Number two (2)

Haley is all about numbers. She reminded me that she is a two of a two of a two. What that means is this:

Haley is the number two (second born) child of Judy (me) who is the second child of Jerry (Grandma) who is the second child of Fern (Great Grandmother) who was the second living child of her parents, David and Anne Jones.

The following is also true:

Elliott is the number one child (first born) of his mother (Annie) who is the number one child of Karl (her dad) who is the number one child of his parents (Ardith and DeWaine) who are the number one children of each of their parents.

How about that!

Not the best day, but . . . .

I could tell it wasn't going to be the best day . . . .

• When I didn't get up when Karl left for work, I fell asleep. When I woke up, it was 7:07 a.m. I drop Willie off for school at 7:20 a.m. and he was sleeping soundly. We work well under pressure, he "kicked it in gear", and I delivered him to school at 7:26 a.m.
• I got showered and ready to leave the house in record time, so I decided to quickly check my e-mail knowing I would be in meetings all day. I read only one e-mail. It was from a pretty reliable source that the wife of my good friend and mentor, Norm, had passed away. I was shocked. Norm and I are pretty close professionally, and I couldn't believe he wouldn't call me with the news. I scrambled to find his phone number and called him from my car. I began the conversation with, "I've heard some sad news . . ." Norm then told me how his wife had just been diagnosed with a rare cancer and that doctors give her 3-6 months to live (she had not passed away).
• My meeting was at the Radisson Hotel downtown. I arrived to find the hotel parking lot full. There was a sign in the driveway directing guests to the lot across the street. I made my way there only to be told by the parking attendant that the lot was reserved for monthly permits. So, by this time I was running very late, I took the first meter space I could find. When I got out of my car to put money in the meter, I was greeted by a not so friendly meter person (meter maid) who demanded that I show her my vehicle registration. (She parked her car in the street parallel to my car.) She said that the sticker on my license plate had expired. I assured her that my registration is always due in February and that it had been mailed, and I was just waiting for the new sticker. I found my registration, and sure enough it indicated that the expiration was 2/2009. She rudely told me that the sticker on my car said 1/2009. She called on her phone to check out my registration. The response on the other end was that my car was good through 2/2010. She rudely "back-peddled" making threats to me that I could get pulled over and ticketed for not having the right sticker on my license plate and blah, blah, blah. Arrgggg! Once she left, I put money in the meter and headed to my meeting inside the hotel. I planned to leave at the first break to move to a pay lot nearby.
• At the break, I drove around the block to a pay lot. I paid my fee and parked my car. As I headed around the block back to the Radisson, I pushed the key-lock button to lock my car and by doing so, I set off the alarm of the car parked next to me. I just kept walking. I heard the alarm beeping all the way to the hotel.
• The meeting ended at 3:00 p.m. I hadn't had a Coke all day, so I headed to the closest McDonalds. I was waiting in the drive-thru line when a homeless looking kid walked up to my car window. He motioned for me to roll down my window. I responded that I was not interested in talking to him. He yelled at me and flipped me off. I drove ahead, got my Coke, and watched as he approached other cars.
• After a few things to finish at my office, I headed for home via Office Depot and Winder Farms Store to get a few last minute things for the big Women's Conference tomorrow. Once home, I packed up my car and headed to the Stake Center. The building was an absolute mess! I was the first one of the set-up group to arrive and I spent more than an hour just cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, before we could even begin to set up.
• Once finished at the church, I headed to the grocery store for a few more things I needed to get for the Women's Conference.

What a day! It wasn't the best day, but it was okay -- I think it was just Friday the 13th a week late. Whew!

Sunday Night

Another Sunday night but without the stress of school/work tomorrow -- it's President's Day tomorrow, and that means a day to sleep in and just hang out at home.

Willie's science fair project is due on Wednesday, so I think a good part of our day tomorrow will be working on putting the results on the "science fair 3-fold board". The science experiment has been completed and videotaped, it's all about hot, cold, and room temperature air pressure in balls -- basketball, soccer ball, and volleyball -- and how their "bounce" is impacted by the amount of pressure and temperature.

What to Blog?

Not much going on today. Another busy day at home and at the district office.

As you know, I worry about our public school system. We're losing kids right and left, everyday. We still have the majority of our teachers doing what they do in a mostly white, middle class mind-set. The problem is that the majority of our students are not white and not middle class, and most importantly they (the kids) are not succeeding in school. I have some ideas, solutions, some "what to do" actions. I'll report out sometime soon.

Our RS women's conference is coming up and Carole Mikita from KSL television and radio is our keynote speaker. I am excited to hear her speak.

American Idol -- another season with some interesting talent -- I am anxious to see the next phase where the contestants really perform and sing their lungs out. Last year, Grandma Petersen and I talked immediately after nearly every episode of Idol. I really miss Grandma --

I am excited about a new grandson. I am ready for as many grandchildren as I can get -- I love the grandmotherhood role. I just hope his parents can come up with a name ---- I like Elvis.

Willie is doing pretty well in basketball. His JR JAZZ team went undefeated this season -- there was really no competition. The team will be in a tournament in March -- I am anxious to see how they do with some tough competition. They are actually a pretty good little team. Junior high basketball is going well, too. Willie is playing in every game and scoring some points and getting some rebounds and steals.

Haley comes over on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for piano/guitar lessons. It's so nice to have her here. She does such a good job with her students.

Annie says Eliott needs a hair cut. I am not sure he likes the "buzz buzz", but I enjoy cutting his hair. It grows so fast!

Karl is working with the older scouts for the next few months. He is helping them plan a trip to Moab that may include a Colorado River trip. He is great with the younger male generation in any capacity.

Life is good!

Game Day!

First junior high game today -- Hunter 40 - Jefferson 38. Collin hit a shot at the buzzer to win the game for Hunter. Willie played in every quarter, and he thinks he had 8 points. Wow! He looked pretty sweet in his vintage game day outfit. I like that the coach requires a shirt and tie on game day!