Lemons

I love to have either lemons or limes in my diet cokes, and when eating at a restaurant it is a little "extra" that I enjoy. So, I was extremely bothered by the following story (courtesy of www.healthinspections.com)
"Beware the lemon in your drink. It could make you sick.
When restaurant workers place a lemon wedge on your glass of water, tea, or soda, they are apparently spiking your drink with germs.
A new study by a New Jersey microbiologist found nasty bacteria on two-thirds of the lemons that were tested from 21 restaurants.
"It was gross," said Anne LaGrange Loving, assistant science professor at Passaic County Community College."
Loving decided to do the study after noticing a waitress with dirty fingernails delivering a drink to a table.
"They put lemon in my Diet Coke, I didn't ask for it, and so I decided to do a study."
Loving and her team swabbed for bacteria as soon as drinks hit the table at restaurants all around Paterson, New Jersey.
"You would think they had dipped the lemons in raw meat," she said, referring to the high levels of bacteria that she found.
The swabs of lemon wedges revealed everything from high counts of fecal bacteria to a couple of dozen other microorganisms -- most of which can make you sick. They found bacteria on the rind and on the flesh of the lemons.
Health laws require lemons to be handled with gloves or tongs. But its common practice for waiters and waitresses to simply pop the little lemon wedge onto a drinking glass with their bare hands.
If an employee's hands aren't clean, however, then touching the lemons is likely to contaminate them with bacteria according to Loving.
This is not the first time that Anne Loving has gone looking for bacteria in unusual places. She did a study several years ago and found bacteria on communion cups.
"You'd just have to know me," she laughed. "I'm a germ freak."
But, Loving says, the results of the study point to a significant problem.
"People need to know that the lemons have bacteria on them that can make them sick."


AAAAHHHHH! It's one of those things that I never even thought about until now. No more lemons/limes for me I guess. Although, it hasn't killed me yet.....

"Our" song

So, as my closest friends and family know, I am a singing fool. I am always listening to music and singing. Especially in the car. It came as no suprise then that Jordan is a musical baby! He is happiest when he is dancing along to any music, and sings along when we are in the car. He even throws his hands up and dances during the hymns at church!

I'm sure that Duane hopes he does not inherit my taste in music, since I like everything from show tunes to rap, but I think Jordan will have a very well rounded musical taste. (Sorry, I am hoping that he likes Barry Manilow, although I may not be hoping he "likes" Barry Manilow.)

So I feel compelled to share "Our Song". The one that I have sang to Jordan at night since he was tiny. I am not entirely sure how it happened, but the words are perfect. I have sang to Jordan every night since he has been born, and now it is kind of expected. In fact, if I don't sing, he will kind of moan louder and louder until I do. It is one of my most favorite things. He will "sing" along until he falls asleep. Our song is Stevie Wonders "You are the Sunshine of my Life". I know it's corny, but focus on the words and if you know me you will know that it's perfect.

He knows the song so well, that I can put on the cd (yes, I bought a Stevie Wonder cd since he's been born) and he will fall asleep to it. It is very "me" to have a song with Jordan, and while it is not all inclusive, since I am sure there are many other lyrics to represent how I feel about him, it was and is "Our Song". If you aren't familiar with the song, it is on my playlist, so give it a listen.

While my closest friends know me as being very music and lyrics focused, I think they will also understand the meaning of this song. Since I just sang him back to sleep I felt compelled to blog this, just in case anyone else is babysitting at some point and needs a reference. Learn this song, as well as some of his other favorites:

• Away in a Manger (the primary version)
  
• The Noah's Ark Song (Utah girls who went to camp will know this...The Lord said to Noah, there's gonna be a floody, floody.."
  
• You are my sunshine
  
• Old McDonald
  
• And of course, the Darth Vader Theme from Star Wars...this one happened by accident, but works like a charm. Luckily he doesn't know it's an "evil" theme song!

Well, that pretty much sums it up. He is all about having music playing and will stop in his tracks to dance and sing along. It makes watching American Idol so much fun!

My Baby isn't a "Baby" anymore!

I can't believe Jordan is 1 years old! It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital! We had his birthday party on Saturday the 16th (even though his actual birthday is on the 19th) at my parents house. It was so fun! He even had his own personal cake to destroy!
He wasn't quite sure what to do, so he started out slow...
Then he realized it was pretty fun to mash his hands in the cake.
Before long he even had a spoon involved. (Notice that he didn't want to let go of his balloon though!)
By the end, his was so proud of his chocolate mess and had a pretty good sugar "high" going on.
Grandpa wanted to help "clean up" after the cake, so he took Jordan straight to the sink. Good thing we had brought extra clothes. The "cleaning up" became more like "playing in the water with Grandpa" than anything. But we sure had one happy little boy at the end of it all.

Jordan is becoming more of a little boy than a baby every day. He is so much fun to play with, and I just can't even remember what my life was like before we had him. This year has flown by so fast, and while I'm sure that they won't always go by this quickly, I also can't imagine him being grown up in only 17 more birthdays.

Passport Photo

Ok, just look at how adorable Jordan's passport photo is! The lady at the county clerk's office said it is the cutest one she had ever seen! I just love this picture of him. Watch out Kiddie Kandids, you've got some competition from the lady at the Travel Bureau.

Well, I leave for China in about 1 month. It will be an interesting fact finding trip. The hardest thing for me is going to be being without Jordan. Since I'll be gone for a week, which is barely enough time to get him used to the time changes there and back, we decided it would be best if he stays here. I don't know how I'm going to do it! I'll probably end up calling my parents all the time, and with the time difference that could be dangerous.

Duane will be there for work for 1 week before I arrive. That is going to be really hard too. But, at least I'll still have Jordan during that time. I've never been on that long of a flight before, and I'm not looking forward to it. If you know me very well, you know my rule about not going to the bathroom in things that move (planes, trains, buses, etc). I think I am going to have to break that rule on this flight. Maybe I could find out where to buy some of those astronaut diapers....eeewww, just kidding!!! I'll be without Duane on the flight over, but we'll be together on the way home. It's strange, we actually arrive home only 3 hours later than when we leave China. Those will be the longest 3 hours ever!

Anyway, if you want something particular for a souvenier you better let me know. Otherwise you might end up with chopsticks!

My Wonderful Grandma

I just wanted to say Thank You to everyone for your thoughtfulness in regards to my Grandma's passing. We were very close and it has meant so much to me. I thought I would share her obituary here for anyone who would like to see it. I will miss her very much but I am also so happy for her to be free from pain and to be with my Grandpa again. She was without a doubt the most honest, selfless person I have ever known and I am privileged to be her grand-daughter. She was the "daycare" for my brother and I and we are so lucky to have had her in our lives. I am sure that she is in full health now, and is back to her spunky attitude. I know she is missing us, but is having such a happy reunion with Grandpa and her parents. She has missed them for so long and is so deserving to see them again. Jordan and Grandma have such a special bond. I will cherish every moment that they had together. As rowdy as Jordan is, he would be so soft and gentle with her. He would point to her and pat her hand when he saw her each week. Our visits every week are some of my best memories. It has been such an eye opening experience to have Jordan and see him with her. I know now, as I watch my mom with him, the love that Grandma had for us. I love you Grandma and will be so happy to see you again!

Donna Jean Neilson Parry

God saw that she was tired, A cure not meant to be, And so He took her by the hand And whispered, "Come with Me."

Donna Jean Neilson Parry 1933 ~ 2008 Our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and best friend Donna Jean Neilson Parry, peacefully graduated to a better life on February 6, 2008 while at home surrounded by her family. She is finally free of the pain of a long illness and is celebrating her reunion with Dad. Mom was born April 22, 1933 in Star Valley, WY to Emil Andrew and Margaret Fay Barrus Neilson. She grew up in Star Valley and in Salt Lake City, where she graduated from West High School. She married her eternal companion, James Lowell Parry in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on June 9, 1952. He preceded her in death on June 23, 1985. Mom was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and truly cherished her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hers is a great legacy of selfless service to her family, to others and to the church. She served tirelessly in many callings throughout her life. She was an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple for 20 years until her health made it necessary for her to retire. Her courage and determination through years of pain and physical challenge set a lasting example for all who knew her. Mom loved music and was very talented. She instilled a great love of music in her children and grandchildren. Mom blessed our lives every day we were privileged to enjoy our mortal association with her. We are honored to be her children, and will miss her deeply until the day comes when we will again be united. She is survived by four daughters: Carol (Earl) Waddoups, West Bountiful; Susan, Laurie and Sandra Parry, all of Midvale; two grandchildren: Anne Marie (Duane) Koford, Centerville; Christopher Jon (Kara) Finley, Lansing, Michigan; and one great-grandchild, Jordan James Koford. She is also survived by a sister, Wilda (Lloyd) Hamblin; and a brother, Don (Marlene) Neilson. Preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sister, Maxie Biehn. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, Feb. 11th at the Midvale 7th Ward, 8350 S. Jackson St., Midvale. A viewing will be held 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10th at Goff Mortuary, 8090 S. State St., Midvale, and Monday 9:45-10:45 at the church. Interment at Midvale City Cemetery.

Nascar returns...only 4 days away!

Well the Nascar Budweiser Shootout is only 4 days away and I am so excited! It has been a long couple of months without a race. There are so many changes this year, that it is going to take me a while to remember who is driving what for who. For starters, it is the "Sprint Cup" this year. I had just barely gotten used to the Nextel Cup and all of the changes that took place last year. Here are just a few of the changes that will mess me up this year:

1. Dale Jr. drives the #88 Amp car for Hendrick Motorsports
2. Joe Gibbs Racing is running Toyotas!
3. Kyle Busch is driving the #18 M&M car (which is a Toyota for Gibbs)
4. Mark Martin and Aric Almirola will drive the #8 DEI car with Army Sponsorship
5. Kasey Khane now has Budweiser sponsorship

Then the Gatorade Duel 150's are on Valentine's Day this year, but alas, they take place during the middle of the day. There's yet another 4+ hours at least that I will have to DVR and then try to catch up with.

Then onto Daytona! Last year we were watching the race in the hospital while we were waiting to have Jordan. I bet I had the only room in the Maternity ward with Nascar on tv (at least by the woman's choice).

No plans as of yet to attend a race this year, but I am hopeful. Maybe something this summer after Duane graduates. We'll see. Maybe we could work in Lowe's MotorSpeedway with a Texas trip or something. Anyway, for now I'll just be cranking up the volume as the cars race by and cheering for #24!