Three Conversations with Ms. K

I spent Christmas with my sister. Here are three memorable conversations with Ms. K:

#1
Ms. K: When are you getting married?

Me: When I find a boy to love.

#2
Ms. K: Will you buy this for me (a Barbie calendar)?

Me: I'll think about it.

Ms. K: You will be aunt #1. Right now you are aunt #2. But if you buy it for me you will be #1.

Me: That is bribery.

Ms. K: What is that?

Me: Exactly what you are doing to me.

#3
Ms. K: Do you believe in the Easter Bunny?

Me: Why do you keep asking me about what I believe (she kept asking about Santa and the Easter Bunny).

Ms. K: Do you believe in the Easter Bunny.

Me: No.

Ms. K: Me either. Because one time I was hiding from Mr. J in mom and dad's closet and I saw the candy that the Easter Bunny used so I knew it was them. I still believe in Santa though.

Cousins Christmas 2010

Several years ago I started inviting the Thackeray cousins who attend BYU (and who I call "homeless" or "orphans"-- because they are from out-of-state and have nowhere to go) over to my house for dinner. When we first started, the group was small-- maybe eight of us max. Overtime, our circle has expanded and last night we had 13. This is the reason for my new dining room addition.

So last night was the annual Christmas dinner. We eat yummy food and play Christmas BINGO. Yes, the BINGO cards have squares with Christmas symbols such as holly, snow globes, Santa's elves, etc. Everyone brings a gift from the dollar store to share as BINGO prizes. I usually give everyone a small gift at the end of the night. We always have a great time, and last night was no exception.

I love these kids. Tonight as I was washing up the dinner dishes, I was reflecting on what a great blessing this is in my life. If there is one regret I have it is that I never was able to have children of my own. But I am so grateful for career choices that led me to BYU, which has in turn allowed me to interact and associate with extended family. I am grateful for the ties that bind us together. I loved having Jill and Jessica come early to help with final food preparation (I had Relief Society-related meetings from 9-12 and then Church from 1-4). They know where everything is in my kitchen and are willing to pitch in and help. It was so comfortable and natural. And of course everyone who comes helps out in one way or another.

Life is so Good. Family is the best!

Dear Student

Dear Student,
When you wrote LAME across your exam when you returned it, was that referring to
a) your score
b) the test

Either way, your immature behavior continues to baffle me. I am grateful to only have one more day of classes with you. I think I can make it. How do you think you will do?

Dr. T.

Accounting for Time

It doesn't seem possible that it is December 5th. I wondered where November went. As I looked back at my calendar, this is what I found. I list it to make myself feel better about where the time has gone:

Week of Oct 17th: abstracts due for 2011 Women's Conference. Lots of long days and late nights. Bridal shower; parents visited.

Week of Oct 24: another bridal shower; carpets cleaned.

Week of Oct 31: Sunday I had my first cousin dinner party in new house addition; spent the rest of the week sick in bed. I've never missed a week of work before.

Week of Nov 7th: Still sick, boarded airplane for Denver to attend the American Public Health Association Conference; Relief Society gratitude dinner on Thursday; wedding reception on Friday; Worldwide Leadership Training meeting on Saturday.

Week of Nov 14: Tuesday attended play at Orem High to see kids in neighborhood; Relief Society regional training on Wednesday; helped with neighbor's wedding reception on Thursday; funeral for my cousin on Friday; percussion concert on campus with mom and dad on Friday; lunch with relatives on Saturday.

Week of Nov 21: bridal shower, home teachers, and visiting teachers on Tuesday; play at Hale Theater to see my neighbor Julie on Wednesday; Thanksgiving for 12 people at my house; on Saturday, baptisms for dead at temple for the family history work I've been doing.

Week of Nov 28th: Wednesday hosted open house for neighbors who wanted to see my house renovations; Romeo and Juliet with Jill to see Christie on Thursday; volunteer at welfare cannery on Friday; book launch for my neighbor Ally and dinner with my niece Ms. L. on Saturday; prepare to teach Relief Society.

And here it is December 5th. Whew.... I am so ready for a vacation. :)

Life is Good.

Faith, Funerals, and Family

On Friday I attended my cousin's funeral. She was only 55. Died from ovarian cancer. This is the second woman I know who has died from ovarian cancer.

Most people don't understand the bond we share as family and why I would take time to go to a funeral. My cousin who spoke at the funeral explained it best when he said that in our family the lines between brothers, sisters, and cousins were non-existent. So true. We are all one. We stand together in the good times and the bad. There were 50 of us at the funeral. We also saw other childhood friends from California. It was such a great day.

I am thankful for my faith and the plan of salvation. Though her passing was sad, I know that our family will be together one day--- oh what a party it will be.



Friday after the funeral my parents came to visit. We had tickets to a percussion concert on campus. It was really intriguing and very well done.

Saturday I met Uncle George, Aunt Barbara, their kids, and Lynn, Susan, Janene and Katie, and Evan and the boys in SLC for one last lunch. It was so much fun to laugh and talk together. Nobody wanted to leave. We could have stayed and talked for hours. I gave them each a CD with photos I had taken at the funeral. They seemed appreciative.
When I got home my friend had raked 8 bags of leaves from my walnut tree. I almost started crying. I was overwhelmed with gratitude. As mom said, you were doing something nice for someone else, and he was doing something nice for you. It was more than nice. It was a tender mercy from the Lord. I didn't know when I would get those leaves raked again.

Life is so good!

P.S.
It snowed today. When I retire I am going to move to Arizona for the winter :)

Dear Students

This semester has been so interesting. I'm dealing with new issues-- ones I've never had to deal with before. Today I sent this email to a group of four students. I could sense some frustration with the feedback that I gave them on their project.

I sensed some frustration among your group today, as it related to my comment that your augmented product is really a worksite wellness program and not the pricing strategy of free memberships.
I have tried to give clear directions for the project in both written format and in class. Though I mean no disrespect by sharing this observation, I have noticed that within your group a couple of you regularly sleep during class and a couple of you are using your computers instead of engaging in class discussion (when required note taking is limited).
I am willing to work with you to have a successful project, but I believe there has to be concentrated effort on your part as well. Does that seem fair?
Dr. Thackeray

As of tonight, I have received no response. Really, Monday and today two of them slept during class. Really? Why come?
I ran into one of the students on campus and she wouldn't meet my gaze. Hum...

Life is Good.

For the "Glory File"

In my office I keep a file labeled "Glory File." In it I have notes from students who tell me how wonderful I am. I read it occasionally, particularly when students think I am less than wonderful. I received the message below just this morning. I'm pretty sure the student didn't appreciate the class when they were in it, but has since found that I really did know what I was talking about. I love it when that happens!

Hi Dr. Thackeray,

I just wanted to thank you for your Survey & Research Methods class that I attended as an MPH student in the winter of 2009. I am currently employed at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the Institute for Global Tobacco Control, and as part of my responsibilities am assisting in the compilation of a variety of survey instruments to be conducted all over the world. The information and experience that I gained from your course has helped me immensely!

Thank you,

First Dinner Party and Other Updates

On Sunday I hosted my first dinner party with the new house addition.
Here is a before picture-- taken approximately July 28, 2010

This is the "after" picture from the same view. The kitchen looks a little dark, which it isn't really. That is what I love about the addition-- there is so much natural light. It is hard to tell from pictures how amazing the new space really is-- everyone who walks in says "WOW!"



This is our first group picture. It has become a tradition to take a picture at each gathering.


For dinner I made chili. One recipe was from allrecipes.com called Boilermaker Tailgate Chili. I left out one pepper, put in half the chili powder and it still had a kick to it. I also made White Chicken Chili that won 3rd place at my sister's neighborhood chili cook-off. I liked it too. Everyone else brought sides, salads, and desserts. The Thackerays (and Clarks) are some good cooks!

I started to lose my voice on Sunday. I have spent all week in bed. I've never missed this much work in my life. I hope to be back to normal soon. On Monday, the doctor told me it was just a virus. I wished he was wrong. At least antibiotics would make me feel better.

For those of you following the "dear student" saga, I just got a mid-course evaluation back. The student called me "Nazi" and "crazy" and said "She teaches us uncorrect [sic] information, and other professors in our Public Health department tell us she is teaching us wrong." Whew. I have never felt so much hatred from a student.
Fortunately, the evaluations also included several comments along these lines, "In all honesty, Dr. Thackeray's class is one of the best classes I've taken at BYU. Not only is she a very likable individual with a vast amount of personal knowledge/experience, but she actually knows how to teach and sincerely wants us to learn how to be health professionals. I feel as though her class will be an important key to my career aspirations."

I still think "Life is Good!"

Dear Student

I was wrong. I thought the second half of the semester would be better than the first. But unfortunately your behavior has not improved. I have never had such a defiant student in my 11 years of teaching. You continue to read your iPad and study for your next class (you admitted this to me while visiting in my office). And each day you continue to challenge me in front of the whole class. What is up with that? Additionally, criticizing the exam questions instead of just answering them will not help you pass the test. And it may not help you pass the class.
How many more weeks until this semester is over?
Dr. T.

More House Photos

I am slowly, gradually, adding things to the house addition.

On the south wall you can faintly see the "Be Thankful" sign I found last week, along with a wagon full of mums that I pulled out of my holiday decorations.



Purchased this clock at Costco the other night. It hangs above the bar.


My sister helped me put on these rub-on letters on my wall. My brother had a brilliant idea to put some photos beneath it. I tell you, he knows everything-- even a little about decorating!

I purchased these bar stools at Pier One. I needed 32" bar stools because of the counter height. Note to self-- don't ever build this way again. 30" bar stools are standard and much easier to find. But thanks to the tip of my friend Jeanne, I went to Pier One, and found these on clearance, plus I got an extra 20% off if I opened a Pier One card. YES! So two bar stools for less than the price of one of the other styles I've been looking at on-line.


This is a table-topper that mom made me. I purchased the pattern when I was in Salem, MA this summer. The pumpkin is from my aunt.

Life Is Good!

I'm in Love....

...with the addition to my house. The carpet came this week. There are still a few minor things they have to do, plus the deck railing and stairs, but we are so close. I am anxious to start adding furniture and decorations to the wall.

My sister and her kids came to visit too. We had a great time decorating pumpkins, miniature golfing, and eating good food. I asked my sister if she wanted to come be my personal chef :)

This is a really easy pizza crust from www.allrecipes.com It is called Valentinos Pizza crust. Super easy to make and then add your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Stir water, sugar and yeast together until dissolved. Add the olive oil and the salt. Stir in the flour until well blended. Let dough rest for 10 minutes.
2. Pat dough into pan or on to a pizza stone using fingers dipped in olive oil. If desired sprinkle basil, thyme or other seasonings on crust. Top with your favorite pizza toppings and bake for 15 to 20 minutes in a preheated 425 degree oven.

Dear Student

Dear Student,
Thanks for coming to visit me today. As you sat in the chair across from my desk, I could tell that you were just a little nervous-- and so was I.

I think the second half of the semester can be a good one for both of us. I've appreciated that you haven't talked to your classmates during class, at least not while I was talking. And thanks for not pouting today.

Remember, I am on your side and am here to help you succeed.
Dr. T.

Funeral for Mr A

I attended Mr A's funeral today. The service was beautiful. My brother-in-law gave a fabulous talk. Mr J played the viola while my sister played the piano and the grandchildren sang, "Jesus Said Love Everyone."

Bar

I'm one step closer.... the bar was installed today. Now I'm on the hunt for bar stools. I found some that I really liked, but they are a little spendy. Of course I always have expensive tastes. My mom says I come by that naturally-- my dad is the same way :)

The Life of Mr J and Mr A

Seven years ago today, I called my sister and encouraged her to make a doctor's appointment for Mr J with Sandy Friden. Though the pediatrician attributed Mr J's behavior to "separation anxiety" after starting kindergarten, we knew something was more seriously wrong. That was the beginning of a long journey. I've never prayed so hard for anything in my life as I did for Mr J in those first few months. Tomorrow it will be seven years since Mr J's brain tumor diagnosis.



Today my sister was once again in a hospital in SLC, this time with her father-in-law. Unfortunately the outcome of this event was not as positive. Mr A. passed away this afternoon following complications from surgery. This event has left a dark cloud on our family, because Mr A. was like family. We spent holidays together, as well as birthdays, baptisms, and blessings. Mr A. was so friendly and made you feel so comfortable. He could talk to anyone for hours. We will miss him.



All of this reminds me about what is most important in life. The most important things are not things, but people.

Life is Good.

Dear Student

Dear Student,

I am sorry that I was not more diplomatic when I talked with your group after class today. The bottom line is still the same-- this behavior has to stop. I still don't understand why you send me daggers when I look at you and wait to proceed with class until you stop talking. Do you think you have a right to be disrespectful?? In 11 years I've never encountered someone like you.

What happened to manners? Maybe you missed out on high school teachers like Bill Wilkins and Al Kiep who instilled respect and civility.

Dr. T.

P.S. Can't wait until teacher evaluations come out at the end of the semester. This ought to be good.

Grateful to Slow Down

I am grateful for the Sabbath. I am grateful that it is a day to remember that it is God that does sanctify me (Exodus 31:13). I am grateful that it is a day of rest from our temporal labors. I know that if we follow this counsel found in Isaiah 58:13-14, our lives will be blessed.

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

I am grateful for the opportunity to listen to General Conference. I especially liked Pres. Uchtdorf's talk. Of late, I feel like I am going 100 miles per hour and I only see the acceleration increasing, not decreasing. His talk was a good reminder to me that I need to slow down and proceed as a pace that is appropriate for my circumstances. I can't do everything, though I want to and think that I should.

Life is Good! We have living prophets and apostles on the earth to guide and direct us back to our Heavenly home. By following their counsel we can find joy amidst the challenges.

I have a Kitchen!

I finally have my kitchen back!!

No, they have not finished the project, but at least I have my kitchen back.

Today they installed the lights and re-installed the kitchen cupboards. I have never been happier to clean dirt and dust. A little Murphy's Oil Soap and Lemon Oil and my cabinets are sparkling clean-- at least on the outside. The inside is another story. Dust from drywall seeps in everywhere, even when it is covered.

But at least I can cook and eat something more than peanut butter sandwiches (I thought I could live on these forever, but I can't) and cold cereal.

A couple more weeks and we should have a bar over the sink, a ceiling fan, carpet, siding, and a deck. Stay tuned.

Letters to A Student

Following Heidi's recent post, after class today, I feel the need to write a letter to my students:

Dear Student,

You are not endearing yourself to people who can help you succeed in school and in a career. Do you realize that faculty members can really help you go places? Just ask a student who got hired today.

Remember at the start of the semester when I talked about using computers and cell phones in class? If we are having a class discussion, your eyes should be focused toward the front of the classroom or on someone who is making a comment. Staring at your computer screen and using you index finger for a mouse tells me that you are not engaged in our class discussion.

I can also tell when you are texting during class. I know you are trying to be discrete, but it isn't working. The next time you come up to me while doing an assignment to ask a question, I just might say something like, "maybe if you were listening instead of texting you might understand the assignment."

Lastly, I cannot talk over multiple conversations. When I am talking, please be quiet and don't talk to your neighbor. Isn't this a common courtesy you learned in elementary school? And please don't send me an annoyed look with daggers in your eyes that says "how dare you interrupt our conversation" when I tell you I cannot talk over you.

If you want to start endearing yourself to me, stop doing these things!

Dr. T.

Guess I'll Eat Out Tonight

On my way home tonight, I thought to myself...I'll just have some fresh fruit and cottage cheese for dinner. It sounded really tasty.

Then I walked in the door to find this:



Everything was covered in plastic. No accessing the sink or the fridge or any cupboard.
Hum... guess I'll be eating out tonight. So that is just what I did. At least we are making progress. More dust, but progress.

Life is Good.

Door, Trim, and Rail

We are making progress. I meet with the painter in the morning. :)

Peaches and More Paint

I am on sample #11 and still haven't found the right color paint. If anyone is in the mood to paint and wants to try out some samples, I'm happy to share.

The girl at Home Depot tonight did show me this niffy little "touch up" tray. It cost $1.97. Sold. I am too tired tonight to wash out brushes.


I did manage to bottle a few peaches. I'm sure I will love these come January, but right now it is just one more thing that I don't have enough hours in the day to do.
I think life is still good.

Paint is a Pain

I have spent hours (literally) trying to pick out paint for the new room. I even rented the color wheels from the store so I could quit going back and forth. I now have 7 different paint colors on my wall, thanks to $5 samples from Sherwin Williams.

I know paint is not a big investment, but I really don't have the time or energy to re-paint if I don't like what the professionals do. Most of my house is light off-white, so color is a major change. I'm thinking maybe just stick with white.

Heidi, what is your trick to picking out paint colors?

Disneyland and Drywall

I spent the weekend at Disneyland with my friend Stephanie and her two girls, Ms. M and Ms. H who were celebrating their 7th and 10th birthdays, both on Saturday. This was my first trip to Disneyland.


We had a great time. It was definitely fun to be with kids. One of my favorite moments was when Ms. M asked if she could hold my hand. She is so adorable!

We got up early and stayed until closing (i.e., midnight), rode all the major rides, had birthday lunch at the Blue Bayou, watched World of Color at California Adventure (this was truly amazing!), traded Disney pins, and ate lots of caramel popcorn (the BEST popcorn I've ever eaten). I even rode California Screammin roller coaster. That was a major accomplishment for me because I get motion sick really easily (and I'm not a risk taker).

All-in-all it was a fabulous weekend.

I came home to find drywall installed. We are making gradual progress. Can't wait to be done with living in a mess!

House Update- Insulation

Insulation was installed today. The house doesn't echo quite as much and the room already seems smaller.

I wasn't expecting the insulation until tomorrow. The workers came in through the temporary door. That set off the alarm. I was in the middle of teaching when I got the message. I wonder if they are deaf from the episode. Whew.

Sheetrock should start on Friday.