Not so long ago...

.... back in the late sixties, (I guess that was quite a while ago)there were a bunch of kids looking for a good time and needing a totally cool "senior sluff" place to go, headed out on three buses down the interstate (was there an interstate back then?) to a place called "The Oasis"..... a place down in Nevada with this big ol' swimmin' pool that was filled with water from a warm spring and was different than any of the other places kids went for Senior Sluff like to Zion or the Veyo Pool or the city park.....and it was a true Senior Sluff where you had to keep it a secret from everyone except the seniors. Not sure if we pulled that one off but I'm sure we tried. Anyway, our "way cool" Senior Class President wanted to do it up big like everything else this class had ever done in their illustrious career and so the arrangements were made (or not) and the busses were boarded and we arrived at the wonderful pool surrounded by palm trees only to find it was the day the pool had to be drained because with this wonderful warm water, algae would grow readily and the bottom of the pool had to be scrubbed every week. Who knew?...or I should say, we should have known and why didn't we know? We just didn't.....Senior Class President was embarrassed to say the least but the rest of the class made the most of it because that's just the way we were. I wish I had some pictures of this event but I guess I was too busy being sad and embarrassed with said class president to really have a good time but I do remember watching everyone else having a great time playing football (in the pool) as the water streamed in and laughing and finding other things to do. It was a very memorable trip....so memorable that every class reunion, there is a new joke about it but the funniest one was when we were doing our toasts and Stef stood up and held up a pint bottle of water and said ".....this is the water from the swimming pool at our Senior Sluff.....ALL the water at the pool." There was always a laugh at Scott's expense so I guess when all was said and done, it was worth it. Why do I mention this on my blog today? Well, there was a fire at a resort in Nevada and I just got to wondering if it was the same place we ventured so many years ago. A call to my good friend Kelly Booth set me straight. The fire happened at a place that is owned by the church and has been a great place where different stakes from Nevada could go for retreats and gatherings. (Click HERE to read about the fire). This property was purchased by Howard Hughes in 1968. The church acquired it in 1978 and tried to ranch it but was unsuccessful so sold off most of it and converted the rest into what was called the "Warm Springs Recreational Ranch". Several yards from that is the "Desert Warm Springs Oasis" that we knew as kids. It burned down in 1994 and in 1997 was purchased and turned over to the Fish and Wildlife Service. I asked Kelly what is still there and he told me that there are remnants of that swimming pool there. I hadn't been down there since that ever-so-remarkable Spring day in 1968 and had wanted to go back this past fall but never did make the trip. So there you have it. Probably way TMI.....but just what I've been thinking about the past few days. If any of my classmates read this and can shed any light on the subject or provide pictures, I'd love it.

Oh, what did you do in the summertime....

....when it was triple digit heat and too dang hot to even go outside? I was straightening up my den and came across a picture that reminded me of days gone by...and what my kids used to do. I'm actually surprised they survived most of it. As kids, at least once a summer (when we could drive ourselves) we headed out to the Washington Canal and would tube down it. I vowed I'd never let my kids do that. It seemed dangerous to me. But my kids soon discovered the Washington Dam on their own and I'd cringe whenever they would want to go there. However, in the Dixie heat, rule number one is "find some water"..... even if it is at the Washington Dam!!!!
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The cliff jumping I could have done without.

When the kids were smaller, we'd go out to the farm and had our own little swimming hole. I'm not sure how sanitary it was but it took up a lot of summer afternoons and cooled us off.

We always had a pass to the city pool when I was a kid and we'd walk ourselves over to what is now Vernon Worthen park where the sand volleyball pits are and swim for a couple of hours every afternoon. My kids did the same at our city pool....I think I'd let them stay all afternoon if they wanted to. Joyce and I are not sure why our mother only let us stay an hour, maybe two at the most. I'll have to ask Mom if there's a "motherly reason" for that one.

Then there were the trips to the Veyo Pool. A lot of the fun there was playing in the stream, catching crawdads but the pool was lots of fun too. I have to admit, my favorite part of it all was the pronto pup for lunch after a good swim. Nothin' like JoAnn's Veyo pronto pups. I ran into her the other day and she isn't there any more but she'll make you a batch of her famous (secret recipe) dough, enough for 60 pups. Just give her a call next time you're havin' a party and want to fry some up. Sounds good to me. Veyo Pool has been there as long as I can remember.....I just haven't been there for a while.

There was always the mighty Virgin River and skimboarding soon came to be the summer sport of choice.

I'm not sure where Spencer found this water but I think it is at the Washington Dam.

....and summer wasn't summer without at least one trip to the Subway. Not as easy now, but it sure made for some fun times when it was simple to just take off whenever you wanted to and get through it as fast as you could. Too bad it got so famous.....

It was always my dream to have a pool in my back yard. The closest I ever got to that was our jacuzzi. I loved it in the winter but the kids used it a lot in the summer. Not sure if this is a winter or summer shot but it pretty much was "our pool" on those hot summer afternoons (unheated of course).

Pretty much, though....all you really need to keep cool is a trampoline and a water hose.....just as fun for my grandkids as it was for my kids. So there you have it.....a little bit of then and now.

Stay cool....and have a safe summer!!!!

...been to the mountain today...

....just having a little visit with Scott. I figure if there is a heaven on earth, it must be Pine Valley and I know he's in heaven so it just goes to figure he must be there and I'm here to tell you, I don't know how it works or anything like that but it was his favorite place to go, so if at all possible, I'm sure that's where he is. I know I feel his presence there and I felt a peaceful feeling today as I woke up "alone" again after having a wonderful "family filled" month. James and Lauri left yesterday and Shana and the kids headed out on their long drive this morning. It has been a long holiday and now everyone is getting back to their routines....but I don't have one so I'm trying to figure one out. For the record....I've got some plans for improvements in Pine Valley, a few for my house, a few books to read, projects to finish, concerts to go to and grand kids to play with so I should have a pretty full summer, what's left of it. It is going very quickly. I often wonder how Scott speaks to me; as I visit with my widow friends, we all have different ways we think our husbands send us messages; one says it's rainbows, one finds pennies here and there at crucial times. Me, I think it's through music, especially when my thoughts coincide with certain songs that were meaningful in our relationship. It hasn't happened very often but occasionally when I've needed it to and today was one of those days. I was driving off the mountain and I was thinking about the month of July nine years ago and how I was just preparing to get him home from Salt Lake (not knowing it then), home to spend the last few days of his life. I also got thinking about a good friend of mine that I met in Salt Lake whose husband was a police officer killed in the line of duty on July 6 nine years ago as well....and all of a sudden, on the radio came...."....imagine me and you, and you and me, no matter how they toss the dice, it had to be; the one only for me is you and you for me so HAPPY TOGETHER...." pretty much "our song" when we were young. It brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye but mostly, on this day that's been a little lonely and sentimental, it brought peace to my heart. I do love my life; I love it dearly, but I miss the love of my life very much. Please give your significant other a hug and a kiss right now and remember how blessed you are to have each other. Spencer, I'll be so glad when Shana and the kids get home; Lauri, it was great to see you and James and to know how happy you are; Traci, I miss you and know that you are doing good things there; Mason and Kyle, I'm glad you're here and that I can see you and the kids often. I am blessed indeed....and I know that with all my heart. May we all enjoy this patriotic month and count our blessings....freedom being right up there at the top. God bless the USA.....

We had a swingin' good time....

...how 'bout you? We have some pretty intense family time each 4th of July holiday that starts out in Pine Valley for those that wish to participate and ends up at my mom's and seems to get bigger every year. A few blogs ago I mentioned wishing I could find a "Stars Hollow" and I have come to realize that most of our traditions are pretty much "small town USA" and something I've come to look forward to...not so much for the celebration itself, but for the "family time" it is. These are so much the "same" every year, I can't imagine missing them and I feel for those that have to miss them and I need them to know they are missed. Spencer, Traci and Fam and Mason and Fam; you were missed and I hope you were celebrating in fine fashion and missing us just a tad bit. The years just seem to zip by so quickly; when the 4th rolls around,we get our chairs out early so cars can't park and ruin our "almost front row" view of the fireworks from Mom's street. The Allred's across the street have been doing this as long as we have and I enjoy walking over and greeting them each and every year. As I did it this year, it really seemed like it was only yesterday that I had done it.....and....speaking of the year "zipping" right by........we actually did start out this year's celebration by trying out Mark's new zip line in Pine Valley.

Drew was one of the first to buckle up and since those dang thangs were so hard to get on and off, each kid got to go three times before handing over the harness......

He and George could have done it all day long if we would have let them. What a kids paradise.

Sweet Laynee Jane takes her turn as the rest watch and wait theirs.

Little Miss Emily Jo enjoyed a run with the boys taunting her from below. You can kinda get an idea of the height on this thing. It aint no sissy zip line....if ya ask me....

....and might I add here; have you ever seen bluer blues or greener greens? Ye ha.......
The little ones even braved a turn but this line was only finished yesterday and Seth was the first kid under 9 years old to try it. He only had to do it once but he did it and he was proud (and brave). Way to go Sether.....you da man!!!!

But the day belonged to Evan....all time youngest to harness up so far. He was quite proud of himself to say the least.

D'ya think we could get this thing automated by the 24th of July?????? C'mon......

Meanwhile, back at the cabin....

....the lawn needs a mowin'......

.....the kids are a hikin'.....

...and doing a little posin' on the rock on Taco Flat.

Drew and George enjoying a little sling shot time while Emily and I tag along.

....and some kids are a jumpin'....in this 10 year old jumpy castle that has certainly seen it's day but keeps pluggin' along lettin' the kids have a good ol' time.

...and the baby needs a feedin' and James is happy to comply, practicing his fatherly skills.

Then back down the road to get ready for the fireworks. After a little pizza and pop, sheet cake and ice cream, we stake out our seats and get ready for the production.....

Nothin' changes much....it just gets better every year.

All good things must come to an end; but not before a few pyros take to the back yard for a little sparkler fun. Seth is wishing for a sweeter smelling sparkler but other than that, no unpleasantries here. We came out of this holiday with a sliver or two, a smashed toe or three from the teeter totter but mostly I think it would be safe to say, a good time was had by all.

See ya next year....same time....same place.

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A few pics from Laynee's fun pool party last Wednesday. Shana rented the hydrotube for Laynee's 11th birthday.

We had a great time with Spencer, Shana and the crew in town for a while. I hope this year truly "zips" by and we will be ever so ready to have them head out west. Happy travels gang...it's been a lot of fun.

Just to get you up to speed....

....oh, and speakin' of "Speed"....a mighty fine game to teach the grandkids. If you can get 'em hooked, there's always somethin' fun to do with them and Laynee and I played it for hours, keepin' track and I think we ended up tied 21 to 21. I hope I get a chance for a "tie breaker" which Laynee always wins. She's a fast little twerp and very astute (marked by practical hardheaded intelligence) in her card playing abilities! Then George caught on and I think we are 11/11 as well. I'll have plenty of time for a tie breaker with him but he and Drewby caught on and it was fun watching them fumble a bit with their cards but gettin' into the game. I used to play it with some of Mason's friends, I think mostly Adam when he would come over and eat our "rich boy" cereal and Oreos. A good game of Speed made it worth it though. I love the game...it's pretty much a "no brainer"....no strategy involved, just speed. Lot's of fun though and I always love my "grand kid time" doing something that I enjoy as much as they do. I'm just hopin' I can get one or two of them hooked on some kind of needle work...none the less, they are all my little heroes and it's been so fun havin' them around these last few weeks.

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Here is a little of the residule (a quantity left over at the end of the process)....and I tried to have plenty of MoonPies (mini ones that I got at Walgreens) and Fresca (and Otter Pops) for them......and I promised I wouldn't wreck their "cool hut"....but I'm not sure how long I want to look at this residule. Maybe I'll go in and take a nap in there. Just today Traci and I were chatting about how much kids eat and how often they want to eat but I had plenty of this stuff and said "yes" to anything so there you go. Shana and I were sitting at the table talking and Jack asked his mom if he could have a cookie and she sternly said "No...you've had enough to eat"....then he turned right to me and said "Grandma....can I have a cookie". I just shook my head while mumbling "yes":) As they say, "If mom says no, ask grandma (but not in front of mom)." It was funny.

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Oh, and speaking of heros....Allison....you are my hero today. Allison told me I could brag on her a bit and divulge her secret. When she walked out of the temple in this beautiful dress, it took my breath away. It was so perfect for her simple elegance and I asked Colleen about it and got the scoop. Five years ago she found it at a DI in Las Vegas for 60 smackeroos and bought it. Wallah.....wedding time.....does the dress still fit? It is gorgeous. Everything was gorgeous and sunshiny....just like Allison. Welcome to this crazy family, Chris. It's been a fun day. The luncheon was Cafe Rio at Heritage Elementary and so cleverly decorated! Way to go Sullivan Crew. Ya done good......

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....and speaking of fun, Volume II of fun showed up in my mailbox this past week. My second blog book made me really happy. Thanks for all your fun comments that went in there for me to remember forever.

I really can't plan ahead for this....

....or it would drive me crazy so I just have to find a date that works for everyone (hopefully everyone, I hate to leave anyone out)....and then be in the right frame of mind and give out a hollar....IT'S TIME FOR THE ANNUAL "CRAZY GRANDMA CAMP"....and I really am crazy for (1) thinking I can have total control over 9 little kids ranging from the age of 3 years old to 11 years old for 24 hours and (2) thinking that I can do it without yelling my lungs out throughout the evening...but I haven't done too badly tonight. The house is a wreck, we didn't get to nearly as many things as we had planned and THEY ARE ALL ASLEEP as I type this. Just trying to make a few memories with the wee ones and I tell them that it's called "Crazy Grandma Camp" because I'm crazy about all of them, which I really am but about 9:00 tonight...I was once again realizing that it's "crazy" and I don't have to do it but I actually do love it. They are all so very different and so very funny. I love how they figure things out. I'll share some pictures and tell you what it is I love about these amazing little kids that belong to my amazing big kids. One of the bigger kids asked me today when I was going to have Grandma Camp and I just said...."I'm working it out". A bit later, little Jack who is only three looked at me with his big blue eyes and said..."Grandma, did you work it out yet?"....and I did work it out and made it happen....and I'm tired, but it's a good tired. (reporting here about 11:51).

So the kids start comin' and they head out to the trampoline and I'm looking out the window and they're rollin' around on the tramp getting their hair all staticky and the next thing I know, they are hookin' on to each other's fingers, making a line then one of them touches the metal part of the tramp and they all start jumpin' around and laughing as the electricity flows from kid to kid. I thought it was pretty cool...I guess that's why I'm telling you about it, whoever you are out there in blog land.

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So, I'm going to give a few tips about having the kids over...or I should say, this is what works for me.

Plan a good song that they can dance too. Last year it was "...apple bottom jeans, boots with a purr...."...not the real words but they didn't have to know and it was a pretty catchy song. This year it was "Hey Soul Sister" and here is Jack getting ready for his ukelele duet...

Make sure ya take a few of the older ones shopping at the dollar store and let them pick out a few cheap things that you can call the "activities". Here we got a little sidewalk chalk...upgraded to the 3D this year. (not necessary but kinda fun)

Let 'em start stakin' out their beds a bit early then it's not so hard when it's finally time to call it quits....and let them be creative about where they will sleep. It's important to get them to bed early too....then the night doesn't seem so long. I made it by 11:51 this year.

A few cheap water balloons can kill about 4 and a half minutes....it's a must have item!!!!!

Shirt decorating is always fun. Just don't think "puff paint" will dry in time for them to wear them to bed.....(they were 2 for 5 dollas at Michaels. I did good)!!!!!

Then the usual trip to Snow Shack (of course wearing their shirts. It makes you look like a really cool grandma. The kicker to my "coolness" was when I reached into my pocket for my 10 bucks, it wasn't there so I had to be really cool....and let Kenny Miller butt in line with his 2 boys to pay for our snow cones. Now that's cool.....NOT!!!!) Don't ya just love this place though.....always someone you know to help you out in hard times. I still can't figure out where the money is that I really did put in my pocket (but I'm sure no one stole it from me Spencer. I just misplaced it in the craziness of it all. Just lettin' you know).

This is my "hard core" gang....in their coolness......

Don't forget to snap a picture with the whole gang....'cause ya know...if you don't have a picture of it and write about it, it's as if it never happened and I'm not about to go to all this trouble only to have it be "AS IF IT NEVER HAPPENED' for cryin' out loud.

We missed Scotty and Jakey. Don't know why these pictures wouldn't turn but the kids did a little chalk art for them and I left a place there in the picture above to PhotoShop them in. Next year, Staheli boys, we'll plan "Grandma Camp" around your visit to Utah.

So, there you have it. Whether it's for the right reason or not, I do it and I actually love it. A little like childbirth...when you're going through it, you'll never do it again....but as the year goes on, you forget. Oops, it's 12:50 and George is wandering.....now I know I'm not doing this again!!!!! Actually, I keep thinking I should entertain them until about midnight then drop them off at their own homes. Good idea....think I'll try it next time. We didn't get around to the Pop Rocks and AirHeads. We'll have them for breakfast. Mmmmm....PopRocks in cereal. Fun surprise.....and I forgot to mention the snaps and glow sticks, a few more dollar store gems.