Saturday, October 2, 2010

Here’s What I’m Thinking About Life in My World

There’s a man running for a local office in the upcoming election. He has used his name and his opponent’s in his ads. Summed up they say, “We’ve been BERND before, now it’s time to choose a BAKER.” I drive by one of the big signs everyday and it’s like a tag on my collar. It rubs. At first I thought it was a clever pun. A day later I thought it was a poor pun. For the next three weeks I couldn’t figure out why the one-liner bugged me. I finally figured it out: I don’t like it because it reminds me of grade school teasing. Pity the soul that had a last name that could be twisted or punned in grade school. I had Chadwick. Not as bad as some, worse than others. I hated, hated, hated hearing Jane Chatterbox or Chadwitch chanted on the playground. The man’s sign is hardly dirty politics and, though I know neither man, as far as I can tell one is as good as the other; therefore I’m choosing Bernd. Just for his name’s sake.  You just shouldn't mess with someone's name.

Remember the fall house cleaning Cali helped us start a few weeks ago? I had a goal to finish it by the time Cali and Ray came for General Conference weekend. One of my jobs this week was to purge the videos. The video I was saddest to see go was Pete’s Dragon. Remembering the Gogans call, “Petey, oh Petey” almost made me save it. For what I don’t know since we don’t even have a VCR machine anymore.

Yesterday was Grace’s due date. We were prepared for it. We woke up calling out, “Happy Due Date, Clara!” and repeated it several times during the day. We also went to lunch – Grace had a Chinese chicken salad, I had a vegetable sandwich, and we split a seven-layer bar for dessert. Calvin had to work in the lab and missed out. Then we took fresh flowers to the cemetery. The bouquet was an autumn bouquet with red sunflowers and filled in with orange, yellow, and deep green. It was very pretty. We forgot water so we dipped some from the nearby ditch. As we sat on her grave visiting I said, “I wonder if coming early was part of Clara’s personality. I can just see her saying, ‘I was fast! I went down, got my body, and came back before I was even supposed to be there!” Grace said she could just see Clara throwing her arms out wide declaring, “I’m baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!” when she died. Happy day after your due date, Clara.

Cali and Ray came for the weekend. It’s always good to have them come home. Always. One of the things I most enjoy about Cali and Ray is seeing how much they enjoy us and each other. Grace had filled the cookie jar and had made up her bed for them. There was a new welcome mat at the kitchen door, the bathrooms sparkled, the autumn bowl was filled with orange peach rings, and Calvin had ribs on the grill when they came in the door. Cali squealed with each thing she discovered. She said, “I keep finding surprises. It just feels so good to come home.” Peach rings, supper, cookies, clean sheets, a welcome mat – it doesn’t take much to make Cali feel good. Cali, Grace, and I went jogging and walking early this morning while Ray and Calvin went calling coyotes. 

I’ve enjoyed conference immensely today. I always do, I enjoy each talk. I also enjoyed President Monson’s talk to the women of the Relief Society last week. He talked to us about criticizing each other – a universal fault of women. As he was reproving us I thought, “Amazing how a scolding can feel so good when it comes from a prophet of God.” I know the genders seem to have natural failings, criticizing others and ourselves being one of us females'. I’ve seen it in our chicken coop. Those hens will find one hen, single her out, and peck at her until she bleeds. Often, if we don’t step in and remove her for a day or two they’ll pick at her until she dies. When you think about it, it’s quite a burden lifted to know we don’t have to pick at each other’s faults and declare them to the world.  I never wanted to be a chicken in the first place.

Cali, Grace, and I are dipping caramel apples tonight while Calvin and Ray are attending Priesthood meeting. It’s time to start the caramel . . .

13 comments:

Tiffany Fackrell said...

when I grow up, I want a family just like yours!! it sounds so dreamy to me! I wish i was home for conference.

Brenda Goodrich said...

Try the last name of Kellogg. The teasing was endless. Chadwick sounds so normal to me:)

Haley Krumblis said...

"Petey! Oh, Petey!" You just can't get rid of Pete's Dragon! Ryan is embarrassed that I have started watching old disney movies and I can literally sing EVERY song. I sing to him in bed if he can't sleep. I do believe the romance is over he just yells, "Please stop singing!" I can't wait to see you all next week! Happy Due date to Clara!

Samantha said...

I might be embarrassed to say that maybe one of my favorite parts of conference today was watching the "family choir" sing their songs. I was so happy for those moms who got to have their little young boys and girls sing with them, side by side, to the whole church and in front of the prophet. Singing beautiful songs. Those kids will never forget that and I bet for those young ones it will be the beginning of their spiritual experiences that they will get to have. As a mom I'd love to provide my kids with that kind of life touching experiences.

And I agree with Tiffany- your life sounds dreamy.

Emma J said...

Ah, Jane. Makes me feel "at home," your post today with all its gratitude and mutual support and love. Thanks for the bright- lit window you show us.

Conference was really wonderful today and I got to sneak into the Family History library and watch the talks from Women's Conference last week that I'd missed. Loved Barbara Thompson's about Visiting Teaching. I don't have regular VTs of my own but reading your blog makes me visited and taught - whether I comment or not. Thanks

michelle said...

I do love life in your world. I love that you will vote for Bernd because of his name. I love that you celebrated Clara's due date, that talking about her is natural and right. I love that your kids love coming home so much, how I hope that happens to us down the road! I especially love your thoughts on President Monson's talk. I never wanted to be a chicken, either.

Jill said...

I am always thankful for these glimpses into your family and life, and always wish I could be a part of it.

melanie said...

What a perfect way to celebrate Clara's due date. She has such a special family.

Conference has been good this whole weekend. So much of it, I needed to hear and improve on.

I love your caramel!

Tyler - Danielle - Emree said...

I love reading your posts. They always give me a pick me up because I can picture your family doing all those fun things and pretend I am there and a part of them. Because I know if I was there I would be treated like family. I hope your carmel Apples were delicious. I am hoping to make some this week. I think I might make cinnamon rolls too lol, but we will definitely have to give them away. I know I don't need them.

Mike and Lisa said...

"You just don't mess with someone's name" is exactly what I think too. I married a man with a very unusual last name, and I fear for my children getting teased endlessly for it. If I were in ML I would vote for the BERND guy too! Love reading your posts!

Ande said...

Oh I wish I was there so bad!

I'm sad Pete is gone. But more sad I'm gone.

Julie said...

Too many things rhyme with Piper. Kids can make up rhymes for any name I'm sure! Tell Jeff hi for me next time you visit Clara. We get water from the ditch for flowers too.
I LOVED President Hinckley's talk. I think it may be one of my favorites EVER. We've watched it 3 times now. He's so funny. I like your comparison with the chickens. I think maybe I'll clean my windows a little more. :)

Derek-Jenny-Kaitlynd-Ethan-Dylan said...

I remember that sign! It really is sad.....I wish that people would grow up!

Yipee for Clara! She is so lucky to have Grace for a Mommy.
"Happy Due Date, Clara!"

Love you all!