VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!

WOW! The best time i have ever had in Vegas. There were 5 of us and we stayed busy the whole 3 days we were there. The reason for going was the huge consumer electronics show. Jimmy, because of his computer business was able to go and get Skipper in as a "consultant. So while they were in the convention drooling over all the new techy stuff...we girls had a great day. first stop was breakfast...yeah..In-N-Out Burger, yummmmmm! Then we went to the spa..a wonderful hour massage and then a great pedicure...way to be pampered. Then we met up with the guys back at the hotel. Now from here on out it was rather a blur....we went to a great buffet loved the seafood, then went to Freemont Street. now the last time we were in Vegas, Freemont Street was rather a derelict part. Well, much to our surprise, the have enclosed it and really cleaned it up. There were little kiosks and entrances to casinos and they had a great light show on the ceiling of the enclosure...it was great,,,and the music was 360 around...awesome...we were pooped after that so we went back to our rooms and slept until the guys had to go back to the convention. Now the fun really begins...we girls had scooters (like the hover rounds) and we drove them from our hotel (in downtown) all the way to the strip...what a hoot. Then we went to the big casinos and ooooed and awwwed. We found the MAC cosmetics store and had our makeup done for that night as we were going to a show called Legends (this and the buffet after were our Christmas present from Jimmy and Crystal).The guys caught up to us early as the convention was winding down...so we all went down the strip looking at the casions and the Bellagio waters..the volcano was not working :(..and we never passed the Pirates ship when that show was going. It was getting late, so we went to another buffet for dinner and then took the car back to the hotel. We had the scooter co. pick up the scooters. Saturday we had In-N-Out again for breakfast...not too many people were very happy with me, but thank heaven they humored me. we drove to the strip and today the guys decided that they were tired of walking so we called 702-scooter and got 5 scooters!!! Poor Skip, he had big blisters on the balls of both his feet. Anyway...what a kick, here is a line of all 5 of us...Saturday night...going in and out of casinos down the crowded streets and up and down the elevators...oh my what a trip. The elevators were a trick...again not so many of the group were too happy with me because going into the elevators you had to hurry and scrunch in as close as you could...well, if I wasn't the first one in, I would bang into someone and that wasn't on the happy list. Anyway, some elevators would take four of us and others would only take three...plus "normal" people of course. These were battery operated, so we would have to stop and charge them now and then...we ate at a mexican place inside one of the casinos..oh yes...real mexican food...delicioso!!! and, we enjoyed the face makeup so much, we had to go back to Ceasers to the forum shops to visit our friends from the MAC cosmetics shop. Some gay, some straight...they were all so funny, helpful and great people...we almost got some makeup on jimmy but it didn't happen....so we continued our quest up and down the strip. Some of the scooters wouldn't hold a charge as long as others, so we had to stop every so often and switch out batteries...omg, it was so funny...then we were traveling in and out of people and Skip was missing....Jimmy went back to find out where he was and he was pushing his...it completely died...so needless to say, another switch of batteries and we were on our way..well, there was a lot more to the trip but I'm sure I have bored you enough...if you ever go to Vegas, don't forget to call 702-scooter..you will have the fun of your life...

HAPPY NEW YEAR...1.1. 11

We had a great New Year's Eve...We went to some Crystal's and Jimmy's with others and had a great dinner...Jimmy's smoker is awesome, we had smoked Tri-Tip roast and smoked Pork Loin...oh yeah! Everything was delicioso.. Then in -2 degree weather with about 3/4 inches of snow on the ground, we all went to the Hockey Game...and it was great...we won, EIGHT to ONE. While we were there, Skipper got so into it that they asked him to work security for tonight's game.....(man, the wind is strooooong today...well, it's Cody...what's new). So last night when we left the game it was -13 degrees...now cold is one thing, but not being able to breathe in.. is something else...lol. So after the game we went back to Crystal's and had dessert, carmel corn and watched the NYC Ball drop with Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest. Then we were surfing and Jimmy found...are you ready for this.....Red Green does New Years Eve...UGH! so for an hour we had to watch that and then come home...Except for Red Green...It was a great time.
On another subject...I'll have to tell you, on the last day of 2010 I had mixed emotions. It was exciting to be turning another page in history, but, I was saddened by news of the passing of a very dear friend and teacher...In my Burbank High School, in Dec. 2010 a legeand died. Mr. Regnal Hall. He was the most awesome Choir teacher in my world. He was always there for any student who needed guidance, reassurance, or just someone to bounce things off of. He was an excellent leader and possessed great knowledge of music. He not only knew history of music; he knew how to get the best from all his students. His direction was astounding. I never knew anyone who didn't admire and like him. He will definitely be missed, but the choirs of heaven will surely sound better...Rest in Peace, Mr. Hall!
Awwww, after a good night's sleep, it,s the Rose Parade and soon the Rose Bowl...there are seven...count them, seven bowl games today on tv. I'm in football heaven...will Skipper is in his shop helping Jimmy put rear shocks on the caddy...Skipper doesn't do football unless he has too.
Ok, I am now ready for a nap...then after dinner tonight, we go to another hockey game...this is supposed to be a really rough game...It's against Helena, MT...last year there were expulsions, fights and all that exciting stuff...so, we will go to the hockey game, with Skipper on the security team and let it fall as it may...I quoted to Skipper a line from a famous Country Music song....I'm not as good as I once was...But, I'm as good once as I ever was! So on to the hockey game!!! Everyone have a great New Year!!!

TRYING TO CATCH UP!

This format doesn't look right but I'm going anyway...don't have much time but just want to jot down that I am so happy people send Holiday letters...I don't know what my problem is, but I just can't get it together...at least in 2010...I'm hoping my brain will come back for 2011. Wow, that was weird, now the normal format came back...sheesh, sorry for no color...0k, where was I...oh yeah, my brain...I am totally sure now, that I named my blog correctly!!
Anyway...a big THANKS! to all the people who sent those notes of how they are doing and what they did all year...That's another problem.. I can't remember what I did yesterday, let alone 6 months ago....ok, I know I'm supposed to be keeping a journal, but I lead such a boring life-I feel like no one cares...but then...someone jumps on me and says that that's not true. Oh well...I'm not making any promises or resolutions...but...I'm really going to try to do and be better in 2011....Oh, my, I can smell the homemade turkey soup cooking, it smells soooo good...and it is -18 (wind chill factor) degrees outside and a great warm fire in the stove...it's great!!! Life is good!
Russ is working, Kelli is working and Alyssia is working and going to school...and with that I am a happy camper....
I guess I'd better sign off for now, our friends are coming over to make noodles to add to the soup and I hope we have a fun evening...we usually do with Crystal and Jimmy...in fact on the 5th of Jan we leave for Las Vegas...maaan...Jimmy has a computer shop and we are going to the show in Vegas... I'm excited because Crystal and Amanda (another friend) and I will be shopping and goofing off while they are at the show and then in the evening we will all go to a show or wander around...it's gonna be a fun time!!! Ok, gotta go, they just dro9ve up...l have a great weekend and if I don't get back to you...have a GREAT NEW YEAR!!!

OVER THE HILLS AND THRU THE SNOW!

we made it!!!! The worst week to travel, was how the weather stated it. Well, everyone knows the weather people never get it right, so we waited until the fog cleared and decided it wouldn't be that bad. We drove for an hour or so and decided that it was not that bad...until...South Pass. If you know anything about Wyoming, you know that South Pass can be treacherous. It's where a lot of the pioneers lost their lives because of harsh weather. The roads were very icy and then the blizzard was upon us. We drove into white out and wow, you could see absolutely nothing! You didn't dare stop or you could be rear ended, you couldn't go forward for fear of going off the side of the mountain...and then it cleared. When it cleared Skip saw the side pole on the left side of the car...normal, right...WRONG! we were on the wrong side of the street against a hill. Skipper opened the door to survey the situation...he went to step out and found his leg swallowed up in snow...it was about 3 1/2" deep. Quickly he came back into the car and there we sat...t.h.i.n.k.i.n.g...hummm, now what. It was still snowing to beat the band and while we sat there watching the traffic go by...very slowly, some spinning out, a snow plow appeared coming toward us. He stopped and asked if we called a tow truck. Skipper said no, but we had a strap if he could pull us out. So, long story short, barely missing the pole, the one we had missed originally, they were able to pull us back up on the road. Thank you to everyone involved, including the Man upstairs. From South Fork we drove calmly and alertly down theu the blowing snow to Rock Springs where we entered the freeway. That didn't seem to make much difference, cars were still sliding and off on the side of the road. By time we got to Salt Lake (usually only 8 hours away) we were exhausted so we stopped and spent the night. YESSSSSSS, out of the cold blowing snow. We watched the weather for the rest of the trip and yes, it was grim...but we were committed now. Next morning it was not snowing, with a blizzard predicted around 4pm...so we were going to be driving right into it somewhere. We were driving toward Wendover, NV when Skip noticed a car in the center median then he said there was a body on the ground in front of the vehicle. Immediately, emergent situation kicked into gear and down off the road we went toward the crash. We saw others from the other side of the road stopping and running to the scene. What had happened (short version) the wind caught their little car, flipped it over, throwing the unbelted passenger out of the car thru the passenger window (which had been closed). The driver and passenger, brothers, both in shock. Driver was not hurt, the passenger was in deep shock, freezing lying on the frozen ground. We all gathered up blankets, coats, bed mats and sleeping bags from the camper that stopped. We used the bed mats to try and block the freezing wind. An Army medic stopped, he was on his way home from shift and had his bag with him. Used his hand warmers and stethoscope to check breathing sounds, took pulse and applied the plastic molded neck brace. He continued checking him out while I kept talking to him to get his mind working to help from more shock and make sure if there was a concussion that he would not slip into unconcusness. Because we were "in the middle of nowhere" it took the ambulance over an hour to get there. When they did arrive, the injured was still in shock, had hypothermia but was alive with cuts and bruises and pain in several places. (The next day I called Garret, the driver, to see how his brother John had fared...he said tht in two hours they were both able to walk out of the hospital and get back on their way to California to join their family for Thanksgiving...the paramedics told them if it weren't for all of us, it would have been a very different situation.)
We got back on the road and the strong wind was still blowing. Once we passed Wendover it started snowing again and by the time we reached Wells, we were in another white out. So we stopped at a Subway, ate and watched it blow off. When we could see again we drove to Reno where we had to spend the night as they had closed the road because of the ice and blowing deep snow. The next morning, the snow had stopped, beautiful blue sky and we drove into Donnor Pass into more snow. After we had driven thru the pass, we were out of the snow and that afternoon reached our destination...waaa hooo!

SNOWY SUNDAY

Hello there! It's Sunday afternoon and we are packing up to get on the roa tomorrow morning...don't know how far we will get with all the snow...The forecast is grim...supposed to be lots of road closures...yes, they are the roads we are supposed to take. We are on our way to the West Coast from Wyoming...hummmm, how long will it take..It is usually a one sleep trip. However, with going thru South Pass, WY and then all of Utah and all of Nevada and...don't forget the Donnor Pass...you know where the people got stuck in a bad blizzard and eventually ran out of food... At church this morning, my girlfriend said..."don't forget a lot of snacks so you don't have to start having to eat each other" we laughed...hopefully we will have a lot of laughs on the trip. the Ol Coyote enjoys the journey, not the destination...I enjoy both!! Can we say SHOPPING!!! Can we say GOOD RESTAURANTS!!!! oh yummmmmmmmm.
We are going to my girlfriend's place for Thanksgiving and then Saturday, we are having a 90th birthday party for her dad. He is like my second dad, in fact their whole family is like my second family. As kids, they (the whole family) would take me along when we would go camping and all kinds of stuff. In fact it was Dale (her dad) who inspired my email.."cruella" We all went to see 101 Dalmations "at the drive-in" and once we watched the film, all the way home he was singing cruella De Mille (De Mille being my maiden name) and from then on, I became Cruella.
Now this trip will be anything but dull with everyone who shows up...and the Coyote will not be bored...he has gotten to love them all thru the years. Dale loves guns (need I say more) his son Dana also loves guns. Then Dale flew in WWII and then worked at Lockheed (that's another name young people won't recognize). Thus...airplines, helicopters, etc...so there are lots of subjects that interest a mulltitude of persons...Oh, and if you REALLY want to get things rolling...can we say POLITICS YiKeS!!! head for the hills, it gets nasty with that subject...hahaha.
We of course, love and miss our kids and grandkids, but we've at least gotten to see them once this year and next year is not far off...I hate having our family so spread out! But then, let's face it...Cody, Wyoming doesn't have a lot of job opportunities available. Unless you are in Police work, teaching, banking, attorneys well, you could always be a Wallmart Greeter...lol
OK...gotta really get in gear...three loads of wash done...no packing done...means we have a lot more to do...Please, if you read this...say a prayer for all those on the road and in the sky...fighting for our country; families missing loved ones and really...everyone! At this time of the year are thoughts go to memories of the passed and the things and people that we cherish. Thankful for our many blessings and especially the blessing of life it's self. Hold dear those you love, life is fragile. I'm so thankful for my family and all my friends...especially my best friend that Ol Coyote...Be safe; Be careful; and Be Happy!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!!

CATCHING UP!

HI ALL!! IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME, BUT i FIGURED i WOULD GO HERE. SO MANY THINGS HAVE HAPPENED AND GONE ON SINCE i LAST BLOGGED, SHEESH, WHERE TO START...WELL, HOLY COW, i GUESS i SHOULD START BY SAYING i DON'T REMEMBER HOW TO DO COLORS AND CAPS AND OH WITH...I'M WRITING, THAT'S WHAT COUNTS. LET'S SEE...THE OL COYOTE SOLD THE "POS"...TO GET THE TRUCK...OH, THE TRUCK THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND ANY MONEY ON...LMFAO! OK...IF ANY OF YOU KNOW ME WELL, YOU KNOW MY MIND SKIPS FROM HERE TO THERE, SO THIS MIGHT NOT MAKE MUCH SENSE TO MANY OF YOU...OR THE ONE PERSON THAT READS THIS...

THIS YEAR, WE HAVE GONE CAMPING 4 TIMES, ONE BIG TRIP TO TEXAS FOR LISSI'S GRADUATION AND ANOTHER BIG TRIP TO SEE MY BROTHER AND FAMILY IN LAUGHLIN, THEN ON DOWN THE ROAD TO SEE OUR DAUGHTER AND OUR OTHER THREE BEAUTIFUL GRANDDAUGHTERS.

EMILY, KELLI'S OLDEST (SHE JUST TURNED 15!) IS PLAYING DRUMS IN THE MARCHING BAND AND DOING EXTREMELY WELL. SHE LOOKS LIKE A STRING BEAN WITH THIS MASSIVE BUNCH OF 4 DRUMS HANGING OF HER SHOULDERS IN FRONT OF HER...I'M TOTALLY AMAZED THAT SHE CAN STAND UP, LET ALONE MARCH ALL OVER A FOOTBALL FIELD...CAN WE SAY AWESOME!!! KATE AND ABBY ARE DOING GREAT AND LOVING THE SUCCESS OF THEIR BIG SISTER.

KELLI, OUR DAUGHTER IS BUSY TRYING TO SUPPORT HER THREE GIRLS, PHYSICALLY, SPIRITUALLY AND EDUCATIONALLY..THAT ALONE SHOULD CONSUME HER TIME. BUT NOT OUR GIRL..SHE HAS TO CHALLENGE HERSELF AS WELL. SO, SHE IS STILL DOING HER MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTING WHICH HAS TURNED INTO PROOF READING AND A SALARY HALF OF WHAT SHE WAS MAKING PREVIOUSLY..BUT ALL THE ABOVE HAS NOT KEPT HER MIND AND BODY BUSY ENOUGH, SO SHE HAAS DECIDED THAT SHE NEEDS TO STRETCH A LITTLE FARTHER. career change SHE HAS GONE BACK TO SCHOOL TO BECOME AND "RN"..HOLY CRAP..I WOULD BE IN A RUBBER ROOM WITH ALL THAT GOING ON...BUT SHE IS MANAGING AND MANAGING WELL WITH ABOUT IF NOT A 4.0 AVERAGE.

ALYSSIA (LISSI) AS I CALL HER, HAS ALWAYS WANTED TO BE IN COSMETOLOGY. SHE LOVES FIXING, COLORING AND CUTTING HAIR..SHE DID QUITE A BIT OF SEARCHING TO FIND HE SCHOOL SHE WAS ABLE TO ATTEND. SHE STARTED TWO WEEKS AGO AND IS LOVING IT...SHE BOUGHT HER CAR FROM HER MOM AND STEP-DAD AND IS WORKING TO PAY FOR SCHOOL...SHE IS A BUSY GIRL...I THINK HER SCHEDULE IS, EAT, SLEEP WORK, SCHOOL REPEATED DAILY. SHE MISSES HER SOCIAL LIFE AND PLAYING WITH HER BROTHER AND 2 SISTERS WHOM SHE LOVES VERY MUCH. OH, PLUS THE TWO DOGS AND CAT...

RUSS IS DOING...HE TOO IS HAVING NO SOCIAL LIFE, WORKING AND SLEEPING TAKE UP ALL HIS TIME. HE IS STILL AT DISNEYWORLD, THANK HEAVEN...HE HA BEEN TESTING FOR OTHER POSITIONS WITHIN THE COMPANY AND DOING WELL ON HIS INTERVIEWS..IN FACT, BOTH THE POSITIONS HE INTERVIEWED FOR, WANT HIM..MORE STRESS FOR THE KID. THANK HEAVEN HE HAS NIKKI TO TALK WITH WHEN HE GETS HOME FROM WORK. NIKKI IS HIS DOG. HE ALSO HAS HIS ROOM MATE (WHEN SHE IS THERE) TO TALK WITH. JD ALSO WORKS FOR DISNEY, SO THEY CAN COMMISERATE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON. JD HAS WORKED THERE LONGER SO SHE CAN (TRY) TO EXPLAIN WHY THINGS WORK THE WAY THEY DO. I'M SO GLAD HE HAS HER FOR A ROOMMATE, THEY GET ALONG REALLY WELL AND IT HELPS ME TO RELAX SOME..THAT HE HAS SOMEONE SINCE HE IS SO FAR AWAY. THANK HEAVEN RUSS HAS MEDICAL INS. BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN HAVING A LOT OF MEDICAL PROBLEMS THIS YEAR ALONG WITH HIS TEETH...HE COMES BY IT THRU THE GENES...UNFORTUNATELY BUT, WE ALL HAVE OUR TRIALS...

I GUESS I SHOULD STOP AND LET YOU CATCH YOUR BREATH BEFORE I GO ON ABOUT SKIPPER AND ME. I DO WANT TO SAY, HOWEVER THAT WE HAVE LOST A LOT OF OUR LOVED FRIENDS, RELATIVES AND A PET THIS YEAR...NOT HAPPY...WE MISS OUR BELOVED FAMILY MEMBER, OUR ROTTWIELLER, DAYSEE MAE WHO DIED FROM BRAIN CANCER. AND, OUR COUSIN (CAN'T USE ANY ADJECTIVES TO ADAQUITLY DESCRIBE HOW MUCH WE LOVED AND APPRECIATED HER) COLLEEN MEANT SO MUCH TO US AND WERE MORE THAN SHOCKED WHEN WE LOST HER TO A HEART ATTACK. IN TALKING WITH HER KIDS..ONE OF HER SONS SAID "I THOUGHT WE HAD A GOOD 20 YEARS LEFT" AND WE ALL FELT THAT WAY...GOOD GRIEF, SHE ATE WELL, EXERCISED, DID EVERYTHING HEALTHY AND BAM...GONE...I'M STILL IN DENIAL.

OK, I SAID I WOULD STOP...HOPEFULLY I WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE MY BLOG, I NEED ANOTHER OUTLET FROM FACE BOOK, I LOVE PLAYING AND TALKING ON FACE BOOK BUT SOMETIMES THERE IS NOTHING MORE FRUSTRATION WHEN THE APPS DON'T WORK.....OK OK, I'M REALLY GOING TO QUIT NOW..HAVE A GREAT DAY...TA TA (SORRY ABOUT THE MISSPELLINGS)

"ABRA CADABRA"

i KNEW IT WOULDN'T LAST FOREVER....THE pos IS GONE, TRADED IN FOR THE NEW bost. THE OL' COYOTE HAS BEEN DRIVING ME CRAZY ABOUT A DIESEL TRUCK....i hate diesel...HAVE I EVER MENTIONED THAT? ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME, KNOWS I HATE DIESEL TRUCKS. THEY STINK!!! WELL, THE INEVITABLE HAS HAPPENED. THIS "animal" IS SPOILED ROTTEN. HE FINALLY GOT HIS TRUCK. IT'S NOT NEW...but new to him. HE'S IN PIG HEAVEN. WHEN WE SIGNED THE PAPERS FOR THE LOAN, I know I WILL NEVER SEE MUCH OF HIM FOR A WHILE.

HERE IN WYOMING, YOU CAN ALWAYS TELL WHO IS HOLDING UP TRAFFIC BECAUSE IT IS SOME OLD GUY IN A DIESEL TRUCK WITH HIS DOG IN THE FRONT SEAT, instead of his wife...OH, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE EQUATION...HE'S WEARING A COWBOY HAT. THE COYOTE WON'T HAVE THE COWBOY HAT...

I GUESS IT'S REALLY ALL MY FAULT. THE BUYER'S GUIDE CAME IN THE MAIL AND I DIDN'T GRAB IT FAST ENOUGH. HE HAD BEEN LOOKING AT THIS TRUCK FOR QUITE A WHILE BUT THERE WAS NO WAY WE COULD AFFORD IT. until now...THE STUPID DEALER TOOK $4,000 OFF THE PRICE AND THEN WHEN THE COYOTE DROVE IN HIS LITTLE pos, HE GAVE HIM $2,500 AS TRADE IN....MAN, YOU JUST CAN'T DEPEND ON ANYONE THESE DAYS!!! SO NOW WE HAVE ANOTHER MONTHLY PAYMENT OF $240. FOR THE NEXT 36 MONTHS. WITH 228,000 MILES ON THIS THING...I BET WE END UP HAVING TO PAY A LOT MORE THAN THAT BEFORE THE THREE YEARS ARE UP...i wonder if walmart is hiring....

OK, I'VE VENTED...NOW TOMORROW I GET TO GO TO K-MART AND BUY ME SOME NEW $5.00 T-SHIRTS, SO I CAN THROW MY 15 YEAR OLD T-SHIRTS AWAY....SOMEONE TELL ME WHEN THIS ALL STOPS. THEY SAY WOMAN ALWAYS SPEND ALL THE MONEY SHOPPING....I GUESS THEY HAVE NEVER SURVEYED THIS HOUSEHOLD...BUT THEN WHY WOULD THEY...THIS IS WYOMING, NO ONE HAS EVER EVEN HEARD OF THIS PLACE....YOU have a nice day.

GOOD NEWS!!!

ok...THIS WILL BE SHORT, BUT i WANTED TO LET THE PEOPLE THAT READ THIS, KNOW THAT, MY HEALTH TESTS ( THREE mri'S, EXRAYS AND ONE EMG) ARE OVER AND i AM NOT IN AS BAD A SHAPE AS WAS FIRST THOUGHT....(i GUESS THAT IS REALLY A MATTER OF OPINION) aNYWAY, i DO HAVE MODERATE TO SEVERE cARPEL TUNNEL AND WILL HAVE SURGERY AS SOON AS CAN BE SCHEDULED. tHEN, MY NECK HAS GOTTEN WORSE, SO WE HAVE TO DO ANOTHER SURGICAL PROCEEDURE ON IT. tHE SPACE BETWEEN DISCS 3 & 4 (CERVICAL SPINE) HAVE CLOSED DOWN TO ONLY 70% OF NORMAL. tHE SURGEON SAYS THAT THE SPINAL CORD IS BEING PINCHED ENOUGH THAT WE ARE IN THE "RED ZONE" AND THE SURGERY IS NEEDED NOW. sO, SINCE THE NECK IS FROM AN OLD WORK INJURY, WE HAVE TO GO THRU wORKER'S cOMP TO GET AUTHORIZATION. tHAT COULD TAKE UP TO ??? iT ALL DEPENDS ON WHO GETS THE CASE AND WHO SAYS YAY OR NAY. iF IT COMES BACK NAY, THEN IT HAS TO BE APPEALED AND APPEALED UNTIL SOMEONE DECIDES THAT i SHOULD BE SAVED. iT'S REALLY FRUSTRATING WHEN i HAVE A SIGNED AWARD FROM A JUDGE THAT i AM COVERED FOR ALL MEDICAL ON MY NECK FOR LIFE...AND THEN i HAVE TO GET APPROVAL FROM SOME "DOCTOR" FOR A NEEDED SURGERY. tHE LAST TIME i HAD TO GET THE APPROVAL FOR THE FIRST NECK SURGERY, THEY WENT THRU 4 DIFFERENT DOCTORS, NONE OF WHICH WERE ORTHOPEDICS OR NEUROSURGEONS.

wELL, THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT i DO NOT HAVE THE CUBITEL TUNNEL PROBLEM. (THAT'S INVOLVING THE NERVE FROM THE ELBOW THRU THE FOREARM). sO NO SURGERY ON THAT. aND THE SHOULDER HAS TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE NECK, SO THAT ONE IS ON HOLD FOR A WHILE. iT LOOKS LIKE i WILL HAVE A GOOD SUMMER AFTER ALL. i WON'T HAVE TO SPEND ALL OF IT IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL OR THERAPY.
aLSO, i WILL BE ABLE TO TYPE MORE-AGAIN, WITHOUT IT HURTING. THAT WILL REALLY BE WONDERFUL! ok...GOTTA GO FOR NOW....HOPE ALL IS GOING WELL FOR YOU...CIAO

April - 26...THIRTY years!!!

OMG!!! We have been married for thirty years...actually we have been together for 36 years....that's almost 40 years...geeeze, how can that be...I'm only 37!!! I guess that doesn't wash anymore since we have a 40 something and a thirty something kid....hummmm, how can I get around this...well, how about, we don't act over about 21....does that get it???

We took the day off and went for a great ride...I took some pictures, but they didn't turn out, so you will just have to use your imagination...ON THE SCENERY... We went up into the big horn mountains. They are really pretty. (I had to take a motion sickness pill, they are really windy, burp, pardon me.) Skipper wanted to show me where he and Bob and Fred go ATVing. We went to a "city" named Shell (pop. of 50) and the place is gorgeous, really packed with big green pines and it was snowing with snow on the ground. I don't know where the "50" people lived, I couldn't even count 5 homes. Oh well, I guess they like being secluded. Anyway, we tried to go see the Shell Falls, but of course, the road was closed because of the snow. If they hadn't had a bar across the road, the ol' coyote would have taken us up to the falls anyway...After Shell we continued on the wINdy ROad and went into Burgess Junction. Really pretty...the mountains are really big and the valley waaaaaay below was so breathtaking, wow, you could see forever. We were so high it was like we were looking out of an aircraft window...awesome!

Since we were so far from home...and I didn't want to go home the way we just drove, we decided to go into Sheridan. It is a city that shows on the map as a medium sized city. Well, I don't think Wyoming has BIG towns. I was really dissappointed. Sheridan didn't even seem as nice as Cody and I thought it was supposed to have restaurants, shopping, maybe a MALL!!! NOTHING!!! There was nothing there...so we stopped and got gas at a Maverik and I got a bag of fritos to stave off the hunger...Let me tell you, even the ol' coyote ate some of those fritos (he doesn't like them) we were pretty hungry. Finally we got on the freeway and we were 124 miles from Billings, MT and we live 2 hours from Billings. Soooooo, we got to Billings at 1730 and ate at one of my favs, The Texas Roadhouse, boy....was it good! Then we got home about 2100...it was a long day, but a great one, it was so nice to just get away...

DUH...I forgot the pictures!

APRIL 15TH TEA PARTY

Better late than never. Can you believe that Cody, Wyoming really had it's very own Tea Party???? Even in the snow. There were about 500 people that came out to protest high taxes and the bailouts and all that kind of stuff. I don't usually post political stuff, but, this is just going to far. People have to blame other people and everyone is "pushing the buck" and it's just getting really bad. The fore fathers of our country could never have seen what was going to happen on down the line. Especially when they sacrificed so much leaving "their country" to come here to begin a "Free" country. Wow, it is just mind boggling. Ok, enough of the soap box...

It's been so long since I blogged, I wrote a note about all the things we have done and what I needed to tell you, but, I have lost the note. So, here I sit, trying to rack my brain. Really, we have been busy...Part of the busy schedule has had to do with me and my neck, and "the city" worker's comp claim for me. It's a long story, so I won't bore you with all the cwap we have been dealing with. Suffice to say, my neck has been bothering me, so I made a follow-up appointment to see the doctor. In order to see the doc, we had to go have 2 MRIs one on the cervical spine and one for the thorasic spine. My cervical is getting worse. They fused discs 5 & 6 to 7 now, 3 & 4 have gotten worse. First I need to have physical therapy (which I detest) then I'm supposed to get another epidural. Well, phone call after phone call, fax after fax...we are still waiting for "the powers that be" to "allow" this to happen...I just wish one of "the powers that be" would understand how hurting is so debilitating; and, that time means something.

Uh oh, I think I published before I was done...maybe that was a hint...oh well, I guess I should go. It is snowing again, you know, I think this April has been snowyer than any month this winter, er, um, spring? Oh well, I love the snow it keeps the temperature down...lol.

With Spring starting, the ditch has been turned on, so the Ol' Coyote is back to the irrigation ditch work again. His busy season is beginning. The lawn maintenance and he is going to be planting another area of grass, plus working on the pipes and getting all the equipment ready.

Oh, I know one of the reasons we have been busy, we are becoming CERTS...no, not the candy, it's a part of Homeland Security. I gotta go for now, but I will follow up on this topic next blog....stay healthy, happy and outa trouble....ciao

SPRING IN CODY

This is what spring in Cody looks like...here it is the 9th of April and we got about 4" of snow, and still coming down...I'm sorry, but I love it!!! Usually to be sure we will not have another freeze and kill all the pretty flowers, we don't plant until after the first week of June...crazy, huh. It's really not that cold right now, it's 32. Usually it's in the teens.

Wow, two months since I posted, my bad...We just got back from our annual Oklahoma trip and I must say, I really hated to leave. We had so much fun!!! Here in Cody, you forget what it's like to really play. We had so much fun going to the malls, eating at real restaurants, like P.F. Changes and he Cheesecake Factory and going to Sams.....oh, so much fun. We played by day and enjoyed our trinkets by night....and Ms. OK fixes the best food, we had chicken and dumplings, breakfast burritos...and we bought shrimp and steak that she and bob fixed....best dinner anywhere....oh man, I'm slobbering just thinking about all that great food...lol. They had fixed their house different from the last time we were there and it looked so much bigger. Bob built a deck off the kitchen that is really great...great for bbqing and just sitting and watching the world go by. Ms. OK got a dinning room set from her mom that was so nice, it really looked great. And the front room was all different, looking really smart. But, the best place was MWH's bedroom. Poor thing, she always allows us to use her bedroom. They had completely re-done her room from the paint to the windows, to the bed and curtains. It looks like a (young adult) princess lives there. Anyway, we were way comfortable. And, even Bob had some new digs. He now has a huge shop. He can park the atvs and the truck plus have plenty of room to work on them in the same bldg.

The time is ticking and I have many more things to accomplish today, so I better leave it at this and just be more diciplined and blog more often, then I don't have to rack my brain at things I should have done...it's funny tho, I will be doing something or seeing something and I think, oh I will have to blog about that..then, by time I get to the computer, it's gone...I forgot what it was that was so exciting or fun....I think I have "oldtimers"...gotta work on that....Have a great day while I stay warm and enjoy my falling snow....ciao

ANIMAL LOVERS

Watching animals really cracks me up. There are some people who are stricktly dog lovers and some who are stricktly cat lovers. Or, there are those who only like birds, or only fish, etc. Actually I am just a plain animal lover, I love them all. Living here in Wyoming, you get to see all kinds of animals and they are all beautiful in their own right. The Ol' Coyote thinks the Canadian Geese are mixed up because they seem to be flying west instead of going south, but who knows. Maybe they know something we don't. We have so many geese and ducks and birds around here. The ducks are really funny in the lakes. When the lake is frozen, there are very few freezing their little feather covered butts. But, when the lake starts to thaw, it's hysterical. There are hundreds of ducks scrunched up together trying to get into the water. It just amazes me that they don't freeze to death out there in that freezing cold water and ice. It's like the horses, I feel badly when some of the owners just leave them out in the snow and don't put blankets on them, or bring them in to the barn, or at least in a lean-to. But, I guess it doesn't bother them too much, but then why do some people do it and others don't, hummmm, makes you wonder. the deer and antelope don't get special treatment, they are left to survive on their own, so I guess nature just takes it's course. But, you should see the Buffalo...they are really mangy looking. Their coats are half molting, then the snow...yuck, it's gross. But they still survive. Beside the snow, the winds out here are really strong. You have to make peace with the wind or it will drive you nuts. The Ol' Coyote is not partial to the wind.
Well, the reason I began this rambling is because, I just love animals. We have a rottwieller named daysee and a 4 month old kitty named nosee. They are so funny alone, and even funnier together. Nosee plays coy and like she doesn't want Daysee to play with her. Then while Daysee is sleeping, Nosee comes up and sniffs her paws, bites her ears and licks her head. Daysee is not allowed on a certain part of the rug and Nosee knows just where that line is. She stretches out and preens herself, daring Daysee to "cross that line". Sometimes, she does, even if she gets yelled at, it's sooooo worth it. They are starting to play together longer and more, so we are hoping that they will become very close...we think they will. I included some of the latest pictures to show the progress...

HAPPY NEW YEAR (a little late)

Gosh, I can't believe it's been since December 15th that I blogged. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Have things changed for you? hummmm, not much change around here. The wind is still blowing I mean, like a gale ( except for today). This is the first day in the last two weeks that it didn't sound like a freight train going thru the front yard. We got snow Sunday night, so it was beautiful when we got up this morning. It's so funny when it snows. Our property looks like a road map. With all the bunny prints all over the place. They hop in every direction.

Can you believe that it is 2009??? geeeze, where does the time go. Did you make any resolutions? Not me...I have goals that I want to accomplish, but no "resolutions".

I watched the Golden Globes last night and was really sad about some of the winners. I didn't see slumdogs and I have no desire to see it, but, I felt that some of the awards it got should have been given to others. I was really pleased that Heath Ledger got the best supporting actor award. I think that was my highlight. I still have some of the shows to see, before the Academy Awards.

This Saturday (the 17th) we have a "Murder Mystery" to attend and be part of. I'm really excited. It's called a night of mystery in Deadwood. The site is
www.nightofmystery.com/deadwood_extras.htm
The Coyote and I are Montgomery Money and Elizabeth Money and we have a debutant daughter named Minnie Money. We have info about each of us and then when we get to the "Saloon" we will get an envelope with more clues and then later in the evening, we will get another envelope and the murder and the victim will find out who they will be. I'll have to let you know how this turns out. I don't want to get to excited about it because, on Halloween, we were invited to a murder mystery at one of the big hotels here and it was a real bust. So, I have to think positive and not get too excited.

Other than the above, my kitty "nosee" is doing well, she is sooooooooo funny, I have to get some pictures of her playing with Daysee (our rottweiller), they are getting close. When Daysee gets put out in the morning, Nosee sits at the glass door and watches her and tries to talk to her....it's really cute.

At the beginning of this new year, already I have sad news and good news. My sad news is about Jane Watanabe. She is a really sweet, wonderful woman who passed away in Glendora, CA on Jan 2. I will miss her. The happy news is that one of my friends who lives in Oregon, I call her "Manda Jane", is expecting. I don't remember when she is due, but I'm so excited for her and Dom, her husband. The other good news is that my friend Sandie got engaged!!!! Yaaaa, I'm so excited for her and Matthew. They set their date for the 6th of March at the Manti, Utah LDS Temple. What a way to begin the new year....

I hope you all had great experiences over Christmas and New Years . It is my wish that this year will find us all, healthy, happy and full of new adventures....

Brrrrrrr

I feel like Nanook of the North. We don't usually have this cold of weather this early. It got down to 20 below last night and it didn't get above -5 all day. The snow is still on the ground. Being from California, there are many things to discover about the snow and the cold. First off, you don't go out the front door barefooted with no sweater or jacket. That's a biggie. The first thing the ol Coyote noticed (now this may be gross to some of you, others will just consider the source and laugh)BUT....I guess you just have to go with the "redneck" - you can tell how cold it is by how fast your nose hairs freeze...no comment.

The snow up here is gorgeous. It is very dry, so it actually looks like styrofoam but sparkles. Today I was looking out the window and it looked like sparkle dust flying thru the air. It's beautiful. Also, because it's so cold and dry, when you walk on the snow it sounds like you are walking on broken glass. And if you walk on a "welcome mat" it feels like you are walking on wood, not something that is soft. It's really neat to find new things. The lakes are all frozen over; we were surprised that there were no ice fisherman out. That's another site I had not seen before we moved up here. It's funny to see little tents sitting on top of a frozen lake.

Well, now for the not so happy things. The Ol Coyote had put up with Dish Network long enough. (It goes out constantly and we have all sorts of problems since they took away the east and west feeds and gave us the Billings stations, grrrrr, what a disaster). Soooo, since Direct TV was running a special, I caved and said ok to changing the companies. WELL...we had our Direct put in on Friday and Saturday morning we lost the signal...no tv...until... the soonest they can get someone out here will be this Thursday....AND, not only that, we don't get any of the network stations, i.e. ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CW, PBS...are you ready for that????? And this is supposed to be better??? What is wrong with his brain....I'm convinced he is losing it. Sometimes he is such a loveable guy, but sometimes!!!! Now we are stuck in a two year contract with these people....I'm doomed. More movies, that's all....more movies. sheeesh! Today, the Ol Coyote went up on top of the shop roof to take the TWO dish network dishes down, so Thursday, when Direct shows up again, we can have the guy put the dish down lower so it is not sticking up at the roof top catching all the wind and snow....they grow them different out here...

Christmas in ten days, wow...how the time flies, I don't know where November went and soon we will be changing the year's calendar. We have been practicing for the Ward Christmas party, we have to sing the opening song, then we have to sing a little later in the program, after we have a nice ham dinner, then Santa will come....We are also practicing diligently for the Sunday Christmas program. So, we have been busy. I didn't make the cookie exchange or the ornament exchange, I just couldn't get into it this year. We won't be doing Christmas cards this year either, cutting back with the money situation. Being on a fixed income and hoping our retirement doesn't run out before we do can get really exciting.

Daysee got in trouble today, she broke her hook on her cable and ran out in front of a car (there was only one for miles) so Coyote got really upset with her. Then there's nosee, the cat. Daysee can't stand for her to be in the room without chasing her until she leaves the area for her safe house. With all the running over furniture, yelling, "Get off the table" "sit, Daysee" "I said, sit!" Oh it's so much fun around here. Sometimes I wish I was the deaf one...well, on that note, I guess I will sign off, we are going to see "The Day the Earth Stood Still" tonight, so gotta get ready...stay warm and happy....

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!

It's been a while since I have posted and not much has gone on. I was sick for 3 1/2 weeks and am finally feeling better. Out of the forest, but not in the clearing. I still have that hacky cough and sore throat. Yes...I did go to the doctor and was on antibiotics, thank you for your concern.

Night before last it snowed and the land is still covered with the snow. That is very unusual here as it is usually blowing so hard that our dry snow is gone the next day. It's really beautiful. It really gives you a sense of Christmas. The shoppers are all bundled up and carrying their packages and bustling to the next shop. It's so fun to watch. The lights are all up in the city and the homes are decorating one by one. I love Christmas time. The lights are so bright, they sparkle and remind me of all the stars in the sky. Can't you just imagine at the time of Jesus' birth, with no smog and no huge buildings to block the sky how bright the stars were....living in the country (well, maybe desert) where it's so dark, it is really beautiful seeing all the stars. I even got to see the Trident Triangle the other night, it was great.

This is also one of the busiest times of the year. Our church has so many things going on, you hardly have time to breathe. We have a womens Holiday luncheon/Ornament exchange, then we have a Christmas Cookie exchange, then we have the Ward Christmas party for the youth and the adults...this year they will even have a visit from Santa. Normally, we concentrate on the real Christmas values, with the birth of Christ. This activities chairwoman has decided that we will share both at the same party. This will be interesting, but fun for the children. Then there is the Christmas choir, we practice for the December 21st performance...whew, I hardly have time to vaccuum...

Speaking of which, I got a new vaccuum....I LOVE IT!!! I always thought the dyson guy was a bunch of hype and never considered it. We had a Hoover Wind Tunnel and it was crap. The belts kept sliding off and burning, uck, terrible smell, plus it was heavy and loud. We went vaccuum shopping (under duress from the ol' coyote) and we spent 2 hours looking at vaccuums...I hate shopping. Anyway, the sales lady convinced Mr. Coyote that the dyson was the best. She had - are you ready for this- 18 cats, all living inside the house...and a husband! Anyway, she just raved about this machine and how it sucked not only the carpet, but clear down thru the pad. Ok, Ok...fine, spend the money (gulp) get the stupid machine, let's just go...so of course we got "the animal" and brought it home. The Ol' coyote had to try it. so we had just vaccuumed with the wind tunnel, so now we put this thing together and start. We started in the bedroom, the path from the bathroom (where the cat has all her stuff) and went to the end of the bed. It was unbeliveable. It filled the canister!!! and, it's a big canister. Talk about amazing, I would definetly recommend the Dyson to anyone. We filled (ok, I'm embarrased to say) 6 canisters by time we were done with the house. Totally unbeliveable...

Ok, I guess I have bored you long enough, I'm starving, time for lunch...gotta go, hope your day is bright and shiney...TTFN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

today being November 1st, it's my birthday. Guess what I got...something I have been wanting for a long time....a new kitty!
she's 8 weeks old a tabby long hair (not the ideal situation with my asthma, but I will live with it) She's such a lover. Today we bonded for about 2/3 hours. We named her Tabatha and we call her Tabee....I know, not very original, but with my brain, it works.
Tonight, we are going to dinner with our friends, Fred & gail. We have a lot of laughs with them. He is so funny and she is such a lady. But a fun down to earth lady...if you know what I mean. Living here in Cody, there aren't a lot of choices for a "nice" meal...but there is a Ribs & Chops restaurant that is pretty nice, so we have reservations. I guess I will leave this for now, I still have to tell you about our disappointing Halloween party, but no time now. Enjoy the pictures of Tabee.

BYU WON IT!

hI TO ALL, THIS HAS BEEN A REALLY SLOW DAY. tHE WEATHER OUTSIDE CAN'T DECIDE WHAT TO DO EXCEPT BLOW! IT'S CLOUDY LIKE RAIN, TOO WARM TO SNOW (50'S) I think we should be getting all the rain that the wind keeps blowing away. we could use the moisture.

Saturday is my football day and it's been an exciting one. of course the ol' coyote doesn't like watching football or baseball, so he took a nap. The BYU game was really a nail biter. So was the Penn state win....there were also some other exciting ones. I think I'm worse than a lot of the guys, I flip between games and watch 3 or 4 at a time. Then, third game of the world series, being delayed over an hour and a half, due to rain, and boy, was it coming down! sheesh, the poor people on the east coast, it's gonna be a long night for them. i know i'm hoping against hope, but i would love to see tampa bay win, it would be so cool.

coyote's nap was not because he was bored, uh huh, he says it was because the flu shot got to him. hmmm, ok, i know it was because he was bored and it was cold in the house. Usually when we get up he starts a fire to take the chill off the house, but since we left early today to get our flu shots from the hospital, there was no fire. we are holding off as long as possible to use the gas for heat. Since we have the wood, it's cost effective to use that until it gets so cold we need the gas. it's 9:30 at night and the temp outside is still 54 degrees (that's really warm for this time of night.) Inside it's 63, so it's a little cool, but not bad.

this post seems to be a little boring, too, so, i guess i will sign off. Tomorrow is church, so i need to get ready for that...and finish watching the baseball game, dang, the rays just got out for the end of the fourth...hopefully they will get some more runs tonight...

Oh, i have to bring your attention to the quilt i posted to the right. the picture really doesn't do it justice. it is just gorgeous. the way colleen did it-it just pops. the colors really come out. she has such a knack for creating quilt patterns out of nothing. i gave her the stars and the rest of the material they were made from and bam! she created something out of nothing...gotta love her and her talent. i would have never gotten it done.

ok, speaking of done...ciao

CONFUSING STUFF

The Ol' Coyote is up to it again...He has this very good friend who needed a new air compressor. Coyote wants a different kind of air compressor, so he tells John that he would sell him his and then they would both be happy because John would have a (practically) new one and coyote could go get the one he wants. S*N*A*G...the Coyote is known for "buying high; give away"...
so goes the story. Now the coyote needs over twice as much money as he got for his perfectly good air compressor, to replace it with the one he wants. welcome to my world!
Another fly in the ointment. Last night coyote was coming home from a meeting and the lights on his "car" went black. The Tach stopped working and he barely made it home. He had to have a friend follow him just to make sure. Well, the alternator died....so...before he can get his air compressor, he must get - and install- a new alternator...Luckily, in his journeys today, he was able to find and buy the alternator, so, tomorrow will probably be a "fixit" day.
Changing the subject...There was a large article in our newspaper about this gal who is getting married and moving to Canada. She is a rescuer of cats. She needs to find homes for 43 cats. the coyote knows how badly I want a new kitty, so he had me call and find out about them. We may be getting two instead of one. She has two siamese that are really bonded...if I were to take only one, I would be dealing with depression (as if I don't have enough of that on my own) and possibly other difficulties. So, we will have to see what happens. We will either go tonight to see them or tomorrow. I'm really apprehensive because I get so emotional over this kind of stuff, so we will have to see what happens. Well, we went last night and OMG, I have never seen so many cats all at one time in one place. I was overwhelmed. Anyway, I would have loved to take the one siamese, but I couldn't have taken them both because "Katie" had longer hair and shed sooooooooo badly that my asthma was terrible, just holding her. My eyes became swollen and itchy, it was awful. So, needless to say, we walked away with no one, I just couldn't split them up, they were so close. Another time, It will happen someday, I will get a new kitty...
And, now, I have saved the best for last. I have the most fun and beautiful grandchildren!!! I keep begging for pictures so I can brag about them, but the pictures are hard to come by. So, this is what I've got for now. Our oldest grandaughter, Alyssia got to go to her first Homecoming this year. Aren't they cute, Daniel is her date. Then we have Em, ABbs and Kate. They went to a "trunk or treat" party for church and I have a picture of them there (also, I sneeked in one of our daughter; I know she is gonna kill me, but, she has to get a hold of me first.) and a picture from the Arizona fair. They are changing too. Emily is really becoming a beautiful young lady. She still has her braces, only to enhance her beauty...and...now she has contacts, so no more glasses. You can actually see her pretty face. Abbs and Kate..we refer to as the "little girls" but they aren't being so little anymore. They are really growing and showing their own personalities. We have an adopted grandchild (adopted by love, not by law) who lives in Oklahoma, we don't get to see her anymore than we get to see the others. Actually, we get to see her more than our oldest. Anyway, Kaitlyn (whose picture is with the grandchildren) is also becoming a beautiful young woman. She has also been able to loose the glasses and is now wearing contacts. She was going to a wedding, so she got to get her hair done...I love the curls, it's really pretty. Somehow, I don't see the curls on the back of an ATV...lol

SNOW SATURDAY

WaHoo....it's snowing. There is one thing you can bet on when you live in Wyoming. That is, sometime in the first week of October it will be snowing. At least, in the last seven years that we have been here, that has been the case. It's 25 degrees and the snow has been sideways for a while. The little table and chairs are on our rear deck. It looks like a big cake on the table, I just love it when the snow does that. The forcast in Billings, MT is 25 inches by the end of tomorrow. We are only supposed to get 9", but I will really be surprised if we get that. They always over exaggerate for Cody. The Park gets most of it. We will see what tomorrow will bring.
Tonight we are going to Don and Sid's place for stew. We are bringing the apple pie and ice cream. There is just nothing like eating ice cream while it is snowing outside....lol
Other than that, I guess the afternoon (what's left of it) will just be left to watching football. Weber State and Montana State are playing in Bozeman ... in the snow...now that's messy! But it is a good game for the first half. Hope your day is going well, stay happy!