Wild Animal

We had a wild animal at our house today. Blythe and Addie Lepinski made Cora a tiger with Blythe's face paints. She was absolutely delighted. She came running down the stairs shrieking like a wild animal, ran through the kitchen, stopped and chewed on my hip, then dashed off again. Watch out! This darling tiger might get you, too!

Memorial Day Weekend

It has been a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. We've been honoring and decorating the graves of loved ones all weekend. On Friday, we met at East Lawn Cemetery just after work to visit my dad, Grandma and Grandpa Barrus, cousin Jeff, Grandma and Grandpa Hare, and Uncle John. We spent time with cousins, talked about those who had died, and remembered with fondness good times. I'm glad we can go to the cemetery and pause, taking time out of life to remember the lives of those who have gone before us. We told stories and laughed, ate donuts, and took pictures.

On Saturday, in the company of Grandma Sue, we ran around Utah County visiting several cemeteries. We started in Payson to visit my great-great grandparents grave. We looked for several of their daughters and found one. We thought a couple others were there, so we looked and looked and looked, then finally consulted the occupants list a second time. Those we thought were there, weren't. The kids lost patience with us. We next stopped at the Springville cemetery to decorate David Davies grave. We like to honor him as a friend and benefactor. We made a stop at the Provo cemetery to place flowers on a cousin's grave, and looked for the grave of another great-great aunt. We determined she and her husband must be without a headstone because we found the spot where she was supposed to be, but no marker. We took Richard Ledford with us and placed flowers on the grave of his mother and sister.

This is the one picture I took all day Saturday. 

I was showing Mikayla the cute earrings she got me for my birthday.

Sunday we had a brief sacrament meeting with a very pouty daughter, then departed without said pouty daughter for Salt Lake and Tooele. It has been a couple of years since we went to Tooele, so we decided we make a circular pilgrimage and visit our pioneer ancestors. We stopped in Murray and were able to visit with Jonathan and Laurie and their children. We went to Wasatch Lawn, and then found a park and had some lunch. I read as we drove, and Kent told us stories when we got to the cemetery. We met up with Scott and Jolene Droubay, Kent's cousin and his wife, and visited with them for quite a while. We read and napped on the way home, and fortunately found Blythe safe at home. We missed her today, much like we miss our loved ones who have died.

Blythe, showing her displeasure.

At Wasatch Lawn

Today, actual Memorial Day, I had the day off. What a treat! Because we'd run around all weekend, we didn't go to any cemeteries. We did some work in the yard, including lopping off big dead limbs from the locust tree. Grandma Sue's pool was finally open and we swam this evening, enjoying the late afternoon sun and warm water. Well . . . we sort of enjoyed the water. The chlorine was off and so the water made most of us super itchy. It felt like there were little creatures in the water biting my arms and legs. I took two showers before going to bed. It was a wonderful weekend, busy but relaxing, and wonderful to be with family.

Doesn't let me in the tree.

He's convinced I am going to fall out and break myself, or worse, kill myself.

But he's fine in the tree.

Apparently, a broken or dead Kent isn't as bad as a broken or dead Kate.

Silly selfie

Selfie

I did some fingerprint training at work today. We brought in several of our RAs, and I led them through the process, gave them supplies, and sent them off with the hope that we'll be able to get more applicants ready to train. Part of the training was to take a picture on our individual phones and then email it to ourselves so we knew what applicants have to do to send their pictures. They need to send a picture for their badges. The picture requirements are fairly strict: 

No glasses or hat. Clothing normally worn on a daily basis. Full face visible, and no items to obscure or cast a shadow on the face. No headphones. Jewelry is fine, as long as it does not hide the face. Face forward with eyes open. Neutral facial expression. Face in middle of photo. Vertical photo. Neutral background.

 Here is the picture I would have submitted, had I not already had my photo taken in the office. I sent it to myself, just to practice.

Planting

Brick and Cora have wanted to plant something, little seeds or beans. They asked Mikayla if they could plant something, somewhere, and she said yes, eventually. We have needed to get some things in the ground, so I suggested we combine forces and plant beans in our garden space.

This evening, Mikayla came over with her little people and we planted green beans. Kent put in lots of tomatoes, but we had a bit of space where we could plant. Planting holds a small person's attention for a small time, so I had a bit of help for a bit, then finished off myself. But Brick, Cora, and Kal helped, as did Brandt. I'm convinced our efforts will produce fruit in the form of green beans we can all eat. Or rather, than Kent and I can eat, as no one else likes them.

A most excellent back scratcher!

*Post edit: The beans did, indeed, grow. They have produced strangely fuzzy beans that no one, including me and Kent, really wants to eat. 

Sad.

We Are Sowing

We've got all these bare spots in our backyard where the grass has disappeared. It isn't a yellow spot of dead grass, or a hole in the ground. They are just bare. Bugs maybe? Aliens? This evening, Kent suggested we treat those spots with grass seed. We've had not one, but two bags of grass seed in the garage, and in the spirit of clearing out stuff, whatever the stuff is, I agreed that we should sow. 

So sow we did.

Kent used a small rake and loosened up soil, while I spead seed. We turned the sprinklers on, and we hope it will grow. 

On Becoming 50

It's my 50th birthday.  It's been coming for a while now, and so I was not a bit surprised when I woke up and it was my big day.  I took the day off work because really, who wants to work on their birthday?  I had WAAAAAY too much celebrating to do to be bothered with work. While I didn't do things that might have been fabulous (spend 50 days in Italy, eat 50 scoops of ice cream, have 50 of my favorite people over for food), I was able to do lots of other fabulous things, most of them thanks to Mikayla, that made the day terrific!

Before we even get to today's celebrating, Linda and Gregg Pugmire sent me Crumbl Cookies on Saturday. They were out of town and certain they would not be back in time for my party (Linda was invited), so they had cookies delivered to mark the occasion. They were delicious! It was nice of them to honor my day, and even nicer when they got home on Monday so Linda could come celebrate with me at lunch today.

Oreo, chocolate chip, chocolate caramel, peanut butter

YUM-O!

I got up early to go bike with Maureen (not 50 miles), and when I went outside, I discovered the front lawn was covered with balloons--50, in fact, on little sticks. It looked like we had a balloon infestation that needed to be sprayed. I don't know who put them there, but they were festive and fun and I'm grateful to whoever planted them. Sadly, it was a windy day, and by noon, a great many of them had blown away or deflated, leaving sticks sticking out of the ground all lonely and unadorned.

When I got back from biking, I made honey bran muffins and scrambled eggs for breakfast. Delicious! 

Last week, Utah moved from Orange to Yellow on the Covid-19 quarantine scale, so Mikayla and I went for a pedicure. It was the first time in months and months, and I was delighted to have my feet worked on, my toes painted, and a really great leg massage. I felt pampered! I had my toes painted the same color as my dress, and was tickled every time I looked down at my feet.

Mikayla wanted us to have BIG birthday celebrating--girls weekend, huge party, wildness--but we're just coming out of a two months long quarantine, and she had to temper her expectations.  We did feel that an intimate gathering of friends, eating outside in the backyard, would be entirely appropriate, so in the early afternoon, we had a lovely meal provided by Mikayla and my mom, and visited with many of my favorite people. We had curry chicken salad, bridal shower chicken salad, caprese, and fruit, with peach Melba for dessert. All delish! We should have taken a picture of all of us at the party, but I was too busy visiting and didn't think about it. Everyone brought me a gift, which was unnecessary but fun, and although it was a bit windy (minor gale-force winds), it was lovely to be outside in the backyard visiting while we ate.

Those in attendance: Mikayla, Mom, Aunt Georgianne, Aunt Darlene, Tysen and Ava, Sharae, Sharon, Paula Hamblin, Linda Pugmire, Barbara Niven, Andrea Blad, Maureen Ogles, Janie Rasmussen, Ramona Stice, Stacie Mason, Suzan Nelson, Eva Fisher

After adios and clean-up, I rested and read while gearing up for the next part of the celebrating. I had ordered take out Indian food from Bombay House for me and Kent, and Panda Express for the kids, and we had plans to pick it up simultaneously in two cars, then eat together. Unfortunately, Richard Ledford had an episode, and Kent had to go save him, so I went to get food which I ate with the kids. Kent got home just about the time the birthday parade part of the partying happened.  

Mikayla sent out an online invitation through our neighborhood Google group for people to come wish me a happy birthday. She wrote words to go along with the Pancake Robot song which made for a darling invite! Here is her message.

The cupcake robot is coming to town
He's heard there is a birthday and he's making his rounds.
White cake, yellow cake, or chocolate chip,
Katherine has turned 50; he's gonna flip!

Kate Barrus' birthday is here at last
50 years have flown by so amazingly fast
With her sparkling smile and her contagious laughter
She's gonna serve the world, cause she's the friendship master!

Hello Everyone,
This is a (goofy) virtual invitation to come celebrate Katherine Barrus' 50th birthday tomorrow evening, Tuesday May 19th, 2020 from 7 - 7:30 pm with a drive-by parade. Please come by and say hello and wish Katherine a happy birthday. Cupcakes will be served!
Thanks,
Mikayla Johnsen

Mikayla, Mom, and Ava had all made cupcakes, and as many people drove by to wish me a happy birthday, Mikayla distributed cupcakes. All the DeMartinis came over to see me, including Bryan and his kids, although they didn't get out of the car or take a cupcake which I thought was a bummer. But I was so glad to see them!! Sarah Westerberg also stopped by at the end of parade time which was so great because we visited for quite a while. Neighbors brought me gifts, several sang, and everyone was so kind. And there were cupcakes, too!

Neighbors who drove (or walked) by: Elizabeth Cutler, Shon and Shelly Whitney, Charlene Doman (on her bike), Charles and Heather Helquist, Nelson and Hilary Davis along with Sam, the Banks, the Bradfords, the Bergevins who walked by, Wendy Bird, all the Blads, Brian and Briahna Bushman, Stephen and Jeri Covey, the Drakes and the Fickers who both golf carted over, though separately, Ryan and Elizabeth Elder who also rode their bikes, Chris and Corene Jensen who brought the orange sign, Dennis and Rose Mary Lindberg who walked over, Cinda Morgan, Adam and Meghann Nebeker, Tami and Rachel Oyler who also walked across the street for a visit, Becky Phillips, Gregg and Linda Pugmire along with Sydney, Jason, and Taylor, John and Angela Richards, all the Seamons, Dakin Stovall and the younger kids walked over for a cupcake, Kerrie and Jake Thornock, Robbie MacArthur, Richard and Dorothy Jensen.

Birthday balloons courtesy of Mikayla. 

She was up until 3:00am blowing them up.

I texted to thank her for the balloons that were all over the yard, and she said,

while looking at all the balloons she had, "What balloons? I didn't put balloons in your yard."

But then she came this morning and put up others.

As if Mikayla hadn't already done so much, she topped off the day with a basket full of fun gifts, including a video she put together of 50ish people who said incredibly nice things about me. Family and dear friends included messages that made me laugh and cry and warmed my heart.  I wanted to give the video my undivided attention, so I didn't watch it immediately, but waited until the morning (it was a bad sleeping night), before I went to work, to enjoy it.

It was a wonderful day!  I felt loved and appreciated, almost to the point of embarrassment, almost like I was watching people share nice things at my funeral.  BUT! 50 isn't really all that old (that's my story and I'm sticking with it), so I'm going to continue to enjoy all that life has to offer.


Here are a couple of text messages I received, as well as some very nice things people shared on Facebook.

Hi Hun,

Hope you had a super happy birthday.  You are one amazing gal.  I truly love you and admire you. You inspire me in so many ways.

Becky Phillips

Happy belated birthday to one of the most amazing women I know. I hope it was as truly amazing as you.
Keyaira

"You don't look a day over 32!" said Ford Stevenson. He says all the right things!

Rosemary Bosco said, "On you it looks great!" What a sweetie!

Hey Katherine! Happy 50th birthday! Thanks for being the awesomest aunt ever! From the fun childhood memories (swimming in your parents pool, having Brandt and Blythe visit me and Char at the Scera, sleeping over at your place when our parents were out of town, introducing us to Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit, having fun books, ping pong wars, etc) and the fun dinners, game nights, family get togethers and parties! Thank you for your love and support for me my whole life, especially with school and a mission. I really, really appreciate it! Love ya and have an awesome birthday!  Annie

My dear neighbor, Elizabeth Cutler, sent me a digital birthday card that starts out seemingly serious. A voice over narrative begins to speak about the North American Black-tailed Prairie Dog and a ritual they seem to be preparing for. Then, a prairie dog pokes up from a hole with a party hat on its head. Then many prairie dogs in party hats sing happy birthday, surrounded by presents and balloons. I watched it three times and laughed and laughed every time. So, so funny!

In the video, Mikayla and her gang sang and danced to not one but TWO songs about me being 50. One was to the music for "Breakfast Burrito" and one was to the music for "Raining Tacos." Words and dancing were hilarious! I absolutely loved them both!

At His Leisure

Kent.

At his leisure on a Sunday morning.

He's waiting for the rest of us to join him for church.

His feet are prominently featured in this picture, but that's somewhat appropriate--Kent has always felt that his feet were one of his finest features.

At Her Leisure

Bill and Mary Lou Bingham offered us two of these terrific chaises lounges after helping them plant some flowers this year (see post from April 29). Blythe has been asking me if we could get a hammock because she wants to be able to laze about in the yard, reading. When the Binghams said we could have these, I knew Blythe would be thrilled. I was right! She loves them!! I don't have much time to lounge, but I thought I would take a moment and enjoy the cool evening air and the loveliness of the backyard. This lounging about didn't last long, but it was a treat, nonetheless.

I look mad.

I'm not.