Firetrucks in our Park at Christmas

The End of the Year - 2008

Wow, it is almost the New Year and I'm not sure where it has gone. I did finish my New Years letter today and will have them in the mail in a couple of days. I gave up on my Christmas letter. I'm still having problems uploading pictures for my blogs...my ego is bruised as I am usually able to do most things on my computer and I don't have problems with other websites. I think there will be some bloggers at Shari's and they may be able to help me.

I think my New Year's Eve will be rather quiet. The older I get the more comfortable I am staying in our little nest. However, I do have several "drop bys' in the Park and then I will be going to Shari's to play games with a few of their friends and the boys. I don't plan to stay late, as I don't like being on the road with all the drunkies. My recent accident has left me a little jittery.

The new year will bring many new challenges and goals. I love working with Xango because of the health benefits I have received. Also the new skin nutrition GLIMPSE that is totally toxin and chemical free....you can usually see the results immediately. My skin looks much younger than 72 years. I thank God for bringing these natural products into my life. The unexpected monthly income that I generate from my home is also a nice bonus. The exciting news is Xango will be introducing several new products this year. On top of all of this....I have new friends all over the Country. How good is that??

Recently our little Molly dog (11 year old Yorkie) gave us a scare. She is my little companion and I can't even imagine what I would do without her. She travels everywhere with me and is such a sweet dear little dog. Well....her little body exploded with a staph infection - we have no idea where she got this - she is only 5 lbs and the Vet didn't know if she would be able to fight off the infection. Thankfully she has and is now on the road to recovery. Always something to keep life interesting (and costly).

There are so many things I want to do and accomplish in the new year, but I'll blog about that later.

Do take care....stay safe and I wish all of you a very blessed and Happy New Year.
Mary Ann

The Day Before The Day Before........

The clock is quickly ticking and the big day will soon be here. We enjoyed our Grandsons, Rob and Ted today....we celebrated the day before the day before.....in other words the day before Christmas Eve. So, we had a fun day beginning with breakfast out, a few errands, home to watch a little TV, a trip to Starbucks for hot chocolate and then back to their house, where Shari had prepared a delicious dinner for all of us. Grampa played wii with the boys, shari baked awesome cookies, which Tom and I totally enjoyed. Boy, I am going to be in big trouble if I keep this up!

There are many party invitations within the Park, but as I am still recovering from my accident, it has been convenient to stop for just a few minutes, pay our respect and head back to our comfy nest.

Christmas Eve will find us at Church Candle Light Service and then to Tom and Shari's for a delicious buffet. Shari prepares a beautiful table and includes Tom's family.....just the cousins exchange gifts.

Christmas morning.....at the crack of dawn....we go back to watch Rob and Ted open their gifts and we open family gifts. This is precious time with the boys and an event that we love to be part of. Later in the afternoon we will return for a full turkey dinner that both Tom and Shari prepare. I am so blessed to have these two children make the holidays so special for us. Not only is the food the best, but Shari sets a beautiful table that is a joy to sit down to. Tom is a master chef with the turkey, dressing and gravy.

Before we know it, the day will slip by, memories will be made and another year will begin. We will greatly miss Tiffany, Randy and Dana, but they will be included in our thoughts and prayers. HAVE A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS.

Holiday Happenings

It is hard to believe that Christmas will be in just a few days. I love this time of the year and as I get older, I make certain I am never too busy to enjoy the reason for the season.

Today was my Birthday Club's Holiday Lunch at Firebirds in the foothills....it is always special to spend time with my good friends, Georgeann, Paddi and Eileen. Several hours can slip by and we can still find plenty to talk about.

It was then a very special time in our Park. We quickly fixed hot dogs for our family to eat before heading out.....yearly we are visited by two firetrucks that are beautifully decorated with thousands of lights, including a Santa village in the middle and electric trains running around...totally awesome. The firetrucks led the parade followed by decorated golf carts and an open air wagon filled with people, sponsored by the Shriners. It really set the mood and pace for the holidays. Of course, Wayne had decorated our golf cart and it was a sight to see with wreaths, lights galore and wrapped Christmas packages piled high in the back. I'll post some pictures as soon as I can make this thing work. Rob was dressed in his Santa suit and Ted was an elf. Shari was in the cart with me and we had a great time wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! Our Park is large and it takes quite some time to go to every street, but we joyfully followed those firetrucks. Hot chocolate and cookies followed at the Club House by a blazing fire. This is now a yearly event that we all look forward to and it is another way to create memories for Rob and Ted.

Enjoy your families, enjoy all the festivities, but make time to relax and enjoy the reason for the season....Christ birth.

The Long Awaited Christmas Ball

Since Shari was the 2008 Chairman of Angel Charity for Children, the Christmas Ball was her big event of the year. Being her Mom, I was her sounding board in many situations and I tried to help her out taking care of Rob and Ted when she was involved in countless meetings. Also, being her Mom, I was a little nervous and apprehensive wondering if the final results of her efforts would meet the standards she was hoping for.

Well.....beyond any doubts, she and her committees did an outstanding job. The Ball was an enormous success!! Every detail was perfect....the ballroom was decorated beyond awesome with 9000 roses in arrangements sitting atop tall pedestals on tabletops with roses and candles arranged around the bases. The walls of the ballroom were twinkling with lights...the Band was over the top and the food delicious, served with percision and perfection. It was a glorious evening and what a proud Mom I was! Her theme was "A Mid Summer's Nights Dream" and it truly was just that.

Most of all, it was a joy to hear the many compliments for my daughter. The most meaningful compliments were from top people telling me not only that she was so capable and able, but that everything she did came from her heart.

As her Mom, I know all of this and I know what her talents are and I am so proud of her.....but, it was nice hearing it from others.

However, I am very glad this year is over and we can all return to a more relaxing lifestyle. Good job, Shari, we are so proud of you..... God has blessed us with the best daughter ever!!

Past Holiday Memories with Family and Friends

Again, the holidays are here and memories of the past flood my mind. I have always made yearly traditions part of our celebrating....trees in every room... the house decorated inside and out...hunting for just the perfect tree in the mountains (before the time of artifical trees) Hot chocolate enjoyed after finding the tree....Candlelight services on Christmas eve....always making Christ the focal point of Christmas.....the excitment of Randy and Shari opening their gifts....Grandma and Grandpa always present to enjoy the children. It is interesting seeing some of those same traditions being enjoyed by my daughter, Shari's family.

Many of our most cherished holidays have included our dearest and closest friends, Dave and Carolyn Twiest in Abbotsford, BC. Since moving to Tucson, we don't see them as often, but they still remain our dearest friends. It is special to remember the large turkey dinners, gift openings, New Year's eve parties....making hats out of wrapping paper, eating those delicious hot dogs with kraut, banging pans at midnight, New Year's Day watching the big football games and eating chili and pizza. Birthday parties galore. We certainly never needed an excuse to go camping and fishing in the lakes of Canada....cross country skiing (guys) and hay rides in the snow. There would never be enough room here to list the fun times we have had together.

I cherish these past memories that God has blessed us with and I encourage you to make your own special and lasting memories with your family and friends. Merry Christmas!

Parkinson's Disease

As promised....here is my information regarding Parkinson's Disease: Eleven (11) years ago, three excellent Neurologist diagnosed me with Parkinson's Disease. My first signs of Parkinson's was my balance and coordination was affected. I had severe tremors on my right side, this gradually moved to include my left side and eventually I also had internal tremors. Plus I had the usual body aching and being so tired.

After reading the side effects of the Parkinson's medication, I wanted to delay that process as long as possible. This didn't make me very popular with the Medical Doctors. I realized the day would come that I would probably need the medicine, but I also knew they were not going to cure me and they would constantly increase and the side affects would constantly be increased. Against my Doctor's advice, I elected to treat my Parkinson's alternatively.

I am always researching the latest in nutritional products...nothing enters my body unless I know exactly everything about it. After 11 years I still do not take PD medication. Even though my body still tells me I have Parkinson's, it is now very hard to detect and I know I have greatly slowed down the progression. In fact, I am much better today that when I was diagnosed.

Besides eating as organically as possible and taking excellent supplements, the greatest improvement ocurred when I added Xango mangosteen juice to my diet. Improvement didn't happen overnight, but because of my commitment to a 90 day plan, improvement did happen and I began to notice amazing results. My tremors are almost non-existent, except under heavy stress, I no longer have internal tremors and the pain is gone. I no longer use a cane for walking. There is a big difference in the type of mangosteen to use....must be the whole fruit, including the hard pericarp (rind) is essential.

I am constantly researching other products....if I thought there was any other supplement that was better than what I am using, I would be the first to take it, as slowing the progression of my Parkinson's is my main focus. I am positive that I am taking the very best available.

The exciting things is that I continue to feel improvement to my body as time goes on. If I can help anyone in any way, please feel free to contact me.

Visit my website at: www.mymangosteen.com/reserve

TOUGH BEING A MOM

Sometimes it is tough being a Mom. Randy has been here the past 5 days and it was beyond nice having him. However, when my big executive Son left for Seattle this afternoon, it reminded me when he was a little boy and I would put him on the school bus in the morning....then I would stand back and cry. Well, when he left today those memories flooded back in my mind.....so I sat on the porch and cried. I guess once a Mom always a Mom no matter how old our children get.

Of course, it is even worse with the Grandchildren. I remember when Tiffany sang in the Children's Choir, I would sit and cry through the entire performance. Am I extra sensitive, or what?? Shari is being honored soon with Angel Charity at the Christmas Ball and I know I will have to fight like crazy to keep my eyes dry......I'm determined.

Randy is such a perfectionist and everything was in tip top shape around here before he left. He made sure there wasn't anything left for me to do. I don't get to see him often, but he is so good about calling weekly and we keep up on all that is going on. I really look forward to this time with him.

The house is a little too quiet tonight......Rob and Ted will be here tomorrow evening and I am happy about that.
I had better get busy and not dwell on a quiet house. Love your kids while you can!!

OCTOBER ACCIDENT

Auto accidents can mean pain in many places, including the car! In October I was at a complete stop behind other cars at a stop light, when I was slammed in the rear by another car - pushing me into the car in front of me and causing a 4 car accident.
The first impact threw me forward and the second threw me sideways twisting my spine. I had severe seatbelt injuries to both breast...plus neck whiplash and the spine injury. Both of my breast were swollen three times the normal size...totally purple, black and blue. I still have blood clots in one breast. I have finally recovered from the whiplash and chest injury, but wow, it is taking forever for the spine. However, I am slowly improving and able to stand a little longer and walk a little farther. I still have a lot of lower back pain that radiates down my left leg. I have been going to a noted Kinesiologist and Chiropractor and I have been pleased with this treatment.

And then there is the car.....This past Tuesday I received a call that the car was finally ready. Thankfully, Randy was here to go with me to pick it up. He looked it over and said there was paint overspray plus several other things that had not been done. We came home without the car. Then....yesterday we made another trip to get the car and as I was driving home there was a big rattle and my heart dropped....now what?
Well this morning, Randy and I headed back to the body shop and thankfully, the rattle was coming from the license plate holder that wasn't put back on properly.
Whew...I was able to drive my car home and I am very happy to have it back.

Finally the big pain with the Insurance Company.....They will not admit fault (All State) even though the law states that they are at fault. I have had to hire an Attorney... I am trying to forget about the entire mess and let him take care of it. I am just concentrating on getting well.

blog business

Gosh, I'm not too sure about this blog business. Perhaps I need to talk to my niece, Bev....I can't seem to download pictures etc. Before I give my blog out, I must get things in order.

It has been 6 weeks since my auto accident and I am finally feeling some progress. I haven't been able to stand or walk very far, but this is improving. My Doctor uses Kinesiology and I am totally impressed with this treatment. I see him again tomorrow.

This afternoon, our son, Randy, arrives and we are excited for him to be here. He wants to help us paint our house....we should be decorating for Christmas instead of painting, but his time is available now, so we are going to go for it!! As a Director with Alaska Airlines his time is very limited, so we always appreciate any time we have with him.

It is a beautiful sunny day with temperatures about 77 degrees. Perfect painting weather.

All for now....I hope to get the hang of this soon.

ARIZONA SUNSHINE

It is a beautiful Arizona day.....it is always wonderful to wake up to the warm sunshine...sit on the porch and enjoy a hot cup of tea. It will be in the mid 70's today. It will also be a busy day. We live in a gated Mobile Home Community, which I love. We moved in one year ago....actually it was going to be a temporary move until I found the "perfect" condo.....well, I have enjoyed living here so much that the condo has fallen by the wayside. Our unit is in a cul-di-sac and I love having my neighbors close by....everyone respects your privacy and yet, if you need help someone is always near to give you a hand. Many activities are schedule within the Park and our pool is heated all winter to 88 degrees. It is a feeling of resort living year around.

We live in Tucson permanently, but my husband continues to have an office near Bellingham, WA. He travels back and forth, which is convenient since both of our children work for the Airlines.

Today we are in the process of preparing our home for painting.....cleaning, repairing and getting the paint ready. A job we can no long put off.

I receive many phone calls from all over the country requesting information about what and how I treat my Parkinson's. I will blog this information within the next few days.

I'm heading out to soak up that warm sunshine!!