Finally.

I get to go to Trinity Lake Friday after work. I am off work for most of three weeks. The better part of that time will be spent at the lake. The first week with Alex and Mitch, Kelly and Jody and kids and Lee. Then my sister comes for a week and then a friend or two will come up. I have never waited this long to get up there. Can't wait!

Gramma, Can You Wipe My Bum?

One of the many requests I've answered this weekend along with requests for treats, walks to the park and other fun. I've been babysitting while Kelly and Jody are on the Piorneer Trek. This weekend we've gone to Funky Monkey (think smaller version of Chuckie Cheese), Summer Nights on the Green in Downtown Windsor and got huge snow cones, went to the park near here twice and a park in Healdsburg once, watched Beethoven a couple of times and Bedtime Stories and had popcorn, gone to Baskin Robbins (I wanted Coldstone but was outvoted), and we even braved a trip to the outlets so I could go to Banana Republic and then Target. We have had a blast.
Things I've learned:
1. I can still handle it. I can get up early, accomplish a lot and enjoy three busy kids. But I HAVE to take naps with them and go to bed early at night. No staying up late for alone time anymore though.
2. I made cupcakes for Rylee's birthday tomorrow and some things have changed. I absolutely can't read the directions without finding my glasses. She came out with one cupcake she somehow managed to reach. It was all over her and her face. Two others were massacred. She is so fast!
3. Ammon is my dream helper. He has been a doll. I mentioned that he and Cohen would have to clean his room up before we went to the park. The We're just snext thing I knew, he was in there cleaning it up himself. He is so sweet and tender hearted. ??
4. Cohen talks more than anyone I know, even Sienna. When we are in the car, he starts talking and doesn't stop. I wish I could record him, it is seriously hilarious! He is also fixated on food and continually wants to talk about food and go get treats. I asked him just now if he wanted to snuggle with me and he said he'd go get the food. What food????? We're just snuggling!
5. Rylee is fast!! Whenever I tell her I need to change her diaper, give her a bath or comb her hair she is off and running and hard to catch! We were at the park and there was a five year old there with a stroller. Rylee had a Mickey Mouse doll. She threw her doll in the girls stroller and took off with it, leaving the 5 year old bawling. It was so funny. When I caught up with her and took the stroller away, she flung herself to the ground in despair. What a diva!
6. I CAN sleep with bodies close to me while I'm squashed in the middle.
7. It is impossible to keep a house clean with three little ones running around.
8. Some experiences are priceless. I could have worked the last two days and made almost a $1000 because it would have been extra pay. Opportunities to work will always come. Spending quality alone time with these three has been priceless. Exhausting, but priceless!

When You Know What Hits the Fan (Literally!) or the Nontypical Day of an RN

I was on call for endoscopy this weekend. This morning at 0500 I was rudely awakened by the phone ringing. I had to be at the hospital in 30 minutes to do a colonoscopy on a patient in the ER. I threw on scrubs, brushed by teeth and quickly combed by sleep-tweaked hair. I grabbed a makeup bag and curling iron knowing I wouldn't have time to come home before I was due at 8:00 at pre admit. This ended up being the colonoscopy to end all colonoscopies. They usually take about 30 minutes. We were still going at 3 1/2 hours and poop was everywhere. We had to do colonic lavages to clean the patient's colon of poop and barium from the barium enema the patient had. This consists of pushing fluids into the colon and sucking them out. Over and over again. For hours.There was poop on the guerney, poop on the dr. and tech, on the floor, on the walls and we had suction containers full of it all over. I guess we were used to the smell but the housecleaning staff who came in afterwards were all gagging. The good thing is the patient was sedated and not aware of any of it and tolerated the procedure well.

5 1/2 hrs later I went to the next department I was to work in and my first patient was almost hostile and angry about the Medi-Cal system. I was almost scared to close the door and be left alone with the patient. The last patient was also in a bad mood as evidenced by wondering if the EKG would be normal if she was irritable. It was, needless to say, one of those days that is so bizarre you just laugh at it all. One good thing is I was on call pay so made 1 1/2 times my usual. I am now home 11 hours later and in need of a bath and a long nap.

Addicting

Natalie Jones brought these over to Sheril's one Sunday. I've been passing the recipe to my girls. We all agree-they are fabulous, addicting and sinful. Enjoy!

Rice Crispy Caramel Treats

1/4 c. butter
1 bag mini marshmallows
4-5 c. Rice Krispies

Melt butter and marshmallows together in microwave. I usually put it on 2 minutes, stir and stick it in 30-60 seconds more. Mix in krispies and put in 9 X 13 pan.

2nd layer
Bag of caramels unwrapped (i get mine at Target)
l cube butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Melt together in microwave. I do this 2 minutes at first then 1 minute increments until it stirs smoothly. Pour over 1st layer. Put in frig for 45 minutes.

3rd layer.
Repeat layer #1 and press over 2nd layer. Ymmmmmm!! I could eat a ton but only make them when I can take most of them somewhere. I don't even want to know the calories!

Seattle Trip

Lee and I went to Seattle this last weekend to spend some time with Madison and Kyle (and Chris!). We left about 5:00 on Friday after I got done with work and drove to Salem, Oregon. We got there about midnight. Oddly, the trip wasn't too bad and I didn't even fall asleep on Lee. We got up the next morning and drove in to Seattle. The weekend consisted of eating out, swimming with the kids, going to the fabulous Seattle Zoo and Lee going to the Mariners game with the boys and Madison and I having girl's night out together. We beaded bracelets, put together a puzzle and watched Hotel for Dogs together. We also ordered room service (Madison's favorite part)! We wanted to get pedicures but the mall was too far away for us to walk to even though the hotel's site said it was in walking distance. We had a great time with Chris and the kids! Kyle was a huge tease at first and would tell Lee he loved him a lot and then turn to me and say, "I love you a little." I must have done something right because he was telling me he loved me a lot too by the end of the trip. Madison is so much fun to be a lone with. She is so grown up and just acts like we are two good friends. She also does the best cartwheels ever as most of the guests/staff at the hotel can attest to. She was constantly cartwheeling her way down the halls and in the lobby. I thought I might miss not being at the lake but seeing those cuties made me forget all about it!

P.S. I love Priceline-got a great deal for $60 a night at the Hilton Bellevue.

Perspective

Thursday I turned 56. I usually love birthdays, love presents, love the special attention one gets. I can only remember hating one birthday. The year I turned 30 I was pregnant, felt fat and went to the gym and was so depressed. Hated that day. Ever since I've been fine. Fifty didn't bother me a bit. But for some reason, 56 was horrible. Maybe it was because it is on the other end of fifty heading for 60 and that it OLD!! I was an emotional wreck, crying all day and since I've gone through menopause I hardly ever have those kinds of days. To top it off, my boss at work got after me and another girl who job share about switching our days without including him in the loop. We've never included him for two years but suddenly he decided to be unreasonable. So I bawled in front of him. Basically it was a horrible, terrible, no good rotten day till about 2:00 when I got off work. I turned on my phone and heard from family. There were messages from two little grandkids. One a high pitch, "Happy Birthday Gwama, I wuv you." (Cohen) The other was a gravely little girl's voice saying the same thing. (Sienna). I started smiling.
When I got home I got serenaded by Madison and Kyle. I may be getting older but life is good. Grandchildren are the best and I guess you have to be older to have them. My job is only something that let's me travel to see my family. It is truly my husband, children, grandchildren and extended family that are the blessings in my life.
P.S. The day got better. Lee and I went out to eat and I had delicious salmon. Kelly had ordered my favorite cake for me. Lee gave me a great back massage and I talked to all my children. Thanks for all the well wishes and presents!

Pam and Her Posse

That's the name Mitch gave to the Women's Conference group which consisted of Toni Berry (thanks for suggesting a trip!), my sister, Julie, and sister in law Becky. We had a blast at Women's Conference! We were accused a few times of acting like a group of 14 year olds but hey, being 14 is a blast, isn't it? We stayed in the same dorms I stayed in when I went to college and so it was a little deja vu. We laughed, we got spiritual highs, we enjoyed a great concert, we shopped and we ate and ate and ate. Especially me. No one could keep up with me and all the junk I ate. It was great but I now have an extra 2 lbs. on me. Ouch!! I got my favorite Heath Bar fudge at BYU, twice. I got BYU mint brownies 4 times, ate 2 caramel apples, ate 2 huge frosted heart cookies, chocolate pretzels and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. We had Costa Vida pork salads for lunch twice (I was thrilled to see them set up at the Marriott Center!). We also ate at Noodles, Bajio, and PF Changs. Can you tell I love to eat on trips???

The talks and Spirit were great. It's always nice to get a little motivation to do better. Linds was there for a friend's funeral and it was great to see her if even just for a short time. I loved spending time with Alex and Mitch who we saw for dinner every night and spent most of Saturday and Sunday with. They are such a cute couple.

On Friday night we went to the show to see Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. We watched a little of it and walked out. It was horrible!! Totally about sex and not what we felt like watching after being on a spiritual plane. Don't waste your time or money on it. There were several groups of women walking out. We figured they were all Women Conferencers also.

At one point on our trip I had an epiphany-I was surrounded by most of my favorite women in the world! Who could ask for more????

Strawberries

Strawberries are getting into their prime and I'm hooked. I've been enjoying strawberries sliced with splenda at night and freezer jam from last year that is still fabulous on toast. I've clipped a few new recipes and tried one tonight. It was delish!

Strawberry-Avocado Salsa

1 c. finely chopped strawberries
1 avocado chopped
2 T. finely chopped red onion
2 T. chopped fresh cilantro
½ t. grated lime rind
2 t. fresh lime juice
½ t. sugar
2 t. finely chopped seeded jalapeno pepper, optional (I didn’t use)
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and toss gently. Serve immediately. Great with grilled pork tenderloin (how I used it), chicken, fish or tortilla chips.

I served it over the pork with sides of steamed zucchini with parmesan and fresh corn on the cob. It was a delightfully fresh, spring/summer dinner!

More strawberry recipes to follow.

I Could Be Prejudiced

Madison and Kyle in Seattle

Ethan in Alaska

Oliver in London

Rylee, Ammon and Cohen in California-thank heavens 3 are close!

Alexa, Kaden and Sienna in Alaska

Isobel, with the British accent, in London

I might be prejudiced but aren't these some of the cutest grandkids ever????? Life would be perfect if I lived near all of them!

Amazing

That is how I would describe my day. I have been working nonstop for a few weeks and have been tired with an aching back. I had today and the next two days off so decided to just relax today. I started off with sleeping in until 10:00 in the morning!!! It was fabulous. I got up, put some clothes on and went for a walk. It was beautiful today, clear sunny and in the 70's. I decided that I would go to the book store and buy some books and just sit on my deck and read. I stopped in at Safeway first and got some groceries and noticed in an empty store they were having a book sale for the friends of the McKinleyville library. A bag of books cost $2. I bought 4 bags full, gave them $20 as a donation and have tons of reading for the summer. I got home and started reading some magazines on my deck looking at the beautifull trees behind us. Then I face down and got a little nap. It was a shorts and flip flop day and so everyone knows I was in heaven. One thing about living in Humboldt County, you never take good weather for granted. I finished the day off with delicious shrimp tacos on the deck. They are truly amazing too!! I think I'll have the same day tomorrow, if the weather cooperates with a different meal though. Hooray for beautiful days!!!


SOFT SHRIMP TACOS WITH TROPICAL SALSA
Salsa:
¼ c. chopped green onions
1 t. chopped cilantro
1 T. canned chopped green chiles
1 T. lemon juice
1 ½ c. chopped fresh pineapple
Mix together, cover and chill
Tacos:
Cooking spry
1 c. yellow bell pepper strips
1 c. sliced red onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 ½ pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 c. chopped tomato
½ t. ground cumin
½ t. chili powder
2 T. chopped cilantro
8 flour tortillas
1 ¼ c. shredded jack cheese
Spray nonstick skillet with cooking spray and add bell pepper, onion and garlic. Saute 2 minutes. Add shrimp, tomato, cumin and chili powder, saute 3 minutes or until shrimp are opaque and done. Stir in cilantro. Warm tortillas in oven. Spoon ½ c. shrimp mixture in each tortilla. Top with cheese and salsa.

London

I haven't had time to post about my trip to London because I got home Sunday, got right back to work on Monday and had a rough time with jet lag. I've just been too tired. It was so fun seeing Lindsey, Alan, Isobel and Oliver. The weather wasn't the best but the company was great. It was also nice because Chris was in London that week on business so we saw him a few times as well. Things we did this trip:

1. Went to Hampstead Heath (great park) and then had delicious crepes.

2. Shopping

3. Eating at Nando's-I always love this place.

4. Lunch at a 2 Michelin star restaurant. Ymmmm!

5. Going to possibly the BEST mall I've ever been to. London's new Westfield Mall. So modern, spacious and huge!

6. Watching the movie Young Victoria with Linds after dinner at an Italian restaurant where we spent most the time laughing and watching this soul pasta dish that sat on the edge of the oven for over 30 minutes. I kept saying that it was probably mine. We waited and waited for our dinner and it never came. After talking to the waitress we noted the pasta finally put in the oven and guess what? It was mine! I would have returned it but it was actually quite tasty and had amused us for over 30 minutes.

7. Playing hide and seek with Isobel and tea parties. One funny story. She heard Lindsey call me Pammy Lou at lunch time. At night we play a couple rounds of hide and seek before she goes to bed. She always announces where she will be hiding. I hear her say, "Find me in the bathroom Pammy Lou!" It was hilarious and she speaks in a full on British accent. So, so cute.

8. Cute Oliver has the sweetest, cutest disposition ever. I love looking at him.

9. I finally read the book Life of Pi. I had tried it before and couldn't get into it. Finished it and loved it!!

10. Love spending time with Lindsey Lou (and family). Lindsey is just so much fun to hang out with. We laugh and laugh and have the greatest time. Wish she lived closer!!

Rudolph

I've always had one thing I hate when I'm in the sun. My nose turns red. I try and remember to put sunblock on it, especially when I'm wearing sunglasses and in the sun. Yesterday was the first time I was in the sun in sunglasses (watching Ammon's first t-ball game). I woke up this morning and noticed the dreaded red nose and thought, " I hope it's not too noticeable." I walked downstairs and Ammon yelled, "Oh my goodness, it's Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer! Can you take me to the North Pole, Rudolph? " We laughed so hard we were all crying.

Restaurants

There are eating out experiences and there are REAL eating out experiences. I LOVE to eat out, also love Top Chef and cooking programs. Today, Linds took me to lunch to The Square in downtown London. It was definitely the fanciest restaurant I've ever been to, rated two Michelin stars. I was wishing I had brought nicer clothes and was wearing nylons. There were lots of crazy menu choices but we picked from the set menu which was 35 pounds (greater than $50 each). I had a salmon salad with potatoes and watercress and white asparagus to start. My entree was an exquisitely prepared chicken breast with potatoe puree, spring vegetables and the most amazing sauce. Dessert was a rhubarb tarte with rubarb ice cream. It was all delicious and looked like dishes prepared on Top Chef. Lindsey's choices were more daring: A salad with a fried duck egg among other things, Bream (a whitefish) atop spaetzle and chanterelles and for dessert, a mango custard with sorbet and tiny fried donut ring things. There were almost more wait staff as diners and every need was promptly met. It was a great experience. Thanks Lindsey and Alan for my early birthday/mother's day present!!

Happy Birthday Kelly, Happy Birthday Dad and Happy St. Paddy's Day

This is a picture of my dad, brother, nephew and nephew's cute son. Didn't realize I don't have pictures of my dad on this computer and too lazy to scan one!

March 17th is always a special day because it also the birthday of two people I love-my dad and Kell Bell! I grew up thinking my dad was just about the smartest person I knew. You know what, I still think he is. I love you so much and hope you have a great day dad!

Luckily for me, Kelly is the one child who has stayed closer to home. I love spending time with her and her family. She is a fantastic daughter, wife and mother and I love her to pieces. I worked real hard on the 16 th of March, 1980 to get her out on my dad's birthday. I walked a couple of miles that day with my mother in law to the Blue Lake Fish Hatchery from her house after eating a huge turkey dinner. We got home and I ate a ton of pie. Then when I got to my house I cracked into a 1/2 lb. Crackle bar and scarfed most of it down. When I started having abdominal pains, it took me a while to realize it was labor. I thought I had just overeaten. Luckily she waited till after midnight to be born so she made it to March 17th. She was also my only unplanned pregnancy. Kasey was only 6 months old when I found out I was pregnant with Kelly. I called my mom just bawling. She told me the baby would probably be very special. She was so right. Love you Kelly and dad!

Windsor and Wicked

Tonight Kelly and I head to San Fransisco to see Wicked. It will be my third time, her first. It is a great musical and I love it. We will meet Lani first for dinner and then on to the theatre.

I came down to Windsor on Sunday evening after church. It has been the longest I think I've ever gone without seeing the Edmondson clan-6 long weeks!! Cohen has been pretty much glued to me. He's always on my lap. He has not felt good, has a horrible cough. I've started taking Airborne. Rylee has really become affectionate! I love it. She comes up and lays her head on my chest an tries to sit on part of my lap that isn't taken by Cohen. Ammon is still into make believe. Today he's been Shawn the Leprechaun. First he's Ammon and he tells me I nee to catch the leprechaun. Then he goes in the house, puts on a top hat, and comes out as Shawn and I try to catch him, put him in a box, he escapes and we start all over again. When I got here on Sunday he was in a Wizard costume and was Harry Potter. Last week I got the funniest phone message. It said, "Hi, this is Dr. Seuss. I just saw your grandson Ammon and he's doing well." What an imagination! It's gone by way to fast. I have to work on Friday so will leave tomorrow. Kasey and Ethan and Sienna come next week though and Kelly and clan will come on Friday. Then on Saturday I leave for London for a week. Good times.

OBSERVATIONS IN ALASKA

1. It is cold. Very, very cold. I didn't go on many walks and when I did I bundled up. The cold felt like it was burning my face one day-it was about 18 outside.

2. It is not as modern as I anticipated. There are not many chain restaurants and no big malls. I would have thought there would be in Anchorage since it is the capital. It has a lot of strip malls. Think the 60's type.

3. The snow covered mountains are gorgeous! I want to go back in the summer and see all the greenery.

4. Kaden and Alexa have really grown up. Kaden doesn't tease her near as much and she ignores it more. Kaden is very sweet and helpful. He can read like a 6th grader-very smart. Alexa is the total performer. She loves to dance, sing, etc. and loves to sleep every night with me.

5. Sienna is extremely cute and precocious. She is terrified of the Hulk and talks a lot about him. When she starts telling me a story, it can go on for a half hour and she hardly takes a breath. She can put me in my place without a qualm. "That's not how you do that, Grandma!" When I asked her if she was going to miss me she said, "not really." Hilarious! She did miss all the goodies in my suitcase. She was always the first person to go get a treat when she was ready every day.

6. Ethan is perfect. Adorable, sleeps a lot.

7. Matt is such a hard worker. He is always thinking of new schemes and plans and this is in the midst of a rigorous residency program for pediatric dentistry. He is one of the most generous people I know. He is always trying to give away something to someone or planning a surprise.
8. Kasey is beautiful. She also handles a new baby with absolute ease. She is completely at ease with Ethan and doesn't act like going back to being sleep deprived is any big thing at all. We went out to eat twice and shopping a couple of times during the week he was born and when I left.

9. I love visiting the Henry's, even if it is cold.

Worth Waiting For

He's here. All 6 lbs. 5 oz. of him and he is adorable. Not sure what his name is but they are leaning towards Ethan Joseph. There is nothing like a newborn. I love him already. If you have facebook, check him out on Kasey's page. He's way cute!

Meanwhile.....

1. The kids and I saw Pink Panther 2 and went to McDonalds. Who can't laugh at Steve Martin?

2. Kasey and I say Confessions of a Shopaholic and enjoyed it a lot.

3. We walked 2 miles trying to get Kasey to go into labor.

4. I've been combining my genealogy records on the new family search site.

5. Today Kasey was dilated 5-6 and the doctor stripped her membranes again. We walked all around Costco for a while and headed home and I kicked her out of the car and made her walk .5 miles up the hill to her house. She is having contractions every 10-20 minutes and so we are hoping. It is also snowing outside right now.

6. I am making sugar cookies again.

7. Kasey just got an appointment to be induced tomorrow morning at 8:00!!

Still Waiting

We are still waiting for little boy Henry to arrive. In the meantime:

1.The kids and I made Valentine cookies. I got the recipe off of allrecipes and it was a great one. Here is is. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/The-Best-Rolled-Sugar-Cookies. I think we need to make them again. There is only one left!!

2, Last night all three of the kids decided to come down and sleep with me. Kaden said we were having a slumber party. It was clear after about an hour there would be no slumbering with all three of them down there. Kaden decided he wasn't tired and went upstairs, Sienna followed and Alexa and I finally got to sleep.

3.I had an amazing massage today. Thanks Matt and Kasey!

4, Kasey and I had pedicures today.

5.We went and had pizza tonight.

6. The kids have been sooo good and so much fun. I stole an idea from their Grandma Bev and brought a small suitcase filled with small toys, trinkets, makeup and candy and they get to pick out of it after they are ready for the day or ready for bed. It has been fun to see them hurry to pick up things and get dressed and see what they pick.

We may be waiting, but I'm having fun in the mean time.

Alaska

Yes, I'm in Alaska, freezing, and enjoying every minute with three adorable grandchildren!! Sienna is a major chatterbox, talked constantly for the first couple hours . Everything was:Grandma this and Grandma that or she'd start random sentences with the work well. She is hilarious. Alexa snuck down into my bed in the middle of the night and Kaden and I have been making some slimeythings together. We went to the mall today while the kids were in school and even took the kids on a walk in the snow after school. They are so much fun to be around!! No baby yet though. Kasey had her membranes stripped yesterday and today jumped on a mini trampoline and then we walked. She can't quite do the castor oil bit. I'll keep you updated.