More news

Well, happy day. Today we found out what really happened to Martin. It was  very strange but there was a reason after all AND, it turned out to be medical and not emotional. ( With Crohns you never know ). However, it turned out that he had a uric acid stone because of the medication he is on for Crohns. I was so relieved because that means that there is something they can do about it. AND, this is important, it didn't have anything to do with too much stress,  our children, me, or anything that has to do with day to day living!  Crohns is a horrible disease for both the person who has it as well as for all those involved with  the person who has it. Does any of this make any sense? I guess you have to know our situation to really know, but I am relieved!

An Up Date

Yesterday Martin was back in the hospital. He has a kidney stone and a mild inflammation of the bowel as a result of Crohns Disease. On Wednesday he will go back for a CT Scan to determine just how far the Crohns has progressed. He is at home now and it is difficult since he is in a lot of pain and will be until he passes the kidney stone. Chronic illness is just no fun for all involved. His pain is our pain and  everyone suffers along with Martin. Church was hard because we always have to act like everything is good and nobody really cares anyway! Not being sarcastic or anything and I'm not bitter and I even taught my Relief Society lesson, but just by rote and not really feeling anything. I'm glad I'm an experienced teacher and can "act" the part. Well, keep us in your prayers!!!

Goodbye Delaney - A Tribute to My Grandchildren!

We are getting ready to take Delaney to the airport. Her stay has come to an end and I'm really going to miss her! She has been so delightful, willing to help, polite, smart..... I could go on and on She even started violin so I got her a violin to take home and she is doing very well already! I just have to say that I have awesome grandchildren!! Each one of the 6 has unique personalities, wonderful  qualities and I feel so blessed to have them!!! Of course they have WONDERFUL parents!! I have been blessed beyond measure with the choices my children have made for their eternal companions. Thanks for sharing your children with me!!!! Each of you are welcome here any time. Just let me know!!!!

A Wonderful Evening!

Saturday night I attended the Chamber of Commerce Banquet - The Spice of Life Awards and was honored as Gilroys 2008 Educator of the Year! It was the most wonderful night of my life! I can't even describe how awesome it was!! I was so honored and thrilled that some of my family were there: my son Franz and his wife Serena, my sister Suzie, my husband Martin, my best friend Bevan , and many teachers from Antonio del Buono School and Gavilan Hills Academy where I teach. So many good friends! It meant soooooooooo much to me to see the people I love the best and work with at the dinner. I really was surprised at myself for caring so much but I really did. Some of my grandchildren were waiting at home with Cassie - Delaney, who has been staying with us for awhile and bringing lots of sunshine to our house!., MaCall and Eloise - they always make us smile, laugh and be happy too. What a weekend!!!! I wish they could have attended but it was strictly adults and I could see why - lots of booze all night long! But it was glorious! All I can say is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!

BLECH, BLECH and BLECH!!!!!!

Have you ever eaten a quail egg???? DON'T!

Homemade Bread

My days have been made much better since I bought Martin a Bread Maker for Christmas! There is nothing like fresh cinnamon bread after school and eaten when a student doesn't show up! That's what I'm doing now!

I'm also reflecting on my grandson Hunter who will turn 14 on Thursday!!!! I can't believe it!! I was fortunate enough to be present at his birth and count that as one of my life changing experiences. I love you Hunter! You are such a stellar young man and I'm so proud of all your accomplishments. I wish I could be there for your next advancement in the Priesthood!

Delaney, I'm looking forward to having you here next week!! We are excited and will do some fun things while you are here.

As the Awards Banquet gets nearer, I'm getting rather nervous. I have to speak and I just hope I don't cry!! But if you know me at all, you know that I get KIND OF emotional when I talk about my programs! OOPS, a student just got here so I have to go!

The Blessings of Sunday

Today I'm really grateful that I was brought up to attend all my meetings NO MATTER WHAT! Probably you don't know, but I've been suffering with depression for some time now and quite literally I have to drag myself from pillar to post most days. It seems like a huge effort to even smile and act like I'm okay, yet I do because there really isn't anything the matter. That said, today was no different and this morning at 6:00 a m. I REALLY wanted to go back to sleep, forget Ward Choir ( for which I'm responsible ) and JUST SLEEP!! But no!! I got up and got us to Church by 8:00 a m. and had such a wonderful surprise. Now let me back up a bit. Years ago when I had friends in the ward, we got acquainted with Dave and Shannon Perez. They are Franz and Serena's age and we hit it off very well and had lots of good times with them until they moved to Utah 8 years ago. In fact, they left one month before Martin's emergency and although we spoke many times via phone, we never saw them again! Until today and there they were with 3 more children, ( 2 we had known ) and one on the way. They had traveled quite a bit, he graduated from Harvard, and now they are on their way back to Utah.

I was so happy to see them!! It made me so happy, just to talk to them and talk about times past! Although we may not see them again soon or ever, it was like seeing someone I love and that is a good feeling!

So today I'm grateful that I listened to my Mom and fought that feeling of  despair! There really is a reason for everything!!

Educator of the Year
Gilroy, Ca


Congratulations mom! You are awesome!

Love,
Your Family

New Year Happiness for all!

Happy New Year!

We are home again from beautiful So. Cal. where most of the Family resides. Every time I come home it is difficult since I miss everyone so much. This time it was no different!!! I LOVE my home! I Hate seeing my Dad blind and it is heart wrenching to leave my adult children and my grandchildren and I feel that I NEVER have enough time with any of them. So, what to do???? I just don't know. Just keep plodding along in hopes that someday I will be closer to you all! Since I'm pretty sure that only family members read my blog, I just want to say that I really love and miss you ALL!

Christie is quite sick now and Michael left this afternoon for Costa Mesa. The rest of us are well and it is FREEZING today!! Cassie and I are going to see Doubt tonight while Martin stays home with Christie. 

Have a Happy New Year and know that I LOVE YOU!!!!!

The Christmas Frenzy

Today we have our last Concert of the season and then we CELEBRATE! Lots to celebrate. Mainly that Martin is doing well and his Crohns Disease is in remission. He  is working hard and enjoying it and that is really worth celebrating! I signed a contract with the School District and in these hard economic times that is worth celebrating as well! While many Music teachers have lost their jobs, the GUSD saw fit to keep the Violin Program and I am happy about that!

But the biggest thing to celebrate is that we are able to be with FAMILY this Christmas! There is NOTHING more important than family and I'm excited to be with mine during the Holidays. First with Heidi, Franz and all theirs!! It has been too long since we have all been together and I'm looking forward to every moment. Then off to Arizona for a Heywood Reunion. I haven't seen my Aunts and Uncles for years and it will be wonderful to see everyone. When we get back to California, we plan to go see my Dad. So all in all, it will be fun. Not that I enjoy sitting in a car for long hours, but the end result will be worth the ride!

Love to all and Happy Holidays!

What Not To Wear

...oh and another thing. I'm really not sure who of my family reads this, but if you do read this I would like to enlist your help. Please consider yourself invited over to my house to go through my clothes with me. I look at my wardrobe every morning and just agonize! I HATE shopping and at this time of my life, my body going in different directions than it used to, I can't see something and say," Oh, that will look good on me!" Because it doesn't anymore!!!! So, anyone out there who would be willing to help???

Still Alive and Kicking

I just have to write and say that this morning I got up and stepped on a Goldfish that was still alive and kicking !!!!! I yelled a good one!! Fish is okay, I'm okay, and we are both alive and kicking! Last night we had our Ensemble Concert and it was quite nice! That group of kids are my favorites: all serious about what they are doing with their music and it shows!! The parents were pleased and so was I! Well, I'm late this morning ( due to the fish thing! ) I better put it behind me and get going! Love to all!

This Time of Year!

...makes me crazy!!!! I love it, although I am running around practically with my head cut off!! This week I started back on the job at Antonio Del Buono, had 3 concerts with my Tour Group , taught my regular private lessons and tried to be a good wife and mother!!! I think it is crazy, BUT, like Martin reminds me, I DID choose to do all this! The bright side is that now we have benefits: medical insurance and retirement. I am also  on salary so that means paid sick days. Halleluia! Later in life I hope that I'll have enough to visit my family - my children and grandchildren without having to worry about how we will make the money stretch. Soooooo, Here's to a long month! A bright spot to look forward to is Christmas with Franz, Heidi, their kids and Christie, Mike and Cassie! I love my family so much and don't see them as often as I wish! I'm looking forward to Dec. 22 - the start of  our Holidays! I'll be musiced ( hmmm, that's probably not a word!) out but ready to Celebrate!! LOL! ( Lots of Love!)

Thanksgiving

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and a restful day. We sure did. Christie is home from the University of Utah and we enjoyed a hike at Mt. Madonna before dinner and then a movie later. I always have a hard time on Thanksgiving when all my kids are scattered around the state and country! I missed Michael but knew he was having a good time with Heidi, Darin, and the kids. Franz and Serena are in Utah with her folks and they are having a good time from all reports! We went to see Australia last night and enjoyed it very much! Of course Hugh Jackman was outstanding and beautiful as usual, Nicole Kidman is another outstanding and beautiful person, but I was totally captivated by the little boy who starred and narrated the movie. Unfortunately I can't remember his name but I hear that this was his first time acting. I thought he was the most beautiful child actor I have ever seen and recommend this movie highly. I don't think I will be able to see Twilight after this! ( I better not get started on that one!)

Today we are off to Trader Joe's in Monterey then to sit on the beach and have a picnic! Hope your day is great!

a new look

hey mom,

I decided to update your blog. If you want any changes let me know!

Heidi

Teacher of the Year!

Today I received a phone call from the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce announcing that I have been selected as Teacher of the Year for 2008! I am speechless! She said a lot of nice things and that on Feb. 7, 2009 there will be a dinner in honor of the recipients. I am very honored!!

This has been a very hard Fall for me - getting squared away with the District and all, but tomorrow I'm going to sign a new Contract that is much better than I anticipated. SOOOOO, things are certainly looking up! Sometimes I question if what I do matters, but today I feel as if it really does!

Family

 There is nothing better than being with family! This morning the Potters went home after spending the week end and Monday with us. It was a lot of fun! First of all, just to be together is worth more than money can buy, but doing fun things is more fun with them! We went to San Jose where we went to the Leonardo De Vince exhibit at the Tech Museum. It was awesome, mind boggling and unbelievable. We all enjoyed it. For dinner we had the Missionaries over and then all of us played Apples to Apples together. It was a crack-up! All in all it was a wonderful weekend. MaCall, Eloise, Cassie and I played some music. I sent home Christmas music and hope we can play together at Christmas. Mike even showed up with Corinne, his girlfriend, and that was wonderful as well. I LOVE my family soooooo much!!! It will be wonderful when all 5 of our children and all 6 grandchildren are together!!! I love you all!

Saying Goodbye

I have just returned from So. Cal. where I played violin at a funeral. I must say that I usually don't like to do so, but this funeral was for the father of my oldest and dearest friend Bevan and it was wonderful to be with her and her entire family. It was a great day, one inwhich we remembered Merrill Swenson and reviewed his life according to his children and grandchildren. Excellent talks were given, beautiful music rendered and a real sense of love and closure touched all of those present. It was just beautiful and I'm glad I was part of the day. One thing about Mormon funerals is that there is a sense of happiness and the knowledge that we will all be together in the eternities. That hope helps us to endure our life here while looking forward to seeing our loved ones again. I remember when my Mom died and I missed her so bad it physically hurt. Now, years later, I can say I miss her still but know that we will be together someday.

I'm happy to be home!!! I love teaching Violin, it's what I do best!! I'll be soooooooooo happy when this election is over! It has been very draining!!

Sunday Allergies

Today was Stake Conference for the Morgan Hill Stake. Since there was going to be a change in the Stake Presidency EVERY ONE was in attendance! Our visiting authorities were Elders Cordova and Gonzales from the Seventy. They are wonderful! What marvelous talks they gave, both last night and today. The Conference was very uplifting and spiritual. There was only one problem: my eyes!! I don't know what the heck I'm allergic to, but when the weather is hot and dry my eyes just burn and water like the dickens!! People who were sitting near me probably thought I cried through the whole meeting but not so, I only got choked up once in a while not the whole meeting. I'm really not used to this and I hope the weather changes soon! But Conference was wonderful! Our Home Teacher, Kort Jensen was called as one of the Counselors  and we support him with all our hearts! We have gotten very close to the Spanish Branch since  the young women meet with our ward and Cassie is best friends with several of the girls. On Friday night we took them to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory and they had such fun.We know this because, since we weren't allowed to sit with them, from our table near by we heard  their happy voices. We feel blessed that she has such good friends. So, today has been good! Keep a prayer for me that I will get my job back in the  School District at my regular pay. I've been living through a nightmare of gigantic proportions!!

Here are some new pictures from our Tour. Only they were taken the day after we got home! They show my granddaughter MaCall, Cassie and myself in clothes we bought in Europe, namely Dirndl's from Austria and Cassie's dress from Hungary. We had such a wonderful time! When I can figure out how to put some pictures of concerts up I'll do that!