... Introducing the Newest Member Our Family

Well, it has been 7 months and a bit since I wrote on my blog, and alot has happened. Time has gone so quickly and life got busy ... which is good, but it left me little time to update this blog. I hope next year will be better.

So we have a new addition to our family. Remember Tami's friend Mike? He was in the May 3rd entry of my blog. Well, Mike is now Tami's husband. Yes, my youngest daughter got married. Thinking back a year ago, when we were unsure what the year would bring, well, it brought Mike. Michael Jason Woolley. They had been dating several months. Then in June I got this call from Tami saying that she really cared for this guy. A few hours later, I got another call from Mike, telling me that he wanted to marry her. They chose August 14th to be married. They had a civil ceremony in our friend's (Wayne and Jasmine Burton) home and it was a beautiful day, despite the weather. Thanks to the support and talents of Jasmine, her mom Judy Chan, Michael's family, Pat Standing (my bishop's wife) and Trish Standing and her remarkable decorating talents, the house was transformed from a home to a bridal parlour. I am truly blessed with great friends who were there to help us put this wedding together on a very limited budget. My boss came to the rescue the night before the wedding with extra decorations. My visiting teacher companion, Lorinda and my visiting teachers helped the day of the wedding. Betty Lou Forsyth did the cake and it was absolutely beautiful. My former boss, who is a judge but also a bishop, Eric Peterson performed the ceremony. He was inspired with his words of wisdom. There were about 60 invited guests for the ceremony.
Mike is an accountant and Tami is finishing her final year in her Master's (Psychology) at the University of Edmonton. Both are working very hard. Mike recently passed his National exam for Accountants. Tami has been asked by a former professor to be his Teacher's Assistant. It is just a few hours a week, but on top of her assignments, reports, practicum, she is keeping very busy.

BAMBI AND THUMPER REALLY DO EXIST....

Remember the movie 'Bambi' ...? Well most of you wouldn't. But back in my day, I remember distinctly, while sitting in a dentist chair, reading the Bambi comic book and crying because the movie was sooo sad. Now you may think that Bambi isn't real, but by some miracle, the following pictures were taken.. (forwarded to my by email by Brianne). I just have to share
.
Aren't these just the cutest pictures?

Yes, there is a Bambi and Thumper.. and I want you to know that I always believed. Always..

Banff ...

WHAT A PHENOMENON... These were ice crystals we kicked up on the snow that had not melted on the river. Just like teeny weeny Smallville house. (You know that Crystal one)..Just the neatest thing.

Love these kids...Charlie's wanna-bes ..
Okay the story .. Niall was to fly out of Calgary and Tami wanted me to meet her friend Mike. So I drove up to Calgary, met up with the kids and we drove to Banff.. as Niall hadn't ever been there. It was a day to remember. We took the Gondola (and I am afraid of heights) but the view was spectacular when we got to the top. I love the mountains. I often wonder when the Lord created the earth, that when it came to the mountains, did He personally shape each one? Something like if we were building a sandcastle .. or a young boy building a track in the dirt in the garden?
There is no doubt that when you are up that high, observing nature, that you tend to feel closer to the Lord.

Oh .. and this is Tami's friend, Mike.

Who Knew the Hoo Doos?

Tami.. balancing on a hoo doo.

(I am behind the camera having a nervous breakdown)

Tami's former housemate, Niall Sayers, flew over a two weeks ago for a spontaneous visit. Last week they came home after Tami's final paper and final farewell for the semester.. They went to Waterton for a couple of days and when they came home, after a nice brunch, we went to Writing-On-Stone Park. I am certain I haven't been there since my early early early years. I do remember seeing pictures of my brother and I when we were kids but haven't been there since.

Niall was like a little spider money, hopping from rock to rock .. one little break dance move on the top of a Hoo Doo and he scared me half to death a couple of times. But, it was a good day. I actually surprized myself. I managed to get from point A to point B without any incident.

'Old man look at my life.. I'm alot like you were...'

This past weekend, Lethbridge had the privilege to have Neil Young in concert at the Lethbridge Enmax Centre. I

was pleased at the attendance, and as far as I could tell, the whole crowd was very appreciative of Neil. Neil isn't one to really interact with the audience. I think there may have been some disappointed people who wanted to know of the background to some of his songs. At least he introduced the band, one of the members being his wife.

It was a very enthusiastic crowd of about 5500 people. Some were pretty high on 'wacky tabacky'.. At the security meeting they told us that Neil gets high on his music and sometimes he just keeps playing. His road manager said that when he gets off stage, he is totally zoned out and in another world. He has quite the repetoire, Neil has. He started playing at about 8:50 and he played till just past 11. It was a night to remember. I am glad that some of these 'legends' come to the smaller venues. I am sure that they can appreciate the enthusiasm of the crowds and it is a tad more intimate.

Harlem Globetrotters

HI RISE BROWN, HARLEM GLOBETROTTER

Last Friday night the Harlem Globetrotters were in town. What a bunch of guys. They were very entertaining. They were really crowd-pleasers. After they all stayed for about 20 minutes to sign autographs for everyone. It was a good night.

Enmax Events .. 2008/2009

I am still here .. even though it has been two months since my last entry. I can either attribute that to the fact the there just hasn't been anything too interesting going on in my life. Besides work and work and occasional sleep .. not much.


The Hurricanes have finished their season. We had a pretty busy season at the Enmax Centre. Some of the people we had this past year were:

Yupper... all these celebrities came to Lethbridge. What can I say? This past year has been a pretty good one for Entertainment. I must admit that one of the best concerts was Carrie Underwood, then Johnny Reid. What a sweetheart. He is really humble and down to earth and very entertaining. Bob Dylan.. what can I say? Thank you Byron, for the picture. Nobody believed that it was really him. He is very, very private. Tami went to his concert in Edmonton the night before and was not convinced that it was him. But it was.. I got close enough and it was. He was not personable at all. He just sang his songs, didn't talk with the crowd who paid $$$$$ to see him. After the show, we had to go out to his bus to ensure that he wouldn't be bothered by anyone. The instruction was that the closer he got to the bus, the farther away we had to back away from the bus.. Wierd.

Carrie Underwood. Great concert from what I saw. She loves dresses. Her agent said he was 'building a career' and she is more than well on her way to success as she has won many awards. As far as I could tell, she was genuinely nice and a real sweetie.

Now the mysterious David Copperfield. Did you know that we all had to sign a secrecy agreemnt prior to working that event? Yupper. If we told any of his secrets, we could be sued. For the most part, I honestly didn't know how he did the illusions. However, I did manage to figure one out.. and the secret will go with me to my grave.

Then this coming weekend, we have a Canadian Icon/Legend coming to Lethbridge. Neil Young. That should be a pretty good show. After that is Montgomery Gentry. Next fall, we will have the Blue Man Group and Brooks and Dunn. Honestly, the job at the Enmax is not as easy perceive it to be when these artists come to town. It is actually hard work and I rarely get to see very much of the performance. We have our assignments that we have to carry out and we have to have Due Diligence to ensure that the Enmax isn't held liable for anyone who may have an issue or problem with anyone at the event.

From the first week in May till Mid October, the place well be pretty much shut down so they can begin the renovations. I am sooo excited for that. Three years. I wonder what new and exciting shows will be coming to town. Hmmmmm.

25 RANDOM THINGS - FACEBOOK TAG

25 random things about me -- not that I am narcissitic. But I was tagged.

1. My two girls Brianne and Tami, are the most important people in my life. Next to that is my brother and his family. I have been blessed with wonderful friends who’s friendships are a ‘treasure’ in my life. My mother in law (former) is one of my dear friends. She is such a support system in my life. Even though I have been divorced from her son, she is always there for me and checking up on me to see how I am doing. I love her.

2. I Love Seminary.. love the students I teach and taught..love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and consider it an honor to teach those remarkable students.I love the youth. Love the youth.

3. A couple of times I skipped school to shoot pool at the Arcade Pool hall on 5th street. Then I forged my own notes when I went back to school. (I can't believe I just wrote this).

4. I work part-time at the Enmax Centre for the Commissionaire Corps. (Security). I have for about 14 -15 years. It is a nice supplement to my income, but I like the job mostly because it is pretty much my social life, especially since being an empty nester. I get paid to attend all of the events there -- some good ones, some bad. (Did I ever tell you about the prayer we had prior to the Motley Crue Concert? It was very necessary).

5. I do not like contention, which didn’t give me the ‘mother of the year’ award because I was such a wooss when the Bri and Tami didn’t get along. I didn’t like to take sides, although there were evidences of who was right and who was wrong in most cases. I would literally hide from their fights and arguments, something I am not proud of. As much as I love my girls, I did not do them any favours in the discipline department when they were growing up. (One of my biggest failures as a mom).

6. Lately I have thought about a career change .. to be a nanny for some celebrity. I don’t have a clue on even how I would go about applying for a job like that, but I think it would be an interesting experience to take care of a child or children of an actor or musician. I think I would definitely have to learn patience and understanding, however, I think I could do some good.

7. I love crunch chocolate. I freeze my chocolate bars. I love Dilly Bars with the crunch chocolate. I think it is almost an addiction the way it crunches in your mouth and then melts. I really have to limit those little extravagances; hence I will never lose weight.

8. I love crushed ice. I stay away from slurpies though and only had part syrup on Mr. Misty floats and Esquire’s Shakes.. they crush ice in their shakes.

9. I am adopted. My father was Irish and my mother was Ukranian. My name was Deborah Anne O’Reilly. I always thought my parents were killed in an accident, but found out that they gave me up for adoption when I was about 6 months old. (I think that pretty much crushed me -- because they didn’t want me). However, in later years, I am hoping that maybe there were extenuating circumstances surrounding ‘giving me up’. Best blessing from that whole thing were my mom and dad who adopted me. Keith and Evelyn Myers... THE BEST BLESSINGS IN MY LIFE. (They put up with a lot raising me).

10. My parents passed away within a day of each other. The most difficult time in my life, but because of that experience, my faith is much stronger. Very personal and sacred experiences there.

11. I love music and musicals. I have had the opportunity to attend a few and have enjoyed each and every one of them. (Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Donny Osmand.. (met the Don), Showboat, Mama Mia, Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Chicago (in London).. This summer, I will be attending Lion King in Calgary. I also enjoy the local summer and fall productions in our area. There is much talent to be enjoyed.

12. I have 4 cats – all girls.. our family is strictly female .. and we all usually get along quite well. They have their expectations of me and I comply. (Sad but true).

13. One of the most difficult things I witnessed was my brother’s last radiation treatment when he had cancer of the throat. It tore my heart out as he laid their on the table, so vulnerable. To kill the cancer, he had to endure that pain and discomfort. I love my brother.

14. Sometimes I feel I am the official ‘ old Standby’..person, especially, lately in Church…not that I mind much.. it is nice to be needed.

15. I have donated 91 pints of blood in my lifetime. I am hoping to hit 100 in the next year or so.

16. I have had some weird dreams lately. Some of them are in the Salt Lake Temple, (that is not the Temple), with one or both of my deceased parents, however, I know that there is not an Olympic size swimming pool in there with some young men dressed in white, in the pool trying to sell us Youth Juice. (You would have had to have been there).

17. I read 14 books in one year. 5 volumes of Harry Potter and 9 volumes of Work and Glory. Great reading.

18. I used to be able to sing .. up until about a year or so ago, I sort have lost my voice. I need to work the vocal chords again. Right now I sound like the ugly duckling.

19. I would love to have a one on one conversation with several people..namely: Prince William; Steve Young (I have some of his football cards).

20. I would like to be on ‘Survivor’. I figure I am already one. I think it would be an interesting experience, as long as I didn’t have to eat bugs or drink an animal’s blood. As long as there was rice, I would probably a happy camper.

21. I love Australian accents. (Hugh Jackman)

22. I want to go on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (Hopefully, before I am 70).

23. I am taking a tap dance class. I was going to do hip hop, however they cancelled the class because the enrolment was down. Maybe next year.

24. I don’t consider myself superstitious, however, if I turn in one direction I have to turn opposite within a short time in order that I don’t get wound up. Yes, it is true..

25. I have been blessed with a great sense of humour.

SNAP, CRACKLE, POP!!! then PINNNNGG!!! (and we are not talking about Rice Krispies)

BEFORE



Did I ever tell you about my garage door experience? Well, do you have a moment? My dad built this house and the garage years ago. I think that the garage is at least 45 years old, and so was the garage door opener and garage door. Winter takes it's toll on garage doors, especially if they are really old. All was going well until a couple of years ago, in the winter, when I went to close the door after backing out of the garage, it would go down, touch.. then go up.. several times before I ended up having to get out of the car and physically close the darn thing. Last year, the garage door opener started smoking one evening.....so, I needed to replace that. I was pleased with my purchase and the service that the door company provided. At that time, I knew that I would eventually have to replace the door and thought that I would do it this year, so I got a quote from that same company.


So, as luck would have it, we got bombarded with snow these past couple of months. Bad enough could not even drive down the alley to park the car in the garage. When it got warmer and the snow melted, I could eventually drive down the alley. Three weeks ago, it thought I would park the car in the garage and when I used the door opener, the door appeared to move, but was stuck. After several attempts, I realized that the door was frozen to the cement. YES!! A picture to behold. The top of the door was pulled about as far as it would go, and the metal began to split. So, I released the door opener and put the door down. A couple of days later I thought I should chip the ice off the bottom of the door, and sure enough, it released, and all seemed well. Again, it would open and close.


With the weather being warmer, I decided not to park in the garage. Last Tuesday, I was coming home from the swimming pool, and knowing it was going to extra cold that night, I would park in the garage. As I was driving down the alley, I used the door opener, and sure enough, it opened.. like a normal garage door. I pulled up in the garage and hit the remote to close the door, and then ..... "PIIINNNNG!!! SNAP -- CRACKLE AND -- POP!!!!" I got out of the car and wondered, "What the heck?" Looking up, I saw that the door was off the track on one side. "This isn't good," I said to myself. So, I backed the car out of the garage and parked in the front, and proceeded to head back to the garage to see what I could do.


I hit the door opener on the wall and it wasn't good.. didn't sound pretty. The door was warping. So, I hit it again so it would stay up. And there I stood, with my hair dripping wet from the pool and wondering how to secure my garage for the night. As it turned out, I had a tarp that I pinned on the inside of the door (clothes pins) and anchored the bottom with a shovel and prayed that nobody would notice and steal my stuff and that the wind did not blow that night.



Next day, I called a garage door company and the guy came over within a half hour and we got it back on the track and lowered it. I needed a new door. After a couple of days, I had my new door. State of the art. I am so pleased.


AFTER

In a nutshell....

Christmas came and went without incident. Over the years, I have tried to continue family Christmas traditions from when I was very young. The most we did Christmas Eve was go look at the Christmas lights around the city. I tried to continue that tradition when the girls were growing up, but I included the live Nativity, which was not received well by the girls, especially as they got older. There was always contention trying to get them out Christmas Eve, especially if they knew we were going to go the Nativity first. Although Brianne has not been home in years, Tami and I carry on the tradition. The evening always begins with the Nativity.. and my suggestion to head out to the Church to watch the Nativity, is ALWAYS met with opposition. This year, Tami said she would let me go and then come back to pick her up to go look at the lights. After some discussion, she finally came with me to the Nativity, but she stayed in the car.. I always walk back to the car, teary-eyed because I love the Nativity and the music.. and I am touched by the Spirit I feel there.... then we head out to look at some of the Christmas lights. We didn't take in as much area as we usually do this year. Mostly because the roads were terrible to drive on with all the snow. But I love the Bland house on the corner of 13th Street and 4th Avenue South. Brother Bland begins putting up their decorations mid-November. As you can see from the picture, there are alot of decorations.

This Christmas, though, we did something a bit out of the ordinary. As we were heading west on 4th avenue, after taking some pictures of Brother Bland's house, we noticed that there were alot of cars parked at the Southminster Church. I mentioned to Tami that perhaps they were having a Church Mass or something. As we were driving by, she asked if I wanted to perhaps go in and see what was going on.. so we did. As we entered the Church, we were each handed a candle and the congregation was singing 'Joy To the World.' We found a seat near the back and sat down. It wasn't a mass, but it was a Christmas Eve Presentation. McKade Hogg was the Choir director, which I thought was interesting because I thought he was LDS. As the program continued, we listened to the Christmas Story and sang the respective Christmas carols. Then at the end, we lit our candles, and they turned down the lights, and we all sang 'Silent Night.' It was a really interesting experience. I thought how, when Tami and I were in England and France a couple of years ago, when we went to the Westminster Abbey (London), Church of the Sacred Heart and Notre' Dame (in Paris), and the Chapel at Christchurch College in Oxford, how other religions worship the Savior. There is a special reverence I felt in those places and had a special witness, that Christ was 'no respector of persons.' He loves us all.

The season came and went so quickly. What has happened to 'time?' I hope next year I will make better use of the time in preparation for Christmas.. and not let the Spirit of the season pass me by, like it almost did this year.