Meanwhile, We Are a "Dateline" Episode

 On Halloween day, several members of GG's family got a mysterious text from an unknown number. It w as small photo of a computer printed note announcing a wedding upcoming the following week--of Mamacita and someone named W. We have never heard of W.

Sister K had decided to move back East and had left Mamacita's house about a week or two before that. The other sisters in law were in proximity and regularly checked on and did things with Mamacita every week. That particular week, however, things had gotten crazy for both of them and as I understood they had both missed being there in person. GG checked the "bouncy" app they use to find her car, purse, keys, when she looses them. Her car was in her garage. But her purse and keys were somewhere in Utah county they couldn't immediately recognize.

As soon as the text came across, the text threads began within the family asking all the questions: Who is this guy? When did you last talk to Mamacita? Who saw her last? When?

Everyone in the family put their individual skills to work to find this guy and figure out where Mamacita was. The Girl asked her detective type friends to find legal--and sneaky--ways to locate W or his family so we could contact this guy, or at least figure out what was happening.

There was no response from the initial mysterious phone number when we first tried to reach out to him. No answers were coming from that end.

GG locked down Mamacita's finances. As her financial agent, he was able to move all her money to other accounts that she couldn't access with her debit card.

The Girl discovered that one of W's daughters and I had a mutual friend on Facebook. She also found a phone number to contact the daughter. The Girl made the first contact with his family. She explained that the daughter and I shared a mutual friend. She further explained that we had received a text notice about her father and The Girl's grandmother getting married next week, and we as a family were concerned because we have never heard of her dad and that grandma had dementia so the family was worried what was going on. The daughter, Shelly, was equally concerned. In fact, she was livid about her dad. Her mom had only passed away in March and he had already "proposed" to three other women...obviously nothing permanent occurred in those cases, but with Mamacita, her dementia situation made that all the more enraging to Shelly.

Shelly asked if she could call me and talk to me about the situation. The Girl was happy to pass that responsibility on. Shelly called me and we spoke at length about what had happened since her mom's passing. Her mom, who had cancer, had been the recipient of harsh treatment near the end o f her life at her dad's hand. She was really angry about that. W had apparently been on the hunt for another partner since even before his wife passed away. His children were not pleased.

In our discussion I learned that W had no financial stability and he was likely on the hunt for a "purse" as well as sex. When Shelly spoke to her dad, early the next morning, he was upset and told her to tell us (Mamacita's family) to keep our noses out of her life, that she didn't have dementia but she was just not cared for. When Shelly tried to disagree W told her Mamacita was right there, in his bed, right now, and she was just fine!

EW!

The next thing we knew was that the girls had discovered, using "find my friends" in their iPhones that Mamacita was at the hospital. So B called the hospital and told them they though their mom was there as a patient. Sure enough! She had been brought tot he ER for chest pains. She thought she was having a heart attack. Really it had been about a week that she'd been without her meds. At least W took her to the hospital! The girls raced there and B intercepted the cardiologist who got an earful of the situation. He was quick to side with the girls and sent W tot he waiting room. He had no legal authority in this case, and the girl--B and L--have been assigned Mamacita's medical power of attorney. The staff at the hospital got Mamacita settled and meds corrected and sent the girls home with her through the ambulance bay so W couldn't see them leave with her.

Back home the girls stayed with her and got her settled. Somehow Sister K got wind of things and she made it home--she had been on her way back already, having rethought her decision to move. Eventually that night all the girls were there together with Mamacita.

Meanwhile, we discovered that W had obtained a marriage license for them. We also learned that the license was valid for 32 days. We knew that she needed to get away from her regular life and get her away from W until we knew more and had better protections in place for her. I contacted our friend from the stake in PG that specialized in elder/family law and he got us started on an emergency guardianship. I also contact Auntie D who does trust work and got Mamacita's trust straightened out. Now we just had to wait out the 32 days.

Sisters B and K brought Mamacita to us on Nov 3rd. Having her with us meant that she was safe from W, but it also meant that we needed to be with her all day. I quickly found out that I could register Mamacita as a part-time resident with us to use the Senior Center for lunch as well as to take classes. OI found out she had the chance to go to line dancing. She loved that! So I took her twice a week to classes then to the center for lunch Tuesday-Friday. In the process we were invited to go to two other "private" line dancing classes on Thursday & Friday. She loved that. 

I was glad she was happy. But it was exhausting. During that day she watched every movie musical I could stream for her. She made lunch and helped GG make dinner. She was helpful and happy. She slept a lot though, and never once mentioned W or an impending wedding. That told me she wasn't aware of what had even happened in Springville.

We kept her with us even when we were having Quench-It training or working at the store all day. Some times she was happy to "help" with a  project. I had her bagging fruit for smoothies one day but her results wasn't exactly what we needed. But she was happy to help. Other times she would watch Netflix--again, movie musicals I could stream--in the office and we'd bring her the samples of things the kids were learning to make. Even after watching White Christmas over and over one day for 8 hours, she still didn't know what she had watched--or that she even HAD watched a movie. That part was sad.

The Quench-It kids were great though. They referred to her as "grandma" and they seemed to understand that the dementia was keeping her with us even when it looked boring to anyone who could see it. They were good sports about the added bonus "helper".

Finally the 32 days were up and W hadn't made any more attempts to locate Mamacita. Sister B came down for the weekend and she and BIL J took Mamacita home with them after church. I never appreciated the quiet of my own home before as much as I did that first day after she went home.

After the craziness that was the month of November, we ended up having an enjoyable time with Mamacita at our home. We enjoyed her company for Thanksgiving and had a lot of personal time with er--probably more than she would have otherwise enjoyed with us--but she was safe and relatively happy, even though she wasn't in her own home. Sister K ended up coming home and has agreed to be Mamacita's primary caregiver--I believe the other siblings are agreed on giving her a stipend to do that full time. The rest of us will still need to help K and give her the support and back up she will need as she helps Mamacita in that way.

I knew there were really weird and sad things in the world, I just never thought this kind of thing would happen in this family. We think we are well connected and stay in touch  fairly well. What would have happened if Mamacita DIDN'T have  an attentive family?! 

#52 Stories--Story # 24

Describe your work ethic.  Who taught you how to work? What would you want your children and grandchildren to learn from your example?

Like all good things in my life, I was taught by my parents to work.  I knew that nothing comes for free early on.  I knew that good things took work and good work--no matter what kind it was--was valuable.  I never enjoyed the work my mom would assign us as kids--usually it involved yard work, weeding, etc. and that just made me hot, sticky and cranky. But I knew my parents were hard workers.  They had worked all their lives.  They told us frequently about the kind of things they did--even for fun as they grew up and if they wanted anything, they had to work for it.

I would hope my kid and grandkids knew that any honorable work is worthwhile.  I have always appreciated that my dad--a mechanic long before he was a business owner--worked hard a ta dirty job and that he took pride in being good at what he did  There was not a college degree that would have done that for him. just his own hard work and diligent honest effort. My mom worked to make her own clothes from the time she could earn money. She developed her mind and used it well as she worked for others before she finally worked with my dad to build a successful business. They were successful together because they matched one  another in their ethical practices focusing on honesty, and good hard labor to do what they needed to serve their customers.  They had a slew of loyal customers too, when they finally retired. They didn't cut corners and they followed the rules. they worked hard for many many years to build what they did.

I hope my own family will see the same in us.  I didn't have the same work history that Genius Golfer has had but he is just as hard a worker in his field as my parents were in theirs. When the kids were young, he worked up to three jobs so that I could be home full time raising our children.  That was important to him. He grew up with a single mom who had to work to support their family and he missed having her in the home like I was able to for The Boy and The Girl. I always appreciated that about him and worked hard in my sphere to see that his sacrifice fro our family was worth it. sometimes I think it would have been easier to have a job somewhere with a paycheck to show what my efforts were worth, but now I have the kids to show that payoff.  It is a good exchange.  Hard work, no matter where it is done is worthwhile.

Rough Week

Maybe it is the realization that my "baby" is a senior in high school now, technically, at least.  Or because I cannot wait for the new office gal to start work on the 9th of June so can go back to my part time situation, but this week has been ROUGH.

It has been a long long month for that matter too.  I'm tired and exhausted and feeling broke.  All of that drains me of good efforts to stay positive and energetic. 

Yesterday I got off early--thanks to a coworker that, I believe, could see me struggling.  I came home and made cookies.  Do you know the last time I made cookies on a weekday during the light of day?  Its been a LONG time, I assure you.  Baking is enjoyable to me.  Notice, however, baking and cooking are not the same thing.

I made a cute "sleeve" of cookies to a swim friend who after a long year of working out some things for himself received a mission call this week.  I am SO proud of him.  I adore their family and think he is a great kid.  This mission call coming was just a sweet pit stop in a long hard road he has traveled for a year or so.  Knowing he is worthy to go and ready to serve is inspiring.

But while I was there dropping that off to him, I realized how much I miss the friends I have made as a school volunteer.  This just-called-missionary's mom being one of the best.  Working full time has really cut in on my ability to see people and visit and catch up with them.  My time is a real fragile things anymore and I miss having the freedom to do what I want when I want to do it. 

But the selfish portion of that explanation aside, I do miss the mental health I feel when I have had friends to talk with.  There really is an element of therapy I gain from the friends I have had over the years as we experience similar issues with our families, kids, careers, callings at church, etc.  Genius Golfer is great, but he's been too busy to do much talking--which was too little to begin with.  I identified the feeling of being alone in a world of people as I saw my dear friend and her family last night.

Perhaps the answer here is a nap, and a coming vacation.  The change of scenery will be nice.  And I'm looking froward to getting back to my regular 9-3 schedule once Ella comes to work on the 9th.  Or maybe someday soon after that date, as I will still have training to do with her.  But the point is the same.  Getting back to an "early-out" schedule every day will help my attitude about work.

I saw this past month, particularly, that I was missing the crossroads of the day with The Boy by being stuck at work.  I feel him drawing away--as tends to happen a this age--but I have no power to alter that shift when I'm not at home when he is.  And I worry about what else I am missing in his life by being at work.

Again, here's hoping for a nap, and a vacation, and a schedule change.  But all of that will take time, and that isn't something I have an ample excess of right now.

Mid-Week Wrap Up

I know it is Wednesday, so it is a little premature for a "week in review" but so much has happened that I need to get it all in fro the sake of my personal history.

Genius Golfer's father, who lives in Georgia, arrived in Utah on the 13th.  He came by himself, as Grandma Jo sent himto make somemeories and strengthen relationships on his own.  Grandma Jo is generally the go-between simply becasue she is the grandma and mother in law.  But Grandpa C came on his own and I think we ran him ragged while he was here.

The siblings--GG and his three sisters--set up an itinerary for where their dad was going and with which sibling each day.  Then we spent several evenings together as a family throughout the week.  The night he got here, the siblings went to dinner together.  Since it was just siblings, I went with The Girl to our ward's RS activity--it was great, but warrants another post of its own.  Come to find out the dinner with Grandpa C was apparently "all adults" so that included the spouses and several grown children.  Oh well.  It was too late fro me.  Genius Golfer went thought and had a nice evening.

Wednesday it was GG's turn to have his dad here.  I had a city meeting--also another post's worth if info--right after work, so when I got home at 8 PM GG and his dad had already visited for several hours. The kids were already off doing their own things and Grandpa C was getting ready to head back to his hotel. I visited just a bit--having come in right in the middle of everything.  But everyone was smiling when he headed to the hotel, so all was well.

It was GG's sister, Kathy's birthday on Friday and we all got together to go bowling--something their dad was quite good at, we understood, back in the day.  We had donuts after bowling, took a picture together and headed home. It was fun!  I'm not sure why we didn't do that before as a group.  GG and The Boy were in St. George that night for another tournament.  The Boy's tee time was 7:40 AM so they had to drive down  the night before.

Saturday, The Girl and  I did a bit more of her mission shopping--we are nearly done!--and then that evening, GG and The Boy were back and we met at Lori's for card games.  Also very fun!!  Our little family doesn't think to play card games together much--or games at all that aren't on the WII or XBox.  Figures.

Sunday, we had Kathy's birthday dinner at out place.  My mom and dad also were in town, staying with us prior to going to my nephew Jace's graduation on Monday, so they were here too.  They were happy to meet GG's dad.  Kathy chose corned beef and cabbage as her dinner.  I'd never had that, really, so it was a new and different experience.  Not exactly my favorite, but she liked it and so did GG and their dad.

Then Monday night we met at Brenda's place and played games together again.  I am glad that GG and his siblings and all our families have such a good time together.  There is genuine affection between all of us, and even when someone is having a hard time,t hey know they are always welcome with the family stuff.

Their dad went back home yesterday.  I'm so glad he came to visit.  This might be the last year we are all together--as Brenda and her family are moving to the Washington DC area this August for a work opportunity at the Pentagon.  Travis and Lacey  and their little family will be moving to New York City for the second half of his medical school. And who knows where the other kids are going to end up, as they are all on the cusp of adulthood.

The only time I remember Grandpa C coming to Utah was for Brenda's wedding.  Then we got to see him and Grandma Jo while we had a layover at the Atlanta airport.  We had a lovely visit with them there over dinner.  So it was nice for the kids, especially, to make some memories with their grandpa and for GG and his siblings to reconnect with their dad.

Family relationships are hard work.  But that much more rewarding when we take the time to build them and improve the bonds we have together.

Another One Bites the Dust--Week, That Is

It's Friday again.  Finally.  I never realized how true that song by Loverboy in the early 80s really was: Everybody's Working For the Weekend!  I feel like I am all week long.

Last night The girl finished her Temple Prep class.  That is one more thing off the "to do list".  Sunday she'll have her interview with our new bishop and then our stake president and get her recommend--ready for Wednesday.

But first we have some other things to check off her list and that will take much of Saturday this week.  The men of the house are headed south to St George again fro another tournament for The Boy.  At some point this week he hit a 2-over-par round.  I think that might be his best yet.  I just hope he is having fun while also improving his game.  If not, he is a bear to live with until his play improves.

The schools are winding down to graduation on the 31st for us.  My sister's district is done this week with my nephew's graduation on Monday.  I'm not sure what time his graduation is, but since he didn't do announcements I guess am fine since I already sent his gift.

My boss talked to me yesterday and asked what I was making hourly right now.  I told him "$10".  He told me that he was giving me a raise and that he'd make it retroactive to May 1st--since yesterday was the end of the pay period--so the increase will be in my check on the 20th.  That is very nice.  I don't know how much it will be yet.  But every little bit helps.  And I do like what I'm doing--most days.  I feel very blessed to find a job so close to home and with people I like.

But on the other hand, I am looking forward more and more to our Alaska trip in June.  My brain needs the break as much as my body.

Happy Friday, friends.

A Little Too Little Pressure

Once I made the determination that I wasn't going to hold myself to a daily blog post, I realize that I am getting more and more inconsistent with my writing.  I am amazed, however, that I can have the same number of hours as everyone else in the world, yet still feel like I am not keeping up with anyone.  Therefore, the blog post goes by the wayside.

The Girl came home Friday night.  Once we had the Durango packed to the gills with all her stuff from college, we stopped at a delicious--if also a little pricey--steak house just before getting on the freeway.  It is called Maddox Ranch House and is something of a Box Elder County institution, from what I understand.  A ranching family, by the name of Maddox, had a restaurant built at the edge of their ranch property and that little restaurant has only gotten bigger, and more filled with people.

If memory serves me, I believe I ate there following my friend Darin's wedding to his lovely wife Celeste, back in early 1992.  They were married in Logan and as a pseudo family member at the time attended the family wedding luncheon with them at Maddox.  I remember it was delicious.

Then a few years ago my acquaintance was renewed with the ladies in our YW presidency as we were traveling to Logan canyon for  a visit to one of our wards' Girls' camps that summer.  It was also delicious then.

But maybe because I had anticipated having The Girl come home all week, or because I recognized the luxury of having her all to myself--there wasn't ANY room for anyone else in the car anyways--I thoroughly enjoy a delicious meal at Maddox that night before we headed home fro the summer.  She had the salmon, and I had the petite filet mignon  and we both had smooth and creamy mashed potatoes and fresh steamed vegetables.  Oh, and their corn one and rolls--with raspberry butter.  Yumm-OH!  And, as they advertize, their fresh well water!  I know, that never struck me as a "thing" but it is tasty and girl raised on well water, you can taste a difference.

Overall, it was a lovely evening.  I guess it was more than that, as I got out of work at about 2 PM and spent two hours in the car--with the windows down, the sun shining (slightly sunburning my driving arm), with the radio up too loud for city driving getting up there too.  It was a great day.  And it has been a busy, but great weekend having The Girl home.

But today the spell is broken.  She has finally put everything away--or taken to DI, recycling or the trash--and she begins a full time job.  I'll know more to tell after her first day or two.

May, Finals and All The Family's Together

I missed yesterday, but don't know why.  Too busy again, I guess.

Well, it is May.  Finally.  We had a near white out--meaning snow flakes so fat and falling so heavy I couldn't see past the parking lot at work--on Monday here.  Crazy.  today I am wearing capris and sandals.  Springtime in the Rockies, they keep saying.

The Girl has her last final this morning.  I think she said it went until noon.  I'm leaving work early (about 2) to drive up and help her move out.  She has a cleaning check--to officially get out of her dorm--about 5 PM so she has to have all of her things moved completely out before that.  It's about a two hour drive to get there.  I'm not sure how much cleaning I'll have to help her do, or if I just need to be there to pack all her stuff in the Durango. Either way, she is coming home tonight.  And that makes me happy.

In order to get out of work at 2PM today, I stayed last night at work until just after 8 PM.  I had a big embroidery order to work on.  They need it done by the end of work Monday, but I was hoping to get it to them earlier, if at all possible.  I love the days when I have enough embroidery to do--and have someone else there that can answer the phone--so that I can put my ear buds in and turn on Jim Dale reading the Harry Potter books.  I mentally loose myself in that story and can listen to it over and over again.  Pl;us, I have heard  it so many time, it is very familiar and comfortable.  Easily to do other things while I am listening--so a perfect factor to concentrating on the work at hand.

The Boy has joined Genius Golfer in the local golf course's Mens' Association and they play every Thursday night.  (Which makes Thursday a good night to work late for me, when I need to.)  The Boy has played on the winning team for the last three Thursdays.  I'm not sure how it works, but they play for "skins" which equated to a dollar--and those add up depending on how many are playing (and putting into the pot of dollars).  After three weeks of winnings, The Boy is starting to feel like a junior PGA player.  Hopefully he won't start acting like it.  ;)

It is The Girl's welcome home tonight.  I need to figure out some kind of dinner plan, I suppose.  Or maybe not, depending on how long it takes me to get her home tonight.  Wish me luck to stay awake while I drive in the sunshine and springtime warmth.  Life is good.  I need to enjoy it more.

That's NOT What She Told Me

During the week or so that The Girl was home from school for her spring break in March, I remember her talking with me about how she'd like to open her pending mission call.  I understood her to mean that she'd like to just have her dad, brother and me join her in in salt Lake, where we could collect her very best friend from school at the University of Utah, and have dinner together where she'd open her call.  she then could call all the people she loves and tell them on the phone herself or Facebook the news to the world.

So once she submitted the completed paperwork, I send a courtesy email to the extended family that she preferred not to have a party (like her cousins who are currently serving) but that she'd call them to tell them her good news.  Apparently, this didn't sit well with the family.

The day after I sent that, GG barked at me that his family was VERY upset about not being invited to  the party and that they were indeed coming with us to see her open this call.  From his message--which I received loud and clear--HIS daughter told him she wanted all the extended family there and essentially turned this into a party-away-from-home.

That certainly wasn't the message I had heard from the prospective missionary, herself.  But I'm the mom.  So what do I know.

Consequently, last night I was informed that now the situation is this:  When the calling comes to her (she requested delivery to her mail in Logan) we will make arrangements to have one grandma meet us and drive to Layton--to SuperKate's family's home--where other siblings-in-law will meet us, and Kate's dad will feed everyone and The Girl will open her mission call.

Wait.  What?!?

Yes.  Now the party is a someone else's family's place--and don't get me wrong.  We LOVE SuperKate.  But this just didn't seem normal when I heard the plan.  Yes.  Now the extended family will all be there watching her open this thing.  Friends, too, are apparently invited from hither and yon as well.

And everyone is seemingly going to be there except any of my family or GG's dad and step-mom (who live in Georgia).  I seriously doubt The Girl will think that her aunt, my sister, lives in Ogden which is only a short jaunt north of Layton and could easily be there if she was invited.  but I told all the extended family that this would be private thing for her.  And now it isn't at all what I was told she wanted.

Maybe I am selfish here, but I was hoping for the more private, immediate family set up.  I was hoping The Boy would really feel a part of this and get a sense of the contagious missionary spirit which would only encourage him to start seriously considering this for himself in a couple short years.  I was hoping for myself to have a moment with my daughter for her to feel the magnitude of this calling from her Heavenly Father to serve and teach His children wherever in the world she is sent, and have her feel the Holy Ghost confirm her calling to her in a quiet, penetrating way only the Spirit can do.

Now I feel it is going to turn into a circus.  So many "mission openings" have become loud, raucous events where the Spirit is seemingly an afterthought.  I worry that she will be called to a place that she never even imagined and is disappointed by that and will face the assignment with dozens of people looking on in expectation.  I worry that she will have some sort of emotional outburst, of any kind, since that is really not like her, and she'll be embarrassed by the obvious emotional reaction.  I worry, in my heart of hearts, that this moment will be hijacked by all the onlookers and she'll miss the personal, intimate opportunity for communion with her Heavenly Father.

But what do I know?!  I just the mom.  And this is HER mission call and HER mission experience.  I was just doing what I thought she wanted me to do.  I guess I'd better get used to this, right?  Is this what parenting a young adult is like?

Party of a Lifetime

Last weekend, my family got together and invited many old friends to come over and celebrate my parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary.  It was a fantastic weekend full of memories, stories, and renewing friendships. 

My nephew showed my mom how to scan her photos from her scrapbooks and she had 350+ picture that The Girl helped her get into a slide show fro the party.  Each picture, of course, had a story...and my dad did a terrific job narrating the pictures for those of us that weren't there originally.  50 years worth of memories can take some time to get through.  Luckily for us most of the memories they have of those 50 years are good ones.

Two of my favorite aunts were there, as well some favorite cousins and friends.  I couldn't have enjoyed with without my dear friend, Amy, kindly taking pictures throughout the party. I can't wait to see what she comes up with.

Last Friday night we had a family dinner in Salt Lake City and it was just as full of laughs and memories.  We haven't had the oldest nephew with us for any family thing in a L O N G time, so it was such a pleasant surprise to have him there for the dinner.

Playing Catch Up

Being sick most of December kept me from posting several things that we did while The Girl was home from college.  So I will attempt to catch up this week before the next BIG event happens here.  But you'll have to wait for that one.

Putting up the Christmas tree.

I already blogged briefly about the Viking Tree the kids did this year.  Or at least, they were the ones that encouraged that kind of holiday blaspheme.  But here is how that sad situation happened:

 Fluffing the pieces.

 Beginning the assembly.

Adding the height.

 Deer in the headlights moment for The Girl....that is just funny.

 The Boy avoiding a picture.  I thought we were past that stage with him, but I guess not.

 Ha ha, I got him.

Genius Golfer supervising the white plastic monstrosity and my camera flash giving me fits.

Got It Set Up...At Least I Can Say That

While The Girl was home this weekend, we set up our Christmas tree.  Well, we set up A Christmas tree.  Usually we have the traditional green tree, albeit a fake one as we have now saved a lot of money over buying a fresh one each year.  But this year is a little different.

The Boy and Genius Golfer went out to the shed Saturday afternoon to get the tree-in-a-box along with any other Christmas tubs or ornaments and decor that were out there.  Apparently the regular green tree was shoved way int he back of the shed's loft so they opted to bring in something a little easier to access.

They brought in a white tree.  It is still about 6 feet tall, but it is plastic looking--really plastic looking.  I was not pleased, but they refused to dig out the "real" tree.  I told them, in no uncertain tones, then if we were having a white tree then I definitely wanted colored lights of it.  The Boy came back in with a ball of white wired lights with blue bulbs.

I tried to unwind them and discovered to my horror that these were the icicle type where there were strands that hung down in various lengths.  Niether The Boy nor GG would budge on this, insisting that this was what they used on the tree before.

Now this  I know is a lie.  But they were not to be dissuaded.  The three of these people I live with put the dumb tree together while I stewed about how ugly this was going to be.

Fine.  I plugged in the blue lights that looked like those that lined the runways at large international airports and I directed The Boy in wrapping them around this hideous plastic tree.

Once it was lit, everyone scattered leaving me to decorate it the rest of the way.  Seeing as it was already the world's ugliest Christmas tree, I figured I would only add cherished memories and old-school charm by using only the handmade ornaments.  I left all the lovely collected-over-the-years Hallmark ornaments in the boxes and put up the decade old chocolate kisses angels, the hand-sewn patchwork stockings, the wire and glitter stars and all the ones the kids (or I) made over the years.  Then I added ones that had been given to us that I am guessing were handmade--or at the least zushed up from what started as a store-bought ornament.

Upon realizing that the angel topper we usually use is tucked into the "regular" tree box in the shed, I asked the kids what they thought we should use to top it.  Thinking that 'I'd show them' I was surprised when The Girl came up with an idea out of the blue.  The Viking Blue, that is.

Since our HS colors here are blue and white, and the mascot is a Viking, she ran downstairs and grabbed my plastic Viking helmet that was given to me after a year of PTA leadership service.

The Girl added the helmet to the top of the tree and called out in her best Tiny Tim-like voice, "Once a Vikings, always a Viking!"

It certainly didn't have the ring of "God bless us, every one" but looking at our hideous tree in the neon blue glow it gave off in the front room, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised.

The activity of putting the tree together before The Girl left for the end of her semester was worth the awful state of the non-traditional set up.  Across the room for this blue-lit plastic white tree is a piano top of nativity scenes.  The box next to the tree is filled with the books about the Christmas holiday I've collected over the years with and for the kids and which we read diligently every year together.

Perhaps, as the Ginch once said, "He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. Maybe Christmas, he thought... doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more!"

So, this year as I sit in the light of the airport runway-lining neon blue lights of our white plastic Viking tree, I will appreciate the joy it brought my kids to do something a little different this year, together.  And I'll count my blessing for a family who loves each other, even if we aren't the "normal" family on the block.  And I'll still know I am so very blessed.

How Far Can You Stretch?

This is the question I have been asking myself , rather a lot lately.  I feel like I need to do what it takes at work--considering Office Manager's family situation right now. I feel like I need to put in more effort at home for The Boy because I do feel guilt about being at work when he gets home--though he has told me that he is "fine, mom".  I feel like I need to do whatever I can to support and defend Genius Golfer so he feels like he can do his work and make it successful.  I feel like The Girl needs more emotional support now that midterms are here and the novelty has worn off at school.  I feel like I need to "finish strong" with my little primary class at church because they change classes the first Sunday of the new year and we only have them for a few more weeks.  And I feel the need to up my enthusiasm about visiting teaching because 1) my partner is now in the stake RS presidency and 2) I had a very good lesson taught (by my nephew) in sacrament meeting Sunday about HT/VT being like missionary work to those who have already been baptized.

That being said, I also got word yesterday that I will likely be training next week to work in the Big Boss' scrub stores as the daytime ladies need me.  And one of those times apparently is the one day off I asked for in December to see the Festival of Trees this year.  That might require some negotiating.  But I can't blame ShopGirl#2, since her missionary son is coming home from Canada that week and she wants to be home with him and their family.

I think my attitude is flagging a bit because I'm tired and there are days (more often lately) when I just don't want to be working at all.  That kind of resentment isn't healthy, I know.  This is my new reality.  I just need to face it and be brave.

In the meantime, I'm taking my vitamins and trying to get enough sleep (is there such a thing?) and attempting to keep from medicating myself with donuts and ice cream.  And THAT may be the hardest bit of this whole deal.

Making the Change...Taking the Plunge

Today is the day.  We are getting rid of the satellite TV and Netflix.  We will be left with the local channels for news and PBS for Masterpiece theater.  So I guess I'm in good shape.  Genius Golfer, however, might go through withdrawl.  He is the Golf Channel's biggest fan.  And it is in the pile we are cutting out.

After a family discussion about what priorities we really have versus what priorities we seem to have, this was one of the changes we decided to make.  Plus it will save some money--and I'm not complaining about that.

Wish us luck.  And please don't give away any spoilers to good shows.  We might not get to see them until they are available to rent at RedBox.

Weekend Perfection!

This past weekend was about as perfect as I could imagine.  My parents rolled into town Friday about lunch time.  We had a fantastic visit with them.  The Boy came home to a new (to him) truck--thanks to mechanic-shop-owning-Grandparents.  He loves it.  (Pictures to come soon).

Then Saturday Genius Golfer played in a tournament, where he shot a 78, so he was happy.  The kids an I did our regular Saturday chores, plus a ton of outside yard work and patio clean up in preparation for the family fiesta Sunday.  We got errands done and spent a pretty great day together.  Grandparents spent the day with my sister and her family--watching nephew #2's lacrosse game and going out to dinner.  My aunt and uncle from Idaho met them at the lacrosse game and them came south with them that evening to our place.  The Boy had never met them in person, so that was fun.

Sunday we had church and for our Sacrament meeting my sister and family, GG's mom and sister, and my parents and aunt & uncle joined us.  Then a few more cousins, Gpa Herb, and assorted dear friends joined us for The Boy's ordination.  He was made a priest yesterday.  It was a wonderful group.  We are so lucky to have so much family and so many friends who support and love us.

We had a terrific lunch at our place--thanks to the many who helped bring food!  We all got to eat and relax and visit and listen to the older generation tell stories.  Some of my favorite things!

Then, once everyone headed home, The boy had an appointment to receive his patriarchal blessing. We headed to the patriarch's home about 6 PM and spent the next hour or so with him and his darling wife.  After some visiting there and getting-to-know-you type of conversation, the blessing was given.  WOW!  It was powerful.  The Boy and GG both get weepy--only when they feel the spirit strongly.  this was one of those times.  It was beautiful.  I was moved and humbled.

I'm so lucky to have such great kids!  They have much expected of them by our Heavenly Father.  But I know--and was reassured yesterday--the He is not only aware of them, but will guide them to do all that He needs them to do, if they will be obedient.  I sure hope I live long enough to see all the marvelous blessings both of them have been promised.  It will be tremendously satisfying. 

After that event, we headed south do my parents could see my aunt's cute home in Springville.  We got to visit a little more with some darling cousins and 2nd-cousins.  My kids must seem very cool to these little cousins, as they became the center of attention while we were there.  then we headed back home about 9:30 and mosied off to bed.

My parents left early this morning and The Boy drove himself to school in his truck.  Pretty perfect indeed.

Practice Day

Yesterday The Girl went to her first period class, and then (because her college classes were not held--due to UVU's spring break this week) I excused her from her third period class.  She had a "college visit day" today so her absence could be excused.  The funny thing here is that he visit was to her dear friend Nicole at BYU.  The Girl didn't even apply to BYU, but whatever.

She had a chance to spend the night and hang out with her friend and shadow her all day in her university classes.  At least she got the chance to see what kind of stuff is coming for her.  In that way, it didn't matter which school she visited.

I had a good idea where I would go to college, simply by doing the math.  There really was only one place that was cheap enough to attend.  I didn't have the scholarships The Girl has and my payment option was a very gracious set of parents.  So I went where it made financial sense--BYU.  I resigned myself to that but still flew out to visit for a weekend when I was still a senior in high school and stayed with friends from my home ward.  That was a good weekend.

It was great to hang out with friends who showed me around and helped me see that I could fit in on campus and gave me the idea that I could be happy there.  The resignation turned to excitement after that weekend trip.

In The Girl's case, she will have a chance to got up to USU (her chosen school) at the end of the month for a weekend visit there.  I'm sure she is excited about going to school.  The real trick is getting her to keep her head in the game until high school graduation.

But last night was a practice for me to have her gone.  The Boy even asked last night, on out FHE activity--a trip to Costco--what Genius Golfer and I would talk about once they are both gone?  Mean boy.  I'm consigned to them leaving...that si what I raised them to do.  But it might be nice if they issed US once ina while.

I guess I need more practice.

I See Where You're Coming From Now

Last night, The Boy was decrying how "boring" his history class was.  Though he likes his teacher, he didn't see any reason to study history.  Genius Golfer then, rather than encourage The Boy's studies, completely agreed that history was a dumb subject and didn't see why schools had to teach it anyway.

I told them both, "Thank you for discrediting five years of my collegiate experience."

GG's reply?  "Well, you said yourself your head is full of useless knowledge.  Where do you think it came from?"

You're not helping, Dear.

Before And After?

Genius Golfer and I got home yesterday after a trip to the Southland hoping to see the sun, the fun, and maybe the brother.

Did you know GG had an older brother?  He does. Mike chooses to live on the streets of Anaheim.  He is happy with his choice, but it does make it hard to get in touch with him.  So as part of our trek south we decided to look for him and hopefully visit with him for a while.  Guess what?  We found him.  And finding him wasn't the difficult task we had feared.  He hangs out at the local Carl's Jr restaurant each day in the neighborhood where they used to all live.

We spent lunch on Sunday with him.  He remarkably could remember the kids' ages and wanted to know what each of the cousins was up to.  He must have so many friends and others who care about him.  One local pastor and his family walked into the CJ's just after us to visit with Mike too.  What a darling family.  The kids loved him and I felt much better to know others were keeping track of him too.

The really funny thing was last week, GG looked JUST LIKE MIKE because he had grown out his beard and hair for the boys' overnight winter camp.  He had just shaved Sunday.  Mike is a little tanner, but that is to be expected.

The gal taking orders at the counter was shocked that GG was Mike's brother.  I guess she figured that he was homeless because he didn't have family.  GG told her that he is welcome to come home anytime, but chooses to stay there.

We were just glad that Mike was well and happy.  We love and miss him.

Yep, It's Us

Over Thanksgiving, while the whole fam damily was here, I had Dear Friend Amy come over and take a few family photos for us.  Here is what they came out like:

Not a tiny bit of Photoshop here.  It is really us.  I know.  A little Photoshop might be a good idea.

Fall Break Begins, Finally

The kids have a few days off for Fall Break.  But that just means The Boy has football at 8 AM today, The Girl has an appointment to talk with an academic adviser at the University of Utah just after lunch, and Genius Golfer and I are working at the cannery for a few hours today.

Not much of a break, but a change is as good as a rest.  At least that is what they say.  We'll see if that is true this weekend.

What a Difference...

A new kidney can make....

A week can make...

Good medical attention can make....

Proper medication can make...

Some rest can make...

Good support and friends can make...

Commitment to each other can make...

A phone call can make...

A miracle makes.