THE PARK POST

I was really trying to tap into the "mormon mother" stereotype and grind up the wheat we have had stored for years so that I could make homemade wheat bread. I borrowed this machine from the RS closet and watched it on the counter for about a week, almost paralyzed by the unknown.  Yesterday I finally decided to tackle the machine, but instead it tackled me.   When I reached behind it to plug it into the wall, the handle started spinning at high speed and hit me in the side of my head and my forearm for about 5 seconds.  It honestly beat me up on the side of my head/ear and my arm.  I thought I had lost my ear for a second, but amazingly there was no blood, just a bad headache and some dizziness.  Luckily the machine blew the fuse so it stopped pretty quickly, but as I went back to assess I noticed a nice lock of my hair caught in the machine.  Why didn't anyone ever warn me how dangerous homemaking can be?  I guess that wheat can sit another 10 year...

Paige went to the homecoming dance this past weekend.  Luckily she is the same size as her cousin Lexi and was able to borrow this red dress from her.  We had to pay 18.00 to overnight the rose on the front of the dress, which she had not brought back with her initially, but it was well worth it and Paige and I were both happy to not have to dress shop.   

 When Syd was first born, she brought me so much comfort during a time when I was really struggling.  Her good-natured personality and peaceful presence healed my soul and she probably nurtured me more than I ever nurtured her. I have always thought of her as a curious, wise, old soul.  I love you Sydney.  Happy Birthday!

Yesterday I got a frantic phone call from Paige telling me she had to be at The Columbus Museum in 15 min. for an orientation meeting (she is doing her community service hours there working in the gift shop).  I couldn't take her because I was at the orthodontist with McKell, so I call Mike and tell him to pick her up, but he is stuck in traffic on base and realizes he'll be really late.  So I quickly look up the phone number on google and call asking about who I need to talk to about this meeting so that I can tell them she will be late.  No one seems to know anything about the meeting and when I tell the woman that my daughter is from Columbus High School, she says which high school in Columbus?  I reiterate that the name of the high school is Columbus and that it has been around for 100 years here.  She still doesn't seem to get it, and I start judging her in my head thinking she is not from around here or just a young, inexperienced college student, or worse...

While we were driving home last night, McKell and I were talking about someone wanting to get pregnant soon, and Sydney asked THE question, "How do you get pregnant?"  I proceeded to tell her about how the sperm and egg come together and how the sperm is kind of like a fish swimming to find the egg.  She paused and then asked incredulously, "Do you mean to tell me I used to be a fish.  When did my legs pop out?" McKell and I got a good laugh and amazingly the questions ended there. I guess realizing she was a fish was enough to process for one night.

Walter Ogden, my great grandfather Walter Ogden Dale and Edna Ogden, my grandparents Mary Ross Ogden, my great grandmother Sarah Ann Ross, my great great grandmother (probably a few polygamist wives here) Stan and Ethel Innes Arnell,  Michael's grandparents Joyce Arnell Park, Michael's mother with Russell and Roger? Tom and Flora Lefler Fabrizio, my grandparents with Toni (my mom), Rick, Rex, Rosalyn and Levere. Stan Arnell, Michael's grandfather Hugh and Leona Brookbush Park, Michael's grandparents.  (My favorite picture right out of The Grapes of Wrath ) Hugh Park (far left), Michael's dad with his siblings.  He was the baby of the family. Hugh and Leona Park, Michael's grandparents with baby Hugh and siblings Leona Park, Michael's grandmother Stan Arnell, Michael's grandfather working at Arnell Drug. Charlie Fabrizio, my great grandfather, with my mom Toni in Hanna Essie Gines L...

My mom always told me it would happen to me someday.  I would love to hear stories about my ancestors and get excited about going to family reunions.  I just always assumed that kind of stuff was for the over 65 population, who had nothing better to do with their time, but I realize I have been bitten by the genealogy bug at the ripe old age of 39 and it is really, really cool!!   Today I got my Mom's latest book about Grandma Essie in the mail and can I just say I feel privileged to be the daughter of a two time publishing author and the great-granddaughter to some courageous, imperfect, witty, hard-working, humble and over-all amazing people.  My favorite part about these books is the honesty and candor that lets me see these people as real people with real problems.  I love the fact that my mom has written this book while serving full time in the temple and going to school for her bachelor's degree in Family History.  She has shown me that growth an...