Happy Birthday Heather!

I am sorry there are no pictures with this post but we haven't gotten that far with this computer yet.  I cannot believe that 34 years ago I was in the hospital with a new baby in my arms.  Heather surprised us because she was a bit early.  My father was literally on his way to the airport for General Conference when he came in to see her.  He went and visited her and not me!  I was sharing a room and the DR was in with the other patient so Dad couldn't come in.  I was to soon out of delivery to go to him (now they wouldn't even think twice about it.)  Heather we love you and we can't wait to actually hug you and your girls in  a few months!

This is also the 34th anniversary of the meltdown at 3 Mile Island.  I got back to my room and my roomate was watching TV and on every channel (all 3 at the time) there was news coverage of the meltdown at the nuclear plant.  It was very ominous and quite frightening for a few days until people realized it was really more contained and not as bad as the media made it sound.  In the hospital they actually shut the TV's down in some of the wards because it was upsetting the patients too much.  Now it is hardly even remembered.  That was my first taste with how the media distorts things.  Up until then I thought they gave a fairly accurate accounting of things.  I haven't believed them very readily since.

Is Anyone Out There?

I know we all live busy lives and I also know that we read each other's blogs.  I miss when one of my daughters' doesn't write for a while.  The other day Heidi said she wondered if anyone even read her blog.  We all do.  I have tried to comment on blogs and it is hit or miss at best whether my comments show up or not.  It is too bad that we don't have a like or I was here button we can press like they have on Facebook and other social sites.  That way our family and friends will be well aware, yes, we are reading your blogs and very much aware of you.  We are excited when you write and love to know what you are up too.  Facebook has a place, but a blog has a unique spot all its own.  Whether I respond or not - I am reading your blogs and love to know what is happening in your life.  I understand that sometimes life is so hectic that the choice is sleeping or blogging.  By all means choose the sleep!  Love to you all.

Things I Have Learned From Comic Strips:

In the last couple of days I have read two comic strips that keep coming back and making me smile.  I thought I would share them.

Funky Winkerbean
Teacher:  Who can tell me the first line of Moby Dick?
Student: Call me Fishmeal.
Teacher: Wron...actually that is not far from being correct.

Mutts (my favorite strip)
"Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's Party!" - Robin Williams

Both of these thoughts have popped up in my head at the most random moments and made me smile.  I hope the make you smile too.

Happy Birthday, Bella!

Today is my second granddaughter, and 4th grandchild's birthday.  Isabella Lou Nordell is 9 years old today.  I cannot believe she is that old!  That means that in 10 days her grandfather will have lived in Rhode Island 9 years.  He moved here the 22 of March, 2003.  We have lived here Bella's whole life!  Hard to believe.  We look forward to Bella and her family coming home in a few weeks.  It is hard to believe that we will finally be able to see her family this summer.  We love you Bella.  Have a happy birthday!

Phantom of the Opera

Last night on PBS was the stage version of Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Phantom of the Opera".  They were celebrating the 25th  anniversary of the London Debut.  It was as wonderful as I remembered it.  I was able to see it the year Michael Crawford left.  They were afraid it would fade away after that but it is still going strong on both sides of the ocean and is now considered the longest consecutively running Broadway play.  The program last night after the ovation had Sarah Brightman sing a solo (she originated Christine) along with 5 of the other Phantom's.  Then they sang "Music of the Night."  The whole time you waited for Michael Crawford to come out and sing but he didn't.  It turned out he had sung a matinee performance of a play that he was starring at the time of Andrew Lloyd Weber's called the "Wizard of Oz" - he is the wizard and his voice was tired.  But from a personal observation he looked more than tired.  Maybe I expected too much but I went to bed last night in tears because Michael Crawford just didn't seem himself.  He is 70 - which is hard to believe.  But then I guess I don't look like myself either if I was comparing me to myself 20 years ago!  I do like the play so much better than the movie.  Last nights Christine was incredible.  She was much better than the Christine I saw but then they didn't care about Christine with Michael Crawford on the bill. 

My Husband

It has bugged Clyde because he he couldn't spoil me this birthday like he has the last few.  4 years ago he sent me to spend 10 days with all of my girls in Texas.  3 years ago he bought me my Kindle, 2 years ago my Bose and last year a Blueray DVD player.  This year he walked around really quite upset until the day after my birthday when he bought me a new computer.  It came yesterday.  Ours was 5 years old, slower than cold tar in January and throwing us out of programs right an left.  Nice to start over fresh.  Thank you sweetheart for my wonderful gift.