Tribute To My Uncle Murray...1943-2008...Created By My Cousin Dan Johnson (Murray's Son)

Wynonna...My Country Cousin!

First, let me defend myself from all of the critics of country music by saying that I enjoy listening to all kinds of music. It just depends on the mood I'm in as to what I choose to listen to at the moment AND besides I like country music.

Okay having said that I have been a fan of The Judd's from the beginning. They are awesome and I love their songs. Like so many people, I was saddened when Naomi fell ill and The Judd's as we knew them, ceased to be. Wynonna decided to pursue a solo career and away she went; She found success as a solo artist too. I love her music so you can imagine how excited I was last year (2007) to find out that she would be doing a concert so close to home in Wendover, Nevada. Wendover is about 300 miles from Pocatello but that's seems close considering she wasn't doing a concert in Idaho. I told my friend Sandy (who doesn't like country music) and immediately booked tickets and I was lucky enough to get floor seats. That concert was amazing. I was starstruck. I couldn't stop smiling and Wynonna and I conversed throughout the show and I had a blast! Sandy enjoyed the show too. After the concert I got to meet her and we chatted for a few minutes. It was a lot of fun. I first met The Judd's in 1991. I had a picture of that meeting with me and Wynonna was struck with how young we looked.

I was happy to learn that Wynonna was returning to Wendover as part of her 2008 Christmas Tour this winter. I was online bright and early on the day that tickets went on sale and managed to get floor seats again in the third row. I was thrilled. I kept trying to talk my mom into going with us but she was undecided and not sure if it would work for her. Tickets started to sell and it didn't seem like it was going to be for my mom and Jamie to go with us. In the mean time Sandy and I seperately entered a contest through Wynonna's fan club to win tickets. A week before the concert they called Sandy and told her that she had won the package... Wait a minute...Who's the fan here anyway? I was excited that Sandy won the package because that is neat for her. She generously gave the tickets to my Mom, Jamie, and Christy.

So, My Mom, Jamie, and Christy drove to Wendover together from Twin Falls and Sandy and I went through Salt Lake City. When we first got to Wendover Sandy and I went to pick up the "free" tickets at will call. Wynonna hadn't given her guest list to the ticket booth yet so they had no accounting of us even coming for the show. That caused a little anxiety because we had invited people to go with us and now the ticket seller was telling us they didn't even have a list with our names on it. In fact she didn't even have a list. Soon enough Wynonna gave them her guest list, Sandy's name was on it, and we were set. My mom had a second row seat and sat right in front of us, and Christy and Jamie were not far behind us. After securing the tickets we went to the hotel to get ready for the evening, went to dinner, and then returned to the Concert Hall where Wynonna put on a fantastic show singing a few of her hits, but mostly songs from her Christmas CD.

Wynonna is so personable. She interacts a lot with the audience as she performs. It is so fun. I would say something like, "I love you Wynonna." She would respond, "I know you love me... I love you too." Because we were sitting so close it was easy for us to make eye contact with her. At one point of the show she was talking about her gratitude for her fans and Sandy said "Your biggest fan is right here." Wynonna said, "Where?" "Who?" and then she came to the side of the stage and looked and me and said "Jeffrey is my biggest fan?" I froze in fear that she was going to call me up to the stage...which was literally three steps away. I didn't know what to say. I just nodded my head and said "Yes I am!" Wynonna smiled. I blushed. The show was awesome and I enjoyed it for a lot of reasons. I was especially happy to have friends and family with me enjoying the music I have loved for so long. I know they each enjoyed Wynonna's company too. She can sing a song and belt out a note...Trust me.

After the show we walked around to the back of the concert hall and waited for her to come outside. This is what crazed fans do! It was cold and I knew she would be in a hurry to get on the bus so I didn't expect her to talk to us for very long but I knew she wouldn't let me down. When she came outside and seen us standing there she stepped around the security guard and came over to us (Me, My Mom, Sandy, Jamie, and Christy) and shook our hands and talked to us. There were only a couple other fans there and she talked to them too. She is very genuine. She saw that I was holding her book and one of her cd's and said she would sign them but she wanted to sign them on her bus because of the cold weather. She can't get sick at the beginning of her tour you know? She took them, signed them, and sent them back out to me. I appreciate her doing this so much as it really made my day and I recognize that she normally doesn't sign after her shows.

I didn't get pictures of her talking to us because I wasn't ready for that and I was holding my book and cd. Honestly, I thought we had a few more minutes before she was going to be out there so I didn't have my camera ready. Oh well. It was great. I have met her three times now and each time has been a fantastic experience. Thank you Wynonna!

This was taken as we arrived at the Concert Hall earlier in the day.



Getting ready for dinner and the show in the hotel room.

Sandy, Christy, Anita, and Jamie getting ready to go into the concert.

Wynonna's Buses. Her bus is the second one back. I often think of how much fun it may be to travel the country on one of these buses. I could even drive! I'll bet it gets old after a while.

This bus was the first to pull out of the parking lot. Wynonna hadn't even come out to meet us yet. I just wanted a picture of the bus, so here it is. Ironically I shut my camera off and put it into my coat and then she came out the door. Wouldn't you know?

My Autographed CD.

She signed her book too.

The autographed copies. Thank you Wy!

I had a blast and appreciate Sandy sharing the tickets she won with my family. I know they benefited from the concert and love the experience. I can't wait to go again. By the way, Wynonna has a new cd coming out in February and I am excited to hear what she has to sing. This was a great way to kick off the holiday season.

99 Balloons...

I saw this clip on Oprah and was really moved by it. I hope it touches you like it touched me.

Go Highland! Go Highland! Go Highland!

What a couple of weeks it has been in the volleyball world...

We held senior night when we played Pocatello High School, our last home game, and honored our graduating senior players. I have worked with each of these seniors since they were 13 and 14 years old. They played for me when I coached for a branch of the Junior Olymics. USA Volleyball. I have such good memories of their young team and I always believed that they would be successful as they grew and matured. I was a little sad knowing that playing that night would be their last time playing in our gym, but I was happy that I have had the chance to work with them. They impress me. I honestly cannot figure out how they do it all?

We played our Region Tournament this week. Idaho Falls was the host site. We played 3 matches on Tuesday and came out on top in all three! We beat Skyline, Madison, and Idaho Falls and earned the right to sit in the driver's seat for the championship match on Thursday. Our wins on Tuesday qualified us for an appearance in the 2008 State Tournament. The girls were on fire. They played so well and it was fun to see them achieve what they have worked so hard for this season. We returned on Thursday to play Idaho Falls again and lost to them in a heart felt and intense battle. No excuses... but it just seemed like there was a lot against us from the onset. We just didn't get the job done like we needed to. I am still proud of the girls and hope that they will take this experience with them to the State playoffs and use their experience to help them there. We very well could see Idaho Falls again at the tournament. The top eight teams in the state have qualified and will play next week in East Idaho. It is always fun to travel to other parts of the state but I think it will be nice to be so close to home this year. Yeah...No ten hour bus ride to Northern Idaho this year.

Here the team is sitting on the steps outside our gym prior to playing Pocatello High School.

Things got a little crazy!!!

Our Seniors.

(I can hardly stand up I am in so much pain here...Thank goodness for good medication. I didn't want to miss this night.)

Coach Cory, Coach Debbie, and me before the Pocatello game.

I have ties to Pocatello High School athletes too. Brenna played on my traveling team with the four seniors pictured above. She lived in the Pocatello High School boundaries and went on to play there and she was certainly a leader for their team. She made the varsity volleyball team and basketball team her freshman year. I am proud of her too!

On Pins and Needles!

My back pain has continued to be a pain in the behind! Literally. My "referred" pain has been in my glutes, hips, and down my right leg. My leg has become completely numb. It hurts to stand up and to walk. I have been in pain constantly for the past few weeks. The past two weeks I have spent flat on my back in bed. So today I went to the Rocky Mountain Surgery Center to have steroid injections in my back. Dr. Joseph and his staff were awesome. I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive about doing it but the pain has been so intense that I didn't care what they did as long as it would make me feel better. I went a little "vasal" on them before the injections. I have a tendency to do that. So I got the royal treatment...oxygen and all. I always think working in the medical field would be fun and interesting and then I almost pass out at the suggestion of the procedures and the sight of 6 inch long needles. Funny huh? Once the numbing medication was injected I was in heaven. The pain...gone. At least it was for a while. I'm feeling a little sore right now. Better though. I wish that meant that the problem is gone too. Only time will tell. Say a prayer for me that my herniated disks will heal themselves. The staff was wonderful. Brenda, Ana, Susan, and Dr. Joseph were all very helpful and concerned. It's odd that we even laughed at times through the procedure. Dr. Joseph has a dry sense of humor. After I had the injections I had to walk out of the office. It was weird because I didn't have balance because of feeling returning to my legs. It was like I was drunk! Funny I'm sure. I'm just glad to have a little relief for the moment and hope it continues and I can get back to a sense of "normal." Whatever that is? Thanks Shellie for taking me. And Andrea for being on Stand-by. I cannot believe that I even considered trying to drive myself. What was I thinking? I really appreciate having a great family that supports and helps me. I love ya all!

Friday Night Lights...

Last night was the Highland vs. Pocatello football game. In the past this game was the rivalry of all rivalries, but now with Century High School in the mix and Highland being in a different division, it just doesn't seem as intense to me. In Pocatello we are fortunate to be able to watch our high schools play football indoors at the Holt Arena (Mini-Dome). The community still takes a huge interest in the local teams so the dome was filled with fans. It is fun to see so much support for a high school football game. Highland prevailed tonight...Go Rams! Pocatello High School, however, is still ranked number 1 in division 4A in Idaho schools. Pocatello High School is in the same division as Century High School and will play them next Friday night. That game may challenge the Highland/Poky game for emotion because it will be a conference game for both teams and will effect seeding for the State Playoffs in their district.

Because of my back situation I didn't go into the game. I went to the arena and then decided I didn't feel like sitting through the game so I (we) listened to it on the radio instead. While I was listening to the game I had Sandy take me up to where they were digging potatoes so that I could get pictures of them harvesting in the dark. It was adventurous! We pretended to be farmers and just drove right out into the fields so that we could get these pictures. I am sure that Sandy's truck rides a little softer than the spud trucks do. Thank goodness. It's a wonder we didn't get arrested and I am sure that the workers were wondering who we were? It was fun. It fascinates me that they dig so late into the night and that they have the capability to do it. They have to take advantage of every minute because as you know the weather changes rapidly here. Last weekend I wasn't sure they would be able to get back into the fields. I am glad they were.

Here are some pictures of the other "Friday Night Lights."



The potato diggers, side by side, digging in front of the combine.





A truck driving/loading alongside the combine and tractor.



It really is a neat site to see the tractors, combines, and trucks coming up through the fields in the dark. I remember working in the harvest. The days were long, dirty, and sometimes cold but it was good money for a high school kid's bank account. I am glad I had the opportunities to do that.

A Ride In Mink Creek...

I have wanted to go for a ride to look at the Fall leaves but didn't take the time until today. I just needed to get out and go for a drive. After the snow last weekend I wondered if there would be much foilage for us to see ? My friend Sandy and I decided to go see what we could find up in the Mink Creek area. We had a nice drive and I took a few pictures. This area is just above the road that goes to the top of Scout Mountain and is on the way to Arbon.

We didn't really see much wildlife, just a couple of pheasants, a squirrel or two, and this this busy little beaver. He was enjoying swimming around in this pond and didn't have a clue or maybe didn't care that we were watching him.

Typically Fall is my favorite time of the year for a few different reasons. I love the cool crisp air, high school football games, volleyball, harvest, and school starting up again. It was fun to just get out and take a drive. Next year I will have to go earlier so that I can get pictures of the more vibrant color changes.

Winter Wonderland!

It snowed for the first time this year! At times it was a complete blizzard and other times calm and beautiful. Interesting and I can never figure out why the first snow always seems to hit on a Friday or Saturday night? We who work in the school system like the snow to fly heavy around uhmmmn...5:45 a.m., any weekday, with wind please...that helps us have a "snow day." I love snow days but I must admit that I am really not ready to have snow yet. It made for an interesting weekend though.

Preston and Jillian at their home standing with their friend and the snowmen they made after the snowfall. Some areas north of Pocatello actually had over 12 inches of snow over the weekend. Notice the green grass coming back through...the snow only stayed a couple of days.

Famous Potatoes!

I love things about each of our seasons. I love the cool crisp air and turning of the color of the leaves on the trees that comes each fall. I also love the smell of the dirt in the air from the digging of the potato fields. I think that is because I loved working in the harvest when I was young and I have memories of picking potatoes when I was growing up. Sometimes we went as a family to pick potatoes from the field and then sometimes we just bought them from our friends, The Searle's who farm in Arbon, Pocatello, and Shelley. I learned to drive "spud" truck and tractors on their farm. I have good memories of working for their family's farm. I was driving to Idaho Falls the other day and saw this little family working together in this field near Fort Hall and I pulled over to snap a couple of shots. It really touched me to watch them work together and they have no idea that I was watching them or that I took these pictures. I just pulled up near the field and took the pictures and drove on thinking about them and thinking of those family times my family experienced when we picked potatoes. This family was so cute and excited about their project, just as I remember my brothers and sisters getting when we went. I love the overalls on the little boy and the mom.

I love potatoes. Mmmmn...baked, fried, mashed, homemade french fries, however I just like them....

I went to Idaho Falls again today and harvest is in full swing. There is a threat of snow and moisture predicted for our region and so they are trying desperately to get the potatoes dug and stored before the weather changes. I came home around 10:30 p.m. and the landscape was filled with the lights of diggers, tractors, combines, and trucks working feverishly to get the harvest complete. Inspiring! I hope the weather cooperates and the harvest finishes well.

Love those Highland Rams!!!

I am one of the luckiest people to have the opportunity to work with these young athletes at Highland High School. This is my seventh season with the Rams and I have had some great experiences coaching at this school. I love these girls. They work hard and impress me in many ways. I learn from these competitors everyday as they teach me by their work ethic, their determination, their skill, and their kindness to me. Most of these girls maintain high grade point averages too. I have coached some of these girls since they were in the seventh grade! I have watch them grow up and been with them in tough times and in great moments. We have experienced the agony of defeat and the thrills of victory together. I cannot believe that some of them are Seniors now. A couple of the girls have opportunities knocking to play on in college...Yeah! That always makes us proud. This season has been a little challenging for us at times...Last year we finish third in the State's top division (5A) and then graduated 5 athletes...Ouch! We had a few growing pains at first but the girls began to "BELIEVE" (our season theme) and things started to happen for us. We are ranked 2nd right now in our region behind Idaho Falls. Our region tournament starts in two weeks and the top two teams in the region qualify to play in the state tournament. We expect to be there.

In addition to working with great athletes I am working under one of the top coaches in the state, Deborah Parrish. I love working with her and I have learned so much from her. We really seem to complement one another. I also work with Cory Johanson who is another assistant coach. It is fun to work with Cory because she is such a talented coach and player. Cory played on the National Championship from the College of Southern Idaho. Cory is from Pocatello and I watched her play volleyball from the time she was in the fourth grade. We really have a good time together as coaches. We all love our team.

The team doing a battle cry before getting started

with the official pregame warm up...

"Who dare say they beat these Rams...Who da...Who Da say what?"

A fun take on the team circle...

Coach Corrington and Coach Parrish...

(Sorry Cory I need to get another picture with all of us.)

Coaching volleyball has required a lot of sacrifice at times and the time commitment is overwhelming sometimes but when I think about the girls and how awesome they are I think of what a great blessing it is for me. I love those Highland Rams!

I'm BACK! I need one too!

That's right! I'm Back...or I should say I need a new back. I've missed blogging but things have really been busy for me the past little while. I have had a hard time keeping up with everything and this has been something that has had to wait. It's good to post again. I literally have tons of things to blog about. I will just a share a few of the recent things that I have been doing and thinking about.

Okay so as far as my back...That seems to be my biggest challenge right now. As some of you know I have been having pain in my lower back for a while now. At first I just thought that it was pain coming from when I had my car accident in Missouri and my other one in Utah. Both were pretty serious accidents. However this pain is way more intense than anything I have felt in my back ever. I went to my doctor and he tried a couple of different treatments over the past few weeks. This week when I could hardly walk into his office he finally ordered an MRI. Thank goodness! I went the next day and had the MRI and found that I have two herniated disks in my lower back. The radiologist said that they look pretty bad. His words were that "they look like the motherlode of herniated disks!" Believe it or not I had temporary relief! It was such a relief to know what the problem is. I have some prescriptions which help with the pain and I am consulting with my doctor about which way to go with treatment from here. I really do not want to have surgery. That doesn't sound too fun to me. I hope that things can be fixed without going to that level of treatment. I don't know. I do know that I need things to feel better. I hurt in my lower back, into my hips, and my legs are numb. I look and feel like a 150 year old man when I walk. Ironically the only time that I don't feel pain in my lower back, hips, and legs is when I am exercising. Weird huh?

The MRI process was amazing. I have never had an MRI before, CT Scans but not an MRI. I am always fascinated by the advances in technology. The man who performed the process was kind enough to explain everything to me and to show me the pictures after. He was awesome. He even burned a CD for me to take home. He said I had a right to say "Oh my aching back!"

Blame It On Volleyball...

Goodness grief! Things have been crazy for me this month. With all that has been going on I have only posted one time. Volleyball...need I say more? My life is not my own from the second week of August until the first week of November. Once again I am an assistant varsity coach at Highland High School here in Pocatello. I love the sport and love the athletes and hope we have a great season. In addition to volleyball I have been busy getting ready for the school year. I will work for the school district transportation department again. It isn't glamorous but I do love working with the students. I have a ton of pictures from the Double H (Hepworth-Hiatt) Family Reunion this past weekend. I had so much fun seeing members of my family and enjoyed spending time with them throughout the weekend. I am also getting ready for another semester of study at Idaho State...hmmmn...should be fun too? Remind me that I said that when I am stressed and overwhelmed with various assignments. I hope to get time this weekend to write about some of these happenings in my life.

Congratulations To Shellie...STAT!

On Saturday, August 2, 2008, my sister Shellie graduated from Idaho State University with her degree in nursing. Shellie is now a Registered Nurse. Congratulations Shellie! I am so proud of her. I am glad she STUCK with it and stayed focused on achieving this goal and I know she will benefit from her accomplishment.

Shellie standing in front of the Stephens Performing Arts Center on the campus of Idaho State University where her graduation took place.

In the foyer with classmates listening to last minute instructions from Dr. Smith and waiting for "Pomp and Circumstance"



Entering the auditorium...



Treyton had the honor of placing her ceremonial graduation pin on her lapel...



After the ceremony with her degree...



with me...



A hug from Treyton...I know he is so proud of his mom!



Leaving the Performing Arts Center...There's a new leap in her step!



Our family had a small gathering to celebrate Shellie's accomplishment. We are all so proud and happy for her.



The dinner bell rang...



Say Cheese...and ham...and turkey...grapes...brownies...

All in all it seemed like such a nice day for Shellie. I hope she had a great day. I know that Shellie will find success in her chosen field. I remember once hearing a story from one of her instructors about when Shellie was doing one of her clinicals. It went something like this...Shellie was assigned to work in the Emergency Room at a local hospital. During her shift someone was brought to the hospital in a state of trauma. Shellie worked closely with the Doctor and after some time the patient was stabalized. After the situation was taken care of the doctor asked about the nurse he had been working with? He was told that she was a student doing her clinicals. He was impressed and pleased with her assistance and how she handled the pressure of the circumstance. The doctor said that he would hire her in a minute and that he would feel totally confidant having her work with him again in any situation. I loved hearing that story! It made me proud. I have had other occasions to talk to doctors and nurses I know who have had her work in their offices. Everyone has such positive comments about Shellie and her abilities. It doesn't hurt that she has a good personality too!

I am proud of you Shellie! I wish you only the best in what you desire and deserve. Go get 'em!

Welcome to Pocatello!

Hail to the Chief! This is the new statue of Chief Pocatello that stands at the south entrance to Pocatello near Ross Park between Fourth and Fifth Streets. It is well done and I think it is a great tribute to Chief Pocatello. He is the founding father of Pocatello.

The Statue is beautifully lit at night time.

Pictures From My Birthday Party...July 22, 2008

Birthday Fun and Celebration...

Okay so I know that it took me forever to get the pictures from my birthday party posted. Goodness grief...I had to crop every picture because they had the wrong date-stamp on them. They were dated for 2005. Hmmmn?

I think it was Tiersa who said that they don't celebrate birthdays they celebrate birthweeks. I had a week long celebration this year. I went to lunch a couple of times with friends, my friend Sandy took me to lunch and shopping, I had my actual birthday, and then my party on Monday night with my family. I should have gotten drunk somewhere in there but...I don't drink :)! My party with my family was fun and special to me. We went to Heritage Park near my mom's home in Chubbuck. Everyone was there except Shawn...He was busy making money to support his sponsorship of my blog...Andrea...because she was on a much deserved and welcome vacation to St. George...and Billy...because he was working...It was neat and it meant a lot to me that everyone came to celebrate with me. There couldn't have been a better way for me to celebrate my fortieth birthday than with those who I love most. We visited, had cake and ice cream, opened gifts, and the children played.

Because it was my fortieth birthday I wanted to take a few minutes and share with each member of my family why I love and value them and something I have noticed or appreciate about them. Everyone gathered around and I did mini spotlights on each person. I feel that it turned out well and there seemed to be a strong feeling of love present. I am glad that I took this time to tell each person something positive about themselves and in part why I love them. It was a little emotional so that is why you may have noticed a tear or two in my eyes in some of the pictures. I want to post some of the things I said and I will add those comments to this post shortly. Thanks again to everyone who made my week so fantastic. It was awesome and I will remember it always.

My Birthday...

Yesterday was my birthday and I had an absolutely great day. First of all I slept in...I do that every chance I get. By nature I am not a morning person...but my job makes me get up early...I prefer to stay up late. My mom took me and my friend Sandy to lunch at the Pilot House...Yum...I love the enchiladas there and Iespecially like the gravy that they use on their enchiladas. Mmmmn! I promised myself that I was going to work out no matter what on my birthday this year, so I did that too. I talked to some of my friends and family. Dana and Tiersa called and we had a good visit. They were celebrating for me in Arizona :) Jamie, Jillian, and Preston called me early in the day and sang "Happy Birthday." It was absolutely cute. I loved it. After Shellie and I worked out there were birthday treats at my moms. I had a wonderful day and look forward to a great year. Thanks to everyone who made my birthday so special...I love and appreciate you all. I have the greatest family and friends.

Oh, What Do You Do In The Summertime?

Here are a few pictures that I have wanted to get posted for a couple of weeks.

Do You Go On A Bike Ride?

Cannon helping Cadie to ride her bike with no training wheels...

Not bad for a three year old...

Do You Play Ball?

The Kids Of Summer!

Clinton and Coach Megan.

Clinton getting some tips on his swing...

Clinton playing to the crowd.

Clinton getting praises from Coach Marie...

Hey Batter Batter...SWING!

Cara running to base...

Do You Swim In The Pool?

Allison and Jillian

Preston

Brittney

Aunts Andrea and Jodie take the kids to the pool.

Do You Jump On The Trampoline?

Logan

Carter

Do You Go For A Ride On The Lawn Tractor?

Is That What You Do? So Do I.