TNT News

This summer has really flown by and I can't believe that school will
be starting in less than a week on the 22nd. Tyler and Emily want summer to
last longer, but Michael is ready for school to begin this year. I know, I
even checked his temperature after I heard him! This will be a short one
this month since we haven't been doing many new things to tell you all
about. 
Tyler and Emily's soccer season is up and running and this year they
are on the same team (yay!). Which means half of the running around than
last year. 
All 3 kids are now back in piano and are getting their pieces put
together for the Pianorama at the end of October. Pianorama is a piano
ensemble event that is held every 2 years in central Ohio. Each student is
given half (Primo or Secondo) of 3 duet pieces to learn and then will be
paired with another student to perform their whole piece. On the day of the
Pianorama performance there will be 22 pianos on one stage with 44 students
playing the same songs all together. There are 9 different playing levels
that will perform so Michael, Tyler and Emily are all in different groups.
I hear it is quite amazing to see and hear and their teacher tells me that
it's pretty hard to get in, so we are lucky to have this opportunity.
Todd is staying busy with his 2 callings in the ward. Scoutmaster
over 2 wards and 2nd counselor in the YM presidency. We (the whole family)
just went on a combined youth outing this week with Todd and Michael where
we went hiking in a place called Hocking Hills State Park. It was so
beautiful and reminded us of Zions Canyon. Hailey absolutely loved it and
insisted on hiking everywhere herself and NOT be carried. It made for some
slow walking at times, but it was fun to watch her be so independent. Any
time anyone wants to come and visit us during warm weather, we would love to
take you there. Our kids want to go again, soon!
We really enjoyed seeing everyone this July and feel bad that our
last 9 days of Utah were kind of a waste with having sick kids and not going
anywhere or really seeing anyone for fear of spreading the muck. We love
you all and just know that our home is open anytime to any and all who would
like to come and see the Buckeye State!

Love to all,
Todd, Amy, Michael, Tyler, Emily and Hailey

That darn newsletter is due!

Yep, I know that is what you are going to say: that darn newsletter! Anyway, no matter what you say or do, I will keep them coming. Remember, I am good at making up things. Are lies better than truth? Unless you want to find out--WRITE!

Love, M

Shawn wrote: Are lies better than the truth? Well, even though a lie could free us from writing for the newsletter, we all really know that only the truth can make us free.

The Runnin' Utes

July and August were a blur. Computer problems have not helped. We had been using our main computer (Bessie), then left it for a while. We came back and wondered who shut it off. We turned on the power button, nothing. We bypassed the UPS, nothing. We changed the power cord, nothing. I replaced the power supply (and case since Kimberly wanted one that had more USB plugins and it was only a little bit more), so I moved all of the components across--still nothing. Then it was time to start into the CPU and mother board. And here I sat, as though I were Lightning McQueen chained to old bessie, tyring to repair the damaged road. I know, some of you are probably saying "Oh, man, you get to work with Bessie! I'd give my left two lug nuts for somethin' like 'at". But I saw it otherwise.

So, now, although there is no visble difference in our newsletter contribution from prior months (the font is the same, etc.), and although I cannot type any faster, please note that these words were run through a new mother board and through a faster processor, using new memory, was stored on a new hard drive (we had outgrown the 40 gigger on the other computer anyway), and even though it was viewed on the same monitor it was run through a new video card. [In case you are wondering, I did stick with the AMD family of processors.] Maybe I should use a snazzy font, so it looks different. When I was reloading all of the software, for a bit I was wondering if it would be better to look and see if anyone was selling a typewriter and an old mimeograph machine on EBAY. But, my computer is now like Mater described himself, a "precisional instrument of speed and aeromatics". Unfortunately it does not rev when you turn it on, and then ask if it scared you. By the way, anyone want to go cowputer tipping tomorrow night. Keep quiet about it though, I would hate the police or a prosecuting attorney to find out about it before we actually figure out how to sneak up and tip the beasts while they are sleeping.
Besides computers, camping would probably describe well our family activities for the past month. Brigitta went to the new Church Girl's Camp at Heber, while the rest of us went to Family Camp near Preston. Then Dane and I went back to the same scout camp (near Preston) for another week. That was long enough to rememorize twenty-odd scout songs. Of course, don't let that horrid dread keep you away from the Labor Day camp. This year Sorina likes the songs "The Princess Pat" and "Yogi Bear" and "The Moose" (see below). I think all of the boys also like The Moose song. I also think Kimberly misses being out camping, she told me the other day that I smelled worse than when I was camping (after Dane had used too much garlic salt for the garlic bread, and not just a little too much, lets just say I did not have to season the cucumber slices I ate after the garlic bread and they were delicious). By the way, I do not know what she means, I did take showers while camping. We all had fun during our excursions, and this year our vehicle actually made it further than a block from home (unlike our track and field qualified Ford Van with the "Javelin" engine--that is my name for the engine since it has a thrown rod, although the shot-put would be its second best event since it also went kaaaa-put.) I know some of you joke that Ford stands for Fix or Repair Daily, but if the acronym were accurate it should be called a Forward Van "Fix Or Repair When All Revenue Declines". Talk to you all soon, and we are looking forward to your news.

PRINCESS PAT
The Princess Pat
Lived in a tree
and She sailed across
The seven seas
She sailed across
The channel too
And took with her
A Rig-of-bamboo

A Rig-of-bamboo
Now, what is that?
It's something made
By the Princess Pat
It's red and gold
And purple too
That's why it's called
A Rig-of-bamboo

Now Captain Jack
Had a very fine crew
They sailed across
The channel too
Their ship did sink
And so will you
If you don't take
A Rig-of-bamboo

A Rig-of-bamboo
Now, what is that?
It's something made
By the Princess Pat
It's red and gold
And purple too
That's why it's called
A Rig-of-bamboo

THE MOOSE SONG
The moose
The moose
Swimming in the water
Eating his breakfast
Where does he go?
He goes to sleep.
He goes..to..sleep

2nd verse! quieter than the first
The moose
The moose
Swimming in the water
Eating his breakfast
Where does he go?
He goes to sleep.
He goes..to..sleep

[yell] Wake up moose!
3rd verse! louder than the first
The moose
The moose
Swimming in the water
Eating his breakfast
Where does he go?
He goes to sleep.
He goes..to..sleep

4th Verse, sadder that the verse. Do in a weaping voice.
Dead moose
dead moose
Floating in the water
Not eating breakfast
Where does he go?
He decompose
He de..com..pose

Yogi Bear Song (sung to Camptown Races tune)
I have a friend that you all know,
Yogi, Yogi,
I have a friend that you all know
Yogi, Yogi Bear,
Yogi, Yogi Bear, Yogi, Yogi Bear,
I have a friend that you all know
Yogi, Yogi Bear,

He has a friend that you all know,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo,
He has a friend that you all know,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear, Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear,
He has a friend that you all know,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear,

He has a girlfriend you all know,
Cindy, Cindy,
He has a girlfriend you all know,
Cindy, Cindy Bear
Cindy, Cindy Bear, Cindy, Cindy Bear,
He has a girlfriend you all know,
Cindy, Cindy Bear,

They all have an enemy,
Ranger Smith,
They all have an enemy,
Ranger, Ranger Smith,
Ranger, Ranger Smith, Ranger, Ranger Smith,
They all have an enemy,
Ranger, Ranger Smith,

They all live in Jellystone,
Jelly, Jelly,
They all live in Jellystone,
Jelly, Jellystone,
Jelly, Jellystone, Jelly, Jellystone,
They all live in Jellystone,
Jelly, Jellystone,

The Runnin' Utes

July and August were a blur. Computer problems have not helped. We had been using our main computer (Bessie), then left it for a while. We came back and wondered who shut it off. We turned on the power button, nothing. We bypassed the UPS, nothing. We changed the power cord, nothing. I replaced the power supply (and case since Kimberly wanted one that had more USB plugins and it was only a little bit more), so I moved all of the components across--still nothing. Then it was time to start into the CPU and mother board. And here I sat, as though I were Lightning McQueen chained to old bessie, tyring to repair the damaged road. I know, some of you are probably saying "Oh, man, you get to work with Bessie! I'd give my left two lug nuts for somethin' like 'at". But I saw it otherwise.

So, now, although there is no visble difference in our newsletter contribution from prior months (the font is the same, etc.), and although I cannot type any faster, please note that these words were run through a new mother board and through a faster processor, using new memory, was stored on a new hard drive (we had outgrown the 40 gigger on the other computer anyway), and even though it was viewed on the same monitor it was run through a new video card. [In case you are wondering, I did stick with the AMD family of processors.] Maybe I should use a snazzy font, so it looks different. When I was reloading all of the software, for a bit I was wondering if it would be better to look and see if anyone was selling a typewriter and an old mimeograph machine on EBAY. But, my computer is now like Mater described himself, a "precisional instrument of speed and aeromatics". Unfortunately it does not rev when you turn it on, and then ask if it scared you. By the way, anyone want to go cowputer tipping tomorrow night. Keep quiet about it though, I would hate the police or a prosecuting attorney to find out about it before we actually figure out how to sneak up and tip the beasts while they are sleeping.

Besides computers, camping would probably describe well our family activities for the past month. Brigitta went to the new Church Girl's Camp at Heber, while the rest of us went to Family Camp near Preston. Then Dane and I went back to the same scout camp (near Preston) for another week. That was long enough to rememorize twenty-odd scout songs. Of course, don't let that horrid dread keep you away from the Labor Day camp. This year Sorina likes the songs "The Princess Pat" and "Yogi Bear" and "The Moose" (see below). I think all of the boys also like The Moose song. I also think Kimberly misses being out camping, she told me the other day that I smelled worse than when I was camping (after Dane had used too much garlic salt for the garlic bread, and not just a little too much, lets just say I did not have to season the cucumber slices I ate after the garlic bread and they were delicious). By the way, I do not know what she means, I did take showers while camping. We all had fun during our excursions, and this year our vehicle actually made it further than a block from home (unlike our track and field qualified Ford Van with the "Javelin" engine--that is my name for the engine since it has a thrown rod, although the shot-put would be its second best event since it also went kaaaa-put.) I know some of you joke that Ford stands for Fix or Repair Daily, but if the acronym were accurate it should be called a Forward Van "Fix Or Repair When All Revenue Declines". Talk to you all soon, and we are looking forward to your news.

PRINCESS PAT
The Princess Pat
Lived in a tree
and She sailed across
The seven seas
She sailed across
The channel too
And took with her
A Rig-of-bamboo

A Rig-of-bamboo
Now, what is that?
It's something made
By the Princess Pat
It's red and gold
And purple too
That's why it's called
A Rig-of-bamboo

Now Captain Jack
Had a very fine crew
They sailed across
The channel too
Their ship did sink
And so will you
If you don't take
A Rig-of-bamboo

A Rig-of-bamboo
Now, what is that?
It's something made
By the Princess Pat
It's red and gold
And purple too
That's why it's called
A Rig-of-bamboo

THE MOOSE SONG
The moose
The moose
Swimming in the water
Eating his breakfast
Where does he go?
He goes to sleep.
He goes..to..sleep

2nd verse! quieter than the first
The moose
The moose
Swimming in the water
Eating his breakfast
Where does he go?
He goes to sleep.
He goes..to..sleep

[yell] Wake up moose!
3rd verse! louder than the first
The moose
The moose
Swimming in the water
Eating his breakfast
Where does he go?
He goes to sleep.
He goes..to..sleep

4th Verse, sadder that the verse. Do in a weaping voice.
Dead moose
dead moose
Floating in the water
Not eating breakfast
Where does he go?
He decompose
He de..com..pose

Yogi Bear Song (sung to Camptown Races tune)
I have a friend that you all know,
Yogi, Yogi,
I have a friend that you all know
Yogi, Yogi Bear,
Yogi, Yogi Bear, Yogi, Yogi Bear,
I have a friend that you all know
Yogi, Yogi Bear,

He has a friend that you all know,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo,
He has a friend that you all know,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear, Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear,
He has a friend that you all know,
Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear,

He has a girlfriend you all know,
Cindy, Cindy,
He has a girlfriend you all know,
Cindy, Cindy Bear
Cindy, Cindy Bear, Cindy, Cindy Bear,
He has a girlfriend you all know,
Cindy, Cindy Bear,

They all have an enemy,
Ranger Smith,
They all have an enemy,
Ranger, Ranger Smith,
Ranger, Ranger Smith, Ranger, Ranger Smith,
They all have an enemy,
Ranger, Ranger Smith,

They all live in Jellystone,
Jelly, Jelly,
They all live in Jellystone,
Jelly, Jellystone,
Jelly, Jellystone, Jelly, Jellystone,
They all live in Jellystone,
Jelly, Jellystone,

Melanie Had a Blessing

LHT and Bishop Harmon did give Melanie a blessing.

It seems strange to me that anyone who had ITP and had lost their spleen as a result could get another autoimmune disease such as MS. Dr. Tatton said  that, usually, if MS did not show up on an MRI, then it was not MS. Of course, it did not. However, the final test is a spinal tap. I think,  perhaps, Melanie is right in suspecting that a vertabrae might be the cause of her problems.

The thing that is most concerning is the double vision problem. If you see two totally separate images, it means that your two eyes are not pointed at the same target. Melanie does see two distinct images. This misalignment can be from an abnormality in the muscles or nerves that control the eyes' movement. Thyroid conditions and stroke may affect the nerves that control eye alignment. You may also begin to suddenly see double if you receive a blow to the head. Double vision (diplopia) may be an early symptom of MS.

Double vision occurs when the nerve pathways that control eye movements are
damaged. The vision from each eye is usually normal but the individual experiences double vision, often in one particular direction of gaze.

ITP, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, also known as immune thrombocytopenic purpura, is classified as an autoimmune disease. In an autoimmune disease the body mounts an attack toward one or more otherwise normal organ systems. In ITP, platelets are the target. They are marked as foreign by the immune system and eliminated in the spleen, or sometimes the liver.

Thoughts for Melanie

Nanci wrote: Hi Aunt Myrna, this is Nanci.  I am soooo sorry to hear about Melanie, I did not know what had happened.  Please, when you can, keep me posted on her.  I will keep Melanie, you and all of the family in my prayers!  Please also let me know if there is anything I can do.

Have an amazing day!!
xoxo
Nanci


Dear Myrna,

Ann Olsen wrote: My heart goes out to you & Leonard & Melanie and all the family and, of course, my family and I will be keeping you all in our prayers. From day to day, we never know what trials may come, but we do know that Heavenly Father and the Savior love us all with perfect love and He hears and answers every prayer.

Did Melanie's symptoms/illness begin last week?

Love you all, Ann

Jim and Karma Dixon: We will keep Melanie in our prayers.


Barbara wrote: It sounds like you have a lot on your mind. All we want is for our children to be healthy and happy. However they achieve the one and get to the other doesn't seem very important. I do pray, all of the time, and my prayers are
with you and Melanie.

Barb, your friend


Kate Childs Bird: Please let us know what you find out.  Of course she will be included in our prayers.  Take care and give are love to everyone.

Kate

From Ronald Nelson (and Louise)

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things!

Accent

A woman from Virginia was talking with her four year old son. He was asking
her why all their relatives from Wisconsin talked funny and sounded like
their noses were plugged up.

"They think we have an accent," she replied.

"But they have an accent, right?" he asked. "They talk funny?"

"Everybody talks in different ways" she tried to explain. "To them, we sound

like we talk very slow and all our words are d-r-a-w-n out."

His eyes got big and he whispered seriously, "Oh, no. You mean they hear
funny too?"


Ann Olsen wrote: One of my daughter-in-law is from Wisconsin. After 18 years in Arizona, she speaks "western" like the rest of us! HA, HA! She is very cool! Nick, her
son, arrives home from his mission to Marita, Mexico (Cancun area), next
Wednesday!!

Melanie

I suppose you all know that Melanie is quite ill. We (Melanie, Siovhan and I) spent Sunday in Utah Valley Regional Medical Center Emergency Ward. They did a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) on her head and neck and found nothing out of order. Dr. James Tatton, from Nephi, even though he is retired, made it possible for that to be done on a Sunday. He used to be the physician in charge of the ER there.

Howard flew to Utah Monday so that he could rush her home. He and Braden are driving as quickly (but safely) as possible.

The concern is that she might have Multiple Sclerosis. She wonders if she doesn't have a ruptured vertebrae. She has a doctor's appointment on Friday in Massachusetts. Hopefully, the doctor will find out what is really the matter. Her double vision has been getting worse. She has some numbness in her arms and legs and has back pain. The MRI ruled out tumors, blood clots and strokes. Here in Nephi they did blood work to try to find out something that was out of order but didn't detect anything remiss. Of course, they may not have done the right test. They did give Melanie the results of everything to turn over to her doctor.

Some vacation! First her car breaks down and spends the first few days in the shop getting repaired and then Melanie gets ill. Unfortunately, she hasn't been as easy to fix as the car was.

Lots of love, M

The Reluctant Gift: Putting Our Time on the Altar‏

Dear M,

Thank you so much for "The Reluctant Gift: Putting Our Time on the Altar‏." Recently I have had a special opportunity to be available much more often to care for two of my grandchildren -- 2-year old and a 5-month old. It truly is a blessing to me. The bonds of love grow stronger when we serve and make ourselves available to serve. I appreciate so much the article, The Reluctant Gift. Actually, Myrna, I know that you are one who always has and always will go the extra miles to serve and help others. Thanks so much for the great example you and Leonard have been in my life! 

Take Care,

Ann