I stand somewhat corrected!

As Willie and I drove into the junior high parking lot this morning, we carefully checked and read all signs. One sign, on the right side of the parking lot entrance, states, "This parking lot is NOT a student drop off." Please note that the sign is bent and twisted and not obviously visible. I guess I will need to reconsider my thoughts from yesterday. However, there is no sign that indicates, "If you come in this parking lot, a mean teacher will harass you and scold you!"

I stand somewhat corrected!

Have a nice day!

For the past couple of weeks Willie and I have been exposed to the "mean and nasty teachers" at the junior high school. I choose to drop Willie off in the faculty parking lot where the parents who just need to make a quick drop off tend to go. (Parents needing to linger longer in the parking lot and watch their students socialize and then walk into the school, drop their students off in the east lot.) There are a couple of signs in the faculty lot that say, "Faculty Lot," "Student Drop Off East Parking Lot," -- but there is no sign that says what the mean teachers want it to say, "Parents are not allowed to drop their students off in this parking lot, and if they do they will be yelled at by us!" An explanation -- when we arrive in the morning at the same time as any one of these 3 mean teachers (they have all pointed at me and then pointed to the east parking lot like I am suppose to feel bad about what I am doing). Teacher A must be arriving at school earlier -- we haven't been reprimanded by her for quite some time. But Teacher B is determined to set me straight, and the anger has not stopped with me (the parent), now Willie is getting harassed. Teacher B has scolded him twice now as he is walking in the school --"tell your mother she needs to drop you off in the other parking lot!" This morning was even more exciting, Teacher C, left her parked car and aggressively approached the driver of each car dropping off students and shook her hand at them in disgust. One parent just drove right by her and two parents actually rolled down their windows and engaged her. Guess what, I was one of the lucky recipients of her angst, and I refused to roll my window down for her, and all I could do in response was mouth a nice message to her, "Have a nice day!"

My greatest concern is that these 3 angry teachers, A, B, and C, go into the school to teach our students. You can't tell me that they magically transition into kind and loving teachers when they enter the classroom. I doubt their attitudes are left in the parking lot. My, my, my, . . . I hope they can soon find a cause that is more rewarding than scolding parents and kids who enter the faculty parking lot for school. I hope they can find a way to "have a nice day".

Curses, foiled again!

The Utes are getting better and better. The shots are there, the defense is tight, the coach is intense and a little crazy, and the games are close! The game tonight was a battle until the end and the Cougs came out on top! Curses, foiled again, but not for long. The Utah b-ball program is turning around, and it looks good, and I love it. The b-ball game is my favorite -- always has been, always will be!

Oh what condition my condition is in . . .

I am a little slow posting about the Utah High School 5A State Swim Meet. It was held last Saturday, February 9, at BYU. My kids and I have been attending for 7-8 years to watch the very capable nieces and nephew compete as the top swimmers in the state. Each year the meet is held at BYU, and I have to chuckle at all of the rules and conditions spectators face as they participate. The most obnoxious is the 1 by 2 and 1/2 inch piece of paper ticket-holders receive as they enter the swimming pool venue. I am so surprised that BYU management feels so compelled to instruct and in the first person, no less. It's like taking the "creed of conditions", hmmmmm . . . .

I think I am losing my mind . . . .

I know the mind deteriorates with age -- but, I am not that old --

But, every day something happens that leads me to believe I am losing my mind. I forget meetings, I can't remember from one hour to the next (even from one minute to the next) what I am doing or suppose to be doing. I can't seem to get a handle on things and it's kind of scary. I have always had a very good memory -- names, dates, places, events, and so on.

Is it dementia? Not sure -- I couldn't remember how to spell it to find the information below. You be the judge ---

Dementia (from Latin de- "apart, away" + mens (genitive mentis) "mind") is the progressive decline in cognitive function due to damage or disease in the brain beyond what might be expected from normal aging. Although dementia is far more common in the geriatric population, it may occur in any stage of adulthood. This age cutoff is by definition, as similar sets of symptoms due to organic brain dysfunction are given different names, such as developmental disorders, in populations younger than adulthood.

In dementia, affected areas in cognition may be memory, attention, language, and problem solving. Especially in the later stages of the condition, affected persons may be disoriented in time (not knowing what day of the week, day of the month, month, or even what year it is), in place (not knowing where they are), and in person (not knowing who they are).

Maybe I am not quite there -- I do know who I am and I know where I am . . . at least for today!

A few thoughts . . .

President Hinckley -- his impact will last forever . . .

It seems that everyone is posting something on their blogs about President Hinckley. I have enjoyed reading the postings.

The funeral service today was very powerful and tender. I was very impressed that all five Hinckley children participated -- youngest daughter, Jane, offered the family prayer; son, Clark offered the opening prayer; middle daughter, Virginia, was the first speaker; oldest daughter, Kathy, offered the closing prayer; and, oldest son, Richard, dedicated the grave. In the first few rows of the conference center were those five children and their spouses, twenty-five grandchildren and their spouses, and sixty-two great-grandchildren. I never met President Hinckley, but I have met his daughter,Virginia, and his son, Richard. They are good people. The Hinckley family is a strong family -- the plan of salvation in action.

I enjoyed Elder Packer's comments as he referenced President Hinckley's October 2004 conference talk -- "The Women in Our Lives". This talk came six months after Sister Hinckley passed away. It was a nice tribute to Sister Hinckley and his daughters. The quote Elder Packer used was one I clearly remember.

As a father, do I love my daughters less than I love my sons? No. If I am guilty of any imbalance, it is in favor of my girls. I have said that when a man gets old he had better have daughters about him. They are so kind and good and thoughtful. I think I can say that my sons are able and wise. My daughters are clever and kind. And "my cup runneth over" (Psalm 23:5) because of this.

Women are such a necessary part of the plan of happiness which our Heavenly Father has outlined for us. That plan cannot operate without them.

I hope I can be the kind of daughter (and mother and wife) to which President Hinckley so clearly referred in so many of his talks and writings.

Extra effort ----

Many of the issues and problems students and families bring to schools could easily be resolved if the folks at the schools would make a little, tiny, minimal, extra effort. Take for example a parent I met with this morning. Her son is a junior student in one of our high schools, a good student. He really wants to take occupational drafting and pre-architecture classes, and his high school doesn't offer them.

I actually got a call from this mother about the whole dilemma on Wednesday this week. I told her I would call the counselor, have her talk with the student to see if going to another high school for just those classes would fit into his schedule. The counselor responded by telling me that she had already given the student the other high school's telephone number and told him to call the school -- slacker indicator number #1. The counselor has the primary responsibility to help create the best schedule possible for every student in her caseload even if that means making arrangements with another school for a few classes. I decided to turn the conversation into a teaching moment, I strongly suggested that she call the school for the student and make the arrangements for him.

So, this morning the mother came to me indicating that she wanted to take her son out of the unhelpful school and special permit him to the school that had the drafting classes. She had received no help at the school (even after my call to the counselor, she didn't make the extra effort for the student) and felt like the school did not want to help her son. I made a few calls (like the counselor could have) and made arrangements for the mother to meet with the new school's assistant principal for a special attendance permit.

The mother was so appreciative. She then proceded to tell me the rest of the story ---
She and her husband moved to the US from Central America eighteen years ago. Her husband had a good job, they had a nice home, everything was great until the homeland security/INS folks tracked him down for being here illegally. They had paid an attorney many years ago to get their "paperwork" in order. They have social security numbers and work cards, but for some reason the "attorney" took advantage of their naivite and abscounded with the money for her husband's legal status process. So, eighteen months ago, he was deported. She lost their house and pretty much everything else and is now living in a basement apartment. She and her son (only child) miss their hunband/dad like crazy. She was just so appreciative that someone was willing to help her out. Tears trickled down her face as she thanked me.

No sure what is going to happen, but I am so glad I gave a little extra to her this morning. Helping others and being kind about it is really a good thing to do.

Snow Day?

It's snowing pretty fiercely and the roads are getting icy. Will that mean a "snow day" tomorrow? It's something all kids (and teachers) in Utah dream of --

Happy Snow Day

by Judy Domeny Bowen (a teacher)

It is snowing white and heavy

And my heart is gay and light

And I know I will sleep soundly

For a snow day is in sight.

Snow is piled upon the bushes,

It is layered in the trees,

And Ted, the weather caster, said

It might drift to our knees.

Happy snow day! Pop the popcorn,

Gonna watch late night TV.

And I just might bake some cookies,

For tomorrow I will sleep.

Yes, tomorrow I'll grade papers,

You never know might clean the house

Happy snow day! Happy snow day!

Gonna sing and dance and shout!

Two A.M. the movie's over,

Guess I'd better go turn in.

It was so fun to watch a mystery

'Stead of grading late again.

Take a look outside the window,

Yeah, the snow's still coming down.

Not so heavy, not to worry,

Nicely covering the ground.

Happy snow day! Oh the leisure

And the simple peace of mind,

Knowing that tomorrow morning

I will face a day that's mine.

It's a gift so unexpected,

A vacation that's unplanned.

Happy snow day! Happy snow day!

There is joy throughout the land!

What! It's seven in the morning!

Where is that awaited call?

Spring out of my sleep-warm bed

And to the radio I crawl.

Turn it on and listen closely,

Oh the wait's so very cruel!

Then they list off every town around,

'Cept mine -- we're having school!

NOT a snow day! I'm in trouble!

I have 30 minutes now

Till my students fill the classroom!

I run panicked though the house.

There is no time for a shower,

Throw on wrinkled shirt and jeans,

Frantic race out to the Chevy,

Hair and face not even clean!

NOT a snow day! NOT a snow day!

What a way to start the morn!

Let us hope that come this evening
Blows a blizzard of a storm!

Happy Birthday Elliott!

It's my grandson's birthday! He is 1 year old. Elliott has dusty dark blond hair, big beautiful blue eyes, long fan-like eyelashes, and eight very sharp teeth! He is a very serious and very smart little guy, he is very cautious, he has a smile that can melt an iceberg, he loves to explore, he can crawl at lightening speed, when he starts giggling he can't stop, he has a thing for electronic objects and stuffed animals, he pushes all objects around as he crawls as if they are trucks and cars, he loves to eat and is very brave about trying new foods and flavors, he loves to be outside, he loves to pound on the piano, he loves to roll around on my bed and plant his face in the pillows, he loves to study my snow globes, he likes to dance in his own style, he lets me rock him to sleep, he loves to play in water in any sink in the house, he holds very still when I put baby lotion on his hands and feet, he loves the bathtub, he is ticklish just about everywhere, and the list goes on and on. I love him as much as I can, and he loves his grandma and that makes me happy!

Utah Basketball . . . . arrggggggggg!!!!!

The Utes just blew another game! The U of U vs. New Mexico game went into overtime tonight, and the Utes got their buts kicked in the end (literally). That's 3 games in a row in the loss column. The Utes seem to get nice leads and then they slip away. The laws of probability imply that "you will succeed proportionately to the number of times you fail". I am counting on this law and others (and the Utes' sweet skills) to turn their games around. I've been watching Utah basketball games, seriously, for 40 years. I attended the first game ever in the Special Events Center (now the Huntsman Center) as a 9th grade student. I feel the Utes have a good team in the works this year -- the shots are just not falling for them, but they will.

They will succeed, yes they will indeed!

Brrrrrr . . . . it's cold!

I think today and the next two or three days will be the coldest days of the 07-08 winter. It's about 7:35 p.m. and the temperature is a very ch . . . ch . . . chilliy 7 degrees.

Not much a-happenin', baby . . .

I need to keep up the blogging habit, but there is not much to report. Life is good. Willie is doing well in school. Elliott is growing and approaching his 1st birthday. The newlyweds are good; Annie and Ross are good; Karl is good; and, I am just my usual self. The grandparents (all 3) seem to be doing pretty well.

We keep busy with homework, scouts, b-ball (Jr. JAZZ and U of U), family, church callings, keeping up the house/wash/etc., and of course the stuff we spend our time on during the day (work/school).

We have our ups and downs and bumps in the road, but all in all life is good.

Year at a glance . . .

January -- Priesthood ordination for Willie (deacon), birth of Elliott (first grandson)
February -- Marriage of Melanie and Justin (niece and nephew)
March -- Marriage of Haley and James (daughter and son-in-law), birth of Conner (great-nephew), great JR JAZZ basketball season ends with tournament championship, Annie begins new job phase (part-time from home)
April -- Dad (Ed) celebrates 78th birthday, birth of Luke (nephew)
May -- Blessing of Elliott, misson service for Preston (nephew), Marriage of Gordon and Jessica (nephew and niece), retirement of dear friend Cindy (trip ot St. George), death of Uncle Glen
June -- School's out, blessing of nephew Luke, basketball camps for Willie (SLCC and U of U), Haley and James buy a home, ASCA conference in Denver (Dad and Willie tag along), drive through Rocky Mountain National Park
July -- Long, hot, month, blessing of great-nephew Conner (trip to Overton, NV), first ever scout camp for Willie (East Fork of the Bear)
August -- Marriage of Alex and Tara (nephew and niece), junior high for Willie, youth football begins, Dad (Ed) in the hospital with hypothyroidism,
September -- 31 years of marriage for Karl and Judy, family trip to Jellystone Park, death of Uncle Bevan, Judy released from RSP church service (after 4 years, 8 months, seven days), Judy called to serve in stake RS presidency
October -- death of LaVerne (one of Judy's "over eighties club" ladies), Ardith one year anniversary with no hospital/care center experience
November -- Youth football ends in the "toilet bowl" (literally), Utah basketball begins (new coach, new look), Karl recruits for new JR JAZZ season
December -- JR JAZZ basketball begins, death of Moria Crawford (Mom's (Jerry) family friend), Dad (Ed) cancer surgery on his nose, Judy to ACTE (Las Vegas), Merry Chirstmas

Happy New Year!

Alaphabet for Life
Accept differences
Be kind
Count your blessings
Dream
Express thanks
Forgive
Give freely
Harm no one
Imagine more
Jettison anger
Keep confidences
Love truly
Master something
Nurture hope
Open your mind
Pack lightly
Quell rumors
Reciprocate
Seek wisdom
Touch hearts
Understand
Value truth
Win graciously
Xeriscape
Yearn for peace
Zealously support a worthy cause
by Renee Stewart

Happy Birthday Willie!

At 12:07 p.m. this afternoon, my boy evolved into a teenager. He's a good boy most of the time but I have sensed the teenagerhood stage coming on. No matter what question I ask him, his first response is always, "Whaaat . . ????" (in a deeper somewhat strained and stretched voice). Then when I barely get the repeat question out of my mouth he answers the question. Hmmm . . . , does teenagerhood last six or seven years.

Christmas makes me tired . . . .

I woke up this morning with some energy (but not that much)! Yippee! For every reason out there in rationalization-ville, I am exhausted the day after Christmas and sometimes for a few days more. It's the preparation, the anticipation, the dedication, the contemplation, the prioritization, and the realization that once a year -- this blessed day occurs. And, for that I am indeed grateful!

My favorite Christmas duet . . .

Enjoy!

Christmas Eve --

It's early Christmas Eve, and I am sitting at my computer thinking of everything I haven't done. My Christmas cards are still sitting, unaddressed; I have neighbor gifts to deliver; there are still presents to wrap; I need a few things at the store; and, the list goes on. But, not being ready Christmas in a few areas is okay -- I'll get things done, they may just be later than usual, and that's okay.

I am excited for Christmas -- there's a certain 7th grader who lives with me, a beautiful little grandson, two wonderful daughters and their husbands, and of course Karl who make this year the best ever.

Merry Christmas ---

There's no place like home!

I got home from Las Vegas late Saturday night. It is always so nice to get home after a few days away. I think my boys missed me (at least the one who meows like a cat and calls me "mamacita").

A very creative "welcome home" sign hung in the doorway, and on the stove were some freshly made snicker doodle cookies (TLC recipe book). What a nice surprise!

The meetings I attended were good -- but being away for four days is a huge price to pay when you love being home more than anything in the whole universe.

My son is a STAR scout!!

Willie got his STAR scout rank at the Court of Honor tonight. Karl, Haley, and James were there to cheer him on. Yeah Willie!

Star Scout Requirements:

• Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 4 months as a First Class Scout.


• Demonstrate scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.


• Earn 6 merit badges, including 4 from the required list for Eagle.*______________________(required for Eagle)*__________________________ (required for Eagle)*__________________________ (required for Eagle)*__________________________ (required for Eagle)*__________________________ *____________________


• While a First Class Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least 6 hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster.


• While a First Class Scout, serve actively 4 months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster-assigned leadership project to help the troop). Boy Scout troop: Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, bugler, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, or
  instructor.


• Take part in a Scoutmaster conference.


• Complete your board of review.