Smith-Hallows Gang

Best Wishes & Congratulations to Ruby & Tane!

2010-09-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

The "newest" best looking couple in whole wide world....

Tane, we just want to welcome you to the family...we can't wait to meet you in PERSON! (Skype is great, but that will only keep us happy for so long)
The whole family is so excited to meet the wonderful young man who has made our precious Ruby so very happy!

before i forget...

2010-07-24T22:01:00.001-07:00

I love the things your children say...so I hope you're all writing them down. SOme of your blogs have lots of them and they make us laugh and cry - thanks for sharing so many little moments with the rest of the family.

I just wanted to write down something Abi said a while back (she lives at my house now so I get to hear LOTS of funny stuff).

She said "My brother is an alien dog cause when dogs come up to him he makes noises at them ... like when he first saw Nui"
WHAT? an alien dog?

Later she said "One time I lived in St. Georgia and my Uncle Haffen said I could take an egg and hatch it. I saw one hatch and I called him Chocolate Butterscotch & Brightly. Big chickens will peck you...peck peck!" (as she uses her finger to peck my arm)

Then she's telling me that she was born in Africa and that her parents were married there! OKAY!

Blessing Daven & Flaaridah or bust!

2010-07-24T12:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a brief rundown of June...way too many pictures to post...go see them all at our family Shutterfly account!

Sam blessed Daven Michael Hallows on June 6th

The Biehl's hosted a fabulous brunch for the gang.

Daven wore the outfit his daddy was blessed in!

Grandpa and Sammy

Mimi celebrates Allison's birthday early...Alli's first time parking in pregnant spot!

The next day we left for "Flaaridah" - just me and Mikey...what a sweet trip! Here are just a few of the highlights!

Soggy Bottom Mud Bog north of Macclenny - hilarious past time of the country boys!

Shack by the Tracks...best ribs in the WORLD....in St. George, Georgia!

Watching out for gators in Okefenokee Swamp - saw many, but only ate one at Pier Six!

Debbie hanging out with Uncle Cecil at Neptune Beach at Mellie's house. We swam in the ocean there.

Debbie taking us through the drive-thru convenient store called "The Pit Stop"

Me and sweet cousin David - Juana fixed us wonderful dinner.

Me and Julie's future grave sites...right next to Little Meemie and Papa!

Uncle Cecil was the oldest in attendance (as usual) and his 2 week old great grandson was the youngest! I got the prize for coming the farthest!

Uncle Cecil with some of his famiy

Juana and Ron took us up to Jekyl Island in Georgia

We picked blueberries with Debbie at her friend's house.

An old house turned into a gift shop...on Jekyl Island.

Mike posing at Siesta Key - we spent several hours there. Anderson's & Debbie were about 1 mile up the beach from us.

Me and Uncle Lee...great visit and wonderful dinner with him and Tony.

Juana, Aunt Dorothy, Debbie, me & Mike, Trina & Andy - our last lunch in Macclenny

MAY we entertain you?

2010-05-25T16:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Familia...this has been a very busy month - full of family fun - beginning with Birdie's 10th Birthday and it will end with Jadyn's 7th! That hasn't happened yet...but her family party was combined with Creed's last Saturday...lots of celebrating in between too...here are a few highlights - hope you'll all share your photos too! Love, Mommy

Lainie's 10th Birthday lunch in Tucson

Baby Daven is very loved

"Princess & the Pea"

Creed & Jadyn celebrate at Peter Piper's

The gang's all here! Everybody smile!

Memphis says "Oh, Max, I can't believe we get to sit in these little baby chairs...aren't they cool! I think mine might be cooler than yours."

Creed loved his birthday!

Killin time with Rennie & gang at Pioneer Park

20th Daven Michael Hallows...sleeping while Mimi watches!

Just hangin out with the Steele & Amy Hallows Gang

Memorial Day Party Peeps
That was the BEST meal...& the chocolate cake was to DIE for!

Max in Daddy Steele's 36 year old clothes! Like father like son!

Sorry Ruby...

2010-05-17T13:32:00.000-07:00

You all know how we make fun of Robin 'cause she went to Pinacle High School...well, just this morning she did it again! She was telling me about Jackie having a sore throat and how she told her to take some of the herbal medicine she'd left in her bathroom cabinet...and how in 20 minutes Jackie was much better! Robin said, yeah, she nipped it in the butt! I started laughing and said, you mean nipped it in the "bud"...she said "what's a BUD?" OMH! Mike overheard me on the phone and knew exactly what was being said...he just about fell head-first into the toilet he was cleaning!
But hey, she's so dang cute...who cares!

'mid April showers...

2010-04-28T14:25:00.000-07:00

The biggest and bestest news of all time was the announcement that Baby Eli was coming to our family! I gave Jackson his 30 year old blessing suit and his first "puppy" - along with all the little things I've been saving for the day he became a Daddy! Allison...you have made this lady VERY happy! Way to go!

Ronnie dropped by overnight with Bethany's family enroute to Rocky Point - Beth is having twins!! I think I should have been in Mexico to take care of her tummy!

Steele & Amy came to spend the night with the kids since their house had been burglared that night - so we had a full house!

I can't remember how she got so dirty, but Abi needed a quick dunk in the laundry sink - she liked her mini hot tub!
When we came home from CO we discovered that Amy had driven to SG all by herself - no no Amy...you must wait for Mimi next time!

Isn't this the dearest...Elliot made this all by himself - Jill is blessed indeed!!

Here's Jill & Elliot in Colorado Springs - Mel went with us to attend their awesome baptisms on Sunday April 25 at 7pm!

This event produced feelings similar to the ones we experienced when J & A announced baby Eli!

A MIRACLE!!

Mel posted tons...so read there for the wonderful details.

Daven Michael Hallows 25 April 2010

No less a miracle is baby Daven - He was born 30 minutes before the baptism - We got to hear his first cries over the phone! Congratulations darlings! I got to snuggle him on Tues right before he went home to live with his lucky family!

The Crazy Things YOUR Children Say & Do!!

2010-04-09T10:54:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is something new. I'm going to try and write down some of the crazy, hilarious, and poignant things your children say and do so I don't forget...and just in case I haven't remembered to tell YOU parents about them for your own record.

The latest was yesterday April 8th, with Abi - who had a sleepover in Ruby's room. We all woke up and learned that Grandma Smith had suffered a bad nosebleed during the night and needed help..so she sat at the bottom of the stairs and yelled and banged her cane on the wall from 4am to 6am trying to wake us up. Well, after we took care of Grandma, I was outside sitting on a chair holding Abi while we watched Nui run around, and asked her if she had a good sleep...she said "yes, but somebody was building" - I just about fell off my perch! Here's poor Grandma banging away for help and Abi's wishing the hammering would stop!

Wednesday the 7th, Amy brought the kids in to BHN for me to watch while she took her test at ASU and I told Abi the Aunt Ruby was meeting us...she said "I don't want her to meet us" I said WHAT? Why? "Cause she always copies me and makes me do things HER way, that's the problem!" I said "Aunt Ruby doen'st COPY 4 year olds!" she turned to me and said "Well, she does ME!" (Allison was trying to hide her face behind her monitor - hilarious, right?) well later Robin met us at Sonic to pick up Nui and take him home with her. Abi was still dead set against her joining us so when Rob walked up and greeted us through the open window...Abi said "why don't you just go back to your car" (OMG) When Rob left I asked her why she was being so mean to sweet Aunt Ruby...she said...." Cause when she takes me shopping, all she wants to look at is JEWELRY!... THAT'S the PROBLEM!" Okay..I'm dying about that time..but I ask, "well, what do YOU want to look at?" the answer comes..."DRESSES" (with the 'dah' face) "little dresses for me and little pants for Max!" Of course by that evening she is snuggled up in bed next to Ruby having a sleepover! What a girl!

More to come...just had to get these latest quotes down before I forgot!

Okay...another thing Abi said.. "Mimi, next time you fly to China take ME..." earlier she told me she was born in China and that her parents were married in China - she's so funny! and I get to spend a lot of time with her since she lives around the corner right now!

I hab nah posted seense Easters!

2010-03-23T15:17:00.000-07:00

That's right...all my good intentions went the way of the wicked world. This working thing stinks - no time to spend on the usual fun stuff!

So here goes...some photos of our last year that you might not have.

Me and Papa - so happy!

Me and Steele at Costco pickin out our new phones! - Go Cubs!

Those dang Hallows kids on the Whole Body Vibrator...uhhuhhuuhhhuhhhhhhuuuuu

Rennie's 34th YIKES Birthday Brownie! plus swimming party

Max Steele Hallows big day! Lane, Erik, Jackson, Sam, Luke, Steele w/Max Gayle Carter, Mike in Maricopa, Arizona

Memphis D. Hallows big day! Mike, Jackson, Luke w/ Memphis, Erik, Lane, Rob Goulding in Sahuarita, Arizona

Mimi & Papa and Memphis (wearing Luke's blessing gown)

Daddy...that was a good blessing...thanks!

The Luke Wayne and Rennie June Hallows Famdamily celebrating the blessing of Memphis.

Me and Sammy on his 31st Birthday

Me and Robin with my good OLD friend Kathy Hooton Brown!

Kathy invited Robin and GemCo to the condo at Laguna Beach for a little swim party

Laguna Beach in front of Kathy's Condo

Me and Kathy's Utah friends at condo

Jackson and Anna at Sammy's party

Uncle Alvin, Aunt Zada, Mama (Grandma Julian) Aunt Pun & Uncle Cecil - taken while Daddy was in the Navy during WWII

Uncle Cecil enjoying the lunch we cooked at his Fernandino Beach house.

Anna - doll face!

The Sam & Ruth Hallows Family on San Francisco trip

Mimi and the Hallows gang.

Our pitiful harvest

My cousin Teri Ann Julian came out for a weekend visit - very fun!

Yeah...the crop was tiny!

I'm all smiles on Mother's Day! I LOVE being the mother of such great people!

Here's 2 of those people...Jackson and the gopher!

It looks like Jadyn was Photo-shopped into Lainie's Birthday party photo!

Sweet Carter with a buzzzzzzz

Me and Mikey got suprised on our 20th Anniversary at Mel's...thanks guys!

Jadyn's 6th BDAY with Mimi & Papa

Sammy Jackson, Jadyn & Jenny at Joe's Farm Grill - someone's birthday dinner - probably BIG Jackson's

Jackson's 29th Bday at Joe's Farm Grill

Parkinson's, Hallows at Jack's party

Amy & Abi visiting Mimi

Independence Day BBQ & swim party. Jackson helping Abi see the "firecookies"

Amy & Steele lounging at the pool

Me and Alli - on her anniversary

Mike at his SURPRISE 60th Birthday Party - great party!!

Some of his memorabilia

Grandpa Mike and Aunt Melanie with 1 day old Natalie Bree Smith

Freshly birthed Memphis D. Hallows

Max Steele Hallows - first portrait!

Another harvest...those jalapenos are HOT HOT HOT!

Abi cakes - don't run!!

Here I am in Florida with Ronnie, Judi & Julie at Mama's cousin Joyce & Blain Vorwaller's with their daughter Dana

Me and Julie loving Allison!

Hallows Gang - tail end of photo shoot - thanks, kiddies, for the beautiful portrait !

Mr. & Mrs. Lane D. Hallows at Ruth's bday party at the park! - married 1 week!!

Robin helping Mel celebrate her 34th at Cherry Lane Antique Shop

Papa and Max hangin out on Sunday night!

Lukey bought a truck with Carter & Creed's help!

Jill and Elliot in Colorado!

Our beautiful Lemon Crop!! YEAH!! Lemon juice for EVERYONE!

Keeping watch over my Mama and Daddy

Carter & Creed playing catch football while we waited for Shelby to get out of school!

Abi made a Happy Sunday Night cake - green for St. Patrick's Day

Aunt Gina visiting Steele's house after reunion in Nov. Max thinks she's great!

Me and Steele at the reunion

Here we are celebrating Tad's birthday at Abuelo's...good food!

Steele and Abi with Uncle Jackson

Amy, Max, Ruth, Mel, & Alli

Robin and Steve Jr's wife Sarah
We all had a great time! Check out the Lee & Flo Julian Family Blog for even MORE pix and video!

I dreamed I was posting to my blog again......

2009-08-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dream with open eyes, to make it possible."
- T.E. LAWRENCE (of Arabia)

If you believe I stilll exist..then you must also believe that I love you and would never leave you! I dreamed I was posting, and by cracky, I WILL post my photos and memories of these last four months...even if it kills me! But it MUST not kill me...for then I would not be here to read your comments like, "Congratulations, Mom!" ,"Well done, Mommy!", "Woohoo Migmommy", "Wayta Go Sugie!", "Nice job, Globber!" and "Gee, finally Sister!"
Please do not lose faith in me...I am here...working sloooowly but steadily!

All Hallows Easters...

2009-04-24T13:42:00.001-07:00

Just a couple of weeks ago we had the best time...everyone was finally in town! Robin home from Hawaii (finally), the Luke & Rennie gang up from Tucson and Steele and "the girls" down from St. George. Again...Lane & Bobbie provided the setting for our "Feastival de Easters" Thanks for the Fabulous Food, Frantic Egg Hunt and Family Fun! We all love gathering at their Fantastic Casa!

Cute purse Lukey, nice rabbit ears Bobbie, dramatic pose Steele!

Hallows & Parkinson cousins raise gas money for the trip home!

Grandpa Lane oversees citrus sales operation

Anna driving Miss Crazy

Bobbie directing the "Hunt"

Bobbie's Fabulous Easter Feast!

Here's Ruby!!

Alli's fruit & Mel's veggies

Mimi & Anna (yum)
Rennie Ready to Roll...

Caiaphas Smith - nice performance Papa!

Cute Daddy/Daughter

da 'ol gang - not much has changed!

Hallows Girls love Bahama Bucks

More Hallows girls and their slushies

Abi, Lainie & Shelby @ J & A's

Sweet Shelby

Two Mama Mia's

Creed, Carter & Abilicious - so cute

Just Licious

Baby Girl is in The House!!

2009-04-24T13:29:00.001-07:00

So in case you didn't know...Robin has returned to the bosom of her family! And, no, I don't have any photos to add to this post...and there is a simple explanation for that - I have not yet SEEN her long enough to get her to hold still for a snapshot. She is here and there and everywhere, but she is NOT with ME!!! So - I wait! Please come back to me baby - your mama misses you!

Don't Miss the Easter Pageant!!!

2009-03-26T10:06:00.000-07:00

This photo is around 30 years old...Notice Jeremy at left in the front and Grandpa Organ watching as Mike (Jesus) speaks with a young boy. This picture is still the one featured on LDS.org under About the Church - Places to Visit. It will probably be replaced soon, so enjoy!

As you know, dear children, Mike, Mel, Erik, Kylie & Jadyn are performing in the Mesa Easter Pageant every night except Monday & Sunday, beginning Tue March 31st (which is a public dress rehearsal) Friday 3rd & Sat. 4th are Spanish speaking nights, so brush up on your language skills, or go a different night! Be sure you keep you eye out for Kylie's swan song (her last year as the "dead girl") with her mama and daddy, of course. And don't be afraid when you see Papa in his High Priest costume covered in bells and pomegranates (he'll explain what those are for) He is Caiaphas who was a not so righteous man when it came to accepting Jesus as the Messiah. This is a switch for him and he is doing his best to play the part. Personally, I dropped out as a "grass person" since Robin arrives the last week of performances and I wanted to be free to be with her as she gets settled in - can you BELIEVE she's finally coming home!! Speaking of....don't forget our Easter Celebration at Lane & Bobbie's on Sat. Apr. 11th at 1pm. We're so excited for Steele, Amy, Abi Cakes + ? and the whole Sahuarita gang + ? to arrive!!

I'll also email this info as I doubt all of you are "followers" of my pathetic Blog!

Well, back to work - just wanted to chime in about all that's coming up!

My next post will include photos of all the aforementioned! XOXO MigMommy

Lane & Bobbie Sittin' in a Tree....

2009-02-21T15:44:00.000-08:00

What a fun 60th Birthday party at Lane & Bobbie's abode - thanks for the fabulous BBQ - all the little 'grands' finally have a homestead!

Visitor from Up North

2009-02-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

Mark & Neena continue to outdo themselves (cause no one else is even in the running)! The cousins had a great time with Auntie and each other - wish everyone could have made it! Teri Ann announced her baptism that night - congratulations!!

There's always lots of fun and FOOD when Auntie comes to town!

Here we are after stuffing ourselves at Charleston's - delectable!

Good-bye J's - have a nice life in El Centro! Come back and see us soon!

Thanks for coming down Aunt Virginia - we sure love your visits!

Valentine Baby - almost!

2009-02-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

The highlight of February was Anna Kay's 1st Birthday Party on Sunday the 15th - it was well attended and everyone enjoyed a buffet feast as only Ruth can create!

Shelby Dr. Under Attack!!

2009-02-13T08:52:00.000-08:00

What we thought was a freak snow storm during the night...turned out to be what we thought was a vicious act of teenage terrorism! Upon closer investigation...we discovered other innocent neighbors had also been singled out. Suspiciously, all targets happened to be leaders in the local religious group known as Maricopa 4th Ward. They dusted the materials for fingerprints, but the CSI lab was unable to process the evidence...Horatio was out of town (attending a "Posing" seminar in New York)and no one else was competent enough to run the highly sophisticated equipment. We will forward details on the progress of this crime as they become available! News Flash...it's weeks later and the mystery has been solved...some crazy ladies (and I use that word loosly) in our ward had too much time and too much toilet paper on their hands one night - and you see what their great minds came up with! Thanks Jen, Chelsea, Emily and others! Love ya!

Bumper Lemon Crop Reported

2009-02-09T11:30:00.000-08:00

Yes indeedy! We produced a HUGE crop of TEN lemons this year...now don't push, there's plenty for EVERYBODY!

January...Schmanuary!

2009-02-03T09:47:00.000-08:00

Okay - does anyone see Abi in this picture?

This is a photo I've never seen - Cheri's husband Bruce just sent a bunch of photos of our family - More to come...

Okay, so January really WAS eventful...

2009-01-01T16:45:00.000-08:00

Starting the New Year off with a BANG...Mikey and I declared 2009 to be the "Year of Gifts" - so we started it off right! We're just going to have fun surprising each other with little gifts on every single ding dang holiday we can think of!
Everyone attended Sam & Ruth's awesome New Year's Day breakfast brunch...
Somewhere in between all these pictures - a lot of "stuff" was going on...but you'll have to break into my journal for details!

Here we are Jan. 25th at the Biehl's - to celebrate (early) Ruth's Birthday party...what a cake!

Lane and Bobbie looking adorabale as ever! - While Allison is NOT amused!

Here I am with my brothers and sis....yep - eating again!

Kim & Beth hosting another Sunday dinner...not well attended, but we don't care, more for us!!

I BELIEVE !!

2008-12-23T18:06:00.000-08:00

I believe...that the most important thing in this world is my family! I can't begin to tell each of you how much it meant to Papa and me to have you all here for our special Christmas Dinner, Nativity Pageant, Gift Exchange Extravaganza! I was so busy enjoying every blasted one of you that I didn't get many snapshots...but I believe you kids did...so I'm sure hoping your blogs are updated and include more family members - and especially YOU Erik - I want to see those great group shots at the end on the night! Somebody PLEASE post them! Anyway - here are the few I snapped.

Steele, Amy & Abi...thanks for traveling afar, and Luke - you and Rennie creating a convoy to get here was awesome! Jackson and Allison...believe me when I say thanks for being such good hosts to the St. Geo travelers - and we believe Luke's gang had a blast staying in "Harm's Way"!

Okay, and now for one of the best parts of the whole evening...we all got to meet Bobbie Brooks - your soon-to-be Step-Mother!
I don't believe your Dad could have found a more lovely, wonderful lady to spend forever with! PLUS, she jumped right in and saved Christmas! Believe me...There was NO WAY we would have been eating that wonderful feast at 6pm if it hadn't been for her and your Dad's help. Papa and I were in way over our heads!
Remember how we all lined up and circled the island - loaded with food?!

Yes, Rennie, I believe we can see your plate!

I still can't believe all 24 of us fit in the dining room, living room & island!
Jenny, Thanks for having your 6th Birthday Party at our house - well, sort of! Congratulations Sweetie!!

The Nativity Pageant was unbelievably beautiful kiddies...one day soon we'll get together again and watch the new movie - sorry I didn't get any snaps of the production - gee, what kind of a grandmother am I? Girls..help me out here - please post what you have!! You dad's did a great job watching the babies (and football) while the movie crew worked hard with your big kids! Thanks for so patiently waiting for the huge gift exchange - this was supposed to be a simple, homemade Christmas but wow...I guess when you multiply each person by 8 and then add all the grandchildren!
Anyway...Thanks for all the beautiful, creative, thoughtful gifts to us and each other - you ALL continue to amaze me!
After everyone left it was a little hard for Mimi & Papa to simmer down enough to get to sleep - what a busy fun beautiful day!
However...You girls KNOW that when you left I HAD to go through the big black bags of trash - right? After all, Little Jackson had lost a brown shoe and I didn't want it to get tossed out with all that mess! Well, let. me. tell. you...I ended up with a five foot high pile of smoothed out and refolded tissue paper (organized by color of course), several long red ribbons (yes, Ruth, they are SATIN!) But NO, I did NOT save the ripped up wrapping paper...the reconstruction process would have used up ALL the salvaged scotch tape...sure, it's lost a bit of its "tack", but it should be good for another go-round! Soooooooooo Jealous, are we?? You should be! Why do you guys think I INSISTED on having the party at OUR house?...all the left over roast beef, turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, green beans, squash & pie, PLUS all the GARBAGE!! Believe me - Papa and I feel like we really came out ahead this year!!

WAIT.............

Slam on your brakes and back up just a little bitty....December is almost OVER and so much happened before our big party, beginning with "The Kim's Julian Joint Birthday Dinner" @ Outback - "no rules, just right" (what in Sam Hill does that mean anyway?)!!

Then - Robin's flippin 25th birthdayWhat a beautiful little girl we have! COME HOME - WE MISS YOU!!

Then Miss Kylie turned 9!

so me and Papa popped in for a little private party - she LOVED the baggie of Box Top coupons for her school (more than her presents!)

Next...we watched Jenny & Jack while parents and baby sister partied in Vegas with Elvis. You can see how hard it was...
..stick 'em in a big tub of water and put a TV (not too close now) with a silly movie on...(hours of fun for the whole family!)

The next day was the annual AMOS (Arredondo, Mason,Organ & Smith) Christmas Party - it was good to see Jack & Ali, Mel & E and Sammy's gang there.

We all missed the Arredondo's

- did you guys know that Robin called me, crying, the other day because it dawned on her that this will be the very first Christmas in her entire life that she hasn't spent with her mommy? It is weird (but not as weird as the boys elf dance)..Anyway - this slide show is for YOU baby girl - pretend like you're in each photo - cause that's what I do - I'll miss you more than you can imagine this Christmas - Mele Kalikimaka Ruby!

...A week ago...
J&A attended the annual BHN Christmas party with me and Papa at Monti's La Casa Vieja - yum filet myself!

And 1 night ago we (as in the whole fam damily except for Sammy's gang)met at Pizza Mart
...for a bite
pulling faces at Mimi...

....and a few games.
Abi found a friend to hang on the other side of Auntie Allison

Then we were off to see the beautiful Christmas Lights and concert at the Temple.
The Nativity was AWESOME
On our way to the always wonderful Kimball-Merrill-Julian Christmas Party, we went to the cemetery to see Michael's headstone - as you can see, it turned out beautifully. The rain was drizzling and so many plots were decorated with real lights for Christmas - it was a lovely sight.

Lest ye forget...here are our "Gifts to the Christ Child" we wrote down and hung on the tree last year at the cabin...I believe you remember!
Steele - Love my babies...Amy & Abi!
Amy - Provide service for others - be a better disciple of Christ - Listen and obey the Prophet's teachings.
Abi - Be kind and share with others.
Luke - Show my obedience & patience.
Rennie - Be grateful & prayerful.
Lainie - Give to others.
Shelby - Show love at home.
Carter - Love one another.
Creed - Follow the Prophet.
Erik - I will be a better husband, father and person this year.
Mel - Choose to be happy everyday & be more of a servant.
Kylie - Be more obedient & make right choices.
Jadyn - Be less whiny & a big helper.
Sam - Attend Temple monthly, daily scripture study, fast with a purpose each month, be more paitent with my family.
Ruth - Have a better relationship with Jesus Christ & Heavenly Father through Prayer & study of the gospel.
Jenny - I will show my love for Jesus Christ by saying a prayer every night before I go to sleep and remembering to brush my teeth.
Jackson - Learn to say my own prayers.
Jackson - Keep all of His commandments the best that I can. Be a better missionary.
Allison - Be more faithful & trust in Heavenly Father's will for my life.
Robin - Serve with Charity, Love everyone, Seek service, Spread His gospel!
After reading all these and thinking back over these past 12 months - I must say that I think every single one of you has kept your gift in your heart and done just what you promised you'd do. We're so proud of you guys - we believe you are the jewels in our crown! Much to our chagrin...we notice that me and Papa and Lane forgot to fill out our own gift tags to the Christ Child...so let me just say that we are all promising to keep hanging in there - getting old is fun, but we forget stuff! Papa and I have made and reached our personal goals of daily scriptures, prayers, reading good books (yes, including Twilight) attending our monthly family temple day AOAP and trying to be nicer to each other and each of YOU. Just let us know when you think we're slipping!
This has turned into a HUGE post...so I'll just say...thank you so much for all the wonderful gifts and all your love. Hope to see some of you Christmas Day!

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Fabulous New Year my darlings!

Fresh Grilled Cat !!

2008-12-10T16:26:00.000-08:00

Okay, kids...there's no picture to go along with this story, so just try to use your imagination. The day before Thanksgiving (Wed) we drove Grandma into work with us so she could get a perm and then travel with us down to Lukey's Ranch. Well...Mike stopped at Love's for some delicious gasoline, and Grandma and I sat in the Avalanche wondering what was so interesting about our ride..it seemed everyone was eyeballing the black beauty and we couldn't figure it out. Sure, it's a very nice pimped-out mode of transport - but the attention was unusually heavy that morning. Then Mike opened the door and pulled the hood release - I asked what all the fuss was about and he said everyone heard a cat and one fellow spotted it behind the grill. {well, I could've told him THAT...I heard it before we left our driveway, but thought it was UNDER the truck) So everyone joined in to extricate the furry freeloader. It was a beautiful black cat I'd seen in the hood, so we stuck it in the back end with the luggage and continued into BHN. Mike was going to let it go in the yard of the warehouse, but decided to turn around and drive all the way back to Maricopa with the fine feline. Oh, when we opened the tailgate, sure enough...it was sharpening it's claws on Grandma's nice red over-night bag! ( I pictured the scene from Grumpier Old Men when the cat was put in the car with the new upholstery!)
He returned an hour later and said the dumb animal just sat there on our driveway and wouldn't move - but it was gone 2 days later when we returned.
Soooo, the best part of this story is me telling precious Allison all about it and I'm using my hands to show the cat stuck behind the grill - probably screaming all the way down the freeway for 25 miles at top speed...and she says "why do you keep doing this? (and she mimicks my fingers spread across my face ..as the front grill of the truck) Isn't the grill like THIS...(and she puts her hands flat like a table top)...and I say WHAT? and she says..why didn't it just jump off? and I say WHAT? and she say's why didn't it just jump off the grill? and I say what the hell are you talking about? and she says...aren't you saying a cat was up on the BBQ grill you're taking down to Luke's? By then I'm on the floor...for one thing - why the hey would I be hauling a BBQ grill to the ranch? and second...well, there IS no second - it was just the most hilarious thing in the world watching her try to figure out the whole thing...she's so precious!

October's SO Over...& I Smell Turkey Roasting!

2008-11-23T13:35:00.000-08:00

Hello my dear family....This is going to be not so short but maybe a little sweetish - not to be confused with Swedish - because I'm certainly NOT Swedish - I'm more Polish really...but who cares. I don't know how many times I've agonized over posting lately...I hate it and that fact is so obvious if you look closely - notice the huge gaps of time between posts...doesn't that SAY something to you??? I does to me...I tells me that my heart isn't in this - I don't mind the writing...it's the picture taking and the time consuming task of getting the images OUT of the camera, ON to the computer, and INTO my post - insane!! I wish I lived in the good old days of parchment and quills - so simple to write what's on your mind - or paint a picture with words..to show someone else what you saw or experienced...this modern world is too much for me. I can't get excited about cutting and pasting codes and remembering where the heck I've stored my memory stick or to which fantastic photo shop I sent all my snaps. I simply can't keep track of it all...and I DON'T WANT TO!! There, I've said it...I adore each of your blogs - my dear children... - they are bright and smart and funny and informative and clever...so keep up the great work and read each others often. I'll write when I can, and I'll stick a photo in if I can figure it out each time...sometimes I feel obligated to share every image I've captured during the previous month (or 6)!
I like to write because I like to write - but the pressure I feel when it comes to blogging takes the fun out of it. None of you seem to experience this anxiety - so I assume it comes with age or growing up in the days of snail mail etc.
I'll continue to fill my desk calendar with undecipherable scribbles, which doubles as my "journal"..and when I get a spare moment, and if something is important to me or all of us...I'll share a bit of it - I wish I had enough free time to re-write my journal scratchings. Someday I'll be dead and VERY embarrassed that I didn't get everything all nice and neat for my darlings to read. I encourage ALL writing and recording of family events, memories, etc. along with photos - it's FAMILY HISTORY. The only catch for me is...I've so much family history of my parents to work on, that posting to my blog for the simple reason that I now feel GUILTY if I don't..is almost a like a misuse of my time.
Wow, I had no idea I felt this passionately about NOT posting often! Now that I've found some release and relief...I might just be able to handle random writing!
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving - wherever you are! Mike and I are driving down to Arivaca with Grandma in tow, to cook turkey dinner for Luke and the boys at the ranch - then we'll come home and he'll fly up to Utah to find Rennie & the kids. Everyone has gone their separate ways this year...This is going to be a very different holiday but we're very excited...aren't we Mikey??!!!

Okay...so here are a few recent snaps I wanted to share...

Robin had a really bad case of tonsillitis - gee, she doesn't LOOK sick - but you should have heard her on the phone - poor baby - sick in paradise!

So here Mike and I are with Kim, Beth and cousin Roy Julian & wife Clare in Sedona just before we took off on a beautiful hike up to the Indian ruins.

This is adorable Anna Kay Hallows...look at those big eyes...she was standing ALONE last night at Grandma's 90th Birthday party at Mel's house...she's only 9 months old for Pete's sake! She was a show stopper to say the least!

Carter was very happy about his new Monster Truck - what a handsome 4 year old! Notice the caterpillar on Jackson's upper lip!

What an idiot...Erik, you are SO easy to please - just give you a little bag of money and watch your face light up!

Carter carried all his stuff home in his new backpack!

Queen Frances Margaret Wolfgang Smith 90 years young! One of you got a nice picture of her and the lovely "memory photo" book we made (Mel, the cover was PERFECT!) Thanks to all who sent in their letters and photos...those who haven't can still make contributions - we'll continue to add letters etc to her book - she says she has gone through it several times a day ever since the party!

What a lovely party - fit for a queen! The bouquet from Carolyn Sue and family was beautiful and the cake was somewhat wonderful if I DO say so myself!

So, this is a new addition to my posts - I hope you read these words of wisdom, my darling children...and take them into your bosoms!

"Mimi's Annoying Health Section"
Here's Dr. Weil's advice on Three very unhealthy Breakfast choices...
1 Doughnuts. High in sugar, trans-fats, calories and refined flour, doughnuts are not only bad for your waistline, but ultimately disastrous for your energy levels as well. The high sugar content is likely to end in a midday energy crash. If you crave a doughnut, try a piece of whole-grain bread with some jam and peanut butter instead.
2 Fast-Food “Breakfast Sandwiches.” The combination of low-quality, fried meats, processed cheese, and refined breads adds up to a high-calorie, high-sodium, fat-laden food. A better option is to make a sandwich at home – include whole-grain bread, low-fat cheese and fresh veggies, for an added dose of fiber.
3 Sugared Cereal. While different brands vary widely in the amount of added sugars (do your homework and read the labels), sugared cereals should not be a part of your morning routine - or your diet, period. If you crave sweetness, try adding a teaspoon of sugar or stevia to unsweetened whole-grain cereals, or try a bowl of steel-cut oats with some blackstrap molasses, which provides an added dose of calcium.
Here's to our good health...PS - stay away from caffeine - read the Ensign article!!!

Remember September ?

2008-10-04T12:10:00.000-07:00

MY SPECIAL MOMENTS: I had two really great moments this month. The first was when I was driving into town one day, stopped at the corner of Maricopa/Casa Grande Hwy and John Wayne Parkway, while a "30-something" Hispanic man was crossing my path. He noticed my waiting truck and did the cutest little hop-skip to get across the street faster so I could be on my way. As he jumped onto the curb he turned and smiled as our eyes met for a fraction of a moment...and I was so glad that I had a huge smile on my face to greet his! In a matter of seconds I was a block away and he was gone. But in that instant of "connecting" with this young man - my heart swelled up to the point of pain and the tears spilled over. I realized that I was recognizing him as my "brother" - and this was one of the sweetest feelings I've had in a LONG time. We are ALL brothers and sisters, and this experience brought that fact to the front of my mind and heart - where I want to keep it!
The second special moment was one Thursday morning while on my way to work for Sam. I was turning from Cowpath onto Maricopa Groves - just behind our house - around 8am. I noticed highschool kids standing on opposite sides of the street - facing each other. It looked like two gangs lining up to challenge each other. I knew the bus would arrive soon and they would have to ride together to school - and wondered how that trip would play out. Then...to my surprise, a wonderful thing happened. I saw their stradegy for division. As I rounded the corner I looked over one last time and saw the football arc high over the asphalt and into the capable hands of who's turn it was to be the receiver...then again it flew high over the street to the next young person in line...who would have thought! I choked up again as I drove on my way, thinking of the unwitting example of these beautiful young people!

Okay...now my attempt at organizing and recording highlights of our month!

A very special day was September 5th - Sam's 30th Birthday!...we all surprised him by hiding in the IMAX theater when he and Ruth arrived to see "Dark Knight". Halfway through the movie we had a fire drill - Yahoo! FREE TICKETS! Unfortunately, my snapshots of our party were lost when our hard drive took a dive later in the month. Hope you love your group gift, Sammy - your new ladder! You're a son like no other and I'm proud to be your mother!
The next favorite day was the 2nd Saturday - which is Family Temple Day for the Smith-Hallows Gang! Great turn out and lots of Barros pizza afterward.
Taught "The Great Plan of Salvation" in RS and survived - again! Mel and I teach the same lessons so it's a lot more fun now having someone to study & learn with!

Fading photos of tomatoes-past! What a crop we had! The bulging bags of frozen reb orbs come in handy for salsa and soup making - I have a winter's supply and I'm so thankful for Mike's hard work in the heat of the summer - he will reap the benefits for months to come!
Let's back up a bit...Labor Day brought the Swimming Parkinsons! We had a great time bobbing in the pool with the cutest Little Mermaids around! Thanks Grandma Smith for taking such good snapshots!

Welcome Home Julie and John aka Elder and Sister Thompson of Selma, Alabama fame! Steele drove down with a load of cabinets for Justin and made time to enjoy their early morning mission report! Kim and Beth hosted a full day of food and fun - Becca & kids Mat & Macey - along with Kevin - made our celebration so much fun - Jackson & Allison and the Parkinson's completed our day!! Thanks guys, for taking time to party with the old people! Tad & Kimmy (grandpa & grandma) took a break to visit baby Aiden (congratulations Tristen & Richard!!) but came back to eat beef stew (Beth)homemade rolls (Julie) and Strawberry ice cream (Yeah for me!) Macey entertained us to tears! What a cute couple of grandkids Kim! - good job Becca! Kevin & sister kayaked down the river with Kim the next day...and survived the drive home!
My favoritest thing about September was finally getting my arch support orthotics from Dr. Hallows - thanks Sam...they are wonderful and I recommend them to EVERYONE!
Our MOST favorite night was when we went to "Wait Until Dark" with J&A at the Hale Centre Theatre - what a show! We sat on the front row and that picture of J&A shows the refrigerator where the final scene gets real scary!! We hope you'll all get a chance to go see something there - it's amazing and so fun!

Okay, so the funnest trip EVER was our road trip with J&A to Arivcaca to celebrate Lukey's 33rd birthday (and Rennie's VERY late Aug. 17th Birthday)! The Round-up was an education for ALL of us - Rocky Mountain Oysters didn't mean anything but a name till we saw Ron fryin' 'em up at the ranch house! The kids and horses and haystacks were such a wonderful break from our city life! Thanks Luke and Rennie for a fabulous weekend! Keep up the good work with the boys at Arivaca Boys Ranch! Now it's YOUR turn to come see us!
Bye everybody! See you next month! I wish I could break this pattern, but not much hope for me. And with our hard drive gone - I have no pictures to update the past posts...you can all cry for me...my tears are gone!

A Gust of August

2008-08-06T05:26:00.000-07:00

Don't look at this yet...seriously...it's just my notes to prompt me when I get time in September to remember what the heck happened to August - I'm disgusted that Augusted has passed so dang fast.
Birthday month for Ronnie, John, Abi, Mimi-(me), Rennie.... Anniversary #2 for Tad & Kim!
Just when you think you've have enough cake, there's.....to consider (whatever that means?) Now I need a note for a note!
Mexican invasion - the Ronald Julian Family + Judy!
RS Lesson - did you see Mel's last handout? I suck at such!
Dear responses to photo albums I sent to Lee, Cecil, Bill & Virginia
I love those slightly old people!
Family Temple Saturday - love it -
Grateful for self-healing body! Rib's on the mend.
Allison's whole wheat chocolate chip cookies - guaranteed to please! Now, can you do that with oatmeal raisin?
Grateful for my job, boss, co-workers.
Grateful for Sam and weekly adjustments - spread the love!
Grandma's Rummikub skills are sharp - she whips me down!

July...flew by!

2008-08-05T21:02:00.000-07:00

This is a work in progress...so check back in a few days(or weeks) for more photos etc...........

It's only because of Aliceinwonderland's constant prodding that I even write again...we agreed today that we wish the computer had never been invented - and we could just get back to the simpler life. (of course she's not really OLD enough to remember the simple life) But no such luck, it's here and we're stuck!
I was serious about June...please read the rest of the family's blogs for
details.
I want to say now how grateful I am for family and friends who make the hard times in life so much easier to bear...you know who you are and you know what you've done for us!!

June 30th Robin's return to the desert! Oh, Happy Day!Welcome home baby girl!

2nd Jack & Ali celebrate #4

Mike helped Steele unload wood & security door at the "dirt" Abi and Mimi chilled in the 105 degree shade!

4th Thanks Luke for the Arivaca 4th of July Extravaganza!

Abilicious loved the stop along the way to Arivaca.

Kids all nicely in a row!

Nurse Amy removed many cactus stickers from kids - and Grandpa Lane! (Rennie with pliers finally did that surgery I think)

Luke and Creed had some serious disagreement on how exactly to operate the Gator!

It looks like Lukey took Creeds advice after all!

Lane and Mike didn't know when to come in out of the rain...but it finally stopped in time for the shindig.

5th Mimi cracked a rib during spa rescue - 7 wks later still mending!

10th After a bite at Rosa's with the fam - Robin flew the coup and landed back in paradise!

Luke and Jenny had a "fox" fight right at the table! Oh, children!

11th Luke and family vacate premises - sadly happy day! Come back..

12th Family Temple Day with Sam - haircut party at Jacks!

16th Mike's 59th - We took the day off work & swam all morning...
Then had a yummie pizza lunch/party/presents with...

Kim & Beth @ NYPD!

Mel and the girls helping Papa celebrate!

Mel's awesome gift - A Tribute to Michael

Then off to Charleston to dine with Tad & Kim

17th Jackson's 28th - all the usual suspects at Joe's BBQ

We all love you so much Jackson - yer some kinda somethin'!

25th First Leon & Florene (Happy 108th) Julian Reunion in decades! Missed all who couldn't attend - especially Uncle Lee! Thanks Aunt Virginia & Steve & Liz for the "1st Cousin party" & Anita & Jay for the wonderful accommodations & everyone else who made it happen!
Here's the cousin gathering at Steve & Liz's in Deer Valley.

27th The Mo Tab and Osmond concert at Conference Center was a total surprise...

27th Overnight with the Judd's in Kanab and a quick visit to Fredonia to hug the Swapp's - got to eavesdrop on Dennis giving a video interview on the early movie-making days in Kanab - awesome stories!

Work work work & eat with Waters!

End of the great tomato harvest!

From apples to applesauce..

Grateful for new neighbors - Jim & Stephanie (not Schumaker)

Murder at midnight...turned out to be a suicide 3 doors down.Call Mike - he can tell the story since he was up and heard the shots and saw all the neighborhood commotion

Great storm with lots of Lightening and thunder - I LOVE IT!!!

Grateful for GOOD pest control - thanks Katrina of Kat's Pest Patrol!! Look her up - she's the best and most affordable in the valley!

Grateful for Comet - it's taking the junk off the floor tiles at work quite nicely!

June Bugs...

2008-07-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

It really BUGS me that I've hardly started writing about June, and it's already July. It was a month of many tears as well as much laughter...We started out with a family movie

- staring our own dear papa!
Thanks for coming to our movie & dinner night - Joe's put on a great BBQ for us right after the dust settled at San Tan Harkins.

One fine day we caught Mel and the girls playing at their pool...
Lucky!

All the Hallows in town gathered at Jack & Ali's to see Grandma Kay, Jarem, Camilla & Sophie, (plus Bret & Lisa) Anna loves her Aunt Allison!

Ronnie and his gang stopped by for tortilla soup on their way to Mexico - then Mike and I drove in to Kim's to visit with his kids just down from St. George - a busy weekend!

Cutest line-up of cousins this side of Texas!

Can everyone say "welcome to the family, Judy"

Me and "Mellie's Belly"

For more just link over to the kids blogs and our sad Father's Day passing of Michael should all be covered.

Mike hasn't been able to write about the loss of his firstborn yet...maybe someday.

Oh, Donna

2008-06-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

Click on Ritchie Valens Oh Donna while viewing post.

Last month I mentioned my dear Donna who was fighting cancer...well, she gave up the fight on Saturday, June 7th around 2:00am. My heart is broken, but I'm so glad I had a chance to visit with her one last time just 12 hours earlier. I rubbed the short white stubble on her head and kissed her fingers and cheeks, and told her how much I loved her. She said she'd try to hold on a few weeks so she could see Robin who would be visiting from Hawaii. We made plans for another visit on Monday, but that sweet girl decided to go on ahead and see what heaven is really all about! She told me during a visit a few weeks ago that she couldn't wait to see my sister Robin when she got to heaven, and ask her tons of questions. I know Robin is probably helping show her the plan of happiness right now! Donna leaves behind her husband Richard, son Bill and his wife, and her darling daughter Holly...and my boys know her nephew Brett Clarkson and his family. I can't stop thinking of how much they are missing her and it makes my pain insignificant in comparison. Lesson to learn...never miss a chance to tell those you love how you really feel - don't hold back cause you never know when you'll see them again. I've searched high and low for a picture of us and our dates at a prom in high school...but no luck. She was a doll and I'll miss her being here on earth with me so very much.

Me with Donna's sisters LaVon and Carolyn
and with some of our dear old friends from Westwood.

The Merry Month of May

2008-06-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

So May is gone...and what exactly do we have to show for it? Well, I'll tell you what! We started off with

Lainie's 8th birthday, then our 19th Wedding Anniversary (see big fat photo at top of blog), Tamara's birthday (she was a no-show so we'll catch her later!) Then a fun dinner party at Mel's
(thanks baby girl) for Migmommy Mother's Day and may I quote Jean Paul Richter "No joy in nature is so sublimely affecting as the joy of a monther at the good fortune of her child." That, and the continued faithfullness of my children, truly is my greatest joy!(can't wait for the movie and dinner outing with all yous) Then Lainie's baptism (see earlier post), and my new job - slaving away at BHN - actually, I've been having a blast shopping and decorating the whole place with Allison's expert help! Sorry - I was too dumb to think of taking before and after photos of our work - so you'll just have to trust me, the place looks great!
My darling friend (since Jr High)Donna
is trying to recover from cancer - so I visit her each week on my way home from working for Sammy Boy. She might hit me for posting this, but I especially wanted to put this up for Robin - she and Donna love each other very much.
Then on May 19th, Kas called and said Mandie had delivered Creed Michael O'Shea into this world!! I know Grandpapa Creed, who keeps an eye on us from heaven, must have hand picked that little one for his darling daughter! (I'll insert a picture when I get one) May 20th would have been beautiful Robin's 59th Birthday I have been missing my awesome little sister for almost 40 years now - I can't wait for my kids to meet her someday - she was the "queen" of our family!
Then "Mr. Creed" turned 2 on the 22nd while Rennie and the little people were visiting Grpa & Grma Goulding to Utah (Happy Birfday Creeem) Also... While they were gone, we had the biggest weirdest rainy weekend in the history of my life in the desert (for May anyway). It was beautiful and COLD! You should see our tomato plants - don't tell Kylie, or she'll want to come out and start pickin 'n eatin!
Next, Michael turned 38 (yikes) and Mel & E celebrated their 12th Anniversary (gee, that doesn't make our 19th seem very long) They luxuriated at the "Dammaron Valley Resort" for a week with the girls! Uncle Kim had us all out for tortilla soup and a great visit with Becca & Anthony, Todd and Kevin - they floated the river the next day and survived the icy waters. Memorial Day was a treat for us - Jack and Alli and little Patch spent the night and then fired up the BBQ and made the BEST turkey burgers! (see her blog for great pix) I made some fried green tomatoes (from our garden) and chocolate ice cream, thanks to Luke's run to the market for ICE and CREAM! Thanks for the party guys!

I always think of my Daddy on Memorial Day -
I appreciate and honor his loyal service to his country during WWII
Rounding out a HUGE month was Jadyn's 5th Birthday...and when I come back from church...I'll stick in some pictures!

Saturday May 17th was a special day...

2008-05-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

First off, let me just say to you all out there in FamilyLand...I love you each so very mucho! I'm so glad you picked me to be your mommy and that you picked such wonderful people to be the mothers and fathers of your sweet, talented children...making it soooooo fun to be the Mimi! Yesterday beautiful Lainie was baptized by her handsome father, Luke! We were all gathered there to witness this great even in her life ...sorry Uncle Steele left the building before we snapped this photo of the confirmation group with Lainie. Then off to another meetinghouse for a delectible luncheon orchastrated by Rennie - great job and thanks to all who helped her make it a fun time for everyone. Luke gave very clear and precise clean-up instructions...NOT!
Thanks Uncle Kim for spending part of your day with us - you rock as a supportive uncle! And a special thanks to Rennie's parents Rob and Sally for mopping up after us! Hey, you two, it sure was fun having you stay here with us - you are ALWAYS welcome (they are great houseguests and I highly recommend them to you all!) Next, Stephanie, Jackson, Allison, Papa and me went to watch Kylie and Jadyn dance in their lovely recital...while others found places to nap (Jackson's house was a very popular choice). Great job Mel and Emma - your spring recital was fabulous - and good luck on a great summer enrollment!
NEXT, we all gathered at MHS's best ball field! I loved that we got the one with grass instead of the dumb dirt ones! The kids took turns batting with the adults and that kept the outfield interested enough to play for 3 hours!! Thanks Sammy for heading up this long due gift to Papa for his birthday! It was WELL worth waiting for, and I think you've created a new family tradition!! Let's shoot for early spring and late fall for semi annual games, if not MORE! Crazy Ned served up an awesome sub and Lainie shared all her left over goodies from her baptizm luncheon...and Sam & Ruth's homemade rootbeer was a hit (as soon as Allison got through sitting on the lid, that is!) I thought my camera had a dead battery so I didn't get but one photo (the lid just wasn't shut tight enough to hold them in - dang it!) So I'll share what I got. Thanks again to all the Hallows, Gouldings and Parkinson's for making Sat. May 17, 2008 a VERY SPECIAL DAY INDEED!

Frosted Orange Ginger Fruit Salad

2008-05-09T13:02:00.000-07:00

Hey Little Girls...It's time to make a really healthy summer treat for your families!
If you love this...let me know - I'm full of 'em! Enjoy!

Frosted Orange Ginger Fruit Salad

Description
For the same reasons this fruit salad makes a great breakfast, it also makes a great snack. It is light, naturally sweetened, and smothered in a smooth yogurt and ginger topping. Often, we find ourselves so busy that we quickly grab less-healthy foods to satisfy us. Make this ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator, or take it to work in a covered container.

Ingredients
2 cups washed and sliced fresh strawberries
2 cups grapes
1 cup washed, cored, and diced apples
3 oranges, peeled, seeded, and cubed
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from the 3 peeled, seeded, and cubed oranges)
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt (optional)
1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger
2 tablespoons honey

GARNISH
12 sprigs mint

Instructions
Toss all the fruit together in a medium bowl.
Whisk the orange juice, yogurt, ginger, and honey in a separate bowl. Pour the dressing over the fruit. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to marry the flavors.
Spoon the coated fruit into 12 small dessert dishes or parfait glasses. Garnish each with a sprig of mint.

Newsflash!!

2008-05-06T17:26:00.000-07:00

Well, Luke and Rennie and the chitlins are staying with us a while till their "home on the range" is ready, and it's so dang fun hearing the pitter patter of little feel early in the morning! Seriously...it IS! But as luck would have it, I've been going to work with Mike ever since they moved in, so I haven't been there during the day to play and swim...and now they're down on the ranch for a few days and I went and got myself hired full-time at BHN...so no more leisure Mimi time! So if any of you kids need your mama, you know where to find me. My desk faces Allison's so I can keep and eye on her {she's so cute}and anyone else who wanders into my space. This is going to be fun - I worked for Mike 19 years ago when we first got married and it was a blast! Real Groovy! So I'm expecting it to still be that way. I got set up on a brand new computer today - hence the blogging. I remember when the boys, Jeremy, Steele, and Luke worked here with us during the summer...what a riot - we still have the logo-perfect files Steele drew for us - stop by anytime and see the artwork! Well, just wanted to let you know that I won't be floating around in the pool all summer long - I'll be sitting here under these fluorescent lights, turning a lighter shade of pale!

Thanks mucho...

2008-05-05T21:18:00.000-07:00

Not much time to write, but just wanted to say thank you to all the wonderful family and friends who have given words of comfort and cheer since my darling Daddy went to heaven to be with my angel Mother. We all miss him so mucho! He loved everyone in the family and had such wonderful things to say about each one of you. Someday when I get organized, I'll share more than these few pictures...hope you still enjoy the slide shows below - I just can't get enough of them!

Family, Florida,

2008-04-13T20:05:00.001-07:00

We'll Miss You Daddy!...many more photos to come later!

2008-04-09T08:10:00.001-07:00

Arizona, Utah, New Zealand and beyond!

2008-04-09T07:54:00.001-07:00

Stanley Wayne Julian - First 20 Years

2008-04-09T07:37:00.001-07:00

Stanley Wayne Julian February 1, 1921 - April 8, 2008

2008-04-09T06:44:00.000-07:00

My seemingly invincible father, Stanley Wayne Julian, 87, passed away after a rapid decline in health. The world has gone dimmer and my heart will never recover from his earthly departure. Time cannot move fast enough for me till I once again and forever lay eyes on my Angel Mother and Magnificent Daddy.

My Amaryllis

2008-04-05T17:48:00.000-07:00

You should see my Amaryllis this year...same one as last year, but in a new pot instead of a jar of water! I know, I know...you're all saying..."When does she find the time to garden?" I amaze even myself! You have no IDEA how long it took to stick that bulb in that cute pot 6 months ago! And the WATERING...well, you don't even wanna go there...

Anna's Blessing etc.

2008-04-05T17:42:00.001-07:00

Trip to St. George to Visit Grandpa Julian

2008-03-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

Check out the slideshow of Hallows kiddies with Uncle Dusky at the park!!!
What a wonderful week - oh, thanks for the ride Rennie!

Grandpa Julian looks great, as you can see! I had a wonderful visit with him last week. One day he ate a burger the size of a dinner plate!
Okay, this isn't looking very good...so just read

what you can and look at the pictures and be
patient - I'm still learning how to stick stinking
pictures in a post!

See the nice decorations in Grandpa's house?

He loves the "fake" fireplace...just ask Carter about that - he KNOWS it's fake! Here the kids are, getting a demonstration by Ila Mae and Aunt Virginia - Uncle Ron was somewhere in the room too! They drove down from SLC to visit.

I told Carter Grandpa used to fly planes when he was a young man - that really caught his attention...so Grandpa gave Carter some aviation advice. He told him to remember that he could fly low, or he could fly slow...but not low AND slow at the same time...you should have seen Carter's wide eyes at the mere mention of an airplane!

See the Hallows children huddle in the corner - they can't wait to get back outside in the cold wind of St. George!

Snow Canyon Snow Canyon National Park...

Rennie and the kiddies hiked the mounds of red rock in the background while I held down a picnic table.

Bret and some of the family (and a random friend of Jarem's) showed Steele, Amy & Cute Cakes around their almost-finished monster house!

Dallyn did the driving, and it was scary!

This place is HUGE!

Think we could all live there and never even SEE each other? Lisa is going to have to do some serious shopping to fill this place up with furniture!

Four Generation Photo Op!
Abi just can't believe it! Her Great Grandpa Julian looks so good!

He sure loves visits and chances to catch up with everybody - don't miss an opportunity to call and talk with him...he's FULL of information, memories and stories!

One day Rennie and I and all the little Hallows met Steele, Amy and Abi at the park. The kids played tag with Uncle Steele and Abi loved smelling (and picking) the lovely flowers. There's movies of that day, but I can't figure out how to add them just yet...please stand by!

Okay, here we are at Charlie's eating yummy ice cream - what a fun day that was! But first we ripped off Blue Bunny by bailing without ordering anything. All we did was play...what sneaky cheapskates we were!

Well, that's all I can do right now... hope you liked the trip as much as I did! It's sure great to be home thought! XOXOMimi

Another of My Favorites

2008-03-15T22:04:00.000-07:00

Click on each to read

YAGOTTAWANNA

2008-03-15T21:40:00.000-07:00

"PAPER ROUTES"

2008-03-15T16:00:00.001-07:00

It all started with Michael and Jeremy. As parents, we thought if the boys had a "paper route", they could learn about earning money and learn about responsibility. I am sure the results had some value, but that is debatable to this day. I am a little fuzzy on the details, so if I am wrong on any accounts, I reserve the right to correct when I am told that I am getting too old. I am thinking they were 10 and 12, or close to those ages. They got a Phoenix Gazette route, which was the afternoon edition of the AZ Republic. It is no longer around. So, six days a week they would go over to the neighborhood to the south of where we lived to pick up their 40 or so papers and deliver the "daily news". They delivered the same area and south to Southern Ave.
Then there was Sunday. The Sunday paper was the Republic. Thus a little bigger and heavier. So guess who helped them on Sunday mornings--- meeeeeeeeee. I don't remember if I picked up the inserts and heads, or if they were brought to the house, but we inserted at the house, and then delivered. We had the Impala stationwagon, so the boys sat on the tailgate and ran the papers to each house and the apartments. For more learning of responsibility and how to earn money, they got to collect from their customers. They did okay until it came to the "apartment" people. It seemed like the "Apt" people always had an excuse why they couldn't pay, and would push it to the point of being cancelled, and then would pay. The earnings weren't big, but the learning was "huge" (ha, ha). I am not sure how many months these great learing experiences went on.........but the event that brought the fun to a halt was---
one day the boys went to Tom's house (a boy they knew from school and his house was the designated paper drop) to do the route. They talked with him as usual, and prepared their papers, and then did the route. But the next day, we were informed that Tom had "accidently" shot and killed his friend, in Tom's bedroom, and then tried to stuff the body in a garbage bag and in the garbage can to cover the whole thing up. So, the boys had to go down to Mesa PD and give a statement. Apparently Tom had made reference about having access to the gun to them. The whole incident was too real, and we were very forunate no harm had come to them. Shortly thereafter, the routes were ended. I also remember a girl getting killed (Tempe) while collecting, and so eventually the paper began direct billing to all customers, where was that when we needed it.

And so, not learning from the boys paper route days, a few years later, as I am starting another job (Wang from Kerr's, see my work for details, if you need to review) and I am taking a pay cut, I get some advice from Clarence Martin. He says he has thrown an adult paper route for year's and makes good money (I don't remember how much). So I give it a try. The money was always needed, but what happened those next 8 or 9 years was crazy.

My route consisted of the apartments/condo's just to the north of Fiesta Mall (north of Southern) and from Alma School to Longmore, 200 plus or minus papers. It was an auto route, but I didn't get to drive and throw. I had to go to each apartment complex, and then go inside each group of apartments with an armload of papers. Daily wasn't too bad, but Sunday's were a killer. I could only take about 10 at a time. My first week, I am driving our grey Nissan Sentra (2 door, stick shift). I pull up to the curb of one of the apartments, and hop out with my papers, and leave the door open. As I start dropping the papers at the doors, the sprinklers come on. No big whup, except when I get back to the car, the sprinkler head is off the sprinkler next to the car, and the front seat is totally soaked. But, all is well, the papers didn't get wet because they are in the back seat. I just had to sit in the wet seat the rest of the night, and I must have taken the other car to work, while the Sentra dried out.
Another time, as I was going up the stairs of one of the condo units, a guy is outside on his front area, and points a revolver at me. And says someone is on his roof, and he was going to shoot the guy. Well, I said it wasn't me, I was just delivering the paper. And then, I got out of there. One night in the same complex, I am driving in the parking lot, and there are fire trucks and police cars there. There was a fire in one of the garages (nicer condo's), and smoke big time. No threat to me, but just a crazy thing.
One night, during the summer, I notice a guy in the parking lot of Indian Springs. He is wearing a trench coat, and walking in and out of the parked cars. Trench coat, and it's like 90 degrees??? So, I had noticed some patrol cars back somewhere, so I track them down, and say there is this strange guy back at I.S. apts. Later, as I am done, I see the patrol cars in Fiesta Mall lot, and I stop and find out the guy got busted for breaking into cars and had stuff inside his "trench coat". No reward........
I generally started on 1 or 2 AM (weekdays), mainly because the Republic required you to pick up by 2. And if you waited until 2 to show up, and the papers were late you might be in line until 3 or 4 picking up the "heads". I could usually finish by 5, and then get another hour of sleep, before heading off to work. After a while I got use to the limited amout of sleep, but I do remember falling asleep at my "Wang cubby hole" on some days.
Sunday was a different schedule. There were inserts to be picked up, and then "heads" in a separate line. If one started at midnight, you could get the inserts and then get in line for the heads, work on combining the 2 inserts into one, as you waited for the heads to show up. If they were on time, everything was fine. But sometimes they would be late (press broke down, late breaking news, or a late finish in a ballgame). This meant not finishing the route until 7AM. With early Church, it was a killer. Especially when I was in the bishopric and sitting on the stand. I did the "head bober thing" alot.
The pick up spot was moved several times. I started at the lot at 8th and Alma School. That was the best, I could pick up Sunday big bundles, take them home, have Michael and Jeremy work on them (because of their expertise) and take what the Sentra would hold, and come back for the rest. But that was short lived, I think next was Mervyn's (Elliot and Alma School), then to the R&G office on Baseline between CC and Mesa Dr. I recall spending 1 to 2 hours just sitting each night. I did get to know some people that would later be in my wards' -- Bill and Kathlene Kellis, The Hathcock's, and several other LDS "idiots" like myself. It seems this was a good way to make some extra money, and not have to be away from your family, you just had to go without sleep.
I did the "apt thing" for about 2 years (???). Then we moved to Gilbert (my idea). I got a route in the Gilbert area. It was Guadalupe to Williams Field Rd.and Gilbert Rd. to Val Vista, still 200 + papers. It was all driving, and just tossing the papers onto driveways. Much easier than running through apartment complexes, but put more miles on the ole Sentra. Except, I didn't play B-Ball any more because of the sleep thing, so the running did take the place of exercise.
I used the "paper route" expertise of Michael and Jeremy again on Sundays in Gilbert. I would bring home the inserts and heads, and they would insert while I started the route. I would then come back for the rest of the papers and finish the route. This was really a help on times we had to bag.
"Bagging" - days we were required by R&G to put the papers in a plastic bag to keep it from getting wet, so they would get a "zillion" complaints. I didn't bag alot in the apartments, all the apts and condo's were covered, just the townhomes (the ones that are west of Alma School and just south of Chuckie Cheese) required bagging. Anyway, one August morning. We were told to bag, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. So, not wanting to waste bags that I had to pay for, or time in bagging. I delivered my route. As I am about done, it is starting to cloud up (where did they come from???) and a Summer thunderstorm hits. I got a number of complaints, but because of my "sparkling" record I got to keep my job. WHAT A BREAK!!!
I did take pride in making sure the papers hit the center of the driveway and up the driveway to the garage, or landed where a customer had specified. I always made sure it didn't go under the car or in the grass (sprinklers!!!). This would be a factor in whether or not you got "tips" from customers. A tip from a customer also meant "special care" for his paper in the future. Maybe this is why I am so generous with tips..(???)
While in Gilbert, I am unexpectedly done with Wang, but find another job, and start at Eyeco at 32nd St. and Shea, in PHOENIX (with no freeway). I drive 45 plus minutes to get there. I recall some mornings not remembering how I got to work, I was so sleepy. I would go to DQ for a "shake lunch" (beginning of HT, not Home Teaching) and then to a Church parking lot for an hour "power nap".
One morning, I am taking Jeremy to school (post divorce), and we get rear ended by a kid from Gilbert High. The Sentra is totalled, booo. But, yea!!!!! I get a new vehicle. A new, bright, shiny red S-10, x-tended cab. Great truck for delivering papers (but not for more than 2 passengers, but it worked), but not for rainy days. Sundays, I could get every paper in the bed, it was a little over the top but worked. On "bag days" I would go to the banks at Guadalupe and Gilbert Rd. (BofA, Bank One or Wells Fargo), get everthing ready, and tarp the load, put a bunch in the cab, and refill as needed. The joys and memorys of the paper route.
Mignon and I are married on May 5, 1989. And we do the paper route on our honeymoon. I wasn't able to get a sub. So, on Saturday morning, we over sleep and start delivering papers at 7 ish. We finish is record time, and with not too many complaints. I am now at BHN, and hoping I can quit the route. But, not just yet. So we start splitting the route, Mignon delivers part, and I deliver part. That allows us to finish quicker, and get longer sleep time. At some point we get a Voyager van, which holds all the papers in an enclosed area, allows one person to drive while the other inserts and folds.
One time, I don't remember if it was when we split or not, but I am by myself and in the area North of Elliot, east of Beck, and I turn a corner in the neighborhood and must have dosed off, as I hit a parked car on my right side. I hit the car on it's bumper, and the bumper went down my right side. I left a note (4AM ish), and finished the route. I never heard from the people. The next night, the car was still there, and the note inside. I determined the car must not be running or used, and it wasn't hurt. So I picked up the note. The car was there for the longest time, and eventually was gone.....
On one split morning. I get finished, and Mignon didn't make it home soon after. She has gotten stuck in a dirt road that leads to one guys' house in the middle of a big field (now where Gilbert Town hall is). The road got flooded when the field got over-irrigated. Luckily, an SRP irrigation guy saw her, and got her unstuck (no cell phones back then)
On another occasion, I am riding with Mignon, and we are going to the house in the middle of the farm acres. We circle the house via the driveway, and a dog starts after us, barking away.....the next thing we know, he starts yelping, and limps off. It's like 4AM, so we get home, I call my DA (district assistant) and tell him what has happened. He says he will call and check on the dog with the customer. Later that morning after telling the DA to have the guy call me, I get a call from the customer who says his dog was hurt bad, they had to take him in for surgery, and it's going to cost (I think) $700 or $1100. I don't remember just how unless by my name, but this guy knows who I am, he is the guy that Linda and Alan worked for out of his garage doing mail sales advertising stuff??? He knows I am a member of the Church, I've been playing Christ in the EP, and I don't even know what else. So, I tell him we will take care of everything thru our insurance. I learned to not be so willing. I call our insurance 800 number, and the guy says that they won't cover the incident because Gilbert has a lease law, and the dog was not on a lease, thus not subject to coverage under our policy. Great, now I call this guy back and tell him, and he calls me a "liar", etc. So, we aren't exactly rolling in money, and he wasn't within the law, didn't have his dog locked up, and chose to spend the money to get the dog fixed......so I tell him sorry, but we are not liable according to our insurance people. He called me 2 or 3 times later that week. I didn't hear from him again. But, in later years, Don Carpenter knew him, they were in the same ward, the Ray Ward. Don said he was a "strange" guy. Then sometime later, we read about him in the paper being arrested by the FBI because of mail fraud. Too crazy. But I didn't feel so bad after that.
I am sure there is more, but this is already tooooo long. To wrap it up----
I think everyone got a chance to help with the Sunday paper in the 1989-1991 years. The garage was the work area and it was a production process. Luke started working at the movie theater. He would get off at Midnight or so. He was designated as the pick up guy for the inserts (saving me an early trip out). One Sunday around 1 or 2 a.m., he is not home as yet, and we get a call from a person who says our son Luke is in their house, and that he had fallen asleep and hit their parked car head on. Fortunately, he was okay, but shook up over the fact that he had dozed off and hit a car. We were just glad that all he got was a bump on his head from hitting the windshield. What if it had happened on the rode with a moving vehicle!! The van was pretty messed up, but the route was completed that morning with the S-10. My Atlanta Braves license plate was salavaged (or was that when Mel almost ran into a bank building with the van?) and the van was repaired. And sometime later, The Paper Route days ended. We gave up the route, and started the Dance Studio.........a whole nother blog.......

Coming Posts !!!

2008-03-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

"Famous" People
The Dance Studio
Early AM Basketball and Workouts
My "Indiana Jones" childhood stories
Raising Michael, Jeremy, and Melanie
The Adventures of the "Smith-Hallows" Gang
and more about me, me, me, I, I , I...

2008-03-09T21:49:00.000-07:00

Pictures added to "Softball" below >>>>>

EASTER PAGEANT EXPERIENCES

2008-03-02T08:54:00.000-08:00

As this year's Easter Pageant performance comes closer, memories of past productions and our family are brought to mind. I should have recorded the experiences and feelings immediately after each year as "age" dulls the mind. I reserve the right to add or change as time goes on, or my memory improves.

This year our family is represented by Melanie, Erik, Kylie, and Jadyn. They carry on the "Easter Pageant tradition".

The Pageant has evolved over the years from an early sunrise service to the production it is today. Linda and Amy were in the "Book of Mormon" scene in the late 60's. Thus they were well acquainted with Sister Roberta Layton as members of the Mesa West Stake.
My first introduction to the Pageant was in 1977, when Roberta Layton asked if we wanted to be in the Pageant. I am sure I was somewhat hesitant, not thrilled with the idea of being in a "play" and having to be in front of people. But I "caved in" and said yes. I didn't want to make the same "mistake" as the Pres. Kimball experience in passing up a chance for a "spiritual expericence". The production was made up of people from Maricopa and Mesa West Stakes, and many others that I didn't wasn't aware of. It was performed on the west side of the Temple grounds, same spot as today's. But the stage consisted of the City of Mesa's show trailer. It was 30 or so feet wide and 20 or so feet deep, with a curtain, sides and a back, and on wheels. Two "cotton" trailers were used as additonal stage on each side of the main stage. Plants and additonal back drops (drapes and scenery) were used to enhance the stage look.
I don't remember many details of the "early" years and what scenes we were in.....but here is what I can remember..............

Auditions consisted of filling out an info form, and then going into a room as a group of 20 or so. We would do our best moves to the music, moving left, then right, raising our left arm, them right, and twirling, etc. From this the "talent scouts" (directors) would make their best choices for our parts. The number of people auditioning was pretty small compared to today's numbers (800+).
I remember being on the stage for the "Lord's Prayer" scene, and having to kneel for the length of the scene as the song was sung (supposedly in a freeze position). We would give Michael and Jeremy candy to keep them somewhat in character as the scene went on, and we were in the back of the scene so to be able to keep them somewhat out of view of the crowd. Always a challenge each night. Later years, as Melanie was old enough to be in the scene, she was the little girl the Savior picked up and held.
Irwin Phelps was the director along with Sister Layton. He was the theater arts teacher at MCC (???). We would start rehearsals as early as 8 weeks before the first night, and we held those early practices at the Inter-Stake Center. Then we would move to the Temple grounds when the trailers (stages) and temp lighting was set up, and re-block the scenes because the stage distances were way smaller.
One night, it was really late (after mid-night???) and drizzling rain, Irwin was trying to "perfect" a scene. The lights came from Salt Lake on a truck that traveled to other Pageants. So they arrived just a short time before actual performaces began. All of a sudden one of the light poles fell over with a big crash. No one was hurt, and I guess the lights survived as well. The poles were just stuck in the ground back then. With that we were all sent home. (Today everything is cement achored, bolted, etc.) One night, Matt Sanchez, a Roman soldier (200lbs plus) fell through the stage floor, where plywood was laid for flooring. He was okay, but was always cautious after that on where to step.
One year, I was the "Appearance Angel". I was dressed in a shining white robe. With no high rise stage (just as well), I would take a huge piece of black material, and climb on a pre-positioned 3 step box next to a palm tree north of the stages, close to where the shepherds would be. I did this as the opening prayer was given to be somewhat inconspicuous. I stood there for the first 5/10 minutes with the cloth outstretched over my head until my part. I then dropped the cloth and mouthed my line to the shepherds, "fear not for behold I bring you........". Years later, Jeremy did this part from the high rise stage.....(???)
Over the years, I was Adam, a shepherd, Joseph (Linda was Mary, and did Mary's Lullabye), an unnamed Apostle, and John the Apostle.

Once you were in the Pageant, you were pretty well "hooked". Practices were always long and challenging, but the performances were the real reason we kept coming back. The Spirit was always strong (how could it not be??). We were part of the Pageant "family", only seeing most of the "family" at Pageant time. Every year as we began we would always say, "I can't beleive it's been a year already", and then when the performances were done, "I can't believe it's over". It is very difficult to put into words the feelings for the Pageant and it's effects on my life. Trying to write those feelings is just about impossible for me.

Brother Phelps and Sister Layton (and others I am sure) over the years wrote the script for the Pageant and improved it each year to make it more meaningful to all who saw it. At some point the Mesa Easter Pageant became a Church Pageant. This also meant a bigger budget for costumes and scenery. I can't even begin to tell what all happened and when......but it meant a new stage, enhanced scenery, curtains, and much more........changes with those involved.
Chip Boynton (a theatrical major at BYU and in the advertising profession) became involved with directing. Lund Johnson (also a theatrical man with experience at Hill Cumorah Pageant, and a seminary teacher) a year or later became a director. At some point Irwin and Roberta were "released" from their "callings". In 1983 (???) Chip became the director, and also played the part of the Savior!!!! Robert Layton (Sister Layton's son) had played the part for 10 yrs, and Robert Larson for 10 years. He was the Savior when we started. So change was difficult for most of us. There were also changes in the music. Song changes, and re-recordings with new performers. We made it through even with all the changes, the story was always the same, no matter how it was presented.

In 1984, after having auditioned as usual. We awaited our parts in the mail. I don't remeber if I opened the mail, or it was read to me over the phone. But it read "you have been chosen to play the part of the Savior". As I try to recall how I felt 20 plus years ago, I am sorry to say I can't remember my true feelings. I am sure I was totally "scared to death" with the idea of being in front of thousands of people and being the center of attention. I am sure I felt humbled to even have been considered for the part, let alone be chosen. I like to think someone prayed about it, and the Lord answered those prayers!!!! I was somewhat comforted knowing I didn't have to speak, so I couldn't mess up too bad. I am sure I was re-assured by Brother Boynton that I could do it. I knew in my heart I could do it, the Lord was in charge, and would not allow His Pageant to be a "flop". So here I was, totally afraid of being in front of people and performing, soon to be in front of thousands. I was able to get away with it in previous years because I was never the focus of the attention. I can only say, as I look back over those 10 years, the Lord guided and directed me, and it was never about me anyway......
In President Hinckley's father's words, "forget about yourself, and go to work".

The first practices were difficult. I had to break out of my shy "introverted" shell. I felt the love and kindness of others as they congratulated me and gave me encouragement, that helped tremendously. It began to hit me that this was how the Gospel works, it is how the Church works, each of us helping each other, through what we perceive as difficult challenges.
I had to learn where to be and when to be there, to know "my lines" to be able to look like I was actually talking, and to give big actions to portray even the smallest emotion. After 10 years, I almost figured it all out, but not completely.
There was a new scene added that year (or last year??). It was Jesus and the Children. The Savior and 10+ children (ranging from 11 down to 5 ish). I first thought how in the world is this scene going to work with this many kids. I was a really nervous and uncomfortable. But once again, I didn't have a clue what the Pageant was really all about. The scene turned out to be one of the most powerful scenes to touch the audience hearts, and contiunes to do so today. A scene that was trully inspired.
There were plenty of "funny" and unique experiences (the Spiritual ones are harder to tell about, so they will follow).
As the practices went on that first year, it came time to go thru the finale with the "CHERRY PICKER". I went back of the stage to take my first ride. I had to climb a ladder about 25ft and then get inside the "bucket" attached to the end of the ladder. Then the lift went up another 50 feet and I was above the palm trees. This was during daylight hours and in street clothes. After getting down, my "flesh" side kicked in; how could I do this in a costume, and at night, and rush off the stage to get there in time, all this hiding my real fear --- "heights". So, I went to Chip, and presented my story. He probably sensed my fears, because he and Robert Larson had done it before with no problems. So he said another way would be figured out. And so, Frank Morgan, who had played the Savior on the cross for years, stood in for me as the Savior appearing at the end of the Pageant. I was a big chicken, but it allowed Frank to have a great experience. A few years later, after the last performance was unusally windy, and Frank was swaying back and forth, the scene was changed to the top of the stage. I don't know if it was a safety move or what. A lift was mounted ontop the stage and that raised the Savior to an "ascending" height (10 15 ft. above the top of the state). I was able to handle that, knowing I was only 15 feet high????????
The ride on the donkey was somewhat uneventful for even a "city slicker" like me. Having never riden a horse or donkey (that's what I said), I managed the first few years without any complications. But one year, our old experienced donkey died. So a new one was enlisted. It didn't like the enlistment. We had problems with each practice. One time I was bucked off, and hit the side 2 x 4 frame and cut my wrist. Not a bad cut, but I still have the scar. The Apostles tried their best to help control "Peanut", and did a pretty good job. One night, we didn't make it on with me riding, and had to go with all of us walking on the stage. Over the years the donkey entrance included walking on the grass with the Savior dismounting and walking up the steps, walking up a ramp in front of the center stage, and walking up the north end rounding the corner and going across the full stage. For years a new animal was needed to be found each year, and thus a fun and exciting experience every year.......
One year, during the Cleansing the Temple scene, I flipped over the bird cages, and caught a nail snag on my right hand. I knew it pieced my skin, but didn't think it was too bad considering all that was going on, crowd yelling and the excitement of the scene. ("Think" being the key word, I found years later if I don't see the injury I am okay). The next scene, as I am appearing/calling the Apostles. I am facing the audience, and they are facing me (backs to audience). And they are staring at my hand, and saying "you are bleeding". Wrong word to say to me. Somehow I made it thru the scene and got backstage. The paramedics had been called, and were waiting for me. The cut was not that bad. It was bleeding, but didn't require stitches; a bandaid did the job, and I was able to continue. But, I still have the scar for the "life threatening injury".
For years we didn't have any real technical difficulties (at least from our perspective). We always worked around any little things that happened. One year, as Judas was approaching the Savior for the kiss and betrayal.......the sound track tape broke. What seemed like "forever", was only 10 or so seconds, before the backup tape was clicked on. We all froze for those "few" seconds, and when the tape started the dialogue again we contiuned our actions. Afterwards, we talked about how we "together" without spoken word had made a "right choice" by not continuing our actions. That by just freezing, when the tape started we were in sync. One of many times the Lord's hand was involved in the Pageant.

For the past 2 years and in 1989, as I exited the stage at the end of the "Old Jerusalem" scene and went into the "Last Supper" scene, a "stage crew member" grabbed my arm and ushered me to my position. It was pitch black, and the bright stage lights made it impossible to focus quick enough to be in position as the scene began. And so for those years, I never knew who that person was. So in 1989 as I found myself in a single setting, I was introduced to Mignon Hallows (that "stage person" also in a single setting). We were hooked up by the "Apostles". We went out on a date right after the Pageant ended, and 4 weeks later we were married. Nineteen years ago. I am so thankful for that introduction and the events that led to our meeting. I love that "stage person".

From the first rehearsal to the last performance, I was totally out of my comfort zone. The support of the cast members, the directors, my friends and those I worked with in Church callings, and especially my Family was the help I needed to give me a an idea of how I should portray the Savior. We, no, I, cannot comprehend what the Savior went through while He was on this earth. What pain He suffered at the hands of those who could not understand what they were doing. Gethsamane, betrayal by Judas, scourging by the Roman soldiers, and the Crucifixion could not even begun to be felt by a mortal being. And yet the joy of the Resurrection felt by those who witnessed it was somehow a "real" physical experience that we all felt. As I reflect back, how could one ask for a greater earthly learning experience, for 4 plus weeks, for 10 years to "walk and talk" with the Savior, to get a small glimpse of what it will be like someday.......I only wish I could be more like Him. I do know, if we try our very best, He will make up the shortage that we cannot fulfill. And someday, we can be like Him and will be with Him. This I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Home again, home again, jiggidy jig!

2008-02-19T08:56:00.000-08:00

We're home kiddies! And we can't wait to get our hands on Sam and Ruth's new baby girl...Anna Kay, you better brace yourself! We can't believe you came to earth the minute we left town! Game On, Baby Girl!!

One of My Favorites

2008-02-09T11:53:00.000-08:00

click here

MY CHURCH CALLINGS

2008-02-08T20:51:00.000-08:00

"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that our power to do is increased", President Heber J. Grant quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson.
I joined the Church June 29, 1968 (19 years old). I was given the Aaronic Priesthood and ordained to the office of a Priest. My first calling was that of Deacon's Quorum assistant advisor (18th Ward). After Linda and I were married, we moved to Scottsdale 3rd Ward, where I was called as an Assistant Scout Leader. I would do my first hike in the Superstitions, and we didn't get lost. I home taught the Hurler's, which I would see later on in Gilbert. Six months later we moved backed to 18th ward. Bob Kerr was called to be Elder's Quorum President, and I was called as the Secretary. Later, I became one of the counselors.
We moved to Mesa in June 1972. I was called as a Stake Missionary. That was pretty scary, since I didn't have a clue about teaching people or explaining things. But I had some great instructors and some great companions, and with the Lord's help was of some benefit to helping others. I remember learning the missionary discussions at the Cardon Oil offices (on Broadway just east of the citrus packing shed, it's now a used car lot). Craig Cardon was also a stake missionary, only he was experienced, having served a full time mission (check out his article in this month's Ensign). He was a great missionary, with a great gift for teaching. Another great companion was Bill Richardson. We got along together well, he was a sports guy. He worked at Motorola at 52nd St. and Mcdowell, he was an design engineer, which meant he built/designed circuit boards for ????. We taught a young couple (thru referral), that lived in the Phoenix 18th Ward, they joined the Church. It was a great experience to go back to my old ward, and help this couple go through the same conversion process that I went through with the great people in 18th Ward.
When Alma 3rd Ward split, and we became Alma 5th, I was called as one of the Seven Presidents of Seventy for the Stake. I was now in charge of Missionary work for the ward. WOW. I somehow muddled my way through the next couple of years.
I had an "missed" experience that taught me a valuble lesson. Vern Fuller, a good friend and fellow softball junkie, called me one day and asked if I wanted to help out with he and his father-in-law, Len Bedford (an FBI agent), and others, to help with security when President Kimball arrived to dedicate the Mesa West Stake Center. Being the shy, a fairly new convert, and just plain chicken, I said no thanks. Oh brother, what a goof I was. I had no clue what it meant to be with a Prophet. And so, I missed an opportunity of a life time. I have sinced tried to always accept callings, service opportunities, and try to exist outside of my little comfort zone. I do remember sitting on the back row, far east side when President Kimball walked in for the dedication. He walked right in front of us, it was pretty special.
We moved to Alma 1st Ward in December 1977. I was released as one of the Presidents, but I was still a Stake Missionary. One thing I remember as a SM, we used to have 5AM Sunday Meetings in Chandler. They were like devotionals to help motivate us. Our stake, Mesa West, took in Casa Grande, Chandler north to Mesa, west of Country Club, South of Main St. We used to leave at 4:30AM to make that 1 hour meeting. Brent Hatch was called as Bishop in Alma 1st, and he called me as his Executive Secretary. Now, I had to call people to set appts for the Bishop, be with him at the Church when he did interviews, and all kinds of other "scary" new and frightening things. Dan Willoughby was in our ward, he later killed his wife down in Rocky Point, and David Thomas was in the ward, he was the "baseball boy" in My Turn on Earth. Steve and Elena Macfarland moved into the ward. He was from Utah, and was good friends with Clint Anderson. I hired Steve to work at Kerr's, and he hooked us up with Clint, who was selling an adjustable backboard. Also in Alma 1st as young marrieds were Lydia and Ron Michaels, they moved before we moved into the ward, but I remember making a visit to them with another SM. Bishop Hatch did a shake up of his counselors, and I was called as a counselor along with Steve Harms. Six months later, Bishop Hatch was released, and Steve Harms was called as Bishop and I was called as his counselor. I remember one of my first responsiblities in the Bishopric was Tithing Settlement. Back then, the counselors met with the members and asked them to donate to the building fund and the ward budget. That was a learning experience. Another experience was sitting in on Church disciplinary courts. That was a very difficult experience knowing you had something to do with that person's future and their Church membership.
Sometime around 84/85, our stake was divided. Ezra Taft Benson, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve presided. We sat on the front row, and that was another great experience. The stake was divided, the Chandler-Alma Stake was created from the Mesa West Stake. We were in the new stake, and then another suprise.....our few streets just west of Kleinman Park were realigned and put into Alma 4th Ward, and some of Alma 4th was put into Alma 1st. That was a real shocker, as now we were in a whole new ward!!!!! And what was more shocking, I was released from the Bishopric, YAHOO!!!!, but then called into the Alma 4th Bishopric......(Rey Kartchner was Bishop).
It was difficult, being in a new ward, not knowing many people, but being in a leadership position. Some names that I would know better later in life were, Vella Rose Smith, Stu Buck, Clarence Martin, Theo Heap, Tracey Kay, and Merlin Russell. Another learning experience I had was one Sunday as we met in Bishopric an hour before Church was to begin, Bishop Kartchner asked me if I had the program lined up for Sacrament Meeting. I looked at him with a blank stare. I thought he had called the people based on our discussion last Sunday, and he thought I had called them. He then called 3 young adults (7:30am with Church at 8am), and they all said yes.....and I was saved. I had a lot to learn about fulfilling my calling and being dilligent. Two and half years later, Bishop Kartchner was released, and I was also released. I was called as the Teacher's Quorum Advisor. I also coached the YM basketball and softball teams. A few months later, I got the moving bug, and we moved to Gilbert (Elliot and Las Arboleta, Gilbert 2nd Ward). President Hancock (counselor in Stake Pres.) was our home teacher. He got to know me, and the next thing I know, I am called as the Stake Financial Clerk. I did that for 2 years under President Clare and President Layton.
In August 1988, I found myself in the Neely Ward (after divorce). Bishop Stradling called me in and issued a call to me to be Sunday School President. I was somewhat hesitant, I didn't feel good about it. Not sure if it was fear, insecurity, or what; I said no to the calling. The first time in my life that I had rejected a calling. A little while later, he called me to teach the 14 year old Sunday School class. I was later called to be Stake Single Adult Male Rep. In May 1989, Mignon and I were married. We moved to Elliot Ward that fall. We were called to teach in the Primary, the Nursery. That was one of the best callings ever. We loved the little munchkins. One of those munchkins was Kimberly Knight who just married Tom Merrill (Mignon's cousin Kathy's son). After 2 years of fishies and watching our classes grow up, we were released. I was then called to Teacher's Quorum Advisor, along with Roy Daniel. We were a great team, and got along well. We had a great quorum. Then the ward and stake were realigned. We ended up in the new Elliot Ward, with a new bishop and a lot of new faces. With that, I was released as Teacher's Quorum Advisor, and called to teach the 16 year old Sunday School class.
Shortly thereafter we moved to Mesa 16th ward (June 1994). I was called to teach in Primary, the 11 year old boys. Another great calling, not because of me, because I had a great bunch of boys-- Kevin Cluff, Mike West, Isaac Ortega, Brent Lewis, Graham McIntire and Tyler Harding. Two years later, I get released, and I am called to be Teacher's Quorum Advisor. I only had that calling for a month or so, as we were realigned. We became Riverview Ward in the newly formed Mesa Maricopa Stake. I was called to be, you are right........Teacher's Quorum Advisor. Kyle Thornton was also called. We worked well together. Five years later, Bishop Dale was released, and Bishop Bodrero was called, and he called Steve Neil as a counselor (was YM Pres.), and I am called as YM Pres/Priest Quorum Advisor. Happenings included Wednesday nite activities, scouting, Sunday lessons, blessing the Sacrament, taking the Sacrament to the shut-ins, service projects, firesides, Stake Youth Conference, Snow fights with snow from the Ice Rink, caroling, softball and basketball, and the "River Trip". As Teacher's Advisor, I helped with driving, but avoided going down the river. As Priest Quorum, I helped with driving, and planned the trip with site reservations, who would drive, and arrange for adults to go with the boys. Finally, in March 2004, I go down the river. The good news was that Steve Merrill, Sr. and Steve Merrill, Jr. were taking a the food and equipment and meeting us at the 2 overnite stops, and cooking dinner. We started out at Blythe dropoff, Monday mid-day. It was sort of windy, and we got a rain shower just before we reached the first stop. I was with Jonathan Cozad, he and I were both new at this. We missed the place to get out, with the rain and wind, got separated from the others. We had to paddle back, but finally made it. The night camp was long and miserable, but it went okay, except for the bonfire that Tommy, David James, and Nathan O'Camb started with tumbleweeds that almost started a wildfire. The next day, the wind was blowing worse than the day before. So being the wise scout leaders that we were, we opted to head for home and cut the trip short by a day. Probably wimped out, but I was glad.
Then in September 2004, we were realigned, with one ward in the Stake being dissolved, and added to our ward. With that change, Bishop Bodrero decided to change counselors. Lew Smith and Mike Smith were called as counselors. Yes, that was me. So, I am in the Bishopric again. It was good, just lots of stress. Having to conduct Sacrament and Priesthood Meetings, get peopel to speak, issue callings, and speak was difficult.
I "must" confess, in the almost 40 years in the Church, I have never voluntarily bore my testimony. I have done so while conducting, teaching lessons, speaking, and even was called out of the audience 2 times, but never got up on my own. I can't say I am proud of that........but that won't make me get up the next Testimony meeting.
I also firmly believe that every member needs to be in a Bishopric/Branch Presidency, a RS Presidency or Primary Presidency to know what it is like to have to ask people to do "things". I know it changed my attitude on helping out and being more willing to offer my services having bee there.
NEPHI 3:7 helped me accomplish my stewardship.
We moved to Maricopa in November 2005, I was released from the Bishopric. In Maricopa, we were in wards with 1000 members. In September 2005, the wards were split and realigned. I was called as 1st Assistant in the High Priest group, Maricopa 4th Ward.

My Softball "Career"

2008-02-07T20:04:00.000-08:00

To play professional baseball was my childhood dream. I played baseball constantly. I played LL Baseball, school "softball", PE "softball", summer whiffleball, and I spent hours throwing a tennis ball against our brick fence and creating plays with the rebound to throw out the runner. When I wasn't playing outside, I played inside with an magnet/electric baseball game. I played that game for hours, I kept a scorebook and stats of all the games played. And when I wasn't playing outside or inside, I was watching the games on TV (of course this was during baseball season only). I was a baseball "fanatic".
When my baseball dreams were crushed with my ASU experience, I got hooked on "softball".
It all started with the 18th Ward team. I played with the 18th Ward starting the summer of 1968. We had a really good team, but we didn't make it out of the valley. With our final defeat, preparations began for the next year. The next year (1969) we were beat by Mesa 22nd Ward, who went on to All Church in Salt Lake City. By now, we had grown much wiser and hungrier to get to SLC. We played 2 nights a week in the fall, 2 nights a week in the winter, and 4 nights a week in the summer (city league and church league). We recruited some non-members to move into the ward to beef up our team.
Larry Nelson (who worked for APS, and was in a fairly high position), built a softball field for the stake, just about single handedly. He got all the materials (fencing, light poles, equipment to grade the field, sprinklers, etc. donated. He tore down the old backstop, graded the field, had the lights and backstop erected. It was beautiful. Our pride and joy as we (the Scottsdale Stake hosted the regional tourneys, besides our Stake play and tourney.
That year (1970) we played Mesa 22nd for the chance to go to All Church. It was on a Saturday night, we were ahead going into the last inning, and we got dusted and rained out. So we had to suffer through Sunday and Monday awaiting the outcome. We had to finish on a Monday night, and we ended up winning. So on to SLC. We caravaned up, stayed in motels, toured Temple Square (my first time), and had a great time. We played our first game against a team from Marietta, GA. They were all huge, but they were really exhausted from the 20 some odd hour drive to make it to SLC. We beat them 3-2. They went on after that and killed everyone and won the tourney.
Our work was cut out for us. We played in leagues again in the fall, the winter, the spring, and summer (church and city). We beat Mesa 22nd again to qualify for SLC (1971). In SLC, we got beat by one run to get knocked out of the tourney. I made the last out with tying run at third, and the winning run on first. A big disappointment, it took me months to get over it. (It was just softball !!!!!) Of a more eternal note, Darrell and Wanda had joined the Church, moved into 18th Ward, and Darrell played on the team. They went thru the Salt Lake Temple for their endowments. So we all had a spiritual experience despite from "softball mania".
The next year I moved to Mesa (our first house). We were in Alma 3rd Ward. I didn't get on the Alma 3rd city team (Cardon Oilers) because I was playing with Berge Mazda (Triple A League), but I did play in the Church Tournament with them. We didn't get too far. The next year I played city ball with the Church guys, played on a Kerr sponsored team, and played Church ball. We ended up qualifying to go to Prescott. All Church was disbanded because of the cost and distance teams were traveling to get there and be there for the entire week. We blew everyone out in our round robin, including my old team Phoenix 18th. We then played Mesa 24th Ward in the semi's (Ned Brimley's team -- Crazy Sub Ned). We were down 7 to 4 in the bottom of the 7th. Our first 2 guys made outs. I was up, I got a base hit. Our next guy hit an HR. Next guy doubled, then a single, then a double, and we won the game. We played Phoenix 10th the next night, and won. We were Prescott Champs. We were the talk of Church softball for the next year.
I must say at this point, I did have a money earning job (Kerr's), a church calling as a Stake Missionary, and a family. As I look back, the family probably suffered the most from my obsession with softball.
I played fall/winter ball with a Kerr team, and summer ball with Church team and Cardon sponsored team. And any other teams that needed a player. There were no restrictions back then, but that changed in the next year or so. Our ward had guys trying to move in to be with a "championship" team. We had so many, we had to have tryouts for the A team and B team. It was too crazy. What was worse was I was coaching the team, and having make the decisions on who played and who didn't. This is Church ball, not "professional". We made it to Prescott that summer, and made it thru our round robin. We played Phoenix 33rd in the semi's. We were ahead 12 to 8 going into the bottom of the 7th. They scored 5 runs and beat us. We were devastated. We were so cocky, and got what we deserved.
The next year our ward split and we were never contenders again. I continued to play 4 nights a week on city sponsor teams and church teams. We moved to Alma 1st Ward and softball came to an end (or at least less involved, maybe I was "growing up") as I started throwing newspapers.
I played less and less. In Gilbert, I played with Gilbert 2nd and then with Elliot Ward. In Gilbet we played at Barney Park. Steele and Luke played on one diamond and Jeremy and I on the another. We spent many a night playing softball together as the rest of the family watched from the bleachers. One night as I was playing third base, I tried to impress everyone by chasing a pop fly to the fence next to the dugout. I hit the fence/brick wall, and missed the ball. I went back to my position, and my knee kind of hurt. My sweats were a little damp, like I scraped my knee. But I never checked it out. When I got home an hour or so later, I took off my sweats, and there was dried blood and a gash in my knee. I hadn't fainted back on the field because I never knew I was bleeding. So Mignon made me go to the ER, and I got 5 stitches. I was getting too old.
Moving back to Mesa, my softball career was rejuvinated in Riverview Ward with Bishop Dale. He was older than me and still playing, so why couldn't I??? Age had taken it's toll though. The game really wasn't fun anymore. One night as were playing the 54th ward, I was catching and went up the 3rd base line to catch a throw to the plate and the guy running home (who didn't have a clue what he was doing) hit me head on and knocked me over and over. I was okay, just a little shaken up. But realized that it is "just a game", and I didn't belong out there still trying to prove something. And besides, I could have gotten hurt worse than a fractured finger, two black eyes from ground balls to the face, a full speed collision with our left fielder (that broke his arm), a cut knee with stitches, and a collision with a runner that just about knocked me silly (or maybe it did).

OH, I just remembered the time we were playing legion ball in Mesa at Westwood field one summer (high school). We were all psyched out because we had heard there were pro scouts in the stands to see Jay Ray Roakey (super player from the 67 Westwood team, who bytheway Mignon knew very well). In pregame warmups I take a ground ball to the face, and my eye swells up and I have to sit out the game. So I miss my big chance to be spotted and potentially drafted to the Milwaukee Braves. "Baseball/Softball been bery good to me!!!!! "

My "Worldly" Employments - the end is near

2008-02-06T12:45:00.000-08:00

I am afraid I don't have a long list of jobs like Grandpa (3 pages). In fact two of them total 33 years of my 42 employable years. Here goes...........
My first job was my senior year of high school. I got a job working for Sky Chef. They did the food for airline flights, as well as running restaurants inside airports. I worked at the Snack Bar inside the main terminal at Sky Harbor (now know as Terminal 2). I worked on the weekends, during the days, as I was playing baseball during the week after school. We didn't have a big food selection -- I remember serving -- hot dogs (they were kept on the rolling machine that turned the little puppies round and round, keeping them warm and/or cooking them), tacos (hard shell, I scooped in a spoonful of taco meat, threw on some tomatoes and lettuce, and wall-la), chips in a bag, and I sure there was more, but I don't remember much else, except for the ................... ice cream machine !!!!!!!!!!!!
The only reason, I took the job (not really). I used the make the biggest milk shake at the end of my shift and savor it all the way home. Of course I had to go thru a learning experience to get to that point. My first time, and of course after I was trained, I was left on my own to work the place, I put the milk first in the metal container, then added the ice cream, and tried to stir with the auto mixer.......what a mess !!!!! with customers standing there watching me. I figured it out though, and was soon a pro. Some days, I was needed in the restaurant to buss tables. Simple, right??? I never could quite master putting the tray on one hand over my head, so I use to carry it like a laundry basket in front of me. My boss soon had me back in the Snack Bar. I quit that job as school ended, because Darrell, David, and I planned a "Senior Graduation Trip", and I had worked long enough anyway. I don't remember how much I made, but it had to have been around $1.25 an hour (minimum wage). So 16 hrs a weekend, 2 weekends per pay, netted about $45 after taxes......big money, considering gas was 25 cents a gallon, and hamburgers were 15 cents.......
So as I started college, I was jobless my freshman year. I didn't have a car (parents were back in IN) and I didn't have any "backbone" to go out and get a job close to where we lived. I was pretty much a "leach" off my parents.
After joining the Church, Bob Kerr offered me a job working for him at Kerr Sporting Goods. WOW, you mean I would get paid for telling people about baseball gloves, golf clubs, and footballs. A dream come true. The store was inside the now gone Thomas Mall at 44th St. and Thomas (kitty corner from the B of A that Rennie worked at). The store was around 2000 sq ft, not real huge. I worked the retail floor during the next couple of months. I remember working with Gary Gentry. He had just completed his first year with the New York Mets in their farm system. Wow, a real baseball player. He had played at ASU, and was a rookie with the "Miracle Mets" when they won the series in 1969. Thus, I never saw him again at Kerr's. As school started, I moved to the warehouse in shipping and receiving. The warehouse was our back room of the store, it was about 20 x 20. We were inside the mall, so deliveries had to be wheeled in thru the mall doors, then thru our back door, down a hall, and into the stock room. I would then check in the goods, and either price and put it out front, set it aside to go to Christown (our other store at 19th Ave and Bethany Home), or separate items by the school they were for. We sold directly to schools as well as retail business. So I would put boxes on the dolly, and take them back out the doors to the van for delivery. One day, as I was doing my routine, mundane back and forth loading, I had 4 cases of tennis balls on the dolly. I use to come to the glass doors, push the boxes against the door and push it open (instead of backing out), this day I must have been in la la land, as I pushed the load into the door, and broke the entire glass pane out.......what a goof!!!!
I probably made the "run" to Christown about 200 times a year for the next 3 years. I also delivered to the schools. So I got a chance to see the Valley. Glendale Community College on the far west to Mesa CC on the east. North to Paradise Valley and south to Phoenix Union HS Dist. Christmas was the craziest.
Business was good, so we expanded. We had an empty suite behind us, so it was converted into office space, and we poured a cement 2nd floor. It was a great idea, except upstairs you couldn't stand completely up strait, so it was a back breaking effort to take boxes upstairs. I had graduated from ASU (BS in Business Administration). With that I moved into the office. I helped with purchasing and did inside sales. Inside sales included Pop Warner teams, Little League team, Legion teams, softball teams, and anyone else that wanted sports equipment or uniforms. It was pretty interesting, except to have to sit there and listen to the "softball fanatics" tell about how good their teams were, when some of them didn't have a clue what they were talking about.
One sad memory I have is about Alberta McAlister who was our receptionist/bookkeeper. She was the mom of Larry McAlister, a kid I went to HS with. It seems like she was there a couple of years. One day, she went to the restroom and was gone a long time. When someone checked on her, she was on the floor. She had a stroke and died in the restroom. I don't remember who found her, but I do remember the paramedics showing up and taking her away (which brought back memories of when my dad died).
Business continued to do well. We moved up the mall to the old S&H Green Stamp store (anyone younger than Mignon and me won't have a clue). It was a huge store, maybe ten times bigger than what we were in. We had a huge stockroom, a working area for receiving, and offices for 2 people in reception, me, Tim Myers, Bob K., three outside sales, and a "showroom". The store was a amazing compared to what we had, Bob and Mary Ellen (Bodine) designed the layout, shoe dept, golf dept, hunting & fishing, and more......times were good.
One of my favorite deliveries (NOT) was from Bell Foundry -- weights. Back in the old location, we use to wheel those suckers in the doors, down the hall, and into the store.....it took forever. Now the flatbed truck would pull up to the back of our store, we would open the our double doors to the warehouse and wheel everything in. Only now, we doubled and tripled the orders to include like 48 sets of 110 lbs with the barbells, 48 pair of 25# plates, 48 pair of 50# plates, and dumbells. It was definitely a work out. It was always a "treat" to get in shipments of softball uniforms. To see the new look, colors, and styles. The same with new shoes and new equipment. I remember when aluminum softball bats came out. The first ones had a wood knob in the handle, and they weighed a "ton". As time went on they were more contoured and shaped, and made of composite material and better balanced. Then came the aluminum baseball bat. It weighed "2 tons", to withstand the speed of a baseball pitched at it. Soon they were composite made, but I remember taking back many a bat from ASU that was cracked or broken (Rawlings/Adirondak). Converse was our big shoe line when I first started. Then the whole athletic shoe industry evolved. Adidas came on the market, then Nike, Blue Ribbon Sports, New Balance, and others. Hyde/Spotbilt was no longer "the" football/baseball name--Adidas and Nike had taken over that market. The same with basketball, Nike and Adidas were the shoes to have, but Converse hung in there. While canvas was the shoe in the 60's, leather was now the best. Speaking of leather, my best glove was a Nokona kangaroo glove. It was soft, pliable, and pretty durable (I think I still have it). I am guessing it was around $50 (a pretty penny back then). Oh how times have changed. In the 70's there was no big sporting goods stores, no Sports Authority, Big Five, not even big box stores like Wal Mart, etc. All the "strickly" sporting goods stores were privately owned. The Sears and Pennys type stores didn't carry much of a selection. But that all changed as well.
Nike, in their effort to promote their shoe line, talked us into buying season tickets to the Suns. We had somewhere around 20 tickets in the nose bleed section and 4 on the 2nd row at the corner of the visiting team bench. We would give the nose bleeders to schools for promo. And the good seats were used by the employees. It was a whole new game down on the floor, seeing and "smelling" the action. The price tag was pretty huge, I don't remember how much, but costly.
One day, 3 guys came through the door from the store, carrying sawed off shotguns and hand guns, dressed grubby and long hair and beards. A robbery???? No, they were police task force working a drug bust. It was supposed to go down outside our back door. As they looked out our big glass window they determined they needed to get closer to the car in the parking lot. So we loaded them into our box delivery van and drove it out in the lot next to the car that was identified. I am not sure who drove, but it wasn't me. After waiting and watching for I don't know how long, nothing went down. A bust gone bad, but pretty exciting for a while.
11:40 I better hit the sack -- to be continued....
Tues, 2/5/08, 9:47pm ---
Linda and I had moved to Mesa in June 1972 (Michael was 2, Jeremy 1 month). We were north of Southern and West of Dobson, 4 bed, 2 ba, 1400 sq ft for $24,000. Mesa was booming. Everything to the south was being developed fast. I am not sure how much pull I had, but it was decided to open a store in Mesa. Fiesta Mall wasn't even a thought at the time we wanted to open, so we chose the NW corner of Southern and Dobson, in the Bayless shopping center. The store was 1600 sq ft. We went in and did all the wall fixtures and displays ourselves. We figured we were pros after seeing what was done at the TM store. Business was real slow at first. We hired a wrestling coach from Fremont Jr High to run the store, Steve Hirko. He was great at getting out to the schools and promoting, as well as Little Leagues and softball teams. Oh yes, softball. Mesa was growing fast, and so was their softball program. The Parks and Rec Dept soon had a Triple A League that was one of the best in the valley. The league played at Ellworth Park. Which was a decent park back then. But lots of teams developed in Mesa, busniess sponsored and church teams, men and young men. Thus our uniform business thrived. Out Kerr team was one of the best in the state. They traveled to other states to play in all the major tourneys. They went to Chicago or St. Louis to play big ball (16") and did well. They had several good players, and a guy named Al Schmeltz that had pitched for the Mets. Another was Elby Bushong, a Phoenix Fireman. He was about 6' 4" and weighed 220 lbs., built well, and in great shape. He became well known through out the West. Every guy on the team was big, except the shortstop and the center fielder. They could score 20 to 30 runs or more with just a few swings of the bat. That team gave us a great return on our investment. They always had the best uniforms and equipment, but the advertising was worth it.
I was back to being a "delivery boy". Each night I would take the van home, and drop off merchandise to the store, and pick up whatever they had to go back to the TM or CT (Christown) stores. Bob took good care of me, I will always be greatful for he and Mary Ellen. As I moved to Mesa, he fronted us money to put down on the house, and they gave me a vehicle to drive back and forth with, it was his Mom's Chevy Impala that was being retired (she had bought a newer car). An older car, but it ran. Later, when the Mesa store opened, I drove the Kerr van back and forth.
I failed to mention that Bob's dad, Dick Kerr, started the business at a small location on 16th St., just north of Thomas Rd. Then Christown was opened, and then Thomas Mall. The 16th St store was closed in the mid 60's. Mr. Kerr passed away in 69 or 70. He had health problems. So Bob took over the business (He would have been 30 or 31).
As I mentioned earlier, there wasn't a "plethera" of sporting goods stores. Marston's (central Phoenix), Pinney-Robinson (Thomas and Central), Morris Sporting Goods (Scottsdale), and nothing in Mesa. Until the population boom hit, and they it was like everyone wanted to be in the sporting goods business.
Everyone year, we would go the NSGA show. The National Sporting Goods Association show, held at the Anaheim Convention Center in October. The really big show was held at McCormick Place in Chicago in February, but it was too cold and too far for us. It never got old making the trip to Cal, and neither did Disneyland. So each year I "dragged" the family to Dland (a whole nother story). The show was a treat. Seeing the new stuff, shoes, bats, uniforms, etc. Meet the big shots from the factory, and even get to shake hands with the Pros, ie Steve Garvey. One year the show was here in Phoenix at the Civic Plaza. There wasn't enough room in the Plaza floor, so they put booths in the parking garage. It was never held here again. I did the show for 10 or so years.
With our Suns tickets and our business success, we were able to do more "promos". I got to meet Paul Westphal, Alvin Adams, and Walter Davis as they signed autographs. Pretty neat for a kid and even an adult.
As we continued doing well. A fourth store was opened at the new Paradise Valley Mall. This was late 1979 or early 1980. Bob committed to a lease, then had a little trouble getting a loan to build. We took out an SBA loan, and the store was built (Prime Interest rates were around 14 or 16%). The layout and decor was a masterpiece. Business was slow. The area had not boomed as fast as expected. The economy had slowed big time. The store was a big drain on our cash flow, and the slowing economy didn't make things any better. Things weren't going well and we were not doing well. We got behind on rent at PV, and eventually had to close the store. We were able to get everything out, without the landlord locking us out. But not so at CT. We moved out of CT on New Year's Eve without the mangement know it. We were able to get all the merchandise out, but left the fixtures. Not an honest thing to do, but necessary to survive. When the lease ran out at Mesa, we closed it as well. Actually, Fiesta Mall opened in 78 or 79, and they had a sporting goods store go in (can't remember who). Soon, all that was left was Thomas Mall store. The only reason they didn't kick us out, was that they couldn't lease the space because of the economy situation, so they allowed us to stay with partial rent payments. We had let most everyone go. I soon was worried about my future. I had made friends with Richard Gooch thru Church softball. He had played on Tempe 3rd ward team, that we had beat (Alma 3rd) to go to Prescott (another story). He was the district manager for Wang Laboratories, a computer/software company. When he heard about our/my dilema, he offered me a job. I found out later, that he really didn't have a spot open, but when Richard wanted something, he got it. I took the job. I hated to leave Bob, I always felt I should "go down with the ship" as I owed him big time. But, I did have a family to care for, so I moved on.....(1982???). Bob gave me the Kerr van as a parting gift. Which saved me with a 2nd vehicle.
Bob kept the doors opened for a little while, and then had to file bankruptcy. He then went into real estate, and other jobs. I didn't see or talk with him for years. One Saturday (early 90's), Mignon and I were at Rosa's, and there he was, with Mary Ellen. They had moved to Mesa. A few months later I went to their house, and we had a great visit, discussing old times.......
After 14 years with one employer it was difficult starting another job. I was now 34, and 14 years in a "small family owned business" was not great credentials for a large structured company. Wang had 33,000 employees in it's prime. It was headquartered in Boston, MA. Our district office in Phoenix took in LV, SLC, and Tucson. My job was order processing. We received the orders from the offices, made sure the numbers were right, that the configurations were right, and verified all the info. Then submitted the orders to Home Office (Boston). It was always down to the end of the month. The salesmen and District Managers had to make "booking numbers" to keep their jobs. So Richard would sometimes have Vance and/or me fly the orders back to Boston. Orders could be anywhere from 300K to 1 million dollars) Later, I would become a "revenue specialist", which required me to make sure orders were shipped out of the factory to make "Revenue numbers" for the sales guys and Richard as District Mgr. With that Richard would send me back to Boston to meet the people at the factory that could help us accomplish our numbers. Aren't we all working for the same company and the same goals?? It was pretty cut throat. Anyway, I got to see Boston, and Chelmsford, and Lowell. I remember being there once in early November. There was no snow on the ground, but it was the worst freezing cold I can ever remember being in. We toured the harbor, saw the old Church (Paul Revere's midnight ride, ask me about the poem), and the historic cemetary. Later when we went back for Jackson's mission tour, I revisited some of those same spots. We had District Meetings periodically. One I remember was at Heber City, UT. We had a few hours of meetings, but spent the majority of the time having fun. Going down the "ski trough ride in a cart", riding 3 wheelers in the pines, playing softball, and eating (this was summer time).
Our District Controller, had a run in with upper management, it seemed he didn't have enough schooling, and was one of Gooch's "puppets", so he quit or was forced out. Gooch lobbied for me to get the position, but the LA boys wouldn't have it. In the mean time, Richard delayed the fulfilling of the position. So, I temporarily filled the slot as District Controller. I now had to perform more duties, more communication with LA and Home Office. I also had to attend Monthly reporting meetings with Richard. Each month we had to report on the previous months business numbers. There was always big pressure on the sales force to make their numbers, bookings (orders entered), revenue (order shipped), and expenses (under budget). We every smoke and mirror, dog and pony show to dazzle the upper management. The problem was, they didn't buy into it, even though Richard thought we had been successful at snowing them. Richard was a great PR guy, and a great motivator. He adopted the Boy Scout eagle as "his own" reward trophy, and he gave them out constantly, sometimes for no reason. He did influence me to the "art" of taping great moments for use in motivating my Teachers and Priests in later years. We went to LA, San Francisco, Denver, Boston, and Dallas. Richard always made sure we saw the sites and ate good food. I had my first real lobster in Boston, not just a little tail, but the entire lobster was on a plate. We went down the famous winding curvey street in San Fran, and road the same street in Dallas where JFK was shot. Gooch should have been a travel agent. Eventually, a controller was put in place by upper management. And the controllers were now under the Area office, thus no longer influenced by their District Manager.
Wang was created by Dr. Ann Wang, a very intelligent man, who worked for IBM. He left IBM, got a patent on his word processing system, and started his own company. Wang was doing well for a few years, but they wouldn't allow their equipment to be compatible with IBM. Then they tried to fight IBM with a big advertising program. And they went down fast. That and with Dr. Wang getting older, and having a son that did not have the same desire or expertise to run the business caused the company to go downhill. In our Western Area offices were being consolidated and people were being laid off. We had the choice to relocate to Denver, or look for another job.
I might mention at this point, when I left Kerr's I took a pay cut. Richard tried to get me extra hours and overtime, but I was still under what I was used to. Our stake had been divided and ward realigned, so we were now in Alma 4th ward. Clarence Martin and I became friends. He "introduced" me to the world of adult paper carrier. I started throwing a route while I worked at Wang. I would do the route at 1am to 4 or 5am, sleep for an hour or so, and be to work by 8am (another story).
Back to Wang, so after about 3 years at Wang, the branch closed. I received a severance package, so I had a little to get by on.....as I began a quest for a new job. Vance Blair and I went to sign up for unemployment, but I didn't qualify, as I had other income as a "paperboy". Vance and I tried delivering phone books for "Dex" or whatever they were called. What an experience that was. We were in South Phoenix (scary) and Scottsdale, made very little money, so that didn't last too long.
I sent my resume out wherever I could. I remember answering an add for a assistant controller. I got a call one day from Robert Lechner, the guy that was hired as the controller for Wang (he and I became somewhat friends, as I had to fill him in on everything that was going on when he first came on board at Wang). So he had left Wang with the shakeup and had gotten a job at Eyeco (a retail eyeglass business) and was looking for an assistant controller. I went to the interview and was hired. I can't remember exactly now, but I wasn't out of work for more that a week or so, before this job. I went to the interview and was hired. One small challenge--the year before the whole Wang thing came to an end, I got this big idea to buy a new house and moved my family to Gilbert (Arboleta south of Elliot) and Eyeco was at 32nd St. and Shea in Phoenix. Ouch!!! Well, I had a job, so I gave it the old "college try". I took Lindsay north to Mckellips, then to Mcdowell, then to Pima (the 101 wasn't built yet), then north to Shea, then west to 32nd St. Oh, I was still throwing papers, now in Gilbert. I started at oneish, and ended at 4 or 5, slept an hour, and tried to make it to work by 8.....I don't know how I did it.
I worked at Eyeco for almost 3 years, 1985 to 1988 roughly. Eyeco was taken over by Lincoln Savings (who was the lender for Eyeco, so when they defaulted on their loans, LS took over the operation). Lincoln Savings was owned by American Continental Corp. or Charles Keating (look him up on wikipedia). I never met him. I was now back into the retail business, where I had some experience. Eyeco owned 5 stores in the valley, and 2 in LV. I travelled to all the stores for inventory, audits of their sales records, and equipment verification. The two LV mall stores were at Meadows and Fashion Show. The valley stores were Christown, Westridge (83rd and Thomas), Glendale Mall (59th and Glendale ??), Paradise Valley, and Tri-City. For lunch almost everyday, I would drive to the Dairy Queen on Sweetwater and 7th St (???) get a chocolate milk shake, got to an LDS Church parking lot, sleep for 30 minutes, and then back to work.
One day as I got to Pima road, it was blocked off. Only the east side was blocked off, the west side was open. It seems the Salt River Tribe owned the east side and the City of Scottsdale owne the west, and there was a dispute over their agreement. So for the next few weeks, I used Hayden north. As I became comfortable at Eyeco, things were happening. American Continental didn't want to continue running and eyeglass operation, so it was announced that Eyeco was being sold to Eyemaster. So if we wished to remain with Eyeco we would have to move to Texas, or look for another job. Texas wasn't an option, so I would be back on the job hunt.
Don (Organ) had been saying for years that Bio Huma Netics could sure use me. But they were having financial difficulties and the time was never right. When he found out I was going to be out of a job, he said I should come out to BHN and talk with Darwin Bentz. I did just that and began working at BHN in August of 1988. Who would have known that I would still be there 19 1/2 years later.
My first day at BHN was my last day with Linda. Out divorce would be finalized in November.
I started a t BHN in the same office that I am now in. Only I had a table for a desk, and Laurie Fackler worked in the same room. It took me awhile to get use to the operation. Darwin and Laurie Brewster did the invoicing, and Laurie F. processed payables. Del Stout wrote checks, as well as Darwin. It was kind of dis-jointed. The winter months were slow for business. So as spring started that next year things picked up. The management/owners had a growth agenda. And in the next months we opened offices in almost every major agriculture city in the West. Safford, Yuma, Blythe, El Centro, Indio, Tulare, Modesto, Pasco, Nampa, Rexburg, Idaho Falls, and Enterprise. I am sure I've left some out, but that is close for now. We set up blending plants in about 6 of the offices. That required tanks, mixing tanks, and all sorts of equipment. Our employees grew to around 110, 55 pickup trucks, and equipment galore. In the spring, I was still involved in Easter Pageant. One of the "prop people" who had lead me thru the curtain after the "Oh Jerusalem" scene because of the lighting change was Mignon Hallows. The 12 Apostles hooked us up, we dated a couple of weeks, and was married on May 5, 1989. As business grew, our accounting department needed to grow. I hired Mignon, Kenny Martin, Carrie Martin (Kenny's sister). The next thing I know we bought the building to the south of us, 203 S. Roosevelt. The owners moved into remodeled offices over there and the accounting dept. moved as well. Eventually, we added Clarence Martin, Darrell Fackler, Shawn Owens, and Lois Waters (friend of Mignon's). During the summer, Jeremy, Steele, Luke, and Melanie worked in various departments. Bruce Bach did purchasing and Bryan Foose tracked equipment. Others who came and went were Kathy Petersen, Bret Petersen, Pam Shorey, Lorna Farnsworth, Brandi ??, Jenny ??, Tamara Broadbent, and others.....such as Ray Russell, Andy Arnold, and Carl Forsberg. Diane Heath was working at 201 S. when I first started as an admin person for Don. 89 and 90 were hectic years, we hit 20 million in sales. I couldn't keep up with the growth, it was too fast and furious. The managers in the field were unskilled at running offices. We had also started at packing plant in Pasco, Wa. as well as a marketing group in Visalia to broker produce. We had a warehouse at 1 and 3 N. Roosevelt, as well as a lab. The lab had a chemist (Roy), an assistant chemist (PJ), and 2 helpers, Wendy and my son, Michael. Dave Stout was the formula guru, and quality control guy. We hired Bruce Munns (he was married to Mignon's sister Sherrie) to setup, build and maintain the mixing plants. We bought an airplane, acquired a leasing company, and did "circles" with John Dexter. We grew too big, too fast and it all came crashing down in 91-92. The next thing we were forced into bankruptcy. The trucks, equipment, and airplane were reposessed. The unsecured creditors were represented by some sleazball attorneys - Dillingham and Cross. They were after blood, or at least money for the creditors. The problem was, the attorneys got 1/2 million, and the creditors got no money, just stock. It was unbelievable. A trustee was appointed by the Bankruptcy Court. His name was Paul Snyder. He essentially oversaw the daily operations and expenditures. He ousted the original 5 owners. Lyndon Smith, Jordan's son, who was brought back on into marketing.......took over as President, Mike Boyd and I became VP's fill out the officer list.
I will write more later............

My Joining the Church

2008-02-03T18:41:00.000-08:00

I grew up in Shelbyville, IN. I attended St. Joseph's School (Catholic) 1st thru 4th grade. My parents moved to Santa Ana, CA and I went to St. Anne's the last half of 4th grade. We then moved to Phoenix, AZ, CA wasn't that successful for my folks, and they had some friends in Phoenix that lured them over. St. Theresa's Grade School was at capacity, so I had to go to "public" school for the first time. I attended Tavan (45th St. and Osborn) in 5th thru 8th grade. I then went on to Arcadia HS. My dad never went to church, but he drove mom and I (mom didn't drive). When I was old enough to drive, I drove mom and I each Sunday at 5:30am (or 6:30??). We got out 45 minutes later, and we were done with "church" for the week. While I was in 8th grade, we bought a home at 3610 N. 44th Pl right next to an LDS church (you've all taken the "guided tour"). For the next 5 years we tried to figure out what was going on??? There were HS kids there at 7AM in the mornings, younger kids there in the afternoons at 4PM, HS kids there again in the evenings, sometimes people there on Friday and Saturday evenings, and then lots of people there on Sunday. Then some Sundays, no one showed up?? What the heck!!! (as Rennie would say) I had friends who were members, but not close friends. In 8th grade Darrell Truitt and I became best friends. I spent more time at his house than mine. As we started HS there was a group of us guys and girls that "hung out". We went to football games, Legend City, and school dances. One of the girls was Linda Carroll. We were "paired up" and kind of went together. The "relationship" was short lived, as I "opted" out, I was kind of chicken, and not a "rico suave". Darrell broke up with his girl (Ann Rost??), and then started hanging out with Wanda Rippstein (they were in band together). Darrell and I spent many a night at Wanda's (she had a pool table) and at her girlfriends house (Debbie Grubbs). At Debbie's we played "hearts" for many nights. I am talking 3 to 6 nights a week. The only nights we were not together was when we had homework/test or the nights that the girls parents said we needed to stay away. I wasn't too fond of Debbie, but I hung out because I had no better option. Now, Darrell and I are into our Sophmore year, and Wanda and Debbie are Juniors. We hung out alot!!! The girls got the idea of going to Junior/Senior Prom. I was roped in. But I never committed, and then backed out at the "last" minute (chicken me). I was banned from the Grubb's house, as I think a dress was already in progress. Somehow, Darrell and Wanda "broke up", I think her parents told them they had to. So Darrell and I had time on our hands. We started hanging out with Rob Millsap (four years younger than us), Darrell's neighbor across the street, because when were done playing whiffle ball in the 110 degree heat, he had a swimming pool. Rob was a good ballplayer, he use to pitch an hour everyday with his Dad in the off season. His dad didn't like him playing whiffle ball with us, thought it would ruin his arm, but somehow Rob still played. Darrell's sister, Susan was friends with Rob's sister Ann, and with Debbie Grubb's sister Sandra. All were the same age, just graduating from 8th grade, soon to be frosh. Darrell and I, not wanting to go out of the neighborhood, gained crushes on Ann (Darrell) and Sandra (me). That lasted June and July. And by the way, I was no longer banned at the Grubb's home, but not on good terms with Debbie. The "romance" with the frosh girls was soon to be over. Their parents weren't too keen on boys turning 16 "dating" their daughters (none of us were Church members). Darrell and Wanda got back together one month before school. While I spent months sulking over the loss of my first real girlfriend, at least in my mind, I played the field. I took Darrell's sister to Homecoming, her friend Susan Weber to Christmas formal, and then Sandra to Jr/Sr Prom. All this time trying to get back "together" with Sandra. So while all this HS "romance" is going on, I am in American History sitting next to Linda Carroll. She has had her share of romance troubles too and so we start writing notes back and forth with our troubles. This went on most of the year. Finally, I figured out that Sandra and I didn't have a "chance". So as the summer almost came to a close, I asked Linda to "go steady" (giving her my class ring). So my exposure to the Church began. We would debate religion periodically, and I found out how much I didn't know. Sometimes we argued, so we tried not to discuss religion at all. We went together our senior year, and into my freshman year at ASU. My folks had moved back to IN, so I was on my own at ASU, living with Darrell, and Dave Wood in the Happy Homer Apts. I didn't have a car, or a job. So I was a leach on my parents, and always at the mercy of others for rides. I stopped going to church, after going for years. I spent many weekends at Darrell's house, so he could see Wanda, and then I could see Linda. Linda's mom (Joyce) was to marry Don Organ sometime in January. As Christmas came that year, I was not going back to IN (no money), so I stayed at Darrell's (his parents really liked me or they were just kind). Linda invited me to go to Church with her and the family. THE REST IS HISTORY......
It was Sacrament Meeting Christmas Program. It was at the building at Mesa Dr. and University (Don's ward) and Mignon's old ward, but she had now gone to BYU. I don't remember much, except I had a really good feeling (The Spirit starting to work???). If her and I were to ever hope to get married, it would require me to become a member. So I contiuned to attend church. We went to Phoenix 18th ward, where she still lived. And the same building that was next to my home. I began playing basketball with the senior team. I wasn't that great at B ball, but I could hold my own. But then found out that they also played softball. I had been cut from ASU, and my connections with HS Legion Baseball had faded. So softball began and continued for the next 30+ years. I continued going to church every Sunday. Linda and I became more and more serious about marriage. I believed the Church was true but "afraid" to make a committment. I really became close to the guys on the team. One night in June I decided to join the Church. It was a requirement back then that you had to have taken all the discussions, so I had some that night and the rest the next morning. The Baptism was arranged for the next day (Saturday, June 28th, 1968) and most all the guys were there for the service as well as many other from the ward. My parents had just moved back from IN (too cold), and my mom wasn't too thrilled with me leaving the Catholic Church, but I was pretty much an adult now, so it was my decision. I was given the Priesthood and a calling to assist with teaching the Deacons. One of the men (Bob Kerr) on the softball team owned Kerr Sporting Goods, and offered me a job to work in the store. I gladly accepted, and worked for him the next 14 years. Another, Larry Nelson, helped me buy my first car, a 1962 VW. A year later, Linda and I are married. A year after that, Darrell and Wanda, get married, go on their honeymoon, go thru Salt Lake City, and tour temple square, and put their name in for missionaries to contact them. They join the Church a few months later. Rob Millsap thru another contact joins the Church a year or so later.

"My Story"

2008-02-03T15:41:00.000-08:00

(I couldn't find the download... here are the words)
I'm the one that writes my own story
I decide the person I'll be
What goes in the plot, and what will not
is pretty much up to me
And just in case I need to erase,
it was figured out before
a thing called repentance,
can wipe out a sentence, a page, or a chapter, or more
Everyone, who writes his own story
now and then will make some mistakes
But given some care, they needn't stay there,
and this is all that it takes
You must know, you've done wrong and so
you feel very bad and then
You don't try to hide it
You do try to right it
and vow you won't do it again
This Book of Mine is very important
and so Someone is waiting right there
to help with my story, He's been there
before me, and always as close as a prayer
We will write each day and night
and do it faithfully
A wonderful story of sadness and glory
It's written by Jesus and me.
My Story, "My Turn on Earth" by Carol Lynn Pearson & Lex De Azevedo

2008-02-02T20:25:00.000-08:00

click here
"Roses are Red"
12 and 14.....

2008-02-02T19:58:00.000-08:00

click here
"British Invasion"
Papa was 15, Mimi was 17

2008-02-02T19:53:00.000-08:00

click here
more "British Invasion"

2008-02-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

"Look, we're Blogging"

2008-01-31T21:04:00.000-08:00

Click her for a "Dream"

2008-01-31T20:49:00.000-08:00

Click Here for My Fav "Grammy (not Linda) Memory"

MY BASEBALL STORY

2008-01-31T20:30:00.000-08:00

Click here "Baseball"
My introduction to baseball was as a 10 year old. I played in the "minors" at Tavan Grade School. My first coach was Rudy Hoffa. An older guy, with no kids in the program, but he liked baseball and kids. For whatever reason, I was "hooked". Baseball was now my sport. Each summer was devoted to Little League. Except my 7th grade summer, I was playing catch with the hotshot pitcher in our school, just fooling around, and he threw me a curve...using two hands to catch, I got my right hand tooo close to the glove, and the ball hit my right index finger.........and ouch!!!!! I went to the doc the next day, and I had fractured it. Done for the year. So, my mom and I went back to Indiana (on the bus) to visit (another story).
My "dream" was to play on the Arcadia High Baseball team.
Try outs for the freshman team were in January in the evening. Because the varsity and jv teams held their tryouts during the day, and there was only 2 fields. It was freezing cold, there were 60 guys trying out, and I was out of my "comfort" zone. The next day when I read the cut sheet, my name was there. I was devastated. I played summer ball, and remember my coach, Mr. Holland, who said he was going to help me make the team next year. He was a great coach. So my soph year, I try out. The JV coach was my PE coach, so I figure I have an "in". Good news, I made the team. Bad News, I played sparingly, batted 14 times, and struck out 11 of those, with no hits. Summer ball, brought "B" Legion, another great coach, Mr. Wade, and good experience. My junior year, I try out for Varsity. I get cut, but have the option to play JV again, so I do. I started every game, and got lots of playing time. Summer ball, I am still playing "B" Legion with the same guys from last year, except those that moved up to "A" Legion. We won the league title, and I got to drive to far away Mesa, to play at Westwood, and eat hamburgers and fries at "Sandys" (Mignon's favorite HS hangout at Extension and University). Only she was long gone to BYU......
It's now my Senior year. I try out and make Varsity. Some of the guys are now into their 2nd year, they have played football and are the big guys on campus. But on a trip to Yuma, they pull some stunts, and get kicked off the team. So, I get moved from 3B to SS (shortstop). I have a fairly successful year, my name and picture show up in the Scottsdale Progress Newspaper, I am voted Baseball "MVP" and get a "trophy" at the awards banquet. My lifelong dream had materialized......
With that, Coach Schifino said he could get me a scholarship at Phoenix College JC, but I opted to go to ASU with Darrell Truitt and Dave Wood. We got an apartment at Lemon and Rural, big men going to college. I signed up for Baseball, and began try outs in the fall as a "walk on". I soon realized, I was out of "my league". One guy was just coming out of the Marines, another guy from Maryvale HS threw about 90mph, and ASU was just coming off last season from the CWS (champs??). I didn't have an exceptional showing, and was going through difficulties getting funding for school (my parents had moved back to IN), so I dropped out, I didn't even check the first cut list. I must not have made it, nobody ever came looking for me (ha, ha).
With that, a whole "nother" story begins.... months later, I went to my first Sacrament Meeting, played ball with the 18th Ward team and ..................
Things don't always work out like we plan, but "things" happen for a purpose.

2008-01-30T20:49:00.000-08:00

Click Here for Mimi's Song

Let it Snow!

2008-01-30T20:42:00.001-08:00

Testing testing...

2008-01-30T14:10:00.000-08:00

Okay, guys, this is a test...only a test!