NO PLACE LIKE HOME … IN THE BURG! Holiday Newsletter Vol 21 - 2008
Special note: This has been a very bitter sweet year due to the passing of my dad, brother, bringing mom home to live with us and both Cam and Ashley off to college. We count our many blessings and rejoice in each precious moment of family life recognizing the influence of our Savior in all that we do. After 21 years of sending you our quirky Christeson newsletters I have had to take a different approach due to time and energy constraints. Knowing that you have enjoyed my letters each year I will strive to kick back into “Rebecca mode” by next year returning to my general writing style. For now, enjoy and know how thankful we are to have received your well wishes, friendship and prayers in our behalf this past year! (PS these are my journal entries in random order so just zoom through what you desire to read)
PRETTY IN PINK … Senior prom … Michael in a car wreck, tux AOL, Ashley in a tizzy but it all worked out well! … (That is after I rescued the tux, Ashley ceased crying, Mike survived the shock putting metal to the peddle and everyone made it on time on a wing and prayer), haha … Ashley, Lexie, Stacy, Jen, Bree, & Kaelyn along with their handsome dates and all of us parents met at Stacy’s home for pre-prom group pictures … It was a glamour fest! … Then all twelve of them piled into their stretch limo and were whisked away to the high school for the on stage promenade, Ash looked stunning in her hot pink form fitted gown adorned with beads and sequins … After being introduced and escorted on stage by their dates there were still more photo ops and then off to the Omni William Penn Hotel down town (duntun) where they went to dine and dance the night away … After the prom they went to a restaurant in Shadyside to hear live jazz being played while enjoying desert then back to Stacie’s for an all night after prom party … Wow, does life get any more boring than this?!
DRUM STICKS ... Mica celebrated his one year anniversary as a member of the Church this past fall … He continues his studies at the university deciding between a major in computer technology or music ed … A skilled musician in both voice (classical training) and percussion he, along with Ashley, continues to bring the blessing of music into our home! … We enjoy his cheerful, loving, personality and industrious work ethic. (And we will be in shock when he cuts off the locks … wahahahaha)
BOOM TOWN … Assigned to the burbs of Baltimore with an overall team of around 40 college guys from Utah, Cam set out for the summer selling Apex alarm systems … He and his friends had great fun exploring the area and once again hitting the pavement alone for days on end in the heat and humidity going door to door selling their system … The guys covered a territory consisting of a portion of Delaware up through Baltimore, MD and into Harrisburg, PA … Yup, I don’t think he plans to visit Baltimore again anytime soon
GRAFFITI … Cam drove in to New York City with friend Jake wherein they met up with some fun LDS friends who were in Jersey working as nannies … The foursome had a blast hanging out around Central Park, Times Square, Hard Rock, Rockefeller Center, riding the subway and having the time of their lives while in the big apple.
RED, WHITE & BOOGIE … Our family spent a few days in Baltimore, Washington DC & Annapolis over July 4th visiting Cam … We enjoyed fireworks on the 4th over Baltimore Harbor … A visit to the National Aquarium where we had zany fun in the 4-D movie … An evening visit to our all time favorite hang out over the years in DC at the monuments, nothing beats being at the Lincoln and Viet Nam memorials close to midnight! … And a walk around the Washington temple grounds … It was wonderful having Cam on a family adventure with us once again and Michael enjoyed his first trip ever to DC and to the Washington Temple which was a very moving and sacred experience for all of us.
REB-A-CA … As for me … I reflect on the many blessings of my life and this wild ride I continue to enjoy as a wife, mother, businesswoman, member of the Church and all over party girl (yup, that’s right, on some nights I can even force myself to stay awake past 9 pm!) … Busily training industries within banking, manufacturing, & healthcare toward years end I decided, “I think this calls for a stiff Shirley Temple on the rocks heavy on the grenadine to get me through!”… Catch me if you can on FaceBook (Rebecca Christeson) or my web site www.ChristesonandAssociates.com (It is a riot to share FaceBook messages & photos with our kids, family & friends around the counry. Start one for yoursef and we can keep in touch more easily!)
PARTY CENTRAL … Cam drove up for graduation to route his sister on; after which a fun family evening was spent at a favorite Italian restaurant whooping and hollering … Wrapping up her year with a bang with her musically themed graduation party the end of June (here in the East a gazillion grad parties are thrown by parents for their kids) … Michael’s band performed front and center out in the cul-de-sac (which due to the decibels, haha, I’m sure sent some neighbors above and below us reeling) and then an evening of karaoke and open mic followed with her friends … Prior to a down pour we enjoyed a lovely buffet and much laughter on the back lawn under a canopy and then post haste into the house for karaoke craziness, board games, food galore and Ashley’s kiss the wall poster (lipstick even on the guys leaving their unique pucker-up signatures behind) and her memory display with a collage of photos, awards received from church and school along with her Andy Warhol-like pop art photo of herself we had made to remind her of the glory days and of course mom, dad and Missy Belle Buttons playing hosts to all of the merriment and mayhem … Our walls will wax silent once our little song bird has flown the coop this fall!
GO PENS!!!! … Cam drove up from Baltimore twice to attend ‘white out nights’ with his dad for the Pens Stanley Cup hockey playoffs … A father-son tradition of many years … Having not been able to do so for the past five due to Cam being away at college and on his mission it was wonderful for them to once again enjoy their sports nights together … Everyone wears their white shirts and goes nuts routing on one of the burg’s favorite teams! … Prior to the game Cam enjoyed time shooting pictures of the city, visiting with Jon’s colleagues and enjoying lunch with his dad.
THE BOARDWALK … Surfs up dude! … Jon and I feel we have endured more stress and exhaustion than any two people can be expected to bear over a matter of months; due to both deaths in my family, and bringing mom back to live with us. Adjusting to her dementia and other health challenges requiring in and out of the hospital stays along with skilled nursing care. (though challenging caring for her it has been such a privilege and a blessing as we all love her so very much!) … Cleaning out and closing down my childhood home in Utah all the while wrapping up Ashley’s busy senior year and Jon and my unusually hectic work schedules … So after getting both of our kidlets safely off to college we decided it was time for one of our favorite road trips to the BEACH for a few days of well earned peace and quiet … Ocean City is only a few hours drive away and is where we have spent several memorable family vacations over the years … Ahhh, I remember the days of running up and down the beach chasing our kids, burying them in the sand, collecting early morning shells and wearing a knock out swim suit – yup that life really did exist for us once ) …Now we veg by the edge dressed in our ghastly, middle age, UGLY swim wear coping with my two broken feet which struggle to maneuver in the sand and Jon’s deficient kite he labored with in an attempt to send it soaring, haha ... The ‘highlight’ being hundreds of bikers roaring into town for one of their collective bike tours which was a riot! … As I continue to enjoy nibbling on my box of salt water taffy I keep wondering what ever happened to that pink Harley I always dreamed of owning, dressed in black leather, bugs smashing into my teeth and long hair whipping against my face as Jon and I pulled an ‘Easy Rider’ into the sunset ??!! … Bugs? Teeth? Perhaps some dreams are best left just that!
CACTUS PETE …The beach was heavenly but I’ll have a double dip of Tucson & Phoenix please … We flew out to Phoenix and then on to Tucson in October for some R&R in conjunction with business where I enjoyed the freedom of exploring the area while Jon was in meetings … (The boarder patrol and tacos – hey, works for me!) … We enjoyed dining out with friends, a little sight seeing although we bagged the cattle drive and golf this trip electing to evaluate possible retirement living … Endless miles of sunny skies, giant cactus and road runners – beep beep … It was a freaking fantastic fiesta … or is that siesta? Funny, I don’t remember having Alzheimer’s?!
CURVE BALLS … Wiith a little white knuckle driving Jon made it to Onterio Canada and back alive and kicking in his Hummer – rented that is – while battleing a dreadful snow storm … In December I flew grandma back to American Fork, the home town she remembers which is near and dear to her heart after a long stint in a skilled nursing facility … Wonder’s never cease but the Lord’s hand is ever present in our daily lives guiding the many decisions we continue to make … She is so happy and surrounded by scores of family and friends who adore her!! … With this trip I was also able to spend a couple of whirl wind days with Cameron and Emily hanging with my posse, haha … It was delightful coming to know Emily even better and spending time with Cam as well as several dear family members; even though he was scheduled to fly back to the burg only 4 days after me?! … Talk about bizarre planning on my part but sometimes one has little control over life’s necessities … With all the joys of this year the deep seeded grief on many fronts has been almost more than I can bare … I REALLY look forward to 2009! … Also, by the end of Ashley’s first semester she was in unbearable pain due to on going hip problems; she is being sent for additional testing and we hope they can pinpoint a diagnosis and treatment so that we may see improvement in the next few months!! … As such she is in the process of applying to Penn State University and is hopeful about all things new to come … ("When one door closes another door opens ." - Helen Keller).
BLUES TRAVLER … Cross country Baltimore to Salt Lake … Three day killer drive alone, Cam humored himself by documenting his drive thru states by shooting the signs of the times … Best quote: By Ashley’s roommate Megan regarding Cam and Ash, “When you see each other, it’s like a solar eclipse. Rare and beautiful, and you can barely look at it.” (It always breaks Ashley’s heart when her brother heads back west to school.)
COLLEGE PREP … IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) … Think: the mastermind behind You Tube on the web plus the movie legend Jimmy Stewart and what do you have??… An IUP alumnus and movie legend who grew up near the university … Ashley’s new home away from home 1st semester – COLLEGE! … Accepted into the college of music after auditions and theory testing she is now a Music Education major possibly in music performance with a concentration in voice and a minor in French … Though by this time next year that might have changed?! … Her required 18 credit hours consist of music theory, theory skills, ear training, English, French Italian & German diction, piano, private voice and of course French and history in addition to performing in choral concerts and attending numerous symphonies, jazz band concerts, etc., as part of her curriculum all of which is daunting... She learned what exhaustion really felt like all the while having college fun as well … The immediate icing on the cake was auditioning for Chamber Choir and being selected; and this fall being asked by her professor to sing a solo with the chorus as her backup – oh yeah! “A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence.” Meghan and Ash loved their shared apartment in one of the new complexes housing the fine arts wing, it even had a Steinway grand piano in the lobby (one of approx 82 on this all Steinway campus) … The girls ‘doll house’ was a girlie-girl fest with a Hello Kitty theme bathroom thrown into the mix … Michael lived a couple of blocks away in his own off campus housing with a bunch of guys – their abode was decorated in ‘if it sticks to the wall or doesn’t stick to the sole of your shoe then it rocks’ kinda theme, haha (or wait – was that Ashley’s apartment, haha??) … They attended the Indiana branch on Sunday’s with a very warm and inviting congregation in our church which included several great friends from over the years! … They made fast friends with other students in their apartments and classes, became sick of dining hall food and Ash was addicted to staying up late studying, eBay-ing and creeping on Face Book … Guitar Hero & Starbachs hot cocoa also saved the day! (Cousin Delanie’s quote regarding Ashley, “She’s hilarious and brilliant and joyous all-round, how can anybody not adore that?”)
NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (Locust Ave.) … Jon flew out to Utah to clean out and close down mom’s home for her in July … WHAT a major undertaking!! … Aunt Joan insisted on helping this independent man of mine and together they shared many long 12-hour days in the heat of the great basin with no air conditioning while cleaning, packing, sorting and discarding … Many thanks to Aunt Lily next door, also, for bringing cold drinks and lunch to sustain him when he wouldn’t stop to take a break (a man on a mission let me tell you!) … Many thanks to Kevin Skelton, good friend of my folks, who also helped in more ways than one … Then Jon headed home on his long three day drive in a mini U-haul with some of mom’s belongings … Aunt Lily, the Skelton family and many other ward members have been very dear to my folks over the years, bless their hearts for years of tender, loving care in behalf of my parents and still in the end doing all that they could to help … Earth angles for sure! … Heartbreaking to see ones childhood home closed but the wonderful memories live on!
GIRLIE GIRL FEST … Girls road trip - Maybelle, Beccabelle and Ashleybelle, flew out to Utah (without Missy Belle) only one day after Jon returned home to take grandma back to visit with family and friends … We enjoyed a lovely week visiting with Malc & Sharon, Joan & Dallen, Barbara & Duane, Theorn & Faye (mom’s brothers) and Lily along with many of our cousins … Malc & Sharon graciously invited mom to stay with them allowing Ash and I the mobility to enjoy some mother-daughter time … We accomplished a lot visiting reception centers including our fairy god-mother Jane Robinson who owns The Bungalow an exquisite reception center consisting of beautiful outdoor garden areas and French influenced interiors (where Jon and I had our wedding reception, many moons and snow capped mountains in June no less, ago) remains Ashley’s all time favorite … Ashley tried on wedding gowns (Utah being the only place on the face of the earth where a future bride can choose from hundreds of gowns in a myriad of stores that cater to the ‘modest’ LDS bride along with everything else pertaining to planning a beautiful wedding day (note-not until 2010) … And of course shopping and getting to hang out with both cousin Loraine and friend Gayle! … Sharon hosted a lovely family dinner get-together for all of us to visit with everyone and also another for all of mom’s high school girl friends in whom she has remained close to for seventy years! … Lily hosted another fun open house for members from mom and dad’s ward in Pleasant Grove to drop by and visit … Grandmabelle enjoyed a fabulous time and like her day care center here in PA states ‘focusing on the quality of the moment’ is what counts … She was especially trilled to visit dad and my brother’s graves helping to bring some closure to these past five confusing months wherein she has had to adapt to dad’s passing and being relocated 2,000 miles away from her PG home … How blessed I am to have such incredible aunts and uncles who are so caring and sharing, supportative and insightful; remarkable people in whom I dearly love
BACK IN THE BUBBLE … Cam is once again back at school at Utah Valley University, a student body of approx 26,000 and has returned to the salt mines (work) as well … Fall semester entailed classes such as operative management, corporate finance, effective business presentations and geology. With geology as his least interesting science credit being met, he will now be able to matriculate focusing solely on classes within his major of International Business … He has enjoyed finally getting to room with his dear friend Ryan in whom he grew up with here in the burg … Ryan has a local internship for a semester so he and Cam are enjoying catching up! … Cam, Ryan and some buddies took one of their famous road trips, this one to Vegas and on to La Jolla, California to enjoy the beach over Labor Day. They were able to attend church on Sunday, see the San Diego temple, attend a ball game and body surf all in their short time there! … Hey, sand, surf and dudes in LaJolla doesn’t get any better than this!
HERE WE GO STEELERS – HERE WE GO! … Daddy-daughter date & Ashley and Michael’s first Steelers game at Heinz Field! …This has always been a Cam & dad thing to do in addition to the fact that most games are held on Sunday’s wherein we choose not to attend so Ash & Mica were thrilled to get a chance to hang out with their dad at a game!
SEASONS … On a somber note my dad passed away in February so we all flew back home for the funeral … Our hearts were touched in being able to see so many life long friends and family at the viewing and funeral services … Jon gave the life sketch and I spoke about memories of dad as did cousin Frank … Ash sang two beautiful hymns accompanied by Loraine on piano and Mindy on violin and the ward, as all LDS wards do, provided a lovely luncheon after dad’s burial … Dad’s casket was transported to the cemetery on an old 18oo’s fire engine whereupon a military salute and Fire Fighter pager salute were given at the grave site … Dad was a WWII veteran, having served on the battleship South Dakota in the Pacific Theater, along with having served as a fire chief and a volunteer fire fighter for 30 years in our beloved home town of Pleasant Grove …. Another touching note was seeing three grown, middle aged men now husbands, fathers, grandfathers in and of themselves following closely behind the fire engine to pay their last respects; during their teenage years dad used to allow them to use his auto body and Ford tractor dealership as their “play house” as mom referred to it. A safe, happy place they could work on their cars, hang out and receive encouragement from my dad who never ceased to see great potential in them! … He will be remembered for his charitable, loving heart, cheerful sense of humor and devotion to family, friends & faith!
On a happy note we brought mom back home to live with us … She is now an official Pennsylvanian! … It has been a great privilege and blessing to care for her in these last years of her life … She has enjoyed being around our lively family on a daily basis and once again being with her dear grandchildren enjoying all of our wild and crazy activities … Though she suffers from Alzheimer’s she has adapted beautifully and we know that one day in Heaven she will remember each precious moment, each conversation and experience she has had while living with us … In the mean time we continue to enjoy our ladies outings, shopping, lunches, travels, good cheer and laughter, in fact she still makes people laugh due to her lively sense of humor … She especially enjoys her senior day center where she socializes, participates in activities, enjoys lovely meals, has her hair and nails done and such when I am off training … I know that dad is aware that his bride of 63 thriving years is being well taken care of … “Grow old along with me the best is yet to be, the last of life for which the first was made” … They experienced it all from trips to Alaska to NYC, huge family reunions to simple, precious moments all savored and stored to once again be remembered after this life when they are once again reunited … How blessed I was to grow up in a home with two parents who were so devoted to one another wherein their relationship did not simply survive but thrived!
SHENANIGANS … After ceasing to take our annual family photo at our favorite pumpkin patch for many years we once again returned, only things missing were my slender body and our son!! … Picnic, pumpkins and poochie in a fairy dress no less … Ahhhhh, Halloween! … (Rebecca is Be-boppin- BOO! Tomorrow is fright night; have a pumpkinlicious Halloween.)
COUNT YOUR MANY BLESSINGS … I taught Ashley & Mica how to prepare the entire Thanksgiving feast from scratch this year; we started the process the Monday before the holiday. It was a wonderful experience! Everything excluding the rolls were a success; funny thing is that dough requires yeast?! … Hmmm … My favorites were Ashley’s pumpkin pies and Mike’s apple pie! Cam spent the holidays with friends in Utah) wherein he had a riot!) … (Comment from Ash to her cousin), “I actually enjoyed all the cooking and family time. I miss them while I’m here at school. I had rather thought my mom was just trying to get out of cooking the meal, but I realize she had wonderful mom-like ulterior motives behind her seemingly ridiculous plot. As I suppose she usually does … hmmm.” … My response; yup it’s called knowing how to prepare the shindig for ones own family one day and having the time of your life doing so!
And when all is said and done … (Comment once from a friend), “I loved reading your e-mail and getting caught up on things. You are an amazing writer and very talented child abuser.” :) … Cam & Ash will attest to this I’m sure! wahahahahahahah!
Enjoy a Christmas season which will take your breath away!
Passionately INHALE life and EXHALE gratefulness ©
Love the Christeson family
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