Fabulous Fifties Fashions

We all know about poodle skirts, bobby sox, and saddle shoes. But do we remember what infant fashions were back then?

Here's what the middle class child of the time was wearing (and sitting in):

Me at four and half months, sporting a gift outfit from my great Aunt Margaret (1957)

Proof that I am working on task II. D. 3. on my list. I am so slow that we could be well into the century celebration of my birthday before I've finished.

Tunnel Vision

I feel as though mentally I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off for the last few months.

I took myself in hand, grabbed a legal pad (my favorite), and made a few lists.

I. A list of general things I would like to work on, with some small get-the-job-done tasks set to meet the big goals. This took up a few pages. I might not look at this every day.

II. A list of things I would like to accomplish daily:

A. exercise

B. prayer/scripture reading

C. weeding (a spring/summer/early fall task - I never thought I'd love winter so much!)

D. 30 minutes each of:

1. labeling digital pictures on my computer

2. working on family history

3. scan my "baby book" photos - ones from my childhood.

E. Quilting! I have some projects I really need to get wrapped up.

III. A list of specific things that I need to accomplish right now, in the next few days, or next few weeks:

A. Some things for church that I need to get done by Sunday.

B. Plans for Yosemite (family vacation there in August)

1. Get maps

2. Organize food

a. type up meal plans for each meal

b. prepare as much ahead as possible

c. gather and buy food a little at a time over the next few weeks to avoid having to buy enough food for 15 people for an entire week all at once.

I have the lists from II. and III. right next to me at my desk, and a timer for the 30 minute tasks. I started a few days ago. Most days I get parts of my list done. That's okay. I'm much better focused than I have been, and that feels good. Yesterday I was completely successful.

Today's not over yet. I have at least exercised...

Oops. No housework listed. Hmmm, I wonder what that means? I guess I'll just have to squeeze it in here and there. We'll see.

Don't you just love a good outline format?

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

Loved it.

Set in 1967, it is the story of Holling Hoodhood, a seventh grade student at Camillo Junior High School on Long Island, and how he navigates through the school year. I don't want to give away more than that.

I love subtle writing--having the Aha! moment myself without a two by four hitting me upside the head. I also love good foreshadowing--the kind where I'm almost peeking between my hands knowing what's going to happen just before the character does and wanting to holler "watch out!"

If you love Shakespeare, you'll want to read this book. Schmidt is a genius in how he incorporated Shakespeare into the book.

If you love good writing you'll want to read this book. If you love a good story you'll want to read this book.

If you love the Yankees you'll want to read this book.

The Wednesday Wars is a Newbery Honor book for 2008. I haven't read the winner, but it's hard to believe it would be better than this book. I can't wait for our book group discussion - I'm bursting with comments and observations.

Knight and Day

Three movies in eight days?? Who would have believed it. I guess we are in "summer" mind mode.

This was another fun movie - completely unrealistic, but fun. As my son Ray said: "Even the original James Bond movies were more believable than this." An action comedy, the first half was more fun than the last, but I liked all of it.

These totally fun movies are good for my psyche.

HIPAA Headaches

True story (in a nutshell): My friend in Washington has a daughter who lives here in Utah. The daughter's husband is serving in Iraq. A few months ago the daughter was found unconscious in her home and taken to the hospital. My friend immediately flew to Utah to help. She arrived at the hospital and no one would give her the time of day because she was not listed on any HIPAA disclosure forms (the daughter was unconscious when admitted). After several hours my friend prevailed on the doctor to at least listen to her (the mom) so she could give him some very necessary health information about her daughter, whether or not he would share any info with the mom. It was a nightmare. When the daughter regained consciousness, it was all worked out. But there was a very long time before that happened.

I'm not here to debate the good and bad sides of our HIPAA laws. I just want to make the point that it is absolutely necessary to make sure that you have everyone listed on your HIPAA disclosure forms that might need your information.

Because of my friend's experience I decided we need to make sure my parents' info is all up to date. I made a list of each of my parents' doctors and wrote a letter to each of them requesting their spouse and children (listed by name) be on their individual HIPAA disclosure forms, and that that information be placed in their individual charts immediately. (I had asked a couple of doctor's offices what information was necessary and we made sure to include it all.)

The last time I was at my parents', I had them sign all the letters and we mailed them off. Despite frequent reminders, my parents never remembered to do this when they were in the doctor's office, so the letters were a good answer. I repeatedly explained why we were doing this, and my parents agreed that it was a good idea.

Then I was driving with my mom and she said, "I don't really think you need to worry about all this. You used to go to our doctor. I'm sure he will just tell you anything you want to know because he knows you." I explained once again the HIPAA laws and the fact that they can't even tell my dad anything without her permission. She was shocked and said the laws are ridiculous.

But the laws are what they are, and we are taking the necessary steps to make sure we can all be informed in case of an emergency - or other need.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

I read about this book on the gab blog a month or so ago. It is about a woman who has Early Onset Alzheimer's (getting Alzheimer's younger than about 60 or 65 is early onset). I did not think I would be able to read it - I'm still too emotional about the whole thing.

Then my cousin, who knows my mom has Alzheimer's, recommended this book. I requested it from the library, thinking that once it came I would decide if I could read it or not.

Well, it arrived in record time. I had secretly hoped that it would be on the request list for a long time, but that didn't happen. I still left it on my nightstand, putting off the decision while I finished a couple of books with closer due dates.

I finally started the book, thinking "I can always put it down and stop reading it." I was immediately drawn into the book. The first half was intriguing. I really liked how Genova portrayed the mental changes of Alzheimer's, as well as the anxiety and anguish of the family dealing with all the aspects (one thing I've learned in all my reading is that Early Onset can be genetic. Regular Alzheimer's is pretty much a crap shoot on who gets it.)

The second half I was an emotional basket case the whole time I read it. I could see behaviors my mom is starting to have. I cried and cried and read deep into the night so I could finish it. I could not put the book down. That said, I'm still very glad I read it. I think I want my siblings to read it. I don't think my parents should read it. I think if Alzheimer's is not too close for you, you should read it.

Gathering Information

I believe in being informed. I've been doing some reading on Alzheimer's over the last several months.

100 Questions & Answers About Alzheimer's Disease

by

Thomas M. Wisniewski, MD and Marcin Sadowskim, MD, PhD

This book is pretty factual about how the disease occurs, and tests they can do to try and nail down whether a patient really has Alzheimer's. It also includes behavioral expectations, progression of the disease, and some suggestions on how best to deal with the disease as a care giver. It was a good way to gather over all information - a great place to start in my quest for knowledge.

The 36-Hour Day

by

Nancy L. Mace, MA and Peter V. Rabins, MD, MPH

I have not yet finished this book. I read it in fits and starts. It is a great practical application book - it really deals with the day to day nuts and bolts of living with Alzheimer's, both as a patient and care giver. It is easy to read, and puts a not very emotional spin on the whole thing, yet still acknowledging that at times the whole process is very emotional. I like it.

If you know of any other good information/literature about this, please let me know.

The A-Word

That's what my parents call it. Alzheimer's.

Last September my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She wouldn't talk about it. My dad told my sister, who told me and my siblings. She found out a month before she turned 80.

At first I was in shock. Then I was angry--it seems so unfair. A brilliant, wonderful woman afflicted with this disease. I cried. A lot.

When I thought about it, which was often, I found myself holding my breath and I had to tell myself to breathe. I felt helpless, and more than a little guilty that I had moved here (I lived only a mile away from my parents in Washington) and left my sister alone there to be the go-to person in this mess.

I've run the gamut of emotions over the last nine months. At first I was a little angry at my mom for not telling me she had Alzheimer's. I went there in November to be at her appointment with her neurologist. She still hadn't said a word to me about it then. I sometimes wondered when she would have told me. Last weekend she told my youngest sister "I thought you might want to know that I have Alzheimer's" (my sister already knew, and my mom had spoken to her about it in November).

As I reflect back over the last couple of years, I see signs that we didn't notice then. Some things are just things that happen with aging. These were different things. Each time I go back I see more progression of the disease. One positive note: she is now talking about it without being defensive herself. It makes life a lot easier for all of us to openly talk with her. It's been hard for me. I can't imagine how excruciating it has been for her and my dad.

I've been reading about Alzheimer's, trying to gather as much information as possible. I like to be well armed. Now comes the learning about and dealing with the real life battles of every day and everyday living with this disease.

The purpose of my visits back to Washington now usually include something that has to do with this new aspect of our lives. Doctor appointments, meeting with an attorney to set up living wills and powers of attorney, making sure HIPAA disclosures are current, etc. My siblings and I have been thrust into the process sooner than we expected, and are trying to figure out how to navigate these waters ourselves.

Add to this the fact that my dad has now been diagnosed with dementia (different than Alzheimer's), and our lives are shifting once again.

I'm sure I'll be writing more as we go through this process.

I Scream

I am a screamer. I can really belt it out—support and sustain a very long scream. The best is in an enclosed area with echo possibilities. So fun. I’ve been able to do it as long as I can remember.

Hollywood should hire me for voice work, I’m that good.

In dreams I am never able to scream or yell in scary situations. I even remember dreams as a very young girl where that was the case. I try and try, and my voice won’t work. It’s terrifying.

In everyday life when I unexpectedly encounter a spider, reality fades and my dreams come true.

Killers

We saw this movie today. I can't believe I've seen two movies in four days. I haven't seen two movies in the last six months!

It was an okay movie - no-brainer, light, lots of shoot-'em-up, some very funny parts. Pretty clean language until the very end of the movie when she drops the f-bomb. Totally unnecessary. Not a must-see at all, but I enjoyed it.

Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas

Before I picked up this book, I abandoned my second book in two weeks. I have been so discouraged this year. I can't recall any time when I've read or started so many books that I didn't like. I was beginning to wonder if I had lost my zest for reading, it was that bad.

I don't think of myself as a picky reader at all. In fact, I think I'm a fairly eclectic reader, with a strong fondness for historical fiction (with a little romance thrown in) and biography. I love great writing, but I can overlook fair writing if the story is good.

I detest poor editing. It makes me want to call the publisher and offer my services as a proofreader. Bad grammar, poor spelling, obtuse writing-- these are things that can make me abandon a book. I also don't appreciate excessive profanity or sex in a book.

I had a t-shirt once that said: So Many Books, So Little Time. I used to feel I had to read any book I started. Not anymore. Why waste my time when there are so many other (probably better) choices out there?

Back to the book at hand. In my discouraged state, I chose this book from my pile of library books. I started it and the next thing I knew I was ninety pages into the book and I never looked back, so to speak. I became totally absorbed immediately, and couldn't wait to get back to the book when I had to put it down. It's a well crafted, well written story. Nine children walking home from school are caught in an avalanche. Four of them live. You find that out in the first three pages of the book. The rest of the book is learning about the children's parents. Then at the end you find out who survived. Despite the premise, it is a very positive book, not depressing at all. I loved it.

Now on to my next reading adventure!

Thank you Sandra Dallas for restoring my faith in reading.

A-Team Movie

Completely diverting, action-packed and fun. Just what I needed.

Joyful Readers

My favorite Sunday activity:

Monday Morning Thoughts

If it doesn't scare you to death, it will make you stronger.

Hmm, I'm trying to prove that to be true, but it is slow going. Today I tackled weeding our rock wall. It runs rampant with all the things I hate most about weeding. Big stickery weeds, lots of morning glory (which I learned on Jeopardy grows counter-clockwise), snails, and of course, spiders.

There is nothing worse than grasping a large clump of weed, and simultaneously hearing and feeling the crunching squish of snail. I shudder just thinking of it.

Well, maybe I spoke too soon. Perhaps the worst thing is a large spider darting out of its crevice in the wall right at my hand.

Just as I had decided not to continue weeding (too many of above incidents happening), Austin and Matthew came out to help me. I decided to continue working. Their conversation kept me diverted.

Here is the best conversation of the day:

Matthew: G'ma, here is a spider web! (Like I hadn't noticed.)

Me: Yes

Matthew: G'ma, spiders live in a spider web. (Like I didn't know that.)

Me: Yes

Matthew: G'ma, I will protect you from the spiders with my weeding tool!

Sweeter words have never been spoken!

Sisters 2010 - the Latest Generation

My favorite weekend of the year is Sister's Weekend, and that was this weekend for me and my daughters. No children (except nursing babies) or husbands come along for this. Just us. Three days of girl stuff, relaxed and no pressure. Each year is different, which is part of the charm. So, here's the weekend in brief:

Thoughtful gifts:

This is one tradition we do each year. We each bring a gift for the rest of the group. I gave each of the girls this year's Newbery and Caldecott winner books, and made each of us an apron. Audrey made necklaces for us, and a perpetual birthday/anniversary calendar. Debra gave each of us an "excuse me, I asked for a large" mug. Red, of course. Beth gave us a small spatula from Pampered Chef that we will all use (we started with the brownies we made on Friday).

Good eats: the Blue Lemon Bistro in Highland, cupcakes from Dear Lizzie in Highland, homemade bread (thank you Debra), French dip sandwiches, and we made the California Pizza Kitchen Barbecue Chicken Chopped Salad.

Fine viewing: So You Think You Can Dance, Little Women (Wynona Ryder version), and North and South.

Terrific productivity:

Beth made several hair accessories. (No, she is not trying out for a synchronized swimming team.) Beth would also like to note that they are not designed to all be worn at the same time.

She also made a miniature version of our aprons for her daughter Rachel.

Debra finished her quilt. She had it all pieced and ready to quilt. She completed the quilting and put on the binding.

A good time was had by all, and we can't wait until next year!

The two Dianes

Beth, Diane, Debra, Audrey, all in our aprons

The whole gang: Beth, Diane, Debra, Diane, Audrey

Happy Birthday Debra!

Labor began about 2:00 a.m. It was June in Utah - hot, and I tossed and turned wondering if this was it. Finally about 3:00 a.m. Ray turned over and asked what was going on. I told him I was having contractions, and we began timing them. We kept hoping to go back to sleep, but that didn't happen.

Finally at about 5:00 a.m. we decided we better go to the hospital. I called Ray's sister Orva and asked if we could bring Audrey over. We bundled Audrey (2 years) into the car, grabbed our bags, and off we went. It was an uneventful labor and delivery, and Debra was born at 10:23 a.m.

She weighed 7 lbs 8 oz., and I marveled at how small she was. I must have mentioned it a few times because the nurse finally said, "She's not at all small. She's exactly average weight." Then I told the nurse that Audrey had been over nine pounds. She understood what I meant after that.

Debra, 4 months

Debra was our only baby we didn't have name picked out and agreed upon before her birth. Back then I didn't know what I was having until they were born. We knew the first boy would be Ray, so that was easy. We just could not agree on a name for a girl. Ray wanted Debby, but I was teaching school and had a Debbie in my classroom that was a terror. I just couldn't name a sweet new baby Debbie.

About a week before I had Debby, we had some business transactions with a woman named Kelly. Ray said he liked the name Kelly. I was not crazy about that name either. We had tried for months to agree on a name. I figured we must be having a boy. Not so. When she was born, Ray looked at me and asked what we should name her, Debby or Kelly. I decided that since I didn't really like either name, and Ray preferred Debby, we'd go with that. We named her Debra, and I call her that a lot of the time. Most people call her Debby.

Now I adore the name. Almost as much as I adore her. What a joy she is for me.

Full House

All four children here with spouses and children

or

All six grandchildren here with parents

Either way you look at it, it was the perfect Saturday!

Happy Birthday Audrey!

She was a little butterball. Weighing in at 9 lbs. 9 oz., Audrey joined our family on June 3.

Audrey, 2 months

Audrey came almost two weeks past her due date. I don't think she's been late for anything since. I'd been to the hospital a couple of times with false labor and was very anxious to have her born. June 2 we went to the movies and saw The Four Seasons starring Carol Burnett and Alan Alda. In the middle of the movie I began having labor pains (again), but this time they felt different. I leaned over to Ray and said, "I think this might be it." We both agreed there was no rush, but were a little distracted during the movie while we timed contractions.

We went home after the movie and my water broke. Time to go to the hospital, for real this time. We arrived a little after 10:00 p.m. as I recall. They stuck me in a labor room, gave me an epidural, and Ray and I watched Johnny Carson. Finally it was time to push. Ray asked the nurse, "how long do people usually have to push?" She gave some answer, and Ray determined that at the most I would have to push 100 times (don't ask). The next contraction I began to push. Ray said, "only 99 more!" Imagine the look I gave him then. Suffice it to say there was no more counting. There was no need. Two more pushes and out she came at 4:14 a.m.

There she was, our first child, our first daughter, and the delight of our lives. We could never have imagined before then what she would bring to us. She still continues to delight us and bring us joy each and every day.

We love you Audrey!

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

My friend Carrie recommended this book, and I'm glad I took the recommendation. I really enjoyed it. Fun, quirky characters, good plot development, and good resolution. These are some things I've missed in some of my recent reads.

It seems I'm on another mystery binge, but in reality it's mostly because that's what has come in at the library, and with that comes a definite due date.

I request a lot of books from the library, and on some I'll be 50th or 200th on the list, sometimes I'll be right at the top of the list. Somehow they all seem to come in at the same time and I'm scrambling to get them read in time. So I even prioritize my library stack either by due date or whether or not it can be renewed. Right now I have some books in my stack that I didn't get to the first time they came in. I don't want to have to request them again, so I'm having to read a little more than usual (like that's some punishment - Ha!)