A Day at the Beach

Don finally got some days off to spend with Evie and myself--so we went sightseeing. Here is some of what we did! We had to hit the beach (kind of felt funny going to the beach in December!).

We went looking at sea shells!

Here are some waves at the beach.

Here is a view of the Sunshine Sky way Bridge.

Don found a muscle at the beach and cracked it open--this is him afterwards.

Here is that muscle Don cracked open.


Here is that muscle again--kinda yukkie if you ask me!

Here is a pelican just sitting on the beach sunning himself.

Here are a few rocks that were in the water.

Here is Don just trying to make his gold tooth shine in the sun!

Evie and Don looking at shells...

Evie and Don now trying to look like they are having fun

Here is Don picking up seashells...fun huh?

Evie looking for good seashells to take back to Utah with her



Well this is what we did to keep ourselves busy...I'll update some more to show what else we did after Christmas with Evie...I hope she had as much fun as I did!

Christmas Dances For Maggie!

Maggie--

I hope you enjoy these! Have a Merry Christmas and we will talk to you soon!


Don's Christmas Dance

Maggie's Christmas Dance

Kelly's Christmas Dance

Christmas is Days away

I'm so not ready for Christmas! Being that I got a late start on the season...and seems that I left a box of gifts in storage in Indiana...I'm just not ready! It's hard to think of Christmas again without MY family around, but in exchange for my family--Don's sister (Evie) is coming. I'm totally excited and nervous that she is coming! I'm nervous because I have been working on our apartment so hard and that I just want her to feel at home. But I know that will pass as soon as she gets here! But I'm overly excited to have her come and just be here! It will feel my days with something to do besides taking the dogs out for a "walk". I have cleaned and re cleaned my apartment--I have to stop of the paint might come off the cabinets. I just have a few more things to do--like mop floors...but I'll wait to do that tomorrow so the dogs can't mess them up too much!

Don seems to have a lot of things planned for his few days off with her. So when he is off we will be BUSY. I hope Evie rests up for it...I know that he will have us on the go!

I will miss Indiana, snow or no snow. I miss getting up opening gifts with family...spending the day preparing food for Dinner...and then having everyone over for chats, games, fights, and food. My heart aches knowing that I won't be there. So I'm planning (as I did for Thanksgiving) to have dinner at the same time as Mom's dinner. That way I know that we be "eating together". (I know--I know--I'm sick in the head.) I'm hoping that my family in Indiana will update very well that way I can read how much fun I missed!

I still have to go and buy a few more gifts, but for the most part I'm done. All wrapped and everything! Well--I have to go clean the dogs' bed and get them bathed! I hope Everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

Out for a Drive

Yesterday Don took me to the outlet mall! It was really good to get out and about--seeing new things. Heck I don't have to go far to do that. But anyways--here are some pictures from our drive!

This is the Tampa Bay--we are on the Sunshine Skybridge.

It was hazy yesterday but this the side view of the Sunshine Skybridge.

This is a large cargo ship after it went under the Skybridge.

Getting ready to "climb" the Skybridge.

This is the Tampa Bay--I didn't see ONE dolphin the WHOLE day!

Another look at the Tampa Bay--still NO dolphins--they lied to me!

This is a picture of the bottom of the Tampa Bay--We stopped at a rest stop and I watched for Doliphins...none!

A cargo ship that was hanging around the Sunshine Skybridge.

This sea gull let me take his picture...but it's not a dolphin!

A sea gull hanging around the rest stop---we were really close to it!

The morning was really hazy...but this is the Sunshine Skybridge...kinda looks like you just drive into the low clouds...it's said most days you can see dolphins, but they heard I was coming...

So I'll have to surprise them next time!

This next week I hope goes fast. Friday Don's sister (Evie) is coming! I'm so stressed out about it! I am trying to get everything done so she will feel right at home here! Well--hope everyone has a great week! And Jackie- I don't like the heat either!

Getting Ready for Christmas!

Tonight we finally got our tree up and decorated! So Christmas is on! Not that I'm in the spirit, but I know it's not like me to have nothing up--so I made myself get stuff out and up! I am making cookies, and with any luck that will also help me get into the spirit! I took some pictures of our house lit up. Some of the pictures are dark but I promised some of you pictures--I'll keep trying to get better pictures. But this way you see that I'm not lying you to when I say I'm getting things done! I but what they were so yo don't have to guess on the bad pictures! Just use your imagination!

This is our Front window from the outside...it's Santa, Frosty, and a swag...cute huh?

This is our front Door...with our new Christmas Wreath!

Not a great Picture--this is our porch...the colored lights is the railing...and the Porch Door is outlined in blue lights and the Christmas Tree has White and blue lights.

Here is our Tree...

Here is our tree again


Here is what everyone sees at night (not a good picture!)...our Blue outline window with our blue and white Christmas tree

I hope you all have a great week! I hope the Christmas Spirit finds you all! I miss and love you all!

It's almost Christmas...

It's almost Christmas and I still don't have my tree up. Nice huh? But I started my cookies--it's that something? One batch of cookies--I'm trying hard to get into the Christmas spirit but it's just isn't there. I know that I need to be quick about it--or the season will just pass me by!

It usally gets cold and you know it's time to pull things out for Christmas, but since I'm fighting 85 degree weather and homesickness--it just doesn't feel right to pull things out. I did however made myself put up things in the windows. But the tree still sits in the box, but the box has made it to the hallway. Just hasn't made the living room/dining room/den area. I told Don that this Thursday the second bedroom needs to be finished so that we have some rhym or reason in there and I think once that room is done I can move on! With Don's sister coming I want to make sure that our tree is up and ready for her...so I might be putting it up the 21st for she gets here the 22nd. Nice huh? No really--my goal is to have it up no later than Sunday. I would like to have stockings up and everything...but we will see! My tree is the main goal of the week--that and my cookies. I want to get atleast one type of cookie done each day that way I can move on and mail them!

Well that is my update--fun huh? I promise to have more done in my next update! I hope you all have a great week!

Just Thoughts

Yesterday--Samantha flew in town for business, but she agreed to go to dinner with Don and me. It was good just to see her and chat with her. I have been so homesick--it seems silly to be so homesick, but I think it did me good just having her here.

Then I talked to my friend Kelly. She got me thinking the last few days about life, and how we live our lives. I know that I should make changes in the way I live my life, but it seems too hard. I'm going to try to change one to two things about myself that I don't like, and see if anyone can tell. (So--I'm not sharing what I think I should change until someone says something or I go long enough with no one saying something.) I'm also going to try to tell people in my life how grateful for the things they do for me or how the effect my life.

Sometimes don't you feel like you are all alone in a large group. Like God-himself-has forgotten about you. Or if you pray that you don't seem to get an answer. Or you had made a mistake and asked forgiveness for and you think you are still being punished for it. I do--I feel like my not being able to have children is a little of all of the above. Sometimes I go to the stores and see mothers who don't seem to "want" their children...or hear stories of a mother who rather have someone else keep her child, but won't give the child up. All I do is pray that some day I will be able to have a child of my own--and when it doesn't happen I feel alone, like God doesn't have time to answer my prayers, or that I must of not been forgiven for something I did. Shopping for gifts at Christmas seems to hurt the worse. How wonderful it would be to be shopping for my child. Planning surprises, and building up Santa for a little one. How I feel I have let down my husband for not being able to give him a child--and not wanting to put myself out there for adoption. (Adoption scares me so much--putting yourself out there for others to judge you. I mean how can you fill out adoption papers not seeming to put you whole life out there to have a birth mom say you aren't good enough. Or have a judge say you are not ready to adopt a baby--when women have babies all the time who really shouldn't have them. How can I really want to do that to myself--to Don.)

I'm very grateful that my friend Kelly has allowed me to be in her daughter's life as much as I have. Maggie is such a great joy to have in our lives. To fill the empty space that I have for a child...and now that we don't live around her--it's hard to express how much we have gained for being around Kelly's family. Kelly has been such a great friend to me--and to Don. It's wonderful to know that you have a true friend in someone that knows all your faults and still is there no matter what. Who listens, talks, and cries with you. Someone that at 3 in the morning if you really needed her she would wake up and just talk. Kelly-I'm grateful for all you do for me--not just in things, but in just the acts of friendship you do daily for me. I am truly blessed! Thank you.

I'm also grateful for a family that is truly supportive in all I do. I wish I could spend the holidays with you all, but I sadden not to be there. Know you all are in my prayers and thoughts daily! Don's sister (Evie) is coming for Christmas--the first without her mother. I'm totally excited that she will be here--for selfish reasons. I at least will have some family around for Christmas--so hopefully it wont' be so hard. I'm going to try to get the Christmas tree up this weekend. Don has the weekend off so we are really going to work on the room of boxes.

Well--That's all for my thoughts for now! I hope you all have a wonderful week!

7 years of marriage

Can you believe Don and I have been married 7 years? Yesterday was the big day! We didn't do too much, but we did get to spend the whole day together. We did laundry in the morning, shopping in the afternoon, and went out for dinner. We also went to watch the Santa Claus 3--I thought it was VERY funny!

I'm sure Don would have loved to spend the day at Disney World, but it was just good to be together! We got a lot of Christmas shopping done and we did do a couple things we really wanted to do. So all and all it was a good day!

Have a great week! I'm still not into Christmas...no snow and 80 plus weather doesn't help. I hope everyone else can find some Christmas spirit to put Christmas around the house!

Pictures found

I found a lost disk of pictures that I have taken. Hope you enjoy my silly pictures...and their stories. Hey--I almost forgot--about a week ago Don took me on a drive one evening. He drove me into St. Petersburg--and he didn't think it was a good idea to take pictures of all the homeless people that were either sleeping on the sidewalk or getting food from a couple on the side of the road. I just don't know why he thought it might be a bad idea! So there are no pictures, but I have to tell you I have never seen so many people sleeping on the sidewalk when there were no promises of major sales going on! Have a great week!

The boy scouts in our ward did a fund raiser--picking oranges--so Don and I got a half bushel. Let me tell you it is A LOT of oranges--filled a large paper sack. This was the baby of the bunch! It was the most perfect orange.


Palm trees every where--no snow--how can you want to put up Christmas stuff. I'll try to put mine up and take pictures! Palm tree s are very ugly!

Don took me to a restaurant called the Buffalo Steakhouse. When your steaks come out they have these puffed pastry Buffaloes in them...kinda sick huh?

I had posted earlier that our apartment complex was painting the buildings. Here is a building that is painted. Ugly is the in thing--mustard yellow with pale yellow windows. Nice huh--must had a special on these colors!

This picture is to show the courtyards. There are 2 buildings that make up the courtyards. And they call each "courtyard complex" a building. Not sure who came up with that.

I found these funny acorn looking things. You can find these just about every where. Tons at the church!

This is to show how small my perfect orange really was. It was a little bigger than a golf ball. The oranges where the BEST oranges--only one bad one. Don had to take half of them to work to share. Finally had to juice the last 15 just to get rid of them!

Thanksgiving 2006

Today has been hard--I'm so far away from the group of loved ones that I normally hang with. We have to normal turkey, gravy, and all the things most people think of. But we have changed things up a while ago and started making Perogies. It has become a tradition at my mom's, and I thought that I would miss it. So the past few weeks I have thought about doing it for Don and myself. When I ran the idea by Don he was excited because I wanted to change up the Perogie fillings to fit more into Thanksgiving. At my mom's there are so many people that having 600 Perogies and all the normal Thanksgiving food is okay. But when there is only 2 of you--you don't need all that food. So--I got ground turkey (putting everything you would use on a turkey in my ground turkey ie: onions, celery, sage and all the spices), then we made mashed potato with cheese ones (that's a normal filling around mom's house), and then we tried to make a pumpkin pie perogie (which to tell you the truth is wonderful--we will be working on the filling a little bit to make it better but it was dang good). I got to talk to a few of my siblings, my mom, and some friends (I don't have many so I guess I talked to them all). But it made me feel that I wasn't so far from home. I made sure to have dinner the same time that my mom always has holiday dinners--which made me feel a little closer to home! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Back Online

Since we have been here we have had trouble with our DSL. This past week was the topper. We were totally without Internet and I about went nuts. When we first got DSL it worked some, but last Monday it totally crashed and Verizon couldn't make it work again. Poor Don spent over 4 hours with Gateway because Verizon told us it was our computer. Gateway had Don "fix" things and then it still won't work. So yesterday Verizon finally sent someone that could really "fix" our problem. Hopefully this will be the real fix.

But since I couldn't be online Don decided to take me for a drive. (He takes me for drives, but this time it was during the day so I really could see what was out there.) We went to a place called Dunedin. It has deep Scottish roots...very beautiful. When we went there was something going on in town and there were SO MANY people. We had decided to just drive and go back another day when there weren't a million people is such a small place. I do have to tell you when driving to Dunedin---it's like driving to Logansport--small roads--nowhere to pass cars--I looked up and the car in front of us was from Indiana "34" license plate. Yes someone from Kokomo---I pointed it out to Don and we just laughed. How likely was it that we saw a Indiana license plate from Kokomo? Made me feel almost better that day! But here are some pictures of our outing!

Everyone is getting ready for Christmas...Yes and some are putting lights half way up Palm trees. I'll take pictures of that because I think that is the dumbest thing ever!

We went to a bird rescue place. It was FREE, but some of the local birds came to visit too. We saw these pelicans just wondering the place. Maybe this was really a bird jail and they were visiting! I'm not sure!


These white birds are EVERYWHERE! There was at least one on top of each cage at this bird rescue place.

Don thought Stephen would like this sign. I'm not sure if you can read it, but this bird is the "Brown Booby" bird. It looks like a brown duck. There was also a bird that sounded like it was burping when it "talked". At first I thought it was Don but it was really this dang bird. Very Funny!


While that is all my pictures for now. My camera has been giving me problems so I'm going to have to figure out what the heck is wrong with it. I'm also going to have to keep a cheap camera in the car for the trips to the store. Last night I wished I had my camera because we passed something that made me laugh, and it would have been great to get a picture of it. So I'll work on that soon! I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and we will post soon!

My Birthday

This is a card I got from Samantha! It cracks me up! On the inside it says "Still able to stop traffic." It just makes me laugh! Then I get an e-card from Stephen...it was "Do your boobs hang low?" You know to the song "Do your ears hang low"...Made me laugh hard! Then Kelly sends me a frame with a thing about friends...I just don't feel like I'm a good friend to her sometimes. I don't have answers all I can do is listen, cry with her, laugh with her, but I don't usually have words of wisdom...But I love the picture! My grandparents called me on Friday to talk with me. I love talking with them. I'm sure they don't get as much enjoyment out of me as I do with them. And on Saturday--My mom called me and sang to me. (My mom has a tradition that she came up with to call each of us on our birthdays and sing "Happy Birthday" and sing as bad as she can possible get.) She sang a primary "happy birthday song" and sang it really well. I told her spending time in primary with the 3 years olds--she has grown a lot! Samantha then call me on my birthday to sing to me too. I'm so glad I have good friends and family that know that I needed to hear from them when I did. Don took me out to eat at the Olive Garden for my birthday. He's such a great sport! He sent me an email and tried to make my day special!

Today I woke up very sick and running a fever. So I didn't go to church, but I slept a lot. I'm starting to feel better. Maybe it was just missing everyone...kinda made me sick to my stomach. I'm not sure if it's getting easier for me...but the days aren't so long anymore. Some are longer than others.

This next week we are hoping to go sightseeing. Hopefully I'll get some good pictures to post! Well have a good week!

Seeing Rainbows

Yesterday after I posted I had to take the dogs out and get ready to get Don from work. Well I decided since the rain was slowing down and I didn't have a good day--I would keep an open mind about things. (Yes--I called and talked with my mom...that always helps to know that I'm not alone and that she loves me no matter what I do or say--she may not approve but she still loves me! Then I got to talk to my best friend Kelly. She always makes me smile! I don't know what I did before I had Kelly as a friend--she excepts all of me--all my faults--all my dumb ideas. And she still my best friend after I agreed to move away with Don (twice now).)

But--after talking to them I was getting ready for the nasty drive to Don's work and I looked beyond the next apartment complex and there was the brightest rainbow I have EVER seen! I'm not sure that it meant anything, but I took it as a sign that I'll be okay. Deep down I know I'll be fine, but without friends and family close by I feel so alone. I hate that feeling so when anything goes wrong I take it harder than if I was around the people I love. So- that rainbow yesterday (atleast for me) was a sign that no matter what trials I have that I'm not alone here (even when I can't see them...my friends and family are close by).

I did take a few pictures when I was out and about...Nothing great and wonderful...but Here you go! Have a great Weekend!

The top Window is our kitchen window (this is prepainted--which they are doing soon!)

The "theme" on all the Funeral Home's Vans...nice huh?

It's raining...

Today I didn't need it to rain! But that is what it is doing. It has been over cast most of the day with sprinkles off and on. But with being really homesick today...I needed sunshine. But it finally just started to pour. When you look out my front windows you look down into a court yard of apartments...not very pretty...and my neighbors across from us ... that live downstairs are always in and out of their apartment. It's only a 2 bedroom apartment...but I swear there are about 10 people living in it...they are always coming, going, sitting outside smoking, or like right now...standing in the doorway smoking. I really think they have a restaurant going on in there. There are people coming on bikes picking up sacks of food (I know this because you can smell it when they open their front door). Sometimes they make me nervous there are men and women, but all they do is sit and stare--then they talk about you in a tongues you don't understand.

I don't like that we have no real private porch either. Some apartments do...but we do not because we have a "den" or extended dining area. We have a little porch right outside our door which would be good if we had plants...but we can't right now because our building is going to be painted. I'm going to try to get pictures today when I am out and about. Of our lovely community. It's okay but not the best. I guess we have to live with it for a year...and then we will look for something else...hopefully in Indiana...but I don't think that is my luck!

Today I'm so very homesick. I miss my mom/family and Kelly/friends. I hate trying to make new friends (sounds kind of dumb). But it's true...I like living in a comfort zone that if I make new friends good...and if not oh well. Being where I have NO friends at hand--I have to try to make friends. With this weather--it makes me cry, and miss "home".

Tomorrow we will be getting TV! The company is coming out and we are getting DirectTV. I'm so dang excited! We have been watching MASH--backwards...we don't have all the seasons. So I started with season 9 and worked backwards with the seasons we do have. I'm so pleased to be able to watch whatever I want...I've been missing my shows. I know that Don is excited because we will have 2 TVs that he can go in the other room and watch his silly wrestling or whatever he watches.

Well -- I have to go and get ready to pick Don up at work. I got to keep the car today to run to the bank. So now he will need a ride home. Have a good week and if you have any suggestions on how to make myself less homesick please share!

Got out and about...

Today Don had the day off--so once we got some running that needed done--I got him to take me out and about. We found a beach on the Gulf and I just wanted to show you what we saw! It was very nice...but it's still not home!

Crab parts

Sand Castle

Don checking out the sky

I think this crab tried to get away from the crab shacks and almost made it back to the gulf!

Another view of the sand castle!

Small waves of the gulf

Some funny looking plant life floating in the Gulf

This is really white sand...

Well--I know most of you are trying to stay warm--I wish I was there with you. But I hope you enjoy the pictures of what I could find to share with you. Have a Great weekend. I'll try to keep you posted on what's going on here!

The move never ends...

Well to start off with--we made it to Florida in one piece. After a horrid start Saturday--we left around 2 pm (we had problems getting things in our car--and we wanted to leave by 10am). So we started out late, but made good time with taking turns sleeping...we drove straight through. We had planned to get into our apartment Sunday, but the girl that was supposed to come in to do our paperwork didn't get our messages so she never showed. (The office is normally closed Sundays...so there was no one there.) We drove around for a while trying to find some motel that would let us AND our dogs stay...which we finally found. We also called Don's boss to get some tips on where to go/ where not to go. She was really nice and helped us out on what parts to stay away from. She also told Don that since Monday is really a day off of his and I needed him more than she did...to take Monday and get me into our apartment.

Once into our apartment--our land line phone was turned on Friday before...but didn't work. (I know some of you don't know this, but I don't handle stress well. I hate it, can't deal with it, and just melt down.) Well--with no news from the movers, and not knowing a total for delivery I was stressing a ton. They were only to get us all that info no later than Saturday at 10 am. But no one called or returned calls. Then on Tuesday--talked with the moving company I went through (and will NEVER use again) they tried to help as much as possible. Then the call from the driver...he wants to deliver "right now"; I told him no...I don't have the money yet and he would have to wait until after 5 pm (that is when Don was getting home). The driver yells at me about I should already have money for him...that if he has to hold the stuff over night he will charge another $250 on top of the total. He was Yelling at the top of his lungs at me...so I told him that I would call World Moving Services (the company I went through) and have them call him. SO that's what I did. I told them I didn't think it was right that he just right out yells at me. And that for the second time he didn't call 24 hours before to tell us he was coming. So I got to talk to a great Customer Service Supervisor. She was shocked that I never was called before hand to let us set something up, but would make sure that she called the driver and let him know that he would have to wait until my husband got home. When she called me back she said that the driver was going to come between 6:30pm and 7:30 pm. While that would have been fine but they didn't show up until after 9pm. He was VERY rude still (even with Don here). They have treated our stuff like crap. They only thing he is taking claim for is the display cabinet...they broke 2 mirrors in the back of...but everything else he just kept repeating himself "how I not know it wasn't you that did it" I replied to him "because it wasn't that way when you PICKED it UP!". AND he didn't have any claim forms with him...he said "I'm just the driver I don't do claims...that's claims department--I'm just the driver". So yesterday I called the moving company that I went through and told them how the driver acted and said...they were not impressed with him. So they are sending claim forms to me to fill out. I now have tons of work ahead of me with unpacking! Hopefully nothing more is majorly broken!

I want to thank Stephen, Samantha, and my mom for listening to me in melt down. I know I don't handle stress well, but they have listened and gave advice to keep me here.

I really hate this move...I would love to go back to Indiana where I have a life. I know that Don needed this move so he could get back into the business. He is just lucky it's Florida and not Alaska. For that move would have be the beginning of the end of our marriage. It's tested here but there I think it would have been over! (Sorry Don, but that is how I see it.) I miss my friends, family, and the light stress that came in that life! I miss my friend Kelly--she is more then a friend...she is another sister to me. She is my best friend and knows all my darkest parts and yet she hangs with me. Even when I know this move is hard on me...poor Maggie (Kelly's 10 year old Daughter) she is a mess! She loves Don so very much and is just heart broke that he moved. (All I I can say to her is that no matter how far we are--you are in our heart, thoughts, and prayers! I wish we didn't have to move, but Don needed to get back into the funeral business. Indiana didn't show promise for that. We will visit, but you have to visit us also!)

Things are getting better (as Samantha predicted) I got my stuff around me--which means ie: my computer and my TV. I have DVD's until we get Dish. But it's atleast noise that I can have all day. It isn't easy being in this apartment all Day...hopefully that as soon as I get unpacked and settled...I'll be able to take Don to work more so I can get out and get something to fill my days. But until then I'm here! Well--the puppies want to go outside so I'll end here!

Have a great weekend. We will be looking up the church here so it might feel more like home. (Kelly I'm going to make sure we have some Waites', Smiths', people needing teeth!) Love you guys and keep in touch!

The Move is On...

I want to start with thanking everyone for your love during a very tuff time in our lives. It's great to know that I have such a great support system! Don hasn't had internet out in Utah, but I have sent your words of encouragement on to him...and he will read everything once the move is slowing down!

That's right--The move is ON! I have to sound excited, but I'm not into this move at all. I have put a lot of hours into this move but not my heart (sorry Don)! Since Friday--I have packed and repacked all of our things. I have to report it is all done and none too soon! The movers will arrive tomorrow between 9-11am. There will be a great sigh of relief once they close the doors and the stuff is on the truck! I have stayed up late and packed. I have almost broken parts of my body, bled, and been majorly bruised for this move. I can't wait until Don is home because he will be unpacking MOST of the stuff (not my breakables).

The puppies are ready for a long drive. Tigger and Roo know about boxes and what it means when I pack like a mad woman they have seen it all before. They are going nuts--and driving me nuts. So Friday early evening they will be getting a bath (so no smelling dogs) for the trip! Right now they are running around barking at each other like ding-dongs.

I want you to know that this week has been hard in many ways, but I have always found uplifting things from you guys when I needed the pick-me ups! I want to thank you again for that! Have a great weekend!! It maybe a little while until we get reconnected down in Florida, but as soon as we do...I'll post again!

Time to Heal...

Yesterday--Don flew to Utah to be with his sisters and mother. He was able to see his mom and say his goodbyes. She was then taken off all machines and let to return to Heavenly Father. Last night when I talked to Don--he say "it was like she wanted". And in my heart I'm sure she did wait. I think Don is now on auto. He has already called the Funeral Home (the one he worked for in Provo) and is just matter-of-fact about things and what needs to be done. Don has already written the obituary, the plans for the memorial service are almost done, and he says he's okay. I'm glad he is there with his sisters because they need his strength to move through this.

I'm not sure if he really has taken the time to grieve or if it will hit him while he is there. But he did tell me last night that he is at peace with everything now. It has been hard for him to be so far away and dealing with his mom's sickness over the phone.

On Thursday I had to call his "new" boss (in Florida) to let her know what was going on. She was so cool about everything. She told me that even though none of them have met Don--they know that he needed to be with his family and to "take care of business" in Utah. And that to keep her informed of what was going on. I'm so glad he got a cool boss that understands!

So here is the update on our move! Don flies home Friday night (the 27th) from Utah. On Saturday the 28th (sometime--not too early) Don and I will be driving to Florida together. I know that wasn't the plan, but nothing has gone as planned with this move. My mom is helping me get a moving company to come and get our stuff and drive it to Florida this next week. So what that means is Joyce is making a mad dash to finish packaging EVERYTHING by Thursday (that's the day the movers are coming)! Friday I get to pick up my husband and we are off! I know that some of my friends are a little upset that I am leaving 2 1/2 weeks early, but I'm sure they understand why I'm leaving early.

I'm mailing out cards today to everyone with our new address and phone number. Well-I got to get busy with everything. Have a great weekend and stay warm!

My Kanga

Kanga taking control of puppy land at just weeks old...never got over wanting to rule the world!
At a few days old I feel in love with her! Isn't she dang cute?
Hours old she had those big ears!
She really just wants to be friends!
Just got to love those Ears...and what a face!
Roo doesn't like his picture taken--but Kanga is just gives "love ears"
She gives so much and asks so littleDoesn't she look pleased that I dress her up in head gear?

Sad times

Late last night Don received a call from his sister (Evie) that their mom is going to pass. So in light of all that is going on in our home--he leaves tomorrow for Utah to say goodbye to his mom, and to help Evie through this tough time. He's a little lost being on the grieving side of death. He has never been in the shoes he has to wear now--and I think it makes him a little nervous. So--he will leave tomorrow morning (early) and be there about a week.

Now I'll have to call all the companies even the apartment complex to let them know that Don won't be there for another week. But I am going to look into moving companies so that I might drive down with Don. I just feel like a fool not knowing what to say to Don and his sister. His youngest sister is just being her hateful self. She is blaming Evie, and going back to her normal actions. I feel sorry for Evie because she and Linda have been so close and now she lives out in the middle of nowhere, and now she has no one close.

I do have to say that I was lucky to have a mother-in-law like Linda. She made me feel like one of her own children. She has such a strong spirit! I am glad we have the gospel in our lives and know where she is going. And that if we strive hard that we all will be together after this time on earth. Linda's health has been her ball and chain for a while now--but she will be free of pain and her body will be in the most perfect form. She will be able to do things she hasn't be able to do in a long time--and will be able to rest. My heart is full knowing that she has touched my life and I was able to know her for a short blink of an eye. But I'll have the rest of eternity to know her better! We are a forever family!

A Dark Cloud?

The last week and a half have been really hard around here. Don's mom (Linda) was taken to the hospital. Her health since I have known her has gone down (she's only 57). She has a very strong spirit! But she was taken to hospital that wasn't equipped to deal with her problems and they had to sedate her and fly her to the university of Utah hospital. They have taken her off the medication to keep her asleep, but now she isn't waking up. Don talked to a doctor today-- and they are unsure IF she will wake up. Now he feeling lost--even with being a funeral director-- he has never been on this side of it. He feels so dang helpless--being so far from his family--but really not being able to fix the problem. I just feel like a ding-dong because I don't know what to say, but for what the church has taught us. I know that isn't helping him in his time of being lost.

It doesn't help that tomorrow--we are putting Kanga down. So, I know it can't be easy to have to deal with his mom's health, dealing with putting down the dog we breed Tigger for, and getting ready to leave (by himself) on Friday. We seem to be dealing with an uphill battle! It doesn't help that we won't know if we are pregnant for a few more weeks...and it is all piling up and I'm hoping we won't crack under the pressure.

Don and I did have a good evening tonight. We were invited over my grandparents house for dinner. We love spending time with them (not enough time though). We had good food, good company, and good time playing card games. I wish--Don and I had more time to have spent with them.

You all have a good week--and I'll update soon. I'm going to post pictures of Kanga when I can do it without tons of tears!

The Waiting Game

Today I feel that I'm no better off then before...but than again I'm no worse off either. We have been to Indy everyday this week. So-I'm glad to say we won't be going back anytime soon! Now we just wait. We are hopeful that something took, but understand that it doesn't always take on the first time. So--if it did not take--Joyce is taking a much needed break. With the move and all that is what my body is telling me to do. I had to take a afternoon nap yesterday because my body can't make these 8am appointments--3 to 4 times a week with a hour and a half drive. I have been really lucky that Don has had time to take off to go with me. So that is where we stand right now. Just waiting...the wait will about kill me but I have packing to finish so once my rest is caught up on...I'll be a packin' fool! Well I know this is short but there isn't much more to report! Have a great weekend!

Too Much to Handle

Well--I really think I have had as much stress as I can handle. Let's just say I'm glad this cycle is about over! Friday I went to see the specialist (or more his nurse)...had my blood taken...and pictures of things that should have NO pictures taken of. But that afternoon we found out my hormone levels were not high enough...so MORE shots (three more days of shots). I did that and one Monday I went BACK to Indy to see his nurse and the Lady in the Lab. Monday afternoon-one more shot and come back. So today I went back to see the Lab Lady, the nurse, and the doctor. Well they can't see all of either ovary...and he has to revert to the "old school of Medicine" with just going off the blood levels. So he told me to visit the lab on our way out and call this afternoon, but on our way out of town we had to pick up another set of drugs (that didn't come with the free stuff) so that set us back. This afternoon...Don talked to the doctor's office (I just can't stand this anymore)...and the doctor thinks we are in safe levels to take the second medicine...but wanted to see us in the morning. So Don got to give me my last shot (in the butt) and we will visit the doctor ONE more time. I'm thinking that I'm taking a LONG break if this doesn't work. My ovaries hurt from the nurse trying to see them, my belly hurts from me giving myself shots in it...and now it hurts to sit down. So I'll be happy when this is all over. I'm just hoping this all wasn't in vain and we get at least ONE baby out of this trial. So I'm not sure what this appointment will bring tomorrow, but hopefully it is PAINLESS!

On to the other stress in my life--MOVING! We are finally set with a place to call "home". We will be sending out moving cards...so be watching the mailbox. We will be living outside of St. Pete. Don leaves next Friday with a loaded car...and then I will follow him in a month. My mom has been really great with us totally making a mess out of her home. (But now she will have more room!) She volunteered to drive a moving truck with me to Florida (she should have been a truck driver). So we bought her a ticket home...so we are locked into a moving date for me. We thought we would wait until the day after Thanksgiving...but the plane tickets were WAY expensive. So we have a plan, but getting packed and ready is not going real fast with making all these trips to Indy.

But now that we have turned our lives upside down--we are trying to make sure we land on our feet and not our heads! Well--we will update as soon as we know something! I hope your week goes better than mine!

Stepping Stones

Well--this week has been a very busy one for me. I have had to learn to give myself shots (and for those who know me well--know I don't like shots/needles). I had to really think this through and decided that I wanted a baby more then anything. SO--I have been doing good at giving myself shots daily. (Not that I would want to do this forever, but if this gets us to where we want to be then I have had made steps forward.) Don and I go back to the doctor's office on Friday to know the results of these shots...SO after our VERY early morning appointment...I'll update on that.

But on the moving story--We have told those who took it hard (our friends children). Now we can talk about it in the open! It's hard to keep the boxes I keep packing a total secret. We have done TONS of paper work already for this move. Don's paperwork for his licenses are now officially in the works. He's new boss tells us that she is excited to have us move (which makes Don more excited). Tomorrow I overnight paperwork for an apartment. I have been calling places for weeks now and I think with all the advise we figured out what will be our best bet. It's a place in Largo, FL just north of St. Petersburg. I have talked to these women so much I think they know my voice now...which isn't always a good thing! But the assistant manager told me today that she is going to go ahead and place our name next to a good apartment #. I'm sure she is just wishing I'll stop asking questions. But when going to an unknown place all I have had to go on is Apartmentguide.com and the word of people I don't know. So--hopefully I didn't just promise to move to the hood. But the assistant manager tells me this apartment is a nice downstairs apartment (on the end of the building) with new carpet, tile, and stuff like that. I'll update you on that also!

We are still working out the details to who is moving when. I know that Don IS leaving October 20th. And if money doesn't workout so we both can go...I'll go the day after Thanksgiving.

Well, those are my updates for now. I'll write this weekend after the visit to the doctor! Have a great week!