December 9, 2011

Thanksgiving Happenings

After another 6 a.m. flight to Phoenix, I got to see the Breaking Dawn premiere with my favorite gals.
Consensus was 50:50. Those two on the left - expected nothing & so they were entertained. Those two on the right - what did you expect!?! Hadn't you two read the book and knew it was gonna be crazy sauce & biscuits?!?  Speaking of crazy...
it was a WILD night to say the least.
The next day we went to the Train Park in Scottsdale.
We rode the train, of course.
Some of us rode the carousel.
And some of us relaxed
while the four year olds and three year old got rid of some energy.
Later that night we had an adult-only night and we all went to Nello's Pizza.  It was really fun and so scrumdiddlyumptious!
The day after that we loaded up our cars and drove through Prescott, where we stopped to eat a chaotic lunch at In-N-Out, {seating for 17 people please!} and on to Groomcreek! 
Groomcreek is where the family {passed through three generations} cabin is located.  Since my Grandma passed away, my Aunt Diane, Mom, and Dad have been busily fixing it up so it can be used by generations to come.
The last time we were all there was at least, AT LEAST 15 years ago.
By far, the very best thing about the cabin is The Swing. Not the swing, The Swing.
Why The Swing you say??? You can do things on it, that will make you soil yourself.
Did you check out that height???
There were no witnesses when I had my turn on The Swing.  Just my brother Chris, who pushed me to record soaring heights by using his   l    o   n   g   ape-like arms and literally jumping to reach me and the swing and push me higher.  I think my mother would have soiled herself if she saw her baby reaching heights that no other man {or woman} has reached. 
They did hear my screams...there is a lot more fear when you are 25 years old.
Anyway, there were those that couldn't handle The Swing. Like Josephine, {really Joey, but I have always called him Josephine} in orange went on your plain ol' run-of-the-mill swing set across the street.
Drakey, of course, just hung out with Mom & Dad.
We also played a little tether ball,
went on a short hike,
hung out together,
dressed up like Lamar {my Grandpa} by wearing Grandpa's hat and jacket, which are still at Groomcreek, and sticking out his belly,
and eventually we all froze our butts off.  Which for me, meant the fun that was had, was over.
Before Jordan was able to join me, I asked my dad one day if we could go out to the desert and look at his grandpa's lime kilns. Basically, out near Usery Park, out in the middle of the desert, is where my Great-Grandpa used to spend his days. He would gather limestone, load it into his wagon, & Bertha and Dudley {his mules} would haul it to the kiln so it could bake for hours and hours until it was lime dust {used to help make concrete, among other things, I am sure}.
It was a beautiful day
and a nice little walk to find the kiln.
On the front of the kiln, my Great Grandpa carved the names of his mules and you can still see them.
Jordan was finally able to join me in  Arizona a few days before  Thanksgiving.  We had a good time hanging out with family and I enjoyed making pies again this year with my Mom.
On  Thanksgiving Day we had quite the feast with my side of the fam.
Everything was sooo good & I wish I could re-live that meal over & over {definitely more than just once a year}!!
We had one small disturbance in our day.
****The following picture is NOT for the faint at heart.
If you get queasy, just scroll on through & go along your day without barfing!****
At least we learned to trim our toenails more frequently.
Inside story: The kids all gathered around Jordan to get a peek at this monstrosity and while Joey {3 years of age} stood there at eye level, he suddenly sneezed...all over Uncle Jordan's foot!  Jordan was NOT happy about it.
While we were in Arizona our dear Cadbury was lovingly watched by the  Shillibeans.
Thank you, Tim & Holly for taking such good care of the little rascal! You guys are the BEST!
We were happy to re-unite with him and get home after another fabulous trip.

December 1, 2011

Death of the Honda

I have been avoiding posting about this particular subject until all was final & 'at peace' - so to speak.
About a month and a half ago I was driving home from a mutual activity and a 'gentleman' {Ha! He was anything, BUT a gentleman} turned left in front of me. I had a brand new 12 year old Beehive with me.  As the smoke from the airbags settled and we both established we were okay, we exited my poor, mangled Honda
My first thought was to make sure the 'gentleman' was okay.  His first concern was to call me every curse word his brilliant vocabulary could summon while pacing in circles around my car.  THEN he proceeded to check on his 3 year old from the backseat of his car...no comment.  Anyway, two REAL gentlemen came running over (they were eating dinner across the street and saw the accident and heard what was happening) & rescued me from the 'Word Vomiting Parent of the Year.'
Everyone was okay, and thankfully there were zero injuries. 
 That following morning I contacted his insurance and gave my statement. 
& waited...
& waited...
& waited...
{I spent a total of 4 weeks confined to my home. No car. Just me and Cadbury. Things got rough.}
He ignored his insurances phone calls for 3 weeks.
He did finally give his statement.
{Which at this point was pretty much irrelevant since I had a witness on my side to discount his lies.}
So I thought the drama was over, but I then waited 1 more week while the insurance counseled with their lawyers on whether or not 'Parent of the Year' should be covered by insurance since he fraudulently bought insurance under his brothers name. 
Finally, the day before I flew back to Mesa for Thanksgiving, I heard these blessed words, "We have decided we are going to deal with him separately, but we know it is not your fault that any of this has come about so we are going to move forward and cover you." 
Hallelujah!
Honda was totaled and a check will be gracing my mailbox any day now.
There were many, many things to be grateful for the night of the accident & since:
• No injuries. I was never even a smidgen bit sore. Nothing. Zip. Nada!
• I did not freak out. I had my wits about me. I was not alone at the moment of impact. I know I had a co-pilot.
• As I already mentioned the 2 witnesses/angels that stayed with me until Jordan got there.  They spoke words of comfort and direction. {& kept jerk face away from me! :) }
• I got a phone call from Natalie, the First Counselor in the Young Women Presidency, saying she was dropping other girls off home after the activity, and saw the flashing lights of police cars, ambulance, and firetruck from a distance and she knew I was involved.  She was able to come pick up the  Beehive  and take her home so Jordan could stay with me while the police did their work.  By the way, Natalie visit teaches the  Beehives  mom (who is not active in the church) and had not up until that point been able to get past the doorstep on her visits.  She was able to come in and chat with her that night.
• My husband was a champ and after working all day would come pick me up, get me out of the house, and run all my errands with me that I couldn't get done without a car during the day.
• When I hit the other car, I knocked off its rear tire. I firmly believe he was ranting and raving and pacing in circles because he knew with the tire being knocked off he could not run from the accident...which I believe he would have done if he was able.
I will miss the Honda. It was in our family for 15 years.  We may not have always gotten along, but I do know it was way better than having a car payment!