Pain is only weakness leaving your body --

Willie got braces on his teeth today. Needless to say he is in pain! He hasn't realized that pain is good -- it makes you tougher, it strengthens your tolerance, builds endurance and stamina, . . .

One of my colleagues told me to tell Willie that, " . . . pain is only weakness leaving your body". Of course, he rolled his eyes at me with that comment. Millions of kids and adults are dealing with braces pain as I write. It's not life threatening and the outcome is always good. So, I guess it's just something you overcome day by day.

I was quite impressed with the whole orthodontic process this morning. It was a very positive customer service experience.

• We were greeted enthusiastically as we entered the waiting room


• Willie was taken directly to the "lab" to have ex rays and molds done while I completed the paper work


• The payment was set up electronically -- credit card and debit for the full 18 months


• The patient room consisted of four chair stations and all patients were worked on within minutes of sitting in a chair -- each patient was attended to and help immediately and efficiently


• The orthodontist and his assistants worked as a team -- in concert together and, yes, they made progress


• The atmosphere was very open and professional


• There was music other than FM 100 in the background


• They really knew their routine -- they got down to business, on task, no time wasted


• Willie got to choose up to three colors of ties to go on the bands (he chose red and blue)


• He received some detailed instructions on braces care


• He left with his private pouch of braces supplies and we were given an electronically printed reminder for our next visit
  

I couldn't help dream about a school system running with such positive customer service -- efficient, professional, individualized -- where students and parents are always important and attended to. I guess in my work I hear more reports of the opposite kind of customer service. Yet, I know this can happen some day in all of our schools!

Utah Daughter of a Pioneer

I am a great-great granddaughter of a Utah pioneer.

I was going through a box of old books and folders the other day and I found a copy of one of the many volumes of family history written by my grandfather, Stewart Bingham Eccles. In this particular journal Grandpa paid a very nice tribute to his mother Anna Rasmussen Eccles. Although Anna is not the pioneer that gives me "Daughters of the Utah Pioneer" status (those who arrived prior to 1869), she was a pioneer nonetheless.

I wanted to share the story on my blog, but it's not where I thought I left it. I can't find it anywhere. As far as I know, no one has been in the room where I read it. It's a mystery! So, the pioneer story of my great grandmother Anna will be reported later on.

This may sound a little out of place for a blog, but I am very thankful for the sacrifice my ancestors made as they immigrated from Scotland, Wales, England, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland, . . . . to the United States and eventually Utah! Some came for the Mormon church and others came for work and opportunity. I so appreciate taking one day out of a busy, hectic, hot July month to commemorate and celebrate the first group of Mormon pioneers who arrived close to the Salt Lake Valley, July 24, 1847. The trek to Utah continues today some 161 years later.

Home at last --

Misquito safety device -- 25 cents at the scout camp Trading Post.

It's difficult to see the true impact of the dirt -- but the hair on Willie's legs went from white to black in a week of scout camp.

I must admit I was looking forward to a few days home alone (Willie and Karl at scout camp), but the excitement for being the only one in my big house diminished quickly. There is really nothing exciting about being the only one home for more that a couple of hours. It's too quiet, too lonely, and not that much fun at all. Haley did keep me from going totally koo koo -- but I am just the kind of person who likes noise, responding to weird requests from 13 year olds, likes listening to the long versions of stories, and fixing hot dogs or pizza to go along with just about every meal served. I like commotion, interruptions, distractions, craziness, and being the "will you help me?" responder at all times.

So, nothing like having the men in my house home at last. Willie quickly caught up on Home Star Runner, Karl put all the camp/scout stuff away in places he won't remember for next time, and I am back to "on demand" support for my family. Yes!

Scout Camp

Willie is at Scout Camp all week. The boys headed out Monday morning. He was excited and nervous about going -- excited to get out in the great outdoors and nervous about the lions and tigers and bears (oh my!). The troop is big this year -- 16 boys! Two leaders are staying with the boys all week and four others will rotate -- Karl picked up the end of the week. He headed up to Camp Steiner late this morning.

Camp Steiner is the highest (10,400 feet) Boy Scout camp in the United States -- and the second highest in the world. It was founded in 1930. The camp is located about 30 miles outside of Kamas in the Uintah Mountains (Duchesne County) and sits on the shores of Scout Lake. It should be a pretty good experience for Willie (and Karl, too).

Mom and Dad's House

Northwest corner of the living room -- yes, the couch is long, 10 feet exactly.

Southeast view of the newly painted living room and dining room and the newly recovered furniture.

The dining room -- it's hard to notice the new paint but the new floor is lovely.

This is a glimpse of the crown molding -- absolutely spectacular!

We've all worked hard on Mom and Dad's house. The living room and dining room have been painted and crown molded. The carpet is clean, the furniture recovered, the dining room floor redone, and much more. The most difficult part was the removal of the cottage cheese ceiling. The family hazmat crew removed it very carefully. I thought I'd share the finished projects so far.

What to blog about . . . summer days . . .

My kids keep telling me to put something new on my blog. I have been enjoying my summer vacation and just don't have much inspiration for blogging. For the past two summers (06, 07), I had a sense of responsibility to work -- to cover the office in the absence of others. In March, a new work assignment came with some summer freedom -- no responsibility to cover the office. So, I am enjoying day 9 of my 18 summer vacation days. I have been sleeping in, passing the mornings away listening to the radio, hanging out with Willie, doing some work at Mom and Dad's, watching the kids swim, and, . . . just whatever.

I haven't had such a restful summer in many years -- I love it. Each day kind of blends with the next. I have been seeing all my kids and Elliott just about every day, Parker and Meranda have been stopping by, and I have spent a lot of time with Mom and working on her house.

In February, one of the long time neighbors down Mom's street passed away. Her kids spent days and weekends going through the house, fixing things up, and holding yard sales for several weekends in a row. At Dad's birthday party in April, the parents presented a request for help to do some home repairs and clean-up. They didn't want to leave their kids with the mess of clean-up once they're gone. So, slow but sure, we kids have all done some work -- the house is looking very nice.

Well, not much more to say. I will just continue to enjoy the summer days.

July 4 -- Celebrate

When your fly into the Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., this is the first visual you see once you're off the plane -- the flag -- it sets the tone for any visit to this awesome city. Pay tribute to our great country in your own way today -- Happy July 4th!