I just realized how long it's been since the last time I've blogged. What can I say? We are back to our crazy schedule. Marissa is in fifth grade now.. wow, right! She just started playing volleyball last week, and her first game is this Saturday.. we are very excited!
I'm back to work... I'm teaching a new pre-k class this year, and I'm doing my Internship this year in a kindergarten class, on top of going to school! It makes for an exhausted week! I love being in the kindergarten class, but I will be happy when that part of my schooling is done!!!
I'm still having knee problems, but it hasn't been to bad the last couple of weeks. I was able to finally get a cortisone shot in my knee, and it seems to be doing really well. I would say it took about 80% of the pain away! I also got a unloader brace.. which should also help a great deal! The Doctor told me that we would give it six more months, and if things don't change I'll be looking into getting a full knee replacement.
Anyways, I'll try to keep this thing up dated!! It just seems so hard lately with our crazy schedule...

Just Like That...

Watch out world... I'm mobile again! Just like that!! We went camping at Nat Soo Pah Hot Springs by Twin Falls this week, and we had a great time! The pool was so relaxing, it was nice! The moment I decided I didn't need my crutches anymore was when I was in a dressing room with Marissa, and I told her to stay there, and I would go get the next bunch of clothes to try on, and I walked out of the dressing room without my crutches, and when I got to Dan, he asked me were my crutches were.. I didn't even realize I left them! So, I had to go back into the dressing room, and get them. The fitting room clerk thought I was CRAZY!!! I told Dan enough is enough.. I've forgotten my crutches more than just that time, but that one was the most embarrassing! My leg feels so good! I still have some popping, but I have no complaints! Before my surgery I couldn't even walk, or put weight on my leg at all!! I have a feeling.. I should have done the surgery years ago... I feel so free!! I can't wait to enjoy the rest of my summer.... WITH NO CRUTCHES!

Wondering....

Am I going to ever walk normal again? I've been at fifty percent walking on my crutches for a week now, and the last couple of days my knee has been hurting so bad!! I hope that this will end soon!! One more week of this, and the Doctor said I can start winging myself off the crutches with the help of only one... we will see!

My Thought.....

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile,
leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never ever the same." ~ Flavia Weedn

This poem reminded me of someone who came into my life years ago, and changed it forever... People come in and out of our lives, but sometimes they do leave lasting footprints on our hearts. I know I'm a better person today because of this person! It's funny how things don't work out, and it's amazing how they do! Sometimes, you just don't see it right away.....

Six Weeks Down and My Silly Daughter!!

It's been six weeks since my surgery... I'm so glad it's almost all over, and I can throw the crutches out the door! I go to the Doctors tomorrow, it should be pretty interesting! I was chatting with my sister this evening about what info I need to tell the Doctor, and the info maybe I should keep to myself.. he needs to know the important stuff, right! We decided maybe he don't need to know that I went inter tubing out on the lake... I'm fine, right? What good would it do to tell him... I'm a foolish person! Anyways, I'm way excited to be getting the green light to be more mobile... YES!!! It's been a very trying six weeks, I can tell you that much! I so hope this is just what my knee needs to buy me some "knee time"!

Okay, so I have a Jessica Simpson for a daughter! Marissa and I went to the store yesterday, and I asked her to get a can of tuna. I pointed at it, and she told me, "I didn't know that tuna was chicken!" and I said, "WHAT?" and she said, "Yeah, it says Chicken Of The Sea!" I just shook my head, and walked "crutched" away, laughing! I later explained it to her, and she said it made no since at all! She thinks the company should be, Tuna Of The Sea... I guess I agree with her! After all, it is tuna they are selling... not chicken!

Catch Up...

We went on vacation last week to Yellow Stone, Bear Lake, Cherry Hills in Salt Lake City. We had a fantastic time together, and really enjoyed our camper! We are so in love with it!! (I will post pics. soon)
Tomorrow will be five weeks for me and my crutches.. wow!! I'm almost done!! My knee feels really good! I'm just hoping all goes well, and it's what my knee needs to buy me some time! Going on our trip really made the time go faster. I know I can do anything, now that I've done Yellow Stone on crutches!!!
Marissa has been enjoying all her free time with her friends in the sun and water! She got a new pool for her good grades, and she lives in there morning, afternoon, and night! (I think she was a fish in her past life!)
We went and watched Wall-E tonight, it was cute!! It wasn't my favorite pixar movie. Marissa really enjoyed it, and that's all thst matters!!

Stitches Out and Fathers Day Weekend...

I got my stitches out on Thursday! Two weeks down, four more to go!! My recovery seems to be going very well! I just wish some of the pain and bruising would subside....

This weekend we went camping, and I must say it was an adventure! Now, I can say that I have been camping on crutches! It's not natural!! We went to a little lake that's close to our house, and took our boat with us. I think I'm the only person to go boating on crutches in world! Okay, so maybe not the only person, but I bet I'm the only crazy person to get out of the boat on shore and walk through the water and sand on crutches! Maybe, it's because sane people know that it's just not save to walk on crutches through the sand because you can fall... (we just won't go there!) Again, it's not natural! I'm crazy!! I'm not going to let a little surgery stop me from going out and being adventurous! It's just not me! Anyways, We had a great Fathers Day weekend! We got Dan a portable Coleman barbecue, and he was excited he could use it while we were camping.. silly Daddy!!

What's Calling...

My favorite place.. The Ruby Mountains! I can't wait to get back up there and smell the fresh air...

The last picture is what I see every morning when I get up, we are so lucky to have such beautiful mountains in our very own back yard!

My Thoughts...

Today, was in the low fifties and snowing! Yes, it is June 4th! What the heck?? Snowing in June?? Only in Elko, Nevada!!!!

I'm still fighting a cold and a cough, but my recovery seems to be doing well! The nights are the worst for me though! I still have not gotten a full night's rest!

We are thinking about taking our camper out to Lamiolle Canyon this weekend to test everything out, but I'm a little nervous about it.. Camping on crutches?? It just doesn't seem to thrilling!

High Desert Hitmen

My sister and her husband helped bring UCE to Elko on Saturaday night, they had a fantastic turn out! They own high Desert Hitmen, and it's one of their passions... along with several other things they have a part in. It looks like Elko has welcomed this event, and look forward to seeing more of it, as it is the number one story right now on the web page.

Here's what the Elko Daily Free Press wrote....

ELKO - The blood streaming down Willis Ferguson's face was considerable.It looked like a good makeup job from one of the Rocky movies.Except it was real.Ferguson, an employee for Smith Power Products, was in the midst of his first mixed martial arts cagefight against an opponent from Utah. For two rounds, Ferguson was bloodied, battered and looked defeated.“The whole second round I couldn't see because of all the blood on my face,” Ferguson said. “But there was no way I was going to tap out. I'm sure I got beat up more than anyone here. But I think I had more fun than anyone here.”
Ferguson caught his opponent in a choke hold in the third period and won when the referee ended the fight.A satisfying outcome for Ferguson in his first fight. But he wasn't the only one who left the Elko Indian Colony Gymnasium satisfied. Elko got its first taste of a mixed martial arts competition Saturday night when the Salt Lake City-based Ultimate Combat Experience rolled into town and staged a full-contact cagefight. More than 1,000 spectators watched 14 fights that featured competitors from as far away as Fresno, Calif., Reno and Utah. Elko County was well represented and the partisan crowd was on its feet cheering for the local fighters. “It was awesome,” said Daniel Stenovich, who won the feature fight with a second-round knockout, “especially to seal the victory in front of the hometown crowd.”Stenovich, a two-time wrestling state champion for Spring Creek High, waited more than three hours to get to the 14th, and final, fight. Once there, he used his wrestling skills to get his opponent down and layed on a barrage of punches before the referee ended the fight.Local fighters, many of whom are members of the High Desert Hitmen local fighting club, fared well.Ryan Kyllonen, an 18 year old who will begin his senior year at Spring Creek High this fall, came out aggressive and won early in the first period.Wells' Pook Hoots showered his opponent with punches in the third round and won by a unanimous decision. Not one to forget his roots, Hoots placed a cowboy hat on his head for the post-fight interview.And Chance Elam won the night's penultimate fight with a bit of controversy. Elam walloped on his opponent in the second round and the fight ultimately was stopped by the official. Elam leapt up and straddled the fence to celebrate with his adoring fans.Some observers protested Elam won illegally by throwing punches while his opponent was on the floor. The victory, however, stood for Elam.“This was more than what I expected,” said Chris McLeod, coach of the High Desert Hitmen and one of the event organizers. “The crowd was amazing. We had people here from Wells, Ely, Battle Mountain and Eureka. They came from all over. Our next fight (on July 28) is going to be insane.”

Bumpy Road Ahead...

All right, I was feeling so fantastic on Friday morning until I talked to the the surgical center and explained to her that I was feeling a little itchy and she told me to call my regular Doctor, so I did and he had me come right in.. I was able to get dressed perfectly, with no pain! Go there with no pain, and the Doctor told me I was having an allergic reaction to the pain killers.. What? Only me!! The Doctor was shocked though at how well I was doing. Anyways, I got home and took some bendadrly to make me feel better, and I feel trying to get back on the couch tearing my knee up in the process... Ahhhhhh!! Yesterday, I fell once again trying to get up! This process is going to be a lot harder than it seemed on Friday morning.

To make things worse poor Marissa is sick with a nasty cold or something? I thought it was allergies at first, but the longer it holds on I'm convinced that it's something viral.

Dan starts his new job tomorrow... Yay! Today we have no insurance... so, nobody is moving an inch.. it would be just our luck!

Footprints In The Sand

One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Scenes from his life flashed across the skyand he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,

one belonging to him and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life had flashed before him, he recalled that at the lowest and saddest times of his lifethere was only one set of footprints.
Dismayed, he asked, "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. I don't understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious child. I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering when you saw only one set of footprints...
That was when I carried you."

Carolyn Joyce Carty ©

In My Dreams...

Last night I had several, horrible nightmares one after another. I think it was my fear that was feeding into my imagination, and I didn't sleep very well making it not possible to go into a really deep sleep. I had one dream last night that scared me at first but, comforted me after I has thought about the deeper meaning I found in it, and that was the last dream I had before waking. Yes, I happen to believe you can receive messages through dreams. Anyways, here is my dream, and you can decide!



Dan and I were driving on an isolated dessert road, that was out in the middle of nowhere, and I'm not for sure if Marissa was with us.. I don't remember seeing her. It was night with a warm breeze in the air. We came up to a car accident, where the lady who was injured was being loaded into an ambulance, I don't remember seeing her face, but the highway patrol officer told us we had to turn around, because the road was blocked. I have no idea where we were taking a drive too, but we turned around. As we were driving in the opposite direction, I saw a lady walking on the sand in the reflection of the siren lights, and I knew in my heart it was the lady that was in the car accident that was sitting on the gurney. I remember telling Dan to look at her, but he couldn't see her. As I looked at her I was being pulled toward her. The first thing I noticed about her was that she was wearing a long flowing dress, she had long brown flowing curly hair. At this point, I couldn't see her face still because I was behind her still being pulled to her, I remember looking down into the sand and seeing a single foot print, that was bloody, I was confused why there was only one footprint, and really confused why it was bloody. I realized that it was the foot print of the lady that was walking in front of me, but I noticed she had two legs.. I remember feeling at this point everything the lady was feeling.. the hair flowing in the warm air, feeling light as a feather, free, and I felt the most calming feeling I have ever felt in my in tire life! I then felt like I was being pulled away from her, and as I was I continued to look at her, and she turned her head, and to my surprise it was me....



The feeling that I felt in, and from this dream I had twice in my life. One was after my car accident twelve years ago, and I honestly thought I had an out of body experience, it was the same place except I was over palm trees. The second dream took place about five years ago when I was praying that I would find God in my heart, the dream was the same "feeling" but, it took place on a beach, near a light house in a grassy field with flowers. There was a women with two little girls looking at me, and to this day I know I saw Jesus standing there too.. It was a very moving dream, and made me cry when I awoke because I believed I had my prayer answered! In every dream it felt like I was truly there, and was being sent a message! The last dream made me think of the poem "Foot Prints In The Sand" and the message that I received from the dream is that God with always be there with me, know matter the outcome, of a car accident, surgery or when I'm praying...

My Surgery...

My surgery was this morning at nine a.m, it was right on schedule and went well! The only down fall to the whole procedure is that once the Doctor got into my knee and looked at it, he discovered that when I walk my joints were rubbling together, with no cushion. that would explain some of the pain I was having... Geez! I just can't believe that it didn't show up on the x-ray, or M.R.I?? Anyways, he drilled holes in my bone to make it bleed, so I could make scar tissue to protect my knee, and have a cusion as a walk?? So, the Doctor is producing something in my knee that is the very thing that was making me in pain in the first place... humm? I guess they do this with athlete's all the time and they are up and going after six weeks. He also cleaned out the meniscus tear, and cleaned out some of the imflimation, and gave me a steroid shot. So, I was only originally supose to be on crutches for two days. Now, I will be on crutches for six weeks with no wieght on my leg at all... I'm not looking forward to the next six weeks, but I'm very hopeful it will help my pain, and it will go very fast! Tomorrow will be four weeks that I injured myself, and that has gone by super fast!!
Anyways, I was able to come home only twenty minutes after I woke up. I handled the medications very well! Which never seems to be the case!! I was able to come home and sleep it off in my own bed, and tonight I feel fantastic! A little sore, a liitle sleepy, but very THANKFUL!!!
I'm very thanful for all the thoughts, phone calls, prayers, comment wishes, messages, flowers, text messages, and help with my family! I'm truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family....

Today and Tomorrow...

My arthroscopic surgery is in the morning at, 9:00 a.m. I have a meniscus tear that the Doctor will be fixing, and he will be cleaning my knee up. I'm so nervous about it! My tummy is a mess!

To get my mind of of it we went and watched the new Indiana Jones movie, and went for a ride up Lamoille Canyon, and we ended up going to dinner at The Pine Lodge, in Lamoille. It was so good! We brought some peach cobbler home for desert and I just ate some ...hummm!! The drive was so peaceful! The snow is still very deep in some areas! We pulled of on the side of the rode, and took some pictures next to the snow, and in some spots the snow was as tall as me... Crazy!! It was a very peaceful trip, and it certainly got my mind of of things....

I can't wait to go camping up there this summer, and to use our new camper.. it's so exciting!!

My Boss Gave This Quote To Me...

"I expect to pass through this life but once.

Therefore, if there is any kindness I can show,

or any good thing I can do for another human being,

let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again."

(William Penn)

May is Arthritis Awareness Month

The Arthritis Foundation is the only national not-for-profit organization that supports the more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $380 million in research grants since 1948. Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the foundation helps people take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis. Learn more facts about arthritis and the Arthritis Foundation.

What Marissa Does When She's Bored...

Marissa is very famous for taking my cell phone, and putting random pictures on it, even though she has her own camera, and her own cell phone. She just loves to put "little somethings" on my phone! Crazy little girl! I do love her! Even though it makes me crazy, it puts a smile on my face when I see her "sweet nothings"! These three pictures are probably three out of forty that I have found in just the last couple of days....

Alot Can Happen In One Day...

Today, I went to the Doctor's and got the results of my M.R.I. The Doctor told me that I indeed have a meniscus tear and needs to be surgically dealt with. It was what I didn't want to hear, and I truly was hoping for a better outcome! Needless to say, I cried as I left the Doctor's office, and as I sit here I have dropped a tear or two! I've honestly dealt with enough Doctor's already in my life to last me a lifetime! I don't want to have this done, and I just really would like it to all go away! The Doctor said a had a very unique case, because of the extreme trauma that I dealt with in the past. He once again told me that I needed a knee replacement, but if I started doing knee replacements now.. I would more than likely be in a wheel chair when I'm sixty! Sixty years old id still extremely young! So, what a predicament I find myself in! Do I wait for a knee replacement and have no quality of life or, do I get a knew replacement and live a quality of life now, and possibly be in a wheel chair at sixty?? I know my situation could be alot worse, and I'm truly thankful it's not! I'm just going to pray for the best!

Today, was our thirteenth anniversary! Wow, what a trip! It was extremely cold today dropping in temperature from the high eighties to the mid fifties.... It was cold! It rained though, and I'm a sucker when it comes to the rain... How romantic! We went out to eat with my parents.. not so romantic! But, we already celebrated our anniversary this past weekend, so it was nice spending time with them! Besides, thirteen years ago, they are who we spent the day with in celebration! Who would of imagined, that life would have taken use where it has! It's simply amazing...

It was also my last day of work today. We had our end of the year program, and barbecue. It turned out wonderful, in spite of the weather! It was so hard to say goodbye to my little preschoolers.. They each have a special place in my heart!!

Beautiful...

On our way home tonight I couldn't resit taking some pictures of the clouds, they were so low and pretty!

One Of My Favorites...

Love is strong yet delicate.

It can be broken.

To truly love is to understand this.

To be in love is to respect this.

- Stephen Packer -

A Memory To Last A Life Time....

My little moment in time tonight will be a memory I will never forget! We took our boat out on the water tonight, and I told myself I was leaving all the worrying and stresses of my life at the doorsteps of my house, and I told myself I was going to go out on that water with my family to enjoy my special time, with no one else knocking at my head to get in and worry or stress about them. Well, we went out on the water and we had the most peaceful time, together... This was a good reminder to me, that I need to worry less about everyone else, and myself, and focus more on the important things in life...

When we were out on the water it was already so perfect, and Dan gave me a little white box at sunset. I smiled at him and asked him what it was... He smiled back, and I opened it, and it was a new diamond ring! I gasp... and started to cry! It was already so perfect, and he made it all that more memorable! Dan bought me a new diamond ring to celebrate our thirteenth anniversary, that's not official until, May 21. I feel like we have been celebrating it for three days now... It doesn't get any more romantic than that!! As we were cruising back to the docks, Marissa kept smiling at me, and I would smile at her, and she finally said.. This must be the happiest boat ever! She got that right! It was! It wasn't about the material things, it was the bonding things... We had originally named our boat "the Drifters" and I think that it needs to be named "The Happy Boat".....

Our Anniversary...

This weekend Dan and I went to Salt Lake City to stay at the Anniversary Inn, to celebrate our thirteenth anniversary...gasp! It was a fantastic night, and I would recommend the Anniversary Inn to anyone who wants to get away for the night, or to celebrate a special occasion! This was the sixth time going there, and we love it dearly! If your interested here's the website.... http://www.anniversaryinn.com/ The Anniversary Inn has two locations in the Salt Lake City area and one location in the Boise area.

Let the Feeling Last...

Okay, for the first time in thirteen days I feel great, finally! I'm so excited for this weekend! Dan and I are going out of town to celebrate our thirteenth anniversary...Sigh! Our anniversary is on the 21st, but that's my last day of work and I need to be there for our end of the year program... Besides, I have worked so hard to put it together, I want to see the finished product, plus I need a closure to the end... It truly is bitter sweet!

I haven't heard anything back on my M.R.I yet, hopefully tomorrow! It will be interesting to see how I am able to get around when we go out of town... I'm a little worried about it, but totally open to getting out of town!

I applied to TMC today to take online courses through the summer. I'm on a mission to get my degree! I want to graduate next spring, and with a little extra drive, I know I can accomplish it!

In A Blink Of An Eye...

My husband is a underground gold miner and works for the company, SMD on Barricks property. Yesterday, they lost there contract because of the fatalities that has happened in the last couple of months.. There's been three that SMD has had on different properties and the companys lost alot of money over it, which is totally understandable but, they put the screw to everyone else, and a hundred and fifty men lost there jobs, and were layed off in a blink of an eye!! Crazy!! SMD has not had a single fatality in thirty years.. I don't know what, or who's responsible for the change? Dan got picked up at Newmont already, which is the last company he worked for. They hired him on as a salery foremen, two hundred hrs. of vacation, comp. days, insurance from the hire date, and a sign on bonus. So, everything is going to be okay. He had an offical interview this morning to settle everything and to sign on. I hope that the others will find there way too! It's not very fun when something like this happens! We were really worried about the insurance because of my knee problems. I don't ever need to worry about Dan getting a job around here, he's a very respected miner who can go anywhere he wants, I was just worried about the insurance, because most company's make you wait your ninty days! I'm so glad it worked out in our favor! Besides, Dan needs to take the job for his health! He really has been working his butt off for the money he has earned the last couple of years.. it will be a nice change of pace for him, and will allow him to get off his foot...

It's wierd how things don't work out, and it's amazing when they do.... Today, I'm so very thankful!

Mother's Day and Today

I had a wonderful Mother's Day! We went out to brunch with my family, and then just spent the rest of the day relaxing at home. My knee was feeling better, so that made the day alot brighter just in itself! Marissa made me a fan at school, and wrote a poem of why I am special, it was so cute! Dan and Marissa also got me the movie Twenty Seven Dresses, a beautiful hanging flower basket, and a Sorrelli necklace.

I went back to work today, and getting there and being there was "work" just by itself! It was good to see all the kids in my class.. I missed them so much! They made me some cute get well cards.. I loved them! We only have three more classes left. It's crazy!

Marissa got her hair cut yesterday also.. I couldn't stand it any more and cut it myself. It's above her shoulders and looks alot better than it did! It will be easier for her to take care of too...

Tonight I feel like I'm getting the flu? I don't know what's up with that!

Whe It Rains It Pours...

Someone stepped on my computer screen today, I won't mention any names, but it looks like I will be getting a new computer very soon! The screen is cracked and it looks like the color is slowly spreading... I spent most of my afternoon downloading all my stuff to my jump drive, and printing off everything I need for work. When it rains it pours, right?

Last night I could not get my knee to settle down it hurt so bad! I was in excruciating pain! I couldn't even put any pressure on it, including my cotton carpi's over the top of it, or my blanket! I thought I was going to have to go to the E.R! I think I might have injured it even more yesterday! So, today my couch has been my best friend!

My sisters girls are staying the weekend with us, and they have been a huge help! It's been nice because Dan is on night shifts, so it definitely helps having them here! Besides, they were outside almost all day! So, it keep Marissa entertained too...

I've also decided that I'm making a different Doctors appointment on Monday, and we will see what happens!

Things happen in three, right? I think I totally past my three! Can't things get brighter!!

My Lunch Today...

Today, I ate a low fat lunchable for lunch, and I thought it was so interesting when I was almost done, that I noticed I had one extra piece of ham in there.. I thought, Wow! That never happens! My point? ....You never get anything for free in this life! Anyways, I didn't eat it! I didn't have a cracker, and piece of cheese go go with it, interesting! Maybe a little to much time on my hands, You be the judge!

Some Helpful Advice....

Okay, I just got the best advice, (as I'm up late again with just my late night thoughts)... from a complete stranger! I thought it was very kind of him to take the time to pass on some very useful websites filled with helpful information on knee health. So, if you are having knee problems, or problems, with your back, diabetes, fibroids, heart, Reflex, or veins, I would highly recommend this site! So, go check it out! Just click on the link here.. http://www.knee1.com/
Here's another site that you might be interested in http://www.cartilagerestoration.org/, this site has some useful information on it also!

The best advice that I received through this comment is, don't settle for one Doctor's opinion, it is my knee after all, right? I'm also going to check into physical therapy! I get the feeling I should have been doing that along time ago...

Thanks for the useful info.... I think I'm going to get some rest after all!

Reality Setting In...

Okay, yesterday I went to the Doctor's office to see what was going on with my knee, and he told me it looks like I tore my meniscus muscle, which is located between the joints of your knee, and leg bones. The Doctor took some x-rays, and the x-rays showed a distinct white area where the meniscus is located, and that is not good, a healthy fully attached meniscus is black on an x-ray. So, next week I will have an M.R.I to see how bad the tear is, and if I need surgery to clean the area out and fix it, and if it's a small tear it will heal on it's own, that's what I'm hoping for!

Yesterday, I was so relieved to just know what was going on, and today the seriousness has kicked into high gear! I'm so freaked out that I will need surgery, it is keeping me restless at night, and when I finally do fall asleep, I keep having nightmares of surgery gone wrong! I guess that's something everyone experiences when faced with surgery, right? If anything, I'm pretty sure that I don't want to stay here, in Elko to have any medical procedure done! I've had to many medical nightmares to last me, and my family a life time!

When something like this tests you, and your family, it truly weeds out your "true" friends from the rest of your friends. You might find a friend in the least expecting place, and might be suprised by the very friend that you thought would always be by your side. I'm so thankful to all my "true" friends, and my family, they truly have been so kind and caring! I wouldn't expect anything less from them though... they truly are amazing!

The 411 On My Knee...

Okay, so I went to a retirement party for my boss at the Star (which is the BEST place in Elko to eat!) on Friday night, and after wards went to a couple of clubs. Anyways, we had a great time, until I had a couple of drinks in me, and I decided to run across the street to get a friend, that was going home, I didn't want her to walk by herself! Anyways, everyone knows I've been having some serious knee problems lately, and knows that I should NOT be running on my knee right now! Well, to make a long story short, while I was running my knee snapped, and I have not been able to walk on it since... I'm waiting to go to the Doctors in the morning, I hope he has something good to tell me, but I won't hold my breath! I'll let yea know what happens....

Marissa has been so sweet! Every time I get up she wants to come help me, she told me earlier, "Mom, it's okay! You can put your weight on me, I will be your crutch!" I thought it was so cute!

Don't live for regret...

Regret is an intelligent (and/or emotiona) dislike for personal past acts and behaviors. Regret is often felt when someone feels sadness, shame, embarrassment or guilt after committing an action or actions that the person later wishes that he or she had not done. Regret is distinct from guilt, which is a deeply emotional form of regret — one which may be difficult to comprehend in an objective or conceptual way. In this regard, the concept of regret is subordinate to guilt in terms of its "emotional power." By comparison, shame typically refers to the social (rather than personal) aspect of guilt or (in minor context) regret as imposed by the society or culture (enforcement of ethics, morality), which has substantial bearing in matters of (personal and social) honor.

Regret can describe not only the dislike for an action that has been committed, but also, importantly, regret of inaction. Many people find themselves wishing that they had done something in a past situation, or had not done something for that matter. Don't live your life in regret.. if you have one thought of regret, you have alreay lived one too many days with regret! Do it, mean it, and forget about it...

I regret nothing. Neither the good done to me, nor the bad; to me, they’re all the same.
It’s all paid for, swept away, forgotten; I don’t care about the past. With my memories,

I’ve lit a fire. My sorrows, my pleasures, I need them no more. Swept away are my loves,

and all their tremors. Swept away forever. I start from scratch. I regret nothing.

Because my life, because my joys, today, begins with me....

I am me... because I regret nothing!

Me, Sitting On My Little Soap Box, Pondering...

As I sit back and study mankind, his thinking, reasoning, and behavior; I am forced to wonder how he can be so far advanced in technology and industrialization, yet so retarded in societal understanding!

The Greatest Good..

"The greatest good you can do for another

is not just to share your riches

but to reveal to him his own."

~ Benjamin Disraeli

Organic Cotton Tees

I bought an Organic Cotton Tee a couple of weeks ago from a Cold Water Creek Clothing store in LAs Vegas, and to be honest I bought it because it was on clearance for a really good deal. So, I brought it home and tried it on... It is the best tee shirt that I own! It is so comfortable! I know I will buy more! It's crazy what they can make clothes out of these days! It's amazing that a tee shirt can now be made out of recycled plastic bags and recycled water bottles....

The Forecast...

Friday, partally cloudy and 68 degrees.. Spring!!! Nice!!! Where's my sandal's!!
Saturday, cloudy and 61 degrees.. Spring!! Still Nice!! Still nice enough to wear sandals!
Sunday, snowing and 38 degrees.. What!! We are going backwards Mother Nature... No!!

Sunday's forecast for Cheri... Staying in, closing the blinds, and waiting it out! I can't bare to look at any more snow! Humm.. I think it's a perfect day for a movie day! I'll let yea know!

That's Nevada for yea!

My Sanctuary...

As a teenager, you can only imagine what went through my small closed mind when we pulled into the small town of Elko, Nv. on a family vacation, and my parents informed me, that Elko would be my home someday, I remember thinking to myself.. "Over my dead body, will I EVER live in this small dessert place, with no mall!" Well, two years later, my world came crashing down on me when my husband and I made the difficult decision to travel across the unforgiven wilderness in search of a better life, and to learn the ways of this foreign land.

Well, it has been 13 years and we are still in Nevada. Opportunities knock on our door every so often and beckon us to leave. We allow these ideas to tease us for a short while before, we dismiss them and return to our life in this enchanting land. You have to be of a unique way of thinking to love the Silver State. No ordinary person passing by could ever see it's beauty, but it is here. The endless fields of undisturbed sagebrush rustling in the crisp breeze singing, "freedom," freedom from urban hustle and bustle, industrialization, and scarring from human hands. You can drive for miles and miles on these lonely roads and never encounter another human being. Heavily populated areas that dangle from the edges of the atlas are the only exception to this, and are only an exception.

People hear the name Nevada, and can only associate it with gambling and prostitution. They immediately think of "Sin City", Yucca Mountain, and mines that resemble dangerous landfills. If they could only look deeper they would see the inner beauty of a state rich in valuable resources, history and culture. Glacier water that flows from mountains, and crystal clear springs, gold pouring from hills, and soil that is home to all creatures that roam her lands; and wealth beyond comprehension.

Its precious gold runs thick through my veins. Nevada is my shelter from the world. It is here where I am the happiest. It is here where I have spread my wings, and can go after my dreams. It is here where I can raise my child in a safe environment. It is here where I can grow. It is here where I have found myself. It is here where my husband's career now makes it possible for us to live anywhere, but we choose Nevada, not only for its economical advantages, but it is here where we have the feeling of sanctuary.

I can remember a time when I would have given anything for a chance to leave this dry dessert place, but as life went on, I realized that there were great things in store for me here.. at home. Home... I am connected to this place, all of my memories are here; my future is here. Nevada means more than just home to me. It is where I am inspired to chase after my dreams.

There is no other midnight sky that shines as bright as the sky above the Rubies, millions of stars gather in the midnight sky. A breath of fresh air is just that, pure and clean graced with the aroma of sagebrush and dust. Sounds of crickets and other small creatures accompanied by the occasional mine blast, are all that a person hears. The atmosphere here is a delight to the senses. The one place I have seen majesty of purple mountains, and the beauty of a Great Basin sunset, that fills the sky with colors galore.

It is here where I call.... home! This is my sanctuary....

NevAEYC Conference in Vegas..

Last weekend I went to Las Vegas to attend the annual NevAEYC conference, with a couple of girls from work. We got some new and exciting ideas to implement in the classroom.
I got the privilege of meeting John Archambault, who is the author of many favorite children's books, including one of my favorites, Boom Chicka Boom. It was the neatest thing to listen to him tell a story using a Cd, and his own voice. You can't beat the experience of listening to an author tell his own story the way he in visioned it to be told. It was the best!
We also meet Kathy Birk, who is an early childhood music specialist who has taught music for over thirty years. Kathy was so fun and exciting! We learned some very cute songs to teach to the kids. She has a website if your interested.. and she told us pictures of our conference should be going up any day.. go take a look! www.kidzintune.com
My favorite presenter was Frank Leto, who is an early childhood educator, a Montessori teacher, a professional musician, Orff music teacher and steel band director. Frank's approach is multicultural, and all of his songs are set to musical forms such as calypso, soca, reggae, Hawaiian, jazz, blues, salsa, samba, rumba, zydeco, African and Native American, all of which are played on traditional instruments. My favorite is the Echo Song, we sung this song at our graduation last year.. it was so cute!! I was thrilled to learn more from Frank Leto, and I was so inspired I bought more of his Cd's, and have already used them at school. I love his soft voice, and simple melodies..
It was a fantastic time, and I can't wait until next year! The conference being in Las Vegas never hurts either, especially when it's on my birthday! Being in Las Vegas on my Birthday was exciting!

Spring.. right?

Somewhere it's spring right? Just that comment, and that comment alone is worth blogging about! I'm so sick of this crappy weather...

One Crazy Week

Words cannot describe what I've gone through since last Friday! It's been the fastest, but the slowest week in my entire life.. Does that even make any sense?
Do you ever have a day where you have everything planned out, and you know exactly what's in store for you, and then all of a sudden something happens that throws all your plans out the door? Well, that just didn't happen on one day, it happened every single day this week!! Grrr...
Last Friday, I got the privilege of going to the emergency room... fun!! I don't even want to go in to detail of why I went!! But, when I came home I spent almost the entire weekend sick!

I'm tired, I'm getting sick, and through it all... I'm just trying to be thankful for all the blessings I've received this week, the ones that I clearly cannot see at the moment...

Spring Break started today, and I plan on getting ALOT of relaxation and much needed rest!!

Mammatus Clouds

The clouds are called Mammatus clouds! They do not precede a tornado, or foretell a storm, but are formed when the air is already saturated with rain droplets and/or ice crystals and begins to sink. The worst of the storm is usually over when these kind of clouds are seen. They are quite rare, but really beautiful.

My Poor Old Knee..

Today, I finally took the bullet and went to the Doctor's office to get my knee checked out. It has never been the same since it was injured twelve years ago and, it has always bothered me. I just didn't want to go in and, find out that I needed Knee surgery. I hated having an injury and not being mobile. It took me about a year for my leg to heal after surgery last time and, I just can't bare to do it again!
Well, the Doctor told me that I have a knee of a sixty to seventy year old... omg, I thought!! He told me that I needed to have a knee replacement, I'm only 31!! He said that where I broke my leg on my right leg right under my knee on the inside is the worst place to have a break because that's where a person puts all there weight when they walk. He wants to hold out on surgery for as long as I can, and try and do other treatments first. I also have arthritis in my knee, already... I'm going to start by doing cortisone shots every three to six months, and getting a special brace that will shift my weight on the bad side of my knee to the other side. The cortisone shot that I got today hurt really bad!! (not to mention it didn't get mixed up.. and HURT even worse!!) But, like the Doctor told me.. At least I have a leg to walk on, and it may not be perfect but, it takes me places. If I start getting knee replacements now.. I will have to go in every five to ten years to get it replaced again. I could not even imagine!!!!
Anyways, I'm glad I went in so I can start taking care of the pain... and I'm really glad that there's no surgery for the moment anyways!!!

Mansion Over The Hill Top

Last Wednesday, my friend lost her fifteen year old son in a four wheeler accident. It was obviously very devastating to his family, friends, and community. Yesterday, we attended his funeral... it was very heart breaking! During the service the song "Mansion Over The Hill Top" was sung by a young lady. I've never heard this song before, and the words truly touched my heart! I hope it gave much comfort to his family and friends, in their time of need. Here's the words to the song..

Mansion Over The Hilltop

I'm satisfied with just a cottage below
A little silver and a little gold
But in that city where the ransomed will shine
I want a gold one that's silver lined

I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop
In that bright land where we'll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold

Don't think me poor or deserted or lonely
I'm not discouraged I’m heaven bound
I'm but a pilgrim in search of the city
I want a mansion, a harp and a crown

I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop
In that bright land where we'll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold

....In loving memory of Jonathan Rooney

The Big 10 for Marissa...

Today is Marissa's Birthday.. She was so excited to turn double digit's. I thought it was so cute! We celebrated her birthday on Saturday, by having a swim party and a sleep over. Her birthday was totally Hannah Montana.. who she absolutely adores! We bought her a Hannah Montana guitar and she thought it was the coolest thing ever! She's so excited to learn how to play it! Uncle Jeff gave her some good first advice on how to tune it and treat it properly.
Tonight, we took her to see the circus that was in town, and then took her to a restaurant of her choice.. we ended up at Wingers. I wasn't surprised, she loves going there!
I cannot believe my baby is 10!! Wow... how they grow!

The Latest Earthquakes Around the World...

As I was writing the last post, I thought I felt an earthquake so, I went and looked on the Internet and found this cool website, and low and behold we did have an earthquake.. it was a 4.2. Go check it out! We are definitely on the map! If you go look in the historical earthquakes you can see the one from last week! It's amazing that they can document it that quickly!
Here's the site...
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.php

6.0 Earthquake Hits Elko..

Yes, we had an earth quake last Thursday morning at 6:16. I woke up immediately and didn't realize at first what it was... I thought it was the wind, or a sonic boom because of the noise. After, a continues movement I realized it was an earth quake. It startled all of us! I know that we live on a fault line, but we have never experienced an earth quake in the thirteen years that we have lived in Elko. It really scared Marissa, and she didn't want to go to school. I felt so sorry for her! Since then, we have had many after shocks, but we have only felt three of them.
I'm so glad that the earth quake hit when it did! If it would have hit an hour later in Wells.. I'm sure there would have been several fatalities due to all the damage that it caused there.

Here's the article from Fox News.....
A strong earthquake shook rural northeastern Nevada Thursday, damaging a town's historic district but sparing residents from any serious injuries.
The magnitude of the quake, initially estimated at 6.3, was later revised to 6.0 by the U.S. Geological Surveys National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colo.
The quake, which struck at 6:16 a.m., was centered in a sparsely populated area 11 miles southeast of Wells near the Nevada-Utah line.
It was felt across much of the West, from northern Idaho and Utah to Southern California, officials said. At least five less severe aftershocks were reported.
"Definitely a lot of people felt this, and if they were sleeping, they were awoken," said USGS geophysicist Carrieann Bedwell.

The most serious damage was reported in Wells' largely unoccupied historic district, Elko County Under sheriff Rocky Gonzalez said.

Brick facades tumbled off several buildings, signs fell and windows broke, and some vehicles parked on the street were damaged by falling debris, KELK Radio in Elko reported.
Dan Burns, spokesman with the Nevada Division of Emergency Management, said transportation and safety personnel were inspecting roads, bridges and dams in the area for structural damage.
Burns said at least two buildings in historic area had partially collapsed, and two main water lines had ruptured.
A Flying J Truck Stop was evacuated because of a propane leak, Gonzalez said, but no fires broke out. The leak was contained by mid morning.
Union Pacific Rail Road suspended traffic so its tracks could be inspected. Service later resumed, a spokeswoman said.
In Wendover, Utah, on the Nevada-Utah line, Tammy Wadsworth was ironing clothes when the quake hit.
"I kept thinking, 'When is it going to quit?' A couple pictures fell off the walls," she said. "One of my grand kids ran outside. They didn't know what else to do. It scared them."
Tony Lowry, an assistant professor of geophysics at Utah State University, said the size of the quake and its location was unusual.
"In that part of Nevada, I don't think we've seen any like that in the last 150 years or so," Lowry said. "It's not one of the places we would've looked or expected."

The Latest Earthquakes Around the World...

As I was writing the previous blog I thought I felt a earthquake, so I went on to this website, and low and behold we had another earthquake.. it was a 4.2. This website is kinda cool, it shows all the latest earth quakes in the world for the last seven days. Go check it out! We are definitely on the map!! If you go into historical earthquakes it shows the one we had last week. Here's the site!!

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.php

Snow, Snow and More Snow.....

Oh My... The weather here has been horrible! We have been pounded with snow! The forcast...snow, snow and more snow! The seven day forcast... snow! Did I mention snow? We have not had a winter like this in years. There's snow drifts everywhere! We have a huge snow drift in our front yard that's about four feet high.. it's CRAZY! The schools have been delayed twice already this week due to the weather conditions. Last night the wind was blowing while it was snowing making it a complate white-out... it was CRAZY! When is it going to stop....

Cloe Update...

Cloe is home, and she is doing really good! She's recovering really well...

Cat Kisses

Cat Kisses

Sand paper kisses

on a cheek or a chin

that is the way

for a day to begin

Sandpaper kisses

a cuddle and a purr

I have an alarm clock

that's covered in fur!

Cloe, our cat is already six months old. Isn't she cute!! We are taking her in tomorrow to get her spayed, and de-clawed. I already feel so bad for her! She's going to have to spend the night tomorrow at the Veterinarians office. I'm going to miss her!! Poor girl!!

Divorce Through A Child's Eye....

I close my eyes when I get too sad
I think thoughts that I know are bad
Close my eyes and I count to ten
Hope it's over when I open them

I want the things that I had before
Like a star wars poster on my bedroom door
I wish I could count to ten
Make everything be wonderful again

Hope my mom and I hope my dad
Will figure out why they get so mad
Hear them scream, I hear them fight
They say bad words that make me wanna cry

Close my eyes when I go to bed
And I dream of angels who make me smile
I feel better when I hear them say
Everything will be wonderful someday

Promises mean everything when you're little
And the world's so big
I just don't understand how
You can smile with all those tears in your eyes
Tell me everything is wonderful now

Please don't tell me everything is wonderful now

I go to school and I run and play
I tell the kids that it's all okay
I laugh aloud so my friends won't know
When the bell rings I just don't wanna go home

Go to my room and I close my eyes
I make believe that I have a new life
I don't believe you when you say
Everything will be wonderful someday

Promises mean everything when you're little
And the world is so big
I just don't understand how
You can smile with all those tears in your eyes
When you tell me everything is wonderful now

No
No, I don't wanna hear you tell me everything is
wonderful now
No
No, I don't wanna hear you tell me everything is
wonderful now

I don't wanna hear you say
That I will understand someday
No, no, no, no
I don't wanna hear you say
You both have grown in a different way
No, no, no, no
I don't wanna meet your friends
And I don't wanna start over again
I just want my life to be the same
Just like it used to be
Some days I hate everything
I hate everything
Everyone and everything
Please don't tell me everything is wonderful now...
I don't wanna hear you tell me everything is wonderful now

Are you going through a divorce, or your thinking about it? Are you thinking of how divorce is going to affect you? Well, stop thinking of how it's going to affect your life for a second, and think of how it's going to affect your child's life! It's not always about YOU! Children do not understand "Divorce" and it's hard enough on them without all the fighting and yelling. Do your child a favor, and think of them for a change. Every time you fight in front of your child... you are changing who they are for EVER!

It's better to be from a broken home, than to live in a broken home!!

Oh Yeah... Keep it civil!! There's no need to play games! The faster you can resolve things, the faster you, your-ex, and your child can start healing!!!

As a teacher, I see the effect that divorce has on children, and it's all too sad, especially when the children are stuck in the middle of their parents fighting, and they don't understand... They just know that something is just not right.

A Teachers Prayer

"Dear Lord, bless these teachers mightilyas they seek to teach, enrich and guide Your precious children.Grant them abundant resources to do their job,intelligence, wisdom, sensitivity, kindness,and the material things that make it possible to turn some of these tender green plants into the strong, stable trees that will lead our nation,to transform some of these buds into brilliant flowers that will bring light, color and happiness to all who encounter them,and to give every one of them the tools to be creative, and productive and to develop their own kind of success in the world.Lord, wrap Your loving arms around these teachers who give so much of themselves to grow our youth into creative, responsible adults.We pray that You will immerse them in your boundless, transcendent love.We pray that You will strengthen and soothe them when they have given so much of themselves that they need Your extra attention, Your extra care.We love, respect and admire these teachers, Lord and we pray that you will watch over them always--these special people who hold our children and our future in their hands" Unkown

Yesterday, Today and Tommorow....

"Listen to the Exhortation of the Dawn! Look to this Day! For it is Life, the very Life of Life. In its brief course lie all the Verities and Realities of your Existence. The Bliss of Growth, The Glory of Action, The Splendor of Beauty; For Yesterday is but a Dream, And To-morrow is only a Vision; But To-day well lived makes Every Yesterday a Dream of Happiness, And every Tomorrow a Vision of Hope. Look well therefore to this Day! Such is the Salutation of the Dawn!" Kalidasa

Touched by An Angel

"We, unaccustomed to courage exiles from delight live coiled in shells of loneliness until love leaves its high holy temple and comes into our sight to liberate us into life. Love arrives and in its train come ecstasies old memories of pleasure ancient histories of pain. Yet if we are bold, love strikes away the chains of fear from our souls. We are weaned from our timidity In the flush of loves light we dare be brave And suddenly we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free." Maya Angelou

Snow Day

Today the school district declared a snow day! We have so much snow on the ground, and it's just making a hug mess of things! We are suppose to have one more storm move in tomorrow. I'm kinda wondering if school will be cancelled tomorrow too? Anyways, Marissa couldn't be more happy! She's outside playing in the snow right now... Silly little girl she finally got her wish! I don't think she realizes that snow days still have to be made up sometime this year.

Snow, Snow and More Snow...

We have been hit with a major snow storm... Okay, several snow storms!! We've gotten three big snow storms already. The first storm came on Friday with winds that reached up to sixty miles per hour. It was CRAZY! We are expected to get snow all through the week. The windy conditions have already created several deep snow drifts... The Sierra Mountains have reported already getting ten feet of snow.. that's one amazing sight!!


Did I mention Christmas Break is over today? We have spent most of the break playing in the snow. Marissa's crossing her fingers for a "snow" day. I keep telling her that if we have a "snow" day she will have to make it up. I don't think she cares though.. she just wants to be able to say she doesn't have to go to school because of the snow. Silly girl!!

Marissa is going to start ski lessons next weekend at the snow bowl.. she's so excited! I just hope there's no broken arms involved!! Her mission is to learn how to snow board. She scares me because she's very daring. Humm.. I wonder were she gets that from?