BROOKE WHITE SIGHTING

I got a call from Darrel on Saturday in which he said: "Guess who's in front of Trina in the Paradise Bakery line?" "Who? " "Brooke White." "I'm there, don't lose her." Dallin and I jumped in my car and I grabbed Brooke's CD "Songs From the Attic" as I rushed out the door.
On the way to the Chandler mall I called Darrel and asked if she, Brooke, was still within sight.
"Oh, no, she left the food court awhile ago, but Trina knows where she is going. She's going to the Quicksilver store and then on to Nordstroms. I drove to the parking lot closest to Nordstrom's and quickly found a spot, not easy to do on a Saturday afternoon. As Dallin and I entered the store I was wishing I had remembered to bring my camera. I told Dallin we needed to go to the shoe department because I know Brooke really likes shoes. Trina had told me she was with her Mom and sister and she was wearing a green top and a white skirt. She was easy to spot right in front of the shoes and next to the makeup department. She was speaking to a woman who worked there and we just casually waited, pretending we were looking at the women's shoes. As she started to leave I sent Dallin after her with the CD cover and told him exactly where I wanted her to sign it. Bless his heart, he stopped her and that gave me time to casually saunter over. When she saw me she asked me where I got the CD but all I could say was "Thank you!" Now I realize that the CD was re-released without her permission. After we left I was wishing I would have said: "I loved you on American Idol." But I always think what to do and say after the fact. Thanks Darrel, Trina and Dallin for making my day before Mother's Day so great!!

Catching Up

I haven't written on my blog for two months. Here are some of the things that happened during that time:

1. James and I volunteered at the Mesa Cannery.

2. I attended a break dancing concert for James Hayden, a hiphop concert for Anna, and a ballet - tap concert for Emmy.

3. Ben had his 8th birthday and he was also baptized by his father Ian.

4. Michael had his 10th birthday party at Organ Stop Pizza.

5. Paul and Kim both celebrated their birthdays in December.

6. We celebrated Christmas and New Years.

7. We fed the homeless.

8. I went to the Phoenix Zoo with Kim, Joe, and Joe's friend Christian.

9. James and I went to see the Broadway musical "Annie" with Anna and Tricia.

10. James and I went to Disney on Ice, "Princess Wishes" with Addy.

11. Anna celebrated her 6th birthday.

12. James celebrated his 60th birthday.

13. James's sister Dawn received her doctorate degree from ASU.

14. James almost got snowed in at the cabin this week.

15. Shaquille O'Neal is playing for the Phoenix Suns.

16. Mitt Romney is dropping out of the race for President. I am sad about this.

"Alvin and the Chipmunks"

On Friday Kim and I had planned on taking Joseph and Ben to see "Alvin and the Chipmunks" for Ben's birthday. Joseph has been waiting for this movie since the trailers started showing up on T.V. He can do a pretty good chipmunk imitation and knows all of the key lines from the movie. Kim called me a couple of hours before the movie and said Brian was at Urgent Care and couldn't drive himself home so she had to go pick him up. This left me to take Joe and Ben by myself or wait for another day. I don't think Joe would have liked that idea so I said I would take the boys anyway without Kim. Max wanted to see the movie too since he loves to do whatever Ben does, so it's me with 3 boys. Joseph loved the movie, one of his very favorites ever. Simon is his favorite chipmunk because he feels a kinship with him: They are both tall, they wear glasses and Simon is the smartest. The best part of the movie for me was when we were getting ready to leave and Max says: "Grandma, will you hold my hand so I don't run off?"
We were entertained by Joe's one liners from the movie in his chipmunk voice all the way home.

I Never Was Very Good At Tag

Well here goes six things you probably already know about me:

1. Because my last name was Maxwell growing up one of my favorite nicknames was Max. Maybe that's why I'm so happy to have a grandson named Max.

2. Once I was walking across main street in Show Low carrying all my school books when I fell in the middle of the street right in front of a semi-truck who honked his horn. All my friends were laughing so hard they couldn't come to help. I never pass that spot in Show Low without thinking of that most embarrassing day.

3. James and I are actually quite closely related. My grandpa and his Dad are first cousins. My Granma Maxwell was very upset when she heard we were planning on getting married. She was heard to say: "They can't get married, they'll have idiots for children." Luckily we proved her wrong.

4. I am a fan of Preacher Joel, Joel Osteen. I just find him very positive and uplifting.

5. I taught school and there were 83 kids in my classroom. There were two teachers and two aids. We had a team of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. It was one of the busiest years of my life but also one of the most enjoyable and rewarding.

6. When I was in college at ASU I lived in two of the older dorms, the Quad and Gammage. I don't think either one of them exists today. We had no beds in our room but all of us on the same floor slept together in a large room with lots of beds. Back in those days I could wake up without having to set my alarm. I would just think about what time I needed to get up before going to bed and I would automatically wake up at that time. As people began to realize I had this talent I was asked to wake them up so they would not have to set their alarms. I should have charged for this service. I could have made a little extra lunch money.

THANKSGIVING 2007

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I realize how truly blessed I really am. I am so grateful to have all my children and grandchildren close by so we can spend so many fun times together. Thanks to Jared and Tricia for hosting our "feast" day this year. The turkey was delicious and the weather perfect for an outdoor picnic. I asked each of the grandchildren to tell one thing they were thankful for and then one thing they wanted for Christmas from Grampa & Gramma. Here are the responses.

Thankful List:

Adam - Music & Books

Jared - I'm thankful for my friends

Dallin - I'm thankful for bandaids (Dallin cut his lip playing ball)

Joseph - I am thankful for my family, Disneyland, and lots of other things.

Michael - I'm thankful for freedom and football

Alexander - I am thankful for sports to give me some free time, and they keep me active.

Ben - Family

James Hayden - I am thankful for my family and play fol dogs and soft fre(furry) cats.

Anna - I am thankful for Gramma and Grampa

Max - I am thankful for a book. The Book of Mormon.

Adalyn - I am thankful for Rowan.

Emma Lee - I am thankful for my Mom & Dad, and baby Mickey Mouse.

Rowan - I am thankful for Addy.

Joshua - I am thankful for my brother, for Grover, and for music that I can dance to.

Evan - I am thankful for my mom and dad and brothers.

Now here's the Christmas List:

Adam - Uh, if obtainable, an X-Box 360. If not, then I don't really care. (I didn't anyways)

Jared - An Ipod video 160GB

Dallin - I don't know what I want yet.

Joe - I want stuff. Book, toys, stuff.

Michael - a Nintendo DS

Alexander - I want a Santana Moss for the Redskins jersey. (You can get it at the mall). He is not Randy Moss for the Patriots.

Ben - DS

James Hayden - Drum Set (I loved the picture he drew)

Anna - I want crafts

Max - For Christmas I want a Spiderman computer.

Addy - For Christmas I would like a camera.

Emma Lee - A Big Wheel or baby stroller

Rowan - I would like a book

Joshua - For Christmas I want my own room. (Come and live in Grampa & Gramma's guestroom.)

Evan - For Christmas I want a years supply of diapers. (Actually should be on Sheri's list)