Chatty Pumpers

We bought a natural gas car in December. It only has a 6 gallon tank, so we have to fill up frequently. It is worth the time. We only pay $.85 per gallon.

Interestingly, folks who drive these economical cars have their own little culture. When buying unleaded gasoline, how often do you visit with the person filling up across from you? Thrice in your life? Never? I have found that nearly 100% of the time, whoever is filling up their CNG vehicle next to me strikes up a conversation. No kidding. They all want to know how long we've been driving on natural gas, or which pump in the valley has the best pressure, or if the station on 90th south will be up and running soon. Sometimes I hear a history of how they converted their car. Sometimes they ask to see the tank in my trunk. Last weekend while filling up early Saturday morning, the man across from me said, "The early bird gets the pressure!"

I find myself becoming part of it. Sometimes when I'm filling up my car that runs on unleaded, I almost slip and start talking to a fellow pumper.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if the culture crossed over to all filler uppers.

Useless Periphery

I have issues with bulletin boards. While volunteering this week, I encountered a teacher who spends an enormous amount of time spacing, analyzing, pinning, re-pinning, and choosing borders for bulletin boards. I know that our classrooms need to be appealing and visually stimulating to students. I also recognize the value of displaying student work and academic aids that support curriculum. However, I do not think enormous amounts of time should be spent antagonizing over which color of butcher paper best matches your ladybug border. Time is limited. Energy is finite. I think there are activities much more worthy of attention.



This got me thinking about my own life. Are there activities I spend time doing that aren't really helping me accomplish my most important objectives?

I'm evaluating.

More Lessons from Broken Vehicles... Those of You Who Know Me Know I've had My Share

Yesterday I was running an errand for my parents.  I was pulling their trailer to the hardware store to pick up cabinets.  As I began to enter a very busy intersection, the car died.  Luckily, I realized what was happening before I blocked traffic.  I called my step-dad, as I have many times in the past, and he came to my rescue.  He brought a tow rope and hooked the car up to my Rodeo, which we used to tow the car and trailer home.

As I very cautiously pulled him home, we had to go through a four-way stop.  I waited my turn and then carefully pulled through the intersection.  Another driver waiting at the intersection couldn't see what I was pulling behind me and angrily waved me on because I was driving slowly.  I watched his expression change from frustration to recognition when the car and trailer came into his line of sight.  

I wonder how many times I have been ignorantly frustrated with someone.  Perhaps if all of us knew the loads others were pulling we would be more considerate and patient. 

A Challenge for the Stout Hearted

Pick a double digit number. Go through your house and donate, sell, or chuck that many things. Today I did 65 (clothing, decor I don't like, DVDs, and toys). You'll probably be surprised how easy it is to do.

What did you get rid of?

Junk Collectors

American culture holds many interesting phenomena.

One is the way we spend our life accumulating junk.

We work to obtain junk, we obtain junk, we fill the space we live with junk, which we keep whether we need it or not.    We obtain more and more junk.  We spend huge portions of time cleaning up our junk. We rationalize keeping our junk. We purchase little clear containers to make us feel better about storing our junk. We buy bigger spaces to hold all of the junk we have obtained.

When we die (or downsize), we toss nearly all of it, except of course the things which our children choose to buy a bigger space to keep until they die. Then their kids toss it. 

I intend to break this mold. I hope one day Logan can report positively to you.

Good Things to do in the Mountains

Playing With Roomies

I love my college roommates. We pulled off a last minute get together last week.  Their friendship and support continues to be a blessing in my life, even though BYU is long gone.  We missed our girls who are out of state.  I think we should all meet at some exotic location in 2010 when hubbies are done with school.

I Used to Live in Paradise

I miss Fiji.  Living there changed me.

Nearly everything was simple there.

I swam in this waterfall with some of the locals from the village one hot day.

I sat outside and enjoyed sunsets.  I could hear myself think.  I walked slowly.

I didn't need much.  Actually, I found that I was able to be very happy, even though I had very little.  In a consumer driven materialistic society, that is a hard truth to remember sometimes.  I am recommitting myself to be a Fijian again.  

Moving Mama

My parents sold their house.  They are downsizing.  My mom decided to gut the house they are moving into and pack and clean the house she is living in... all at the same time... in one week.  She is the hardest working lady I've ever met.  

Neither she nor I are very attached to things like houses and the stuff we fill them with.  We've gotten rid of lots and lots.  More will probably go before the week is over.  The memories that bring meaning to the space she lives in will follow wherever she goes.  There are a few things I'm going to miss about "home" though.

1.  The pine tree we planted when my dad passed away

2.  The wisteria vines that grow behind the detached garage and the virginia creeper that shades the back deck

3.  Neighbors

4.  The view of the mountains out the window of my old bedroom

5.  The perfect running route that I used to jog (and still do occasionally)

6.  Big family gatherings 

7.  Being able to walk to the cemetery where my dad is buried

8.  Having my in-laws and my parents walking distance from each other (convenience)

9.  Seeing how beautiful the yard I helped put in has become

10. The door going to the basement where my mom records everyone's heights.  My name is on there several times.  She likes to check and see if I've grown.

Logan is in to:

1.  Taking things apart and putting them back together

2.  Going "night night" in his bed

3.  Singing (5 speckled frogs, 5 monkies in the bed)

4.  Grandma

5.  Dancing 

6.  Wearing "bracelets" of any kind (including mason jar rings)

7.  Swimming

8.  Reading animal books with the appropriate sounds

9.  Blueberries

10. Independence

Logan is not in to...

1. Sitting quietly in church

2. T.V. or movies

3. Watermelon

4. Hugs and kisses for more than 2 seconds

5. Cuddling

6. Being fed (he wants to do it)

7. Sleeping soundly when there is any noise

8. Leaving his grandma's house

9. Exceeding long car rides

10. Missing naps... look out!

Summer Photo Update

This summer has been an adventure. Logan was particularly brave to watch fireworks, learn how to ride a two wheeler with Grandma, and go bear hunting in Yellowstone.  He also went on his first long hike on his daddy's back.

High School Reunions

I married the senior class president of my high school. He didn't plan a 5 year reunion. Three years later, I still get occasional complaints. I tell people that they didn't elect me. Talk to him.

Personally, I didn't miss the 5. The officers met recently to start planning our 10. It should be good.

Are 5 year reunions important?