Marina, California, about 1980:
Marina, California has a beach is surrounded by steep sand dune cliffs that drop straight into the ocean. We lived not far from the ocean. In fact, as the bird flies, there was just one big sand dune between our home and the water. At times we hiked the dune, but never ventured too far or we'd fall off the cliff.
About one mile away distance was the Marina Beach with a small sandy shore, but the water concealed dangerous riptides and "no swimming" signs were posted. Because of it's location on Monterey Bay, it was also often very windy, foggy, and cold.
To have a real beach experience, we regularly went back to my home in Newport Beach.
One night for Family Home Evening we read the Book of Mormon story in 1 Nephi where Nephi's angry brothers try to throw him off the cliff. Then we drove down to the Marina Beach where the sand dunes are small and re-enacted the scene, playfully pushed each other on the dune.
There are times we only see the sand dunes in our lives and they may be fun to explore for a time. If we continue our journey on the dune and we may not realize that they mask treacherous cliffs that may destroy us. Be safe. Only go where you know it is safe.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Busy Days
Marina, California, Spring-Summer 1980:
It took a lot of energy to keep up with 4 active, healthy children. As they got older and became involved in more outside activities, the days zoomed past fast.
Tim was 8 years old. He had piano lessons, cub scouts, and baseball 3 times a week (twice a week were baseball games).
Amy at 6 participated in Brownies, "Dance and Twirl" (Baton) lessons, and was rehearsing for a play 3 nights a week. She had auditioned for a play at California's First Theater in Monterey and got the part! It's was a melodrama called "Ruined by Drink" and she played a young girl that got very sick. The play ran all summer long for 2 or 3 nights each week. Plus, she was marching in parades that summer with the Dance & Twirl Club.
Billy, 4, was going to Preschool 3 times a week. His class is put on the production "Peter Rabbit" - with Billy playing the part of a vegetable!
Sarah kept me busy just chasing her! She learned where her belly button was, but when I asked her where Billy was, she pointed to her belly button!
I was attending college classes 2 mornings and 2 nights each week. My major was Interior Design. Drafting class was great to challenge my brain to think through problems, and then see them worked out on paper.
Needless to say, some days I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open. It was all good, though. All good.
It took a lot of energy to keep up with 4 active, healthy children. As they got older and became involved in more outside activities, the days zoomed past fast.
Tim was 8 years old. He had piano lessons, cub scouts, and baseball 3 times a week (twice a week were baseball games).
Amy at 6 participated in Brownies, "Dance and Twirl" (Baton) lessons, and was rehearsing for a play 3 nights a week. She had auditioned for a play at California's First Theater in Monterey and got the part! It's was a melodrama called "Ruined by Drink" and she played a young girl that got very sick. The play ran all summer long for 2 or 3 nights each week. Plus, she was marching in parades that summer with the Dance & Twirl Club.
Billy, 4, was going to Preschool 3 times a week. His class is put on the production "Peter Rabbit" - with Billy playing the part of a vegetable!
Sarah kept me busy just chasing her! She learned where her belly button was, but when I asked her where Billy was, she pointed to her belly button!
I was attending college classes 2 mornings and 2 nights each week. My major was Interior Design. Drafting class was great to challenge my brain to think through problems, and then see them worked out on paper.
Needless to say, some days I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open. It was all good, though. All good.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Lost a Wheel
On a Trip to Southern California, 12 February 1982:
As we were driving to Southern California for a long weekend our Volkswagen van broke down again! Previously, we'd broken down two times going there and two times coming home. The Lord was really watching over us this time or we could have been seriously injured. We were going down a steep grade of the San Diego Freeway at 5:30 in the morning when the rear of the car began to shimmy and shake.
Tom pulled to the side of the road and got out to check out the trouble. He discovered the left rear tire had come loose from the axle! The tire never left the car because the tire was higher than the fender. If it had left the car, it would have been very hard to control, possibly even making us skid and roll in front of other trucks and cars. THAT was a miracle.
Though Tom had pulled all the way to the curb, there was little space between the lane of traffic and the car. It was pitch black outside and cars raced by in the dark. Tom sat on the ground (almost in the lane of traffic) and tried to kick the tire back on. It would not budge.
Seeing the cars and trucks racing by within inches of Tom and the van, I thought we'd all be dead by daybreak.
Tim and I walked to a call box (no cell phones in 1982) and phoned for a tow truck. The dispatcher asked if Tim and I were alone. She was concerned because the Hillside Strangler that had not yet been apprehended. I needed to know that! Once Tim and I were back at the car, a police officer stopped by and said for our protection we needed to be inside the car, up in the front (in case a driver plowed into the back of our van)! That was encouraging.
Finally, the tow truck arrived and towed us to a repair shop. We did not die that night, but I'm sure the guardian angels were working overtime. I am grateful for their protection.
As we were driving to Southern California for a long weekend our Volkswagen van broke down again! Previously, we'd broken down two times going there and two times coming home. The Lord was really watching over us this time or we could have been seriously injured. We were going down a steep grade of the San Diego Freeway at 5:30 in the morning when the rear of the car began to shimmy and shake.
Tom pulled to the side of the road and got out to check out the trouble. He discovered the left rear tire had come loose from the axle! The tire never left the car because the tire was higher than the fender. If it had left the car, it would have been very hard to control, possibly even making us skid and roll in front of other trucks and cars. THAT was a miracle.
Though Tom had pulled all the way to the curb, there was little space between the lane of traffic and the car. It was pitch black outside and cars raced by in the dark. Tom sat on the ground (almost in the lane of traffic) and tried to kick the tire back on. It would not budge.
Seeing the cars and trucks racing by within inches of Tom and the van, I thought we'd all be dead by daybreak.
Tim and I walked to a call box (no cell phones in 1982) and phoned for a tow truck. The dispatcher asked if Tim and I were alone. She was concerned because the Hillside Strangler that had not yet been apprehended. I needed to know that! Once Tim and I were back at the car, a police officer stopped by and said for our protection we needed to be inside the car, up in the front (in case a driver plowed into the back of our van)! That was encouraging.
Finally, the tow truck arrived and towed us to a repair shop. We did not die that night, but I'm sure the guardian angels were working overtime. I am grateful for their protection.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Soledad Surprise
Marina, California, about 1982:
After our six months without any car, we purchased a used Volkswagen Pop top Camper (Van). It ran fine for the first couple of years, but then it began to give us trouble. When the engine wouldn't start, we'd push it to get it rolling and then pop the clutch. Other times, the engine overheated and we'd have to shut it down until it cooled.
One time we had traveled in the van to Southern California to visit with my parents. On the trip home we limped the car along Highway 101. When the engine became too hot, we pulled the car off the road. We slowly turned from the exit and drove down a small road, and finally stopped where the road ended.
Knowing we'd have to wait for the car to cool, we piled out of the car, spread a blanket, and munched on Oreo cookies. We tried to lighten the mood by cracking jokes.
As we sat there in good spirits, a man approached us. He told us we needed to move our car, that the people nearby were not known for good behavior. He announced we were on Soledad prison grounds! We had no idea! This was not a joke!
We grabbed our blanket and cookies, jumped into the car, and Tom turned the key, but the engine would not start. It was still too hot. Those that were able piled out of the car and pushed it back down the country road, glad to be safe.
After our six months without any car, we purchased a used Volkswagen Pop top Camper (Van). It ran fine for the first couple of years, but then it began to give us trouble. When the engine wouldn't start, we'd push it to get it rolling and then pop the clutch. Other times, the engine overheated and we'd have to shut it down until it cooled.
One time we had traveled in the van to Southern California to visit with my parents. On the trip home we limped the car along Highway 101. When the engine became too hot, we pulled the car off the road. We slowly turned from the exit and drove down a small road, and finally stopped where the road ended.
Knowing we'd have to wait for the car to cool, we piled out of the car, spread a blanket, and munched on Oreo cookies. We tried to lighten the mood by cracking jokes.
As we sat there in good spirits, a man approached us. He told us we needed to move our car, that the people nearby were not known for good behavior. He announced we were on Soledad prison grounds! We had no idea! This was not a joke!
We grabbed our blanket and cookies, jumped into the car, and Tom turned the key, but the engine would not start. It was still too hot. Those that were able piled out of the car and pushed it back down the country road, glad to be safe.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Death of Our Cars
Marina, California, 1978:
I was expecting Sarah when both of our cars died. Neither was worth repairing, the cost too great. We were also facing big medical bills for Sarah's delivery. The fire department where Tom worked only had maternity coverage for "complications" of pregnancy, so we needed to pay both the doctor and hospital bills (about $1000 in total).
We scrapped both cars and paid the bills, but then we had to search for other ways to get places. We lived about eight miles from our ward building, and the city buses did not run on Sundays, so we found a family near our home that had room in their car, and they picked us up each Sunday for church.
For doctor appointments ten miles away, three year old Billy and I took the city bus.
To purchase groceries, I'd walk with the children (about a 3/4 of a mile) pulling our little red wagon with some riding in it on the way to the store. We'd place our purchases in the wagon and the children and I all walked home. (Once Sarah was born, she rode in a backpack on my back).
The Christmas season was a little challenging. I ordered all our gifts from the JC Penny Catalog and had them delivered to our home for a small charge. When we wanted to put up a Christmas tree, we walked a mile and a half to a Christmas tree lot, picked out a tree, and paid for it. Then to get it home we just turned it sideways and carried it on our shoulders!
It was a sacrifice to give up our cars, but in the end we were blessed with healthier bodies from all the walking, appreciation for a car, and after six months, had saved enough money to purchase a Volkswagen van (about $1800).
I was expecting Sarah when both of our cars died. Neither was worth repairing, the cost too great. We were also facing big medical bills for Sarah's delivery. The fire department where Tom worked only had maternity coverage for "complications" of pregnancy, so we needed to pay both the doctor and hospital bills (about $1000 in total).
We scrapped both cars and paid the bills, but then we had to search for other ways to get places. We lived about eight miles from our ward building, and the city buses did not run on Sundays, so we found a family near our home that had room in their car, and they picked us up each Sunday for church.
For doctor appointments ten miles away, three year old Billy and I took the city bus.
To purchase groceries, I'd walk with the children (about a 3/4 of a mile) pulling our little red wagon with some riding in it on the way to the store. We'd place our purchases in the wagon and the children and I all walked home. (Once Sarah was born, she rode in a backpack on my back).
The Christmas season was a little challenging. I ordered all our gifts from the JC Penny Catalog and had them delivered to our home for a small charge. When we wanted to put up a Christmas tree, we walked a mile and a half to a Christmas tree lot, picked out a tree, and paid for it. Then to get it home we just turned it sideways and carried it on our shoulders!
It was a sacrifice to give up our cars, but in the end we were blessed with healthier bodies from all the walking, appreciation for a car, and after six months, had saved enough money to purchase a Volkswagen van (about $1800).
Monday, November 2, 2009
Meatless Meatloaf
San Jose, California, 1971:
Tom was going to school and money was very tight. Our kitchen table was a large cardboard box covered with a tablecloth. For bookshelves we stacked bricks with planks of wood in between. Our furniture was hand-me-downs. We scrimped everywhere we could, even with our meals.
One memorable day, I had a quarter of a pound of ground beef in the fridge and leftover corn, beans, and rice. I decided to make good use of the leftovers by making a meatloaf! I combined all the ingredients in a mixing bowl, squished it with my fingers, then packed it into a loaf pan. I was so proud of my creation. It had ALL the food groups AND was economical.
After our dinner baked in the oven, and I went to get the meatloaf out of the pan, my bubble burst. Since it had more vegetables and rice than meat, nothing really held it together. It was a big crumbly mess on our plate. It was a disaster. There just was not enough meat in my meatloaf.
I learned from that meatloaf to question if my life is mostly filler with little meat. Do I have more meat-like qualities like dedication, charity, persistence, love, kindness, and less of the fillers like television, computer games, and other time wasters. May we work on adding more meat to our meatloaf lives.
Tom was going to school and money was very tight. Our kitchen table was a large cardboard box covered with a tablecloth. For bookshelves we stacked bricks with planks of wood in between. Our furniture was hand-me-downs. We scrimped everywhere we could, even with our meals.
One memorable day, I had a quarter of a pound of ground beef in the fridge and leftover corn, beans, and rice. I decided to make good use of the leftovers by making a meatloaf! I combined all the ingredients in a mixing bowl, squished it with my fingers, then packed it into a loaf pan. I was so proud of my creation. It had ALL the food groups AND was economical.
After our dinner baked in the oven, and I went to get the meatloaf out of the pan, my bubble burst. Since it had more vegetables and rice than meat, nothing really held it together. It was a big crumbly mess on our plate. It was a disaster. There just was not enough meat in my meatloaf.
I learned from that meatloaf to question if my life is mostly filler with little meat. Do I have more meat-like qualities like dedication, charity, persistence, love, kindness, and less of the fillers like television, computer games, and other time wasters. May we work on adding more meat to our meatloaf lives.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Blessings from Obedience
Seaside, California, about 1974:
I had been taught the principle of paying tithing and believed I needed to do it. When it came to action, however, my faith was lacking. I knew how much money we had coming in and how much was needed to pay our bills. I wanted to be obedient and pay my tithing. Since I knew the tithing check would bounce, I would write the check, but then not turn it in to the bishopric.
After several checks had accumulated on our desk, Tom and I decided to test our faith and turn them in. Two immediate blessings came our way. (1) Tom had applied to be a substitute teacher at the public schools. The district called him to work. (2) Our station wagon had been parked in front of our house and an errant driver plowed into the rear end of it, crushing the back, but it was still operable. The driver's insurance company sent us a check for the damage (which we could keep or use to fix the car). It was more than the amount of our accumulated tithing checks.
Sometimes we're taught a principle that we want to believe, but have trouble applying it in our lives. In those cases, we need to take the first step and obey it. Heavenly Father knows our needs and is waiting to assist us.
I had been taught the principle of paying tithing and believed I needed to do it. When it came to action, however, my faith was lacking. I knew how much money we had coming in and how much was needed to pay our bills. I wanted to be obedient and pay my tithing. Since I knew the tithing check would bounce, I would write the check, but then not turn it in to the bishopric.
After several checks had accumulated on our desk, Tom and I decided to test our faith and turn them in. Two immediate blessings came our way. (1) Tom had applied to be a substitute teacher at the public schools. The district called him to work. (2) Our station wagon had been parked in front of our house and an errant driver plowed into the rear end of it, crushing the back, but it was still operable. The driver's insurance company sent us a check for the damage (which we could keep or use to fix the car). It was more than the amount of our accumulated tithing checks.
Sometimes we're taught a principle that we want to believe, but have trouble applying it in our lives. In those cases, we need to take the first step and obey it. Heavenly Father knows our needs and is waiting to assist us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)