Posts filed under 'Family'
Chestnut Locks for Sale
With all the countless ways that I’ve tried to help my husband
provide for our family, this is probably the hardest. I have been growing my hair out for almost 4 years (after practically buzzing it off after a bad perm…I just moved to Utah and wanted to fit in, I guess) and I’ve discovered that there is a market for human hair to be used in wigs.
I’m not sure what price my snail’s-pace growth of hair will fetch, but after browsing through several “sold” ads, I’m thinking that I should get a minimum of $200 for my beautiful layers. I just posted on www.HairTrader.com if you’d like to check out my ad.
Add comment July 18, 2008
Gone Fishing…
On Saturdays, I like to be able to go out and do something with my family. However, the need for yard-work prevailed and I ended up pulling weeds out of the garden while Aaron mowed the lawn. Tomorrow is a new day, though, and we’ll probably end up at Salem pond…and hopefully come back with a couple fish. 
Add comment June 28, 2008
Vacation Canceled?
This year doesn’t seem to be going so good, as far as vacation goes. First off, we usually have the Ward family reunion during the summer months. This year it was canceled on account of the high gas prices and the distance that everyone would have to travel. Second, my family (parents and grandma) usually go to the Riviera Beach and Spa Resort in Dana Point, California, during September for our week-long vacation…that too was canceled. What the heck is going on? Will we even take a vacation this year?
One way or another, we’re taking a vacation. Even if it’s just gonna be our little three-some. Maybe we’ll save it for our anniversary or Christmas? Luckily with Aaron’s new job, he gets two weeks of paid vacation on top of paid holidays (what a great blessing), so we get to take more time off than we’re used to. I can’t wait to have something to look forward too! It gets a little dull around here and I love it when we have a trip planned, especially back home to California
Add comment June 25, 2008
Learning the Art of Tatting
Yesterday, I spent a couple hours sitting in the Mormon Handicraft room on the second floor of the Deseret Bookstore. It was 98 degrees, and my husband and son and I had just come from the Farmer’s Market in Salt Lake City. It was nice to be inside after our long stroll through the park. I felt a little uncomfortable at first, as I climbed the stairs, realizing that I had come here alone and feeling a bit nervous about conversing with a handful of strangers after becoming something less than a social butterfly from my two years of being a stay-at-home-mom. Still, sitting at a 8ft plastic table, in a matching plastic chair, surrounded by neat rows of coordinating fabric and fascinating women, I learned to tat.
This was my second class. I originally had been invited by my mother-in-law to attend with her step-mom, friend and herself. My husband graciously offered to watch our son while I was gone. This time I was dropped off at the store on Fort Union Blvd. and proceeded alone.
As soon as I sat down, I was relieved to see a new face and someone who was (I assume) close to my age. I didn’t feel quite so alone anymore. She took notes and I listened to how the teacher, Heidi Sugden, helped her to position the shuttle in her hands, wrap the thread around and make the first double stitch. That was me last month, learning how to take my first steps in tatting.
I was now anxiously awaiting my turn for instructions. All month long, I had been dieing to know the next steps to take so I could start a new project. When she got to me, Heidi patiently helped me through the process to join my stitches and start my first project…a small doily. I was elated, to say the least. I had learned a new skill. I had learned something that I could teach my grandma and not the other way around. I was proud!
So, all last night I stayed up and finished my first doily and started on my own pattern (that I found online, of course) to make a bookmark. I’m still working on it now, but I will post pictures as soon as I’m done. I can’t wait till the next class where we will be starting on snowflakes. If you are interested in joining the class, it will be held at 1-3pm on July 19th and August 9th at the Deseret Bookstore in Midvale: 1110 E. Fort Union Blvd. The best part is, it’s free of charge and all you have to do is call (801) 561-8777 to register (they will transfer you to the Handicraft room).
Hope to see ya there!
7 comments June 22, 2008
Featured on Tony Hawk’s “Shred or Die”
Dude, this is my cousin (2nd cousin to be precise)! I just wanted to share this with everyone ’cause the kid’s got talent. Check it out:
Add comment May 16, 2008
Scanlan Family Mini-Reunion
I was living in Irvine, CA at the time and was about to move to Utah. My brother was getting ready to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Scotland. And this would be the last vacation that I would have with my Grandpa.
(Left to Right: Edward (Grandpa), Patricia (Grandma), Tyler, Me , Patrick & Jennifer (Mom & Dad))
We spent 7 days total in Maui, Hawaii. Of course, two of those days were spent flying there and back. What a long trip that was. I was able to watch two movies just on the flight there.
When we got there, we took a boat ride over to Molokai crater to snorkel with the fishes. We urged my grandma to take something so she wouldn’t get sea-sick, but she absolutely refused. So, she got sick and wasn’t able to go in the water. The water was kinda murky, but I got some great pics of the State fish, Humuhumunukunukuapua’a. Say that ten times fast!
Then we went surfing and got lessons for my grandpa and mom. I think they both had a great time, but my mom was the only one to actually stand up. My dad and brother and I went off to catch our own waves and watch our pupils’ progress from afar. [When you're surfing, you want to give the newbies lots of room, just in case they fly off their board and fling it in your direction. Nothing hurts worse than having the edge of a fiberglass board hit you square in the nose or jaw (except maybe a shark-bite). When I come up from the water, I try to put my arm out first, to make sure there's no boards in my way when I jump up and gasp for air.] We rented our boards from a place across from the beach, but unfortunately, they didn’t sell wax. The one really nice wave I caught planted my chin right on top of the board, when my hands slipped off the sides. Other than that, it was a lot of fun.
We were also able to spend a day driving the Hana Highway. Let me tell you, if you plan on taking that drive, pack a lunch because there is nothing on the other side. At least, nothing that’s open after 5pm. We stopped at a trail head located near a fruit smoothie stand. I can’t for the life of me remember the name of the falls we went to…but Ohhh My Goshhh! It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. My dad and I went swimming right underneath it and it was just so magical. Everything was green, the sky was overcast and raining, but the sun suddenly started pouring in through the thick trees above the falls. It took us a couple hours, at least, to make it there and back but it was well worth the effort. We stopped at another pool right off the side of the highway and took another dip. For how wet it was, the air was surprisingly hot. We also made another stop to watch the local kids jump off some tall rocks into the stream.
It was a wonderful trip that I’ll never forget. I hope one day to take my husband there on a second honeymoon
Add comment May 8, 2008
The Ward Family Reunion
(Back Row: Dennis, Nathan, Ron (FIL), Ken)
(Middle Row: Kathryn, Shelly, Terrie)
(Front Row: Dean and Barbara Ward, or Grandma & Grandpa)
I get really excited about this, even though most people dread reunions. Every year, my husband’s father’s side of the family all gets together and does something during one of the summer holidays. Since we’re in Utah, we get July 4th and the 24th (Pioneer Day) for holidays.
My first year into the family, we went camping in Green River, Utah. Shaun was only a month old and I was 
still exhausted, but it was such a great opportunity for me to get to know everyone a little bit better, especially the other young wives and mothers. The in-laws brought a friend’s trailer, so baby Shaun was able to sleep with them, while Aaron and I slept in a one-room tent. It was loads of fun. I genuinely enjoy camping and I wish we got to do more of it.
For my second year, we drove down to St. George, Utah. We were able to stay in a friend’s condo and sleep comfortably on a queen-sized bed, while Shaun slept peacefully in his own crib in a separate room. You never realize how precious sleep in until you don’t have it!
Last year was an exciting experience. We were able to drive into Zion’s National Park and enjoy all the beauty that Mother Nature had to offer…until my car died in the middle of the tunnel. We were honked at by everyone behind us. “There’s no stopping in the tunnel!” they shouted. Obviously we had stopped to take pictures, because what other reason would we have suddenly stopped on a one lane road going up hill in the dark? No one even bothered to help. Fortunately, one of Aaron’s cousins was behind us in a van, so they pushed us all the way out and onto the first turn-off. We popped the hood and it hadn’t overheated. There was plenty of fluid and nothing was steaming. Maybe the alternator? No. Nothing was wrong with my car. We got it started and managed to coast back down into civilization. Because it was a holiday, all the mechanics were closed. So, we took my in-law’s car back to our house in Payson and waited to hear what the mechanic would say the next day. Turns out, so
meone syphoned the gas tank. Because my car has electrical problems, the electronic gas-gauge doesn’t work, so we just fill it up when we get to about 300 miles on the odometer. We had only gone about 150 miles since our last fill-up, so we didn’t even think that that could be the problem. Well, at least it was a cheap fix…after we attempted to replace another part in hopes of getting the car started. That was only about $60. At least we weren’t the only ones with car trouble that day. It’s funny now, but it wasn’t at the time. Two other families had their van overheat, but everyone was ok and able to get home safely. That’s what really matters, right?
So, this year we’re heading up to Idaho. Somewhere north of Pocatello is what I’ve been hearing, but it’s a little early to be for sure. Now, I’ll tell you why I love these trips so much. I don’t have any family within 700 miles of where I live. My parent’s are in California with one of my aunts and my grandma. My other aunts, uncles and cousins, live in Washington, Tennessee, and now Rhode Island. It was different when I was younger because everyone lived within a couple hours of each other. Now we’re all split up. I love my whole family and think it’s so important to be close, because you never know when they’ll be gone.
Add comment May 8, 2008
The Almighty Aaron
What kind of wife would I be if I didn’t pay homage to the man that made it all happen…the one who gave me so much love and then gave me the world. He not only takes out the trash whenever I ask, but he supports me in everything I do, especially staying home with our son and taking on a new business. Oh yes, I do love that man of mine!
Add comment May 6, 2008
Terms of Endearment
It’s funny to think about it, but there are so many words that I use to affectionately name my son. Some have been passed down and some are new from myself and other family members. Here’s a list of a few:
- Frog (Compliments of my MIL)
- Pumpkin-Head (Thanks, Mom)
- Boo-Boo (Thanks again, Mom)
- Bebe (I think I picked this up from my friend, Tamara)
- Stinky (Well, he is!)
- Baby Boy (This one is strictly from my husband & I)
Now, I wonder what he’ll start calling me, aside from “Mom”?
Add comment April 29, 2008
The Sounds of My Youth
Everyone has a set of nostalgic tunes that takes you back to when life was sweet and simple, including me. Many a good memory takes me to a beautiful Spring Saturday morning: waking up to the stereo blasting in the living room, sunlight pouring in through the dusty cream-colored shutters by the windows, and the smell of lemon-scented Pledge wafting in the cool breeze of our single ceiling fan. Spring in Palm Springs, California, was always warm and sunny, which made me want to head off for the beach. And of course, the drive…filled with sweet music.
Oingo Boingo is the first band that I think of when I reminisce about my childhood. Something about the energy in their music, just makes me want to dance. That saying a lot since I’m more of a bobbing wallflower than a dancer. Songs like “Just Another Day”, “Dead Man’s Party”, “Little Girls”, and “We Close Our Eyes” were popular on our stereo and I still love them to this very day. This is the band that streamlined my taste in music to the Ska genre (Reel Big Fish, Suburban Legends, Codename: Rocky), courtesy of the big-band trumpets.
More sweet sounds were to be heard from none other than, Guns N Roses. Can’t you just hear them now? “Welcome to the Jungle baby!…It’s gonna bring ya to ya sha na na na na na knees!” And who could forget “November Rain” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine”? Sometimes, I wish I had somewhere to drive by myself, so I could sing and strain all their deliciously wild songs without the repercussions of damaging someone else’s ear drums.
It doesn’t end there. I could never leave out one of my other all-time favorites, Boston. I usually ended up listening to their Greatest Hits album, until I found the one entitled, Third Stage. The opening music, purely instrumental, hits all the right notes. It seamlessly leads into the following songs and holds nothing back. This album in a word…Beautiful.
Now that I’ve got that nostalgic feeling back again…I think I’m off to expose my son to the all the wonderful sounds of my youth, in hopes that he’ll come to appreciate the art as much as I have.
Stay Tuned!
Add comment April 22, 2008
