Patriotism

My dad is a Commander in the American Legion Post 72 out of Orem, Utah. He has been involved with that group for several years now and they do some amazing things. First of all, they are not solely a group of old retired soldiers (although most of them are). Some are young and all are passionate about our country and patriotism.

The first time I saw these guys “perform” was at a funeral. Sport wanted to take pics of Grandpa is his white uniform for a Reflections video he was making. Grandpa agreed and we headed to the cemetery. It was cold and windy. We waited for a while and watched them get ready, then we climbed from the car and set up the video camera under a tree. We didn’t want to be obvious, but with a zoom lens we could see everything.

Despite the weather, these men did a wonderful job. They set up flags and as the Honor Guard, they were allowed to play Taps and perform the 21-gun salute. Even though I didn’t know the soldier they were burying, tears came to my eyes as they folded the flag and handed it to the family. These are men who know what it’s like to put it all on the line in the name of patriotism.

It was only natural that we would ask them to participate in the Dog Walker’s Court of Honor last month. They brought in the flags from each of the branches of the armed services and played their songs. They asked audience members to stand and be recognized. I was amazed at how many men had fought for our country. Then they showed us the proper way to fold the flag. They handled it so reverently and carefully, with white-gloved hands and slow salutes. How many of their friends had died for that very piece of cloth?

KSL

 So today I saw them again on KSL.com. They buried the mayor of Orem and Grandpa’s group was there to honor him. What a fantastic group of men! They aren’t paid for their time and trouble, only in helping us all become a little more appreciative of our freedom. Tell your friends “Thanks,” Dad, for helping us all remember.

KSL

Tonka Trucks

I’ve told you before that I have a church pew in my living room. It’s handy for extra seating and it’s always a great conversation piece. One thing I hadn’t anticipated when my sweetie insisted that we place it in the living room was that it would be a great place for storage! With all these kids, we have LOTS of toys. Some of their very favorites are these big yellow Tonka trucks.

They are the old-style ones, all made of metal and virtually indestructible. As you can see, even Sport can still fit his 8-year-old bottom in one without it falling apart. As soon as the kids are big enough to walk (and sometimes before), they start pushing around these trucks. By the time they can walk, the trucks zoom round and round the circle that is my living room and kitchen.

When Sport was younger, he took a pic of Curly “riding” in one when he was just a few days old. It won a couple of levels in the Reflections contest I told you about a few days ago. Maybe I can get Teach to find it when she gets home. Baby Doll also loves riding in the trucks as long as she is being pushed by someone who isn’t a crazy driver. (Note to Dog Walker: take it easy on the corners…)

Even though the noise level rises a couple of decibels, I love it when they chase the trucks around and around. I think it’s fantastic exercise. It teaches them how to handle a roadway and get along. I’ve seen many cases of “road rage” and it isn’t pretty, but it is resolved quickly…wih NO guns! Just a pinched finger or two.

Another Very Long Day

 I almost don't remember what it feels like to not be tired. I sewed flags last night until 5:30 this morning when my sewing machine suddenly gave out! I think a belt or something broke. Then the Dog Walker and I ran across town to give them back to the lady in charge. I felt bad about it, but what could I do?! 

At 6:30 I finally crawled into bed for an hour or so. Sport had to be at the football field at 8:00 and his game started at 9:00. They played a good game and soundly trounced the Riverton team. We came home and started on the five boxes of peaches.

We finished them up around 2:00 and then we started on the five boxes of pears. By the time we were finished we had nearly 100 quarts of fruit. We also had the kids pick another round of beans and I just turned off the canner. That added 13 1/2 quarts to our tally for the day.

Not a bad day's work for a conference Saturday. We enjoyed the talks and the music in between the plop and hiss from the canners. Remember, if you want to do peaches, they are just like pears except they take a little longer to blanch. I hope you all had a happy and productive day too. Sorry about the short post, I'll make it up to you, I promise, but right now I really need some  zzzzzz.

Guest Blogger- Princess and Teach: Taylor Swift

On our way to the BEST CONCERT EVER!

So…I work at a ticket kiosk thing at the local grocery store, so I know most of the current concerts and events that are coming up in our neck o’ the woods. When I heard that good old Tay-Swifty was coming to concert I was SOOO super excited! I was all over getting tickets, but something happened and I put it off and didn’t get in there the morning they went on sale. When 5:30 rolled around and I got into work I asked my coworker how much the Taylor tickets were. She laughed hysterically at me and said they had sold out in less than 2 minutes.

Joke.

The view from $83.15 tickets

So… I pretty much got over it and decided I was never ever going to see my favorite artist perform. Ok, so I wasn’t totally over it but I couldn’t really do anything about it! In August (about 5 months after all the tickets sold out) I got a text from my coworker that said they were releasing a second batch of available tickets at 5:00. Oh golly, I was so there. I printed them at 5:00:01. $83.15 per ticket. Again, joke. Totally worth it. I went with Princess and my best friend Alex, (originally Dog Walker was supposed to come, but he didn’t want to spend that much… he’s a cheap skate).

Love Story- hovering balcony

It was THE best concert. EVER. Taylor put on such a good show! I have never been to a concert like that where the singing wasn’t the sole source of entertainment, but there were dancers, props, special effects. Everything. I went to Tim McGraw over the summer and although I love lil’ Timmy, he just sings… Taylor lights off fireworks, hovers in a balcony, plays the ukulele on a rotating tree… gosh. She’s rock awesome.

baha!

Also, this is not really important but slightly hysterical. They changed some of the men’s bathrooms into women’s bathrooms specifically for this event. It was a little gender stereotypical… but totally worth it. So yes, I’ve been in the “men’s’” restroom at Energy Solutions Arena.

This is what Princess had to say about the whole enchilada.

I didn't take this, but it is from T-Swift's concert

Taylor Swift, yeah pretty much the coolest thing ever, I honestly don’t know were to begin! There were giant bells, fireworks, light up trees, fake weddings, you could text the screen and your message would appear for the whole audience to see. People came out of the floor and down from the ceiling. And well, of course there was my favorite songs playing and it started snowing and…. Oh heavens! It was the best ever! They even had ballerinas! And they were amazing! And one particularly scary part a little pink loop of fabric came down from the ceiling and the dancers started partnering on the rope as it lifted up into the sky, no safety ropes or anything, how didn’t they die?!

Teach and I sang along to every song at the top of our lungs and we screamed and hollered at every possible moment. When I woke up the other day my mouth was completely dry, I couldn’t move it for a good solid minute and then a whole layer of my skin on my lips feel off over the course of the school day, but it was so worth it.

There were about 12 massive semi trucks

At one point Taylor went through the audience and was hugging the little girls and giving high fives, it was so cute! I have no idea how she changed so fast! Well, actually I do but… it’s a figment of speech. It was so sad, she started getting all like teary eyed during her sad songs and even if Teach thinks its just because she’s a good actress, I believe she really is sad every time she sings it. I love you Taylor and thanks Teach for putting up with my craziness and letting me come, it was the best!

We're so super excited!

Oh, Princess. You thought you were crazy? I’m a grown woman jumping up and down at a concert filled with seven-year-olds. I thought you might just disown me! Oh well. We’re still sisters. All is well. Thanks for the pictures, Alex! We finally got to see Taylor Swift. In concert. It was Enchanting!

Taylor Swift!

I’m probably never going to get over it.