I just learned that my Grandma passed away early this morning. Mom had visited with her on Monday and was able to tell her that she loved her. Grandma hugged Mom and tried to speak. Mom understood that she was saying "I love you" and isn't sure what else she was trying to say. That was the last Grandma responded to anyone.
Last night my aunts Lainee, Kris, and Marci were staying the night with her. Early this morning, Kris said to Lainee that they should sing to Grandma. Marci was napping. As Kris and Lainee sang "Mother I love you", "All Flower Remind Me of You", and "I am a Child of God", Grandma's breathing changed and she started to go. A nurse woke Marci and she too joined in singing. Then Grandma was gone. Marci says that she saw Gordon and Grandma walking hand in hand. (I don't know if it was in her dream just before waking or afterwards.)
There will be a funeral Monday morning. We are trying to see if we will be able to make it down. We would have to leave Sunday night then come back very early on Tuesday. Acadia will miss two days of school, but that's not a big deal. We need to be back in time for Ryan to attend his class Tuesday afternoon. We are still thinking and deciding.
We are grateful for the gospel and the Plan of Salvation. We are also grateful that all of Grandma's children were able to be with her before she left. Our thoughts are with Grandpa. We love him and we know that this will be a difficult time for him.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Stop worrying!!!
Okay, I keep hearing comments from people (no, not just you Mom) who are worried that Mt. St. Helens is going to blow all of Washington away or something!
As Ryan says, Mt. St. Helen's already blew it's top off, what else is there to blow up? But really, there is such little danger here in Vancouver that it's funny (funny or annoying) that everyone is all worked up.
It is likely that Mt. St. Helens will have an explosion of some sort very soon. But they are really only expecting it to toss rocks, mud, and "stuff" to the rim of the crater and maybe some beyond. It also might shoot some ash in the air that could travel this far, but nothing like in 1980 when it really did blow. The mountain is 50 miles from here, even if it was going to "blow" like it did in 1980, all that we're going to get is ash (just like people all over the world got - well, more than they got, but still...just ash).
But it is also likely that NOTHING will happen, just like nothing has happened since 1986 (when the erruptions were small and just worked to build the lava dome), even when there were earthquakes that indicated there might be activity.
Remember, there were TONS of warning signs before the erruption in 1980! (Weren't you people paying attention to all the movies at the visitor centers? :lol:) They knew something serious was going to happen. The only part that was unexpected was that when it blew, it blew side-ways, not up. And now they would know if that were going to happen because they took notes...We've learned when there's a huge "bulge" (yes, the scientific term) growing out of the side of the mountain at a rate of 5 feet a day, then there's a good chance that the volcano could errupt side-ways. :blush: 1980 and right now are two completely different situations and two very different levels of activity...and danger. Then it was HUGE, now it just isn't.
We are not concerned in the least. In fact we are not even thinking about it, except when we keep getting calls and comments about how we should leave. Look, here is an article andhere is an even better one that talks about the latest. Read it...and STOP WORRYING!!!:eyes:
As Ryan says, Mt. St. Helen's already blew it's top off, what else is there to blow up? But really, there is such little danger here in Vancouver that it's funny (funny or annoying) that everyone is all worked up.
It is likely that Mt. St. Helens will have an explosion of some sort very soon. But they are really only expecting it to toss rocks, mud, and "stuff" to the rim of the crater and maybe some beyond. It also might shoot some ash in the air that could travel this far, but nothing like in 1980 when it really did blow. The mountain is 50 miles from here, even if it was going to "blow" like it did in 1980, all that we're going to get is ash (just like people all over the world got - well, more than they got, but still...just ash).
But it is also likely that NOTHING will happen, just like nothing has happened since 1986 (when the erruptions were small and just worked to build the lava dome), even when there were earthquakes that indicated there might be activity.
Remember, there were TONS of warning signs before the erruption in 1980! (Weren't you people paying attention to all the movies at the visitor centers? :lol:) They knew something serious was going to happen. The only part that was unexpected was that when it blew, it blew side-ways, not up. And now they would know if that were going to happen because they took notes...We've learned when there's a huge "bulge" (yes, the scientific term) growing out of the side of the mountain at a rate of 5 feet a day, then there's a good chance that the volcano could errupt side-ways. :blush: 1980 and right now are two completely different situations and two very different levels of activity...and danger. Then it was HUGE, now it just isn't.
We are not concerned in the least. In fact we are not even thinking about it, except when we keep getting calls and comments about how we should leave. Look, here is an article andhere is an even better one that talks about the latest. Read it...and STOP WORRYING!!!:eyes:
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
It's time to party... Almost!
Yesterday we got alot done in the bathroom. We put down the flooring and put the toilet back. We also brought in the vanity and sink, installed the medicine cabinet, vanity lights, and an over the toilet cabinet. I also bought a really nice faucet.
Today I went to the temple and Ryan went to the gym. Now Ryan is at class in Portland. Tomorrow we should finish off the bathroom. (I keep saying that, don't I?) Well, we have been making great progress and I think that this project holds some kind of record for the being the fastest to complete! :lol:
I also had to postpone closing my candle show. I was waiting on one order and now I have it. So now I'm schedluled to close tomorrow afternoon. I defintely earned the starter kit for free, so I will be becoming a Partylite consultant. I'm excited. I am anxious to see if the candles sell better than the stamps did. I think I already know the answer to that, but even if they don't I'll get a discount for awhile. Even if I don't make quotas, I can remain "dormant" for up to 2 years before Partylite cuts me loose. So I can pick it up again later if it doesn't work now and I won't even need to buy a new starter kit. (I would probably need to upgrade a few things though!)
Partylite encourages new recruits to hold 6 shows to "start your business". I have 4 people who have told me they would have one. The rules are the same as with Stampin' Up!, there are no boundaries and I can hold shows or catalog shows anywhere. So... let me know if you would like to "help support me" by holding a show. I am hoping we can come down to Sacramento the week of Thanksgiving so I could bring candles with me to display. Or I can mail down catalogs to someone interested in holding a catalog show. But no pressure! (I know Ruth just had a show earlier this year AND we have a cousin that sells down there already...I wouldn't want to take away her current customers.) I am going to ask a few more people around here to do a show for me and hopefully that will meet my goal of 6. (You do get a nice bonus when you hold your first 6 shows.)
So I was thinking about changing my "sariahstamper" e-mail address to "stamperscandles" instead. Technically, I am still a SU! demonstrator (though I don't know for how much longer.) and I want to reflect both. Even when I don't sell stamps anymore, I will always be stamper, stamping for fun. What do you think?
While you are thinking...I need to go get something made for dinner. See Ya!
Today I went to the temple and Ryan went to the gym. Now Ryan is at class in Portland. Tomorrow we should finish off the bathroom. (I keep saying that, don't I?) Well, we have been making great progress and I think that this project holds some kind of record for the being the fastest to complete! :lol:
I also had to postpone closing my candle show. I was waiting on one order and now I have it. So now I'm schedluled to close tomorrow afternoon. I defintely earned the starter kit for free, so I will be becoming a Partylite consultant. I'm excited. I am anxious to see if the candles sell better than the stamps did. I think I already know the answer to that, but even if they don't I'll get a discount for awhile. Even if I don't make quotas, I can remain "dormant" for up to 2 years before Partylite cuts me loose. So I can pick it up again later if it doesn't work now and I won't even need to buy a new starter kit. (I would probably need to upgrade a few things though!)
Partylite encourages new recruits to hold 6 shows to "start your business". I have 4 people who have told me they would have one. The rules are the same as with Stampin' Up!, there are no boundaries and I can hold shows or catalog shows anywhere. So... let me know if you would like to "help support me" by holding a show. I am hoping we can come down to Sacramento the week of Thanksgiving so I could bring candles with me to display. Or I can mail down catalogs to someone interested in holding a catalog show. But no pressure! (I know Ruth just had a show earlier this year AND we have a cousin that sells down there already...I wouldn't want to take away her current customers.) I am going to ask a few more people around here to do a show for me and hopefully that will meet my goal of 6. (You do get a nice bonus when you hold your first 6 shows.)
So I was thinking about changing my "sariahstamper" e-mail address to "stamperscandles" instead. Technically, I am still a SU! demonstrator (though I don't know for how much longer.) and I want to reflect both. Even when I don't sell stamps anymore, I will always be stamper, stamping for fun. What do you think?
While you are thinking...I need to go get something made for dinner. See Ya!
Monday, September 27, 2004
200th Post!
Man, I talk alot! :talker: :lol:
Today is a busy one...
Ryan left the house awhile ago to go donate platelets for the Red Cross, he will be back in 2-3 hours. In the meantime, I will get Acadia up, dressed, fed, and off to school.
When Ryan gets home, he will finish up the bathroom, or at least that's the plan. You never know around here...but let's hope that the plan works today and I'll have my master bathroom all done by tonight...or at least early morning tomorrow! :lol:
I have two meetings today. I need to close my Partylite Candle show today. It looks like I will also be signing up to be a consultant for Partylite. My show was successful enough to get the starter kit for free and I have 3-4 bookings already. Then later this afternoon I have a RS Presidency meeting.
In the meantime, Mom is going to visit Fort Bragg today to deliver the flowers we bought for Grandma. I hope that she has a good trip. How do you have a good trip when you go to see your dying mother? I don't know, but I hope it is what she needs it to be.
Mt. St. Helens is showing signs of a possible erruption soon. Nothing major, probably just adding to the lava dome that has been sitting in the crater. It is cool stuff to hear about/witness, I especially thought that those who visited Mt. St. Helens recently would find it interesting.
Today is a busy one...
Ryan left the house awhile ago to go donate platelets for the Red Cross, he will be back in 2-3 hours. In the meantime, I will get Acadia up, dressed, fed, and off to school.
When Ryan gets home, he will finish up the bathroom, or at least that's the plan. You never know around here...but let's hope that the plan works today and I'll have my master bathroom all done by tonight...or at least early morning tomorrow! :lol:
I have two meetings today. I need to close my Partylite Candle show today. It looks like I will also be signing up to be a consultant for Partylite. My show was successful enough to get the starter kit for free and I have 3-4 bookings already. Then later this afternoon I have a RS Presidency meeting.
In the meantime, Mom is going to visit Fort Bragg today to deliver the flowers we bought for Grandma. I hope that she has a good trip. How do you have a good trip when you go to see your dying mother? I don't know, but I hope it is what she needs it to be.
Mt. St. Helens is showing signs of a possible erruption soon. Nothing major, probably just adding to the lava dome that has been sitting in the crater. It is cool stuff to hear about/witness, I especially thought that those who visited Mt. St. Helens recently would find it interesting.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Grandma Johnston
I think my mom is in San Francisco right now. (It's kind of funny to say it like that...I think the only people who actually read this blog are members of my family - and mostly Mom and my sibs. So maybe I should just say "Mom is in..." and not "my mom is in..." - Whatever!) (Plus you all know all of this so why do I say it? Well, partly because I print out my blog entries to keep in an actual physical journal and this is something that should go in there. But also because who knows, maybe someone else does occasionally read this. It could happen...)
So, my mom is in SF visiting her mother who is in the hospital. She went there to have surgery. She has been battling cancer for a few years now and each time has come off conquerer. But it appears that she might not win this battle. She has several new tumors and when they performed the surgery, they found even more. The doctors have decided there is simply nothing else they can do. It appears that this might be the end.
You never know, she could somehow overcome this still and go on to live many more productive years. But it just doesn't seem like that's what will happen. We don't know how long to expect her to hang on. We are trying to look at our schedules to see how we can shift things around in the event that there is a funeral to attend this or next week.
I almost feel disbelief that she could actually die. Grandma is such a strong woman. No one can deny that. Whether you like her or not, she is definitely strong. She's stubborn too! She has always been determined to win. Every single time she has been threatened with serious health problems she has proclaimed she would fight and win...then she did! It seems unreal that she might not win this time. And it seems unreal that she might not be here much longer.
Grandma does things her way and it doesn't always go over well with others. But she does love her family. It is important to remember that people show love in different ways. We don't always understand it but even when we are most hurt by them, they think they are showing love. If we realize that and can remember that, then it is easier to not feel hurt and actually feel some of that love that was intended.
I do love Grandma very much. I will forever be grateful for her accepting the gospel when it came into her life and raising my mom in the church. I am grateful for all the good things she has taught us. It was Grandma who initiated our family reunions and as a result brought the extended family closer together. Grandma also tried to serve those around her. She made dinners, shared from her garden, visited with Sisters in her ward, etc. She has shared the gospel with not just her family members but with friends and even strangers.
If it is time for Grandma to go, I will find comfort in knowing that she will be reunited with her parents and my Uncle Gordon. There are other loved ones, I'm sure, but I know that these hold such a special place in her heart and she has missed them. I am grateful for the Gospel, for the Plan of Salvation, for eternal families, and for the comfort of the Holy Ghost. These things bring peace to my mind and I know that they are real and true.
So, my mom is in SF visiting her mother who is in the hospital. She went there to have surgery. She has been battling cancer for a few years now and each time has come off conquerer. But it appears that she might not win this battle. She has several new tumors and when they performed the surgery, they found even more. The doctors have decided there is simply nothing else they can do. It appears that this might be the end.
You never know, she could somehow overcome this still and go on to live many more productive years. But it just doesn't seem like that's what will happen. We don't know how long to expect her to hang on. We are trying to look at our schedules to see how we can shift things around in the event that there is a funeral to attend this or next week.
I almost feel disbelief that she could actually die. Grandma is such a strong woman. No one can deny that. Whether you like her or not, she is definitely strong. She's stubborn too! She has always been determined to win. Every single time she has been threatened with serious health problems she has proclaimed she would fight and win...then she did! It seems unreal that she might not win this time. And it seems unreal that she might not be here much longer.
Grandma does things her way and it doesn't always go over well with others. But she does love her family. It is important to remember that people show love in different ways. We don't always understand it but even when we are most hurt by them, they think they are showing love. If we realize that and can remember that, then it is easier to not feel hurt and actually feel some of that love that was intended.
I do love Grandma very much. I will forever be grateful for her accepting the gospel when it came into her life and raising my mom in the church. I am grateful for all the good things she has taught us. It was Grandma who initiated our family reunions and as a result brought the extended family closer together. Grandma also tried to serve those around her. She made dinners, shared from her garden, visited with Sisters in her ward, etc. She has shared the gospel with not just her family members but with friends and even strangers.
If it is time for Grandma to go, I will find comfort in knowing that she will be reunited with her parents and my Uncle Gordon. There are other loved ones, I'm sure, but I know that these hold such a special place in her heart and she has missed them. I am grateful for the Gospel, for the Plan of Salvation, for eternal families, and for the comfort of the Holy Ghost. These things bring peace to my mind and I know that they are real and true.
The score is Me - 1 / Migraine - 2
Friday I had a terrible migraine that by the end of the day had wiped me out. Yesterday I felt one lingering, just waiting for an opportunity to jump in my face...but I managed to fight it off. However, today it was back with vengeance (possibly spurred on by the defeat it had yesterday) and it is definitely kicking my butt! I hate migraines!!! :mad:
To make matters worse...
Eleven months ago, our dog injured his tail. This injury took over 6 months to heal. For the last 5 months we have enjoyed coming home to a blood-free house. It has been nice to not have to worry about whether the dog had wagged his tail, spraying our walls, floors, furniture, etc. But today it all came back to us as we noticed that somehow he had reinjured his tail and this time we did not catch it quickly. So I just finished applying a stain remover to the many spots on my new furniture (okay the furniture is a year old, but it's still "new" to me!) and Ryan is now on his hands and knees cleaning the walls, floors, and anything else he finds with blood on it. We are trying to remind ourselves how much we love our dog...
Church was good today. We took our neighbor's children since they haven't been able to make it out lately. They seemed to have fun and behaved pretty well. Acadia finds it easier to forget the Sunday rules when her friends are with us, so we are working on that. But it is important for our friends to go to church and it is a good lesson for Cadi to learn how to behave even when there are distractions and temptations around.
To make matters worse...
Eleven months ago, our dog injured his tail. This injury took over 6 months to heal. For the last 5 months we have enjoyed coming home to a blood-free house. It has been nice to not have to worry about whether the dog had wagged his tail, spraying our walls, floors, furniture, etc. But today it all came back to us as we noticed that somehow he had reinjured his tail and this time we did not catch it quickly. So I just finished applying a stain remover to the many spots on my new furniture (okay the furniture is a year old, but it's still "new" to me!) and Ryan is now on his hands and knees cleaning the walls, floors, and anything else he finds with blood on it. We are trying to remind ourselves how much we love our dog...
Church was good today. We took our neighbor's children since they haven't been able to make it out lately. They seemed to have fun and behaved pretty well. Acadia finds it easier to forget the Sunday rules when her friends are with us, so we are working on that. But it is important for our friends to go to church and it is a good lesson for Cadi to learn how to behave even when there are distractions and temptations around.
Saturday, September 25, 2004
A taste of what's to come...
Tonight I attended the General Relief Society broadcast. It was a great conference session and has gotten me excited for next weekend. I love General Conference weekend!
Our tradition is to go out for ice cream after the afternoon session on Saturday but next week Ryan will be working and I don't know if Cadi and I will go out by ourselves. I guess it will depend on how we feel. But we did go to Boppin' Bo's tonight. Ryan was in the mood for fries with gravy. They were good, but I ordered the scones for myself. (I love scones!) We ended up not even getting ice cream (I know, I know...blasphemy!), it was late, I was tired, we weren't really in the mood for it, so we paid and came home. Acadia had ordered her usual...chocolate and peanut butter milkshake. At least one of us got some ice cream! :lol:
Now Acadia is taking her bath (yeah, it's late...another reason why we came home when we did - so she could get her bath) and I'm ready for bed! It's been a LONG week and I'm beat! I've been barely winning in a fight with a migraine today (yesterday I lost miserably) and I am tired of fighting!
Our tradition is to go out for ice cream after the afternoon session on Saturday but next week Ryan will be working and I don't know if Cadi and I will go out by ourselves. I guess it will depend on how we feel. But we did go to Boppin' Bo's tonight. Ryan was in the mood for fries with gravy. They were good, but I ordered the scones for myself. (I love scones!) We ended up not even getting ice cream (I know, I know...blasphemy!), it was late, I was tired, we weren't really in the mood for it, so we paid and came home. Acadia had ordered her usual...chocolate and peanut butter milkshake. At least one of us got some ice cream! :lol:
Now Acadia is taking her bath (yeah, it's late...another reason why we came home when we did - so she could get her bath) and I'm ready for bed! It's been a LONG week and I'm beat! I've been barely winning in a fight with a migraine today (yesterday I lost miserably) and I am tired of fighting!
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