the cat came back

Hey Justin do you remember making me watch this over and over again? kinda reminds me of Dad! ha ha ha

Ethan's Christmas Video

So, here it is.... a video of Ethan singing two songs... The first is "Sing a song for Hanakuh!" Horray... My child thinks that people who killed Jesus sing pretty songs.... then, "Must be Santa!"

He did a great job and We are super proud of him! Way to go Reethan!

It's been a while

I'm trying to hard to catch up with my life and it's just been one thing after another lately! I can't believe it's been an entire month without writing!

I guess I have to realize that I just moved, had family here for a week, Ethan was out of school, I have 4 vacant apartments to rent and some majorly mental tenants to deal with, the economy is hurting and 4 of my tenants just lost their jobs and can't pay the rent, I am dealing with the most deliberately stupid person I have ever met in my life and can't seem to get away from her, send out Christmas gifts, visit the sick and the poor, travel to South America for Green Peace, Meet the pope, Make a Sarah Palin parody video, make a puppet show, go to fight against the liberals of the nation and have a "Just love everyone please" meeting with California govener Arnold Swartinager and I have to make a wall to separate Ethan's room from the living room.

Hmmmm, can't think of anything else right now, but in the mean time of all of this we have had some fun and took some time to have family togetherness because that is #1 soooo we had some new adventures at Disneyland last week. we went on a canoe ride around the lake and they gave Ethan a little tiny paddle which was really cute, half way through the fun he got tired and it fell out of his hands into the lake... it was kinda funny but he was glad that he didn't have to row anymore! We all bought a new hat... Derick got a pirate hat, Ethan got a Tweedledee and Tweedlededum hat, and I'm goofy... of course!

During Thanksgiving we had family come to visit and about 75% of the time things went well. Ava spilt an entire half gallon of milk on top of Ethan and the carpet in Janice and Delwins timeshare and after a couple of days it started to smell like a rotten garbage can so they decided to leave early! Erin got upset at disneyland and cried, then I got upset at Disneyland and cried.... lets just say it was a very very very long day especially with the kids and trying to manuvere the family around disneyland for the day!





We played games and me and Mikey got in a fight.. then Crystal got involved and Mikey didn't like that so he yelled at her.... we all had to be nice and tell each other sorry later. We all love each other now! (It's so competitive in this family! whew)



They boys went to a car show, the girls went out to eat, saw Twillight and then Bolt all in one day! I know I'm making it sound like a crazy time but we all had a really great time seeing each other and just hanging out!

Here are some pictures of the craziness of the last little while! I will post some pics of our new place when it's ready to look at!

Bless Us One And All

I love you guys! This should be our family song... he he he

From the front page of the Richmond Register

Twelve-year-old Ali Peterson of Winchester chats Saturday with re-enactor Martha Gordon of Columbus, Ind., about the kromski spinning wheel made in Poland which Gordon uses to spin yarn. Gordon and her daughter were demonstrating how settlers made their own clothing. Nancy Taggart / Register Photographer

Julie, RD, LD----Yeah!!!

Hey everybody! I took my qualifying exam to be a Registered Dietitian and I PASSED! Hooray! I am official!!!!

Let's All Be Thankful!

Jesus Loves You!

I don't think the video worked before so here it is again.... Hope you like it!

Here is a movie I made! Enjoy....

I hope you all enjoy this video! I spent a lot of time making it because I felt that people needed a little uplifting these days.... with the election and all the drama that has been going on in our country, we need to realize the important things.

I'm so happy to have you all as my family, I guess Blessed would be a better word!

Love ya!

Remember to take some time on Tuesday to VOTE!

School

This is just a general up date of my little portion of the Hayes family.
We are selling our home (well trying too) and moving into Alyse's parents basement! yeah! oh the joy I can hardly stand it. Well sacrifices have to be made.
We are doing this so that I may return to school. I have been accepted in a respiratory therapy program and start on january 5. This will be a two year program and then its a few months to get my bachelors degree.
I am very very very excited about it, its nice to know where the future is leading me. I have a light at the end of this long tunnel of education.
Please pray that we can sell our home, because it is impossible for me to attend this program and do the my job. I can do it for a while
and so we are hopping that in the next six months or so it will sell and I will be able to take on less hours.
Dont worry we are finacially fine right now and we will be able to make it.
We are taking this step and an answer to prayer and fasting and feel that it is the right thing for our family.
Love you all

chance

With or Without You!

Hi Beautiful family of ours! Just wanted to let you all know how much you are all loved and adored! Derick, Ethan and I wish we lived a little bit closer to all of you but it's been such a great time to have been able to visit together even though it was such a short amount of time!

Now that we all have families and have busy lives it's funny to think of how important all of you have become in my life! I know that you will always be there if I need you and that no matter what happens, we all have each other!

Family is so important and I'm honored to be a part of the Hayes Clan (as crazy as we may be) ha ha, but seriously I love you all more than anything and always know that if you need me, I'm here!

Lets get together again soon and keep in touch! It's so important and the time is now.....

"What I am doing today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it!" Unknown

dantes first blog post

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Dante loves you all

WHERE IS BRYCE??? DID HE GET EATEN BY A MONSTER?

WHERE OH WHERE COULD BRYCEY-BOY BE?

WHERE OH WHERE COULD HE BE?

WITH HIS CUTE LITTLE WIFE & 3 LITTLE TRIDS;

WHERE OH WHERE COULD HE BE?

BRYCE! ARE YOU COMING TO MY HOUSE FOR THANKSGIVING?

WELCOME

Muppet Show - Swedish Chef - making donut

For some reason this reminds me of Dad! Watch it and you will see.....

hey there!

Hey- Justin is so lucky to have a family like you- thanks for all of your calls and concern. We went to the ER last night and the doctor said he was fine- didn't even have to do x rays or anything! He didn 't give him any prescriptions because any prescription he would have given him, Justin is already on! He's pretty sore today- he went into work, but the doctor told him not to do any heavy lifting. Linda was sweet and watched the kids while I went with him to the hospital. Thanks again and we hope all is going well.

Disneyland

Disneyland Madness with the Sharp Family

Hope Justin is O.K...

Hi family,

If anyone has news how Justin is doing... Please call me! I'm worried about him and want to make sure he went to the Hospital!

I'm so sad that he got into an accident... WE love you Justin and keep your head up!

Let us know if he needs anything!

The Sharps!

Hello family of mine. Sorry that I have not been posting on the blog, but admit it or not it is a rare thing for each of us. I promise to do better.

In memory of Max I am going to relate the following story. Before Julie and Austin moved to hilbilly heaven, I was dating this red head. I took her over to visit and she picked up Max. Max was good for about a minute then he looked up at her and bit her right on the face.
I was not very happy about it, but its funny now. Years after this took place Julie said to me " Max could tell she was evil back then, he tried to warn us". Thanks for the warning Max! i wont forget you.

Sorry Julie

We are sorry about your loss Julie. If it would make you feel better, I can mail Romey in a flat rate box to you. He might be a little squished, but he'd be okay!
Ivy took her first step yesterday. She has to be up and moving like her older sisters. Time goes by so fast. The twins are in preschool and loving it. It's hard to believe Ivy is almost a year. Hope all is going well with everyone.

Maxell Peterson; May 28, 1999-Sept 26, 2008

Good bye to our sweet little friend Maxie! He was such a good boy, he was more than just a pet, he was family. I'm sorry we couldn't keep you safe buddy, I'm sorry we couldn't stop that car! You will always be remembered and loved little friend!

Prayer is like Brushing your Teeth

I got the cutest handout at church today, it was attached to a toothbrush and given to all the primary kids.

"Saying your prayers is like brushing your teeth--
it's a habit you form, a commitment you keep.
You should brish your teeth both morning and night,
the same with your prayer is you're saying them right.
Don't let your spirit or teeth begin to decay--
PRAY (and brush) at least twice a day!

Love you guys!

Ethan's first day of School!

This was terrifying for me, I seemed o.k. but in the pit of my stomach there was something bothering me. I don't even think it was about Ethan going to school, it was that life was passing by way to fast and I needed to get a move on if I wanted to accomplish all the things I want.

Ethan had a great time on his first day, second day he cried and hated his teacher, he even said "this is the worst day I've ever had!" Then I put him in the car and he passed out. He's not used to not having a nap so he is just a tired little guy.

They go from 8 am to 2:30 which is a long day for them! Anyway, hope all of you are well and keeping up with the craziness of life!

Love ya,

Niesja

I love you all! he he he

Te he he he he he

We miss you!

Hey everyone! It was great to see y'all! Thanks for coming down for Zach's ordination, and for loving Max and Winkie as much as we do:) We'll have to do this again SOON!
Julie

party time

At long last the wait is over (well almost). August is finally here and this marks the first real family vacation we have ever had. I cant wait to see you all. I cant believe that all of the spawn of the old man and the mother will be in the same place! Its like haileys comet it only happens once every hundred years. (its been two years eight months and a little bit)

cant wait to see how big all the kids are. My nightmare is that Zachary will be able to take his revenge on me for beating him up and just being way cooler than he was. Nathan is going to beat me in chess, or a vocabulary contest. Ethan i have seen recently and just so you all know his name is tickle tummy face. Its gonna be strange.

What I am most excited about is the two new additions that every one gets to meet. Natalie and Dante, I cant wait to see her and love her and pass off the beast to the unsuspecting.
Love you all.
just so I can prepare would you all post little updates about your kids so that I can be ready to meet the new improved (insert name here).

Dante, is walking and running and bitting (we are trying to stop the bites they hurt). he says mom,dad,duck,dog,cracker,that,this,please,thanks and a word that sounds like the four letter word that starts with an s.
Dante smiles all the time, happy kid. fun and loving.

dante at one year

So, off we went to have some fun with Mom and Dad for the weekend down in Southern Utah! We spent one night with Aunt Lenora and Uncle Gene and visited with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa was acting like a little child and had carved out some bones, drew cow faces on them, gave me one and said, "this is to remind you not to be a bone head1" I had no idea that Grandpa could be so funny... Grandma on the other hand was no so well, she has Shingles and Grandpa showed me some pictures of her sores and they look incredibly painful... So we should all pray for her and wish her well!

We had a great time over the weekend going to a place called Torrey and visiting with Mom and Dad! We got to explore some very beautiful and fun places and had a great time racing them all over the place with Dad on the last day! Mom looked like a crazy wild woman driving her red 4-wheeler with her White hair spiked up and flying in the wind....

Dad taught me how to go up really steep hills and to drive them like a maniac so I decided to take Dad on a hill that he had never been before..... it was kindof on some hills that were so steep on the sides that there was no way down so you just had to keep going.... we thought it was never going to end... I thought Dad was going to have a freak attack if I didn't find a way off so finally the end came and Derick and I waited for him at the bottom. He looked like a little child that had come into a candy store with a huge grin on his face... It was so cute....

Here are some pics of our adventure with the parental units....

The Window PAIN!---Ouch! That's Gonna Hurt!

It was such a beautiful night, the kids were in the backyard playing catch--I'm so glad I had the boys play baseball this summer--they can really pack a punch with the ball. Boy did that ball pack a punch, right through my kitchen window! Austin and I heard a SMASH! we ran in to the kitchen and the ball flew right threw 2 panes of the bay window.

when I looked out and saw Taylon with those big brown eyes with just a tad of fear in them, I knew who had done it. He put his hand up to his face and said, "Mom, are you mad?" How do you respond to that? Of course I wasn't mad, I was speechless, there was glass everywhere, all the way into the next room. So, I told him to just put his toys down and go for a walk for a minute while we cleaned up all the glass--and for his protection, I didn't want to say anything inappropriate for little ears.

We laugh now, the window is covered in plastic and purple tape--all I had was purple, I didn't want bugs coming in the house, so purple it is. We called the insurance company, and we have a $750 deductible, oh good! I'm so glad everything that happens always hits a dollar amount just under $750. Oh well, at least it was our window this time instead of the neighbors. I would much rather clean up glass than have to apologize to the neighbors about their broken window.

So, that was our adventure for the week, and then Friday morning I was riding my bike to work and hit a slick patch, I wear clips on my shoes, so I couldn't get my feet out off the pedal in time, and I ended up on the pavement. It was my first official accident on my new road bike, I love it! But I don't love what it did to my leg and my left cheek--or my pride for that matter. Butt (ha! ha! ha!a) all is well, we are all doing just fine, and we will hopefully have a new window before the rain hits next week.

I have to go Now Mom!

So, we were out riding bikes and roller blading on a path, and of course Ethan has to use the bathroom! There was no place to go except in the trees so here is a lovely picture of Mr. Ethan watering the flowers!

WHERE IS BRYCE?

What happend to Bryce?

pics

Ivy's baby blessing

Well we blessed Ivy on Sunday and it went really well we had a lot of fun and were glad for those of you that live within 500 miles that were able to come. We had a really fun lunch out at mom and dads and we then we all went to sacrament meeting and had the blessing. Here are some pictures of the little one from her special day.

Love
Laura, Olivia and Ivy

4th of July Extravaganza

On the 4th we decided to dress up like crazy Americans and ride miniature trains. We had lots of fun. Unfortunately fireworks (all of them) are illegal in California because of all the fires. WE can't even buy sparklers. So if you want to see fireworks they have a lot of shows around the beaches and parks of the big ones which is cool because they are going off all around you. While we were walking over to the Marina to see the fireworks there was a lady from the UK who turned around to us and said that we were the first patriotic thing she had seen all day. She was expecting everyone to look like us I guess. She told us that she was hoping to see a little more love for the USA. It made me a little sad that she hadn't seen more, because there are people celebrating all over the U.S. with big parades and BBQ's that you don't see unless you are there. I told her I was proud to be an American and that is why I look like I'm crazy! Then she told me she was proud of us! That made all day of wearing my stupid statue of Liberty hat worth it!
I sure miss the days in Provo when Dad would bring home huge boxes of fireworks and we would sit on the curb and have neighborhood firework parties. I especially miss those little black snakes that would leave marks in the sidewalks for weeks until you sprayed it off, and the cool fountains and screamers!
It makes you realize its being with family and doing stupid stuff that was the funnest. Watching Justin and Dad light the fireworks and then run like hell away from them was always pretty funny! Fireworks are fireworks but families can't be replaced. We sure miss you guys!

The truth of the truck

Well just in case you are wondering I did go on the treacherous trip up the mountain to save the truck from being vandalized in the night by some vagrant deer. What you may not know is that the parents killed this poor tree. What right did they have to go into its home and destroy it? Also unless the sum of $100,000 is paid to me by the 8th of july I will be posting pictures of the stuck truck on this blog that were kindly taken by my friends picture phone. Then we can truly place the blame on the guilty party (Chance) for breaking the truck prior to the parents driving it which caused it to break.

Justin

The Trek to Hell, by Clyde...

The Trek to Hell.


Sadly, Linda grew up in Cedar City, where there were very few roads, which were paved. Whenever she could escape the drudgery of the old house, she always enjoyed bouncing over the ruts, potholes and rocks as their old truck made it's way to and from the family farm. It is hard to say if the dust clouds, behind the truck, provided the magical mist that she could hide her fears within or if she somehow hoped that her dark worries were actually the dust she saw, all escaping out the back. Because once at the farm, the labor began and the magical dust settled in on everyone, contaminating the taste buds as well as their clothes.

Years passed with newer and better vehicles being invented, which made driving over dirt roads more comfortable and without the dust covering the occupants. But the magic of the rumble down to the unknown still was electrifying for Linda, wanting to see what was just over the next hill. Maybe a dead and rotting sheep or maybe a watering hole were there would be beautiful deer bounding off in all directions at the fright of the cloud of dust appearing in the distance.

Periodically, well lets be honest, once a year anyway, Grandpa Adams would have a family picnic when ever he wanted some type of beery picked by the large family he had. So into the old truck and off they went to Cedar Mountain. This is where the real seed of dirt roads came an intrigal part of Linda complex mental state. She loved seeing things from why up high in the mountains, trying to find roads that went further and higher so she didn't have to go back home to the slavery that surely waited there once the herd was home.

After a few centuries, and very few driving lessons, Linda was married and living in Cedar City where now a few more of the roads were paved. She and her husband's new car was a brand new Chevy Camaro with a big fin and wide tires, which would burn down any type of pavement leaving the smell of rubber. Plus a few grease spots from the already leaking transmission.

Little did Clyde know what he was getting into on one lazy afternoon after classes at college? They decided they had a few hours before their shift running the motel where they worked and lived. So in a blaze of blue, the Camaro headed up to C Mountain, named so because it represented Cedar High School. I guess the students didn't know any more letters than that, so they stopped at C and called it good.

The road up to the main turn off was fairly moderate, but Clyde was very hesitant of taking a brand new car, especially a new one that was very low to the ground off the pavement and over dirt roads. As a kid, he had destroyed more than one old truck going down dirt roads, realizing the dangers of potholes and washboards. However the worse was the loose gravel on the side of the road where one would loose control as the truck went over the edge into the middle of treetops. So, being well experienced in those terrors, he suggested a simple suggestion to the trip to the C with Linda. Don't go. That worked good for the first second until Linda comprehended what was said and then the tears came as well as the condemnation. Need I mention the questioning of one's manhood and parental ancestry? Those were only the beginnings of this short, one sided discussion as the blue car, shaking in its frame, was thrust in to first gear and began the assent to the fate under its once new tires.

Things were fine as the speed began slowly, but Linda didn't think there was not sufficient speed till the dust flew out the back, causing constant pressure from the passenger for more speed. What made the moment even more exciting was the electricity, which flowed between Linda's ears, as the sounds of music, not from the stereo, which was off, but from the random pinging of small rocks smacking the underside of the car. With each ping, she became more and more animated, grinning as if her face were almost contorted. But it was not as spooky as the eyes, which were totally transfixed on the target ahead, which could now be a few blocks or miles away. She was in a totally different world. It didn't matter how many branches we scraped along, rocks we hit, times the oil pan hit the dirt hard. All that mattered is we were going and the thrill was on, till at last we got to the C. An old group of whitewashed rocks in a meadow over looking the city. She bounced out and trounced around the meadow, looked around like a two year old in a candy store, while I wept over the car, trying to replay in the speedodomoter to no avail. Then the rock chip in the new window was more than just a smashed bug, especially to two starving college students. After the celebration at the top of the hill, we drove down the mountain and suddenly second gear would not engage. Now we are talking a car less than two weeks old, so I knew there was some real trouble. The next hour and a half was riding off the mountain in dead silence, in first gear, hoping I didn't burn out the transmission or the brakes.

After a few hundred dollars we didn't have, the repairs were done and fortunatley small in nature, but I had hoped she had learned her lesson. Sure, do pigs forget to fly?

To condense the facts, there have been a half dozen more stores, some less and others more terrifying than this one. However, the real lesson that was learned, in each, was that resistance was not futile. It was fodder for a verbal attack that went on for the whole trip and the next few days. If that didn't work, there was the one two combination of the silent treatment plus the instant opportunity to embarrass the driver as a total chicken with everyone she could find. There was always the decision to be made, not rather to go or not, no matter the danger, but the decision was always which was the best thing to do to cause as little pain as possible. Not going was never an option, although it was surely a wish on my part.

For you readers, I am sure you can, and will remember many such occurrences and sometimes long walks back to camp or for help having driven past the point of no return or safety to see what the dirt road on the other side of the mountain looked like. Well, dah, just like the dirt on this side. Maybe a cow pie or so more, but other than that, it was all the same.

Now for the trip to Hell. Soon you will see the reasoning for the name, thanks to the GPS system. It was this last Sunday and the mother was bored and wanted to go for a ride. I had decided to skip priesthood meeting because it was a joint meeting about adoption and considering that I am still in the process of raising someone who lives with me in this house still that was not something I wanted to take on. So, Linda suggested a peaceful ride up the canyon where we could see some of God's handiwork. Looking her direction, somehow that didn't seem quite correct, but also knowing time changes everything. Not wanting to shop on Sunday, we grabbed some sandwiches from home, other goodies and three big bottles of water. Jumped in Mom's new pick up and headed up Hobble Creek Canyon, thinking the dirt road she could go on was pretty safe to Diamond Fork. The ride was actually quite peaceful on the nicely paved road as we traveled the first thirty miles. When we came to the spot where the pavement ended and the dirt began, the windows were rolled up to keep the inside clean, but it was not without out protest. We finally agreed to the sunroof being open so she could at least smell the grit and grim as it was churned from the road though the workings of the wheels before it smothered the truck. Driving slow, kind of helped although speed was often encouraged, more than once.

For the first twenty minutes the ride was wonderful, with only ruts to avoid, limbs beating against the new paint, rearranging the nice pin striping job we paid a fortune for. But I was told that could be replaced. I am sure she was thinking more about replacing me than the pin striping about then, so in terror I drove on. Soon there were sign's we had hit the top of the mountain because there were grassy fields with broad-leafed palms. Now this looked peaceful and a wonderful place to go play the Sound of Music in, however, history had taught me this was a swamp with dark mud and many cow pies, so the best thing was to get through it as safely and quickly as possible. However, in the middle of the deepest recession of a dark oozy substance, I presume was once water, I slowed down so as not to spry it all over the truck. Bad mistake. We slid right in and right down it sank as the tires went down and down, still not finding the bottom on the driver's side. Then the ooze grabbed hold like black tar holding us fast. With total disgust that I had been forced to get into this situation, I turned to say some truthful but mean remark to Linda, but she was not there. There was a body sitting there, but the brain was disengaged. Eyes as big as saucers flashed like police lights beaming back and forth sending out a warning to not interrupt, so I kept my mouth shut due to past wisdom.

Reaching over, the dashboard, I put the truck in low four-wheel drive and gently moved forward. Let me correct that, I put it in first gear to go forward, but all it did was churn up the slimy black clay pit we were sitting in. Quickly, I hit reverse with the same results. So, then I put it in high four-wheel drive and started a slight rocking motion, back and forth, hitting reverse and then forward like clockwork, till there was a few feet of movement back and forth. Like a miracle, I felt the left rear tire snag against dry ground and gave it the gas. Like a charm, we were out of there and back onto the road. I was more than ready to back all the way to Provo if necessary just to get out of there intact. I knew just how lucky we had been.

Suggesting we turn and go back would, in a case of a national emergency, taken an order from the President of the United States. Not that I would ever listen to him, but it is on that scale getting permission to abandon a track, once Linda has set her focus on a location. Now came the test, a dirty truck with four tires ripped out of alignment or “The Treatment”. That was a no brainier. The truck could be replaced, I can't. So I backed up ten feet, hit the gas and flew over, through and at one point I swear under the clay ooze. It is such a cheep feeling to hit your head of the roof of the truck one moment as your body rises up wile the next second the side of your head comes crashing into the drivers side window. Of course all this is done in pitch black because that is the color of the ooze as it cakes the entire truck. The next little while was cleaning off spots enough to see where we were going and if all the tires were still attached.

Onward and upward I was commanded from an alien from another existence at this stage. This is the most fun she encountered since going to the dentist. Within about a mile, we came to a narrow cattle crossing that was impossible to cross because it was so narrow due to the fence on both sides of it. Wrong, I was told as I attempted to turn around, happy that we were finally going home. So, inch by inch, I got to listen to the soft pinewood realign various portions of the fenders until we were through. At that point, I didn't care what else came up, I was not going back through that thing again, even if we drove straight off the cliff to Diamond Fork. The poor old truck had suffered enough even if I had to suffer through, “The Treatment.”

Only a few block forward, we came to a water tank for cows, surrounded by a nice meadow. The road went to the right and up a steep embankment about thirty feet. I gunned the truck and found at the top a sharp turn to the right, which I made with some difficulty considering the turn I had just made. However five feet in front were two six inch round oak trees, one on each side of the road. This time even Linda with her X-ray vision could even see there was no way the truck could make it between them. You could just feel the defeat in her soul, demanding to know where Superman was when he was needed. Even the Hulk would do right now. However, I didn't get away freely, being reminded we always should carry an ax, saw, and backhoe with us. So now again it was my fault. Before “The Treatment” stated, I figured I had one extra chance to save my skin and soul. To the left, there was sufficient room, If I was very careful to zip between one of the small trees and another larger one half way to the meadow, then I could turn around and get the heck out of there. I backed up as far as possible. Looked things over and made the decision that loss of life might even be preferable at this juncture, so I gunned it. The grill went by, then the front fender made it, the my door made it…. Until the dirt shifted and then, we slid like eggs in a pan, to the left and right into a twelve-inch thick tree trunk. With a loud creek the door caved in, then the beautiful tinted glass broke into a million pieces covering the inside of the cab. Since the door was so soft, it went concave about four or five inches with the tree taking up that space. So, in that moment, we were captives of the tree, not being allowed to go backwards or forward. I had a come a long and chains, but they only broke again and again when I tried to right the truck off the concave section the tree was implanted in. There was no way we were going to get it out of there, period.

Linda looked over at me, now regretting that she had pushed me so hard in gong this far. Then she added that this could be a neat experience and that we would be a lot closer for it. Little did I realize being a lot closer was having to carry her off the mountain? But before we left, we sat down in the middle of the road with the map and the GPS and figured rather to go forward or back. Forward was faster, if we went off the road to some farmhouses I could see five or six miles down in the valley. It took us about four hours in the hot sun to get down and found some help. After I got home, we quickly had Justin get a friend with a truck and we went back up, cut down the tree and the truck drove into the meadow. As Justin and I drove off, I reattached the GPS system. I had marked the location right after the wreck, so regardless which direction we came from it would take me right to it. I gave the GPS location a name, reflecting how I felt at the time of the accident. As we came out of the meadow, past the spot, the GPS announced we had arrived, at HELL.

The truck is now being fixed and Linda is mad because she can't go rock hunting for the 4th of July. So, I am currently sleeping in the basement on the couch.

Now you know the rest of the story…

Love Dad

Diesel the handicap kitty!

Comming soon, how the mother wrecked the truck

More information tomorrow from a observer who was there to witness the tragedy.

Julie's Newspaper Article

June 30, 2008
Go nuts this summer
By Julie H. Peterson, Clark County Health Department
Garfield, the famous fat cat created by Jim Davis, gives us some dietary counsel which we should kindly dis-regard: “Avoid fruits and nuts. After all, you are what you eat.”
Researchers have proven time and time again that the addition of nuts to a healthy diet is not associated with weight gain, but is actually more closely related to weight loss when used in moderation.
Nonetheless, our friendly feline is definitely correct that “you are what you eat.” Nuts are a highly nutritious and power-packed food that offers many health related benefits.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced the following qualified health claim for nuts as they relate to heart disease: “Scientific evidence suggests 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.”
This health claim has currently been approved for almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts. Each of these nuts has 4 grams or less of saturated fat per every 50 grams consumed.
So what is a serving size of each of these nuts? What is 1.5 ounces? If you don’t have a kitchen scale, you’re in luck. Use the following guidelines from the International Tree Nut Council to round out one serving of heart-healthy nuts: almonds, 20 to 24 nuts; Brazil nuts, 6 to 8; pecans, 18 to 20 nuts; pine nuts, 150 to 157 nuts; pistachios, 45 to 47 nuts; walnuts, 6 to 11 halves; hazelnuts, 15 to 20 nuts; macadamias, 10 to 12 nuts; and cashews, 16 to 18 nuts.
What about the rumor that nuts are high in fat? Well, yes, it’s not just a rumor. Nuts are fairly high in fat, but most of that is unsaturated fat, such as polyunsaturated (PUFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA). PUFAs and MUFAs can remarkably decrease your LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels.
When trying to integrate nuts into your diet, try using them as a substitute for a less healthy option, rather than just an addition to your current diet. For example, try eating a handful of nuts instead of snacking on potato chips.
Another option would be when you are baking cookies, rather than adding chocolate chips, sprinkle in some fresh roasted nuts of your choice. Nuts have the ability to keep you full for a longer period of time; this can help you keep those food cravings at bay when used in moderation. Nuts are an excellent choice when planning a weight loss diet.
Nuts have other health benefits besides helping to reduce your risk of heart disease. Nuts contain antioxidants and phytochemicals which may help to prevent other chronic diseases such as the development of cancer, diabetes, cataracts and lung and cardiovascular disease. Nuts are also a healthy option in obtaining sufficient protein in your diet.
Consider adding a flavorful boost to your diet this summer, and add additional health benefits through your favorite nut selections. Nuts go great with just about any recipe. Here are some suggestions from the International Tree Nut Council:
— Go meatless: Nuts are a great source of protein. Toss them into stir-frys, salads and pasta.
— Top with nuts: Sprinkle chopped nuts on a bowl of soup, veggie dish or your favorite casserole.
— Start your day with nuts: Experiment with different tree nuts in your favorite muffin or pancake recipes. Sprinkle nuts on yogurt or hot or cold cereal.
— Nuts are great with cheese: Add tree nuts to cheese and fruit platters and serve as an appetizer or a special dessert.
Remember: Nuts can be stored up to six months in the refrigerator and up to a year when kept in the freezer, according to the International Tree Nut Council. Liven up your diet; find a new favorite “nutty” recipe and enjoy yourself this summer!
Check out these great Web sites for more information and some “nut”rageous recipes!
The Nut Factory
International Nut and Dried Fruit Council

Julie Peterson is a University of Kentucky dietetics intern for the Clark County Health

Department.

Copyright:The Winchester Sun 2008 "