Davis Family Fund Issues

I would like to say that I am incredibly grateful for the support we received from the community regarding our August 2^nd accident and Daniel’s death. I never could have expected or hoped for such a response as we witnessed. We received meals for several weeks, were the object of many fundraisers, and were much prayed for. A fund, the Davis Family Fund, was set up for anyone wishing to donate monetarily.

It has been a mere four months and nineteen days since the accident and Daniel’s death. As those of you who have lost a loved one can attest, the pain and anguish and veritable hole in our lives will never go away. We are just now coming to the point where we find out what the insurances are and are not covering. We also have just now been informed that the Davis Family Fund is not going to be further used to assist us in the financial difficulties experienced due to the accident.

It appears that “it has been decided” that a large amount of money has been given to us from the fund and that the rest of it is to be divided up amongst the children who were involved in the accident. For those living, e-bonds will be set up and given to each child upon coming of age. Daniel’s share will be donated to the Hubbardston Center School Playground Fund.

For the record, I had been thinking of donating to the Playground Fund any remaining monies after we had taken care of accident and burial expenses. The money came from the community; I felt that it would only be right and fair to return something to the community.

However, it appears that without consulting with us, other people know better what is needed for our family. When I asked how much money is in the account, the woman I was speaking to, who is one of two people on the account, refused to tell me. Likewise, she would not tell me who exactly had made these decisions.

It took us four months to be able to bury Daniel simply because we wanted to bury him at home and one person did not like the idea. I think it is a shame that one person is now taking something given freely by the community to benefit a family who experienced great tragedy and using it for a purpose for which it was not intended.

Because of the trauma of the accident and the death of our son and brother, the children and adults have been attending grief support groups through the Carriage House in Worcester while awaiting further trauma and grief counseling. Last week, on December 13, as we were leaving a candle lighting ceremony and supper, we were involved in yet another accident. Fortunately, this did not result in the loss of any life but the van will require much work if it is not considered totaled.

This second accident, while not as bad as the first, was still traumatic for everyone involved coming as soon as it did after the first.

Not only are we still coming to terms with Daniel’s death, as we always will be, and the effects of the first accident, now we have the added stress of dealing with the aftermath of the second as well. It would be a great blessing if those who are involved with decision making for the Davis Family Fund would see fit to let us use it as we find necessary rather than attempting to take upon themselves the responsibility of making decisions for a family who is experiencing something I hope they never have to personally experience.

The Bus

I think the bus right is pretty much the same except now I have to walk to the bus stop instead of going to the end of the driveway and the ride is longer. I think it's very stupid that they don't make good french-fries anymore. I don't like taking all my books for all my classes everywhere. I don't use my locker because it's too much work to open it. I liked Friday because I did not get very much homework. I don't like writing unless it's just a little bit at a time. I like math and social studies the most. Actually my favorite subject is lunch. I don't like it when we get a ton of homework. I like when I go to lunch because I don't have to work, no homework, and I can talk to my friends. I don't like that I don't have some classes with friends. But I think over all it's kind of boring.

The first entry in Daniel's 7th Grade Journal, written 9/10/2010

The Egg

I was asleep in my bed one night. It was very dark outside then all of the sudden I heard a knock on the front door. I got up, picked up my flashlight and went to my bedroom door then I made my way down the stairs. At first when I opened the door I thought it was another dead rat that our cat had left there. Then when I shined my light on it I realized that it was shaped like a huge egg. I picked the object up and went back to my room closing the doors quietly so that I wouldn’t wake my parents up. Then I fell asleep again. The next morning I had completely forgot about the egg so I got up, ate breakfast and went to the bus stop. After school I went to put my pack in my room. As I put it down, I saw the egg and remembered what had happened the night before so I got a hammer and cracked the egg. It was empty.

Written by Daniel on 9/17/2010

Daniel, 7th grade

This is Daniel's school picture from last year. I think it is a good one.

Hubbardston health board approves burial on family land Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

                Hubbardston health board approves burial on family land

HUBBARDSTON — A local family will finally be able to bury their 14-year-old son who was killed three months ago in a car accident in Minnesota.

The Board of Health voted last night to grant a temporary tomb permit which will allow Pamela Roper to bury her son Daniel Davis on family land on Partridgeville Road. The family may, in the future, return to the board for a permanent permit, which would require a town meeting vote.

After the temporary permit was approved, Tomas Larson, chairman of the Board of Health, apologized to Paul Flint, Ms. Roper’s husband, for the process taking so long, but said the board had to abide by a legal opinion issued by town counsel. The process was delayed after town counsel expressed concern about burials on private property. Interim Town Administrator Brian Bullock worked with the family and proposed the temporary tomb permit.

Mr. Flint said last night that when the burial will take place will depend on the weather. With heavy rain expected and a possibility of snow on Saturday, he said the family would wait to see how the weekend weather develops.

— George Barnes

Hubbardston couple gets burial OK Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Hubbardston couple gets burial OK

By George Barnes TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

HUBBARDSTON — A compromise may finally allow a family to bury on their land the 14-year-old son they lost three months ago

Selectmen voted last night to recommend to the Board of Health that it issue a temporary vault permit to allow Pamela Roper and her husband, Paul Flint, to bury Mrs. Roper's son, Daniel, on land near their home on Pitcherville Road.

Daniel died Aug. 2 in an accident in Minnesota while the family was headed to Idaho. Since then the couple have tried to have him buried near their home, but the town's legal firm issued an opinion that various requirements needed to be satisfied for it to happen, including receiving approval from town meeting.

Interim Town Administrator Brian Bullock told selectmen that with a temporary vault permit, the family can go forward with the burial and if they wanted the permit to become permanent, at some point they would have to seek town meeting approval.

The board voted 2-1 to support issuing the temporary permit. Selectman Matthew Castriotta voted no, saying he does not approve of burials on private property.

“I think it should go to town meeting as it has always gone to town meeting,” he said.

Selectman Ernest Newcomb said he is not opposed to burials on private property, but consideration should be given about how the grave would be cared for should the family someday sell the land. He also asked what it would cost the town if the family went to town meeting to get the permit made permanent and voters rejected it.

“Who has the burden of paying costs of disinterment?” he asked.

Mr. Bullock said the town would not be responsible for the costs because it would be on private property.

Mr. Flint, who was at the meeting, said he was happy with the selectmen's vote and hopeful the Board of Health will approve the permit at its meeting tonight. The board meets at 6:30 p.m.

Legal limbo over boy's burial from Worcester Telegram and Gazette Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Legal limbo over boy’s burial

Dianne Williamson
dwilliamson@telegram.com

An elaborate “monkey bridge” made of thick rope and tree limbs stretches high across a narrow creek behind the home of Paul Flint and his wife, Pamela Roper. It was built by Roper’s son, Daniel Davis, with help from some fellow Boy Scouts.

Near this bridge, below a sloping lawn that leads to acres of woods, is where Ms. Roper hopes to bury her 14-year-old child.

“Down here would be really nice,” Ms. Roper said quietly, standing under a gray and sunless sky. “Daniel really liked it here. He loved exploring in the woods.”

In the early hours of Aug. 2, Ms. Roper and six of her children were driving along a Minnesota highway, headed to Idaho to visit relatives. Near the South Dakota state line, bleary with exhaustion, she fell asleep at the wheel. The 2000 Dodge Durango veered off the road, sailed through a ditch and slammed into a bridge embankment. Daniel was killed instantly; she and her other children suffered various injuries, but survived.

The townspeople of Hubbardston rallied to the family’s aid, holding bake sales, delivering food and driving the children to doctors’ appointments. For that, the parents are grateful.

But they’re not as thankful to town officials. Today, more than three months after his death, Daniel’s body remains in the basement of a Worcester funeral home. Despite the best efforts of Daniel’s mother and stepfather, officials have yet to grant their request that the boy be buried on their 30-acre property on Pitcherville Road.

“It’s like having a scab that we have to pick open, over and over,” said Flint, Daniel’s stepfather, his voice choked with sobs. “It brings everything back and makes it hard to function. It eats at me. I love my wife, and this is what she wants. I can’t imagine the hell she’s going through.”

Flint has jumped through myriad bureaucratic hoops to grant his wife’s wish. He’s attended two selectmen’s meetings, called and written to various state officials and submitted maps of his property. He’s received the go-ahead from the town Conservation Commission and the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The matter seems to have stalled in September, after the town sought the advice of town counsel. While Hubbardston has no regulation about private burials, its Boston lawyer responded with a two-page opinion citing various chapters of state law and a laundry list of requirements that must be satisfied. Most daunting is that, in his opinion, the burial must be approved at Town Meeting, which isn’t scheduled until next spring.

But Flint isn’t quite sure where the matter stands, and you can’t blame him. Last Thursday, for example, Selectman Michael Stauder initially said he had no knowledge of the family’s private burial request. When contacted again several hours later, he corrected himself and said he now remembered it.

“But we’re not the final approval,” he said.

“Who is?”

“Nobody seems to know that,” he replied. “But I know he needs approval from DEP.”

As noted, Flint already has that. He also has the support of town Conservation Commission member David Klinch, who spoke on Flint’s behalf at a selectmen’s meeting in September.

“The Board of Health effectively punted it to the selectmen,” Klinch said. “So the selectmen should have to sign off. It’s a shame it hasn’t been resolved. I wish I could have done more to help him.”

Ms. Roper, 43, said it’s important to her that Daniel be buried on their land. She and her children moved from Idaho to Pitcherville Road in 2009, after meeting Flint on a website frequented by Mormons. They married in October.

“Birth is a personal thing,” Ms. Roper said. “Death should be, too. I know it’s just Daniel’s mortal remains, but that’s all I have left of him. I want him nearby and so do the children. The human race has been burying people close-by for thousands of years. Why can’t we do that now?”

Home burials are unusual but hardly unique. In Hubbardston alone in recent years, several people have been buried on private land, including former Boston Patriot Ron Burton in 2003. In 1997, town meeting voters allowed a family to create a private cemetery on Prentiss Hill Road, but whether town meeting approval is required in all cases is unclear.

Generally, communities require that the casket be placed inside a concrete grave liner or sealed vault. Daniel was embalmed in South Dakota and returned to Massachusetts Aug. 22. A service was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Gardner.

Daniel was an honor roll student and would have entered the eighth grade at Quabbin Regional High School this fall. His remains now lay in a casket at Graham, Putnam and Mahoney Funeral Home.

“I’ve done several home burials, and I’ve never seen a problem like this,” said Peter Stefan, president of the funeral home, who has been frustrated in his efforts to help the family. “The town counsel is just passing the buck, as far as I’m concerned. This shouldn’t be a problem.”

Ms. Roper, whose eight children range in age from 5 to 25, said that Daniel’s burial would be a family project. Her 9-year-old son Cedric wants to build a fence around the grave, and her daughters plan to plant flowers. She said she believes that a home burial will help her family heal.

Ms. Roper said she remembers only parts of the horrific crash. She remembers waking up as her out-of-control SUV skated over the grass. She recalls hearing her son Cedric crying. Her 19-year-old daughter Laura, seated in the front, later told her that she cried, “What did I do? What did I do?” over and over.

“Unfortunately, I’m all too aware of the role I played,” said Ms. Roper, who suffered three compression fractures in her back. “But I can’t go back and change anything. I just have to go on. People say I’m strong. I try to believe it. I try to act like it.”

On Friday, Stauder said he looked further into the family’s wish to bury Daniel at home, and will ask interim Town Manager Brian Bullock to spearhead the process.

“There’s a lot of different boards involved, so many layers of local and state bureaucracy, and no one has shepherded them through the process,” he said. “It seems like most of the pieces are in place. We’ll certainly offer him all the help we can give. He needs a champion.”

Bullock agreed, saying the delay is probably because of the “uniqueness” of the request.

“I’m a little surprised it’s still an issue,” he said. “Everyone grieves for that family and I don’t think anyone has a problem with their request. But it’s probably taken too long.”

Making Apple Cinnamon Rolls

I have a binder with recipes that I've collected. Mostly they have come from family and friends, a few from other places. On the cocoa cake recipe I have a picture of Papa and I have a picture of Grandma  on one right next to the roll recipe I was using yesterday evening. Cedric was on the other side of the counter from where I was working and looked at the picture. He said, "Is that Bislita?" I said it was. He said, "I want to see her." I told him that she is planning on coming to visit.

"In the winter?" he asked.

"No," I answered, "not until summer."

"Oh," was his response.

I turned to the cocoa cake recipe to show him Papa's picture and explained that he had not been well and that is why we had been going to California. "Yeah," he said. "But he died."

"Yes," I answered. "But now Bislita can travel, so she's going to come see us."

"When is her birthday?" he wanted to know.

"Well," I said, "her birthday is the same day as yours."

A sparkle turned on in his eyes. "Oh. How old will she be?"

"Eighty-three."

"I want to send her something for her birthday. What does she like?"

"Cats and owls."

"Bats and owls?"

I laughed. "Cats. Cats and owls."

I thought it was pretty cute. Things are really clicking in that boys head lately.

Sioux Falls Journal

It’s 3:35 am of Saturday, August 6. I can’t sleep and am not sure what to write here or where to begin but I need to start somewhere and now is as good a time as any. One week ago, Saturday, July 30, we began our trek across the United States. The plan was to reach Idaho by Wednesday and continue on to California the following Monday.

Saturday we got a late start because Laura had never really had to pack for herself and did not realize how long it would take. We were finally on our way around 11:00 am. We stopped to eat supper around 6 pm and Laura discovered that her AC compressor had stopped working. This meant a new belt was necessary. The first belt was too short but it was too late to exchange it so we slept in the Durango and waited for morning.

The plan had been to go to church but it took two more tries before getting the right belt and it was nearly 11:00 before we were ready to go. That night we stopped at a hotel and I think were all able to sleep well.

We had a travelling companion. I will write more about her later. Due to a combination of reasons, we didn’t leave until slightly after 1:00 pm. I was tired of these puny half-days of travel and determined to make Sioux Falls before stopping; I made a hotel reservation. It took forever to get through Chicago due to traffic and generally just took longer than I thought it would.

After travelling through Wisconsin and most of Minnesota, reality diverged even farther from plans. We were less than 24 miles from Sioux Falls. It had been raining and I was tired. Apparently I fell asleep for a split second and veered of the road. I remember driving through what I thought was grass and thinking that if I turned a bit left maybe be would regain the road. Well, the next thing I remember is Laura saying something, Cedric crying and Daniel comforting him. I tried to get to Cedric but couldn’t and was grateful that Daniel could.

Then there were people there. I heard someone say something about helicopters and I thought, “Oh, my gosh, that’s bad.” Someone else said abdominal injuries and I thought, “Oh, my gosh, THAT’s bad. What have I done?”

Finally I was out and in an ambulance.

I am with Cedric tonight. He’s had two spells of moving. The second time at least, he coughed up some of the gunk from his lungs. Currently he is resting.

Rest is what I’m going to do now, or at least attempt.

It is now 5:39 [am]. I was able to get some sleep since last I wrote. I dreamed but remember only sobbing. I can see the top of Cedric’s head from where I lay. He has a “bolt” in his skull to measure the ICP which is inner-cranial pressure. It looks something like an antenna. He had some x-rays not too long ago. I can only wonder how Amena and Seth are. How inadequate and small I feel.

Once at the hospital, I had to have my clothes cut off of me. I was in a collar for a time due to possible spinal injuries. After an MRI (I think) it was removed because there was no issue with my neck. An MRI of my back showed that I do have a compression fracture in my lower back.  [Actually, I have three, in L1, L3 and L4.] So that helped to explain why it hurt so badly.

While still in the ER, I was given the news. Laura had a fractured humerus; Seth had broken clavicles and mandible as well as a lacerated spleen. Laura also had scrapes and bruises. Joseph had minor scrapes. Cedric had a major skull fracture. Amena had cracked ribs high up and bruised lungs. Also pretty severe skull fractures mainly to the front and right side. Daniel was dead. He died instantly. [Laura actually had a fractured left clavicle; Seth a fractured right humerus, cracked ribs, fractured mandible and lacerated spleen. Joseph, Cedric and Amena were injured as mentioned.]

It is now 7:47 [am]. I hope Cedric’s doctor comes soon. Mainly for reassurance because he seems to be doing well. Although still on the ventilator, he is initiating all his breaths and has been all night. His blood pressure was a little low but he got something for that and it is now up. That is important because he needs to have enough oxygen for his brain. His ICP has been good all night. That is good because it needs to remain so in order to get the “bolt” out.

Laura and Joseph have been released, as have I. Laura was on the day we arrived. Joseph the next. Laura stayed with Seth and Amena at Avera but came to see us at Sanford.

It is now 7:18 am, August 8. Monday. I am again with Cedric after having spent Saturday night and a good deal of yesterday with Amena and Seth.

Much progress has been made. Yesterday Cedric’s bolt and bonnet came off. His head is fully visible and his scar is going to be incredible. His nurse said that both are often in for a month or more so it’s amazing his are out so soon. He also got his breathing tube out yesterday. Currently his only issues appear to be a fever the nurse said may be due to withdrawal of meds and the congestion in his lungs which we do not want to turn into pneumonia.

I fell asleep with pen in hand. Now it is 11:36 and Cedric is having a breathing treatment. His lungs have cleared up enough that he only needs them every four hours now which is much better than every two. They are somewhat stressful even while I know they are useful.

If I try to give a day-by-day progression of events, I am going to forget half of what I want to say and will undoubtedly mix things. So, I am not even going to attempt such a thing.

Did I mention that Laura was treated and released? Joseph was released the second day. I was released Saturday.

Today is August 10, Wednesday. It is 11:40 [am]. Cedric just had an ultrasound done of his legs. I have to say that that was a bit of a surprise. Earlier he went down to be x-rayed while he ate some things so they would know what he could and shouldn’t eat. He passed with flying colors and has lunch on its way.

At 10:00 Dan arranged a meeting. Now that it is 5:30 I can tell you that since he got here he’s been doing his darndest to be nice to me—all so he could play his trump card today and request that he be allowed to spend the night with Cedric. It wasn’t a complete surprise, he’d mentioned exercising his rights and staying a night with Cedric. [One still must wonder why Cedric and not any of the others.] Needless to say, I wasn’t in favor of this and told the two social workers there. Basically, I was told that legally they couldn’t prevent him from staying. Legally, he has no real right to stay either because this is not a prescribed or agreed upon visitation. I don’t care what the circumstances.

And now that it is 8:27 pm, Seth was released. I need to remember to email Angela. My mom, Seth and Joseph will be going home Wednesday. I think it is possible that Amena and Cedric might be released sometime around then but it appears that they will both need to drive home rather than fly so Paul will likely be driving out sometime next week. The only remaining question will be if I drive with them or fly alone.

Daniel should be on his way home by now I think. I called the funeral parlour today and they were supposed to call back but I never heard anything. Maybe tomorrow.

Amena has some gaps in her memory. That’s okay because I feel confident that all will be well. She did not believe me when I told her about Daniel. I had already told Joseph early on and I told Seth earlier yesterday. They were in Amana’s room talking about Daniel being, in Joseph’s words, “dead, duh.” Amena said it wasn’t true because I would have told her already and the boys were joking about it.

Joseph didn’t react much at all when I told him other than accept it as a fact. According to what I read, that’s pretty age appropriate as is the fact that I had to remind him the following day.

Seth didn’t react much. He seemed a little sad and had a tear but other than that, not much. [He indicated that he already knew.]

Cedric asked about Daniel when I got here yesterday. I sent everyone out and pretty much said what I had to Seth explaining that we’d been in an accident and what had happened to each of us. I said that Daniel’s body was hurt so badly that it wouldn’t work anymore and so his body died but his spirit is still alive and with us.

August 11, 2011, 8:58 am.

Cedric and I cried together a lot that night before he fell asleep. Jay got a picture of Daniel and Laura taped it to Cedric’s bed. In the morning we had another couple of good cries. During the day he asked me about Seth, Joseph and Amena. I think he needed reassurance that they are still here. Since Seth was released yesterday evening, we brought him over to see Cedric. Cedric seemed relieved.

Amena and Cedric are both doing well. Right now they’re working on getting everything situated for release to Massachusetts. Paul emailed me a name and number for a rehab doctor in MA who worked with him years ago. I just need to get that to the right people here.

Currently, I’m a bit sleepy so. . .

I just spoke to Grandma. (It’s 11:15.) Papa went into hospice care yesterday. He is expected to live maybe a week—probably three or four days. While part of me says we should have been there, part of me knows that, for whatever the reason, we weren’t.

Everything I have told people about Daniel is true but I sure am going to miss him. He was [is] such a good son. A good big brother. A good little brother.

It wasn’t exactly fun, when I took him to the Emergency Room for asthma, but it is the first time I’d had to do something like that with him. I remember checking on him in the morning. He was having trouble breathing but was still willing to do what I asked. [Which included going with me to meet the Dusty’s and pick up a chicken coop.] Not long before lunch I was on the phone with Jonathan sitting at the table sewing. Daniel came down and was having a very hard time breathing. I got off the phone and took Daniel to the doctor and then the ER. We weren’t there long and he responded well to the treatments. We actually got to leave by about 3. While we were there, Daniel was playing around with the oxygen sensor. That really does some interesting things to pulse and oxygen readings.

That would have been the Tuesday before scout camp I believe. The missionaries were coming, as usual, for supper. I’d felt I needed to get it done early so when we got back, I didn’t have much to do. I’d called Laura when we first arrived at the hospital. She walked to the house from work to be with the kids.

When the elders got there for supper, Daniel concocted a tale. I don’t think I can do the story justice but it had to do with why Daniel was at the hospital and ended up involving a huge chicken named Asthma. I should get Elders Barnhurst and Horton to write down what they remember.

9:06 am August 13. Everyone is awake and up. Mom says Amena is showered, dressed and waiting for therapy. We are in various stages of being dressed and having eaten. Alisha and Imani are in the shower. When they are done, I will braid her hair and then take my shower.

Paul is concerned that because he hasn’t been able to sleep well, he won’t be able to drive us home. I think it may be that a change of scenery would do him good and he might be able to sleep and be fine.

Papa died today, August 14, 2011, at about 6:50 pm in Hornbrook, CA. Grandma, Debby and David were there. I wish I could have been but know he understands why I was not. Now my practically perfect Papa and practically perfect Daniel are together and not alone.

Other than that, Amena had visitors from Sioux Falls 2^nd Ward Young Women today. They came and painted her nails. After that the husbands of two of the leaders and a son of one came to do the sacrament for us since we missed it today.

Amena continues making great strides. She is talking more and becoming more animated. Mom is with her tonight. Before Alisha and I left to come to Bassets, Marie called. She and Benny are expecting a baby on Feb 11. I hadn’t spoken to Marie for two years but she asked to talk to me (she called Mom). It was good to talk to her and definitely a small step in the right direction.

Once we got to Bassets, Cedric had a bit of a meltdown. He wants to do more than he should and I won’t let him. Also, I don’t think he’s been getting his meds regularly as he ought. It took me, Alisha and Laura to restrain him. I gave him a missed dose of Ativan and Jay gave him a blessing. He is now watching a movie in spite of the fact that it is so late as a sort of reward for settling down.

I just got off the phone with Paul and gave Cedric his 11:00 methadone. He needs his Ativan at midnight.

I love Paul. He is a wonderful man. He loves the kids like they were his. What more can I say than that?

Our travel plans have mostly been finalized. My mom is taken Joseph and Seth home Tuesday. They are flying, leaving pretty early in the morning. I am flying home Wednesday at 12:58 pm, arriving in Boston at 7:39 pm. I don’t remember exact times for my mom and the boys arrival but it’s between 2 & 3 in the afternoon. Brother and Sister Mayer, Adam and Chad are driving the van out and will be taking Amena, Cedric and Laura home. Sister Mayer says they’ll be driving straight to get here. On the way home, she said she’ll be in charge. She is a nurse and will be keeping an eye on the kids. When they need a break, they will take a break. I like that.

Bishop Snider gave me a Suburban. Since Laura is the person who lost a vehicle, I think she should have it. I was thinking that maybe we could leave it here and Laura and Alisha could fly out and drive it the rest of the way. Paul suggested having the guys who are driving the kids home drive it so that Laura could work on it and then she and Alisha could drive it back after the funeral. I’ll see what they think about that.

I am looking forward to being home. Alisha and Imani are flying home Wednesday evening. Becky and Jay will probably head home Thursday morning so that Alisha won’t be left alone here at all. I am absolutely amazed that we will all be home or en route less than three weeks after the accident.

August 15, 2011. 11:38 pm. Daniel was called home to be a soldier in the battle. He is among the legions protecting his family as well as those facing the adversary. There are legions watching over his mortal remains. He will be raised in the first resurrection.

Wow, The Last Time I Wrote Here, It Was Daniel's 14th Birthday

How much changes in such a short time.

Another Good Day

Another good day at the Fitness Center. I almost made my goal of walking 4 miles in 60 minutes; if you count the warm down period of 5 minutes, I did. I don't.

In my Small Business Management class, we have been discussing different aspects of a marketing plan. It has been very interesting, enlightening and fun. Today I read in the same issue of Midwifery Today "Developing a Freelance Midwifery Consultancy Business" by Dianne Garland. It covers everything we've covered in class--amazing! It was very good, very interesting and enlightening. My hour went by very quickly today, perhaps more so than yesterday.

Today I added some weight lifting. It won't be an every day occurrence but probably three days a week. I'd really like my arms to feel almost as used as my legs. I'm not sure they do but they did get used some.

All together, a good day thus far--and no kids late for the bus.

Walking

It finally happened. I'd been contemplating getting a family membership at the Fitness Center for some time. Then my grandparents sent us some money for Christmas which just about covered the cost of such a membership. So in early December before class, I stopped at the desk and got a gift certificate for us from them.

Sometime in January we still hadn't activated it but one day Adam came over wanting to go play racquetball with Paul. They used to do it often but hadn't for quite some time. I filled out the papers for me and the kids and Paul filled out his and later that day, Paul took them in and our membership was activated. Paul and Adam went to play a few times, but, as usual, there just never seemed to be time for me to go.

Finally, I decided I couldn't let February end without going in to at least get my picture taken and get my card so on the 28th I did. My plan was to go Tuesday morning but I'd kind of gotten the car stuck in the driveway Monday and the weather was ickyish so Tuesday came and went with no action on my part. T

Then it was Wednesday. What a terrible day to go. There was an Achievement Activity at church that Diana Chunn was covering for me so that I could go to the New Beginnings with Amena. All that means is that because I was going to be at church, I wouldn't be able to get any homework done that evening. So why would I take an hour and half or two out of my morning? Because everything needs a beginning.

I couldn't find the card I'd gotten Monday and it just seemed that everything wasn't quite going as I'd like it to so it took forever before Joseph and I finally left and we ended up not getting home until lunch time but, hey, we got there. I walked for an hour, more than 3 miles, and burned up an estimated 444.4 calories. That was kind of cool. Joseph got to play in the nursery and he had fun as well. I tried to get blisters on my right foot but didn't succeed so that was good too. But the best thing was reading. It was awesome! I finished three quarters of a midwifery magazine (I don't remember the name and I'm not sure where I put it so I can't tell you--it wasn't Midwifery Today).

Today I told Joseph we'd go earlier. And we did. The kids have a new bus driver--this is his first week. Each day he has arrived at a different time, which is to be expected since this is his first week. Today it was a little early so Amena and Seth missed it. I thought I could take them to school and then come get Joseph but he was ready to go so I took him with me. We dropped Amena and Seth off at school and then went to Aubuchon Hardware to get a lock and then to the Fitness Center. Actually, according to Joseph, it's the play place.

Today was much the same except I wore socks I have had absolutely forever--since skiing in high school. They're better than the cotton ones I wore yesterday because they don't get stretched out of shape and don't move around as much. Because of them, I am no closer to blisters today than I was yesterday. I really need to find out about getting more of them because washing everyday will surely wear them out fast.

Today I read part of the Autumn 2006 issue of Midwifery Today. The entire issue is dedicated to "The Business of Midwifery" and is just incredible. Every article was better and better and my hour just flew by. It's amazing how perfectly timed this was too. I mean, I'm taking Small Business Management and I want to be a midwife, how well this issue combined the two.

Now that it's time to feed Joseph and eat lunch and I have gotten almost no school work done today, it must be time to go for now.

Happy trails.

The Dress on My Girl

Isn't she beautiful? I'd like to have more than just this one picture, but this will do for now.

Well, silly me, I did have this other picture. I didn't open it right away because it said "Me and Daniel" and for some reason I thought, "Why would she send a picture of her and Daniel?" Obviously, I had forgotten the guy she was going to the dance with was a Daniel.

The Dress Finished

Yesterday, January 26, marked a great day in the history of mankind. The dress Joanna asked me to make a mere 12 days earlier was completed. In six short days of shopping, recreating patterns, and sewing madness, a masterpiece was created.

Winding the bobbin with red.



Jacket lining.



Putting it together.

Jacket all done.

Flowers like this?

Flowers all together like this.
Oh yeah.

Sewing flowers on.



Flowers on.



Tah dah.

Tah dah again.

The final pictures of the dress aren't really that terrific. It was night, it was dark, the lighting wasn't great. But you can at least get the idea. The making of this dress was definately fun for the most part and took a lot of thread. I emptied two 274 yard spools and used thread from three other spools. That was kind of cool. I'm glad it is done; now I can concentrate on getting my school work done. I'm also glad I got to make it. Hopefully soon I'll have a picture of Joanna wearing it to post.

Day Five

Here we go--second to last day.

Mounds of dress stuff.
Notice how well the iron goes with everything.
And the pins stick out.
Sorry:)

Getting it together.



Help!!!



Beginning the pinning.

All pinned.



You spin me right 'round, baby, right 'round, like a record,
baby, right 'round 'round 'round.
Actually, more like here we go 'round the mulberry bush.
Whatever the case, it was a lot of going in circles.














Sewing the lining.
Look closely. The needle and thread are there.



The DRESS, end of Day Five.

The end of the flower cutting out.

And there you have it--Day Five.

Stay tuned for ..... the Last Day.

The Dress, Days Three and Four

There are a lack of pictures for these days but here is what there is:



The jacket.



Jacket lining.

  



Isn't it interesting how similar the jacket and lining are? Mind boggling.

Flower beginnings.



Working on flowers.



And that's all she wrote.

Picture wise.

Sunday was day three and all it saw accomplished was cutting out the jacket pieces and beginning work on the flowers.

Monday was day four and it saw a trip to JoAnn's. When I was there last week to buy materials, I was assured that there was organza in the back, it just wasn't out yet. So I went Monday and looked where it should be as well as every other shelf. I did not see what I wanted so I got nylon netting and went to the cutting tables where I asked about organza.

The woman said, "Oh, I know what you're talking about." She asked someone and led me to the first place I'd looked. Sure enough, there is organza, but the thin, soft stuff one might use for bridal projects, not the stiff stuff I wanted for poofing out a skirt. So I got nylon netting and spent the afternoon cutting it out. This is what I did not take pictures of because I was so not excited about it. There are plenty for Day Five though.

To be continued.....

The Dress, Day Two

Here we go--day two.


Cutting the interfacing.



Windng the bobbin under Seth's supervision.





Winding the bobbin up close.





Ready to go.




Seth trying the pieces out.
"Is this a sleeve?" he wanted to know.



Sewing along.










First side of the first piece gathered.

Second side of the first piece gathered.

Zipper in! Hooray!

Foundation.

Sewing in the lining.

There would be a picture of what I accomplished yesterday but it looks funny just laying on the table and sewing something in for hanging was not on the to do list. It isn't on today's list either but I may do something about it.

Stay tuned.....









The Dress

For my birthday this year I received a request from Joanna. Would I please make her a dress for a dance she is attending on February 5? Of course, I would love to make her a dress. The fact that she is in Idaho, I am in Massachusetts and have only three weeks to make the dress and send it to her? Just an added challenge and another step on my journey.

The target dress can be found at the following address:

http://www.promgirl.com/shop/dresses/viewitem-PD585089

As I was not able to find a pattern exactly like it, I am making changes to the pattern most like it I could find. If I had a couple of months I would be able to come up with something even better but I'm pretty sure the end results will be fairly good.


This is the dress fabric. It actually is more
grey than this picture shows.





This is the jacket fabric.



The new improved skirt pattern.

The zebra patterns.

Bodice pattern glued.

Bodice pattern cut out.

The first cut.

The second cut.

On the bias.

And again.



The last cut of the day.



And that is what was accomplished yesterday. I still need to get organza for the skirt but I figure I can do that Monday because I have enough to do today to take up all afternoon. It will be interesting to see how far I get. If I finish all I can without the organza, I have the jacket and flowers to make.

Stay tuned.....