One Fish, Two Fish, Dead Fish, New Fish

Please.  A moment of silence for Mike the Plecostemus. (begin Taps on trumpet)  He joined his brother, name unknown Plecostemus, who met the Big Kahuna on Sunday.   They lived happily in St. George Walmart until July 20, 2008 when they and two others began a cross county journey to Kanosh where they ate algae and swam around for a week, presumably happy as algae eaters can be in a green pond.  Since the fish don't talk to me, I don't know how they got along with the fountain mates.   Mike's tank mates seem a bit sad (or maybe they were just creeped out cuz he was dead in the corner and all), that was until they saw the fish flakes-then they just forgot all about him.  I think my fish are blonde.       

    

Farewell Mike (a one flush salute and end Taps)

Bummer, two fish in a week.   Those little slime suckers aren't really cheap either.  I think Eric's algae pump is working too well?   I didn't think you'd want a photo of a dead fish, so I held myself back...this time. 

p.s.  Eric came home to find that the #3 plecostemus bit it, too.  Only one left.  

A Boy and his Lady..bug

 

This is Cash, 18-months-old and cute as a button!   Aunt Valerie gave him a Ladybug to look at.  He liked looking at it,  dropped it a few times, squished it a little, and tried to feed it a cup cake (or dunk it in frosting) before eventually trying to eat it.   

24th of July in Beaver

The big celebration in Beaver,  Utah's Pioneer Day!  That is when the big parade and festivities happen in town.   This year had 60 some entries.  That is 20 entries down from last year.  Thank heavens!  

Here's my dad doing his thing on the 24th.  My dad has been the announcer of the parades (4th and 24th) FOREVER mainly because he has the truck with the equipment (SMITH SOUND SERVICES)  and because that it is just how it's done. Every year I hear or get told that the 24th just wouldn't be the same without that VOICE and that they appreciate him.  An elderly lady visiting home for the holiday came to the truck (I was helping dad) and said to me yesterday "hearing that voice is part of just coming home".   I love hearing that, and honored that people think that way about him.   (Haha. I find smiling while I type this.)   For me, that voice has ALWAYS been about home.  

A Red Hatter Float.  Usually mom is on that float, but she was sick.  Bummer.

A kid and adult favorite.  The Fire Department Water Cannon!

Traditionally, they have foot races on the park.  I am usually out socializing with people I haven't seen in a year, but it was too hot!  I hung out in the shade with my sister's baby and nephew.  Dad calls the races on the park too, and they were getting creative after the usual kid races.  One was a "sister's race" so Andrea and I got in line. Valerie wandered off and Caroline was wearing red heels all day (on a $20 bet).   The rules of the race were that sisters had to hold hands.  We ran and although we didn't win, we got that all important prize at the end...an all day sucker! 

Eric worked so I spent the day at my mom's house.  The sisters were there with all the kids.  Lots of food, activity and kid chaos.  I have a 4-year-old nephew, Clay, who just tickles me to death.  An afternoon with him is just like reading Art Linkletter's Book, 'Kid's Say The Darnedest Things'.  The things that come out of his mouth-- he's hilarious! 

July 17-20

July 17th

 

Eric told he he would like to take me to Mesquite for my birthday and let me go to the spa.  Loved that idea!  So July 17th we set out for our weekend of fun. 

We stopped to eat at La Fiesta in Cedar.  The clouds were just setting in and this was a cool photo with the archway to the restaurant.  

My happy Honey after Mexican food...

...then he saw this an hour later and wanted to be hungry again.  This is the only In-n-Out in Utah--for him, it's a taste of home. 

We stopped in at PetCo to check out the fish...yes, Eric thinks he needs more fish for the outside fountain/fish summer apartment.  There were some possible candidates for the trip home on Sunday. 

Looking around in the reptile section (of course) I saw these CUTE teeny little corn snakes all knotted up and snoozing in their house. They are no bigger around than pencils.  The one on the bottom finally looked and 'smiled'.  Even if you don't like snakes, really, you have to admit they are beautifully colored and they really are rather cute.   

We drove along in the Prius loving the air conditioning, but hearing a beeping sound every once in a while coming from the dash.  No indicators as to what it might be and Brent Brown Toyota had no idea what the sound could be either.  We were already in Mesquite, so we checked into our room at the Oasis and hit the ever popular Wal-Mart. 

The fish selection was a okay, but this specimen in the goldfish tank caught my eye and I HAD to take a photo.  

This poor guy was floating in at the top of the tank.  If you can't tell what this is,  it is a complete skeleton of some poor  little fish that probably squealed on the others...(another STICKY NOTE writer, no doubt)...Fish mafia, I tell ya. Their contract hits are brutal!   Talk about being picked on!

Shopping, dinner and going back to the Oasis, the moon was beautiful. 

Good Karma...

When we checked into our room I was going to be 41 in 24 hours and Eric was 41 when I was 24. Kinda cool, eh?  

July 18th

 I am officially 41 years old. My mom usually calls me at this time or shortly after.  Wow!  I really didn't think I'd make it to 40 ( I didn't like my 40th b-day).  40 +1 day was sooo much better!  

Anyway,  there were no big plans for this day.  We went looking around shops in Mesquite.  The display on our car said it was 111 degrees! 

We went into a Mexican oriented store.  There was basket of this prickly produce that I first thought was some kind of a prickly avocado.  The spines are really sharp and the name escapes me.  The lady there said it came from Mexico and if I didn't want to eat it, I could probably use it for a weapon.  

July 19th

This was what I came to Mesquite for...Massages all day at the Oasis Spa.  Got out of there about 8:30p.m. Eric had his very first massage!  I could live in the spa for a couple days.  No photos for that one.

July 20th  

Home to Kanosh we go.  This day it is 113 degrees outside.  We get to the gorge between Mesquite and St. George and the car is still beeping now and again, but now it has lit up objects on the dashboard related to the engine and the hybrid system.  Of course, it is Sunday and no one to fix it.  We just cross our fingers and drive. 

We stopped in St. George and picked up new fish (3 Plecostomus) and a couple goldfish. We journeyed on to Cedar where it cooled off considerably.   The storm was a welcomed site!

We got home to Kanosh to find the town was nearly evacuated because of a raging fire a couple miles from homes, but they got it out.  The 4 house fish went back into the aquarium after we caught them in the fountain and added a Plecostomos named 'Mike'. 

What a relaxing weekend!  Glad to be home.

An Office Surprise!

Happy siblings!

Around the first of July, my sister-in law Mary showed up at my office and surprised me.  I never get visitors and it was a complete and pleasant shock to see her.  Eric was in town so he stopped by to see the long lost lady that we haven't seen for about 3 years.  Eric's dad married Mary's mom (Renee Weed) and that's how Eric ended up in Fillmore.   

Mary has never been to our house without kids or husband in tow.  We love them, but it was nice to just see her by herself.  I hated to see her go home.  Come back again!  We (he) missed you ALOT. 

Whaaaat?!

I am one of those really cool people that drives a Prius.  We bought our car in Nov 2003.  We waited for the 2004 body style and had the first one of its kind in Millard County.  Hybrid Pioneers, I tell ya.  

Well, the last time I filled up the tank was June 28th.  No big deal.  12-gallon tank and it registers a few gallons before empty.  In a Prius, that is still a lot of mileage left.  I filled up today and nearly died from shock-so much that I had to take a photo of this.  I have NEVER paid THAT much for a tank of gas in my cute car.  I know, alot of you pay even more to fill your cars, but DAAAAANG!   I will have to start roller skating to work soon.  I might have to leave about 5:30 a.m., but I will get there eventually, Connie.    

Millard County Sunsets

Are the best, hands down!

Happy B-day Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday!  Happy Birthday!  She became a mom when I was born. She is a very talented and creative woman with painting, well known for her cake decorating and other artsy stuff.  She has always had different flowers in the yard.  Mom taught elementary school for many years and was very reluctant to retire, but she finally got used to it and I don't think she's ever looked back. She is still involved with the History Fair, something she spearheaded at the Belknap Elementary.  She received public recognition for that at the state education level and we were all very proud of her for that!   

During my young adulthood when I was trying to figure me out and the time I needed her the most, I kept her at more than arms length away- something that I really regret now.  She showed me that she was my parent, not my friend...and boys and girls, THAT IS THE WAY THINGS OUGHT TO BE!   Now, she is my parent and my friend, which is something I truly treasure.  She is one of my favorite people and I really enjoy visiting with her.   After we all moved out of the house and she could finally relax, we began noticing that she REALLY did have a sense of humor and that she is a really FUN person to hang out with.  We still test her tho---I really enjoy seeing her 'come out of her shell' and try new things with us!  :)

Thanks mom for loving us in spite of us!

Enjoy your day- I (we) love you. 

   

Yeah, He Still Likes Me...

...or was it the smudge of Burnt Almond Fudge ice cream on my knuckles?

Triamese Corn

Eric wanted corn for dinner.  I shucked this ear and got a weird surprise.  Take a look at the 3 for 1 we got from the Farmer's Market. Yep that is one cob with twins.  An agricultural birth defect -Triamese corn- That's what farming near radioactive tailings will do for ya  :) 

Pretty cool, not to mention a bargain if I ever saw one.  

Beaver, Utah

"Beaver, our grand ol' Beaver, it is our home sweet home." If you know the rest of that song you are from there or have heard it from family.

Beaver, Utah is my home town. It has grown up some since I officially left in 1988. I am very proud of my town and the people there (98% of them, anyway). I love to go back on Memorial Day and the 24th of July and see people that I see once a year.

The 'B' mountain was pretty much right out my back yard and I love to see it when I go there or pass by. It is an extinct volcano. I remember being told that but still worried it would erupt and trying to think of how to get away if it ever did when I was about 4 or 5. It is a fun little hike up to it. The lower half of the 'B' is reserved for the graduating class to arrange the rock to their year. When I was in school the Jr. and Sr. boys would whitewash the B and set the oil cans to light on graduation night. They haven't done it for years and that is kind of sad. I am big on tradition (nostalgia) and really miss some things when they don't carry on or they change.

Speaking of change...I will just say this now. What the heck is that ugly mad squirrel-looking mascot? It's bad enough they tear down my beloved high school and build an ugly BHS in a new location, but OMG! I saw that mascot at my last class reunion and it looked like a rabid homeless chipmunk! Really, imagine a crazy wino homeless man with wild hair. Now transform that into a giant dark chocolate chipmunk in a blue vest. It looked NOTHING like a beaver! Honestly. The cheerleaders were seeking donations from the alumni. I should have made them swear to get the science teacher to show them a picture of a real beaver. Mr. Condie, where are you?! When I was the mascot, beaver actually looked like a beaver. (You know what? That Jazz Bear has nothing on me- well, okay he can rappel, and do backflips off a trampoline...but can he make a basket while falling off a unicycle? huh? huh? Probably. :D )

Beaver has a McDonald's now, a Wendy's, Arby's, Subway and a bunch of other eating establishments that have come along. People have come and gone...but the ONE thing that I miss so much is my huge yellow brick high school. I believe it was built in 1929 or thereabouts. My uncle Harley Fatheringham was the first student body president. It sat on main street till the late 1990's when it finally met the wrecking ball, which is still on site by the way. The ball broke from the cable, crashed down and ended up in the bottom of the old swimming pool. They filled it in and covered it up. I managed to get a few bricks as momentos. They will be going into my new planter in my front yard!

I found this photo online. They called it the 'old mill' in the photo. I only know it today as the Mansfield Hotel. When I was little, the managers of the Mansfield were Glenna and JD Osborn. They babysat me there. The hotel is the upper portion

The Paice Variety Store, otherwise known as "Alta's" is a Beaver wonder and quite famous. That would be in the North street level window of the mill. I actually heard someone say they came thru town just to visit it...they saw something on the 'Net about it. If you get a chance take the time to visit you should- you'll get a kick out of it. If you can't find it at Alta's, I seriously doubt they make it (or they did 20+ years ago). You may laugh, but that's only because you know just what I mean or you don't really believe me.

Every county boasts of beautiful scenery, but I guess I am biased. Every area is different, but just look at this picture of Mt. Delano. Breath taking in real life, too. That is a fun hike for a day and there is a mailbox w/ a notebook at the top to record your name, the date and anything else you want to put in it. I've been up there 2 or 3 times during my teens.

Famous people: Philo T. Farnsworth was born in Beaver! Don't let those Rigby, Idaho people fool you. He lived there, but he is a Beaverite and a distant cousin...but isn't everyone in a small town?

Entertainment: The movie "The Beaver Trilogy" was based on Dick Griffiths and his impersonation of Olivia Newton John. (I remember seeing him do that in some alumni program or something)

Infamous: Butch Cassidy was born in Beaver County. Charles Manson was arrested in Beaver before his big famous crime. It's a cop thing...had to throw those in there.

OK. Hope you all had a great 4th of July!