The Klein Family

Things I've Learned from my Children

2011-07-31T14:13:00.000-07:00

It has been several months since I posted to my blog. Since I got a smart phone I seem to connect with my friends/family better on Facebook.

Lately I have been thinking of some fun things I have learned from my daughters: Jenny, Michelle & Laura.

Jenny taught me how to load my dishwasher. Yes, it sounds strange but it has made that task so much easier for me. She especially taught me how to load the wine glasses. Before that they were falling all over the place. I have a special guide that drops down that holds the stem in place.

Michelle taught me how to cut and copy text on my computer. I learned that control C will copy the text and control V will paste it. Before I learned how to do this I was manually typing it in. I knew there had to be an easier way and Michelle laughed at me as she showed me how to do it.

Laura taught me which attachment to use on my mixer and why. I had been using the whipping beater when I was making cookies. She explained to me that the whipping beater was more for whipping cream and I should be using the flat beater instead. Ever since my cookies have looked better.

I have to say that every time I load one of Gary's wine glasses, I think of Jenny. Every time I am planning coupon deals I think of Michelle. And, every time I make cookies or use my mixer I think of Laura. I do think of my wonderful daughters for other profound reasons, I will have to post them too someday!

Good bye Old Friend

2010-11-19T16:52:00.000-08:00

For the past couple of years, our heating system has not been working well. We knew we needed a new one but we don't think about it during the summer. Our system was over 30 years old and only had a 10 year warranty. We knew we were on borrowed time.

With the basement work going on we decided it was the best time to put a new Gas Hydronic Heating System in. We have a home that was built in 1884 so the radiators look perfect in our home. They have always provided great heat.

Once we started removing walls we had great access to the old system. We scheduled in Sanitary Plumbing and Heating from Olympia to do the work.

They were able to remove the old black pipes hanging from the ceiling (about 15 inches) and replace them with Pex tubing. They were also able to install the Pex into the floor joists so they won't be visible anymore.

It took them 5 days to remove the old system and install the new one, but it was worth it. When we turned the system on we could hear the water filling all the tubes. Within minutes the radiators were warming up. The house was 52 degrees when we turned it on so we knew it would take a while.

Our new system is 90 to 95% efficient which is great compared to the old one, and it is very quiet. We will use it to heat the tile floors in the basement when we get them done.

There will be walls around the heating system to hide it later on.

I would like to add that the crew from Sanitary Plumbing and Heating were fabulous! They were very professional and a great group of guys to work with. Thanks You Larry, Steve, Aaron and Eual. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing work done.

So if you are cold and need a place to warm up, come on over.

Baked Potato Soup

2010-09-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

Ever since Jenny took me to Red Robin and had me try their Baked Potato Soup, I have been on a mission to find the perfect recipe. Well, I combined a few and I think I made what Gary and I think is quite good.

One bowl of this is all you need to be full. I also made a sausage Tortellini Stew but I forgot to take a picture of it. We were too busy eating!

Labor of Love

2010-09-08T14:40:00.000-07:00

No, I am not talking about childbirth! As many of you know, Gary inherited 2 tree farms from his dad when he died several years ago. Gary has been actively learning about trees, the kind of wood they produce, planting, thinning, management etc.

When we went down to help in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, we saw huge piles of trees that were going to be destroyed. To both of us it was an incredible waste to see perfectly good trees being sent away. But. that's what happens when the government is involved. All that was needed were some people and some wood mills that could take these trees and turn them into lumber to rebuild houses. Sounds quite simple doesn't it??

Well, Gary has a lumber mill and he has cut down many trees. (a lot of them in Louisiana) He cut down some on his property in Thurston County and he milled the wood. He cut it and set it out in our backyard to dry. Last summer he cut it to the size he needed and brought it down to Provo to use on our house there.

We realized a few weeks ago we had some gutter problems. We needed to put in the proper fascia and have new gutters installed. Gary went out to his waiting lumber pile and got all the wood he needed. I painted primer on the boards and Gary has been installing them.

Painted & ready to be cut to the right size and installed.

The fascia boards are cut specifically to fit against the angle of the house so the gutters will hang straight.

We still have plenty of wood to replace the trim around the windows but that will have to wait until next summer.

RAIN!!!

2010-08-22T12:12:00.000-07:00

I thought it rained a lot in Chehalis, but it really rained here in Provo Thursday. Of course, it was while we were out running some errands.

.39 of an inch in 5 minutes
.66 of an inch in 10 minutes
.87 of an inch in 15 minutes

These rainfall amount broke previous records from 1945 and 1954.

Gary was dropping me off at a bookstore when the rain first hit. I just took a little more time shopping!

Friday we took advantage of the extra water in the Provo River and went on a raft trip. More on that later.

When the first number is a 7

2010-08-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

Michelle and Derrick have trained Dayton so that he won't get up in the morning until "the first number is a 7" on his clock. If he has to go to the bathroom he has to do it himself. Once the first number is a 7 he can go and wake them up. Before he goes to bed at night they remind him and for the most part he is very good about it.

When staying at our house we try and keep the same rules. Dayton & Daphne sleep in a bedroom upstairs near Nana and grandpa while Michelle sleeps downstairs. Dayton and Daphne also have some chores at my house. Dayton helps me feed Carly and Daphne helps me feed Allie. They get such a thrill out of watching the dogs go crazy over their food.

One morning Dayton must have gotten up with Daphne a little early. Since the first number wasn't a 7, they snuck downstairs and the dogs followed. I heard some laughing and found this downstairs!!

Somehow the kids fed the dogs cat food instead of dog food, maybe it was easier to get open. Allie was not feeling so well that morning and she was a little heavier than normal. So, I now have the dog food and cat food labeled so Dayton knows which one to give them. I also try to be a little more aware of when the kids wake up in the morning.

Happy One Month Adelynn

2010-07-29T00:02:00.000-07:00

STP

2010-07-27T20:51:00.000-07:00

On July 17 & 18 the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic (200 miles) was held. Gary and I have each done the ride, sometimes in one day and sometimes in two days. I have to say the one day ride was a little easier. It's really hard to get back on the bike on the second day, let's say a little painful! Of course once I was on the back of the tandem and I let Gary do all the work. We were actually stopped in Longview for riding over the speed limit! Luckily we did not get a ticket, just a warning.

Gary & Trevor had plans earlier this year to ride the STP. They did a couple of training rides, the Lewis County Historical Ride and Redhook Haul Ash. Since Adelynn was a little stubborn and decided to be 11 days late it messed up the plans a little. I came up with a great idea to have a small bicycle repair stand set up out front. It was last minute decision and we were able to notify the coordinators of STP so they could bring riders to us if needed. They were aware of who Gary is so they knew he could fix a bent fork, frame or almost anything.

Professional??

The first repair was quite easy, a waterbottle cage had come off. Gary had that one fixed and off in no time. The next one was a little challenging and took about 2 hours. The rider had a broken axle on his rear wheel. It was a very old bike (30 years) and Gary didn't have an axle to replace it, so he looked around his warehouse and found an old wheel they used for heat treating. It was the perfect size. He also repaired the rear derailleur and made some other adjustments.

The rider and his friend took a little nap in our front yard and Trevor was kind enough to share a couple of Corona's. They each took a quick shower, but it was unfortunate they had to put their dirty, smelly riding clothes back on. They were staying a couple of miles from us for the night so they were in no hurry.

As it turns out, the rider had just bought the bike at Value Village for $30. I am not sure he realizes the wheel he got costs a lot more than the entire bike!

Our house in right about the middle of the course and we love to watch 10,000 riders come by. They are dressed in wild outfits and many try to do something to stand out. We saw all kinds of bikes, brands and styles. We actually saw about 10 Kleins!

While Gary was busy repairing the wheel Trevor took over and did some flat repairs. The riders should be able to repair their own flats but it was fun to help them out.

Trevor was quick to change a flat.

We had a sign out in our yard for one of the Labor & Delivery Nurses at Evergreen Hospital, Emily. She was the nurse that helped Jenny through her labor the night before Adelynn was born. She got off work at 7:00 am and the new nurse grabbed her before she left because Adelynn was on her way out. We never got to see Emily, I hope she saw our sign.

Next year Gary and Trevor are planning to ride. When I asked them what we would do about having a repair stand Gary replied "You can learn how to do it"! I can't even change a flat!

Michelle's Blog

2010-07-16T10:03:00.000-07:00

I know that most people who look at my blog also look at Michelle's. Please make sure you look at her most recent post "To Ashton, Love Dayton". It will definitely bring tears to your eyes.

Derrick & Michelle McKay Blog

Fun with the Grandchildren

2010-07-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

While Dayton & Daphne were visiting we tried to make sure we set aside lots of time to spend with them.

One day I took them out into our backyard for an "adventure". They had fun walking through the tall grass and climbing all of grandpas equipment.

Dayton operating the levers on Nana's lawnmower. He did get a chance to drive it too!

Dayton on the Genie manlift

Daphne on the Genie manlift.

Dayton in the cab of the dump truck.

Daphne looking pretty.

Dayton climbing a rock mountain.

Daphne stopping to look at the flowers.

The kids on the trailer. They had the most fun playing here.

Daphne discovered a bug. Look closely and you can see it.

Daphne in the tree. I hope mom doesn't see the bugs beside her!

Dayton licking the beater.

Daphne found Aunt Laura's cat slippers.

Helping grandpa set up the new pool.

Enjoying the pool.

For the most part the weather was good while they were here. The kids enjoyed going outside and just playing. They didn't need anything special, they just wanted to be outside looking for anything.

Oregon Zoo

2010-07-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

While Dayton & Daphne were here we wanted to take them to the zoo. We had never been to the Oregon zoo before so we decided to give it a try. Michelle was up in Seattle holding baby Adelynn so it was a great time for us to go.

It was the first warm day we have had in quite a while. Which meant that the animals were laying around and not as active as we would have liked. We brought the stroller and grandpa was great about pushing them up hill.

The kids really enjoyed the underwater exhibits. They were out of the sun and it was cooler so Nana & Grandpa enjoyed them as well.

Dayton looking at a sea lion.

A mean looking alligator.

Daphne petting a goat.

Grandpa showing the kids how to operate a servo motor that controls a dinosaur.

Dayton "donating" $1 to a hooded vulture.

Dayton popping up inside a gopher display. Daphne wasn't tall enough.

We had a great time at the zoo with our grandchildren. Luckily after about 3 1/2 hours they were ready to go home. We never saw everything but we saw what they wanted to see. Daphne wanted to see the pigs and Dayton wanted to see the tigers.

Gary's favorite was the Ocelots, they look a lot like a large "Murray the amazing Wonder Cat".

Grandbaby #3 is here!!!!

2010-06-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

Adelynn Sophia Williams

7 pounds 11 ounces

June 24, 2010 8:04 am (11 days late!)

Happy Nana.

Daphne just loves her new cousin!

It was a long night for Jenny and Trevor but worth every minute of it (easy for me to say!). Adelynn is perfect and absolutely beautiful. Trevor was there for Jenny every second of the labor and delivery. I offered to sit with Jenny so he could go play golf (very early, before real labor) but he wanted to stay with Jenny. So after I dropped them off at the hospital I did what every waiting grandmother did, I went shopping!

The 24th is a common number in our family: Kirsten was born on the 24th, Ava was born on the 24th, Gary and Kirsten were married on the 24th and Michelle was born on the 24th.

Kohl Children's Museum

2010-06-11T12:50:00.001-07:00

While I was in Chicago Michelle had a list of things to do for me. Having the list actually helps us decide what to do and it kept us from sitting around.

One of the places to go was the Kohl Children's Museum. I had never been there before and suggested I could just take the two by myself. Michelle had been there before and said Dayton & Daphne go in two different directions, and she was right.

As soon as we walked in they both went their different ways and we didn't see each other for quite a while. Every now and then they would be in the same exhibit, but only for about 3 minutes.

Dayton's first stop was the room with all the water toys. I think this was by far his favorite. I tried to put an apron on him to keep him dry but he didn't like it. He didn't seem to mind getting wet.

A bucket over Dayton has just filled with water and is dumping the water near him.

Dayton cranks the elevator to carry the balls to the top. There they dump into water and when the water level rises they go over the falls.

Then Dayton fishes them out and puts them back in the shoot. He spent a lot of time here.

Dayton working on the engine of a car.

When he pedalled air would fill up a big balloon overhead.

Painting a house.

In the music room. You put the puzzle together and when you get it in the right order it plays a song.

Dayton playing with the drums and cymbal.

Shopping. Look at all those cookies!

Dayton getting Nana lots of treats at the bakery.

Dayton ran out of money at the grocery store and had to stop at the ATM.

Just like a married couple. Mommy with the baby and daddy reading.

Heavy Equipment Operator

Sitting down for a spot of tea.

Dayton is starting to read.

I was exhausted by the end of our visit, and we had only been there a couple of hours. I will definitely go back there again. It was awesome. The exhibits change every few months so it keeps the adventure going. Dayton and I didn't make it through the entire place. We will have to bring grandpa through with us next time so he can explain how it all works.

I know Michelle has the same post, I just wanted to beat her! She had Daphne and I had Dayton which is why most of my pictures were of Dayton. So keep an eye on Michelle's blog for part 2 of this incredible museum trip.

Cleaning carpets for Jenny

2010-06-11T11:26:00.001-07:00

Jenny & Trevor have the babies room all set up and ready to go. Now, it just needs a baby!

Jenny asked if we could bring the steam carpet cleaner up and clean the carpets. Unfortunately when it comes to projects, it always takes Gary a lot longer than planned. We got up to their condo in Kirkland, had lunch, cleaned the carpets, went out to dinner and came back and put things away. It took about 8 hours! In the end the upstairs carpets are beautiful and we got a couple rugs downstairs cleaned as well.

The first pass of cleaning really showed how clean we were getting them. What I was surprised was how much more we got out in a second pass. We went through about 1 1/2 gallons of cleaning solution and lots if water. Gary turned the hot water heater all the way up to make sure the water was hot.

Trevor kept a bucket filled with solution so as soon as the tank was filled with dirty water he could empty it and fill the solution tank up. It made the process go a lot faster. he worked his tail off.

Joey supervising.

Jenny supervising.

Laura's boyfriend TJ lives in a condo outside the back of Jenny & Trevor. Her good friend was married on Sunday and she was in the wedding. She stopped by to say hi and check on her pregnant sister.

Happy Birthday Old Man!

2010-06-09T20:58:00.000-07:00

Gary 11 days old

Gary as a teenager

Gary 1985

Changing a tire on the way home from Utah.

Happy Birthday Gary! Today Gary is..., well I can't tell you how old is is. That would be rude. I can say it is the same number as Tim Shaw a linebacker for the Chicago Bears; the atomic number of Cerium on the Periodic Table of Elements; 3(2+9) + 5(5); the number of the Single Check rebate from Rite Aid for a Wartner Wart Remover Kit for the month of June; LVIII, it is the fifteenth discreet tri-prime and the ninth in the (4.q) family; the number of the Aberdeen, WA school district; the sum of the first seven prime numbers; the name of the Tour Eiffel Restaurant in France; and the number of the day in the Gregorian Calendar for February 27.

His request for dinner is lasagna and pecan pie for dessert. I hope you have a wonderful birthday sweetheart.

Ashton

2010-06-08T21:00:00.000-07:00

My 3 1/2 year old grandson Dayton has a friend named Ashton. They are Sunbeams together at Church. A couple of weeks ago it was discovered that Ashton had a tumor.

Surgery was scheduled and a cantaloupe sized tumor was removed frpm her abdomen. It's hard for me to imagine such a large tumor in a tiny 3 year old girl. Surgery removed the entire tumor and it was sent in to pathology.

Ashton has been diagnosed with Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma, which is a form of cancer. She has had a Port-a-Cath inserted and later this week she starts chemo therapy. Her treatments are expected to last one year.

Last week they had a tour of the Oncology area where Ashton will receive her treatments. It must have been a lot to absorb for everyone. It was also a little scary for Ashton to see all the bald people. After discussing this with the staff they suggested to have her around this environment more so she can get used to it.

So what do you suppose they did? Dad went home and let Ashton shave all his hair off! What an awesome dad. Now seriously think about this for a moment. If your little child had cancer and would loose all their hair, would you be willing to shave all your hair off? (Kurt your answer doesn't count!) I have to admit it would be hard for me.

So if you would like to follow Ashton's journey her moms blog is here. Every night Michelle & her family remember Ashton in their prayers. When they pray that Ashton will feel better, Dayton tries to correct them saying that she is better. To him being sick is not feeling well, staying home and laying in bed.

So please remember Ashton and her family in your prayers, and remember the kind and caring doctors and nurses that care for her. Pray that their hands will be guided to give the best care and that she can be healed of this illness.

For some reason this little girl's story has captured my heart. I am not sure why, maybe because she is Dayton's friend and her mom is Michelle's friend. And I also find myself asking the spiritual question "Why?"

The Eagles!!

2010-05-13T23:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, today was the day for the long awaited Eagles Concert at the Key Arena in Seattle. We left early so Gary could take me to my favorite restaurant, The Olive Garden, for lunch. We had a few errands on the way and we planned to meet at Jenny & Trevor's. Laura was going to meet us there too so we could all go out to dinner for Laura's birthday.

At 4:34 pm I received a call from Trevor: "I have some bad news". My first thought was Jenny! He said the Eagles concert was cancelled. Well, Trevor just had to be joking with me because my family knows how much I am looking forward to this concert. No, this was for real. Bassist/vocalist Timothy Schmit was sick so the concert was rescheduled for May 26.

Well, that would be fine but I am leaving for Chicago on Monday! I offered to Gary that he could go with someone else, even though he knows how much I wanted to go. Well, luckily he has no one else to go with, besides HE WOULDN'T DARE!

I got home and there was a voice message on my answering machine that the concert was postponed, and I had 2 emails as well. They made every effort to let people know before they left home. Unfortunately we just left a little too early.

I missed the concert last year because of my medical mission, and this year it was postponed. I just have to hope that the band stays healthy enough to do this again next year. Tim, I hope you are feeling better soon!

Side note: Trevor said he would NEVER joke with me about something like that!

Things you don't say to your wife!

2010-05-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

I was cleaning up some of my email (my space left is at a critical point) and I came across this video. I thought it was funny and wanted to share it.

I also came across this one. It suggests some songs for commercials.

And one last one!

I think I got these from Derrick! I hope everyone has a laugh from them.

Which Puzzle?

2010-04-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

I came across this piece to a puzzle yesterday while I was cleaning out some old stuff. I frequently find pieces of old games, puzzles etc. I have a drawer that I put them in and occasionally the lost part finds its master.

The funny part about this is that I know which puzzle this goes to. And, I am sure each of my three daughters will look at it and know where it belongs. In fact they can probably tell you where it goes in the puzzle.

I constantly find odd parts around the house. All I have to do is show it to Gary and he will look at it for several seconds and tell me what it is for.

Yom HaShoah

2010-04-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

Today is Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is observed as Israel's day of commemoration for the approximately six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust, as a result of the actions carried out by Nazi Germany and its accessories, and for the Jewish resistance in that period. In Israel, it is a national memorial day and public holiday.

The day was inaugurated in 1951. In the Jewish calendar the day begins in the evening and ends in the following evening. In Israel Yom HaShoah opens at sundown, the national flag is lowered to half staff, the President and the Prime Minister deliver speeches, and Holocaust survivors light six torches symbolizing the approximately six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust and the Chief Rabbis recite prayers.

At 10:00 am on Yom HaShoah, sirens are sounded throughout Israel for two minutes. During this time, people cease from action and stand at attention; cars stop, even on the highways; and the whole country comes to a standstill as people pay silent tribute to the dead.

On Yom HaShoah ceremonies and services are held at schools, military bases and in other public and community organizations.

On the eve of Yom HaShoah and the day itself, places of public entertainment are closed by law. Israeli television airs Holocaust documentaries and Holocaust-related talk shows, and low-key songs are played on the radio.

I can't even begin to imagine what it was like to be Jewish during WWII. While it has been over 60 years since the Holocaust, it is still very real to those that survived. To those of us that weren't alive for it, it seems like ancient history.

I have seen a couple of movies that include the Holocaust, and I read a wonderful book, Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. It was one of those books I couldn't put down. I had no idea how Paris was involved in the Holocaust.

Please, take a few minutes to learn a little more about the Holocaust. I first learned about it in History class in school. Six million Jews were murdered, entire families were decimated, all because of their faith. Along with the European Jewish people, other groups including ethnic Poles, Romani, Soviet civilians, Soviet prisoners of war, people with disabilities, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, and other political and religious opponents were murdered. By this definition, the total number of Holocaust victims would be between 11 million and 17 million people. Hitler believed that, in regards to Applied to human beings, "survival of the fittest" was interpreted as requiring racial purity and killing off "life unworthy of life."

What is interesting is that there is a debate as to whether or not Adolf Hitler himself was Jewish. It is believed that he himself had feared that he had Jewish ancestry and showed an extreme hatred toward the Jewish people so no one would doubt his ancestry as German.

Could something like the Holocaust happen today?

2010 US Census

2010-04-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

I am sure everyone has received their 2010 US Census. It really takes just a few minutes to complete, and it helps the US Government plan for schools, roads and hospitals.

I heard that about 80% of the US population will comply and send in their census forms. The other 20% will not do so willingly because they feel the information is invasive. I read the form and it asks 10 simple questions that I don't feel are invasive.

As many of you know I enjoy genealogy. Recently, my mother-in-law needed to get a Social Security statement for her twin sister that passed away last year. In advance I called the Social Security office to find out what information she would need to get the statement. Somehow she needed to prove they were sisters. Luckily I had a copy of the birth certificate that showed twin sisters, and I had a copy of the US Census from 1930 showing the household and who lived there and their relationship. It was all the information they needed.

I looked back at some of the old census records and they used to ask a lot more information. Someone would be hired at the beginning of the year, given paper, a pen and a bottle of ink. Throughout the year they went from house to house asking the same information. It is great to go back and look at these records, the handwriting, to see who lived in the house and who lived right next door.

If you think those 10 simple questions are invasive, you will be interested to see some of the old questions that were asked. Personally, I have to say that this information has been invaluable, it has helped me trace back my family for decades.

Relationship to head of family

If foreign born, year of immigration to the U.S., whether naturalized and, if so, year of naturalization

School attendance, Literacy, ability to speak English

Birthplace of person and parents

If foreign-born, the mother tongue

Occupation, industry, and class of worker

Whether on a farm

For women, number of children born and number now living

Months not employed

Marital status and if married number of years married

Whether suffering from acute or chronic disease, with name of disease and length of time afflicted

Whether defective in mind, sight, hearing or speech, or whether crippled, maimed or deformed, with name of defect

Whether a prisoner, convict, homeless child, or pauper

Whether a soldier, sailor or marine (Union or Confederate) during Civil War, or widow of such person

Value of real estate owned or personal estate

Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane or idiotic

Number of slaves

Number of free white males according to age

Number of white persons over 20 who could not read and write

Number of pensioners for Revolutionary or military service

Hours worked in week

Wage and salary income last year

Whether at work previous day (or last regular work day)

Veteran status

If Indian: whether of full or mixed blood, tribal affiliation

Whether a survivor of Union or Confederate Army or Navy

The US Census is mandated by the US Constitution. The population is counted every 10 years to help determine Congressional Seats, Electoral Votes and government program funding.

The first Census was taken August 2, 1790. The census estimated the population of the United States at 3,929,214. The census records and data specific to individual respondents are not available to the public until 72 years after a given census was taken, but aggregate statistical data derived from the census are released as soon as they are available.

The Twenty-Second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906. Sorry, I know this is a lot of facts and you probably aren't interested. I think it is fascinating! Without the questions asked on some of the old census records I would not have been able to track some of my family.

Michelle is Pregnant!!

2010-04-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

I am soooo excited! Grandbaby #4 is on the way. In the past, even-numbered years have been important for Michelle:

2004 Marriage to Derrick
2006 Dayton born October 18
2008 Daphne born March 27
2010 Baby #3 due

Michelle just found out a few weeks ago. She is due November 6. I think it is great she is pregnant at the same time her sister Jenny is, although Jenny is due in June.

Lesson Learned?

2010-03-30T00:04:00.001-07:00

I saw this news story on tv tonight. I felt sorry for the kid but as a parent I say kudos to the mom.

Sometimes as parents our discipline doesn't work. So occasionally we have to find creative ways to get our children to understand what they have done.

Anyway, take a look at it. You never know when you might need to come up with something creative.

Orchids

2010-03-27T23:17:00.000-07:00

For some reason in the past several years I have collected Orchids. I do not have a green thumb by any means, but for some reason I have been able to grow Orchids and keep them alive & thriving.

They have been in our breakfast nook, so I just leave them there and don't move them. I have no idea what I am doing right so I just keep the same routine for them.

This is one we brought back from a trip to Hawaii. It went quite a few years without blooming. I kept threatening to throw it away but for some reason I kept it. A year ago it bloomed for the first time and it is now blooming again.

These flowers are all so beautiful and they bloom for a few months at a time. I just wish they had a fragrance to them to match their beauty.

This is one my neighbor Sharon gave me for my birthday 16 months ago. It has been in bloom since she gave it to me except for about 3 months. It is actually a mini orchid, not as large as the usual ones.

I prefer the Orchids that are not the usual lavender colored ones you see. I am enjoying getting them when they are a little different.

Happy Birthday Carly

2010-03-24T21:25:00.000-07:00

Today Carly turned 12. I have to be honest and say that a couple of months ago I didn't think she would see her 12th birthday. We have been seeing a Pet Dermatologist in Edmonds and she has not had any new sores develop in over a month. She is still taking steroids and immuno-suppressant drugs, but we have been slowly reducing the dose.

A couple of weeks ago I bought Carly a bright caterpillar. At Easter I usually get a large stuffed toy from Costco and within a couple of days the dogs have it destroyed. They first go for the eyes, then the arms and legs come off. When I saw the caterpillar I knew I found the perfect toy. The dogs would have lots of arms and legs to rip off.

Unfortunately they haven't been too interested in playing with the new toy. Occasionally I can get them all charged up and they play tug of war with it.

In the past few days Carly has been dragging out her tennis balls to play with. Some of you may know that Carly can get 2 tennis balls in her mouth at one time. She also will get a tennis ball in her mouth and another toy. She does this to keep Allie away from her toys. I took them outside today and Carly let me throw the ball for her a few times. It was nice to see her back to her old self, but she is still quite stiff in the hips. She happily chased the ball around but then she was tired.

About a month ago I bought a new bed for Carly. She was having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning (I know that feeling) so I bought her a special bed. It was raised a little so she wouldn't have to climb as much to get up. Initially she sank into the bed and had an even harder time getting up. Gary put some firmer foam in the bottom and it has since worked much better, sort of.

Allie thinks the new bed is hers and since she is very territorial she now has possession of the new bed. So every night when they go upstairs to bed Allie quickly jumps into her bed and Carly gets the sleeping bag. I hope Jenny & Laura don't want their sleeping bags back because they now belong to Carly.

A couple of days ago Allie crawled under the blanket of one of their beds. If you have been to my house you know that I have about 6 beds for the dogs. Two of them are up in the bedroom. Allie is a Cairn Terrier (a Toto dog) and they are known for burrowing into rock piles (Cairns) and keeping out the varmints. Well, Allie is true to her breed and loves to burrow. She dug and got herself burrowed under the cover of one of the beds. Without knowing this Carly walked into the kitchen and the bed started growling. Carly immediately knew to stay away from the bed. A few minutes later Gary walked into the kitchen and the bed growled again. I am not sure if she had a little midnight snack in her bed or not. Eventually she came out and the kitchen was free again.

Old Toys Have New Friends

2010-03-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

I saved a lot of the girls' toys, mostly the nicer ones. Some have sentimental value with them, and some were their favorites.

When Dayton & Daphne come for a visit I love pulling out the old toys. As I have been going through old boxes I come across some more toys. Some of these toys are a hit, and some they don't seem to care about.

This is a rocking horse we bought for Jenny when she was a baby. Over the years the girls spent hours bouncing on this horse. I would guess that it would not pass the standards of a toy for children today. But my girls survived it and my grandchildren will too.

Daphne bounced up and down on it and actually bounced out of the saddle a few times. Dayton was a little more cautious on it, but each time he got on he bounced a little more.

This is a toy we got when Laura was little. It was the biggest hit! After about 15 minutes it can become a little "irritating".

As it turns out I have 2 of these Playful Penguin games. Many times when we came across something the girls absolutely loved, we got an extra one or two so we had a gift for someone else. I guess I never found anyone else to give one of these Penguins to. As you can see from the prices tag it was fairly inexpensive, I only paid half of what the tag says. Also, I bought it at Yard Birds and Yard Birds has been gone for a long time.

Here is a little clip of Dayton & Daphne playing with the Playful Penguin. Just imagine listening to this for about 45 minutes.

I still have some more toys that I am looking for. That will have to wait until the next time Dayton & Daphne come for a visit.

This is just a great picture of Dayton wearing grandpas hat. Most people don't want to even touch this hat but Dayton thought it was fun.

And here is Daphne playing the piano. I think she might be a concert pianist someday.

The Days are Getting Shorter?

2010-03-10T11:47:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, this weekend is Daylight Saving Time. At 2:00 am on Sunday, we set our clocks ahead one hour and loose an hour of sleep. We do this to take advantage of the longer and later days, using less energy to light our homes.

Did you know that a couple of weeks ago our days have actually become shorter? What am I talking about?

The earthquake that struck Chile on February 27, 2010 actually shifted the earth's figure axis about 3 inches. This is what has caused our days to become 1.26 microsecond shorter, one millionth of a second. It will take over 130,000 years to take one minute off. This is not the first time this has happened, in 2004 the magnitude 9.1 eartquake shortened our days by 6.8 microseconds.

On the other hand, the length of a day also can increase. For example, if the Three Gorges reservoir in China were filled, it would hold 10 trillion gallons of water. The shift of mass would lengthen days by 0.06 microsecond.

Is there any way we can choose which day is shorter and which is longer?

Mommie Dearest

2010-03-09T11:03:00.000-08:00

In the past few weeks, some of you may have called my home and wondered about the interesting message on my answering machine: "Hi, you've reached Mommie Dearest and Papa Bear. Please leave a message". I thought I would explain what that is all about.

Last January when Dayton & Daphne were here they discovered my answering machine. They loved pressing the buttons and hearing the man in the box. One day, without my realizing, they recorded a new outgoing message for me. It was Dayton & Daphne talking & playing with my machine. I wish I could have saved it but I changed it back.

Our youngest daughter Laura heard about this and made her own recording, Mommie Dearest & Papa Bear. I know you are all wondering how I got the term Mommie Dearest and frankly so would I! I would like to think that it was intended as a term of endearment, maybe a little.

I was thinking of this the other day as I was cleaning out a closet of Gary's clothes. I absolutely HATE WIRE HANGERS! Whenever I find one I throw it out and I have a hunch that Gary finds them in the garbage and keeps them. I am not sure why I dislike them so much, but I prefer the plastic tubular hangers. My name of Mommie Dearest has nothing to do with the hangers, at least I don't think so.

Jenny used to say to me "You're pretty and special in my world". What does that mean, I am only pretty in her world? If I step out of her world am I no longer special?

I guess these are questions I am going to have to ask them!

Who is using my credit card?

2010-02-27T10:46:00.000-08:00

I have been a Quicken user since about 1991 and I have been a big fan of it. I have encouraged my daughters to start keeping track of their finances with Quicken because I find it to be easy to use and versatile. I have had only a couple of minor problems with it until the past two weeks. I was having the same problem on two different computers using different software. I contacted Quicken and Quicken Bill Pay to see where the error was and no one could find it. I must have spent 6 hours on the phone with different technicians on different days to resolve the problem.

Last week I spoke with a wonderful lady at Quicken Bill Pay and she could not help me either. She did recommend that maybe I should upgrade my Quicken Premier 2009 to Quicken 2010. I usually get new software every few years so I was not planning on buying this year. She said that since I had been a user for so long that they might be able to give me an upgrade free. I was willing, but the salesman told me $90. I went to Costco and used a coupon in their book and got it for $40. I installed it on only one of the computers and it seemed to be working fine... until this morning.

Nearly everyday I go into my Quicken and I download the transactions on my bank accounts and credit cards. This helps me to keep up to date on them. This morning as I was downloading I noticed it was going very slow. The reason is that it was downloading 16,000 transactions on my Discover Card totaling $6,125,131,801.12. Did Gary buy me an early Mothers Day present? Did one of my daughters use the card a little too much?

I decided the quickest way would be to accept all the transactions and delete them all at once. I have tried this 3 times already and they keep coming back. I did go online to my Discover Card and I do have a balance of $16.98. Much better!

I will be on the phone for a while, so if you get a busy signal try again later!

Update Saturday night: I contacted Quicken and they are not open on the weekend. So against my better judgement I tried the online chat. After waiting twice for over 30 minutes I was finally connected... to someone in India. i think he was handling at least 10 other clients because he kept asking me the same questions and he really wasn't listening to my problem. He concluded that I have some bad data. I deleted the account and the huge balance due and I will try Customer Service on Monday.

Welcome to the Hotel California!!

2010-02-22T10:17:00.000-08:00

I AM SO EXCITED!! The Eagles are coming to Seattle in May and I got tickets!!! They had a presale today for AX cardholders, I just heard about it a couple of days ago. So at 10:00 this morning I got online and got 2 tickets for the May 13 performance (Happy Birthday Laura).

The first and last time I saw the Eagles in concert was about 1980 in Wisconsin. It was an outdoor theatre on a hill and we sat out on blankets on a beautiful summer night. I have loved their music since I was a teenager. In the past few years they have been out on tour and recorded a CD, Long Road out of Eden.

The first concert I ever went to was John Denver. I don't want to hear any moans, I still like listening to him! I was too young to go to the Beatles with my brother & sister.

So I promise to do something while I am there to totally embarrass my kids even though they won't be there to see it!

Rite Aid Deals

2010-02-16T15:07:00.000-08:00

This last week was a great week for deals at Walgreen's and Rite Aid. On Saturday I realized it was the last day to make purchases for a Proctor & Gamble Visa card rebate.

So I prepared with all my coupons. sales flyer and rebate flyer. I think I was there about 90 minutes but I made it out of there doing 5 transactions. I had to break it down into 5 in order to use coupons and take advantage of a coupon that takes $5 off a $20 purchase.

I got to the store and went around and got everything I wanted. I took the last of the razors, I was lucky they had 4 on the shelf. Then I had to find a quiet corner of the store and grab some baskets to divide my large shopping cart into 5 baskets. Then I have to put the coupons in order and make sure I have everything before I get to the cash register. Being organized and prepared makes it go a lot easier, and the cashier will be less frustrated.

In the end I had $138.60 worth of merchandise. I used $89.56 in coupons and paid $49.04. I will submit a rebate for $15 for the Olay bath wash, receive $3 in Single Check rebates from Rite Aid, receive a total of $50 in Visa cards (just from this purchase), and submit receipts to P&G for a coupon book with $100 in coupons so I can do this all over again!

The cat food wasn't completely necessary, but it is for our cat Murray. I purchased the small bottles of Herbal Essence and got the large stylers free. I purchased the razors, used coupons for them and got the body wash free. The Pringles are for Gary and the Pampers wipes (there are 4 of them) are for Jenny. The two Cadbury Eggs are for Derrick. I wanted to try out the Garnier Nutritioniste Face wash

When I got home I did some calculations and I was 10 cents short towards one of the Visa cards. So I hurried back to Rite Aid before they closed to buy another can of Pringles.

I was lucky that I had a wonderful cashier that was patient with me. It got busy and she called in more cashiers to help. I offered to step out of line and wait my turn but she insisted I stay. Some of the cashiers love to see how little you end up paying and cheer when it is low. Others look at you like you are a freak and try and ruin your transactions. I got home and I was exhausted. Gary seems to enjoy it when I come home and tell him about all the stuff I got for free. He thinks of it as a game and I think he is right.

I am so thankful for Chrisanna for teaching Michelle how to do all this over a year ago. And I am thankful that Michelle was willing to teach her old mom a few new tricks.

I was in line at Target last week and a lady was buying a large sack of Purina Cat Chow. I was buying mine at Fred Meyer because it had a better deal, but I had extra coupons in my coupon wallet. So I offered her a $1 coupon and she gladly took it. On Friday I was in line at Ride Aid and an older lady was in front of me making a large purchase. It looked to me like she was a grandma buying some valentine goodies for her grandchildren. I offered her one of my extra $5 off $25 purchases and she gladly took it. I thought of Chrisanna when I was doing this because she has posted about doing this herself. It makes you feel good to share the love of coupons to others.

Have I gone too far?

2010-02-15T14:16:00.000-08:00

Ever since I found out that Jenny is pregnant, I have been accumulating diapers. Every week there are deals at Walgreen's, Rite Aid, Kmart, Target and others on Huggies, Pampers & Luvs. When I come home sometimes I am too tired to bring them in. Sometimes I don't bring them in because Gary is in the living room. I don't think he has any idea how many packages of diapers I have, and to be honest I don't think I did either.

So last night after I purchased 4 more containers of Pampers wipes, I decided to make a big pile of them and take a picture.

Most of them are size Newborn, 1 & 2. Surprisingly I only have 3 packages of size 3! I also have lots of size 4 & 5. OK, some of them I purchased for Dayton & Daphne when they came to visit. But then Michelle had to go and potty train Dayton so she didn't need as many diapers as I thought. But I threw them in just to add to the experience.

There are 65 packages of diapers totaling 2667 diapers. There are 17 containers of wipes totaling 1192 wipes. I think I have most of the first year covered, but after that they are on their own... No, I will still buy diapers, as long as I can get a good deal on them.

A couple of these I had free coupons for the package, the Luvs were a fantastic deal at Kmart. The best so far are the ones I purchased at Walgreens last Friday (other than my coupon for a free package). Huggies were on sale for $8.99 and on Friday I had a coupon for 15% off. ($7.64) After $2.85 in coupons and $3 in register Rewards I only paid $1.79 a package. (plus sales tax) I would have purchased more but one of my coupons beeped and the manager wouldn't accept them. So I only had the coupons to buy 2 packages.

I am running out of room to store them!!!

From the USNS Comfort

2010-02-14T14:04:00.000-08:00

I subscribe to a site that sends me updates on the USNS Comfort. In the past week I have been busy and I haven't really looked through the posts as much as I usually do. Today I had some time and I came across this post. It is from an RN currently serving on the USNS Comfort, Clara Hart.

Even though the disaster in Haiti is no longer the #1 story on the news, it is still very real to the hundreds of thousands living in Haiti.

"I decided to stay after work to type an update to all of my family and friends. So as we enter into our third week here aboard the Comfort I have realized the great strength of the Haitian people. I have watched mothers cry and mourn the loss of their child here in the ICU, with no clue if any other family member has survived the earthquake or if they did, where they currently might be.

I have seen God's mercy over a mother and her premature infant after her house had collapsed on her causing her water to break. She went around for a week until the Comfort came and then delivered her baby here on our ship. The baby was said to have a no chance of life. But GOD! That baby is still thriving. I have done chest compressions on another little boy babe who has no evidence of parents and who was found in the rubble supposedly by a search and rescue team. He has stolen my heart the most because he doesn't have a mom or dad to come console him, so I do it!!!

So as you all go to bed tonight, think of the 100,000 survivors who didn't make the death toll which is 200,000. They sleep out on the street because they are afraid to sleep in the house as another aftershock can take the only inkling of a place they call home. We are so blessed and fortunate to have a home and we still complain about getting a bigger one or not having this type of basement or patio. I thank God daily for this humbling experience.

I am allowing God to use me to encourage mothers and fathers to keep the faith and also give me healing hands to heal the sick. He has been using me as I see a new miracle every day. Continue to pray for my strength in the Lord and I pray my return will be quick but only after my purpose has been fulfilled aboard USNS COMFORT".

I added the link to an article about the baby's birth on the Comfort. This is a link to the XO's blog which mentions the birth. Here is an update on the baby's condition yesterday.

Gummy Lumps

2010-02-07T22:27:00.000-08:00

Some of you know what a Gummy Lump is. (I know my nieces that are teachers know!) I heard about them in a book I was reading many years ago, "All I really need to know, I learned in Kindergarten" by Robert Fulghum. Here is an excerpt:

What I’m talking about here is something I think of as the gummy lump. Once it was a shoebox, decorated and given to me by the oldest child. Then it became a repository of other relics of childhood given to me by the younger children. The shoebox became my treasure chest in time…. Anyhow, this shoebox isn’t looking too very good now. It’s a little shriveled and kind of moldy where the jelly beans and gumdrops have run together. It’s still sticky in places, and most of it is more beige than red and white. If you lift the lid, however, you will begin to know what makes me keep it. On folded and faded and fragile pieces of large-lined school paper, there are words: “Hi daddi” and “Hoppy valimtime” and “I lov you”…. Glued to the bottom of the box are twenty-three X’s and O’s made out of macaroni. I’ve counted them more than once…. The treasures of King Tut are nothing in the face of this. Have you got something around the house like a gummy lump? Evidence of love in its most uncomplicated and most trustworthy state? You may live a long, long time. You may receive gifts of great value and beauty. You may experience much love. But you will never believe in it quite as much as you believe in the gummy lump. It makes your world go round and the ride worth the trouble.

Lately I have been trying to declutter my house. I have mainly been working on my bedroom because that is where everything goes when guests come. I came across some of my Gummy Lumps and wanted to share them with you.

This is one that I made in High School for my mom. She was a smoker and when I took welding class I made her an ashtray.

This next one is the Crème de la crème. It was made for me by all three of my daughters, less than a year ago. They were all home and when they get together they can be quite silly. I had found an old craft kit to make bows and the girls thought they would have a lot of fun. Every time I walked into my quilting room they hid what they were working on and they were laughing so hard. Well, I eventually found out what it was, a very special necklace. It is plastic with water inside and sealed shut. If you look very closely you can see what they sealed inside my "special necklace". It is pieces of their hair and nail clippings!!

Yes, it is from my daughters and I am sure they are going to each try and say they had nothing to do with it, or that I am getting old and don't remember things very well anymore.

I am finding it hard to throw any of my Gummy Lumps away. Maybe I will just leave them for the girls to go through when I am gone.

It's Tax Time!

2010-02-02T15:11:00.000-08:00

I am so excited because it is time to do taxes! I know, most of you think I am weird but I just love doing taxes, for everyone else. I hate to do my own so I am always happy to send my information off to a fabulous accountant and let him do ours.

I am doing taxes in Tumwater, Yelm and Olympia for the AARP Foundation 3-5 days a week. If you know of anyone that has income about $75,000 or less we can do their taxes for free and eFile them. You don't have to be a member of AARP or retired.

I think what I enjoy the most is meeting strangers and finding out about them. Most are retired and I get to ask them what they did for a living, how their job would be different now, find out about how they are enjoying retirement, and looking at pictures of their grandchildren.

We start out by trying to give them every credit and deduction possible. All of the returns we do are verified by a Quality Reviewer. People filing today will expect to have their money in their bank account by February 12.

It's a GIRL

2010-02-01T21:06:00.000-08:00

On Friday Jenny & Trevor went in for Jenny's second Ultrasound. The main purpose was to learn the sex of the baby.

They are both so excited to know they are having a little girl. I think she already has Trevor wrapped around her little fingers.

I already have about 30 packages of diapers for her. Ever since I found out I had a new grandbaby on the way I have been doing lots of deals on diapers and wipes. Today I got her a cute pink fleece snowsuit to wear next winter.

Jury Duty

2010-01-31T13:54:00.000-08:00

During the month of January I was selected for Jury Duty in Lewis County Superior Court. I have had Jury Duty several times before, but this experience was different. First of all, if you have Jury Duty, try and get it in December and NOT in January. Most of the cases in December get pushed until January because of the holidays.

In the past I have been on one trial, and it was an L&I appeal where the lawyers just read the transcript from the original trial. Well, you know how lawyers are... let's just say it was dry! I was picked as the head juror and as soon as we went in to deliberate we took a vote. It was unanimous so that was quite easy.

I checked the night before and my first date was January 4. I was a little anxious because Michelle & the kids were here and I hoped I wouldn't get chosen. As it turns out it was a 10 day trial involving the City of Chehalis and some contractors. Because the trial was so long they called in two panels. I was Juror #50 so I felt pretty good. The Voir Dire (Jury selection) took a fair amount of time. We were first by the judge asked if any of us knew the attorneys, any of the witnesses or if we had knowledge of the case. One by one jurors were excused, I started getting a little nervous. The big question was asking us if the length of the trial would be a difficulty. I couldn't think of any excuses but plenty of people did.

In Lewis County we are paid a whopping $15 a day for Jury Duty, plus mileage. The daily rate was set in 1959 (hey, that's the year I was born!) when $15 actually meant something for a days pay. That equates to about $80 to $90 in today's wages. We are not even paid minimum wages! So to start off, many people can't afford to serve as a juror because they can't afford to miss work. So, that excused a lot of jurors. In the end I was a lucky one, I was not chosen. I probably would have been quite bored listening to construction jargon etc.

I was called in a total of 6 times and I was a juror on two cases, both involving drugs/alcohol. When we were being selected for one of the cases the defense attorney got up and asked "How many of you walked in and looked at my client and thought 'What did he do'"? Most of us raised our hand, I mean this is Lewis County we are talking about! He commented that we should be thinking What is he being accused of. He was absolutely right and in the legal system that is what we should do. Each time I came in for jury selection I tried to look at it that way.

One case involved drugs sitting out on a counter in someones home. To me it was obvious that the person charged was guilty, but when you read the specific instructions you are given, and the law, it is not always cut and dry. After some discussion we said not guilty, I was the last to give in. What I thought was interesting was the bailiff left the evidence in with us, a little baggie with Cocaine in it. I am happy to report that it was all returned and the baggie was not opened.

My last day to go in was the last working day of the month. I was concerned it would only be a one day trial. If it were a 2 week trial we could most likely be called to it. It was a DUI/harassment case and it went very quickly. There were a couple of people that disagreed and once again we talked about it. Sometimes when you listen to another person's perspective your attitude can change. Did you know that you can claim that you were so drunk because you drank so much, that you can say you blacked out and don't remember a thing and possibly get away with whatever you did? Well, no sir, not for us. NEVER, NEVER tell a law enforcement official that you are going to kill him or his family. I had zero sympathy for this person.

In the end, one young lady got off and I hoped she learned a lesson but I think she is still with the guy. We found the other guilty and I also hope he learned a lesson. I highly doubt it in both cases.

I was also in for Jury Selection for a murder trial, another 10 day trial. We were the second panel so I was hoping I could skate by again. It was a case that happened in 2000 so it had been in the paper, news etc. Funny thing is that I read my local paper everyday and I honestly didn't remember anything about it. Initially we all had to fill out a questionnaire to eliminate those that had heard about it. I was honest and said I didn't know anything. I felt doomed. After almost 3 hours we were sent home without the attorneys interviewing us. A couple of days later I read in the paper that we were excused because the defendant was brought into our courtroom wearing his lovely orange jumpsuit and handcuffs. We were all tainted so we had to be excused. The case is still going and two jurors have already been dismissed. I think they rode in the same elevator as a family member so they were sent home. They are down to 1 alternate. I feel so important, we were in the paper!

I found the entire process extremely informative and I look forward to serving again. Yes, it was inconvenient because I never knew when I had to go in again so it was difficult to schedule appointments. But I learned a lot about the legal system, judges, bailiffs etc. It's not anything at all like Judge Judy or the People's Court!

Gary has Chehalis Municipal Court for February!

Carly

2010-01-30T23:01:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken a few months ago of my dog Carly. She is going to be 12 years old in March. I have a bed for her next to mine and every night she comes upstairs and sleeps next to me. She started bringing her little yellow ducky with her and curls up with it in her bed. The ducky was supposed to be for a baby shower I had a year ago, but somehow Carly thought it was hers and took it. She has always liked toys that make squeaking noises.

For those of you that know me, understand that Carly means a lot to me. When we travel I need to make sure she is comfortable. There have been a couple of times that we stayed in a hotel while travelling. They wouldn't allow pets, so Gary suggested I just leave them in the car and they would be fine (Allie too). Well, Gary ended up sleeping alone in the hotel and I slept in the car with the dogs! I needed to make sure they stayed safe and warm.

A year ago I saw the movie Marley & Me. It was over the holidays and I thought it would be great to see a good movie, it was advertised as fun for the family. About 1/4 of the way through the movie I realized where the movie was going and I almost got up and left. I cried so hard through the end of the movie. We are approaching some of the same tough decisions with Carly.

In December she started getting sores and she was diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder called Pemphigus Foliaceus. I had never heard of it before but I know a lot about it now. Her body suddenly thinks her skin is foreign and is attacking it. Last Tuesday I got an appointment 100 miles away in Edmond to see a pet Dermatologist at 7:00 am. We have a plan of action for her now but I have to be realistic. We have her on steroids, antibiotics and another medicine to decrease her immune system. We are walking a fine line here because she is older and we don't want to damage her liver.

Coupons & Rebates & Checks, OH MY!!

2010-01-30T19:18:00.000-08:00

While Michelle was here she was great and took over sending in my rebates. While she was here we sent in over $300 worth of rebates. The checks are now starting to come in. This week I cashed $100 worth of checks.

I started couponing in September and since then I am addicted. Gary describes it as a "game", I think he is correct. I check websites & blogs daily to see where the best deals are. I am to the point where nearly everything I get (not including food) is nearly free after coupons/rebates.

The exception to this is the recent diaper deals I have been doing. It is almost impossible to get diapers free, so we get them as cheap as we can. I got Pampers diapers at Target for $3.33! I also got 10 containers of wipes at Walgreen's for free, I just had to pay the sales tax! I am buying them in Newborn and size 1 and saving them up for Jenny. She will be well stocked when the baby is born.

I have been lucky to have some fabulous cashiers at the Walgreen's in Chehalis: Becki, Robyn, Bobbi & Jonathan. I am there at least 3-4 times a week! The only place I have had a problem is at Wal-Mart, which doesn't surprise me! I was buying chocolate chips the other night for my cookie project for Laura and I went to the Nestle's website and printed 2 50 cent coupons. It wasn't a great deal but I was in a bind. the cashier at Wal-Mart said very loud " I can't take this coupon, it's illegal!" I was shocked and even after I explained to her that i printed off a legal website she said it out loud again. It was humiliating in front of everyone.

So I will stick to Walgreen's, Target and Rite Aid from now on for my purchases. I should keep track of how much I spend and how much I redeem in coupons. The hard part is spending $2.50 a paper on Sundays.

Cookies - Cookies- Everywhere!

2010-01-27T13:12:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, Laura is going to school to be a pastry chef. She will graduate this year. In the meantime she has enjoyed taking small jobs catering.

This weekend she has a big job, she is making 5,000 cookies for an event. She has a small kitchen so I offered to help. She sent me the recipe and yesterday and today I have been busy baking. ( I can't give you her recipe but each batch uses 32 oz chocolate chips, 16 oz melted and added to the batter and the remaining as chips in the dough).

I am running out of containers to put the cookies in! I am now using a Rubbermaid cereal cannister to put them in. I am pleased to say that I have only eaten 3... okay 5!!! cookies.

I have to say the house smells great as soon as you walk in.

An Absolute Miracle!

2010-01-20T08:15:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, a terrible earthquake hit the island of Haiti on Tuesday January 12, 2010. As each day passes, the likelihood of finding survivors lessens. Over the weekend several people were found alive in a supermarket where they were able to survive on peanut butter and jelly.

Without water an average person can survive 3 days without water. This can vary according to your age, condition, temperature and other factors.

The United States sent incredible teams down to help Haiti. One of them is The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF). This is a search team that includes dogs that can smell human life. These dogs are able to distinguish between the smell of someone alive or someone that has just died. It is amazing to watch these teams working together to find survivors amidst all the rubble.

Yesterday, day 8, a rescue team from Mexico found a 69 year old woman, Ena Zizi buried in the Haitian National Cathedral. The woman was heard singing and praying. She was dehydrated, had a dislocated hip and a broken leg but was otherwise doing well. They were able to take her to a hospital for medical aid. She said she was "all right, sort of." She also said her faith as a Roman Catholic helped her through the ordeal, and added: "I talked only to my boss - God. And I didn't need any more humans."

Some of these teams have incredible listening devices that they can use that can even pick up the sound of someone breathing. They are able to use this equipment to listen in areas where they believe there are still survivors.

I am just amazed at the technology we have that can help the island of Haiti. I am grateful we have these men, women and dogs that have been working for days to bring hope to so many. Not all the stories have had a happy ending, in fact most don't. But stories like this 69 year old woman keep us all hoping and praying.

USNS Comfort Gets Ready to Sail

2010-01-15T11:57:00.000-08:00

I have had many people calling me asking if I am planning on heading to Haiti. I guess my friends know me too well. The most exciting news is that the USNS Comfort is leaving Baltimore on Saturday morning. She will reach Haiti on January 21. News Article New Article 1/16

The Comfort is a Navy ship, and when not actively deployed, is kept in a state of reduced operations in Baltimore Harbor. Every two years she goes on a medical mission to Central & South America. She is also available for disaster relief, she helped in New York after 9/11 and was in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. She has been used many times over the years and has been ready to ship out of Baltimore with 5 days' notice.

It takes a lot to ready a ship of this size and magnitude. They need medical supplies, food and a crew. These are things that can't be left on the ship in case it is needed. The ship can handle up to 1,000 patients. A 250-bed hospital is currently being set up on the ship, which will be equipped with four operating rooms, eight to 15 ICUs, as well as CAT scanners and other state-of-the-art equipment.

The ship will be anchored off Haiti's shore and patients will have to be flown in by helicopter. The Comfort can also make drinking water from sea water. The ship can pump out 300,000 gallons of water per day thanks to its four distilling plants.

As many of you know, I was on the Comfort last summer for 2 months on a medical mission. the first country the Comfort helped in was Haiti. I did not arrive until they were departing the Dominican Republic so I did not help in Haiti.

At this time, I am waiting to hear if my help will be needed on the ship. Over 600 doctors and nurses have already been called to serve on the ship. These men and women will drop everything and get ready to serve on the ship.

My heart just aches for the people of Haiti. I have been watching the news as it unfolds on CNN. Every minute, every hour and every day makes a difference to someone. My prayers are with the people of Haiti, and with all the rescue workers, doctors and nurses that are either there now or on the way.

Should I be concerned???

2010-01-09T20:58:00.001-08:00

Every Saturday Gary goes to a tennis lesson at Thorbeckes from 9:00 am until noon. Someone would have to be dying for him to even consider missing practice. It is a Skills & Drills class taught by TJ Underwood, the Tennis director.

Last Saturday morning, I was getting ready to go visit my brother Grover in Woodland, WA for his family Christmas. Gary had a match later in the day and realized he wouldn't be able to take the lesson and go to a family function with me. He was getting ready to climb in the shower and this was our conversation:

Kirsten: "What are you doing?"

Gary: "Taking a shower."

Kirsten: "Don't you have tennis practice this morning?"

Gary: "Yes."

Kirsten: "And you are taking a shower before practice?"

Gary: "Yes."

Kirsten: "Why didn't you take one before you went to bed last night?"

Gary: No response

I think I just might have to pop into Thorbeckes next Saturday to see what happens at lessons!!

When I was on the ship...

2009-12-30T21:43:00.000-08:00

I know that just seeing the title of this blog has made my family cringe! Ever since I have been home I am frequently heard saying that exact phrase, or "When I was on my mission...". In August I attended a luncheon in Salt Lake City at the Church Office, and many of the other men women I worked with have had the same reaction from their families. Well, I was on that ship for 2 months and it became my life while I was there. I am constantly remembering something that happened, something I saw or did. I realized that I never gave a closing post to my blog on my mission so I thought I would try and put it in words.

I have had a difficult time writing about my mission and I am not sure why. Every time I sit down and try to put words to what I experienced I hit a block. Unfortunately I did not keep a journal while I was there and that was a big lesson for next time. Right now I can still see and feel it all but I know that will eventually fade.

The first two weeks after I left I dreamt about the USNS Comfort every night. I dreamt about the ship, the patients, the people I worked with, the military, everything. So many people asked me about it and my response started with "It was an emotional roller coaster". I found myself talking about the sad cases, the people we couldn't help. So it seemed to me that no one wanted to talk about it when I so desperately needed to. Why would anyone want to talk with me about sadness, sick children and frustration.

Well, for the record, Continuing Promise 09 saw over 100,000 patients and did over 1600 surgeries on the ship. We helped so many people that would otherwise not been taken care of. We changed so many lives and brought comfort and hope to nearly everyone we saw. To many of the patients and their families it was a miracle. I would frequently hear someone crying and it was a cry of relief and joy. Patients could see again, or their bodies were repaired. So many were grateful for what we gave them, but they will never know what they gave to me.

I learned more about faith, hope, love, kindness and compassion in those short two months than I will ever learn in my life. Very few complained of pain or anything else, they were so grateful to have the help and care that we provided. (Many did complain of nausea but that comes from being on a ship several miles off the coast).

The children, no matter what was wrong, were all so happy. They all smiled and had such a great time coming to the clinics. The moms kept their children comfortable and busy for the wait, at times several hours. Sometimes I realized how quickly I was moving to get patients in and out of the clinic, trying to keep order, and I realized that I needed to take a few moments and just spend a little time with the children and their families.

I was fortunate that nearly every country I was able to be in pediatrics. I loved being with the children, they bring so much happiness and joy with them. I wish I could take every one of them home with me.

The people in the countries we visited are all grateful for what they have. They aren't worried about what designer jeans to get or what restaurant to eat at. They live with extended families, and family is important to them. Many children had disfiguring conditions but they were the ones that had the biggest smiles.

I recently purchased a Spanish computer program and my goal is to be more fluent in Spanish. The USNS Comfort will go back to Central & South America in 2011 and I plan on being there for another 2 months. The USNS Mercy will be in the Pacific in 2010. I have a grand baby due in June so I am not sure if I will make it or not.

Things I Miss the Most:

The announcements throughout the day: revelie, sweepers, taps and others. (I can't believe I am actually saying that!)

Working as a nurse alongside some incredible nurses and corpsmen.

The Evening meetings letting us know what happened during the day and what to expect in the next day or two.

Waking up every morning knowing I have a purpose, a job to do.

Being disciplined.

Seeing all the men and women in uniform.

Being able to survive with very little. I was amazed at how much I could do without and how little I really needed.

I miss Ashley, Mindy, CJ & Rachel. These were the 4 younger non medical volunteers with our group that served the entire 4 months. I was so impressed with them, how quickly they made friends, how friendly they were and how easy going they were in every situation. They made the trip a lot of fun for the rest of us.

The rocking of the boat. It is very comforting and soothing.

Wearing my Missionary name tag.

This Mission was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, and it was also the most rewarding. I will always have a piece of the USNS Comfort and its crew in my heart. I have so much love, respect and admiration for our Military and their families. I finally got around to putting together a short video. Most of it is pictures of the kids, many are in previous posts.

If you ever get an opportunity to do something like this, take the chance. The more it puts you out of your comfort zone, the more you will get out of it.

Fallen Heroes

2009-12-28T21:38:00.000-08:00

This evening Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Walter "Kent" Mundell died. He was shot a week ago and had been in Critical Condition ever since. On Monday December 21, he and his partner Sergeant Nicholas Hausner responded to a domestic call in Eatonville. The situation went bad and both officers were shot. Deputy Mundell took several shots and was able to shoot back and kill the man that had shot them. Sgt Hausner was able to go home Christmas Eve, but before he went home he went to Harborview Medical Center to visit his partner.

On November 29, 4 Lakewood Police Officers were ambushed and killed. Sergeant Mark Renninger, Officer Ronald Owen, Officer Tina Griswold and Officer Greg Richards were slain in a coffee shop while preparing for their shift.

On October 31, Officer Timothy Brenton of the Seattle Police Department was killed in a drive by shooting. His partner, officer trainee Britt Sweeney was injured during the incident.

On August 18, Lewis County Sheriff's Deputy Stephen "Mike" Gallagher died after a car accident. He was heading to back up another deputy on a domestic violence call when his car hit an Elk on Highway 12.

These men and women gave their lives in the line of duty. I have law enforcement officers and fire fighters in my family and I worry about them every time I hear about a shooting or injury. The 7 left behind spouses, children and other family members. I can't imagine what they are all going through, especially during the holiday season.

I would like to ask each of you to remember not only these fallen heroes, but the other law enforcement officers and fire fighters that work to protect us and keep us safe every hour of the day, every day of the year. Please pray for them and their families. Whenever you need to call 911, these men and women are ready for us and for our families.

Please take a moment, the next time you see a fire fighter, or law enforcement officer, tell them thank you. They have recently lost their brothers and sister and they are mourning the loss as well. I have so much respect for them. I hope that someday there will be a time when I can do something for them.

Deputy Walter "Kent" Mundell

Officer Greg Richards

Sergeant Mark Renninger

Officer Ronald Owen

Deputy Stephen "Mike" Gallagher

Officer Timothy Brenton

Officer Tina Griswold

What did you GIVE for Christmas?

2009-12-24T21:36:00.000-08:00

Over the next couple of days one of the most frequent questions we are going to ask or hear is "What did you get for Christmas"? It is a very reasonable question as Christmas is a time for exchanging presents. We have spent a lot of time planning our lists of presents to buy, we spent time shopping, and we spent money.

Last Sunday at Church our former Bishop, Bishop Stephen Walker, gave a brief talk towards the end of Sacrament Meeting. In his talk he encouraged us to change the word get to give, so it now becomes "What did you give for Christmas"? He did not mean what present did you buy for who, how much did you spend or who did you buy for. He was talking about what did we give of ourselves, our talents and our time.

Did we donate to a charity? Did we help someone in need? Were we there for a friend? Most important is what did we give to Christ? He gave everything for us so why not give something for Him?

Let's try and forget about how commercial Christmas has become, and let's remember what this day is all about. President Thomas S Monson of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints said that asking that question "prompts stimulating thought, causes tender feelings to well up and memory' fires to glow ever brighter."

Take some time and think about what you have given, not just at Christmas but all year. Let's all make an effort to try and give a little more of our time to helping and serving others. Christmas Gifts can become Christmas Blessings.

I wish all my family and friends a very Merry Christmas. I hope your day is full of love and laughter. If you can, tell me a little about what you gave for Christmas.

Kirsten's 50th Birthday

2009-12-22T00:28:00.000-08:00

On my birthday, my loving family put a candle in a cookie and sang Happy Birthday to me.

Daphne helping blow out my candleVideo of singing Happy Birthday

The end of my birthday was spent with Michelle at two different Walgreen's in Olympia. We were doing some last minute deals with coupons. We also went to two Target's! Personally I can't think of a better way to end the day.

Then on Saturday, we had a big party with family and friends. Our closest friends from Utah, the Jefferies family, surprised me by driving out here for my party!

My daughter Laura catered desserts and appetizers for the party. We feasted on:

Zucchini and Potato-Stuffed Sweet Peppers

Avocado-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

Bruschetta

Pesto-Stuffed Mushrooms

Chocolate Truffles

Rocky Road Fudge

Cranberry-Brie Bites

And the most delicious cake I've ever had!!

Michelle and I made one of our signature birthday quilts for the party. I'm having family and friends sign their names on my birthday quilt.

It was an absolutely fun filled week and I am so glad I have friends and family to celebrate with. It was a major milestone for me, but I wanted to celebrate it instead of mourning.

Philippines #3 Malatapay Market

2009-11-17T19:09:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday mornings there is a huge open market here. It starts very early in the morning. The cooks for the resort get up early to make sure they get the best selection for the restaurant.

We went today, a little later, to experience the market. We had a briefing on it last night so we knew what to expect. Our dive guide Marco, another dive guide Simon and the Tokos Restaurant Host took us on our journey.

Wednesdays at Malatapay Market are always abuzz with activity. It is a place where livestock growers, local farmers and fishermen converge to sell their fresh produce. Aside from that there are also other vendors who display an array of merchandise such as plastic wares, household items, garments, slippers, sometimes even cheap children’s toys. It is a whole day fair for the townspeople, shoppers and visitors. Folks from the neighboring towns also take part in the tabo, a local term which means market day.

People go there not only to buy or browse around the market but also to enjoy the open air seaside restaurant that is popular for its fresh seafood dishes.

There were 102 of us so we boarded 2 Jeepneys to take us the 10 minute drive.

When we arrived I was surprised at how crowded it was. The problem is that they use this road to transport all the animals being sold at the auction.

Gary thoroughly enjoyed the hardware items for sale. He had his eye on a couple of knives. He said he collects knives which was news to me. He said he would take them home and put them in the basement. Well, Gary came back empty handed.

I am glad that blogs don't include a smell tab. The first two pictures are fish. Marco is from the Philippines and assured us that is tasted very good. I took his word for it and moved on.

Yes, let's keep moving on. More fish.

This is dried fish. Even after you dry it, it still smells fishy. Gary wanted to take some for snacks on the plane.

Fresh meat for sale.

Peanuts for only 5 Pesos. They were good!

Towards the end of the road is the market where all the livestock are sold. I chose not to go in and watch as I had seen enough of the animals being carried to and from along the road. I decided not to show you any of the pictures of the animals because it was hard enough for me to see and listen to. The pigs make the worst sound when they are being tied up. No slaughtering goes on here, lucky for me.

The road ends at the beach. At the end is a restaurant that sells roasted pig. We had a table set for us as we arrived to try some sticky rice, fried banana, roasted pig and more. Kirsten settled for some Sprite while Gary tried it all.

We had a wonderful man playing banjo for us at the end. He was a very friendly man and played the banjo very well. It was nice to sit and listen to. he even took requests!

Philippines #2

2009-11-16T13:03:00.000-08:00

After about 30 hours of travel we arrived in Puerto Galara, Philippines. We drove from Chehalis to Vancouver, BC for our flight. Then we had a 13 hour flight to Hong Kong, layover there and a short flight to Manila. From there a 4 hour bus ride then a 1 hour boat ride.

The food here is wonderful. We have enjoyed some of the best food on any of our dive trips. Kirsten is not a seafood fan but there has always been chicken or beef. Gary is loving all the fresh fish he can eat. For lunch and dinner we always have a gourmet dessert. Laura we will get pictures for you at every meal.

Our dining area.

We have 63 stairs to climb up to our room every time. It reminds me of my trip on the Comfort! We make sure before we leave that we have everything we need. But, we have to go up and down and least 4 times a day, great exercise. That and being in the water swimming for up to 4 hours a day helps justify the desserts.

Yesterday, while our gear was drying, we took a walk around town. Gary found two hardware stores and enjoyed looking around.

The streets of Puerto Galara.

Think there are any copyright issues here?

A few of the boats we have been diving off of.

One day last week we traveled by boat to Verde Island where we spent a day of diving. Here are a few pictures of the island.

During this week two of our divers reached milestone dives. Russ had dive #1200 and Bob (Scuba Dad) had Dive #6400. No, that is not a typo! I am barely to dive #600. That night they each had to drink a beer out of a snorkel with a mask on. They made it look easy!
They each got T-Shirts to commemorate the event. My lesson in all of this is to NEVER tell them exactly how many dives I have had.

We have been here one week and we are packing our gear and headed for the airport. We are flying from Manila to our next destination, Dumaguete. We will be staying at the sister resort to where we are at now. It's not a lot of fun drying out the wet gear for a day, packing, getting up early and traveling, but it is necessary to go someplace else.

We are usually in bed by 8:30 at night and we are up at 6:00 am. For those who know my sleep schedule lately, that is a real challenge for me. But, I have adjusted and with the help of some great little blue pills I sleep well all night.

The sunset the night before we left.

This is the sunrise as we were leaving.

The shore of Puerto Galara as we were leaving.

Loading up on the boat.

JENNY!!!

2009-11-11T12:24:00.000-08:00

Alright, I guess the truth is out (on facebook) so I might as well give up the game.

Jenny is pregnant! She is due on June 18th.

Her morning sickness set in nearly right away, but she is on a good medication that has her feeling much better. Her Dr said both mom and baby are looking healthy.

We're all SO excited!

Guess Who is Pregnant

2009-11-10T13:34:00.000-08:00

The Klein family has some exciting news! Yes, someone is pregnant.

Instead of telling you right away I thought I would have a little fun (even though you've all been anxious for the last 10 days!). I am going to have everyone tell me who they think is pregnant.

I have added a gadget to my blog on the right for you to take the poll. Just remember our motto in Chicago for voting: "Vote Early. Vote Often."

The Philippines #1

2009-11-09T14:39:00.000-08:00

Gary and I are in the Philippines for a 2 week scuba diving trip. It took us about 30 hours to get here: A long drive from Chehalis to the Vancouver BC airport where we left, a 13 hour flight to Hong Kong, a 2 hour flight to Manila, a 4 hour bus ride and a 1 hour boat ride. Add to that layovers, customs etc and we arrived exhausted.

Our first adventure was crossing into Canada. They always ask questions and one of them is if we brought any firearms with us. Not remembering if Gary did or not I asked him if he left his gun at home. The officer asked me what I said and I told her. Well, we were asked to pull over. I had to go inside and when I turned around and looked Gary was being held with his hands behind his back like he was handcuffed. They wouldn't let me stay with him. They searched him, our car and luggage. It all was quite fast but it was a little scary. We didn't have anything to hide which made it better.

On our first day of diving Gary got a headache so he missed the second dive. After lunch I felt very sleepy so I went to bed about 2:00 pm and slept until 6:00 am. I guess I needed the sleep. Gary did the 2 afternoon dives without me. The next day Gary got a headache after the first dive and sat out the next two dives. On the last dive for the day he joined me. My high pressure hose failed so I had to go back to the boat and he finished the dive without me. Today we are headed for Verde Island for 3 dives.

The food here is fabulous! Gary is enjoying seafood everyday. The weather has been warm and sunny and the water temperature has been great. I didn't bring my underwater camera but I will try and take some land pictures today. I know my children are breathing a sigh of relief that I didn't bring my underwater video camera. They don't enjoy watching my videos.

KLEIN FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENT!

2009-10-31T14:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I am going to make you wait. There will be a very special Klein Family Announcement on November 10. Mark your calendar and check back as you won't want to miss this one!

No way!

2009-10-06T15:12:00.000-07:00

Laura came for a two day visit last week. It was her break from school so it was nice of her to come home for a couple of days and spend it with me. While she was here I started cleaning my pantry. This is the closet that I had lots of cookbooks in. Michelle made a comment once about my cookbooks (the quantity) so I got rid of about half of them. I have been slowly getting the food out of the closet and using it for small appliances and paper products. I guess I am trying to organize a little better.

Since Laura is going to Culinary School I love to give her the kitchen gadgets that I no longer need. So with her home for a visit it was a great opportunity to have her look at the things I don't want and she can tell me if she wants them or not.

I reached behind something and pulled out a bottle of Kraft barbecue sauce. Laura could tell from the label that it was old. I didn't think it looked that old but I was completely shocked when I saw the date on it.
Yes, that says best when used by October 12, 1989. Usually when you buy something it has a date about a year or so ahead so I may have purchased that bottle of barbecue sauce in 1988. So, it is almost as old as Laura, it is 21 years old!

I have been going through my food every year and throwing out the old stuff so I am surprised to find it. It was hidden, but how could I have overlooked it? We moved here in 1992 so we would have had to move it here from our other house.

I also found this bottle of Karo syrup which she thought looked old as well. I do have to say it is a glass bottle and they don't use glass bottles anymore. I don't think the label looks old. But then, I am almost 50...

I honestly think my children are playing a practical joke on me. I think one of them, probably Laura, put it in the pantry just to make me clean even more.

Gary???????

2009-10-04T11:32:00.001-07:00

Yes, this is Gary, Many of you are not aware of this special and hidden side of Gary.

Several years ago our daughter Laura was dancing as Clara in the Nutcracker. As most parents do, we got involved in the production. One year we ran Styrofoam peanuts through our snow blower to shred them. They were used as the snow during the Snowflake scene.

This year in particular they were in need of someone to play the role of Mother Ginger. My understanding is the part is supposed to be played by a man dressing as a woman. Frequently it is a woman pretending to be dressed as a man that is pretending to dress as a woman. Confused?

The director took one look at Gary and knew he found his man (Woman?). Gary, being the great sport that he is, agreed. Now the problem was the costume. His mom went to work and made the breasts. They were quite large! I honestly don't remember, but I am sure someone helped him with his makeup.

During dress rehearsal, Gary wore his big Army type boots. The director thought they would fit the character best. Underneath this huge hoop dress are about 6 - 7 little children. Mother Ginger comes out onto the stage slowly looking for her children. You could frequently hear the children screaming "OW" as Gary stepped on one of their little toes. I hope he didn't do any permanent damage to their poor little feet. I was careful to make sure that the day before the performance, Gary didn't eat anything that might cause "intestinal distress".

After this year of the Nutcracker Gary decided it was fun, but they haven't asked him back. So for now, Gary has to keep this special talent of his hidden.

I was cleaning out some bins in the basement and came across this picture. I knew I had to share it with everyone.

Hoarders

2009-09-29T01:06:00.001-07:00

Have you seen the new show on A&E titled The Hoarders? Kari & Devin, the couple that watched our house for us, had taped a couple episodes on our DVR. I had never heard of the show before so I thought I would watch it one afternoon. After I watched it I knew Gary had to see it as well. After it was over we were both a little quiet, we didn't know what to say. I am so glad they happened to leave that show on there because it really opened my eyes to what was around me.

Unfortunately there are a few people in this world that have actually seen our bedroom and basement. Now that is not a picture of it, but it could be someday. Whenever we did any renovations, all the extra "stuff" got piled into our bedroom or the basement. When we have people over to stay or for dinner, it is quick and easy to just toss it up or down the stairs and forget about it. Over time it can really pile up. Now I can't blame all of this on work we have done, we both have tendencies to want to save things.

Now a lot of you have seen Gary's warehouse. Some call him a "pack rat", a collector, and some say he is creative and that is how he should be. We kind of laugh about it because our son-in-law says that when we go, "the warehouse is being sold lock, stock & barrel".

When my mom moved out west I ended up with a lot of her stuff in my basement. After she died I needed to go through it. but as you can understand it was hard. I had a nice talk with my brother Grover one day and he let me know it was ok to throw it out. Anything that had any real value had already been divided up amongst the family. I have some great memories of the the things that were important to us, I didn't need to keep it laying around. So that weekend I got rid of a lot of it.

Well, the day after I watched this show I went down in the basement and I stayed there for almost 2 days. I think Gary was getting a little nervous! We haven't looked for or needed most of that "stuff" for the past 5+ years. I would love to get a dumpster here and just throw it all out. I was cleaning a drawer out in the kitchen and for some reason we had 8 ice cream scoops. I didn't buy them, they just started accumulating. I told Gary he had to pick out 2 to keep. He grabbed the 4 oldest ones ("antiques he called them) and walked out of the room. He said he likes old tools and wants to keep them.

Watching that show before you clean is like watching the Tour de France before you go on a bike ride. It really gets you charged up and in the mood. It was disappointing because after 2 days you could hardly tell I had done anything in there. The pathway is more noticeable and I threw out 3 giant garbage bags of junk.

The best part of this whole story is that right now, for the next month, Gary is in Utah and I am home. I have a few more episodes taped that I can watch before I head downstairs to the basement or upstairs to the bedroom. As long as we leave my fabric alone I am ok!

Am I Pregnant?

2009-09-27T15:57:00.000-07:00

I wish I could find out how quickly you clicked on this when you saw the title!!!!

Michelle has been into couponing for several months. She has a great friend in Chicago, Chrisanna, that taught her the ropes. It's a lot more than just cutting coupons. There is a lot of math involved, computer skills, time management, being able to adjust, being friendly and more.

Every time I visit her or she comes here, she brings a suitcase full of "things" for her family. We have fun going through her bag of goodies and picking out something we can use. She signs up for free samples as well. I was visiting her one day when she got her mail. In it were lots of free trial size samples. She asked me if I would like her to sign me up for some and I said sure. She said sometimes it will be something you don't want but maybe someone else will. Hey, I like getting mail so bring it on!

Within a month the samples started coming. Everything from cat/dog food to shampoo and snacks. I love to have people come & visit and I like to have toiletries available for them in case they forgot something. So I started saving these freebies for visitors. The mound kept growing so I put them all in a basket in the guest bathroom.
This isn't all of it either. there have been lots of food samples that have been consumed.

Anyway, back to my story... (I know you all want to know what does this have to do with if I am pregnant or not!) In the mail I received lots of feminine products like tampons and pantiliners.

Someone always needs them so I just put them in the basket. Then one day, this is what I got.

I was puzzled, why did I get that, I didn't order one. I mentioned it to Michelle the next time I talked to her and she said she ordered it. When I asked why she said that I told her to send me whatever she wanted. It's a good thing that Gary didn't open the mail that day because you can just imagine what the conversation would have been like.

Next I received this...

I can just imagine what the mailman is thinking. The rumors are probably started and I am going to have lots of people wondering. Well the feminine products stopped coming and now this is what I am getting.

I don't know if I should be happy or not!

SAVE THE DATE

2009-09-20T18:55:00.001-07:00

As many of you know I am turning 50 this year. Yes, I know it's hard to believe but it's true. I am sure most of you thought no more than 35, but when you do the math and my oldest is 25 the truth comes out.

So to celebrate I am throwing myself a party. So get your pens out and mark your calendar for Saturday November 28. I know it's Thanksgiving weekend, but it was the only date that would work. I promise that there won't be any turkey served. I am planning an open house type party. I am not sure of the time yet but somewhere between 4 and 9pm. At this time it will probably be at our home in Chehalis.

You will get a chance to sample some of Laura's catering. We will let you decide if the tuition for Culinary School has paid off.

I hope everyone can make it. The more the merrier!

September is National Coupon Month

2009-09-10T23:37:00.000-07:00

Do I know something that Michelle doesn't regarding coupons?? Yes, September is National Coupon Month. The first coupon was issued in 1887 by the Coca Cola Company. Coupons were mailed to potential customers and placed in magazines. Coupons first saw widespread use in the United States in 1909 when C. W. Post conceived the idea to help sell breakfast cereals and other products. These coupons were for 1 cent!

Coupons became a staple in American households by 1930, prompted by the Depression. The need to cut cost, especially the weekly grocery bill, made clipping coupons a necessity for many families. During the 1940's, chain supermarkets started their growth across the country and continued on with the coupon tradition developed in the neighborhood food stores. One-half of all Americans were coupon users by 1965, and ten years later, over 35 billion coupons were distributed in the U.S.A.

Coupons are now available by mail, newspapers, magazine, and more recently online. Coupons are credited with generating nearly ten billion dollars in commerce a year in this country alone. There are websites devoted to posting coupons and deals for everything from antacids to zagnut bars, food to appliances.

89% of the overall population use coupons while shopping for groceries, household and healthcare items at supermarkets. During tough economic times, manufacturers turn to using coupons, both print and online, to get shoppers back to the store to buy their favorite brand or try a new item. A typical consumer saves 7% on their grocery bill.

So during the month, make sure you look in your Sunday paper for the coupon section. Give it a try, although it can be addicting! Take a look at these two.

Laura at Culinary School

2009-09-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night Gary, Trevor, Jenny, Ava & I ate at Portfolio Restaurant in Seattle. This restaurant serves as an educational dining lab for culinary arts students at the Art Institute of Seattle. Upper-level students create, prepare and serve the menus guided by a Chef Instructor.

Last month Gary and I went there while Laura was cooking. The students rotate during the quarter so each gets an opportunity to work in the back preparing the food, or working in the front as a waiter/waitress. (Are they still called that?). We had an excellent meal for a reasonable price. Laura made the desserts since she is the only student in her group that is focusing on pastries.

This time Laura was our waitress/server and she did a fabulous job. I was going to bring some fake dog poop and put it on the floor, and a fake fly in an ice cube. But we decided to be nice, although we still did give her a hard time at the restaurant. Everyone knew we were her parents so we were treated well.

The chef instructor came by and told us how happy he was to have a student that was so enthusiastic about pastries. Now Gary and I are very enthusiastic about pastries as well, but I don't think that is what he meant. He said Laura was doing a wonderful job and he was very happy to have her as a student.

We are both very proud of the hard work she is doing to graduate from the Art Institute. She puts in some long days and late hours but it will pay off.

So I will give a thumbs up to Portfolio restaurant. All the students did a fabulous job and the food was delicious.

Happy Anniversary Jenny & Trevor

2009-09-10T17:27:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday September 8 Jenny & Trevor celebrated their 2 year wedding anniversary. I mistakenly thought it was on Wednesday. Apparently Trevor made a wonderful dinner for the two of them and they had a quiet evening at home. It is hard to believe that 2 years ago we were sailing on the Argossy for a spectacular wedding. It was a beautiful evening with great family and friends.

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort : Random Things I Learned

2009-08-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

Random Things I learned while living on the USNS Comfort:

The Marine Corps is a military service branch within the Department of the Navy.

The Nurse Corps has a distinctive insignia of a single Oak Leaf, on one collar point, or in place of a line officer's star on shoulder boards. Go here to see other Navy rank isignia.

In the US Military we use the term Lieutenant for one of the ranks (LT). In Canada they use the term Leftenant.

The ranks from the US Navy, Air Force, Marines and Army are not the same. A captain in one is completely different in another. Their insignias for the ranks are completely different as well.

Doing an Eliptical trainer while the boat is rocking from side to side can be very interesting.

The Navy is rich in tradition, from ringing the bell when a captain embarks or disembarks, to frocking and the changing of command.

If necessary, the men and women from the Army are able to take a "Navy Shower".

I have had this draft saved for a couple of months and realized I never posted it. So even though it is old I hope someone else learns something from it.

27 Years Ago...

2009-07-24T13:44:00.000-07:00

On July 24, 1982 Gary Gordon Klein and Kirsten Marta Laseke were married at Unity Lutheran Church in Chicago Illinois. After a reception in Chicago and a honeymoon in Lake Geneva Wisconsin we went back to our home south of Chehalis Washington. We also had a reception in Chehalis for our west coast family and friends.

We have come a long way in the past 27 years. We have 3 beautiful daughters (Jenny, Michelle & Laura), 2 handsome son-in-laws (Trevor Williams married to Jenny and Derrick McKay married to Michelle), a grandson (Dayton James McKay) and a granddaughter (Daphne Rose McKay).

Here are some pictures from that great day, and of the reception in Chehalis. Please note that we did not have a professional photographer in Chicago. Also, Greer I am sorry to have used your picture to show the great bridesmaids dresses I got. Why haven't you worn it again??

In Love

Look at all that white.

The prettiest bridesmaid dress ever.

The happy couple.

Perfect for each other.

What a hunk of burning love.

Isn't she ravishing?

You want me to live here???

The question I pose is not would I choose him today, but would he choose me??

Professional Photographs by Photography by Robin. I don't want to violate the copyright!!

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #16: Faces of El Salvador

2009-07-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

A New Wheelchair

The El Salvadoran "Sweepers"

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort # 15 : What will you do when you get home?

2009-07-04T00:50:00.000-07:00

As the end of the mission is coming fast, I have been asking many of my friends what is the first thing they will do when they get home. Some of them I completely agree with!! I am not posting who said what because there are a couple of surprises in them. Some of the answers come from people that will be here the entire 4 months. Some will only be here a few weeks. Either way, we all miss our family, friends, and the comforts of home.

"Get dressed up, fix my hair and go out to dinner"

"Eat a medium-rare steak"

"Sleep" (The most common answer)

"Go on a bike ride"

"I am going to surprise my mom with a visit"

"Give my wife a big hug"

"Go and visit my grandchildren" (No, Michelle, that was not me)

"I have to be at work the morning after I get home"

"Spend the day with my kids"

"Take a shower without any shoes on"

"Soak in the bathtub for an hour"

"Get the dog toys and take my dog to the park"

"I have to be at work the next morning"

"I am heading to San Diego to get on another ship"

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #14: Corpsman Up!

2009-06-28T12:39:00.000-07:00

On June 17 we celebrated the 111th birthday of the Corpsman. A Hospital Corpsman (HM) is a member of the U.S. Navy's Hospital Corps, and is frequently the only medical care-giver available in many fleet or Marine units on extended deployment. Hospital Corpsmen serve as enlisted medical specialists for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The Hospital Corpsman serves in a wide variety of capacities and locations, including shore establishments such as naval hospitals and clinics, aboard ships as the primary medical caregivers for sailors while underway, or with Marine Corps units. The colloquial form of address for a Corpsman is "Doc." In the U.S. Marine Corps, this term is generally used as a sign of respect.

Be they assigned to hospital ships, reservist installations, recruiter offices, or Marine Corps combat units, the rating of Hospital Corpsman is the most decorated in the United States Navy with 22 Medals of Honor, 174 Navy Crosses, 31 Distinguished Service Medals, 946 Silver Stars, and 1,582 Bronze Stars. There have been 20 naval ships that have been named after hospital corpsmen. Assignment to US Navy facilities and ships is referred to as going "Blueside" and serving with Marines is considered going "Greenside."

Hospital Corpsman Pledge
"I solemnly pledge myself before God and these witnesses to practice faithfully all of my duties as a member of the Hospital Corps. I hold the care of the sick and injured to be a privilege and a sacred trust and will assist the Medical Officer with loyalty and honesty. I will not knowingly permit harm to come to any patient. I will not partake of nor administer any unauthorized medication. I will hold all personal matters pertaining to the private lives of patients in strict confidence. I dedicate my heart, mind and strength to the work before me. I shall do all within my power to show in myself an example of all that is honorable and good throughout my naval career."

Although there are many good natured put downs between the Navy andMarines serving side by side, Marines take special care of their corpsman. The individual Marine knows that "Doc" will respond, no matter how deadly the situation, when the call "Corpsman Up!" sounds.

"Corpsman Up" is the call you would here in battle when a Marine was injured.

This is a picture of the Hospital Corpsmen that worked with me on 2AFT this last rotation. There are also included a few that worked on the ward from the US Army and the Canadian Army.

My Dad, Marvin J Laseke, was also a Corpsman.

This is my Dad's Honorable Discharge Certificate from the US Navy.

I did not know, until I was here on the USNS Comfort and working with Navy Corpsmen, that my dad was a corpsman. I always knew he did something in the medical field but I never knew exactly what it was. While doing a little research on the history of the Corpsmen I came across his rank. His official rank was a Pharmacist Mate Third Class, which is listed as a Corpsman. He served in the Pacific during WWII.

I am so proud to know my dad was one of these fine men and women. It is such an honor for me to work with them here, they are very knowledgeable, experienced and always willing to help. All I have to do is ask and they are there when I need them. They alert me to an abnormal vital sign, a patient with pain, if they ambulated, if they are nauseated, or anything they notice from their vast experience that helps me care for my patient. We definitely work as a team, but I have to say honestly that I wouldn't be as effective without them. In fact, they know a lot more than I do and their assessment skills are incredible.

To the Corpsman I worked with, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your dedication, hard work, help and support. You made my job on the USNS Comfort so much more enjoyable. I sincerely hope that I will have the privilege of working with you again.

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #13: My Room/Colombian Translators

2009-06-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

In my room, I have 3 Captains, 1 Commander,
and 2 Lt Commanders. I am definitely outranked!

My Roommates

Back Row: Kirsten Klein CIV, Lt. Commander Lori Snidow, Lt. Commander Karen Moore, Commander Karen Morgan-Lynch
Front Row: Captain Andrea Demello-Stevers, Captain Betty Chern-Hughes and Captain Kathryn Johnson

Kathryn Johnson MD, CAPT MC USN. She is a contract physician to the US Navy in Occupational Medicine at the Groton Branch Clinic. She is from East Lyme, CT, and is the CO, OHSU in San Diego, CA.

Andrea Demello-Stevers, CAPT, NC, USNR, Senior Nurse Leader NR OHSU San Diego, Det D - Honolulu, Hawaii. She is a Nurse Educator for the Department of Veterans Affairs. She was the co-coordinator of Cruise #3 for the Navy Reservists, USNS Comfort, CP09 Mission.

Betty Chern-Hughes, CAPT, USPHS, Certified Nurse-Midwife, National program Nurse Consultant, Office of Family Planning, Office of Population Affairs, Rockville, MD. She is from Dallas, Santa Fe, Ft Defiance, Tucson & Globe AZ

Karen Morgan-Lynch CDR, NC, USNR OIC Det Q OHSU Bethesda Arlington, VA She is an ICU Nurse at GWV Hospital in Washington DC, FNP, Arlington DHS

Karen Moore, LCDR, NC, USNR Camp Lejeune DET L (unit drilling in Chatanooga, TN), She is a Certified Nurse Anesthetist working for Moore Anesthesia, PLLC, doing local assignments throughout US.

Lori Snidow, DDS, LCDR USPHS, Indian Health Service Pawnee Indian Health Center, Pawnee, OK. She is a staff Dental Officer, Advanced and is originally from Bristol, TN and practiced previously in Roanoke, VA.

You can see from their background and current practice that if anything happened to me I was in good hands. My roommates were great and I enjoyed meeting them. Unfortunately it is time for them to go home and a new group will come on after them.

My Locker

My Bunk
When the last group of Reservists was here I slept in the top bunk. As soon as they left I grabbed the bottom bunk.

Translators

These are some of the translators from Colombia that stayed on the ship in Tumaco. Many of them are from a University in Bogota, Colombia. The United States Embassy paid to fly them to the Comfort to help translate for us. They volunteered on the ward I work on and they helped us so much. They worked very hard and we were so lucky to have them here. Claudia, Claudia, Me, Andrea, Maria, Diego, Monique

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #12: UNREP

2009-06-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

At 9:00 am this morning we met up with the cargo ship USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE-5). They pulled along us for Underway Replenishment. It took about an hour to get it set up and it will take about 4 hours for the transfer. We will take on about 200,000 gallons of fuel and several pallets of supplies. I signed up to volunteer this morning. We met at 8:30 am and were given a briefing of what would happen.

Initially a gun is shot to the cargo ship that has a line attached to it from the USNS Comfort. Once that was secure, a group of us started pulling over a rope that had the fuel line attached. I think there were maybe 40 of us taking turns pulling. It felt like we were pulling the two boats together! The first six people in line took most of the load, the rest of us behind helped as well. At times we had to loosen up and allow some slack in the line. It took us at least twenty minutes because there was a kink in the line somewhere. We finally got it secured and then we had the chance for some photo opportunities.

At one point I did have a chance to be first on the rope, but it wasn't the original rope pulling the fuel line. It was actually quite hard! I also had to start it going around a corner because of the way the layout was.

It is absolutely amazing to me that these two ships will be side by side for 5 hours, transferring fuel and supplies. We are very close to one another and we have to maintain the exact same speed and heading. I am in total awe that we are able to do this. This ship came out here just for us!

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #11: Carlos Vives

2009-06-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

Carlos Vives visited us while we were in Tumaco, Colombia. At the time we only had a handful of patients left onboard. Carlos took the time and sat with each one and talked with them. He is very personable, friendly and kind. I got a chance to shake his hand and he said "thank you for everything you are doing." Here is a picture of him with one of my patients.

Carlos Vives is from Colombia, and is well known as a recording artist, composer and soap opera actor. He has a style of Vallenato music that has made him well known to the Latin America music crowd. The patients were obviously very happy to have him visit them.

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #10: Faces of Colombia

2009-06-18T07:33:00.000-07:00

Kira

This 2-year-old is one of my patients. His mom couldn't come on board because she was pregnant. She had a neighbor take care of him while she couldn't be there. Holding him is US Army Specialist KC Ellis from Ogden, Utah. He is an LPN and works at a Skilled Nursing Facility in Utah. He has 2 kids of his own at home. When the little boy woke up crying, Specialist Ellis immediately comforted him so he could fall asleep. I could tell he was a dad right away!

Lt Commander Kelly Hamon & Patient

Letter from a Comfort Patient

2009-06-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

Colombia, Tumaco 15 June 2009

Dear Members of the USNS Comfort:

To the Captain of the ship, chaplain, medical team, and specialists Dr. Kumar, Dr Diaz, Dr Janeth, military, personnel, translators and every single person that is part of the crew.

On behalf of Andres Camilo Lucano and Luis Eduardo Aquino Munoz who have received your support: we don't want you to leave without expressing to you our endless gratitude for the opportunities both kids have had while on this ship. This experience has helped them overcome some of the pain they have been through despite their age. Thanks for the opportunity of letting us know you, sharing with you and getting the support of such special people. While we were here our day started with love and kind smiles, with warm hugs filled with affection and not just sympathy, with people who would cheer us up and make us forget our difficulties; it was all indeed a gift from God. Your endless demonstrations of affection towards them made them feel unique and important as they have always wished. I hope God repays your kindness and blesses every single moment of your lives and spread it to all of your families.

Thanks for being part of this mission, for your time, patience, love and giving spirit. We will always remember you and keep you in our hearts.

A thousand times, thank you, your friends, forever farewell.

Maria Jesus Montenegro Berna
Special Worker

Note: The two boys she is referring to were orphans. I heard a rumor that one of them might be adopted by someone from the Navy, and the other from a family in Colombia.

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #9: Juanes Concert

2009-06-09T19:20:00.000-07:00

Juanes

Juanes is one of the best-selling Colombian musicians, having sold more than ten million albums, and won 17 Latin Grammys (more than any other artist). He is well-known for his humanitarian work, especially with aid for Colombian victims of anti-personnel mines. He was in our area visiting victims of the underground industry and he performed a benefit concert for the cause. In 2005, he was named by Time as one of the world's 100 most influential people. He's like a hero to Colombians.

Juanes welcomed our ship the other night by giving us a concert on the flight deck; he was thanking us for the work we are doing for his country. He sang reggae, blues, country, and spanish.

Juanes PerformingJuanes Taking Photos with Fans

Air Force South Band
They started the concert, then they played some with Juanes.
The band singer's name is Keisha Gwin-Goodin.
Keisha did some background vocals for Juanes.

Happy Birthday today to my wonderful husband Gary!

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #8: The Panama Canal

2009-06-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

The Panama Canal has several webcams set up at landmarks along the way so you can see ships as they pass through. Our ship went through the canal yesterday, and Michelle was able to capture some images of us from a webcam!

A Diagram of the Canal
We were heading SouthEast, going downThe webcam Michelle watched was on the Miraflores Locks.
The webcam updated every 2 minutes; the pictures have timestamps.
I believe the Centennial Bridge is visible in the distance.

Approaching the Miraflores Locks

Passing through the Locks Can you see the mules?

Leaving the Locks

Here is a wikipedia link to an article on the Panama Canal locks explaining the history and function of the locks and what a mule is.

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #7: Work in Panama

2009-06-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

At the Clinic in Panama

I spent 2 days at a clinic onshore in Panama. It is a baseball field, about a 5 minute bus ride from the ship. By time we are there at 6:45 am there is already a huge line. I was taking people's temperatures and watch for signs and symptoms of flu.

After the people passed through us they went to a table where their information was taken and what they were being seen for. Luckily we had several Panamanians that were able to help us with this. They are then sent to the bleachers and sit in sections according to the service they are waiting for. The first day we saw 1037 people and the second day we saw about 950.

There must have been a dozen Missionaries from the Church helping everyday. Some can translate as they speak both languages; others help us to take temperatures or keep the patients organized. It has been so nice to see them working! Most of them are from Utah.

I got an MRE for lunch both days onshore. First I had spaghetti again, and then I got the cheese tortellini. I even had tootsie rolls!
I think I got caught up on all my sunshine while I was onshore. I can go days without seeing the sun! One night my roommates and I all went out to the pier for a hamburger and fries. It was delicious!
We had 2 special visitors from our Church this week. Sister Julie Beck was here; she's our Relief Society General President (meaning she's head of our women's organization).

Me with Sister Beck Sister Beck with the Helicopter

And Bishop Richard Edgley was also here; he is the first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric.

Bishop Edgley and Captian Bob Lineberry

We are having serious water issues here. While we are at the pier we are not able to make our own water. We have water trucks bring us our water on a daily basis, nearly 24/7. I am learning all about Navy Showers. By the way, the Army, Air Force and the Marines all have to take Navy Showers as well!!

Petty Officer Jasey is a member of the flight crew. He opened up the helicopter door for us and let us take some pictures inside. This is probably the closest I will get to riding in a helicopter.

Here is the June Crew

We've been doing surgeries this week. I'm working 5 days on swing shift, then I switch to the day shift.

Here I am with a few of my Panamanian patients.

SH3 Marcus Williams (from Houston, Texas) came down and taught some of the children in the ward all about rhythm. He didn't speak Spanish, but they communicated. He taught them to tap their legs with a rhythm and then try it with the drum sticks.

I had one patient that was having some issues with anxiety; every time she got up to walk she almost passed out. He went over and sat with her and made her laugh. From then on my patient was completely different. He made a tremendous difference in her care.
The Discovery Channel has been here all week taping the experience of life here onboard the USNS Comfort.

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #6: Arrived in Panama

2009-05-31T11:39:00.000-07:00

We just arrived in Panama. We had to wait to cross the Panama Canal as there was a lot of traffic there. It is amazing how the ships can stop and wait their turn and then move on. They have to know when it is their turn to cross. When we leave here for Colombia next week we will be going through the canal.

Here is a picture of the tugboats pushing us into place at the pier. We get close and then they take over and push us against the dock.

The May Group at the Dominican Republic Airport
Sorry for the scary eyes- Michelle was supposed to fix the picture!

Today they will be unloading supplies and getting set up for clinics. Monday and Tuesday will be pre-op day and Wednesdays we start surgeries. I will be working the swing shift again which I am glad for.

I am scheduled to go ashore two days, Tuesday and Wednesday. On Wednesday we will try another COMREL. I don't know what we will be doing yet, but since I was part of the last group that didn't happen we will get priority to be on this one.

Even though we are at a pier we stilll need to be on a manifest to go ashore. Apparently we are at a pier where a lot of cruise ships come in. At night we can go shop in the duty free stores. Of course they won't be cheap but it will be nice to go ashore.

I am volunteering today to help the Navy Reservists serve lunch. They were short some people and since I room with 3 of them I said I would help. I get to wear one of those great paper hats. Lt. Montebon said she would put Honorary Reservist on mine.

It is exciting to be in a new country and to see what the people from Panama are like. It is very hot here, 110 degrees with the humidity. I have to make sure I keep taking my Malaria medicine.

Me by our Ship's Helicopter

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #5: Arrived in Colombia

2009-05-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

We just arrived in Cartegena Colombia. We are not seeing patients while we are here; this stop is a liberty. We have had briefings from NCIS (No, not Mark Harmon although that would be great) and every person that knows anything. Colombia has been working on its crime and drug issues. It is relatively safe here, although we have to be aware all the time.

I looked outside and it is so hazy here, worse than LA. With the heat index we are going to be at 110 degrees while we are here. I am supposed to drink 1 liter of water per hour when I'm off the boat!
I am going ashore tomorrow to help the Chaplain paint a school. I am not interested in partying and spending the night; I have a few friends that will do some shopping and sight-seeing with me on Friday. I'm not sure what to do with all of my time off!

We are on water rations because we cannot dump pure sewage. They have to bring a barge out 1-2 times a day to pump it out. When the sewage fills our water shuts off.

We leave on Friday or Saturday for Panama. That will only take one day to get there.

I am not buying souvenirs for my kids anymore. Dayton and Daphne are getting all of them. I got Dayton a Hawaiian shirt and shorts, and Daphne gets a halter top and a skirt to tie around her swimsuit. Now she just needs a swimsuit!

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #4: Things I Miss Most

2009-05-17T13:34:00.001-07:00

As I was laying in bed today I made a list of things I miss the most while I am here.

#1- Gary snuggling up to me at night
(I found this old picture on the internet!)

The rest in no particular order:

Picking up the phone to call someone whenever I want

Sleeping until I want to get up

1% Milk
We have milk here but it is in boxes,
the kind you don't have to refrigerate

String cheese

Getting in the car and driving somewhere, whenever I want

Getting mail, even junk mail!

My sewing machine and all my fabric & quilting stuff

My queen size bed with fitted sheets
When I got here there was bedding sitting on my bed
for me to make up. I asked where the fitted sheets were
and the women from the navy laughed

Q-tips
(mine were "lost")

Eyeglass cleaner
(also "lost")

Hearing Dayton & Daphne on the phone,
especially hearing Dayton say "Nana"

My jetted bath tub and laying in it for 20 minutes

Murray the Amazing Wonder Cat

The smell of Dayton & Daphne after a bath (Mustela)

Homemade chocolate chip cookies

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #3: Finished in Antigua

2009-05-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

It is about 11:30pm Thursday night. I was scheduled to work from 7pm to 7 am but there weren't too many patients and another nurse came in. I had 10 patients from 7pm to 11 pm. Today was the last day we did surgeries and everyone will go home tomorrow. We pull up anchor and head for Colombia Saturday morning. I never had to work the night shift, tonight would have been my first night. I enjoyed working the swing shift, although it has its moments as well.

This was my cutest patient tonight! His name is Isaac and he is 9 months old.

Tomorrow I will go in and start working on tying everything down. When we are at sea we have to make sure nothing will move as we could run into some swells.

Some of the people on the ship will be leaving and some new ones will be coming on board. It is sad to see friends go but there is always an opportunity to make new ones. I am also sad to leave Antigua because the people here are so wonderful. Very rarely does anyone complain about the pain. They are so happy to be here and to have had the care provided to them. The one thing all the patients agreed was that it was cold for them, but we were happy to provide an extra blanket to keep them warm. I have been cold at night as well a couple of times.

Many of the older patients brought pictures of their family. I wish I had brought some pictures to show them. The nursing care here is not difficult and I have plenty of time to visit with the patients and their escorts. It is nice to find out what they do, what they used to do, how large their family is etc. They are always so happy to talk with me. I especially enjoy the patients that have cataracts done. They are usually there for a few nights as they have one done, wait a day and then have the other done. I really get to know them better each day. I am usually sleeping in the morning when they leave. Some day I am going to have to get up early and see them off.

We have an accupuncturist on board. He roams around in the patient areas and talks with them. This man was the escort for his mom. He had been bitten by fire ants on his leg. He came in limping and during his treatment he was walking fine.

It will take us about 4 days to get to Cartegena. There we have a liberty. There are some tours available but I have not had a chance to look at them. It would be nice to take the time and do one of the tours. I have to make sure I have someone with me and I have to present my plan to the Commander. It is a time like this when I wish I had family to do some touring with.

While we are heading to Colombia we will be orienting the new staff to the ward, nursing procedures etc. I remember what that was like almost 2 weeks ago. I remember being very nervous.

Our next stop where we have clinics will be in Panama. I am nervous because most of the people there do not speak English. The people from Antigua nearly all spoke English so we did not need translators. Having translators takes a lot more time. I will take advantage of my time off to practice.

I get up everyday and do the eliptical trainer for 45 minutes. After climbing up and down the stairs my legs are tired by the end of the day. I usually end up sleeping through breakfast and just eating lunch and dinner. Of course I am supplementing from the ship's store.

It is hard to believe I have been here almost 2 weeks. It seems like my life back home was so long ago. I do think of my family everyday and I am grateful to dad for letting me be gone for so long. I know he is struggling to take care of the dogs and pay the bills! Maybe I will get a raise when I get home.

We got to celebrate Nurses Day with the nurses from Antigua the other day. It was really nice to celebrate it with another culture. Nursing is very international and it made it even more special to celebrate it here. It was also Florence Nightingale's Birthday. I winder what she would think of how nursing has changed since she was a nurse. I wonder what I would think of how nursing has changed in 100 years! It has changed a lot, but I think it has been improved. We are nurses because we like to care for others, it's not for the pay or for the hours. All of us share a common bond, no matter what language we speak. We care for others that need us and it enriches our lives. I can't even begin to tell you how glad I am to be here. It is so wonderful to be caring for people who appreciate the work you are doing.

This is one of the waiting areas at the clinic on Antigua. It was at the MultiCultural Center. The people here were waiting to see the General Medical Practitioners.

Here is a link to an article my Church did on the mission I am on. They sent a film crew out during April.

I hope to sit down tomorrow and write a little synopsis of the first country we visited. I miss you all and hope you miss me too.

Love, Mom

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #2: Beginning Work

2009-05-10T14:39:00.000-07:00

We have been here a week now so I thought I would give you an update.

First of all, I finally did receive my luggage! Unfortunately, a lot was missing and some was damaged. I had 2 bottles of laundry detergent that opened and dumped into my clothes. They had been packed well but because so much was missing the bottles were damaged. The detergent soaked my clothes and started molding. It wasn't my assigned laundry day but I got permission from the Commander to use the laundry. I have made a list of what was stolen and it is very interesting, a lot of random things. Dad is busy putting together a replacement package of the things I still need.

I spent 2 full days ashore on Antigua working in the clinics. On the first day we went ashore for the Pallet Exchange Ceremony. This is where the Church's donated pallets of supplies were presented to the organizations on Antigua that will use them. There was 2 pallets of school kits and at least one pallet of hygiene kits as well as other needed medical supplies. We were only scheduled to be there for the ceremony but we were anxious to help, so we just jumped in and helped wherever we could. I worked in the General medicine area where adults were seen. I watched for open providers and sent patients in. We also ran errands for the providers (doctors, Family Nurse Practitioners) and took patients where they needed to go. I did get to flush an ear!

The next day I had a 5:00 am call-away, which means I had to be in the area ready to leave on the boat by 5:00 am. Luckily I was able to sleep a little on the 45 minute ferry ride to the island. When we got on the island the line (6:30 am) was already huge and people seemed a little frustrated. Our providers immediately started seeing patients and continued for about 9 - 10 hours. We actually had to turn some away which was disappointing. The patients are allowed to see only one provider a day, which means if they see the doctor they have to come back to see the dentist or optometrist. We got back to the ship about 6:30 pm and the kitchen stayed open so we could eat.

For lunch I had my first MRE! It really was good, honest. I had spaghetti with a meat sauce, a blueberry/cherry cobbler, crackers, bread with cheeze whiz and condiments. It comes with a pouch and packet that when you add a small amount of water it heats up and warms the meal. It is loaded with calories and can probably feed me for an entire day. I saved some of it for today.

The first patients came onboard yesterday and the surgeries have already started. I start my first shift this afternoon from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm. We start getting the patients up at 5:00 am so we can get them off the ship and bring the next ones onboard. There are 26 scheduled surgeries for this morning.

I am excited to finally get started working. We spent the first several days learning about the staff, the areas that we'll be working in, and the ship. Once we are done here in Antigua we will head over to Panama.

The people here are wonderful, very happy and pleasant. There are some issues with high blood pressure and diabetes. The children here are absoluetly adorable, almost as cute as Dayton & Daphne. Most of the adults in line just wanted a check-up; some did have health concerns. The dental area fills up quite fast and is usually the first to have to stop the patients from waiting in line. I was also surprised with how many were here for optometry. They are actually making glasses here for people onboard!

So far this has been a great experience and I am so happy to be a part of it. I have come to have so much respect and admiration for our armed forces; they are truly hard working people. Next year the Humanitarian Mission will be in the Pacific with the Mercy. Yes, I am interested as long as it is after tax season!

I'd love to hear from everyone, I am not getting much email! The internet here is slow, but it works.

Kirsten Aboard the Comfort #1: Luggage-less

2009-05-03T20:01:00.000-07:00

After a little confusion the US Navy picked us up for a boat ride to the USNS Comfort. As we turned the corner and finally saw it each of us gasped. It was absolutely beautiful. I have seen dozens of pictures of it, but they don't do her justice. We pulled up alongside a rescue boat and climbed in. They then hoisted us, our luggage (except MY luggage because it was delayed and didn't get to the ship in time!), and the boat up to the Comfort. It was so good to finally arrive.

Our first day we had some orientation and the second day we went to our assigned areas for a 7:30 am "Muster". For me I had stations to go through to orient me to the Aft Ward I would be working on. We learned about the IV's and pumps, charting, vital signs, galley, supply rooms etc. We also had to practice an egress blindfolded. We were blindfolded, spun around and we had to find our way out of the Ward, through two doors and up 6 sections of stairs, and outside. We are having an Abandon Ship tomorrow at 1300. I am still so confused trying to find my way around, there are about 8 decks and 6 or 7 stairways. Not all of the stairways go all the way up/down, and not all of the decks go completely across. My legs are starting to ache by the end of the day.

The military staff here are fabulous. They are happy to answer our silly questions about the color of their uniforms, their rank, etc. Every branch of the military is represented here. It is great to see them all work so well together.

I hear my luggage will be delivered to Antigua on Monday. According to Gary the airline will deliver it to the boat but there is no way they will be able to get it out to us. We don't pull up into a port; we are anchored somewhere. For now, I'm managing without it because I purchased toiletries at the store on the ship, but I miss my vitamins!

I am enjoying the rocking of the boat; it has never been bad at all. It is actually quite relaxing. I never even realized when we were underway.

The food here isn't bad; I have been hungry with all the stair climbing. There are exercise classes everyday, even Zumba! I guess I need to try it.

Once we get to Antigua we will get busy. We will go ashore, set up clinics and evaluate people for surgeries or other treatments. It is amazing how many people we go through in one day, the turn around is very fast.

Continuing Promise 09

2009-05-01T02:02:00.000-07:00

USNS Comfort

In about an hour I am heading to the airport for a flight to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. From there I will board the USNS Comfort for a 2 month Medical Mission to Central and South America. My rotation will take me to Antigua, Panama, Colombia (2 areas) and El Salvador.

Continuing Promise 2009 is an annual humanitarian civic assistance operation supported by U.S. and international military medical personnel, U.S. government agencies, regional health ministries, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and U.S. academic institutions. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (NAVSO/4th Fleet) are the main planning and coordination commands for the Continuing Promise mission.

Here are a few links to the Mission:

Southern Command

Continuing Promise 09

Navy.mil

USNS Comfort

I am both excited and nervous. The first rotation left from Santo Domingo today. They had a wonderful time, worked hard, and their lives have all been touched. I know there will be some of those moments that will break your heart and it will stay with you for the rest of your life. There will also be the moments that make you feel wonderful and uplifted.

I will be able to receive email while onboard, kklein24@gmail.com. I will send my emails to Michelle and she will forward them to others. This is the first time I will be gone for so long from my family. I won't be able to pick up the phone and call Dayton or Daphne. I understand the Med-Surg nurses have been working six 12 hour days so I expect to come home tired. There are a lot of stairs to go up and down everyday.

I have heard the food is good and the military onboard have been great to work with. I will be able to spend some time in the clinics on land and work in the hospital onboard. I have had my shots (Yellow Fever) and I am taking my Malaria medicine. Most of the cases we see will not be difficult. Our staff has medical, dental, optical, veterinarian, construction & engineering available to the countries we visit.

So keep your eye on this blog and hopefully Michelle will keep it updated for me. I am not sure if I can send pictures or not. With over 1,000 people using about 10 computers I am not sure how much time I will get everyday.

Life After Taxes

2009-04-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

Benjamin Franklin said "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." I am sure glad about the taxes part.

For 10 weeks I worked 4 days a week volunteering in Tumwater and Yelm doing taxes for AARP. I absolutely loved it! I understand that many of you may think I am crazy, and maybe I am a little. Now, I do send mine in to an accountant and I am usually mailing it to him in just enough time to do an extension! I had such a great time meeting people and spending some time getting to know them.

I learned something new from every return I did. Next year I will join forces with another volunteer and we will be Co Local Coordinators in Yelm. I will also be helping out with publicity in the District.

In both places I worked with some incredible people. We all come from such different backgrounds, and yet when we are doing taxes we have something in common.

In Yelm it was the first year in several years that we had a site for AARP. Well, the IRS sent us a "secret shopper". When the return was over she told us who she was and we were all surprised. She was such a nice person and helped us a lot. So, should I bet that lightning won't strike twice in the same place?

If anyone out there is interested, I highly reccomend trying it next year. I learned a lot about my own taxes and I have been recommending credits and adjustments to all my friends.

Now that tax season is over I have a lot more time on my hands. Tomorrow I will tell you about my next "mission".

Photo Tag

2009-03-28T21:08:00.000-07:00

1. Go to your picture folder on your computer. Go to your 6th folder and choose the 6th picture.

2. Post it on your blog and tell the story that goes with the picture.

3. Tag 6 other lucky people to do the same thing.

April 26th, 2008

We were all in Provo, Utah, for Michelle and Derrick's Graduation from BYU, so we took some family pictures. Daphne was just 4 weeks old. We each wore a shirt from the college we personally attended.

Gary: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Kirsten: Pacific Lutheran University
Jenny and Trevor: University of Washington
Michelle and Derrick: Brigham Young University
Laura: Art Institute of Seattle

We thought it would be great to pose by the bike racks because we wouldn't be a family today if it wasn't for bikes!

I tag: Jenny, Trevor, Laura, Blane, Dayton, and Daphne.

Visit from Michelle and the Kids

2009-03-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

Michelle and her kids spent a week and a half with us here in Chehalis. I let Michelle sleep in EVERY morning, and did plenty of bonding with my grandbabies. Daphne REALLY warmed up to me this time. She spent lots of time with me, and only wanted her mommy if she saw Michelle walk by. Dayton loves our house, toys, and pets, of course.

Nana and Dayton

Our whole family journeyed to the Great Wolf Lodge near our house. We were very impressed with the lodge, and everyone enjoyed the waterpark. Jenny and Trevor came, too, but they're not pictured here.

Derrick, Dayton, Gary, and Laura
Kirsten, Michelle, and Daphne

Gary taught Dayton how to play tee-ball (a sport all my girls played when they were little). Dayton really got the hang of it!

One day, Michelle surprised me with this lovely gift! It may seem odd to you, but she knew just what I wanted. I love this new kind of Nasogel, so she brought me her extra bottle of it. Plus I've had trouble finding butter beans at all my local grocery stores lately, so Michelle brought me 6 cans from Chicago. I need these beans to make Beanslop!

I flew Michelle and the kids home last week, and I'm flying back to Chehalis today. I'm already planning when I'll be back to see them again. I love my grandchildren so much; they are so special.

It Pays to Exercise

2009-02-24T08:47:00.000-08:00

I have been doing a lot of walking lately. Sometimes I go in the morning with a neighbor/friend of mine, and sometimes I go with Gary and the dogs.

The other day as I bent over to pick up a penny I saw laying in the street, I realized that I am up to about 75 cents and a ratchet socket wrench. I have found pennies and dimes and I just put them in my pocket; it adds up! Walking near the airport a week ago I found a wrench for Gary. He seems quite tickled to have it.

So, it pays to exercise, literally. You might not get rich doing it, but it is better than staying home, eating bon-bons and watching soap operas.

GENEALOGY

2009-02-03T18:32:00.000-08:00

This morning I received an email from my cousin Bev Laseke in Illinois. She has been corresponding with a distant cousin in Germany, a Laseke. She sent me a copy of our Family Crest. A month ago my nephew Sam Laseke asked if I had the family crest. I thought I had it but when I looked at it I realized it was just an imitation of what a family crest would look like. If anyone has any ideas what the crest stands for let me know. Michelle thinks it is a warrior with a feather duster, meaning Laseke's are great house cleaners.

I also came across some very interesting information. The Klein Family and the Laseke Family are both from Hohnhorst Germany at about the same time. Maybe we are related! That would explain why our daughters are a little "different".

I have been on the computer a lot the past few days and I have been working on a lot of genealogy. I am trying to update the information I have as it is very easy to have a wrong date or place. I received a Family Tree from my cousin which was given to her by our cousin in Germany and she has my mom married to a Daniel Laseke, and my niece Jill as a Laseke. If you Google Laseke there is a Jill Laseke that is a realtor but it is not my niece Jill Bradley. It is a lot of fun to work on and to try and piece it all together. I have come across many Laseke's and Laeseke's that I don't know who they belong to.

My favorite part of working on genealogy is to look at the census records. They have a lot of information on them. In the early 1900's they went door to door so you could see who lived next door to the person you are looking up. It also tells where the people were born and where their parents were born. If you ever get a chance, go to the Library and look at them.

I PASSED!

2009-02-03T18:09:00.000-08:00

On Saturday I turned in my test to certify to do Income Taxes through the IRS and AARP for the low income and elderly. I got 100% on the Basic portion and 100% on the Intermediate portion. I passed the Advanced portion, I had an inherited stock in the Short Term Capital Gain section and because it was inherited it always goes in the long term section. So 3 of my answers were wrong, but if I had it in the right place the calculations were correct. I was very nervous turning in the test because I had been studying for almost a month. I even spent a lot of my time in Chicago reading my manual and practicing on the computer.

On Monday I thought I would go to the Tumwater Library and watch someone else do tax returns. As it turns out they were short a couple of Counselors so I got to do a few tax returns. I was so nervous with the first lady. I decided I wasn't going to tell her she was my first customer or she might ask for someone else. After a few minutes I relaxed and it was just like the Practice Lab we worked on. I am working again in Tumwater on Wednesday, and Thursday and Saturday I am in Yelm. They need help in Salkum so I might go out there every other Saturday.

This is a picture of the logo on the shirt I get to wear. I am easily one of the youngest volunteers.

January Updates

2009-01-29T19:34:00.000-08:00

Sorry, no pictures to post. If you want to see any look at Michelle's blog. I spent 2 1/2 weeks in Chicago and it was cold! It was 25 degrees below zero one day. I had a wonderful time with Michelle, Derrick, Dayton & Daphne. I also had a chance to see my sister Greer and her family, my sister Tam and my sister Jeanne. Just before I left I was so happy when I reached out my arms and Daphne reached for me. She is such a mommy's girl but I got some hugs in. I had some famous Chicago pizza two nights and I had Vienna Red Hots. For those of you that have never had those you don't know what you are missing. Greer cooked us a Laseke Family tradition meal of Rinderwurst.

We do have some good news, Gary had a sleep study while I was gone and they found he has Severe Sleep Apnea. I think I have been telling him that for a couple of years but now he knows it. He uses a CPAP machine at night and in the morning he is much more rested. I have to say that I sleep a lot better as well because he is not snoring. His blood pressure is down and everyone is happy.

I have been studying day and night to volunteer to do taxes for the Elderly and Low Income people in Olympia. I am learning a lot about deductions, IRA's, Social Security, credits etc. I have been telling my daughters about all the great credits they can take this year. I am having so much fun with it, keep your fingers crossed on Saturday when I turn in my test.

Jenny & Trevor were down for a visit last weekend, Laura and Blane are coming this weekend. It's nice to have some relaxing time with them, when they are here for the holidays it is always so busy.

THE BABIES ARE COMING! Michelle and Derrick (and Dayton & Daphne) are coming for a visit in February. They will spend the first week in Kennewick with Derrick's family, then Derrick will fly home and Michelle and the kids will stay here. I had to agree to fly home with Michelle to help with the kids so I will be back in Chicago.

December has been Interesting

2008-12-27T16:23:00.000-08:00

December is almost over, and as I look back it was a very mixed month. It started in Thanksgiving when I asked Gary to put up the tree. It took him 3 weeks to get the tree, bring it in the house and put the lights on. I let him pick it out this year and I think he found the barest tree in Chehalis. (This meant fewer lights for him to put on). This is a picture of our 2008 Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

For weeks we have been having a problem with our 30 year old heating system. Luckily we found the original papers in the files the previous owner left us. It explained why Gary had not been able to find the part for it, the part he needed was a retro fit. After bothering Tom at Ferguson nearly everyday, Gary found a part to fix the heating system. Unfortunately, he didn't really need the part that took 2 weeks to get, the problem was the spark plug. Gary couldn't find the right spark plug so he temporarily fixed it by inserting a wire in the system. We knew it would eventually fry and sure enough last night it did. So now Gary is machining a spark plug to get our system running. At least we have a wood stove to keep a couple of the rooms downstairs warm. The dogs have found a new spot to curl up.

Allie (Michelle's dog)

Gary braved the freezing temperatures and put up "The Forest". For years I have been accumulating different size spiral trees and last year I found a couple of bucks and a doe to add to the beauty. I was surprised when Laura came home and told me my yard looked "Redneck". She was shocked because the deer move. Yes, I was terribly offended but I still like my forest. I think it is as beautiful as my Christmas sweater. You can't see all the trees in this picture but it shows most of them. I think it turned out great in the now.

We celebrated our Klein Family Christmas the weekend before Christmas. Jenny & Trevor, and Laura and Blane braved the snow and came down Friday night. When they got here they warmed up with Kirsten's Minestrone Soup. The next morning Gary picked up his mom from Tenino and went with Laura and Blane to visit Gary's aunt in Sharon Care Center. When they got back we enjoyed a Prime Rib Meal with rice, Crescent Rolls (Pillsbury), Jell-o salad (Gary's mom Ava says you have to have at least one Jell-O Salad) and Caesar Salad. For desert we had Creme Brulee. It was a delicious meal and afterwards we opened presents. We did a gift exchange and Michelle got to watch from Chicago via the webcam. She let Dayton open a present which turned out to be a big mistake. Now he realized there were toys in the presents and in the morning the presents were everywhere.

Jenny and her husband Trevor

Laura and her boyfriend Blane

Gary and his mother Ava

Kirsten torching Creme Brulee

After dinner the "men" went outside to ride the go-cart. There was no traffic outside and about a foot of snow. You may not know this, but we rarely get snow here in Western Washington, and when we do it is maybe an inch or two.

Blane

Trevor

Gary got his mom home safe and sound, but very late. The next morning everyone had to go home. I think it took each of them about 3 hours to take a trip that normally takes 90 minutes.

We were supposed to leave on Monday to spend Christmas in Provo, but for the next 2 days the Interstates were closed on and off due to the snow. We decided to stay home and be safe.

Last night Gary and I went to the movies. I have never paid $9.50 a person for a movie before. It is a new theatre in the Lewis County Mall. There were about 10 different screens playing all the latest movies. After the shock of the admission we passed on any popcorn or drinks. I was looking forward to seeing Marley and Me. It was advertised as a funny family film. It is a story of a couple (Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston) that get married, get a dog and start a family. About half way through the film I realized how the movie was going and I almost got up and left. It started when the yellow lab Marley had a difficult time going up the stairs in their new home. We are now dealing with our dog Carly aging and she is having difficulty going up our stairs at night. I bring her bed downstairs during the day so she can curl up near me. I have never cried so hard at a movie before, and as soon as I got home I got some of the dog toys out and Carly, Allie and I played. (While Gary was trying to fix the heating system).

Today we got up and the tent Gary has had outside for several years caved in from the weight of the snow. We knew it was old and it had already started tearing. the problem is that Gary had a huge load of wood he had milled from a tree he cut down. He was drying the wood under the tent to take down to Provo for our house there. Yes, the wood was drenched but he did get a tarp over it right away.

I was released in my Church calling as the Secretary in Relief Society, a calling I have had for almost 4 years. I will truly miss the women I work with, but I am looking forward to my new calling. I am the Beehive Adviser for Young Women. I have never served in Young Women before but I am excited to be there.

I look back at December and even though it was hard, we are all happy and healthy and that is what counts. We may be a little cold and grumpy from what we've had to face, but together we can do it.

Update on Kirsten's Quirks

2008-12-22T18:27:00.000-08:00

Just to update you all, I've been working on becoming better and better everyday! A few of my previous quirks are no more...

1. I haven't purchased a DVD in months, so I believe I have overcome this impulse. Now if we could only get through our piles and piles that we already own.

2. I sorted through my old cookbooks! I found that I was hanging on to so many of them because special people had given them to me, but I was convinced that saving one or two from a special person is enough. I got rid of more than half of them, which was at least a hundred cookbooks. I gave some to friends and ladies at Church. It's nice to have the space in my pantry again!

3. I'm able to admit that I don't need fabric! Wanting it is a different story... but I've cleaned through my quilting room and closets and sorted all of my material in order to realize that I could work on making quilts for about 5 years without ever running out of fabric. Now it's more organized, and I've been reminded of old fabrics and patterns and kits that I'd forgotten about- what fun.

From now on, you can call me SUPER KIRSTEN!