April Updates ~ Messages from Mom

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

We have been having problems with my exercise pool. We called our guy who installed it and has fixed any problems (which have been very few) and he moved to Ivins/St. George area a year ago. He had been training a guy to take over, but then the guy moved on to something else.

The circuit breaker keeps flipping. We had a power outage last Tues. This problem started a day or so later. At first when we flipped it back on, it would sometimes stay for awhile and I was still able to have my warm swim the first couple of days. Then on the weekend, it started immediately flipping off again. So I haven't been able to swim from Sun. on.

We called Endless pools yesterday and the closest factory-trained repairman is in Grand Junction Colorado! 5 hours away! Endless pools said they have been having trouble hiring people to come back East and be factory-trained. I guess we were super lucky to have D.C. Christensen so close us here these past ten years. He was a contractor and was getting older and had knee replacements and harder to get down to work, so we knew he was thinking of retiring, but didn't know he'd moved.

Options:

1. The customer service guy called back today. He said if we could take off the side panels to expose the pumps, he could talk us through a few things to flip on and off. LaMar bought the right kind of screw driver and took off the wood panels when we got a new pump 4 years ago. After D.C. installed the pump, LaMar told him he'd put the panels back, since DC was still recovering from knee surgery. Then LaMar couldn't get them back on, and we had to call DC back to do it! The customer service guy said we could call a local pool repair place and have them come out. He said to not mention Endless Pools or they would think it was proprietary equipment and that they shouldn't do it. He said to just tell them it was a vinyl-lined pool. He said they often used the same type of equipment. If they had trouble and were "on site," we could call Endless Pools technicians and they could probably talk them through a few things, and that they would put the call right through with no waiting. I imagine it would have to take place during weekday hours, Eastern time.
2. The guy from Colorado called back right after the customer service guy. He said it would cost over $700 just for his travel expenses (and you don't know if he would have the right parts with him. He thought it might be more of an electrical problem and suggested calling an electrician. A few years ago, we had an electrician come and put in a dedicated circuit for the pool (it might have one other thing on the line) in case the circuit was flipping because of so many things on the original circuit breaker panel.

So....we could call an electrician and hope he could solve the problem. Or hire Callahan and/or Keaton to come look at it. They are working all day, so might not be able to come during the day if they needed the Endless Pool technicians to suggest anything over the phone--to flip in the pump area. We would pay them, of course.

Or Derek has done a lot of electrical stuff if he had time to stop on the way to or from work downtown or on a day he was working from home. We would pay him.

Shane: We mentioned the new pool being built in the new house. They had that address. I asked who would be the person for that one and they said it was the Colorado guy listed. (or maybe the contractor is doing it all, I don't know). Endless pools has lots of pools in the valley---they really need to have close repairmen available!! Also, we have wondered with the new pool being flush with the floor, where is the pump equipment and do repairmen get to it?

Suggestions????

Thursday, April 7, 2022

I too was hoping it was electrical and Keaton could fix it----------so nice of him to take the time to come over and work on it and fun to visit with him and catch up on his life. So we added some money to his ROTH for his willingness. He brought a new circuit breaker and installed it, but it flipped also.

We got a new pump 4 years ago, so it hasn't been too long---I've enjoyed the pool for 10 years. But using it every day is bound to wear it out sooner than most people's.

Chris has been making a couple calls to local dealers to see if they will repair. There are loads of people with endless pools in the valley (I saw a map online with dots for everyone and was surprised at how many). I wonder who they are getting for repairs now? It would help to benefit from their experience in finding some one. Shane, where will the pump area be located on my pool in the new house, since it will be all underground and flush with the floor?

Chris and Cayson are here working today (spring break).

Derek is in New York on a business trip. Shane are you away on business or back home? I know you had several trips scheduled. Adria is in France, but we haven't heard anything after their airport woes getting there.

Scott called---they got home from Disneyland yesterday with Kemery, Mitch, and baby Letti and had a wonderful time. Scott & Amy and Kellen and girlfriend Natalie are heading to St. George and Henderson, Nevada to look into housing for Kellen in Henderson. I think it is in July that Kellen starts Medical School in Henderson. It will be nice to have him closer to home than most medical schools.

(a little later after some replies)

Conner is here looking at the pool and the lawn mower---but no luck.

I wrote Tamie Snarr on our New Haven board to see who is currently servicing the New Haven Pool. She said Rick with Pool & Patio, but he is on medical leave and wants to retire and is trying to sell to Precision Pool. Their website looks like they've been in business for many years and I think I'll have Chris try calling them. Chris tracked down the model and size for our gecko pump and took a photo of it.

Jeni's facebook group suggestion was a good one. I will sign up and put out a query for our area.

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Hi Kids,

We got a couple inches of snow Mon. night. I looked out yesterday morning, surprised to see 3 broken branches on our flowering Thundercloud Plum in the front yard. One had fallen on Susie's driveway, so I'm glad I noticed. I had Dad go drag it into our yard, so they could get their cars out. The other two broken branches are still hanging from the tree, over their driveway, but not in their cars' way, so we are leaving them until tomorrow when Chris comes to help cut them off and drag them over to our yard.

Kemery and Amy and Letti came over Mon. and we loaded up Kemery's car with ivy and other plants. It was fun to visit with them. Letti is sure a cute little doll! She will be a year old in about 3 weeks!

Alicia said their next-door neighbor's mother, who was 90 and lived with them, just died. Adria was mentored by her in French. I'm sure their relationship was cherished by both.

It reminded me that Sunday, Tony Carter, in his late 50's or early 60's, and excellent on the organ, shared his testimony. He said that a year or so ago, he just felt like something in his life was missing. Then Jensen Lewis, age 12 or 13, asked Tony if he would teach him to play the organ. Tony said he has loved the last year working with Jensen. Then the Piano Guy's teen son and a young teen girl in our ward, asked if he would also teach them to play the organ (I'm sure they all 3 already knew how to play the piano). And how fun it was working with the 3 of them.

Then Tony said that one of the Cannon triplets (who just turned 12) and had heard Tony mention that he liked to play chess---approached him and asked if Tony would play chess with him. Tony said it has been so delightful to play games often with George Cannon and how they loved their discussions about chess and about life during the visits together.

I asked Michelle Cannon if all three triplet boys played chess. She said yes, but young George loved it with a passion.

So, Tony sharing how his interactions with these young teens, so eager to learn, shows how these relationships can be so meaningful to both the kids and the adults and how it has brought so much happiness into Tony's life.

All 4 of these young people came to Tony themselves, not their parents asking for them. It is nice when kids have the self-confidence to do that and not be scared to talk to adults.

I remember the Egan kids, when they were young----whenever they would see you in a store or anyplace, they would always come up and say hi and call you by name. I was always impressed by that.

I remember after Michelle Cannon and her doctor husband saved Dad's life, we gave them an Othello game for Christmas. She said her boys really loved that game also.

We are anxious to see the new house again, now that dry wall is happening! I'll have to go to Alicia's website, since Jeni said Alicia had posted some new pictures there. Derek sent some outside pics when his family and Shane's family met there for a tour. While Derek was in New York, Shane's family and Danielle and the girls met at a restaurant for Brunch.

Alicia, how was your trip to Arizona for photography training on taking pictures of interior of homes? And Adria, we want to hear all about your trip to France with your French teacher and other students. And Scott and Amy and some of their family had a fun trip to Disneyland. Any Scott and Amy to Europe and visited Taylee in Italy. Taylee's semester abroad in Italy will be over soon. Time sure flies! And Shane gets home tonight from his business trip to Vegas. Another trip coming up next week I think! Lots of traveling going on! And some of Jen's bunch.

Have a great week! love, Mom

Sunday, April 17, 2022

Dad feels really sick at his stomach this morning. I don't know if it is stomach flu or food poisoning from the Mexican restaurant we went to last night.

So that kills our plans for today--disappointing. Poor guy. That kind of sickness is so miserable!

I will tune in to your family's singing at church now, Wendy. Hope Josh had a good 16th birthday yesterday. Kellie Sue's birthday today.

Rella arrives home from Florida today with her dance group. Hope Adria feels all better now.

All of you have a nice Easter Day. The weather should be nice for your Easter egg hunts.

We will miss being with you.

Monday, April 18, 2022

Hi Kids,

Dad is feeling much better today! Thanks to all of you for caring to check on him yesterday. We were going to go visit the new house last night with Scott and Amy, but had to cancel. I am so anxious to see it with the drywall. I guess if they are pouring cement floors this week, that will limit the ability for a tour in those areas. I wonder how they do it and how long to dry. It will be interesting.

Our ward did things differently yesterday. I watched on zoom, after watching Wendy's family perform their singing/bell number, with Wendy signing. They did a great job, as always. Our ward had a 20-min. Sunday School, then an hour Easter program, then a short mingle with refreshments, so ward members could visit with each other and get better acquainted. They had to keep it short for the 11th ward meetings to start.

Hope you all had a good Easter. Derek sent a picture they were taking for Layla's baptism photos, in front of a lovely flowering bush. I love Spring with all of our pretty flowers and seeing the lawns green up and I'm always anxious for the trees to leaf out. I've enjoyed the flowering blossoms on the trees--just wish they would last longer.

Shane and Alicia, thanks for your family update---we love hearing what all of you are doing with your busy schedules!

I have a bridal shower tomorrow night for Olivia Sturt at Ostlers. She is getting married in June, right before her parents (our former Stake President) leave to serve as Mission President in Nigeria. Another of their daughters and her husband who just finished Medical School in St. George (and his parents also live in the ward) will live in their home for 3 years while the parents are gone. Another young couple (he's a young doctor also) have been living in his parents home, with their 2 little kids, while his Dad (our former Bishop, John Rees,) was serving as mission President in Denver Colorado. I think his parents will be back this summer from their 3 years of service. These kids grow up into adults so quickly!

A funeral at our building yesterday also. Lane Summerhays emailed me that he and Marilyn attended. It was a gal, age 60, in 11th ward. She was in the small group Financial class that we took 3 or 4 years ago, that Lane lead. She told us in the class that she was battling terminal cancer. She said she had always handled the finances in their family and they were there so her husband could learn to take over. I kept track of her and wrote her a couple of times to see how she was doing. I was really surprised she lasted 4 years and fought it so hard, with all she went through. I was impressed that Lane and Marilyn would take the time to attend after this long of a time. It is good to always be financially prepared and both spouses knowledgeable. Some things happen overnight, without 4 years to learn and prepare. And doubly hard to take over on a moment's notice, especially under extremely emotionally difficult times.

Have a great week and, Shane, we hope your business trip is productive. Hard for you to stay on top of things at the office when you have had to travel so much. And keeping up with all the new house stuff---busy, stressful times. For all of you guys and gals!

love you all, Mom

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

I was working in the side yard by the sandpile and Dad was working in the front yard. I noticed a red Tesla pulled up with a man and a woman. The woman got out and went up and talked with Dad.

After they left, I asked Dad who the lady was. He said he didn't know. She told him that her husband had been walking in our neighborhood that morning and told her he saw the most beautiful flower beds, and he wanted her to see, so brought her over in their car. Fun happening!

Did any of you borrow our electric trimmer, that uses a cord? We can't find it anywhere. We wanted Chris to trim the two tall bushes on either side of the front stairs.

We went to Target, by appt. this time, and got our covid 2nd booster yesterday. We got our first one last Sept. They don't give the $5 per shot incentive any more---at least at our Target.

Then we went to Home Depot and bought a bunch of bushes (evergreen to look good in the winter also) to plant in the yard of the Lindon house. Trying to get the yard fixed up low maintenance-wise to attract some good renters come Fall when Shane and Alicia move out and we all move into the new house. The dry wall is up now, so easier for me to tell more.

Happy 20th birthday to Camden today! Layla's 8th birthday was last Monday. Wendy's is Friday. She will be coming up Fri. with Jenna and Jaiden (or maybe Jaiden is already in Provo--I can't remember). They are coming up with Jase and Ellen and baby Evan, in their minivan. We will take them out for a birthday dinner.

We will take Wendy to Costco Sat. morning to pick up croissants and chicken salad that she pre-ordered and the baby shower for Janika will be here at 2-4. Wendy asked if she could have it here because it is most central to everyone, with Rick's family living by Ogden. Hope everyone can come! It is always fun to be together and visit!

Taylee is coming home Fri. or Sat. from her semester in Italy. Time flies. She's had a wonderful experience. Little Letti will be 1 year-old the first week in May. She is such a little doll! And Shane and Derek and Seth Worthin will be a little older than that! May 3, 4, & 5!

Layla's baptism is 10:30 Sat. morning on May 7, with a brunch following at their house. Nice occasion to be together.

I'm going down now for my first swim in almost 4 weeks! Conner has been fixing my pool and put in a new heat pump. He found one on Amazon for a little over $100. It will be so good for me to get back to my daily hour of exercise in my pool, usually 6 days a week. I haven't done well without it! We took one little neighbor walk, and I took over Dad's trekking pole, but can't walk too far. Chris ordered me a set of trekking poles on Amazon, but one is missing the rubber piece for the end. I need a grocery cart or stroller to push---it makes walking so much easier for me! Otherwise, I have to hold on to Dad, which he doesn't seem to like.

Seems like I am forgetting some news..........

love you all, Mom