I have decided to post some info about the bird flu. I know some aren't concerned about this and think it is not important. However, I would like to say that this isn't a right wing conspiracy. Righters and Lefters have been studying this issue since 1997 (see cdc.gov) We all know we should be prepared. Growing up LDS has taught us that. I am just going to share some epidemiological facts (not "right wing made up scare tactics") with ya'll. There were 3 bird flu pandemics in the last century (1918, 1957, 1968) 1918 was the most severe US population was 103, 208,000. Deaths from that flu were 675,000. > 90% Mortality were among those aged 20-45 (unusual for the flu but thats the way it was). 1957 70, 000 US deaths 1-2 million deaths world wide, 1968 34, 000 us deaths 700,000 deaths worldwide. the decrease in mortality was partially due to medical advances, but also due to differences in virulency of strain. the stain of interest currently is called 'H5N1'. currently is passing from bird to bird regularly. it is also killing most of the birds (wild and domestic) that get infected. it is currently present in birds in all of Asia, Europe (including the old USSR), Middle East and Africa (about 2 years ago it was only found in asia). It has had some bird to human transfer (with 50% of these resulting in deaths) in all countries with infected birds (see above list). There has not been human to human transfer yet. Human to human transfer is when the pandemic will begin. (good old evolution working here)Recently CDC scientists uncovered graves of eskimos who has died of the flu in 1918. There were able to isolate viral dna from the bodies and compare it to the H5N1 virus now occuring in birds and passing from bird to human and it is the same virus. Perhaps you all know that part. The part you don't know is more important. The federal government is asling the states to have a plan in place, there is no real fed gov plan for dealing with this when it comes. In SL county there are expected to be about 280000 people getting sick with the pandemic (bird) flu. 30000 will be sick enough to be hospitalized, 5000 will need to be in the ICU 2500 will need to be on a ventilator. This issue is, there are only 1000 hospital beds in the state. There are only 500 ventilators in the state. People will not be admitted to the hospital for the flu. SImply because people will still be having heart attacks, diabteic coma, cancer, babies will still be born, etc. Remember the numbers I am giving are for SL County only, we still have to think about Weber, Davis and Utah counties (and all the others). Most people who get the flu and are sick enough to be hospitalized will probably die because there are not enough hospital beds or ventilators to support them. Buying more vents is not the answer. Patients on a vent need to be monitored by an ICU trained RN. There are about 1500 RNs in the state, less than half have been ICU trained. Training tech's to monitor vent patients is like having Sam deliver Caleb (no offense Sam). People sick enough to be hospitalized will probably end up in "off site" wards with 70 patients to every nurse. Every company should plan for a 30% reduction in force due to illness(including nurses, docs, policemen, firemen). It may be that social gatherings are cancelled (church) many services may not be available due to people being sick and not able to run the water plants, electric and gas companies. We will have to be self sufficient and not dependent on the government (what a novel idea!) to help us. I feel I have done enough cramming of info down your throats. If you don't think this was a big deal before reading this, I hope you do now. If you still don't care, you may be suffering from what we in the medical community call "public misperception of sufficiency of care". Those who want to know more about reccomendations for preparedness, length of the pandemic, how to prevent spread, isolation techniques if you get ill, etc. feel free to post questions or email me @ hduckworth2006@hotmail.com
if you choose not to care, remember you have been warned and don't come to my house when you get sick (isolation technique...seriously!)

I would like to announce that our website (basically, Caleb's personal photo gallery) is back up and running, thanks to 3.5 minutes of work from Paul.

Well, it was my "most fun" Christmas ever! I had a wonderful time! Thanks to you all for coming.

Dad's birthday is next Monday and Paul's is the following Friday. I'd like to have a birthday dinner for them on Monday, Jan 1, at 1230. Maybe we can play on a game of "Apples to Apples," too. I'll try to find the "Bible edition" for us to try that day.

(Melissa told me they will be having a birthday party for Caleb on Jan. 24 to celebrate his big # 1, so we will save his celebration for then.)

We found out Sunday that we will be having Sacrament Meeting and Relief Society/Priesthood Meeting on Sunday, Dec. 24. Just so you know!

Is there anything you would like to eat, have or do to make Christmas more fun?

It looks like we will have finished walls, a finished bathroom downstairs (in addition to the 2 upstairs) and doors. There will be curtains of some kind, but unlikely the permanent kind. We won't have carpet but I'm going looking for some rugs to put by the beds so you won't freeze your feet. I think next time you come for Christmas (in 2 more years), we'll have everything done!!!!

For those of you interested in Dad's Christmas list (a comment to one of Melissa's posts), I bought the game "Apples to Apples" yesterday for us to play when you come for Christmas. So, he doesn't need another one! :)

Wheeler Weight Loss Challenge, Week One

Things went better for me than I anticipated, with the following delightful discoveries (mostly calorie-based):

• Rice Krispy Treats (a 9x13 cut into twelve servings) have but 153 calories each (possibly the best news all week!)


• One cup of lite popcorn has 20 calories


• 51 stick pretzels have 100 calories


• Zoom is a delicious lunch


• Otter Pops have only 15 calories per pop.


• It's entirely likely that our scale has broken.

My challenges were as follows:

• I had to read 19 research papers, many of which were horrible beyond my wildest dreams


• I still don't like carrots


• Cooking is a big, fat, ugly pain--especially at this time of the semester--but eating out isn't really an option as far as calories go (and they don't go that far)


• I want to make fat sugar cookies more than anything else in this world, but we all know that I would eat them all and then I'd have to fork over my ten bucks. No good.

That's all I can think of. If you have any great recipes, please share. Cooking hates me.

Heidi and I will don the slopes at Brighton tomorrow! We'll be thinking of you.

For those of you who may be searching for Rdub's Christmas list; it is hidden as a comment to Melissa's threat of giving out coal or was that 'crap', and if so what does she mean? Junk or something worse?

I'm so excited to have all of you come for Christmas!!!! Can't wait. I think I'm about 7 again! :)
The basement is about 1/2 sheetrocked (if that's a word).

The Christmas List: I certainly don't want a Chia pet for Christmas (or any other time) so here's my list, such as it is!
Sox--(I know, "boring", but my feet will love them--white, black, navy, dark brown
New temple shoes--size 11 (white) stiff & slip-on--I have trouble getting the soft ones on
White knee-highs
Laminator (for 8.5 x 11 pages)
Dremmel (sp) (Lana Danner has one to "groom" her toe nails)
Neck protector for seat belts x 2
Nightgown, 3X, short to 3/4 sleeve, mid-calf or +, any color--I like the ones Lands' End has, but I'm sure I'd like others, too.
10" cast iron skillet, maybe w/lid???
Good book(s)
Soothing/calming/uplifting music/CD
Unscented or lightly scented "heavy-duty" hand lotion/cream
Flash drive for Family History files--much lighter to carry to the library than a laptop, huh?

I feel like cookie monster, only with present. Me want presents!
Here is a link to my amazon wish list. There is a variety of things in a variety of price ranges...
Check it out, if you dare.

We Are(n't) Wheelers
THE DUCK'S LISTS
Heidi's List:
Blue chenile (sp?) scarf and matching gloves
black pea coat XL
The EssentialCyndi Lauper
Tim McGraw's greatest hits vol 2
Rascal Flatts, Me and My Gang
The Wreckers CD
Miranda Lambert, Kerosene
Nacho Libre
dark brown socks ( to wear with brown loafers...yes I am asking for socks AGAIN this year!)
A million dollars
World Peace
( I was channeling Grandma Nay on those last 2 items)
Welcome Home scented candle

Zachs List:
Well I have no idea, this kid is awful to buy for!!!
But, I think he would like:
Pirates of the Carribean 2 DVD
Ice Age 2 DVD
20 inch flat screen monitor (thanks for showing him yours, DAD!)
Denver Broncos stuff
A million dollars
World Peace

We Are(n't) Wheelers
Oh the joys of speaking to the elderly on the phone to get health histories!!!
"Ma'am, are you having pain right now?"
"Pain! Pain?! All you people ever ask me about is pain, I haven't had pain a day in my life!"
much later in the interview...
"Do you have any bleeding tendencies or are you anemic right now?"
"Bleeding?! No I don't have emphysema, I never smoked a day in my life!"
"Do you have any heart problems?"
"No I don't!!! I'm in perfect condition!"
"But ma'am, I see that you have had a triple bi-pass in 2004 and just got a pacemaker..."
"I know! I don't have any heart problems now, I'm fixed!"
Heidi now banging her head on the desk at work...
"Thank you for your time ma'am"
"You kids need to check your facts before you ask me so many dumb questions..."
Heidi prints out the health history, puts it in the chart and puts it away for the next day's surgeries, and she says to herself, "I'll just let anesthesia start that I.V.!!!"

Christmas Listing

"Hmmm," I keep saying to myself. "I wonder what the-sibling-whose-name-I-pulled wants for Christmas." (Hey. Are we telling? Or are we surprising? I'm unsure. Please put in your $0.02.)

If you're wondering the same thing about Ben or Anna or me, there you go.

The rest of you: put up a wish list! Otherwise, you're going to get something crappy for Christmas.

Anyone up for skiing next Saturday?

AS you know I took Jean, Ben and Anna skiing Satuday. We had a grand time! Sure it was a bit cold, but it was worth the sacrifice. Anyone up for next week? I will pay for those who were unable to ski yesterday. Those who went yesterday are welcome to come, but will need to pay for their own ticket. We will be skiing at Snow Basin again. ($30.00 for 1/2 day and $37.00 for a full day. This price is good until the 10th of December. Prices begiining the 10th are $60.00 for a full day) 1/2 day was all Rdub could handle yesterday.

I'll be working consistently on Connie's treadmill, and by December 23 should be able to handle the annual all day event!

Caleb's Newest Tricks

• We say, "Caleb! Where's your head?" and he pats his head.


• Walking. Five steps yesterday, several more today. WALKING.

Wheeler Weightloss Challenge, 2nd ed.

I propose that we officially start our challenge on Monday, Dec 4. This should give all of us time to set specific goals and finish off the icecream in the freezer.

One idea I had was to save $10 for every week we stick to the diet/exercise plan. Conversely, for every week we don't stick to our plan, we would have to contribute $10 to a group fund. (Perhaps we could set up a Paypal account for this purpose). Then at the end of 6 months, the most successful person gets the balance of the group fund and each of us can reward ourselves with the money saved from successful weeks and start the challenge over. If $10 is too hefty for some budgets, we could each choose an amount we can comfortably sacrifice.

I think the monetary commitment will help motivate us. What do ya'll think?

Additionally, I propose that we all take a before and after picture and post them to the blog. And since success isn't always measured in lbs, we could all take our body measurements at the beginning and mark our progress that way (up to you if you want that posted). Each week we can report our progress and share motivational advice, healthy recipes etc...

If you want to join in the challenge, please post a comment with a brief synopsis of your weekly goal.

The following link can help you estimate how many calories you should be eating for maintenance, weightloss, or extreme weightloss.
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

Caleb's Wish List

• Size 12M clothes--especially sweaters, sweatshirts, and the like


• Socks


• Toys, like
  • blocks
  • roll-a-rounds
  
  
  • Cars (bigger than hotwheels and with rounder edges to avoid choking and/or maiming)
  
  
  • little people
  
  
  • bath toys
  
  
  • other stuff
  
  
• Diapers--size 3


• a baby food grinder


• a quiet book kit


• whatever.

****This list in no way implies that we're seeking/expecting gifts for Caleb. Rather, it is in answer to the oft-asked question, "What does Caleb need for Christmas?"

Wheeler Weightloss Challenge

I know this isn't a very good time of year to try to start a diet, but I thought I'd at least introduce the idea to see if anyone would be interested in joining me in an effort to get healthier.

They (the evil diet people) say that it's easier to stick to an exercise and diet program if you have someone to report to. In this case, we could have a group to report to.

Because we are all at varying degrees of weight and health, it'd be hard to select one goal for everyone to meet. For example, Ben and Caleb will probably want to gain weight and I want to lose weight.

I'd love to hear any ideas that you may have. My original idea was that the most successful person would get a pre-determined and desirable reward paid for by the other members of the group.

What do ya'll think? Any ideas?

I still love work!

I love work!

If you haven't already discovered it, I made a blog for Ben and I several months ago. It hasn't been updated in a few months, but someday I might post something. It's http://ben-anna-wheeler.blogspot.com/.

Feel free to peruse both posts.

Today was the Bonneville First Ward's inaugural Finance sunday school class and it was a good one. The teacher is thinking about having a guest speaker, R Dub, give stock tips to the congregation Provo-ites who will be assembling weekly for financial discussion. Stay posted for stories to come, there are sure to be some good ones.

Caleb showed some alarmingly mashocistic signs today. He began by getting up at midnight and staying up for two hours--bad form. Later, after I'd gotten home from school, he chose to fall directly on his little face (against one of Paul's special '80s electronic devices), which resulted in a split and bloody lip--very traumatic (mostly for me. I immediately called Mom, and in the time it took to dial her number, he had calmed down and was happily smearing blood all over everything--mostly my formerly white shirt). Roughly five minutes into my conversation with Mom, he fell again and bruised his young cranium. Good heavens, child.

The funniest/most disturbing thing, though, was his discovery of his own hair. He was rubbing his little head, and then found his wee tufts of hair, so then, of course, he started yanking it and he'd cry like I was the one torturing him. It happened over and over and over again. I could almost see the wheels turning in his head: oooh! What's this stuff? *yank!* WAAAAAAHHHHHH!! [Three seconds go by.] Ooooh! What's this stuff?? *YANK!* WAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!! Multiply by twenty. I tried to get him to stop by redirecting his attention, but I was mostly unsuccessful.

So, at the close of today: one fat lip, one bruise on chin, one bruise on forehead, a tender pink spot above left ear. Friday, be kind to us.

Hey! I think I've figured out how to work this thing!!! Maybe I should be the "ancient one" between the birthdays and the electronics-challenge. :) If this doesn't work, I'll go look for my hammer and chisel and a flat rock.

Even ancient ones can blog! A few weeks ago the Young Men's President in our ward referred to the new High Priest Group Leader as the ancinet one. Ancient my eye!

I would like to say, "hear! hear!" to Mother's fine show of Brazilian food. Next, I suggest we have Dad provide a meal native to his mission. Unless that means macaroni noodles with butter and garlic salt, because, well, that meal sucks. Maybe we should just skip Dad all together and move on to Zach.

In food-related news, if you're looking for a good lemon bar recipe, I suggest you turn to that yellow Mormon cookbook with the beehive on the front. It's good, people.

And in case anyone was wondering, Caleb's drive home went like this:
Stage 1: The car seat! I HATE the car seat! Waaaaaahhhhh!
Stage 2 (after sweet Mama provides various toys): A-bah. A-bah. A-bah. A-tah. Bla bla bla bla!
Stage 3 (clunking self on tender head with massage ball thing weighing approximately 15 pounds): WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! I HATE ALL OF YOU!!!
Stage 4 (comprising Redwood Road on 90th to Lindon): Mmmmm, biter biscuit. Mmmmm, smearing biter biscuit on Mama. Mmmmmm, smearing biter biscuit all over my face and hands and hair.
Once home, he fell promptly asleep.

The end to another lovely Sabbath.

Wohoo! I love posting.

I would like to begin this fine family blog by declaring the following pivotal fact: Caleb has taken one unassisted step a day for the last three days. That, my friends, is all. Come. Post. Post often.