PT again and Reminiscing

I started physical therapy (PT) again last night. I have done PT for my back twice before, and it did not seem to help much. I am not sure how motivated I was before. Denise Dewey, my bishop's wife and the 2nd Counselor in the Stake Young Women's Presidency, said she is going to fix me. I went over to her house last night to begin working out specific muscles. I am more confident this time that it will help. I am a little sore today, but I know I will be more sore before it gets better. I'll just have to see how it goes.

Today, I was reminiscing because a good friend of mine is headed out to BYU for Women's Conference. I hope she is able to enjoy herself. I suggested a few of my favorite places to eat in Provo and I have to say I really miss even half way decent Mexican Food for a good price. Here are a few pictures of places from my life in Provo. Does anyone recognize all of them?

The Weekend

Friday afternoon, Jon and I went to another softball game over at Rolf Park. It was fun to watch the rivalry between Maumee and Perrysburg High Schools. One of the base coaches had a t-shirt on that said "Maul Maumee."

We had to hurry home from the game so we could make it to a Stake Youth Fireside. There was a surprise change in speakers. It ended up being a former "Mrs." Utah. She talked about the struggles she had while growing up. It was pretty good. I got to sit on the stand with the rest of the Stake Young Women's Presidency.

Saturday was a fairly relaxing day. We just spent some time together, cleaned the bathrooms, and of course, Jon studied.

Sunday, we had ward conference. Jon went to his first ward counsel. Then he was sustained as the new Sunday School President during sacrament meeting. Sacrament Meeting was good. We heard a "State of the Ward" (like a State of the Union) from our bishop. We also heard about testimony, that this life is the time to prepare to meet God, our attitude through hard times is important, doing the small things makes all the difference, protect our families from the world, and living the things were are taught, among other things. It was also interesting to note that there were no prayers assigned ahead of time, so the bishop just called two people at random to give them.

Then I was able to go to Young Women's and help/observe with the lesson. Right now, I was told to just observe and help out where needed so that in the future, I can teach if needed. It was fun to get to know the youth in our ward a little better through their comments and what their "shinny boxes" are.

Later that afternoon, Jon and I went to a memorial service put on by the medical students for those who donated their bodies to the Anatomy Program. It was an awesome experience. It was such a neat thing that they do for the families of those who gave their bodies for furthering education. A little weird, but over all a great idea.

That was our weekend. It was busy at times, but pretty good over all. We are just sad at how fast it went.

Date Night

Yesterday after helping a friend who has been sick with her kids and some house work, Jon and I decided to go watch a local high school's softball game at my favorite park. We walked from our apartment the "back way" to Cass and over I-80. It was fun to watch, but made me miss playing so much more. Maumee High School won 7-0. It was pretty cold, because the wind started blowing and we were in shorts and T-shirts (it was 75 degrees when we left).

On our walk back home, we saw the mystery rodent, which has been seen around our apartment complex. We got a really good look at it right before it scampered into its home. It also kept peeking out to see if we were still there. I am pretty sure that it is a ground hog. It definitely looked like one.

BYU Graduation

I just wanted to say Congratulations to all our friends and family graduating from BYU today. You did it! Good luck with your future decisions!

A Few Random Things

I took Jon to school today so I could have the car. On our way, we saw something a little strange. We were stopped at a red light (for those who know Toledo, it was at the corner of Heatherdowns and Byrne). The light for the traffic going the other direction had turned yellow and a car decided to stop instead of going through. I goes the car behind it was late for something, because it swerved into the left turn lane and went straight though the red light. Just a little illegal. I used to think that Utah drivers are bad, but I have to say that there are bad drivers everywhere, and some of the Ohio drivers are really scary. My favorite is how many will stop a car length behind the line where they need to stop at a light.

On another note, Jon and I have watched two movies the last few days that are worth mentioning. The first was a few days ago on TV. It is called Princess. It was a very interesting modern day fairy tale and one that we really want to buy if it ever goes to video.

The other one, No Reservations, we watched for FHE (Family Home Evening). I have to say I was impressed at how clean it was. Jon and I can't remember any swearing, and there we bedroom scenes. I definitely recommend it!

The Last thing I have to blog about today is an update on my plants. The beans I started a little while ago didn't come up, but I planted some more a little later and it just popped up. My garlic is not doing so good. I am used to dry climate and having to water more often. I watered it too much and I do not know if it is going to make it. Also I think that my strawberry has died. I do not think it gets enough sun on our balcony. Sad day!

Here is the bean.Anyone remember doing this in grade school? Putting paper towel in a plastic cup, placing a bean seed between the side of the cup and the paper towel, and pouring water in the bottom of the cup. I have found this is the best way to start beans. Soon, I will transplant this one into some soil.Here is my sad garlic. It is still green, but I really don't know if it will make it.

Sunday Dinner

For dinner last night, I was making some twice baked potatoes. I have made them a few times before and they have turned out really good. This time was a little different. I noticed as I was scooping out the middles of the baked potatoes it seems a little harder than I remembered. I didn't think much about it, until I was trying to mash them up with my mixer. The sour cream, milk, and butter were mixing fine, but the potatoes were not, and the more I tried to mix them the messier it got. You see the other ingredients were just splashing all over and my attempt to keep it in the bowl with my free hand was failing. I realized that the potatoes were not cooked all the way through. I tried cooking them more in the microwave (about5 more minutes). It didn't help. Jon suggested using the cannery's potato pearl (we have about 5 canisters of them) to make the mashed potatoes. It turned out just fine that way.

What to do with these other potatoes? Being on a tight food budget, I didn't want to just throw them away. So I put them in a baking dish and baked them like Potatoes Au Gratin (funeral potatoes as we call them in my family). It seemed to work.

I'm glad it turned out edible. Only one time, in our 4 years together, have I made something that was totally disgusting. It was a soup that I tried put rice in. Didn't work. Once in four years of cooking dinner every night is not too bad. I love to cook!

Long Thursday Night

I had my first Stake Meeting last night. I was told that it was actually a shorter meeting, but it was still about 2.5-3 hours. We had our Presidency Meeting first, then we met with the Stake Young Men's Presidency, and then we had Stake Correlation (which is only every three months). It was fun, but long and tiring. I learned a lot more about what I will need to do in my calling.

On another note, I just thought I would make a few of you laugh by posting some fun pictures I got from my mom.

How much does a house weigh?
More than a rural two lane bridge can hold.

Now what do we do?
House for sale. Beautiful view overlooking water. Good roads to house....

St. V's

Last night, Jon and I went to a dinner at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center. There was some attendings and residents from the Emergency Room there. They answered questions a chatted with the 30 or so medical students who had come. It was very interesting and informative. They talked about interviewing for residency programs, what to expect, what to watch for, what they enjoyed most and least about what they are doing (but they did not have much that they did not like about working in the ER), how they rank those interviewing for residencies, activities for the residents and their families, etc. I was the only spouse there, but they thought it was just the thing to bring your spouse to. The food was really good too. The food was from Ferdo's Mediterranean Restaurant.

Yeah for the Wierschke Family!

I just found out some friends of ours from Provo are moving closer to us. They will live about 45 minutes away in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I am very excited! Congratulations, Jon Wierschke, on getting into Grad. School and making that hard decision on where to go. Good luck with the packing and the move.

Stake Dance and a New Calling

Have you ever received a calling and then had to not say anything for more then a week? It's so hard! Especially when you are going to miss the Nursery so much, and you see the kids often during that week. This was my last week.


Saturday night, Jon and I were chaperons at the Stake Dance. It was a blast from our past. They are pretty much the same as they were when we were in Young Women's and Young Men's. They even played most of the same music. We danced the YMCA, the Chicken dance, and a little bit of swing (I would not let Jon flip me like he used to though). I can't believe how much energy it takes to last the whole dance. Jon and I left a half hour before the end, because we were so worn out.


So if you haven't guessed yet, I am now serving in the Young Women's Program. I am the Stake Young Women's Secretary. I am really excited! I get to go to Girl's camp and hang out with the youth of our Stake. I also get to travel around the Stake and see just how big it really is. It is most of Northwestern Ohio.

Last Sunday in Nursery

Jon and I are very sad that this was our last Sunday in Nursery. We have loved serving there, and we will really miss all the kids (even the ones that are a handful each week). It was a crazy day in Nursery, but I took a few pictures to remember our experiences.

Singing Time with Sister Wetzel and Sister Wells. Head, shoulders, knees, and toes...Let's build towers and then knock them over.Sorry this one is a little blurry.Matthew's first week, and he loved it. Here he is sailing in the "Little Tug".

Adventure in Michigan

It has been another month, and we survived another exciting trip to the Detroit Temple. It didn't turn out as exciting as we thought it would. Jon and I found a restaurant, which we like to go to in Sandy, UT and Idaho Falls. Carino's Italian Grill! So good! There is one just 15 minutes from the temple.

A picture of our dinner to the right. Sorry I blinked. Jon and I had Raspberry Italian Cream Sodas. Best drink on Earth! I had Italian Nachos. Now I know what you are thinking. What is Italian about nachos? These are made with these light flaky chips, Alfredo sauce, Mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, tomatoes, black olives (which I ask to not be put on), jalapenos, pepperoncini peppers, and your choice of chicken, Italian sausage, or both (I get chicken). It is so good! Jon had a Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad, which is pecan crusted chicken on fresh spinach, Gorgonzola crumbles, sliced Roma tomatoes, Applewood smoked bacon and red onions tossed with warm bacon vinaigrette dressing, garnished with flash-fried onion straws. It was a great dinner!

We actually missed the "strong" storm. There were blue skies showing when we went to and left the temple. I did hear a big crack of thunder when we were in the Celestial Room, and Jon heard some pounding rain when he was in the dressing room. There were also some pretty big puddles when we came out. These are pictures I took through the windshield while we were driving. The clouds were crazy!

He said. She said.

Not too much has happened here since Wednesday. Jon and I are going to Michigan today. There is supposed to be some strong thunder storms (according to the Weather Channel). It should be exciting! I should have stuff to post later this weekend.

For now I thought I would share a few funnies that my mom sent to me. Enjoy!

Four Things

I got this email from a friend that lives in Montana. I sent it back to her, but instead of forwarding it on to others, I though I would just post it here.

A) Four places that I go to over and over: Meijer, Walmart, Church, Home

B) Four people who e-mail me (regularly): Mary, Mom, Better Homes and Gardens, Sisters

C) Four of my favorite places to eat: Panda Express, Plum Loco, Panera, Carino's Italian Grill

D) Four places I would rather be right now: The mountains, Idaho, with Jon, outside

E) Four TV shows I watch over and over: Gilmore Girls, How It's Made, American Eats, Star Trek the Next Generation

F) Four people I miss: Jon, My family and Friends (that might be more than 4)

G) Four places I love: Idaho, Washington, Alaska, Michigan

H) Four places I have traveled: Georgia, Victoria (British Columbia), upstate New York, Southern California

A Day Away From Home

I spent the day today helping a friend out with her kids, since one of them has been sick. He was better today, so it ended up being a fun day playing with the kids and talking to Sherri. While I was there, Sherri cut my hair for me. Thanks Sherri. I hope I helped today. I sure had fun.

Here are some pictures of my annual haircut.