Crabby Abi's Blabbing

Archive for March, 2008

We went to the Wild Animal Park yesterday. In case you’re thinking of going, here are some things to keep in mind.

1. Wear good walking shoes. Things are spread apart and, unless you fit in a stroller or can talk someone into pushing you in a wheelchair, you’re going to have to walk to see what you want to see.

2. The map can be deceiving. At some points on the trail, it seems like it could be to scale. At other times, especially when you’re going up hill, it can seem horribly off.

3. Read the fine print on the map. By that I mean that where the map says there’s a steep slope, it really means that they would have put in a switchback if they had had space for it.

4. Don’t go in the afternoon unless it’s sometime between November and February unless you enjoy the heat. If you’re going to go between March and October, go early in the morning. Even the animals know this. You won’t see them out walking in the heat of the day. They fight and crowd for shade and just lay there in it. The rhinos even roll in the mud to keep cool.

5. It’s not worth paying extra for Preferred Passes for the Journey Through Africa Safari. If you really want to go on it, wait out the line. It would probably be best first thing in the morning. It’s one of those things that you’d have to be first to because the line gets pretty long. And really, all you’re going to see is giraffes, rhinos and various species of deer and antelope. (If you’re a member, it’s free.)

6. Take lots of water and drink it.

7. The flamingos stink. Bad. Be prepared. Just trust me on this one.

8. Read the sign at the gorillas. Don’t stare at them – it’s rude and they might moon you if do.

And last, but not least…
9. Don’t tell your mom that you’ll eat her up or you won’t get your supper.

Jessica happens to be one of the youth in charge of the 3rd annual ward auction youth fundraiser this year and asked me to create the poster that will be found in the foyers on Sundays for the next few weeks. She gave me a pen outline on a piece of paper and I kinda went nuts from there. When you see the posters in the foyer at the church, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

We had a birthday in the family last week and I wanted to make something other than just your typical birthday cake. My dad happened to be coming up this way and was going to stay at Lake O’Neil for the weekend. We decided that, instead of going out to dinner like we normally do, to spend some time at the lake on Saturday night. We decided on foil dinners and I had flash backs to a peach cobbler that Brother Taylor used to make. Brother Taylor was a guy in our bishopric when I was in Young Womens and he would make peach cobbler every year for us at girls camp. Complete with vanilla ice cream of course.

Brother Taylor used to make it in a dutch oven and I have little to no experience with one of those things. I don’t have a recipe for peach cobbler either, at least I didn’t. Until Friday. Then I found one, online of course. I thought that it really seemed way to easy. Three ingredients? That’s it? Hm… that means that it will be either too tart or too sweet. Not so!! This is probably the best recipe I’ve ever tasted for peach cobbler. I will totally use it again!!

I really used to hate it when my mom would say that to me. I would have the worst day and after she would listen to me get it all off my chest, she would shrug and say, “Some days are just like that.”

At first I didn’t understand. “What do you mean – some days are just like that?!? Don’t you understand that NO days are supposed to be like that? Every day is supposed to be some swash-buckling adventure, rosy romance, or outrageously funny journey. I’m not supposed to want to rip apart everything within reach just to find some satisfaction in knowing that something had a worse day than I did” I would think.

As I would get one year older, and wiser too, I began to understand that there really are days that don’t really fit into the story. Yes, my life is a story. It’s like the movie “Stranger Than Fiction.” Except that the writer is me and there isn’t really anything written down yet, despite the constant counsel to keep a journal. Unfortunately, for my posterity, this is probably as good as it’s going to get.

Anyway… the day started out as most normal days do… drag myself out of bed at 4:30am, shower, “gently remind” husband to get up, get dressed, “gently remind” husband to get up, do hair and makeup, encourage husband to shower quickly, run downstairs realizing I missed printing something for my seminary class, swallow a bowl of cereal while reading scriptures with awake and showered husband, brush teeth, switch pants to skirt, go out to the freezing cold car and head off to seminary.

Seminary went as most days do, but my first clue to the nonsense that would become my day began when a rumor was discussed prior to class starting. Not only was said rumor ludicrous, there was absolutely no base to even make something of that nature up around. I guess that would apply to most, if not all rumors though. Once we were able to get past that part of the day, we were able to get into our lesson. The rest of class went by just as wonderfully as every other day does. (I love those kids!)

But then I went to work…

The nonsense turned to what some might call middle school.

And when all is said and done, the only thing I can think to put in my book for the day is… “Some days are just like that!”