Grandma Smith's Obituary

Jan. 6, 1908 - Mar. 25, 2009 Relia Cooley Smith, age 101 years and two months, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 25, 2009. Relia was born in Newton, Utah, the second of seven children of Ezra Hazen and Jessie Rigby Cooley on Jan. 6, 1908. At the age of 11, sadly, Relia's mother, and infant brother Rigby, passed away. Since her older sister, Inez, had passed away as an infant, Relia assumed the role of mother to her sisters, Maude and Carma and her brothers, William and Grant for a while. Her father later married a wonderful woman whom the children affectionately called Aunt Margaret. Relia was raised in Newton, Hyrum and Logan, Utah where she attended Utah State Agricultural College and worked as a secretary for Cache Knitting Mills. It was there that she met and fell in love with Jay M. Smith from Lehi, Utah, a salesman for the company. They were married in the Logan Temple July 23, 1931. After beginning their marriage in Yakima, Washington, they moved to Denver, Colo. where Jay sold insurance and three sons and a daughter were born. In 1941 they transferred to Salt Lake City and their last child, Steven, was born. In 1948 they moved to Boise, Idaho and Jay became the general manager for World Insurance Company. In 1972 they returned to Salt Lake City and in 1985 their final move together was to Provo, Utah. Jay passed away on Aug. 16, 1988. Relia was a woman of many talents and had numerous friends. She loved to entertain and she was a marvelous cook. She played the piano and loved to sing. While living in Salt Lake, the highlight of the Christmas Season was singing in the productions of the Messiah held in the Tabernacle. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served many years in the Primary and the Relief Society organizations. She loved her associations. Once Relia became someone's friend, it was for life. Christmas and birthday cards were exchanged; frequent phone calls and memorable personal visits were made. She regretted having many of these contacts cease as her dear friends passed on. She is undoubtedly thrilled to be with so many family and friends again. Relia was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who have all been blessed by her love and quiet encouragement. They will always remember her wonderful spirit, her delicious food, her great sense of humor and her love of music. Visitors over the past few years have been amazed at how Relia could still remember the words to so many songs and how she would sing along and harmonize in her rich alto voice, even when, at times, she appeared to be sleeping. Relia is survived by three sons: Jay Jr. (JenaVee) of Provo, Utah, currently serving a mission in Hong Kong; Gordon (Ann) of Lindon, Utah and Steven (Rebecca) of Eagle, Idaho, and her son-in-law, Doug Glade. Relia leaves 19 grandchildren, 89 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Jay and son Frank Hazen, who died in 1935 and a daughter Sandra Glade who died January 2009. The family is appreciative of those who helped care for Mother the past few years, with special thanks to the Canyon Breeze Assisted Living Center in Orem, Utah where she has lived for the past five years. The funeral will be held in the Oak Hills Stake Center, 925 East North Temple Drive, Provo, Utah at 11 a.m. on Monday April 6, 2009. Family and friends may meet prior to the funeral from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Arrangements are being made by Myers Funeral Home, Layton, Utah. Flowers and cards may be sent to 1825 N. Oak Lane, Provo, Utah 84604. Interment will be in the Logan, Utah, Cemetery.

Grandma Smith

Today, Diamond's 101 year old grandma died. Like any good grandson, many of Diamond's memories center around her cooking: her famous cinnamon rolls, the best french toast ever, and root beer floats. He also talks about how she would leave a candy bar on his pillow after a visit to town - since Diamond was the one who had to give up his bed to his grandparents.

I meet Grandma Smith when Diamond and I were dating. What always amazed me was that no matter when we stopped by, there were always grandkids, greatgrands, etc. over visiting. I do know that Grandma wasn't too sure about me at first. Apparently, she thought my shorts were too short and she was convinced that I was corrupting Diamond's little sister when I took her to a college comedy club. But I think I eventually won her over. If nothing else the creation of three curly-haired great-grandsons got me some credit.

It is really crazy to consider the changes she has seen in her life. When Grandma was born:

-The 19th amendment, granting women the right to vote would not be ratified for another eleven years.
-There had been no world wars.
-There was no rock and roll and music. (She was 49 when Elvis had his first #1)
-Think of the technology: Henry Ford had yet to popularize the automobile, most homes had yet to become "electrified", there was no penicillin, no TVs, no washing machines, no computers, or microwaves.

But now she has passed. It's a blessing really. Her husband died over twenty years ago, she lost a newborn baby almost 75 years ago, and her only daughter died last year. She is ready to be reunited. I'm truly happy for her. I know how much she missed her husband, her parents and her children.

We'll be heading to Utah soon for a funeral. But, until then, here's to you Grandma!

And the Winner Is...

The Avs games (that we only had two tickets to) was last night. Diamond ended up taking Big Boy #1.

I have to thank everyone out there for their great advice. There was quite a contingency that thought Big Boy #2 should have the tickets. But a couple people (coincidentally, that have big families) suggested that we come up with an alternative activity for whomever didn't get to go to the Avs game. We put the two ideas together and this is what we came up with:

-We decided that we would buy a couple tickets to a CO Rockies (baseball)game.
-We then then asked BB#2 if he would rather go to the Rockies or the Avs game.
-BB2 opted for the Rockies, so we offered the Avs tickets to BB1.

Everyone was happy. Phew!

I just hope BB2 isn't expecting seats this good for the Rockies game!

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After reading all the books, I finally saw the Shopaholic movie this past week (OK, I realize I'm slow to get to the theater.) I'm still not so sure if I liked it or not. It's just so different from the book, that I'm still trying to process it. And when I say different, I don't mean "artist license" type of different, I mean a vastly different story. I would say it makes for a good rental. Of course the books were WAY better - but that's nothing new is it?

Crunch!

This past Saturday morning, I was innocently sitting at a red light when all of a sudden...

I was in the far left lane, when a Cadillac in the middle lane totally slammed into a Civic that was also in the middle lane. The Cadillac then ricocheted off the Civic and into me.

The good news? No one was hurt. The Civic was totaled and the Cadillac was pretty beat up too. While I was able to drive home from the accident, we currently can't open the back passenger door and there is a really awful sound whenever I turn left. I guess it's drivable- so long as I am willing to drive in circles.

Diamond has never been in so much as a fender-bender, yet I somehow I manage to get in accidents while at a COMPLETE STOP at a red light! Other accidents I've been in:
-I hit a deer (Officially that's considered an act of God. Makes a girl wonder...)
-I hit a power lawnmower that was randomly careening across a six lane road.
-I hit our mailbox (OK, that one was just me being stupid.)

I've spent a ton of time on the phone with insurance companies today and Diamond is currently driving a rental. While it's been a pain, I'm truly grateful we weren't just one lane over (makes me shutter to think -both big boys were in the back of the car.)

The woman driving the Civic called her boyfriend to come and get her. His reaction was the best of all. "MAN! I just WASHED that car!!!"

King Solomons Choice

Here's the problem:
2 tickets to a Colorado Avalanche game
1 Diamond is going
2 sports fanatic boys that would DIE to go

See the problem? 3 people wanting to go, 2 tickets. What do we do???

I suppose we could make it a date, but it seems like a waste for me (not a sports enthusiast) to use the extra ticket.

Diamond could always invite a friend, but going to an Avs game is such a rare treat - it seems at least one of the boys should be able to go.

The tickets are from work - we can't just buy an extra ticket and still sit together.

They would love the experience equally.

Any ideas???

Three!

The Caboose just celebrated his third birthday last week. Being three, he wanted to help make his birthday cake (read, eat the batter):

We have a 100 piece Superhero/"scary guy" puzzle that the Caboose has been fascinated by lately. So, for his birthday he received all sorts of puzzles. Here he is opening a wooden puzzle set from Grandma and Grandpa Smith (thanks!):

After gifts was the train cake - who says I can't be domestic???:

If you were ever wondering why multi-million dollar companies market to three-year-olds, here's your answer: Despite our efforts to talk him into some tastier cuisine, the Caboose single-handedly cajoled twelve people into going to McDonald's for his birthday dinner. (Below is my sister and her family - thanks for celebrating with us!)

The Caboose loved his special day. While he has loved all of his gifts, one of his favorites has to be these:

A train cake and Spiderman undies? What a life for a three year old!

Look What I Found

My favorite season of the year has to be spring. I love those early warm days, seeing buds on the trees, enjoying the lengthening daylight, and watching the world wake up again. At the beginning of March I usually start combing the ground for signs of spring. Earlier this week I found this:

I realize it may sound silly, but that little half inch of green gives me such pleasure! Add to that the amazing weather we've been having (we're on day three of 70'+ temps) and I am so excited for spring!