Sinus infection

I was even sicker today. Planned to work from home but there was a power outage blip and then the internet wouldn't work. So headed to work. Got DR appt and found out I have a sinus infection. This is only the 2nd one I have ever had. The other one was when Ryan and Eric were about 4 & 5 years old!! I did not know that the pressure would even make your teeth, ear, and under your chin hurt. But the antibiotics have kicked in and I took a nice nap so am feeling a little better tonight. Doctor says I should feel better tomorrow or for sure the next day. Everyone at work was very caring and concerned about me. Even though I was feeling yucky somehow the sympathy helps!!!
Thanks in advance to anyone who might be sending prayers my way.

Only 7 days to go

In seven days, we will implement the project I have been working on for over a year. I have been working long days and a cold/allergy mix has taken hold of me. It is definitely the WRONG time to get sick. It may have turned into bronchitis. I was getting better and thought I was doing well on Sunday and then Monday I started coughing way too much. Now my sides and back muscles hurt. So now I am trying to decide whether to use Nyquil tonight or Benedryl. It has been raining all day and that hasn't helped. I think I am really allergic to work and winter. Well, enough complaining. For those of you who may not know, I have identical twin grandchildren due in July so when I am feeling overwhelmed and down I just have to think about all my wonderful children and grandchildren, husband, family, supervisor and co-workers and it lifts my spirits. If I don't blog much the next couple weeks, you will know it is because I have been "consumed" by work. Had chinese food tonight and my forture said "Use your abilities at this time to stay focused on your goal. You will succeed." HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR!!

Snow dogs and bunnies

Saturday we woke up to 4" of snow and then by noon had another 2". This afternoon it is snowing hard again. Don't know how much will accumulate this time. The dogs had a fun time searching for bunnies in the front yard while the bunny was in the backyard with the birds helping himself to some birdseed. Watching the snow, the bunnies, birds and dogs is fun but driving in it is NOT. It took me twice as long to get to church because of the icy, snow packed roads. It is hard to be too dismayed when you think about God decorating his world for Christmas! It is very beautiful.

Various things

Truckin' business is slow going right now - Terry was stuck in Bakersfield for 3 days, then got a short run to Las Vegas then back to Fontana CA where he was stuck another 3 days. Today he has a load to Red Bluff. With the slow economy it is hard to get loads with any miles to them and at this time of year the customers want to keep their inventories low so don't want deliveries until after the New Year. Then from the customer's point of view, sometimes they have deliveries they want to get made but it is hard to get trucking companies to do them because if the destination is too far across the country, the truckers can't get back home in time for Christmas.
It's like a catch-22.
On the home front - just working!! LOTS!! One bright spot was Terry Jr's band concert where he played a short solo! He plays a trumpet. He did GREAT!
Our 6 inches of snow melted and now we have rain and ice. Every few days we have something different. Keeps me on my toes (and shivering!)

Sleep-over

During our Thanksgiving week-end we had our grandsons TJ, Skyler and Keon spend the night. We made cookies and played games. It was a fun sleep-over. Grandpa was home too so had a nice time together - but as always it zipped by too fast. This whole year has just zoomed by. I am sure working 45 to 60 hours each week since mid-September makes it go fast. We only have 32 days until the big project I have been working on is implemented. Our GO-LIVE date is January 4, 2011. That's when we migrate from our local database to the corporate database. I have been gathering data for over 10,000 parts and making data entry spreadsheets for months. I dream about Excel spreadsheets and sorting data. So anytime I get to spend time with my hubby or grandkids, family and friends is like a mini-vacation. I want to THANK THE LORD for ALL the blessings HE has lavished upon me and my family.

Broken commandments

Last night I gave our dogs, Bogey and Birdie, each a chewbone. They both settled down to chew contentedly for about an hour, then Bogey decided he wanted to save the rest of the chewbone for later. So, he proceeded to wander through-out the house looking for the perfect hiding spot (under one of the dining room chairs). In the meantime, Birdie chewed her bone completely up. At bedtime, Bogey "unhid" his chewbone and took it to bed with him so he could guard it during the night. Birdie feigned sleep, keeping a close watch on Bogey, who dropped off into dreamland. When his guard was down, Birdie slyly grabbed the chewbone. Yes, it was now hers and she guarded it throughout the night, sleeping with it in her mouth. In the morning, Bogey tried to get the chewbone back but Birdie growled and would not allow it. How many commandments were broken? "Thou shall not covet thy brother's chewbone", "Thou shall not lie about being asleep", "Thou shall not steal", and of course, the Golden Rule of treating your brother as you would have him treat you. Birdie also modified the following saying, "Yes, I am my brother's keeper of the chewbone!"

Loveland Pass

Today Terry had to drive his semi-truck over Loveland Pass in Colorado. It is 11,990 feet on a road with no guard rails. He said the posted speed limit is 25 mph for both trucks and cars because it is very curvy. His trailer was too tall to go through the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 so he had to take the by-pass.
He made it safely to Denver. While he was busy doing that, I went shopping with my sister Trudy and her grand-daughter Sydney. Terry called it a "skirt in training" excursion. Had a nice day to finish off a 52 hour work week. Our big project at work has only 7 weeks until implementation and there is SO SO MUCH to do. The dogs are taking one of their many naps on the couch and that is making me think about going to bed already - even though it is only 7:15 on a Saturday night. I lead such a wild life.

More Rainbows

On my way home from church today, I was treated to another wonderful rainbow. This time I could see the entire arch and the bottom of the rainbow actually was on the road ahead of me. So I must have driven over the "pot of gold" at the end of the rainbow but I didn't see it. I have never been so close to the "end" of the rainbow. It was truely beautiful.

New visitors

Yesterday we had new visitors to our home - 3 deer. One came inside our fence and the others stood on the roadside munching some grass. I enjoy living out in the country where we are able to have unexpected guests. Another "guest" I can add to the visitor list this week is TERRY!! He made it home in time to vote too. We were able to watch the election results together. Tonight he fixed me his famous taco dinner - I ate 3!! Too soon he will have to go back out on the road. He has been unable to talk me into getting a second job so he can quit his.

Surprised by Flowers

Yesterday I was surprised to get flowers. They are beautiful autumn flowers with 2 little pumpkins that adds a nice touch. The flowers were from Happy Dane's Auto Service. They have taken care of our cars for almost 20 years and are very honest and caring and they do great work plus they are nice friends. They just did the 90,000 mile tuneup on my hybrid Highlander. The card they sent was wonderful too "Thank you for the opportunity and trust you have placed in us to work on your vehicle. It has not only been a pleasure but a friendship as well. The crew at Happy Dane's" The Lord keeps surrounding me with wonderfully thoughtful people!!

Kids visit and site seeing

Had a wonderful time the week of October 11th. Ryan, Lance, Liam and Shella May visited for about 4 days. We visited the High Desert Museum and took a short hike to Benham Falls. The kids proceeded to tell me "It's not a waterfall Grandma! It's just rapids". We also visited Great Grandma and cousins Terry, Skyler and Keon where they had a great time jumping on the trampoline. Also, played at the local park. After their short stay they headed to Portland to visit more cousins and pick up Julie who flew in from MN. Then they headed to the coast and I joined them and Brian, Mel, Holden and Esme. The coast at Manzanita had wonderful weather and we had a great time playing on the beach, and playing games and working on puzzles at the beach house, plus some shopping for salt water taffy which was yummy. Below are several pictures of our excursions. It was a very enjoyable visit - too short but very sweet!!!

Sunsets

I have been working some really long hours because of our big project at the mill and these wonderful sunsets really help lighten my steps. I am always in AWE of God's extremely beautiful artwork!!

Some other things that bring me joy - having Terry home for a few days, dogs on my lap, knowing that some of my kids and grandkids will be here for a visit from Minnesota in just a couple days and knowing that my other kids and grandkids WISH they could be here too. The Lord has blessed me tremendously and I want to give Him all the praise.

Remembering

Today would be my Dad's 83rd birthday but he has been gone now for 5 years, which is hard for me to believe. I wish to thank our Good and Merciful God that he gave me such a wonderful Dad. He called me 'punkin' and taught me how to keep my car maintained. Whenever we traveled we always sang folk songs together as a family. He took us camping and fishing and water skiing and to work with him in his welding shop. In later years, he watched the weather channel with the sound muted and we had wonderful discussions about books we were reading and history in general. I miss him!

More flowers

Got more flowers for my birthday and dinner and a scrumptious birthday cake from Amy & James and the boys. Sorry - no pictures of the cake since we ate it!! Bribed my grandsons into giving me hugs in order to get a piece of the cake. I don't mind having birthdays when I get flowers and cake and hugs!

Also, got a new purse from Ryan and Julie and kids. Not sure how they knew it was time for a new one but now I can try out another contender for the "perfect" purse. I am always looking for that perfect one!!!

Yesterday got weird "floaters" in my right eye. Co-workers said it was because I was getting old. That may be true but the eye doctor also said the vitreous jelly-like clear substance detached from the retina in a spot and made my eye bleed. Got to see the picture they took of the back of my eye and optic nerve and see the spot of blood next to the optic nerve - about the size of the tip of my little finger. Have to go back for a recheck in 6 weeks. Nothing to do but monitor it. In the meantime, have to try not to be annoyed by the "dust bunny" floating around my eye and making it hard to focus sometimes. Sigh.....

Happy Birthday to Me

I had a wonderful birthday - got to see Terry for a little bit before we both left for work. Then had a good day at work. Got lots of phone calls, cards, e-mails. Went to town after work and bought more border brick for around the yard and bought a new backpack to haul my work laptop (the old one was falling apart). The Lord treated me with a double rainbow and Eric and Michelle sent 18 multicolored roses. I have another present that will be here soon from Ryan and Julie so my birthday will last a few days longer. I am also going to order my present from Terry - a new winter coat from Cabela's. My old coat has lasted 15 years. I don't really worry about how old I am but instead am continually amazed at how fast time flies by!!!

Getting ready for Winter

Yesterday I was able to put a "checkmark" on my to-do list after I stacked two loads of wood!! There is another load of wood coming so the checkmark didn't last long but it still felt good to get one (like getting a gold star!). We had our first rain in 2 months and the weather was cooler (in the 70's) so it was a nice work day with the drizzly rain keeping me cool. Our doxie dogs, Bogey and Birdie, helped by looking for lizards. We spotted 2 plus a frog. There were no bunnies hiding in the wood pile though. Today the dogs ran all around the wood that was under the canvas wondering and looking for their favorite hunting spot. They couldn't figure out where their mountain had gone.

Resident bunnies

One thing I really like about where we live are the wild animals. Ok they are not wild like lions and tigers but they are not pets either. However, these 3 bunnies have been at our house all summer. They have decided that under the front and back desks are nice places (unless the dogs poke their noses in) and they love the clover growing in our lawn. They are cuties and make me smile every time I see them.

Freedom isn't Free

The central Oregon community worked together and organized a "Tribute to Heroes". Part of that tribute was sponsoring the display of the replica of the "Vietnam Memorial Wall" which is 80% of the actual size of the memorial in Washington DC. The tribute also had areas honoring the veterans of all the other wars American's have fought in including those who have lost their lives in the current war on terror. I went to see the wall today and found the name of mom's cousin Marvin H Brown who we called "Uncle Willie". Everytime he came home on leave he would visit us for a few days and bring us presents (I still have some of the jewelry). He was a medic and died in Vietnam on his third tour while trying to help another soldier. I got more emotional than I thought I would when it dawned on me that the dates at the bottom of each panel of names were the dates when they died. Sometimes the date range on a panel was only one or 2 days. Uncle Willie's name is on panel 32W and his name is on line 90. The dates on his panel were Feb 9 - Feb 23 1969. I was a sophomore in high school. There are over 58,000 names on the wall - it is very sobering and at the same time very impressive and overwhelming. We owe so much to those who are willing to fight and die for our freedoms. We have much to be thankful for.

Keon - an inspiration

Keon has figured out how to make his leg cast a "walking cast". He has accepted the casts with very little complaining and just figures out how to do what he wants the best he can. He gets around the house amazingly fast and has discovered that in a real pinch the arm cast can be used to "bonk" a bigger brother. Thankfully he does not use that trick too often! He loves to go for rides in the stroller and has accepted his circumstances with remarkable grace. He has been able to show this Granma to not dwell on the negative and to just do the best you can to continually "move forward" and make progress. In the pictures he is playing frizbee with Grandpa. He truly is an INSPIRATION.

Back home in Central Oregon

We got home from Chico, CA on 7/28. The boys and Amy were glad to get home after the 8 hour drive. Keon yelled "home" when he saw the pizza parlour by their house. I took the boys to the Deschutes County Fair parade on Saturday and both Terry and I have gone back to work now. Amy and the boys are getting stronger and more self-sufficient. James will hopefully get out of the hospital and head to central Oregon tomorrow.

in Chico CA

I am catching up on my posts. Here a couple of pictures of the kids and Amy. We spent 2 days in this motel room after 8 days in my Mom's RV. Most of the 10 days in Chico were spent keeping the kids calm and quiet on the couch in the RV or on the bed in the motel, or taking walks and playing in the swim pools. The rest of the time was spent at the hospital.

Very busy indeed

When I named my new blog "Busy Layton's" I did not know I would be a prophet! We are very busy indeed. Our daughter Amy, son-in-law James, and 3 grandsons Terry Jr (TJ), Skyler and Keon where in a bad car accident last Sunday 7/18 in Chico CA. Me, my mom and Gary headed down Sunday night in Mom's RV. Terry flew in from Denver and I picked him up in Sacramento on Monday. Keon has a broken arm and broken leg. I spent Monday night in the hospital with all 3 boys and they were released to us on Tuesday. Amy is supposed to get out of the hospital today 7/24 after having 2 surgeries. James is working on his 4th surgery and will have a much longer recovery. His mom and stepdad are staying in their RV in the space next to ours. We are praising the Lord that all 5 survived and also praising the Lord for all the prayers (from all over the USA) and outpouring of well wishes and offers of help. Also praising the Lord for understanding employers. We are blessed and "can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". But I wouldn't mind being a little less busy :)

First time as a "dunkee"

On July 12, we had a company picnic and I volunteered to be one of the "dunkee's" in the Dunk Tank. Praise God, It was a beautiful warm central Oregon day. The water was still cold though!! And it was VERY dirty - found out later they had filled it with the fire hose and it uses the pond water!! It still was fun when I got dunked 2 times (or was it 3?) My hair does what it wants so the water didn't give me a bad hair day (but I did forget my brush!!) I wore an appropriate shirt for the occasion!