Thursday, January 30, 2014

UTAH . . . LIFE ELEVATED


11 Facts About Utah That Will Blow Your Mind

We all know Utah is a pretty awesome place, but did you know all of these things?! This list is the icing on the cake.

The Inventor Of Television Was Born Here

via kidzworld.com
Philo T. Farnsworth, the inventor of television, born in Beaver, UT. Oh! And so was Butch Cassidy!

Utah Was The Home Of The World's Largest Raptor, The Utahraptor

via carnivoraforum.com
The first specimens of the Utahraptor were discovered in 1975 near Moab. They measure an average of 23 feet long and are larger than any other known raptor.

SLC Was Not Intended To Be The State Capitol

via go-utah.com
Fillmore was Utah's first territorial capital and was named for U.S. President Millard Fillmore. The statehouse was never completed, but the first wing remains Utah's oldest governmental building and now serves as a state museum. Also, Utah is the only state whose capital's name is made of three words.

The Great Salt Lake 3-5 Times Saltier Than The Ocean

via noahhoffman.com
The Great Salt Lake is 3 to 5 times saltier than the ocean. It's almost impossible not to float in this body of water. Fish free, the lake's largest aquatic critters are brine shrimp.

Utah Is The Jello Capital Of The World

via news.bbc.co.uk
More jello is eaten in Utah than any where else in the world.

Utah Gave Women The Right To Vote Before The Federal Government Did

via utcourts.gov
Did you know that women in the Utah Territory got right to vote well before the 19th amendment was passed in 1920? In fact, women in Utah were granted the right to vote twice! 

The Winter Olympics Have Never Been Hosted By A City Larger Than SLC

via deseretnews.com
Who knew SLC was considered such a large city?

SLC Has The Youngest Population In The United States. And That's Not All!

via zazzle.com
Of the 50 states, Utah has the youngest population; one of the highest birth rates; the second lowest death rate; the healthiest population; the highest literacy rate; the highest percentage of high school graduates; and the highest number of people with a college education. Sounds like we know what we're doing!

SLC Founded The Nation's Very First Department Store

via commons.wikimedia.org
Zions Co-operative Mercantile Institution (ZCMI) was established in 1868 and was the nation's first department store. Although the original building is now in operation as a Macy's the store facade was preserved during the City Creek construction.

Utah Mountain Peaks Are The Tallest In The Country

via gearjunkie.com
On average, Utah's peaks are the tallest in the US.

Temple Square Is The 16th Most Visited Attraction In America

via mormonnewsroom.org

A LITTLE GRAMMAR HUMOR




BEST GAME EVER!

As the Jazz get ready to honor Coach Sloan, and retire his jersey...it's
truly the end of the best era in Utah Jazz basketball!!!
The Jazz had spent since 1983 in the playoffs.
In the 90's, they would advance to 2nd round, or Western Conference Finals,
but could never get over the hump!
Unfortunately, I did not see this game!
WHAT???  ME???  BIGGEST JAZZ FAN???
Nope.  I had gone, with my "Walkman Radio" with
Cathy, Carolyn, and Jane to the Tina Turner Concert.
The concert was held in the Delta Center.
The game was on all of the tvs on the concourse.
The Jazz had gotten so far behind, I put my Walkman away.
Cindy Lauper was the warm up act.
She was pregnant, and had purple hair!
It took about 30 minutes to change the set.
When Tina first came out, several people ran up the stairs.
Towards the end of her opening song, most of the doors to the
arena flew open, and people excitedly ran down the stairs.
I thought it was part of the concert.
Before the end of her song, word had gotten through the entire arena
that the Jazz had won!!!
The spotlights then swooped over the entire arena, landing on Karl's
big MVP banner.
Then Tina said, "Well, it looks like your team won!"
It was hard to get everyone settled down to continue the concert.
  
This was the best game ever!

ANOTHER "PROUD MISS MITCHELL MOMENT!"


Governor Herbert Names New Director of State and Federal Relations

on . Posted in Featured Articles
Governor Gary R. Herbert has named Wesley Smith as director of state and federal relations. 

“Decisions made in the nation’s capital have significant impact on the people of Utah,” said Gov. Herbert. “Wesley’s policy experience, combined with his ability to work collaboratively with others, will provide Utah with a powerful voice in Washington and with governors across the county as we address the important issues of our day.”

Smith served as executive vice president of government affairs and general counsel for the Salt Lake Chamber where he oversaw the government relations efforts of Utah’s largest business association and provided legal expertise for the organization. During his five years at the Chamber, Smith played a significant role in several policy areas including economic development, health system reform, immigration, transportation and education.

“Policy decisions made in Washington weigh heavily on our state,” said Smith. “I look forward to working with Gov. Herbert to do all we can to make sure these decisions are well-informed, influenced and improved by the voice of Utahns.”

Before joining the Chamber, Smith worked as an attorney and was a consultant with The Exoro Group, where he advised clients on government affairs issues. He has also been a policy analyst with the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. Smith served President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney in several capacities. His White House experience includes working in the Office of Presidential Advance, the Office of the Vice President and the Office of Counsel to the President.

Smith fills the role vacated by Robert Spendlove who resigned after winning a special election to the Utah House of Representatives. Smith will assume his new role Feb. 10. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Brigham Young University and a juris doctorate from The George Washington University Law School. A resident of Cedar Hills, Smith and his wife, Allyson, have four children.




     Wes was a great student!  He was very active and full of life!  I remember that he was obsessed with the color black.  He wanted everything to be black!  In his class, I had a student teacher named Keri Snow from New Zealand.  She was married in January, and had a sit down dinner instead of a reception.   She wanted to invite the class to the dinner (they had to bring a parent if coming).  They had a table for the kids to sit at.  The Polynesian group of the BYU Lamanite Generation performed.  Wes was so excited to see Miss Snow...he had brought her a black marker as a gift!
     Wes always loved everything that I taught in Social Studies...especially the government and Constitution unit!  He LOVED all the units...and ate everything up!!!

     It's times like this that I know my teaching made a     difference...and I was appreciated as a teacher!!! 


Tuesday, January 28, 2014

LORI GETS JAZZED



Lori is my hero!
She drove me to school every day for 2 1/2 months
when I couldn't drive!
I took her to the Jazz vs Jimmer (Sacramento)
game on January 27th.
We had a great time!
She's going to join my annual
"Girls Night Out"
to Jazz games!

Friday, January 24, 2014

ME & MY BOYS




Row 1:  Asst. Coach, Michael Sanders   Asst. Coach, Brad Jones   Asst. Coach, Sidney Lowe
General Manager, Dennis Lindsey   Head Coach, Tyrone Corbin   Trey Burke   Diante Garrett

Row 2:  Derrick Favors     Marvin Williams   Richard Jefferson   Enes Kanter   Andris Biedrins
Ann Mitchell   Brandon Rush   John Lucas III   Gordon Hayward   Jeremy Evans   Alec Burks

Absent:  Rudy Gobert   Ian Clark

ONE YEAR OLDER AND WISER TOO . . .

January 24
is Renae's birthday!
We have been best friends
for almost 50 years!

Here are just a few of the
fun times we've shared
in the last couple of years.




Birthday Girl

 BYU Football Game

 BYU Football Game

 Red Robin in Anaheim

 Renae, me, Rob
Disneyland
(AFHS Rose Parade Trip)

 Castle at Disneyland

 Neil Diamond Concert at Rio Tinto Stadium

 Mt. Timpanogos Temple
Jared and Breanna's Sealing

 With my mom

 Jared and Breanna
with Renae's pride and joy . . .
grandson
Ethan Jared Reese
born
December 23, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MCKAY!



ON JANUARY 19, MCKAY TURNED 28!
MCKAY HAS ALWAYS BEEN SOOOO HELPFUL!
EVEN AS A LITTLE BOY, I COULD COUNT ON HIM TO HELP ME!
HE SPENT MANY FRIDAY NIGHTS AND SUMMERS WITH US!

ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE MEMORIES OF MCKAY WAS WHEN HE
WAS 3 YEARS OLD.
I HAD GONE WITH REID & LAUREL, CHRIS, CAMILLE, ASHLEY, & MCKAY
TO CALIFORNIA.
ALL 7 OF US STAYED IN ONE HOTEL ROOM.
MCKAY STARTED TALKING IN HIS SLEEP.
HE SAID, "READ MY LIPS!  NO NEW TAXES!!!"
GEORGE H.W. BUSH WAS THE US PRESIDENT AT THE TIME.
THIS WAS A PHRASE HE HAD BEEN SAYING.
SOOOO FUNNY!

MCKAY LIKES TO FISH, HUNT, AND BE WITH HIS FAMILY.
MCKAY IS MARRIED TO LORI, AND THEY HAVE 3 CHILDREN:
COLE  9 1/2
HALEY  6
LILY  2 1/2
HE IS THE BEST DAD!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MCKAY!!!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

LOVE NOTE



Jaycie wrote me this sweet note for Christmas.
Here it is...including spelling.

Silent night your the best
to enjoy all night keep calmb
watch tv be a stay at home 
aunt like you always wanted to
be love your specil little helper
Jaycie!

LOVE!!!

CHURCH TIME


Every January, most LDS wards go through the dreaded
TIME CHANGE!
The purpose of the time change, is to let everyone have a chance
at the different church times.

Pros and Cons 

9:00-12:00  
Get up, get going!  When it's over, you basically have an entire day ahead of you!
Hard with little ones to get up...or teenagers.

11:00-2:00
Sleep in.  Can do a few things before.
Middle of lunch.

1:00-4:00
Sleep in...A LOT!
Nap time for little ones...and not so little!
Long morning waiting to go.
Almost dark when you get home.

If you live in a place like my Aunt Pat,
Woodruff, Utah
there is only 1 ward.
Church time is always 10:00-1:00.
EVERY YEAR!
 No stress about changing.

When our "Retirement Branch" was created, our church schedule was
8:30-11:30

WHAT????
This was the BEST!
Old people are up...might as well get going!

My favorite schedule is 9:00-12:00...then you're done!
Except for the first 3 months...I attend 
ward/branch conferences.
I experiences all of the times...and sometimes,
two in one day!

So...here's my solution for all of us that enjoy the early time!


 

Monday, January 20, 2014

HAPPY MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY






MOONLIGHT MONUMENT
TROLLEY TOUR
WASHINGTON D.C.
JULY 7, 2012

FAMILY HOME EVENING




Once a month we have a
Family Home Evening 
in the condo complex I live in.
We usually don't go...cuz there are
usually Jazz games on Monday
nights that we go to.
Since the Jazz aren't an elite team,
we've never played on Martin Luther King Day.
We were in charge with 
The Madsen's, Rampton's, and another lady.

We played games and ate cheesecake and carrot cake.






GOTTA LOVE IT!




I JUST FOUND THIS PICTURE...AND HAD TO POST!
THIS WAS PART OF OUR NORTH AMERICA GEOGRAPHY TEST.
STUDENTS HAD TO COLOR
CENTRAL AMERICA

GREEN



TEACHER OF THE YEAR . . . CONT.






THIS IS HOW MY "TEACHER OF THE YEAR"
APPEARED AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE!

SOOO MUCH LOVE!!!



My former student, Jason Lake,
posted this on Facebook.
It made me smile...then cry.


These are the FaBuLoUs
SCRATCH & SNIFF STICKERS!!!
(except for that skunk one)
 
These reminded me of how great teaching was!
I LOVED IT!!!
For my 33 year teaching career...it was great, 
until about the last 4 years.
Even the class I taught that had seven Satanic worshipers,
I was surrounded by the best people to help me!

I had so many wonderful friends on the faculty!
I taught with the majority of them for 20-30 years!
When I was endowed 18 years ago (today) at the Provo Temple,
most of the people in my session were my "Faculty Family!"
My escorts were Ann Searle and Jane Boulter.
If they couldn't come to the temple, they joined us at the luncheon.
We taught the Utah Core, and made the BEST memories for the kids!
There was 3 days in the spring for testing.
We reviewed as a team, but the testing was not the
emphasis for the entire year!
Not one student has ever come back and said,
"Thanks for getting me ready for testing!"
It was the activities we did, and how I made them feel!
Many would come back and visit, saying,
"Thanks for getting me ready for junior high."
"Thanks for teaching me to be responsible."
"Thanks for teaching me to be organized."
"Thanks for teaching me how to study."
"Thanks for teaching me to love school." 

Some years, my kids did fabulous on the tests...there were several
years where every child or 90% of my kids passed the 80% mastery!
The years I had the hard and low kids, the tests reflected that. 
But those times, in the last 4 years, I was really put down
and ridiculed for my test results...even having the District testing person
 review it on a big screen in front of my team and principal.
Some results were hard to understand.
I had several kids get 99% in 4th grade.  But, because they got 94% or 95%
in 5th grade,  there was no growth, and I was penalized!
 It's not just mastering the skills anymore,
it's test scores and growth!
I feel bad for the kids today!
One of those 99%er to 97% in my class...I saw her mom at the pool.
She's in 7th grade now, and HATES school.
She said in every class, it's all about testing!  That's all the teachers
say is, "I've got to get you ready for the testing!"  She said there's
no allowance for creativity!

I don't know what my CRT scores were last year . . .
but, I do know my DWA (Direct Writing Assessment)  test scores . . .
AND THEY WERE FABULOUS!
The test was on the 6 Traits of writing.
This is a state wide test they take 3 times in their school career . . . elementary,
middle school, and high school.
You had to have a score of 18 to pass, and 30 was the highest.
EVERY ONE OF MY STUDENTS PASSED!
No one got lower that 20...and 5 of my students 
RECEIVED A PERFECT SCORE OF 30!!!
What a way to go out!!! 


My second to last principal, David Stephenson, was just the BEST!
He really made you feel great!!!
He was from Nephi, and actually mowed my grandma's lawn when he was young.
He would always tell me how wonderful I was, and helped me soooo much
when I had 2 classes that had 80% hard kids! 
He not only made the kids feel loved, but the faculty as well!
David always treated me with dignity and respect!

My last four years were hard!
The total emphasis now is on testing and the Common Core.
I would always get "Parent Requests" of the "hard" boys, and low kids!
I even had two go to the Behavior Unit in the District!
(9 weeks)
If we traded students, my teammates would sometimes send back the hard kids.
The parent requests were always lopsided!
Some teammates would get all the smart kids, or all the nice kids.
This last year also, was my hardest year as an AEA rep, too!
One by one, my best friends retired, or left me (went with David).
My last year, there was just Don, Nancy, and Lori to really go to.
Younger teachers came in and "took over," not caring about the
tradition that we had at Alpine Elementary, and had worked sooo hard to maintain.
(As a comparison, John Stockton in his autobiography, said the
same thing about the young players coming in in his last years, 
taking over, and losing traditions!)
We had several teachers leave Alpine, then return:
Linda Dibb, Carolyn Hutchings, Jill Hertig, Lori Chadwick, 
Cheryl Dominguez, Cathy Tibbitts. 
That's the kind of school we used to be!!!
Alpine Elementary had the reputation in the district as being one
of the best schools to be at!!!  Many teachers in the District tried
to transfer to be at our school!
Hundreds of people would always comment on the
"Warm Fuzzies" they always felt at Alpine Elementary!
We were a"family first!"  
That feeling then spread to the students, parents, and community. 
It was hard to have that feeling leave our school,
 after having it for 29 years!



I had heard that you would know when you wanted to retire.
I knew EXACTLY when and where I was!
I was at a math Common Core training, Friday, April 12, 2013.
I had made sub plans the day before...which is hard to get ready from 
a wheelchair.
The last few summers, we had to go to several trainings
and collaboration days.
We were paid, but it wasn't the same as having time to spend
in the summer how you wanted.
I had just finished writing in my planner:
  Science training the day after school got out, 
three days of Common Core training the next Monday-Wednesday,
Clear Creek ropes course recertification the next Monday,
then team collaboration...and June was more than half taken up with school.
Of course, most of August is working at school, 
(and doing Clear Creek orders)  
before it started on August 21.
And...I was in a wheelchair!
I was sitting next to Kindra Reid.  We became fabulous friends
at the Colonial America Teacher Institute the summer before.
She had had 5 heel surgeries.
Matt and Condita were there, too.
I heard a "pop" and Kindra said NOOOO!
Her surgery on her heel had popped open!
Dr. Ridge said if I continued to teach, I would not heal!
After seeing Kindra's agony, and knowing my situation,
I leaned over to Kindra, and said, "I'm done...I'm done teaching!!!"

I had a meeting the following Monday with Trudy Clark at the District Office
about retiring.  I knew I would have 6 years health insurance,
but my biggest concern was between ages 61-65 before Medicare kicks in.
She was sooo kind!  Everything was all figured out.
After the 6 years, I will go on Cobra for 18 months, and pay about $520 a month.
Then, I can be put back on EMI Health for 2 1/2 years for about $20 more
a month than Cobra.
I also received a stipend, which was about 2.7% X 33 years teaching!
(I can't touch it till age 59)
The stipend is only for those who were hired before 1990!
YIPPEEEEEE!!!
Because I had missed the retirement deadline, I was still able to retire because I
had 33 consecutive years in the district, and I had a doctor's note.

The AEA president told me not to sign anything until
he had looked over it.
When he did, he said "Happy Retirement!"
And...I've enjoyed saying, "Retired at 54!!!" 

One of the reasons I knew I had made the right decision to retire, was seeing a picture on
Facebook last August.  It was of my former team, (the guy that replaced me took it.)
They were at the Alpine Slide in Park City.
My 3 teammates (one went to 1st grade after 2 years)
were on a chair lift, with the caption,
"The Dream Team that Never Happened!"
That told me that I was not wanted...since those 3 WERE together,
 for 2 years, plus me!

I know I made the right decision, and was at peace with it.
Very few on the faculty knew I was retiring until after the kids left
on the last day.
None of my students knew.  My students were so good to help me with my wheelchair!
I couldn't have asked for a better bunch of kids to help me while 
being in a wheelchair!!
I hope to have an open house, to have some closure...but another
change...they have cut the "Sunshine Fund" in half!
So...there's probably no money to have one, unless another teacher retires,
and our open houses are combined.

Well, this is quite a lengthy post, when it was supposed to
just be about the stickers.
Many of my teacher friends that are still at Alpine keep telling me how lucky I am to be retired...school is harder than ever! 
My friends at Traverse Mountain (those who went with David)
are really struggling!  After 3 years, he is now assistant superintendent!
He's over the Orem elementary schools.
They are all having David Withdrawls!"

Well, the stickers just gave me warm fuzzies about
how great it was to teach at Alpine Elementary!!!
  


THE END!

Friday, January 17, 2014

WHAT??? 2 MONTHS ALREADY???


TWO MONTHS!!!

BROOKLYN AND ALLYSON 
ARE NOW 2 MONTHS OLD!!!

ALLYSON...11 LBS 10Z
BROOKLYN...10 LBS 14 OZ
BOTH 23.5 INCHES
88%

LOVE!!!

Thursday, January 16, 2014

MY FAVORITE TWIN CLOGGERS



ON JANUARY 16, I WENT TO
OAK CANYON JR. HIGH
TO SEE MY FAVORITE
TWIN CLOGGERS . . .



HANNAH AND HAYLEY CHADWICK

THEIR MOM, LORI, TEACHES AT ALPINE ELEMENTARY.
I BECAME A MEMBER OF THE "CHADWICK FAMILY CARPOOL, WHEN THEIR MOM DROVE ME TO SCHOOL THE LAST 2 1/2 
MONTHS OF MY TEACHING CAREER.

THEY ARE NOW IN 9TH GRADE AT TIMBERLINE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

MAKING NEWS


CJ MADE THE DAILY HERALD!
HE HAD HIS BEST GAME AGAINST COLORADO,
INCLUDING  7 3-POINTERS!

THIS IS HOW IT LOOKED IN THE PAPER.





AND THIS IS HOW IT LOOKED ON THE INTERNET.
January 12, 2014 4:31 pm  • 




C.J. Wilcox set career highs with seven 3-pointers and 31 points, including 21 in the second half, and Washington ran away from No. 15 Colorado for a 71-54 victory Sunday.
It was Washington's first win over a ranked team since Isaiah Thomas' jumper beat then-No. 16 Arizona in the 2011 Pac-10 Conference tournament championship game. Washington (11-6, 3-1 Pac-12) had lost 12 straight against ranked teams.
Colorado (14-3, 3-1) never recovered after leading scorer Spencer Dinwiddie crumbled to the court late in the first half after his left knee buckled while dribbling on a fast break. Dinwiddie had to be helped to the locker room by teammates and did not return.
The Huskies outscored the Buffaloes 49-29 after Dinwiddie's injury.
Josh Scott led Colorado with 15 points, but the Buffaloes' struggles went beyond just not having Dinwiddie around in the second half.
Askia Booker, the reigning Pac-12 player of the week, was 0 for 9 from the field and went scoreless for just the second time in his college career. The last time Booker failed to score was late in his freshman season against Arizona.
Colorado was trying for the second-best start in school history, but fell short after being pushed to overtime by Washington State on Wednesday night.
Dinwiddie crumpled to the court after taking an awkward step on a fast break and his left knee buckled. He was on the court for a few minutes while trainers and coach Tad Boyle came on to his side. Dinwiddie was helped to his feet but had to be assisted off the court with his arms around teammates.
Dinwiddie, who had seven points in 15 minutes, was chastised by Boyle after scoring a disappointing six points in 38 minutes on Wednesday night.
Less than 90 seconds later Colorado's Tre'Shaun Fletcher limped off the court holding his left knee after colliding with Perris Blackwell of the Huskies. Fletcher returned in the second half.
Wesley Gordon did his part to pick up for Dinwiddie's absence. He had nine points and 11 rebounds in the first half, including Colorado's final four points of the half as the Buffs led 29-26 at the break. Gordon had just two points in the second half.
Andrew Andrews added 14 points for Washington and Nigel Williams-Goss had 12.
The Buffaloes had no answer for Wilcox's shooting in the final 20 minutes. Washington started the second half on a 12-5 run thanks to three 3-pointers from Wilcox. The complexion of the second half could have changed when Blackwell, the Huskies' only true inside presence, picked up his fourth foul with 15:52 remaining. Scott tried to stem the run with five straight points for the Buffaloes but Wilcox continued to knock down shots. He hit another 3 when Williams-Goss broke the Colorado press and found him open in front of the Washington bench. He scored off a steal with a left-handed layup and hit another stand-still 3 for a 51-39 lead, his sixth straight make to start the second half.
Andrews added a driving layup to push the lead to 14 before Scott finally scored in the lane to briefly stop the run. Washington went up 18 when Wilcox knocked down his seventh 3-pointer with 6:42 left for a 61-43 lead.