Part Three. . .

We lived in Idaho Falls the shortest amount of time but I remember it as one of the best times of my childhood. We moved from Twin in the middle of my second grade year and stayed in Idaho Falls, I believe, less than one year, moving again in the middle of my third grade year.

***One of the first things that comes to mind about the move is a math test that I had to take on my first day in the new school. I remember it because it was on the concept of "greater than", "less than" and "equal to". I had no idea what the funny little symbols were that I was supposed to insert in the circles between the numbers because we hadn't covered that yet in my old school! Instead of asking clarifying questions, I just started filling in the blanks. I don't think that concept was ever fully explained to me but I eventually figured it out and went on to do pretty well in math.

***I remember having many, many friends both in school and at church. My best friends were twin boys named Doug and Don. Our families were close and we spent a lot of time together. I was always trying to decide, in my mind, which one of them I would eventually marry. We went roller skating a lot and I loved the trio skate because then I didn't have to choose between them! We remained friends over the years and I even "dated" Doug one year up at camp and then we spent a little time together during my one year at NNC. They both married lovely girls and, I assume, have lived happily ever after.

***Another good friend was Heidi Bear. Her great uncle was the famous Bobby Bear. I had never heard of him before but I was always so impressed that she was related to someone famous. We kind of had a love/hate relationship because she also was trying to decide between Doug and Don!!! She had a backyard with a big hill and we spent a very fun afternoon on a bright yellow slip-n-slide.

***Our baby sitter's name was Charmaine and she had long, thick brown hair that hung past her waist. I thought she was the prettiest girl I had ever seen. When she would come over, my sister and I would divide up her hair and brush it for what seemed like hours! She was the best babysitter ever.

***The winter we lived in Idaho Falls must have had record snowfall. We have a picture (somewhere) of my sister and I holding up a sign that says April and the snow is still up to our knees. Our poor little dog Mitzi could barely get out to do her business. We had to stomp little trails in the backyard so she wouldn't get lost.

***The house we lived in had 4 back doors which I thought was pretty cool. I would love to go back and see the house because I'd like to see how close it really is to what I remember. I know there was a big brick fireplace in the living room and the kitchen, dining room and living room were all open except for the column where the fireplace stood. My dad and I would jog around this column in the evening to get our exercise!

***We had big, white daisies in our backyard and I spent a lot of time playing, "he loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not". . . It probably had something to do with the twins.

***There was an ice cream shop called "Grannies" a short drive away from our house and we would go there for ice cream sometimes. I always got licorice. Black licorice ice cream. One day as we sat there eating our ice cream my dad used a napkin to explain using the points on numbers as an aid in addition. I was fascinated and still think of that memory today when I add columns of numbers. I've always loved numbers. . .

***The bank we went to had a drive-in window next to a canyon. I'm sure it was more like a big canal but it seems like there was a very small space between the teller behind the glass and the gaping chasm on the passenger side of the car. I would hold my breath the whole time and pray that we would survive it.

***Thinking about our time in Idaho Falls gives me warm fuzzies and I'm not exactly sure why. Such a short time but it really made an impact. . .