Goodbye 2009

One final quick little post for the old year. It's New Years Eve 2009 at 3:06 pm in the afternoon. It's time to let the year going out know that I'm thankful for it because it brought me many good things and experiences but at the same time, I'm really not sad to see it go because I'm ready to move on to the new year and a new decade.

Today it is very cold here. I usually go to the Sinclair gas station around the corner for a drink. I usually walk in and fix it and pay for it myself but today I went to the drive-up window and asked for a large hot chocolate just so I could stand to be in the car long enough to run my errands. It's 7 degrees here and everything is frosty white with frozen ice crystals.

Our Christmas was great. So much family fun and it went so fast that it's hard to realize that it even happened. Clay came on Dec. 20 and left on the 27th. Rachel, Howard and Ashlynn arrived on the 23rd and left on the 30th. Each of them stayed in our new/old house in Delta and loved it there. It was like a vacation cottage on the beach but without the beach. When Rachel left, she clung to us and cried - - partly because she loved being "home" again. "Home" is wherever mom and dad are. . . and partly because she was very much plagued with morning/noon/night sickness and was dreading the two-day drive back to Washington. Once she was out of our house and into the car however, she did fine.

Clay left on Sunday morning two days after Christmas. As we dropped him at the airport to return to Pensacola he grabbed me tight and said, "I love you mama!" Tears stang (not a word but oh well) my eyes. He and I had a great time the three days we were in Delta. As we were leaving Delta on the 23rd to go to Salt Lake for the remainder of the week's celebrations we said, "That was a nice week!" Even though we still had 4 days to go we knew our private together time was over and that the rest of the week would fly. It did! It seemed like it was only 10 minutes from that moment until he left us 4 days later.

There were lots of mom joys for me in that week like watching two little grandaughters get reacquainted and play together sometimes not so well but most of the time great. Seeing Avatar with Dean and Clay, spending Christmas Eve with my extended family and Christmas Day at Eric and Jen's house. Jen is the most amazing Christmas Hostess. I don't know how she did all she did for us and just 6 weeks after having a baby/c-section. Amazing! Rachel and Clay sang a song at our Christmas Eve family home evening called "Joseph's Lullabye" for my extended family accompanied by me and Rachel also played the Clarinet for part of it. It was a proud mom moment for me as well. They didn't get to practice it before they sang it and so it wasn't perfect but it was still so pretty. They used to sing together all the time when they were younger. It was fun to hear them do it again as adults. The song they sang is below on my music blog. Click below on the song by "Mercy Me" called "Joseph's Lullabye."

There were lots of pictures taken but they are on Dean's camera so as usual I don't have them for this blog. Oh well. Here are a few pictures I took today of me and of how it looks in Delta on New Years Eve.

My new year holds many unknowns for me. I hope to be thinner some time soon. I hope to walk better by this time next year but the only way that will happen is for me to have a new knee and possibly a new hip. Oh what the hay. I might as well become bionic and put in for new shoulders too since they also hurt. So we'll see. I'm not ready yet but I know the day is coming.

Happy New Year everyone.

More Regis and Kelly thrills!

http://jezebel.com/380484/regis-and-kelly-remind-us-not-to-stick-foreign-objects-up-our-noses&autoplay=true (Cut and Paste into your browser to see a fun clip from show proving that only silliness exists on Regis and Kelly)


So yesterday morning I was watching Regis and Kelly again. I decided today that I am going to enter their trivia contest. I had decided not to do that because what that means is that I have to watch them every day so I can answer their trivia question about the previous day's show when they call me to give me a 7-day all expense paid holiday to one of the exotic places in the world.
Today I decided I will go ahead and register to be a contestant in their contest because I have known the answer to all their questions for the last 5 days. It's the only show I watch in the morning so I might as well get something from it besides laughter right? I registered today. I hope that one of these days when you are watching the show you will see Regis and Kelly call me and invite me to answer and win their contest.

So yesterday Regis told a hilarious story about being in a car with some important people following a very big dinner at a fancy restaurant the previous evening (Sunday). He said that one of the guys he was with ate quite a bit and about the time they got in the car to go to their next destination, this big guy started to wince and his face turned white because he was having some digestive pain down below. (I can relate to this story after having my gallbladder removed last year.) So Regis continued telling the story and said that they finally had the driver stop the car at the nearest convenience store because the man was in so much pain he was tied up in a knot. The man goes into the convenience store and about the time he locks the door to the men's rest room another car pulls up and another man gets out and RUNS in the store and heads right for the men's room. Regis is dying laughing now as he's telling the story and so was I because when he laughs I laugh; and as I said before I can relate to these guys who are heading for the men's room.

So, anyway, (as Regis tells it), sick man number 2 get to the rest room door, wiggles the door knob, LOCKED, so he pounds on the door. BANG BANG BANG!!! He yells, "Open the door! I need to come in!" Regis then hears his friend who is sequestered already in the little room yell, "I'M IN HERE! - - You'll have to wait!" Now Regis is laughing and I'm laughing and sweet little Kelly has her had back with laughter and all you can see is her skinny neck and pointy chin but her chest is heaving in laughter. Then Regis said, "Finally the door opens, and our friend comes out and sick man number 2 plugs his nose and runs in!" (By the way, this is not a story that a lady like myself should ever tell on her blog, but I just have to share! - Forgive me).

Regis said that when his friend came back to the car he was all better and that made the Regis and the other men in the car roar in laughter just seeing that the color in his face had returned to normal. They asked him if he was okay and he said, "Yeah, but that wasn't the worst of it - - - there was no toilet paper in there!". I wish you could have seen me in my Cabella's chair at this point. I can't describe how happy I was. At this point in the story Regis can hardly talk. Kelly's eyes are huge and her mouth is open and her hand is over her mouth. Kelly then asked Regis what the man did if there was no TP in the restroom. Regis - - "He used his handkerchief and had to rinse it out between wipes!" GROSSSSS!!! - - but so funny right? "Poor sick man number 2. He went in with his hand over his mouth and no toilet paper to boot!" - says Regis.

Story number 2: - Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep was the special guest on this segment of Regis. She comes out and they start interviewing her about this cute little animated movie about a family of foxes that she is in with George Clooney. They are the voices for the foxes in the family. After the interview they go to commercial and come back and Meryl is still there and Regis asks her about her family. Then he asks her about each of her daughters and he is reading from cue cards - as always. NOW - keep in minid that Regis is over 80 and his hearing and sight are starting to fail him which makes his show even more funny. Already on the show earlier he has heard things wrong or not heard them at all and gets this look of hysteria in his eyes and berates his staff (jokingly) for yelling at him from the background because he isn't sure what they've said and it panics him (but he never admits that he can't hear)you just have to love him.

So now he is reading a que card with questions for Ms. Streep. While they are talking about her daughters and what they are up to, suddenly Regis blurts out, "Well that's great; and I understand your daughter broke her leg?" Meryl AND AND AND KELLY get this look of horror and shock and they don't know what in the world he is referring to. Meryl sat up straight in her chair and said, "What,? I don't think so, at least I hadn't heard that, are you sure?!" Regis then gets a confused look on his face and the que card man comes over and handed him the HUGE BIG WHITE CUE CARD which he then read it out loud. It said, "Go to break," meaning commercial break but Regis had read it too fast and just saw the word "BREA" and for some reason surmised a Streep had a broken leg. Now Kelly and MERYL throw their heads back and all I could see were their long skinny necks and pointed chins and flying hair because they were rolling in laughter. Poor Regis! I was sitting in my Cabella's recliner and truly my face was as purple as I'd ever felt it could be. I was coughing all over again because the flue I had last week had been re-irritated re-activated from being so out of control with glee. It was almost unrighteous laughter on my part but I'm telling you anyone would have been just as purple as I was yesterday witnessing this!

Regis, please don't ever retire. You are my morning cheerful pill. I've registered for your contest now so be sure and call me. I'm your biggest fan next to Kelly and your wife Joy! I would love to win a 7-day all expense paid cruise for Dean and myself. Regis if you read my blog - here is my phone number - 435-864-7349.

Someone once said that love makes the world go round. I think laughter does and Regis and Kelly are my source for laughter every morning at 9:00 a.m.

Visiting Seattle

I'm in Seattle for my 2nd visit this year with my daughter Rachel and her husband, Howard, and daughter, Ashlynn. I've been here 4 days and it's gone so fast it's hard to believe that I've been here that long. It's been full of me and Ashlynn time and some time with Howard. Last night Rachel, Ashlynn and I went for a ride to Black Diamond. Beautiful! Up in the mountains and it was cold and Autumny and golden and red and orange and foresty green. It reminded me of our trip to Norway 2 winters ago except without the snow. The trees here in Seattle and surrounding towns are so massive and numerous. I love the blue spruce and the tall pine trees with the branches which turn up in a smile with super-long needles. It's really beautiful because everywhere you look there are differences and great variety in scenery.

I am enjoying the humidity. For the first time since moving west from Florida I can sleep all the way through the night without drinking three glasses of water - in fact I don't need any fluids here during my sleep hours. Nice!

Last Rachel and Ashlynn and I were driving through Black Diamond and I said to Rachel, "Look that over there looks like a scene out of the Twilight movie! - - It looks just like Forks! I guess I'll go home and finish the movie now." I hadn't finished the movie when I started to watch it two weeks ago because I became bored with it so turned it off. Anyway, Rachel then explained that Forks which is just a little ways from here looks nothing like this and that the movie was not actually filmed in Forks WA where the novel is set. Interesting!

Ashlynn loves to run from me. I think she knows I'm a grandma and can't keep up with her. She has the fastest little legs (definitely an athlete). She loves to spend time in her room alone and we shut the door and give her some space when she needs it. She has a crib and a big girl bed and loves to sleep in her crib but watches her barbie TVDVD play which teaches her how to sign and to sing and which is mounted on the ceiling from her big girl bed.

Today Ash went down for a nap on the big-girl bed which is unusual and we shut the door for quiet. I was downstairs and her mom was napping in her room. After about an hour I heard sobbing and coughing and then some choking and so I jumped up and ran as fast as this grandma with a sore knee can run up the stairs. I looked into her room and she was not in her bed but I could still hear her sobs. I opened the door wider and looked in and found her in her closet on the floor on her face with her still tiny diapered bottom up in the air crying like a 9 month old - broken hearted. When she wakes up in her bed and not her crib it scares her and she cries like the world has left her behind. I walked over and picked her up and she wrapped her arms around my neck very tight and cried even harder. I carried her into her moms room, pulled the covers back and she crawled over to Rachel and buried herself next to her mom and stopped crying immediately. I have not ever seen anything as tender as this little girl's feelings for her mom and her dad.

Tomorrow Ashlynn goes to Children's Hospital in Seattle at 11:30 a.m. for Surgery at 12:45. She has a slight runny nose and we're hoping this doesn't stop the surgery which she needs so very much. I'll be praying all through the day and night tomorrow if the surgery happens for both she and Rachel who will be in Intensive Care until Tuesday morning. Then if all is well they'll come home, Rachel will go to bed and I'll take my first shift with Ashlynn. Tonight when Ashlynn was standing in front of the sliding doors to the outside looking out into the darkness and dancing with her reflection, I told her parents that I don't know how they got her because I'm not sure that any of us are worthy of her. They agreed and said, "because without her we would not make it to the Celestial Kingdom!" I don't think that is true but one thing is for sure, with her in our lives we are learning how to live a little higher, be a little happier and at times a little sadder. She very definitely is showing us how to be a little more grateful for who we are and for who she is that we don't know about yet. She is something. She is exhausting. She is happier than anyone I know. She gets more frustrated than anyone I know when she can't communicate her feelings and needs to us. She understands everything we say so maybe the problem is on our part! We're learning from her every day. I wish everyone in my family and among my friends could have an Ashlynn in their lives. Thanks for coming to us Ashlynn.

A happy TV moment for me! Joy Joy Joy!

Did you see Regis and Kelly Live yesterday? I love these two. When it is too cold to go out or even to get up and venture into my bathroom I sit in my recliner and smile at these two very cheerful characters. Regis is almost 80 and I will truly be sad when and if he retires. He is the last great entertainer of his generation. When I think that he was friends with Dean Martin, Johnny Carson and others who I enjoyed as a child I truly relish getting to get up and watch him each morning. It's one of the joys of being recently retired from working that I give to myself each day. Watching Regis and Kelly is compensation for all the years I worked hard and didn't get to watch all the daytime TV shows that people talked about all those years. "Did you see Oprah today?" "Did you see The Doctors yesterday?" Nope I never got to watch those shows but I am making up for it now . . . especially watching happy Regis and cute-happy Kelly!

Anyway, the reason for this post? Yesterday Regis and Kelly gave out the "Relly Award" for best Regis impersonation in the past year. They've been giving out Relly Awards all week to guests who came on their show and made big impressions with talent or whatever they do. And America voted on the Relly Awards so Regis and Kelly have no clue who will win until they read the card on the aire!

Yesterday, they played each of the contenders film clips showing various actors or news people impersonnate Regis and each one was truly funny and talented in his own right. The best one in my opinion was Niel Patrick Harris. It had nothing to do with the fact that I think he is very talented and cute and sings well and dances and is charming. I have appreciated Niel's talent since he was Doogie Howser on television back in the 1980's. A cute little 10 year old kid who gets through medical school and works in a hospital. A bit far-fetched but not impossible was the premise of this weekly sit-com show.

Now, Niel also won the Relly award in 2007 for impersonating Regis. I was sure they wouldn't give him the award again yesterday even though he was far and above the best over all of the other contenders . . . . including Regis himself~! When his name was announced as the winner again - I actually screamed and bounced up and down in my Cabella Recliner. Then . . . I was slightly disapopinted (but understood) when Regis and Kelly announced that due to another film project Niel was working on he would not be able to accept the award in person. Yes I know he is an actor, and I know he has recently "come out" about certain things and even though I am deftly opposed to his lifestyle I do appreciate his talent and was slightly disappointed that he would not be there to joke with Kelly and be his usual funny self. Then . . . suddenly . . . from behind Kelly and Regis the beaded backdrop parted and out stepped . . . . SURPRISE!!!! . . . Niel Patrick Harris to surprise the audience, Kelly and Regis and ME!!!! It was wonderful! I screamed and jumped up and down again . . . all by myself in my little house . . . and in my Cabella chair!!!! It was one of those moments when I had a "rumbly in my tumbly" as pooh states or I had butterflies run through me. You would have thought that I was right there in the theatre with Regis and Kelly and Patrick! That's how excited I was to see him. I got SOOOO excited!!! When the audience started to scream, Kelly and Regis turned around and Kelly started jumping up and down in those very tall spikey heels she wears and clapping her hands like a little kid who has just met Santa Clause for the very first time. It was just one of those TV moments you had to see to appreciate. It was like one of the TV moments we would watch on the old Bob Hope or Jack Benny Comedy Hour.

Who is Niel Patrick Harris? He seems to be taking the entertainment world by storm lately. Hosting all the award shows like the recent Emmy's. I have to say that here is a young man (in his 30's) that is recently making big strides in his career and he has a charisma that is so catchy. Everyone wants to be his friend because of his cute boyish smile and his sence of humor and his talent for singing, dancing and acting.

So he gave a very cute acceptance speech, kissed Kelly on her cheek telling her she looked ravishing (they are very good friends) and the show cut to commercial break. When the break was over Regis and Kelly were back at the desk to finish the show and Kelly was still smiling and said, "If Loving Niel Patrick Harris is Wrong, I don't want to be right!" Hahahahahaha! My sentiments exactly. This was the TV highlight of my week! I just wanted to share it with all of you who didn't get to see Niel win his Relly! Go Niel! I think I'll go to the internet now and buy some of his movies or at least the Doogie Howser DVD set - if there is such a thing!

Pictures of our Shangrila

This is our house thus far. It's taking shape and it has become what I wanted it to be a little beach house away from the beach. We're still hanging curtains and every day I move something from one place to another and it does feel like home now.

(Click on the pictures to get an enlarged or clearer view)

This corner has our Florida things that I always keep out to remind me that we lived in a beautiful place by the water. The vase holds actual Pensacola Beach white sand and shells. I love the stained glass beach picture, the glass fish and our first family portrait taken on the beach in March of 1989 (too small to see here - but take my word for it we were all young and beautiful or in Clay's and Rachel's case, "cute") Also Rachel's Prom Picture. That was a fun day making her up even though she had a miserable time at the dance and never went to another prom.


Dean and his dad watching over the irrigation waters that come into our yard every other Monday evening. Because we irrigate, we don't have to water our lawn - ever.

My piano corner. I spend a lot of time here practicing and even composing sometimes. Yesterday I ran across a beautiful song that Rachel performed one time which I accompanied her on and it brought back memories. Rachel, find a place to perform and I'll come and accompany you. Memories! The little purple pumkin is from my friend Celeste. She sent it to me with Flowers in it when Lisa passed away and now it is very full of all kinds of chocolate. I don't eat it. I find that when all the things I love are plentiful in my house I don't go there. It's when I have nothing to munch on that I go to the store and eat everything I can get my hands on. Dean eats the chocolate though. He makes up for what I don't eat. Children come to our home and love to open the pumpkin and see what edible goody is inside.

Our TV room which has changed since this pic was taken. We now have the TV centered in the room and 2 Cabella's outdoor recliner chairs that we sit in every evening and some beautiful blue and white tropical curtains hanging on the windows (I'll have to post another picture soon). We recline, eat popcorn or dinner on our laps and enjoy the few stations we have which are digital. Three networks and some spanish channels and a station called "Create" which I LOVE!

Front Porch Rockers just like they were in Pensacola.

Wall hanging in our hallway across from the Bathroom. 3D

Irrigation waters in our back yard coming up over the ditch. It's very weird. It comes at 5:00 on the dot every 2 weeks on Monday evening.

Bedroom or part of it. We still have to hang the curtains which are blue and white striped and will add texture to the walls. Our window is a corner window on both walls. Does that make any sense? That is a Southern Magnolia hanging above the headboard.

Living Room. Very similar to Pensacola only smaller. I heard that if you have not changed arrangement of the decor in your home in 20 years - - it's time. I tried to add a few things here that make this a little different like the way things are placed and there are a few beachy things on teh shelves like my old real Sand Castle that I have not had out in years. It's lovely in this room. I also now have a beautiful brightly colored Euro pillow sitting on the couch (not shown here) that I purchased at "Gardner Mill" the other day which is not in this picture and really brightens up the entire room. I love oranges, yellows and greens - - LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM.

The walls look really green here but are more subdued in real life. This was bright morning sun.

Dad's paintings and the metal artwork above says, "JOY". Orlando LDS Temple on Side Wall.

Kitchen - - - Fun Fun Fun kitchen. I love my antique stove and ovens and my new Jennaire Microwave and KitchenAide Refrigerator. Nice Nice Nice. Consolation for having no heat! Yep.
Kitchen Table and Microwave cart compliments of IKEA, our new favorite home supply store.
The canvas picture is of an Italian Wine Vinyard.

Towels made and given to us by our Bishop's wife in Pensacola.

This little fish's name is Neumann. He was a gift given to me by our housekeeper at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. Nina! She gave me this little glass fish who actually bobs up and down in the water when I talk to him. When I quit my job Nina told me I was her best friend. I had no idea. I need to call Nina tonight and check on her. I had a contest to name the fish and my friend Amy (who coincidently works at a mental health center - hahahaha Amy!!!! ) gave us the name Neumann. He does sort of look like Paul don't you think. He sits in our kitchen window now and is the first to greet us every morning. He is full of personality!

These pictures are sort of outdated already but you get the idea. I'm constantly decorating and redecorating. Love to all!

Posting about not posting

So . . . . I'm terrible at posting on my blog. Why? Because I think every blog, in order to be good, should have pictures. I lost my camera right after moving. I lost my CD's too, right after moving. Lots of good things have happened to me in the past month and a few hard things and I didn't have my camera to record them. Yesterday after coming back from Salt Lake City where I was helping my dad and mom after dad's surgery, I found my camera and my CD's. I had put them in my sewing table on the day of unloading - - so I wouldn't lose them. That's how I do things.

So, I decided to blog about things that I don't have pictures for that I've done in the last month.

1. I streaked my hair! It's really pretty. Take my word for it. I went to the local beauty college (Delta Tech) and a cute cute girl name Ricki who is about to graduate foiled my hair. Just the top. I really like it and the greys no longer show. I am brunette with Gold highlights. It is styled without blowing - - just fingering and I have hair similar to Farah Faucett's.

I'll go again in a month and have her do a little bit more in the back and maybe later go completely streaked. It only cost me $35. She did such a good job I gave her a large tip because you wouldn't believe the hardships this young girl has already seen in her life - - and she is only 19 - - but oh such a talented hair dresser. While she was doing my hair, the entire college stood around and watched her and she taught them as she worked. She graduates in October, then what will I do???? I don't believe in paying $75.00 for coloring your hair. I will never do it. It's a promise I made to myself 25 years ago. Why do women do that every other week. It's such a waste of good resources. I'd rather give that money to someone in need, Like Ricki - - my new hairdresser. If you go to a beauty school, the teacher stands over you and makes sure you look good.

2. I unpacked lots of boxes and hung up some old pictures and some new ones on my wall. My favorite new one is a metal wall hanging I bought at TJ Max in Draper Utah last week. It's a metal wall hanging of a tick-tac-toe game. The X's are black Caligraphy shaped X's as in "KISS" and the "O's"????? They are red hearts and run diagonally down the art piece. The O's or Hearts win! I have a photo of it and will post it another day. It hangs in our whimsy/TV room. Also in there? A sign that says, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Do you know how loved you are?"

3. I went to Salt Lake to meet my new doctor and stayed over night at my parents home with Dean. We both have the same new doc. Dad came home from the rehab center (after 3 weeks) the next morning and oh my!!!! He was so weak and mom was a little shakey and scared and so Dean said, "Katie, I think you'd better stay and help! I'll come and get you in 3 or 4 days." I stayed for 3 or 4 days and another 8 after that. What a pleasure it was to serve my parents. We were all exhausted because it was a 24 hour job at first. I literally became dad's nurse and nurse's aide and physical and occupational therapist. Mom's back went out (due to stress) and she was pretty nervous with this new life they have with his new legs. Lots of therapists coming and going from the house. I slept in between the bedrooms where my mom and dad slept. Dad had to be in a bed by himself because it was higher and he could get in and out easier (though it was still DIFF-I-CULT) with his double knee replacements and multiple-sclerosis. The fun parts? Helping dad with his "ADL's" and watching "Golden Girls" with mom every night until after midnight - - - and eating snacks in bed and laughing. The entire time I was there I was walking on a cane. What an experience we all had.

4. Dean and I bought our first load of groceries in Lehi Utah and brought them home on Labor Day evening and loaded our new frig and kitchen. We had spent Labor Day with our Son Eric and his family. We helped them build part of his chain link fence and then we barbequed. We also bought a new kitchen table at IKEA on the way home to Delta and put that together last night. Our little home is so cute! I can't believe we've been in Utah since August 9 and just bought our first Groceries. That's how busy we've been. We cooked our first meal last night on our antique 1950's stove and in my new Jenn-Aire Microwave.

5. My bed is too tall. I can't get on it and in the middle of the night I fall off of it. Dean swears it is the same as it was in Pensacola. If that is true. I have shrunk. Can knee surgery make you shrink? He's going to look at it tonight to make sure there isn't an extra higher notch that he put the bed up on. I was able to get on it fine in Pensacola but now I can't. If my knees were good, I'd get a running jump and leap up on it. Those days are gone forever.

6. I bought a CD storage book. I had a whole bunch of little CD cases that hold 25 CD's. I put them all in one CD book (after I found the CD's). I've ordered them into categories, Sacred, Pop, Country, Instrumental, and Christmas. The book is completely filled and I have 3 CD's that are lonely sitting on my dresser waiting for me to decide what to do with them.

7. I live across a huge lawn from my in-laws. They are so sweet. They bring their left-overs over every night. Last night it was watermelon and macaroni salad. His mom comes over probably 5 - 8 times a day to check on me. I think she is VERY excited that someone lives in the house she had her six children in (this house is 900 sq. feet). I know! She is/was and will always be quite a woman. Because I'm still decorating and unpacking she comes often and everytime she comes in her eyes light up. I know she is enjoying seeing this old dilapitated house come to life again with bright and moder colors on the walls and new furnishings. She's living in the past all over again. She is 90. She is 90. She is 90 and can walk faster than I can, even when I use my cane!

8. I had a (BIG shot (injection) in my knee. Why? Becuase it went bad on me. By the time I got here I was barely walking and using crutches full steam. This is the knee that had surgery 9 months ago in Pensacola. I visited the orthopedic surgeon three days after arriving in Utah and he thought a shot of Synvisc would help me. He laid me down on the table. I mentioned to him that I wished I had taken some Zanax that morning. He smiled and said, "Just breath!" He numbed me which was the worst part and then pulled out this huge syringe full of medicine. He stuck in the outside of my knee under the right knee cap and shot all of the med in. It's been 3.5 weeks and I am now walking without a cane most of the time. The shot stimulated the bones in the knee to create their own cushion where my cartilage used to be. Amazing huh? I'm a pretty happy girl. It should last 6 - 8 months and then I can do it again (maybe - unless we find it wears off too soon. The only bad part? He looked at the x-rays and said, "Double knee replacements young lady! And don't wait as long as your dad did!" Sometimes I think genetics is a grande thing but not when it comes to my knees. Genetics in the case of my knees is a curse~!

9. I'm still exhausted. This month in Utah seems like 4 days. That's how fast life has gone. I'm going to take a long nap today - - just because I can.

This picture should have been at the bottom of this picture blog but I forgot - - So it is first. Eric and Savannah working together to unload us in Delta.

Eric unloading truck in our new/old/little love shack as Dean calls it. I guess anything would fall under that name after being apart for almost 2 years.

Two very busy men. They unloaded us in 2 hours. Record time. Then the hard part began. Moving all the stuff I didn't want or need out of the house into storage. I know, we did it backwards but the men just wanted to get 'er done.

August 6, 2009 - Leaving our home of 20 years and our son of 22 years to move to Utah.

One last picture with our youngest son, Clay. Emotions ran high on this morning. 8:00 a.m. Painted on smiles. Clinging! Clay will join us in Fall or Winter of 2010. Love you Clay!

Pulling out of 4100 Bonway Drive, Pensacola Florida for the last time.

Scenic Highway - three blocks east of our home. Should have turned to the right and got one of Pensacola Bay. We were already tired after three days of packing.

Interstate Pensacola Water Tower. Bye Pensacola!

Mobile Bay Bridge - runs under the bay. Honk Honk - - Echo!

New Orleans - - There was a lot to see between Pensacola and New Orleans but I was in kind of a fog and forget to snap pictures. For instance - Mississippi?

New Orleans, Louisianna. I always loved going to Louisianna after I got there but could really take it or leave it. We just drove past it on this day.

Louisianna Bayous. These are always so interesting to me and they went on for miles and miles on both sides of the road.

More Bayous

Sunset on the first Day - Coming into Long View Texas where we stayed for the night. The room we had was so beautiful but again I was so tired I forgot to snap the picture. The hotel had just remodelled and the bedspread and curtains were so interesting. It's the reason I chose that Hotel (from the pictures on the internet).

The second day in Longview Texas. This was a long Texas Restaurant, eatery, souvenier shop. I didn't go in because of my lame knee but Dean bought gas here and treats for our trip. We could definitely tell we were in Texas because lots of rich people were at this stop. Pretty women with distinguised men in sports cars. Well dressed and had a different look that the states we had just come through. The look and feel of Texas - definitely.

Filling up our tank which cost about $120.00 every time we stopped.

Good morning Katie. I look better than I felt here which says alot because I look terrible. Three more days of driving.

On the second day I sat leaning against Dean with my leg up on a pillow with ice-packs. The other three days I sat against the opposite door and crocheted or read or made jokes that annoyed Dean.

Power windmills in Texas went on for miles and miles and hours and hours.

Texas Sunset. Coming into Amarillo soon. I didn't take many pics of Texas. There really wasn't that much that was interesting to me. Even Dallas was dirty and not well kept. I loved the rest stops which were the fanciest buildings we saw but I forgot to take pictures of them. When I got out at the rest stops I only had one thing on my mind.

Third Day - Leaving Amarillo rest stop. "Dean, can you get me some M & M's?" (The truck across the grass is an M & M Truck).

Rest stop in Texas that was not like the ones that were pretty.

That is us reflecting in the back of the semi ahead.

Hellooooo There!

New Mexico's interstate bridges were all done in pink and blue. Very pretty and matched the surrounding scenery.

Remember Disney's "Cars?" This is Route 66, the old highway that goes from one end of the country to the other. It was just outside our window on the interstate in NM.

New Mexico - So pretty and interesting!

End of third day - La Quinta Inn where we stayed. Dean got me the most amazing handicapped room. Loved it. We ate next door at Village Inn and it was so good. We splurged and ate Steak because we had only fast food to this point. We even had dessert. Then we went next door to the Indian Museaum and almost bought some jewelry but decided we were spending enough on this trip and felt relieved when we passed up the excellent deals our Indian friends were willing to give us. I fell in love with a green jade ring - - oh well! How man rings can a girl wear anyway. I have some I never put on.

Indian Museum we went into. Authentic jewelry, pottery, artifacts and rugs for sale. Run and owned by Indians.

Good Morning on the 4th and last day. I'm in the truck which by now is a feat because my cortisone shot has worn off and my knee is swelling and unstable again. Still the trip was so much fun. And we're off to Delta . . . .

Shiprock New Mexico. Why "Shiprock?" Because for miles and miles you see sand and Indian Hogans (homes) and then out of nowhere these huge ship-like rocks would jut up out of the desert. Amazing. Beautiful. Couldn't stop looking even after we had passed them.

Another formation rock in Shiprock, NM.

Indian Hogan off in the distance. Made from logs and sand. Very poor and very indian area.

We passed through Colorado and again nothing there of any note except for a forest fire which had helicopters flying in from all surrounding states to fight it. After we passed over the corner of Colorado we came into Montecello, Utah and our first sight was the LDS Temple there. Montecello is a dry quiet little town - very old and very humdrum. Then you drive up on this beautiful temple with it's gorgeous landscaping. We stopped parked and rested as you can well imagine. Sunday - - August 9, 2009

Entering Monument Vally, Utah. This was the beginning of the most beautiful scenery of our 4-day trip.

How did this get here. It should be at the end - - oh well.

More Monument Valley

You could pull off and pay some money to go in and view "Hole in the Rock" which you can also see from the road but not as well.

These pictures were amazing to us but had we gotten off the beaten path and driven in to the look-out areas they would have been much prettier. We didn't have time.

These pictures do not do justice to what you see when you are here in person. Much more massive and colorful in person.

Only 5 hours to go.

Dean - TIRED! Worried about all the stuff in the back. It's a good thing the prettiest part of the journey was the last day or we would have been nutty!

Approaching Evening.

The red rock canyons are starting to turn green now. . . a sign that we're almost home.

Green Rocky Mountains. This looks more like where we are heading.

Un-Moving Day! We opened the truck the morning after we got to Delta and everything had slid and slipped coming through the mountains on the 4th day. The Black Lamp you see was tossed . . . bent and broken. Everything else was fine. Even the painting that is resting precariously on top was in good condition. Somehow it got in the truck without bubble wrap around it. Oh my!

Dean's dad found this sombrero in teh truck, put it on and sat down. Looks almost the part!

As you can see we still have some curtains to hang and a few things to paint like the door in our bedroom.

Jen and Savannah and Eric came to help us unpack. Jen is 6 months pregnant here. Savannah was so full of excitement she made the day a lot more fun.

Eric unloading the truck.

Taking a break - - tired men.

Even Savannah carried small boxes off the truck. She turns four this weekend.

What is Eric laughing at? See the top of this picture blog!