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.