Mitch Valko Family

Mitch, Bahia and Khamsin in Bremerton, Washington.  Mitch works at a State Park as a Ranger and Bahia is doing her Nanny business.

See the rain!!!!

Looks like a happy baby!!!!

 

My Friend Marjorie Has a Birthday

Marjorie and I had many good years at Lake Almanor doing things and going places together.  Here she is with her daughter Karen celebrating her birthday.

 

Molly's Baptism

Making Graham Cracker Houses!

 

Hardy Family Stops By

The Hardy Family stopped by and took me with them to Sundance for a fancy lunch.  Of course, I forgot to get pictures!!!!  James, Camber, Lea and Kelsi.  I gave them the picture taken at their home in 2016 that my friend Jean had made a puzzle of.  They put it together the first day and sent me the picture.

They are using Karen's timeshare at Park City to get a little snowboarding/skiing.

 

First Time Late?

Jeanne and I have been listening to Church on Zoom but decided to go to regular meeting today.  She said she was dressed and ready and would go down to the shuttle to be there at 10:15.  I said I would try and make it but I had fallen asleep and it was after nine when I woke up.

I did get there just in time for the shuttle but Lee told me it was full so I got a ride over with another lady who was taking her car.  I waited for the bus to unload at the church, until the end, and then found out that Jeanne was not aboard.

I rode back with Lee and found Jeanne upstairs all ready to go.  She said she had had to go to the bathroom just before leaving and by the time she got finished it was too late to catch the shuttle.  I said, "We may as well go as we were all ready", so I took her down to where my car was parked.  It was quite late by then but as the car was covered with snow, that took more time to clean it off.

By the time we got in the foyer the sacrament was being passed but the bread had already been offered so we didn't get to do the sacrament.  So by the time we got in there, it was 5 to 11...25 minutes late.

Jeanne said, "First time for everything!"  So she had never been late to church before?  Probably.

Christmas Card 2021

As you may know I sold my house in Lake Almanor in summer of 2020 (pic 1, top row) because of Aortic Stenosis in my heart and moved to Rancho Bernardo (San Diego).  They had wanted me to have The TAVR procedure on my heart in June 2020 and then September 2020 but I did not do either.   Supposedly I had less than a year to live in June.  

I moved to Orem Treeo Independent Residential in June 2021 and plan to be here until December 2022 pic 4, 2^nd row).  I now belong to Orem lst Ward where we viewed the Nativity Story and had a Ward Breakfast Party today (pic 2, top row). 

Although all my children are in San Diego area, I do have my sister Jeanne on the 3^rd Floor of Treeo and many of her children and grands and great grands live in the area (pic 1, 2^nd row).  Sadie lives with me on the lst floor (pic 5 and 6, bottom row).  My children plus grandchildren visit from time to time.  My granddaughter Sarah is married and living in Pleasant Grove and works nearby so I get to see her and Ethan.  Love that.  I actually love my apartment and am served two meals a day in the dining area.  They have plenty of activities which I am usually too busy doing my own thing to do, but the tenants as well as staff are very nice and there is always someone to talk to when you have the time.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and don’t forget to count your many blessings!!!

 

This was emailed to friends I have emails for, and I mailed out to about 10 or 12 I do not have email addresses for.  I do like connecting at Christmas time.  

Ward Christmas Breakfast, Treeo 2021

Jeanne and I got a ride with Larry Lawson to the Ward Breakfast.  We sat at a front table with others from Treeo.  At 9 AM we were about the only ones there.  Plastic covers were on the round tables but no decorations of any kind.

It soon filled up and on two tables in front was foil tins and other things of food and drink from Kneaders.  They let the old people get in line first.

It was a huge french toast with delicious syrup and strawberries and whipped cream.  It all went deliciously together.  The whole serving of things was very casual.  I got the idea the bishopric was doing all the work and they just asked volunteers to serve.

A very jolly elf (wish I had his picture) was dressed in an amazing costume and had grown his beard out long and curved.  His shoes were handmade and cost $600!!!!  His wife made his outfit, really great.

While the bishopric rolled a bin around and cleaned everything up we sang Christmas carols until the primary children were costumed and on stage.  A narrator presented the story and the children arranged themself.  All very informal, no one cared about lights or junk on the stage but had wonderful costumes.

It was certainly a stress free wonderful Christmas Breakfast for everyone.

Khamsin Valko

 

First Christmas Card to Arrive, 2021

Christmas card from my dear friend Marion Naylor.  I have known her since our stint in University City  when Linda and Maria were born.  She was such a great example to me of Motherhood and Faithfulness

always.  She is living in Orem also.

It was sent to Linda's house and made me decide I better do a card and fast.  No one knows where I am.

First Christmas Present, 2021

Maria sent a very interesting box of gifts from Amazon.  There is the Santorini Town 1000 piece puzzle of one of the favorite places I traveled to.  Five sox which are so comfy.  Elderberry gummy pills.  Licorice Caramels!!!!  Linen Spray for bed at night.  Hemp cream is supposed to take pain away.  I am trying that out on my leg first and then my left arm which still aches from lifting something too big.  A very nice assortment of things I love!!!  Thanks Maria and Johnny.

 

Bye, Bye Sewing Machine

Sarah wants to learn how to sew and so I asked Linda who gets her sewing machine and she said Sarah would be fine.  

So I cleaned up the sewing machine and then I sorted all my remaining sewing stuff and fixed up boxes of items that should stay with the machine and other things I do not need anymore.

When I first moved to Lake Almanor, I thought I would be doing a lot of quilting.  I did one only but I did use the machine a lot over the years.  Mostly fleece blankets and some baby quilts, etc. I also recently converted some of my king sheets to long twins but I really don't think I need a machine anymore.  Also did some converting of clothes when I lost weight.

Anyway Linda had bought me a new Elna. back in 1999.  I still have the instructions from the lessons I took plus the manual, etc.   I hope Sarah does learn to sew and loves doing it.

 

Snow, Glorious Snow!!!

 

Molly Turns 8

 

Covid Update

During the last month we have been tested for Covid once and sometimes twice a week.  Those who tested positive had to quarantine for 14 days and there was social distancing created in the dining room for those of us not quarantined.

On Oct 28 we received the news that we could get booster shots at Smiths and we were told that 3 people had tested positive in the last 3 weeks.

On Nov 2 all activities, games, transportation, housekeeping and maintenance were suspended until further notice.  We were also told to wash our hands frequently and wear a mask in the common areas.  Visitors were limited to those caring for their loved ones, hopefully the same person every day.  Most all positive patients had been vaccinated and Jeanne had received the booster shot the week before.  The Utah Department of Health tested us for the first time on Wednesday 11/3.  

On Nov 4 we were told there were reveal several additional cases of Covid in our community revealed in the testing.  They are testing again on the 8th and 12th.  Anyone with sickness of any kind was asked to self quarantine.

On the 10th we were told the testing on the 8th had just a few cases and all were notified immediately as well as their families.  Conditions remain the same.

On the 13th we were told there were no new cases in the last testing.  Conditions remain the same.  We are going to be tested again.

On November 29 the dining room is back to normal and breakfast buffet is on.  Masks do not need to be worn and apartments are open to visitors.  The dining room remains closed to visitors.  Some activities will be resumed.  No home evening till next week.

Jeanne and I have been watching church on my tablet at the link that Steven gave me.  Linda bought us a speaker so it is easier to hear and just watch one tablet.  

The shuttle will start again next Sunday but I told Steven since Jeanne had had two blowouts in the morning I was hesitant to take her to Church so we were sticking with the tablet zoom meeting.  We miss the Relief Society and Sunday School lesson.  Jeanne does not remember the blowouts so she has no fear of going anywhere but I do.

Old Friend Passed Away

 These two were also attending 4th Ward when I came to San Diego to teach.  I dated Clinton a little but he had his eye on this gal and was afraid to ask her out because he had dated her roommate.  I encouraged him to ask her out and the rest was history.  Richard soon came on the scene and he and I were a good match and soon married.  When Richard passed away the day before Thanksgiving in 1996, Clinton was the San Diego Temple President as shown in the above picture.  My children and I went to the Temple a few days after services and Sister Davis saw us waiting in line and quickly asked some elders to put extra chairs in a session that was about to begin so we would not have to wait.  They were both very special people and Linda lives back to back with one of the sons and his wife in Carlsbad.  Small world.

Ironically Clinton died the day before Thanksgiving also.

Thanksgiving 2021

 Jeanne and I were at Treeo for Thanksgiving and they had a delicious spread but of course, I did not take any pictures.  We could take as many left overs as we wanted also! and I had a second meal at midnight.

Friday we drove over to Dave and Tami's house for dinner with Dave and Tami and Tami's daughter Emily and her husband Ammon.  Emily and Ammon are currently living in St George where Ammon  is becoming an ONP and Emily is having a baby in early July.  They are such a nice couple and so fun to listen to their stories.

Tami had made delicious scalloped potatoes and Dave the carrots that were baked in the oven in a casserole dish with lots of butter.  I did not eat the roll but delicious ham.  For dessert we had a wonderful berry pie baked by Tami.

Again,I forgot to take pictures but their beautiful renovated home that Dave did had all been decorated for Christmas and I should have snapped a picture of the tree all in white and silver and the lights outside were gorgeous.

We had problems reading the street number to know we were at the right house but Emily smiled and said she had met me at Jeanne's birthday party in the canyon and said we were at the right place!!!

I had not cared about decorating for Christmas but I must have been inspired because I got up around 3 in the morning and decorated all I am going to do for Christmas.  It is very cozy and I also got out all my Christmas Cds and I am listening to Christmas all day long.

Several years ago, I made some Christmas mix cds and I am so glad I did.  I would not know how today but it is really a good mix...two of them actually.

Marilyn and I made the Storybook of Christmas stories and songs for all of our grandchildren when I was at her house in 2015 after Arkie died.

Linda had made the mats for me years ago, on the other side is Fall.

The Nativity family I added to my Christmas last year in Rancho Bernardo.  The book beside the family is my life in photo and story.  On the table also is the cd player Linda gifted me last year and so fun to play Christmas songs all day long.

I was going to decorate this little fake tree but just put all the lights on it.  So nice to have Christmas lighting at night!

I took this picture because I want everyone to realize I need updated Christmas pictures!!!!

Also on the floor is my Christmas books with all cards I sent and pictures for Christmas since 1960, the first Christmas with baby Johnny.  Jennifer gave me the Christmas book cover.  I am so glad I have these books to look at!!!  Maryanne gave me the Love Never Melts that she made herself.  I wanted people to see that I need updated Christmas pix of them!!!

Amy, Harper and Charli

In an effort to update my pictures, Amy was the first to send me ones.  These were babies when I was living with Linda part of the time.  Such sweet and fun children.

All dressed for Church

Fun Times

Amy and Harper

Harper and her Halloween Skeleton

Cute!

Sleeping Charlie

 

Pretty Charlie

Making a Funny Face

Eczema

 The eczema is all cleared up.  The Triamcinolone Acetonide actually worked!!!!!  Yea!!!!!

Carole's Family at Thanksgiving 2021

This is who was at Jon and Bethany's home for Thanksgiving, Jon and Bethany and twins Sage and Raina and little Finn.  Also in attendance was Dino Dave and Chris.  Carole was taking the picture.

This is Hunter and Toni's Thanksgiving.   Daughter of Toni, Nicole and husband Andrew and daughter of Toni, Cody and husband Axel.

Pictures of renovated house by Jon and Bethany

 

New Glasses

Sometime ago a lady came to my door and said they were doing eye testing upstairs.  I had heard a couple other ladies talking about how good they were so I went up.  They said Medicare was paying for the exam and she charged an extra $40 for the special prescription so I would not have to close one eye.  She said it was better than the one I had.

Then I got a message that Medicare did not pay because it was sent to the wrong place.  I still do not know if they got their money.

I picked up the glasses from Costco and low and behold they are better than the ones I have.  I can read pretty well again

 

Annual Checkup with Jeanette Walker NP at Utah Valley Internal Medicine

 I asked Kim if she could drive me to my 3 pm appointment because I was afraid of the after work traffic.  Thank heaven she did.  I appreciate her help so much.

NP Walker spent almost an hour with me asking questions and checking things.  After my experience at the Sleep Center she felt it appropriate for me to see a good Ear, Nose and Throat doctor and scheduled me for Dec 8 Kipp Robbins.  Follow up on the CPAP (sleep study masks) after that.

Since I had the blood and urine tests in June we will wait till spring for new ones.  She listened to my murmur and said she wished her student was there so he could hear it.  She let me listen to my duh duh compared to her duh.  I sound like a struggling washing machine.  But she did not feel it was any worse than when I first came to her a few months ago.

She increased my blood pressure medicine to 20 mg for a while so the heart is not struggling so much.  She said we may lesson it after I solve my breathing problems.  Evidently, I am not going into deep sleep much and that makes me tired all the time.

She has the record of my blood pressure but wants me to continue testing it.  And continue keeping my weight down and walking etc.  

Currently sometimes my legs are too tired at night and I do not want to walk but I walk shorter for my sake and let Sadie run as much as she wants in the back and side of the building.

My dental work is done till next spring but I do not have enough teeth to chew beef really well so I like to order softer food for dinner than dry beef and chicken.

I am up to 143 on my scales again which is where I was when I did the keto diet last spring.  My skinny jeans are too tight.

Walker prescribed Triamcinolone Acetonide for my eczema.  Said we needed to get rid of the inflammation with steroids!!

Turtle Cheesecake

These are the kind of desserts they sometimes serve here at Treeo and the reason I have gained almost 20 lbs since I moved here.

 

Maria's Birthday November 15

.

I remember well the day Maria was born.  I went in for a regular check with my Dr. Rust.  Since  Linda had come naturally, he was waiting to see if we would do a cesarean or not.  

He said that Maria had turned breech and it was too dangerous to do naturally and they would be doing a cesarean today.  He called another Dr in for a second opinion. and began to prepare.

I called Richard and he came in, not sure who was tending Linda and Johnny.  I ended up up with a beautiful baby and a lot of pain!!!  I was in a room with 3 others.  I complained about my nurse always being late with the pain pill.  They confirmed this was true.  I hobbled out to the pay phone and called Dr Rust and complained.  She was never late with that pain pill again.

For some reason I had a little depression, birth blues or whatever.  I kept a bassinet in the kitchen at home and I am afraid Maria got a few bottles instead of breast cuz it was so hard with Linda only 17 months and Johnny just barely 3.

The Doctor said I could have 3 cesareans so he did not tie my tubes or anything so we could have one more baby.

Maria was a real doll and Linda loved to take care of her.

 

My Front or Back? at Treeo

I have both memories of the beaches of San Diego and the mountains of Lake Almanor.  Both great places to live but San Diego area is so expensive!!!!

 

Marissa's Shower in Utah and a Sleep Study for Me

 The Pulsipher clan was up from California as well as Utah to attend the shower for Marissa at her Aunt's home.

Tanner and Marissa have rented an apartment and will be living there till after their baby is born in January.  It is in the Ogden area where Marissa's family lives and Tanner will be interning for a few months and then he goes to Las Vegas to intern.

In the picture is Sarah and Linda on each side of Marissa and Kristi from Las Vegas and Jeff's wife from Utah and her daughter next to Sarah.

I intended going with them but two situations changed my mind.  I had a sleep study done the night of November 12th and did not sleep too well plus we were having a covid outbreak at Treeo and decided it was best I did not attend a family function.

It was good we changed our plans.  I was sort of shocked when I found out I was going to have about 22 wires attached to my body but all went well till I woke about 12:30 and was told I would now have to have a mask on me to have this humid air flow in my nose for the rest of the night.

The problem was my nose was all stuffed and I could not breathe with the masks on.  We tried about 7 or so.  I tried putting saline in my nose and blowing but it was to no avail.

The attendant helping me had worked in respiratory before setting up this part of the American Fork Hospital as a Sleep Study area.  He was very learned in my problem and said he would go to another section of the hospital and find me a stronger saline mist than I had.  This worked fairly well but I was still very tired when I was waked at 6:30 and told I needed to get up and answer some questions and prepare to go home.

I did as I was told but it was still very dark out so he told me I could just stay in bed and sleep longer.

Dr. Walker has an appointment for me to see an ENT and see if my deviated septum needs work again or if he can get me to being able to not have a blocked nose so much of the time. The cancer I had on my nose made that nostril a lot smaller.  That should be interesting and then they want me to wear the mask and inhale the humid oxygen or whatever it is as it will make me much more rested every night..  The problem is I am waking up all the time and not going into deep sleep hardly at all.   If it isn't one thing it is another...but I would love to not be so tired.  I am just not excited about this mask thing...

My Sister Carole

I can't remember what Carole was showing me here but we often send pix back and forth when we get new glasses or whatever.  Anyway, she looks very pretty and it is a nice picture.  She will be 83 this year on the 12th of November.

Here is a funny picture of Carole and Mom and Carole's pets, she always had some around.
 

Brazi Bites

A quick home baked treat!!!