Livin' the Good Life

Last March at work we learned that about three quarters of our co-workers were being laid off and that their jobs were being outsourced to Slovakia. This brought great concern to many of the remaining employees.

I began looking for another job almost right away. The thought of not being able to make payments on my debts was more stress than I could deal with at the time. I applied for several jobs. One that I applied for, I had connections in the HR department. Another, I was referred by the vice-president of the company. And on another I had many connections and previous experience with that company. I had many interviews but no luck. I concluded that I was being turned down due to a lack of degree. With so many out of work these days, I don't think companies can even consider someone without a degree.

It was a pivotal moment in our lives. We knew that going back to school for me was a must. But how? We had too many bills that we couldn't afford for me to not work and I didn't think that I would be able to handle the stress of attending school full-time while working full-time. My job was getting more stressful by the day and I was literally a basketcase. I had been with the company for two and a half years but I knew I wasn't going to last much longer. We finally figured out a way that I could quit my full-time job and go back to school.

After careful consideration we decided to sell our newer cars and pay cash for a couple of older cars. This was one of the best choices we could've made. By selling our newer cars we got rid of two car payments and we were able to get rid of two additional debts (a grand total of about $830 a month in payments). I gave up my 2006 Nissan Sentra and Brad parted with his 2008 Honda CRV.

Brad found an old truck (something he's always wanted). It's a 1967 Ford F100 pick-up truck. He's only the third owner. The gentleman he bought it from had had it since 1969 and it only had 66,000 miles on it when we got it. It still has the original engine and transmission. It is Brad's pride and joy. The find was a one in a million. We only paid $1750 for it.

Before the paint job.

And after the paint job

Brad found me a 1988 Honda accord for $1400. I didn't want a car because we live close enough to the school for me to walk there. However with all of the events I get hired at I need transportation and the bus isn't really an option for those. And, not long after all this happened I got my pizza delivery job back and my little Honda is the perfect Pizza car.

Hiking

I've started hiking with my 15 year old nephew, Jared. The first week that Sundance was opened for summer, I picked up Jared early in the morning and we drove out there. It was raining when we left and by the time we reached the resort there was somewhat of a blizzard. Even though we dedided not to hike that day, we wanted to go into the lodge and pick up some trail maps. They didn't open for another hour and a half so we decided to bag it for that day.The following week, I picked Jared up a little later in the morning. We drove out there, went in and got the trail maps and learned that the trail to Stewart Falls was still closed due to the freak snowstorm from the week before. So finally, yesterday, we got to hike for the first time. The trail to Stewart Falls was still closed but we were able to take the tram to Ray's Summit and get out and hike around the loop. Brad came with us but stayed on the tram after Jared and I got off at the summit. The hike was roughly one mile and took about 30 minutes. The guides pointed out some numbers on the map and assured us that all of the trails were clearly marked. As it turned out, the map was marked with only numbers while the trails were marked with names of places such as Arrowhead Summit, Stewart Falls, etc. Even Ray's Summit on the map went by a completely different name on the trail. We were confused but in the end figured out how to get back to Rays Summit. It was a very fun hike. The trail was narrow with a steep mountain climbing up on the left with an equally steep mountain climbing down on the right. There were some loose rocks and even trees growing out of the side of the mountain that we had to climb over. It was more dangerous than any hike I'd been on in a while but we had a really good time.

When we got up there the second week and still couldn't hike, we walked around and took a few pictures.

I really love the flowers in the spring time.

A Native American statue on the grounds of the Sundance Resort.

A little closer view.

A totem pole.

When we couldn't hike at Sundance on that second week we decided to go hiking at Vivian Park. We saw an old payphone and decided to take a picture since it's a rare site anymore. We didn't get very far on that hike since the wind was so cold.

After Jared and I got off the tram we waited on Ray's Summit for Brad to loop around and come back so we could get a couple pictures of him. It was so nice to have my hubby with us.

More of Baby J

This is another video I did of our nephew Jackson. Make sure you have your sound on.

Jackson

This is a short video I put together of our nephew, Jackson.

New Year's Day

I went sledding with Beth and her kids on New Year's Day. We had a great time. I went down the hill about 5 times. I was so sore after that......not sure how that happened but it sure was fun.

Sarah heads down the hill.

The temperature was warm enough that we saw that some of the snow was beginning to melt. Here R2 was stopped by a patch of slush.

Sarah getting ready to go down.

R2 is having a great time.

Coral helps R2 up the hill while Janet decides how to best get back to the top.

Alice making her way back up the hill.

Sarah took a spill.

Janet got warm and took off her coat, then proceeded to rub snow on her head.

Then she tried going down the hill on just her snow pants.

Quote of the day, "Aunt Glenna, take a picture of my tongue." (cuckoo)

CLOSE CALL.....

On Thursday morning at about 2:30 I woke up with a horrific headache. I woke up Brad and told him that this is absolutely the worst headache I've ever had. He went upstairs and got me some medicine. I took it and a short time later threw it up. I woke up three more times to throw up. Every time I was sweating bullets. I checked my blood sugar which registered normal. I got out a thermometer and checked my temperature. I did not have a fever which I found strange despite my other symptoms.

I really did not want to miss work because it was the company Christmas party and I was to make balloons all day for employees (on the clock) instead of doing my real work. I was really looking forward to it and did not want to call in. At about 7:30 I called my boss and told him that I had been throwing up all night and could not come in.

I couldn't hear outside of my head. I was hearing my heart beating and swooshing sounds. It was something that I had never experienced before.

At about 9:00 am I called my doctor's office and made an appointment for 11:00. I laid back down next to Brad. I woke him up at about 10:00 and told him that we needed to get up so he could take me to my appointment. He stood up and told me that he was feeling dizzy. Around that time my mother-in-law called us from upstairs. She said that she had been throwing up and could not get out of bed and that she had called in to work.

Suddenly my mind became clear. Something told me that this was carbon monoxide poisoning. I told Brad that he needed to come outside with me right now. Earlier in the morning I could barely get from the couch to my bed but at that moment it was like I floated up the stairs. It came so easy to me. I went out onto the patio and sat in a snow filled chair. After a few deep breaths the nausea was completely gone. We had the patio door wide open and Brad was sitting on a kitchen chair just inside the door. It was zero degrees that morning and I can't say that I blame him for not wanting to come out. He kept trying to close the door but I wouldn't let him.

I called the fire department. I didn't want anyone to think I was over reacting so I thought, "I'm just going to call the non-emergency number and ask them to come check it out." Well, I called the non-emergency number and when I told the operator that I suspected carbon monoxide she transferred me to 911 dispatch. Within 3 minutes we had 2 fire trucks, 2 ambulances and a few other emergency vehicles at our house. The street was blocked off.

The carbon monoxide level in anyone's home should be ZERO. We were told that at a reading of 200, a person would be dead within 5 minutes. When they brought the reader into the house it went straight to 45 and climbed until it got to 145. They got us all out and transported us to the hospital in the ambulances. We spent the next couple of hours in the emergency room and the following 3 hours in the hyperbaric chamber to remove the poison from our blood. We had to return today for two more 90 minute sessions in the chamber.

All is once again well in the Wendt household. Santa brought us some early Christmas presents. We are grateful for some carbon monoxide detectors, a new furnace, and another chance at life.

We want to thank all of the first responders, the firemen and EMTs, all of the emergency room personnel, Dr. Worth and all of his staff in the hyperbaric section and the countless neighbors, freinds and family that reached out to help us. Thank you so much everyone. We owe you big time!!!

I'm so grateful to the Lord helping us to realize what was going on. I'm thankful that He gave Brad and I the strength to get up the stairs when previously we could barely get from the bedroom to the couch. I'm grateful that my mother-in-law alerted us to her symptoms. Without that the realization of the seriousness of the problem may not have come about. All of these things were absolute miracles that morning. Without any one of those events we may not be here today. I'm grateful that the Lord spared each of our lives. I hope that I can be a better person and not take this second chance for granted.

Brad gets oxygen in the ambulance while waiting to be transported.

Donald breaths some good air while waiting to be taught about the hyperbaric chamber.

Jaynann gets her neck measured to be fitted for the sexy helmets we got to wear in the chamber.

Waiting to go into the hyperbaric chamber for our second "dive."

Inside the chamber waiting to start. The headphones were for the movie that we watched. That session we saw National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

This tank stores water but we got a kick out of the sign which was meant to be facetious.

Another hillarious sign

Thanksgiving 2009

We spent Thanksgiving this year in Phoenix and had a wonderful time. It was Brad and Myself and his parents, Donald and Jaynann. We were visiting Brad's sister Kelly, her husband Christian, and their son Baby J.

Phoenix has tons fo palm trees which I don't recall having ever seen before.

Phoenix also has tons of cacti. Not the little ones that you see growing along the ground randomly, but the giant ones with the arms that, until you see a real one, you think only are found in the cartoons.

This is Kelly and Christian's backyard. Christian designed the pool himself. Although the weather was absolutely beautiful while we were there, the water in the pool was way too cold for swimming in.

This is the view from the back yard. Don't you just love all those cacti?

This is Christian and Baby J.

Baby J. What a cutie.

This is Anne's dog, Charlie. Anne is one of Kelly's best friends. Charlie is the perfect dog. I love Charlie.

Grandma Jaynann and Baby J hangin' out.

Baby J loves the show, "The Imagination Movers." We watched it alot during the week.

For lunch on Thanksgiving Day we had appetizers. This awesome vegetable tray was brought by Christian's brother, Skip.

Skip also brought a very delicious fruit tray. It was wonderful.

The table looked great!! Kelly did an awesome job and was absolutely the perfect hostess!!

Thanks Kelly!!

Jaynann did the turkey. This turkey was the most moist turkey I've ever had. It was wonderful!!

Donald carved the turkey and did a great job.

Charlie supervised the turkey carving, hoping that some would fall on the floor.

Anne prepared the potatoes.

Kelly got the serving spoon ready.

I made the rolls from scratch and have been informed that I will be in charge of the rolls from now on. YAY!!

Everybody enjoyed the feast. I tried everything and everything was wonderful. The stuffing, yams, cranberries, potatoes and turkey. It was all so good. It seemed that everyone was so pleased with how it all turned out.

On the day after Thanksgiving, Anne took me hiking. Anne is an amazing athlete. She has participated in at least three iron man events. She is a teriffic inspiration.

I love hiking and this was a great hike. It was about a mile to the road at the top and it was steep. I had a great time and the view and weather were beautiful. I wish I had worn shorts.

Anne, Charlie and myself at the top. Well done everyone!!!

From the road we could see 25 to 30 bikers going further up the mountain.

We even came across a geochache. If you've never been geocaching you should try it. We weren't looking for any caches but recognized it as soon as we saw it.

We could see downtown Phoenix from the road at the top of the trail we hiked.

Later that evening the whole family went to look at Christmas lights. I loved seeing the giant cacti all lit up.

See? Pretty cool huh?

We left Phoenix on Saturday morning. We stopped at this lookout on Glen Canyon.

This is the Glen Canyon Dam.

We found a port-a-potty on the edge of a cliff. We couldn't get a good rating because it was padlocked shut. But we find it hillarious at the weird and random places you can find a port-a-potty.

We saw some pretty amazing scenery along the way. I thought this was pretty incredible. I can't wait to go back to Arizona.