May 14, 2010 -- a Granddaughter!

A week ago tonight I got a call from Haley that she was having contractions and that baby girl was making her way into the world. The contractions were on and off, on and off until Friday morning. Then the long awaited call came, a text message on May 14, at 9:42 a.m. from Haley -- "In the hospital. Waiting for baby."

After wrapping up some interviews and other business at my office, I made my way to the hospital around 12:30 p.m. and waited for the delivery to happen. I checked in with Haley and James and everything seemed to be under control. So, I sat in my car in the hospital parking lot for at least an hour, just waiting (I think I had a nap). Then I decided to go inside and walk around. I ended up in the cafeteria and had a late lunch -- baked salmon, Au gratin potatoes, vegetables, and a Diet Coke. After eating, I found a nice comfy chair and texted James and Haley -- back and forth. Around 2:30-3:00 p.m. James found me sitting and waiting. He told me he thought it would be another hour or so. At 4:00 p.m., I made my way to a little waiting area in the labor and delivery area. At 4:10 p.m. I heard a baby cry -- it was so sweet -- but not our baby -- I overheard that it was a 9 lb. 6 oz. boy. I talked with the nurses outside of Haley's room and asked how things were going with her. They told me that Haley had been pushing for at least an hour and that sometimes with a first baby it can take two hours of pushing. Ouch! I sat back down and watched the rain outside. A little after 5:00 p.m., I heard another baby cry, much sweeter than the cry of an hour earlier -- this time I knew it was my granddaughter entering this crazy world of ours. I felt a quiet peace and almost instantaneously, I was flooded with calls/texts from Annie, Willie, then Karl, then my mom! They all must have sensed the same feeling. And guess what -- we were all right -- she was finally here!

Text message from James received at 5:38 p.m.:
Molly Ardith Binggeli,
9 lbs. 3 oz., 21 inches, 5:05 p.m.

Text message from Haley received at 5:56 p.m.:
Come in!

I went into the delivery room and saw my sweet daughter and her husband and their beautiful baby daughter -- Molly! What an incredibly wonderful way to spend an afternoon! Molly was just minutes old and looking around and ready to take a drink from her first bottle.

Happy Birthday #1 for Wyatt!

Today is Wyatt's birthday -- he is my grandson and I love him. For his birthday, he let me give him a haircut. He is not afraid of the clippers at all -- unlike Elliott. I love my grandsons and I am patiently waiting for my little granddaughter to come. But, today is Wyatt's special day and I think it was a good one!

Mother's Day

It's a one day a year celebration for neverending influence and contribution to family, community, nation, and world. No one, no one, would be here without a mother and that is pretty amazing! I guess we need fathers, too. Sorry --

These photos are my mothers!

Graduation Season

I scanned this picture and quote from a shopping bag that held my souvenirs purchased at George Washington University last summer. I love quotes! This is a great one! I sent it out to the counselors earlier today and received some great quotes in return:

"The day we stop learning is the day we die."

"Growth is the only evidence of life."

It's that time of year -- graduation season. The U of U commencement is on Friday, May 7. Graduates I received announcements for 2010 U of U grads are:

James Binggeli (son-in-law) Bachelor of Science, Nursing
Lauren Stapley (niece) Bachelor of Science, Health Promotion and Education
Arlee Heslop (neighbor) Bachelor of Science, Human Development and Family Studies
Tycen McCann (friend's son) Bachelor of Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Others still in higher ed programs:
Karl, Haley, Peter, Natalie, Preston, Meranda, Rubie, Travis, and Lee Ann -- our family spends a lot of sweet $$moolah$$ on tuition!

Alex (nephew) finished his Automotive and Related Technologies program at SLCC in December.
Chloe (niece) will return to school in the fall - she's home from her mission on Friday.
Meranda (niece) gets her Associates Degree form SLCC on Friday along with an Academic All-American junior college softball award.

Hello Blog World!

A good friend and colleague passed away a few weeks ago. She was very ill due to complications with her heart. I think she had her first heart surgery when she was in her 40s. She was 62. I first met her when our husbands were serving in church leadership at the Stake level. We attended a dinner/get together for leaders and spouses. We sat across the table form each other. She was working on her master's degree at BYU, and I was working on mine at the "U". We ended up working as counselors in the same school district, took care of many work-related committee assignments together, traveled to the same national conferences a couple of times, and much more. When she was the RSP in the Lake Ridge 9th Ward, she asked me to speak at her Relief Society's Women's Conference on hope. She talked to me for weeks about the needs of the sisters in her ward and how they needed to see life as hopeful and felt strongly that I had something to share. I studied for the talk, and it was probably okay, but I always thought it awkward that she would ask me to speak on hope when she exemplified greater strength in hope that I could ever know. She lost three children as babes, struggled with health issues for as long as I knew her with the most difficult and aneurysm that brought on an early medical retirement. As I look back, it may have been my lesson to learn as I think about that talk tonight.

My friend was also very smart, clever, witty, and funny. In fact, it was in 1998, that she wrote up her funeral plans and left them as an icon on her computer desktop. Her children carried out their mom's wishes with funny stories and events. The funeral service was truly a celebration of her positive impact and a fun-filled contributor to the world around her. Interesting to note that she went to Hawaii with her husband and sister and brother-in-law just after Christmas. Needless to say that was a trip to cherish.

No place like home!

After a long day at school, work, or wherever, there is nothing like coming home. Generally speaking, home is where you feel safe and comfortable. It's where you find the people you love the most. I think our home is all of these things and more.

I have been thinking about the homes where I've lived. When I was a baby, our family lived on 5th East and Kensington Avenue in a basement apartment. The apartment was located halfway between the Eccles' and the Hubers. When I was about a year old, my family moved to Magna where my parents still live. That was the home of my childhood, Grandma and Grandpa's place to Annie, Haley and Willie, and now where Elliott and Wyatt find Great Grandma and Great Grandpa.

When Karl and I were first married, we lived in Grandma Chipman's house (in old Magna). It was the nicest house, very tight and neat and clean -- with a garage, a patio, and an air conditioner. Annie was born while we lived there and since it was only a one-bedroom home, we created a place for Annie in the corner of the living room. We lived there for about three years.

We then bought a little house a little further east in Magna where the girls grew up and a place Willie can't remember. It was a tiny house, but we made it such a beautiful home. We named this home, and we still refer to her as "Mildred" even today. We lived there 20 years.

It's now been nearly 11 years since we moved to Hunter -- and this is really the nicest home in so many ways -- I love it! And, when I come home at the end of a very long day, there is nothing like the feeling I have when we have dinner, watch a little television, do some homework, talk, have a late evening treat, snack, or tall glass of cold milk, and then watch "The Office" before going to bed. It's the best, and I really must say, "There's no place, anywhere, like home!"

Happy Birthday, Haley!

I can remember the arrival of each of my kids as if those events were just yesterday. As I was sitting at my computer an hour or so ago and waiting for Karl to get home from school, I couldn't help but think about the night Haley was born. It may be of interest to note that 30 years ago tonight I was doing the same thing (minus the computer). Then almost two-year-old Annie was in bed asleep and my sister Cindy was hanging out with me waiting for Karl to get home from a late class so he could take me to the hospital to deliver a beautiful baby girl. Mind you, this was long before cell phones and texting -- I had no way of letting Karl know that he needed to get home, fast. I just waited -- with some pain now and again. Needless to say, we made it to the LDS hospital and Haley Quinn was born a little after midnight on April 8, 1980. She weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. and was 21 inches long, she had all of her fingers and toes, and a fuzzy head (I can't say it was hair). She was a very healthy baby and toddler and very smart, too. She could walk at 11 months and toilet trained herself by the time she was about 18 months old. Not to discount all of the life events over a 30 year time frame, but Haley is still a beautiful daughter and smart. She has a great husband, James. She teaches kids of all shapes, sizes, and intellects how to do hard math problems, and in her spare time she teaches a few lucky kids to play the piano, the guitar, and the banjo. She takes care of James, Willie, and the grandparents, like no other. She loves the double T's -- Elliott and Wyatt. She will do anything for anyone -- so often ahead of her own things. And, she loves her family, Utah basketball, family history and history in general, controversial topics and opinions, the colors green, yellow, and brown, all kinds of music and documentaries, yard work, Primary kids, bread, potatoes, and cheeseburgers.

In about a month from now, Haley and James will have their own beautiful daughter. How lucky their little one will be to have such excited and awesome parents and too many family members to count who will love her and care for her.

Happy Birthday, Haley!

Oh Puke!

The college basketball season came to an end tonight but not without a battle to the last second! I am so proud of the Butler Bulldogs! And how about their coach, Brad Stevens, a 33-year-old amazing coach!

The Bulldogs got past UTEP, Murray State, Syracuse, Kansas State, and Michigan State in some of the most exciting basketball I've seen all season. But the final game, oh Puke! It ended in a loss by a just 2 measly points. But, to the Butler Bulldogs' credit, they held their heads high and walked off the court -- no floor slamming or towels covering teary eyes. They walked off the court as the second place team in a 64 team NCAA March Madness Tournament. Good job!

March -- Out Like a Lion or Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

The old saying goes -- if March comes in like a lion it goes out like a lamb. March has pulled a reverse this year. The weather for the first days of March was beautiful and calm. Yesterday and today have been insanely windy, dusty, and gritty. People are sneezing, coughing, and generally stuffy and congested. On the last day of March (tomorrow) we can expect more wind and rain and snow and maybe even a few meatballs.

Weather sayings are pretty cool and most of them come from the Farmer's Almanac or some other weather predicting source. Other March weather sayings are:

A dry March and a wet May fill barns and bays with corn and hay.

As it rains in March, so it rains in June.

March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers.

Ides of March

Ides of March is a phrase from Roman calendars of thousands of years ago. Ides means the 15th day of any month. The phrase became an infamous line in Julius Caesar, "Beware the Ides of March," Caesar was warned by a seer. The phrase infers or foreshadows something scary or awful may happen to him and it in fact did -- Julius Caesar was killed -- stabbed to death by a bunch of crazed Roman Senators.

Well, today has been just like any other day in spite of it being the Ides of March. School and work and then home. Karl and Willie went to a Jazz game; I just returned home from checking on the grandparents; and, I plan to go through a few weeks of mail and straighten up the house.

Where did February go?

When time flies so quickly, blogging becomes a low priority, sorry.
So, where did February go?

A lot of my weeknights went to church meetings in preparation for our Hunter Central Stake Women's Conference. It was held on Saturday, February 20, and I would consider it a huge success. We had over 220 in attendance! Our guest speaker was Camille Fronk Olson and our guest vocalist was Allyse Smith-Taylor.

Annie and Ross invited us for Sunday dinner at their home for Super Bowl Sunday, February 7 -- it was very nice to be invited out. And, the dinner was yummy and the company was awesome.
Nephew Parker spent a few days (February 3-6) with us because Cindy and Evan took some time off to watch Meranda play softball in Yuma, Arizona. Meranda is playing her second year of college softball at SLCC. Parker is good company -- we all enjoyed having him overnight and during the day. I tease him that he is my favorite nephew.
Willie and I had intended to celebrate Bob Marley Day on Feb. 6, but we forgot. But we did go to a couple of weeknight Utah b-ball games together during the month -- just the two of us -- we had fun.
After school on February 9, the Granite Technical Institute Open House kept Willie and me busy. It was great to see (up close and personal) all of the technical programs available there. Willie wandered around and identified 4 classes he's interested in (3D animation, engineering, pilot/aviation, and electronics) while I played my roles as welcomer/counselor lady. I guessed there were probably 3000+ students and parents who participated.
Science Fair projects were due February 17, so Willie and I worked to get it put together. We decided to recycle a project from the past, but it still took hours to get it put together. We were both kind of disappointed at the teacher's lack of excitement for the whole thing. She didn't even have the kids share their projects with each other.
I went to the 5A State Swim Meet on February 12. Niece Emily was in 2 events that night and 2 the next day. She swims for Copper Hills High School and her sister Maddie is the team's coach. By the way, Emily has been nominated for Junior Prom Queen -- how about that!
On four different days during February, I helped Dad get Mom to her doctor's appointments. Mom is getting stronger every week. I'd hoped that her strength would come back faster, but when you are nearly 80, rebounding is slow. Getting Mom anywhere is tricky. She needs a wheelchair -- we use Moria's red one. She needs forced air at 6 units 24/7. A long tank has enough air for about 90 minutes, so Dad has to bring at least one extra tank and sometimes two. We usually end up changing out the tanks at the end of her appointments (in the parking lot before they head for home). It's doable, but I know it stresses them both out. Mom made it to church twice in February and she was so excited to go.
Haley and I took Mom/Grandma shopping on Presidents' Day. We just went to ShopKo, but she was in heaven filling up her shopping cart. I wheeled her around with the oxygen tank straddled between her legs while Haley pushed the shopping cart -- Mom bought birthday gifts for February and March birthdays and a baby present for Maddie's baby shower.
I helped Haley, Karl, and Willie with homework/papers (it's my hobbie).
On Saturday (February 27), Elliott spent the day with me! Wyatt needed some time away from big brother, so Grandmama Judy was the lucky one -- he is such a good boy. He did spend some time with Grandpa and Willie (he helped Grandpa coach Willie's ball game). We had fun and ended the day at Shopko to buy a prize -- he chose Lightning McQueen from the movie Cars.
Willie grew in February -- he is now the tallest in the family -- a little over 6'3"! How about that! He played in about 8 basketball games in February and scored over 100 points total in the month. He also missed a day of school (February 22) -- sore throat (again) and general achiness.

Wyatt was sick, too (Feb. 24th on), a little more serious illness for a little guy, RSV. I've seen him a couple of times and he looks so peaked and has little bags under his eyes. (snif, snif)
I am excited for March!

Opinions . . .

• With all the talk about Jordan School District's multi-million dollar deficit, I can't help but wonder why district's don't trim the excess at the top. The big district superintendents in the Salt Lake area make upwards of six times as much as a new teacher. It seems to me that making cuts in the administrative level could save six teachers' jobs or maybe seven or eight classified staff. Not sure how superintendents arrived at such a high level of entitlement. Hmmm . . . And, after nearly 32 years working in education, I am not sure what a superintendent does that impacts the day to day operation of a school. For the most part they [superintendents] are nice people who have climbed to the top through hard work in the field, but I am not sure their work is worth so much more than our classroom teachers.


• The opening ceremony for the Vancouver Olympics was little more than boring. It was a mix of mixed up stuff -- from native dancers to orca whales to flying snowboarders to opera singers to river-type tap dancers to . . . . The one and only bright spot was the parade of the countries -- a fashion show really, the outfits were quite interesting.


• Education is knowledge and power and worth the effort at any point in your life. I ran into a former neighbor/friend this afternoon. She is my age and just finished a bachelor's degree in accounting. She indicated that she is thinking of continuing on with school to complete a master's in business (MBA). Karl is currently working on another degree this year -- nearly thirty years after completing a bachelor's degree. And, Lee Ann, my sister-in-law is back in school this year finishing a bachelor's degree. No matter the age, education is something that can never, never be taken from you and is an invaluable asset. Way to go to all who are taking classes, studying hard, and acquiring new and up-to-date marketable skills.


• Take care of what you have! As I look out my kitchen window I can see the backyards of three neighboring houses. Each has a trampoline and all of them were purchased about the same time -- 2 or 3 years ago. Two of the 3 are in the best of shape complete with their original safety nets. One, however, is a complete worn out mess. The safety net is long gone -- actually it is torn to shreds. The bars are bent, and it is no longer a nice backyard toy but a big safety hazard. The shape of this neighbor's trampoline in pretty indicative of their entire yard (old tires all over the north side of the house and other junk scattered around the yard) and also creeps into their house -- another big mess. I am not sure that the people who live there value much of anything. So sad -- In my opinion, the better care you give to anything, the longer it lasts.


• Money is overrated -- yes you need it to survive and thrive in the world -- but it's all relative. The NBA ALL-Star Game was on TV last night. The glitz and bling of the rich and famous of the NBA were all about the 100,000 plus seat Dallas Cowboy Stadium. The fans (whose seats were miles from the court) paid big money to watch the game on a basketball-sized jumbo screen. But the fans are not the point of my opinion (I digressed). In my present older and much wiser state, I am not nearly as impressed by nor need to be supported by as much of the dollar as I once thought important. After all, money is for stuff and once you (speaking for the greater public) figure out basic needs and have those met by what money you have, all of the extra money you have just goes to stuff and believe me we (speaking again for me and the greater public) have more stuff than we really need or will ever use. Karl finished painting before Christmas. He boxed up a bunch of stuff (roosters, greenery, . . . ) from the top of my kitchen cabinets in October/November and put them in boxes now stored in the garage. Guess what, they are still there, I am not sure I will put the stuff in the boxes on top of the cabinets, ever. Actually, when I look through my house, I can see a lot of stuff (maybe junk) I don't need nor want. Sometimes I feel like I am going to be taken over by all the stuff in my house. I have a goal this year to go through and de-stuff my house. I now think twice and thrice about money spent on stuff -- I save any extra money instead for something I may need in the future or someplace I would like to take my family. Karl has always been a saver and what has taken years to save is making life very comfortable for our family today.

Group Projects

My kids have been in the public school system off and on for many years -- too many to track. Every year there is a "group project" or two. No matter the class, the topic, the project, my kids get stuck with the responsibility. Willie and three kids in his "group project" have been hanging out at our house "working" on the project. After three long hours this afternoon/evening -- Willie and I were the only ones left standing, trying to work through putting the pieces of the so-called "group project" in order. The other kids just left -- I shooed them away -- we had other things to do -- like eat dinner. Most of the time, Willie was working on the project while the other "group members" were checking out YouTube videos. Arrggggg!

Week in review --

My mom hasn't been feeling well since Christmas. I attributed her low energy and general sense of not feeling well to Christmas and general holiday preparations. She planned for months getting gifts for 53 people -- it's her annual late summer/fall daily activity. (She's a catalog shopper extraordinaire!)

Since January 7, Mom has spent time at the LDS Hospital ER, followed up with a couple of doctor's appointments, and by Wednesday (last week) she was too weak to do much of anything. She and Dad got ready for a noon doctor's appointment, and Mom couldn't make it walking to the truck. Dad wheeled her to the passenger door and realized he needed help getting her into the truck. Liz came to the rescue, but by the time she and Dad got Mom into the passenger seat of the truck, she had passed out and began convulsing. A desperate call to 911 lead to a brief stay at Pioneer Valley Hospital and then an ambulance transfer to IMC. After several days in the hospital, Mom came home late Sunday afternoon much better off than when she left but not in the best of shape.

Mom's health issues are all interconnected and very complicated and difficult to describe if you are not in the medical profession. But, here it goes: bad lungs because of years of scar tissue build-up largely due pulmonary fibrosis and aspiration because of her pretty severe hiatal hernia; bad heart because of years of unattended high blood pressure; even more damage to the heart because it doesn’t get enough air from the bad lungs to work properly; water retention because Mom's bad heart can’t work hard enough to get rid of excess bodily fluid; severe leg and foot pain because the excess fluid in her feet and legs puts pressure on her already sore and painful neuropothy there; no energy because of bad lungs, bad heart, sore feet and legs, and a lot of pain. But, as Mom made it clear to the ER doctors, “I’m not dead, yet!”

She's home now with a few new medications, increased oxygen with a new reservoir nasal cannula, a lung capacity tester, a heart monitor (for two weeks), a finger oximeter, and a bunch of new instructions ------

She's lost close to 50 pounds in a year, and you wouldn't recognize her if you haven't seen her in that time. I (we) pray that she feels a little better each day and that she can build her strength and capacity to maintain quality in her life -- she's determined she can do it (but not without support and help from the whole family -- especially Dad).

Basketball - I've got to love it!

It's Saturday morning. The doorbell rings at 9:15 a.m. It's Allen, Willie's friend from across the street. He's ready to head to the Stake Center with Willie and Karl for a basketball game. At 11:45 a.m., Haley picked me up and we headed to the grandparent's home for our Saturday routine. Only a brief sign of the boys in my family - from playing basketball. A little before 2:00 p.m., Haley and I left the grandparents, picked up James from home, and headed to Hunter High to the wolverines JR JAZZ basketball game. We got home from the game at 3:30 p.m. or so. Annie called and needed someone to hang out with and go with her to do some shopping for Elliott's birthday (Elliott wants a BIG basketball court, not a play one). Willie volunteered, but not without catching some of a basketball game on TV. (Elliott was with his Howden grandparnets at the BYU basketball game, and Ross was home with Wyatt watching football - go figure.) After a nice trip to the ghetto mall, a bite to eat, and grocery shopping, we were finally home for the remainder of the evening to watch basketball. The Utah game was delayed on TV --we had to watch UCF and Tulsa finish up -- who cares about them. We went back and forth, from channel to channel, watching San Diego and TCU, the JAZZ, and finally Utah. The day ended with a win for the Utes basketball team over UNLV and a win for the JAZZ over Milwaukee (Andrew Boget's team).

Basketball -- I've got to love it!

Hmmm, what to write . . . .

Tuesday began with (you guessed it) another meeting. This meeting featured a guest teacher who shared effective teaching strategies and practices. We all know that teachers who are engaged and excited about their work are somehow magically able to motivate and engage most students. It was a very good meeting, and I walked away with some good stuff.

The meeting wrap-up was the best part for me. The guest teacher shared a two-minute snap shot rendition of Dr. Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech. He was so believable! He said he had practiced for hours with a DVD of Dr. King's speech to perfect his performance and decided to start sharing it with his students a few years back. It's kind of his personal way of sharing his deep-seeded feelings to and connections with Dr. King as the Monday holiday approaches. He told us how as a young college student at USU, Corretta Scott King made a visit to Logan for a speaking engagement and that he was assigned by the university to drive to the SLC airport to pick her up and take her to Logan. Obviously, that is something he will never, never forget. Mrs. King's advice to him as they parted was "be the best teacher possible." He told all in the meeting how those words have resonated throughout his career.

I love that speech! I was in elementary school when the speech was given at Lincoln Memorial. I distinctly remember something about it, but it wasn't until I was in junior high that I saw a film of Dr. King's speech at a church youth fireside. One of the members of our ward's bishopric was the school district's library/media director (Don Hess). When new movies came to the school district, he tried them out on the youth in our ward. I remember the I Have a Dream film/documentary like it was yesterday.

My favorite line in the speech -- "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

Braces Off!

It was a big day for Willie -- braces off! The pearly whites are free from position-altering metal devices. No more stressful visits to the orthodontist where the most pressing decision to make was always the color of the rubber bands (red and white, red and black, green and yellow, all red, . . .). We go back tomorrow for the retainer and a photo shoot with Dr. Stevens, and then it's an every six months check-up for awhile. Whew! Another phase of blissful adolescence goes to the family history memory vault.

Happy New Year!

01-01-10
A day to remember? Not so sure, but it's been a good day just chillin' . . . I read through the entire January issue of National Geographic, watched a lot of television -- the Rose Parade, football, a little flashback basketball, more football, The Office, and more . . .


Wille turned 15 on Wednesday (Happy Birthday, boy!). I think it was a great day for him -- breakfast from McDonalds, lunch @ Chick-fil-A, and Litza's pizza for dinner. I think one of the most important things for him is food -- he lives for it -- but his menu is oh so limited. Having a birthday so close to Christmas is a little different, so making sure eating out is involved makes it a little different from any other day during the holiday break. I think the best part of this year's birthday will happen on Monday, January 4, when the braces come off!

Willie, Meranda, and Parker found some time to play tennis tonight but not without first shoveling the snow off the fitness center courts (crazy kids).

Here's to 2010 -- I know it will be a great year!

Christmas Eve, Eve (Two days before Christmas)

Willie and his friends have been doing a service project this school year as part of a class. They have been knitting snow hats (yes, knitting -- not with needles but hoops). After 10 weeks or so, and a few hats given to relatives and friends, we ended up with 19 that looked great. It just so happens that a couple in our ward serve as missionaries in an inner-city mission. They told us about the needs of some of the folks in their mission, so we added some stretchy gloves to each hat to make nice gifts for 19 lucky people. I think Willie will probably continue knitting hats as part his Eagle Scout project. He is ready to start that once he completes the paper work.

A few hours all to myself . . .

It's Christmas Eve, Eve, Eve (three days before Christmas). Willie and Karl have gone over to the church to shoot some hoops, and I am in my very warm, comfortable home all by myself. This almost never happens. I am going to get my Christmas gifts for the chillins organized and wrapped and enjoy a Diet COKE and a little Christmas background music.

(I am taking a vacation day!)

Meeting-O-Meter

I spent most of my day in a boring meeting --- arrggg! I have been to my share of meetings over the years. Some time ago I made a "meeting-o-meter" (kind of like an applause meter on old time television shows) to assess each meeting's relevance. The meter ranged from Wow! to Snooze! The secretaries in the office got so they looked forward to my spin on the meter. Well, today's meeting didn't even register. We educators (at the administration level at least) spend so much time in meetings. Like most meetings, not much to show for the 4 hours of time except a few handouts that I will probably never look at again. I will try to update my bog when I attend one of those "Wow" meetings. I'm due for one of those any day now.

P.S. Just 10 days until Christmas!

Always a comeback . . .

I know Haley beat me to this, but I couldn't resist. Just when Max Hall thinks he's put the "U" and faithful followers in their place, there is always a comeback!

I think there's also a Max Hall Hates Me Fan Club. The poor kid.

My personal mantra is this --

Do your work --

Do your job --

Watch what you say --

Definitely, better words to live by.

Basketball Playoffs!

The Hunter Hawks are going to the junior high basketball playoffs! Yes! They play Churchill Junior on Thursday. I think the boys are pretty excited -- the son and the dad. It's one step closer to the NCAA championship!

Thank you for serving our country . . .

It's December 7, 2009, the sixty-eighth anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. To those who have served, are currently serving, and will serve to preserve the freedoms we are so blessed to expereince each day, I salute you!

Something else to think about . . .

The Cab Ride
So I walked to the door and knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, and then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'.

'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry.. I'm on my way to a hospice'.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. 'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered..

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?

Something to think about . . .

I have served on all kinds of interview committees and have a collection of notes on what to do/say and what not to do/say in an interview. For those who are looking at trying out for something or preparing to look for a job, you may want to draw from just a few of my observations to be ready to do your best:

• Always have a resume with you or something to show what you’ve done and what you’re like
• Be confident, but not too confident
• Don’t focus on your years of experience or lack thereof – try to keep your interviewers guessing your age and your experience
• Never take your cell phone to an interview, and if you do, hope that it never goes off during the interview – it will disrupt everything
• Convey your passion but don’t get too emotional about it – no tears, please
• Know the skills you need for the position you seek and know how to describe them
• Convey your willingness to learn what’s required for the present and the future
• Dress appropriate to the position – this may take some investigating on your part – it’s okay to ask what the appropriate dress for the interview is
• Be clean and neat in appearance – smell good, wear washed and pressed clothing
• Avoid wearing things that may cause interviewers to make judgments about you – posts, piercings, too much make-up, CTR ring, crucifix jewelry, Sponge Bob neckties, . . .
• Be happy, cordial, smile, and say “thank you” –

Another attempt at NABLOPOMO?

Since I failed miserably at NABLOPOMO in November, I am going to give it my best effort for the month of December. Are you ready?

NOVEMBER was a very good (but busy) month.

• Willie ended football and started basketball. his basketball team is doing pretty well they are 4-1, and he is having mostly great games. He also had his second episode with strep throat since school started. (I guess it's time for tonsils to come out.)
• Karl had a lot to do in school -- he is doing very well competing with the "younger" students. No students come close to his grade in his computer class, and he is holding his own in the two bio-manufacturing classes he's taking. The Friday "business seminar" has only an attendance requirement, but it has been very eye-opening and beneficial in hearing first-hand a broader perspective of the world of work.
• We've had a lot going on at home and work. Karl has nearly completed painting the entire main floor of our house -- just the bathrooms and the main (metal) interior/exterior doors to go. It's been a huge project and not sure that we will ever get to all the touch-ups, but it looks and feels very nice.
• Thanksgiving was very good but tiring, but I spent many hours with Mom helping her get things ready for the big day and the big dinner. We crammed 41 people into her little house. It was pretty tight and cozy. I really enjoyed the days off (the luxury of being an educator).
• I love my work -- it is a little crazy now and again, but I am so blessed to do what I do. No day is ever like another -- there is always an issue to resolve -- things to do for kids and the adults who counsel and teach them.
• Utah basketball is underway -- as you know, I love the basketball!

The best part of each week in any month is always Sunday afternoon when my family gets together. Never in my younger years did I ever think I would be preparing Sunday dinner for nine! It's pretty amazing and very exciting to say the least to have everyone home on Sunday. Sometimes I just sit and watch -- mostly I take care of Elliott (he always sits by me for dinner) and then Wyatt (I usually feed him his solid food after dinner) --- and then we just hang out --

A special moment --

I have not kept up on my November postings in honor of nablopomo. I so apologize! I had good intentions . . . not to mention that I have had some amazing experiences this month -- things worth blogging about for sure. But maybe the most amazing was the 24 hour period of time I spent with my parents last week (Tuesday and Wednesday).

My brother-in-law's father (DeeEl Stapley) passed away November 12, due to a short but valiant battle with a very progressive leukemia. I knew DeeEl not only as a close family friend but also as a fellow educator as he was the superintendent of Iron County School District for many years at which time I worked at the State Office of Education. Our paths crossed at family events and at educational meetings and conferences.

The funeral was to be held in Summit, UT, so I let my parents know that I was planning to go to the funeral and if they wanted to go, I would ride with them. They decided after much intense deliberation that they would make the journey and that I could go with them. They picked me up at 2:30 p.m. or so Tuesday afternoon. We took the truck so Dad could haul all Mom's needs (oxygen tanks, oxygen machine, wheel chair, etc.). (We had with us at least a year supply of oxygen.) Dad drove the first leg of the trip and when he got drowsy, I took over -- but he really did do most of the driving.

We spent the night in Cedar City at a hotel on the south end of town. We got take-out at Applebee's and just chilled the evening away. My nieces stayed at the same hotel so we had some company later in the evening and for breakfast the next morning. The funeral service was very nice -- very calming and reassuring that death represents only a small separation time from loved ones. All of DeeEl's kids spoke and each in his/her own way payed tribute to their Dad. A special part of the service was "The Master Choir". This all-men's choir was DeeEl's choir -- I think he was the president of the choir comprised mostly of older gentlemen (60s-70s) with a few younger generation representatives (4 or 5). They sang and opening song and a closing song, and the closing song was most moving.

Mom, Dad, and I were seated (in that order) on the second row of the chapel near the east wall. The choir began singing the closing song, "I'll Be Seeing You," a song that became popular during World War II. It was beautiful to say the least, and I knew that Mom and Dad had probably heard it together at some time during their lives. I glanced at Mom and her eyes shed streams of sensitive tears. I glanced at Dad and knew that he felt her emotion -- he gently reached for Mom's hand and squeezed it ever so gently. I leaned back in my seat so they could have their privacy and hopefully without them knowing I knew what what transpiring. I, too, was very moved by the melody and the lyrics -- I couldn't help but contemplate what my parents might be thinking, knowing that their years together are limited and that they have a very strong love for each other. It was a very sensitive few moments and I am so thankful I caught a glimpse of it ---

We arrived home early Wednesday evening, and I know Mom and Dad were invigorated just knowing they went somewhere outside of Salt Lake County and lived to tell about it. It's got to be tough wanting so badly to keep a pace in line with your desires and thoughts and your physical body just can't do it --

A month or so in pictures --

Game Day

Junior high basketball began on Thursday -- early season this year. The boy in the picture is dressed in his best for game day. They got a win -- and the boy in the picture had 4-5 blocks, 9 rebounds, 16 points, and 4 personal fouls. He has set a pretty high standard to reach for the next few weeks.

Student of the Month

My son is 9th grade boy student of the month at his junior high. He is a pretty good boy, and it's always nice that others recognize his qualities. I know he is pretty quiet at school, but when he comes home his personality shines. He makes a laugh, he is a hard worker, he loves his little nephews, he accepts responsibility, he has amazing bodily functions, and more.

I think I am most proud of my son because he is kind and nice to others. He has a wide variety of kids/friends who like to hang out with him -- they play video games, tennis, and basketball, and do their homework and help each other out.

He's my son of the month year long!

Phone Numbers

So, do you remember old phone numbers? My Grandma Huber's phone number was HU4-0649 (HU was an abbreviation for HUNTER). Grandpa Eccles' phone number was IN6-7850 (IN was an abbreviation for INGERSOL). My parent's number was BY7-2931 for many years and I think Karl's mom's number was CY8-8901 (not sure what BY stood for but CY stood for CYPRUS). I can even remember the day of two-party lines when you could pick up the phone and listen to someone's conversation. Our family got a private line when my dad was called to be a bishop in 1963. I don't really know why I remember those numbers, I just do. Now I try to remember land line numbers, cell numbers, e-mail addresses, and a bunch of other stuff plus an area code (or three).

Football Finally Finished

Oh my! We've been doing the football gig since July 26th. Willie has had 3 or more practices a week since then. Actually, until the games began it was five practices a week plus sometimes on Saturday. It's a huge family commitment -- but well worth it. Just when we thought the season was finished last Saturday, it wasn't because the Hunter Wolverines made the playoffs! The playoff game was this morning, Hunter vs. Bingham. It was a battle and we came up 20 points short.

Willie has had an awesome season -- he improved in every area of the game, especially in speed. He is running faster, hitting faster, and getting a jump on the game in so many ways. He finally got to see some significant defense time after many years of offense only. I loved every minute of every game even the losses.

Until next year -- and that will be high school -- serious business!

November

What can you say about November?

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, National Novel Writing Month, Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, Transgender Awareness Month, American Diabetes Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis Awareness Month, and the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory in the Roman Catholic Church.

November Events
First Tuesday
In Australia, the Melbourne Cup horse race is held annually on the first Tuesday in November.

Tuesday After the First Monday
In the United States, elections are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November (between November 2 and November 8). In even-numbered years, members of the House of Representatives are elected to two-year terms, and about one third of the U.S. Senate are elected to six-year terms. The President of the United States is elected in years divisible by four. Most U.S. states, counties, and municipalities have some part of their election cycle coincident with this date.

November 11 is always Veterans' Day.

Third Wednesday
GIS Day is held the 3rd Wednesday of November during Geography Awareness Week.

Third Thursday
The Great American Smokeout sponsored by the American Cancer Society occurs on the third Thursday of November, one week before Thanksgiving. Smokers are encouraged to quit smoking for these 24 hours, in hopes that they will quit forever. It is also International Philosophy Day

Fourth Thursday
Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. The day after Thanksgiving in the USA is a famous day for shopping known as "Black Friday," and the Monday immediately following Thanksgiving Day in the USA is Cyber Monday.

NABLOPOMO Slacker

I can't believe I've missed two days of NABLOPOMO -- rats! I am going to try to keep up from now through the end of the month. It's been a crazy month so far. Just when we thought little league football was over, we found out the junior team made the playoffs -- you know football players live for the playoffs. So, our team plays Bingham on Saturday, November 7, 10:30 a.m. in Park City (of all places for a neutral field). We lost to Bingham 7-6 earlier in the season -- I know we can give them a good game, in fact, we can beat them!

Whatever you say, Napoleon . . .

I have been visiting schools all month. I call it our "Fall Road Trip". The purpose is to get out and visit with the counselors, review their goals for the school year, and address concerns and questions. Aside from spending time with the counselors, I get a chance to talk to students either in the counseling center and/or the administration office. Yesterday was no different, however, my conversation with a couple of boys at one of the junior high schools was most interesting.

Me: So, why are you here on this chair outside the Principal's office?
Student 1: I wasn't doing anything, this kid was talking trash behind my back, and I told him to talk to me face to face with the trash not to say it behind my back.
Me: So, why are you here on this chair outside the Principal's office?
Student 1: I wasn't doing anything, but the kid who was talking trash about me got me in trouble.
Me: So why are you here? (Speaking to student #2 who made a loud "passing gas" noise making all of the students in the office break out in laughter and move seats away from him.)
Student 2: What? Someone took my wallet.
Me: Okay, let's talk about why you are here in school -- we can start by looking at the future -- what are your goals and plans, what do you want to be? (This is my standard question to students everywhere.)
Student 2 (the one who passed gas): I want to be a sex therapist.
Me: Okay, now get your mind out of the gutter and give me another answer.
Student 2: I want to help people with STSs.
Me: Okay, your mind is still in the gutter, let's try again --
Student 2: Okay, I want to play in the NBA and the NFL. (Mind you, this kid is about 5'3" and is wearing a pink shirt for breast cancer awareness day.)
Student 1: I know I am going to be in the NFL, I pretty much already have three scholarship offers to play in college.
Me: Oh, you do? What grade are you in?
Student 1: 9th grade (Now this student is a little taller -- maybe 5'7" or so and pretty slender.)
Me: Are you playing football now?
Student 1: No, but I have had some NFL scouts looking at me and my three friends when we play football at the park -- they said we are good enough to get scholarships -- I have three scholarship offers already.
Me: (No response, but I wanted to say "Whatever you say, Napoleon . . .")
Me: You kids have a nice day and be serious about school.

Not my month for blogging . . .

Where has this month gone? It's been nearly 20 days since my last blog post! I guess this has just not been my month for blogging. Not that things haven't happened and inspired me to blog -- just not finding the time or making the time. I have spent many otherwise blogging times reading papers, building a biome, and just keeping track of the homework for the two boys in my house -- namely, Karl and Willie. It's good work -- that homework stuff. I guess it's my hobby. I don't do scrap booking or any of that kind of stuff, but I do love editing a tough paper and working on keeping my 9th grade GPA respectable.

November is just a few days away and with it comes the NABLOPOMO -- a blog posting every day. I can't wait!

By the way, Willie has got me watching The Office. It is a show about nothing and is hilarious. The other night Willie and I were watching an episode and Karl wasn't too far from us. I commented to Willie, "I hate Dwight!" to which Karl replied, "Whose wife?" to which Willie realized, "I live in a senior citizen center!"

Yes, you may laugh all you want, but your hearing will gradually impair, too.

Have a nice day!

Autum Colors

Went for a drive over the weekend -- autumn colors are beautiful.

My day . . .

Got up and all that stuff . . .

Took Willie to school -- delivered box of materials to his junior high - Made high school visit -- looking for funding for a new day school program for students short on graduation requirements -- also met with counselor there about a new student who hasn't been in public school since 7th grade but has taken classes at SLCC - Made a junior high visit -- counselor just returned from FML (new baby), wanted to make sure she was transitioning back to work okay - Another junior high visit -- gave kudos to a new counselor who helped out with a shopping event for needy students sponsored by the Assistance League of Salt Lake -- one of the league members e-mailed me about how impressed she was with this particular counselor - Made in-building office visits -- trying to track down October 1 enrollment counts -- while doing so heard good news and sad (twins born to colleague's daughter, colleague's wife passed away -- long time battle with cancer) --Checked-in with Karl about Willie's ortho appointment - Attended brown bag meeting -- discussion on Response to Intervention -- perhaps a solution to long overdue school reform -Participated in conference call -- ACTE Legislative Committee -- update on bills and issues in Congress that impact education - Took a parent call -- mother trying to get her emotionally damaged student back into high school -- he wanted to drop out earlier in the month, but now wants back in -- facilitated re-enrollment - Took a call from a junior high counselor who had a student in her office who had done some cutting on her wrists in the locker room during PE class -- the counselor had never had this kind of situation -- I walked her through the process of what to do -- she called back later to report that the student was in the care of her parents --Went home to family -- Annie and the kidlets and Parker were there in addition to Karl and Willie -- nice surprise -- Willie's teeth hurt --Haley came by for piano lessons -- 3 students tonight - Karl has been painting all day -- he is doing a nice job --Headed to Wendy's -- to get something quick for dinner -- the kitchen is a mess --Homework time -- Willie is a good student --Got a call from Haley -- she reported a WVC Resource Officer assigned to a local high school was arrested for bad stuff --Checked-in with the grandparents - Caught up on blogging --Going to bed soon!

Parallel Passions

Passion is defined as any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling -- as love or hate. So often, passion is connected to love or intimate desires. But, the passion to which I am referring is a strong, parallel essential to your well-being and identity. It's a strong and enthusiastic desire for anything -- like a passion for music. Parallel is having the same direction, course, nature, or tendency -- corresponding, similar or analogous. In geometry, parallel lines, equidistance apart, go on into infinity, never meeting. Hmmmm . . . .

On Tuesday and Wednesday last week, I had the privilege of going back to the classroom. (A colleague who is working on her teaching license is teaching {voluntarily} Financial Literacy at the alternative school took some time off. Once her teaching license is completed, she plans to get an administrative endorsement but teaching comes first). At any rate, it was fun going back into the classroom -- I don't get there too often. The students in the class were pretty much sitting in their seats, putting in the time, doing as little as possible to pass the class so that another box on the graduation credit sheet could be checked off. I challenged the students to look beyond the requirement for graduation to see if there wasn't something pushing them along -- a passion for something parallel to their school stuff (sitting in class, mainly). Needless to say they didn't get my point, and collectively explained that school was for their parents, for college, because they had to go, and so on. How sad!

What's your parallel passion? Yes, I go to work everyday, but what motivates me to get there and to do my best? Is it my family? Is it that each day presents something new and exciting -- a new student who needs help, a new problem to solve, a new idea ponder? Is it the association with great professionals? Is it the music/news I listen to on the radio? Is it the red/orange/yellow glow of the mountains in the early morning sun? Is it the success I see each of my family members achieving? Is it my faith? It's not one, two, or three parallel passions, I have too many to list. I know that it's a passion for something that energizes and transitions people from one day to the next -- I hope my parallel passions continue to accumulate.