CHOICES

Today the cousins and Aunt Mary took off up to Swiss Days.  I know they had a good time what with Brittany leading the "slow" group and ? leading the "fast" group.  They don't even take time for the magnet boards anymore and if you have a baby in a stroller, LOOK OUT!!  They will give you that infamous "Jones Look" that even the in-laws seem to have perfected.  No one belongs at Swiss Days with a stroller.  Now dogs? That's another thing altogether.  

I had planned on going with the kids but I had signed up for a service project that, unfortunately, fell on the same day as Swiss Days.  Both were good choices but I knew where I belonged and it wasn't with my kids today.

Lee and I signed up to go the the Bishop's Storehouse in Sandy to spend half the day stocking shelves and help people check out their groceries.  We learned the system and worked through the morning till after lunch.  What an incredible experience it turned out to be.  These people were for the most part like you and me.  Most had fallen on hard times and needed the help to pull themselves out.  We saw very little abuse.  One mother had several teen age boys, probably a single parent.  Another man and wife came through and mentioned to Lee as he helped him out that he is just getting back on his feet after a broken back.  He was a fire fighter and the accident had put him to bed for the last 2 years.  He was going to have to train for a different job when he was able.  They were all shopping for a months worth of supplies so that was a little daunting.  Only the basics were on the shelves.  No pop, candy, etc.  

One family, parents and four children came in to stock shelves.  Members are asked to give back or work in the storehouse.  These folks encouraged their children to be a part of this giving back which, hopefully, is teaching them.  

This was a good choice that we made.  It helped us to appreciate not only what we have been given but what we are able to give back.  Part of our stewardships here on Earth is helping to take care of others.  We also need to learn how not to judge others--we don't know their stories and they don't have to tell us or make excuses to us as to why they are in this position at this time in their lives.  We just love them.

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE

When I pass on I expect to be laid out in my whites with new socks and new shoes and all the fancy other stuff.  I will try to have them on hand before I go.  In my hands will be a small package of plain M & M's instead of a sweet white handkerchief.  Goodness what would I do with one of those when a package of chocolate would do just as well.  And all around the room where I will be viewed will be beautiful flowers and bowls of M & M's to munch on.  Blue and yellow with a little green sprinkled in would be nice.

You now know how I feel about these chocolate sweets and how fixated I may be when I say I want my chocolate.

So when I left Walmart the other day with my groceries, I expected to be able to go home and put away these items and sit down with a handful of M & M's while I read a few pages.  As I shuffled through the bags for the items to be refrigerated, I noticed that there were no M & M's in the cute little retro bag that I knew I had paid for.  There was also no bread.  I couldn't find the receipt, Sandie has called and reminded me that I am supposed to be up at the Hale Theatre at 12:30 to see BIG with the cousins,  and I am late but decide to get in at the intermission.  On my way I stopped at Walmart to make my complaint about missing a bag of groceries .  How could this happen????  My chocolate was gone!!!  I talked to the clerk, the service desk, the little guy monitoring the check stand who says I have to have a receipt.  I said it was probably in the bag I didn't get.  Oh, well!  Chalk it up to a lost cause.

When I returned home after the play and looked for the pepper jack cheese to make Lee a sandwich, I couldn't find it, nor the feta, bananas or avocados.  What had happened?  Lee said that was too much money to be lost so he decided to go over to Walmart and talk to the manager.  I made a list and said goodbye, because I wasn't going with him.

Thirty minutes later he returns home with a bag of groceries.  He went to the assistant manager who was a tall, handsome, black man. (Somalia or Sudanese)  He offered his hand and introduced himself and the manager responded in kind.  (Lee is such a PR person)  He explained how his irresponsible wife didn't see that all the bags from that ridiculous carousel got into her cart.  The young man said "no, it is the responsibility of his cashier to make sure they are in the cart and out the door."  He instructed a young man to go around with Lee to pick up the items on his list and see that he got out the door with them.  Now that is the way a customer should be taken care of.  Lee was just a-struttin' like a peacock when he got home.  And I sat and enjoyed my M & M's that evening.

Oh, don't forget the bowls at the viewing.

EDUCATION WEEK OBSERVATIONS

1.  Little old white-haired women with hunched backs and walk with a cane can move faster than me and squeeze into their seats before I can get there.

2.  Sandals are a must in this hot weather but are hard to keep on your feet when you have to move quickly.

3.  Old friends you see won't stop to visit because they are in a hurry.

4.  Lee got lost going from the Martin Building to the Wilkinson Center.

5.  The shuttle from the Marriott Center was a life saver.  When I did this 25 years ago, I wouldn't have dreamed of using it.

6.  I love meeting new people who sit next to me.  Some are friendly and some want to be left alone.

7.  The campus has made incredible changes.  My favorite place to relax was in the huge student lounge that was decorated in turquoise and orange.  It had a listening area near the rear where you could listen to your favorite album.  Mine was Glenn Yarbrough.  It is gone now, replaced with offices.  I was sorry not to see those colors again.

8.  My next favorite place was sitting with my friends in a booth sipping our "root beers" and watching people go by.

9.  I love it when a stranger walks by me and smiles and says good morning.

10.  Have you visited the Hinckley Center yet?

11. You need to time your potty and lunch breaks just right to miss the crowds.  Or find a potty that is out of the way and not found yet.

12.  I tried to visit my old dorm--Lucy Mack Smith Hall, but it was locked up.  Still looked the same.

13.  The last thing I did at the end of classes was to get double scoop cone from the BYU Creamery.  You haven't had a good ice cream cone until you have had one of those.

14.  I love that campus.  It is so like home to me.

KIMBALL REUNION

Poppa taking care of Urban until we can get some ice cream.

Let's go Mom!  I'm tired.

Kris and Mary wave goodbye to us as we take the train back to the strollers
Miss Lilly has the right idea.  Notice her hand on her bottle.  Just keeping it handy.

Jane feeding the goat in the petting zoo area.

Zach looking into the pen for the sheep.
My personal favorite was the rooster.
Everyone is soooo tired.  Sandie with Cort then Caeden, Ethan and Izzy.
Luke showing Caeden his huge leaf.

Most of the children got to ride the horses.  Zach was excited.  He got to hold onto the stick thing.  Next is a picture of Suzy and Eva, Jane and Urban, Kenna and Darren and then Luke.

Caeden checking out the animals.

The llama checking out Caeden.
Urban and Cort teasing each other.
My favorite were the peacocks.  Look at their beautiful markings.
Look carefully and you will see a duckling.

My post is at the bottom.  I still can't get the pictures to go in the right place.

Tara, Kris, Sandie, Jane, and Jodie taking pictures of the grand parents.

Richard, Mary and David
Somebody got her feelings hurt.
Izzy wasn't happy and neither was Mom.
Mary and Ethan looking at the animals.


When I was a little girl, I remember Mom and Aunt Joyce commenting on how important it was going to be to keep their families close to each other when Joyce lived in California and we lived in Salt Lake.  Out of 4 girls in their own family only 2 had children and they wanted to make sure we knew each other.  And we do.  We have fond memories of going to California for vacations, Christmas and birthday gifts, etc.  I wrote often to my cousin, Karen and have visited with all of them since our marriages.  We do know each other even though we live in different states.

This has been what I have wanted for my own children.  To know their cousins and they do.  I made sure that everyone knew about the reunion today and several of them took the time to come and have fun.

The first thing to do was take pictures of the oldest members of the family.  That was Richard, David, Mary and Laurie.  We missed Peggy.  What was funny was to see 5 cameras pointing at us, so Dave took a picture of all the cousins with these cameras in front  their faces.

I remember a picture being taken of the reunion when it was held in the Kimball Ward. I remember having pictures of the children taken when they were very young shaking President Kimball's hand.  Now it is the 5 of us who are having our picture taken together.  Very thought provoking I must say.  I told Jane that someday she'll have to wheel me around in a wheelchair like some of these folks here.

I have included several pictures of the children and grandchildren having fun at Heritage Park at This is the Place Monument.

QUALITY TIME AWARD

The cousins were invited to spend the afternoon at the community pool with all their children.  Lori wasn't going to go because it gets to be really hard t control 3 little ones at the pool.  I offered my assistance.  She finally said yes.  I met her there and got them all out of the car and up to the pool where Kristie was waiting with pizza and her fabulous chocolate cake.  Lori got them fed and dressed.  The rest of the grandkids were in the pool just having a ball.  Caeden and Zach were ready to go in after the arm balloons were adjusted.  I did my grandmotherly duties and took Twinkle over to let her put her legs and feet in and splash around.  But NO! this was not enough for this little spitfire.  She  wanted to go in all the way.  So sweet Lori changed into her suit and took Twinkle out into the water for the next hour.  She was in heaven.  There was no way that she was going to just watch from the side.  All I can say to Lori is "get her into swim lessons, fast".  

Lori spent all her time with her children in the pool while her sister cousins watch.  Finally they noticed and decide that she should get the Mommy QualityTime Award.  You go GIRL!  I enjoyed my visit with all these cousins.  They have such a love and respect for each other.  It's great to see them able to have a wonderful time together.  Keep it going, girls, to you're to old to remember each other.

Conversation with Dallin

Dallin:  Mom would you make an appointment for me at the dentist.  I need to use the money on my flex card.

Mom:  No problem.  I can do that right now.

Dallin:  I just need a cleaning and new trays for whitening.  And Mom, I'm 27 years old.  Please don't make me sound like a 14 year old boy.

Mom:  Of course I wouldn't do that.  Every 27 year old son has their Mom make their appointments for them.

Dentist Office:  Dr. Mike's, may I help you?

Mom:  Yes, I would like to make an appointment for my 14 year old son who thinks he's 27.

MORNING

I love mornings.  The first thing I do after rolling out of bed is to open all the blinds, the drapes and the door, if possible.  It is so incredibly wonderful to let the light in.  I can't imagine being one of those people who keep their blinds closed all day to keep the sun out.  To me, the sun is that burst of energy that gets and keeps me going.  I love it.  

Before my flowers all go to seed or start looking a little mangy I took some pictures of what to me is my own quiet retreat.  I spend cool mornings and delightful afternoons out here just to read, ponder, meditate or just hold "Little" Butt if he'll let me.

Lee and I go out to eat but I would rather get take out and eat it here at home.  Normally, it is quiet and we are able to relax and talk.

(Someone needs to inform me as to how to get my pictures where I want them to go.)