I’m Back

This has been way too long and really can’t come up with any excuses as to my absence. So much has happened and once again I am going to have to back track on my life experiences. Lets start here...right now...with the events of the phone call in the middle of the night.

The phone call.... yes the dreaded phone call that we all know could possibly happen but never want to be on the receiving end of it. Last night we partook of that call. 1:30am the phone rang. Since I was beside the phone I quickly answered it. My sister in law Catherine was on the other end. “Mom has been taken to the hospital via an ambulance. She fell down a flight of stairs and it doesn’t look good.” They were taking her in and were going to do Xrays to see why she was in so much pain. She then told me that she would call back as soon as she found anything out.

That sounded serious, but really a fall down the stairs isn’t life threatening and I’m sure she will be OK. We all tend to over react when someone is on their way to a hospital. We tried to go back to sleep but with not much luck. alot of tossing and turning trying to get comfortable and feeling a little uneasy about the next call. 3:30 am the phone rings again. Its Catherine. She begins to tell me the findings from the Xray but it seemed ridiculous. Mom broke her neck, broke 4 ribs, had a brain bleed and cracked a vertibrae (not sure of the spelling but you get the pointe) We were in shock and not really knowing what to do next.

So today was day 1 of my Mother in laws terrible accident. She has full movement and feeling but has a broken neck. She is one lucky lady. It seems silly to be able to actually say she is lucky but she is. They attached a cage to her head this morning and drilled it into her skull. She will be wearing this cage for at least 4 months. She is a trooper. Although she is terribly uncomfortable, wants to move her head or have a pillow, she still told us all a long joke.!! Perhaps the morphine was doing its job. We will take one day at a time. At this pointe someone from the family will be at her bedside at all times. When she feels more stable perhaps some breaks will be taken.

Tonight my prayers will be more thoughtful, personal and sincere. Why does it take these kind of experiences for us to appreciate, to love more, to be more kind, grateful, to be thankful.

I’m exhausted...goodnight Lillian, I pray you will rest well tonight.

Girls Montana Weekend

Well I survived a weekend away with some girlfriends. Some old girlfriends and some new girlfriends. Its always a treat to meet new people and make new friends. We laughed and laughed, cried, told jokes, ate, relaxed, hiked, ate, shopped, shopped and shopped more. It was such a great time and I was sad to see it end. Thanks to all you ladies (Kim James, Kerry Gaudette, Barbie Mcallister, Karen Stewart, Carolyn Brownlee and Marg Smith )who made a great weekend. I hope we have more of those up our sleeve! Don't worry I have deleted some pictures off my camera. What was I thinking?!

just call us Heavan: you're gonna wanna read this.

just call us Heavan: you're gonna wanna read this.

this very talented young lady is offering a blog design giveaway. I am hoping to win for obvious reasons. check out her blog.

The Hair

The back of my hair...not to bad...kinda looks old lady...oh ya I am.

This is from the night before. Still need to wash it and do it myself.

The close up. It says it all I think my eyes look bigger.

Cutters Remorse

I am feeling a little ridiculous about a decision i made yesterday. I cut my hair. Yes I cut it all off. I didn't just get a trim...took it all off. Here is why I did it.

I recently had to get my drivers license renewed and the picture was 10 years old. I had the same hair do. Looking back at all my pictures over time...I had the same hair do. So i decided it was time to change it up. Sounds like a good reason right? So I looked around at peoples hair, checked out the stars and found a hair cut I liked. The problem with this theory is I was always attracted to hair on "beautiful YOUNG people" Perhaps I thought I too would look young and beautiful. Not the case. I just aged myself about 10 years and not so beautiful after all. Here is some advice to the general public about what NOT to say to someone who just chopped their locks off.

1. Do you like it? (this is pretty much saying please give me permission to tell you it looks horrible)

2. Did you want it that short?

3. Are you going to grow it out?

4. You look different.

5. Your hair grows fast.

and my favorite..... "it's only hair"

OK I get it. You don't like it but really this is one of those times that lying is OK and forgivable.

So I got up this morning really wanting to avoid the mirror, but when i looked it was still there...short and everywhere. I looked like a Q-tip with wrinkles. Oh well...it's only hair. I may even post a picture after i deal with the 'COMPLIMENTS" today. I can hardly wait to go out.

Come to think about it...I have been lying to alot of people about their ugly hair...I think I am a good person for doing that. Remorsefully , Denise

Christmas at the Cabin

A beautiful snowy day for sledding. The kids loved every minute of it.

Bathtime is always a favorite time to snap pictures. This tub is so perfect for these little monkeys. Emory on the left is looking calm, but she creates alot of tension, tears and screaming from the other kids. She loves to splash them in the face!!

This is ring around a rosie. I do believe that we are on our 43rd time of doing this little game. Emory kept insisting we do it again. Some things just never get old to a toddler. Once again we see Caden in is underwear.

Cruising...November 2009

Caden and Grandma

Run in the Sun

Today was a day I was dreading. I didn't want to wake up because I knew what lay ahead of me. An 18 mile run. 3 hours of running. Sweating. Tired legs. Aching hips. A sore toe...and the list could go on. But lets just stop the complaining right there. Here's how the day went.

• woke up at 6:00am ...ignored the clock and went back to sleep
• woke up at 6:10am ....ignored the clock and went back to sleep
• this pattern continues until 7:30am
• 8:00am headed out the door for the run
• realized I didn't eat and probably am going to be in trouble for that
• ran till I met chelsey about 1 mile out of Okotoks
• running on the way back home ...mile 13 it was getting hard
• mile 14 legs were starting to cramp
• realized my error in not hydrating properly and eating prior to run
• mile 15 disliked my Daughter danielle for getting me into this
• mile 16 starting to really slow down and having to play head games
• mile 17 can see the end and it is soooo hard to keep running
• mile 18 had to add a loop in the neighborhood because I think I may be short distance
• finished
• hobbled to the bath
• soaked
• slept
• ate

Now here is the crazy thing. You would think I would be soooo tired that I just can't get anything done. Not the case. I have polished the appliances, vacumed the house, washed the floors and getting ready to do the toilets. I have so much energy and motivation to get stuff done. I was happy to send Allan and Mackensie out so I would not be disturbed. Isn't this crazy?I wonder if I will crash tonight. Lets hope so. Or maybe I should go out to a movie. hmmm.

Art Lessons

I am trying my hand at Art classes again and I must say I am loving it. Here is my latest painting. It even looks 10x better in real life. Everyone should try their hand at painting.

This is my first picture after I had taken a long break. It was fun to do.

I think this will be the new home for my painting. Not sure if it needs a frame.? I'd accept opinions on that.

Here is what I did with some recent family pictures. I had a framers double mat the pictures and then I put them in an old window frame I had on my wall. I really think it looks great.!

My daily routine of running

This is how I feel...grandma out trying to run a marathon. Hopefully I am looking slightly better than this old woman. April 17th is the big marathon day and I have been training now for months. I must say I am excited to get this over yet scared that I will never put a pair of running shoes on again when I finish. Today is a dreaded 9 miles. Not sure when I am going to get that hour and half run in but somewhere, somehow it will make it onto my "to do list'. This weekend I am really looking forward to the longest run I will have ever done. .......18 miles....... Go Grandma go... or as Emory says" go gamma go".....or as Remy says...." go mamma go" and Caden says...".go gwama go'!

Sisters Getaway!

The three sisters at the St George Temple.

Jeanine Olsen, Teresa Baldry, Denise Nelson

Trying so hard to run and land before the automatic flash went off.

We never did make it but sure had a good time trying!
My sister Jeanine's vacation home in St. George. Nice. So glad we are related.

Here is evidence that I will not be entering the "celestial kingdom" as we put back the ornament and left the store. Sometimes we just never grow up.

The three of us at Target, with no husbands waiting...a dream come true.

I think we need to do this again real soon.

Here are a few pictures to back my list. We were in Maui in October and we took with us Allans Mom, Lillian and Mackensie's travelling friend Alyssa Steed. Wouldn't it be nice to be someone's travelling friend.? It seems we have no choice as it keeps Kensie very occupied and happy. Which leads to very happy parents while trying to relax on a holiday. More pics to come!

Hawaii ...Maui...

It has been way too long and time for me to get back at blogging. I love to read everyone else's blogs and am always so impressed with the way they put things together. Perhaps I might try and do a blog that might half interest one of my family members to read!

Here's the update on whats happened since last April and in random order because it takes way too much energy to do it in any order!

1. got rid of the dog!

2. went on a cruise

3. went to Maui

4. training for a marathon

5. took 8 of mackensie's friends to the cabin for a weekend

6. spend part of christmas at the cabin

7. put the cabin up for sale

8. bought new lake land and hoping to build

9. got arthritis in my knuckle on my wedding finger

10. ring won't fit now

11. kensie turned 14

12. ran to eureka and back to cabin (16 miles)

13. allans doing a triathalon in March

14. Chelsey and Brian bought a house

15. Danielle and Zack bought a condo

16. Emory is hospitalized with RSV

17. took a trip to SLC with just the girls and Remy/Caden

18. went to Vegas/St. George with my sisters for Teresa's 50th

19. turned 49

20. hired a cleaning lady

21. got rid of the cleaning lady

I will add to the list as I remember what I did this last year. Hopefully I can find a few pictures to back my list!

I'm back. It's going to be fun.