Sunday, May 30, 2010
Don't Cry For Me, Argentina
Argentina recently celebrated its bicentennial. I have spent the day reviewing the news reports and photographs of that country I love so much.
Friday, May 28, 2010
For Cindy... (and also for my children)
For Cindy because of now... and for the Captain's and my children because they are always in our thoughts.
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/1/4717/article
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/1/4717/article
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Movin' and Shakin'
So… we’re moving. I know… I know. Don’t gasp. I have been deliriously happy here in The Ridge. Have loved it with all my heart and soul. Have never lived in a more beautiful place… both the surroundings and the people. Oh, the people! How I love them! I could go on and on about the wonderful, kind, soulful, beautiful people that I have lived amongst for the past eight years.
However, it’s time for a change. You see, we rent the only rental in our ward. We’ve been living in it while planning to build our home on the lot we own up the road. As much as I have loved The Ridge, since last September the Captain and I have had a reason to think twice about whether it was really best for our family to stay here long term.
Now, here’s an eyebrow-raising turn of events: One of the wonderful Ridge people we love has recently had a terrible tragedy in her life. Her husband has left her and her four children. (Let’s just say, like a fool, he’s traded down.) Unfortunately, he has torched his family’s life on his way out. They have been left without a home as well as without financial support. Don’t get me started on just how angry I am about it all.
When I heard about it, I knew what we needed to do. I just knew. I came home and told the Captain what had happened. I told him flat out, “We need to move out of our house so Cindy and her children can move in. They need to be able to stay in the area. They need the support of the people here. They need everything The Fourth Ward Ridge has to offer.” Lucky for me, the Captain is the man he is. One day of figuring out logistics and we got started. So… we’re boxing things up. We’re gearing up for our next adventure. Yep, that’s the Captain and Karla Show… everyday a new adventure!
Life is good. Memories are good. Friendships are good. Packing is NOT good. Hauling things is NOT good. Labeling boxes is NOT good. Saying good-bye will NOT be good. We intend to continue attending church in The Ridge through the summer so that Jon can have his farewell here in this place with these people that played such a role in helping him get to this point in his life. Once he is safely tucked away at the MTC, the Captain and I will raise our heads, look around, and decide where we are headed next.
Will we be back in The Ridge in a couple of years happily building our home on our lot? Don’t know. Don’t need to know. It’s enough to know we’re doing the right thing now.
To my Ridge homies… may you wrap up Cindy and her young ones in all the love and friendship you shared with me and mine. There really isn’t a kinder, safer place on earth than right here. It’s been my great blessing to know you and be amongst you. “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.”
However, it’s time for a change. You see, we rent the only rental in our ward. We’ve been living in it while planning to build our home on the lot we own up the road. As much as I have loved The Ridge, since last September the Captain and I have had a reason to think twice about whether it was really best for our family to stay here long term.
Now, here’s an eyebrow-raising turn of events: One of the wonderful Ridge people we love has recently had a terrible tragedy in her life. Her husband has left her and her four children. (Let’s just say, like a fool, he’s traded down.) Unfortunately, he has torched his family’s life on his way out. They have been left without a home as well as without financial support. Don’t get me started on just how angry I am about it all.
When I heard about it, I knew what we needed to do. I just knew. I came home and told the Captain what had happened. I told him flat out, “We need to move out of our house so Cindy and her children can move in. They need to be able to stay in the area. They need the support of the people here. They need everything The Fourth Ward Ridge has to offer.” Lucky for me, the Captain is the man he is. One day of figuring out logistics and we got started. So… we’re boxing things up. We’re gearing up for our next adventure. Yep, that’s the Captain and Karla Show… everyday a new adventure!
Life is good. Memories are good. Friendships are good. Packing is NOT good. Hauling things is NOT good. Labeling boxes is NOT good. Saying good-bye will NOT be good. We intend to continue attending church in The Ridge through the summer so that Jon can have his farewell here in this place with these people that played such a role in helping him get to this point in his life. Once he is safely tucked away at the MTC, the Captain and I will raise our heads, look around, and decide where we are headed next.
Will we be back in The Ridge in a couple of years happily building our home on our lot? Don’t know. Don’t need to know. It’s enough to know we’re doing the right thing now.
To my Ridge homies… may you wrap up Cindy and her young ones in all the love and friendship you shared with me and mine. There really isn’t a kinder, safer place on earth than right here. It’s been my great blessing to know you and be amongst you. “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.”
Friday, May 21, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
The Call Has Come
So... Thursday in the mail comes an envelope to Jon from Salt Lake City. Problem: Jon is in Kansas for the summer working. (Side note: so are Brett, Juliann, Mae, Josh and Spencer.) Sigh. I know I have to forward it on to him. I know I have to leave it unopened. Temptation. Decision time. Looking at the iron (specifically the steam feature); looking at the envelope. Gauging my acting ability to sound surprised in a couple of days when he calls to "tell me" where he's going.
Nope. Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent. I drive to the UPS Store and send it to Kansas... unopened. I tell Jon I've sent it for Monday delivery, but I actually sent it overnight. I wanted him to be surprised. I sent it to Brett and Juliann's place. I called Juliann and told her it was coming. Bless her heart! She comes up with a plan. She makes cookies and invites Josh, Jon and Spencer to come over after work for "dessert." Little do they know... it's really to have Jon open his call.
The Cap'n and I watch the clock all day. Finally, at 10:00 at night the phone rings. Jon's about to open his call. I'm thrilled for him... and proud of him. Fogive the parental boast, but he is one prepared young man.
I don't know who to kiss first: Steve Jobs for inventing an iPhone that records video that can be sent from a cellphone to an email address, or Juliann for knowing all about that feature and using it so I can "see" my son open his call in far away Kansas.
OH?? Have I not told you where he's going? Well, I'll let him do that.
Brett's got me on the phone. The Cap'n and I have our heads smashed together trying to both hear at once. Josh has the ex on his phone. Spencer has Katie on his phone. I love cell phones!!! Oops? Are you still on pins and needles? Here ya go:
Yeah, that was some seriously butchered Spanish pronunciation. But... no worries. Two years from now he'll come back saying it correctly.
Okay, please notice in that last clip how subtly Brett calls him a girl. "For eighteen months." And did you catch in the first video clip how Jon picks Mae up and is kissing her on the top of the head when he notices the UPS package. So sweet.
So here are the details:
Mexico Tuxtla Gutierrez Mission
Reports to the MTC on September 1st
A million and one immunization shots to get
Nope. Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent. I drive to the UPS Store and send it to Kansas... unopened. I tell Jon I've sent it for Monday delivery, but I actually sent it overnight. I wanted him to be surprised. I sent it to Brett and Juliann's place. I called Juliann and told her it was coming. Bless her heart! She comes up with a plan. She makes cookies and invites Josh, Jon and Spencer to come over after work for "dessert." Little do they know... it's really to have Jon open his call.
The Cap'n and I watch the clock all day. Finally, at 10:00 at night the phone rings. Jon's about to open his call. I'm thrilled for him... and proud of him. Fogive the parental boast, but he is one prepared young man.
I don't know who to kiss first: Steve Jobs for inventing an iPhone that records video that can be sent from a cellphone to an email address, or Juliann for knowing all about that feature and using it so I can "see" my son open his call in far away Kansas.
OH?? Have I not told you where he's going? Well, I'll let him do that.
Brett's got me on the phone. The Cap'n and I have our heads smashed together trying to both hear at once. Josh has the ex on his phone. Spencer has Katie on his phone. I love cell phones!!! Oops? Are you still on pins and needles? Here ya go:
Yeah, that was some seriously butchered Spanish pronunciation. But... no worries. Two years from now he'll come back saying it correctly.
Okay, please notice in that last clip how subtly Brett calls him a girl. "For eighteen months." And did you catch in the first video clip how Jon picks Mae up and is kissing her on the top of the head when he notices the UPS package. So sweet.
So here are the details:
Mexico Tuxtla Gutierrez Mission
Reports to the MTC on September 1st
A million and one immunization shots to get
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