Our Bonus Week with Michael

Thanks to some good friends, we were able to have a bonus week with Michael before school starts. He flew in on a Saturday and left the following Saturday morning to drive across the country back to Utah with a friend from here in Nashville. They appreciated him doing it, and we loved having him here for a week. I felt bad that I had to work all week, but we were able to make the most of his time here. Thanks to Michael, the lawn got mowed and our driveway sealed. These are no measly tasks either, especially when you are doing it in 500 degree weather and the lawn is uphill both ways and the driveway is the size of a football field. Actually, Bob made him stop before finishing the entire driveway because it was so hot outside. He tried finishing it himself a few days later after the sun went down. This proved to be a mistake because there were lots of missed spots and required a second coat to cover them up.

This friend of ours is a cardiac anesthesiologist and asked Michael if he would be interested in being in on a heart surgery. He jumped at the opportunity and really enjoyed it.

Here's a few things I learned from Michael while he was here:

• It is much too tempting to have a can of whip cream in the refrigerator.
• It is perfectly fine to take such can and squirt directly into one's mouth.
• It is much less tempting after you've seen someone's corroded arteries.
• They only sell "old men's" suits at major department stores.
• Never ever wear one of those suits where the waist comes up just below the rib cage.
• It's ok to buy at discount stores as long as those stores are The Gap, Banana Republic, or Nautica.
• Driving 15 hours a day is a snap as long as you have the right fuel such as Pepsi Max and Dr. Pepper.
• A driving lawnmower is a "must purchase" item here in Tennessee.
• It would not be a waste of money to hire a lawncare service.
• It's cool to know the owner of Sonic when you've just had poor service at his Sonic in Provo.
• You can survive after working outside in 500 degree weather.
• If you stand in on a surgery, you tend to refer to it as "our surgery".
• You're never too old to have your mom scratch your back.
• Sleeping on a mattress that doesn't sink in the middle makes you want to sleep in.
• It's a bit awkward to be translating your dad's talk for him when he says "we paid good money to have Michael be able to do this."

We love you Michael. Thanks for the good time. We're sad to see you go, but excited for you to have another great year at school.

Caution: Answering an ad

Ok, so I've gotten myself into a little situation here. I was browsing through an old neighborhood newspaper one day and stumbled across an ad that said something like "Dental office seeking hard working team player who never wants a day off for the rest of her life and is willing to make great sacrifices for little pay." Actually, I don't remember exactly what the ad said. I must have thought it read something like..."wonderful dental team seeking fun, exciting individual. Willing to pay whatever is desired, and will give the right applicant whatever she wants...flexibility is our middle name." Of course I immediately called the number on the ad...who wouldn't? Long story short...I get myself hired without really even saying yes to the job. A few phone calls from this dentist while we're on our trip in San Diego and I find myself in his office the Monday after we arrive home thinking I'm just "checking it out". Well it turns out that "checking it out" means you're hired and have yourself a little full time job. I quit a few days ago, but I think he ignored me. Left puzzled by the fact that someone didn't quite understand the words "I QUIT!" (well ok, maybe I was a little nicer than that like, "This really isn't going to work for me", "it's more hours than I want" etc. etc.) Still, he literally ignored the fact that I had told him I was not going to stay. At the end of that day, he even asked me as I was leaving if I had had a better day that day?! I was tempted to turn to him and say "My day was just fine AFTER I QUIT! So here I am two weeks later...working!

Tonight after work he asked if we could have a little chat. Trouble is, he's really a nice guy and seems to be a really good dentist. After talking to him, we have a little understanding. I don't want to keep working...but I will...as long as he needs me...until he finds someone else to take my place...as soon as I know everything well enough to train the next person...as long as I don't leave his office too soon because he doesn't want to start interviewing yet...not until he has gained an appreciation for our religious differences...and basically, even then...just a little here and there. Maybe I did read the ad right...or not?! How in the world do I get myself into these situations!

Happy Birthday "Shout Out" to Robyn

We can't believe that our baby girl is 27 years old today! Robyn was born on a Friday and weighed a whopping 5lb. 15 oz. She was due on August 4th, but decided to make her appearance a few days early. As it turns out, this has been a pattern her whole life.

She has always been adventurous. When she was a small girl, she told me that her favorite color was green. When I asked her why, she responded, "because green means GO!" It is no surprise that Joe, the love of her life, is adventurous and fun too.

She's always on the go. She loves to travel and see new places. She loves people, and people love her back. She makes friends easily and can say that she has friends all around the world. She keeps life interesting and sometimes gets herself into situations that seem impossible, but she always lands on her feet and keeps right on going.

The newest man in her life is very time consuming, but she loves every minute spent taking care of her little Parker. She is a beautiful, fun girl, and we are so glad she is a part of our family! We are just enjoying the ride along with her! We love you Robyn!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!