Mary Josephine Nelson Pottenger: A Legacy

Mary Jo Pottenger, know to most as MJP, or to me, Grams, died September 20th, 2008 at the age of 75. She had suffered for the past year from terminal cancer. When my grandma found out that treatment was no longer a viable option, she decided it was time for her to rejoin her Father in Heaven. I had the opportunity to spend her last week with her in Pasco, WA. That experience has been one of the most important in my life, and I will never forget that.

My grandmother was an amazing woman, and I will miss her very much. I do know, 

however, that she is in a much better place and finally free of pain, which makes me very happy that she was able to let go. I am going to now tell you about what an amazing woman she truly was, because I find it much better to celebrate her life, than to dwell on her death.

Mary Jo was born July 12, 1933 to Alvin and Josephine Nelson. She also had one brother, Charles, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at a young age and died a few years ago. She was married to my grandfather 

Ronald Pottenger in 1954. They went on to have four children Doug, my mom Sue, Jenny, and Robert (Bob). She taught Junior High and High School in Homedale, ID for 36 years. She was so dedicated to her friends, family, and students that literally hundreds attended her funeral. 

Since her death I have been scanning thousands of pictures of her throughout her life. I am absolutely stunned at the amazing things she has done and the places she has been. I know that I will forever remember how wonderful my grandma was. It makes me sad that my kids won't be able to meet her, but I know that she is probably hanging out with them right now, so I'm not too worried about it! I know that she has influenced and helped hundreds if not thousands of people to become better then before they met her. I can only hope to be able to help so many people in my own life. She has left an amazing legacy behind her. I am so grateful to be a part of it as her granddaughter.

Depression

I am sorry about not updating people. I really will do that tribute for my grandma. Unfortunately I am in the throws of despair at the moment. My team, the Los Angeles Angels have been eliminated from the playoffs by the stupid Boston Red Sox for the third year in a row! I don't understand why bad things happen! I mean Boston not only barely got into the playoffs with a wild card, but they don't even have Manny Ramierez!!!! I don't know how much longer I can take this. I truly am appalled at my Angels at the moment....At least BYU football is kicking some serious tail. That is the only thing keeping me going at the moment!

Forthcoming Tribute

Hello Everyone!

For those of you who have not talked to me, my mom, or visited my sister's blog since saturday, I have some sad news. My Grandma Jo passed away Saturday morning at 8:07 am. I would like to do a very detailed tribute to her, especially since I was privileged enough to spend her last week with her. However, because I am trying to help get things ready for the memorial service, it may take me a few days. I will get it done as soon as possible though. Also, for any who are interested: The memorial service will be held October 5th at 1:00 pm at Homedale High School. All are welcome.

New Layout

Hello Everyone!

As many of you know, my life and the way that I see things changes frequently. Whether that change is caused by friends, family, my attitude, or the weather I'm not really sure. I can tell you all that I am extremely excited for fall! I love watching the leaves change colors behind my house. There is no greater place than Utah to watch the seasons change. The mountains often look like they are on fire, or at the very least belong on some priceless work of art! I love the trees and the mountains in the fall. Therefore, I decided that my blog should reflect my love of the season! Enjoy!

Tagged: The Five

10 Years Ago I:

1. Was in sixth grade

2. Was 11 1/2 years old

3. Refused to wear anything but basketball shorts, t-shirts, and basketball shoes to school.

4. Thought I would never survive childhood

5. Thought boys were only good for one thing: They could play basketball without freaking out if the ball came at them too fast!

5 Things on Todays "To Do" List

1. Cut down a lot of trees

2. Pick up Erik from school

3. Go on Relief Society Presidency visits

4. Make Erik dinner

5. Finish my book

5 Snacks I Enjoy

1. Crystal Light Drink Mixes

2. Peaches (I am completely ADDICTED)

3. Yogurt

4. Gala Apples, the really crisp kind

5. Eggs (I know that sounds weird, but I really love eggs!)

5 Things I Would Do If I Were a Millionaire

1. Pay off my Dad's mortgage

2. Buy Erik a Lotus (We have a deal about that)

3. Take my Mom to either the Australian Open or Wimbledon

4. Pay for me and Tanya to tour Europe (Like we were going to do before we decided we had no money)

5. Buy the newest MAC whenever they come out

5 Places I Have Lived

1. Farmington, Utah (First 10 Years)

2. North Salt Lake, Utah (10-18 and Currently)

3. Provo, Utah (18-20 for college at BYU)

4. New Zealand (Study Abroad beginning of 2008)

5. Seattle (I lived here with my my Grandma for a month while she was receiving cancer treatment)

5 Jobs I Have Had

1. Maverik (Yes the Gas-Station) Cashier, Stocker, Baker, and Manager's Assistant

2. PCT (Patient Care Technician) at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center

3. Nanny: to four of the most adorable kids on the planet, Austin, Tyler, McKell, and Ellie.

4. Master tree cutter (Affectionately known as: Chainsaw Sally!)

5. Private Tutor (for my little Brother) ((This job has no hours!))

I'm not Tagging anyone, but, I thought you all might like a closer look at my highly exciting life!

The Joy of Reading/A Murderer Among Us

Well, as most of you know, I am hopelessly addicted to the Twilight Saga. Also, for any of you who have been outside lately, you will know that the final book in the saga, Breaking Dawn, was released last saturday! The success of Stephenie Meyer's vampire books are comparable only to the success of Harry Potter, and everyone knows that story! I was sorely tempted to go down to Barnes and Noble on Friday night at midnight, just so I could get the last book! I finally decided that I was too old for such shinanigans, and too practical to think that nine hours would make a difference! (yeah I don't believe either of those things, but thats what I like to tell myself!) So I woke up at nine on saturday morning (yes nine on a SATURDAY, for those of you who know me at all, nine is an accomplishment any day, let alone saturday!) and dragged myself down to Costco to buy the book when it opened at 9:30. I have to tell you all, that by 9:37 there were about 200 people in the store and I saw maybe 5 carts without the book in it! One cart had six copies! The pallets that the books were on were stacked about eight feet high, they have now put a limit that you can only buy ten copies! It was truly an outstanding display at the Bountiful Costco last saturday morning! You may be asking yourselves why I am going on and on about these books? Two reasons. The first, is that these books are currently a part of my life, and since this blog is about my life I thought it would be appropriate. The second, and much more important reason, is to hopefully convince some of you to let these books add the immense pleasure and enjoyment that they have added to mine. I know that those of you who have not read them have excuses like: I don't want to read a book about vampires, or I'm not going to jump on the band-wagon just because everyone else has! Do me a favor, get Twilight, the first in the series, and read the first four chapters. If you are not completely drawn into the impossible and beautiful love story and the age-old discussion of what is right and what is wrong, then you will never hear another peep about it from me. I fully understand that these books are classified as young adult, but just like Harry Potter, they are meant for everyone. I would love to hear about your own twilight saga adventures, I promise it will be worth it. And as for me, I read the 754 pg Breaking Dawn twice in about three and a half days. Yes, I am truly hopeless!

Also last Saturday (Yes I had to put my book down for a few hours, 

and yes it almost killed me!) My best friend Tanya threw a How to Host a Murder party. I don't know if any of you have ever attended one of these soires, but they are a total blast! We had four girls and each of us had to invite one boy. I invited my really good friend Nolan Cordon. Well the story was set in 1936 London, so of course we all dressed up and put on fake english accents! (Except me, I'm not about to expose severalof my closest friends to the horrible experience that would be listening to me attempt a British accent!) 

It was a great night. Of course I had to play the highly educated and motivated stodgy secretary, BIG surprise! Why can't I ever play the flighty actress? We drank from champagne glasses and ate a tradition english meal complete with yorkshire pudding! It was so much fun! Nolan even turned out to be the murderer! We all decided that we needed to do another one soon!

Long Break...Lots of Stuff!!!!!!!!

Basically I have been terrible about updating my blog lately. I know. However, I don't think you will be able to be too mad at me when I give you the update! It's amazing how life can go from mind-numbingly boring to overly exciting in a matter of weeks! (of course it almost always goes back to boring again!) From the last time I updated until the beginning of July all I did was hang out with the coolest kid on earth, my little brother Erik, and nanny four of the most adorable children on the planet, my next-door neighbor kids Austin (7), Tyler (5), Mykell (3), and Ellie (1). Once a week I nanny for my next-door neighbor Maureen while she helps to do the books at her husband's company. So I get to play at the park, do homework, eat ice cream, and go swimming for nine hours once a week with these awesome kids! (Oh, and if you were wondering, the answer is yes: I did tye-dye those t-shirts with the kids!)

On June 18th a momentous occasion occured. My best friend and previous roommate, Tanya, turned 21...finally!!! We are planning to take a trip down to Vegas sometime soon to do some 21-year-old type things. However, we are both a little short on the green stuff, so until we get some spending money we will have to wait. But we did have a really fun little birthday party for her, and my good friend Nolan was able to come as well!


On July 3rd, my 21st and a half birthday, we had a big party at my Dad's house for the Eaglewood fireworks. It was a lot of fun, and everyone had a good time. Dad was able to invite a lot of his friends over, so he had a really great time. My two best friends in the world Tanya and Alex came up as well. It is so great to see them, because I hardly ever do anymore.

About 24 hours after the July 3rd party Erik and I drove up to my Grandma's house in Homedale, Idaho. We got to spend a week and a half spending time with our mom on her 51st birthday, our grandma on her 75th huge birthday bash, and all of our cousins, our sister, and our good friend Peggy. It was so much fun and everyone had a blast being together and being with my Grandma on her special day. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures from our trip. I love taking pictures, but when there are thirty other cameras going I usually bag it and hope for copies!!! So if any of you want to see picture you can go to my sister's blog!

And now the real event and time consumer that I know you have all been waiting for...my online classes. When I decided to go to New Zealand last summer I figured out that I would have two classes, one for my minor and one for my major, that I wouldn't be able to finish up before I left. So I decided to sign up for them online. Which sounded great...in theory. Well fall went by and I still hadn't finished them. I left for New Zealand, and even though I brought the material with me, I couldn't be bothered to do it while I was having so much fun. I came home from New Zealand, walked for graduation, went to Seattle, and kept pushing them aside. Finally it dawns on me that if I don't finish my classes by July 25th then I won't get my diploma!!!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHH! It was pretty much impossible to do my classes in Homedale because there was no internet. So literally for the past week and a half straight I have been doing statistics 24 hours a day! I did the entire class from start to finish in about eight days, 14 lessons. I took my final yesterday...and here comes the amazing part...I got a B+ IN STATISTICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who does that? No one gets a B+ in statistics, especially when they teach themselves! So anyway, sorry for my little bragging moment, but I am still in utter and complete shock! I took my other final for Philosophy 110 and passed that one as well. Once again procrastination pulls through in the end! So now I am an official college grad, with a diploma in the mail, and a free schedule as far as the eye can see! I love life.

Thoughts

Hello Everyone!

It is about 10:26 pm, roughly. I don't really have anything new to report. I'm sorry to say that as a middle-class, caucasian, single, LDS, unemployed, 21 year-old, my life is not that exciting! Sorry about that! I have been really lucky lately to be surrounded by so many friends. I have recently started spending a lot of time with Kaitlyn Dixon. We have known each other since we were about ten, but now that we go to the singles ward together we spend at least three hours a week together. My best bud since forever, Kathryn Haynie, is doing wonderful, despite being totally swamped with school and volleyball. She has been trying to teach me stats, but I think I am a lost cause. I am really excited to be able to watch a lot of her games this year, especially since it will be her last season. I also got to see my friend Nicole Albertson last saturday when we got Nielsen's and caught up. I have been able to see my old friend Nolan Cordon a few times and it has been wonderful seeing him again. I hope I get to see him on a regular basis, he is such a fun person. I have had two friends Haeree and Janelle (from my NZ adventures) living at my house for a few weeks and they certainly keep life interesting! My best buds in the whole world, Tanya and Alex, are of course as wonderful, supportive, and fun as ever. I wish I got to see them more than I do. They are two of the greatest people I have ever met. My friends and my family are my life right now. What else can I say? My life may be somewhat subdued, but I certainly have a bunch of people that love me and keep me as entertained as possible! Sometimes you recognize just how lucky you are to have certain people in your life. This has been one of those days. So Dad, Mom, Erik, Maria, Jason, Tom, Amy, Isabel, Alexia, Ethan, Olivia, Missy, CA, Jenny, Mary Jo, Tanya, Alex, Kathryn, Nicole, Kaitlyn, Nolan, Sarah, Haeree, Janelle: Thanks for everything.

Erik

As many of you may know, my little brother Erik and I are really close. We do a lot together, work out, play frisbee, play with Buddy, talk, laugh, etc. Well this week he has been at Scout Camp. I hope he is having fun, but I can tell you all that I can't wait until he comes home! I sent up a little bag of his favorite treats with one of the leaders, and I hope he likes it. But I am really bored without him here to entertain me to no end! We got his hair cut the day before camp and it look awesome! Buddy is getting his hair cut right now, so when Erik comes home they can be twinners!

Memorial Day Weekend

Hello Everyone!

I know this post is A a little late for Memorial Day, and B a little late period, but hey it's my blog right? So Memorial Day this year was an absolute blast. On Friday my best friends Alex and Tanya came over. We watched movies for a while. After a while we decided we were bored and drove down to Salt Lake to go to a little coffee shop there. We ended up talking until about 2:30 in the morning at this little place! It was a lot of fun, those two can always make me laugh. On Saturday Tanya and I woke up late and went to get manicures. It was kind of fun being all girly. After that we went to a party for Heather Jenson. Heather is a friend from high school who is leaving for her mission soon. It was so fun to see a lot of my old high school friends. I spent most of the night talking to my old friend Nolan Cordon, who I hadn't seen on over two years. Tanya spent the night flirting with his cousin! Sunday Alex and Tanya and I all went to Heather's farewell. It was really good. On Monday we were supposed to go golfing, but it ended up raining all day. Still it was a really fun weekend.

Life in Seattle

Hello Everyone!

As many of you may know, my Grandma Jo has terminal cancer. Currently she is participating in a special type of radiation therapy that will hopefully shrink her tumors to prevent them from reaching her nerves and causing pain. Unfortunately, one of the few places in the world that offers this kind of treatment is in Seattle, WA. My grandma was going to just come up to Seattle, get an apartment, and go to the hospital each day for the five and a half week treatment. However, a few weeks ago she had a terrible fall which hurt her feet really bad. No one wanted my grandma to be alone, but no one could just take five weeks out of their every day life to move to Seattle with her either.

Cue, recently graduated, with no idea what to do with her life granddaughter! About an hour after my graduation from college I drove with my mom and brother up to Seattle to take care of my grandmother. Erik was only here through the weekend, but my mom stayed until the following saturday. No I am here for two weeks with just Grams, until my mom comes back on the 17th to talk to the surgeon.

So far it has been really fun. I have really enjoyed being thrown into a city which I knew nothing about before I came. (except of course that it was near Forks, WA where Twilight takes place!) Each day my grandma and I go to radiation at 3:30, and then the rest of the day is ours! Tonight I made my sister's famous and ultra-delicious chicken enchiladas. I was a little worried because my grandma usually doesn't like mexican food, but she loved the enchiladas!

I am looking forward to the next week and a half. We are going to look into aquarium and zoo tickets, plus maybe even Mariners tickets! (You all know what a baseball nut I am!) Here are a few pictures of our time so far:

Erik in front of the huge guitar

Statue at The EMP (Experience Music Project)

Us at the Cheesecake Factory

My cousin CA at his 

golf tournament

A Living Blog about Life

Hello my wonderful Blog followers,

As you all know, I have been adventuring in NZ for the last four months. I started a blog to describe all of my adventures and keep everyone updated on how I was doing. Now that my adventure is over, I've decided to create a blog that is about the things I do in everyday life. I know, in comparison it will probably be a let down, and frankly, kind of boring. But my sister has a blog that I absolutely love. Besides, it might be fun for you to all watch me try to figure out what to do with my life now that I have graduated from college! So here I go: My life according to Me! (Oh and about my blog's title: I think that we, as a human race, are constantly in a state of being that resides in some unknown space between life and living. The trick is to never let life pass you by, and live each day to the fullest, hence, somewhere between life and living.)