From Lawrence Welk to Tom Jones

Before sitting down for dinner last night with Jeff, Melanie and Dana, Rod started telling us about an experience he had a couple of weeks ago in Kentucky. He started the story with "you know who Lawrence Welk is, right?" Jeff and Melanie had looks on their faces where they were trying to find a glimpse of something familiar from the depths of their memory. Jeff said:"Yeah, I think I know who he is, he was the guy with a variety show". Dana had no clue who he was. Oh boy, did we feel old. After explaining who Mr. Welk was, Rod went ahead with his story. During his business travel to Kentucky a few weeks ago, he was invited to a "concert". When he walked in, he realized that he had stepped into a Lawrence Welk show meet Grand Ole Opry meet 700 Club. The average age of the concert goers was about 70. The moment took him back to his childhood when he used to watch the Lawrence Welk show on Saturday nights with his parents. I think the text I received from Rod at the concert was:"I am in hell!"

Old Dude!

This moment reminded me of my own experience when I was at BYU, and in one of my study groups we were asking each other who our favorite singer was. "Tom Jones", I piped in. The whole group of 18 year-olds looked at me with blank faces. No.Idea. How sad. How sad indeed.

Yummy!

"I Love Lucy" in the Bedroom

Two nights ago, there she was on TV, running around the wine vat in circles and stomping on the grapes while taking huge leaps and swinging her arms with a huge grin on her face. You all have seen the scene from one of the funniest "I Love Lucy" show episodes, right? For years, Rod has thought of me as Lucy. Everytime we watch an episode or I do something funny, like water-skiing, he just starts laughing and turns to me and says:"That's you, honey, you are like Lucy."

So last night, I tried to be romantic and obviously failing miserably when Rod says:"What is that smell? Is it bubblegum?" With a huge sigh of disappointment, I utter the words:"NO, it is my perfum called "Pure Seduction".

Yep, another real life episode of "I Love Lucy" show.

Alex's Basketball Schedule

Alex Made the Freshman Basketball Team

When I walked into the gym last night I saw the boys just walking around and shooting baskets here and there. The coaches were in the office deciding who is going to be on the team. I sat with Marianne, whose son Jake was also trying out for the team. She seemed to be more calm than me. A few minutes later, the coaches came out and first the 2 other coaches thanked all the players for their hard work in the past three days and then the head coach gave some advice to those who would not be chosen to play this year. I looked at Alex and his eyes were focused on the coach, and every word he was saying.

Then came the words:"These are the following players who will come and practice tomorrow after school and who will be on the freshman team this year: Alex Larsen, Jace Hill....Jake Bingham", after that I didn't hear any other names. Alex's name was mentioned first. I looked at Alex and he was looking at me with the biggest smile on his face. I was so proud of him. Then he came over to me and we gave each other two handed high fives.

We left the gym and I texted Rod right away who was in Nashville, TN last night. Then he called Alex. Rod was extremely emotional and so proud of Alex. I heard Alex tell Rod:"Don't cry dad!"

I felt so bad for those 4 players who didn't make the team. They were sitting on the gym floor just stunned. I wonder what is next for them. How do they deal with the rejection.

Earlier in the day I had made reservations to Chef's Table, so we could go celebrate this first step in Alex's basketball dream. And that's where we headed after a quick shower at home. Just Alex and I.


Alex and his celebration meal at Chef's Table. Kent, the owner, and the waiters came over to congratulate Alex.


After sharing this German Chocolate Cake, we headed home so Alex can chat with his friends and receive his congratulations from everyone.

What a day!

Today, first practice. First game on November 24th at 3:30 at Lakeridge.

Boy is Happy-Mom is Happy

After second day of basketball tryouts, Alex made the first cut. Now there are 15 boys and the coach is going to take 12 of the top boys. Alex has one more day of tryouts. The decision will be made today at 5pm. Today if ever, keep your fingers and toes crossed. And maybe say a little prayer for Alex.


The face says it all. Alex is so happy about his performance.


Of course I didn't cook again today, so we went to Mimi's for dinner so Alex can get his tummy full of Chicken Fried Steak. I love his face. He looks like a rapper.

And you ask why I am so happy? Well, of course I'm really happy for Alex, but when I got home today, the guy who had been installing our gutters all day was done. I HAVE GUTTERS!!! I think my life is now complete. No more water coming in from the non-existing eaves. I can sleep well again. Happy day! The roof job is completely finished.

After First Day of Basketball Tryouts

I was waiting nervously for Alex at the school parking lot yesterday evening after his first day of basketball tryouts. I saw him walking slowly towards the car and he didn't look happy, but mostly tired. When he sat down, his first words were "I was on FIRE". Those three words painted the perfect picture for me. He had succeeded and he was happy about his performance. He told me that in Seminary he had learned the story of Sampson, and he wanted to look up the word "strength" in the bible dictionary and topical guide to get inspiration from. Alex said that it helped him a lot along with a lot of prayer. I'm so proud of him.

Two more days of tryouts. Keep your fingers crossed.

We went to Golden Corral (Buffet) for dinner so Alex could get enough food to eat after 3 hours of constant running.

Basketball Tryouts this Week

Alex will be in the midst of basketball tryouts after school this week. Keep your fingers crossed that he makes it. If he does, he will be a player on the 9th grade (freshman) team. GO ALEX!

Happy 23rd Wedding Anniversary to Us!

We celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary last weekend. Because we just went to Vegas and there again for Thanksgiving, we decided to stay close to home.


When we left the house, I got this hankering for donuts. Before I could say it, Rod looked at me and said:"Do you feel like donuts?" It shows that 23 years together, we think alike.


Our box of Krispy Kremes. The weekend was starting off right!


Because Rod plans the anniversaries, I had no idea what he had in mind (alright you people, I didn't mean it that way). So the first stop was to the Family History Library to find out how we start doing my genealogy. I have done some over the years but I have basically just gathered information into a folder but now I get to put it into an organized form on the computer. The first guy who helped us was about 80 years old who started telling us about his ancestry and then moved onto telling us how to decide on a sign-in name and password. I looked at Rod and said with my eyes "you gotta be kidding me". Rod hurried the guy along and we got the basic information and left to go to the Scandinavia desk. There we received information on how to find church records on microfilms etc. I must say, the library was a hopping place on a Friday night.

Then onto dinner.


Rod and I at the Temple Square with the Salt Lake Temple in the background. Aren't we gorgeous!

While we waited for "The Roof" to open for dinner, I took some pictures. Majestic Salt Lake Temple.

This is all new along South Temple. The whole downtown is changing with brand new buildings.

While we were having dinner, we listened to the piano player entertain the diners. One of the songs she played was Aaron Neville's "Don't Know Much" and Rod had to make it authentic with the mole (in this case a pea) on his forehead while he sang.

"I don't know much, but I know I love you, and that may be all I need to know..."

The resemblance is uncanny.

I was telling Rod about "The Biggest Loser" show and wanted to tell him about one particular contestant who has triangle man boobs. Rod couldn't really picture them so I had to do a "show and tell".

I used my black napkin as the man boob and my dish of creme brulee as the nipple. Rod got the picture and couldn't stop laughing.

We are a funny couple.


Here is Danny with his man boobs.

23 years of happiness!

Let's pause for a beautiful sunset over the Oquirrh mountains when we were driving towards Park City. Ahhh, so beautiful!

We decided to drive to the outlet mall in Park City but to our own surprise we only drove through and didn't even stop to shop. Unbelievable!!

We had reservations at the Blue Boar Inn, and we got the William Morris room.

Very flowery and lacy. Yes, that is a 3-step stool next to the bed. The bed was quite high. Notice the chocolate covered strawberries on the bed. There were also balloons in the room wishing us happy anniversary. Rod did good!

My absolute favorite!

Need I say more?

How old are we getting when the OATMEAL is the highlight of the whole weekend? Pathetic, yes, but so delicious. We discovered this dish of goodness two years ago when we stayed here for the first time. We had other food too, but left the oatmeal as the "dessert" to fill all the nooks and crannies in our stomach. Best oatmeal in the world!

Irish Steel Cut oatmeal with brown sugar and cream. YUM!!!

It is hard to believe that we have been married 23 years already. It seems like yesterday. We are blissfully happy together and in love and can't wait to share my life with my perfect companion for the next 23 years. I love you, honey!

Annual Halloween Party

We had the Vistaunet's annual Halloween party at the Pirate Island last night. We were going to go as tourists from Hawaii but then ended up going as Indians, like people from India, if you can't tell.


Namaste! Rod and I

Close-up. Indians don't smile in pictures so Rod was pretending to be one.

Craig as a cowboy and Elle as "Rizzo"


"Howdy Pardner". Is it Clint Eastwood?? No, it's Craig and Whitney


The whole gang.

Alex as a basketball star and "Rizzo"

Our great host, Steve the Gnome.

The Harley chick and dude, Linda and Brad.

Serina as a bar maid...I think.

Chloe as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and other friends.

Tiffany and Daniel as "Daddy Warbucks and Annie"

Rod's secretary, Rana came as a back pack.

Fun party. Thanks Steve and Tanya!

Zija Weekend in Vegas

Zija had a weekend-long Convention at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. Rod went there already on Tuesday and I drove on Friday afternoon.

Friday night is always the formal gala and award night. So, we dressed up.


Marja, Rod, Randy, Ann, David ready to party!


My hot and skinny husband on the stage.


Randy and Ann having dinner and watching the festivities on the stage.


Ken Brailsford and Rod on the stage.


Rod and I. I wore the plan B because my seamstress didn't get my fabulous Indian silk skirt done on time.

Whitney and Rod

While the Zija people were having meetings all day on Saturday, I went shopping....for hours.

Brad and Rod during Saturday meetings.

On Sunday when we were ready to drive back home, we decided to get sushi at our favorite All-You-Can-Eat sushi place. It was so good. Then drove home. Rod made the record time driving home. 4:35 minutes. Gotta love my car.