Dear Jeff and Andrea,
Thank you so much for coming and "helping" us put in tile! It looks so amazing, and I can't even believe how much I love it. We totally owe you guys so much! Thanks again.
Love, Ruston, Julie and Brooke.
Editors Note (1/28/15) I believe this was late in 2006, after we'd left BYU-Idaho for North Carolina. Brooke was probably about 2 years old, Josh not born yet. Julie convinced us to take a trip to Boise to help them with their master bathroom. Jeff had some experience doing tile so gladly we agreed. Julie bought our tickets! It was a great reason for Julie to spend the money and an even better reason for us to go out there for free! Besides, we loved little Brooke, at the time one of our two nieces. I remember about this trip;
Julie loved their home in Boise. It was a one-level contemporary stucco style, gray or tan? in color, with a large fenced in backyard and huge garage (2-car plus a 1-car where Ruston kept his motorcycle). It was a 3-bedroom, 2 bathroom home but the rooms were absolutely spacious. A living room, dining room, eat in kitchen open to the family room (which was huge). They also kept 3 chickens in the backyard which was eye-opening to me. People keep chickens and not on a farm? Turns out she was ahead of the curve on that one, now owning chickens is a popular fad. Their chickens eventually met an untimely death, with their heads mysteriously disappearing (the body left intact). I don't think they ever figured out what the problem was but the chickens are gone now. I also remembered her funny story about the night at dinner when Brooke made the connection after her parents telling her they were eating chicken. "Chick-y? MY chick-y?" After assuring her that it was not HER chick-y, she happily continued eating. I laughed so hard. We spent some time playing Mario Kart on the Wii, one of our favorite games at the time. Julie made some amazing chile rellenos, the first time I had eaten any, yup she converted me. I wish we had taken more photos, but I didn't have a camera phone then, and was still taking pictures with an old non-digital camera. I probably didn't even take it on that trip. The tiling job itself required little from me. They had already picked out the tile so I advised them to put it on a diagonal and that's about it. Jeff did all the hard work, laying it out and cutting it to size. They even put in radiant floor heat with a floor mat. I must admit, it looked fantastic when it was all done! I hope we saved them some money even after the plane tickets.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Portfolio and Calculations Classes, Fall/Winter 2005/06
A lovely card from my 'students' (actually peers!) from my time as Adjunct Faculty for the Interior Design program at BYU-Idaho.
Can I just say that I am SO grateful for my professors who made this opportunity possible! I was 'stuck' in Idaho for another year while Jeff finished up his degree. I needed employment and this was just an amazing opportunity. Since I only taught two classes, it didn't take up much of my time, so I also worked as a framer at Michaels in Idaho Falls, also an eye-opening and useful experience, my first job in a 'corporate' environment. But back to the Adjunct position, I loved every minute. Wendy Harris was the teacher who usually taught Calculations, she had everything organized so well, I basically just had to review the material beforehand to understand what I would cover, then prepare a few slides for the projector. The students were AMAZING, I don't remember any of them having issues with the content, although there were a few that chose to not attend classes or turn in their assignments. I hated giving failing grades but honestly it was very straightforward. Come to class and do the work, you passed, if not, you failed. The Porfolio class was even easier, all I had to do was show up and help the students with any questions they might have. The attendance was not kept, it was almost like what I did before I graduated as a tutor. You just sit at the front of the class and be available. A few times I arranged some special teaching. I brought in my first mentor, Lisa Butikofer from LB Designs in Idaho Falls. She did a fantastic class on starting a business. I remember walking ALL the way across campus from our 'married housing' at Rockland to the Craig building, bundled up in my winter gear but trying to be dressed professionally. I never wore jeans or anything sloppy in my position. I even wore HEELS for crying out loud! Anyway, it was fantastic, every moment. I loved my time at BYU-Idaho as a student and perhaps even more so as a part-time faculty. I would go back and do that as a profession in a heart beat if I had the opportunity to do so, even in freezing, boring Idaho!
Can I just say that I am SO grateful for my professors who made this opportunity possible! I was 'stuck' in Idaho for another year while Jeff finished up his degree. I needed employment and this was just an amazing opportunity. Since I only taught two classes, it didn't take up much of my time, so I also worked as a framer at Michaels in Idaho Falls, also an eye-opening and useful experience, my first job in a 'corporate' environment. But back to the Adjunct position, I loved every minute. Wendy Harris was the teacher who usually taught Calculations, she had everything organized so well, I basically just had to review the material beforehand to understand what I would cover, then prepare a few slides for the projector. The students were AMAZING, I don't remember any of them having issues with the content, although there were a few that chose to not attend classes or turn in their assignments. I hated giving failing grades but honestly it was very straightforward. Come to class and do the work, you passed, if not, you failed. The Porfolio class was even easier, all I had to do was show up and help the students with any questions they might have. The attendance was not kept, it was almost like what I did before I graduated as a tutor. You just sit at the front of the class and be available. A few times I arranged some special teaching. I brought in my first mentor, Lisa Butikofer from LB Designs in Idaho Falls. She did a fantastic class on starting a business. I remember walking ALL the way across campus from our 'married housing' at Rockland to the Craig building, bundled up in my winter gear but trying to be dressed professionally. I never wore jeans or anything sloppy in my position. I even wore HEELS for crying out loud! Anyway, it was fantastic, every moment. I loved my time at BYU-Idaho as a student and perhaps even more so as a part-time faculty. I would go back and do that as a profession in a heart beat if I had the opportunity to do so, even in freezing, boring Idaho!
Monday, April 3, 2006
Letter from Grandpa Val
Dear A.J. Pack Co. (4-3-06)
I gathered another idea: Since my offer may be a detour in your pursuit, If you find me some 3 months help, I'd pay you as my agent, 10% of what this employee (you acquire) costs me. Job description would be: General assistant in a trampoline business. $15.00 per hour to start, for willingness to learn and do. Operation skills (limited) with (general service) wrench- hammer- saw- broom- welder - sewing machine - delivery - sales- shipping. I feel that you feel that this job is something like 65% detour 30% treading water, and 5% opportunity. So don't let even Grandpa change you direction if it is as I've guessed above.
With Love, Grandpa
Editorial Note: I am now entering this letter in January 2015. I lost my dear grandpa almost one year ago. Re-reading it makes me remember how he sat me down in his shop, during a visit shortly before Jeff would graduate. He wanted us to move out to Caldwell and help him run things, which I'm pretty sure at the time had no appeal whatsoever to me. Part of me wishes that I had gone just to be with him, to learn from him. Another part of me tells me I did the right thing for me and Jeff, which was to start 'real' careers. Our 'real' careers didn't lead us very far very fast so I don't know. Every decision we make can lead to totally different path so I will never know where that path would have led. But I am glad that I had a grandpa who loved me enough to make me the offer then let me refuse. He was a very generous if stubborn man. Loved him then, love him now. I hope I never forget.
Another letter from Grandpa, date not known, but around the same time:
[In calligraphy] Dear Andrea Just a word to say "Hello" so "Hello".
I sent you a deal to draw up the other day and I was afraid it might be put on a back burner if I didn't sent some $. Let me know at the shop- Grandma might have questions, and when things are only in the possibility stage, it is easy to be put in the tight corner of "why"? I'm on borrowed time so I'm not supposed to think - dream - or plan.
Love, Grandpa Val
I gathered another idea: Since my offer may be a detour in your pursuit, If you find me some 3 months help, I'd pay you as my agent, 10% of what this employee (you acquire) costs me. Job description would be: General assistant in a trampoline business. $15.00 per hour to start, for willingness to learn and do. Operation skills (limited) with (general service) wrench- hammer- saw- broom- welder - sewing machine - delivery - sales- shipping. I feel that you feel that this job is something like 65% detour 30% treading water, and 5% opportunity. So don't let even Grandpa change you direction if it is as I've guessed above.
With Love, Grandpa
Editorial Note: I am now entering this letter in January 2015. I lost my dear grandpa almost one year ago. Re-reading it makes me remember how he sat me down in his shop, during a visit shortly before Jeff would graduate. He wanted us to move out to Caldwell and help him run things, which I'm pretty sure at the time had no appeal whatsoever to me. Part of me wishes that I had gone just to be with him, to learn from him. Another part of me tells me I did the right thing for me and Jeff, which was to start 'real' careers. Our 'real' careers didn't lead us very far very fast so I don't know. Every decision we make can lead to totally different path so I will never know where that path would have led. But I am glad that I had a grandpa who loved me enough to make me the offer then let me refuse. He was a very generous if stubborn man. Loved him then, love him now. I hope I never forget.
Another letter from Grandpa, date not known, but around the same time:
[In calligraphy] Dear Andrea Just a word to say "Hello" so "Hello".
I sent you a deal to draw up the other day and I was afraid it might be put on a back burner if I didn't sent some $. Let me know at the shop- Grandma might have questions, and when things are only in the possibility stage, it is easy to be put in the tight corner of "why"? I'm on borrowed time so I'm not supposed to think - dream - or plan.
Love, Grandpa Val
Thursday, March 2, 2006
Letter from Grandma Norma
March 2, 2006
Dear Newlyweds,
Thanks for your letter and the earlier joke page of bulletin items. They were hilarious- We were the life at our "Empty Nesters" home evening.
Your dad was here this past weekend. He came west and we were lucky enough to get on his itinerary. Our snow has been sparse but cold most of the winter. I've fed my birds and cats for entertainment. Grandpa Bobby has had a bout with neuropathy in his feet. They itch like crazy and he scratches them raw, gets infection and antibiotics follow.
Did you see Elder Bednar's picture in the February 11th Church News? He is laughing! Just thought you'd be interested.
Collette's granddaughter, Briann will be married July 3rd in the Denver Botannical Gardens. Thought I'd see if Christopher would go- Grandpa Bobby will stay here- he's too miserable traveling.
Yes, we got the photos. Thanks. They're neat. I've worn them out bragging to everyone.
I've started another quilt with Collette's group- Amish somewhat w/ lots of black. She picked the pattern and colors. We'd love to have you come to visit after school. We're kind of out of the way but, we'd feed you good. It's good that you're keeping in your field somewhat. Come see us.
Love, Grandma Norma
Dear Newlyweds,
Thanks for your letter and the earlier joke page of bulletin items. They were hilarious- We were the life at our "Empty Nesters" home evening.
Your dad was here this past weekend. He came west and we were lucky enough to get on his itinerary. Our snow has been sparse but cold most of the winter. I've fed my birds and cats for entertainment. Grandpa Bobby has had a bout with neuropathy in his feet. They itch like crazy and he scratches them raw, gets infection and antibiotics follow.
Did you see Elder Bednar's picture in the February 11th Church News? He is laughing! Just thought you'd be interested.
Collette's granddaughter, Briann will be married July 3rd in the Denver Botannical Gardens. Thought I'd see if Christopher would go- Grandpa Bobby will stay here- he's too miserable traveling.
Yes, we got the photos. Thanks. They're neat. I've worn them out bragging to everyone.
I've started another quilt with Collette's group- Amish somewhat w/ lots of black. She picked the pattern and colors. We'd love to have you come to visit after school. We're kind of out of the way but, we'd feed you good. It's good that you're keeping in your field somewhat. Come see us.
Love, Grandma Norma
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