The High Cost of Living

 When Steven was in his senior year of high school he had the opportunity of going back to New York with the high school drama department.  My mom and dad also took the opportunity of going as there was a need for chaperones.  I don’t recall how much the trip costs or how many plays they were scheduled to see.  

They were gone for a week and spent more in one day than Shelly and I spent in the entire week including our excursion to Lagoon (an amusement park near Salt Lake City, Utah). 

First two pics are of Shelly and Me at a picnic area off pioneer village.  The other two were taken upon the return of the rest of our family.

Here's Hoping

          The world is different now and will continue – I would hope for the better.  Afterall we are all going through the same thing together – but apart.  Some people are using their time wisely and even grateful for the time of solitude.  Others are going stir crazy and blaming anybody who remotely looks Asian for the pandemic.  Really?  Did history Not teach you anything?  American citizens who might have ancestors who lived in China or Japan or wherever.  American citizens who have never known life other than America but because of their skin type are sent away to “camps” for the safety of “real” Americans.  That very thought makes my blood boil.  How dare we cast blame to an entire population who had as much control over the decisions of leadership they may not even be related to.  And even if they are related, so what?  If I learned that I was related to Hitler or Atilla the Hun, their decisions would have obviously had no influence whatsoever from me.

          Just so everybody in Canada and all other parts of the world (United States included) I did NOT vote for Trump.  The guy is definitely NOT eloquent with words (see here). The guy’s an idiot – offending Canadian citizens the way he did.  The media claimed he announced that US would Not be sharing medical supplies such as facial masks with our neighboring country.  I hope the citizens of Canada realize that Trump does not represent all Americans.  I know a couple of people who admit to being Trump followers, but almost everyone I have talked to mirrors the same expression that he is the worse president that the United States has ever had.  He comes across as very childish and totally lacks compassion.

          New York has more Covid cases than any other place on earth from my understanding (again, who knows what to believe?) and are OUT of supplies.  It may be that US would like to share their supplies but don’t have supplies to share. 

          My grandson was born in upper state New York.  It doesn’t appear that there were any complications.  Mom and baby seem to be doing fine.  I think my son is bored.  He still drives to work but will be working from home online.  Lots of work and schooling online.  US internet is not near as fast as other countries.  I always wonder how long we’ll last before we freeze or before the power goes out.  When everybody finally does stay at home and there is no one out to fix whatever goes wrong.

          We had picked out new flooring for the bathrooms.  Roland was worried about having toilets uninstalled at not reinstalled.  We cancelled due to cornavirus.  I’m grateful for the things that we do have.  New flooring would be nice but so unnecessary at this time.

On the Right Path

          When we lived in Kearns, there was a family in the ward that made up for a third of the primary.  I honestly don’t remember which of us moved out of the ward first, but I do know they have moved around many times – both within and out of the country.  I would guess that they’ve accounted for at least half to a third of their wards or branches (both geographical boundaries within the church – a branch is smaller in membership than a ward) in almost every place they live.  

She has a blog which I have read every once in a while as she only posts once in a while. 

          Right now they are living in New York.  I would have not known that if my daughter-in-law, Carrie, hadn’t told me.  She and Randy had gone out to look for houses.  While there, they went to the ward in the area where they plan on living.  I’m happy to learn that they now have ties to someone who is strong in the gospel.   I am excited for them.  I hope they grow and create strong memories for themselves.

I Wish I had been a Better Example

            When I married Roland, I not only gained a new husband but three sons as well.  At the time they were 11, 14, and the 12-year-old had just turned 13.  They are now 29, 31 and 32.  My eldest two have no concept of money.  My youngest consider money a huge priority.  My eldest and youngest boys have had a number of jobs for different reasons.  Biff either can’t hang on to a job or gets bored with it and finds something else never allowing for the opportunity of benefits – like dental insurance.

            The youngest one came home from his mission and decided he was going to go to BYU and major in business.  He decided to take a job at a local credit union.  He was there for six weeks and decided to find a job that would pay more.  He decided he would be a doctor, a podiatrist, a surgeon, a heart doctor . . .  he never landed on one thing long enough to benefit.  He and Roland should have graduated from school at the same time.  Roland now has two degrees.  Randy has none.  But hey, he has been able to get jobs that pay more and he doesn’t have to work so hard at being stuck in school for the duration of his life.

            He moved his family of three into a four or five bedroom house in Eagle Mountain.  He wanted us to stay with him during Christmas so he could show off his new house.  I didn’t care if I saw it or not.  I figure he would not be there the next time we saw him.  He always has to upgrade after less than two years.  He always desires for a better and bigger toy, house, car, money . . . he has been at his house for less than a year and is now on the market because he and his wife will be moving to Buffalo, New York.  He had been sent there to interview for a job.  He is so excited about all the money he will be making.  30,000 dollars more than he is making now.  Big whoop.  He isn’t comprehending that he will most likely be spending more than that with the cost of living.  I don’t envy him.  I pity his frame of mind. Randy had all the integrity of so many politicians.  I am actually surprised he is following through with moving and not just talking about it anymore.

            My eldest two boys have no clue how to budget.  Thankfully, Tony’s wife knows how to get more mileage out of their dollars than does the average person. She married Donald Duck who has been on probation from the company he works for.  He was written up for flipping a rubber band at a co-worker.  Not exactly a mature move on his part.  He’s afraid he’s going to get fired – and right after he was promoted.  He can’t afford Randy’s house.  Biff and Tony together couldn’t afford Randy’s house.  But he needs to move to a three bedroom house preferably – not another apartment.

            The boys often call Roland for advice but haven’t seemed to follow through and so I don’t know why they ask.  Perhaps they just want Roland to agree.  I wish there was a solution for us all.