Heartbeats in my Eyes

I had a second opinion through a different cardiologist today and the result is:

-  I am now wearing a 30-day halter monitor for my heart.

-  I must push a button on a special cell phone to alert the monitoring system when

    I'm feeling symptoms.

-  I have to call the monitoring number to let them know what the symptom is after

    I push the button.

-  I am now best-friends with Keith, the graveyard shift monitorer.

I also will be visiting an ear doctor to see if vertigo is compounding my low-blood pressure dizziness problems. If that's not the case, then I'll be seeing a neuro doctor to see if I'm having mini-strokes.

Let's look at the silver-lining. I want to have problems while wearing the monitor so that this problem can be addressed...meaning, I need to eat sugar to trigger episodes. We went to the Cheesecake Factory directly from the doctor's office.  =D



I get to put on new leads every morning myself.

As I got ready for bed, I happened to glance at the mirror out of the corner of my eye. My heartbeat was so strong that it actually made my eyes move up and down on their own. I've had someone sitting next to me say they could feel my heartbeat against their leg before, but to have my eyes unable to hold still? This is just CrAzY!

Aliens and an Uncle

My mom, Lori, Cody and I went and did a session at the Mount Timpanogos Temple. A quick clothing change afterward and we headed to a movie with Jodie. About aliens. The one time my mom didn't read the review beforehand! She was very surprised at the movie choice but was a trooper and watched the whole thing. Her surprise made me laugh a little bit...over an extended period of time...which really translates into lots of laughing.

I've been craving Los Hermanos for ages so we picked up some take-out for dinner. Jodie didn't play Guillotine with us the night before and we pulled it out after dinner to teach her. My uncle Kevin came in and was invited to play with us. Turns out that was a mistake! He was quite offensive and insulting the entire night toward just me. It was a bit surprising. I'd told my mom before that he was frequently mean to me, but she said he's just sarcastically funny and going through a hard-time. My dad who came into the room near the end of the game pretended to take the garbage out as I was leaving to ask if my uncle had been like that the whole time and to find out if I was okay. I wasn't. Jodie texted the next day to thank me for being a good sport and to say she loved me. I personally think it is time for him to get his own place. He has been living at my parents now since December 2009. Too long!

Lunch with the Alberts

When I got to work this morning, Elder Zivic was by my desk so I helped him with something. Mostly I just wanted to hear his 'Thank you Tah-mmy' afterward. Seriously, it makes my day to hear him say my name and I just giggle.

Max and Kim Alberts are in town and they texted me to see if I could go to lunch with them on Friday. We met up at the Nauvoo Cafe (their treat) and then I walked them over to the Salt Lake Temple afterward below ground for a session. That was Max's first live one if you can believe that. Hopefully they enjoyed it. They're pretty fun to be around and make lots of jokes...as long as it isn't at your expense!

After work I stopped at Summerhays Music to pick up some sheet music that was ordered for me - Bach's Cello Suite #1 - that I aspire to someday play and while there I picked up a C string. The one on my cello is fraying a bit andI wanted to have one on hand and be prepared just in case! Plus, I was driving down to Pleasant Grove anyway ad this stop was just on the way.

Mom and dad didn't have any plans for the evening. They got to just sit back and relax so we watched Her Alibi with Tom Selleck. A funny movie with some fairly crude jokes...that I was watching with my parents...  My dad was laughing hysterically throughout the movie and I laughed too...but there were definitely some uncomfortable spots that made me squirm knowing I was watching it with them. If that is how I was feeling, imagine what my MOM was feeling! She is definitely more reserved when it comes to those things anyway, so quite a bit of my laughing was at thinking of her watching this with me.

Lori and Cody came over after and we played my new game Guillotine which just came in the mail from Amazon. So not PC, but a fun game.



I love the lobby in the JSMB where I waited to meet the Alberts for lunch.

Contest Mania

All the news stations are doing contests lately on their Facebook pages. I religiously enter everyday. I've yet to win (the snowboard was technically a newscast contest so it doesn't count). That's okay though because I'm trying to save all my luck up for the big ones...like a house from HGTV or $10 million dollars from Publisher's Clearing House. Don't want to waste my luck on the small things like four tickets to the Canyons! (Though the trip for two to see Oprah would have been nice.)

Lost and Found

My computer screen at work died today so I was issued an interim one that is gigantic! It's 25.5" and I have to slide my chair way back to see the screen properly.

Lori is putting online over 2,000 pictures that Dana has taken over the years of his kids. There were a few that had me in them and it certainly brought back the old days. Ah, my hair is one that will never come back!

We're always excited when Jason's around.

Baby Bailey



President's Day

President's Day meant buses were on a holiday schedule. That was incentive for quite a few people not showing up to work. That and the floating holiday we get every year to take when we want it. I would never waste it like that of course. It gets tacked on to a TRIP for me to use it. I ended up leaving work early though since I didn't feel well. Slept three hours before waking up just in time to go to my ward's FHE. It was on temples given by an architect here at the Church.

I got a $20 credit to use at Amazon for $10 thanks to a CityDeals deal sent to me by Lori. My order just arrived and included a muffin top pan. I had to break it in right away. Muffins really DO taste better when they're just the tops!



Snowy Sunday

I think Chris likes it when he wakes up and realizes I slept in his room. I'll get him from his crib and snuggle back into my bed together and he's very cute. Today though he, TJ, and Micah were very active for that early in the morning and climbed all over me. (TJ said his parents door was locked...meaning they all converged on me.) We had a nice breakfast together and another music practice. TJ wore a blue blazer over a white shirt and black jeans with cowboy boots for Church. He walked around with one hand in his pocket and it was so distinguished looking and cute that I had to take a picture!

Driving home through the canyon though was crazy. All the warning lights were flashing on the signs saying you had to have 4 wheel drive or chains to make it through...which I don't but risked it anyway. At one point we were crawling along the center lane with multiple accidents and police vehicles on either side. I made it, but my shoulders and neck are sore from apparently being tensed up the whole time. I didn't make it in time for Church and also didn't like the idea of trying to make it up the hill to the meetinghouse anyway so I stayed curled up on my couch at home for the rest of the day.

Here Kitty, Kitty, KITTY!

For Micah's birthday today, I went to Heber to spend the night. Jenny called and invited me to come up early since it was snowing and only getting worse. I hydroplaned twice while driving there and four vehicles had slid off recently along the road, the police were just responding to the different spots.

We had a birthday celebration of singing, presents, and cake and all watched a movie together after practising our musical number for Mike's baptism. It sounded REALLY good with the cello added to the piano and three violin parts if I do say so myself.  =D  I like jamming with others while I'm playing. It adds something to the sound and makes the practice more fun.

One thing I do need to mention...they have a cat that is Out To Get Me! We've mutually scared each other innumerable times. Mostly because she pounces on me or stalks me around the room and when I notice her, I screech from fright, thereby startling her to death. The whole Zabel family thinks it is funny because it really is noticeable how she is always staring at me or sneaking up next to me. During the movie, I was sitting on the chair in the corner and put my hand down to the side to recline it back. Apparently the cat was there because she leaped up and got me with both paws around the forearm and hung on. I scared EVERYONE with my yells that time. The boys now point out when she is staring at me to make sure I notice. Like I'm going to miss those orange eyes glowing at me!

Older and Older

Matthew is officially a year old. My how time passes! This time last year I was in the delivery room with Lisa. She did it au natural which was amazing since Matthew was over ten pounds. I helped out by tickling Lisa's back between contractions and then massaging her shoulders during them to remind her to stay relaxed and not tense up. I think I need to go to another delivery though that uses an epideral because it was still pretty traumatic. With Lisa and her family living in D.C., we've missed Matthew starting to walk. I guess he can get around pretty well now.

It is also Edgardo's bday (from work). He brought burritos and homemade salsa to celebrate. Plus others brought a few treats for him too.

Hidden Treasure

I have decided to scan my mission album digitally so that I can preserve the pictures. As I was working on this project, I discovered that on the back of all the album pages, I wrote extensive histories about the people I was meeting who were reflected in those pics. It is so detailed and completely amazing!  Really, a hidden treasure. I don't even remember doing this, but just perusing the pages quickly while scanning, it brought back so many memories. There were lots of entries about things happening that I don't even remember!...so it is good I wrote it all down. Unfortunately, I only did this from the MTC to halfway through my first area. But, I can't wait to read what I have in more detail!

Yes, I was used to pluck eyebrows even then!

Waddill straightened my hair and did my makeup.

Homecoming at the airport - Lori gave me a big hug!

Just a few of the many pictures I've already scanned. I think I'm going to post them all on Facebook when I get the chance.

Family and Noses

It's nice to get ready in the morning while having my dad there reading an Ensign article and the scriptures. It's been just me for so long that I don't usually get outside spiritual influences inside my home. Visiting Jenny's family this weekend also allowed me to see Brett on his knees in personal prayer. Those are my priesthood connections at work and I'm thankful for them!

Lisa sent a picture text today. Apparently Matthew knows where his nose is now. When she asks him where his nose is, he'll stick his finger right up there...literally!  He's walking now too which we got to see by Skype at the family Valentine's party.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Work was a smorgasborg of sugar today. Sugar cookies, bundt cakes, and then the social committee put on a fondu treat. There was chocolate and caramel that could be used to dip marshmallows, pretzels, brownies, cookies, rice crispies, Pringles, bananas, pineapple, strawberries, apples, granola, angel food cake, etc. The best combination was the coconut marshmallows dipped in caramel. So good! But, oh I felt sick after.

Mom and dad came up in the evening to finally see their movie, Red. They spent the night so they wouldn't have to drive home late. My cello was much admired.

Early Valentines

After a lovely breakfast with the Zabel clan, I drove home and got ready for Church. Apparently I still had energy from the active morning because I was out of my comfort zone friendly and participating at Church. I talked to lots of new people and hope to do so again next week. Maybe.

I drove directly from Church down to Pleasant Grove for our monthly birthday party combined with the Valentine exchange. These dinner get-togethers are always loud with lots of kids running around, but fun. Dana and Deborah hand-dipped chocolates to give as their treat, Lori and Cody made banana bread. I gave the kids giant lips suckers made of taffy. Beau loved his so much he had to start chomping down on it right away, but I was able to get some pictures of it first...

Yeah, those are Beau's teeth marks in it already.

And...Sarah. Anyone else see Janice the Muppet with those lips? Ha!

Oh, and I did my taxes and will be getting a refund! Now, what to do, what to do...

Zabel Zoo

Jer had an early morning basketball game (anytime I have to get up at 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday constitutes as early!) and then we had a fabulous breakfast...on my part that is. Nathan was in charge of cooking the sausages which apparently were still raw, Jer was in charge of the eggs which all mashed and stuck to the pan, and I was in charge of the pancakes which were fluffy and perfectly browned. TJ didn't care and ate all of the sausage anyway before I discovered the problem.

We spent the day playing ball again at the Church, going to McDonald's for an ice cream treat and to utilize the play gym facilities, and cleaning the house after our dart gun massacre.  Casulties included Nathan getting a black eye from Jer punching him in the face while wrestling for the front seat in Big Red (their gigantic red passenger van that I had to drive for the car seats), Micah getting a gouge scratched out of his back at McDonald's in the gym, me having to change five poopy diapers (I've decided it's a good thing I don't have kids because I don't do gross bodily functions), and getting shot in the throat at close range with a high-powered dart gun. Ouch!

The highlights though included having TJ climb into bed with me in the morning and petting my hand over and over because he was happy I was there, scaring Chris to death doing the monkey call, having the boys beg me to spend another night even though their parents were home...and so I did, surprising TJ when he was going to bed by hiding under his covers, and having the boys tell their mom they like cleaning the house when I'm there because I make it fun. (I was the general and they were my troops that each had a specific assignment like Jer being in charge of picking up all the artillery equipment such as guns, darts, the bow, arrows, etc. He almost got thrown in the brig though for procrastination of duties until he found out what it entailed and then he shaped up (being on your hands and knees in the middle of the room while the other boys get to run by and give one spank each.) They all saluted me after their assigment and Chris even said, 'yes sir!' None of the other boys had done that so I don't know where he got it, but so funny! Nate was very happy to receive a promotion over Jer who was demoted.)

Now that is joy at eating his spoonful of ice cream!

Chris and his red lips plus an ice cream moustache. Kiss me!

Jer's crazy hair after the bball game.

 

Jer's favorite pajama shirt.



Freaky Friday

We finally had treats again at work after a long break due to over-indulgence at Christmas time. It was thanks to the two birthday boys. (I helped carry it up from the car.)



Tom Coburn and Bob Dunford





I left work a little early and drove up to Heber. Jenny and Brett went out of town because they just couldn't take it anymore. I'm not sure what 'it' refers to, but I was happy to help out and watch the boys. We went to the Church and played basketball and had a good time messing around. TJ and Chris are currently in to being cowboys. They're the cutest cowboys I've ever seen!

TJ wearing his leather chaps

TJ IS pulling that face on purpose!

My cowboys

Helloooo T-AH-mmy!

I have the blessing of working with several general authorities in my department.  Elder Claudio D. Zivic just started working with us at the end of 2010.  He is from Argentina and does a good job of integrating his Spanish and English. When I write letters for him to sign and be sent out to Central and South American temples, I frequently have to write them in Spanish. He has a red pen of which he makes good use. Just the other day, I sat down with him in his office to go over some of the marked up letters correcting my Spanish usage and he was so very nice about. Now that we've been interacting more, when he sees me, he says hello and my name. Thanks to the accent, it comes out - Hellooo T-AH-mmy - with extra emphasis on the 'a' in my name, Spanish style. It never fails to get a huge grin out of me. For some reason I get a big kick out of how cute it is. (I think it reminds me of my MTC days when everyone used to say 'Heeeeermana P-AH-ck!')  I think I might start walking by his office more often whenever I need a pick-me-up. Hellooo T-AH-mmy!

Happen to You?

Have you ever spent days on an intensive work project, only to be able to see the end in sight...and then have someone suggest a different way of doing it so now you have to start all over?  Yeah, tomorrow will be a new day.

Even though mom and dad just got back from a trip to Southern California (or maybe because of it - they took grandma), they need some time away and will be coming to stay at my place Friday night. I'm actually going to be in Heber, but they just want a quiet place to have dinner and watch a movie without interruptions...which is what happens at their home. I'm happy to help - Packsley's Penthouse is in business once again!

Little Update -

Just a brief update -

-  I officially have the snowboard in my possession

-  My cello was repaired and Christian (the 'string doctor') gave me a tutorial on how to

   string it, adjust the bridge, general care and maintenance, and was all together

   VERY helpful. He also gave me his card and wrote his number on the back.

-  I couldn't help but buy more music while there (a shout out again to my visiting

   teacher who works there and lets me use her 50% discount!). I got two

   Book 2's of the current books I'm using and then all the songs of Wicked.

   Like I said, I couldn't help it!

Winner, Winner, Winner!

I watch KSL news in the morning while I get ready for work. Today they had a contest where you had to email the answer to a question after watching the interview. The interview was of Louie Vito, our homegrown Olympic snowboarder. The question was where does he train when he's in Utah? The answer was Park City. You had to be the fifth email to win. I am now the proud owner of a $400 snowboard signed by Louie. Sweet! My name was even said multiple times by the news people as well as being posted on the screen. Can we say FAMOUS?



Tonya Papanikolas and Louie Vito during the interview w/MY signed snowboard.

*Sigh**Sniff, Sniff**

While tuning my cello tonight, I snapped a string. On the bright side, I bought the insurance plan meaning they will restring the cello for me for free. On the dark side, I have to buy the string which is $30 to $40. It scared me to death!

Gifts and Games

Jenica Humphries had her baby shower today. She is due March 18th and looks like she has a swallowed a ball. Not a basketball mind you, but a football. It's pretty funny. I went a little early to help set everything up, ended up staying to talk for quite some time, and then played Rook for hours. Edna really wanted to play - enough that even though there were only three of us, we still went at it. Marcel never took the middle, just Edna and I did, and yet he ended up winning...easily. Ed and I could have both been set multiple times...

When the game ended, we all just kind of looked at each other and then Ed said, 'want to go again?' So, we roped Tyler into playing with us since he was back from the store and we could finally play teams. Jen sat with us to cheer us on. We played a round to 500, finished, looked at each other again, and started another one. We played almost six hours. Marcel and I could have set Ed and Ty 120 three times in five games. It was a good night, a good night. 

Singing to baby - apparently nobody
has done that to her before!

 

Football Tummy



  

A bad hand I just had to take a picture of. Stupid 10!

Moral Support

I'm a supporter of family and friends. So, when a lady that I work with (Debbie Loock) was going to be performing at the JSMB Chapel, I went to show my support. She'd told me about the dress rehearsals so I thought I knew what to expect. So did she. We were both wrong! They'd only practiced the songs, which were fine to sit through. It was the 50 poems and short stories that were the killers. Three hours into it, I was extremely glad I'd thought to bring a book and make sure I was tucked into a back corner so I could read it without anyone knowing. I started the book there and finished it by the end of the night.

Leave It As You Found It

A guy that I work with needed some 'special' help today over at my cubicle. It sort of made a mess...and wonder of wonders...he cleaned up after himself!

In my ever progressing cello news, my visiting teacher has picked me up a cello tuner from Summerhays where she works - at her discount! I'm thinking this will make a huge difference in the sound from trying to tune it online.

Rich Sutton at work

I love the death grip he has on the 'special' work!

This Is the Place!

Work days seem to just fly by when you have a field-trip. In preparation for an upcoming seminar, I got to go to the This Is the Place heritage park to check out the buildings and prices. It is such a fun place! Unfortunately, it was windy, cold, AND the cute cowboy from last time who tipped his hat at me and said, 'ma'am' wasn't there. So much for my butterflies!

I did get a picture in the Heber C. Kimball home of our work consummate hostess, MaryAnn Falk. I really hope the 'higher ups' approve this activity because it seems like a good party!

Slaving over the stove...or is that huddled for warmth?

I played a bit on the cello again after work. My half hour practice turned into 1 3/4 hours and my poor index finger is sooo sore from the strings!