changed up to be about me and not about our adorable fictional character in botswana. :)
i've been asked to help a family- a daughter, to be precise, in finding her father.
she lives in Israel, he live here.
so...
after a few moments on the internet i found his name on those sites that if you pay this amount of money... etc., you can have this etc., info- which i won't do!
but sticking to my guns, i looked closer and found a couple of names that kept showing up when his did. i searched out in the white pages and found a phone number for one and dialed.
a woman answered. and she knew the man i was looking for. it turns out that she was an ex wife- but she did not have any information on him, being that she had been out of touch for years and, she included, he owed her money.
to me she was lovely and quite helpful, giving me more names to work from.
i ended up finding the man's niece, her husband, and their two children- but addresses only.
i also was given the man's parent's names- but was told that if they were still alive it would be a surprise, do to age.
and i found that to be exactly true. the man i am looking for, 'E''s parents were 'H' and 'G'. i found H's name mentioned in a newsletter, in a 'In Memory' listing. i called the Rabbi that was listed on the following page.
we didn't speak- but i did speak with his lovely and helpful wife who gave me the info that her husband Rabbi H did do the service and knew where he was buried. i then acquired that info and the following morning gave the temple where he was interred, a call.
contact info is kept, but in this case not a phone number- it is an address.
meanwhile...my head is thinking...
i really did not want to write the man a letter. it seems so old fashioned. and so unreliable! how would i know if he ever received it- or if he just refused to respond?
i thought back to what E's ex wife had told me... she went with him to where the child was living some 25 pluse years ago, only to find that the child and her mother no longer lived there. he was so distraught that he was hospitalized for a few days, suffering from a mental/emotional break down. i can only hope that he wants to be reunited should i be able to reach him!
this morning i sat down at the comp and the array of people that i've been trying to find played in my head once more. if only i had a phone number!
i opened up my facebook and went in to get caught up when it occurred to me that i should try looking there.
i typed in the youngest one's name. found a match and msg'd him. he responded right away- but it was not the right man.
i then typed in E's niece's name- and found a match...looked in her friend's list and saw other familiar names. bingo! i sent her a msg telling her the story.
it wasn't long before she responded. i had found her- but she had lost contact with her uncle 4 years ago...
again, i'm at a dead end- well, i do have an address.
write? say? send certified?
hmmmmm....
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Earth Hour
i had heard about this earlier in the year- and after talking to a family member (who shall remain anonymous) who said that earth hour was already past, i felt a bit defeated that EH had come and gone without much notice by the news...and people i know.
said anonymous person was (fortunately) wrong!
EH is: 8:30PM local time, wherever you live on planet earth. Saturday 28 March 2009!
i'm a little late to declare- i doubt my little post will inform the masses...but- if you do read this? turn your lights off at 8:30pm. leave them off for one hour. light a candle and contemplate...and play! what an opportunity for us to be aware and grateful for what we have and this beautiful world that gives us so much.
we should give back so much more. it's one little thing. can you do it?
said anonymous person was (fortunately) wrong!
EH is: 8:30PM local time, wherever you live on planet earth. Saturday 28 March 2009!
i'm a little late to declare- i doubt my little post will inform the masses...but- if you do read this? turn your lights off at 8:30pm. leave them off for one hour. light a candle and contemplate...and play! what an opportunity for us to be aware and grateful for what we have and this beautiful world that gives us so much.
we should give back so much more. it's one little thing. can you do it?
Saturday, March 21, 2009
my 100th post!
and it gets to be about an adventure! one that didn't kill me...yay!
it was an interesting flight into slc....the plane was getting ready to land- we were about to touch down- and then the plane took a sharp nose turn upward- power boost the engines and up we went. ?!? i was sitting on the left side of the plane a few rows in front of the wing, beside the window. i looked at my elderly seat companion and said, 'ummm...trouble' ...looked out the window and watched as we flew closer to a lake and then added while pointing to the water, 'plan B' :)
around me people were appreciative about the humor cuz the tension about what was happening was growing. the pilot then came on and told us that the landing gear was not giving a safe reading. he told us that another captain (riding as a passenger) was going to come through the cabin area and climb down through a floor door (a few rows behind mine) and try to get a look at the landing gear through a periscope. we then watched the captain appear and find the door and then...disappear. meanwhile the plane just circled the area- i'm sure by this time the entire area was cleared for our plane.
eventually the capt. came back out and as he was walking past my row he said he couldn't see anything. he then went into the cockpit to talk with our capt. soon enough, our flight capt came back on and told us that the attempt to see through the periscope had not been successful because too much light was coming in and hitting the mirrors, making the ability to see, impossible. meanwhile, the capt of our flight had flown past the control tower and they, with their binoculars, had witnessed that our landing gear was down and appeared ready for use.
about this time i had turned my phone on and sent a to text mom- letting her know that there was a problem. she is still laughing that all i said was, 'there is a problem with our landing gear'. and then i shut off my phone. she thought i should have said my loves and goodbyes...lol well, to be honest, i never felt that things would not turn out ok- or i would have!
the capt. then told us that they were going to manually put the landing gear down, just to be extra cautious and that when we landed it might drag on the runway making a loud sound. he also gave us other scenerios, such as the landing gear not holding up on the left side (mine) and it that occured the wing would hit the runway. we were told to leave everything under the seat upon landing and to be prepared to exit the emergency exits taking none of our belongings with us. i suppose that meant the big air slides. anyway- we landed and i think collectively we all held our breath to see what might happen- but the gear held and we let out our breath while many clapped for the crews efforts.
as we began to slow down, i noticed the emergency crews that were there waiting for us- fire engines and paramedics- but we must have been perfectly safe because after a moment the plane proceeded on to our gate. we were only one hour late :)
how's that for an adventure? and for a 100th post?
it was an interesting flight into slc....the plane was getting ready to land- we were about to touch down- and then the plane took a sharp nose turn upward- power boost the engines and up we went. ?!? i was sitting on the left side of the plane a few rows in front of the wing, beside the window. i looked at my elderly seat companion and said, 'ummm...trouble' ...looked out the window and watched as we flew closer to a lake and then added while pointing to the water, 'plan B' :)
around me people were appreciative about the humor cuz the tension about what was happening was growing. the pilot then came on and told us that the landing gear was not giving a safe reading. he told us that another captain (riding as a passenger) was going to come through the cabin area and climb down through a floor door (a few rows behind mine) and try to get a look at the landing gear through a periscope. we then watched the captain appear and find the door and then...disappear. meanwhile the plane just circled the area- i'm sure by this time the entire area was cleared for our plane.
eventually the capt. came back out and as he was walking past my row he said he couldn't see anything. he then went into the cockpit to talk with our capt. soon enough, our flight capt came back on and told us that the attempt to see through the periscope had not been successful because too much light was coming in and hitting the mirrors, making the ability to see, impossible. meanwhile, the capt of our flight had flown past the control tower and they, with their binoculars, had witnessed that our landing gear was down and appeared ready for use.
about this time i had turned my phone on and sent a to text mom- letting her know that there was a problem. she is still laughing that all i said was, 'there is a problem with our landing gear'. and then i shut off my phone. she thought i should have said my loves and goodbyes...lol well, to be honest, i never felt that things would not turn out ok- or i would have!
the capt. then told us that they were going to manually put the landing gear down, just to be extra cautious and that when we landed it might drag on the runway making a loud sound. he also gave us other scenerios, such as the landing gear not holding up on the left side (mine) and it that occured the wing would hit the runway. we were told to leave everything under the seat upon landing and to be prepared to exit the emergency exits taking none of our belongings with us. i suppose that meant the big air slides. anyway- we landed and i think collectively we all held our breath to see what might happen- but the gear held and we let out our breath while many clapped for the crews efforts.
as we began to slow down, i noticed the emergency crews that were there waiting for us- fire engines and paramedics- but we must have been perfectly safe because after a moment the plane proceeded on to our gate. we were only one hour late :)
how's that for an adventure? and for a 100th post?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
oh when the saints...
come marching in...!
there aren't many great things about being single- but i have to say that being able to attend the single adult firesides has to be on the top of that short list :)
this past sunday's fireside was held in denton- and the subject was 'the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Denton texas 1958-2008.
The sweetest little historian, with a twinkle in his eye, got up and shared what he had learned while writing this book. interestingly, he will make no money from sales- every dollar made is going towards the 50th year celebration that is being held this summer in denton.
many of the stories were humorous and spiritual while at the same time being quite remarkable.
in '58 a sunday school class was formed in the area. it dissolved a year later for lack of priesthood- the families were temporary. at the time there were only two stakes in texas- and the dallas stake had just been formed, the other stake being houston.
fast foward my lifetime...and last year we formed another stake in our area- making it the dallas, lewisville, denton and frisco stakes. none of these stakes include the fort worth area any longer.
some of the notable heroes were the most determined and educated folks of the area, that were converted in the early 60's. one of those families is now patriarch nobles. he was taylor's patriarch because of strange window of opportunity. his family history and conversion is in this book.
i was so excited that i bought three books- one for each of us and had the author, George U. Hubbard autograph each copy!
then i wrote to tay about it and if you haven't read his latest letter home, he responded by saying that he had just (this week) been thinking about the history of the church where he came from...coincidence? i don't think so :)
em also has access to the elieson family conversion and history- and her eventual patriarch elieson is in the book, too. isn't that cool?
i'd be happy to share my copy of the book but if you want your own, it is $15 for a single copy and $11 if you buy 2 or more.
if you live in the area- you'll want to attend the denton celebration. they have all kinds of the old time activities planned, along with some current type of fun. they hope for all to RSVP if they are interested- ck it out: www.dentonjubilee.org
i'm sure that info on the book is there too!
there aren't many great things about being single- but i have to say that being able to attend the single adult firesides has to be on the top of that short list :)
this past sunday's fireside was held in denton- and the subject was 'the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Denton texas 1958-2008.
The sweetest little historian, with a twinkle in his eye, got up and shared what he had learned while writing this book. interestingly, he will make no money from sales- every dollar made is going towards the 50th year celebration that is being held this summer in denton.
many of the stories were humorous and spiritual while at the same time being quite remarkable.
in '58 a sunday school class was formed in the area. it dissolved a year later for lack of priesthood- the families were temporary. at the time there were only two stakes in texas- and the dallas stake had just been formed, the other stake being houston.
fast foward my lifetime...and last year we formed another stake in our area- making it the dallas, lewisville, denton and frisco stakes. none of these stakes include the fort worth area any longer.
some of the notable heroes were the most determined and educated folks of the area, that were converted in the early 60's. one of those families is now patriarch nobles. he was taylor's patriarch because of strange window of opportunity. his family history and conversion is in this book.
i was so excited that i bought three books- one for each of us and had the author, George U. Hubbard autograph each copy!
then i wrote to tay about it and if you haven't read his latest letter home, he responded by saying that he had just (this week) been thinking about the history of the church where he came from...coincidence? i don't think so :)
em also has access to the elieson family conversion and history- and her eventual patriarch elieson is in the book, too. isn't that cool?
i'd be happy to share my copy of the book but if you want your own, it is $15 for a single copy and $11 if you buy 2 or more.
if you live in the area- you'll want to attend the denton celebration. they have all kinds of the old time activities planned, along with some current type of fun. they hope for all to RSVP if they are interested- ck it out: www.dentonjubilee.org
i'm sure that info on the book is there too!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
'when your heart speaks, take good notes' - judith campbell
this quote found in the book, Three Cups of Tea, is the story of greg mortensen, a former mountain climber that became a gentle force to change the course of the world.
amazing stuff. unrelentless in his determination and sacrifice to see the smallest of villages in pakistan and afghanistan have access to education for their biggest hope- their children.
greg's heart and life were devoted to this cause following one pivotal moment that to me seemed to be guided by the heavens.
the story was touching and thought provoking!
if you mananged to get through the book- perhaps you felt as i did, that it felt like reading a series of 'parade' or new articles. it wasn't an easy read because of that. but if you have started the book and put it down because of it's writing style- pick it back up and take it in pieces. read it! you will be so glad you did!
*********
yesterday i had the best surprise...tay's follow up email showed up! he sent it on tues the 3rd and it arrived on the 6th. strange but wonderful! i posted his few comments and pics.
i also worked on my backyard...i'm thinking another couple of weekends and i'll have it whipped into shape :)
while i was outside, i was admiring the bradford pear tree that is blossoming. it's truly beautiful right now... and it got me to thinking.
em has wanted to put some pictures on her wall but we've had a hard time finding anything compatable to her colors and taste. i told her that i could do something with photography and tried to describe for her what i imagined but it didn't translate well.
maybe that's because i still needed clarification! anyway- i bought some colorful flowers and butterflies that matched her room and thought of them when i was outside around the tree blossoms.
in the end, em was delighted with the pictures, has chosen her favorites, and now my job is to get them made up poster sized and framed. above and below are two of her faves. :)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
em's weekend...!
it has been a fun and busy weekend! em's party was great- darlene and lizzey hosted the party at their home and we had a great turn out of friends for pizza, games, and a movie. here are a couple of snapshots:
with emily's bday this coming wed. and it being her night with her dad, along with the following w/e also his weekend, we decided to make this her birthday weekend. to top it off em and i took lizzey and hayden to medeival times for a fun night of entertainment and dinner. the kids are awesome and we had lots of laughs! an additional note- we knew one of the gals that works there and she got us all upgraded to the best available seats. it was a perfect night of fun!
heading into this week i'm looking forward to march...spring is ahead and my coming to utah is just days away...yay!!!
can't wait to see y'all! :)
with emily's bday this coming wed. and it being her night with her dad, along with the following w/e also his weekend, we decided to make this her birthday weekend. to top it off em and i took lizzey and hayden to medeival times for a fun night of entertainment and dinner. the kids are awesome and we had lots of laughs! an additional note- we knew one of the gals that works there and she got us all upgraded to the best available seats. it was a perfect night of fun!
heading into this week i'm looking forward to march...spring is ahead and my coming to utah is just days away...yay!!!
can't wait to see y'all! :)
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