Randomness

I am officially between lawn mowing and snow blowing seasons, and that coupled with only 11 church meeting this week instead of the usual 12, I realized I might have time to update my long neglected blog.
The above picture was taken Sunday last as the kids all showed up after church with their kiddies to eat and to get a new grand kiddie picture with Rhonda and I. Since Titan and Charlie came into the family last summer, we have not taken a new picture with all involved. When looking at all the pictures, this one reminded me of my grand children's parent's behavior, especially when at church. It is fortunate we did not get excommunicated because of their behavior. The only ward members who sat by us in Sacrament Meeting on a regular basis were hearing impaired. Others would sit by us for one week and the next week they would be seated on the opposite side of the chapel.

It is now just over three years since I had my Gastric Bypass surgery. It is still the best thing I ever did. I still have some issues with eating. I still crave certain things. I still throw up if I eat the wrong things, eat too fast, don't chew enough or see a picture of Barbra Streisand. I have to very careful with refined carbs.. Pasta will make my stomach dump sugar and then I get dizzy and light headed to the point of passing out. About a year ago, Rhonda had to summon the para medics to my side because of this problem. I was out of it. They gave me a $176.00 bottle of glucose water intravenously and it solved the problem. Rhonda did not really need to call the medics, but as we had to call them to take care of Rhonda a few years ago when she fell and broke her ankle, she was beyond anxious to again see their rippling biceps and overpaid smiles. She told the girls it was worth it getting her ankle broken just to be in such close proximity to these government funded Fraternity Boys. I could, however, have done without them.

Recently I ventured to the South Towne Mall. It has been about two or three years since I ventured in to that mall. It seemed to be a terrible waste of time. Nothing in there that I really wanted or needed. I'm sure a lot of what the people were buying will wind up a a yard sale or the DI within the near future. I'll re-consider buying at that point. This mall is very close to Katie's house in Sandy. Midvale has no malls. They closet thing we have to a food court is 4 taco carts on the same block.
Yesterday, however, topped even that. I have not been to the Fashion Place Mall in at least five years. Because of new stores and re-invented old stores, they had a re- grand-opening. I could not resist the allure, I stopped in to see what was new. In five years a lot has changed. Lots of new store names, most of them not in English. Several snooty sounding French Names on the store fronts but with the same bored looking, dis-interested employees ignoring the customers while they are sending text messages . One new eatery that just opened is a restaurant with an Italian look to it named "Brio". I looked on-line for the meaning of the word Brio . The number one synonym listed for Brio is "Beans". As this eatery is much more upscale than say, Olive Garden, I guess I can understand why the glowing neon did not say "Beans".
There is much ballyhooed new Crate and Barrel store that just opened last Friday. I opted not to go there. I have more than an adequate supply of crates and barrels in my garage, basement and storage shed. Rhonda also has a eternity worth of these items in her bedroom and spare room.
I sauntered through the old stand-by Nordstrom trying not to stand out. I didn't want any of the "Associates" having to worry about assisting anyone dressed in vintage DI. I walked by a display of silk ties.. I picked out one with possibilities. The possibility ended when I looked at the Price-tag. $125.00. These ties were absolutely no different in quality than the ones I bought in Italy for $2.00 per tie. I guess those little bags they put them in must be very expensive. But then you get to walk around the mall for a couple of hours and hope you see someone you know so they will be impressed that you are a Nordstrom Shopper.
I was thinking of going to Sears and looking for something in the Red-neck department. But when you do find something at Sears, you can never find anyone to help you. I had been ignored enough for one day.. I exited Nordstrom and took the long way to my truck, through the parking lot, as I really didn't want to bump into anyone I know. I think it will be a least ten years before I go back.. Maybe I'll be dead by then.