Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Culture Clash?

























We decided that it would be great fun to take the Rawlins' from Pennsylvania to the Western Idaho State Fair. They had a chance to sample fair food; feed the small animals right from their hands; and look at the exhibits of quilts, cookies, flowers, fine art, and photography. We capped off the trip to the fair with a taste of Idaho, the ice cream baked potato (a potato-shaped vanilla ice cream scoop, rolled in cocoa powder, sitting in chocolate sauce and a few Oreo crumbs, split down the middle, filled with whipped cream and sprinkled with a few nuts). But most importantly, we all had the chance to make some lasting memories. Thanks for visiting Idaho!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Alumni Report vs. Real Life

This is a game if you want to play along. First write a summary of your post high school life that you would send as an alumni report. You know, the super sugary sweet, not even close to real life list of bragging rights. This would be something you might read in a Christmas card. Then, write your next summary dark and much more, shall we say, 'down-to-earth'.

After leaving the friendly confines of "Old IF High" I fed my hunger for knowledge by spending 3 stimulating years at Ricks College followed by 2 invigorating years at BYU. The reward was a bachelors degree in nursing. After successfully passing the national board exams and becoming an RN, I launched into many years of providing care and nurture for those finding themselves under my watchful eye in intensive care. I married Brent, a childhood friend, nearly 23 years ago on a crisp, beautiful day in December. Brent finished his medical degree and we settled in Nampa, Idaho with our 4 wonderful kids that keep our home full of fun and excitement. I spend my free time doing whatever my heart desires.

After completing the drama-filled years of high school, I left for college where after the first day of classes, I realized we had reviewed everything I had learned in four years previously. My college career was filled with non-stop studying and not much else. The only break from studying came on the weekends when I worked night shifts to help make ends meet. Four days after getting married and moving into a moldy, musty, mushroom-growing apartment in Seattle, I started back to work on night shifts where I found myself trapped because I was "indispensable". My hospital "nightlife" and the grey sunshine that graces Seattle lent itself to my feeling like a troll. Brent finished his 14 post high school years of medical education and we left the big city to move to the back country of Idaho where the roads are littered with squished sugar beets and dead skunks. I am unemployed by choice so that I have time to be at my family's beck and call.

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Grandma Rawlins

We traveled home this past week to, among other things, celebrate Grandma's 99th birthday with her. I have never before attended a party for someone that old. The remarkable thing is that Grandma doesn't really seem any older than she ever has. Except for using a walker to make her feel more secure in moving about, she keeps busy doing some of the same things that she has for so many years. The celebration included a picnic lunch in Mom and Dad's backyard, per her request. There were balloons, cake, and ice cream. Each of us had written her a letter and we informally gave those to her. She, on the other hand, had taken the time to hand write a personal note accompanied by a drawing for each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild. What a thoughtful and treasured gesture. Happy 99th Birthday Grandma.