R.I.P

Ervin Pack, October 23, 1935 - August 25, 2010.

The day started out very rainy, but the sun came out just in time for us to have the graveside service before turning stormy again. There were some humorous stories told about Uncle Erv that described the very colorful character that he was.

A few pics of my nephews -
Bryan agreeing to take a pic and then throwing an extravagant pose.
Christian counting with me to take the picture. Apparently I snapped the shot at two.

Viewing

The evening was spent at Uncle Ervin's viewing. It's unfortunate that we have to have such a sad event in order to have such a great family reunion. Family was there that I haven't seen in ages! Including my other uncle, Russell, who is a dead ringer (pardon the pun) for Clint Eastwood. He's been asked for his autograph while staying on Miami Beach and just signs it. The whole night, Casey (my step-cousin) wanted to get Russell to say the 'feeling lucky' quote. No luck on that front, but we did try to get a picture of him in the background with Casey.

Winger's

Right after Jodie left, two of my friends, Amy and Amanda, happened to be in Salt Lake today and dropped by my apartment for a visit. What I thought was going to be a brief stop in, turned into a fun seven hour play time. After running to Hatch's to get them a frozen hot chocolate, (which made them sugar sick for the rest of the night) we eventually ended up at Winger's. CREAMY AMAZING. Need I say more? Then it was a red box movie night.

I had two picture texts sent to me to brighten my day -

This boy is so cute! MATTHEW!

I can't believe Cody and Lori found him!

Packsley's Penthouse is in Business

Jodie came up to spend the night. She picked me up from work and is making me a bean pasta dinner. We're going to watch North and South - the British show and not the one about the war in the States with Patrick Swayze. This seems to frequently confuse people.

If the rain stops tomorrow morning, I think we might actually break in my swimming pool. It just opened four days ago due to repairs. Too bad it was the end of the summer!

Uncle Ervin

My uncle Ervin passed away last night after a battle with leukemia. He was my father's brother and was my next door neighbor for 24 years until my family moved 1/4 mile up the street to our old farmland that was developed. A memory of him? When Sarah, Lori, and I visited the London England Temple on our trip to Europe. All the little ladies there were so fascinated that we were all Sisters Pack, that after we left them, they went and spoke with their husbands about us and we were ambushed in the parking lot. One of the men was from Pleasant Grove, had grown up with Ervin, and gone to school with him. He was so excited to see someone from back home that knew one of his good friends. Amazing that we met him all the way over in England, and got to hear some childhood stories of my uncle. The Church definitely makes this a small world!

Surprise Visitors

As I was walking through the cafeteria at work, I heard my name being called. Turns out a good friend and past roommate was visiting her husband who also works at the Church Office Building. They have just adopted the cutest little girl named Aniston. It was good to chat and catch up.

Pictures Coming In

Though we don't have the final family picture yet, some of the test shots are starting to come in. Not bad for one where we weren't ready. Two of the kids don't belong in the shot as they aren't family and were just over for the night. The final family photo won't have them in it.

Another shot of my brown-eyed boy. So cute!

Cheese

My mom and dad's new favorite store is the WinCo store in Orem. They have started to buy things that they don't necessarily eat, just because it's a good price. I can't complain because I am getting some of my random favorite foods that they buy knowing I like them and because they're at a good price. Boxes of Trix cereal and processed American cheese slices were my score this week. Yum! Is it weird that I drool over processed cheese? I really shouldn't have written about this, because now I'm having a cheese craving!

Farewell Party and Pictures

My brother-in-law, Steven, is leaving for Air Force basic training in the morning. We got together for a proper send off party and had a family picture taken before he was gone. There was cake, laughing, and lots more pictures than just the family pic. Here are just a few:

Christian and Grant excited for cake!

Trying to take a nice photo with Jer, and Cody, Taylor, and Nate somehow pop up in the background.

Dad and I chillin' near the end of the night.

Keeping Matthew and Jeffrey amused.

Reid's Ranch

My friend/sister-in-law Sarah and I went camping with my ward to Reid's Ranch. It is about an hour past Heber and has horseback riding, archery, paddle-boats, canoes, miniature golf, swimming pools, lodging, and camping spots for tents. We of course tented instead of using the comfort of the lodge with bathrooms and running water. Instead it was freezing cold, hard ground, and port'o'potties. ALWAYS pay the extra money for the lodges! That's the lesson I learned for next time. In other news, I'm better at archery than I thought. Minature golf?...not so much.

Zorro

I made a quick stop in at my sister's house as I was driving through Heber. I was greeted at the door by the cutest knobbly-kneed Zorro that you could ever meet! He was willing to strike a pose, but NOT give kisses. On camera that is...

British for Lunch

I had British for lunch. Meaning a kid from England is visiting and I was included in the lunch party. How I miss that accent! I've been toying with the idea of going back to the U.K. at the first part of next year. I think I'm going to have to make it a reality.

My oldest sister called me today. She had a brilliant thought that she wanted to share with me - that the reason I'm not married is because I don't date enough. So THAT's what I'm doing wrong! Hilarious, but misguided.

Tried out Zupa's for the first time when I met up with my visiting teachers. It is one of my new favorite places to eat. I'm going to have to suggest a work lunch run there in the near future.

DIS-A-PPOINT-MENT!

Ever been excited to see a movie and as you're sitting in the theatre watching the previews about to start, you realize you're watching a preview for the movie you thought you were at the movies right then to see? What a disappointment. Especially as the one you then have to sit through, isn't any good!  **Sigh**

Earlier in the day, my mom took me to lunch at Ruby River. She is coming to Salt Lake every Tuesday to drive a woman and her three year old son from the Spanish ward to Primary Childrens. The little boy has leukemia and is getting treatments. Very sad for them; good for me though. Turns out we were distantly related to our server. He got all excited about it and gave me the phone number to call his mom and tell her about the big John Pack family reunion at This Is the Place Heritage Park this weekend. Randomly funny.

Wedding Shower

There was a wedding shower after work today for a girl that used to work with us (Andrea Dawson). The creativity of the women I work with is amazing. They make putting together a party look effortless and beautiful. Very Martha Stewart. The homemade Lion House rolls, chicken salad, and fruit pizza were particularly fine.

Tingles and Goosebumps

The medication that I'm on has an interesting side effect. It doesn't hurt, but does feel very odd. The prickling, tingling sensation that you get on your scalp when getting into a hot car? Well, I have that all the time. Plus full body goosebumps and chills. Like I said, odd. I am feeling a bit better though. No syncope episodes like I had been having daily. I even made it back to my own apartment in Salt Lake. It is good to be home!

Friday the 13th

The torture table test proved to be torturous. My blood pressure dropped to 79/21 which I'm going to have to say didn't feel good. I was held at the hospital for an extra two hours of observation to make sure it went back up. I was so cold, that by the time I left, the nurses had piled five heated blankets on me and two regular blankets. I have now been put on medication to constrict the blood vessels and raise my blood pressure.

The Cat's Meow

I've been hanging out at my parents' house for easy doctors' office access. Last night while staying at their place, my mom was getting a room and bathroom ready for my uncle who was coming into town. This was my first glimpse of the pajamas she wears to bed, and they are SOME pjs! My dad says he bought them for her because it makes him think of a geisha. He also says she's the 'cat's meow'. I say it's hilarious. I hid around a corner until she was walking out of the bathroom to snap a pic and had the great fortune to catch her throwing her arms up in the air when she caught sight of the camera. And I'd have to agree - The Cat's Meow!

Made It In and It's Torture

My dad finally took it into his hands to call the doctor's office back after finding out I was laying down in the bathroom at work again for the fourth time, sick. They agreed to squeeze me in and I finally got to see the doctor. The MRI says my heart is strong enough for further testing so I'm going in on Friday for the Tilt Table test (a.k.a. the torture table test). I've done this one 12 years ago so I know what to expect. They strap you down to a table and tilt it up so you're inclined at an unnatural angle which puts your body under stress. Then they pump some medication into you by IV that is the equivalent of you running a full marathon. Last time my mom stood in front of me with a garbage can while I dry-heaved into it while strapped down. The goal is to make you pass out. The doctor has already apologized to me for making me do this twice. I can see Friday the 13th is going to take on a whole new meaning!

The Battle Rages On!

I'm still fighting the health battle. Why is it that you can never seem to get the doctor's office to call you back?! I am still going in to work though and plodding along for now. Can't wait for the headache and chest pains to go away!

Cardiologist Visit

Finally made it in to my cardiologist today. Apparently I was in afibrillation when I got there. Who knew - I just felt bad like usual. Was going to be sent over to the hospital immediately for a shock and then testing for a blood clot in my heart, but while getting an EKG I went back to my regular rhythm. Had to get an MRI though to make sure my heart is strong enough for the upcoming treatments that need to take place on the arrhythmia before anything can be done to treat the syncope episodes I'm having. Sigh, another week and a half before I get into the doctor's again to review the MRI. Meds until then.

Spanish Ward

My parents have a missionary calling in the local Spanish ward. I went to Church with them while I was in town visiting. LOVED hearing the Spanish spoken for three hours straight. Maybe I should conisder going more often.

2nd Annual Family Reunion

We have started to have an annual immediate family reunion. Games all night, camping out together in the backyard, and then spend all the next day together. Since it rained Friday night, we found a place inside wherever we could. It was fun since we didn't have to worry about anyone having to go home. It could just go on and on.

Love my Micah boy!

Travel Woes

There are fall flight sales going on right now from Salt Lake City to New York City and Washington D.C. I want to take advantage of these AMAZING prices ($260 roundtrip/nonstop), but I don't want to waste my vacation days from work on what would technically be considered a "small" trip. Got to save those babies for the United Kingdom, or the Baltics, or Argentina, or Roatan Honduras...the list really could go on and on. BUT, I do want to visit a friend in New York, and my sister in D.C. What to do, what to do! Maybe I should do a weekend getaway? I'm so torn!

Packsley's Penthouse

I have an amazing apartment.  Low-cost (thanks to a missionary couple), lots of space, close to work, and GREAT views! This is the view from my apartment (wish my phone took better night pictures!).

Going to Lunch

I had a special guest at lunch today. I always love it when someone comes to visit me (especially when they pay) but its extra special to have one of my parents. It happened to correspond on one of the days where I wasn't feeling well and was having heart problems. My dad is an excellent one to talk to about this as you can well imagine.

After, we went to the 26th floor overlook to see the views of the city. It was a nice break in the day!

Late Night Visitors

You know that time of the evening when it's not quite time for bed, but late enough that you're thinking about it and are already in a state of undress? That's the point I was at last night when I had some friends show up unexpectedly. Though a welcome surprise, it did entail some fast manuevring to get ready. Thanks guys for coming though!

Jumping on the Bandwagon

Everyone seems to be doing it, so this is just one more step after caving and joining Facebook and Twitter.  Except now I'm taking this to mean I no longer have to keep a journal.  Two birds with one stone!