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