Visit to my Aunts

Me and Aunt LaReine

Aunt LaReine, me, and Aunt Julia

Thanksgiving Day

Stu put the turkey in the oven!

And the golden bird emerges for our feast.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! There is so much to be grateful for. This year, I am most grateful to have married an incredible man who is so patient, giving, and loving. Thank you for delicious meals and generous support, Stu.

Another Birthday...and it is Good

Stu planned a birthday surprise. We went to the shooting range and rented hand guns so I could check off a 101 goal. Here he is with a 9mm Colt 1911.

My gun is a 9mm H&K

I got to load my own clip.

And shooting at 3 yds!

Then Stu traded in our guns for a .357 Magnum...It has a big kick...

And my final scores!!!

In between the fun, Stu was working hard on food prep for our Thanksgiving feast.

1) Break the turkey's spirit through severe chiropractic methods.

2) Cut back on fat. Just take the scissors to it.

3) Salt it and cover it for cooking in the morning.

Stu is prepping the homemade ice cream while Mom makes rolls!

A game of Code Names with the family.

And then all the gifts of love and spoiling from family and friends.

Thank you for this wonderful life--I owe its joys to my family and friends.

Birthday Cake!

Stu made me a three-tier chocolate and raspberry cake for my birthday! It took him Saturday evening and Sunday to make. So tasty! (Stu and the cake...)

The New Do (or Dew?)

After much discussion with the husband, I went for it. You can see that it doesn't look as "wild" as it could. But underneath...

...it's shaved!!!

The Saga of the Toe (graphic pics to follow)

Mom was at a Relief Society function. Dad, Stu and I were watching the election results pouring in. Suddenly, mom walks in yelling "I need a medical consult!" I go upstairs with dad and mom is taking off her blood-filled shoe and sock. Her toe didn't look so good. I called the Charge RN at IMC to get her opinion. To the ER we went. But not IMC. We went to Orem Community Hospital where I work prn. That's always fun! 

Yes, I did a selfie with mom's toe...

Once the doctor had enough time, he took the toe off. He had explained before that he suspected a large laceration to be under the toe from the trauma.

See that "crack" through there? That is what the MD sutured. Don't worry, mom's toe was very numb by this point.

Meanwhile, doc had placed mom's carefully removed toenail in betadine and pulled it out once he was done sewing. He put it right back in place and held it there with two stitches, and voila! It looks like nothing ever happened to it! (This is a gross exaggeration, but it does look better...)

The X-Ray came back showing a comminuted (more than one) fracture of the distal phalange. Now the whole wound is considered an "open fracture." This just means that the risk of infection is significant and mom had to get a dose of IV antibiotics before we could leave. She also has to be on antibiotics for 10 days. Ugh! But at least it doesn't need surgery!

We were in the little ER from about 8:30 pm until 1:30 am. They were surprisingly busy with little kids needing sutures. One such had to be sedated and that takes the whole team at a little place like OCH. So we got left to watch election results and then cat videos when our spirits couldn't take it anymore.

Yosemite Day 1

Mono Basin enroute to the east entrance to Yosemite National Park. Just a quick stop to see the scenery.

Starting up Tioga Road to Tioga Pass inside Yosemite.

Stopped at Lembert Dome for a quick walk around.

In case you can't read the sign: Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. This is one of those experiences you need. To be among trees this huge is humbling.

I have this thing for ravens. They are gorgeous to me.

I wear a woman's size 9 

The Dead Giant!

The Old Big Oak Flat Road went through this grove and in 1878 a hole was made to attract tourists who could then drive through it.