Poodle Girl
When Callie came home from school and said that she and her friends had decided to be poodle girls for Halloween, I decided to make her a circle skirt. I texted this to the other moms and said I would be willing to make their daughter a skirt as well. A couple of them took me up on the offer.
What is it about this age that makes it so fun to dress up the same as your friends? There is just something fun about it. I've been there. Callie looked so cute and it was nice to have the skirt finished well in advance.
And some day when she can't remember what she was in fifth-grade we can pull out this blog book. I'll tell ya what, having things documented sure settles arguments fast. Not real arguments, but disagreements. Mallerie was certain she had not worked on the train in 2017 because she was at school and then went on her mission. She was so confused why they mailed her a W-2.
I looked it up.
Mischief managed.
 |
| Above: "Since Mallerie was in town she worked the Easter train with Ava. I went over to take some lunch and saw her and Bunny, I mean Binnie." |
Ashley invited us to Cornbelly's! October 4, 2019
I usually take the kids to a pumpkin patch of some sort each fall but we have yet to hit Cornbelly's in Lehi. Maybe it's the crowds that have scared me away, or the price!
Now that I have been, I can report that it is great! There was something for all ages.
This anti-gravity house messed with my equilibrium.
Lindsey also brought a couple of her kids. While Ashley went to meet them at the entrance, I kept an on eye on Solly. Oh, my word that kid can move! I was worried that we would lose someone so I suggested we have a meeting place. There was a vintage truck with pumpkins all around it so we told all the kids, "If you get lost, come here."
After the "fun" house, we were headed to human foosball when Zeke walked up and Lindsey asked where he'd been. "At the truck!" Oh man, our bad.
For how long it took for it to get warm this year I thought maybe we would be treated to an Indian Summer. Nope! I was glad we had at least grabbed a jacket as we headed out the door. We could have used a parka!
We did work up a sweat during foosball. Cade came at that point and couldn't find us right away. He didn't expect to see us there giving it such gusto. If a stranger walked up and seemed interested, we'd say, "Jump in!" They usually did.
Graham and Zeke also tried their hand at the apple launcher. You just put apples in and launch! They then decided to see what would happen if they put corn in the launcher. It sounded like a machine gun.
I spent a fair amount of time in the corn pit as well. It was surprisingly relaxing.
Well, for me anyway.
Ah, now I see where Cornbelly's got its name.
Thanks Ash, this outing was just what the Dr. ordered.
EIGHT New Temples Announced
The General Women's broadcast at our Stake Center was a bit of a doozy. They couldn't get the sound working, then they couldn't get the sound synced. People had it playing on their phones and we quietly tried to listen to that. They guy fiddling with the cords and knobs looked like he had sweat tacos. I didn't envy him. The sound came on in time for us to hear the new Young Women theme. So beautiful.
I was happy the sound was working to hear President Nelson announce eight new temples!
Orem and Taylorsville, Utah; Bentonville, Arkansas; McAllen, Texas; Freetown, Sierra Leone; Port Morseby, Papa New Guinea; Bacolod, Philippines and Coban, GuatemalĂ
I now know what it feels like to hear your hometown announced. It brought tears to my eyes. Made me wish I was watching the broadcast with my peeps.
How funny is that meme above?! There was much speculation in the weeks leading up to the announced location. On the other hand, I really am bummed about the Orem Macy's closing, though it is probably for the best. I stopped there way too often for such things as cosmetics, bags, shoes, kid's clothes and housewares. I shopped in pretty much every department! I even almost bought a couch a couple of times on the way to the restroom.
Walking Field Trip - October 10, 2019
Grayson loves a good Subway sandwich. This fact alone ended up altering my day.
The night before he asked if he could drive the van to school so he could take his friends to lunch at Subway the next day. Even though it is just across the street I still worry about him driving other kids. Matt and I discussed it and we decided that would be okay. We have been sixteen, we get it.
I had committed to go on a walking field trip the next day with Callie's class to Heber Light and Power.
The weather was pretty nippy that day as I hopped on my bike to head to the school. As I parked my bike, I saw that the fifth-grade was already on their way. The classes were passing Smith's so I ran to catch up. Out of breath, I said hello to Callie.
We walked the rest of the way and enjoyed presentations that were more entertaining than I imagined they would be.
The kids enjoyed getting shocked by this metallic ball; all except for the girl with braces.
By the time we walked back to the school it was near the end of the school day so Callie asked if I could check her out. I told her, "Sure, but I came on my bike." She was less than thrilled about this because after all, we had just finished a walking field trip. Our neighbor and his daughter, who had also been on the field trip, offered to put my bike in his truck and give us a ride home. We graciously accepted. He was good at getting my beach cruiser in and out of his big truck.
When Grayson finally came home with the van, I asked how lunch with his friends had gone.
"Oh, we didn't end up going," he casually said.
!!!!!!!!!!
Ivy Rae
Ivy looked like a little angel on her baptism day.
She even treated us to a musical number. Shafers's boy Sam thought this very unique that the person of honor was on the program, "Wait, she is going to play?"
Cash is getting settled into their new house and it looks great. They don't have a place for a desk that my great-grandfather made so we offered to take it. For this reason, we brought the van. The van has not been doing too well by the way. One day when I was backing up, I thought the boys were mowing the lawn. I put down the window and Callie agreed, "Yeah, someone is mowing." Then the next time I got in the van I heard the same thing. It was the VAN that sounded like a lawn mower.
Outside Cash's, Eliza heard the mowing sound, "I'm no mechanic but that doesn't sound right."
Matt had been at a BYU game with the boys that day, so we met up with them at the baptism. After we loaded the desk into the van and then got into his car to move it, I suggested we take just off. Ava could take the kids home in the van. It was near 8 pm on a Saturday night and Sunday's come early for Matt. He agreed, so we hit Jim's Restaurant before heading up the canyon. We enjoyed a soak in the hot tub before bed. My phone automatically shuts off at 10 pm. I am glad it did. Grayson had been texting pictures of a cat the Taylors were fostering and he wanted to keep it.
He continued to present his case the next day. I reminded him that Poe doesn't like it when another cat is even on our property. Grayson kept saying all the wrong things, "I mean no offense, but Poe isn't cute and she's so fat and lazy." I told him that the way to present your case in life isn't to tear the other option down.
UEA - October 16-19, 2019
Graham got to play at the High School football game Wednesday night. Callie and I went to the game to cheer along and support the band. It was a great kick-off to fall break.
The first order of business was to get the van into the shop the next morning. I took Graham and Callie with me to the Toyota dealership in Orem. The revving sound had gotten progressively worse. As luck would have it though, the van was purring like a kitten on Grayson's lap when the mechanic turned it on. He said the van was probably just warmed up after the drive down the canyon and they would still have a look at it. I knew something was amiss.
I knew it and Eliza knew it.
Since the repairs would take most of the day, we signed up for the shuttle service. The driver asked us where we wanted him to take us. I told him, "Uncle Sam's Army and Navy store." Yep, thats where we wanted to go. It was more like a museum really. Callie had very little interest, but Graham walked around wide-eyed. He had decided he wanted to be an airfield soldier for Halloween and this was the perfect place to find what he needed. We talked to a very nice young man who has served overseas. I asked a little bit about his family. I learned that he doesn't really have one because he was raised in foster care but there are people who treat him like family. This broke my heart. Though, he clearly is not letting himself be a victim of his own life.
Graham picked out a jacket that the vet told us was most likely from the 1960's (I requested we buy one without holes in it). He also helped Graham with a helmet and a neckerchief. When I was doing my 'clean sweep' the month before, we found Grayson's scout pants that were just what Graham had been looking for. I'm telling you, this costume uniform had been thought out in great detail and everything needed to be just so.
Nailed it.
We walked to Arby's after the Army store and were on our way to the mall to catch a movie when the shop called to say that the van was ready (whoa, that's like way sooner than we had planned on). So, we waited for the shuttle which then brought us back to the dealership. A new exhaust pipe had been installed since the other had a crack in it, which could have potentially been hazardous as you can imagine.
We purred on over to the mall afterwards to find an army green shirt for Graham (H and M pulled through) and some white sneakers for Callie's poodle costume.
I made a nail appointment at Paradise nails afterwards.
Callie came into the salon with me while I got my nails filled. She enjoyed watching everything they did (is it wrong that we love the smell?)
I got a great photo of Graham posed in his new duds, so I told Callie I wanted to get a picture of her in her new shoes. She said, "I don't know what to do." I said, "Pop your heel."
You can never go wrong with a heel pop.
***
I have fingernail issues. They are thin and weak so they are always short. Since I started working at the temple and teaching, I have been painting my nails so they don't look quite so much like a man's hands. I painted them in the van after getting buckled so my nails could dry as I drove down the canyon. (Once I got nail polish on my sweater and when I tried to get it out, I accidentally created chloroform you'll remember.) I have used glue-on nails, which look fine, but they fall off and you have to have glue on you at all times. Pain.
SO.
I decided since I am pretty low maintenance (I've been coloring my own hair and getting it cut at Great Clips) I can get my nails done, right? While trying to find a technician, I remembered what Sadie told me, "They need to be Asian." I called a place in Orem and heard a very strong Asian accent on the other end. I told the man the date and time I wanted to make an appointment for. "Okay, see you then." Click. That was it. No asking for my name, number, nothing.
This place was going to be gooooooood.
***
How my heart swelled at tuckered-out Graham in the front seat.
His helmet has a leather strap that can be worn down or on the rim of the helmet. When we came home, Graham went downstairs and was fiddling with it. Later that night, I went downstairs to see why the light was still on. Graham had the leather strap in quite a tangle. He couldn't figure out how to get it untwisted. This didn't make any sense because both ends were attached to the helmet. I took it from him and stared to fiddle with it myself. I found a knob on the side that I could turn. As I did the strap untangled. I also saw a black clasp that if loosened, allowed the strap length to be adjusted so it could be worn on the brim of the hat. I handed it back to Graham. He said, "I have been working on this since we got home!" Hours ago. He then said, "Next time I am going to come to you and dad a lot sooner."
This was the best analogy for my next Sunday lesson on grace. Grace isn't only for after all we can do. It is for before, during and after all we can do. You can bet our Father in Heaven is wondering, "Why didn't you come to me sooner?"
What is more fun than having dentist appointments over UEA? The office we go to in Orem is undergoing a switch-a-roo with the Dentist so we had to go their other location in American Fork. The plus side to this was that it got us out the door bright and early on Friday morning the 18th (I include the date so I know when the kids were at the dentist last - six months comes fast). I used the time to read my student manual. I liked looking up and seeing Callie with this big toothbrush and mouth.
I went into DI by myself afterwards. The kids said they'd rather stay in the car. Whatever. I was looking for an out-of-print DVD for my lesson. Instead, I found a shirt for Grayson's costume and some glass bowls.
Mischief managed again.
We were lunching at Kneaders when Matt met up with us. I was in line helping the kids decide what they wanted when I realized Grayson was already done with his order; he had paid and everything. He is sweet like that. After lunch we dropped off Callie and then took the boys to the Timponogos Temple. Afterwards, we visited with Grandma Donna and Grandpa Mike. When I say we during any of UEA, it is sans Ava. She worked her little heart out in Heber the whole time. "It's all about the money, money!"
We had dinner that evening at the Pizza Factory in Provo. I used the restroom before dinner and saw the inscription on the stall, "Callie was here" and yet it was her first time. In actuality, it is only my second time going there. It's really good, but quite pricey.
In my mind the twisted garlic sticks were complimentary. They are not.
Papa Murphy's October 23, 2019
Grayson eats enough pizza as it is! Whenever we can, we bring him dinner while he is working. Callie loves marching in there and handing dinner to him. He said whenever he sees her coming, he says, "Yessssss." Grayson said, "Everyone tells me, 'Your family really loves you." I told him, "You can tell them, 'Your family loves you just as much...they just don't care about you."
Callie is just as happy to bring dinner to Ava. We just leave it on a crate by the back door. Seems kinda ghetto.
Leaves for Dayzzzz - October 25, 2019
The kids were out of school again the following Friday. We went over to our neighbor's yard to rake his leaves (not going to rake them up in the soggy spring again...lesson learned). We loaded most of the bags into the back of the truck (about four bags didn't fit!) I took the load to the dump and mistakenly went on the main road instead of side streets. On our way back I saw a bag in the middle road. That can't be good for anybody, so I pulled over and waited for a break in traffic to run out and get it. I had to carry it back to the truck like a baby because it had split open. I should have just shaken it into the wind.
Ashley invited us to Pumpkin Nights! - October 25, 2019
I haven't been to the Fair Grounds in a decade and now I was back for the second time in as many months. We met up with aunts, uncles and COUSINS - my kids MOST FAVORITE PEOPLE EVER.
Ava worked at Pumpkin Nights with Romney and Austin several evenings during October.
Money bags.
We couldn't take a photo without being photo-bombed by Jon. I returned the favor anytime he and Lindsey took a pic.
We were talking at the end about the talent that went into the hand-carvings and the displays when Ashley said, "Well, people hate it." Whaaaa? I guess the reviews are pretty consistently terrible. I said, "I will log on and give it a great review."
What can I say:
I know parents who post only when their kids have amazing grades. They don't post the other kid's grades, or when things aren't so rosy. I admit this is one of those times.
Way to Graham - straight A's!
Way to Graham - straight A's!
Grayson had an ortho apt the end of October. When we walked in, we felt like we were in an Avengers movie. The staff was decked out. Grayson didn't like it one bit. He groaned, "I don't want them working on me like that." Luckily, he didn't have the green team.
We had a good chat up the canyon. He drove. We ended up sitting in the van for quite a while when we got home. It was a good talk. I continue to marvel at this kid❤️.
Marvel...get it?
FHE October 28, 2019
Sticking with tradition, we had our pumpkin-carving-party the Monday before Halloween. Matt was out of town, but we pressed on. I was at Lee's picking up supplies when I saw delicious maple donuts in the case. I thought, "I'm going to make some of those tonight." My maple scones complimented our mummy dogs well. (When are these boys going to stop thinking it's funny to NOT smile?)
We grew our own pumpkins again this year. I am always amazed that we grow the exact number we need. This year we had two perfect pumpkins in our patch.
Meet Ann
I signed up for an Interior Design class through UVU's community education. I thought it was going to be held at the Wasatch Campus but my confirmation read, "Welcome to UVU's Orem Campus." Oh well. The class was to be held on Tuesday nights from 7-9 pm, Sept 24th-Oct 29th. Since I work at the Temple on Tuesday's it was going to be a long day in Utah County!
One morning while at Water Aerobics (I like to throw in a water class every now and then), I met an Interior designer who was there that day. I told of my debacle signing up for the wrong class. Ann, who is also in the class said, "I did the same thing!" We laughed at all the things we do that are the same: water aerobics, library book club, we work same temple shift and now the UVU class. Mallerie said, "You should find out what else she likes to do because I bet you would like it too."
Tuesdays did prove to be long. I was gone from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm (or later if Ann and I chatted afterwards). I packed a lunch, snack and dinner for the day. I volunteered to be the late room follow, which means I did the 3 pm endowment session all month. Sometimes I stayed and did another session. Sometimes I went on errands. I got my nails done. It was actually nice to have some time to kill each week. The kids looked forward to Tuesdays as well. As soon as the six weeks were up and I came home right after my temple shift, they seemed quite surprised (and disappointed.)
The class was a lot of fun. I wouldn't say I learned anything groundbreaking but it was a nice escape where I could just be me; Abby, not broken Abby. The one guy in our class recently lost his wife and said he would like to make his house more 'him' as he raises his two daughters. He must have felt the same way I did. We were all there for different reasons and we were all very different people.
During my oral presentation, I realized that the reason I have such a hard time identifying with one room-style is because my style is just...Abby. A girl named Becky showed a picture of her dream bedroom. I saw that it had a giraffe picture that I recently took down from my mudroom. I brought it for her the next week.
Here are some of the rooms we studied.
I gravitate to rooms that don't seem to be following the latest trends.
This isn't my whole class pictured below, some people had to jet out early the last day. That is our instructor in the back, Jeanie. She's a great-grandma! And what you might not have pictured about Ann is, she's in her 70's! (She's up front with me.)
Matt took me to the High School play, The Scarlett Pimpernel. We didn't buy tickets ahead of time, we just picked our seats when we got there. There were two empty seats at the end of the row, and then our seats. At the last minute Ann came in and sat next to Matt. Matt said to me, "I guess you want to switch seats with me now." I said, "I absolutely do!"
Too funny (out of all the seats!)
Here is just a funny side note about Book Club. I commended our leader Stefenee for also leading the book club at the jail for the inmates. Someone piped up, "They must be a captive audience."
Routine
I remember having little kids and marveling at how many times a floor could be swept and a counter could be wiped, but mostly I marveled while sweeping the floor.
House Work
by Donna Woolf (my Granny)
Oh! Bed
The time required
To make you, smooth you
each day.
Oh! Dishes
The time required
To wash you, wipe you
Put you away.
Some of my longed for desires
Can never come
When things such as you
Require so much of my time.
I desire to spend time other ways
I have other abilities I know I have
But I repeat and repeat
Day after day
Household chores
Which seem never ending
And never go away.
But first things first
And lest we forget
There is eternity...
What I have learned is that the monotony of life can be a real tender mercy.
My friend Janel stopped by to bring me something. I asked, "Do you want to come in?" She said, "Well, I would like to see Poe."
Poe had a visitor!
I told her that I was just working on my lesson for Sunday. She quoted Philippians 4:7 as her favorite scripture. I told her that Mallerie has Phil 4:13 engraved on the inside of her CTR ring. Janel said, "I notice that everyone is always very rushed and stressed with life. You don't seem to be. Like today, you said you dozed off on the back deck while preparing your lesson. I like that." She is much the same way. Though we are of different faiths, we are alike in a lot of ways and it was nice discussing scripture together.
Vs 7: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Vs 13: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
HALLOWEEN 2019!
This was the last Halloween Parade at JR Smith. I wasn't shy about capturing it.
The fifth-grade teachers were dressed as characters from Inside Out. Callie's teacher (blue hair) blends right in with the students.
I sewed the middle three skirts 👆🏻
Baby you'll freeze out there.
Originally, Callie had plans to start trick-or-treating right after school. She and her friends were going to go till 9 pm. They wanted to trick-or-treat in The Cove because she was sure they would get better candy. I told her people wouldn't even be ready to give out candy right after school. I offered our home and neighborhood. She said, "No offense, but I don't like trick-or-treating in our neighborhood, it's so awkward." I thought of all the times she has run off happily with her bag on Halloween. I then taught her the same thing I taught Grayson, "The way to present your case in life isn't to tear the other option down."
No matter what she decided to do, she was going to need to bundle up!
Guess what? All plans fell through and they did indeed end up at our house for dinner before trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. Callie's friends walked home from school with her. Three of them beat her to the house and started doing their make-up.
As they all got ready I could hear music blaring from her room. We finally have a child who doesn't need to worry about the babies bothering her and her friends! 🤗
I served them my award-winning Chili for dinner.
Really, I won a prize at the ward chili cook-off just the night before.
Graham walked home to Tyson's house after school. He wore his uniform to school that day. This made me so happy! He said everyone loved it. Yay.
Graham and Tyson even went trick-or-treating for a bit.
He said there were some old grandpas who answered their doors that night who said, "I remember those coats." I wondered if it caused PTSD. Graham said, "No, they probably thought, 'At least someone still cares."
Callie and her pals before trick-or-treating in our "awkward" neighborhood.
Grayson was Jake from State Farm.
He got to dress up for work. Aside from the name tag, Grayson is basically wearing his regular Papa Murphy's outfit (photo bomb!)
Ava also had to work. Her job is in the back so she doesn't interact with customers.
Back at home, the trick-or-treaters were willing to share.
I didn't dress up this year, but to answer the door I threw on the light-up noodle hair from Pumpkin Nights. We gave out chips once again. Matt hadn't brought them home yet when we had our first trick-or-treaters. I found bags of Cheetos to give out. Nobody likes those.
It was an enjoyable Halloween.
However, once again my caramel apples were a big FAIL.
Mischief NOT managed.
