Memory: Visiting Grandma and Grandpa Baker

The other day some of my friends and I were talking about how wonderful it would be to go back to school. I told them I would go back for something completely different from my bachelors (Health Science). When they asked what I thought I might do I thought of English, creative writing to be exact. They thought that would be a great idea so I decided to look into it. I have looked at classes online and then thought- what is a creative writing class? Just someone giving you an idea of something to write about? (I know it is more than that.) So I pulled out my "My Life in a Jar!" jar that I made with the Young Women, which contains questions that can be answered and recorded in a journal. So, I have decided to start going through those as my­­ creative writing 'curriculum'.  (I am still thinking of school, just not yet.)

*Please do not judge my writing as a teacher might, I am a writing as a 'student' not as a professional.

What was one of your favorite vacations as a child?

Children have such a wonderful perception of the world; green beans are sure to end their life and fairies really do live in the flower garden at Grandma's house. As an adult I have spoken to my parents about my childhood memories and have found that my perceptions have been entirely false; that turtle in the backyard in the swimming pool was not actually our favorite pet, in fact he was not our pet at all, and the dog that lived outside our front door was not a beast about to eat my entire family.  These perceptions when added to a child's imagination, can mold and shape our memories.  

When going on a vacation my parents would have the van packed and ready the night before with suitcases, pillows, blankets, food and a Louis L'Amour book on tape.  The day of the trek they would pull us all out of bed in the wee hours of the morning and with sleepy eyes and donning our favorite pajamas we would pack into that faithful van and start our journey. 

Growing up we had a blue minivan. The inside was covered in wood panels, giving it a very rustic look. There were seven seats; two in the front, two in the middle and three in the back. Next to the middle seat was a space to allow people to get in and out. In my family there are two parents, two sisters, three brothers and myself. If you have counted and compared we had seven seats in the van and eight people in the family. Mom and Dad sat in the front, the three oldest kids in the back and two brothers in the middle. Where did I sit, you might ask, I would sit on a suitcase between the middle seat and the door.  Why me? I was the only one who fit. But as a perk, I always got a window seat.

Our annual summer vacation was a trek across the empty state of Wyoming towards Cache Valley, Utah where we would find the home of my Grandma and Grandpa Baker.  With the constant bathroom, food and sanity stops along the way we would always arrive in the evening. Again sleepy eyed and donning our favorite pajamas we would walk up the gravel drive way and into Grandma and Grandpa's house.  The instant the front door opened the quintessential 'Grandma house' smell would completely envelope you; grandma's perfume, food cooking, dust and so much more.  Even now, years later, I can stop and remember the smell of my grandparents home.  

In the morning I would get up early and ascend the basement stairs to find Grandpa sitting on the couch reading the newspaper.  I would climb up next to him, he would had me the 'funnies' and I would snuggle in. 

The rest of the week included catching snakes with cousins and trapping them in a bucket dangling from the tree, so they wouldn't jump out. Running through the orchards and exploring grandpa's green houses. Jumping on cousin Jared's trampoline while imagining we were on jell-o trying not to be eaten by a fearsome giant. Laying on the floor in grandma's room watching the crystal rainbows dance on the walls and looking through her beautiful wood vanity at all her make-up and powders. Climbing into the hall 'toy' closet to find our favorite toys, mine were the small plastic farm animals. Sitting in grandma's light blue bedroom while she taught me to sew cloths for my barbies.  Walking around the huge country block to visit the cow farm and let the baby cows lick my fingers. Getting to sit on grandma's special vanity bench or on the high bench with the stairs for dinner. Trying, year after year, to build a fort in the willow tree in the front yard.  

These were my family vacations. Visiting extended family and building bonds and memories. Although my memories of these moments might be enhanced and changed by my childhood perceptions it is what I know. It is what I remember.  It is what I love.

Memory: Visiting Grandma and Grandpa Stones in Yellowstone

My Grandma and Grandpa Stones had such exciting lives because they got to live and work in Yellowstone National Park. Every summer we would drive up to Montana to visit them at their fabulous time share in the park. I remember feeling so fancy and rich at the idea of staying in a cabin in the forest; it felt like a fairy tale. It was thrilling staying at this time share because it felt like a hotel and  I had never stayed at a hotel; the excitement overwhelmed me. 

At night we would climb onto the roof to look at the stars. Dad would point down to the nature below us and tell us stories. Stories about the tortoise and the hare racing around the lake below us. He pointed out where the hare would stop to take a nap allowing the tortoise to catch up.  He pointed out where the hare stopped to steal vegetables again allowing the tortoise to pass him. The intensity and anxiety increased as he pointed out the finish line and I could see the ribbon crossing that line waiting to be broken by the victor.  I could imagine the forest animals cheering on the racers and apprehensively waiting to see the winner. I was sitting high in the sky, on a roof, watching these scenes play out before my eyes and could barely breath due to the anticipation and excitement. I will not tell you the ending of the story although I will say that the animals cheered, I screeched with glee and the night felt happy and complete. 

During the day we would tour the park visiting Old Faithful, geysers and colorful holes full of poison and lava. We would go to the visitor center and see Grandma and Grandpa working.  They would take us outside and show us the waterfalls, telling us stories and facts and solidifying in my mind that they were, in fact, some of the smartest coolest people I knew.  

One of our favorite parts of the park were the animals. Although we came almost yearly the thrill of seeing these the exotic animals outside of a zoo was too much. One time in particular I will never forget. We were driving down a main road when we approached a herd of buffalo on the shoulder. Wanting to watch them closely we all huddled in the back window and watched as we passed the herd. Then, to our excitement and horror, a huge buffalo started running behind the car. It was chasing us. It was going to hit us and rip the van apart with its horns. We screeched, we screamed, we watched with open eyes of terror as this wild beast grew closer."Drive faster Dad!" Just as we started seeing our lives fly before our eyes the buffalo stopped, he grew smaller as we continued down the road. We all exhaled in a giddy relief, telling our parents in loud and booming decimals of the story which they had also just experienced. 

 I will always remember the wonderful memories of Yellowstone National Park  and the glee of seeing my grandparents and I will never forget the evil buffalo who chased our car. I will never regain the years that fear and terror took of my life that day.  Although this terrifying experience scarred me for life, I have and I will continue to go to Yellowstone National Park. If not for the buffalo's for the memories!

Sink, Faucet and Fridge- Oh My!

Two weeks ago I was doing dishes and noticed that our sink was not draining. Thinking it was just clogged I turned on the disposal and out shot dark brown, muddy, smelly water. I was shocked and again turned on the disposal thinking, "Well now that it is unclogged it will suck it all back down." Needless to say, I was wrong. I could not bear to be in the kitchen due to the stench and decided to leave it for a couple hours and let it drain. By that evening it still had not drained so I began scooping up the disgusting water and putting it down the other drain till the sink was empty. I cleaned the sink with bleach to get rid of the stench but the bleach wouldn't drain so I ended up having to scoop that up also. In the end I plugged it, so I wouldn't have to look at the vomit like chunks and endure the smell. Two weeks later and it was still plugged (as defense we did leave town for one of those weeks).  

This is after it sat for a couple of hours, you can see residue on the sides of the sink where it was trying to drain.

After arriving home from our trip we found part of the kitchen flooded from a leak under/behind the fridge. We pulled the fridge out and dried everything. I checked the freezer and fridge and nothing was thawed or gone bad.  The next day we called our landlord and he said it was probably just melted condensation from the back of the fridge and to let him know if it persists.  So far it hasn't.

Yesterday morning I was doing dishes and the kitchen tap started dispensing brown water, as was the bathroom faucet and toilet bowl. So I brushed my teeth with bottled water and went to work. After work, the water was clear again but Ben still decided to investigate and try to fix the disposal while he was down there.  He took apart all the hoses and pipes under the sink and found the biggest clog I have ever seen; it was, no joke, as big as a tennis ball.  After pulling it out (seriously disgusting**) and letting all the nasty smelly water drain out, our sink works! Yay for Ben!

So we have had a couple of rough weeks, house wise, but due to Ben's deep knowledge and self plumbing initiative we are in the clear!! 

**For Christmas Nedra gave us a box of plastic gloves, I thought it was strange but nice. Boy have we used those gloves in dealing with this  brown vomit water. Thanks!

Trip to Virginia!!

Ben had a business trip planned in Washington D.C  and because it is only half an hour from my sister's house, I went with him. We both had different flights (because his was booked by his work) and I went to Andrea's house to stay, so we didn't see each other till the last day but it was fun to go 'together' on this adventure.

Ben's trip was for a class to teach him some new online data software. He said the class was good and he learned a lot. His hotel was a couple blocks away so he was able to walk to and from the class. He went out for fancy dinners (aka steak) and really enjoyed himself. On Friday he took the metro out and we picked him up at the station. He got to spend the weekend with us and it was very fun. 

I went directly to Andrea's house in Stafford, VA and instantly fell in love with the country side.  There are thick forests of trees and adorable plantation style houses. The Dawson's live out of the way in a 'red neck' neighbor hood. She said they never realized there were so many dead cars in her neighbors yards until the leaves all fell in the fall. Although you could hear gun shots all through the day (a little creepy) the neighborhood was cute. Their house was adorable both inside and out. We sat in the kitchen and watched every color of bird land on her bird feeder (it was a beautiful sight).  

I spent the week exploring the forest with Emma and Spencer. We decided to clear a plot of land (in the forest) for a club house; I was shocked at how dense it all was. When Ben came on Friday they were excited to show him their clearing and take him on a tour of the forest. I spent most of my time talking and reminiscing with Andrea and Ben.  Ben had just got back from a stint in Afghanistan and it was wonderful to see him and spend time with him. It was such a relaxing couple of days and I enjoyed every second of it. Andrea and I went and explored an old run down 'haunted' house and found beautiful bottles and pots (yes, we were looters). We also made a successful batch of delicious cinnamon rolls and she taught me other easy and quick recipes that I will defiantly be trying out. 

After 5 minutes of working. He only perked up when I dared him to carry a huge log out of the forest!!

When Spencer concentrates he sticks his tongue out. Ben dared him to climb up this tree till he reached that broken branch. It was high but he did it!

 

Picture of the 'Tough Brothers'

Saturday morning the boys planned a Polar Bear Plunge with some youth from their ward. There is a lake in their neighborhood and with the weather being a little cooler they decided to try it. It was a brisk morning but the water seemed warmer than the air. I swam out to the dock and took a video of all the kids running in; it was very funny and entertaining. Afterwards they had a bonfire, cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa.  

I wish they lived closer so I could see them more often but having these short stints is great. It was such an amazing trip and I loved it. Oh, and Ben loved it too.