Christmas "Elegance"

Black has often been given the title, or respect of "Elegance".
It has a beauty all of its own. It sometimes feel more dressy, for something special...like a formal floor lenght gown, or top hat and tuxedo.
That's a little of my feelings of this Christmas.

I have found this years holiday seasons to be a little harder for me. It seems that my personal health has stoped me from doing the things I have done every year to create a Christmas spirit in my home. I find at times, walking to be very painful. I have done what I could, and got alot done. But to my disappointment my beautiful pre lighted Christmas tree, for some reason, ended up with no ornaments placed upon it. It stands in my bay window, which has three windows looking out into our front yard. It stands in a stand, that rotates the tree. I have a beautiful tree skirt under it, that I bought last year. And running around on top of the tree skirt is a "N" gage train. My tree, even not decorated, has a shine to its self.

I think that most mothers know the feeling of wishing to make our children happy for Christmas, for it is a special time... Often we go without, to create warm fuzzys for our loved ones, most of the time we warm ourselves in the smiles, and laughter, and excitement of their happiness. I once sat in the hallway watching my son Gene, ride his "Big Wheel" up and down the hall, It was raining outside and he could not go out.
All he wanted was that Big Wheel, His laughfter filled my soal, and spilled out in tears upon my face.

This Christmas is a Elegant Christmas, for me....
Everything I received was black.

I have a list that I call Dreams, one for Needs, and one for Wants.
Needs..are things that cannot go without, that have to be addressed as soon as possible. Wants..would be nice to have. and Dreams..I would love to have, but cost too much and will take a long time to get. May never get, but still dream about.

What I received for Christmas, was on my Dream list...

I have always wanted a digital Camera of my own. My Husband has one that he uses all the time. For me it was too complicated, and I wanted something simple to use. At a Surprise dinner for Lynn's parents, my son David, showed me a camera he had just bought. I found it very simple to use, and was delighted with the large viewing window on the back. When Lynn asked me what I would like for Christmas? I asked for a camera just like Davids. To my surprise he got me one...its black...and it came with a printer.

My Son David surprised me with my second gift. I know he didn't read my list, for I had written just what it was, no brand names, or detail. But he had bought me exactly the model of what I had wanted. David lives in Orem Utah, and most of the time drives up on the weekends to spend a little time with us, and attend church.
On his way up he had called and told me he was in Salt Lake City and would be there a while. When he came he was very excited, he had been shopping... and had bought a Christmas gift for me!..It was still in his truck.. He grabbed a empty box and went outside, soon reappearing back into the kitchen, encouraging me to open the box...
I did... I was so surprised to see a DVD Player!.. A Sony DVD player, with a screen that turns around....I didn't know it, but it even has a remote... It is exactly what I had put on my Dream list...
And its Black...

My third gift came a few days latter, on the 28th. But before then my daughter Paulette and her husband James came from Arizona, and stayed with us for a few days. Having my family around me, really lifts my spirits.

Paulette had called and told me that my gift would be coming after Christmas. On the 28th. And that they were hoping to be here when it was delivered....
I had not the foggiest idea what it was, but was glad they would be here.
After Paulette was here, everyday was count down day. When the 28th arrived, it was hourly count down... Finely in the very late afternoon, the package arrived by UPS.
Paulette was excited, and wanted to do heavy heavy hangover Mom's poor head....
Big Box! and a heavy box, on top of my head.....For them I wished that their house in Tooele, would sell fast, and that they would get triple the amount of money that they were asking for....

Big Box! I had a funny feeling inside...It couldn't be...It was Impossible...put it out of my mind...
Paulette, and James helped me to open the box, It was full of large white packing peanuts...Paulettes hand was fishing under the peanuts and kept pulling things up. One time she lifted a large thing wrapped in white foam packing wrap. It was one of those times, you just hold your breath...Sure enough, it was what I kept telling myself it couldn't be....a Harp... a Harpsicle Harp....

And it was Black...

Crazy 2007

This year has been crazy, one of those unbelievable years.
All 5 of my children have new address, and phone numbers, some have had more than one this year.

Launie moved from Peeples Valley to Prescott in Ariz...with the kids.
David moved to a new apt in the same area in Orem Utah.
Jennifer and Mike, and Sarah, moved from Peoria, to Surprise, to Bullhead City, to Ft. Mohave in Arizona.
Paulette and James, moved from Tooele Utah, to Bullhead City, to Ft. Mohave in Arizona.
Jodie moved to a new apt in Parker, then to another Apt. in Lake Havasu City in Arizona, and has a new roommate.

Jodie divorced Jeff after a year and half marriage, because he could not be true to her.
Bret asked Launie for a divorce after 18 years of marriage, he found a new girlfriend. They, Launie and Bret, have 5 children...one past away a few years ago from cancer.

David took a trip to China, walked on the Great Wall, saw the LDS Temple in Hong Kong, it was closed that day. and other sights. Last year he went to Indonesia, Java, Bali and area around there. All this was paid for by a friend of his, Christy, who lives in Indonesia.
David brought his 3 kids, Bryce, Darren, Melody to our home for a visit, while Jennifer and her daughter Sarah were here. The kids really liked each other.

Paulette and Jennifer both have harps.....and Paulette has just bought a Cross Harp!They both are very musical and were asked to play several times during the Holidays.

Jennifer has been working on Genealogy..I have been very impressed with all she has accomplished in such a short time. She came for a good week and did research in SLC. Sarah (3) was with her, and we got to know her better. Sarah liked picking raspberries from Grandpas patch. Jennifer has also helped encourage me with our food storage plans.

This year we bought a Four Wheeler (ATV), and a new lawnmower, for Lynn. They were greatly needed to help him with the yard work and personal recreation.
Lynn has also built wooden shelves in our cold room. He did a great job, and tried hard to give slack movement for the boxes. He put in framing for most of the downstairs rooms. He has also installed the heating vents into his office, and craft room downstairs. We also added a wood burning stove to the basement. It burns wood pellets and is very nice.

I bought a new cane...It has been a help for me to walk.

Lynn and I are still working with the Stake Single groups. Mostly with the Seniors that are 50 and up. Also Lynn conducts the monthly correlation meeting, and I take the minutes.

Some of Our Pets died this year we miss them...Bunny, Bird, Shuska.
We have a pet cemetery on our property, which each one has been lovingly berried there.
Baby Bird, Shon, Paulette's conyer, came to live with us at Christmas.


Update:.. We now have 3 in the family with a harp...I have been added to the list, as I received one for Christmas from Paulette and James...
A Harpsicle Harp...

I Learned Everything I need to know about Life from a Snowman!

It's OK to be a little flaky once in a while.
Too much sun can be bad for your health.
There's no stopping you once you're on a roll.
Just like snowflakes, everyone is unique.
It's OK to be little bottom heavy.
You can weather any storm.
Wearing white year-round is perfectly acceptable.
It's OK to have an occasional meltdown.
You know you've made it when they write a song about you.
You can always lose that holiday weight next summer.
If Life (or mother-nature) dumps on you, view it as an
opportunity to become a bigger individual.
The key to Life, is to be a jolly, happy soul.

Merry Christmas!

Beauty...

Beauty is watching my very beautiful 16 year old girl, with golden hair, playing her viola. Such serious studying and concentration. I watch her fingers fly ever so fast and lightly over the strings. Her hand seems to have a dance of its own. Giving, coaxing, such beautiful sounds from the wonders of the singing wood.

She is sitting at the piano while playing the viola this evening, sitting so tall and graceful. Her graceful golden hair moving with her body movements, as the viola bow races back and forth across the strings.

She loves to play fast. The wonderful mastered sounds, are heard, as she allows the instrument to sing in beautiful rich slow movements of the music. Yes,Beauty is watching her grow, and seeing her as she becomes a wonderful young lady. Glowingly--she turns her head, and smiles.


***********************************************

It's not how brilliant the chords sound,
Or how fast your fingers run.
It's not the grandness of the stage,
Or the large number of people who listen.
It's not how much more impressive you play,
or the greatness of the sound.
But it's the heart's desire to sing and play
What one has to give to another....Jen

.

You are a Pegasus...

You are a perfectionist, with an eye for beauty. You know how to live a good life...and you rarely deviate from your good taste. While you aren't outgoing, you have excellent social skills. People both admire you...and feel very comfortable around you.

You Are Sunrise...

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

Never Forgotten...

Beautiful pictures flash across my computer screen of my son's 3 children. Its been a few years since I've seen them. Because of a messy divorce David has limited time with them, mostly 1, 2, hours a month. This month is special, Bryce, his oldest just turned 13, and being my husband and I have moved to Utah, David asked for extra time and brought the kids to our home for a birthday party for all the kids.

This Saturday was extra busy, Lynn and I work with the Stake Single Program, and it was the Thanksgiving dinner for the 50+ group. We had to be at the Church at 2:00pm to help set up tables, work with the food, and help with meals to go out to the housebound folks. Sense there was enough help, Lynn and I were able to go home around 4pm and be there when David arrived. Jennifer my daughter was also visiting from Ariz. with her daughter, Sarah, who is 2 and a half years.
David would be able to stay with the kids for about a hour or little more, then comes the long drive back home... Lynn and I would return to Church at 6pm to help serve the meal for the evening.

The request for strawberry cheesecake, and vanilla ice cream, was changed a little, as I found a cheesecake that had multi flavors, and we got two different kinds of ice cream. that seemed to please everybody. So we had pink candles on cheesecake, all the kids help blow them out. And had fun opening their small presents, with "Heavy, heavy, hangover, thy poor head...What do you wish this person???"
A tradition in our family for years, to which the Birthday person, not knowing who the giver is, would express a special gift, or wish to go to the person who has given the gift. Sometimes this can be quite funny.

Over the years I have sent to each of my Grandchildren, Holiday cards with a stick of Juicy fruit Gum inside. I hoped that somehow they would remember that their grandparents were the ones who sent the cards and the gum, with a reminder that we love them. (Taste buds have a way of remembering good things).
I also included a small package of Juicy Fruit gum with their birthday gifts.

Time flew by, and they were gone.....Bryce 13, had gotten so tall. Darren who is 7 is about the same height as his little sister Melody, who is 5, almost 6. The last time I had seen Melody, she was about a year and a half. I know she didn't remember me. However Sarah and Melody had a great time playing together, and Melody was all smiles before she left to go home.

I watch the pictures, over and over, of that day, time was too short to remember.
David brought someone with him, and paid him to take alot of photos. Then he made a CD, with a slide show on it, for me to see my grandchildren.

Finding a True Gold Mine...

One night while I was sleeping, a thought came to me that I needed Jennifer, my daughter, to look at some letters that belonged to my Dad. After a couple of days, I remembered Dad's old worn out suit case that was down stairs. It was brown, medium size, and looked like it might have been made mainly out of a thick cardboard, with a little leather here and there, and a thick leather handle. It was falling apart,after all it was somewhere around 86 years old.

Jennifer came here to do some Genealogy, before going home to Arizona.
I asked her if she would like to find a gold mine? Not realizing what a true statement that was. We took the suit case out of plastic bags, where it had been placed to protect it while moving. We carefully opened it. Seeing with in it, unorganized papers, letters, and pictures.

Sorting, and organizing, mostly letters, we found these letters were written during my Fathers, Cecil Smith Brimhall, mission to the Central States Mission, back in 1921.

I read letters from my Grandmother and Grandfather Brimhall, Ether Record Brimhall and Sophronia Lydia Smith, whom I have not met, and lately have a deep warm love for them. I saw a scribble drawing that my fathers brother, Henry, sent to him when he was 5 years old. When I met Henry Brimhall, He was a tall good looking Fireman, that had kids older than me... We found letters from other members of his family, but I was touched by the simple encouragement, and love of his mother, as she kept encouraging him to be strong, and in sharing his testimony of Christ. She also tells of events that are happening in the family, and they were working on their Genealogy, having 149 names to submit to the temple. I think Grandma was teaching a Genealogy class once or twice a week, she would refer to them as "Cottage meetings".

And to my surprise we even found a letter written by my mother, Ivie Hartley, just a couple of weeks before their marriage, in the Manti Temple, in 1929.

Working for about 6 to 7 hours, Jennifer and I, have just scratched the surface of whats there.

Wow...What a wonderful, and awesome Goldmine....

One of those funny things...

As I have mentioned before, Moms family were very close to each other. They lived in a modest home, where love and laughter were companions, and the seven siblings grew up being the best of friends.

One of the things I noticed about my mothers family, was if someone did something very nice for another, the one who was the receiver of the gift, sometimes knowing of the expense that was sacrificed, would often try to help with the cost, by donating part of the money involved. To which the giver often would sneak the money back in some way without the receiver knowing about it, like in a pocket, or purse, or perhaps in a bag that was carried, or a book, or shoe. Until later on when they would accidentally find it. Well much to my surprise, that tradition is still in existence. A year ago I was helping my 2nd cousin with pictures for her book. I had a box, and a scrapbook that my mother had kept. My mother was very good at keeping inventions, clippings of newspaper articles about the family, announcements etc.
My Cousin Dorothy, and her daughter, Fran, spent countless hours working on the book about the family, and putting all these extra clippings of mom's into top load sheets and putting them into a binder, so they would be protected. They even bought the binder and the top load sheets. I gave my cousin $10 dollars to help with the cost, that's all I had at the time. Tonight, One year latter, my daughter Jennifer was looking through some things and said "Mom, did you know you have $10 in this box?"
I thought I was the smart one, and had gotten away with it, but you know... you can't out smart a fox!

Update: As of last night, the money is back in their court!

A Group of good friends...

As a freshman at Orem High School, I had two real good friends, Janet and Christine. Both of them were dating guys, who were sort of in a group from their ward, from church. (Larry, Ivan, Lynn, Reed) It was February, and the "City Hawkins Dance", from the cartoon "Little Abner", was being held on the 12th of Feb. It was a girls choice dance. I had recently decided not to like a certain guy anymore, and was enjoying the feeling of being free, and not tied to the emotional up and down feelings, of liking a guy. Janet who was dating Larry wanted me to double date with them for the dance. Double dating was done alot then, and was alot of fun. And because I was not going with anyone at that time, she suggested I ask Lynn, who was dating Christine. Who was asking Larry's brother Loyd to her school dance, which was being held on the same night as ours. Because of her birthday, Christine, was held back a year. Which made us in two different schools. After much coxing from Janet and Larry, I asked Lynn if he would go. We had a great time, and dated after that.

As a group in school, we ran around together, the 4 boys and Janet and myself. We all became good friends. After all the boys came home from their missions, Lynn and I married in the Salt Lake Temple, and moved to Phoenix, Arizona. (about 10 years after meeting each other.) Janet and Larry married other people. Ivan married went to Arizona on a honeymoon, ran out of money and stayed down there. He and his wife had 3 boys. Ivan was working for Ariz Public Service Comp. One of the main Electrical Comp. While at work and getting equipment off the truck, his partner who was in the basket, a top of the long arm, accidentally moved the basket into the power lines, which caused Ivan to be electrocuted because he was on the ground and touching the truck. He was buried in Measa Ariz. Reed married, we lost track of him, but we heard about 2 years ago that he died, in Orem, Utah. Larry has remarried, and at this time of writing, he and his wife are thinking of moving from Orem, to Idaho. Larry has also had a heart attack about three years ago. Lynn and I have moved from Phoenix Ariz, to Grantsville, Utah, two and a half years ago. And love it here. Janet has remarried, and lives in Salt Lake City.

Mothers tears...

I feel as if I have a bottomless pit deep inside me, and it growing more and more. Time seems to standstill, and yet things are moving all around me. Oh how my heart aches, with the pains of sorrow. Was she not a young child yesterday, that I would hold close to me? and delight in her accomplishments, as she would struggle to do them. Her smile was like sunshine to me, I loved the laughter in her eyes. Even though she is a young adult now, her decisions cut through me as if they were a sharp knife.. She has been taught.. I don't think she completely understands within; the eternal complications of this.. She has her free agency.... I will always love her.

Where did I go wrong?

Paulette's World...

October 19, 2007
Sunshine and Sandals


yah... three years ago, i remember seeing this image on my apartment's mailbox in Payson, Utah. It was the very first time in my entire life, to be honest. I think I ran out there with my snow-boots strapped on to poke and laugh at it for days on end. I remember when the stupid mailbox simply disappeared during that rather harsh winter... and i didn't see my pair of sandals for MONTHS on end afterwards.

The next winter we were in Springville... and the stupid storm-cloud dumped a foot of snow on my one and only Tulip over-night! (i hand planted that poor little thing) We were in a basement apartment that year with not much more than our kitchen stove to keep us warm... and that little tulip was my "bit of sunshine" deeply needed. For weeks after that, i sheltered the tulip with our large orange snow-shovel, making it a safe little home from the wind, hail, and snow until it was safe for it to come out again. Course, it wasn't long, after the snow melted, that i awoke one morning to find that some kid had simply cut it off by it's throat and it was gone. i think i cried. Anyways... THAT winter, i drug a chair and an umbrella out into the snow, sat down, and wrote a scene in my book as fast as i could, in the middle of a blizzard, about how COLD Wyan felt as he was lost in the forest one night. Trust me... i had ALL the details i could possibly want! (and it was rather awful penmanship too)

the winter after that we were in Tooele (there was another home in between those two, but it was only over the fall) We had huge boulders that eventually hid themselves all together like little waves in the snow. My dog would run across the yard and hit one, noise-planting herself on the other side. She'd also simply fall-off the edge of our rock-wall and completely disappear... and for an Australian-Shepard, that's a pretty good trick! THAT year, the ladies in our church decided to get together and do a morning walk every week-day for a month... and it was THAT year that i made knee-deep boot-prints through the snow and down my drive-way to join them... only to stand out there in my fat bright yellow coat for an hour, and then turn around and go back home... alone. (don't ask me why i kept going out... but i did, every day that entire month!) I think it was also that year that Twilight first came out... and i read the opening chapter in her book in my 32 deg basement. I finished that book in the same winter, but she tortured me with the constant reminder of how warm it was in Phoenix and how my fingers would NOT have been turning an unhealthy shade of blue had i still been there! (btw: Phoenix is my "home town") THAT year my friends kept finding me up on the roof as i tried to soak in some reflective warmth from our dark-black shingles and proved how much of a Snow-Bird i should be!

Course, the only reason I'm thinking about this, is because my mom just wrote me and told me that the snow-season was starting again. And here I sit, THIS winter in Bullhead City, Arizona... still wearing my t-shirt, sandals, and capris, as the average temperature is still in the solid 80s. (or was it finally 79-i forget) Either way, today is actually 92 and last night my AC in my home still came on to cool us down, and it's only set for 78. Go figure. Yesterday, my husband and i took our dogs out on a walk as the sun was setting, and completely enjoyed every minute of it... jacket free. Couldn't even tell that winter's coming (other than i'm not roasting alive anymore inside!) No wait, i take it back... i just put my toes up on my chair and sat on them cuz they were a little chilly. But just the ones on my right foot :)

Last year (christmas), my husband and i started a new tradition. We're going to make a new tree-ornament in honor of that year. So, we'll sit down and discuss what was significant about the year, and than get something to represent it and put it in a little clear-glass ornament ball. The one from 3 years ago, i filled with a ton of fake-snow.... this year i may just fill it with sand. (j/k) I wonder where NEXT year will take us...

Meanwhile, I'm sure not doing much blogging about that poor little book of mine. (probably a good reason for that... cringe) I should get busy!

Laters... (Paulette)

Mom's stiches...

My mother loved to crochet, When I was young, and her eyesight was good, she would crochet alot of different doilies from crochet thread. In those days Ladies would decorate their tables, end tables, couches and chairs with crochet doilies, of one form or another. I would often come into the front room and find starched doilies stretched out on wax paper, with straight pins pulling them tight, pined to the carpet on the floor. When they would dry, they would be stiff and hold there shape. Mom and her sisters would often give each other gifts of their hard work. They would roll them up on paper,or wax paper and place them inside a tube for mailing or giving as a gift.

Sometimes Mom would let me take her work and add, or learn how to do the stitching she was working on. Latter when her eyesight was a challenge she crocheted with yarn. Finding it pleasing to her, and alot faster, she started to crochet afghans. Her first two were full size afghans. they were given as gifts, placed on couches, sat on, washed over and over, and ruined. From that time on Mom only crochet half the size. So if someone wanted to put it on the couch, it wouldn't be sat on.

Mom liked to quilt. Mom and Dad lived during the depression,and there were times where money was scares. Often the things you had, where what one created with their own hands. I remember 2 quilts she had made from levies. I had them on my bed. Once they were warmed up in the winter, (Utah winter, and the thermostat was turned down to 60 degrees.) you toasted all night. They were heavy, but I Loved them. Mom made many quilts, I would come home from school and Mom would have a quilt set up in one of the bedrooms. RS sister, and friends, gathered for quilting and lunch. I learned the fine art of quilting from her at that time.
I am very lucky to have in my position 2 quilts, 2 afghans Mom had made, and doilies she had crocheted.

Mom also had a Singer treadle sewing machine, just like the one in the picture. It was on Mom's treadle sewing machine that I learned how to sew. Latter on, Mom traded her Singer for a electric sewing machine for me. I have been blessed with the gift of sewing. I have made wedding dress, and formals, being some of the hardest. (I have 4 girls). Although I am thankful to have a nice machine to use, I have always wish I could have kept Mom's treadle machine...

And she kept it to herself...

I hurt my knee about a month ago, running to catch a plane, and have been going to therapy 3 times a week. Sunday I was in pain all over my body, not only from my knee, but also from arthritis. The pain was a little more than I was handling, and felt that I needed a priesthood blessing.
My son, David, was visiting for the weekend, so I asked if he and my husband would give me a blessing. After a little while I found out that David, who is 39, had never participating in this kind of blessing. I told him his dad would be glad to teach him, and that it wasn't difficult to learn.

It was one of those moments in time, that you hold in your heart. I watched as both my husband and my son dressed in their suits, prepared themselves to give me a blessing. Son quickly learning, Father teaching, answering questions. The blessing of the oil, one for the Father, and again, one for the Son to keep.

A deep warmth flooded my head as their hands were placed on my head, but not from their hands. My son anointed me with oil, and struggled through the blessing. then he whispered in my ear "we can practise a few more times".....I smiled to myself, My husband gave me a blessing.

Afterwards I thought to myself that it must be times like this that Heavenly Father smiles, and is pleased with sons wanting to learn more about the working of His Holy Priesthood... My other blessing was, I was freed from all pain...

Who..me?...

My husband and myself have callings with the Stake Single Program, in our Stake. A guest speaker was needed for one particular night. Names were given and one was selected. To my surprise, I was given the task of contacting this person because "I knew him". I really did not know him. I and a few ladies from my ward had taken a class at the Institute, and he was our teacher. So I called, and he graciously excepted the invitation. Latter about 2 weeks, I was told because "I knew Him" I was to introduce him to the group. I have only been here 2 years, and he lives in a different town, I don't know any body, or any thing, and I have to call his wife to find out info. and I bet she will think I am nuts. My husband says he has too many things to do right now, to help.
And I have a huge pit in the middle of my stomic.

Knowing that anything is possible, if the Lord is your partner, after a short conversation with him, I took a deep breath and pick up the phone and called.

She was wonderful, and quickly put my panic feelings to rest. We talked for about 20 minuets...I found out, they had recently moved, and had not received my card in the mail, giving information about where to meet, place, time, and what to expect. And their family was invited. I was grateful I had made the call.... I was able to give them the info they needed, as well receive what I needed for tomorrow night.
I am also grateful for a loving Heavenly Father, who knew how to calm, and encourage this inexperience daughter.

A Prophet for dinner...

My Primary teacher often made the comment, what if Jesus came to our home for a visit!.. that would be great!..... But for me, I have wondered what it would be like to open the front door and see the Prophet, stopping by for dinner, and a enjoyable evening with me, and my family.
My Grandmother, Sophronia Lydia Smith, (who married Ether Record Brimhall) was a cousin to President George Albert Smith. Besides being family, President Smith enjoyed the company of my Grandparents. My Dad said that President Smith would often stop by, and have dinner and spend a evening visiting with them.

My Grandparents had 13 children. Grandpa Brimhall's, brother's wife died, and could not care for his children alone. So my Grandparents took his children and raised them as their own, making 19 children in the home. Dad said when the dinner bell rang, you got to the table, or went with out. I asked how the family managed with so many children in the house? Dad said that the older ones helped to care for the younger ones.

I thought it was interesting that both my Grandmother, and my Grandfather Brimhall, had collage degrees. Grandfather was a school teacher, and well liked by all, He seemed to have a good sense of humor, and was one of those folks who seem to attract people to him.

A moment in time...

Back in 1921, Dad was on his way home from work, when he noticed someone who was trying to start a business as a photographer, by offering a free picture.

So dressed in his work cloths, of that time, he posed for the photographer. The results has been one of my most favorite photos of my Dad. Cecil Smith Brimhall.

According to the date on the back of the picture, July 23, 1921, Dad would have been about 19 years of age.

Pockets full of pebbles...

As I have mentioned, my mother's family was pretty close to each other. One couple mom and dad visited rather often was Mom's brother, Uncle Elton and Aunt Bernice Hartley. When I knew them they had a home on the Avenues, on the mountain side, in Salt Lake City. Mom and Dad lived in Provo, about 42 miles south of SLC. Back in those days folk didn't lock their doors and when they would go to visit, and not find them home, you could walk right in and leave a note. However it was not always a paper note, that Mom's family left.
Dad said he would find small pebble rocks in his pants pockets, or lumps of cole in his suit coat pockets. Mom and Dad had put Uncle Elton and Aunt Bernice's kitchen chairs, on top of their table. Or short sheet their beds. Dad said it was common for him to find his pant legs tied in knots, and penny's in his shoes. Or to come home and find their living room furniture had been rearranged.

Uncle Elton and Aunt Bernice's youngest daughter was named Lola. She was 6 months older than myself. Being the youngest in my family, and not having any sisters I really looked forward to the friendship of my cousin. (We still keep in contact with each other.) We often spent summer time together. We both played the accordion, but she played 10 times better than I, and would teach me new things that I hadn't yet learned. The song "What ever Lola wants" was written about her, by one of their family friends.

I loved their home on the Avenues. Lola's bedroom was upstairs. You could look over SLC from her bedroom window. You could see the "Walker Bank" neon sign, high up in the air on top of a tall 20 story building, called Walker Tower, built in 1911. It would change colors, Red or Blue, blinking or still, telling folk what the weather was going to be, depending on the color, and if the sign was blinking or not.
It was one of my favorite memories, to sit by the low open window at night,watching the Walker bank sign, feeling the cool breeze on my face, and talking with my best friend about girl things.

Name-Tag...

I guess you can tell I was tagged for the "Name-Tag" game of ones, middle name. Of course you can probably tell it was my daughter Paulett who tagged me. By the way "Wom" is a nickname given to me by my kids.
My middle name is Elaine, Short, should be easy, I have sat over a week thinking about it. Totally blank minded....Finley coming to my rescue, here is Paulette rendition of my Name-Tag.

Elaine

E...elegant
L...loving
A...a....cool mom
I...intreeging
N...Nice-Nice
E...eats too much sugar

Isn't that neat to be thought of that way, even though some of it is untrue, like elegant! intreeging! and yes, I sometimes get trapped eating too much sugar, I am a diabetic.

My Reminder Why...

I was very discourage today concerning my writing. I had visited quite a few other blogs and loved all that was written. Then that old feeling came up of, I don't measure up, and am not good enough to be writing, and a few other negative lines I bet most folks feel from time to time.

But I had to remind myself, that I was writing for my kids. (Kids?? age 41 and down)
to tell them things that happened in my life and some things that happened in my parents life, and family, as far as I can remember them. So I don't have to be perfect in writing, they will love me anyways.

So if any body elts who might find my writing interesting, your more than welcome to keep reading. To my surprise, I have enjoyed writing.

Pinching cheeks...

I often find it interesting to just listen to the younger generation, about how women's makeup should be applied today. Take the art of Blush for example. I remember my mother talking with her sisters about when they were young, how it was the custom to pinch their cheeks to make them turn pink. (You can still see this in some of the old movies.) Pink cheeks made one look healthy, and happy. I guess someone figured out that the use of lipstick worked great, and was easier on the tender skin than pinching. So a dab or two of lipstick, then smearing it into the skin worked very well. It worked so well, that the next thing you saw was called "Rouge". Lipstick poured into a little dish, compact, or pot. (still wet and waxy) Applied by dipping your finger into the Rouge, and applying it to the cheek. Next came "Blush", A powdered form of Rouge. A great idea, but I had to get use to the name, It was first applied with a makeup powder puff, and now with a makeup brush. Very easy to apply, and beautiful to look at.

Where to put Blush has been interesting as well. Of course as years turn, each group has to do something different in application, and it has to be the "Now Thing". Sometimes I think women get confused.
I have seen Blush applied to the upper part of the cheek, under the eye, and maybe a little to the side of the eye. Causing one to focus on the warmth of the eyes.
Next has been Blush applied to sides of cheeks, and middle of face, forehead, end of nose and chin. I don't know why, it was told me to keep a healthy look...hum..
The one I can't figure out is the Blush streak almost from corner of mouth, straight line passed the corner of the eye. Still little popular, but to me it doesn't bring out the best looks in a woman, it just causes people to stare, and not see who is wearing it.
There is also those who wear Blush on the bottom of the cheek. It looks OK, but sometimes gives a wearing of sunglass suntan look.

Blush is a wonderful thing. As the years past, I am finding the color is fading from my face, and a few more, what they call happy lines?? running across my forehead, and elts where. Its nice to be able to add a little color, and to feel better about myself.

A Mouse in the house...

My mother's oldest sister, Mamie (Mary) Swapp and her husband Joe Swapp, who at one time was the mayor of Provo, owned two homes, one was in Vivian Park, in Provo Canyon. This was a place where the whole family loved to be. Up the canyon, where you were in the Mountains. And the smell of the pine trees, and feeling of the cool breeze in the evening. It was very dark at night for there was no street lights there. They had a little creek that ran down the mountain side, just behind their back fence. This was a very comfortable home, it had two bedrooms, but it also had a bed on the large front screened porch, and one in the inclosed back porch. The home was mostly heated by a fireplace in the front room. which they burned cole and wood. In the Kitchen was a cole stove for cooking and heating of the home. This cole stove was an interesting experience to try to cook on. Uncle Joe loved to make sourdoe pancakes, he would tell us stories of making the pancakes while sheep herding early in his life. He would fry pancakes for you, until you could hold no more.

This place holds many bright memories.
The neighbor who lived next door had a gentle heart, and had compassion for animals. He had a love for humming birds. All around his yard was placed small bottles on sticks, filled with sugar water. (about 60 or more). There seemed to be hundreds of humming birds in his yard. They would follow him, sit on his hat, or shoulder, and sit on his hose as he was watering the flowers in his yard by hand. He even had a sparrow for a pet. Hurt and abandon, and unable to fly, this baby bird was raised and cared for by this man and his wife. Years later when a mother deer was killed, this man took care of her fawn until he could be on his own. As a youth I learned the sweetness of kindness.

Someone in the Hartley family had created a marble and dice game called Wahoo.
(I have seen similar games by other family's, since). It was not unusual for mom's family to meet once a week and play Wahoo. Each family had their own game board.
I remember one time when some of the family, was playing at Aunt Mamie's home in Vivian Park. As the game was being played, it was interrupted by a mouse that had run into the house. Folks armed with brooms, or sticks, or anything they could get their hands on, were chasing this poor mouse all around the room. To me these "older folks" were laughing so hard they couldn't stand on their feet, and the mouse was frantically trying to find a way out, or a place to hide. After a good half hour the mouse ran for his life out the door. I don't think anyone had the strength to swing at him, for their sides were hurting too much from laughing. I don't think there were any intention of hurting the mouse, they were just enjoying each other. That was what mom's family did. After a few breathers, the Wahoo game continued.

This was the same home that Lynn and I were to stay at, on our wedding night. After our reception, the church had to be cleaned because of another wedding planed for the next day. In the early hours of the morning, around 2:00 am, while still dressed in my wedding dress, and Lynn in his suit. We arrived at the home. getting everything out of the car that we would need, Lynn put the key into the doorknob, and it broke off.
Checking all around, there was no other way into the house. Putting everything back into the car, driving back to Orem, and feeling hungry, we stopped at a sandwich shop. Lynn went in, I was still in my wedding dress and stayed in the car. Then we drove to the little home in Lehi that we had rented. We were announced to the neighbors of our arrival, by the rocks in the hubcaps.. We had to use camping lanterns, because the electricity, and gas were not turned on yet.
Latter we found out that the home in Vivian Park had flooded that night, by a broken water pipe.

Vivian Park had a large pond. In the summer you could go boating and fishing. In the winter we would go Ice skating on it.

Journal writing...

I started writing in a Journal in 1977, a year or so after my 4th child, Jennifer, was born. Even though I have written some of the precious and cute things children do of that age, I am sorry that I don't have recorded things that were important to me before that time. After my Mom died, and I had gone home to visit. I found a box of letters I had written to my Mom and Dad. (We were living in Arizona, and my parents were in Utah.) Mom had kept them all. In them I wrote all about what was happening in my life, because I wanted them to be part of my life, and I missed them so much.. I even found pictures that my son Gene had drawn, before he had died, of injuries from a car accident. He was almost 4 years old.
The letters are in my ceder chest, hopefully sometime I can get to them. If I don't, then maybe one of my girls will. At least they know where they are now.

Trains, Trains, and more Trains...

As far back as I can remember, my Dad worked for Union Pacific Railroad, in Provo Utah. Mom and I would drive Dad to work in the mornings. Down to the railroad yard, across two sets of huge groups of tracks, with trains moving on them all the time. (Today there is a viadok,or bridge, over the main tracks.)
I remember how huge, and fast the trains were, and how careful we had to watch out for them. My favorite were the steam engines. especially one called #4. He was a small engine and well liked by everybody. They kept him mostly in the yard for help. You could always hear his bell ringing, and I always looked for him. At this time the Diesel trains were becoming very popular, and slowly the steam trains were being cut up and scraped. It was a very sad day when #4 life was ended to.
My brother Ivan also worked for a short time at the railroad. He worked the turntable. I had the privilege of being with him in the cab of a steam engine, as he move the huge train on to the turntable, and the turntable turned the train to the line in which it was to go. I also got to see the roundhouse, and saw some on the trains being disassembled there.
Because Dad worked for the railroad he got to ride the trains free. Mom and I were half price. I remember Mom, Dad and I, riding passenger trains to California. Dad and I would go up to the dome cars (train cars that had upstairs, with seats, covered with a glass dome.) So you could see everywhere. We would sit up there and Dad would teach me the light signs that the engineers would read. No Computers back then. I could tell what was happening on the track, and why our train was doing different things. Trains are big, heavy, fast, and takes a long time to stop. They were put in areas where alot of people were not, because of accidents, involving careless folks. When you ride, You get to see beautiful scenery, that is mostly away from roads, and sometimes you saw into peoples backyards and how they were kept. We even skirted a forstfire as it was burning the mountain that the train track was on,and the ground still smoking where the track was, and raced along the ocean side at high speeds, in California. It was fun to walk through the train and see the different types of cars. Sleepers, Dinner, Passengers, and Dome. I also love observing those who worked on the trains. And the conductor, who seemed to be always present.
My brothers had alot of Lionel Trains sets, I wanted one so bad... but they were "boy toys" I never got a train set, until I was older, married. I did find a small Lionel engine in Mom, and Dads house that had belonged to one of my brothers. I kept it, they no longer cared about them. I wish I had more.
Last year Pauli took me to a model train convention, with displays, I bought my first "N" gage train set there. I just love it. I had the tiny train running around the bottom of my Christmas tree in December. I now have the one Lionel train, "G" scale, that was my brothers, I bought cars to go with it. I have 2, "HO" scale, trains, one diesel, and one steam. and one "N" scale, which is a steam model.

Sometime before I was born, Dad worked for Daleabout Bakery in Provo, where he learned the art of fine, good things to eat, and we, and the neighborhood, were blessed by his baking, most all of his life. It was not unusual for him to bake the pies for the whole neighborhood at holiday times. My Aunt Bernice Hartley was a wonderful baker, when I once asked her to teach me something she had made, she told me that everything she had learned, was from my Dad.

Dad had worked at a radio station in SLC. He had showen me the building, but I was to young to remember it. During the depression, Dad worked his horses helping folks dig the dirt out from under their houses so they could have basements. I know he did alot of other things to but these stick out in my mind.

When Dad was laid off from the railroad, he was close to retairment age and had Parkinson, his left hand, and arm shook. No one would hire him for work. So my mother had to find work for us to live. I believe I was in the seventh, or eighth grade when Mom went to work. Mom worked as a nurse for the Utah State Hospital, in Provo, until at the time she passed away from cancer in 1968.

Journal Excert: Jodie's Birth...

Taken from my small red Journal, Page 270....Dec. 15, 1983

In Sacrament meeting it was mentioned that we should write down for our children what happened during the time of their birth. So Jodie this is for you....


Jodie Margaret was born on Dec. 2, 1983 at 4:24 am, on a Friday morning.

Early Friday morning about 12:30 am, I told Michelle (17) not to go to bed, because I though I would be going to the Hospital, and I wanted her to be aware so she could take care of the kids and house.

The labor pain was 5 minuets apart. I put my coat on, got my suit case and purse. I woke Lynn who was asleep on our bed, and asked him kidding if he was going to take me to the hospital, or was going to drive myself. By the time Lynn got himself together and we were ready to leave, the contractions were about 2 minuets apart.

When we arrived at Phoenix Baptist Hospital, I was surprised the people made me walk back to the labor rooms, which wasn't the easiest to do. After I was settled Dr. Farrar came shortly and gave me a paracivical block, and a baby's fetal heart beat monitor was strapped on my stomic, to keep track of the baby's heart beat. I had such a bad cough that every time I would cough, I would wipe out the monitor screen.

Margaret Ortez, one of my nurses attached a fetal heart monitor to the top of Jodie's head. The monitor has a small screw, that screws into the skin of the baby's head. At this point I had dilated to a 6 and the bag of waters had already broke.

This was the first time I had a baby heart monitor used on any of my 6 children. What a blessing it was. Every time I would have a contraction the baby's heart beat would drop. I remember the heart beat being around 138 and dropping to the fifties. Margaret would turn me from side to side trying to relieve the pressure off the baby.

I remember looking at the clock, it was about 1:05 am, and thinking the baby would be born about 1:30 am the way every thing was going. Shortly Dr. Farrar came in and said the baby's heart was dropping low and felt we might have to take the baby Cesarean. I responded to him knowing the baby was in trouble, "lets go", he said it would take a while to get every body here. I wasn't sure who all he meant...It seems now that there was a lot of people there.

I am not sure what happened from 2 am to 4 am. I remember them getting me ready to go to surgery...trying to get the bed moving, and having to disconnect the wire from the monitor. I thought to myself that it made sense to disconnect from the one monitor and replug into another monitor in surgery, rather than dragging the whole unit with us.

I must of been drugged at this point for I do not remember any pain or contractions. I had no desire to even open my eyes to see what was happening. However I was very much alert spiritually or mentally, and could hear all that was going on around me.

I remember being wheeled to surgery, we stopped someplace just inside the doors. My senses made me think of a extremely small room, or hallway space to the left side of the surgery room. I was there about 5 minutes. There was no baby monitor there, and the nurse insisted the fetal heart monitor be plugged in. "the Dr. wants it constantly monitored!"

They wheeled me into surgery, and plugged the monitor in. I don't remember them moving me on to the surgery table, but I am sure they did. I do remember being strapped down, my arms straight out on both sides, and they also strapped my legs down. I couldn't move, nor did I wish to. I already had an IV in my hand through which all medications were administered.

The Anethesealogist had a real neet accent in his voice. I don't know what he looks like for my eyes were closed. He kept talking to me letting me know what he was going to do. His voice kept my attention. It was nice to be spoken to and comforting. A oxygen mask was placed over my nose and mouth. I felt that not enough oxygen was coming through the mask. Having Asama I panic when I feel I can't breath. I called out many times, that I can't breath!. Shortly the Anethesealogist said he had opened one of the ports or vents so I could get more air. It helped but it could have been better.

I must have slept. I could hear voices on my left side, nurses I think, concerning the baby's heart beat. I heard Dr. Farrar voice, he was waiting for the baby Dr. (Dr. Conley) who had not arrived yet, every one elts was there. At this point I don't remember the mask being on my face. Just a slight feeling I might have a tube in my throat. ( I asked the nurse later about it and she said that I did have a tube.)

Dr. Farrar and the nurses was talking about how low the baby's heart beat had dropped, down in the 30's. Dr Farrar said he couldn't wait any longer. Someone said "he's here!" meaning Dr. Conley. "He just walked threw the door." The Anesthesealogist was given the information he was to put me completely under, which they hadn't planned to do. He asked Dr. Farrar "Now? Dr. Farrar!" to which he received a yes.

Dr. Farrar made the incision. I felt the pressure and a little pain. It hurt when he removed the baby, but only briefly. Nurse Margaret was trying to remove the fetal heart monitor at the same time Dr. Farrar started. Dr. Farrar said its a girl. I remember thinking I didn't hear the baby cry. I didn't worry anymore about the baby for I knew Dr. Farrar would take good care of her.

I felt I could go to sleep and not worry. I had the strangest feeling. I was completely awake but couldn't move a mussel, nor did I wish to. I don't remember how long I was awake.

The next I remember was being in recovery with a nurse telling me that I would be put in the hall on the ward until a bed was available, which would be soon. I was placed in the hall across from a door way. Every time someone walked threw the door a cooling breeze came across me, which felt good. I later learned it was the doorway to the children's ward. I was placed in room 305, bed A. The hospital helicopter pad was just outside my window. I could hear it come and go all hours of day and night.

I wanted to know what had happened during surgery, I asked if Lynn was around, to which the nurses couldn't find him. I thought maybe he had gone home to check on the kids. The nurses found him at home and told him I would like to see him.

After 8 hours they brought Jodie to me. The first time I got to see her. My what a beautiful baby she was. Such big beautiful eyes, looking all around just as if she was in a hurry to take all of this world in at once. She is a very contented little girl. Jodie looks so much like her older sister Pauli. Jodie was born with a birthmark. A large red mark under her chin on the right side. It can be seen in the pictures of Jodie when she is 8hr. old. (the Picture of Jodie and I in the Hospt. that Lynn took.) Jodie at this time of writing is almost 2 months old her birthmark is very light pink and hardly can be seen. I believe it will probably go away. Jodie has long thin fingers, As my Dad would say, she would make a good piano player. She is so sweet.

Latter as I visited with nurse Margaret, I learned that she worked with Jodie for two hours to get her to breath on her own. Jodie was so active, that she had wraped the cord all around herself, and never would have been born naturaly alive, because the cord then was too short to supply oxygen for her. This nurse Margaret, gave us permission to give her name to Jodie. She also sent a little stuffed brown and white dog, for Jodie's 1st birthday. Latter when Jodie would take swimming lessons, I would have to tell her teacher to watch Jodie, for she would have to tell her to breath after getting her face wet, to get her to do it. Jodie would hold her breath and not breath.

At our Dr. Appointment I was told by the office staff, that Dr. Farrar was real shook up when he had returned to the office after Jodie's birth. He was so afraid we were going to lose her.
And I had lost so much blood that I was not permitted to stand to hold Jodie. He kept us in the Hospt. for 5 full days because I had no help at home.

To think about it now, we must have been a scary problem for Dr. Farrar. Nancy who worked with him a lot told me that Dr. Farrar was one of the few doctors who would not ignore a baby after it was born, he would make sure it was aright before he would leave. He was also diabetic, and it was not unusual for him to ask for a candy bar during a delivery.

How was it made?...

I recently had a unique experience of flying on Southwest airline from Los Vegas Nevada to Salt Lake City Utah. I know allot of people fly all the time and it doesn't bother them. I thought I would be extremely nervous as its been many years since I have flown in a plane. And its along ways to fall down. However I chose a seat next to a window, and was surprised to see the front end of the jet motor just outside, and the wing in the seat in back of me. Saying goodbye to my family was fast, enough that it left my head swirling. Family's are no longer permitted to walk you to the gate, because of security.
A young lady sat in my row with a seat in between us. I asked her if she was ok, as she looked nervous or sick. she said she was fine and ask me if I would like to look at a magazine, Martha Stuart, or some smut! I thanked her, but I was more interested in watching out the window.

It was time to leave Los Vegas, and the pilot started to pressurise the plane. That made me feel real funny, almost a panic type feeling. As we raced down the runway, I thought about how these motors outside my window, had so much power that they could push a plane through the air, and fast enough for it to stay up.

I watched outside my window, and just couldn't get enough of the beauty I saw. We flew over Los Vegas, and headed for the desert areas. The clouds were stunning, all different levels and types, mixed with storm clouds to. I could see the lakes and how they spread out and how the rivers emptied into them. This was a holiday weekend, so all over the lake was a huge bunch of white dots with tails. All around this large lake was dry land. You could see patterns of how the land would wash away with rain. You could also see the rainbow color streaks of earth. I was amazed with the river that seemed to flow forever, and we seem to be following it. Everything seemed to be dry except where this river was. My guess that their was about a mile on each side of this river that was green. It would wind its way through the land like a snake, and in little pockets next to the river would be a small community. And close by would be 2 or 3 houses and beautiful farm lands laid out. then quite a ways down would be another small community, all snuggled in the bends of the river. Another thing of interest was this river also had allot of white dots with tails on it.

Flat land closer to Los Veges, had farm lands of green circles. I didn't count them, but I bet there might be close to 50 or so of them. Circles, half circles and a few squares.
I didn't hear the airline Stuart ask me what I would like to drink, because I was watching the rainbows in the clouds, and the shadow of the plane as we passed thick white clouds.
I thought to my self how the pilots have this privilege everyday, of seeing this beautiful world from this point of view. To be so high 30 thousand feet, and to look down and see things that one would not see unless they were here. As I watched the scenery below us, even the popcorn clouds, I wondered how all this was made? and what did Our Lord see, as all this was created.
I was also fascinated to see how people chose where they wanted to live.

The Pilot announced we would be making our decent, and we were about 91 miles from Salt Lake City. I had the feeling that we might see Tooele, and Grantsville and I wondered if I could see my house. I could see a letter on the mountain range a ways away. And a interesting pond looking water spot. I thought this can't be Tooele, for there is no mountain range seen in what would have been Grantsville, and the Great Salt Lake, is much larger, and doesn't come that far on the backside of Grantsville. As I looked harder to make out the letter on the mountain below, I discovered it to be a "Y". We were flying over Provo. The "Y" is for BYU. Provo is where I was born, the area I grew up in and knew very well.

I had never seen Provo, and Orem from this point of view......Utah lake, and all the area around it. I was surprised to see that the land between the mountain range and the lake was flat.
I could see Provo, Springville and even far south. We passed Orem, PG, Lehi, American Fork.
We flew on the west side of Utah Lake, I looked down and was amazed to see it almost filled with homes, where they did not exist anywhere before. There were 3 areas now being prepared for new homes to be built.

We followed the Jordon river flying north. I saw the Jordon River Temple right under me.
I looked over the valley of homes, every where. Homes on top of the point of the mountain, and on its side. Homes crammed into crevasses of mountains surrounding SLC. Homes as far as you could see.

I thought of all the people who lived in these homes, in a huge city. And I thought of the small communities, and farmers who chose not to live in a large city, but along the river. How each one is a child of Our Father in Heaven. And He knows where each one is, and knows that child, Hears his prayers and grants his blessings.

This was only a small part of this beautiful world, with many cities, and many rivers, and many children. He knows us all personally...He is our Father...He knows us by name, and He Loves us.
9-4-07

Journal Excert: Paulette's Birth...

Taken from my small red Journal, page 61....Feb 11, 1980



In Sacrement meeting today it was mentioned we should write down for our children what happened during the time of their birth. So here for you Pauli, is a Journal entry I had written. I believe Dad also wrote in his journal....


Yesterday, Sunday my body seemed to be heavier than ever. My legs and feet were so swollen, my bad foot was at least 3 times its normal size, because the baby was so low.


I rested normally through the night, til about 3:00 am when I woke to a very strong contraction. I went back to sleep and about one hr. latter I had another strong contraction. I semi-slept as they continued to increase in intervals. About 5 am, I was pretty sure I was in labor, however I did not want to go to the hospital (Baptist) until I had received a priesthood blessing. I worried because of my age and wanted everything to go well. I have always asked for a Priesthood blessing with each of my children, and know that all has gone well because of it.

In Jennifer's case the cord was wrapped around her neck and Dr. Eldon Hamblin was quickly to relieve the problem and Jennifer's life was spared. Gene also had to be turned.

I noticed my contractions slowed down to about 30 minuets apart. I woke Lynn about 6:00 am, and asked who he knew could come and give me a blessing this morning, as I was sure I would be in the Hospital before noon. He called Bro. LeRoy Black, our former home teacher, whom we love dearly. He said he could be at our house about 7:45 am, which was good because the kids, Michelle (13) and David (11) left for school just after 8:00 am.

I called Nancy Woods, my friend, and informed her I wasn't going to wait til she got back to work on Thursday night, as she worked on the OB floor at the Baptist Hospital.

I tried calling Teina Richens, and found her not at home. I called Polly Hrenchir, who also works on the OB floor and asked her if she would watch Jennifer (3 1/2) until she could get hold of Teina who was to watch Jennifer. Polly informed me that she was working tonight. ( we had made plans if I came in when Polly was working, she would slip out, go across the street and get both of us chocolate fudge sundays with cashews on top, at Mary Coles.)

Bro. Black came between 7:45 and 8:00. My contractions then moved rapidly to 3 to 5 minet apart. David prayed that mother would get feeling better. I thought that was sweet of him. We sent the kids off to school as soon after 8:00 as possible, finally getting Michelle out of the house, I didn''t think she was going.

About 8:10 I managed to sit on the arm of a frontroom chair and called to Lynn that I was afraid we were too late! as the contractions were continuous now.

We took Jennifer to Sis Hrenchirs and headed for the Hospt.

Very slowly I made my way from the car almost to the emergency room door, when I was greeted by one of the helicopter flight doctors with a wheel chair. He said "You look like your going to have a baby!" I very much agreed with him. He wheeled me right down to the Labor room. When I was concerned about Lynn finding his way, the Dr. informed me his partner would bring Lynn down. I thought that was sure nice of them to do that.

Dr. Marcise Frarrar was called as soon as I was checked. As I heard his voice I said I guess we are both wrong. meaning the date the baby was to come. All through the nine months we have kind of had a difference in opinion, as to when the baby was due. The first date Dr. Frarrar gave me was the 15th of February, which sounded about right to me. Then he thought the baby was bigger that 3 months along. He then said it would be between 15 Jan to 1st of Feb. Knowing how I carry my children I said no it will be in Feb. When I wasn't ready in Jan, Dr Frarrar changed it to the first part of Feb.. about 2 weeks before due date, he changed it again to Feb 18th. I still held out for Feb 15th. When he asked me why I said Feb 15th? I said because it was the first date he had given me. He then said that date was just a guess. So when the baby came 4 days early, I was surprised because I have seen all the due dates on my kids, except this one. So we were both wrong. It was kind of fun to poke at each other, and others too about the due date, namely Nancy, and if the baby was a girl or boy.

Nancy had said Dr. Frarrar had put on my Hospital chart, I would be coming in Jan. I told her she better indicate " mother said Feb!" Dr. Frarrar also puts what he thinks the baby will be on the chart. Nancy said he had been right 11 out of 12 times so far. I felt good about that because he had indicated all along, except for 1 time that the baby was a girl.

I remember going to Primary insurvice one month, and the ladies asked what has the Dr. said? my response was a disappointed "Its a boy!" which brought a round of lafter. But the next week Dr. Frarrar was back on my side again, as I really wanted a little girl.

I was having a hard time, and still trying to relax so labor would go faster. The only thing I have had with the rest of my kids was a hypo towards the last. The "In fad" today is to do everything naturally. Birth, breast feeding, and sometimes no doctor.

Dr Frarrar asked me "Your not going to do this naturally are you?" I said No Way! I was experienced after 4 others to know what I was in for, and not foolish enough to turn down help. He gave me a ceverial block, which takes allot of the pain out of the contractions and does no harm to the baby. Its like being numbed in the mouth when you see a dentist, but has no other effects, such as sleepiness or spreading out of the area.

While I was in the labor room which seemed to be about 15 minets, Lynn and Dr Frarrar talked about caring for BEES!!

I was taken to the delivery room, when I heard a familiar voice from the doorway, it was Nancy. She just couldn't stay away. She stayed in the Hospital until after the baby was born.

For me delivery was rough. I think allot of it is due to my age.

In the delivery room they keep us for about 30 to 45 minets after birth, to make sure mother and child are doing fine. I didn't get to see my baby born as I had my eyes closed and concentrating on pushing. I didn't get to see Jennifer be born as there was no mirror in the delivery room.

After Pauli was born and she was in a warming bed, with a special light, because she was johndes.
meaning her liver needed a little extra help. Lynn spent about the next 30 min. playing with her right in the delivery room. I saw in his eyes a look which I had not seen for a very long time. One of humbleness, love for our newborn baby. a sweet, sweet look and feeling which lasted most of the day.
Nancy came in and congratulated me on our sweet little girl. I even got to hold her in the delivery room.

My roommate, Joni Simpson, took 3 pictures of Pauli with a Polaroid camera, when she was about 3 1/2 hrs. old. Lynn took these home to announce to the kids, they had a new baby sister.

Polly Hrencher worked down in the delivery all night, so I didn't see her until just before she was ready to leave for home.

Just before Pauli was born Dr. Frarrar asked me how much my other children weighed at birth. I told him 8 to 9 pounds. he said "looks like you've got another one!" Pauli was 8 lb and 9 oz, 21 inches long. Born at 10:19 am. She was beautiful. Born with dark hair and her skin was dry. The only one I had with dry skin. her little hands look so dainty, they were so thin with long fingers. I though it was just fitting for a special little girl. Pauli has what they call a little rosebud mouth, perfect and sweet. She had her eyes open allot in the delivery room, and she was born with a good pair of lungs.

One of the nurses wrapped Pauli in a warm blanket and gave her to me while I was still on the gernie, a movable table. Pauli was so soft and sweet I could hardly believe my Father in Heaven could have given me such a great blessing.

Lynn stayed at the Hospital most of the day. I called a few friends from our ward to let them know. Linds Woods, Gayle Whetton, Polly Hrencher,Teina Richens, Mary Mattox, and Muriel Wright.
We also called Kathy Walker and left word with her for Lynns family. We also called Lynns grandfather, Murvel Walker.

Latter in the afternoon we called my Dad, at the rest home. He seemed a little depressed, but by the time we delivered the news, I believe it brightened up his day.




February 12, 1980

Lynn brought Michelle, David and Jennifer to the Hospital to see the baby. Baptist Hospt has a set time for the kids to come and hold their new baby. I believe its from 1 to 2 pm.
I had Pauli with me. As the kids came in they put on Hospt. gowns, and Lynn did too.
They were all so proud to hold their baby sister, Lynn took some pictures.
The nurse paid us a complement saying she didn't even know my family had come, because they were so mannerly, and quiet.

We took Pauli home on Valentines day.

Surprises...

I have had a few surprises that really take the cake for me. And interesting enough they were given by my daughters. Have you ever been so surprised that your mouth just hangs open? Recently my daughter Paulette talked me into flying to her in Bullhead city for a surprise that she would not tell me about. When the special night arrived, and they had kept everything from me so I could not see any advertisement, or anything. Pauli and James took me out to dinner, at a casino which was on the river edge. (I don't usually go to places like that) Dinner was very nice, and we had a picture window from celling to floor. We sat next to the glass window and watched the water Jet skis in the river below. After dinner, Pauli and I went to a concert hall, where tables were set with lit candles on them. Pauli could hardly contain herself and asked if I wanted to know what my surprise was? I said yes! She should me the banner over the stage....And it said "The Australian BEE GEE" !!! The BEE GEE are one of my very favorite singing groups, I play their music all the time. Needless to say I was bouncing up and down for a good 2 hrs. through the whole concert.

Another wonderful surprise given to me by Paulette, was the time when she schedule a day for me to spend with her. Then she drove me to someplace in Salt Lake City. There the folks were setting up model train displays. (another one of my great loves!) Even though we had came on a day when they were putting things together, I just loved it. In a way it was kind of nice because it was not crowded. I bought my first N scale train there.....I ran it under our Christmas tree, in our new house. A little later we had lunch at a "Macaroni Grill" house, which was very good. And even found a Barns and Noble next door, and enjoyed browsing time.

Pauli and Jennifer were invited to play a musical number in Sacrament Meeting in Stansbury, where James parents live. Lynn and I were invited to come and hear them play. When the time came for them to preform, they had another lady playing with them. the music was very nice and I was surprised that they could find someone who could play so well to match the way Jen and Pauli played......Music was over and we were listening to the talks starting when I received a tap on my shoulder, I turned around and to my great shock......there was Jodie... my youngest... She had flown in from Arizona, and came and played with the other two. Its real sad when you don't recognize your own children.

About 3 years ago one of the neatest gifts I received for Christmas, Was a surprise Train trip, on the Verde Canyon Railroad, spent with just Jodie and I together. It was a lot of fun. The 1st of January, and we were frozen in the air of the open car we were riding in. We would buy cups of hot chocolate just to keep our hands warm. We saw a lot of beautiful Arizona scenery. And watched Balled Eagles fly, even saw where they were building a nest on the side on the mountain. I will never forget the time spent with Jodie, on the blue diesel train, with a Eagle painted on it.

Many years ago, about 19 years, My oldest daughter wanted me to spend a Saturday with her. She wouldn't tell me where we were going, but told me to wear walking shoes, and plan on spending the whole day with her and a few of the people she works with. I figured we would be hiking somewhere at a park maybe in northern Arizona.
Launie picked me up early in the morning while it was still dark. Instead of driving north, we went south...to the airport! In about a hour we were landing in California, and looking for a bus that went to Disneyland. I had never been to Disneyland, and had wanted to go my whole life. Launie paid for everything. I remember how shocked I was, and I kept telling myself "What am I going to tell Lynn where I have been?" and that "I was out of the state" of Arizona. I usually have a good sense of direction, but I felt lost in Disneyland, and kept a close eye on Launie. I loved every minuet of it, and I have stored memories with fun recall of the day. Alot of the neet rides of that time no longer exists. Computers have taken over, and rides have been updated. As old as it is, I was surprised to see how clean the workers kept Disneyland. I have never had the privilege of going back. This was the only time for me. I cherishes every memory, with a thankful heart.

The Catfish...

Before I was in Kindergarten, I remember my brothers riding their bikes to the boat harbor in Provo, and catching a large gray catfish with their hands. They brought it back home and I found it swimming in Mom's kitchen sink. When my mother found it in her sink, she made the boys remove it. Next I found him swimming in our bathtub, but shortly afterwards I saw him in a bucket outside, still alive. He could hardly fit in the bucket. I watched him sway back and forth, and I was amazed at the long whisker's he had. I had never been so close to a live fish before. My brothers said they returned him to the river....I sure hope so.

In a land of stone...

I am visiting a land where rocks burn black without any fire! As far as I can see, I look out across this desert, and see few bushes and small grasses and rocks across the land, darken as if they may have been in a fire. I even saw a retaining wall of round rocks all black on the top and light colored on the bottom where the rocks sit on the earth. It was very strange to see... The explanation was, the sun burns the rocks and plants because in this area there is very little rain, and the temperature easily reaches 120 degrees. For me this is hard to believe that rocks can burn, but I have seen it with my own eyes in Bullhead city, Ariz. 8-30-07

A long long time ago, in a galaxy far away...

I am the youngest in my family, a girl with 4 older brothers. My youngest brother was a premature birth and died before birth, which left 11 years between myself, and my next youngest brother. When I came along I was a surprise to my mom and dad. Mom had not planed on having any more children, and had given away all the baby things. And then to top it off I was a girl. So I ended up getting new girl things.
In those days you could not tell what the baby was going to be. So when I was born Dr. Smith said to mom "You finally got what you wanted!". Dad had been at the hospital for a while, and because he had been at work, he was very tired. The Dr. said I wouldn't be coming til morning, and for him to go home. (fathers were not aloud in the delivery room at that time). He had just gotten to sleep at home, when word came that I had arrived, he had to get up go back to the hospital.
I don't know how long Mom stayed in the hospital, at least a week, as that was a length of time given to mother when I was around 5-7years old. When I had my own children the hospital stay was about 3 days. Now its one day or in and out within 24 hrs.

I don't remember a lot about those infant years.
We lived in a home in Provo Utah, that my Father had built. My brothers, Bob, Ivan, Verl all had bedrooms downstairs, and I am told they had made a darkroom under the stairway, to do photography. Mom and Dad slept up stairs, and I slept on a coutch in the front room. I remember sitting in the doorway of the front room, watching it rain, when a bright lightening bolt struck the power pole across the street, and a big fireball rolled down the wires away from our house.

We lived in this home in Provo, until about the middle of my Kindergarten year of school. Then Mom and Dad bought a brand new home in Orem Utah. I lived there until I was married in 1965.

I was born April 12, 1944 at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo Utah. I was the only one out of my siblings that was born in a Hospital.