Thanksgiving

Winsie relishing turkey skin

The kids in their jammies

Ellie hiding from the camera with hippo

It was just me, Mom and Dad this year for Thanksgiving dinner so it was pretty quiet, but nice and relaxing. We got dinner ready without having a specific time in mind so it wasn't very stressful. We tried a few new recipes, a brussell sprouts one and a different sweet potato one. The sweet potatoes were pretty good, they had cranberries and maple syrup. I would make that recipe again but with brown sugar added to make it a little sweeter. We got it all ready and then we were done eating so fast! I think having less people we didn't talk quite as much as we would have, so we scarfed it down pretty fast, and then we cleaned up! It was a quiet, but nice Thanksgiving.
Friday Kim, Matt and Ellie came to stay the night and Michelle and the kids came by. It was so nice seeing them all, it feels like I haven't seen them in so long! It's always fun watching the kids interract. Ellie is so much fun to watch, she is the cutest little talker. I got a kick out of her saying "Lee Lee, come on! Come on! Lee Lee, come on!" when she wanted to go downstairs. hehe. She's so fun! I was excited to have Charley, Luke and Rhett over cause I feel like since I've been sick I've hardly seen them.
Today we went to church and then started putting Christmas stuff up. I always love when we get the Christmas stuff up and I dread taking it down. Winston had fun following us all around and sniffing (and trying to take off with) the decorations. He loves the Santa's mom has been accumulating and placing around the house. I will have to keep an eye on Winsie. ;)

Coldplay!

I went to the greatly anticipated Coldplay concert last night with Ryan and Melissa! We bought tickets so long ago that I thought the excitement was starting to wear off, just about until we got to the venue, then it started kicking in again. It was at Energy Solutions, which I was a little disappointed with because the acoustics there are pretty bad and it's such a large venue. But I was just happy they were coming to Salt Lake! It has been a really long time since I've been to a concert in such a big venue. I wish they weren't so popular!


Anyway, the opening bands were ok! The first one was called Sleepercar I think , I can't remember the name. They were a band from Texas and were actually pretty good. The next to open was this really interesting DJ, DJ John Hopkins or something like that. The most interesting part of his was this graphics show going on behind him. At first I really liked it, there were some really obscure graphics and they went along with his beats, but the longer he went on, the weirder the graphics got and they almost turned creepy. As did the music. It was kind of strange! But somehow the whole thing was really hypnotic and I felt like I was in some sort of daze watching it.


Then out came Coldplay! They had a really cool set this tour, they had the stage set up so it kind of forked and they were able to go out about halfway into the floored seating. I remember reading an article where Chris Martin said they were going to do all they could to make their venues feel smaller and I can see how they accomplished that with the stage set up the way they did. And then in another interview about their tour set, all he said was "We have some incredible balls". I thought he was just trying to make an off color joke, but they had these giant orbs hung from the ceiling and they had different things, like videos and graphics projected on to them.

I'm trying to remember what song they started out with and I think it was Life In Technicolor. It was a really good song to start with. They had the "Liberty Leading the People" by Delacroix as their backdrop and they were all decked out in their weird revolutionary looking uniforms. I can't really remember all the songs they played and in what order they played them because they played for two hours. They played a little bit from all their previous albums, like The Scientist, Clocks, Politik, Yellow, Fix You, The Hardest Part, Speed of Sound....all of which were excellent. I always tend to like their older music the very best, although there really isn't a song of theirs I don't love. I loved hearing Politik though because it reminded me of the concert me and Anj went to a few years ago and that song was so good live! Wasn't it Anj! I think it might have been the first song they played at that show. For some reason it sounds so much better live than on the album. I was hoping they'd play Daylight and Warning Sign too but that's ok.

I think they played pretty much every song on their new album, and my favorite from that was definitely Viva La Vida and Lovers in Japan. When they started the intro to Viva La Vida the crowd just went crazy. Myself included, hehe. They just put on such a good show, you can't help but get really into it. They sound so good live and it's not only how great they sound but their overall performance, like the lasers they had going. You can just really feel the music when they play. And they all look so passionate about what they're doing. If you watch each band member individually for awhile they are so into what they're doing. Will is so much fun to watch on the drums, and last night he even sang a solo, he has an awesome voice. I think Chris needs to give him some more mic time;) Johnny is so fun to watch on the guitar, he's just so good. Guy is always so fun to watch, Anj would agree with me on that:) He really doesn't move around much but the way he plays the bass is mesmerizing. hehe. Chris Martin is so entertaining to watch. Sometimes when he's flailing around the stage or looking like he's having convulsions whilst playing piano, I wonder if he's completely drunk. But he's a denouncer of alcohol, so I'm then left in awe and wonder at how he manages to act so silly without any help. Maybe it's caffeine? Either way, it's really entertaining and he knows how to get the crowd going.

At one point in the show we were pleasantly surprised to find they had set up a little mini platform in the nosebleeds not far from us! They came up and said they wanted to reach the back of the audience, so they sang a couple songs up there. I thought that was so cool. Too bad I was too busy fumbling with my phone's camera to really take it all in. I was trying to figure out how to zoom in with my camera, and never could figure it out. It was nice not having to squint or rely on the big screens to see them!

During Lovers in Japan they had a really cool video playing in back of them of footage of Osaka, and some other random things. It was really neat, and then during the middle of the song they started releasing confetti, but I realized after awhile the confetti's were all in the shape of butterflies. It was so cool. You can actually see that on the first picture I posted. By the way, none of these pictures are mine. hehe. They are from previous concerts and I figure they're a lot better than anything I could have taken with my phone anyway:)

Lost was another great one. It was really fun watching Chris during that. I'm trying to think of what song they ended with. I think it was Death and All His Friends. That was pretty amazing too. I loved the end of it. That was a great live song. And when they left the stage I felt so bummed! But they came back and sang an encore of Yellow. I was kind of disappointed they chose to end with Yellow of all songs! But that's ok.:) I think I gain a whole new appreciation for all their songs when I see them live, they're just so good! Like I said about their last concert, it was like a spiritual experience for me. hehe. What an awesome show. Coldplay never disappoints. The only thing that would have made it better would be if Anj could have come with us!

A Trip to Morgan and Echo

We stopped to let Winsie greet the horses on our way to Morgan Great Grandma and Grandpa Roger's old house in Morgan Today we drove up to Grandpa's grave in Morgan. We put some fall flowers and mini scarecrows on his plot. It was such a beautiful day. I know Grandpa would have loved to go for a drive up to Morgan on a day like this. Maybe he was with us. I'm so glad we got to go up there to the cemetery. I have been thinking so much about Grandpa and about how much I miss him. It's really been hitting me more lately.I still can't believe he's gone, sometimes it just feels like he's supposed to still be here. I miss Grandpa's sweet presence so much. Whenever I spoke with him or got an email he completely brightened my day. I miss hearing Grandpa's prayers. They were always so heartlfelt and sincere. I miss hearing his stories, he always had such awesome stories and experiences. Grandpa had such a way of making us feel special. I miss hearing him call me "LeeLee you sweet girl". I was trying to remember the other day what the last thing was that Grandpa said to me and it was that. I will never forget that. I am so grateful that I know I will see him again, that we will all be together again as a family. When we were with Grandpa before he passed away I had a strong confirmation that death really is not the end and that we would be reunited again someday. When I was saying goodbye to him I really knew more than ever that it would just be for a short while. I also witnessed how strong the human spirit is. When we arrived at the hospital that night,the doctors said that Grandpa was not coherent or responsive to them. But I knew Grandpa was aware we were there with him that night, and that he heard every word we said to him. I won't forget how his eyes changed from a glazed over state, to looking right at me when I went to his side to say goodbye. I know he heard what I said and what he would've said to each of us if he could have spoken. I think that was one of the hardest things I've ever witnessed yet the most powerful. I miss him so much, but I really believe he is with us and watching over our family.
The view from Grandpa's grave. It's such a pretty view.

We drove to Echo on our way home. This is the cafe Grandpa's family ran. I've always wanted to see it. It's for sale now, I wish I could buy it:)

Happy Birthday KC

I forgot to post this picture of KC the other day in honor of his 18th birthday on the 4th.

KC was such a perfect dog! I miss him so much!

Stumbling Blocks or Stepping Stones

My throat feels 100% better! I can't believe what a difference I feel compared to last Sunday. Hooray for modern medicine. I still feel really worn down and weak from the mono, but I can cope with that. I decided today I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and embrace challenges. I felt so sorry for myself all week, feeling like now that I've finally gotten ahead and gotten through the toughest thing I could, I'm back to feeling like crap again. I was in completely the wrong mindframe. Instead of thinking about how lucky I have been that things have gone smoothly thus far and that I'm on my way to achieving whatever I want to in life, I have focused on how I need to get a tonsillectomy...how I might miss Thanksgiving... and if the house doesn't sell soon then I won't have any money left in my account. And surely I can't even think of applying to schools and for financial aid, I have too much left to resolve in the meantime. I need to calm down and realize that things are going to work out. I think sometimes we get sick so we are forced to take a break. Otherwise we might never make time to do it. So today I've tried to do some attitude-adjusting. I read a really good article from the conference issue of the Ensign by Elder Wirthlin called "Come What May, and Love It". It was very inspirational. It really made me think about how grateful I am for what I've been through the past few years and despite how painful it was, it has given me a wonderful gift of growth. It sounds strange but it makes me almost want to say that I love trials. Nevermind, I take it back. :) I wouldn't go that far I guess. But I am grateful for what can happen when we use our trials as stepping stones.

Winston's getting mad so I'm going to pay some attention to him now.

Snow day for Winsie

Winsie was so excited about the snow yesterday he could hardly wait to get outside. I love how he gets snow all stuck in his beard, it's so cute.

Notes from the Invalid

Well, having mono isn't nearly as bad as having tonsilitis I've decided. At first when I went to the doctor last week, they tested me for strep and it came out negative of course because I had started antibiotics. So I was prescribed nothing, the doctor knew I had started antibiotics but for some reason didn't consider my results could be masked. So he sent me home telling me to use some lozenges and gargle and I should be fine. But we knew it had to be a secondary bacterial infection because of the severity of it over the weekend. The pain was so bad that I just couldn't stand it, I never knew it could be that painful. I'm so glad I went to the ER because otherwise I would've just been given a prescription of antibiotic and sent home. But the ER gave me an IV of a heavy-duty antibiotic and morphine and it helped a lot the first night. But they sent me home and the Lortab they prescribed didn't even eat away at the pain in the night, in fact the pain just got worse. And the Lortab made me feel so sick. So back to the ER yesterday and they put me on the same IV, but this time it didn't really work. They kept giving me more morphine but it wouldn't take the pain away like the night before. I was very hesitant to leave when they discharged me cause I didn't feel like anything was accomplished.
This time they've sent me home with a prescription for Prednizone, and then for Percocet, both of which are helping a lot so far. The prednizone has really helped cut down some of the swelling. I couldn't believe how big my tonsils got, my uvula was actually touching my tonsils, and it was just so hard to swallow. I was really scared that I wouldn't be able to breathe or swallow at all if it went on. So I'm really glad I got those things at the ER,they were so helpful. They gave me a list of Ear Nose & Throat doctors to call about getting a Tonsilectomy. I'm not looking forward to that at all, but after the excruciating pain I felt with this infection, I think I can handle it. I'm sure that with all the stress with the divorce and house stuff my immune system was just shot and that's how I've gotten so sick. Everyone has been so nice to pray for me and to help me right now. Mom and Dad both took me in to the ER on those separate days and got my prescriptions for me and helped me so much. And everyone has been so sweet to call and check up on me and sending me emails. I have the best family in the world, they are all so thoughtful. I got a call from the relief society president yesterday and a nice card from a friend in the ward. Everyone at work has been so nice to let me have work off, it's already been three days off and I feel really bad. They are always so thoughtful and understanding. It makes such a huge difference to work in an office where people actually care about you. They are just great people. I am so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people in my life. I feel really blessed. Thank you everyone for being so good to me.
Ok I'm not going to get all emotional here so I better go. I think all this medication has turned me into a blubbering baby. I kept crying the other day at the ER, not all because of the pain. I guess all the medications can make you emotional. Anyway, I am going to go rest now. That is all for today. I need to go take a nap with Winsie.

Nelson Mandela's Words of Wisdom

I stayed home from church today since I'm sick, so I've been reading quotes all day online to give me some inspiration. I found a bunch of good Nelson Mandela quotes so I wanted to share:)

“There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

"And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

"There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.”

"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”

“Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that a son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a nation.”

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

“We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.”

Happy Halloween and Happy Birthday Winston!

Halloween was pretty uneventful this year. I have been feeling sick for about two weeks now and it is only getting worse, so I stayed home while Mom and Dad went to Michelle and Pete's to see the kids. I think this year Charley was a cheetah girl, Lukey was Frankenstein and Rhett a pirate. I wish I could have gone, but it was kind of nice relaxing last night. We rented Bewitched last night but I slept through the whole thing. hehe.
I'm not sure when Winston's birthday really is, but we've celebrated it on Halloween every year since that is the day we got him. Yesterday was his birthday, but since it was a busy night we decided to celebrate today. I think we'll follow in the tradition of KC's birthdays and give him a can of tuna. I made him a real dog cake last year, but to me it seems like he'd enjoy a can of tuna more than a bland cake made of carrots and peanut butter. I really wanted to take him to the dog park today and do all sorts of fun things with him, but I just don't feel up to going anywhere. Maybe I will take him to the dog park still though. He has a blast when we go. I wanted to buy him some bones from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for him, but I don't think I will be going out anywhere today.
I think that's all for now! That was a fascinating post.

Here are some pictures from last night.