Snakes, Snakes, and More Snakes

What we won't do to keep the birds away....

now, don't get me wrong. We enjoy watching birds, but this summer, we have been inundated with birds and especially what they leave behind; on our tables, chairs, windows.

We couldn't eat outside (the table was a mess), sit outside (the chairs were a mess)....they have even made quite a mess of our windows over and over again.

So, it was time for drastic measures...hence the plastic snakes...will it work?

Time will tell...too bad we won't be here to see the results.

Looking Out the Front Window

one almost-last look....

Cleaning Out the Pantry

I gave some to my nephew,
some to my brother,
some to Janessa to cook in her dorm,
some to Jenni and her family.....

We have eaten so much soup that I feel like I am the poster child for Campbell's.

You can't see it in this picture, but there's still lots of stuff on the top shelf, there's also MORE soup in another closet, that we will enjoy upon our return.

I've packed Taco seasoning in the suitcase per one of the former China teacher's suggestion, and I've actually had to throw some food out, sad to say.

But, Kayla and Kinley....enjoy these clean shelves...they have only looked this good one other time. That was when we moved in!

Sunday - Self Portrait

I'm not big on taking my own pictures, but as I headed out the door for church on Sunday, I thought I'd try a photo technique my kids do sometimes. So, I snapped a picture....please note:

pictures gone from the walls - if you look very closely, you will see the nails where some family photos once hung...I've taken down all the family pictures so Kayla and Kinley can personalize the home for themselves.

the beautiful turquoise necklace Allen made several years ago

stressed look/tired eyes/phony smile as lurking in the back of my mind is this thought:

"What else can I possibly remove from my suitcase - it weighs well over 50 punds and I've already removed all non-essential items - (I do need chocolate, right)?"

Okay, enough with the self-portraits - once was more than enough!

Saturday Evening - Waiting for the Play to Start

Spectacular setting,

Lovely evening; a little warm, but doable,

Free tickets given to us by our soon-to-be renter,

Suroounded by blue skies, red rock, and later on twinkling stars,

Perfect......except....

Really StuPiD play!

Ah, can't have it all, I guess.

Church in the Making

Wonder what this will look like when we see it again in 11 months?

This is about 4 blocks from our home.

The Window Washer

He's my older brother and he doesn't do much traveling, so it was awesome that he came for a short visit.

She's my sister-in-law and it was SUPER awesome that she washed our windows...actually, it was quite unreal that she would do that. She was so excited about learning how to do it the "DON ASLETT" way, that she brought all the equipment, and set right to it.

Thanks, Kaey and Shauna, for the visit and for the clean windows!

Oh, I WIll Miss This....

"Grandma," she'll ask, "Can I come over and sleep?" or "Can I bring some friends over to watch a movie?"

But, she's going to college, we're going to China.

She will be missed!

Tuesday - Late Afternoon -Just So I Can Remember

Home is Where the Heart Is.....

Window Mystery

When we arrived home from church on Sunday, we were very surprised to see strange somethings on our back window...it is weird.

It looks like a bunch of little bird seed, but there are water streaks running down below the seed-like "things." It is just on one window out of nine large windows that we have along the back of the house. It is just plain strange...

My poor back windows; they are getting hammered this summer...tomorrow, it's clean-em up time.

New School Shoes

Twins

Funky Colors

Mixed-up Feet....

ahh, to be 16 again in the first week of school.

A Perfect Saturday Morning

We sat out on the back patio, enjoying our drink of banana, orange juice, spinach, canned pears, flaxseed (finished the package off), and yogurt.

It was a spectacular morning...cool, beautiful, peaceful. Two weeks from today, we will be gone.

I love our home.

Friday 13- Last Day of China Classes

Two weeks, 100 hours, what a memorable two weeks. But, it ended today with a graduation ceremony and the handing out of diplomas. I guess we know all we need to know to head to China on August 26.....

Our Home For Two Weeks...

Thanks, Justin and Amy, for letting us crash here every night for the past two weeks; it's been great. And, we are grateful you let us be here.

China's Treasure Chest

When Mao was alive, he would not allow his picture on any currency, but now it is on all the money.

But, this is not the treasure I refer to in the title; it is the beautiful, amazing, talented, feisty, spiritual, strong, people we are meeting who are headed to China with us for the year 2010-2011. In two weeks, I have come to admire these 68 diverse people headed to the Far East.

Oh, I will consider this a life-long treasure...long after the money has gone.

Gotta Be a First!

They live right next door to our son. And this really made me laugh; it's a swimming pool in the back of the pick-up......pretty clever boys, eh?

The Speaker

At 13, she was forced to live and work in the countryside, along with 16 million others displaced during the Cultural Revolution. She was hungry; there was little food, she was separated from her parents. For three and a half years she lived away from her family out in the countryside. She got up with the sun each morning and during the summer, she worked in the fields 14-15 hours each day. All the work was done by hand. One summer, there was a terrible drought and even the well went dry. Using a sibling's text books, she studied at night using an oil lamp. When the universities finallly reopened, she took the test, and was #1 from all the students in the countryside. 106 people applied to get into the school, and 4 were accepted. She was able to attend university and then to go to Chicago. Today, she works for an engineering firm in Salt Lake City.

Her story was dramatic, poignant, honest, and a reminder of what a great blessing freedom is.

Heather, Chas, Meg

This is our branch president's wife and 2 of her 6 children. Today, a District Conference was held at BYU. Many expats, who live in China, were in the US for summer vacation, so they were able to attend the incredible and inspiring meeting.

Imagine, the next time I see them, I will be in the hotel where we meet for church in Guangzhou.

Saturday Evening - Provo Temple Grounds

The Fine Art of Eating With Chopsticks

Can I Get Used to This?

This picture was passed around today as a reminder of what we are getting ourselves into...maybe that isn't the best terminolgy to use.....

Wednesday - In the Classroom

Chinese history, government; health issues; computer issues; how to teach foreign students; how to teach writing...

you can get it all right in this classroom. This is a mighty impressive group of seniors....

Tuesday - Headed to China

These are the people in our group who are headed to Guangzhou, China. We will be living right next door to Chye and Ruth Teh...The other two couples will be across town at two other universities.

Monday - Back to School

Whoa, it began in earnest - 12 hours a day in the classroom learning all about:
Chinese history, culture, traditions, diseases we might get, insurance issues, but we met some very impressive people this first day.

New Checker Champ

He learned to play three days ago....already he's outsmarting lots of us...

Saturday - Jul 31 - Virginia Cuties in Idaho

Can you even imagine how excited I was to learn that Lucy and Anna were going to be in Idaho the same time we were....I was so happy to see them along with their mom, Andy. Fun, fun, fun!

Friday - jul 30 -Ponderosa Home

we lived in this lovely home for two years. Allen planted all these trees, shrubs, lawn. It's for sale, and it will be a fantastic home for someone. It has an incredibly huge family room in the basement, great back yard which is totally fenced in. Oh, sometimes I miss this home...then I think of winter, and I'm okay.