Basketball and my Kid #44

Well the excitement and enthusiasm that comes with playing in the State playoffs has come and gone. Left are the memories and the feelings and all that stuff. The first half of the playoff game was amazing. In typical Hunter basketball form, the team got down and made a hard-fought comeback to tie and go ahead. The second half was a downer. Bingham got a bunch of favorable calls (on Hunter that is) and their players went to the free throw line more times than equitable. However, that shouln't have kept the boys from winning. I have taught my kids that you can't leave the decision of a win up to an official. You have to play so well that regardless of the call(s), your team wins the game.

Bottom line -- it was cool for the team to go to the playoffs. Grandpa reminded Willie that not all kids make it to that level and he has in two sports this year with a third one on the way (tennis).

I am proud of the team but mostly the big blond kid who sports #44! In one of our earlier games this season, I overhead a coach from an opposing team say something like, ". . . that #44 for Hunter is the hardest working kid they have on the team . . ." Little did he know that kid he was talking about is my kid and that he is the hardest working kid in nearly everything he does.

Game Day!

It's the early morning of the biggest day in basketball history -- playoffs at the Maverick Center, 2:30 p.m., vs Bigham.

Basketball Wrap-Up

JV 15-5
Varsity 12-9

First winning season for Hunter High basketball in 9 years!
Next week -- 5A State Playoffs @ Maverick Center

What are you doing on your day off?

Willie and I are going to the dentist. It seems that when kids are busy in school, taking hard classes, not wanting to miss anything -- the only day to go to the dentist is on a day off. So, today is President's Day and a day off for schools and school worker people, so we will be at the dentist office this afternoon. No cavities or anything like that. Willie needs some bonding done on a chipped tooth and I have a little growth in my mouth that need to be removed. Nothing complicated.

Other than that we will just be chillin' the "day off" away. Willie had practice at 7:00 a.m., then got a "free" haircut at Great Clips with his U of U basketball ticket. I just talked to Haley and she is headed to Great Harvest to get a "buy one get one free" deal on bread.

I could do some things around the house or other stuff, but I am really not that interested.

Hope all of you blog readers have a great day!

Lettermen, Letterman

Not David Letterman or the "Lettermen" but . . . Willie the Hunter HS student athlete with a Lettermen's Jacket!

A letterman is a high school or college student who has met a specified level of participation or performance on a varsity athletic team, marching band, or in other performance school-sponsored activities.

A letterman jacket is a jacket traditionally worn by high school and college students in the United States to represent school and team pride as well as to display personal awards earned in athletics, academics or activities. Letterman jackets are also known as "varsity jackets" in some places.

Letterman jackets are almost never purchased before a student has earned a letter. In schools where only varsity letters are awarded this is usually in a students' junior or senior year. In schools where junior varsity letters are awarded, the jacket may also be purchased by junior varsity letter recipients, though the letter is placed just above the left pocket, leaving space for a (hopefully) future varsity letter.

For Willie, it's the first item of clothing he has ever (yes I mean ever) hung up on his own! Congrats Willie!

How many hours of basketball can you watch in a week?

Well the week started off with basketball, basketball, and more basketball. Yes, we watch all of the televised JAZZ games we can and all of the college games of interest. But my favorite basketball is at the high school level. This week Willie had a tripple-de-dipple varsity game on Wednesday with the usual JV game just before. I watch high school basketball from 5:15 p.m. or so until 9:20 p.m. or so. Thursday's evening activity included a U of U vs. U of AZ game at the Huntsman Center that included about one hour of good basketball and one hour of terrible Utah basketball. Friday night it was basketball back to the high school; again, JV and varsity and this time we got two wins! Saturday afternoon, back at the Huntsman Center, we watch Utah vs. ASU. It was the best basketball a Utah team has played in the Huntsman Center for more than 3 years!

I love basketball! I have never been any good at playing it (or any other sport), but I love watching my favorite player "Will the Thrill" and any others that I so choose. It's how I spend a good part of my free time from November through June. Yes!

And 1 more will make 4 -- grandchildren that is!

So in June another little grand baby will be coming to our family. Never in my wildest and widest imagination did I think I would have 3 grandchillins; and having 4 will be an amazing blessing!

Being a mother is more than I can explain in words. My three kids are strong, smart (above average), obedient (most of the time), good looking, funny, talented, and pleasant to be around. But, being a grandmother is something almost magical. When the little ones run into the kitchen on Sunday afternoon calling for me, my heart melts, and I can't think of anything better than a hug and a slobbery kiss from them.

I hope I can be a grandmother like my own mother and mother-in-law. I think often of my kids in their younger years and how they couldn't ever get enough grandmother time. I know it was a little different for Willie -- he only had about half the years with grandmothers that Annie and Haley had. But, I hope and pray my grandchillins will feel somewhat the same about me. I love them soooooo much!

December 30 -- Willie's Birthday #17

Happy Birthday, Willie! This post comes a day later than anticipated, but you were born 7 days ahead of schedule so that means this birthday post could be a week in advance. I know you don't want to hear that lame excuse --

Your birthday was a great day and after a few downs there were plenty of ups! Your sister and nephews did an awesome decoration job on your room; a cute young lady delivered birthday balloons to you; you got a bunch of birthday texts and tweets; you spent some time driving around with your mom, another sister, and Molly; you ate your favoite lunch -- hot dogs and garlic bread; you placed an order for your letterman's jacket; you got some nice birthday greetings in the mail; you celebrated with your favorite dinner -- pizza and garlic bread with a few family members; your sister who decorated your room also made you a delicious cherry-chocolate cake; and, your grandpa wrote in your card "you are getting to be a BIG boy". In my estimation, that was a pretty good birthday.

Thank you for being such a great son! You are smart, tall, good looking, thoughtful, and most of the time a dang good kid! You add excitement and activity to our family. You keep me focused on what life is all about! Happy Birthday, posted the day after!

Game Day!

Did you ever see the movie "Cat Ballou"? It's an old western starring Lee Marvin and Jane Fonda. Well, there's a part in the movie where Kid Shelleen (Lee Marvin) gets ready for a gunfight. If you can imagine a western legend getting ready for a gun fight -- beginning with the fancy underwear, shirt, pants, vest, boots, and finally the gun holster, gun and the hat . . . .

Well, fast forward to this morning (and every game day with Willie). He starts early getting every part of his basketball attire laid out on the couch. Then, he washes his hair and gets it just right. Next, the tighty underclothes; the socks and the warm-up clothes; and, everything uniform related in the bag. "Did I get everything?" is repeated 2 or 3 times. I get his snack ready -- orange, fruit snacks, and a Powerade or Gatorade. Then, he walks to the refrigerator to get his lucky mouthful of squirty whipping cream and then he's ready to head to the school.

Trust me, this is repeated before any and every basketball game; much like Kid Shelleen in "Cat Ballou" -- after all it's game day!

All of the time on preparation and then it's over in a few hours . . .

Well, Christmas Day has come and gone and the days of preparation were well worth the time and toil and stress and anxiety. The best part of my Christmas was being with my kids and their families and watching the little ones (under age 20) open their gifts with excitement and happiness. It's pretty cool to look at everyone gathered in the family room and see how our family of five has grown to ten with a new little one to join us in June.

I also enjoyed Christmas at Dad's. I wasn't sure what to expect with Mom not around, but things went pretty well. Dad wanted to keep things as much the same as he could. That meant some shopping, new socks for everyone, and the traditional Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day snacks. Thanks to everyone, all activities went well.

Well, now it's over for another year and many of us have a few days off to relax and enjoy the company of family.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is almost here!

I am taking a break. I have been organizing and wrapping gifts all day long. My knees are a little weary from standing. I still have a few more gifts to wrap and then some grocery shopping to do and then I am ready for the big day.

I listened to KSL talk radio this morning during the Doug Wright Christmas gift "find". Every year just a few days before Christmas he starts this call in, text in process of people needing to find gifts and people who stumble across the gifts on the "find" list. I listen because there is always someone looking for some obscure gift like: Purple Pie Man (Strawberry Shortcake character); a sugar glider (rodent); a Costco singing Teddy Bear; and, Scottish Dog magnets were some of the more interesting.

I have purchased some pretty lame gifts over the years. In my older age, however, I try to stay true to things I know (hope) will be nice and also useful.

Enough for now -- back to the wrapping!

People Pass On

Not to put a damper on the holiday celebrations, but people I know are passing away. Tonight I received a late phone call that one of the "over 80" sisters in our ward passed away, Hope Latham. Hope and her husband Ron had gone to Jim's Restaurant to celebrate his birthday (he is also over 80). She collapsed at the restaurant and could not be revived there or at the hospital.

Hope has been confined to her home pretty much the past 2-3 years. She hasn't been able to get to church or drive her car or go shopping. I was her visiting teacher for a year or so and she told me many times about how she worked with Ardith in the Primary and she bowled on Tuesday nights at Delton Lanes probably in the same league as my mom. She lost her first husband 50 some years ago and has been married to Ron for most of those 50 some years. She lived a vibrant and active life. In fact, Willie and Karl visited with her just yesterday afternoon and she was looking forward to going out to dinner tonight.

Two weeks ago, we lost a young sophomore student at Hunter High -- she collapsed after school, was taken to the hospital and later passed on -- internal bleeding.

A friend of mine lost her aunt last week. Another friend lost her mother. A young mother in a neighboring ward died leaving two young daughters behind. Ross' great uncle passed away last week.

On Saturday, my dad and I were talking about how you [all of us] have only a certain amount of time on earth as mortals. When your time is up you pass on to an undetermined amount of time in the next life. It is so important to make the most of the time you have while you can in this mortal existence. You only get one opportunity to be here. Time here does not allow for repeating events and experiences or making up for lost opportunities. So, try to do what's right, be kind and nice to others, count your blessings and offer thanks, take care of those around you, love as many people as you can, study and learn everything you can about this life and all that it involves, and believe in God and His Son and live their commandments.

What's on your Chirstmas list?

Willie wants some money and love; tie and white shirts, too; swim suit, shoes, and homework help, and a basketball hoop. Dad just wants a Hunter shirt; Mom a good night's rest. Christmas, it is coming fast; Mom's a LITTLE stressed.

So, after decorating a Christmas tree for the second time, I am ready to focus on the Christmas gifting purchasing process. I always hold out for the big bonus check that never seems to come my way as $$$$ for Christmas. Since that will never ever happen, I get into the savings account as a huge and thankful for resource for the purchasing of the gifts.

With only a week to go for "wrapping' things up for the big day, I'm shifting into full gear this week. If there are any pointers you can offer or any great sales here or there, well, send them my way.

Winning Team!

What a way to start the basketball season! Winning team Hunter over East! It was an amazing game. The kids played as a team and they battled hard. I was so very proud to be part of the winning team and not the losing team.

The day before Thanksgiving and . . .

So what do you do on the day before Thanksgiving? Well, I got up an hour later than I usually do. It was a work day for me but very flexible in that I didn't need to get to a school or to a meeting for an entire day! So, I did some early morning shopping for a few Thanksgiving dinner essentials; went to the credit union to make a car payment; stopped by the cemetery to put some new artificial flowers on Mom's grave; stopped by the Home Goods store in Sugarhouse; and, then spent some time at the office.

My day got a little intense with a few parents in the Superintendent's office and a call from one of our school board members, but everything worked out for the best.

Willie had basketball early this morning and stayed after to practice foul shots. When he got home, Haley and Molly stopped by to spend lunch time with him. In a few minutes, I am going to head to South Jordan to pick up the grandsons and eventually make my way to Grandpa/Dad's to set things up for the big dinner tomorrow.

Thanksgiving will be different this year, but not to worry, life goes on until it ends; and, what's left are sweet memories of the past.

So, that's my day before Thanksgiving report.

At 35,000 Feet!

So, I am headed home from a two-day meeting in the Washington, DC area. It was an excellent meeting and I learned a lot and now have more to add to my already crazy work life.

I am working on the plane, headed home, above 35,000 feet. Pretty crazy if you ask me! Technology is totally amazing!

My meetings ended at the Russell Senate Building located just south of the US Capitol. In room 325 I attended a very excellent briefing on a recent survey of school counselors that included some pretty incredible results. I can report later if you are interested.

Other news -- Willie is an official member of the HHS b-ball team. We are all looking forward to an improved basketball year. Willie is a little more confident and ready to move into more of a leadership role on the team, and that is good!

November is one of my favorite months!

I love November!
It's one of four months with only 30 days.
It's Karl's birthday month.
We vote in November and honor military service people.
We give thanks and prepare to give gifts.
It's a month of family and food and fun.
It's usually the month we get our first snow storm.
It's a month of remembrance for those who have gone on.
It's the month when high school and college basketball gets going.
It's a month of thinking about Christmas and all that it involves.

Do you know how proud I am of Willie? Well, I am very proud of him! He is a crazy boy! He is an excellent student! He makes me laugh. I am just proud of him!

In all of our reports on his football seson I am not sure any of us have mentioned that Willie was a starter all season on the offensive line. He started out as left or right tackle; moved into the center spot for a few games; and, ended the season at right tackle. Did I mention he was a starter? That's amazing to me. He worked so hard and learned his position and had a very positive season. The wins and losses don't necessarily describe the positive football season we expereinced. A new coach, new energy, high standards, and an incredible work ethic made it one of the best football seasons I can remember. The last game ended up in a lopsided defeat vs. Lone Peak, but I couldn't have been prouder of my son, the other players and the coaching staff.

So we went to the beach!

We have talked about a trip to the beach all summer. Not the beach at the Great Salt Lake that is 15 miles from home, but the beach in Southern California! Well, we did it! We left the Wood's driveway at 6:20 p.m on Thursday evening and drove to Newport Beach. Seventy five hours later we dropped off the Woods, Sunday evening around 9:30 p.m.

We had the best time ever. Driving, laughing, telling weird stories, wondering how we ended up staying in a beautiful place at such a nice price, watching the ocean, eating some major unhealthy but tasty food, and more. We drove the family truckstar (the FLEX) and it was a sweet ride and right in style with Southern Cal vehicles!

It's hard to believe two teenage boys and a college coed would spend all that time with two crazy ladies, but they did, and we had a blast!

Oh no! The girl/boy activity stuff comes to my house.

Okay, so we have managed to avoid the girl/boy activity in our house. However, it finally happened (sniff, sniff). The door bell rang and on the front porch something for the boy in my house from a girl.

So, the boy responded. Next, Sadie Hawkins Dance on October 28th. I asked the boy in my house what happened. He's managed to avoid several of these activities. His reply, "I am trying to be more social."

The most amazing photo I've ever taken . . .

A few weeks back we drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon to take in the fall colors. At the top of the canyon, Brighton, there is beautiful Silver Lake. It's an easy walk around the lake, so with camera in hand we headed off to the trail. I snapped photos all along the trail, but this one was by far the most amazingly stunning.

What to do with it??? Not sure, but I wanted the world to see it.