Wrong Place at the Wrong Time

Last Monday, I was involved in a car accident. It was three days after my 54th birthday. I was at a stop-light by the Layton Hills Mall, where I had just gone to the craft store and also McDonalds to get a hamburger and drink (it was around 1:00 PM). I was actually eating my hamburger (while waiting for the light to change), when two cars collided in the intersection...causing one to hit me. I saw it coming. My hamburger flew out of my hand and I had little onions all over me. There was a car behind me waiting, and my back bumper hit the front of her vehicle.

I remember just sitting staring at the girl that hit me. She was staring back. A young man (had his family in his car) that was involved in the accident went to the other cars to ask if we were all right. I was shaking so bad that I didn't know what to do. I had left my cell phone home and it took several minutes to realize that the car was still running. The man called the police and they came within 5 minutes. I just sat there trying to figure out what happened and if I was hurt. My neck and back were aching. My head was pounding. I wasn't sure if it was the accident or going too long without eating. I took the hamburger off me and got out of the car to brush the onions off. I asked the lady behind me if she was okay. She shook her head yes. I noticed that she was very sun-burned and not happy at all.

The police took some pictures and then asked if we could park our cars at the Layton Hills Mall. They were trying to get us away from the other traffic. We had to fill out forms and I was shaking so hard....that I'm not sure how I filled them out. One police officer was very nice and the other (that seemed in charge) barked out orders and didn't seem compassionate. I think I kept saying that I was shaking...to which he said...that's what happens when you are in a car accident. He was stern and rude and I decided to not ask him questions. The problem is that the other officer didn't seem to know anything. Finally, a third officer appeared and he was very kind. The policemen kept asking me if I needed the paramedics to come and check me out. I told them that I could tell I had whiplash, but I was also walking around and felt stupid. They finally gave me a form saying that I was injured, but refused medical help. It seemed like it took a long time and it was very hot.

I wonder how the two that collided feel. I have hurt in so many places with my hands being the first major thing I noticed (after the initial shock and numbness left). Now it's my back. I feel very blessed to not have worse injuries. My car had scratches in the back and the bumper, light, and driver's side fender is bent. Marc and I took it to a body shop to get an estimate of how much it will cost to fix. The Camry is pretty old, so I guess it will depend on whether they can fix it for less than the car costs (in today's market). I'm kind of worried about that.

All in all....I was "at the wrong place at the wrong time" and it's a day that I will never forget. Oh...and I believe in wearing seat belts.

Pre-School Graduation

A thrilling day in the life of a Gramma is watching her first grandchild graduate from Pre-School. Jarem did this and so this blog is dedicated to him. It was a short ceremony (probably the only one that will be short) and there was a nice luncheon afterwards. Jarem was the only boy in his class and so he learned how to be a gentleman by opening the door for the girls and letting them be first. He is a good student and learned how to hold his pencil this year. I am so proud of him, because I know that was hard. The biggest accomplishment is that he reads on a 2nd grade level. He loves it and seeing a book in his hand is not uncommon. Jarem, "Congratulations" and I look forward to many more graduations.

Springtime

Springtime is a big month for birthdays. Lexi turned 3 in April and May brings Yuni and Andrea’s big days. We are so grateful for them all. The following slide show gives you an idea of the extended family parties to celebrate each of their Birthdays. I love you all! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Lexi!

Today was my x-ray for the pneumonia. I still have some in my right lung, but it is better. The plan is to let me finish my antibiotics and then see what happens. He's hoping that it will clear up without any more medication. I hope so. I'm so tired of coughing and not feeling well. I asked about exercising and he said that it takes about a month to get your strength back. I need to take things slowly and then rest in between. I appreciated his comments and didn't feel so wimpy when we (Andrea went with me) left. Thanks Annie for going with me.

After, we ran some errands and then took a quick trip out to wish Lexi a Happy Birthday. She turned 3 today. We are going to celebrate it Sunday with the family. I will post pictures from her Birthday party later. Alexa told me today that her favorite color is purple. She loves the Princesses esp. Ariel, Cinderella, and Belle. She likes to do puzzles (the 24 piece ones) and she's good at it. Lexi asked for mashed potatoes for her birthday dinner. Andrea helped Alisha out by mashing them for her. I asked what she wanted for her birthday and she said, " A doll and stuff." Aunt Annie made her day when she put nail polish on her fingers and toes. Blue with purple tips. Lexi, Grandma (she started calling me Grams today) loves you! Where have the last 3 years gone?

Pneumonia

Just a short entry, today. I found out last Weds. that I have pneumonia in the right lung. I guess that is why I have been coughing for 3 months. Here I thought I was just being a whimp and find out that it would have just gotten worse. They put me on a new antibiotic and hopefully this Friday...my lung will look better. It's interesting how you can now look at your xrays on the computer and they can zoom in and out to look at everything. I knew the minute I saw the xray, that something was wrong. So....I'm trying to rest and be good.

This Friday is Alexa's 3rd birthday. We are going to celebrate it on Sunday. I'm so excited. I love getting together with the family. I will be sure and post the Birthday Girl's picture.

Easter 2010

What?

Have you ever had a day that you felt like you were two steps behind? That’s how I felt the first day of April. It was a Thursday, but felt like a Wednesday. It was also snowing. I had offered to help Marc out by taking our taxes to be mailed at the Post Office. So…I went and had to stand in line because he wanted it sent certified. After what seemed a good half hour wait…I went and treated myself to a Route 44 Diet Coke at Sonic. They have my favorite ice. I went home to relax and get caught up on things at home.

I really like some of the games on Face Book and so I got on and saw Yuni and Lya’s picture. I thought…. wait…. today is Thursday and I usually go to their place for a visit. I wrote her on Face Book and she replied that she would like me to come if I felt like I could with the bad weather. It was not snowing here, so I got ready to go when the snow started to fall so heavy that I couldn’t see past my back yard. I thought…no way…so I wrote and told her. I did a few more things and the weather had cleared up and the sun was shining. So…I hurried and left for Bountiful. Yuni had told me that Ryan would be home around 4:00, so I thought I would stop at Cosco since it was about 3:30. I was strolling down an isle and low and behold…. Ryan turned the corner. I thought he saw me, but he started to leave and I said, “Hi Ryan.” He looked around and then he said (with pure joy) “Mom.” Leaving his cart, he came and gave me a hug. It was a great surprise!

I went and played with Lya while Yuni made dinner and Ryan practiced the talks that he will be interpreting for Conference (we are all excited for him). Lya was in a great mood and gramma enjoyed having some one on one time with her.

Marc beat me home, but we decided to wind down and watch a video. The phone rang and I could tell that Jarem was really excited. He said something, but I couldn’t understand what he was saying because he was so happy. Finally…it came out. “Gramma, my mom’s going to have a baby.” I was stunned. I said, “What?” He repeated it. “Who? Pumpkin Pie?” (Their guinea pig). “No…Gramma…Mom…she’s going to have a baby.” Then he said (laughing), “April Fools.” He was so excited that “he got me.” His cute laugh was followed up by both he and Lexi telling me that they had tickets for the Jazz Game. Right…. April Fools! It was great!

So…maybe this day was supposed to feel different. After all…it was April Fools Day!

Another Surprise!

Monday, Yuni called and asked if she, Ryan, and Lya could come and visit me on Tuesday. They came around noon. Lya looked adorable in a cute outfit (Levi/Red Gingham with white tights). She was happy and gave me a kiss on my cheek. Ryan saw it and was so excited. I was too.

I had made soup and barbecue, so we all had lunch together. Ryan was able to rock Lya to sleep and Yuni took a nap on our couch. Ryan and I talked during this time. I asked him if he ever thought having a child would be this wonderful. He told me that he has thought a lot about it and thanked me (and his dad) for being such good parents. I thought I was going to cry. How lucky I am to have such a wonderful family. They have help to lift me during hard times and make happy times the best.

This Sunday will be the first time since Lya's blessing that the whole family will be together without sickness (knock on wood). Conference weekend, Easter Sunday, and family time....what more could a mom (and dad) want!

Surprise!

Marc and I came home from church, yesterday, to a message from Jarem asking us to come to dinner. His message was so cute, but I wasn't sure if it was okay with his parents. :D I hurried and called. Alisha said that Jarem was so excited to have Taco Soup that he wanted to invite us.

It was great fun. We found out that Jarem (and Lexi) can play two of our favorite games when we get together as a family. They both show drawing skills (which I don't have). The way the pictures turns out are hilarious.

All I can say is "Thank You" Jarem! Alisha, the soup was wonderful. Thanks to you all for a wonderful evening.

Alice In Wonderland

When I hear the title, "Alice In Wonderland," I think of the hundreds of time I have watched it and the music. When I was a young girl, those tunes were some of my favorite, like: "I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date"..."Alice in Wonderland, How do you get to wonderland"....or my favorite...when Alice sings, "You can learn a lot of things from the flowers"...etc. The tradition of watching That movie (and "Alice Through the Looking Glass)continued on esp. with my youngest child, Andrea. She still loves that movie. She can probably quote the whole movie. Many nights to wind down, she and I would watch it. I usually fell a sleep.

Well...today, Marc and I took Andrea to Tim Burton's version of "Alice in Wonderland." It was totally awesome!!! I loved it. I would not recommend this to young children, because there are scary parts. It was very creative and kept my attention the whole time. I also liked how it ended. I can't say enough about it. I've decided that the live actors, with the animated ones, made it more realistic to me. All three of us left enjoying ourselves. Way to go...to Tim Burton and all those who made this film.

I'm sure that there will be many that will not like this movie, but I'm excited to finally move on from "Alice in Wonderland" and "Alice Through the Looking Glass" (even though I like them both) and for twists and turns of the new movie putting a closer to a classic. Hey fam....maybe after it comes out on DVD...we can have an "Alice" movie-a-thon. :D

My Sister

Last night, my sister called me. I have tried for the past couple of months during different times to call her. I finally wondered if their number changed. I called my niece and asked her to have my sister call me. Which she did and guess what? Her number has changed.

Talking to my sister was really hard. She has developed the beginning stages of Alzheimer's. She still remembered my name, but couldn't remember what she wanted to say. She kept telling me that she has Alzheimer's and that she can't drive anymore. She said that she can't take the chance of getting lost while driving. I commended her for not only thinking of her safety, but the lives of others if she had an accident. It was hard to think of things to say (and I don't have that problem very often), because she kept going back to not driving. I got off the phone wondering why life can be so hard at times. We all have our trials and no matter how different they may be...they are hard. We are told that it's for our growth, but I'm still the same size that I have been for years (I know...that was lame). So...the growth has to be spiritual. If that is the case, then many of us are giants.

One of those giants is my sister. She is 12 years my senior. She babysat me when my parents went out. My mom would tell me that Sharlene would call her friends to say that she couldn't go with them...just to take care of me. I guess I cried a lot (that hasn't changed) and so she had to be the peacemaker between my brothers, because I interfered with their sleep during their sports seasons. When I got older, she was so easy to talk to. She would answer any question I had. Later, I was old enough then to repay the favor and tend her children. When her oldest was a teenager, she would call me to see if I could help her think of ways to resolve problems. (Those dreaded teen years.) We have been close for as long as I can remember. Yes...we were sisters and sometimes didn't agree, but I cherish my memories of our years together. We sang together. I remember once going through a rough time and we had to sing a song that just hit me and the tears started to flow. I can't sing when I cry, so I had to stop and she just kept singing with her arm firmly around my waist. There are so many memories and maybe I will share some in future Blogs. I just know that I am thankful for her.

Right now, my sister doesn't remember things. She's happy and very pleasant (which we are all grateful for). She laughs that she can't remember things...even when I know it bothers her. She can't play the piano anymore because she can't remember the notes, but she told me that she still remembers how to sing. Our talks are more child-like and a lot shorter, but at the end of each conversation...she tells me how much she loves me and how happy she is that I called. Last night, she ended the same way....part of me felt sadness and part of me smiled because this time...Sharlene called me.

Today and Tomorrow!

Today, I went to see my youngest grandaughter, Lya. She's 5 months old and just starting to learn to eat rice cereal. It was pure joy to see how excited she got and how well she is learning this new skill. Her smile lightens up a dark and gloomy day (it was cloudy for most of the morning).

I also received a message about a dear friend, Lola (who use to be our neighbor)that is responding to Chemo. and doing really well. I thought of her positive outlook on life. How she was not dreading the future, but had open arms rejoicing for the many blessings that she has. Is it her positive attitude that is helping her to respond to the cancer treatment so well?

I have been struggling with a neighbor that I'm suppose to Visit Teach. She's makes it really hard and doesn't seem interested. She's a busy young mother going to school and working. Her husband has gone away from the church and yet she faithfully brings her kids each week. Would I be that dedicated? Even though we have no success with visiting her....each time I go to her porch and ring the doorbell....I see a sign saying "Have a positive attitude."

I just read a blog written by a friend of mine from way back. We worked in Young Women's together. She's had some rough roads lately and yet I felt the positive influence of her Testimony as I read many of her blogs. I thank her for taking that time to touch my life (and she doesn't even know it).

Tomorrow, I get to see my other grandkids. Jarem and Lexi are full of life. They love me. They don't care how old I am or what I look like. I am "gramma." How I appreciate their un-conditional love.

I feel so blessed to have these positive reminders in my life. I have so many blessings. I appreciate my family so much and love the times we share together. Thank you Marc, Alisha, Jason, Jarem, Alexa, Ryan, Yunuen, Lya, and Andrea for being so good to me.