Enjoying the Virtual Touring

          Some people have told me

“Oh, you’ve got to see this site!” 

“You’ll have to visit that place!”

I don’t like crowds of people.  I can view things through books and/or video and probably be happier with it than going there in person – not to rule out visiting said destination if I happen to be in the area – but I don’t necessarily have to visit said sites in person and I’m okay with it.

 On February 4 I took a virtual tour of Palmyra in New York (here).  Today I took a virtual tour of the Mormon Battalion Historical site in San Diego, California.  It was GREAT!!!!  I didn’t have to stand.  I didn’t have to get up and move.  There was no crowd of people – not even online. The tour was my personal tour.  I feel so blessed for having had the opportunity as I had the missionaries to myself.

Who knew that acting might be a requirement of missionary service?  Not all missionaries are called to perform as in a skit.  The sisters called to serve at the Mormon Battalion Historical site become a part of the great story as they introduce us to real life characters that left the pioneer company in Iowa to join the soldiers that President Polk had ordered to serve in the war against Mexico.

I took more screen shots.  Some turned out nice.  Some not so great – they either blurred or changed more quickly than my fingers were able to press.  I enjoyed the creativity of the tour and learning more about the historical events.  

outside building

Sister Curtis and Sister Collins starting the tour

it was interesting to watch the portraits move

you'll notice that most of the portraits have left

Sister Collins demonstrates the equipment used

couple behind the window

Sister Curtis holds a washboard. Behind the
window is a viewing screen (see above)

mapping out the trek

more reenactment displayed on this screen

bringing the tour to a close/answering questions

moving to the display cases

a closer look and discussion about the shoes

 

For more information visit this facebook page (here)  and book a tour of your own.

Missing Out on Sisterhood

            When Roland’s oldest two girls were ten and eight, we were finally granted overnight visitation.  At the time – though our visits weren’t as often as the courts had assigned – I fully believe that I knew those girls better than either of their biological parents – and I really didn’t know either that well.

        Frances, at the time, claimed she loved school.  She loved to paint and draw.  Her artwork was actually quite good.  She was easily amused, had quite an annoying laugh, and was very loud.  She often repeated catch phrases or tag lines – I think more to help herself understand them.  She had learned the shark song and sang it often as she moved her hands for each family member. “Grandpa Shark” was her favorite.

        Jenna is ten.  She used to love school.  She currently likes to paint and draw.  I think she likes all forms of arts and crafts.  Some of her artwork is actually quite good.  Jenna gets easily amused.  She has a cute laugh.  Too often she gets too loud.  She often repeats catch phrases or tag lines.  She wants to share all that she understands – which is quite a lot.  She learned the shark song and sings it often as she moves her hands to show off each family member.  “Grandpa Shark” is her favorite.

        Pamprin started out as quite a drama queen.  When she was ten, she loved to sing.  She would perform with a children’s group.  She enjoyed making balloon animals and showing off.  She liked to collect things.  She was quite sensitive to hurtful comments – whether aimed at her or someone else.  Once she outgrew her “pampered princess” image, she enjoyed helping out. Her favorite Christmas song to sing was "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas"

         Jenna has never stopped being a drama queen.  She has always loved to sing.  She’s performed at school assemblies and when in plays.  She has always been a collector of nearly everything.  She is quite sensitive to hurtful comments – whether aimed at her or someone else.  She loves helping out at school and certain chores around the house.  Her favorite Christmas song that she has enjoys singing this Christmas season is "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas"

         All three girls adore their brother, Tony.  All three girls have clung to Roland at one time or another – before Maleficent (the biological mother of Francis and Pamprin) poisoned the mind of the older two.  I have seen Jenna wear the same expressions as her sisters did. Both Frances and  Pamprin were so thoughtful with Jenna – and they loved her.  Jenna loved spending time with them – but has no memories of them really.  She wasn't even four the last time we saw them.

Maleficent moved them to another state, and we haven’t seen or heard from them since.  Oh, Roland tried to stay in touch.  For two years he’d call or write and try to make a connection.  But Maleficent took control of both phone and mail.  I doubt his daughters received anything he sent – including child support.  That went straight to Maleficent’s own selfish desires - like a huge vat of peroxide for her artificial hair.

I feel bad that Jenna doesn’t know her sisters – or vice-versa.  I know she shares a lot in common with who they were at one time.  I have no clue as to who they are at this time.  Both are legal adults though I’m certain both are still living with mom without any thoughts of their own.  They have surrendered themselves to be controlled.  I don’t know what they will do when/if Maleficent should die.

It was once expressed that “. . . wish Maleficent would fall into a volcano” but thought better of it.  That, after all, is such a horrible thing to wish . . .

The poor volcano never did anything to deserve such a horrible fate.

Murphy is More Opposed to Super Saturday than I am

If anything can go wrong,

it will

– Murphy’s Law

Okay,

this post may be a bit long

and a bit drawn out

especially if I put it

in verse style. 

You don’t have to read it.

Just after we moved

to West Valley and 

attended church,

I was called to be

on the committee for 
the activities for 
the Relief Society. 

Kristen was the activities’ director 
(or enrichment hostess

or homemaking guide

or whatever they called it then)

I was grateful to be

and enjoyed my calling

on the committee

but not as the chief.

It couldn’t have been more

than five months (or so it felt)

before Kristen was called to be

the primary president

and Loretta was handed the reigns of 
RS activity director. 

She did not seem to

want a committee. 

I thought she was bananas.

When Loretta moved

out of the ward,

Hannah was asked to do the calling.   
Enthusiastic Hannah who

always puts such excitement

into no matter what position

she is called to

and always serves with a genuine and powerful smile. 

She actually reminds me a lot of

my sister-in-law, Sunny,

who always radiates positiveness.

I didn’t think

anyone could ever fill her shoes – just as I didn’t think

anyone could fill Super Ruby’s shoes

(who at the time

was serving as Relief Society President)

but most callings

(at least that’s been my observation

in this ward) don’t last

more than a couple of years

(leadership positions would be the exception)

Meanwhile Kristen

(the same one who had been called

to primary president)

was returned to Relief Society

– this time as RS president.

Hannah had actually worn many hats

all at the same time (or so it seemed)

and was released a while later

to fulfill other callings. 

Pamela’s calling was short lived

or so it seems. 

She was called to be a primary worker. 

She is currently enjoying

the coveted positon of teaching

the class in which my daughter

is the only female member

in attendance. 

And guess who got called

to be RS activity chief

after Pamela left?

What was the Lord thinking

to call me to that position? 

What’s more, why did I agree?

Pamela appeared

to be quite organized

as she handed me a binder

full of information

that I could use or change

at my discretion. 

Kristen asked if I wanted

a large committee. 

Heck, yes. 

How many sisters could we call?  

I wanted at least one representative

of every age

and personality.  

I think we ended up with twelve. 

We’ve never held a meeting

with more than six (well eight

with me and Scarlett – who is

the enrichment/activity/homemaking counselor 
– whatever her title is. 

Heck.  I don’t even know my own title)

So the first thing on the agenda

is Super Saturday (I believe) 

which I so don’t care about. 

Actually there have been scads of activites

that I haven’t cared about. 

I usually to the enrichment/activity nights for

the association and not for

the activity itself. 

It hasn’t mattered which ward

I’ve been in. 

I have never stayed for

an entire Super Saturday.

And in this case

Murphy wants to take over

– has from the start. 

Stupid Murphy.

Kristen conducted the first meeting

as I appeared clueless on

what the word “conduct” even meant. 

She wrote down ideas and

outlines on the board. 

She has always had the appearance

of being greatly organized. 

Some of the members on my committee

took great notes. 

One actually took a picture

of the board. 

I was still in a trans. 

After I returned home,

I realized I had done absolutely nothing. 

I had not written anything. 

That’s not good.

I should be released.

Our Super Saturday was set

for August I believe,

but we hadn’t advertised,

nor did we ever

have a large audience to advertise to.

Summer seemed unproductive. 

Church attendance was down

all the way around. 

Good time to travel,

I guess.

I changed Super Saturday to September. 

Or tried to.  T

turned out not to be a good month

 for my instructors.

We had four activities to choose from

– I think. 

Pamela would teach sisters

to sew really cute pot holders,

Kim had her blocks

that seemed to be quite popular

at the last Super Saturday.

I was going to do

a recycling demonstration

and Tina had offered to teach flowers

or else we would frost cakes or cookies? 

Perhaps that was a suggestion for another activity? 

But nobody could do it in September. 

Change date again? 

or cancel all together? 

I wish I had just cancelled. 

I didn’t realize that Janice

(one of my committee members

who had come to just our first meeting)

had made arrangements to have

her niece speak that month.

Meanwhile I planned a 
different activity for September – 
one in which we would get 
to know one another.   
We pulled it off.   
Those who attended 
said they enjoyed.   
Super Saturday may not have 
the same results.  
For here is the latest catastrophe:

Yesterday I receive an invitation

to attend a luncheon

given by the wives of the stake presidency

to the wives of the bishoprics

the Bishopric Wives Appreciation Luncheon. 

Guess when it is? 

The same day scheduled as Super Saturday. 

I’d really like to go to it. 

But that’s not the worse of it. 

Pamela is one of the people to RSVP

– she can’t do the luncheon

and teach on Super Saturday. 

Right now I cannot get a hold of her.

Guess I’ll be emailing Scarlett. 

I have a feeling it’s going

to be a chain of reaction thing

that will affect Kim

one way or the other. 

Or perhaps all the sisters who signed up.

Would it be possible to change it again?

I should be released.

“Stepmom” Review and Comparrison

         “Stepmom” was released in theatres December 1998.  The movie is put out by Columbia Pictures and stars Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon.  

I enjoyed the movie the first time I watched it. I hadn’t considered being able to identify with any of the characters personally, though I did know of actual people that were real life characters.  I thought Jena Malone’s character was a brat.  Great actress.  I had seen her in a Hallmark production only two years earlier.  Ellen Foster and Anna Harrison – though played by the same actress – were two entire different people.  I did not even realize it was the same actress until only moments ago.

         Julia Roberts plays Isabel Kelly – the current love of Luke Harrison (played by Ed Harris) who’d been married to Jackie (played by Susan Sarandon) – and finds herself in a situation of “sharing custody” of Luke and Jackie’s two children, Anna and Ben.

         Jackie, not thrilled with the idea that there is another woman in Luke’s life, overall is a really good mother.  But she definitely lacks in kindness towards Isabel.  But we learn that she also suffers from health issues – which she has chosen to keep from her family.

         After 15 years I decided I would like to see it again and thus borrowed it from the library.  I have a much different perspective than I had had fifteen years ago as I now seem to identify with much of Julia Roberts character, Isabel – the stepmom that tries to love Anna and Ben.  She has to deal with much confrontation – especially on the part of Jackie.  Though Isabel and Jackie have limited conversation in the beginning – at least they have conversation – which is more than I ever got with Roland’s ex-wife.

         For those who haven’t been following my post, Roland has two daughters who are older than Jenna.  Though I have tried to steer away from the subject of his ex-wife there have been two of my posts in which I refer to her as Maleficent.  I honestly don’t know much about her and she doesn’t know anything about me.  I don’t believe she knows anything about anybody.  I don’t know if she’s just so cruel that it has eaten her away or if she really does have something such as bipolar or schizophrenia – which of course would be beyond her control – especially if she isn’t seeking treatment.

         I don’t suppose I should pass judgment as I have never walked in her shoes.  When Jackie Harrison lied it was to protect her children or even Luke to spare them the grief that her health has declined .  Maleficent lies to all people for various reasons – different lies as I don’t guess she can keep track of the ones that she’s already told.  Or else she has told them enough that she actually believes them and has somehow managed to swindle the courts (for the most part) into believing her also.  She tells lies to gain favor – or cover up her own actions.  I truly believe she needs psychiatric help and has actually been to therapy – but if a psychiatrist or doctor or therapist or psychologist or whatever happens to say something that sounds remotely like they disagree with her, she drops them like a hot potato – or so I’ve been told. 

         I have nothing against Jenna’s sisters – though it may have seemed that way.  I give Isabel a lot more credit at making a good effort than I ever did.  I would have liked to hug Roland’s daughters or given them a pat on the back or done something more to make them feel loved.  But I was afraid about showing any affection as Maleficent had taught them that all physical contact (be it from me or dad or brothers) was grounds for sexual abuse and would coach her girls into going along with whatever scheme she had come up with.

         Fortunately she was only able to brainwash only one at a time.  Unlike Anna, the girls were not the same type of brat that Jenna Malone had portrayed in the movie. In the beginning Frances ached to be with her dad and her brand new sister Jenna.  She was excited  each time she would come – more often without Pamprin who was a brat – but not in the same manner that Anna was.  I didn’t actually blame Pamprin for her behavior.  I knew Maleficent allowed Pamprin to have anything her heart desired – even at Frances’ expense.  She seemed to favor Pamprin over Frances and I think it had become obvious to Frances.

         We were finally awarded consistent visitation rights after a long battle.  But they were never consistent – Maleficent made certain of that.  All the stipulations and exceptions that the court made for her.  They still grate on my nerves.  She invited Satan into the lives of so many – and somehow I had allowed it into my own.  I cringed each time the phone would ring so that she could say good-night and “grill” her girls on the kind of day they had.

         Frances developed her own set of health problems – I think most of that was psychological.  Maleficent was such a hypochondriac that she probably helped in the deterioration of Frances.  So she was finally able to turn Frances against us – meanwhile Pamprin finally started to come around.  Going to dads was not so bad.  It was actually a preferable environment.  Pamprin wanted to come.  And Frances didn’t.  Or so Maleficent had succeeded in making Frances believe that she didn’t want to come.

         Then there was the move to another state . . . our attorney said we could fight to have them stay in the state.  I honestly did not wish to have Maleficent sharing my same planet – let alone state and county.  We didn’t have the finances.  And Roland really didn’t spend that much time with or even know the girls anyway.  So long as Maleficent was near, our lives would be disrupted. Maleficent was going to turn them against us weather in this state or another.

         Jackie Harrison had a lot more compassion than Maleficent.  Jackie Harrison is actually quite likeable.  Oh, she seemed to have that desire to turn her kids against Isabel and seemed certain that Isabel would never be able to raise her children the way that she had.  Truth was she was jealous of the time that Isabel would be able to spend with her children that she herself would not.

         The scene in which Jackie and Isabel are having lunch together is a very touching one.  I cried along with the characters fifteen years ago, but even moreso today.  For I am in a better position for understanding each of the characters. 

         I can actually provide the girls with positive memories of what they did while visiting with Roland and me and their sister and eventually all three of their bothers.  I have many photos, many documentations.  But I could never explain to them things about their biological mother as all I have is negative vibes about her.  I suppose she loves them in her own way.  Unfortunately she tries to express so much of it in material things.

         Unfortunately I don’t have a lot for the boys.  No memories of them before the ages 11, 12 and 13.  Very few photographs.  No scrapbooks or journals.  Yet I have ten volumes and counting filled with photographs and daily to monthly accounts for Jenna. 

         I don’t want to replace Maleficent.  I really don’t.  I would like to understand why she is the way she is and get along for the girls’ sakes – or would have liked to do so.  Our relationship (should we ever have one) will be a lot different now than when they were children.  The youngest will turn eighteen  before the summer begins.  I don’t know if either one of them will put forth any effort at making contact with their biological dad or brothers.  We’ve been out of touch going on six years.  It’s not their fault.  Maleficent still interferes. 

         My favorite part comes at the end of the money.  SPOILER ALERT for those who have not seen the movie.  Isabel is taking pictures of the family and Jackie invites her to sit with them so that the picture will be of the whole family.  How great that would be for Anna and Ben to see that family picture with both moms together.  Would make the transient easier I would think.

         I have prayed that Maleficent herself might find happiness – true happiness.  She really isn’t happy.  As a result I don’t think the girls probably are either. I hope that I will have another opportunity to be a friend to Frances and Pamprin without the influence of Satan.  I hope that Roland will have the opportunity to get to know his daughters.  I hope that Jenna will be able to learn more about her sisters – from them.