Hot Pot Singer Dinger

To my brothers:

Remember how we used to tease each other unmercifully when we were little?  We had fun nicknames for each other  (Hos Van Cartwright, Squirrel Pie, Hang Tooth, TA--or TATA--??).  Remember when all nine of us would wrap ourselves in blankets and then tumble down the stairs in one big heap?  What about the brother(s) who often came home from the across-the-street park with a cool bike or Big Wheel that they "found?" We also loved to catch each other singing on the potty.  If that ever happened, we would sit outside of the bathroom door and chant:  "Hot Pot Singer Dinger!" Those were good times, weren't they?

I had forgotten about the Hot Pot Singer Dinger chant until just the other day when I had to help a sweet older person get on the potty and then wait for them to finish their business.  You can't hurry these things, and usually I would leave them to it and ask them push their call button when they were done.  But not this person, oh no.  They wanted to have a full on conversation with me.  Twenty minutes later, after repeated inquiries into whether or not they had finished, we were able to wrap things up.  As I helped this lovely person back into their chair, I could hear the lovely strains of "Hot Pot Singer Dinger" running through my head while exiting the room.

So, dear brothers, thank for the fun and crazy times we shared as younguns...the memories have brightened many a day and have given many occasions to laugh!

A Prince in the Making...

I had a friend email this picture to me last week.  Isn't that a good looking couple?  She looks just like Audrey Hepburn.  I think Audrey totally copied her style and elegance.  A few years ago, this now older gentleman spoke of his courtship of this lovely young woman, and it is truly a fairy tale story.  Our young women group was invited to the General Young Women Conference where he told us this story, and I think every young girl (and us older women) fell in love with him ourselves.  My girls and I call him "Hottie Uchtdorf."

Is that a little sacrilegious? However, it fits and he is a very handsome older gentlemen, and a very nice human being to boot.  Harriet definitely got herself a prince of a man.

(Prince and Princess Uchtdorf waving to their adoring public)

As a side note, I was asked to say the closing prayer in Sacrament Meeting today.  When I got to the chapel, I noticed that President Uchtdorf was in town and on the stand.  No pressure.

Summer's End

We had a Cousin Camp today at Kim's house to commemorate the end of summer and the beginning of another school year.  Yikes, where did the summer go?  It has been a busy, fun-filled 10 weeks and for once I'm not ready to ship the kids off to school.  As Ashley and I walked the halls of South Davis Jr. High at her back to school night, and felt the excitement brimming off of the kids, I realized how happy I am that she is going to this school for her 9th grade...it has a very positive vibe and the teachers were excited to have her again in their classes.  I sense and anticipate great things from this school year.  

Madi is also on the brink of an exciting year:  senior year of high school, college applications, an internship using her CNA and new job at The Legacy House.  We both got jobs at the same retirement home (although we will be working different shifts), and we begin our training next week.  It's been a laid back summer with some fun trips, delicious watermelon (I personally have eaten at least five on my own), good books, Ragnar/Dessert News running events, long bike rides, leisurely walks with Jesse, movie marathons and BBQ cookouts.   But now it's back to a schedule--work and school--and the shortened days of autumn and winter.  The light is already changing, and soon the crispness will be in the air, signalling the change of seasons.  Ahh, the lazy dog days of summer....I will miss you!