OK, Guys and Gals

When we went to Ila Pay's funeral, we learned that she had (even with her horrible illness) kept a family newsletter going for 33 years. She had only two children but she had countless siblings and her husband was one of four. Why could she succeed when I can't? Collectively, we have so much going on in our lives right now that the others should know about. I set up the Trauntvein blog so that you could all stay in touch; it didn't work either. The newsletter failed. The blog failed (though it is still there). I think, also, that Facebook is not working either. What to do? What to do? Should I start the newsletter again and just email it? Well, some of you do not read email. Some of you do not read the snail mailed copy. What to do? What to do? When I die, please do not mention that I tried to do a newsletter but that only half of you took it seriously. Is that failure? Please just don't mention it at all.

By-the-way, I am sending on to each of you all the emails that, individually, you send me about your various and sundry activities. At least you will know something about each other. Some of you will, likely, object to that. Oh, well.

I remember wondering why Grandma's Trauntvein, Smith and Pitts and Grandpa Pitts were so concerned about the families (theirs) staying close together. I think that they just were concerned, as I now am, that, as happens in some families, no one keeps in touch after the primary "In-Touch Keeper" dies. Not to hammer home a point, but Dad and I are getting along in years. While we enjoy mostly good health for people of our age, so did my predecessors. They were all there one day (expect for Grandma T, who stayed out long enough for us to say good-byes), and gone the next. Who will be the "In-Touch Keeper" when Dad and I are gone? (I even do it for my own family and I am, sadly, losing touch with Garth and Alyce's family. I try but I still did not know that Alyce had had another bout with cancer recently. Dad's family is better. All except for Uncle Don, they talk a couple of times a month.)

So, what to do? What to do?

Comfort

Myrna wrote: Melanie, thanks for reminding me that you have some health problems but are upbeat and doing well. You take care of your health and that is so important. I have learned that I should have been doing that for years and not just blaming my overweight problem on thyroid. I now weigh 123 and I feel better than I have for a long time. I am off my GERD meds. All I take, as a prescription drug, is my thyroid med and one for high cholesterol. (I remind myself that my dad also had high cholesterol and it was pneumonia that killed him.) I also take an aspirin and a vitamin. I love walking and doing stairs. (My cross trainer hurts my tailbone.) I am not a runner. I never did like it. I do like jogging a block and walking a block. Running always makes my lungs hurt. (I know, wah wah.) 

I think Julie's irregular heart beat flare up comes from no sleep. Jim has been in California and Jens is cutting eye teeth. She was really quite frightened, however. When she called, she was crying. That is not the usual thing for Julie. She is Pioneer Farm Woman to a "T" and is usually stoic. 

David also has the same problem. They found his in high school when he passed out just after wrestling practice. He wore the monitor but was really ticked off about it. When he was 16 he was ticked off about everything. Todd, I think, also has an irregular heart beat. I have everything else but that. Odd. I have a functional murmur, left over from rheumatic fever. I now have isolated systolic hypertension. The top number, systolic, is high (140) but the diastolic (bottom number) is low (72). My pulse is 60. I can't wait to find out what that means long term. Actually, I am probably running out of long-term anyway. When you are 72, it is anybody's guess how many more years on earth that translates into. The endocrinologist said that diabetics usually live 10 years less than they might have otherwise. We'll see. Nobody that I know has a urim and thumim that they are willing to produce to prognosticate my chances for longevity at any rate. ;) 

Melanie wrote: The main reason for reminding you of the heart situation, is so that you wouldn't worry. It is very common, especially in middle aged women, and often goes away after menopause. Also, I had so many tests done after 2007, heart stress tests, EKGs, ERTs, sonograms of the heart, sonograms of the arteries, CT scans, MRIs of the heart, neck and head, an agitated saline test, all the tests found nothing wrong with the heart other than the arrhythmia. I tried to call Julie to let her know what my heart doctors in MA had told me, so that I could put her at ease, but I never found her at home. I didn't want to call on her cell phone, as I know that when she is out with the children that she is very busy. 

I have elevated cholesterol, it is hereditary, but it isn't to the point where I would need to take medicine for it. I have extremely low blood pressure, to the point of fainting sometimes, so that is a different worry.

I am glad that the steps you are taking have benefited you in ways that you have desired for years. I am sure it gives you great peace of mind. 

Love you.Mel

Myrna wrote: I know. You are such a comfort to me. I am thankful for you. It was a good thing that Heavenly Father sent you into my life because you keep me sane. I love you!

News of Family

Ams and family went to Disneyland recently. Megan and Kyle were there with the band so the other, on the spur of the moment, went there also. Rachel ended up not feeling well and so she was carried about rather than enjoying herself.

Jim and Julie decided to take their family (using their income tax return) to Disneyland also. They left on Thursday a.m. and will travel back late at night on Sunday.

Go to Amy J's Facebook page and find the latest performance of Madilyn. A.J. also, while we were in Colorado, received his Arrow of Light. Eric said that a ward member took some photos and she will share them so we may get to enjoy them.

David also posted some neat photos on facebook. We were not there for the happenings so it was nice to see the photos.

Sorina's Choir and Dane's Graduation‏

Wed, May 8th, Sorina Orchard Elementary Chorus 6-7pm, at Canyon View Junior High.

Thurs, May 23rd, Dane UCAS Graduation, not sure on time yet or location. You will get a formal invitation in the mail.

Invitation: Donovin's Arrow of Light

Arrow of Light for Donovin Trauntvein
When: Thursday, March 21, 2013, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: 1950 North Coral Canyon Boulevard, Washington, UT 84780

Myrna wrote: Three cheers, we have been waiting to hear. Which of the two dates is right? On the formal invitation, it says Friday but on the other heading, it says Thursday. I assume that Friday is the date, but I am not certain. Please clarify. Either way, we will be there. I love you, M

David wrote: Huh, that's weird. It is Thursday from 6 to 8.

Myrna wrote: I am glad to know the date. Thursday is great and we will be there. We would, of course, also be there if it was on Friday. Love you all, M

From Justin About Healing

Justin Childs wrote: Hi Aunt Myrna. I've got a couple questions for you. My dad told me about a great uncle of mine who was a healer and that the gift would skip a generation. Could you tell me anything about this?

Myrna wrote: Is this the Pritchett or is there a Childs? Tell me what the other people have said. That will help me. I am certain that you will want what I have but it may not be what you are looking for.

Justin wrote: About him being able to heal people with burns in person and over the phone. My dad told me he was a healer but I can't remember witch uncle and that this gift skips a generation so his generation did have a healer but mine would.

Myrna wrote: Are you the healer? Wow! Your Uncle David said that the person you were asking about was Uncle Aldo Childs. So it would be something that we would need to find out about from the Childs family relatives.

Justin: I don't know, but David Palmer was asking me about it the other day so I thought I'd ask you about it. I've thought about in the past a lot. It would be really neat if I was but also kinda disappointing to find out now and not 10 years ago.

Ben Horrock's Farewell

Mary Christensen Horrocks invited you to Benjamin Horrocks's event:
Ben's Mission Farewell
Sunday, March 17 at 1:00 pm at Nephi 2nd Ward Church


Benjamin Horrocks invited you to his event:
Ben's Mission Farewell
Sunday, March 17 at 1:00pm at Nephi 2nd Ward Church

From Saundra

Dear Classmates,

For those of you who were unaware, Coach Jack Woodward, passed away last November.  He was an integral part of Carbon High in both our Junior and Senior years.  He was a great coach as well as a wonderful person.

We also lost Dodd Wilstead from Carbon High this past week.  He attended elementary school in Castle Gate, Helper Junior High and graduated from Carbon High.  Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends and pray they will find peace and comfort in their loving memories.

Saundra

Walking

I wonder if walking upstairs and downstairs 100 times a day should count as exercise? ;) I love you!

Thanks so much for helping your poor old mom out. You children are so important to me and I want you all to outlive me!

Thanks, Todd. I will let you all know what the doctor says.

I did grow up in Price, the melting pot of Utah.

Czech Fruit Dumplings
You know those desserts you tell yourself aren't that bad for you. Like carrot cake or blueberry pie. It's preferable to focus on the fact that you're eating a serving of vegetables or fruit, conveniently ignoring that half a pound of butter and sugar that went lovingly into each slice?


This may not be one of these things. Yes, it may look merely like a lumpy mass, but this lumpy mass when cooked is reminiscent of a turnover, only instead of a butter crammed crust it is covered in a soft dough with a flaky center. Bite into one and the flavor of warm bread rushes through you. In the center sweet fruit awaits. No butter required. What you choose to top it with will just be our little secret.

Czech Fruit Dumplings (makes approx. 20 small sized):
Adapted from Czech Cookery

1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 packet yeast
1 tsp sugar
up to 200ml milk
pinch of salt
fruit of your choosing
possible toppings: butter, whipped cream, maple syrup, almonds, powdered sugar

Sift flour into bowl. In a separate bowl, combine hot water, a pinch of the shifted flour, sugar and yeast. Wait until the yeast mixture beings to bubble. It should smell like fresh bread and look slightly lumpy, almost dough like. Combine yeast mixture with salt and add to the flour. Pour milk, a little at a time, working with the mixture until the dough is formed and all the flour is combined. Dust both sides of dough with flour(for easy removal) and cover bowl. 

Leave in a dry warm place to rise until doubled in size.

Remove dough from bowl.  Cut into equal sizes of your liking. Flatten dough and place fruit mixture in the center. Wrap dough around the fruit, pressing edges together to form a dumpling. 

Let sit another five minutes to rise.

Place dumplings in a pot of boiling water for 8-10 minutes, depending on size.