Holiday "Crunch Time"

Two days before Christmas - the period known as "crunch time" for those who still had things to do to prepare for the big day - I was feeling pretty proud of myself because all the gifts had been purchased, wrapped and mailed or under the tree. The house was clean, dinner was on the stove and I had the day off! I couldn't imagine a better scenario when I decided to drive over to my office to deliver gifts to my staff before doing some last minute grocery shopping. I came up over the hill, pulled up behind a large white utility van sitting at the stop sign at the corner of Mesa Palms and Dixie Drive, waiting - I thought - to turn right or left. Then without warning, the driver threw his car into reverse and backed into me, completely destroying the front end of my 2001 Saturn! I laid on the horn, but to no avail. No one was hurt . . . the airbags didn't deploy . . . and his insurance is going to pay for the repairs. He was very apologetic as he explained he had forgotten his cell phone and was going to back up the hill to his house. Unfortunately, his spontaneous plan did not involve someone sitting behind him at the stop sign! It took the insurance company several days to decide if they were going to repair or "total" my car because the high book value on my 9-year-old Saturn is $5500 and the low book value is $2500 - but the cost of repairs is going to be about $4000. In the end, they decided they would repair it because my car is so clean and has low mileage. So in about a week, I will have my car back!

Christmas on Provost Road

Christmas 2009 is now a memory . . . and as usual, we spent way too much, ate way too much, shopped way too much and in general overdid in every way possible. On the other hand, we had lots of fun with Uncle Larry who came for a visit and brought Grandma Doris (he flew from Seattle to Ontario, CA . . . rented a car and drove the six hours to St. George - and back again) so we could all be together once more before we leave for an 18-month mission to somewhere in the world. (Our plans are to leave in October 2010 which means we will miss two Christmases at home.)

Santa Claus brought us a Wii. After Christian Goldhardt, our 12-year-old neighbor came over and hooked it up, Taisley and Larry quickly proved themselves to be champion level bowlers! Grandma Linda finally finished and distributed, the "History of Cuz’N Camp" which Whitney called her favorite gift of this year. Santa brought Grandpa a 46" flat screen TV and two new suits (see previous "mission" reference) though he was, once again, offended at not getting anything from Grandma Doris!

As with every other Christmas holiday, there was also a whole lot of coming and going. Stacy worked on Christmas day and Kendi spent the weekend at her dad’s house. Bruce and Georgia came over for dinner, Allysa and Josh came and went with Daxton, and everyone called to report on their gifts and activities.

On Sunday, we loaded Larry and Grandma Doris in the car and drove 2 ½ hours to meet Kelly, Gary, and Whitney - who drove down from Ogden - as well as Michael and Tara - who came from Pleasant Grove - for lunch at (not Uncle) Larry’s Drive-in in Fillmore. For two hours, we laughed, chatted and got caught up, then went outside for family photos before heading for home.

The Joke is on the Doctor!

My annual physical with Dr. Claude Warner, an internist and a member of my ward, was an odd experience with this man I have gone to church with for years examining my body. After poking, probing and tapping in all the necessary places, he concluded I am a fine speciman of health - "with the pulse of a 20-year-old, and the heart and blood pressure of a 30-year old. I can’t find a single thing wrong with you!" I suggested he call my kids. They will be happy to share their list with him!