A Bit of Nostalgia

 Yesterday morning I went walking in the morning and decided to head through Wheeler Farm.  There is a fun trail through the farm that runs from 13th East to 9th East.  While I was walking along the canal that run through the farm I ran into a bunch of ducks.  They are so used to seeing people walking by that they pay little attention to anyone who come near them.  I had to snap a couple pictures.  

As I neared the area where all the main farm is I came across this old tractor and it totally took me back to my years in Midway.  Yes, I had a moment of nostalgia mixed with some tears.  The tractor that I used to ride up to the barn to bring in the cows was exactly like this old tractor.  The only difference was that Max's tractor was silver.  You can see the smoke pipe coming up the side of the tractor and that was what I had to be careful to sit away from it so I would burn my leg as I straddled the hood.  LOVED riding up to the barn every night and often during the day when it was haying time.  Loved my childhood memories of Midway, Lila Mae and Max.

A Funny Story

 So the other day - Tuesday to be exact - I decided to boil a bunch of eggs.  For some reason I had three dozen in the fridge and didn't think I would use all of them in cooking so decided to boil a dozen.  I was busy making a salad, the eggs were in the water that had just come to a boil.  The kitchen was quiet except for my Tabernacle Choir CD going when all of a sudden I hear this loud pop and then another pop!  I jumped and saw egg shell pieces flying around the kitchen!  Two of the eggs literally blew apart in the hot water.  I was picking up pieces of egg shells all over my kitchen counter and floor!  The pictures really don't do justice to the mess that was created.

Yes, it scared the bageebees out of me!!!  This morning I found more egg shells on the floor and behind the little fruit bowl on the counter.  

Jordyn Lyn

 Jamie sent me these pictures of Jordyn Lyn.  Apparently Jordyn Lyn made the big move to college life in an apartment away from home.  Jamie expressed what a whirlwind it was and how she can believe how sad she felt to have to say goodbye after getting Jordyn Lyn all set up in her apartment.   Jordyn Lyn is now living in Fresno near Fresno State.  Jamie said she knows it is normal for a 20 year old to live on her own but it is sad to have her kids leave.  I'm sure Annie and Maren have gone through the same emotions.  Annie has sent off Emmi, Mallory and Abby.  Maren has sent off Jaden and Taylor.  As a mother myself, I know how hard it is to detach your self a little from each child as the leave the home nest.  

Good luck, Miss Jordyn Lyn on your new life and college years.  We love you, Gam and Pa

In Those Sad Moments

 I came home from doing some errands and had been thinking about Lila Mae.  My emotions were at their peak when I stopped and picked up the mail.  There was a package in the mail box addressed to me.  When I opened it, this is what I found:

How could Lila Mae have known those would be the last words she would write to me.  Those four small words will impact me for the rest of my life;  "Remember that I love you".  Somehow Jamie found out about the card and what was written in it and had this beautiful key chain made for me.  A timely gift at a timely and tender moment.  Thanks to my sweet daughter-in-law for remembering, creating and loving me.  Those four words remind me that we can't tell people often enough that we love them.  Four words that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

I love you Jamie.  

One More Thing

 I forgot to post this and it just has to be posted and remembered.  When we were sitting at the table in Emmi's apartment, we happened to look up at her scheduling board and saw what she had written before she left for deployment.  She had a darling friend of hers who lived not far from Emmi.  She met her at the singles ward in Augusta.  Emmi asked her if she would come and check on her apartment often to make sure everything was okay.  So Emmi left names and numbers on the board so that if there were any issues she would know who to contact.  Very smart.  But, it was the wording that made us all laugh hard.

We love that Jeff will "Pay for anything", and Lynda "Will do anything".  Just the way that was all worded was so funny.  I told Jeff that I would have to keep that in mind that he will pay for anything!  

I will add here that the reason Jeff will pay for anything is because he has access to Emmi's bank account.  And we all know that Lynda will absolutely do anything that is needed.  

Beautiful Surprise

 This gorgeous plant was delivered to me after Lila Mae's funeral.  I was deeply touched by the thoughtfulness of Maren and her family and the beautiful note that came with the plant.  It will always remind me of Lila Mae and of Maren's love.  I took a picture of it in the driveway but it is now in a perfect spot in the front room.  Thank you Cutlers.  I love it and I love all of you!

Manning of the Rails cont. . . .

 Emmi 5th from the left.

More fun pictures of her ship mates.

Annie made these shirts for she and I to wear to greet Emmi.  Very clever!

My favorite picture of Annie showing how tired we were of waiting for 2 hours for Emmi to get off the ship and how humid and hot it was.  

After we had all our hugs and hellos we headed back to the hotel so that Emmi could change into her civilian clothes and then we were off to get some dinner.  After dinner we went back to the ship.  Emmi took us on a tour and I honestly don't know how she survived the living conditions (if you want to call them that) on the ship.  It was horrible.  I only have pictures and they do not do justice to what how she had to live and survive.  The conditions worse than a prison!  I promise you that.

Emmi explaining the layout of the Truman.

Walking up the ramp tot he ship.

This is the sleeping area and the picture does not really tell the story of the tight quarters.  If Emmi laid sideways on her bed her shoulder would touch the bunk above her.  They were that close together.

Emmi chose the bottom bunk because there were very small drawers under her bunk.  

Showers and toilets with a cloth in front.  Absolutely no privacy to speak of.  

Going down the hallways.  Jeffrey had to stay hunched over through most of the ship.

A wall map of the floor we were on.

This was painted on the wall.  I can't remember what they were for.  Emmi would have to tell you.

The eating area.  Emmi said the food was horrible!  She was very grateful that she took a huge container of granola bars and snacks of all kinds.

After the tour we help her carry out all her belongings and she thankfully waved goodbye forever to the ship!

The next morning we got up at our leisure and headed to Augusta.  I think it was about 6 hours.  We spent the rest of the week with Emmi at her apartment.  Ken, Jeff's brother, came and we played games, ate good food and just had a fun time hanging out.  Annie fixed funeral potatoes and ham for dinner one night and roast, potatoes and gravy on Sunday.  Emmi should have plenty of left overs to get her through the next couple weeks.  

The most exciting event of the week was Emmi buying a new car!  

Annie and I love the American Flag waving in the breeze and always have to take a picture.

The new purchase complete!

Driving away from the car dealership.

Following her home.

Emmi will be buying a new TV some time before she heads to Hawaii

Miniature golfing.  

Last night together at a Mexican restaurant.

The last goodbyes before we headed back to Salt Lake.  Jeff gave Emmi a beautiful Father's Blessing.  Emmi has some unwinding and processing to do but she is strong and resilient and has some great times to look forward to in the next few months.

"True religion, the tie that binds us to God and to each other, 

not only seals our family relationships in eternity 

but also heightens our delight in those family experiences while in mortality."

Jefferey R. Holland

Love you with all my heart Emmi Girl.  Thanks for an incredibly fun week and for the opportunity to see you come into port and see the Manning of the Rails.

,

Manning of the Rails

 What an incredible experience I had traveling with Jeff and Lynda Ann to Norfolk, VA to watch the aircraft carrier, Truman come in to port.  Emmi has been out on deployment since December 1st and more than ready to get off that ship and never have to go back on it again.  We could see the ship coming in and you could see the sailors all in their whites standing along the rails.  It was absolutely amazing.  

This is a picture of a ship that was in the harbor.  Obviously much newer than the Truman.

The stream of sailors getting off the ship for liberty!

Emmi referred to this part of the ship as the "rusty butt".  It is the back end of the ship.  The flag that is flying says, "Give them Hell".  A statement from President Truman.

The crowds of families waiting to greet their sons or daughters.

And those long awaited hugs and happy tears.

Some fun pictures of her sailor buddies.

This is the sign that Annie had made for Emmi's welcome home.  We held it up as the ship was coming in to dock.

After the hellos and the hugs, kisses and tears we headed back to the hotel so that Emmi could change out of her whites and into shorts and t-shirt.  

Jeff always ahead of us.  It was a very hot, humid day!

Emmi looking very sailorish!

I have to post this picture because this is how Emmi really felt about the Truman and her nine months on Cell Block 75 as they so fondly referred to it.

We thought this would be a great advertisement for Eddie Bauer.  

continued . . . . . . .