Went to Richmond, VA

This weekend Alan and Nathan and I went to Richmond, Virginia to see Gian and Andrea. We got to see the city they live in and spend some time with them. Andrea and I went to Time Out For Women. It was like a mini women's conference put on by Deseret Book. They had speakers and musical numbers for the presentation. It was fun and inspiring. Some of the speakers told some pretty funny stories about events that changed their lives and there were some serious topics also. I am glad I was able to spend some time with Andrea. It seems like when children move out of the home the time we get to spend together is precious little. I am glad she wanted to spend the time with me. It was good for Dad and Nathan and I to get away. Nathan still doesn't feel well and even though going away from home isn't always easy for him it was still good to get out. We had to drop Alan off and the airport to catch a plane to Mexico, he just got back from Singapore and then at the end of next week he is going to Isreal again. I think he gets really tired of the traveling and we get tired of it too.

Remembering

I am watching the Fox News Channel program that is remembering the 9-11 terrorist attacks on our country. It brings back many memories. I remember being in DC on that day and the unfolding of the events. I went with a group of women to the Smithsonean to see some quilts they have preserved there. We stepped off of the metro very soon after the plane hit the pentagon (one woman in our group saw the smoke coming from there as our metro stop was very close to the pentagon). There were all kinds of sirens going off and I remember thinking wow I didn't know DC was such a crime ridden city. We went to see the exibit and that is when we heard what was going on. They almost didn't let us in the building, but finally they did and said we would probably have to leave soon. We did stay for a while but then they finally emptied all of the buildings in the area. It was errie when we came out because the city had been desereted while we were in the building. I could almost imagine tumbleweeds rolling down the street. The really unnerving thing were the snipers on top of all of the buildings on vigilent watch. We couldn't go home because the metro was shut down so they could check for bombs. Nathan was in school and I didn't know how he would get picked up and where he would go. Alan was out of the country. Fortunately Bob Stull was able to pick him up and take him to the Stull's house until we got home. Alan wasn't able to come home for several days. Some of the video they showed today had vidoe of some of the people that were jumping out of the burning buildings. What a horrible decision those people had to make.

Swallow a Camera?

Yup, you heard it Nathan has to swallow a camera. It should be interesting. It will send digital pictures to a receiver he will wear, to show pictures of his small intestine. At first we thought he would have to retrieve the camera (yuck) but, the doctor cleared that up and the camera will be "disposed of". Wish us luck!

Are we alone?

We went to the temple today, it was nice to go, it has been too long since I have been there. I need to make an effort to go more often, it is nice to be in such a peaceful place where I can feel the Lord's spirit so strong. It was kind of crowded because it was a Saturday, and usually they have weddings on Saturdays. Afterward we went to the visitor's center to see a display they have of photos from the Hubble space telescope. The pictures were amazing. I have seen a few of them before, but there were a lot more there. There was one picture that had 8 billion stars in one galaxy and another picture that had 10,000 galaxies in it. As the scriptures tell us in Moses, the Lord created more planets than we could count. So, do you think we are all alone out here? It is amazing to see the pictures of a portion of it. We live in an incredible age of technology.

Cooking for Nathan

Cooking for Nathan lately has been a little challenging. He has to eat fat-free, wheat-free and low sugar. I think he is going to be eating a lot of rice products, besides a lot of fruits and vegetables and chicken. I won't complain about him eating more fruits and veggies, but the rice and chicken will get old soon I fear. Fortunately Roots has some gluten free (basically wheat-free) products. The problem is they are expensive, so when I was in there the other day I bought a cookbook for easy wheat free cooking. It should give me some ideas. I hope all of this effort pays off some day. Wish us luck.

Exercise Efforts Renewed

I am renewing my efforts to exercise more, I bought a fan to put next to the treadmill so it won't be so hot, that should help. We have our air conditioner on but it can still get hot on the treadmill. I have also gone to the lake a few times earlier in the mornings so it isn't as hot. I am looking forward to fall. I love the fall here, it is just the right temperature and it isn't rainy like spring or too humid like summer. (I hate the humidity). I have been studying a lot on Lyme disease and just read that: Lyme disease causes metabolic/endocrine dysfunctions that lead to weight losss or commonly chronic weight gain. I have been wondering lately if I might have a chronic Lyme disease. I was reading about people having hot and swollen joints that have Lyme and a couple of years ago I have a lot of problem with that with my thumb joints and my big toe. The doctor tested me to Rheumatiod Arthritis and Gout, both negative. I wonder if I have been suffereng with Lyme also. Maybe on my next Doctor appointment (which should be soon) I will have her do a Western Blot test for it.

Frustrated

I am getting more and more frustrated with Nathan not feeling well. I don't know which direction to go and which doctors to trust. I wish the answers were more clear cut. I pray that Nathan will soon get some relief.