Sunday, March 18, 2012
Hot Caramel!
At the University of Utah, I am a loan collector; I collect on student loans and emergency tuition loans. After helping one student with her emergency loan, she brought in some gourmet caramels from a local store. She told me that the salted caramels were the best. So I ate one and it was good. Then I decided to share the rest with the office, since I felt uneasy accepting this student's gift. There were a variety of flavors. My boss, Pat was on his lunch hour so I left a chili caramel on his desk. I thought Pat would look at the wrapper and then try to pawn it off some unsuspecting employee or Lisa, the director of the department. I soon left for lunch and when I came back I found he got quite the surprise when he popped his caramel in his mouth. Apparently he didn't look at the wrapper before he ate it. I am surprised that I wasn't put on academic probation. But then I think Pat is use to the office jokers. After all he joins in on the teasing too, especially if it involves Lisa.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Leave it to Mike Stewart
Thirty something years ago, my Dad suddenly passed away. John and I drove up from Utah. Mary and Doug flew in from Seattle with their six month old sold, Mike. Since Mike was a baby, he got to fly for free, but not five year old, Tracina. She stayed behind with family in Portland or friends in Olympia, Washington. Since Mary and her family flew in on the night of Dad’s viewing, I got to drive to Twin Falls, Idaho to pick them up, which was thirty miles from Burley. When we got to Payne Mortuary, Mary sat Mike down and immediately he starts moving and smiling at everyone. Our neighbor and former bishop, Lowell Maughan and his wife, Mary smiled back as did any other visitors who were still there. Laura said on the way from the viewing that no one had smiled before Baby Mike arrived. Using his own innocent charm, he changed the somber mood into a more cheerful countenance.
After the funeral in Paul, Idaho, we drove to Manassa Colorado for another funeral and to bury my Dad where he was born and raised. On the way, we stopped at one of my Tracy cousins to spend the night. The next morning at breakfast, someone gave Baby Mike a dill pickle. To everyone’s surprise, Mike sucked on that pickle like it was one of his bottles. Again, Mike was bringing cheer into a dreary event.
Later that night, we pulled in Uncle Kelland and Aunt Wilma’s house outside, LaJara, Colorado. While I was in bathroom getting dressed after my shower, I could hear the piano playing. Then it got louder. I walked out into the living room to see my nephew sitting on my Mom’s lap at the piano. Mike was banging away at keys like only a six month old could. And he was grinning from ear to ear and his audience was smiling. Little Mike knew when to entertain.
I doubt that Mike knew that he was performing acts of service. Thirty two years later, I am glad that he flew free. Thank you, Mike Stewart, for bringing cheer to our family when we needed it the most.
After the funeral in Paul, Idaho, we drove to Manassa Colorado for another funeral and to bury my Dad where he was born and raised. On the way, we stopped at one of my Tracy cousins to spend the night. The next morning at breakfast, someone gave Baby Mike a dill pickle. To everyone’s surprise, Mike sucked on that pickle like it was one of his bottles. Again, Mike was bringing cheer into a dreary event.Later that night, we pulled in Uncle Kelland and Aunt Wilma’s house outside, LaJara, Colorado. While I was in bathroom getting dressed after my shower, I could hear the piano playing. Then it got louder. I walked out into the living room to see my nephew sitting on my Mom’s lap at the piano. Mike was banging away at keys like only a six month old could. And he was grinning from ear to ear and his audience was smiling. Little Mike knew when to entertain.
I doubt that Mike knew that he was performing acts of service. Thirty two years later, I am glad that he flew free. Thank you, Mike Stewart, for bringing cheer to our family when we needed it the most.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Oh Peas No
Text Message – 2/11/12
Aunt Susan – Does your Mom eat peas?
Vanessa – Only if she has too lol
Aunt Susan – It’s my fault your Mom hates peas. Maybe Aunt Laura’s too.
Vanessa – Haha what
Aunt Susan – Yeah I fed her some gross canned peas from your grandma’s cupboard. Aunt Laura & didn’t want to eat them so we made your Mom eat them.
Vanessa – Haha ohhh ew
Aunt Susan – Don’t tell your Mom. She doesn’t need to visit that nightmare again.
Vanessa – Lolzzz
Aunt Susan – Does your Mom eat peas?
Vanessa – Only if she has too lol
Aunt Susan – It’s my fault your Mom hates peas. Maybe Aunt Laura’s too.
Vanessa – Haha what
Aunt Susan – Yeah I fed her some gross canned peas from your grandma’s cupboard. Aunt Laura & didn’t want to eat them so we made your Mom eat them.
Vanessa – Haha ohhh ew
Aunt Susan – Don’t tell your Mom. She doesn’t need to visit that nightmare again.
Vanessa – Lolzzz
The Summer of 75
The summer I turned 17, my younger sister, Laura and I went to Portland, Oregon to spend a month helping our older sister, Mary, who had a nine month old daughter, Tracina. We stayed home during the day while Mary worked. During the day while we watched Tracina, we would watch TV or play in the backyard; sometimes we would push Tracina in her stroller and buy a few things at the neighborhood grocery store. Sometimes we would bring lunch home, but most of the time, we got our lunch from the cupboard. At first Laura and I ate almost anything from the cupboard, including the cheap canned peas. Once I cooked up the peas, but I decided I didn't want to eat any. Laura was sick of eating canned peas too, so I gave them to Tracina. She ate them all. Maybe because it wasn't baby food. When the month was over, Mary and her husband, Doug decided to move to the Magic Valley. Shortly after they moved they came over for dinner. My Mom served real peas, probably garden fresh peas or Western Family frozen green peas. We all ate the peas on our plate except for Tracina. She would not allow those nasty things near her lips. My mom thought it was the move, because my older brother would not touch peas after moving to Idaho. But I knew the truth, it was those nasty canned peas from a Portland, Oregon cupboard. My Mom still doesn't know the real reason why, but Mary does.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Presdient Hinckley, Part II
I wrote this a year ago; posted it and then deleted it from the blog. I felt it was too long, but I didn't want to abandoned the story. So this year, I edited the draft from last year and reposted it this year. The dates in the title are the days of the actual event, not when I originally wrote it.
The Viewing and Funeral (February 1 & 2, 2008)
Since I went to Sister Hinckley's viewing, I knew I had to go to President Hinckley’s viewing. Jay and I stood in line for President Benson and President Hunter, both Idaho native like us, so I invited Jay to come with me. Both President Benson and President Hunter's viewings were held in the Church Office Building by the Joseph Smith Building. But President Hinckley’s viewing had to be moved to the Conference Center because so many people wanted to pay their respects. That first Friday night in February, Jay and I drove to the Trax station. It was bit crowded on Trax, not everyone was going to the viewing. When one young woman, who was on her way to work, found out where we going, she commented that she had seen one of his interviews and thought President Hinckley was pretty cool guy. Apparently, President Hinckley had left a favorable impression of those who were not members of the church. I was touched by the young woman's remarks.
When we got off Trax, I thought we would be able to walk into Conference Center, but there was a long line in front, so we walked around to the west side of the Conference Center. It was probably six or six-thirty when we got in line halfway to or maybe almost to 200 North. We stood in the cold and the dark for quite a few hours. The line snaked in and out of the plaza on the southwest corner of the Conference Center. About ten o'clock we got inside. My ankles were cold and they hurt. My knees might have hurt too. But what surprised me the most was that after all that standing outside, my enlarged nerve in my left foot was not aching at all. Jay and I still stood as we rode an escalator or two for the next hour or so. We did get to sit in the giant room where General conference is held every six months. It was nice to have a break from standing. Once I sat on a couch while Jay saved my place in line. Finally about eleven, we saw President Hinckley lying in his casket. It was very quiet and peaceful as we passed thru the Hall of the Prophets where President Hinckley lay in state. We passed quickly by President Hinckley’s casket; there was such a feeling of reverence in the room. Now I understood why those coming down the escalators were sober-looking. He looked calm and at peace. I have to admit, I almost didn't recognize him without his glasses.
Then at 11:30, Jay and I were back in the bitter cold waiting for Trax. It probably wasn't a long wait (especially compared to wait before) before the Sandy train came and took us to the Trax station we needed. When we got home, we turned the furnace and before long we crawled into our separate beds. Jay probably had a bite to eat before retiring. The next morning we watched the funeral and the graveside services on TV. After spending an evening in the bitter cold weather, I don't think we wanted to spend a few morning hours freezing in line. And besides, we needed some rest after a long bitter cold night. I am thinking that most of local stations broadcasted it as I don't think we watched the funeral and graveside services on the same station.
Since I went to Sister Hinckley's viewing, I knew I had to go to President Hinckley’s viewing. Jay and I stood in line for President Benson and President Hunter, both Idaho native like us, so I invited Jay to come with me. Both President Benson and President Hunter's viewings were held in the Church Office Building by the Joseph Smith Building. But President Hinckley’s viewing had to be moved to the Conference Center because so many people wanted to pay their respects. That first Friday night in February, Jay and I drove to the Trax station. It was bit crowded on Trax, not everyone was going to the viewing. When one young woman, who was on her way to work, found out where we going, she commented that she had seen one of his interviews and thought President Hinckley was pretty cool guy. Apparently, President Hinckley had left a favorable impression of those who were not members of the church. I was touched by the young woman's remarks.
When we got off Trax, I thought we would be able to walk into Conference Center, but there was a long line in front, so we walked around to the west side of the Conference Center. It was probably six or six-thirty when we got in line halfway to or maybe almost to 200 North. We stood in the cold and the dark for quite a few hours. The line snaked in and out of the plaza on the southwest corner of the Conference Center. About ten o'clock we got inside. My ankles were cold and they hurt. My knees might have hurt too. But what surprised me the most was that after all that standing outside, my enlarged nerve in my left foot was not aching at all. Jay and I still stood as we rode an escalator or two for the next hour or so. We did get to sit in the giant room where General conference is held every six months. It was nice to have a break from standing. Once I sat on a couch while Jay saved my place in line. Finally about eleven, we saw President Hinckley lying in his casket. It was very quiet and peaceful as we passed thru the Hall of the Prophets where President Hinckley lay in state. We passed quickly by President Hinckley’s casket; there was such a feeling of reverence in the room. Now I understood why those coming down the escalators were sober-looking. He looked calm and at peace. I have to admit, I almost didn't recognize him without his glasses.
Then at 11:30, Jay and I were back in the bitter cold waiting for Trax. It probably wasn't a long wait (especially compared to wait before) before the Sandy train came and took us to the Trax station we needed. When we got home, we turned the furnace and before long we crawled into our separate beds. Jay probably had a bite to eat before retiring. The next morning we watched the funeral and the graveside services on TV. After spending an evening in the bitter cold weather, I don't think we wanted to spend a few morning hours freezing in line. And besides, we needed some rest after a long bitter cold night. I am thinking that most of local stations broadcasted it as I don't think we watched the funeral and graveside services on the same station.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
President Hinckley, Part 1
I wrote this a year ago, posted and then deleted because it was just too long. But I did not abandoned it. This year I edited it and decided to divide in to two parts. Now you can take a break. Even though I broke it up; it is still too long. The dates in the headings represent the actual dates, not when I wrote originally wrote it.
The News (January 27, 2008)
Four years ago on the last Sunday of January, my sister, Laura from Washington State called and broke the news that President Hinckley had passed away. I am not sure how she found out, but soon the TV was on. Apparently, those in their teens and twenties were the first to know. The youth probably texted each other before KSL could find a reporter to send to Temple Square. I could be wrong, but KSL was showing some students from a local institute singing hymns at Temple Square or maybe the Institute at the University of Utah. The next morning, The Salt Lake Tribune had a half page sized picture of President Hinckley on the front page. The Tribune also gave President Hinckley his own section; a first for any prophet. A short article on Tuesday appeared in the paper about East High School students wearing the Sunday best on a Monday. Even the Utah Chronicle (aka the Chrony) had a front page article about President Hinckley. When I was a student there, President Kimball died and there wasn't anything about him, nada. But then, President Hinckley attended and probably graduated from the University of Utah, whereas President Kimball was an Arizona native and businessman before he moved to Salt Lake. But I think it was more than being a Utah alumnus that got President Hinckley a spot on the front page of the Chrony. President Hinckley reached out to the youth, probably like no other prophet of the church had in the 20th and 21st century. While I was in high school, I don't remember receiving a phone call to wear my Sunday best the day after President Lee died. Granted, President Lee was only the President for possibly three short years and President Hinckley was President of the church for more than ten years.
When I had heard that President Hinckley died, there was some shock and some disbelief. I thought he was going to live to be 100. After all, when he had his 95th birthday celebration, he told the crowd at the Conference Center that he would see them in five years. But then quickly, I realized he was with Marjorie, his wife of countless years. She had passed away shortly after Jay and I bought our condo. Even though I felt sad at his passing, I also felt joy. I imagine President Hinckley was smiling when he saw Sister Hinckley. I just hope he didn't knock the air out of her when he greeted her in heaven. He was probably quite thrilled to see the love of his life after a few long years. I remember when President Hinckley visited our ward almost four years ago, which was shortly after his wife died. When it came to bless for his grandson to bless his daughter, President Hinckley came down from the stand. I was surprised at how frail and how old he was. He seemed so lonely without Marjorie. I could tell he missed her greatly. President Hinckley was the first president of the church that I remembered who lost his wife while serving as a prophet. When I went to Sister Hinckley's viewing in the Relief Society building downtown, I walked around the Salt Lake Temple before boarding Trax. While I was walking by the temple, I knew President Hinckley and Sister Hinckley would be together again just like I know that I see my crazy, but lovable father again. Love is eternal and families can be forever.
When I was in college, President, then Elder Hinckley came and spoke in stake conference. I had probably heard him in General Conference during a few radio broadcasts. But in the fall of 1978, it was the first time or second time; I had probably seen him speak in person. Because it was a smaller setting, I somehow felt more of his spirit or personality. I remember him speaking about a flight that he shared with a couple he knew. Just the way he spoke of the couple brought President Hinckley closer to my realm. This apostle was a real human being who experience life like me and the other college students.
When I attended the University of Utah, Chase Peterson was inaugurated as President. President Hinckley, then apart of the first presidency of the church, gave one of the prayers. Listening to his prayer, I felt his testimony. I swear his prayer went right thru the Special Events Center (now the Huntsman Center) roof and right to heaven. President Hinckley was speaking to God, his Father, and his Creator. It was an eloquent prayer.
The News (January 27, 2008)
Four years ago on the last Sunday of January, my sister, Laura from Washington State called and broke the news that President Hinckley had passed away. I am not sure how she found out, but soon the TV was on. Apparently, those in their teens and twenties were the first to know. The youth probably texted each other before KSL could find a reporter to send to Temple Square. I could be wrong, but KSL was showing some students from a local institute singing hymns at Temple Square or maybe the Institute at the University of Utah. The next morning, The Salt Lake Tribune had a half page sized picture of President Hinckley on the front page. The Tribune also gave President Hinckley his own section; a first for any prophet. A short article on Tuesday appeared in the paper about East High School students wearing the Sunday best on a Monday. Even the Utah Chronicle (aka the Chrony) had a front page article about President Hinckley. When I was a student there, President Kimball died and there wasn't anything about him, nada. But then, President Hinckley attended and probably graduated from the University of Utah, whereas President Kimball was an Arizona native and businessman before he moved to Salt Lake. But I think it was more than being a Utah alumnus that got President Hinckley a spot on the front page of the Chrony. President Hinckley reached out to the youth, probably like no other prophet of the church had in the 20th and 21st century. While I was in high school, I don't remember receiving a phone call to wear my Sunday best the day after President Lee died. Granted, President Lee was only the President for possibly three short years and President Hinckley was President of the church for more than ten years.
When I had heard that President Hinckley died, there was some shock and some disbelief. I thought he was going to live to be 100. After all, when he had his 95th birthday celebration, he told the crowd at the Conference Center that he would see them in five years. But then quickly, I realized he was with Marjorie, his wife of countless years. She had passed away shortly after Jay and I bought our condo. Even though I felt sad at his passing, I also felt joy. I imagine President Hinckley was smiling when he saw Sister Hinckley. I just hope he didn't knock the air out of her when he greeted her in heaven. He was probably quite thrilled to see the love of his life after a few long years. I remember when President Hinckley visited our ward almost four years ago, which was shortly after his wife died. When it came to bless for his grandson to bless his daughter, President Hinckley came down from the stand. I was surprised at how frail and how old he was. He seemed so lonely without Marjorie. I could tell he missed her greatly. President Hinckley was the first president of the church that I remembered who lost his wife while serving as a prophet. When I went to Sister Hinckley's viewing in the Relief Society building downtown, I walked around the Salt Lake Temple before boarding Trax. While I was walking by the temple, I knew President Hinckley and Sister Hinckley would be together again just like I know that I see my crazy, but lovable father again. Love is eternal and families can be forever.
When I was in college, President, then Elder Hinckley came and spoke in stake conference. I had probably heard him in General Conference during a few radio broadcasts. But in the fall of 1978, it was the first time or second time; I had probably seen him speak in person. Because it was a smaller setting, I somehow felt more of his spirit or personality. I remember him speaking about a flight that he shared with a couple he knew. Just the way he spoke of the couple brought President Hinckley closer to my realm. This apostle was a real human being who experience life like me and the other college students.When I attended the University of Utah, Chase Peterson was inaugurated as President. President Hinckley, then apart of the first presidency of the church, gave one of the prayers. Listening to his prayer, I felt his testimony. I swear his prayer went right thru the Special Events Center (now the Huntsman Center) roof and right to heaven. President Hinckley was speaking to God, his Father, and his Creator. It was an eloquent prayer.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Moments
"I never thought a production could change my life, but moments did! Moments was amazing!! Thank you to everyone in it!" I saw this post on my young friend's wall. It gave me an idea for a posting on my blog. The moments that change our life. Sometimes we don't know the moment is changing our life, either we are in shock or just oblivious to change that is occurring until we look back on the event and then realize it was a life changing moment. Apparently my friend was aware of life changing moment. Sometimes an event will happen that causes one to look at their lives or at things differently. Maybe my friend was inspired; I haven't talked to her. Usually when I call her I get her voice mail.
Some of the moments that change my life were 30 plus years in February. Life was good when I had just gotten back from Logan to see a college friend. There on my bed was an urgent note to call home. When I called I found out my dad had been hospitalized for heart trouble. It was the beginning of a painful two weeks. He died the next weekend and two weeks later my family returned from Colorado where we had laid Dad to rest. I knew on the 2nd return that my life would never be the same. I had experienced the reality that life was fraught with trials and challenges. I had challenges before, but none like this. Life was still good, but no longer a complete bliss.
P
robably a less noticeable change of life occurred 10 or 15 years ago. President Walker of the Holladay North Stake asked us to read the Book of Mormon between (the weekend before) Thanksgiving and the end of the year. I thought there was no way I could do that. But I decided to accept the challenge; I mapped out a plan to read a few moments in the morning before work and then a few moments at night. I decided to read a book a week with the exception of Alma, which was two weeks. And to my surprise I finished the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. I gained confidence and later when President Hinckley asked us to red the Book of Mormon from August to the end of the year, 6 or 5 years ago, I was up to the challenge. I knew I could do it.
On stove light is a quote magnet that reads "we do not remember days. . . we remember moments." I have a tendency to disagree with that quote, partly because I do remember my birthday in 2000. I was with my family and because of that it was one my best birthday. Nothing happened to change my life or how I thought of things. But I did gain a greater appreciation of my family.
But I have to admit after reading my friend's post on Facebook, I am more in agreement with the quote. We do remember life defining moments. We may not remember much of the day because the moment stands out. I don't remember much about that February Sunday, but I remember the moment I saw the note and when I called home. I remember being with my mom to select my dad's casket. I remember my dad's cousin talking about how we say that we have a tendency to put off things until it is too late. I remember Baby Mike pounding away on the keys of my Aunt Wilma's piano. He got us to smile in a somber time.. I don't remember the days of my first Book of Mormon challenge
but I do remember the moment of doubt when President Walker challenged the stake and I remember the hope as I planned the outline of accomplishing the goal and the satisfaction when I read the last verse of Moroni. I remember the moments of bribing Jared with pizza from The Pie when President Hinckley challenged the whole world wide church to read the Book of Mormon. Reading was a challenge for Jared, but he read it while listening to Book of Mormon on CD. All for the love of the pie. It was a nice winter afternoon when we drove over to The Pie to bring home two giant pizzas for the family. Like my challenge there were moments of doubt and moments of hope. And definitely a moment of joy when Jared took his first bite of the pie on that early January day.
Yes, we do remember moments, especially those that change our lives or inspire us.
Some of the moments that change my life were 30 plus years in February. Life was good when I had just gotten back from Logan to see a college friend. There on my bed was an urgent note to call home. When I called I found out my dad had been hospitalized for heart trouble. It was the beginning of a painful two weeks. He died the next weekend and two weeks later my family returned from Colorado where we had laid Dad to rest. I knew on the 2nd return that my life would never be the same. I had experienced the reality that life was fraught with trials and challenges. I had challenges before, but none like this. Life was still good, but no longer a complete bliss.
P
robably a less noticeable change of life occurred 10 or 15 years ago. President Walker of the Holladay North Stake asked us to read the Book of Mormon between (the weekend before) Thanksgiving and the end of the year. I thought there was no way I could do that. But I decided to accept the challenge; I mapped out a plan to read a few moments in the morning before work and then a few moments at night. I decided to read a book a week with the exception of Alma, which was two weeks. And to my surprise I finished the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. I gained confidence and later when President Hinckley asked us to red the Book of Mormon from August to the end of the year, 6 or 5 years ago, I was up to the challenge. I knew I could do it.On stove light is a quote magnet that reads "we do not remember days. . . we remember moments." I have a tendency to disagree with that quote, partly because I do remember my birthday in 2000. I was with my family and because of that it was one my best birthday. Nothing happened to change my life or how I thought of things. But I did gain a greater appreciation of my family.
But I have to admit after reading my friend's post on Facebook, I am more in agreement with the quote. We do remember life defining moments. We may not remember much of the day because the moment stands out. I don't remember much about that February Sunday, but I remember the moment I saw the note and when I called home. I remember being with my mom to select my dad's casket. I remember my dad's cousin talking about how we say that we have a tendency to put off things until it is too late. I remember Baby Mike pounding away on the keys of my Aunt Wilma's piano. He got us to smile in a somber time.. I don't remember the days of my first Book of Mormon challenge
but I do remember the moment of doubt when President Walker challenged the stake and I remember the hope as I planned the outline of accomplishing the goal and the satisfaction when I read the last verse of Moroni. I remember the moments of bribing Jared with pizza from The Pie when President Hinckley challenged the whole world wide church to read the Book of Mormon. Reading was a challenge for Jared, but he read it while listening to Book of Mormon on CD. All for the love of the pie. It was a nice winter afternoon when we drove over to The Pie to bring home two giant pizzas for the family. Like my challenge there were moments of doubt and moments of hope. And definitely a moment of joy when Jared took his first bite of the pie on that early January day.Yes, we do remember moments, especially those that change our lives or inspire us.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
My 2012 Predictions
Every year, I make predictions for the next year. Usually I get a little help from my brother, but this year, I decided to do it on my very own. When I make predictions, I realize some of it is a recollection of what happened in the past year. This year, I realized that my predictions are a reflection of me. One prediction that I have for past decade that I miss making is Osama Bin Laden. I had fun making predictions about his capture or lack of capture. None of my predictions came close to what actually happen. Osama Bin Laden Prediction are being laid to rest this year. (2011's prediction and result: Osama Bin Laden's tapes will be found in the archives at the New York Times. They won't be aired because no VHS player can be found. He's deader than a door nail on May day. But at least I have the Airport Guy to keep me going, unless he gets voted out of office. Then I will be up a creek again.
2012 Predictions
1. The world will not end as predicted by the Mayan calendar.
2. Utah State, BYU and Utah will win their bowl games.
3. While Kevin waits for his visa, he will serve stateside in New York.
4. Jazz will go to the playoffs and also beat the Lakers. You never know, so don't laugh too hard.
5. Vanessa and Crystal will vote for a winning candidate or two. Yes, the two will be old enough to vote. May their dads rest in peace.
6. Gabrielle will give birth to a little girl on May 29th.
7. Airport Guy will be barred from the Salt Lake International Airport and will travel by Amtrak to and from D.C.
8. Orrin Hatch will retire. It has been decades since i was 18. Yeah it's time to turn out the light and go to bed, Hatch.
9. Obama will order members of Congress to quit whining and get to work. The same with the Senate.
10. Political talk shows will lose their ability to whine, yell, find fault, rant, point fingers and other forms of bad speech as their ratings fail and Americans get tired of their bs.
11. Nancy Grace will host her own show on Comedy Central. (She makes me laugh with her antics.)
12. The American public will start a petition on Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets to demand that Congress , Senate, White House (elected & non-elected) officials and other elected officials give themselves a month without pay so that those in the armed forces, senior citizens (except millionaire retirees) and low level government employees can have a raise.
13. The Tea Party and the Coffee Party will both brew at the polls.
14. Sarah "Perky" Palin will be forced out of the closet when it is discovered that she likes coffee more than tea.
15. BCS will go bankrupt and lose creditability; then become the laughing stock of the football & sports worlds.
16. Mary will visit Utah and see the new Natural History Museum and Red Butte Gardens.
17. Crystal will run a full, yes full marathon at the end of April or August. Or the first weekend in October. If not, she will run a half marathon.
18. Susan and Jewel will check out a ebook from the library.
19. There will be new faces in Washington DC from Utah and a few other states due to the 2010 census.
20. Dana will go into major shock when his youngest walks into kindergarten classroom and his oldest starts her post-secondary education.
21. An announcement will be made in General Conference that a temple will be built in the San Luis Valley. Okay Southern Colorado. (John Taylor's son once said in a stake conference in Manassa that a temple would be built in the area. Someone also prophesied in a stake conference in the Mini-Cassia area that a temple would be built. In 2008, the Twin Falls temple was dedicated.)
22. As usual there will be a change in face(s) at Income Accounting at the University of Utah.
23. Some matchmakers will hone their skills and a few good men will consider their martyrdom. Disclaimer: this does not mean there will be wedding bells.
24. The prison walls will not fall around Warren Jeffs, but a wall will fall on him and his reign of terror will end for many of his followers.
25. Jason will teach his nephews & nieces the fine art of texting (jexting). Watch out parents, aunts , uncles & Vanessa.
A few questions for 2012. Will Utah and BYU play their last rivalry game? I hope not. And will Notre Dame play BYU? Now that could be a holy war. Will my Utes and Dana's Dawgs meet up again? I kinda enjoyed that rivalry. And will a buffalo be hidden on Utah's campus like a cougar was hidden 25 plus years ago? I probably won't know because I don't read the Utah Chronicle.
This is my new look for 2012. It is only a haircut, but hopefully it will a part of my new year resolutions not to wait a year before I cut my hair. Hopefully at the end of June.
2012 Predictions
1. The world will not end as predicted by the Mayan calendar.
2. Utah State, BYU and Utah will win their bowl games.
3. While Kevin waits for his visa, he will serve stateside in New York.
4. Jazz will go to the playoffs and also beat the Lakers. You never know, so don't laugh too hard.
5. Vanessa and Crystal will vote for a winning candidate or two. Yes, the two will be old enough to vote. May their dads rest in peace.
6. Gabrielle will give birth to a little girl on May 29th.
7. Airport Guy will be barred from the Salt Lake International Airport and will travel by Amtrak to and from D.C.
8. Orrin Hatch will retire. It has been decades since i was 18. Yeah it's time to turn out the light and go to bed, Hatch.
9. Obama will order members of Congress to quit whining and get to work. The same with the Senate.
10. Political talk shows will lose their ability to whine, yell, find fault, rant, point fingers and other forms of bad speech as their ratings fail and Americans get tired of their bs.
11. Nancy Grace will host her own show on Comedy Central. (She makes me laugh with her antics.)
12. The American public will start a petition on Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets to demand that Congress , Senate, White House (elected & non-elected) officials and other elected officials give themselves a month without pay so that those in the armed forces, senior citizens (except millionaire retirees) and low level government employees can have a raise.
13. The Tea Party and the Coffee Party will both brew at the polls.
14. Sarah "Perky" Palin will be forced out of the closet when it is discovered that she likes coffee more than tea.
15. BCS will go bankrupt and lose creditability; then become the laughing stock of the football & sports worlds.
16. Mary will visit Utah and see the new Natural History Museum and Red Butte Gardens.
17. Crystal will run a full, yes full marathon at the end of April or August. Or the first weekend in October. If not, she will run a half marathon.
18. Susan and Jewel will check out a ebook from the library.
19. There will be new faces in Washington DC from Utah and a few other states due to the 2010 census.
20. Dana will go into major shock when his youngest walks into kindergarten classroom and his oldest starts her post-secondary education.
21. An announcement will be made in General Conference that a temple will be built in the San Luis Valley. Okay Southern Colorado. (John Taylor's son once said in a stake conference in Manassa that a temple would be built in the area. Someone also prophesied in a stake conference in the Mini-Cassia area that a temple would be built. In 2008, the Twin Falls temple was dedicated.)
22. As usual there will be a change in face(s) at Income Accounting at the University of Utah.
23. Some matchmakers will hone their skills and a few good men will consider their martyrdom. Disclaimer: this does not mean there will be wedding bells.
24. The prison walls will not fall around Warren Jeffs, but a wall will fall on him and his reign of terror will end for many of his followers.
25. Jason will teach his nephews & nieces the fine art of texting (jexting). Watch out parents, aunts , uncles & Vanessa.
A few questions for 2012. Will Utah and BYU play their last rivalry game? I hope not. And will Notre Dame play BYU? Now that could be a holy war. Will my Utes and Dana's Dawgs meet up again? I kinda enjoyed that rivalry. And will a buffalo be hidden on Utah's campus like a cougar was hidden 25 plus years ago? I probably won't know because I don't read the Utah Chronicle.
This is my new look for 2012. It is only a haircut, but hopefully it will a part of my new year resolutions not to wait a year before I cut my hair. Hopefully at the end of June.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Christmas 2011 Newsletter
Every year I write a newsletter to my family and friends. This year it was a last minute effort, but I did sum up what happened in a somewhat uneventful year. Maybe it seems uneventful because I couldn't remember everything I did, so this what I came up with.
Dear Family,
It is a week before Christmas and I am finally getting around to writing the annual newsletter or form letter as I sometimes I want to call it. It has been a rather boring year as far as traveling goes. I didn’t leave the state of Utah all year. Mary did not visit, but Laura and her family did, which prompted me to leave Salt Lake County to watch “17 Miracles” in Davis County.
John did help get me around this year even though his car is ageing faster than most UTA buses. He took me to Riverton to see the dentist and a few trips to Costco. He also drove Jay and me to Park City in August, which is in Summit County. Okay I left the county twice. Jay and Tina, a friend from high school ran the Park City Half Marathon. While we were waiting for the race to begin, we visited with an old neighbor from the ward we all moved from. Of course, I had hot chocolate at McDonalds while we waited for Jay and Tina to cross the finish line. There is just something about a cold August morning in Park City.
All of us are still working at the same place and attending the same wards. I doubt that will change in the coming year, but you never know. But there were a few changes. The annual rivalry game was held in September instead of November. It just wasn’t the same and it wasn’t just different dates for both teams. BYU was independent and Utah was in the PAC-12. But I did enjoy a rivalry of sorts with Dana, when his Dawgs (Huskies) played my Utes. I am officially his auntie now.
Even though I was in Utah when the earthquake on East Coast occurred; I did experience it. I was talking to one of the borrowers when suddenly I heard some rattling in the background. Over the phone, it sounded like tea cups shaking in a china cabinet. She did confirm that it was earthquake and Washington DC doesn’t get earthquakes.
I did take up drawing, but not in the usual artistic way. But more in the therapeutic way: definitely in a way to express myself. I am not ready to call my self artist, probably because I use a pencil and scratch paper to draw my subject. I started my art therapy at work on the last day that student could pay their tuition before their classes were dropped. The events of the day gave me my inspiration for bad.artIst@woRk label. I have since drawn quite a few, some not so nice and others, just for laughs. Some I have included in my blog (http://idahoinutah.blogspot.com) that I started at the end of January. Right now the heading reads “Life on a Single Road”. I may be single, but I do have some stories to share. Some are current like OJ story (February) and Morning in Park City (August); others are memories like His Greatest Race (October) and the Walking Around the Block (also February).
I understand that the world will end in 2012. Well, I have news for you; I plan to be around for 2013, so I hope the upcoming year goes better than predicted. Take care and enjoy the Holidays. That includes Christmas and New Years. Ciao!
Dear Family,
It is a week before Christmas and I am finally getting around to writing the annual newsletter or form letter as I sometimes I want to call it. It has been a rather boring year as far as traveling goes. I didn’t leave the state of Utah all year. Mary did not visit, but Laura and her family did, which prompted me to leave Salt Lake County to watch “17 Miracles” in Davis County.
John did help get me around this year even though his car is ageing faster than most UTA buses. He took me to Riverton to see the dentist and a few trips to Costco. He also drove Jay and me to Park City in August, which is in Summit County. Okay I left the county twice. Jay and Tina, a friend from high school ran the Park City Half Marathon. While we were waiting for the race to begin, we visited with an old neighbor from the ward we all moved from. Of course, I had hot chocolate at McDonalds while we waited for Jay and Tina to cross the finish line. There is just something about a cold August morning in Park City.
All of us are still working at the same place and attending the same wards. I doubt that will change in the coming year, but you never know. But there were a few changes. The annual rivalry game was held in September instead of November. It just wasn’t the same and it wasn’t just different dates for both teams. BYU was independent and Utah was in the PAC-12. But I did enjoy a rivalry of sorts with Dana, when his Dawgs (Huskies) played my Utes. I am officially his auntie now.
Even though I was in Utah when the earthquake on East Coast occurred; I did experience it. I was talking to one of the borrowers when suddenly I heard some rattling in the background. Over the phone, it sounded like tea cups shaking in a china cabinet. She did confirm that it was earthquake and Washington DC doesn’t get earthquakes.
I did take up drawing, but not in the usual artistic way. But more in the therapeutic way: definitely in a way to express myself. I am not ready to call my self artist, probably because I use a pencil and scratch paper to draw my subject. I started my art therapy at work on the last day that student could pay their tuition before their classes were dropped. The events of the day gave me my inspiration for bad.artIst@woRk label. I have since drawn quite a few, some not so nice and others, just for laughs. Some I have included in my blog (http://idahoinutah.blogspot.com) that I started at the end of January. Right now the heading reads “Life on a Single Road”. I may be single, but I do have some stories to share. Some are current like OJ story (February) and Morning in Park City (August); others are memories like His Greatest Race (October) and the Walking Around the Block (also February).I understand that the world will end in 2012. Well, I have news for you; I plan to be around for 2013, so I hope the upcoming year goes better than predicted. Take care and enjoy the Holidays. That includes Christmas and New Years. Ciao!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas Memories
I woke up alone this morning. Jay went to Idaho with John. I have to admit it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I went to the church at 10:30, since I was the only librarian in the ward (which is why I stayed behind.) It was nice to have a peaceful morning. First thing I did was log onto Facebook. I know I am addicted to Facebook, but I had a cousin who was born on Christmas. I posted quite a few likes and watched a YouTube video that my sister shared. It was Simon & Garfunkel singing "Silent Night", one of my favorite Christmas carols. I liked the simplicity of their arrangement. It was just them singing and the piano playing. I also saw some pictures that a family friend posted. The picture of the stockings laid out on couch brought the memories back. Chelsey was continuing a tradition that Kevin's family has had for years. Kevin's mom, Jewel would hang a stocking for each family member on the fireplace. Santa would fill the stockings. Little Mark (Kevin's brother) twice saw her fill the stockings at 3am and even saw his dad, Chuck bring the gifts from the garage. So I am surprised that Mark believed in Santa after that. The Pughs also had a tradition that the youngest opened their present first. One Christmas when Crystal was 6 or 7, she asked her dad if the order could be changed. I guess she was tired of being first and probably she would always be first. That Christmas, Chuck was the first to open his presents.
Probably the Christmas that I remember the best is when the furnace broke. I was in 1st grade and Mom was expecting Jay. Mom bundled us up and took a trip into town. Not sure if we went to Paul, Burley or Rupert. When we got home, she sent us to bed. The electricity had gone out also. She called the furnace man, but he couldn't come out until the electricity came back on. I remember waking up, it was dark, but I could the hall light shine beneath the door. I could hear noise, so I asked my sister, Mary what it was and she said it was Santa. I believed her and I still do. The furnace man gave up his time with his family to fix our furnace, just so we could wake up early to open presents from another Santa.
I saw a neighbors' child at church. She will be a year old in January, so she is celebrating her first Christmas. I remembered Jay's first Christmas. He was bewildered at all the chaos. One of Jay's presents was a squeaky toy. He stared at the toy as Mom squeaked in his face. Or maybe Jay was bewildered at us older children being too rambunctious. And maybe he wasn't quite awake yet. John liked to get up at 4am, maybe it was 5am, but he was always way wired for Christmas morning. Some years I was too. I remember once, getting up on the hour every hour to see if it was time. That had to be the longest night for my mom. Growing up, we always did a Christmas program on Christmas Eve. My mom probably thought of idea as way to keep up later. John would always read "The Night Before Christmas" and Mom would read "The Fourth Wiseman". We would sing Christmas songs from the hymn book or another song book that we got from King's in Rupert. Someone would recite Luke 2 and maybe some of Matthew.
Probably the Christmas that I remember the best is when the furnace broke. I was in 1st grade and Mom was expecting Jay. Mom bundled us up and took a trip into town. Not sure if we went to Paul, Burley or Rupert. When we got home, she sent us to bed. The electricity had gone out also. She called the furnace man, but he couldn't come out until the electricity came back on. I remember waking up, it was dark, but I could the hall light shine beneath the door. I could hear noise, so I asked my sister, Mary what it was and she said it was Santa. I believed her and I still do. The furnace man gave up his time with his family to fix our furnace, just so we could wake up early to open presents from another Santa.
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