The Art of Speed

The Museum of Fine arts recently had an exhibit called "The Art of Speed," which included speed cars from all over the country.  The boys and I took a trip with Pa and Nana to see the cars.  Everyone had their favorites.  My mom and I enjoyed the silver Ferrari.

 Cole liked the red one with the "sticky-up steering wheel."

 My dad and, later, Bryce in agreement were fans of the Shelby.  We later discovered that these cars usually go for $8-12 million.  Holy crap.

Jack was a fan of Nana.

Memories Up Close

We said goodbye to our Grandma Barber earlier this year, and this week, we said goodbye to her home.  Aunt Carol is all moved in with Randa and Steve, and the house is pretty much empty.  I went out one last time, wanting to soak up all the memories and take some pictures.  As I wandered around, I realized how much that home on Marcus Way meant to me.  I spent a lot of time at my Grandma and Grandpa Barber's: between sleepovers, staying there when my mom and dad traveled, and when I was off-track from school, I was there quite often.  It was so bittersweet to realize that was all gone.  I almost half expected to see my grandma storm through the door and ask what in the world we were doing, while my grandpa smiled from his chair in the corner.

So, here are the memories I have.  These pictures may not mean much to anyone else, but each one brings back such strong images.

The vestibule:

I remember my grandpa sitting on the front porch looking out at the yard.  Overflowing containers of plants. The light filtering through the lace curtains, and the smell of fresh rolls.   

The old front door:

The sound of the old door creaking shut at night.  The rich yellow bottle panes.  Cross-stitched sayings on the walls.  Wood paneling and a fireplace with Little Women dolls proudly displayed.

The basement window:

Sitting in the basement watching movies.  Return to Snowy River.  Hans Christian Anderson.  Waiting for a glimpse of a visitor as they walked past the window. 

The sewing table:

Pieces of fabric.  Pins on the floor.  The wood quilting frames taking up the space.  Laying underneath a quilt being tied and watching the needles go in and out.  Pinched fingers from tying a thick quilt.

The washroom:

Bottles of canned fruit lining the walls.  Bright orange carpet.  Sitting next to the wheat grinder filling a tupperware container with the fine powder of freshly ground flour.

The attic:

Possibly my favorite spot in the house.  Pulling the string to turn on the bare light bulb.  Climbing up the creaking stairs.  Building forts and having tea. 

The grapes:

Home-made grape juice in old jelly glasses.  Hiding in the leaves.  The old gate with the wooden latch and triangle peep-hole. 

The wires:

Swinging, swinging; being so afraid to touch the wires stretching to the house, but secretly wanting to as well.  Watching my cousins try.  Hooking swings together and pretending they were trains or horses. 

The shed:

The smell - wood and tools.  Croquet mallets.  The canal behind - climbing the chain link fence.  Yelling to Cassie as she played at school across the way.

The bench:

Grandma and Grandpa sitting on that bench.  Roses that Grandma carefully cultivated.  Glass vases filled with peach and red blooms.

I'll always have such fond memories of that house in West Valley, and hope to build some just like them in my home. 

Rated R

Last weekend, I completed a cake that I never thought I would ever....ever....make.  It was for a bachelorette party.  Ahem.  A slightly wild bachelorette party.  I'll let you make an educated guess about what shape it was.  But what you might not anticipate is that this certain...body part...was well-dressed.  In a tuxedo, in fact.  

Because, you know, the bride-to-be likes things classy.

So while I won't show the entire cake, I'll show you the tuxedo part.  And you can be properly impressed.  

Just try not to think about all the jokes Bryce and I came up with while I was making this cake.

The Many Faces of Jack

Cheesy crooked pumpkin face

 Share my rice with you? face

 Concentrating...tongue must come out face

 Big bite of dirt face

On Being Happy - Right Now

I found out today that one of my friends was involved in a major accident.  I heard first that she was involved in a car accident, but no more specifics.  Then, as I was watching the news this morning, a ticker crawled by which said, "A woman is in serious condition after being hit by a car on I-80.  She was retrieving a bike that had fallen off of her car."  That's when I realized she wasn't in a car accident, she was hit by a car.  A car probably going at least 60 miles an hour.  Most likely while her kids watched.

Life is shitty sometimes.

Jen is in a coma, already having had two brain surgeries.  Her husband posted an update that she has many broken bones and other injuries, but that the brain swelling is of the most concern.

Many broken bones.

As I grow older, it becomes more and more apparent to me that life can change so quickly.  Sometimes I wonder if I will look back at my life right now and think, "Those were the good times.  That was before XYZ happened."  Mostly then, I just get really depressed and stop thinking about that.  But not today.  Today I am thinking a lot about that.  And today I decided a few things:

Today, I will enjoy my kids.  Enjoy them for the individuals they are.  I will be happy that they are healthy.  

Today, I will hold my husband's hand.  I will tell him I love him - not as my usual thoughtless response - but because I really mean it.

Today, I will appreciate my parents.  I will think of the memories they are building for my children and be grateful.

Today, I will give my house a hug.  I will work to make sure it is a place of safety, security, and love.

And that's it.  That's all that matters.  Tomorrow can bring what it will, because I know that, for today, it was good. 

Pretty Much the Most Adorable Thing - Ever.

Friday night, Bryce and I went to a neighborhood BBQ.  While we were there, we struck up a conversation with a new couple.  As we talked about kids and jobs, the wife asked what kinds of games Bryce had worked on.  He went through the games that he had done at Disney, and then talked about working on Twisted Metal.

The woman's face lit up.

This is unusual - most people have no clue what the game franchise is, or think it's violent trash.  It turns out this woman has a 10-year-old son who absolutely loves the game.  

As we were getting ready to leave, she approached Bryce with a game jacket in her hands.  She nervously smiled at him and said, "My son was very excited when I told him I met someone who has worked on his favorite game.  He asked if you would autograph this game jacket." 

Cutest thing ever.  

Although, now Bryce can claim that he has been asked for his autograph.  I better make sure it doesn't go to his head.

New-found Love

It would seem that there are no perks to being in the business of Employee Relations, but I recently found otherwise.  I arrived at work one morning to find two VIP tickets for a concert at Red Butte sitting on my desk.  I was so excited to go and didn't even care who the bands were.

However, badness was going on at our house, and Jack came down with roseola the day before we were set to go.  He was up nearly the whole night screaming.  That day was pretty much horrible.  That afternoon, I called Cassie and offered up the tickets.  And she did something that I owe her a great deal of gratitude for:  she said no.  Not because she had other plans, but because she knew we would have fun and wanted us to go.

So that night, we dragged our tired, middle-aged (AH!) selves to the concert...

And had an amazing time.

The scenery, the people, the music - just being together!  It was pure heaven.  I went home refreshed and happy.  

So, a big thanks to you, Cass - you made our night!  And another big thanks to my parents, who were willing to watch the kids - despite their sick cooties.