And here it all begins!

Getting married...yeah, it is pretty much great to get ready for!  Jodi and I have been having a lot of fun getting things ready, including furnishing our new apartment.  We have run into a lot of great blessings in this regard, especially tonight with a set of couches.  $250 not bad eh?  Then there is that king size bed...double-top pillow, only 4 years old, spacious goodness...$65.  Not to mention the coffee table and 2 matching end tables for $50.  Yeah, we're pretty much amazing.  We've almost furnished our entire apartment with less than $400.  If you hear anything about a hip kitchen table and chairs for such a rad price as these, let us know.

A Moving Video

Heather wanted me to post this!

Reflections

FIGURES

So, went to get the stent removed today, hoping to relieve the ridiculous pain. You guessed it, couldn't be done. There was supposed to be a curled up section of the stent in my bladder for the doctor to grab. Easy, pretty painless. Only, it wasn't there. it had uncurled and gone further into my kidney, taking it out of the bladder. So, what now..... I have to go in Friday, go under, and have them go in and remove it. Not general this time, just the twilight. He said it would be cruel to do it without anesthesia. One might ask how common this is. My doctor said it has happened 3, maybe 4 times in his whole career. FIGURES! So the saga continues. The pain is awful, but the medication makes me dizzy and nauseous. I have lost 8 pounds since Friday. Yes, that is because I pretty much don't eat. This could be a good thing, since I kinda gained that the last few weeks.... Anyway, life is pretty good other than that! Hope things are going better for you Justin. I get to see lots of you soon!!! See life is full of goodies. Love you all bunches.

Home Pictures

Hey, if you want to see the pictures of our home for sale, inside and out, they are on Realtor.com, MLS ID# 06860307. It's listed for $379,900. Just thought some of you might be interested.

Photo Saturday! Yay!

Allo all! Sorry I missed yesterday ... alot of us did! So here is today!

What a poser!

Home at Last!

I am really getting tired of living out of a suitcase but for family, I am willing to do so. I just arrived home (10 minutes) and it is so nice. While in Utah I was able to visit with Grandpa and Grandma Workman. Grandpa is looking good and seems to have good energy levels. Grandma is as cheerful as ever.

Grandma Hutchings on the other hand is not doing well. Her mental acuity is, well, she really doesn't have much at all. We don't carry on conversations, just respond to what she come up with. And let me tell you, she comes up with some really interesting stuff. I guess, what happens is that she hears something and it gets jumbled with everything else in her mind and when it comes out, well, it is interesting. Physically, she has also deteriorated. It is spring and I was told she will at time go out with the "hoe" but for only a few minutes. Larry and Beverly are taking such good care of her. It is really a labor of love that they do for her and all of us.

Photo Phriday, well I was banking on my picture of Justin in the hospital and figuring I was the first in the race, but James, thanks for the encouragement and here is another. Yes, that is me. 1962.

This week in picture

Enough said.

Heather's Update

After spending a blissful 11 hours in the hospital, she is home. The kids of course were absolute angels for mom who was watching them. One of them actually only wet himself once. Yeah, a new record!!! The actually hospital stay was more fun than 6 Flag Great America. Between the pain at 9 on a ten scale, and the several sessions of vomiting due to pain, we give it a two thumbs up! The doctor was not able to remove any stones whatsoever, but was able to clean the stones with several jets of water. They are now polished to a diamond like brilliance! The good news is that they are very small now as should be passed like a ..... I'll leave the analogy up to you to have fun with. If you want the serious version of what happened, please call Heather. Straight from the horses mouth and not from the ignorant jockey would probably be wise. Plus she would probably love to hear from you all.

PS. Good luck Justin....Heal well.

PHOTO PHRIDAY!

We love Photo Phriday, don't we?  Honestly, we could all do better (starting with me, of course!)  Let's see what we can do to keep each other in the loop.  Love you all!

Justin Update

Justin just got back to the room. His surgery went well. Doctor overall was pleased. He has a great deal of pain but Jodi is taking good care of him as you can see in the picture. His right arm is in an immobilizer that the doctor hopes to remove the day before his wedding as a wedding gift. Will give you an update tomorrow.

Keys

I don't remember who but someone told me that the more keys you carry the more important you are.  Well, my key chain got much lighter this week . . . so I guess that means I am less important.  I was released on Sunday as the Primary President and well, I will miss the kids but not the extra meetings.  It has been a great learning experience and a lot of fun working with amazing teachers and fun energetic children.   Now back to Relief Society . . . sounds so calm and quiet.  Ahh  . . . .

Surgery

As you all know, I messed up my shoulder and have been having problems with it for quite some time.  Well, after some confusion with insurance and hospitals not liking insurance, I am still on my for surgery.  Heather, I'm so sorry you must have surgery as well.  I'm not looking forward to having my arm immobilized for 6 weeks, especially as it puts me at risk for being in a sling for my wedding (don't tell anyone, but I'm going to take it out for the pictures, not matter what!).  I will be going in for surgery on Thursday at 12:00 noon.  I love you all!  I'm going to go to sleep.  It is 1:00am.  Then I'm going to get up at 4:00am to study.  Yes, I love finals!  Three hours of sleep?  Sounds like utter bliss right now!  By the way, Jodi is doing well.  You can check out her blog, there are some great pictures of us from our adventure at the Traditions Ball two weeks ago.  

ARG!

Fall Harvest

I was browsing through the pictures that I have scanned reminiscing and found some wonderful pictures. Well, they are wonderful to me and brought back many wonderful memories that I would love to share with my family. But then, well you may just get bored so I will limit myself to a picture here and there.

In Utah, the settlers needed to have cash crops to generate the revenue they needed to build their society. Oats, barley, corn and hay were all generally taken for raising livestock. Wheat of course was a cash crop but many farmers and families used most of what they harvested. They came across Sugar Beets. Most of the worlds sugar comes from sugar cane but sugar beets are also a major source of sugar. In fact, in Minnesota and North Dakota, sugar beet farming is still widely practiced.

Well, back to my story, the Utah farmers (Idaho as well) realized that sugar beets would be an excellent cash crop and they began to cultivate and sell them. The Utah-Idaho Sugar Company was formed and "Sugar Factories" were built throughout Idaho and Utah. Some shells are still visible such as the one in Garfield on I-15 on the way to Rexburg. The remains of the West Jordan factory are still there. I may have taken you by and made you listen to me reminisce.

Sugar beet farming is very labor and machinery intensive. The seeds are very small, have to be thinned (used to be by hand) so the remaining beets will have the room to grow to the proper size, weeded (by hand when we grew them) regularly and then when harvested, the tops have to be removed and the beet dug from the ground.

When I was very young, I would estimate 3-5, I remember using our old Marbeet digger. It dug one row at a time, and topped the beet after it was dug and then conveyed the beet to a hopper that was pulled behind the tractor. When that broke down too many times and we could no longer get parts and we no longer had a tractor it would bolt on to, we stopped digging our own beets and contracted with Elmer Palmer (Uncle Elmer, my mothers brother) to dig our beets. We would work together to get his and our beets dug. He had purchased a new digger that would pull two rows at a time and was all in one unit that was pulled behind the tractor. On the top was a stand next to the conveyor chain that dropped the beets into the hopper where a person could stand and pull weeds, tops and excess dirt from the chain. For many years, this was my assignment. These picture were taken when I was 7 years old. I was in the second grade and had a broken arm. the year was 1963 and we were digging on the field we had designated #1. Can you find me in the last two pictures? (Hint, upper right hand corner). The man driving the tractor was Dave Palmer, Elmer's oldest son, my cousin. Roger was driving the truck. If you click on each picture you can see him and me better.

oop! sorry!

Ack! I forgot! Sorry! It's still friday, though. 11:11! I decided the Packard's needed to be remembered too!

Better late than never....

This is why I am a mom!

New This Week

As sad as it is, here is my life on this Friday . On a happier note, Dad's on his way home!

Address:
2404 PATRICIA LN
MCHENRY, IL 60050
MLS ID# 06860307

$379,900
4 Bed, 2.5 Bath

Single Family Property, County: MCHE, Two story, Central air conditioning, Basement, Dining room, Laundry room

To access this page directly, use http://www.realtor.com/realestate/mchenry-il-60050-1098267225/

Property Features
Single Family Property Status: Active County: MCHE 4 total bedroom(s) 2.5 total bath(s) 2 total full bath(s) 1 total half bath(s) 13 total rooms Two story Type: Detached home	Master bedroom Living room Dining room Family room Kitchen Basement Laundry room Master bedroom is 24X13 Living room is 18X13	Dining room is 12X12 Family room is 14X13 Kitchen is 18X13 Laundry room is 12X6 2 fireplaces 2 car garage Central air conditioning Interior features: Eat-in kitchen, Foyer, Recreation room, Recreational room is 30X12, Bedroom 2 is 13X12, Bedroom 3 is 12X12, Bedroom 4 is 12X10 Approximate lot is 266X150X266X150

Hans @ Work

I just thought that I would give you all a glimpse in to my daily routine.

Here is a better view of the CAD program that I use.

Photo Friday is Tops!!!

PHOTO PHRIDAY!

Easily on of my favorites.  JOshua definitely enjoyed the cake at Michael's birthday dinner.  Who's next?

crazy, crazy, crazy...

Marquie, I'm thinking maybe you and me need more to do. Everyone else seems too busy to share their woes with us. So.... today I organized. I needed a project. Everyone needs one of those now and then. I had three boxes of kids shoes in the garage. We dumped them all on the floor and matched them. I called it the ultimate matching game. the kids loved it. After all shoes were mated, they went into their own ziploc bags. Then back into the container. Go me! After removing so many shoes from the front closet, I just had to finish it. So now the front closet looks great too. Yes Liz, this means the vacuum rolls in and out of the closet with ease. no more mops jumping out to bite me either!! I love project days. Beautiful weather does that to me. I am feeling better. The pleurisy seems to be improving. The drugs however, make me a retard. Seriously the ultimate airhead. At least now I have an excuse. I should have a good idea next week what and how many surgeries come next.... Nuff about me. Joe had his work review last week and it was amazing. They said he has set the bar very high for himself. He also got a 4% raise. Yippeeee! He has also been asked to attend weekly manager meetings. They want to make him manager, but I think hesitate cause he only has himself to manage.... They are trying to find another designer (Joe is swamped), but are having difficulty. Anyway, he is totally amazing and they know it. Isn't it nice to be appreciated. Oh, totally depressing with the whole for sale sign thing going on in the parents yard. Hey, we are going to the Jelly Belly factory on Saturday. Fun for us!!!!

hello!!!!!

Hi ever'one! It's been 3 days! Come on!
I heard Jodi isn't doing well. I'm super super super duper sorry. You make all of my problems seem horridly nonexistent. I'm praying for you! I super hope you get better fast!

Oh my gosh! I'm so excited that tomorrow is Friday! It is so relieving! Anyone else?
Love ya'll!

Marquie

Hmph! I was going to add a picture, and it's not working. Later...

First Chair and Last String Update

James, thanks for the thoughts about the 501's!

We bought the ball of twine from Fleet Farm in Hudson when we lived in St. Joseph. I am debating on whether I should invest in another one. 20 years is a good run. Let's see, Collin will be coming off his mission then... Yea, I guess I will.

I drove my new car straight through to Virginia this past weekend. As mom posted, we have listed the house. Please keep us in your prayers. It is time.

Here is a cute picture from a few years back

Workman Blog

As you all know, the Workman Family has a blog. I thought you might want to know how to view it. It has updates on the family reunion this summer--dates July 25 and 26. Here is the URL:
http://workmanblog.bridgeling.com/

It's a little more difficult to navigate than ours, but I'm sure you computer literate people can figure it out.

It's on the market!

So, we finally got our home listed. There is a lock box on the door (but no sign in the yard yet). We'll let you know when you can view it all online. Thanks for all the photo phriday's. It was delightful--especially the mud puddle!

Rain, Rain Go Away

While I love the rain, really I do, the boys just need to be able to play outside!  So, the other day after it stopped raining they asked if they could go out and play.  I knew it was still wet, but they promised to take their shoes off before they stepped on the carpet.  After a couple of minutes I looked out the window to check on them to find this site.  It took a minute to compose myself, but then I had a great time just taking pictures.  Enjoy my late photo Friday!  

In case you can't tell they like to wear all the same color.  The joys of letting your children dress themselves!  :) 

Oh, and it get better.  Check this out!  

Have a lovely weekend and enjoy the rain!

Run to Work

It is wonderful to have a job to love so much.  Alright, it isn't really the job I love so much, but the people I get to work with there.  The missionaries: ordained ministers and servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I get to stand on Holy Ground, much like the temple, every day.  I just can't think of any better place to work.  I have to get to work.  BUT...I first need to inform the family of a few things:

1. Jodi has mononucleosis.  Yes.  Can we throw ourselves back six years to Michelle?  Super bummer, especially since she still has tests and finals to take. 

2. I am having shoulder surgery on April 24 to repair some torn muscle.  I think it is the result of years to trying to throw a baseball really hard, but never warming up first.  Especially that time on my mission... Oh, and my intramural soccer incident last November.  I wanted the ball, and he was in my way!  I just happened to hit the turf with him, and was given the foul card, blah, blah, blah. We won that game.

Those are my two bits of news.  And, Jodi is having her shower today.  How come she gets a cool party, and I just have to go to work?  Some things I will always wonder about.

Foto Friday

Not much, I know....you get tired of seeing me....(i don't)(yes, i know the song is about me already...) :D Love you guys!

The other picture would be just about how I feel about moving....not quite the right picture yet...don't worry, I'll find one.
(I take some wierdo pictures!)

First Chair and Last String

Now, before you go and faint on me for actually making Photo Phriday, well even posting for that matter, please accept that the days have been long and the nights short, too many meetings and too much sinus stuff. (Doesn't help the sleep either.) I went from IAD to PIT today. Woke up when I felt a sudden jarring of my seat. We were landing. I didn't even know we had taken off. Then flew from PIT to ORD and, you guessed, it happened all over again. Except this time, I went back to sleep and woke up in time to be one of the last off the plane. I was in row 6! Yes, it has been a long week.

OK, now for the title. We went to a really fun ward dinner and "show" last Friday evening. The "show" was the Young Women putting on a program for the ward centered around the Young Women values. It was really good and fun. One of the presentations was a slide show with one slide a picture of a young woman in band. Funny how things take you back. My mind went back 40 years. (Yes, I am old and you are glad!) to my seventh grade year when I was in band. I imagine most bands are the same, you compete for chair position and that determines which part, 1,2, or 3, you play. It came to my mind that my family may not know that for my seventh grade year and a good portion of my 8th grade year I held first chair, trumpet. Lost it after that because I didn't practice enough. In High School, I think I got it back on the Baritone Horn. Just thought you might like to know.

Last string, you may recognize it from this picture. Do any of you remember when we first bought and where? In a future posting. Love Dad

aahhhh!

My basement is flooding. It is supposed to snow for the next three days. O.K. enough of that. You guys are pathetic today. Isn't she cute!

Full Moon Maple

This has got to be one of my favorite maples

Acer japonicum

What outstanding fall color.

Enjoy photo Friday!



Hello? Hello? Is any one there?

Pleurisy

Those of you who read and said pleur... what?, are right there with me. After 3 hours in the E.R. today, that was what I was told. Inflammation of the outer lining of the lungs. Ummm... k. Our ever so curious and loving mum found out this is actually a symptom, not the problem. So, what did they tell me to do.... rest. Hah! They also prescribed vicoprofin. Did anyone else know of this drug. You guessed it, vicoden and 800ml ibuprofin mixed. Might make me sleepy. Um sleepy, more like knock me out. What next? Any way, I am going to watch my symptoms and see if the get worse. Oh, pleurisy can be a symptom of kidney failure. Hhmmmm. I also had a CT scan today and they kindly informed me I had kidney stones. Eerrgggg. No more lithiotripsy for me. I have an appointment on the 22nd and we are going to have some serious chatting. This is obviously not working. My body doesn't much like it either I'm thinking. Oh yeah, I went to the hospital because of chest pain and an inability to breath. Blah, blah, blah. O.k., I think that's it. Love you buh bye!

sorry...

Sorry. Don't be mad. I have your birthday in my agenda, but I didn't look at my agenda. I'm sorry. Don't hate me. Don't be mad. happy late birthday. i'm super sorry.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZ!

other notable birthdays.

Also Hitler's birthday.

And Liz's, you dork.

Hello!


So you all know, I know it doesn't really matter to you, but today is Judy's birthday. She is the girl that died last October.




See Ya!

Your daily Feel Good Moment

TO START EACH DAY WITH A POSITIVE OUTLOOK

1. Open a new file in your computer.

2. Name it " Hillary Rodham Clinton ".

3. Send it to the Recycle Bin.

4. Empty the Recycle Bin.

5. Your PC will ask you. "Do you really want to get rid of

" Hillary Rodham Clinton?"

6. Firmly Click "Yes."

7. Feel better?

GOOD - Tomorrow we'll do Nancy Pelosi .

hehehe...so guess what?

Allo!

Guess what everyone?! I went on a date last night! Yes, I know, it's kind of hard to believe, but I really did go on a date that someone actually ASKED me on. (I'm sure it was helped by the previous set up.) We went to see "Horton Hears a Who". It really is a fun movie! I enjoyed it alot. Then we walked over to Dairy Queen.

Dad scared him a bit though. He asked him when I was going to be home....He said 7:30, and the show didn't start until 6:30. It was HILARIOUS!!!! He was trying to figure out what time the show would end, but Dad just made him nervous, I guess. Oh gosh, it was so funny!

Anyways! I super love you guys! Have a most wonderfulamous super day! Yippee! Love ya! Isn't the picture perty? I took it! Oooh! General Conferance was good, too, huh?

Memorial for a Grand Friend

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community…….The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart. The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

Please rise to the occasion and take time to share that smile with someone else who may be having a crumby day and kneads it!

Better late than never . . .

I know that I have not been good at posting, but will repent and try to do better.  Heather keeps asking what we are doing, but we're just living one day at a time.  We do school, play and work!  Here are a few pics of what we do!  

Michael loves to make a list before he gets to work!  Being a list maker myself I appreciate the organization.  In this picture Michael is writing a story in his new notepad.  I love this notepad because it has space at the top to draw a picture.  He not only learns to write but to illustrate!

While Michael is working Joshua sometimes joins us with a school book of his own, but today he decided to play with the gears.  

Jacob's favorite activity is to either steal my seat or sit in my lap.  He just wants to feel a part of school time!  He has started to let me read books to him which is fun!  Hope you enjoyed our photo Friday!

PHOTO PHRIDAY!!!!!!!

Super cool pictures! Don't ya just love em? Did you all miss me? I super haven't written for a long time! Love youall! Isn't the squirrel just AdOrAbLe?!

Morning Light Miscanthus

This is my favorite grass. What elegance, what beauty!

Miscanthus sinesence 'Morning Light'.

Phirst Photo on Friday

I don't have a lot of time this morning. Headed to Heather's. But found a couple of photos I thought might make you smile! If I have time I'll post more but I'm sure this will be a busy day!

PHOTO FRIDAY!

Is everyone back to normal-ish?  I know Heather's having her fun little thing done again.  We love you, dearie!  Let's share photos to make each other HAPPY!

Flags and a Ship are going to China!

Dear loved ones. I have news, and it is good news! The Chinese Flagship Program is a prestigious program that "prepares students for careers related to China. [Its] aim is to provide the linguistic and cultural skills necessary to work successfully in a professional Chinese environment." I applied for this program a month or so ago, did the Chinese proficiency tests, an interview in Chinese with one two professors, and prayed a lot. I believe there were other prayers that helped too :) I got accepted yesterday! The informal acceptance email reads: "We have finished reviewing applications for the Chinese Flagship Program and I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the program beginning Fall 2008. You have also been awarded a scholarship and the specific details will be provided separately. Award amounts are subject to final approval of federal grant funds...Congratulations on your admittance to the program. We look forward to working with you." This is a great blessing. I don't know where it is going to take me and Jodi (except to China, of course), but I know that Heavenly Father is preparing the next step for me to be able move one little bit closer to fulfilling His purposes for me. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and learn not unto thine own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). We are just trying to trust in the Lord. It seems pretty far fetched that I will take my wife of only a year to live in China. What a way to start a life together. The Savior commanded, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (Gen. 2:24). We will be leaving father and mother about as far away as one can! We are excited to start our lives together, and excited that such an adventure is creeping up on the horizon.
"Made for China"? I have to say that I have long had a lingering in my soul to be in China. As I approached my mission, I was repeatedly asked where I wanted to, or thought I would, go on my mission. My reply was always, "wherever I am sent...but I want to go to China". I went to China (even though Taiwan thinks it wants to be independent, it is still a part of the Republic of China) and I was prepared through the language and experiences given me to continue a work among the Chinese people. Who knows? At least somebody does. He seems to have things in control.

Sick...

I am here with Jodi, sitting on her couch. She is sick. Not so fun, for either of us, really. I probably have the better end of the deal, though, as I the one who is still healthy. And hey, I got eight hours of sleep last night! How is that for a miracle?! I love Jodi so much! Seven more weeks...

"It is really calming to hold you." That is what I do, I let her hold me.

There are only two weeks left of classes, but it doesn't seem like things are winding down at all. Usually you can get the feeling that things are going to start to wrap up, i.e. there are loads of projects, tests, and stress pummeling you into the ground. For some reason that hasn't seemed to happen yet. Perhaps that is due to the fact that I am already pummeled into the ground with everything else. Sleep...we know that this is a constant problem with me. Here I am again making it a problem. I'm sorry, I just can't help it. I don't know if it is that my priorities are a little off, or if some things are just not as important as others. Sleep has seemed to take a back seat to most everything else. Just gotta make it two more weeks!

You all are wonderful. It is a blessing and a half (and a whole lot more) to have all of you as family. I don't know if there has been any greater gift given that has had such great impact on shaping my life as my family. Soon on to make my own family.

UPDATE:

I have decided that it is time to get my injured shoulder taken care of. For those of you who have not known, I had an accident in November. By accident I mean I was playing intramural soccer and was playing, should we say, aggressive? I wanted the ball, and someone else thought they should get it. We jumped at the same time, and I'm a lot bigger than he, so he LOST. But it was not without consequence as I came down on my arm/shoulder and got a foul. I have had problems with my shoulder ever since. I think we all know the great value of good insurance, and I'm trying to take advantage of the such insurance before I don't have it anymore. Yesterday I went to an orthopedic surgeon, had x-rays taken, and was told that I have distal clavicular something or other. I forgot. Anyway, my clavicle has been rubbing against my scapula and wearing away the end of the clavicle. Yes, it is very painful. Options: 1) Don't lift weights for six months and see if it is going to get better; 2) get steroid shots; 3) have them cut off the end of my clavicle. I have opted of the first. However, that is not the end of the problem as that is just from lifting weights. The original injury is still wonting to be diagnosed. I had a MRI today....never want to do that again! It sounded like a jack-hammer was going all around me for forty minutes. Anyway, I have a whole sleuth of pictures of my shoulder...they look, cool? All is to be updated next week! Love you!

Here we go again.

I am going in for ESWL again on Friday. Blah. I still have stones, but he thinks they are smaller. He was actually encouraged. Once the stones are gone, we have to wait. If they come back or I have infections again, they will have to remove the calyx on my kidney. He is pretty sure the calyx is the cause of the stones. I am hoping while I wait to see, they can take care of the calyx on the right side. We do like to be productive...... The doctor told me I could wait to do the ESWL, but I told him that was silly. I'm in pain either way, so I might as well do something about it. I'll keep you posted. Meanwhile, what the heck are all of you doing? We must get back to blogging.