Christmas in 47 short days!

So it must be that time of month to update the blog! Not much to report about if we post sooner than a month.

Jim I and two employees headed to San Francisco on Wed. returning last night. They were there for dental meetings I was there to do whatever I wanted. I did go listen to two different speakers. Nice sleeping in, exercising for hours, walking along the bay, reading working on New Family Search in the lobby and watching the news. But all good things must end! When we flew into Spokane and walked off the plane (Horizon) it was one arctic blast and we wanted to turn around.......it is so winter already. We took the BART system into the city, took a cable car to Fishermans Warf. That was something Jim and I have wanted to do since we were small and watched the "Rice a Roni" commericals walked to Pier 39, smelled and listened to those noisy Seals looked at Alcatraz's lights in the distance, ate at a greasy soup but it was quaint. I got the entire cable car people singing "Happy Birthday" to Susie our assistant she loved it and started leading us. It was fun. She has been with our office for 20 years and chose to be at the seminar on her 62nd birthday. Cathy our other assistant started with us 28 years ago, left for a few years to raise a daughter then returned. We don't know what we will do when they retire. They are wonderful, dependable honest and truly kind women. There are few people like that out there.

My Christmas lights have been up two weeks, Dan the light man and son in law does it for me, second year now as my Christmas present. Nothing like perfect lights, only have to plug in one extension cord or find the timer the electrician lost. Cards are addressed, Christmas letter written, can you tell I love Christmas?

Thanksgiving is in 18 days. Sadie and Danny will be home in 16 days. Penny my sis and her hubby Ben are coming in Thanksgiving day. I have never had my anyone on my side come or a holiday before. I am soooooooooo excited. And Kyla turns 3 that week!

My nephew (Pennys son) Breck gets off his mission next week from New Zealand. John got home three weeks ago and Spike gets home the day before Thanksgiving. The next to go will be Scott in 2 years then Sam in 5 yrs. Wow 2 and 5 so strange that it is just around the cornor. It just hit me.

Life is good we are good, Josh said if you want to know how he is, look up Kidney Failure on Whikipedia and you will know. Scott is good, 40 days till his last chemo! neither of them like people asking how they are. It wears on me also, average 10 times a day but I know most people really care, some just are nosy.

So get your lists going for the holidays, don't put things off so you can enjoy the season!

That is it from this keyboard!

Yep Hamthrak has hit!

Hamthrak (name given to me by Josh) has hit yet another person in the family. With 20 days down since being exposed to Jim Gary and Scottie Pottie I became another victim of "Ms Piggie's Flu" I have heard all the jokes and saving them for the day my sons and son in law too become her victim. Has not been a real good week here. When I think I am doing good I shower and wala break into a sweat and back on top of the bed can't stand getting into the bed anymore. 3 days in a row thinking I am better........several friends/sister in law friend came down with it same day or with in hours of when I did. We are connecting on facebook feeling sorry for each other. Ok at least we aren't out spreading it around to all of you! Someone has to feel sorry for us husbands don't. I was prepared tho have meals prepared in the freezer and have used a couple of them. My friend and also sister in law Kim brought us spagetti by, it is so so good.... My family hardly misses me. I am pretty sure I am going to live, rather or not the family likes it............................

One thing I so hate, want to know? that stupid song "Safelight window repair" I hear it in my dreams. I do love the DVR and stopping the show then bringing it back live without the 15 ads in between scenes. Haven't just laid down and watched TV for so long, it is as stupid as it was last time I was sick with something.

Josh is the same, waiting for a match, he is tired of people asking.......Luke and family I think are good, Stone will be 7 in a few days and Janna another year older. Benji's B&B isn't happening, property sold, Sarah and family don't have the flu, Danny and Sadie are coming home for Thanksgiving Sadie Christmas, Danny is being a adult and doesn't have a ticket home. His bike got stolen so he won't be riding it home, and just bought himself two scooters I hear one will be sold, yeah right this family doesn't sell anything we store it for a rainy day......wow he can pay for next semester!!!! Since we can't claim him anymore ...not a tax rightoff anymore big guy! Scott is good, clinic next week then only Nov and Dec and he is done with chemo FOREVER! Can't figure out how to get that last test done tho on his online course so his laptop and phone are laying here close to me just waiting for his return. Sam is a teenager, turned 14, has a cell phone and an attitude but I am curbing it with leverage/cell phone. He is about done with Jr Tackle football just a couple weeks. He will be in high school next year and will play for the school if he wants to continue I will not be sad if he doesn't want to play. Jim is looking for a second hygienist if my sweet nieces have any contacts that need 2 days a week up in God's country.

My nephew John got home from his mission last week, this weekend is the family gathering in Mapleton Utah. Missing out on yet another family gathering not to many in the Blackburn familygatherings sort of things. Happy to have another member of the family born this week "Gage Gatten" born to Dusty and Angie, well born to Angie shared by Dusty.......Why is it in the scriptures the men get the credit for having the kids? Never figured that one out. So thats the updates from a top the sage colored bedspread in this room with 4 walls..........that are getting smaller and smaller!

Love ya

Auntie Piggie!

Frost on the pumpkins!

The pumpkins are orange, apples are red and school has been in session a month today. Boys and parent are in a routine. Seminary starts at 6:30 AM so a 5:30 wake up call is hard on Scott and his mom. Junior year seems to be the hardest on students and throw in chemo in the mix and try getting up at 5 30.....He had his last spinal tap EVER a few days ago and I made his last 3 chemo appointments. The count down is on!

Scott turned 17 and Sam 14 since I last wrote. They are growing up oh so fast. Time seems to be going by so much quicker than when I was in my 30's and 40's.

No new meat in the freezer but not because of lack of trying. I got a Hickory rocking chair for my hunting trip I always get something! Swine flu hit Scott, Jim and Gary while they were headed to the woods. Scott came home and ended up in the ER for a few hours. Jim and Gary spent many hours sleeping it off in the trailer away from civilization. No one else has gotten it in the family and it has been two plus weeks. It didn't seem any worse than the regular flu/cold and there wasn't any nausea. I got my regular flu shot. People are saying the swine flu shot isn't going to be safe, will still listen and figure that one out.

Not so sure anyone reads this blog anyway but just in case I will try updating a bit better than I have been doing it. Nice when life is slower and there isn't much bad news to report. Could you imagine if for just one day all the news on TV/Radio and newspaper and the net was all good news? What a day that would be. With so much good why do we focus on the bad?

I am finally learning New Family Search with the help of Josh. I have a page of names ready to take to the temple something I haven't done before in the family history department. It is very time consuming rewarding and fulfilling.

Happy Fall to All!

School has begun! Second week. Sam's first game was Sat where they won by way too much. Jim and Scott were hunting and missed it. Sam got lots of hits lots of sun and by evening heat stroke. He was feeling much better Sunday.

No elk yet for the 2009 hunting season. Jim and Gary will go out next week for several days hunting. I will be a hunting widow yet again. 8 years ago I was almost a permanent widow glad things turned out in my favor!

Today Carl, our sheetrocker/painter/door installer/handy man started putting in the double doors for the hunting room and storage room. The last thing for the finishing of those rooms. So awesome to have so much room.

I went to my class reunion last weekend in Hurricane UT. It was a blast seeing my good old friends, the hardest thing was all those people looked so old! I brought back my mom to visit us for a few days/weeks/ who knows playing it by ear. She is already homesick and she lives alone, can't figure that one out. We are such exciting people here I don't get it!

We are still experiencing great weather but by the time I post again it will be cold and Fall so...........Happy Fall to all!

Fair is over YEAH!

School starts in 8 days! Bittersweet for everyone, hope summer temps remain thru Sept. Sept is my favorite month, I love fall the indian summer, I love school starting and I love quiet days and I love the fall colors and wearing sweaters. We love watching Sam play jr tackle. Jim and Scott love putting on the camo makeup and going to the woods and playing with their bow and arrows

I am glad the County Fair is behind us the Elephant Ear saga is over whelming for me and the contention but it is just helping our family learn to get along and preparing us for that very long eternity......... All and all it has been a good summer. Even the new grass is filling itself in, by next summer it will look like the old stuff. The basement looks great Danny did a great job of getting his parents orgainised and finishing the new room. Sadie worked hard for the dental office and is missed especially this week with our receptionist taking time off to be with her sister with cancer. Danny and Sadie started their first day of Seniorhood at BYU today. Benji is still waiting for word to move to Montana and frustrated it is taking so long. Luke and Janna have made a couple trips to CA and glad to be home I think. Stone started 1st grade several days ago. Rusty turned 5 in Aug and will start school next year. Sawyer is gaining and smiling. Van is just a sweetie. Sarah said Carson walked 3 steps today, he turned one last week. Kyla continues to keep us all entertained, we don't need a television. Josh had to get a new Hickman a few days ago and said it is working much better. Chiu-yi loves taking care of him and they both have such wonderful humble attitudes thru this growing time. Yesterday in Stake Conference Bro Oyler said "our trials are worth more than gold" true but some times it takes time to appreciate the growth.

I am headed back home to my class reunion in a couple days and hopefully bring my mom back with me for a few weeks, she is getting real forgetful and I want to get her busy and spend some time with the great grandbabies. Should be a fun trip seeing all my friends that show up. Life is just to short! We need to take time to enjoy the people in our lives we have to many distractions!

August is here with 100 degree temps!

Summer is just about gone, a month till school starts already. Fair starts in 25 days and will be time to roll roll roll that dough. We have been experiencing hot temps for the last month I have had to water plants 3x's a day to keep things alive. Benji headed back to CA last week after completing our southside patio and hours working in the yard the last two months. Just wish we had a wedding reception or something to make it all worth it...... He is headed back in a couple weeks and working in Montana, a dream he has had for a long time. More info later. Josh is about the same, just waiting for a kidney, working out of his home and doing dialysis 3 x's a week. I did the blood test but only 2 of 8 tests that showed I was compatible with him Luke will do his soon.

Sadie is working for the dental office and is a real help. Danny just about finished the new basement just waiting on flooring and a couple of doors. We wanted to turn it into a workout room but it turned out so nice it will be a family/game room for now and turn the family room into a workout-TV room. Fun to have so much room.

Scott just returned from his Scout high Adventure he biked the San Juan Islands for 5 days. Check his facebook pixs.

Sam's Eagle Project was Friday and Saturday of last week, he now has 3 merit badges to complete and the paperwork to write up and he then the dreaded interview and he will be done. Hopefully have it done while he is still 13, youngest in the family even if doesn't finish till 14. 6 out of 6 boys. Great accomplishment and a couple tired parents.

Jim's vege garden is having success we have been eating the zucchini and green beans. My flower gardens are beautiful and my vege plants in the middle of my flowers are having success also. Time to make zucc bread. They grow about 6 in a day!

Luke and family are headed back from CA. Janna fell and broke her elbow so she and the kids have been in CA for 3.5 weeks while Luke flew home. He flew back this weekend to drive them home. Sawyer is growing and finally in new born clothes out of premies.

Jim is busy working and putting food on the table. We took off last weekend to camp at his hunting area. We had a bull moose share the campsite with us a couple times. He was right outside our tent door for a very long time where we got many pictures. He also came down to the water while Sadie and I were in the pontoon boats and kayak, it was pretty fun to watch him. The huckleberries weren't quite ripe as we tried picking some. The mosquitos were in full force and loved eating up Sadie and myself. Several fingers and toes doubled in size on me by the next morning. Much easier tent camping then trailer camping you take less junk take only what you need.

PS Ok so I forgot Sarah, I knew there was someone missing from yesterdays post.....Yes Dan, Sarah, Kyla and Carson are great! Sarah and the kids are spending lots of time at Silverwood, Dan is trying to drive his mother-in-law to drink and Bamma is just about Kylas favorite and Carson is sweet and always hungry! Sorry Ross' hope to be forgiven soon!

Reunion behind us.....

Summer is flying by. Lee reunion was last week, everyone was here but Josh and Chiu-yi in our family. Nearly 100 family showed up. Happy to have Leo with us another year. Enjoyed having my 6 grand kids around me. Next reunion maybe the number will be doubled maybe not ! I spent the 5 days cooking and cleaning and cleaning and cooking was pretty tired and next reunion there will be a job chart. Everyone seems to think they are on vacation. No one died on the river lot of flipping rafts, lots of stories to talk about for the next two years. Jim lost yet another pair of glasses to the river, water loves eating his glasses and hats. Sadie's cousin (no name cousin) tried killing her and Brett faking a finish line with ropes that didn't come down on the families Marathon. She still is struggling to heal her knee, many bruises and a rope burn on her face. Brett didn't complain but we know he was hurting. It was very hot and I was glad to be home. Sawyer gained some while she was here. 5lbs 5oz. Her father weighed her on Scotts fish scale. To bad we didn't get a picture. She is so so tiny and sweet. Stone is going into 1st grade. Rusty will be 5 in Aug. Van is now 2 and such a cutie pie. Kyla is the center of the universe and knows how to get Bamma to do anything for her. Carson is trying to walk and is such a cute little boy.

Josh is out of the hospital. Started working today and continues with dialysis. He is on the list for a transplant. We are starting the matching process in the US. Everything is so complicated and not quite sure what we are doing. Still asking lots of questions and visiting with doctors and going online to find out what needs to be done. Hard from the other side of the world. My stomach is in knots all the time. Looking for the blessings in the trial. Just understanding why is so hard. Tired of people giving me advice for Josh tho. People need to think before they speak. I am sure it has made Josh and Chiu-yi very tired.

Scott just had a spinal tap. Only 2 more to go and 5 months of chemo and he will be finished with this part of his life. He will be a JR in high school. His illness doesn't seem quite so bad anymore. 3 doctors all within a phone call. 45 min to the hospital if we need to get him there. People I have been able to ask a boat load of questions to understand it all. People keep giving us advice when they have no clue also so learning how to smile and be kind but knowing they have no clue. People care they just don't always know how to care.

Danny and Carl got the sheet rock up and taped and Danny painted last week. Carl used the extra wood and did trim on the main room downstairs. Figuring out flooring now and doors. Benji is making another brick patio on the South side ran out of bricks and waiting for more. We are getting a little more curbing for the back this week...The hydro-seeding grass is hit and miss. I have tried hard to keep it wet but looks like we will need to seed it again in many areas. Taking forever to get the yard back but it is coming. Many of our potted plants died while we were at the reunion. The yard looks like a constant yard sale not being able to put trailers back because of the new grass. Benji is trying to haul off junk from the shop but keeps getting stopped in his tracks and it isn't from me.....hummmmm He was suppose to fly back to CA last week but changed his flight till the last two things are finished up. He and his dad went camping to the St Joe over the weekend. I was still to wiped out from the reunion to do another camping trip did not seem like something my brain to even put together. I love being home. Love hot water and flush toilets