February - Goodbye Texas, Hello Utah

Good-bye Texas

Hello Utah

So much has happened in our lives the past 30 days.  There is a lot of story to tell between these two pictures.  We left behind 42 years of memories, friends, and family to return where our story began in Utah County 46 years ago.  

To have 30 days to list and sell our home and make all of the arrangements to move and to downsize our belongings to fit on one truck was a mountain of a task for us.  We thought we had downsized two years ago and were amazed at all of the THINGS we still had and had to get rid of.  We were so blessed as we began the process and had good weather on the days we needed it and willing people to help us.  

Entertainment Center

About 9 years ago we purchased this Entertainment center from a Hotel sale.  It is 7 feet tall and weighs about 400 pounds.  It took 6 strong young men to get it into our house - finding after many tries it would only fit through our back sliding glass door.  We said, it will never leave this house again.  Thinking we would never leave Texas.  Russ had the great idea we would just leave it in the house for the new owners.  After posting on Marketplace and not one person interested we looked for places that would take it.  They said it was too big for donations and that most people had bigger TV's than the space would allow.  We had one man reach out and say we could pay him to haul it off.  How were we going to get it out of the house?  Missionaries to the rescue.  8 strong missionaries came and this time we knew what door it had to go out and they made it look like an easy move.  A tender mercy for sure.  When the young man came to pick it up, I was grateful he was hauling it off - even at a price.  He came with his wife and small baby and they thanked us for giving them the job and providing food for them that week.  It is interesting how the efforts of the missionaries allowed us to help someone else along the way.  

We sold most of our furniture and gave a lot more away.  I met some wonderful people along the way.  One lady sent me the picture of the refinished piece of furniture she had purchased from me.  She drove 90 minutes from Pilot Point Texas to pick it up and lives in a historic home built in the 1890's.  It is fun to see what other people can create and repurpose.  

We had an amazing neighbor, Jose' who offered his roofing truck for us to fill and haul off to the landfill.  We filled the truck two times!!!!

We spent a week cleaning out the greenhouse, shed and yard.  Why did we keep so much wood, tile and old yard equipment?  It was so nice to get it all cleaned out while the weather was good.  We were also glad to have it done two weeks before we actually had to load the truck with our belongings.  We had no idea what was heading to Texas at that time.

We had the sandbags for "a rainy day" in Texas.  We left them for the new owners - just in case.  It was interesting to me to try and give away our stored wheat and water barrels.  For me, they were security for one of those "rainy" days.  I ended up throwing away about 200 pounds of wheat and finally found someone to take my two 33 gallon buckets and the six 25 gallon water barrels.  I even had canning jars that just months before were like gold and no one could get them that I had a hard time giving away.  I had a feeling that they were important to someone and that they would be needed in the future.

I finally put these water barrels from the Dept. of Defense that had stored my wheat for over 45 years on marketplace for free.  Within minutes I had several requests from survivalists that saw the value in them.  It says on the barrels they are to be used for water storage and then to re-use as a commode.  Again, who knew what was coming to Texas in the coming week.  I was sad people I knew and who were aware of the need for preparedness were not interested in these items.  I hope they were useful to those who took them.

Russ and I worked diligently to pack everything in boxes and totes.  It was so good when the last items were sold or given away and the garage was filled with boxes and totes ready to be loaded on the truck.

We closed on our house on February 9.  A great Day!  

We started the day at the Arlington Sports Complex with Russ getting his second Covid-19 shot.  I did not qualify for two more days.  He was very anxious to get his last shot before we started on our travels to Kansas and Utah.  

We closed on our home and then got to meet the new owners.  That was really a nice experience as we got to see their excitement for their first home and being able to share some of our special memories of the house and neighborhood.  Sometimes we get caught up in the details of the sale and it became more real as we got to talk with them and share.  

We had our last home cooked meal as I had cleaned out the freezer and given most of the food away.  We made it a special night with pork schnitzel, spetzle (German pasta), salad and apples with caramel sauce.  This was a favorite dish while we were in Germany.  Great way to bid farewell.

Brian arrived on my birthday, Febraury 11, to help us load the truck.  It was one of the big birthday's - 65 years!  Medicare, qualify for Covid shots, discounts at venues, etc.  

Pies have always been my favorite birthday treat and my daughter-in-law Julie brought dinner - our last Fuzzy's Taco Shop and delicious Pies.  It was fun being together with family.

We were now ready for Friday and the loading of the truck.  We knew there was cold weather forecast and we were hoping to get the truck loaded before it hit.  We had been so blessed all month long as we needed good weather for all that we needed to get done.

Once again, the volunteer army of missionaries from The Fort Worth Texas Mission came to our aid.  We also had several friends that came and helped us load the truck.  It was the game of Tetris at it's finest.  Everyone worked together to make it happen and to fit everything except my two front porch gliders on the truck.  AMAZING!  It was 25* outside and we were racing the weather clock but they all made it happen.  We fed everyone Pizza and said some emotional good-byes to special friends.  Russ, Brian and I finished up the final cleaning of the kitchen and floors and headed to the Hotel for a good nights rest.  We knew we needed to be on the road early and drive to Wichita Kansas before the storm hit at the predicted 6:00 pm time.  

We wanted to see Josh and family one last time and to take pictures at our house and leave the keys.  What a surprise when we got in the car and tried to drive from the Hotel to Josh's house.  It was pure ice on the roads and we could only go about 20 mph and saw 3 accidents on the way.  We were not looking forward to the 6 hour drive ahead.  Luckily, once we were out of Arlington and on the highways it was clear roads.  Russ posted on his Facebook page that "it was going to be a cold day in hell before he would leave Texas".  Well - it happened!

We were so blessed to leave exactly when we did and were able to drive on dry roads the whole way to Wichita Kansas.  We had decided to stay there until the storm blew over and we could drive in better weather to Utah.  Our Hearts and Prayers were with everyone in Texas.  Oh how I wish I could have helped those who were so cold and without water.  We started to realize all of the things we did not have or had given away for just such times.  72 hour kits suddenly became real important.  We were grateful to be in a warm home with water, even with a frozen hot water pipe for two days.  We were much better off than everyone in Texas.  

We had two cases of bottled water in our car and ice chests with food.  The water froze in our car and burst - it went all over the car.  It was good it was just mineral water and not sugar drinks.  It just snowed inside the car.  We had a wonderful week with Brian, Beth, William and Nora.  It was truly a haven from the storm and a place to rest and get ready for the coming days.  

We finally got the call that we were scheduled to close on our new home.  We watched the weather and decided it was time to head to Utah.  The kids gave us a great good-bye and we were off for the new adventure.  Day one across Kansas to Denver was a great drive.  Clear roads and one of the most flat and straight drives in the country.  We stayed in Evergreen Colorado and looked forward to the shorter drive on Sunday.  We woke up to a light snow overnight and a beautiful day.  We started over the pass and it quickly went to completely different conditions.  There was no snow falling, but the roads were heavily sanded and only the two lanes open with no median on the sides.  The road conditions were OK, but we did not expect what happened next.  With 12* temperatures the windshield fluid from Texas was not adequate for the freezing weather.  It had frozen and would not come out to clean off the windshield.  Things were getting serious as I could not see to drive.  Because there was not moisture to help clean off all of the sand and dirt coming from the cars, it was like mud being thrown on the window and then freezing as it hit.  I could not pull off because there was no shoulder with the snow.  Finally a break and a car had pulled off to clean their window and I followed.  I was able to clean it off with water and towels and thought if we can just make it to Veil about 20 miles away to the nearest gas station we could get new fluid and be OK.  I have driven through many snow storms and whiteouts and this was one of the worst driving conditions I have ever been in.  At one point I had to just pray that I was on the road and would not hit another car.  When we arrived in Veil at the first gas station, every car that pulled in purchased windshield washer fluid.  I told Russ to expect to pay $10 for a gallon jug and was surprised that it was only $3.  It was nice to see they saw it as a necessity and made it available.  It took about thirty minutes for it to work through the ice in our car dispenser and then the fluid worked.  

Analogy:

When I was a young girl my father was an Insurance Rep and Real Estate Agent.  He was always attending Sales meetings and Positive Mental Attitude Seminars.  He applied his learning in our family life.  One of my favorite talks he shared with us was a lecture by Pat Boone and Art Linkletter.  This story will really date me.  Back in the day when you went to the gas station and it was full service and they would fill your tank and wash your windshield for 29 cent a gallon gas.  They told the story of a man who came to the gas station and the young man station attendant asked the man "Clean Your Windshield, Sir?"  Sometimes in life we need to "clean our windshields" of life.  We need to wipe away the dirt, bad feelings, negative thoughts, judgements, etc. and see the bright side of life.  That story has played a huge part of my thought process for the rest of my life.  When things have been hard or something brought me down, I always think of that little story and ask myself, "Clean your windshield, Sir."  For those 80 miles I thought of that saying in a much deeper way.  I had never had my "windshield" that dirty and needing to be cleaned so desperately.  I felt like I had been in Hell and had a few moments of seeing the light that kept me going.  Oh, so many thoughts going through my mind.  I was so grateful for the knowledge I have of Jesus Christ and his Atonement.  In D&C 18:10-13 it says:

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.  And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!  In the Lord's own words he describes his suffering, D&C 19:18 "Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore and to suffer both body and spirit - and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink- Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men."

For anyone struggling with life in any aspect, you can know that no matter how low you get, or how much pain you feel, or whatever, Jesus Christ atoned for you and can wipe away your sins, sorrows, pains, fears, weakness, etc and help you see the light.  I have witnessed that in my life spiritually and physically.  I will always be grateful for that simple phrase, "Clean your Windshield, Sir."

From what started as a beautiful day and quickly the conditions changed on the road, just like they do in life, we have to be grounded to a firm belief and foundation.  We continued on our journey and 2 hours later we were driving on dry roads and a sunny day and enjoying the drive when we came upon an accident.  We were completely stopped for 45 minutes.  At that point we could not complain - we were grateful for the calm after the storm and were so grateful to be safe and just sitting on the highway waiting.  The past week has truly been a week full of many emotions.  There have been moments of Joy - seeing family and the beauty of the Majestic Mountains and Sunsets.  The frustrations of delays in closing and many days in a hotel.  The Joys of moving in our new home, meeting new people and the generous help of so many people.  So much to be grateful for.

View from our new Home of Utah Lake

Logan seeing the house for the first time and so excited
for his new room.

Officially Closed and keys in hand.

Cutting the ribbon

  Friday we unloaded the truck with the help of 10 former missionaries from the Alpine German Speaking mission that we served in.  We put the work out and many came to help.  It was an amazing reunion - the beginning of many more times together.  We could not have done it without their help.  John Homer was an office Senior missionary over housing on the mission and was the go to man for all things apartments.  He continued to be the leader and was a work horse that made it all happen.  It brought back lots of memories  - even down to having to climb up and down many stairs.  Our mission nurse, Lynnette Bunker also came and helped and it was so fun to catch up and to know we live close to each other and can see each other again soon.  We look forward to getting settled and starting Sunday dinners with these young people and game nights and food.  

We attended Church for the first time in our new Ward and we were warmly welcomed.  We even knew a few people and made mission connections with a couple that served in Scotland at the same time we were in Germany and were in the MTC with our good friends The Blanchards.  It is really a small world.  

And so, we cherish our time in Texas - the best place to raise a family - and we look forward to returning where we began our family and renewing friendships and being closer to our extended family.  We hope to see our friends that are here and hope that if any of you are ever in Utah you will come and see us and know that our doors are always open for you to stay or find refuge with a good meal.  

Much Love,

The Grimmett's

New Address:

1064 East 140 North

Lindon, UT 84042

Phone:

817-422-8676