In 1975 we began the journey. A journey with a 10 hour long day's drive attached to it. The I-15 leads north to first Utah and then beyond to Idaho. In 1975, we were young, newly married and not quite sure where we'd end up or what turns our life would take. We thought ourselves to be explorers. It turns out we are pretty much just like you. Having small adventures and then returning home to the familiar loving places that make up life.
We returned to California years later degree in hand and daughters to raise. Then interestingly enough each one returned to Utah or Idaho, spouse in tow, to obtain their said degrees. This year marks the year that all is done in Utah and Idaho. Degrees have been obtained, realization has surfaced that these are states that will be part of our lives forever, like them or not.
Too much heat in summer, too much snow in winter. Too few jobs, too many students competing. Relatives not close, sometimes just the right distance needed, allowing growth. The good kind. Familiar places like Provo Canyon or Monkey Rock. And Big Jud's or Stan's. Mint brownies at the creamery, a shaved ice at the corner of 8th and 9th. Walks around the temple. Weekly scenes of farewell's at the MTC. Plasma donations. Dollar movies. Family prayer under the stars. Graduations. Degrees. 4 BYU. Happy spouses. A college turn into a university before our eyes. A National Championship. Cold Fusion. Robert Jarvick. Gordon B Hinckley, Dallin Oaks, and a raft of others. Sherrie Dew, Wendy Watson (Nelson), Mary Ellen Edmunds, Jerry Mason and more.
Happy Valley has a myriad of memories. Good friends, lack of money, the church in action during hard times. We've witnessed great floods, tornadoes, lots of snow, lack of snow, and wonderful wonderful autumns in Spanish Fork canyon. Bikes in the canyon, hikes to the "Y", skating on the lake in the dead of winter.
As the last of our family pulled away from the valley Saturday morning, the small voice of a four year old loudly says "Goodbye my people!" "I'll miss my people!" followed with a question, "Will people out there love me too?"
Of course they will little one. No fear of that!
25 August 2008
Farewell, BYU
23 August 2008
21 August 2008
Momma Mia!
Went with s'mee to the movies the other day. We saw MommaMia! It was a crack up. I wasn't totally an ABBA fan when I was young, eclectic taste but it was a bit pop-ee for me. Still the movie was good.
Best line though? Exiting the theatre - Grandma says to about 11 year old granddaughter "Did you enjoy the film?" "It was okay." "Well, we enjoyed it more than you for sure!" "Yeah I know."
The ending is not to be missed. Pierce Brosnan cannot sing. Not at all. But still it is fun if you have a gaggle of girls to go with and laugh at the jokes and memories.
Blog friends and the universe we fill
Ever since I read about the tragedy at Nie's I have been drawn to her archives. Her life is illustrated for all of us to view. It is a life of gratitude, love, adventure and family. Her greatest treasure is the family inside the walls of her home. She shares them all with us with the quiet simplicity of meals and traditions, coupled with celebrations of everything family. She has reminded me of how important it is to always remember the love we share.
Her sister CJane has the task of keeping us all informed of the Nielsen's progress. And she does it with CJane style! It cracked me up to read that someone asked CJane if she was Steph's mom. hmmph! CJane is just a young woman herself! Obviously someone needed to visit an optometrist!
I have been checking three thousand times a day at CJane's to keep apprised of the Nielsen's progress. There are many opportunities for all of us in the blog world to help support them and contribute to a fund to help cover their medical costs and to take care of their precious family while they recover. There is a paypal button on CJane's website to donate, (it's right at the top in a pretty blue lacy box on the right).
Then I also thought about the many of you who don't know them or have never been to either of those wonderful blogs. Well, there is a way to help without spending anything but a bit of time. You see, each of them have chosen to participate in some form of advertising. When you click on an ad, a miniscule (because you know we've all been there!) amount of ad revenue goes to blog author. If all of us would commit to clicking on a few ads, the combined effort could make a difference. When you read through each and every post at either blog, you'll know your time is well spent; Because these Clark girls are wonderful examples of goodness in the world.
So join me please in supporting the Nielsen's, go click on a few ads, read some blog posts and feel good about the time you've spent there! If not, just keep them in your prayers!
19 August 2008
Urban ingredients
Today as I told you was spent with s'mee. We both brought our cameras and snapped our little hearts out. It was fun to watch the other pedestrians around us ogle us with strange looks wondering what was so worthy of photographs.
My theme became urban ingredients to day. The place we met up is a nice outdoor "mall". It is one of my favorite places to go as there are so many places to photograph, eat, see movies, window shop and generally have a good day. I snapped a gazillion pictures, here are some for you to enjoy:
Those are some of the neat signs hanging around this place. I saved the best for last though. I'm not sure T Mobile has even looked at the signage in front of their store:
Hmmm. California's best lemons eh?
I'm just a bit off
I have been home for a week. I'm trying to get the house organized for the influx of part-time residents. We will be hosting a bit of the family for a while and I'm trying to find enough space for them so they are comfortable here. Who downsizing was a good idea? aaack.
I am also slightly off kilter as I am trying to deal with some other stuff I'll wait to share when I have full details...
To deal with all that I decided today was a play day. I'm going to meet s'mee and see MamaMia and have lunch and take pictures and be with s'mee and take pictures and have fun. Later I may have the energy to post a pic or two!
12 August 2008
I'm back, and man have I got a lot to do now!
This one is for the family, courtesy of the Youngest One. She spent the past six months planning a party for our oldest granddaughter. She knew that, with the birth of a sister just days before her fourth birthday, it would be hard for her parents to give her the celebration she deserved. So her Auntie took care of the details and we had the very best ever Princess party! After all was said and done and cake eaten and balloons bounced and presents opened we all had the best of family times. I have some pictures to share but I can't right now as other things are pressing. Be satisfied with a family favorite that explains in song our appreciation of family and celebrations and weekends together so very seldom that they are the best of times always. If you haven't watched Meet the Robinson's lately, do yourself a favor and take the time to do so. I give you Rob Thomas, who says what we were all thinking:
