I got my very first cell phone in 2009. Okay Scott had bought me several others which I never used. But in 2009 our lives changed completely. We went form 10 plus years of working and living together 24/7 to Scott having a traditional 9 to 5 job away from home. We also we in transition and building our home and renting and moving and selling our old home so I needed to port our home phone to a cell so Arbonne clients would still be able to find me during the moves. I love any photos of Scott.
I have been putting this off. Seeing it makes it real. I sure do miss my Aunt Sue. My friend Mark made these for us for the service which was lovely:) We have had too many family funerals in 2011. Each is sad because I miss seeing them here and now. Aunt Sues was especially life changing as my world had to go on without my buddy. 
Sometimes when I feel a little stretched thin I remember my roots. I never knew my Grandma Scharrier as she died the year before I was born. I have heard wonderful stories about her all of my life and I adore her two children. My Grandpa Scharrier I saw on an old video a few days back holding and talking to my little brother on Thanksgiving the year he was one. It would have been shortly before his stroke when He had a voice. I miss him. Then i think about my dad. He was larger than life and full of adventure. All of this helps me make it through the roller coaster of Aunt Sue.
I always enjoy baking much more than cooking and decorative baking even better. For Anthony's birthday this year I was going to make him a family favorite called Lemon lush but an hour before he was to arrive to celebrate I realized I did not have all the ingredients and went to plan B. I called him and asked him what are you favorite things? He said "Family being together, music, and Mickey Mouse". I did not tell him why I was asking and quickly hung up and went to work baking cupcakes that Scott declared were the best tasting ever. It is no wonder with 4 eggs and butter. The frosting was my favorite- frosting usually is my favorite. I made different colors and put it in zip lock baggies then piped out designs. Aunt Sue ate half before I could get an entire shot but here was what was left for the camera. Mickey's arms and legs looked better but then I decided with the extra frosting to coat the sides to keep the cake moist. Happy Birthday to the best brother in the whole wide world! I htink I could have done better had I stared earlier but not bad for an hour! 
As hard as I try to help Aunt Sue not fall she is just really good at it.
My sister Michelle once told me that she loved to make goals and try new things even if she did not stick with them or "succeed". My friend Ruth believed that even in the failing there was learning and improvement. I agree. Rita always said "what good are low hopes?" You miss 100% of the shots you never take.
One of the many events of 2009 was Aunts Sue's fall down 25 steps. She shattered her arm:( The funny part was she blamed the whole thing on these slippers. She gets into all kinds of mischief. She was not supposed to go down the stairs by herself but she would always sneak on the look out of sugary delights. Not a good combo with her blood sugar which was why I hid them in the first place. When I heard her fall I just went into shock I could not process it. I screamed for Scott who is my rock. It was sad the fist thing she said was I'm sorry. How sad she thought I would be mad, I was terrified not mad. We had a ceremony and destroyed the booty's.
This has been one of the most challenging years ever with Aunt Sue so ill and up and down and my working 12 hour days 6 days a week I have not gone on a single trip all year. Scott went without me and I kept the home fires burning. I came across these layouts and felt like I was there all over again. Can I please turn back time and relive this awesome trip? It was 100% pure magic. Being with Miranda and family, Lynda and Teri. I don't know why but it was the best ever. I know most moms never get to travel but I think I may be losing my mind. I have got to travel again. 
When I was a little girl I grew up on a street that my grandfather developed. He names them Towne kind of like Anne with an e but Town with an e. Now I will be working for a company which I am very excited about called Towne:) We will live on the site in Riverton. The owner is fantastic and we are super grateful to our good buddies who got us the interview!!! The new joke is if you want people to think you are poor you say you live in a storage unit, if you want them to think you are rich you say you live in a gated community:) The joke is courtesy of Derek. Today we signed the papers and closed on the sale of our home. I cried the whole time, I think it is the only time they have had the seller cry because they all seemed very muddled. I just have so many wonderful memories and favorites about it like the huge jetted tub the amazing views the incredible stake. Well I better get back to packing but I wanted to share the good news as jobs are very hard to find right now we feel elated to have found work. Thanks again to Erica and Derek:) By the way Aunt Sue is doing cart wheels of joy. She did not want to leave the valley.
When I was a little girl one of my passions was reading. I always had a book in hand. I would find little nooks to curl up in with a book. We had these beautiful picture windows in the formal living room that had benches and long Gothic drapes. I would let lose the fancy drapery pulls and the long 24 foot drapes would create a perfect retreat to escape with my books. Aunt Sue was always reading to Anthony and I or making up stories complete with voices. Sometimes I would drape sheets over my canopy bed and read by a string of Christmas lights pirated from my parents Christmas supplies. A favorite day at school was read-a-thon days. I would drag my blue bean bag into the station wagon along with a bag of snacks from mom with little love notes hidden inside from her and run into school ready to attack my leaning tower of books. Of all the childhood books I read the ones that is standing out to me right now are the choose your own adventure variety. You would begin on this magnificent journey and hit a fork in the story where you would take the reigns and turn to page 34 to see your fate. Of course I would go back and explore every possible option. With a well written story this would provide countless paths to experience and learn cause and effect. What a clever method of teaching. 20 years later I am living a choose your own adventure. The last months have been full of almosts and would have beens. Scott and I felt we only had options listed in our book. We would turn to page 34 but it is blank. We trace our steps back to page 12 and try the next option which leads us on to page 61 yet there we are again at a blank page. From family prayer we decided that we do not like someone else deciding for us and that we will just have to choose for ourselves and have faith that God will circumvent any eternal disasters. Really the only problems that would be devastating are to lose faith in God, to give away our eternal relationships. There is a fine line for me of Gods directing our path yet allowing us to grow and utilize our agency. I am working hard at letting go of control and trusting my husband as he follows God. Scott has always had my best interests at heart- well maybe not in Oct as 
Hunting season outweighs all else. But I know God and Scott want only what is best for me- for me to fill the measure of my creation. Scott and Missy have arrived at a clean blank page but the difference this time they brought their own pen. They won't let doctors, real estate agents, bosses, job postings turn pages for them. Taking a step back and zeroing in our our ultimate goals gave us a clarity. Scott stays close to God and can hear his voice. I sometimes get so busy and noisy that it is hard to hear the still small voice. With numerous priesthood blessings and many prayers we are very happy to head to St George. My mom is gracious to let all 4 of us descend upon her home. Scott will focus on IT certification and school, I will paint my moms walls. We will keep applying for work in the Salt Lake area. All our earthly treasures will remain in a climate controlled warehouse until we obtain gainful employment, build our next and hopeful last home and have the pods delivered to our new address. We hope it will be in the valley we love but Washington, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, California, and Texas have options, pages we can turn to. The nice part was how many loved ones were willing to help us preserve capitol. We feel beyond fortunate to have no debts not even a car payment and money and food laid up for a rainy day. We would prefer to keep them safe so we can use them in the future for down payments and if things got really bad. So the offers came pouring in. Loved ones willing to take us in under their roofs. Some of the offers were most tempting but we feel like the chance to help out my flirty widowed and needy mom outweighed the easy or fun paths. My mom is insisting she does not want anything in return for our lodging but we have other plans. As for packing... I am finally out of bed once again. After a long hard month we have decided to take me off of all the medications. Yes it is risky and yes the doctors freaked out- I had to sign a living will advance directive. But I would rather live my days until I am dead than lie in bed in pain until I die. Scott agreed quality out weighs quantity. Not that I have a dated death sentence. Who can really give one anyways unless perhaps a death row date looms in your future. After all doctors told me dad he had months and lived years. Depending on the treatment options we will take the least life altering and rely on a more natural approach. I have to be able to get out of bed and help pack and feed Aunt Sue and I just don't want to be sick in bed anymore. As the drugs clear out of my body I am feeling more and more like the old me and that is a happy day. So the status update of the week is... 1. we are moving to St. George temporarily. 2. Scott and I do not have jobs, yet. 3. the doctors are stumped with my health so we are taking a natural approach while they argue it out. 4. We are packing fools dividing up what to keep for 6 months and what to store up here. 5. We are speaking in sacrament as a our welcome to the new ward as a couple only to surprise them at the end with a fond farewell speech. Stay tuned as you are choosing your own adventures to see where page turning take us next.
What would I do without my birthday boy? Cry and be sad. He is harassing his mom right now on the phone as she tries to wish him a Happy Birthday Day. But he is teasing her with a "What is there to be happy about". She laughs only because she knows her son in not capable of being negative. I married Pollyanna. Yup he is the eternal happy go lucky all is right with life man. It is a good thing he is so cute because sometimes I feel like he does not understand what is going on. But he says if we are going to live in a delusion it will be his as mine which I call reality he says is negative Nelly. Scott reminds me to not steal dreams... reality does a fine job all by itself. Instead of being at Disneyland and then off to our cruise-- our original plan for my handsome hubby's birthday... we are headed to the hospital-- again. Last year it was Doctors and hospitals for Scott and Aunt Sue this year I guess it is my turn. Not a fun place to hang out at unless you have an optimistic spouse who likes to laugh and play games. Scott and I are playing the game "What is there to be happy about?" Some of our answers are not blog appropriate but here are a few. 1. If you are going to have tumors have lots and really do well with stumping the doctors. 2. If you are both out of work think of all the free time you have to count blessings together. If you have jobs you can't sit around and count blessings. 3. When you are ill and there may not be a cure you at least get to be together and play fun games. 4. Look at all the love from friends and family. 5. Becasue of said friends we are happy-- becasue who can be down when we are cheering them up. That is a huge gift. 6. If we were not cheering them we would really be down. 7. If you are about to be homeless at least it is summer time and we have lots of camping gear. 8. Bella and Aunt Sue because if we didn't have our two girls we would disappear to a remote island and not return. Which would upset the family and life sure would have less meaning without our girls to love and smother. 9. There is a basement waiting for us in Iowa-after our homeless camping Iowa will look great. 10. I have a second interview:) See all the happy things- I wish I coudl share some of our others as they are very inventive:) Happy Birthday Polly love ya Nelly!
What a way to start 2009. A week before Christmas we got some exciting news that has turned our holidays upside down. We have to move:) Scott got a new boss at work who wants him traveling 3 weeks a month, Aunt Sue's doctor wants her on the main level and interest rates are low which all add up to a move. We ended up home for the holidays for the first time in 14 years. I had a nasty cold, bad weather, starting to pack for the move and Scott had a big work load so we did not travel like usual. We canceled our plans last minute and stayed home. We enjoyed a white Christmas and loved being with Aunt Sue and Bella. We stayed warm and enjoyed the soft falling snow outside while we had a fire and the tree lights glowing. I made prime rib for the first time ever and it was a huge hit. I did not even taste it as I do not eat any kind of red meat. The holiday was peaceful. Then we drove around the next few days looking for homes and neighborhoods that we like. We have to have a main floor bedroom for Aunt Sue, close access to the airport for Scott, and a big kitchen for me:) I will really miss our fantastic views, my huge tub, tall ceilings, and the seclusion I feel we have now. We have things narrowed down and met on Monday to finalize things. I really have a hard time with things up in the air. I know we are moving but where to, how soon and when are a mystery. Marlene keeps reminding me to breathe. We met with our awesome Stake Presidency and I cried after. I just love these men and I have loved my calling with the YW. The women I have served with are my dear friends. Scott will be harder to replace as it is not issued at a Stake level. We have been here for over 8 years! That is lots of memories. Change is good and being uncomfortable is not the end of the world. But I sure do like to have things planned out better so I am going learning to be patient. I am trusting Scott. He reminds me so much of my dad in the whole sales process. He tells me to keep quite and let him play hard ball. It is a buyers market right now- there are 100's of choices. So here's to a new adventure in 2009.
Thanks so much everyone for all the love and prayers. I was very upset to be out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday with Scott's family because I missed the funeral. But I was also very proud of Deb's children, who all spoke- as I learned from the 'play by play' from my friends back home. I miss Deb already. I will never forget the first hug we had when she walked into the room with a Mitford bag and I tried to steal it:) It is lucky in life to find friends who you can let your hair down with. Deb was very supportive to me during a big trial in my life. I was scared and did not know the right course of action to take. I was fearful for some children's safety in my life and worried about what to do. Deb helped to to sort it all out and stood by me. She also was great at teasing me into 
trying something new and not taking myself so seriously. I was very sad to miss being here for the funeral but I have an awesome mom-in-law, sister-in-law and niece who did their best to distract my grief. I celebrated my birthday while away, had a nice break from the play and enjoyed time with Scott and family. I am grateful for friends like Deb and my family.
Bella brings lots of adventure to our everyday lives. She is naughty but soft and gets more loving each day as she feels secure in her new home. She keeps me company and if I give her 24/7 attention she is great. She has lots of energy and the most beautiful face. Bella is not excited about sining puppies. She has won over our hearts. Even Aunt Sue adores her. I'm grateful for my furry friends.
Today we got to be around people we just love. I just felt to happy to have the neat people in our lives that we do who are so willing to lighten our load and share a laugh. I even enjoyed shopping with Scott. Kay and Jim were kind to have us over and give us a pep talk and some totally awesome advice. No wonder I love Teri so much her mom and dad are out of this world cool. We got to see Rob and Amy. It was there first time to a Cheesecake Factory and we enjoyed a lively debate on politics. Aunt Sue and Bella were super good today and even let me take a nice afternoon nap:) Bella has this new favorite spot behind our behinds at the computer! She is so funny. Aunt Sue is all manic with joy and loving Obama which I totally disagree with her on-- but how cool to live in a country where we are free to debate:) We both love to discuss the world and have polar opposite views which make it really neat to see the far side of your thoughts. As I walk around the mall I had several total stranger ask me why I was so happy. I told them "I love to be me. I love Jesus and being a daughter of God rocks!" It was just an ordinary extraordinary day. The sun was shining we took out the solar panels and let the sun light flood the house. The cool air is a welcome feeling. I just had to keep hugging myself and thanking God for the life I have in America with all the challenges which end up being blessings. I wish everyone could love to be them- it is nice because you always have your best buddy with you:) hee hee. I even loved my cute earrings I made they are like little pink chandeliers:) It feels good to love myself and that helps me to love others. I think there is lots of hope in the world. How can I not smile with handsome Scott by my side? I guess I am in my Rah Rah mode- it feels great. I love these photos from today I love cameras. The one of the 3 ladies makes it look like we are pink ladies- too cute. And I can't get over hottie Scott with that blonde hair brown eye perfect ear hunky man.
This info made me smile. Aunt Sue had warned us about hearing of Jellyfish in Hawaii just yesterday. I had not known that they had them there. I was stung all over my body once in the Bahamas. It hurt and I was doused in vinegar and they didn't leave any scars. I guess jellyfish are a new problem plaguing Hawaii tourism. I went on line to appease Aunt Sue thinking what are the chances the jellies would be where we will stay. The 2 islands where we will spend our time are the two that got hit hardest with them and they even mention our resort by name- ha ha. I am grateful Laurie who will keep an eye on our little treasure Aunt Sue and Bella while we are away. We may not be seeing any time in the water-- I wonder if it is as exiting to snorkel or snuba in the pool? The south shore of Kauai saw its largest box jellyfish infestation in years yesterday, according to county officials. More than 1,100 box jellyfish were found on the shoreline. Three dozen jellyfish were found at Poipu Beach Park near the Marriott Waiohai Beach Resort, said county public information officer Mary Daubert. Poipu Beach lifeguards have treated one man with jellyfish stings, she added, and they spent the day keeping beach-goers apprised of the jellyfish situation. Some are being hospitalized. Warning signs posted yesterday may remain up today at the affected Oahu beaches if the influx of jellyfish continues. People who are stung may experience breathing difficulty, muscle cramps and persistent pain and should seek immediate medical attention, according to the Ocean Safety advisory. The influx of box jellyfish occurs from eight to 10 days after a full moon.
Scott at the first appointment plus he is reviewing all the tests they have done so far and had a bunch more done. I would love to trade places with Scott because it is really hard for me to watch him suffer. It is selfish of me because I know that through our suffering and trials we come to know God but it is very hard for me. He now has an excellent doctor that I hope can make a huge difference in at least narrowing down on what he has. The pain is now constant and I don't know how he keeps going, but he does and he rarely complains. Some of the tests are just plain old awful. He is very brave and I just love him. His hands, feet, intestines and mouth are so very dry and the pain in his back can drop him to the ground. It was just a year ago I sat with Aunt Sue in the hospital for almost a month all together. Aunt Sue and I had a good time talking but there were some very hard times. Now if I am not with Scott at an appointment I am on the phone with doctors or records departments. I sure pray that our health care system does not become socialized as I can't bare any more hoops to jump through. Well I guess I can bear anything because I am working to trust in God. I know within me is greatness that has been unlock from blessings and that if we endure we can do it all. Sometimes I just feel scared and wish Scott was healthy again. I think stress is playing a huge part but I am not yet sure how to help him cut down on it. I am often afraid to ask in prayer because can I handle what I know I need to do? What a wimp I can be. I have never regretted following a prompting. Why would I not want to follow advice from an experienced guide who wants me to succeed? Faith is a funny thing. Scott is my bestest buddy, I love to talk to him. That is one of the blessing I get to spend lots of time with him at appointments, he can make me laugh. He is very special. He has been on the road working, doing his calling and everything else on his plate still being sweet in all that pain. He really is my hero. By the way construction and hospital just don't mix.
Between Aunt Sue and Miss Bella taking photos is about enough to put me under. Neither one of my girls will pose for me or let me shot candids. I guess they do not take after mom. I LOVE to have my photo taken-- but not these two. Bella mainly wants to attack the camera strap and Aunt Sue just pouts and threatens. I know it could be worse. I could have no one to love and take photos of. It can be challenging sometimes. I have been debating with Aunt Sue about letting place all her meds in the daily container I do for her. She fights me and wants to keep one out. I fill 1 and then she won't let me put in the 12th pill. I explain that sometimes the doctor asks me if she has taken such and such and the only way we can know for sure is if we see what is missing form the daily pill box. Then I 
chase Bella down who has ram sacked the entire house in a few brief minutes. I think I am getting pay backs for laughing at Marlene. She is always getting one of her 4 out of some type of trouble. I can kind of predict now when certain background voices are going to cry out. I guess animals and Aunt Sue are my way of learning to be patient and also something to talk to God about. Life can be very daily, between routines, maintenance, work, family and all the rest the years slip by. I finally look old to myself when I look at photos. I am an adult. It is strange to be an adult. When did it happen? Some would argue it hasn't yet happened. I know it is still a bit alarming when I realize that I am in charge or my friends are the parents. I know that the number of people who are dead that I love has increased as I guess is natural with age. Scott is right I think way to much but isn't that what separates us from the beasts? Aunt Sue always chimes in that the unexamined life if not worth living. It just seems that often in our busy lives we miss the contemplating and actually live. I figure why wait until I am sitting in a rocking chair somewhere, reflect now. For a current photo of Aunt Sue I may need to sneak in while she sleeps:)
We got back from the funeral and decided this was the perfect time to add a new member to our family. Leah was in town so we had a tie breaker with us to help us decide. It is really hard to adopt a kitty because there are 100's of worthy darling cats that need homes. I did not realize how many are euthanized:( I guess it is better than being abused or ill or starving on the streets... if only people would spay and neuter! That was one thing Bob from the Price is Right was great at-- reminding everyone to spay and neuter. Of course you would have had to watch the show to receive the message from him. I only saw it a few times... OK I am wandering. Back to our new little girl. She is adorable and tiny compared to our sweet Mungo. She is 1/2 the length and 1/4 the weight. She is a chocolate point Siamese. She was taken into the shelter ready to give birth. 3 of her 4 kittens survived and have been adopted. She then nursed 2 orphan kittens. SO she was excited to have a well deserved retirement and start relaxing and being loved. Leah named her for us- Leah is good at naming. Her name is Izabella. We have been calling her Bella or Izzy. Plus I can keep my title of never having named a pet and I have had over 20. Yip- I have never named one of my cats. I did name a hamster and a fish once in elementary school. She looks like a yummy Starbucks creation of mocha, Carmel, creme latte. Bella has exquisite blue almond eyes and all her extremities look like they have been dipped into warm rich chocolate. We were able to take her right into our vet which she hated- she must take after me. She is about 2 years old and has a life expectancy of up to 20 years!!! I would not think of that had we not just lost Mungo her BIG brother. The fun part is how much she loves Aunt Sue. She runs into her room jumps up on her lap ad purrs away. Aunt Sue lets her sit on her lap for 45 minute naps. I think she felt sad to have been a little stand offish to Mungo and is making up for it with Bella. Bella loves to play on the stairs and has this deep voice. Scott got her a kitty condo and she likes to gather all her toys and carry them in her mouth and hide them in the condo. What a little lover. She likes Scott's lap too. We are very happy yo have her join our family. I like to tell Bella about her big brother Mungo in heaven because I hope one day we can all be together again. I miss Mungos pink nose and kisses. Bella is not s replacement but she sure is a sweetheart and will gets lots of love for years to come.
