Salt Lake City

Last Thursday The Mr. and I got picked up at 5:30 in the morning to head to the airport. Our destination was Salt Lake City. Our travelling companions were these 2 cool couples:

All of our husbands serve in the church together, so they know each other well, but in truth, we women really didn't know each other very well. So that, coupled with the fact that The Mr. and I have never travelled with anyone but our family before, made me more than a little curious as to how the weekend would turn out. I didn't need to worry -- it was tons of fun!

The reason for our trip was to attend General Conference, but we were able to do a bunch of other fun things as well. Things I've always wanted to do before I die. Such as.....

1) Attending a session at the SLC temple.

2) Volunteering at the Humanitarian Center.

We packed 720 school kits in all -- or one full pallet.

3) Taking a carriage ride around downtown SLC.

and...

4) Eating atop the Joseph Smith Memorial Building

in the Garden Restaurant (sorry, no picture)

Some other things we did (although not necessarily on my bucket list) were:

Touring Welfare Square

Shaking hands with M. Russell Ballard

Running into missionaries from home at the Conference Center

Eating at some great restaurants

Watching the film at the Legacy Theatre

Shopping

Enjoying amazing breakfasts at our hotel

Riding the Trax

Seeing John Bytheway in person

Making new friends

On Saturday night the girls attended "Ladies Night" at Deseret Book across from Temple Square. Wow -- it was crazy! Wall to wall women hoping to get a good deal, a coveted door prize, an autograph from their favorite author, or -- in my case -- a free cookie.

This picture is taken outside the window of Deseret Book.

That's Hillary Weeks in the forefront signing CDs.

And as if this wasn't enough fun already, Daughter #3 caught a ride down to SLC and joined us for a day and a half. So good to see her again!

Our flight home on Monday was supposed to be the end of our fun, but we were able to stretch that out to one more day when our connecting flight took off before we got there. We enjoyed one extra night and supper in Denver at the airline's expense. We were even able to share that fun with a young fellow Canadian who lost her passport and was stranded in Denver overnight.

This was definitely one of my favorite trips to SLC -- we may have to do it again sometime!

Dixie

Shopping Made Easy

So, I don't want to make anyone jealous, but I've pretty much got my Christmas shopping all taken care. Okay, I don't exactly have the gifts purchased yet, but I've just discovered a little gem for one-stop shopping.

Since I forgot to bring along a book to read on the plane the other day, boredom forced me to read those magazines that were located in the seat pocket in front of me. And there it was -- the answer to my gift-giving woes. SkyMall.com. If you haven't had the chance to browse the magazine, please take advantage of the website. You'll be sure to find a gift for everyone on your Christmas gift list.

For example who couldn't use a stainless steel wallet?

Or a pair of Monet cowboy boots?

Everyone has to use toilet paper. How about making the whole experience a little more fun?

Do you have a budding hostess on your list? Why not give her this lovely "Bob" ice cube tray.

And here's a great idea for the pet lovers in your life.

Do you have a lazy person on your list? Here's the perfect holiday gift. This "pop-up" tree will have their house transformed in less than five minutes.

And finally, my personal favorite, this sun visor with built-in wig is sure to be a hit with the bald-headed man on your list.

So there you have it. Your shopping could be done in no time at all.

Oh, and if you happen to be on my Christmas list, just pretend you didn't see this and try to act surprised.

Dixie

C'est Fini

I'm done!

After 44 panels (352 linear feet -- 2250 square feet), I'm finally finished staining our fence that we built last year. Can I hear a woot?

I guess I can't take all the credit. Daughter #1 helped me with three of those panels, and Daughter #3 helped with 8. I also have to give props to one of my neighbors. Just when I was coming down the home stretch, with a bad knee and definitely losing momentum, they turned on some music. It was loud. And I liked it. It helped me get through those last 25 feet. I even found myself dancing as a I painted.

With only six feet to go, I heard some other neighbor yell, "TURN IT DOWN!" And I thought to myself, "No, please don't. I really need it." Luckily the force was with me and the music kept going as I danced my way to the finish line.

Okay, so I didn't exactly have the moves like Jagger, but I'm blaming that on the bad knee.

Dixie

Thirty-three

My son-in-law just turned 33. When I wished him a happy birthday, he didn't seem overly thrilled about getting older. I informed him that 33 was going to be the best year of his life. He looked at me skeptically, so I proceeded to explain.

When I was a young girl I remember my mother always telling me that 33 was the prime of life. According to her, that's when your body and mind are at their peak -- apparently, you'll never feel better. She was even convinced that in the resurrection, we'll all be 33!!

So, I grew up with the idea that when I turned 33 it was going to be the best year of my life. And you know what? It was. Probably just because I had told myself for so many years that it would be, so at some point I began to believe it. I think if we believe something long enough, we start acting like it's true, whether it is or not.

Well, the point is.....next month I turn 50. YIKES! I have been dreading this for a long time. But according to what I believe, I'm going about it all the wrong way. I should be telling myself that 50 is going to be the best year of my life. Since I'm getting such a late start, I'm going to have to do some pretty serious convincing to actually start believing it. So I've done what every sane person does. I've put a poster on my fridge with my latest positive affirmation.

Here's hoping it works!

Dixie

She's All Grown Up

Well, the deed is done. The Mr. and I just got back from taking Daughter #3 to Idaho to attend Brigham Young University.

How could something so exciting be so sad all at the same time? Of course by "sad" I mean sad for me. I'm really gonna miss that girl. But.....

First time to move in to your own apartment.

First time to have roommates.

First time to take a university class.

First time to cook all your own meals.

First time to do all your own grocery shopping.

First time to date college boys.

First time to purchase textbooks.

First time to..... Well, you get the idea.

How could that not be so exciting?

Obviously by the smile, this picture was taken at the beginning of the trip.

Thanks to these two for providing our "bed and breakfast" on the way down. The egg mcmuffins were delicious!

Experiencing our first IHOP meal.

Day 2: Not quite so perky.

Checking out my old apartment from 31 years ago. I think it's hilarious that once it became dilapidated, they turned it into an apartment for guys instead of girls.

Waving goodbye from her apartment door. (This picture makes her body look really funny. Actually she was holding a pillow in front of her.)

So all in all, it was pretty exciting. And a little bit sad. But mostly exciting.

Dixie

Change of Heart

I've never really cared for my mailman.

There. I said it. There's just something about him that has always bothered me. Maybe it's the fact that he walks across our lawn when he thinks I'm not watching. Maybe it's because he used a bad word in front of my daughters 15 years ago when they were delivering flyers. Maybe it's because he insinuated to said daughters that delivering flyers was beneath his dignity. Whatever it is, I decided years ago that he wasn't a likeable person.

But today something changed.

Today I heard him singing. At the top of his lungs. How could I not like that about a person? I do that myself. Okay, maybe not at the top of my lungs, but I sing in public. Often. And I like it when other people do.

So I guess I'm gonna have to give him a second chance. (I wonder if he likes show tunes.)

Dixie

Bittersweet

A while back I walked in to my local Walmart. To my immediate left were shelves packed with all the school supplies. My first thought was, "Hallelujah! I never have to go school supply shopping again!" And then almost immediately I heard myself thinking, "Oh dear. I'll never get to go school supply shopping again!"

I didn't realize that something that I once dreaded every year would actually be missed when I no longer had to do it. And today was the first day of school. Living on a street with three schools, I felt a little weird this morning -- like I was missing out on the real action.

Luckily Daughter #3 told me I could buy her a new backpack for University. She's so thoughtful that way!

Dixie

On Being a Grandma -- Round 2

One day after Daughter #2 left with her kiddies, Daughter #1 arrived with hers. It has always amazed me how much these kids look like The Mr.'s side of the family. ;)

Seriously, though, we did have a little fun with the costumes.

One day while baking with the five-year-old, we were discussing all sorts of important things. He confided in me that he could hardly wait to go to "the love center". Somewhat baffled, I asked him what "the love centre" was. He said it was a place where you do grown-up things. Not really sure whether or not I wanted to hear the answer, I heard myself asking, "What kind of grown-up things?" He matter-of-factly responded, "Like baking cookies."

Phew! That was too close for comfort!

Dixie

On Being a Grandma

This morning I kissed these sweet faces goodbye.

They were here for a few days with their mother - Daughter #2. We played at the park, went to the farmer's market, had a movie night party in our pj's, watched a play, shopped, played games, baked goodies, had some girl time, and stayed up way too late.

Relief Society Pot Luck Activity

Showing their wares from the Farmers' Market

I love how little kids are so honest. It's always fun to "interview" them and see what they come up with. Here's a small portion of one of our conversations:

Me: When does a girl turn into a woman?

Them: When her hair turns white.

Me: So, is your mom a girl or a woman?

Them: A girl.

Me: Am I a girl or a woman?

Them: A girl.

Needless to say, I was feeling pretty good about that. My head (with the non-white hair) was starting to swell.

It was only 20 minutes later when my granddaughter came snuggling up to me, gave me a cuddle, and then asked, "Grandma, why are you so old?"

Ouch! Nothing hurts more than being brought back to reality.

Dixie

The Past Couple of Weeks

So, it appears that the picture of the man in the drunken stupor featured on my last post, seems to have taken up permanent residence. I'm getting tired of seeing him, so I figure it's time to post again, even if it's just a quick summary of our past couple of weeks.

Here's what we've been up to:

1) Staining the fence we built last year.

2) Breaking in our new fire pit.

3) Attending "Taste of Edmonton" for the first time.

Sampling quail. (Tastes like chicken :))

Sampling deep-fried Mars Bar

4) Loving every minute of "Wicked".

And yes, by the clothes we're wearing, you can tell that we went directly to Wicked from the previous activity.

5) Reunioning at "Ol' MacDonald's Farm" .

6) Looking forward to a visit from Daughter #2 and her kidlets today, and a visit from Daughter #1 and her family at the end of the week.

And that's about it. Not much, but now I won't have to look at the drunk man anymore!

Dixie

FindYourBeach.ca

The Mr. was in Calgary on business yesterday and came across this sight:

Somehow we doubt this man is helping Corona's campaign.

Dixie

Thirty Years

Thirty years ago The Mr. and I got married. Whoa! Thirty years -- that's a long time. The on-line conversion chart tells me that would be 133 years in Dog Years. I'm guessing it would be something like 233 years if there was such thing as a Movie Star Marriage conversion chart. Either way, it's a long time. A lot of things have happened or changed in the last 30 years. The most obvious is our appearance.

Here we are in 1981

And here we are 30 years later

And here are some of the highlights over the past 30 years:

Birth of Daughter #1

(Look at that top-of-the-line baby seat/play pen. Nothing but the best for our children!)

Birth of Daughter #2

Law School Graduation

The purchase of our first home

(After seven years of apartment living, we thought we had died and gone to heaven.)

Birth of Sons #1A and #1B

Birth of Daughter #3

Our year in Utah

Some great family vacations

(Please try not to be envious of my groovy pants.)

The wedding of Daughter #2

The wedding of Daughter #1

The arrival of some adorable grandchildren

1A and 1B's mission call to Russia

(Where they apparently almost starved to death!)

Thirty years is a long time to be married. When you try to sum it up in a few paragraphs, it can't quite capture the true feelings that have developed over that time. Feelings of love, obviously, but more that just that. When I see my husband I feel comfort, relief, excitement, security, romance, joy, and a whole bunch of other emotions that I'm sure I'll think of (and wished I would have included) after I've pressed the "PUBLISH POST" button.

The Mr. and I have had a great 30 years together. I'm looking forward to the next 30!

Dixie

No Matter Where You Go...

On Sunday The Mr. and I visited a church in St. George, Utah. Funny how all Latter-day Saint wards are pretty much the same. We've all got the same types of characters, just taking up residence in different bodies:

• The Sacrament Meeting chorister who leads the music with so much exuberance that it feels like he/she has just participated in an athletic experience.
• The thirty-something dad of several young children who puts his head down and falls asleep, leaving his wife to take care of all the kids.
• The older gentlemen in Sunday School who has a comment for everything. Sometimes he even says something related to the lesson.
• The Relief Society presidency member who is so sugary sweet. You're sure her daughters all wear matching home-made dresses.
• The sixty-something woman who seems to be the authority on everything. If there's a dispute over the date, time, or place of any church or community event, she seems to be able to finalize it with her comment.

It's kind of reassuring to know that it's not just the doctrine, but the people, that makes "the church the same, no matter where you go in the world."

Dixie

Kids -- Gotta Love 'Em

Overheard at the foodcourt:

Young Boy: Last time I was at A&W I had a baby burger.

Woman: Was it good?

Young Boy: Yeah. It kinda tasted like hamburger mixed with.... babies.

Told to me by a mother of one of my youngest members of Showbiz Kids:

Olivia: (Pointing out the window to Daughter #3 riding her bike) Look Mom!!

Mom: Oh, we know her, don't we? Good for her for riding her bike.

Olivia: She's only riding with one hand. She's so cool!

(Later that day the mom noticed Olivia riding her bike in the driveway.... with one hand.)

When I mentioned this to Daughter #3 she said, "Oh, I guess I should've been wearing my helmet."

Kids -- gotta love 'em!

Two Things

There are two things that The Mr. has been threatening to do for several years.

There are two things that I vowed I would never let him do.

Oddly enough they are the same two things:

1) Get a pair of cowboy boots. (And actually wear them.)

2) Shave his head before he goes on a summer vacation.

Guess what two things The Mr. did within the past week.

Guess what two things I found myself aiding and abetting.

Pictures may or may not follow.

Dixie

There's A Last Time For Everything

As mentioned in my last post(s), Daughter #3 has just finished grade 12, and with that have come a lot of "lasts". Her last day of school, her last day of early morning Seminary, her last high school exam, her last day to attend church with me in our family ward, her last time to attend Young Womens, her last school play, her last rugby game, her last awards ceremony. It's amazing how these things that are "hers" have become such a big part of "my" life. I guess being the last of five children, she probably gets a little more of my attention than my other children got. Probably more than she wants!

So, we're each entering a new phase in our lives. She's so excited to be moving on to that next phase. Me? Not so much.

Dixie