The Day After

Last night just after 10 the thunderstorms that had been rumbling around us finally let loose. The wind, seemingly our of nowhere, slammed into the house and the hail started. Above is a picture I took two minutes into the deluge. The storm lasted about 10 minutes for us.



Even though it was late the storm was so loud there was no way we could go to sleep. We lit our old oil lamp and played games. The power came on around midnight.



Until the sun came up the next morning we didn't know how bad the damage was. My blackberry bushes were loaded and so bushy and leafy. This is what's left. Miraculously there are some berries left on the vines.

And the leaves! They are everywhere! Leaves are stuck on every side of the house and are just starting to fall off the windows. The green on my lawn that looks like grass is in actuality leaves. My rain gutters are full and I need to decide whether or not to brave my fear of heights and clean them out before the rain starts again in a few hours. I can make it about four rungs up so that should do it.




All of my flowers are gone. In the deep shade under my cottonwood tree (which has lost a third of it's leaves) I had a garden of coleus, hosta and impatiens. They are all pulverized. In the front I had lavender, mums, marigolds, snapdragons... they're gone too.



Up and down my street are trees knocked down and split in half. This tree is my view from the kitchen window in our church yard. If it had fallen the other direction roof over the YW's room would have broken open.

There are still people without power. Houses have been crushed and cars damaged. I'm sad about my property but I feel blessed that nothing serious happened to me or my family. So I don't have as much shade? I have windows!

Big Macs and Twinkies and Frosties, Oh, My!

The last few days have been so productive! Painting, tile work, drywall repair, wallpaper stripping, gardening, removal of aesthetically offensive 70's woodwork, shimming 2x4 support studs. It's felt really good to get so much done and my sweet girls have been right there with me. Most of the time. I must tell you that the last 2 hour session I spent sitting in a 30 inch shower stall with a watercolor paintbrush and some waterproofing liquid I was privileged to listen to Emily playing a Harry Potter game on the Wii. I know it was Harry because I kept hearing Hermione telling him to be careful.

In the middle of all this Emily found some "Top Secret Recipe" cookbooks I've had for a while. She became very excited and marked some recipes she really wanted to try. Emily hasn't really cooked very much so I said I'd let her go for it.

Saturday, after Harry and Hermione returned to Hogwarts, she came in the bathroom and asked when we were going to the store to shop for the ingredients she needed. It was 7:30, Sat. evening, and I needed to go to a working shower in the worst way. My sweet Steven ran to the store for her.

Big Macs!



Twinkies!




Frosties!



They all tasted very authentic! Best part? I didn't have to cook or clean up! I was on hand as technical support. Looking forward to next Sunday's Top Secret Adventure.

In The Service of Fellow Beings

I take the term "fellow beings" quite literally at times. Charlie received this stuffed squeaky lobster his first Christmas with us a year and a half ago, in honor of Charlie's "brother" serving his mission on the Maine coast. It has been featured, battered and unstuffed, in a previous post. It's one of Charlie's favorites! The poor toy needed major medical attention yet again. This last procedure occurred Sunday afternoon. Donor organs, sutures, scalpel (well, scissors) were all at the ready.



Concern riddled Charlie's countenance until the operation was successfully completed. He was pleased to have his toy back and I was happy, for a while, to hear the incessant squeaking of the lobster.

On a sweeter note, I overheard Mother and Husband talking about Pineapple Upside Down Cake and how long it had been since they'd had said dessert. Seeing the can of pineapple rings in my pantry I couldn't resist. The pineapple and pecans were easy to part with but I have a serious relationship with maraschino cherries. For the greater good of the family I parted with a dozen of them. All involved have expressed gratitude for the sacrifice. It felt so nice to make them happy I didn't mind the loss of the cherries (which are to die for in Diet Pepsi and Diet Dr. Pepper on a hot summer's day...).

They've Been Keeping Me Busy

Emily and Allison ordering "Shades of Blue" dresses. Emily is wearing the style ordered (Alli is trying on a different one for sizing). Note the cute split in the side of the skirt with netting and more beading and embellishments (if you can see it). The dresses will be a lovely, deep blue. And the entire group of 14 girls are going to not just add straps but sleeves also. Well, a few of the Moms are going to add sleeves, including yours truly.

I also "got" to take the girls shopping for supplies for the Youth Ward activity tonight and the Laurel camp out. Do they really need to eat? Prescription shopping. At least this time I didn't break a nail polish bottle all over Walgreen's floor. I also took Mom to WalMart and Jo Ann, searching for an elusive yarn texture. We also went to the doctor's office for vaccination boosters (whooping cough is on the rise). And the girls didn't cry! We stopped to pick up Grandma, who was getting a perm, and took the opportunity for one of the girls to donate to Locks of Love, again! Two feet in four years. Wow. Dumb question, from behind can you tell who got her hair cut...?






Yes, it was my Emily. Look at all that natural wave. She's thrilled because all she has to do is use a little product and let dry. Oh, she has to put forth effort to scrunch it as it dries. I think she looks adorable! And just in time for Senior Pictures. Because she was a good girl for the doctor and the hairdresser Emily earned a cherry Slurpee. I now can recommend the Crystal Light Apple Mango flavor. And Alli likes watermelon. And Helen is happy with Diet Coke. And I'm happy to, finally, be home.

Happy Fourth of July!

An idea spawned by creative minds came to fruition on the toenails of Allison Faria, but not without sacrifice. Her mother, in scouting out the perfect shades of polish, dropped a bottle of red and it exploded on impact. Poor Walgreen's! The large smear will remain until the "floor guys" come to buff off the old floor wax.

On a more serious note I do wish you all a wonderful Independence Day. I love our country so much and feel so blessed to live here. Many times I've had to fill in the blanks in our country's history to my children because the world doesn't acknowledge what a rare and precious gift our country truly is.

Pop Quiz: Our Nation's Official Name is:
a. The United States of America
b. The Democratic Nation of the United States of America
c. The Republic of the United States of America

What was it that happened on July 4, 1776?
a. The Constitution was ratified.
b. The Declaration of Independence was signed.
c. The first shots of the American Revolution were fired.

Where were the "first shots" fired?
a. Bunker Hill
b. Lexington (VT) and Concord (NH)
c. Boston

BONUS: Who wrote the Star Spangled Banner?
a. Paul Revere
b. John Paul Jones
c. Francis Scott Key

and when?

a. 1776
b. 1787
c. 1812

Leave your answers in my comment box... the first respondent to answer them all correctly will receive a prize!

I Smiled This Morning

I wanted to post yesterday but was under the weather (ironic since it was our first day of brilliant sunshine in a month). This morning I was at my table pondering what to share. Looking up I smiled at my Willow Tree collection. My disclaimer is that I started collecting Willow Tree before you could find it at Deseret Book. I'm such a trend setter! The pieces I've picked all have personal meaning to me.



My sweet girls. How lucky that there is a twins figure, and one with two sisters approximately the same age? That Al and Em love each other is apparent every day. Allison is waiting for her new reading glasses. Last night Emily was sitting with Alli in the living room reading from "The Chronicles of Narnia" aloud to her, since reading gives Alli a headache right now.



My boys. I framed a shot from each of their senior photo shoots that were more personality skewed; Michael almost patiently putting up with my discussion with Denise on his poses and Christopher laughing heartily at our attempts to get him to smile naturally (not his strong point if you've looked over any of our family pictures).


My Momma. She always had (has) something in her hands to work on whether quilting or crocheting. Rarely do you see her sitting in her chair without a project in her hands. I thought this figurine particularly appropriate since she's sharing that love of handicrafts with daughter and granddaughter alike.


We are a BIG reading family. Have I mentioned there are ten bookcases, of various sizes, scattered around our house?


My honey, Steve. He adores me much more than I think I can ever deserve. I loved this figure since he's always coming up behind me to give me a "squdge." It sits next to a photo of the Provo Temple, where we were married. Next to it I sat a letter I received from him at camp this year. We always gather letters for the girls but this year my YW's president requested a letter for me and my asst. from our husbands. As I unfolded it I heard a huge round of laughter from the adults... it was on a legal sized paper that was an engineering schematic. I love him!


My loving sister, Marianne, gave me this figure. I'm tearing up. The only way to make it more perfect would be to have telephones you could put in our hands.


p.s. I'm adding a photo of my HP Photosmart C5250 All-in-One Printer/Scanner/Copier and my HPf1905 monitor (which is connected to my Dell computer. We have had a rocky relationship the last month or so. After spending a good part of two days this week coaxing he and the computer to communicate smoothly I thought I would mention how much I appreciate their cooperation. I may be superstitious, but, if they are "aware" of my gratitude for "other" things they may get offended. I'm hedging my bets!

One Woman's Experience of Girls Camp '09

Journal of Gena Faria
Girls Camp 2009
Camp Firewalker Bailey, CO

Tuesday: Alli and Em left early with other YL's (Youth Leaders). Packed up the car taking care to remove Charlie often. Loaded all the girls and their gear at the church (thank heavens for someone with a little extra room in their truck!). Arrived 80 minutes later at campground. Greeted by Allison, Emily and other YL's from our Ward, and a few not from our Ward. Warmed by Maddi calling, "Momma Faria!" Got all the gear unloaded. YL's awesome, helping set up two tents and a gazebo. After setting up one tent lost campers. Found campers in their tent eating lunch. Scolded campers. Moved one tent, set up, to other side of campsite; moisture issues. Met with entire encampment for opening ceremonies. Sent girls off for first rotation. Decided since this was my daughters' last time at Girls Camp I would follow them around for the week, taking pictures of them and others as I could. First rotation was the High Ropes Course; ten rope challenges 20-40 feet off ground. Allison is second to attempt and first to finish. Took her 1 hour 10 minutes. VERY difficult but she did it! Emily followed her like a mother duck and greeted her at the end of the zip line with a big hug (Em feeling tired, didn't want to hang on ropes). Small sprinkles but no rain. Good dinner. Fun campfire back at site with lots of chocolate, grahams, marshmallows, etc. Had all girls and YL's from our Ward (15 in all). Got everyone tucked in on time and all asleep by eleven.

Wednesday: Big day. Three rotations for everyone. Had fun watching Alli and Em on the Catwalk, the Leap of Faith, Jacob's Ladder, Archery. Did NOT want to rock climb for half an hour to watch rappelling. (disclaimer-- I won't even go more than 4 rungs up on a ladder, so, will I climb an 85 foot cliff?). Our Ward serves lunch. Crazy hungry campers. All girls have to leave for next rotation. Co-leader gets asked to hike more girls up to rappelling. She's already done it once that day. Feel sorry of co-leader but she's sweet and agrees to go. Clean up lunch by myself. Takes a long time but am happy not to be climbing up to rappelling. By end of day all campers grouchy and tired but still must push them to write the skit they are to perform that night. Came up with "America's Next Top Model" spoof. Cute and short! Dinner. Didn't start skits until 8... did no one remember that it gets dark? Heavy humidity rolls in and all are tired and cold. Finally get to campsite and fire won't start due to damp wood. I have fun with lighter fluid!! When time comes to put out fire it's difficult; lots of heavy black smoke. Get everyone to bed. Climb in my sleeping bag and literally smell like an ashtray. Not campfire, ashtray. Airways begin to close up but go to sleep. At 2 a.m. hear camper snoring in neighboring tent and realize that it would be nice to use latrine. This would entail getting dressed, putting on shoes and hiking 20 yards uphill. Had been counseled not to go anywhere alone after dark. Didn't want to wake asst. camp director. Rolled over and prayed for snoring to stop. It didn't. Fell asleep an hour later.

Thursday: Get everyone up. Campers are in better mood after good night's sleep. Only one rotation to look forward to and then they get to spend afternoon at the lake. Campers excited for this. While campers are at lake co-leader and I go to water pump (yes, the old fashioned kind) to wash our hair. Water temperature gives new meaning to phrase "brain freeze." Feels great to feel a little clean. Great evening; good dinner, lots of visitors from the Stake. Go to our own campsite for Ward Testimony Meeting. Firewood mysteriously missing. Gather what I can. Have to leave meeting to go get more. Nice roaring fire. After visitors leave we break out the last of the campfire treatage. Campers scurry and scamper, visiting with everyone. Loud thunder causes screams and running to tents. Realize towels are on clothesline in the aspens. Starts hailing, large, on way back to tent, hurts where it hits on my sunburned forehead. Campers call from tent to see if I'm alive. Thankfully I am. Get in tent before deluge of water hits. Me, co-leader and YW president (staying over to help ferry campers home) cannot speak over rain hitting tent. Twenty minutes later rain ends. Only minor water leakage. We are relieved. Two campsites over leaders have put in earplugs. Their campers guffaw until 2 a.m. Ironically noisy campers must use bathroom at 2 and whisper as they exit their tent. I get brave and issue a loud "SHHH" as they pass by. They go to sleep. I do too.

Friday: After four hours of sleep we arise and shine. Airways have tightened up painfully but is good comic relief as I laugh like a seal. After breakfast campers are highly motivated to help break down camp. We finish and camp staff passes our clean up. We have lunch and go home. Stop at 7-Eleven as we near home for Slurpees. Highly recommend Crystal Light Strawberry Slurpee. As we arrive at church all parents are there and we dispatch the campers quickly. Make it home. Dog almost has a heart attack of joy. Helen has just baked bread and we almost have heart attack of joy. Steve call and says he'll pick up Papa Murphy's Chicken Bacon Stuffed Pizza on his way home. Heart attack of joy. In shower am finishing by shaving my legs (joy) when hair swings down. Hair still smells like ashtray. Shampoo again. Hair still smells. Leave shower and yell for daughter to bring lemon juice to bedroom door. Douse hair with strong dilution of lemon juice. Hair still smells. Douse hair in lemon juice second time. Hair smells slightly better. Too tired to mess with hair any longer. Eat yummy pizza for dinner and watch DVD, "New in Town," with family. Go to sleep in clean bed.

Saturday: Sleep in until 8:30 and don't feel guilty. Forehead and nose peel slightly but enjoy slight blond tint to hair. We take Steven out for Father's Day. See "UP" and eat yummy Mexican food. Recommend see "UP" in afternoon in theater full of children; you won't embarrass yourself when you laugh out loud.