Remember Labor Day?

So now back to me! There has NOT been a fair with livestock here in NYC but everyday is like a circus in the subways and I often feel like we are cattle, herded in and out of subway cars and up and down stairs in large silent masses with the occasional "moo." Only the "moo" is from some psycho who smells like a walking piece of poo. I will include pictures of subway adventures as soon as I work up the nerve to take them.

In the meantime I wanted you all to see more of my Labor Day trip to Maine.

While sitting in our hole of a hotel room on Sunday a mouse ran across my foot and then went in a bag and scatched around, so we decided to head for the Ben and Jerry's Factory in Vermont.

Hurricane Ernesto was giving Maine a pounding anyways.

So we headed through New Hamshire and on to lovely Vermont. We decided to stop off on the way to Ben & Jerry's at Joseph Smith's birthplace in Sharon. That place is absolutely charming. We listened to a Senior Elder rattle on about Joseph Smith for like an hour and a half.

It was interesting to go to Sharon only a month after going to Palmyra and note how very involved the Lord was in the lives of all of Joseph's family members to make it possible for him to be in Palmyra and physically able to hike up the hill Cumorah and carry around heavy plates.
This is the monument dedicated to him on his 100th birthday. It is a polished shaft 38 and a half feet high. One foot for every year of his life and a polished shaft because Joseph Smith once said “I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; … knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty.”

After Sharon we went on to Ben and Jerry's. We were really hyped up about it and had driven like 6 hours. It was cool but not as cool as a six hour trip should have been. We got free samples and saw how they make ice cream. My favorite part was the view. Vermont is just beautiful. I am not sure I would love it as much in the winter but our weekend there was magnificent. This is me up by the ice cream graveyard where they have tombstones to all the icecream flavors that just didn't work out.

The Great Kern County Fair

These are the pictures that I took with my new cell phone at the GREAT KERN COUNTY FAIR.
The first is Krista and Sue at the Boy Scout Potato booth. During the first week of the fair, Sue and I worked 2 times each and Krista worked 3 times. She tells us that they can't get along without her now.














This is a picture of Sue eating her favorite fair food - the apple dumpling. See her post for the recipe. I spent most of my time on one of the white benches listening to music or at the hypnotist. I also looked at the people staring at pregnant cows. The people are a lot more interesting than the cows. I can see pregnant at the Skinner's house. (Baby Charlie or Rico).
There is a great assortment of people at the fair. I have a hard time deciding which has the best branding, the cows or the people. The cows do have pierced ear tags, but they are smart enough not to go for tongue piercing.
My favorite fair experience - I walked over to the livestock area and got a good whiff of the hay/manure/cows and it took me back almost 40 years when I lived with my Uncle Scott and helped my cousins milk 40 cows each morning and night, hauled hay and rocks, irrigated with canvas dams on the canals and when I learned that I needed to get a college degree. They were wonderful summer vacations and great memories, but I will take my office job any day.

Apple Dumplings

Well, I had my Apple Dumpling yesterday and have come up with the recipe. It is a sure way to make a healthy food decadent. Not quite as bad as the hugely popular deep fried twinkies covered with powdered sugar.

Apple Dumplings:

Granny Smith apple, cored
6" square pie crust (about)
brown sugar
butter
cinnamon cream cheese frosting

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

1/4 cup butter, softened
6 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Cream butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add sugar until smooth. Add vanilla and cinnamon.

Pack brown sugar tightly into cored apple. Sprinkle pie crust with cinnamon, wrap around apple. Bake about 25 minutes until golden brown. While baking, melt butter and mix with brown sugar to make a thick syrup. Make cream cheese frosting. When apple is baked, generously ladle brown sugar syrup over it, then put large dollop (1/2 cup?) of frosting on top.

Enjoy!

Hope you are having a great day!

Happy Holidays!

We are set for our family reunion at Pismo Beach. The place is cottage-inn.com for a preview. We are reserved for 12/26/06. We have 2 King rooms on the ocean and 5 double-queen rooms, not on the ocean. So it looks like we will spend our gatering time in the rooms of the Buchanans and the LA Allreds. Speak now or forever hold your peace, if you have any questions.

interesting

I always find it intriguing that dad has had so many changes of heart and life improvements in the last couple of years. While it is of course good, I wonder if the new dad is as effective as the old dad. The thing that I love to brag about the most when describing our family is the fact that my parents will have all 9 children together standing in the Celestial Room within a couple of years, and even better with 9 worthy spouses. I cannot think of a greater accomplishment than that, or one that so very many members of this church would do anything for, and yet feelings of insufficiency arise. I have looked for years for another family that has a similar record, there are plenty that have a lot of kids, and plenty that have a lot through the temple, but 11/11 is impressive enough for me. So it makes me wonder what outcome would be reached if Alicia were to ahve been born within the last couple years of Dad's spiritual growth.
In summary, dad, thanks for everything.

THE FAIR

YAY!!! We love the fair! I was waiting to see what Laura would post, great job! Yesterday was so crowded, probably because it was in the 80's rather than 100 like it usually is. There was even a thing in the paper about it always getting hot again for the fair. Krista and I loved seeing it with the Skinners. At the goat pen a little girl said, when looking at a pygmy goat, "Look at the baby cow." That is why fairs are important. Laura and I loved the baby pygmy goats, their owner said they are better pets than dogs. The potato booth has been remodeled, it looks nice inside, but they painted it pea green outside. Krista and I loved working there. 5 more times to go.

We will not be getting Evan's mission call this week. They are sent in online and there were some glitches. His papers finally went in last weekend (17th). I figure he will get his call while he is in Utah for conference and the following week. So there is still time to vote in the poll. Brady's papers went in about the same time as Evan's, unless there is a glitch with his, too.

Our ward is being realigned this week. We will get some of Oaks ward. My primary girls said they like the small ward because they get to do a lot. That is telling the truth. We have about 10 kids in primary. It will be interesting.

On a serious note....

I have been talking to Jessica about a friend of hers that is dealing with some very difficult health problems that probably will be fatal. Jessica’s roommate is getting married in the near future. These two women are having very different life experiences. We know that the Lord will make it fair, in the eternal scheme of things, but that doesn’t diminish my sympathy for the one who has to suffer.
As I was pondering this idea, I thought about my own life and how happy I am. I wonder why I am so fortunate to have had parents who loved me and cared for me, food, clothes, shelter, freedom, the ability to enjoy my senses, a loving wife and wonderful children and grandchildren, great in-laws, the ability to think and work, a relatively healthy life and “a peace that passeth all understanding” that only the gospel gives.
I just read a book that Scott’s dad gave them for a wedding present called Things that Matter Most, by Lowell Bennion. He discussed the things that he valued and our lists were very similar. I would guess that would be the case for most LDS people.
As I was contemplating my blessings and my challenges, I came to a startling conclusion. If someone offered to give me a strong, healthy heart in exchange for what I have experienced in the last six years, I would say, “ABSOLUTELY NOT!”
About six years ago, I received “a change of heart” as described in the Book of Mormon. I had been a faithful Latter-day Saint, served a mission, married in the temple and served as a Bishop. I had taught, counseled and lead as a believer. My problem was that my heart was hardened to seeing my weakness. I always had to blame someone else for my anger and my other shortcomings. I was excellent at justifying my behavior and making others out to be the cause of problems. I deeply regret how I treated (and thought of) others, especially Sue and my children.
The good news is that I have a new heart. I am not perfect and I still do dumb things but now I recognize them and, given time, will deal with my bad behavior. I now understand how I can “love my enemy” and what I need to do to become more like the Savior.
I am grateful for all of you and the patience you have with me.

Evan's Mission Call

Evan is anxiously awaiting his mission call. His papers were sent in last week and now he waits at the mail box for the big white envelope that will tell him where he will be spending the next two years and what language he will be speaking. And, of course, when this will all begin. So, we are taking guesses as to where you think he might be going (Jessica thought this might be easier than emails). Submit your guess in the comments section. You can guess which mission he'll be going to and what language he'll be speaking. Good luck!

P.S. Watch out for any email scams trying to get you to give $100 to this guessing game. This is completely illegitimate. Please beware. 

9-11

This is the other blog that I wrote and lost.

As I was reflecting on 9-11, I remembered that Jessica was in the MTC and didn't know what was going on. So, today, in NYC was her first experience with the raw emotion that that day produced. How interesting to see it for the first time 5 years later.

I also remembered that Landon, at age 19, was home alone with Bryce, Evan, Tawna and Krista, who was only 9 years old. I am so grateful for how he handled things and for his maturity and his ability to make good decisions in the face of what was a very uncertain and scary day. Thank you, Landon

And I remembered Steve, who left Teresa and Steven at 4 months to go to Georgia and serve our country. Thank you.

I remember wandering around a deserted Washington D.C. all day. The mall was closed. Restaurants were closed. Cell phones didn't work. Flights out were canceled and cars were unavailable. The line to give blood was so long that they closed the line. We were grateful that our family was in the west.

I am grateful to live in this country, and for a president who is not afraid to mention God numerous times in his 17 minute talk last night. I am grateful for those who fight for freedom around the world. I am grateful for the Lord's hand in our lives and in the life of our county. I am grateful for each of you and your contribution to the great American lifestyle.

Bryce's trip

After having to ask for all my info ( I do have 3 accounts somehow), and not choosing a format, I am here. Jessica just called and walked me out of the problems that I created today. Thank you, Jessica.
I wrote this on Sept 6, 2006.

It seems the Allred's were destined to have car trouble before getting to school this year.

Bryce drove down from San Francisco on Thursday night, planning to arrive in Bakersfield around 5:00am. He was stopping on the way to visit some friends in the middle of the night. As always, I worry about middle of the night driving, especially when someone is by themselves, but Bryce arrived home safely at about 4:00 am.

Friday, coincidentally just before 5:00pm, he started to go to Christy Ray's and turned the car around in the driveway. As he got to the street, the front end dropped and the tire tilted in. The car was laying on it's front end across the sidewalk. He came in and said, "I think the axle broke on my car". The car had traveled the length of our driveway.

I had just talkied to Rick (our friendly mechanic) about Tawna's brakes so called him back and asked if we should just have it towed to a salvage yard. He came to look at it on the way to a soccer practice and said what was the problem. It would be about $400.00.

Bryce had a friend from Venice, Italy with him who was traveling in his own car; so he put his stuff in the other car and they left Saturday morning. They did have a sidetrip to the LA temple and Newport beach on the way, but arrived safely early Monday morning in Provo, yay!

As Bryce was traveling Thursday night, I woke up about 3:00am very worried and thinking he was in trouble. So I prayed for his safe arrival. I think that it is a miracle, with all the driving that Bryce was doing last weekend, that the car broke in our driveway and was easily ( I guess we should ask Rick) fixed. I am so grateful to the Lord for Landon, Sarah and Bryce's safe arrival at their schools. I know the Lord looks out for each of us, and that He answers Mother's prayers.

9.11 in NYC

So I have received several phone calls from people wondering about my 9.11 since I live in NYC and all. So, my 9.11 went a little like this:

I was supposed to be in the office at 7:15 to do some morning work but I was held up and late because the NYPD blocked off the street in front of my office to cars and pedestrians so that the President's dumb motorcade could drive by. When I got to my office there was an email from the Office Manager that said that we would observe a moment of silence in the office and "I recognize that on this tragic anniversary emotions and anxiety may be stirred up. Please be reminded the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a resource to you for these type of situations."

It was not talked about, only when I asked someone in accounting the date as I was signing a document I got a shocked and disgusted look and then quickly remembered.

I was talking to a friend of mine who is a native New Yorker and recently moved to BYU about 9.11. The interesting thing is that people here don't talk about it. It is too horrific and too close for them to feel comfortable talking. If you ask them directly they will just say a few things and in a very hushed voice. For New Yorkers, 9.11 is a day truly reverenced. My friend said that she talked more about it in the week since she has been in Utah than in all the five years since it happened that she was in NY. As though, for people in other parts of the world it was this crazy awful thing they saw on TV but for New Yorkers it was like they spent a few days in Hell and they don't want to talk about it.

As I was walking to the Subway after work I was thinking what that walk would have been like five years earlier. I know that all the subways were down and I could have seen the towers from my office. I would have seen people all covered in white dust walking along side me. It would have been truly awful.

As it was, I went home instead of to FHE which was going to be a 9.11 memorial up at a park by the church. My commute home is 45 minutes, that would have been an extra 45 minutes and I had to get a few things done. Saturday marked my one year in NY anniversary, so I gave in to the idea that I might be here a while and bought a bed. I slept on an $8 air mattress for 9 months before buying a real mattress. My real mattress has been sitting on the floor since then. Yesterday my roommate and her fiance helped me set it up.

Then I tried to make chocolate truffles by tempering chocolate last night at about 11 for my roomate Emily's bridal shower on Wed. It was a disaster as all the websites I read TODAY warned me that it would be.

So that is how I spent my 9.11. I did go to Ground Zero last year on 9.11 and I went on Saturday when Teresa's friend Jessica Jackson from Germany was here with her husband and his aunt. I was the tour guide.

My Candle on the Water

So in honor of Hurricane Ernesto some girls in my ward and and other wards jumped in a rental car and headed for Maine, in search of good times, lighthouses and lobster. We saw the Portland Head Lighthouse which is one of the most famous lighthouses in the world. We took a boat tour just to throw one back at old Ernesto, but Ernesto almost capsized the boat with huge waves. The intense wind did make for some great kite flying weather as you can see in the second photo.






We met a couple at the NASTY hotel we were staying at from El Dorado, Arkansas. They were pretty standoffish of the New Yorkers (you know, us being northerners and all) until I told them that I lived in El Dorado when I was little. We bacame fast best friends and I even picked up their accent. They claimed i was "getting it back." Whatever gets them to save me the good muffin at the continental breakfast, that is my motto. They introduced me to their son, the preacher, "she is from El Dorado." It was fabulous to be Southern for a day or two. I figure my southern roots can fluctuate just like my Mexican roots. You know, at my convenience and when it will help me get what I want.

So , I had an interesting conversation with Bryce yesterday in which he explained to me that the problem with girls is that all the "good ones" get married young. I stayed quiet for a moment as much because I didn't know what to say as because I wanted to see where he was going with this. He proceeded to explain that all the girls that are worth the time to date and get to know get married before they turn 22. I hinted that perhaps this particular complaint was being presented to the wrong audience. His response: "Oh yeah." So here is the candle on the water that I found for myself. He is the strong silent type, which, as it turns out, works well for me. Okay I will share more of Maine tomorrow.

Request:

Jessica I am throwing down the gauntlet. I want at least one blog from you a week. This is the only place I hear from you and I am always interested, so keep them coming.

Brian, Davin, Krista & I had a great time in the Rose Bowl watching a former BYU quarterback play the UofU.

I wore my BYU shirt and Krista made UCLA shirts for Davin and herself. She regretted it once we got to the game because, "none of the cute Mormon boys will talk to me because I have a UCLA shirt on."

Our seats on the 45 yard line, 16 rows up, didn't seem to impress Davin. He liked the nachos more than anything else. I enjoyed the experience more than the game. BUT, we all missed Scott being there.

Christmas Exchange List 2006

So, alas, here it is- Christmas shopping for Dec. 2006 may begin------

Alicia .......... buys for................ Teresa
Scott..........................................Tawna
Teresa........................................Bryce
Steve..........................................Sarah (have you two ever met???)
Laura..........................................Krista
Brian...........................................Alicia
Jessica.......................................Brian
Landon........................................Evan
Sarah..........................................Jessica
Bryce..........................................Steve
Evan...........................................Laura
Tawna.........................................Landon
Krista..........................................Scott

The limit again is $25. We are noticing that some people are getting the same people year after year. If you would like to switch the drawing to a rotation thing we can do that next year. What do you think?? Also- this is the official list. If you have something that you already know would be perfect for someone- just ask that person to switch. Okay. Great. Merry Christmas.

German mishap

Something quite funny happened to me yesterday that I will share. I am putting it on allredloop because it is mostly just for the family, and I don't want to mess up my Italy sequence.

OK, you know how many missionaries that learn a foreign language have a story of using the wrong word, to make what they are saying have a totally different meaning. I was talking to my new neighbor last night who speaks pretty good english. Enough anyway that we can have a conversation, but I have to repeat things sometimes and talk a little slower.
Well, our kids are going to school together, and we were talking about school. I was saying that the school that Steven and Nathan are in is called Preschool in the states.
Then I wanted to give an example of what "pre" was and I happened to know the German word for it. So I said,"like vor in vorspeilen." She just shook her head, and we moved on. It wasn't until I was going to bed last night that I thought about it, and what I meant to say was vorspulen which means prewash. What I said was "vorspeilen" which means FOREPLAY! Not the best example when describing preschool. :) hahaha