Hanging out with Dad

Since Mom passed away in January 2011, we have all had opportunities to be more involved with Dad.  He is a great guy!  In talking with some of my siblings, we have all commented on how we have gotten to know our Dad just a little bit better.

Obviously Mom was the talker and Dad was her number one supporter.  Well, now Dad has turned out to be quite the talker...his stories about things in the past, present and future are at times very thoughtful and at other times very entertaining.  When he talks about Mom, you can see the emotions start to come with tearful eyes and sometimes a quivering voice.  Sometimes his memories are different than I remember, but it's all good.

This past month has been busy and getting Dad to the different events/activites takes some planning and time.

A few weeks ago, he wanted to go to Willie's football game.  Well, we talked back and forth on how he was going to get there, where to park, etc.  Judy ended up getting the HHS administration to let him park on the street west of the stadium and open the gate on the North end so he could just walk in there.  After we sat down, he said "Wow, I didn't think Willie was that big!"  He watched with interest as Preston was so involved with coaching and asked "Does he had headphones on?"  Luckily most of the game the first half was played right in front of us.  When it was at the other end, he had his binoculars to watch.  I took him home at halftime with HHS down - and he said "Now they will probably win because I'm leaving".  They did end up winning, but it wasn't because he left.

Last night, I took him to the viewing of his liftime friend - Jim Traynor.  It was an all night event, ending with dinner at Hires.  It was fun to watch Dad talk and interact with what is left of the group he grew up with.  It was there that I realized how much Mom and Dad talked about things as we were growing up.  I knew and recognized people he introduced me to.  Midge (Quenton Midgely), Janet Keller (of Boyd and Janet), Lois Traynor (ex wife of Jim).  I remember going to parties at Sugarhouse Park with the "gang" and swimming at the Riches house (they had cute boys). Midge commented to me how he was a little jealous of how we took such good care of Dad - cooking him dinner, etc.

I'm thankful for my Dad.  I'm glad that he allows us to help him.  I've told him from time to time, if we bug him too much, he can let us know.  He always answers with "You don't bug me".

Tonight is another HHS football game - he has already asked if Judy can get the gate opened - he wants to be there for the senior night program.  It will be great!!!!

Where in the World is Concepcion, Paraguay?

It is where Meranda is living. 

I googled it - "Settled on the banks of the Rio Paraguay, the city of Concepcion is not just lost to the South American tourist trail, it is completely unheard of by most."

I also checked the weather - Wednesday 99 - Thursday 99 - Friday 102 - Saturday 102!

I think my prediction will ring true - She is going to look like a Fried Tomato! 

I hope she has enough sunscreen and bug repellant!

Asuncion, Parguay - she made it

After a crazy flight schedule, Hermana Wood arrived in Asuncion, Paraguay in the middle of the night - was driven by the Mission President and wife to the mission home, is hanging out there until tomorrow when she gets a companion and officially begins her work as a missionary! 

I checked the weather for the rest of the week-
73 degrees Wednesday, 82 Thursday; 86 Friday; 90 Saturday - sounds like pretty great weather - and it didn't look like there was any rain in the forecast.

Now the fun begins!

S.O.P.H.O.M.O.R.E.

Today Parker is officially a SOPHOMORE at Hunter High School! 
He was excited, nervous, basically just stressed out. 
He's worried about sweating, where to hang out, what to do for lunch and how to get home after school.
He wonders why he took Honors English.

As his mother, I know how he feels.  That first day of high school still haunts me.
I also worried about sweating, where to hang out and what to do for lunch. 
I didn't have to worry about a ride home - I tagged along with my older "much popular" sister.
I loved Honors English and I know he will too........

He's my "baby" - I am so happy he is in our family.  I don't know what we would do without him.

Good Luck Mr. Sophomore!!!!!

Son #1

Today Preston is starting his first day at the University of Utah.  He is excited but nervous.  I am excited for him.  The 'U' is a great school and I know he will do well.

Part of getting a college education is figuring out how to get it done.  Preston started at SUU in 2006 - went a Semester - was a member of the Football team and was named to the Dean's list.

After his mission he looked at going back to SUU - or to Dixee - or to the U - to go to school and play football.  Instead he enrolled in SLCC, got married, worked at Westlake Jr. High and Hunter High, and coached football. This past spring he earned is Associate Degree from SLCC.

I've always told my kids "If it was easy, everyone would do it!".  Going to school, working, coaching, being married is not easy - but he will get through it.

So good luck today Preston - the end of the road is near - and then you can move to the next "hard" thing in your life whatever it may be!!!!!

POST NUMBER TWO HUNDRED

This is my 200th post on the Woods in the Hood blog........

YIPEE.....DO I GET A PRIZE??????

Dog Days of August

When you are an accountant, your life is tied to first of months, end of months, month end closes, billing, payrolls, reconciliations, etc. and then it starts all over again.  I remember when I worked for several banks owned by Leucadia Corp - we (the group of accountants I worked with) would wonder how long we would have to complete the monthly New York Reporting package.  It was a dreaded report filed monthly and you knew it was only a matter of time when you would be bombarded with questions from Jane in New York.

Well, August became the longest month of the year in my accounting world.  You see, it has the most working days - and being at the end of the summer - it's quite a drag! June is exciting because it is finally summer.  July is awesone - two holidays and then AUGUST....ugghhhhhh!

Today I am finally closing out July - running my stack of reports and preparing to finish my month end work which will take a few days and then....wait....I still have a week and a half left in the month - hopefully time to tackle some projects I have been putting off until....AUGUST!!!!! 

I went home and got Parker and brought him back for lunch at CitiCreek.  We went to Sixth & Pine in Nordstroms - it's a pretty cool place and then we bought a fancy apple at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.  Right now he is sitting on the other side of my desk, playing games on his Itouch - asking what I am doing - why I am doing it.  He has been up on the ledge in my office looking at the brides over at the temple - "who gets married on a Friday afternoon?"  He has made several trips to the bathroom - once hearing a loud conversation between two attorneys.  He was asked by the receptionist if he needed help.  I'm so glad he is experiencing an August afternoon in my work life!

This post doesn't make a whole lot of sense - but that is how August is for me.  Oh and by the way - Parker just looked out the window - still people getting married at 4:30 p.m. and he has to go to the bathroom again......

He has made this long afternoon not so long.......