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July 2007
SPT
July 31, 2007
I missed the Self-Portrait-Tuesday a few weeks ago where we were supposed to see ourselves through someone else’s eyes and see what physical characteristic they admired about us--we were even allowed to let them take the picture of us. At least, this is how I remember Lelly’s challenge.
Since I wasn’t able to post much that week, I missed the challenge, but this is what our daughter, Ande, said, “I like your lap, best. It’s not too soft and it’s not too hard; it’s just right.” Well, now, if that isn’t what every woman wants—a goldilocks’ lap.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
I LOVE reading Ande's stories and comments - she is quite a gal! Wasn't that always in the dreams of your fanciest tea parties - to have the royal-est lap around?? Thanks for the post! -Heather
A golidilocks lap. Just perfect. Elizabeth
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Life in My World
July 30, 2007
Have you ever added a dash of this and a dab of that to a recipe and thought, “Oh, this is going to be good. I’d better write this down; this will be a recipe that will go down in the annals of the family cookbook” only to have the dish blasé at best? That’s how life in my world is today, lots of little feelings while picking beans or folding clothes or lying on the bed watching the trees, but not one thought big enough to carry the whole pot. Here they are; I’ll let you make the stew. 
· Have you ever mentally lined up people who you would like to meet after you die? I have a hard time imagining that these remarkable people (who I would like to meet) would find my questions and conversation stimulating so the line quickly disperses in my mind. Instead, I envision observing these people from a distance as they converse with each other. John and Abigail Adams are two people I hope to overhear. I'm nearing the end of David McCullough's biography of John Adams and have really enjoyed it.
· The delete button on our computer gets stuck and won’t work. I need a delete button, it’s almost as critical as the space bar. There’s an analogy in there somewhere.
· I read today “Criticism sells, good news does not.” It’s not a new discovery, but it’s one that I always hope will become untrue.
· When I clap at flies, though I act like I want to catch them, I really don’t. I just got one, eww.
· I love eating this time of year—the tomatoes are on, the corn is ripe, the beans are ready, the peppers are hot, the red potatoes are sweet, etc. It makes cooking so easy because everything tastes good with such little effort.
· Kids are like onions, I love them and they make me cry.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Hi Jane! I liked your random thoughts for the day. The fly one cracked me up. Have a great day!-Mandy
Jane, you sound wistful and pensive. It reminds me of the scriptures when they say that Mary, the mother of Jesus, 'kept these things in her heart'. There's just no other place for carrying the 'I'm missing you, child' feeling. What a good idea it is to make a stew from a pot ful of odds and ends 'thoughts'. I think I'll make my own stew pot today and let my thinking simmer. I'll add another ingredient to your thought stew-- I've been thinking about teaching. Sister Vera always said that teaching adults and teaching teenagers is really no different than teaching Sunbeams. "They're all just big old Sunbeams." Add that to the pot. Lynn
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Newsletter Snippet
July 27, 2007
This week’s newsletter is about showing love in a way that people can feel it. One of the ways people interpret love is by words of affirmation—words that affirm and show you are valued. I love this story told by Elizabeth Byrd, an American writer, about her experience when she traveled to Scotland several years ago. She recalled a “big rawboned farm woman” traveling beside her on the bus. The farm woman asked Elizabeth why an American should be traveling north in the middle of winter, because “it’s rooky weather in the Highlands.”
“Elizabeth said, ‘I explained that I liked wild weather and that I was gathering material for a historical novel, talking to country people, soaking up sheeplore and folkways that have changed little in four centuries.’
“The Scottish woman invited me to visit her overnight. ‘We’ve a wee croft, but warm, and I’d welcome your company, for my husband’s off to market.’
“It was raining hard when we reached her home, a dumpy stone cottage on a bleak slope. Collies welcomed us and Mrs. McIntosh led me into a spotless, shabby parlor.
“Suddenly the lights flickered and died. She sighed, ‘The power’s oot,’ and lit candles. While she was making a fire there was a knock on the door.
“She opened it and a boy came in. She took his dripping coat and cap, and as he moved into the firelight I saw that he was about 12 years old—and pitifully crippled.
“After he caught his breath, he said, ‘My father tried to ring you, but your phone is dead. I came to see that you’re all right.’
“’Thank you, John,’ she said, and introduced us. The wind rose, raving and screaming, battering the shutters. I told them how much I loved the drama of the storm.
“’You’re not scared?’ John asked. I started to say no, but Mrs. McIntosh, though obviously afraid of nothing, quickly said what any boy longs to hear, ‘Of course she was scared, and so was I. But now we’ve got a mon aboot.’
“There was a moment’s silence.
“Then he rose. ‘I’ll see that everything’s snug,’ he said. And he hobbled out with a little swagger.
“Weeks later the incident still haunted me. Why hadn’t I answered his question as Mrs. McIntosh had—tenderly, imaginatively?
“By what magic had Mrs. McIntosh transformed a crippled boy into a confident man?” (Behold Your Little Ones, edited by Barbara B. Smith and Shirley W. Thomas, pg. 52-53)
There are many ways to show love, but the effect is the same, loved people stand taller.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They are always appreciated.
Jane - This was a fabulous newsletter - thanks for all the insight! Heather
So flattered to be included in your publication. I now have an even greater appreciation for the ice cream. I keep it on hand all summer and serve it to people who walk by and want to see the house; learn about Park City history; see the gardens etc. I now know that ice cream is my 'love language'. Love you - Sue
Hi Jane,
I always love your emails! Eric and I have been reading the Color Code by Taylor Hartman this summer. Kind of the same in that it totally helps me to understand why Eric just does things in a way that is so foreign to me!
Tammy Walker
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Dear Journal, July 26, 2007
We made it home. After we dropped Ty off at the MTC I felt like a horse headed for the barn, I just wanted to go, go, go, and get home. I didn’t want to stop and eat at a fun place, I didn’t even want to stop and spend the night, I just wanted to go home…where I could sniff his clothes I guess  I drove about 400 miles (I told you I wanted to get home) and Calvin drove the rest of the way and didn’t even get pulled over until 45 miles from home. All he got was a warning, so that was very nice. We pulled in around 12:30 or 12:45 am. I couldn’t believe we made it, but we did.
We had an incredible time. We left here Monday night about 5 or 6 o’clock. Ande and Ty hugged and it was so sad as they were both crying real tears….lots of them. Ande got in her big blue boat that has no a/c and only half of the windows able to roll down and sweated and cried her way into work. She had to have been dehydrated. Cali, on the other hand, warned Ty that she didn’t get emotional so not to be disappointed if she didn’t cry. I told Ty I thought he might get a tear out of the old gal yet by the time we left, but she stayed dry. However, she called us a couple of hours into our trip and had been bawling. Ty leaves a big hole in our family.
We made it half way to the MTC about midnight on Monday. The next morning we got up, drove for a couple more hours and then stopped to see _____ . Calvin taught at CSI with ____ and they have remained good friends. _____ found out a couple of months ago that he has cancer and has been undergoing treatments. He’s already getting a new crop of fuzz on his bald head, but other than that and a little skinnier, he looked and sounded the very same. I was so glad we’d stopped. He was hungry for visitors and to see Calvin. He hugged Calvin and cried and thanked him for being such a good friend. Calvin tucked a couple hundred dollars in ______ hand for emergencies when we left and that made them cry more. It was very touching.
Next we went to Target to get some things for Ty and we ran into ______ (a good friend’s brother). I had a good visit with him and while we were visiting, my friend (who was paralyzed and received severe brain damage in a car wreck many years ago) called him on the phone so I talked to her, too. Just that morning I had prayed that I could help do whatever needed to be done that day…and then I ran into _______. Coincidence? Not. I promised _______ I would write her weekly…that’s something that I can do to help her from being so lonely as she lives in a rehabilitation center.
After eating at a Chinese restaurant (and Ty’s fortune cookie said “A real adventure awaits you around the bend) we drove on to Salt Lake and went shoe and shirt shopping for Calvin, pretty uneventful really, other than table after table of folded ties, there is really very little color in the men’s department.
I tried hard not to let melancholy seep in, but I just felt lonesome for Ty for days before we left even though he was right next to me. The morning we took him to the MTC I woke up with the words, “He’s Thine, not mine” playing over and over in my head. It helped me to remember that I’m not the only one that loves him and needs him. We went to the SL temple for an early session. Oh, oh, it was great. It was an incredibly peaceful morning. Ty ran into a cadet buddy there as well as a missionary that was also going to Taiwan and reporting to the MTC that day, too. We took a few pictures and Ty was excited to go. It was fun to see him confident and eager.
The MTC experience was wonderful and the enthusiasm and organization make it fun to be a part of. Abe saw some missionaries headed to the Philippines and chased them down to visit with them. He also saw an older gentleman he knew from his time spent there and stopped in the middle of the crosswalk to talk to him for a few minutes, too. I’m telling you, he puts “The Neighbor” to shame when it comes to being friendly and I told him so. After Ty dropped off his suitcases, we headed into the MTC to receive instructions. We sat behind another Air Force cadet that Ty knows who is serving a mission to California. His mother was a trickling muddle of tears. I whispered, “This isn’t as painful as dropping them off at the Academy, remember?” She smiled and grabbed my hand like I was her sister and said, “I feel like you’re family.” It was fun to sing “Called to Serve” with Calvin, Abe and Ty—it’s an anthem of sorts and has a rousing beat. It was a great experience and I wished Cali and Ande could have experienced it with us.
After we dropped Ty off we went to the BYU Creamery for an ice cream cone. We did this when Abe went in, too, so I guess it is a tradition. I got an Almond Joy something and it was even better than I remembered. Noticeably, the car didn’t bounce around on the road like it did on the way down because Ty, who cannot sit still and squirms really bad, no longer existed in the back seat. It was easier having him gone than it was dreading him leaving, though. Though I miss him, I wouldn’t wish him back for a day. I’m grateful he has the opportunity to teach people about Jesus Christ.
Ande’s carrying two jobs now. She’s still in training at _______. She got to her new job early this morning and didn’t quite know what to do because the doors were closed. She called wondering what to do since arriving early is a new experience for her. She’s doing such a good job. I’m proud of her working and earning her way for college.
Cali is working today, so we won’t see her until tomorrow.
Tonight for supper we had fresh green beans, squash, potatoes and tomatoes from the garden. Calvin brought home some corn and I made hamburger gravy to go with the potatoes. With Ty gone and Cali and Ande at work, Abe is the only one home and he and Calvin are out throwing the football trying to get Abe’s arm back in shape for the upcoming season.
Life is good.  Life is good.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Oh my goodness, Jane! I was so hoping that the second one is easier than the first! I'm not looking forward to it, even though, as they say, I wouldn't want him anywhere else. The good news is that you only have 728 more days, and then he will be home again. Love, Susan :'(
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The Revolving Door
July 23, 2007
Those who were in are out and those who were out are in. Today we’re driving to Utah to take Ty to the Missionary Training Center. For those of you who are not regular blog readers, Abe and Ty are switching places. Until a few weeks ago, Abe was serving a full-time mission and Ty was serving in the military. Now Ty is serving a mission and Abe is soon returning to West Point. The girls will be switching places in a few weeks, too. Ande will be going away to her first year of college while Cali will temporarily move home and begin her nursing career. Calvin and I are staying inside the door and just pushing it around and around and around and helping the kids in and out.
(By the way, this hurts a whole lot more the second time around. It’s like childbirth, your first time everyone tells you it’s going to hurt, but naiveté carries you through admirably until it’s too late to change anything anyway, so you just buck up and do your best. But the second time? You know full-well what’s ahead and just how long it takes and how it feels. The good thing with the second delivery is you know they give you orange juice at the end and that it does end; and the good thing about sending kids out is they become so much more than if you’d sheltered them….but, it still hurts—orange juice or no.)
That's life in my world. I'll be back Thursday.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thank you! Your comments are always appreciated.
Hang in there Jane! I am sure that it will be extremely hard. I don't look forward to it and I have several years before missions. I know YOU know it will be a blessing but hard. Have a safe trip! Love, Jenny :)
I feel your pain as I read this post. It must be a tearing away to have a child leave home. These are such exciting times for each of your children, and must be such a time of mixed feelings for you. Upgrade that orange juice to an orange julius, I'd say. Love, Barb
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Ty at Cabella's
Being Present
July 20, 2007
One of the things I have really enjoyed about the blog world, besides meeting new people and getting a peek into so many personalities and lives, are the things that I learn. Barb wrote a post about “being present” a few months ago and from that post I wanted to refocus and try to make more of each moment rather than always looking around, behind or ahead. I saw a few funny examples of being present in the last few days.
- I was sitting with my sister and nephew, Jake, when someone sat down to visit with us. Jake listened for a little while and then said, while shooing the guest with his hands, “Ok. You can go now.”
The guest said, “What?”
He said, “You look like you’re bored with us and would rather be visiting with other people, so you can go now.”
The guest said, “Oh, well . . . I want to stay here.”
Jake said, “You don’t look like it. You’re looking all over at the other people rather than us.”
- I found a dress that I love, in my size, on a clearance rack, at Christopher Banks for $16.99. Zowie. I was so pleased and promptly bought it, I definitely lived that moment to its fullest.
- We went to Cabella’s, an immense hunting/fishing store, this week for the first time. We all wandered to various parts of the building browsing and grazing. I walked over into the furniture department and saw Ande and one of my nieces curled up on the demo bed sound asleep. Ty was sitting on the couch not far from them playing a sample store game. Though I was mortified they’d made themselves so much at home, they had captured the moment and I snapped a picture before I scolded them.
This morning, Cali, Ty and I were going on a walk and I sat on the edge of the canal while Cali ran into the house to grab a couple of letters to mail. Ty was trying to skip rocks on the canal while we waited. I almost wished Cali would hurry so that we could finish walking and then I thought, “But wait, if she hurries then this moment of sitting here while Ty is skipping rocks will be over and it will never come back. Just enjoy it.” Thanks Barb for that post a few months ago.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Jane, This (week’s newsletter) is such a great message. One I need to hear regularly. As I was reading the newsletter I was thinking to myself, "Ken used to have the best quote on this subject" and then I came to the Roosevelt quote and it was the one I was thinking of. Nice tie-in with the recipe title - very creative. Love, Barb
You have this (week’s newsletter topic) mastered! Happy weekend. me
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cousins playing volleyball at bbq
Life in My World
July 19, 2007
Sunday, right after church, we left for my niece’s wedding in Utah. We’re a family of readers, so road trips are looked forward to as uninterrupted reading time. We like to read, listen to books on tape or read aloud when we travel. Cali read The Chosen, Abe tried to steal everyone else’s book for the weekend, but finally settled on a Bathroom Reader, Ande and Ty reread old Harry Potter books prepping for this weekend’s release, and I had a stack I planned to read but drove or read The Five Love Languages aloud to everyone instead.
In Utah we met up with other family and enjoyed staying in the same motel. Maddie, my eight-year-old niece, suggested we put all of the mom and dads in one room, all of the boys in one room and all of the girls in another. We did put all of the girl cousins in one room which was fun for them and then scattered the boys throughout the other three rooms.
Monday evening the groom’s family held a bbq in a large park for all of the family who were in town to attend the wedding. The groom’s family is from Texas and his mother, in typical Texan hospitality, had prepared gift bags for each of the attendees. She had made turquoise earrings for each of the women and also included a couple of Texas recipes, caramel pralines, playing cards, bandanas and mint sticks in each bag. It was a wonderful ice breaker. The food was really good, too—bbq ribs, sausage, chicken, and brisket as well as salads, rolls, lemonade and a variety of cookies.
After everyone had introduced themselves and eaten, the groom’s family had a piñata for the little kids and also horse shoes and volleyball nets set up for everyone else. Towards the end of the evening all the guests played a large game of Dare Base. We had no line (a big requirement for Dare Base) so Chris, my innovative sister, tied the plastic table cloths together and made a line for us. Dare Base is an old Chadwick standby and allows everyone a chance to play on an even keel.
One of my sister’s hopes for the wedding was that people would interact and feel welcome, since it was an R.S.V.P. wedding, she made wonderful name cards for everyone to wear who attended the wedding. Each card had the attendee’s name and relationship to the bride or groom as well as an interesting fact about the person. For example, Calvin’s card said
Calvin Payne
Uncle of the Bride
gun and bow maker/ raises quail
It was a lot of work and time on my sister’s part, but certainly made it easier to initiate conversations.
Instead of signing a guest book each guest wrote a note or piece of advice to the couple. A few of the cousins took a Polaroid picture of the guest and then posted it in an album along with the card of advice. It, too, was a lot of work, but very personal.
Wednesday we made the twelve hour trek home stopping to drop another one of my nieces off at her home in Idaho. She thought our car ride was funny because there were no movies and little music. She told her mom, “Aunt Jane believes in interacting.” With confined space and few distractions, it was a perfect time to visit. I think visiting is one of the things our family most enjoys about road trips (and junk food and fast food, we like that, too). Oh…and hank panks. Though Calvin and the kids groan, I love hank-panks. Hank-Panks are when you think of two rhyming words and then give clues for the others to guess your words. (If the rhyming words have two syllables it’s called a hanky-panky; if it has three syllables it’s called a hankity-pankity.) For example, if I say, “I have a hank-pank” and my clue is water erosion everyone tries to think of two words that rhyme that mean water erosion. Try it. Give up? Can’t guess two words that rhyme that mean water erosion? It’s rain stain (enter groans of Calvin and the kids…they think all of my hank-panks are fairly stupid).
Today we’re doing laundry and reproofing the house….and eating new red potatoes, beans, squash, tomatoes, lettuce and spinach from the garden—leaving for three days makes everything magically ripen.
Thanks to all of you for your birthday well-wishes. I had a grand day and it carried over to cards and e-mails when we got back last night. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
That’s life in my world.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thank you! They’re always appreciated.
Hi Jane, I loved the idea of place cards with names, relationships and interesting facts. What a great way to get people talking without the dull, "seen any good movies lately," asked 1000 times. Sounds like a wonderful, happy wedding. Marie
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45 Things I’ve Learned
July 15, 2007
At 2:19 pm today I turn 45 years old. Here are 45 Things I’ve learned from life so far:
- You can eat a potato without butter, sour cream, cheese, gravy or fried in oil and it’s still good.
- Believing in your children is one of the greatest gifts you can give them.
- Women need women.
- Men have feelings.
- Pretty little white butterflies in your garden means you have worms in your broccoli.
- It pays to start your day with prayer and scriptures.
- There’s nothing wrong with being wrong if you admit it.
- When you find out you’re wrong, shut up and quit arguing.
- You’re pretty much as happy or as miserable as you want to be.
- Walking two miles a day keeps depression at bay.
- A full cookie jar is the most magical appliance in the kitchen. If the cookie jar is full no one complains that dinner isn’t ready or that dinner is bad. If the cookie jar is full company feels like you were expecting them.
- Don’t try to reason with a two year old.
- A family without traditions is like toast without butter—a little on the dry side.
- Everyone has something they can teach you.
- Regardless of the phrase “You’ve got to earn my trust,” trust is ultimately a gift that you give to someone.
- If the kitchen and bathroom are clean the whole house feels clean.
- The human body contains about a half cup of salt and without it, muscles wouldn’t contract, blood wouldn’t circulate, food wouldn’t digest, and the heart wouldn’t beat.
- Parent paydays are better than any work bonus.
- Cali’s imagination will always dream bigger and better than any surprise I have planned, so just tell her my plan and then neither one of us are disappointed.
- Learning builds confidence.
- Don’t judge a book by its cover because some artists aren’t nearly as good as some authors and some artists are a whole lot better than some authors.
- History does indeed repeat itself.
- God lives.
- There is a lot of power in a little wall of water called a tsunami.
- You can live on less than you think you can.
- Comparing yourself to others is a stupid game that has no winners. There are funner games to play.
- There is such a thing as a perfect day.
- Take the breath mint.
- Baggy clothes really don’t make you look thinner.
- We tend to prefer the smell of people who have different smells to our own and tend to be repelled by people whose smell is similar to our own.
- Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
- Miracles are common, miraculous but common.
- Recipes are like kids—women collect them by the dozens, add their own touch, exchange them with neighbors and friends, and are always looking for the perfect one.
- A nap is a healthy luxury.
- Don’t forget to grease the wheel that doesn’t squeak.
- You don’t have to touch or see or taste or hear to know.
- There is a small village in the Alps that only gets a few hours of sunlight in the winter because they are in such a deep valley. The mayor of this village had a HUGE mirror installed on the side of one of the neighboring mountains, so that the village would have more hours of sunlight due to the reflection.
- My ignorance never ceases to amaze me.
- Adulation is poison.
- Creativity is nothing more and nothing less than solving a problem in an original way.
- A prompting to do good is usually followed by a stupid thought to talk you out of doing it.
- Each person (except identical twins) has his or her own individual smell.
- Love is a paradox; it hurts and feels good, it’s simple and complex.
- Mankind is amazing.
- Never underestimate the power one person has to make a difference.
A birthday bonus for me is that today Abe and Ty are speaking at church—a mission homecoming and farewell the same day. I feel so very, very blessed. Lesson 45 ½—"God is good"—very, very good.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks, they’re always appreciated!
Dear Jane, I hope this birthday is one of your happiest ever! I really enjoyed reading your list. Love, Susan W.
Oh Jane, Happy Birthday (late)!! I guess you could say that I am in the mode of extending birthdays because most of my well wishes are late this summer. Dang it, I hate that. I love your birthday post. I hope I can make a list like that, it's fabulous! I'm so glad you have your kids around you. What a great time. I hope to see you soon. Love, Melanie
I’m not talented at birthdays like Jill. Something to work on, but Happy Birthday, anyways! Great list. What a birthday to have a son report and a son farewell together. I have 2 brothers that did that and it was pretty overwhelming just as their sister! Love, Barb
Hey Jane! Chance and I just discussed the father/son arm wrestling championships the other day. I was trying to persuade him to let Colton win sometimes, or he will not be interested in playing any longer. My talk didn't get me too far, and I had to burst one small bubble when I asked him if he thought he could really beat his dad at arm wrestling right now, or if maybe his dad let him win sometimes. He thought about that for a second. I was quick to add that someday he would probably be able to beat his dad, but his common sense told him that maybe those wins weren't his big, 7-year-old muscles, and maybe, just maybe, Colton's 4-year-old muscles needed a break every now and then, too. I hope it's forever before he's big enough to really win - he's growing up too fast!! -Heather
Dear Jane, I'm so happy your older and still alive, thanks for being around one more year. Thanks for still being an inspiration to me, thanks for being my mentor and thanks for still liking me.
Actually this is Bert and I was told to write you a letter for your birthday since she still doesn't have internet. I guess you don't rate a phone call.
Anyway, I can tell I'm totally blowing it even though I put in lots of smily faces like she would but I have no clue what she would say to you and she didn't even tell me what to say. How lame is that, where does she think her own birthday thoughtful kids came from and learned their good graces. Anyway I do know she loves you, because she tells me and she did think of you today because she told me that too. That's all you get from the Ellsworth corner. Hope it gets you through one more year. Got to go I think the Hallmark job recruiter is calling.
Happy Birthday
Dear Jane, Have a gloriously happy birthday! Although I have known you for a very small fraction of your life, I sure feel like you are a good friend already and I really enjoy reading your blog and receiving your newsletters. Your list of 45 things today make me smile and laugh and so I had to tell you that one of my favorites was "#9. You're pretty much as happy or as miserable as you want to be" because I really believe that one in particular and try to be around people that are striving to lean towards the happiness. When we met, you struck me as such a happy and positive person and I have a feeling you are helping so many live a little bit happier lives. Enjoy your big day and hopefully you'll receive at least 45 hugs and kisses from the people lucky enough to see you every day! Leslie
Happy Birthday Jane! This list of 45 things is wonderful and interesting. I hope you have a wonderful day (it sounds like you surely will with a farewell and a homecoming). Enjoy!! --Jill
Happy, Happy Day Jane!!! Chris
I loved your birthday post. I read your blog from time to time, thanks for sharing these 45 great insights.
andrea halfdozencuties@blogspot.com
Happy Happy Birthday Jane dear. I loved reading your list. I hope you have a fabulous day!! Jenny :)
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Roof Picnic
and
Thank You, BBQ
July 15, 2007
We started reroofing the house. Here's the crew Friday night (Ande was working) having a picnic (a picnic, in my vocabulary, is anytime you eat outside). It was hard to beat the view, especially because the wild fires are in full season and make the sunset intense.
Last night we had a small get-together to thank our neighbors for helping us raise our family. As I’ve mentioned before, we have all four kids living at home for a month this summer—once they left for the military, missions and college we didn’t think the timing would ever work out that we would be together for this long, so we’ve really been grateful for our time together. Likewise, we’ve been grateful for wonderful people to teach, coach, hire, listen and support our kids so an informal bbq was our way to say “thank you.” I love watching our kids interact with adults—especially those who would be considered “the elders of the community.” I drilled “give people eye-contact” as often as I said “blow your nose” and it’s rewarding to see them remember years later.
I didn’t snap one picture, but just enjoyed it. The flies (we live by a dairy and a several thousand head feedlot) came even though we were careful not to invite them.
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Random News
July 13, 2007
- My niece, Rachel, has joined us for the weekend. When we lived in Idaho we lived right next to my sister, Lynn, and her family for several years and so we shared everything—bread pans, mop buckets, chocolate chips, chickens, kids—and our families combined to play Hide-n-Seek most summer Sunday evenings. Those were great days. When we moved to Washington nine years ago, our kids missed their cousins, badly. Each time they get together they pick up right where they left off.
- One of our summer projects is to reroof the house. Calvin and the boys started it this morning while Ande and I ran to the airport to get Rachel. The roof’s gonna be pretty (my concern) and tight (Calvin’s concern). I gingerly use the ladder to get down from the roof, Ty jumps. Argh.
- Yesterday the family was reading The Color Code and The Five Love Languages aloud in the living room. The personality test of The Color Code was funnily predictable, and if you’ve taken it before you can guess each child’s color easily: Cali quickly and decisively made each choice and tried to keep the pace moving, Abe wanted to discuss each paragraph and debate the author, Ty had a wise crack for every question and Ande kept asking, “What am I? What am I?”
- We’ve got a great mutant squash plant producing in the garden. It looks like it’s part acorn, part crookneck and part zucchini. As long as we eat them young, they’re really good.
- The other night Calvin was arm wrestling the boys. It’s gonna be a sad day when his old-man-strength (their term, not mine) finally gives way, but for another summer, Calvin still reigns. If Abe and Ty could keep from laughing they might last longer in the contest, but they’re psyched out before they ever begin. It's worth watching.
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I can't believe it's been nine years since you have moved. Time really does go by fast. I was laughing when I read the part about everyone's different responses to the Color Code. I remember each of those four personalities distinctly! I'm so glad they haven't changed. It makes me miss you all!!! -gwen
Jane, What a great newsletter (today) and just in time as I prepare a lesson for RS on canning!!!! Sue
The arm wrestling contest is just classic. A family in my ward has 4 sons and once a year they run the *Fastest Bennett Alive* race. Dad is fast, but one of those sons is going to beat him some day. The second son just got home from a mission and all bets are on him this year. I've got to pass the term *old man speed* along to the youngest Bennett boy. Have fun with your neice - the bond between cousins is amazing and powerful, isn't it? Love, Barb
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Homekeeping Tip—Add Bran Flakes
July 11, 2007
This week’s homemaking tip is a tiny one: Add bran flakes. Bran flakes are inexpensive (store brand bran runs about seven cents an ounce), good for you and great filler. I add bran flakes to cold cereal (not even noticeable with Honey Bunches of Oats®) and to oatmeal (I think they even improve the flavor). For a single serving, just put 1/3 cup of bran flakes, 1/3 cup of quick oats, a dash of salt and 2/3 cup of water in a bowl and microwave it for a minute or two and then add a teaspoon of brown sugar. I also love bran muffins made with bran flakes and they stay moist forever. Add bran flakes is this week’s tip.
Though I’m not a Harry Potter aficionado, I loved when Ande took it upon herself to read the first few books aloud to me. She wasn’t very old and her reading aloud skills were pretty rudimentary, but she read aloud when we were in the car or while I did hand-work or cooked supper and hearing her voice learn inflection and tone is still a sweet memory. Reading aloud not only improved her skills but her patience as well as she had to keep re-explaining who was who. So, though I’m far behind in the Potter Chronicles, I am not unaware of the conjecturing of what’s in store in the final book and I completely agree with Rebecca's post.
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Jane - it has been fun to be a part of your fun family month through your blog. Thanks for keeping us posted! I remember you writing about your little corner before, and I'm thinking I need to take some advice from it (the stiff and uncomfortable chair). My recliner is very comfy and oh-so-sleepy, and with the busy and tired days of summer, has been doing me a disservice with my bible reading. I'll be switching to the stiffer, a bit more uncomfortable, a bit more attention to the Word couch tomorrow!! -Heather
Your bran muffin recipe looks a lot like mine. I think bran muffins are so yummy, but not all of my kids agree. However, the kids are unified in wanted to see the new HP movie. I stood in line for hours on the release nights of the other HP movies, but I really didn't want to do that again, and lucky me - the kids didn't ask. I think it's because they're not in school hearing about who has already seen it and so on. Maybe we'll go to the matinee tomorrow. I think the other reason I'm under less pressure to take the kids to the new movie is because the real excitement around here is for the 7th book. Will Harry still be known as the boy who lived?
I came across something that made me think of you and one of your 3R's today - watch for it in your mailbox! And why are grandparents such good raspberry pickers? I always feel about 7 years old after I pick raspberries and then my mother in law goes out and finds another half an icecream bucket.
Love,
Barb
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SPT—Stolen Moments
July 10, 2007
I love to get up early because there are so many perfect things at that time of the day—the moon, the stars, the birds, the sun, the breeze, the energy, the enthusiasm. The hardest part about early in the morning for me is that I want to do everything at that time of the day while my memory, energy and creativity is at its peak and it’s frustrating I can’t do it all and that the early morning doesn’t last longer. Here is where most of my mornings and stolen moments begin:
and I love it here because the old wash boiler holds reading material and the mini-couch is the perfect height for leaning against while saying my prayers and is also stiff (and fairly uncomfortable) to hold me upright while reading and studying. My best ideas and learning come from this corner of the house. From this spot in the house I can also hear the inner heartbeats of our home—the mantel clock chime, the fridge purr, the kids’ alarms go off and Calvin starting the shower.
And if you find this post annoyingly sanguine and you wish someone would quiet me with their pillow—it’s because it was written in the early morning hours. _________________________________________________________________________________________
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Jane, I am finally taking a breather and catching up on blogs. You have done so many fun things! I think we are alike in that I too enjoy early mornings. Unfortunately my energy is short lived. I feel like a nap around 10am!! How fun to go rock climbing. Glad you got the card, I mailed it early so I wouldn't forget to mail it when I was here in AZ. Love, Jenny
Jenny, I wilt early, too, but I recharch fast :) JP
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Life in My World—The 3 R’s
July 9, 2007
Grandpa, Grandma, Abe, Cali, Ande, and Ty after church
Rook, raspberries and rock climbing—three components to a great weekend. Calvin’s folks are here visiting from Arizona. Due to their health and the kids’ school schedules, the kids and I haven’t seen them for six years. It’s been great reconnecting.
Abe showing Grandpa and Grandma his mission photo album
Grandpa and Grandma love to play card games so Saturday night we sat around the table and played a new game they taught us with Rook cards. Grandpa goes for the throat every time. He’s such a gentle, kind, thoughtful and obedient man . . . but give him a deck of cards and he’ll take you out every hand he can. However, I handily (pardon the pun) won.
Grandpa in the raspberry patch
Our neighbor’s raspberries are on and she called us to pick. Grandpa and Grandma are adept berry pickers and having the two of them help greatly increased our yields.
Ty climbing
We took another family rock climbing for their first time on Saturday while Grandpa and Grandma stayed in the shade and watched. We saw a late sixtyish- early seventyish woman scale a difficult climb while we were there. It was incredible and though my kids gave me the look to remind me it is not appropriate to clap and carry on after someone accomplishes a tricky climb, I wanted to give this woman a standing ovation (except that meant she would have had to climb another one as her encore and I’m not sure her arms would have held out for another one…but then again…I didn’t think she’d get the first one climbed, either…).
And that is life in my world.
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i loved your seen & heard update! may i come sit on the trampoline with your family?!? it sounds like you had a FABULOUS time together! lelly
It's good to see Bob and Audrey again thanks to the computer--it's probably been about 50 years since I saw them last. Looks like they're holding up great--oh to do so well! Sending Love---Cousin Ruth
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Seen and Heard
July 6, 2007
*My apologies to my newsletter readers, I realize you already got this account in the newsletter today, but I figured this is the best way to bring The Neighbor’s Blog current.
Do you remember the old Seen and Heard columns from your high-school or hometown newspaper? I think those columnists were either ardent eavesdroppers and peepers or they’d learned to take life one day at a time. If we had a Payne Gazette, here’s a few of the things that I would have put in this week’s Seen and Heard column:
Seen: Calder (my nephew) scrubbing new potatoes from the garden for supper.
We planted the potatoes extra early this year so they would be ready by the 4th of July for creamed peas and potatoes. They did not disappoint and were ready a week early.
 
Seen: Cali and my sister, Chris, identifying wildflowers and my nephew, Justin, building a rock tower
Ty took fifteen of us rock-climbing this week. Early one morning we loaded the cooler, the water jug and some snacks and left for The Gorge. Once we got to the rocks, Ty realized he’d loaded the climbing gear in the car that stayed home. While waiting for the gear, we visited, ate jerky and dried fruit and had rock tower building contests. Twenty-three rocks was the winner.
Heard: Ty teaching cousins how to belay.
Ty was glad to have eager students willing to rock climb and taught them not only how to tie knots and belay other climbers, but also shared a life-lesson that used the analogy of rock-climbing and the belay system. (Saving THAT one for another newsletter down the road.J)
Seen: Rachel, my sister, eating a peanut butter cookie while exercising.
Rachel and I buddied up to lose weight last year and the day she reached her goal weight was also the day she found out she was pregnant. We’re all excited for baby number seven to come and happily helped Rachel find good things to feed him while she was here.
Seen: A picnic for two under the tree.
We had Pixie Week while the cousins were here. Everyone drew the name of someone else and did secret acts of service and left treats for them. Maddie was Cali’s pixie and fixed a picnic for the two of them, telling Cali to plan time to “chat” as well as eat. At one point during the week, Cali whispered, “Somehow we’ve got to share the love, my pixie has pixied me FOUR times today, can’t we plllllleeeeeasssssse spread this love around?”
Seen: Ty celebrating his birthday.
We all sat on the trampoline while Ty opened his birthday presents. Which only goes to show their weight limit is much higher than they advertise. The kids had weaved hats out of willows all day long (a stovepipe hat, crown, tiara, yarmulke, and headdress) and had also made Ty a grass skirt to wear to his birthday party. After Ty danced a hula and opened his presents we went around the circle and everyone said why they loved and appreciated Ty. One said, “You never know who his favorite is—he treats all of us like he loves us best.”
Seen: Jane Payne doing flips off the diving board—definitely not scoring a ten, but better than a two.
We went swimming and about six of us played Follow the Leader. One would choose the stunt and the others had to follow. After each event, a new leader stepped up. I do not flip as well as I used to, but I can still make a good splash.
Heard: “Ring. Ring.”
“Hello.”
“Hello? Yeah, this is Bruce. Sorry . . . we got lost in Othello.”
Othello, Washington has 6,000 people. It has one main street. It is not known for lost motorists. My brother-in-law, Bruce, was following us to the airport to meet Abe and mysteriously got lost in Othello. No fear, we made it to the airport with our welcome home signs with 13 minutes to spare.
Heard: Ande crying.
I mentioned in last week’s newsletter that Abe’s plane was delayed. When Ande heard the news she began crying because she knew she had to work and couldn’t get off to meet him. Cali waited until Ande’s eyes were good and swollen, sprinkled more water on her face to boost the tear effect and then had Ande pose with her bottom lip sticking out. The girls printed the picture and we took that to the airport to meet Abe. Pal (my nephew) was her proxy.
Heard: Smile.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
Jane, You do look so very happy to have all your chicks in the nest for a few weeks. Take the time to enjoy it as I know you have looked forward to these days for a long time. We will all be here for you when they have all flown their own ways again. We love you, Michelle R
What great fun and I loved the photos! You need to plan a July 4th in Park City - wild and crazy and oh, soooooooooooooooooo much food. See you very soon - Sue
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Welcome Home from the Philippines, Abe!
Abe at the airport with my sisters, Rachel and Chris
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