Battin' the Breeze...2007

January 2007
Wow, what a way to start the year! Brought in 2007 in Phoenix with family and friends to watch the Boise State Broncos play Oklahoma for the Fiesta Bowl Championship. Boise State was the 2006 WAC (Western Athletic Conference) Champs and earned a spot to play on New Year's Day. I watched the greatest game ever played and witnessed the excitement, the plays (hook and ladder, Statute of Liberty) the marriage proposal from Ian Johnson to Chrissy on national TV, the overtimes, and how 'bout those stars, Jared Zabransky, Derek Schouman, Ian Johnson, Korey Hall, Coach Pete, ---- it was truly one of the most amazing events I have ever been witness to. Boise State University had the biggest victory in school history and I was there! Boise State won the Fiesta Bowl! Can you believe it?
BSU 43 - Oklahoma 42

February 2007
Bunco for Breast Cancer was held at the end of February and record numbers of women turned out to roll dice, play and donate to St. Luke's Health Foundation to help women in Southern Idaho with their fight against breast cancer. Over 120 wild and crazy players raised nearly $5000 for St. Luke's. A big shout out to everyone who helped and opened their hearts and wallets for one of Mountain Home's biggest events.

March 2007
Umm...well, let's just say this was the month that started the medical bills to sky rocket. I had two surgeries within 3 weeks (one planned, one not planned). All is well but I'd rather sleep in my own bed.

April, 2007
Easter eggs, yellow daffodils and baked ham with scalloped potatoes. Life is good.

May, 2007
Spent 10 relaxing days in the Sunshine State at the Pink Flamingo Inn in Dunedin with my sister Darlene. We talked, we ate, we shopped, we played in the sand, and loved every minute of it! Something about walking the beach, listening to the waves, and being in the sunshine does something magical to my soul.

June, 2007
Fred was feeling punky and not very well at all. Had a hard time with food period - nothing wanted to go down or stay down. He got pneumonia in one of his lungs, things weren't looking too good. His brothers came in from out of town, and as in true Fred fashion, he rallied! He is the strongest man I know when things get tough - he fights like hell

July, 2007
Lay-offs, downsizing, out sourcing, jobs being moved overseas......words I never thought I'd have to worry about until July 9. After seeing my friends being walked at Crucial Technology, I was told my job was being eliminated and I was now unemployed. Done. Finished. The job I loved, the company I was proud to work for, all disappeared in about 20 minutes from the time I was called into a conference room until I was in my car, sobbing and pulling out of the parking lot.

One of my closest friends in the whole wide world, Debbie, packed and left Mountain Home for Syracuse Utah. Oh, how I will miss Debbie. We've chatted, shopped, shared recipes (and tears) and seen each other almost daily for nearly 40 years. I feel so blessed to have her in my life all these years.

August, 2007
Job searching, soul searching, still buckets of emotions. Couldn't keep off the computer looking for jobs, e-mailing friends and associates, looking for a new career that would give me opportunities for growth. Was offered a position at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Boise. St. Luke's provides great health care to residents in Southern Idaho. Will start in September - so it didn't take long to book 2 tickets to Florida for one last summer vacation at the Flamingo Inn (condo in Dunedin).

September, 2007
Crazy busy starting the new job at St. Luke's. Participated in the Women's Fitness Celebration Walk in Boise with Suzanne. Part of the Fabulous Fifteen Club of women who have participated every year in this event since it started 15 years ago. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and we enjoyed a 5K walk (Suzanne ran) with over 15,000 women.

BSU football started and the Prouty's had the BSU "Fan Van" ready for football games, tailgaters and fun! Fred's brother Wes had his Chevy Tahoe BSU customized too. The players love our van, and come out after the games to autograph the inside panels and doors. It's priceless!

October, 2007
Rocco, our Italian Greyhound, came running home after just being let out. He came to the door with a huge injury, a large wound on his right leg. We think a large a varmint attacked him. Rocco was scared to death and is taking a long time to emotionally and physically get over the trauma. I sit and rock him every night when I get home from work - seems to help. He loves it! Monday and Tuesday nights are our favorite nights home because we can watch Dancing with Stars! Can you believe Marie Osmond? Or how about Mark Cuban? It's going to be a tough competition between Helio and Mel B -Helio is SO much nicer and happier than Nasty Spice or whatever her name is. Hope Helio is the winner this season.

Our Florida condo suffered a major water leak causing gallons and gallons of water to come up through the floor and ruin the carpets and walls. Yuk! Needless to say working with Florida insurance companies is not something I recommend to anyone. It's been a pain in the rear to get our settlement, but finally we have new carpet and paint on the walls and all is back in order. Sister Annabel was there with her stick to over see the project. Thank goodness for sisters!

November, 2007
Spent a fun Saturday at the Eagle Christmas Bazaar with Suzanne, Tammy, Rose, Mary and baby Trey. Found lots of fun stuff and it's always a good day to hang out with the girls and shop. Thanksgiving was quiet, Suzanne spent the holiday in Denver with Jeff and his family. Kiely and Sara were here to liven up the house, and Mitch and Marcus showed up later in the day as did Quinn and his family, and later on Alex.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving Alex and I fly, yes for the day, to Seattle! What fun to be in the big city to see the Christmas lights, Santa Claus in the Nordstrom's corner window with the little kids dressed in their velvet dresses and shiny shoes, and walk through Pike's Market Place. Had a cup of java at Starbucks, dined on seafood at the Crab Pot and then about collapsed from exhaustion before heading back to the airport for our flight to Boise. Thanks to Alex and his free passes on Horizon Airlines!

December, 2007
Where the year go? Got the holiday decorations out but I have admit, my big beautiful tree is just too much for me to put up. Every branch has a slot, and I don't have the time nor energy to put this monster tree up anymore. So....Rocco and I drove the tree to it's new home at Suzanne's! Suzanne spent a few days putting it together, decorating it and it looks beautiful in her living room!

Have attended a few Christmas open houses and seen old friends. Nothing like old friends to warm your heart. Have a few more events to go to and then take a few days off at Christmas to enjoy family.

The best to you and your family in 2008. May love fill your home, and the laughter of children warm your heart.