Finding Treasures

         

I personally have never worked with a camera
this large - though I do remember them

          When we moved from West Valley to Oregon, I felt rushed.  I think I left behind all the family tapes.  Tony and his wife were moving into the house and I knew that he would enjoy having the tapes - if he happened to have a working VCR.

          I wondered if I should bring my camcorder as finding blank VHS tapes seems obsolete.  Many I had purchased over the years.  Many (as it turns out) are ones that got passed down from my brother Corey. I don't remember having so many camcorder tapes in my possession, but thus far I have come across almost 25

          We're still not fully settled with the move.  The counselor in RS had called me to remind me about having an activity and suggested that we call the committee together to go over something for next month.  We've been asked to plan a food storage or emergency preparedness activity. The counselor of the committee sounded even less thrilled that I was/am. I don't have a problem with testimonials - but really, what kind of turn out are we going to get if that is the subject? 

          I had also mentioned an activity that we had done in my last ward and so have been going through the camcorder tapes to find said activity. I don't know if I ever transferred or where the VHS ended up if I did.  I found it after going through the first 11 or 12 videos.  I wasn't floored by all of the recordings I came across, but did find myself in awe about some of them.

          I came across recordings forgotten or misplaced - that I didn't really view as treasures at the time.  The year I had received my first camera and several Christmases and activities with the boys, Jenna growing up - even one my niece and nephew as babies - both now in their twenties with babies of their own. 

          In addition to family events,  I found a few tapes that I know were not transferred.  My wedding reception for one.  Within the first year of our married lives, our house had been broken into.  I had always believed the tape had been stolen.  What a treasure.  I found a few treasures - a couple that I think Corey would be interested in viewing - or perhaps he already knows them by heart.  

          I actually don't remember having gone through the house with my mom - but I have it on tape.  After her house had been broken into, we had gone all throughout her house to document items in case of another robbery.  I also found some tapes including interviews on journaling, my dad's responses to a bunch of questions, and participation from neighbors (a few who have passed on) in a video that I attempted to make for an annual event for my dad's birthday that my family had started shortly after he had passed. There are also a few performances (two poorly recorded) including Forever Plaid, Wizard of Oz and Into the Woods.

          I found a couple of blank tapes as well.  What a waste.  Camcorder still works.  I had even filmed Jenna opening her gifts our first Christmas in Oregon so that I could share it with her brothers and their wives (my daughters) and they could see her opening the gifts that they sent.  It hadn't occurred to me that I was working with a relic and that I wouldn't have blank VHS tapes on which to transfer to - nor knew if any of them even have a working VCRs.   When am I ever going to be able to use the blank tapes now?

          I'm certain I lost a lot of footage before our move to Oregon - like watching Daisy (a dog we had when we lived in Kearns) catching soap bubbles in her mouth or Houdini (our first dog) catching a baseball or bouncing a basketball on his nose.  I did find a camcorder tape of him catching darts in his mouth.  Crazy dog.

          We left behind a few scenes that documented Jenna's sisters.  Our wedding in which the bishop performed the ceremony - only the bishop wasn't in the shot and so it looks like we're being married by a shadow.  Early family videos of the boys before I had married into the family.

          But then again they're VHS.  Lots of them. Some people still own VCRs - and they're not quite as overlooked or foreign as say the Beta - but still.  The boys have their opportunity with VHS right now.  It may be a foreign concept to Jenna by the time she graduates high school.  Too bad.  Lot of great things about modern technology - but really sad when something only three years old seems outdated.

          I'm grateful for my memories.  Wish I could make them all tangible to share with my family.

          Fun discoveries.  Discarded treasures.

The Tale of Jack and Sparky

            Sabrina, from next door, came over to apologize for the cries of her young kids (goats) Truth is I don't even hear them unless I happen to be outside and behind the house.  Sometimes I hear Jack through the kitchen window.  I think Sparky may answer him, but Jack is definitely louder.

            Sparky is the dog who lives next door.  He shares the fenced yard with the goats.  Jack lives behind us.  His yard isn't fenced.  He feels free to go wherever he pleases at any time.  I don't know all of his daily routine, but it appears to me that his morning routine is to descend the hill that leads from our yard to his and torment Sparky.

            I don't speak dog, but this is what I hear, "Ha, ha.  You are stuck behind a fence all day. I am better than you.  Certainly more trust worthy.  I am the more superior breed"

            I could be wrong.  Perhaps it's more friendly than it appears.  Perhaps Jack is angry about the fence and wishes he could play with Sparky.  Overall, Sparky looks sad.  Perhaps he feels trapped in his yard.  I don't think Jack's routine is helping.   

           Do I have too much time on my hands?  or am I just overly tired?  Why am I posting about two dogs that I don't even know? 

Traditions and Mothers' Day

The last ward I was in had some cool traditions that I don't suppose I appreciated as much than as I do right now, as I discovered I have missed them.

Take this last Saturday for instance - the annual fundraiser for young women's organization.  Last year the ward had actually combined young men's, young women's and primary scouts into one fundraiser.  Usually auctioning off desserts.  We had done that in my mom's ward, too.  Only we had professional auctioneers and more generous pockets.  But still.  A tradition that continues.

These are the cakes we made last year and the themed picture of Roland, Jenna and me at said activity. 

we donated three cakes and two plates of cookies

we didn't actually auction off this cake.  We had to try one

farm theme

cowboys and Indians

This one actually wasn't made until we moved to Oregon

Westward Pioneer!

This was for our family memorial day bbq

I don't remember having done themes until last year

We had moved to Oregon just before Fathers' Day and Jenna missed the tradition of seeing the priesthood members wearing hideous ties - this is the year she would actually get to cast her vote as she is now a member of the young women - the sponsors of the Father's Day traditions.

One year the young women filled up gift bags with things that started with POP - like POP tarts, POP rings, POPcorn . . . and passed them out to the men in addition to their annual awards to all ugly tie wearers (many who were not fathers).

I think the first week that we attended our current  ward was on a Fathers' Day. Fathers' Day was barely mentioned.  There was no program about it, no gifts, no acknowledgement except for the wish-with-the-announcements-and-that-is-all.  I don't even think the primary children sang.  The talks were on modern technology and the internet - which I thought was odd.

So I wondered if Mothers' Day would be just a regular sacrament meeting like it had been on Fathers' Day, but the programs were pink and Mothers' Day was printed on the cover. 

It sounds as if the speaker's had been called over a week ago, so I don't know why their names were missing from the program.  I saw a high council man on the stand and thought, "really?  they're giving us a dry speaker for Mothers' Day?" - perhaps he would have been a fantastic speaker - I don't know.  It was just my first thought.

The first speaker mentioned instilling values into our children - or children we may associate with.  Teach them things like how to cook, make their beds, vacuum and other house hold chores, teach self-reliance.  My mind went back to a time shortly after Roland and I were married.

Natalie was an only child whose parents had were so excited to have her in her life that they did everything for her.  EVERYTHING. They picked up after her, they waited on her hand and foot.  She didn't have to lift a finger.  She never learned.

I don't know how old she was when her dad passed away.  I don't know what kind of grievance she went through, if any.  She was in her first year of high school when I met her.  We weren't all that close, but she and Biff had some classes together and so I knew of her.  And I had heard about the problems she had encountered when she tried living on her own.

I don't remember where went to college.  It was close enough to visit mom on weekends, but  far enough that she needed/wanted to experience dorm life.  She hadn't been taught to pick up after herself.  She hadn't learned to cook or make her bed or use a vacuum.  Her experience away from home had a created quite a rude awakening.

She tried moving back in with her mom - who by then was having failing health - and Natalie certainly hadn't been prepared for anything like that - which puzzles me.  I know that her mother had provided service for Natalie's grandmother who hadn't been doing well either.  But then again, Natalie's mom was a very doting person and found it difficult to accept charity from others. 

I remember Natalie talking to Jenna at one time explaining how lucky she was to have siblings.  Natalie had wished with all her heart that she would have had a blood-related sibling to be raised along side of her.  She's finding her place - but the haul has been a rather slow and painful one.  She has learned a lot.  But everyone thinks she would have had it so much easier if she had been taught to work instead of always having things just handed to her - because in the adult world, things were not just handed to her.  Though her mother loved Natalie with all of her heart and soul, she hadn't prepared her to be an adult or take responsibility.

We all have different methods of rearing and raising our children.  I remember having lunch with the boys across the street.  We were at their grandma's house and each of them was hoping to eat his lunch with the coveted "gold" fork.  

It was decided that since I was the only "girl" at the table, that I could get to use the gold fork.  The truth is, I didn't want the gold fork.  I thought it would make my food taste weird.  I think it's weird that I had even thought that. It's not as though I possessed gourmet taste buds at the time, or even had a gourmet lunch.  It was probably something like macaroni and cheese or Jello salad.

The second speaker shared her experiences on "hating" Mothers' Day as she and her husband tried for children without results - at least not for the first 8 - 10 years they were married.  It is possible to enjoy Mothers' Day without being a mother.  Two years ago I found that I had a really hard time dealing with it,  but was really touched by the Mother's Day program in our ward in 2013.  I said nothing about Mothers' Day last year.  I think the ward passed out small loaves of homemade bread that year.  Awesome!  That ward was quite creative with Mothers' Day.

I think it was before Jenna was born when my two older boys surprised me when they each gave talks for Mothers' Day program.  The first year that Tony was on his mission, I received a rather creative and unexpected gift from the other two.  They used up an entire roll of film on themselves and bought a frame for three of them.  I still have that frame.  As of now, it displays three photos - one of each of my granddaughters.

I've had some really awesome Mothers' Days and some that were not so great.  It is always my attitude that makes or breaks - so why not just make with a great attitude every year?  I don't know.  I don't dislike Mothers' Day but there are some years when I would rather not deal with it.  I was pretty good about it this year.

Spirit Pictures

          I posted "Feliz Cinco de Mayo" to my facebook page.

          Currently our Myrtle Creek/Tri-City weather does not seem to be inviting a celebration of any kind.

          I personally would like to just stay in my pajamas and curl up with a book

or just return to sleep

          It's Spirit Week at Coffenberry. 

          Jenna says not many have been participating - which she finds sad.  Jenna will use any excuse she can to dress up in costume.  This is what she wore Monday through today.

Monday - Sports

Tuesday - Western

Wednesday - Disney Day
She went as Peter Pan

Thursday - nerd day

Her interpretation of a Nerd

          Tomorrow's pajama day.

Wearing Her Bracelets Out

          Jenna has had a number of bracelets during her lifetime.  She has worn each until the clasp breaks.  Sometimes she hasn't noticed right away.  Sometimes the bracelet has gotten lost.

          This is the bracelet she had made for her birthday last year. 

  

          She wore it proudly for a little over a year.  The last time she remembers seeing it was when she went to Church sometime last May.  We had checked the library lost and found, but it was not there

          She was given this bracelet in Young Women's

along with this card.

          The poor bracelet has taken quite a beating.  The clasp came undone, but at least she hasn't lost it.  I used to have a jewelry repair kit, but don't anymore.  Hopefully we will get around to it soon and she'll be able to wear it again.

          I'm happy that she that she's happy to wear them.

Thank You for the Mailbox

After we moved in, we noticed that the mailbox was in less than terrific shape

went out and purchased a new mailbox which Roland put up on a day when it wasn't raining

but still cold.  All of the mailboxes on the street are at the same level, except for ours - which seems to soar in the air

Though it's post office and therefore government approved, it felt to me as though we were trying to show up the neighbors which is seriously NOT the case.  And yet our mailbox seems to dominate over the others like it's the boss of the street.  It's got a swelled head.  It's (not to play on words) stuck up.  So I was worried for the mail carrier.  And then we received this note:

It didn't read sarcastic, but felt as if she really meant it.  Oh, what a relief.  But what do the neighbors think?  Namely the one whose yard houses both hers and our mailboxes.

She introduced herself to me as she was pulling out of her driveway.  She too thanked us for the mailbox.  The rusty wobbly one that was there really was an eyesore.

I'm happy that the change was not only good for us, but for the neighborhood and especially our mail carrier.

More on Aging

I recall a year when my grandma came to visit.  Though Grandma did visit on occasion, at that particular time I am thinking of, Mom and at least two of her children were working at Snelgrove's (though I don't remember which two)

          As with many who advance in age, Grandma's sense of hearing was not the greatest.  We would have to raise our voices to her and she kept the volume on the TV at least 20 decibels higher than we would normally allow.

          There were a few nights when mom would have to be to work at Snelgrove's during Grandma's visit.  After having spent all day raising her voice to my grandma, she would continue to speak in her loud tones.  I still smile when I think of other employees asking her why she was yelling or raising her voice - only she wasn't aware that she was.  And she'd explain that her mother was visiting and was also hard of hearing.  Sometimes I think it frustrated her - probably because my mom's voice wasn't all that loud even when she was yelling.

          Roland doesn't have the TV up to that same decibel as my grandma did, but often it is still louder than I like.  He seems to be hearing less each year and the darn TV seems to be getting louder.  I know my hearing isn't the best, but I think I can hear some sounds better than he can.  One of the "Brain Game" challenges is to show what stage we are in with our ability to hear.  The host, Jason Silva, would ask participants to raise their hands when they could hear the sound.  Jenna would raise her hand three or four times.  I did it once.  Poor Roland couldn't hear any of the "pitches" being played. 

          He doesn't often understand the words that Jenna and I say in conversation, but he does always hear Jenna's voice.  On occasion she has overpowered the sounds of the TV. She does tend to be loud.  But not always.  Sometimes she seems distant or withdrawn.  At those times, she speaks with the voice of an ant and I don't even think a dog would be able to hear her.

          My mom lost her sense of smell when she was quite young.  But she never lost her hearing.  Sometimes I think she could hear sounds that only dogs can hear.  I think before September 1, 2013 her hearing was better than mine is now, and definitely better than Roland's.  September 1 is when my mom went into the hospital for the last time and seemed to linger between worlds for the next ten days.  I don't know what her hearing was at that time.  Probably even better.  It was hard to tell as she seemed to be in and out of being.  I know she was hearing sounds from the other side.

          We don't move like we used to - especially if we have to bend, squat or sit down and rise back up again.  I don't remember a time when Roland seemed so out-of-shape.  He's really not.  He still lifts and moves things like he thinks he is 20.  But time is catching up with him although he actually does quite well for being 62.  Not that 62 is that old.  But the signs of aging are definitely there.  For both of us.

          I think Jenna is responsible for keeping us as young as we have been.  Lately she's our eyes and ears.  I had to give her a bottle of something the other day so that she could read the directions to me.  Gads, if the company is going to print the directions that small, they need to enclose a magnifying glass for the older generations who may need it.

          Today Roland attempted to fix a switch in the our bathroom.  He asked me to stay in the room and let him know when the power went off in that room. I could hear him fine, but her couldn't hear my replies.  He had Jenna standing in the hall to pass on my answers.

          I still find that I am very wobbly first thing in the morning, and have the walker near where I can get at it should I need the assistance.  I think we have older neighbors across the street.  All three of them have long ramps that would work well for wheel chairs.  I have seen the "senior mobile" pick up two of my neighbors, and I have met three of our neighbors now.  Roland has only met the couple next door - the one who made their son mow our lawn.  It was dad that finished mowing though.  He is young!  I think he resembles my cousin who lives in Salem - a cousin whom I really don't know but have seen his picture on facebook.

          Young people have their strengths.  They also have their weaknesses.  Same with the older folk.  We have our strengths and have lost much of what used to be our strength.  Our bodies shut down if they can't be repaired - or seem to leak more than they should.  We're more dependent on technological aides and other people to assist us.