Class of 2018

Laney starts Kindergarten on Wednesday. She went for “screening” last Thursday. It’s really a thinly veiled entrance exam. If she did well enough she may be given special graham cracker privileges or be moved to the top of the rotation for milk monitor. We had her working with online Kindergarten Screening Practice tests for a couple of weeks before her exam.

Cat Burglar

One evening in San Clemente the kids left the apartment to go for a walk on the pier and try to attract stalkers. So, I thought it was just me and Laney in the apartment. I went in the bathroom briefly leaving Laney on the bed. When I returned, she was holding a cat on her lap. Some stranger's cat had wandered in for a visit. I thought it odd because the front door was closed and I was sure the kids wouldn't just let in some stray cat without telling me. I looked around and figured out the he must have climbed a fence and jumped onto the roof right near the upstairs deck and come in the open sliding door. Other than his surprise intrusion, he was very well mannered and tempered. Several of the clan from the other apartment came over to say hi to him. We think he was a Russian Blue. The name on his tag said "Fizz."

Battle Hardened. Battle Weary.

We went paintballing last night with a group of mostly kids from the ward. I've never done this before. It was an indoor arena so the floor was all squishy with paint and you can't help but get a little messed up. This may not have been the greatest thing to do for an LDS youth activity. But, I think there were valuable lessons to be learned, especially for the boys. I guess this is as close as you can get to real combat without certain threat to life. The first game we had no strategy, hadn't taken the time. So most people stayed in our initial position, which would have been fine if part of our team had spread out to cover our flanks. I had balls flying all around me, kids behind me screaming and crying and shooting blind over our bunker. Another kid was at my feet cowering after being hit in the head. He was also screaming and crying. The whole situation engendered real confusion and fear about being hit with a paintball. I kept thinking of Blackhawk Down. Honestly, one kid looked just like Viggo Mortensen. I did feel one direct hit on my arm. That's all I thought I had until I got home and found three more on my arms. One of the ones I hadn't noticed looks a lot worse than the rest. I guess the pain could be compared to receiving a shot in the arm.

Caveat Venditor

I'll try to say this without causing too much shame or consternation for my father in law. Two years ago when they were moving to Utah and selling their home in Kentfield, California, they were told they weren't asking enough for their house. I think they were told to list it at upwards of 2 million. The home held deep sentimental value for my in laws and they wanted to make sure it wasn't just torn down and that someone would enjoy it like they did for years. I think they believed they had found the perfect family for the home, a young family. They felt comfortable that this family understood and would respect their wishes. They even lowered their price for the family and it sold at 1.5 million. Well, the home has now been dolled up some (paint, carpet, some landscaping) and is on the market for 2.8 million. Try to say that without sounding like Dr. Evil from Austin Powers.

The Tender Mercies of the Lord

On Monday 15 Aug while we were in San Clemente we went to the open house for the Newport Beach LDS Temple. At the San Clemente first ward it was the topic du jour and it sounded like everyone involved was just thrilled about it. We parked in the temporary off site parking at the Mariner Church and rode a Bus over to the Temple. Joan announced to our tour guide that we were all members (so no need to waste valuable missionary oriented breath on our account.) When we rounded the curve and the Temple came into view my heart thrilled with the spirit. And I felt similar emotions in the baptistry and other rooms as well. Once again the decor, design, and workmanship were top notch. I expect many people who attended the open house will never step inside a building on par with it unless they get to visit the Sultan of Brunei.

I kept expecting to see at least a couple of people I might know from all of my acquaintances who live in the Southland. Finally as we were leaving the Temple and making our way over to the reception area I saw Kay Powell. It's funny, I think I run into her more often than anyone else from my past and I think she is the least plussed by our occasional sightings.

There was a nice young man with an electric cart giving rides to the feeble and handicapped. He had three extra seats and offered them to me, Lenore, and Laney. Just as I was sitting down Stuart Campbell came over and grabbed me. I had got back in touch with him about a month ago and tried to see if we could get together. I think he was really busy with Open House assignments. I spent my whole time in the reception area catching up on his latest. They are adding a second level to their house so they are in an apartment for the remodel. He said being involved in the Open House had been like serving another mission, a great spiritual high. He and Kendra had been tour guides in the Temple. But, they had just finished their last tour of their whole assignment and he was making his way to the car to go home when he spotted me. He went to the wrong parking lot or we wouldn't have seen eachother. We may also not have met if I hadn't seen Kay Powell or taken the ride on the electric cart (something I am usually loathe to do.)

In the reception area I also saw Cindy Baron and John and Jamie Harmon.

Farewell to Paradise

The San Clemente vacation is coming to an end. Yesterday a bit of depression hit me and the rest of the clan. Everyone is somewhat testy with dreadful anticipation.

I rode a total of 322 miles in 10 days of riding. Yesterday Leslie and I beat the best time that I had set with Fielding on the tandem. We averaged 18.3 mph for the 26 mile ride. She was a trouper. On Tuesday I had to yield to a tank and several ?Bradleys? at the tunnel on the Marine base. I saluted as they went by. Today I went past the sentry about 7 miles before turning around. The girls all enjoyed scanning for wild bunnies, squirrels and roadrunners once we got onto the Marine base.

Last Saturday after Jim Greenan left to take Jay to his hotel, he returned and literally dragged us out of our pajamas to get fondue at one of the uppity restaurants by the pier. We had a fun time. Afterward we walked to the end of the pier and oohed and aahed at the bioluminescent effects of the red tide in the water. It was especially cool when one of the fishermen would reel in their line.

By the late afternoon on Tuesday you could tell that a swell was hitting the coast. Sure enough we awoke on Weds morning to 4-6 foot surf. That meant we weren't going to be using the boards. But, I had some fun bodysurfing. However, I can tell I'm no longer 25 years old. I had to take it a little easy and not take as many risks as I used to. I played with Laney in the tide zone. She got attacked by a stray patch of man-eating kelp. No permanent injuries. She also almost got knocked down by a small tsunami wave that surprised her. She managed to outrun it. But, it looked like she was going to fall down a couple of times. It was quite entertaining for observers.

So on Thursday since the waves were still kinda big and scary for the novice surfers, we loaded everything on top the Explorer and took a trip down to Doheny. The kids enjoyed themselves. But, did not like the rocky bottom. Next time we need booties. I wore my sandals which helped a lot. But, they catch a lot of water when you are trying to bring your feet under you. I still managed to get a couple of cuts on my feet.

We will miss the sun and the sea breeze and the crepuscolo sul mare, the cool pleasant evening air. We will miss the "beach trees" that Laney starts spotting in Las Vegas in anticipation of our arrival. Hopefully we are refreshed enough to withstand the rigors of another year behind the plow.

Great! I can just see this getting duped and ending up all over the Web

Ailsa and Britty were walking on the pier. An older man stopped them and asked if they would take a picture with his son who just returned from Iraq. He's probably sending it back to his buddies so they can eat their hearts out.

The Doctrine of the Two Jays

We had some friends visiting us at the beach today, Jay and Jim Greenan. They have been friends of the Smiths for many years. I never met Jim (Jay's twin) until yesterday. After some time at the beach Laney came up to me and whispered a question, "Are there two Jays?" She had never encountered twins before. Jim was wearing a tee shirt that said "I'm the evil twin." At first, Laney was calling them "Jay one" and "Jay two."

Calling Wes Craven

Anyone who has driven I-15 in the area of Barstow knows what Lake Delores is, a failed attempt at a water park complete with a manmade lake for watersport exhibitions? For years I have though it would make a great setting for a horror movie.
Before they get the chance to fix it, take note of the painted inner and outer lines on the freeway in that area, at least the southbound lanes. They are not straight at all. I'd like to think they are crooked due to lots of seismic activity in that part of the Southwest. But, I don't believe that is the case. When I showed it to the family we were making jokes about a drunken painting crew or perhaps that is where they send the trainees to give them experience.

SC in the OC

Today was a very fun day at the beach. On the tandem ride this morning with Jensen we didn't go very fast. But, at one point we fell in with a group of 4 riders and stayed on their tail. When they figured out we were there they tried to up the pace to shake us off. But, they just succeeded in dropping the two slower riders and we stayed with the two leaders for a mile or two until we came to one of the sharp rises.
I took the big board down to the beach and used it for just a couple of minutes. Mostly the water skills are still there. But, some surfing specific muscles are not in shape.
I just sat on the sand for a while and played with Laney. She ended up putting sand all over me to make a sugar cookie.
Later I was walking down the beach and ran into Dori and Tyler Childs from family camp. We had a good time chatting with them. They had seen Ailsa and recognized her even though it has been about 4 years since they had seen her.
Laney is being quite adventurous and brave, going out in the waves fairly far. There has been a bit of a jellyfish infestation this year. I was trying to show one to Laney and it washed across her foot and stung her. At least she got to go see the cute lifeguards for some diluted vinegar treatment. Within 15 minutes she had forgotten about it and was back playing.

BoomDeeADa, BoomDeeADa BoomDeeADa, BoomDeeAy

We are leaving for our long awaited and cherished San Clemente vacation early tomorrow morning and the anticipation is killing us all. Yes, it will involve several hours each way trapped in the car with a bored Laney and crabby kids. I will probably eat myself silly to alleviate the boredom of the drive and fend off the drowsiness. We will be leaving around 5am. It's not unusual for us to get interested in some radio show or news story. In 2000 we went to Marin for Thanksgiving and spent a lot of time catching news of the Bush-Gore election fiasco. We have found "interesting" Art Bell programs to listen to on AM Coast to Coast. Once going to the Colorado River we spent much of the ride reading a website on my palm phone about some supposed time traveller we heard of on Art Bell. We made this trip down to Southern California a month ago on the morning of the London tube bombings and kept tuning in for updates on that story. Unfortunately, there is a stretch in between Saint George and Baker/Barstow where radio reception is very limited. Of course, that is also the most boring part of the trip where you really need something to keep from losing your mind. XM radio anyone? We once stopped in Baker when the world's tallest thermometer read 128 degrees. Yeah, but it's a dry heat.

We will likely arrive in San Clemente around 2pm. Lenore's parents and their brood left this morning and will make a stop probably in Primm, Nevada. However, we very well may make it to SC before they do. It is impossible for them to travel quickly. They make too many stops (long ones) and drive too slowly. Darrell always asks me about our drive and questions how we arrived so fast, with a reproving look in his eye. I remind him to do the math: a 680 mile trip doesn't have to take longer than 10 hours if you drive at 68 mph. Sometimes on these trips though you feel like the Clampetts coming west or Clark Griswold and family. It doesn't take long with our group for the car to develop a nice complement of trash and other lost and discarded objects. You can leave with the car sparkling clean. Soon the windshield is peppered with insect carcasses. Road grime covers the car like a bumper to bumper 100,000 mile warranty, and you feel like you are travelling in a Bolivian jalopy. Picture us hurtling down the deserted highway with our cruise control set on 80 and the lifeless body of aunt Edna strapped to the roof. I have the steering wheel firmly clutched between my agile knees while trying to choke down a sausage egg biscuit. "No, officer I am quite alert. Was I swerving?"

We are taking my bike and the tandem and will be putting some miles on them everyday. We will be borrowing some surfboards and picking up one we bought on ebay and hopefully doing some surfing everyday. We may even be going to San Onofre to do some surfing, depending on how much gumption we have. The hard part is going to be getting the kids to carry the boards down to the beach. During the two weeks we take turns making dinner for everyone. I expect we will cook twice. We usually make my yummy Carbonara one night. We plan on attending the open house for the Newport Beach LDS Temple on Monday 15 August. I may try to see a friend or two while we are there. But, for the most part, we stay in San Clemente, don't go sightseeing or do much shopping other than groceries. We just spend a lot of time at the beach relaxing. There is some sort of universal draw or appeal to the ocean and the sound of surf that is hard to quantify or describe. One of my favorite things to do in my teens and twenties was to stay in the water long enough to get really cold and then lie under the Sun and fall asleep. Then after awakening and shaking off the strong stupor of exhausted sleep, I would sit and lie right in the warm sand and just peer at the ocean. Watching a calm breezy sunset with your skin still tingling from the day's sunshine can be mildly spiritual.