Day family news for November 2012

November 30, 2012 NEWS FROM THE DAYS: Linda finally got some results from her shoulder MRI – her doctor as well as a radiologist say she probably needs a shoulder replacement – no cartilage. She was referred to an orthopedic specialist who sees her next week. More results next month. After the big 18” snowfall melted, we bought some more tulips and daffodils and planted about 100 for next spring. I also cleaned out the garden and winterized the yard. Jessica, Sarah and Taylor all helped with the planting. Winter is here I’m afraid. I’ve been reading some more – a few months ago I checked out Steve Job’s book from the library – it’s the first book I’ve returned without reading all of it, as after about 60 or so pages, it was clear that Steve Jobs was an a__ to family, friends and coworkers. So much so, that I didn’t want to read anymore about him. Another book that was excellent was one Stephanie gave me from her book club, My Name is Asher Lev. An excellent read about a prodigy boy who could paint from a very early age, but was discouraged by his Jewish family and friends, and the painful decisions he had to make about his passion for painting. Also a book Katie gave me for my birthday that was a good lighter read, America Again – Re-becoming the Greatness We Never Weren’t by Stephen Colbert. I also have been re reading a book about Buddhism that I first read several years ago. Now I’ve started Jane Eyre, another classic that is really good! As a follow up to my birthday, Wendover resorts sent me an invitation to play in a slot tournament over a Friday and Saturday, with free rooms both nights. I found out BB King was also performing out there Saturday night, and so Linda and I had a nice weekend away – the same weekend it snowed 18” back home. And BB King and his band….bluesville deluxe – I absolutely loved the music, BB King’s personality and humor – even though he is now 87 years old! He can barely walk, but can he and his band play and sing!!!! Have I ever mentioned that I have Sirius radio in my truck, and it is constantly tuned to the Blues station named after BB King. And instead of donating as we usually do in Wendover, we actually came back with our money. It was a nice birthday belated weekend. We mailed off our final house payment this past month – just wish all our debts were paid off. Stephanie received an offer for her condo this past month and closed on it yesterday. We spent one Saturday with Bill/Katie, Stuart/Debbie and some local ward members getting her storage unit at the condo moved into an offsite storage unit (she had an 8 X 18 storage room as part of her condo down the hall). Once she receives her equity $$, Steph will start looking for a permanent home with 3 to 4 bedrooms and a small yard for the girls to enjoy. We continue to age. One Sunday, I took Jessica (10) and Kaylee (7) to Barnes & Noble so they could get a book and enjoy a hot chocolate at their café. When I returned home, I realized I had on two different colored gym shoes. Really? Is this what happens in old age? We enjoyed having Thanksgiving this year at Jackie & Wiggin’s new home – it was so nice for us to just bring over folding chairs and a side dish. It was just a wonderful dinner and afternoon and evening. Uncle Danny stayed with us and it was nice to have him share the holiday with us. We hot tubbed it the next morning with a couple of the kids while the girls did their traditional Black Friday shopping thing. And we were able to stop and visit Julie Bertosh at her rehab center and visit, and I took Danny down to my workplace on the way home Friday to meet everyone I work with. It sounds like there are several good ideas on what to get or do for Danny on his birthday and for Christmas. He’ll love being in Mesa and being able to visit with everyone there. Linda and I along with Steph and her girls paid our first Christmas visit to City Creek downtown last Saturday afternoon/evening. The place is really something, and there were tons of people there, as well as across the street at the temple grounds with all the Christmas lights. I mean, there’s 9 “ fish in the little stream that meanders throughout City Creek, and all kinds of shops, new and old to Salt Lake. I stopped in one store myself, as I was somehow drawn in. The name was True Religion. When a nice young girl greeted me, she asked what I was interested in. I, of course, said I wanted to know it they really had the True Religion. She then explained it was a California brand name, and they specialized in jeans, shirts, etc. I checked out some jeans that I really liked, but the price tag was $320. She said perhaps the tee shirts with True Religion across the front were more in my price line. Yes, they were only $66, but on sale 50% off…… I moved on looking for true religion elsewhere. Linda and Steph cooked another small turkey at our home this past Sunday, so we could enjoy having some leftovers. All gone now, but it sure was good. Steph is doing an activity with the girls called Elf on a Shelf. I had never heard of it, but this little red elf keeps showing up various places all over the house and will until Christmas. And that’s the news, the whole news, and probably more than you wanted news, and I didn’t even mention who won the election, believe it or not. Just because it might be nice to have it as part of our history – you never know when someone might chance upon my newsletters in 40 or 50 years after we’re all gone, and wonder, “I wonder who he was referring to about winning the election”. Just because of a historical note, I mention it was Obama defeating Romney in a closely contested race for president. Tom & Linda

Day family newsletter - October 2012

Nov. 1, 2012 Linda and I just returned from our favorite restaurant, Market Street Grill, celebrating my 67th birthday. I feel so lucky to be healthy, and to have a wonderful family around me. We got together last night with Debbie/Stewarts families to celebrate Halloween. Their street really does this holiday up big time out in Herriman, and all the grandkids love trick or treating there, and going thru the spook alley at one house, and having a good time. We also celebrated my birthday at the same time with an ice cream cake for desert. Last Saturday, Wiggins and Jackie hosted a Halloween party at their house for family. The kids all dressed up and loved carving pumpkins out in their garage. The eats were great too! Jackie has decorated their new home with lots of neat old furniture, some of it that she refurnished herself. The pictures you see on face book, if you are friends with her, include three colorful refurbished wood chairs that Jackie said reminded her of Grandpa Day. She quit her part time job at Penny’s that she’s worked at for 7 years, and wants to refurbish furniture on a part time basis to sell to others. Two of Wiggins kids are moving in with them next week, and Jackie wanted to be home when they got out of school. She still works full time at the West Jordan police department. Linda went in for an MRI of her shoulder that’s been bothering her for several years. The doctor, after trying shots, physical therapy, decided to go one step further to find out what’s in there for sure. Because of Linda’s claustrophobia, it took two trips for the MRI. The first one, even with relaxing pills, was unsuccessful as Linda just couldn’t go inside that machine for a full 30 minutes. The Doc then sent her to a place that does open imaging, a machine where you are not enclosed, and with the relaxing pills, and Jessica’s sleeping mask so she couldn’t see, she got thru it. Results next week. Since Stephanie and the kids have moved back in, it’s interesting to watch the kids compete over the “hole spoon”. Does anyone else have something like this? Our silverware, a collection over the years of several different styles/pieces, includes just one spoon that has a hole, more of an oval shaped hole, located in the end that you hold. It has become, over the years, a “special spoon”, and one we have had to finally rotate amongst the kids so they all get their fair share in using it. Linda and I enjoyed a great play at the U last week, Of Mice & Men. I teared up at the end when Lenny was shot. This play brought home a lot of feelings about special needs people. Well, the election is just days away, and it will be all over. Best of luck to whoever wins. Linda and I voted by mail about two weeks ago – sure makes it easy and convenient. Stephanie accepted an offer on her condo last night, and if all goes well, will close in one month. She can then start looking for a nice small home somewhere in the valley for a new beginning for her great kids where they can have a yard and their own bedrooms. She’ll stay with us for as long as necessary to find the right place and save up more money for a down payment. Jack and Sofie came over one evening while Mom and Dad went out – they enjoyed the other kid’s company, and staying with us for a while. All the kids looked so cute at the Halloween party, and Cole and Jessica (Cole’s Jackie’s son) are getting excited about having their second child around Christmas time. They haven’t named him yet. You should see their little 3 yr. old Emry do summersaults – it is awfully close to a cartwheel except straight ahead. I love listening to Garrison Keeler on Prairie Home Companion on Saturday or Sunday, as the music and humor is great. Lately, I’ve discovered another music TV station in addition to Song of the Mountains and Woodsongs (both on a local educational channel– both blue grass artists in addition to blues, country, etc). This new station I’ve discovered is southern gospel, but is actually the Jimmy Swaggart ministry. But 80% of the time is spent on gospel music, as they feel that is how they are to get their Christian message out to the world – thru music. Anyway, this Jimmy Swaggart is Jerry Lee Lewis’s cousin, and Jimmy also plays the piano, but in a slow gospel bluesy style that just fascinates me. The best of this program is when he plays along with the gospel singers, but sings the lead. He’s on Dish, channel 257 here in Salt Lake if interested. He’ll rock your socks, bluesy Christian style, from Baton Rouge Louisiana. And that’s the religious news for the month. Christopher, Debbie’s son, has gotten into music the last several years, and is currently playing bass guitar in a local group that plays new age along with a variety of other music styles. He told me the name of his group, but I can’t recall it at the moment. Jessica brought home some music from her violin recital and its Christmas music for violin and piano. So we’re going into rehearsal so we can perform a few numbers this Christmas season when family or friends come over. Looking forward to Thanksgiving – Danny is coming to our home this year. We’re glad dinner is going to be at Jackie and Wiggins new home – plenty of room. Danny and I will be babysitting the kids the morning after so the girls can do their black Friday shopping thing at 5 AM or so. And that’s the news, the whole news, and the only true news, from the Days. Love, Tom & Linda