Friday, February 22, 2008

Intellectual Property Attorney

I was somewhere recently, in a group setting, where someone said they knew an attorney who specialized in intellectual property. Was that at our luncheon? Who said that? And who is the attorney? I have some questions for him/her.

Karlene

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Spiritual Adoption

We've all heard the stories about adoptive children looking for their birth parents or orphans trying to reconnect with siblings. These searches take years some time. Closed files are opened, clues are unraveled and some times in the end a child finally finds his origins. The research and the fervor of the investigation can be massive. Dedication to the cause can become an obsession. It usually stems from a compulsion so strong within an individual.

When the prize is in view, a mixture of emotions can surface. Confusion, hurt, anxiety are but a few. The journey may have exhausted the individual. Emotions could have been hinged on what the mind developed as a scenario. Individuals going through this cycle have two likely end results. Disappointment or joy, but they all tend to agree that the years searching to find out who they are and where they came from was worth every minute of every day.

We all should be seeking with the same zeal to find out who we are and where we came from spiritually. It is the natural order of the Spirit within us to want to reconnect with the heavens above. We have records that are available to all of us. The Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Prayers are the tools to unlock the clues as to who we are.

Unlike adoption stories we don't need to worry about the outcome. We learn that we are loved and will be welcomed back into loving arms. Just as some children were given to adoption agencies for the betterment of the child, so did God give us mortality. Are we strenuously seeking to reconnect with our Heavenly ties? Do we spend years looking for the connection? Are we fully committed to the cause?

Our Spiritual Adoption needs to be sought after more diligently that any other pursuit we have in life. Eternal joys will far out weigh any happiness we have found here if we seek and obey the Master.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Fast Response Needed!

Does anyone who lives between Provo and Lehi have the following titles that I could borrow THIS WEEKEND? I will come pick them up and I promise I'll take really, really good care of them and have them back to you by next Friday.

Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena

How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-boyfriend by Janette Rallison

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven #2) by Brandon Mull [thanks, Sandra]

If you do have them and are willing to loan them to me, please e-mail me ASAP!

Thanks,
Karlene

For My Valentine

The phrase "In Love With You" conjures up images of youthful feelings. The anticipation of phone calls, giggling with the girls, sharing every conversation and speculating on what it may or may not mean. Spring flowers and temporary relationships. Hormonal spikes with unknown outcomes. Walking on air and having your head in the clouds. A temporary relationship.

However the phrase "I Love You" conjures up images of maturity. Walks in the park, security, winter nights before a fire. Knowing my companion is there forever despite the stupidity of the day or the decline of years. It is the rocking chair image of the twilight years. It is the knowledge of the other person's thoughts and heart. Rarely are there surprises or concerns because the shoe is no longer new, it is comfortable and desired. Instead of the fire raging within, there are embers that give both heat and light.

I choose "I Love You". I no longer have the energy of youth but rather the wisdom and maturity of age. I choose stability and predictable outcomes with my lifelong companion and friend. I choose solidity over possibilities.

I choose a love that will endure the worst life has to offer and a love that quietly celebrates the smallest of joys. A love with a great foundation even if the walls were to tumble and fall.

I Love You Valentine.

Hopefully back in the game

I know I've been MIA over the past couple of months, but now I've completed my EMT class and nearly finished putting my office to rights--I spent most of January painting and laying tile so I could organize my things--I'm hoping to get back to my writing again, including my blogging.

Anyone else planning to submit to the first chapter contest at the Storymaker's conference? I admit, the first chapter is the very hardest part for me. I don't mean when I write my first draft, that's usually a cinch, but to go back and give it the weight it needs after the fact: where and when do I start, what does the scene say about my character, how does it prepare my reader for what's to come? I'm about ready to tug at my hair. I promise to update later.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Alvin in Hospital

Personal Note: Alvin is still in the hospital. On Friday afternoon he spiked a temperature of 103 and became delirious and weak. I called his doctor and then raced him to the ER. 5 1/2 hours in the ER did not stabilize him and he was transferred to ICU. His vitals dropped, finally bottoming out at a heart rate of 36 (80 to 100 is a resting heartrate.) They started him on vancomiacine and then promaxin on Sunday.

By Sunday morning, 4:00 a.m., Alvin took a turn for the better and started to improve. By Sunday, late afternoon, he was transferred out of ICU to a regular hospital room . . . well, as regular as a kidney failure patient can get.

This morning they created a new fistula and put a perma cath in his chest. Dialysis will be done through the perma cath for the next two to three months while the fistula fully develops or he gets a transplant, whichever happens first.

As to the kidney transplant, we had great hopes with one donor but her husband forbad her to continue the process, so we're back to square one. We do have three or four people who are O+ or O- who are being tested to see if they are match. But it has set us back quite a bit. We were shaken, emotionally, but Mitt Romney dropping out and this hospital stay has put things back in perspective. We just do what we can and leave the rest to the Lord. Not as easy to do as it sounds, but there you have it.

Alvin is still in the hospital and it is unknown when he will be released. They have been unable to determine the source of the infection or identify the infection. With everything going on they are unwilling to release him at this time. He mad, frustrated and ready to go AMA and leave, except I won't let him. Yeah, we're really happy right now. Not. But he's alive, which was a state in question over the weekend. So he's holding his own and feeling better every day. Whew!

Thursday, February 7, 2008

April's Blogging Babes Luncheon

All Beautiful Bodacious Babbling Blogging Babes
are invited to a fun-filled potluck luncheon in April!


Date:
Saturday, April 12, 2008

Time:
10:00 a.m. – Noon (we may go a little longer...)

Where:
Karlene's place (Inksplasher)
622 E 700 N, Pleasant Grove
Map here

Menu:
Bring a potluck dish to share. We'll make a meal out of whatever shows up.
(Karlene will provide drinks, plates, utensils, etc.)

Topic:
Building Your Business through Blogs

Activity:
You'll create an Urban Botanic signature fragrance to
reflect your blog/personality—absolutely free!

Learn how to use your fragrance to earn a
little extra income—absolutely free!

Several chances to win prizes—absolutely free!

(Did I remember to say, absolutely free, no commitment at all?)



Need more info? E-mail me.

Take the UB personality test before you come.


*Creating your custom fragrance recipe is absolutely free.
If you'd like to mix your fragrance into one of our UB bath and body products,
I will be offering 20% off the regluar UB prices.


Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Goodbye!

Since the Beautiful Bodacious Babbling Blogging Babes are all in Utah, I know we've all been thinking about President Hinckley and I figured why not post this here on our site too; especially on Super Tuesday when people need to lighten up a bit and get back to something more peaceful :).

Monday, February 4, 2008

Here's.....Caleb


(In hospital - 1 day old)

I know many of you have already read all about Caleb's birth on my blog, but as an official Blogging Babe, I wanted to post this 'official blogger babe's baby's birth announcement.' (and I had to wait until we found our digital camera and got a picture of him smiling, of course)

So fellow 'babes' - without further ado... This is my beautiful son Caleb Jonathan. He was born December 17, at 1:10 pm. He weighed 8.4 and was 19 1/2 inches long. I may be just a tad bit prejudice, bit I think he is absolutely adorable (pictures never quite do justice) and he is a wonderful baby!
Tristi said, "There's just something about a sweet, snuggly little baby that just makes me feel right with the world again." Amen to that!


(Last week - 6 weeks old)

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Dinner is on the table

'Twas Brillig and Candace at today's Blogging Babe luncheon. Come on ladies, tell us the scoop on this one. And I must say, it does NOT involve Candace receiving revelation.

Donna, Karlene, Tristi, Sandra, Jeri, Twas Brillig and Candace were all there. We ate, we laughed we ate some more and laughed and had a great time. In fact we were having such a great time that we didn't leave until 4 pm!

Today's the Day!

Today's the day, Blogger Babes! Meet at

Golden Corral
225 West University Parkway
Orem, UT 84058-7301
801-225-6299

1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Join us ladies! We're excited to see you all.

We won't be meeting in March - it's an insane month for all of us who were there for January's lunch. So mark your calendars for Saturday, April 12th. We're going to do an Urban Botanics party at Karlene's house. You'll get to design your own fragrance and we're doing a potluck lunch too. More details in an upcoming email. Mark it on your calendars now! So drop me an email now and let me know if you'll be joining us in April for our fun get together.