Are you kidding!!!

We had a very nice Thanksgiving. Sister-in-law Sally was so kind as she is every year to host the dinner. I only had to bring 4 pies, cheese balls and crackers and then I put to gather a little craft for all the kids to do. I always hate the in between clean up and pie time for kids, they seem to get board, and they seemed to enjoy to craft. So anyway even though not all my kids and a few in-laws couldn't make it, it was a day I was thankful for family and health.

I maybe had overdone it just a bit the day before, but I still felt like I was healing and moving around better.

Then Friday hit. The grand kids were there, Jodi and Trevor were still there but except for a little tired I was OK.

By Friday evening I started to chill and was running a low fever, then the nausea, then the worst headache I have ever had along with the stiff head and complete in-ability to move it. After a very long night of not knowing what to do finally I said at 4am I have to go to the hospital. I was enable to get in Kim's car due to the head and neck so we actually had to call for ambulance transport.

After all the blood work and IV's then a Lumbar Puncture, I was told I had Meningitis and needed an MRI to look at my back surgical site, which had never looked bad nor had increase in pain. Then after that I was told I needed surgery!!! 2 back surgies 13 days apart.

They kept me extremal sedated, due to the headache, until the surgery.

So I came home on the Dec. 1st. My family has been more than wonderful, with tending me, & helping, Mel took down all the thanksgiving decorations, Jodi finished some shopping, Matt and Jenn tended one night and then tonight Gordon and Jessica came over and did 90% of my Christmas decorating. I am so appreciative for all they've done. I can't forget Kim, he dusted and cleaned yesterday, and has kept the laundry up and things cleaned up, and of-course helped with many activities I couldn't do at first. He even washed my hair in the hospital, it had been 5 days since I could wash and then have the ability to curl. I was exhausted but felt so good.

I would be lieing if I said it hasn't been hard, because it has. I have cried more than I should, I keep having pitty parties and then think about how much worse it could have been. I am tied down to home antibiotics for an indefinite length of time, but I know I have been blessed and watched over and I just have to have faith and be strong.

Time goes on...

And on and on, and usually the on and on part is great. I've decided the reason blogging is a pain is the picture part, so none this time.

So I took out the calender and will try and catch up.

Jessica had her annual Davis 5k and most of the family participated, even Hyrum did the mud race.

Kim and I took a road trip to Mt. Rushmore and visited Martins Cove twice, . We had a great time just the 2 of us.

The girls had our annual Swiss days trip. The shopping, visiting, eating was as great as usual, but what we thought would be a great condo. only turned out to be an OK one. I'll have to ask more questions next time.

Grandma Hardcastle did her annual Jackson Hole trip. Our family got our own rental home. It was huge, 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, laundry room, 3 different sitting rooms, a great big kitchen with a dinning room table, a great view patio, hot tub, indoor sauna. It wasn't the best year for hearing the Elk bugling, but we did see bears, and other wild life. We can't really spend a lot of time as the whole big family, and there may be trauma now and then, but we love each other and our time together. Grandma is so sweet to do this each year and we all appreciate her so much for it.

We recently had our Stake /Regional Conference. Our visiting authority was Pres. Monson, Elder Jensen, Elder Anderson, & Sis. Wixom. Kim was able to get floor tickets, because of his bishop position, so we got to sit center seat, 4 rows back. But being that close did not guarantee good hearing. Some how the sound system was not so great, but it was still a great experience.

You'll have to go to Mels blog and see the cute Halloween costumes that the kids wore. Hyrum was a Train engineer, with a cute costume made train by his dad, and Kate was a pink fairy, who just was adorable being Kate. I have been working on a Witches costume for a few years and I finally had a year I could wear it, so we had fun at the ward party.

Now how to feel 90 at 54. My back or more specific my right leg has been hurting since April. After tolerating it for a few months, I finally got an MRI and found I had a ruptured S5 disc. I then had 4 spinal, cortisol injections over a 6 week period. With absolute so improvement and new and different problems resulting from it, I then waited 6 weeks to get into a neurosurgeon. He ordered a new MRI and called me at home on a Sat night and said "we have a problem", these are not good words to hear from your Dr., at home, on a Sat night. We meet on Tues, he showed me the MRI and that now there are 2 ruptured discs, S5 & L1 with a bunch of fragments scattered through out. Then another thing you don't want to hear is "I don't know how to fix this until I open you up, which needs to be as soon as possible, so that it doesn't get worse".

So I feel old. I had to use a walker for a few days due to a numb left leg and foot, (feel old) for a few days I needed help getting off the edge of the bed or chair (feel old), I walk with a limp, and put both feet on each step (OLD), I am grateful I have a high rise toilet and a bar on the wall, courtesy of having mom live here, (feel very old). So the topper is...my very sweet visiting teacher who has young children, came by with 3 of them and they had made me GET WELL colored pictures with nice sayings. I wanted to cry because of the thoughtfulness and sweetness, but now I really really feel OLD.

All of this is hard, but a lesson at the same time, I need to be more thoughtful, sensitive, helpful and listen to the promptings that we receive every moment of every day, and serve those around us.

Is the Bishop in.....

Call him the Bishop. Those reading this know what that means. In the last 4 weeks there has been a lot of emotions running through our home. We did let the kids know when the call came so they have also shared comments and their concerns and love.
Today he was sustained in sacrament meeting and set apart. So much love and concern was flowing through-out the whole ward. I didn't know we would be welcomed and be given so many warm wishes as we were.
Maybe the reason I was surprised is that this area of homes is very close-knit. Some of these families lived here 30 and more years. We are transplants. Our stake was re-organized 2 yrs. ago and our area of homes, 'Park Lane' , was added to this very established ward. But I have made friends and felt accepted ever since the change.
Our current Bishop has served 6 years as the Bishop and another 3 as a counselor. He has sat on the stand for 9 years and has grown to love, understand, help, and support the members of our ward.
Kim feels very humbled and inadequate at this point, but he is a great man. He has the qualities that are needed to serve the Lord in this way. He has a strong testimony of the Gospel and a close relationship with the Lord. He has the humility to know he needs the Lords help to meet the needs of the ward members, and more important he knows the Lord will lovingly guide him.
I hope I can support him and be by his side as much as possible. We are here to serve and Love one another and continue to learn the Lords plan along the way.
We have a strong and loving family, this may change a few get togethers but we all know that by giving service we grow closer to one another and to the Lord.

catch up (as usual)

Maybe if I just update once a month, & I know that's the plan, then I won't worry so much about NOT BLOGGING more often.

We are truly empty NESTER'S. what ever that means? No baby birds at home, no messes, (ya right), less food in the house, more eating out, wondering around in one's underwear,(too much visual information, sorry), a clean laundry room, less laundry, 2 guest rooms and a grandchild room. empty closets and empty dressers . More time for each other (in theory), anyway the list could go on and on, but it has been nice, I do miss people around, but if you just drop by, call first, remember the underwear and more time for each other!

Our ward has had an huge humanitarian project going, and I chose to learn a new crocheting project and have had some fun with it. I've made about 30 little girl cradle/purses, I'm getting a little better at learning to read directions, but I still need help to get started. MOM and Karen would be so proud.

Kim and I planned a last minute NEW YORK CITY trip. We had a great time. We did 3 days in the city and 3 days up-state. We did all the normal touristy things. Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Subway (Kim became an expert), Time square, Empire State Building, Central Park, Rockefeller Center(outside), Ground Zero, Broadway and the musical Spider Man, (which has it's own fun story), 5Th Ave. and shopped Tiffany's but we forgot to buy anything, we saw the Manhattan LDS Temple, Grand Central Station, Met. Art Museum, and Greenish village, We ate pizza standing at an outdoor counter, hot dogs and pretzels. Watched music groups in the park and subway performing. Then up-state, we went to the Palmyra Temple, Hill Cumorah (they were practicing for the pageant), the Smith family home and farm, the Sacred Grove, the Printing press, the Whitman home, and then up to Niagara Falls and road the boat into the middle of the falls. We drove through Ithaca NY and saw Cornell University and drove along beautiful ocean view country sides. We always felt safe, a little lost at times, had very kind New Yorkers and bus drivers helping us find our way. I was with the man I love, who was always looking out for our welfare and wanted us to have a great time. And we did.

Kim actually took a lot of pictures, more than me, so I am in most of his and he is in all of mine. I really did go on this trip.

Pioneer day my Niece Annie and her husband Ross hosted a fun Bar-B-Q- at their new home in So. Jordon. The food was great and so was the company. Melanie and her family had to go to a family reunion, and Matt had to work, and I missed the kids, but it was a nice day and their new home is absolutely beautiful.

Kim has officially reached Senior Citizenship age, or at least in some circles he now gets a discount. He turned 55. Birthdays get more and more boring, but the exciting part is that we are Still together and that we are Still Around.

An MRI (More Really-expensive Investigations) was done on my back. Since April I have been having numbness and pain in the right leg, thigh and calf, and now it's into my foot and I have numb toes. I keep having spasms that make my first movements very painfully and difficult. So I guess now the next step is to see a Radiologist and then possibly a Neurologist. I have several areas of degenerative spine, (arthritis,) old age crap, just get over it symptoms, and stop all the wining decease.

We moved Jodi and Trevor to Am. Fork into a large, bright, brand new, lovely 3 bedroom basement apt. They sold their home in Syracuse, and Trevor will be starting Law School in 2 weeks. Jodi starts her sort-of-the-same job on Monday in a new locations, with new people in Orem. They go from 2 good incomes to one, lots and lots of space to very little, a 3 car garage to none, to having all their time together to not much at all, having family and friends all around to none, can I make this sound any more depressing. They will do great. Jodi is a great homemaker, loves Trevor and loves making a sweet home environment so this new location will be no different.

I keep reminding her that when I got married I too moved to Prove, with no friends, a new job, a tiny, dark, basement apt. One car, no family, no texting, no computer, couldn't afford long distance calls, a man I didn't know very well, (sounds like an arranged pioneer hook-up) who was very involved and busy with school & with very little money. But like her we had each other, the church, a family that was reachable and that cared a great-deal about us, and the faith that we were doing the right thing.

The grand kids are getting big and even more fun. Kate & Hyrum together had their first sleep-over and I survived. Grandpa took Hyrum on a train ride to visit more trains. I bought them a Tuff Stuff outdoor play set, (KSL.com) which he seems to love. I'm not tiring to by love, I just want them to know grandma's house is funner than just a small box of toys in the corner. When he was taking his bath he kept dropping the soap and after finding it for the 10Th time, he said, "grandma, you are a good grandma". My heart melted. My kids may not say "mom your a good mom" so I'll take it from the grand kids.

These very beautiful flowers were waiting for me one afternoon from my friend, neighbor and walking partner Becky. What a nice surprise, just for being a good friend.

Things to come: New callings, Davis county race, Swiss days, Mt. Rushmore, Jackson Hole, cont. to clean out and organize our home, and figuring out how to be Empty Nester's and handling Old People syndrome. We are a very blessed and fortunate family.

The real reason I hate to blog is adding the pictures, it takes forever and isn't easy. I need a smart computer person to show me an easier way. HINT HINT

I am never good at getting my pictures in the right order, so once again random shots of the Real Royal Wedding Day.... Jodi and Trevor's day. As the mother of the bride I didn't get too many pictures so I can't wait to see the professional ones along with the photo booth shots by Annie and all the random family shots, I hope everyone will share. Karen already has.

The morning started with everything ready and loaded. Jodi was off getting her hair and make-up done. I know she was feeling stressed and anxious, but I had my time schedule down and ready to fire...... So now just random pictures.

Jodi and a few of her very closest friends, more friends arrived later.

Jessica, Shelly & Colby

Gordon and Jessica

Matt and Jenn

Lots of the Petersen family hanging out in the lobby of the Joseph Smith building. The little kids had fun exploring all the 10 floors, which I know made some moms worry a bit.

Dad, Mom, Bride and Groom


This so far is my very very favorite picture....sorry Trevor that you aren't there, but this is absolutely adorable.

Kate, Melaine, Hyrum and Justin doing the photo both. I was worried people wouldn't want to participate in the fun, but I really think everyone did. Cousin Annie was set up to take every one's pictures as they arrived, and Jodi, Trevor and I put together a lot of different props for guests to use. I can't wait to see the pictures. The plan is that these pictures will make the "sign in book " that Jodi will put together.



This was the set-up before it started.

Out side the temple. They had a room full of people present, that love & support them, for their sealing ceremony. It is a very special feeling to hear the sealing words and to know they can be together for all Eternity.

Steve, Trevor, Jodi and Linda Flint.

Trevor's Mom Janet and Milo Meyerhoffer



Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Trevor & Jodi H. Flint.

So now... The Rest of the Story....

Gaama do you have potty treats....Gampa do you fly air-pains? I love conversations with 2 1/2 year olds. The little man stayed Sunday night, in his room, or as he says it...cometomyroomgaamaandplaycars, it is said so fast I believe it is one word. We had a very good time. I am pretty sure he doesn't get everything he wants at home but at grandmas he not only gets what he wants but things he doesn't even know he wants, but that's how it is supposed to be at Grandmas. We are on-call 24/7 for him and all other little grandchildren that come along.

He can watch one of several movies in his own chair with treats and drinks provided.

You made it!....that was what he said when we pulled into his drive-way. I made it! (I hope he wasn't worried.)
(No miss spelled words, for those who like to tell me.)

So did Jodi. She has remained worthy throughout her young life to have the beautiful opportunity of going to the Bountiful Temple and receive precious gifts. She will soon be married to the man she loves and "likes". We are so very happy for her and pray the best for her future.

So I have decided why blogging is difficult for me...it's getting the darn pictures downloaded/uploaded what ever it's called and getting them in some kind of order of events.

So there have been a number things that have gone one in the last quarter so I will mention a few, in no particular order, but this is how the pictures came.

Our neighbors, across the street, had their huge front yard tree blow down. It's been more than a week now and it is still laying in the down direction. We are not sure what they are waiting for. I guess the upside is they won't have to mow their lawn or shovel the snow next winter or next week.

Jodi got engaged, the picture of the ring and guy come later, but she had a fun shower this weekend. My sister Karen and sister in-laws Judy & Barbara along with nieces Annie, Haley & Jaycee & daughter Melanie & daughter in-laws Jessica and Jenn did a great job. She went home with months of family tested recipes and ingredients and great pantry supplies.

We had about 30 or so people, both family, friends and new in laws to be. The food was great along with the cute favors that Karen made.


Hyrum and Kate are as cute as ever. It is very difficult to get good "together" pictures, but we keep trying.

Hyrum and his dad went on a train ride to see Disney on Ice, and then that same weekend Grandpa took him on a very extended Front Runner ride that Hyrum enjoyed as long as the thing was in motion. He is getting so big and loves new adventures.

He has also had to give up one of and many many Buddies. He loved buddy, he was his comfort and his friend for 2 years. He took him everywhere, it was a good thing he had so many. The down fall was he used buddy like a Binky, and sucked on the nose. Which, like a Binky made him happy and quite when needed, but we think he was also getting sick over and over again from the Friend, even though they were washed everyday.

His mom and dad had some rough naps and bedtimes, but Hyrum was a trooper and got over the lose. Little kids are amazing


Stuff from the shower, all those bags are stuffed full. I thought I should do my weeks shopping, but since I no longer cook it wasn't very tempting.

Mel and Jodi checking out the recipes.



We had Easter Dinner. The kids still come to Sunday dinner every other week and I was blessed to have them on Easter. For birthday's and Holidays the good china comes out along with a few treats.

Dinner was followed by an egg decorating contest. I sent out an e-mail on Friday and they were all very into it. I guess if I use the word "competition" my kids suddenly get all official and secretive. Remember the pumpkin cutting contest, well at least this was on a smaller scale, but just as intense.

We even had prizes, Jennie came in 2nd with her zebra inspired, last min., using the vinyl scrapes idea. I think some where not happy with that win.


Justin came in 1st with his little Einstein creation. He is so lucky his mother-in-law has no many random craft junk at his disposal.

Just some of the action. to see more go to http://okdarlin.blogspot.com/

Hyrum with his new friend, named George, in big boy pants. It was supposed to help with the ease of losing Buddy and inspire for potty training, neither of which were accomplished, it just became another toy.

The engaged couple, Jodi and Trevor to see more lovie-dovie pictures go to her site.

http://simplysatisfied.blogspot.com/

We've had birthdays with wonderful desserts, lots of dinners and together times, we have more coming. Kim and the boys along with their wives went on a camping backpacking trip and had a great time, again for more pictures you'll have to check out http://okdarlin.blogspot.com/

Jess posted some great pictures of their trip.

Oh and the Ring. We have been do a lot of preparing and shopping. Her dress is beautiful, which was fun to shop for. She got it at the same shop as Mel's and it even came out of the clearance room same as Mel's. I have such smart girls.

Jodi has very cute and specific ideas and hope all her dreams and plans come true. I know they have with the man she has fallen in love with.

Our blessings just keep coming.