Easter 2021

Easter this year was a lot of fun. The Mathis' ended up having a party. I didn't think I was going to be able to go. I was schedules to work Easter Weekend. The Wednesday before a group text went out asking if we could party. Most of us have had at least the 1st dose (which was mentioned in the group text). It was decided to party. I talked with Jen and if I could get things covered, I could go.

That was a bit of a challenge at first. I texted Kaitlyn to see if she could switch me Saturdays, but she couldn't. I texted Adam and he couldn't Saturday and he was already working for Cassie on Sunday. I texted Emily, but she couldn't either. She was helping her parents with something. I last texted Cassie. I wasn't going to ask her to cover for me. It's hard to be the only rec therapist to cover both units, especially on a Saturday because of the outing. Cassie said she would cover the 1 pm group for me on Saturday. I texted Adam again to see how he would feel covering both units on Sundays. Sundays are pretty chill days on both units. So if there is a day to alone, that is the day. He said he would do that. Sara, our social worker said she would cover visitation on Saturday. All I would have to do is come and do Movement Group Saturday Morning.

Saturday morning came and I went to work. I played Corn Hole for Movement Group, which went really well. Definitely going to do that again! My two new people were up and about. I made the decision to push back my leaving and do my assessments and make Monday easier on me. 

I finally was able to hit the road. It also happened to be General Conference weekend. I listened to the 1st session of General Conference. I made it to Green River and went to Aunt Ann and Uncle Lee's house to change. My mom and sisters and Avan were there. There was a change in plans. They went to the museum and then to the park to play. We Mae to the park to join the rest of the family. We chatted, played ultimate frisbee, bocce ball, had an egg hunt, and finally, had book club (this was the book we were supposed to do last Easter titled "Say Nothing"). After the park, most of us went up to the pickle ball court to play and watch. There were some definite competitions going one (Kara, Dave, Avan, and Nathan). 

While we were playing Ultimate Frisbee, 2 local boys came over and asked to play. We let them play the last 20 minutes with us. As we walked back to the pavilion, we offered them cookies and they went back to the table they had been sitting at. Right before book club started, Mandy and I decided to go clean up and put salads back into the coolers. The boys came back over and asked if they could have some more cookies. We said sure. I added that they could have some salads as well if they wanted (the less I would have to eat/clean later). They decided to eat some potato salad. While they were dishing up, they asked Mandy and I if we were having a family reunion or something. Mandy and I just looked at each other. I wasn't sure how to answer that. We finally answered that most people would probably call this a family reunion. Since we get together as often as we can (Covid put a wrench in that for a year), this was just another family get together for us.     

The next morning the Easter Bunny had found us. We put on General Conference to watch/listen and play some Conference Bingo. I had my bingo card next to me, the notebook I was taking notes in on the other side of me, and my coloring in my lap. It was nice to watch General Conference. It's been several years that I've been able to watch it live. 

All too soon, the weekend came to an end. I drove back to Ogden Sunday night and went to work on Monday. Thanks Cassie, Adam, and Sara for helping me to get things covered at work so I could go! It meant a lot to me! Thanks to the family for a fun party!

Meg’s Basket

My Basket

Mandy’s Basket

Dessert

Fantasy Canyon

On March 23, I went on a date and we went to Fantasy Canyon. I have wanted to visit Fantasy Canyon for years. When I was in high school, my prom date and another couple tried to find it, and we never did. We had these had written instructions and it's surrounded by oil fields. Instead we found some rocks to climb over and explore.

Good news, Cam and I made it the canyon with the help of Siri and posted road signs. It was really cool. It reminds me of Goblin Valley. Some of the rocks look like they will just topple. As you touch them and climb them, they are solid. My imagination went as I looked at the formations, I saw a turtle, a shell, and sea horse with a chariot (think Little Mermaid). Apparently my subconscious thinks I need to go to the beach. 

After exploring we found a little welcome kiosk and found the Indian Legend of how Fantasy Canyon was made. I thought it would be fun to share it here.

"The following Indian legend concerning Fantasy Canyon was told to George E. Stewart by Muse Harris, known to the Indians as Chief Red Moose; it was printed in the Salt Lake Tribune on July 16, 1972:

One day, as the story goes, the evil creatures of the nether regions, tired of living in the dark and dank, decided to dig up to the surface and take over everything above and below the earth. They dug, and the ground trembled and rumbled.

Two coyotes, curious, as all coyotes are, couldn't resist the urge to investigate. The pair discovered the plot of the creatures from down under and in a trice, howled the alarm to all their fellow mortals round about.

A great council was held to decide what to do. It would take more than mortal power to stop the invasion of these supernatural beings, this they understood. Finally, they determined to send for the greatest medicine man they knew. 

Two eagles flew with the summons, and on the very first day they found the great one in his mountain fastness. 

The wild horses set up a relay of the fleetest stallions on earth; they bore the mighty one with the speed of the wind over mountains, rivers, valleys, and plains. And it was none too soon, for as he came up White River, the Sachem could see the red light in the sky where the underworld denizens had broken through.

First he called on the Wind of the West and a great hurricane blew, carrying dust, dirt, rocks, and tress to fill in the awful hole. But all this went for naught. It fell through to be burned in fires below. Then the Rain God was asked for help and he sent water in clouds and torrents, but it vanished away in steam and mist, while the Devil Chief laughed loud and long and his minions screamed with glee. The Sachem called to the God of the North, "Help us, help us," he chatted and drummed, "Oh Great Lord of ice and snow."

Help came as swift as an arrow; intense, deep, bitter cold. The North God caught the denizens of the deep as they gathered to spread over the world. In the wink of an eye he turned them all to ice. The Devil Chief, the Great Mother Witch, the magician, and all the rest stand there just as they stood at instant the cold stuck them long ago. 

When the warmth came back, again the west wind blew and as the ice melted, the dust took its place and now the monsters stand in the pit they dug, all of them turned to stone. It is a warning to the evil ones down in hell to leave the good green earth alone."

The Turtle

The Sea Shell

The Sea Horse with a Chariot

St. Patrick's Day Decorations 2021

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 

Decorations from around the house. Next year, I think I will try to group them more together.

Axe Throwing

I had the opportunity to go axe throwing with my co-works on March 13. It was a lot of fun. I din't expect to really get the axe to stick to the wall. However, I got it to stick several times, and I even made bullseye twice. We had large group, so we were in the group lanes. One of the workers stayed with us throughout and taught us the games/competitions we did. 

They also serve drinks (both alcoholic and nonalcoholic) there. I'm not sure if I feel it's a good idea to drink and then throw sharp objects around. I had ordered a chocolate shake. I'm told that when they brought it out (I was throwing at the time), everyone thought I had ordered an alcoholic treat. They were all so surprised. I don't know how long it took them to be convinced that it wasn't alcoholic. 

Thanks Alexis for putting this together. This was a much needed fun evening!

Left to Right: Dave, his wife, Jake (Alexis’ fiancée) Alexis, Ellie, Cassy, Joe (Alaina’s man), Alaina, Phil, Phil’s wife (she is in front of him, kneeling), Jason’s wife, Jason, Brittany, Khloe, and Chase (Khloe’s fiancée)

Spring Wreath

I saw a wreath at Michaels that I really liked. I didn't want to pay $50 for it. Mom decided to help me make one. I think it turned out pretty cute! Thanks Mom for the help!

My Wreath

The Wreath at Michaels