Life Seams Busy

Well, I've been keeping busy doing things. Work, genealogy, church, friends, etc. Some how my life has filled up. Clint's been busy lining up interviews, and I've been working frantically on genealogy trying to tie up loose ends on the Payne line before I needed to pick up all my papers. Since we only have one desk, and Clint occupies it regularly now, I drag my papers out and they end up laying around the living room where I can sit under the fan and use the laptop.

Clint and I had gone to see his doctor a few weeks ago as a result of his 4th blood sample he'd given. The doctor advised Clint to see a blood specialist-hematologist/oncologist. He said a hematologist and onocologist just go together. Clint went and they took more blood-but analyzed it right there and his blood levels were back to normal range. They're smearing his blood under a microscope just to check it out because it isn't normal for your levels to drop and then return to normal. He has another appointment Thursday to get the results.

We had our final stage in the adoption process this last week-the dreaded home study. We haven't made our adoption choice very public because we have attempted the process so many times and made it farther each time, but as you know-nothing final ever happened. BUT, all we have to do now is get a few beds, Clint a job, and wait for our study to be typed up and approved. We'll then be ready to foster/adopt children. We are going through an agency that places children that are with Child Protective Services. We are excited about the opportunity to bring children into our home and help them to grow and be the best they can be.

I got a second calling on Sunday. I was worried when I got the call Sunday morning to meet with a conselor to the bishop before church. I had no idea what they would ask me to do, but was very willing to accept the call to serve as the Ward Family History Specialist. Our Stake President wanted see an increase in family history with the members of the church and our bishopric all thought of my name - imagine that. I talk about it regularly when given the chance. They apologized for asking me to do double duty, but I said it was a pleasure and Clint later replied to the counselor that I am already doing it, no need to think it's additional work. I'm excited and I believe I've found the person who was calling for me the other day (about a month ago I blogged an account of hearing a voice).

Life is bright and hot around here. Just in time to walk around and track down fire hydrants. :)

New Job and Clint's news

Well I finally started my job this week. Who would of thought that I've have to have a drug test, flexibility test, hearing test, eye test and a physical-all before I could fill out new hire paperwork and start a part-time job. But I obviously cleared with flying colors and began yesterday. I will be heading up a fire hydrant inventory project with the City of Garland. I will have to go and visit every fire hydrant in th city-not so bad right? I got onto the GIS intranet site and selected the fire districts, the fire houses, and then I selected the fire hydrant option. The city changed from 11 colored areas to a leparous red. I just about dropped my jaw in amazement and wondered exactly how many of these little red hydrants there might be. My boss popped his head in the door and I asked him. Oh, about 7,000 he said. WOW, not just a few hundred, but several thousands. No wonder they hired me-I won't be returning to school and leaving the project unfinished next month. It'll probably take 6 months to complete. Then I went to a meeting with the water department and the fire department heads to talk about the project. We wondered what information they would want to know about the hydrants and if we could get their help. I'd heard that fire fighters had had a few problems of fire hydrants not being in the location that the map showed when they'd pull up to a fight a fire. I then learned that sometimes the hydrants will be there, but not work. Wouldn't that be important information to know before you got to a fire? So, I'm very excited to be working on this project-it makes me wonder about the hydrant across the street. I might call the fire department and ask the last time it was checked or had maintenance...hmmm...

Clint and I went to have physicals a few weeks ago. We have different doctors, but I believe I'll be switching to his from now on. My doctor wasn't as thorough as Clint's. His doctor asked him a bunch of questions. Also, he spent 2 1/2 hrs at the doctors and I spent 1/2hr. But, when the doctor heard my heart beat they didn't hook me up to an EKG like Clint's did. His pulse was below the normal 60; it was in the 40's. The nurse had a look of shock when she took his pulse. After the EKG the doctor asked Clint a few questions that Clint confirmed and then he gave the diagnosis: Sinus Bradycardia, which means Clint's heart is so good he just might live to be 130-his goal.

Another thing that's come from the doctor visit is that Clint is in no danger of having a heart attack. His cholesterol is so low it's abnormal. No family history ever of anyone having a heart attack, and I've tried to have him cut down on his fat intake-no need, he has a 'no stick' policy with his veins. He says just call me "Teflon Don".

The last thing is that his platelet count is low. So, he went back on Tuesday for another blood test. Then he went back today for yet another blood test. The second blood test showed low hemoglobin and low hematocrit. So this third time around they took more blood than the first 2 times and we think he probably has anemia, but we'll wait to hear what the doctor says. Meanwhile Clint's spending hours at the computer applying to jobs-that's his new job. ha,ha,ha.

4th of July

Since we live in the country now, and a major firework holiday is upon us, there are several firework stands around us. Three of them are literally down the main road about 2 miles. Clint and I took a walk the other night into the back part of our neighborhood where there are ponds and corn fields. While there we saw and heard fireworks going off on the main road in our subdivision that almost goes to the lake. There aren't any houses off this part of the main road yet, so no big deal. Then we've heard and seen a few more fireworks around the streets near our house.
Well, last night at 11:30pm there were fireworks going off in our backyard (practically). The weather is so nice and cool at night that we open up our windows and enjoy the cool breeze that comes through. Well, if you can image what it's like to be awakened while in the middle of sleeping to fireworks going off right outside your bedroom window, then you will know what we went through. We are awakened to bright lights and loud noise. Then it stops and we grumble and then 2 minutes later it happens again. Clint gets up to look out the window and try to determine where they're coming from. Then after it stops he says ' I know what'll happen if I go out there, they'll say -it's 4th of July coming up man." Then he says, 'oh, and it just happens to be the day before the day before the 4th of July.' So, Clint decides to get dressed and go outside anyway and he comes back a little while later. He crawls into bed and askes if anymore fireworks went off. I said no. Then he tells me, that while he's going around with a flashlight looking into peoples backyards he realizes that the security camera (posted on our street by the builders) is probably filming him and he might just look like a burglar. Ha, ha, so he stopped looking and came back in. Hopefully we won't have any more late night firework shows. We can only image slightly what it would be like to live in a war zone. We couldn't quite wake up and we couldn't quite go back to sleep because our brains were on high alert, but our bodies weren't willing to follow.
Oh, I forgot to mention that it's against our HOA rules to shoot off fireworks in our subdivision. But, hey we're in country now right?

A pleasant suprise

A few weeks ago I applied for an internship with the City of Garland's GIS department. They have an on-line system where you basically fill out an application. A fews days after I'd filled out the application I wasn't able to log into my account. They system said check back later. So for a week I tried and then a new system popped up. I wasn't sure what had happened to my application and I figured I'd reapply since I didn't know and I hadn't uploaded a resume or cover letter with my application. I had rewritten my resume and that's as far as I'd gotten, but on Tuesday while I was at the pool with friends I got a message from the GIS manager that he'd like to see if I could come in and speak with him. I was floored that I'd gotten a phone call, and very pleased too. As I read back over the requirements before I called the man back I got scared because I really only have a vague idea of the things they want me to know. But I had felt good about applying for the job, so I just called him back and met with him yesterday afternoon. Well, it was a very informal interview and the position is only part-time and it's partly out doors and it's working with the firemen. I said all that was fine and since I wasn't detered, I was basically offerred the job. The hours are flexible (I pick them) and my duties are to ride around with a firefighter and tag (get the GPS coordinates) firehydrants, then put them into the computer. Oh, and the fire stations are open 24hrs a day, so I can start at 6am if I want, when it's cooler outside. Clint said I must have special prayers or something. He was joking around and asked me how many jobs I'd applied to. I said 1. He said, "and how many job offers have you gotten?" I said 1. Another thing about the job is that it's not quit perminent. When the firehydrants are all counted and the project finished, they might or might not need to keep me. But I know it's a great stepping stone to getting a job in this field, so all that works for me.

Spending my day

Well, I woke up today and decided I would clean my house. You'd think that I might decided to do this every day and thus it's not a decision, but ah, it is with me. You see since I only have 2 places to go-the gym and the grocery store, my days are spent at home. Since there isn't really much motivation to clean up for anyone and we aren't really that messy, things pile up. But I am having company over on Thursday-a book club group-so I thought I'd get a head start. I wrote everything down I needed to do, timed it all, and then proceeded to rearrange the living room. No, it wasn't a distraction, well, yes it was, but in the process I did all those cleaning things you should do, vacuum, dust, blah, blah, blah. I'm very pleased with how it looks, too bad I can't show you. Again, someday we'll have a digital camera, but not anytime soon. Because.....

Well, last Monday afternoon Clint called to say he wasn't sure if he should tell me something over the phone or in person. He decided over the phone was okay, so he said he'd put in his 2 weeks notice. The last day of the month will be his last day at the dealership. Now, he had tried to do this at the first of the month and we had a long discussion, we both got blessings at the family fast Sunday dinner, and he didn't. We visited the temple and he got an answer that he wasn't expecting. He's no longer pursuing a job as an Automotive Facilitator. He's suppose to be building businesses, but since that won't pay the bills, in the meantime....???? Yup, he's not 100% sure what to do for a job, but he is now pursuing work in Public Relations or Marketing.
Am I worried?? Well, yes and no. I'm not sure how long we will be in this position of no income, but the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Through all of our drama this last year I've grown accustomed to not being attached too closely with material possesions. Do I like them, yes, do I want them, yes, is there a possibility that I might loose them all, yes. It's a strange feeling when you aren't attached to anything, sometimes the feeling begins to carry over to people-the lack of attachment I mean. But as my mother has advised me, "Send out good vibes, and have faith".

So our vacation this year will be in our very own backyard. Who needs to go do something like white water river rafting? I've got a wild ride every day of my life.

Struggling

Well, we started our 'Candida Diet' a week ago Monday. Well, let's say I started it, and Clint finally commited wholly two days later. (He regrets it now) He is having a harder time than I am, I believe, only because he is used to eating whatever he wants, which is most things, and I, being pickier than he, am used to being selective in what I put in my mouth. I don't crave sweets, he does. Most foods taste the same to me, he still has his taste and tastes everything.
Just to give you an idea of what we're going through, here's the list of what we CAN eat. Then think about what meals you would prepare off of this list.

1. Any vegetable as much as we want raw or steamed (oops, I've roasted a few!) EXCEPT-be frugal with ppotatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, cucumber, green pepper.
2. All rices
3. Any chicken or turkey, not fried with skin removed
4. Bony fishes such as cod, tuna or perch.
5. Shellfish in moderation without butter and not fried
5. Nuts-almonds and cashews only
6. Seeds-sesame and sunflower
7. Eggs
8. Oatmeal
9. Lean beef
10. Cornbread or baking soda or baking powder biscuits and yeast-free breads are OK in moderation.

Now we can add grapefruit and Granny Smith apples after one week and add non-fat dairy products after 2 weeks. Then add 1 new food every 2 or 3 days after that.

So today for breakfast I had some rice crisps and cashews, for lunch popcorn and a salad. Dinner will be chicken with rice (again). Am I loosing weight you ask. No, I've checked for 2 days in a row at the gym and I want to believe it's because of my gaining muscle. :)

Clint has admitted to not being very strong about this and I've had to venture out into the Natural Food section of Krogers where they offer things that are yeast/gluten/sugar-free etc. But I have learned that reading the ingredients is so important on a box. What's sugar free isn't yeast free, what's yeast free isn't whatever free.

I will say that I am feeling better-not as tired, but definately a bit moodier. The moodier part might be because of where I'm at in my life at this moment, so it's hard to say that it's a side effect.

What I have learned is

1. Don't add seasonings meant for meat or dips to a salad-yuck.(learned today on my salad for lunch)

2. Some foods just don't improve no matter what you season them with-Quinoa for one.

3. I could survive if needed on our limited food storage.

4. Meals are much easier to prepare if you don't have a wide selection of things to choose from.

5. Clint is still a standup comic even when eating is no longer something to look forward to.

Oh and last but not least don't consume a large portion of cabbage and apple cider.......not good for you.

Anyone wanting to try this way of life, well I say give it a try, you can always go back if it doesn't work out. :))

Ready, Set, Go..

Well, the job search is on. Clint's already started, but I've decided to really give it a go. Clint is wanting to become an Automotive Facilitator and I would like to get into GIS (Geographic Information System). Clint's had plenty of experience in the automotive industry to be able to talk about it and I have a Geography degree, now I just need the GIS certificate (which I should of gotten when I was in college..if I'd only taken a closer look at what to do with my degree!). Anyway, my days are now spent doing the job hunt and taking on-line free training classes in ArcVIEW, Access, ArcGIS, etc.. I do take a day off here and there to go to the pool with friends and their kids, but not much else is going on. Oh, but here's a plug for my Pampered Chef business. If anyone wants free products and would like to do a book party this month, please let me know.

Memorial Day

Well, today started out with a get together of people from church who live in the same subdivision as us. It was a nice brunch get together. I came home to find out where to go and what to do to celebrate this great day. I discovered the Dallas Symphony is playing at a park tonight by White Rock Lake (located near downtown Dallas) and then there will be fireworks afterwards. I love these free concerts as they are the only time that I get to enjoy the Symphony on our budget. I'm excited because this will be our first time celebrating this holiday. It's been a goal every year to celebrate and we just haven't. So I'd like to honor my father, and his 2 uncles Jack and Fred, who have served in the military. May I always remember their service for my freedom and all those who are serving today that I may enjoy the life I have. THANK YOU

Candida

What's this? I've never heard of it. My doctor in Houston said I have it and recommended some pills (natural remedy) for it. I didn't think much of it. She said taking the pills might help my appetite to return. (I haven't craved or desired any kind of food for years now, it's all blah) Then last week I looked it up on the internet and was amazed at what I found. I've had some of the symptoms for about 4yrs now and a few more have popped up recently. I have never had a yeast infection (to my knowledge). I read about a Candida Diet and thought I might try it. Then today I decided to read more about this (that was after doing what they recommend as a 'spit test' to see how bad you have it) and am thoroughly grossed out. I'm now at the stage of TMI and not enough education to figure out exactly what to do about it. I do wonder if some of my hormone problems are a result of having this. I've had a coated tongue for 4 yrs now and my GP doctor had said it was normal (I hate that word when a doctor says it-normal for who??? It's not normal for me, that's why I asked). I'd always believed if I was restored to normal health, then my hormone's would return to normal. Now I might be able to get closer if I can get rid of this candida. The body is an amazing creation. I've heard it stinks to get old, so just don't do it, but what choice do I have???

Activity Days

I've been helping out with our wards Activity Days. Since we are a newly split ward, there aren't enough people yet to fill all the callings, so I've been asked to help until someone is available and called. This was my 2nd time to do this, the first time all was prepared and easy. This time I thought I had it under control, but was reminded again how until I'm under pressure-things don't come together for me. I'm not sure why, but despiration leads to inspiration. I tried and tried to do the budget activity and it wasn't coming together. I looked at the other activities that we could do and at 2pm yesterday (the activity is at 7pm) I threw together an idea relating to, guess what?....yes, genealogy.
I was again reminded of my love for it and the creative side of me that comes out when it comes to making something artistic with genealogy. And when bearing my testimony to the girls about the temple, I shared the story about finding Joseph (my 4th cousin once removed). It always brings tears to my eyes when I remember the experience of finding out he was the only child who hadn't been sealed to his family and the experience in the temple when he was finally united with them. I love this gospel.

Learning Something New

I've decided what to do with the BIG wall that faces the kitchen and dining room. I'm going to put quotes on it, printed out in nice fonts, etc. I mentioned this to Clint and he said, okay..but why don't you learn Calligraphy instead of printing the quotes. I was not very fond of this idea, but decided to give it a try. After a few hours of practicing my letters (we already had a calligraphy pen with different tips and ink) I decided that there is a reason to do things like this when you are younger. That is the time to put hours into practicing things, not when your older and you dread someone asking 'what'd you do today?' and all you can say is 'I practiced my handwriting for 4 hrs'. Why does it feel like spending time on a skill is wasting time? I mentally know it's not, but somehow I'm not completely convinced. So, like I said, developing skills like this is definately for the young. But I will continue to practice, just not for hours at a time. :)

Happy Birthday Mom......yesterday

I have a great mom. She does so much for her family and is always giving. I thought I'd give back a little with a tribute to her. (I don't have any recent photos, just oldies-but goodies)

Mom you have a great smile

You like to laugh and have a good time

You are concerned for your children

I can call you and you will always be there to listen

Thanks mom for all you are and all you do

Pictures of our Home

Here's my flowers
More flowers
Our back patio
Kitchen
Dining/Living Room

There's not much else to see, our masterbedroom has our matress on the floor and the other 2 bedrooms are empty, and the office is not quite anything to show.

Where we live

Here are some pictures of things close to where we live. I love where we live!!!


This is the view from our backyard right now-see the lake?





Terry Park - you can go swimming and picnic at this park.




A shopping, movie, restaurant center right on the lake with this beautiful fountain.




This is where the fountain from above flows into the lake






The center has a place for the boats to come and dock and as you can see a light house


Come and visit us!

Mother's Day

Well, for Mother's Day I don't usually do anything special. Neither does Clint. I don't do anything for Father's Day either, so no big deal. So yesterday I wanted to take mom and dad's camera around the lake and take pictures, so we did. Prior to that I had asked Clint after church 'what's for lunch?'. I'm always cooking and I didn't feel like it today. He pulled together pizza and it was yummy. While putting the pizza together I'd asked him how our Sunbeam class had gone as the women in the ward got to attend Relief Society and the men took over Primary. He said it went fine. We'd had a bag of things that the kids could reach into, touch, describe, and then guess what it was. One day we will own a video camera and I will be able to post Clint's very funny side for the whole world to see. Or as I was laughing and saying I needed to video him and post it on Utube, Clint said I was the only one who laughs at him and I said, well after I post it on Utube then millions can laugh at you. ha, ha, ha. Anyway, rambling on here, I enjoyed a Mother's Day doing what I wanted to do and I hope all the rest of you Mother's enjoyed your day too.

Loosing My Mind

I knew it would happen one day, but I didn't realize it would be so soon. I'm sitting in the office checking out blogs and looking at new templates that I can download for free. I'm seeing all kinds of scenic one's I might like. I think maybe a tree in the background because it reminds me of genealogy, which I need to return to doing. I see a pretty sunrise over a lake and it reminds me of the view just up the road from where we live by Lake Ray Hubbard. I've got dad's camera so hopefully tomorrow we'll drive up there and take pictures so you can see the lovely area we live in. Come and visit anytime...
So, as I'm sitting here with the window open and the breeze coming through I hear "Elle" in a kind of drawnout way and a little distant. Almost the way Alex calls me when he's looking for me. I think "oh, someone is outside my windows by the side of my house is are playing a trick on me". I turn and look.. no one is there. Who would be there? It's 3:30 in the afternoon, no one is around outside, especially anyone who would know me. I do go outside to check and, nope, no one but the birds. So, I have officially lost it...just a little bit weird and a little bit young I think. I don't know of any one in the family history that went crazy, so I guess someone has to be the first. :)

In the Dark of the Night

We spent yesterday evening with family at grandma's. It was very nice (and quiet). We traveled home and went straight to bed. Eight hours of sleep doesn't seem to be enough for me anymore. It must be the exercising?? Anyway, I slightly woke up last night to hear Clint get up and leave the room. Then I heard a door open and close. Then I must of drifted back to sleep because the next thing I know is I wake up with a start to see Clint half-way between me and the door, with the light on in the hallway behind him and he's calling my name. Then he asks if I heard 'that'. "What?" I ask. He says that our fire alarm went off twice and he bolted up in bed (it's like a siren going off). He also said he's never seen me sleep so deeply, ever. We're not sure why our alarm freeked out. I suggested perhaps the battery was wearing down since we'd had it go off a few weeks ago while I was broiling some filet mignons. We tried to change the battery, but the two I offered were more dead than the one in the machine. (the ol' tongue trick is how he tested) Then I suggested that the kitchen window was open (right across the room from the alarm) and perhaps someone was standing outside smoking and that caused the alarm to go off. Clint proceeded to close the windows and turn on the house alarm. There has been no more noise from our little loud machine since. Hummmmm.....

Our Flowers

Catching Up

Well, I've almost finished with getting out house in order. I've planted flowers out front, and want to still buy more flowers, but I'll have to be content with what we have. I've planted petunias in the front of the bush bed (where all of our shrubs are planted) and some lantana. I bought a hydrania that sits in front of the front door and also dianthus. Flowers make me happy. I've also collected some honeysuckle from mom and dad's back yard to grow in our backyard. I just love that smell and remember as children my siblings and I would take the bloom and suck out the water at the end. Things kids will do when bored in a backyard.
We still don't have a camera to show how everything looks. Someday we'll get one. We've decided a new bed after 11years was more important, so I've posted pictures of what our flowers look like, just not in our yard.
We're also interested in growing a garden. I'd like to start a compost, but not excited about all the work and smell of one. I've found a machine that does the work and produces soil in 2 weeks. Check out the video at http://www.naturemill.com/products.html .

Family Room

Well, the family room is on it's way to completion. Here's a few photos so you can ohh and ahh.