365 Days - Day 93 - Listen

I have so many favorite sounds. I love the sound of a loved ones voice, nature, music, laughter and so many other sounds that evoke emotion and memories. I know that I take these things for granted, which is sad. Here is one of my favorite pictures along this theme.

This is Ryan when he was only 15-months old at Christmas time. Dennis had brought home a Christmas Music Box with Santa in his sleigh and a reindeer that would rotate on an interior magnet when the music played. It was so adorable!

Sadly Ryan's face is a bit out of focus but I hope that you still get the message. Ryan LOVED this music box! He and his brothers have always loved music and at that time we didn't realize what a huge part of their lives would be impacted by it. Since Dennis and I loved music out kids were surrounded by it. The funny part is that Dennis and I were on opposite spectrums of taste. He loved Black Sabbath and Jimmy Hendrix and I was what he called a "Bubblegummer". My record collection included Chicago, The Carpenters, etc.

Needless to say, our boys grew up with an ecclectic education in music. I remember when Dennis had the boys listen to Jimmy Hendrix play the National Anthem with his teeth. He was so excited to share this with his boys and hoped that they appreciated Jimmy's talent. The boys loved it. I remember teaching my boys guitar when they were pretty small and making them take piano lessons. It has been interesting to see them each gravitate to the instrument that best helps them express themselves.

There are so many aspects of listening but for some reason I went off on music. Suffice it to say I appreciate the blessing of sound. I am amazed at my step-son Tyler, who is hard-of-hearing, and how well he communicates with people without being able to hear them. He is so patient.

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"Hear, listen"

What do your ears hear today?

365 Days - Day 90 - Love

Today Bob and I have been married for seven years! Sometimes I feel that I have lived several different lives and this last life, as Bob's wife, has gone by amazingly fast. Here is a picture of Bob and I on our wedding day (2002). It is a picture, that for some reason, I have passed over. Today when I saw it I thought, "This is so sweet, why haven't I used it before?" Maybe as in many cases, I see it differently because of what we have shared and how we've grown together and individually.

The challenge today was to take a picture of love and ask how we have spread our love today. Well I can say that I am on the receiving end of that. I married one of the least selfish people on the planet. Bob spends most of his time helping others. I have always admired that trait and I was fortunate enough to marry someone who lives what he believes. Bob doesn't ask for much in return. Sometimes he is a bit shy about keeping up with family and friends but it doesn't mean that he doesn't think about them often and love them. He loves his faith, family and lives a responsible and giving life.

Thank you Bob for being you and sharing yourself with me and others. We are all the better because of it.

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"Spread your love everywhere you go."
- Mother Teresa

How did you spread your love today?

Pop Rocks Reunites For Benefit Concert!

This is a copy of a message on my son Ryan's blog. I thought it was very important and even if we can't be there we can help. Those of you who haven't seen Ryan in a while may not know what he is up to, he is in the Physician Assistance Program (a stringent 2-year full-time program), is married to Christy (who is amazing), two sweet little girls and twins due in August! Even with his full life he is making time to help out this family.




Ryan, Christy and their sweet girls.

Please take the time to read this and search your heart. If you feel like you can help click HERE or leave a comment below with your address so that we can get info to you.

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Hey friends, this is Ryan. I'm the one lucky enough to be married to Christy. YESSS!!
Anyways, I am blogging today to invite you all to a benefit concert for a beautiful mom, Lori Udy, that was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy, but unfortunately the cancer metastasized to her lymph nodes and has since infiltrated other organs. She doesn't have too much longer to live.

The Udy Family

Not only does her family have to deal with her end-stage cancer and saying goodbye to her, but they also have mounting medical bills that they cannot afford.

My good friend Rock Permann was talking to his lovely wife, Whitney a few weeks ago about a benefit concert that her group, Mercy River, and American Idol contestant David Osmond are going to be putting on to support the Udy family, when Whitney said, "what about the Pop Rocks?"

For those of you who don't know, I was in an A cappella group back at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, called Pop Rocks. We sang in lots of concerts and serenaded many people during our short time together. Since then we have all separated as we got married and moved away, but we have tried to keep in touch.

Back to the story: Rock thought about it a while and then decided to give it a shot: invite the members of the Pop Rocks to reunite for this benefit concert 9 years after the original Pop Rocks had dissolved.

When I first got the invite from Rock to reunite, I realized that I had a PA conference that weekend, so I ended up declining with a very sad heart. But soon I found out that every single one of the other original Pop Rocks were going to be able to make it, so I talked to my PA professors and they told me that for this occasion they would allow me to miss a part of the PA conference. Sweet! I called the guys and we made plans to somehow remember our old songs and sing!

To make a long story short (too late...), the concert is going to be at Rockland High School in Rockland, Idaho on April 3rd at 7 pm. tickets are $10, all of which will go directly to the Udy family to help them with the enormous amount of medical bills they have.

If you can come, PLEASE COME! This isn't about me, the Pop Rocks, Mercy River, or David Osmond, it's about the Udy family. Please let others know also! Make it into a date night and invite your family and friends! If you have any questions, please post a reply and we will be sure to get right on it.

Tagged

What is your blogger name? Bob n Tammy. which is funny because Bob doesn't blog.

When is your birthday? July 5th

How long have you been blogging? About 7 months or so. Christy got me started.

Who tagged you? My darling Daughter-in-law Christy

Tell me your five most favorite body parts? I just had surgery yesterday so I'm thinking any part that works well!
I love music and the sound of a loved ones voice - ears,
I love to see my family & friends and nature - eyes,
I love to hold my family near - arms & hands,
I love my family and friends - heart,
I love to hike & play - feet and legs,
I love to dance so I guess that's the whole body!

What do you wish most for your birthday? I would love to see my kids and grandkids!

What color are you nails right now? Color? Those who know me know that I'm not a high-maintenance kind of girl.

Have you had any depressing thoughts lately? I just had surgery and had a bad reaction to some medication so I think I was a bit frustrated but then they got the drugs right so I'm living better through chemicals at the moment.

What’s your plan for the next month? Celebrating my anniversary to Bob (7 years this month!)Getting healthy and learning more about Photoshop Elements.

At what age did you have your first crush? I was a tomboy so I don't really remember too many crushes. When I was little I dreamed of marrying someone tall, dark and handsome like my Dad, but that was probably because he wasn't around and I missed him.

Have you attended any school reunions? Just my ex-husbands. My 30-year reunion is coming up in July in Las Vegas. I will go unless the twins come early. It would be fun to see my old friends but it would be more fun to hold two new grandchildren and help Ryan & Christy.

Are you a clean freak? No and Yes (I agree with Christy) I was a clean freak and then I had 3 kids in 3 1/2 years. Then the kids were gone and now I have been sick so I had to give in on something. Let's put it this way, I love a clean but comfortable house.

What era do you wish you were born in? I used to think I wanted to be born in the time of the pioneers but have come to realize that I would have died young in child birth. I guess I'm not as hardy as I wanted to be.

Are you a vegetarian? No, although I don't eat a lot of meat. I like fruit, vegies and grains more.

How many pillows do you sleep with at night? Two and Bob (when he's home)

Are you a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Both. I don't sleep much but when I do I wake pretty easy. I think.

Do you secretly wear granny panties when your man is not around? No (what a weird question)

What is your ultimate dream job? I agree with Christy - it would be nice to be paid to be a Mom and Grandmother. I've also always wanted to be a writer.

What is your dream car? Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Do you wake up easily in the morning? Not usually, it takes me a while to get up and get going most days

Do you like hairy men? I like my husband- who is perfect for me!

Which would you prefer: a two-hour spa massage, a two-hour Thai massage, or a two-hour foot massage? D. all of the above! (I would have to agree Christy!) My husband gives the best foot massages....

Have you ever wished you had a different name? Yes

Have you ever passed gas in public and pretended like you didn’t smell anything? What kind of question is this?

What is the most extreme sport you have ever done? Repelling and White-water Rafting

Do you prefer traveling in Europe or Asia? I've never been to Asia but I LOVE Europe and would love to travel more of it.

What is your favorite food? I can't decide. I love a variety

What is your most embarrassing moment while out on a date? I was bitten by a mesquito on my knuckle and had to explain to my date that I was allergic and that we would have to go home. I watched him give me the "yeah right" look and then freak when he saw the size of my hand and arm. I felt pretty stupid. Whose allergice to mesquitoes? Me.

Surgery Over!

My surgery is over and everything went well. I'm home and recuperating. I am a little worried about my brain though because with my last surgery in October they gave me Lortab and I got this killer headache that wouldn't go away until the drug wore off. Since my surgery was a lot bigger and so many other things were going on, I guess I forgot. Well now I'm paying for it because I've got this head-splitting headache and now I remember that I've had it before. Maybe now I won't forget. There isn't anything I can do except wait for it to wear off. Consequences can be a pain - literally!

I just wanted everyone to know that I'm fine and will be taking it easy for a little while and then hopefully be up and active again. Thanks for your good wishes and prayers.

Small Surgery

Tomorrow afternoon I am going in for a same-day surgery. It is just a small surgery to repair scar tissue from my previous surgery in October. Long story short, I have some scar tissue that isn't healing correctly and it very painful so the Doctor is going to go in and clean it up. Hopefully after this I will be able to sit - how embarrasing. I have missed so many important family events and important things because I can't sit for any length of time without a lot of pain. I am looking forward to this being over. I need to get in shape for our up-coming new twin babies!

For those of you who haven't heard, Ryan & Christy are having twins that are due on August 9th. Since christy usually delivers early and twins usually come early we are planning on them coming in early July. Hmmm, my birthday is July 5th - wouldn't that be a great present for everyone. I share a birthday with my Great-Aunt Mildred and it is so cool. She is one of the happiest people I have ever met and I consider it an honor to share this special day with her.

I will be happy no matter what day the babies come. One of the twins is a boy (Ryan is so excited!) but they aren't sure about the other one.

My surgery isn't until 2:30 and my Mom will pick me up at the hospital afterward so I won't be home until after 6:00 or so. I wouldn't let Bob take the week off for this small procedure but he feels bad for not being here. I told him to save the time for more important things that may come up. I hope this is the end of medical procedures for awhile. I have too many fun and important things to do and I am way behind already. Patience was never my strength.

Signs of Spring!

Every once in a while we get a glimpse of the coming spring. I thought that I would go in search of proof. Aha! Buds on our beautiful Globe Willow trees.

One of the perks of living in this beautiful valley are the views of Kolob. It seems like everyday the view changes because of the season, time of day, weather, etc. Here you can see some sun shining through to highlight one of the fingers (Kolob Fingers, aka, Fingers of God). There are Five fingers that show (the local indians called them the Five Fingers of God) but from our house you can only really see 2-3 of them. If we drive East towards New Harmony, all five come into view. One of the best views from our valley is at the cemetary. Sometimes I will drive over there, park and just enjoy the glorious view. We are so blessed to be able to live here.

I feel the earth move under my feet...

Bob was getting ready for bed and I was downstairs on my laptop when I felt the earth shake. I checked around and heard Bob get up doing the same. We had a small earthquake! What is cool is that I got online to see if I could find out something about it and found a website that has a computer generated message. This was just minutes after the quake. Cool.

Earthquake Details
Magnitude 3.1
Date-Time
Monday, March 23, 2009 at 05:43:26 UTC
Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 11:43:26 PM at epicenter
Location
37.398°N, 113.175°W
Depth
0.2 km (~0.1 mile) (poorly constrained)
Region
UTAH
Distances
15 km (10 miles) S (178°) from Kanarraville, UT
15 km (9 miles) SE (128°) from New Harmony, UT
19 km (12 miles) NNE (31°) from Toquerville, UT
104 km (65 miles) NE (50°) from Mesquite, NV
226 km (140 miles) NE (53°) from Las Vegas, NV
Location Uncertainty
horizontal +/- 1.1 km (0.7 miles); depth +/- 11.2 km (7.0 miles)
Parameters
NST= 18, Nph= 18, Dmin=24 km, Rmss=0.61 sec, Gp= 58°,M-type=local magnitude (ML), Version=1
Source
University of Utah Seismograph Stations
Event ID
uu00003407
This is a computer-generated message -- this event has not yet been reviewed by a seismologist.

If you are interested here is the website: http://earthquake.usgs.gov

I was surprised to see how often earthquakes happen in our area. I remember how fascinating my college Geology class was and I guess this was a good reminder of how amazing the earth is.

Oh yeah, as far as we can see everything here is fine. I guess I will look around more in the morning. I'm just glad that Mom was asleep.