I'm a Lucky Mom!

Farewell to my father-in-law

2011-03-16T00:33:00.000-06:00

My dear father-in-law, Daniel O. Harrison, passed away from congestive heart failure on March 5, 2011. He has been like a father to me since my own dad passed away March 6, 1994.

I have a wonderful memory of the night he died. My husband and I went to visit dad around 7 in the evening. Dan was able to tell his dad he loved him, and to tell him goodbye. I also told him I loved him, thanked him for being a good father to me, and kissed his forehead. He could only speak in a faint whisper, so I could not really hear what he was saying, but what he did was unmistakeable: He pulled my hand to his lips and kissed the back of my hand, and his eyes smiled at me. It is a moment I will treasure.

His funeral was held March 10, 2011, here in Vernal, with many friends and family present. Several of the grandchildren sang musical numbers, one played the violin, Dan's brother Roger gave a talk, his sister delivered the eulogy. His brother Wesley said the opening prayer and my husband Dan said the closing prayer. The VFW from Jensen offered a 21 gun salute, Taps (which always makes me cry), and gave a folded flag from dad's coffin to his widow, Nellie, my sweet mother-in-law. I know dad was pleased with the celebration of his life.

'Til we meet again, dad. I love you.

Graduation Day!!

2011-02-06T23:56:00.001-07:00

Pv1 Cody Harrison graduated from Army Basic Combat Training on February 4, 2011 at Ft. Benning GA. He left almost immediately for his first duty station at Ft. Lewis, WA (now called Joint Base Lewis-McChord ). His wife Sami and 2 sons were able to attend the graduation. Daughter Myranda stayed home with grandparents, as it costs full price for a plane ticket for anyone over 2. Sam just couldn't afford to take all 3 kids. Her friend Jesica went with her.

Cody is anxious to get started with the "real" Army, he says. I believe he will be with the 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, but I'll update that when I know for sure. He has a few days of orientation, and has to apply for housing for his family. They are hoping to be back together soon.

Pvt. Cody Harrison, U. S. Army

2011-01-28T00:19:00.000-07:00

Long time since I've been able to post anything. Some idiot hacked into my email in September, as well as my Facebook, and it has taken me months to get back all the information that was lost.

That being said, some exciting things have been happening. My youngest son, Cody, has wanted to join the Army for some time. He had his GED, but that was not sufficient to enlist. He also had 5 college credits. They told him to get 10 more and he could enlist with the GED. So he did just that, getting A's and B's in his classes last Spring. He then enlisted in the Army, with a report date of October 5th, or thereabouts, to Fort Benning, GA, for Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training. He is in the Infantry. He will graduate on February 4th, and proceed to his first duty station shortly after.

He was able to come home for a 2 week leave at Christmas time. His wife Sami and their 3 children have been living with us since June. When Cody came home, he and the kids built a huge snowman in our front yard. It was a very quick 2 weeks, and he returned...reluctantly...to Georgia January 4th.

I'm very proud of him, and I hope he can get housing soon so his little family can join him.

Wedding Day!

2010-05-16T00:42:00.000-06:00

My son Michael married a lovely girl named Lisa Haynie in the Salt Lake Temple on May 8, 2010. It was a busy day, with a nice luncheon at the Macaroni Grill, and a reception at Lisa's chapel in Sandy, UT. They went several places on their honeymoon, including Lake Tahoe, where they got snowed in, and then were able to go to Brookings, Oregon to visit Uncle Don and Aunt Carolyn. They went on up to Vancouver WA and had breakfast with Mike's friend Nick, and as of today (May 15) they were headed from that area to Boise ID, planning to be home by Sunday evening. Then it's back to normal life. For them, it will be a new normal, as they figure out where to put all the presents they got!! Lisa is an elementary school teacher, starting her first teaching job this Fall. She's hoping to find work for the summer. Mike works for Zions Bancorporation as a collection agent. Love you both!

Family Home Evening

2010-05-04T02:28:00.000-06:00

While we were in Salt Lake, the family got together for Family Home Evening Sunday night, which was fun. Bobby (Steve and Meli's son) thought he would get acquainted with his younger cousin, Dominick Harrison (Cody and Sam's son). Wish I could have got a picture with both faces showing. It was pretty funny to see.

Dan got a Pacemaker! Feeling Great!

2010-05-04T02:13:00.000-06:00

My hubby Dan got a pacemaker for his heart on April 29, 2010. He also had an angiogram on the 30th to make sure his heart arteries are OK. Both procedures went well, the arteries are fine, and he has felt great since getting the pacemaker. So far, his terrible headaches have disappeared. His color is better, and he just feels better. We are both glad he was able to get this done. Of course, there are some limitations that come with it, but they are worth it, just to feel better, have more energy, and most of all, get rid of the severe headaches he's been having.

Thanks so much to all for the good thoughts, wishes, and prayers!

We spent lots of time with family this weekend while he was in the hospital, and for a couple of days after, resting. Got to see several of our kids and grandkids while we were in Salt Lake, which is always a treat. Next weekend, May 8, 2010, we return for Michael's and Lisa's wedding. (Mike is my son, Lisa is his very sweet fiancee.)

And, some Good News!

2010-04-16T00:49:00.000-06:00

Along with the not-so-fun news I just posted below about Dan, there is some fun stuff going on, too. My son Michael is getting married May 8 in the Salt Lake Temple to a lovely girl named Lisa Haynie. They are in the midst of the craziness of wedding plans and preparations. I told them if they could survive getting ready for the wedding, then they could survive anything that happens AFTER they are married!

Also, my son Steven and his wife Meli and son Bobby are moving to an apartment in the Sandy area. So they have been very busy packing and sorting all the stuff that accumulates in just the 4 years they have been married.

Our youngest, Cody, has been attending college classes at SLCC, trying to get enough credits to put with the 5 he already has and the GED he has, to qualify to enlist in the Army. He's done pretty well, thanks to help from family, especially Margaret, who is taking 2 of the classes with him. Other family members have given him rides until they got their car fixed (thanks to David). I'm so happy to see how my kids pull together to help each other! Sure love you guys! I have such great children, and children-in-law!

Update Information

2010-04-16T00:30:00.002-06:00

Since my last post, a few things have happened. Dan has had some tests done on his heart, and was finally able to have a consultation on Tuesday, the 13th of April, with a cardiologist who comes to Vernal from the University of Utah Medical Center. After reviewing Dan's tests, and doing a few brief ones with his own equipment, he is 90+% certain that Dan needs a pacemaker. So Dan is scheduled for an Electrophysiology Study (EPS) on April 29, and also an angiogram on the 30th, both at the U of U Medical Center. We anticipate that the Dr. will install a pacemaker the afternoon of the 29th. The angiogram is to determine if any of the arteries in the heart are blocked, and if so they will take care of that.

I hope this helps with the variety of symptoms he's been having--headache, dizziness and lightheadedness, confusion and "foggy" thinking, and the chest discomfort he is still having.

He also had an MRI done on his brain on the 14th, and the radiologist said he has several lesions in his brain, which isn't really uncommon, but the size of them and the pattern of them apparently made the Dr. feel that further testing was needed to rule out some things, including MS. So he recommended a Lumbar Puncture (spinal tap), which was done yesterday. Poor Dan feels pretty poked and prodded! But we should know something about that by the end of next week, hopefully.

Thanks for all of your well-wishes and good thoughts. He just wants to get better and get back to work (and hopes he has a job when he gets there!).

Some bits of news...

2010-04-03T01:31:00.000-06:00

Well, life sometimes throws a curve or two. My hubby Dan has been off work the past 2 weeks, which is scary because half of it is without pay, since he's out of leave time. On March 19 he had some severe chest pains, pressure, shortness of breath, that gradually eased up enough to be tolerable, and (this is a guy thing, I think) he would not go to the ER. Then on Saturday the 20th, he became lightheaded or dizzy after getting up from a nap, went down on one knee and did a face plant on the carpet. So we went to the ER. They did an EKG and some other tests, kept him overnight in ICU to be monitored, and he had more tests done this past week. What we know so far is that his heart rate is too low, usually 50-55 beats per minute, sometimes lower. He has an appointment with a cardiologist next Tuesday, April 6. We hope to find out what can be done, either medication or possibly a pacemaker. His dad has one, and has been good with it. So, although we aren't thrilled to learn he may have some heart problems, that is better than not having any idea where all the dizziness, confusion, headaches, and other problems are coming from. More news as we get it.

Now, some other news. We have had to fix the same part on our refrigertor twice in the last couple of years, and it needs fixing again, so we decided to look for a new one. It was delivered today, and it is so nice to have a fridge that works!! We got an Amana with the fridge on top and the freezer in the bottom, in a drawer. We can see everything on the shelves, which we couldn't with the side-by-side we had. When we emptied that one, I found jars of pickles at the back of the bottom shelf with a 2007 expiration date! Ewwww! It has an ice maker, but no water in the door, which we'll miss. But I WON'T miss having to thaw out the back of the inside of the freezer with my hair dryer so the fan would circulate cold air :-)

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!

Babies are so special!

2010-02-21T21:17:00.001-07:00

Hi there. I guess some of you got my blog before I corrected my oops, when I put January 18 instead of February 18 as the birth day of our newest little grandson. It is corrected, but apparently not before being sent out. Sorry. The time is flying by so quickly that I have a hard time realizing it is February, and almost March!!

Here is a new picture of Dominick, as well as a different one of Bobby, and his parents, Steven (my son), and his sweet wife Meli. (PS, I took the photos off for now. Some updated ones will come later.)

Everyone have a great week!

Grandbaby #19 born on February 18, 2010!

2010-02-20T02:51:00.002-07:00

Lots of wonderful things happening this week! On Thursday, February 18, 2010, our son Cody and his wife Sami had a little boy (their 3rd child--now they have a boy, girl, and a boy). He was just a week or so early. He weighed 5 lbs 10 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. They are naming him Dominick James Harrison. We hope to get to Salt Lake to see him before long. We'd planned to go out for his C-section delivery on the 26th, but it became necessary for him to be delivered sooner. So glad he's here, safe and sound. Mom and baby are doing well. Woo Hoo!! Grandchild #19 for us! Congratulations, Cody and Sam!

Grandson Bobby Blessed and Named on Valentine's Day :)

2010-02-15T17:58:00.001-07:00

Our sweet little grandson, Robert Asael Derricott, "Bobby", was blessed and named by his father Steven Keith Derricott in their ward in Taylorsville yesterday, February 14, 2010. He has a very special name. Robert, for his mother's father who passed away a few months before Steve and Meli got married, and Asael for his dad's grandpa, Ace (Asael) Derricott. It is an honorable name, and he is an adorable little boy. We are so thankful to have him in our family.

After church, Steve and Meli hosted a luncheon at their house, where lots of friends and family came to celebrate with them. It was a really nice day.

Just a short hello

2010-02-05T01:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog,

Not much to say, just "Hello" to anyone who might be reading this. I've applied for, and passed the test for, becoming a Census taker for the 2010 Census. I need the money. It's part time, and for a short duration, maybe 2 months or so. Should find out something in March, whether they are interested in hiring me or not. I'm hoping to pay a little on some bills, put away a little in savings, since we have a hard time getting from one payday to the next, so it helps to have a little cushion, and we don't right now. Everyone I know is struggling financially. It's scary!!

My son Michael had hernia surgery today. He's pretty sore, and just a little goofy from the pain meds, which also make him a little sick. Hope ya get better quickly, son.

Got my new driver's license a couple of days ago. Sure a lot easier here in Vernal than what I've been reading about in Salt Lake! Just walked right in, filled out the paper work, got my picture taken, looked at the eye test thingy, and that was it. Oh...and paid $25. Should get my new one in the mail in a few weeks.

Still have a great job, and since I have to work tomorrow (actually, today since it's after 1 am.) I guess I'd better get to bed so I can get to work on time.

Sure would love to hear from anyone who might read this rambling entry! Have a nice day!

New Printer!!

2010-01-20T01:37:00.000-07:00

Hey! I got a new printer today! In my previous post I lamented about the death of my trusty Canon PIXMA iP5000 printer that I've had for 5 years next month. Didn't realize I'd had it so long. I guess 5 years isn't really a long time, but I've printed a LOT OF STUFF during that time, so I shouldn't be surprised at its demise.

I ordered a new one January 15, and it came today, the 19th. I'm impressed by their promptness in getting it to me, free shipping included, for about $90, including tax.

OK, I got another Canon printer, PIXMA iP4700, which is very much like my old one, just a newer model with some nice features. I think it will be a good investment.

Well, it's after 1:30am, and I've been working on our family newsletter, but I've got to work tomorrow at 10, so I'm going to bed!!

My Printer Died Today :(

2010-01-15T20:33:00.001-07:00

I have a great printer, a Canon PIXMA iP5000, that I have printed tons of pictures, greeting cards, post cards, and just everyday printing stuff. Well, today when I went to print something I needed for income tax info, it quit, and started blinking at me. Not knowing where my owner's manual disappeared to, (I did find it later, after I called Tech Support) I called Canon Tech Support. The man patiently walked me through several tests on it, and then he concluded that it did indeed need repairing. Since I have had it for 5 years--I couldn't believe I'd had it that long!--he recommended that I just replace it, using my "Canon Loyalty Code" discount of 15%. So, that's what I did. I will soon be getting another Canon PIXMA iP4700 for $85, which includes the shipping. Cool! I have really loved this printer, which does an excellent job with photos and other items needing a fine print job.

So, farewell to my iP5000, and next week I will have an iP4700, and a-printing I will go!

New Puppy, and New Grandson!!

2009-12-04T01:15:00.000-07:00

We have a new puppy, Missy, that we got a few days after our good old friend Otis died. She is a Boxer/bird dog mix, much like Otis was. Kinda fills the empty spot that was left.

And we have a brand new grandson!! Bobby was born November 20, 2009, and there is a picture of him at the bottom of this page. He is SO cute! He is Steven and Meli's first child, and we are sure happy to have him here.

Farewell to Otis

2009-11-18T16:24:00.000-07:00

Today we lost a true and faithful friend--our dog Otis. We have had him for 7 years this Thanksgiving. Dan andCody got him from the Animal Shelter here in Vernal. He has been the best buddy we could have ever asked for. Boxers tend to get cancer easily, and recently he has been having bloody noses. I took him to the vet, who found a mass that was most likely a tumor in the left sinus cavity. He told me that as the tumor grew, it could cause Otis to lose his balance, or have seizures and other problems. Last night he had two grand mal seizures. Today he has had difficulty breathing, and we decided he shouldn't suffer any longer. Our vet is a very kind man, and he came to the house and took care of Otis very patiently and compassionately. It's never easy to make this kind of life and death decision. I hope we made the right one.

Twilight!

2009-10-27T01:23:00.000-06:00

Have you seen Twilight? I have, many times. Thanks to my daughter-in-law Sam, I'm hooked!! I've read all 4 books, and can hardly wait for New Moon to come out. It will be a madhouse at the theater for quite a while, so I don't know when we will get to see it, but soon, I hope. I have the soundtrack CD for Twilight. It isn't music that I would normally listen to, but I like it, because I like the movie. My hubby thinks I'm weird. That's OK. He's probably right :)

Back to "Normal", and it's Cody's Birthday today

2009-10-06T14:31:00.000-06:00

Well, we seem to be pretty much back to normal. Dan has been sick since September 23rd, and missed 8 days of work!! Not great, since he only had about 12 hours of sick leave left, and his new vacation year didn't start until October 1st. Bad timing, since this is the house payment paycheck. Aarrgghh!! I'm just praying the I don't get sick, too. Dan's daughter Kari is staying with us for a while, and she has also been sick. She just started a new job today.

It has been cold, but we didn't get any snow here yet. It has snowed up in the mountains, though, which is a good thing. But too soon to be so cold!! It just became Fall, and it already feels like Winter, which is NOT my favorite season. That's funny, because my favorite holidays are this time of year--Thanksgiving and Christmas.

AND TODAY IS CODY'S 21ST BIRTHDAY!! Yee haw!! My baby is 21. Wow! He and Sami have 2 adorable kids, and one more on the way the end of February, or thereabouts. The siblings are going to take him and Sami and the kids out to dinner for his birthday. I have such a COOL family!

Love you guys!

Kariann is staying with us for a while.

2009-09-28T01:18:00.000-06:00

My husband's daughter, Kariann, is going to be staying with us for a while. She's had kind of a tough patch lately. Lost her job, lost her car because she lost her job, and now the house she's been staying in is being sold and all the occupants have to move. She just started a new job a week ago, which is cool, but she can't afford to rent any place right now, so she's with us. Dan's really happy to have his daughter staying with us for a while, as we haven't seen much of her in recent months/years, actually. I don't mind having her here, either, as she is good company, and I'm glad for anything that can help Dan be happier.

So, Welcome, Kariann!!

THEY WON!!

2009-09-26T22:43:00.000-06:00

THEY WON!! My Cougars won! 42-23 against Colorado State. Much better than the awful game of last week against Florida. Pretty cool! And the U of U won today, too, 30-14 against Louisville. Congrats!

Hubby sick :(

2009-09-26T02:39:00.000-06:00

My hubby has been sick since Tuesday night (Sept. 22). Went to the Dr. on Thursday, who said Dan probably has the flu. Not sure what kind, they are out of test kits because so many people have been sick here in Vernal. So, I'm hoping I don't get sick! He's not throwing up today, thankfully! Has missed 3 days of work, which isn't cool, because I don't think he has any sick leave until October. But it can't be helped. A good friend came and gave him a blessing tonight, which I know will help.

Great to hear from all of you!

2009-09-26T00:50:00.000-06:00

Hey, there are a few comments on my posts. Cool! This is fun. Good to hear from you, too, Esther, and Janie, as well as my sweet sister :)

Oh, I know Draper has changed! Goodness! A few years ago I drove around the east and south side of town, looking at some of the HUGE homes there, and went to the park to see the memorial there to the Marine Reserve unit that my son belonged to. They went to Iraq at the beginning of the current war, part of the group called the "Saints and Sinners", the 2/23 reserve unit made up of Marines from Utah and from Las Vegas. They lost one of their group, and a few were wounded, but the rest made it home safely.

I remember the fun 24th of July celebrations we had at the Draper Park. My favorite was the horse pulling. How I loved to watch those BIG draft horses pull for all their might. Some of the drivers were friends of my dad's so he liked to watch them, and I watched with him. I love horses. The fireworks were always great, too.

Growing up in Draper was good. Many, many good memories of activities at school, church, and in the community. Trick or treating was discouraged, but there was a big carnival type Halloween party at the elementary school every year. That was always fun. I loved the Road Shows and plays we did at church. And I loved the feeling of safety and security there was back in the "olden days" when I was a child in the 50's and early 60's.

Sigh...

A New Week

2009-09-22T01:57:00.000-06:00

It's a new week! I don't mind Mondays, usually. Currently I work 1/2 days on Mondays, off on Tuesdays, and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are different each week. Since there are several of us sharing about 4 jobs, none of us get many hours. So we all have changing schedules to some degree. In recent months, I've been doing classified more than display ads, and it's OK, but I miss creating the display ads. We have several ladies who are very talented, especially with the full page color ads.

I really like my job, but I need to find either a full-time job where I can sit down (due to my knees and back) or another part-time job. I don't want to change jobs, but it may come to that, since we always run out of money before we run out of month. I'm behind on tithing, barely keeping our noses above water on our other debts, and there seems to be no end to the places our money needs to go, no matter how careful we are.

Sigh....

Well, have a good week, anyone who reads this! :)

OOPS, Forgot to Wish Shelley a Happy Birthday!!

2009-09-20T00:13:00.002-06:00

My dear sister Shelley turned 60 yesterday, September 18. There are just the two of us, and I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful sister. We laugh together, cry together, listen to each other's problems and joys, and share good news and bad. I only wish we lived closer to each other, instead of 3 or 4 states away. Thank goodness for email and telephone!

Sure love you, sis!

Bad Football Day

2009-09-19T23:59:00.002-06:00

Well, today was a grey day for Utah football. The University of Utah lost to The Oregon Ducks in a very hard fought game, 31-24, ending their 16 game winning streak. OK, the QB graduated, as did several other key players. That was THEIR era, now it can become the new era, with new players and a new team. Takes time to build, but lots of potential there.

My BYU Cougars lost a really awful game. I think it was 54-28, Florida State at BYU. Couldn't watch it, since Versus and DirecTV haven't ironed out this year's broadcast agreements with ComCast, or something like that. My kids kept me posted via text message, until I finally found a radio station on my computer that was broadcasting it, so I heard the end of the 4th quarter. Sad :( Well, on to the next game.

SUU lost, 42-39 to Northern Arizona, and USU lost to Texas A&M (both called the Aggies!) 38-30. Only Weber State won today, beating Idaho State 44-17. Go Wildcats!! I don't know if any other teams from Utah played today.

Well, that's the sports report for Saturday, September 19, 2009!!

OH NO!!

2009-09-19T01:17:00.002-06:00

Oh No! Just found out that Versus is no longer available on DirecTV, only on Comcast, so we won't be able to watch the BYU game tomorrow (well, today, since it is after 1am) Not fair :(

Well, guess I'll have to watch the Utes play against the Ducks on ESPN. Should be a good game, and a challenge for the Utes. Watch the center, #77, Zane Taylor. He's married to Kemrey Wells now.

TTYL

The Counter Thingy

2009-09-18T18:07:00.002-06:00

I think you have to reset the counter each time you sign in. That's how it's been so far. I had it counting down the time until Christmas, but when I sign out, my settings go away. Hmmm. Anyway, use it to count whatever you want to, I guess!

Jeremy's surgery

2009-09-18T17:52:00.002-06:00

My little 2 1/2 year old grandson Jeremy had surgery today. Kind of like hernia surgery, but it wasn't a hernia, exactly. It was a hydrocele, a sac of fluid that was sagging down into his scrotum, making him very uncomfortable. His mom called to let me know all went well and they are home. Now Jeremy is just really confused about the fact that he IS confused...medication and all that stuff. Last week it was the dentist, today surgery. He's had an eventful September, so far. Hopefully all the excitement is over for now. Hugs, Little Britches, from mama and papa.

Countdown to Christmas

2009-09-18T03:25:00.001-06:00

I've been trying to do the Countdown to Christmas thingy, and it doesn't seem to be working. Very frustrating. Of course, it's almost 3:30am, so I supposed I should go to bed and try again when my brain is working.

In the Beginning

2009-09-18T02:26:00.000-06:00

Well, since everyone in the world seems to have a blog, I thought I would give it a try. I agonized over a title for my blog, and the most logical one that came to me was "Lucky Mom", because that is what I truly am. I've got the best kids in the world. I guess they aren't "kids" anymore in the true sense of that word, since they are all adults, but they are MY kids, and as such they bless my life.

That's all for now. Forgive my attempts to figure out how this all works. It'll improve with time--hopefully!