Long Distance Christmas E-Cards

After all the years that I was able to take an extended vacation to Utah/Arizona/Nevada and then Idaho during Christmas breaks, it has been interesting to NOT for this particular holiday. Having Thanksgiving is one thing, but Christmas is another. (In all honesty, it was ... better to have a break this year. I needed it.)

Thankfully, with the immediacy of modern technology, I can still experience it in more real-time than my poor grandmothers could not that long-ago.

A few branches of the tree came together for an early Christmas. Grandmary and Grumpa were able to spend time with the Nevada crew before Kelli and the Kids peeled off to see the paternal step-side of the family.

Grumpa reports with his iPhone photos:
Jed was at work but after soup and crackers we opened the gifts from you, mom, and Idaho family. The following are just a sample of what we saw. Cannon was running a fever, but staked out his spot and spread out. [Your] sunglasses were a hit. Drew loved all your little items and will be using them as soon as he can. After things settled down, I caught one of the cat lover. 

 (I'm sorry Grandmary, but the squirmy twins look like they want to bolt.)

I missed the initial FaceTime request while the parentals were there, but I got to FaceTime all of them much much later that night. I was already make-up free and ready for bed, so we had a FaceTime chat where I had my sunglasses on. (I wear my sunglasses at night, so I can, so I can ...)

Sarah and Cannon got sunglasses from me because Sarah had spent so much time when I was there in November wearing mine - I had to! (And if you get one twin one thing, you better get the other one something similar.)

Oh, the smudgies I had to get off of my glasses.

On Christmas Eve, Grumpa sent me photos of the parentals' present to themselves and their neighbors to the south. A HUGE 110ft long fence, so you couldn't see out the back of the house, down directly into the neighbor's pool, hot-tub, and house. They've been planning this and some xeriscaping for years, but somehow they saved enough money on their mission that they were able to afford. Add in some of the exterior/interior renovations they had to make because of the burst pipe, it just made sense.

It's imprinted on both sides, so as Mr. Frost is attributed: "Good fences make good neighbors."

Just so I wouldn't be left out, on Christmas morning, he sent around photos of how the house was decorated this year. They may be making up for last year's apartment-sized Christmas. (Hey, I don't even decorate THAT much, so their decorations can count for mine.)

Actually (as Nathan would say), the exterior decor, particularly the tiny tree by the door, is more for the lady, Doris, across the street. Because it came from her, so it has to be put to use.

 Every year there is loot under this tree, and every year Pop makes comments about how "we weren't going to do this" and "it's all for your mother." But then he's happy to have the loot. Every year. TRADITIONS! (But there was no, I hope it's not what's in the box insider family joke.)

Per Pop:
Mom reading the role of grandparents before seeing the goofy picture of ME. (Good gift, family!)

Dad's gifts. It seems that if you repair a zipper pull with glue you get two new fleeces to cover the mess you make. I am trying to get through the Book of Mormon again and got two large reading books to distract me again.*

Mom's gifts. One of which has to be exchanged for 24" size. Thanks to the little birdie for the suggestion.

End of event! "Beagle" for breakfast and then to get ready for lunch in Zion Park.

[You are welcome, Mom. I listen. Next time Dad, we'll find out the right sizing. But I have to be subtle in my information gathering.]

On "returns" Monday, there was a replacement for the "you know, one of these days, I'd like pearls" half-off-handed comment. 

With interest.

Apparently there was no "next size up" available. Oh shucks darn shoot.

The folks then took themselves to the Zion Lodge at Zion National Park for Christmas Day 2015. While I had to turn on my a/c, there was snow in them there hills.

From Pop:

Just outside the Zion Lodge

There were a lot of visitors from around the world, and lots of people who didn't know what snow was.

 With just enough white to make the red rocks stand out and red/white/blue for Mary.

They took pictures from the car of a the canyon and of a snowstorm coming in through Springdale.

Aside from some complaints about speed limits, needs for new connectors to by-pass around the valley closer to their house, and meal prices, I THINK Dad had a good time. Even though he said he needed a Christmas Day nap.

Who doesn't need a Christmas Day nap? I think it's part of the day.

Hope you enjoyed this Long Distance Christmas E-Card.

~most photos via Grumpa


*Hey, I just realized. I didn't get one single reading book for Christmas. Odd. That has to be rectified.

Edging too Close: Making the Mail

There is nothing like cutting it so close on finishing a crafting project that you are literally putting the last stitches in the edging and the label in the morning and then rushing to the Post Office in the afternoon so you can two-day Priority Mail it with prayers to make it to a baby shower on the 5th, less than 4 days from now ... in California. 

Yeah. So maybe that was me. I THOUGHT I had plenty of time. I literally started this present as I sat in my plane seat on the tarmac, en route West-bound on the 18th, had hours of driving up and down the length of Utah, rock-and-talk time with the aunties and cousins and kin, but I MAY have made a tactical error by working on my Christmas cards during the two week break.

I was so rushed packaging this (and my other two big boxes), that I didn't get the dimensions. It was pretty big though. It could be a crib cover, a toddler bed blanket, and/or keep someone(s) in a nursing rocker warm.

As it was for a pair of gems upon the birth of their first child, I went with a diamond pattern - one that was heavy enough to provide warmth if there were ever any cold California nights, but airy enough at the same time.

The poor hostess. I emailed her today and informed her the gift was en route- but oy! Too close. I only knew about the shower for months.

POSTSCRIPT: It got there on time (WHEW!) - and can apparently keep 2.5 people covered. Whoops.

Photo courtesy of Claire and Jenny

 

Go big or go home.

Also note: I finally got new labels explaining, once again, that this is NOT KNITTING.

 


~ photos by iTouch/iPhone

On the road again, again

Arizona, Thursday, Feb.20, 2014

I am in the midst of a 2 brother, 3 families, 4 airline, 5 airport, 5 states, 6 day, 6 nieces and nephews journey.

Wish me luck ... And patience!

Via iTouch

Photo of the Day: Polar Vortex

Cache Valley, Utah, December 29, 2013

Who would have thought that visiting northern Utah last week would have been good training for the artic weather socking the country? I'm so glad I picked up thermal undies and have a double layer ski jacket.

It was 5 degrees this morning. Wind chill negative something. Not exactly the 40-50 degrees it was yesterday. Mother Nature is a fickle lady.

Winter Travel Woes is Me

Today, Friday, Jan. 3, in pictures:

For context: Winter Storm Hercules socked New York/New England Thursday into Friday causing school/work closings (including the Big J), and more importantly for me, travel woes.

The day started well, with lots of last minutes stories, pictures, snuggles, and kisses from these three in Idaho.

Since I was getting an all clear from the airlines, all travel seemed to be a go, so there was a lovely drive through the rolling wheat fields of Idaho. (Note, no snow.)

I got out of Idaho, to Salt Lake, no problem. (See Salt Lake Valley out of the plane window...so snowy and grey.) My afternoon flight from SLC to JFK was only delayed an hour when I got off the plane and looked at the board and checked voice messages.

By the time I got to my new gate area, the delay jumped three hours to after 8pm.

Time passed slowly, as it does, and that flight got cancelled. I got on standby for a 11:55pm, which was delayed to 12:45am--and also confirmed for a Sunday redeye arriving Monday at 6:30 am, just in case.

So I decided to stick around and see if I could a) make it on the flight and b) get out of Salt Lake. Turns out, being early and nice and polite and working social 

media and in person facetime counts, as I wadn't on standby, but put in an actual premium seat. NICE. OR was it? (Insertforeboding  music here.)

Around 9 pm THAT flight was cancelled too. More talking to agents and being polite, and I think I got booked on a redeye out Saturday night into Sunday morning.* I am pretty sure anyway. I trustnothing  now.

Then it was off to find my suitcase so I could then find a hotel for the night. Surprisingly, though I was warned it could take 2 hours to find my bag, especially with amount of other people in same boat, I got it within 10 minutes of talking to the agent (helps NOT having a big black bag), and then it was off to try and get a room at some inn somewhere.

About this time, about 12 hours after we left the house in Idaho, I got a bit tired. I had eatten 2 meals, getting a discount the second time because the cashier recognized me from my lunch trip (a sign you have been there too long); drunk copious amounts of non caffienated fluids (I know!); worked on an afghan; gone with the flow and remainded calm.

BUT I zoned out when the airport hotel agent told me where to grab the courtesy shuttle. I stood on the curb for about 30 minutes before I called them again. About 30 minutes later, (now I was getting fuzzy), I finally booked a room for 2 nights at an inn. With a redeye flight on the books, I am NOT CHECKING OUT AT 11am to go back to the airport until I have to. At this point? I don't care about the costs.

So now I have emailed the family, taken a LONG HOT shower, written this post about my day, and it is past 1am

MST and I am ready to revel in my kingsize bed and prepare to see what tomorrow's travels bring.

Thanks to J and Christina; Dad; Leta, Bill, Josephina, and RW at Delta; cashiers, Delta lady at baggage; lady on Holiday Inn Express phone; lady at shuttle window; shuttle driver, David at the Inn; and all the passengers affected by snow who weren't cranky. Remain calm and carry on. 

Continue praying please, but can we add "get on a plane that leaves Salt Lake, arrives in New York, and then gets unloaded at the gate, all on time" to "we pray that Auntie Nettie travels safely." The latter is appreciated because I have.

I am grateful and aware that today could have been more difficult. 

So grateful.

So aware.

So ready to go home to my Attic.

SO.

READY.

* I have to be in the office on Monday am. A new boss is starting, I have deadlines, and I have work and emails from mid-Decrmber on to catch up on. Losing Saturday and now Sunday to prep really hurts.

-iTouch

Winter Wonderland

Cache Valley, Logan, Utah ~ Sunday, 12/29/13, 9:30 am ~ 0 degrees

Just a bit of Valley fog and Hoarfrost

I was wearing tights, a dress, slip-on shoes, and a light fleece with no gloves-not realizing how cold it was! Totally not dressed correctly and in a hurry to go and pick up a great aunt for Church. 

I haven't been in the Valley in winter since 1980. I forgot how cold it can be. It was also eerily beautiful, like a scene out of the new movie Frozen.

What I wished I had captured on "film" was the herd of horses in the next pasture. Out of the mists, I heard the thunder of hooves and turned to see first a black colt followed by pinto, bay, dun, and dappled mares and geldings slipping through the icy fog and twinkling trees in their meadowy enclosure. What a magical moment out of time.

-iTouch

Christmas Eve: with commas

Eats,

Shoots,

And

Loaves

Fresh out the oven: 1 Molly Mormon card , half earned

-iTouch

My Presence and My Presents

Traveling, stress, expense...,

How can you measure?

When the gifts are such as these?

Time passes in the blink of an eye

Or the swipe of the mouse.

Thanks to family for forwarding these to my in-box.

Their presence were my presents this week.

And soon I will reciprocate.

On the road again.

Car

Plane

Shuttle

Car

Miles to go before I sleep...

 For more than 4 hours at a time.

-iTouch