Wild Work Weeks

Atle & Tom's Retirement at Lindon Cannery
The last two weeks have been very tiresome. Two individuals working with us at the Lindon Cannery (Atle Tessem and Tom Hardcastle) retired at the beginning of the month. Mark Hansen and I have been doing most everything alone (with the help of the missionaries and volunteers). Instead of putting in 10 hour, physically demanding days, we have been working as hard and as fast as we possible for 13 and 14 hours a day. Often we haven’t had time for a lunch or even a snack. To add to the pressure, on last Tuesday Mark left work at 2:00 pm (his mother’s health was failing quickly). She died on Wednesday morning at 4:30 am. Because of her passing, our manager (Roger Lloyd) stepped in so Mark could be with his family. Both Tuesday and Wednesday were extremely long. Mark felt bad and returned to work on Thursday.

We anticipate this week being less stressful (instead of canning, we’re changing from canning to bottling). Mark stayed with his family today and plans to be at work tomorrow. I’ve been able to remove the equipment we won’t be using and have been able to set up much of the equipment needed for bottles already.

Also, with work, it appears that things are beginning to settle down. They are planning to announce on Wednesday some of the changes that will solidify many of our positions. It will be nice to know the plans, it is difficult to be in limbo.

Tonight I got home from work at 4:30 (only the usual 10 hour day). Noell was still home. We visited briefly before she took Myranda to her musical theater group and left for the airport. Noell will spend a couple days in Virginia with Kaneesha.

Tanner's School Photo
Myranda's School Photo
Today we learned that Kaneesha will be the starting goalie at Southern Virginia University in tomorrow’s game. She’s so excited and also very nervous. She has enjoyed the team and the coaches but hasn’t been able to play nearly as much as she did with her club and high school teams (where she started every game for the past four years). I’m also very excited to see her play. This game should be broadcast live on the internet (many of her games haven’t been broadcast and others have been at difficult times for me to watch because of work). This is the last season game, although they are going to a tournament soon.

Tanner's Haircut
Myranda will be having a German conversation with Mrs. Ethridge (her German teacher) tomorrow before class. German has been one of Myranda’s favorite classes this year. It’s fun to hear Myranda go through the house saying German words and phrases.

Tonight I cut Tanner’s hair (it was getting quite long and unruly).

Sunday morning had a beautiful sunrise over the Payson P Mountain with the colorful autumn leaves in the hollow. Tonight the wind blew most of the trees bare.

Saturday we went to Myranda’s soccer tryouts for the Shooters Soccer Club. She did quite well. We then rushed to take her friend home and pick up Tanner. We then drove to Pleasant Grove to watch Clara’s marching band from Blackfoot perform (Clara is my sister, Becky’s oldest daughter, slightly older than Myranda). We missed her performance but had a great evening watching and visiting with Clara and Jason (Becky’s husband).

On last Wednesday, at Tanner’s pack meeting, they had a construction competition. They were challenged to see who could build the tallest tower with toothpicks and mini marshmallows. Tanner’s was by far the most sturdy, because he used triangles throughout his construction. He had a great time and can’t wait for us to purchase toothpicks and mini marshmallows so he can make an even better project.
One other thing, Tanner loves his whistle. He often plays basketball or soccer and blows the whistle whenever he gets the chance. We sometimes worry that the whistle might bother the neighbors. The other day we were surprised to see that he has discovered another important use for the whistle. He can now act as official during his piano playing. Enjoy the video clip! 

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