Grandma & Grandpa Hawley

We had Grandma & Grandpa Hawley over for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner, since we will not be here to celebrate with them.
I've told them about blogs, but they didn't really get it, so I decided to show them. They had a great time viewing every one's blogs and seeing your current news. I also showed them the "comment" portion of blogging and they got a kick out of it. I asked them if they had anything they would like to include on this post and they said they would like to set the record straight about my behavior as a pre-schooler. They said if I was a bit too precocious, it was only because my brothers were mean to me. I told them I wasn't going to say that, but grandpa/dad made me promise.
They loved seeing a goodly portion of their great-grands, and wish all their grandchildren had blogs to look at.
They seem to be doing well, but have their good days and bad. All in all, they are doing well for an 88 & 89 yr old. They still go to church every Sunday, but don't always make it for the full block. Grandpa's legs are getting very weak and he has trouble walking. They both use walkers. Grandma is not nearly as sharp as she used to be, but still likes to know what is going on with people - even if you have to repeat it several times.
She got stuck in the bathroom at church today. It is too hard to explain how the stall doors got stuck, but she was in there a long time. Their previous bishop noticed her walker had been there outside the restroom for a long time, so he sent someone in to check on her. She said she was about ready to crawl under the stall door to get out. That would have been a sight!!
They send their love to all.

Prop 8 Backlash

It seems we have not heard the end of Prop 8. Even though Californians "again" voted to keep gay marriage out of the state, the opponents are not going to be satisfied. Now they want to boycott any who donated funds to the proposition. All names of donators are public information. We also read in the newspaper today that a suspicious white powder was received in an envelope at both the Los Angeles and SLC temples. Hazmat confirmed the powder was not toxic. It is shameful that those who work selflessly and without compensation at the temples have to fear for their safety.
Bud received the following letter in the mail at his office on Wednesday from a group called KickingALion.wordpress.com

To whom it may concern,

We are writing in regards to your company's support of California's Proposition 8. While we appreciate every citizens right to freedom of speech and freedom of belief, Proposition 8 singles out a group of people for discrimination. It undermines our basic freedoms.

As a result I am sure you will understand why, in these difficult economic times, we will be notifying the gay community of your opposition to our civil rights, and will be encouraging them to boycott your company. Seeing as you do not believe gay citizens to be equal, I am certain that you will find our money inferior too.

Sincerely,
A Billings

The letter was postmarked from Los Angeles.

Any of Bud's patients who are gay would already know his position regarding Prop 8, as he had yard signs, flyers and door hangers available at his office. If they were offended, they did not say.

This group must obviously be identifying themselves with Lions, and using that as a metaphor to not kick a lion. How interesting they would choose this animal who is known as the King of the Jungle and lives with only females for the purpose of producing offspring. In no other animal species do we see homosexuality, (some my wish to debate this) other than humans.

The gay community will not rest until they feel they belong equally in the "marriage club." Even Elton John says they should be content with Civil Unions - that marriage is for heterosexuals. Some in the gay community think the post election tactics of angry gays are taking them back 20 years in their quest for equality.

It also looks like the argument will continue in the courts, and we may again lose the power of a majority vote. Just when you thought your vote counted for something!!! Arghhh!!!

YC Sikh Parade

Yes, it was time for the annual Sikh Parade in Yubaville. It is nothing like it was when we first moved here. The parade route is longer - from their temple on Tierra Buena Road, down to the stake center, around Civic Center and back to their temple. The influx of out of town Sikhs is huge - 80,000 attendees! The parade brings in millions in revenues from all the additional people. The parade route is lined with Ben Toilets, food vendors, and other vendors of Indian trinkets. It takes some maneuvering to get to the church from our home.
I am somewhat saddened by the many changes the local Sikh people have undergone, since we have lived here. I believe it is indicative of what we, as a people, face daily from the onslaught of worldly values. The Sikhs in our community used to adhere closely to their religion and family values. Now we see them embracing western ways. Very few Sikh men in our area continue to wear the turban. I would say only those men and women over 50 continue with the traditional dress. Of course, today at the parade, traditional dress was resplendently abundant. I think their culture in our society is falling prey to moral relativism - they are losing their family values, and religious values as they embrace western ways. Maybe I am feeling so strongly about this as we approach the vote on Prop 8, and the vote on who will lead our country for the next four years. Will Californians, and all Americans cave to what the minority deems is right? Have we become too afraid to stand for morality and integrity? Enough of my soapbox - here is a taste of the parade. It was a good excuse to cut out of Sunday School class :)
I apologize for video quality. We used our regular digital camera.

Dad/Bud's 8

I had to twist the guy's arm to give me some answers. I didn't twist too hard, since it was his birthday. I will forego the rules, since he refused to tag anyone else - "I don't have a blog, so why should I tag people."

8 favorite TV shows
1. Monday Night Football
2. Thursday Night Football
3. Friday Night Football
4. Saturday College Football
5. Amazing Race
6. NCIS
7. Quantum Leap
8. Jag

8 Things I did yesterday
1. Showered
2. Shaved
3. Dressed
4. Read the paper
5. Ate
6. Went to Stake Conference and wrestled with the redheads.
7. Had dinner with Lyons and Runyans
8. Blew out candles on my cake

8 Things I look forward to
1. Taking off my shoes
2. A vacation
3. Going to bed
4. Working in the temple
5. Going on a mission
6. Spring
7. Fall
8. Next Family Reunion

8 Favorite Restaurants
Applebees
Red Robin
Costa Vida
Casa Lupe
In & Out
Claim Jumper
Marie Callendar's
El Torito

8 Things on my wish list
1. Out of Debt
2. Retirement
3. Go on a mission
4. Bigger TV
5. Lose Weight
6. More time
7. a 2 week vacation
8. All my kids to live within 100 miles

Tagged Again!

My niece, Jamie, tagged me. This one is called 8 things about me - in 6 questions.
Here are the rules:
1) Post the rules on your blog.
2) Answer the six "8" items.
3) Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

8 Favorite TV shows (which is difficult, since I have about given up on TV)
1. Amazing Race
2. Grey's Anatomy (I know it is smutty and I am about to give it up)
3. ER (I am a diehard)
4. House
5. Chuck
6. Journeyman - but they cancelled it
7. The Office (but I rarely get to watch it due to the time slot)
8. NCIS


8 Things I did yesterday
1. Helped a Young Single Adult in my ward finish her tote bag sewing project.
2. Bought Dannon Smoothies for my sick parents
3. Bought food for pre-birthday celebration on Sunday for Bud/Dad
4. Went to Target with Emily to buy a Wedding shower gift.
5. Went to Wedding Shower for Kersina Miller.
6. Bought a Spice Cream Cheese cake at Sam's
7. Put on my PJ's
8. Babysat Lyon kids while Emily, Aaron and Bud/Dad went to Adult session of Stake Conf. (Emily is new Stake Music Coordinator and she had to lead the music)

8 Things I look forward to
1. Putting on my Pajamas each day - it should be a law that everyone gets to put on PJ's by 4 in the afternoon.
2. Serving a mission with Dad/Bud
3. The first day cold enuf to wear shoes and socks.
4. The first day warm enuf to wear flip flops.
5. Visits to or from my kids and grandkids.
6. My next trip out of the country or a cruise - whenever that will be!
7. Meeting the Savior.
8. Meeting Minnie Levi


8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Does In and Out count as a restaurant?
2. Casa Lupe
3. Applebees - only cuz it is close-by
4. Red Robin
5. Costa Vida
6. Claim Jumper
7. Olive Garden
8. The Oaks in Moline, IL
(we have very limited restaurant pickins in YC)

8 Things on my Wish List
1. Learn to Sail (Rowing used to be here, but I got that wish - thanks!)
2. World Peace
3. Pay off mortgage
4. Pay off kids' mortgages
5. A cruise or travel abroad once per year
6. No lying (this would clear up most of the corruption and immorality in the world)
7. Continued good physical and mental health (to die before my mind or bladder goes)
8. To have a missionary experience

8 People to Tag
1. Andrea
2. Megan
3. Josh
4. Jared
5. Micah
6. Emily
7. Sara Evans
8. Jenni Smith

Been Tagged!

 

Our photo files are a mess. It was hard to tell which was the fourth file. We need someone to come organize our photo files for us. Anyway - this photo is the closest I could select to fourth photo of fourth file. Besides - I liked it. Brings back such fond memories of our 2002 trip to Ecualand to retrieve Micah from his mission. Bud was so nervous to go, and I told him I would go without him. I think he believed me, so he caved. Micah was the perfect host and personal translator. Every moment of the trip was perfect. Micah wore us out in Manta - taking us to all of his mission contacts. They all fed us and gave us beverages. We told Micah we couldn't handle another glass of watermelon juice, but he told us to "suck it up," cuz he'd been doing it for 2 years and we could surely handle it for one day. Everyone was so gracious.
The photo is a scenic overlook up near Quito. Quito was not in his mission, but we had permission to take him up there to see the sights (Volcano Alley) before his release. Flying into Quito was quite an adventure. We flew out of Guayaquil, and got up to a decent altitude and then landed - no descent! Quito is at 9,400 feet. We tried lots of different foods, and met wonderful people. I regret not being able to pick Josh and Jared up from their missions. I think we should go to Argentina with Josh & Courtney sometime. And we should visit the Philippines/Oklahoma with Jared & Debbie. Let's go!!
I think most everyone who reads my blog has been tagged. If not, then I tag Dennis, Ritchie, Josh, and any blurker out there who reads, and doesn't leave comments.

Temple Turkeys, Deer and Teeth

There is a herd/flock of Turkeys that long inhabited the grounds where the Sacramento Temple was built. They continue to have the temple grounds serve as their abode. It is a joy to see them when we go weekly for our shift as Ordinance Workers. One time, Bud had to go back inside, before we left, and the whole flock was exiting from inside the gates at the front entrance. He had to wait for them. There must have been at least 25 turkeys. It was rather comical.

There are also many deer who live near the temple. This week they were feeding just outside the fenced part of the temple grounds - amongst the turkeys. They all seemed to get along well. There was one good sized buck, several doe and some youngish fawns (probably from this spring).

Bye, Bye Invisalign!! Well, not really, but at least the correction portion is done. Dr/Bishop Reading took impressions this week for my permanent retainer for the top, and permanent wire for the bottom. I will have to continue to wear the retainer for a few more weeks - 24/7 and then reduce it to just at night. I opted for an Invisalign Retainer, as I never did get used the the Hawley Retainer (yes, Hawley), when I was completing bottom correction before my refinement treatment (which was almost as long as the first session). Correction has taken a year.
I am pleased with the results, but not totally happy about the continued retention. I guess I didn't think that part through. All in all, it hasn't been too bad, just inconvenient at times. I would never have done it, if I'd have had wires. I could wear the Invisalign and no one noticed. The only inconvenient part was brushing after eating - even if it was just a bite of something! It always hurt the first few days after I put in new aligners (every two weeks), but Tylenol helped. Now I just need my teef whitened.