Teen Idol . . .

Ricky Nelson was one of the cutest guys on television when I was so much younger. I ran across this video on YouTube last week. Watch it and your heart will definitely go "pitter pat".

YouTube - Ricky Nelson - hallo Mary Lou

Home Alone --

My poor sweet baby boy was left stranded last night, home alone . . .

Karl had a junior JAZZ b-ball meeting at 6:30 p.m. (a one hour meeting), and I had an RS meeting at 7:00 p.m. (they go until the late hours of the evening). Haley was at our house doing her piano lesson thing until 8:00 p.m. Then, a guy in the ward needed a home teaching companion -- he stopped by around 7:30 p.m. to get Karl to go with him. In the meantime, Haley left -- and neither Karl nor I got home until around 10:00 p.m. The boy had showered and was ready for bed, but he was definitely not happy about being home alone all evening. So sorry, Willie -- we will make sure it doesn't happen again!

November 26, 2007

People do read my blog -- I actually had 4 comments after my sob story! Awesome!

The most boring BLOGGER --

No one ever comments on my BLOG postings. I am the most boring blogger in the universe (sniff sniff)! I guess I will just have to end it all (blogging that is) this week when nablopomo comes to an end. I know all of you will be very happy when you don't have to read my boring bloggings.

Some teams win, some lose, and some get rained out --

Another U fo U vs. BYU game down to the wire. Isn't that what it's all about? It was a pretty broing game until the last 2:00 minutes. Then came some excitement! Who knows what the outcome could have been had Utah stopped BYU before the "hail Mary" pass. Oh, well -- I've told my kids over and over that you need to win the game long before the time runs out.

Go UTES! Our Utah flag waves on . . .

It's Friday after Thanksgiving and all is well.

It's been a nice day. I am so happy to have a day off now and again -- a day to do nothing. I did run a few errands -- but nothing too strenuous.

Thanksgiving recipees always amaze me . . .

Some of the most interesting recipes come out of the woodwork for Thanksgiving dinner. Most recipes have something to do with sweet potatoes or yams. Most folks in Utah only prepare them at Thanksgiving time, and they [sweet potatoes and yams] seem to be prepared more out of a commitment to tradition than anything else. However, in yesterday's Deseret News, there was a recipe to beat all Thanksgiving recipes -- Celery Special. Never have I seen a stand alone recipe for celery. I thought I might try it out and take it to our family Thanksgiving festivities but opted not to at the last minute. Maybe next year.

Not just any ordinary Wednesday . . .

• Elliott came to our house this morning. He was such a good boy! He stayed most of the day.


• Willie went bowling with Meranda and Parker this morning -- Meranda was the high scorer, of course.


• Elliott and I went to Grandma Huber's house to help her get her Turkey out of the freezer.
  
• I took Elliott to Payless and bought him some nice white walking shoes. I am not sure his mother likes them, but I think they look very cute on his little feet.


• Annie, Haley, Willie, Parker, Chris, Jerry, Elliott, and I went to Grandma Huber's house to help her get tables and stuff set up for tomorrow -- Thanksgiving Dinner.


• Annie and I gave Elliott a haircut -- he looks so grown up.


• Meranda, Parker, Willie hung out all afternoon playing video games and goofing off.


• Karl, Willie, and Parker went to the church to play basketball.


• Meranda and I sat and chilled for awhile.
  

Thanksgiving break on Wednesday?

I have been working in the public school system since 1977 as a contract employee --that's 30 years. And, this is the first time in my career that students and staff in Granite School District have had the Wednesday before Thanksgiving as a day off! How about that!

Monday, November 19

Just when I thought the Utes were looking pretty good, they look really bad.

Sunday night . . . and all is well . . .

After church, dinner preparations, dinner, dinner clean-up, family togetherness, and a great day, I am ready to chill. I like to sit on the couch with a nice cold Coca-Cola and enjoy watching the scan channels as Willie and Karl decide what to watch on TV.

Another Sunday night and all is well at the Petersens.

Out in the dessert they wander, hungry and helpless and cold . . .

Willie and Karl have a Friday/Saturday scout camp adventure at Condie Meadows. Condie Meadows is out in the middle of Tooele County -- north of Dugway, south of Skull Valley, near Terra, Utah -- never been there.

Karl always goes to campouts overprepared -- a coat or jacket for every 5 minute change in the weather; extra socks and shoes, and handwarmers for his sleeping bag. Willie goes well insulated (naturally). He is happy with a hoodie and a sleeping bag.

I stay home and pray for their safe return.

November 16 -- Happy Birthday Paul!

Happy Birthday, Paul.

Yes, you are my brother-in-law whether you like it or not, and I just wanted to wish you the best day ever!

Thanks for all you do for the Petersen family and for so many others. You are just a great person in so many ways. Your commitment to serve others is amazing and is recognized and appreciated.

Alex is going to SLCC!

My nephew, Alex Stoker, has decided to go to SLCC to study automotive technical stuff. He stopped by tonight to talk about school and get some help. He has been admitted and is ready to go -- he can register on December 2. How about that! I am very proud of all my nieces and nephews, but I am so very proud when furthering their education becomes a reality.

What not to wear . . .

I am always amazed at what educators wear and get away with. Clearly, they are underpaid and most are also poorly dressed. Since I spend most Friday nights watching "What Not to Wear", I am more in-tune than ever with what is vogue and what's not.

This morning in our monthly administrators' meeting, one of the fifty-something building administrators made a brief presentation to the whole group -- high school, district office, junior high, and elementary administrators. And, guesswhat -- he was dressed in nicely creased khakis and a nice fitting green crew sweater -- neatly ticked in.

I thought Thom Mori was the only person in existence in the twenty-first century who "tucks in". Not so, I found a new person. There is just something too neat and tidy about men who tuck in their sweaters.

Sick Day!

Everyone needs a sick day once in awhile, and today it is Willie's turn. Since August 1, my boy has been playing football. Football involves a lot of time practicing, running, stretching, running, practicing some more, and tons a physical and emotional effort.

Willie was asleep by 9:00 p.m. last night -- very unusual. He woke up this morning with aches and pains, a sore throat, and a headache. He was nervous about going to school sick because in 3rd grade I made him go to school sick -- and he puked at school. He couldn't bare the thought of getting in a serious sick predicament in junior high. So, I gave him some Tylenol and left him on the couch -- I went to work. He called me two hours later and said he had just woke up. I decided to head for home -- no meetings, luckily.

I know that he is just worn out -- football, junior high, homework, scouts, church, home stuff, growing pains, and everything else. Sometimes a sick day is the best option -- and guess what -- it's okay.

Raise your Flag, Pay Respect

Today is the observed Veteran's Day holiday/celebration/recognition. I don't think one can truly appreciate the battles fought, the lives lost, etc. We can only pay respect and remember those who served/serve in the best way each of us knows how.

November 11, 2007

Eleventh Hour, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Month . . .
Don't forget to honor our veterans!

The end of the football season . . .

Well, the Hunter Midgets Football season finally ended today! What a crazy season it has been. Had they not gone to the West Jordan Jag Bowl, the team would have had a winning season -- 5 wins and 4 losses. However, the Jag Bowl presented two losses -- so, the final record for the 07 season will stand as 5 wins and 6 losses.

Willie had a great season! Now, onto b-ball!

TGIF

Thanks goodness for Friday! That's all I have to say.

Happy Birthday Karl!

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday, dear Karl!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

It's Karl's birthday! He is finally as old as I am! Yes!

What a great husband, dad, and grandpa he is!

I Love this Room --

Last year, about this time, we had some custom shelves put in our computer room. It really has become our nice study room, library, reading room, and a nice place to hang out.

I VOTED!

It's election day for a pretty low-key election in my neck of the woods. Really, there are two vacancies to fill in the West Valley City Council, one vacancy for the Granger/Hunter Water Improvement District, and that is about it for the ballot. However, the election day popularity has skyrocketed in the last six months over an education-based issue that appears on the ballot only because a small group of people challenged our State Legislature's law making practice. The result of their work is --- VOTE -- for or against -- CITIZEN'S STATE REFERENDUM NUMBER 1 -- (otherwise known as the school VOUCHERS referendum). This issue alone has resulted in droves of folks flocking to the polls to:

• Cast a vote (for or against) a solution to Utah's public education woes through state-funded scholarship monies for students to enroll in private schools.
  

(I arrived at my designated polling place only to find a 35 minute wait to cast my three votes on the ballot.)

In my opinion, referendum #1 poses yet another effort to dismantle (not improve) an already struggling public education system. It's about widening the gap between the "haves" and the "have nots". I am the first to argue how archaic our public education system is -- I am all for school reform. However, I don't support privatization of education (using state funds, no less). I believe public education is an opportunity equalizer -- a equitable system for teaching, learning, and presenting options and opportunities for and to all students. When society begins to think that this entitlement needs to be separated or sorted out -- we lose equal and equitable opportunities for the masses.

I am hoping that the middle-Americans, responsible and thoughtful thinkers in Utah, rise up and vote against referendum #1. I also hope that in the next 3-10 years, we [education leaders, business and industry folks, and parents] can take some serious time to look at school reform. We just can't continue to teach the I-Pod generation with our blackboard/whiteboard technology.

Peek-a-Boo!

Elliott and I hung out together for a few hours this morning. We had fun -- I bathed him, fed him, we played peek-a-boo, watched Barney and Wish Bone, read books, and played with Willie's toys. There is nothing like grandmotherhood -- I love it! (p.s. I took this picture.)

This is really for Sunday, November 4 . . .

Oops -- I missed the deadline for blogging on Sunday. Oh, well! I guess I got too caught up in the Jazz b-ball game and some late night Sunday dinner clean-up, etc.

My post for Sunday -- dinner menu

cube steak parmesan

baked potatoes with butter, grated cheese, and sourcream

corn and caesar salad

bread sticks

fresh raspberry short cake

Mmmmmmm good!

Junk Grows!

We have lived in our home on Valley High Road for 8 years. I can't believe how much junk we have accumulated in that time. I don't know where it comes from! It multiplies on its own and doubles, triples, and quadruples in size and amount! I have spent time lately trying to get rid of some of it. I feel like it is starting to take over my home!

News You Can Use!

The first Cheesecake Factory in Utah opened in the Fashion Place Mall parking lot yesterday, Thursday, November 1. I have been to the restaurant in Denver -- the food is okay, but the cheesecake is delicious!

Bill Clinton is speaking at the "U" on Sunday, November 4 as part of Hilary's campaign. I missed out on Jimmy Carter at Barnes and Noble in Sugar House for a book signing last November. And now, I am going to miss out on Bill Clinton. Rats! One of these days I will hear a President or former President speak -- hopefully in Utah.

Saturday, November 3, is the Model Railroad Expo at the Utah State Fairpark. We haven't been for years -- maybe this year.

Friday, November 9, Zions Bank branches will ceremoniously begin distribution of Utah's quarter. Quarter collectors can purchase $10 rolls of Utah quarters at any Zion's Bank that day (limit two rolls per customer).

Well -- day 2 of NaBloPoMo!

I'll take the challenge!

Annie is good to keep all of us up-to-date in the blogging world, and I accept the challenge to blog every day in November in honor of NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month).

It's official, BASKETBALL season is here!
Karl and Willie celebrated the opening of basketball season in style by going to the first U of U b-ball game of the season. Willie prepared for the game in true Petersen form (by choosing his attire very carefully). He left the house decked in red U of U gym trunks, red U of U t-shirt, knee-length red socks, and red and black Nike's. (Where was the camera when I needed it?) If he is really a Petersen (and indeed he is), he will need to wear that same outfit again. You see it's a winning outfit -- the UTES won -- and the Petersen men are very superstitious and believe that what they wear to the games actually impacts the outcome. They take a very serious attitude toward all games! Yes, basketball season is here!