fyi...Siovhan

Melanie wrote: For those of you who are facebook users, you will note that Siovhan changed her status to: "In a Relationship." She has been dating Pat for some time. She has been kind of secretive about Pat...and we found out why. He isn't a member of our faith. He has ties to our faith and has been to church a few times, but he has never been taught the discussions. This comes as a shock to our family. Braden had a feeling that Pat wasn't either active or wasn't a member...but, when we inquired of Siovhan, she wasn't completely honest with us. We are praying for her and her decisions. I knew that some of you would be asking about her, and so I wanted to let you know.
Melanie


Myrna wrote: What does "in a relationship" mean? Does that mean that they are now engaged? I see that phrase listed on facebook many times and I have never quite known what it means. It could mean that they are now dating no one else, also. I have just taken it as meaning that they are serious about one another. Pat who?

We ever pray for our children and their families (night and morning and sometimes in between times). We also pray for all of you during our couple prayer in the evening. When we eat breakfast, we also have our morning couple prayer and we pray for all of you then. We keep all of your names on the temple prayer roll. We have been fasting for the oldest grandchildren to make wise choices in friends, schools, missions and possible mates. We also fast for specific needs for specific of you who need more help at the time. 

We will just continue to pray and fast for Siovhan that she will make the choices that will lead to her eternal happiness.

Todd wrote: Mom. It merely means relationship as defined by the person using it. So it is a pretty broad definition. 

Myrna wrote: Thanks! I do try to keep up but, frankly, I just can't move that fast mentally.

Melanie wrote: In a relationship means exclusive dating...Siovhan and I had a long talk last week and she hopes that these two will be able to make things work. Frightening. We will continue to counsel with her and continue to pray for her. We pray for her multiple times a day as well...my hopes and righteous desires are being tossed on the waves of life. 

Mel

Myrna wrote: Remember what you used to tell me. Everyone has agency. The temple ceremony helps us remember that we bring blessings upon their heads by our attempts at righteousness. Love does a lot. Sometimes all you can do is pray and love. Thanks for being MY rock.

Shawn wrote about visit to Mike

Shawn wrote: I can’t take credit where credit is not due, I merely bought them something to drink at the cafeteria. It was nice to see him and visit with Cydney and his Mom. When I was there he was worn out from his physical therapy, but he was alert enough to indicate whether he wanted his bed higher or lower. He wasn’t on oxygen. He was clearly wanting to talk, but seemed frustrated because his tongue didn’t seem to be cooperating. I am know he appreciates seeing all of his family and loved ones, he liked having his glasses on so he could see people clearly and only had them taken off so he could rest.  I sure hope he has a good recovery, it seems as though he is well on his way.

Stroke

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a  bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S  *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T  *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE  (Coherently)

(i.e. It is sunny out today.)

R  *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE:  Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

Melanie wrote: Yes, but as in my case and several others, none of these were a problem, but the loss of sight was/is also a sign. Also, if you ask the person to stick out their tongue, it will go to oneside or other, or they won't be able to stick it out at all. 

Sorry...it says that in the message...I guess I didn't read it thoroughly enough.

Melanie

Charlotte Smith Freeman: Several years back I was leaving a restaurant with 3 girlfriends.  As we crossed the parking lot my right arm started to tingle and it was like someone put a buzzing tuning fork on the top of my head.  I made it to our car and dropped my to-go box.  I thought, "Darn, I hope I didn't spill my sauce".  As I bent over to pick it up I tried to hold on to the underside of the carfender next to me.  I couldn't seem to grasp it or stand up.  My cousin, the driver, saw three people croxxing the parking lot and called to them.  One just happened to be a nurse.  She askedme to smile and then my name and I told her, but I could tell it sounded like Kirk Douglas after his stroke.  She asked me to stick out my tongue and I guess it went out somewhere..."Get her to the ER immediately;  she's having a stroke."  In ten minutes I was on a guerney and given a CAT scan and administered that shot to reverse the stroke and symptoms.   To this day I am grateful to those who helped me.  My speech, now, is beginning to show the signs and my eyesight as well.  Other than that, I pray I never have another one.   So...enough of that!  How are you and Tim and your families?  Charlotte

Myrna wrote: Oddly enough, I sent this out and then got word that my youngest sister's husband, 56, just had a major stroke. He was not as fortunate as you. He was at work and was working on a diesel when it happened so he laid there for approximately one hour before he was discovered. I just hope he makes it. He was airlifted from Price, his home, to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. We went up to see him this a.m. He lost his speech.

Amy Gordon About The Perimenopause Article

Amy G wrote:

Thanks for sending this Myrna! (The article, "Perimenopause weight gain — causes and solutions.") So much of this info is so true.  I never realized what was going on with my danged weight gain (about 15 pounds) in the past few years (which I knew had something to do with my age, 39, or perimenopause, but didn't know how to change it) until I joined Kirsten's health challenge last fall.  I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted and I hardly ever exercised.  Not anymore, lol!  When I finally got off my behind and exercised (really broke a good sweat) regularly, ate more natural foods and less highly processed foods did I start to notice a difference in how I felt and looked.  Diets don't work for me, plain and simple.  I needed to change how I lived and what I was putting into my body.  We really never ate out all that much, but we did have plenty of snacks around the house to compensate.  :)  When I started making sure that over 90% of what I ate was either in their natural state (fruits, salads, protein) or homemade (breads, meals and the occasional cookie or cake) without all the processed junk and preservatives I felt SO much better!  I actually do not like fast food anymore.  I avoid the drive thru if at all possible because when I do eat that stuff, I feel like crap (pardon the word) afterwards.  I finally realized that I CAN do something about how I feel.  It's not easy and takes more work than any diet out there, but it's been so much better for me in the long run.  I haven't lost a ton, only about 8 pounds, but at least I feel great and know that I'm eating and my family's eating better and exercising more.  I actually crave exercise, water and vegetation now!  So in a nutshell, thank you Kirsten for giving me the opportunity and the excuse to make better choices and quit complaining!  Not that any of you are....I was.  :)

Thanks again for sending this Myrna, if you can't tell, it really hit home for me and helped me understand why I had needed to step it up, and now keep it up.

Love ya all,

Amy

Myrna wrote: THANK YOU, Amy!

Michael's School Musical

BIG-TIME MUSICAL
Central Ohio students among first amateurs to take on 'Phantom'
Saturday, March 12, 2011  02:54 AM
BY AMY SAUNDERS
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


TESSA BARGAINNIER | DISPATCH PHOTOS
The Phantom (Evan Rings, 17) is reflected in a mirror during a dress rehearsal at Johnstown-Monroe High School.

 Spoiled prima donna Carlotta (Kaitlyn Sapp, 17) strikes a pose.

Phil Schell of Johnstown works on the all-important chandelier onstage at Johnstown-Monroe High School. Schell, who has a child in the play, is in charge of the lighting.

Before a dress rehearsal, Evan Rings, left, has makeup applied by Eric Stephens of Northridge.

In the most famous moment, the chandelier doesn't necessarily plummet to the stage in a terrifying fashion so much as it gradually wobbles down near the performers.

Yet this is The Phantom of the Opera as performed by Johnstown-Monroe High School, with an enrollment of 477. And the chandelier is made from two-by-fours.

Students at the Licking County school are staging the ambitious musical twice today and Sunday, having dedicated six months to the production instead of their typical 10 weeks.

Given the demanding operatic music, the complicated special effects and the dialogue that is more often sung than spoken, musical director Jeff Rings previously thought that no high school could manage it.

"I still sort of feel that way," he said. "It has been a very huge stretch for high schoolers."

Until this spring-musical season, Phantom hadn't been performed by teenagers - or any theatrical groups other than professionals.

Rights to musicals aren't typically released to amateur groups until the show has finished its Broadway run. ButPhantom was made available in the fall, even as it continues to play New York - as it has since 1988 - and Las Vegas.

The production has been seen by 100million people worldwide.

Johnstown-Monroe and Delaware Hayes High School are among the 20 Ohio schools that secured the rights to perform the production, said Bert Fink, spokesman for the licensing agency R&H Theatricals.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is "a great believer in music education, and letting schools do Phantom is a remarkable learning opportunity for them," Fink said.

"It was rather groundbreaking to make the work available while it was running on Broadway, but it came with certain restrictions."

The rights to a musical often come with stipulations: Only schools, not community troupes, can perform Phantom - although the situation is sometimes reversed.

Chicago is available to older actors, but Pickerington North High School was denied the rights two years in a row, with the licensing agency citing the show's adult themes.

"Just because we want to do a show doesn't mean we're going to get the rights," said Margaret Lawson, the school's theater director. " Mamma Mia! would be my No.1 choice, but it's going to be awhile, I think. It's still packing them in in New York."

National tours can also derail plans for school musicals: Dublin Jerome High School couldn't perform Les Miserables this year because, next week, Broadway Across America will present the show in the Ohio Theatre.

Instead, the school last month performed Les Miserables: School Edition, a shortened version that apparently didn't interfere with performances of the touring group, said Jerome theater director Patty Scott.

"They (organizers) fear they could lose their audience," she said, "although, with Les Mizcoming in, ... they probably gained audience because all my kids were so excited to see the professional version."

The cost of a show can also be an inhibiting factor: For Phantom, Johnstown-Monroe paid $2,800 for royalties and for the rental of music and scripts - based on the size of its auditorium and planned ticket prices.

Overall, the production is almost twice as expensive as the school's previous shows. To offset much of the $20,000 cost, boosters hosted a dinner and silent auction in the fall.

At the same time, students and parents began building the set: elevating the stage to insert trapdoors and creating the mechanics of the chandelier and of the boat that sails through the Phantom's underground lair.

Rings began working with the students on the difficult, sometimes-

discordant music, selecting understudies for each lead actor because the roles require so much singing.

"It's extremely challenging to get that operatic sound from these immature voices," said 17-year-old senior Kaitlyn Sapp, who started voice lessons - and watched aria performances on YouTube - to prepare for the role of the opera diva, Carlotta.

"But we have a strange amount of talent. The fact that we can double-cast is pretty extraordinary."

Preparation for Phantom is under way for the April28-30 performances at Delaware Hayes.

Students at first thought the announcement of the show was a joke, musical director Michelle Howes said.

"We wanted the 'wow,'" she said. "The student body is more excited for this show than any show since I've been here."

The Johnstown students, many of whom saw Phantom on Broadway last year, are confident that their production is a good representation of a work that much of the audience will have seen onstage or in the 2004 movie adaptation.

"The music is beyond what you've seen in a high school, and we have to rise to that level," said 17-year-old senior Casey Miller, who plays Raoul, the love interest of the main character, Christine.

"It's not something a high school should ... do or ... be able to do. But we pulled it off because of hundreds, thousands of hours."

asaunders@dispatch.com

News of Mike

AnnMarie wrote: 

What did you hear from your sister?  I didn't have time to call you before your temple session.
Was Eric able to go?  

Myrna wrote: LHT and I went up to see Mike and Cydney at Utah Valley this a.m. Mike is in a regular room and can have visitors. He is in room 266. You can talk to Cyd by calling the hospital number and asking for the room. They will dial in for you. Either that or you can ask for the nurses station and the nurse will dial in for you.

He can't talk because, at this point, he has lost his speech. Cyd was quite encouraged because he was able to swallow some baby food. 

Mike has already had some rehabilitation. His damage is permanent and the stroke did a lot of damage to the left side of his brain. He cannot move his right side at all and cannot hear on that side. His month droops down but he does know people. He grips your hand and looks right at you but he cannot say much. He did say OK a couple of times. 

Cyd said the doctors told her rehab helps the brain to reorganize itself. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel bringing oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is clogged by a blood clot. Serious complications may still arise. An estimated one out of five stroke patients dies during his hospital stay.

He has brain swelling and some minor seizures. The big concern trying to keep him from having another stroke, which is common in the first few days after a stroke. In fact, a second stroke usually results in death one out of every five times. 

Mike had really high blood pressure but was getting treated for it. He is so young, also, at 56.

From Ella Dean

Hi
I had a wonderful time today.  My daughter and I went over to the temple.  We did iniatory.  Got to see sister Blackburn, Sister Allen, Sister Brugger, and a Sister that worked on another shift, that I knew.  It was so good.  I felt so sad beause we had to leave.
I miss it over there and miss everyone.  
Now I am full of questions as to who still works over there.  The Woodwards, Hussys, Andersons, Sister Mc Bride, sister Verla?
The  sister who lived in Delta,  I can't remember her name.  The Jewkes, and Nora.  I think about all of them so often.  I saw in the Richfield Reaper where sister Ivie died.  I always check them to see if any of our sisters or brothers have died.
I wish I could have gotten to see you, but we left at noon.  I have a very hard time with stairs, so I don't do endowment session.  My son-in-law won't let me do sealings, because the last time I did them, I had a very hard time kneeling.  He and my daughter were there and so he thinks I can't do that, but I can do iniatory.  Those new chairs in there makes it so easy to do.
But anyway it was a tremendous day.  
Love
Ella Dean (Your Forever Friend)

About Mike Anderson

3/10/11
Well I did think I should let you know what I know, presently.  Laurel called about half n hour ago from home and mentioned Cyd had called hurriedly saying she was on the way to the hospital with Mike.  He may possibly be having a stroke!  Laurel and Tom were in Mesquite the weekend and yesterday as she and Cyd were shopping she mentioned going home sooner than usual because she had a scare with Mike the weekend and that he had been rather ill for awhile.   Yesterday, Cyd would be encouraged to return home with Mike before she got him to the hospital Saturday because his eye sight was coming back?!@#$*   Let it be for now, I will let you know when I hear anything.  Laurel was going to go ahead  to the hospital.  I am to remain within contact and she didn't know if she was suppose to call me.  Doesn't matter really, in fact hopefully things will go well, tests be taken if necessary and what not.  He does have problems with HBP as well you already know.  Soon as I know anything I will e-mail again.   Dad's neighbor Mrs. Fry, Perry's wife had a stroke recently and is living in the Nursing Home  where Tom's cousin Hal lives.  Love, C


3/11/11
Just starting this day, but wanted to get  information available about Mike's hopefully improved condition.  I will wait until around 9a before calling Terri to speak with Cydney.  Cydney stayed with her mother-in-law Sandra last night.  Mikes family were making arrangement for rooms and making room for family coming to help.  I did get a call back from Cydney around 7p last evening and forwarded information to Laurel at that time with a call. Cydney will contact Laurel this morning and Laurel will call me with the most current information. Mike had a few encouraging responses to his wife Cyd and to his mother early in the evening. Mike was not being moved to ICU, but would be taken to room 266 at  Valley and be monitored and watched there instead. Mike's son had arrived from St George, perhaps around 6p and that was good. Mikes brother Bryce was in transit from Idaho Falls. Not much to do but wait for improvement.  Myrna will be available too and is close at hand to be with Cydney and her family at the hospital sometime this morning and we are so thankful she is able to do a visit and get back to us. Myrna is just 30 minutes drive from the hospital.  We continue to pray that Mike improves and becomes stable.

Contacts will be made amongst us and information shared.   God Bless,  Charlotte

Myrna wrote: Thank you! I typed my news and then found out that you had much of the same information. They took Mike off of oxygen while we were there. Did he get to stay off?

Still About Mike

I called Cyd. When I talked to her Mike was about to be moved into intensive care. He is in Utah Valley and he is very, very ill. 

I am going to go up in the morning and find out for myself how he is--either improving or not. I should have gone this afternoon but I did not. Cyd did not want anyone there this afternoon because of the move to ICU. She wanted to spend as much time with Mike as she could. Her daughter, Terri Fox, is there with her and is staying with Mike and Cyd. Cyd thought that Terri would call tonight but she did not. I don't know if she called Charlotte or not. 

Their son, David, lives in St. George and was trying to get to the hospital but had still not made it. Mike's mother does live in Provo. He has a sister, Lisa, whose last name I do not know. She also lives nearby. Her husband is a seminary teacher in the valley.

At any rate, Mike had a major stroke while he was at work today. He was taken to Castle View. They took him by Life Flight to Provo. The doctors there were hoping they could remove the clot but there was too much damage and they could not do the procedure. The damage he has suffered is permanent. His right side is paralyzed. The big problem, right now, is that his brain is swelling. Cyd was very brave but she was not encouraging. She said that, if all went well, he would be able to have some rehab. However, the brain swelling could cause death. They will try not to let that happen but it could.

I did not ask Cyd where the damage (heart or brain) was. From the way she talked I thought it was his heart because they were going to use the femoral artery to gain access to the site of the clot, which is what they did with LHT when they put in the stent. However, with the brain swelling, I could be wrong. 

On the weekend, Mike had Cyd drive him to the hospital because his vision was gone. By the time they got there, it had mostly returned--a bit blurry but there. He had had the flu and thought that was his problem so he had Cyd take him home. His company had just started back to work for the season and this was just his second day at work. He was not feeling really well but put in a full day yesterday. The stroke hit at noon. I talked to Cyd about 5 p.m.

I did get her daughter's cell phone number, but I do not think that will do much good. They make you turn off cell phones in ICU. I think it would be best just to call the hospital and ask for that floor. Then the nurses will get Cyd or Terri to talk to you. 

I need to call Charlotte and Laurel again in the morning and find out what they know.

Eva Jane Smith Bjarnson

 Thursday, February 24, 2011 12:50 am 

Eva Jane Smith Bjarnson

Eva Jane

Smith Bjarnson

1924 ~ 2011

Eva Jane Smith Bjarnson, our sweet wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away quietly at home with family on Friday, the 18th of February 2011. She was a valiant strong lady in life and still continues that quest. She was born on the 19th of August, 1924 to Sydney Thomas and Dolly Grey Lewis Smith in Springville, Utah. She was very proud of her heritage. 

On the 12th of June, 1946 she married her sweetheart Leon Gourdin Bjarnson. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple, on the 25th of June, 1954. They raised four children with the goal of an eternal family.

She dedicated herself to her family and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She spent many years in church service with Primary and Relief Society. She and Leon served as guides in the Provo Tabernacle. They also enjoyed service in the Provo Temple. A highlight of her life, second only to marriage and family, was a mission they served together in the Hawaii Visitors Center. They saw many people there and she loved bearing her testimony of the Savior and His church.

She graduated from Springville High School and attended BYU. She enjoyed many hobbies through the years such as reading and sewing. She grew to love dance and music through her parents. One of her great loves was music. She enjoyed outings and trips with Leon for many years. In all her years she loved being with and watching "the little ones", her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The theme of her life was her testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ. She loves Him and has earned her sweet rewards. She will be missed by all and we look forward to a happy reunion someday.

She is survived by her husband Leon of Springville, Utah and four children; Linda Craig (Jim) of Mesa, Arizona; Karen Miner (Sherl) of Springville, Utah; Diane Poulson (Alan) of Springville Utah; Steven Leon Bjarnson (Margo) of Mapleton Utah; 21 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren; and her sister Dolores Anne Bahr of West Valley City. She was preceded in death by her parents Tom and Dolly Smith and a grandson Marcus Ash.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation and love for those special people who treated her like a princess in her last months; Community Nursing Services and Hospice of Utah and especially Virginia and Becca. They were unselfish and tender.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday the 26th of February at 11 am in the Hobble Creek West Stake Center, 555 South 600 East (Averett Ave) Springville, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday evening, the 25th of February, from 6-8 pm at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South, Springville, and at the church prior to the service on Saturday morning from 10:00 am to 10:40 am. Burial will be at the Evergreen Cemetery.