A Close Call

It was as if a thick cloud was moving across Randy's vision in his right eye. He tried to ignore it (having no health insurance kind of does that to a person) but while we were in the temple yesterday morning, he had the distinct impression that he needed to see a specialist regardless of the cost. He called the one he had seen before --- out of town. The office referred him to another who was covering --- out of the city (as a rule, ophthamologists don't work on Fridays). Dr. Katzman was on the road back, however, and would meet Randy at the office in an hour or two.

He mentioned after examining Randy's eye, that he was glad he had not put Randy off until Monday. Another day and Randy's three retinal tears would be irreparable. Close call.

By now it was 5:00 in the evening. He rushed to see an eye surgeon at the Eccles Outpatient Center. They have a retinal surgery clinic; sixth floor, suite #630. Dr. Winward performed the procedure right then and there.

For you who might be interested:

A retinal detachment is a very serious problem that almost always leads to blindness unless treated. The appearance of flashing lights, floating objects, or a gray curtain moving across the field of vision are all indications of a retinal detachment. If any of these occur, see an ophthalmologist right away.

As one gets older, the vitreous, the clear gel-like substance that fills the inside of the eye, tends to shrink slightly and take on a more watery consistency. Sometimes as the vitreous shrinks it exerts enough force on the retina to make it tear.

Retinal tears increase the chance of developing a retinal detachment. Fluid vitreous, passing through the tear, lifts the retina off the back of the eye like wallpaper peeling off a wall. Laser surgery is often used to seal retinal tears and prevent detachment.

If the retina is detached, it must be reattached before sealing the retinal tear. Pneumatic retinopexy involves injecting a special gas bubble into the eye that pushes on the retina to seal the tear.

Randy had the gas bubble injected yesterday and will have laser treatment on Monday if all goes well. He is to keep his head upright day and night for the next three days. The retina in eye number two has two holes in it and will need to be repaired to prevent tearing within a couple of weeks.

We are SO grateful for the miracle of modern medicine and for the kindness of two particular doctors who went beyond their normal call of duty.

Noteworthy

Last weekend's Utah Symphony concert was EXHAUSTING but oh, so fun! Here are a couple of "out of the ordinary" happenings that are worth remembering:

Latvian violinist, Baiba Skride, gave a an amazing performance of the Brahms Violin Concerto. On Friday evening, right at the climax of the last movement, the E-string peg on her Stradivarious slipped. She attempted to retune it, but us unable to in a speedy fashion, so she quickly exchanged violins with our concertmaster, Ralph, and resumed playing, ending the work in a glorious fashion. UNBELIEVABLE!

The most memorable event of the evening occurred after the concert. I had spotted President Dieter F. Uchtdorf in the "box" seats during our performance; he is an avid supporter of the arts and I have seen him in many an audience. After the concert as I left the stage and entered the musicians lounge, he was being escorted through by the symphony CEO to meet the new conductor. He walked toward me with a smile on his face and we shook hands. Undoubtedly, he recognized me from my roll in the Orchestra at Temple Square; I was thrilled! I SO admire him. I told him how nice it was to see him, he expressed his delight at the excellence of the concert.

I was Minding My Own Business...

I was driving east on 39th on my way for a post-op visit with the hand surgeon when I spotted a gazillion (I counted over 20) police vehicles to my right. Men with guns and bullet-proof vests were rushing about. Hmmm? I ventured down the road a ways, but had to pull over three more times for blaring sirens. It was more than just a little freaky!

After my doctor's visit (all is well with the hand, by the way) I searched the radio to find the answer to the questions that haunted me. Supposedly, a 70-year-old woman had shot and killed a 34-year-old teacher from the Head Start school and then called 911. That must have been seconds before I drove by!

This is what I read later that day --

Police say teacher was killed by former mother-in-law

Published: Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010 12:58 a.m. MST

WEST VALLEY CITY — Through the cell phone, the popping sounded like a light bulb exploding.

Then the phone on the other end seemed to hit plastic.

The engine was still running.

But there was no response.

The likely scenario, Rod Hernandez thought, was that his fiancee had just been in a crash, hit broadside because she was talking on the phone to him.

The horrific truth was yet to be revealed to him, that Tetyana Nikitina, whom he was going to marry Feb. 14, had been gunned down in her car as she was leaving the school where she worked.

For minutes, Rod Hernandez waited on the phone, not daring to hang up. He left the pork chops he had been cooking and began the drive to the Salt Lake CAP Head Start.

Through the phone, he began to hear sirens, then men talking — paramedics.

He was still on the phone when he arrived to find the area around Nikitina's car cordoned off by police tape.

"I found out she got shot," Rod Hernandez said.

Later, at the hospital, he learned Nikitina, 34, had died.

Unified Police officers arrested Nikitina's ex-mother-in-law, Mary Nance Hanson, 70, on investigation of murder.

Hanson is a concealed weapons permit holder, and her most recent address is in Taylorsville. Investigators found her car parked about a mile away from the crime scene, said Unified Police Lt. Don Hutson.

Police say Hanson fired several shots at Nikitina, then reloaded and fired several more rounds.

...Then there was the phone call — that last one — at 3:27 p.m...

Called to Play

I'm counting my lucky stars! What an amazing week to fill in as a substitute violinist for the Utah Symphony. This is Maestro Thierry Fischer's first concert as its new Music Director. From the moment he joined us for our first rehearsal, it was as if he breathed new life into this organization. It was clear that each musician had prepared well for this first encounter. CLICK HERE to view a news clip from yesterday's rehearsal.

I am so anxious for this weekend's very challenging concert: Shostakovich Festive Overture, Brahms Violin Concerto, and Shostakovich Symphony No. 10. Saturday is Randy's birthday. I was able to acquire two complimentary tickets. Emily will join him for the evening.

The Prayer

Here is our video performance of "The Prayer" (click on green) with composer, David Foster. It's one of my favorite numbers on the Tabernacle Choir/Orchestra at Temple Square new CD "Heavensong".

Our Taping with Andrea Bocelli and David Foster

"Flowers" - What a difference a few days make

"Winter will surely give way to the warmth and hope of a new spring...we must remain steadfast in hope, work with all our strength, and trust in God."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

photo from passionfruitforgoddesses.files.wordpress.com

On this cold morning, the world outside is covered in snow. What am I to expect? It's still January. My first peak of coming Spring will happen sometime in February when the budding heads of the crocuses in my front yard will fight their way through the crusty snow. These seemingly frail flowers amaze me.

After the "cold chill" of last week's events, I've had an early taste of Spring:

Randy photographed a sweet friend's wedding a few months ago. Her mother realized it might take them a little while to "pay the bill" and asked that we keep the images of that day until they were able to pay in full. Her good husband worked overtime during the holidays. She heard the "bad news" and raced over with $500 of his newly acquired, hard-earned money. I know this was not an easy thing for them to do. Thank you, Laura!

*******************************************

There was a knock on the door. I answered. It was Richard, a man Randy had helped numerous times while serving as bishop who had since moved out of the ward. I mentioned that Randy was still away on a business trip, but that he would be home in a day. Richard handed me an envelope and asked if I would please see that Randy receive it. I was worried that it might be important, so I opened it:

It was a card.... and $200.

To thank you

for the kindness

that you took the time to show,

And to tell you

that it meant much more

than you will ever know.

Your friend,

Richard

With tears of gratitude, I called Randy to share. Randy immediately called Richard to thank him and to let him know that we could NOT accept it. Richard replied, "I need you to..." and explained that he had experienced a break-through with an insurance settlement. He was determined to do something nice for someone else. He heard "the story" on the news and knew just what he needed to do.

Help sometimes comes in ways you'd least expect. Thank you, Richard!

********************************************

Susan expressed her concern and dismay at the bankruptcy news last Sunday at church. I assured her we would be okay. She replied, "Good, 'cause I only have $4 in my pocket!" Later that afternoon, Randy answered the door, then walked into the kitchen with $4 in his hand. "What's this for?" he asked. I knew... and smiled. Thanks, Susan! You warm my heart.

To all of you who have expressed your concern, and love, and prayers.... I love and appreciate you! You have helped more than you will ever know.

One of the Bleaker Days of Winter

photo from refriedteacher.com

To quote Monk, "Here's what happened:"

From Deseret News -

Sandy-based baby-photo Kiddie Kandids shutting doors

Little notice to employees, customers

Published: Monday, Jan. 11, 2010 10:43 p.m. MST

Kristen Turner was looking forward to Monday, day one of her promotion to manager of a Murray Kiddie Kandids studio. Instead, a few minutes after midnight, she was told the company was folding, effective immediately.

And the news throughout the day kept getting worse: Along with a couple thousand employees of the Sandy-based baby-photo business, she's out of work, may not be paid for the past two weeks' labor and no longer has health insurance or access to a COBRA policy, either.

The company confirmed the closure in a two-paragraph statement faxed to newsrooms Monday afternoon, blaming "negative growth" on the economy and a decision by lenders to "no longer fund Kiddie Kandids' operations." The company said it plans to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy this week.

The 35-year-old chain has 184 locations, including at least a dozen between Provo and Ogden. Most of the nationwide locations are at Babies"R"Us stores.

Company officials did not return calls from the Deseret News, and there's no word on what will happen to customers' special orders.

According to information on a blog set up for employees: "Because of the unforeseen termination of funding by the lenders, there is no money to pay payroll (both past and future), there is no money to reimburse expenses, and there is no money to pay our suppliers. … We regret to inform you there is no money to pay health-related bills from the company's self-insured plan, thus you do not have health insurance. There are no COBRA programs available from defunct plans such as ours, either."

"We don't even know if insurance claims from the past week or so are covered," Turner said.

"I did not see this one coming at all," said Matt Birch, who had been the company spokesman. "I found out last night in a phone call, and they told me almost nothing."

"It was last minute, with no heads-up at all, and we're upset," said Deborah Stanford, an employee who gathered with others at the Valley Fair Mall studio Monday morning, where one described them all as "shell-shocked."

Turner said her district manager called at 10:30 p.m. Sunday and told her all the stores would be closed Monday. She said she asked if she should be worried, but was told it was just for the day. She and another manager reached a corporate trainer who said the company was filing for bankruptcy and closing permanently. "We were told it would only reopen if someone wants to buy it and make good on all the debt."

At 12:12 a.m. Monday, district manager Wayne Royall sent his team, including Turner, a text message that read: "Hey there team, the final word that I have received is that Kiddie Kandids is closing our doors for good. I am truly sorry to be the one to share this news with everyone."

Shoppers hoping to get their babies' pictures taken were greeted Monday at Fashion Place with a handwritten sign: "Due to unforeseen turn of events, Kiddie Kandids as a company will be closed until further notice. Sorry for any inconvenience."

Wrote employee Jessica Oliverson on a family blog: "Kiddie Kandids has closed its doors forever. On top of that, I've been told, they aren't paying us for the last two weeks that we have worked. And if they are paying us, they don't have to pay us immediately. They can get away with this because they claimed bankruptcy. Thousands of employees are getting laid off tonight across the U.S., and the way we found out was through the grapevine and Facebook."

Sorenson Capital, which had a multimillion-dollar investment in Kiddie Kandids, released a statement Monday saying it was "deeply saddened" by the chain's closure.

"We were surprised and disappointed by the banks' sudden decision to immediately terminate all funding for Kiddie Kandids, which resulted in employees receiving no advance notice of the company's failure," it said. "Our hearts go out to the many excellent and loyal employees who were impacted by the sudden loss of their income."

Sorenson Capital, which said it did not profit from its investment in the company, blamed the closure on a sustained economic downturn combined with a photography marketplace shift that has seen increased availability of inexpensive, user-friendly digital photography technology. "Together, these forces effectively damaged Kiddie Kandids' in-store photography customer base beyond repair," it said.

"We had no desire to see this company fail and exhausted every conceivable effort before arriving at the painful conclusion that there is no reasonable opportunity to reverse the company's fortunes. It is our hope that if the assets are purchased out of bankruptcy, the buyer will consider hiring back many of Kiddie Kandids' former employees."

Thirteen hundred employees and their families are in shock today.

Randy is on a business trip in Nashville -- his business credit card was cancelled, leaving him to pay his own hotel fee, etc.

Randy has been in the corporate office of this company for 12 years now. They were his largest account when he worked as a professional photo rep for Kodak just prior to that. He helped Kiddie Kandids transform from film to the world of digital photography. The company was sold to corporate investors four years ago. The investors made some pretty bad decisions expanding too big, too fast and literally ran this once healthy photo company right into a wall.

As was mentioned in the above article (by the way, this event was publicized nation-wide) No one will receive pay for the past two weeks, no PTO; health insurance claims that were stamped "accepted" are now being rescinded (the business was self-health insured; "insufficient funds" they say) I received my first call today...from the Endoscopy Clinic, who performed a procedure that was completed in NOVEMBER! Insurance will not pay. December was NOT a good time to have hand surgery, Randy's front teeth replaced (the ones that I crushed with a racquetball racquet last year), or tests done on his stomach and legs.

There are moments in life that leave us in tears and bring us to our knees. I am writing this in hopes that in the coming months, I will see "the hand of the Lord" in our lives and will be able to make a full report.

photo from ulife.vpul.upenn.edu

Sadie Jane

A 15-hour trip in the car is more than enough for anyone, not to mention an 18-month-old who doesn't much like being confined to a car seat anyway. Since my left hand is out of commission for a while, I arranged a flight to Seattle and Jenni and Mark's place a while back. Sadie is under 2-years-old, why don't I just take her on the plane with me? She won't cost extra, she can just be on my lap!

Well, the flight was PACKED! Sadie and I sat between two distinguished individuals as it was the ONLY seat available. (I had been comfortably situated at a window seat, but volunteered to move to enable a family to sit together -- I know, I'm so nice.) Have you ever attempted to keep a babe confined and occupied for 2 and 1/2 hours? I planned ahead with all kinds of tricks in my bag -- If only I could get to them!!

She was a BUSY little thing, enjoyed playing with the tray table and and the ice of my soft drink the most. She never cried once. I was so proud of her. (Definitely an answer to prayer.) Never cried, that is, until after we were off the plane and I tried to sit her in her stroller. She had had ENOUGH SITTING! I don't blame her for making her feelings known... all the way to baggage claim. Then ZZZZZZZZzzzzzz she was fast asleep. Wouldn't you know it.

She was more than happy to be home again with Mommy, Daddy, and "Paytie"! We bonded on that little trip. I was hoping we would. She knows me now. I'm "Nammie".

Jenni's New Fitness Challenge!

It's open to all! Find out more on Jenni's blog. We'll begin next Monday, January 8.

Join in on the Fun! The more the merrier!

What a Way to Start the New Year!

In other words, "We're all Together Again, We're Here, We're Here!

New Year's Day was a day to remember. Whenever Jenni, Mark, and family are here from Washington, it's time to celebrate. We just don't see them often enough.

the entire family (minus Sadie who was napping like a good little girl.)

Jenni and Mark made DELICIOUS real whipped cream-topped citrus pancakes that were devoured by all. We maxed out our dining room table with ten adults.

Grand-babies entertained each other at their own china adorned table. (I'm brave, am I not?)

Note to self: Buy a lemon zesting tool and two more baby booster seats.

For those who would like to give them a try, (and believe me, you WANT to give them a try) here is the recipe.

from sophistimom.com

citrus pancakes

1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

1 egg

1 egg yolk

zest of 1 lime

zest of 1 orange

zest of 1 lemon

citrus syrup (recipe follows)

whipped cream (optional)

1. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

2. Measure out milk in a glass measuring cup, and whisk in eggs, butter and zests. Pour into dry ingredients and whisk until just incorporated, but still lumpy.

3. Grease a nonstick griddle set to medium with a teaspoon of butter. Spoon out batter by 1/3 cupfuls onto the griddle and cook until small bubbles form on the batter but do not break. Flip pancakes and and cook for 30 more seconds. Place all finished pancakes in a warm oven until ready to serve.

4. Serve with citrus syrup and whipped cream.

citrus syrup

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

juice of 1 lime

juice of 1 orange

juice of 1 lemon

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Whisk all ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.

And after breakfast....

it was like Christmas morning all over again. Cousins gave gifts to cousins,

and siblings to siblings.

Sadie's awake!

All five of my adorable, kissable, sweet from to to toe grand-babies

And to top it all off...

A trip to the new In and Out in American Fork was a MUST. We were assured that it wouldn't be as busy as the one in Draper. Hmmm....

The Best is Yet to Be

To my Randy,

It's been 29 years today. I fondly recall...

• the day you asked me to be your wife... Somehow you knew I didn't need more than 10 minutes to make my decision.

This photograph was taken that very day. Remember?

• how you, my parents, and I all slept in the same hotel room the night before our wedding day.

• the fact that your wedding ring didn't quite fit, but I shoved it on anyway. Did you not even wonder at that point?

• that early morning nine months later when you called my parents and announced, "It's a girl.... and a boy!"

• how embarrassed I was when you preformed grocery cart ballet in the grocery store. Do you remember drenching my back with the vegetable sprayer?

• how you make people smile.

• how you were late for dinner one winter night because you helped pull three cars out of the snow.

• your faith and determination the year you lost your job.

• the morning you shaved the mustache that had adorned your face for as long as I had known you. How you climbed back into bed, tapped me on the shoulder, and made me scream!

• the day I sat in awe of your extreme patience with our teenage children; "I don't want to have any regrets," you explained.

• how nearly every meal I cook is somehow your "favorite".

• the anniversary you declared, while shaking your head, "We've been married for 17 stinkin' long years!"

• how warm and comforting your hands feel as you place them on my head and bless me to overcome.... headaches, fear, frustration, fevers.

• how you manage to make me laugh when I'm in a bad mood.

• how you still like to hold my hand.

• that evening when you were called as the bishop or our ward. It's an amazing feeling to realize the Lord knows you like I know you.

• the day I was suffering from self-imposed whip lash. You washed and rubbed my feet to help me feel better.

• how you lovingly endure concert after concert after concert.

• how every day is a new adventure.

• The day you became "Potts" and I became "Gammie".

• how your eyes tear up when you remember my mother.

• how gently you care for my father.

• how you dance with our grand-babies.

• how you dance with me!

There were those who thought I was taking a chance marrying a photographer. I had no doubts when I said, "Yes". With you, life has been a dream and just keeps getting better.

Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart!

I love you.