Went to a new Dr today to get some intestinal troubles checked out. Things have been a little not normal since the trip to Lake Powell. Since it hasn't just gone away by itself, it's time to investigate further. This involves blood work, three days' worth of samples and a pelvic/abdominal scan tomorrow morning.
Which is why I'm still awake and blogging at 12:13 am. I'm putting off drinking the 16 ounces of berry-flavored barium (berry-um?) I have to consume before bed. And another 16 ounces one hour before my appointment tomorrow morning. Dreading it!
I would not have known the berry-um was necessary had I not popped by the imaging center after my Dr appointment and asked what I needed to do. The desk clerk took my info and came back with two bottles of barium for me. The Dr's nurse just said to make sure I was fasting and to take the paperwork over tomorrow morning. Good thing I went and asked myself. Sheesh, people.
Anyway, the investigating has begun. I hope it's not anything icky/serious, but if I have to go to the trouble of crapping in a cup for three days [this is not easy to do, BTW], I kinda don't want to hear "Everything came back normal" or its companion, "It must all be in your head."
I guess I can't put off the barium any longer. Grrr.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Three Eurekas
Eureka 1: During a weekend cleaning bout, I finally found the George Foreman Grill and my pepper grinder in the garage. Only 15 months after moving here. Now if I can find the shoe racks...
Eureka 2: Jack FM comes to the RGV. When the Jack format took over a beloved local station in LA, it was a shock. However, the radio scene here is so bleak (NPR programming only during am/pm commute hours, insipid pop/top 40 and one heavy metal station that occasionally spun a classic rock tune), Jack is a welcome addition to the dial.
Eureka 3: Joaquin The Hair God gave me my first decent haircut in Texas on Saturday. And I'll pay LA prices for his skill. He took my shaggy, growing out 'do and coaxed it into a cute, short layered bob that I am absolutely THRILLED with. See for yourself:
BEFORE (David the Hair God's September cut before it got all shaggy)
(Little Brother modeling the shirt I did not wear to the Shakespeare reading)
AFTER
It may not look hugely different, but this one will be a lot easier to manage while it's getting longer. Who knows, maybe I'll keep it short.
Eureka 2: Jack FM comes to the RGV. When the Jack format took over a beloved local station in LA, it was a shock. However, the radio scene here is so bleak (NPR programming only during am/pm commute hours, insipid pop/top 40 and one heavy metal station that occasionally spun a classic rock tune), Jack is a welcome addition to the dial.
Eureka 3: Joaquin The Hair God gave me my first decent haircut in Texas on Saturday. And I'll pay LA prices for his skill. He took my shaggy, growing out 'do and coaxed it into a cute, short layered bob that I am absolutely THRILLED with. See for yourself:
BEFORE (David the Hair God's September cut before it got all shaggy)
(Little Brother modeling the shirt I did not wear to the Shakespeare reading)
AFTER
It may not look hugely different, but this one will be a lot easier to manage while it's getting longer. Who knows, maybe I'll keep it short.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Best at something worthwhile
On the drive back from San Antonio, the conversation took many twists and turns--from the software demo we'd seen to solving problems on campus to the conditions in the colonias where a number of Pan Am students live.
My supervisor said that the house where our two work study students live didn't have doors, windows, indoor plumbing or electricity when she first met their family fifteen years ago. They still don't have heat or air conditioning and many dwellings in their neighborhood are still without services or amenities most of us take for granted.
I have a hard time wrapping my head around this.
My supervisor's church group adopted the colonia where our work study students live and she talked about the service projects they did. Parties for all the kids who graduated high school. Christmas presents every year for every kid enrolled in school from kindergarten to college. Groups from the church would work on various homes in the neighborhood doing wiring, putting in plumbing, roofing, siding, windows, etc.
Last weekend, I spoke with some people whose church also organizes work groups to send to colonias around the Valley. I'm planning on going along on a construction trip for a Valley Girl column.
A few weeks ago at General Conference, the new RS president exhorted LDS women to be the BEST at things like keeping house. Makes me wonder, why aren't we as a church the BEST at addressing social issues, peace and justice, environmental issues, hunger or poverty?
I've never heard anyone in my ward or stake mention colonias. Our big ward service project was for one of our own and the project made a major difference in her life. But when we have neighbors who have dirt floors and don't have ELECTRICITY, AC or heat in this beastly climate, shouldn't we be doing something MORE?
My supervisor said that the house where our two work study students live didn't have doors, windows, indoor plumbing or electricity when she first met their family fifteen years ago. They still don't have heat or air conditioning and many dwellings in their neighborhood are still without services or amenities most of us take for granted.
I have a hard time wrapping my head around this.
My supervisor's church group adopted the colonia where our work study students live and she talked about the service projects they did. Parties for all the kids who graduated high school. Christmas presents every year for every kid enrolled in school from kindergarten to college. Groups from the church would work on various homes in the neighborhood doing wiring, putting in plumbing, roofing, siding, windows, etc.
Last weekend, I spoke with some people whose church also organizes work groups to send to colonias around the Valley. I'm planning on going along on a construction trip for a Valley Girl column.
A few weeks ago at General Conference, the new RS president exhorted LDS women to be the BEST at things like keeping house. Makes me wonder, why aren't we as a church the BEST at addressing social issues, peace and justice, environmental issues, hunger or poverty?
I've never heard anyone in my ward or stake mention colonias. Our big ward service project was for one of our own and the project made a major difference in her life. But when we have neighbors who have dirt floors and don't have ELECTRICITY, AC or heat in this beastly climate, shouldn't we be doing something MORE?
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Road Tripping
Drove to San Antonio Wednesday night with my supervisor, the compliance officer and a rep from IT to check out some software that will take Time & Effort reporting to new heights. New system will be web based, paperless and far superior to the bailing wire and chewing gum system we use now.
We got in late Wednesday night and ended up dining at Applebee's. We parked under a streetlight that attracted swarms of crickets and grasshoppers. One hopper snuck into the van and made for a fun drive back to the hotel.
The Tempurpedic mattress was AWESOME. Best night's sleep I've had in a while.
We met in the lobby for breakfast and headed to campus for the meeting. It went the whole 3 hours, between the software demo and our questions about the system's specs. It will take a lot of coordination for three campuses to swing a joint implementation, but the results (and resulting savings) will be worth it.
As is my habit, I scoped out restaurant recommendations on Chowhound.com before the trip. Fortunately, one of the Thai recommendations was between our hotel and campus. I pitched the suggestion to the group and we all enjoyed a scrumptious meal at Thai Pikul. Green curry with veggies and shrimp. Mmmmmm. Must go to meetings in S.A. more often.
Then, back on the road. I ended up riding shotgun. We were so absorbed in our conversation that we missed our turnoff. One detour and many small towns later, we were back on Highway 281 headed south.
We were a few miles past the Border Patrol checkpoint at Fafurrias when I saw a Border Patrol vehicle going northbound pull into the U turn lane. Next, we saw a white minivan in front of us swerve to the shoulder and then run off the road. We watched as the driver leaped out of the still-moving van and made a run for it.
Our driver pulled over, thinking it was an accident and that we should help. Then we saw the Border Patrol vehicle go chasing after the runner with lights flashing. We urged our driver to get us back on the road--our involvement was not needed.
The rest of the trip was uneventful. I chatted with my supervisor in the parking lot after we were dropped off. Got an earful about a "loyalty hire" and some other goings-on. Will be interesting to see how things play out.
We got in late Wednesday night and ended up dining at Applebee's. We parked under a streetlight that attracted swarms of crickets and grasshoppers. One hopper snuck into the van and made for a fun drive back to the hotel.
The Tempurpedic mattress was AWESOME. Best night's sleep I've had in a while.
We met in the lobby for breakfast and headed to campus for the meeting. It went the whole 3 hours, between the software demo and our questions about the system's specs. It will take a lot of coordination for three campuses to swing a joint implementation, but the results (and resulting savings) will be worth it.
As is my habit, I scoped out restaurant recommendations on Chowhound.com before the trip. Fortunately, one of the Thai recommendations was between our hotel and campus. I pitched the suggestion to the group and we all enjoyed a scrumptious meal at Thai Pikul. Green curry with veggies and shrimp. Mmmmmm. Must go to meetings in S.A. more often.
Then, back on the road. I ended up riding shotgun. We were so absorbed in our conversation that we missed our turnoff. One detour and many small towns later, we were back on Highway 281 headed south.
We were a few miles past the Border Patrol checkpoint at Fafurrias when I saw a Border Patrol vehicle going northbound pull into the U turn lane. Next, we saw a white minivan in front of us swerve to the shoulder and then run off the road. We watched as the driver leaped out of the still-moving van and made a run for it.
Our driver pulled over, thinking it was an accident and that we should help. Then we saw the Border Patrol vehicle go chasing after the runner with lights flashing. We urged our driver to get us back on the road--our involvement was not needed.
The rest of the trip was uneventful. I chatted with my supervisor in the parking lot after we were dropped off. Got an earful about a "loyalty hire" and some other goings-on. Will be interesting to see how things play out.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
First Sunday in the New Weird
Sunday was the first meeting of our newly configured ward. At the chapel doors, young men passed out information sheets for us to fill out--name, contact info, previous callings, etc.
Sacrament meeting opened normally, then the counselor announced that we would all come up to the pulpit pew by pew to introduce ourselves to our new ward family. It was a plodding process. A few introductions were funny, some revealing; others were mini-sermons. Several speakers mentioned their callings in the new ward, so I guess the new bishopric had been staffing up since the changes were announced.
I seized the opportunity to introduce myself using my last name. Since Mike attended our old ward first, I became Sister HisName regardless. I'd just as soon have other adults skip the whole Sister thing and call me by my first name.
It took more than an hour to get through the 25 families in attendance. Afterward, we were dismissed to Sunday School without any helpful meta-information about how the ward would run. Some people had new callings, but there were still significant vacancies and it wasn't clear what the rest of us were supposed to do. Perform our old callings until told otherwise?
They skirted the lack of a SS teacher by having the adults watch a video: The Lamb of God. Even with the high production values, there's something soul-leaching about watching the crucifixion. It's why I avoided Mel Gibson's version. The church version was still violent; at the worst moments, there were shots of Jesus' hand, writhing in off-screen agony. I don't buy that violence begets spirituality, so this was not pleasant to sit through.
On to the third installment of the day's discomfort: a RS lesson on Honorable, Happy, Successful Marriage. We were 0 for 3 over the weekend, so this lesson was a guaranteed suckfest.
Only two RS-connected people stayed in the ward; I planned to conduct and the remaining teacher planned to teach as scheduled. When we arrived, another woman who'd been a counselor in the branch RS presidency said she'd been asked to conduct/handle RS. Patsy and I gladly stood down, but that would have been nice to know!
So far, it's the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing--and not in a good way. I won't be there next Sunday, so I hope they'll have things better organized in a couple of weeks.
Sacrament meeting opened normally, then the counselor announced that we would all come up to the pulpit pew by pew to introduce ourselves to our new ward family. It was a plodding process. A few introductions were funny, some revealing; others were mini-sermons. Several speakers mentioned their callings in the new ward, so I guess the new bishopric had been staffing up since the changes were announced.
I seized the opportunity to introduce myself using my last name. Since Mike attended our old ward first, I became Sister HisName regardless. I'd just as soon have other adults skip the whole Sister thing and call me by my first name.
It took more than an hour to get through the 25 families in attendance. Afterward, we were dismissed to Sunday School without any helpful meta-information about how the ward would run. Some people had new callings, but there were still significant vacancies and it wasn't clear what the rest of us were supposed to do. Perform our old callings until told otherwise?
They skirted the lack of a SS teacher by having the adults watch a video: The Lamb of God. Even with the high production values, there's something soul-leaching about watching the crucifixion. It's why I avoided Mel Gibson's version. The church version was still violent; at the worst moments, there were shots of Jesus' hand, writhing in off-screen agony. I don't buy that violence begets spirituality, so this was not pleasant to sit through.
On to the third installment of the day's discomfort: a RS lesson on Honorable, Happy, Successful Marriage. We were 0 for 3 over the weekend, so this lesson was a guaranteed suckfest.
Only two RS-connected people stayed in the ward; I planned to conduct and the remaining teacher planned to teach as scheduled. When we arrived, another woman who'd been a counselor in the branch RS presidency said she'd been asked to conduct/handle RS. Patsy and I gladly stood down, but that would have been nice to know!
So far, it's the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing--and not in a good way. I won't be there next Sunday, so I hope they'll have things better organized in a couple of weeks.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Fan Base
As mentioned, it was a busy weekend for Valley Girl between the Art Walk Friday night and Palmfest Saturday and Sunday.
One of the stores I wrote about recently--Bath Junkie--had a booth at the Palmfest mercado. I stopped by to say hello and the owner effusively complimented the VG article and said she'd forwarded to the franchise owner and various people at corporate HQ. I asked if anyone had come in after reading it. The owner said no, but she hoped people would see it and stop in.
I posted an extra column about Palmfest Sunday morning and Mike and I went over for a couple of hours after I picked him up at the airport. We bumped into his department chair and his wife at the book sale. Linda mentioned she was a faithful VG reader and recently took her mother to the tea room/antique shop I'd written about. She gave me a couple of suggestions for future VG field trips.
On the way out, we walked by the Bath Junkie booth again. Just as we walked up, one of the workers told a woman standing at the booth "That's her right there," meaning me. "That's Valley Girl?!" she said. Yup, that's me. We introduced ourselves and Sandy told me she LOVES the column, LOVES Pink Martini and gets ideas for things to do with her Girl Scout troop from Valley Girl. Tee hee.
I also checked the email account I set up for VG mail and found 23 messages. Most were weekly arts announcements, but there was a note from a woman who moved here recently and asked my advice about how to make friends, so I dropped her a line. And the next day, I received another email from a faithful reader in Harlingen suggesting I visit the corn maze in Donna.
Aside from the occasional email, people rarely leave comments on VG posts. I don't know people read it unless they TELL me they read it. When I've asked the deputy managing editor or the online editor what VG readership stats are, I never get a response. So to have a few more people tell me they read faithfully and really enjoy the column, well, it makes my day. :)
One of the stores I wrote about recently--Bath Junkie--had a booth at the Palmfest mercado. I stopped by to say hello and the owner effusively complimented the VG article and said she'd forwarded to the franchise owner and various people at corporate HQ. I asked if anyone had come in after reading it. The owner said no, but she hoped people would see it and stop in.
I posted an extra column about Palmfest Sunday morning and Mike and I went over for a couple of hours after I picked him up at the airport. We bumped into his department chair and his wife at the book sale. Linda mentioned she was a faithful VG reader and recently took her mother to the tea room/antique shop I'd written about. She gave me a couple of suggestions for future VG field trips.
On the way out, we walked by the Bath Junkie booth again. Just as we walked up, one of the workers told a woman standing at the booth "That's her right there," meaning me. "That's Valley Girl?!" she said. Yup, that's me. We introduced ourselves and Sandy told me she LOVES the column, LOVES Pink Martini and gets ideas for things to do with her Girl Scout troop from Valley Girl. Tee hee.
I also checked the email account I set up for VG mail and found 23 messages. Most were weekly arts announcements, but there was a note from a woman who moved here recently and asked my advice about how to make friends, so I dropped her a line. And the next day, I received another email from a faithful reader in Harlingen suggesting I visit the corn maze in Donna.
Aside from the occasional email, people rarely leave comments on VG posts. I don't know people read it unless they TELL me they read it. When I've asked the deputy managing editor or the online editor what VG readership stats are, I never get a response. So to have a few more people tell me they read faithfully and really enjoy the column, well, it makes my day. :)
Saturday, October 06, 2007
I Feel Zitty, Oh So Zitty!
This morning I checked in with the dermatologist. He had me stop taking antibiotics 3 months ago and he wanted to see how I was doing.
Not well, since I also stopped taking the androgen blocking pill after our trip to CA in September and have only been using the topical stuff. And have been breaking out big time the last couple of weeks.
While in Cali, I ran the drug by my chiropractor who does muscle testing to see if foods, drugs, supplements or other substances are what your body needs or doesn't need. (I know a lot of folks think chiropractic care is bunk; all I know is I felt better and didn't get sick as often with regular visits to mine).
The chiropractor muscle tested the androgen blocker and said my body's response to the drug was not just no, it was HELL NO.
The dermatologist says my skin won't stay clear without some form of systemic treatment--be it antibiotics again, going back on the androgen blocker, taking birth control pills or the big guns: Accutane.
When I talked about Accutane with my HMO dermatologist two years ago, he refused to prescribe it unless I was on 3 forms of birth control--not 2 forms as the guidelines mandated. This was the same guy who said I didn't have an acne problem until I whipped off my shirt and forced him to actually LOOK. Bring up Accutane and suddenly he becomes physician-of-the-year-thorough.
None of my present options are that appealing. I'll try benzoyl peroxide during the day to see if that keeps things in check. Otherwise, it's a matter of picking the least onerous Rx.
Not well, since I also stopped taking the androgen blocking pill after our trip to CA in September and have only been using the topical stuff. And have been breaking out big time the last couple of weeks.
While in Cali, I ran the drug by my chiropractor who does muscle testing to see if foods, drugs, supplements or other substances are what your body needs or doesn't need. (I know a lot of folks think chiropractic care is bunk; all I know is I felt better and didn't get sick as often with regular visits to mine).
The chiropractor muscle tested the androgen blocker and said my body's response to the drug was not just no, it was HELL NO.
The dermatologist says my skin won't stay clear without some form of systemic treatment--be it antibiotics again, going back on the androgen blocker, taking birth control pills or the big guns: Accutane.
When I talked about Accutane with my HMO dermatologist two years ago, he refused to prescribe it unless I was on 3 forms of birth control--not 2 forms as the guidelines mandated. This was the same guy who said I didn't have an acne problem until I whipped off my shirt and forced him to actually LOOK. Bring up Accutane and suddenly he becomes physician-of-the-year-thorough.
None of my present options are that appealing. I'll try benzoyl peroxide during the day to see if that keeps things in check. Otherwise, it's a matter of picking the least onerous Rx.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Now We're Cookin'
Suddenly, I'm all about the blogging. And cooking.
I promised Mike I would clean out the freezer while he was gone. It's packed with vegetables and chicken carcasses destined to become stock using Fugue Salad's recipe once I got around to it.
As I was putting groceries away, I knocked the bottom shelf off the fridge door and all the bottles housed there fell on the floor, including the bottle of Secret Ingredient. Which started to hiss, fizz and leak. So I made stock tonight instead of roasting a chicken like I'd planned. Now it's looking like I'll need to make two batches to make a noticeable dent.
I also need to juice and zest the bag of lemons our neighbor gave us and the ones I picked up at church. (The bishop and another family bring 10 gallon buckets filed with lemons to share). I've been freezing the juice in ice cube trays.
I bumped into one of my former RS coworkers at the store tonight. She's not happy about the changes, either. We would have drawn different boundary lines, we decided.
She's already missing Sister B., who's an endless source of plucky comic relief.
I'm glad we get to keep Sister B; she's a hoot. Reminds me of a Latina Joan Rivers--always dressed to the nines and providing running color commentary to anyone sitting nearby. People marveled that I got her to say the closing prayer in RS once. (I told her she could have the last word and she cracked up. I figured that was close enough to an agreement and when they called her name, she got up and said the prayer).
Hmmm. Mike was supposed to Skype me tonight and I haven't heard from him. Maybe I'll try to get him then trundle off to bed.
I promised Mike I would clean out the freezer while he was gone. It's packed with vegetables and chicken carcasses destined to become stock using Fugue Salad's recipe once I got around to it.
As I was putting groceries away, I knocked the bottom shelf off the fridge door and all the bottles housed there fell on the floor, including the bottle of Secret Ingredient. Which started to hiss, fizz and leak. So I made stock tonight instead of roasting a chicken like I'd planned. Now it's looking like I'll need to make two batches to make a noticeable dent.
I also need to juice and zest the bag of lemons our neighbor gave us and the ones I picked up at church. (The bishop and another family bring 10 gallon buckets filed with lemons to share). I've been freezing the juice in ice cube trays.
I bumped into one of my former RS coworkers at the store tonight. She's not happy about the changes, either. We would have drawn different boundary lines, we decided.
She's already missing Sister B., who's an endless source of plucky comic relief.
I'm glad we get to keep Sister B; she's a hoot. Reminds me of a Latina Joan Rivers--always dressed to the nines and providing running color commentary to anyone sitting nearby. People marveled that I got her to say the closing prayer in RS once. (I told her she could have the last word and she cracked up. I figured that was close enough to an agreement and when they called her name, she got up and said the prayer).
Hmmm. Mike was supposed to Skype me tonight and I haven't heard from him. Maybe I'll try to get him then trundle off to bed.
The Weekend Ahead
With an ad like this, how could I resist?
http://www.mcallenartwalk.com/index.php?&MMN_position=1:1
If there's a T shirt with a mustachioed Frieda Khalo, it's coming home with me.
Saturday and Sunday, it's PalmFest, McAllen's art and film festival. International artists, dancers, storytellers, equestrians and performers will be there, plus a festival of short films running concurrently. Since it's Texas, there will be a fajita and pan de campo cook off. Mmmmmm.
Valley Girl will have plenty to write about this week. Next weekend, I'm getting a shotgun and skeet shooting lesson courtesy of Tejas Shooting Sports so that on November 3rd, I can participate in the local Masonic Lodge's fall scholarship fundraiser/skeet shoot.
Twas only two degrees of separation between me and the Masons: One of my early VG columns was on Books N Things (cf: endless shelves of romance novels). The manager there mentioned her husband drove a shuttle bus at the University.
A few months after I'd been hired by the University, I was running late and had to park in a faraway lot. On the walk to my office, I saw a shuttle bus parked at a stop. On a whim, I asked the driver if he was Vickie's husband. Bingo!
We chatted and he asked if I could write something about their upcoming scholarship event. They were hoping to get some publicity and sponsorship and I was happy to oblige--and milk a column or two out of it. If my hand-eye coordination cooperates, I'll be knocking clay pigeons outta the sky real soon, y'all.
http://www.mcallenartwalk.com/index.php?&MMN_position=1:1
If there's a T shirt with a mustachioed Frieda Khalo, it's coming home with me.
Saturday and Sunday, it's PalmFest, McAllen's art and film festival. International artists, dancers, storytellers, equestrians and performers will be there, plus a festival of short films running concurrently. Since it's Texas, there will be a fajita and pan de campo cook off. Mmmmmm.
Valley Girl will have plenty to write about this week. Next weekend, I'm getting a shotgun and skeet shooting lesson courtesy of Tejas Shooting Sports so that on November 3rd, I can participate in the local Masonic Lodge's fall scholarship fundraiser/skeet shoot.
Twas only two degrees of separation between me and the Masons: One of my early VG columns was on Books N Things (cf: endless shelves of romance novels). The manager there mentioned her husband drove a shuttle bus at the University.
A few months after I'd been hired by the University, I was running late and had to park in a faraway lot. On the walk to my office, I saw a shuttle bus parked at a stop. On a whim, I asked the driver if he was Vickie's husband. Bingo!
We chatted and he asked if I could write something about their upcoming scholarship event. They were hoping to get some publicity and sponsorship and I was happy to oblige--and milk a column or two out of it. If my hand-eye coordination cooperates, I'll be knocking clay pigeons outta the sky real soon, y'all.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Second Helping of Upheaval
Today was our Very Special fast & testimony meeting wherein new ward boundaries were announced, finally quieting months of rumbling and rampant speculation.
There are two new English speaking wards. We stayed in McAllen 1st ward and we have a new bishop and counselors. But damn near everyone I was close to or hung out with outside of church--gone. Including my friend, Minerva (mom of the wasp-stung Stephanie) and my former employer, Mary. :(
In addition, every auxiliary lost key people--the RS president, members of the Primary, YW, YM, EQ and SS presidencies. We also lost all our competent pianists and organists.
And, to be honest, there are some people I'm not sad to see go: the hardass RS teacher whose lesson on chastity last week began with us reading the catalogue of sexual sins in the manual--and her asking us to DEFINE EACH ONE. It left me feeling dirty.
Nor am I especially sad that the blowhard/always right SS president, an authority-focused stake leader and the least imaginative/manual only gospel doctrine teacher are gone, too.
Mike called me via Skype (he's in Japan) and I filled him in on all the changes. As I mentioned the gospel doctrine vacancy, I had a sinking feeling that I would be the replacement. Is the still, small voice accompanied by nausea and fear?
The SP was adamant that the old ward boundaries are history and need to be forgotten. On one hand, that doesn't seem realistic. Unless this would get us out of cleaning the meetinghouse in October. (What cleaning assignment? That guy isn't our bishop anymore). I can feel the selective amnesia settling in already...
There are two new English speaking wards. We stayed in McAllen 1st ward and we have a new bishop and counselors. But damn near everyone I was close to or hung out with outside of church--gone. Including my friend, Minerva (mom of the wasp-stung Stephanie) and my former employer, Mary. :(
In addition, every auxiliary lost key people--the RS president, members of the Primary, YW, YM, EQ and SS presidencies. We also lost all our competent pianists and organists.
And, to be honest, there are some people I'm not sad to see go: the hardass RS teacher whose lesson on chastity last week began with us reading the catalogue of sexual sins in the manual--and her asking us to DEFINE EACH ONE. It left me feeling dirty.
Nor am I especially sad that the blowhard/always right SS president, an authority-focused stake leader and the least imaginative/manual only gospel doctrine teacher are gone, too.
Mike called me via Skype (he's in Japan) and I filled him in on all the changes. As I mentioned the gospel doctrine vacancy, I had a sinking feeling that I would be the replacement. Is the still, small voice accompanied by nausea and fear?
The SP was adamant that the old ward boundaries are history and need to be forgotten. On one hand, that doesn't seem realistic. Unless this would get us out of cleaning the meetinghouse in October. (What cleaning assignment? That guy isn't our bishop anymore). I can feel the selective amnesia settling in already...
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Party Foul
Our RS has two new counselors and the Enrichment counselor is going gangbusters on home & family preparedness, food storage and gardening. We have two workshops a month--one on a Thursday evening, one on a Saturday morning--and a food storage item of the month that is featured as the refreshments.
This morning, I hosted a workshop on composting, complete with full color handout with all the info an aspiring composter needed.
We had 9 people total. I had wrapped up most of the overview when Minerva showed up with her kids. The rest of the ladies were eating refreshments Monica brought--crisp tortilla rounds, cheese, lettuce and cooked beans, this month's starring food storage item.
Two women had to leave early, so I took them outside to see my compost bin in action. Minerva and her 3 girls came outside with us. They'd been to our house before and headed straight for the backyard swings.
I had just shown everyone the compost bin's innards when the screaming started. I looked to see which kid was screaming and why. To my everlasting horror, I saw there was a wasp nest under the swing Stephanie had been on and she'd gotten stung.
The wasps were buzzing angrily near their disturbed nest, so we walked the screaming, crying Stephanie back to the house. She had three stings: two on her arm and one on the corner of her mouth (which explained why she'd been screaming into her closed hands). Minerva called her pediatrician to ask what to do.
I wrapped some ice cubes in wet paper towels to help kill the pain. One mom had Benadryl, so we had her take one. Minerva had children's Tylenol at home, so she packed up the girls' things and headed out. Stephanie was somewhat calmer by then but still obviously in pain. After that, everyone else packed it in, too.
Hard not to feel like the world's worst host after something like that.
This morning, I hosted a workshop on composting, complete with full color handout with all the info an aspiring composter needed.
We had 9 people total. I had wrapped up most of the overview when Minerva showed up with her kids. The rest of the ladies were eating refreshments Monica brought--crisp tortilla rounds, cheese, lettuce and cooked beans, this month's starring food storage item.
Two women had to leave early, so I took them outside to see my compost bin in action. Minerva and her 3 girls came outside with us. They'd been to our house before and headed straight for the backyard swings.
I had just shown everyone the compost bin's innards when the screaming started. I looked to see which kid was screaming and why. To my everlasting horror, I saw there was a wasp nest under the swing Stephanie had been on and she'd gotten stung.
The wasps were buzzing angrily near their disturbed nest, so we walked the screaming, crying Stephanie back to the house. She had three stings: two on her arm and one on the corner of her mouth (which explained why she'd been screaming into her closed hands). Minerva called her pediatrician to ask what to do.
I wrapped some ice cubes in wet paper towels to help kill the pain. One mom had Benadryl, so we had her take one. Minerva had children's Tylenol at home, so she packed up the girls' things and headed out. Stephanie was somewhat calmer by then but still obviously in pain. After that, everyone else packed it in, too.
Hard not to feel like the world's worst host after something like that.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Monday Surprise
After innumerable redesigns and months of waiting, our office move became a reality. This morning. Of course, I dressed up today--skirt, slinky V-neck top, heels. Not an outfit geared for box schlepping.
The move was supposed to happen Tuesday. But the movers showed up this morning and with the whole campus gearing up for HESTEC next week, we figured we better grab 'em while we could.
HESTEC = the Hispanic Engineering, Science & Technology week, complete with a star-studded lineup of politicians, CEOs, company presidents and vice presidents and entertainment. Nancy Pelosi is speaking. I'm all over THAT. More info here.
Anyway, I'm excited to have my own office after sitting at a corner desk in the back of the graduate office with little work or storage space. I finally have my own phone line and this means I will shortly have business cards--they were on hold until the move. Now I have to retrain everyone to send reports to my new location.
Since my office had the only extra network port, I get to live with the color printer; it blows warm air into an otherwise frigid space, so I'm OK with it.
The move was supposed to happen Tuesday. But the movers showed up this morning and with the whole campus gearing up for HESTEC next week, we figured we better grab 'em while we could.
HESTEC = the Hispanic Engineering, Science & Technology week, complete with a star-studded lineup of politicians, CEOs, company presidents and vice presidents and entertainment. Nancy Pelosi is speaking. I'm all over THAT. More info here.
Anyway, I'm excited to have my own office after sitting at a corner desk in the back of the graduate office with little work or storage space. I finally have my own phone line and this means I will shortly have business cards--they were on hold until the move. Now I have to retrain everyone to send reports to my new location.
Since my office had the only extra network port, I get to live with the color printer; it blows warm air into an otherwise frigid space, so I'm OK with it.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Adios, Last Vestige of Independence
Today--if I actually do have all the correct paperwork--I am selling my Pathfinder.
It's only the second car I've owned. My first was a 1980 orange Dodge Colt that I drove during college. The Pathfinder was my BYU graduation present. It has hauled me and my gear around since the fall of 1992. Put 164,023 miles on that baby.
I'm finding I'm much more attached than I thought, which is expressing as general hostility as the day of reckoning/relinquishing neared. It feels like I'm selling off the last vestige of my old, single, independent life--so much of which has been obliterated by the changes of the past year. The Pathfinder seems like the last relic of that era. It compares to the uncomfortable feeling I get seeing my childhood playthings tagged for mom's next garage sale.
We'd talked about loaning the Pathfinder to 17 for her senior year, but the offer was rebuffed. I casually mentioned to a co-worker that we were trying to sell one of our three cars. The Pathfinder was the obvious choice while it still had some value.
The co-worker was interested in the Pathfinder for her stepson, so we began making arrangements. Had their mechanic check it out. We wanted to get a Nissan expert to check out one thing their mechanic had noted, but the Nissan dealership here won't look at any car older than 10 years--their policy. (Whatever).
So now the day is here. The buyer just walked over to my desk to say we can go over to the court house whenever I'm emotionally ready. I guess I should rip off the bandage already.
Which relegates me to being a permanent minivan driver. Sigh.
It's only the second car I've owned. My first was a 1980 orange Dodge Colt that I drove during college. The Pathfinder was my BYU graduation present. It has hauled me and my gear around since the fall of 1992. Put 164,023 miles on that baby.
I'm finding I'm much more attached than I thought, which is expressing as general hostility as the day of reckoning/relinquishing neared. It feels like I'm selling off the last vestige of my old, single, independent life--so much of which has been obliterated by the changes of the past year. The Pathfinder seems like the last relic of that era. It compares to the uncomfortable feeling I get seeing my childhood playthings tagged for mom's next garage sale.
We'd talked about loaning the Pathfinder to 17 for her senior year, but the offer was rebuffed. I casually mentioned to a co-worker that we were trying to sell one of our three cars. The Pathfinder was the obvious choice while it still had some value.
The co-worker was interested in the Pathfinder for her stepson, so we began making arrangements. Had their mechanic check it out. We wanted to get a Nissan expert to check out one thing their mechanic had noted, but the Nissan dealership here won't look at any car older than 10 years--their policy. (Whatever).
So now the day is here. The buyer just walked over to my desk to say we can go over to the court house whenever I'm emotionally ready. I guess I should rip off the bandage already.
Which relegates me to being a permanent minivan driver. Sigh.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
This Guy
was one of the actors on our flight from Burbank to Dallas. Thanks, Hevans for connecting the dots!
Haven't been able to place the other actor. I'm sure I'll be watching some random movie rerun someday, see him and gasp "THAT'S THE OTHER GUY from our flight!"
Mike will just look at me and ask "How do you KNOW all these people?!?" Which is usually what he asks (or some variant) when I come up with an actor's name he can't remember or say oh, they were in such and such movie, too. (Like Shirley Henderson who played Jude in Bridget Jones' Diary and was also in his video, Einstein's Big Idea).
Haven't been able to place the other actor. I'm sure I'll be watching some random movie rerun someday, see him and gasp "THAT'S THE OTHER GUY from our flight!"
Mike will just look at me and ask "How do you KNOW all these people?!?" Which is usually what he asks (or some variant) when I come up with an actor's name he can't remember or say oh, they were in such and such movie, too. (Like Shirley Henderson who played Jude in Bridget Jones' Diary and was also in his video, Einstein's Big Idea).
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Soooo far behind
The long weekend in LA was Grrreat!
We arrive Friday night , picked up the rental car and headed to Saladang for Thai food--had their amazing smoked salmon/ginger/lime/toasted coconut/red onion/roasted peanuts appetizer wrapped in a curly lettuce leaf and served with a golden sweet sauce. Mmmmm. Caught up with mom & dad before retiring to the air mattress in my old bedroom turned storage unit.
Saturday, I visit the chiropractor (ahhhh), and Mike and I pick up some fresh raspberries & boysenberries and luscious tomatoes at the Pasadena Farmer's Market. Off then to visit David the Hair God. He's running late, so we make our first of several trips to Trader Joe's.
When David gets to the salon, he's sporting a flesh-colored bandage on the end of his nose. Has he ventured Beyond Botox? The story is this: David's been hanging out with a woman who wasn't quite divorced (he knew the husband and hung out with them both pre-divorce). David is over at her place on New Year's Eve. The not-quite-ex husband shows up, beats the shit out of David and BITES OFF THE END OF HIS NOSE. He wins for worst New Year's ever.
He's still got it with the scissors and gives me a much improved (if shorter) haircut. We pop by home to drop off produce and change clothes before going to Angela's 40th birthday tea.
All the usual living room furniture is gone. Five tables are set up with iced tea, lemonade, finger sandwiches, scones and Devonshire cream--a sumptuous repast. For mementos, we make charm bracelets with various teapot/teacup charms. So cute! We do a round of introductions, as several areas of Angela's life are represented and we don't all know each other. We contribute to the group gift--dental work for Angela's incarcerated pen pal. We linger and chat until it's time to leave for dinner.
Dinner at Yazmin, an amazing Malaysian restaurant in Alhambra. Meet h.s. pal Wendy there, with others straggling in later. We eat and dish and Angela reads palms. Afterward, we head home to finish reading through "As You Like It" in preparation for Sunday night's Shakespeare reading.
Sunday morning, we head to church in the beloved Pasadena Ward, where there are insightful lessons, dear friends, political allies and hymns played at the correct tempo. Sigh. We want to visit cousin Rowan after church, but he's not feeling up to having visitors. We pop into TJ's and head home to get ready for the potluck/reading. More friends there, excellent food and a reading that went quite well by all accounts. Mike and I had the leads, so it was a bit more pressure than in readings past. Kudos to Mark and Angela for putting it together!
Monday we slept in. Tried to see "Sicko," but it was sold out. Went shopping at Vroman's Bookstore, Coldwater Creek, Trader Joe's (yes, again) and Bed, Bath and Beyond where I scored a drapery panel to match the one I bought last year (note to self: buy in pairs next time).
Arrived home in time for dinner with mom, dad, brother John and GF Cristina. Noshed on potato salad, baked beans, Honeybaked ham and mail-order ribs. Was nice to hang out with them after almost a year!
Oh, yeah, we got accused of bringing the triple-digit heat wave with us to So Cal. Geez, you get married on a bloody hot day and no one ever lets you forget it. :)
Monday, we pop my finished editing job in the mail and head to the airport. Of course, it wouldn't be a trip to LA without a celebrity sighting, right? We had not one but two character actors sitting in first class to Dallas. One guy was middle aged, reddish blondish hair, glasses--the actor you know you've seen in something but you just can't place him.
The other guy is more of an on-the-rise dude. He was in that suspense/horror TV show on the WB where some kind of aliens landed in the town's lake and were taking over peoples' bodies? I believe he played the horsey-looking/high foreheaded sheriff with the blond wife-turned-alien. I think. I only saw the previews. If someone can name that show and put me out of the brain-wracking misery so I can look him up on IMDB, I'd appreciate it!
Coming back to Texas after the delights of family, friends and So Cal has, quite frankly, sucked. The End.
We arrive Friday night , picked up the rental car and headed to Saladang for Thai food--had their amazing smoked salmon/ginger/lime/toasted coconut/red onion/roasted peanuts appetizer wrapped in a curly lettuce leaf and served with a golden sweet sauce. Mmmmm. Caught up with mom & dad before retiring to the air mattress in my old bedroom turned storage unit.
Saturday, I visit the chiropractor (ahhhh), and Mike and I pick up some fresh raspberries & boysenberries and luscious tomatoes at the Pasadena Farmer's Market. Off then to visit David the Hair God. He's running late, so we make our first of several trips to Trader Joe's.
When David gets to the salon, he's sporting a flesh-colored bandage on the end of his nose. Has he ventured Beyond Botox? The story is this: David's been hanging out with a woman who wasn't quite divorced (he knew the husband and hung out with them both pre-divorce). David is over at her place on New Year's Eve. The not-quite-ex husband shows up, beats the shit out of David and BITES OFF THE END OF HIS NOSE. He wins for worst New Year's ever.
He's still got it with the scissors and gives me a much improved (if shorter) haircut. We pop by home to drop off produce and change clothes before going to Angela's 40th birthday tea.
All the usual living room furniture is gone. Five tables are set up with iced tea, lemonade, finger sandwiches, scones and Devonshire cream--a sumptuous repast. For mementos, we make charm bracelets with various teapot/teacup charms. So cute! We do a round of introductions, as several areas of Angela's life are represented and we don't all know each other. We contribute to the group gift--dental work for Angela's incarcerated pen pal. We linger and chat until it's time to leave for dinner.
Dinner at Yazmin, an amazing Malaysian restaurant in Alhambra. Meet h.s. pal Wendy there, with others straggling in later. We eat and dish and Angela reads palms. Afterward, we head home to finish reading through "As You Like It" in preparation for Sunday night's Shakespeare reading.
Sunday morning, we head to church in the beloved Pasadena Ward, where there are insightful lessons, dear friends, political allies and hymns played at the correct tempo. Sigh. We want to visit cousin Rowan after church, but he's not feeling up to having visitors. We pop into TJ's and head home to get ready for the potluck/reading. More friends there, excellent food and a reading that went quite well by all accounts. Mike and I had the leads, so it was a bit more pressure than in readings past. Kudos to Mark and Angela for putting it together!
Monday we slept in. Tried to see "Sicko," but it was sold out. Went shopping at Vroman's Bookstore, Coldwater Creek, Trader Joe's (yes, again) and Bed, Bath and Beyond where I scored a drapery panel to match the one I bought last year (note to self: buy in pairs next time).
Arrived home in time for dinner with mom, dad, brother John and GF Cristina. Noshed on potato salad, baked beans, Honeybaked ham and mail-order ribs. Was nice to hang out with them after almost a year!
Oh, yeah, we got accused of bringing the triple-digit heat wave with us to So Cal. Geez, you get married on a bloody hot day and no one ever lets you forget it. :)
Monday, we pop my finished editing job in the mail and head to the airport. Of course, it wouldn't be a trip to LA without a celebrity sighting, right? We had not one but two character actors sitting in first class to Dallas. One guy was middle aged, reddish blondish hair, glasses--the actor you know you've seen in something but you just can't place him.
The other guy is more of an on-the-rise dude. He was in that suspense/horror TV show on the WB where some kind of aliens landed in the town's lake and were taking over peoples' bodies? I believe he played the horsey-looking/high foreheaded sheriff with the blond wife-turned-alien. I think. I only saw the previews. If someone can name that show and put me out of the brain-wracking misery so I can look him up on IMDB, I'd appreciate it!
Coming back to Texas after the delights of family, friends and So Cal has, quite frankly, sucked. The End.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Catch up, Ketchup, Catsup
The past three weeks have been a blur. The lapping waters of Lake Powell are a faint memory, replaced by the near daily thunderstorms of South Texas.
It's fiscal year end at work. The Powers want the Summer certification to get turned around in 2 business days--that's IF the data is ready on schedule. So far, it's not.
We have not moved to our new office space. The secretary to my right has made it clear she's ready for us to clear out, asking in an ingratiating yet transparently self-interested way as if she ever gave a toot about whether I have sufficient desk space.
There was a shakeup in the RS presidency while I was gone. The remaining counselor moved away and I found this out via the answering machine when we got home from Powell. The RS pres got snappish when I asked if I had to wait until the new counselors were sustained to find out who they were. And she wanted their input (not mine) on filing other vacancies. We were able to iron it out, but it left me with less enthusiasm (is that possible?) for the job.
Looking forward to visiting LA, seeing family, hanging with friends, celebrating Angela's 40th, and filling up on Thai food. Oh, and getting a decent haircut from David the Hair God (although lately people have been saying the current 'do is looking good. I haven't cut it since July, hoping to give David plenty to work with).
Hoping I'll have time to finish posting on the end of the Utah trip & Sunstone while we're in Cali. I hear they're having a heat wave; not quite as hot as the wedding last year, but close. It's after midnight and I still have to pack. Argh!
It's fiscal year end at work. The Powers want the Summer certification to get turned around in 2 business days--that's IF the data is ready on schedule. So far, it's not.
We have not moved to our new office space. The secretary to my right has made it clear she's ready for us to clear out, asking in an ingratiating yet transparently self-interested way as if she ever gave a toot about whether I have sufficient desk space.
There was a shakeup in the RS presidency while I was gone. The remaining counselor moved away and I found this out via the answering machine when we got home from Powell. The RS pres got snappish when I asked if I had to wait until the new counselors were sustained to find out who they were. And she wanted their input (not mine) on filing other vacancies. We were able to iron it out, but it left me with less enthusiasm (is that possible?) for the job.
Looking forward to visiting LA, seeing family, hanging with friends, celebrating Angela's 40th, and filling up on Thai food. Oh, and getting a decent haircut from David the Hair God (although lately people have been saying the current 'do is looking good. I haven't cut it since July, hoping to give David plenty to work with).
Hoping I'll have time to finish posting on the end of the Utah trip & Sunstone while we're in Cali. I hear they're having a heat wave; not quite as hot as the wedding last year, but close. It's after midnight and I still have to pack. Argh!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
More Powell Fun & Frolic
The vacation part was like a bug drifting lazily on the breeze; coming home was like hitting a windshield. Readjusting to Real Life again ain't fun. So here's some more vacation reminiscing/euphoric recall.
Saturday August 4
Mike and I joined Kelly and Shawn on a boat ride back to the marina to get gas & groceries. Browsed in the marina gift shop. Returned in time for lunch and an afternoon excursion to a cliff diving spot. I jumped twice (from not very high) which was all I needed to prove I wasn't a complete wuss. Kelly has pics of me and Mike jumping together (which I hope she'll send, hint, hint).
Most of the kids who came with us defected to the Malibu. Me, Mike, Kelly, Nicole and Little Brad did some sightseeing and fishing. We took turns using the two fishing poles on hand. Nicole caught the first striper; LB caught a catfish, then I caught a striper (~7 lbs.) We took home 5 striper in all. Raced against falling darkness back to the houseboat. Twas our night to cook dinner; MIL Sue kindly put our lasagnas in the oven and we did garlic bread and green beans. Another rainy, electric night made the kids all sleep inside.
Sunday August 5
Got up at dawn for another fishing trip. Woke Kelly, Little Brad and Joey at 6:15 am to head out. Tiptoed around prone sleepers. Tried two spots unsuccessfully--fish were too deep. Third spot was a little round cove; we drifted in circles until Kelly dropped anchor to keep us near the fish. Little Brad caught the first fish, then Kelly, Joey, and finally me. My first striper was medium, then I caught a really big one (that Joey kept trying to pass off as his).
It was hot by the time we ran out of bait, so we all went swimming. The boys climbed some rocks and begged me to grab a lizard carcass they were too short to reach. (I did). After a leisurely swim, we piled back in the boat to head back.
We were halfway back when we met Jill & Steve in the Malibu. They'd been out looking for us because it was 1:00 pm and we'd been gone SIX HOURS. We had No Idea. It caused some uproar because the houseboat was due back at the marina to meet some more cousins/grandkids at 3:00 pm. Scrambling and quick fish filleting ensued.
We took our kids plus Little Brad & Alexis T-shirt shopping. Mike had to mediate a meltdown between Jackie & Jessica. We planned to have dinner in Page, but a torrential rain/lightening storm after we docked changed the venue to the marina restaurant (now party of 23). After dinner, we collected belongings and packed and turned in. We had a long drive ahead Monday to Idaho Falls to hang out with Uncle Matt, Aunt Cathy and the other cousins. More on that later...
Me enjoying baklava-esque rocks.
Quatro hermano/as.
Life jacketless daredevil.
Nicole's first catch.
Saturday August 4
Mike and I joined Kelly and Shawn on a boat ride back to the marina to get gas & groceries. Browsed in the marina gift shop. Returned in time for lunch and an afternoon excursion to a cliff diving spot. I jumped twice (from not very high) which was all I needed to prove I wasn't a complete wuss. Kelly has pics of me and Mike jumping together (which I hope she'll send, hint, hint).
Most of the kids who came with us defected to the Malibu. Me, Mike, Kelly, Nicole and Little Brad did some sightseeing and fishing. We took turns using the two fishing poles on hand. Nicole caught the first striper; LB caught a catfish, then I caught a striper (~7 lbs.) We took home 5 striper in all. Raced against falling darkness back to the houseboat. Twas our night to cook dinner; MIL Sue kindly put our lasagnas in the oven and we did garlic bread and green beans. Another rainy, electric night made the kids all sleep inside.
Sunday August 5
Got up at dawn for another fishing trip. Woke Kelly, Little Brad and Joey at 6:15 am to head out. Tiptoed around prone sleepers. Tried two spots unsuccessfully--fish were too deep. Third spot was a little round cove; we drifted in circles until Kelly dropped anchor to keep us near the fish. Little Brad caught the first fish, then Kelly, Joey, and finally me. My first striper was medium, then I caught a really big one (that Joey kept trying to pass off as his).
It was hot by the time we ran out of bait, so we all went swimming. The boys climbed some rocks and begged me to grab a lizard carcass they were too short to reach. (I did). After a leisurely swim, we piled back in the boat to head back.
We were halfway back when we met Jill & Steve in the Malibu. They'd been out looking for us because it was 1:00 pm and we'd been gone SIX HOURS. We had No Idea. It caused some uproar because the houseboat was due back at the marina to meet some more cousins/grandkids at 3:00 pm. Scrambling and quick fish filleting ensued.
We took our kids plus Little Brad & Alexis T-shirt shopping. Mike had to mediate a meltdown between Jackie & Jessica. We planned to have dinner in Page, but a torrential rain/lightening storm after we docked changed the venue to the marina restaurant (now party of 23). After dinner, we collected belongings and packed and turned in. We had a long drive ahead Monday to Idaho Falls to hang out with Uncle Matt, Aunt Cathy and the other cousins. More on that later...
Me enjoying baklava-esque rocks.
Quatro hermano/as.
Life jacketless daredevil.
Nicole's first catch.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Now for the words and a few more pictures
Tuesday July 31
Departure from McAllen. Met Brad & Nicole in Dallas. Flew to SLC together. Piled into rented minivan that barely contained all our luggage. Star sighting at Crown Burger. Checked into hotel. Kids all fell asleep; Mike and I went to DI, REI, Sundance outlet, and Mel's to see her new house and new Scottie, Dash. Reconvened at hotel w/kids and recently arrived Aunt Cathy and numbersome cousins. Chatted, ate pizza and had a sock fight with Parker & little Brad. Readied for bed, slept.
Wednesday August 1
Big Brad's sore throat worse. Mike takes him to urgent care. We rouse girls and pack up. MIL Sue and cousin Tyler meet us at hotel. Cathy heads back to ID with two cousins; two cousins (little Brad and Alexis) come with us. We pick up Big Brad up--no strep, but he's miserable--and the 10 of us caravan to brunch. Finally get on the road to Powell. Torrential rain through Parowan. Running late to meet SIL Jill, BIL Steve & family (party of 19). Spend 3 hours at Fiesta Mexican in Page, AZ (2 hours waiting, 1 hour eating). Decamped to the Super Evil Store (W-M) for groceries. We blew $400 on food/water for 6 people for FOUR days. Drove to marina, unloaded vehicles/loaded golf carts and headed for the house boat. Orientation: Learned which faucets dispense potable water or gray water, toilet etiquette, keeping doors CLOSED and where to store our groceries. Mike and I get a bunk, kids sleep up top.
Thursday August 2
The Caspian sets sail! We gas up and start our 15 mph chug onto the lake. Power boat and SIL Kelly/BIL Shawn's boat run ahead to scope out a houseboat parking spot. I feel seasick through the channels, but am OK. Boat is parked/anchored. Some kids go out on powerboat (the Malibu); other kids get left behind. :( Mike and I jet ski and swim off by ourselves and came back for spaghetti dinner, watching movie "New York Doll," and playing rousing cards games before everyone konked out. Major lightning storm and some fireworks.
Friday August 3
Leisurely wake up and breakfast. Fishing over side of houseboat. Campaign to get the left-behinds on the Malibu (successfully); forgot how much encouragement some teens need to participate in things. Mike & I take out Kelly's boat (the same boat the Stevens clan grew up taking to Powell every summer since it opened) and Mike teaches Jessica and little Brad to water ski. Nicole & Jackie try, too. After some vehicle swapping between boats and jet skis, Alexis, Jackie & I try wake boarding--but the rope is too long for any of us to get up. :( Back to houseboat for dinner and a movie. While we're watching "The Other Side of Heaven," a BAT flies into the houseboat. We laugh our asses off while realizing Someone Left a Door Open (gasp) and trying to chase the poor creature outdoors. More lightning and rain.
To be continued... but a few last pictures.
Little Brad & Tyler on the jet ski.
Take the picture; I'm holding a sharp fish!
Brad wake surfing.
Jeff showing us how an Aussie does it.
Departure from McAllen. Met Brad & Nicole in Dallas. Flew to SLC together. Piled into rented minivan that barely contained all our luggage. Star sighting at Crown Burger. Checked into hotel. Kids all fell asleep; Mike and I went to DI, REI, Sundance outlet, and Mel's to see her new house and new Scottie, Dash. Reconvened at hotel w/kids and recently arrived Aunt Cathy and numbersome cousins. Chatted, ate pizza and had a sock fight with Parker & little Brad. Readied for bed, slept.
Wednesday August 1
Big Brad's sore throat worse. Mike takes him to urgent care. We rouse girls and pack up. MIL Sue and cousin Tyler meet us at hotel. Cathy heads back to ID with two cousins; two cousins (little Brad and Alexis) come with us. We pick up Big Brad up--no strep, but he's miserable--and the 10 of us caravan to brunch. Finally get on the road to Powell. Torrential rain through Parowan. Running late to meet SIL Jill, BIL Steve & family (party of 19). Spend 3 hours at Fiesta Mexican in Page, AZ (2 hours waiting, 1 hour eating). Decamped to the Super Evil Store (W-M) for groceries. We blew $400 on food/water for 6 people for FOUR days. Drove to marina, unloaded vehicles/loaded golf carts and headed for the house boat. Orientation: Learned which faucets dispense potable water or gray water, toilet etiquette, keeping doors CLOSED and where to store our groceries. Mike and I get a bunk, kids sleep up top.
Thursday August 2
The Caspian sets sail! We gas up and start our 15 mph chug onto the lake. Power boat and SIL Kelly/BIL Shawn's boat run ahead to scope out a houseboat parking spot. I feel seasick through the channels, but am OK. Boat is parked/anchored. Some kids go out on powerboat (the Malibu); other kids get left behind. :( Mike and I jet ski and swim off by ourselves and came back for spaghetti dinner, watching movie "New York Doll," and playing rousing cards games before everyone konked out. Major lightning storm and some fireworks.
Friday August 3
Leisurely wake up and breakfast. Fishing over side of houseboat. Campaign to get the left-behinds on the Malibu (successfully); forgot how much encouragement some teens need to participate in things. Mike & I take out Kelly's boat (the same boat the Stevens clan grew up taking to Powell every summer since it opened) and Mike teaches Jessica and little Brad to water ski. Nicole & Jackie try, too. After some vehicle swapping between boats and jet skis, Alexis, Jackie & I try wake boarding--but the rope is too long for any of us to get up. :( Back to houseboat for dinner and a movie. While we're watching "The Other Side of Heaven," a BAT flies into the houseboat. We laugh our asses off while realizing Someone Left a Door Open (gasp) and trying to chase the poor creature outdoors. More lightning and rain.
To be continued... but a few last pictures.
Little Brad & Tyler on the jet ski.
Take the picture; I'm holding a sharp fish!
Brad wake surfing.
Jeff showing us how an Aussie does it.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
It's a Matriarchy
Hmmm. We're not as photogenic at the lake. Is it the not showering?
MIL/Grandma Sue.
SILs Jill and Kelly.
Nicole and Jessica getting their squint on.
Jackie with similar expression.
MIL/Grandma Sue.
SILs Jill and Kelly.
Nicole and Jessica getting their squint on.
Jackie with similar expression.
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