50 Hours

How do you make the most of just 50 hours? That was my question last week before leaving for Salt Lake City. Ordinarily, I would have gone THIS weekend (like right now!) because I have the next four days off from school for what they call "Mini-Spring break." However, this coming week is also Shulamith's regular spring break, and she and Matt are leaving Saturday on a Mexican cruise for their belated honeymoon. Fun, romantic! I'm excited for them.

So my best alternative was to go this past weekend; if I waited until they got back, it would have been six weeks since I saw her, and that is seriously too long. I already used up all my personal leave days for the wedding, so from touch down to take off, I had exactly 50 hours in Salt Lake City.

50 hours. How do you make the most of just 50 hours?

For one thing, you plot out your eating plan right from the start. Priorities, right? We had to find time to hit all our favorites: Cafe Rio, Pei Wei, Cheesecake Factory. Then we needed to fit in one meal at Macaroni Grill because we get free food there. Also, Matt was working there every night, and we wanted to see him. We wanted to hang out with Isaiah too, so we took him to dinner with us at Mac. Grill. With this careful planning, we were even able to fit in Mimi's Cafe and Olive Garden as well. Wow!

Next, you plot out your movies. I knew I wanted to see "Bounty Hunter" and "Remember Me." Shulamith also wanted to see "She's Out of My League," which turned out to be the funniest of the three albeit a bit raunchy. "Bounty Hunter" was cute, nothing spectacular, but worth seeing. "Remember Me" was sadder than I was expecting. I don't do death particularly well, especially when I'm invested in the characters. The movie was good for sure...just sad. And of course the fact that "Edward" starred in it didn't hurt.

Lastly, you plot out your shopping. We were determined not to buy a lot this time, but we couldn't pass up one visit to Down East Basics. There we found adorable dresses on clearance for just $7.00 each. Shulamith bought three, and I bought two. Our other shopping goal was to find her a bathing suit to take on the cruise. Now you all know (well at least the women who are reading know) how much fun that is. Is there anything more depressing than shopping for bathing suits? No matter what style you get, there's just too little fabric covering too little skin for a girl to feel comfortable. Every last flaw is exposed. Bathing suits are a necessary evil. We can't go swimming naked, and we can't wear our clothes, so we have to have them, but shopping for them is just not fun. In the end, we found Shulamith a cute suit, a tankini style with sort of a retro rainbow design.

Fifty hours came and went so fast I can hardly believe it. I miss her already. So much. But we did make the most of each and every one of those hours, and I'll get to go back for as long as I want May 1st when school is over. The countdown is on!

Clothes Crisis

Two days ago I had a clothes crisis. Ladies, you know exactly what I mean, right?

It goes like this. You get up in the morning, shower, and begin to dress. But you don't have the first clue what you want to wear. I think this is truly the catalyst for the crisis. Generally, you have some idea, based on how you are feeling that day, what you might want to wear. But no, not today. So you stand at your closet for a few minutes, staring mindlessly at your clothes. Still nothing.

And the frenzy begins...

You start pulling items off hangers and putting them on. One after the other. Each time you have on a new outfit, you run to the mirror, only to find that you look like crap. So you strip off that outfit, throw it on the floor (or, if you're lucky, maybe the bed) and try again. Over and over. And over. And over. Half your wardrobe is now on the floor, and you're still standing in your bedroom, dazed and confused, in your underwear.

The frenzy escalates...

You notice the time and realize you are running terribly late. You pick up the pace, but the result is still the same. One outfit after another, on and off, on and off, but everything looks horrible. Now obviously you bought all these clothes, so you had to have liked them at some point, for example when you tried them on in the store. But not today. They look old, ugly, wrinkled, mismatched, or woefully out of style. And though you most probably haven't gained even half an ounce since yesterday, absolutely everything you put on makes you look fat.

The frenzy subsides...

On the most recent visit to the mirror, you notice the impact all this is having on your hair and make-up. Ugh! You also notice the time and that now you are very late, so you go with whatever happens to be on your body at the moment, briefly finger-style your hair, and head out the door, feeling anything but lovely.

It's hard to say how much this crisis will influence the rest of your day; it depends. For certain, you will eventually have to come home and face your bedroom, which now gives new meaning to the word "tornado." Good luck with that.

Clothes crises. We all have them.

Prom 2010

Smiles all around, as Eli and Kara pose for pictures before prom last night. They were one of ten couples who celebrated this event together. All 20 kids, along with parents, converged on one house for pictures and appetizers before the kids took off for the high school. Following the dance, all 20 of them went to Ihop for breakfast and then to another home to watch a movie. By the time Eli got Kara home and returned home himself, it was nearly 4:30 a.m. I vaguely remember my conversation with him; I was in that groggy state somewhere between sleep and consciousness. Church at 11:00 came all too soon for Eli, but he got up and went. Then he had a BYC meeting, and then he and Gerald went home teaching. Now, although incredibly tired, he's busy writing a research paper due tomorrow. A very long day for sure with insufficient sleep, but judging from this smile, I believe it was well worth it.

Sir Greens A Lot

When we think about holidays, most of us (I would guess) would not place Saint Patrick's Day on our list of, say, top five favorites. Christmas, my personal favorite, most likely ranks first for most people. Thanksgiving, because it marks the start of the Christmas season, is a also a favorite. Easter, or even Halloween, might make the list. Maybe Valentine's Day or 4th of July. But Saint Patrick's Day? Isn't that the day we search our closets at the last minute attempting to find something with a touch of green, and call it good? And that is only if we happen to remember.

This is not the case for Seth. Seth loves St. Patrick's Day. As far as I know, he doesn't' have an ounce of Irish blood flowing through his veins from either side of the family, yet this particular holiday brings him great delight. First, green is his absolute favorite color. One day last fall when Shulamith and Matt were here, Seth donned his favorite outfit combination, exactly what you see in this photo: bright green shorts and t-shirt. So impressed with himself, he declared: This is my Saint Patrick's Day outfit, but I just can't wait until March to wear it!" Matt affectionately nicknamed him "Sir Greens A Lot," and that name has stuck between the two of them ever since.

This March 17th, Seth arose early and dressed himself in his green attire in honor of the day. He reminded me, as he had every single day of the preceding week, to buy green apples for his party at Cub Scouts that night. That I did. The party was apparently a huge success, complete with Irish music and green food. In addition to Seth's contribution of green apples, the boys enjoyed pickles, celery, green cupcakes with green frosting, green rice crispy treats, and green sherbet punch.

When I picked Seth up from after the party, I decided he should probably have some "real" food, so we went to Wendy's where they were giving away complimentary green Frostys with kids' meals. Well, if this wasn't the green icing on the cake! Seth was thrilled.

Walking to the car, with determination in his voice, he exclaimed: "Mom, I just love Saint Patrick's Day."

Finally!

Romance all around.
Seth and his favorite new brother.

Mom and Dad
Together forever.
Pure delight!
Picturesque!
Isn't this one romantic!

Okay, they've only been married three weeks. That's not really so long, but it feels like forever that I've been waiting for wedding pictures that I could post here. I've been able view them on the photographer's website for over two weeks, but only yesterday did I get them in a format that would save on my computer.

I love this picture of my five (now six!) beautiful children!

Nine-year-old Mentality

So it's a very good thing that Shulamith is not easily offended, that she understands a nine-year-old's mentality, and that she knows very well that her baby brother loves her dearly. Following is the email Seth sent to her yesterday:

Dear Shulamith

Hola senior Shulamith. It's Chloe's B-Day and I had the best day with her.
But I wish you were here to celebrate cause then we would play
Cribbage.Mom never plays Cribbage with me anymore. And when you're around
we get to have really good fast food or homemade food. I REALLY REALLY
REALLY REALLY miss Matt because we played Brick Breaker and Metal Slug.
Just for the record I MISS HIM MORE THAN YOU!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I lived
there cause then I could see Matt almost all the time(not you). I hope
I see Matt (and Shulamith) soon.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO (to Matt)
Your buddy Seth (to Matt)

P.S. Matt is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brigadoon, anyone?

This past weekend I attended two of the four performances of "Brigadoon," presented by the choral department at Skyview High School. Eli played the role of Angus McGuffie, a resident of Brigadoon, a Scottish village that appears only one day every 100 years as a result of a "blessing," the answer to a prayer from a minister attempting to protect his village from the evils of the world. If the town appears only one day every 100 years, there's hardly enough time for it to be corrupted by any century.

The director noted in her comments in the program that perhaps we all, at one time or another, yearn for a place like "Brigadoon," free from the evils of modern-day society, protected from the sins of the world. Such a place, of course, does not and cannot exist; however, the other part of the "blessing" of Brigadoon--that with love, anything is possible-- certainly does. As an audience, we were uplifted by the energy of the actors, all high school students, who shared with us the message of the power of love to transform. It was delightful. They were delightful. Every one of them.

In my involvement in theatre, I have often heard a saying which circulates among actors: "It is not so much what we give, but what we share. For the gift without the giver is bare." These amazing kids shared with their audience the spirit of Brigadoon.

It caused me to reflect upon the idea of time, how very quickly it would pass if we lived only one day each century. It already flies by faster than I would like. A few days ago, I was telling Lindsey that I wish I could go back eight years. I know, I know....I'm supposed to live in the present. That's always the healthiest place to live. However, I think I'm allowed at least a tiny bit of nostalgia for the past, right? Anyway, I told Lindsey I wasn't asking for a lot. I don't want to go back 20 or 30 years, and certainly not 100! Just eight. Eight short years. Because, well, life was really good then. All five of my kids were still living at home full time. Seth was a wee babe. We spent 3 - 4 nights a week at various sporting events watching Shulamith cheer. It was heaven!

Okay, enough nostalgia. We can't go backward. Only forward. So forward we go, remembering the spirit of Brigadoon. While there is no place on earth free from evil and strife, with love, anything is possible. Thanks to all the cast members for expressing that truth so beautifully in both word and song. And special thanks to my favorite character: Angus!

Cherishing the Silent Forgotten

As I said in an earlier post, my writings on the wedding will come in installments. It's just too big an event to cover all in one post. Soon, I'll even have pictures. I promise! They are so beautiful...just wait until you can see them. Right now, I can only look at them on the photographer's professional website, but soon, I'll have them right here on my computer, so I can upload them to this blog. Soon!

Meanwhile, today I was thinking about all the people who helped us with the wedding, people who were behind the scenes adding support in so many ways, but who could so easily be forgotten. And I want to say thank you.

First, a giant thank you goes to Trudy and her husband Frank. They did several things for us along the way. Shulamith and I have zero creative talent when it comes to artistic design. We are good at many things, but decorating a chapel gym to make it pretty enough for a wedding reception is not one of them. Dazed and confused, we turned to Trudy. Immediately, she was on it. She took Frank out, and together they scoured through craft stores, party stores, etc. Finally, at Hobby Lobby, Trudy had an idea. She called me right then and asked, "Where are you?" I told her I was at the mall eating Arby's with Shulamith, Matt, Luke, and Eli. "I'll be right there," she replied," and within five minutes she and Frank showed up with their idea for table decorations. Right there at Arby's, she laid out a table with an octagon mirror, silver wreath, and crystal candle in the center. We pictured it with a black tablecloth underneath: stunning! We all loved it. Shulamith, Matt, and I went straight to Hobby Lobby and bought nine additional sets.

This was not all Trudy and Frank did for us. As the wedding came closer, it was time to mail out announcements. Because we used black envelopes, and because my handwriting skills are even worse than my decorating skills, we needed white address labels. I don't have a program that prints labels, but Frank does, so I spent three evenings at their house typing in all the names, and then Frank produced the labels.

I thought that would be the extent of Trudy and Frank's wedding responsibilities, but I was so wrong. Because they have a son who lives in West Jordan, they decided to visit him and his family the week of the wedding so they could attend. It was most fortunate for us that they did. Late Friday night, following the Utah reception, it occurred to us that there was no way we could bring all the reception stuff home in the van and still fit all the people (Gerald, Lindsey, Eli, Seth, and me). It was physically impossible. Gerald took a load of reception boxes to the hotel in order to fit us all in the van that night, but how would we ever get back to Billings? Trudy and Frank to the rescue once again. I called Trudy the next morning and asked if they could possibly take home some boxes of reception stuff. That they did. And if that's not enough, the following weekend Trudy organized all the kitchen help (thanks Mandy and Lindsey) for the Billings reception, and Frank showed Gerald how to string wire in the gym from which to hang the lights. Wow!

But they weren't the only ones helping behind the scenes. Our friend Jay volunteered to make mints for the Billings reception. She makes them by hand, one at a time, and they are so yum. She brought them over to the church around noon the day of the reception, and we had to demonstrate serious self control in order to have any left that night. Then there was the photography. We opted not to hire a professional photographer for the Billings reception, so I asked our friends Lisa and Louie. They were ready and willing to help and took pictures through the entire evening.

Not to be forgotten is the issue of hair, both Shulamith's and mine. With the sealing at 11:00 a.m., we had to start early. Shulamith's friend Jena arrived at our hotel room before 5:00 a.m. to begin work on Shulamith's hair. Seven months' pregnant, she was so tired, but she did it anyway, and even did my hair once Shulamith's was done. The following weekend my friend Tiffany came to work on her day off just to do our hair for the reception here.

And what would a wedding be without a cake? My best friend Celeste lives in Texas, but her sister lives in Salt Lake City, and Celeste volunteered Dede to make the wedding cake! Can you believe that? We don't even know Dede (at least we didn't prior to the wedding), but she spent an entire day producing the most beautiful and delicious 4-tier wedding cake, all because she loves her sister, and her sister is my friend.

Last, there is my other best friend, Lindsey. It was a huge sacrifice for her to come to Utah. She had to leave her three young children for four days. Her husband David had to care for those beautiful children all by himself, and in doing so, take time away from the business they own. But when I say that I could not have done without her, I am dead serious. She helped me in so many ways both physically and emotionally; I can't even begin to list them. Most significantly, she sat next to me in the temple during the sealing, so I did not feel alone. I love her very much.

My profound thanks goes to each of you, to Trudy, Frank, Jay, Lisa, Louie, Mandy, Jena, Tiffany, Celeste, Dede, and Lindsey. You are not forgotten. You are cherished.

National Grammar Day, etc.

This morning, Gerald informed me that today is National Grammar Day. Now seriously, what could be a better contribution to my spring break than that? Nothing that I can think of. What a marvelous idea: National Grammar Day, a day to celebrate the many idiosyncrasies and peculiarities of our glorious language. If it weren't spring break, I would definitely show my students my favorite discussion of our language, a video entitled "A Light History of the English Language," by Dr. Eliot Engel. It's a bit dated but still relevant and quite entertaining. My students will have to wait until school resumes next week to see it. It's definitely worth your time if you're so inclined.

What have we done so far to mark this day? Gerald posted his top grammar pet peeves on his Facebook status, and I added a few of my own to his list. This led to a comical discussion among our "friends," mostly focusing on comma usage and pronoun-antecedent agreement. We'll see what else people have to say as the day goes on. From my perspective, there's hardly anything more interesting than grammar, so a big thank you goes to the person who instigated National Grammar Day. What fun!

Other than this, I've done very little today. However, if you look at my "spring break list," you will see that I am well on my way to crossing off many items. So far, I've slept late every single morning. There is really nothing that compares to morning sleep. It's so refreshing and rejuvenating. I've also done P90X doubles every day in addition to walking four miles most days. I wish I could keep this up when school resumes, but often one hour of exercise is all I can fit in when I teach during the day. Yesterday, Gerald and I prepared and froze 20 meals. As often as we eat out, these should last well over a month. On Saturday, we saw the movie Dear John. I loved it although it made me cry, but then what doesn't make me cry these days? This weekend we'll see Valentine's Day.

And as far as regaining my mental and emotional stability, progress is slow but sure. A dear friend gave me some excellent advice. She said no matter how happy we may be about such milestones as marrying off a cherished daughter, change (even glorious change) is still bittersweet. We can celebrate with joy the "sweet" parts, but it is not selfish or silly or strange to grieve for what we have lost. Thank you, Susie. I really needed to hear that.

Tonight? Opening night of Brigadoon. We will be there applauding Eli all the way.

Happy Grammar Day to all!