I love this book...

So, who exactly is Olga and why does she run?   Olga Kotelko competed in Master's Track Meets until her death earlier this summer.  She had just turned 95, and was excited to be in a new age category because she had pretty much broken all the records she could in the previous age group.  She competed in 11 track and field events, and here is the kicker...she didn't start competing until she was 77 years old.  She had played a little softball when she was in school, and when she was in her 70's, started playing slo-pitch softball, but didn't like the slo-pitch aspect of it, and after she was plowed over by a member of an opposing team, she decided to try track and field at the suggestion of one of her friends.  She went on to win hundreds of medals, and to compete in track meets all over the world.  

I love this picture.
Who knew a sweet grandma looking person like her was such a fierce competitor?

This book is her story, but also an inside look at her.  Literally.  The author tells all about tests Olga undergoes to study what exactly it is about her that enables her to be such a successful athlete.  Dr's and researchers ran tests on her muscles, brain, reaction time, blood, and others I'm sure I'm forgetting.  She has interesting sleep habits (an 1 1/2 self massage in the middle of the night), not very strict eating and drinking habits, and about the only regimented thing about her is that she trains every day.  I really can't remember all the details about the tests she underwent, but the thing I came away from after reading this book is the importance of keeping yourself moving as you age.  That and, the importance of relationships in your life.  I really liked the part of the book that talked about the camaraderie among the people she competed against.  Of course there is competition and everyone gives their all to their events, but there is a healthy dose of compassion/empathy for each other should someone fall during a race, or come upon some other calamity.  

After I finished this book, I thought how I should try something like this.  (Okay, quit laughing!!)  It's a little like the time I read a book about a women who lost over 100 lbs, then ran the Salt Lake Marathon with her husband, and yes, after I read that book I thought it would be fun to run a marathon, only, I HATE RUNNING, so that only lasted about 1 week until I came to my senses.  But when I was telling Trevor about this book, he said he would come watch me compete, and since I'm still SEVERAL years from 77, who knows, maybe I'll give it a try!  I should investigate Master Bike Races.  I at least like riding my bike, so its an activity I would enjoy!!  (Sidenote - don't hold your breath.)

The author has a nice narrative style, which keeps the story moving.  He developed a sweet relationship with Olga and was inspired to switch from the sedentary habits he had fallen into and run a 10k.  (See, I'm not the only one Olga inspired!  :)

Maybe this book isn't for everyone, but honestly, there is more to Olga than just being an athlete.  I gained a lot from learning about her.  Now that I know about her, I wish I could have followed her career, but clearly, that is now impossible.  Rest in peace, Olga!  

*On the subject of marathons, Allison ran the St. George Marathon today!  So proud of her and so impressed she did it!!  I talked to her this afternoon, and aside from being pretty tired, she sounded good.  What a girl!!  She is probably the closest I'll ever get to competing in a marathon.  I'm good with that!

My refrigerator door - right now

I've been wanting to do this post for a while, and when I got a new refrigerator magnet from the Dance's today, I took it as a sign that it's time to get 'er done!

I am not the sort of person to have a completely bare fridge door.  I guess I like to be reminded of the good things in my life on a daily basis, and since I can't seem to stay out of the fridge, I like the door to be a big reminder.  So if you will indulge me, I will give you a little tour with short explanations of each item. (Starting at the top left hand corner.)

Yes, that is a picture of two adorable boys with moustaches.  It is a Valentine from Ashley's family.  The caption reads..."I moustache you a question...Will you be my Valentine?"  I'm not sure I will ever be able to take that picture down!  I love it!!!

It seems that the most recently married couple makes a few appearances on my metallic bulletin board.  Allison and Ryan got married last summer, and this is a picture of them right as they came out of the temple.  It is also a reminder that I did something I never thought I would pull off.  I made her dress!  I actually still can't believe that it all worked!

John's mom had a milestone birthday this year, and this is the invitation her daughters made for the surprise party.  I know the party was back in April, but I think this is a beautiful picture of her and I especially love the border of the invitation.  It has all the roles she plays in the family - wife, mother, daughter, etc.  Its really a lovely card.

Ah, Downton Abbey - who knew you would capture our hearts as you have?  You probably can't read the caption of the cartoon, but it shows a woman in tears, with a PBS coffee mug and a Union Jack flag hanging on the wall of her cubicle.  The man says, "Why is she so sad?  And who are Matthew and Lady Sybil?"  The woman walking by says, "If you have to ask, you'll never understand."  If you are asking the same questions, I can only echo the above sentiment.  It's a Downton thing.  

Under the calendar are two magnets which really mean nothing to me other than I really liked them, so I bought them when we were at the BYU Bookstore.  

Having spent the last 4+ years in Relief Society, the next magnet holds special meaning for me.  Hopefully in those years, I honed my Charity skills, and when I call on it, it will not fail me.

Yep, you'll recognize the boys again, this time clean shaven, but hiding behind super hero masks.  This time they are joined by their little brother.  Those pictures are probably over a year old, but I still love them.

Next we come to the reason for this post.  Tucked in an orange Shutterfly envelope was this little cutie!  We love you too, little buddy!!

This is the most unusual wedding picture I have ever seen!  How did he get that high, and how did the photographer capture the shot?  I really, really love this picture!!!

5 Things to Forget Not...a good reminder from President Uchtdorf about our worth as women.  Something that often comes in handy. 

My kids bought me the magnet in the top right corner at Disney World the last time we were there. I love my kids and I love Disney World, so I'm not sure that magnet is going anywhere anytime soon!

The light blue magnets are reminders to be happy and seek joys in life.  They are OLD, and I probably should get them off, but I guess I hope they will spark someone's desire to do either of those things, including me.

I put in another copy of the picture to prevent having to scroll so far to refer to it.  I do what I can to help. :)

The two Korean magnets are from Yoon, a friend of my good friend, Sue.  They hold between them a fortune that reads "Courtesy is contagious."  One of my girls put that fortune up on the fridge after being home from college for a few days.  She no doubt felt we needed a friendly little reminder.

The final magnet is from my dear friend who moved across the country several years ago.  Aside from being a reminder of my friend, it also has wise words for all - "No matter how many cookies you consult, you will find that love is the greatest fortune"  

Of course, my fridge door holds a calendar to help me at least try to remember appts, games, meetings, etc.  It can only do so much though!  :)

And finally, the bottom door holds two drawings by T1.  Again, they are several years old, but they are keepers.  The magnet on the left is from the Bingham Copper Mine, there is also a magnet of one of the Cars characters.  His name slips my mind at the moment.  Another nod to the grandsons.  

Last but not least, there is a magnet that says "Poppins Penguins Catering".  A nod to one of my favorite childhood movies.  My mom bought it for me when we were shopping at Disneyland after Allison's wedding.  (That trip where we stayed across the street from Disneyland, but chose not to actually go to the park.  We know it sounds crazy, but we feel totally justified in our decision!)  The movie means even more to me after seeing "Saving Mr. Banks", which I know isn't totally accurate, but is probably pretty close to the truth of PL Travers' life.  I loved it.

So there you have it.  A long post I know, but just a little slice of my life right now!  As I type this, I realize I don't have anything about my sister missionary.  Hmm, I better rectify that!

Roommate Rendezvous 2014

Roommate Rendezvous 2014  - Sun Valley, Idaho

That was then...

...this is now!!

Talk about a blast from the past!!!  I just spent a few days in Sun Valley, Idaho with my roommates from my Freshman year at BYU!! We all spent part or all of our Freshman year living in Heritage Halls, E. Richards #2110.  Some of us went on to live with each other in other apartments for one or two more years.   

Here is the Cast of Characters (not including me)

Stephanie Reid Nielson - bottom middle, both pictures - We lived in E. Richards, Monterey Apts. and Clover Haus.  She and I were room-roommates in Monterey and Clover Haus.  She left us to get married to her guy, Kirk, in December of that third year.  She now lives in Colorado with her husband and youngest daughter.  Her 4 other children (2 boys, 2 girls) are scattered around the country, including some cute grandchildren.

Salinda Holleman Riebow - bottom right, second picture.  You may be wondering why Salinda isn't in the picture from E. Richards.  Salinda lived with Janette in a different apt. in E. Richards their first semester, then moved into ours for the Winter Semester.  Her RM boyfriend, Mark, came to Provo to take Salinda to Preference and talked her into going back to Florida and to get married!  We only had her for a roomie for one block!!  She, Mark and her youngest daughter live in Florida.  She also has 2 more boys and 2 more girls who are older who live hither and yon, with some of those children also making Salinda a Grandma of some also, very cute, grandkids.  

Boonseon Song Gudmundsen - when you are a teeny little thing, you always get to be on the top of the pyramid.  Of course, in the second picture, we didn't have a very top, so you see her on the top left, because she is still a teeny little thing.  Boonseon was my room-roommate our Freshman year.  She came to BYU fresh from Korea, and as well as having to have me as a roommate, had to learn many new things about her new life in Provo, Utah - a far cry from Taegu, Korea.  Boonseon lived with us the next year in Monterey Apts.   She got a new roommate the next summer when she married her sweetheart, Kevin.  They now are empty-nesters in California.  Her 2 sons and one daughter live in Utah and Texas, including a very cute granddaughter.  (Are you sensing a theme with the grandkids?:)

Janette Wells Lewis (the rendezvous organizer, and provider of our lodging for the weekend.  Thanks, Janette)  - Middle row, right side both pictures.  Janette was with me until I got married.  The last semester in Clover Haus, she and I finally shared a room in the apartment.  Janette went on to serve a mission in Thailand before settling (that is a loose term with her) down in Utah with her husband, David.  Janette still has one daughter at home, and her other 3 girls live in Utah.  She is looking forward to being a grandma some day, to, no doubt, cute grandkids.:)

You may notice the other two girls in the original picture.  Penny Shaner Broderick, second row, next to Janette, was like our mother.  She was a little older than some of us, and seemed to have wisdom beyond her years.  I hoped to find her before the reunion, as I knew where she had lived for many years before college, but my efforts came to naught.  Boonseon put her brain on it after she got home from Sun Valley and found her just like that!  We look forward to meeting up with Penny soon!!!  Michelle Cooper is on the bottom row, left side, and we have no idea where to even begin looking for her.  It would seem our apt. door was a revolving one, as we had 3 other roommates in our first semester in E. Richards as well.  Cindy Fullmer, Jeri (I can't remember her name) and Melvina - aka, I keep my produce under my bed  (I'm not kidding about that.  She was in my room, and we had fruit flies for a few days until she moved to a different place) - all lived with us, but were gone by the end of Fall Semester.

So, back to the weekend.  (That background took a while, sorry about that)

Most of us spent from Saturday afternoon to Tuesday morning together.  Boonseon couldn't come until Sunday evening, and she, Janette, and Salinda all stayed until Wednesday.  That meant that we had all day Monday together, and we packed it in.

Redfish Lake was a beautiful place to spend our precious day together.  We headed out, and took advantage of every minute we had to chat and catch up with each other.  I'm not sure I heard one silent moment on either the hour long drive to the lake or back.  (We know how to use our time efficiently! :)

We hiked, we talked,  we laughed, we ate, we talked, we laughed, we relaxed on a boat ride, still had plenty to say and laughed some more.  And then, after we got back to Ketchum to do a little shopping and eat some yummy gelato, we still weren't done talking or laughing.  And, yes, you guessed it, even during our late dinner (can you say Chicken Cordon Bleu at about 9:30 pm?) and a little roommate trivia game, we still laughed, and talked.  (I would just like to apologize one more time to Salinda for not letting her get a word in edgewise more than a few times that day.  I think Steph would second that with me.)  

There are a few observations I made during the reunion and since I have gotten home.  

 - These girls are still the same people I knew 30+ years ago, only better versions of themselves.  Boonseon made a similar observation. She commented that she heard our same voices from all those years ago, but with an added layer of something (maturity may be a stretch for some of us, but maybe she heard they have been added to with our life experiences)

-We have not breezed through these many years apart.  Serious illness?  Yep, breast cancer among other things.  Kids giving us fits?  Yep, at least a few of us have been through that.  Marital stuff - check. Financial troubles including unemployment - check again.  Miscarriages, parents' deaths, other troubles with parents, minor illness? - Yes, yes, yes and yes.  I think its safe to say most of the trial and adversity bases are covered between us.

-Despite the above experiences, we are all still strong in the Gospel.  I realized after I got home, I felt a little like when Ammon and company met Alma the younger while they were out teaching the Lamanites.  Alma 27:16 - 19.  It was a joyful meeting, and he was swallowed up in joy even to exhausting his strength.  I, too, was exhausted with joy (and all that laughing) after being with my long ago friends.  We are all married in the temple, we have tried to raise our kids in righteousness, we all hold temple recommends, and we all are contributing to our wards.  (Two RS Presidents, one RS Counselor, a Sunday School teacher/Temple Worker, and one Seminary Teacher.)  I felt strength from being among these girls and buoyed up by their faith and examples.

-A person cannot make up for stupid mistakes, but they can be grateful for friends with forgiving hearts who still accept the stupid mistake-making person, love said person, and let her move forward with them in rekindling friendships that will surely last many years to come. 

And, yes Janette, I know - Spain.  Just give me a little more time. :)

It was a fantastic few days, worth every second I spent on the road getting there and home.  I love these girls, and being with them reminded me why I love them, and the great influence they were in my life all those years ago.

This is a really long blog post for just one or two days of activities, but like I said, we packed our time, and we had A LOT of catching up to do.  Next time there will only be a year or two to fill each other in on.

We did decide a Roommate book club is a good idea, that the majority of us are Downton Abbey fans, that we need to get together more often, that 30+ years is way to long to have let go by before we got together, but that 30+ years has only enhanced our experience together.  So I say, "Long live E.Richards Rm 2110.  (Ironically, the dorm building we lived in has been razed and replaced with something bigger and better, but the original will always stay in our hearts.)

The following pictures are a little photo diary of the weekend, with more than a few editorial comments and not necessarily in chronological order. 

Enjoy...

Killing time preparing dinner until Boonseon got there.  

You can't appreciate this picture until you think about how big this chair is, and how young we are NOT!  :)

The autumn color was beautiful on the way to Redfish Lake

Notice the matching t-shirts?  Salinda surprised us with a gift bag with these shirts, some orange blossom honey and strawberry preserves from Florida.  They have our names on them, as well as the logo of the school that brought us all together, complete with little cougar paws!  So cute!!

I couldn't resist snapping this.  Something about a stream...I can't stop myself.

Stephanie treated us to lunch at Redfish Lake Lodge.  Yummy food and good company. (you will notice there are two people without pink t-shirts.  Some of Janette's family came up for a few days, and Jael and Brent stayed after everyone else went back to SLC.  They really earned their spots when we needed a group picture.  It would have been too much to ask to set a timer on the camera AND try to get into position.  Someone would have gotten hurt.

The lodge where, in the parking lot, the miracle of the car bumper occurred!   We're pretty sure we heard angels singing!! 

Mt. Heyburn which happens to be named after an Idaho state congressman whose interest did not lie in conserving animals, land, you name it.  We all thought that was a great way to "honor" his legacy!  :)

The weather wasn't conducive to using these, but I loved the color they provided in this shot.

The sun was in the wrong part of the sky to truly get a good shot of the "Gates of Heaven" but you get a general idea.  Beautiful!!  Thanks to Boonseon for treating us to the guided boat tour.

Love the reflection

I didn't get an actual picture of the entrance to the lake.  This will have to do.

Yummy gelato!!  You will notice there are more than one set of legs stretched out.  We went hard all day!  We were ready for a little rest.

The first Facebook-inspired post - Mother Teresa

I don't know as much as I could about Mother Teresa, but I like her.  I like what she did with her life, and I like the things she said during that life.  The quote above my sink is by her, as a matter of fact.

During one of my trolling sessions on Facebook (because that is really about all I do on FB is troll), I ran across this post from a friend I knew way back in Scottsbluff, NE, which opens up a future blog post, but not tonight.
Tonight, I just want to share these words.  I find them beautiful, true and words to live by.

Tut tut, it looks like (a lot of) rain!

 The rain started a little before 5:00 pm, and 40 mins later, it was still coming down by the bucketful.  (My windshield wipers were one full speed when I was driving.  That is how hard it was coming down!) Trev was at soccer practice, Kristin was at the river, and I had just come home from buying Duke Corn!  YUM!!  

Our gutters were clogged with leaves and not draining properly, so John donned his rain jacket, climbed on a ladder, and took them to task. There were A LOT of leaves in each one!  No challenge for John though.  He had them cleaned out before the really hard rain stopped, which was close to an hour later.  It continued to rain for a while longer, but with much less force.

Trev called about 1/2 hour before his practice was supposed to end to say they cancelled.  Not to be stopped by a "little" rain, and never one to miss an opportunity to be a goof ball, Trev seized the moment and went strolling in our flooded driveway after he got home!  He made a fine Christopher Robin if I may say so myself with his huge soccer ball umbrella and my very pretty rainboots!!  

It is a moment like this that I will miss when he's old enough that he stops doing silly little things.  (Maybe I'll luck out, and he'll be one of those boys who still retains a little goofiness with him no matter how old he is!)  Speaking of which, did I mention that the soccer practice he was at was for the high school?  Yes, my baby will start his freshman in high school on Wednesday, and plays on the JV soccer team!  Where have the last 14 years gone?  Its bad enough that Kristin will be a Jr., is playing Varsity soccer and drives herself everywhere she needs/wants to go!!!  Yes, this mama is seeing her empty nest future!  What a thought that is!!!

(I know the picture is a little fuzzy, but I didn't realize it until the storm was over, and the photo op was gone.  The skinny picture is the corner of our yard.  That poor eunonymus gets flooded out every time someone washes a car, or there is a big rainstorm.  It is a dwarf compared to the others in the row.  I'm pretty convinced that it takes all its energy to recover from its near drowning experiences and doesn't have any energy left to grow!)

Did you feel the winds of change blow through?

A few weeks ago I ended my blog post with a little foreshadowing...remember, the winds of change?

Well, they have blown through and after the storm, it ends up I am an Early Morning Seminary Teacher!!  What??  Yep, its true.  I will take off my Relief Society counselor hat, and change it for a dress/skirt every morning, and a class of sleepy, yet really good Juniors in high school.

To say this will be an adventure is an understatement.  Seminary is a huge calling.  A lesson almost every day there is school means every day or night before school, I will be planning, or hopefully, fine-tuning a lesson.  I have always looked at the Seminary teachers with a little bit of awe.  Their knowledge of the scriptures is so good our Sunday School teacher often consults one of them when there is a tricky concept/question.  This particularly happens when we are discussing the Old Testament.  Let me just say, she will have to skip right past me for any sort of clarification!!  Especially when it is the OT.  That course of study is not until next year, and even then, I will not be in any position to clarify anything, I guarantee it.

This year, I am grateful it is Church History and Doctrine and Covenants.  And I'm grateful I have the Jr. class.  Kristin will be one of my students, as well as her friends, who are all really nice teenagers.  I will enjoy teaching them.  We studied Church History my first year of Seminary, wayyyyy back when, and I remember I loved it!!  I particularly remember loving my teacher, although, I couldn't tell you her name.  I don't remember loving the other years I went as much as that Freshman year.  (Not even my Sophomore year when the guy I crushed on right after we moved to Amarillo came every morning to pick me up.:)

I have thought about why I am getting this calling and all I can come up with is that one of my children was in a class who was particularly hard on teachers.  Seminary and Sunday School in particular.  I think they had a different teacher every year for Seminary, and although the majority of those teachers were good at their callings (I'm not going to lie, one teacher didn't prepare lessons and that was not good), that group of kids did not give them their attention, and for the most part were pretty disrespectful!  Is there really such a thing as Karma?  If so, this may be a good example of it.  I will be atoning for the sins of my daughter's class.  Come to think of it, two of the teachers I will be teaching with had kids in my daughter's class.  Its all beginning to come together.  (You may think I'm exaggerating, but I distinctly remember the girls taking cookies to their Sunday School teacher one day after church because she left the class in tears!!  I rest my case!)  I hope my class is more gentle with me!!  Maybe if I do it more than one year, it will cover a multitude of transgressions by said class!!  :)

But Karma or no, my new adventure begins Septermber 2nd, bright and early.  Its a new dawn and a new day!  I will just have to take a deep breath and jump right in.

It seems that I am not capable of much more than a photo re-cap these days, but here we go again.  A few photos that are a little slice of life these days...

We are sad to see the Papworth's move to Rexburg.  They have been in our ward for about 10 years, and we love them.  Bro. Papworth gave Ashley, Chelsie and Allison their Patriarchial Blessings.  Moving is the best thing for them, so their parting is bittersweet.

This is the label on the back of my shower gel.  If  a person has issues with Gluten, does it really matter if something you put on the outside of your body is Gluten Free?  After I was done scratching my head on that one, I had to just chuckle.

I was cleaning out a box the other day and I ran across this postcard.  Yes, it is an actual postcard, addressed and mailed to someone.  (See below) As a child, seeing the "DO NOT REMOVE UNDER PENALTY OF LAW" tag caused me some serious worry.  What if it accidentally fell off my pillow while I was sleeping, or came off the mattress while I was putting on the fitted sheet?  Well, now I know what would have happened!  :)  I'm glad I never had to receive a postcard like this one!  This will make me smile for a very long time!!!
(Note - I think I must have been a young adult before I read the tag really carefully and realized what it was saying.)

The other side of the above postcard.  Check out that postmark!!  1969??  Crazy. The recipient was my in-laws' neighbor until about 5 years ago.  How in the heck did it end up in a box in our house with children's board books in it?  A great mystery!!

Kristin's "award" from camp.  Amber would be proud to know Kristin received this.

Speaking of Sister Rietz, she ended up getting about 3 stitches in her leg after slicing it open on the sprocket of her bike.  She was thrilled that Sister Moon got to put in one of the stitches.  Apparently, it is the only one that stayed in.  The wound ended up getting infected, and warrented another visit to the Dr.  She loves her mission, and loves Hesperia, the area she is serving in!!!

Kristin and I went to Spokane for one night last week while the boys were at Scout Camp.  All along the way, the wheat fields were either being harvested, or very close to being ready to harvest.  John spent his summer, 30 years ago, in a combine (not a John Deere, but a Gleaner).  He loved doing it.  In fact, he did it the following 2 summers as well.  How do I remember it was 30 years ago?  It was 1984, the summer we got married.  How has it been 30 years???

We took a little detour home, and found Trader Joes!!  Just walking in that store is a happy experience.  Although I really don't know why that is.  We just love that store.  Maybe its because we know we'll walk back out with these tasty little Pretzel Slims in our grocery bag!  :)  Not pictured is some really chewy Pugliese bread that called to us when we walked through the bakery department.

This was a fortune I got about 1 1/2 years ago.  I was amazed to pull it out of my fortune cookie , because I was just starting a pretty overwhelming project involving organizing my digital photographs, and I didn't feel any of the things that I was supposed to prove!  I taped it to my sewing machine so I am reminded of my potential, because, in all seriousness, its good to be reminded of such things.  This fortune has been on my mind lately because I used it as a jumping off point for my Relief Society lesson yesterday.


And finally, two quotes that have been rattling around in my head because I also used them in my lesson.
“When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you.”
– Lao-Tzu

"Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."  - Voltaire