All Things Presidential

As you can see, dad was able to do some traveling last week with the school district and saw some amazing sights. He loved the things he was able to see, but said there was so much more that they didn't have time for. He left last Sunday and returned home Wed night, so only 4 days wasn't enough time. He had a great time though.

We've had a great week. The snow has started to melt and I see actual grass out the back windows! However the forecast calls for rain/snow for the next 3 days. blah. . . Easter was nice, we had my dad out and Jase and Sarah stopped by a little later to give us comfort and cheer. Jenna actually did some prosletyzing with her neighbors in giving them Easter baskets with goodies and the last Ensign about Christ. What a thoughty thing to do.

Jeff said Ashleigh was the recipient of some great gifts, however poor Jeff did not get a Pitstop Pete so his Easter could have been better! Just kidding! I don't know what Brett and Tara did but they are doing fine as well. Brandon said Granty got lots of chocolate and couldn't seem to wind down. They tried to put him down for a nap and he just kept yelling out "I want chocolate!" Whatta ya do? Sarah got an IPOD, how lucky is she?

I have had several calls on my house cleaning business and actually have an appointment to help an old lady on Tuesday. All right! It's not very glamorous work but it pays more than nursing! My dad and I also have an appointment to visit with the bank tomorrow to see if I qualify for a loan for this property I'm looking at. We'll see.

Hawaii is coming up soon and then I'm flying to Phoenix on April 14 for a real estate conference. I am also staying a few extra days with Jenna. Did you hear that, Jen? Roll out the red carpet! Grandpa Shirley got home from the hospital on Saturday after his surgery. He is having a rough time, so keep him in your prayers. Grandma is actually letting me help her with her house cleaning and I am happy to do this for them. I owe them a lot, they are such good people.

Well that is all for now, we love you all and appreciate it when you call. Keep in touch! Have a great week! Love, Ma and Pa Shirley

Scoresbys fall on hard times

While talking to Jenna today, my heart was full of deepfelt sorrow and concern for not only her, but for her poor little family and her out-of-work, lazy husband. It seems as though things aren't as rosy as they once were in the Scoresby household. Bills have gone unpaid, the cupboards have been emptied, and her once healthy family has struggled to make ends meet. It's sad, really. Blake had such promise as not only a father, but as a provider. However, it seems as if he's only been concerned about putting food on his own plate. I really thought he would find a way to be successful, but things just haven't worked out. Jenna's remained optimistic and close to her family amidst her tremendous struggles, both physical and financial. It's really a shame how far they've fallen and it's time we reach out to them in this desperate hour. If you can spare $20, $10, or even $5, it would really help them out. They are in dire need of any extra clothing, money, food, or any medicine we can give them. I gave her a blanket over the Christmas holiday, and she broke into tears, saying, "At least one of the kids will be able to sleep under something besides a burlap sack, for a change." I really hope things improve for them, so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Spring? What spring?

Did I hear that spring is coming? Where exactly is it coming to? Certainly not here as you can see by the photos. We even got 3 more inches Thursday and Friday. We have a little patch of bare ground by the pine trees and that is where Stella goes to poop so she doesn't get a cold wee bum. Yes Brett and Tara are also up and have been enjoying the snow also. We are going to go get a pedicure tomorrow, (not Brett) (well he is invited)(but probably won't come)(unless he has something to tell us) We just all had supper and Jason and Sara came out. They have been very sick this past week from the same crap dad and I had, so now we'll all be immune.

Dad has flown the coop and gone to Washington D.C for some training. He won't have a lot of time to sightsee but I'll bet there are some mighty good tubs there. He will be home on Wednesday. Brett & Tara came up for spring break and were able to go see Jared on Saturday night. He says hey to everyone. Brandon just completed his spring break and reported he had a great, relaxing week, seeing the zoo with Grant and also going to see his soccer game.

Jeff & Ashleigh are doing okay I guess. Didn't get a report this weekend, hopefully they are doing fine. Although I don't think the Jazz have been doing fine. Jenna & Blake are enjoying 80 degree weather. Jenna said the economy is still a bust there in Phoenix with Wright Engineering being not very busy, so we need to pray for at upturn soon. I don't know either with gas going up so high this week. We were $3.05 on Friday and $3.18 on Saturday. Brandon said it's $3.45 there so everything is just going crazy. The cannery sent out a little note to all the wards around here saying they were out of wheat and when they did get their shipment it will be triple the price. Everybody get some storage in, especially flour, shortening and oils, if the prices haven't come up in your area yet.

Just so you know, I have put in a bid on a rental property in Idaho Falls, who knows if it will come about, but it's worth a try. It will pay for itself and a little bit more, so that will be my job for a little while. Structurally it's okay but cosmetically it needs a facelift, so we'll see. I'm very excited. Okay, that is about all, Cash sends his love as usual, also Brett, Tara and Stella say hey. We love you all and have a great week! Keep us informed at to what ya'll are up to! Love, Ma Kettle

A Look Back...

I was going through all our digital photos on our computer and happened upon these gems, courtesy of Brandon and Anna. They have mad photog skillz. Jenna and I wish we could take pictures like this. These were taken a couple years ago when we were still in Vegas when Brandon, Anna, and Brett came for a visit.

In heaven...again

Now that my emotional high is over (sniff, sniff), I thought I'd post some pictures of the big day. My excitement began a week before, when the Jazz P.R. rep called and told me we had won the Jazz reading contest and would be receiving a player (they wouldn't tell me who). So, preparations began in my class, making banners and logos to welcome whoever was going to come. The pessimist in me kept thinking, I bet they send someone the kids have never heard of and they'll all be dissappointed. But Ash reassured me that the kids would be happy no matter what, so that eased my nervousness. I barely slept a wink the night before the assembly, feeling like I was a 6 year old again, the night before Christmas.

The day arrived and I must have been bouncing off the walls before the assembly, because one of my students said, "Mr. Shirley, you need to calm down." That was great, getting behavior advice from a 6th grader. I received a call from the Jazz at about 12, asking for directions to the school, and they informed me that Paul Millsap was coming. Brandon, Jenna, and Blake, and all the other smart aleks are probably saying right now, "Who's that?" Although I had others that I would have liked to see besides him, it turned out great! I introduced myself to him and he was happy to sign autographs for a few of the teachers and take a few photos with us. He was very personable and the kids loved him. Rumor has it we were supposed to receive Kirilenko but he got injured the night before and couldn't make it, but we were satisfied nonetheless. We gave him a rousing introduction, complete with a spotlight and me doing my best Dan Roberts (the Jazz anouncer) impression. He then read a couple of books to the kids and answered a few of their questions, and ended with a slam dunk! I even got on the news! (The parents at my school are probably wondering why I'm on t.v. all the time, and if I ever get any teaching done, but that's another story). Anyway, it was a great day for everyone, from the teachers, students, and parents involved and to all those who helped out with the reading program. I'm already making plans for next year (and yes, we WILL win again!) And maybe I'll dunk next year! (ya right).

Check this out!

I was on t.v. again! You can all refer to me as "the t.v. whore," at least that's what Ard said. Click on the link and watch the video. http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=2785875

From the shark's mouth to your ears!

Okay so this was from last fall when dad & I went to the coast. We have lots of other pictures of seals, lighthouses and coastlines but this was the only one with us in it. (we haven't changed) How are all of you? Dad is finally feeling better and will go to school tomorrow, this was a horrible flu bug that hangs on forever. He finally went in on Thursday and they discovered he had strep. When told that adults usually don't get strep, and perhaps is he around a lot of chilren? He just laughed. We had snow over the weekend and today was bright and clear but only 32 degrees. It was lovely though and gives us thoughts of spring. Cash is loving it. He is on constant vigilance against predators and can hardly come inside for all the excitement. Oh and by the way, it must be spring, we passed the only three skunks that have come out of hibernation, on the road to the Idaho Falls Satuday. Jenna is feeling better and said it was 82 degrees last Friday. She was a little depressed because the temperatures will be rising now until October or November. Brandon said it was 60 degrees there today, so apparently us in the thirties are in the wrong place. Jeff said his school won the Jazz contest with his class reading the most minutes. He is so proud! Brett said there was enough snow today for him to roll a little snowball up and have Stella get all psyched out and scratch it into oblivion. Remember how Cassie used to freak out at the fireworks? Well Stella does the same thing with snowballs. Brandon said Granty is entering the terrible twos a little early. Grant will deliberately be told not to do things and he'll do it anyway just to see what reaction he gets. They learn to push our buttons very early, don't they? Jason & Sara got back safely from Phoenix and had a great time with Jenna & Blake, whose hospitality can't be beat. What a great bed and breakfast they have! I know we sure are taken good care of! Jeff just called and said to tell everyone hello. Jeff's Jazz player is coming on Tuesday of this week and Jeff has called 3 TV stations and one newspaper. Umm, yeah, he likes attention. He'll be the one in the back on the phone, following the camera around! Have a great week everyone! We love you and LOVE to hear from you! Love, Ma & Pa Shirley