Happy Birthday, Melanie

Melanie has the distinction of being our Alabama baby. Her dad was in the Air Force in Selma, Alabama, at the time of her birth. She came into the world with the cutest chubby cheeks and tons of hair. She was one of the few white babies in the hospital nursey, and then with her thick red hair, I was sure I took the right baby home from the hospital. She, like her sister, had colic as a baby. After she grew out of that, she became a happy baby with a sunny dispostion.

As Melanie passed through elementary school, she was an excellent student and also loved to play with friends. Achievemnts such as Patriot of the Month and the Honor Roll student came with her middle school years.

Melanie was a very thoughtful child, and she still is thoughtful in her interactions as an adult. As a child, she would leave sweet little notes on her mom and dad's pillows. She did the same thing with her grandparents. We still have many of those notes.

Melanie is a whiz with computers and also is the only person in the family who could fix broken things. Another great trait of hers is her positive way of interacting with people, whether it is at her job or with the family.

There is not another person in this world who is a better aunt than Melanie. She loves Jake, Derek, and Megan dearly; she watches Jake's swim meets, attends Derek's ballgames, and enjoys going shopping with Megan. A few days ago, when it was Megan's birthday, Melanie drove over to the Peterson's before she went to work so she could put tons of balloons in Megan's room. Megan woke up on her birthday with the biggest smile when she saw all those balloons. Melanie has weekend sleepovers with the kids, takes them bowling, goes with Jake to Lagoon, and is just an all-around fun and caring aunt.

Melanie loves to give gifts. I think that is why Christmas is a favorite holiday of hers. She puts a lot of thought into giving a person something to complement his or her personality.

Paul says that he can tell when I am talking to Melanie on the phone; I always laugh a lot. She can see humor in just about everything.

Melanie has brought joy into my life. She is sensitive and sweet; she is patient and kind. I am lucky to call her my daughter, and I love her very much.

A Stop on the Way to the Toy Store

We caught up with Megan as she came home from school to wish her a happy birthday. She and her parents were then headed off to the toy store to let Megan pick something out with her birthday money--a busy day for the special seven year old.!

Happy Birthday, Megan -- Seven Years Old

It is hard to believe that our little Megan will be seven years old tomorrow. She is now in second grade. For her birthday, she and her family spent last Saturday at Lagoon.

When Megan was born, she was three weeks early. Weighing in at slightly less than five pounds, she looked so tiny and helpless. Her due date was in September; by coming three weeks sooner, she qualified to start school a year earlier. Megan is such a good student in school; she is also a real social butterfly. She has no problems fitting in as the youngest one in the class.

Whenever I am with Megan, I feel my spirits lifted. She has such a happy disposition. I can not imagine life without Megan. I hope she has a very happy birthday (even though it is on a school day).

(The top picture shows Megan at one week old with her Great-Grandma McKell. I have always loved this picture.)

War and Peace

In the Classics Book Club I belong to, we read a novel every month (except December); then we meet the third Wednesday of each month to discuss our impressions of the books. We plan ahead and pick our selections at the beginning of each new year.

This year we decided to really take a plunge and read Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace. Since this novel is very long (1215 pages in my copy), we needed more than one month to complete it. We will read starting in October and will finish in January.

In all my English Literature classes at BYU, War and Peace was never assigned as required reading. So.....here's hoping it keeps my interest; just looking at this book is starting to bring up an unpleasant memory of being forced to read Moby Dick over Christmas vacation in my junior year at BYU. At least this time, if I don't like the novel, I can just walk away from it; I won't have to pass a test or write an essay to prove I read it!

Mother Nature's Show (from our deck) -August 18th, 2009

Sundance Theater in Provo Canyon

Tonight Paul and I and our friends Sandy and John are going to the Sundance Theater in Provo Canyon. We used to go to Sundance at least once every summer to enjoy various musical productions. This we did for years and years. We loved it! I remember, after being in the heat of the Salt Lake Valley that day, driving to the canyons to experience temperatures that were pleasant and even cool for the evening.

The productions were stopped a few years ago, and we have really missed them. Today in the newspaper, we saw an advertisement for the new Sundance Theater. Music from the group known as the Fantastics will be on the venue tonight. (Only really old people know about this group of singers!!) There is also an outdoor barbeque to purchase before we take our seats for the play.

Even if the play turns out to be only mediocre, a night under the stars in cool Provo Canyon, with yummy food and good friends, promises to be fantastic (like the play).

Ashley and Children

My neice Ashley has recently moved back to Utah. She and her husband John and their daughter Allison lived in Oklahoma for two years while John was attending law school. He will finish his third year of law school at the University of Utah in May.

Ashley has taught elementary school until this year; now she will stay home fulltime with her two children Allison and Tanner.

We are so glad to have Ashley back in Utah. She is a real ray of sunshine in our McKell family. We missed her a lot when she was gone.

What is Good About Being 63?

I was recently reading an article about Meredith Vieira in Good Housekeeping Magazine and came across a great quote. Meredith entitles it "The Best Thing About Being in my 50's", but it can very easily apply to someone in their 60's as well.

The Best Thing About Being in my 50's (her quote) - "Watching my children grow up to be wonderful adults. Also, I think with each decade, you get a little bit more comfortable in your skin. You don't sweat the small stuff the way you might have before."

I find that statement to be very true. So....the next time you look at your mom and notice all her wrinkles and the pot-belly, focus instead on the fact that she may be happier at this stage of life than she has been at any other.

Keaton's Missing Front Teeth

Is there anything cuter than a little kid missing his two front teeth? This is our grandson Keaton with his big toothless grin. He is shown here at a summer class where he learned all about safety rules.

Happy Birthday, Natalie

What can I say about my sweet daughter? She is everything a mother could want in a child. She has brought me nothing but joy and happiness from the day she was born. Our lives are never the same when we become mothers, and Natalie opened up a whole new world for me on the day she was born.

Natalie was a colicky baby, and so her life wasn't much fun at first. Then, when she outgrew that, she turned into a quiet, conscientious little girl. From the start, she was an achiever. My early parent-teacher conferences conveyed that she was an excellent reader and a high-achiever in math; then, in middle school she was a Patriot of the Month and frequently brought home all A's on her report card.

High school brought lots of boyfriends. Natalie went to all of Alta's scool dances plus other dances from other schools. She was also part of a threesome of girlfriends who called themselves the Three Musketeers. Michelle Snow, Marci Hunt, and Natalie Frost were friends throughout elementary school, middle school, high school, college, and even a semester at BYU Hawaii. They are still the very best of friends and meet often.

When Natalie started dating Alan, I knew that I liked him immediately. He hasn't disappointed me. He is a wonderful husband and father and works hard for his family. When Jacob was born, Natalie gave me my first precious grandchild; two more followed that. Natalie has shared the children with me, and I couldn't have a better gift than these precious grandchildren.

Natalie still does her very best in everything she is given to do--whether it is in PTA, church callings, or her accounting part-time job. She is also a "giver". A big part of her life is caring about others and showing that caring through time given or meals taken in to someone in need.

Before I had children, and especially when I was pregnant with the first one, I secretly hoped that I would have daughters. I got my wish, and they have been the highlights of my life. I thank Natalie for the opportunity I have to be her mother. She will always be my darling little girl!

Chad and Andrea's Wedding

Long Day at the Hospital

Sorry--no pictures! The hospital gown didn't look as fashionable on me as I thought it would.

We had a long day. It started at 9:00 this morning and we came home around 3:30 in the afternoon. The procedure itself was only about an hour. After it was over, I had to lie still for three hours (couldn't move head or right leg).

The results were good. I have no blockages except for a small one (40% in one artery). The doctor left everything as is.

A positive ending to a very long day. Thanks, Paul, for being there for me.

Angiogram

Tomorrow I am going to the new IHC Hospital for an angiogram. I might have a blockage in one of my arteries. The procedure is pretty simple, and if they don't find a blockage, I can come home in a few hours. If there is a blockage, the doctor will put in a stent at the same time.

I am not particularly nervous about this procedure. Maybe that is because I know so many people with stents (my husband, my father, my brother). Also, I know how fetching I am bound to look in the neat blue and white hospital gown!! (If I remember, I will take pictures.)

I will keep you posted.

Insightful Quote

In our condo association, we periodically receive a newsletter called "The Village Voice". (We live in Village on the Green.)

In the last newsletter was a quote that I really liked. It goes like this: "Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment." Benjamin Franklin

Once-a-Month Lunches with My Former Neighbors

I look forward to seeing these ladies once a month--the first Monday of each month. We choose a different restaurant each time, and we always have lots to talk about.

The ladies in the photo are Rosalie Hunt, Gloria Staples, and Lynne DeLuca. Jan Kirkham is usually with us, but she couldn't make it today.

Oops!

It was actually 24 years ago that Catherine and Russell got married. I knew that, but it came out wrong ( my senility)!

Happy Anniversary, Catherine and Russell

Fourteen years ago, on August 3rd, Catherine Moore married Russell Ferguson. Their garden wedding was held at the Moore home on a perfect summer's day.

Catherine and Russell live in West Jordan and have two really cute kids--Bryce and Nicole. They are a fun family who spend lots of time in the summer on their boat.

Happy Anniversary! We love you.

Happy Birthday, Alan Peterson

The photo above is a few years old, but I loved how it made me feel when I saw Alan with his boys. He is such a good father to Jake, Derek, and Megan. They are fortunate to have him as their dad.

I liked Alan from the time I first met him, and that admiration has only grown with the years. He has dedicated himself to working hard for his family, and he interacts with his children with tact and patience.

Alan also has a great sense of humor. He can always make me smile.

Happy Birthday, Alan. Enjoy the day!

50 Things About Me

My daughter Melanie came up with the "50 Things About Me" entry, so I thought that I could do it too.

I also thought it would take me a few days to come up with 50 different traits, but I did it in about two hours. These are totally random things I thought about.

50 Things About Me

1. I love anything sweet - candy, cake, pie, cheesecake, etc.

2. I am very claustrophobic. Elevators, planes, tunnels, etc. will elicit this feeling.

3. I need a certain amount of quiet, alone time every day.

4. If I had it do to all over again, I probably wouldn't become an English teacher (this ties in with #3 above)

5. I love to read. If I am into a good book, I won't leave it alone until it's finished. I will stay up half the night to finish it.

6. I belong to two book clubs. The Butler Book Club (women who all taught at Butler Middle School) has been meeting for 25 years.

7. I have no athletic ability. In school, kids didn't want to pick me for their team because I played so awful.

8. I am fairly good at ping-pong. My family used to play ping-pong in the recreation room downstairs when I was growing up.

9. I don't like radishes.

10. I eat a very small amount of meat because I just don't like it that much.

11. Salmon and halibut are fish I really like to eat.

12. I don't use any color on my hair. It has very little grey in it. My mother, her sisters, and my grandmother all had this same genetic disposition.

13. I love to go to plays--the Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City, the Pioneer Theater, etc.

14. Any kind of ball game is extremely boring to watch--whether on TV or in the stadium. It feels like I am sitting in a dark closet for several hours. It is that BORING!!!!

15. I have a special affection for our grandchildren. I love spending time with them.

16. There is nothing more relaxing than a pedicure and foot massage. It is heaven.

17. I really miss my mother. Sometimes I will think, "Oh, I can tell this to Mother," only to remember that she is gone.

18. My favorite hobby is scrapbooking. Since Paul and I have been married, I have filled 36 scrapbooks.

19. It bugs me when people write the incorrect form of the homonyms "your" and "you're".

20. I have never kept a journal or diary until a year ago when I started doing this blog.

21. I really dislike arrogant people.

22. The last 11 years have been some of the happiest years of my life (married to Paul).

23. I was a polio pioneer. While in grade school, I remember standing in a line to wait my turn for the first polio vaccine. It was in the form of a sugar cube with the vaccine dropped into it. We each received a special card saying "polio pioneer". I still wish I had that card.

24. I hate to fly. I do it anyway, but I don't like it.

25 My favorite flowers are tulips.

26. I can't speak French, even though I minored in French at BYU, and I also lived in France for five months.

27. I adore my father.

28. Air conditioning is a wonderful thing. I would hate to live without it (like I did as a child and also as a teacher).

29. I have exceptionally nice step-children. Their spouses are equally nice.

30. I miss my little dog Chimi who passed away seven years ago. I was very attached to her. I must say, though, that most people didn't like her at all.

31. As a teenager, I had acne. A dermatologist gave my brother Kent and I radiation teatments to cure our acne. As a result, Kent and I have had skin cancer tumors on our faces. I have also had tumors on my thyroid, shoulders, and eyelid. These were all caused from the treatments from the dermatologist.

32. I love to eat. I wish I didn't, but I do.

33. I like to play the piano to entertain myself.

34. I enjoy teaching piano lessons because I can work with one student at a time. Also, it is a big reinforcement to me to hear my students play well at the yearly recital.

35. My brothers both have made A LOT more money in their careers than I have. I am a bit jealous of that.

36. I have two Master's Degrees. One is in education, and the other is in school counseling.

37. When I was in my 40's and went to graduate school, taking tests was harder than when I took tests for my bachelor's degree in 1967. Writing papers in my 40's was easier, however.

38. My two duaghters have brought me great joy in life. I love them dearly.

39. I am not an early morning person. I am not cheerful in the morning.

40. I make friends easily.

41. I don't know if I am right-brained or left-brained, but I have the brain that is not creative.

42. Blowing wind is really annoying to me.

43. I don't like confrontation. I will avoid an argument if I can.

44. I was really shy when I was young.

45. I hate to stand up in front of a group of people and talk.

46. I am dependable. If I say I will do something, then I will for sure do it.

47. I received the "fastest typist in the school" award when I was a senior in high school. (That was in 1963.)

48. My lowest grade at BYU was a "C-" in tennis class. The teacher said that I failed every skills test, but my exam score and composition kep me from failing the class.

49. My AP English teacher in high school (Douglas Spainhower) inspired me to major in English at BYU.

50. I think that I am a patient person. One of my fellow teachers at Alta High School told me I was extremely patient in dealing with my sophomore English classes. (She could hear me teach through the thin walls separating us.)

I have seen a couple of good movies recently. This is highly unusual for this time of year, since most summer movies are either action-packed thrillers or children's movies. (That isn't saying that these types of movies are not good; they just don't appeal to me.)

Yesterday we saw "500 Days of Summer". I liked the format of the movie and the realistic story. It was also put together cleverly. The other movie I liked is "My Sister's Keeper". This movie presents some interesting ethical questions; it is also a tear jerker and probably could be labeled as a chick-flick (so bring tissues). The novel (of the same name) is a good read. The movie had a different ending than the novel. The movie's ending is more congruent with the events in the story. The novel's ending is contrived.

Anyway, that's what I think! It's a good thing we're all different and have a variety of tastes in movies.