A Mayor

We have just spent the last 3 days watching Andrew in The Music Man jr.. He was Mayor Shinn.  He was fabulous!  He has worked soo hard.  They practiced every day after school for a long time and on Saturdays.  We had to get a black suit at the DI and a bow tie.  We borrowed Gpa's bowtie but no one knew how to tie one, so we had to get one that clipped.  There were 4 performances and I attended all four.  Didn't really plan to, but thought if I have to drop him off and pick him up, I might as well stay for the hour and a half performance.  It was really cute.  I like the idea of a jr version. It was like 90 minutes long.  Just the right amount.  Andrew's friend Justin was The Music Man.  He was great also.  I was thinking that this is a great thing for kids to be doing.  Even if they are not destined for a career.  It keeps them out of trouble and from catting around getting into trouble.  And you can meet some other nice kids.  It really was terrific!  Michelle and McKenna came, as well as Gma and Gpa. Gma went to three performances with me, and Brooke went to two.  Abi and her friend Imogen went once.  Their friend Tillie Neff was also in the play as one of those pic a little ladies. She was great also.  jack and Nick also came, but they only wanted to see it once.  Imagine! 

Andrew, The Mayor, and his Mother



 

Imodium

      
I have been sick.  Flu.  Couldn't get out of bathroom sick.  It was sat night and didn't get to store.  So I asked Brooke to go to family dollar to get me some stuff.  I needed Imodium (anti diahreal).  I had some but took it to work yesterday cuz I was a bit off.. But it hit Saturday like a vengeance.  And needed some Tums.   She couldn't find Imodium.   So she calls me.  I'm trying to explain to her where it is...by the pepto  bismol, by the tums, maybe by the first aid dept, maybe by Epsom salt stuff.  Who knows but she couldn't find it and I was sure they had it.  I haven't bought this for about 3 years.  I try to have some on hand because if you need it (like its a work day) one really can't go to the store and buy it.  ..

So she finally finds it in the allergy section...who would have thought...$6 she says.  I think that's a bargain.  Oh the family dollar brand was 3.23 for the 24 pack.  Should be good for a few years.  So she goes up to pay..the lady says " oh so glad you found what you were looking for cuz you were on the phone for a long time". Brooke says  "this is for my mother". Lady says " ok we can just say it is for your mother".   Hahahahhaha hah. Brooke was soo embarrassed.  But obviously the lady has never needed Imodium because you can't buy it yourself when you need it!!!!  So glad she bought it for me.  Feeling much Better today.  Right after church started I felt much better!!

Credit Score

I have thought that Facebook and other social media sites make life harder sometimes.  People only post fun things they are doing or who they are dating or fun trips they took or cool stuff they bought. Which then makes us realize just how boring, dateless or stuff less our lives are.  Or all the stuff people are doing without us.  However people never post their credit score or how much debt they have.  So I decided to write about my credit score.  Because I'm proud of my credit and wanted to post it on Facebook but thought it was a bit showy...I have a credit  score of 750!  That is great!

7 years ago I had a credit score somewhere in the 350s.  I had pages of negative accounts.  Pages and more pages.  I mean my credit score was soo low NO one would refinance my ARM loan on my home.  My interest on my house was 17 percent.  Each 6 months the rate would adjust and it kept going up and up.  I had some help getting into that financial mess.  Someone I know opened credit cards in my name and then didn't pay them.  I also owed about 10,000 to the IRS for back taxes that someone said they had paid.  I also owned a car with 100 000 miles on it and no way to replace it...and owing about $10,000 on it.

So fast forward to now.  I have NO negative accounts on my credit report.  Checked yesterday.  I owe NOTHING to the IRS and  even get a refund every year for the last few years.  I just got a home loan, a car loan (with great interest rate) and bought a couch on interest free financing and paid that before the due date!  I really amazed at how much less stress and worry I have since I don't have wierd people callin me at my house or work or coming to the door because I owe them money (that I really didn't open the acct in the first place).It was total stress.  Still, when the doorbell rings I get this sick feeling in my stomach about who is there to confront me or serve me papers for unpaid bills.  FAB feeling.  

The only people I owe now, house, two car loans, old navy, kohls and jcp.  I do owe one other credit card for $550.  That was for our trip to Moab that was super fun...And only 0.22 on my overdraft.  (it's the end of the month so the overdraft could go up....). Anyway, super proud of myself.  Such a sense of stress relief.  Freedom really comes without having lots of debt.  I really can't say what a fabulous money manager I am without also saying I'm a full tithe payer. I really think that one cannot have their financial house in order without paying their tithes and offerings  first.  (More on tithing later)

Hockey on MLK day

We went to the Grizzley Hockey Game on Martin Luther King day.  The game started at 1:35 so it was a great activity for the holiday.  Michelle, McKenna, and Marti joined us.  Marti smuggled a Subway sandwich in his coat pocket and Michelle smuggled a water bottle.  But Michelle got her water bottle confiscated.  Super fun.

The Clemons Clan

Lunch after.  Andrew, Nick, Kenna, Brooke and Abi

The WairHouse

Our cousin, Stella, came to visit. We decided to go to the trampoline park.  We went to WairHouse and jumped on their trampolines for about 2.5 hours.  McKenna decided to join us.  Super good time and super tired after.  I thought it was exhausting jumping all that time.  Andrew didn't come with us.  He thought we were going Minature golfing.  We were going Miniature golfing first, but decided to go jump on the trampoline instead!

Stella, at least part of her

Nick

Stella

Stella and Nick

Stella on the tramp, and Brooke in the pitt

Stella and Jack

Jack

S

Stella and Nick and McKenna

Jack

Nick in the pit

Brooke, Stella, Abi, and McKenna

Stella

Stella and Nick

 

Stella, Nick, Abi and Jack

 

Comparison

Comparison is the thief of joy.  this was a quote I heard on tv.  The news story said that people go into debt because of Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media.  Because people are posting their pics of fun stuff and then you start to think "I deserve that trip or new purse".  But no one usually posts their credit score or how much debt they have.  I have always thought that of social media.  People only post fun stuff they are doing and it lets you know everyone else is having fun and what you are missing or not included in. 

Can't take back stupid

I was watching Dr. Phil today, and his parting words to these boys who were in jail for 50 years for a burglary that resulted in one of them getting shot, was "you can't take back stupid".  It was something about if you are involved in a felony and someone gets killed as a result (even if that wasn't the intent) then it was considered murder. 
So be careful in your actions and when you decide to go along with the group.  It was one of THEM that got killed not the person being burglarized.  And they are being charged with murder. 
 
Excellent advice for everyone...
You can't take back stupid.  I'm going to embroider it on a pillow....

Christmas poem 2013

so every year, grandpa writes a poem about everyone in the family.  So here is this years poem.

CHRISTMAS 2013

It’s Christmas again – two thousand and one three
Does one have to go all the way to Moab just to get a tree?
 

Marti is a nurse. He can even dispense a pill.

He pushed a 500 pound lady all the way up a hill.

He went to Canada with Burnis ‐ they had lots of fun

Marti had to hurry home to get his darn veins done.
Cleaned our rain gutters. Put up Christmas light.
With a little help from Kerry – everything turned out right.
He goes to the garage to have a little smokeThat’s where he cooks his meat ‐ I didn’t mean a joke
At Bear Lake every day he reserved our sand.
When Marti is the host – most things turn out grand.
 

Abi’s a goalie in soccer. She runs fast in track.

Honor roll in school. What do you think of that ??

She was in the talent show ‐ made the keyboard play.

Basketball with the Catholics. What has she got to say ?
Can give a massage to hand or to feet
To Abi from all of us – a Merry Christmas treat.

Hayden gets around in a brand new truck

Has 20 friends till midnight with a little bit of luck.

Student council and seminary ‐ is there no end

The one remaining question – is Sierra more than a friend ??
 

Micaela works at Hale Theatre. Also at Barrel Crackle

She went on her very first – her very first backpack

A death in Ohio ‐ Micaela took a trip.

To pay for Brigadoon – that we sort of skip.

A night out with Micaela, Blake thought that would be great.
Turned out to be – a heavy dancing date. 

Andrew takes out our garbage; he shovels our snow.

Electric guitar at 7:15 – what a way to go !!

Gambles on Wednesday night – he cut and dragged their tree
Even works with Kerry – that’s impressive – at least to meGot a sack in football ‐ I think it was in a dream
He’s the most expensive player – on any football team.

Paula was released from Sunday School – is a counselor in the stake.

Many times to New York ‐ When will Mark’s back pocket break ?
One of the nicest person you could have ever met
One major problem – she got a speeding ticket.
 

Mitchell’s on a mission – representing us all well.

Has converted most of Colombia as far as I can tell.

Should be home this time next year ‐

Speaking only Spanish – that is what I fear.
 

Jack loves football – especially Tom Brady.

Usually does his homework ‐ That means he gets good grady.
Made 2 goals in a game – thinks Marti is O.K.
Loves cauliflower and dip – what more can I say?
He didn’t like his purple coat – that nice coat he has
Until he found out – on the outside it said Jazz.
 

Stella got baptized. She likes to play ball.

Best friend is Deacon. Stella’s growing tall.

What Stella does most is look for an elf ‐

Best place to look is somewhere on a shelf.
Any way you look at it – Stella is a jewel !
What does she like best? She likes her Dean Allen School.
 

Blake likes to keep busy – as anyone can see.

Spends his working hours at A. R. U. P.
He took a trip – Mark’s house was his wish
Backpacking was a different story – you see Blake caught no fish.He went to Medieval ‐ thought that would be good
Only problem was – they took away his foodHe went to the Nutcracker ‐ I think he took a chance.
Will he now want to change jobs – You know and turn to dance??
 

Maureen teaches Cubs. Spends each day in school.

Get 10 days off each year – especially for Yule.
Shops at Van Husen – dresses very lady like.
Almost got lost on the Delicate Arch hike.Did the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day ‐
Parked her car in a snow bank – what more can I say?
 

Luke is a student. He likes middle school.

Deacon quorum counselor. Luke must be a jewel.
A champion in track. He knows all the rest.
He’s the tops when it comes to Laser Quest.
 

Michelle organized our trip to Bear Lake.

Spends her time in Court where she’s usually awake.Writes to Mitchell week after week
Works in primary where she gets to speak.
Rode her bike and took a great fall.

Got a new kitchen ‐ This year was a ball.

William came to set up our new TV set.

Spent more time fixing our darn toilet.

He coached football. Took our TV stand out.
Fixing up things is what William is all about.
He replaced some of our lights that were out.
Had a birthday this month – did everyone shout out??
 

Grace lives in New York ‐ you know.

Tries not to miss any Broadway show.

Spends her days at the Teddy Store
Can walk in Central Park if her life gets bore.
 

McKenna got her medallion if anybody care

I’d be more impressed if she’d pack her underwear.

She works with Kerry ‐ always having fun.

What she’d rather do ‐ is go for a run.
She’s always happy ‐ full of Christmas joys

Her real specialty is Polynesian boys.

 

Nick played football ‐ His team was the champs.

Likes the 49ers – the same team as gramps.
He likes to spin quarters – can make a popcorn ball.
More than once made the quarterback fall.
Takes piano lessons – from his teacher a dirty look.
Only reason for that – he forgot to take his book.
 

Mark lives in Las Vegas – where he has to wrap pipe.

He takes it all in stride – he doesn’t even gripe.
He went to Notre Dame – about that he gloats
All around the motel room were written Darin notes !!
All the important things in life – that’s what makes Mark care
Had the attendant take his picture in the gas station chair.
 

McCall is home from Oregon. She really liked it there.

She’s doing well in school ‐ It’s chemistry she doesn’t care
She went back to the coast to do a little preaching.
When she goes to church in Utah – it’s Relief Society teaching.
She’s already been a bridesmaid. She can do anything with a broom.
The thing I can’t understand – why can’t she clean her room?
 

Brooke has a new car. Does it ever get wash?

Rumor has it – went to the dance with Josh.
She went to Tuachan – just how did she dress?
Their major objective – it was Starlight Express.
Her favorite teacher – is Mr. Tator Tot.
Christmas cards with Archaletta – she likes him a lot.
 

Marlena’s the Queen – the Queen of Bear Lake.

What does she do for me ? Limits my chocolate intake.

She also bought us a brand new TV
It’s down in the basement for all to see.
She lost her friend Sirpa – that’s what we were told.
Tied McKenna’s quilt – I hope it will hold.

 

 

Marlena’s my 1st wife – the heck with the rest.

How do I rate her ? I still think she’s the BEST.

That’s about it. We’ve come to the end.
All your Christmas money – I’m sure it’s been spend.
In my fondest thoughts, I hold everyone dear !!
So Merry Christmas to each and a Happy New Year.