Peaches come in a can, they were put there by a man...

Once upon a time in the far away land of Hurricane, Lora was given two 5 gallon buckets of peaches by her wonderful inlaws. "What wonderful, money-saving joy!" exclaimed Lora upon receiving the gift. "I will take them home to Logan and bottle them so they can be enjoyed for months to come." And Lora did just that.

She went home and bought herself a pressure cooker, having learned the proper technique from her mother, and set to work. All evening and into the night she scalded, pealed, pared, and pressured her peaches. And all evening and into the night her husband David was by her side participating in such projects as the lifting of the pressure cooker and the taking off of the lid. They were both exhausted but pleased with their work.

A few days passed and more of the peaches became ripe enough to bottle. Lora decided that Saturday morning was the morning to finish preserving her wonderful peaches. David helped once again, this time with the peeling and paring but only for awhile as he had to run off to a study group so as not to fail his classes. So Lora finished the job herself. She filled the pressure cooker, tightened the lid, lit the stove and cooked those peaches. All seemed to be well in the land until it came time to take off the lid. You see, it wouldn't come off. All she had to do was twist and lift, but the lid would not twist. She grabbed pot-holders and tried again to no avail. "Perhaps the metal is still too hot and it needs to cool down," she thought to herself. So she went inside and took a shower while the metal cooled.

After getting dressed and attempting to do her hair, Lora tried the lid again. Still it wouldn't budge. By this time her frustration was starting to show in the vein in her forehead. "I'll show you!" she said to the lid, and immediately got a hammer and screw-driver. "Perhaps I can give the lid a little 'love tap' and help it move." So she positioned the screw-driver like a chisel and gently tapped the lid hoping it would slide enough to unlatch. Tap tap tap went the hammer. Then TAP TAP TAP went the hammer. Then TAP TAP TAP went the hammer. It didn't budge. Then the cussing began. Not out loud mind you, there were neighbors who could hear, but she was drop kicking her pressure cooker out the door in her head!

"What kind of a stupid pressure cooker is this that the lid won't come off! What am I supposed to do, call David every time I need the lid taken off! What a waste of time and money, I can't believe this is happening... stupid... mumble mumble... dumb... mumble mumble... pressure cooker... lid won't come off.. stupid... mumble mumble." Then the phone rang. It was Lora's mother. "How's the pressure cooker? Aren't you just loving it?!" said her mother, jovially. "NO!" Lora roared back giving voice to her frustrations. "I can't get the lid off!!!" "Have you read the instructions?" her mother replied. "No, but it's stupid, I can tell about these things and I'm clearly doomed!" cried Lora. "Well that's awful" said her mother sympathetically, "but perhaps you should take a look who knows, it might be helpful and if not you can take it back."

Lora thought about this and decided to give it a go. "In case of vacuum seal," read the instructions, "take a flat head screw-driver and gently lift around each wing-nut to break the seal being careful so as not to damage the metal." It seemed so simple she was sure it wouldn't work, but why not try to at least say she did. So Lora picked up the screw-driver and placed it by the first wing-nut and prepared to heave-ho. Applying approximately the pressure of the weight of her little finger, the lid lifted with a small pfft of air and the seal was broken revealing the peaches inside.

The moral of the story: no matter how stupid and unnecessary you think they are, always read the directions first.

For your enjoyment, the Presidents of the United States of America: Peaches

3 Years! Woo-hoo!

Yesterday was our 3rd wedding anniversary. Can you believe it! In some ways it seems like just yesterday, in others it feels like we've been together much longer. We got a slow start, like it taking him multiple years to finally ask me out and then forever to finally kiss me, but it has all been worth the wait. I don't think that I could have asked for a better match for me. Just goes to show that the Lord knows what he is doing... and it's a good thing because I certainly don't.

So, here's a tribute to my husband, Michael David Sullivan. To the man who puts up with my mood swings, who knows how to calm me down (for the most part), who sees me for who I am and loves me anyway. To the man who cleans the bathroom and helps with the dishes. Who makes me laugh when I need it and even when I don't. He is truly the love of my life.

This song is for him. I don't think either could be considered a Rod Stewart fan, but this song just fits. It's kind of a cheesy version, but you get the idea. Love ya David!

Nature

David and I drove to Hurricane this last weekend. We went down for his grandparent's 70th wedding anniversary. Can you believe it! If we make it 70 years we'll be in our hundreds at the celebration... don't really think that will take place.

Anyway, normally it is a drive that I abhor in a way. It's just so dang long. And there are so many patches of nothingness to see that I just never get excited about the drive. Don't get me wrong, I love to go and see his family. I get along with them so well! In fact David and I have often commented that holidays would be so much easier if one of our families didn't like us. (I actually used to want to marry someone with a dysfunctional family cause then I wouldn't have to miss holidays with my own.)

Now, back to the drive and the nothingness therein. I actually did most of the driving. David had homework to read so he sat in the passenger seat and read his math books out loud to me. (I should totally get a gold star for that too.) Fortunately I wasn't bored to tears, but I also felt no great obligation to really listen to him either. I started scanning the countryside as we passed by going 80 miles per hour and what I found delighted me. In the deserted countryside between Utah Valley and St. George were thousands and thousands of the wild yellow sunflower-looking flowers lining the freeway. It was beautiful! I had seen them before, but never so abundantly. The whole median was filled to over-flowing in places. I began to look further and found vegetation that was actually still green in September filling in the spaces between the sagebrush. There was a quiet beauty about it. Much better than burnt, dry, desert. Perhaps that was my gold star.

Completely addicted to...

Yep, I'm addicted to Junior Mints. I love the creamy minty middle that bursts into my mouth. The dark chocolate shell surrounds the hidden treasure perfectly. Whether purchased at the movie theater or smuggled in by purse, no movie is complete with out a box of Junior Mints at my side.

Hubbard Family Olympics

I don't know how many of you out there are aware that the Olympics are not just in Beijing this year. True, it doesn't have the coverage that Beijing does, but we have high hopes for future years. I bring to you, Olympic grade slip-n-slide... sure to be the next new event to join the Olympic venue.

Here we have the athletes lining up to try their skills

There sheer determination is evident on many an athlete's face.

It takes a lot of skill and muscle strength to stay on the actual slide.

Clearly this is not a sport for men only, just look at the joy on her face.

As the athletes progress, an element of style is introduced into the games.



And of course, there are the upcoming Olympic hopefuls.
And the smooth slide into the pond.
On other news, here's little Wesley with his grandma.

And another new addition, here is Kierstin Tennant, a new niece.

Breaking Dawn (Spoiler Alert!)

As many of you know, I recently finished reading Breaking Dawn the anxiously awaited final book in Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series. I picked up the book with anticipation and curiosity. I am well aware that this is not the greatest series ever written and in fact can be compared to great literature the same way that "American Idol" could be compared to great television. It's just not in the same class. But I do enjoy a good story. I'm a rather forgiving reader actually. If the story manages to catch my attention and keep me interested, then I don't consider it a waste of my time.

My personal preferences in "literature" vary greatly. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a book that changes my outlook on life, expands my horizons and almost forces me to look at the world through different eyes. Those are the books that get into my soul.

Then there are the books that help me run away from my own life and transport me into a different world. A world where magic exists and the impossible is possible. These are the books that I turn to for a good escape from reality. It is this second category that Breaking Dawn falls into. I wasn't looking for deep meaning or literary greatness, just a "take me away" book.

When I picked it up last Sunday it started out much the same as the other three. It felt repetitious in some ways, ie. beautiful Edward, awkward Bella, excited Alice and a big wedding. It moved the plot along but it was nothing new. As the book progressed, it became evident that this would be different. In fact, I found the story rather intriguing and always read much more at a sitting than intended. I felt a progression in Meyer's writing that I was sure would make some of the teenage infatuation of the first three books worth every page. More of the vampire world was opened up just begging to be looked at. In the last 100-150 pages we are introduced to new characters as conflict between the ruling Volturi and the Cullen family heat up. Preparations begin for a defining conflict where true justice would be served. Forces were gathered and the battlefield set and then... well it doesn't happen.

So much time is spent preparing to defend and fight for the rights of free will and agency and it is stopped with a word trap. My first reaction was disbelief followed closely with thoughts that Meyer was being incredibly self-indulgent. Bella doesn't have to loose anything in her life, she gets Edward, she gets Jacob (that's a plot twist that I certainly won't give away), she gets her vampire family as well as Charlie in her life. And she gets immortality. We all like a happy ending, but I felt that this ending was too happy. Too happy to be believable. I can only suspend reality so far. I felt that the characters were denied a chance to learn something of life themselves. Perhaps I just rather crave violence but I longed for a more conclusive ending for the Volturi. Too may loose ends were left loose. The book could have been great, it certainly had the components, it just ended poorly. There were questions left unanswered and mysteries left unexplained about Bella herself.

Did I enjoy the book? Yes. Was it great literature? No. Am I glad I read it? Sure, why not. It did keep my attention. It will still hold a place on my bookshelf (and look great because I like the cover art) though not as deeply in my heart. Perhaps someday I will read them again and come to a new appreciation for the ending that so disappoints me now. So, take that for what you will. Finish the series and enjoy it for what it is, just don't expect greatness.

I'm back!

K, so it's been awhile since I've updated, but I have very good reasons. We recently had a death in the family. Our little old laptop finally gave up the ghost. The powercord no longer plugs in to the computer, and since the battery lasts of all 20 minutes or so, well... yeah. It was a good little "puter" while it lasted though. And with death comes new life. We recently purchased a HP Pavilion laptop that is quickly becoming my friend. It's so quiet! It took a while to get everything situated but it is complete at last. You'll be hearing more from me, whether you like it or not... whaa ha ha haaa.

So, I finished the most recent book in the Stephanie Meyers Twighlight series. I'm dying to discuss it with someone. Has anyone else read it yet? There's so much I want to say but I'm afraid I would ruin an ending/middle for you, not that it wasn't ruined by the author already. (Did I give away too much?) Oh yeah, now you're interested. I'm afraid I'm not having the happy-joyous-everythingisohsowonderful opinion that I was sure I would have. So, if you would like to hear my opinion, let me know I'd be glad to share. Of course I may just share it anyway sometime in the future with a big "Spoiler" warning on it.

So... stay tuned and keep checking! More is sure to come!

Vampires and Primary Songs

Have you ever had one of those days where you are just off? The kind where all the functions that you never really had to think about become almost more than you can handle? Like deciding what to eat and how to put one foot in front of another? Today was one of those days.

It started with the inability to get up and get to church on time. We live 1/2 a block from the church house and it has always burned on my consciousness that the majority of our Sundays we are unable to make it in time to find a good seat and listen to the prelude. Instead we are running through the door as a member of the bishopric starts making the announcements. They see us, smile knowingly, and keep going. Truly it brings more notice to us that I am comfortable with. One day our "high visibility" is going to catch up with us and we are going to be asked to speak. Of course they will take bets on whether we show up on time. (So far our only safety net is that the first counselor is our landlord and we made it clear that the new carpet in our house is safe as long as we don't have to speak in church. He laughed then but I'm pretty sure the "idle threat" worked. We have nothing on the other two though... so far.)

Still, it's more annoying that we can't seem to make it on time for Fast Sunday when we have a whole meal taken out of the routine.

Next on the list was Primary. For some reason all of the songs that I know backwards and forwards became foreign to my fingers. Was it the presence of a new primary presidency? The new teachers we seem to have every week? Or just my brain letting me know that I can never relax for even five minutes or it will sabotage me unmercifully. I fumbled through Keep the Commandments like I had never played it before and a book fell and hit the keys twice. The kids laughed and I'm sure the Presidency wondered how I got the job. "Clearly it's a 'growing' position for her," they'll say as they consider my replacement.

Last but not least, I gave in to my not-so-secret desire to read 'mindless drivel', as some would term it, and I started reading the new Stephanie Meyer's book "Breaking Dawn". After a couple of chapters I opted to take a nap and found myself in one of those naps where all sorts of weird things happen and even make sense as long as I'm asleep. I dreamed of vampire children fraternizing with characters from the Lion King intermingled with my parents back yard swimming pool. I slept for an hour and a half and had to use all of my will power and reserve strength to get back out of bed lest I sleep too long rendering a good nights sleep later on tonight impossible. I am still in the funk and thought I would share.

This just proves that I too can write mindless drivel, I will just never get paid for it. Perhaps I need an oh-so-mysterious character to tie things together and incite a twisted kind of love interest. hmm... I wonder what my husband would think if he suddenly became a misunderstood zombie who just needed more affection to break the spell. Would I help him or would he trap me into joining his nights of endless wandering... dun dun dun dun.

Hope you all have a better Sunday.