Macula Hole Surgery

March has been a very interesting month for us. Curtis had trouble with his right eye. Come to find out he needed surgery for a hole in his retna. The macula is the small part of the retina responsible for central vision. A tear or hole in the macula impairs a person's ability to see. Many activities, including reading and writing, may become nearly impossible. Curtis had this happen while sitting in Church on Feb. 6th. The hymn numbers on the wall disappeared!

This condition, most prevalent among the elderly, (This must mean he is becoming elderly??) arises when the vitreous (the jelly-like substance which fills the inner eye) becomes condensed and fibrous. The fibers often bond to the macula, and when they shrink, they exert a pulling force. A hole is opened and the surrounding tissue peels away from the eye, causing a loss of central vision. 

To repair the macular hole, the surgeon (A terrific Dr. Adelberg in Mesa) removes the vitreous and replaces it with a gas bubble.  The bubble rises and applies pressure to the area in need of healing. Since the macula is at the back of the eye, the gas bubble will only work if the patient's head is positioned facedown.

Pressure against the hole flattens the macula against the wall of the eye, (See Figure 3), and the impaired visual area is minimized. During the ensuing weeks, the afflicted eye will begin to heal, the macula will re-bond to the eye wall, and a new vitreous replaces the gas bubble.

Macular hole surgery is an easy, painless procedure with a successful track record of improving or virtually restoring vision. The real challenge for the patient is dealing with the monotony, stress and discomfort of a 22-24 hour-a-day facedown postoperative position until the gas bubble is absorbed--usually over a 2 to 6 week period.

Fortunately we found a massage table for him to lay face down for two full weeks (all that the doctor required) and part of a third week. If he was up during the day, he had to keep his head horizontal to the floor.  He is doing well, following doctors orders. He can now tell between light and dark and see shadows in his right eye.  He will have his vision back about the end of April - according to his doctor.  So I will post more about this then.

So many friends have offered up prayers and support for us during this time.

Special Temple Day

There is a really great family in our ward who has been growing in the gospel.  They are Phillip and Michelle Powell and their children. Six kids live at home and three out on their own.  Anyway, they went to the Mesa Arizona Temple for their endowments Tuesday morning, March 15th. Curtis and I were able to be their escorts.  They had 5 of their children sealed to them.

L-R: Back Row - Nell & Lauren Powell (Phillip's parents), Phillip & Michelle Powell, Sandi & Curtis
Front Row: Brandi, Tara, Symphony, Kaden and Michel (the children)



In the afternoon another family, Devin & Crystal Chavez went to the temple and then had their little daughter sealed to them. It was a great day for these families and all the friends who were able to be with them.

No More Early Hour Bird Chirping!!!

         This may sound crazy but I dispise PIGEONS who constantly chirp 15 min before dawn and then continue all morning! My neighbor who owned the house where these pigeons have roosted in the eaves would shoot them and remedy the problem. They have moved last summer. So since then if my neighbors ever looked out of their 2 story windows into my back yard would see a lady in her nightgown running out to shoo away the birds! Sometimes my good hubby would take the broom and shoo them so I didn't have to wake at 5am!

      Good news! After returning from Dale's swearing in yesterday, my wonderful 78 year old father helped me extend my 23' ladder up the side of the 2 story house and place chicken wire into the eaves to prevent the birds from roosting in any shape or form!  (Husband was out of state!)

       It was interesting watching the birds the rest of the day....they would peak over the eave wondering what happened to their home.  YEAH! I was able to sleep and not be awakened by birds this morning!

The Newest Arizona Attorney

Yesterday was a wonderful day for our family. My nephew-in-law, Dale Berg, was one of 12 who were read in and approved by the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court as Arizona's newest attorney.  Both parents of Dale and Vanessa were there as well as my parents and myself.  The picture below shows the little family with his Supreme Court approval certificate! That is my arm holding the certificate. Hence - you know I was there! ha ha.  This couple fly back to Washington DC where Dale is specializing in Tax Law. He finishes that program in May and then will move back to Arizona (we hope).

The picture below is all of us on the steps of the Arizona Supreme

getting photos of the family. Connie (Vanessa's mom, my sister) is in the red jacket.



L-R: Sandi, Dale's sister, the Family on steps, Connie George, Stacey Berg (Dale's mom)

We are proud of Dale! Congrats for years of hard work!!

Another Term of Office

I have served for 5 years as a board member to the Littleton Elementary School District #65 here in Avondale, AZ.  I was re-elected in November for an additional 4 years! Tonight after our board member, Mike Armstrong and I were both sworn into office by the Board Vice-President, Jeannie Myrick.  All three of us live in the same subdivision!

L-R  Jeannie Myrick, Mike Armstrong, Sandi Nielson

Afterwards we took a group photo.  Two of the ladies on the board retired tonight after serving 5 years each.

L-R  Mike Armstrong, Sandi Nielson, Kelli Watson & Sally Maddux (retiring),
 Kathy Reyes, Jeannie Myrick

Thanksgiving Family Photos

Our family is certainly growing every year. I feel leaps and bounds says it all! I think we have the cutest family every! (Yes! I am a Grandma and have that right!)  We took the photos at the Mesa Arizona Temple Grounds.  The lighting is a bit light, but I think you can see how cute every one is! There are 11 little ones, and #12 will be in June (that would be Heidi having #5.)

Front Row L-R: Noelle, Christian holding Hunter, Carter, Tytan, Haven, Jaren, Ridge
Back Row L-R: Haley, Sandi holding Jaycie, Curtis holding Paisley

Here are the parental units!

Curtis & I on chair

L-R back row:  Serina & Nick, Meggan & Peter, Heidi & Jace, Carrie & Jason

A very BUSY November 7th

This past Sunday, Nov 7th, 2010 was extremely busy! Here in Avondale, AZ after six years and two months of service as Bishop of the Cold Water Ward, my husband  was released as the Bishop.  A new Bishop was called and sustained.  It was a bitter sweet day for us.  We have been used to serving 450 members in a variety of ways and it will be a bit sad to not be in that position; but on the other hand, Curtis is doing consulting work for Fluor Daniel out of Dublin, CA (near Oakland). He is only home on the weekends until Christmas.  So he was wondering how he was going to manage tithing settlement, Christmas programs, etc... while being gone so much.  I guess it is a good thing he had the entire last year off so he could be Bishop fulltime. He did so much during that time with so many single sisters needing help in our ward. He was a fix-it man, etc...  Now I get to have him on Sunday mornings at home, sit with me at church - which I think has only happend a few times in our 35 1/2 years of marriage! At least...until his next call.

This was taken Sunday morning before Sacrament began with the changing of the Bishop.

Also, in Sparks, NV at the same time, our little Hunter was blessed.  Oh we wanted to be there, but it is hard to be in more than one place at a time.  Here is a photo of Serina and Nick holding him.  What a cutie.  Can't wait to see him at Thanksgiving.  They are coming for a few days.  YEA!!!

Then - you think! What else could be happening at the same time that we couldn't participate in.  Our dear friend Tony Bach was sustained as Bishop of his ward in Tucson.  Curtis and I have been involved in the Bach's entrance into church, their sealing, and now he is a Bishop!  Those of you in Tucson who were able to be there and witness it - what a great day!  One Bishop being released, another called at the same time!  We wish the Bach a lot of joy as they serve in their ward.

Dublin, California

I never knew there was a Dublin, California...I knew about Dublin, Ireland.  The Lord has provided a great opportunity to know about this new place. Dublin, CA has become a new home for Curtis during the week. He is on a consulting job with Fluor Daniel Company during the week. He flies over on Monday and home by Friday night.  It is actually interesting that the man who called him up from the company actually worked with him during the Magma Copper era of San Manuel - Irshad Rana! The team is working on an expansion project for the Cananea Copper Mine in Mexico (just south of Agua Prieta, AZ).  The engineer for the Mine is a guy who worked with Curtis in Tucson for Bateman Engineering - Ramon. I can't remember his last name.  So most of the players are all old friends!  Hopefully one of these trips I will get a chance to see Dublin in person.

Fun in Dayton NV

Today Curtis and I went to Dayton, NV to see my old friend, Julie Sutich, from San Manuel days.  She grew up in Dayton and is now back in Dayton.  Dayton is 50 minutes south of Reno, NV.  She lives in Old Downtown Dayton and works as a volunteer with the historical society of maintaining Dayton.  So she gave us a complete tour. We saw old buildings, the old schools, fire station, etc... I even got to ring the fire bell.  So fun.

Sandi, Curtis, Julie, her daughter Rebecca
we are at lunch

This was an out house.  Look at the toddler seat!

One of the old buildings in town.

We are in the old jail! 

We had a great time. Afterwards, we drove out to her family ranch.  Reminded me of my summer days spent with my grandparents in Washington on their ranch! 

Activities in Nevada

Since arriving at Serina's, Curtis has been working in the front yard. Last year was interior home makeover. This year outside. He pulled out the bricks that trim the yard and replaced them more evenly, pulled weeds, and as you can see mowed the yard with an old fashion lawn mower - PUSH kind!

Front yard.

On Wed, we were able to zip over to the Reno Temple and do sealings and a session.  The people there are so kind and glad to see you.  We had a wonderful day!

Seeing new Grand Baby!

Little Hunter Curtis Haines was born on August 20th. On Thurs, Aug 26 Curtis and I drove up to Sparks, NV to meet this little guy. Ohhhh, he is so cute! He is our number 11 grandbaby. 

Here is Grandma holding Hunter!

Bright eyes and awake!

Hunter sleeping with his favorite blanket!

Tucson Weekend

This past weekend my sister invited me back down to Tucson.  When I and my family used to live in San Manuel and Tucson we would host these international kids called "Up With People".  Well...they were back in town with a concert at Mountain View High School where my sister's kids attend. These 86 kids are between the ages of 18 and 25 and full of energy.  It was great and Patti and I knew their theme song and sang right along with them from the balcony!

This was the cover of the program.

The next morning was the Stake meeting.  Apostle D. Todd Christofferson and 70 Elder Patrick Hearon spoke. This was not their Stake Conference.  The Elders had a meeting on Saturday with all 13 Stake Presidents and Pres. Monson asked them to stay over and attend a sunday meeting before flying home...they picked Patti's stake.  It was wonderful. Elder Christofferson ended the meeting 20 min. early because he wanted to shake the hands of all the children and youth (no adults) in attendance.  It was amazing ...tears ran down parent's cheeks as they watched their kids shake the hand of an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It was a great teaching moment...right out of the scriptures!

L-R: Elder Patrick Kearon, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Pres. Todd Polley (Stake Pres.)

Traveling Home through Southern Utah

Curtis' great great grandparents came from Sweden on the island of Gotland. They settled Scipio, UT.  As we were raising our kids and we would drive up through Scipio we would always talk about the family history. We would have the kids pick up their feet in the car as we drove through Scipio...because it was hallowed ground to the Nielsons.  So Curtis and I stopped once again on our drive back home.  We walked the cemetery where so many of his relatives are buried.

Entrance to the Scipio Cemetery.

This is the old homestead. Getting quit dilapidated, but has a lot of stories to tell!

This was an Uncle Ernie's house...still standing...still has people living in it!

We decided to drive from Scipio over to Richfield and down. This is coming up to Big Rock Candy Mountain.  We had to stop and buy some of that "rock candy" so we could take it home to our grandkids! Especially to our "new rock collector" kids in the family!!!

This is beautiful Kanab sandstone. It was sitting next to the LDS church on main street there in Kanab.

Hunter Curtis Haines has arrived!

Well we have been waiting and waiting for this little guy! He arrived on Aug 20, 2010. Nick and Serina are naming him Hunter Curtis Haines. (Guess who after?.... Grandpa!)

Brigham City, Utah

After the anniversary celebration event with all the family - Melvin, Gloria, Curtis and I decided to go and see where the new Brigham City Temple is going to be.  When we got there we found a chain link fence all the way around the 1 city block. To make it worse, it ad green stuff in the fence so you could not see into the building area.  So we looped the block and stopped where the gates were and looked through the hinge! All we saw was lots of construction trailers and dirt! The location is going to be directly west of the Brigham City Tabernacle.  We drove over to the Tabernacle and saw they were having tours. When we went inside the tour guide told us they put the temple fencing up immediately after the ground breaking ceremony.  Then big truck started hauling load after load of dirt. There will be a parking garage for the temple under neath it all, then they will build the temple on top!

Brigham City Tabneracle - Melvin & Curtis standing out front

Looking from the Brigham City Tabernacle west to the construction                 

 site of the Brigham City Temple. You can see all the construction  

equipment and trailers.

Inside the Tabernacle - looking from the front towards the back.
It is built as a miniature of the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

This is the inside of the Tabernacle looking from the benches upward at the podium and choir seating.  Was very beautiful woodwork design! We had fun walking through it all.

This is Lorenzo Snow's (5th President & Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints).  One of our last trips to Salt Lake - Melvin, Curtis and I found all the graves of the past Prophets in the SLC cemetery. This one obviously wasn't there.  We only have one left we haven't been to...Pres. Ezra Taft Benson - who is buried in Idaho.

60th Wedding Celebration

We had a quick trip to Utah for Curtis' parents', Melvin & Gloria Nielson, 60th Wedding Anniversary. It was a very enjoyable trip up through Jacob Lake, Kanab - for a stroll down main street to read all the Kanab Hollywood signs, over Bear Canyon and up past sacred Scipio! on to Kaysville, Utah.  Time really went fast ... no we were not speeding!

The dinner was held at Maddux restaurant near Brigham City, UT.  We had a great dinner, then wonderful program. Scott and MaryAnn did a rendition of "Ahh, I remember it well" song from Gigi.  Scott showed slides of Melvin and Gloria through dating, raising a family, etc. but would tell the story wrong. MaryAnn would correct it. Totally hilarious...you had to be there! It is great having someone in the family with Wit!

This is Melvin and Gloria's family - before all the weddings.

L-R:  Curtis, Tracy (kneeling), Kim, Melvin, Scot (on floor), Gloria, Kevin, and Julie

This is the article that ran in the Ogden Standard newspaper on Sunday morning following the party. We found out about the article from people at church!  So I had to go find a copy.

 Here is what their cake looked like. They even cut it and fed each other like on their wedding day.

It truly was a fabulous day for us all.  In church the next morning their Bishop recognized them and told all the youth and young marrieds "You should look to this couple's example of what a good marriage is like."

Back to School

I was up early today! Rode the School Bus and two different routes because I am a Governing Board member and like to check things out.  The air was crisp and clean! Most of the kids were excited. I did see a couple of somber faces.  It was fun. We have great drivers in our district. I am amazed at how they know almost every kid's first name! They even know who their teachers are.  I hope everyone out there had a great first day!

Camping in the Pines

Every summer when Curtis goes to Girls' camp up near Pine, Arizona, I also get to escape. But I spend it with my folks in their motorhome in the Sunshine Resort at Clint's Well.  This year I was on a mission! I was collecting stories and memories from my parents and my Aunt Marlene about my Grandpa Doward Denning.  I heard some funny stories and some great character stories.  I am working to put these all together into a Life History for him (he is deceased) that the entire family can have. Some of his grandkids never knew him. I was the oldest and spent some wonderful summers with him. 

       While there in the Pines, we found out my son's family was just up the road 1 1/2 miles for his wife's family reunion. Peter came and picked up my mom and I and took us to their camp. Wow! It was like the Children of Israel Camp! THey had to bring in everything as there were no facilities there at all! A huge dining hall tent with generator that operated TV and lights.  They had one area for showers, a hand washing area, games of volleyball - croquet - etc, fishing, portapotties were brought in, and each family's tent was pitched all around the camp with the dining hall in the middle.  Was fabulous!  So here are a few pictures.

Ridge

Tytan - he was so tired. But he was determined to watch TV with the cousins.

Baby Paisley and Meggan

Peter

While there - my Uncle Jim and Aunt Marlene took us all

 out to the Cafe for dinner. We had a great time visiting

 them until they headed north for the rest of the summer.

Jim, Marlene, Mom and Dad

I took the photo. 

What a great time. Too bad it couldn't last longer.

Lego Days

The last two days we have had "Grandma and Grandpa Time" with our grandson. He loves Legos. We have saved Legos from when his daddy and brother were doing Legos.  We we cleared the Family Room and sorted colors, people, equipment into proper piles. I then pulled out my file folder of all the saved instructions with pictures and let Jaren choose what he wanted to build. The first day he and Grandpa made a yellow under water diving thing with claws. Much like the machine they used in the film Titanic to retrieve stuff. This project took 3 hours.  Then today he chose the Castle Fortress.  My turn until I couldn't figure it out. Then we recruited Grandpa so he could engineer it all and Jaren and I looked for parts!  It was great...only took us 5 hours today (not counting eating time!).

This is the process today with our

piles and piles of pieces.

Jaren with his underwater sea machine

 and his super Knights with their Castle Fortress.

Grandparents and Grandkids

Grandparents with their grandkiddos!

Last night we were at my neice's wedding reception and we realized we had all 10 grandkids there all at the same time! We we rounded them all up on the church foyer couch. It was a trick keeping them all on the couch for a quick snap! You can pretty well see their personalities in this photo. The oldest is 7 and the youngest is 2 months.