Being @ BYU Basketball

Beautiful day it is when you get to a college basketball game early, void of traffic jams, find the perfect parking place and have tickets in hand. Scalpers are selling $5 tickets, I paid $15 for. I was happy to meet a stranger at the Freeway Maverick to guarantee my seats, courtesy of KSL Want Ads. $25-$200 were my other choices.

Just the opposite happened four weeks ago when we walked up to the entrance of the 30,000 seat Marriott Center 20 minutes after the game had started, having hiked from the opposite end of campus, late; due to traffic congestion and asked where to buy tickets. 'Sold Out' was the answer as they went for $1 in the end, unbeknownst to us. No Jimmer Fredette was to be in our sites that day. Plan 2 was immediately implemented.

The hoopla creates energy, as the teams are introduced and run on. The announcer points out facts as four huge 40x60 foot banners are lowered to watch past achievements. Hearing the anthem and watching the spotlights swirl their beams throughout the center thrilled us, as we chanted "Jimmer, Jimmer" over and over. Lost, late comers arrive, looking for their seats. Our roomy benches get tighter as more people crowd in.

Before you know it the tip is made and the game begins. If your white and blue T-shirt doesn't have a '32' on it, you run out to buy one. Through binoculars I watch our players zip up and down the court like skeeters on water. Making baskets looks as easy as popping chips in your mouth. Soon we lead UNLV by four, seven then ten points, which is maintained the remainder of the game.

The star guard, 'Jimmer Fredette' '32', dribbles smoother than a fly fisherman's line running back and forth with ease. If there's a snag, its against him. Every foul shot hits dead center racking up the points.

We shout and stamp with the best of the crowd. Why not, this may be our one and only college BBall game and then again maybe not. It was spectacularly, super fun!! Having Jory & Sarah there made the difference.

journaling prompt #3

Did you have a nickname as a child? What were your other family members' nicknames?

Everyone called me Leash, like as in dog leash. I particularly remember Jenn calling me by this nickname. Occasionally, I was referred to as Licia. Other notable nicknames that I recall for family members include Jenn, Big J, and Little J. Perhaps there were other ones, and I just don't recall them. I don't remember us being really big on using nicknames like our cousins usually were. Remember Care Bear, Shelle Pie, and Lolly? In college, friends and roommates referred to me as Schmidt, and later after I married David and worked in the schools, many people simply referred to me as Vawdrey. In fact, this name was so commonly used that some people thought it was actually my first name. I have always been hesitant to use nicknames for friends and other people around me although I am unsure why this is. I usually stick with the name they are introduced to me by with a few exceptions. Even when I have known them for years. For example, one of my closest friends, Kristin, is called Kris by many people. I have never been able to call her this. To me, she will always be Kristin. When it comes to my own kids, however, they have loads of nicknames that I use: Zachie, Zachers, Zacharoni, Z-man, Big Guy, Dude, Stinker, Little Pill, Sis, Sarah Bug, etc.

journaling prompt #2

What is your favorite season and why?

I confess that I couldn't pick just one and have to go with two seasons. I truly enjoy spring and fall so much more than the other seasons. Just when you think you can't stand winter for another minute, spring arrives in all of it's glory. The crocuses and daffodils and other bulbs peek out of the ground and bring hope that there are warm days to come. The sun starts to shine just a little bit brighter. I love when the trees begin to bud It's amazing how one day the branches appear stick-like and the next they are spilling forth with a bright captivating green. You vow to watch and discover as the spring unfolds, and yet you find yourself wondering how it could have sprung overnight while you were sleeping, causing you to miss the moment of rebirth. Before you know it the branches are filled with mesmerizing blossoms, and you think you could positively eat them up. The grass slowly greens and you find yourself wanting to be outside every moment lest you miss something that nature has to share. The birds are gloriously arrayed and singing all the day. The world, it seems, begins to awake, and you find that you have survived yet another cold and dreary winter. The days are warmer, and you can venture outside in only a jacket or (gasp!) even without one. Spring in the city is a beautiful sight. There's nothing quite like the awakening of spring.

Likewise, I also love the fall. The days are warm and pleasant, and the evenings are just a touch cooler inviting you to pull on a cozy sweater or warm up under a blanket. The colors of the leaves are breathtaking, and the whole world seems to hold still as they float lazily down from the trees to blanket the ground with their gloriousness. Fall is a season of hearty breads and soups and stews. It's the season of welcoming out your sweaters while still wearing flip flops during the day. It's a season of waking up to crisp mornings and crunching the leaves under your feet. It's piles of leaves and pumpkins. It's the start of hot chocolate and apple cider and feeling comfortable again just when you thought you might melt from the relentless heat of summer. It's a season of beautiful glowing sunsets and dusks that seem to go on forever. There's just something about autumn that gets me every year.

One Eleven Eleven - 1/11/11

Every year has its special numerical days. This year the top one will be 11/11/11. Although that is ten months away, other significant dates should be noted, such as today 1-11-11.

Why not do 'One' thing eleven times today or '11' things once. There is no limit to what one can come up with or create. You could even read the book 'Eleven' by David Llewellyn or listen to the rock group from LA by the same name.

My grandmother, Grace Clarkson Park was born 03-03-03. I knew a gal, LeAna Olsen, born on 5-5-55. We encouraged Alicia to marry on 9-9-99, but she refused. It is my guess anyone tied to a significant date, that it would be their favorite number, as well.

10-10-10 was a few months ago, but totally slipped by me because I was vacationing. Why not prepare all year long for the big one. It's not too late to have a baby on that day, you know.

Brayle, our grand daughter's age 11, corresponds with the year. Perhaps you are one of the lucky ones to boast a significant date on one of your certificates (birth, marriage or graduation). Tell us about it.

Going, Going & Gone

South Jordan Elementary School is officially gone. Knocked down, scooped up and hauled off. The spot awaits a new building, park or business. Who knows what it will be.

The city father's decided it was time for the demise of something old. We await the possibility of new and great things.

The same goes for this year, 2010. You brought us happiness by letting us experience or giving us:

Baptisms: Hunter
Moving & New homes: Jory & Sarah, Alicia and Dave & Breann & Jed
Sites Visited: Timpanogos Cave, Goblin Valley, Mystic River Seaport, Savannah, Hoover Dam's new bridge & points in between.
Firsts: Caught sharks/rays, Blue ribbons @Fair, Christmas tree hunting, Temple Volunteering, YW &/or Scout Leader, & more.
States Visited: Collectively we went to: New Jersey, Nevada, Conneticut, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, California, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Minnesota, Utah, Texas, Wyoming & Washington and returned safely. Did I miss any?
New Jobs: Jed
Just glad to have work: Allan & Aaron
Finally Started School: Kade
Finally Potty Trained: Jacob
Played Sports: Hunter, Brayle, Noah, Kade & Jory
Hosted Guests: 50 more or less

After 365 days of 24/7 living, mostly good, some mediocre and a few bad hours thrown in for making us eat humble pie, we are ready to trade it in for a nice clean piece of 2011. Yes, new year, give us your best shot.

Proof is in the Picture

After twisting Allan's arm weekly for six straight Sunday practices of two hours each, we finally had our performance at the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Suits were required. He took the news like a white collared worker, wearing it all day and blended in nicely. You could mistake him for a real Tab Choir singer sitting in the seats looking smug and smart.

The stage was bigger than I imagined. Each seat had a vent beneath it on the floor, blowing fresh air. The organ pipes looked larger than life, and they were. The famous organ sits on a large round turn-table that rotates to whatever position needed. Facing the audience one had to sit still, not wiggle,fall alseep or goof off. Learning the many nuances of conductors and to follow them instead of the music, was a challenge.

Back stage we viewed the official office of the Tabernacle Choir, walked the halls and tried to imagine rubbing shoulders with them. It was a once in a lifetime experience, since Allan said, "Once is enough for him." Well the proof is in the picture.

Christmas Lists

Wow! It's going to be here before you all know it! Here's the low down on who has who for Christmas:

The Kids:
Jenn & Mike have Alicia & Dave
Mauri & Aaron have Breann & Jed
Alicia & Dave have Jory & Sarah
Breann & Jed have Jenn & Mike
Jory & Sarah have Mauri & Aaron

The Grandkids:
Noah & Zach give to each other
Kade & Brayle give to each other
Jacob & Sarah give to each other
Emma & Hunter give to each other

Sound Good?
Good.