have ever had!!!! That is a new favorite dessert around here.

The menu also consisted of Marinated Flank Steak, Yummy Mashed Potatoes with chives and Caesar Salad. It was a very good dinner, even if I made some of it.

No Photo's- Boring Post

This weekend was the Southern California Jamboree. It's the biggest genealogy conference we have in California. It ran from Friday to Sunday. I drove out on Friday AM and home Friday PM so that Larry could take me out on a special date. It was a surprise so I didn't know until we went out that he had tickets to "The Lion King" at the Orange County Performing Arts Pavillion. We went to dinner before hand too. It was a lovely evening. Then as I was preparing to drive back to Burbank to spend the night with my roomate, he followed me to the Gas Station and paid for an pumped my gas so I would have a safe ride back. That was sweet. That is how Larry shows his love for me by 'doing the little things'. I'm starting to understand that just now. I drove back to Burbank, and woke up this moring to a full day of smoozing and networking and helping out. Then we had our So. Cal Chapter of APG meeting, where we picked up 5 new people. Then we went out to dinner and I had the best Filet mingon I ever had. Then I drove back home again. So, here I am Saturday night sleeping in my own bed. Life is good.

My Treasure

I have been working really hard the last few days and I had no energy to do it, I have been taking up to two naps a day for several days. But today, I woke up refreshed and what a different that makes. I took a nice long walk, ate well, drake water, planted petunias in our front flower planter, weeded the garden and ran the dishwasher, now I am washing clothes. But while I was eating my lunch today, I look over into the Dining room at my beautiful grandchilren, being raised in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and started crying with joy. They are all so good looking, not one of them is ugly. Imagine that. Anyway, I just wanted to pay tribute to my posterity, God Bless them all!

Sundays

Sunday's for the Bishop are harrowing days. He us usually up by 7 am, but sometimes the Stake wants an early morning meeting at which time he gets up at 5 am. Yesderday was just a 7 am day. He has no time to get away from Church until about 5 or 6 pm. So, he takes a lunch which usually consists of some nuts, a granola bar and an apple. No breakfast and then snacks all day. When he get's home he is very exhausted. So, today, I was feeling his pain and decided to surprise him with comfort food, his favorite, Mac and Cheese, salad, and mixed vegetables off the grill. I also decided to let him know how much I appreciate him and set up a nice table with candlelight. Some Sunday's the poor guy comes home to eat and then goes back out for a fireside, seminary graduation, court of honor or some other good activity. I don't know how he does it. 3 hours with my primary class is about all I can take.

CRASH and BURN

Computers! They are like husbands, you can't live without them and you can't live with them.

Many of you know I had trouble seeing the graphics while on the internet with my Explorer 8. It finally became so bad that I unplugged all the cords and took it to my computer guru, Shawn. UGH, he kept it for 3 days and wasn't able to fix the problem, so he wiped out my hard drive (D drive) and reinstalled Windows on that drive. He made that my new C drive. I still have my old C drive and now it is drive E. So, if I need data I can open up the E drive and get what I need.

The only problem is that I kept all my genealogy pictures on that D drive. Yep, they're gone, except we had them backed up on the Maxtor Drive. I think I am going to take Lisa's advice and start storing my photo's on Smug Mug. I will share the cost with her too. THat way anyone in our family can go and get all the old time photo's they want to have. At least that is my plan for right now.

Poor, Bishop, he is in trying to configure outlook for my email again. Let's just say, it's not going well.

How Does my garden grow?

This is my chives on the left and I think this is a red pepper plant.This is our new Lemon Tree with zuccini plants on the left
This is our green onions on the bottom and corn coming up at the top
Here we have a view of our lemon tree, squash, green beans and I'm not sure what else
Our Topsy Turvey Tomatoes, lots of flowers but no tomatoes yet.

A drive down Memory Lane

Today I had a speaking engagement in Torrance. I went in early so I could look around at how things had changed since we moved from there in 1986.

I got off on Artesia and drove past what used to be Gemco, now I don't think it is anything. That parking lot was where our car got broke into and the yellow blanket with deers on it that I have made for Marky got stolen- that's all they took! Then past the Church which looks good.

I went on to Haas Street and the street looks pretty much the same except...our old house seems so small! They have put brick up where the tree used to be and brick work on the column that used to go to the front door. I also noticed that an oriental man was living in Uncle Bob's house now.

I went around the corner to Van Ness and up to see Lincoln Elementary Lions. I was surprised to see the old dairy is still there (totally shut up). Lincoln was the same as I drove into the parking lot, but something looked crowded. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I think they have put building up where you used to walk onto the playground, now you can't see the playground from the parking lot anymore.

Next, I drove Artesia over to Crenshaw. Left on Crenshaw and down the street I got a red light ticket on. I forgot the refinery spanned across Crenshaw. Lot's of new businesses. The Ralph Grocery store is still there at Artesia and Crenshaw.

I turned right on Torrence Blvd and over to the Civic Center and Library. I was surprised at how many 'white' people were there. It was a good group of about 60 and I think they liked my talk. I talked of: Analyze and Organize: They key to further research. They had state of the art equipment and I didn't even have to use my own projector. I was impressed.

On the way home I went over to Hawthorne looking for a gas station to fill up at and found a 76 station. While I pumped gas, they had a live, flat screen TV playing on top of the pump. I was again impressed.

Bottom line: Torrance is still a pretty nice place. Just not nice enough for me to live in.

A Nasty experience

While I was walking yesterday, home from my physical therapy which is just down Lambert from my house, I had a very unpleasant experience and I want to share it so that if it ever happens to you, you might be more prepared than I was.

I was walking along, at a fast pace with a blue shirt on the said VOLUNTEER on the back of it. I got it when I helped with the first Brea 5K run. I was swinging my arms and oblivious to anything happening behind me. All of a sudden, a man, 25-35, longish dirty blond hair, came whizzing by me on the right (your are never supposed to pass on the right and I was walking smack dab in the middle of the sidewalk, looking forward) anyway I heard nothing because he was on an old fashioned bike, but he came by pretty fast and hit my right shoulder. It scared me so bad that I exclaimed "Jeeze!" and jumped to the left. As he rode by he yelled "Volunteer, huh, well I have a volunteer for you" then he turned around on this bike smiling at me and raised his hand and have me a very vulger middle finger sign which he kept up for the entire block until he turned the corner at which time he yelled, "bye for now" and disappeared.

To say I was mortified, scared, taken aback, and humiliated, is an understatement. It haunted me all day and gave me a very evil feeling. I was so surprised that all I could do was gape at they moron. I guess that was the best kind of response but it didn't feel like it.

Happy Mothers Day

I'm hijacking my Moms blog to day to say Happy Mothers Day to her.

She is an amazing Mother who works hard and has sacrificed so much to raise her children. She leads by example and has so much faith. No one knows how to work as hard as my Mom does.

Our whole family adores her and we hope she knows that today we celebrate her!

We love you.
Mom - Grandma - Friend.

NGS Conference in SLC

To say I have been having fun is an understatement! I am in my element. With the Family History Library to my North a half a block and the convention right across the street, I am pretty much blessed.

The conference was great. Sadly, I only made it to 1 lecture and about 3 times in the conference hall booths. I did something I haven't done before and I probably won't do it again. I volunteered for working in several booths, volunteered to do 2 consultations with people on their 'dead ends' in genealogy and volunteered to introduce several speakers. Will someone please remind my that I come to these things to learn and have fun!

My time was spent in the Library working on my clients family history. I don't think I have worked on my own or Larry's family history for over 3 years! Good news for my client! I was able to extend most of his lines back several generations, found 1 Revolutionary War ancestory, 3 Civil War ancestors and hit one dead end wall! Luckily I am tenacous and tomorrow, I am going to go back to the Library and spend an entire day on SMITH. No joke, this guy was born in 1884 in Des Moins Iowa, but I can't find him until 1930 with his wife and child in Louisiana!

I know SMITH is a bear to work on because Larry has 1 SMITH line in Toledo, OH. They come straight from England. Someday I will tackle going across the ocean, but for now, I am content to just make some money!

Recouperating

Well, I guess I am stupid. I have been doing everything I could possible do. Walking, bending and throwing a Surprise Birthday Party for my friend Barbara Renick. Today I am in pain. I tell you what a pain is and that is not being able to do what I want to do right now. So, my dear honey set up the jacuzzi and I went in tonight and I feel better. The pain in my right thigh and back, right where my incision is. That is no fun at all. So, I guess I will just try to take it easy now.

Pictures of surgery

This is an xray of my spine from the front view. This is a view from the side. I actually have 4 screws inside my body and now I carry a card that says to call the Orthopedic office in case I set off any alarms. It's a bit creepy, but I feel pretty good right now. Pain is about a 1. I am released to drive and walk and go to physical therapy, but I'm still going to take it easy for a few more weeks.

8 days after Surgery

Today was the first day I have felt normal again. My pain is gone in my legs and I actually got some work done today. I would love to put a photo up, but now everything has changed and I can't figure out how to do it.

6 days after surgery

Today, Larry had to do the Funeral for Ron Gottula. As the Bishop, he really needed to concentrate on things that were pertinent to the Gottula Family, so he asked a wonderdul sister in our Ward (Wilkinson's Daughter) Sherry Vaughn, to come and stay the day with me. 1st Sherry came with her essential oils and rubbed my leg with a lotion, and then my feet with lavendar and then I called the Dr. about the pain I was experienceing in my legs. He said this wasn't right. So he ordered me a steriod Z pak and Sherry put the heating pad on my sore leg and gave me 2 Asprin Free Excedrin, and one of her muscle relaxers. I laid back down to sleep some more, and when I awoke, I wasn't hurting in my legs anymore! Oh, my goodness that was hugh! I got up and ate some lunch then went back to bed. I slept the sleep of the dead for the first time since I had the surgery. Larry came home about 3:00 pm and Sherry went home. I am so eternally grateful to Sherry for her service to me. Now I have been up, taken a shower, a walk, eaten dinner and now I am doing some blogging. Today was a good day and maybe I am on the mend- finally. Dr. said that the Asprin Free Excedrin was OK to take as was any Aleve, and the over the counter drugs, but I will just stick with my Excedrin.

Surgery day 4 after surgery

Well, I was pretty prepared for surgery but not for the 'other' things that come from operations that i ALWAYS forget about.

I can't make up my mind to stand up or lay dow or sit down. Right now I'm sitting down,but don't know how much longer.

When I sleet, it it like twilight sleep. I am talking to all kinds of people about I don't know what and my husband swears I am just having full on conversations with myself.

THat brings me to I should take a sleeping aid to sleep - wrong, now, when I go into a deeper sleep I wake up wringing wet from head to toe.Today is the second day for a shower. If feels better but only for a little while.

Surgery

I apologize for not keeping up to date on my progress, but it was a little harder than I thought. What was I thinking? I don't know I'm not that brilliant.

For 2 days I pretty much slept, on all 4 sides of me (Front, back, right, left). They sent me home with Darvoset (those idiots) I'm alergic to all Opium and all it's derivitives! I told them that. So, dad was giving me Darvoset every time I needed a pain killer and that is why I stayed in bed for 2 days. They did give me a patch that you put behind your ear to keep you from getting sick, so I didn't get sick, I was just dizzy an thinking all the time "If I could just throw up". Now, I am on only a light pain killer called Tramadol. Between that and Asprin free Excedrine l life is pretty good although all together a bit sore. You would think I'm an old lady puttering around with my little walker and back brace.

Today, Larry made Guacomole and that tasted so wonderful that I ate it all with a spoon. I'm getting tired, so will sign off now, but you will hear from me later.

Day after Surgery

My sleep last night was fitful at best I have always had a hard time staying in one place. So about every 2 hours, a wonderful Male nurse would come in and help me turn over. I still had the catheter in my bladder, a drain in my side (right) to drain the bood out so my body wouldn't have to absorb it. Today is another matter altogether. It started at 6:00 when my phical
trainer showd up and got me out of bed to start walking. I finally got the catheter out, The tubes out I had a good clear breakfast, and casedeious for lunch. I am walking around the halls by myslef and it drives the Nurses nuts, but they are all so busy and I am so independent.

I received some really beautiful flowers. My room is startin to look like a forest! Daddy got me a dozen of the most beautiful flowers, and then tw0 different arrangements from Steve Bock and his wife Blyth whom I am helping with their genealogy. The other one was from Tim Wagner, he used to volunteer on the same shift with me, but he sarted Work (A job that Dad got for him.)

Right now I am waiting for the Dr. To arrive and take out the final stint in my arm, the drain in my side and then I hope he will send me HOME! "Toto, there is no place like home".

Marky took time out of his busy schedule (He was at USC for a class) and he drove all the way here to see me. I so much appreicate Mark and his family. I love all my children, but Mark was the only one who could come, I will be seeing all my children and grandchildren a little later on in the Week and then I have my Birthday Party to look forard to. All my kids will be here and that is enough for me! Enough for today, I'm tired now.

Surgery

March 22, 2010: Today I went in to surgery at 8:00 AM. I was asleep before the surgical room. They couldn't find a vein for the IV until after four tries. Surgery took 5 hours. Recovery room was for 2 hours. The doctor said that everything went perfect. There were two incisions for the surgery. A small one on my right side. It was through this that the doctor inserted an artificial peace of cartilage between my L4 and L5 vertebrae. I was then rolled onto my stomach while under anesthesia and the main 4 inch incision was made in the center of my back over the L4/L5 area. It was through this incision that the doctor cleaned out my spinal canal to correct a major restriction in the spinal cord. This restriction was causing pain to occur in my right leg for the last six months on an ever increasing basis. Following the cleaning, the doctor connected my L4 and L5 vertebrae with two screws and a rod all made out of titanium. This has put my spine back in alignment without restrictions in the spinal cord. The basic problem was that my L5 vertebrae was not in alignment and you could actually see the difference in x-rays when I stood straight and bent over that the vertebrae was moving. This action was causing the body to react and put down bone spurs to try to strengthen the area. Unfortunately, some of these were in the spinal canal area and caused the pinching or restriction of the cord. With the artificial cartilage inserted in the front and the screws and rod now in the back, my spine is now back in alignment and not loose anymore. The doctor is predicted that tomorrow the pain in my legs will be gone. He is also predicting that my back will feel like somebody hit me in the middle of my back with a baseball bat. I know he is right on that so I am hoping when my surgery pain is over, which could take several weeks, I will be pain free.

After surgery my pain level was an 8/10 when I woke up but now that I am back in my room and on pain medication it is 2. The physical therapist came and I took a small walk around the room with pain at level 2. The doctor just came in while I was writing this and tested my leg strength. It is already stronger than before the surgery suggesting the spinal cord and nerves were repaired well. He predicted that tomorrow may be a more painful day as the local anesthetics from the surgery wear down. We will take it one day at a time.

That's today's report as transcribed by my nurse Larry.

Back surgery

All I have been doing lately is working on two more clients that I have. Tomorrow, Sunday I will be getting ready for my back surgery. In case you didn't know I will be having back surgery on 22 Mar 2010 for my L 4 & 5 disks. I will be getting a Lamenecktomy and they will be taking the calcium out of my spinal chord, grinding it up and then using it again to help to stableize the disks from moving again. I will also be getting a titainium rod with 2 screws put in through the back to help hold them in place. Hopefully I will come out and not hurt anymore.

Our first guests

Amanda and her friend are here tonight to use the new bathroom and guest bedroom. So, glad to have them.

As for me, I'm just doing a lot of paid lecturing which is why I put off my back surgery until 22 March 2010. Everyone can just pray for me. Right now I don't take PROZAK, EXCEDRIN, ADVIL, ALEVE, ALLEGRA, EXCEDRIN PM or any other medication for pain. Sometimes I just have to lay down for the pain to be tolerable. Standing is the worst. I'm pretty proud of myslef right now, no medications and down to a size 8. That's right, I went to get a pair of pants today since none of my pants fit anymore, and I bought a size 8. Let's see how long that lasts, at least until after surgery. I went down since I started eating clean and started at 149, now I weigh 123. Not bad for an almost 58 year old grma.

Come one, come all to Rober Taj Mahal

Welcome to the Refurbished-almost new Guest Bathroom at the Robers. Here you see it coming in the door. Notice the cute things over the cupboard doors. Notice there is no more clothes hamper, bring yourselves a Pillowcase and sew down the top about an inch, then thread a cord through, so it hangs. Notice a new washcloth ring, and no more bulky hair dryer stuff, just a holder for the hairdryer. We now have a towel rack for hand towels for after you wash your hands.

Walk in the door and turn left, you will see a new Medicine cabinet, and a new big Mirror for the wall, no more black stuff around the edges. Only the best for our guests.

Notice my cute little toothbrush holder, and holders for Q-tips and cotton pads, along with Kleenex. A matching soap dish and brand new fawcets! Only uptown here!


Turining around, notice no more wallpaper. New vents, and a real honest to goodness peg on the door to hang clothes, clothes bags or towels or what ever else you want, maybe a nightgown.

I got the photo's out of order no matter how hard I tried, but going back a step, you see the right side of the sink. Notice the new towel rack that holds the hairdryer only. And a new washcloth rack for wet washclothes after shaving. You ladies even have a hand mirror that is 5X the magnification on one side for close up.

This before looking behind the door. I've moved my cute perfume bottle shelf up here and notice another hook on the front of the door- permanently secured for anything, maybe even your Church clothes because there is still no room in the Guest room to hand anything.

Now, going into the bathroom part of the guest bath, notice new monogramed towels, with the bath mat hanging over the shower door. There is no more floor to ceiling rack for shampoos etc., now it is located on the shower door itself and you should bring your own brands of soap (I only provide Irish spring in the shower) but there is another place to place your special soap now. There is only 3 other items provided now, Cetiphil for sensitive skins, Baby shampoo for those occasions when kids take a bath in there and of course we provide Head and Shoulders. So, bring your own special shampoos and conditioners.

Next, look behind the door and you will see another hook (no more plastic) and only one towel holder, big enough for 2 bath towels. There will be 8 bath towels included in this hotel bathroom for your convience.

A full view of the towel rack.

Turning around there is now a nice towel rack behind and over the toilet. It has a candle and a bowel of sweet smellys. There will be extra towels stacked here when they all get out of the wash.

Just off to the right of the towel rack, you will notice another new vent and another towel rack (you can never have too many towel racks!

Now, the toilet, cleaned inside and out with ever imaginable chemical cleaner known to man. I did it while it was stored in the garage during the time the tile was being laid. Notice new extra toilet paper holder (only holds 2) and trash can to match the rest of the ensamble. We have a new stainless steel toilet brush. What you can't see is the the VENT is now in good working order. No more stuffyness while taking a bath or dump. New toilet paper holder too.

Now notice the new tile floor and more kleenex.

This is the new inshower shampoo holder. The shower doors have been miraculously cleaned and WD 40.
The shower is brand spanking newly cleaned.

There are a lot of other little things I didn't get in the pictures, but you will just have to come and see for yourself. All are welcome, ya'll come and see us now!

Amost all done

I've had a lot of fun planning how to decorate the new guest bathroom. Most of the work here in the house is done, we are just waiting for the big mirror to come back from Brea Glass. That will be next Wednesday.

Here's what we actually did: Tore out the bathroom carpeting in both the guest bathroom and the master bedroom. Replaced it with tile. Stripped wallpaper in Guest Bathroom and painted it. Bought all new fixtures. Replaced the sink fawcets. Replaced the big mirror in the guest Bathroom that was all black around the edges. Painted inside the cupboards (white) in the guest bathroom. Cleaned out all drawers, and under the counters. It's adorable now. Plenty of room to HANG towels, robes, bags or anything else you want in there. Then we also tore out the back patio where the cement had risin and was a tripping hazzard. It was repoured and the tiles went back in place, the entire back yard was re-grouted. We replaced the bottom row of tiles in the Master Bath Shower which were cracked with new ones. I'm not sure how much we spent, but it was sure fun to have a new, clean, organized bathroom that looks great! Now you will all have to come and visit to see it!

Kid Bath update

Today work started on the Kid/guest bathroom. New fawcets are in now. Toilet and carpet ripped out. Dad primed the inside with Kilz. You can see where Mark and Brian left their 'marks' on the floor around the toilet bowl. I really thought I taught them better than that. If their wives make them clean up around the toilets they might hit it more!

De Ja Vu

In 1990 I guess Lisa and I looked a bit alike. What do you think?

New Project

Can't I ever be just satisfied to sit around and eat Candy all day???

Well, now I have a list of Projects that need to be done.

Today, Larry gave me permission to start on the Guest Room bath. The Kids Bathroom.

As of tonight, anything that was in it, is gone, the wall paper is almost all off too. Updates as they happen will be posted.

Pain Free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until you have been in pain for a long time, you have no idea what a novel it is to have a pain free day. I had one of those yesterday. Boy, I cleaned up the house and did a lot of those 'little' things I had been trying to get to for months if not years! I give credit to the Lord for such a day, I have abused my body so bad throughout my lifetime, that it's surprising I'm not more crippled than I am. So, Thank you Heavenly Father for a great day!

It's also a great day because Larry came home!

Harvesting our Fruit

We have a wonderful Orange Tree, of course we live in Orange County. But they all come ripe at the same time, usually March, but with all the rain they are ready now. If we don't pick the entire tree, they just rot. So, we pick the whole tree and I make Orange Juice and replenish what we drank into the Tropicana Carton. I also make lots of lemonade to freeze and save for those hot summer days and dinner.

Happy Valentines Day

No photo's but I thought I would just make note that yesterday, Feb 13, 1010, I gave 2 lectures in San Diego and after that we were to meet Mark and Lisa and Kam at the Los Angeles Temple to watch Kam for them. Turned out poor Lisa forgot to get her Temple Recommend renewed, how everyone has checked theirs by now, so she had to stay outside the Temple with Kamden and we just sort of helped. We all went out to dinner at Islands afterward. Mark and Lisa had a couple of friends that were being sealed to each other and their children, it was really special and spiritual, even afterward when they were taking pictures. All in All, I ended up driving 8 hours yesterday, I was tired when I got home.

Spring Cleaning will lead into Summer

OK, I went to Girly's house and helped her clean it up and out. It was pretty easy compared to what I decieded to do for myself. After cleaning out her office and making it really liveable and organized, I decided it was time to do that to my office too.

I started a week ago. The hallway is packed with 'stuff'. I have thrown away 4 large brown trash bags of paper and stuff. Moved stuff around. Dusted. Vacuumed where I could. Cleaned off the book shelves, going through the books and getting rid of stuff that was out of date. I cleaned out my desk drawers. Took the doors off the closet so I can see what's in there. The doors are now stored under my bed. I'm still not done. There is so much more to do. I am afraid that it will take me until the summer to get it all done. Heaven help me to have the tenacity to complete this task!

I could sure use a few prayers!

Visiting with Lisa and John & kiddos

To tell the truth, Lisa's house wasn't dirty, just messy. We got caught up on Laundry in 1 day. We have played games with the boys, cleaned out a few closets (game cupboard was my doing). And Lisa went 'whole hog' in deep cleaning one room at a time. We still have her bedroom to go into tomorrow. Today is Sunday and we went to Church at 11:00, nice. However Beckham has his nap at that time and so it's really hard for him, so I brought him home from Church during RS and Priesthood. I fed him changed him and put him down for his nap, peace at last. My hip is bothering me today, although I have slept well on one of the kids mattresses off the bunk beds. (Thanks Caleb) Now I'm board, so maybe I will take a nap, or maybe not. I'll go do email, that should put me in a funk.

And thank you girly for changing my blog, I love it!

I really miss Larry, he truly is the love of my life and my soul mate. I sure hope his 1st
Ward Conference went well, he was trying so hard to make it good, and he worked on his talk all week. In my heart I now it went well. I will be home next Wednesday for sure.

Christmas is officially gone

As I get older, it gets harder to get it all down and put away. But how wonderful to put up my 'babies' to look at all over again. We really need a new photo of Ty. I'm off to help Lisa out a little bit, so if anyone needs me, call my cell phone.