Falling Like Flies Around Here

The good old fashioned "stomach flu" bug has been residing at our house since last Friday. Mom was the first to get hit (naturally). After days of vomiting, diarrhea, & stomach cramps, she was just starting to feel better just as I came down with it. Because I can't throw up, things naturally took the other route. She was kept quite busy for two days, trying to keep my bottom clean & dry so my skin wouldn't break down. It was red and sore but she managed to keep things tolerable for me. I'm already feeling better, even tho I still don't have my appetite back yet. Good thing because Dad started with his turn at diarrhea and vomiting this morning. Mom and I sleep a lot when we are sick. That's just how our bodies react to sickness and I guess we are really lucky. Dad however, can't sleep when he is sick. He is miserable and moans, groans, and complains all day about how bad he feels. Mom sure wishes he could sleep, she's already getting tired of hearing him complain - and it's only been one day. She's trying her best to be patient, kind and loving but she is struggling.

I thought we were getting ready for Spring. NOT!!!!

We've had some nice weather lately and Mom and I were looking forward to Spring coming. Well, we woke up this morning and this is what we saw....




So Dad went outside to start clearing snow.


It was a bummer morning because our power went out again. I was lost and didn't know what to do. Mom kept telling me the lights were broken, but I still had to try every light switch in the house. Finally she put me in bed with her and we snuggled for a while. Then it hit me . . . I started crying because I just couldn't handle it. I was sure glad when 2 1/2 hours later the lights came back on.

Christmas & New Year's

Both have come and gone! I had a GREAT Christmas! I loved all my toy gifts. Of course, I had most of them destroyed before the end of the day, but that is part of my loving them. It was a rather unusual Christmas this year because my Mom was really sick. She'd been fighting a slight cold for a couple of weeks, but then she got really sick 2 days before Christmas. She tried to get in to see the doctor, but his office was closed. She spent Christmas morning laying on the couch watching me open my presents. Dad made me breakfast and after I ate, I got my Christmas stocking. WOW, more neat things! I loved it. However, there were no pictures taken, no yummy treats to eat, or Christmas dinner like there usually is. Mom spent the day in bed and the next day (Friday) the doctor said she now had a secondary infection, so he gave her an antibiotic to take for her really bad Sinus infection. She started feeling better on Monday, but then on Tuesday she started feeling worse and was running a fever again. The Doctor's office was closed on Wednesday & Thursday, so on Friday she went into the doctor again. He said it has now gone into her chest and she has Bronchitis. So now she is on yet another antibiotic and waiting to start feeling better.

I've enjoyed my time with her being sick. I do pretty much whatever I want. I've laid around and watched a lot of TV. I've been pretty good to her, by keeping myself entertained. When Dad is around he keeps me supplied with my balloons, tape, string, and M&Ms. I really like giving him orders and when ever he comes to check on me, I always sign a list of things that I want for him to get for me. Yes, I pretty much have it made right now! Sure was a different kind of Christmas and New Year around here though. Ahh, but there is always next year to look forward to!

Morning Surprise

I woke up this morning (5:30 AM) and it was dark outside and it was dark inside. I tried to turn my TV on but it wouldn't work. So I got up and tried to turn my bedroom light on. It didn't work. Then I opened my bedroom door and tried to turn the hall light on. It didn't work. I tried every darn light in the house and not one of them would work!! So I sat on the couch in the living room, in the dark, just plain dumbfounded. Mom got up and was using a flashlight to look for me. When she found me, she told me the lights were broken (no power). Dad got up and built a fire in the fireplace while Mom got me a blanket (we have electric heat) and then put out our battery powered lanterns. It was nice just sitting there watching the fire and the shadows. Dad however, was going crazy. He couldn't use his computer, he couldn't watch TV, he was totally lost! This was all quite a surprise this morning. But the BEST surprise was when it got light enough to see outside, we saw SNOW, lots of SNOW!!!

Last night we went to our Ward Christmas party at Church. I had a great time, and I was excited and happy because I got to see Santa Clause! After all the little kids had their turn, I got to sit on Santa's lap. He likes me and I really like him.

All my favorite Christmas decorations are up, my beloved Christmas tree is up, my TV and all the lights work, and there is much SNOW outside. Ah yes . . . It's beginning to look a LOT like Christmas around here FINALLY!


Uhh . . . let me think a minute, balloons, string, tape, you know, all the good stuff.

Jeff the Rock Climber

Yeah, you heard me right. I went rock climbing today!! Man, it was so much fun and I had a great time. Clay and I went with Common Grounds (a recreational group for people with disabilities, from Logan, Utah). They have all kinds of adaptive equipment for people like me to use, so I can do things I might not otherwise be able to do. We went to an indoor climbing place called the Rock House. At first I didn't really know what to do. But after a while, I caught on and there was no stopping me. I made it all the way to the top - about 75 feet up!!! Boy was I tired when we finished. I can hardly wait to go again! ME, ROCK CLIMBING!!!!! I was so proud of myself.

Halloween Fun

I had a GREAT time on Halloween! I dressed up as a Chick Magnet and everyone really liked my costume. Mom & Dad went with me to the 'trunk or treat' at Church. I got lots of candy and had lots of fun there. Then we went to visit Arda Smith. Her house is the best in the world during Halloween. Everyone goes to visit her on Halloween because she goes all out decorating her house. (Well, she's 88 now, so her kids and grandkids do all the decorating for her.) It takes them 2 weeks to put everything up. Sorry we didn't get a picture of her house, but here's some of me as a 'chick magnet'

Front view

Front view

Back view

The Pumpkin Walk

Clay and I went to the Pumpkin Walk in Logan. I had lots of fun. Here are some pictures of me being silly.