After THE FALL

Remember when I told you about a little fall I had at work?

Three months later, numerous braces, trips to my physical tortureist, Dr. visits, ice-amundo, swelling, limping, whining and complaining...I'm going under the "knife" or probably a laser, and getting the problem fixed.

I tore my meniscus in two places, cracked my knee cap which healed incorrectly and may have damaged my ACL. I didn't know what a meniscus was until I hurt it~ who knew what a pesky little thing it was?

It's my first surgery ever. I'm a bit nervous. It's out-patient and I'll probably be home in 6 hours or so, but I'm still nervous.

I'm also excited!!

I will be able to bend my knee again!!!

I won't be miserable anymore!!!

I get two weeks off work!!!

I don't have to wake up at 5:15 for Seminary!

I get big time drugs which means I will get sleep!!

Be thinking good thoughts for me on Tuesday...7:00 am surgery time.

PS. if you are in my ward reading this....I don't need anything REALLY!!

50 is Nifty...Best Birthday Ever!!

Whew! What a day. I hope my old ticker holds out.

I woke up this morning, my 50th birthday, and found pieces of paper all over my house with little sentiments on them...Jeffrey had called family and friends to ask them what they liked/loved about me!! He had 50 different things from people all over the house. What a sweet birthday surprise and I loved it!!!



You bet I am~~!


Validation....finally.



This is from one of my nieces, they all call me Aunt J. Now I'm old aunt J.

Then I went to Seminary to take doughnuts to my favorite bunch of 15 year olds. They are adorable. Absolutely adorable.




I went to work and on my desk were flowers, a cake, balloons and cards. I am loved by my office. I forgot to take a picture. oops. bad blogging. See....I'm getting forgetful already.



I was just working along when my office door opened....in marched a bunch of drummers and then percussionists and brass players. Liberty High School's Jazz band then performed a rousing version of Happy Birthday and God Save the Queen! It was hysterical.

Then my gorgeous, funny cousin Jeanette brought me lunch. Yummy.

For dessert my sweet friend Marty brought me WARM chocolate chip cookies, loaded and packed with chocolatey goodness!!!!



Mitchell called, Lauren called, Bro Mark called......

THEN... I go home.

THIS is what awaits me.....


Click on the picture to make it bigger for the full effect.



I laughed so hard I needed protection!



Absolutely, without a doubt...THE single funniest joke ever played on me.
This lovely garland on my garage door for the world to see.



I'd like to thank the little elves who provided me with Granny Panties so now I can truly fit the part. I have an appointment for my violet rinse and perm on Wednesday.
(Trisha? Kelli? Emma?.........) Jeff knows who and won't spill the beans.



What did I get this year?



An i-phone is coming to me soon. I hope I can figure out how to use it.



I got these from a friend whose love of Scotch Mallows rivals my own. Nice way to sabotage my dieting friend.....

Phone calls from Rachel, Gabi, Andrea, Karen and Diane!!!!
How blessed I am to have met so many amazing women blogging!!

Flowers and chocolate and industrial sized Diet Pepsi from lovely Erin (out visiting from DC).

Dinner out with my in-laws who are the two kindest, most generous people I have ever known. I am blessed to have them.

A call from my mother who lives in Africa and my siblings rounded out my day.
I am happy and tired. What a fabulous day. What more could I ask than to be surrounded by those I love and who love me.


Tomorrow...round two. Dinner with friends.

Cue the Fireworks....I'm 50

Happy 50th Birthday to me!

It's my birthday.

I really didn't have anything to do with the day, I just showed up. Thank you to Judy and Dick, my parents, for making me and bringing me into the world. And for in their own way, giving me roots and wings.

To tell you the truth...I'm not real happy about this birthday. Oh I know...50 is the new 40... but I am really weirded out by the realization that my life is probably half over and that the next part of my life is all down hill...the body breaks down, the memory fails, the wrinkles sag and the hair turns gray.

BAH HUMBUG

SO...

My mom always said that if you're sad sing a song that you love or think of things that make you happy. My kids hate it when I sing.

50 things that make me happy...

1. My faith and the hope that comes with having faith.

2. My husband

3. My kids (most days)

4. My sense of humor

5. My son-in-law

6. The prospect of being a Grammibelle.

7. Memories

8. My siblings

8. Chocolate

10. The sun

11. Colors

12. My friends

13. Telephones

14. Sewing & Fabrics

15. Cooking

16. Reading

17. Cars (thank goodness I don't have to ride a horse)

18. Other peoples' talents

19. Shrimp

20. Flowers, especially Daisies, aren't they just a happy flower?

21. Anything Red, except ants and sunburns

22. Giving service

23. Teaching Seminary

24. Camping

25. Looking at the stars

26. TV Reruns

27. Pictures

28. Laughing (and through tears is even better)

29. My co-workers

30. A new pair of shoes

31. My kitty purring

32. Rachel giggling

33. A clean house

34. Diet Pepsi

35. Digging in the dirt

36. Warm summer nights

37. Cool summer mornings

38. Holidays

39. Traveling

40. Learning something new everyday

41. Music

42. Old Musicals

43. Making new friends

44. Sleeping

45. Hair Dye

46. Water

47. Listening

48. Those last few moments before falling asleep

49. Singing out loud

50. Blogging

I'm feeling better already...happy day to everyone!!

Eat a piece of chocolate to help me celebrate.

One...

.......

Two...

..........

Three....

.............

One year ago

A year ago today, I was going crazy.

It was the day before my only 'marriageable' daughters' wedding.
A wedding, the event that mothers start dreaming of the minute a daughter is born.
The event that I had planned for a lifetime. (at least in my dreams)



A year ago my wonderful sister Rose was here with me, propping me up.
A year ago my 'soul sister' Rachel was here, sharing the joy of being the "second mom."



A year ago I was sad that Lauren's beloved Grandpa and Grandma 'Matoes' weren't here with us.
A year ago I still couldn't decide what dress to wear.
A year ago I weighed 35 pounds more.
A year ago I learned that love doesn't need words.



A year ago I worried that I had forgotten something.
A year ago I worried because I had spent way too much. (worth it)
A year ago I was re-thinking pink boots for centerpieces. (so cute)



A year ago I was praying that it would cool down from the 104 degrees expected.
A year ago I was hoping that I had taught my young daughter everything she needed to know to be a good wife.



A year ago I was thrilled to have another son joining the family.
A year ago I was surrounded by all those I love so dearly.



A year ago I was thanking my Heavenly Father for answering my most heartfelt prayers.
A year ago I was running on adrenalin and Diet Pepsi.
A year ago I was worried that no one would show up...what would I do with all that food???



A year ago I was already exhausted.
A year ago I couldn't stop smiling.
A year ago, her dreams came true.



A year later...we're looking forward to more joy and more dreams to come true.



Did I ever mention it's a boy? Carter -?- Evans, due December 7th!!!