Shingles and their left-over symptoms.

It's been over a year since Dennis came down with shingles across his ribs and back on ?left? side. It was a REALLY miserable week, a mostly miserable second week, with a terrible rest of the month. The skin stayed very tender long after the sores healed. Still, a year later, he prefers to slip out of his shirt while at home. But interestingly, the outside nerves weren't the only things affected. He has had nervous anxiety this year as I have never seen. Dennis has always been confident and self-assured. Not any more. He puts on a good show but inside, he struggles. He has dreams of having nervous breakdowns. If there are stressful times - like NBEA - he'd really like me to be with him. I love being with him, but I worry about what the stress does to him. Isn't marriage a wonderful organization, created that we can help each other through hard times? How nice it is to have someone there when you need them. He's certainly been there for me when I've been down or had tough things happen. It's nice to be able to reciprocate in a small way. Time is magic in many ways. It will be interesting to compare notes in a year and see how things change.

3/31/12 - 4/6/12 Boston

Dennis was in charge of the computer part of his NBEA (National Business Educator's Association) convention this year again. It was held in Boston. I got to go with him 20 years ago - but I was 8 months pregnant with Mike. We took Grandma Garner then and had fun but were only able to spend a few days there. Knowing that Den would be working most of the time, and because I wanted to go and really check out the Revolutionary War sights, we took Teresa for me to hang out with. Dennis did have to work most of the time but Teresa and I got to really see some wonderful sites. We followed the Freedom Trail, seeing many monuments, museums, churches (especially the Old North Church - one if by land, two if by sea), the Fine Arts Museum, the Aquarium, Old Iron-sides - The USS Constitution, a WWII destroyer, Bunker Hill, Mike's Pastry for cannolis, the amazing library with it's amazing architecture, the "Cheers" bar, the Boston Commons park where many hangings had occurred and the shallow frog pond where men could dunk their wives if they were tired of nagging. We shopped and had so much fun. We got really brave and rode the subway, the train, a cab, a city bus, the trolley, and a ferry. Boston was the cleanest city I've ever seen. Even the sand was swept up. There were hired people with brooms and dustpans or pokers to clean everything up (like at Lagoon).














We even went up to Salem and had a tour of that town. I was surprised to learn that the entire Witch episode only lasted 8 months. Huh. They compared it to the McCarthy era during the Cold War and the witch hunt he had going. That city did have a creepy feel, to me. It was mentioned that there were over 1000 witches that belong to the Wica church, that live in Salem today. Nathanial Hawthorne's House of Green Gables is in view with the three chimneys on top.

It was a most wonderful trip!!! I can't wait to go back again, some day!

3/29/12

At our drill team end-of-year banquet tonight, it was announced that I would probably not be helping with drill much longer. Since working at the temple on Saturdays, it makes it hard to go to competitions and have Saturday practices. A hard decision! I've loved these girls that give me balance. My students that have learning and social issues, then I get to work with these girls who are driven to work so hard and are so intelligent. It's been good for me and I hate to give it up. But it's time. Sigh.

3/7 to 3/11 Nationals

We were able to place well at State this year with our Drill Team, so we decided to take the girls to Nationals at Santa Ana, CA. I coaxed Dennis into coming along. We drove all night Wednesday, hit an owl in the night and broke the windshield. There was glass all over the driver but he just kept driving since there wasn't much he could do about it.

We went straight to Newport Beach on Thursday morning. While the driver went to fix the windshield, we played. Then, in the afternoon, the wind came up. Being March, the wind was right chilly; but our girls, coming from the Basin where 60 degrees is warm, couldn't be talked into dressing warmly. Kara (Campbell, the coach) got the life guards to let us into their conference room where they kindly fed us burnt popcorn and sodas. The girls were in heaven to have those cute men doting over them. They made a good friend in a great "old" lifeguard (probably 50 years old) who kidded and goofed off with them.

On Friday, we went to Knott's Berry Farm. It was a nice relaxing day.

Saturday, the girls performed at Nationals where they did VERY well. We brought home several top trophies and all felt very glad for their performances.

12/14/11

I just finished two years of classes for my Reading Endorsement! YEA! Now I just have to pass the Praxis test in April.

1/22/2012

My 30th anniversary to the most wonderful man that could ever walk this earth. How could I have been so lucky? I count my blessings every day for this man in my life. He is so kind and understanding. He appreciates and loves me in spite of all my shortcomings. How can I be so lucky? We celebrated by going to Las Vegas for a few days. We don't gamble or drink or go to lowbrow shows, but we know how to have fun. The Chinese New Year was being celebrated at Caesar's Palace and it was really decked out. We also got to go out to Hoover Dam. I am sure spoiled, but am NOT complaining.

Jan. 14, 2012

I've been accepted into the "OLD" generation. I started today as a temple worker on the Saturday 10:15-4:00 shift. It wasn't too bad and everyone is very patient.

12/29/11

We drove to Hawthorne, NV, to visit with Nat's family for a few days. Whew, a long drive. But so worth it, to be able to spend time with them. They are wonderful. So cute with each other, loving, caring, ambitious, did I say cute?




A cute little Janika wrapped her Grandpa around her little finger. He is really resisting it, you can see.

11/20/11

Yesterday, we got to watch Little John at a TaiQuando (sp?) tournament - he is so cute and powerful. He has so much potential for great things. Today, Natalie and family moved to Hawthorne, NV, where Shawn will be the head honcho for the Air Force Base tech dept. We are really proud of him and them. They'll be in a hotel until a base house comes up. Sad to have them move. We've LOVED having them close. Sigh...

4/17/2011

I was just released from the Primary Nursery and started today as a teacher in Relief Society. It's been quite a few years since I attended Relief Society - I hope I can fit in. :) I've loved being with the little ones in the Nursery - they are so pliable and pure. They love to learn and sing and eat by themselves. It's been really fun. I did music before the Nursery. I can't remember what I had before that, but I think it was Young Women's. It'll be fun to relate to grownups again, I hope!

Jude 10/18/11

Welcome to our world, little Jude! We are so thrilled to have you join us. What a privilege it will be to get acquainted and discover your talents and the personality you brought with you.