Down Memory Lane at Paradise Bakery

Several months ago I wrote about what a tough time I had deciding which college to attend. Today I had a delightful lunch with 2 of the people whose friendship reconfirms in my mind that I made the right decision. Back in the early 90's I saw these 2 everyday and sometimes twice a day! They haven't changed too much except Denice now has short hair and Angela's is long. The three of us plus seven others were called to be Executive Officers in the Upsilon Lambda Delta Sigma Sorority. We preferred "Execs". Here is a chart so you don't get lost (I love charts). For 1 year we were in charge of organizing events for about 600-800 University of Utah Co-eds. We worked very, very hard for those months planning Rush, firesides, dances, service projects, parties and more but in between the stress we laughed, teased, played, cried, talked and had a fantastic time being college gals!

Shopping for a few hundred with Jenn and Denice. Fun. And good training for shopping for 5 boys!

All of us were given nicknames by Angela or Anhela. I was Kay-ye. Don't ask me why. Ask Angela. There was also Denicky, Ho, Shoelster, Lawa, Hen, Heeder, and so on. I am amazed I remember that many.

It is a bit of a tricky situation to be an Exec because we are called from our "home" chapter to work with 9 girls from the other chapters. We didn't know each other and we had to rely on each other to do what we were called to do and try to become friends while still planning and carrying out the events. It could have made for an uncomfortable year but it ended up being a fantastic one instead. One memory stands out in my mind that happened right after we were put into office. We were at an LDSSA convention with several other universities up at USU. We had a lot of responsibilities that we were taking care of and all of a sudden we were told 30 minutes before show time that we were in charge of a skit to introduce all of the University of Utah chapters in front of all these other schools. crap. Well we did it. We pulled together a fun, short skit complete with song and dance to introduce our chapters. I remember thinking after that skit that we would do just fine, come what may.

It was quite a learning experience working in that capacity. I had no idea the drama and chaos that can reign when working with that large of a group. Take for instance the fall dance.

A Casual Dance

For years the Lambda Delt officers had done 2 large dances a year. Both Formal. Well we decided that it would be fun to do at least one of the dances casual. Good idea, no? Well apparently it was the most controversial and confusing thing that had ever happened in these girls lives. We had to actually go to 10 different chapter meetings and define casual for them. We had to dress up in a variety of outfits and show them what was acceptable and what was not. We had to reassure them that they could indeed dress for, attend AND enjoy a casual dance. I am sure that it is still living in infamy in the institute as "The Casual DanceDilemma of 1990"! The things that we learned in our different callings changed our lives. For example Jen was in school learning to be and already working as an accountant. She was our treasurer. Now she is a hair stylist. I think trying to maintain a budget for us and train and help 10 chapter treasurers killed the accountant bug for her! Angela is now a high school history teacher and she proceeded to tell me that after a year as the communications officer and doing countless bulletin boards that she will not do them in her classroom. She hates bulletin boards. Here is one that she did and I wish we had a closeup. It is a hundred little cut out people participating in an epic battle. It was a ton of work no wonder she still has a bit of burnout. See? changed her life. Here she is playing a practical joke on me pretending she and Steve were engaged. They even kissed. Ewww. It freaked me out.

It was great to reminisce with these friends about Spring Break (John Carlyle was the 3rd boy Angela) and Disneyland trips and sleeping in the office because it was just ridiculous to go home and then turn around an hour later to come back. It was great to hear what they have been doing lately and to realize that although I don't see them twice a day or even twice a year that I still consider them great friends and my life is better because of them.

Carter Cousin Christmas!

Lael and Rowena Carter are my wonderful grandparents who have 6 great children and 23 grandchildren and I have lost count of how many great grandchildren. I think it is the 30's somewhere. Somebody out there knows. Alli? Here they are with 12 of the great-grandkids. The 23 grandkids are pretty wonderful, especially if you ask Lael and Rowena! According to my grandparents I could do absolutely anything and for them I would try! I had a great but short visit with them this last week and I really should go more often because they fill me with love and remind me of all things good. Also this last week was one of my favorite holiday events! The Carter Cousin Christmas Party! Eight years ago Tricia and I planned the first ever get together of this kind. We had dinner and played the Carter chimes and played Ben games! Ben games are those that start with "Whoever hasn't played this before needs to leave the room" and everyone stays in the room for fear of what Ben will do to you when you come back! It was great. Here are those who were able to attend that year!

This year B. Rad and his lovely wife, Sara, hosted and it was, as always, a delight to see everyone who could come. I am always so thrilled to see my cousins and the great people they married. Here are Brad and Andrew in their matching outfits! (cute picture thanks to Alli)Happy Brandon and Tired Tricia! (cute picture thanks to Alli) The girls! The boys! Which one is expecting? (cute picture thanks to Alli)She talks with her hands!

We missed Josh and Jennifer, Grant and Becky, Ben and Janae, Miranda and JD, Jake and Mary, Cambria and Kaile, and Elder Carter, Emily and Carter. Carrie and Mike win the prize for coming the longest distance. Thanks for making the effort you two! We loved seeing you and your wee one! I am in a picture! (thanks to Alli) Lots of laughs! (thanks to Alli) (for the picture, not the laughter) (I mean I am glad she laughed but not that we were laughing at her... oh never mind) Alli looking at me like I am crazy! I have no idea what those other two are doing.

This year we brought white elephant gifts and had a lot of laughs involving those! Alli's Cousin Bowl was my favorite and I actually got it in the end! She modged-podged a picture of every cousin onto a big wooden bowl! It is hilarious!! Colin not only came but he brought a date! Drama Jenn! (thanks to Alli) (Actually Andrew brought her into the family so I should thank him) (I meant the picture)

I have been truly blessed with great cousins who are great examples for me in living a great life despite the trials that come upon us!

Christmas 2008

(Picture courtesy of Alli, thanks Alli, you're the best!)

Episilon Alpha Tau! (E.A.T)

A few months ago I told you the story of how I ended up attending the U. That day changed my life. I cannot tell you all the blessings that came into my life because of that decision. Many of these blessings enrich my life still to this day!
You see when I arrived at the U that fall I joined a sorority (post for another day). We had an advisor (ditto) who was married to Joe or as we referred to him, The Ultimate Man. He was the advisor for a fraternity called Pi Rho (again for another day) which leads me to the group blessing my life today! One of these Pi Rho boys, Peter, started an dinner group (ala Episilon Alpha Tau or E.A.T. for short) of old fraternity brothers and their wives. Pete at spring break 1988!

I love EAT. We take turns hosting (you pick the restaraunt) and we meet once a month and yet I think we only made about 1/2 the time this year. But that is ok. Come when you can. November and December were 2 of the times I have been there this year! I am so glad I was able to go!

Christmas Party 1999

A few of our EATers about 18 years ago at our Hippy Date Party. These 2 actually got married!

November was the ever anticipated Girls Night. Denice was kind enough to open up her home and several of us gathered there for good treats and wonderful conversations! You know how you feel when you talk with people and are so happy to discover that you are not alone. You know one of those "Yes, I know exactly what you are talking about!" moments. You remember that others worry about what the world is coming to, about their kids, about their future daughter-in-laws, about their mental health! It was one of those evenings where I drove away feeling unburdened (which was amazing considering how much laundry needed to be done) and strengthened and uplifted and encouraged and happy to have such good friends.Christmas Party 2000.

December was a completely different but equally as wonderful event. We met with full families and everyone but 1 family was able to come. (We missed you Dave and Tammy) Denice (I don't know how she ended up doing both) reserved a big bounce house for all of us to destroy for a few hours. The kids couldn't have been happier! And holy cow we have a lot of kids. It is amazing to see the +40 children that were there! I played a game with Howie of try to figure out who is who's kid. I was fascinated by the boys interacting since they are the ones who have been friends for 20 years now! I am lucky enough to have known them that long also so it is fun to be with them! What a great way to kick off the Christmas season! Christmas Party 2008

Twisted Roots

I have been to a few reunions this year and since visiting the family tree I have been sitting on my branch (I'm off there on the left somewhere) looking around at the other twisted branches (and you know who you are) in my family tree and wondering about roots. I have especially enjoyed thinking about the family quirks that make people extremely interesting.

Some of these quirks seem to stretch back into past generations of intense quirkiness. There are some that have been around for so long that the inheritors no longer think of them as quirks but as normal.

In my family we have tardiness, stubbornness, organizational skills, bossiness, my way or the highway thinking, peace keeping skills, quick tempers, quick feet, obsessiveness about being on time, and many others I am sure I have forgotten (or maybe I am mentally blocking them if they are too painful to think about). Let me know if I have forgotten any glaringly obvious ones, Alli. Kelli's Crazy Couch
I love to see the histories of the quirks and see them meet other quirks when a marriage and children occur. Fascinating stuff. For example. My dad came from the "obsessively early" side where my mom came from "tardy" side of quirkland! So it caused quite a bit a stress at times in their marriage I am sure. It is fun to see how my different siblings and I have worked out our own adapted style. Me, I am right on time, a nice perfect balance.

I wonder what I do that seems completely normal to me and yet to someone else it would be a quirk? Hhhmmmm. Are you list makers? I make lists. I make lists of the lists I should make! I have cousins and siblings who have inherited other traits ande some have adopted some of their very own. I know some have developed the quirk of doodling while talking on the phone or others it is the quirk of strapping a gun to themselves 24/7.

Me going to a Relief Society Social. Yeah, my piece totally matches my shoes and handbag.

What are your inherited or invented family quirks?

Grandma??

When did family reunions become fun again?

I remember distinctly Mom and Dad dragging me to many a reunion in some random park or church cultural hall. I am very certain that the following things took place at almost every reunion.

kids playedadults sat around and talked and laughed at very silly stories

older cousins (first, second, once removed doesn't really matter) who were so awesomely cool that you were a little nervous but oh so eager to hang with their crowd.

lots of good homemade food

boring programs

everyone remarking on how big I was getting

young cousins jumped right back into being friends... doesn't matter when you saw them last.

teenagers sulking

I remember about a million years ago when my Uncle Clifford and Aunt Helen's family came into to town and we got together with them for a few days and we somehow memorized all the songs in "Annie" and performed them for our parent's. Whenever I hear those songs I think of these cousins fondly.

Then I became a teen and the whole reunion thing become quite tedious and boring I remember those years well. Those teenage years through the selfish-young-twenties (sorry, that is what I call those first years in the twenties when everything is about me. Granted for good reasons but another time on that topic) anyway that must be where reunions get a bad reputation. Too bad we can't skip those years.

So my question is this. When did reunions become good things again? I just got back from the Rencher Reunion at the Homestead. It was full of...

Kids playing

lots of adults sitting around talking and laughing only now I am one of them!

older cousins although I am not afraid of most of them anymore. The younger gun-totin' ones scare me a little! It makes me wonder who is going to attack us up there in the booniest of boondocks, an escaped cow?

lots of good homemade food... foil dinners (what are these mysterious things of which you speak?), pancakes and all the protein extras, taco soup, potato bar with all the fixins plus some new yummy fixins. (I still want that pulled pork recipe, Brenda!)

boring programs (not quite so boring, especially sitting near the most sarcastic of the cousins and their spouses)

everyone remarking on how big I was getting. It wouldn't be a compliment anymore although still true. teens sitting around sulking. Another nice thing about the Homestead. Lots of room, lots of things to do, lots of fun events, lots of people with guns to shoot the teens that are sulking.

young cousins jumped right back into being friends... doesn't matter when you saw them last.

The cousins aren't so young anymore but it is amazing how we can jump right back into being friends. Maybe it is the special place that we call The Homestead, maybe it is that we are older and supposedly wiser, maybe it is that we have some of the same blood running through our veins, maybe it is because we know perfectly what "He is such a Rencher" means.

Whatever your reasons. I am a fan.

disclaimer: Photos do not necessarily reflect what is being mentioned. Jacqui is not the most sarcastic. Brenda may not be actually bored but then again...