Emergency Preparedness

Photo of me at work, in the mood to be at California Adventure, riding Toy Story Midway Mania. 

I have a new calling in my ward, which kinda surprises me. I'm the emergency preparedness coordinator. We have block captains and it's my job to help the ward members, with the help of the block captains, get prepared. Luckily, the stake has a monthly initiative, so all I have to do is get that to the ward members via a ward email. 

August's initiative was to get some first aid training, so I found some websites with first aid information and included that in a message to the ward members. I also included a challenge...the first 5 families to text me and let me know they'd learned some first aid would get a dozen cookies from me. The email went out on Saturday morning and by Saturday afternoon, a cute young mom had texted me that they had taught their little boys some basic first aid. She sent photos and it was so cute. It reminded me of the time we taught the kids how to escape from our house in Texas. We practiced for family night one Monday. The kids had to have been 2, 4 and 6. Allie had to open the girls' bedroom window and help Mel out. Our neighbor Sue watched the drill and had suckers to reward the kids when they completed their task. What a great memory. 

I took my new momentum and watched some first aid videos, especially about burns and cuts. Those are the most common things in the food labs. I also learned that back blows are the first thing to try when someone is choking, then you go to abdominal thrusts. Good to know. I also gathered all of my information for my important documents and accounts and hid it in one place where that the kids know. They now have access to my account numbers, passwords, credit card numbers, financial advisor info, etc. It feels good.

Earlier this week, I was walking and talking with a former TA, Becky Hinchcliff, and we got on the topic of preparedness. She told me about a story one of her YSA leaders told. He's a recreational pilot. He said that if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear has a whole new meaning when you're flying over Spanish Fork canyon and your engine stops. He knew he was prepared with good training, though, so he was FOCUSED. He remembered that he had an extra fuel tank and switched to that tank for more fuel. That fixed it. If it hadn't taken care of the issue, he knew how to perform an emergency landing. He was prepared. Great story. Becky later asked me for the link to a first aid presentation and quiz. I told her to let me know when she finishes it and I'll venmo her money for a treat since I can't get a dozen cookies to her, as she lives in Moab. We walked and talked for an hour. It was great. 

My sister Kristen also told me a story that she heard dad tell. It was about his obedience garden. In the 1970's, the prophet started emphasizing personal self reliance and told us to plant gardens. Dad planted a garden in the best spot he could find in our shaded backyard in Pleasanton. We had 6 walnut trees that shaded almost every inch. Dad tried his best year after year and never got even a zucchini. BUT, dad was confident that if there were ever an emergency, our family would have food somehow because he had always planted a garden. I think that's a cool story. Obey. Do your best. Don't say you can't. Don't come up with excuses. Do your best. 

I'm happy that I'm on my way to getting some things back in order. I am going to work on buying more food storage. My cupboards are pretty bare. Time to work on having those shelves full. Luckily mom and dad live 2 miles away and they have a lot of food, so my plan for now is to walk to their place in case of emergency. 

 

Mat and Kat and Girls Visit

 

A few years ago, Mat Williams, a proud Texan, was a TA in the BYU Food Labs. He stood out because he was our enthusiastic DJ, always playing Rebecca Black's song "Friday" in every Friday lab. He was a hard worker. I remember that when he was approaching graduation, he often had to leave the lab for a job fair or job interview. Of course, we encourage our TA's to leave when needed to seek employment. I had no doubt Mat would find a job, as he pursued it so diligently. Mat also exemplified gratitude. When he got a dream job, he treated all of us teachers in the foods lab and our spouses to dinner at Tucano's Brazilian restaurant to thank us for our support. That had to have cost a lot of money for a young college student. What a fine young man. 

His then girlfriend, Kat, took the class from me. She is also a proud Texan. I loved having her in class. They got engaged, Mat's dream job is in TEXAS, and they are now raising 2 cutie pie girls, Mary and Tara, there. I'm so proud of them. Mat has earned his masters degree and they have added a dog to the family. They recently came through Provo and we (Ann Hardman and I) got to visit with them in the lab. It was so fun to catch up. Sadly, Starlyn couldn't come, as she and Lee have Covid-19. They have been very sick for 3 weeks. 

I told Mat how much I had admired him. They are a fantastic family. Kat is a rockstar mom. It's so fun to see. 

Back to School Blessings

I asked Kamiko if he would give me a blessing for the new school year while he was here. I also asked him to dedicate my home. On Saturday morning, we all took a minute to have him do this. Melia also asked for a blessing for the school year. I took notes and asked Mel to take notes during my blessing. I'll write some of my notes and what my feelings were. I'm very grateful that Kamiko is happy to exercise his priesthood gifts. I also realize I can pray for help and pray for my home. I just wanted to allow Kamiko to serve me in the special way that only a priesthood holder can.


When dedicating my house, Kamiko said it was a special blessing that my home would protect, edify, and strengthen those who were in/visit it. He blessed it to be a place to raise children (which I kinda thought was funny at first, then I realized I'm still raising my children. I'll always be raising my children. This weekend was so full of kid/family time that it's obvious this will be a family's home, even if my kids are adults). It will be a place to raise grandchildren and to help others who seek refuge. People will feel comfortable here and be able to express themselves. They will be able to find relationships with God and have bonds of friendship. My home was blessed to be one of order and a place where I would find refuge, comfort, and peace and be guided by Heavenly Father. He mentioned that it will be a temporary space (WHAT? that really caught me off guard. Then after the prayer, Kamiko asked me if I'm planning on moving. My response was "no." Mel laughed and said "haha, you're moving again." We all realize that temporary could mean anything. I mean, this life is temporary. But, it is interesting). Finally, I see in my notes a mention of all blessings to mom and family. I don't recall exactly what I meant by that. I guess I was so caught off guard by the temporary part that I lost my train of thought.
I do love my home. I go to bed every night just happy and safe and wake up the same way. It's a blessing for sure. I was asked by a sister in the ward who does the newsletter to write a bit about me and my family. Here's what I sent her:

"Dana felt guided to her new home on Townhouse Drive and is excited to be here. She appreciates the warm welcome she's received and looks forward to getting to know everyone. She moved here from Saratoga Springs where she had lived for only a year. Before that, she lived in American Fork for 18.5 years, where she raised her 3 kids (1 son and 2 daughters). Her son and daughter-in-law live in Rogers, Arkansas, where her son works as a data analyst and his wife is finishing her PhD in business. Dana's second child graduated from BYU in Family and Consumer Sciences Education and teaches sewing at Diamond Fork Junior High. Her youngest is a BYU student living in Provo. Dana and her daughters have had many DIY nights together, sewing one project or another. 

Dana grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and still likes to visit California as often as possible. Sadly, Covid has put a damper on her usual travel plans. She served a mission in Cochabamba, Bolivia, from 1988 -1990. She has taught cooking at BYU for 20 years and all 3 of her kids have taken her class. The thing she likes most about her job is the fantastic students with whom she gets to interact. They cook and eat together. It doesn't get better than that. She also loves that she can share spiritual thoughts in class. During Covid, she has kept busy reading cookbooks and testing recipes for an advanced cooking class that she'll be teaching in the fall. 

Why did Dana choose to buy a townhome? She doesn't like yard work and is admittedly a house plant. She likes the great indoors. She also wants the flexibility to travel when that becomes a thing again. In 2016, she crossed off the ONLY thing on her bucket list - she saw Mount Rushmore! It exceeded her expectations. In 2018, she and her oldest daughter had annual passes to Disneyland and they went there A LOT. She also had the opportunity to go with a friend to northern Italy in 2018. From Italy, they drove to Slovenia, via Austria. She highly recommends a trip to Lake Bled in Slovenia for anyone who can swing it. Go there before the whole world discovers it. When her parents served missions in Stockholm, Sweden, she took her kids there, stopping in the Netherlands on their way. Her motto is "live frugally and travel." Dana's favorite scripture is Doctrine & Covenants 112:10. 

Some favorite books include: Oil and Marble, the Maisie Dobbs series, I'm Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers, To Kill A Mockingbird, and The Kitchen Counter Cooking School."

Now on to my back to school blessing from Kamiko. Mel took these notes for me:

guided to those to help

beacon of light

sensitivity of the spirit to help

more than just a teacher

servant of God and Christ

They recognize the good you've done

Don't diminish the effect (this really touched me. He mentioned that the effect I have on families and their futures is immeasurable)

nothing is too small

love will go a long way

your impact has gone further than you know

strength to set boundaries

patience

receive strength from others (I felt prompted to realize I'll need to ask for help sometimes and I don't need to figure out everything on my own).

not perfect - you'll need help

You'll recognize those you'll need help from

God is guiding you

Future family

strengthen hobbies and talents

serve in your ward

lift others and yourself

You're strong and are doing your best

School year will be a blessing

I'm very grateful for my fantastic kids. I'm also grateful for the gospel and for Priesthood blessings. I'm grateful for Kamiko and Bekki's trip here and for them taking time to stay here. I'm grateful that the girls came and stayed here so we could all be together. I'm blessed. 

All My Kids Were in Town!

Kamiko, Bekki, and Dottie came for a week. They spent the first few nights at the Brau's house, then they came and stayed with me. I've been in heaven, staying up way too late, and cooking and cleaning non-stop.

Even before the kids came from Arkansas, Allie and Mel came and stayed here, so I've had a houseful for a few days. It's been fun. I've had fabric all over the place, as Allie and Melia both brought sewing machines and things for projects. Allie made 5 shirts! She also made many, many masks. Her tops aren't just any tops. They're tops from a pattern that she made to perfectly fit her measurements. They are so cute. I'm so proud of all she applies that she learned in college. She's a fantastic teacher and loves to learn. It's so fun to be around her. I enjoy every minute of time spent with her.

Melia made some masks too. She also went to DI and bought some cute second hand clothes that she can re-purpose. She's such a great person. She hates school. To say she doesn't like school is an understatement. She hates it. But she's sticking with it for now. She'll find her path. In fact, Kamiko gave her a blessing and Heavenly Father is aware of her and He's guiding her. It seems her path will be circuitous, but she'll get there. Coincidently, today uncle Mike gave her the advice to not rush through college, but to enjoy these years. I couldn't agree more.

Bekki had interviews at BYU. It seems she's in the same boat I was in in March. Interview...another interview...wait...wait. She won't have an offer until October if there is to be an offer. We all think there will be one, but no one knows until it's official. BYU would be lucky to get her. She'd be such an excellent addition to the faculty there. She's young. She has good ideas. She's smart. She's edgy. She's loving and accepting.

Kamiko dedicated my home and he gave me a blessing for the upcoming year. I took notes and had Melia take notes. I'll write those up for FHE tomorrow. Today I just want to focus on the fun I had with the kids. Kamiko and Bekki and Dottie got here on Friday afternoon. I had shopped for and planned a celebratory dinner for our family. Bekki's interviews and my job. I made delicious steaks. First time I've tried to make really good steaks. I also made potatoes and cut up a watermelon. I made Kamiko's favorite cake: chocolate chip pound cake. I also made Bekki's favorite: funfetti with chocolate frosting. We had dinner, then all got ready (makeup, dressed, showered, etc.) and went up Provo canyon for family photos. Mel's friend Matt took our pictures with his new camera. They turned out great. I'm so excited to get them printed. I have to wait until I'm full time and have access to photoshop. Kamiko had a funny grease spot on his shirt that needs to be erased. After I left, Keenan met the kids for his own photo with them. Then he took them out for ice cream.

They got back to my place around 10. I was down the street, watching fireworks with the Schultz family. It was Pioneer Day. An unusual one since we're all still in lockdown due to Covid-19 and also the divorce adds a unique twist from years past. Saturday we woke up and I made my first trial of Kouign-amann, a French pastry that I'm trying to learn for my advanced cooking class. I set off the smoke alarm many times with that hight heat and dark pan and butter and sugar. It was a mess, but they were good. We had salad for dinner with everyone building their own with chicken, steak, cheeses, and veggies. We had cake and drank lots of soda. It's been quite the weekend. I have loved every minute. We watched "Hamilton" on Disney + twice. We ate. We sewed. We talked. We watched trash reality TV. It was so fun. All of the kids are gone now except for Allie. She's cleaning up her fabric.

On Saturday afternoon, Kamiko and I went to mom and dad's for a short bit to visit on their porch. This social distancing is getting old!!!!! It was a fun visit, though. They're doing well and are enjoying taking little drives around to see temples and Holden, dad's birthplace.

Kamiko and Mel joined me for church today. Kamiko wasn't expecting to go to church, so he wore his Kanye West "Jesus is King" shirt. It was fun to have them with me. Allie and Bekki stayed behind and slept. We stayed up past 1:00 am on both Saturday and today. Hamilton and trash TV. For lunch today, I cooked up some rice and made chicken gravy to go with the leftover chicken I had. You see, I've been recipe testing for my advanced class. I bought 2 whole chickens. One I broke down and braised, then made pan gravy with it. The other I spatchcocked then soaked in buttermilk then roasted. I did all this in my new cast iron skillet. That pan has gotten a ton of use in the last 4 days.
One funny thing was that Mel wanted to watch TV, but she didn't want to have to turn around on the couch, so she got out her phone and watched TV using the camera feature of her phone. Talk about creative and lazy.

 

The only thing that isn't going well is that Mitty is gone again. I let him out on Thursday night, just before Mel got here. I didn't think about it. He likes to go outside. He hasn't come back yet. There has been a sign of him in the form of a dead mouse left by my front walkway on Friday morning. I sure hope that little guy finds his way back. We're kinda worried that he might have come back but heard Dottie barking, and left. I sure hope that's not the case. Mel and I went out tonight after Kamiko and Bekki and Dottie left to drive around and see if we could lure him home. No luck yet. I sure hope he makes it back.

Mitty Came Home!

Mel came over Sunday night with an idea. She had an impression to not only pray for Mitty's safe return, but to think of a way to facilitate his return.

So, she came over and I drove her up and down a couple of streets in the neighborhood while she hollered his name and shook his favorite treat. We said a prayer first. It was about 9:00 pm. We got home around 10:00. She heated up a frozen dinner and went to the bathroom. She said she was going to go out to the porch and shake his treat every 5 minutes.

I was reading the Book of Mormon on my couch and I heard something. I thought it might be Mitty. I opened my front door and THERE HE WAS. He walked right in. He didn't look haggard or anything. I think his day trip must have agreed with him. Of course, Melia said a prayer of gratitude.

All 3 of us are happy. Mitty is a good companion. It's nice to come home to someone and not just an empty house.

Back home and lounging per usual

I took this photo Saturday morning and I seriously thought it might have been the last photo of our Mitty. Glad it wasn't. 

Jenny + Family + the Property = Perfect Saturday

I've been spending all week getting settled, cleaning, putting things away, hanging pictures, etc. I worked late into the night Friday and Saturday morning so I could spend the afternoon surprising Jenny. James and Marie are in town with their families from Washington and Virginia, respectively. The whole Sykes clan was at the property in the Unitas. Starlyn and I had gone with Jenny to get things organized up there and I was excited to see it in use. 

I had the idea to go up on Saturday and take a cake and party hats so we could all celebrate Jenny's upcoming birthday. That's something she would do for a friend and I must admit, I don't do enough things like that for her. 

I got up and cleaned the house and was on the road by 12:30. I got there at 3. It was so fun to see everyone. Many were rock climbing, some were resting. Ellie and Jane and Ingrid were swinging and playing with Emily. 

When everyone got back, we all put on party hats (I had just enough for all of us, including Maddie the dog and Rhys, who is only 3 months old). We sang and enjoyed a delicious bakery cake made by Winco. I couldn't find anyone to write on it, so I just bought candles that spelled out Happy Birthday. Jen's little granddaughters helped me put the candles on. It was a yummy white cake with raspberry filling and buttercream frosting. It was sooooo good. 

Andrew and Eli with Rhys in hammock on left. Haley and Jane. Marie, James, Jen, and Scott. Hunter seated in back. Bryan in hammock on right. Ingrid and Ellie in front. 

Andrew facilitates Jane getting a chance to swing

I bought Jenny a hat from Kamiko's podcast, Sweet Film Talk

Birthday Girl!

I love this photo of Bryan and Emily

Ellie, Ingrid, and Jane

 

Marie, Rhys under blanket, and Eli. I asked Ingrid to smile, but she walked away and said no. Hahaha. 

I stuck around for a couple of hours and enjoyed BBQ pork sandwiches with everyone. Then I headed back home. I love my bedroom and its windows. It's nice to be home. It's quiet and I'm adjusting to it. I have music or a movie on in the background, but it's ok. I'll get used to it. It is what it is. I am happy and I know I did the right thing. 

JOB OFFER!

I applied for a full-time job at BYU a few months ago. It is for teaching foods and managing the operations of the foods labs. It's a visiting teaching position for up to 3 years. I had interviews with Natalie, Alan Hawkins, Dean Ben Ogles, a VP over faculty, and Elder Cornish. Then we waited and waited. I got word that an offer would be coming. I got word from Alan Hawkins that all the authorizations were done, that an offer was coming. It all drove Derek nuts. I was swimming at Jenny's with Allie and Allison and my phone rang. I was literally IN THE POOL and Allison said "Alan Hawkins is calling." She answered it and handed the phone to me as I jumped out of the pool. He told me everything was approved and he had sent an offer letter to be approved. I'd be getting it soon. 

I checked my email and checked my email. On the last day of spring term, on Monday, June 15, I checked my email after I finished teaching. There it was. I almost fell over when I saw the offer. It was way more than I would have dreamed. Another blessing. I signed that paper and sent it off. Now I just wait for August 1 to start OFFICIALLY. I am going into work this week to start planning SFL 215 and to work on 340 and fine-tune 110. It's all so great. Part time was perfect for the time I was raising the kids. Now I'm ready for full-time and I need it. I'll have insurance and tuition benefits for Melia. I'm so humbled and thrilled. 

I PASSED MY 20 YEAR JOB INTERVIEW!

This look still cracks me up. I wore it to teach and a student commented "Oh, you're still in bed." Then Kristen and Doug came over and both commented on my "nightgown." I realized my students probably thought I was in my nightgown. OOPS.