I'm From Wasatch County

It snowed really hard last night. It was flying in sideways. The wind blew to the point of stinging your face. And yet.

And yet, 1200 people gathered together at our local high school for a benefit dinner and auction. The reason? To raise funds for a local boy who, in a freak accident, broke his neck during wrestling practice. The people of this community are taking what could be a very devastating tragedy and turning it into a miracle.

My daughter proudly wore this shirt to school today. He is known to his friends as "Super Dale" and within a day or two of the accident, these t-shirts started popping up all over town. Another thing you can find all over town, or rather, at every cash register in town, are collection jars, filling to the brim. It's not uncommon to see them stuffed with twenty and fifty-dollar bills.

At the dinner last night, the people came in parkas, but instantly warmed the atmosphere with their smiles, generosity, and general good cheer. They brought their kids and grandparents, neighbors and friends. The food was 100% donated by the local Zermatt Resort - and they even sent all of their executives to serve it. Never has fetuccini tasted so good.

As we moved into the auditorium for the auction, Dale's mother said a few tearful words, bringing the rest of us to tears. I couldn't help but feel gratitude for my two children, bouncing in their seats, as her son lay in a hospital bed, motionless. As the auction began, I was amazed at the goods that had been donated: power tools, flat screen televisions, hand-made furniture, river rafting trips, and the mother of all prizes: a forty-five-dollar cow elk hunting tag that went for six-hundred dollars. Hunting is big here.

So are the hearts.

I love where I live. And this is why.

What's Not to Love?

Despite the fact that I never found a cheap last-minute ticket to anyplace warm, Valentine's weekend proved to be okay.

Dan kept trying to give me his Valentine gift all day Saturday. I think he was just excited that he actually had something, and something good. Finally he couldn't take it anymore. He handed me a big Costco-size bag of dark chocolate-covered pomegranate fruit snacks and a gift certificate for a 1-hour massage at a day spa in Provo. He's come a long way since our first Valentine together, when he showed up at my college apartment with a pot of dead tulips and a bag of Fritos. I know.

Later we went out to dinner with his sister and her boyfriend, which was really fun. We laughed pretty hard as she recounted the story from the time that they went to Disneyland and how Dan, at the age of 5, fell from the slide and fractured his skull (not the funny part) and how it was scary because they carried him away on a stretcher and a BODY BAG (the funny part). She meant to say neck brace.

For Valentine's Day we cooked a big breakfast for the kids, complete with blueberry waffles and an assortment of yummy toppings. I'm loving almond butter, by the way (loaded with MUFA). But here is where my horrible mothering skills came into full display. Since Jessica has gotten her braces on, I've been on her to limit her candy intake. But then, without thinking, I went out and bought the kids that gigantic jar of Jelly Bellys for a Valentine gift. When I pulled it out, Jessica immediately burst into tears while Jamison practically made out with the jar. I'm just not ready to deal with emotional girls OR any form of making out.

Hopefully your Valentine's Day was as enjoyable as mine (minus the crying 'tween).

Will Work for Watches

Also in the category of things I love: clocks and watches. Call it an obsession. From the couch where I am sitting, I can count 7 clocks. And then there's the rest of the house. I have no idea how many watches I own. The picture above is a sample of watches that all happened to be within easy reach of each other.

I've loved watches since I was a kid, when my dad bought me my first little Casio. It was a digital watch with a little blue strap. I still have it, tucked away with other mementos (and watches). It doesn't matter if the watch is an expensive designer version or a cheap bargain bin find. It just has to catch my eye. I CANNOT walk by a display case of watches without stopping to look. It's impossible. I don't leave home without one. I've left home without my wedding ring before, but never a watch. As a teen, I worked in a jewelry store that sold watches and Grandfather clocks. Can you say Heaven?

Yes, I own a Mickey Mouse watch. I even have a Batman watch. I own a couple of men's watches. Naturally, I own a pocket watch. My newest one is an airport find from my husband. You know that ten-dollar store? He found me an awesome watch there: it has a big square-shaped bezel, a bold, red face, and a two-tone white strap with red stitching. What's not to love?

My dad still surprises me with an occasional watch - the last one he gave me was a Seiko automatic. Maybe he's my enabler.

But I like it.

Spring Teaser

I am currently sitting on a leather couch inside of my local oil change place. See how you can blog no matter where you are?

I woke up in a crabby kind of mood. No reason. Probably hormones. (I like to blame lots of stuff on hormones). But then I drove to work and do you know what? I had to use both my sunglasses AND my sun visor. The crabby attitude quickly melted. Why? Because that big yellow thing in the sky was shining! Seems like it's been weeks since I've seen the sun. Wouldn't you know that recess duty was a joy today? I love sunshine.

Nevermind the fact that the school grounds and surrounding community are still blanketed by several feet of snow. Today has been one of those "spring teaser" days. The red stuff inside of my thermometer is up, the sun is up, the icicles are dripping... it's a sunny day and I'll take what I can get.

P.S. I'm going to attempt snowshoeing later today, for the first time ever. Hilarity is sure to ensue. I'll be sure to post if it does.

Things I Love

Happy February, everyone! During this month of pink hearts and assorted chocolates, I thought I might have a few blog entries that note the things I love. They will be listed in no particular order; please remember that I am a random thinker.

Today is Monday. I look forward to 8:00 p.m. every Monday because my favorite t.v. show comes on: 24. I LOVE that show. If you've never watched it, give it a try. My tastes lean less romantic and more action. 24 is ALL action. I love the idea: there are 24 episodes each season, each filmed in real time, so that one season equals 1 complete day.

My own days are pretty boring and pretty much the same each day. I get up, I go to work, I come home. But a day (or season) of 24 is like having a heart attack one hour at a time. My husband and I have been known to snuggle down under the covers and settle in for a 24 DVD marathon. It's a sickening but fun addiction that makes 7 or 8 hours go by in a hurry. Like I said, sickening.

Plus, there's something about Jack Bauer's no-nonsense-I-don't-have-time-for-this-silliness attitude. I know that reality T.V. is all the rage, but if you want a dose of truth, watch 24. You'll find yourself wishing that there were more people out there like him.

Do you have a favorite show?