Bubble Boy
September brought loss and the accompanying flowers, texts and phone calls. And then we kind of disappeared. I read a post by someone who is in the public eye who faced loss in August and she said, "I've pretty much kept to my bubble. Safe spaces I can move in and out of with no judgement and a lot of love." Though our losses are different, I related to this. The bubble.
For me that bubble was my aerobics class three times a week, my temple shift on Tuesday, a weekly Interior Design class at UVU in the evening, a Spanish class at the Elementary school on Thursdays, Book Club at the library and teaching Gospel Doctrine on Sunday. Other than that, I was just with my family. It is interesting to see how many social obligations come up when you are trying to avoid them. There is no way it is time for a school reunion! And when all else fails, bring in a professional:)
One Saturday night Matt read a text from someone who we really don't know well. They wanted us to come over for Sunday dinner. My response was, "Why would we want to do that?" In all honesty why would we want to leave our cozy home and go chit chat? I realize this is completely different thinking than the majority of the public, but I honestly wonder how eating with strangers is better than staying home? Anyway, he didn't want to go either so he declined. He comes home pretty drained on Sunday after his appointments. He likes to decompress and relax with his own family. It's our bubble.
Ward Party - September 4, 2019
And yet I found myself throwing another party! Well not really me, but me, ya know? Matt had assigned the Sunday School the fall ward party, but the president ended up having a major medical procedure done so the Bishopric decided to be in charge. Matt was planning on buying all the food, which is just crazy pants. I drafted up an invite and had
flyers and posters printed. The day of, I headed to Sam's and got the food. One good thing about having thrown so many parties is that it isn't that big of a deal anymore. Or maybe it was hard to feel like anything was a big deal. I was sort of just going through the motions.
There was such a turn out! A member who is in the National Guard had arranged to have a rock wall brought in and he didn't even remember. The army guys were there and had it all set up. It was a pleasant surprise for everybody.
I still forget that Saturdays in September are all about Football. They are also some of the prettiest days of the year. The Saturday before, "Hook" was in town. It is a food truck that boasts amazing fish and chips. I could go for that! I took Callie and we were eating in the car when Callie started feeling dizzy. I don't think her little body is used to that much grease! She had to put her chair back and rest a bit so she didn't toss her cookies.
The weather was perfect and it was a great night. It was.
Bring on the next celebration!
Binnie's Birthday - September 11, 2019
Can I still call her that now that she is an ADULT? Yes, yes, I can.
As Ava's 18th birthday approached Matt started naming all the things she could do as an adult till I said, "I think she gets it!" Let's not start putting ideas in her head...
She requested coconut cream pie. This homemade recipe we make is to die for.
Beautiful Ava. That face. I love that face.
I was trying to remember what she opened. She said, "Money." Niiiice.
Ava is laser focused on school right now. She already has piles of homework. She is a hard worker at Dottie's Kolaches, which I can't help but call Dottie's Kolaties. Ava was pretty nonchalant about voicing an opinion as to how she wanted to celebrate so I took matters into my own hands.
LOVE LETTERS, SLC
I was the last to enter this room and it caught me off guard to see my babies in the walls.
There really was something for everybody.
Ava ordered a green sweater that happily arrived on her very birthday. She changed out of the green sweater she was wearing and put on the new green sweater.
There was a room where you could write a letter to someone and mail it. By the way Matt was walking around shifty eyed and sniffing, hands in his pockets, I knew I would be getting a letter in the mail.
Callie also wanted to send a letter. The only address I know is my parents. They too got a love letter though she gave very little explanation.
We each made a pin. I wear my heart on my sleeve. Hey, the whole place was a play on words, okay?
The museum provided a unique and different experience. We shopped in Bath and Body Works afterwards (since that is about all that is left at the Gateway) and had dinner at Costa Vida across the street. It was a bit drizzly but we managed.
Ava and Callie
It was cute to see the two of them goof off a little bit. Ava is ready to be an adult though. I told the new Young Women President not to be offended when Ava goes to Relief Society in the fall. It was the plan all along, even before I was released. In actuality she probably would have stayed longer in YW if I had but like she said, "I'll go where you go."
And here I thought she couldn't shake me off fast enough.
Utah State Fair - September 14, 2019
I still forget that Saturdays in September are all about Football. They are also some of the prettiest days of the year. The Saturday before, "Hook" was in town. It is a food truck that boasts amazing fish and chips. I could go for that! I took Callie and we were eating in the car when Callie started feeling dizzy. I don't think her little body is used to that much grease! She had to put her chair back and rest a bit so she didn't toss her cookies.
The next Saturday we took off for the day. We headed to Salt Lake for some errands. We went to Orson Gygi, Sam's Club, and then back-to-school shopping at Target. From there we went to the State Fair. Callie didn't even know there was such a thing. The last time we were there was to see Kat and Mal's 4H projects so it's been a while. I remember we lost Graham briefly.
This time I didn't have a stroller, just my little Callie pal. We couldn't believe all the options of fried food, even Oreos! Remembering the "Hook" incident, we stayed away. Instead we shared a Philly and got a cone.
We saw the butter carving done by Grayson's pottery teacher, Mr. McNaughton.
When Matt looked at this picture of the Copper Cowboy, he asked why I didn't wait for the lady to move before I took a picture. The fact was that this was the only break in the crowd where I could get a picture. The place was packed out! I loved the energy the crowd gave off.
I was thrilled to have someone to ride the Ferris wheel with. Matt gets motion sick. The older I get, I sort of do too, but I still wanted to ride. The line! And that was only to get tickets. I had Callie wait in line for the wheel while I waited in line for tickets. They seemed about the same length. Still, this left her out of my eye sight and it was making me rather nervous. I wouldn't do that again. We did get to the front of the Ferris wheel line about the same time though.
The ride was worth it for the bird's-eye view it gave us.
The temperature was lovely and it felt so great to just be.
To just be.
When we got home that night, I took inventory in the house to see what everyone was up to: Grayson showed me the poster his Homecoming date had made to say yes. It was covered in bouncy balls. Graham was playing Axis and Allies in Mallerie's room and Ava was watching The Hunger Games.
Family Life.
Vegas Surprise! (I just can't seem to stay away!) Sept 17-19, 2019
Matt had his annual NACS convention in Vegas the third week of September.
After scripture study on Monday night I started asking all sorts of questions to the kids about when they worked, etc. till Ava asked, "What are you planning?" I said, "Well, I am thinking of driving to Vegas after my temple shift tomorrow to surprise dad." And what do you think the kids said? "GO!" I myself felt like I could use a get-a-way and this is Matt in Las Vegas:
After scripture study on Monday night I started asking all sorts of questions to the kids about when they worked, etc. till Ava asked, "What are you planning?" I said, "Well, I am thinking of driving to Vegas after my temple shift tomorrow to surprise dad." And what do you think the kids said? "GO!" I myself felt like I could use a get-a-way and this is Matt in Las Vegas:
Still, I wasn't 100% sure about going but I threw some things in a bag as I headed down the canyon the next morning. During lunch at the temple, I said, "I think I will drive to Las Vegas after this shift." Some said, "You go!" Others said, "Clear to Vegas?"
Later that afternoon I headed south on University Ave and had to make a choice as I entered the freeway, to Vegas...or Orem....VEGAS!
I had a great audio book, "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet," but I forget how far Vegas is! By the time I got to Mesquite, I was getting rather anxious to just be there already. I arrived at Red Rock, which is about 20 min west of the Strip, around 9 pm. This is my third stay at Red Rock. It is so gorgeous. I Marco'd Mal as I walked in to the hotel with my crazy plan, "I am surprising Dad again!"
When I texted Matt earlier to see what the company had planned for that night, he said they would be bowling. I walked to the bowling alley. He had just left. Oh man, so much walking! I couldn't surprise him in his room because you have to have a key card just to get on the elevator. So, I texted a photo of me in the lobby.
"I would agree Vegas is lonely without you."
"What!!!!!!"
"You little stinker"
" I'm coming down."
So fun.
Matt had meetings the next day but I found the leisure time to be just fine.
*Truth: After a dip in the pool I got settled only to realize my ear buds were in the car. I decided I'd rather walk outside to the parking lot but it ended up taking me waaaaaay around the building. My feet were killing me by the time I got to the car. Thankfully I had a more a comfortable pair of sandals in there. By the time I got back to the pool, they were done serving lunch. My lounge chair was now in the sun so I put the umbrella up only to be informed that the wind was picking up so I needed to put it down. I moved to a different lounge. Finally, I got all situated.
*Truth: After a dip in the pool I got settled only to realize my ear buds were in the car. I decided I'd rather walk outside to the parking lot but it ended up taking me waaaaaay around the building. My feet were killing me by the time I got to the car. Thankfully I had a more a comfortable pair of sandals in there. By the time I got back to the pool, they were done serving lunch. My lounge chair was now in the sun so I put the umbrella up only to be informed that the wind was picking up so I needed to put it down. I moved to a different lounge. Finally, I got all situated.
I didn't stay long though because I was hungry.
Matt asked how my day at the pool went. "Well..."
I love the rooms at Red Rock.
In the room was a shelf of goodies that are on a sensor. The sign reads that if they are off the sensor for more than x number of seconds, your room will be charged. My bag tipped and knocked everything to the floor. "Abby!" Hey, it was an opportunity to see if the sign is for real. It isn't.
Matt opted out of the obligatory dinner that night so just the two of us could dine. We ate at T-Bones Chophouse. Matt requested we sit outside but as we walked past the white linens and roaring fire I wondered why. The outside seating was in the sun on patio furniture. He agreed to forego alfresco.
Dinner was delicious. We each got a salad and shared a roasted corn side. I have tried to recreated it at home and it's pretty good.
Do you see the roaring fire? These delightful little cones came out with the check.
Red Rock is its own entity. After dinner we walked to the movie theatre and saw Peanut Butter Falcon. There was only one other lady in the theatre and I wished she'd get lost.
It was heavenly to not have to even get in the car and drive somewhere afterwards.
No trip can be perfect though, right? We were talking in the room when Matt said his side was hurting really badly so he took a hot bath.
The next morning, he had to get up and at it to catch his flight. I told him to not bother with his luggage, I'd bring it home. I was in no rush at all. I leisurely got ready and then headed to the Grand Cafe. Matt had a bit of food credit and so I stocked up in the bakery; black and whites for the kids, tarts and a bagel for me with fresh squeezed juice.
I stopped in Cedar at Costa Vida and a Temple trip.
I shouldn't have been surprised at just how gorgeous the interior is.
The workers let me walk around and have a look. I looked in the bride's room and at the font. The stained glass behind the desk is unique to not only this temple but also the Provo City Center and Star Valley Temples. I looked up the story when I got home. The sister panes were rescued from a Presbyterian church in New York City.
When Matt came home the next evening, he said that his side was still hurting and that he now had a rash around his middle. I knew immediately knew; SHINGLES. Gahhh. Poor thing.
When people ask, "How is Matt doing with being the Bishop?"
My response, "Shingles."😬
I also have to tease him that he got herpes in Vegas.
Clean Sweep Sept 27th
Fall cleaning left me with a porch of heavy that I was glad to be rid of.
Homecoming 2019 - September 27th and 28th
The parade marched right past the middle school where the two bands joined up to play the Wasatch fight song. There is my Graham in the back center.
I did have to chuckle at the football team's sign, RETUING CHAMPS.
Ava came to support not only her school, but Graham bam too.
The Dance
Watch and learn sis, watch and learn.
"Borrowed the Dress."
This was a blind date for Ava. She was set up by a friend. Her date seemed like such a nice guy - confident and respectful. Not to mention, he was darling and TALL.
Wow. Look at that corsage! He said it was made by a friend. I took a picture so maybe I can learn to make corsages. Grayson bought one I and I gasped at the price even though I was the one who ordered it.
There is the quaintest little shop run out of a vintage trailer within walking distance of our home. Callie and I walked there one day after school and placed an order. After such a nice chat with the delightful owner we couldn't very well not.
Next to leave was Grayson.
Watch and learn bro, watch and learn.
Gray told Mal he has $4,000 so he is going to have a good time.
It took a bit for Gray to follow through with asking his date. I don't blame him that is spooky stuff! He asked if I had any ideas for asking. There was a bunch of silk flowers in the dining room. I picked them up, "Roses are red Violets are blue - These are white I want to go to Homecoming with you."
"Yeah, that will work." He wrote it down on a note and stuck the flowers in his backpack.
I was glad they had such great pictures taken because I got to see his cute date. He and his friend Corbin doubled. Grayson drove. They ate dinner at a new restaurant in Midway called The Corner. I asked what he ordered. He said, "We all just got the chicken because that was the only thing on the menu that we could tell what it was." I can see that the guys did their best to have their ties match the girl's dresses. Blue and pink, how many shades can there be?
They all looked great. They had a nice time. Good for them.
Though in the end Corbin and Gray would have probably had an even more enjoyable night just goofing off together on a basketball court.
The kids at home are still working out their extra energy as well.
We let them get their energy out while Matt and I went on a date. The local theatre was playing "Little Shop of Horrors." It's not necessarily a show I would have gone to but a gal I used to minister to was in it and I told her I'd love to come and see her. I am so glad we went. Thinking back on all the plays we have seen there I think this was our favorite. The props were unreal and the talent was superb. The gal that sang "Somewhere that's Green" really took me there. I told her that afterwards and her eyes welled with tears, "Thank you!"
That is what Matt has come to love about the theatre. Sometimes it takes you from your own bubble to someone eases bubble. That is a good thing too.
