Fremont Street

Fremont street is the where the original Vegas Strip was located.  There’s still gambling available of course.  There is a HUGE canopy screen overhead that is filled with LED lights and there are a lot of different scenes that play on this screen.  We saw geese flying as well as waves washing ashore and many other scenes.

We did see this place to eat.  I certainly didn’t want to have or give another heart attack to my husband.  Apparently you weigh yourself prior to eating and again after.  There must be a lot of food.

We were there on MLK day so there was a parade going by and we had to wait to cross back over the street.  So many people and a very long parade.  

We stopped in a few shops and bought some things.  There are such diverse people there.  Some working and others shopping and touring like us and then there is the homeless guy searching for cigarette butts.

The Carpenters Tribute

The first show we saw was the Carpenters Legacy.  It truly was a re-creation of their 76 UK tour.  

These two people have honed their craft in music beautifully in order to act, sound and dress and look like the Richard and Karen Carpenter.

Her voice was very similar in the lower ranges.  As she went higher it was not as velvety but she was amazing at any rate.  He was stellar at the piano!

After the show we were able to meet them and I told him I play the piano but he was outstanding!  He said it was really hard to learn to do at twice the age that Richard Carpenter learned.  It was in a very small theatre with maybe 35 people there.  Small, intimate and really good.  I love the Carpenter music so this was a real treat.

 

The Palms

Last week we spent parts of five days in Las Vegas to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary.  Neither one of us has ever been there so I thought, why not?

We stayed at the Palms Casino and Resort.  We had a lovely room on the 11th floor. We didn't touch the snacks or fridge which were both stocked with an assortment of drinks and snacks.  When checking in our clerk told us that those spaces are weighted and we would be wise not to touch anything we weren't planning on purchasing.  

To get to our room or out the front door, we had to walk through the casino.  It's huge and there is no direct path.  I'm sure it is meant to be that way.  On our second day there, we walked through the place in the morning.  The shear number of ways to gamble and lose your money is astounding!

A McDonald's on site was way pricier than normal.  More like when you're in the airport and have to pay huge prices.  We didn't eat there.  We did have their breakfast buffet on Thursday morning before checking out.  Delicious!  Everything from breakfast food to a full salad bar and Chinese food and a dessert bar.  Everything was very good and we paid a good price to eat there.  A wonderful trip with time spent together.  It was priceless!

 

Workshop is Finished

After months of working on the wood shop, it is almost finished.  There may be some fine tuning as far as placement of tools, but all it needs yet is some fine tuning of trim.  AKA caulking.

 

The cabinets were scored at an NFM auction for $35.  Score!

The work bench was scored in Houghton when we went on our UP tour of the church buildings. 

It really needs it's own furnace as the space heaters are reeking havoc with my utility bill.

I'm looking forward to this space providing years of enjoyment for my husband.  It's bright and he has organized the space beautifully.  

Priesthood Blessings at Work

Last week Sammi said Henry wasn't feeling well that he had thrown up and was very lethargic.  She left him home with Jeff when she came to droop off Evelyn who had was spending Friday night with us.  She called to tell me that Jeff had done an exam on Henry and took him to the ER after consulting one of his colleagues.  Suspected appendicitis.  

At the ER, the staff there came to the same conclusion after a physical exam.  They ordered a CT scan of Henry's abdomen.  Blood work showed an elevated white blood cell count which indicates a problem.  While waiting for the scan, Jeff gave him a priesthood blessing.  In the mean time, Cierra went to get Lydia so Sammi could go to the hospital to be with Henry.  The scan came back completely normal.  How is that possible? A urine sample was checked to look for a UTI.  That too came back clear.  

I have a testimony that priesthood blessings, prayers and even a name placed on the prayer roll all lead to miracles.  We witnessed a miracle last week.

Pain

 I woke up Saturday morning with a lot of pain in my lower back that shot down into my left leg. I spent the entire day laying in the recliner. I had such big plans for the day since Sammi and Clare and Cierra were coming over to make Christmas goodies. Unfortunately, Eddie was sick and therefore Cierra did not come. The other girls seemed to have a great time together in the kitchen while I convalesced in the living room.

I had Patrick give me a blessing and I prayed many times for healing. I also dedicated part of my fast to healing my body. I called Dr. Mike on  Sunday evening and left him a message to see if I could get in on Monday.  He was able to see me on Monday and it helped somewhat. On Tuesday I called Emily, my nurse practitioner, to see if she could prescribe a steroid as that helps with the inflammation. She was able to do a virtual visit and Erin was able to pick up my prednisone.

 I was back to see Mike on Wednesday and again today which is Friday. I am tired of sleeping on the floor or on the couch. Last night I tried to sleep in our own bed but I think the mattress topper was the problem. Through all of this my family, my  husband and daughters and sons have been extraordinary and helping me accomplish the things that need to get done.

I know that I live in a mortal world with a mortal body, and that mortal things happen. This includes injuries and pain and suffering. With the amount of pain I was in over the weekend and early in the week I shed many many tears. I thought of my Savior and how he suffered in the garden of Gethsemane for me. The pain he carried is unimaginable. I am thankful that the pain I carry will have an end; my body will heal, and all will be as it should be. 

I am thankful to know that this pain is temporary, even though it feels like the last week has been an eternity. In the beginning of the week, I told people I would rather give birth, than go through this pain because at least labor ends.. I no longer feel that way. Although I do want this pain and discomfort to end. Life goes on.

Swimming with Family

The Saturday following Thanksgiving we all went to the Clintonville Rec center to have a family swim.  There were a few other people there but mostly it was just us.  The water is warm and there are a lot of toys and floatation devices that can be played with or worn.

We used to love going to Wittenberg.  After all, they have a water slide.  This pool doesn't have that but the toys make it all worthwhile.  I can just float on a pool noodle and enjoy being with my family.  

Henry was so cute wearing someone's googles.  They don't fit water tight but he didn't care as he never went under the water.  

All the children enjoyed throwing balls and playing with squirting toys.  It is a zero entry pool with a ramp so anyone can enjoy being in the water.  The smile on Eddie's face says he's having fun.  He was a little leery at first and didn't want to get off of his dad but it didn't take long and he was splashing about.

Afterward we met up at Culver's and enjoyed some butter burgers and custard.  

It is obvious by the chocolate on his face that Eddie enjoyed his custard.  

It was a fun and relaxing morning with the people I love most!