It's Official!

We now have plane tickets! We are officially leaving Houston on Friday, August 20th at 7:00p.m.

Milan, here we come!

It's Almost August!

Tomorrow is August 1st. That means in less than 3 weeks I will be moving to Milan, Italy!

Three years ago we were supposed to move to Singapore, but plans changed 5 weeks before we were supposed to go, and we ended up staying in Houston. I think part of me keeps expecting that to happen again. And part of me keeps hoping that will happen again.

You know what? I don't think it's going to happen. I think Robert, Scott, and I are really going to be living in Italy for the next two years.

I've still got a lot to do to get ready to go.

Oh, and just to let you know how art illiterate I am - I didn't know that DaVinci's Last Supper had been painted as a mural on a wall of a monastary in Milan. The city I will be living in. Maybe a year or two in Europe will do me good...

Lois the Corpse Flower

For those of you not in Houston, wondering at my title, let me explain. A corpse flower is a rare flower found only in Sumatra. There are a number of them owned in the United States, but there have only been 29 reported bloomings. The plant only blooms after it's at least seven years old. It's a rather large flower, standing anywhere from 6 to 10 feet tall. The name comes from the fact that when the flower blooms it smells like rotting flesh. This is to attract flesh eating beetles, which help it pollinate. Sounds enticing, doesn't it?

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is fortunate enough to own a corpse flower, which has been named Lois. We have been waiting anxiously for Lois to bloom, a feat that has taken her a couple of weeks longer than it was supposed to. Finally on Wednesday she began to bloom. Kimberly and a friend went to see Lois during the day on Friday, and Kimberly said she was very pretty. We decided we should go see her, but to avoid the crowds, we (meaning Kimberly, Scott, and I, along with James S.) went at 4:15 early Saturday morning. Which is very early. But traffic was nonexistent, we were able to find fairly close parking, and the lines to see Lois were much shorter.

Was it worth it? Judge for yourself:

I think she's beautiful and very unique.

Here's a picture of the Stink-O-Meter:
She was only at a 5. I didn't think she smelled that bad.

I'm glad we went. It was a fun adventure in the middle of the night. And who knows if I'll ever get the chance to see a corpse flower bloom again!

Over the Hill!

It's official! I'm now 50 years old. I am over the hill!

Last Day

Today is my last day in my 40's.

I shall now go sit in a corner and get older.

Bummed

It's been 5 years since I had my eyes checked. 5 years since I've gotten new glasses. I didn't realize it had been that long until I called my eye doctor to make an appointment. Luckily for me he had a cancellation, so even though I just called yesterday I was able to get in today. If they hadn't had a cancellation it would have been mid-August before I could get an appointment.

I went to Eyemasters to get my glasses. Since we're moving to Milan, I wanted to bring 2 pair, and they always seem to have a "buy one, get one free" special going on. So I picked out some frames - trendier than what I have, so that will be fun.

Here's where the bummed part comes in. I have really bad vision. REALLY bad. I need to get expensive lenses so they can be as thin as possible. I don't feel like wearing pop bottle lenses. On top of that, I wear bifocals (which will be much stronger with my new prescription, so I will hopefully be able to read with them). What all this means is that my lenses aren't stocked in the store. They have to be special ordered. Which will take about 10 days.

I am not a patient person. I have picked out new glasses, and I want them NOW! So I'm bummed that I have to wait. I guess I will survive. But it may be trying.

How Did They Know?

Today Shelley, my sister, and I drove James, Scott, and my nephew, Steven, to San Antonio so they could attend EFY (Especially for Youth).

We were driving down I-10 when a mini-van full of girls drove by and held up a sign that said "EFY". We gave them the thumbs up to let them know that's where we were headed also.

My sister then made a sign which said "3 boys". When we drove by them again I held up the sign, and the girls clapped and waved.

A few minutes later they drove by us, and one of the girls held up a sign that said "6 girls". We clapped and whooped for that - the boys definitely liked those odds!

That was the last exchange, but who knows, maybe they'll meet those girls at EFY and recognize each other!

Our only question is how did they know we were heading to EFY? Shelley has nothing on her car that would lead anyone to think it belonged to Mormons. Maybe 3 moms and 3 boys in a car together screams EFY. I guess we'll never know!

If the car ride is any indication, it's shaping up to be a good week for the boys!

Am I Feeling Benevolent?

I'm still trying to decide if I should be a nice mom, or if I should play a doozy of a trick on Scott. Here's the back story:

Three years ago our family was supposed to move to Singapore for a year. It just so happened that while Jeffrey and Scott were at Scout Camp, things changed and we ended up not moving. When the boys got back from Scout Camp we told them we weren't moving. Jeffrey was elated, but Scott was disappointed. He was ready and anxious to spend his 8th grade year in Singapore.

Fast forward to now. In August Scott and I will be joining Robert in Milan, Italy. We will be living there the next two years. Scott has spent the last two weeks at Philmont Scout Ranch. Before he left he told me, "I'd better not come back from Philmont and find out we're not moving".

Scott gets back tonight. Robert is coming for a week beginning on Friday.

Do I:

A. Tell Scott Dad is coming to visit for a week.

or

B. Tell Scott Dad is coming home on Friday, and nothing more.

What to do, what to do.

What would you do?

Happy Independence Day!

I hope we will all take the time today to give thanks for our great country, and the freedoms we enjoy.

What could be more fitting than a video of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner:

That's the way our national anthem should be sung!

Happy Fourth of July!

Solitude

When I first realized I would be home alone for a couple of weeks, I was kind of excited. It seemed like it would be fun to have the whole house to myself for a while.

Now, more than a week into my alone time I'm -

Not enjoying it quite so much.

Getting a little bored with my own company.

Annoying even the dogs and cats with my talking. Yes, I do talk to them and to myself. Want to make something of it?

I'll be glad when I'm not alone.

Bonus Phone Call!

Jeffrey was supposed to leave the MTC this coming Monday, heading for Mexico. Unfortunately the Mexican government is a little slow about giving visas, so he wasn't sure he would actually be leaving on Monday. I got an e-mail from him today saying he and 15 other elders were leaving the MTC on Friday - heading for the Salt Lake City South Mission! They are being temporarily assigned there until their visas come in. I know he would rather be headed to Mexico but he is very excited to be going somewhere!

His e-mail also said he would be calling me tonight. I had to be up at the church to make sure Scott had all of his stuff for Philmont, so I left a strange message on our answering machine. I bascially told Jeffrey to call my cell phone if no one answered the phone.

My message worked! My cell phone rang at a little before 8:00, and it was Jeffrey! We only got to talk for 5 minutes, but it was wonderful to hear from him. He told me he's loving his mission, and he's so excited to be sent out to the field. He's hopeful that his time in Salt Lake will be short and he will be sent to Mexico soon.

Things don't always run smoothly, but the work continues to go forth. I'm happy my son is so positve about this situation and anxious to go serve somewhere!

Flag Day

I love our country. I love all things patriotic. I love our flag. In honor of Flag Day, a picture and a poem.

Flag of the Free

Walter Taylor Field

Look at the flag as it floats on high,

Streaming aloft in the clear, blue sky,

Rippling, leaping, tugging away,

Gay as the sunshine, bright as the day,

Throbbing with life, where the world may see -

Flag of our country, flag of the free!

What do we see in the flag on high,

That we bare our heads as it passes by,

That we thrill with pride, our hearts beat fast,

And we cheer and cheer as the flag goes past -

The flag that waves for you and me -

Flag of our country, flag of the free?

We see in the flag a nation's might.
The pledge of a safeguard day and night,
Of a watchful eye and a powerful arm
That guard the nation's homes from harm.
Of a strong defense on land and sea -
Flag of our country, flag of the free!
We see in the flag a union grand,
A brotherhood of heart and hand,
A pledge of love and a stirring call
To live our lives for the good of us all -
Helpful and just and true to thee,
Flag of our country, flag of the free!

Flutter, dear flag, o'er the lands and seas!

Fling out your stars and your stripes to the breeze,

Righting all wrongs, dispelling all fear,

Guarding the land that we cherish so dear,

And the God of our fathers, abiding with thee,

Will bless you and trust you, O flag of the free!

Happy Flag Day. Long may it wave!

A Blast From My Past

On Memorial Day Kimberly and I went to Best Buy. We were perusing the television shows when I saw this:

Oh, how I loved that show! It started in 1975, when I was 15. Just the perfect age to develop a HUGE crush on Paul Michael Glaser, also known as Starsky. (And for those of you not in the know, Starsky is the dark haired, more attractive one - no offense Hutch. At least in the TV show Starsky was more attractive. I'm not sure I can say the same about the movie.)

Since Kimberly still owed me half a Mother's Day present, and since I was salivating over the DVD, she bought it for me. She's such a good daughter! I've now watched the first 4 episodes, and you know what? I still love it! It's a bit dated, and some of the characters are over the top caricutures, but I don't care! It's Starsky! And his awesome Gran Torino!

I still have 19 more episodes to watch on Season 1. Then I will probably head to Best Buy to get Season 2. Then Season 3. Then Season 4.

It's going to be a fun TV summer!

Doing Better

One handed typing is for the birds, which means this post won't be long. So I apologize to those of you who don't know the whole story.

I went to the Orthopedic doctor today, and he does not believe my elbow is broken! Just badly bruised. I tend to agree, since it's not painful to the touch, and I can already move it more than I could move it on Saturday. So, no more nasty, uncomfortable splint for me! He put my arm in a sling, but told me to start using it lightly. I'm just glad that my idiotic fall did not cost me a broken elbow!

Scott Must Have a Double

Scott was absent from school today. All day. I just got a message from the school informing me that Scott was absent from 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th periods today. I guess his doppelganger was there for 1st and 7th periods!

True Faith

Jeffrey's Mission President and wife (the ones he will have when he actually gets to Mexico), have a blog. Today I read a story that was so uplifting, I had to share it. It was shared by a sister missionary and translated by the Mission President. Here it is:

Last week was very beautiful. Hermana Vergara and I forced ourselves even more. I want to tell you about Hermana Araceli who was baptized 2 weeks ago. During that week she told us that her work is that she sold bread and took home only 20 pesos [that is about 15 cents]. She wanted to make tamales so that she can make more money, but she needed a steamer. We told her that we would look around with her and try to find a cheap steamer.

She wanted to pay her tithing and asked us for an envelope. I gave her one. This Sunday we were surprised. She came late and and was not able to take the sacrament. She wept about that. So, she waited for the next ward to start and stayed for the first 15 minutes so that she could receive the sacrament. While she was waiting, a member approached us and said that he wanted to give Araceli a ride home. When she got there, she received a new steamer from the ward, money to make tamales and other things. (This is a very good result of an excellent ward council in which we presented her case.)

We could see Araceli's sincere desire to pay her tithing of 2 pesos and then receive much more that the 10%. SHE RECEIVED MUCH MORE!!!!!!! She will remember this experience all her life. It is a beautiful testimony that the Lord knows our needs and helps us to grow according to the desires of our hearts. Araceli is a true convert. This is the Lord's perfect church and He works among those who have faith.

How I wish I could have the faith of Sister Araceli.

Feeling a Little Gypped

Moms of missionaries look especially forward to four days (not including the day their sons come home) - each of the two Mother's Days and each of the two Christmases. On those four days, we get to talk to our sons.

I remember how excited I would get when Brian was on his mission and one of those days was approaching. I couldn't wait to hear his voice and hear about his mission. I didn't really care what else happened those days - Brian's phone calls were what I was waiting for!

Well, today is Mother's Day, and I have another son on a mission. But I won't be getting a phone call from Jeffrey. He's in the MTC, and there is no way, logistically, for all the missionaries in the MTC to get to call home.

I realize I just dropped him off a week and a half ago, but I still feel a little sad. I mean, lets face it, with just me and Scott at home, it's not like this is going to be a very exciting Mother's Day anyway. A phone call from Jeffrey would have made the day much better.

I have heard he should get to call me from the airport when he flies from the MTC to Mexico at the end of June. I guess I will just have to wait for that.

Travel Tip

At the Salt Lake City Airport we made our mandatory trip through Security. I noticed that the guard manning the x-ray machine was spending a fair amount of time looking at my black tote bag. I didn't know why, since it contained the same items that had been in it on the way from Houston to Salt Lake City, with the addition of two ceramic tiles. I didn't think those would send any danger signals. She let my bag go through, but said she wanted to send it back through again. The second time through, she looked some more, then called another guard over to manually search my bag.

I was led over to a table, where the guard proceeded to swab the inside of my bag and run it through a machine to test for drugs. He then started taking things out of my bag - books, the tiles, and my makeup bag (which he also went through). He then pulled out the root of all the trouble. The item which had looked suspicious on the x-ray machine. This:

What is it, you ask? Well, it's a device you hook to your suitcase so you can weigh it and make sure it weighs less than 50 pounds. It's really quite a handy device.

The problem? When going through the x-ray machine it looks suspiciously like a Taser. And, as we all know, tasers are forbidden in your carry on luggage.

I assured the guard that from now on I would put the device in my suitcase when I was through with it. No more possible tasers in my carry on bags!

I wasn't bothered at all by the encounter. I'm glad the guard manning the x-ray machine was on the ball enough to have noticed the device in my luggage. Better safe than sorry! I'm just wondering why the guard in Houston didn't catch it...

MTC Day!

Wednesday was the big day! The day Jeffrey entered the MTC! We (Jeffrey, my sister, and I) drove from Salt Lake City down to Provo. When we got to Provo, we went to eat at IHOP. On Wednesdays guys entering the MTC eat for free (up to $10.99). Jeffrey took full advantage of that by ordering the Big Country Breakfast - a small chicken fried steak, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and pancakes! And he finished almost all of it! Here he is anxiously waiting for his food to come.

It was fun going to IHOP because there were other families there, and we were all excited to talk to one another. We actually met another guy going to Jeffrey's mission! That was nice.

After IHOP, and a quick stop at the Missonary Mall to buy Jeffrey a sweater (it was cold in Utah), we headed to the MTC. Here is Jeffrey standing across the street from the MTC (or at least one of the buildings). It's a surprisingly large place.
After taking a few pictures, we drove over to the MTC. They have changed the way missionaries are dropped off. You used to go in for a meeting, but now you just drop them at the curb. When I first heard that, I was disappointed. I wanted to go in for a meeting, like we got to do with Brian. But now that I have done both ways, I think I prefer this way. It's less emotional. And it's kind of cool, because as you drive along, there are missionaries lining the road, ready to greet the incoming missionaries and help them with their bags. That was a lot of fun.

After being told to pull over to the curb, we got Jeffrey's bags out of the trunk, gave him more hugs, and then he left. Here he is, walking off with his helper/guide.
My sister and I then got back in the car and drove out of the MTC, waving at all of the missionaries as we drove along. Leaving Jeffrey behind to begin his mission.

So far I'm doing okay. I'm not sure it has really sunk in yet. It will probably hit me next week. It's a good thing GNO is coming up.

Promised Pictures!

As I mentioned in my previous post, we were fortunate enough to meet President Uchtdorf on the day before Jeffrey went in the MTC. I'm now posting the pictures I took when we met him.

Here he is by himself. He was talking to another family, and I was able to snap a picture of him. I realize he's an Apostle of the Lord, but I have to say, he's a very distinguished looking man!

Here he is with my sister and I. I, of course, hate how I look in the picture, but I will treasure it always anyway.
And my favorite picture. President Uchtdorf and Jeffrey. What better way for my son to start his mission then to be told by an Apostle to work hard and always do what his CTR ring says.
I will be sending Jeffrey a copy of this picture in a few days. It will be nice for him to have on his mission.

There will also be a copy on my hall table full of pictures.