Tuesday
The dash of life
I wish I could embed this video in my blog. Watch it, you will be glad you did. Today is Anthony's funeral. His dash was full of joy.
http://s224403325.onlinehome.us/dashpoemmovie/
http://s224403325.onlinehome.us/dashpoemmovie/
Now, they are reunited in love. Look at the joy on their faces. We should all work to have that same level of joy in our lives.
Great quotes from our beloved President Hinckley:
"Faith in something greater than ourselves enables us to do what we have said we'll do, to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid, to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain."
"The Lord would want you to be successful. He would. You are His sons and His daughters. He has the same kind of love and ambition for you that your earthly parents have. They want you to do well and you can do it."
"Our lives are the only meaningful expression of what we believe and in Whom we believe. And the only real wealth, for any of us, lies in our faith."
"Criticism and pessimism destroy families, undermine institutions of all kinds, defeat nearly everyone, and spread a shroud of gloom over entire nations."
"Of course we're Christian. The very name of the church declares that. The more peole see us and come to know us, the more I believe they will come to realize that we are trying to exemplify in our lives and in our living the great ideals which (Jesus Christ) taught."
"I am totally in the hands of the Lord."
Great quotes from our beloved President Hinckley:"Faith in something greater than ourselves enables us to do what we have said we'll do, to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid, to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain."
"The Lord would want you to be successful. He would. You are His sons and His daughters. He has the same kind of love and ambition for you that your earthly parents have. They want you to do well and you can do it."
"Our lives are the only meaningful expression of what we believe and in Whom we believe. And the only real wealth, for any of us, lies in our faith."
"Criticism and pessimism destroy families, undermine institutions of all kinds, defeat nearly everyone, and spread a shroud of gloom over entire nations."
"Of course we're Christian. The very name of the church declares that. The more peole see us and come to know us, the more I believe they will come to realize that we are trying to exemplify in our lives and in our living the great ideals which (Jesus Christ) taught."
"I am totally in the hands of the Lord."
Friday
Linear Life--I wish
Yesterday, I commented that I wished my life was linear. Now that I have had 24 hours to reflect upon this comment, I am more convinced than ever that it would be nice to have one thing to do and when finished with that one thing, have another thing to do and when that was done have something else to do.
Instead, I woke up this morning with the thought in mind that I needed to do some filing in my office before going to work. I sat down at my computer and saw the box of dolls sitting on the floor waiting to be mailed to my granddaughters for their birthdays. I got up from the desk and gathered up all the birthday and Christmas gifts (remember we do Christmas all year long) we had accumulated and went on a search for boxes and wrapping paper. Somehow I was able to finish that project with only one interruption--Tarzan had a hole in his pocket so I had to stop and mend it. While working on the gifts, Tarzan called me from his car and told me we had a serious water leak outside and he was turning off the water until he could get back later today and turn it back on, guess I won't have breakfast until I get to work.
On the way to work I thought about my work day ahead and entered my office with a clear understanding that today I would work on the floor maps for the legislature. I turned on my computers and went to get a drink of water while they booted up, then someone asked me how to make that top line of an Excel spreadsheet visible all the time no matter how far down on the sheet you go (see www.fortheloveofsoftware.blogspot.com). I helped them and my computer booted up with a virus notice. Sheez, I haven't even sat down yet! I installed Spybot and Adaware and did a full scan with Norton--got it. But in the mean time, SteveE came in and told us his uncle passed away and he is in charge of our office party today, we'll all pitch in and help, but, really, what a bummer. I finally opened the maps for the State and I thought I would record these feelings before getting started, but first I read some of the blogs I subscribe to.
Okay, now the blog is done, on to the maps...
but first I have to call the realtor and tell them to make an offer on the property in Memphis...
I'll do that right after I call the printer and have them print business cards for the gift show we are going to in February...
maybe I should call the school first and see if they were able to get the text book in for my students...
or perhaps I should call the girl who can't get online first...
maybe I need to make the birthday calls for Relief Society first...
oh yes, and I need to visit a sister who is new in the ward...
and I better make a reminder to pick up some food items to take to the ward activity tonight...
oh, yes, and I need to call Sherrie and make arrangements to pick up the fruit she so kindly picked for me last weekend, maybe she will be at the ward activity tonight.
See what I mean?
Continuing with the intersting life I lead, I have to tell you about Tarzan this morning. He was leaving for work and I ran outside to give him a hug and said "I need to give you a hug, I may never see you again." He said, "Well, if that's the case, I hope you don't suffer." He cracks me up.
Instead, I woke up this morning with the thought in mind that I needed to do some filing in my office before going to work. I sat down at my computer and saw the box of dolls sitting on the floor waiting to be mailed to my granddaughters for their birthdays. I got up from the desk and gathered up all the birthday and Christmas gifts (remember we do Christmas all year long) we had accumulated and went on a search for boxes and wrapping paper. Somehow I was able to finish that project with only one interruption--Tarzan had a hole in his pocket so I had to stop and mend it. While working on the gifts, Tarzan called me from his car and told me we had a serious water leak outside and he was turning off the water until he could get back later today and turn it back on, guess I won't have breakfast until I get to work.
On the way to work I thought about my work day ahead and entered my office with a clear understanding that today I would work on the floor maps for the legislature. I turned on my computers and went to get a drink of water while they booted up, then someone asked me how to make that top line of an Excel spreadsheet visible all the time no matter how far down on the sheet you go (see www.fortheloveofsoftware.blogspot.com). I helped them and my computer booted up with a virus notice. Sheez, I haven't even sat down yet! I installed Spybot and Adaware and did a full scan with Norton--got it. But in the mean time, SteveE came in and told us his uncle passed away and he is in charge of our office party today, we'll all pitch in and help, but, really, what a bummer. I finally opened the maps for the State and I thought I would record these feelings before getting started, but first I read some of the blogs I subscribe to.
Okay, now the blog is done, on to the maps...
but first I have to call the realtor and tell them to make an offer on the property in Memphis...
I'll do that right after I call the printer and have them print business cards for the gift show we are going to in February...
maybe I should call the school first and see if they were able to get the text book in for my students...
or perhaps I should call the girl who can't get online first...
maybe I need to make the birthday calls for Relief Society first...
oh yes, and I need to visit a sister who is new in the ward...
and I better make a reminder to pick up some food items to take to the ward activity tonight...
oh, yes, and I need to call Sherrie and make arrangements to pick up the fruit she so kindly picked for me last weekend, maybe she will be at the ward activity tonight.
See what I mean?
Continuing with the intersting life I lead, I have to tell you about Tarzan this morning. He was leaving for work and I ran outside to give him a hug and said "I need to give you a hug, I may never see you again." He said, "Well, if that's the case, I hope you don't suffer." He cracks me up.
Thursday
SPT-What's in a name?
Once I was asked what the perfect job title for me would be. No doubt..."Wizard of Creativity." I like to try new things, learn new things. I like interesting, cute and fun things. As you have already read, our family moto is "If we are not having fun, why bother." When I started working for the Arizona State Legislature one of my job duties was to make it fun to work there. And so I sign all of my e-mails with the following:
SANDI GRANDBERRY M.Ed.
Legislative Computer Services
Legislative Computer Services
Wizard of Creativity
http://www.skydivevids.com/Tandem_Eloy/12252006/12252006_10.wmv
Tuesday
Enden-Monday with Anthony
Monday was a holiday, Tarzan and I had a billion things on our list. Anthony was on the list, but he kept getting pushed lower and lower on the list because businesses would be closing and we needed to get the table saw into the shop and we needed to buy some walnut and we needed to buy some paint and the plumber decided to show up at 4:00 at the condo we rent out and then he didn't come after all. Everyone was busy and most people were rude. We were very frustrated and as the day drew to a close we just went home and I decided to visit Anthony Tuesday morning before going to work.
It's Tuesday, I arrived at 8:30 a.m. Anthony died at 5:00 a.m. today.
How strange it is to know there is nothing you can do and yet needing to do something. We were going to talk about Anthony's childhood today, now I won't get the chance until the eternities.
It's Tuesday, I arrived at 8:30 a.m. Anthony died at 5:00 a.m. today.
How strange it is to know there is nothing you can do and yet needing to do something. We were going to talk about Anthony's childhood today, now I won't get the chance until the eternities.
Our Moms
Tarzan and I love our Moms. We visited Mom Nellie in Memphis last week.
Mom Phyllis visited us in December
The trick is getting all the skin tones right in one picture. LOL
Monday
2--Monday with Anthony
When I arrived, Anthony was watching golf on TV. We talked about the time we went to the PGA here in Phoenix when it was the Thunderbird. Now, they have changed the name to some initials that I don't even know what they mean, so I refuse to remember them. But I digress...
Our trip to the golf tournament was a fun adventure. Anthony had been before and he knew just what to do. We went to the beginning hole where all the big names were. After they all teed off we walked over to the final hole and waited for them to make it to the end. That way we always had a good seat for the two most important holes. We remembered thinking the guys with the little coats who hushed the crowd were funny. We also remembered the crowd at the party hole. We avoided that, but you could hear them all over the course. It was an easy day with no pressure. Most of the time we spent together was like that.
While we were visiting today, Jeff brought in a little food for Anthony. It was cake mixed in milk. He can't swallow whole food. He took one bite and said he wished the milk was warm. Then he moved too fast and spilled it all over his bed. Jeff and I cleaned him up and then Jeff, cheerfully, took it back and warmed up the milk while we visited some more.
Jeff returned with the warm cake and Anthony took a bite. He closed his eyes and made yummy noises. Two bites and he could not eat any more. Jeff brought him pudding, he can eat pudding.
While I was there he took my hand and told me he loved me. I told him I loved him too and that I appreciated the many times he was there for me when I needed someone to talk to. I told him I never remember a time that he needed me. He cried. I told him not to cry, he would make me ruin my makeup. He laughed and we just sat there with each other in silence.
Our trip to the golf tournament was a fun adventure. Anthony had been before and he knew just what to do. We went to the beginning hole where all the big names were. After they all teed off we walked over to the final hole and waited for them to make it to the end. That way we always had a good seat for the two most important holes. We remembered thinking the guys with the little coats who hushed the crowd were funny. We also remembered the crowd at the party hole. We avoided that, but you could hear them all over the course. It was an easy day with no pressure. Most of the time we spent together was like that.
While we were visiting today, Jeff brought in a little food for Anthony. It was cake mixed in milk. He can't swallow whole food. He took one bite and said he wished the milk was warm. Then he moved too fast and spilled it all over his bed. Jeff and I cleaned him up and then Jeff, cheerfully, took it back and warmed up the milk while we visited some more.
Jeff returned with the warm cake and Anthony took a bite. He closed his eyes and made yummy noises. Two bites and he could not eat any more. Jeff brought him pudding, he can eat pudding.
While I was there he took my hand and told me he loved me. I told him I loved him too and that I appreciated the many times he was there for me when I needed someone to talk to. I told him I never remember a time that he needed me. He cried. I told him not to cry, he would make me ruin my makeup. He laughed and we just sat there with each other in silence.
Monday with Anthony
Who is Anthony? Anthony is my very dear friend. We have been friends for 24 years. When I was going through hard times, Anthony was the friend who supported me and got me through it all with no questions asks, accepting me for who I am and not who he expected me to be.
We used to just spend time doing nothing much and when I needed to talk, he was there. It's funny, I don't remember him ever needing to talk and me just being there for him.
Yesterday, Tarzan and I went to the Hospice to visit a friend who is dying of cancer. As we were leaving, I looked in the door of one of the rooms and said "Anthony? Is that Anthony McCune?" A gruff voice weakly said "Yes."
I said, "What are you doing in here?" He replied, "Dying."
That was Sunday. Today, I went to visit him during my lunch hour. I asked him if he remembered going with me to the mall and walking into a store that sold sound systems and dancing with me, right there in the middle of everything. People stopped and smiled at us. We both danced and sang. It is a lovely memory.
He did.
We tried to remember the song, it was an old song. He could not recall, I have been thinking about it all day. I think it was "You Make Me Feel So Young."
He can only raise his left leg, he can't even lift his right leg off the bed. It is hard to see a good friend suffer.
We used to just spend time doing nothing much and when I needed to talk, he was there. It's funny, I don't remember him ever needing to talk and me just being there for him.
Yesterday, Tarzan and I went to the Hospice to visit a friend who is dying of cancer. As we were leaving, I looked in the door of one of the rooms and said "Anthony? Is that Anthony McCune?" A gruff voice weakly said "Yes."
I said, "What are you doing in here?" He replied, "Dying."
That was Sunday. Today, I went to visit him during my lunch hour. I asked him if he remembered going with me to the mall and walking into a store that sold sound systems and dancing with me, right there in the middle of everything. People stopped and smiled at us. We both danced and sang. It is a lovely memory.
He did.
We tried to remember the song, it was an old song. He could not recall, I have been thinking about it all day. I think it was "You Make Me Feel So Young."
He can only raise his left leg, he can't even lift his right leg off the bed. It is hard to see a good friend suffer.
Friday
Lists
I am a list maker. I just made a list of responsibilities for the near future. Granted, I don't have to do all of them, but I have to be sure they are done by someone:
- Gift Show February 14, 15, 16 (me)
- Get 12 more sticks cut (Tarzan)
- Paint 12 more sticks for the show (me)
- Make 15 bags for the sticks (me)
- Take dinner to a family (Deirdre)
- Arrange dinner for funeral (Susan)
- Check on Little Tony (me)
- Balance the Checkbook (me)
- Pay the Bills (me)
- Visit Nellie in Memphis and take her a cell phone (me and Tarzan)
- Set up classroom on Blackboard for Word 2007 class (me)
- Set up classroom on Rio website for typing class (me)
- Set up classroom for html class at Delta College on Etudes to start on the 14th of January (me)
- Set up classroom for html class at Delta College on Etudes to start on the 4th of February (me)
- Prepare program for Visiting Teaching Conference on the 15th (me)
- Prepare talk for Visiting Teaching Conference on the 15th (me)
- Make handouts for Visiting Teaching Conference on the 15th (Presidency)
- Call and send present to Brian for his birthday (me)
- Call and send present to Talia for her birthday (me)
- Call and send present to Amber for her birthday (me)
- Call and send present to Kylee for her birthday (me)
- Call and send present to Leisa for her birthday (me)
- Send Maddison's present (LATE) (me)
- Pay invoice for printing (me)
- Get dogs licensed (Tarzan)
- Get pens for Gift Show (me and MaryLou the Queen of Stuff)
- Get rulers for Gift Show (me and MaryLou the Queen of Stuff)
- Make backdrops to display sticks for Gift Show (Tarzan)
- Send payment for trip to Ireland (me)
- Close on the Polk house (me and Tarzan)
- Find our W-2s for 2006 (me)
- Get Costco American Express so I can get 5% discount on gas and wireless service (me and Tarzan)
- Check on girl we are helping in Colorado (me)
- Update Visiting Teaching list (me)
- Make Birthday calls for sisters in the Ward (me--I could turn this over to SteveE, but he is not a member of the Church and I don't think it would be approved)
- Reveiw RFPs for Governor's E-learning Task Force (me)
Okay, I'm warn out now so I won't put any more things on the list. This doesn't even include cleaning house and cooking, it's a good thing Tarzan is a helper.
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