New Year Greetings from the Christensen Family

Every year our family has a Japanese tradition of sending off New Year cards.  Actually, it is our late answer to Christmas cards, but I prefer the cultural twist from my LDS mission to Japan.  In the past, I’ve emailed it to friends and family, but always hate to miss someone who might be interested.  I thought this year, I would post it in my blog and those of you who faithfully follow it, might enjoy it.  Happy New Year!

Christensen Family 2012 Newsletter

            2012 was a great year filled with many transitions for our family.  Sending our eldest away to school, loss of our long time family dog, shift to full time employment and figuring out what’s the next phase of our lives.  We also realized in going through pictures of last year, how blessed we were with numerous experiences and opportunities and how fortunate we’ve been as a family.  We anticipate 2013 being a great opportunity for us all.

            Daisy, our nine year old black lab passed away last year.  Ironically, she had lost a lot of weight (after being put on a mandatory diet by the vet) and started getting energy back she had not had for a while, Then suddenly Daisy got sick, and died fairly quickly from a form of liver cancer.  Our hearts have been lonely for her many times this last year but we also have many fine memories of her as part of our family.  Sarah really comforted her in those last days and it was tough on us all.  We buried her in our yard with her ball and one of Carlton’s gloves. Daisy was always stealing one of his work gloves and we would find it buried in many places throughout the yard. We planted daisies over her grave. 

            Sarah turned 13 last September and is officially 6’1” tall or three inches more than last year.  Sarah serves as the Beehive Class President for the 12 and 13 year old young women in our church congregation.  She also is famous for her origami work. The little kids at the end of our church meeting come flocking to her for something she has made.  Sarah is in eighth grade at the Salt Lake Center for Science Education.  She enjoys the math portion a little more than her science portion but has some good teachers.  Last May her class went on a three day field trip to Mesa Verde near the four corners region of Utah and last month they went snow shoeing up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Sarah and her Dad share the same iTunes account and constantly surprise each other on what each other purchases! 

Jessica now 21, graduated from LDS Business College with her Associates Degree in General Studies and is now a junior at Utah State and recently applied for entrance into their Elementary Teacher Education Program.  If life went perfectly she would be done with her studies there in about a year or so.  She has had some good roommates who have encouraged her to “participate in life” and her parents still cry every time she drives away.  Her 2002 SAAB continues to work well in transporting her to and from school and we have been pretty lucky to have her visit some weekends when we’ve had family functions.  We can always tell when Jessica is gone, because something seems to be missing in our home, but we are grateful to have Sarah around to torment.

            Cathy started working full time last August for Utah State Office of Higher Education doing customer service on student loans.  It’s been a little bit of a change from her prior work with the school district, but has given her some additional opportunities and pay.  She also continues to serve as the Relief Society President for the Salt Lake Rose Park Stake. Cathy enjoys driving our recently acquired Subaru Tribeca and so graciously assigned our 1996 Chevy Suburban to Carlton.   Cathy still enjoys reading when she gets a chance and has instilled that desire in our kids.

            Carlton is starting his 16^th year on the City Council in Salt Lake City and has decided it will be his last year as a councilmember.  He serves as the President of the Utah League of Cities & Towns, President of the Associates Board of the Natural History Museum of Utah and as Chair of the Wasatch Economic Development District. Carlton is still employed at Zions Bank and continues to serve as the Stake Sunday School President in our Church. In March, Carlton participated in the My Heart Challenge with Intermountain Medical Center, loosing 43 lbs and winning most improved.  The whole family worked together and benefited from the effort.  His blog which can be found at: www.carltonchristensen.com now has 10 followers a huge gain after 12 months! 

            We are ever so grateful for your friendship and support of our family.  We want you to know how much we love our Savior Jesus Christ and what a profound impact that has played in our happiness and the direction we plot for ourselves.  We wish you the best for 2013!

Family and Friends Carry the Day!

I was reminded this evening how as families, we literally carry each other from time to time, helping us through some of life's most challenging times.  I'm not a huge lover of electronic games.  Not that I don't think they have relevancy or that I don't like technology, but I've never really been that great at the hand-button thing and if it takes a ton of coordination, I am as good as gone.  Tonight, Sarah wanted to play a round of Super Mario on our Wii as a family and I was ready to do my usual dismissal of it, when Cathy gave me that look of "Don't ruin our children forever by not playing with us".  It's tough look by the way....Of course as luck would have it my little blue and white hat guy only had one life, which was quickly disposed of before I knew which button to push.  Thinking that was my magical key to freedom, I was told by my other three colleagues of the Christensen Family that was not acceptable.  It was then that Sarah took up the slack, put me on the top of her character's head and continued to "carry me" through much of the remainder of the game.  I jumped when she told me to jump, fired ice off when she told me to fire ice and moved my little guy the direction she told me to go.  Amazingly I survived a number of rounds until Cathy called the game finished! 

I'm sure there is a Church talk connected to this, but I probably need to come up with a more refined version.  However it was actually very heart warming to see my girls, particularly Sarah step up and carry me in my time of need!  We do that so often day to day and whether it be family or friends, we often help each other out when we aren't quite sure what to do.  One of the things I love about this time of year, is that it really shows and is more apparent in our actions.

Update to a blog I wrote last year about my land of "Misfit Christmas Decorations". A friend of mine, Fred Ross from the SLC Police Department happened to read my blog that day and responded in a very impressive way.  Fred was visiting an auction that was selling Bountiful City's old Christmas decorations at an extremely low price.  He purchased a big lot of them, and donated all I wanted to my cause.  I have to say that I haven't used all the ones Fred gave me, if someone would want any of them, but I did figure out how to integrate a number of the wreaths into my collection.  If you grew up in Bountiful and wondered whatever happened to the Christmas Wreaths that lined your streets, come on by and look at my back driveway off of 800 N (approx 1460 W) and take a look.  I will have to say that getting Christmas decorations from a city that owns its own Power Company is probably not a good indicator of the energy efficiency of these wreaths!  However they look nice and we were able to use bulbs and stuff off other wreaths and in keeping with the spirit of this area, nothing was purchased, including bulb replacements!  If you have those partially lit reindeer around, or not quite sure what do do with that decorations that doesn't meet the standard of your front yard, give me a call!  Thanks Fred for answering the call!

Christmas Traditions - A time for transitions

Christensen Family Christmas Tree

In 1990, the first Christmas for Cathy and me as a newlywed couple, was a memorable and fun time together.  Ironically, we lived in the basement apartment of the house we now call home. We ordered our first set of ornaments from the JC Penny catalog.  The ornaments were an assortment of wood objects from trains, toy soldiers to sleighs.  It was a wonderful year and we realized that we were starting some new traditions together as we brought together traditions from our respective families.  We decided early on, that we wanted a more traditional Christmas tree look and that we wanted more of a variety of ornaments, as opposed to a "particular look". 

In 1991 when Jessica was a newborn baby, we decided to start acquiring an ornament with each year of her life as part of the Hallmark series.  Our initial thought was that as she grew up and moved away, she could take her ornaments with her to start her own tree, starting her own memories.  It became a fun part of our tradition each year to take her and let her pick out what mattered to her that year.  As Sarah came along in 1999, we started with her as well and our tree started becoming full with both of their ornaments.  Along the way friends and family also added to our collection, all with good memories. 

We realized a few years ago, that one day our children would in fact grow up and move away and suddenly there would not only be a void in our tradition, but on the tree as well!  Our original wood ornaments were also starting to fall apart and glue gun repairs weren't always worth it.  We decided to add to our collection, items from experiences that we had or places we've seen.  In our collection there is an ornament commemorating the restoration of the Utah State Capitol, the Nauvoo Temple, Boston, the four corners of Utah, or our recent family cruise to Alaska among many.  As we hang each ornament, we create for ourselves a found trip down memory lane for our family.

However Christmas also becomes a time for transitions.  This year, Jessica was at Utah State when we put up our tree.  It just didn't seem right to hang her ornaments without her, so we just set them aside until this evening when she could join us. While the tree seemed full, our hearts knew something was missing.  We're not sure we like this transition, but I guess it's coming nevertheless.

Jessica's ornaments wait patiently for her return

In addition, as we unpacked our Christmas stockings, we noticed our sock for our dog Daisy, who passed away earlier this year.  While we never hung her stocking with our Christmas Socks, Santa always filled it with some goodies and a new chew bone.  We're not quite sure what to do with it this year, but we can't seem to bring ourselves to just get rid of it.

Daisy's stocking (our nine year old Lab who passed away)

Our own stockings are fun to hang up each year.  When Cathy and I first were married, we found these extra large socks, and it was fun to have Santa fill them with a few extra items.  It left lots of options for those tools, or hair attachments we needed.  However it was clear as the kids came along, that it wasn't a practical alternative for Santa to fill that much, and we went with a smaller option for the kids.  My sister Nancy was kind enough to use her talent on helping create some fun options for us and we enjoy hanging them on the fireplace during December.

Sock artwork created by Carlton's sister, Nancy

Then there is the "original sock".  This sock was the sock that I came home from the Hospital on Christmas Day.  Born on December 23rd, my mother was released to come home with her 10 lb 14 oz child who was 24" tall.  As my mom passed away in 2004 and we went through her Christmas stuff, it was a sock that we couldn't throw away either and reminds me of the Christmas gift my mom always talked about getting that year.

Sock Carlton came home in from LDS Hospital in 1965

Christmas has generally great memories for me, but it has far too often been a time for transitions.  I guess it's only appropriate that Jessica's ornament she purchased this year for her collection has the phrase, "All roads lead home at Christmas".

Thankful for this year's success!

On Thanksgiving Day, I'm thankful for a lot of things, not the least of which is my family.  They're the best, stood by me through tough and happy times.  Don't know what I would do without them and pray that never happens.  I'm so proud of Cathy, Jessica and Sarah and the fact they are willing to call me partner (spouse) and Dad, that I can hardly stand it.  Excited to spend the day with them. 


Trax Trains now testing and running on North Temple

Likewise in public service, there are projects that you work on for a long time, and somehow never think they actually will come to fruition.  Trax on North Temple is one of those that I've been working on since coming to office.  It was with some excitement the other day, driving eastbound on North Temple, that I watched a new Trax train, testing the track and crossing Redwood Road.  While not the whole solution for improving the west side of Salt Lake City, it's a huge step and I believe a catalyst in how others perceive it.  So much so, that one worry I hold is that in another decade, the area becomes too popular and prices push out many of those who have called it home and some of the traditional residents are not able to afford living here.  Good problem to have, I guess, and you can't control that outcome, but a change from today.

Looking west toward the City & County Building
out of the new Public Safety Building

Another project that has been exciting to see come out of the ground, is the new Public Safety Building.  I walked through it the other day, amazed at all the new and improved opportunities it will provide not only to the public, but the men and women who work to protect our community.   A net-zero building designed to use energy resources efficiently, it will provide some great opportunities and be a significant resource to us in good times and bad. 



Sarah George, Director of the Museum of Natural History of Utah



The final for me this year, is the anniversary of the opening of the new Museum of Natural History where I currently serve as President of the Advisory Board.  They just celebrated having in excess of 300,000 visitors, doubling the first year projection and receiving numerous award not only for the building but the talent that works in the building every day.  It's been an honor to not only have an association with such a fine institution but more importantly to have such a great resource not only for our community but the State and Intermountain Region. 

 

2012 has been a great year, of which I'm can truly say, I'm grateful!

I love these gloves- Their real job is not for fishing!

Sometimes known as fillet gloves, these
are my favorite work gloves

A few years ago, I came across these gloves at Harbor Freight, not in the work glove area, but over in the sporting goods section.  I was intrigued by them for a couple of reasons, first they had an XL size, which is hard for me to come by, and then they were only a few dollars a pair.  What I later found out is that they are the perfect work glove for me. 

First of all, they fit my large hands, but the rubber exterior is also great for picking up things, particularly stuff that is slippery.  They were thick enough that most poky things didn't penetrate, yet they breath, which make them able to breath well during the summer months. They also, because of their cost, didn't make you feel too bad if you ruined them on a project or got something on them.  It was easier to just throw them away.  Because of their inexpensive cost, I always kept a few pairs on hand, if I needed to give one to someone else.  I split wood, dug dirt, picked up branches, these gloves did it all.

Imagine my shock one day, in going into Harbor Freight to find out they no longer carried them.  I always thought they marketed them wrong by having them in the sporting goods area.  After all, the job to be done for these gloves were for inexpensive, comfortable covering of hands which was much broader than filleting fish!  I tried to find them online, at other sporting good stores, and even hardware stores, but no one, absolutely no one, could furnish the same kind of gloves at the same kind of price.

Falling into despair one day, I remembered that my good friend Dennis Martinson, was a wholesale distributor of all kinds of gloves.  He once lived in Rose Park, later moving to Cache Valley area, but we've stayed in touch.  The company he sells for, Golden Stag Gloves or www.goldenstaggloves.com actually had my gloves.  I can't tell you how psyched I was at the prospect.  Now granted, I don't get out much and it is hard to compare many of life's excitements to wearing a work glove, but when you have hands as large as mine and most gloves don't fit, you feel like a second-class citizen.  The other day, Dennis and I attended a Rose Park neighbor's funeral together and afterwards, he gave me the opportunity of buying all he had on his truck.  I once again have my favorite gloves to wear but now with more caution about making every minute with them count!

Happy Halloween - Yes I do wear costumes

I got in this visicous cycle ever since my first year in office, of wearing a Halloween costume to work and subsequently sneaking (or should I say trying to sneak in) to city hall to deliver a Halloween treat to staff.  The problem with it, is that there becomes a growing expectation that you'll continue to do it every year!

It all started when I dressed up as Kangaroo

From my childhood years, I had been looking through the World Book Encyclepedia trying to figure out what I wanted to be, and came across a Kangaroo.   Well to start, there aren't really a lot of Kangaroo costumes on the rack and certainly not for someone who is 6'10" tall.  It pretty much started with my dear sister Nancy, talented seamstress who took pity on her baby brother's desire and created a kangaroo costume for me.  In that initial year, I carried Jessica as a baby in my pouch, later it would be my stuff dog, Woof Woof.  Someone kindly pointed out to me that I was a female kangaroo, since I had the pouch and was carrying the baby.  This would be a pattern that I followed all too often!

There was the year, I dressed up as an Orange Flag.  Mayor Anderson had initiated them throughout the city, and I was just trying to be patriotic to the cause!  Cathy was Martha Stewart that year, although we really needed an orange jump suit, which fit her attire in her temporary home in the Federal Prison system.

One year, I can't seem to find it, I dressed up as a Fairy Princess.  I was wearing my sandles that year, and my constituent liasion, Marge Harvey pointed out that my toe nails needed to be painted.  For some reason, I let her do it, and boy did they freak me out every time I showered.  I kept thinking it would wear off, and it wasn't until a week later that she pointed out to me that I could use fingernail polish remover.  Hey guys don't learn that kind of stuff, usually!

 

Then there was the West High Cheerleader year.  And no, cheerleaders at West don't look like this!  Although Chris Burbank, our Chief of Police, who played basketball about the same time I did, at East, tried to convince me that was the case.  I thought the little ribbon in my hair, really added to the look!

 



There was the year I ran for the State Senate in 2008.  I was nervous about that one, but decided to capitalize on the occasion, and pretend I was a "Roman Senator" and decorated one of my campaign signs.  You know that year, I actually had the endorsement of Mitt Romney, but it was clearly a Democratic year, and well, I'm still a city councilman.....

In 20120, I dressed as a caveman.  I'm on the Advisory Board for the Museum of Natural History and we had a bond measure before the voters.  Carrying my pet dino, I made a shameless plug for people voting for the bond.  You can now see the outcome of it in one of the most beautiful buildings in the State and one of the top tourist draws in the valley, approaching 300,000 visitors since it opened, nearly a year ago.  Proud to now be the President of that Advisory Board.

Last year, running out of ideas, started going to the Hale Center Theater Costume Shop!  This is me, dressed as Dumbledore from Harry Potter.  I guess because of the beard, everyone thought I was Hagrid.  Oh well, they still liked it.  It did remind me of why I don't want a beard!

Well that brings us to this year.   Yes I have a costume, and yes I plan to show up at City Hall and a few other places, but you'll just have to wait and see....

Yes, Cathy was a Gypsy and I'm a Pirate!

 

Tempos, one of life's greatest treasures!

Can't ever have enough Tempos

My dear mother, Verda Mae Christensen, found great joy in the last 10 years of her life shopping at NPS Market Square on Industrial Road in Salt Lake City, looking for bargain after bargain.  On more than one occasion, she would come home with something that I thought was totally crazy, even making a comment about it, and then finding myself a week or two later asking if I could borrow it.  For example, she once purchased an audio visual cart and primarily used it to move her groceries from the car to the house.  After she passed away in 2004, I inherited it and use it all the time for my computer projector and other audio visual stuff.  OK, so I didn't give my Mom enough credit, and I'm now eating some humble pie and getting some just reward from my own kids.

Mom always thought that if one item was a good bargain, than 10 was even a better deal.  One such acquisition by her, was a tissue called Tempos.  They came with these handy visor holders and to the naked eye, they were just another tissue.  But Tempos, actually are a four ply tissue.  Soft enough to use on your nose, but tough enough to wipe a spill in the car, or to wipe down something without falling apart like a normal tissue.  We quickly fell in love with the things and in the nature of my brother Clayton's research about "A job to be done", the job here was not really as a tissue but wiping up life's challenges within your car.  When Mom passed away in 2004, her assets were divided and disbursed by her Trust, it was the Tempos that were evenly divided amongst the kids.  I will have to admit, in taking home a case of them, I didn't really ever anticipate running out.  

Four or so years later, panic went through my own household with the realization that we were on our last package of Tempos.  We went to the Internet, and found a supplier through Amazon when we couldn't find any in the stores, and purchased another case.  As you can imagine, my other siblings were also running out, and in the spirit of generosity, we did share some of those Tempo Tissues with them.  Fast forward to 2012. On the edge of running out again, I went back to the Internet to find out that Tempos were discontinued in their manufacturing.  As I read customer reviews I quickly found out that others shared my panic and love for the things.  I also found out a secondary market for the stuff had developed on eBay.  However I came across a new options, albeit 3-ply product, called Halsa.  Halsa, it just isn't the familiar tone of Tempo and it just wasn't quite the same.  However I was grateful to not have to reform my life, and purchased a mere 40- three package replacements of the stuff.  This time with the intent, to really stick it to family members who want them, and using them for bartering items for family activities.  Like gold for some, I now have a nearly extinct product on my hand!

Yes, I had to open the box and individually verify the inventory!

I realize that my mother wouldn't approve of my high leverage attitude, after all ,she hadn't charged me anything for the original stuff.  She would have given the "shirt off her back" to not only us, but anyone who needed it.  I would do a disservice to her for holding this stuff hostage.  I'm sure at the first family gathering when someone laments, that they're out of "Tempos", I will probably be offering up my new Halsa collection.  If Mom only knew.....