My Favorite Things by Julie Andrews

To commemorate her birthday , actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP.One of the musical numbers she performed was "My Favorite Things" from the legendary movie "Sound Of Music". Here are the lyrics she used: (Sing It!) - If you sing it, its especially hysterical!!!

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,

Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,

Bundles of magazines tied up in string,

These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts ,and hearing aids and glasses,

Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,

Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,

These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,

When the knees go bad,

I simply remember my favorite things,

And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,

No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,

Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,

These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',

Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',

And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,

When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,

When the eyes grow dim,

Then I remember the great life I've had,

And then I don't feel so bad.

Julie Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores.)

Here are some pictures from Penny, Clint and Jen swimming with the sharks in Playa del Carmen. Penny got hit in the face twice by this shark and touched it's fin. It was a bull shark. They had a lot of fun!They also went to Cancun.

Playing House in the White House

By JENNA and BARBARA BUSH
Sasha and Malia, we were seven when our beloved grandfather was sworn in as the 41st President of the United States. We stood proudly on the platform, our tiny hands icicles, as we lived history. We listened intently to the words spoken on Inauguration Day service, duty, honor. But being seven, we didn't quite understand the gravity of the position our Grandfather was committing to. We watched as the bands marched by -- the red, white, and blue streamers welcoming us to a new role: the family members of a President.

We also first saw the White House through the innocent, optimistic eyes of children. We stood on the North Lawn gazing with wonder at her grand portico. The White House was alive with devoted and loving people, many of whom had worked in her halls for decades. Three of the White House ushers, Buddy, Ramsey, and "Smiley", greeted us when we stepped into her intimidating hallway. Their laughter and embraces made us feel welcome right away. Sasha and Malia, here is some advice to you from two sisters who have stood where you will stand and who have lived where you will live:

-- Surround yourself with loyal friends. They'll protect and calm you and join in on some of the fun, and appreciate the history.
-- If you're traveling with your parents over Halloween, don't let it stop you from doing what you would normally do. Dress up in some imaginative, elaborate costume (if you are like us a pack of Juicy Fruit and a Vampiress) and trick-or-treat down the plane aisle.
-- If you ever need a hug, go find Ramsey. If you want to talk football, look for Buddy. And, if you just need a smile, look for "Smiley."
-- And, a note on White House puppies--our sweet puppy Spot was nursed on the lawn of the White House. And then of course, there's Barney, who most recently bit a reporter. Cherish your animals because sometimes you'll need the quiet comfort that only animals can provide.
-- Slide down the banister of the solarium, go to T-ball games, have swimming parties, and play Sardines on the White House lawn. Have fun and enjoy your childhood in such a magical place to live and play.
-- When your dad throws out the first pitch for the Yankees, go to the game.
-- In fact, go to anything and everything you possibly can: the Kennedy Center for theater, State Dinners, Christmas parties (the White House staff party is our favorite!), museum openings, arrival ceremonies, and walks around the monuments. Just go. Four years goes by so fast, so absorb it all, enjoy it all!
For four years, we spent our childhood holidays and vacations in the historic house. We could almost feel the presence of all the great men and women who had lived here before us. When we played house, we sat behind the East sitting room's massive curtains as the light poured in illuminating her yellow walls. Our seven-year-old imaginations soared as we played in the enormous, beautiful rooms; our dreams, our games, as romantic as her surroundings. At night, the house sang us quiet songs through the chimneys as we fell asleep.

In late December, when snow blanketed the front lawn, all of our cousins overtook the White House. Thirteen children between the ages of two and 12 ran throughout her halls, energized by the crispness in the air and the spirit of the season. Every room smelled of pine; the entire house was adorned with thistle; garlands wound around every banister. We sat on her grand staircase and spied on the holiday dancing below. Hours were spent playing hide-and-go-seek. We used a stage in the grand ballroom to produce a play about Santa and his reindeer. We watched as the National Christmas Tree was lit and admired the chef as he put the final icing on the gingerbread house.

When it was time, we left the White House. We said our goodbyes to her and to Washington. We weren't sure if we would spend time among her historical walls again, or ever walk the National Mall, admiring the cherry blossoms that resembled puffs of cotton candy. But we did return. This time we were 18. The White House welcomed us back and there is no doubt that it is a magical place at any age.

As older girls, we were constantly inspired by the amazing people we met, politicians and great philosophers like Vaclav Havel. We dined with royalty, heads of states, authors, and activists. We even met the Queen of England and managed to see the Texas Longhorns after they won the National Championship. We traveled with our parents to foreign lands and were deeply moved by what we saw. Trips to Africa inspired and motivated us to begin working with HIV/AIDS and the rights of women and children all over the world.

Now, the White House ballrooms were filled with energy and music as we danced. The East sitting room became a peaceful place to read and study. We ran on the track in the front lawn, and squared off in sisterly bowling duels down in the basement alley.

This Christmas, with the enchanting smell of the holidays encompassing her halls, we will again be saying our good-byes to the White House. Sasha and Malia, it is your turn now to fill the White House with laughter.

And finally, although it's an honor and full of so many extraordinary opportunities, it isn't always easy being a member of the club you are about to join. Our dad, like yours, is a man of great integrity and love; a man who always put us first. We still see him now as we did when we were seven: as our loving daddy. Our Dad, who read to us nightly, taught us how to score tedious baseball games. He is our father, not the sketch in a paper or part of a skit on TV. Many people will think they know him, but they have no idea how he felt the day you were born, the pride he felt on your first day of school, or how much you both love being his daughters. So here is our most important piece of advice: remember who your dad really is.

Deanna Cornwall

Welcome Deanna! Deanna was born in San Jose, California. She has lived in St. Anthony and Bremerton, WA. She has 3 kids in her family. She is married to Brian and has 2 kids. Their names are Chris and T'Keyah. She went to school at ISU and is a CMA. She would love to go to Hawaii on vacation. She loves to camp, fish, boating, and go road biking! Her greatest accomplishment was 70K road bike race in September 2008! Deanna is the resource nurse with Dr. Beckett and Jonathan.

Congrats!

If you haven't heard the news, there were wedding bells last Saturday for one of our employees! Michelle in Urgent Care got hitched to a fine gent, Brad Huse. So congrats Michelle, hope you have many happy years together!

Race for Life

It's time to start thinking PURPLE again. The surgeons area is vamping up for this years Race for Life. This year the event will be June 19. Sign-ups have started and Marilyn and Debbie thought if you signed up before the end of January, it is only $5. After that it is $10...which isn't very much to support Cancer research. Anyone can join the team, it doesn't have to be someone that works at the clinic...it can be a spouse, child, friend, neighbor, etc. They also need help thinking of fund raiser ideas. We can start them now to start raising money, they would love ideas and help...so go talk to Marilyn, Debbie, and Colleen!

Angelita Garcia

Angie is new to the clinic. She is a resource nurse with Dr. Fackrell and Dr. Soucie. She was born in Pocatello, Idaho. She is from a family with 3 kids. I think she said she has 2 brothers. She has lived in Idaho, California, Washington, and Mexico. She isn't married but does have a boyfriend, Cole. She has 2 kids, her daughter Julicia and son Miklo. She went to ISU in the CMA program and took her CMA test about 2 weeks ago. She would love to go on vacation to Thailand. Her favorite place to eat is Olive Garden.
Angie is a great asset to the clinic. She speaks Spanish which is a great help!

Olivia Maria Martinez

Olivia is new to the clinic, she is helping Dr. Soucie and Dr. Fackrell. Olivia was born in Arco. She has lived in Pocatello, Pingree, Arco, and now Blackfoot. She is from a family of 5 kids. Currently she doesn't have any kids but definatly wants kids. Olivia went to ISU College of Technology and became a CMA. She loves to go to Mexico to see her family, she actually just went over Christmas. She said there are a lot of places she would love to go visit. She loves mexican food and isn't picky.
She enjoys meeting new people, hanging out with friends. She loves the outdoors, camping, hunting, fishing, 4-wheeling...being outdoors! She enjoys her job and the people she works with.
Olivia is a great addition to the clinic!

Kim's daughter Ali is selling Girl Scout cookies if anyone is interested. You have until January 25 to order...so act now, don't delay!! Ali's goal is to sell 500 boxes of cookies and on Monday she had sold just over 100.

I need help!

Our video camera broke on us 2 Christmases ago. We didn't think it would break after 3 years, but it did. We were lazy and we didn't get the video off of the tapes. We got a new video camera shortly after the other one broke but not the same kind of tape is uses in our new one. I have a machine to make DVD's from the video camera now but now video camera. If anyone has a Digital 8 (on an 8mm tape) that I could borrow for 1-2 days just to get my tapes from my old camera transfered to a DVD...I would be so appreciative. My tapes have when Kinley was born and when she was a baby. I feel so bad that I didn't do something sooner! Thanks...Ashley

Firth 2008 update

Hi all,
Just a little update from the Firth satellite to the mother ship. :) We had a great 2008 and actually had an increase in our little profits of 48% from 2007. We worked our little hearts out up here and it was a great year. Everything is going well we just need to be able to have people spread out their illness and be sick on every day of the week instead of just Monday or Tuesday, ha ha. Thanks for being our Mother ship. Don't forget us. Love Firth

Best of 2008

Best Dressed of 2008:
Kate Hudson, Rihanna, Gweneth Paltrow, Fergie, Anne Hathaway, Heidi Klum, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Obama, Eva Mendez, and Charlize Theron

Stars we lost in 2008:
Heath Ledger, Paul Newman, Bernie Mac, Suzzane Pleshette, Tim Russert, Roy Scheider, Charleton Heston, Sydney Pollack, Isaac Hayes, George Carlin, Brad Renfro, Estelle Getty

Best Movie of 2008:
Tropic Thunder, MILK, Wall-E, Revolutionary Road, Gran Torino, Frost/Nixon, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight, Doubt, Kung Fu Panda, Iron Man

Worst Movies of 2008:
Meet Dave, The Hottie and the Nottie, 88 minutes, Fools Gold, Saw V, Jumper, 10,000 B.C., Disaster Movie, The Love Guru, The Happening

Best Selling Books of 2008 (through Barnes and Noble):
Shadow Country, Graveyard Book, When Will There Be Good News, Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Outliers, The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life, Unaccustomed Earth, The Forever War